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Entrepreneur sees growth Al-Attiyah aims for ‘dream’ among Qatar’s tech SMEs fourth Dakar title in Saudi published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11418 January 5, 2020 Jumada I 10, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

QNTC calls for exploring Shop Qatar 2020 offers Doha book Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) has called for exploring the various off ers by luxury shopping malls and stores, participating in the Shop Qatar 2020 in its fourth fair to be held edition, and to benefit from the marketing and entertainment off ers. In a press conference held on the occasion, QNTC reviewed the activities that will be presented from Jan 9-18 during the festival period that will run from January 7-31 in co-operation with the Ministry of 335 publishing houses which will give a greater chance for a Commerce and Industry, Qatar from Arab and foreign signifi cant presence of French partici- Airways, Katara, Alfardan Premier pants as France is the guest of honour Motors, Vodafone, Qatar TV, Al countries to participate at this edition. HAzem, and 12 commercial partners. in the exhibition Speaking at the press conference to Page 20 Iranian President Dr Hassan Rouhani meets in Tehran yesterday with HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of announce the event, Jassem al-Buain- Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. By Ayman Adly ain, director of Doha International Staff Reporter Book Fair, said that the exhibition ac- Thousands mourn tivities are scheduled to continue over top Iranian general 10 days like the previous editions to nder the patronage of His give a great opportunity for the visitors Thousands of Iraqis yesterday FM holds talks with Iranian leaders Highness the Amir Sheikh to experience a distinguished cultural mourned a top Iranian general UTamim bin Hamad al-Thani, experience, and to allow publishers to and Iraqi militiamen killed in a US the 30th edition of Doha International display their diverse cultural releases. air strike that sharply escalated ranian President Dr Hassan Rou- vey his greetings to the Amir, wishing Aff airs Mohammad Javad Zarif. Book Fair will be held from January He said that around 335 publishing tensions across the region. The hani met in Tehran yesterday with him good health and happiness, and During the meeting, the two sides 9-18 at Doha Exhibition and Conven- houses are participating in the event bodies of those killed in the strike IHE the Deputy Prime Minister and the Qatari people further progress discussed the latest developments on tion Center (DECC). from both Arab and foreign countries were carried inside caskets onto Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mo- and prosperity. the regional arena, especially the re- The fair, which adopts the slogan “Do besides some children’s books. The pa- military vehicles in Baghdad in hamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. During the meeting, they reviewed cent events in Iraq, as well as ways of you then not contemplate” is inspired vilions booked at the fair amounted to a funeral procession. Yesterday At the beginning of the meeting, the the latest developments in the re- calm to maintain collective security from a verse from the Holy Qur’an, is 797 pavilions, in addition to a number evening, a rocket fell inside foreign minister conveyed greetings of gional arena, especially the recent of the region. organised by the Ministry of Culture of embassies of countries including Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim events in Iraq, as well as calm meas- HE Sheikh Mohamed also met with and Sports, under the supervision of the USA, Japan, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Zone near the US embassy, bin Hamad al-Thani to the Iranian ures to maintain the security and sta- the Speaker of the Shura Council of the Qatar Cultural and Heritage Event Philippines and Syria, who have another hit the nearby Jadriya president, wishing the Iranian people bility of the region. Iran Dr Ali Larijani and they discussed Center, which is keen to utilise all its booked their stalls. The exhibition will neighbourhood and two more further development and progress. HE the Deputy Prime Minister and the latest developments on the re- potentials to ensure the success of the be held from 9am until 9pm, except for rockets were fired at the Balad air For his part, the Iranian president Minister of Foreign Aff airs also met gional arena, especially the recent upcoming edition of the exhibition. Friday from 3pm until 10pm, while on base north of the city, but no one entrusted the foreign minister to con- with the Iranian Minister of Foreign incidents in Iraq. (QNA) Page 2 The fair coincides with the launch of Thursday it will be held from 9am until was killed. Page 6 the Qatar-France 2020 Year of Culture, 10pm. To Page 5 Gulf Times 2 Sunday, January 5, 2020 QATAR

FM meets Iranian counterpart, Speaker of Iranian Shura Council

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met in Tehran yesterday with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Javad Zarif during his visit to Iran. During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments in the region, especially the recent events in Iraq, as well as ways to maintain calm and collective security of the region. HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani also met the Speaker of Iran’s Shura Council, Dr Ali Larijani, during his visit. They discussed latest regional developments, especially the recent incidents in Iraq. Bedaya Centre concludes 2019 winter camp

edaya Centre for Entre- participants the opportunity of ed among each other to present during two different periods. tional workshops. These work- preneurship and Career job shadowing at these projects ideas for diff erent projects. These camps have been de- shops showed them the most BDevelopment (Bedaya to experience the work environ- These projects were displayed in signed to educate the youth and important theoretical concepts Centre), a joint initiative by Qa- ment and familiarise with the the fi nal exhibition which took raise awareness about entre- on how to apply business skills tar Development Bank and Si- life of an entrepreneur. place after the camp where the preneurship, developing their realistically, and to build a clear latech, concluded its 2019 win- A series of workshops were fi rst three winners were named. skills and taking advantage of vision about the values, rules ter camp which took place from also held to highlight several All participants were given “50 their holidays, and urging them and standards pursued by insti- December 24, 2019 to January 2, concepts, such as the best rea- hours volunteer” certifi cates. to do and learn new things that tutions and companies through 2020. sons for building a distinguished Commenting on the suc- will enrich their capabilities the job shadowing opportunities The 10-day camp, which was team, leadership methods, crea- cessful winter camp for 2019, and expand their horizons to provided to them, which was a held to raise awareness among tive thinking and other related Hanane Ibrahim, Business De- start planning for their future real and tangible chance to get the youth about entrepreneur- aspects that must be known to velopment Manager at Bedaya projects. close to the various fi elds and ship, witnessed huge participa- start and continue in their future Center said: “We are delighted “During the camp, we pro- sectors. We also extend our sin- tion from the age group 16 to 24 projects. Moreover, recreational to see the large turnout for the vided an opportunity for all cere gratitude and appreciation years. trips and many activities were 2019 version of our Winter participants to benefi t from the to all institutions, companies The camp included visits to included as well to add a fun at- Camp, which is a continua- most important concepts and and individuals who provided a number of projects owned by mosphere in the camp. tion of the camps initiative that foundations for entrepreneur- support and care to Bedaya Win- Qatari entrepreneurs to give The participants also compet- the Centre holds twice a year ship through a number of educa- ter Camp”. Scenes from the Bedaya Centre winter camp Gulf Times Sunday, January 5, 2020 3 QATAR

QRCS deploys ‘Little Hearts’ medical convoy to Bangladesh

QNA Doha

atar Red Crescent Socie- ty (QRCS) has deployed a Qmedical convoy to Bang- ladesh, under the Little Hearts programme. Over 10 days, a specialist medical team will perform car- diac catheterisations for 100 children with congenital heart defects. They include physicians and assistants from the United States, Jordan, Palestine, and Qatar. The mission is co-ordinated with Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), Hamad Medi- cal Corporation (HMC), and Sidra Medicine. The total budget is $202,157 (QR737,873). Most of the medical equipment and consumables were pro- cured from HMC and medi- cal suppliers in Doha, while the remaining were pro- cured from the authorised A specialist medical team belonging to QRCS will perform cardiac catheterisations for 100 children with congenital heart defects, over 10 days, in Bangladesh. supplier of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Khaled Alamelhoda said: “The help them to regain their nor- is too high, and there are few institutional donors in Qatar. to extend help to humanity by poor children born with heart Diseases (NICVD) in Dhaka, medical convoy is planned to mal lives and bring relief to the physicians in the country who This shows how these dona- supporting this noble pro- problems. which will host the proce- perform diagnostic and inter- parents that their little kids can perform such procedures”. tions are key to saving the lives of gramme. The $105,591 mission will dures. ventional cardiac catheterisa- are safe”. He added, “We fo- According to him, the Medical many ill children in underserved Later this month, another be co-ordinated with the In- QRCS’s Medical Convoy tions to correct heart abnor- cus on the critical cases from Convoy programme is funded countries. medical convoy is set to launch donesian Red Cross Society Programme Co-ordinator Dr malities in 100 children, to the poorest families. The cost exclusively by individual and He urged the rich in Qatar in Jakarta, Indonesia, to treat 35 (PMI).

Qatar condemns Afghan bombing QSC holds open day for cars at Losail International Circuit Qatar has strongly condemned the bombing in Mazar-i-Sharif city, northern Afghanistan, QNA In this fi eld, drivers were achieve the best time for the sci- culture and simplify the steps to a safe environment for practis- at the local and global levels, causing death and injuries. Doha trained to simulate the race- entifi c club car designated for enter in this fi eld through avail- ing motoring hobby. and co-ordinate future events In a statement yesterday, the tracks, which the scientifi c club races, in order to unify the capa- able local opportunities and to This initiative aims to train or championships in the Lo- Ministry of Foreign Aff airs atar Scientifi c Club has prepared for this purpose, as bilities of the car. show the correct ways to fi x the and develop young people who sail International Circuit, reiterated Qatar’s firm stance organised an open day global circuit models and vari- Hamad al-Sulaiti was ranked car instead of costly spending on want to improve their leader- and highlighting their talents rejecting violence and terrorism, Qfor cars at Losail Inter- ous types of cars were developed fi rst, Mubarak al-Khalifa took equipment and fi xing that harm ship in the circuit, provide in- and the spirit of competition whatever the motives and national Circuit with the par- with the aim of empowering the second place, while in the the car, and guide young peo- structions and advice to them among them by organising reasons. The statement ticipation of 35 contestants. young people from the new con- third place was Hossam al- ple to enter the races in a more regarding the preparation and events and championships in expressed condolences of Vehicle inspection of the par- testants and testing their driving Qatami. professional manner, helping maintenance of cars before, a safe environment away from Qatar to the victim’s family, ticipating cars was conducted be- skills in a realistic manner. In 2017, the Qatari Scientifi c beginners in the fi eld of automo- during and after their partici- the streets and places where the government and people of fore the start of the race aiming to On the sidelines of the event, Club launched an initiative in biles or engines in general to en- pation in the circuit, develop they may cause danger to oth- Afghanistan, wishing the injured test participants’ driving skills. ten contestants competed to order to spread the motorsport ter competitions, and providing a team capable of competition ers. a speedy recovery. – QNA Gulf Times 4 Sunday, January 5, 2020 QATAR

LuLu Hypermarket’s Al Messila Tarsheed conservation branch celebrates 3rd anniversary initiatives bear fruit

