BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Misbah to thrill in Qatar National INDEX Qatar receives over DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-14 COMMENT 29-31 Day cricket REGION 15 BUSINESS 1-7, 14-16 QR743bn overseas 24.386.03 7,923.07 58.02 ARAB WORLD 15 CLASSIFIED 8-13 +56.87 +95.36 +0.66 series +0.23% +1.22% +1.15% INTERNATIONAL 16-28 SPORTS 1-8 investments in Q2 Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10665 December 12, 2017 Rabia I 24, 1439 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Emir meets UK defence secretary

In brief

QATAR | Offi cial Emir to lead Qatar’s team to OIC summit His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will chair Qatar’s delegation at the extraordinary summit of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC), which will be held tomorrow (December13) in Istanbul, following an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The summit will discuss the US administration’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

QATAR | Phone talk Emir, Togo president review bilateral ties His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday held a telephone conversation with the 30,000 stickers are being distributed today by Gulf Times President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe. and Arrayah. Page 32 His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met yesterday with UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and The two leaders reviewed bilateral his accompanying delegation. During the meeting at the Emiri Diwan off ice, they reviewed the co-operation between the relations and prospects of developing two countries, mainly in the military and defence fields, as well as the latest regional and international developments. them, in addition to discussing a number of issues of common concern.

QATAR | Reaction Qatar condemns New York bombing Qatar expressed its strong Qatar discovers condemnation of the bombing at Arab League calls a subway station in New York City, which caused a number of injuries. In a statement issued yesterday, the Foreign Ministry reiterated Qatar’s its sixth planet firm stance on rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of motives and for Palestinian atar Exoplanet Survey (QES), a reasons. The statement expressed research project by Qatar Na- Qatar’s wishes of speedy recovery for Qtional Research Fund, Qatar the wounded. Page 17 Foundation and Hamad Bin Khalifa University have announced the discov- ARAB WORLD | Confl ict ery of a new planet – “Qatar 6b.” The state recognition discovery was published in the Inter- Israel violates Lebanese national Astronomical Journal, one of Qatar 6b territorial waters Agencies League will work in every possible way held Washington responsible for im- the world’s foremost journals in as- An Israeli military boat violated Cairo to address the consequences of the pacts of the decision on international tronomy and astrophysics. Astronomical Union in association Lebanese territorial waters in the resolution, in order to preserve its his- peace and security. The latest discovery of Qatar 6b adds with the researchers, named the planet direction of Ras Naqoura, southern torical and religious status, stressing The State of Palestine has full sover- a rare specimen of planet to the na- according to the satellite nomenclature Lebanon, for a distance of 407m rab League Secretary-General that Trump’s latest decision was totally eignty over territories occupied in 1967 tion’s list of discoveries made in its new in place and named it “Qatar-6b,” with for six minutes. The Lebanese army Ahmed Aboul Gheit said that condemned and rejected. including Jerusalem, the members of the history of space exploration. respect to the fact that the feat marked said in a statement issued yesterday Athe practical response to the US The secretary-general also called on Arab Parliament said. They called on the Led by Qatari astronomer, acting ex- the country’s sixth planetary discovery. that the issue of the violation was decision to recognise Jerusalem as the the US to reverse its decision. UN Security Council and UN General ecutive director of Qatar Environment This is the fi rst time students from being reviewed in co-ordination with capital of Israel is to consolidate the A delegation from the Advisory Assembly to annul the US decision, and and Energy Research Institute, Dr Kha- Qatar have actively contributed to the United Nations Interim Force recognition of the Palestinian state Council represented Qatar at the emer- affi rm the legal status of Jerusalem. lid A al-Subai, the research team was the planetary discovery through their in Lebanon (Unifil). The Lebanese and expand its circle, calling on Wash- gency session of the Arab Parliament, They said the UN should take the able to discover the new exoplanet after analysis of the data. The participation airspace and territorial waters ington to back down from this unjust, which started yesterday. lead in the peace process because the a thorough undertaking, involving the of the students at QES enabled them to have been subjected over the past dangerous and irresponsible decision. The Arab Parliament called for hold- US “has become a dishonest and unac- study of thousands of celestial images gain an insight into modern monitoring months to several Israeli violations by Speaking during a speech at the ing an urgent Arab summit in order to ceptable” mediator. taken by the specialised ground-based methods. It is also the fi rst time that reconnaissance planes and warships emergency session of the Arab Parlia- rally as much support as possible to- They formed teams to visit African observatories of QES situated in three the names of high school students have in violation of UN Security Council ment to discuss the repercussions of wards ending Israeli occupation of Pal- and European parliaments to rally further diff erent geographic locations: New been published as participating re- Resolution 1701. US President Donald Trump’s move on estine and its capital, Jerusalem. support against the US decision. Mexico (USA), Canary Islands (Spain), searchers in a renowned international Jerusalem, Aboul Gheit said the Arab The Arab Parliament, in a statement To Page 15 and Urumqi (China). The International scientifi c journal. To Page 2 Qatar’s biggest shopping fest off ers QR4mn in cash prizes

By Joey Aguilar signed to appeal to an international Shop Qatar 2018 will also feature dif- Staff Reporter audience, bolstering its position as a ferent themes such as Arabian Week, destination that welcomes the world,” Bollywood Week and International Qatar Tourism Authority’s (QTA) Week to celebrate ‘cultural diversity’ n array of fashion and entertain- chief marketing and promotion offi cer and attract more domestic and foreign ment events across the country, Rashed al-Qurese told reporters at a visitors, according to organisers. Awith QR4mn cash prizes and press conference yesterday at Al Hazm The Arabian Week, taking place from eight BMW cars at stake, will take cen- Mall – the country’s newest luxury January 7 to 13, will include concert, tre stage at the second edition of Shop shopping destination. fashion show (Middle East designers as Qatar from January 7 to February 7, “Shop Qatar 2018 will be the fi rst of participants), pop up workshops (Mo- 2018, it was announced. many projects next year, which support roccan ceramic painting, decorative The country’s biggest shopping fes- our eff orts to diversify source markets wooden dhows, Syrian wooden mosaics, tival, themed ‘A Brand New Tradition,’ and enrich our annual calendar of tour- Syrian hand painted pottery), make up will also witness a large number of re- ism events,” he noted, adding that QTA masterclass (by renowned celebrity make tail outlets at 13 malls and shopping has established a colourful calendar of up artist Hanan al-Najada), shopping ac- complexes off ering discounts of up to festivals annually through collabora- tivities and sales and promotions. 50% on various items. tions with its partners in the public and Residents and visitors will have the Participating malls are Al Khor Mall, private sector. chance to watch a concert by popu- City Center Doha, Doha Festival City, Qatar Development Bank’s Busi- lar Indian singer Sonu Nigam, fashion Gulf Mall, Hyatt Plaza, Lagoona Mall, ness Finance executive director Kha- show (South East Asia designers as par- Landmark Mall, Mall of Qatar, Tawar lid al-Manaa, QSports deputy chair- ticipants), pop up workshops (handmade Mall, The Gate Mall, Villaggio, Ezdan man Ghanim al-Mohannadi and QTA’s fabric embroidery and handmade block Mall and Dar Al Salam Mall. festivals and tourism events director printing cloth, among others), and other A Palestinian girl shouts during clashes with Israeli troops at a protest against US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise “In addition to diversifying our tour- Mashal Shahbik also attended the press activities during the Bollywood Week Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, near the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near the West Bank city of Ramallah yesterday. ism products, Shop Qatar 2018 is de- conference. from January 14 to 20. To Page 14 Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 QATAR

Second round of Qatar-Vietnam talks begins OFFICIAL

Emir issues law on National Address

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued Law No 24 of 2017 on the National Address. The law is eff ective six months after its publication in the off icial gazette. Cabinet decision ratified

His Highness the Emir Sheikh The second round of political consultations between Qatar and Vietnam was held in Hanoi yesterday. The Qatari delegation was headed by HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani while the Vietnamese side was led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Aff airs Vu Hong Nam. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and means of advancing them in all fields. They agreed to develop relations yesterday ratified Cabinet between the two countries by increasing the volume and level of trade exchange and economic co-operation and boosting bilateral investments. They also discussed the latest developments on the regional Decision No 45 of 2017 on and international arenas. Separately, HE al-Muraikhi yesterday met Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs of Vietnam. The meeting discussed bilateral relations between Qatar establishing the Committee for and Vietnam and means of developing them, in addition to the developments on the regional and international arenas. the Preparation of the National Strategy for Intellectual Property and Innovation. The decision is eff ective starting from its date of issue and is to be published in the off icial gazette Emir issues Advisory Council praises Emir’s decree

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued Decree No 90 of 2017 ratifying an air participation in GCC summit services agreement between the governments of Qatar and the QNA tance of continuity of the GCC the capital of Israel and move the peace process based on interna- ous session. provisions of Law No 19 of 2008 Lao People’s Democratic Republic Doha out of Qatar’s keenness on acti- US embassy to it, stressing that tional legitimacy, the two-state It also discussed draft laws defi ning the amount of blood signed in Doha on 22/5/2017, the vating its role as well as its com- this decision, which was rejected solution and the Arab peace ini- presented by the Council of money of accidental killing text of which is annexed to this mitment to joint GCC strategy. even from the closest allies of tiative. Ministers in accordance with the z Draft law amending some decree and shall have the force of he Advisory Council yes- The Council also paid tribute the United States and its friends It called on the United States provisions of the Constitution. provisions of Law No 10 of 2002 law in accordance with Article 68 terday held its regular to the eff orts of the Emir of Ku- from Western countries, violates to reverse this decision and They are: concerning the Public Prosecu- of the Constitution. Tmeeting under the chair- wait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al- international law and disregards to work on bringing the peace z Draft law amending certain tion. The Decree is eff ective starting manship of HE the Speaker of Jaber al-Sabah and his eff orts to the relevant resolutions of in- process back on track, which will provisions of the Law of Judicial z Draft law amending certain from its date of issue and is to be the Council Ahmed bin Abdullah heal the rift and resolve the Gulf ternational legitimacy related to lead to the establishment of an Authority promulgated by Law provisions of the Code of Crimi- published in the off icial gazette. bin Zaid al-Mahmoud. crisis as well as his success in the Israeli occupation of the Pal- independent Palestinian state No 10 of 2003 nal Procedure promulgated by At the outset of the meeting, holding the Gulf summit on time, estinian territories and the legal with Jerusalem as its capital, z Draft law amending some Law No 23 of 2004. Instruments the Advisory Council praised and his proposal to establish a status of the city of Jerusalem, which will remain Palestinian, provisions of the Civil and Com- z Draft law on arbitration and of ratification the participation of His High- mechanism for settling disputes and provokes the feelings of Ar- Arab and Islamic city despite mercial Procedure Law promul- reconciliation centres in civil ness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin between the GCC states. abs and Muslims and all peace- Israeli attempts to obliterate its gated by Law No 13 of 1990 and commercial disputes. Hamad al-Thani in the meetings During the meeting, the Coun- loving people in the world. Arab identity, landmarks, his- z Draft law amending certain After discussions, the Council His Highness the Emir Sheikh of the 38th session of the Su- cil expressed its strong disap- The Advisory Council stressed tory and Islamic heritage. provisions of Law No 12 of 2005 decided to refer the draft laws to the Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani preme Council of the Gulf Co- proval and condemnation of the the serious repercussions of this Then, the Council considered on Appeal for Cassation in Non- Legal and Legislative Aff airs Com- issued yesterday the following operation Council in Kuwait last US president’s decision to rec- decision on the security and sta- items on the agenda, and ap- Criminal Matters. mittee for further consideration and instruments of ratification: Tuesday, stressing the impor- ognise the city of Jerusalem as bility of the region and on the proved the minutes of the previ- z Draft law amending certain report thereon to the Council. 1. Approving a draft agreement on air services between the governments of Qatar and Indonesia, signed in Jakarta on October 18, 2017. 2. Approving a draft Qatar signs several pacts at memorandum of understanding on co-operating in the energy field between the governments of Qatar and Sri Lanka, signed in ICAO event in Sri Lanka Doha on October 26, 2017. 3. Approving a draft memorandum of understanding QNA ice agreements with the seven fl ights, making in the sewage system field Doha Bahamas, the Dominican the number of passen- between the governments of Republic, Chile and the is- ger fl ights 21 trips per Qatar and Sri Lanka, signed in land of Curacao. week, in addition to the Doha on October 26, 2017. atar, represented The air services agree- possibility of Qatar Air- 4. Approving a draft by the Civil Avia- ment between Qatar and ways operating its trips in memorandum of understanding, Qtion Authority Sri Lanka has been updat- compliance with the fi fth co-operating between Legal and (QCAA), participated in ed and signed. freedom. Judicial Studies Centre of Qatar’s the tenth ICAO Air Serv- In addition, bilateral The QCAA also signed Ministry of Justice and Singapore ices Negotiation Event discussions with Turkey an MoU with Jamaica to Academy of Law in Singapore, (ICAN2017), organised by resulted in the signing a reach a consensus on the signed in Singapore on October International Civil Avia- memorandum of under- amendment of some items 17, 2017. tion Organisation. standing (MoU), which in- of the air services agree- The event was held in cluded adding Hatay City ment between the two QMC chief meets Colombo, Sri Lanka. to Qatar Airways’ routes countries, which will be The QCAA said the civil with three weekly trips, signed later. UK ambassador aviation offi cials of the taking the number of Qa- The agreements and participating countries tar Airways trips to diff er- MoUs signed by the QCAA Qatar Media Corporation (QMC) discussed and negotiated ent Turkish cities to 56 per comes as part of the great Chairman HE Sheikh Hamad bin contracting and updat- week. development witnessed Thamer al-Thani yesterday met ing bilateral air services An MoU was signed in the aviation fi eld in the UK ambassador to Qatar Ajay agreements to regulate air with Brazil on the pos- country, and part of the Sharma. They discussed media transport rights between sibility of operating cargo authority’s ongoing ef- relations between both countries. them. fl ights in accordance with forts to strengthen the The Qatari delegation the fi fth freedom, in ad- global relations in the fi eld Advisory Council was chaired by QCAA dition to seven passen- of civil aviation between Chairman Abdullah bin ger fl ights, complying Qatar and the rest of the legal panel meets Nasser Turki al-Subaey. with the fi fth freedom, to world. The delegation held 26 points in Western Europe. This gives a chance to The Legal and Legislative Aff airs bilateral meetings and ne- On the sidelines of Qatar Airways to expand Committee of the Advisory gotiations with diff erent the event, QCAA signed its global network and to Council held a meeting yesterday countries, that resulted an MoU with Ghana increase the number of its at its 46th Ordinary Session, in the signing of air serv- which stated adding fl ights around the world. chaired by its Rapporteur, Nasser Rashid Sraiya al-Kaabi. At the meeting, the Committee examined the following draft laws: z Draft law amending certain provisions of the Law of Judicial Qatar discovers its sixth planet Authority promulgated by Law No 10 of 2003. zDraft law amending some From Page 1 Although Qatar 6b be- Exploration of space and provisions of the Civil and longs to a rare classifi cation the discovery of planets is Commercial Procedure Law Remarkably, the new- of moving planets in which key to solving some of the promulgated by Law No 13 of ly-discovered planet’s part of the members’ plan- most fundamental ques- 1990 length of year amounts to etary disks pass close to the tions about the universe. zDraft law amending certain just three and a half days edge of the star, the scien- Additionally, research provisions of Law No 12 of 2005 around its parent star, tifi c team was able to cap- studies have shed light on on Appeal for Cassation in Non- compared to the Earth’s ture and detect its signals. the history of Earth’s solar Criminal Matters. 365-day cycle and the system as well as widened z Draft law amending certain Jupiter’s 12-year cycle The newly-discovered the possibility of fi nding provisions of Law No 19 of 2008 around the Sun. The plan- planet’s length of more Earth-like planets. defining the amount of blood et orbits a far distant star year amounts to just QES ranks amongst money of accidental killing 330 light-years away from three and a half days the top fi ve research bod- z Draft law amending some the Sun, where a “light- around its parent ies out of the 30 diff erent provisions of Law No 10 of year” is the unit of astro- star, compared to the space exploration organi- 2002 concerning the Public nomical distance meas- Earth’s 365-day cycle sations around the world Prosecution. uring close to 10tn km. and the Jupiter’s 12- that use ground-based z Draft law amending certain Jupiter is also compara- year cycle around the telescopes to search for provisions of the Code of Criminal tively much bigger with a Sun extra-solar planets. The Procedure promulgated by Law diameter of 13 times the programme, founded by No 23 of 2004. diameter of Qatar 6. How- These planets represent lead astronomer, Dr al- zDraft law on arbitration and ever, due to the rapid rota- 0.5% of the total number Subai, is a distinctive ini- reconciliation centres in civil and tions of the planet around of asteroids detected from tiative stemming from the commercial disputes. its parent star, its surface the thousands that exist, Middle East, which builds The committee decided to temperature rises up to of which only 10 have so far on the rich astronomical complete the study of draft laws 1300 degrees Celsius. been discovered. heritage of the region. at its next meeting. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 3 QATAR Hassad moving closer to food self-suffi ciency

QNA Doha

atar is close to achiev- HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali with other dignitaries at The ing food self-suffi ciency second World Tourism Organisation and Unesco World Conference on Tourism and Culture in Oman Qthanks to the rapid pace yesterday. and enthusiasm with which all sector are functioning since the beginning of the unjust siege imposed on the country, Execu- tive Vice-President of Hassad Food Company Ali bin Hilal al- Qatar takes part in global Kuwari has said. Everyone has learned to look for alternatives and solutions to problems as a result of the crisis, tourism meeting in Oman he said. In an interview with Al-Arab Qatari newspaper yesterday, al- File Photo of a staff loading boxes of dates to be exported to India. QNA After the opening, Deputy porting cultural tourism so as Kuwari said that internal and Muscat Prime Minister for the Coun- to help in developing societies, external investments of Hassad, make it strong, adding that the sale and import with Qatar feed Although the foreign invest- cil of Ministers Sayyid Fahd bin cultural exchange and preserv- which is a pioneer company in- task was then entrusted to the company, which is owned by ments are based on purely com- Mahmoud al-Said reaffi rmed ing heritage. vesting in agriculture and live- private sector in all the products Hassad, he said. mercial terms, they play a major he second World Tourism the importance of the confer- An interactive session on stock sectors, and the comple- and materials which they were He pointed out that Hassad role in achieving self-suffi ciency Organisation (UNWTO) ence that aims to highlight the cultural tourism as a factor of mentary role it played with the importing. After that, as the pri- launched several initiatives in either directly or indirectly. Tand Unesco World Con- heritage aspect of tourism and peace and prosperity discussed private sector, have contributed vate sector has been managing this regard. It launched “Iktefa” For example, Qatar imports ference on Tourism and Culture, develop the tourism sector, not- the role of tourism and culture from the fi rst day of the siege all operations since last month, initiative which aims at encour- a lot of meat through national kicked off in Oman yesterday. ing that Oman has a huge legacy in preserving heritage and re- to achieve food security in the the company returned to focus aging the agricultural sector companies from Hassad Aus- HE the Minister of Culture of heritage and culture. building the economy in con- country. on its core business of investing, in general he said, adding that tralia, a wholly owned company and Sports Salah bin Ghanem During the opening, a flict zones. Since the fi rst hours of the he said. there were a lot of non-produc- of Hassad Qatar and is one of the bin Nasser al-Ali led Qatar’s number of tourism officials The key themes of the con- unjust siege, Hassad identifi ed Hassad’s internal invest- ing farms in Qatar and the fo- largest suppliers to the coun- delegation comprising offi cials from Arab countries as well ference are cultural tourism as the obstacles that would follow ments, al-Kuwari said, have cus was specifi cally on helping try, he said, pointing out that from the ministry as well Qatar as representatives of Unesco a maker of peace and prosper- it such as the shortage of the played an important role as it and encouraging this group on a the company also owns 33% of Tourism Authority and Qatar and UNWTO spoke about the ity, tourism development and products coming from the siege has the largest agricultural pro- commercial basis. the largest poultry company Museums. importance of the confer- protection of cultural heritage, countries in the local market, duction farm in Qatar, and from “Now, we are in the fi nal stage in Oman whose products are The two-day conference, or- ence in terms of developing culture and tourism in urban and the disruption of transpor- the fi rst day the company has in- of signing the agreements to reaching Doha during the siege, ganised by the Ministry of Tour- the tourism sector, particu- development and creativity, tation of goods from those coun- creased its area by about 40,000 provide them with all the servic- and through communication ism and the Ministry of Herit- larly heritage tourism. exploring cultural landscape in tries, he said, stressing “within square metres. es from the feasibility study, fa- with the company the produc- age and Culture of Oman, sees HE Ali participated in the tourism and towards the 2030 hours of the fi rst day of the siege, He also referred to an exist- cilitate the fi nancing processes, tivity has been increased to al- the participation of delegations ministerial dialogue for tourism Agenda for Sustainable Devel- we were able to communicate ing 80,000sq m project and the production inputs and forward locate a larger share to Qatar. from 70 countries in the pres- and culture ministers and heads opment. with sisterly and friendly coun- Arab Qatari Company for Poul- payments within 90 days as The company also has rice pro- ence of 30 ministers of tourism of institutions. Today, the conference will tries that could provide us with try Production (Al Waha) which well as agricultural supervision duction project for the State, he and culture. His address touched on tour- discuss further themes related to these products and the trans- increased its production from by technicians and engineers in said, adding that the company’s It aims to explore means ism, culture and sustainable preserving heritage and the role portation means.” 8mn to more than 9mn birds, Hassad in addition to focus on investments have a signifi cant of enhancing co-operation development and discussed the of culture and tourism in devel- Meanwhile, he pointed out stressing that there is further the biggest concern for all which impact on the market in Doha. and applying plans and pro- necessary frameworks of poli- opment. that the company, since the expansion which is expected to is the marketing of products,” he He stressed that if the situa- grammes that were designed by cies and systems that stimulate It will also see the announce- early days of the siege and dur- increase the production to 16mn said, adding that the basis of the tion continues on this path, self- UN organisations to promote sustainable development in cul- ment of Muscat 2017 declara- ing the month of Ramadan and birds and 120mn eggs by the end agreement is that the company suffi ciency will be achieved very the cultural tourism sector tural tourism. tion of the World Conference on after the holidays, has perse- of this year. There is also an in- will purchase all future farmers’ soon, noting that the private around the world. It also reviewed means of sup- Tourism and Culture. vered to secure the market and crease in the feed production, products. sector is working hard.

Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 QATAR QU conference discusses

fi scal policy, tax system Dr Steinhoff speaking at the event. eading international dependent economy,” he said. economists, tax experts “QFC continues to attract Land professionals took FDI and providing a competitive WCM-Q forum focus part in the fi rst annual confer- platform for businesses to ex- ence organised by the Centre for pand to Qatar. We will continue Entrepreneurship (CFE) at Qatar to support the development and on skin disorder University’s College of Business diversifi cation of Qatar’s econo- and Economics (QU-CBE). my, broadening our platform to he latest research and ment for the patient. This can The two-day event, which cater to the needs of the coun- treatments relating to lead to depression, social with- opened yesterday in collabo- try, and reaffi rm our economic Tthe skin disorder atopic drawal and even suicidal feel- ration with Qatar Financial attractiveness as a nation,” dermatitis, one of the most ings. We also know that patients Centre (QFC) Authority, is on al-Jaida said. common infl ammatory skin who are successfully treated and “Fiscal Policy and Economic Dr al-Abdulqader said the diseases, was explained at Weill have less itching experience a Development - Fiscal Sus- Dr Hassan al-Derham, president, Dr Khalid Shams M A Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida, CEO, fl uctuations in oil and gas prices Cornell Medicine-Qatar’s dramatic improvement in their tainability and Diversifying Qatar University. al-Abdulqader, dean, CBE. QFC Authority. and global fi nancial markets re- (WCM-Q) grand rounds. quality of life,” he said. of Government Revenues.” It quire the establishment and im- Dr Martin Steinhoff , profes- Atopic dermatitis, also known aims to discuss the importance QU president Dr Hassan al- The speakers discussed issues table discussion on VAT and plementation of a fi nancial pol- sor and chairman, department as atopic eczema, frequently oc- of diversifying government Derham, QFC Authority CEO on how to diversify government banking transactions. icy covering government costs of dermatology and venereology curs in people who suff er from revenues, the appropriate de- Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida, CBE revenues and the need for tax In his remarks, Dr al-Derham and revenues. at Hamad Medical Corporation, allergies. Atopic indicates a pre- sign of value-added tax (VAT) dean Dr Khalid Shams M A al- reform, drafting challenges of said QU is committed to fulfi l “This also includes the diver- discussed the biological path- disposition to develop allergic law and the current situation Abdulqader, and CFE director Dr VAT law, “how does tax admin- the goals of Qatar National Vi- sifi cation of government rev- ways involved in atopic dermati- hypersensitivity against certain of tax compliance in Qatar. Mahmoud Abdellatif, as well as istration successfully manage sion 2030 and pointed out that enues in order to maintain the tis, characterised by red, swollen allergens like house dust, mites, The event also aims to iden- CBE faculty, staff and students VAT,” and how to improve tax it is refl ected through the new level of costs and ensure the pro- and cracked skin that can become animals or food, for example. tify the importance of restruc- attended the conference. compliance. strategy (2018-2022). vision of public services to the intensely itchy. Patients also have Dr Steinhoff also said that turing the tax system in Qatar to Keynote speakers include The event featured four panel Al-Jaida highlighted the im- current and future generations,” abnormal dry skin, which leads to researchers are attempting to assess the current situation of Mario Mansour (International discussions titled ‘Tax policy and portance of pushing forward to he added itching and scratching. improve their understanding of tax administration and the chal- Monetary Fund), Professor Rick tax reform in developing coun- diversify Qatar’s economy, con- “We look forward to sub- Dr Steinhoff said that atopic dermatitis by investigat- lenges to manage VAT. Krever (University of Western tries and Qatar’; ‘Determinants tinue expanding economic and mitting the recommendations chronic itch should not be con- ing the interaction between the Organisers want to raise com- Australia), Michael Evans (Uni- for drafting VAT law in Qatar’; trade relations and look for new that will emanate from this sidered a trivial symptom be- nervous system, which transmits munity awareness about new versity of Melbourne), Profes- ‘Tax administration in GCC ways to source revenue for the event’s discussions to the Min- cause of the severe detrimental the itching sensation from the government policies, as well as sor Jeyapalan Kasipillai (Monash countries and the challenges to economy. istry of Finance and using them impact it has on quality of life. skin to the brain, and the immune to encourage research in the area University), and Professor Binh manage VAT’; and ‘How to de- “Reforms such as VAT will to generate policies to build “Chronic itching is compara- system. “This interaction appears of fi scal policy. Tran-nam (University of New velop a tax compliance culture in help generate revenue and the country’s economy,” Dr ble to chronic pain in that it can to be important in producing in- South Wales). Qatar.’ It also included a round- move us away from being an oil al-Abdulqader stressed. be a source of near constant tor- fl ammation and itch,” he said. MEC recalls Nissan Navara models Company shut for selling he Ministry of The MEC said the recall the dealer to follow up sumer Protection and Economy and Com- campaign comes within on the maintenance and Anti-Commercial Fraud Tmerce (MEC), in the framework of its ongo- repair works and will Department through the collaboration with Saleh Al ing eff orts to protect con- communicate with cus- following channels: Call Hamad Al Mana Company, sumers and ensure that tomers to ensure that centre: 16001, e-mail: fake fi re extinguishers has announced the recall of car dealers follow up on the necessary repairs are [email protected], Twitter: Nissan Navara models of vehicles’ defects and repair carried out. @MEC_Qatar, Instagram: 2008-2015 over the possi- them. The MEC has urged all MEC_Qatar, MEC mobile he Ministry of Econ- bility of a defect in the pas- The MEC said that it customers to report any app for Android and IOS: omy and Commerce senger air bag. will co-ordinate with violations to its Con- MEC_Qatar T(MEC) has shut down a company located at Salwa Road and its ware- house in Al Sailiya for one month over the display and sale of 5,005 counterfeit fi re extinguishers bearing in- ternational trademark. The campaign comes within the framework of the MEC’s eff orts to moni- tor markets and economic activity across the country in a bid to crack down on price manipulation, viola- tions, counterfeit goods and substandard products. As many as 2,749 and 2,256 counterfeit fi re extin- A counterfeit fire extinguisher guishers were seized at the seized during an inspection. company’s headquarters and warehouse, respec- turn take appropriate ac- tively. The company and its tion against perpetrators in warehouse were closed for order to protect consumer a one month for violating rights. article 7 of law number 8 The MEC has urged all of 2008. Article 7 compels MEC inspectors examine counterfeit fire extinguishers at customers to report any suppliers to clearly display the company’s warehouse. violations to its Consumer on the product’s pack- Protection and Anti-Com- age the type and nature of ments and misleading tion Law and its regulations mercial Fraud Department the item as well as other statements. and intensify its inspection through the following chan- relevant data in line with The administrative clo- campaigns to crackdown nels: Call centre: 16001, the law’s implementing sure decision was published on violations. The ministry e-mail: [email protected], regulations. on the ministry’s website. said it will refer those who Twitter: @MEC_Qatar, In- The law also prohibits The ministry stressed it violate laws and ministe- stagram: MEC_Qatar, MEC the display of fraudulent will not tolerate any viola- rial decrees to competent mobile app for Android and descriptions, advertise- tions of Consumer Protec- authorities, who will in IOS: MEC_Qatar Rayyan Municipality hosts forum on urban design

l Rayyan Municipal- ity has organised the Asecond introductory forum regarding urban de- sign and the new standards of urban planning. Hamad al-Qahtani, act- ing director, Al Rayyan Municipality, pointed out that the municipality has been one of the main partners in preparing and implementing the coun- try’s comprehensive urban development plan, which refl ects the needs of the Off icials at the forum inhabitants and addresses the present and future Turki al-Turki, assist- number of new urban cen- country and support of the challenges. ant director, urban plan- tres for various purposes. local communities, besides He said that the Ministry ning department, said that Besides, the plan takes supporting the projects that of Municipality and En- the comprehensive urban into consideration supply- enhance sustainability for vironment (MME) would development plan with its ing integrated public trans- such communities. start to implement the planning standards respond portation solutions that He stressed that the im- standards of the new ur- to the aspirations of the serve balanced growth and plementation of this plan is ban planning starting from country to become a distin- various types of businesses a joint responsibility of the January 1 next year to main- guished international hub and investments. It also MME and all stakeholders tain the perspective of the attracting high level invest- encompasses the cultural and concerned partners in municipal planning. ments through creating a and heritage identity of the the country. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 7 QATAR QGP aims to sequence about 30,000 genomes in two years: offi cial

By Joseph Varghese population of the country in attended by the senior lead- Staff Reporter next two years. Moreover QGP ership of Sidra Medicine in- Some of the delegates at the ‘Functional genomics Symposium: Towards Precision Medicine’ conference. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed could also start the sequenc- cluding Peter Morris, CEO ing for the whole population by and Dr Ena Wang, acting chief nership with Hamad Medical bint Nasser, chairperson, Qatar the opinion of the public, regard- genomics and precision medi- atar Genome Programme 2019-2020,” said Prof Asma al- research offi cer and research Corporation and Weill Cornell Foundation, and thereafter the ing precision medicine. Another cine. “Already 20 students have (QGP) aims to complete Thani, chairperson, Qatar Ge- chief - Translational Medi- Medicine Qatar has been es- QGP Committee was estab- eff ort is to start university pro- started the programme in HBKU. Qsequencing of 20,000 nome Programme Committee. cine and other offi cials. A large tablished to create the fi rst Qa- lished. “QGP is conducting a grammes in the study of genom- The discussions with Qatar Uni- to 30,000 genomes within the She was speaking at the number of medical profes- tari Gene Chip,” explained Prof number of research networks, ics and start masters’ courses. We versity are in the fi nal stage and next two years, an offi cial said ‘Functional genomics Sympo- sionals from Qatar are also Asma elaborating the topic: working on policies and regula- also conduct summer internship we expect that the university will yesterday. sium: Towards Precision Medi- attending the event. “Qatar Genome Programme: tions as well as looking at clini- programmes for medical profes- launch the programme either in “We sequenced 6,000 ge- cine’ organised by Sidra Medi- “We are also working with Coming of Age”. cal implementation. These all sionals and university students,” the fall or spring semester next nomes by June 2016. We aim cine. The three-day symposium the Ministry of Public Health The offi cial described the will lead to making the country noted the offi cial. year. The programmes are de- to sequence 10,000 genomes at St Regis Doha is discussing to bring international con- QGP roadmap by highlight- a genomic database hub,” added The QGP chairperson high- signed in such a way that the stu- by June 2018. Our plan is to se- Qatar’s eff orts towards precision sultants to fi nalise the fi rst ing that the programme was Prof Asma. lighted that Hamad Bin Khalifa dents can either opt for diploma, quence about 20,000 to 30,000 medicine. genomic medicine policy and launched in December 2013 by “In addition, QGP is also con- University (HBKU) has already MSC or PhD courses,” added genomes, which is 10% of the The inaugural session was regulation. Similarly, a part- Her Highness Sheikha Moza ducting public surveys to collect started a masters’ programme in Prof Asma. AgroQatar, Gulf Petroleum sign MoU for greenhouse project

