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WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11309 September 18, 2019 Muharram 19, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief PM meets SIGA chairman QATAR | Reaction Saudi oil output Qatar condemns Afghan election rally blast Qatar expressed its strong condemnation of the explosion to be restored that targeted election rally for the Afghan president in Kabul, killing and injuring dozens of people. In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated to normal by Qatar’s firm stance on rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of the motives and causes. The statement expressed Qatar’s September-end condolences to the families of the victims and the Government and people of Afghanistan, wishing the zHalf the production lost in weekend attacks injured a speedy recovery. on two key facilities already recovered ISRAEL | Vote Netanyahu, Gantz in zOil prices drop after the sharp rise tight race: exit polls following the ‘drone’ strikes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met yesterday with Netanyahu and his main challenger the Chairman of the Sports Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA), Franco Frattini, and his accompanying delegation on AFP Oil prices dropped sharply yesterday Benny Gantz were locked in the occasion of their visit to the country to participate in the Inter-Regional Sports Integrity Summit currently Jeddah after the announcement of the Saudi a tight race in the country’s being held in Doha. During the meeting, they reviewed a number of topics of common interest. energy minister. general election after polls closed However, the oil market remained on yesterday, exit surveys showed. audi Arabia said yesterday its oil tenterhooks over the threat of retalia- Three separate exit polls carried by output would be back to normal tion for attacks on Saudi Arabian crude Israeli television stations showed Sby the end of the month, with oil facilities on Saturday. Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud and half the production lost in weekend Brent crude futures settled at $64.55 Gantz’s centrist Blue and White attacks on two key facilities already a barrel, down $4.47, or 6.48%.WTI alliance with between 31 and 34 Qatar’s commitment to fi ght restored. crude futures settled at $59.34 a barrel, parliament seats each out of 120. Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz down $3.56, or 5.66%. The attacks on bin Salman, who was only appointed crude-processing facilities at Abqaiq BRITAIN | Politics to the role earlier this month, said that and Khurais resulted in the largest sin- Johnson tried to silence corruption in sports praised the world’s top energy exporter had gle supply disruption in half a century. dipped into its strategic reserves to parliament, court told maintain supply to clients. Prime Minister Boris Johnson closed By Peter Alagos an expression of political support, cit- is co-operating with its stakeholders “I have good news for you... Iran supreme leader down parliament to silence opposition Business Reporter ing the co-operation agreement SIGA – governments, sports federations, the oil output to international mar- says no negotiations to his Brexit strategy in an unlawful signed with Qatar Stars League (QSL). public institutions, and the private kets is back to what it was before the abuse of power, Britain’s Supreme “Aside from the agreement with sector – to fi nalise the ‘SIGA White attack,” he said. ‘on any level’ with US Court heard yesterday as the battle he chairman of the Sport In- QSL, government offi cials such as Paper’ aimed at setting standards “During the past two days the dam- over Brexit reached the highest tegrity Global Alliance (SIGA), Qatar’s Minister of Culture and Sport and binding rules to promote sport age was contained and 50% of the pro- Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah court in the land. Judges began Tformer Italian Foreign Minister are here, as well as the main personal- integrity at the international level. duction has been recovered,” he added. Ali Khamenei said yesterday that hearing three days of highly-charged Franco Frattini, has lauded Qatar for ities in the fi eld of sport events. These The white paper will be presented in a “Production will be back to normal no negotiations would take place arguments over whether it was lawful hosting the ‘Doha 2019 Inter-Re- are all messages that this country is summit to be held in Rome in January by the end of September.” between Iran and the United States for Johnson to advise Queen Elizabeth gional Sports Integrity Summit’, say- supporting SIGA’s idea to one day 2020, he said. But as the US points the fi nger of unless the United States “repents,” II to prorogue, or suspend, parliament ing the two-day event signifi es that have international binding rules ap- “This is absolutely necessary blame at Saudi Arabia’s regional rival amid a series of accusations flying for more than a month, as the clock the country is resolute in combating plicable everywhere – to sport events against the cancer of corruption and Iran, the minister — the son of King Sal- between the two sides. ticks down to Britain’s October 31 EU corruption and illegality in sports. and bodies involved in sport organi- the penetration of organised crime man — refused to be drawn on who was If the US “takes back its words and exit date. Page 13 “The staging of the summit in sation, where the private and public because there is a huge fl ow of money responsible for the Saturday’s strikes repents and returns to the nuclear Doha is also of symbolic importance sectors could work together with civil around sport and this is becoming which roiled global energy markets. deal, which they have violated, they WORLD | Science because supporting this gathering society and NGOs,” he said. very attractive for organised crime,” “We don’t know who is behind the can take part in the meetings of Earth warming more sends a clear message that the state For this reason, Frattini said SIGA Frattini explained. attack,” he said, adding that the king- signatories to this agreement with of Qatar wants to fi ght any kind of il- He also emphasised that Qatar’s dom wants “proof based on profession- Iran,” Khamenei said. quickly than thought legality. support for SIGA’s objectives pro- alism and internationally recognised “Otherwise, no negotiation on any Greenhouse gases thrust into the “And this is absolutely important vides optimism as the alliance seeks standards”. Saudi authorities were also level will happen between off icials atmosphere mainly by burning fossil because of the deep crisis within in- transparency and integrity in sport. bullish on plans for the mega stock of the Islamic Republic and the US, fuels are warming Earth’s surface ternational sport organisation. The “Qatar’s backing of SIGA’s advoca- listing of oil giant Aramco, which was neither in New York nor anywhere more quickly than previously contribution of the powerful State of cy for integrity and clean sport events thought to be imperilled by the attack. else,” he said on state television. understood, according to new Qatar in the fi eld of sport is very im- is another element of confi dence. It “The IPO will continue as is, we There had been speculation over a climate models set to replace those portant: If they back us up and support makes me confi dent about the real won’t stop anything,” said Aramco possible meeting between Trump used in current UN projections, SIGA, we are much stronger,” Frattini success, unique experience in the chairman Yasir al-Rumayyan. and Iranian President Hassan scientists said yesterday. By 2100, told Gulf Times in an interview. Middle East, and of course, the idea Riyadh pumps some 9.9mn barrels Rouhani on the sidelines of the UN average temperatures could rise Frattini also stressed that the sum- of subscribing a document for the in- per day (bpd) of which around 7mn bpd General Assembly in New York, 7.0C above pre-industrial levels mit, a fi rst in the Middle East, is one tegrity of all the competitions. This is are exported, mostly to Asian markets. which begins this week. (DPA) if carbon emissions continue of Qatar’s contributions in the cam- Sport Integrity Global Alliance the fi rst time that it happened,” Frat- The strikes took out half its output, Page 8 unabated. Pages 10, 15 paign against corruption in sport and chairman Franco Frattini. tini noted. To Page 5 some 6% of global oil production. Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue exhibition opens in Vienna

he Majlis – Cultures in Dia- and the Arab World Institute in Paris, Qassim Al-Thani Museum, the Unesco ideas about the similarities between logue exhibition, launched by France. Offi ce in Doha and Qatar Shell, the of- diff erent cultures and about how these Tthe Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al- The exhibition was inaugurated at fi cial sponsor of the tour. have been expressed in technology, art Thani Museum, was inaugurated on a press conference attended by HE HE Sheikh Faisal spoke about his and culture. Monday at the Weltmuseum in Vienna, Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, autobiography and his passion for col- The exhibition in Vienna will en- Austria, the fourth stop of its global Frieband Museum director general Dr lecting artefacts through visits with his gage visitors through several activities. tour. Sabine Hagg, Weltmuseum director father to the museums in Europe when There will be a focus on education, The programme is under the pa- Dr Christan Schicklgruber, and Sheikh he was young. promoting tolerance and diversity tronage of His Highness the Amir Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani Museum The exhibition will continue until through cultural objects from all over Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani director Kees Wieringa. January 7 next year at the Weltmu- the world. Additionally, a programme and the President of Austria Alex- Dr Hagg introduced the idea of The seum, an ethnographic museum which of Majlis Talks will encourage visitors ander Van der Bellen, according to a Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue and the houses some of the most important to respond to what they see and share statement. importance of such an interactive ex- collections of non-European cultures. their own stories, creating dialogue The exhibition brings together a hibition, highlighting the importance It promotes dialogue with the public, between the East and the West, the unique collection of artefacts assem- of dialogue with each other. as well as with the hosting institutes young and the old, within a real Majlis bled by the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Dr Schicklgruber thanked HE Sheikh which contribute distinctive items setting. Al-Thani Museum, highlighting the Faisal for choosing the Weltmuseum as from their own collections. Showcasing an exceptional collec- interaction between previous civilisa- a platform for The Majlis – Cultures The concept behind this diverse cul- tion that refl ects the beauty of cen- tions while encouraging present day in Dialogue. Wieringa spoke about the tural exhibition is to recreate the at- turies of intercultural dialogue, the dialogue. It follows on from the success idea of dialogue and the importance of mosphere of the Majlis – the area for exhibition encourages visitors to sit in of its three previous exhibitions held at exhibitions that go hand in hand with hospitality and discussion in homes HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani speaks at the press conference at the the Majlis, listen to stories, engage in the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, the Majlis’ topics, as well as the part- in the Arabian Gulf – thereby off ering opening of The Majlis – Cultures in Dialogue exhibition at the Weltmuseum in conversations, and discover the unique Malta, and at the Unesco headquarters nership between the Sheikh Faisal Bin visitors the opportunity to exchange Vienna, Austria. experience. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 QATAR

Minister meets with ambassadors of China, Georgia Ministry hosts seminar on

role of awards HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti held separate meetings with ambassadors Zhou Jian of China and Nikoloz Revazishvili of Georgia in Doha yesterday. The meetings discussed relations between Qatar and the two friendly countries in the fields of transportation and communications and the means of further enhancing them, the Ministry of Transport and in promoting Communications said in a statement. creativity Kahramaa, QEWC and MHPS sign s part of the Qatari Forum institutions such as the Katara ples of the world, encouraging MoU on internship programme for Authors’ initiatives Prize for Arabic Novel and Ka- creativity, consolidating lofty Ain activating the cultural tara Prize for Prophet’s Poets, values, spreading diversity, factor in society, the forum or- Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al-Tha- pluralism and openness. “It as- atar General Electric- ganised a seminar entitled “The ni Award in Islamic Sciences and pires to consolidate the culture ity and Water Corpora- Awards’ Role in Promoting Cre- Thought, Sheikh Hamad Award of knowledge and dialogue, Qtion (Kahramaa), Qatar ativity”, at the Ministry of Cul- for Translation and Internation- spreading Arab and Islamic cul- Electricity and Water Company ture and Sports in the presence al Understanding, as well as the ture, developing international (QEWC) and Mitsubishi Hitachi of intellectuals and interested Doha Award for Dramatic Writ- understanding, and enhancing Power Systems (MHPS) have parties. ing by the Ministry of Culture the role of translation in spread- signed a memorandum of un- A professor at the University and Sports this year. ing peace and spreading knowl- derstanding (MoU) for the im- of Qatar, and a member of the She said that the awards hon- edge, and the role of translators plementation of an internship- media team of Sheikh Hamad our scientists, thinkers, research- in bringing the world closer.” based education and training Award for Translation and Inter- ers and creative talents fi nan- Dr al-Fayyad said that the programme in Japan for engineers national Understanding, Dr Im- cially and morally and promote prize, which will hold its fi fth from QEWC and Kahramaa. tenan al-Smadi said that Qatar their eff orts at the international season this year, encourages The signing ceremony, which attaches importance to preserv- and regional levels to contribute translation from and into Arabic was held in Doha yesterday, was ing and disseminating sciences, to enriching the research eff ort, in more than one language, and witnessed by HE the Minister of arts, cultural and national herit- intellectual diligence and artis- adopts an international language State for Energy Aff airs Saad bin Off icials at the signing ceremony. age, and encouraging scientifi c tic creativity, as well as creating a every year besides English. Sherida al-Kaabi. The MoU was research in accordance with the climate for creative and innovative Dr al-Fayyad added that the signed by Kahramaa president and on-the-job training, the tion systems, views the intern- scale power generation and de- provisions of the Article 24 of scientifi c competition. award widened its circle since Essa Hilal al-Kuwari, QEWC interns will gain relevant knowl- ship program as an opportunity salination projects are presently the Qatari Constitution. Dr Hanan al-Fayyad, pro- 2017, and is considered the high- general manager and managing edge, skills, and experience in to further strengthen the ties be- underway. As part of strength- He noted that the Article 24 fessor at Qatar University and est value at the level of awards director Fahad Hamad al-Mo- addressing complex situations tween the three companies. ening the infrastructure, MHPS has been implemented through a spokesperson of the Sheikh Ha- in the Arab world with a total hannadi, and MHPS president in their dealings with advanced Qatar is presently focusing its concluded last year a second number of mechanisms, among mad Award for Translation and of $2.2mn, adding that a new and CEO Ken Kawai. power generation technologies. resources into the creation and long-term service agreement them are the announcement of International Understanding, category has been added, in- Under the terms of the MoU, The internship programme enhancement of a broad range (LTSA) covering eight of its awards, including the State Ap- said it is an international award cluding fi ve oriental languages: young engineers from Kahramaa is being established in line with of new industrial infrastruc- M701F gas turbines in operation preciation Awards in Arts and that seeks to honour transla- Chinese, Japanese, Farsi, Urdu and QEWC will serve as interns MHPS support for the develop- ture to meet the demand for the in the gas turbine combined cy- Science, and the State Award tors and appreciate their role and Malay, in recognition of at MHPS Takasago Works in Hy- ment of Qatari technical experts 2022 FIFA World Cup and to cle (GTCC) power generation fa- for Children’s Literature by the in strengthening the bonds of the achievements of translation ogo Prefecture and other loca- in power technology. MHPS, help achieve the goals of Qatar cility of the Independent Water Ministry of Culture, in addi- friendship and co-operation into and from Arabic in the fi ve tions in Japan. Through a com- which supplies Qatar with high- National Vision 2030. and Power Project (IWPP) in Ras tion to several awards by some between the nations and peo- languages. (QNA) bination of classroom education reliability thermal power genera- As part of that eff ort, large- Laff an Industrial City. (QNA) Gulf Times Wednesday, September 18, 2019 3 QATAR

GAC participates Minister receives papers FM receives message from Secretary-general meets in GCC Customs of Kosovo ambassador Venezuelan minister ambassador of Serbia Union meeting The General Authority of Customs (GAC) participated in the 22nd meeting of the GCC Customs Union, which was held in Riyadh for two days, with a delegation headed by General Authority of Customs chairman Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Jamal. The meeting discussed several issues, most notably the follow- up to the implementation of the decision of the Supreme Council in its 17th consultation meeting on the completion of the requirements of the Customs Union, the report of the Secretariat on direct HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs automatic transfer of customs HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani received a written duties, and the results of the al-Muraikhi received a copy of the credentials of Kosovo message from Venezuelan Minister of the People’s Power for meeting (20) of the commission ambassador to Qatar Amir Ahmadi in Doha yesterday. The Foreign Aff airs Jorge Arreaza Montserrat, pertaining to bilateral on the automatic transfer of minister wished the new ambassador success in his duties, relations and ways of supporting and developing them. The HE the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Secretary-General Dr customs duties, in addition to the assuring him of all support to upgrade the bilateral relations message was handed to HE the Secretary-General of the Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi met Serbia ambassador developments of the study of the between the two countries to a closer co-operation in vari- Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi to Qatar Jasminko Pozderac in Doha yesterday. During the treatment of products factories ous fields. A number of Foreign Ministry off icials attended during a meeting with Venezuelan ambassador to Qatar meeting they reviewed bilateral co-operation relations, in established in economic the presentation of the copy of the credentials. Giuseppe Angelo Yoff reda Yorio in Doha yesterday. addition to topics of common interest. gatherings in the GCC countries with Gulf investments. Testimonies of suff erings of Qatari citizens in Saudi will be presented soon: NHRC chief QNA to the UN Committee on the Group on Arbitrary Detention dur- offi cials of the Working Groups rights violations, but NHRC was subjected to arbitrary detention families stranded by the Saudi Geneva Elimination of Racial Discrimina- ing his current visit to Geneva. on the health situation of some surprised by the continued arbi- and enforced disappearance and violations that caused the tear- tion (CERD) and the UN Working During the meeting, Dr al- detainees arbitrarily. trary approach, and the detention whose fate is still unknown be- ing the social fabric. Groups on Arbitrary Detention Marri gave a briefi ng on the lat- The NHRC chairman issued of Qatari citizens who were vic- cause the Saudi authorities con- He concluded that the continued E the Chairman of the and Enforced and Involuntary est developments in the Qatar an urgent appeal to with the tims of enforced disappearance tinue their approach. He explained violations by the Saudi authori- National Human Rights Disappearances on the continu- blockade crisis and the humani- Working Group on Enforced or and arbitrary detention, without that NHRC holds them fully re- ties, including arbitrary arrests and HCommittee (NHRC) Dr ation of the Saudi violations that tarian consequences of the con- Involuntary Disappearances and any legal explanations or justi- sponsible for the safety of these forced detention of Qatari citizens, Ali bin Samikh al-Marri has re- aff ected a few Qatari citizens who tinued violations by Saudi Ara- the Working Group on Arbitrary fi cation for their detention. The Qatari citizens who are supposed refute all the false reports and alle- vealed that representatives of were allowed to enter Saudi Arabia bia of the rights of citizens and Detention, calling for concrete Saudi authorities even arrested a to have entered Saudi territory gations made by Saudi offi cials and families of arbitrarily detained with security clearances before residents of Qatar, as a result of and strong steps to be taken to small number of Qatari citizens with security clearances, includ- media and their claims that Qatari Qatari nationals and victims of being arbitrarily detained. the blockade since June 5, 2017. end the continuation of Saudi who were allowed to enter Saudi ing citizens with property and citizens are welcome in the King- enforced disappearance in Saudi He pointed out that both UN He appreciated the response violations against Qatari citi- Arabia with security exceptions, “Halal” in Saudi territory. dom. He explained that these vio- Arabia will present live testi- Working Groups addressed an of the Working Groups on Ar- zens, in light of the continued before they were surprised to ar- The NHRC chairman stressed lations also prove the fears of Qa- monies of the victims’ suff ering offi cial letter to Saudi Arabia due bitrary Detention and Enforced detention of Qatari nationals by rest some of them arbitrarily and that these arrests prove beyond tari citizens to enter Saudi Arabia, before the European Parliament, to its continued arbitrary arrests and Involuntary Disappear- the Saudi authorities, without without revealing their wherea- any doubt, that the Saudi au- whether to perform Haj and Umrah United Nations Human Rights and enforced disappearance of ances, as they addressed letters legal justifi cation. bouts so far, he further added. thorities continue their repres- or to visit their relatives and busi- Council and relevant interna- Qatari citizens. to Saudi Arabia, urging it to stop Dr al-Marri added that follow- He stressed that NHRC would sive practices against Qatari ness practices, because the con- tional bodies soon. This came during a meeting of its violations immediately and ing the release of Qatari citizens continue to defend the victims citizens, especially against the tinuation of these violations send The NHRC chairman pointed NHRC chairman with the Working to disclose the whereabouts of in recent months, NHRC ex- of Saudi violations, adding that intermarriage families of citi- a message to Qataris and the world, out that NHRC will submit com- Group on Enforced or Involuntary detained Qataris in Saudi Arabia pected that the Saudi authorities NHRC is in contact with Qatari zens of the two countries, which that Saudi Arabia is not safe for Qa- prehensive and documented fi les Disappearances and the Working and release them. He also briefed would stop their serious human families whose children have been increases the suff ering of those tari citizens.

Qatar, France to enhance ties in judicial fields Digital Government Excellence Awards’ nominations start s part of the eff orts committed by the Qatar Digital Government (QDG) Steering Com- Amittee to support digital transformation in Qatar, and in line with the objectives set by its 2020 Strategy, the committee has opened the door for nominations for the 2019 Digital Government Excellence Awards. The purpose of these awards is to highlight the best government entities that make outstanding achievements resulting in a signifi cant transfor- mation in the daily operations and growth of the nation’s digital economy. The awards aim to instil a culture of excellence and positive competition between government en- tities in the fi eld of digital transformation, by har- nessing modern communication and information technologies to provide the best digital services and solutions to the public. Government entities can submit their entries on the awards portal, after checking the categories for the relevant French Constitutional Council President Laurent Fabius met with award. Nominations can be submitted until October 8. Qatar’s Attorney-General HE Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri in Paris Commenting on this occasion, Hassan Jassim yesterday. During the meeting, they discussed a number of topics al-Sayed, assistant undersecretary of Government of common interest, ways of boosting and developing the relations, Information Technology Sector, at the Ministry of especially in the legal and judicial fields, developing the Qatari Transport and Communications, said, “This year, academic capacity in law and justice and continuing co-operation in the awards celebrate the innovation and excellence a number of bilateral initiatives and partnerships between the two of the use of information technology (IT) in the countries. Both parties agreed to continue consultations on those government sector, as we believe that successful IT topics. The meeting was attended by Qatar’s ambassador to France initiatives signifi cantly encourage innovation and Sheikh Ali bin Jassem al-Thani. the enhancement of the institutional performance of government entities. (QNA) Qatar urges protection for Syrians

QNA The ambassador said the members ing of civilians and civilian facilities, Geneva of the International Commission of continued obstruction of humanitar- Inquiry presented today before the ian access, and the non-release of in- meeting’s participants a new testi- nocent detainees, especially women atar has urged the international mony in their report, which docu- and children, who are subjected to the community to uphold its re- ments many of the grave violations most heinous torture and oppression, Qsponsibilities in providing full and crimes committed against the he said. protection for the Syrian people and Syrian people, but there are still many He pointed to what is happening holding accountable all those respon- questions that we cannot answer, in- in Idlib governorate of bombing, de- sible for crimes and human rights vio- cluding why do millions of Syrians struction and displacement, deterio- lations in Syria. continue to be killed, tortured and rating humanitarian situation and in- This came in a speech delivered by displaced for more than eight years, creasing violations against civilians in Qatar’s Permanent Representative to and why there is no any account- areas that have returned to the control the United Nations and other interna- ability so far for those responsible for of the Syrian regime. tional organisations in Geneva, ambas- these violations and crimes despite Ambassador al-Mansouri called on sador Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri, during the availability of suffi cient evidence the international community to un- a dialogue with the Independent In- to convict them derstand the game played by the Syr- ternational Commission of Inquiry on “We agree with what the report said ian regime and its allies, to assume all Syria, under item 4 of the 42nd session regarding the importance of reaching a its legal and moral responsibilities in of the UN Human Rights Council. peaceful solution,” he said, noting that providing full protection for the Syr- At the beginning of the speech, the the Syrian regime has pursued various ian people, and take the necessary ambassador thanked the Commission policies to thwart political talks every measures and as soon as possible to of Inquiry, saying, “We call on the Syri- time there is a hope for fi nding a po- hold to account all those responsible an authorities to allow them to enter the litical solution. These policies include to crimes and human rights violations country and enable them to carry out military escalation, destruction of cit- in Syria, and bring them to criminal their mandate in the best possible way.” ies, deliberate and systematic target- justice. (QNA) Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 QATAR ‘Policeman My Sotheby’s International Realty Friend’ website brand expands into Qatar otheby’s International have a strong understanding of Realty Affi liates extended local and global luxury real es- Stheir presence in the Mid- tate and we are proud to have launched for kids dle East with the offi cial launch them as our affi liate in Qatar.” of Qatar Sotheby’s Internation- The Sotheby’s International al Realty in June. Realty network currently has QNA Qatar Sotheby’s Internation- more than 22,700 affi liated Doha al Realty is owned by Alfardan independent sales associates Group, a leading luxury lifestyle located in nearly 1,000 offi ces conglomerate in Qatar. rghe, who has practised real from buyers in India, China, in 72 countries and territories he Ministry of Interior “We’re delighted to part- estate in the region for over a Europe and the United States. worldwide. In 2018, the brand (MoI) yesterday inaugu- ner with the world-known decade. A top-performing as- We pride ourselves in off er- achieved a record global sales Trated a new website “Po- Sotheby’s International Realty sociate for the past six years, ing the highest level of support volume of $112bn. liceman My Friend”, which aims brand as we approach a turning Gheorghe has worked exten- and advice to our clients before, Qatar Sotheby’s Internation- to promote traffi c awareness point in our premium property sively with Qatari clients to during and after the transac- al Realty listings are marketed among children and enhance market,” said Omar Hussain make this opening possible, ac- tion. Aligning our company on the sothebysrealty.com glo- their awareness of traffi c culture Alfardan, president and CEO, cording to a press statement. with the Sotheby’s Interna- bal website. in general. Alfardan Group. “We’re proud The company serves the tional Realty brand will further In addition to the referral op- The Director of Traffi c Aware- to unveil a fi ne collection of luxury residential real estate provide our clients with unpar- portunities and widened expo- ness Department Colonel Mo- the latest in high-end real es- markets in Qatar and supports alleled marketing, global reach sure generated from this source, hamed Radi al-Hajri explained that The website “Policeman My Friend” serves to break the barrier between tate across the country and are clients in their continuous in- and exposure.” the fi rm’s brokers and clients the launching of the website serves children and police as it is full of children-friendly characters. thrilled to introduce them to terest for the best international “Qatar’s high-income will benefi t from an associa- traffi c awareness, in particular, and the world through this strate- assets, the statement notes. economy and global real es- tion with the Sotheby’s auction awareness in general, and works to gic alliance and provide unique “The real estate market in tate interest is appealing to the house and worldwide Sotheby’s break the barrier between children investment opportunities for Qatar off ers high-quality, luxu- Sotheby’s International Re- International Realty market- and police as it is full of children- international markets.” rious apartments, penthouses alty brand,” said Philip White, ing programmes, the statement friendly characters. The team of Qatar Sotheby’s and beachfront villas,” said president and chief executive adds. Al-Hajri stressed that spread- International Realty is led by Gheorghe. “From a global per- offi cer, Sotheby’s International Each offi ce is independently ing traffi c awareness among general manager Seran Gheo- spective, we are seeing interest Realty. “Seran and his team owned and operated. children is one of the goals of the department. He pointed out that as chil- dren are the next generation of road users, whether they are pe- destrians or drivers. Paying at- Msheireb Properties wins prestigious award tention to them has advantages man My Friend” website is an She added that the website for traffi c safety, he said. electronic window containing contains the right information For his part, the Assistant Di- many cultural activities that suit that helps children and their sheireb Properties, the national in alignment with our business strategy.” rector of Public Relations De- children and meet their need for parents to deal with various ac- real estate developer and subsidi- Ali al-Kuwari, acting CEO- Msheireb partment of MoI Major Mubarak knowledge, in order to teach and cidents such as fi res at home or Mary of Qatar Foundation, won a Properties, said: “We are very pleased with Salem al-Buainain said that the educate them through playing and injuries that may occur, and it prestigious award during the effi ciencies this prize, which demonstrates the eff ec- ministry is always keen on em- to participate in interactive activi- also presents “Policeman My of the fi fth meeting of the GCC Labour and tiveness of our HR and nationalisation poli- ploying modern technologies to ties in the so-called (fun learning). Friend” magazines, which is is- Social Aff airs Ministers, in Muscat, Oman cies. As a national real estate developer, we serve the security. She pointed out that the web- sued by the Department of Pub- last week. work towards achieving Qatar’s sustainable Major al-Buainain called on site aims to strengthen the role lic Relations. The award comes in recognition of development goals and its 2030 vision by parents and educational insti- of the police and its noble mes- The inauguration of the web- Msheireb Properties’ eff orts and commit- supporting Qatari talent and cultivating tutions to take advantage of the sage in the minds of children site took place at the General ment to nationalise jobs, scoring the high- opportunities for local calibres to develop.” content available on the website and develop a sense of security Directorate of Traffi c in the pres- est percentage of national hires during Msheireb Properties’ Hamad al-Naemi Msheireb Properties has won several through the link, https://portal. among them, noting that the ence of a number of offi cers at 2019. receiving the award. awards earlier this year in recognition of moi.gov.qa/kids/ content of the website includes the Ministry of Interior, and Hamad al-Naemi, senior manager - its exemplary practices. Most recently, The head of the research and expressive stories and children’s about 26 children from Al Manar HR and Corporate Services, who received and hard work to create job opportuni- the company won the Gold RoSPA award, studies section in the Public Re- creations and content related to International School and Kin- the award on behalf of Msheireb Proper- ties for locals, help them diversify their one of the most prestigious ones in the lations Department at MoI, HE policemen in the country to de- dergarten. ties, said: “It is such an honour to receive knowledge, and enhance their skills. We field of safety and security for the Zulal Sheikha al-Anoud bint Faisal vote the concept of real citizen- The ceremony included a lec- this acknowledgement of our policies are committed to continue on this path Health Resort. al-Thani, said that the “Police- ship in children. ture on traffi c safety for children. Guide to teach Islamic education, Arabic and Qatari history

The new Ras Bu Abboud Petrol Station. Woqod opens new petrol station in Ras Bu Abboud

Qatar Fuel (Woqod) yesterday opened the Ras Bu Abboud petrol station, taking the number of petrol stations on its network to 88. This came as part of Woqod’s ongoing expansion plans that seek to serve every area in Qatar, the company said in a press statement. Woqod managing director and CEO Saad Rashid al-Muhannadi said, “We are pleased to open a new fixed petrol station in Ras Bu Abboud. Woqod aspires to expand its petrol station network in the country to meet the rising demand for petroleum products and achieve the goal of providing customers with access to best-in-class products and services at their convenience and comfort. “Woqod recently accelerated the process for the construction of new petrol stations to meet the fuel and energy needs of the country. The Woqod team would like to extend their gratitude to all governmental and private entities concerned that contributed to the completion of this project.” The Ras Bu Abboud Petrol Station is spread over an area of 15,200sq m and has three lanes with nine dispensers. The new petrol station off ers round-the-clock services to residents, and includes a Sidra convenience store, manual car wash, oil change and tyre repair, and sale of LPG cylinders, in addition to sale of gasoline and diesel products for light vehicles, the statement notes. Al-Muhannadi added that Woqod is currently overseeing the implementation of 23 new petrol The Department of Private Schools Aff airs at the Ministry stations, most of which will be operational in 2019. of Education and Higher Education has issued a guide on He concluded his announcement, saying: “As part the mechanism of teaching the three mandatory subjects of its strategic expansion plan, Woqod is targeting – Islamic education, Arabic language and Qatari history – in the achievement of a total of 114 fuel stations by the private schools and the academic follow-up policy for 2019. end of 2020.”

