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WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11379 November 27, 2019 Rabia I 30, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir inaugurates 24th Arabian Gulf Cup, welcomes everyone to ‘everyone’s Doha’

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani along with His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, His Highness the Personal Representative of the Amir Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, His Highness Sheikh His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani declares the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup open at the Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa al-Thani and other dignitaries at the inauguration of the 24th Gulf Cup yesterday. Khalifa International Stadium yesterday.

By Sports Reporter kick off the defence of its title today Doha Today’s Schedule when they meet their Bahraini coun- terparts at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadi- 5:30pm: Oman vs Bahrain um at Al Duhail, in the opening match is Highness the Amir Sheikh of Group B. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani 8pm: Saudi Arabia vs Kuwait The draw for the group stage in- inaugurated the 24th Arabian cludes Oman, the defending cham- H Venue: Gulf Cup at the Khalifa International pions, in Group B along with Saudi Stadium yesterday. Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. Group A The bi-annual tournament, which includes Qatar, Iraq, Yemen and UAE. Qatar is hosting for the fourth time, Yesterday’s Results Oman head coach Erwin Koeman has was declared open by His Highness the confi rmed his team’s ability to win the Amir before Qatar took on Iraq in the title at the 24th edition. opening match. Qatar 1-2 Iraq He said the second group includes The Amir announced the opening of strong teams, but he was confi dent the tournament, and welcomed, in the UAE 3-0 Yemen the players would be able to perform name of every Qatari, everyone to ‘eve- at high levels and avoid the pressure to ryone’s Doha’. keep the title. Also present on the occasion were French coach Herve Renard is Bahrain aspires to win the title of the His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh leading the Saudi team, where Arabian Gulf Cup for the fi rst time in Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, His High- he expressed his happiness to its history, after a long wait since the ness the Personal Representative of His launch of the fi rst edition of Bahrain in Highness the Amir Sheikh Jassim bin participate in the tournament, 1970. Hamad al-Thani, His Highness Sheikh and said that preparations were The team is led by Portuguese Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, His not strong in the absence of coach Helio Sousa, who said his first His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani along with His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Kha- Al Hilal players, who are the goal was to reach the semi-finals, al-Thani and other dignitaries at the inauguration of the 24th Gulf Cup yesterday. lifa al-Thani and HE Sheikh Jassim bin main strength of the squad. He and then play for the final round and Khalifa al-Thani. pointed out that the players the title that all Bahrainis dream of The inauguration was also attended are scheduled to join the Saudi winning for the first time. Page 24, by Marzouq bin Ali al-Ghanim, Speak- team soon. Sport Pages 1, 7, 8 er of the National Assembly of Kuwait, Their Excellencies Sheikhs, Ministers, between Qatar and Iraq, which Iraq 24th Gulf Cup is heads of the diplomatic missions ac- won 2-1. credited to the State and heads of the Kuwait will face Saudi Arabia today already a success: Gulf Olympic committees and federa- at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium at Al tions. Duhail in the fi rst round of the Arabian Kuwaiti speaker In a short but dazzling pre-match Gulf Cup which will be hosted by Doha Speaker of the National Assembly entertainment programme, the packed until December 8. of Kuwait Marzouq bin Ali al- crowd was treated to a documentary The Kuwaiti team holds the record in Ghanim expressed happiness at the fi lm about the history of the Gulf Cup winning the title with 10 titles while the participation of all GCC states in the since its inception in 1970. It was fol- Saudi team won the title three times. 24th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup, lowed by a traditional song and sword French coach Herve Renard is lead- which Qatar hosts until December 8. dance by hundreds of performers, with ing the Saudi team, where he expressed He said that the participation of the both Qatar and Iraq fans joining in from his happiness to participate in the eight teams represents a success of the stands. tournament, and said that preparations the tournament even before it starts, The fl ags of the eight participating were not strong in the absence of Al Hi- wishing all teams success in presenting teams were brought into the centre of lal players, who are the main strength the image that befits the reputation and the pitch with fi reworks illuminating of the squad. He pointed out that the prestige of the Gulf football. the stadium. players are scheduled to join the Saudi The draw for the tournament put His Highness the Amir and other team soon. Kuwait in Group B along with Oman, A dazzling show entertained the spectators before the inauguration of the tournament at the Khalifa International Stadium dignitaries attended the opening match Oman’s national football team will Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. yesterday PICTURE: Jayan Orma Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 QATAR

Amir sends cable Palestinian president arrives in Doha Labour minister meets Jordan official of congratulations to Romanian leader

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday sent cables of congratulations to Klaus Iohannis on the occasion of his re-election as president of Romania. Qatar participates in 31st session of IMO assembly Qatar participated in the 31st session of the Ordinary General Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Qatar was represented at the session by HE Qatar’s ambassador to the United Kingdom Yousef bin Ali al-Khater. HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Yousef bin Mohamed In his speech, the ambassador President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Doha yesterday on a work visit to Qatar. The al-Othman Fakhro yesterday met the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Labour in Jordan pointed out the steps that Qatar Palestinian president and his accompanying delegation were welcomed upon arrival at Hamad Farouk El Hadidi and his accompanying delegation who are visiting Qatar. During the meeting, is taking towards protecting International Airport by HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi, they reviewed aspects of co-operation, especially on issues related to job opportunities and the marine environment and its and the Palestinian ambassador to Qatar Munir Abdullah Ghannam. employment, and ways to support and develop them. commitment to implement the goals that the IMO. – QNA Food security is top priority, says minister

QNA He said that holding a second duction that would reflect on Doha edition of the conference refl ects the growth of the agricultural the commitment of everyone in sector. Qatar to the country’s food se- The Minister noted that Qatar E the Minister of Mu- curity. has made great progress over the nicipality and Environ- He also highlighted projects past two years when it comes to Hment Abdullah bin Ab- related to the private sector, in increasing the level of self-suffi - dulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie said accordance to the directives ciency in agricultural products. Qatar considers food security a of HE the Prime Minister and The Minister added that he top priority, given it is one of the Minister of Interior. Some of looked forward to further co- most important issues. the projects include producing operation with the private sector The Minister was speaking vegetables in greenhouses, egg in terms of policies and develop- at the opening ceremony of the farms, fi sh and shrimp farms in mental projects, and to take the second annual Conference on addition to others that support appropriate measures to protect Food Security by Al Arab. livestock such as fodder and or- and use natural resources. He said that food security ganic fertiliser. HE al-Subaie thanked HE has many aspects, as it is con- These projects will help the Prime Minister and Minis- nected to both the agricultural achieve self-sufficiency from ter of Interior for his unlimited and the industrial sector. Qatar’s high-quality agricultural support with regard to the food strategy will focus on producing HE al-Subaie addressing the Conference on Food Security. Right: Dignitaries attending the conference. PICTURES:Jayaram products, and to build up a security plans, and thanked items in which the country has strategic stock with cheap members of the food security a comparative advantage. Such dairy, dates, red meat, poultry, of the strategy is to build a stra- products that are not produced is wheat, sugar, rice, and cook- prices. Another main goal is to committee for their eff orts in items include fresh produce, eggs, and fi sh. The other element tegic stock of the most crucial locally, most important of which ing oil. reach optimum levels of pro- that regard. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 27, 2019 3 QATAR

Qatar-Norway relations reviewed

HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi met the Second Vice-President of Parliament in Norway Morten Wold, in Oslo yesterday. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations, as well as issues of common interest. Qatar calls for nuclear arms-free Middle East

QNA International Atomic Ener- jor step in the eff orts of the Vienna gy Agency (IAEA) that Qatar international community is keen to work in various towards the implementa- forums, including the IAEA tion of international obliga- atar stressed yes- Board of Governors and tions, and states that have terday that regional IAEA General Conferences, not participated in it should Qand international in an eff ort to make the Mid- reconsider their decision tensions in the world and dle East a zone free of weap- and engage in the joint ef- the irresponsible calls from ons of mass destruction, fort, under the auspices of some parties to launch a primarily nuclear weapons, the UN to achieve the goal of new international arms race as a result of the country’s HE Sultan bin Salmeen a Middle East free of nuclear requires a strengthening belief in the establishment al-Mansouri weapons and other weapons of disarmament and non- of a region free of weapons of mass destruction. proliferation eff orts, includ- of mass destruction repre- part of some countries to Al-Mansouri said that the ing action to implement the sents an eff ective contribu- implement the 1995 Treaty. Middle East is facing great 1995 Treaty on the Non- tion towards the goal of nu- He said that Qatar is ac- challenges and new oppor- Proliferation of Nuclear clear disarmament and the tively participating in the tunities, expressing hope Weapons (NPT) Review and universality of the NPT. Conference on the Estab- that everyone is convinced Extension Conference. Al-Mansouri expressed lishment of a Middle East of the importance and ne- HE Sultan bin Salmeen regret that the eff orts to es- Nuclear-Weapon-Free cessity of achieving regional al-Mansouri, Permanent tablish a Middle-East region Zone, which is currently security through the imple- Representative of Qatar to free of nuclear weapon and being held in New York, in mentation of commitments the United Nations in Vien- other weapons of mass de- accordance with a UN reso- and to provide peace and na, said in a statement to the struction was stalled by the lution. prosperity for the peoples of Board of Governors at the lack of political will on the He added that it is a ma- the region. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 QATAR

Shura Council Speaker holds meetings in Djibouti

HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud yesterday met the Speaker of the National Assembly of Djibouti, Mohamed Ali Houmed, on the sidelines of the 42nd Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of the African Parliamentary Union (APU). During the meeting, they reviewed the parliamentary relations between Qatar and Djibouti and discussed the topics on the agenda of the conference. The meeting was attended by HE the Chairman of the Qatari-Djiboutian Friendship Committee Saqr bin Fahd al-Meraikhi, Shura Council’s members and Charge d’aff aires at the Qatar embassy Faisal bin Rashid al-Nuaimi. HE al-Mahmoud also met the president of the African Parliamentary Union and President of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso Alassane Bala Sakande. During the meeting, they reviewed the co-operation relations between the Shura Council and the APU and ways of enhancing them, in addition to the topics on the agenda. The meeting also reviewed the parliamentary relations between Qatar and Burkina Faso and ways of promoting them. HE the Speaker also met the President of the National Assembly of the Central African Republic, Laurent Ngon. The meeting reviewed the parliamentary relations between Qatar and CAR and ways of developing them, as well as the topics listed on the agenda. The meetings were attended by a number of Shura Council members.

Deputy Speaker meets UN official

HE the Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council Mohamed bin Abdullah HBKU conference discusses al-Sulaiti yesterday met E Tendayi Achiume, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, of the United computer-human interaction Nations Human Rights Council and her delegation. They reviewed the eff orts of Qatar to support workers’ QNA human interaction. Second, rights and the commitment to provide Doha our blend of discussions and various forms of economic, social, was attended by HE the Secretary-General interactive sessions allowed healthcare and legal protection of of the Shura Council Fahd bin Mubarak he 1st International participants to engage freely their rights and wages. The meeting al-Khayarin. Conference on Visu- with researchers and design- Talisation and Com- ers of these technologies. puter-Human Interaction We’re confi dent that this will (VisCHI) was organised by foster more of the multidis- Qatar Computing Research ciplinary computing research Institute (QCRI) and the required to fuel Qatar’s and College of Science and Engi- Participants in the conference. the wider regions innovation neering (CSE) at Hamad Bin and technology capacities. Khalifa University (HBKU). Proceedings also included of relevant visualisation the best entries awarded at Meanwhile, Assistant It gathered experts and a poster competition and technologies to disseminate the event. Professor at CSE Dr Dena users of scientifi c and data hackathon. For the poster real-world data. Partici- Speaking after the confer- al-Thani, added: “VisCHI visualisation as well as competition, participants pants also benefi ted from ence, Dr Michael Aupetit, was the perfect opportunity computer-human interac- from academia, industry a series of evening lectures who is a senior scientist at to highlight our capabilities tion technologies. and the public sector were in the build-up to the event QCRI, said: “We believe this in the fi elds of visualisa- VisCHI featured an eclec- tasked with designing post- that provided them with the fi rst VisCHI was a resounding tion and computer-human tic mix of discussions and ers highlighting cutting necessary skills to design success for two key reasons. interaction technology. Do- interactive sessions designed edge research in data visual- eff ective visualisation ma- First, our ability to attract ing so also reinforced CSEs to raise awareness of local and isation, user-centric design terials and resources. Both global experts to this event determination to conduct global contributions to visu- and interrelated disciplines. the poster competition and refl ects Qatar’s place at the research and development alisation and computer-hu- VisCHIs hackathon con- hackathon were judged by forefront of developments in that has a positive impact on man interaction capabilities. test encouraged the full use an international jury with visualisation and computer- Qatar and further afi eld.”

QF RDI shares key insights from genome programme at Japan forum

atar’s knowledge in healthcare research Qwas showcased at the 16th Science and Technol- ogy in Society Forum held re- cently in Kyoto, Japan, which saw participants from more than 80 countries come to- gether to discuss global chal- lenges arising from advances in science and technology. The Vice-President of Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI), Qatar Foundation (QF) Dr Richard O’Kennedy, in an invited, Participants in the forum. high-profi le plenary session titled Delivering Healthcare help provide new and deep- to the World, highlighted er insights into diseases and QF’s globally-respected associated risk factors. genomics research eff orts, “It also has the potential to which have positioned Qatar radically enhance diagnoses among the world’s pioneer- and greatly improve treat- ing nations in the highly- ment as well as the delivery specialised sphere of preci- of quality healthcare in Qatar sion medicine. and globally; thus providing “The knowledge gener- individuals with the possibil- ated by the Qatar Genome ity of living longer, healthier, Programme – which has and happier lives.” sequenced over 17,000 In terms of tackling pri- whole genomes in Qatar – vacy concerns about ge- is paving the way for the nomic data, Dr O’Kennedy development and delivery noted that it is imperative to of personalised treatment have a global examination of for diseases such as dia- how to safely handle, store, betes, cancer, autism, and and secure genomic data. cardiovascular disease,” Dr “In Qatar, our genomic O’Kennedy said. programmes have a very Observing that the strong level of engagement unique characteristics of with the people, who we in- the Arab genome have been form and educate about the typically underrepresented importance and long-term or altogether missing in the value of these specialised broader human genomic healthcare programmes. It is data currently available glo- the collective responsibility bally, Dr O’Kennedy added, of all stakeholders to main- “The availability of high- tain this trust and ensure quality information on Qa- their personal data is fully- tari and Arab genomes will secured.” – QNA

Holy Qur’an competition for students

The Holy Qur’an Al Sadd, where tests will be Competition, organised by conducted. the Department of Dawa and The competition aims to Religious Guidance at the encourage students of the Ministry of Endowments and Holy Qur’an teaching centres Islamic Aff airs (Awqaf), will to memorise the Holy Qur’an begin today. and to foster the spirit of Some 295 students will competition. participate in the Holy The competition Qur’an teaching centres includes four sections in across the country. memorisation category of The competition lasts for the Holy Qur’an: 10 parts, five days at the Holy Qur’an 15 parts, 20 parts, 25 parts. and Sciences Department in – QNA Gulf Times Wednesday, November 27, 2019 5 QATAR

Justice minister and SJC chief meet Regional workshop on chief public prosecutor of Morocco prison rehabilitation programmes begins regional workshop on prison rehabilitation Aprogrammes, organised by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the UN Offi ce on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), began yesterday in Doha with HE the Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs, Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali the participation of 12 countries. al-Nuaimi, yesterday met the Chief Public Prosecutor in Morocco and King’s Attorney-General The workshop is part of the Mohamed Abdel Nabawi. During the meeting, they reviewed areas of legal co-operation between implementation of the Doha Qatar and Morocco and the exchange of experiences between the two countries in the fields of Declaration issued by the 13th rehabilitation and training, in addition to a number of issues of common interest. UN Congress on Crime Preven- tion and Criminal Justice (UNC- CPCJ) and through the fi nancial support provided by Qatar to the programme, with the aim of assisting countries to achieve Off icials at the inauguration of the regional workshop on prison rehabilitation programmes. a positive and sustainable im- pact of crime prevention and which resulted in the launching law or legislation provided for. rehabilitation,” said Matta. criminal justice. of the global programme for the “With the help of Qatar, it has He stressed that the roadmap The workshop focuses on a implementation of the declara- been possible to create an edu- for the development of prison number of topics such as prison tion, funded by Qatar and its fo- cational programme for prison- rehabilitation programmes in- rehabilitation from an interna- cus on rehabilitation of inmates ers, to provide technical and cludes four main phases: an as- tional perspective and prison and their reintegration into technical support to more than sessment of prison rehabilita- rehabilitation programmes in society. 11 countries, in addition to pro- tion activities, planning of new the Middle East and North Af- He stressed that the rehabili- viding many training workshops initiatives, programmes and rica (Mena) from a regional per- tation of prisoners must be based for its correctional institutions,” activities to bridge the gaps re- spective in addition to reviewing on studies and plans, according said Chira. vealed by the assessment, de- the national eff orts submitted to a number of criteria that must Alejandro Matta, programme tailed development of new by the participants, success be taken into account, in par- management offi cer at UNODC, initiatives, and monitoring and stories and challenges, presen- ticular (age, educational quali- noted that international law evaluation of prison rehabilitation tations about the classifi cation fi cation, health status, type of states that prisoners must be programmes. of prisoners, and carrying out off ence, duration of punishment) given the opportunity to acquire Captain Bakheet Abdul- a fi eld visit to the care section taking into account the need for knowledge and skills that can lah Albaridi, head of Care and and rehabilitating the inmates the labour market for a number help them reintegrate into soci- Rehabilitation Department of in the penal and correctional of specialities. ety after their release in order not Penal and Correctional Institu- institutions in the country. Marco Chira, co-ordinator, to return to crime. tions (Qatar), said that the Min- Brigadier Mohamed Saud al- Doha Declaration Global Pro- “International law on civil and istry of Interior aims to reform HE the President of the Supreme Judiciary Council (SJC) and the President of the Court of Otaibi, director, Penal and Cor- gramme, stressed that reha- political rights stipulates that and rehabilitate inmates using Cessation, Dr Hassan Lahdan Saqr al-Mohannadi, yesterday met the Chief Public Prosecutor of rectional Institutions Depart- bilitation programmes for the the prison system shall take into all educational, medical, voca- Morocco and the King’s Attorney-General Mohamed Abdel Nabawi. During the meeting, they ment, pointed to the importance reintegration of prisoners after account the treatment of prison- tional training, social service, discussed issues of common interest, as well as ways of legal and judicial co-operation between of the Doha Declaration issued serving their sentences should be ers, the main objective of which sports, cultural and recreational the two sides. by the 13th UNCCPCJ in 2015, reviewed without prejudice to the is their rehabilitation and social activities. (QNA) Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 QATAR Qatar reiterates pledge to take part in HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani

sembly is vital and crucial to the Security Council reform proc- balance of the UN work. ess has been and remains an im- In the statement, HE Sheikha portant topic not for the mem- Alya reiterated Qatar’s position ber states only, but also for the UNSC reform talks which affi rms that the veto is entire United Nations system, a central issue to the Council’s since the presence of the Council QNA Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani at Threatening the sovereignty the participation of Council’s that the reform of the Council reform process, explaining that that enjoys greater representa- New York the plenary meeting of UN Gen- of states and the use of force Member States and State’s should not harm small States, experience had shown that re- tion, effi ciency and transpar- eral Assembly on the “Question represent a challenge to the representatives from all groups. and that they should have the stricting or refraining from using ency, enhances the legitimacy of Equitable Representation on mandate of the Security Coun- HE Sheikha Alya explained representation they deserve in it help to prevent serious crimes of its decisions and accelerates atar reiterated its com- and Increase in the Membership cil and the international com- that the discussions confi rmed the expanded Security Council. such as war crimes, genocide or its implementation, as well as mitment to participate of the Security Council and Oth- munity, and constitutes a fl a- that facing the current and HE Sheikha Alya reiterated ethnic cleansing. strengthens multilateralism and Qactively in the negotia- er Matters related to the Security grant violation of the Charter growing challenges with a Se- that any reform of the Coun- The issue of Security Council contributes to eff orts to achieve tions on UN Security Council’s Council.” of the UN, international law curity Council is representing cil should go hand in hand with reform is an important challenge a more democratic and eff ective reform, stressing the growing HE Sheikha Alya said that the and the resolutions of the Gen- the whole world, embodying improvements in the working for the international community, global governance system, HE need for dialogue and openness Security Council’s reform proc- eral Assembly and the Security the current geopolitical and methods of the Council and the as it is closely linked to one of the Sheikha Alya underlined. to face the current and grow- ess aims to achieve the goals Council, she said, pointing out economic realities and keeping decision-making mechanism, main pillars of the United Na- HE Sheikha Alya concluded by ing challenges with a Security and purposes of the UN Charter, that after more than two dec- pace with the developments and noting the important role of the tions, namely, the maintenance saying that Qatar stressed that Council, refl ecting the current pointing out that any violation ades of the discussions on the changes witnessed in the world. General Assembly on matters of international peace and se- it would continue to participate geopolitical and economic re- of the Charter and the interna- reform of the Security Coun- She also pointed out that the pertaining to the maintenance of curity, she said, adding that the positively in the governments’ alities and keeping abreast of tional law weakens the role of cil, and the increasing need for discussions in the intergovern- international peace and security success of the reform process negotiations for the reform of developments and changes the United Nations, undermines dialogue and openness, Qa- mental negotiations stressed the in accordance with Article 11 of will contribute signifi cantly to the Security Council with a view witnessed by the world. the credibility of its organs and tar provided an opportunity importance of small States and the Charter, including the rec- the realisation of the goals of the to reaching an eff ective and ac- This came in a statement de- aff ects international eff orts to to advance intergovernmen- Small Island Developing States ommendations to the Security United Nations and the attain- countable Council capable of livered by Qatar’s Permanent strengthen mechanisms for the tal negotiations, as in 2017, it to have the opportunity in the Council, as the complementary ment of a world based on norms, taking timely decisions for the Representative to the United Na- maintenance of international hosted the Doha Retreat on decision-making process in the relationship between the Secu- multilateralism, equity and maintenance of international tions, Ambassador HE Sheikha peace and security. Security Council Reform, with expanded Council, stressing rity Council and the General As- regional balance. peace and security.

Armed Forces Training Institute celebrates 95th graduation of Foundation Course Top court welcomes seconded judges from SJC atar International Court Court of First Instance, and Al- judges from our partner insti- English-language proceedings and Dispute Resolution Reem Nasser al-Nuaimi, judge in tution as part of our eff orts to for Qatar Financial Centre en- QCentre (QICDRC), Qatar’s the Court of First Instance, aims attract Qatari judicial staff . We tities. To date, the court’s staff leading civil and commercial court, to bolster the exchange of judicial would also like to take this op- consists of 16 judges from 10 has announced the secondment of knowledge. Both judges will par- portunity to thank the SJC for countries – a level of diversity two distinguished Supreme Judici- ticipate in the QICDRC proceed- their commitment in delivering that off ers seconded judges the ary Council (SJC) judges as part of ings of litigation and case hearings. the highest level of home-grown opportunity to learn about oth- the parties’ ongoing co-operation. Faisal al-Sahouti, CEO, Qatar judicial expertise to the court.” er judicial specialisations and The secondment of Mubarak International Court, said: “The As a specialised civil and com- develop their legal expertise, a Saad al-Hajri, president of the court welcomes the esteemed mercial court, QICDRC delivers statement notes.

Gulf Studies Center launches interdisciplinary conference The Gulf Studies Center (GSC) at Qatar University’s (QU) College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) has launched its 4th Annual International Interdisciplinary Conference under the theme ‘Geopolitics of the Gulf Energy: Adjusting to New and Old A session from QU’s 4th Annual International Interdisciplinary Conference. Challenges.’ The two-day conference brings conflicts, tensions and insecurity, Derham said the conference events that discuss key and The Armed Forces Training Institute celebrated the graduation of the foundation course No 95 in together scholars, policy makers, special attention will be given is a valuable opportunity for pressing issues and themes in the presence of HE Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration and Logistics Aff airs Major-General local stakeholders and students to the study of challenges for students to share experiences collaboration with local, regional (Pilot) Mubarak bin Mohamed al-Kumait al-Khayarin. Recruits Training Institute Commander from a wide-range of disciplines hydrocarbon export from the Gulf. with researchers, experts and and international experts. Brigadier Hamad Mohamed al-Hajri, explained that this course provided foundation training for to engage in distinct debates The conference will also explore specialists. GSC director Dr Mahjoob Zweiri the new soldier, focusing on discipline and obeying orders and armament with knowledge and on a number of themes such as prospects for renewable energy, The College of Arts and Sciences described the event as an basic fighting skills, in addition to endurance, fitness and shooting. At the end of the ceremony, HE the influence of the main trends diversification, and energy sector dean Prof Ibrahim AlKaabi lauded example of the commitment of Major-General (Pilot) Mubarak bin Mohamed al-Kumait al-Khayarin honoured the distinguished of the international oil and gas reforms in the region as well as the eff orts and initiatives of the the Center in providing necessary graduates and took commemorative photos with the graduates. markets on Gulf countries. the future of Gulf hydrocarbons. GSC in organising important platforms to discuss major issues Given the current Middle Eastern QU president Dr Hassan al- conferences, seminars and related to the Gulf region.