By Peter Alagos AgroQatar enjoys the support of environmental sustainability, the adapted to the climatic conditions Business Reporter the Spanish Export Promotion Au- embassy said. of Qatar, and was the result of a joint thority (ICEX), including the possi- It added: “The objective is tri- eff ort of world leading agribusiness bility to fi nance its projects in Qatar, fold: to contribute to the growth companies, covering the entire ag- he alliance of Spanish agri- the embassy said. of the agricultural economy in the ricultural business process, from business companies, Agro- According to the embassy, Gulf state of Qatar and guaranteeing production to distribution. TQatar, has signed a memo- Petroleum was recently awarded by its self-suffi ciency, to increase the “The companies comprising randum of understanding (MoU) the Qatari government the right to participation of the non-hydrocar- this alliance were selected because with Gulf Petroleum for the devel- develop 100 hectares of greenhouse bon sector in the national economy of their excellence, experience opment of a system of high-tech facilities, in the framework of the and, fi nally, to develop the private and capacity, with more than 60 greenhouse production of fresh tender launched by the Technical sector. years’ experience supplying state- fruit and vegetables. Committee for the Promotion of “With this MoU, AgroQatar of-the-art applied technology The MoU aims to improve the self- Private Sector Engagement in Eco- commits to providing to Gulf Pe- for high-performance agriculture suffi ciency of Qatar in fresh food nomic Development Projects, in troleum with the possibility of worldwide. supply, according to the directives of coordination with the Ministry of designing and implementing the “The Spanish solution is the most His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim Municipality and Environment. entire process, including planning, advanced, effi cient, and adapted bin Hamad al-Thani, the Spanish The MoU allows Gulf Petroleum fi nancing, design, manufacturing, integrated system able to produce embassy said in a statement. to supply the Qatari market with construction, project management, throughout the year a variety of Gulf Petroleum president Ab- high-quality, fresh vegetables and technical assistance, training, sup- crops with the highest quality and dul Aziz Hamad al-Dulaimi and fruits “at competitive prices all plies and maintenance, operation in the most sustainable and cost- AgroQatar general manager and year round.” The production will of the facilities, distribution and effi cient way in Qatar. The turno- chief operating offi cer Juan Car- be carried out by maintaining the marketing of the product.” ver of the group exceeds $1bn and los Santiago signed the MoU in the principles of rational use of natu- The embassy said AgroQatar its companies are collaborating in Juan Carlos Santiago and Abdul Aziz Hamad al-Dulaimi sign the MoU as Spanish ambassador presence of Spanish ambassador ral resources, responsible manage- was created specifi cally to facilitate fi ve continents with more than 150 Ignacio Escobar, Khaled al-Delaimi, and trade attaché Miguel Angel Fajardo look on. Ignacio Escobar. ment of water resources, and overall the development of agribusiness countries,” the embassy said. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 QATAR

‘Education Room’ seeks to raise awareness about childhood diabetes

he Qatar Diabetes Asso- to receive guidance from diabetes with diabetes, and we believe this ciation (QDA), a member educators on health education, Education Room will have a sig- Tof Qatar Foundation (QF), lifestyle, and diet changes, and a nifi cant impact on family health has launched a Diabetes Educa- children’s play area that houses and lifestyles. We are grateful for tion Room at Rawdat Al Khail, Al the Health Park Board Game, Sasol’s continuous support to Muntazah. which was specially developed our mission to improve the over- The initiative is a joint ven- by Sasol and QDA in 2016. all quality of life for those who ture of Sasol, the international Diabetes prevalence in Qatar is are aff ected.” QU president Dr Hassan al-Derham, Qatar Centre for Organ Transplantation director and Hamad General Hospital’s medical director Dr Yousef integrated chemicals and en- among the highest in the world, Sasol and QDA created and al-Maslamani and other dignitaries at the event. ergy company, and QDA to mark with 20% of the population ei- launched plush characters World Diabetes Day 2017 and ther living with diabetes or at named Salem and Sarah in 2014, raise awareness and improve risk of diabetes. Children make which were designed to reduce outcomes in managing childhood up around 1,200 of the 239,000 the fear and apprehension of- diabetes. estimated cases of diabetes (In- ten associated with diabetes in The Diabetes Education Room ternational Diabetes Federation young children while the Health was inaugurated in the presence Atlas 2015), and have an acute Park Board Game was launched of Phinda Vilakazi, president of need for education on lifestyle to test the knowledge of children GTL Ventures, Sasol, and Dr Ab- and health options to bring the with diabetes and their families Qatar University dulla al-Hamaq, executive direc- disease under control. on food groups, healthy eating tor of QDA. Dr al-Hamaq said: “Health and the dos and don’ts of healthy The facility features two sec- education and family support behaviour of people with type 1 tions: a meeting room for parents are critical to living and dealing diabetes. plans new hospital atar University (QU) to patient care, as they enter the an important transition for the is discussing with medical profession. new students into the medical Qthe Ministry of Pub- Attendees included QU vice profession and underlines the lic Health and Hamad Medical president, Medical and Health level of their commitment to Corporation the possibility of Sciences and CMED dean Dr making great strides in their building a new hospital, the QU Egon Toft, Qatar Centre for Or- future career goals. I encour- president has said. gan Transplantation director age you to become lifelong “Qatar University is commit- and Hamad General Hospital’s learners in your role as provid- ted to equipping its College of medical director Dr Yousef al- ers of optimum healthcare to Medicine with the best facili- Maslamani, as well as QU of- your community. This sym- ties. The proposed hospital will fi cials and CMED students and bolic event is just the begin- provide students clinical train- their families, faculty and staff . ning of a long journey that will ing in the near future,” said Dr Dr al-Derham said: “We, at open you to a wide range of op- Hassan al-Derham while speak- Dr Egon Toft speaking at the event. Qatar University, are committed portunities that will ready you ing at the second annual white to equipping our students with to contribute to advancing the coat ceremony of the Qatar The event aimed to celebrate the necessary skills to become health and welfare of the Qa- University College of Medicine the second-year medical stu- highly eff ective physicians in tari society.” (QU-CMED). dents who successfully com- line with the best international Dr al-Maslamani gave a lec- At the event, 73 second-year pleted their transition year standards. This medical oath ture, in which he welcomed the medical students took the Col- and entered the Medicine pro- is a commitment that you, as new students who will start lege of Medicine Student Oath gramme. It is designed to ac- students, take upon yourselves their training at HMC hospitals. and donned the symbolic white knowledge the students’ com- from now and forever. I wish He pointed to the role of trained coat in front of an audience of mitment to the profession and our students all the best in their physicians in helping the new more than 260 invited guests reassert values of compassion, medical studies.” students to join the workplace Off icials at the launch of the Diabetes Education Room. and well-wishers. professionalism, and dedication Dr Toft said: “Today marks and achieve success. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 9 QATAR Two schools planned for Ezdan Oasis

Ashghal president Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhannadi, Tamuq dean Dr Cesar Malave and other off icials after the MoU signing yesterday. project

zdan Real Estate Com- important advantage for pany, a subsidiary of Ezdan Oasis dwellers and EEzdan Holding Com- those living in the surround- Ashghal signs MoU with Tamuq pany, will establish an in- ing areas,” he noted. ternational school campus, within Ezdan Oasis project, Each school will house to accommodate up to 2,700 more than 1,386 students. students. The two schools will have on training employees, students The complex is spread over a combined capacity an area of 176,000sqm and of more than 2,700 will include two schools to students. Each school shghal has signed a Memoran- university to employees. who attempt to improve their skills and laboration and mutual support that has serve students at Ezdan Oa- features up to 64 classes, dum of Understanding (MoU) Ashghal will also sponsor Tamuq’s scientifi c background, in addition to led to this signifi cant milestone that we sis, residents of Al Wukair labs and facilities for Awith Texas A&M University at conference ‘Advances in Materials and enhancing Ashghal’s staff effi ciency, by think will have signifi cant impact on and neighbouring areas. grades ranging from Qatar (Tamuq) to off er a number of Pavement Performance Prediction’ continuing their educational journey, Qatar’s roads and indeed around the “Ezdan Oasis project, es- kindergarten to high training and development programmes (AM3P) to be held in April next year in and widening their knowledge in vari- world. We are grateful to our friends at tablished as an exclusive real school for both Ashghal employees and univer- Doha in collaboration with a number of ous fi elds of specialisations”, he said. Ashghal for their continued support estate project in Al Wukair sity students in Qatar. Qatari and international entities. President of Ashghal added “there is as we work to address road construc- area, aims to contribute to Each school consists of Ashghal president and senior engi- The memo also stipulates that Ash- a continuous co-operation and co-or- tion challenges and reduce costs for all transforming it into an active three separate buildings, neer Saad bin Ahmed al-Muhannadi ghal’s employees participate in the dination between Ashghal and various stakeholders.” urban haven, rich in popu- each with three fl oors, class- was joined by Tamuq dean Dr Cesar O steering committee of the Consortium education entities in the country. This The MoU refl ects the desire of both lation and services,” Ezdan rooms and laboratories de- Malave in signing the MoU during a of Asphalt Pavement Technologies, agreement represents a strategic co- sides to promote and develop awareness Real Estate Company acting signed to meet the needs and ceremony in the Texas A&M Building in with the goal of constructing long-last- operation and a good eff ort to develop of the importance of similar educational general manager Omar al- requirements of all school Education City. ing and high-performing roads in Qatar. Ashghal’s vision in training and devel- initiatives as a platform for the exchange Yafey said. stages (elementary, prepara- According to the MoU, Ashghal will While speaking before the signing opment to meet the needs of the Public of knowledge, academic learning and “We have allocated a dis- tory, and secondary). In ad- off er training opportunities for students Saad al-Muhannadi expressed his hap- Works Authority in this fi eld, in addi- professional development between the tinctive area for the school dition, each school has a in the fi elds of construction and man- piness at the collaboration between tion to the co-operation in research and authority and the branch campus. complex, which will be a parking area with a capacity agement of projects. Ashghal and Texas A&M at Qatar. recycling materials used in Ashghal’s Ashghal’s assistant president Abdulla stimulating factor to lure of 416 cars and 15 buses. On the other hand, Tamuq will pro- “Within Ashghal’s strategic objec- projects, opening the possibility of fi nd- Hamad al-Attiyah, Technical Offi cer the public to Ezdan Oasis The Newton British Acad- vide educational support to Ashghal tives that relate to training and develop- ing alternatives for projects’ materials Ahmed al-Ansari and Qatar Society of to be their comfortable and emy earlier announced the staff who wish to continue their stud- ing national competencies according to to guarantee quality and reduce cost”. Engineers chairman Ahmed Jassim al- cozy place of living, where launch of the complex before ies in the university in various fi elds, the Qatar National Vision 2030, Ash- Dr Malave said: “Texas A&M at Qatar Jolo were among others present at the all amenities and services are the beginning of the current through training courses off ered by the ghal seeks to support Qatari students and Ashghal have a long history of col- ceremony. accessible,” he added. “Man- academic year at Ezdan Oa- aged by the Newton British sis to receive students from Academy, the campus will pre-schooling to the ninth include two schools, sprawl- grade during the fi rst year. ing over an adequate area.” Having the institution with- Al-Yafey said each school in the borders of Ezdan Oasis ‘MyHeartIsQatar’ initiative launched by Jaidah Group will house more than 1,386 is a quantum addition to the students of all levels, where project range of services and two schools will have a com- amenities , according to al- n celebration of Qatar Na- mobile app, anyone can record Adding that the campaign is a bined capacity of more than Yafey. tional Day and Qatar’s strong their messages of support direct- refl ection of Jaidah Group’s vi- 2,700 students. Each school Pupils at the Academy Isense of unity, a new initiative ly from their own device. These sion in supporting its nation and features up to 64 classes, labs follow British national cur- #MyHeartIsQatar has been cre- messages are then collected on its people, Mohammed Jaidah and facilities for grades rang- riculum and the Interna- ated by Jaidah Group for citizens a dedicated microsite and from continued: “In line with our vi- ing from kindergarten to high tional General Certifi cate of and residents alike to record their there users are able to share them sion which is deeply rooted in school. Secondary Education pro- voice in support of the country. through social channels using our love and loyalty to our be- “This shall constitute an gramme. #MyHeartIsQatar provides the #MyHeartIsQatar hashtag. loved Qatar, #MyHeartIsQatar is people with an easily accessible Extending the initiative further, a our contribution to support our platform to show their pride by special recording booth is located resilient nation and its people; using voice messages through at Jaidah Square and a roaming an opportunity for everyone to a new mobile app and specially booth will be made available at use their voice and speak up. By made recording booths. malls across the country. staying together in solidarity, we Launched by Jaidah Group on Announcing the #MyHeart- will remain strong and achieve a the occasion of Qatar National IsQatar campaign was Mohamed brighter future.” Day celebrations hosted by Jai- Jaidah, group executive offi cer of The launch event at the dah Automotive at the Chevrolet Jaidah Group: Chevrolet Showroom in Jaidah Showroom in Jaidah Square, the “This year’s National Day cel- Square witnessed a large turn- #MyHeartIsQatar initiative allows ebrations come with feelings out comprising high-ranking everyone who calls Qatar home a of immense national unity, and offi cials, VIPs, and Jaidah Group way to “talk from the heart”. loyalty to Qatar and His High- employees, their families and Inspired by the popular Tamim ness the Emir. Energised by this friends. Qatar-themed activi- Al Majd murals that have seen A Qatar resident in the ‘MyHeartIsQatar’ booth at the Jaidah incredibly inspiring groundswell ties were also organised. thousands of nationals and expa- Automotive Chevrolet Showroom at Jaidah Square during the of national pride, #MyHeartIsQ- The voice-recording booth triates pen messages of support company’s Qatar National Day celebrations. atar is an easily accessible way was a great success and attend- and solidarity with His Highness for anyone to talk from the heart, ees were extremely excited and the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- Qatar, #MyHeartIsQatar extends By using the simple and eas- record, and share their feelings of enthusiastic in voicing their sup- The international school campus, within Ezdan Oasis project, is mad al-Thani and the people of and deepens the concept further. ily accessible #MyHeartIsQatar support for Qatar.” port for and pride in Qatar. to accommodate up to 2,700 students.

MoPH launches services at three new hospitals

he Ministry of Public Health Over the past 12 months, HMC of new specialised facilities. necessary equipment to operate (MoPH) in co-operation has started to off er health serv- Besides, the Private Engineering them according to the plan. Twith Hamad Medical Cor- ices at three new hospitals: Qa- Offi ce has delivered a hospital and The Private Engineering Offi ce poration (HMC) has made many tar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI), health centre at Ras Laff an City to delivered in 2016 the Industrial advances this year including the Women’s Wellness and Research HMC in co-operation with MoPH. Area Hospital (Abu Nakhla Gen- launching of services in three new Center, and the Daily Medical Care The hospital has a capacity of 118 eral Hopital), Ras Laff an Hospital, hospitals, it was announced yes- Center. This is an addition to the beds, and HMC will provide the and Mesaieed Hospital is set to be terday. opening of a considerable number hospital and centre with all the delivered soon.

WISE attends conference in China

The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), an initiative of Qatar Foundation (QF), has participated in discussions on education reform eff orts, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration within countries that lie along the historic Silk Road. The meeting was organised and hosted by the National Institute of Education Sciences in Beijing, China, with the support of ten education institutions in the country. The ‘Belt and Road Education Dialogue’ brought together representatives of more than 44 countries from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and eastern and central Europe, in Beijing from November 26-29. The gathering formed part of the Belt and Road Initiative of China, which focuses on education reform as well as economic and social issues. Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 QATAR Qatar’s progress makes it a role model: Health Minister

QNA unjust siege, in addition to its na- oil and gas industry, supported impact on the progress of normal specialised services and facili- Doha tional signifi cance to express love by a disciplined and skilled work life and businesses under siege, ties, including the Breast Cancer and loyalty to the homeland and force, in addition to recognisable thus helping the country con- Screening Clinic and the Nation- the leadership. She highlighted development in other sectors tinue its march of progress and al Obesity Treatment Center. E the Minister of Public the slogan of this year’s celebra- such as health, education, sports prosperity. Meanwhile, since the open- Health Dr Hanan Mo- tion ‘Promise to Prosperity and and tourism,” the Minister said. The Ministry of Public Health ing of its fi rst clinic in May 2016, HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari Hhamed al-Kuwari said Glory’ which summarises the Speaking about the unfair and has accomplished many achieve- Sidra Medicine has also been ex- that the National Day is an oc- ambition and the vision of the unjustifi ed siege imposed on Qa- ments and progress in 2017. The panding its chain of clinics and has also expanded its breast and new strategies developed by the casion to highlight the progress wise leadership and focuses on tar, Dr al-Kuwari expressed pride ministry continued to expanding is now preparing to receive in- intestinal cancer screening serv- ministry. of Qatar and to look forward to the great progress the country over the wise management of the the capacity of the health system patient patients early next year, ices (SMART), which examines This year, the Ministry of Pub- a brighter future under the wise has achieved. current diffi cult stage led by His in the country through the open- enhancing the capacity and the people for health risk factors and lic Health launched the National leadership of His Highness the Dr al-Kuwari said that Qatar Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim ing of new services and facilities. ability to provide advanced care refers them to health improve- Cancer Framework 2017-2022 Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad aspires to further achievements, bin Hamad al-Thani, which was Hamad Medical Corporation for women and children. ment programmes and personal and the National Autism Plan al-Thani. progress and glory, confi rming recognised and respected by the opened four new hospitals: the In 2015-2016, the Primary care plans. At the end of the year, 2017-2021, in addition to Qatar Speaking to Qatar News Agen- that the development the coun- whole world. Communicable Disease Center, Health Care Corporation opened these services will become a real- Public Health Strategy 2017- cy (QNA) on the occasion of Qa- try has seen in the recent dec- She added that the manner Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, six new health centres and is pre- ity in all health centres. 2022 which was announced as tar’s National Day, the Minister ades makes it a global role model. in which all the people of the the Women’s Wellness and Re- paring to open four more in 2018. In the coming years, the Min- part of a national survey to en- said that marking the National “The State has been achieving country dealt with the crisis, fol- search Center (WWRC) and the More eff orts have been made to istry of Public Health aims to gage the public, and builds on Day this year has a special im- continuous progress in all sec- lowing the good example of His Day Care Center. In addition, focus on health promotion and guide care throughout Qatar’s the achievements of the National portance as it comes under the tors of development, including Highness the Emir, had a great the corporation opened new disease prevention services. It health system through a series of Health Strategy 2011-2016. QP CEO highlights signifi cance of the National Day slogan this year

QNA by the decisions of the siege duction capacity of about 15mn Field, which Qatar Petroleum Doha countries, and in ensuring the tonnes per year. had announced last April. This continuation of normal life under On the other hand, Qatar Pe- will double the size of the project all circumstances and away from troleum made a strategic deci- to 4bn cubic feet of gas per day, anaging Director and all schemes. sion to merge Qatargas and Ras- which constitutes a 20% increase Chief Executive Offi cer In the light of these direc- Gas into a single entity, aiming from the current North Field Mof Qatar Petroleum and tives, the government and state to create a world-class operator production rate, or about 1mn Chairman of the Qatargas Board institutions have ensured the in terms of size, service and re- barrels of oil equivalent per day. of Directors Eng Saad bin Sherida fl ow of food and other essen- liability, and creating great op- In October, a consortium com- al-Kaabi highlighted the slogan tials, especially medicine, which portunities for cost savings. prising Qatar Petroleum, Shell, of Qatar’s National Day this year, has thwarted the evil plans of the The company also announced and China National Off shore which translates into “Promise blockading nations, he added. an integration of Qatar Vinyl Oil Corporation (CNOOC) an- of Prosperity and Glory”, saying Al-Kaabi also praised the calm, (QVC) into Qatar Petrochemical nounced the winning bidder that these words of His High- diplomatic and political message (QAPCO), aiming to enhance the for the Alto de Cabo Frio-Oeste ness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin adopted by the country which competitiveness, fi nancial per- block in the prolifi c Santos hy- Hamad al-Thani enlighten the showed to the world the strength formance, and resilience of both drocarbon basin off shore Brazil, nation’s path to a brighter and of the Qatari position in the face companies. which contains some of the most stronger future. of the unrealistic and irrational Despite the unjust siege, QP promising hydrocarbon prone Speaking to Qatar News Agen- demands of the siege nations. has worked to maximise business areas in the world. cy (QNA) on the occasion of Meanwhile, he highlighted the opportunities and self-reliance In November, it has entered Qatar’s National Day, al-Kaabi unity and loyalty of the Qatari Eng Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi and turn challenges into oppor- into an agreement to acquire a underlined that the wise lead- people and their support for the tunities. Just few days after the 30% participating interest in ership of the country has been leadership. Al-Kaabi noted that subsidiaries have succeeded in the giant Al-Shaheen Oil Field. the country’s off shore Block 10. siege was imposed, Qatar Petro- the contractors interest under always keen on giving its people QP was part of the integrated mobilising all available resourc- QP also established Ocean Qatar Petroleum also entered leum, Shell Gas and Power De- the exploration and production the strength, confi dence and the national eff ort in the face of the es, ensuring continuity of work LNG Limited for marketing its into agreements with Chevron, velopments signed an agreement sharing agreement (EPSA) for hope for a more prosperous fu- crisis to thwart the evil scheme in all sectors and locations, and future international LNG sup- whereby Qatar Petroleum ac- to develop liquefi ed natural gas Block 52 off shore in the Sultanate ture, noting that Qatar has be- aiming to harm the security and continuing reliable and safe sup- ply portfolio sourced outside of quired 30% participating inter- marine fuelling infrastructure of Oman, in partnership with the come a model and an example stability of the country by strik- ply of energy to all its customers Qatar. The company is a joint est from Chevrons 75% share in at strategic shipping locations Italian energy company Eni. of development and social and ing its economy. in various global energy markets. venture owned by a QP affi liate three deep-water off shore leases across the globe. After that, QP Since its inception, Qatar Pe- economic well-being. On Qatar’s “With the outstanding eff orts Qatar Petroleum has accom- (70%) and an ExxonMobil af- in Morocco. launched vessel-borne fuelling troleum has led the continuous management to the unjust siege, of all components of the energy plished several achievements fi liate (30%). It was driven by its In April, the US Department of facility for all vessels lifting any growth of the country’s oil and al-Kaabi said that the whole sector in the country, especially this year, including the inaugu- aspirations to continue to be a Energy authorised Golden Pass Qatari seaborne imports or ex- gas industry and has expanded world has witnessed Qatar’s wis- the employees and management ration of the North Oil Company global LNG leader, and to invest Products LLC (Golden Pass) to ports. its operations to many countries dom in dealing with the crisis and of Qatar Petroleum and its group (NOC), a joint-venture between in LNG projects outside Qatar. export domestically produced Within on month of the siege, around the world. It has been the overcoming its repercussions. companies, and international Qatar Petroleum owning 70%, In terms of international opera- liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) to Qatar announced plans to raise cornerstone of eff orts to support He hailed the wise directives partners, we have been able to and the French oil giant Total for tions, Qatar Petroleum, in part- countries that do not have a free LNG production from 77mn to the country’s sustainable eco- of His Highness the Emir Sheikh continue our business as usual the remaining 30%. The North nership with ExxonMobil, signed trade agreement (FTA) with the 100mn tonnes per year, an in- nomic and social development Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and in all oil and gas facilities,” Oil Company has successfully a sharing contract with the Cyp- United States. The project in- crease by 30%, by doubling the by promoting the growth and de- which had the greatest impact in al-Kaabi affi rmed. Al-Kaabi completed all transition activi- riot government to explore and cludes the establishment of LNG size of the new gas project in velopment of the national oil and overcoming the trauma caused stressed that eff orts of QP and its ties to take over the operation of participate in the production of production lines with a total pro- the southern sector of the North gas industry. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 11 QATAR Katara’s National Day festivities to

commence today Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti (right) and Abdul Rahman Jassim al-Tamimi at the press conference. atara – The Cultural Village shops and fine art exhibitions, and Foundation has announced other cultural and recreational shows Kthat it will join the nation in will feature residents and citizens celebrating Qatar National Day with from all walks of life. “an array of festivities that will re- Speaking on the occasion, Katara’s flect the spirit of pride and loyalty to general manager said: “The celebra- the country”. tions serve to renew a beautiful and Beginning today, National Day precious memory embedded in the 2017 activities at the Village will be hearts and minds of those who live on held over eight days, until December the land of Qatar. 19. “We are thrilled to offer an excit- The “scale and grandeur of the ing array of cultural activities and events are unprecedented, and guar- artistic performances that will last anteed to heighten the sense of pa- for eight consecutive days. Visitors triotism and unity among visitors”, to Katara will have a ring-side view of according to a press statement issued some first-of-a-kind events that in- by Katara. clude performances by paratroopers, A press conference held to pro- staged by the Joint Special Forces. vide details of the activities was at- Aside from that, traditional tents, tended by Katara general manager workshops and fine arts exhibitions Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti and will cater to those with an artistic in- chairman of the Katara National Day clination. Celebrations, Abdul Rahman Jassim “A theatrical play by Qatari youth al-Tamimi. will beckon those interested in drama The overarching theme of ‘Promise and theatre. The venue will also boast of Prosperity and Glory’ will set the of a mosaic painting of His Highness tone for the 60 exclusive programmes the Emir. Maritime and sailing buffs that Katara has organised for the can gather on the waterfront at Ka- public. “Each of these programmes tara to welcome the vessel Fath Al is an example of stunning innova- Kheir as it returns from voyages to tion, aimed at embracing national Oman and Kuwait on December 18.” identity and bringing the community He also informed that an ‘enter- together. tainment’ train, capable of carrying A highlight of the festivities will up to 18 children and their parents, Flowers and decorations at Katara. be the unveiling of a stunning water will be winding its way through Ka- fountain, which has been designed to tara’s Esplanade. The festivities will ness the Emir. These activities will to 11pm on all days of the celebra- uled to take place every 20 minutes of the National Day celebrations be a multi-sensory experience in it- culminate in a fireworks display, transform Katara into a spacious oa- tions at Katara. He also indicated that starting from 3pm each day. Katara’s by unveiling a distinctive design to self,” the statement noted. scheduled to take place on December sis of art and thought, a grand plat- guests will be treated to surprises and façade, specifically its arches and mark the occasion. The design em- The Cultural Village Foundation 19. form for culture and heritage and a gifts provided by participating insti- hills, have already been decked up bodies Qatar’s cultural renaissance, has also ensured that its programmes “These are in addition to many microcosm of unity, participation tutes and restaurants. with decorative items and flowers for proud heritage and noble values, as involve various sections of the com- other activities that reflect our sin- and patriotism,” Dr al-Sulaiti added. He pointed out that ‘dancing’ the Qatar National Day 2017 festivi- it marches forward under the vision munity. Military and student pa- cere love for our country, Qatar, and Al-Tamimi said visitors can enjoy fountain shows will be accompanied ties. of a wise leadership, the statement rades, Ardha performances, work- our pride in our leader – His High- all the activities and events from 3pm by national songs, and are sched- Katara has kicked off the start notes. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 QATAR

Guide to National Day celebrations at Darb Al Saai Ukraine envoy hails Qatar’s support at global forums

QNA Doha

he Ambassador of the Republic of Ukraine to Tthe State of Qatar Yevhen Mykytenko has praised the con- tinuous support that his country receives from the State of Qatar in all international forums and at all levels, stressing that bilat- eral relations are progressing and growing in light of the increased mutual visits and contacts among government, commercial and cultural delegations. In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the ambassa- dor of Ukraine congratulated His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the people of Qatar on the occa- sion of the National Day, wishing the State of Qatar more pride, progress and well-being. He expressed hope that the year 2018 will witness mutual visits between the leaderships in both countries to further en- hance political, economic and cultural relations and to sign a series of bilateral agreements between the two countries very soon in order to open up hori- zons for investors, businessmen and companies, and to build bridges of co-operation among The organisers of the Qatar National Day-linked celebrations at Darb Al Saai, which off icially opened on Saturday, have issued a map of the venue to inform the public about the location of various pavilions them in line with the interests as well as diff erent services and utilities. The venue of the multi-event celebrations in the Al Sadd area of Doha will remain open to the public until December 20. of the Ukrainian and Qatari peo- ples. He also referred to the grow-

He expressed hope that the year 2018 will witness mutual visits between the leaderships in both Pakistan praises countries to further enhance Sudanese envoy’s political, economic and cultural relations

ing employment opportunities, Qatari leadership the cancellation of entry visa requirements for Ukrainians, National Day the launch of a direct air route akistan’s ambassador through the new shipping operation since the establish- between Doha and Kiev and fur- Shahzad Ahmed has is- routes opened between Kara- ment of their diplomatic rela- ther increasing of daily fl ights Psued a statement con- chi and Hamad ports, is hav- tions in November 1984. led to a signifi cant increase in gratulating Qatar’s leader- ing a major impact,” he said. Speaking to Qatar News the number of Ukrainian citizens greetings to Emir ship, government and people Further, the envoy noted Agency (QNA), ambassador who visited Qatar this year, add- on the occasion of Qatar Na- that the visa-on-arrival fa- Sohan congratulated the State ing that all of them represent the tional Day 2017. cility for Pakistani citizens is of Qatar on the National Day, educated class of the Ukrainian QNA decades. He added that the people of Sudan share “It gives me great pleasure a “signifi cant step” taken by saying that the exciting line-up society with high skills and ex- Doha love and loyalty with their Qatari brothers. He also to be present here in Doha as Qatar in “increasing not only of festive events that Qatar has perience in various economic emphasised that the relations between the Repub- the ambassador of the Islamic people-to-people contact, planned to celebrate the Na- and commercial fi elds. lic of Sudan and the State of Qatar remain solid and Republic of Pakistan and to be but also in facilitating busi- tional Day will be a resounding He pointed out that this will he ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to continue to grow at all levels through mutual co- witnessing the National Day ness delegations and tourism success. help the Qatari economy to con- the State of Qatar Fath al-Rahman Ali Mo- operation and visits, with the most recent being the of the State of Qatar on De- in Qatar”. “This ever-increas- Ambassador Sohan praised tinue its outstanding perform- Thamed praised the brotherly and close rela- visit of the President of Sudan to Doha last October. cember 18, 2017,” he said. ing interaction will give rise to Qatar’s rich history and culture, ance in an eff ort to provide the tions between his country and the State of Qatar, Further, the ambassador emphasised on joint “On this auspicious occa- new opportunities for co-op- noting that being in Doha gave highest standards of living for stressing that these relations remain solid and projects, more notably the development, restora- sion, I would like to congratu- eration between our peoples,” him the opportunity to learn both Qatari nationals and expa- continue to grow at all levels through mutual co- tion and maintenance of the monuments of Nuba in late His Highness the Emir he added. “I am confi dent that to understand and navigate a triates in the country. operation and visits. Northern Sudan, which is the largest tourism and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- the co-operation between our new culture and society which There is a large number of Qa- In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), archaeological project in the country. Thani, His Highness the Fa- two states will continue to ad- is always enjoyable. He looked tari nationals visiting Ukraine for the Sudanese ambassador expressed his sincere Additionally, he referred to the eff orts of the ther Emir Sheikh Hamad bin vance and I congratulate the forward to joining the events tourism or recreation, he said, congratulations to His Highness the Emir Sheikh State of Qatar to achieve peace in Darfur, which re- Khalifa al-Thani, the govern- leadership of Qatar on its vi- which will be organised on the stressing that Qatari passport Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Fa- sulted in the Doha Agreement that laid the founda- ment and people of the State sion and leadership. National Day. holders can obtain entry visas ther Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and tion for peace, adding that the peace process is still of Qatar.” Ahmed stressed “Once again, I extend my The ambassador underlined upon arrival at Kiev Airport. the government and people of Qatar on the occa- underway through the contribution of the State of that bilateral relations be- felicitations and express the that Singapore and Qatar en- Regarding the Gulf crisis that sion of the State’s National Day. He said that this Qatar in the reconstruction after war. tween the brotherly states of hope of the people of Pakistan joy strong political relations. the countries of the region are day is a happy occasion for the Sudanese commu- He stated that, on the economic level, Qatari in- Pakistan and Qatar are “based that Qatar will continue on its He referred to His Highness the facing, the envoy renewed his nity in Qatar just like it is a happy occasion for Qa- vestments are increasing in Sudan and they are ex- on strong foundations of mu- path of progress and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad government’s position that dia- taris and the rest of the residents who enjoy the care pected to increase in the coming period due to the tual respect and common reli- prosperity.” al-Thani’s state visit to Singa- logue is the only way to resolve of the Emir. United States’ decision to lift the economic sanc- gious heritage”. SINGAPORE’S MESSAGE pore in October 2017, following all confl icts, and that prolong- He expressed the hope that the State of Qatar tions imposed on Sudan, taking into account the “I am sure these bilateral The ambassador of the Re- on state visits by His Highness ing the crisis will have negative will continue to be blessed with prosperity and vast resources of Sudan in the fi elds of agriculture, relations will further enhance public of Singapore to Qatar the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad repercussions on international development as it celebrates this cherished anni- industry, mining and services. with the ever-increasing in- Jai S Sohan said Singapore and bin Khalifa al-Thani in 2005 anti-terror eff orts. He also ex- versary for all, pointing out that the brotherly ties Regarding the current crisis in the Gulf, the Su- teractions between our peo- Qatar enjoy excellent and pro- and 2009, making Qatar the pressed hope that the crisis will between the two peoples are based on co-operation danese ambassador stressed his country’s strong ple. Enhanced connectiv- found relations adding that country in the Gulf Co-oper- end soon to foster understand- and embodied by successive generations of profes- support for the Kuwaiti initiative and its confi dence ity, whether through frequent both countries worked on ation Council (GCC) with the ing, harmony and peace in the sional Sudanese who have been hosted by Qatar for in the Gulf leaders’ ability in overcoming the crisis. fl ights by Qatar Airways or strengthening the bilateral co- most state visits to Singapore. Middle East. Measures taken for self-suffi ciency lauded

QNA ments has doubled in an unprec- He stressed that these ties are fraternal ties were culminated by Abdullayev expressed his Doha edented manner on the political, at a very high level of under- the visit of President Ilham Ali- confidence in the settlement of economic, cultural and sports standing, highlighting that 31 yev to Qatar in February. the Gulf crisis through dialogue fronts, establishing the State agreements and memoranda of The Azerbaijani ambassador based on international standards he Ambassador of the Re- of Qatar as a huge force in the understanding have been signed praised the State of Qatar’s ration- and norms, which requires non- public of Azerbaijan Tofi q Middle East and a role model for between the two countries, while al and wise handling of the Gulf interference in internal affairs of TAbdullayev has said that the any party that seeks real renais- the joint economic, commercial crisis since the fi rst day, which, other countries and respect of National Day is a signifi cant and sance based on proper and strong and technical committee be- he added, allowed it the ability to their sovereignty and sovereign great occasion for the Qatari peo- foundations. tween the governments of the absorb the immediate shock and decisions. He voiced hope that ple as it symbolises the establish- Abdullayev said the relations Republic of Azerbaijan and the provided it with alternative ways the crisis would end soon, par- ment of the state and for reaching between the State of Qatar and his State of Qatar was established. to ensure its food security and ticularly since the stability of the a high status among countries. country date back to more than 23 He noted that there are pros- continuity of normal life. Gulf region plays an important Speaking to QNA, the ambas- years, adding that this history of pects and fields for developing He noted that the current situ- and basic role in the stability of sador congratulated His High- ties resulted in many agreements ties in the coming phase. ation that the State of Qatar is the Middle East and the unity of ness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin on mutual co-operation in the The Azerbaijani ambassador undergoing is not in the favour of Muslim countries and peoples. Hamad al-Thani and His High- diff erent fi elds so as to enhance expressed pride in the visit of His the region in particular and the The Azerbaijani ambassa- ness the Father Emir Sheikh Ha- the role of both countries at the Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim Muslim world in general, praising dor stressed that enhancing the mad bin Khalifa al-Thani as well regional and international levels. bin Hamad al-Thani to Azerbai- in this regard the wisdom of the spirit of co-operation among the as the Qatari people on the oc- He noted that the Azerbaijani- jan in March 2016, which, he Qatari leadership and the meas- Muslim countries and peoples is casion of the National Day. He Qatari relations have noticeably said, deepened the fraternal and ures that the government took, as the only way to restore the digni- added that, thanks to the wise progressed in the fi elds of politics, political ties and was the main it managed to turn the siege into ty and pride of the Muslim nation leadership, the State of Qatar trade, economy, science, culture, step in boosting co-operation a positive step and an opportu- and to achieve security, stability has risen, its growth has accel- youth and sports aff airs, and all between the two countries in nity to achieve self-sufficiency and prosperity for all peoples of erated and the pace of achieve- critical fi elds. several areas, adding that these of food and basic products. the world. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 13 QATAR

QRI’s advanced facilities include a specialist sensory room. QRI hosts seven hydrotherapy pools. HMC’s QRI records more than 50,000 outpatient appointments amad Medical Corpo- signifi cantly expanding HMC’s Ali al-Marri. In June of last year, save his arm. He returned to Qa- specialist sensory room, and an ration’s (HMC) Qatar capacity to care for recovering al-Marri, a Qatari national, was tar in October and has been re- assisted living unit in which pa- HRehabilitation Institute patients. This expansion, com- seriously injured in a motorcycle ceiving rehabilitation care at the tients can relearn simple daily (QRI) has provided world-class bined with the most modern accident in the US. A car struck QRI through its specialist Day tasks and readjust to life at home. care to patients during more rehabilitation facilities in the him and knocked him off his Care Programme. At the heart of the care at QRI than 50,000 outpatient ap- region will provide patients with motorcycle, pushing him under “The quality of care I have ex- is a passionate multi-discipli- pointments since opening its faster access to rehabilitative a truck. Al-Marri was in a coma perienced at QRI since returning nary team of clinicians working fi rst clinics in December 2016, it care. for 15 days and suff ered a se- to Qatar has been outstanding. together to co-ordinate and de- was announced yesterday. “The number of patients re- verely broken arm, leg, and other For three hours a day, fi ve days liver a personalised package of Throughout 2017, the range ceiving care at QRI has increased serious injuries. a week, I receive intensive reha- advanced rehabilitation services of services provided by teams every month this year. Our reha- “At the time, doctors in the US bilitation care from a dedicated tailored to each patient’s indi- at the QRI has continued to ex- bilitation teams utilise the hos- said my arm was so badly dam- team of occupational therapists vidual circumstances. pand, including the start of in- pital’s state-of-the-art facili- aged that they may have to am- and physical therapists. When I QRI off ers fi ve main reha- patient care in March this year. ties to achieve our overarching putate it,” explained al-Marri. returned to Qatar I was unable to bilitation programmes - Stroke, By November, more than 10,000 goal – helping our patients reach “When I heard this news I was walk and was reliant on a wheel- Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal outpatient visits were being re- their full recovery potential so shocked and saddened. I have al- chair. Due to the expert care I Cord Injury, Pain Management corded each month. they can return to living as nor- ways been a very active person so have received, I am now able to and Paediatric Rehabilitation. QRI is the region’s largest mal a life as possible,” explained the possibility of losing an arm walk with minimal support and I These programmes are made up tertiary rehabilitation hospital, Dr Wafa al-Yazeedi, chairperson deeply worried me,” he added. am on my journey to a full recov- of clinical and therapy services providing high-quality reha- of QRI. Al-Marri spent the next few ery,” stated al-Marri. which are selected and adapt- bilitation services through the One of the many patients who months receiving care in vari- The QRI’s advanced facili- ed according to each patient’s most technologically advanced has benefi ted from the advanced ous US hospitals and underwent ties include seven hydrotherapy needs by a multi-disciplinary One of the many patients who has benefited from the advanced care patient-centred care. QRI is care at QRI is 38-year-old Saeed 15 surgical procedures in order to pools, eleven advanced gyms, a team of clinicians and therapists. at the QRI is Saeed Ali al-Marri.