Ooredoo launches prepaid SIM card for tourists

oredoo has launched a prepaid SIM card package specially designed for visitors to Qatar, including lo- Ocal and international calls, SMS and local data. The Ooredoo Tourist SIM costs QR35 ($9.67) and includes 150 Flexi Points, which can be used for local and interna- tional voice calls and SMS or local data of up to 1GB, valid for seven days. Or, visitors can choose the Mobile Broadband option at QR300 ($82.87) and get 40GB local data valid for 30 days and a My-Fi device free. The Ooredoo Tourist SIM is now available for purchase at Hamad International Airport, at the Baggage Collection area, Qatar Duty Free 24/7 shop - Arrivals area and the Ooredoo Kiosk - Arrivals area. visitors to Qatar a great-value, easily accessible, quick and Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi – director PR and Corporate easy way to do this. The new Ooredoo Tourist SIM off ers Communications at Ooredoo – said of the launch: “Staying value for money as well as fl exibility, so visitors can tailor connected is vital for many of us in this digital age, espe- their package to suit their needs and enjoy the internet on cially when travelling, so we’re delighted to be able to off er our Supernet.” Gulf Times Wednesday, September 18, 2019 5 QATAR UNICRI and ICSS ink pact on sports

Liz McColgan, Nicola Crosby, Karen Webb-Moss, Katie Simmonds, Valentina Biff in, and Ben Jacobs at the integrity, security ‘Female Leadership in Sport – A Call to Action’ discussion yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram

By Joey Aguilar Women sport leaders discuss challenges Staff Reporter By Joey Aguilar that they can “succeed not only rience ahead of your,” she noted. Staff Reporter in the sport but also on the other “It is good to have fantastic male nternational Centre for Sport Security side of it, as a coach, mentor in bosses.” Meanwhile, Katie Sim- (ICSS) and the United Nations Interre- leadership.” Karen Webb-Moss, monds, general counsel and Igional Crime and Justice Research Insti- omen can still make a Group COO at International senior director, Global Partner- tute (UNICRI) signed an agreement aimed at mark in a male-domi- Centre for Sport Security, ech- ships, SIGA, underscored the strengthening co-operation for the integrity Wnated industry such as oed this view saying that as a fe- importance of programmes to and security of major sporting events. sport, a number of successful fe- male, there are several challenges incentivise young women to get ICSS chairman Mohamed Hanzab and male sport experts have said. in climbing to the top, especially into a male-dominated industry UNICRI director Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas led Five panellists shared their in sport. or sector. the signing of a memorandum of understand- challenges and successes in a “Despite my education and “The programmes are abso- ing (MoU) on the second day of the Sport In- discussion titled ‘Female Leader- experience, which was exten- lutely critical, and at SIGA we tegrity Global Alliance (SIGA) Inter-Regional ship in Sport – A Call to Action’ sive, I had to claw my way up,” have got our university standards Summit yesterday, held at Marsa Malaz Kem- at the second day of the Sport stressed Moss, who was also the on good governance in sport, pinski in Doha. Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) International Olympic Commit- and we also advocate and pro- “It is an honour really to share the stage and Inter-Regional Summit yester- tee’s former VP for Images and mote great diversity in the board to be here with Mohamed Hanzab. Chairman day at Marsa Malaz Kempinski. Marketing Communications. room,” she said. Hanzab has been a friend of UNICRI for many It was moderated by Ben Jacobs, “But you (as a woman) need to be “In 2017, we started the global years, both our institutions share our devo- sport commentator and present- confi dent, to trust in your judge- female mentorship programme tion and our passion for integrity, for rule of er, ESPN FC. ment, women have amazing in- for aspiring female leaders in law, for good governance, and for safety and “After having my fi rst child, it stincts,” she noted. the sport industry. We now have security,” Bartsiotas said. is very diffi cult to be successful While sport is a male-domi- more than 22 global female men- She noted that UNICRI has been operating Mohamed Hanzab and Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas during the agreement signing at SIGA and get the same support that a nated sector, Moss highlighted tors all over the world, and we are for 50 years and collaborating with ICSS for Inter-Regional Summit in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Ram Chand lot of my male counterparts got,” the importance of having male growing,” Simmonds noted. 10 years since the latter’s inception. “It is re- said Liz McColgan, an Olym- allies and mentors who under- Valentina Biffi n, CEO of the ally a pleasure today to be able to strengthen we have established a strong alliance for the proached after setting up ICSS was UNICRI, pic silver and World Champion, stand women and ready to off er Croatian Volleyball Federation, our alliance and co-operation by signing a implementation of capacity-building/train- which has a mandate from the UN for pro- double Commonwealth Games support. stressed that now is “the great MoU, which will be the basis for capacity ing programmes; sport security and integrity tecting major sporting events, and fi ghting gold medallist winner of London, “The one place I feel very time for women who want to building, training and further collaboration advocacy and awareness initiatives; and the terrorism and radicalisation. “It is an honour Tokyo and New York marathons. comfortable that I have been participate in the top manage- in pursuit of the integrity of sports, the secu- deployment of a task force to provide spe- and a pleasure to sign today a very important As she moved to become a coach, fully supported is here in Qatar, ment level in sport.” rity of sports, and the safeguarding of sports,” cialist advice to policy and decision-makers,” agreement. she said her hard work and deter- I work here for six years, I don’t “The climate is okay and a lot Bartsiotas said. “I am very pleased to be en- UNICRI said on its Twitter account yester- Since I launched ICSS we have been work- mination paid off despite the dif- feel any less being a female,” she of initiatives are being done, a lot gaging in this very important collaboration.” day. ing really hard, set a very high standard where fi culties along the way. added. of support is given from diff erent The agreement will witness the two in- “Thanks to this agreement we will be able it can be working with international organi- She received accreditations Nicola Crosby, a presenter points either public or private or- stitutions working together in a long-term to plan together our action in the future, en- sations,” he said, adding that the fi rst institu- from sport organisations and au- from BeIN Sport, echoed this ganisations who ever is fi nancing partnership for the security of major sport- hancing synergies and developing specialised tion to invite him for a counterterrorism con- thorities to join other athletes in view saying that working with the sport,” she said. ing events as part of collective eff orts, which services to support Member States and con- ference came from UNICRI. major sporting events, including male colleagues has given her While women get a huge is also in partnership with other UN bodies tribute to the safety and security of those who “I am very honoured and on behalf of ICSS, the 2019 World Athletics Cham- more opportunities in his chosen amount of obligation, Biffi n such as the United Nations Offi ce of Counter- love sport and its values,” UNICRI added. I thank you very much for choosing ICSS as pionships in Doha. career. stressed that “we have to do what Terrorism and key sport stakeholders. “Today Hanzab said the fi rst institution he ap- your partner,” Hanzab stressed. In the past six years, McColgan “Sometimes we need to look we love and this is the only way noted that she has been a big ad- back and see that your male we can be successful in what we vocate of trying to show women counterpart has a 30-year expe- do.” Countdown begins to launch of Index Qatar’s third edition

Index Qatar 2019 interior design abreast of the latest design trends, global and regional interior studies from leading interior Qatar’s commitment to fight corruption in sports praised and fit-out show will be held according to a statement. companies to be part of the event designers, fit-out companies, from October 22-24 at the Doha Following on the success of the and to experience Qatar as an and architects. In its third edition, From Page 1 eration, so I think there is a ‘virtuous circle’ – the Exhibition and Convention Cen- 2018 exhibition, it is anticipated evolving world-class tourism hub. Index Qatar will be co-located with more families grow, the more the national unity tre, it was announced yesterday. that the 2019 edition will attract ‘We are keenly looking forward to Cityscape Qatar, the country’s He also stressed that “fi ghting corruption comes strengthens, and the more the leadership is encour- The annual event will off er even higher attendance and the launch of Index Qatar’s third ‘only international real estate from within society,” and noted that children should aged to go ahead. architects, interior designers, participation from more coun- and biggest edition in just under investment event’. It is expected be educated “on the culture of legality and not through “The Italian Government and the Embassy of hotel outfitters, retailers, furniture tries, reflecting the opportunities six weeks,” said Jaafar Shubber, that the two events will attract a the culture of prevailing at the expense of others.” Italy in Doha are extremely committed to promote stores, and wholesalers in Qatar an currently being created by Qatar’s Index Qatar’s event director. Now footfall of close to 14,000, with Frattini added: “I understand that the leader- sport integrity and sport values within civil society. opportunity to view and source the booming construction market. a familiar feature of Index Qatar, visitors representing all sectors of ship of this country is composed of open minded This approach – shared by Italy and Qatar – could most comprehensive mix of inte- This year, Index Qatar is endorsed the Design Talks will present the interior design industry. leaders. They are open to the implementation of all lead our countries to work together to develop rior design products and services by Qatar National Tourism Council three days of presentations, panel To register and attend for free, things necessary for the good of the younger gen- projects of common interest.” currently available, while keeping (QNTC), which is encouraging discussions, interviews, and case visit www.Index-qatar.com. Qatar Rail extends registration for retail spaces in metro stations

atar Rail has announced an extended registration period to run until end of September for businesses Qentrepreneurs, and local companies seeking com- mercial spaces in Doha Metro network. The fi nal phase of the Doha Metro Retail features commer- cial retail shops at the Gold Line 10 stations running from Ras Bu Abboud to Al Aziziyah, the Green Line featuring Al Riff a station, and the Red line with 5 stations running from Katara to Lusail and Hamad International Airport station. The retail units have competitive licensing rates which are fi xed for a pe- riod of fi ve years. Unit licensing rates during this period will not be aff ected by fl uctuation in the rental market. Addition- ally, these rates are also inclusive of utilities, water and elec- tricity. Also the retail units include ready fl ooring and shop shutter. The commercial outlets are dispersed outside of the paid area in the stations reaching a wider customer segment. All applications go through a comprehensive review based on experience, proposed business plan, proposed store concept and the nature of the activity whilst Qatar Rail aims to achieve diversity and integration between the various retail outlets to better service customers and metro commuters. With over 9,200sq m of retail space across 37 stations, these outlets are considered the fi rst of its kind in Qatar since it provides business access to railway commut- ers and neighbourhood customers. The stations provide constant signifi cant footfall and thus are premium locations for retail outlets. Stations will off er four main types of retail including services, food and beverage, convenience stores and general retail. The online registration is open until September 26. Application for the retail spaces can be submitted in a few easy steps via Qatar Rail’s online retail portal at retail.qr.com.qa

Recall of Ford Fusion models

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in co-operation with Almana Motors Company, has announced the recall of Ford Fusion models of 2013-2016 due to a transmission glitch that can result in unintended vehicle movement while gear is in Park, increasing the risk of injury or crash. The ministry urges all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protec- tion and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department, which processes complaints, inquiries and suggestions through the following channels: Call Centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected], Twit- ter: @ MOCIQATAR, Instagram: MOCIQATAR, mobile app for Android and IOS: MOCIQATAR. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 QATAR Auto Class Cars launches MG RX8 in Qatar and the The latest creations of Azzi & Osta “were inspired by the golden age of couture of the 1950s, producing a collection that weaves together vintage allure and modern glamour to captivate audiences”. Fifty One East hosts trunk Middle East uto Class Cars, the au- thorised distributor of AMG in Qatar, yesterday show for Azzi & Osta Haute launched the all-new MG RX8 in a special event at MG show- room on Salwa road. The MG RX8 is the fi rst-ever seven-seat Couture, bridal collections SUV from the British-born au- tomotive brand. The event was attended by ifty One East has hosted a Ihab El Feky, chief operations two-day trunk show fea- offi cer, automotive at NBK Fturing the AW19/20 Haute Group; Hesham al-Sahn, gen- Couture and bridal collections eral manager of Auto Class Cars; of the eminent Azzi & Osta in the Karim Monir, head of marketing presence of the designers them- at Auto Class Cars; Tamer Ab- selves. dallah, MG brand manager in The show ran on September 14 Qatar and executives from MG and 15, and was attended by VIP Motors. and fashion enthusiasts in Fifty Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf al- One East at Lagoona Mall. The Thani, operations director, auto, latest creations of Azzi & Osta at Nasser bin Khaled Group said “were inspired by the golden age Auto Class Cars is proud to add The seven-seat SUV from MG Motor, the RX8 was launched in Qatar yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma of couture of the 1950s, produc- the fi rst-ever sporty seven-seat ing a collection that weaves to- George Azzi and Assaad Osta. SUV to the collection of cars at RX8 is a fully equipped 4x4 with gether vintage allure and modern its showroom, making Qatar one six diff erent driving modes. glamour to captivate audiences”, of the fi rst markets in the region The strong truck chassis according to a press statement. to launch this new vehicle. frame is capable of handling the Azzi & Osta’s signature sculpt- “Auto Class Cars continues to toughest off -road terrains and ed silhouettes feature “concave launch all-new MG vehicles in is powered by an effi cient 220hp waistlines, elegantly manipulat- collaboration with MG Motors. 2.0-litre turbo engine. The spa- ed in noble Silk Moire and Dou- We are confi dent that the MG cious modular interior features ble Satin Duchesse, reminiscent RX8 will attract the attention of adjustable rear seats and the of the structured couture fabrics car enthusiasts as it has a spa- largest third-row space in its of the ‘50s juxtaposed with ex- cious cabin, durability and dis- segment. quisite ‘point d’esprit’, tulle and tinctive features that make the An array of premium mate- lace craftsmanship that capture a SUV the ideal choice for fami- rials including wood grain and lightness of motion”. lies and adventures at the same soft-touch trim give the RX8 “Imitating the romanticism time,” he said. a high-class feel. The modern of Penn’s still life images, the Beyrouth-based couture house lighted with its challenging con- Al-Sahn said Auto Class Cars features include a 10-inch touch The all-new MG RX8 at MG showroom on Salwa Road. palette for this collection is in- founded by the designer-duo ceptual volumes that are vintage has become the fi rst company to screen in-car entertainment spired by delicious fl oral notes; George Azzi and Assaad Osta. at their soul. Azzi & Osta creates launch their new vehicles in the system, ventilated seats and and I am confi dent that this car Our total global sales for the Rose pink, deep Orchid, crimson Enriched by their experience and unique, elegant and eclectic cou- Middle East. “The MG RX8 will wireless mobile device charging will make an impact amongst its fi rst half of 2019 has exceeded red, Gardenia, Pastel Lavender, training with Elie Saab himself, ture pieces for the modern stylish be a landmark in Qatar based on capabilities. Tom Lee, region di- competitors. 120,000 units,” he said. grey Lilac and green Lily with the they set out to create the Azzi & woman, the statement adds. its aff ordable price and features rector of SAIC Motor, the parent The year 2019 sees us intro- “As we enter the unchartered mesmerising Tulip sorbet featur- Osta couture house in 2010. Azzi & Osta’s collections are that refl ect the ethos of MG,” he company of MG Motor, said that duce three fantastic new prod- territory for the brand with the ing as the embroidery motif,” the Their signature style was then exclusively available in Qatar at said. A robust and spacious SUV MG Motor is introducing a sev- ucts to the Middle East. With new RX8, I am confi dent that we statement notes. Azzi & Osta is a quickly established; a style high- Fifty One East, Lagoona Mall. with the largest wheelbase in its en-seat SUV for the fi rst time in these new products, our Middle can off er a robust, practical and segment, the new seven-seater its 95-year history. “With the East model line-up is stronger well-equipped SUV in a seg- introduces MG Motor to a new all-new MG RX8, we are mak- and more appealing than ever. ment which is remarkably pop- segment that it has previously ing a bold move into a segment The MG brand is growing in ular here in the Middle East,” he never been present in. The MG we’ve never operated in before, the region and across the globe. added. Vodafone Qatar introduces new, easy way to recharge Doha Oasis for Innovation ideal odafone Qatar has re- Qatar, said: “We’re delighted to venue for youth to showcase skills vealed a new and simpler introduce our new recharge cards Vway to recharge for its that give prepaid customers the prepaid customers with the in- choice to use any service they By Shafeeq Alingal hour, is also equipped with an troduction of new recharge cards want, when they want, using the Staff Reporter anti-theft system. that allow services such as data, convenience of just one card. The The event is organised by the fl ex, credit or international call- new cards not only eliminate the Ministry of Culture and Sports ing, all from one card. need to buy diff erent cards for he ongoing Doha Oasis in co-operation with the Is- Customers can chose from a the various services, but are also for Innovation event has lamic Co-operation Youth wide range of denominations a far more cost-eff ective solu- Tturned out to be an ideal Forum under the supervision that suit every budget from QR5 tion. Vodafone Qatar has a long platform for young and bud- of Qatar Cultural and Heritage to QR100, and then opt for a sin- valid for three days, or 18 Inter- history of bringing the latest in- ding talents to showcase their Events Center in co-operation gle benefi t they want to use. For national minutes valid for seven novations and we are committed innovative skills and manufac- with the Qatar Scientifi c Club. example, the new QR10 recharge days. In addition, data and fl ex to continue investing in solutions turing abilities. The event up- Innovations, presented at the card gives customers the choice recharges have extra bonus for a that enhance our customers’ ex- holds the motto ‘Nation with event, deal with 22 various of one of the following: QR10 limited period. perience.” To learn more about its youth’ and is attended by 42 sectors. These include infor- credit valid for 30 days, 300 MB Shavkat Berdiev, Consumer the new recharge cards, visit participants from 33 countries. mation technology, engineer- of data for three days, 70 fl ex Business Unit director, Vodafone www.vf.qa/newrecharges. “The event is taking our in- ing, medicine, water conser- novations to a bigger platform vation, farming, mathematics, by lending an opportunity to economy and waste manage- present them before experts, ment. From around 7,000 ap- students, entrepreneurs and plicants, 42 were selected by a public,” said Saleh Mohamed panel of experts. al-Abdullah, a Qatari mechan- “The event helps young- Dental pulp stem banking ical engineer student at the sters grow and it lends an op- University of Sheffi eld. portunity to further explore,” He is attending the event said Shomotta Sayed, a stu- to be launched in Qatar at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah dent from Dhaka University Arena with the advanced bike in Bangladesh. She is here to that he developed during his present her innovation to treat uture Health LLC, a com- studies. The high power bike type 2 diabetes. “The event pany formed under Qa- with rechargeable batteries helps us share our ideas, meet Ftar Financial Centre, will can be operated manually or experts, get training and fur- introduce dental pulp stem by an electric motor. The bike, ther explore of our world of banking in the country, it was which can reach 70km per knowledge,” she added. announced. The company is to function in collaboration with Future Health BioBank in Not- tingham Science and Technol- ogy Park, UK. Future Health BioBank proc- esses and stores cord blood, cord tissue and dental pulp from more Future Health LLC off icials making the announcement in Doha. than 75 countries across fi ve continents, and has offi ces in 40 clude Sidra Hospital and Wom- the teeth contains unique cells. countries worldwide. en’s Wellness and Research Cen- These stem cells may one day All samples are processed tre,” Future Health LLC CEO Dr prove to be a lifesaver as they are and stored in Future Health Bio Faizal Ismail said. currently used to treat over 85 bank’s laboratories located in Clinical consultant Dr S Amir ailments including bloodborne the UK and Switzerland. “Since Rizvi explained that stem cells diseases like leukaemia and tha- it’s inception, we have been col- are the building blocks of life and lassemia. Storing stem cells will lecting the cord blood and cord have the ability to develop into help patients fi nd matches that tissue from patients in all major many diff erent types of special- could be transplanted while Shomotta Sayed from Bangladesh is presenting her innovation Saleh Mohamed al-Abdullah from Qatar with the advanced bike he hospitals across Qatar. These in- ised cells. Dental pulp within treating such diseases. to treat type 2 diabetes. developed. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 18, 2019 7 QATAR Skyline Automotive in Hyundai quick service centre expansion

kyline Automotive, a Jaid- across Qatar set to open in the features four service bays and growth in the brand’s popularity, ah Group company and of- coming years to meet growing Hyundai-certifi ed technicians Mohamed Jaidah, group execu- Sfi cial distribution partner demand. able to meet growing customer tive director at Jaidah Group, said: for the Hyundai Motor Company The Al Rayyan quick service demand on the spot. “Skyline Automotive has ambi- in Qatar, has opened the fi rst centre is off ering quick and ef- Over the past three years, tious plans for growth in Qatar. Hyundai quick service centre in fi cient services for all Hyundai Skyline Automotive has rap- At the core of that vision is our Al Rayyan following increased models and is open from Satur- idly expanded its operations and desire to stay close to our custom- customer demand spurred by day-Thursday from 7am-11pm. contributed to the growth of the ers’ needs by creating services and Hyundai’s popularity in the The fi rst Hyundai service cen- Hyundai brand in Qatar, elevat- experiences that seamlessly inte- The new Hyundai Quick Service Centre. country. tre under Skyline Automotive ing it to one of the country’s top grate into their daily lives.” The Al Rayyan quick serv- umbrella opened in 2016 and is fi ve brands. Plans for expansion will con- ship service centre that will serv- To fi nd out more about Sky- across Qatar, as well as Hyundai ice centre will be followed with located in the Industrial Area. Commenting on the expan- tinue into next year when Skyline ice Hyundai models and its luxury line Automotive, its showrooms models, customers can visit www. more quick service centres The new quick service centre sion of Skyline Automotive’s and Automotive is set to open a fl ag- brand Genesis models. and network of aftersales centres hyundai.com.qa MME and Carrefour Qatar launch ‘No Plastic Tuesdays’

zInitiative aims to increase awareness about single-use Members of the Qatar Team during a training session. plastic bag pollution to mark the occasion of World Cleanup Day

o mark the occasion Qatar prepares team for of World Cleanup Day, TCarrefour in Qatar and the Ministry of Municipality Junior Science Olympiad and Environment (MME) yes- terday launched a new cam- paign to curb the use of single- he Ministry of Educa- in the 2017-2022 Education use plastic bags. tion and Higher Edu- Strategy of the Ministry of The event included distri- Tcation is currently Education and Higher Edu- bution of awareness brochures forming the Qatari team to cation as part and parcel for and reusable bags to the public. participate in the International achieving Qatar National Vi- Under the campaign, Car- Junior Olympics 2019 that will sion 2030.” refour will observe ‘No Plastic be held in the Qatar from De- She explained that the Ol- Tuesdays’ on the third Tuesday cember 3-12, it was announced ympiad includes two individ- of each month, starting yester- yesterday. ual theoretical tests, followed day, by eliminating single-use The Science Section of the by a practical test performed plastic bags from cash counters Educational Supervision De- collectively in teams. and offering customers eco- partment in the Ministry of The aim of the tournament bags free of charge instead, ac- Education administered the is to celebrate gifted students cording to a press statement. third screening test for pub- and motivate them to refine Moreover, single-use plas- lic, international and private and develop their talents in tic bags will be replaced with school students (18 boys and 14 the field of natural sciences. paper alternatives in the fruits girls) to participate in the 2019 The International Junior and vegetables section. International Junior Science Science Olympiad in Qatar is Carrefour will also reward MME and Carrefour Qatar off icials mark the occasion. Olympiad. the biggest in terms of partici- its loyal MyCLUB members for The Science Olympiad is pating countries. As many as each purchase with 10 MyClub efforts and environmental ising the public with the best Free Day, we chose to introduce various eco-friendly initiatives an event that brings together 72 countries have confi rmed points on each transaction. initiatives of civil society or- ways to use eco-friendly bags ‘No Plastic Tuesdays’ to main- through the year, Carrefour is more than 300 talented stu- their participation so far, while Nawf Omar Bakhamis, head ganisations, adding that en- and the benefits behind that, tain momentum. We encourage also investing heavily in several dents under 15 to test their fi ve countries will take part in of Awareness at the MME’s vironmental well-being is a and the need to limit the use of all our customers to visit our areas designed to reduce its en- knowledge and skills in Phys- the Olympiad with a team of Public Relations Department, combined responsibility of single-use plastic bags. stores on the third Tuesday of vironmental impact, the state- ics, Biology and Chemistry. observers. stressed the importance of en- all ministries, organisations, Laurent Hausknecht, coun- each month to collect their com- ment noted. Fatima al-Rashed, head of It is worth mentioning that hancing environmental edu- companies and individuals. try manager of Carrefour in plimentary eco-bags, but most For example, green checkout the Science Section of Edu- Qatar is hosting the 16th In- cation among all segments of Further, she noted that the Qatar, said: “Sustainability is a importantly, we ask that they re- counters have been implement- cational Supervision Depart- ternational Junior Olympiad society and engaging them in event comes in co-operation core element of our strategy and member to bring it along during ed in stores nationwide, while ment, stated: “Qatar is the in co-operation with Qatar more eco-friendly causes. with Carrefour Qatar and with comes in line with Qatar Nation- every trip so that we’re one step MyCLUB members receive 10 first Arab country to host this University and Qatar Founda- She said the ministry’s par- the participation of inspectors al Vision 2030. Following the closer to ensuring a single-use extra points anytime they shop important event that comes tion, which are training the ticipation in yesterday’s event from Al Rayyan Municipality success of our previous initia- plastic free Qatar.” at Carrefour without consuming within the targeted projects students. reflects its support for the with the purpose of familiar- tive on International Plastic Bag Apart from championing single-use plastic bags. Qatar’s envoy to Jordan holds meetings

QNA Amman

he Speaker of Jordan’s House of Representatives TEng. Atef Tarawneh met with ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Hashemite King- dom of Jordan Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani. During the meeting, the Speaker of Jordan’s House of Representatives affi rmed his Dr Nayef Alyafei and Dr Joseph Ura. country’s keenness on reaching Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Jordan Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani is seen during the meetings. the best levels in bilateral rela- tions to serve the interests of al parliamentary forums. tual respect. The ambassador tries seek to jointly support Saud bin Nasser al-Thani. the two countries. For his part, Qatar’s ambas- also said the State of Qatar is projects and programmes that During the meeting, the He stressed the importance sador affi rmed that the State of working closely with Jordan to contribute to the overall eco- president of the Jordanian Sen- Tamuq faculty recognised of the joint parliamentary co- Qatar seeks to strengthen ex- strengthen relations between nomic development of the two ate affi rmed the strong relations ordination between the two isting relations with Jordan in the two countries and to acti- countries. between the two countries and countries, especially on the various fi elds, pointing out that vate the joint co-ordination to In addition, president of Jordan’s keenness on maintain- for teaching excellence Palestinian issue and defending they are solid relations based face the challenges in the re- the Jordanian Senate Faisal ing and developing these rela- its cause in various internation- on fi rm foundations and mu- gion, adding that both coun- al-Fayez also met with Sheikh tions in various bilateral fi elds. wo faculty members from onstrated that teaching is a Texas A&M University at passion, not a duty. One of his TQatar (Tamuq) have been former students, who nominat- recognised for teaching excel- ed him for this award, said that lence. in the classroom, Alyafei’s en- Al Gannas Association takes part in Kuwait falcon expo Dr Nayef Alyafei, assistant thusiasm and exceptional skills professor of petroleum engi- are apparent, which creates a neering, and Dr Joseph Ura, as- truly inspiring learning environ- QNA association in the first exhibition of fal- sociate professor of political ment for students. Kuwait cons and hunting came at the invitation of science, were recently honoured Ura joined the faculty of the our brothers in Kuwait, and it is a symbolic with the Texas A&M University branch campus in 2019. He was participation. Association of Former Students selected to receive the award for atar’s Al Gannas Association is Al-Mahshadi explained that these ex- College-level Distinguished his outstanding teaching in and participating in the first exhibition hibitions relating to heritage hobbies are Achievement Award for Teach- out of the classroom as a faculty Qof falcons and hunting in Kuwait, of great importance in consolidating her- ing. member in the College of Liberal which will be held until September 21. itage and the traditional sports practised Alyafei is a Class of 2009 Arts at Texas A&M’s main cam- The association’s participation aims to since ancient times in the Gulf region, graduate of Tamuq and joined pus, where, in 12 years, he taught strengthen co-operation and friendship and he added that they also contribute the faculty of his alma mater in more than 4,000 Aggies of all with brothers in the Gulf region, the Arab significantly to introducing the younger fall 2015, after completing his majors and disciplines. world and beyond, in view of the common generations to their heritage. PhD at Imperial College London. He is described as a rare and heritage. For his part, Mohamed bin Abdul Latif In 2018, he was named Out- extraordinary teacher who has Chairman of Qatar’s Al Gannas Associa- al-Misnad, vice president of Qatari So- Qatar’s Al Gannas Association members. standing Alumnus of the Year made unique and valuable con- tion and chairman of the organising com- ciety of Al Gannas and vice chairman of by Tamuq for his outstanding tributions to teaching at Texas mittee of Marmi International Festival Ali the organising committee of Katara In- cepted to attend the exhibition, to the field of falconry, and he wished teaching and mentoring. A&M while building a nationally bin Khatam al-Mahshadi said in a state- ternational Hunting and Falcon Exhibi- support brothers in Kuwait, espe- them success for the exhibition During his four years as a recognised record of scholarly ment yesterday that the presence of the tion (S’hail), said the invitation was ac- cially as the heritage is the same in and other events. faculty member, he has dem- achievement and service. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Open-air class Algerians protest against planned presidential vote

AFP would not happen. “We will can- Algiers cel the December 12 vote just like we cancelled the July 4 election,” he said. After Boutefl ika resigned rotesters massed in the Al- in the face of mass protests in gerian capital yesterday to April, presidential elections Pdemand the cancellation were called for July 4. of a controversial presidential However the vote was post- election planned for December poned due to a lack of viable can- 12. didates, leaving a political vacuum Interim leader Abdelkader in the North African country. “If Bensalah announced the poll on Gaid Salah wants to go against the Monday in a bid to resolve the will of the people, we will dem- political deadlock gripping the onstrate on election day to show country since the April resigna- that the people don’t support the tion of longtime president Ab- vote,” Hamid said. delaziz Boutefl ika. Protesters have held mass ral- But activists have demanded lies every Tuesday and Friday political reforms and the remov- since February 11, calling for key al of Boutefl ika loyalists includ- regime fi gures to step down. ing powerful army chief Ahmed “Students represent the ma- Gaid Salah before any vote takes jority of voters and we will not place. Led by students, protest- participate” in the election, said ers yesterday shouted slogans Samia, a law student at yester- against “the gang” and demand- day’s demonstration. ed: “Hey Gaid Salah, forget the “We will stay mobilised until elections!” our demands are met: the re- The general, who has become moval of all representatives of a key powerbroker since Boutef- Boutefl ika’s regime before any Yemeni school children attend an open-air class at their unfinished school in the southwestern Yemeni village of Al-Kashar in Taiz governorate’s Mashraa and Hadnan lika’s departure, has led the push election,” she added. district at the start of the new academic year in the war battered country. The classes are given in a field outside the school which was under construction but was for polls by the end of the year in Police detained at least 10 never completed when funding was stopped due to the war that broke out in Yemen in 2015. According to the UN, 2mn of the country’s 7mn children of school age go keeping with the constitution. protesters in central Algiers and without education in Yemen. More than 2,500 schools are out of use across Yemen, of which two thirds have been damaged in attacks, 27% closed and 7% used by the But Hamid, a 57-year-old confi scated mobile phones of military or as shelters for displaced people. public servant who took part in people who fi lmed the arrests, yesterday’s protest, insisted that according to an AFP journalist.

Attacks Dutch court urged to hear case kill 10 fi ghters over deadly Israeli Gaza strike in Syria

AFP new government — with Gantz mother, three brothers, a sis- During an emotional state- — who did not themselves at- to sovereign military inter- The Hague a leading candidate for the ter-in-law, a young nephew ment, Ziada showed pictures tend the hearing. vention by the state of Israel AFP prime minister’s post. and a friend were killed in the of his dead relatives, telling “It is not up to the Dutch in the context of an author- Beirut Gantz, 60 was the chief of strike on Bureij refugee camp the judges “much depends on court to judge military ac- ised military operation. “The Dutch court heard pre- general staff of the Israeli in Gaza on July 20, 2014. Is- the outcome of this judicial tions of Israel, just as it is two lawyers accused Ziada of liminary arguments defence force at the time of rael said it launched Protec- process”, which he called a not up to an Israeli court to wanting to create an “inter- vernight air strikes killed Ayesterday in a case the Gaza bombing as part of tive Edge at the time to stop “David versus Goliath” legal judge Dutch military actions national podium to conduct 10 pro-Iranian Iraqi mi- about a deadly 2014 Israeli air Operation Protective Edge, in rocket fire against its citizens battle. in Afghanistan, Iraq and the an anti-Israel campaign.” Olitiamen in eastern Syria, strike, in which Israeli prime which Ismail Ziada said six of and destroy tunnels used Zegveld argued that the former Yugoslavia,” Thom “The only possible conclu- a war monitor said yesterday, ministerial candidate Benny his relatives were killed. for smuggling weapons and case could be heard under Dieben told the judges. sion here is that your court without specifying who carried Gantz is one of two named de- The second defendant is fighters. Dutch law, which says that it “There is no good reason does not have jurisdiction to them out. fendants. former Israeli air force chief “As a Palestinian, my client has universal jurisdiction in why the plaintiff cannot and hear the case,” said Van der The strikes targeted “three A Dutch-Palestinian seek- Amir Eshel, 60. “I am seeking has no access to a partial and civil cases for citizens who has not filed his claim before Plas. positions of the (Iranian) Revolu- ing justice for his relatives justice,” Ziada told judges at independent judge” before are unable to get justice for the Israeli courts,” another Judges are expected to hand tionary Guards and allied (Iraqi) killed in the air strike urged the The Hague’s District Court. an Israeli court, Ziada’s law- war crimes elsewhere. lawyer, Cathalijne van der down a ruling within the next militias” in Albu Kamal, in the court to go ahead with a trial He would not get a fair yer Liesbeth Zegveld told the “Both Gantz and Eshel are Plas, added. two months. In total, Opera- Euphrates Valley just across the for war crimes. hearing before an Israeli judges. without a doubt liable for “It is a case that has no tion Protective Edge left 2,251 border from Iraq, the Syrian Ob- This preliminary hearing to court, he argued, because it “In other words, it’s im- their actions,” Zegveld said. connection with the Neth- dead on the Palestinian side, servatory for Human Rights said. determine whether or not it “discriminated against Pal- possible for him to take his Ziada’s arguments, howev- erlands and derives from most of them civilians, and “Ten Iraqis from pro-Iranian should try the case started as estinians seeking accounta- claim anywhere else,” she er, were dismissed by lawyers a situation...thousands of 74 on the Israeli side, most of militias were killed,” the Britain- Israelis go to the polls to elect a bility for war crimes”. Ziada’s said. representing Gantz and Eshel kilometres away, and relates them soldiers. based monitor said. The strikes came as tensions mounted between arch-foes TRAGEDY Iran and the United States after Lightning kills 13 Washington blamed Tehran for in South Sudan weekend attacks on Saudi oil in- Professor, detained mogul reach Tunisia presidential runoff stallations. They were the second to hit Thirteen people were killed when pro-Iranian forces in eastern lightning struck a swamp in north- AFP shock to a political establish- Mourou, a fi rst-ever presiden- it is investigating alleged elec- for the candidates to have the Syria in little more than a week. eastern South Sudan, an off icial Tunis ment in place since the 2011 fall tial candidate from the Islam- toral violations, including by “same opportunities” to cam- On September 9, air strikes killed said yesterday. of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben ist-inspired Ennahdha party, media mogul Karoui’s Nessma paign, in an apparent allusion to 18 fi ghters, including Iranians, The accident occurred when a Ali. Saied led the fi rst round of came third. TV. “There have of course been Karoui. according to the Observatory. group of young men set up camp unisia’s electoral com- polling on Sunday with 18.4% Shortly before the offi cial violations and the judiciary will Depending on potential ap- Those strikes were blamed on in the swamp of Akuoch Island in mission confi rmed of the vote against Karoui’s results were announced, En- respond. But cancelling a vote peals, the second round could Israel by a media outlet run by Jonglei State on Monday night, area Tyesterday that a presi- 15.6%, taking both through nahdha congratulated the two is even more serious,” ISIE chief be organised for October 6, the Iran’s Lebanese ally Hezbollah. administrator James Deng Aweer dential runoff vote will pit law to an October runoff , said the winners, implicitly dispelling Nabil Baff oun said. same day as legislative elections, Neither Israel nor the Syrian gov- said. The men were among a group professor Kais Saied against electoral commission, ISIE. rumours that Karoui would be “The violations were not de- or on October 13, ISIE said. The ernment made any comment. of 50 youths sleeping in grass huts detained media mogul Nabil It said turnout reached 49 disqualifi ed over alleged viola- cisive and the votes of the elec- two candidates, though very dif- In June last year, strikes near the to prepare for a traditional wrestling Karoui. % in Sunday’s election, mark- tions during his campaign. tors must be respected.” ferent, have both drawn on “an- Iraqi border killed 55 fi ghters, most ritual. When lightning struck, out of The result from Sunday’s edly down from the 64 % at the Any such disqualifi cation Observers from the European ti-system” sentiment among of them Syrian or Iraqi. A US offi - the 18 men who were sleeping, only vote, thrusting two politi- country’s fi rst free presiden- would have seen Mourou qualify Union said the fi rst round has the electorate, spurred by exas- cial speaking on condition of ano- five of them managed to escape. cal outsiders to the fore, was a tial poll in 2014. Abdelfattah for the fi nal runoff . ISIE has said been “transparent”. But it called peration with the status quo. nymity said Israel was responsible. Iran leader rules out talks with US ‘at any level’