By Shafeeq Alingal age electric vehicles in the station with a total area of from steam, through the tutions, sports clubs and Staff Reporter country in line with the 270sq m is equal to 24 cars’ corporation’s network. The ministries kept the activi- policy. spaces. The total power project is expected to reduce ties of the park intact. “Ask As part of the eff orts by produced from these panels 100,000 tonnes of carbon Tarsheed” programme was he National Pro- Tarsheed to reduce harm- is 72KW peak. These ini- emission a year. also launched in 2019 in an gramme for Con- ful carbon emissions by 7% tiatives were implemented Meanwhile, Kahramaa’s attempt to conserve elec- Tservation and En- across all sectors in Qatar by in co-operation with the Awareness Park contin- tricity and water resources, The management and staff of LuLu Hypermarket Qatar during the celebration of ergy Effi ciency (Tarsheed) 2022, a few electric charg- Ministry of Transport and ued to play a vital role in diversify energy sources and the third anniversary of Al Messila branch. launched by the General ing stations were opened in Communications (MoTC). spreading awareness about reduce carbon emissions. Electricity and Water Cor- the country while the fi rst Also, in 2019, a tripartite fair energy consumption. In recognition to its fi - poration (Kahramaa) helped Tarsheed Photovoltaic Sta- power synergy agreement The park, in 2019, wel- nancial stability, Kahramaa Qatar remarkably bring tion for Energy Storage and was signed by Kahramaa comed 60,000 visitors also won Moody’s Investors down carbon emission Charging Electric Vehicles with Qatar GTL and GASAL who attended various pro- Service (Moody’s) A1 rating and conserve water and was opened at Kahramaa’s QSC in a bid to tractor clean grammes. Active participa- and a Baa1 Baseline Credit electricity in 2019. Mesaimeer Complex. The electrical energy, produced tion of educational insti- Assessment in 2019. Ooredoo announces Under the programme, various initiatives were launched and implemented in an attempt to achieve the Silver Sponsorship for goal of rational use of elec- tricity and water. These in- clude intervention by Kah- ramaa in the Qatari market ExxonMobil Open where agreements were signed with various compa- oredoo has an- nies to ensure energy effi - nounced that it will ciency through star ratings Ocontinue its support for electrical devices and for the Qatar ExxonMobil water pumps as part of the Open at the 2020 event with Minimum Energy Perform- Silver Sponsorship. fi nalist Milos Raonic, and the ATP Tour again this year, ance Standards (MEPS) The 28th edition of the Doha resident Fernando as a key part of our corporate programme. ATP 250 tournament, a Verdasco, the 2009 Austral- social responsibility strat- When it comes to carbon popular fi xture on the tour, ian Open semi-fi nalist and egy is an emphasis on sup- emission and fi ght against is set to be held at the Kha- fi nalist at the 2010 Monte porting sporting events that climate change, Kahramaa lifa International Tennis Carlo Rolex Masters. raise awareness of health initiated steps to diversify and Squash Complex in The event serves as the and fi tness within our com- energy sources and bring Doha from January 6-11. opener for the tennis sea- munities. We look forward down the use of fossil fu- Some of the world’s top son, off ering players the to welcoming the world’s els. To attain this goal, an tennis players have con- chance to warm up and greatest tennis players to electric vehicle policy was fi rmed their attendance, prepare for the 2019 Grand another exciting event with launched and schemes Tarsheed Photovoltaic Station for Energy Storage and Charging Electric Vehicles was one of the remarkable achievements including three-time Slam events, such as the lots of great matches being were introduced to encour- recorded by Kahramaa in 2019. Grand Slam champion Australian Open on the played.” Stan Wawrinka of Switzer- calendar two weeks later in Tickets for the 2020 Qa- land and 2012 champion Melbourne, Australia. tar ExxonMobil Open will Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Manar Khalifa al-Mu- be on sale online at qatart- Other contenders include raikhi, director, PR and Cor- ennis.org, at dedicated ki- 2013 champion Richard Gas- porate Communications at osks at Doha Festival City AZF to host Lake quet, 2018 fi nalist Audrey Ooredoo, said: “We’re de- and City Center, and at the Festival on Jan 10 Rublev, 2016 Wimbledon lighted to be partnering with tournament venue.

spire Zone Founda- friends and family to enjoy tion (AZF) has an- the outdoors and Qatar’s Anounced that the lovely weather at this time third Lake Festival under of the year. the title of “Tree of Life” AZF is committed to will be held on January 10, boosting the tourism and at 7pm. The gates will open leisure sectors in Qatar by for public at 5pm and will introducing new activities close at 6.30pm. to attract and excite visi- The festival is set to take tors. Due to this innovative spectators through a half- approach, Aspire Park has hour “Tree of Life” show. It become one of the most will include several stories popular destinations for about Peace, Love, Family both recreational and sport- and Happiness. Also, there ing events. There will be a will be magnifi cent fi re- diff erent Food and Beverage works to light up the sky of outlets next to the event. Aspire Park. There are two categories AZF organises such in- of tickets - Gold and Silver ternationally acclaimed - that are available at Aspire events at its world-class Park next to Burgeri. Tickets indoor and outdoor facili- can also be bought at Katara ties, as part of its commit- restaurants and online book- ment to support Qatar’s ing at Q-Tickets website. sports and entertainment The event is organised by sectors. Through its events, Aspire Zone Foundation in AZF seeks to engage with as partnership with Vodafone many community members Qatar, Qatar Airways, Ali as possible and encourage bin Ali Holding and Qatar them to go out with their National Tourism Council.

Argon Global to hold cybersecurity seminar

G Convergence, as tion, Argon Global said in a part of Argon Glo- statement. Abal Group of Com- In a next generation panies, will conduct an external threat protec- event with the Ministry of tion solution, data moni- Transport and Communi- toring extends beyond cation (MoTC) on external the organisation, into its threats and solutions in the cloud services, key ex- digital age titled ‘Cyber Se- ecutives’ personal e-mail curity Solutions & Risk of accounts, mobile devices, External Threats in IT’. and more. AG Convergence’s part- Equipped with com- ner, SECUREITLAB as plex tools, strict proc- a leading cybersecurity esses, and experienced company, will present the security analysts, a next session, which is a pri- gen cybersecurity solution ority topic of concern provides real-time and ac- and discussion in the IT tionable intelligence, ad- world today. vance analytics to better The event will be held protect one’s organisation tomorrow from 3pm-6pm from the latest threats, the at Al Nasser Tower in West statement continued. Bay. Entry to the event is Argon Global is invit- free and parking arrange- ing those interested in the ment is also available upon IT security community to registration to the session. make use of the event to As the business land- be enlightened with the scape redefi nes itself with best security protection the adoption of big data, options available in the mobile computing, and so- industry today. cial media, traditional cy- For more details and bersecurity solutions that registration, contact su- only monitor an organisa- laiman@agconvergence. tion’s network no longer com, call 50340985, or visit provide adequate protec- http://bit.ly/MOTC-AG. Gulf Times Sunday, January 5, 2020 5 QATAR 31 countries to take part in Doha book fair

From Page 1

Al-Buainain pointed out that 31 countries are participating in this edition of the Doha Inter- national Book Fair with the fi rst time participation of Belgium and Australia, besides France. The number of the pavilions for Arabic books is 559, repre- senting 228 publishing houses, and the number of foreign pa- vilions is 91 representing 35 for- eign publishing houses, while the number of publishing houses for children is 72. In this edition, Qatari private publishers will have a strong Off icials announce the details of the 30th edition of Doha International Book Fair that will be held from presence. January 9-18 at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. The participants include Lu- sail Publishing and Distribution aimed at enhancing cultural ad- A number of ministries and ing; the National Human Rights House, Rosa Publishing House, vancement”. governmental institutions will Committee, and the Arab Center Zakrit Publishing House, and French ambassador to Qatar participate in the exhibition, in- for Research and Policy Studies. Al-Watad for Books and Publica- Franck Gellet said : “I would like cluding the Ministry of Awqaf The Doha edition is considered tions, besides Qatar University, to express our great pleasure in and Islamic Aff airs, the Ministry one of the largest international Hamad bin Khalifa University France being the guest of cultural of Education and Higher Educa- book fairs held in the region, and others. honour at the 30th Doha Inter- tion, the Ministry of Commerce which has been expanding since Radi al-Hajri, Deputy Chair- national Book Fair.” and Industry; the Planning and its fi rst edition in 1972. man of the Cultural Committee, He also announced the launch Statistics Authority; the Police Visitors can download the said: “We in the Cultural Com- of cultural exchange between College, Qatar University, the smartphone application or visit mittee will hold 21 workshops, Qatar and France, and adopting Katara Prize for the Arabic Nov- www.dohabookfair.qa to review poetry activities, French musi- “Enlightenment” as the topic for el, Qatar Museums; Hamad Bin all the related activities and de- The Doha International Book Fair, which has adopted the slogan ‘Do you then not contemplate’ is inspired cal events, and other activities this participation in the event. Khalifa University for Publish- tails. from a verse from the Holy Qur’an. HBKU Press to launch over 100 new titlestitles at Doha International Book Fair 2020

As part of its commitment to pro- book fair and launch an eclectic long Wellness Guide to Healthy Eating extracts from their publications. Other readings include Balsem projects manager, HBKU Press, non-fiction for adults and children, moting a vibrant literary and schol- list of books spanning all genres. and Feeling Great. Written by On January 13, HBKU Press will Amura’s My Happy Language and said: “We always look forward to to academic and reference materi- arly community across Qatar and Between January 9 and January health coach and nutritionist Zoe host Dalal Ghanim al-Romaihi, the Sadia Mir’s and Summer al-Jarrah participating at the Doha Interna- als, and more, our new titles amply the Middle East, Hamad Bin Khalifa 18, the HBKU Press booth will show- Palmer-Wright, the book reflects author of Where Is My Teacher? Bateiha’s Spring Bloom. tional Book Fair. Qatar’s premier demonstrate that we publish University Press (HBKU Press) will case over 100 new titles including HBKU Press’ growing interest in the The 14-year-old Qatar Academy The HBKU Press booth will also literary event provides the ideal something for everyone. We’re have a robust presence at Doha a mix of original language works in health and wellness genre. student follows in her mother’s stage a series of seminars and sign- opportunity to underline HBKU undoubtedly looking forward to International Book Fair 2020. Arabic and English as well as trans- A number of authors will also footsteps — Muneera Saad al- ing ceremonies. Press’ commitment to promoting continuing our participation at the For the 10th consecutive year, lated works from other languages, visit the booth over the course of Romaihi — to become the second Speaking ahead of the Fair, a love of reading and writing at Doha International Book Fair over HBKU Press will participate in this including A Beautiful Balance: A the Fair to sign copies and read published author in the family. Rima Ismail, outreach and special home and abroad. From fiction and the years ahead.”