QCS celebrates Qatar National Day Students make a beeline to Darb Al Saai

The pavilion of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) at Darb Al Saai has received Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) held a special ceremony yesterday to celebrate Qatar National Day under the theme ‘We are fine’ at its large numbers of school students who enjoyed the various environmental and agriculture activities. headquarters in Al Sadd. QCS chairman Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor al-Thani, other off icials and a number of children took part in the Nearly 6,000 students visited the MME pavilion on Sunday, and yesterday there were 3,152. So far, event. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil students from as many as 120 schools have visited the pavilion. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 QATAR

Qatar’s biggest shopping fest Shop Qatar 2018 to host an array of events

From Page 1 embroidery and Malaysian kite sity that the country enjoys and From January 21 to February 7, making. The event, which forms enriches the lives of us all.” a concert by The Chainsmokers part of QTA’s strategy to grow “In diversifying Qatar’s visi- (Doha Exhibition & Convention and diversify the country’s tour- tor source markets, China, Rus- to feature 30 Centre) will be among the high- ism off ering, will also hold many sia, India and Germany are at the lights of the International Week, outdoor events that will allow forefront of our target markets, apart from renowned celebrity residents and visitors to enjoy the which will contribute to increas- Hollywood make up artist Joyce weather in the country during the ing visitor arrivals,” he noted. Bonelli’s masterclass, renowned winter season. “This will also help in develop- celebrity fashion designer Ale- “Shop Qatar is a unique fusion ing the tourism products to suit jandro Resta’s pattern making, festival that blends tradition with the needs of visitors from those pop up shops cutting, designing and stitching modernity, entertainment with countries, support the growth and pop up workshops such as shopping,” al-Qurese said. “It is a and development of our tourism By Joey Aguilar is an ideal platform to achieve diversifying the national econ- that the event contributed an Turkish pottery, Russian ribbon celebration of the cultural diver- sector.” Staff Reporter our goals of supporting home- omy. In the fi rst edition of Shop estimated QR1.06bn to the local based projects, motivating Qatar, 30 stalls had also been economy. The month-long fes- young entrepreneurs to access erected for home-based busi- tival also witnessed a 70.5% ho- hop Qatar 2018 will feature the Qatari market, engaging nesses, including Artikkan, an tel occupancy rate and a 16.8% 30 pop up shops at Mall with competitors, identifying enterprise focusing on modern increase in visitors to Qatar, and Sof Qatar in a bid to con- the mechanism of the market and oriental (fusion) furniture; QR48.3mn worth of coupons ex- tinuously support local entre- and gaining practical experi- Maryam Aldarwish, which spe- changed. preneurs and provide mallgoers ence that helps them develop cialises in ready-to-wear fash- “In this edition, we expect with an authentic Qatari experi- their business, and exploring ion; and Fanilla Couture, which an increase in the number of ence. new business opportunities,” off ers a wide range of apparel, visitors from diff erent markets According to Qatar Tourism QDB’s Business Finance di- including kaftans, dresses, and worldwide,” she said, adding Authority (QTA), organiser of rector Khalid al-Manaa told modern galabias. that Qatar has waived entry vi- the event, small businesses will reporters during a press con- Clothing, bedroom and phone sas for citizens of 80 countries have the opportunity to exten- ference at Al Hazm Mall yes- accessories, Arabic chocolates recently and extended the tran- sively market their products terday. and cakes, and spices, among sit visa to 96 hours. due to the expected high footfall QDB’s participation at Shop other hand-made products are Shahbik also noted an in- during 31-day shopping festival, Qatar forms part of its several also showcased at these stalls. crease in the number of visitors taking place from January 7 to initiatives, programmes and QTA’s chief marketing and from Europe (6%), Africa (40%), February 7 across the country. competitions aimed at “sup- promotion offi cer Rashed al- and people who got visas-on- Shop Qatar partnered with porting and encouraging new Qurese thanked QDB for part- arrival visas (10%). Shop Qatar Qatar Development Bank (QDB) projects and creative ideas.” nering with them to provide is a month-long festival that to provide these entrepreneurs a In a bid to “eff ectively con- opportunities for innovation celebrates the country’s diverse platform to further promote and tribute” to achieving the Qatar and investment in the tourism retail off erings. grow their businesses like other National Vision 2030, he added sector. Held during the winter, it in- small and medium enterprises that the bank aims to develop Citing the success of the fi rst vites residents and visitors to incubated and supported by the the human capital in the coun- edition of Shop Qatar, QTA’s enjoy special experiences at bank. try, empowering local entrepre- festivals and tourism events di- malls, bazaars and in scenic out- Khalid al-Manaa, Rashed al-Qurese, Mashal Shahbik and Ghanim al-Mohannadi at the press meet yesterday at “Qatar’s shopping festival neurs to play an essential role in rector Mashal Shahbik noted door spaces. Al Hazm Mall. PICTURE: Nasar T K Shopping tours, fashion and outdoor activities for tourists, residents

By Joey Aguilar shopping experience” at the tra- ers men’s fabrics, thobe tailor- tourism events director Mashal Ghanim al-Mohannadi said. He hotel visitors are in for a treat.” to-wear fashion from Marrakesh Staff Reporter ditional marketplace. Accord- ing, accessories, perfumes, art, Shahbik said. QTA also part- added that families and children Participating retail partners to Mumbai, the event will host ing to Qatar Tourism Authority coff ee, dates, and Qatari snacks. nered with local private company will enjoy the live entertainment, will also host exclusive in-mall three fashion shows throughout (QTA), residents and visitors who The women’s tour is for those who QSports, which will organise two 30 unique amusement park rides, entertainment and roaming mall the festival. ourists, newly arrived ex- want to learn and explore Souq want to roam around Souq look- major outdoor festivals as part of and more than 60 activities at shows, with fun for all fam- QTA said a total of 34 design- patriates and those look- Waqif can participate either the ing for handicrafts, fabrics for men Shop Qatar this winter. Souq Waqif from December 25 ily members. QTA added that ers from around the world will Ting for “something new women’s, men’s or family tours and women, perfumes, incense, “Following the success of the to April 25, 2018. “Qatar can look the newest trends in fashion and be showcasing more than 300 in the country” stand to benefi t that will run between 5pm and art and snacks as well. Qatar Summer Festival’s Enter- forward to another entertain- makeup are also expected to also diff erent looks in these fash- from the shopping tours at Souq 6.30pm every Thursday, Friday “The growing involvement tainment City, we are proud to ment extravaganza as we part- attract style-savvy residents and ion shows. For the fashionistas Waqif throughout the 31-day and Saturday from January 7 to and participation of partners partner with Souq Waqif, a cul- ner with Mall of Qatar (MoQ) for visitors. Shop Qatar is holding a and aspiring fashion designers, Shop Qatar 2018. February 7. from the private sector and lo- tural institution in Qatar, to bring the MoQ Fun Fair which will take series of make-up masterclasses a three-day master class with In partnership with Embrace The family tour takes an expert- cal businesses is key to ensuring new and popular attractions place between January 15 and with renowned artists, as well world-renowned Spanish de- Doha, a Qatari company spe- led group through the Souq to that our festivals refl ect Qatar’s such as Qatar’s largest outdoor April 15,” al-Mohannadi said. as free makeup sessions at vari- signer Alejandro Resta will be cialising in cultural events, this discuss and discover local handi- culture, and the economic and trampoline park, Ocean Ball Kids “From paintballing to giant slides ous malls as part of the shop- held at Hamad bin Khalifa Uni- year’s edition of the annual event crafts, fabrics, perfumes, art and social needs of its citizens and Play area and outstanding food and the world’s fi rst 3-axis Virtual ping festival. For a glimpse of the versity between January 21 and wants to provide “an authentic snacks while the men’s tour cov- residents,” QTA’s festivals and court,” QSports deputy chairman Reality Game, MoQ and Al Rayyan world’s latest couture and ready- 23. Thousands take part in Doha Bank’s Al Dana Green Run

lmost 6,000 runners took customer, Abdul Baheer Nad- al-Kuwari, consultant & meta- next level while sharing the love part in the 13th edition of athara Moldutty, being crowned bolic surgeon at HMC & Presi- and respect we have for Qatar and AAl Dana Green Run hosted as the new millionaire for Al Dana dent of Qatar cycling and triath- His Highness the Emir.” by Doha Bank at the Aspire Zone Saving’s Scheme 9th draw of the lon federation; Dr Jassim Fakhro The Al Dana Green Run’s reg- on Saturday. year. – consultant, bariatric metabolic istered entrants competed in 10 Organised in partnership with The other lucky winners for & robotic surgeon, HMC; and Dr individual categories covering Aspire Logistics, Ministry of this month’s draw included 15 Abdullaziz al-Kuwari, consult- various age groups and skill lev- Youth and Sports (Qatar Sports winners for QR10,000, one win- ant spine surgeon, orthopaedic els, such as professional runners, Federation for All), Ministry of ner for QR100,000 and one surgery. individual below 18, families and the Interior, Olympic Commit- more who walked away with the Doha Bank Group CEO Dr participants with special needs tee (Qatar Athletics Federation) QR25,000 prize. R Seetharaman said, “We are to name a few. The winners of and Qatar Red Crescent, the an- Thousands of runners, families thrilled to celebrate another each category walked away with Doha Bank Group CEO Dr R Seetharaman selects one of the winners of the Al Dana Saving’s Scheme 9th draw nual event aims to promote envi- and members of Doha’s com- wonderful and unique edition unique prizes handled out dur- of the year. ronmental awareness, and social munity gathered at Aspire Zone of Al Dana Green Run as part of ing a joyous and colourful awards and sports activities across the on Saturday morning to support Doha Bank’s ongoing campaign ceremony featuring live concerts portant concepts such as green such a great opportunity to con- a dedicated fun zone area full country. the event and the cause, paying that aims to build environmental and entertainment. and healthy living,” she said. nect with the local community of kids’ activities, such as face The event, which derives its homage to Qatar, its government awareness among the local com- Among the many who joined As many as 109 special needs and letting our runners challenge painting, infl atables bouncy cas- name from Doha Bank’s fl agship and people while enjoying a per- munity. To witness the support the event this year there were runners representing various lo- themselves and excel in their tles, giant slides, football and Al Dana Saving’s scheme, has fect fun-fi lled event. of Doha’s residents, our loyal more than 100 Doha Bank’s staff cal special needs associations running category. We couldn’t be basketball competitions, as well been known as the most popular Chief guests included HE the customers and Qatar as a nation, and many families, runners and took part in this year’s run. any prouder,” said Ahmed Saker as colouring crafts workshops to CSR event in Qatar and this year’s Minister of Culture & Sports is simply heartening. The re- supporters including Nisma “We are here to support Al al-Hamzi, spokesperson for the name a few. edition was even more special as Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al- markable success of the run gives Kamran. “Al Dana Green Run is Dana Green Run once again as we Qatar Society For Rehabilitation In addition, the runners and it coincided with the commence- Ali; Secretary-General of the Su- us extra motivation to take our one of our favourite community thoroughly believe in the posi- of Special Needs. the crowd were provided with ment of Qatar National Day cel- preme Committee for Delivery & mission of spreading the positive events in Qatar. It represents the tive impact this unique event has Those who attended to cheer complimentary refreshments ebrations for 2017 and it also Legacy, Hassan al-Thawadi; and messages of environment con- perfect fun-family day which on our members. We would like on their relatives, enjoyed free courtesy of Ezdan, Krispy Kream witnessed one new Doha Bank guests of honour Dr Mohamed servation and green living to the promotes at the same time im- to thank Doha Bank for off ering entertainment, which included and Chipstix Doha.

Second phase of agricultural products programme Six-month traffic diversion on Al Khor road The Ministry of Municipality and Environ- A traff ic diversion will be ment (MME) yesterday inaugurated the in place on a 1km stretch second phase of the national premium of Al Khor Road, located vegetable marketing programme at after Woqod Petrol Sta- Carrefour, Villaggio, the off icial Qatar tion for those coming News Agency reported. Assistant Under- from Doha. The diversion secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries will start from today and Aff airs at the MME, Sheikh Dr Faleh bin may last for six months, Nasser al-Thani, said the first phase of the Ashghal announced programme – launched at Al Meera – had yesterday. witnessed significant sales. The launch Traff ic on this stretch of the second phase is an important step of Al Khor Road will be towards further supporting national diverted to a newly- products, it was observed. During the constructed temporary inauguration, Sheikh Faleh noted that the road parallel to the closed local products exhibited as part of the road, which includes two initiative are of a high quality and feature lanes in each direction good packaging and presentation, (as shown on the map). highlighting that these items are safe and The diversion aims to devoid of chemicals. This, in turn, reflects allow the construction the good reputation Qatari agricultural of the signal-controlled products enjoy. More than 60 farms intersection number 8 on diversion is part of a new the construction of 5.3km stadium. These roads will have participated in the programme, he Al Khor Road, which will project to upgrade link of roads, with three lanes facilitate access to bus added. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam provide a new route to Al roads to Al Bayt Stadium in each direction, all lead- stations and car parking Bayt Stadium. The traff ic in Al Khor, which includes ing to four sides of the around the stadium. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 15 REGION/ARAB WORLD Erdogan, Putin warn of further tension over US decision

AFP the situation in the Middle East but in- portance of “the immediate resumption of has become a partner to this bloodshed. Ankara stead destabilises the already complicated Palestinian-Israeli talks over all disputed We do not recognise this decision, we will atmosphere,” Putin said during a press issues, including the status of Jerusalem”. not,” he added. conference in Ankara. The Turkish head of state bitterly op- Erdogan said that the current “vandal- urkish President Recep Tayyip Er- “It can derail the Israel-Palestine peace poses Trump’s decision and has sought ism and cruelty” in Jerusalem would not dogan and Russian counterpart process,” he warned after his meeting to mobilise the Muslim world against it, last. TVladimir Putin warned yesterday with Erdogan following lightning visits to calling a summit of Islamic countries on “Those who think they own Jerusalem that Donald Trump’s recognition of Jeru- Syria and Egypt earlier yesterday. December 13 in Istanbul. today will not fi nd trees to hide behind,” salem as the capital of Israel risks escalat- Erdogan said that he and Putin had Erdogan, who regards himself as a he said. ing tension in an already tense region. taken a similar approach on the issue as he champion of the Palestinian cause, said Trump’s move has ignited protests Trump’s decision and his plan to move accused Israel of continuing to “add fuel the “struggle” of Muslims would not end across the Islamic world and deadly vio- the US embassy to Jerusalem sparked vio- to the fl ames”. until there is an independent Palestinian lence in the Palestinian territories. lence in Jerusalem, with a fi fth day of pro- “Israel is using this as an opportunity to state.“They will never be able to clean the Erdogan said today’s summit of the Or- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shaking hands with Russian tests in the Middle East. further increase the pressure and violence blood,” he said in a speech in Ankara. ganisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) President Vladimir Putin during a meeting at the Presidential Complex “Both Russia and Turkey believe that against Palestinians,” he added. “With this recognition of Jerusalem as in Istanbul would be a “turning point” on in Ankara yesterday. the decision...does not help regulating Putin earlier in Cairo stressed the im- the capital of Israel, it (the United States) the issue. Fifth day of protests in Mideast over Trump’s move

AFP Trump had hastened its demise rely on US aid and would like Jerusalem with his decision. to salvage remaining hopes of a In Ramallah in the occupied two-state solution to the con- West Bank, dozens of Palestin- flict. he Middle East saw a fi fth ians threw stones at Israeli sol- President Mahmoud Abbas day of protests yesterday diers, who responded with tear will refuse to meet US Vice Pres- Tover US President Donald gas and rubber bullets. ident Mike Pence when he visits Trump’s declaration of Jerusa- “We came here against the region later this month, Pal- lem as Israel’s capital, while fur- Trump’s decision and we want to estinian offi cials say, a move that Palestinian paramedic volunteers carry away an injured protester during clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Ramallah ther global condemnation fol- send a message that Jerusalem is led Washington to accuse Abbas yesterday, as demonstrations continue to flare in the Middle East and elsewhere over US President Donald Trump’s declaration on Jerusalem. lowed the deeply controversial and will stay our capital, and we of “walking away” from a chance move. will stay to defend it,” one pro- to discuss peace. 22 years and came after the bloc’s While tens of thousands of tester in a black ski mask said. Abbas on met President Abdel diplomatic chief Federica Mogh- protesters gathered in Lebanon, There were also low-level Fattah al-Sisi in Egypt — a key erini warned Trump’s move could Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin clashes in Hebron and the Gaza US ally in the region — ahead of take the situation “backwards to Netanyahu met EU foreign min- Strip. Some 27 Palestinians were a summit of the Organisation of even darker times”. Islamic Co-operation today. Call for Palestinian isters in Brussels, declaring that wounded by live fi re or rubber Mogherini said the “worst the move he has lauded as his- bullets throughout the day, the Egyptian presidential thing that can happen now is toric “makes peace possible”. Red Crescent said. spokesman Bassam Radi said an escalation of tensions, of He also said he expected “all Palestinian demonstrations Sisi had reaffi rmed Cairo’s violence”, and restated the EU’s or most” European countries have declined in number and in- “fi rm” position on “the need to position that a two-state solu- preserve the legal and historical state recognition would follow the United States tensity since reaching a peak on tion with Jerusalem as capital — but the 28-nation bloc’s for- Friday, but there are concerns status” of Jerusalem and sup- for both Israelis and Palestinians eign policy head Federica Mogh- they will again increase later this port for an independent Pal- was the only sustainable way to From Page 1 declaration, while further global condemnation erini gave him a stern rebuff , week. estinian state with east Jerus- resolve the confl ict. followed the deeply controversial move. telling him to “keep his expecta- Late yesterday the Israeli dalem as its capital. Trump’s Jerusalem declara- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas yester- While tens of thousands of protesters gathered in tions for others”. army said it hit “military posts” Netanyahu, who has been tion upended decades of prec- day intensifi ed eff orts to rally Middle Eastern coun- Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netan- During a visit to Cairo, Rus- of the Gaza Strip’s Hamas rulers dogged by corruption investiga- edent and broke with interna- tries against US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s yahu met EU foreign ministers in Brussels, declar- sian President Vladimir Putin with tank and aircraft fi re after tions against him at home, has tional consensus, drawing global capital, setting up talks with Arab leaders begin- ing that the move he has lauded as historic “makes denounced Trump’s decision Palestinians fi red a rocket at lauded Trump’s declaration. condemnation. ning in Cairo. peace possible”. as “destabilising” while calling southern Israel. There were no Yesterday, he was in Brus- Jerusalem’s status is perhaps Abbas met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi He also said he expected “all or most” European for a resumption of long-stalled reports of casualties on either sels as part of a two-day trip to the most sensitive issue in the of Egypt, which has been a key broker in past peace countries would follow the United States – but Israeli-Palestinian talks. side. Europe after having met French Israeli-Palestinian confl ict. talks with Israel and between fi ghting Palestinian the 28-nation bloc’s foreign policy head Federica Hezbollah, which fought a war Four Palestinians have been President Emmanuel Macron in Trump noted in his deci- factions. Mogherini gave him a stern rebuff , telling him to with Israel in 2006, organised killed so far in clashes or Israeli Paris the previous day, on visits sion that Jerusalem’s fi nal sta- Abbas and Sisi agreed to continue high-level “keep his expectations for others”. a demonstration in Beirut that air strikes in response to rocket planned before Trump’s move. tus would have to be decided in coordination and to use the widespread rejection During a visit to Cairo, Russian President saw tens of thousands chanting fi re from Gaza, and hundreds Macron urged Netanyahu to negotiations between the two of the US move to maintain the rights of the Pales- Vladimir Putin denounced Trump’s decision as “Death to America!” and “Death have been wounded. “show courage” and take meas- sides, but the Palestinians have tinians, a statement from the Egyptian presidency “destabilising” while calling for a resumption of to Israel!” Tens of thousands have also ures to restart long-stalled Is- not been convinced. said. long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian talks. Further protests were held in demonstrated in Middle Eastern raeli-Palestinian peace eff orts, Many analysts have ques- Palestinian Presidency Spokesman Nabil Hezbollah, which fought a war with Israel in Iran and the Palestinian territo- and Muslim nations. including freezing settlement tioned how a fair peace proc- Abu Rdainah said there would be an Arab move 2006, organised a demonstration in Beirut that saw ries. Palestinian leaders have been construction in the West Bank. ess could be possible after such to preserve the rights of the Palestinian people tens of thousands chanting “Death to America!” In Tehran, a few hundred outraged by Trump’s move, but Yesterday’s talks with EU for- a major concession was made soon. and “Death to Israel!” diehard Iranian conservatives they also face difficult choices eign ministers was the fi rst such without seeming to demand an- AFP adds from Jerusalem: The Middle East saw Further protests were held in Iran and the Pales- rallied against Israel and said in how to respond since they meeting with an Israeli premier in ything in return. a fi fth day of protests on yesterday over Trump’s tinian territories.

TREMOR Quake hits border province in Iran More than 8mn Yemenis Russian president orders A tremor shook Kermanshah province in western Iran near Iraq’s border yesterday, causing panic a ‘a step away from famine’ month after a major quake killed partial troop withdrawal hundreds of people there, state media and off icials said. Two hours Reuters after the tremor the state broad- Geneva AFP And completed brilliantly.” Putin said last month caster, quoting the head of the crisis Moscow that efforts to end the war were entering a “new management cell in Kermanshah stage” as the focus shifted from military inter- province, said there were no reports arring sides must vention to political reforms. of damage or deaths. The Univer- let more aid get resident Vladimir Putin made his fi rst visit to He said both Hmeimim and Russia’s naval fa- sity of Tehran’s seismology centre Wthrough to 8.4mn Syria yesterday and ordered the partial with- cility in Tartus would continue to function and said a 6.0-magnitude quake shook people who are “a step away Pdrawal of Russian troops from the war-torn warned that Russia would repel any fresh attacks the area while the US Geological from famine” in Yemen, a country, saying their task had been largely com- by militants. Survey put it at 5.4. The epicentre senior UN offi cial said yes- pleted. “If terrorists rear their heads again we will in- was in Iraq’s Halabja, some 20kms terday. Putin, who announced last week he would seek flict the blows that they have not seen yet,” he north of the Iranian town of Ezgeleh A Saudi-led military coa- a fourth term in a poll in March, was welcomed said. in Kermanshah province. lition fi ghting the Houthi at Russia’s Hmeimim airbase by Syrian President Putin made the Syria stopover, the first by a On November 12 a major 7.3-mag- movement in Yemen’s civil Bashar al-Assad on the surprise stopover. Russian head of state since then president Dmit- nitude quake killed 620 people in war blockaded ports last The two men were pictured smiling and hugging, ry Medvedev visited in 2010, en route to Egypt Kermanshah province, according month after a missile was with Putin hailing a “signifi cant result of our joint where he arrived later. to the latest death toll provided yes- fi red towards Riyadh. A medical orderly checking on a Yemeni man who was injured work”. The Kremlin strongman thanked the troops terday by Tasnim news agency. The Jamie McGoldrick, the hu- from the fighting between forces loyal to the Saudi-backed In a televised speech to Russian troops, Putin for defending Russia from terrorism and helping quake claimed eight lives in Iraq. manitarian co-ordinator for Yemeni president and the Houthi rebels, as he lies on a said he had ordered his Defence Minister Sergei Syria remain a “sovereign independent state”. The Kermanshah quake left more Yemen, said the blockade has hospital bed in the town of Khokha. Shoigu to start a partial withdrawal. He said the conflict proved that Russia’s armed than 12,000 people injured and since been eased, but the sit- “I have taken a decision: a signifi cant part of the forces, including intelligence officers, pilots, thousands homeless, and came at uation remained dire. tions and to provide health, Saudi state television said Russian troop contingent located in Syria is return- sailors, special forces, military police, sappers the start of the cold season in the “The continuing blockade safe water, food, shelter and yesterday a UN delegation of ing home to Russia,” he said in a televised speech at and military advisers, were on top form, and he mountainous region. The area has of ports is limiting supplies nutrition support,” he added. experts has arrived in Riyadh the base in Latakia province, a government strong- also praised the country’s defence industry. seen some 1,200 aftershocks since of fuel, food and medicines; That marked an increase to meet the coalition and hold. “Our homeland thanks you, my friends,” last month, most of them below mag- dramatically increasing the from past UN estimates of the Yemeni government the Russia first intervened in the conflict in 2015, he said.”Have a safe trip. I thank you for your nitude 4, Mehr news agency reported number of vulnerable people around 8mn people on the coalition supports “to pre- staging air strikes in support of its ally Damascus service.”Putin also inspected the troops who on Saturday. Yesterday’s tremor who need help,” McGoldrick brink of famine. vent the transfer of weapons targeting both the Islamic State group (IS) and goose-stepped to the tune of a popular Soviet- sparked panic among the population said in a statement. The coalition accuses Iran and rockets to Houthis”. The other militants as well as rebels fighting govern- era song about World War II, and held talks with of Kermanshah, causing heavy traff ic “The lives of millions of of sending weapons to its United Nations says food ment troops. Assad. The Syrian leader expressed his “deep in the city as citizens rushed to the people, including 8.4mn Houthi allies, including mis- shortages caused by the war- Putin said the troops had helped the Syrian gratitude” for Russia’s role in the conflict. street, local media reported. Iran sits Yemenis who are a step away sile parts, through Yemen’s ring parties blocking supplies army crush the “most battle-ready group of in- “The Syrians will never forget what the Rus- on top of two major tectonic plates from famine, hinge on our main Hodeidah port, were has created the world’s worst ternational terrorists,” apparently referring to IS. sian forces did,” official Syria media quoted him and sees frequent seismic activity. ability to continue our opera- most food supplies enter. humanitarian crisis. “On the whole the task has been completed. as saying. Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 AFRICA

Clashes in C Africa Rally for kidnapped Nigerians threaten peace plan

AFP Meanwhile, a clash between Libreville two armed groups killed four people in the Muslim quarter of Bangui on Monday, security of- lans by Central African fi cials said. Republic’s beleaguered The United Nations peace- Pgovernment to reas- keeping force MONUSCO and sert control in the north of the CAR security forces intervened country were in diffi culties yes- to restore calm, UN spokesman terday after clashes marred the Vladimir Monteiro told AFP. return of the state’s top repre- Calm has since been restored sentative to a key city. to the neighbourhood, spokes- Colonel Augustin Tombou man Vladimir Monteiro from was formally installed on Sat- the UN’s peacekeeping force urday as prefect in the town of MONUSCO told AFP. Kaga-Bandoro — a politically One of the poorest countries important step in the strat- in the world, CAR has been riv- egy to restore state authority in en by confl ict between nomi- strife-torn provinces. nally Muslim and Christian But sources reported a surge militias, which started after the of violence, including mortar 2013 overthrow of leader Fran- rounds fi red against UN peace- cois Bozize. keepers, gunfi re targeting a Bangui is relatively calm, but camp for displaced people and a most of the rest of the country grenade that was thrown during is in the hands of militia groups, Tombou’s induction ceremony. who fi ght over resources such Tombou’s residence was as diamonds and cattle. “partially destroyed” and the More than three quarters of prefecture itself was burned the country’s 4.7mn inhabit- down, Jean-Serge Bokassa, ants live in extreme poverty, ac- minister of territorial decen- cording to the World Bank. tralisation and administration, The latest clashes took place told AFP by phone yesterday. in an area dominated by two The prefect has been taken to armed groups — the Popular a secure location but does not Front for the Rebirth of Central have the means to exercise his Africa (FPRC) and the Move- duties, he said. ment for Peace in Central Africa Members of the Bring Back Our Girls BBOG campaign group are seen during a rally for the kidnapped University lecturers and Lassa women in Abuja. “We are looking at urgent (MPC). steps for enabling the prefect’s Both are off shoots of the pro- proper deployment,” he said. Muslim Seleka rebel alliance, A vehicle owned by an aid which overthrew Bozize and organisation was carjacked by was forced out in turn by inter- armed men, and another was national military intervention. looted, a source with an NGO in “We do not accept prefects the capital Bangui said. who are military,” said Fadoul “What worries us is that if Bachar of the FPRC via the this situation continues, aid messaging application What- workers will have to pull out sapp. “If they are civilians, no once more,” the source said, re- problem, if they are military, ferring to a wave of attacks on we will oppose them fi ercely.” Calls for army as SA NGOs. I Coast off ers $26,000 gang violence spirals to reduce army size Soldiers were sent into the Cape Flats were caused by gang violence, although dren as young as 12 years old are recruit- pecially a gang that calls themselves the in 2015 the fi gure is believed to be higher. ed into gangs. Americans. According to media reports, more Gang membership in Western Cape Dozens of other gangs have sprung up Reuters would receive a payment of AFP than 50 people, mostly residents caught is estimated at over 100,000 — creating like the Sexy Boys, Dixie Boys and Clever Abidjan 15mn CFA francs. Manenberg, South Africa in the crossfi re, have been killed in the a culture of violence that echoes inter- Kids who battle with the numbers gangs Diplomats said the move sig- Cape Flats over the past fi ve months. national crime syndicates in the United — the 26s and 28s — which originate nalled that the government was The low-lying Cape Flats, set between States and South America. from prison. vory Coast will pay thou- beginning to implement a mili- ith rifl es raised, South Afri- Cape Town and the picturesque wine- Manenberg, the stronghold of the “Many young people are lured into sands of soldiers 15mn CFA tary reform law. can police speed through the lands region, is home to a mostly mixed- notorious Hard Livings gang, has the gangs, as a result people get into trouble Ifrancs ($25,782) each as part According to a copy of the Wstreets of Manenberg, re- race population — known as Coloureds reputation of being South Africa’s “gang for hanging out with their school friends of buy-outs aimed at reduc- law seen by Reuters, 4,400 sponding to yet another call to quell vio- — where gangsterism is concentrated. capital”. without knowing that they are gang ing the size of its unruly and troops are to leave the army lence in one of the country’s most mur- Local residents bear the brunt of Western Cape Premier Helen Zille has members,” 17-year-old Linden Brown mutiny-prone military, docu- over four years. derous ganglands. gang-related crime as gang members asked for military assistance to support from Manenberg said. ments showed yesterday. Ivory Ivory Coast’s army was Arriving in this drab suburb of the wage turf wars and retaliatory attacks on the police. In October, an alleged gang leader was Coast was hit earlier this year thrown together from rival tourist city of Cape Town, a dead body is rivals. “By bringing in the army, the soldiers shot four times outside the Cape Town by successive uprisings by low- loyalist and rebel factions at found lying in the road — the aftermath One elderly man was shot and killed in will be given the same powers as police, International Airport terminal, in full ranking troops. the end of a 2011 civil war that of a battle between rival gangs. October on his way to collect his month- not act as soldiers in a war,” she said. view of travellers and no one has been The costly bonuses paid to brought President Alassane On the chaotic street, small children ly social grant payout, and a mother was “What worries me the most about this arrested for the shooting. end the unrest helped balloon Ouattara to power after his peek at the corpse as police shout at on- fatally wounded by a stray bullet while culture of gangsterism and violence is Back in 1996, notorious leader of the the budget defi cit this year, and predecessor Laurent Gbagbo lookers, ordering them to move on. chatting to a friend outside her house in the seemingly endless fl ow of fi rearms Hard Livings, Rashaad Staggie, was shot the episode tarnished its image rejected his defeat in a 2010 Sporadic gun battles in gang hotspots September. and illicit substances.” and set alight by a community mob in as one of the continent’s rising run-off election. It remains around the Cape Flats area have in- Arrests are few, and police action is South African President Jacob Zuma is the streets of Salt River, in what was seen economic stars. plagued by internal divisions. creased and prompted authorities to call often too late. expected to make a decision on the army as one of the toughest stands against The government said last Diplomats and analysts say for an army intervention as the over- The lucrative drug trade business, deployment soon. gangsterism. week that it would retire around the force is bloated with un- whelmed police fi ght for control. goods smuggling and protection rackets Soldiers were last sent into the Cape According to criminologist Don Pin- 1,000 soldiers by the end of the qualifi ed personnel and vulner- “There is nothing we can do, except are the main source of income for gangs. Flats in May 2015, following a surge in nock, the gangs in Cape Town’s previ- year as part of eff orts to bring able to manipulation. to keep away from the streets,” said “I think they have outsmarted the violent crimes. ously marginalised areas were bred by the force — estimated at about An adviser to Parliament 71-year-old Manenberg resident Keenan police, they are more organised,” said In several neighbourhoods in the Cape the inequality of the apartheid system. 25,000 troops — in line with Speaker Guillaume Soro, con- Willemse from the doorstep of his house. Faldiela de Vries, a co-founder of the Flats like Bishop Lavis, Hannover Park, “For as long as there is a problem of “accepted standards”. sidered a leading candidate to “When the shooting starts, we stay Manenberg People’s Centre, a commu- Mitchells Plain and Elsies River mostly poverty, guns and drugs, gangsterism A spokesman did not say replace term-limited President indoors. We have almost become pris- nity action group. under-age boys are used as drug runners will be hard to eradicate,” said Pinnock, last week how much the sol- Ouattara in 2020, was arrested oners in our own homes. The streets are “What is more frightening is that and to hide weapons. based at the University of Cape Town. diers would receive under the in October after a secret arms bad.” the age of the perpetrators has become The Hard Livings gang, one of the “Gangs are admired by youngsters voluntary scheme. However, a cache at his home helped mu- Recent offi cial crime statistics re- younger,” she told AFP. oldest organised crime groups, use the who lack social stability and have little document obtained by Reuters tinying soldiers halt a loyalist vealed that nearly 20% of murders re- “In the 1980s they were in their 30s British Union Jack as their fl ag and have prospects in life. That is one of the things stated that each retired soldier advance. ported in the Western Cape province and 40s,” she said, adding that now chil- rivals spread across the Cape Flats, es- that makes it so hard to eradicate.” Petrol on demand Six killed in Boko Haram ambushes