AFP Tensions pitting Iran against tions with the US unless it lifts said they were expecting Saudi Tehran Trump not looking the US and its allies have threat- all sanctions. The Iranian presi- output to recover sooner than to meet Rouhani ened to boil over since May last dent has said that even if that expected after the weekend’s at UN meeting year when President Donald happens, any talks must be held attacks. The Houthis said 10 of ran’s supreme leader yester- Trump abandoned a 2015 nu- in the framework of the nuclear their drones struck the sites. day ruled out negotiations US President Donald Trump clear deal and began reimpos- accord. Khamenei reiterated Rouhani said the attacks were Iwith the US “at any level”, yesterday said he is not looking ing sanctions in a campaign this yesterday, saying that if the an act of self-defence by the as tensions mounted between to meet Iranian President Has- of “maximum pressure”.Iran US “repents” and returns to the Houthis against the coalition, the arch-foes after Washington san Rouhani during a United responded by scaling back its Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- which has been bombing them blamed Tehran for weekend at- Nations event at the end of the commitments under the land- tion, then it can talk to Iran along since 2015 in support of Yemen’s tacks on Saudi oil installations. month, as tensions between the mark accord, which gave it the with other parties to the deal. internationally recognised gov- Yemen’s Houthi rebels two countries rise. promise of sanctions relief in re- “If the US takes back its words ernment. claimed responsibility for Sat- “I’m not looking to meet him. I turn for limiting the scope of its and repents after pulling out As aftershocks continued urday’s attacks, which halved don’t think they’re ready yet but nuclear programme. of the JCPOA...then it can join to ripple across fi nancial mar- oil output in Saudi Arabia, the they’ll be ready,” Trump said. “I Trump said the US was ready the other countries party to the kets yesterday, energy special- world’s top crude exporter. never rule anything out but I’d to help Saudi Arabia after the at- JCPOA and talk to Iran along with ists S&P Platt said around 3mn But yesterday, a US offi - prefer not meeting him.” tacks that halted about 6% of the the other countries,” he said, us- barrels per day of Saudi crude cial upped the pressure on Te- Rouhani said on Monday he world’s oil supply and triggered a ing the agreement’s formal title. would remain offl ine for at least hran, telling AFP the strike was would not meet Trump at the record leap in crude prices. “Without this, no negotia- a month. launched from Iranian soil and UN General Assembly in New “I’m not looking to get into tions will happen at any level Britain and Germany yes- that cruise missiles were in- York. new confl ict, but sometimes you between the Islamic Republic of terday urged the international volved. have to,” he said.”That was a very Iran’s offi cials and the Ameri- community to forge a “collective The offi cial, who asked to large attack, and it could be met cans, not during the visit to New response” to the attacks. remain anonymous, said the republic to its knees through by an attack many, many times York or any other visit.” French Foreign Minister Jean- US was gathering evidence to other means. larger.” “Certainly, it would look A handout picture released by the off icial website of Iran’s Supreme Yemen’s Houthi rebels Yves Le Drian, visiting Cairo, present to the international “The policy of ‘maximum to most like it was Iran,” Trump Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shows him during a meeting in claimed responsibility for Sat- said it was “imperative to put all community at the UN General pressure’ against the Iranian na- added. Tehran, yesterday. urday’s attacks on Abqaiq, the our eff orts together to achieve Assembly next week. tion is worthless and all Islamic US Secretary of Defence Mark world’s largest oil processing fa- this de-escalation”.China con- Earlier in the day, Ayatollah Republic of Iran offi cials unani- Esper also labelled Iran a desta- and defend the international terpart Hassan Rouhani on the cility, and the Khurais oil fi eld in demned the attacks and ap- Ali Khamenei said the US had mously believe there will be no bilising force in the region. rules-based order. sidelines of the UN General As- eastern Saudi Arabia. pealed to all sides to “refrain adopted a policy of “maximum negotiations with the US at any The US military, he said, was A day after the attacks, the sembly in New York next week. Oil prices receded 5% yes- from taking actions that lead to pressure” on Iran because it be- level,” he said in a televised ad- working with its partners to “ad- White House had said Trump Rouhani has already rejected terday, reversing some of the an escalation of tensions in the lieves it cannot bring the Islamic dress. dress this unprecedented attack could meet his Iranian coun- the possibility of direct negotia- previous day’s gains as analysts region”. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 18, 2019 9 AFRICA

CIVIL STRIFE ENERGY CRUNCH INVESTIGATION POWER PLAY TRANSPARENCY 38 killed in Central Africa Zambia may import power Ex-minister faces questions Uganda eyes huge jump in Embassy files complaint as rival militias battle from South Africa: minister for ‘embezzling Ebola funds’ power generation capacity on behalf of worker

The death toll of militiamen killed in rival group Zambia is in talks with South African power Former DR Congo health minister Oly Ilunga was Uganda’s electricity generation capacity is set fighting in the Central African Republic over utility Eskom to import 300 megawatts (MW) of yesterday transferred to the public prosecutor’s to jump by 55.5% in December when a Chinese- the weekend has risen to 38, according to an electricity, Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa said off ice, three days after being arrested over financed hydropower plant and other, smaller internal United Nations report seen by AFP. The yesterday, adding that retail prices could double accusations he embezzled $4.3mn in Ebola funds, projects are commissioned, Uganda has been UN Mission in Central Africa (MINUSCA) initially once imports begin. Zambia has a power deficit his lawyers said. Ilunga, who resigned as health wooing private-sector energy investors and put the death toll at 23. The two armed groups of more than 750 MW because of low water levels minister in July after being removed as head of the taking loans from China and other sources to help had signed a peace deal in February. MINUSCA at hydropower dams, Nkhuwa told reporters country’s Ebola response team, was arrested in ramp up its power production to meet fast-rising on Saturday said fighting had broken out in on the sidelines of an energy meeting. He gave Kinshasa on Saturday. He is due to be questioned demand. Uganda’s installed electricity generation Birao, a city close to the Sudanese border. The no timeframe for when imports could start. by an investigating magistrate, lawyer Guy Kabeya capacity in December will be up 55.5% from June clashes were between the Popular Front for the “(Retail prices) will be maybe double the amount told AFP. Ilunga’s lawyers have rejected the at 1,825 megawatts (MW), Energy Minister Irene Renaissance of the Central African Republic because we are paying half the amount that we embezzlement claim, saying accounts prove that Muloni said. The jump will largely come from Protesters hold a banner reading ‘Red jackets, and the Movement of Central African Freedom are supposed to pay for electricity,” Nkhuwa said. public funds were used “exclusively” in the fight 600 MW due to be added to the grid when the citizen movement against injustice’ during a Fighters for Justice. The rival militias also Zambia has historically priced electricity below against the Ebola virus, which has claimed more Karuma hydropower plant, being built by China’s march in Dakar, demanding transparency on fought in the city earlier this month. the cost of production via subsidies. than 2,000 lives since August 2018. Sinohydro Corp, is commissioned in December. Senegal’s oil resource governance. Ethiopian Lion Air crash victims seek MAX documents

Senegalese emergency workers prepare their boats for a rescue and search mission on a beach of Dakar. from Boeing, FAA

By Tracy Rucinski, Reuters Nearly 100 lawsuits have been suing Boeing over the Ethiopian Chicago fi led against Boeing by at least Airlines crash, said he would 4 dead after tourist boat capsizes in Senegal a dozen law fi rms representing pursue two tracks in the case: families of the Ethiopian Airlines one for clients who wish to set- lawyer for victims of Ethi- crash victims, who came from tle with Boeing and another for AFP The boat was heading for the Madeleine ing,” Interior Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye opian Airlines Flight 302 35 diff erent countries, including those who want to push for dis- Dakar islands, site of an off shore national park told AFP by telephone. Asaid yesterday he wants nine US citizens and 19 Canadi- covery. popular with tourists who travel from Dakar, The causes of the accident were unclear. Boeing Co and the US Federal ans. In his role as lead counsel, coastal capital of the West African country. The interior minister told Senegalese media Aviation Administration to hand And attorneys for plaintiff s say Cliff ord will help the diff erent t least four people died and three Emergency services yesterday continued overnight that several tourists were worried over documents about the deci- that they anticipate more law- plaintiff s “speak with one voice,” were missing after a boat carrying to look for those missing. AFP journalists about the heavy rains and wanted to return to sion to keep the Boeing 737 MAX suits will be fi led. said Ricardo Martinez-Cid of Adozens of tourists capsized under saw a dozen divers at the scene. the pier but others wanted to stay on the boat. in the air after a deadly Lion Air Many seek hundreds of mil- Podhurst Orseck, a law fi rm that heavy storms in Senegal, authorities and Distressed families were waiting on the The survivors spent the night on the is- crash last October. lions in dollars from Boeing. is also representing Ethiopian emergency services said yesterday. shore to get news of their loved ones. land, Ndiaye told local radio yesterday. A week after Lion Air Flight The lawsuits assert that Boe- Airlines crash victims. The boat was carrying 24 Senegalese na- “The gendarmerie called us at 5am. My Blankets and food were sent to them and 610 nose-dived into the Java Sea, ing, which manufactures the 737 Plaintiff s lawyers who repre- tionals, six French people, two Germans, brother was on the boat. The worst thing is they were to be ferried back to the mainland killing all 189 aboard, the FAA MAX, defectively designed the sent victims of airline crashes two Swedes and one person from Guinea- not knowing,” said Aminata Diop, who was in the morning, he added. warned airlines that erroneous automated fl ight control system. generally work for free and re- Bissau, when it turned over in driving rain among the relatives on the beach. The rainy season arrived late this year and inputs from an automated fl ight The system is believed to have ceive a percentage of the settle- and a heavy swell, fi re department chief There are “four dead bodies and between heavy storms have resulted in several casu- control system’s sensors could repeatedly forced the nose lower ment or award. Papa Angel Michel Diatta said. three and four people are missing. Thirty- alties this month. Two fi shermen were killed lead the jet to automatically pitch in both accidents. Amos Mbicha, who lost his The identities and nationalities of the fi ve people were on the boat. Search and on their canoe in the same area nearly two its nose down, but the agency al- Boeing declined to comment sister and her son in the ET302 victims are not yet known. rescue operations are continuing this morn- weeks ago. lowed the jets to continue fl ying. on the lawsuit directly but said it crash soon after it departed Ad- Five months later, the same is cooperating fully with the in- dis Ababa for Nairobi, said some system was blamed for playing a vestigating authorities. Kenyan families had not sued role when ET302 crashed, killing The manufacturer has apolo- yet because they had diffi culty all 157 passengers and crew and gised for the lives lost in both choosing between the many law prompting a worldwide ground- crashes and is upgrading soft- fi rms seeking to represent vic- Grace Mugabe will retain her fortune: party ing of the 737 MAX that remains ware but has stopped short of tims. in place. admitting any fault in how it “You look at the brochures, it “The decisions to keep those developed the 737 MAX, or the all looks like everyone worked By Problem Masau, DPA “Grace wanted Mnangagwa to give her her lavish tastes and shopping sprees. planes in service are key,” Robert software. on the same cases,” he said. “It’s Harare assurance that the family wealth was going The state-owned newspaper The Herald Cliff ord of Cliff ord Law Offi ces, The FAA did not immediately confusing for people.” to be protected; she wanted immunity and quoted agriculture minister Perrance Shiri which represents families of the respond. Dozens of lawsuits have been security. When Mnangagwa assured her as saying that the Mugabes owned about 14 Ethiopian crash victims, said at Cliff ord, who was appointed fi led against Boeing by families of race Mugabe, the widow of Zimba- that, she was happy to let the body be buried farms, which were mainly taken from white a status hearing before US Judge lead counsel yesterday to rep- Lion Air crash victims. bwe’s former president Robert Mu- at the National Heroes Acre,” political ana- farmers during his controversial land reform Jorge Alonso in Chicago. resent the majority of plaintiff s Those cases are in mediation. Ggabe, will keep the fortune accrued lyst Tinashe Muzamwindo said. programme in the 2000s. by her family during her husband’s 37 years The Mugabes are one of the most affl u- In 2015, the family violently evicted vil- in power, authorities said yesterday. ent families in Zimbabwe, owning multiple lagers and took land in the mineral-rich Ma- “President Emmerson Mnangagwa has properties, including a dairy farm, a private zowe area. assured the family that they will keep their school and a game reserve. Police destroyed homesteads, furniture wealth,” said Obert Mpofu, secretary for ad- However, Mugabe’s villa, known as the and the villagers’ crops during the evictions. Apology for remarks about judge ministration of the ruling party, Zanu-PF. ‘Blue Roof’, in Harare’s elite suburb of Bor- The villagers have since been awarded Analysts say Grace’s desire to protect the rowdale Brooke, and another mansion compensation by a Zimbabwean court. Reuters him in May in relation to a con- who happens to wear a robe”. fortune was a factor in the tensions last week where his daughter Bona lives, are in Zanu- Last year, the deposed fi rst lady was be- Johannesburg fl ict of interest. His words drew criticism from between the family and the government over PF’s name. ing investigated by the country’s anti-graft It fi red him a few weeks later, Moyo’s legal team and some me- where Mugabe he should be buried. Mnangagwa, whose challenge to Grace agency over the land she controversially but he was reinstated by the courts dia, and the company said in a The government wanted the former Mugabe’s leadership ambitions in part led to acquired while in power, a doctorate degree he chairman of South Af- in an embarrassing outcome for statement yesterday that Manuel strongman to be buried at the National He- her husband’s overthrow by the military in the university says she didn’t deserve, and rican insurer Old Mutual, the insurer, which sacked him for had withdrawn his comment. roes Acre, a hilltop shrine reserved for the 2017, has on several occasions said that the ivory smuggling. She has escaped prosecu- TTrevor Manuel, yesterday a second time last month. “It was never my intention to elite. The family, however, said they wanted family will be taken care of. tion so far. apologised for comments he made After months of public fight- show disrespect to the learned him buried in his rural hometown alongside “The title deeds will soon be transferred When asked, family spokesman Leo Mu- last week in reference to the judge ing that have knocked Old Mu- judge or his judgement,” Manuel his mother. into the family’s name,” Mpofu said. gabe said it was too early to discuss issues presiding over its court battle with tual’s reputation, Manuel said said. “I accept that my language After days of back and forth, the burial was Although Robert Mugabe presented him- such as wealth and property. fi red chief executive Peter Moyo. during a press conference last was wholly inappropriate to ex- postponed to October to allow time to build a self as a socialist, his family secretly amassed “We are still mourning, we haven’t buried Old Mutual has been locked week that “difficulty” arises press my disagreement with the mausoleum at the National Heroes Acre and vast wealth during his rule, and his wife, of- our departed, we cannot discuss that,” he in a bitter and damaging dispute when a board could be over- decision and sincerely regret the for traditional rituals to be carried out. ten dubbed ‘Gucci’ Grace, was notorious for told DPA. with Moyo since it suspended turned “by a single individual manner in which I did so.” Pimp My Ride inspires hip youth to fi x busted Beetles

By Robbie Corey-Boulet, AFP opia goes back decades, and is Decades later, Beetles remain but not extravagant social class.” Addis Ababa rooted in both economics and ubiquitous, in part because ex- Like Mengiste, Kaleb Teshome, nostalgia. orbitant taxes make buying new a 29-year-old mechanic, has Volkswagen is hoping to capi- cars impossible for many. been riding in Beetles all his life. hen Robel Wolde talise on this goodwill. Yet it’s clear that the cars also For decades, his family has bought a beat-up 1967 In January, it signed a memo- have sentimental value. owned a garage that specialises in WVolkswagen Beetle randum of understanding with When the Ethiopian-Ameri- fi xing up the cars. from a friend for 50,000 Ethio- the Ethiopian government to set can novelist Maaza Mengiste sees Now Kaleb works alongside his pian birr ($1,700), it marked the up a domestic auto industry, in- one, she says she is reminded of father at the garage, where more start of an extensive restoration cluding an assembly plant. the pale blue Beetle her grand- than a dozen Beetles compete for he’d plotted for years. Regardless of what comes of father drove — the same car that space on a tiny dirt lot, with oth- The 25-year-old Ethiopian this project, Robel says the Bee- took her to the airport when she ers lining the nearby road. painter quickly went to work. tle’s popularity will endure. left the country as a young girl Many of the Beetles have been He installed new grey leather “Most of the time, Beetles are not long after the Derg came to brought in for standard tune- seats, applied black stripes and driven by old people,” he said, lean- power. ups. decals along the orange-and- ing on the bonnet of his car near one “I associate that car with Ethi- But every few months, Kaleb blue exterior and hired a metal- of Addis’ busier roundabouts. “But opia, with growing up there and is asked to do the kind of custom worker to fi t oversized headlights when they are custom and pimped all the happy memories I have,” work worthy of ‘Pimp My Ride’, a to the front bumper. like this, they are a fashion state- she told AFP. show he still watches online even Two months and an additional ment for young people.” Last year, Mengiste started though it was cancelled more $1,000 later, Robel’s vision was Initially developed in Nazi posting pictures of Beetles on than a decade ago. complete. Germany as an instrument of Twitter, using the hashtag #Bee- “I’ve known the cars since And with that, he joined the propaganda, the origins of the tleEthiopia. my childhood. I know what they growing number of young Ethi- Volkswagen Beetle “people’s car” Ever since, Ethiopians from a need,” he said. opian drivers giving the Bee- date back to 1938. range of backgrounds have been “It could be paint work. It tle — which has long occupied a Beetles became a common posting photos of their own, could be big tyres. It could be a hallowed position in the nation’s sight in Addis Ababa under sometimes off ering equally per- sound system. I pimp all of it.” car culture — a 21st-century up- former emperor Haile Selassie, sonal memories. One recent morning, he Ethiopian painter Robel Wolde poses in front of his ‘pimped’ Volkswagen Beetle in Addis Ababa. grade. who ruled for more than four “There was something about a showed AFP his own “pimped- Some of this restoration work decades beginning in 1930. Volkswagen that cut through so- out” Beetle, a shiny green-and- Whether “pimped-out” or a limited, 65-unit “Beetle Final “If production of the Beetles is inspired by shows like the In 1974, when the communist cial lines,” Mengiste said. black 1972 model with massive not, the Beetles of Addis Ababa Edition” at its factory in Puebla, has stopped, that means we have old MTV hit Pimp My Ride — Derg regime removed him from “It was a car for everyone. You tyres that would look more at seem destined to become collec- Mexico. a treasure,” he said. “They will “pimped out”, American slang power, Haile Selassie was fa- could be looking for some form of home on a truck. tors’ items. For Robel, the painter, the become part of history. That is for customised vehicles, has been mously forced to duck into a Bee- stability, and you would manage “When I drive it on the street,” In July, Volkswagen marked news was further validation of their fate, so I think I am lucky. adopted in Addis Ababa. tle before being escorted away to buy a Volkswagen and that was he said, “even people who drive the end of the Beetle’s around the investment he’d made in his Even if I get a really good off er, I But love for the Beetle in Ethi- from his palace. your step into an upwardly mobile luxurious cars say ‘Wow.’” eight-decade run by launching own car. don’t think I will sell.” Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 AMERICAS

GUN VIOLENCE WEATHER IN THE DOCK FEDERAL FINDINGS HEALTH 5-yr-old boy shoots, Humberto strengthens into Snowden book ‘violates’ Walmart ‘discriminated’ California takes action on kills little brother Category 2 hurricane: NHC non-disclosure agreements against women workers vaping, e-cigarettes

Five children were killed or wounded by gunfire in Humberto has strengthened into a Category 2 The United States yesterday filed a lawsuit against US authorities believe global retail giant California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a Texas over the weekend, including a four-year-old hurricane and is likely to intensify further as it Edward Snowden, the former National Security Walmart likely discriminated against some crackdown on illicit e-cigarettes on Monday and boy who was shot dead by his five-year-old brother, approaches Bermuda by tonight, the US National Agency contractor who in 2013 leaked secret female employees in US stores, paying them plans to launch a state-sponsored public awareness according to police and US media reports. The Hurricane Center (NHC) said yesterday. The Atlantic documents about US telephone and Internet less or denying them promotions, according campaign about the dangers of the devices amid incident involving the two brothers occurred on hurricane is located about 900km west of Bermuda, surveillance, saying his new book violates non- to a media report yesterday. The Equal a nationwide outbreak of serious lung illness Sunday in Fort Worth, Texas where police told AFP packing maximum sustained winds of 160kph, the disclosure agreements. The Justice Department Opportunity Employment Commission, a federal connected to vaping. Newsom’s executive actions the older boy found a gun in his home and fired the NHC said. After gaining hurricane strength late on said Snowden published his memoir, Permanent agency charged with preventing workplace instruct state regulators to “reduce youth vaping shot that killed his little brother. Several hours later, Sunday, Humberto dropped another 5cm of rain Record, without submitting it to intelligence discrimination, found reasonable grounds to consumption” by finding ways to ban illegal and a six-year-old boy was seriously wounded in nearby on the storm-ravaged northwestern Bahamas as agencies for review, adding that speeches support the allegations, according to The Wall counterfeit vaping products. The Democratic Arlington, Texas, by a bullet probably fired by it churned away from the US coast, the NHC said. given by Snowden also violated nondisclosure Street Journal, which cited EEOC documents. governor also set aside $20mn for a vaping one of his brothers. Several children were playing It is bringing life-threatening waves and tides to agreements. The United States is seeking all The finding, which concerns 178 women across awareness campaign. The CDCreports that there when a boy aged about 10 found a rifle, pointed parts of the US east coast from Central Florida proceeds earned by Snowden for the book, 30 states, comes after many years of eff orts have been at least six deaths and 450 possible it and pulled the trigger, Christopher Cook of the to North Carolina and dangerous conditions will the Justice Department said. A spokesman for by workers to seek compensation for alleged cases of severe lung illnesses related to vaping Arlington police told the Dallas Morning News. remain for the next few days, forecasters said. Snowden could not immediately be reached. discrimination. since the first cases were reported in April.

Trudeau reassures Ex-campaign chief defends allies over spy security breach

Trump at House hearings By Michel Comte, AFP Ottawa

By David Morgan and Jan Wolfe, “The White House is advanc- Reuters ing a new and dangerous theory: rime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday sought to reas- Washington the crony privilege,” Nadler added. sure Canada’s allies over security after a senior police in- “Where are the limits?” Ptelligence offi cer was accused of stealing highly classifi ed The hearing appeared likely to materials that, if released, could be “potentially devastating.” orey Lewandowski, Presi- produce more political theatre Cameron Ortis served as the director general of national dent Donald Trump’s than factual revelations. intelligence coordination for the Royal Canadian Mounted Cformer campaign manager Lewandowski assailed the fed- Police (RCMP) before his arrest last Thursday. The next day and close confi dant, yesterday eral investigation into Russian in- he was formally charged with accessing secrets and unau- stoutly defended his former boss terference in the 2020 election. thorised communication of special operational information. and lashed out at Democrats dur- “It is now clear the investigation Trudeau, campaigning for re-election, told reporters at ing testimony to a US congres- was populated by many Trump a small train station in St John’s, Newfoundland that Ca- sional panel considering whether haters who had their own agen- nadian offi cials had reached out to allies about the security to impeach Trump. da — to try and take down a duly breach. “We’re working with them to reassure them, but “We as a nation would be bet- elected president of the United we want to ensure that everyone understands that we’re ter served if elected offi cials like States. As for actual ‘collusion’ or taking this situation very seriously,” he said. you concentrated your eff orts to ‘conspiracy,’ there was none. What A senior police intelligence offi cer, Ortis was undone by combat the true crises facing our there has been however, is harass- US authorities’ discovery of an internal police document country as opposed to going down ment of the president from the day in criminal hands, said Canadian media. rabbit holes like this hearing,” he won the election,” Lewand- The daily Globe and Mail said US authorities discov- Lewandowski said in his opening owski added. ered in 2018 the RCMP document on the seized laptop of a remarks to the Democratic-led Lewandowski is considering a Vancouver businessman with ties to organised crime, trig- House of Representatives Judici- run for the US Senate as a Repub- gering the investigation that led to Ortis. Ortis had report- ary Committee. lican in New Hampshire. edly e-mailed Phantom Secure Communications founder The White House on Monday Mueller’s report described and key administrator Vincent Ramos in 2018, to off er him had told Lewandowski not to dis- Lewandowski as a Trump “devo- “valuable” information, said public broadcaster CBC. cuss conversations he had with tee” with a “close” relationship The RCMP looked at anyone with access to the inter- Trump after he became president with the president. nal document, eventually focusing on Ortis. He “had ac- including an exchange that Demo- Trump in August sought to cess to information the Canadian intelligence community crats view as evidence that Trump boost Lewandowski’s potential possessed,” RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki said in a committed obstruction of justice Senate bid, calling his former aide President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, testifies before the House Judiciary statement on Monday. by trying to interfere in a federal “a fantastic guy” who would make Committee in Washington, DC. “He also had access to intelligence coming from our al- investigation and may need to be a “great senator” and that “I like lies both domestically and internationally,” she said. impeached. everything about him.” ler’s 448-page investigative report versations with Trump after he cus to future elections despite his “We are aware of the potential risk to agency operations Lewandowski was the fi rst im- “This isn’t a campaign rally. made public in April that Demo- became president or with his sen- recusal from the investigation. of our partners in Canada and abroad,” the statement said, peachment witness to appear be- This is the fi rst hearing where you crats view as evidence that Trump ior advisers. At a second meeting a month adding that the investigation is ongoing. fore the committee since former can tell the American people how obstructed justice. The White House also directed later, Trump asked about the Lucki did not specify which foreign organisations may special counsel Robert Mueller you participated in the president’s Mueller made no determination two other witnesses, former Trump status of the message and said have been exposed to the theft of secrets, which allegedly testifi ed in July about his inquiry eff ort to obstruct justice,” Demo- about whether Trump obstructed White House aides Rob Porter and Lewandowski should “tell Ses- took place between 2016 and 2019, though Canada is a that detailed Russian 2016 election cratic Representative David Cicil- justice but did not exonerate him Rick Dearborn, not to testify. sions he was fi red” if he would not member of the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence alliance with Aus- interference and Trump’s actions line wrote on Twitter. of wrongdoing. Cipollone’s letter said they were meet with Lewandowski, accord- tralia, New Zealand, Britain and the United States. to impede the investigation. Democrats, who hope to decide Under the US Constitution, the “absolutely immune from com- ing to the Mueller report. Ortis had access to material that could cause a “high” de- House Judiciary Committee whether to recommend Trump’s House has the power to vote to im- pelled congressional testimony Trump fi red Lewandowski as his gree of damage to the country and its allies, if released, with chairman Jerrold Nadler, a Demo- impeachment to the full House by peach a president while the Senate with respect to matters related to campaign manager in June 2016 “potentially devastating” consequences, the CBC said, cit- crat, began the hearing by slam- year’s end, had intended to grill then would hold a trial on whether their service as senior advisers to but the two remained close. ing a report prepared by Canadian intelligence services. ming the White House’s legal team Lewandowski about the presi- to remove him from offi ce. the President.” During the campaign, Lewand- “Analysis of the contents of the reports could reasonably for instructing Lewandowski to dent’s eff ort to persuade then- The House is controlled by In June 2017, Trump met owski had often generated con- lead a foreign intelligence agency to draw signifi cant con- limit the scope of his testimony by attorney general Jeff Sessions to Democrats and the Senate by Lewandowski, then a private citi- troversy including when he was clusions about allied and Canadian intelligence targets, invoking a doctrine called execu- redirect the Mueller probe away Trump’s fellow Republicans. zen, at the White House and dic- charged with misdemeanour bat- techniques, methods and capabilities,” the report said. tive privilege. from the 2016 Trump election White House Counsel Pat Ci- tated a message he was to deliver tery after being accused of force- “This type of information is among the most highly “We should call this what it is: campaign. pollone told the committee in a to Sessions. fully grabbing a female reporter protected of national security assets, by any government an absolute cover-up by the White The episode is among a number letter on Monday that Lewand- The message said Sessions in Florida. The charge was later standard and goes to the heart of Canada’s sovereignty and House,” Nadler said. of incidents contained in Muel- owski could not testify about con- should shift the Russia probe’s fo- dropped. security,” it said.

Over next two weeks, New York will be global epicentre of climate fi ght

Others, like China, the EU, By Issam Ahmed, AFP Thunberg joins other teens on Capitol Hill to urge climate action New York and Canada, have signalled they are committed, but their actions By Valerie Volcovici, Reuters that comes at a critical time,” resolution with Representative have so far fallen well short of nvironmentalists from Washington Markey said outside the Capitol Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a high- their rhetoric. around the world converge building. “The science has made profile New York Democrat who At the moment, only Morocco Ethis week on New York for Swedish teenage climate change it very clear that the planet is run- plans to meet with the activists and Gambia have “compatible” protests and an unprecedented activist Greta Thunberg yesterday ning out of time.” this week. commitments with the objective youth summit aimed at pressur- joined other youth leaders to Thunberg had no plans to Republican lawmakers and of the 2015 Paris agreement, ac- ing global leaders at the UN to urge US lawmakers to support speak at yesterday’s events, a Trump administration off icials cording to the World Resource ramp up their carbon reduction “transformative climate action” spokesperson said. have pilloried the Green New Institute’s Climate Action Track- commitments. during two days of meetings and Thunberg shot to international Deal as fantasy. Trump is among er. The headline event takes place speeches on Capitol Hill. fame last year when she started a small minority of global leaders That hasn’t deterred the opti- September 23 when UN Secre- The events are intended to skipping school every Friday to who have openly questioned the mism of many of the youth activ- tary-General Antonio Guterres drum up support ahead of a demonstrate outside Sweden’s science of climate change. ists participating in Saturday’s will likely re-state four key de- global “climate strike” on Friday parliament for action on climate He has announced his intention summit. mands: quit new coal by 2020, in which students and workers change. to withdraw the United States from “Greta has opened a door,” achieve carbon neutrality by around the world will walk out to She was nominated for a Nobel the Paris Climate Agreement, a Come Girschig, a 24-year-old 2050, deliver enhanced climate demand more action to fight glo- Peace Prize this year after the global pact to stem the rise in global from France, told AFP. plans next year and end fossil fuel bal warming and pressure leaders number of students joining her temperatures that he says would be But, he said, he was eager for subsidies. attending the annual United strikes — dubbed “Fridays for damaging to the US economy. the movement to develop con- Ahead of that, though, stu- Nations summit in New York later Future” — broke 2mn across 135 Nadia Nazar, co-founder the Zero crete proposals. dents from New York’s more than this month. countries. Hour advocacy group and a youth “It’s very good that the youth 1,700 schools will pour into the Democratic Senator Ed Markey, In the United States, organis- activist speaker, said Friday’s global are mobilised on the streets, call- streets of the United States’ big- chair of the Senate Climate ers of the planned September 20 strike would usher in “the begin- ing themselves anti-capitalists, gest city for Friday’s global cli- Change Task Force, hosted a news strike have put forward a list of ning of the Green New Deal.” and wanting to change the sys- mate strike, joined by potentially conference yesterday morning, eight demands on elected off icials, “The generation of the Green tem, but what do we replace it millions of others worldwide, kicking off the meetings with the including enacting a Green New New Deal will not only survive but with?” including employees from major activists before including them at Deal — an eff ort to transform the we will thrive. We will no longer The summits also come at a companies such as Amazon and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg poses with Amnesty the task force’s weekly meeting to US economy in a decade by shift- be known as the kids fighting the time when there is increasing trade unionists. International Secretary General Kumi Naidoo after she received discuss their “intergenerational” ing to 100% renewable energy. apocalypse. We will be known as recognition that climate change And on Saturday, Swedish Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience award at the eff ort to combat climate change. Markey is a co-sponsor of the the solution to the climate crisis,” is a human rights issue, Amnesty campaigner Greta Thunberg, George Washington University in Washington, DC on Monday night. “This movement is something Green New Deal congressional she said. International chief Kumi Naidoo along with 500 other teen activ- told AFP. ists, will convene for the fi rst ever “We have to be very clear that Youth Climate Summit at the UN to prevent climate catastrophe. countries pledge to limit the rise The numbers so far are bleak. they will enhance their climate of the summit after announc- the biggest intergenerational headquarters, a testament to the The secretary-general “has in the average temperature of the Carbon dioxide emissions commitments under Paris. ing its withdrawal from the Paris violation of human rights is what growing power of a movement been very clear that he’s asking Earth to two degrees Celsius over were their highest ever level in Crucially, however, these don’t agreement in 2017 under the we are seeing right now with the that has succeeded in popularis- countries to come to New York pre-industrial levels, and if pos- 2018; July 2019 was the hottest include the major emitters — the leadership of President Donald current adult political and busi- ing the term “climate emergen- next week not to give fl owery sible 1.5 degrees Celsius. month in history, and the last countries of the G20 which col- Trump — but remains a signatory ness leadership are governing cy” over the past year. speeches, but to have concrete To meet the 1.5 degrees goal, four years have been the Earth’s lectively represent over 80% of until November 4, 2020, a day af- as if we don’t have children and That phrase has been taken up plans for how they intend to the world must achieve carbon hottest on record. global emissions. ter the next presidential election. grandchildren coming after us,” by Guterres, who has called next bring their national commit- neutrality by 2050, and green- Meanwhile, Nasa data showed “This is a marathon, not a Countries such as Brazil under he said. Monday’s main summit because ments in line with the science,” house gas emissions need to fall ice at both poles shrank to the sprint,” Meyer said. “Monday is the leadership of right-winger “Climate change threatens the world’s major polluters remain Alden Meyer, director of strategy starting next year, according to a lowest ever levels in 2019. not the be all and end all, though Jair Bolsonaro are pressing full the very ability of human beings far behind their pledges in the 2015 and policy for the Union of Con- landmark report issued last Oc- According to Meyer, some 60 it’s a very important political speed ahead with deforestation to exist on this planet and with Paris agreement to reduce their cerned Scientists, told AFP. tober by the Intergovernmental or so countries have indicated moment.” plans while Australia is commit- no human beings are no human greenhouse gas emissions enough The Paris agreement saw Panel on Climate Change. they intend to announce that The US will be on the sidelines ting to more coal extraction. rights.” Gulf Times Wednesday, September 18, 2019 11 ASIA