Jeweller picks second raffle winner Safari awards car keys to 2nd draw winners

Shine Gold & Diamonds has announced the winner of the second raff le draw of its ‘Winter Shopping @ Shine’ promotion. The draw for Renault Duster SUV was held at Safari Mall, Abu Hamour, on December 31. Photo shows the winner, Alberto De Leon, a Filipino (coupon number 56340), receiving the ceremonial key from Shine Gold & Diamond executive director Abdul Hameed and other off icials of Shine. The third raff le draw will be held on February 2 at Gold Safari off icials hand over a ceremonial key to the winners of the 2nd draw of the ‘Safari Win 20 Toyota Corolla Cars Souq - Doha. Promotion’ in an awarding event held at Safari Hypermarket Al Khor last month. HMC Bone and Joint Center performs 100th robot-assisted knee arthroplasty

amad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Bone and Joint Cent- Her has performed its 100th robot-assisted knee joint replace- ment surgery using MAKOplasty advanced technology. In March 2018, the Bone and Joint Center became the fi rst healthcare facility in Qatar and the Mena region to introduce this highly advanced surgical technology. The surgery was performed at the centre’s Short Stay Unit by a team of orthopaedic surgeons led by Dr Mohamed Mubarak al-Ateeq al- Dosari, senior consultant and head of Orthopaedic Surgery Department and director of the Bone and Joint Center. The team also included Dr Issam al-Muhaireeq, Dr Shamsi Abdul Hameed and Dr Muatassim Salama. The surgery was performed on a 71-year-old female patient with se- vere knee osteoarthritis to improve her mobility after she had tried all available conservative treatment options. “Robot-assisted knee arthro- HMC Bone and Joint Center staff celebrate their achievement. plasty technology off ers many ad- ditional advantages compared to in the healthcare sector to ensure it technology has helped in the treat- for the procedure. Patients are nor- traditional surgery, including less can keep up with the latest medical ment and rehabilitation of a large mally discharged home on the same damage to the tissues surrounding and surgical trends and comply with number of patients since its intro- day of the surgery and are then re- the knee, improved bone cutting the highest international standards, duction. ferred for post-operative follow-up precision, shorter operative times, and this surgical advancement is “Medical and surgical advances in our outpatient clinics where they and less post-operative pain for the one of the results of this investment. and the continued improvement of are provided with pain management patient. This has encouraged more By providing high-quality and safe nursing and allied healthcare serv- care and treatment for any compli- patients around the world to opt for healthcare services to its patients, ices have meant that this kind of cations. We also refer the patients robotic surgery treatment options, HMC’s Bone and Joint Center is surgery can now be performed in a to the Physiotherapy Department to which in turn led to the advance- playing an important role in the ac- short-stay unit setting. We carefully help improve their mobility and they ment of robotic surgery technolo- complishment of Qatar’s health sec- screen our patients before selecting can usually get back to their normal gies,” said Dr al-Ateeq. tor mission,” added Dr al-Ateeq. them as possible candidates for this daily life within three months of “Qatar has been investing heavily Dr al-Muhaireeq said the new surgery, and then we prepare them surgery,” added Dr al-Muhaireeq. Gulf Times 6 Sunday, January 5, 2020 REGION/ARAB WORLD Thousands mourn top Iranian general; rockets fi red in Baghdad

Reuters France stepped up diplo- later brought the bodies by Baghdad matic initiatives yesterday Britain’s navy to accompany UK-flagged car to the holy city of Ker- to ease tensions in the Mid- ships through Strait of Hormuz bala south of Baghdad. dle East. The procession was to end ith shouts of French President Em- Britain’s navy will accompany UK-flagged ships through in Najaf, another sacred city “Death to Ameri- manuel Macron talked with the Strait of Hormuz to provide protection after the killing where Muhandis and the Wca”, tens of thou- Iraq President Barham Sa- of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani by US other Iraqis killed will be sands of people marched in lih, Macron’s offi ce said. forces, Reuters reported. laid to rest. Iraq yesterday to mourn Ira- “The two presidents Defence minister Ben Wallace said he had ordered the Soleimani’s body will be nian military commander agreed to remain in close warships HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to prepare to transferred to the south- Qassem Soleimani and an contact to avoid any further return to escort duties for all ships sailing under a British western Iranian province of Iraqi militia leader who were escalation in tensions and in merchant flag. “The government will take all necessary Khuzestan that borders Iraq. killed in a US air strike that order to act to ensure stabil- steps to protect our ships and citizens at this time,” he said. Today it will be taken has raised the spectre of ity in Iraq and the broader to the holy city of Mash- wider confl ict in the Middle region,” a statement from had in Iran’s northeast and East. Macron’s offi ce said. other Iraqis killed in the US moured personnel carriers from there to Tehran and Yesterday evening, a Gholamali Abuhamzeh, strike took place in Bagh- in the procession. Chants his hometown Kerman in rocket fell inside Baghdad’s a senior commander of dad’s Green Zone. of “Death to America” and the southeast for burial on heavily-fortifi ed Green the Revolutionary Guards, Mourners included many “No No Israel” rang out. Tuesday, state media said. Zone near the US Embas- said Tehran would punish militiamen in uniform for Prime Minister Adel Ab- US President Donald sy, another hit the nearby Americans “wherever they whom Muhandis and Solei- dul Mahdi and Iraqi militia Trump said on Friday that Jadriya neighbourhood and are in reach”, and raised the mani were heroes. commander Hadi al-Amiri, Soleimani had been plotting Mourners attend the funeral procession of the Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head two more rockets were fi red prospect of possible attacks They carried portraits a close Iran ally and the top imminent attacks on Amer- of the elite Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards, and the Iraqi militia commander Abu at the Balad air base north on ships in the Gulf. of both men and plastered candidate to succeed Mu- ican diplomats and military Mahdi al-Muhandis, who were killed in an air strike at Baghdad airport, in Kerbala, yesterday. of the city, but no one was The US Embassy in Bagh- them on walls and ar- handis, attended. Mourners personnel. killed, the Iraqi military said dad urged American citi- in a statement. zens to leave Iraq. There was no immediate Dozens of American em- claim of responsibility. ployees of foreign oil com- With security worries panies left the southern rising after Friday’s strike, Iraqi city of Basra on Friday. the Nato alliance and a sep- Close US ally Britain arate US-led mission sus- warned its nationals to avoid pended their programmes all travel to Iraq, outside the to train Iraqi security and autonomous Kurdistan re- armed forces, offi cials said. gion, and to avoid all but es- “The safety of our per- sential travel to Iran. sonnel in Iraq is paramount. Soleimani, 62, was Iran’s We continue to take all pre-eminent military leader precautions necessary,” act- — head of the Revolution- ing Nato spokesman Dylan ary Guards’ overseas Quds White said in a statement. Force and the architect of Soleimani, commander of Iran’s spreading infl uence in the Revolutionary Guards’ the Middle East. foreign legions, was killed in The Iraqi militia leader the US strike on his convoy killed in the strike, Abu at Baghdad airport. Mahdi al-Muhandis, was The attack took Wash- the deputy commander of ington and its allies, mainly Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Saudi Arabia and Israel, into Forces (PMF) umbrella body uncharted territory in its of paramilitary groups. confrontation with Iran and A PMF-organised pro- its proxy militias across the cession carrying the bodies region. of Soleimani, Muhandis and

Syria death toll ‘tops 380,000 in war’

AFP gime, triggering a multi- Beirut front armed confl ict that has drawn in militants and foreign powers. lmost nine years of The confl ict has displaced civil war in Syria or sent into exile around Ahas left more than 13mn Syrians, causing bil- 380,000 people dead in- lions of dollars-worth of cluding over 115,000 civil- destruction. ians, a war monitor said in a The Britain-based Ob- new toll yesterday. servatory’s last casualty The Syrian Observatory toll on the Syrian con- for Human Rights, which flict, issued in March last has a network of sources year, stood at more than across the country, said they 370,000 dead. included around 22,000 The latest toll included children and more than more than 128,000 Syrian 13,000 women. and non-Syrian pro-re- The confl ict fl ared af- gime fighters. ter unprecedented anti- More than half of those government protests in the were Syrian soldiers, southern city of Daraa on while 1,682 were from the March 15, 2011. Lebanese group Hezbol- Demonstrations spread lah whose members have across Syria and were bru- been fighting in Syria tally suppressed by the re- since 2013.

Ghosn fl ed after security fi rm stopped surveillance

Reuters check whether he met any Tokyo people involved in the case, the three sources said. But his lawyers warned usted Nissan boss the security company to Carlos Ghosn left stop watching him as it Ohis Tokyo residence would be a violation of his after a private security fi rm human rights, and Ghosn hired by Nissan Motor Co was planning to fi le a com- stopped monitoring him, plaint against the company, three sources familiar with the sources said. the matter told Reuters yes- The security company terday. stopped its surveillance by Dec 29, the sources said. The security One of his lawyers, Ju- company stopped its nichiro Hironaka, told re- surveillance by Dec 29, porters in November that the sources said they were considering steps to prevent people from Ghosn has become an in- stalking Ghosn. ternational fugitive after he A Nissan spokesperson revealed on Tuesday he had declined to comment. Jap- fl ed to Lebanon to escape anese public broadcaster what he called a “rigged” NHK, citing investigative justice system in Japan, sources, said a surveil- where he faces charges re- lance camera placed by lating to alleged fi nancial the authorities in Ghosn’s crimes. Nissan had hired a home showed him leaving private security company alone around noon on Sun- to watch Ghosn, who was day, and did not show him on bail and awaiting trial, to returning. Sunday, January 05, 2020 7 QATAR Mazzraty donates to Qatar Charity’s “Warmth and Peace” campaign

atar Charity (QC) has Mazzraty’s contribution to received a donation humanitarian action carried Qfrom the National out by Qatar Charity. Group for Agricultural and He also thanked Mazzraty Animal Production (Mazzraty) management for the donation, for the “Warmth and Peace” emphasizing the importance winter campaign launched of partnership in promoting by Qatar Charity more than a humanitarian action to month ago to support refugees maximize the number of and displaced worldwide. beneficiaries. Mr. Abdulaziz Jassem, He also hoped that director of the Customer cooperation from Mazzraty Service Department at Qatar would continue to support Charity, received the donation Qatar Charity’s relief and cheque from Mr. Moaaz development projects, Rankoussi, executive director calling on other companies of Mazzraty, in the presence to do likewise in support of of many officials from both charitable projects meant for support the humanitarian and He added that the donation days, expressing the keenness assistance to refugees, the sides. those most in need worldwide. charitable work carried out by was raised within the to participate in activities displaced, and affected in 17 “Mazzraty, which is one of On his part, Mr. Moaaz Qatar Charity,” underling that framework of a campaign that would benefit the local countries, including those the leading groups in Qatar Rankoussi, executive director Mazzraty would constantly organized by Mazzraty to community. displaced from Idlib. Some and the region, plays a major of Mazzraty, said, “This support Qatar Charity’s coincide with the Qatar 500,000 people are expected role in supporting the Qatari donation comes, as part of charitable projects that would National Day celebrations and It is worth noting that Qatar to benefit from shelter, food, economy and local growth,” our social responsibility enhance the bright face of it has donated one riyal for Charity’s “Warm and Peace” and heating aids provided said Jassem, appreciating towards the community, to Qatar and its people. each product sold during three campaign continues to provide within the campaign. Gulf Times 8 Sunday, January 5, 2020 AFRICA

Boko Hundreds fl ee fearing militants Haram suspected after Chad army leaves Nigeria of killing