AFP fence force gave a similar account and the Nganzai district of Borno, some 80 Kano, Nigeria death toll, and said the jihadists made km north of Maiduguri. off with weapons before reinforce- Troops had been sent to the village, ments arrived. which is the birthplace of Borno state t least six soldiers died in two He added: “Two soldiers died on governor Kashim Shettima, two years separate Boko Haram ambushes Saturday when the six vehicles they ago but soldiers were withdrawn last Ain northeast Nigeria, military travelling in came under heavy attack week, locals said. and civilian militia sources said yes- from Boko Haram near Bulaburin (vil- One of the displaced, Idrissa Karim, terday. lage).” fl ed with others to Gajiram, the district Four troops were killed and 12 in- The attacks came days after the mili- headquarters, as fears spread of a pos- jured on Sunday when their convoy tary replaced the offi cer leading troops sible attack. was attacked near Damboa, 90km from fi ghting Boko Haram following a surge A bus driver who plies the route from Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. in attacks, including against military the garrison town of Monguno to Mai- Two soldiers were killed in the same outposts. duguri, which passes through Birimari area on Saturday, the sources told AFP, The army maintains the redeploy- and Gajiram, confi rmed the displaced speaking on condition of anonymity ment of Major-General Ibrahim Atta- people had moved on. as they were not allowed to talk to the hiru was routine, and the offi cer him- “The IDPs (internally displaced per- media. self said suggestions he was sacked are sons) were packing their tents and few A military offi cer in Maiduguri said “far from the truth”. He said in his fare- belongings from the camp at Birimari Sunday’s ambush happened when well speech to troops yesterday that his and heading to Gajiram for fear of Boko troops were on patrol between the vil- move was “a normal exercise” and his Haram attack after soldiers left the vil- lages of Nyeneri and Falawani. redeployment to army headquarters in lage,” the driver said. “The terrorists came in huge num- Abuja was a “call to higher responsibil- As well as leaving at least 20,000 bers and attacked the convoy using ity”. dead, the eight-year confl ict has forced IEDs (improvised explosive devices) Meanwhile, hundreds of people millions from their homes. IDPs re- A petrol hawker pours petrol into a car in Abuja, Nigeria. and gun trucks,” he added. displaced by the violence deserted a main vulnerable because of a lack of A member of the civilian self-de- makeshift camp in Birimari village, in security in camps and elsewhere. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 17 AMERICA Man sets off home-made bomb inside New York commuter hub The Bangladeshi youth was a US resident who came to America seven years ago

Reuters New York

Bangladeshi man with a home- made bomb strapped to his body Aset off an explosion at a New York commuter hub during rush hour yesterday, wounding himself and three others in what New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called an attempted terrorist at- tack. The suspect in the incident at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, a block from Times Square, was identifi ed as Akayed Ullah, the New York Police De- partment commissioner said. The suspect had burns and lacera- tions while three other people, includ- ing a police offi cer, sustained minor Left: New York City Police Department off icers and other first responders work injuries. at the scene. Above: Port Authority Police watch as people evacuate at the Port Ullah is from the Bangladeshi city of Authority Bus Terminal. Chittagong and is a US resident, said the country’s police chief. ence outside the home. often draw crowds. He had no criminal record there and First reports of the incident began The incident rippled through Ameri- last visited Bangladesh on September 8, soon after 7am (1200 GMT). New York can fi nancial markets, briefl y weaken- the chief said. in December sees a surge of visitors who ing equity markets as they were starting Ullah had a black cab/limousine come to see elaborate store displays, the trading for the week and giving a mod- driver’s licence from 2012 to 2015, after Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and est lift to safe-haven assets such as US which it expired, the New York Taxi and Broadway shows. Treasuries. Limousine Commission said. The bus terminal is the busiest in the S&P 500 index emini futures dipped The weapon was based on a pipe United States, according to the Port in the moments after the initial reports bomb and fi xed to the suspect with zip intelligence and counterterrorism. showed smoke and a man lying in the like six people, running like nuts. A Authority. of an explosion, but major stock index- ties and Velcro, police said. Miller cited the attacks of September tunnel that connects sections of the woman fell. No one even went to stop On a typical weekday, about 220,000 es later opened slightly higher. New York state Governor Andrew 11, 2001, that killed more than 2,750 Times Square subway station and the and help her because the panic was so passengers arrive or depart on more On the West Coast, the Los Angeles Cuomo, speaking at a news conference people in New York and nearly 3,000 bus station. scary.” than 7,000 buses. County Metropolitan Transportation near the site, described the device as people total; and the World Trade A photograph showed a man lying The bus terminal was temporarily More than 200,000 people use the authority asked law enforcement for “amateur-level”. Center bombing of February 26, 1993, facedown, with tattered clothes and shut down and a large swath of mid- Times Square station, the city’s busiest, heightened security along bus and rail De Blasio told the same news confer- which killed six people. burns on his torso. town Manhattan was closed to traffi c. each weekday, according to the Metro- lines as a precaution. ence that the incident, which happened “In the course of the post-9/11 “There was a stampede up the stairs Subway train service returned to politan Transportation Authority. The incident occurred less than two at the start of the city’s rush hour, was world, as you are aware, there’s also to get out,” said one commuter, Diego normal after earlier disruptions. The bus terminal is connected to the months after an Uzbek immigrant killed “an attempted terrorist attack”. been approximately 26 plots that we Fernandez. “Everybody was scared and WABC reported the suspect was Times Square subway station — which eight people by speeding a rental truck “As New Yorkers our lives revolve can talk about that have been prevented running and shouting.” in his 20s and that he has been in the serves 10 train lines — through a long, down a New York City bike path, in an around the subways. When we hear of through intelligence, investigation and Alicja Wlodkowski, a Pennsylvania United States for seven years and has narrow below-ground tunnel that car- attack for which Islamic State claimed an attack in the subways, it is incredibly intervention.” resident in New York for the day, was an address in New York’s Brooklyn bor- ries thousands of commuters during responsibility. unsettling,” de Blasio said. The incident was captured on secu- sitting in a restaurant in the bus termi- ough. rush hour. In September 2016, a man injured New York City was a target, said John rity video, police said. nal. Police shut down the entire block Buskers and other entertain- 31 people when he set off a homemade Miller, deputy police commissioner of Video posted on NYPost.com “Suddenly, I saw a group of people, and there was a heavy police pres- ers at entrances to the tunnel bomb in New York’s Chelsea district. Last winter President records Moore ‘robo-call’

Reuters ed momentum ahead of the Moore’s campaign has cast Alabama November 2018 congressional Jones as a liberal out of step with elections, when control of both Alabama voters, seizing on his chambers of Congress will be at support of abortion rights. resident Donald Trump stake. Many Republican offi cials in has sought to boost Re- Jones has spent the past week Alabama, including Governor Ppublican US Senate can- rallying African-Americans, the Kay Ivey, say they will vote for didate Roy Moore by releasing most reliably Democratic vot- Moore. a recorded phone call on his ers in the state, and hammering But the state’s senior Repub- behalf in the fi nal stretch of a Moore in television ads. He held lican senator, Richard Shelby, bitter Alabama election fi ght a series of get-out-the-vote ral- said he did not vote for Moore marked by accusations of sexual lies across the state on Sunday. and instead backed a write-in misconduct against Moore. “This campaign, ladies and candidate.”I think the women Moore, a 70-year-old con- gentlemen, is on the right side are believable,” Shelby told servative Christian and former of history for the state of Ala- CNN on Sunday. state judge, will face off in to- bama,” Jones told supporters in Moore may fi nd a chilly re- day’s election against Demo- Birmingham on Sunday. ception in Washington if he crat Doug Jones, a 63-year-old Moore has maintained a low wins. former US attorney. profi le, refusing interview re- Republican Senator Tim Scott On Monday, the eve of the quests and holding few public told NBC’s Meet the Press on election, the Moore campaign events. He planned an election- Sunday that the chamber would was scheduled to roll out a eve rally with former White “immediately” subject Moore to Kandy Freeman takes part in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City on January 14. This photo was taken “robo-call” with Trump’s voice House strategist Steve Bannon, an ethics investigation. across the street from Trump Tower in New York City just days before Trump’s inauguration. telling voters that if they do not who has been one of Moore’s Democrats have signalled support the Republican candi- most ardent backers. that they may use Moore’s date, progress on his agenda will Moore got a formal endorse- election to tar Republicans as be “stopped cold”. ment last week from Trump, insensitive to women’s con- The US Senate race in deeply who also had to battle accusa- cerns at a time when allega- conservative Alabama has di- tions of sexual harassment dur- tions of sexual harassment vided Trump’s Republican Par- ing his 2016 presidential race. have caused many prominent Trump denies watching 4-8 hours of TV a day ty. Trump has denied the allega- men working in entertain- While Trump is backing tions. ment, media and business to Moore, many other national Trump underscored his sup- lose their jobs. AFP tate magnate often fi res off early kissed her on the mouth after accountable for their reprehensi- Republicans, including Senate port for Moore at a rally on Fri- Allegations of sexual mis- Washington morning tweets that react to ca- she introduced herself to him ble behaviour.” Majority Leader Mitch McCon- day night in Pensacola, Florida, conduct prompted the resig- ble TV news stories, often those at Trump Tower in 2005, urged Leeds says she was groped by nell, distanced themselves from near the Alabama state line, nations last week of three law- on Fox News. lawmakers to “put aside their Trump on a commercial fl ight, while Moore after he was accused last where he said Jones would be a makers — Democratic Senator resident Donald Trump Trump, 71, is sensitive to criti- party affi liations and investigate Holvey alleges Trump behaved in- month by several women of “total puppet” of Senate Demo- Al Franken, Democratic Rep- yesterday denied a New cism on the subject. Mr Trump’s history of sexual appropriately when she was a con- pursuing them when they were cratic leader Chuck Schumer resentative John Conyers and PYork Times story on his “I do not watch much televi- misconduct”. testant in his Miss USA pageant, by teenagers and he was in his 30s. and House of Representatives Republican Representative daily White House life that says sion,” Trump told reporters on “I want to believe that as coming backstage as she and others One woman accused him of Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi. Trent Franks. he watches up to eight hours of his recent trip to Vietnam. Americans we can put aside our were in states of undress. trying to seduce her when she cable TV news a day. “I know they like to say — peo- political inclinations and admit The White House swiftly dis- was 14. Moore has denied any “Another false story, this time ple that don’t know me — they that some things in fact do tran- missed as “false” the claims by misconduct. Reuters has not in- in the Failing @nytimes, that I like to say I watch television. scend politics,” she told a forum the three women, who also ap- dependently verifi ed any of the watch 4-8 hours of television a People with fake sources — you in New York, where she appeared peared on national television accusations. day — Wrong!” the US president know, fake reporters, fake sourc- alongside fellow accusers Jessica NBC earlier yesterday to share Opinion polls show Moore wrote on Twitter. es. But I don’t get to watch much Leeds and Samantha Holvey. their stories more than a year af- with a narrow lead in the South- “Also, I seldom, if ever, watch television, primarily because of Leeds said the accusations ter they fi rst came forward. ern state, which Trump won CNN or MSNBC, both of which documents. I’m reading docu- that have surfaced in the wake of “These false claims, totally by 28 percentage points over I consider Fake News,” he added. ments a lot.” the allegations against disgraced disputed in most cases by eye- Democrat Hillary Clinton in last Trump then described CNN Later in the trip he complained Hollywood fi lm mogul Harvey witness accounts, were ad- year’s presidential election. news anchor Don Lemon as a that the only US cable TV news Weinstein was evidence that dressed at length during last The allegations have given person “I once called the ‘dumb- available to watch in the Philip- some sexual predators were now year’s campaign, and the Ameri- new hope to Jones, who has est man on television!’” pines was CNN. being held accountable. can people voiced their judgment touted his record that includes A lengthy New York Times Three women who claim they “But we are not holding our by delivering a decisive victory,” a prosecuting former Ku Klux story over the weekend, citing were sexually harassed by Donald president accountable for what White House spokesperson said. Klan members responsible for a sources close to the president, Trump called on the US Congress he is and who he is,” she told the “The timing and absurdity of 1963 bombing of a black church says that Trump gets up early in to investigate the president’s forum. these false claims speaks vol- in which four girls were killed. the morning and immediately behaviour and allegations of his Crooks voiced hope “that we umes and the publicity tour that If Jones wins yesterday, Re- tunes into the cable TV news and misconduct. will hold Mr Trump to the same has begun only further confi rms publicans would control the commentary shows. Rachel Crooks, who claims standard of Harvey Weinstein the political motives behind Senate by a slim 51-49 margin, Supporters cheer as US President Donald Trump travels through The former New York real es- the real estate magnate forcibly and the other men who were held them.” giving Democrats much-need- West Palm Beach, Florida. Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA NZ appoints ex-central banker Orr as new Reserve Bank governor

Reuters land (RBNZ) on March 27, Finance wider focus for monetary policy the government.” Robertson said Robertson. As well as his stint Wellington Minister Grant Robertson said in and holding off on any radical in the statement that the laws to as deputy governor, Orr served an e-mailed statement. shake-ups. Those skills would be change the bank’s mandate would as chief economist at the RBNZ The announcement drove the important as Orr seeks to tamp likely not be in force by March, between 1997 to 2000, a period he New Zealand govern- New Zealand dollar up by 0.7 per- down any perceived political in- but the policy target agreement Reddell described as the “hey- ment yesterday named cent to a fi ve-day high of $0.6905. fl uence in managing monetary between him and Orr would be day” of strict infl ation target- Tpension fund chief Adrian Orr served as deputy governor of policy. “developed in a manner consist- ing. Orr’s later tenure at the New Orr as the nation’s new central the RBNZ for four years before The government’s junior coali- ent with the direction of reform.” Zealand superannuation fund has bank governor, sharply lifting the joining the New Zealand Super tion partner, New Zealand First, In November, Robertson told been highly regarded by econo- local dollar as markets bet a radi- Fund in 2007. had favoured lowering the local Reuters that willingness to focus mists and fi nancial markets. cal shake-up of monetary policy Dominick Stephens, chief currency to boost exports. “His on lifting employment, along- The NZ$37bn ($25.55bn) fund will be avoided when changes economist at Westpac, said mar- strength is communications,” side infl ation, would be key in has generated 9% annualised re- come into force next year. kets welcomed Orr’s appoint- said Michael Reddell, a former accepting the RBNZ’s choice for turns over the past 10 years, ac- Orr will play a crucial role in a ment, adding that he was unlikely RBNZ offi cial who served with the next governor. “I’m delighted cording to the October perform- key period of the central bank’s to veer away dramatically from Orr on its monetary policy com- the Board has been able to secure ance report. Grant Spencer, who history, as the new Labour-led the infl ation target. “He’s an ex- Adrian Orr mittee in the 1990s. a Governor with such a strong was appointed acting governor government plans to add maxim- tremely accomplished econo- “He’ll be able to tell a good track record of delivery and pub- after Graeme Wheeler stepped ising employment to the bank’s mist, he’s got lots of experience employment that will shape the get in 1989. Many economists say story about how the Reserve Bank lic service....Further, I consider down in September at the end of objectives alongside its infl ation at the Reserve Bank and he’s un- RBNZ’s fresh mandate marks a Orr would be able to skilfully walk fi ts into what the government’s that he has the skills necessary his fi ve-year term, will continue target. Orr will take up the role likely I think to allow infl ation out shift for the fi rst central bank to the line between acknowledg- trying to achieve, in that sense to successfully lead the Bank in that role until Orr takes up the at the Reserve Bank of New Zea- of the box.” The greater focus on introduce an offi cial infl ation tar- ing the Labour-led government’s it’s probably a political win for through a period of change,” said top job in 2018. US, S Korea, Japan start missile-tracking drill

AFP Seoul Members of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces’ honour guard prepare for a ceremony for General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of he US, South Korea and Ja- the Armed Forces of Russia, at the Defence Ministry in Tokyo, Japan. pan started joint exercises Tyesterday to track missiles era in Tokyo and reiterated that Last month’s launch was the from North Korea, Seoul’s mili- Moscow wanted to resolve the fi rst test of any kind since Sep- tary said, following the nuclear- crisis via diplomacy. “We believe tember 15, and quashed hopes armed Pyongyang’s longest- that this issue should only be re- that the North may have held range test launch to date. solved through political and dip- back in order to open the door to a The trilateral drill comes less lomatic means,” Gerasimov was negotiated solution to the nucle- than two weeks after Pyongyang quoted as saying by the Russian ar standoff . The North’s leader test-fi red a new intercontinental defence ministry. Kim Jong-un has traded threats ballistic missile (ICBM) and de- Exercises around North Ko- of war and personal insults with clared it had achieved nuclear rea “destabilise the situation”, US President Donald Trump, statehood, escalating global Gerasimov said, according to a heightening fears of another war alarm over its weapons push. Japanese defence ministry of- on the peninsula once devastated The two-day exercise — the fi cial. Onodera, however, also by the 1950-53 Korean War. sixth since June last year — kicked stressed Japan’s position: “North The South condemned the off in waters near the Korean pe- Korea’s nuclear and missile de- launch and yesterday imposed ninsula and Japan, Seoul’s de- velopment are signifi cant threats new unilateral sanctions on its fence ministry said. “During the against the international com- neighbour. Pyongyang regularly drill, Aegis warships from each munity. I want us to co-operate condemns joint exercises by the country will simulate detecting over this problem.” US and its neighbours as prepa- and tracking down potential bal- Tension fl ared anew in the rations for war. But Onodera said listic missiles from the North and fl ashpoint peninsula after the Sunday: “It is North Korea that sharing information,” it said in a November 29 launch of the Hwa- is raising tensions. No one in the statement. song-15 ICBM, which the North world — me, Prime Minister Abe, Two US ships are taking part, claimed could deliver a “super- President Trump or Defence Sec- with one each from the two large heavy warhead” anywhere retary Mattis— is hoping to have Asian countries. Both South Ko- on the US mainland. Many ana- confl icts.” rea and Japan have security al- lysts suggest that the rocket is “If North Korea promises to liances with the US, although General Valery Gerasimov (left), Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, shakes hands with Japan’s Defence Minister Itsunori capable of reaching the US main- abandon nuclear and missile their own relationship is marred Onodera during their meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tokyo, Japan. land but voiced scepticism that programmes, that will lead to di- by disputes over history and ter- Pyongyang has mastered the ad- alogue,” he added while visiting ritory. Washington and Seoul against the North, which is sub- nuclear weapons programmes. Pyongyang but has so far found Moscow. Russia’s top general vanced technology needed to al- an army base in northern Japan staged their biggest-ever joint air ject to multiple sets of UN sanc- The coalition has urged others lukewarm reactions from the Valery Gerasimov met Japanese low the rocket to survive re-entry to observe a separate Japan-US drill last week in a show of force tions over its ballistic missile and to take a tougher stance against North’s main backers Beijing and Defence Minister Itsunori Onod- to the Earth’s atmosphere. drill. US citizen on the run after China accuses Australian media of paranoia DPA in the People’s Daily, the offi cial in Australia’s internal aff airs and berra for his remarks, the prime Beijing mouthpiece of the Chinese Com- has no intention of infl uenc- minister doubled down on his busting out of Bali prison munist Party, yesterday. It added ing Australia’s political process criticism of Beijing. Australia’s current reporting and through political contributions,” “There has been foreign in- eijing has accused the Aus- “racial paranoia tarnished Aus- it said. terference in Australian politics, Reuters escaped without being detect- joying life in various parts of tralian media of paranoid tralia’s image as a multicultural The article comes after Aus- plainly,” Turnbull told reporters Denpasar ed. Beasley, 32, from California, the world, in purported posts on Band racist reporting on society.” tralian Prime Minister Malcolm in Sydney on Saturday, accord- is believed to have then used a Facebook. China, amid growing concerns in The op-ed also accused the Turnbull last week said his gov- ing to the Australian Associated rope to climb down a wall before Kerobokan has housed a Australia over Chinese interfer- Australian media of slandering ernment took “very seriously” Press. ndonesian police are hunt- getting over a perimeter wall in number of well-known for- ence. thousands of overseas Chinese media reports that the Chinese Fears of Chinese interfer- ing for a US citizen who an area being refurbished. eign drug convicts, including “[We] suggest the Australian who live and study in Australia Communist Party had attempted ence have been revived in recent Iescaped yesterday from Police had questioned wit- Australian Schappelle Corby, government and the media that and fabricating stories about to infl uence Australian media, weeks, after opposition senator an overcrowded prison on the nesses and guards and were whose 12-1/2-year sentence for they should uphold the princi- Chinese students interfering universities and politics. He also Sam Dastyari was demoted fol- holiday island of Bali by cutting hunting for Beasley, Hananta marijuana smuggling got huge ple of truth from facts and reject with free speech on Australian said his government would in- lowing revelations that he tipped through steel bars in a ceiling, said. Another American, Paul media attention. Indonesia has political prejudices and paranoia campuses and Beijing’s inter- troduce new laws to ban foreign off a Chinese businessman that the jail’s second breakout of for- Anthony Hoff man, 57, was executed several foreign drug when handling relations with ference in local politics. “China political donations. his phone was being tapped by eign inmates this year. captured while also trying to convicts in recent years. China,” according to an op-ed has no intention of interfering After China reproached Can- intelligence agencies. The Kerobokan prison, about escape, Hananta said. Repre- Indonesian prisons are often 10km from the main tourist sentatives of Beasley and Hoff - overcrowded, partly because a beaches in the Kuta area, often man could not immediately be war on drugs led by the govern- holds foreigners facing drug- reached for comment. ment of President Joko Widodo related charges. In June, an Australian, a Bul- has led to a surge in the number Flooded streets in Jakarta Cristian Beasley, who was garian, an Indian and a Malay- of people locked up. a suspect in crimes related to sian tunnelled to freedom about As of June, Kerobokan housed narcotics but had not been 12m under the prison’s walls. 1,378 inmates, more than four sentenced, escaped at 4.10am, The Indian and the Bulgar- times its planned capacity of said Badung Police chief Yudith ian were caught soon after in 323, government data show. Satria Hananta. neighbouring East Timor, but Prison escapes are fairly “It is thought that the prison- Australian Shaun Edward Dav- common in Indonesia, which er escaped ... by cutting through idson and Malaysian Tee Kok launched an investigation this the steel bars above the ceiling,” King remain at large. year after about 350 inmates he said in a statement, without Davidson has taunted au- broke out of a prison on the is- giving details of how Beasley thorities by saying he was en- land of Sumatra.

Indonesia arrests more than a dozen in terror sweep

More than a dozen people have the groups we believe will attack in the Indonesian city been arrested by Indonesian potentially commit an act (of of Bandung, where a pressure anti-terrorism police, authorities terror),” national police chief cooker bomb exploded in a park said yesterday, as they beef up Tito Karnavian said yesterday. before a gun battle erupted security in the world’s biggest The arrests took place in South nearby, leaving one militant Muslim-majority country ahead Sumatra, East Java and West dead. of the Christmas and New Kalimantan over the weekend. However, authorities have no Year holidays. Police said they One of the men arrested in specific information on a new detained 13 suspected militants Surabaya, Indonesia’s second- planned attack, said national in separate, pre-emptive raids biggest city, was known to have police spokesman Setyo Wasisto. over the weekend across gone to Syria in 2013 and has “There’s no confirmed plan for a the Southeast Asian nation, links to Abu Jandal, an influential terror attack that we have heard which has long struggled with Indonesian militant who fought so far,” he said. militancy. with the Islamic State group Indonesia’s anti-terror squad “As usual, we are conducting in the Middle Eastern country, can detain and hold suspected pre-emptive strikes. We move authorities said. Another suspect extremists for seven days People ride their vehicles through a flooded street at a business district in Jakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. before they do and we arrest was involved in a February terror without charge. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 19 BRITAIN

OBITUARY ROYALTY DECISION PROJECT ACCIDENT Television presenter William and Kate to visit Landfill search for Former Arsenal ground Woman dies after being Chegwin dies aged 60 Sweden and Norway missing airman ends to be 1,500 homes run over four times

Veteran TV presenter Keith Chegwin has died Prince William and his wife Kate, the duchess The search of a landfill site for missing RAF airman Housing association giant Peabody yesterday A woman has died after being run over and then hit aged 60 after a long illness, his family has said. of Cambridge, are to visit Sweden and Norway Corrie Mckeague, who vanished during a night named two builders it will partner to deliver by three more vehicles in a suspected multiple hit They said he had endured a “long-term battle early next year, said Kensington Palace, the out in September 2016, has ended. Police believe nearly 1,800 homes in London, kicking off at and run in south London, police said. The woman, with a progressive lung condition” which “rapidly off ice of the prince. William and Kate, who are Mckeague climbed into a waste bin in Bury St one of Arsenal FC’s former homes. It said listed who is believed to be in her late 20s or early 30s, worsened towards the end of this year”. He died expecting their third child in April, were to visit Edmunds and was taken away by a bin lorry. The Berkeley Homes will create 1,500 properties in was struck by a lorry as she crossed the road at a at home yesterday with his family by his side, Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, on January 30- search of a site at Milton, Cambridgeshire, restarted west Thamesmead on a site that was home to the pedestrian crossing in Tulse Hill just after 6.45am who said they were “heartbroken”. Chegwin 31, a palace statement said yesterday. The royals in October after a search there ended earlier in the Premier League club until 1913 before it headed yesterday. Police believe she was then struck by was known for hosting programmes including then head for Oslo, Norway, where they visit on year. Suff olk Police said “no trace” of the airman to north London. The project is part of a wider another lorry and two cars. None of the drivers children’s game show Cheggers Plays Pop and February 1-2. William recently visited Finland, had been found. The force said it was “content” he regeneration of Thamesmead which is expected stopped. Paramedics from London Ambulance Swap Shop. His career spanned five decades. The which unlike Norway and Sweden is a republic was not in the landfill areas that had been searched to deliver 20,000 new homes. There will be 35% Service initially attended the incident and notified Liverpool-born star began his career as a child and does not have a royal family. His wife did not and the investigation into his disappearance would aff ordable homes in addition to properties for the police. The woman was treated at the scene but actor, starring in films such as Roman Polanski’s accompany him. This will also mark the couple’s continue. Mckeague’s mother, Nicola Urquhart, private sale at the Berkeley part of the scheme. In was pronounced dead at about 7.20am. Detectives Macbeth and TV shows including The Liver Birds, first joint trip abroad since Middleton’s third said by searching the waste site the police had Newham, Peabody has appointed FTSE-250 firm from the Metropolitan police’s roads and transport The Adventures of Black Beauty and Z-Cars. pregnancy was announced in September. given her “immeasurable peace of mind”. Redrow to develop 295 apartments. policing command were investigating.