UN experts Indonesia ‘doing everything’ to urge probe of Rohingya killings in put out forest fi res: president Bangladesh AFP day, Widodo said nearly 6,000 they had arrested nearly 200 across Indonesia were shut. Pekanbaru troops had been sent to hot spots people suspected of being in- In peninsular Malaysia, the AFP to help put out fi res. volved in activities that led to met offi ce and air force were Dhaka “We have made every eff ort,” the out-of-control fi res. working together to seed clouds ndonesia is battling for- he said. Four corporations were also with chemicals in the hope that est fi res causing toxic haze As well as fi refi ghters on the being investigated, authorities rainfall would clear the haze. N human rights experts Iacross southeast Asia with ground, dozens of aircraft were said. But hundreds of schools were have raised new concerns aircraft, artifi cial rain and even being used to seed clouds and The Association of Southeast closed yesterday, aff ecting more Uabout the treatment of prayer, President Joko Widodo bomb blazes with water, he said. Asian Nations (Asean) meteoro- than 350,000 students. Rohingya refugees in Bangla- said during a visit to a hard-hit “We have also prayed,” he logical agency said the number Air quality was at “unhealthy” desh following a deadly backlash area yesterday. added, after a visit to Amrulloh of hotspots had stabilised, but a or “very unhealthy’ levels in over the killing of a ruling party Forest fi res are raging on Mosque in Pekanbaru. thick haze continued to cloak the many parts of peninsular Malay- offi cial. the islands of Borneo and Su- The toxic smoke caused by de- region. sia and Sarawak state on Borneo, The experts called for an “im- matra, sending a choking fug liberate burning to clear land for On Borneo island, which offi cials said. partial” investigation into the across the region - including to- plantations is an annual problem Indonesia shares with Malay- Air quality improved in Sin- deaths of at least six Rohingya wards neighbours Malaysia and for Indonesia and its neighbours, sia and Brunei, pollution lev- gapore and was in the “mod- men in gunfi ghts with police af- Singapore. but has been worsened this year els were “hazardous”, accord- erate” range after slipping to ter they were named as suspects During a visit to Riau prov- by particularly dry weather. ing to environment ministry “unhealthy” levels over the in the killing of Omar Faruk, a ince in central Sumatra yester- Authorities on Monday said data. Hundreds of schools weekend, offi cials there said youth wing offi cial of the ruling Awami League. Following the murder, lo- cal people vandalised refugee shops and staged protests in one of multiple camps now home Toxic haze aff ecting Borneo’s orangutans to a total of more than 900,000 Muslim Rohingya who have fl ed oppression in neighbouring AFP vival Foundation said that just once centre in Kalimantan Orangutans have been partic- Myanmar. Jakarta the haze was aff ecting hun- “As many as 37 young oran- ularly vulnerable to commercial In a statement released late dreds of great apes in its care gutans are suspected to have land clearances and have seen Monday in Geneva, the six spe- at rescue centres and wildlife contracted a mild respiratory their natural habitat shrink dra- cially appointed UN experts on assive forest fi res in re-introduction shelters. infection,” it added. matically in the last few decades. rights issues backed Bangla- Indonesia are seri- “The thick smoke does not Conditions were so bad at The population of orangu- desh’s probe into the murder Mously aff ecting en- only endanger the health of their Samboja Lestari facility in tan in Borneo has plummeted of Faruk. dangered orangutans and their our staff ... but also it aff ects East Kalimantan that outdoor from about 288,500 in 1973 to But they added, “It is equally habitat, a rescue foundation said the 355 orangutans we cur- activities for the animals had about 100,000 today, according necessary to ensure that the pre- yesterday. rently care for,” the foundation been restricted to a few hours a to the International Union for Indonesian President Joko Widodo inspecting the damages from the sumption of innocence is up- The Borneo Orangutan Sur- said in a statement, referring to day. Conservation of Nature. ongoing forest fires in Pekanbaru yesterday. held and that reactionary, sum- mary and ad hoc justice is not doled out solely to placate the legitimate concerns of the host community.” “We urge the Bangladeshi Lanka PM faces government to carry out an in- Thai PM defends monitoring of dependent, impartial and eff ec- tive investigation into all deaths that have occurred with regards party challenge in to this case,” they said. Police inspector Ali Arshad minority university students said at least 40 Rohingya have been killed in Bangladesh since presidential battle Reuters sect affi liation and other details Muslim students said the po- “We are worried about those July last year. Of those, at least 33 Bangkok about Muslim-organised stu- lice request was discriminatory. ill-intended people who are in- were killed by Bangladeshi secu- AFP dent groups. The name of the “We want the police to recon- fi ltrating university students,” a rity forces in gunfi ghts and an- Colombo university was blotted out. sider this, the university should police source who did not wish other seven were killed in shoot- hailand’s prime minister “This is an interference to be a space where students can to be named because he is not outs among Rohingya groups, he yesterday defended police personal rights and a discrimi- express their views freely and authorised to speak to the media said. ri Lanka’s ruling coalition Tfor requesting information nation based on religion,” Ang- their rights are protected,” said. Rights groups have accused became embroiled in a about minority Muslim students khana said, adding that freedom Ashraf Awae, president of the Similar letters have been sent Bangladesh police of staging Spower struggle yesterday from universities around the coun- of religion and the right to priva- Muslim Students Federation of to many Thai education insti- many of these gunfi ghts as a cov- as two challengers came forward try, after criticism of the move as cy were guaranteed by the Thai Thailand, said. tutions as part of a routine up- er for the extrajudicial killings to oppose Prime Minister Ranil discriminatory and illegal. constitution. A police source told Reu- date of an existing intelligence of Rohingya, mainly suspects in Wickremesinghe to be candi- Prime Minister Prayut Chan- About 90% of Thais are Bud- ters the request for informa- data base, the police said in a drug smuggling. date for a looming presidential o-cha said the police request, dhist, though Muslims are a tion on Muslims was linked to statement. The UN experts also expressed election. which follows a series of bomb majority in three southern prov- the attacks on August 2 that Some universities with a large “serious concerns” over “tight Wickremesinghe had been blasts in Bangkok in August inces bordering Malaysia. wounded four people when six population of Muslim students new restrictions” and a com- the clear frontrunner to be the that were blamed on Muslim Prayut said the move was small bombs and six incendi- were disturbed by the letter. munication clampdown in the United National Party candidate suspects, was needed to build a necessary. ary devices went off in Bang- Wuthisak Lapcharoensap, refugee camps, where there is an until parliament speaker Karu Prime Minister Ranil national security database. “The police have already kok, which was hosting a major president of Ramkhamhaeng eff ective internet blackout. Jayasuriya and deputy party Wickramasinghe An offi cial letter from po- pointed out that this is for the international meeting. University in Bangkok, said the The clampdown follows the leader Sajith Premadasa threw lice, shared online by former creation of a database on intel- Three persons have been ar- police should reconsider their failure of a new attempt to re- their hats into the ring. inghe Premadasa who was as- rights commissioner Angkhana ligence,” Prayut said. “No rights rested and 11 others wanted by request. patriate some of the refugees and The UNP dominates the rul- sassinated by suspected Tamil Neelapaijit, asked a university have been breached. We cannot the authorities are still at large. “I have not received the letter an August 25 rally in which some ing coalition and is expected Tiger rebels in 1993, Premadasa to supply information about manage anything if we don’t All of the suspects are Muslim yet but if it comes, I would not be 200,000 Rohingya marked two to nominate its candidate for called for a secret ballot of the the numbers, place of origin, have data.” Malays from southern Thailand. able to comply,” Wuthisak said. years since the exodus. the election to be held between UNP executive to decide the November 7 and December 7. candidate. Voting already risks contro- It was not clear when the party 16 held for stealing versy with Gotabaya Rajapakse, would decide, but the election is younger brother of Sri Lanka’s expected to be formally declared thousands of dogs former strongman president Ma- later this month. New entrant to take Sixteen gang members have hinda Rajapakse, leading the op- Premadasa said he would beat been arrested and 51 dogs position bid despite outstanding Rajapakse who is considered a were rescued as part of an court cases and criminal inquiries. strong contender even though investigation into the thefts of Jayasuriya, 78, who played he faces corruption cases in Sri on Facebook and thousands of dogs in northern a key role in ending a political Lanka and two civil actions in Vietnam, police said yesterday. crisis last year, said he wants the United States. Thousands of dogs have been the top offi ce so he can scrap the The US cases are over the stolen since the beginning of the presidential system which he murder of a newspaper edi- Google in Vietnam year in the Thanh Hoa Province, accused of centralising power. tor and torture of Tamil rebel 150km south of Hanoi, according “I will enter the contest with suspects when he was a top de- Reuters “Lotus was born not to com- to a report by local police. the intention of abolishing the fence ministry offi cial during his Hanoi pete with Facebook or any other In total, authorities have executive presidency and not brother’s rule. social networks,” Tan said late on questioned more than 40 suspects to enjoy that offi ce,” Jayasuriya Sirisena broke away from Ma- new social network Monday. “We will focus on con- A user opens Lotus in Hanoi yesterday. linked to the ring and arrested 16. said in a statement. hinda Rajapakse’s Sri Lanka Free- has entered the already tent and content creation.” “This ring has operated for a long “Since 1995, we have wanted to dom Party to win the last election Acrowded fi eld in Vietnam Information Minister Nguyen tually the number of Vietnamese tains tight media censorship and time, stealing many dogs and scrap the presidency, but failed.” in 2015 with the help of the UNP. as the communist party squeez- Manh Hung, who was at the people using domestic social does not tolerate dissent. causing outrage among local Jayasuriya led a campaign However he later formed a new es US tech giants Facebook and launch, has urged Vietnam- networks would be as high as the Several activists and dis- people,” a local policeman who by members of parliament in alliance with Rajapakse. Google with a new cybersecurity ese companies to create viable number using foreign platforms. sidents have been arrested or declined to be named said. October to oppose incumbent Squabbles between Sirisena law. domestic alternatives to for- There were 58mn Facebook jailed for posting online content On Sunday evening, police President Maithripala Sirisena’s and Wickremesinghe came to Lotus, a social network that al- eign social media platforms users and 62mn Google accounts considered to be “anti-state”. detained Le Thi Phuong, 34, Tran bid to sack Wickremesinghe and a head when Sirisena sacked lows users to create content and which are more diffi cult for the in Vietnam as of August, govern- Vietnam has tightened inter- Van Thang, 33, and Lai Khac install a puppet prime minister. Wickremesinghe in October share posts to a home page, had government to control. ment data showed. There are no net rules over the past few years, Hung, 38, who were identified Hours before his announce- last year and tried to put former received 700bn dong ($30.14mn) Last month, a Facebook-style comparable fi gures for domestic culminating in a cybersecurity as the leaders of the gang ment however, Premadasa, 52, president Mahinda Rajapakse in in funding from tech corpora- app, Gapo, also made its debut. Old- networks. law which came into eff ect in responsible for carrying out told a hurriedly summoned press his place. tion VCCorp and hoped to raise er domestic social platforms such Despite economic liberalisa- January requiring foreign com- dozens of dog thefts. conference that he should be the The Supreme Court eventu- another 500bn dong, company as VietnamTa and Hahalolo have tion and increasing openness to panies like Facebook to set up The gang has reportedly been riding UNP’s presidential hopeful. ally ruled that Sirisena’s actions General Director Nguyen The struggled to build large user bases. social change since the 1990s, local offi ces and store data in the motorbikes through residential areas The son of president Ranas- were illegal. Tan said at the launch ceremony. Hung said he hoped that even- the ruling Communist Party re- country. late at night to steal dogs using stun guns, baits and bags. Under Vietnamese law, only theft of items with a value higher than $86 is treated as a criminal off ence, which means dog thieves Nepali climber set for fi nal push in record 14-peak attempt can often avoid being charged. Earlier this week, food safety off icials he current record for Only a teenager when he years, 11 months and 14 days. gaged his house to begin his ex- at 8,125m. Twenty-three days in Ho Chi Minh City urged locals to climbing the world’s 14 joined the British Gurkhas, Purja South Korean climber Kim pedition and start raising funds. later he was standing atop Broad stop eating dog meat in an eff ort to Ttallest peaks is almost or “Nims dai” climbed both the Chang-ho managed it in about Purja began his attempt in Peak, his fi fth and fi nal mountain improve the national image. eight years. Nepali climber, Nir- 8,848m Everest and Lhotse at a month less - although he did, April with the 8,091m An- of the second phase. Dog meat is considered a delicacy mal Purja, pictured, who served 8,516m in a record 10 hours and unlike Kukuczka and Purja, do it napurna, checking the illus- Battling sleep deprivation to meet by many in Vietnam. in the British special forces, has a 15 minutes in 2017. without supplementary oxygen. trious “8,000ers” Dhaulagiri, his target, Purja said he was almost this year. The country’s dog meat target of seven months. This inspired the 36-year-old Before he set off on his first ex- Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse sprinting up and down fi ve of Paki- This included his summits consumption has made it On Monday, Purja arrived at to start “Project Possible”, scal- pedition, Purja had a detailed tat- and Makalu off his list in only a stan’s highest peaks including K2, of Everest, Lhotse and Mount the target of animal welfare the advance base camp of the ing the 14 peaks - all higher than too of the 14 mountains engraved on month to fi nish his fi rst phase. the second tallest in the world. Makalu, three of the world’s fi ve campaigns in the past, and the 8,201m (26,906ft) Cho Oyu, 8,000m - in seven months. his back, with colourful prayer fl ags A month later, he was heading On track to make climbing highest mountains, in a record Asia Canine Protection Alliance ready for the fi nal phase of the But doing so is radically ambi- tracing his journey to the peaks. to Pakistan for the second part of history, the phenomenal moun- 48 hours - and despite the dead- estimates that 5mn dogs are last three peaks in his feat of tious. In the 1980s, it took Polish Purja quit the military after his mission where he fi rst tack- taineer has in the process also set ly overcrowding this season on killed and eaten in the country astonishing endurance. climber Jerzy Kukuczka seven 16 years of service and re-mort- led the notorious Nanga Parbat several speed climbing records the planet’s top peak. (AFP) every year. (DPA) Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Hong Kong leader Lam to hold dialogue aimed at easing tensions

Reuters “Hong Kong society has really in front of us is still the priority,” a “political gesture”. “I don’t see legal system. But many residents anti-government protesters for its higher rating than China, Hong Kong accumulated a lot of deep-rooted she said. any kind of meaningful reasons complain about what they see as and others who support Beijing. the agency said. Lam said the economic, social and even politi- The former British colony has to have dialogue with Mrs Carrie creeping interference by Beijing Nearly 1,500 people have been Moody’s decision disappointing. cal issues. I hope these diff erent been roiled by nearly four months Lam. All our demands are so clear in Hong Kong’s aff airs despite arrested since the protests inten- “We do not concur, especially if ong Kong’s leader, Car- forms of dialogue can provide a of sometimes violent protests. from the very beginning and she the promise of autonomy. Lam, sifi ed in June. The turmoil is be- the justifi cation for that sort of rie Lam, said yesterday platform for us to discuss,” Lam The trigger for the unrest was an knows this very well,” Chan told a who has been a focus of protest- ginning to hit the economy of the change in outlook is premised Hshe and her team would told reporters at a weekly brief- extradition bill, now withdrawn, news conference. ers’ anger, capitulated to one of fi nancial hub. on whether we’re still upholding begin dialogue sessions with the ing. that would have allowed people “If she keeps on telling us their main demands on Sept 4, Credit rating agency Moody’s ‘one country, two systems’,” she community next week, while re- She said the issues included to be sent from Hong Kong to (there will be) no commission of announcing the full withdrawal changed its outlook on Hong said. iterating that violence that has housing and land shortages in mainland China for trial. inquiry, no universal suff rage, of the extradition bill. But some Kong’s rating to negative from China also says it is commit- roiled the city over three months one of the world’s most densely But the demonstrators’ de- then I think that is the end of it. said that was too little, too late, stable on Monday, refl ecting ted to “one country, two sys- of protests must end. populated cities of 7.4mn. Young mands have broadened to include So it’s not fruitful to meet her at and the protests have continued. what it called the rising risk of tems” and it denies meddling in Lam, who is under pressure people are particularly frustrated universal suff rage and an inde- all,” she said. Police on Monday said 89 peo- “an erosion in the strength of Hong Kong while stressing it is from Beijing to defuse the public by the high cost of fi nding a place pendent inquiry into their com- Hong Kong returned to China ple were arrested over the week- Hong Kong’s institutions”. an internal Chinese issue. China anger stirring the protests, said of their own to live. “But I have plaints of excessive force by the in 1997 under a “one country, end after “radical protesters” The institutional features that has accused foreign powers, par- the dialogue sessions would be to stress here, dialogue platform police. two systems” formula that guar- attacked two police offi cers on grant Hong Kong greater politi- ticularly the United States and as open as possible, with mem- doesn’t mean we don’t have to Tanya Chan, a pro-democracy antees freedoms not enjoyed Sunday evening, hurling petrol cal and economic autonomy — Britain, of fomenting the unrest bers of the public able to sign up take resolute enforcement ac- legislator, said in Geneva yes- on the mainland — including a bombs and bricks. together with the city’s intrinsic and told them to mind their own to attend. tions. Suppressing the violence terday that Lam’s overture was much-cherished independent Brawls also broke out between credit strengths — accounted business.

Solomons to have ‘unprecedented’ development opportunities: China

Reuters sion to go with China was in line only 16 countries, many of them Beijings with the trend of the times, and small, less developed nations in it would have China’s full sup- Central America and the Pacifi c, port, she added. including Belize and Nauru. he Solomon Islands will “We believe that the estab- China claims Taiwan as its have unprecedented de- lishment and development of territory and says it has no right Tvelopment opportunities diplomatic relations with the to formal ties with any nation. now that it has ditched ties with People’s Republic of China, The Solomon Islands’ decision Taiwan in favour of China, Bei- with more than 1.4bn people followed a months-long review jing said yesterday, a major vic- and the world’s second largest of the pros and cons of a switch tory for China in its campaign to economy with a bright future, to Beijing, which was off ering pressure the self-ruled, demo- will surely bring unprecedented $8.5mn in development funds cratic island. opportunities for development to replace support from Tai- The Solomon Islands was for the Solomon Islands.” wan. the sixth country to switch al- Hua did not directly answer a China has in recent years legiance to China since Presi- question on when China would been expanding its infl uence in dent Tsai Ing-wen took offi ce in formally establish ties with the the South Pacifi c, to the concern Taiwan in 2016. Its decision on Solomons, citing only an old of the United States and its main Monday dealt her a new blow in Chinese expression meaning ally in the region, Australia. her struggle to secure re-elec- that everything will happen at Taiwan has been losing allies tion in January amid criticism the right time: “When a melon in other parts of the world too. of her handling of rising tension is ripe, it falls off its stem; and Burkina Faso, the Dominican A Mass Transit Railway (MTR) train is seen derailed on the East Rail line in Hong Kong, China, yesterday. with Beijing. when water fl ows, a channel is Republic, Sao Tome and Princ- Taiwan has accused China for formed”. ipe, Panama and El Salvador luring its allies with promises of The Solomon Islands said it have cut off ties with Taipei in easy loans and aid, accusations felt “profound gratitude” to the recent years. Beijing denies. Chinese Foreign government and people of Tai- Beijing has stepped up its Ministry spokeswoman Hua wan for the deep and friendly pressure on Taiwan, including Chunying implied Taiwan was relations and cooperation over sending regular Chinese bomb- the one guilty of practising dol- 36 years. er patrols around the island, lar diplomacy. “Of course, for The Solomons would estab- since Tsai took offi ce. Train derails in those who are used to buying di- lish a bilateral co-operation China suspects Tsai of push- plomacy with money, they may framework with China to im- ing for Taiwan’s formal inde- not understand that some prin- mediately address areas previ- pendence, a red line for Beijing. ciples cannot be bought, and ously supported by Taiwan, the She says she wants to maintain that trust cannot be bought,” government said in a statement, the status quo, but will defend Hua told a daily news briefi ng. posted on social media. Taiwan Taiwan’s freedom and democ- Hong Kong during The Solomon Islands’ deci- now has formal relations with racy.

Police on alert as Taiwan’s flag lowered in the Solomons

Police maintained a strong what we the people of this programmes focused on presence on the streets of country would have chosen.” agriculture and health, morning rush hour the Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara’s Chinatown has while the Solomon Star Honiara yesterday but borne the brunt of mob Times reported 125 students AFP challenge to Chinese rule since reported no unrest following violence in the past, most currently on scholarships in Hong Kong the city’s handover from Britain the troubled Pacific nation’s recently when Prime Minister Taiwan will have to return in 1997. Sparked by a now-with- decision to switch diplomatic Manasseh Sogavare was home. drawn bill to allow extraditions allegiance to China from elected in April this year. “It is indeed regrettable that passenger train derailed to the mainland, the protests Taiwan. The move, revealed Its prosperous Chinese their unfinished co-operative during the morning rush have turned increasingly violent late Monday when off icials in population – some who have projects must come to Ahour in Hong Kong yes- with clashes between police and Taipei pre-emptively severed been resident for generations an end, and it is a loss for terday leaving eight people in- hardcore protesters becoming ties with Honiara, prompted a – has long been a target Solomon Islands people,” jured, authorities said. frequent. peaceful pro-Taiwan protest on for lingering resentment, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing- Images from the scene showed MTR has been targeted by the island of Malaita. exacerbated by increasing wen said in a statement that three carriages off the tracks and protesters since the company “We’ve spoken to the police numbers of more recent expressed “strong regret zigzagged across the rails near refused to hand over CCTV foot- chief there and there were no migrants who locals feel are and condemnation” over the Hung Hom station in Kowloon — age of police last month beating incidents,” a police spokesman taking a stranglehold on the decision. a busy interchange that provides demonstrators and passengers told AFP. capital’s economy. The Solomons’ government services to mainland China. Pas- on a subway train. In Honiara, a group of Chinese-owned shops were has not made any off icial sengers had to leave the train Protesters have vented their bystanders – some waving largely closed yesterday as statement on its decision and through a broken door and cross fury by vandalising entrance Taiwanese flags – watched as news sank in that 36 years of Sogavare cancelled a planned tracks on the East Rail Line to barriers and ticketing machines Taipei’s embassy lowered its diplomatic ties with Taiwan media conference yesterday, make their way to safety. and smashing windows in sev- flag for the final time. had ended. citing a busy schedule. Five hundred passengers had Rescue workers investigate the scene of a passenger train that eral stations. MTR chief execu- The issue has stirred Police said they had extra Local media reported that been evacuated from the train. derailed outside Hung Hom railway station on the Kowloon side of tive Jacob Kam told the Financial passionate debate in a country off icers on patrol to keep the the lawmakers voted 27-0 Eight passengers reported in- Hong Kong yesterday. Times in an interview published long mired in corruption, with peace and meetings were in favour of recognising juries when they arrived at the before the derailment that the many viewing diplomatic underway with community China, with six abstentions. concourse of the station, accord- won’t speculate on any particular ment. Subway services between protests were an “unprecedent- manoeuvring as an attempt groups. Parliamentarian John Moff at ing to authorities. suggestions,” the city’s transport two stations on the line were sus- ed” challenge and that the fi rm by the political elite to feather “We’re reminding people Fugui, who headed a task force The cause of the derailment chief Frank Chan told reporters. pended and intercity services to has been struggling to cope. their own nests. not to take the law into their which examined the issue, was still under investigation but Lau Tin-shing, operations di- mainland Chinese cities includ- “It is getting more and more “This switch has been own hands and reminding said last week that Sogavare there was no immediate sugges- rector of the city’s only rail com- ing Guangzhou, Dongguan and diffi cult because we are running pushed by a few members of them what’s happened in wants to formally announce tion of foul play after previous pany, the MTR Corporation, told Beijing were cancelled for the out of spares,” he told the FT. “In parliament, backed by foreign the past when protests the change to the UN General attacks by pro-democracy pro- media that short section of the day, according to MTR. fact, what we’ve done is we have influences,” one man, who did have happened,” a police Assembly meeting in New York testers on the city’s mass transit track nearby had been replaced Hong Kong is in its fourth cannibalised parts from other not want to be named, told spokesman told AFP. later this month. system. on Monday and the condition of month of political unrest, which stations and brought them to the AFP on the streets of Honiara As well as closing its embassy, It leaves Taiwan with just 16 “We would not rule out any the replacement is “not unusual”, has seen millions of protest- damaged stations to try to keep yesterday. “It doesn’t reflect Taipei will also scrap aid nations left that recognise it. possibility but at this stage we according to his visual assess- ers hit the streets in the biggest things running.”

Iran confirms charges against Wired Australian government sued over three Australian ‘illegal’ welfare debt recovery citizens Iran yesterday detailed the charges against three Australian AFP and carers — will demand the timated up to A$300mn (US citizens awaiting trial. “Two of Sydney government pay restitution and $200mn) had been “illegally” them were detained for taking damages. collected from those “least able photos of military facilities The so-called “robodebt” to aff ord” it since the scheme’s with a drone, and the third for nemployed Austral- scheme uses an algorithm to launch in mid-2016. “The un- espionage for another country,” ians who say they were compare tax returns with wel- fair and incorrect assumptions Justice Department spokesman Uwrongly targeted by fare payments, with the onus had a devastating fi nancial Gholamhussein Ismaeli said in a an automated debt recovery placed on income support re- impact on people’s lives,” said statement. The Times newspaper scheme will launch a class ac- cipients to prove they do not Gordon. in London previously reported tion against the government, owe the amount demanded. “The emotional distress for that one of the women — an their lawyer announced yester- Advocates and welfare recipi- people who have done nothing academic with dual Australian day, as Canberra ramps up pres- ents say many have been relent- wrong has been high.” and British citizenship — had sure on welfare recipients. lessly hounded by debt collec- Robodebt is one of a raft of been sentenced to 10 years in The case — which claims the tors to pay thousands of dollars measures pushed by Australia’s prison. But Ismaeli said all three controversial system unlawfully they did not owe. conservative government in re- were in prison and awaiting trial. took money from job seekers Lawyer Peter Gordon, who cent years targeting the alleged He did not give further details on Two women check their mobile phones while sitting on a bench at a beach in Singapore yesterday. as well as pensioners, students is leading the class action, es- misuse of welfare. the case. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 18, 2019 13

BRITAIN

No-deal Brexit like ‘burning your house down’: LibDem leader

AFP/Reuters Brexit, seeing their polling num- “There is no Brexit that will be The LibDems have wooed MPs of the EU, with or without a deal, be the ones to “defeat national- to mitigate possible food, fuel, Bournemouth bers soar after pitching them- good for our country.” who support EU membership on October 31. ism and populism”. and medicine shortages. selves as the party to overturn the The party came second in the from both main parties, Con- “The next few weeks are about “For so many, the 2016 refer- As a party which has never won result of the 2016 referendum. recent European parliamentary servative and Labour, and is set to deciding the kind of country endum ushered in a new kind of more than 62 seats at an election, iberal Democrat leader Jo “The fi rst task is clear. We elections, leapfrogging both the perform well in a general election we are and who we want to be,” politics. Driven by hate, fear and the prospect of Swinson forming a Swinson warned in her must stop Brexit,” said Swinson governing Conservatives and op- which many believe is imminent. Swinson told the party faithful division,” she said. government is a long way off , even Lparty conference speech during her maiden conference position Labour Party. Labour has now called for a in the south coast resort town of “We can change our politics, though British politics is at its most yesterday that a no-deal Brexit speech as party leader. Its unequivocal support for second referendum, but the Lib- Bournemouth. stop Brexit and win a brighter unpredictable juncture in decades. would be like “burning your “We are crystal clear: a Liberal the EU was demonstrated when Dems are the only party promis- “The truth is, you can’t plan future.” “Ahead of us we have the “The tired old parties have house down” as she pledged to Democrat majority government prominent MEP Guy Verhofs- ing to immediately overturn the for no-deal. Planning for no- fi ght of our lives for the heart and failed, looking inward at a time cancel Britain’s departure from will revoke Article 50 on day tadt, who has been heading up result of the Brexit referendum deal is like planning to burn your soul of Britain,” she said. of national crisis,” she said. “Our the EU altogether. one,” she added, referring to the the European parliament’s ef- and keep Britain in the European house down. You might have in- The government has acknowl- country needs us, at this precari- The pro-EU LibDems have legal mechanism that has set in forts on Brexit, was invited to bloc. surance, but you’re still going to edged there will be “bumps in the ous time. We do not have 10, or 15 capitalised on the squabbles motion Britain’s departure from give a conference speech earlier Prime Minister Boris Johnson lose all your stuff .” road” if it cannot agree an exit years. We need to seize the op- within the two main parties over the European Union. in the week. has promised to take Britain out She also said her party would deal, but says it has plans in place portunity now.” EU citizens feel safer in Scotland than in England, reveals survey

Guardian News and Media The report, EU families and London Eurochildren in Brexiting Brit- ain, found there was still unease over future life. U citizens feel more wel- One UK national married to come and safer in Scot- an EU national who have fi ve Eland than they do in Eng- UK-born children said they feel land, university researchers Brexit is “saying to me the way I have found. live my life is no longer accept- Interviewees from 13 diff er- able because I married a for- ent EU states living in Scotland eigner”. acknowledged that the atmos- Another interviewee spoke of phere was diff erent in the run fears they could not bring their up to the referendum and was elderly parents to the country “not, or less hostile” than their to look after them even though experience of the aftermath in they had lived here more than 20 England. years. Others said their self confi - “I was feeling really dence in their identity had been A protester dressed as comic character Incredible Hulk acts out an arrest with a protester dressed as film character Robocop outside the Supreme Court in central London on depressed but then I undermined and they had been the first day of the hearing into the decision by the government to prorogue parliament. remember how Sturgeon forced into taking British citi- went on telly and spoke zenship. directly to EU citizens One interviewee from Roma- in Scotland and it’s your nia said: “Frankly before Brexit home and so on, and that I don’t think I would have gone was really reassuring” for something like this. I would have been just happy as a I am. I “While frustration, anxiety, don’t need to be a British citizen. and disappointment are shared I don’t feel I want to be a British PM could recall parliament by all participants, we found a citizen. Now I feel I should be.” stark diff erence on how EU na- They also felt less disenfran- tionals feel about post-referen- chised because the discussion of dum Britain whether they live Scottish identity including EU in England or Scotland,” said families during the 2014 inde- Nando Sigona, a professor at pendence referendum, in which if suspension ruled unlawful the University of Birmingham’s they had a right to vote. Institute for Research into Su- “EU citizens in Scotland are Reuters his Brexit policy, especially his unlawful and an “egregious” at- divisions wrought by the EU is- that the court could draw adverse perdiversity which conducted worried about Brexit and what it London promise to leave the European tempt to stymie parliament. sue, angry groups of rival Brexit inference from that. the study. will mean to them and the future Union by October 31 even if no However, a week earlier the and pro-European supporters Johnson has said the current The vote to remain, combined of their children. But they also divorce deal has been agreed. High Court of England and Wales shouted abuse at each other out- session of parliament was longer with reassurance from Nicola feel at home in Scotland, more oris Johnson could re- They want the Supreme Court, rejected a similar case, saying side court. than any since the English Civil Sturgeon in a letter directly ad- than elsewhere in the UK. They call parliament if Britain’s the United Kingdom’s highest ju- the matter was political and not Launching the legal challenge war in the 17th century, and that dressed to EU nationals were feel valued for their contribution. Bhighest court rules he un- dicial body, to rule Johnson’s ac- something judges should inter- to Johnson’s decision — by a mix- lawmakers would have plenty of considered major factors be- More importantly, they feel they lawfully suspended it, a govern- tions were illegal. fere in. ture of anti-Brexit campaign- time to discuss Brexit again after tween the experience of EU citi- can belong to the Scottish nation ment lawyer said yesterday, after Critics, including rebels All 11 judges on the Supreme ers and opposition lawmakers an EU summit on October 17-18. zens in Scotland and England. because this is not in opposition judges heard the prime minis- thrown out of his Conservative Court will now decide on a cru- — David Pannick said there was He has denied misleading the One Danish man in Glas- with being also French, Italian, ter wanted a shutdown because Party over Brexit, say he should cial question: how far Britain’s strong evidence the prime minis- Queen. gow said: “I was feeling really Polish and European,” said Sigo- it was an obstacle to his Brexit resign if that is its decision. unwritten constitution limits the ter wanted to silence parliament In an interview broadcast yes- depressed (after the referen- na. plans. “The consequence (of his ad- power of the prime minister and because he saw it as an obstacle. terday, Johnson declined to say dum) but then I remember how In families of mixed parentage, Johnson announced on August vice to the monarch being ruled whether Johnson’s advice to the No premier had abused the whether he would recall parlia- Sturgeon went on telly the next Polish was the top nationality, 28 that he had asked Queen Eliz- unlawful) could be that he goes Queen was therefore illegal. prorogation power in this way ment if the ruling goes against morning and spoke directly to followed by German and Irish. abeth to prorogue, or suspend, to the Queen and seeks the recall “That this is a serious and dif- for at least 50 years, Pannick him. “I think the best thing that EU citizens in Scotland and it’s Nazek Ramadan, the director parliament for fi ve weeks from of parliament,” Richard Keen, the fi cult question of law is amply told the court. “He...wished to I can do is wait and see what the your home and so on, and that of Migrant Voice and partner of last week until October 14. government’s chief law offi cer in demonstrated by the fact that avoid what he saw as the risk that judges say,” he told the BBC. was really reassuring. the Eurochildren project, has He said the shutdown was Scotland, told the court. three senior judges in Scotland parliament would take action to However, Keen said the prime “I don’t remember what the called on policymakers across necessary to allow him to intro- However, Keen was unable to have reached a diff erent conclu- frustrate or damage the policies minister would “respond by all letter said but I remember that the UK to take note of the re- duce a new legislative agenda. rule out that Johnson might then sion from three senior judges in of his government,” he said. necessary means” to any decla- we got that, me and Fernando search to ensure that all mi- Opponents said the real reason look to suspend parliament again. England and Wales,” said Brenda He said it was “remarkable” ration by the court that the ad- and it was so nice to receive grants in the UK “feel safe and was to prevent scrutiny and chal- In a damning judgement last Hale, president of the Supreme Johnson had not provided a wit- vice Johnson gave to the Queen this,” said a Portuguese-Brazil- comfortable, and have a chance lenges by parliament — where Wednesday, Scotland’s highest Court. ness statement spelling out his was illegal. ian woman. at a good and prosperous life”. he now has no majority — to court said the suspension was Illustrating the deep social reasons for the prorogation and Police chief slams PM’s Outrage as blue shark political speech to recruits served at food festival Guardian News and Media and other marine creatures are London trapped by commercial fi shing Guardian News and Media seem to me to be problematic on ent Kenny McDonald, described nets by mistake. Members of the London all sides.” Beech’s claims about historic public reacted with outrage on Fa- She added: “How it happened, child abuse by prominent mem- onservationists have criti- cebook. I don’t know. But I’m sure every- bers of the establishment as cised an event during a One woman said: “In a time and he UK’s most senior po- body wishes it hadn’t happened.” “credible and true”. Cseafood festival in which a city where we are encouraged to lice offi cer has criticised Dick pointed out that the She said: “Everybody thinks shark was paraded through a port help with the protection and con- TBoris Johnson for mak- Chancellor, Sajid Javid, had vis- that that was just a mistake. It city before being chopped up, servation of sharks many people ing a political speech in front of ited a police training college in shouldn’t have been said. cooked and served to onlookers. think this is just terrible, especial- a backdrop of police recruits and Hendon, north-west London, “When I heard I was very sur- The blue shark, a near-threat- ly with shark numbers dwindling.” expressed puzzlement at how it after announcing the recruit- prised. And I just felt for him im- ened species, was hoisted in the air Another person wrote: “Totally was allowed to take place. ment of 20,000 police offi cers to mediately. I remember thinking: by two men and carried through out of order, killed and paraded. I The Metropolitan police com- replace those cut since 2010. ‘Oh no, I know you didn’t mean Plymouth, Devon, before be- thought these days were over.” missioner, Cressida Dick, was She added: “I’m glad to say to say that.’ What he would have ing deposited on a stage where it Plymouth city council said: away earlier this month when nothing like that happened at meant to say was this person ap- formed part of a cookery demon- “Unfortunately during this year’s the prime minister was accused Hendon.” pears credible. And unfortunately stration. Seafood festival a shark was inad- of abusing the impartiality of the Dick also promised to “learn when pressed he said ‘credible Experts from the Ocean Con- vertently caught as a by-catch by police by making partisan com- the lessons” from Met failures and true’. And that of course was a servation Trust, which is based a local fi sherman on one of their ments about Brexit and the next during the multimillion-pound mistake. It was unfortunate and it in Plymouth, led criticism of the regular commercial fi shing activi- election at a police training col- Operation Midland inquiry into dented people’s confi dence in the scenes on the historic waterside ties and was then brought to the lege in Wakefi eld. allegations of a VIP paedophile investigation from there on in.” area, the Barbican. ‘catch of the day’ session on the Asked about the incident on an ring based on the fabricated Dick added: “I was not in po- Helen Gowans from the charity main stage of the Seafood festival. LBC radio phone-in yesterday, claims of Carl Beech. licing for the vast majority of the said: “As an ocean conservation “We and our partners are com- Dick joined the West Yorkshire Dick was involved briefl y at the time that Midland took place. charity, we do not condone the mitted to protecting our marine police constable, John Robins, in start of the operation in 2014 be- My job is to make sure that the eating of blue shark and were dis- environment and sustainable fi sh- questioning the prime minister’s fore leaving the force for a stint at Met has learned lessons and we appointed to see that a blue shark ing, especially around endangered behaviour. the Foreign Offi ce. look forward.” She added: “It was was shown off as well as being fea- species such as sharks, and we do She said: “To make a highly Just after she left, a senior horrifi c in its impact on the in- tured on the chef’s stage.” not condone what happened and political speech in front of a offi cer in charge of Operation dividuals. I think it has damaged It is understood the shark was we want to make sure this does not group of police offi cers does Midland, detective superintend- the Met’s reputation.” Cressida Dick: ‘I’m sure everybody wishes it hadn’t happened.’ landed as “by-catch”, when fi sh happen again in future events.” Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 BRITAIN