Katara organises creative writing workshop for school students atara – the Cultural welfare. At Katara – the Village is organising Cultural Village, we under- Ka creative writing take a host of programmes workshop and competition to promote the talent and for students of all Eng- creativity of children and lish medium schools in the increase their cultural country as part of the Kids’ awareness,” said Katara Festival being held at Ka- general manager Dr Khalid tara to mark the Universal bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti. Children’s Day. “The creative writing The workshop and com- workshop and contest will petition are open to stu- provide a golden opportu- dents between 9 and 12 nity for students to hone years-old and each school their creative skills and can nominate two partici- contribute to the society pants, according to Katara they are living in,” Dr al- in a press statement. Sulaiti added. Attractive prizes and tro- Khalid al-Sayed, head of phies will be given to the the Programme and manager top three winners of the of Katara Publishing House, competition, and conso- said that the creative work- lation prizes for the next shop is a continuation of seven winners and certifi - Katara’s eff orts to promote cates of participation to all culture and creativity. participants. “The creative workshop The workshop, to be held will provide a unique op- in four days during week- portunity for students for ends starting from Decem- creative improvement and ber 6, will be conducted cultural interactions. The by top professionals in participants will benefi t the fi eld. immensely from the special “The United Nations programmes we are provid- Universal Children’s Day ing by a team of talented is celebrated every year to professionals,” he said. promote international to- Schools wishing to par- getherness and awareness ticipate may write to info@ among children worldwide, kataraph.com for details of and to improve children’s the programme. Wednesday, November 27, 2019 7 QATAR Qatar Charity to launch the 2019-2020 winter campaign

atar Charity (QC) is all set The campaign aims to meet the pillows, hygiene items, and bag underprivileged in countries to launch the 2019-2020 necessary winter needs of the for orphans containing winter where temperatures fall below Qwinter campaign from targeted vulnerable in the areas clothes, blankets, and food basket. zero degrees Celsius. Syrian and Palestinian refugee of food, shelter, and heating by The campaign focuses on the Qatar Charity, with the camps in the Hashemite Kingdom providing food baskets, winter affected in countries like Syria and support from benefactors in of Jordan to provide the necessary clothes, blankets, heaters, heating Palestine, which are going through Qatar, is keen to implement assistance to the vulnerable for fuel, tents, caravans, tent and exceptional circumstances. such campaigns at the their survival during the harsh house maintenance, mattresses, It also concentrates on the beginning of each winter to ease month of winter. The campaign the suffering of the vulnerable, is expected to benefit hundreds of and contribute to saving the thousands of people in the areas lives, especially children, of food, shelter, and heating. women, and the elderly in the Today, a delegation from most affected countries. Qatar Charity, social activists, and social media influencers This reality poses a significant are heading to Jordan to launch challenge to all humanitarian the campaign and distribute the organizations, requiring them first batch of winter assistance to mobilize more resources to directly to Syrian and Palestinian contribute to the safety of these refugees living in camps and low- sections. income Jordanian families. Given the difficult situation The delegation will also tour of refugees, internally displaced the Qatar Charity Medical Center persons (IDPs), and those in in the Zaatari refugee camp, in need in countries experiencing addition to participating in the extreme cold, Qatar Charity implementation of other projects urges benefactors to support the for Syrian and Palestinian campaign to deliver assistance refugees and low-income to the targeted people and ease Jordanian families. their hardship. Qatar Charity employees participate in blood donation drive atar Charity (QC) participated in of its efforts aimed at strengthening its the Blood Donation Campaign, social role towards the local community, Qwhich was launched by the promoting the culture of voluntary Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), in blood donation, and educating the collaboration with the Hamad Medical public and its employees about the Corporation (HMC) Blood Donor Center importance of this humanitarian action, under the slogan “Save A Life”. and contributing to supporting the efforts made by HMC in providing blood The drive, organized at Qatar units to those in need. Charity headquarters, witnessed wide participation of its eligible employees, Qatar Charity staff expressed their who donated blood to help patients at pleasure at participating in the blood local clinics and hospitals, believing donation drive. “The participation in in giving back to the community and such events is a humanitarian and ethical promoting humanitarian cooperation duty to save the lives of those in need of among the members of society. blood,” said the blood donor Abdullah Al Ashwal, donor relations officer at Qatar The participation of Qatar Charity in Charity. this campaign falls within the framework Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 QATAR

HBKU Press signs publishing deal Speakers, events for for new journal

amad Bin Khalifa Uni- within our collection of aca- versity Press (HBKU demic journals confi rms our HPress) has welcomed commitments as a university literary fest unveiled the executive leadership from publishing house to publish the Arab Scientifi c Community the latest and most important By Joey Aguilar Organisation (Arsco) to the information for researchers Staff Reporter Minaretein (College of Islamic and readers in the region and Studies building) in Educa- beyond,” explained Chebaro. tion City to sign a publishing “HBKU Press is providing Arab rominent authors and agreement outlining the devel- academics with a global plat- thinkers from Qatar and opment of a new journal to be form on which to share their Paround the world will take launched on HBKU Press’s on- information.” part in the Middle East debut of line, peer-reviewed, Open Ac- The agreement will see the the Jaipur Literary Festival (JLF), cess platform, QScience.com. release of two issues of the dubbed as the “greatest literary The journal, titled the Ara- new journal per year, with the show on earth”, scheduled from bian Journal of Scientifi c Re- fi rst issue set to be published in December 12 to 14 at the Qatar search (AJSR), will be devoted early 2020. National Library (QNL), it was to publishing the latest scien- “We are very pleased to be announced. tifi c research in pure and ap- working with Hamad Bin Kha- The event, hosted by the QNL plied natural sciences, mathe- lifa University Press on this in partnership with TeamWork matics, medicine, engineering new journal,” explained Dr Arts, and sponsored by the and the history and philosophy al-Rabban. “This journal will Ministry of Foreign Aff airs and of science in Arabic. be part of Arsco’s 10th an- Ooredoo Qatar, is the fi rst inter- Translations of the abstract niversary celebration, which national literature festival of its will also be available in English. aims to consolidate scientifi c kind in the region. Off icials announce the Middle East debut of the JLF in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed Bachar Chebaro, executive writing in Arabic, disseminate It also forms part of the Qatar- director of HBKU Press, and Dr it among researchers speaking India Year of Culture 2019. William Dalrymple, bestselling Traditions of Reform in Eight- Story Festival; Dr Rakhshanda and readings, which “will be Moza bint Mohamed al-Rab- Arabic, while further encour- “We are honoured that this author, historian and co-director eenth-Century Islamic Thought Jalil, translator, writer and liter- open to everyone” free of charge ban, president of Arsco, signed aging researchers to work in global literary event makes its of the JLF; Manu S Pillai, author and Islam, Science and the Chal- ary historian; Kim Pereira, actor, – schools, universities, com- the agreement in the presence Arabic.” Middle East debut in Doha, join- of the critically-acclaimed The lenge of History; Amal Mohamed director, playwright and author munity groups, writers’ forums, of senior representatives from Arsco is an independent, ing the cities of London, New Ivory Throne, Rebel Sultans and al-Malki, founding dean of the of August Wilson and The Afri- book clubs, and all book lovers. both institutions. non-profi t organisation estab- York, Toronto, Houston, Belfast, The Courtesan, the Mahatma and College of Humanities and Social can-American Odyssey; Ameri- Ibrahim al-Hashmi of the “The inclusion of the Ara- lished in 2010 with the aim of Boulder and Adelaide, who have the Italian Brahmin; Alex Shaw, Sciences at Hamad Bin Khalifa can journalist Jeff rey Gettleman, Spokesperson’s Offi ce at the bian Journal of Scientifi c Re- supporting and strengthening also hosted international edi- author of the Aidan Snow thrill- University; Dr James Onley, di- winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, said: search on QScience.com and the Arab scientifi c community. tions of this iconic celebration ers Cold Blood, Cold Black, and rector of Historical Research and for International Reporting; “We are delighted to be part of a of literature,” QNL executive di- Cold East; Pranay Lal, award- Partnerships at QNL and author Asma Khan, the fi rst British chef landmark moment for our liter- rector Dr Sohair Wastawy told a winning author of Indica: A Deep of The Arabian Frontier of the to be featured on Netfl ix’s Chef’s ary landscape, the latest example press conference yesterday. Natural History of the Indian British Raj; M Reza Pirbhai, as- Table; Buket Uzuner, one of Tur- of Qatar’s role in the global ex- “The local literary scene is Subcontinent; Prayaag Akbar, sociate professor of History at key’s “75 Most Infl uential Wom- change of culture and ideas.” fl ourishing, and there is noth- author of Leila, which was turned GU-Q and author of the books en”; Sharmila Tagore, veteran “The JLF Doha is a formida- ing to hold back both experi- into a drama serial by Netfl ix; and Reconsidering Islam in a South Indian actress; Musharraf Ali ble example of how the Library enced and emerging writers,” Tony Joseph, author of the best- Asian Context and Fatima Jinnah: Farooqi, author of 2012 Man Asia works with international part- she stressed. “The JLF Doha is selling and award-winning book Mother of the Nation; Sam Meek- Literary Prize fi nalist Between ners to bring diff erent cultures an incredible opportunity for Early Indians: The Story of Our ings, poet, novelist and assistant Clay and Dust; Namita Gokhale, together, and is also a testament the people of Qatar to share and Ancestors and Where We Came professor of Creative Writing at author, founder and co-director to a cultural friendship between widen their own interests and From. Northwestern University in Qa- of the JLF and of Mountain Ech- two nations with a long, rich his- knowledge through thought- Several members of Qatar tar; and Uday Chandra, assist- oes, the Bhutan Literature Festi- tory of co-operation,” he noted. ful exchanges with a mix of the community will also be speak- ant professor of Government at val; and, Sanjoy K Roy, managing Aside from the main event, world’s greatest writers, literary ing at the JLF Doha, including Dr GU-Q. director of Teamwork Arts. the festival will also feature side fi gures and thought leaders.” Ahmad Dallal, dean of Georget- These speakers will also be Dr Wastawy said that the JLF events such as creative writing, The agreement was signed by Chebaro, executive director of Among the authors who will be own University in Qatar (GU-Q) joined by Paul McVeigh, co- Doha has a full line-up of creative theatre, and children’s storytell- HBKU Press, and Dr al-Rabban, president of Arsco. speaking at the festival include and author Islam without Europe: founder of the London Short literary events and talks, lectures, ing workshops. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 27, 2019 9 QATAR Kahramaa completes commissioning of Al Bidda substation Off icials at the opening of the Aviation Academy with children. Supplied picture of Metro project

he Qatar General Electric- Qatar Airways opens Aviation ity and Water Corporation T(Kahramaa) has com- pleted the commissioning of Al Bidda Metro substation, it was Academy at KidZania Doha announced yesterday. With the commissioning, works of all fi ve electricity sub- atar Airways yesterday stations related to Doha Metro opened the Aviation project have successfully come QAcademy at KidZania to an end. The Al Bidda substa- Doha as part of its new role as tion is embedded with multi- Offi cial Airline Sponsor of Qa- storey car parking. tar’s fi rst educational-enter- The total cost of the project is tainment concept for children. QR300mn. Al Bidda 33/123KV The airline unveiled the in- electricity substation is a part stallation of one of its aircraft of phase 12 of Qatar electricity Kahramaa’s engineers inside the substation. at the Aviation Academy at a transmission network expansion press conference led by Qa- project. The substation is fed trances have been provided with projects witnessed by Qatar. It re- in this successful project which tar Entertainment Company from Al Suwaidi super by 132KV electric display screens, display- fl ects Kahramaa’s commitment to will aff ect positively and in- (Tasali) board member and cable with the length of 5.4km. ing the number of vacant park- implementing the infrastructure crease productivity. Kahramaa deputy COO of Aspire Logis- Off icials at the press conference yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma The substation has 132/32KV ing lots available on each fl oor. projects in line with the pursued has commissioned a total of fi ve tics, Rashid al-Khalifa; and transformers, 132/33KV GIS Kahramaa considered the urban time schedule. electricity substations for Qatar manager of the Cadet Pilot Our partnership with KidZania includes more than 60 real-life and other allied equipment. The nature of the area, lack of car park- Kahramaa has followed the Rail to provide Metro Stations Programme, Captain Ahmad El Doha brings children’s aviation simulation activities across di- substation capacity is 100MVA. ing and a large number of daily visi- highest standards of safety and with electricity with a total cost Said. dreams to life in a way that in- verse business environments, Kahramaa president Essa tors to the commercial and services security in all it’s operations and of QR900mn. Ras Abu Funtas The aircraft has been con- tegrates education and enter- and allows children to dress up bin Hilal al-Kuwari, while an- authorities located in the vicinity. It activities. It has achieved more metro substation was commis- verted into a simulator that al- tainment together.” and role-play realistic tasks in a nouncing the completion, said benefi ted from the location to con- than 2mn working hours without sioned in July 2017 while Lusail lows kids to role-play as pilots Al-Khalifa added, “At Kid- safe, interactive and meaning- the project will help Doha Metro struct the multi-storey car parking. lost time injuries or incidents in Metro electricity substation was and cabin crew and immerse Zania, we seek to encourage ful environment. project meet electricity needs. It also contributed to solving the the project of Al Bidda Substation commissioned in March 2018. themselves as in the world and stimulate the early devel- The edutainment park, with Al-Kuwari added that Kah- car parking issue in such areas with and associated car parking. Al Waab metro substation of aviation and travel, learn- opment of children through its own economy and currency, ramaa gives top priority to Doha high traffi c movement. It’s also keen to apply the was commissioned in June 2018 ing how to ensure the safety playful learning and the use of has been designed to provide a Metro substations in project This substation is one of Kah- highest standards of living cir- while Doha West metro substa- and comfort of passengers on imagination and creativity to- holistic experience to support awarding. “We manage to accom- ramaa’s achievements as a key cumstances for workers, ap- tion became operational in Sep- board, according to a press ward their future paths.” physical and mental develop- plish as per the approved timeta- partner in the development of the preciating their role as partners tember 2018. statement. Parents can join in KidZania Doha is an edu- ment amongst children, and ble and as per the highest stand- the fun as they role play as pas- cational-entertainment con- help improve their self-esteem ards. The substations for Doha sengers receiving award-win- cept for children designed by and confi dence. Metro are equipped with special Extended timings for Doha Metro service ning in-fl ight hospitality from educators, where children can KidZania Doha is owned and technology to ensure uninter- their children. independently choose from an operated by Qatar Entertain- rupted power supply in emergen- Qatar Rail has tweeted that it is extending the Doha from Sport City station on the Gold Line; ap- Visitors entering KidZania array of real-life activities to ment, Tasali. cy situations,” he said highlighting Metro service hours on the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup proximately 20 minutes from Msheireb station in Doha will be welcomed at the simulate. It manages more than A partnership between Kahramaa’s commitment to ac- match days, running from 6am until midnight, in downtown Doha. Qatar Airways branded check- 28 parks worldwide, of which well-known companies in complish infrastructure projects order to “facilitate fans’ travel” on those days. Al Sadd Stadium – walking distance from Al Sudan in desks, by personnel dressed Qatar Airways is a co-sponsor the private sector (Sharaka within the timeline. Informing this yesterday, Qatar Rail also provided station on the Gold Line. in Qatar Airways uniforms. of its Kuwait and Singapore lo- Holdings) and the public sec- Kahramaa, in co-ordination answers to queries related to the Gulf Cup through Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah) – 5km from Al Qatar Airways senior vice- cations, in addition to KidZania tor (Aspire Zone Foundation) with Qatar Rail, seeks to provide the dedicated Doha Metro & Lusail Tram Twitter Wakra station on the Red Line. Free buses will be president – Marketing and Doha located in Aspire Park. coming together to support the highest standards of reli- page: available to and from the stadium. Corporate Communications Built around the concept Qatar National Vision 2030. ability in it’s electricity networks  Who is entitled to a Doha Metro free Day Pass?  How frequent are Doha Metro trains? Salam al-Shawa said, “We of the ‘City of Education and It is located in Aspire Zone, at par with the global standards Anyone who can show a printed, physical ticket for Trains operate every five minutes in both directions are delighted to contribute to Entertainment’, KidZania fea- one of the most visited and and regulations required for an Arabian Gulf Cup football match. from all stations, including Sport City station. and stimulate the minds of tures an interactive kid-sized centrally located attractions metro stations. When can I collect a complimentary Day Pass? Qatar Rail also urged people to “please allow extra the youth by allowing them city, which was developed for in Doha, and has been classi- The substation building has Complimentary Day Passes are only available on travel time on match days as we anticipate a busy to ignite their imagination as and is managed solely by chil- fied as one of Qatar’s most ac- six-storey car parking which will match days. These can be collected from any Doha service, especially at Al Aziziyah and Sport City they role-play as Qatar Air- dren aged between two and 14 cessible venues by Accessible be completed soon and will have Metro station goldclub information centre. stations”. ways pilots and cabin crew. years. The self-suffi cient city Qatar. space for 625 cars. It’s equipped Which Doha Metro stations do I need to travel to The recently launched Gold Line has 11 stations, with the latest safety and securi- for the football matches? extending from Ras Bu Abboud to Al Aziziyah and ty systems. The main entrance of Khalifa International Stadium – walking distance connecting the Red Line at Msheireb station. the building and the fl oors’ en- Qatar-France Year of Culture 2020 steering panel holds second meeting Korean Ambassador’s Cup taekwondo draws crowds

QNA Delattre. The Qatari ambassador briefed the By Joey Aguilar Culture and Sports’ Sport Aff airs Paris meeting on the cultural events and activities Staff Reporter Department director Eisa Ab- which the State of Qatar will organise next year dulla al-Harami, and Kukkiwon in Paris and other French regions to introduce the director Hoi Sang Hwan, as well he second meeting of the Steering Com- culture and heritage of the State of Qatar to the ore than 300 players as other ambassadors, diplo- mittee of the Qatar-France Year of Culture French people. from diff erent taek- mats, dignitaries, and members T2020 was held in Paris yesterday. The ambassador underlined that the State of Mwondo clubs in Qatar of expatriate communities (in- The meeting was co-chaired by HE Qatar’s Qatar looks forward to the success of the pro- took part in the Korean Ambas- cluding the Korean community) ambassador to France Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al- gramme of the Qatar-France Year of Culture, sador’s Cup Taekwondo Cham- in Doha, who also witnessed the Thani and Secretary-General of the Ministry of which will include the organisation of cultural pionships, held recently at the spectacular live demonstration. Europe and Foreign Aff airs of France Francois events in Qatar and France. Gharafa Sports Club. Composed of South Korea’s The event, hosted by the top 70 taekwondo practitioners, South Korean embassy in Doha Kim Chang-mo and Eid Ali al-Muraikhi at the event. the Kukkiwon team takes pride and in collaboration with the in spreading taekwondo and Qatar Taekwondo, Judo and Ka- the championships, which also taekwondo demonstration team Korean culture as civilian diplo- rate Federation, and Kukkiwon featured a number of competi- in 1974 – the group has toured mats. (World Taekwondo Headquar- tions from diff erent categories. over a dozen countries each year Taekwondo combines com- ters), was attended by more than “The Kukkiwon team has been since then,” said South Korean bat and self-defence techniques 1,000 afi cionados, including a pioneer in globalising taek- ambassador Kim Chang-mo in a with sport and exercise. It is Qatar residents and members of wondo as a leading martial art press statement. recognised as one of the old- the Korean community in Doha. since the organisation, which is The envoy was joined by Qa- est forms of martial arts in the A one-of-its-kind Kukkiwon also known as the World Taek- tar Taekwondo, Judo and Karate world, reaching back more than taekwondo demonstration by a wondo Headquarters, founded in Federation general-secretary 2,000 years and originated in Korean delegation highlighted 1972. It organised the Kukkiwon Eid Ali al-Muraikhi, Ministry of Korea.

Prestigious award for WCM-Q doctor and student team

Some of the experts at the Cudos. A doctor and a student at Weill Cornell The research was presented at a scientific ses- Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) have received a sion of the American Heart Association, which prestigious award for their research into the is the largest annual cardiovascular medicine relationship between calcium deposits in coro- conference in the world. The research involved nary arteries and high blood pressure, it has examining the records of 1,859 participants with Sidra’s Cudos congress concludes been announced. stage one hypertension who are included on Dr Mohamed B Elshazly, cardiologist and as- the MESA database. Just over half were male sistant professor of medicine at WCM-Q, and and the participants had an average age of 63 idra Medicine yester- a broad spectrum of disciplines hosted by Sidra Medicine and Amal Abdellatif, who is in the final year of years. The research found that the presence day wrapped-up the including pulmonology, neu- led by Dr Khalid Fakhro, act- her medical degree, were presented with the of coronary artery calcium, particularly a score S3rd Annual Congress rology, adolescent medicine, ing chief research officer, di- Paul Dudley White International Scholar at Sci- future heart disease, even when other high- greater than 100, does increase the risk of suf- of Current Understanding in oncology and human genetics rector of the Precision Medi- entific Sessions award for their work on arterial risk factors like old age, diabetes and chronic fering from cardiovascular disease in patients Diabetes, Obesity, and Related to name a few. cine Programme and head of calcium deposits, hypertension and coronary kidney disease are not present. with mild hypertension. Syndromes (Cudos), with a The last day of the congress Human Genetics department, heart disease. Working with scientists at a number of interna- Dr Elshazly, himself an alumnus of WCM-Q, said: main focus on paediatric preci- featured opening keynote Sidra Medicine. The precision The award is given to the highest ranked tional institutions, including Johns Hopkins Hos- “This is the first MESA study to be performed by sion medicine. speech by Professor Hakon medicine symposia looked at international abstracts at scientific sessions of pital and the National Institute for Prevention Qatar investigators. It is an important example of Day three of the Congress Hakonarson, director of the current on the ground clinical the American Heart Association, with the rank- and Cardiovascular Health in Ireland, Amal and how global the process of research has become. featured sessions on genomic Center for Applied Genomics and research programmes at ing performed by independent cardiovascular Dr Elshazly performed the research at WCM-Q Dr Elshazly added, “Amal and I would like to thank and drug intervention, behav- at the Joseph Stokes Jr. Re- Sidra Medicine. researchers. using the US’s multiethnic study of atherosclero- all the co-authors and investigators, especially ioural medicine and psychol- search Institute of Children’s Cudos 2019 has been ac- In collaboration with international researchers, sis (MESA) database. our statistician at the biostatistics core at WCM-Q, ogy and precision medicine in Hospital of Philadelphia credited as a Group Learning the pair examined whether the presence of MESA is a study funded by the National Heart, Soha Dargham, and our senior investigator, Dr neurocritical care. (CHOP). Activity (Category 1) for 46 calcium deposits in coronary arteries are an Lung and Blood Institute that examines early John McEvoy. We would like to thank the other The sessions were led by Running in parallel to the hours by the Qatar Council for indication that doctors should intervene with atherosclerosis – a condition where the arteries investigators, the staff and participants of the Sidra Medicine specialists from congress, a symposium was Healthcare Practitioners. intensive hypertension treatment to prevent narrow through a build-up of plaque. MESA study for their valuable contributions.” Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 QATAR

Weekend super sale at Doha Festival City

Doha Festival City (DHFC) Calvin Klein, and Birkenstock has announced its annual for both men and women, all Ashghal in deal to boost “Friday Super Sale Weekend”, will be off ering great prices on taking place from today until their store collections during November 30 with ‘amazing the Super Sale Weekend. off ers’ from more than 100 top With discounts of up to 70% retailers and restaurants. across stores for women and DHFC ‘brings shoppers the children such as La Senza, best deals and savings on their Al-Motahajiba, Monsoon, Cool concrete works quality favourite items from first-to- Club, Mayoral, and Blue Kids market and exclusive brands Salon will ensure everyone is n an attempt to enhance co- as part of their annual Super catered for during this massive operation in improving con- Sale Weekend, making it the sale. Icrete structures through ex- best and biggest destination for FNAC and Sportswear changing information, expertise, shopping in Qatar,’ according retailers will give sport fans training, accreditation and copy- to a statement. There will be an adrenaline rush with a right, the Public Works Author- ‘hundreds of brands, hundreds range of incredible sales and ity (Ashghal) yesterday signed a of choices and hundreds of vouchers. memorandum of understanding riyals of savings’. The Friday Super Sale week- (MoU) with the American Con- “We are incredibly excited end also covers accessories, crete Institute (ACI). about the huge number of eye-care, bags, leather prod- The MoU was signed at Ash- retailers participating in our ucts, and cosmetics from top ghal Headquarters by president biggest and most anticipated brands such as Mosafer, Optica, Dr Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhan- super sale of the year. Last Inglot, and Make Up For Ever. nadi and ACI president Dr Ran- year’s annual super sale week- Leading home and décor dall Boston in the presence of end witnesses unprecedented stores including Next Home representatives from both enti- visitors to the mall and with an Living, W&B Home and Think ties. incredible amount of sales to Kitchen, are also having further The function also marked Mwani Qatar’s Abdulla al-Khanji receiving the award for Hamad Port’s QF’s Ghanim al-Ibrahim receiving the first position award for Qatar our retailer,” said DHFC general discounts on sale items. award distribution to two win- Visitor Centre as Ashghal president Dr Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhannadi National Library Project as Ashghal president Dr Saad bin Ahmed manager Robert Hall. DHFC off ers the largest ners of the International Con- and ACI president Dr Randall Boston look on. al-Muhannadi and ACI president Dr Randall Boston look on. “The season deals will range of retailers across home, crete Construction Competition. add a great value, and the fashion, children’s ware, tech- The ACI award was conceived various researches and studies He further explained that the at Ashghal, said such agreements the local and international mar- family-friendly environment will nology and entertainment and in co-ordination with Ashghal with copyright. MoU comes within the frame- will certainly contribute to im- ket without the need to travel ensure a convenient, comfort- dining making it the #1 shop- which is the authority for nomi- It includes co-operation in work of eff orts to improve and proving the quality standards abroad,” he said. able and exciting shopping ping destination in Qatar. nation and evaluation of Qatar- joint sponsorship of conferences, excel the quality of concrete in the fi eld of concrete works, The ACI is a not-for-profi t experience for everyone,” he DHFC has more than 420 based projects that are com- workshops, training, qualifi ca- works through exchanging infor- pointing to the existing great co- scientifi c community organisa- added. Stores featuring top of the line peting to win this international tion of technical personnel and mation with expert entities in the operation between ACI and Ash- tion that functions to develop Home to first to market flag- homeware, fashion, beauty, reputation. provision of international cer- fi eld. ghal through Quality and Safety and implement modern scientifi c ship and unique stores, as well electronics and grocery stores. Ghanim al-Ibrahim, execu- tifi cation in the fi eld of concrete He added that the co-oper- Department. methods in concrete manufac- as major retailers including De- It is also home to more than tive director of Operations at construction within the scope of ation between the two bodies He also pointed his fi ngers to turing technology. benhams, Hollister Co, Charles 100 places to dine and relax Qatar Foundation (QF) received Ashghal programme for technical would also open ways to promote the need for the regular meet- In view of the continuous ef- and Keith, Tommy Hilfiger, R&B, including fine restaurants, cafes the fi rst position award for Qatar qualifi cation. Ashghal projects in international ings between representatives of forts of Ashghal to support New Yorker, LC Waikiki, Dune, and casual dining outlets. National Library Project of QF in It also features boosting com- forums and publications to en- Ashghal and ACI to boost the the activities of ACI within it’s the decorative concrete category. munication between the two hance Ashghal’s international exchange of experiences saying projects, the ACI branch in Qa- Abdulla al-Khanji, CEO of sides through visits and meetings reputation. the new MoU would enhance this tar has been accredited and it’s Qatar Port Management Com- in order to exchange information Randall Boston pointed out co-operation locally and inter- chaired by Khalid al-Emadi, pany (Mwani Qatar) received the and technology in the fi eld of that the co-operation between nationally. Quality and Safety manager at award for Hamad Port’s Visitor enhancing concrete and related Ashghal and ACI will include “As part of Ashghal’s Techni- the Public Works Authority. Centre which was ranked the fi rst construction works as well as the copyright, provision of training cal Qualifi cation Programme, the One of the vital activities of the Fifty One East brings in in the category of low rise build- marketing of joint activities. courses approved by the Insti- MoU includes imparting training Qatar branch of ACI is promot- ings. Al-Muhannadi said that the tute and holding regular bilat- to technical personnel and grant- ing participation in international The MoU is aimed at co-ordi- co-operation between Ashghal eral meetings to update the latest ing international certifi cates competitions and the develop- premium Bose speakers nating the enhancement of con- and international institutions means of technology in the fi eld jointly accredited by ACI and ment of concrete specifi cations crete works and designs through like ACI is expected to enhance of concrete. Ashghal in the fi eld of concrete in co-operation with specialists exchanging of information and Ashghal’s international reputa- Khalid al-Emadi, manager of construction. This accreditation and members of the concrete in- technical expertise in terms of tion. Quality and Safety Department will qualify the professionals in stitutes worldwide.