AFP One Gajiganna resident who Maiduguri fl ed said: “I left Gajiganna at least 50 and moved to Maiduguri on Wednesday when I realised that had has ended a months- Nigerian soldiers had left their DPA long mission fi ghting base soon after the withdrawal Yaounde CBoko Haram in neigh- of Chadian soldiers”. He said he bouring Nigeria and withdrawn had left with around 300 other its 1,200-strong force across people on learning of the troop ffi cials in Cameroon have their common border, an army pullback as people felt exposed confi rmed the killing of spokesman said yesterday. and unprotected from Boko Oat least 50 people in an “It’s our troops who went to Haram attacks.” attack believed to have been the aid Nigerian soldiers months Tahiro had earlier said that work of the Boko Haram terrorist ago returning home. They have “if the states around Lake Chad group that was discovered over a fi nished their mission,” spokes- agree on a new mission there week later. man Colonel Azem Bermandoa will surely be another contin- Ali Ramat, the mayor of Darak said. “None of our soldiers re- gent redeployed on the ground.” in Cameroon’s far north, said the mains in Nigeria,” he added. Boko Haram began the insur- December 22 attack was even- He did not specify if they rection in Nigeria a decade ago, tually discovered thanks to one might be replaced following Fri- leading to at least 35,000 deaths survivor. day’s pullout which saw them with violence spilling over into The attack took place on Daba “return to their sector at Lake Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Lamy island on Lake Chad. Chad.” A Boko Haram faction aligned “They came in from Niger,” However, Chad’s general chief with Islamic State West Africa Ramat said on Friday.”When of staff General Tahir Erda Ta- Province (ISWAP) militants is they arrived, they seized a boat hiro said that if countries in the active around Lake Chad where belonging to traders who usually region which have contributed the group has training bases on go there to buy fresh fi sh. to a multinational anti-militant the Niger border and regularly Local fi shermen opened up to force were in agreement, more raids military bases and regional trade with them, but the knives troops would likely be sent in security forces. came out. About 50 fi shermen amid local people’s fears of a se- Last month saw 14 peo- were slaughtered,” Ramat said. curity vacuum. ple killed with 13 more listed Ramat described decaying The Chad troops, brought as missing after an attack on a corpses fl oating on the water out in pick-up trucks and tank fi shing village in western Chad. when offi cials eventually arrived transporters, crossed the bridge Countries in the region have on the scene. back to their home capital of banded together to fi ght Boko Twenty of the victims were N’djamena via the Cameroon Haram and ISWAP with support Cameroonian, while the rest border town of Kousseri under from civilian defence commit- were either Chadian or Nigerian the curious gaze of locals, an tees. nationals who fi sh on the lake. AFP reporter said. Those troops have now pulled The region has become a News of the pullout, coupled back across the border to be hotspot for attacks by the fun- with a local report of Nigerian “deployed in the Lake Chad damentalist group, with soldiers troops also leaving the vicin- region to strengthen security unable to adequately patrol the ity, sparked concern among lo- along the border,” a senior local vast region, he said.”There are no cal people in the small town of offi cial said. soldiers in the zone. Gajiganna, hundreds of whom Soldiers of the Chad Army sit on the back of a Land Cruiser at the Koundoul market, 25km from N’Djamena, upon their return after a Cameroon says it is battling Attackers can leave Niger, promptly fl ed the area citing months-long mission fighting Boko Haram in neighbouring Nigeria. an upsurge in Boko Haram at- move freely into the zone, attack their fear of further attacks. tacks and, according to an Am- and still go away with no one The Chadian soldiers had had An anti-militant militia expiration of their mandate of Gajiganna fl ed to Maiduguri troops working alongside the nesty International report pub- raising an eyebrow,” the mayor a garrison there as well as at source said: “From what the which was for nine months.” for fear of attacks by the terror- Chadians also left the base soon lished last month 275 people, added. nearby Monguno, close to Lake Chadian soldiers told us their The source added that “as ists. after the Chadians had moved including 225 civilians, were Boko Haram has not claimed Chad itself. withdrawal is as a result of the soon as they left most residents They left because Nigerian out.” killed there last year. responsibility for the attack.

Museveni begins jungle march to highlight liberation struggle Eight mutilated lions

AFP and will end on January 10 in among Ugandans,” the singer — discovered at SA farm Kampala Birembo south of the capital whose real name is Robert Ky- where his rebel army faced one agulanyi — said. of its toughest battles in the “My advice is rather than AFP country’s North West prov- gandan President Yow- fi ght to overthrow Obote. spending taxpayers’ money on Johannesburg ince, with poisoned chicken, eri Museveni yesterday “The great trek started today such trips, Museveni should but police refused to speculate Ubegan a six-day march and will last six days. know time is up for him to leave saying investigations were still through the jungle to re-trace This is a journey that the power. Time for hoodwinking outh African police yes- underway. “Apparently chicken the route through which his president is leading, a journey peasants has passed him. terday said they had carcasses were found nearby, guerrilla forces seized power through the past to appreciate The peasants and everyone in Slaunched an investiga- so it’s just a suspicion...that three decades ago, which critics the present,” Museveni’s senior Uganda are demanding change tion after eight mutilated lion they might have been poisoned dismissed as a bid to rally sup- press secretary, Don Wanyama, and no less,” he said. carcasses were discovered at a and the lions were fed with the port ahead of 2021 elections. said yesterday. “The journey Asuman Basalirwa, an MP private game farm. chickens,” said Mokgwabone. Museveni is one of Africa’s will take a week through the from the opposition Forum for “They were illegally hunted “This a matter still under in- longest-ruling leaders, hav- jungle, a route the liberators led Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, speaks before the first day Democratic Change, slammed yesterday morning at one of the vestigation,” he said. ing seized power in 1986 after by Museveni took to liberate the of a six-day trek covering a distance of 195km, called “Africa Kwetu” the trek as a “campaigning tool”. lodges in the vicinity of Swar- No arrests have been made taking part in rebellions to end country.” (Africa our homeland) in Galamba, about 30km north of “Ugandans deserve bet- truggens,” police spokesman yet and the motive remains un- the brutal rule of Idi Amin and The walk comes a month af- Kampala, yesterday. ter than a president walking Sabata Mokgwabone said. clear. Milton Obote, and is expected ter the president led an anti- through a jungle. He added that “the snouts Some previous cases of lions to seek a sixth term in offi ce in corruption walk through the Museveni is facing an elec- has only ever known one presi- Time spent should be used and paws were cut off from killings in South Africa have the next elections. capital in a move derided by tion challenge from pop-star dent. “This (trek) is part of the for other important issues af- all the lions”. Local media re- been speculated to be for the He began what will be a critics who said that the cor- turned leading opposition poli- wasteful ventures government fecting the country especially ported that poachers were big cats’ body parts which are 195-kilometre walk from ruption took place under his tician Bobi Wine, who appeals is taking aimed at boosting his how he plans to hand over pow- thought to have fed the lions, used in so-called traditional Galamba, north of Kampala, government. to a youthful population that (Museveni) dwindling support er,” he said. found at the game farm in the medicine. Congolese singer Banza takes sudden fame in her stride

Reuters Kinshasa

lucking the opening bars of her song “Te Rembi” on Pa guitar in a dingy studio in central Kinshasa, Congolese singer Celine Banza is blinded by a spotlight propped up by a brick and a piece of folded cardboard. The 22-year-old is still getting used to the glare of the lime- light after winning the prestig- ious Radio France International Discovery Award in November, a prize that celebrates African musicians and which she hopes will jumpstart her international career. In previous years the gong has gone to musicians such as Ivory Coast’s Tiken Jah Fakoly and Mali’s Amadou and Mariam who had already toured the world and earned global fame. “I can’t believe this is real,” said Banza in the dilapidated studio at the back of the French Institute in the Congolese capi- Congolese singer Celine Banza strums a guitar at a band practice studio in the French Institute in central Kinshasa. Right: The singer with other band members. tal as she practises with her band. music since independence from moving to Kisangani, a city in musicology at the National In- Her prize-winning song “Te Congo. “You think you can buy Banza rejected the tempta- “I’m honoured and proud... Belgium in 1960 drawing inspi- the centre of the country, where stitute of Arts where she met her Rembi”, which means “My body”, my soul with your assets. You tion to sing in a more popular but the celebrity does not mean ration from Cuban rumba, which she met people who helped her three bandmates. is about asserting her value as a confuse me with a commodity language like French or English anything to me. I’m still Celine.” is echoed in Banza’s lilting melo- develop a taste for music, dance, “The work we have been do- woman beyond the male gaze. and a slave,” she sings in Ngban- because she wants audiences to Congo has a long established dies. acting and cinematography. ing for a while didn’t fall from Her lyrics are in Ngbandi, a di, a language she shares with know her culture and identity. reputation as a centre of musi- She started singing at a young She returned to Kinshasa at the sky, we have to work hard,” language spoken in the north the country’s brutal former dic- “It turns out they like it,” cal innovation, with much of its age with her school choir before the age of 15 and later studied Banza said. of the Democratic Republic of tator Mobutu Sese Seko. she said. Gulf Times Sunday, January 5, 2020 9 AMERICAS Bull run! US puts limits on exports of AI software

Reuters The rule will likely be welcomed much tougher crackdown on sales Washington by industry, Lewis said, because it abroad. had feared a much broader crack- The rule will go into effect in down on exports of most artifi cial the United States alone, but US he Trump administration intelligence hardware and soft- authorities could later submit it took measures on Friday to ware. to international bodies to try to Tcrimp exports of artifi cial The measure covers software create a level playing field glo- intelligence software as part of a that could be used by sensors, bally. bid to keep sensitive technologies drones, and satellites to automate It comes amid growing frustra- out of the hands of rival powers the process of identifying targets tion from Republican and Demo- like China. for both military and civilian ends, cratic lawmakers over the slow Under a new rule which goes Lewis said, noting it was a boon roll-out of rules toughening up into eff ect tomorrow, companies for industry, which feared a much export controls, with Senate Mi- that export certain types of ge- broader crackdown on exports of nority Leader Chuck Schumer, a ospatial imagery software from AI hardware and software. Democrat, urging the Commerce the United States must apply for The measure is the fi rst to be fi - Department to speed up the proc- a license to send it overseas except nalised by the Commerce Depart- ess. when it is being shipped to neigh- ment under a mandate from a 2018 “While the government be- bouring and trusted Canada. law, which tasked the agency with lieves that it is in the national “They want to keep American writing rules to boost oversight of security interests of the United A bull rider is bucked off his bull during the PBR ‘Unleash the Beast’ competition at Madison Square Garden in New York City on companies from helping the Chi- exports of sensitive technology to States Friday evening. nese make better AI products that adversaries like China, for eco- to immediately implement can help their military,” said James nomic and security reasons. these controls, it also wants to Lewis, a technology expert with Reuters fi rst reported that the provide the interested public with the Washington-based Center for agency was fi nalising a set of nar- an opportunity to comment on Strategic and International Stud- row rules to limit such exports in a the control of new items,” the rule ies think tank. boon to US industry that feared a release said.