Councils acting as recruiting sergeants for county lines: MPs

Daily Mail The report by the all-party par- “We know that county lines gangs last year. Almost half of all miss- Over the same period the radar’ to the authorities. ple, a child who had been sexually London liamentary group for runaway and have been sent to areas where ing person incidents relate to number of children identifi ed The properties are not subject to exploited was placed in the same missing children and adults warns young people are predominantly children vanishing from chil- as vulnerable to gangs rose from Ofsted inspections and the police accommodation as a child sex of- the system for “looked-after” placed ‘out of area’, to scout new dren’s homes, secure accom- 3,680 to 8,650, according to analy- often learn that vulnerable chil- fender. own halls are acting as children is at crisis point. opportunities where they can de- modation or semi-independent sis by The Guardian. dren are living there only follow- The parliamentary inquiry “recruiting sergeants” for They are often being abandoned velop business and recruit new units. Between April 1, 2017, and Part of the problem is a near ing a sudden spike in anti-social concluded: “By placing so many Tcounty lines gangs by mak- by council offi cials in cheap ats fl members.” March 31, 2019, 11,530 children doubling in the number of youths behaviour and reports of youths children out of area, councils and ing thousands of vulnerable chil- in rundown areas, living alongside Two thirds of youngsters in – 11% of all youngsters in care – over the age of 16 being placed in going missing. government are complicit in exac- dren live miles from home. adult criminals, paedophiles, drug children’s homes now live large went missing at some stage. unregulated semi-independent MPs found that these premises erbating the trauma of neglected A damning inquiry by MPs says addicts and gang members. distances from their family and Separate analysis of children’s homes. are “often well known to local and abused children and of unwit- troubled youngsters are being Most of the 41 police forces that friends, up from 46% in 2012. services data shows that the The Children’s Society has criminals and are seen as an easy tingly providing new recruits for dumped in unsupervised housing responded to the inquiry said plac- As a result, record numbers number of times youngsters were estimated that around 8,400 target location for recruitment of county lines.” to save costs. Isolated from their ing children out of their home area are going missing, often because assessed as vulnerable because youths aged 16 and 17 are liv- new children”. The term county lines refers to friends, families and even social increased the risk of them being criminals have ordered them to they had gone missing almost ing in this type of accommoda- In some instances, children gangs using mobile phones to sell workers, they risk being recruited exploited by criminals. deliver drugs. The number has doubled from 8,850 in 2015 to tion. The cheap housing, often were found to be living alongside drugs, often from cities to smaller to sell heroin and crack cocaine. One youth worker told the MPs: risen from 990 in 2015 to 1,990 16,070 last year. privately run, is considered ‘off criminals. In one shocking exam- towns.

Woman fi rst to swim Channel Smart energy four times non-stop meter rollout AFP London

n American breast cancer survivor yesterday be- Acame the fi rst person to swim across the English Channel deadline four times non-stop in a 54-hour feat of endurance. Sarah Thomas, 37, an open water marathon swimmer from the US state of Colorado, could be seen in a video posted on Fa- cebook arriving at Dover with a delayed to ’24 group of supporters cheering her on. Daily Mail years behind. It’s been an open Citizens Advice has long called “I feel a little sick,” she is heard London secret in the energy industry for the rollout to be slowed down. saying following the herculean that the deadline will be pushed Guy added: “We’ve seen some eff ort, which reportedly saw her back. Suppliers are miles off energy companies use aggres- cover close to 209kms due to he rollout of smart me- from installing them in all sive techniques to try to persuade strong tides. ters has been delayed by homes.” people to have smart meters fi t- Only four swimmers have pre- Tfour years, ministers ad- Customers can refuse to ted as soon as possible to meet viously completed the approxi- mitted. have a smart meter, but firms the existing timeline. mately 21-mile Channel crossing In an embarrassing climb- face fines if they have not done “We are pleased the govern- between Britain and France three down, they announced that enough to promote the devices. ment is extending the dead- times without stopping. families will now have until This has led to concerns that line. It’s also apparent the cost “I just can’t believe we did it,” 2024 to install one of the de- energy giants have resorted to of the rollout is escalating, and Thomas told the BBC. “I’m really vices. ‘blackmail’. the public are picking up the tab just pretty numb. The scheme has been so Aggressive practices include through their energy bills. “There was a lot of people on shambolic that only half of limiting the best tariff s to those “People will still benefit in the beach to meet me and wish homes will have a smart me- with smart meters. Households the long run, but today’s cost- me well and it was really nice ter by the original 2020 dead- have complained of technical benefit analysis shows focusing of them, but I feel just mostly line and the estimated cost has issues, with many saying their on speed hasn’t worked.” stunned.” soared by £2.5bn to £13.5bn. device had stopped working af- Climate change minister Lord Thomas said the hardest part Only 2mn of the 15mn prop- ter switching supplier. Another Duncan insisted the energy was dealing with the salt water, erties with the devices have common issue is broken display system was already cheaper, which left her throat and mouth models that automatically al- screens, which show customers greener and more efficient be- sore, while she also got stung in low customers to switch sup- their usage rates. cause of smart meters. the face by a jellyfi sh. plier. The government initially said “Replacing traditional gas The athlete relied on a protein The delay shows the govern- every household and business and electricity meters is a vital recovery drink mixed with elec- ment has “finally recognised must have a smart meter by 2020. upgrade to our national energy trolytes and caff eine — which reality”, according to Gillian But it quietly backtracked on infrastructure,” he said. was tied to a rope and thrown to Guy of Citizens Advice. “This that pledge in the 2017 Queen’s “We remain on track for sup- her every 30 minutes — to com- new deadline gives suppliers Speech by saying the meters pliers to off er every home a smart plete the feat, according to her time to fix ongoing technical needed only to be “off ered” by meter by the end of next year, but mother. problems and make sure cus- that time. to maintain momentum beyond Endurance swimmer Lewis tomer service isn’t sidelined as The new 2024 deadline is the 2020 we are proposing strict Pugh wrote on Twitter that her the rollout continues,’ she said. fi rst time ministers have ap- yearly installation targets. This achievement was “extraordi- Smart meters send readings peared to admit the initial target will deliver even greater benefi ts nary, amazing, super-human”. to suppliers and are supposed was too ambitious. for households and reduce emis- “Just when we think we’ve to encourage households to The announcement came from sions – helping the UK to meet reached the limit of human en- reduce their energy consump- Andrea Leadsom’s department its net zero 2050 target.” durance, someone shatters the tion – saving money and the for business, energy and indus- Robert Cheesewright of records,” he wrote. environment. But families are trial strategy. Smart Energy GB, the firm set In a post on Saturday before paying around £10 a year more It estimates customers will up to promote the devices, said: setting off , Thomas wrote: “This through their bills to fund the not begin to make savings from “The financial and environ- swim is dedicated to all the sur- rollout and are not expected to smart meters until 2022 and they mental benefits for households vivors out there. This is for those save cash until 2022. will gain only £36 a year by 2034. and the country far outweigh of us who have prayed for our Lily Green, of energy experts It said suppliers will be required the costs by billions of pounds.” lives, who have wondered with Look After My Bills, said: “At to meet strict annual targets after The launch of the smart me- despair about what comes next, last the government has faced 2020, with the aim that at least ter policy was announced by and have battled through pain US swimmer Sarah Thomas swims in the Dover Strait, 10 miles off the English coast, on the first leg of up to the truth and admitted 85% of homes will have a new then-energy secretary Chris and fear to overcome.” her non-stop four leg, 54 hour, cross-Channel swim between England and France. that the smart meter rollout is device by 2024. Huhne in July 2010. Tories knew probation Body scanners to screen rail commuters

Daily Mail escalator or enter ticket barri- service was ‘a mess’ London ers without slowing them down or requiring a physical search. The technology does not show Guardian News and Media terms, the government decided 2015. The quality of probation tate-of-the-art body scan- any intimate body parts and it is London to end the contracts early and re- and the performance were regu- ners designed to detect impossible to tell an individual’s ceived signifi cant criticism from larly raised by people from within Sknives, guns and explosives gender, age or ethnicity from the the National Audit Offi ce. the ministry of justice and within hidden under clothing are being imagery. he former justice secretary Lee quit the government over the Tory party, Lee told the con- deployed for the fi rst time. The Home Offi ce is spending Chris Grayling was warned Theresa May’s Brexit policy in ference. In a bid to crack down on the £40,000 on the fi ve-day experi- Trepeatedly by members of 2018 after serving as a justice He said: “In fact, internally spiralling bloodshed in ‘Wild ment, which is being run by the the Tory party not to part-pri- minister since 2016. He issued within the Conservative party, West Britain’, offi cers are using BTP with support from the Met- vatise the probation service, ac- his criticism while speaking at there were deep concerns about the technology at a major Lon- ropolitan Police. cording to an ex-minister. his fi rst LibDem party conference that policy.” don station. The portable machines are Phillip Lee, who quit to join in Bournemouth at a fringe event Lee’s frank appraisal of jus- The British Transport Po- used on the Los Angeles Metro, the Liberal Democrats earlier this on vulnerability in the justice tice policies developed by the lice (BTP) have set up the trial which last year became the fi rst month, has revealed that dur- system. He told party members party under Grayling’s lead- to spot concealed weapons at mass transport system in the US ing his two years in the justice that the Tory government “knew ership also involved concerns Stratford in east London, which to adopt the technology. department there were “deep internally that (the system) was a about the relationships with is used by millions of passen- Policing Minister Kit Malt- concerns about that policy” from mess”. lobbying groups for women and gers every year. house said: “We are pulling out within the party itself. He said: “There were some victims, which he described as The scanners, made by Ox- all the stops in a battle against The probation service was market-sensitive issues be- “pretty awful” when he first fordshire-based company Thru- knife crime – in London and part-privatised in 2014 under cause obviously they were pri- joined the ministry. vision, work by revealing objects across the country.” Grayling, the then secretary of vate companies. What frustrat- “I spent most of my time in stashed inside clothing which Siwan Hayward, of Transport state. It cost £500mn and in- ed those of us on the liberal side the first, six, nine to 12 months block a person’s body heat. for London, said: “It is never ac- volved lower- and mid-risk of- of the Conservative party was trying to get that relationship Sensitive cameras capable of ceptable to carry a weapon and fenders being supervised by 21 the person who was responsi- into a better position,” said Lee, screening 2,000 passengers an we fully support the work of the private companies. ble for introducing the original adding that the department was hour enable offi cers to see on a police to crack down on knife After a series of failings from policy was told repeatedly not a revolving door of ministers screen the size and shape of any crime.” providers, including a sharp rise to do it.” and not often viewed as a de- blades or fi rearms. More than 100 people have in off enders being recalled to Grayling was at the helm of the partment for which politicians Thruvision can scan com- been murdered on London prison for breaching their licence department between 2012 and craved to work. Grayling: was warned not to part-privatise probation service muters 30ft away as they ride an streets this year. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 18, 2019 15 EUROPE

WEATHER WOES CRIME NUMBER CRUNCH NO CASUALTIES PEDAL POWER Flood death toll tops 7 Italian police probe attack Berlin e-scooters caused 65 Russia virus laboratory Austrian bike couriers get in southeastern Spain on soldier by migrant accidents in three months probed over explosion collective wage agreement

The death toll from torrential rains and floods Italy’s anti-terrorism police yesterday opened Electric-scooter users in Berlin often drive drunk A research laboratory in Siberia is being Food delivery riders and bicycle couriers in in southeastern Spain rose to seven yesterday an investigation into the stabbing of a soldier by and have caused dozens of accidents, police investigated over a possible breach of regulations Austria will be covered by a collective wage after the discovery of the body of a missing a Yemeni man, Italian media said. The 23-year said yesterday, three months to the day since the after a construction worker was injured in a agreement that is the world’s first for this 66-year-old Dutch national, local off icials said. old attacked the soldier outside Milan’s central scooters were licenced for use on German roads. gas explosion and subsequent fire, local media industry, according to a statement issued The alarm was raised on Sunday after a man was station, lightly wounding him in the neck before Since June 15, the police has recorded 74 accidents reported yesterday. The explosion happened yesterday by employee and union negotiators. sucked into flood water in a canal at Dolores, being detained by other soldiers who were in the German capital involving e-scooters, on the upper floor of the reinforced concrete Wage talks began early this year after the a town 40km southeast of Alicante. The body, patrolling the area, the reports said. While some which left 16 people seriously injured and 43 with building, the Vector laboratory said on its website. booming online delivery market led to the matching a description by the Dutchman’s media said he was wielding a paper-knife, the minor injuries. The most common causes of the The centre specialises in infectious diseases and number of these bicycle riders increasing to family, was recovered in San Fulgencio village Repubblica daily said he used a pair of scissors accidents were driving mistakes, the illegal use of develops vaccines against hepatitis and influenza, several thousand across Austria in recent years. several kilometres (miles) away, said a central and stabbed the soldier, 34, in the back as well as pavements and alcohol consumption. In 65 of the among other things. Workers were engaged in Most of them work as freelancers. Starting government spokesman in the region. Torrential the neck. The wounds were superficial, the daily 74 cases, the e-scooter users were at fault. In 27 painting work when the explosion happened, in January, riders will be entitled to 12 basic rains battered the area between last Wednesday said. The man had been reported to police on cases, no one else was involved in the accident — according to off icial information. There was no monthly salaries of 1,506 euros ($1,662). Two and Sunday, causing widespread flooding and Monday after allegedly trying to attack people in the drivers fell on their own. In 19 of the cases, the damage to the building. The injured worker was additional salaries are paid in summer and leaving many areas cut off . the station with a pen, the reports said. police are investigating hit and runs. taken to hospital with minor burns. winter, as is usual in Austria. Mirror image Spain to hold snap election on Nov 10

Reuters Madrid

cting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez yesterday Acalled a snap election for November 10, Spain’s fourth in as many years, after failing to se- cure support from rival parties to confi rm him as premier and allow him to form a government. Sanchez acted after King Felipe VI said there were no vi- able candidates to lead a new government. Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addresses a news The king, who is the head of conference at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid yesterday after a state, had earlier consulted all meeting with King Felipe. key political leaders to verify whether a deal to put together a unable to win enough seats in the plied with all their demands. government was still possible in 350-seat parliament to secure a “His response...is a joke on all a deeply fragmented parliament. majority on their own. Spaniards. I’m asking him to rec- A cyclist passes a rain puddle that reflects the Schwerin castle in Schwerin, northern Germany, yesterday. “There is no majority in (parlia- Party leaders had spent more tify, to go back to constitutional- ment) that guarantees the forma- time publicly blaming each other ity and allow to unblock Spain,” tion of a government, which pushes for the impasse than negotiating, Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera us into a repeat election on Novem- and a fl urry of last-minute calls wrote on Twitter. ber 10,” Sanchez told an evening and initiatives failed to achieve a The conservative People’s news conference, pinning the breakthrough. Party (PP), which was second blame squarely on the opposition. Although Spain’s economy in April’s election, said it would Spain, with the fourth larg- has not suff ered greatly, financial vote against Sanchez. Ukraine central bank ex-chief’s est economy in the European analysts say further delays in im- Pablo Iglesias, leader of far- Union’s euro currency zone, plementing reforms in areas such left Unidas Podemos, reaffi rmed has been in political limbo since as labour and pensions could fi - after meeting the king that he Sanchez’s Socialists emerged as nally start to bite. would support Sanchez’s confi r- the biggest party in April’s elec- The centre-right Ciudadanos mation only if he agrees to a coa- home burnt in latest attack tion but failed to nail down a par- party had off ered on Monday to lition government. liamentary majority. help Sanchez secure parliament’s The Socialists had earlier ruled In July, parliament twice re- confi rmation as prime minister out a coalition government with AFP Britain last month and had to break-in, regional police chief Gontareva came into confl ict jected his confi rmation bid, and if certain conditions were met, Podemos. Iglesias said it would Kyiv undergo surgery. Mykola Zhykovych told Ukrain- with Ukrainian oligarch Igor this week was his last opportu- but Sanchez said his party was be “reasonable” for King Felipe In early September, her ian media. Kolomoisky, whom she accused nity to form a government. already meeting the conditions. to allow more time for talks but daughter-in-law’s car was The US embassy called for an of siphoning $ 5.5bn from the Opinion polls show a new Ciudadanos accused him of EFE news agency cited sources krainian police yes- burnt in Kyiv. “urgent and thorough investi- country’s largest bank Privat- election might not end the im- lying in his response and said it close to the king saying there terday investigated a Ukrainian President Volody- gation” while a joint statement Bank, which was nationalised passe, with the Socialists still could back him only if he com- would be no delay. Ufi re that destroyed the myr Zelensky called the attack a by the European and American in 2016. house of a reformist former “brutal crime, the quick inves- business associations warned Kolomoisky, who returned central bank chief, who along tigation of which must be a pri- that “such situations are send- to Ukraine this year after living Norway mosque shooter who killed sister had racist motive: police with the bank called it an act of ority for law enforcement.” ing the wrong message.” abroad, has links to former co- “terror.” “This is no longer a series of Gontareva, an investment median President Zelensky: the A Norwegian man accused of The body of his 17-year-old Police had until now been con- The country home of Valeria incidents, it is TERROR,” the banker, was appointed to the oligarch’s channel broadcasts killing his step-sister before open- step-sister was later found in their sidering two possible motives for Gontareva in a village north of National Bank of Ukraine said in post in 2014, shortly after war Zelensky’s shows, and Zelensky ing fire in a mosque near Oslo in home. Adopted by his father’s her murder: that of a racist crime, Kyiv burnt to the ground after a statement, demanding police broke out in eastern Ukraine has employed several people August had racist motives, police girlfriend, Johanne Zhangjia Ihle- and that she may have found out being struck yesterday morn- action. following the declaration of who formerly worked for Kolo- said yesterday, confirming he shot Hansen, was killed by four bullets, about his plan for the mosque ing with a Molotov cocktail, “This is a direct and undis- independence by pro-Russian moisky. her because of her Chinese origin. police said in a statement. shooting and tried to stop him. Gontareva told Interfax Ukraine guised threat to democracy and separatists in the region. Zelensky earlier this month Philip Manshaus, 22, was ar- Manshaus’ explanation and Manshaus, who is being held in from London, where she now the reforms that Ukraine’s fu- Respected in the West for met Kolomoisky, who is looking rested after opening fire in the Al- technical evidence, including custody pending formal charges, lives. ture and the well-being of its her reforms in Ukraine’s murky to invalidate PrivatBank’s na- Noor mosque in an aff luent Oslo the lack of a struggle, “support has admitted to the facts but has “The terror continues,” she people depend on,” it said. fi nancial sector, Gontareva re- tionalisation. suburb on August 10 before he the version that she was killed rejected the “terrorist act” and added. Police said they had found signed in 2017 after coming The tycoon denied the two was overpowered by a 65-year-old because of what the attacker “murder” suspicions against him. Gontareva, who headed the an “incendiary rocket” at the under intense pressure from discussed a deal on PrivatBank, man. Just three worshippers were considers as race, because she On September 9, at a court hear- National Bank of Ukraine for scene. tycoons and lawmakers who but said he saw a “good window in the mosque at the time, and was of Asian origin,” police off icial ing, Manshaus raised his arm in a three years until 2017 when she Footage from surveillance wanted to throw her in jail for of opportunity” for a “settle- there were no serious injuries. Pal-Fredrik Hjort Kraby told TV2. Nazi salute to the assembled media. resigned, was struck by a car in cameras suggested there was a devaluing the national currency. ment”. Under-pressure Merkel govt to unveil climate strategy

By Frank Zeller, AFP sidies for cleaner cars and home Merkel’s government will an- SUVs more than on hybrid or climate levy helped spark the Berlin heating systems. nounce its plan on the day ex- zero-emission electric cars. “yellow vests” protest move- A bone of contention remained pected to see the biggest interna- While the details of the climate ment. how to price the emission of cli- tional wave of climate strikes yet plan remained hazy, Finance Her party instead advocates eeling the heat from a vocal mate-killer CO2 into economic by the Fridays for Future move- Minister Olaf Scholz promised a extending the trade in right-to- climate protest movement, activity — either through a car- ment and the hundreds of civic “very ambitious” package. pollute emission certifi cates to FGerman Chancellor An- bon tax or the trading of emis- groups that support it. “I can feel the will of all the transport and building sec- gela Merkel’s government plans sions permits, the option fa- “We are heading for a life-de- coalition partners to actually tors. to unveil a multi-billion-euro voured by Merkel. stroying crisis and so far nothing achieve something that does The climate package presents grand plan for tackling global “Climate protection is a chal- has happened,” said Linus Stein- justice to the scope of the chal- a delicate balancing act for the warming. lenge for humankind,” she said in metz of the student movement lenge,” he said on ZDF public two mainstream parties, which Days before a UN climate sum- her latest weekly podcast. launched last year by Swedish television. have been under fi re from both mit in New York, Merkel’s team “We can see that climate teenage activist Greta Thun- Speaking separately to Bild the far-right Alternative for Ger- was to announce details on Fri- change is already a reality. In the berg. “That’s why we’re raising am Sonntag newspaper, Scholz many party and the ascendant day as the top EU economy, once past 50 years, storms, heat waves the pressure — together we’re suggested that a switch to Greens. a green energy pioneer, is bound and fl oods have also tripled in strong.” electric cars could be boosted On the one hand, the anti-im- to miss its 2020 carbon reduction Germany. Export powerhouse Germany with “something like a one- migration AfD, which is strong- targets. “Germany is an industrialised accounts for around 2% of the million-charging-station pro- est in the ex-communist east, Political parties were still hag- country. In recent decades we worldwide emissions blamed for gramme”. rails against Merkel’s govern- gling over the details early in the have emitted a great deal of CO2 heating the Earth’s atmosphere, An April 16, 2019, file photo of German Chancellor Angela Merkel Scholz’s Social Democrats, ment, wind energy farms and the week, but Berlin was likely to and thus contributed to global melting ice caps, raising sea holding a toy wind wheel during the opening of the Arkona wind junior coalition partners to Mer- planned closure of Germany’s pledge some 40bn euros ($44bn) warming.” levels and intensifying violent park in Sassnitz, northern Germany. kel’s conservatives, have also last coal mines. over four years, newspaper Welt At the end of Germany’s sec- weather events. called for a broad carbon tax, On the other hand the Greens’ am Sonntag reported. ond blistering summer in a row, Merkel, a scientist by profession, However, many of those gains Fukushima disaster. Car-mad which would raise the cost of popular co-leader Robert Habeck Measures proposed by Mer- as fear of climate change has was once known as the “climate have been eroded by an in- Germany has also lagged badly goods and services reliant on fos- warned against any half-hearted kel’s CDU party include boosting energised especially young vot- chancellor” as she pushed forward creased reliance on dirty coal, in behind in the transport sector, sil fuels. “fi g-leaf policy” on climate and public transport services, mak- ers, the mainstream parties are a green energy transition that vastly part to off set the phase-out by where state-coddled auto giants Merkel’s bloc has, however, demanded more concrete steps, ing train travel cheaper and fl ying struggling to catch up on the hot- increased clean renewables such as 2022 of nuclear power that Mer- VW, Daimler and BMW have resisted this, perhaps mind- such as a deadline for banning more expensive, and raising sub- button issue. wind and solar power. kel decided after Japan’s 2011 long focused on gas-guzzling ful of how a French plan for a petrol and diesel cars. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 EUROPE

DEFENCE HEALTH EU MEMBERSHIP TRANSPORT QUITTING Russian guards take on Iodine for people living Tusk backs EU talks with French customs, Eurotunnel Atlantia head resigns year North Korean poachers near French nuke plants Balkan neighbours practise Brexit scenarios after Genoa bridge crash

Three Russian coast guards were injured France will off er free iodine tablets to around The European Union’s outgoing president, French customs off icials and Eurotunnel said Giovanni Castellucci resigned yesterday as yesterday in a clash with North Korean fishing 2.2mn people living close to nuclear plants Donald Tusk, yesterday urged the bloc’s yesterday that they are confident of maintaining head of Italian infrastructure group Atlantia, boats in the Sea of Japan, after which 80 to help protect them from radiation in case members to back entry talks with North a smooth flow of traff ic through the Channel whose subsidiary Autostrade was responsible fishermen were detained, Russia’s FSB security of an accident. Nuclear regulator ASN said Macedonia and Albania, saying they had lived Tunnel at Calais after Britain leaves the EU, as they for maintenance on the Genoa bridge which service said. The FSB security service, which yesterday people living within 10-20km of one up to their tasks and Europe would not be stable conducted a joint dress rehearsal for Brexit. During collapsed last year leaving 43 people dead, controls the border and coast guard, said in a of utility EDF’s 19 nuclear plants, as well as without the Balkans in the European Union. the rehearsal, trucks crossing into France from the company said in a statement that made no statement that guards observed two fishing some 200,000 institutions such as schools, Visiting Skopje and Tirana a month before EU the British side had the bar codes of their customs mention of the August 2018 disaster. Castellucci, vessels and 11 motor boats while on duty in will receive a letter in coming days informing members will decide whether to start talks, Tusk declarations scanned by a Eurotunnel agent, a 60, was chief executive off icer of Autostrade Russian waters of the Sea of Japan. The larger them that they can pick up free iodine tablets praised North Macedonia for resolving its old formality that will become systematic once Brexit at the time of the bridge collapse. He was also boat’s crew attacked coast guard off icers who from pharmacies. Five years after the nuclear quarrel with Greece by accepting its new name. takes place. “We are confident of our capacity to CEO of Atlantia from 2006. Last week, two of the boarded the vessel, and three off icers “received disaster in Fukushima, Japan in 2011, France In Tirana, Tusk told Prime Minister Edi Rama he assure the smooth flow (of traff ic) through the group’s aff iliates Autostrade per l’Italia (ASPI) and injuries of varying degrees of severity,” the FSB distributed free iodine to people living within wanted to see the whole Western Balkans “follow terminal, just like today,” Eurotunnel spokeswoman Spea, were targetted by an enquiry into “false said. “Two fishing vessels and over 80 North 10km of a nuclear plant, but is now widening the same path as my country, Poland, towards Anne-Laure Descleves told AFP in Calais, the statements” about inspections and attempts to Korean citizens were detained,” the FSB said. that radius. the EU”, and that goal was now closer. transport hub on the French side of the tunnel. conceal the real state of the infrastructure. Russian celebrities back actor jailed in crackdown on opposition parties

By Anna Smolchenko, AFP singer Andrei Makarevich and Moscow star blogger Yury Dud. In a video, Maxim Galkin, a Kremlin-friendly impersona- ussian celebrities have tor and comedian, called the launched a major soli- case against Ustinov a “colos- Rdarity campaign in sup- sal overkill” that deals a ma- port of a young actor who they jor blow to the reputation of say was wrongfully jailed for a courts, law enforcement agen- crime amid a crackdown on the cies and authorities. opposition. In comments posted along- On Monday, a Moscow court side the video, Galkin, who is had sentenced 23-year-old ac- the husband of Soviet-era pop tor Pavel Ustinov to three and a diva Alla Pugachyova and has half years in prison for violence 6.4mn followers on Instagram, against police at an opposition added he was not interested in protest even though he claimed politics but supported free- he was simply a bystander. dom. His conviction brought to His post racked up more than six the number of people sen- 780,000 views as of yesterday tenced to jail time ranging from afternoon. two to four years for taking part Actors at several theatres in a recent wave of anti-gov- also backed Ustinov during ernment demonstrations. curtain calls on Monday night. But Ustinov’s sentencing “We believe this to be an sparked particular outrage be- awful injustice,” director Al- cause the court refused to con- exander Molochnikov said on sider video footage that showed stage after a performance at the French gendarmes walk by tents during the evacuation of the Grande Synthe migrant camp in northern France yesterday morning. police in an apparently unpro- Chekhov Moscow Art Theatre. voked attack on the actor. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry The celebrities, most of Peskov said Vladimir Putin was whom usually steer clear of aware of the case but could not politics and have millions of interfere, and that Ustinov had followers on social media, said a right to appeal. the case tarnished the reputa- Investigators said Ustinov tion of authorities. violated public order during an “I think that this is a com- unauthorised rally on August pletely trumped-up case,” fi lm 3 and put up resistance during French police clear actor Alexander Pal said in a his arrest. video posted on Instagram. As a result, a policeman Pal, who helped kickstart sprained his shoulder. the campaign, said the video Ustinov has insisted on his proved his innocence. innocence. Footage from the scene Tens of thousands of people showed police in full riot gear rallied in Moscow this summer lunging at Ustinov — who was after authorities refused to al- major migrant camp standing with a phone in his low opposition candidates to hand near a metro station — stand for the city parliament in By Clement Melki, AFP a complaint on humanitarian town,” the offi cial, Michel La- tion” suff ered by people camping the process of integrating in and beating him with batons. September 8 elections. Grande-Synthe, France grounds with France’s State Coun- lande, told journalists. out or sleeping under bridges in France,” he said. Danila Kozlovsky, a Russian While some of those jailed cil, which hears claims against ad- Northern France has long been the Calais area. His view was shared by Claire star who appeared in the Brit- were activists, others like Usti- ministrative authorities. a magnet for people seeking to The ombudsman, Jacques Millot, secretary general of the ish TV series McMafi a, said the nov or entrepreneur Danila Be- rench police yesterday But this month the city’s may- smuggle themselves to Britain in Toubon, accused the authorities Salam migrant aid group, which “monstrous injustice and cyni- glets were merely bystanders cleared more than 800 or sought and obtained a court one of the tens of thousands of of “trying to make (migrants) in- has been working at the camp. cism with which it’s being done who got caught up in the au- Fmigrants from a makeshift order to shut down the camp, trucks and cars that travel daily visible” by regularly tearing down “Nobody wants to see people can happen to everyone.” thorities’ crackdown, observers camp that sprung up outside a citing complaints from local au- between the countries on ferries their camps without providing living like this,” Millot told AFP. The celebrities compared say. gymnasium near the northern thorities and residents about vi- and trains. them with viable alternatives. “But putting them on buses to Ustinov’s case with that of Many welcomed the cam- port of Dunkirk last spring, af- olence, garbage and the presence The area around Grande-Syn- And many offi cials and aid bring them to shelters they don’t journalist Ivan Golunov de- paign, but some said solidar- ter a court ruled it had become a of people-smugglers among the the has traditionally drawn Iraqi groups say that as long as the want to go to, it doesn’t make tained in June on trumped-up ity between actors was not health and security hazard. migrants. Kurds, and makeshift camps dream of reaching Britain re- any sense. They’re going to come drug charges. enough. The mayor of Grande-Synthe Police moved in shortly after have repeatedly been cleared in mains strong, migrants will keep back,” she said. He was freed after an un- “Until actors begin to take to opened the gym to migrants last 8am, putting the migrants on recent years. massing on the coasts along the French President Emmanuel precedented campaign of soli- the streets in support for teach- December to keep families out buses to bring them to shelters French authorities have vowed English Channel. Macron has pledged to speed up darity, which saw three major ers and teachers in support of the cold, and had planned to elsewhere where they can apply to avoid a repeat of “the Jungle”, Recently migrants have begun the asylum claims process for newspapers publish the same of economists, nothing will close it with the return of warm- for asylum, before workers began a sprawling camp near the north- taking every greater risks to try reach people deemed to be bona fi de front page with the headline “I change,” opposition politician er weather. dismantling the tents. ern port city of Calais that one Britain, including trying to cross the refugees, while vowing to ac- am/we are Ivan Golunov”. Dmitry Gudkov said. But hundreds of others, mainly A total of 811 people, includ- point held some 10,000 people. Channel — the world’s busiest ship- celerate the deportation of so- In a similar vein, dozens of Earlier this month, a Rus- young Iraqi Kurd men, soon be- ing 506 young men and 58 unac- But rights groups have criti- ping lane — in small boats. called economic migrants. celebrities and lesser known sian judge halted the embezzle- gan pitching tents around the site companied minors, were cleared cised police tactics, which have Martial Beyaert, the mayor of On Monday, he told his minis- fi gures posted “I am/we are ment trial of acclaimed theatre while they waited for a chance to from the gym and makeshift included seizing migrants’ tents Grande-Synthe, told AFP yes- ters that the government needed Pavel Ustinov” on their Insta- director Kirill Serebrennikov, try to reach Britain. camp, the government’s top re- and other items. terday that he expected people to tackle the issue of immigration gram accounts. whose detention had attracted The government later installed gional offi cial said. In December, the country’s to start coming back “very soon” head-on by taking a harder line, Supporters included ac- international attention and water faucets, bathrooms and “I think everyone here was human rights ombudsman de- after “just one more evacuation”. warning that “by claiming to be hu- tor Alexander Petrov, who has calls for his release everywhere showers after aid groups fi led glad to get out of this shanty- nounced the “extreme destitu- “We can’t force people to start manist, we are sometimes too lax.” 2.1mn followers on Instagram, from Hollywood to Cannes. Italy ex-PM Renzi says leaving Democratic Party