Ooredoo announces new Nojoom promo at Village Markets

oredoo announced yes- shop at the branches, with each ways looking for ways to give terday a new promotion purchase being considered as our valued Nojoom members Ofor members of its loyalty one entry except for transactions more. programme, Nojoom, at partner paid for with redeemed Nojoom “We’re delighted to offer this store Village Markets. vouchers. exciting new promotion at Vil- Nojoom members will get 10x The 10x points and shopping lage Markets, which will mean Nojoom points on all purchases vouchers promotion is avail- extra rewards with our awe- from the Fresh section – meat, There will be two raffl e draws To get the 10x Nojoom points, able at the Muaither branch in some network of Nojoom part- The Bose Home smart speaker. The Bose Home Speaker 300. fi sh, deli, vegetables and fruit on December 31 and on February customers should inform staff Al Rayyan and the Salwa Road ners and of course the chance – every Sunday, Monday, and 2, 2020 where fi ve vouchers will that they are a Nojoom member branch. to win an incredible QR3,000 ifty One East, Qatar’s leading department store, and Bose, Tuesday from November 26 un- be up for grabs in each draw. and provide their QID or mobile Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, in shopping vouchers. We hope have released premium additions to the international audio til January 31, 2020, as well as the Winners will be announced on number, and points will be cred- director, PR and Corporate our members will enjoy shop- Fbrand’s speaker family, the Portable Home smart speaker chance to win one of 10 QR3,000 Ooredoo’s social media accounts ited. Communications at Oore- ping and earning extra points, and Home Speaker 300 in Qatar. shopping vouchers on every pur- and the relevant promotion page To get an entry into the raffl e doo, said: “We appreciate our and wish them the best of luck The new versatile smart speakers are sold at the Bose store in chase at stores. on ooredoo.qa draws, customers simply need to customers’ loyalty and are al- in the raffle.” Lagoona Mall, Fnac in Lagoona Mall and Doha Festival City, Mod- ern Home – Al Maha Center, iSpace – Lagoona Mall and Al Maha Center, Virgin Megastore – Landmark, Villaggio, Doha Festival City and Mall of Qatar. The exceptional Bose Portable Home Speaker is an ultra-ver- satile, compact speaker that combines the convenience of battery Malabar Gold & Diamonds woos patrons with ‘Opulence’ collection power, the simplicity of Bluetooth, and the ease of voice control in a modern new design. It delivers improved 360-degree sound, deeper bass than any alabar Gold & Dia- inspirations – shimmering Banar- and rightly manufactured. other portable smart speaker. monds has unveiled the asi, elegant French, royal Turkish The retailer also provides life- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled the Bose proprietary voice pick- M‘Opulence’ diamond and ornate Chinese Cloud — in time maintenance and cash buy- up system works with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, jewellery collection, the latest classic yet stylish diamond jewel- back guarantee for the jewellery both built-in, to access playlists, podcasts, news, weather, smart collection of “stunning diamond lery,” the statement notes. purchased from all its outlets. home devices, and more. jewellery inspired by heirlooms “The collection has been cre- The company also off ers “ex- Choose AirPlay 2 to play music from Apple devices, or Spotify of the world”. ated using cutting-edge tech- quisite and beautiful” jewellery Connect to listen directly from the Spotify app. The collection “seeks to re- nology that not only adds more as part of the various brands There are buttons on top for basic functionality, including vive the beauty of the globally sparkle to every single diamond presented at Malabar Gold & Bose’s proprietary mic-off feature, along with power, volume, renowned rich handloom, origi- but also gives the whole jewellery Diamonds, namely Ethnix — play/pause and skip tracks, wake or dismiss virtual assistants, and nally for royals, by transforming piece that grand look, making it Handcrafted Designer Jewellery, Bluetooth source. it into classic yet stylish jewel- perfect for special occasions. Era — Uncut Diamond Jewellery, The new Bose Portable is water-resistant with an IPX4 rating to lery”, the company has said in a “Every piece in the ‘Opulence’ Mine — Diamonds Unlimited, survive spills, splashes, and rain; and rugged enough to withstand statement. collection is curated as a hall- Divine- Indian Heritage Jewel- drops, knocks, and hits. “The newest and vibrant jewel- mark of intricate craftsmanship lery, Precia — Gem Jewellery and It comes with an integrated handle for convenience, and can lery collection, ‘Opulence’, revives and thoughtful design inspired Starlet — Kids Jewellery. charge through standard USB-C, or a charging cradle. the beauty of classic handlooms from the luxurious past.” Malabar Gold & Diamonds is The Home Speaker 300, part of a new Bose family of smart for royals. The retro collection’s At Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the fl agship company of Malabar speakers, creates exceptional room-rocking bass and 360 degree heart is found in the works of four each piece of diamond comes passes through 28 internal quali- diamond jewellery purchased is Group, a leading diversifi ed In- lifelike sound in a compact size. brocades standing out as unique with an IGI/GIA certifi cation and ty tests, which guarantee that the of good quality, correctly sourced dian business conglomerate. Music can be controlled by tapping the top presets to play, pause, or skip tracks, or to enjoy a personalised experience from the Bose Music app. With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility, Home Speaker 300 wirelessly streams music. It can browse integrated music services, like Spotify, Amazon Temporary diversion at Music, and Apple Music, or play anything from a phone or tablet. The Home Speaker 300 is available in Triple Black or Luxe Sil- ver. Tilted Interchange Both speakers work brilliantly alone or together as a multi- room system. he Public Works Author- to continue straight on the Tilted Each delivers superior audio performance for their size, and ity (Ashghal) has announced Interchange Underpass towards proprietary voice pick-up using mic technology developed for Ta temporary diversion on Sheikh Faisal Roundabout, make a Bose military, aviation, and consumer headphones, according to Huwar Street where the exit ramp U-Turn, then continue on Al Ghar- a statement. leading to the Tilted Interchange rafa Street towards the signalised will be closed daily for fi ve hours Tilted roundabout and then go from midnight until 5am from No- right towards Dukan or take the Mercedes-Benz models recalled vember 29 to December 20. third exit (left) towards Doha. The closure, in co-ordination Road users coming from Al he Ministry of Com- recall campaign comes within with the General Directorate of Traf- Rayyan heading towards Thani Bin merce and Industry, the framework of its ongoing fi c, is to enable the landscape works Jassim Street on Huwar Street will Tin co-operation with eff orts to protect consumers as part of the Khalifa Avenue Project. have to continue straight on the Nasser Bin Khaled Automo- and ensure that vehicle deal- During the traffi c change, road Tilted Interchange underpass to- biles, announced the recall of ers follow up on defects and users on Huwar Street will be di- wards Sheikh Faisal Roundabout, Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S, repairs. rected to Sheikh Faisal roundabout make a U-Turn and then continue AMG E63 S, and AMG GLC63 The Ministry has said that it to reach their destinations while on Al Gharrafa Street S models of 2015-2018 due to will co-ordinate with the deal- the traffi c on the new Tilted tunnel The Public Works Authority will AMG suspension control unit er to follow up on the main- will remain open in both directions install road signs advising motor- software not corresponding tenance and repair works and as shown on the map. ists of the closure and requested to manufacturer specifica- will communicate with cus- Road users coming from Al road users to abide by the exist- tions. tomers to ensure that the nec- Rayyan heading towards Doha or ing speed limit and follow the road The Ministry confi rmed the essary repairs are carried out. Dukhan on Huwar Street will have signs to ensure safety. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 27, 2019 11 QATAR VCUarts Qatar organises symposium on Islamic art

he eighth Biennial Hamad afield as Canada, the US and port to scholars who wished to bin Khalifa Symposium Australia. This was the “larg- attend the conference. Ton Islamic Art, recently est ever attendance” for the The Fellows are Dr Sara Keller, took place at Virginia Common- symposium, which was estab- a Junior Fellow at the Max-We- wealth University School of the lished in 2004, the statement ber Centre, University of Erfurt Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) in noted. (Germany); Holley Ledbetter, Education City. In his speech welcoming the a PhD candidate in the History It is considered “one of the attendees, VCUarts Qatar dean of Art Department at the Uni- world’s most prestigious events Amir Berbic said: “We have versity of Michigan; Dr Ridha on the Islamic art and architec- more than 40 participants, pan- Moumni, a Fellow at the Center ture calendar”, according to a el organisers, paper presenters for Middle Eastern Studies at press statement. and fellows here from all over Harvard University; Jenny Pe- This year’s theme was ‘The the world. ruski, a PhD candidate in the Seas and the Mobility of Islamic With rich content, shared History of Art and Architecture Art’. It featured panel discus- viewpoints and open discus- at Harvard University; and Jah- sions and debates on subjects sions, and a concurrent gallery far Shareef Pokkanali, a PhD Mariam al-Dhubhani, director of In the Middle, receives her award for Best Documentary at Ajyal’s closing ceremony. ranging from ‘Seas Imagined exhibition, this symposium is candidate at the department of and Depicted in Middle East- meant to be a vibrant forum of Asian and Islamic Art History, ern Art, Maps and Geography’ exchange for all participants University of Bonn. and ‘Transoceanic Movement, and attendees.” For the fi rst time in the dec- Muslim-Centred Design and The symposium co-chairs ade-long history of the Travel Architecture in the Twentieth were VCUarts Qatar Art His- Fellowship, the co-chairs in- and Twenty-First Centuries’ to tory professors Dr Radha Dalal, vited applicants to present new ‘Islamic Art in 11th-14th Cen- Dr Jochen Sokoly and Dr Sean and cutting-edge research in a tury Chinese Port Cities’. Roberts. workshop dedicated to the sym- NU-Q alumni win Eminent scholars from in- The 2019 Hamad Bin Kha- posium’s theme. The fi ve fel- stitutions such as Colum- lifa Travel Fellowship Recipi- lows selected represent a wide bia University, University of ents were also announced at the and talented cross-section of Pennsylvania, SOAS Univer- symposium. scholars currently engaged in sity of London, University of The Hamad bin Khalifa Travel the fi eld of Islamic art. Vienna and University of Mel- Fellowship was created through The symposium included an bourne spoke at the symposi- sponsorship from Qatar Foun- exhibition at the university’s Gal- awards at Ajyal um, and it attracted more than dation, VCUarts in Richmond, lery, titled ‘The Sea is the Limit’. 200 attendees over two days Virginia, and VCUarts Qatar in The exhibition runs until Decem- short narrative fi lm on The Best Documentary Award the screening of fi lms that are M Razi Islam; while alumni were from Qatar and places as far order to provide fi nancial sup- ber 7 and is open to the public. self-acceptance and went to Mariam al-Dhubhani for designed to accommodate people Jassim al-Romaihi, Ayah Awarta- Afriendship, and a docu- her fi lm In the Middle, which ex- with special needs. ni, Sana al-Ansari, Mayar Ham- mentary about the aftermath of amines the consequences of war Rawan al-Nassiri (‘18), who dan, Yassine Ouaharani, Lubna the Yemeni war, both directed by by following a Yemeni soldier on co-produced Treasures of the Mohsin, Mariam al-Dhubhani, NU-Q alumni, received awards tour. Past with Nada Bedair (‘18), said, A J al-Thani, Dhabya al-Muhan- during the 2019 Ajyal Youth Film Al-Dhubhani (‘18) is a Yeme- “Our fi lm featured Arabic audio nadi, Aisha al-Muhannadi, Nada Festival. ni-Russian journalist and fi lm- description, sign-language in- Bedair, Alessandra El Chanti, In total, 23 fi lms by NU-Q stu- maker. Her fi rst short fi lm We are terpreting and enriched subtitles Amal al-Muftah, Rawan al- dents and alumni were featured the Peace had received an award in both Arabic and English to be Nassiri, Maysam al-Ani, Farida under the festival’s short fi lms in Yemen’s inaugural fi lm festival inclusive of all viewers. Zahran, Jemina Legaspi, Vibhav programme, with the majority of in 2011. “This is not only a representa- Gautam and Fouad Hassan. them debuting during the Made Last year, her fi lm Just Another tion of the growth of cinema in Rana Kazkaz, an NU-Q pro- in Qatar segment. Memory, which was her direc- the country but also represents fessor and award-winning fi lm- “From Ajyal to Cannes, NU-Q torial debut, also won the Best something bigger, the power of a maker, noted the success of her students and alumni reconvene Documentary Award at the 2018 collective — something fi lm can- students. every year to off er the world Ajyal festival. not come to fruition without.” “What’s remarkable is that not unique visual commentaries on Beit Byoot, a fi lm directed by More than 20 NU-Q students only are NU-Q students making pressing social aff airs and to test Mayar Hamdan (‘15), which is and alumni members participat- their mark on the local fi lm in- the limits of creative storytelling set in a dystopian dollhouse, re- ed in the festival with short nar- dustry, as evidenced by the large A group photo of the symposium participants. techniques,” said Everette E Den- ceived the Special Jury Award. ratives or documentary projects, number of fi lms by our current nis, dean and CEO of NU-Q. The fi lm discusses the themes of and in various capacities, such students and alumni selected for “We are proud of all the work friendship and fi tting in. Ham- as producer, co-producer and this year’s Ajyal Film Festival, they do and that more than half dan is currently getting an MFA director. Current students in- but are also screening their fi lms of the Made in Qatar fi lms this at CalArts, focusing on art, fi lm cluded Tony El Ghazal, Maha Es- in some of the most prominent year were by the NU-Q commu- and new technologies. sid, Awad Abdelrahman, Wijdan festivals around the world,” she HBKU hosts student delegation said. nity.” The fi lm festival also featured al-Khateeb, Sahar al-Kabash and from Shanghai University

s part of its ongoing ef- QFBA, QNL hold educational seminar forts to foster co-opera- Ation with Asia’s leading academic institutions, the Col- atar Finance and Busi- Ahmed al-Malki, head of lege of Humanities and Social ness Academy (QFBA), in Young Adults at Qatar Nation- Sciences (CHSS) at Hamad Bin Qcollaboration with Qa- al Library, added: “This event Khalifa University (HBKU) re- tar National Library (QNL), has symbolises a starting point for cently hosted a delegation of hosted an educational seminar students to begin the pursuit of students from Shanghai Univer- dedicated to informing young their educational journey and sity, China. students how to navigate choos- develop the knowledge, dis- Between November 3 and 11, ing their university major. cernment and perseverance to eight students and an instructor The seminar successfully achieve on both educational and from one of China’s renowned provided a comprehensive guide personal fronts. universities were in Doha for a for participating students on “In parallel with the chang- series of talks and lectures deliv- Between November 3 and 11, eight students and an instructor from insights into upcoming and the ing requirements of the current ered by CHSS faculty. one of China’s renowned universities were in Doha for a series of most popular university spe- labour market, students will be These included Middle East talks and lectures delivered by CHSS faculty. cialisation pathways that stu- able to decide which speciali- Politics, Society and Economy, dents can potentially enter into sation best suits them ahead of which considered the changing The visit also provided the “per- ies Department at CHSS, said: and new opportunities that are starting their university journey. social, economic and political fect opportunity” to discuss fur- “This exchange not only refl ects on the horizon, a press state- As such, it is a mechanism for us dynamics of Qatar and the wider ther exchange activities between our commitment to enhancing ment noted. The seminar in progress. to empower students for better Middle East over the past two CHSS and Shanghai University, transformative educational ex- Students were able to fully planning post-graduation.” decades. The week-long course a press statement noted. These periences, but also Qatar’s ongo- delve into the pros and cons of Yafei, director of Academic Af- starting point for the nation’s Through initiatives such as consisted of lectures, fi eldwork include sending a delegation ing determination to extend ties various university specialisa- fairs and Operations at QFBA, youth is to fi rst realise and learn this, QFBA “furthers it commit- and visits to Qatari government from CHSS to China to partake with China and other East Asian tions, and learn how to success- said: “We delivered this seminar how to make the wisest deci- ment to empower the nation’s agencies, historical sites and in similar activities and study states. fully match the right discipline on the premise that QFBA values sions based on their passions human capital capabilities with other universities. programmes. HBKU said it an- “Both eff orts require a deep to the students personality and and understands the importance and skills, ultimately providing an ultimate aim to become a key The course provided par- ticipates further exchanges to understanding of the Middle preferences, empowering future of supporting and empowering Qatar’s fi nancial services sector actor in the transformation of ticipants with a basic overview take place in the not-too-distant East’s cultural and historical generations to make the wisest the upcoming generation that with a stream of capable young the fi nancial services sector in of Islam and Muslim societies, future. contexts, as well as the contem- educational decisions. symbolise the true essence of talent with the potential capac- line with Qatar National Vision deeper knowledge of the region’s Professor Hassan Hakimian, porary geopolitical context in On this occasion, Khalifa al- knowledge-based economy. The ity to transform the economy.” 2030”, the statement adds. geopolitical outlook and more. director of Middle Eastern Stud- which we operate.”

Meet on documentary heritage preservation

Qatar National Library (QNL) and of the partnership between the Matsuda showcases modern narratives created from urban data UN Educational, Scientific and library and Unesco, will also Cultural Organisation (Unesco) will present the main findings of their host a regional conference, ‘Sup- joint project launched in Septem- atar National Library, in porting Documentary Heritage ber 2018. collaboration with the Preservation in the Arab Region’, It will be an opportunity to shed QBritish Council, has pre- from December 1 to 2 at the light on the diff erent awareness sented a series of talks and art library. and capacity-building activities installations as part of the Qatar The two-day event will bring that are taking place within the British Festival, which refl ects on together international and framework of this agreement. the evolving nature of art and the regional experts and practitioners Dr Sohair Wastawy, executive di- public realm. to share experiences in regard rector, library, said: “We are proud On November 20, Irini Pa- to the status, issues and chal- to see that our collaboration with padimitriou, creative director of lenges currently being faced in Unesco is coming to fruition, and FutureEverything, hosted a panel the field of documentary heritage this conference is indeed one of its talk titled ‘Edifi ce // Artifi ce: Re- preservation in the Arab region, a tangible outcomes. We hope this defi ning Art in the Public Realm’ statement notes. conference will help strengthen as part of the festival’s ‘Reading Speakers will include Christine professional networks across the the City’ programme. Mackenzie, president, IFLA; Dr region working to ensure protec- Fackson Banda, head, Unesco tion, preservation and promotion Making its debut in the Memory of the World Programme; of documentary heritage in the Middle East and North The panel talk in progress. Naho Matsuda’s ‘Every Thing Every Time’. Saif Mohamed al-Ashkar, secretary- Middle East and North Africa.” Africa region, Matsuda’s general, Mosul University Libraries; Dr Anna Paolini, Unesco represent- ‘Every Thing Every Time’, of the Public Art Department at Matsuda said, “Every day, a vast the new narratives of Doha that Culture and Sport Programme, Dr Ibrahim Osman, director, ative in the Arab States of the Gulf a public artwork also Qatar Museums. The speakers amount of data is generated by us ‘Every Thing Every Time’ will be Gulf at the British Council, said: Sudan National Library; Dr Alaa and Yemen, added: “Having partici- presented in collaboration explored diff erent perspectives and about us. It is processed by producing and how these stories “The commission in Qatar was Abu al-Hassan al-Allaq, director, pants from all over the region will with the British Council, on public art and its relevance to- technologies and technologists will be read and shared by the a perfect fi t for this year’s pro- Iraq National Library; Dr Nidal be a great opportunity to come opened to the public at the day. Making its debut in the Mid- alike, but who collects and con- citizens, visitors and workers in gramme, in which we explore Mohamed al-Ahmad, director, together and identify solutions to library on Nov 22 dle East and North Africa region, trols this information? How is it cities.” Matsuda’s artwork draws the growing role of Public Realm Jordan National Library; Gelnar better protect and preserve the re- Matsuda’s ‘Every Thing Every captured and stored, and how is on data streams generated by the Art in our cities under the theme Atoui Saad, executive director, gion’ rich documentary heritage.” The panel included the artist, Time’, a public artwork also pre- it used to shape our future cit- technologies, devices and events of people and places. Visitors to Lebanon National Library; and Sidi To learn more about the confer- Naho Matsuda; Layla Bacha, art sented in collaboration with the ies? I am excited to show my in- that happen each day in the city the artwork at the library can see Ould Habib, director, Mauritania ence programme and the full list specialist at Qatar Foundation; British Council, opened to the stallation in this exciting, new to create poetry. Waseem Kot- poetry written in real-time and National Library. of speakers, one can visit https:// and Abdulrahman al-Ishaq, head public at the library on Nov 22 . context. I am looking forward to oub, senior programme manager, revealed on a mechanical display. The conference, a continuation events.qnl.qa/event/nXV8z/EN Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

POLITICS POLICY ELECTION HEALTH UNREST Opposition supporters in Kenya report suggests Botswana opposition in Zimbabwe doctors stop work as Thousands displaced by massive new Guinea protest PM post and reforms challenge over ‘irregularities’ public hospital strike spreads Nigeria ‘bandit’ attacks

Guinean protesters thronged the streets of the A Kenyan taskforce has recommended the creation Botswana’s largest opposition yesterday said it had Senior doctors at Zimbabwe’s public hospitals Thousands of villagers have been displaced follow- capital Conakry yesterday in fresh protests against of posts for a prime minister and an off icial opposi- filed a legal challenge against the outcome of last went on strike yesterday to protest against ing days of attacks by armed “bandits” on 10 remote embattled President Alpha Conde. The crowds, tion leader, among wide-ranging reforms aimed at month’s parliamentary polls, which were over- the dismissal of junior colleagues who have communities in central Nigeria, emergency services most wearing opposition T-shirts, formed a sea of ending violent, divisive election cycles, according to whelmingly won by the ruling party. The Umbrella boycotted work over pay for nearly three months, said yesterday. Gunmen on motorbikes stormed red — the colour of the opposition — with lawmaker a report. In a long-awaited report handed to Presi- for Democratic Change (UDC) won 15 seats against deepening a crisis in the country’s health sector. into a string of villages in the Shiroro district of Niger Fode Oussou Fofana estimating their numbers at dent Uhuru Kenyatta and his former rival turned po- the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)’s 38 in Zimbabwe is experiencing its worst economic state from Friday to Monday, shooting and torching “more than a million”. AFP could not independently litical ally Raila Odinga, a 14-member team unveiled the October 23 elections. “We do believe that there crisis in a decade that has seen resurgent inflation homes and forcing residents to flee.“We have so verify the figure. Protesters carried placards reading the results of months of consultations with Kenyans were irregularities in some of the constituencies,” soaring to three-digit levels, eroding salaries and far documented 4,000 people displaced by the ban- “No to dictatorship,” “Death to murderers” and “Free across the country. The Building Bridges Initiative said UDC spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa. “The UDC, savings and re-igniting memories of the hyper- dits,” Niger State Emergency Management Agency the heroes”. The poor West African country of some (BBI) report came about after Kenyatta and Odinga as a party that believes in free and fair elections, will inflation era of a decade ago. Senior doctors had (SEMA) spokesman Ibrahim Audu Hussein said. 13mn has seen rolling demonstrations since last in 2018 stunned the nation by shaking hands and not rest until justice is done,” Mohwasa said. One of continued to provide emergency services after “The IDPs (internally displaced persons) are month over suspicions that the 81-year-old president pledging to promote unity after a drawn-out 2017 the constituency whose results it is challenging is their junior colleagues stopped working on Sept 3 sheltered in a camp in nearby Kuta district,” said is manoeuvring to seek a third term in off ice. election battle left more than 90 dead. Bonnington North in the capital Gaborone. to demand higher pay. Hussein, warning the number could increase. Lebanon’s Hariri says he 17 killed by car bomb does not want to be PM

Reuters in northern Syria Beirut

AFP ebanon’s Saad al-Hariri Istanbul said yesterday he did not Lwant to be prime min- ister of a new government, car bomb killed at least putting the onus on adversaries 17 people and wounded including the Hezbollah to fi nd A20 others in the Turkish- an alternative who can steer controlled region of northern the country out of crisis. Syria yesterday, Turkey’s de- Hariri, who is Lebanon’s fence ministry said. leading politician and is The attack took place in the aligned with Western and Arab A supporter holds a picture of Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun Tal Halaf village west of the city states, said his decision was fi - during a demonstration in Hazmiyeh, yesterday. of Ras al-Ayn, which is now con- nal. trolled by the Turkish military He quit on Oct 29 in the face young men and women,” Hariri new prime minister. after its off ensive in October, the of nationwide protests against said in a written statement. The candidate with the great- ministry said on its offi cial Twit- Lebanon’s ruling elite over “I have full hope and confi - est support will be nominated. ter account. rampant state corruption. dence, after announcing this A ministerial source close to Several vehicles were reduced His decision leaves no clear clear and decisive decision, Aoun said the next government to charred shells by the blast at a frontrunner to form a gov- that the president of the re- would not be of “one colour” village market, images from the ernment that must tackle the public...will immediately call and eff orts would be made with scene showed. worst economic crisis since the the binding parliamentary Hariri to agree on the next prime It blamed the attack on the 1975-90 civil war. consultations” to designate a minister. Aoun’s consultations Kurdish People’s Protection Five weeks since the protests new prime minister, he said. with lawmakers are expected to Units (YPG), which Ankara ac- began, the situation facing Leb- A prominent contractor be held tomorrow or Friday, the cuses of being the Syrian off - anon is as grave as any since the mooted by political sources as source said. shoot of the outlawed Kurdistan end of the civil war, raising con- a candidate, Samir Khatib, told Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, Workers’ Party (PKK) that has cerns for the stability of a heavily Lebanese broadcaster MTV he a political ally of Hariri, said waged an insurgency against indebted state riven by sectari- was ready to take on the job if Hariri had taken the decision Turkey since 1984. A picture taken yesterday shows destroyed vehicles following a car bomb attack at a local market in Tal anism. Hezbollah and its allies there was consensus on him. after attempts to impose “unac- “The PKK/YPG terror group Halaf village along the border with Turkey, yesterday. had wanted Hariri to return as A statement from Hariri’s of- ceptable conditions” on him. continues its car bombings premier but rejected his demand fi ce denied that names it said “He decided to leave the way aimed at civilians. The child attack but gave a lower toll, by Ankara — launched an of- Islamic State group in Syria. for the formation of a cabinet of were circulating on social media for somebody else, which is murderers this time detonated saying 11 people — including fensive against Kurdish forces In its operation, Turkey se- expert ministers with no politi- had been proposed by him and good,” Jumblatt told Reuters. a car bomb in Tal Halaf village at least three civilians — had in Syria on October 9. cured a strip of land in north- cal parties represented. said his choice would be deter- “The prime minister did his west of Ras al-Ayn, killing 17 been killed. But it said the The military action came ern Syria after signing sepa- Instead, they sought a gov- mined when the formal process best to have an acceptable tech- people and wounding more death toll is likely to climb due after US President Donald rate deals with the US and ernment comprising both of designating the prime minis- nocratic government, to fi nd a than 20,” the defence ministry to the severity of some of the Trump ordered his troops to Russia. Ankara says it wants technocrats and politicians. ter begins. compromise. It was rejected, so said on Twitter. injuries suffered. withdraw in a move that ob- to establish a “safe zone” in “I am sticking by the rule President Michel Aoun, allied he decided to quit. Let’s hope Britain-based war moni- Turkish forces and their servers condemned as a be- which to resettle some of the ‘not me, rather someone else’ to Hezbollah, must now hold of- that the new one can succeed tor the Syrian Observatory for proxies — former Syrian trayal of their Kurdish part- 3.6mn Syrian refugees it hosts to form a government that ad- fi cial consultations with mem- and basically concentrate on the Human Rights confirmed the rebels hired as a ground force ners in the war against the on its soil. dresses the aspirations of the bers of parliament to designate a economic crisis,” he said.