US announces partial ban Canada Conservatives to pick leader

Canada’s Conservative party has In October legislative elections, his resignation on December 12. on fl avoured e-cigarettes announced that it will choose a new the Conservatives won 121 seats, It came on the heels of an leader on June 27 following Andrew 26 more than they had in the last internal report on the results of the Scheer’s surprise resignation. legislature. legislative campaign. AFP tary Alex Azar said in a confer- banned in an eff ort to curb and tobacco sales to under-21s. “We have an obligation as the This helped deny Prime Min- It also happened the day Global Washington ence call with reporters. youth vaping. The change is due to take ef- opposition party to be ready as ister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals an News revealed that the Conserva- “The kids simply are not us- His announcement triggered fect nationwide by September. quick as we can and this quickness absolute majority in the House of tive party had paid part of the ing in any material level the a pressure campaign from the Since 2016 the FDA has had puts us in that position,” party Commons. tuition fees for Scheer’s children at he US government has open tank vaping systems,” he tobacco and vaping industries authority over vaping prod- off icial Dan Nowlan told CBC, indi- Scheer, whose leadership has a private school in Ottawa. announced it is ban- added. for the administration to re- ucts and technically a specifi c cating the vote would take place in been contested since his defeat in Scheer has led the conservative Tning most fl avoured e- Companies that do not cease verse the decision. pre-market authorisation was Toronto. the legislative elections, announced party since May 2017. cigarettes in a bid to curb the making and selling such car- On Thursday, demonstra- needed to sell any of them. rising tide of youth vaping, but tridges will face punishment, tors had chanted “We vape! We But the agency chose not to under industry pressure it has the FDA said, without specify- vote!” as Trump’s limo drove by enforce the rule. stopped short of the full ban ing the potential sanctions. in Florida. It preferred to watch how the promised in September by the “The United States has never Speaking for a group of anti- market evolved in the hope that White House. seen an epidemic of substance tobacco advocates and public vaping could become a pub- The Food and Drug Admin- use arise as quickly as our cur- health offi cials who met with lic health solution for tobacco Bolivia’s electoral court sets May 3 istration (FDA) said last week rent epidemic of youth use of e- Trump in November, Matthew smokers who want to quit. cartridge-based e-cigarettes in cigarettes,” Azar said in a sepa- Myers, president of the Cam- Flavors other than menthol fl avours other than tobacco or rate statement. paign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and tobacco will be banned as the date for election rerun menthol would be illegal unless “We aim to see whether e- expressed dismay at the new starting in February for car- specifi cally authorised by the cigarettes could serve as an ef- rule, which he said “creates a tridge-based e-cigarettes. government. fective off ramp for adult smok- giant loophole that will benefi t For other types of e-ciga- Reuters The vote will be held almost last week, he ruled out standing The change will take eff ect in ers addicted to combustible the current existing tobacco rettes, all fl avors will remain La Paz seven months after the results as a candidate for his Movement February, outlawing cartridges cigarettes. We believe that re- companies.” authorized. of elections that handed a fourth for Socialism (MAS) coalition in with fruit, mint and candy fl a- mains a possibility,” he added. Nancy Brown, CEO and But all vaping products will term to Bolivia’s former president the next election, but said that he vours, which are particularly In late summer, a health cri- president of the American need to request a pre-market rerun of Bolivia’s election Evo Morales but were then dis- would return to Bolivia by next popular with young people. sis marked by severe and some- Heart Association, called it authorisation by May. has been set for Sunday, credited. Christmas. Juul, the e-cigarette industry times deadly lung ailments “a huge victory for Juul, vape They will be able to remain AMay 3, the president of the An audit of last October’s elec- He has identifi ed Luis Arce Cat- leader, had anticipated the de- added to overall concerns over shops and the rest of the ciga- on the market for up to 12 country’s Supreme Electoral Tri- tion found serious irregularities, acora, his former economy minis- cision and withdrew those fl a- the success of Juul products rette industry over the interest months afterwards. bunal said on Friday. prompting Morales’ resignation ter, and Andronico Rodriguez, a vours from sale in the US, leav- among American youths. of this nation.” Azar said prioritising fl a- Salvador Romero said both and clashes between protesters coca farmer union boss, as poten- ing only tobacco and menthol. Some 28% of high school The industry push highlight- vours most widely used by chil- presidential and parliamentary and security forces that resulted tial MAS presidential candidates. The ban will exempt large, seniors said they had vaped in ed the risk that Trump could dren would ensure e-cigarettes elections would be held on the in more than 30 deaths. Prosecutors have issued an tank-based rechargeable vap- the previous 30 days, according lose votes in the 2020 election were not an “on-ramp” to nic- same day. Morales, who had been in power arrest warrant for Morales on ing devices, however, which to a government survey in 2019, because of the proposed ban. otine addiction for youngsters. “When we announce the elector- for nearly 14 years, resigned fol- charges of sedition, terrorism and are primarily sold in vape shops compared with around 11% in Trump said he would ultimate- “We will not stand idly by al calendar over the next few days, lowing the election dispute and terrorist fi nancing. that cater to adults. 2016. ly settle for raising from 18 to 21 as this crisis among America’s together with the formal call for the fl ed to Mexico, and later Argen- The allegations have been “It was the pod cartridge- Azar had said in September the minimum age for buying vap- youth grows and evolves, and election, all the deadlines that both tina. pushed by the government of in- based systems that got us into after a meeting with President ing products, and the US Con- we will continue monitoring political organizations and citizens He later said he had been top- terim President Jeanine Anez, a this problem that are most at- Donald Trump in the Oval Of- gress obliged late December with the situation and take further must meet will be specifi ed,” he told pled in a coup. former senator and political op- tractive to kids,” Health Secre- fi ce that all fl avours would be a vote banning both e-cigarette actions as necessary,” he added. reporters in La Paz. In an interview with Reuters ponent of Morales.

Fresno mass shooting: police arrest six suspects for deadly November attack

Guardian News and Media members were behind the killing, Delgado, 19; Pao Vang, 19; Porge community were surprised to Los Angeles and that two gunmen with semi- Kue, 26; Johnny Xiong, 25; and learn police had made arrests: automatic weapons attacked the Ger Lee, 27. “They thought it was going to be home because they thought it was Hall alleged the men were “self another cold case or just disre- olice in Fresno, California, a party of a rival Asian Crips gang. admitted” Mongolian Boy So- garded as another ‘gang shoot- have arrested seven sus- But the investigation revealed ciety members and that they all ing’. That’s what they do with Ppects in a mass shooting only one person watching the planned the shooting, but police minority communities.” that left four dead in November, football game had a connection have not said who shot the men Vong Mouanoutoua, a local alleging gunmen targeted a back- with Asian Crips, and was “not in the backyard. councilman, said it was clear yard where they believed rival an active gang member”, said Lee, Montes, Kue and Billy “innocent lives were taken”, add- gang members were gathered. Andy Hall, Fresno’s police chief. Xiong were charged on Thurs- ing that people shouldn’t dwell Police in the central valley city The department has said there day in state court with murder, on the gang label. said this week that seven gang was no evidence suggesting the conspiracy to commit murder, “A gang member’s life is not members were responsible for four fatal victims were gang attempted murder and a gang less important than a non-gang the 17 November shooting at a members. charge. member’s life. watch party for a Sunday after- A police spokesman said there The other three men were It’s always a loss,” he said, not- noon football game. were some people who left the charged in federal court with ing that the men arrested were The suspects opened fi re at a party who have not been identi- conspiracy to commit murder in all very young. “Their lives are party in retaliation for a recent fi ed. the aid of racketeering. changed forever.” gang-related killing, authorities The victims were Xy Lee, 23, Lawyers for the suspects could Kou Lee, the 31-year-old said, but the victims were not a well-known Hmong singer ; not immediately be reached. brother of Xy Lee, the famous gang members and not part of the Kou Xiong, 38, a chef at a lo- “It is bittersweet,” said Bobby singer killed in the attack, told group that the suspects meant to cal restaurant; Phia Vang, 31, a Bliatout, a local Hmong commu- the Guardian after the shooting target. musician who worked at a local nity leader. that he was “distraught” about All four men killed were of lab; and Kalaxang Thao, 40, who “We are happy that they were the word gang being tied to his Hmong descent, part of the vi- worked at an Asian grocery store. caught … so we can have some brother, who was well known brant community of families who Six other people were injured. closure and move on.” and celebrated in Fresno: “Eve- came to California as refugees On December 17, police ar- He said the initial suggestion rybody fell in love with him when after fl eeing war and violence in rested Billy Xiong, a 25-year-old by police that the killings were he sings.” south-east Asia. Fresno resident, on suspicion of gang-related had overshadowed Xy Lee’s community was other The tragedy devastated the mail theft and located one of the the horror of the losses: “It’s artists and musicians, said Mitch Hmong people across the globe, guns used to kill the four men, a terrible tragedy … in minor- Herr, another Hmong community and families of the victims were authorities said. ity communities, we are targeted leader, who had lunch with the initially outraged at law enforce- The mass shooting was alleg- right away with the word ‘gang’ singer a week before he was killed: ment’s suggestions that their edly retaliation for the killing or ‘criminals’.” “Anyone that came to know him loved ones may have had ties to of his brother, Randy Xiong, 16 Nou Xiong, a reporter for the loved him, because he was always gangs. hours earlier. local Hmong TV Network, who is there for the community, always Police alleged last week that Police also eventually arrested also one of the victim’s cousins, there for his friends … The future A candlelight vigil being held in Fresno to honour Kou Xiong, who was one of four killed in a mass Mongolian Boy Society gang Anthony Montes, 27; Jhovanny said many in the Fresno Hmong was so bright for him.” shooting in November. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, January 5, 2020 AMERICAS