By Charles Onians, AFP now ex-interior minister Matteo ment against populism and Sal- PD’s 51 would also follow, the vini, not Nicola Zingaretti...the Rome Salvini’s bid to call snap elections vini was important to save Italy, Corriere reported. bad populism that he (Salvini) he thought would make him pre- but it’s not enough,” Renzi wrote. “Today the PD is a set of fac- represents has not been defeat- mier. He said that around 30 law- tions,” Renzi told yesterday’s La ed,” Renzi said. ormer Italian prime min- But Renzi, who was hailed as a makers would declare loyalty to Repubblica newspaper. “And I “Populism doesn’t know ar- ister Matteo Renzi yester- reformer when he became Italy’s him but he said he would con- fear that it will not be able on its tifi cial intelligence, populism is Fday announced that he was youngest premier at the age of tinue to support Prime Minister own to respond to Salvini’s at- natural stupidity,” said Renzi, leaving the centre-left Demo- 39 in 2014, was a divisive fi gure Giuseppe Conte’s government. tacks and to the diffi cult cohabi- who is seen as heir to Italy’s cratic Party (PD) to form his own within the PD, particularly for “Parliamentary support for tation with the M5S.” Christian Democrat politics party, potentially destabilising the party’s left which is largely the government will probably be “I believe that there is space which historically occupied the the days-old ruling coalition. loyal to party leader Nicola Zin- broader,” Renzi said. for something new. Not from political middle ground. “I have decided to leave the PD garetti. He had called Conte on Mon- the centre or the left, but from Salvini took to Twitter to ac- and build together with others a “After seven years of friendly day to reassure him that “I’m what has occupied the least-used cuse Renzi of “fi rst collecting new house to do politics diff er- fi re I think we must take note that leaving the PD but (my) sup- space in Italian politics: the space jobs and ministries, then found- ently,” Renzi wrote on Facebook, our values, our ideas, our dreams, port for the government remains of the future,” he told the left- ing a ‘new’ party to fi ght Sal- barely a week after the PD’s coa- cannot every day be the object of certain,” the Corriere della Sera leaning daily. “I won’t tell you the vini...Italians will punish these lition with the Five Star Move- internal quarrels,” Renzi wrote. newspaper reported. name but it won’t be a traditional sell-outs.” ment (M5S) won a confi dence He resigned as premier in 2016 Between 18 and 20 MPs will party”. Renzi said his new party would motion in parliament. and fraught relations within the follow Renzi, out of the PD’s 111 PD leader Zingaretti lamented not contest elections for at least Renzi is not himself part of PD prompted repeated specu- total. what he called “an error”. Renzi ... weary warrior a year. the new government, which he lation that Renzi would split to Twenty MPs are needed to “We are sorry...But now let’s If the current coalition sur- helped form through the un- form his own, more politically form an autonomous parliamen- think about Italians’ future, agenda and the need to rebuild Renzi said he wanted to spend vives, a general election is due in likely PD-M5S alliance in order centrist, party. tary group. work, environment, business, hope with good governance and a the coming months fi ghting Sal- 2023 and European elections in to thwart far-right leader and “The victory we got in parlia- Around 10 senators out of the education, investments. A new new PD,” Zingaretti tweeted. vini. “I want to make war on Sal- 2024. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 18, 2019 17 INDIA BSP legislators joined Congress on their own: Gehlot

IANS the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) Rajasthan has once again proved She said “the Congress has less allegations. Had it been actress Urmila Matondkar dis- Several probabilities and the- Jaipur who took our MLAs to form its to be a non-trustworthy and always been opposed to Babasa- the case, the government in MP missed speculation that she ories were doing rounds. Some own government in Karnataka,” fraudulent party who has taken heb Bhimrao Ambedkar and his would have been toppled long would join the Shiv Sena ahead said she would join the Na- Gehlot said. along the BSP MLAs. This is a humanitarian ideology. For this time back.” The BJP didn’t be- of Maharashtra assembly elec- tionalist Congress Party or the ajasthan Chief Minister On the reaction of BSP chief betrayal towards the BSP, which reason, Ambedkar had to resign lieve in such practices, he add- tions. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena - Ashok Gehlot yester- Mayawati, he said, “It’s natural has been repeated when the BSP as the fi rst law minister of the ed. “I am not joining any other with whose leaders she enjoyed a Rday said six Bahujan Sa- for her to react. I can understand was extending its unconditional country. The Congress neither The Rajasthan chief minister party... request media not to good rapport. maj Party (BSP) legislators who her situation. But she should support to the Congress govern- allowed him to go to the Lok earlier accused the BJP of mak- share whatever they hear. It is Burt the latest bets were on joined the Congress had done so understand the political circum- ment externally,” she tweeted. Sabha nor conferred the Bharat ing eff orts to disturb the Mad- unfair towards me to say the Shiv Sena. on their own. stances of Rajasthan. Political “Instead of fi ghting with op- Ratna on him. Very sad and em- hya Pradesh government. “Ef- least, and also not appropriate The Sena predictions gained He also alleged the Bharatiya circumstances in the nation and position parties/ organisations, barrassing.” forts are being made to topple towards any party,” Matondkar ground after reports that a sen- Janata Party (BJP) was trying to the state are diff erent,” the chief the Congress always shocks Federal minister Thawar the Congress government in MP. said in a statement. ior party leader had a detailed buy MLAs in Madhya Pradesh to minister said. those that support them. The Chand Gehlot said refuted the MLAs are being off ered Rs15-20 Her clarifi cation came in re- talk with Matondkar, which she topple the government there. Mayawati expressed after the Congress is thus an anti-SC, ST, chief minister’s allegations that crore. But we are not engaged in sponse to intense speculation of rubbished. “It was their own decision to six BSP MLAs switched to the OBC party and has never been the BJP was trying to bur MLAs such a practice,” he said. her next political step that after Last Tuesday, stung by a web join the Congress. We never tried Congress. sincere and honest about their in Madhya Pradesh. Meanwhile, former Mumbai she abruptly resigned from the of intra-party politicking, Ma- to buy them as we are not like “The Congress government in rights.” “These are untrue and base- Congress leader and Bollywood Congress on September 10. tondkar quit the party. Trump joining Modi event will be a message for world: minister

IANS to Pakistanis to read what they New Delhi wish to read and the same ap- plies to other parts of the world.” Noting that communities and S President Donald countries develop a reputation, Trump’s decision to join he said, “In my sense, it’s not just UPrime Minister Narendra Pakistan, the whole world will be Modi’s diaspora event in Hou- watching the Houston event and ston next week will be a mes- take lessons from there what In- sage for the world and it is up to dian-Americans have achieved, Pakistan what they wish to read, what India-US state of relations External Aff airs Minister S Jais- are today.” hankar said yesterday. The minister said India-US Modi, during his visit to the relations have gone through re- Schoolgirls listen to their teacher during a lecture on the Article 370, a special constitutional status for Kashmir which was scrapped by the government last month, at a US to attend the United Nations peated changes with adminis- school in Ahmedabad yesterday. General Assembly (UNGA), will trations like that of former US address the Indian diaspora at presidents Bill Clinton, George an event called ‘Howdy Modi’ in W Bush and Barack Obama and Houston on September 22, and now Trump. will be joined by Trump as a spe- “The India-US relationship has cial gesture. come a long way and if we look to- Addressing a press confer- day at the quality of the relation- ence on the achievements of the ship, amount of the trade, amount External Aff airs Ministry in 100 of political comfort, amount of days of the Modi government’s security co-operation, amount Government cannot second term, Jaishankar spoke of movement of people, students, about Indo-US relations and research, there is no facet of rela- said these have come a long way tionship today which hasn’t sort and were in “good health”. of gone upwards over the last 20 The minister described as a years,” the former diplomat said. “matter of great honour” Trump “The trajectory was always up- agreeing to attend the event on the wards. Even today if we are plan- invitation of the Indian-American ning an event like Houston, the silence us: Amnesty community. “And obviously, we thinking from our part is very bi- will welcome President Trump in partisan. And from their (US) side Agencies al’s secretary-general, said on a shut down the Internet, mo- house arrest since early August, June said that the PSA “cir- the warmest manner,” he added. also the approach is bipartisan. I Washington/ New Delhi visit to Washington. bile service and initially also but on Monday he was formally cumvents the criminal justice Jaishankar, who has served as want to reassure all of you people “On the Kashmir question, landlines. arrested under the Public Safety system in Jammu & Kashmir Indian ambassador to the US, said India-US relationship is in very on various human rights ques- “It is a horrifi c thing to actu- Act (PSA) and his home turned to undermine accountability, the Houston event is the third good health,” he said. mnesty Internation- tions in India itself, we are not ally cut people’s legitimate way into a “judicial lockup”. transparency, and respect for time Modi would be doing a major Jaishankar also said he was al’s chief has vowed intimidated,” he said. of communicating with each It is the fi rst confi rmed case human rights”. community event in the US. very satisfi ed about what has Athat the rights group “While our colleagues in our other completely,” Naidoo said. of a Kashmiri politician being In New Delhi, former Con- “And I regard this as a great happened in the last few years. would not be silenced on rais- Indian offi ce are under stress, “There are life-and-death is- arrested under the PSA since gress president Rahul Gandhi achievement of the India-Amer- “And I am very optimistic about ing concerns about Jammu they are as committed, moti- sues associated with doing that. India’s August 5 move when it accused the government of try- ican community,” he said. where we are going,” he said. and Kashmir despite what he vated and courageous as ever, if Whether it is family members sent tens of thousands of troops ing to remove nationalist lead- “If today, there is an event of While in the US, Modi is also called intimidation by Prime not more, as a result of the re- needing to communicate with to Kashmir and imposed a com- ers to create political vacuum this size and have someone like due to receive an award from the Minister Narendra Modi’s pression that we face.” each other, being able to go to munications blackout. that will be fi lled by terrorists. President Trump coming there, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation government. Modi’s government has the doctor’s, this is something The PSA was introduced in He also demanded the imme- this shows where the communi- for the progress India is making India’s fi nancial crime inves- cracked down on foreign non- that governments need to stop the 1970s - under Abdullah’s diate release of Abdullah . ty has reached, how it is regarded in improving sanitation. tigators recently accused Am- governmental organisations doing,” he said. father Sheikh Abdullah - to In a series of tweets Gan- in the US, the respect it com- However British-Asian actors nesty’s local branch of violating since coming to power in 2014, “And, sadly, there are more prevent timber smuggling but dhi said, “It’s obvious that the mands out there. It is obviously Jameela Jamil and Riz Ahmed foreign exchange regulations suspending or banning thou- and more governments doing since an uprising against Indian government is trying to remove the achievement of the commu- had reportedly dropped out of through taking money from its sands of groups, many work- it, and we need to speak out rule erupted in 1989 it has been nationalist leaders like Farooq nity,” he added. the Houston event in protest at London-based parent. ing in health or the environ- against this very strongly.” used to detain thousands of Abdullahji to create a political He said with such events, the India’s move last month to strip That claim came after Am- ment, for receiving money from India argues that the meas- people, activists say. vacuum in Jammu and Kashmir community defi nitely stands Kashmir of its autonomy. nesty vocally criticised Modi’s abroad. ures are temporary and have The UN human rights offi ce that will be fi lled by terrorists. more motivated, united, inspired Last week a group of Asian government on Kashmir, which Naidoo, however, said that helped ensure calm in Kashmir. said in 2018 that special laws Kashmir can then permanently by the fact that Modi is the prime Americans working in philan- was India’s only Muslim-ma- Amnesty - whose Bengaluru of- On Monday, former Jammu in Kashmir including the PSA be used as a political instrument minister. thropy published an open letter jority state until New Delhi fi ce was raided last year - would and Kashmir chief minister Fa- “have created structures that to polarise the rest of India.” Asked whether Trump’s pres- saying the award would “signal stripped its autonomy last survive in India as it has funding rooq Abdullah, seen as being obstruct the normal course of In another tweet, the Con- ence at the event would be a the international community’s month. from local donors. pro-India, was formally arrest- law, impede accountability and gress leader said, “The govern- message for Pakistan, the min- willingness to overlook, and re- “The Modi government has Amnesty has faced heated ed under a law allowing him to jeopardise the right to remedy ment should stop creating space ister said there are going to be main silent, in the face of the In- made a very big attempt to criticism from India’s right- be held for up to two years with- for victims of human rights vio- for terrorists in Jammu and multiple messages there. dian government’s brazen viola- crush Amnesty in India,” Kumi wing for its stance on Kashmir, out charge. lations”. Kashmir and release all nation- “And obviously it will be up tion of human rights principles”. Naidoo, Amnesty Internation- where authorities have largely Abdullah, 81, has been under Amnesty International in alist leaders ASAP.” The Bollywood dream factory in Mumbai’s slums

AFP world’s best-paid actors - but he women and children and we explosion of streaming services Mumbai believes he has some potential supply them. From fi ve years old in 1.3bn strong India is also pro- stars in the making. to 55 years old.” viding work for some of Ladsa- In any case Ladsaheb, who Ladsaheb says extremely poor heb’s clients. n a windowless attic in Dhar- once made his own movie youngsters can attend classes The likes of Netfl ix have been avi in Mumbai, one of Asia’s which he wrote, directed and free of charge, but for those that pushing to team up with Indian Ibiggest slums, some are played all 12 roles, generally can aff ord it, lessons range from production companies to make looking to become a Bollywood has more modest aims for his Rs100 to Rs600 per month, de- fi lms and series for domestic and star - or at least get a bit part. pupils. pending on age. international viewers. It is in this studio, acces- These include small acting or Ladsaheb, a skinny man with Netfl ix this month announced sible via a narrow ladder and dancing roles, and fi lm set jobs - an overgrown moustache, not a long-term partnership for Ka- rope, that larger-than-life as well as stunt work and extras only teaches, but also helps with ran Johar, a director and pro- Baburao Ladsaheb offers what for dance sequences, a Bolly- networking and getting audi- ducer of Bollywood feel-good a hand-painted sign calls “Five wood staple. tions - a priceless service in blockbusters. Star Acting Dancing Fighting He says his turning point who-you-know Bollywood. One Indian-made Netfl ix se- Classes”. came when some 30 of his pupils One student is Raziq Sheikh, ries, Leila starring Huma Qurei- “I’ve been running these featured in Danny Boyle’s hugely 35, a driver on his second at- shi, featured 10-year-old Mani- classes for 35 years and have successful, 2008 Oscar-winning tempt to make it to the silver sha Maitree - a product of the trained over 15,000 students,” Slumdog Millionaire. screen. Ladsaheb’s academy. says Ladsaheb, taking a break “After Slumdog, I became a “It was my childhood dream “I’ve been training here for from classes where he blows casting guy and everyone would to become an actor, but fi nancial the last two years and honing my a whistle as his pupils learn come to me and ask for trained stress and lack of education de- dancing and acting skills,” said the steps to famous Bollywood actors,” Ladsaheb said. layed my goals,” the father of two Maitree, calling the experience dances. “That’s where my life told AFP. “amazing”. The school is yet to produce changed. Now over 120 casting Besides small roles in Bolly- “My friends taunt me, saying Baburao Ladsaheb performs for his students during a class at the Five Star Acting Dancing Fighting the next Aamir Khan - number directors approach me seeking wood - which this week hosts its ‘Hope you don’t forget us once Classes in Dharavi. four on the Forbes list of the actors. They ask me for men, glitzy annual awards show - the you become a star’.” Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 INDIA

EDUCATION REFORMS JUDICIARY INVESTIGATION CRIME Delhi govt to off er Govt to spend Rs1,800 cr on SC stays execution in CBI sets up special team Mumbai student IAS coaching in Urdu 199 new jails across India rape, double murder case to track ex-top cop kills woman tutor

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia The government is planning to set up 199 The Supreme Court yesterday stayed the Trouble seems to be mounting for former Kolkata In a shocking incident, a boy stabbed his tuition yesterday asked the Urdu Academy of Delhi new jails across the country at a cost of execution of a man convicted in a rape and police commissioner Rajeev Kumar, who is teacher to death at her home in Shivajinagar in government to coach IAS aspirants in Urdu, a Rs1,800 crore, a minister said yesterday. double-murder case in Coimbatore nine years evading the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Govandi, north-east Mumbai, police said yesterday. step towards making the language a means The government is also planning to convert ago. A bench headed by Justice R F Nariman summons for questioning in Saradha chit fund The incident happened around 8pm on Monday to develop careers. The announcement came prisons into centres of reformation, stayed the execution of Manoharan till case. The agency has set up a special team to when the victim, identified as Aayesha A Husiyae, after Sisodia, who is also the minister for Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan October 16, the next date of hearing. He was trace him, sources said yesterday. A highly placed 30, was giving home tuition to the 12-year-old boy. Art, Culture and Languages, interacted with Reddy said. He was speaking a conference to be executed on September 20. The bench CBI source told IANS: “We are constituting a On Monday evening, the boy’s mother sought toppers of the Urdu subject hailing from organised by the Bureau of Police Research said it was granting one last opportunity to special team to trace the location or whereabouts some money from Aayesha to buy some household various universities from Delhi. During the and Development (BPR&D). The event the convict to argue his review petition as of Rajeev Kumar to join the investigation.” items, but the teacher refused resulting in a heated event, Sisodia spoke about the vitality of Urdu was attended by V S K Kaumudi, director it was related to death penalty. His lawyer The action comes after Kumar ignored three argument. Apparently angered by this, the boy picked as a subject and its career prospects in various general of BPR&D and other senior officers sought time on the pretext of inspecting the summonses sent by the CBI. The senior IPS off icer up a knife from the teacher’s home and stabbed domains. The government, in a statement, said including Tihar Jail DG Sandeep Goel. The case records of the trial court in Tamil Nadu. yesterday again failed to appear before the CBI. her in the stomach and back. Family members and there was a general concern that students do growing radicalisation of jail inmates and The lawyer said Manoharan was not properly The Calcutta High Court earlier withdrew the neighbours rushed Aayesha to a nearby hospital but not favour Urdu as their medium due to lack how to combat it was one of the topics of represented from the trial court to the top interim protection from arrest given to Kumar, she died late in the night. The Shivajinagar Police have of study material provided in the language in discussion at the conference. Deep concern court due to change of seven lawyers. On who headed the special investigation team (SIT) registered a case of murder and detained the boy their respective colleges. Another concern was was expressed over how underworld dons August 1, the Supreme Court upheld the death in 2013 as the commissioner of Bidhannagar for further investigations. Since yesterday morning the collective perception that it’s not a job- and dreaded terrorists inside jails use their penalty by a 2:1 majority verdict, saying the police that probed the Saradha scam. He is a large number of people visited the tutor’s home oriented stream. influence to radicalise new inmates. offence fell under the “rarest of rare” category. accused of tampering with evidence in the case. and off ered their condolences to the family. Companies unnerved by govt’s plastic ban plans

Reuters New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with his mother Heeraba at her residence at Rysan village, near Gandhinagar, some 30km from Ahmedabad yesterday. ompanies in India will seek exemptions from the Cgovernment’s planned ban on certain plastic items, fearing the move will disrupt supply chains and raise costs Birthday boy Modi gets ahead of a festive season, ac- cording to sources and an indus- try document seen by Reuters. India is likely to impose a na- tionwide ban on plastic bags, another Bollywood biopic cups, small bottles, straws and some types of sachets next A man buys a packet of milk at a shop in Kolkata yesterday. Spooked month as part of Prime Minister by the government’s plastics ban, India Inc seeks clarity, exemptions. Agencies line series, Modi: Journey of a lake infested with crocodiles to “Even as a child, he wrote a Narendra Modi’s eff orts to re- Ahmedabad Common Man, with the Elec- hoist a fl ag on a temple when play called Peelu Phool which duce use of pollution-causing, said several industry represen- from Coca-Cola Co, PepsiCo tion Commission ordering that he was just seven or eight years emphasized on transcending single-use plastic. tations were being reviewed, and consumer goods seller Hin- streaming be stopped until vot- old. caste barriers,” says the book- But the plans have stoked fears but the aim was to “get rid of dustan Unilever have been part ollywood producers said ing ended. “Even as a young boy, Naren- let. among consumer fi rms, which the menace of plastic pollution” of industry delegations that met yesterday Prime Minister Modi also recounted his life dra never thought of any work It also recounts his early tryst use plastic in packaging for eve- without causing disruption. government offi cials to express BNarendra Modi is to be story from tea seller’s son to as ‘big’ or ‘small’,” claims the with elections for the Ahmeda- rything from sodas and biscuits In an Independence Day concerns and discuss alternate the subject of what looks set to premier in a programme with infographics titled “The Story bad civic body in 1987 and the to ketchup and shampoo. speech on August 15, Modi urged packaging solutions, according be another fl attering fi lm about British television adventurer of Mother India’s beloved son”. Gujarat assembly polls in 1990. “This has created an existen- people and government agencies to a person with direct knowl- his life. Bear Grylls aired on the Discov- Like most children, his Chapter three is all about the tial issue for multiple sectors,” to “take the fi rst big step” on Oc- edge. Earlier this year the Election ery Channel last month. mother instilled a sense of val- Modi of Gujarat. said the Confederation of Indian tober 2 towards freeing India of Coca-Cola said in a statement Commission found a previ- The announcement of the ues in him. How Gujarat was turned Industry (CII), a lobby group, in single-use plastic. that all its primary packaging ous fi lm so hagiographic that new movie, scheduled for win- When he went on to become around, how its economy was a two-page draft note, seen by India lacks a system for man- does not consist of single-use in April it ordered the release ter release, coincided with Mo- the chief minister of Gujarat for put on a growth trajectory un- Reuters, which is likely to be fi - agement of plastic waste, but plastic. be delayed until after elections di’s 69th birthday which was the fi rst time, his mother asked der his chief ministership, how nalised and sent to the govern- environmentalists have hailed Pepsi said its target was to concluded on May 19. widely covered in the media him to promise not to take any in spite of being a new admin- ment in the coming days. Modi’s move, saying it will help make 100% of its packaging re- The new movie, Mann Baira- - including his lunch with his bribe, claims the digital book- istrator he dealt with the mas- The CII will ask the govern- combat plastic waste that chokes cyclable, compostable, or biode- gi: Jab Mai Mujhse Mila (Recluse nonagenarian mother. let. sive earthquake of 2001 – all are ment to consult industry execu- rivers and drains. gradable by 2025. Heart: When I Met Myself), was A bakery in Modi’s home It also recalls incidents of a part of this. tives and defi ne what will be cat- A ban on certain plastics from Hindustan Unilever did not announced by the production state Gujarat celebrated by bak- young Modi meeting soldiers at It also talks about the intro- egorised as single-use plastics, October 2, however, will come respond to a request for com- house of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, ing a 700ft-long cake weighing Vadnagar railway station while duction of solar power, water while also pitching for some ex- just weeks ahead of big festivals ment. one of India’s top fi lmmakers. a supposed seven tonnes. he was selling tea, during the grid and the Sabarmati river emptions, according to the note. for which business plans are laid Amazon did not respond, but “I am sure it will connect and The prime minister got a “dig- 1962 Indo-China war. front in the western state. It says small-sized plastic out far in advance because they has previously said that it plans inspire our today’s youth deep- ital” gift from his Bharatiya Ja- The second chapter deals It could not be complete bottles used for pharmaceuti- typically see a sharp rise in con- to replace single-use plastic in ly,” co-producer Mahaveer Jain nata Party (BJP) on his birthday. with the indecisiveness of without the mention of his cal or health products should be sumer purchases. its packaging by June 2020. told the Hindustan Times daily. The gift is a digital compila- “young Narendra” when he was contribution to the Sardar Sa- exempted as there is no alternate Two industry sources said “The ban has ramifi cations The fi lm delayed earlier this tion of Modi’s journey divided searching for a way to serve the rovar Dam, which he visited available. Amazon.com Inc, which uses for all sectors like food process- year by the Election Commis- into four chapters – “Child- country and was undecided on yesterday. Sachets made from so-called plastics in its packaging, has ing, dairy, garments, toys,” said sion, PM Narendra Modi, was hood, Young NaMo, Modi and whether to become a saint or a The last and fi nal chapter multi-layered packaging should been concerned that a possible Jayesh Rambhia of All India panned by most critics with For the First Time Since Inde- soldier. is about Narendra Modi since also not be banned, as that could ban could disrupt its operations Plastic Manufacturers Associa- one reviewer saying it should be pendence”. How he wandered in the 2014 when he became the prime disrupt supplies of key products ahead of festivities, and during tion, which has 22,000 compa- used to “study how cinema can The childhood chapter re- Himalayas and his keen interest minister after a landslide vic- such as biscuits, salt and milk, its mega annual discount sale nies as members. be used for propaganda”. calls Modi’s acts of bravery in- in writing fi nds mention in this tory and the ‘many fi rsts’ he the CII draft says. that starts on September 29. “People, and companies, are A similar fate befell an on- cluding how he swam across a chapter. introduced. A senior government offi cial In recent weeks, executives pulling their hair today.”

Top lawyer Salve blames SC Left parties sweep for economic slowdown JNU students’ polls

IANS election panel said that the Left IANS knocked all of them out”, he said. you win in the tribunal, they will New Delhi Unity of AISA, SFI, AISF, DSF New Delhi The Comptroller and Auditor make a retrospective law and have won all the four central General (CAG) in its 2010 report change it”, said Salve. panel posts – president, vice concluded that the 2G spectrum He said the Supreme Court was he Left Unity yesterday president, secretary and joint enior lawyer Harish Salve allocation method had led to a inconsistent in dealing with com- won all four top posts Secretary. has blamed the Supreme Rs1.76 lakh crore loss to the ex- mercial cases and that was a mat- Tin the Jawaharlal Nehru AISA’s Satish Chandra Yadav SCourt for pushing the chequer. A charge-sheet was fi led ter of huge concern to investors. University (JNU) Students Un- was elected general secretary country into an economic slow- by the Central Bureau of Investiga- Referring to the court’s judg- ion elections. The results were with 2,518 votes. DSF’s Saket down, citing its judgments in the tion in April 2011. In February 2012, ment in the coalmine allotment declared late in the evening after Moon secured the post of vice 2G spectrum case. the court cancelled 122 licences. case, he said: “You cancelled coal- the Delhi High Court gave the president with 3,365 votes, while Salve said the slowdown be- Salve had appeared for tel- mines (allocation) by one stroke of go-ahead. AISF’s Mohd Danish emerged as gan when the court in one stroke ecom companies in the case. In the pen, without examining the Aishe Ghosh of the Students’ the winner for the post of joint cancelled 122 spectrum licences December 2017, the CBI trial merits of every case. Much genu- Federation of India (SFI) was secretary securing 3295 votes. issued to telecom operators. court acquitted former minis- ine foreign investment in the coal elected president. She defeat- The Delhi High Court earlier In an interview to a legal ters and key accused A Raja and industry went fl at. Then what ed Manish Jangid of the Akhil allowed the JNU election com- website, Salve said: “I squarely Kanimozhi, along with 15 others. happened? Indonesian and other Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad mittee to declare the results of blame the Supreme Court.” Emphasising on the nature of coal prices softened up. It became (ABVP) by a margin of 1,175 the polls held on September 6. “Blanket cancellation of li- foreign investment, Salve said it cheaper to import.” votes. The court also allowed the JNU cences...when a foreigner in- turned risky after the retrospec- He said the import of coal was The Left parties including the to notify the results in accord- vested, it was your rule that said tive changes in the Vodafone putting pressure on the economy All India Students’ Association ance with the Lyngdoh Commit- he must have an Indian partner. case. The great strength of India and also led to job losses. In Au- (AISA), the Students’ Federation tee recommendations. The foreigner didn’t know how was the people’s belief in its ju- gust 2014, the court declared all of India (SFI), the Democratic Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva re- the Indian partner got a licence. diciary that it would deliver jus- 218 coal block allocations, from Students’ Federation (DSF) and jected an appeal by two students Foreigners invested billions of tice, he said, and added the Vo- 1993 to 2011, illegal and arbi- the All India Students’ Federa- who alleged their nominations dollars, and with one stroke of dafone case dealt a blow to that. trary. The court cancelled all but Newly elected JNU student union president Aishe Ghosh tion (AISF) contested the polls for election of councillor were il- the pen, the Supreme Court “People now had to factor in – four licences in September 2014. celebrates after the announcement of the results yesterday. together. A notifi cation by the legally rejected. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 18, 2019 19 LATIN AMERICA

Chilean start-up ‘Wheel the World’ broadens horizons for disabled

Farmers, chefs Reuters from the University of California for the disabled. four other countries on its capable of anything,” he said. Santiago at Berkeley. Since its inception last year, online platform, and aims to ”There are many initiatives to The group crowd-funded a Wheel the World’s seven-man increase that to 150 by 2020. make tourism more accessible special wheelchair for their team has arranged trips for Silberstein, the firm’s chief because it’s a gigantic fi ght to save A Chilean start-up has been friend, Alvaro Silberstein, who more 900 people, including to executive, said the Patagonian opportunity; in just the United launched to open up some of was left quadriplegic following Chile’s driest desert, San Pedro trip had made him realise that States and Europe, $72bn is the world’s most iconic tourist a car accident when he was 18. de Atacama, scuba diving off nothing was impossible. spent on tourism by disabled attractions to disabled visitors. They documented their trip Easter Island in the Pacific “We realised that with the people each year.” ingredients in The idea for Wheel the World for those who had contributed Ocean, ziplining in Costa Rica right equipment and the right “But no one is doing it on a was borne out of an expedition to the fund and, spurred by and a trek along the Inca Trail to information, we can help people global level, matching tourism three years ago to Chile’s Torres the ensuing interest, began Peru’s Machu Picchu. with disabilities have these services with the specific needs del Paine National Park in investigating other bucket-list Today, the group has 16 kind of experiences, to open of disabled people. That’s what Mexican cuisine Patagonia by a group of friends vacations that could be adapted destinations both in Chile and their minds to see that we are we do,” he said.