BA cancels more than Premier hails 100 fl ights due to snow new optimism Guardian News and Media London

housands of British Air- ways customers at Hea- in Brexit Tthrow have had fl ights cancelled again yesterday after disruption from snow and ice at the weekend. The airline, the main operator at the UK’s busiest airport, was particularly impacted after worse talks after deal weather than forecast hit Heath- row from Sunday morning. Reuters later this week,” she said after context and denied he was back- BA cancelled 170 fl ights on London holding a meeting of her Cabinet. ing away from the commitment, Sunday, meaning many planes May will head to Brussels on which the EU described as “a deal and crew were out of position Thursday for a summit meeting between gentlemen”. yesterday. More than 100 fl ights rime Minister Theresa at which she expects the lead- “And it is the clear under- BA were cancelled by yesterday May yesterday hailed “a ers of the other 27 EU states to standing that it is fully backed afternoon. Pnew sense of optimism” in approve an assessment by nego- and endorsed by the UK govern- Heathrow said it was operat- Brexit talks, telling parliament tiators that the sides have made ment,” the European Commis- ing three-quarters of its sched- that Britain and the European “suffi cient progress” to move on sion’s chief spokesman Marga- ule yesterday, although many Union should sign off on a deal at to phase two. ritis Schinas told reporters in fl ights were also delayed. a summit this week “to move for- The deal to launch further Brussels. Passengers shared pictures wards together” to discuss future talks looked in jeopardy a week Davis’ comments may have been on social media showing long trade ties. ago when May was forced to aimed at members of the Northern queues and chaotic scenes in parts May, weakened after losing her abandon a choreographed meet- Irish Democratic Unionist Party, of Heathrow airport on Sunday Conservatives’ majority at a June ing in Brussels intended to seal which props up May’s Conserva- night, with some complaining of election, rescued an agreement the deal after her allies in North- tive minority government in par- a lack of information and com- last week to move the talks to un- ern Ireland expressed fears she liament after the party expressed pensation from BA. Some arrival ravel more than 40 years of union was proposing a special status for concerns about how alignment fl ights were diverted, and those on to a second phase after eas- the region — out of sync with the could work without Britain staying that did land were delayed due to ing the concerns of her Northern rest of the UK. in the EU’s single market and cus- a lack of available stands. Irish allies over the future role of After days of diplomacy, there toms union. The airline, which operates the border with EU member Ire- was a compromise — if no overall Or he may have wanted to ease around half of all fl ights from land. Brexit deal is secured, Britain will the fears of some campaigners Heathrow, promised to rebook But the discussion of Britain’s keep “full alignment” with those for Britain to leave the EU, who passengers on other carriers or trade relationship with the EU rules of the EU’s single market say the possibility of having to via other routes where possible. It after Brexit contains many pit- that help co-operation between follow the bloc’s rules would was off ering refunds to passengers falls and could widen diff erences Ireland’s north and south. mean that they would have Brexit who decided not to travel. among her top team of minis- But those words have rever- in name only. Heathrow urged passengers ters, or Cabinet, over how Britain berated in both London and Bel- But May said the commit- to check the status of their fl ight should look after it leaves the bloc. fast, with Brexit minister David ments made in the fi rst round of with airlines before coming to In a statement to parliament, Davis saying they were more “a talks — which includes a pay- the airport. May took to task those who statement of intent” than a le- ment of £35bn-£39bn over many The disruption, which could doubted that she could move gally binding move. years to meet EU obligations — aff ect up to 50,000 BA passen- the talks beyond the initial stage Davis yesterday told LBC his were necessary to sever ties with gers, has again raised questions of agreeing terms on how much words had been taken out of the bloc. over Heathrow’s preparation for Britain should pay, citizens’ winter. The airport was criti- rights and the border between Govt agrees to more scrutiny of law changes cised in December 2010 when the British province of Northern fi ve inches of snow reduced its Ireland and EU member Ireland. The government will accept EU Withdrawal Bill, saying they operating schedule over fi ve “I have always been clear that a proposal by lawmakers give ministers power to change days, leading to an immedi- this was never going to be an to make sure they can have laws without the agreement of ate announcement of £10mn in easy process. It has required give more oversight of the process parliament. “We have studied snow-clearing equipment. and take for the UK and the EU of severing ties with the the Procedure Committee’s Further investment followed to move forwards together. And European Union, a spokesman report in detail and listened to an inquiry into its winter resil- that is what we have done,” she for Prime Minister Theresa the representations, and we ience, including a doubling of its said. May said yesterday. Several are announcing that we will be snowclearing fl eet to 130 vehi- “Of course, nothing is agreed lawmakers, including members accepting this amendment,” cles. But the comparative rarity until everything is agreed. But of the governing Conservative the spokesman told reporters. of snow at Heathrow has meant there is, I believe, a new sense of Party, have challenged May’s The proposal will add an extra some measures, such as more optimism now in the talks and I government over its plans to layer of parliamentary scrutiny to de-icing equipment beside the A man walks his dog through a snow covered wood near Mold, north Wales, yesterday. The heaviest fully hope and expect that we will copy and paste EU rules into proposed changes from EU law as runways, have not been seen as snowfall to hit Britain in four years caused widespread chaos with roads becoming hazardous and confi rm the arrangements I have British legislation under the they are moved into British law. justifi ed or practicable. flights grounded following runway closures. set out in the European Council Uber’s licence appeal Plant visit Man knifed to death after off -licence row to be heard next year London Evening Standard him moving, they were trying so London desperately hard. They just kept Reuters restrictions and protests, includ- ing on to make sure they are going, they did their best.” London ing by drivers of London’s fa- compliant.” More than 40 people under mous black cabs. “We continue having con- etectives have opened the age of 25 have been killed in At a case management hearing structive discussions with a murder investigation London this year, many of them ber will defend its right yesterday, the chief magistrate at Transport for London in order to Dafter a young man was stabbed to death. to operate in London in Westminster Magistrates’ Court resolve this,” an Uber spokesman stabbed to death following a row A cordon remained in place Ucourt next year after the Emma Arbuthnot said she hoped said ahead of yesterday’s hearing. in an off -licence. around the shops in Bilton Road app was deemed unfi t to run a to hear the appeal over fi ve days “As our new CEO Dara Khos- Police were called to a parade of yesterday as police searched the taxi service and stripped of its from April 30, although the start rowshahi has said, we are deter- shops in a largely residential street area for clues. licence in its most important Eu- date could be pushed back due to mined to make things right.” in Perivale at 8.13pm on Sunday The victim was treated outside ropean market. scheduling clashes. Losing its London licence was after reports of a stabbing. the home of Roshan Lal, who de- Regulator Transport for Lon- Further hearings will take just one of many blows to Uber Offi cers found a 23-year-old scribed the scene as “horrifi c.” don (TfL) shocked the Silicon place next week to decide wheth- this year as a stream of executives man at the scene with a stab He said: “I have lived here for Valley fi rm by rejecting its li- er the GMB trade union and the left amid controversies involving wound to the chest. 15 years but I had never seen any- cence renewal bid in September, London Taxi Drivers’ Association allegations of sexual harassment Witnesses said paramedics, thing like this. Guys hang around citing its approach to reporting can participate in the case. and issues surrounding data pri- including a doctor from the Lon- and have a drink but I have never serious criminal off ences and Months of further legal wran- vacy and business practices. don Air Ambulance, worked for seen violence like this here.” background checks on drivers. gling are likely unless the app, In Britain, Uber is looking to up to an hour in an attempt to Cafe owner Kenny Dodd said: Uber’s 40,000 drivers, rep- valued at around $70bn with appoint a new boss after Jo Ber- save the victim. “We are all a bit shocked. It’s not too resenting around one in three of investors including Goldman tram announced her departure He was taken to hospital but bad around here. There are groups all private hire vehicles on the Sachs, can come to a new ar- less than two weeks after Lon- died at 10.25pm. It is understood who hang around the shops to drink capital’s roads, can continue to rangement with the regulator. don’s decision. the man was stabbed in an off - but no gangs as such. The fi rst we take passengers until the ap- Chief executive Dara Khos- It also faces potential problems licence in Bilton Road and stag- knew was loads of police arriving peals process is exhausted, which rowshahi has apologised to Lon- in Sheffi eld where its licence has gered outside before collapsing on the scene. It was out of the blue could take years. doners and met TfL commis- been suspended and in Brighton, on the pavement. really. There has been petty crime The legal battle pitches one of sioner Mike Brown in October southern England, where local of- Patricia Hidalgo said: “He in the area and some street drinking the world’s richest cities against for what both sides described as fi cials extended the fi rm’s licence was lying on the ground and the but nothing like this.” a tech giant known for its for- constructive talks. for only six months to give them Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visits the Rolls- paramedics were working on him Police have been conducting ays into new markets around the Brown said in November that more time to consider the outcome Royce plant at Inchinnan, Scotland, yesterday. for about an hour. It was really door to door enquiries, and are world that have prompted bans, “there are some discussions go- of the dispute in London. horrible to see. I could not see appealing for witnesses. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 BRITAIN Govt under fi re for failure to rehouse Grenfell survivors

Guardian News and Media day, as the inquiry into the disaster ment must act now to prevent it language that feels transactional, who are the leaders, how they re- relates to the citizens that pay the Prime Minister, Theresa May, London was due to open for two days of from being repeated.” that feels like the local people late to the people in front of them. their taxes and want that repre- promised that all survivors would hearings, the Labour leader said: The Labour MP for Tottenham, are consumers. They’re citizens, And, I have to say, in all my years of sentation.” be found a home nearby within “It is a disgrace that the majority David Lammy, who lost a friend they’re taxpayers, they’re caught public service, there’s something He said council leaders, who three weeks. Last week, Grenfell he failure to rehouse most of Grenfell residents have still not in the fi re, said politicians at the up in tremendous grief,” he said. about the civic that has been lost have come under heavy and United – which supports survi- of the Grenfell Tower fi re been given homes and that tower Royal Borough of Kensington and Asked what the council should here. sustained criticism for their re- vors – said 80% of the families Tsurvivors after six months blocks across our country have still Chelsea council were struggling do to gain the trust of former Gren- “It’s just been completely lost, sponse to the fi re, were trying, made homeless in June were still is disgraceful, Jeremy Corbyn has not been made safe. We need an- to win back the trust of survivors fell residents, many of whom are that great civic possibility in but they were “not bridging the looking for somewhere to live. said as a prominent Labour MP swers from the government and we because they were treating their still in temporary accommodation, Britain that created huge town gulf” between themselves and The Housing Minister Alok accused the council of treating need action. dealings with them as transac- Lammy told BBC Radio 4’s Today halls that represented people the survivors. Sharma said recently that it aff ected people as consumers. “Grenfell was an entirely avoid- tions. programme: “There’s something genuinely does not feel present In the immediate aftermath of would take the council up to 12 In a statement released yester- able human disaster. The govern- “There’s something about the about authentic leadership, about here in this local authority as it the fi re, which killed 71 people, months to rehouse families. Queen ‘voices concern over security recast’

London Evening Standard compensate them for long and London anti-social hours. But offi cers who guarded ministers were only paid overtime. The system had to he Queen has privately be made uniform so the allow- expressed her concern ance was scrapped, with all roy- Tabout changes to her se- alty offi cers now paid overtime. curity, the Standard revealed. The royal protection bill has Scotland Yard has drastically since soared, with some offi cers reorganised the way the royal clocking up overtime that takes family is guarded and now pro- their pay to more than £100,000 vides armed protection offi c- a year. ers from a pool on a rota system. To reduce the bill Scotland This means offi cers are regularly Yard has had to bring in more of- changing, sometimes assigned to fi cers from mainstream policing government ministers and some- and train them, then rotate exist- times to royalty. ing offi cers to meet demand. The The number of personal pro- Met yesterday said: “We are not tection offi cers (PPOs) on the prepared to discuss matters of se- Queen’s security detail has not curity.” changed. However, due to the en- Under the old system, the forced rota system the offi cers can Queen could build up a rapport now come from a pool of back-up with her lead police offi cer. She offi cers too. has in the past had an armed of- A senior source said: “The fi cer of the rank of superintend- Queen is not the only one who has ent leading her team, who had a expressed concerns. A number detailed understanding of the sys- Fire investigators at the site where three children died in Manchester yesterday. of senior offi cers are not happy tem and the royal household. either. Personal protection is all Ken Wharfe, ex-PPO to the about building a relationship with late Diana, Princess of Wales, the principal. How on earth is that said: “The security will be less supposed to happen if the offi cers eff ective. Understanding the be- are rotated every fi ve minutes with haviours of the person you are new faces?” charged with protecting is cru- The change is due to restruc- cial. Understanding the machi- turing of pay and the formation of nations of the royal household is a merged Scotland Yard team that very important too. Three children killed guards both royals and ministers “If you are from a pool, one called Royalty and Specialist Pro- minute looking after a Cabinet tection (RaSP), under Protection minister and the next a member of Command. the royal family, how are you able Before the restructuring, which to build up that rapport with the began in April 2015, royals were principal? It doesn’t make sense. guarded by the SO14 Royalty and No wonder the Queen has pri- in Salford house fire Diplomatic Protection depart- vately expressed her disquiet.” ment. Each royal would be as- Buckingham Palace told the Guardian News and Media blaze as suspicious, and that a Police confi rmed there were ones and the little girl and her died following yesterday morn- signed a PPO, in charge of round- Standard: “We never comment London murder investigation was under seven people in the house when mum who are in hospital fi ghting ing’s house fi re in Worsley, an- the-clock security, who would on anonymously sourced reports way. the fi re broke out and that two for their lives.” other child and a woman are in head up a team. The PPO would claiming to represent the Queen’s Police said a 14-year-old girl 16-year-old boys had escaped. He added: “I want to describe hospital in a very serious condi- forge a close working relationship private views. Security is a matter olice have urged a murder was declared dead at the scene what this incident is. It’s the mur- tion. This is a truly tragic incident with the royal. for the police.” suspect to hand himself in and an eight-year-old boy and “It’s the murder, using fi re, of der, using fi re, of three children and all our thoughts go out to the That department was merged The changes are causing un- Pafter three children died seven-year-old girl died in hos- three children and we have and we have a three-year-old girl family.” with Specialist Protection (SO1) to easiness among royalty offi cers, and a woman and three-year- pital. The three-year-old girl a three-year-old girl fi ghting fi ghting for her life who is seri- The Manchester Evening News create RaSP, which now provides many of whom had been with old were left seriously ill in hos- was described as being in a criti- for her life who is seriously ously ill. reported that police were investi- personal protection for the royal SO14 for years. After some were pital after a suspected arson at- cal condition, while the woman, ill” “This will devastate this fam- gating the possibility that a fl am- family, the prime minister, minis- informed by e-mail that they were tack in Salford. 35, who is understood to be the ily forever and words cannot mable liquid was poured through ters, ambassadors, visiting heads “no longer in post”, many threat- Four fi re engines were called to mother of the children, was in a They said there was “an active describe what they are going the letterbox of the house. It also of state and other VIPs. It also ened to operate under 40-hour a street in Worsley, Greater Man- serious condition. manhunt” for a suspect. through. We need the public’s reported that police had been protects royal residences in Lon- week EU guidelines. However, chester, after the fi re broke out in Police did not name the indi- Chief superintendent Wayne help to fi nd the answers the fam- called to a separate incident at the don, Windsor and Scotland and the changes were brought in and the mid-terraced house at about vidual they want to trace in con- Miller, of Greater Manchester ily deserve.” house at about 2am. It is under- operates the Special Escort Group. many of the old guard have opted 5am yesterday. nection with the blaze, but said: police, said: “The deaths of these The Manchester fi re service stood that emergency crews were Before the merger, royalty of- for retirement rather than extend- Greater Manchester police “He knows who he is and he three children is heart-breaking. tweeted: “Sadly it’s been con- responding to reports of a wheelie fi cers were paid an allowance to ing their service. confi rmed they were treating the should give himself up.” Our thoughts are with their loved fi rmed that three children have bin at the home being set on fi re.

Philip portrait 21,000 police offi cers fi tted Tributes paid to teens with body-worn cameras who died in nightclub Guardian News and Media it has all been taken away from him London way too soon by one stupid mis- London Evening Standard was in charge of the roll-out of lishing there was no continuing take and not knowing the devas- London cameras, said: “Clearly it is dif- threat. tating consequences.” fi cult to attribute this reduction The Met said that since it be- ributes have been paid to Brock, who was studying for entirely to body-worn video but gan rolling out the cameras, of- two teenagers who died a diploma in aircraft engineer- cotland Yard yesterday an- we know it is leading to a reduc- ficers had recorded more than T“in a moment of madness” ing, was said to be a loving son, an nounced body-worn video tion in complaints, which is good 1.6mn videos and now submit after taking drugs in a Plymouth inspirational brother and a loyal Scameras have been given news. 4,500 clips to the Crown Pros- nightclub. friend. His family said the incident to 21,000 front-line offi cers in ecution Service each month. Aaron Reilly and Joshua Brock, was “totally out of character”. London — the largest deploy- “These cameras give A total of 535,000 videos have both 19, collapsed in Pryzm night- “His main hobby was keeping ment of its kind in the world. us quality evidence also been retained for “eviden- club on Saturday and were taken fi t and eating healthily, so what The Met said it had almost immediately and allow tial or policing purposes”. to hospital after taking what they happened that night is so totally completed a £10mn year-long us to capture a victim’s Sophie Linden, deputy mayor thought was MDMA, police said. out of character, as he was always project to roll out cameras account with all its emotion for policing and crime, said: Reilly’s family said the teenager against drug-taking in any shape across the force in a bid to in- and context.” “Body-worn video is a huge was respected by his friends as a or form. One moment of madness crease public trust in the police. step forward in bringing our “non-drug user”, with his brother lead to this tragedy.” Mounted police officers — one “These cameras give us quality capital’s police force into the Kian adding: “ I can’t believe he They added: “RIP my beautiful of the last specialist groups to evidence immediately and allow 21st century. was taken from me and my family son and loving brother – until we get the devices — were yester- us to capture a victim’s account “From training new recruits in one silly mistake”. can all be together again.” day equipped. with all its emotion and context.” to scrutinising stop and search, “My brother was one of the Paramedics alerted police at A senior offi cer yesterday A fi nal 1,000 offi cers from the body-worn video is being used most responsible people I ever about 1.40am on December 9 that claimed the move had led to Met’s royalty, specialist and dip- in a range of different ways by knew, and everything he achieved two men had been found uncon- greater transparency in stop- lomatic protection commands our police officers.” I was so proud of, but I was so en- scious at the nightclub. Both were and-search encounters, more will get the cameras early next However, Renate Samson, of vious of his talent. I tried so hard taken to Derriford hospital in Ply- guilty pleas by suspects and few- year. Police say the delay has Big Brother Watch, said: “We to follow in his footsteps and I still mouth, where they later died. er complaints against offi cers. been caused by diffi culties in in- keep hearing from police forces do now, but I no longer have any- They had been attending a set The Met revealed figures stalling the technology at sites that body-worn video is brilliant one to look up to and I don’t have by the Swedish DJ Basshunter. showing there were 3,515 com- such as Buckingham Palace. but we have asked police forces my big brother to help me through He released a statement through plaint allegations against offic- Jerome said that during the for information to support this Buckingham Palace yesterday released a new portrait life,” he said. his team, saying: “Basshunter is ers in the year to October 2017, terror attacks at Westminster and not one could give data to of Prince Philip, painted by Australian-born artist Ralph The family added: “Aaron was a devastated that what was a party compared with 4,501 in the pre- and London Bridge, body-worn show, for instance, that it is in- Heimans in the year that Queen Elizabeth’s husband much-loved son, brother, grand- atmosphere should end this way. vious 12 months — a fall of 22%. video had been crucial in identi- creasing the number of convic- announced his retirement from active public life. son and boyfriend. (He) had the He would like to off er his condo- Commander Neil Jerome, who fying the perpetrators and estab- tions.” whole of his life ahead of him and lences at this very sad time.” Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 21 EUROPE

Georgia’s former president High winds, heavy snow says he’s a prisoner wreak havoc in Europe of Putin, AFP/DPA oligarchy Brussels igh winds and heavy snow in Europe yester- DPA/AFP Hday stranded thousands Kyiv of travellers, kept schoolchildren at home and even played havoc with international diplomacy. ormer Georgian president It was the second day running Mikheil Saakashvili, on of nasty weather across the con- Ftrial in Ukraine for enter- tinent, with Britain still digging ing the country illegally and out from its deepest snowfall in supporting a criminal organisa- four years. tion, has denounced the charges The snowed-over runways against him and said that Rus- in Brussels provoked about 90 sia’s Vladimir Putin played a role fl ight cancellations and some in his legal troubles. 100 delays yesterday, includ- “I consider myself a prisoner ing for the plane carrying Is- of Ukraine’s oligarchy and of rael’s Prime Minister Benjamin Putin,” Saakashvili told a court Netanyahu back home. in Kyiv yesterday, according to He tweeted a video from his comments carried by local me- plane that opened with a shot dia. of the white tarmac at the close Supported by a number of of his European visit marked by Ukrainian lawmakers in the the US recognising Jerusalem as courtroom and several hundred Israel’s capital. protesters gathered outside the A scheduled meeting between Ire and ice court, Saakashvili called the trial Netanyahu and European Com- Above, left: A child pulled in a sled yesterday passes by a snowplough clearing a road in “a shame” of current authorities mission President Jean-Claude Godewaersvelde, northern France. that has inspired critical media Juncker was called off because of coverage. the weather, offi cials said. Above, right: A boy constructs a den inside a heap of snow on the bank of the Yenisei River, in the “Look at the Western press, Brussels airport advised pas- Siberian town of Divnogorsk, Russia. they gone crazy!” he said emo- sengers to stay away, as staff tionally. were trying to de-ice planes and Left: A snow truck clears and spreads salt on the E40 highway in Sterrebeek, as cold temperatures “One terrible article after an- clear snow from the runways. sweep across Belgium. other is the shame of Ukraine,” “Heavy snowfall: do not come he added. to the airport until further no- Below: A man removes snow and ice yesterday as riot police off icers gather in front of a shop “Putin is winning, he is laugh- tice,” the airport said on Twitter, window near a court building, before the trial of Mikheil Saakashvili in Kyiv. ing, he is roaring with laughter,” adding that passengers should Saakashvili said, ridiculing the check the status of their fl ights. concept that he and Russian au- The national carrier, Brussels thorities could possibly be plot- Airlines, said on Twitter that the ting together. majority of its fl ights were can- The court was set to decide celled, except for several long- on the means of incarceration haul fl ights to Africa and some to for the former Georgian-leader- the United States. turned-Ukrainian-politician, Some fl ights were rerouted via who has rallied supporters in re- the domestic airports of Liege cent weeks to overthrow Ukrain- and Charleroi, as well as Luxem- ian President Petro Poroshenko. bourg and the German airport of Saakashvili was apprehended Dusseldorf. at the weekend, before he could Travellers took to Twitter to lead a protest march through vent their frustrations about central Kyiv calling for the im- being stuck on planes that were peachment of Ukrainian Presi- unable to take off for hours, al- dent Petro Poroshenko. legedly without being given food Saakashvili and Poroshenko and water. were once allies, united as much Meanwhile, road traffi c in by their espousement of Western Brussels was severely disrupted political ideals as their loathing after local authorities decided for Russia’s leadership. to close inner city tunnels, while They have both led their coun- public transport experienced se- tries in confl icts with Russia. vere delays, with most buses un- Poroshenko helped Saa- able to operate. kashvili to become governor of During the day, the Belgian any slope on their sledges, but look at the website, and fi nd out with 1,385km of traffi c jams re- “Go home as early as possible to run aground in Calais on Sunday Ukraine’s prominent Odessa re- website Touring Mobilis record- it proved a headache elsewhere how to reach us as the trains are ported around the country due avoid travel problems.” continued to sweep the centre gion on the Black Sea in 2015. ed 1,200km of traffi c jams in the as the National Weather Centre having diffi culty,” he said, warn- to the icy conditions. “Travellers should take into and west of the country. But, a year and a half later, entire country, a record for 2017. (KNMI) issued its highest code ing that even though most of the The snow arrived in The account that there will be longer Brutal winds shut down ferry Saakashvili resigned, accusing The Royal Meteorological In- red warning. snow was supposed to melt by Netherlands early on Sunday, travel times,” it warned on its service between the south- Poroshenko of perpetuating en- stitute of Belgium is expecting Schiphol airport, just outside today, there would likely still be and by late yesterday the weath- website, adding it was running a ern Spanish port of Algeciras trenched corruption. several centimetres of Snow in Amsterdam, was forced to can- fl ight delays. er centre had extended its code reduced service. and Tangiers in Morocco, while Poroshenko stripped Saa- the evening and overnight, as cel 430 fl ights already by early Eindhoven airport, the coun- red warning across virtually the Bus services in many cities in- also shuttering some schools in kashvili of Ukrainian citizenship well as the formation of black afternoon – about one-third try’s second biggest, said just af- whole of the country, to include cluding The Hague, Amsterdam southern Spain. a few months ago, and allies of ice, and has issued a so-called of all of fl ights in or out of one ter midday on Twitter that “due also the northern regions in- and Utrecht were also halted by At the same time, Britain was Poroshenko have accused Saa- orange alert. of Europe’s top fi ve busiest air to wintry weather conditions, cluding Friesland and the city of early evening, after many had recovering after heavy snow kashvili of accepting hundreds Snow wreaked havoc in the hubs, and many others faced the runway is currently closed”. Groningen. trouble navigating the slippery brought freezing temperatures, of thousands of dollars from low-lying Netherlands, briefl y long delays. It reopened about three hours It warned “of wide-spread icy roads. shutting hundreds of schools sources connected with Rus- closing down Eindhoven airport, “We are de-icing the planes later, but some fl ights were still conditions” while in the west But it was not just knee-high and disrupting fl ights for a sec- sia for his campaign to oust the shutting schools and leading to for their safety and we have being diverted or cancelled. the snowfall would be accompa- snow that was causing trou- ond day. Ukrainian leader. transport chaos with hundreds snow crews out trying to keep The Hague airport were also nied by “a powerful and strong ble, with winds of up to 150kph Power was restored to more A pariah of the Kremlin after of fl ights and trains cancelled or the runways clear and remove faced with delays and cancella- northeast wind” which could (93mph) forecast along France’s than 100,000 homes, while fi ghting a short war with Rus- delayed. the snow, but they can’t keep tions. cause Snow drifts. Atlantic Coast. airports tried to recover their sia in 2008, Saakashvili is also The rare winter show may up,” Schiphol spokesman Paul The Dutch road safety associ- For those who struggled into Some 120,000 people were schedules following the winter’s wanted in his native Georgia for have delighted children, who Weber told AFP. ation ANWB reported that roads work yesterday, the national without power in France as fi rst major snowfall – the biggest alleged abuse of power. once again set off in search of “People should keep in touch, were clogged around 6.30pm railway NS had but one message. storms that caused a ferry to in four years.

Poland’s new Merkel’s conservatives see common ground with SPD on Europe premier sworn in Mateusz Morawiecki was sworn in as Poland’s new prime minister Reuters surpluses were the result of a the European Union at a time yesterday, replacing Beata Berlin higher tax take from the boom- of increasing geopolitical chal- Szydlo, who became a deputy ing economy and would decline lenges from Russia and China, prime minister. in a downturn. “The favour- the United States’ increasing re- The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) erman Chancellor An- able budget situation should be treat from multilateral institu- party sacked the popular Szydlo gela Merkel has called for used to make provisions for later tions, and Middle East confl icts. last week in a bid to improve Gspeedy eff orts to form a years,” the council said. She said conservatives sup- Poland’s image abroad and stable new government with the SPD secretary general Lars ported strengthening ties with prepare the conservatives for a Social Democrats (SPD) and said Klingbeil told ARD television France, including work on a joint series of elections. that her conservative party saw that his party was open to all corporate tax policy by 2025, in- Morawiecki, 49, will have to areas of common ground on do- possibilities, including a re- creased collaboration on digiti- defend Poland before the EU, mestic reform and Europe. newed coalition with conserva- sation and eff orts to harmonise which has been in conflict in Merkel said renewing the tives or a minority government. arms export policies. Warsaw over sweeping changes “grand coalition” that ruled “The ball is now in Mrs Mer- Senior conservatives on Sat- to state institutions that critics Germany for the past four years kel’s court,” Klingbeil said, add- urday rejected the vision for a say have subverted democracy was a “historic necessity” that ing that the pace of negotiations “United States of Europe” put and the rule of law. would best position Germany to depended to a large extent on forward by SPD leader Martin All ministers kept their jobs work with France to strengthen demands articulated by the CDU Schulz, with many warning the despite speculation that some of the European Union before the and its Bavarian sister party, the SPD against jeopardising the them might have been replaced. next European elections in 2019. Christian Social Union (CSU). chances of agreement by making Despite the criticism from abroad, “The world is waiting for us to Merkel appears on a viewer of a camera as she addresses a press conference after a leadership meeting Merkel sketched out areas of excessive demands. Szydlo’s eurosceptic government, be able to act,” she told journal- of her CDU party in Berlin. possible agreement on jobs, the But Merkel said there was “a in power for two years, was one ists after meeting leaders of her economy and healthcare, say- lot of common ground” with the of the most popular in Poland Christian Democrats (CDU) to plans, after failing to strike a deal make it easier to paper over the wing social policy profi le that ing that it was clear to both sides SPD on Europe. since the 1989 collapse of agree on core demands for ne- with two smaller parties. parties’ diff erences diminished diff erentiates them from con- that changes were needed af- A poll published yesterday communism. gotiations on a new government. Conservatives will meet for yesterday when an offi cial ad- servatives, wants commitments ter the September 24 elections, by broadcaster RTL and n-tv PiS managed to keep high “It’s a historic necessity given initial talks with the SPD tomor- visory council warned that sur- to spend more on education and which saw both political blocs showed 71% of SPD members support at around 40% in the external circumstances.” row, with SPD leaders to decide pluses were needed to cover fu- combat poverty. lose substantial support. welcomed the party’s decision opinion polls largely due to low The conservatives are try- on Friday whether to launch for- ture downturns. But the Stability Council, She said that CDU leaders to talk with conservatives about unemployment, increases in ing to hammer out a deal with mal exploratory talks. The SPD, bruised by its worst- comprised of representatives of agreed on the need for a grand forming a new ruling coalition, public spending and a focus on the SPD without conceding too But hopes that cash from Ger- ever post-war election results Germany’s federal and region- coalition as opposed to a minor- while 81% wanted the party to traditional Catholic values in much on policy or spending many’s buoyant economy would and anxious to stake out a left- al governments, warned that ity government, to strengthen conduct tough negotiations. public life. Gulf Times 22 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 EUROPE

Man held over cop Police remove artwork couple’s slaying

AFP from Catalan museum Paris Police clash with protesters the control of the Spanish govern- called for common sense and wis- in Lleida as 44 works of art ment after Madrid sacked the re- dom to prevail. rench police have arrested at centre of dispute between gional government over its unilat- “There is still a long way to go a man in connection with Catalonia and region of Aragon eral declaration of independence, to resolve the litigation over these Fthe murder of a police cou- are removed Méndez de Vigo authorised their goods,” he wrote in a local paper ple after his DNA was matched to return on behalf of the adminis- on Sunday. “We will use all legal traces found in their home near By Sam Jones tration. means to show that the purchase, Paris, legal sources said. Guardian News and Media The move has exacerbated ten- by the [Catalan government] was The 24-year-old has been sions in Catalonia, which were al- made in accordance with the law linked to Larossi Aballa, the Is- ready running high in the buildup and that the works were trans- lamic State (IS) extremist who cuffl es broke out between to next week’s snap regional elec- ferred to the Museum of Lleida claimed the June 2016 attack in a police and demonstrators tion. with full legality and legitimacy.” live video from the murder scene Safter hundreds of people In the early hours of yesterday Former Catalan president Carles before being killed by police in a gathered outside a museum in the morning, experts accompanied by Puigdemont, who fl ed to Belgium shootout, the sources added. Catalan city of Lleida to protest offi cers from the Guardia Civil and after he was sacked, attacked the The suspect, who was not on against the removal of 44 works of the Catalan police force, the Mos- move on Twitter. a terrorism watchlist but was art that have been at the centre of sos d’Esquadra, entered the Mu- He accused the Spanish gov- known to be radicalised, was ar- a long-running dispute between seum of Lleida to begin packing up ernment of using the cover of rested in the western Paris sub- Catalonia and the neighbouring the pieces. night and the Guardia Civil to urb of Les Mureaux. region of Aragon. Around 500 people congregated “take advantage of a coup d’état His brother has already been The pieces, which include outside the museum to demon- to plunder Catalonia with abso- charged with providing logisti- paintings, alabaster reliefs and strate against the removal, some lute impunity”. cal assistance to Aballa, whose polychromatic wooden coffi ns, chanting “Hands up! This is a rob- A poll published on Sunday in chilling attack – one in a string were sold to the Catalan govern- bery!” and expressing anger over the Catalan daily La Vanguardia of assaults in France since Janu- ment by the nuns of the Sijena the Spanish government’s decision suggests Catalan separatist parties ary 2015 – caused shock in police convent, in Aragon, in the 1980s. to assume control of Catalonia us- will narrowly fall short of a major- ranks. The Aragonese authorities have ing article 155 of the constitution. ity in the election on December 21. Aballa stabbed police captain been trying to recover the works Scuffl es broke out between the The survey said Puigdemont’s Jean-Baptiste Salvaing to death through the courts, arguing they police offi cers and some protest- Junts per Catalunya party, the outside his home in Magnan- were unlawfully sold. ers and a cordon was set up to al- Catalan Republican Left party and ville, 60km west of Paris, and At the end of November, Spain’s low the artworks to be loaded on to the anti-capitalist Popular Unity then slit the throat of his com- culture minister, Inigo Méndez de a lorry. Candidacy(CUP) would win 66 or panion Jessica Schneider in front Vigo, received a judicial order for The mayor of Lleida, Angel Ros, 67 seats in the 135-seat regional Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan regional police off icers) scuff le with protesters in front of the of the couple’s three-year-old the return of the works. had argued that article 155 could parliament, one or two shy of the Museum of Lleida after police entered the museum to carry out an order and return over 40 son. With Catalonia currently under not be applied to “sacred art” and 68 needed for a majority. contested artworks to the Spanish region of Aragon following a protracted legal battle. In a Facebook Live video from the scene, he called for further terror attacks. The man arrested yesterday was already investigated over a foiled attack by a group of female extremists who tried to set fi re Istanbul massacre gunman to a car containing gas canisters near Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in September 2016. Charged with failing to report that plot, he spent four months refuses to testify at his trial in preventive custody before be- ing released in January. Investigators believe that a AFP rorist organisation”, to “murder- eral days before the New Year. told AFP. “It’s extremely im- notorious French IS member, Silivri, Turkey ing more than one person”. Until now, she had not set eyes portant that the tentacles of this Rachid Kassim, directed both at- According to the indictment, on him since. international network are dis- tacks from the Middle East, us- the order for the Afghanistan- Asked whether she ever con- mantled.” ing the encrypted Telegram app. n Uzbek religious ex- trained Masharipov to carry out sidered why they were in Tur- The lawyer confi rmed that Kassim is believed to have tremist who confessed the attack was given by a senior key, she replied: “My husband two French citizens were among been killed in a coalition air Ato killing 39 people at an Russian Syria-based Islamic was discreet. He didn’t tell me the 57 accused. strike near the Iraqi city of Mosul Istanbul nightclub in a New Year State (IS) extremist named Islam anything. When I asked he used Ali Akyil, whose son, Belgian A woman stands at the entrance of the courthouse at Silivri district in February. gun attack refused to testify yes- Atabiev, codenamed Abu Jihad. to say: ‘Don’t interfere in men’s citizen Kerim Akyil, lost his life in Istanbul, as a Turkish soldier stands guard, on the opening day of terday on the fi rst day of his trial Masharipov – dressed in a aff airs’.” in the nightclub, told the court the trial of an Uzbek citizen who confessed to killing 39 people at a as his wife denied any links to sweater and jeans – was seated She said two men had come that after the attack “I lost my nightclub. Body parts found extremists. between two members of the and taken her son Mohammed life, lost the taste of my life.” Abdulkadir Masharipov, 34 at Turkish gendarmerie and kept before her own arrest but she After taking a taxi to the elite watched 7,200 hours of video codename Abu Mohammed Ho- on railway track the time of the attack, went on well away from the other de- had no news about the child. waterside Reina nightclub on footage, the Turkish authorities rasani, was just one of several trial at the Silivri prison com- fendants in court. Giving his only statement of the shores of the Bosphorus, detained Masharipov in the resi- nationals of the ex-Soviet state Germany’s railway company was plex near Istanbul along with 56 When given the chance to the day, Masharipov interjected Masharipov shot dead the secu- dential Istanbul neighbourhood of Uzbekistan implicated in re- forced to close a stretch of the other suspects. speak by the judge, he used his that he did not know who had rity guard before marching in- of Esenyurt. ligious extremist attacks this rail track in the western part of Masharipov, who was present right to silence and refused to taken Mohammed. side and fi ring indiscriminately Of the 39 people killed in the year, including deadly assaults the country yesterday after body in court, faces 40 life sentences, testify, speaking in Uzbek trans- “I told Abu Jihad in Syria to with his AK-47 at the terrifi ed Reina attack, 27 were foreigners in Stockholm and New York. parts were found on the line. one for each of the victims and lated into Turkish. take him. I told him not to bring revellers and setting off gre- including citizens from Leba- Badly damaged in the assault, Regional Express trains travelling the massacre itself. Nurullayeva, in her testimony, him to me as he would make nades. non, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iraq, the Reina nightclub, once the on the route between Bochum- The others on trial include said that she had “never had any noise” while Masharipov was on He then slipped away. and Morocco who had gone to haunt of Istanbul football stars Dortmund were diverted to Masharipov’s wife Zarina Nu- links with any terror group”. the run from police, he said. The Islamic State group, the club to celebrate New Year. and soap opera icons, was de- another line following the grisly rullayeva who is a suspected ac- She described herself as a Samia Maktouf, a lawyer rep- which at the time controlled Seventy-nine people were molished in May on the grounds discovery, Deustche Bahn said. complice and risks similar pen- “woman who looked after her resenting a French victim and swathes of Turkey’s neighbours wounded. that it had violated local con- The body parts had been alties to her husband. kids and who stayed under the her Tunisian husband, said that Iraq and Syria, later claimed the With the trial taking place struction legislation. discovered on the tracks near the All but six are being held in shadow of her husband”. it is vital that all the circum- attack. under high security, Turk- Turkey was battered by re- main railway station in Bochum, custody. She said that she only found stances of the attack be made It remains the only time it has ish special forces soldiers were peated attacks by religious and North Rhine Westphalia. Masharipov is facing charges out her husband had carried clear. issued an unequivocal claim for deployed on the balconies of a Kurdish extremists in 2016. Police are trying to establish ranging from “attempting to de- out the attack when she was ar- “It is important and legiti- an attack in Turkey. minaret of a nearby mosque to However, there has been no whether there is a connection stroy constitutional order” and rested by police, and said that mate that the families know the After a 17-day manhunt that observe the area. large-scale attack comparable to with the case of a missing person “membership of an armed ter- Masharipov had left home sev- true circumstances,” the lawyer involved 2,000 police who Masharipov, who used the IS the Reina atrocity since. case in Bochum. Greece to speed up migrant transfers