Iran deal panel to meet next week: EU Palestinians protest US move on settlements

AFP declared site near Tehran. be chaired by European Ex- AFP estinian territories illegal. Prime “These strangers in settle- to life-size cutouts of Trump, Brussels The 2015 agreement to curb ternal Action Service (EEAS) Ramallah Minister Netanyahu hailed the ments have no place on our land.” Pompeo and Netanyahu. Tehran’s nuclear activities is in Secretary General Helga-Maria decision, but Palestinians were Ziad Barakat, a school teach- Major protests also took place a parlous state, faltering since Schmid and will be attended by outraged and yesterday thou- er, said in Ramallah “I have not in Hebron and other cities. he fi ve-nation commis- US President Donald Trump the E3+2 (China, France, Ger- alestinians burned effi gies sands gathered in the occupied taken part in a protest for a long Protesters in multiple loca- sion overseeing the Iran pulled out last year and reim- many, Russia, United Kingdom) of US President Donald territories to protest against the time, but our situation has be- tions held aloft signs depicting Tnuclear deal will meet in posed swingeing sanctions, and Iran.” PTrump, Secretary of State decision. come unbearable.” Sami Abu Diyak, a 36-year-old Vienna next week, the EU said prompting Iran to breach some European eff orts to shield Mike Pompeo and Israeli Pre- Palestinian Prime Minister A young woman, head Palestinian prisoner who died of yesterday, with fears growing parts of the deal in response. Iran from the eff ects of US mier Benjamin Netanyahu yes- Mohamed Shtayyeh led the pro- wrapped in a traditional Pales- cancer yesterday morning in Is- the accord could collapse. “A meeting of the Joint Com- sanctions by creating a mecha- terday, as thousands protested tests in Ramallah in the central tinian keffi yeh (headscarf), was raeli custody. Offi cials from Britain, France, mission of the Joint Compre- nism to carry on legitimate against a shift in US policy on West Bank, telling the crowds carrying a tyre to block the road. He had been jailed since 2002 Germany, China and Russia will hensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) trade with the Islamic re- Israeli settlements. they would never accept the US “They are confi scating our and was convicted of killing meet Iranian delegates on De- will take place in Vienna on public have borne little fruit, Breaking with decades of in- position. lands and killing our prisoners,” three people, according to the cember 6, two weeks after the December 6, 2019,” the EU said much to Tehran’s frustration. ternational consensus, Pompeo “We are here to say with a loud she said, identifying herself as Prison Authority. UN nuclear watchdog demand- in a statement, using the agree- The EU is growing increasingly on November 18 said the US and clear voice that we want to Wahida. Palestinian leaders accused ed Tehran explain the presence ment’s offi cial name. concerned by Tehran rowing would no longer consider Israeli end the (Israeli) occupation,” he In Nablus in the northern the Jewish state of neglecting his of uranium particles at an un- “The Joint Commission will back from its commitments. settlements in the occupied Pal- said. West Bank, Palestinians set fi re medical needs. WHO relocates staff More than 40 dead after heavy from Beni amid unrest

AFP since November 5, according to a rain pounds DR Congo capital Geneva not-for-profi t organisation, the Congo Research Group (CRG). On Monday, at least four pro- AFP Fatal fl oods and rains are fre- he World Health Organi- testers were killed, according to Kinshasa quent in Kinshasa. In January sation said yesterday it the military, after clashes broke last year, around 50 people were Thad moved 49 staff out of out and protesters stormed a killed in landslides and fl oods Beni, eastern DR Congo, over- UN camp over the perceived orty-one people died and after houses collapsed fol- night amid growing insecurity, failure of UN peacekeepers to in the DR Congo capital lowing just one night of heavy but warned of the impact on the stop deadly attacks from militia FKinshasa after torren- rain. fi ght against Ebola. groups. “The security situation tial overnight rains, with some Flood deaths in Kinshasa The UN health agency said it in Beni has defi nitely worsened swept away by landslides, a top are “linked to overpopulation had fl own more than a third of its overnight, or throughout the city offi cial said yesterday, giv- (and) building on land which is 120 staff in Beni to Goma, further last days,” Lindmeier said.But he ing a provisional toll. vulnerable to fl ooding,” Roger- south on the country’s eastern stressed that unlike several pre- “The loss, in terms of prop- Nestor Lubiku, former head of border, as insecurity in the area vious spikes in violence, the an- erty and lives, is really huge,” the Geographical Institute of surged. But it said 71 essential ger this time had not specifi cally Kinshasa’s vice governor, Neron Congo (IGC) said. staff remained in the town to try targeted Ebola responders. Mbungu, said, adding that the Africa’s third largest city, to push on with work to rein in “As the community violence is dead included a child who was Kinshasa counts around 10mn the Ebola outbreak that has left not directed at the Ebola response, electrocuted. inhabitants — a doubling of the some 2,200 dead. we will try as long as possible to Three of the city’s 26 districts population in less than two dec- “The violence needs to stop... maintain a minimum support for were especially hit, he said. ades — and many of them live in This is very bad for the Ebola the community,” he said, stressing A bridge connecting the precarious dwellings. response,” WHO spokesman that those moved to Goma would districts of Lemba and Ngaba “Eighty percent of the losses Christian Lindmeier told jour- also continue working remotely. collapsed, and another was are caused by unauthorised nalists in Geneva. But the insecurity is nonetheless destroyed in the district of Ki- constructions,” said Mbungu, Insecurity has complicated seriously hampering the response. senso, he said. the city’s vice governor. eff orts to rein in Ebola since the “Every day, every hour (that) we In Lemba, an AFP journal- Residents stand near the scene of a landslide following torrential rains near the University of Kinshasa, “People are stubborn and do latest outbreak in the Demo- cannot go out (to) trace the contacts, ist saw a gigantic hole, about in the Democratic Republic of Congo, yesterday. not respect the building regula- cratic Republic of Congo began help the communities with digni- 10 metres deep and 20 metres tions,” he said. in August 2018. But violence in fi ed burials, go out for vaccinations across, where a road had been given way under the pressure of been fl ooded. There are many fl oods and landslides in South “Even if the state says they the lawless east of the country and for treatments...will most cer- swept away. the water, and the highway had houses which have been de- Kivu, in the far east of the vast shouldn’t build there, they has recently surged, with 77 ci- tainly result in rising cases,” Lind- The mayor of Lemba, Jean been engulfed. stroyed,” Nsaka said. country, local offi cial Seth build. And you can see the con- vilians killed in the Beni region meier said. Nsaka, said a drainage ditch had “More than 300 homes have Seven other people died in Wenga said. sequences today.” Gulf Times Wednesday, November 27, 2019 13 AMERICAS

COOL MUTT NOT ‘HOSTILE’ WAGE WAR TECH TALK Stray dog saves abandoned Stray aircraft triggers Canada rail union strikes Telecoms to be shielded kittens from winter cold White House lockdown deal to end shutdown from security threats

Good with cats: a stray dog found on the side of The US Air Force yesterday scrambled jets after Teamsters Canada and Canadian National Railway The United States yesterday set out a procedure a road on a cold Canadian night keeping a litter reports of an unidentified aircraft in restricted Co said yesterday they reached a tentative deal to protect its telecommunications networks of kittens warm needs a home. The two-year- airspace over Washington forced a brief to end a strike at the country’s largest railroad and their supply chains from national security old female mongrel, named Serenity by animal lockdown of the White House and Capitol. The that had entered its eighth day, disrupting supply threats, saying it would consider whether to bar rescue off icials, was discovered in a ditch on North American Aerospace Defense Command chains across the country. CN said its employees transactions on a case-by-case basis. President the side of a rural road near Chatham, Ontario said in a statement that its jet fighters “are on will return to work with the union adding that Donald Trump issued an executive order in May a week ago. It was -3 degrees Celsius and dark site and responding.” The plane that allegedly normal operations will resume fully by today declaring a national emergency and barring outside, and the dog was covered in a dusting violated the airspace of the US capital city “is not morning across the country. The tentative US companies from using telecommunications of snow. When the passerby stopped to help considered hostile at this time,” they said. “The agreement has to be ratified by union members equipment made by firms posing national the dog, she was surprised to find five tiny black White House was locked down this morning due and CN said a vote is expected within eight weeks. security risks. The Commerce Department said kittens “snuggling with her,” Myriam Armstrong, to a potential violation of the restricted airspace “We want to thank our customers and assure them yesterday that Secretary Wilbur Ross had chosen a spokeswoman for the Pet and Wildlife Rescue, in the National Capital Region,” the US Secret that CN is preparing to resume full rail operations to adopt a “case-by-case, fact-specific approach Serenity stands next to a litter of kittens at a told AFP. More than 30 people from across the Service said in a statement. “The lockdown has as soon as possible,” J J Ruest, chief executive of to determine which transactions must be shelter in Chatham, Ontario. continent have asked about adopting them. been lifted at this time,” they said. Montreal-based CN, said in a statement. prohibited, or which can be mitigated.” Administration seeks hold on Trump order for McGahn testimony undercuts Reuters he would “love” to let top offi cials wrote that Monday’s ruling was only Pentagon Washington testify, but added, “It is a Democrat the second in US history requiring a Scam that is going nowhere but, fu- senior presidential adviser to testify ture Presidents should in no way be before Congress and that the dispute S Justice Department lawyers compromised.” raises “signifi cant and diffi cult sepa- yesterday asked a judge to put The Justice Department, repre- ration-of-powers questions.” Uon hold a ruling that would senting McGahn in his former offi cial Separation of powers is a term that leadership require former White House coun- capacity, said in a court fi ling that refers to the US Constitution assign- sel Don McGahn to comply with a the House of Representatives Judici- ing diff erent authority to the execu- By Paul Handley, AFP congressional subpoena to testify in ary Committee, which is seeking the tive, legislative and judicial branches Washington a legal battle that could have impli- testimony, has agreed to a seven-day of the US government. cations for the Democratic-led im- temporary delay. McGahn’s personal lawyer said on peachment inquiry against President If the judge does not immediately Monday that he would comply with resident Donald Trump’s interventions in US Donald Trump. impose that delay, McGahn would the subpoena if it is not blocked. military policy, from reversing a Navy SEAL’s The Trump administration’s court fi le an emergency application today The judge’s ruling could give other Pdemotion to withdrawal from Syria to a trans- fi ling asked for the delay while it pur- at the federal appeals court in Wash- former and current administration gender ban, increasingly undermine Pentagon lead- sues an appeal a day after US District ington, the administration lawyers offi cials, like former White House ership, defence experts said Monday. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson reject- said. national security adviser John Bol- The fi ring on Sunday of Navy Secretary Richard ed its legal claim that current and McGahn, who left his post in Octo- ton, a legal basis for cooperating with Spencer, who challenged Trump’s intervention in the former senior White House offi cials ber 2018, last May defi ed a subpoena the impeachment inquiry, according SEAL commando’s case, was the latest sign of the US cannot be compelled to testify before from the House Judiciary Committee to legal experts. military’s struggle with Trump’s off -the-cuff , highly Congress. to testify about Trump’s eff orts to If the Justice Department’s request political micromanagement. The administration has not only impede the now-completed special for a longer pause is granted, then the Critics called it a sign of “disarray” that could send blocked offi cials from testifying to counsel investigation into Russian dispute over presidential powers will dangerous signals to troops on the ground and to US lawmakers but has refused to provide interference in the 2016 US election. not be decided for months and dur- allies overseas that the Pentagon command structure requested documents to Democratic The subpoena was issued months ing that time McGahn would not can be overruled at any time by Trump, who wields congressional investigators on a wide before the Democratic-led House have to testify. authority as the US commander-in-chief. range of topics, claiming broad im- opened its impeachment inquiry into The committee sued McGahn in “The senior military leadership is in a really diffi - munity. Trump’s actions concerning Ukraine. August to try to enforce the sub- cult position,” said Mara Karlin, Director of Strate- Trump, writing on Twitter, said The Justice Department lawyers poena. McGahn ... in the hot seat gic Studies at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. “In terms of civil-military relations, what has been happening with the president is not a Democratic is- sue or a Republican issue, it’s a dysfunctionality issue.” Last week Trump defi ed the Pentagon leadership by rejecting their plans to demote and force Navy US starving 2020 census funding, commando Edward Gallagher out of the elite SEALs after his conviction for having posed for a picture next to the body of a dead Islamic State fi ghter. Trump was drawn to supporting Gallagher after Fox News made his case a conservative political cause may cause undercount: lawsuit early this year. Navy offi cials feared that letting off Gallagher, who Reuters government of arbitrarily slashing trict Court in Manhattan seeks Neither the Commerce Depart- number of responses from peo- avoided conviction on murdering a prisoner in Iraq, New York resources to count blacks, Hispan- to set aside those decisions, and ment nor the Census Bureau im- ple in areas more likely to vote for would signal to other SEALs that they can get away ics, immigrants, the homeless and ensure that suffi cient funding be mediately responded to requests for Democrats. with crimes. “This was an outrageous, irresponsible other members of so-called “hard- available for an accurate count. comment. Newburgh is 105km north of interference by President Trump in the military jus- new lawsuit accuses the to-count” communities. “Defendants have been operating Census data are used to award New York City, and its population tice system,” Democratic Senator Jack Reed said on Trump administration of According to the plaintiff s, de- on the cheap,” the complaint said. billions of dollars of federal funds, of roughly 28,000 includes many Monday. “It signals to people that they can operate Astarving the US Bureau of the cisions to hire one-third as many “Given the size and scope of the and determine political representa- black, Hispanic and undocumented outside the rule of law and the Geneva Convention.” Census of needed funding for an ac- enumerators as in 2010, halve the decennial census, immediate relief tion. people. But it was only the latest intervention by Trump in curate 2020 count, likely causing an number of census fi eld offi ces, re- is necessary to ensure that defend- The lawsuit followed US Presi- The complaint said the city had military aff airs. undercounting of racial and ethnic duce questionnaire help and slash ants have ample opportunity to im- dent Donald Trump’s July 11 retreat one of New York’s lowest census Earlier this year, while the Pentagon was assessing minorities and depriving them of community outreach were arbi- plement the changes.” from trying to add a citizenship participation rates in 2010. bids for a $10bn cloud computing contract, Trump crucial federal funds. trary, capricious and irrational, and The defendants are the US De- question to the census. Center for Popular Democracy weighed in against Amazon, which owns the Wash- In a complaint fi led yesterday, violated the government’s consti- partment of Commerce and Com- Critics said adding the ques- Action is based in Brooklyn, and ington Post, a frequent critic of his administration. the nonprofi t Center for Popular tutional duty to do an “actual enu- merce Secretary Wilbur Ross, as tion would discriminate against said it represents workers, minori- A new book on former Defense Secretary James Democracy Action and the city of meration.” well as the Census Bureau and its minorities, and would have helped ties and immigrants on issues of Mattis, written by his speechwriter Guy Snodgrass, Newburgh, New York, accused the The lawsuit fi led in the US Dis- director, Steven Dillingham. Republicans by lowering the economic and racial justice. contends that Trump told Mattis to keep Amazon out of the contract, which was awarded in October to Mi- crosoft. Trump has interfered in numerous other ways: he forced the Pentagon to reallocate funds from base construction projects to his US-Mexico border wall Colorado blizzard shuts roads, cancels fl ights ahead of holiday and send troops to police the frontier. He has attacked key alliances, including Nato, and arms control treaties, and, against Pentagon advice, Reuters California wildfi re threatens homes he avidly pursued a detente with North Korea while New York criticizing ally South Korea. Fire ripped through brush and woodland on hills He also pressured the Defense Department to hold above Santa Barbara, California, yesterday, causing a massive parade of military hardware and unilater- blizzard sweeping through authorities to order more than 2,000 residents of ally announced the withdrawal for US troops from northeastern Colorado a nearby canyon to flee their homes, according to Syria and Afghanistan, a move that led to Mattis’s A yesterday morning blocked off icials and local media. resignation. roads and caused hundreds of The Cave Fire started in the Los Padres National Many, if not most of those moves, analysts say, flight cancellations, thwarting Forest at around 4.15pm on Monday in Santa Barbara were driven by domestic political considerations the Thanksgiving travel plans of County, about 145km northwest of Los Angeles. rather than strategic rationale, and all were opposed some of the millions of Ameri- County off icials declared a local emergency. by the Pentagon leadership. cans expected to fly or drive this The fire had consumed some 4,100 acres by “It’s important that we don’t see these as discreet. week. yesterday morning, with none of it contained, Daniel There is one example after another,” said Karlin. About 18cm of snow had fallen Bertucelli of the county fire department told report- Peter Feaver, a specialist in civil-military relations in Denver by yesterday morning, ers. at Duke University, says disagreements and tensions causing more than 460 fl ight can- Nine helicopters were dropping water to aid 600 between the White House and the Department of De- cellations, the Denver Interna- firefighters, who were bracing for rainy conditions fense are normal. tional Airport said on Twitter, and later in the day, he said. But with Trump it is extreme, he said, with the pres- blizzard conditions were expected Mandatory evacuation orders covered some ident dismissing his military advisers “out of hand.” throughout the day as winds up to 2,400 homes, the Los Angeles Times reported. It’s a big problem when “the boss is viewed as mer- 72kph in the eastern plains reduced A single outbuilding was the only property dam- curial and hard to brief,” Feaver said. visibility. aged recorded by yesterday morning, Bertucelli “Most administrations would try to hide this “This storm may be historic in said, though flames were pushing toward populated stuff ...Instead, this president does things in public.” the Fort Collins and Loveland ar- areas on the northern flanks of the coastal cities of The cost to both sides is a loss of trust, eff ective- eas where 20 inches (51cm) or more Santa Barbara and Goleta. ness and the ability to retain top talent. of snow is expected. That would Firefighters from neighbouring areas were rush- It also leads US partners and adversaries to ques- put the storm near the top fi ve of ing to Santa Barbara to help the local service control tions decision-making in the Pentagon. all snow events there,” a National the blaze, authorities said. “Allies need to trust that they can cut a deal with who- Weather Service forecast said, re- Nearly 200,000 acres have been consumed in ever they are dealing with on Trump’s team, and that that ferring to areas along Colorado’s wildfires across the state this year, according to the will stand for what the president will fi nally do,” Feaver Front Range, some 80km north of California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection. Wind blows embers as the Cave fire burns a hillside in Santa Barbara yesterday. said. “That’s just harder to do in this administration, be- Denver. cause the president keeps overruling his own team.” Some 55mn travellers planned to Caitlin Talmadge, an associate professor at Geor- fl y or drive at least 80km from their fl ights later in the day, the airport an additional 25cm from the Colo- Denver metro area schools and “So far so good; it doesn’t seem getown University, said via Twitter that Trump fi ring homes this Thanksgiving, accord- said on Twitter. rado Front Range and would lighten many stores were closed but some to be impacting us much,” Phil a civilian political appointee like Spencer is not un- ing to the American Automobile “We just landed at the Denver later in the afternoon as the storm grocery stores, already stocked in Vanderlaan, a cashier, said by common. His motivation is the problem — “Trump Association, but the snow would Airport! Crazy conditions. Literally moved northeast, the weather serv- preparation for Thanksgiving shop- phone. “Probably later throughout undermines military justice system for political ad- likely alter those plans. 0 visibility,” tweeted Amber Kim- ice said. pers, were ready for a deluge of cus- the day it might.” vantage,” she said, and he “lionises those he believes Video footage showed snowplows brell, a high school science teacher Several interstate roads were tomers. A stronger storm was expected to violate norms & laws of war.” working through cloudy blizzard from Huntsville, Alabama, who closed, and the weather service Lines were manageable at Safe- hit northern California and Oregon, Spencer’s fi ring, she added, illustrates the “lack conditions to clear runways at Den- posted a photo of a runway covered warned travel could become impos- way in Denver yesterday morning as the weather service said, which may of well-coordinated & institutionalised...decision- ver International Airport. in white. sible on rural roads and unplowed more than a half foot of snow accu- drop 40cm of snow across Califor- making processes, which has all sorts of actual bad Many airlines would resume The blizzard was expected to drop city streets. mulated outside. nia mountain ranges. policy consequences.” Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Myanmar begins Bangladesh to shut brick court martial after probe into Rohingya kilns as air quality worsens atrocities Reuters ported the existence of at AFP Yangon least fi ve mass graves in the Dhaka village, through interviews with survivors in refugee yanmar’s military camps in Bangladesh and angladesh said yester- began a rare court time-stamped cellphone day it will shut hundreds Mmartial of soldiers videos. Myanmar denied the Bof soot-belching brick yesterday following a probe allegations made in the AP kilns around its capital Dhaka into alleged atrocities dur- report. as part of measures to reduce ing a crackdown on Rohingya The country is facing a wave thick smog enveloping the city Muslims, a spokesman said, of international pressure over and pushing air quality levels to as the country prepares to its treatment of the Rohingya, among the world’s worst. face genocide charges at an with cases fi led against it at Residents in several other cit- international court in the courts around the world. ies in South Asia, including In- Hague. Myanmar’s leader Aung dia’s capital New Delhi and La- Hundreds of thousands of San Suu Kyi, winner of a No- hore in Pakistan, have also been Rohingya fl ed to neighbour- bel peace prize for her past breathing toxic smog in recent ing Bangladesh to escape a defi ance of a military junta weeks amid uncontrolled emis- Myanmar military off ensive that had led the country for sions and crop burning. launched in August 2017 that decades, is set to travel to the Air Visual, an independent UN investigators described Hague for hearings starting in online air quality index (AQI) as having been executed with December at the International monitor, pegged Dhaka’s air genocidal intent. Court of Justice. quality as the poorest in the Soldiers, police, and Bud- Gambia, a tiny, mainly world yesterday. dhist villagers are alleged to Muslim West African state, “The situation is very criti- have razed hundreds of vil- lodged a lawsuit accusing the cal. Just a few days ago air lages in the remote western country of genocide after win- quality of Dhaka was the third Rakhine state, torturing Ro- ning the support of the 57-na- or fourth worst in the world. hingya as they fl ed, carrying tion Organisation for Islamic But now it tops the ranking,” out mass-killings and gang- Cooperation (OIC). Environment Minister Mo- rapes. Myanmar says the interna- hammad Shahab Uddin told Myanmar says the army was tional eff orts violate its sover- reporters. fi ghting a legitimate counter- eignty and has vowed to carry Uddin announced a range of insurgency campaign against out its own investigations into measures to combat the severe militants who attacked secu- the allegations. pollution levels, including shut- rity posts. But few have been punished ting down illegal brick kilns and Spokesman Zaw Min Tun so far. Seven soldiers jailed sprinkling water on major roads told Reuters via telephone that for 10 years for killing 10 Ro- and construction sites twice a Motorists drive on a road under heavy smog conditions in Dhaka yesterday. soldiers and offi cers from a hingya men and boys in the day. regiment deployed to Gu Dar village of Inn Din were granted Waste burning would be halt- Bashar said. carbon dioxide. ment Ministry secretary Monsu- up the majority of those in use in Pyin village, the site of an al- early release last November, ed at dozens of sites and trucks As part of longer-term eff orts, The kilns in Bangladesh most- rul Alam said. the country. leged massacre of Rohingya, after serving less than a year carrying construction materials the government said it would ly run from November to April Construction – including the “We need comprehensive and were “weak in following the in prison. such as sand would have to be phase out the use of bricks in its and have been identifi ed by au- building of major bridges, metro urgent plan to tackle air pollu- rules of engagement”. Two Reuters journalists covered, he added. construction projects. thorities as a key cause of air pol- railway lines and elevated high- tion,” BAPA’s general secretary In a statement published on who uncovered the murders The government was backed Soot from brick kilns – which lution. ways – has been a key economic Sharif Jamil said. its website, the army said the spent more than 16 months by the High Court, which or- use coal and wood to make bricks “We have started phasing out driver in the South Asian nation “We must shut down illegal soldiers being court martialed behind bars on charges of ob- dered the closure of the illegal from clay – is a major air pollut- use of bricks from this year and in recent years. kilns as they don’t abide by even were involved in “accidents” taining state secrets, before kilns by the next 15 days, deputy ant and the second largest con- by 2025 their use will be com- Leading environment group the minimum emission stand- in Gu Dar Pyin. being released in a presidential attorney general Abdullah al- tributor to global warming after pletely phased out,” Environ- BAPA said the illegal kilns made ard.” The Associated Press re- amnesty in May. Dead deer found with Vietnam imprisons six on Malaysian anti-state, security charges court acquits 7kg of plastic in stomach woman AFP ing and posting on Facebook to join protests, VNA added. Hanoi after an environmental disaster In a third case in southeast- AFP their deaths. as she fought for recovery, only in 2016 that killed tonnes of fi sh ern Dong Nai province, four facing death Bangkok Now the scourge of plastic to pass away from an infection in central Vietnam, and also for people were jailed for between waste is aff ecting Thailand’s exacerbated by plastic bits ietnam yesterday jailed railing against a controversial two and three years on “secu- animals on land. lining her stomach. six people on various cybersecurity bill. rity disruption” charges, ac- penalty A wild deer was found dead Off icials said a 10-year-old deer The demise of Mariam in August Vsecurity and anti-state His attorney said he was cording to state press. after swallowing 7kg (15 was found dead in a national was widely mourned on social charges in three separate cases, merely expressing his opinions They were accused of plot- pounds) of plastic bags and park in Nan province, around media, reviving public debate in one of the harshest days of and did not break the law. ting protests and planting ex- Reuters other trash in Thailand, an 630km (390 miles) north of on Thailand’s urgent need to sentencing in the communist “This was a prearranged plosives, though no evidence Kuala Lumpur off icial said yesterday, raising capital Bangkok. tackle its plastic addiction. country where dissidence is verdict,” Ha Huy Son said af- was provided. the alarm on waste littering the An autopsy discovered “plastic The loss of the wild deer is routinely quashed. ter the trial in central Thanh Protests of any kind are banned country’s waters and forests. bags in the stomach, which is one “another tragedy”, Kriangsak The one-party state has long Hoa province, adding that Diep in Vietnam, where all media is run n Australian woman sen- The Southeast Asian country of the causes of its death”, said said. jailed its critics, though a hard- would fi le an appeal. by the state and blogs routinely tenced to death for drug- is one of the world’s largest Kriangsak Thanompun, director “It shows we have to take line leadership in charge since In another court case in scrubbed from the web. Atraffi cking in Malaysia consumers of plastic, with Thais of the protected region in the seriously and reduce... single- 2016 has ushered in an uptick in southern Bac Lieu province, Vietnam ranks 176 out of 180 was acquitted yesterday after the using up to 3,000 single-use Khun Sathan National Park. use plastic,” he said, calling for arrests and convictions of ac- Nguyen Chi Vung was sen- countries on Reporters Without Federal Court in Kuala Lumpur plastic bags each per year, The bags contained coff ee “nature-friendly products” to be tivists, dissidents and bloggers. tenced to six years in jail for Borders’ 2019 World Press Free- quashed her earlier conviction whether for wrapping street grounds, instant noodle used instead. Yesterday, six people were anti-state propaganda. dom list, ahead of China, Eritrea, by a lower court. food, takeaway coff ee or packaging, garbage bags, Several major retailers – sentenced to jail in various tri- Vung was accused of using North Korea and Turkmenistan. Maria Exposto, 55, was ar- packing groceries. towels and also underwear, including the operator of als across the country. Facebook to livestream anti- Last week police arrested rested in the Malaysian capital Marine animals like turtles and according to photos provided the ubiquitous 7-Eleven The longest was for Russian- communist content in posts high-profi le journalist Pham in 2014 while in transit to Mel- dugongs have died in its waste- by the national park. convenience stores – have educated activist Pham Van Diep that received thousands of Chi Dung, an outspoken former bourne from Shanghai, and in choked waters, and autopsies The discovery of the deer pledged to stop handing out who got nine years for “making, shares, according to the offi cial communist party member who May last year she was found have found that plastic in the comes months after a sick baby single-use plastic bags by storing and spreading anti-state Vietnam News Agency. went on to found the Inde- guilty of smuggling more than a stomach lining contributed to dugong won hearts in Thailand January next year. material”, according to his lawyer. He was also accused of trying pendent Journalists Associa- kilogramme of crystal metham- Diep was accused of protest- to “incite” people on Facebook tion of Vietnam. phetamine. Though Exposto was sen- tenced to hang, the government has currently placed a morato- rium on executions while it re- forms legislation to remove the Lanka airports on mandatory death penalty for HK leader appeals for calm drug and other off ences. Her son Hugo Exposto spoke alert after detective Reuters “defi ciencies in governance”. border, people familiar with the to reporters outside the court af- Hong Kong She thanked people for vot- matter said. ter the panel of fi ve judges decid- ing peacefully and hoped the Protests have sprung up on ed his mother should be released. inspector fl ees calm weekend was a signal that an almost daily basis since June, “All I want to do is just run ong Kong leader Carrie residents want an end to unrest with crowds gathering with down and take her home,” he said. AFP mission for overseas travel,” Lam renewed her ap- that has convulsed the city for little notice, at times forcing Exposto had maintained that Colombo he said. Hpeals for peace in the six months. the government, businesses, she was duped into carrying the The directive came after Chinese-ruled city yesterday “Everybody wants to go back schools and even the interna- bag with the drugs by a friend Silva left Sri Lanka on Sunday, but failed to off er any conces- to their normal life and this re- tional airport to close. of her online boyfriend, who he Sri Lankan govern- reportedly seeking asylum in sions to anti-government pro- quires the concerted eff orts of The violence had escalated up to claimed to be a US soldier serv- ment has put airports Switzerland. testers despite a resounding every one of us,” Lam said dur- last week, with protesters hurling ing in Afghanistan. Ton alert to stop police Police have launched an in- victory for pro-democracy par- ing her weekly address at the petrol bombs and fi ring arrows at “She is innocent. We always detectives leaving without quiry into his departure. ties in local elections. government’s headquarters. police who responded with tear gas believed she is innocent,” Shafee permission after an offi cer Silva’s investigations included Appearing tired and drawn, “So, as I have said repeat- and rubber bullets. Police say they Abdullah, Exposto’s lawyer, told who had reportedly received high profi le killings and corrup- Lam spoke a day after results Hong Kong chief executive edly, resorting to violence will have shown restraint in the face of reporters outside the court after death threats fl ed the island, tion involving administration showed democratic candidates Carrie Lam speaks to the media not give us that way forward. So potentially deadly attacks. the ruling. police said yesterday. members under former president secured almost 90% of 452 dis- in a weekly news briefing after please, please help us to maintain Demonstrators are angry at “This is an illustration, how The alleged threats against Mahinda Rajapaksa, brother of trict council seats in Sunday’s local elections in Hong Kong the relative calm and peace...and what they see as Chinese med- an innocent woman can be inspector Nishantha Silva the new president, who ruled for elections, which were widely seen yesterday. provide a good basis for Hong dling in the freedoms promised scammed on the Internet,” Sha- came after the November 16 a decade until 2015. as a barometer of the opposition Kong to move forward.” to the former British colony fee said. election of Gotabaya Rajapak- Among the cases was the to the Beijing-backed politician pressed our severe position to The international fi nancial when it returned to Chinese Shafee said Exposto was ap- sa, who was also under inves- 2009 assassination of editor following months of unrest. the American side,” according to centre – a business and trade rule in 1997. plying to immigration authori- tigation by him. Lasantha Wickrematunge by China, which has blamed for- state news agency Xinhua. gateway for China – has been China denies interfering and ties for a special exit pass – as she Police spokesman Ruwan an alleged hit squad. eign forces for fomenting unrest, A day earlier, the foreign rocked by six months of often says it is committed to the “one her transit visa had long expired Gunasekera said the names Mahinda Rajapaksa has re- has not directly commented on ministry summoned US ambas- violent anti-government unrest country, two systems” formula – following her release, and she of 704 Criminal Investigation turned to power as prime minister the results, and news outlets sador Terry Branstad to protest that has plunged it into its big- put in place at that time. expected to leave for Australia Division (CID) offi cers had after leading his younger brother’s in its tightly controlled media the Hong Kong Human Rights gest political crisis in decades While calm has descended today. been sent to immigration au- successful election campaign. largely avoided detailed report- and Democracy Act, which it and poses the greatest internal across most of the city, a handful Malaysia has executed three thorities. Police said Monday there ing of how Hong Kongers voted. said amounted to interference challenge yet faced by China’s of protesters remain holed up in Australian nationals for drug “The move is to ensure that were allegations Silva had Yesterday, top diplomat Yang in an internal Chinese matter. President Xi Jinping. Polytechnic University, surround- traffi cking in the past 30 years, no offi cer leaves the country conducted biased investiga- Jiechi condemned the passing of Lam acknowledged that voters The Chinese leadership has ed by police following clashes at causing brief strains in dip- without following the proper tions in the past four and a half US legislation supporting pro- in the city wanted to express their set up a crisis command cen- the campus on Kowloon peninsula lomatic ties between the two procedure of obtaining per- years. testers, saying China had “ex- views on many issues, including tre on the mainland side of the in the run-up to elections. countries. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 27, 2019 15 BRITAIN Govt halts ‘fl awed’ bid to deport Jamaican man to Iraq