Former Mexico security chief Judges struggle with bid to tied to Sinaloa cartel pleads not guilty in block McGahn testimony NY courthouse Reuters The House passed two articles of im- Washington peachment — formal charges — accusing Trump of abuse of power and obstruc- Reuters tion of Congress, setting up a trial in New York S appeals court judges on Friday the Republican-led Senate to determine appeared sceptical about broad whether to remove him from offi ce. Ulegal arguments by President Trump has denied wrongdoing. former Mexican govern- Donald Trump’s administration seeking House lawyers have said McGahn’s ment offi cial who over- to block a former White House lawyer testimony remains vital to the im- Asaw public security in his from testifying to Congress as part of peachment proceedings and could af- country pleaded not guilty on the impeachment eff ort against Trump, fect strategy for the Senate trial. Friday to US charges he accepted but also seemed wary about stepping The House has not ruled out Mc- millions of dollars in bribes to into the heated political fi ght. Gahn’s testimony or the Mueller grand protect the Sinaloa drug cartel Judge Thomas Griffi th asked tough jury material prompting additional ar- once run by Joaquin “El Chapo” questions of the Justice Department ticles of impeachment. Guzman and let it operate with lawyer who argued on the adminis- It was unclear whether the judges impunity. tration’s behalf and the lawyer for the would rule in the two cases before the Genaro Garcia Luna, 51, en- Democratic-led House of Representa- Senate impeachment trial. tered his plea through a transla- tives Judiciary Committee that subpoe- Their rulings could be appealed to the tor at a hearing in federal court naed former White House counsel Don US Supreme Court, which ultimately in Brooklyn, where lawyers McGahn, and could be the pivotal vote may decide the disputes. signalled he may be in talks to in deciding the case. McGahn told Mueller’s team that change his plea later. The case was heard by a three-judge Trump repeatedly instructed him to US Magistrate Judge Peggy panel of the US Court of Appeals for the have the special counsel ousted and Kuo ordered Garcia Luna de- District of Columbia Circuit. then told him to deny having been so tained after Assistant US At- Griffi th questioned whether the court instructed when word of the action torney Erin Reid called him an should decide the case at all, in part be- emerged in news reports. “unacceptable risk of fl ight,” cit- cause McGahn’s testimony is not key to McGahn did not carry out either in- ing his alleged contacts with the the two articles of impeachment against struction. Sinaloa cartel. Trump approved by the House on De- The second case involved the admin- The defendant’s court-ap- cember 18. istration’s appeal of a judge’s October pointed lawyer said he would Griffi th, a Republican appointee, and ruling that the Mueller grand jury in- seek bail later. Judge Judith Rogers, a Democratic ap- President Donald Trump holds a ‘Never give up!’ sign as he gives a speech to supporters in Miami on Friday night. formation should be provided to law- Garcia Luna, who had moved pointee, questioned the administra- makers. to Florida and was living there tion’s arguments that the House panel Ketanji Brown Jackson’s November 25 2018, defi ed the subpoena but has said ecutive branch cooperation such as refusing The Justice Department argued that before his arrest, has been lacks legal standing to enforce its sub- ruling that McGahn must comply with he would testify if ordered by a court. to fund the government, Griffi th said. by law the material must be kept con- charged with drug traffi cking poena and that senior presidential ad- the subpoena. Griffi th noted that the Supreme “The question is whether the Con- fi dential. conspiracy and making false visers are “absolutely immune” from A second three-judge panel, with Court has previously said legislatures stitution allows you to pull the courts... House lawyer Douglas Letter stressed statements, and faces up to life being forced to testify to Congress Griffi th and Rogers joined by Trump can have legal standing in such cases. into this dispute, which historically has the importance of courts deciding such in prison if convicted. about offi cial acts. appointee Neomi Rao, also appeared The committee sued a month be- been fought out — duked out — between disputes, saying it avoids further con- He was arrested last month The other judge, Republican appoint- confl icted as it heard arguments in a fore the House launched its impeach- the political branches. To me, that’s the fl ict between branches of government. in Dallas but agreed to face the ee Karen Henderson, said little. separate lawsuit by the same committee ment inquiry against the Republican tough question,” Griffi th added. Absent court action, he raised the hy- charges in Brooklyn, where Guz- The committee fi led suit in August seeking access to grand jury evidence president centring on his request that Rogers added that if the House can- pothetical of a “gun battle” between the man was convicted and sen- seeking to enforce its April subpoena from Mueller’s inquiry. Ukraine investigate Democratic politi- not enforce subpoenas, its “critical House sergeant-at-arms and Attorney tenced to life in prison without for McGahn to testify about Trump’s Griffi th asked whether there has ever cal rival Joe Biden and his son. power in terms of checking abuse of General William Barr’s security detail if parole last year for smuggling eff orts to impede former Special Coun- been such “broad scale defi ance” of Griffi th noted that McGahn was “long presidential power” would be stymied. the Justice Department refused to hand tons of drugs to the United States sel Robert Mueller’s investigation that congressional requests in US history as gone” from the White House when the Rogers appeared to reject the admin- over the material. in a colourful, decades-long ca- documented Russian interference in the Trump’s administration has exhibited. Ukraine controversy unfolded and the istration’s suggestion that courts have Based on questions posed by the reer. 2016 election and numerous contacts It directed current and former offi - judge appeared sceptical over some no role in enforcing such subpoenas, judges, the court might consider send- Garcia Luna wore handcuff s, between Trump’s campaign and Mos- cials not to comply with congressional claims by House lawyer Megan Barbero. saying the Supreme Court has recog- ing that case back to a lower court for tan pants and a gray sweatshirt cow. subpoenas for testimony and docu- “I wonder if we should be involved nised such a role in some cases. more analysis specifying the exact ma- in the courtroom, with a pair of The arguments came in the admin- ments. with this dispute at all,” Griffi th said. “That’s what I think we are struggling terial sought by lawmakers and their glasses hanging from his neck- istration’s appeal of US District Judge McGahn, who left his post in October Congress has other means to leverage ex- with here,” Rogers added. reasons for wanting it. line. Kuo agreed to delay the case so the parties could negotiate what Reid called a “potential disposi- tion” without the need for a trial, language that often signals a fu- Rumbling Alaska ture guilty plea. A lawyer for Garcia Luna who could not attend Friday’s hearing volcano sends ash did not immediately respond to a request for comment. US District Judge Brian 8km into the air Cogan, who oversaw Guzman’s trial, scheduled a January 21 sta- Reuters fected by ashfall or were oth- tus conference for Garcia Luna. Anchorage erwise in danger as of Friday Once considered a leader in morning, said David Fee of the Mexico’s eff orts to reduce drug University of Alaska at Fair- traffi cking, Garcia Luna led that ne of Alaska’s most banks, a coordinating scientist country’s Federal Investigation active volcanoes, a with the observatory. “This is a Agency from 2001-2005 and was Otowering ice-covered remote volcano,” he said. secretary of public security from cone in the Aleutian Islands, The National Weather Serv- 2006-2012. shot a cloud of ash more than ice issued an alert, and air traf- But prosecutors said the Si- 8km high on Friday, trigger- fi c was advised to steer clear naloa cartel bribed Garcia Luna ing a warning to aviators and of Shishaldin, though avia- throughout his time in govern- putting on a show that was tors were already avoiding the ment to ensure safe passage for captured in satellite imagery. volcano well before Friday its drugs, and to obtain informa- The ash burst from Shishal- because of earlier activity, Fee tion about rival cartels and Mex- din Volcano, about 1,080km said. ican probes into its activities. southwest of Anchorage, was While Friday’s cloud, the Garcia Luna had been the part of an on-and-off , mostly largest yet of the series, was subject of testimony at Guz- low-level series of eruptions considered moderate, condi- man’s trial by Jesus Zambada, that began in July with a stream tions at Shishaldin could wors- the brother of Guzman’s partner of lava from the crater at the en quickly. Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. peak of the 2,869m mountain. “Shishadin remains at a Jesus Zambada said he had The ash plume was spotted heightened level of unrest, and given Garcia Luna a suitcase by a pilot and was visible in explosions may occur with lit- containing $3mn in 2005 or satellite images captured from tle warning,” the observatory 2006, and paid him another space. It drifted over the sea at warned in a public statement. $3mn to $5mn in 2007. least 120km southeast of the Friday’s explosion lasted Garcia Luna at the time re- volcano, the Alaska Volcano about an hour to 90 minutes, jected the accusations, calling Observatory reported. US Geological Survey scientist them “defamation” and without Still image taken from satellite footage shows smoke emerging from the Shishaldin Volcano eruption in Alaska on Friday. No communities were af- Matt Haney said. proof. Mexico City goes back to the future with plastic bag ban Reuters “Plastic and other waste “Now we’re going back to pa- them,” said Aldimir Torres, pres- Mexico City products that damage the planet per bags, sacks, baskets,” he said. ident of ANIPAC, which regis- end up in the ravines, woods and “I think it will take a while but ters 141 plastic bag producers in public spaces of the city — and people will get used to it.” Mexico City. exico City’s new ban nobody cleans it up.” Firms including Walmart’s Nationwide the industry gen- on plastic bags has in- The ban that began January 1 Mexico unit, breadmaker Bim- erates about $30bn a year, but it Mspired visions of a jour- prohibits the sale or distribution bo and conglomerate Femsa shrunk in 2019, partially due to ney back in time even as local of the bags pervasive everywhere agreed to offer free reusable plastic bans in various cities. makers of the packaging worry from Walmart to corner shops. bags this month and explore Mexico City thinks the solu- they could become obsolete. Plastics industry association more ways to reduce plastic tion could be compostable bags, The city’s government this ANIPAC says the roughly 20mn packaging. which easily break down. week banned single-use plastic people who live in Mexico City Plastic producers say the plan But Jose del Cueto, spokes- bags to complement worldwide and its sprawl use about 68,000 will hurt an industry already man of Inboplast, an association eff orts to protect the environ- tonnes of bags a year. struggling to adjust to a patch- of companies that make more ment, sparking protests from Fines for plastic off enders work of reforms across Mexico, environmentally-friendly bags, companies that produce them. could range from 42,000 pesos and are lobbying lawmakers to says that would require costly “We have to take plastic out of ($2,219) to 170,000 pesos. enact a federal law that would imported materials. circulation,” said Andree Lilian Gabriel Sanchez, who hawks standardise rules and allow re- He wants the city to take after Guigue, the offi cial overseeing produce at a marketplace, said usable, thicker bags. California, which banned sin- the ban in Mexico City, one of the ban was a return to 1960s “The solution should be reg- gle-use bags in 2014, but allows A woman carries loose items as she leaves a supermarket which no longer provides plastic bags for cus- the world’s biggest metropolises. packaging. ulating bags, not prohibiting multiple-use plastic bags. tomers to carry products, in Mexico City on Thursday. Gulf Times Sunday, January 5, 2020 11 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Death toll from fl ooding China replaces top envoy to in Indonesia rises to 60 Hong Kong AFP Jakarta AFP Beijing ndonesian rescue teams fl ew helicopters stuff ed with food hina has replaced its Ito remote fl ood-hit commu- top envoy to Hong nities yesterday as the death toll CKong, state media re- from the disaster jumped to 60 and ported yesterday, the most fears grew about the possibility signifi cant personnel change of more torrential rain. by Beijing since pro-democra- Tens of thousands in Jakarta cy protests erupted in the city were still unable to return to nearly seven months ago. Governor of China’s Qinghai their waterlogged homes after The removal of the head of province Luo Huining waves some of the deadliest fl ooding the Liaison Offi ce, which rep- as he leaves after a meeting. in years hit the enormous capital resents the central govern- region, home to about 30mn. ment in semi-autonomous the territory rights unseen on In neighbouring Lebak, where Hong Kong, comes as the city mainland China – but dem- half a dozen people died, police grapples with its biggest po- onstrators say these are be- and military personnel dropped litical crisis in decades. ing steadily eroded by an in- boxes of instant noodles and “Wang Zhimin has been creasingly assertive central other supplies into remote com- dismissed from his position government in Beijing. munities inaccessible by road as head of the Liaison Offi ce” Protesters are demanding after bridges were destroyed. and replaced by Luo Huining, fully free elections to elect the “It’s tough to get supplies in state broadcaster CCTV said, city’s leadership, amnesty for there... and there are about a doz- without giving details about the thousands arrested during en places hit by landslides,” Bant- the shuffl e. the protests, and an inquiry en police chief Tomsi Tohir said. Millions have come out on into the conduct of the police. “That is why we’re using heli- the streets since June last year While the extradition bill that copters although there aren’t in a wave of protests sparked started the protests was even- any landing spots.” by opposition to a now-aban- tually withdrawn, the Chinese Local health centre chief doned proposal to allow extra- government and the Hong Kong Suripto, who goes by one name, ditions to mainland China. administration have since re- said injured residents were fl ow- But they soon morphed into a fused further concessions. ing into his clinic. larger demand for greater dem- China has denied allega- “Some of them were wounded ocratic freedoms in the starkest tions that it is clamping down after they were swept away by Villagers commute through the mud in a landslide area at Sukaraksa village in Bogor, near Jakarta, yesterday. challenge to Beijing since the on the city’s freedoms, has fl oods and hit with wood and former British colony was re- dismissed the movement’s rocks,” he said. total death toll had climbed to 60 refuge in Jakarta’s western edges. in hundreds of districts. bridges, while off ering assistance turned to Chinese rule in 1997. political grievances and paint- Around Jakarta, more than with two people still missing. In hard-hit Bekasi, on the The health ministry has said to victims. The demonstrations have ed it as a foreign-backed plot. 170,000 people took refuge “We’ve discovered more dead eastern outskirts of Jakarta, it had deployed some 11,000 “We’re also asking for NGOs often descended into violent It has also continued to back in shelters across the massive bodies,” said National Disaster swamped streets were littered health workers and soldiers to (non-governmental organisa- clashes between hardcore Hong Kong’s deeply unpopu- urban conglomeration after Mitigation Agency spokesman with debris and crushed cars ly- distribute medicine, disinfectant tions) to help with trauma heal- protesters and the police, and lar leader Carrie Lam. whole neighbourhoods were Agus Wibowo. ing on top of each other – with hygiene kits and food in a bid to ing,” Muhadjir told reporters Wang had condemned them Wang was appointed to the submerged. Jakarta shelters fi lled up with waterline marks reaching as high stave off outbreaks of Hepatitis yesterday. as “rioters” that needed to be director’s post in 2017, having Torrential rains that started refugees, including infants, rest- as the second fl oors of buildings. A, mosquito-borne Dengue fe- Around Jakarta, a family – in- brought to justice. previously served in a number of on New Year’s Eve unleashed ing on thin mats as food and On Friday, the government ver and other illnesses, including cluding a four- and nine-year- The Liaison Offi ce, whose positions at the Liaison Offi ce. fl ash fl oods and landslides. drinking water ran low. said it would start cloud seed- infections linked to contact with old – died of suspected gas poi- director is the highest-ranking In early December, follow- Indonesia’s disaster mitiga- Some had been reduced to ing to the west of the capital – dead animals. soning from a portable power Chinese political offi cial in ing media reports that Beijing tion agency said on Saturday using fl oodwater for cleaning. inducing rain using chemicals Visiting hard-hit Lebak, Co- generator, while an eight-year- Hong Kong, was targeted in July was considering replacing that two people were also killed “We’re cleaning ourselves in sprayed from planes – in the ordinating Human Development old boy was killed in a landslide. by protesters throwing eggs him, Wang vowed to continue, after fl ash fl oods and landslides a nearby church but the time hope of preventing more rain and Culture Minister Muhad- Others died from drowning or and graffi tiing the building. saying he will off er unwaver- hit a village in North Sulawesi on has been limited since it uses an reaching the city region. jir Eff endy said the government hypothermia, while one 16-year- Hong Kong is ruled under ing support to the Hong Kong Friday. electric generator for power,” Water has receded in many ar- would help rebuild destroyed old boy was electrocuted by a the “one country, two sys- government and police force The agency said Saturday the said Trima Kanti, 39, from one eas and power was being restored schools and construct temporary power line. tems” principle, which gives in a bid to end the crisis. Bushfi res rage out of control in Australia Cambodia rescuers Reuters Shane Fitzsimmons said at an toll from the current fi re season, Sydney/Melbourne evening briefi ng. which began in September, at “And unfortunately we’ve 23. Twelve of those are from this search for still got many hours to go of week’s fi res alone. ushfi res burned dan- these elevated and dangerous Morrison confi rmed that his gerously out of con- conditions.” visit to India and Japan sched- building Btrol on Australia’s east The Bureau of Meteorology uled for mid-January had been coast yesterday, fanned by (BOM) said conditions were de- postponed due to the fi res. high temperatures and strong teriorating rapidly as a gusty In updates, the NSW RFS collapse winds that had fi refi ght- southerly wind change pushed repeatedly delivered the same ers battling to save lives and up the coast and smoke plumes blunt advice to those who had property, as a change in wind from the fi res triggered storms. not evacuated at-risk areas: “It survivors conditions merged several Authorities are worried the is too late to leave. Seek shelter large fi re fronts. fi res could turn out to be worse as the fi re approaches.” AFP By late evening, Victoria had than New Year’s Eve, when they Residents used social me- Kep 14 fi res rated at emergency or burnt massive tracts of bush- dia to post photos of the sky evacuate warning levels, and land and forced thousands of turning black and red from the New South Wales had 11 rated residents and summer holi- smoke and glare of the fi res, undreds of soldiers and emergency, with more than 150 daymakers to seek refuge on including in the Victorian town rescuers frantically others burning across the states. beaches. of Mallacoota, where around Hpicked through the rub- New fi res had started, and oth- In Victoria, Premier Daniel 1,000 people were evacuated by ble of a collapsed building in ers had broken containment Andrews said while conditions sea on Friday. Evacuees from Mallacoota arrive on the navy ship HMAS Choules at the port of Hastings, Victoria, yesterday. southern Cambodia yesterday lines. were diffi cult, the job of re- fi The fi rst of those evacuees looking for bodies as the death “There are a number of fi res fi ghters had been made easier arrived near Melbourne yester- up of army reservists to sup- of Bairnsdale, said the area had January and we’re already up toll from the disaster rose to that are coming together – very by tens of thousands of people day morning after a 20-hour port fi refi ghters as well other avoided the worst of the fi res on towards a million hectares of seven. strong, very large, intense fi res following advice to evacuate. journey by boat and a second resources including a third navy Saturday but stressed this was burnt country. This is a mara- They used excavators, drills that are creating some of these It may be today or later be- ship with about 1,000 people ship equipped for disaster and an exceptional fi re season. thon event and we expect to be and power saws to clear concrete fi re-generated thunderstorms,” fore damage assessments can landed in the afternoon. humanitarian relief. “In a normal year, we would busy managing these fi res for at the morning after the seven-sto- New South Wales Rural Fire be made. Prime Minister Scott The federal government an- Andy Gillham, the incident start to see the fi re season kick least the next eight weeks,” he rey hotel under construction in Service (RFS) Commissioner Morrison put the national death nounced an unprecedented call controller in the Victorian town off in a big way around early said. seaside Kep province crumbled to the ground with an estimated 30 workers inside, prompting an all-night rescue. It was the latest deadly ac- cident to mar the kingdom’s ‘World’s largest’ fl ower spotted Europe groups help secure release of poorly regulated building sec- tor even as hotels, high-ris- AFP es and casinos spring up in a Padang, Indonesia N Korean defectors held in Vietnam construction boom. Cambodian leader Hun Sen, Reuters Multiple European organi- “The European institutions who travelled to the site on Fri- ndonesian conservationists Seoul sations played a key role, he acted after we published a day evening, said on his offi cial say they’ve spotted the big- said. He declined to identify video of the refugees making Facebook page that seven people Igest specimen ever of what’s them due to the diplomatic desperate appeals for free- had been killed so far while the already been billed as one of the group of 11 North Kore- sensitivity but said they in- dom,” Jung said. “The South’s “search continues”. world’s largest fl owers. ans who were detained cluded a non-government foreign ministry got also in- Eighteen survivors were also The giant Raffl esia tuan-mudae Ain Vietnam while seek- group. volved later.” pulled out of the debris, accord- – a fl eshy red fl ower with white ing to defect to South Korea The Wall Street Journal re- Jung had distributed a vid- ing to the Kep provincial admin- blister-like spots on its enormous have been released thanks to ported on Friday that US of- eo of some of the 11 protest- istration, but tearful relatives petals – came in at a whopping the help of European institu- fi cials, including diplomats ing against deportation before were waiting for more informa- 111cm (3.6ft) in diameter. tions, a Seoul-based activist engaged in denuclearisation appearing to faint. tion about loved ones who had That’s bigger than the previ- group said yesterday. talks with North Korea, inter- About 33,000 North Kore- not been found. ous record of 107cm on a bloom The eight women and three vened to secure the defectors’ ans have resettled in the affl u- “I don’t have any hope, be- also found in the jungles of West A giant Raff lesia tuan-mudae – a fleshy red flower with white blister-like men were caught by border release, citing unidentifi ed ent, democratic South. Most cause the rubble is piled up,” Has Sumatra several years ago. spots on its enormous petals and measuring a whopping 111cm (3.6ft) in guards in northern Vietnam sources. risked their lives to cross the Rith said in the early hours of “This is the largest Raffl esia diameter at the Maninjau nature preserve in Agam, West Sumatra. in late November after cross- But Jung said he was una- border in a journey that may yesterday. tuan-mudae that has ever been ing from China, and had been ware of any US contribution. entail persecution and slave “I could not reach them by documented,” said Ade Putra at Raffl es who spotted one in Indo- times referred to as corpse fl ow- held in the northeastern bor- South Korea’s foreign min- labour, if caught and repatri- phone.” the Agam Conservation Agency nesia in the early 19th Century. er, mimics the stench of rotting der city of Lang Son. istry said yesterday that the ated. There are an estimated in Sumatra. The species grows in several meat to attract insects. Peter Jung, who heads WSJ report was “not factual”, As living examples of some 200,000 construction workers The fl ower’s bloom will only Southeast Asian countries, in- Sharing that noxious smell is the group helping the refu- but said the government had of Pyongyang’s worst abuses, in Cambodia, most unskilled, last about one week before it will cluding the Philippines where Indonesia’s Amorphophallus ti- gees, Justice for North Korea, made immediate eff orts to defectors have long been the reliant on day wages and not wither and rot, he added. a 100 centimetre specimen was tanum, a phallus-shaped fl ower said they were freed and on prevent the defectors from public face of campaigns to protected by union rules, ac- It was named Raffl esia after recorded. that can reach heights of up to their way to South Korea last being forcibly repatriated. It pressure Pyongyang to change cording to the International British colonialist Sir Stamford The parasitic bloom, some- 3m (10ft). month. refused to elaborate. its ways. Labour Organisation. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, January 5, 2020 BRITAIN PM expected to open trade talks with EU chief New EU commission president to meet prime minister in Downing Street next week