AFP Last March, Ankara had Nearly 900 rescued off Libya arrive in Italy Athens pledged to take back illegal mi- grants landing on Greek islands Sicily welcomed yesterday nearly 900 migrants rescued in Mediter- in exchange for sweeteners in- ranean waters off the coast of Libya in the past few days, with many reece will speed up the cluding fi nancial aid and eased expressing relief at having escaped the “Libyan hell”. relocation of thousands EU visa rules for Turkish citizens. More than 330 migrants rescued by Italian coast guard and other Euro- Gof migrants from its over- The deal, criticised by rights pean vessels have already disembarked at Sicilian ports, Italian media crowded islands to the mainland groups, sharply reduced the reported. before the onset of winter after number of migrants trying to Another hundred were en route to the western city of Trapani while reaching a deal with Turkey, a key cross the Aegean Sea. 450, including a woman about to give birth, are due to arrive in Augusta ally in helping to tackle Europe’s However, the pace of migrant aboard the Aquarius, a boat operated by charity group SOS Mediterranee migration crisis, government returns to Turkey fell dramati- along with Doctors Without Borders. sources said yesterday. cally after a state crackdown on “Testimonies gathered on Sunday aboard the Aquarius reflect the Athens persuaded Ankara last civil servants that followed an extreme gravity of the situation in Libya for migrants and refugees, who week to accept migrant returns attempted coup against Erdogan lacking a safer alternative, risk their lives at sea to escape what they call from the mainland and not just last year. the Libyan hell,” said Francis Vallat, the SOS Mediterranee president in from the Aegean islands as pre- Until now, Greece has only France. “Today, the absolute priority is to rescue at sea those who con- viously agreed under a 2016 EU- been relocating populations tinue to flee and to accompany them to a safe place where they will be Turkey pact, one source told AFP. deemed “vulnerable” – unac- protected and where their basic human rights will be respected”. The new agreement – reached companied minors, single par- Libya has long been a major transit hub for migrants trying to reach during a strained two-day vis- ents and victims of torture – to Europe. A photo taken yesterday shows a banner reading ‘Stop expulsions! Stop Dublin! Right to asylum for all!’ it by Turkish President Recep the mainland, exempt under the More than 3,000 have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean in rick- near the tents of undocumented migrants outside the prefecture of the Bouches-du-Rhone department in Tayyip Erdogan – aims to reduce EU-Turkey pact. ety boats, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Marseille, France. the more than 15,000 people The other illegal migrants are packed into refugee camps on the being kept on the islands until Migrants who tried to cross the Alps rescued with frostbite islands of Lesbos, Chios, Samos, their deportation to Turkey, for In total over 3,500 people were Three refugees died last year Kos, and Leros, another source fears that too many will try to moved between October and No- in their tents on Lesbos from ap- Five migrants who tried to cross the Alps on a lost his shoes and the other had no gloves, the Alpine said. travel north to wealthier EU na- vember, the migration ministry parent carbon monoxide poison- “desperate” attempt to get over the Italy-France rescuers said, saying that migrant crossings have The camps are fi lled to triple tions. said. ing caused by makeshift stoves. border have been rescued, including two with become more frequent since the summer. their capacity, forcing many mi- Athens hopes that its deal with According to Oxfam, 5,000 “This is a very positive step “serious frostbite”, Italian mountain rescuers said He added that rescue services are trying to grants to sleep in tents and creat- Ankara will help speed up the people are to be transferred from that will save lives,” said Nicola yesterday. discourage them because of their danger. ing tensions with locals. transfer of these people to Turkey the islands in December, before Bay, the head of Oxfam in Greece. The migrants were making their way towards the The rescuers also responded to a Facebook More than 1mn people, main- via the mainland. temperatures drop. “Winter is just around the corner Col d’Echelle mountain pass in “forbidding weather comment suggesting that rescuing migrants might ly fl eeing the civil war in Syria, Meanwhile, Greece has already Aid groups have repeatedly and thousands of refugees and conditions”, the Alpine Rescue service of the be putting a strain on their resources. crossed to Greece from Turkey in intensifi ed its relocation of vul- warned that transferring refu- migrants are still sharing un- Piedmont region wrote on its Facebook page, along “We rescue and bring to safety anyone who is in 2015 with the onset of the bloc’s nerable persons to the mainland, gees to heated accommodation heated tents exposed to the bitter with a picture of a snowed-under mountain path. need. We don’t deal with politics and we do not worst migration crisis since transferring more than 1,000 in before winter is a matter of life cold.” Of the two migrants suff ering from frostbite, one had express political views,” they said. World War II. recent days. and death. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 23 INDIA Smaller farms can cope better with climate change: experts

Reuters tion of 1.3bn depends on agricul- “Large farmers tend to do the Thomson Reuters Founda- More than two-thirds of have introduced leasing laws to we need to revive traditional Mumbai ture for a living. mono cropping, which is far tion. farmers who committed suicide enable farmers to increase the grains that are more climate re- More than three quarters of more vulnerable to climate Prime Minister Narendra were small and marginal farm- land under cultivation. silient,” she said. farmers cultivate than 5 acres of change, and more diffi cult to Modi has promised to double ers, data show. But smaller land holdings are “Women farmers in particular ndia’s small farmers are land each. change and adapt as the situa- farmers’ incomes over the next The average size of land hold- better suited if the government are more adaptable, more willing better equipped than large While the small size of the tion demands. five years, with reforms includ- ings in rural India has halved invests in training – particularly to learn about new harvest and Ilandowners to deal with land holding is often seen as a Plus they need more water, ing better irrigation, crop in- over the past two decades as for women – on topics such as marketing methods. But they climate change, but need more challenge to raising incomes, it another resource under threat surance and higher prices for land is passed down from fa- traditional grains such as mil- cannot tackle the problem on support to fi nd innovative ways is an advantage when it comes from warmer weather,” he said. crops. ther to son, and as more land is lets, said Ishira Mehta, founder their own.” to minimise the impacts of to tackling extreme weather “Small farmers are far more Poor prices for grains and ce- surrendered for development of CropConnect Enterprises, Farmers in Tamil Nadu are higher temperatures, uneven and rising temperatures, said versatile; they usually plant real have led to mounting piles of projects. which links farmers to markets. already returning to indigenous rainfall, fl oods and droughts, Arindom Datta, Asia head of multiple varieties of crops, so debt for Indian farmers, trigger- While a law caps the amount “With rising temperatures, we varieties of rice and traditional analysts said. sustainability banking at Ra- they are more fl exible and better ing thousands of suicides every of land that can be owned by in- may not be able to grow basmati seeds as the region suff ers more About 60% of India’s popula- bobank. able to adjust and adapt,” he told year. dividual farmers, several states rice or wheat 20 years from now; frequent droughts.

Candidate should not contest two seats, EC tells Supreme Court

IANS Upadhyay said that “one per- New Delhi son one vote” and “one candi- date one constituency” is the dictum of democracy. However, he Election Commission as the law stands today, a per- yesterday told the Su- son can contest elections for the Tpreme Court that an elec- same offi ce from two constitu- tion candidate should not con- encies simultaneously, he said. test from two constituencies as The petitioner said that while the court sought Attorney Gen- a candidate can contest an elec- eral K K Venugopal’s assistance tion simultaneously from two in the matter. seats, under Section 70 of the A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Representation of the People Act Misra, Justice A M Khanwilkar he can retain only one and has to and Justice D Y Chandrachud vacate the other. asked petitioner-lawyer Ash- Referring to the Election wini Kumar Upadhyay to serve a Commission recommendation copy of the petition to the attor- in 2004, the petitioner said that ney general. way back on July 5, 2004, the Upadhyay, a Bharatiya Janata then chief election commission- Supporters of the Congress shout slogans after the party named Rahul Gandhi as president, outside Congress headquarters in New Delhi yesterday. Party leader, has challenged Sec- er had urged the prime minister tion 33(7) of the Representation to make an amendment to Sec- of the People Act of 1951 that al- tion 33(7) to provide that a per- lows a person to contest elections son cannot contest from more to parliament and state assem- than one constituency for the blies from two constituencies same offi ce simultaneously. and sought an end to the practice. Alternately, the CEC had said, The petitioner also wanted the if the existing provision to per- court to order the government mit a candidate to contest from Rahul elected Congress and the Election Commission to two seats had to be retained then take steps to discourage inde- the cost of re-election to the seat pendent candidates from joining he wins but vacates should be the election fray which he said borne by the same candidate. held the potential of fragment- He referred to the Law Com- ing votes and creating instability. mission report that agreed with Section 33 (7) says that “... a the Election Commission that president unopposed person shall not be nominated as a person cannot contest from a candidate for election (a) in the more than one seat at a time. Agencies papers proposing the name of be held on December 16,” Ram- when he fi led the nomination for Congress’ worst-ever show- case of a general election to the “The Goswami Committee in New Delhi Gandhi for Congress president achandran said. papers. ing as it lost power to Modi’s House of the People ... from more 1990 and the Law Commission were received. He said Gandhi was a stick- Originally 90 nomination Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). than two parliamentary constit- in its 170th report in 1999 rec- All the nomination papers ler for rules and was particular forms were issued but one could Since the national election uencies...” The same holds good ommended the same,” said the ahul Gandhi, who is were found valid. about ensuring that the elec- not be fi led as there were not defeat, the party has lost polls in for elections to assemblies. petition. putting up a spirited “Since the withdrawal date tions were conducted in a trans- enough number of proposers. many states to the BJP, exposing Rcampaign against Prime and time is over and as there parent and meaningful manner. Hundreds of Congress work- Gandhi to further criticism. Minister Narendra Modi in Gu- is only one candidate, as per “Both Sonia Gandhi and Ra- ers and leaders from across the Gandhi faces his fi rst test as Curbs on condom ads on TV jarat, was yesterday elected Article XVIII(d) of the consti- hul Gandhi never interfered country thronged the party Congress leader in elections president of the Congress, tak- tution of Indian National Con- with the election authority. We offi ce and celebrated the an- in Gujarat, Modi’s home state, The government yesterday to telecast the advertisements ing over from his mother who gress, I hereby declare Rahul were given complete freedom to nouncement of Gandhi’s el- which the BJP has ruled for over imposed restrictions on of condoms, which are for a helmed the country’s oldest Gandhi elected as president of execute the onerous responsi- evation by letting off fi recrack- two decades. advertising condoms on particular age group and could party for 19 years. the Indian National Congress,” bility,” he said. ers and dancing to the beat of He has led the Congress cam- television, saying ads would only be indecent/inappropriate The 47-year-old Gandhi will he said. Gandhi, who fi led his nomi- drums. paign for the election, winning be allowed late at night as they for viewing by children”. The formally take over the reins of Marking a generational shift, nation for the president’s post Modi congratulates Gandhi the backing of some infl uential could be inappropriate viewing government said its decision the grand old party on Decem- Gandhi will be the sixth Nehru- on December 4, had been the on his ‘election’. caste groups who say they have for children. The Ministry of was based on rules stating ber 16, two days before count- Gandhi scion to head the party, party vice president for over “I congratulate Rahul Ji on his been left behind by an economic Information & Broadcasting said that no advertisements which ing of votes for Gujarat and taking over from his mother four years. election as Congress president. boom in the prosperous state, condom advertisements will “endanger the safety of children Himachal Pradesh elections, Sonia Gandhi who steered it Among the proposers of 89 My best wishes for a fruitful although Modi remains the man now be allowed only between or create in them any interest in the outcome of which could be through an era during which nominations – all in support tenure,” Modi tweeted. to beat. 10pm and 6am to avoid exposing unhealthy practices” should be a trendsetter ahead of the 2019 it was in power from 2004 to of Gandhi – was former prime The prime minister has been “Everyone is waiting to see children to such material and to allowed. It also cited regulations Lok Sabha election. 2014. minister Manmohan Singh who regularly mocking Gandhi, call- what he can do for the fortunes comply with government rules. that prohibit “indecent, vulgar, Congress leader Mullappally “This is a historic occasion. called Gandhi the “darling” of ing his elevation to head the of the Congress,” Delhi-based The ministry told all television suggestive, repulsive or off ensive Ramachandran told reporters The handing over of the certifi - the party. Congress as dynastic politics political analyst Manisha Pri- channels in an advisory “not themes”. that a total of 89 nomination cate of election is scheduled to Singh accompanied Gandhi Gandhi was strongly criticised yam said. French journalist held India, Russia, China call for stable Afghanistan for fi lming in Kashmir IANS capable and eff ective Afghan New Delhi National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) should be the Agencies and fi lmed protesters throwing ministry for permission to fi lm in key to the stabilisation of Af- Srinagar stones at members of the secu- Kashmir, but it had been denied ndia, Russia and China yes- ghanistan,” it said. rity forces, said another senior because he was on a business visa, terday called for a peace- “Noting the signifi cant in- police offi cial, who declined to said the second police offi cial. Iful and stable Afghanistan crease of opium poppy pro- court yesterday remand- be identifi ed as he is not author- A French Embassy’s consular through an Afghan-led and duction in Afghanistan and ed in custody a French ised to speak to the media. offi cial based in New Delhi met Afghan-owned peace proc- the nexus between narcotics Ajournalist for fi ve days He had also met victims of Comiti at the police station in ess following the 15th Foreign revenue and its fi nancial sup- after he was arrested in Jammu anti-riot “pellet guns” that the Srinagar, police said. Ministerial Meeting between port for terrorism, we empha- and Kashmir for fi lming a docu- security forces use against pro- An embassy spokesman was the three countries here. sise the need for stepping up mentary without permission testers. not available for comment. “We reiterate our support to result-oriented international and violating visa regulations, More than 3,800 people have Three suspected militants the government and the peo- eff orts aimed at countering the police said. been wounded and one killed by died in a gunfi ght with security ple of Afghanistan in their ef- Afghan drug threat.” The freelance journalist, Paul the weapons since a new round forces – and a civilian woman forts to achieve an Afghan-led, The three countries also Comiti, was arrested on Sunday of protests against Indian rule died in the crossfi re – yesterday Afghan-owned national peace stressed on the importance of in Kothibagh area of Srinagar, erupted last year, with more than in Younsu area of Kupwara, po- and reconciliation and build multilateral region-led inter- the summer capital of Kashmir 100 partially or fully blinded, of- lice said. a peaceful, secure, united, action on Afghan issues, pri- where separatists have been wag- fi cial fi gures show. A joint team of army, paramil- sovereign, democratic, sta- marily by those organisations ing a violent campaign against “We called him to ask him itary and police forces cordoned ble, prosperous and pluralistic which consist of Afghanistan’s Indian rule since the late 1980s. about his activities, but he re- off the area after midnight after state,” a joint statement issued neighbouring countries and Comiti held an Indian business fused to present himself before receiving information that some following the meeting said. other regional states, such as visa which did not permit him to the police,” the second police of- militants were hiding inside a The meeting was attended the Shanghai Co-operation make a documentary on political fi cial said. house, Deputy Inspector General by External Aff airs Minis- Organisation (SCO), the Mos- or security-related issues, Senior “He was not authorised to of police V K Birdi said. ter Sushma Swaraj and her cow format, the Heart of Asia- Superintendent of Police Imtiyaz fi lm here because he was on a Three rebels were killed in the Chinese and Russian coun- Istanbul Process, the Kabul Ismael Parray said. business visa. He was fi nally ar- gunfi ght that followed, Jammu External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj shakes hands with terparts, Wang Yi and Sergey Process and the Regional Eco- Comiti had met separatist rested.” and Kashmir state police chief S Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ahead of a meeting in Lavrov. nomic Co-operation Confer- leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Comiti had asked the defence P Vaid confi rmed. New Delhi yesterday. “We share the view that a ence on Afghanistan. Gulf Times 24 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 INDIA

PROTEST JUDICIARY TRAGEDY INVESTIGATION EDUCATION Senior lawyer Dhavan Top court rejects plea Selfie bid with elephant Kidnapped businessman Fate of Tripura teachers gives up SC practice against Pintos’ bail costs man his life in Odisha rescued, two arrested remains uncertain

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Rajeev Dhavan The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed a An attempt to click a selfie with a wild A kidnapped businessman was rescued The Supreme Court yesterday postponed yesterday gave up his legal practice alleging plea for cancelling the anticipatory bail to the elephant cost a man his life, as the tusker yesterday and the abductors, including an ex- hearing in the case relating to 10,323 humiliation. Yesterday he sent a letter to Chief Pinto family of Ryan International School in the trampled him to death near a temple in employee, were arrested, police said. Manish government teachers of Tripura, who are set Justice of India Dipak Misra informing him of Pradhuman murder case. Justices R K Agrawal Khamar forest range of Odisha’s Angul Kumar, 23, and his accomplice, Satnam Singh, to lose their jobs on December 31 following an the decision, days after the CJI criticised the and Abhay Manohar Sapre dismissed the plea district yesterday. The incident took place 44, kidnapped Saurabh Gupta, 28, while he was order by the court. The Tripura government conduct of some senior lawyers. Misra last by Barun Thakur – father of seven-year-old when villagers were trying to chase the returning home from his electronics shop school teachers have demanded continuation week voiced strong objection to the conduct of Pradhuman Thakur, who was murdered on elephant back to the herd and the man in west Delhi’s Paschim Vihar on December of their jobs beyond December 31. They have some senior lawyers raising their voices during September 8 inside the Gurugram school. “The came closer to the animal to click a selfie. 9, the police said. The next day, the victim’s launched intermittent protests, including road hearing at the conclusion of Delhi government’s petition is dismissed,” said Justice Agrawal. Ryan The man was identified as Jayakrushna father realised his son had not returned home. and rail blockades in the state, from December plea and also the Ayodhya issue. In the brief letter group of school’s founder-chairman Augustine F Nayak of Nimidibeda village under Soon, he got a ransom call for Rs50mn, after 7 to press their demand. The court on March that was delivered to the off ice of the chief justice Pinto, his wife and managing director Grace Pinto Pallahara area. “Forest officials including which he informed the police. “When Gupta 29 had upheld the Tripura High Court verdict yesterday, Dhavan said: “After the humiliating and their son and CEO Ryan Pinto were granted the villagers were trying to send the animal was returning home in the night in his car, terminating the jobs of the teachers. The state end in the Delhi case, I have decided to give up anticipatory bail by the Punjab and Haryana High back to the herd,” said Dibya Lochan Patra, Kumar and Singh kidnapped him at gun point, faces a huge dearth of eligible candidates to fill court practice.” Dhavan also told the chief justice: Court on November 21. Pradhuman Thakur, a Khamar forester. Nayak sustained serious and drugged him,” Deputy Commissioner of up around 16,000 teachers’ posts. Ahead of the “You are entitled to take back the Senior Gown Class 2 student was found dead in the washroom injuries and was rushed to the Khamar Police M N Tiwari said. They then drove to February 2018 assembly elections, the teachers’ conferred on me, though I would like to keep it for with his throat slit minutes after his father had community hospital where he was declared Haryana’s Bahadurgarh to make the ransom termination is set to become a major political memory and service rendered.” dropped him at the school. dead. call, he said. issue.

Suspect in Editor sent to jail Zaira case sent to police Apologise for custody

Agencies falsehood Mumbai

Mumbai court yesterday remanded in police cus- Atody until tomorrow Vi- kas Sachdeva, accused by Dangal and canards, actress Zaira Wasim of molesting her on a Delhi-Mumbai fl ight. A handcuff ed Sachdeva was taken to the Dindoshi Sessions Court in Goregaon east and has been charged under the Preven- tion of Children from Sexual Of- Singh tells PM fences Act and other charges. Sachdeva, 39, was arrested IANS Gujarat issue raised by anyone Perceiving a “clear defeat” in Gu- late on Sunday night after the New Delhi else present at the dinner,” Singh jarat, the prime minister was “frus- alleged molestation involving said. trated and using foul language” to the actress enraged the nation, “The discussion was confi ned rouse sympathy for himself, Con- evoking intense reactions from ormer prime minister to India-Pakistan relations.” gress leader Anand Sharma said. politicians, women’s organisa- Manmohan Singh yester- Singh said the Congress need- “Today the prime minister, tions and activists. Fday accused his succes- ed “no sermons on ‘nationalism’ in his frustration and perceiv- However, his wife Divya yes- sor Narendra Modi of spreading from a party and prime minister ing a clear defeat, wants to di- terday issued a statement in “falsehood and canards” in a whose compromised track record vert the attention of people. PM which she sought to defend her desperate bid to win the Gujarat on fi ghting terrorism is well should take his words back and to husband as innocent and said he assembly elections and asked known. maintain the dignity of his post, had no intention to molest. him to “apologise to the nation”. “Let me remind Modi that he should apologise,” Sharma said. She told reporters there was a In a hard-hitting statement, had gone to Pakistan uninvited “If he has any such informa- death in the family for which he had Singh denied allegations by Modi after the terrorist attacks in Ud- tion, then it’s a very serious mat- gone and had not slept for 24 hours. that he and others invited to a hampur and Gurdaspur. Let him ter... The country will not accept Divya claimed he even told the dinner at Congress leader Mani also tell the country the reason wrong means being employed by Air Vistara crew not to disturb Shankar Aiyar’s residence with for inviting the infamous ISI of the ruling party to win the elec- him as he wanted to sleep, and he Pakistani diplomats discussed Pakistan to our strategic air base tions. We have full faith that the had kept his foot on the arm rest, the Gujarat election. in Pathankot to investigate a ter- Gujarat electorate is intelligent and but without the intention to har- “I am deeply pained and an- ror attack that emanated from mature enough to understand the ass the actress. guished by the falsehood and ca- Pakistan.” tactics behind yesterday’s address Wasim, 17, alleged in an Insta- nards being spread to score polit- (by Modi) and will answer them in gram post that the man sitting ical points in a lost cause by none the second phase (of elections).” behind her kept moving his foot less than ... Modi,” the Congress Sharma said nothing could be up and down her neck while she leader said. more absurd than what the prime was half-asleep. “Fearing imminent defeat in minister had said on Sunday. She was seen sobbing on the Gujarat, the desperation of the “It is expected of the prime video she posted after she got off prime minister to hurl every minister to be dignifi ed in his the fl ight on Saturday. abuse and latch on to every straw “The desperation of the discourse, to always remember Wasim claims she could not is palpable,” Singh said. prime minister to hurl that he holds a high offi ce and he immediately complain to the “Sadly and regrettably, Modi every abuse and latch on to should not level accusations, cast crew as the aircraft was in land- is setting a dangerous precedent every straw is palpable” aspersions on those who have ing mode. by his insatiable desire to tar- held high constitutional offi ces But she did so as soon as it nish every Constitutional offi ce Singh went on: “I sincerely and have served India with dedi- landed. including that of a former prime hope that the prime minister will cation and commitment.” Air Vistara was co-operating minister and army chief.” show the maturity and gravitas Sharma said Modi’s insinu- with investigations, the airline The statement follows Modi’s expected of the high offi ce he ations against the former vice said in a statement and regret- allegations at an election rally holds instead of concentrating president and former prime ted “the unfortunate experience in Gujarat that guests at Aiyar’s his energy solely on erroneously minister of doing something im- Ms Zaira Wasim had onboard our house, including Singh and former conceived brownie points. proper is “highly irresponsible, fl ight” and said it had shared de- vice president Hamid Ansari, dis- “I sincerely hope that he will improper and condemnable.” tails of the incident with the Di- cussed the Gujarat election with apologise to the nation for his ill “The prime minister must rectorate General of Civil Avia- Pakistan’s high commissioner to thought transgression to restore the remember that mere attending tion and police. India and a former Pakistani for- dignity of the offi ce he occupies.” a social function in which high Charges of sexual assault under eign minister among others. The Congress also demanded dignitaries were present... It was the Indian penal code and under Ravi Belagere, the editor of Kannada tabloid Hai Bangalore is taken to Parappana Agrahara “I reject the innuendos and that Modi apologise to former not a secret meeting, in which an act for protecting children had Central Prison in Bengaluru yesterday. He was arrested on December 8 for allegedly hiring a falsehoods as I did not discuss Ansari and Singh for insinuat- former chief of the Indian army, been fi led, police said, adding that contract killer to murder a colleague. The motive is believed to be personal enmity, police said, Gujarat elections with anyone ing that they were colluding with India’s former high commission- investigations are on. but the killing was not carried out. else at the dinner hosted by Aiyar Pakistan to defeat the Bharatiya er to Pakistan, eminent journal- as alleged by Modi. Nor was the Janata Party in Gujarat. ists, they all were present.

Two train routes to be Delhi air quality to remain fenced for high-speed run very poor despite drizzle IANS While the overall cost for New Delhi the Delhi-Kolkata route is estimated at Rs70bn, that of IANS Science and Environment (CSE) end of the severe level, while the Delhi-Mumbai corridor New Delhi and member of the Environ- in Ghaziabad (463) and Noida ndian Railways will soon is Rs110bn. Of this, fenc- ment Pollution (Prevention and (408) it was “severe”. seek cabinet clearance for ing alone will cost about Control) Authority, said. The PM2.5 values also in- Ian ambitious, Rs180bn Rs22bn. elhi’s air quality, which Some parts of the national creased over the past 24 hours. ($3bn) plan that involves fenc- Fencing is a must for semi- was overall “very poor” capital witnessed a drizzle In the NCR, it was 248 units ing the existing Delhi-Kolkata high speed corridors as it pre- Dyesterday, will not im- around 5.30pm for a few min- at 6pm yesterday, against 241 and Delh-Mumbai routes to vents human or cattle interfer- prove even after a drizzle due to utes yesterday. units on Sunday. In Delhi, it was speed up train movement in ence on the tracks and ensures high pollution, offi cials said. PM2.5, or pollution particles 243 units as against 237 units the country’s two busiest cor- higher speeds and safety. The India Meteorological De- in air with diameter less than 2.5 on Sunday – about 10 times the ridors. Describing it as a “paradigm partment (IMD) had predicted micrometers, dropped from 249 safe limit as per international Besides fencing, the propos- shift” for the development of that light showers in national units at 5pm (before the drizzle) standards. al involves track and signalling the rail network in the country, capital region, including Delhi, to 248 at 6pm (after the drizzle). The air quality was described upgrades and elimination of the offi cial said once the route between yesterday and tomor- According to experts, light as “severe plus” at Anand Vihar unmanned level-crossings is fi t for 160kmph, the speed row would help bring down the showers may help abate pollu- (PM2.5 reading 431 against 389 along the two major trunk can be further upgraded up to pollution level. tion for a day but they also lead on Sunday) in east Delhi; Delhi routes - Delhi-Mumbai at 200kmph. However, with air qual- to deterioration of air quality. Technical University (PM2.5 428 1,384km and Delhi-Howrah at According to the feasibil- ity hovering near severe lev- “The rain intensity is very units against 332 on Sunday) in 1,450km. ity study, it is a remunerative els, light showers will not be less. Drizzle increases air mois- north Delhi; Mathura Road (403 “The proposal has already project with both routes hav- enough to provide clean air, es- ture, thereby leading to a drop units as per SAFAR) in south- been cleared by the extended ing a high rate of return. pecially in the long run. in minimum temperature. The Delhi; Sector 125, Noida (374 Railway Board, Niti Aayog and The offi cial said that while “In case of rain, there is a overall eff ect is that air pollut- units against 304 on Sunday) and the Finance Ministry. Now it the rate of return for the Delhi- possibility of very little im- ants do not disperse. Unless Vasundhara in Ghaziabad (417 awaits cabinet clearance – af- Howrah route – which runs provement... however, as per there is good rain, the air qual- units against 367 on Sunday). ter which the project will com- through major cities such as the IMD, the levels will stay ity will remain very poor,” EPCA Meanwhile, at R K Puram in mence,” a senior Railway Min- Kanpur and Lucknow – has in the very poor category. At member Usmaan Naseem said. south Delhi and Mandir Marg istry offi cial said. been estimated at 18%, it has present, the PM2.5 levels are According to the Central Pol- in central Delhi, the air quality The ambitious project en- been pegged at 14.7% for the already above 418 units in cer- lution Control Board (CPCB), was severe with PM2.5 recorded visages taking train speeds up Delhi-Mumbai corridor that tain areas,” Shambhavi Shukla, Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi at 270 and 261 units respective- A vendor prepares to sell candyfloss amid heavy smog at the India Gate to 160km per hour in the busy has cities such as Vadodara en a researcher at the Centre for (361) at 4pm was at the upper ly at 6pm. monument in New Delhi yesterday. corridors. route. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 25 LATIN AMERICA Uber’s Chinese rival to enter Mexico next year, say sources

Reuters bal ambitions, but has not for- tous in China but little-known gun trying to recruit corporate The company has made no countries and a research lab in Uber lost roughly $2bn trying to Mexico City/San Francisco mally announced where or when in the West, will launch a smart- talent in the sector, the source secret of its desire to expand Silicon Valley that opened earlier compete. After ceding its China it would expand. phone app in Mexico and recruit added. beyond China, particularly in this year. business, Uber doubled down The Chinese company is the local drivers to the platform, ac- A spokesman for Didi declined light of the growing number of Didi has invested in Uber on Latin America, where Didi is idi Chuxing, China’s second-most highly valued, cording to the sources, who de- to comment. Chinese customers who travel rivals around the world, in- now encroaching. ride-hailing behemoth, venture-backed private fi rm in clined to be named. About a month ago, Didi met overseas. cluding US-based Lyft, Bra- Uber has established a strong- Dplans to expand into the world, after Uber Technolo- It is unclear which cities Didi with ProMexico, a government In April, Didi raised $5.5bn zil-based 99, India’s Ola, Sin- hold in Mexico, with 7mn users Mexico next year, intensifying its gies. will target, although one of the trade and investment body, to dis- from investors, in part to fund gapore-headquartered Grab, across 45 cities. global rivalry with Uber, accord- Didi has no cars outside Chi- sources said the company was cuss opportunities in the country, global expansion. But until now, Estonia’s Taxify and Careem in Mexico City is Uber’s third- ing to two sources familiar with na, meaning Mexico could be its aiming to launch in the fi rst according to a Mexican offi cial, its plans have been limited to the Middle East. biggest market in the world by the plans. fi rst international operation. quarter of next year. who declined to provide further fi nancial commitments to ride- The company acquired Uber’s rides, after the Brazilian cities of Didi has spoken before of glo- Didi, whose brand is ubiqui- The company has already be- details about the conversations. hailing companies in other China business last year after Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Venezuelan migrants pose humanitarian crisis in Brazil

Reuters “social emergency,” putting local Boa Vista, Brazil services on alert for mounting health and security demands. “Shelters are already crowded ast August, Victor Rivera, to their limit,” said George Oko- a 36-year-old unemployed th-Obbo, operations chief for Lbaker, left his hometown the United Nations High Com- in northern Venezuela and made mission on Refugees, after a visit the two-day journey by road to there. “It is a very tough situa- the remote Amazonian city of tion.” Boa Vista, Brazil. He noted the crush of mi- Although work is scarce in grants also hitting Trinidad and the city of 300,000 people, slim Tobago, the Caribbean country Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro speaks during an event with supporters, next to newly elected mayor of Libertador district Erika Farias (centre) and president of prospects in Boa Vista appeal to Venezuela’s north, and Co- Venezuela’s National Constituent Assembly Delcy Rodriguez (left), in Caracas, Venezuela. more to Rivera than life back lombia, the Andean neighbour home, where his six children of- to the west, where hundreds of ten go hungry and the shelves of thousands have fl ed. grocery stores and hospitals are Not even Venezuela’s gov- increasingly bare. ernment knows for certain how “I see no future in Venezuela,” many of its 30mn people have said Rivera, who seeks odd jobs fl ed in recent years. at traffi c lights in the small state Some sociologists have esti- capital just over 200km from mated the number to be as high Maduro eyes presidency Brazil’s border with the Andean as 2mn, although President country. Nicolas Maduro’s leftist govern- Countries across Latin Amer- ment disputes that fi gure. ica and beyond have received a Unlike earlier migration, when growing number of Venezue- many Venezuelan profession- lans fl eeing economic hardship, als left for markets where their crime and what critics call an services found strong demand, race after poll victory increasingly authoritarian gov- many of those leaving now have ernment. few skills or resources. Reuters biggest opposition parties were Chavez-era economic policies, First and Democratic Action — Maduro said the three ab- The once-prosperous coun- By migrating, then, they export Caracas not fi elding candidates. such as currency controls, that boycotted Sunday’s polls, say- staining parties should be try, home to the world’s largest some of the social ills that Vene- The elections left Maduro the is to blame for the crisis. ing the election board was at the banned from participating in fu- proven oil reserves, is struggling zuela has struggled to cope with. favourite to be the socialists’ Venezuela’s 30mn people service of Maduro’s “dictator- ture elections. The presidential with a profound recession, wide- “They’re leaving because of resident Nicolas Maduro candidate in next year’s presi- are enduring one of the worst ship” and turning a blind eye to election has traditionally been spread unemployment, chronic economic, health and public has set his sights on Ven- dential race despite the ambi- economic meltdowns in Latin abuses by the state. held in December, but there is shortages and infl ation that the safety problems, but putting a Pezuela’s 2018 presidential tions of rivals within the gov- American history. Millions are But other opposition parties speculation it will be brought opposition-led Congress said lot of pressure on countries that election after the ruling Social- ernment and an economic crisis skipping meals, missing medi- did put up candidates, adding to forward to the fi rst half of 2018 could soon top 2,000%. have their own diffi culties,” said ist Party as predicted dominat- that has pummelled the Opec cines, and lining up for hours confusion and acrimony within so the socialists can take advan- At least 125 people died this Mauricio Santoro, a political ed mayoral polls with the help nation since his 2013 election. at shops during acute shortages opposition ranks. tage of the opposition’s disarray. year amid clashes among gov- scientist at Rio de Janeiro State of a partial boycott by a crum- “We’re ready to compete!” and crippling infl ation. ernment opponents, supporters University. bling opposition. he told cheering supporters in Venezuela’s opposition coali- President seeking to ‘consolidate dictatorship’ and police. International authorities are The 55-year-old successor to a Caracas square shortly before tion scoff ed at Sunday’s vote as As conditions there worsen, likening Venezuela’s exodus to Hugo Chavez, enjoying a politi- midnight on Sunday, next to a a Pyrrhic victory for Maduro. President Nicolas Maduro is not be transparent. Maduro nearby cities like Boa Vista are other mass departures in Latin cal breather after a year of fe- statue of Venezuela’s independ- “Irregularities and low turn- pushing Venezuela deeper is running for re-election in struggling with one of the big- America’s past, like that of refu- rocious domestic protests and ence hero Simon Bolivar. out characterised the vote,” the into “dictatorship” by declaring 2018. “Maduro’s attempt to gest migrations in recent Latin gees who fl ed Haiti after a 2010 damaging foreign sanctions, “2018 belongs to the ‘Chavis- coalition said in a statement. that opposition parties will ban opposition parties from American history. earthquake or, worse, the 1980 said the government had won at tas,’” Maduro said, using the It is demanding reforms to the be barred from next year’s presidential elections is yet With limited infrastructure, fl ight of 125,000 Cubans by boat least 90% of the 335 mayorships ruling movement’s name after electoral system for the 2018 presidential election, the US another extreme measure to social services and jobs to off er for the US. in Sunday’s election. his popular mentor and pred- vote. But there was no co-or- state department charged close the democratic space migrants, Brazilian authorities In Brazil, Okoth-Obbo said, The latest offi cial results gave ecessor. He also declared fi xing dinated response among mem- yesterday. Maduro made the in Venezuela and consolidate fear a full-fl edged humanitarian as many as 40,000 Venezuelans him 21 of 23 state capitals as well Venezuela’s broken economy a bers of the coalition, which has statement after opposition power in his authoritarian crisis. have arrived. Just over half of as Caracas’ main district, with full priority. succumbed to infi ghting, and parties boycotted mayoral dictatorship,” department In Roraima, the rural state of them have applied for asylum, results set to be announced later. But opponents and even some the road ahead looked bleak. elections held Sunday on spokeswoman Heather Nauert which Boa Vista is the capital, a bureaucratic process that can No one doubted the social- government dissenters say it Three of the coalition’s main the grounds voting would said on Twitter. the governor last week decreed a take two years. ists’ big win, given three of the is his stubborn adherence to parties — Popular Will, Justice