AFP their toll on ingredients like the San Andres Calpan, Mexico poblano, which is used in Pue- bla’s luscious “mole” — a spicy, chocolatey sauce — and in “chiles Killer whales stranded peaking against a back- en nogada,” an iconic dish associ- drop of two soaring, snow- ated with Mexican Independence Scapped volcanoes, Asun- Day, September 16. cion Diaz explains his fi ght to Diaz says the poblano has also save the original poblano chile, taken a hit because of the arrival one of the most important in- of hybrid seeds imported from gredients in Mexican cuisine, China that grow year-round from climate change and other and are more weather-resistant threats. — but also yield less-tasty, less- The pristine panorama not- crunchy peppers. withstanding, Diaz and other “We’re losing the tradition of producers in Puebla say climate the original chile, the one our change is stalking this moun- ancestors ate,” he said. tainous region in central Mexico Biting into a classic chile and threatening the dark green poblano at a family dinner in chile pepper for which it is fa- Mexico City, Enrique Garcia mous. closes his eyes in bliss. He agrees. “The chiles get burned by the “I haven’t eaten one like this sun, and if it rains they go bad,” since I was a boy. They’re like my says Diaz, a 55-year-old agri- grandmother’s — the texture, cultural engineer, taking a break the thickness, the crunchiness,” from work on his plantation out- says Garcia, 49. side San Andres Calpan, a vil- According to the World lage nestled in the skirts of the Wildlife Fund (WWF), which region’s twin volcanoes, Popoc- launched a campaign last month atepetl and Iztaccihuatl. to save Mexico’s classic ingre- dients, six out of every 10 chiles consumed in the country today come from Chinese seeds. But now some farmers and chefs are fi ghting back to save Mexico’s indigenous chiles, beans, tomatoes, gourds, maize and more. They include star chef Ricardo People surround a stranded killer whale in Mar Chiquita, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Six killer whales that were found stranded on Argentina’s Atlantic coast “I haven’t eaten one like this Munoz Zurita, the man behind on Monday have been taken back to sea, the government said. Seven killer whales, or orcas, had beached in La Caleta near Mar del Plata. One died while being since I was a boy. They’re “Azul,” one of Mexico City’s top pulled to sea. A vessel of the maritime authority accompanied the cetaceans to prevent them from turning back. like my grandmother’s — restaurants. the texture, the thickness, Every year in August and Sep- the crunchiness” tember — chile en nogada season — he regales customers with his Looking up at the fi rst vol- lavish take on the traditional dish. cano, which locals aff ectionately It is a symbol of Mexico with call “Popo,” fellow farmer Hilda its green peppers bathed in Cruz concurs that the region is creamy white sauce and topped heating up. with red pomegranate seeds — “When I was a little girl, the colours of the Mexican fl ag. Popocatepetl had snow year- Munoz buys his chiles from Maduro govt signs deal round. I was 35 when I saw it Diaz’s plantation, which me- without snow for the fi rst time. It ticulously protects its crop from made me cry,” says Cruz, now 64. hybrid seeds. “They are saving The disappearing snow has the chile poblano,” says the chef. been caused in part by increased But he is worried about many volcanic activity inside Popo’s of the other 31 ingredients in crater. the traditional chile en nogada, with opposition faction But Mexico’s environment which is stuff ed with a mixture ministry says climate change is of ground meat and fruits. Reuters claim was rigged. Rodriguez door to any initiative to resolve Constituent Assembly, but rath- mention a transitional govern- also wreaking havoc on the re- “The fruits in the stuffi ng are Caracas gave no details about these pos- among Venezuelans the issues er a “balance of both powers.” ment or presidential elections. gion, causing droughts, frost and in serious trouble: panochera sible changes. that concern us,” Rodriguez Opposition negotiator Sta- Maduro, who retains control of heavy precipitation. apples, San Juan pears, creole The agreement was made said. “We have reached agree- lin Gonzalez said the Maduro the state and military, derides Cruz runs a co-operative that peaches, pink pine nuts and enezuela’s government with a diff erent sector of the ment on some issues and have a government is feeling pressure Guaido as a US-controlled puppet helps local farmers sell their pro- fresh walnuts,” he says. said it was evaluating opposition than that led by US- working agenda on others.” within its ranks to reopen ne- who is seeking to foment a coup. duce directly to some of Mex- Original versions of those Vsending some of its law- backed opposition leader Juan As part of the agreement, gotiations. Presidential elec- It’s unclear what Guaido’s ico’s most famous restaurants. ingredients are increasingly makers back to the opposition- Guaido, the head of the National the government said lawmak- tions were on the table when next moves might be. During She says her mission is to save scarce, in part because consum- controlled National Assembly, Assembly congress who invoked ers would return to the National Maduro’s government pulled its the fi rst part of the year, the the “saberes y sabores” — the ers have come to prefer imported which President Nicolas Ma- the constitution to assume a ri- Assembly for the fi rst time since offi cials from the talks, he said. 35-year-old was able to draw knowledge and fl avours — of tra- hybrids. duro has called an illegal insti- val presidency in January. 2017, when Maduro declared the On Monday Guaido said the massive crowds, but his ability ditional Mexican food. Munoz illustrates the point tution, as part of new talks with The announcement comes body illegitimate and created proposal negotiators had laid to rally the masses is waning. Climate change is just one of clutching two small, funny- one opposition faction. after Guaido on Sunday said ne- a parallel legislature called the out in Barbados included a tran- And there are signs that the op- the threats facing the ingredients looking apples in his hand. “One Information Minister Jorge gotiations in Barbados between National Constituent Assem- sition government, to include position, which had marched of Mexico’s renowned cuisine, of the reasons they’re in decline Rodriguez also said the govern- the opposition and government bly to override opposition del- lawmakers from all parties, and behind him, is growing weary. which was named an essential is their size. They’re tiny. These ment would reform the national mediated by Norway “had been egates’ decisions. new elections. “The opposition tends to sepa- part of the world’s cultural her- days everyone’s looking for the electoral commission, which exhausted” after the Maduro Maduro’s Socialist Party of Gonzalez dismissed the gov- rate into its component parts, and itage by Unesco in 2010. ‘ideal’ of big, shiny fruit,” he says. the opposition and Western administration withdrew del- Venezuela holds 54 of the Na- ernment’s agreement with the we are seeing clearly again the Hybrid seeds, globalisation But they are fooling them- observers have denounced as egates in August following a tional Assembly’s 167 seats. smaller opposition faction, saying divisions,” said Phil Gunson, an and consumers’ demand for im- selves, he adds: the native ver- biased after the 2018 election, tightening of US sanctions. However, the document did it was unlikely to end the politi- analyst with the Crisis Group, an maculate produce are also taking sion is sweeter and tastier. won by Maduro, which they “We have not closed any not propose eliminating the cal crisis. The document did not international policy think-tank.

Power outage Argentina’s IAEA hopeful Nearly all of Ecuador’s sounds ‘perfect’: US citizens’ data leaked AFP The security company Quito vpnMentor uncovered the Reuters Diplomats who follow the the Chinese side of the world, breach on the server run by Vienna agency say he had a head-start who’s obviously respected from the firm Novaestrat, which over the others, which he has the south and central American lmost the entire popu- included citizens’ full names, used to gain the support of Ar- side of the world and has some lation of Ecuador had dates and places of birth, ed- rgentina’s contender to gentina’s regional rival Brazil. fairly substantial level of support Atheir personal data ucation levels, phone num- become the next chief of Where many countries on the from the US. leaked online in a major secu- bers and national identity Athe UN nuclear watch- board stand is unclear. “Did I get that right?,” Perry rity breach, offi cials and secu- card numbers. dog “sounds like a perfect can- said. “Sounds like a perfect can- rity experts said. ZDNet, the cybersecurity didate”, US Energy Secretary “Sounds like a perfect didate to me. Sounds like some- Data on an estimated 20mn website that fi rst reported the Rick Perry said yesterday, while candidate to me. Sounds one who understands all the dif- people, including almost 7mn breach, said there was even stopping short of a formal US like someone who ferent complexities of this world minors as well as deceased data on the country’s presi- endorsement. understands all the we live in.” citizens, was exposed by the dent and on Julian Assange, International Atomic Energy diff erent complexities of When asked if that meant he breach, the state attorney gen- the WikiLeaks founder who Agency (IAEA) chief Yukiya this world we live in” was backing Grossi, however, eral’s offi ce said. applied for asylum in Ecuador Amano died in July as he was Perry stopped short of endorsing The data was hosted on an and spent years holed up in the preparing to step down early be- US Secretary of State Mike him. “It’ll all work itself out,” he unsecured server run by an Ec- country’s London embassy be- cause of illness. Pompeo met Grossi in Washing- said. uadoran marketing and ana- fore being arrested this year by The IAEA’s 35-nation board of ton in August, which some dip- While each candidate would lytics fi rm. British police. governors hopes to pick his suc- lomats have taken to mean the bring their own style to running “The information that I can As part of his application for cessor next month. US has thrown its considerable the IAEA, diplomats in Vienna share with you at this moment asylum, Assange was issued an Four candidates have been weight behind him. do not expect a major shift in is that this is a very delicate is- Ecuadoran identity card. nominated — Amano’s former While he was in Vienna yes- how the agency handles its most sue, it is a major concern for The security company con- right-hand man Cornel Feruta terday for an IAEA meeting, high-profi le issue. the whole of the government tacted Ecuador’s Computer of Romania, Argentina’s ambas- reporters asked Perry about Diplomats say Grossi’s main ri- and the state,” said Interior Emergency Response Team to sador to the IAEA Rafael Grossi, Grossi’s candidacy and Argen- val at this stage is Feruta, who has Minister Maria Paula Romo. secure the leaked data, ZDNet nuclear test-ban body chief tina’s ties to countries including taken over as IAEA chief in an act- The South American nation said. Lassina Zerbo of Burkina Faso China, which is seeking to build ing capacity and has told member A man is silhouetted in a store during a massive power has a population of 17mn, ac- Romo said the government and Slovakia’s nuclear regula- a nuclear power plant there. states he represents continuity. outage in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The power outage cording to the UN Population was “working on an investiga- tory chief Marta Ziakova. “The way you’ve just de- But Perry said the top priority left Honduras completely in the dark and Nicaragua, El Fund. tion which will permit us in the Grossi, a veteran of nuclear di- scribed this individual...is was to act fast. “’Don’t drag this Salvador and Guatemala partly without electricity, local Ecuadoran authorities said coming hours to assess who plomacy, is the only one to have you’ve got someone who works out’ is the real message here,” he power companies said. the data was allegedly from a is responsible for what hap- campaigned publicly. and at least (is) respected from said. server based in the US. pened.” Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 PAKISTAN

PM chairs new Balakot Outcry forces NW offi cials City project meeting Internews The prime minister while Islamabad appreciating the eff orts be- ing made to revive the stalled project said that location of the akistani Prime Minister new city carries huge potential Imran Khan yesterday for attracting local as well as to scrap veil order for girls Pchaired a meeting to re- international tourism and thus view progress on New Balakot would contribute signifi cantly AFP/DPA decision was taken to safeguard The backlash resulted in a ty would protest and “force the student in Peshawar University, City project. towards national GDP. Peshawar/Islamabad girls against sexual harassment reversal by authorities. government to enforce this order ridiculed the claims, calling The meeting was attended by Underscoring the need for and make sure they look mod- “The directive is hereby with- in the whole of the province”. for a woman’s right to choose Minister for Planning Makh- tapping huge potential of the est. “We want girls to feel safe drawn,” a new order issued yes- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the whether to cover herself or not. doom Khusro Bakhtiar, Minis- country in tourism sector, the akistan education author- and parents reassured,” he said, terday and seen by AFP said. same province where Taliban “The state should not in- ter for Revnue Hammad Azhar, prime minister said that de- ities have reversed a deci- defending the order before it was However, leading Pakistani militants attacked Nobel laure- terfere in such matters and Chairman NDMA Muhamed velopment of tourism hubs at Psion making it compulsory taken back yesterday. women’s rights activist Tahira ate Malala Yousafzai when she leave them to discretion of Afzal, Chief Secretary Khyber various tourist sites would not for female students in two major But the directive, fi rst an- Abdullah warned that the at- was a schoolgirl. womenfolk,” she said. Pakhtunkhwa Muhammed Sal- only highlight country’s tour- northwestern cities to wear veils, nounced last week, triggered a tempt “did not enhance the The party of Prime Minis- “I feel so relieved that this eem and other senior offi cials. ism potential but would also one day after the move sparked a nationwide backlash, as social image of Pakistan”. ter Imran Khan now rules the oppressing order is withdrawn. The PM was apprised about lead to creation of greater job rights outcry on social media. media users and activists con- “While the rest of the world province. It would have been horrible to New Balakot City project and opportunities for the people. District education offi cials in demned the move as yet another is moving forward with its chil- Local shopkeeper Jameel Ah- force young girls to wear hijab,” the way forward towards ad- The prime minister directed Peshawar, the capital of Khy- curb on women’s rights in the dren’s education, protection mad and teacher Ameen Sadiq said Taimur Kamal, a rights ac- dressing legal, administrative that public private partner- ber Pakhtunkhwa, and Haripur, country. and development, Pakistan is also vented their anger at the tivist from the province. and fi nancial issues which ship model should be followed another city in the province, “So the burden of unethical defi nitely moving backwards,” government’s decision to reverse The move comes days after a stalled steady progress on the during the development of the had announced that girls must behaviour lies on schoolgirls and she said. the order, saying that under Pakistani university run by the project. Strategy to transform new city. He further directed cover themselves fully “to pro- not the pervs who harass girls, However some residents in the Islam and Pashtun tribal tra- country’s navy ordered the seg- new city into a tourism hub that the issues regarding set- tect them from any unethical regardless of them being cov- region defended the move. dition dominant in the north- regation of male and female stu- and modern business resi- tlement of claims should be accident”. ered,” tweeted one social media One provincial legislator, west women must be properly dents in the classrooms and on dence city hosting local gem- taken up on priority to ensure Provincial Education Min- user, Naila Inayat, in a typical Sirajuddin Khan, warned that covered. the campus in a move that drew stones mining industry was seamless implementation of ister Ziaullah Bangash said the comment. his radical Jamaat-e-Islami par- But Amna Haleem, a geology criticism. also discussed. the project. ECP dismisses Two judges recuse plea seeking themselves from disqualifi cation hearing Isa case

Internews Justice Bandial, in his re- facing a misconduct reference Islamabad marks, said that some judges fi led by the president against of Maryam did not want to be part of the him in the SJC in his applica- bench anymore and therefore, tion seeking formation of a full Maryam Sharif seven-member Su- the matter will be sent to Chief court had argued that the full Internews lier reserved the verdict in the preme Court bench yes- Justice Asif Saeed Khosa. The court was necessary because Islamabad disqualifi cation on Monday. case had ordered that lawyers be Earlier this month, an ac- Aterday decided to send top judge will decide if a new the present matter pertained Chief Election Commis- given additional assistance in the countability court in Lahore had the matter of forming a new bench should be formed or not. to a reference against the apex sioner Muhamed Raza Khan an- case and said they needed more extended Maryam Sharif’s re- bench to hear the presidential “Any judge who has a per- court judge and as per the he Election Commission nounced the verdict yesterday. understanding of the Supreme mand by 14 days. Maryam had reference against Justice Qazi sonal stake in this case should precedent established in the of Pakistan (ECP) yester- The petition for disqualifi ca- Court verdict and Article 62 and appeared before the court in Faez Isa to the chief justice. not be attached with it,” Ma- 2010 SC judge in the Iftikhar Tday dismissed a petition tion had been fi led by Pakistan 63 of the Constitution. connection with the Chaudhry This was decided after Jus- lik said earlier yesterday as Mohamed Chaudhry case. seeking the disqualifi cation of Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders On May 9, the PTI had fi led Sugar Mills case. tices Ijazul Ahsan and Sardar the bench took up the petition In support of his argument, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Malika Bukhari, Farrukh Habib a petition and contended that Yousaf Abbas, a cousin of Tariq Masood decided to rec- fi led by Justice Isa on August Justice Isa contended that the (PML-N) vice president Maryam and Kanwal Shauzab. Maryam Sharif could not hold Maryam who was also arrested use themselves from the sev- 26 seeking formation of a full SJC “expressed bias” against Sharif from holding party offi ce. In August, the ECP had any party position as she was by NAB the same day, was pro- en-member bench headed by court bench. “Judges whose him in its verdict on Reference Maryam Sharif can stay on as postponed the verdict chal- convicted by a court of law on duced before the court alongside Justice Umar Ata Bandial and interests are vested in this case 427 (a second petition) and has vice president of the PML-N, lenging the appointment of July 6, 2018, in a corruption case the PML-N leader and was also comprising Justices Maqbool should not be a part of this therefore lost its credibility to the verdict of the election com- Maryam Sharif as PML-N vice- (Avenfi eld reference), fi led by the remanded into the account- Baqar, Manzoor Ahmed Malik, bench.” give him a fair hearing. mission said. A three-member president. National Accountability Bureau ability watchdog’s custody for Masood, Faisal Arab, Ahsan Justice Bandial cautioned In his application, Justice Isa bench of the ECP had ear- The ECP bench hearing the (NAB). 14 days. and Mazhar Alam Khan Mi- against “raising this objection had said he was ready to face ankhel hearing a set of peti- in the beginning of the pro- any reference if conducted in tions challenging the presiden- ceedings”, adding: “This ob- accordance with the law and tial reference. jection will also hurt people’s propriety, but regretted that Justice Isa’s lawyer Muneer confi dence in the judiciary.” he, his wife and children had A Malik had requested the Su- “A judge has the authority to allegedly been subjected to Sindh preme Court to form a full court step away from a bench. There persecution when the Holy IMF team arrives in bench of “capable judges”, who are court verdicts which say Qur’an stated that persecution are not members of the Su- that no judge can be forced to was worse than death. CM fails preme Judicial Council (SJC), to distance himself from a case,” The application had con- hear his client’s petition. Justice Bandial said. “The tended that the petitioner’s Malik, during his arguments judges have heard your point of wife and adult children were to appear Islamabad to review yesterday, said that two judges view. They will take a decision illegally surveilled through had a “direct interest” in the themselves.” intelligence apparatus and by before NAB programme progress case against Justice Isa. Justice Isa who is currently misusing public funds. in graft case Banknote garlands Internews nance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and fi nance minister Asad Umar. Internews Islamabad Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) The sources said that critical Karachi chairman Shabbar Zaidi. discussions were anticipated As per the proposed sched- over FBR’s revenue collection he International Mon- ule of the visit, the delegation challenges even though the indh Chief Minister Mu- etary Fund’s (IMF) Mid- will remain in Pakistan until government expects higher rad Ali Shah yesterday Tdle East and Central Asia September 20. Another offi cial than targeted infl ows from Sfailed to appear before director Jihad Azour along with said the delegation will hold non-tax revenues to make up the National Accountabil- an eight-member delegation meetings with Hafeez Shaikh for the losses as evident from ity Bureau (NAB) in a hearing arrived in Islamabad yesterday and top offi cials of the Ministry interactions between the local pertaining to off ering sub- to hold formal talks with top of Finance, Planning Minis- IMF staff and the FBR and -fi sidies to sugar mills through government functionaries. ter Khusro Bakhtyar, Planning nance ministry offi cials. unauthorised channels. Amid the IMF team’s arrival, Commission offi cials and the They said that FBR’s current Sources from NAB told Geo the government stepped up ef- Minister of Economic Aff airs year revenue target of Rs5.555tn News that the chief minis- forts to recover about Rs85bn Hammad Azhar and his team. is based on base year revenue ter had already submitted additional revenue from the The delegation will also meet assumption of about Rs4.150tn answers to the query at an electricity and gas consum- with the chairpersons and mem- for last fi nancial year but actual earlier date. This is the sec- ers and fi rm up a roadmap to bers of the National Electronic recoveries were hardly close to ond time Sindh CM Shah has bridge gaps in tax collection. Power and Regulatory Authority Rs3.83tn, leaving a gap of about failed to appear before the The visit is being described (Nepra), Oil and Gas Regulatory Rs450bn to begin with. accountability body. as “routine” by both sides. A Authority (Ogra) and Securities On top of that, the shortfall Earlier this year, Sindh CM fi nance ministry representa- and Exchange Commission of in the fi rst two months of cur- Shah had appeared before the tive said the delegation, headed Pakistan before travelling to Ka- rent fi scal year had gone be- bureau’s Rawalpindi branch in by Azour and mission chief to rachi to hold discussions at the yond Rs64bn. Based on this, connection with the long-run- Pakistan Ernesto Ramirez-Ri- State Bank of Pakistan and other the IMF staff had doubts over ning fake bank accounts case. go, is here “to review the pro- stakeholders. Rs1.076tn revenue target for A fi ve-member NAB inves- gramme as per schedule.” The delegation will also the fi rst quarter that has to be tigative team probed the Sindh On its fi rst day, the team held interact with National As- bridged before the fi rst review A vendor makes garlands with banknotes at a roadside shop in Karachi yesterday. Garlands chief minister for over an hour informal meetings with adviser sembly’s Standing Commit- which is due in less than two made with banknotes are widely used during wedding ceremonies in Pakistan. at the occasion. Irfan Naeem to the prime minister on fi - tee on Finance led by former months. Mangi, who is the head of the joint investigation team prob- ing the case, also met Shah upon arrival at the old NAB headquarters. Pakistan Peoples Party Revised agreement on gas pipeline project signed (PPP) leaders Qamar Za- man Kaira, Nayyar Bokhari and Mustafa Khokhar ac- Internews matter told the media that as 750mn cubic feet of natural gas severe amongst all international The Iran-Pakistan gas pipe- mile). It starts from Asalouyeh companied the Sindh chief Islamabad per the revised agreement, Pa- per day (MMCFD) from Iran. restrictions – Iran Sanctions Act line, also known as the Peace and stretches 1,172km (728-mile) minister to the headquar- kistan will no longer have to pay For more than four years, the 1996, Comprehensive Iran Sanc- pipeline, or IP Gas, is an under- through Iran. ters of the accountability fi ne to Iran and Iran will not go IP gas project was off the table tions, Accountability and Di- construction 2,775km (1,724- The Iranian section is known watchdog. nter-State Gas Systems to an arbitration court for delay due to international sanctions vestment Act 2010 and National mile) pipeline to deliver natural as Iran’s seventh cross-country Speaking to the media follow- (ISGS) and National Iranian in IP pipeline construction. – both multilateral imposed Defence Authorisation Act-2012. gas from Iran to Pakistan. gas pipeline. The fi rst 902km ing his appearance, Shah said, IGas Co (NIGC) signed a re- The two countries will work by the UN and the unilateral The construction work on the The length of the pipeline that (560-mile) part of this section “I appeared before NAB for the vised agreement for the much- together to fi nd a viable solution clamped by the US, Canada, UK Pakistani section of the pipeline will be supplied from the South runs from Asalouyeh to Iran- fi rst time. I have nothing to hide delayed Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas to the project. Furthermore, and the European Union. had been inaugurated in March, Pars fi eld has been given various- shahr. The second 270km (170- and am fully prepared for an pipeline project. Pakistan can build the IP pipe- The unilateral sanctions im- 2013 and it was planned to be ly as 900km (560-mile), 1,035km mile) part runs from Iranshahr investigation.” Sources familiar with the line till the year 2024 for buying posed by the US were the most completed within 22 months. (643-mile), and 2,775km (1,724- to the Iran-Pakistan border. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 18, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES Govt attacks 20 killed as truck drug war plunges down ravine fi lm as AFP Manila ‘propaganda’

wenty people, includ- AFP a perverse moral high ground,” its ing children, were killed Manila website says. Tyesterday in the south- Duterte’s three-year-old cam- ern Philippines when the flat- paign, which he says is intended to bed truck they were riding in new documentary that rid the nation of illegal drugs, has plummeted into a ravine, po- takes a fi ercely criti- unleashed a tide of killings by po- lice said. Acal look at the Philip- lice and masked gunmen. The vehicle was bringing pine government’s deadly drug Authorities say offi cers have a group of people home from crackdown has come under at- shot dead just over 5,500 users a trip to the beach when the tack, with President Rodrigo and dealers who resisted arrest, driver lost control near the Duterte’s spokesman yesterday but critics say the true toll is at town of T’boli in the latest slamming it as “propaganda” least four times higher and could deadly crash on the nation’s aimed at gullible foreign viewers. amount to crimes against human- dangerous roads. “On The President’s Orders” is ity. “Based on eyewitness ac- a gritty, cinematic depiction of the War crimes prosecutors from counts, the truck lost its campaign, in which police have the International Criminal Court brakes. We will conduct fur- killed thousands, told from the have launched a preliminary ex- ther investigations on the ac- perspective of authorities, urban amination, and the UN’s human tual cause,” T’boli town police poor and families of the dead. rights body voted in July in favour investigator George Tabayan The documentary has won of a review of the killings. said. plaudits from rights campaigners Despite international criticism, Police initially put the death and one fi lm review called it a tes- Duterte and his signature policy toll at 15, but doctors said five tament of “our dark age of cruelty remain highly popular in the Phil- of the 19 people taken to hos- and dehumanisation.” ippines. pital for treatment later died, However, Duterte spokesman His tough-talking, man-of- Tabayan said, updating an ear- Salvador Panelo said the fi lm was the-people style appeals to many lier tally. being used to “espouse a one-sid- Filipinos tired of generations of The dead included children ed information bordering to black elite politicians who did not make aged between one to six years propaganda aimed at gullible for- a dent in the country’s deep-root- old, with the driver among eign audiences who know little or ed government corruption, rural those injured, he added. zero-knowledge about the Phil- poverty and dysfunction. The group had come from a In this photo taken from social media, rescue workers stand next to a flatbed truck after it fell into a ravine in T’Boli town, South Cotabato ippines”. The documentary, to be Yet critics warn that his rough swimming party at a beach in province,in the southern island of Mindanao, yesterday. shown at European fi lm festivals style, which includes attacks on a neighbouring town and were in September and October, shows the press and threats of violence on their way home when the are common in the Philip- trained drivers form the back- In June, 13 people including after attending a traditional the “victimised slum communi- against his political opponents, accident occurred. pines, where inadequately bone of land transport op- a bride-to-be were killed when pre-wedding ceremony rolled ties and the police squads blithely could weaken the Philippines’ rule Deadly road accidents maintained buses and poorly tions. the truck they were riding on over on a mountain road. executing their countrymen from of law and institutions. Labour secretary says govt ready Duterte picks former jail warden to evacuate OFWs if need arises as new corrections bureau chief The Manila Times stationed in the aff ected ar- No Filipino was hurt in the Manila eas which house Saudi Arabia’s drone attacks on oil installa- biggest oil plants. Saudi Arabia, tions, Bello said. The govern- By Catherine S Valente the world’s largest oil exporter, ment continues to monitor Manila Times President off ers bounty for convicts freed under controversial law he Philippine govern- is among the top destination developments in the area, he ment is ready to repat- countries of Filipino workers. added. “Our Philippine Over- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday of- sparked public outrage over the planned release of Triate overseas Filipino A 2018 survey of the Phil- seas Labour Offi ces in Al Kho- resident Rodrigo Duterte fered a 1mn-peso ($19,600) bounty for the capture high-profile convicts. workers (OFWs) in Saudi Ara- ippine Statistics Author- bar, Riyadh, and Dammam are designated Gerald Bantag of felons convicted of heinous crimes but freed The controversy erupted last month when media bia if the peace and order situ- ity showed that 24.3% of the also on top of the situation to Pas the new director gen- early under a controversial law. reported that a former mayor convicted of the rape ation in that country worsens 2.3mn overseas Filipino work- check on the conditions of our eral of the Bureau of Correc- Duterte had given more than 1,900 convicts 15 and murder of a university student and her boy- following the bombing of the ers worldwide were in Saudi OFWs,” the Labour chief said. tions (BuCor), Malacanang an- days from September 4 to surrender voluntarily friend in 1993 could be released from prison under world’s biggest oil installation, Arabia. “We are co-ordinating with nounced yesterday. amid allegations of corruption over their release un- the law, which came into eff ect in 2014. Department of Labour and Bello said the Labour depart- the DFA on the development of Bantag replaced former BuCor der the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law. In another case, three men convicted of raping Employment (DoLE) said yes- ment, in co-ordination with the situation for constant as- chief Nicanor Faeldon, who was So far, more than 600 inmates have surrendered, and killing two sisters in 1997 were freed after their terday. the Department of Foreign Af- sessment.But we are ready for fi red by the president following according to the Department of Justice. prison sentences were reduced. Labour Secretary Silves- fairs, is assessing the implica- any eventual repatriation to the approval of the controversial “The 1mn-peso prize is available to all those who Two of the three convicts have already surren- tre Bello 3rd said there were tions of the attacks on the safe- ensure the safety and security release of several heinous crime can capture them dead or alive, but maybe dead dered, off icials said. about 50,000 Filipino workers ty and security of OFWs. of OFWs,” Bello added. convicts. would be a better option,” Durtete told reporters. “I Police earlier deployed teams to track down the Palace spokesman Salvador will pay you smiling.” freed convicts. Panelo said Bantag, currently Duterte had also fired the head of the Bureau of Authorities warned felons who do not surrender the regional director of the Bu- Corrections for disobeying his directive to halt the by September 19 that they would be treated as Robredo wants probe to focus on law implementation reau of Jail Management and early release of convicts under the GCTA law, which fugitives. Penology (BJMP) in Mimaropa or Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo has said the GCTA Law, which provides incentives to Region 4B, was designated Bu- the Senate investigation of the questionable inmates for good conduct.“The question is what Cor chief because of his “profes- fessional competence and hon- nous crime convicts signifi cant- timistic that Bantag would help release of prisoners should focus on the imple- was the reason behind the mess? Is it because of sional competence and honesty.” esty,” he added. ly increased from 62 in 2014 to Duterte rid the BuCor of cor- mentation of the Good Conduct Time Allowance the law itself or because of the law’s implementa- Mimaropa is Mindoro, The new BuCor chief was 816 in 2019. ruption. “The Palace is behind (GCTA) Law, Manila Times reported. tion?” Robredo said in an interview. Marinduque, Romblon, Pala- named on the heels of the con- Duterte had directed the con- the president’s decision and is She made the remark amid reports that detained The vice president was at the Senate to defend wan. “The Palace welcomes the troversial early release of hei- duct of an investigation against confi dent that DG Bantag will Sen. Leila de Lima and former Interior and Local the 2020 budget of the Off ice of the Vice designation of Gerald Quitaleg nous crime convicts under Fael- erring BuCor offi cials allegedly continue the Administration’s Government secretary Manuel Roxas 2nd, who President (OVP) amounting to over P673mn. The Bantag as the new Director- don’s leadership. involved in the granting of good campaign against corruption as crafted the law’s implementing rules and imple- Senate Committee on Finance approved the General of the Bureau of Cor- Data from the BuCor revealed conduct time allowance (GCTA) he spearheads reform initiatives mentation (IRR), were being blamed for the mess. OVP’s budget. Robredo noted that the previous rections,” Panelo said in a state- that over 22,000 prisoners, in- to heinous crime convicts. in the Bureau,” he said. Based on data released by the Bureau of Cor- Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry led to the ment. cluding 1,914 heinous crime GCTA is credited against a Prior to his designation, Ban- rections (BuCor), 1,914 prisoners convicted of discovery of several “money-making” activities at “Mr. Bantag was designated convicts, have been released prisoner’s jail sentence, allowing tag also previously served as jail heinous crimes were granted early release under the BuCor and New Bilibid Prison. by the president as the new DG from 2014 to early August this his early release. warden of the Paranaque, Manila of the BuCor based on his pro- year. The number of freed hei- Panelo said the Palace was op- and Malabon city jails.