Guardian News and Media month that O’Neil Wallfall, 49 nal cancer and is awaiting a trans- that death is virtually certain.” since 2002 and has been waiting 17 years for this,” he said. “Now “This is brilliant and unbe- London – who has never been to Iraq plant after kidney failure. After being contacted by the for 17 years to regularise his sta- Karen and I can get on with our lievable,” she added. “My life – received a refusal letter that In the letter rejecting Wallfall’s Guardian, the Home Offi ce said tus. He has been in a relationship lives together. At last I can sleep feels complete for the fi rst time. appeared to indicate his case application – which his law- it was reconsidering its decision with McQueen for three years. and don’t have to look over my It’s as if our lives have been given he Home Offi ce has made a had been confused with that of yer said provided clear evidence “in light of further information”. The couple said they were very shoulder for immigration all the back to us by the Home Offi ce U-turn in the case of a man someone else. that the government “copies and Last Friday, Wallfall’s solicitor much in love. She was depend- time. The fi rst thing I want to do and now we’re free.” Tcaring for his terminally ill The government also said in pastes” letters and disregards Naga Kandiah, of MTC Solicitors, ent on him for support with her is get a job. I’d love to work as a Kandiah condemned the partner who was told he was go- the same document that it would individual submissions when received a letter from the Home serious health conditions. postman or for the NHS.” original refusal letter citing Iraq ing to be deported to Jamaica be- not be “unreasonable” or “unduly reaching its conclusions – the Offi ce that said: “After a review The couple said they were McQueen said: “I don’t think and welcomed the government’s cause offi cials had concluded that harsh” to expect his British partner, Home Offi ce wrote: “You have of the case it has been decided to overjoyed about the Home Of- we would have got this change change of heart. Before the deci- he “failed to demonstrate that his Karen McQueen, 56, to relocate to claimed that you will be unlaw- grant 30 months’ leave on the ba- fi ce U-turn. Wallfall said he of heart from the Home Offi ce sion to grant 30 months’ leave he life would be at risk in Iraq”. his homeland of Jamaica with him. fully killed on return to Iraq … sis of Wallfall’s family life.” broke down in tears when he without the Guardian highlight- had been planning to challenge The Guardian reported last McQueen has a diagnosis of termi- you have not demonstrated … Wallfall has been in the UK got the news. “I’ve been waiting ing our case.” the refusal in court. Black Friday deals in UK rarely genuine bargains: study

Guardian News and Media She added that the election in London December would also have a dampening eff ect on consumers’ appetite for spending. ust one in 20 Black Friday The Which? price research deals are genuine, according to covered the six months before Jdamning research by Which? and after last year’s Black Friday. that concluded the annual shop- It found that just four of the 83 ping event was “all hype”. products surveyed were cheaper The consumer group price on Black Friday than at other checked 83 items on sale on times of the year. Black Friday last year and found Six in 10 were found to be that nearly all were cheaper or cheaper on at least one day in the available for the same price at six months before Black Friday, other times of the year. while 74% were cheaper after. A Samsung soundbar was a But Which? found no evi- Currys PC World Black Friday dence that retailers were break- deal last year at £299. But the ing sales laws. Rather, consum- Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to launch the Conservative Party Scottish Manifesto in North Queensferry, Scotland, yesterday. researchers found that the price ers were being confused by off ers dropped by a further £49 dur- that might not be as good as they ing the month after Black Fri- sounded. day and was priced at £279.97 at Natalie Hitchins, the Which? least 13 times in the following six head of home products and serv- months. ices, said: “We have repeatedly At John Lewis, a De’Longhi shown that ‘deals’ touted by re- coff ee machine was off ered at tailers on Black Friday are not as £399 on Black Friday, but it was good as they seem. Time-limited Ex-deputy premier urges then discounted to £368 on at sales can be a good opportunity least 35 occasions in the fol- to bag a bargain, but don’t fall lowing six months. Meanwhile, for the pressure tactics around Amazon put its Echo (2nd Gen) Black Friday. on off er as 39% cheaper on Black “Our investigation indicates Friday, when it had been cheaper that this popular shopping event on at least 13 occasions before is all hype and there are few gen- voters to back LibDems that date. uine discounts.” Black Friday, which has turned It advises consumers not to Guardian News and Media He told BBC Radio 4’s Today of the campaign bus that Britain of what we’re facing if Johnson a “certain sense of sadness” into a fortnight-long event, peaks impulse buy or panic that the deal London programme yesterday: “The sends £350mn a week to the EU gets an overall majority.” about Heseltine’s views. this Friday but there are signs of might never be available again. real issue is what is at stake and and that money would be spent Heseltine accused the prime He told the Today pro- fatigue among both shoppers Which? presented its fi ndings it is the prosperity of this coun- on the NHS instead. minister of pursuing an “utterly gramme: “On this particular and retailers. According to the to the major retailers. Currys PC ichael Heseltine, a try, the world infl uence of this He said it was “complete disastrous” policy “for Britain’s question, Michael, I think, ad- footfall experts Springboard, the World said: “Our customers tell former Conservative country, our relationship with nonsense” to suggest Brexit position in the world and for our vised people to vote Liberal number of shoppers on Britain’s us that they appreciate the in- Mdeputy prime min- our neighbours in Europe. This could be done by Christmas. economy and for the invest- Democrat in the European elec- high streets is expected to decline creased choice during Black Fri- ister, has said he cannot sup- is transcendingly the overarch- “All you can do by Christmas is ment which is frozen up in this tion, so in that sense he’s con- during this year’s event, although day where we have the most deals port Boris Johnson in the gen- ing issue at stake in this election to pass legislation to enter into country at the moment”. sistent, but I do think that he’s foreign tourists cashing in on on at once. When we launched eral election because the prime and I cannot vote or support negotiations. It’s like the boxer Speaking on the programme, wrong on this. weak sterling are expected to our Black Friday event last year minister is pursuing an “ut- people who are going to make saying OK, you’ve been train- he also said Jeremy Corbyn “I think that the most impor- keep the tills ringing in London’s 40% of those products were the terly disastrous” policy that will the country poorer or less infl u- ing, now you can get into the “isn’t fi t to be prime minister. tant thing at this general elec- West End. lowest price they had ever been.” make Britain poorer and less ential – full stop, end of story.” ring. And you’ll be in the ring He’s not going to be prime min- tion is the choice between the “The prevalence of discount- John Lewis said: “Our com- infl uential. Heseltine called for a second with, fi rst of all, a massively, ister and you know it, I know it two alternative prime ministers ing from retailers throughout the mitment to being never know- Lord Heseltine has called referendum and took a swipe larger economic bloc, Europe, and every pollster reveals it.” – Boris Johnson and Jeremy year, combined with the scepti- ingly undersold means that we on voters to back the Liberal at Vote Leave’s controversial secondly Donald Trump fi ght- He added: “I think it’s much Corbyn – and I think that Boris cism surrounding whether Black continuously monitor and match Democrats in the general elec- claim that Turkey and four ing for his life politically. I dare more likely – the question is not would undoubtedly ensure that Friday discounts are better than the prices of our high street tion to deny Johnson a majority other countries could join the say he’s going to start doing whether he can be prime minis- we got Brexit done and avoid those being off ered generally, competitors throughout the in parliament. The Tory grandee EU as soon as 2020, and their special deals with us. ter, it’s whether he continues to the dangers of two referen- means that consumers are pay- year. As such, we off er our cus- was suspended from the party accession could lead to 5.2mn “It’s preposterous. We are in lead the Labour party by Christ- dums, whereas Jeremy Corbyn, ing less attention to this period tomers the best value on the high in May when he said he would extra people moving to the UK for another year of uncertainty mas because I think there will be as we know by the words of the as a whole,” said Diane Wehrle, street all year round, including support the LibDems in the Eu- by 2030. He also attacked its and a possibility of a no-deal exit a great move to get rid of him.” chief rabbi today, poses a threat insights director at Springboard. during the Black Friday period.” ropean elections. infamous assertion on the side at the end of it. That’s the reality Michael Gove said he felt to more than just our economy.”

Coldplay performance Raab booed for refusal to Gove mocks Stormzy talk to dead teen’s parents support for Labour Guardian News and Media winking emoji. Gove responded: London “I set trends dem man copy.” Reuters (House of) Commons,” Tim end of the debate and booed In a long note posted to Twit- London Dunn later told reporters out- Raab as he left. ter on Monday, Stormzy urged side the debate venue, a church Raab is campaigning for re- ichael Gove has mocked fans to register to vote and said in a southwest suburb of Lon- election to parliament in the Stormzy for expressing that he would be voting for Jer- oreign Secretary Do- don. December 12 vote. Mhis support for Labour emy Corbyn and Labour. minic Raab was booed “And we feel that people His predecessor as Conserv- and Jeremy Corbyn in the forth- “In my 26 years of life I have Fafter refusing to stop should know how he really is as ative member of parliament for coming election. never trusted politicians or re- and talk to the grieving par- a gentleman and how he comes the same constituency, who Gove told Talk Radio: “I think lied on them to be the bearers of ents of a man who was killed across to us as our family.” disagrees with the ruling par- we again know that Stormzy, hope and righteous people that in a road accident involving Footage of the two men’s ty’s policy to “get Brexit done”, when he took to the stage at we’ve needed them to be,” he a US diplomat’s wife, televi- brief exchange, broadcast has urged voters to shun Raab Glastonbury wearing a stab vest, wrote. “And for me, he is the fi rst sion channels reported yes- by ITV, showed Raab telling and instead vote for the Liberal he made clear what his political man in a position of power who terday. Dunn that he would be happy Democrat candidate. views were then.” is committed to giving the power The case of Harry Dunn, 19, to see him any time but did The Conservative Party and During his headline set at the back to the people and helping who died in August after his not want to keep the audience the Foreign Offi ce did not re- 2019 festival, Stormzy wore a those who need a helping hand motorcycle collided with a car inside the debate venue wait- spond to requests for com- stab vest painted with a mono- from the government the most.” driven by Anne Sacoolas, has ing. ment. chrome Union Jack. The gar- Stormzy criticised Boris John- caused diffi culties for Raab After Dunn repeated his The case of Harry Dunn ment was customised by Banksy son’s “long record of lying and since Sacoolas left Britain request to talk to him, Raab gained international promi- and hailed as “a perfect image of policies that have absolutely no claiming diplomatic immunity, pointed his fi nger at Dunn, say- nence when his parents met our moment” by the Guardian’s regard for the people that our outraging many Britons. ing it was “not on” that Dunn US President Donald Trump at art critic, Jonathan Jones. government should be commit- Arriving at an election can- was trying to talk to him “right the White House and he tried “Stormzy’s tense and provoc- ted to helping and empowering”. didates’ debate in his parlia- in front of the cameras”, then to persuade them to meet with ative stage-garb exploited the He continued: “I also believe mentary constituency, Raab turned away and strode off . Sacoolas, who was in the build- fl ag’s visual strength in a new it is criminally dangerous to refused to stop for a conversa- Dunn and a group of his sup- ing at the same time. way. Amid all the stage razzma- give the most powerful role in tion with Tim Dunn, Harry’s porters were denied access to The parents, who had not tazz, he wore the banner of a di- the country to a man who has father, who has publicly criti- the debate venue. been told she would be there, vided and frightened nation.” said that the sight of a ‘bunch cised Raab’s handling of the The BBC quoted a member declined. Gove added: “He is a far, far of black kids’ makes him ‘turn a case. of staff at the church say- They want Sacoolas to return better rapper than he is a political hair’. I think it’s extremely dan- “We feel he’s lied to us two ing this was due to fire safety to Britain to face police ques- Norah Shaqur performs with Coldplay during a show at the analyst.”Labour politician Angela gerous to have a man with those or three times in meetings and concerns. tioning about the crash that Natural History Museum in London, Britain, yesterday. Rayner tweeted: “And Michael views as the sole leader of our in statements he’s made in the The group waited until the killed their son. Gove is bad at both”, adding a country.” Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 EUROPE 13 French troops die

in helicopter crash This still image taken from security video shows the crime in progress in the Green Vault museum in Dresden. Reuters/AFP The collision between a Tiger from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Paris/Bamako attack helicopter and a Cougar Chad and Mauritania, remains multipurpose helicopter oc- perennially underfunded and curred shortly after darkness had hobbled by poor co-ordination hirteen French soldiers descended over the barren region three years after its launch. Police hunt Dresden died in Mali when their where Islamic State is active, Ar- Bastien Lachaud, a member of Thelicopters collided as mies Chief of Staff General Fran- the French parliament’s defence they hunted in the dark for Is- cois Lecointre told a joint news committee from the hard-left La jewel heist suspects lamist militants, highlighting the conference with the armed forces France Insoumise (France Un- human cost to France of leading minister. bowed) party, told Reuters that eff orts to clear insurgents from Two explosions were heard it is time to plot an exit from the DPA The police also said that they the region. and the aircraft hit the ground a Sahel. Dresden assume that an interruption to It was the biggest loss of short distance apart. Paris has complained that it is the power supply to Dresden’s French troops in a single day There were no survivors. taking the brunt of ground oper- museum complex at the same since an attack in Beirut 36 years Monday’s deaths bring the ations and urged European part- ne day after thieves time as the robbery was asso- ago when 58 soldiers died. number of French soldiers who ners to do more. broke into a Dresden ciated with the theft. The ground commandos had have been killed in combat in the However, yesterday Armed Opalace museum and On Monday evening, the been tracking the band of mili- Sahel region since 2013 to 38, of- Forces Minister Florence Parly seized jewellery from an 18th police appealed for witnesses tants through harsh terrain for Parly: France is not alone in the Sahel and is increasingly less so. fi cials said. said that support from European century royal collection in a and have received 91 responses several days before making con- More than 200 soldiers from allies is valuable. high-speed raid, German po- which they are currently in- tact on Monday. militants who had occupied the making large swathes of territory regional nations and interna- “We stand tall, united, resil- lice continue to scour the city vestigating. As night fell, an intense gun- north. ungovernable and stoking ethnic tional peacekeepers have been ient,” Parly told the news confer- for clues, a spokesman said The police also released se- fi ght erupted and aerial rein- It still has a 4,500-strong violence, especially in Mali and killed since September in Mali ence. “It is this solidarity which yesterday. curity footage showing two forcements were called in to pur- Barkhane force countering insur- Burkina Faso. alone, with dozens more killed in strengthens us, which allows us “The robbery was targeted suspects breaking into the sue the militant fi ghters. gencies in the wider region. In a message of condolence to Burkina Faso. to continue the fi ght.” and well-prepared,” investiga- museum on the Saxony po- French President Emmanuel Rather than stabilising, secu- Macron, Malian President Ib- Along with the troops France “France is not alone in the Sa- tors said yesterday. lice force webpage, along with Macron expressed his “deep sad- rity has progressively worsened rahim Boubacar Keita said the maintains in the Sahel, some Eu- hel and is increasingly less so,” Two unidentifi ed suspects photos of some of the stolen ness” at the loss as his govern- in the West African Sahel, an arid French soldiers “died for Mali, ropean countries and the United she added. broke into the Green Vault objects. ment said it would not back down region which lies just below the they died for the Sahel, they died States have provided logistical Paying tribute to the “13 he- museum early on Monday and The main reaction to this so in its fi ght against terrorism. Sahara desert. for freedom”. support, trainers and some spe- roes”, Parly said this was “not the managed to steal parts of three far has been mockery of the France, the former colonial Islamist militants with links to Lawmakers in France’s Na- cial forces. time for questioning the merit or jewellery sets studded with quality of the grainy black- power in the region, fi rst inter- Al Qaeda and Islamic State have tional Assembly held a minute’s A separate regional force, the not” of France’s military inter- precious stones, despite strin- and-white CCTV footage and vened in Mali in 2013 to drive out strengthened their foothold, silence. G5 Sahel, made up of soldiers vention in the Sahel. gent security measures. the jerky fi gures it shows. Up to 100 objects may have In the shadowy video, a been stolen from the sets, pixelated person can be seen, which consist of clasps, but- carrying a torch and an axe, tons, medals, epaulettes, smashing a display case to sashes and ornaments for hats smithereens. At least 21 people killed as earthquake jolts Albania and canes, decorated with dia- Users on social media re- monds, emeralds, rubies and sponded by suggesting that the sapphires. makers of the protective glass Reuters adding that 44 people had been The value of the stolen goods desperately need a PR cam- Tirana pulled alive from the wreckage. is impossible to calculate, mu- paign. After a 14-hour ordeal, a seum offi cials have said. The police responded with 30-year-old woman was pulled The suspects entered the a request that critics make a t least 21 people were alive from the ruins of a six-sto- building through a window af- more useful contribution to killed when the most rey building in Durres, two hours ter cutting through a grid and the case. Apowerful earthquake to after police extracted the body of breaking the glass. The Green Vault houses one strike Albania in decades shook her eight-year-old daughter. They used an axe to smash of Europe’s oldest and best- the capital Tirana and the coun- At dusk, a woman called the glass case containing the preserved collection of treas- try’s west and north yesterday, Bukuri Morina and her family jewels, according to police. ures. tearing down buildings and bur- of 10 joined thousands of others The thieves escaped in an The treasury was created ying residents under rubble. to spend the night at the Durres Audi A6 car, and shortly af- between 1723 and 1730 at the Residents, some carrying ba- soccer stadium. terwards a similar model was behest of Augustus the Strong, bies, fl ed apartment buildings in “We are afraid to go back to our found burning in an under- the elector of Saxony. Tirana and the western port of apartment,” she said. “There are ground garage in Dresden. Competing with Louis XIV, Durres after the 6.4 magnitude cracks all over and we are afraid Yesterday, the police said he had sought to outshine the quake struck shortly before 4am that we will have the same des- they believe this was the geta- Sun King with his impressive (0300 GMT). tiny as people in Thumane.” way vehicle. array of jewels. The Balkan country was jolted Located along the Adriatic and by 100 aftershocks after the main Ionian Seas, between Greece and tremor, two of them of magni- Macedonia, Albania experiences tude 5, testing strained nerves. regular seismic activity. Top Malta government off icials quit In the northern town of Thu- A 5.6 magnitude quake hit Al- amid journalist murder investigation mane, Marjana Gjoka, 48, was bania on September 21, damaging sleeping in her apartment on about 500 houses. Three senior Maltese government figures have quit off ice the fourth fl oor of a fi ve-storey The defence ministry said then amid growing fallout from the investigation into the murder of building when the quake shat- it was the most powerful quake in investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. tered the top of the building. Albania in the last 30 years. Caruana Galizia was killed by a car bomb on October 17, 2017, after “The roof collapsed on our The images of damage from Emergency workers clear debris at a damaged building in Thumane, 34km northwest of Tirana. running a blog that accused top Maltese politicians, including two head and I don’t know how we yesterday’s quake suggested that of the three people who resigned yesterday, of corruption. escaped. God helped us,” said it was stronger than one in 1979 Some used a mechanical dig- shook us around,” he told Reu- hotel in Durres. Keith Schembri, chief of staff to Labour Prime Minister Joseph Gjoka, whose three-year-old which razed a district of a north- ger to claw at collapsed masonry ters, referring to smaller tremors Italy, France, Romania, Turkey, Muscat, was the first to resign; Konrad Mizzi, tourism minister and niece was among four people in ern town. and remove a tangle of metal and recorded in the hour before the Greece and Croatia sent special- erstwhile energy minister, came second. the apartment when the quake Neither of those two earlier cables. main quake. ised rescue equipment. The third off icial on the way out is Economy Minister Chris struck. quakes caused deaths. Others scrabbled with their Rescuers told local media one Neighbouring Kosovo sent a Cardona, who stopped short of resigning and said that he was only The quake was centred 30km The Balkan nation is the poor- bare hands. of the dead was an elderly woman special unit with tracker dogs “suspending himself” from his position. (19 miles) west of Tirana, the US est country in Europe, with per Most of the collapsed dwell- who saved her grandson by cra- and Serbia was sending 13 offi c- Before her death, Caruana Galizia wrote about a secret company in Geological Survey (USGS) said, capita income one-quarter of the ings were made of brick, a Reu- dling him with her body. ers. Dubai, 17 Black. and was also felt across the Bal- European Union average, accord- ters reporter said. Defence Minister Olta Xhacka An unidentifi ed man, with kans and in the southern Italian ing to the International Monetary Two people were pulled from said the quake’s epicentre was in a wound dressing on his right region of Puglia. Fund (IMF). rubble in Thumane four hours Durres. cheek, told News24 TV that his Seal mistaken for drowning person Hours later a magnitude 5.4 In Thumane, seven people, after the quake, a Reuters report- It was followed by 100 after- daughter and niece were among earthquake hit Bosnia, with an including a mother and son, er said. shocks. those trapped in a collapsed A lively seal caused panic in Hamburg after a passing jogger epicentre 75km (45 miles) south were found dead in the rubble of Doctors said they were in a bad At least 135 people were in- apartment building in Durres. thought it was a person drowning in the Elbe river, German police of Sarajevo, monitors said. apartment buildings and a man condition. jured, with 72 hospitalised, she “I talked with my daughter and revealed on Sunday. There were no immediate re- died in the town of Kurbin after “Everything at home kept fall- said. niece on the phone. They said The jogger raised the alarm after spotting what he thought was a ports of injuries. jumping out of a building. ing down,” Refi k, a Tirana resi- “Durres and Thumane are the they are well and are waiting for person flailing in the water near the Teufelsbrueck jetty. Thirteen bodies were pulled Firefi ghters, police and civil- dent, said of the impact on his areas worst hit. Rescue-and- the rescue. Could not talk to my The fire brigade responded by sending out several boats, a from collapsed buildings in ians were removing the debris sixth-fl oor apartment. save work continues in the col- wife. There are other families, helicopter and divers, but they were unable to find any trace of the Durres, Albania’s main port and from collapsed buildings in Thu- “We were awake because of the lapsed buildings there,” she said but I could not talk to them,” the reported swimmer. a tourism spot, offi cials said, mane. previous quakes, but the last one as troops pulled a victim from a man said. They did, however, spot a seal splashing around in the water.