Protest in Honduras EU-Mercosur deal seen Pension vote could be delayed as talks hit snags delayed, says Temer Reuters harder for Temer’s adminis- Brasilia tration to pass the unpopular Reuters of the free trade agreement with tonnage of beef that EU coun- measure. Brasilia Mercosur that seeks to liberalise tries would allow in each year Temer agreed with lower trade and investment, services free of tariff s, EU diplomats have razilian President house leaders last week to vote and access to public procure- said rules of origin still have to Michel Temer said a key on the constitutional amend- ree-trade talks between ment. be included in the provisional Bvote on a bill streamlin- ment during the week of De- the European Union and political accord. ing the social security system cembr 18, the last before the FSouth American trade bloc “There is very little left to Brazil has said that can be could be delayed to early 2018 Christmas recess. Mercosur still face hurdles over negotiate and they are not worked out in the coming as the government struggles Approval in the lower house beef and ethanol, and an ex- fundamental issues. There months before a fi nal agreement to gather support among law- would send the reform to a fi - pected deal announcement this will be a deal and it will is signed sometime in mid-2018. makers. nal Senate vote. week might not happen, offi cials be announced when it is Brazil’s foreign ministry Speaking to journalists in The reform proposal seeks to involved in negotiations said struck, here or in Brasilia” played down the hurdles to a Buenos Aires, Temer said he increase the age at which Bra- yesterday. deal. was confi dent that the bill, zilians can retire and collect Mercosur diplomats involved Brazilian President Michel “There is very little left to seen as crucial to reining in social security. in the talks on the sidelines of Temer, speaking to reporters af- negotiate and they are not fun- government debt, would pass It would also make pension the World Trade Organisation ter attending the opening of the damental issues,” said an offi - a lower house vote this year payouts in Brazil, among the minister’s meeting in Buenos WTO meeting on Sunday, said cial, who requested anonymity. but negotiations will continue most generous in the world, Aires said EU offi cials had not an announcement of the frame- “There will be a deal and it will even if does not. more modest. presented improved off ers on work political agreement for the be announced when it is struck, “If it’s not this year, it will Meanwhile, the centrist EU tariff -free imports of South EU-Mercosur deal might have here or in Brasilia.” be in the beginning of next Brazilian Social Democracy American beef and ethanol as to wait until December 21, when Mercosur members Brazil, Ar- year,” Temer said, according to Party, or PSDB, elected four- promised. the bloc’s presidents meet in gentina, Paraguay and Uruguay a transcript of a news confer- time Sao Paulo governor Ger- “Basically, they want us to Brasilia. are pushing for an improvement ence. aldo Alckmin as its leader, show our cards before they show A spokeswoman for the Ar- on the EU off er of tariff -free im- His remarks struck a more making him its most likely theirs,” a senior diplomat from gentine foreign ministry said ports for 70,000 tonnes a year fl exible tone than his state- presidential nominee in next a Mercosur country said, asking agreement on the conclusion of of beef and 600,000 tonnes of ments last week, when he said year’s elections. not to be named due to the sensi- the negotiations that have gone ethanol a year. he would not even consider Alckmin threw the party’s tive stage of the negotiations. on for almost two decades could They complain that it is lower Supporters of presidential candidate for Honduras’ delaying the vote to 2018. weight behind a social secu- Resistance by some EU still be reached by Wednesday than the 100,000-tonne beef of- Opposition Alliance against Dictatorship, Salvador Nasralla, Presidential and congres- rity overhaul that is currently member states to agricultural in Buenos Aires or, if not, next fer the EU made in 2004, though hold a protest blocking the way out from the municipality of sional elections next year, before Congress and would cut imports, such as Ireland and week in Brazil. EU negotiators say Europeans Danli, El Paraiso, east of Tegucigalpa, yesterday. seen as the most wide open in generous pensions for public- France, has delayed negotiation Besides disagreement over the eat less meat today. decades, could make it even sector employees. Gulf Times 26 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 PAKISTAN

New system for Lahore Low student numbers police

Internews Lahore shut 1,000 KP schools Internews structing schools at the behest to upgrade primary schools to ment closed those schools where in such schools is below 40, how it receives instructions from the he police have submitted Peshawar of rulers. As in the past, cur- middle, high or higher second- less than 40 students were en- many would it have been at time chief minister that criteria shall to the Punjab government rently government schools are ary level,” the offi cial said. rolled. of their establishment years be relaxed,” an offi cial of the ed- Ta new administrative constructed on the directives of He said that each year, the He added that most of the ago?” a source questioned. ucation department said. structure in the wake of an un- he elementary and sec- Chief Minister Pervez Khattak,” provincial government refl ected closed schools were located in According to criteria, a new Asked what the education der-discussion proposal where- ondary education de- an offi cial said. in the budget the establishment the rural areas. school is constructed in an area department would do with the in Lahore is likely to be divided Tpartment in Pakistan’s He said that the education of schools that was approved by The number of closed schools with 1,000 people in the vicin- abandoned buildings, a senior into four districts. northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa department had to carry out the the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa As- in Peshawar is 45, in Manse- ity, which ensures admission of offi cial of the education depart- According to the recom- province has shut around 1,000 directives of the chief minister. sembly. hra it is 100, in Abbottabad the 160 students in the school. ment said that the department mendations shared in a cabinet government primary schools “We have no power to decide “After the passage of the number is 65, in Bannu the fi g- Under the criteria, a current was yet to make a decision what committee meeting last week, because to low enrolment and on whether a school is needed or budget, the chief minister issues ure is 60, in Battagram 90, in primary school should not ex- to do with the buildings. the provincial capital city police shifted their students to the not. Rather, we have to wait for directives to the education de- Kohistan 87, in Charsadda 58, ist within 1.5km of the proposed He said that several proposals proposed two deputy inspectors nearest schools. the directives of the chief minis- partment from time to time re- in Chitral 55, in Mardan 60, in site for the new school. are under consideration. general (DIGs) and four senior According to offi cial sources, ter,” he added. garding the construction of each Haripur 60, in Swabi 55, in Lakki Sources said that the crite- He said that non-formal superintendents of police (SSPs) the abandoned school build- The chief minister is approv- school,” he said. Marwat 60, in Dera Ismail Khan rion was rarely followed as the schools could be launched in for the four proposed districts. ings, which had cost billions of ing the construction of schools The offi cial said that advice 12, in Malakand 15, in Swat 10, in district education offi ces had to abandoned buildings, to be run The meeting was chaired by rupees, were built by the educa- in the constituencies of law- of the education department Tank 10, in Torghar seven, and in follow the directives of the chief by the Elementary Education Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, an tion department at “unfeasible” makers to please them, some about new schools was often re- Nowshera, four. minister and legislators con- Foundation. offi cial said here yesterday. places at the directive of the sources say. jected in favour of whatever the Sources said that most of the cerned. The second proposal is to Representing the police at then-rulers to please voters. “Not only does the chief min- chief minister and the legislators schools that were closed were “If the education department hand over the vacated buildings the meeting were Lahore Capi- “Despite the closure of 1,000 ister decide on the construction wanted. established around two decades resists construction of school for establishing schools under tal City Police Offi cer (CCPO) schools, the government is of the new primary schools, A district education offi cer ago. at a proposed site for not fulfi ll- the public private partnership, Amin Wains and DIG Operations continuing the practice of con- but he also decides on whether said that the education depart- “If at present the enrolment ing the criteria, on the next day the offi cial said. Haider Ashraf, while Commis- sioner Abdullah Sumbal and other senior offi cials represented the law, revenue and other state departments. Made of money The proposed structure of the US, Pakistan engage Lahore police was presented by the Wains and Ashraf. The development comes at in quiet diplomacy a time when the next general elections are approaching and extensive homework is required Internews providing safe havens to the to pull off the scheme of divid- Washington Haqqani network for carrying ing Pakistan’s second largest out attacks into Afghanistan. city into four administrative dis- The Pakistanis also did not tricts. S-Pakistan talks for say that the United States was The offi cial said that accord- fi nding common trying to hide its failures in ing to the scheme, the police Uground on Afghani- Afghanistan by blaming Paki- personnel of the four proposed stan have moved away from stan, the media added. districts would be led by a senior exchanging allegations into Diplomatic observers in police offi cer of the rank of addi- a phase of quiet diplomacy Washington say that this tional inspector general (appar- aimed at resolving diff erences, change is quite noticeable, ently called CCPO). Pakistani and US offi cials say. when compared with the rhet- A DIG will head two districts, The offi cials confi rmed that oric that followed President and he will be assisted by two the two countries had held a Donald Trump’s August 21 an- district SSPs (district SSP1 and series of meetings before and nouncement of his new strat- district SSP2) who might be giv- after US Defence Secretary egy for Afghanistan. en the status of SSP Town or SSP James Mattis’s December 4 A military defeat that forces East/West, etc., at a later stage. visit to Islamabad, refl ecting the Taliban to co-operate with However, nothing is fi nal yet the mutual desire to improve Kabul is the key component of with regards to their designa- ties. this strategy. tion. Speaking with the Pakistani While Pakistan supports The offi cial said that the SSP1 media in Washington, ambas- reconciliation between the would have two SPs (SP1 and sador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary Afghan government and Tali- SP2) under his command. said that Mattis’s visit had a ban, it warns that there is no The SP1, working under the positive impact on eff orts to military solution to the Afghan district SSP1, would supervise rebuild the relationship. confl ict. four police “circles”, namely And Pentagon’s chief Soon after Trump’s speech, Naulakha, Lower Mall, Gowal- spokesperson Dana White said the US media reported that mandi, and Islampura. at a news briefi ng last week his administration was con- The SP1 would look after the that Mattis visited Islamabad sidering proposals to declare aff airs of the both wings (inves- to fi nd a common ground with Pakistan a state sponsor of tigation and operations). Pakistan. terrorism, to expand drone at- In the current system two SPs “It’s in the interests of Paki- tacks into Pakistan’s settled were separately heading the both A shopkeeper makes garlands with US dollars and local currency notes at a flower market in Peshawar. Garlands made up of currency stan, the US and the region to areas, and to expunge Pakistan wings of the Lahore police. notes is popular in south Asia for special occasions like weddings, pilgrimage, and political activities. ensure that we can encourage from its list of major non-Nato Similarly, the SP2 would have that Afghanistan has a political (North Atlantic Treaty Organi- four circles, namely Tibbi City, reconciliation. So we’ll look for sation) allies. Badami Bagh, Rang Mahal, and ways to work with Pakistanis to Mattis, however, did not re- Misri Shah. fi nd that common ground and peat any of these threats be- Under the new proposal, the move forward,” she said. fore, during or after his visit to Lahore police will have to estab- Reports in the US media also Islamabad. lish new police lines and more Islamabad road named after teenaged hero noted that during the visit, the In fact, he refused to do so high-profi le slots, additional United States did not repeat its even when prodded by the me- staff , transport besides other re- allegation that Pakistan was dia. sources and fi nances, the offi cial DPA western town of Hangu. already bestowed Hasan with buildings were named after rul- said. Islamabad The bomber detonated his one of the country’s highest ers of the Sunni Arab world: He added that besides the po- suicide vest while fi ghting with awards, the Star of Bravery, the Ghaddafi Crocket Stadium in lice, the changes of similar na- Hasan. same honour received by Nobel the eastern city of Lahore, Fais- ture in the other government de- road in the Pakistani cap- Both were killed. Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who al Mosque in Islamabad, and partments and judiciary was also ital has been re-named in At least 2,000 students were was shot by Taliban militants Gamal Abdel Nasser Road are a Number of migrants discussed at the meeting. Amemory of a teenage boy at the school. for campaigning for girls’ edu- few examples. The meeting was told that in hailed as a hero for preventing “We have named the road af- cation. Lady Reading Hospital in the wake of the administrative the bombing of his school by ter Hasan,” said Zeeshan Naqvi, Pakistan has started honour- Peshawar and Gulab Devi Hos- to Europe rising: UN changes in the Lahore police, wrestling with a Taliban suicide deputy mayor of Islamabad, ing the country’s heroes as part pital in Lahore are still named the government needs to make bomber. yesterday. of a campaign against religious after colonial-era non-Muslim amendments to the Police Order, In January 2014, 15-year-old The road links two residential militants by naming roads, philanthropists, but Islam- Internews were interviewed in Italy. create four sessions judges slots, Aitzaz Hasan overpowered a neighbourhoods in the western bridges, schools and other areas ist groups have been pushing Islamabad This year 1,328 Pakistani and make modifi cations in the suicide bomber who was trying part of the city. after them. the government to change their nationals have been inter- revenue and other departments. to storm his school in the north- The Pakistan government has In 1980s and 90s, many names. viewed so far – 71% in Bulgar- he number of migrants ia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, travelling from Paki- Montenegro, Romania, Serbia Tstan along the Central and former Yugoslav Republic and Eastern Mediterranean of Macedonia – while the re- routes to seek asylum and jobs maining 29% were surveyed in If Pakistani naming trend is a guide, in parts of eastern Europe has Italy, either in locations close been increasing since 2016, to disembarkation points in and majority of such people are the south or in Friuli Venezia from Punjab, followed by Khy- Giulia, the northeastern region Imran Khan could be the next PM ber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balu- at the border with Slovenia. chistan, and Islamabad. Among migrants inter- A profi le of Pakistani mi- viewed on the Central Medi- Internews and the Nadra data shows that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. grants released by the UN’s terranean route about reasons Islamabad Pakistan is no diff erent. This is because contrary to agency, International Organi- for leaving their country, 90% If the naming custom is taken custom in Pakistan – just keep- sation for Migration (IOM), reported leaving Pakistan be- as a way of gauging someone’s ing one caste along with your shows that most Pakistani cause of fear of violence or ven though the general popularity, then Imran Khan can name – Bilawal has kept two. migrants interviewed in Italy personal persecution, 12% re- elections are seven months be considered as the prime min- He is a Bhutto, after his moth- come from Punjab (72% in ported war or confl ict, and 11% Eaway, one can predict who ister, according to Express Trib- er, and a Zardari, after his father, 2016 and 76% in 2017). reported economic reasons. the next prime minister will be une daily. making his name unique. Pakistani migrants follow- Some of the migrants cited on the basis of the data of the Na- The country’s top database au- However, Nadra records show ing the eastern Mediterranean more than one reason. tional Database and Registration thority record shows that there that 13 individuals have adopted Imran Khan: 62,378 individuals route also hail mostly from On the eastern Mediterrane- Authority (Nadra). are 62,378 individuals who have the name “Bilawal Bhutto”. bear the name of the PTI chief. Punjab (54% in 2016 and 63% an route, 53% of respondents If popularity is used to predict the name “Imran Khan”, but only On the other hand, PPP co- in 2017), followed by almost left due to economic reasons, a potential winner, then Paki- 10 call themselves “Mian Mu- chairperson Asif Ali Zardari is women have the name “Benazir one-quarter from KP (23% in while 32% left due to fear of stan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief hammad Nawaz Sharif”. apparently more popular than his Bhutto”. 2016 and 24% in 2017). violence or persecution, and Imran Khan is ahead by miles If the search is expanded, one son. A senior Nadra offi cial, while The number of Pakistani na- 26% cited war or confl ict. compared with his opponents will fi nd 515 named “Muhammad In Pakistan there are 10 indi- speaking about the 62,000 Im- tionals interviewed in 2016 was Most of the respondents Nawaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Nawaz Sharif”, and 111 named viduals named “Asif Ali Zardari”. ran Khans, said that the name 1,253, of which 93% have been on the central Mediterranean Zardari. “Nawaz Sharif”. Former prime minister Benazir “Imran”, already common in Pa- met by the IOM’s Displace- route in 2016 and 2017 engaged All over the world diehard po- However, the Pakistan Peo- Bhutto’s name is also quite popu- kistan, gained even more promi- ment Tracking Matrix (DTM) in secondary migration, start- litical activists name their chil- ple’s Party (PPP) chairman con- lar. nence after Pakistan won the data collectors along the east- ing the journey after having Benazir Bhutto: There are 2,814 dren after their favourite political tinues to keep his uniqueness in Today, across Pakistan, there cricket world cup in 1992 under ern Mediterranean route. spent one year or more in a Benazirs and 13 Benazir Bhuttos. leaders to show their support, this scenario as there is only one are 2,814 Benazirs, while 13 the captaincy of Imran Khan. The remaining migrants country other than Pakistan. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 27 PHILIPPINES

Govt defi ed Sanofi calls for lifting experts’ advice

Reuters It did conduct a “limited Manila baseline study” in late Febru- ary and March 2016, but the survey looked at “common ill- s she announced in nesses” rather than the preva- vaccine suspension January 2016 that the lence of dengue, according to APhilippines would im- guidelines issued by Garin’s AFP munise 1mn children with a offi ce at the time and reviewed Manila new dengue vaccine, the na- by Reuters. tion’s then health secretary Garin, who was part of the Janette Garin boasted it was government of former presi- rench pharmaceutical gi- a world-fi rst and a tribute to dent Benigno Aquino and ant Sanofi yesterday urged her country’s “expertise” in replaced when President Ro- Fthe Philippines to lift the research. drigo Duterte took power in suspension of its anti-dengue At the time, it seemed the June, 2016, did not respond to vaccine, insisting it was safe, but Philippines could be on the requests for comment on why the government accused the fi rm cusp of a breakthrough to she ignored the local experts’ of “dishonesty”. combat a potentially lethal recommendations. Sales of Dengvaxia and a land- tropical virus that had been A physician, Garin has de- mark public immunisation pro- endemic in large parts of the fended her conduct and a gramme using the vaccine were Southeast Asian nation for programme that she said was suspended by the Philippines decades. “implemented in accordance this month after Sanofi warned with WHO guidance and rec- it could lead to “severe” symp- “The usual process for the ommendations”. toms for people who had not DOH that has protected “I understand the concern,” previously been infected with our children for so she told Philippine TV station dengue. many decades was not ABS-CBN on Friday. “Even But the company’s regional followed. That’s a fact” us, we’re also very angry when head said yesterday that remov- we learned about Sanofi ’s an- ing the vaccine from the Phil- Almost two years later, nouncement about severe ippine market did the public a the programme lies in tatters dengue. I’m also a mother. My “disservice”, as it was safe and and has been suspended af- child was also vaccinated. I eff ective for most Filipinos. ter Sanofi Pasteur, a division was also vaccinated.” “That will be a regression in of French drug fi rm Sanofi , DOH spokesman Lyndon the country’s approach in solv- said at the end of last month Lee Suy also did not respond ing a major public health con- the vaccine itself may in some to text messages or questions cern and a disservice to the cases increase the risk of se- e-mailed to him. Filipino people,” Thomas Tri- vere dengue in recipients not Sanofi Philippines declined omphe, Sanofi Pasteur’s head previously infected by the vi- comment on the Philippines of Asia-Pacifi c, said at a Senate rus. government decision. hearing in the capital Manila. Documents reviewed by However, Dr Su-Peing Ng, “Doing so would in eff ect Reuters that have not been Global Medical Head of Sa- leave 90% of the population at disclosed until now, as well as nofi Pasteur, told Reuters: “We the mercy of an epidemic which interviews with local experts, communicated all known ben- has been found to be prevent- show that key recommenda- efi ts and risks of the vaccine to able,” Triomphe added, referring Thomas Triomphe (right), Asia-Pacific head of French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi, is escorted by security personnel after attending a Senate tions made by a Philippines the Philippines government.” to health department fi gures hearing in Manila yesterday. Department of Health (DOH) Rontgene Solante, former on the number of Filipinos who advisory body of doctors and president of the Philippines contract dengue. “I think they have not been pharmacologists were not Society for Microbiology In late November, Sanofi re- forthright from the beginning,” heeded before the programme and Infectious Diseases, said leased fi ndings of a new study Duque said. was rolled out to 830,000 health offi cials were motivated that it said showed Dengvaxia “My index of suspicion is so children. to end the debilitating impact could lead to severe infec- high. I am pregnant with doubt. After Garin’s announce- of dengue on the Philippines, tions for vaccinated people who We should not allow this. We are ment, the Formulary Execu- where there are about 200,000 caught the disease for the fi rst talking about the lives of chil- tive Council (FEC) of advisers reported cases each year and time. dren.” urged caution over the vaccine many more unreported. The vaccination programme Medical experts who were part because it said its safety and Over 1,000 people died of was launched last year by the of an advisory body to the health cost-eff ectiveness had not the disease in the country last administration of previous pres- department told the inquiry they been established. year. ident Benigno Aquino, making had recommended only “phased After twice meeting in Jan- Two months after the FEC the Philippines the fi rst nation to implementation” of the vaccine uary, the panel approved the wrote to the health secretary, use Dengvaxia on a mass scale. and not mass immunisation, state’s purchase of the vac- the DOH began immunising About 830,000 schoolchil- pending further clinical trials. cine on Feb 1, 2016 but recom- 1mn students around the age dren had received at least one Responding to questions from mended stringent conditions, of 10 in all three target areas in dose of the vaccine under the senators, the experts said the minutes of all three meetings April 2016, in accordance with public programme while 32,000 launch of the public vaccination show. its original plan but at odds patients were vaccinated in pri- programme was “premature”. “Based on the available with the FEC’s recommenda- vate hospitals, Health Secretary Senator Richard Gordon, head scientifi c evidence presented tions to conduct a slow roll- Francisco Duque said yesterday. of the committee leading the to the Council, there is still a out of the vaccine. During the Senate hearing, probe, said the government had need to establish long-term “The usual process for the Duque accused Sanofi offi cials of approved the public immunisa- safety, eff ectiveness and cost- DOH that has protected our “mental dishonesty” about the tion programme with “undue eff ectiveness,” the FEC told children for so many decades vaccine’s eff ectiveness, saying haste” and without suffi cient Health Secretary Francisco Duque gestures during the Senate hearing on the anti-dengue drug Dengvax- Garin in a letter on that day. was not followed. That’s a he doubted their assurances. preparation. ia in Pasay city, Manila yesterday. The letter was reviewed by fact,” said Susan Mercado, a Reuters. former Philippines health de- The FEC said Dengvaxia partment undersecretary and should be introduced through former senior offi cial at the small-scale pilot tests and World Health Organization phased implementation rath- (WHO). WHO said in April Sereno er than across three regions 2016 that the Philippines’ Duterte cites militant regrouping in the country at the same campaign appeared to meet time, and only after a detailed its criteria for using Dengvaxia violated “baseline” study of the preva- because the targeted regions lence and strains of dengue in had high levels of dengue ex- to extend martial law in Mindanao the targeted area, the FEC let- posure; the vaccine would be ‘court ter and minutes of the meet- provided to children 9 years ings said. and older; and they would Reuters Rodolfo Farinas told reporters. The experts also recom- each receive three doses. WHO was not involved in norms’ Manila Continuing martial law be- mended that Dengvaxia be yond the initial 60-day limit bought in small batches so the deliberations of the FEC, requires lawmakers’ approval, the price could be negotiated according to the minutes. By Ralph Villanueva hilippine President Ro- but the constitution does not down. It said in a statement last Manila Times drigo Duterte yesterday limit any extensions. An economic evaluation re- week that a position paper on Pasked Congress to ex- Martial law allows for port commissioned by Garin’s the dengue vaccine it pub- tend martial law on the south- tougher surveillance and ar- own department had found lished in July 2016 did not in- hief Justice Ma. Lourdes ern island of Mindanao for a rests without warrant, giving the proposed cost of 1,000 pe- clude a recommendation for Sereno unilaterally de- year, arguing that militants security forces greater rein to sos ($21.29) per dose was “not countries to introduce it. Ccided not to raffl e off the have been regrouping since go after suspected extremist cost-eff ective” from a public Now, after Sanofi ’s warn- request by Justice Secretary Vital- a five-month urban conflict financiers and facilitators. payer perspective, the minutes ings, WHO has said it agrees iano Aguirre, to remove the cases ended there in October. Duterte has long warned from the meetings reveal. with the government’s deci- fi led against the Maute group out He said fighters who sur- that Mindanao faced contam- For reasons that Reuters was sion to suspend the immuni- of Marawi City, violating the Su- vived the battle for Marawi ination by Islamic State, and unable to determine, these sation programme. preme Court’s collegiality, magis- City were determined to es- experts say parts of southern recommendations were ig- The current secretary of trates said yesterday. tablish a Southeast Asian Philippines are fertile ground nored. health in the Duterte adminis- Associate Justice Teresita de ‘wilayat’ — or governorate — for expansion, due to their The DOH purchased 3mn tration, Francisco Duque, said Castro confi rmed this before for Islamic State and named history of marginalisation and doses of Dengvaxia in one lot, he would carry out a “thor- the Committee on Justice of the militant Abu Turaifie as po- neglect. Critics of Duterte, enough for the required three ough analysis” of the FEC’s House of Representatives, which tentially the radical group’s who has held open the pos- vaccinations for each child in recommendations and the is hearing the impeachment com- next regional “chief”. sibility of extending military the proposed immunisation programme before passing plaint against the chief justice for The previous “chief”, Is- rule to the whole country, programme and paid 1,000 judgment. culpable violation of the Consti- nilon Hapilon, and another have slammed the imposition pesos per dose, a copy of the He said the Council’s rec- tution. rebel commander loyal to Is- of martial law in Mindanao purchase order reviewed by ommendations were not le- Associate Justice Noel Tijam lamic State were killed in Oc- as a misuse of power and evi- Reuters shows. gally enforceable. said the May 29 letter of Aguirre tober as the military closed in dence of the president’s au- was included in the Supreme on fighters who had occupied thoritarian tendencies. Court’s en banc session on June 6 the heart of Marawi since May Martial law is a sensitive is- but was not discussed. 23. sue in the Philippines, bring- Former Negros mayor to face graft charges Tijam said during the lunch More than 1,100 people — ing back memories of the break of the same day, he received mostly militants — were killed Duterte: seeks support for martial law extension 1970s rule of late dictator Fer- The Off ice of the Ombudsman and BAC vice chairman Joseph a call from Sereno, saying that she and 350,000 displaced by the dinand Marcos, who was ac- has filed a graft case against Alfonso Manayon; then-BAC discussed the letter with other Marawi unrest. ic caliphate and a ‘wilayat’, not attack another city, Presiden- cused of exaggerating security former Mayor Romel Yogore of members Daisy Galve and members of the Court over lunch In his letter to the Senate only in the Philippines but the tial Communications Secre- threats to justify harsh meas- Valladolid, Negros Occidental Merlene Magbanua; BAC following the en banc session. and House of Representa- whole of Southeast Asia. tary Martin Andanar said yes- ures to suppress dissent. and six others in connection Secretariat Ramonito Amazon Tijam said “a lunch was attend- tives, Duterte said militants A group led by Turaifie — terday. Human rights group Ka- with the alleged illegal procure- and Romeo Tanalgo, who was ed by the members of the Court, were radicalising and recruit- who heads a splinter group of Duterte placed restive rapatan questioned why mar- ment of services for the repair representative of Franmar but not all members are present.” ing local people, reorganising the Bangsamoro Islamic Free- Mindanao, which has a popu- tial law should be extended in of two mechanical grain dryers Agro-Industrial Sales. “I do not know how many themselves and building their dom Fighters and, according lation of 22mn, under military Mindanao nearly two months in 2009, Manila Times reported. In the charge sheet, the members were present during finances. to Duterte, is “said to be Ha- rule after the attack on Mara- after the military’s victory in Also charged before the Sandi- Ombudsman alleged that the lunch, but there is a distinct dif- “These activities are geared pilon’s potential successor” wi, and martial law was due to Marawi City. ganbayan were then-Municipal accused conspired in allowing ference in discussing matters towards the conduct of inten- — was planning bombings in be lifted there on Dec 31. “This is a dangerous prec- Agricultural Off icer Giovanni Franmar Agro-Industrial Sales, during the en banc session and sified atrocities and armed the Cotabato province south Lawmakers will vote on his edent that inches the entire Robles who was chairperson of for the repair of two-units me- holding a caucus on an impor- public uprisings,” he said, of Marawi. request for a one-year exten- country closer to a nationwide the Bids and Awards Commit- chanical grain dryers without tant matter when in front of your adding that they were aimed Intelligence reports indicate sion at a joint session tomor- declaration of martial rule,” it tee (BAC); Municipal Engineer public bidding. plates, forks and food,” Tijam said. at establishing a global Islam- that militants are plotting to row, Congress majority leader said in a statement. Gulf Times 28 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 SRI LANKA/BANGLADESH/NEPAL 10 airline staff Bangladesh premier get bail in PM plane glitch case

Agencies levelled against the 11 accused Dhaka were not proved during the in- opens software park vestigation, even though three other probes, conducted sepa- By Mizan Rahman ing to our children towards that Hasina said her government has State Minister for ICT Divi- and Technology University on Dhaka court has grant- rately by the Ministry of Civil Dhaka end,” she said. taken numerous steps to turn sion Zunaid Ahmed Palak also December 27, 2010. ed bail to 10 employees Aviation, Biman and the Civil The prime minister said this the country into ‘Digital Bangla- spoke at the programme. Following that announce- Aof Biman Bangladesh Aviation Authority of Bangla- while inaugurating the newly- desh’. “One of those steps is the In the main building of ment, the construction on the Airlines a year after they were desh, had concurred that the software park, mod- built Sheikh Hasina Software High Tech Park in Jessore, an- the Sheikh Hasina Software park began on February 2013 at arrested in a case fi led over a problem was due to human elled after the fa- Technology Park in Jessore other is in Kaliakoir which will Technology Park, allotments Bejpara in Shankarpur area of the technical glitch in Prime Min- negligence. Amous Silicon Valley of through a videoconference from be ready very soon.” have been made to 55 com- town involving 3,050mn taka. ister Sheikh Hasina’s fl ight The 11 Biman offi cials in- the United States, has been her offi cial residence Ganab- She said her government panies, including two from The park will have a total of that had resulted to an emer- clude chief engineer (produc- opened in Bangladesh nam- haban in the capital Dhaka. wants to spread development Japan. around 232,000sq ft of space gency landing of the aircraft tion), chief engineer (quality ing it after Prime Minister The software technology park works to rural areas for balanced The software park has been with all the modern facilities, en route to Hungary. assurance), principal engineer Sheikh Hasina. is expected to generate jobs for development. “We want to de- set up in Jessore targeting 10 including a 15-storey building, The chief metropolitan (maintenance and system While inaugurating it, the around 12,000 youths. velop diff erent areas and make districts under Khulna Divi- 12-storey three-star dormi- magistrate’s court yesterday control), technical staff ers, prime minister expressed her Hasina said ICT products will those prominent for specifi c sion where IT industry entre- tory building, convention cen- issued the bails after hearing technician, engineer (techni- optimism that the ICT sector also be there in the list of Bang- items.” preneurs from both home and tre and an underground parking the separate petitions fi led by cian) and engineer (offi cer). will be the biggest contributor ladesh’s export items which will Terming the inauguration abroad will get chances to make lot. Each of the fl oors has some the counsels of the accused. On November 27 last year, to the country’s foreign currency be exported across the globe. of the high tech park as a great investments. 14,000sq ft of space. They were granted bail as the Budapest-bound Biman earning in near future. “We’ve already decided to set up achievement of the country, she Earlier, Hasina announced Besides, the software park the case investigation of- fl ight carrying Prime Minister “I think this (ICT) will be our one hi-tech park in each district said the fi rst step towards making to build a world-class soft- would have a 33 KVA power sub- fi cer, Assistant Commissioner Hasina was forced to change biggest contributor to the export ... this will generate huge jobs.” Bangladesh a modern technolo- ware park in Jessore while in- station, fi ber optic Internet line Mahbubul Alam of the Coun- route and make an emergency basket, we want to give train- After assuming offi ce in 2009, gy-based country has been done. augurating Jessore Science and other utility services. ter Terrorism and Transna- landing at Ashgabat Interna- tional Crime (CTTC) unit, on tional Airport in Turkmeni- Thursday submitted the probe stan after a loose nut caused report clearing all the ac- engine oil leakage and oil pres- cused of the charges, said the sure loss in one of the engines. magistrate. The Boeing 777 aircraft Hasina According to Alam, no evi- was carrying 99 passengers, dence of foul play or sabotage including the premier, and a leaves for was found and the charges 28-strong crew. Paris to attend Five militants from One Planet banned group held