Ambassador sees increased Aussie investments in Philippines

By Bernadette E Tamayo and any country would be mad structure programme “off ers so from SGV, a multidisciplinary Philippines is such a great place Manila Times not to take advantage of that po- much to Australia.” professional services fi rm, had a in which to operate.’ So, that is tential growth. So, what we’re “We’ve got (Australian) com- session in Sydney last week with really positive. Hopefully, the looking at is how Australia gets panies that can readily assist Australian businessmen to dis- presentation last week to Aus- ustralian ambassador to its businesses to engage with in all that. And as I reach out cuss the Philippines’ investment tralian businesses will entice Manila Steven Robin- the Philippines and also to take to many of the Philippine con- outlook. “They (SGV) talked to more (Australian investors) Ason AO sees increased part in the transformation of the glomerates in the Philippines, (Australian businesses) about to come (to the Philippines),” investments in the Philippines Philippines.” many of them to my surprise the Philippines and the oppor- Robinson said. from Down Under in the coming Robinson noted that 300 Aus- have already reached out to Aus- tunities that exist here. And they While Australia has “a sound years, as he cited the country’s tralian companies had invested tralia, looking at how they can actually have invited some of the relationship” with the Phil- booming economy and effi cient in the Philippines. “There are use Australian ingenuity, inno- companies that are already oper- ippines, the ambassador ex- workforce. indeed investments being made vation to assist them with the ating here to talk about the ben- pressed hope that trade be- The ambassador said several here. And when you look at the President’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ efi ts of being in the Philippines,” tween Manila and Canberra Australian companies had tied companies that are here in the programme,” Robinson said. Robinson said. would improve. up with the Philippine govern- Philippines, (there are) about “So, we’ve got lots of Austral- Australian companies, he “Trade with the Philip- ment and were helping in the 300 Australian companies now, ian companies here doing things added, commended the Fili- pines should be much higher construction of several infra- which is pretty signifi cant. in conjunction with Philippine pinos’ service-mentality and and much stronger. Currently structure projects. And some of the biggest com- companies — building express- their approach to life. it sits in 5bn (Australian dol- “As the Philippines is boom- panies and biggest investors are ways, building bits of the airport, “The fact that they are Eng- lars) a year. And it should be ing, the economy is booming. here,” he said during a roundta- doing things for the ports,” he lish-speaking means that there larger than that, given where When I arrived here, I went to ble interview with The Manila said.“And you don’t hear about are so many opportunities the Australian economy is and speak to World Bank and the Times yesterday. that because they are not com- for (Australian) companies to particularly where the Philip- International Monetary Fund “That is a whole range of very panies that are upfront. They are utilise very educated, highly- pine economy is forecast to (IMF), they tell you that the substantial Australian fi rms the ones that are behind them, focused Philippine workforce,” go,” he said. “So, I think there is economy of the Philippines, it’s looking at opportunities in the all of that R&D (research and de- he said. enormous opportunity both for GDP (gross domestic product) is Philippines and investing broad- velopment) are Australian.” “All the Australian compa- Australians to invest in the Phil- going to be at least 6 to 7% a year ly.” As proof of the Philippines’ nies that are here basically say ippines, but also for Filipinos to for the next decade,” Robinson He said President Rodrigo Du- extraordinary growth, the en- to me, ‘We’re mad if you are invest in Australia,” Robinson said.“That is just extraordinary terte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infra- voy said he and representatives not here because you know the said. Australian ambassador to Philippines Steven Robinson. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF South Korea’s military Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar spending has North worried [email protected] 44350478 (News), By Josh Smith since an 8.7% increase in 2009. destroy” the new threats. administration, and building up the Seoul In July the MND announced South The F-35 “puts North Korea’s military is an important part of gaining 44466404 (Sport), Korea would build a light aircraft anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence US 44466636 (Home delivery) carrier, the country’s fi rst. systems in an extremely vulnerable approval for that, said Kathryn Botto, outh Korea and North Korea And in August it unveiled a plan to position, which is likely why the North an analyst at the Washington-based 44350474 have continued to pour spend about $239bn more between is responding by accelerating its own Carnegie Endowment for International facebook.com/gulftimes resources into modernising 2020 and 2024. SRBM development,” DePetris said. Peace. Stheir militaries despite a frenzy About $85bn of the future budget North Korea also views the F-35s as Additionally, South Korea’s twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar of diplomacy since 2018, data shows, is earmarked for arms improvements, violations of a military de-escalation population is ageing, reducing the creating a point of tension that has representing an average 10.3% year-on- agreement the two countries signed in number of young people available to sharpened as talks have stalled. year increase. September 2018. serve in South Korea’s military. Military buildups on both sides of the “Given the recent uncertain security The Koreas agreed to cease “all By 2025, South Korea plans to reduce heavily fortifi ed border between the two environment, the government is hostile acts,” but the deal did not its standing military from 599,000 GULF TIMES nations have come to the forefront with investing heavily in strengthening its mention new weapons. troops to 500,000, according to the recent short-range missile launches by defence capabilities,” the MND said With North Korea under tight Defense White Paper, with the aim of North Korea, perfecting an arsenal it when the plan was announced. international sanctions, the North “a military that is smaller in size but says is necessary to defend against new By 2023, the “force enhancement” cannot aff ord an arms race, analysts stronger in combat.” South Korean weapons. budget will account for more than 36% said. The Trump administration has Tough times for On September 11 North Korean state of total defence spending, up from In 2016, the last year for which pushed South Korea to buy more media reported that leader Kim Jong-un about 31% this year, according to South estimates were available, North Korea American weapons and pay more for US had personally supervised the previous Korea’s 2018 Defence White Paper. spent an estimated $4bn, or 23% of its troops stationed there, Botto said. Big Tech amid a day the test fi ring of a large multiple- The planned aircraft carrier is GDP, on defence. “Investing more in capabilities that it rocket launch system, a type of weapon expected to accommodate vertical- Almost 5% of the population serves can acquire from the US both helps keep analysts say threatens forces in South landing F-35B stealth fi ghter jets. on active duty in the military, according Trump on Moon’s side and augments Korea. Among the other weapons on to the US State Department’s 2018 his OPCON transfer and defence reform growing trust defi cit Pyongyang has sharply criticised Seoul’s shopping list are new missile World Military Expenditures and Arms goals,” she said. US-South Korean military drills and defence systems; three more destroyers Transfers report. But analysts also say that South South Korea’s defence procurements equipped with the cutting-edge Although Kim has signalled interest Korea wants reduce its dependence The Big Tech, despite its overarching global reach, is - including an aircraft carrier, Aegis radar system; spy satellites and in using more of the country’s vast on American gear, partly because it is facing tough times with a growing trust defi cit, both from stealth fi ghters and spy satellites - high-altitude reconnaissance drones; defence industry to work on civilian frustrated by Washington’s occasional the users and regulators. as undisguised preparations for a anti-submarine helicopters; maritime projects, there is little sign of progress, unwillingness to share the best More so in the European Union, which has been the most preemptive strike. patrol aircraft; submarines capable of and international aid organisations say technology. In a commentary on September 13, fi ring cruise and ballistic missiles; and a tens of thousands of North Koreans face “In order to secure self-defence aggressive jurisdiction so far in trying to rein in superstars North Korean state news agency KCNA warship armed with guided missiles. food shortages. capabilities and lead the development like Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google. said South Korea’s pursuit of new “Neither Korea wants to a full-blown While the surge in military spending of national science and technology, the As Apple fi ghts a $14.4bn tax case, the world’s biggest, weapons systems is an “unpardonable confrontation, but both want to make may seem to contradict Moon’s push to acquisition policy will change to centre at the EU General Court in Luxembourg, here’s in the act of perfi dy” that threatens to sure they have the weapons platforms engage North Korea, analysts say it is around domestic R&D rather than inevitable question: Are the tech giants monopolies? undermine peace on the peninsula. and defence resources available in the largely driven by other issues, including overseas purchases,” the MND said in its South Korea’s Ministry of National event a fl are-up happens,” said Daniel South Korea’s changing demographics August budget announcement. They are powerful, no doubt. Google and Facebook Defence (MND) did not respond to DePetris, a fellow at Defence Priorities, and the country’s relationship with Moon wants to build up the military’s together controlled 60% of mobile ad revenue and 51% of requests for comment. a Washington-based think-tank. longtime ally the United States. ability to operate as independently as digital ad revenue globally in 2018, according to eMarketer. South Korean President Moon Jae- Of most immediate concern to North Since the 1950-1953 Korean War, possible before the stagnating economy In the US, Apple has about 45% of the smartphone market; in’s administration has committed Korea, this year South Korea took the American military has retained makes such spending harder, said one about 47% of all US e-commerce sales go through Amazon. billions of additional dollars to the delivery of the fi rst of 40 land-based the authority to control hundreds of Western military offi cial in Seoul, who country’s defence budget, which is F-35A stealth aircraft from the United thousands of South Korean forces was not authorised to speak to the com. already among the largest in the world. States. alongside the roughly 28,500 US media. Under modern antitrust enforcement, however, those In 2018 South Korea’s military North Korea criticised that as well troops in South Korea if another war “South Korea is on course to be the percentages alone aren’t enough to alarm regulators in the expenditures reached $43.1bn, an as other weapons announcements as a breaks out. largest military R&D spender in the US. What’s illegal is for a monopoly to abuse its market increase of 7% compared with 2017, reckless arms build-up that was forcing Moon has made obtaining world, as a proportion of its budget. power to prevent rivals from threatening its position. according to the MND. it to develop new short-range ballistic “operational control,” or OPCON, of They are angling to be a bigger player missiles (SRBMs) to “completely those joint forces a major goal of his US courts ruled Microsoft did so in the 1990s. It was the biggest single-year jump than ever on the world stage.”- Reuters But the EU law sets a lower bar for fi nding abuse of dominance. It’s evidenced by three antitrust actions against Google in as many years carrying penalties that total $9.3bn. Interestingly, the US chose not to bring charges against Google for the same conduct the EU found illegal. The US Justice Department and Apple is fi ghting the Federal Trade Commission, which a $14.4bn tax both have a mandate to case, the world’s enforce antitrust laws, are now working together biggest, at the EU to ramp up oversight of the technology giants. General Court in In Asia, Japan’s Fair Luxembourg Trade Commission says Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon need to be examined for possible abuse of their market dominance. South Korea’s commission was reported last year to be looking into whether Google Korea was abusing its market position to pressure local game companies to upload their products only onto the Google Play platform. In China, censorship and government control over Internet access have made it diffi cult for US techies to compete with the likes of Alibaba, Baidu and Tencent. For sure, tech giants like Amazon and Facebook have leverage over both producers and consumers. They are also growing by snapping up potential rivals that might threaten market share. Data compiled by Bloomberg show the big fi ve - Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft - have made 431 acquisitions worth $155.7bn over the last decade. The companies also have control over vast amounts of data about their customers, raising concerns about threats to privacy. South Korean marines take part in a US-South Korea joint landing operation drill as part of the two countries’ annual military training called Foal Eagle, in Pohang, South The Silicon Valley executives are waking up to the Korea, on April 2, 2017. (File photo) backlash, striking a more conciliatory note and saying they want to work with authorities on a range of challenges. They argue that their dominance is hardly durable because barriers to entry are low for new competitors. Google is fond of saying competition is just “one click away.” Fundamentally, social media users are driven by the Immigration is a climate issue same ancient desire: Human Connection. But that has for long been crowded out by addictive technology, amazing products and invasive corporate branding. By Josue De Luna Navarro dismantle the militarised status quo at Unfortunately, the United States has denied Temporary Protective Status. Washington the border. been treating these refugees from its Trump justified the move with the Longer term, the inescapable truth for the Big Tech is The climate crisis is not only causing own pollution as threats. same kind of hateful rhetoric he’s growing loud and clear: Techies can thrive only if people extreme weather disasters. Gradually but In 2012, during the presidency used against Mexicans, describing and regulators trust them. Amid a growing backlash, tech s climate change increasingly unmistakably, as droughts lengthen and of Barack Obama, a report by the people in the Bahamas as “some very superpowers will need to fi gure out how to regain that trust. becomes a major issue in rains become less predictable, it’s also Department of Homeland Security bad people and some very bad gang the Democratic presidential directly contributing to the decline of referred to climate change as a “threat members, and some very, very bad Aprimary in the US, more economic and social sustainability of poor multiplier” - not because of climate drug dealers.” candidates are releasing detailed plans countries in the Southern Hemisphere. devastation itself, but because refugees Already, Trump’s policies have to deal with the crisis. For many communities, soil pose a challenge to “securing and resulted in refugees from violence To Advertise But so far only two - Julian Castro degradation, drought and ecological managing our borders, enforcing and or persecution being corralled in and Beto O’Rourke - have connected the destruction are leading causes of administering our immigration laws, internment camps, or forced to wait for [email protected] issue to immigration. displacement. and other homeland security missions.” months in dangerous conditions across Display Castro’s “People and Planet First” As the top historic contributor to Of course, that trend is accelerating the border in Mexico. plan envisions creating a new refugee carbon emissions, the United States under President Donald Trump, who What’s to stop climate refugees from 44466621 44418811 category for communities immigrating has a responsibility to ensure that the reallocated $155mn from the disaster being treated the same way? after climate disasters. immigrants impacted - either directly relief agency FEMA and $116mn from We must reverse our decades-long Classified And O’Rourke has hinted that he or indirectly - are accepted. the Coast Guard to ICE just days before trend of border militarisation and 44466609 44418811 would treat migrants driven by “push A World Bank report estimates that Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas and prioritise front-line communities while factors” like drought as refugees. 140mn people will have to migrate by Florida. addressing climate change. Subscription This is a welcome acknowledgement 2050 due to climate change, while other Instead of disaster relief, in other The Democrats who would be of the role the climate crisis plays in studies put the fi gure as high as 1bn. words, the department’s priority on president must grapple with the US [email protected] displacing people. While predictions vary considerably, climate change is controlling migration. responsibility to admit people impacted But accepting climate refugees alone we’re already witnessing millions As a result, hundreds of people by our own pollution - and do away isn’t enough. of people emigrating from Central evacuating the Bahamas have been with any militarised agencies that stand © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Any holistic climate plan should also America because of severe droughts. turned away from the United States and in the way. - Tribune News Service. Gulf Times Wednesday, September 18, 2019 23 COMMENT Israel polls make no diff erence to Palestinians

By Raja Shehadeh other checkpoints and compounding worse with the economic exploitation Guardian News and Media the misery there. by Israel proceeding unchallenged. “They are digging and placing Most vegetables and fruits that we cables” on the road to the checkpoint, used to buy from local greengrocers hen British Prime Min- he said. were local produce. Now they are ister Boris Johnson an- Then with typical sardonic mainly Israeli and often are grown on nounced his plan to sus- Palestinian humour he added: Palestinian land that the settlements Wpend parliament, I was “Perhaps they are planning to present now cultivate. visiting Orkney with my wife, Penny. It us with a gift.” Among Palestinians, despair is was the last week of a month-long stay His other news was about Benjamin widespread. “The times are rotten,” in Scotland, and it took a day for the Netanyahu’s triumphant stroll through my nephew Aziz told me upon my news to reach us. We were having tea the old city of Hebron, where he spoke return, echoing Hamlet. There is with some English friends on August in front of the Ibrahimi mosque, a holy growing awareness here that Israel’s 29 when they heard what had hap- site for Muslims and Jews, who know it international campaign to demonise pened. They began to fume: he’s done as the Tomb of the Patriarchs. In 2000, criticism of its colonial policies as a it again. They worried how this would Ariel Sharon’s provocative visit to Al form of anti-Semitism is succeeding. undermine their country’s democracy. Aqsa Mosque sparked a second Intifada. And there is no hope to be found in It was a curious twist: I am usually the But this time Palestinian protest was Israel: none of the parties contesting one bearing bad news about the state muted. Some signs were held aloft and a the elections are talking about the of my country. For a brief moment, we murmur of anger was heard. occupation or proposing how to end it. traded anxieties – although mine were Netanyahu acted triumphant. He Instead they are competing to see who of a more existential nature. assured the 800 Jewish settlers who can promise the most to the settlers. Even in Scotland, the bad news dominate a city of more than 200,000 This is the gloomy political from home was constant: the Palestinians that they will “remain atmosphere to which I have returned. expansion of Israeli settlements, the here forever”. By paying his fi rst visit I shall miss the walks in Edinburgh’s threat of annexation, and the steady since 1998 to the most populated parks and the green hills around it. I tally of death and injury in Gaza, all Palestinian city in the West Bank – had hoped that we could spare one of eating away at what remained of my without setting off a strong protest the hills around Ramallah and turn it Palestine. – the Israeli prime minister was into a park. But given the scarcity of A few days later, just after Johnson highlighting his almost total control the land left here to grow, this proved had expelled 21 MPs from his party, of the territory. It was a transparent impossible. This congested city is left we fl ew home. The driver who picked stunt to boost his popularity before with no open areas to breathe, and with us up from the airport took the usual the upcoming elections. But it did few of its traditional buildings and circuitous route to get us to Ramallah, demonstrate how thoroughly Israel trees that gave the place its character. crossing three checkpoints on the way. has dominated and subdued the An Arab Israeli woman votes during Israel’s parliamentary election at a polling station in Kafr Manda near Haifa yesterday. After a month away, I found my At each one, we held our breath and Palestinian population under its garden had lost much of its greenery hoped the soldiers were not in a bad occupation. Since Donald Trump became none of the benefi ts of statehood. A third of the West Bank, including the except for the plumbago – which mood. As always I felt the shock of Every time I return to Ramallah after US president, the Israeli settlers in few days before our return, the head of Jordan Valley, the West Bank’s most I found in full bloom. I will revive returning home, seeing our parched a few weeks away, I’m struck by how the West Bank have hastened their the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud fertile area. This was another election what can be saved, and in the future hills at the end of summer and my much my world has shrunk. Movement takeover of more and more Palestinian Abbas, declared that it would cancel stunt: in reality, annexing the land will concentrate on planting only drought- noisy, crowded city; I had a sudden and between Palestinian cities is restricted, territory in the areas under Israeli the division of the land into three change nothing. It is already under resistant shrubs. And I must try to pervasive sense of precariousness. and travel to Gaza impossible. Gaza administration – including the land “areas” and put the whole West Bank total Israeli control, and the settlers remember what I have learned during None of the parties contesting is about 80km miles away from around Ramallah. No longer do under PA sovereignty. But this was a who live there enjoy all the rights and more than 50 years of occupation, the elections are talking about the Ramallah; I have not visited for 19 the settlers justify this by the law hollow declaration, and the PA will privileges of Israeli citizenship. about how to live here on my own occupation or putting forward years. of the land as Israel interprets it, be forbidden from implementing it. I’ve returned carrying a large terms without losing myself to hatred proposals for ending it. On the way our The Oslo accords divided Palestinian nor by Israeli court decisions. They In July, Israel demolished dozens of number of books because ordering one or anger. For whoever gets elected driver informed us without betraying territory into three categories. “Area declare: “This land is ours even if Palestinian apartments in an East takes many months – if it ever arrives. in Israel this week, it will make no any emotion that Israel was no longer C” is under Israeli control, “Area B” is the Palestinian can present proof of Jerusalem neighbourhood where the PA But it isn’t only books that are delayed. diff erence to our future in this land. allowing traffi c from Jerusalem to pass under joint security control by Israel ownership, because God gave it to us.” is supposed to control planning – and The mail that has to go through Israel is O Raja Shehadeh is a Palestinian through the notorious checkpoint at and the Palestinians, and “Area A” – Ramallah is now the de facto capital the authority was powerless to stop it. barely functioning. Living conditions writer and lawyer. His latest book is Qalandia into the West Bank, forcing the smallest – is administered by the of the struggling Palestinian Authority. Last week Netanyahu promised that in my hometown under Israeli Going Home: A Walk Through Fifty drivers on to circuitous routes through Palestinian Authority. It suff ers from overcrowding but enjoys if re-elected he would annex one- occupation are going from bad to Years of Occupation

Three-day forecast Back to Little England? TODAY Maximum Temperature : 380c Minimum Temperature : 280c By Edoardo Campanella “backstop.” Irish independence Britain’s history of imperial eff ects. Milan revealed the true colours of the “outer glory has always contributed to its Brexiteer fantasies of a Global THURSDAY empire.” It, too, was always actually scepticism of the European project, Britain focus squarely on English Maximum Temperature : 370c an English endeavour, with the Welsh, because that past provides an national identity, while diluting Minimum Temperature : 290c uture historians may come to Scottish, and Irish serving as junior unattainable benchmark for assessing those of the Scottish, Northern Irish, FRIDAY describe Brexit as the defi ning partners. the present. and Welsh, who would return to Maximum Temperature : 380c moment of a nationalist wave After all, both the inner and the The same British exceptionalism serving as junior partners in a far less Minimum Temperature : 290c that swept away the postwar outer empires had been built on the that once justifi ed imperial rule has magnifi cent and rewarding English F Fisherman's forecast liberal international order. foundations of English common been used to argue that the UK should project. Yet their task will be complicated law, the English parliament, and the not submit to “colonisation” by a Although socioeconomic factors by the fact that Brexit is not, in fact, a English monarchy. European (Franco-German) empire. played some role in the outcome of WARNING Inshore : Expected poor visibility manifestation of British nationalism. London was the political capital and From this standpoint, joining the the Brexit referendum, the geographic at some places by early To the contrary, it is precisely the the main trading and fi nancial hub, European project was tantamount breakdown tells the real story. morning lack of a proper British nationalism and English was the language spoken to abandoning Britain’s providential Excluding London, which Offshore : Nil WEATHER that has pushed the United Kingdom across dominions, colonies, and mission; only an extreme political act is a bastion of multi-ethnic Inshore : Misty to foggy at places to the brink of disintegration. protectorates. like Brexit can recover it. cosmopolitanism, 55% of voters in by early morning Over the centuries, Scottish, Welsh, Nowadays, the identifi ers “British” But Brexit is not only about severing England supported leaving the EU, becomes relatively hot daytime with slight and Irish national identities have and “English” are essentially ties with the EU. whereas 62% of Scots and 56% of the dust at times, relatively developed as reactions against stifl ing interchangeable. It is also ostensibly about Northern Irish voted to remain. humid by night English imperialism. But once the empire dissolved, strengthening the domestic bonds As Anthony Barnett of Offshore : Misty at some places among the inhabitants of the British openDemocracy observed, it was at first & some clouds Before creating an overseas so, too, did the glue that had bound WIND empire – fi rst in North America and Britons together. Isles. “England’s Brexit.” Inshore : Northwesterly-North- the Caribbean, then in India and Suddenly, the English were the only At the centre of Prime Minister The risk now is that Brexit will easterly 05-15 KT trigger the political disintegration of Offshore : Northeasterly-North- Southeast Asia – the English built ones without a traditional national Boris Johnson’s “Global Britain” westerly 03-12 KT a land empire, by expanding from identity. strategy is the promise to restore the the UK, as the other nations vie to Visibility : 4-8/2 KM the south of the British Isles to the As the de facto core of the two country’s past imperial glory through remain in the EU. Offshore : 1-3 FT northwest. empires, the English had always revived relationships with the former Secessionist ambitions are already Thus, while the “outer empire” suppressed expressions of ethnic colonies of the Commonwealth. simmering in Scotland and even in Around the region allowed for the convergence of the English nationalism in the interest of The ulterior motive, of course, is to Wales, which supported “Leave” by Weather UK’s diff erent national identities unity and stability, and to avoid being re-instil a sense of self-importance 52%. Weather tomorrow around a common British identity, the perceived as oppressors. in the English, by putting them back And, given the complexities of the today Max/min Max/min Sunny “inner empire” was decidedly English. Yet they remained what sociologist at the centre of a common British Irish border question, it is easy to Baghdad Sunny 42/23 42/24 Sunny Still, for centuries the British Krishan Kumar calls an “imperial project. imagine how Brexit could one day lead Kuwait City Sunny 46/32 44/28 Sunny Empire generated wealth, supplied raw people”: their national identity, such Yet English chauvinists do not seem to Irish unifi cation. Manama M Sunny 39/30 38/30 Sunny materials, and created globe-spanning as it is, remains strongly linked to the to have realised that the demise of No one should be lured into thinking Muscat P Cloudy 35/26 33/26 Sunny professional opportunities for all missionary role of empire. the British Empire – not to mention that Brexit is a credible refl ection of Tehran Sunny 36/24 35/23 inhabitants of the British Isles. In fact, during World War II, US constitutional devolution – has resurgent British nationalism. Its “civilizing” mission created president Franklin D Roosevelt also allowed their fellow islanders both Far from reviving Pax Britannica, a sense of collective meaning, as saw that imperialism was innate to the to strengthen their own national it promises to sacrifi ce the UK in the well as a narrative of uninterrupted British/English – and he didn’t mean identities and carve out more name of an English Empire that will democratic and economic progress. it as a compliment. autonomy for themselves. never amount to more than a fantastical But the fusion of identities was “The British would take land Moreover, the Scots, Welsh, and aspiration. -Project Syndicate always incomplete, not least in anywhere in the world, even if it were Irish have come to see EU membership Ireland, where the fallout from only a rock or a sand bar,” he told as a safeguard against English political O Edoardo Campanella is a Future of independence still reverberates a Winston Churchill. revanchism. the World Fellow at the Centre for the century later, through the uncertainty “You have 400 years of acquisitive As in the past, imperialism aspires Governance of Change at IE University generated by the Northern Irish instinct in your blood.” for unity, but comes with divisive side in Madrid.

Around the world Live issues Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens Sunny 31/20 Sunny 31/21 Beirut Sunny 31/27 Sunny 31/26 Bangkok T Storm 34/26 T Storm 31/26 It really is hard to sleep in the ER Berlin P Cloudy 16/07 P Cloudy 17/07 Cairo Sunny 35/23 P Cloudy 35/22 Cape Town M Cloudy 23/16 Cloudy 26/15 By Lisa Rapaport The questions focused on fi ve signifi cantly worse across all fi ve Patients stuck in the ER were much Colombo S T Storms 29/26 T Storm 29/26 Reuters Health aspects: how lightly or deeply they aspects of sleep quality, researchers older than people who got inpatient Dhaka S T Storms 34/27 M Sunny 34/27 slept; how easily they fell asleep; how report in the Emergency Medicine beds for the night. Hong Kong P Cloudy 31/25 M Sunny 30/24 often they awoke during the night; Journal. Half of those stuck in the ER were at Istanbul Sunny 28/21 P Cloudy 26/19 atients who spend the night in how easily they returned to sleep when “Often in my experience patients least 60 years old, compared with 47 Jakarta Sunny 34/25 P Cloudy 33/24 the emergency room may get they did wake up; and whether they react with dread at the idea of for people given inpatient rooms. Karachi M Sunny 33/26 Sunny 34/27 much less rest than patients thought they had a good or bad night’s spending a night in the noisy ER - bad In the ER, patients were also sicker. London Sunny 19/08 Sunny 22/10 Pwho sleep in beds in hospital sleep. enough you are unwell, and been told Roughly three in four of them Manila T Storm 28/25 T Storm 28/24 rooms, a small study suggests. After researchers accounted for you need to stay in hospital, without were ranked as the most seriously ill Moscow S Showers 13/06 Cloudy 12/03 For the study, researchers surveyed patient characteristics that might then having to stay in the sleepless ER and injured patients when they fi rst New Delhi P Cloudy 33/25 I T Storms 29/24 49 emergency room patients waiting impact sleep like their age and the for the night,” said Richard Prendiville, arrived, compared with slightly less New York P Cloudy 22/13 Sunny 22/14 to be admitted to the hospital and 44 severity of their illness or injury, lead author of the study and a than half of people given inpatient Paris Sunny 21/09 Sunny 22/10 people already admitted to inpatient they still found that people who got researcher at National University of beds for the night. Sao Paulo M Sunny 35/17 P Cloudy 33/23 wards. inpatient rooms rated their sleep Ireland in Galway. The study wasn’t a controlled Seoul Sunny 24/12 P Cloudy 25/14 They asked the patients to describe environment as 65% quieter than “Hopefully the fi nding will show experiment designed to prove that Singapore P Cloudy 32/27 P Cloudy 33/27 noise levels in their rooms and rate patients stuck in the ER for the hospitals that ER patients sleep staying in the ER or moving to an Sydney Rain 17/14 S Showers 19/14 sleep quality on a scale from 1 to 100, night. measurably worse, and that this needs inpatient bed might directly impact Tokyo Rain 23/20 Clear 27/20 from worst to best. ER patients also rated their sleep to be addressed,” Prendiville said. sleep or health outcomes. Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 QATAR

MoPH unveils new Health minister opens initiatives to ensure patient safety

By Joseph Varghese Patient Safety Week Staff Reporter

By Joseph Varghese evant sectors. Al-Katheeri aslo he Ministry of Health Staff Reporter noted that speaking up on patient (MoPH) is introducing safety concerns can have pro- Tseveral new initiatives found eff ect on preventing harm, such as virtual reality (VR) simu- he 5th Qatar Patient Safety promoting employees’ psycho- lation as well as clinical guide- Week (QPSW) was inau- logical safety, teamwork among lines for various diseases to help Tgurated yesterday by HE units, opportunities to learn and the medical professionals ensure the Minister of Public Health Dr improve. It also helps in decreas- safety for the patients, said a top Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari at ing staff turnover, and ultimately offi cial. “We have introduced a Ritz-Carlton Doha. The day is costs. VR simulation scenario where marked under the slogan: “Speak She added that this year there the physicians can understand up for patient safety!” are more than 1,000 participants the treatment procedures in de- The event, organised by and 50% of them are from the tail. the Ministry of Public Health private sector which shows huge They can practise the proce- (MoPH), coincides with the cel- interest and commitment to pa- dures to make similar scenarios. Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad ebration of the fi rst World Patient tient safety. By making use of it, if they have al-Thani Safety Day (WPSD), approved In his keynote address, the di- any trouble while administer- by the World Health Organisa- rector of Usher Institute at the ing the treatment or procedures, disease, they don’t need to go tion this year to enhance global University of Edinburgh and ad- they will immediately know how back to what they learned during understanding and solidarity to viser to World Health Organisa- to handle the situation,” dis- their study times. The updated improve patient safety. Dr al- tion, Prof Aziz Sheikh, called on closed Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin guidelines provide the right Kuwari said that MoPH plays a Qatar to seize the opportunity Hamad al-Thani, director of methods which help in avoiding crucial role in ensuring that the to play an international leader- Public Health at MoPH. any big mistakes,” maintained people in Qatar receive the safest ship role in ‘Speaking Up for Pa- “The simulation through the Sheikh Mohamed. quality care available across the tient Safety’ on behalf of patients VR helps the health profession- He noted that some of the globe. across Qatar and the world. als overcome diffi cult situations guidelines are already available. “Our healthcare system has HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari along with other dignitaries at the opening “On this the fi rst World Patient and rehearse the procedures in “What we are doing is publishing progressed dramatically in the ceremony. Safety Day, I will make the case advance. We are also combin- them for all the sectors and we past few years, and the imple- for developing a culture in which ing Artifi cial Intelligence with it. are updating them as and when mentation of the National Health joining hands with the WPSD proactively to mitigate risk,” she the public across Qatar. errors can be discussed without MoPH plans to add new videos necessary. We keep issuing these Strategy 2018-2022 shall make a celebrations,”explained Dr al- highlighted. “It was also meant to celebrate fear, consider the key challenges every few months for diff erent guidelines to help the medical remarkable diff erence to Qatar’s Kuwari. Following the offi cial opening, important patient safety ini- that need to be overcome and of- types of diseases and its compli- professionals follow a uniform health journey,” she said. Dr al- “Fear of speaking up is a per- the minister toured the exhibition tiatives implemented across our fer suggestions on how this might cations,” explained Sheikh Mo- method to make sure that they Kuwari also emphasised that pa- sistent challenge that needs to be hall, which includes the pavilions healthcare sector, listen to our achieve this at scale,” Prof Sheikh hamed. provide the best care for the pa- tient safety has been identifi ed as addressed in our collective eff orts of MoPH and other health insti- local speakers talk about their noted. The offi cial said that MoPH is tients,” he described. one of the pillars that guides the to reduce patient harm. Silence tutions as well as the poster ex- achievements as well as their The keynote was followed by updating the protocols related to “We are building up clinical process of strategy development between patients and providers, hibition. Welcoming the gather- challenges, and listen to inter- a panel discussion on the topic assuring patient safety. “Qatar is guidelines for several diseases. and implementation. between healthcare professionals ing, MoPH’s Healthcare Quality national and regional speakers to ‘Patient Safety and Quality of continually trying hard to ensure We can’t not do all of them at a “The WPSD is a campaign en- working within the same facility, and Patient Safety Department learn from their successes.” Care in Emergencies and Extreme patient safety. We are working on time. We are planning to release couraging all stakeholders in the between public and governing acting director Huda al-Katheeri According to al-Katheeri, Adversity.’ Several buildings in- clinical guidelines for diff erent clinical guidelines as well as healthcare system to raise glo- bodies can inadvertently lead to recalled that QPSW was launched QPSW provides a platform to cluding MoPH headquarters, As- diseases which medical profes- preventive guidelines for about bal awareness on patient safety inevitable harm. It is important as a national annual event in 2014 share knowledge, learn from oth- ter Hospital and Torch Hotel will sionals can refer to while dealing 40-80 diseases. As we are focus- and encourage global solidar- to acknowledge everyone’s role to raise awareness and spread the er experiences and enhance col- light up in orange colour at sunset with any of these diseases,” he ing more preventive medicine, it ity and action. This year Qatar in bringing issues to light as soon concepts of patient safety among laboration and communication today to express solidarity with noted. “When there are common can help people prepare early to Patient Safety Week shall be as they are identifi ed and acting all healthcare providers as well as across the sector and other rel- WPSD celebrations. guidelines, while diagnosing a avoid certain diseases,” he added. Al Ahli Hospital is sponsoring partner for Qatar Patient Safety Week

l Ahli Hospital is a spon- safety and provide the highest “Maintaining full international patient safety is critical and an soring partner of this quality of health care for patients. healthcare accreditation since essential component to helps us Ayear’s Qatar Patient Safety “Voluntarily participating in Inter- early 2014 under the auspices of to continually enhance the qual- Week (QPSW), it was announced national Healthcare Accreditation the Australian Council on Health- ity and safety of the services we yesterday. The 5th QPSW, is a and enhancing education and pro- care Standards International is provide for the Qatar Community national initiative created by the fessional development for all of our one way of demonstrating our and beyond.” Healthcare Quality and Patient team motivates and enables us to commitment to continuous “As well as sponsoring inter- Safety Department (HQPS) of the strive for excellence in everything quality improvement resulting national experts to present at this Ministry of Public Health in col- we do,” he stated. in optimal outcomes and overall year’s event and sharing the re- laboration with public and private Jamal Hammad, deputy CEO of improvements in patient safety,” sults of our clinical improvement healthcare providers from across Al Ahli Hospital said, “Healthcare said David Miller, director of initiatives in the plenary sessions, Qatar. is a complex and highly techni- Safety, Quality and Accreditation Al Ahli Hospital has supported a Khalid al-Emadi, CEO of Al Ahli cal industry, excellence in clini- Systems. large number of doctors, nurses Hospital said the hospital is eager cal outcomes and enhancing the Dr Abdul Azim Abdul Wahab and allied health professionals to to adopt, implement and promote patient experience is at the core Hussain, chief of Medical Staff attend” said Claudine El-Araybi, international standards for patient of our being at Al Ahli Hospital. said, “Increasing awareness of director of Nursing. Al Ahli Hospital off icials at the Qatar Patient Safety Week event yesterday in Doha. All lit up Visa centre to open in Manila by month-end

new Qatar Visa Centre sia. These centres will serve in (QVC) will be opened in speeding up visa procedures. A Manila, the Philippines, QVCs are being opened in by the end of this month. diff erent countries as part of In this connection, the Visa the Qatari authorities’ eff orts to Support Services (VSS) depart- facilitate and streamline proce- ment at the Ministry of Interior dures for bringing expatriates to (MoI), in co-operation with the Qatar. So far, 13 QVCs have been Ministry of Administrative De- opened in fi ve countries, with velopment, Labour and Social the last one launched in Kath- Aff airs (MADLSA), organised an mandu in May this year. introductory seminar yesterday Broadly speaking, these to explain recruitment proce- openings are part of the plans to dures at the new QVC – as well launch 20 such centres across as the benefi ts of the centre – to eight countries – Sri Lanka, members of the Filipino com- India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pa- munity. kistan, the Philippines, Indone- The upcoming opening of a sia, and Tunisia. Once the ini- QVC in the Philippines follows tial approval of the visa is issued the launch of similar centres in Major Abdullah Khalifa al-Mohannadi and Mohamed Ali al-Meer at the seminar. from Qatar, a jobseeker can visit Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Paki- the local QVC to complete the stan, India and Nepal. Major al-Mohannadi ex- workers in the Philippines to simplify the process of recruit- recruitment procedures. The Major Abdullah Khalifa al- plained the recruitment proce- avail of services such as bio- ing expatriate workers in the centres off er a unifi ed channel Mohannadi, director of the VSS, dures and benefi ts of the QVC metric data capture, medical Philippines. The opening of the to carry out such procedures, and Mohamed Ali al-Meer, di- and said the new centre, to be examinations and signing of the Manila QVC is part of the open- thus saving time and eff ort. rector of the Labour Inspection opened by September-end, employment contract in their ing of 20 centres in eight coun- The QVCs are operated in co- Department at the MADLSA, would ensure the rights of both home country. tries – Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, operation with the MADLSA, addressed the seminar, the MoI employees and employers. The On his part, al-Meer stressed Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Phil- Ministry of Foreign Aff airs and said in a tweet. centre will enable expatriate the QVC in Manila would help ippines, Indonesia, and Tuni- Ministry of Public Health.

Buildings in Doha were lit up in orange yesterday to mark World Patient Safety Day. These included the buildings of the Ministry of Public Health, The Torch Doha, Aster Hospital, etc. Representative of the Filipino community attending the seminar.