By Simon Murphy Guardian News & Media

oris Johnson is expected A model presents a creation from London-based designer Paria Farzaneh during a catwalk show on the to open talks on the coun- first day of the Autumn/Winter 2020 London Fashion Week Men’s. Btry’s post-Brexit trade deal with the new president of the European commission when she visits Downing Street next week. London Fashion Week Men’s The prime minister will meet Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday for the fi rst time since she took up her post, three starts, seeking new audience weeks before Britain’s departure from the EU on 31 January. Von der Leyen with the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, Von der Leyen suggested last in Strasbourg. AFP In another bid to broaden its Grace Wales Bonner, 29, is an- month that Johnson should re- Johnson: says there is enough London reach, shows on the main London other name to follow. consider his refusal to extend time to negotiate a deal with negotiated by July 1. riously if all these negotiations catwalk will be broadcast live on Since launching her epony- the 11-month timeframe avail- the EU covering issues If no trade deal is in place by are feasible in such a short time. LFW’s Instagram account. mous brand in 2014, she has won able for agreeing a deal on the including trade, internal the end of 2020, and there is no “I believe that it would be rea- ondon Fashion Week The three-day event is dedi- the LVMH Award for young de- UK’s future relationship with security, transport and data extension, the UK faces major sonable to review things in the (LFW) Men’s, which cated to autumn-winter 2020- signers and collaborated with the EU after Brexit. sharing. disruption to its economy with middle of the year, if necessary Lstarted yesterday, is being 2021 collections. Dior. During the post-Brexit tran- tariff s and quantity restrictions to see if an extension is needed.” partly hosted in Milan in an un- Deserted by British fashion’s This Fashion Week is the last sition, Britain will remain in the trade, internal security, trans- immediately applied to goods Von der Leyen took up her precedented move designed to big names such as Burberry, before Britain leaves the Euro- bloc’s customs union and single port and data sharing. sold into the single market. post last month as president of broaden its international appeal LFW Men’s showcases promis- pean Union on January 31. market, meaning it continues to Comprehensive trade deals Von der Leyen, a former Ger- the European commission, the and send a message, just weeks ing young designers like Bethany Announcing the tie-up with trade under EU rules, until the between the EU and countries man defence minister, said last EU body responsible for drafting before Brexit. Williams, who presented her col- London, Carlo Capasa, president end of 2020. such as Canada, month in an interview with and enforcing laws for member London Show Rooms, featur- lection yesterday. of the Italian national chamber Johnson has ruled out the Japan and Singapore have French newspaper Les Echos: bodies, succeeding Jean-Claude ing emerging British and Italian The 30-year-old, who stands of fashion, said last month that option of maintaining those ar- previously taken between six “It’s not only about negotiating Juncker. designers, an art installation and out for her ecological and so- the collaboration was a “mes- rangements for two more years. and eight years to agree. a free trade deal but many other As well as meeting Johnson a catwalk show by young English cial approach, was named Brit- sage” on Brexit that the industry He claims there is enough Britain’s withdrawal agree- subjects. next week, she will also give a designer Samuel Ross’s A-Cold- ish Emerging Talent Menswear wanted to continue close links time to negotiate a deal with the ment allows for a prolongation “It seems to me that on both speech at the London School of Wall brand, will be staged in the last month at Britain’s Fashion after Britain leaves the European EU covering issues including of the transition period to be sides we must ask ourselves se- Economics during her visit. Italian city. Awards 2019. Union. Nandy enters Labour leadership race