Dutch police charge two with Thousands of farmers stage suicide bomb plot Dutch police have charged two suspected religious extremists tractor protest in Berlin with planning a terror attack using suicide and car bombs, prosecutors said yesterday. AFP “Do you know who feeds four-wheeled protest, leading The two men aged 20 and 34 Berlin you?” read another. to convoys as long as 20km on years from Zoetemeer, near The The government’s policy some roads. Hague, were arrested on Monday, package includes plans to limit Organisers said as many as the federal prosecution service housands of farmers drove the use of fertiliser to tackle ni- 8,500 tractors took part. said in a statement. their tractors to Berlin’s trate pollution in groundwater, Other German cities have seen “The attack with bomb jackets Tfamed Brandenburg Gate and ban the controversial weed- similar demos in recent weeks, and one or more car bombs yesterday in a mass protest killer glyphosate by 2023 to pro- including a large one in Bonn last was probably to have been against new environmental reg- tect insect populations. month. committed in the Netherlands at ulations they say threaten their Furious farmers say the envi- Farmers have also taken to the the end of the year,” it said. livelihoods. ronmental protection measures streets in France and the Neth- No firearms or explosives were Long convoys brought traffi c go too far and pose an existential erlands with similar complaints. found but undercover police to a standstill in the heart of the risk to their farms. Germany’s agriculture minis- were able to “gain insight into the city’s government district, in the Many are also fed up with the ter Julia Kloeckner defended the suspects and their attack plans”. biggest display yet of farmers’ “farmer bashing” they say has government’s measures, aimed Police started surveillance on the anger over agricultural policy cast them as villains in the fi ght in part at bringing the country men after an alert from the Dutch changes agreed by Chancellor against climate change. in line with EU regulations, but Two men walk past a long row of farmers lining up with their tractors along ‘Strasse des 17 Juni’ Avenue intelligence service said they Angela Merkel’s cabinet in Sep- “I’m feeling less and less said she understood the farmers’ during a protest in Berlin. “intended to commit an attack”. tember. confi dent about the future,” frustrations. The target remained unknown. “First the plants starve, then 24-year-old farmer Rene “Consumers keep expect- caster, calling for more appre- was booed several times as she Chancellor Merkel has invited Police found a throwing axe, a the farmers, then you,” read one Wessler told AFP at the protest. ing farmers to do more, but are ciation for the industry. called for “closer dialogue” be- some 40 agricultural organisa- dagger and a mobile phone with placard attached to a green trac- Police said more than 5,000 increasingly less willing to pay Kloeckner later took to stage tween the agricultural sector and tions to the chancellery for talks SIM cards in the attic of one of tor. tractors rolled into Berlin for the more for it,” she told ARD broad- at the Berlin demo, where she society. on Monday. the men. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 27, 2019 17 INDIA

Ten years on, Aadhaar excludes homeless, transgender people

Reuters government data. the northeastern state of Assam, haar, did not respond to a request As Aadhaar became manda- datory for bank accounts, SIM ments, said Shivani Chaudhry, Mumbai It is the world’s largest bio- where nearly 2mn people were for comment. tory for a range of services, the cards, and school enrolment,” executive director of advocacy metric identity system, and the left off a list of citizens published Aadhaar, which is linked to an Supreme Court ruled in 2014 that according to the study. group Housing and Land Rights 12-digit ID is used for everything in August. individual’s fi ngerprints, face it could not be a requirement for “There is a big gap between Network in New Delhi. en years after it was in- from school enrolments to tax “The most marginalised pop- and iris scan, was introduced in welfare programmes. intent and implementation, and “This has denied them most troduced, India’s national fi lings. ulations are less likely to have 2009 to streamline welfare pay- Last year, the court upheld the it is used as a way to avoid deliv- offi cial forms of identity, which Tdigital identity system But an estimated 102mn peo- Aadhaar and more likely to have ments and reduce wastage in validity of Aadhaar, but fl agged ering services,” said Osama Man- results in their persistent exclu- is becoming ubiquitous in the ple do not have Aadhaar, includ- errors in their Aadhaar informa- public spending. privacy concerns and reined in zar, director of non-profi t Digital sion from state welfare schemes country, even as large numbers ing 30% of India’s homeless pop- tion,” said the report. Human rights activists and a government push to make it Empowerment Foundation. and entitlements,” she told the of homeless and transgender ulation and more than a quarter The errors could “lead to de- technology experts have raised compulsory for everything from “It is the marginalised who Thomson Reuters Foundation. people are excluded and many of its third-gender citizens, said nial of welfare services, and at concerns about privacy and safe- pensions to phone connections. suff er the most,” he said. The study of more than 167,000 denied essential services, a study a report published late on Mon- times exclusion,” it said. ty of the data, the susceptibility UIDAI has denied reports of This particularly aff ected residents was supported by the showed. day by Dalberg, a consulting fi rm. A spokesman for the Unique of biometrics to failure, and the data breaches and misuse of data, the homeless, who often do not Omidyar Network, which funds More than 1.2bn Aadhaar IDs Those without Aadhaar in- Identifi cation Authority of India misuse of data for profi ling or and said it was not compulsory. have proof of residence, which is the Thomson Reuters Founda- have been issued, according to clude about 90% of residents in (UIDAI), which oversees Aad- surveillance. Yet Aadhaar is “de facto man- needed for all government docu- tion’s property rights coverage. BJP’s ‘Operation Kamal’ fails to bloom in state

IANS the Congress, and participated New Delhi in the unprecedented ‘’pub- lic parade’’ of the combine’s 162 MLAs at the Hyatt hotel ithin a night’s span, a on Monday evening, these ru- deal with Nationalist mours were dispelled. WCongress Party lead- According to sources, Ma- er Ajit Pawar saw the Bharatiya harashtra Governor Bhagat Janata Party forming a govern- Singh Koshyari, after the ment in Maharashtra with De- hurried swearing-in of Fad- vendra Fadnavis seemingly set navis and Ajit Pawar, had not for another term as chief min- given any authoritative time ister. But before they could test frame to them to establish their strength in the assembly, their majority. As such, the both Fadnavis and his deputy BJP thought that Ajit Pawar quit yesterday. would have sufficient time to The Supreme Court ruled lure away NCP MLAs, while, yesterday that the Fadnavis under “Operation Kamal’’, he government had to secure a vote would break away lawmakers of confidence by 5pm today. A from other parties to reach few hours later, Ajit Pawar put a majority figure. However, in his papers and subsequently, canny operator Sharad Pawar so did Fadnavis, admitting the proved more than a match for BJP did not have the necessary his rebel nephew. numbers in the 288-member After not able to get the nec- assembly. essary numbers, the BJP zeroed Thus the BJP neither could on the expedient of using the succeed with “Operation whip option. It was decided Shiv Sena Party’s Uddhav Thackeray greets legislators after he was elected chief of the ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ at a meeting of the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Kamal” in the state, nor did Ajit that the pro-tem speaker would Shiv Sena, yesterday. Pawar fulfil his promise of lur- confirm the power to issue the ing away the requisite number whip lay with the junior Pa- of Nationalist Congress Party war, and then ways to save the legislators to prop up the gov- government would be devised. ernment. However, it was realised that Seeing there was no hope of this step would open the way to cobbling a majority, Fadnavis questions on the competence of threw in his towel, announcing the central government, gov- Uddhav Thackeray to take his resignation at a press con- ernor, assembly, and the pro- ference at 3.30pm. Ajit Pawar tem speaker and the matter had been deputy chief Minister could reach the Supreme Court. for 78 hours, and Fadnavis for There were apprehensions of 80 hours. the measure leading to a con- When Fadnavis and Ajit Pa- stitutional spat. over as Maharashtra CM war were suddenly sworn in at Party sources said that amid 8am on Saturday – a few hours all these eventualities, the IANS bhimani Shetkari Sanghatana the victory of 11 crore people of ceeding will be shown live, the remained absent from the mega- after the Shiv Sena-Congress- party realised that its haste to Mumbai chief Raju Shetti, and other top Maharashtra. court said. meeting of the Maha Vikas Agha- NCP combine had reached a form a government had been leaders of the Sena, the NCP and “The BJP was of the opinion The central government im- di. final agreement, the BJP had counter-productive. The party the Congress. that it will be in power and won’t posed president’s on Maharash- But he was not forgotten at hailed the development as a also felt that the support it had hiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray met Governor B S follow rules, but it was shat- tra on November 12 after none of the Aghadi jamboree with at “major master stroke”. On so- gained at not forming a govern- Thackeray was unani- Koshyari last night to stake his tered,” he said. the parties were able to form the least two leaders, including cial media, BJP supporters ment for 29 days had been dis- Smously elected as chief of claim to form the government. Malik said the NCP-Sena- government. former deputy chief minister and sympathisers had lavishly pelled by forming one without the ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ yes- He will be sworn in tomorrow. Congress government would last In the October 21 elections, the Chhagan Bhujbal, making a ref- praised the sudden turnaround. the necessary majority. terday evening, paving the way The fast-paced developments the full fi ve years without any BJP won 105 seats and its pre-poll erence and suggesting that Ajit But, as soon as NCP supremo The BJP also realised it had for him to become the new chief came barely hours after Chief trouble. alliance partner Sena 56 in the Pawar should be invited back to and Ajit Pawar’’s uncle, Sharad taken Ajit Pawar at his word, minister of Maharashtra. Minister Devendra Fadnavis and The NCP-Sena-Congress 288-member assembly. the NCP fold. Pawar tweeted that this was his and become overconfident as a Thackeray’s name was pro- Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pa- combine was stunned on Sat- But the 30-year-old BJP-Sena Shiv Sena legislator Abdul nephew’s individual decision result. It had believed that since posed by Nationalist Congress war abruptly resigned yester- urday after the governor sworn alliance fell after Thackarey de- Sattar Nabi, while declining to and the NCP was not part of a Sharad Pawar and his daughter Party state president Jayant Patil day afternoon, a day before the in Fadnavis as the chief minis- manded rotational chief minis- comment on the NCP’’s internal BJP-led government, the po- Supriya Sule focused on central and Congress state chief Balasa- special session of Maharashtra ter. Following this, the three ter. aff airs, felt that the services of litical scenario began to change politics and Ajit Pawar was the heb Thorat at a meeting of all the Legislative Assembly was to be parties moved the Supreme The Congress and the NCP an experienced and senior leader hour to hour. state in-charge, he had the nec- parties in the ‘Maha Vikas Agha- convened today as ordered by the Court. won 44 and 54 seats, respectively. like Ajit Pawar should be utilised At first it was being believed essary influence over party leg- di’ in Mumbai. Supreme Court. Earlier during the day, the z Ajit Pawar is certainly not for the benefi t of the state. that Ajit Pawar had his un- islators. But this did not happen Those who attended the meet- Earlier, NCP spokesman Na- court passed an order calling for out of the reckoning, both within On his part, Ajit Pawar has cle’s tacit support, but the way and the BJP’s gambit seemed a ing were NCP president Sharad wab Malik slammed the Bharati- a fl oor test in the assembly today. the family and party, as dramatic studiously refrained from react- the senior Pawar kept up co- self-goal, raising questions Pawar, Samajwadi Party state ya Janata Party (BJP), and said During the fl oor test, there will political events unfolded. ing to any statements or actions ordination with the Sena and over its power and strategy. president Abu Asim Azmi, Swa- the resignation of Fadnavis was be no secret ballot and the pro- Contrary to speculation, he by the NCP in the past four days. Fadnavis resigns after being in power for barely 80 hours

IANS glowing accolades, Fadnavis went sworn in in the brightly-lit Raj Bha- Mumbai a step further and proclaimed even van hall. louder: “I will return,” and repeated For the fi rst time, an elected gov- it often till it became a subject mat- ernment in Maharashtra faced a legal hough he came stealthily on ter of puns, jokes, memes and fun- googly in the Supreme Court, with a dark Saturday morning as messages in the past weeks. the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Tthe new Maharashtra chief Undeterred, he kept his prom- Party-Congress combine challeng- minister, Devendra Fadnavis quit ise and did return - but how - and ing his appointment on a Sunday – a in full media blaze on a clear bright finally had to go less than trium- weekly holiday for the courts – and afternoon from his post yesterday phantly, after less than four days the fi nal orders came out within 48 – which he enjoyed along with Dep- in power. hours – yesterday morning. uty Chief Minister Ajit Pawar – for In fact, this is considered the fi rst It was also the fi rst time when the barely 80 hours. time ever in the country’s political chief minister took his new charge As he drove down to Raj Bhavan to history, or at least in Maharashtra, on Monday but his Deputy Chief submit his resignation to Governor that a new government was sworn Minister Ajit Pawar did not, and B S Koshyari, it would have dawned in in a pre-dawn operation, without after having some meetings in Man- on him that he became the fi rst in the usual presence of luminaries like tralaya, went away quietly. the state’s history to “resign” twice the chief justice and judges of the Again, for the fi rst time, the within less than a month. Bombay High Court, top police and Sena-NCP-Congress held an un- Fadnavis quit as chief minister civil offi cials, armed force cers,offi precedented ‘public parade’ of all hours before the tenure of the out- the diplomatic corps stationed in their supporting MLAs that evoked going 13th Maharashtra Legislative the country’s fi nancial capital and a huge response among the masses, Assembly expired on November 9, celebrities from diff erent walks of especially since the BJP-Ajit Pa- after becoming the fi rst-ever non- life. war never formally disclosed their Congress chief minister to complete Even the media - which had an claimed 170 MLAs support till now. a full fi ve-year term - a fact that was army-like presence at his resigna- Even after the court order yes- duly acknowledged loudly in public tion announcement - was conspic- terday, most BJP leaders remained by himself, Prime Minister Naren- uous by its sheer absence, including confi dent that the party would be dra Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party the offi cial television and radio and able to prove its majority today president and Home Minister Amit central or state government media evening, but the two-man show Shah and others. departments, or the foreign media, itself collapsed unceremoniously Devendra Fadnavis tenders his resignation to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari in Mumbai yesterday. Apparently emboldened by the as the two-man government was yesterday afternoon. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 INDIA

PEOPLE WEATHER TRAGEDY DECISION CORRUPTION Rahul, Priyanka to meet Snowfall, rain likely in Girl killed herself out of 34 inspectors of Delhi TDP leader dials helpline Chidambaram in jail Himachal in 48 hours shame: Odisha minister police transferred to complain against CM

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and his sister Moderate snowfall and rain may occur in An Odisha minister said a girl committed suicide Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik A day after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Himachal Pradesh in the next two days, the out of shame after her objectionable pictures yesterday transferred 34 inspectors including Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a helpline for will visit former finance minister P Chidambaram India Meteorological Department (IMD) said were circulated. Minister of State for Home several station house off icers (SHOs). The people to complain against corruption, a senior in Tihar jail today morning, party leaders said. yesterday. Local people and tourists have been Dibyashankar Mishra told the state assembly police headquarters termed these transfers as leader of the opposition Telugu Desam Party Their visit comes almost a month after Congress advised not to venture to the high hills. The a suspect has been arrested. The issue had routine but sources are seeing this as a crucial (TDP) yesterday called the number to complain interim chief Sonia Gandhi and former prime high altitude areas of Kullu, Sirmaur, Chamba, rocked the assembly on Monday after opposition move ahead of Delhi assembly elections. Some against the chief minister. Varla Ramaiah minister Manmohan Singh met Chidambaram in Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts are likely members urged the speaker to ask the minister inspectors have been posted at Rashtrapati dialled 14400 and complained that Reddy has the jail. According to party leaders, Chidambaram, to experience moderate snowfall over the next to make a statement. The girl committed suicide Bhavan while some have been sent to the Special amassed around Rs43,000 crore of wealth who is suff ering from multiple diseases, 48 hours, an IMD official told IANS. Western on November 7, and the suspect was arrested Branch. Many have been transferred to the Delhi through corrupt practices during his father’s has lost over 10kg weight in the last three disturbances – storm systems originating on November 9, said Mishra. However, the traff ic police. Old Delhi Railway Station SHO tenure as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh months. Chidambaram is being probed by the from the Caspian Sea and moving across minister did not say if the girl had been sexually Vimal Kumar has been transferred to Gulabi Bagh (2004-09). He said Reddy also spent 16 months Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the the Afghanistan-Pakistan region – are likely assaulted, as alleged by the opposition. “The girl police station while Gulabi Bagh SHO Satyendra in jail. The TDP leader told the person who Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with to remain active in the region till tomorrow. was a member of the SC community. An interim Singh has replaced Vimal Kumar. Rajesh Malik answered the call that his complaint must be granting of the Foreign Investment Promotion Its impact may be seen more today. Most compensation of Rs1 Lakh has been paid to her has been made the SHO of GTB Enclave in investigated in 15 days as the chief minister Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media while he was prominent tourist towns like Shimla, Narkanda, family,” said Mishra. The minister also dismissed Shahdara. M I Haider, deputy commissioner of has announced that the investigations into the finance minister. He was arrested on August 21 Kufri, Kalpa, Dalhousie and Manali are likely to media reports that the last rites of the victim police, Delhi Police Establishment Board, issued complaints to be registered on the helpline will and has been in custody since September 5. receive light to moderate rain. could not be performed in her village. the orders on November 25. be completed in 15-30 days. Mumbai terror victims remembered States must ensure clean air or pay damages: SC

DPA New Delhi

tates will have to pay their citizens compensation if Sthey fail to provide clean air and water, the Supreme People pay their respects at a memorial of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks victims on the 11th anniversary of the raids Court ruled, denouncing the au- yesterday. Militants laid siege to India’s financial capital in November 2008 for three days, killing 166 people and injuring thorities over their inaction in hundreds more. tackling the “alarming” levels of pollution. A two-member bench of Jus- tices Arun Mishra and Deep- ak Gupta said the world was “laughing at India” over its pollution issues as toxic smog In this file photo taken on November 3, 2019, motorists drive along a blanketed northern states of Ut- road under heavy smog conditions, in New Delhi. The Supreme Court Women trying to visit Sabarimala tar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana as said the world was “laughing at India” over its pollution issues. well as New Delhi. The judges, who also noted penalties, Gopal Sankaranaray- fering from pollution related water samples from the Indian anan, the lawyer representing diseases such as cancer, the temple attacked by protesters capital failed quality tests, said in the litigant said. judges said. a hearing on Monday that people The judges said their direc- “We have become a laugh- had the constitutional right to tions were a result of “alarming” ing stock. The government can- Guardian News and Media continue in their attempt to visit enter. Previously the temple and violence. The government live in a healthy, pollution-free and “worsening” pollution in not provide clean air and water Thiruvananthapuram the temple. had banned women of child- has also refused to off er police environment. spite of various orders passed by to the citizens in its capital city. “This is about gender equal- bearing age, between 10 and 50. protection for women wishing “Human life and health have the court in the past several years. What is the point of all this de- ity,” said Desai, speaking over The ruling by the court, which to enter the shrine, describing been put in danger. In such a In particular, the court said it velopment? What is the point of emale activists were at- the phone from the offi ce of the stated that “where a man can it as “not a place for activism”. scenario, why should (states) not held the state and federal gov- being a world power?” Mishra tacked by protesters and deputy police commissioner in enter, a woman can also go,” and Desai said news of their ar- be required to pay compensation ernments responsible for failing said, excoriating government Fstopped by police as they Kochi, where the women were “What applies to a man, applies rival had been leaked to the to such persons who are being to control crop stubble burning lawyers, according to a report in attempted to visit the Sabar- temporarily given refuge for to a woman”, was heralded as a press and protesters, who were aff ected by inadequate arrange- by farmers in Delhi and neigh- the Times of India. imala temple in Kerala which their own protection. rare landmark victory for wom- waiting when they arrived at ments to check air pollution,” bouring states. The court also asked the Delhi was controversially ordered to “The constitution has given en in India but has remained the airport at 4.30am yesterday. the judges said, according to the Crop burning, along with government to come up with a open its doors to women. us the right to gender equal- highly controversial with re- A group of protesters from the order posted on the court’s web- climatic factors like low wind plan, within 10 days, to install air A group of seven women, ity and a right to pray, and last ligious and nationalist groups Bharatiya Janata Party, as well site yesterday. speeds, add to emissions from purifying towers across the city. led by gender equality activist year the Supreme Court ruled openly opposed to women being as from the rightwing Rashtriya The judges demanded an ex- heavy traffi c, industry and the Yesterday, Delhi’s air quality Trupti Desai, arrived at Kochi that women could enter, so they allowed into the temple. Swayamsevak Sangh and oth- planation from state govern- burning of garbage, to spike air index (AQI), which measures the airport in the early hours of have no right to stop us going to The ruling is now under ers from conservative religious ments as to why they should not pollution in the Indian capital in concentration of poisonous par- yesterday to exercise their right Sabarimala temple.” appeal. The appeal case was groups, accosted their taxi as be held accountable for “failing October and November. ticulate matter, was recorded at to visit the temple. She added: “Even if I know I recently moved to a bigger, they drove into the city, ripping to discharge their basic duties.” The court’s ruling, which 270, in the “poor category”, ac- After encountering rightwing might die in this struggle, I will seven-person bench, after off the licence plates. Top state offi cials will now came after a public interest cording to the Central Pollution protesters, one of whom sprayed still not go back. I’m not afraid the four-judge bench could One of the women, Bindu have to provide those explana- litigation, was triggered by the Control Board. an activist in the face with chilli of losing my life, this is a fi ght not reach a decision. While Ammini, was sprayed in the tions to the court in the next inaction of state authorities in A good level is considered an- spray, resulting in her being tak- that someone has to take on.” last September’s verdict still face with chilli spray by a pro- hearing in January. tackling crop burning and pollu- ything between zero and 50. en to hospital, the seven women The temple has become one stands, women have repeatedly tester after the group had gone The court will then decide tion in Delhi. The regional weather bureau were warned by police that they of the most polarising sites in been denied entry to the temple to the police station to ask for whether to accept or reject the The lifespan of millions of said the pollution levels may were putting their lives at risk India since the Supreme Court since it re-opened this month, protection. “The police didn’t response. people had been shortened and dip with rainfall predicted in the by continuing their journey. The ruled in September that women and those who have tried to do anything, they just looked If rejected, the court will de- large numbers of people in Delhi Indian capital over the next few women have insisted they will of all ages should be allowed to visit have endured harassment on and watched,” said Desai. vise a method for imparting and surrounding areas were suf- days. Two killed, seven hurt in Naidu slams minister Kashmir grenade attacks for Amaravati slur IANS “If you can’t respect your Amaravati capital city, at least respect Agencies of village councillors and gov- few hours each day and no pub- the sentiments of farmers who Srinagar ernment officials waiting out- lic buses and taxis have operated pooled their lands,” Naidu said side an administration build- since the clampdown. ormer Andhra Pradesh in a tweet. ing in the village of Hakura, Protests are held regularly. chief minister N Chan- “Respect the name which was t least two people were south of the main city of Sri- Prime Minister Narendra Fdrababu Naidu yesterday derived from the glorious civili- killed in grenade attacks nagar. Modi’s government on October demanded the resignation of sation of yore, respect the iden- Ain Jammu and Kashmir The police offi cial said two 31 turned the erstwhile state of senior cabinet minister Botsa tity and hopes of 5 Crore Telugu yesterday and two militants people were killed and at least Jammu and Kashmir into two Satyanarayana for compar- people whom you represent,” he shot dead by security forces, four injured. federally-controlled territories, ing Amaravati with a “burial said. offi cials said, in one of the re- The second grenade was arguing that special provisions ground”, saying the comment is Naidu alleged that Chief Min- gion’s most violent days since lobbed into a store next to an en- for the region had hindered its dreadful and unpardonable. ister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is New Delhi imposed a security trance to the University of Kash- development and fuelled sepa- Slamming minister for Mu- on course to erase both the past clampdown. mir in Srinagar, injuring three ratism. nicipal Administration and Ur- and future leaving nothing for The government shut down people, the offi cial added. But the move has been op- ban Development, the leader of the coming generations. Internet and phone lines and The attacks were the worst on posed in areas of Jammu and opposition said he insulted fi ve He said every citizen of And- fl ooded the Muslim-majority one day since the clampdown – Kashmir. crore people of the state and all hra wishes to see Amaravati as region with security forces to which has been gradually eased A military spokesman said two the prominent personalities who the most magnifi cent city in the back its August 5 move to strip by India – started. rebels were killed in a siege in the had participated in the founda- world. Kashmir of its autonomous sta- A grenade attack in early No- Pulwama district on Monday tion stone laying ceremony. He claimed that during TDP tus and impose tighter central vember killed one person. and yesterday. Prime Minister Narendra rules Amaravati was abuzz with control. The government has insisted Media reports said both were Modi had laid foundation stone activity as construction works Amid heightened tensions, that “normalcy” is returning to Kashmiris. for Amaravati on October 22, worth Rs 52,000 crore were tak- suspected militants staged two Kashmir, but locals are still cut Kashmir’s special status had 2015. Naidu was then the chief en up. “There was hectic activity grenade attacks yesterday, a top off from the Internet and dozens previously prevented people minister. with thousands of workers and police offi cial, speaking on con- of political leaders remain in de- from outside the region from Security personnel stand near the site of a grenade blast as Amaravati is the brainchild of large number of visitors. Even an dition of anonymity, said. tention. buying land or getting govern- residents walk on a roadside at a marketplace outside the Naidu, who is the president of enemy would not call it a grave- One was thrown at a group Food shops are only open for a ment jobs there. campus of Kashmir’s main university in Srinagar yesterday. the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). yard”, he said. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 27, 2019 19

LATIN AMERICA Court orders release of opposition leader Keiko Fujimori

AFP the court Ernesto Blume said, an- The eldest daughter of dis- larity has fallen dramatically where they hugged and prayed nal organisation to raise money scape to the one she left just over Lima nouncing a ruling that cannot be graced former president Alberto since the corruption scandal. with Vito. for her 2011 campaign. a year ago. appealed. Fujimori (1990-2000), Keiko “Justice has been done. God is “Justice was done. Keiko is an Odebrecht has admitted paying President Martin Vizcarra dis- The legal phrase “habeas cor- Fujimori is accused of accept- great!” said her American hus- innocent woman. Her husband at least $29mn in bribes to Peru- solved Peru’s single-chamber con- eru’s Constitutional Court pus” refers to the right of a pris- ing $1.2mn in illicit party fund- band Mark Vito. had to go on hunger strike to vian offi cials since 2004. gress in September and called new has ordered the release of oner to be brought before a court ing from Odebrecht for her 2011 Vito has been on hunger strike get her released,” said a weeping Three former presidents are legislative elections for January 26 Popposition leader Keiko Fu- or released. presidential campaign. outside his wife’s prison on the supporter Mabel Alcala. being investigated over Odebre- in a bid to end political uncertainty jimori, after more than a year of Blume made clear that the Once Peru’s most popular outskirts of Lima for the past 13 Following a previous ap- cht while a fourth, Alan Garcia, in a country torn by clashes be- pre-trial detention. Fujimori, 44, Constitutional Court ruling — by politician, the decision theoret- days to press for her release. “I peal, the Supreme Court had committed suicide in April after tween the executive and congress. has been held since October last a vote of four judges to three — ically gives her time to campaign want my wife out of prison so halved the detention period to 18 police arrived at his house to ar- Keiko’s Popular Force party year pending her trial in a corrup- had no bearing on the corruption for presidential elections set for we can go home with my daugh- months, earmarking her release rest him for money laundering. risks losing its majority in con- tion case linked to Brazilian con- case against her. July 2021. ters,” he told reporters. for next April. Known simply as Keiko by fol- gress, following repeated clashes struction giant Odebrecht. She was expected to be released However, while she remains a Dozens of supporters fl ocked Prosecutors have accused a lowers and political rivals alike, with Vizcarra, whose anti-graft “The court has agreed to accept later in the week after complying key fi gure inside her right-wing to the women’s prison in the total of 11 people linked to Fuji- Fujimori will emerge from prison drive has proven popular with the habeas corpus,” the president of with legal formalities. Popular Force party, her popu- southern suburb of Chorillos, mori’s party of running a crimi- to a very diff erent political land- public. Bolivia edges Chile anti-government protest toward peace as torn country mourns its dead