IANS militants have planned to Summit Dhaka incite violence on the oc- casion of Bangladesh’s Victory Day which falls on By Mizan Rahman angladesh’s anti- December 16. Dhaka crime elite force Rapid JMB carried out a series BAction Battalion (RAB) of bombings in 63 out of the has arrested fi ve members country’s 64 districts, in- angladesh Prime Minister of a banned militant outfi t cluding capital Dhaka on Sheikh Hasina left for Par- in the country’s Habiganj August 17, 2005, leaving two Bis yesterday morning on a district, along with huge people dead and 150 others three-day offi cial visit to attend books and leafl ets that incite injured. One Planet Summit. extremism. Hundreds of JMB leaders French President Macron, A RAB spokesperson yes- and activists were rounded World Bank Group President Jim Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seen off by high civil and military off icials at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka yesterday. terday confi rmed the arrest up while six top leaders of Yong Kimand, UN Secretary- in Habiganj district, 163km the group, including Shaikh General Antonio Guterres will At the conference, the prime ers will make new commitments the two countries. Hasina last ter will attend the high level seg- northeast of capital Dhaka Abdur Rahman, were hanged address the summit. minister and other global leaders during the conference on climate visited France in 2011. ment of the One Planet Summit on late Sunday night. The in 2007. The event will focus on de- will discuss seven specifi c issues, issues. She will also join lunch to be at La Seine Musicale. Later, she militants were active mem- Against the backdrop of a termining how those working in including carbon neutral alli- Hasina will hold a bilateral hosted by French president for will join a community event at bers of the banned Jamaatul new wave of militancy rising, public and private fi nance can ance, alliance on boycotting coal, meeting with French President the heads of state and govern- her place of residence. Mujahideen Bangladesh Bangladesh stepped up drive innovate to support and accel- climate funding, said the foreign Macron which will help strength- ment, co-organisers and VIPs of The prime minister is (JMB). aimed at dismantling all ter- erate common eff orts to fight minister. en the relations and expand the the summit at the Elysee Palace. scheduled to return home on According to the spokes- rorist outfi ts and their net- climate change. He hoped that the global lead- areas of co-operation between This evening, the prime minis- December 14. man, the fi ve arrested works in the country. Communist win seen as a IAF chief meets Lanka PM turning point for Nepal

By Annabel Symington, AFP is also tipped for a prominent Kathmandu position in the next cabinet. During Oli’s last term in offi ce, relations between Kathmandu epal’s Communist par- and New Delhi reached a nadir ties were headed yes- after protests over the new con- Nterday for a landslide stitution led to a blockade of the win in elections seen as a turn- border with India and a crippling ing point after two decades of shortage of goods in landlocked, confl ict, political instability import-dependent Nepal. and disaster that have crippled The Communist leader the Himalayan country. blamed the blockade on India, The landmark elections for stoked nationalistic sentiment Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, left, and Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil national and provincial parlia- and aggressively courted China Wickremesinghe look on during a meeting in Colombo yesterday. The visit of the IAF chief would ments capped Nepal’s 11-year for much-needed infrastruc- provide impetus towards increasing defence co-operation between the two air forces and pave transition from monarchy to ture development – undermin- the way for greater interaction in the future, a Sri Lankan defence ministry statement said. This federal democracy after a brutal ing New Delhi’s infl uence over would also strengthen relationships, enable engagement in productive exchanges and promote civil war. its small northern neighbour. understanding of joint issues and challenges, it added. Many hope they will usher Analyst Prateek Pradhan in a much-needed period of warned that Oli needed to take stability in the impoverished in the national parliament, ac- It was intended to build on a more pragmatic approach to country, which has cycled cording to preliminary data the promise of a more inclu- balancing relations with both through 10 prime ministers from the election commis- sive society, integral to the regional powers if he is to de- since 2006. sion. The incumbent Nepali 2006 peace deal that ended the liver on his campaign promise An alliance of the main Com- Congress has won just 21. decade-long civil war between of growth. Nepal industries run at higher capacity munist party and the country’s That puts the alliance on Maoists and the state. “Nepal has to have good re- former Maoist rebels is ex- course for a hefty majority in the But the constitution sparked lations with India and that pected to form the next govern- country’s 275-seat parliament. deadly protests among ethnic doesn’t mean you have to IANS study in every six months since lated obstructions contributed ment, ousting the ruling cen- The assembly is made up minorities who said the provin- compromise on sovereignty,” Kathmandu last six years. to better capacity utilisation trist Nepali Congress. of 165 directly-elected seats, cial boundaries it laid out had Pradhan said. The study is based on the ca- of industries last fi scal,” Hari “If Nepali Congress had while the rest are allocated on been gerrymandered to limit The newly-elected provincial pacity utilisation of manufac- Neupane, managing director, done good work, it would not a proportional representation their voice. assemblies will be tasked with epali manufacturing in- turing units producing 23 diff er- Ambe Cement, a leading cement be wiped out like this from the basis, guaranteeing seats for The leftist alliance cam- naming their provinces, which dustries utilised their ent types of goods. manufacturer in Nepal, said. country. The people are giving women, people from indig- paigned on a promise to bring are currently referred to by a Ncapacity better in the last The capacity utilisation wit- He said that industries are these parties a chance but if enous communities and the economic growth to Nepal. number, choosing capitals and fi scal year 2016-17, thanks to im- nessed in the last fi scal year was now getting uninterrupted pow- they do nothing for the coun- lowest Dalit caste. “We will take the country to- negotiating budgets with Kath- provement in electricity avail- three-year high. It was 52.7% in er supply at around 18 hours a try, they will also be wiped out,” The Communist bloc is also wards peace and stability and mandu – all issues that could ability, low number of industrial fi scal year 2014-15 and 48.2% in day which was a day dream un- said one voter, 66-year-old leading in six out of seven pro- move forward on the road of rekindle ethnic unrest. strikes and reduced supply dis- fi scal year 2015-16. The highest til two years ago. Nepal suff ered farmer Lachu Prasad Bohara. vincial assemblies mandated in prosperity,” Communist Party But the protest movements ruptions, a study by central bank capacity utilisation that Nepal’s load shedding up to 18 hours a The Himalayan Times said a new national constitution. of Nepal (CPN-UML) leader K have lost momentum as vot- said yesterday. manufacturing units saw was day a few years ago. the leftist alliance’s strong The charter was fi nally P Sharma Oli said in a television ers have become fed up with The study titled “Economic 59.3% in fi scal 2013-14. Pashmina, livestock feeds, mandate meant the country agreed by parliament in 2015 in interview late Sunday. the political merry-go-round Activities Study Report 2016- The industrial capacity utiliza- noodles, processed tea and ce- “could experience political a rare moment of cross-party Oli is expected to be elected that has starved the country of 17” released by the central bank tion improved in fi scal 2016-17 ment are among the industries stability”, which it has lacked consensus, months after the as the next prime minister when much-needed development. Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) on its compared to previous fi scal year that witnessed highest capacity over the last decade, but cau- country was devastated by a parliament sits for the fi rst time, Most voters voiced a de- website, showed that manu- when the Himalayan country had utilisation last fi scal, according tioned that a strong opposition powerful earthquake. It laid the likely in early January. sire for stability and a longer- facturing industries utilised suff ered badly from “unoffi cial trade to the report. There has been was also crucial in the young ground for a sweeping overhaul Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal lasting government. 57.3% of their capacity on aver- blockade” from India hindering strong rebound in capacity uti- democracy. of the political system to de- Dahal, a two-time former The new constitution lays age in fi scal year 2016-17 that all economic activities. lisation of industries producing With counting still going on, volve power from the centre to prime minister who led the out strict rules for ousting a concluded in mid-July. The “Improved electricity sup- construction materials such as the alliance has won 105 seats newly-created provinces. rebel faction during the war, prime minister. NRB has been conducting such ply and hardly any labour re- iron steel and cement. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 29 COMMENT A better British story

By Jim O’Neill markets in the north could do wonders London to reverse the disturbing regional inequalities that have emerged in recent decades. owadays, there are hazards One thing we can be absolutely to looking for signs of hope certain about is that the government in the British economy. As should continue pursuing policies Nthe latest OECD forecast to engage with the northern for 2018 and beyond shows, a cloud of powerhouse, and perhaps with the gloom has descended on the United “Midlands engine,” too. That means Kingdom. keeping its commitment to improve The primary source of pessimism transportation infrastructure in the is, of course, Brexit, and the fear region. that withdrawing from the European At the same time, the government Union will hurt British consumers should be pursuing further through higher import prices initiatives to boost education and and weak business investment. skills-training in the north, while And, making matters worse, the also devolving more decision- British government’s independent making authority to regional Office of Budget Responsibility and local governments. Greater has now lowered its expectations Manchester is at the geographic for economic growth, owing to heart of the northern powerhouse, persistently weak productivity and its leaders have been performance in the UK. spearheading the push for greater Against this economic backdrop, devolution of authority. It cannot be British politics are in a state of a mere coincidence that the area is chaos, with Prime Minister Theresa enjoying a stronger economy. Britain May seemingly presiding over an needs more such efforts. increasingly weak government. At In 2018, there will continue to be this point, the only thing stopping a plenty of drama surrounding Brexit Conservative Party putsch against and the future of the May government. May is the fear of losing a fresh But, regardless of whether Britain election, which would bring a far-left In Britain, the government should be pursuing further initiatives to boost education and skills-training. manages to forge a productive new government to power for the fi rst time relationship with the EU, at least it in many years. Elsewhere, almost all of the ten a signifi cant positive development performing region. In October, that may indicate that policies aimed at has started to address longstanding Meanwhile, the rest of the world largest economies’ performance indeed. honour belonged to Wales. And, boosting the northern economy have challenges that have held too many economy appears to be strengthening, has been strengthening in recent Moreover, there are some early just within England, parts of the had some eff ect. regions back for too long. Given that and indicators that I consider to be months. In the US, that was true signs of improvement outside of so-called northern powerhouse Moreover, PMIs are not the only those problems are of the UK’s own reliable have been accelerating as even before Congress started London and the southeast, which is have been outperforming London evidence of improving conditions in making, policymakers, in this case, are we approach 2018. One area that is writing corporate-tax-cut particularly relevant for some of the throughout 2017. The northwest the north. Employment is increasing right to look for solutions from within. particularly relevant to the UK is the legislation, which now seems likely UK’s most deep-seated economic PMI is at its highest level in months, in some of these areas, notably the – Project Syndicate eurozone, where the manufacturing to be enacted. weaknesses. As of October, monthly and indicates a stronger absolute northwest. And weaknesses in the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) So, where does this leave the UK? regional PMIs, which lag one month performance than that of London. London housing market do not zJim O’Neill, a former chairman of rose above 60 in November – its It may come as a surprise to hear behind the national PMI, show Even more heartening, Yorkshire and appear to have spread elsewhere. In Goldman Sachs Asset Management highest level since 2000. Despite that the UK’s own PMI is now at its a persistent positive trend that the northeast are also showing signs fact, in the northwest, residential and a former UK Treasury the UK’s best attempts to declare highest level in four years, suggesting economic observers and policymakers of renewed strength. real-estate prices are showing signs Minister, is Honorary Professor economic independence, its fortunes that businesses are becoming more will need to reckon with if it Whether this newfound economic of accelerating upward. of Economics at Manchester will continue to depend more on its willing to make new investments. If continues. vigour will prove sustainable remains If this trend does endure, it would University and former Chairman of closest geographic neighbours than on offi cial data in the coming months It has been a number of months to be seen. But, for now, it is a have far-reaching implications for the the British government’s Review on any other country or region. support this fi nding, it will represent since London was the UK’s top- highly welcome development, and UK economy. Strengthening housing Antimicrobial Resistance.

A legacy of bad choices in the Middle East Three-day forecast TODAY In retrospect, it’s fairer to Churchill By the early 50’s, the Iranian but despite its current theocracy, it has Maximum Temperature : 240c By John M Crisp Minimum Temperature : 160c Tribune News Service to call his choice “inevitable” rather parliament had reasserted its power a long democratic tradition, as well as than “bad.” World Wars I and II were against a new shah, a weak leader a young population with signifi cant WEDNESDAY won with oil power, and in the case with the personality of a playboy. inclinations toward moderation and Maximum Temperature : 240c he world’s worst dilemmas of WWII particularly, victory was Iran’s democratic and nationalistic modernity. Personally, I’d bet on Iran Minimum Temperature : 170c are characterised by a lack of essential. Clearly, the wars couldn’t aspirations were embodied in the over Saudi Arabia. THURSDAY good options. Indeed, that’s have been won – or even been possible prime minister, Mohamed Mossadegh, But our history of bad choices Maximum Temperature : 240c Tthe defi nition of a dilemma. on their enormous scale – without oil. who became an international in the Middle East ought to imply Minimum Temperature : 170c But bad options are often the result of Other choices, however, were less spokesman for anti-colonialism. the need for even-handed caution. Fisherman's forecast bad choices. inevitable. Around the same time Unfortunately, the United States The natural rivalry between Saudi This is the case in the Middle East. Churchill was choosing oil over coal, sponsored a coup in 1953 that deposed Arabia and Iran predates the Oil WARNING In “The Prize,” his massive Pulitzer- the United States was choosing oil Mossadegh and empowered the Century, and imagining that the Inshore : Strong wind at places with poor horizontal Prize-winning history of oil, Daniel over electricity to power personal Shah of Iran, whose dictatorial rule current inexperienced and impulsive visibility. Yergin suggests that the fi rst bad motor vehicles instead of public and lavish lifestyle led to the 1979 administration and understaff ed Offshore : Strong wind and high sea. choice for that most intractable transportation, a choice that greatly revolution that put into power the State Department can choose wisely WEATHER Inshore : Mild daytime with slight of trouble spots occurred in 1911. infl uenced the shape the modern current theocracy. between them is the height of hubris. dust to blowing dust at Winston Churchill, Britain’s First Lord world. Other bad choices ensued, from For a century we’ve fl ooded the places at times with some of the Admiralty, concluded that war The vast oil reserves in the Middle the terrible decision to invade Iraq in Middle East with petrodollars. clouds and cold by night. WIND with Germany had become inevitable, East elevated the West’s interest in 2003 to President Trump’s decision Instead, a better choice might be Inshore : Northwesterly 12-22 KT and he decided to convert his nation’s that region, as well as the status of last week to recognise Jerusalem as to export the soft power of better reaches 26 KT at places at warships to oil power. countries whose natural resources had the capital of Israel, while asking for ideas: enlightened attitudes toward times. Offshrore : Northwesterly 18-25 KT Previously, British ships had been previously been severely limited. This nothing in return. America appears homosexuals, more tolerance for reaches 33 KT at places at propelled by domestic coal, but led to more bad choices. to be on the verge of another bad non-Muslims and improved status for times. Churchill recognised the superior For example, democracy was off to a choice: taking the wrong side in the women. Visibility : 4-8/3 km or less at places power and effi ciency of oil. Oil-driven good start in Iran after the revolution regional rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia and Iran could both at times. SEA STATE ships could go farther at higher speeds of 1905, which began after the shah’s Saudi Arabia. benefi t from these enlightened Offshore : 5-10 FT, Rises to 12 FT and with less manpower. Critics son sold to Britain a generous 60-year President Trump seems to prefer principles, and we could benefi t places at times. pointed out that Britain would no concession for the rights to Iranian oil. Saudi Arabia, a long-time, reliable oil from their reinforcement in our own longer be able to depend on secure Unfortunately, the British, preferring provider. The fact that the country country. Around the region coal from Wales. Instead it would be a compliant monarchy to a parliament is run by autocratic, often-corrupt Weather Weather required to acquire oil from exotic with a mind of its own, staged a coup strongmen doesn’t seem to put him zJohn M Crisp, an op-ed columnist for tomorrow Max/min tomorrow Max/min locations such as Persia, as Iran was in 1921 and put the governing power off . Tribune News Service, can be reached Baghdad Sunny 19/06 Sunny 21/06 known at the time. into the hands of a dictatorial shah. Iran has plenty to detest, as well, at [email protected] Kuwait City Cloudy 21/08 M Sunny 21/09 Manama Cloudy 22/16 Sunny 22/16 Muscat Sunny 26/19 Sunny 24/16 Live issues Tehran Sunny 12/02 M Sunny 11/03 Acupressure app may help ease menstrual cramp

By Lisa Rapaport Witt’s team developed their less likely to use pain medications and Reuters Health own app, called AKUD, based on a reported fewer days with pain during consensus of acupressure experts from their monthly menstrual cycles, the China, Germany and the US. For the researchers also found. omen with intense current study, the researchers off ered One limitation of the study is menstrual cramp pain the app to women ages 18 to 34 in that most of the participants were Around the world may get more relief from Berlin between 2012 and 2015. highly educated and prone to intense Weather Weather smartphone app-guided All of the women reported their menstrual cramps, which means tomorrow Max/min tomorrow Max/min W Athens 18/10 Sunny 19/11 acupressure than with typical medical own pain levels for menstrual cramps the results might not represent Sunny treatments like painkillers, a recent on a scale of zero to 10, with 10 being what would happen for all women Beirut Sunny 22/16 Sunny 22/16 study suggests. the worst. At the start of the study, experiencing menstrual pain, the Bangkok P Cloudy 32/26 P Cloudy 32/26 Some previous research has linked women reported pain of at least 6 on authors note. Berlin S Showers 06/01 S Showers 03/02 acupressure – which uses precise this scale. Even so, the results suggest that Cairo Sunny 26/14 P Cloudy 24/13 fi nger placements at pressure points Each participant was given an app an acupressure app may off er some Cape Town Cloudy 20/14 S Showers 18/16 throughout the body to relieve to use for six months, but only half women a good approach to managing Colombo S T Storms 29/24 T Storms 29/24 pain – with reduced discomfort of the women had an app with an menstrual pain, said Caroline Smith, Dhaka Sunny 29/19 Sunny 29/18 from menstrual cramps. To see if a Medicine at the University of Zurich in acupressure programme. The rest had an acupressure researcher at Western Hong Kong P Cloudy 20/18 M Cloudy 21/18 smartphone app could help women Switzerland. a “sham” app that didn’t off er any new Sydney University in Australia who Istanbul P Cloudy 16/12 Sunny 15/12 self-administer acupressure for “It is wise to try fi rst non- ways of treating pain from cramps. wasn’t involved in the study but who Jakarta S T Storms 31/24 Cloudy 31/24 cramps, researchers randomly pharmacological interventions, with By the time women in the study is developing a mass-distribution app Karachi Sunny 26/11 Sunny 25/11 assigned 221 women to use the app or a good safety profi le, before using a went through their third menstrual for this purpose. London M Sunny 01/01 Showers 08/03 to stick with usual care for six months. painkiller that can have side eff ects,” cycle, participants using the “Adherence suggests the app was Manila P Cloudy 31/25 P Cloudy 31/24 By the end of the study, women who Witt said by e-mail. acupressure app reported average pain acceptable, and the reduction in pain Moscow M Cloudy -1/-2 Cloudy 03/-2 used the acupressure app reported The target audience for the app, scores of 4.4, compared with 5.0 for over time was clinically meaningful New Delhi P Cloudy 23/10 P Cloudy 23/11 signifi cantly less menstrual pain than young women in their 20s and 30s, the other women in the study. with few side eff ects,” Smith said by New York S Showers 10/-3 Cloudy 01/-3 women who didn’t, the study found. already use their phones for a variety By the sixth menstrual cycle, e-mail. “This app is relevant to women Paris Sunny 06/02 Rain 08/06 “Because women with menstrual of diff erent tasks, making it natural for women with the acupressure app who are looking for evidenced-based Sao Paulo Cloudy 20/15 P Cloudy 26/16 pain already practise self- them to consider an app that teaches reported pain scores that were self-care options to manage their Seoul Sunny -4/-11 Sunny -3/-12 management, an app for acupressure them how to use pressure points to typically 1.4 points lower, a large pain, although as the authors point Singapore T Storms 29/24 T Storms 30/24 can be easily added,” said senior study ease menstrual pain, researchers note enough gap to represent a clinically out further research to address a Sydney Cloudy 25/18 Cloudy 28/19 author Dr Claudia Witt of the Institute in the American Journal of Obstetrics meaningful diff erence. more generalisable group of women is Tokyo Clear 11/02 Clear 09/01 for Complementary and Integrative and Gynecology. With acupressure, women were also needed.” Gulf Times 30 Tuesday, December 12, 2017 COMMENT

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

P.O.Box 2888 Doha, Qatar [email protected] Telephone 44350478 (news), 44466404 (sport), 44466636 (home delivery) Fax 44350474 GULF TIMES Fifth Ballon d’Or fi tting record for great Ronaldo

For much of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career he has been in direct competition with Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi, both for club and individual honours, so it’s fi tting that the Real Madrid superstar has the same number of Ballon d’Or awards. Ronaldo beat Messi and seven of his Champions League-winning Real teammates on Thursday to claim the award for the second straight year and fi fth time overall, drawing level with Messi and reaffi rming his place as equal partner in the greatest player rivalry the game has ever seen. Ronaldo winning the award is as historic as it is The high cost of expected. He was 10-1 on with British bookmakers before the announcement, who stopped taking bets on the Portuguese once it became clear he was going to rewarded for his role in Real’s phenomenal 2016-17 season, in which they pipped Barcelona to the La Liga denying class war title and became the fi rst ever European champions to defend their crown in the Champions League era. By Yanis Varoufakis fewest assumptions and the greatest For all their self-image as populism in power, from the 1930s Ronaldo scored 12 goals in the Champions League last Athens simplicity. For all the deftness of progressives, the elites’ readiness to to today. Trump has thus used his season, including knockout stage hat-tricks against establishment commentators in the ignore widening class divisions, and working-class support to usher in Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid and two in the 4-1 US and Britain, they seem to have to replace it with class-blind identity scandalous tax reforms, whose naked he Anglosphere’s political neglected this principle. politics, was the greatest gift to toxic ambition is to help the plutocracy win over Juventus in the Cardiff fi nal, and 25 in La Liga. atmosphere is thick with Loath to recognise the intensifi ed populism. In Britain, the Labour Party while millions of Americans face The 32-year-old has got off to a slow start in La Liga bourgeois outrage. In the class war, they bang on interminably (under Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and reduced health coverage and, as the this season but has scored a barely believable nine TUnited States, the so-called with conspiracy theories about Edward Miliband) was too coy even to federal budget defi cit balloons, higher goals in the Champions League group stage, another liberal establishment is convinced Russian infl uence, spontaneous bursts mention the post-2008 intensifi cation long-term tax bills. it was robbed by an insurgency of of misogyny, the tide of migrants, the of the class war against the majority, Similarly, Britain’s Tory amazing achievement in a career full of triumphs. “deplorables” weaponised by Vladimir rise of the machines, and so on. While leading to the rise across the Labour government, which has espoused Ronaldo was special from an early age. In the year Putin’s hackers and Facebook’s all of these fears are highly correlated heartland of the UK Independence Brexit’s populist aims, has recently of his 16th birthday, he played for Sporting Lisbon’s sinister inner workings. In Britain, too, with the militant parochialism fuelling Party (UKIP), with its Brexit announced another multi-billion- under-16, under-17, under-18, reserve and fi rst teams, an incensed bourgeoisie are pinching Trump and Brexit, they are only parochialism. pound reduction in social security, themselves that support for leaving tangential to the deeper cause – class Polite society seemed not to give education, and tax credits for the and two years later the European Union in favour of an war against the poor – alluded to by a damn that it had become easier working poor. Those cuts are matched Ronaldo winning he so impressed Alex inglorious isolation remains undented, the car aff ordability data in the US and to get into Harvard or Cambridge exactly by reductions in corporate and Ferguson in a 2003 despite a process that can only be the credit-dependence of much of if you were black than if you were inheritance tax cuts. the award is as pre-season friendly described as a dog’s Brexit. Britain’s population. poor. They deliberately ignored that Today, establishment opinion- The range of analysis is staggering. True, some relatively affl uent identity politics can be as divisive as makers, who scornfully rejected historic as it is that the then- The rise of militant parochialism middle-class voters also supported apartheid if allowed to act as a lever the pertinence of social class, have Manchester United on both sides of the Atlantic is Trump and Brexit. But much of for overlooking class confl ict. contributed to a political environment expected boss snapped him up. being investigated from every angle that support rode on the coattails Trump had no compunction to in which class politics was never more Six years, three imaginable: psychoanalytically, of the fear caused by observing the speak clearly about class, and to pertinent, toxic, and less discussed. culturally, anthropologically, classes just below theirs plunge into embrace – however deceitfully – those Speaking on behalf of a ruling Premier League titles and a Champions League later aesthetically, and of course in terms of despair and loathing, while their own too poor to buy a car, let alone send class comprising fi nancial experts, and he was on his way to Real Madrid, having joined identity politics. The only angle that is children’s prospects dimmed. their children to Harvard. Brexiteers, bankers, corporate representatives, George Best and Eric Cantona among the greatest left largely unexplored is the one that Twenty years ago, the same liberal too, embraced the “great unwashed,” media owners, and big industry players to wear United’s prized number 7 shirt. holds the key to understanding what commentators were cultivating the refl ected in images of Ukip leader functionaries, they act exactly as if is going on: the unceasing class war impossible dream that globalising Nigel Farage drinking in pubs with their goal were to deliver the working Bought for a then-world record 94mn euros, Ronaldo unleashed upon the poor since the late fi nancialised capitalism would “average blokes.” And when large classes into the grubby hands of the has more than paid back his fee, and while Barcelona 1970s. deliver prosperity for most. At a time swaths of the working class turned populists and their empty promise of have continued to dominate La Liga — last season’s In 2016, the year of both Brexit when capital was becoming more against the establishment’s favorite making America and Britain “great league title was just his second in Madrid — he has and Trump, two pieces of data, concentrated on a global scale, and sons and daughters (the Clintons, the again.” dutifully neglected by the shrewdest more militant against non-owners Bushes, the Blairs, and the Camerons), The only prospect for civilising become the king of European competition as Real of establishment analysts, told the of assets, they were declaring the endorsing militant parochialism, the society and detoxifying politics racked up three Champions Leagues in the last four story. In the United States, more than class war over. As the working class commentariat blamed the riff raff ’s is a new political movement that seasons. half of American families did not was growing in size worldwide, even illusions about capitalism. harnesses on behalf of a new qualify, according to Federal Reserve though its jobs and employment But it was not illusions about humanism the burning injustice that In that time Ronaldo became the fi rst player to data, to take out a loan that would prospects were shrinking in the capitalism that led to the discontent class war manufactures. Judging by its score 100 Champion League goals, and topped the allow them to buy the cheapest car for Anglosphere, these elites behaved as if that fuelled Trump and Brexit. Rather, callous treatment of US Senator Bernie competition’s scoring charts fi ve times. The 17 goals he sale (the Nissan Versa sedan, priced class were passé. it is the disillusion with middle-of- Sanders and Labour leader Jeremy scored as Real beat local rivals Atletico to the 2014 title at $12,825). Meanwhile, in the United The 2008 fi nancial collapse and the the-road politics of the kind that Corbyn, the liberal establishment Kingdom, over 40% of families relied subsequent Great Recession buried intensifi ed the class war against them. seems to fear such a movement more remains a single-season record. on either credit or food banks to feed that dream. Still, liberals ignored Predictably, the embrace of the than it does Trump and Brexit. – After a career fi lled with club success, Ronaldo fi nally themselves and cover basic needs. the undeniable fact that the gigantic working class by Trump and the Project Syndicate got an international monkey off his back in 2016, William of Ockham, the 14th losses incurred by the quasi-criminal Brexiteers was always going to arm winning the European Championship with Portugal century British philosopher, famously fi nancial sector were cynically them with electoral power that, sooner zYanis Varoufakis, a former finance postulated that, when bamboozled in transferred onto the shoulders of a or later, would be deployed against minister of Greece, is professor after a lifetime of near misses and fl attering to deceive the face of competing explanations, working class they thought no longer working-class interests and, of course, of Economics at the University of on the world stage. we ought to opt for the one with the mattered. minorities – always the penchant of Athens. In winning the competition, beating the heavily- favoured hosts France in the fi nal, he broke yet another record — his three goals made him the fi rst player to ever score in four European Championships. The personal and team success has convinced one man that he belongs among the best to ever play the game. “When I fi nish my career, I will look at the statistics to see if I’m among the best,” Ronaldo added. “Surely I will be.”

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2017 Gulf Times. All rights reserved In the United States, more than half of American families did not qualify, according to Federal Reserve data, to take out a loan that would allow them to buy the cheapest car for sale. Gulf Times Tuesday, December 12, 2017 31 COMMENT Whither the multilateral trading system?

Some 60 years ago, when domestic energy resources. Annual US exports of manufactured goods the current rules-based thus now amount to only about $1tn global trading system was annually – signifi cantly less than both the EU and China, which export conceived, the United almost twice as much in manufactured States was the world’s sole goods, despite having somewhat smaller economies. economic “hyperpower,” To be sure, Trump is unlikely to possessing unquestioned start an outright trade war, because any US tariff would harm the dominance in the interests of the country’s largest companies, which have invested day’s most advanced huge sums in production facilities manufacturing industries abroad. Yet no individual firm will be willing to give up much of its political capital to defend the rules- By Daniel Gros based system, either, because it Brussels would have to bear the losses, while its competitors shared the gains. The same goes for the G3 trading blocs: ree trade seems to have if the EU expends political capital to few supporters these days. stop the US from undermining WTO Though actual trade volumes mechanisms, China (and the rest of Fare recovering from the world) will reap most of the gains. post-crisis recession and drop in That dynamic goes some way commodity prices, “globalisation” toward explaining why China’s has become increasingly contentious, leaders, despite having proclaimed as exemplifi ed by the election of US their support for the multilateral President Donald Trump on the back rules-based trading system, haven’t of a promise to rip up international taken concrete action to reinforce it. agreements and get tough on trade Their reticence is probably intensifi ed partners. What does this mean for by the assumption that, within the the future of the rules-based trading current generation, their country will system? dominate the global economy; at that Some 60 years ago, when co-operative approach. whether a tariff has been correctly small number of economies of similar Together, the G3 economies account point, they might no longer want to be the current rules-based global It was not until imports began applied, the WTO needed eff ective size, larger than the small economies for 40% of world trade and 45% of bound by somebody else’s rules. trading system was conceived, the to overwhelm a growing number dispute-settlement mechanisms, from the previous example, but global GDP. It does not help matters that the United States was the world’s sole of industries in the US, fuelling the with members agreeing to binding not large enough to dominate the With economic power distributed Communist Party of China has economic “hyperpower,” possessing emergence of large and persistent arbitration. The system worked, system alone. That is the scenario in this way, explicit cooperation by all recently been empowered even unquestioned dominance in the external defi cits, that the country’s because its major members recognised the Nobel laureate economist Paul three actors is crucial. Yet there are further in all areas of the economy, day’s most advanced manufacturing trade policy became more defensive, the legitimacy of independent panels, Krugman considered in a 1989 paper compelling reasons why they would be with all major fi rms now having to industries. With enough power to creating friction with many of its even if they sometimes deliver on bilateralism, in which he reported reticent to pursue such co-operation. accept a CPC representative on their impose rules, and enough dominance partners. Yet, even then, US leaders politically inconvenient judgments. that a world consisting of three major Even if Trump weren’t president, board. It is diffi cult to see how a to be able to count on accruing understood the value of the liberal Yet this recognition is now trading blocs constitutes the worst the current global trading system dominant economic power governed the largest share of the benefi ts, it multilateral trading system, and increasingly in doubt. Consider what constellation for trade, as a lack of would present problems for the US, by a single party – especially one could – and did – perform the role of supported the establishment, in 1995, type of economy would support a explicit cooperation among all three whose trade policy has long focused with such extensive control over the “benevolent hegemon.” of the World Trade Organisation as the rules-based system. After WWII, would lead to increasing trade barriers. on manufactured goods. (Trade in raw economy – would accept the primacy As Japan and Europe recovered successor to the General Agreement the US supported such a system, Unfortunately, this is exactly materials has always been relatively of international rules and procedures from World War II – with the latter on Tariff s and Trade. because of its unassailable economic the situation in which the global free, and trade in agricultural goods over domestic considerations. getting an added boost from economic The WTO’s creation amounted to supremacy. An open rules-based economy finds itself today. There are has usually been considered special, The conclusion is clear. The world integration – America’s lead began a major step forward, as it addressed system would also be highly appealing three dominant economies or trading and thus not subject to rules like the should prepare itself for the erosion to dwindle, and by the 1970s and not just tariff s, but also other trade in a world comprising only small blocs – China, the European Union, “most favoured nation” principle, of the rules-based trading system 1980s, the US was sharing power barriers, including indirect barriers countries, none of which could hope to and the US – with very similar trade which applies to manufactures.) enshrined in the WTO. – Project over the world’s trade agenda with arising from domestic regulations. gain by relying on its relative economic volumes (exports plus imports) of Because the US is now self- Syndicate Europe. Nonetheless, because the US Given the complexity of assessing how power. around $4tn each. (Japan, which was suffi cient in energy, it needs to export and Europe share so many common domestic regulations might impede Things become more complicated a strong contender 25 years ago, now fewer manufactured goods than zDaniel Gros is Director of the Center interests, they generally adhered to a trade, especially compared to judging when the global economy includes a has a much smaller trade volume.) industrialised countries with no for European Policy Studies.

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GGulfulf TTimesimes TTuesday,uesday, DecemberDecember 12,12, 20172017

Gulf Publishing and Printing Company announces its participation in the Qatar National Day celebrations 30,000 stickers of images of His Highness the Emir are being distributed today with Gulf Times and Arrayah.

Distributing big quantities of children’s caps and flags…The Qatari national flags adorn the company’s main off ice.

Doha, Gulf Times: Gulf Publishing and Printing This exclusive sticker was created by the artist This contribution of the company comes as part of will be distributed to children at the company’s main Company announces printing of more than 30,000 Fatma al-Maadid and will be used for decorating cars the National Day celebrations. It is decided to distribute offi ce on C-Ring Road. In this regard, the main offi ce exclusive stickers carrying the images of His Highness on the National Day. A large quantity of children’s the stickers and the children’s caps carrying the National of the Gulf Publishing and Printing Company has been the Emir with a slogan in Arabic meaning “Either a caps carrying the National Day logo is also being Day logo today (Tuesday) with both Gulf Times and its decorated with the national fl ags , in addition to draping dignifi ed life or none”. distributed. sister publication Arrayah. Also a large number of fl ags the façade of the building with huge fl ags.