Reuters Morales’ leftist party. Sacaba, Bolivia/La Paz “We are returning to normal after something so hard and so dramatic, but I think we are olivians have taken down moving forward,” Anez said. roadblocks and struck In deals struck with union and Bpeace deals after a month protest leaders, Anez’ govern- of protests and deadly clashes ment committed to withdrawing that have convulsed the nation troops from most protest areas, after a disputed election in Octo- releasing scores of arrested dem- ber and the resignation of long- onstrators and repealing a law term leader Evo Morales. that gave the military broad dis- But fast-moving probes into cretion in the use of force. Morales’ former supporters have But the government rejected threatened to reignite hostilities demands for tough-talking In- and derail deals with protest and terior Minister Arturo Murillo to union leaders aimed at bringing resign, or to provide guarantees peace to the country. that protest leaders would not On Monday, anti-govern- face prosecution. ment protesters in Sacaba, a city On Monday, Murillo said an in the mountainous region of arrest warrant had been issued Cochabamba that has been hit for one of Morales’ key advisers hard by violence, held a moment over allegations of terrorism and of silence for nine people killed in sedition stemming from com- clashes with security forces this ments that Bolivia would turn A member of the security forces throws a tear gas canister during a protest against Chile’s government in Valparaiso, Chile, yesterday. month. into a “modern Vietnam” under “May there be peace in Bolivia Anez. and no more massacres,” said Another ally of Morales was Gregoria Siles, an indigenous arrested at a news conference, mother-of-fi ve whose 26-year- accused of instigating deadly old son was killed in the clashes, violence. weeping as she showed a framed Bolivia, which Morales led picture of him to journalists and since 2006, spiralled into chaos others. “He was my only son.” after the October election was At least 33 people have been mired in controversy amid evi- Anger at Brazil minister’s killed since the October 20 vote, dence it had been rigged in the 30 since the interim president, leftist leader’s favour. Jeanine Anez, took offi ce nearly Morales was forced to resign two weeks ago. amid widespread protests and The deaths have raised pres- after police and the military sure on Anez’s interim govern- withdrew their backing. dictatorship decree remark ment, with the Inter-American Morales’ November 10 resigna- Human Rights Commission vis- tion, however, sparked a violent Reuters ton on Monday were seemingly convoke everyone to take to the Court, Dias Toff oli, came out said, clearly irritated. iting the country to investigate and volatile period as his sup- Washington meant to criticise the polarisa- streets? What kind of respon- against the comments saying His remarks come weeks after potential human rights viola- porters blockaded strategic routes tion of Brazilian politics but set sibility is that? Don’t be star- the “AI-5 is incompatible with Lula was released from prison, tions. to stop the fl ow of fuel and food to off a storm of criticism from the tled then if someone asks for an a democracy.” “You do not build setting off a political clash with Anez and the military accuse major cities, and the military was razil’s economy minister left in Brazil. AI-5,” Guedes said, referring to a future with the failed experi- right-wing President Jair Bol- Morales, now in Mexico, and his mobilised against them. caused anger at home by Asked about the threat of a decree passed during the dic- ences of the past,” he said. sonaro. allies of stoking unrest in a bid to In Sacaba, Andronico Rod- Bwarning on a trip to Wash- protests seen in many parts of tatorship which permitted the Guedes tried to walk back on Lula has vowed to unite the destabilise her government. riguez, a key coca farmer union ington that a call by the left for South America spreading to Bra- closing down of congress as well his comments, saying they were left to win the 2022 elections. But in most of Bolivia, signs boss whom many had expected anti-government street protests zil following the release of leftist as censorship and torture. off the record. In October, Brazilian lawmak- pointed to the worst of the vio- to be the presidential candidate could provoke a strong reaction ex-president Luiz Inacio ‘Lula’ Gleisi Hoff mann, leader of the He later sought to clarify his er Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of lence winding down as sparring for Morales’ party in 2024 elec- and making reference to draco- da Silva from prison, Guedes leftist main opposition PT party, position by saying the return of President Bolsonaro, suggested politicians and protest leaders tions, said protesters would now nian measures used during the stressed he did not believe call- criticised Guedes on Twitter, the decree would not happen. in an interview that his father’s shifted their focus to new elec- work to “pacify the country and 1964-1985 military dictatorship ing people to the streets was saying he “defends the use of “It’s inconceivable, Brazilian government could consider is- tions. prepare for the next election.” He to suppress dissent. democratic. AI-5” and a view of politics that democracy would never have suing the toughest legal instru- On Sunday, Anez signed into warned, however, that the inter- The comments by Economy “Is democracy only when “the people must suff er in si- it, even if the left grabs its arms ment from Brazil’s military dic- law requiring new elections, a im government needed to back Minister Paulo Guedes to re- your side wins? When the other lence.” and breaks the Planalto Palace tatorship, the AI-5, if the left move that has the backing of down from its “radical” stance. porters on a visit to Washing- side wins, after 10 months you The head of the Supreme by force, it’s inconceivable,” he decided to radicalise. Priests who abused Duque voices regret as teen protester dies deaf children jailed Reuters father and two sisters. Bogota Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets over issues AFP The victims were children and of Buenos Aires, was shut down. including economic reforms, po- Mendoza, Argentina adolescents aged between four They included a 42-year-old teenager who became a lice violence and corruption. and 17. Japanese nun, Kosaka Kumiko, symbol of ongoing pro- The protests began with a The school’s gardener, Arman- who was arrested later after sur- Atests in Colombia when he 250,000-person march last week wo Roman Catholic priests do Gomez, was also jailed for 18 rendering to authorities. was injured by a teargas cannister and have been marked by neigh- were each sentenced to years for sexual abuse. She was charged with complic- has died of his wounds, even as bourhood “cacerolazo” demon- Tmore than 40 years in Neither of the three defendants ity with the two priests. President Ivan Duque met with strations — a traditional Latin prison in Argentina for the sexual made any response when their The trial began on August 5 and unions and business leaders on American protest in which peo- abuse of deaf children, a court in sentences were read out. heard evidence from 13 victims the fi fth straight day of demon- ple bang pots and pans. the western city of Mendoza ruled. Corradi, the eldest, had been from the institute during in cam- strations. Isolated cacerolazos could be Argentine priest Horacio Cor- brought into court on a wheel- era hearings. The death of 18-year-old heard in Bogota by a Reuters wit- bacho was sentenced to 45 years in chair. Outside the court a group In a fast-tracked trial last year, Dilan Cruz, announced by the ness, along with shouts of “Di- jail, while a 42-year sentence was of young people waited for the a former student Jorge Bordon, 50, hospital where he had been re- lan!”, after the news of Cruz’s imposed on Italian Nicola Corradi ruling, holding up banners which received a 10-year sentence after ceiving treatment since he was death broke. for the abuse of some 20 children said “Support for the Survivors of pleading guilty to the abuse of fi ve hit during a protest on Satur- Protesters of all ages have de- at the Provolo Institute for deaf Provolo.” Some burst into wild cel- children. Another of the defend- day, is likely to fuel criticism of clared themselves against ru- and hearing-impaired children ebrations when the sentence was ants was deemed mentally incom- the crowd dispersion tactics of moured economic plans such as between 2004 and 2016. read out in court. petent by the court for being disa- the ESMAD riot police, which a cut to the minimum wage for The trial, one of several involv- Some of the victims’ mothers bled and having suff ered sexual include tear gas and stun gre- young people that Duque denies ing the school that have yet to be- simply embraced and wept. abuse himself as a child. nades. supporting. gin, has sent shockwaves through Corbacho, 59, and 83-year-old Fourteen more defendants are Before his death was an- They have also highlighted the Catholic Church in the home- Corradi had been held in preven- facing trial in two other separate nounced, protesters had marched what they say is a lack of govern- land of Pope Francis. tive detention since their arrest cases involving the school. past San Ignacio hospital chant- ment action to stop the murder The court said the sentences three years ago on charges of abuse Corradi arrived in Argentina in ing “Be strong Dilan!”. Some had of hundreds of human rights ac- took into account the aggravat- at the school. 1970 from the Provolo Institute paused at a heart-shaped fl ower tivists. ing circumstances that the priests Apart from the gardener, several in Verona, Italy, and took over the arrangement decorated with Duque has promised a “great were responsible for the children’s other staff at the school were taken institution in the South Ameri- candles and signs in his honour. national dialogue” focused on well-being, as well as the fact that into custody after the allegations can country, initially in La Plata Italian and Argentine priests Nicola Corradi and Horacio Corbacho Duque said on Twitter he deeply social issues and the fi ght against the victims were minors living at of abuse fi rst came to light in 2016, near Buenos Aires, and then, from are escorted by off icers to a courtroom before the hearing of their regretted Cruz’s death and sent corruption to run through mid- the boarding school. and the institute, 1,000kms west 1998, in Mendoza. verdict in Mendoza, Argentina. condolences to his mother, grand- March. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 PAKISTAN Major shuffl e brings Court suspends in new army offi cers

Internews coming either the Army Chief The SPD executes policies of Islamabad of Staff (COAS) or CJCSC, 11 had the NCA. previously served as chief of gen- The SPD director-general also eral staff . serves as NCA secretary. army chief’s ieutenant-General Sahir Mirza is from Infantry’s Sindh Meanwhile, Peshawar Corps Shamshad Mirza of the Regiment. Commander Lieutenant-Gen- LPakistan army has been He was posted as adjutant eral Shaheen Mazhar Mehmood named as the army’s next Chief general (AG) before his appoint- has been transferred and posted of General Staff (CGS) in a major ment as CGS. as Mangla Corps Commander in reshuffl e that also saw Lieuten- His earlier appointments in- place of Manj. ant-General Nadeem Zaki Manj cluded vice-chief of general staff Mehmood is also from the Ar- promoted as the new director- (A), director-general of Military moured Corps. term extension general of the Strategic Plans Di- Operations, and general offi cer Inspector-General of Com- vision (SPD), which is the custo- commanding (GOC) Dera Ismail munications and Information Reuters/DPA/Internews bouring India over the disputed seniormost judge questioned. military, in contrast to tensions dian of nuclear arsenal. Khan. Technology (IG C and IT) Lieu- Islamabad territory of Kashmir. “The prime minister signed under the previous government The reshuffl e in the army was At the AG offi ce, Mirza will be tenant-General Nauman Meh- In a hearing to validate the ex- the summary after the approval of Nawaz Sharif. triggered by the promotion of succeeded by Lieutenant-Gen- mood will be new commander of tension yesterday, Chief Justice from the cabinet,” the attorney- Bajwa was handpicked by General Nadeem Raza as the eral Mohamed Amir, who was the Peshawar-based XI Corps. he Supreme Court has of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa said general responded. Sharif in 2016. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of promoted as lieutenant-general This position will be fi lled by suspended the govern- the court was suspending the “Did the president give ap- The court’s action surprised Staff Committee (CJCSC) last in September and awaiting post- newly-promoted Lieutenant- Tment’s extension of the cabinet’s decision until the army proval again after the approval analysts tracking the infl uential week and retirement of Lieuten- ing. General Ali Amir Awan. term of offi ce of army chief Gen- produced detailed arguments on from the prime minister and cab- military, which has ruled Paki- ant-General Sarfraz Sattar after His last posting was GOC 10 Awan is among the two ma- eral Qamar Javed Bajwa, putting the reasoning behind the move. inet?” Khosa enquired. stan for nearly half its 72-year being superseded. Division, Lahore. jor-generals promoted to fi ll the it on a possible collision course “If the (regional security) situ- “The initial approval is sup- history and takes the lead in set- Raza was, prior to his promo- He is from Artillery. three-star vacancies. with the powerful military. ation is so, then the army as a posed to be given by the presi- ting security and foreign policy, tion, serving as the CGS, while The other key posting is that of His last posting was GOC 14 Prime Minister Imran Khan’s whole body can deal with the dent,” he further said, adding and it came a day after sev- Sattar was the SPD director- the director-general of the SPD, Division based in Okara. cabinet later issued a notifi cation situation, not the individual,” the that “the approval given by the eral high-ranking generals were general. where Manj is replacing retiring He is from Artillery. reaffi rming the extension, saying top judge said. “If this criteria is president before the cabinet transferred to new roles (see ac- Two major-generals were also Sattar. The other major-general, who that it had amended certain rules allowed, then every individual in might not be according to the companying report). promoted to fi ll in the vacancies Manj is from the Armoured was promoted to the next rank of to tackle the apex court’s objec- the army can demand an exten- law”. “The unhappiness in the vari- that were created due to the pro- Corps. lieutenant-general, is Lieuten- tions. sion on the same grounds.” “We can take the approval ous institutions at the informal motion of Raza and the retire- Before moving to the SPD, he ant-General Mohamed Saeed. “It is the prime minister’s dis- He also said that Khan’s offi ce from the president again,” the power that the army chief has ment of Sattar. was working as Mangla corps He was director-general (anal- cretion to decide whether there has failed to follow procedure by attorney-general suggested. acquired ... may have brought Mirza will be the 34th CGS of commander. ysis) at the Inter-Services Intel- is a need to grant an extension to submitting the extension request If the extension is blocked by diff erent institutional forces to- the army. The two commonalities he ligence. a services chief in unusual cir- itself, rather than going through the court, Bajwa’s term will end gether to challenge the exten- The post of CGS is considered shares with his predecessor are Subsequent to his promotion, cumstances,” acting government the offi ce of Pakistan’s president. on Friday. sion,” said Ayesha Siddiqua, an as the most infl uential one with- that both are from the Armoured Saeed was appointed as presi- spokesman Shafqat Mahmood “The prime minister [Imran Chief Justice Khosa issued analyst who wrote a best-selling in the army after that of the army Corps and had previously served dent of the National Defence told a news conference. Khan] does not have the power notice for representatives of the book on Pakistan’s military. chief. as director-general of the Mili- University. Under Pakistan’s constitution, to extend the tenure of the army military and the government to An army spokesman declined The CGS is assigned opera- tary Intelligence. Outgoing Chairman Joint the army chief of staff usually chief,” the chief justice remarked. appear in court today. comment but a military source tional and intelligence matters at Manj had also succeeded Sat- Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen- serves a three-year term. To this, the attorney-general During Bajwa’s tenure, the said the army was still confi dent the General Headquarters with tar at the Military Intelligence eral Zubair Mehmood Hayat paid Since the role was established told the court: “Army chief’s ten- military has been accused by op- Bajwa would be granted an ex- the directorates of Military Op- Directorate in 2015. a farewell call on Prime Minister in 1972, only one general has had ure was extended after the presi- position politicians of electoral tension. erations and Military Intelligence The Strategic Plans Division, Imran Khan. his term extended by a civilian dent’s approval.” manipulation that helped Khan “(It) has been delayed only on falling under his purview. established in 2001, serves as the The premier appreciated Hay- government. “If the president approved the to power last year. a technicality and will be sorted The position is considered as secretariat of the National Com- at’s long meritorious service for However, Bajwa was handed a summary on August 19, then why The military has always denied out tomorrow,” the source said, the springboard for promotion to mand Authority (NCA) which the country. rare three-year extension on Au- did the prime minister give the interfering in politics. declining to be named as he was one of the four-star positions in oversees research, development, Khan wished the outgoing gust 19, with Khan’s offi ce citing approval for the summary again Khan’s administration has not authorised to publicly dis- the army. production and deployment of CJCSC well for his post-retire- increased tensions with neigh- on August 21?” the country’s enjoyed good relations with the cuss the issue. Out of the last 17 offi cers be- nuclear weapons. ment life.

Financial inclusion is pivotal for Campaign to teach women how to development, says Dutch queen ride motorbikes kick-starts in Sindh Internews Islamabad Internews Islamabad he UN Secretary-Gen- eral’s Special Advocate arveen Baloch, 18, a stu- Tfor Inclusive Finance for dent of Lyari University, Development, Queen Maxima Pis excited about learning of the Netherlands, has stressed how to ride a motorcycle. that fi nancial inclusion is pivotal She has enrolled herself in the for the development and econo- “Women on Wheels” (WoW) my of Pakistan. programme aimed at providing Addressing the Pakistan In- women in Karachi an opportu- novative Finance Forum in Is- nity to learn driving a motorcy- lamabad yesterday, she said the cle. fi nancial inclusion will also cre- This week she told The News ate more opportunities for the that her daily commute from her people of Pakistan. home in Lyari to her varsity is no She said that according to a less than a torture. survey, Pakistan has expanded “Sometimes I take a Qingqi, fi nancial inclusion from 13% to sometimes a rickshaw,” she says, 21%, a development that is wel- adding that once she booked an comed. online bike-hailing service as However, she stressed there she was getting late. is great potential of more rapid In this context a Qingqi is a change particularly for women three-wheeler motorcycle taxi, and the poor. named after the brand of Chi- Salman Sufi Foundation trainer Faizul Hassan guides a woman riding a motorcycle as she takes part The queen was appreciative of nese vehicle designed and man- yesterday in a ‘Women on Wheels’ campaign in Karachi. Pakistan’s revised fi nancial in- ufactured in Pakistan. clusion strategy targeting 65mn “On the one hand, the gov- next phase of the campaign, the Sindh government has been in the programme. active digital accounts by 2023, ernment doesn’t provide us with they would train women of Hy- extensively supporting it, said Internationally-famed Lyari including 22mn to be held by a decent mode of transport, and derabad, Sukkur, and Larkana. Sufi . Girls Café is also participating women. on the other hand, our society By enhancing women’s mo- After the inauguration, the in the training programme. In his remarks on the occasion, doesn’t feel it appropriate for bility, the project targets im- training formally commenced Previously the café was in the Minister for Economic Aff airs In this handout photograph taken and released by the Pakistan a girl to ride a motorcycle,” she proving Pakistani women’s on a vacant ground at the Uni- news for encouraging girls of Hammad Azhar said the govern- ministry of foreign aff airs on Monday, Queen Maxima is seen with complains. “This is the time we freedom and inclusion in society versity of Karachi (KU), near the Lyari to play football, learn box- ment is committed to increase Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during her visit at the break the so-called manacles of as well as increasing their eco- business school. ing, and ride bicycles. the fi nancial inclusion and has ministry in Islamabad. patriarchy and become inde- nomic participation and access “The ground has been pro- One of the founding members also set targets for this purpose. pendent.” to education. vided by KU vice-chancellor of the café, Sultan Mandhro, He said that the government on ease of doing business, add- SMEs into the tax regime. Baloch won’t be the only one Sufi had in 2016 launched a Khalid Iraqi,” Sufi said, adding shared that around 35 women is preparing a policy to uplift the ing that Pakistan has jumped 28 The SMEs remained out of the who will be learning how to ride similar project with the Punjab that the girls who have already from the café aged between 18 to small and medium enterprises points in the World Bank’s Ease tax system due to the lack of tax- a motorcycle, as the Salman Sufi government’s Strategic Reforms registered have been asked what 40 years will be participating in (SMEs), adding that the govern- of Doing Business Ranking. ation-friendly environment. Foundation, the organisation Unit. timings would suit them for the the training programme. ment has also taken many other This, he said, is a great The FBR chairman however, behind WoW, in collaboration The WoW campaign in Pun- training. The WoW expansion in Ka- initiatives to promote the SMEs achievement and expressed the said the present government is with the Sindh government, has jab achieved training of 5,000 Those women who already rachi will not only off er motor- including Kamyab Jawan Pro- confi dence that the country’s taking serious eff orts to bring pledged to train 10,000 females women in fi ve districts of the knew how to ride a bicycle will cycle training to women but will gramme to provide subsidised ranking will further improve next the SMEs including those in the throughout the province to ride province by its end. take fi ve to six days to learn connect them with job opportu- loans to the youth. year. manufacturing sector to the tax a motorcycle. As many as 700 women were driving a motorcycle, Sufi said. nities across reputable organi- Azhar noted that the SMEs Speaking on the occasion, system. The foundation launched also provided subsidised motor- “Those who can’t even ride a bi- sations, enabling them to be fi - are backbone of the Pakistani Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Zaidi said the government has WoW in Karachi over the week- cycles under the initiative. cycle will be trained for at least nancially independent and able economy and that they have an chairman Shabbar Zaidi said Pa- embarked upon the tax reforms end. On Sunday, the WoW pro- 10 days.” to contribute towards economic important role in exports and the kistan’s economy is being docu- programme and the focus of it The campaign, according to gramme was inaugurated by The KU vice-chancellor Iraqi growth of the city. economic growth. mented. on the simplifi cation of tax laws the foundation’s head, Salman Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali told The News that the univer- Furthermore, women who The minister said government He regretted that no eff ort to bring more people into the tax Sufi , is aimed at empowering Shah and the Pakistan Peoples sity provided the ground near cannot aff ord motorcycles will is also giving special emphasis was made in the past to bring the net. women in the city by training Party’s Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. the Karachi University Business be connected with microfi nance them to ride motorcycles, pro- The event is also being sup- School to the foundation with- institutions and given soft loans viding them access to an anti- ported by international organi- out any charges. so that they could purchase mo- harassment application and sations such as United Nations “The ground is perfect for the torcycles. helping them challenge patri- Women as well as United Na- foundation’s requirements,” he Sufi wants to achieve the archal norms through a wide- tions Development Programme. said. training of 10,000 women Bus transporting navy offi cers crashes spread communication cam- Karachi has been selected Journalist Afi a Salam and across Sindh before Interna- paign. as the fi rst city to expand the Sindh government spokesper- tional Women’s Day, observed He told The News that in the WoW programme in Sindh and son Murtaza Wahab are involved on March 8. DPA/Reuters/Internews The bus was on its way to Police offi cial Abdullah Baloch Islamabad/Quetta Karachi from a naval base in said that the bus driver is be- Baluchistan province, when it lieved to have lost control of the Dad of activist who fled to US gets bail Pakistan questions India’s UN SC bid developed a technical fault and vehicle, and it fell several hun- bus transporting offi cers crashed on a mountain pass on dred metres down into a deep The father of an activist who fled to the US was released on bail At the UN, Pakistan has challenged India’s qualifications for from Pakistan’s navy and the Makran Coastal Highway, ravine. yesterday, his family and lawyers said, a month after he was permanent or non-permanent membership of the UN Security Atheir families fell off the Mohamed Jameel, assistant According to rescue offi cials, arrested for allegedly spreading hate of the state on social media. Council (UNSC). Speaking at UN General Assembly, Pakistan’s road yesterday, killing at least commissioner for Bela town near the bodies and injured have been His daughter, Gulalai Ismail, is a member of a group campaigning permanent representative to United Nations, Munir Akram, said that nine people and wounding doz- where the accident took place, moved to the Navy Hospital in for the rights of the ethnic Pashtun minority. She went into hiding New Delhi was “in blatant violation of 15-member body’s resolutions ens of others, offi cials said. told Reuters. Ormara. earlier this year and surfaced in the US in September. aimed at settling the decades-old Kashmir dispute”. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 27, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES Probe sought over concern China can shut down electricity

AFP tems and infrastructure fully spokesman Geng Shuang said Manila remain under Filipino control, in Beijing on Friday that he and if we have implemented the was “not aware of the situa- technical safeguards needed to tion” when asked about the Philippines legislator said prevent foreign interference security threat to Manila yesterday she has asked in or sabotage of our national posed by the Chinese stake in Athe senate to conduct an electricity grid,” Hontiveros the Philippine transmission inquiry into the potential threat said in a statement. She said monopoly. of China shutting off the coun- hiring Chinese engineers “What I can tell you is that try’s electricity supply. would violate the constitu- under the political guidance A Chinese state firm has a tion, which requires execu- of our leaders, the China- substantial stake in the Na- tive and managing officers of Philippines relations have tional Grid Corp of the Phil- public utilities to be Filipino turned around and improved, ippines, which has been op- citizens. with steady progress seen in South Korean President Moon Jae-in shakes hands with President Rodrigo Duterte during the Asean-Republic of Korea Commemorative erating power transmission The State Grid Corp of exchange and co-operation Summit in Busan, yesterday. facilities since 2009. China has a 40% stake in the across the board,” Geng add- Opposition Senator Risa Philippines national grid, ed. Hontiveros, the sponsor of the which has a 25-year franchise Spokesmen from neither resolution calling for a senate to operate and manage the the National Grid nor Transco inquiry, alleged there are re- power transmission facilities could not be reached for com- ports Chinese engineers are il- of the government’s National ment yesterday. South Korean fi rms to take legally operating them and that Transmission Corp (Transco). Apart from the involvement the Philippine government, Hontiveros said the Transco in the Philippines’ power sec- which owns the facilities, no president told the senate at a tor, the Duterte government longer has access to them. hearing last week that “it was recently granted a telecom- The two countries have ri- possible for a hostile third munications consortium that part in infrastructure projects val claims on strategic and party such as China to dis- includes China Telecom a fran- resource-rich South China able the country’s power grid chise to operate the country’s Sea waters and islands, though remotely”. third telecoms company. By Catherine S Valente “The president said the invest in the Philippines, with countries,” the Palace said. Philippine President Rodrigo The official also told the It also awarded a contract to Manila Times Philippines wants contin- some already operating in the Meanwhile, Duterte ex- Duterte has put the dispute senate that the national grid another Chinese firm to build ued growth but does not have country and some are expand- pressed his gratitude to Presi- on the backburner in favour of has been denying his compa- a dam that will boost the sup- funds to sustain it, noting ing,” the Palace said. dent Moon Jae-in for South courting Chinese trade, aid and ny full access to the facilities, ply of water to Manila, funded outh Korean firms have foreign investors could play “They promised to partici- Korea’s $100,000-donation investment. “We need to know Hontiveros added. by a concessional $211mn loan expressed intention to an important role,” the Palace pate in different infrastruc- for the earthquake victims in for certain if our energy sys- Chinese foreign ministry from China. Sparticipate in the Phil- said. “He welcomed South Ko- ture projects especially the Mindanao last month. ippine government’s infra- rean companies to do business administration’s ‘Build, Build, “Clearly, at no other time structure projects, as business in almost all of the country’s Build’ programme,” it added. in our shared history have the leaders met with President industries, from infrastruc- The president arrived in bonds between our people Rodrigo Duterte in Busan, Ma- ture to food manufacturing South Korea on Monday for been this strong,” Duterte said lacanang said yesterday. and others,” it added. the Association of Southeast during their bilateral meeting. Freed UK hostage, wife say In a courtesy call to South The president’s invitation Asian Nations-Republic of “Solidarity and mutual aid Korea’s major companies gained a positive response Korea Commemorative Sum- have been the hallmark of on Monday, Duterte assured from foreign companies, with mit, where the two nations the two countries’ ties since Korean businesses of a cor- some business leaders prom- signed five cooperation agree- 1950,” he added. chained and threatened ruption-free environment, ising to participate in the ments. The president also invited including smooth implemen- Philippines’ infrastructure “The agreements are seen Moon to visit the Philippines tation of processes such as the projects, particularly in the to boost co-operation on so- next year. AFP they have the guns,” the wife, who has Philippine issuance of permits. government’s flagship ‘Build, cial security, tourism, cul- This year, the Philippines Zamboanga origins, said. The president also guaran- Build, Build’ programme. ture and sports, as well as the and South Korea commemo- She said the men pointed guns at her face, or- teed full return of investments “The Korean companies, in much-anticipated free trade rate 70 years of bilateral rela- dering her to call her brother so he would sell all and remittances. return, made commitments to agreement between the two tions. British man and his wife rescued this week their assets to raise their ransom, which the cou- from militant captors in the Philippines’ ple did not state. Asouth say they were chained and threatened Their chance for escape came after several days with beheading if they didn’t deliver a ransom. of firefights between the military and the kid- Budget hotel blaze The couple, shaken but unharmed, told their nappers, which saw at least five of the gunmen leaves six dead nearly two-month ordeal to reporters after escap- killed. Deal planned for visa-free entry to Japan ing during a fi refi ght Monday between Philippine “It’s something you see on films and you take Six people were killed yesterday troops and the Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf it to be a film. But in real life it’s terrifying,” the in a fire that razed a 54-year-old group. husband said, describing the final gun battle. By Ma Lisbet Esma Youths. “That’s always the while, are allowed to explore budget hotel in a central Philip- The husband, named by British authorities as “There were only 10 of them when we es- Manila Times ideal situation … but for now the Philippines without the pine city, off icials said. The fire Alan Hyrons, painted a “very humiliating and de- caped...It was the commander who got hit first we’re taking it one step at a need for visa for 30 days. broke out before dawn at the grading” life in captivity, with little to eat in a haze so I told Alan, let us run. We should not wait here time,” Bolivar added. This came on the heels of Java Pension House, a five-storey of constant fear. to be killed,” the wife added. he Philippine govern- According to the envoy, the reports that the South Kore- building constructed in 1965 in “They chained our legs...It was very diffi cult, but Separatists have led a decades-long insurgen- ment hopes to clinch a Japanese government already an government may soon in- Bacolod City, 484 kilometres we endured because we believe in God,” his wife cy in the south of the Catholic-majority Philip- Tdeal that will allow Fili- “relaxed” the visa applica- troduce visa-free entry once south of Manila. Four other Wilma Hyrons said. pines, which has led to the death of tens of thou- pinos to enter Japan without a tions for Filipinos, allowing the issue on illegal Filipinos people were injured in the fire, in- “One of them treated us well, but then he told me sands of people. visa. them to easily secure an en- living or working in South cluding an Australian national, ac- he would be the one assigned to cut off my head if While the government has negotiated peace Robespierre Bolivar, deputy dorsement to enter Japan. Korea has been addressed. cording to city fire marshal Publio the money does not arrive on time,” she added. with the largest group, the Moro Islamic Libera- chief of mission of the Philip- In mid-2018, the Japanese Earlier this year, Taiwan Plotena. Firefighters rescued Armed men abducted the couple on October 4 at tion Front, hardline factions allied with the Is- pine Embassy in Japan, said Embassy in Manila said in also extended its 14-day vi- guests through the windows of the beach resort they run on the southern island of lamic State group are not part of the accord. getting a visa-free entry for order to boost ties between sa-free entry policy for Fili- the building, and the bodies were Mindanao, which makes up the southern third of Abu Sayyaf has previously kidnapped foreign Filipinos was one of their the two countries, it would pinos until July 2020. found in several rooms, he said. the Philippines. missionaries, businessmen, Western tourists and long-term goals. expand the number of mul- Maiko Iwaki, tourism “The victims were in diff erent They were taken to Jolo island, which is the merchant seamen. “That’s the goal. Even- tiple entry visas for the Phil- promotion manager of the rooms where they were probably stronghold of the kidnap-for-ransom gang Abu Dutch birdwatcher Ewold Horn, who was kid- tually, we will negotiate,” ippines, as well as the valid- Tokyo Convention and Visi- trapped,” Plotena said. Sayyaf, which has carried out some of the Philip- napped in 2012 in the southern Philippines, was he told the delegates of the ity period — from five years tors Bureau, said 500,000 Investigators are still determining pines’ worst attacks. killed in May during a firefight between his Abu Japan-East Asia Network of to 10 years. Filipinos travelled to Japan the cause of the fire. “We tried to scream but no one comes because Sayyaf captors and the military. Exchange for Students and Citizens of Japan, mean- in 2018. Govt campaign will target drug lords: Go Billions earmarked for new Zamboanga airport By Javier J Ismael Offi ce chief Brig. Gen. Debold (PNP) said it was not threatened Manila Times Sinas said yesterday that only by what Robredo might reveal. one drug suspect was killed dur- PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. By Antonio P Rimando offi ce.” As a priority project ing the 19-day stint of Robredo Bernard Banac said the police Manila Times under the DPWH, the new ith Vice President as ICAD co-chairman. force is doing its mandate and Zamboanga airport has been (VP) Maria Leonor Go thanked Robredo “for following the rule of law. assured of necessary funding W“Leni” Robredo out her service” and, at the same Sen. Panfi lo Lacson, how- lose to P14bn has been (some P14bn) and its imple- of the Inter-Agency Committee time, declared that the drug war ever, cautioned Robredo against earmarked by the De- mentation starting early next on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), should not be politicised. her plan to reveal what she had Cpartment of Public year, he told Macasaet. the government’s war on drugs “Thank you to Vice President learned about the government’s Works and Highways (DPWH) Macasaet then advised will continue to steam ahead, Leni for her two weeks of service war on drugs. for the relocation and con- Zamboanga City government this time targeting drug lords, as co-chairman of ICAD. The The senator said if the vice struction of a new Zamboanga offi cials, headed by Mayor Ma. according to Sen. Christopher people have heard many things president would only disclose International Airport (ZIA) in a Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, to Lawrence “Bong” Go. from her Toklang (all talk) pro- wrongdoings, it would only venue outside the city proper. undertake appropriate meas- Go yesterday stressed that gramme,” Go said. worsen the “wedge” between her Rolando Macasaet, chair- ures by co-ordinating with there would be no pause in the “She gave her best. I have and the administration. man and acting president necessary local and national campaign against illegal drugs nothing to comment. She did “I don’t think it’s necessary of the Government Service agencies for the implementa- because of the government’s what she wanted to do her way. insofar as I’m concerned. What Insurance System, recently tion of the airport project. commitment to end the menace. However, the war on drugs was for? You were given a role to play, said the inclusion of the new Earlier, Second District Rep. “The drug addicts are still politicised. Other senator said, Christopher Go: war against illegal drugs now that you were removed you airport in President Rodrigo Manuel Dalipe Jr was able to work there. They are not gone and this ‘If you don’t trust her, you fi re will disclose what you had dis- Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ for the appropriation of P200mn is the reason why the campaign her.’ President Duterte heeded consider any opposition. Robre- General Aaron Aquino chal- covered?” he said. infrastructure programme was as initial allocation for the new against illegal drugs has to con- the suggestion,” he added. do was named as head of hous- lenged Robredo to reveal what “It depends on what she will recently disclosed to him by ZIA, which will be transferred to tinue. The people will suff er if Go stressed that while the ing. But she kept on attacking she discovered during her stint reveal. If it is to destroy or im- Vivencio “Vince” Dizon, Ma- Mercedes coastal village, some we fail,” the senator said. government tries to be inclusive the government, she was fi red. at ICAD. pede the anti-illegal drugs cam- lacanang adviser for fl agship 20kms away from the city proper. He also warned drug lords in welcoming ideas and sugges- Then they positioned them- “I am personally encourag- paign, I hope not,” Lacson added. programmes and projects. Mayor Climaco-Salazar said that their “vacation is over” now tions from everyone, it is diffi - selves as opposition. They, the ing VP Leni Robredo to make her President Duterte on Sunday Dizon announced that of 75 the area would be converted to that Robredo has been sacked as cult to mix administration and Liberal Party, was the one who revelations on what she claims removed Robredo as co-chair- total projects initially included a business commercial centre to ICAD co-chairman. opposition members in the drug positioned them as opposition,” as her ‘discoveries’ on the gov- man of ICAD, less than three in the programme, “only 32, enable the city to raise its annual “To the drug lords, your vaca- war because it is a “delicate” Go said. ernment’s drug war,” Aquino weeks after he appointed her including the new ZIA, made income once the ZIA at present tion is over,” Go said. matter. Meanwhile, Philippine Drug said in a statement. co-chairman of the anti-drug it to the fi nal list, which was vacates its fi ve-hectare site at National Capital Region Police “Before, the president did not Enforcement Agency Director The Philippine National Police agency. released early last week by his Barangay Baliwasan. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES The new jobs race: Smart machines versus humans

Just as technological advances and automation are driving a rethink of what jobs only humans can do, so also across the world the middle class is facing the unavoidable question: What happens when the robots take over our jobs? The stakes are high. There are two extremely contrasting scenarios: In one, robots handle half of all work tasks, leaving legions of humans unemployed, uneasy and restive. In the other, those same technologies revolutionise, rather than reduce, work opportunities for humans, raising living standards with new jobs that aren’t yet imagined. In-game goods fuel debate Jobs requiring repetitive tasks in a structured setting, primarily in manufacturing, were the fi rst to be directly aff ected by automation, with the auto industry leading the charge. Since 1980, the number of US manufacturing workers has shrunk by a third, to about 13mn, while output over digital ownership doubled. As many as 120mn workers in the world’s 12 largest By Sonia Elks developers and players to sell virtual suspended or the game shuts down they “This demand is growing...from economies may need to be retrained over the next three London outfi ts or other cosmetic items known will see their access cut off . people that really want to trade skins as ‘skins’. Digital media like music and and to use them as their own property years as a result of automation and artifi cial intelligence, “So now the only way the game e-books are also typically sold through since they paid for it,” said Slanova of according to a study by International Business Machines on Jacobs was a fi nancially strug- developers can earn money is by selling access licences with similarly tight DMarket. Corp. In a 2017 report, McKinsey & Co predicted that as gling actor in real life but a wealthy some in-game stuff , basically the outfi ts restrictions. Court cases have also sought to much as 14% of the global workforce – 375mn people, trader in an online video game in the game or the skins for weapons in While full details are laid out in challenge the broad legal principle give or take – will need to change occupations because of Jwhen he had his breakthrough: the game.” the terms of sale and user licence that digital items cannot be re-sold what if he could turn his virtual success Nearly half of games include in-game agreement, many players may not read by buyers in the same way as physical automation by 2030. into a steady stream of real dollars? purchase options, according to analysis through legal details often running to goods like clothes, records and books, Interestingly, a lot Jacobs, who mortgaged his home to by TIGA — the trade association thousands of words in legal jargon, said all of which have thriving secondhand Some 120mn also depends on new start investing in virtual property, broke representing Britain’s game industry — law professor Aaron Perzanowski. markets. technologies that exist records when he sold his nightclub to of a sample of games released last year “There is a lot of room for improvement A French court in September found workers in the but aren’t quite ready other users in the multi-player online by British developers. in helping consumers understand how users have the right to re-sell digital for prime time, such as game Entropia Universe for $635,000 The average spend on Dmarket.com is they are investing their time and their games bought through Steam, an online world’s 12 largest in 2010. usually only a few dollars, said Slanova, money,” said Perzanowski of Case platform developed by US-based self-driving vehicles. He makes tens of thousands of dollars but it is not uncommon for purchases Western Reserve University in the US city games fi rm Valve Corporation, in a economies may There are about 3.5mn each month from his other assets to run into hundreds or even thousands of Cleveland. case brought by consumer rights group truck drivers in a US within the game, which allows players of dollars. It has led to questions over whether UFC-Que Choisir. need retraining workforce of about to explore a futuristic world and has an “Sometimes it’s really astonishing buyers of in-game property or other Valve has said it will appeal the 160mn. exchange rate pegged to the US dollar, how much real money people are eager virtual goods understand exactly what decision. as a result of meaning money can be taken in or out. to spend on some virtual stuff ,” added they are — and are not — getting in The developing law around digital But here’s the fl ip “I think that over the next decade we Slanova. exchange for their money. rights means the situation is “not automation side of this being a are going to see exponential growth in While players may be willing to pay Up to half of people who click ‘buy particularly clear”, said Perzanowski, good thing. the trade of virtual goods,” Jacobs told up for in-game extras, they have far now’ on a digital song, book or fi lm who added he expects to see more legal History suggests that the worst fears of machines the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a fewer rights over such digital assets wrongly believe they can lend it, give challenges in the future. making humans obsolete don’t come true. In phone call from Los Angeles. than they would for real-life purchases, it away or re-sell it, found a 2017 study And the results of court cases over He is among a growing number of said legal experts. co-authored by Perzanowski, though he rights for virtual items such as games some quarters, AI and robotics are considered the players globally spending on virtual A minority of games allow players added that games players may be more software will have impact far beyond Fourth Industrial Revolution, following other big goods within games that range in to freely buy, trade and sell virtual savvy on average. online players looking to cash in on their transformations in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. And price from a few cents to thousands property, with some gamers making “Rights to virtual items are often set digital swag, he said. while displacement of jobs occurred in each wave of new of dollars — fuelling debate on what real-world fortunes as a result. out within extensive end-user licence “Software is in everything now — it technology, new jobs emerged to balance out some of the rights they hold over those digital But in most games, users will not get terms which some players will not is in your kitchen appliances, it is in assets. any legal ownership rights over virtual necessarily read upfront,” said a TIGA your car, it is in medical devices that pain. The video games market is set to property in return for their money, spokesman in an emailed statement. are implanted in people’s bodies,” said A World Economic Forum survey has concluded that while more than double in value to $300bn said Gaetano Dimita, a lecturer in However, TIGA said that game Perzanowski. 75mn jobs may be displaced, “133mn new roles may emerge by 2025, data and analysis company international intellectual property law makers would not want to risk driving “And all of these same arguments that are more adapted to” the division of labour among GlobalData estimates. at Queen Mary University of London. players away by removing their virtual about whether or not you own and humans, machines and algorithms. Much of the money is made through Instead, they are paying for a licence property. control the software are just as true the sale of in-game virtual property which allows them to use the items “To remove access to purchases could when it comes to physical products that Positively, some countries are doing better than the others ranging from weapons to outfi ts and within the game under terms dictated result in very negative publicity which have software embedded into them,” he to get their workforces ready. A 2018 report by the Economist even real estate — and that spending by the company, he said, with fi rms would harm the long-term value of the added. Intelligence Unit gave top marks to South Korea, Germany, could reach $32bn in 2020, according to usually reserving the right to change, game.” “The answers to these questions Singapore, Japan and Canada for their preparations “for data and research fi rm Statista. substitute, or withdraw access to virtual As gaming continues to boom, some are going to have much, much broader the coming wave of intelligent automation.” Among the 25 “There is a shift in the gaming goods. players, consumer rights groups and implications over the next 10 to 20 industry towards free-to-play games,” Players are often not allowed to trading platforms are lobbying for years because software is being built countries reviewed, the US was ranked ninth, just behind the said Tamara Slanova, co-founder sell or transfer items to other people, players to get greater rights over their into every product you can imagine.” – UK. of DMarket, a platform for game added Dimita, while if their account is virtual goods. Thomson Reuters Foundation While robots are fast catching up to humans in the race for jobs, technology will improve society in ways big and small over the coming years. But this will be little comfort to those who fi nd their lives on the losing end. Low-wage jobs are fi ve times more likely to fall by the wayside than better-salaried posts, leading to a less equal distribution of wealth, income and power, says UK think tank Institute for Public Policy Research. Make no mistake, technology is here to stay; there’s no running away. But policies to mitigate the impact by helping the victims to cope with and workers to adapt will be indispensable in every country.

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© 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved The video games market is set to more than double in value to $300bn by 2025, data and analysis company GlobalData estimates. Gulf Times Wednesday, November 27, 2019 23 COMMENT The EU must recognise Palestine

By Daoud Kuttab territories must be clearly labelled as the EU has often been sharply critical Valletta, Malta such. of Israel – all while maintaining close In its statement, it declared diplomatic, economic, and political unambiguously that the settlements ties with it. he United States may have “give concrete expression to a policy Rhetoric is not enough. If European just obliterated any remaining of population transfer” conducted by leaders – or, indeed, any others around hope for a two-state solution Israel outside its territory, “in violation the world – want to advance a vision Tto the Israeli-Palestinian of the rules of general international of an independent Palestinian state confl ict. humanitarian law.” alongside an Israeli one, they have US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s And yet the US has long been only two choices: offi cially recognise declaration that Israeli settlements reluctant to acknowledge this reality. Palestine as an independent state or in the West Bank do not violate Only one US administration – stop recognising Israel as one until it international law defi es a longstanding that of President Jimmy Carter proves it is serious about reaching a global consensus. The rest of the world – has declared outright that Israeli negotiated solution. must push back. settlement policy is illegal, on the Already, most European parliaments There can be no doubt that Israel’s basis of a 1978 State Department legal have voted in favour of recognising settlement policy in the occupied opinion. Palestine as an independent state Palestinian territories violates Carter’s immediate successor, along the pre-1967 borders, with international law. In the wake of World Ronald Reagan, opposed that stance East Jerusalem as its capital. But only War II, the Fourth Geneva Convention publicly. Sweden has followed through, with established that an occupying power Other US administrations have the EU advising others to wait for the “shall not deport or transfer parts of criticised the settlements as obstacles perfect opportunity to arise – the its own civilian population into the to peace and urged Israel to halt moment when a unifi ed decision to territory it occupies.” construction, but refrained from recognise Palestine could have a real According to the Rome Statute, calling them illegal. impact. Now is that moment. which established the International Not surprisingly, Israeli offi cials Leaving Palestinians at the mercy of Criminal Court in 1998, such transfers welcomed Pompeo’s declaration. The their Israeli occupiers will only sustain constitute war crimes. country’s right-wing prime minister, a decades-old cycle of violence. Moreover, when Israel began its Benjamin Netanyahu – who pledged Powerful allies like the EU can break occupation of Palestinian and Arab during the recent parliamentary that cycle, but only if they back up territories in 1967, United Nations election campaign to expand Israeli their words with deeds. No deed would Security Council Resolution 242 sovereignty to all Jewish settlements send a stronger message than for all condemned its actions for violating in the occupied West Bank – declared EU countries to recognise Palestine as the post-WWII consensus regarding that US President Donald Trump’s an independent, occupied state, and the inadmissibility of acquiring land administration had righted an engage with it accordingly. by war. “historical wrong.” This might not cause Israel suddenly In 2016, the Security Council Netanyahu faces his own challenges: to pack up and leave Palestinian adopted another resolution, which he has failed to form a government, territories. But it could discourage declared that Israel’s settlement- and has just been indicted on Israel’s leaders, buoyed by Trump’s building in Palestinian territory had corruption charges. But his main latest reckless decision, from seeking “no legal validity,” constituted a rival, Benny Gantz (who also failed to to expand existing settlements and “fl agrant violation” of international form a government), also applauded The EU’s foreign-policy chief, Federica Mogherini, has confirmed that its position on Israeli settlement policy “remains building new ones – or even to begin law, and was a “major obstacle” the reversal, saying, “The fate of the unchanged: all settlement activity is illegal under international law.” annexing Palestinian territory. In that to the two-state solution. (Rather settlements should be determined case, the EU would face the prospect than veto the resolution, as is the US by agreements that meet security hawkish elements, it is up to the rest on Israeli settlement policy “remains EU has criticised Israel’s behaviour. of a full-fl edged apartheid state on its custom, President Barack Obama’s requirements and promote peace.” of the international community to unchanged: all settlement activity is Indeed, from condemning Israel’s doorstep. – Project Syndicate administration abstained from the vote.) While the future of Israeli politics prevent that outcome. The European illegal under international law” and deportation of the local director of Just days before Pompeo’s remains unclear, the risk of a renewed Union should lead the charge. “erodes the viability of the two-state Human Rights Watch for allegedly z Daoud Kuttab, an award-winning announcement, the European Court settlement-building frenzy must After the US reversal, the EU’s solution and the prospects for a lasting supporting a boycott to denouncing Palestinian journalist, is a former Ferris of Justice upheld this logic, ruling that not be underestimated. With the US foreign-policy chief, Federica peace.” the Israeli soldiers’ shooting of Professor of Journalism at Princeton goods produced in Israeli-occupied standing fi rmly with Israel’s most Mogherini, confi rmed that its position But this is far from the fi rst time the unarmed Palestinian demonstrators, University.

We need to raise the bar to close the gap Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 280c By Sami Dimassi implemented in their current form, The region’s countries are blessed demonstrated time and again their the world’s emissions budget, with abundant natural resources determination and innovation. Minimum Temperature : 220c allowable under this target, will be other than oil; the potential for solar We have witnessed their drive to THURSDAY s the world gets closer exhausted by as early as 2030. power to provide energy is obvious. support their countries in achieving Maximum Temperature : 270c to celebrating the fourth The report also found that Renewables are now the cheapest the Sustainable Development Goals Minimum Temperature : 210c anniversary of the land- economy-wide climate action source of new power generation and and realising the objectives and FRIDAY mark Paris Agreement, the remains extremely limited in a worldwide transition to renewable milestones set out in the visions of Maximum Temperature : 270c A Minimum Temperature : 210c optimism and enthusiasm surround- certain areas, including a complete energy could reduce emissions of their nations. We are also witnessing phase-out of fossil-fuel subsidies, CO2 from the power sector by 78% their passion and enthusiasm ing this historic achievement is Fisherman's forecast muted. Countries around the world comprehensive and ambitious in 2050, and West Asia countries in environmental activism. have collectively failed to curb the carbon pricing, and making all are already making headway. It is Governments of the region can finance flows consistent with estimated that in the GCC alone, harness youth innovation and equip WARNING rise of greenhouse gas emissions, Inshore : Nil which have risen 1.5% per year in the Paris Agreement. Despite the investment in renewables totalled the inheritors of our planet with the Offshore : Nil the last decade and hit a new high of urgency of the matter, countries almost $10bn between 2006 and awareness and tools which they need 55.3 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent that have traditionally led the way 2018, with more than half of this to promote sustainable solutions to WEATHER Inshore : Misty at places at first, in 2018. In the absence of drastic in economic development have not amount coming in the last two years. address the global challenge. scattered clouds with change, scientists now expect to see done their fair share of the heavy Plans to integrate the solar power The effects of climate change are chance of at some a 3.2 degrees C rise in temperature by lifting. Carbon footprints need to supply chain within the region already with us, while others are places at times Offshore : Scattered clouds with the end of this century. fall, lifestyles need to become more are also an encouraging sign that yet to be felt. Flash floods seen in chance of rain On Monday, the UN Environment sustainable, and much more needs renewables are now seen in a broader Yemen, heat spikes in Kuwait, and Programme (UNEP) released the to happen in a shorter period of economic light. rising sea levels that could see 11% WIND Inshore : Northwesterly-North tenth edition of its Emissions Gap time. So, how do we stay within the Finance is another area with or more of Bahrain under water in a easterly 05-15 KT Report, which makes for some stark 1.5 degrees C limit? And how do the potential for action. With the few decades time, are just examples. Offshore : Northwesterly-North- reading. As it does every year, the challenges and opportunities affect transition to renewables and better It is clear that things need to change easterly 05-15 KT report looks at the projected volume the still-developing region of West energy efficiency alone requiring and that ambitions must be scaled Visibility : 4-8/3 KM of greenhouse gas emissions in Asia, which has been mostly reliant supply-side investments of USD1.6- up. Humanity’s future lies in the Offshore : 2-4 FT 2030 and the progress countries are on fossil fuels for its economic 3.8tn per year from 2020-2050, the transition to a low-carbon future. making in reducing them. development? opportunities for finance abound. And while the task to make this The region is already home to several transition happen is enormous, The report found that West Asian nations must, like all Around the region countries’ collective ambition other nations, revise their NDCs financial hubs, and opportunities so too is the responsibility of all Weather must increase more than fivefold by 2020 to close the emissions gap for growth in these fields will only countries. West Asian countries Weather tomorrow Max/min over current levels to deliver by 2030. This scaling up of climate increase as the world moves to can truly make their mark, and with today Max/min S Showers 23/13 necessary emissions cuts to keep ambition is not only necessary, but achieve the commitments under the the right incentives, policies, and Baghdad M Cloudy 24/14 I T Storms 27/18 temperature rise to below 1.5C. can also bring massive benefits to Paris Agreement. Recent examples support, can lead the way in fighting Kuwait City M Sunny 24/18 Sunny 26/21 Countries that signed up to the the region. This year’s Emissions of financial initiatives in the region for a better future for generations to Manama Sunny 26/21 Sunny 28/19 Paris Agreement have set this Gap Report also looks at the energy include the $26bn Dubai Green come. Muscat M Sunny 27/19 Sunny 12/06 target as their ambition, with transition and the potential of Fund, which demonstrates the Tehran Sunny 11/04 each country setting Nationally efficiency in the use of materials, attractiveness of this approach. z Sami Dimassi is Director and Determined Contributions (NDCs) which can play a big role in closing Young people constitute nearly Regional Representative of the UN – their commitment to achieving the emissions gap and holds special half of the population in the Environment Programme’s Regional it. Yet even if these NDCs are fully relevance for the West Asian region. Arab region. Arab youth have Office for West Asia.

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Around the world French doctor still treating patients at 98 Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens M Sunny 19/11 M Sunny 21/16 Reuters He says a new development in his nearly seven- Beirut Rain 22/17 P Cloudy 21/17 Chevilly-Larue, France decade career is patients who erroneously diagnose Bangkok M Sunny 34/27 P Cloudy 35/26 themselves on the Internet and then turn up at his Berlin Showers 08/07 S Showers 11/06 surgery demanding drugs. Cairo Sunny 24/14 M Sunny 25/14 hen French doctor Christian Chenay Many of his patients say they struggle to get Cape Town Cloudy 23/16 Sunny 27/17 saw his fi rst patients in 1951, penicillin appointments in Chevilly-Larue, which has three Colombo S T Storms 31/24 S T Storms 30/25 was state of the art. doctors for a population of 19,000, so they queue Dhaka Sunny 30/20 Sunny 31/20 W Now 98 years old, he is still working early to see Chenay who runs a drop-in surgery, Hong Kong P Cloudy 22/18 Sunny 23/15 and opens his surgery in the Paris suburbs two promising to see the fi rst 20 patients who sign up. Istanbul S Showers 17/12 S Showers 14/10 mornings a week for patients, some of whom he has “(In France) we have the doctors, we have the sick Jakarta S T Storms 33/25 S T Storms 33/26 treated for decades. people, but to bring the people together is really not Karachi P Cloudy 29/18 Sunny 29/17 With no health woes of his own – he doesn’t even easy,” he said. London Rain 13/09 Showers 11/08 wear glasses during his consultations – Chenay said French President Emmanuel Macron has faced Manila P Cloudy 31/26 P Cloudy 32/26 a quiet retirement had no appeal. months of unrest from hospital workers angry about Moscow M Cloudy -3/-4 Cloudy -1/-3 “If you’re over 60 they put you with the old tough working conditions and underinvestment, and New Delhi Showers 22/16 S Showers 23/15 people. One day you’ve got cards, the next day bingo, French doctor Christian Chenay, 98, treats a patient Chenay said he had never seen a worse crisis in the New York Sunny 15/07 Cloudy 14/08 then there’s sudoku... With all that you become a in his consulting room in Chevilly-Larue near Paris. sector. Paris S Showers 13/11 Showers 12/09 complete idiot. I’m better off being a doctor!” Picture taken on November 20. The average retirement age for doctors in France is Sao Paulo P Cloudy 28/18 I T Storms 32/20 Originally from Angers in western France, Chenay 67 and Chenay’s son, who also practised as one, has Seoul M Sunny 11/-1 M Sunny 08/-2 worked as a welder before becoming a doctor, a fax machine but no computer on the desk – but already given up work. Singapore T Storm 31/26 T Storm 31/26 ultimately qualifying as a radiologist before moving Chenay says he keeps up to date with all the latest But Chenay does not see himself stopping. Sydney S T Storms 32/14 Sunny 21/15 back into general practice. developments via his subscriptions to online medical “If you sit and watch TV all day you switch off Tokyo Cloudy 12/08 Cloudy 11/07 His surgery does not look high tech – there is journals. pretty quickly, your head doesn’t last long.” Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, November 27, 2019 QATAR

Amir attends pre-match ceremony, flags off Gulf Cup tournament

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inaugurated the 24th Gulf Cup at the Khalifa International Stadium yesterday. Also present on the occasion were His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, His Highness the Personal Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani and HE Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa al-Thani. The inauguration was also attended by Marzouq bin Ali al-Ghanim, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait, Their Excellencies Sheikhs, ministers, heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to the State and heads of the Gulf Olympic committees and federations.

Qatar’s plans to improve road transport for World Cup 2022 highlighted

By Shafeeq Alingal and the National Traffi c Safety Staff Reporter Committee, with the participa- tion of national and international organisations specialised in traffi c he International Road safety. Transport Union (IRU) HE the Minister of Transport Tconference yesterday high- and Communications Jassim Seif lighted Qatar’s future plans to Ahmed al-Sulaiti inaugurated the improve road transportation and conference. The opening cere- preparations for the FIFA World mony was attended by Mowasalat Cup 2022. chairman Dr Saad bin Ahmed al- The three-day conference titled Muhannadi, director general of ‘Ensuring Safe Mobility of People General Directorate of Traffi c and and Goods During Major Events second vice president of NTSC in the State of Qatar’ kick started Maj Gen Mohamed Saad al-Kharji at the Traffi c Department’s head- and IRU director, Certifi cation quarters at Madinat Khalifa where and Standards, Patrick Philipp. experts and offi cials contemplated The director of the National measures to reduce traffi c conges- Traffi c Safety Offi ce said ortseff tion and road accidents. to improve road transportation Dr Kim Jraiw, director of the will be continued while analyses, National Traffi c Safety Offi ce at checks, workshops and aware- the National Traffi c Safety Com- ness programmes will be held mittee (NTSC), said Qatar is rac- across the country in co-ordi- HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, Mowasalat chairman Director general of General Directorate of Traffic and second vice ing towards the goal of achieving nation with Ashghal, Traffi c De- Dr Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhannadi, director general of General Directorate of Traff ic and second vice president of NTSC Maj Gen Mohamed Saad al-Kharji addressing international standards in ensur- partment and Ministry of Public president of NTSC Maj Gen Mohamed Saad al-Kharji and IRU director, Certification and Standards, Patrick the conference. ing smooth traffi c fl ow and reduc- Health (MoPH). Philipp attending the conference. ing fatalities and deaths on roads. “Latest innovations and tech- He was addressing the session nologies will be also introduced tions and number of accidents,” ‘State of play on vision, policies to improve traffi c fl ow on roads he said. Ivan Williams, Transport and statistics related to road safe- and bring down accidents,” he Operations senior manager at ty in Qatar’. said. Jassim al-Dousari, Licensing Supreme Committee for Delivery He said: “Co-ordinated eff orts Department administrator, Land and Legacy (SC), laid stress on the are being carried and plans are Transport Licensing Department, plans to ensure smooth transpor- chalked out to achieve this goal. MoTC, said eff orts are on to pro- tation during World Cup 2022. He Government support, laws, na- mote safety on roads. was attending the panel discus- tional strategy and co-operation “Eff ective law has been enact- sion on ‘WC2022-preparations from various stakeholders will ed to improve traffi c and reduce for managing safe and effi cient help the country improve road casualties. Workshops will be held mobility of people and goods’. transportation. Accident deaths to discuss the latest trends and “Qatar is embracing the chang- and fatalities have come down due updates regarding improvement. es to host the major sports events,” to collective eff orts by the stake- We are committed to tapping the he said stressing on the need to holders.” potential of technology to attain ensure connectivity among all According to him, deaths on our goal and eff orts will be carried stadiums, accommodation places roads are coming down despite with co-operation from the pri- and other destinations. the increase in the number of resi- vate sector,” he said. Projects aff airs director Yousef dents and vehicles. The number of Col Mohamed Radi al-Hajiri, Abdulrahman al-Emadi, attend- deaths stood at 235 in 2013 and it director of Traffi c Awareness De- ing the discussion, said Ashghal is went down to 167 in 2018. It will partment, said a unifi ed electronic making eff orts to ensure smooth be further brought down in 2020,” system will be introduced to im- traffi c fl ow on roads and set up he said. prove standards of road transpor- parking facilities with stadiums. The conference is organised by tation. “We are working with all stake- Mowasalat (Karwa) in partner- “Inspections and checks will holders to bring in the best trans- IRU director, Certification and Standards, Patrick Philipp addressing Mowasalat chairman Dr Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhannadi addressing ship with the Traffi c Department be enhanced to bring down viola- portation system in place,” he said. the conference. the conference.