Wigan MP says party will parts of its working-class base. However, the NEC has consid- have to fight to regain trust of Unless we address that, we are in erable power to vary the rules. voters and ‘take anger on the big trouble,” Phillips said. Candidates expect the NEC to chin’ Phillips and Nandy will join set a tight timetable for gather- Emily Thornberry and Clive ing nominations from their fel- By Heather Stewart Lewis as confi rmed candidates. low MPs – perhaps as little as a Guardian News & Media Others including Long Bailey few days. and Starmer are expected to join There could then be up to a the race formally in the coming month during which those who he Wigan MP Lisa Nandy days. have made it over the fi rst hurdle has announced that she Phillips was fi rst elected to will try to gather the backing of Twill enter the Labour lead- parliament in 2015. constituency parties and trade ership race, with a warning that She has achieved prominence unions. “unless we change course, we with her campaigning on equal- Phillips is calling for registered will become irrelevant”. ity issues and tackling violence supporters to be allowed to par- Nandy, who has championed against women, and has at times ticipate in the contest at a low the needs of Britain’s towns, an- Nandy: Now is not the time to steady the ship. been a fi erce critic of the party’s cost, such as the £3 paid by many nounced her decision to run in a direction. who took part in the 2015 race letter to constituents, carried in Nandy faces a considerable not yet decided who it will back Corbyn announced in the af- that led to Corbyn’s election. the Wigan Post. challenge convincing her fel- – but a spokesperson said: “We termath of last month’s election In 2016, when Corbyn was Setting out her pitch for low MPs that she has a chance of have got this incredible people- defeat that he would stay on as challenged by Owen Smith, the the top job in an article for the winning, after a YouGov poll ear- powered campaign machine and leader for a “period of refl ection”. NEC raised the cost to £25 and set Guardian, she took a dig at her lier this week suggested that she we will be throwing it behind a Labour’s ruling national exec- a tight deadline for registering. rival Keir Starmer’s promise not was the fi rst preference of just left-wing leadership candidate.” utive committee (NEC) will meet A spokesperson for Phillips’s to “oversteer” in the wake of last 6% of members. Phillips, the Birmingham tomorrow to set the timetable for campaign said: “The Labour month’s general election defeat. The poll, commissioned by Yardley MP, also declared her the contest, which is expected party membership, affi liates and “Now is not the time to steady the Party Members Project, sug- candidacy on Friday. to be completed by the end of supporters will be looking to this the ship or try not to oversteer,” gested Starmer was the clear Like Nandy, she stressed the March. contest as a moment we can turn she wrote. “What is needed are frontrunner, with the left-wing importance of appealing to Labour members will make the the page on what happened in the hard yards of winning the candidate Rebecca Long Bailey working-class voters who had fi nal choice. December. argument inch by inch in town in second place, and Jess Phillips deserted Labour. But in order to get on to the “They will want a proper say halls, workplaces and pubs. third. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to ballot paper, candidates are ex- on what comes next for Labour. “This is where we fi ght to re- Long Bailey is likely to benefi t stand in this contest but listening pected to have to win the backing They deserve nothing less. gain people’s trust. from the considerable campaign- to the debate in the days after the of 21 Labour MPs – 10% of the “They’ll be looking to the NEC “The next Labour leader will ing resources of Momentum, if, election, I thought, we’ve got to diminished parliamentary party to ensure a process and timeta- have to be up for a scrap – will- as expected, she emerges as the elect someone who gets it. – as well as either 5% of con- ble that respects the people who ing to run to the places we are leading left-wing contender. “Someone who understands stituency parties or at least three make this party what it is, the Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince loathed, take the anger on the Momentum, a group set up to how serious this defeat was. trade unions or other affi liated people who spent hours in the George pose for a portrait to mark the start of a new decade, in chin, make and win the argu- support Jeremy Corbyn’s suc- “We’re a party named after the societies, representing 5% of the cold and rain during the election. the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. ment.” cessful candidacy in 2015, has working class who has lost huge affi liated membership. “They must get their say.” Queen poses with Lammy rules himself out

By Nicola Slawson stance on Brexit was a factor in from many members of the La- heirs to the throne Guardian News & Media him deciding not to run, as he bour party and the wider British believed he would struggle to public encouraging him to stand. win back leave voters who had However, he had decided he DPA Prince George,” Buckingham avid Lammy has ruled abandoned Labour at the general was not the best person for the London Palace tweeted with the pho- himself out of the Labour election. job. tograph. Dleadership race, saying He said: “I believe Brexit is a He said: “A key role for the The portrait was taken by that he is “not the individual best historic mistake, which is why I next Labour leader is to win sup- ueen Elizabeth II has Scottish photographer Ranald placed for this role at this time”. voted against Article 50 and was port from and foster unity be- Lammy: I believe Brexit is a historic mistake, which is why I voted issued a New Year Mackechnie in the Throne The Tottenham MP and former the fi rst MP to call for a referen- tween diff erent vociferous fac- against Article 50. Qphotograph of her Room at the palace, it said. minister said in a tweet that he dum on any Brexit deal. tions of our party, so that we can with the three closest heirs to Britain’s longest-serving had been humbled by the calls for “I deplore the rising xenopho- win back the trust of our country. Fellow Labour MP Wes Street- nic nationalism” of Johnson. her throne: eldest son Prince monarch, 93, has reigned since him to stand as Labour leader but bia that has occurred in the wake “I am not the individual best ing tweeted that he hoped Lam- Lammy said: “The alternative Charles, grandson Prince Wil- 1952. after serious consideration he of [the] 2016 [referendum] and placed for this role at this time. my would be given a seat “at the to Boris Johnson’s ethnic nation- liam, and great-grandson Charles, 71, is the heir to the was not putting himself forward. the populist nationalism that “However, overcoming polari- top table under the next leader, alism that Labour should off er is Prince George. throne while William, 37, and He said: “I’m committed to is being whipped up by a once sation does not mean abandon- whoever that is”. a civic nationalism. “To mark the start of a new George, six, are second and playing my full part in opposi- mainstream political party led by ing principles. Writing in the Observer last “Rather than basing national decade, a portrait has been third in line. tion, but we need the candidate Boris Johnson.” “I look forward to making a month, Lammy suggested he pride on biological heritage, skin released of Her Majesty The Mackechnie previously pho- best placed to unite our party’s He said he had been embold- full contribution to this project would make a decision during colour or religion, civic nation- Queen and Their Royal High- tographed the queen and her factions so we can win the coun- ened by the many people who of coming together and will back the Christmas period on whether alism says that we can be united nesses The Prince of Wales, three heirs together in 2016 to try’s trust.” shared his views and had received whichever candidate I judge to be to run, having assessed who best around shared values and insti- The Duke of Cambridge and mark her 90th birthday. Lammy suggested that his messages, e-mails and tweets most capable of leading it.” could counter the “populist, eth- tutions.” Gulf Times Sunday, January 5, 2020 13 EUROPE

Migrant who saved disabled man given Spanish residency Paris knife rampage

AFP Spain’s labour and immigra- Madrid tion ministry said on Friday that it had granted Sow resi- dency in recognition of his “act pain on Friday granted of courage and service to the treated as terrorism residency to an undocu- community”. Smented migrant from Sow told Spanish media that DPA/AFP Senegal who was hailed as a he lives in a crowded room Paris hero after he rescued a disabled in the seaside town of Gan- man from a burning building dia with his partner and their last month. seven-month-old daughter, riday’s deadly knife ram- Gorgui Lamine Sow, a and travels 40km (25 miles) by page in a Paris suburb is 20-year-old street vendor who bus every day to Denia to sell Fnow being treated as a sus- arrived in Spain in 2017, was bracelets and necklaces on the pected act of terrorism, prosecu- walking down a street in De- streets, a common job for un- tors said yesterday. nia on Spain’s eastern Medi- documented migrants in Spain. Anti-terrorism prosecutors terranean coast on December “I am poor. But I am also have taken over the probe into 6 when he heard screams and strong and can help. I don’t like the incident. saw smoke pouring from a to see people suff er. There was Police said the man, identi- fi rst-fl oor window. smoke and fi re. But you can’t fi ed as 22-year-old Nathan C, He climbed the iron bars of be afraid. There was a person attacked several people around the front door before entering inside and I had to get him out,” lunchtime Friday in the suburb of the burning apartment from he told the local daily newspa- Villejuif and they initially treated the balcony, and then emerged per Levante-El Mercantil Va- the incident as a criminal, not with the man who uses a walk- lenciano last month. terrorist, incident. er slung over his shoulder, car- His case has been compared The attacker suff ered from se- Beccuau and Bugeaud at the press conference at rying him down a ladder that to that of migrant Mamoudou rious mental health problems but Creteil’s courthouse, a day after a knife-wielding man had been set up by a neighbour. Gassama from Mali who in May investigators had also established killed one person and injured at least two others in a Denia city hall quickly asked 2018 scaled a Paris apartment that he had adopted extremist nearby park of the south of Paris’s suburban city of Spain’s central government to block to save a boy dangling views, France’s prosecution bu- Villejuif, before being shot dead by police. This picture taken on Friday shows French police securing the area in Villejuif. give Sow a residents permit, from a fourth-fl oor balcony. reau for terrorist off ences said. a request backed by nearly He was granted French na- The man, born in 1997, had who was jogging with her hus- A copy of the Qur’an as well someone with psychiatric prob- operating fully with police, she 90,000 people who signed a tionality later that year and planned his attack, which started band, dealing the latter a fatal as some texts “that could be de- lems from the age of fi ve, she added. petition hailing him as a “mod- taken on as a trainee by the in a park in the early afternoon, in blow when he tried to protect her. scribed as Salafi st” – a school of said. Bugeaud said that there was no el citizen”. Paris fi re service. an organised way, the prosecu- The woman was also injured in Islam – were found in his bag, He had apparently converted evidence so far that he had any tors added. the neck but has since left hospi- lead detective Philippe Bugeaud to Islam in 2017. accomplices. Local prosecutor Laure Bec- tal. said. He had last been treated for More than 230 people were cuau earlier told a press confer- A third victim, a young woman There was also a letter “with his psychiatric problems in May killed in terrorist attacks in ence that, according to emer- jogging near the park, sustained phrases fairly typical of a Mus- 2019 and had stopped taking his France in 2015 and 2016, most gency calls to police, the man minor injuries. lim man who self-fl agellates and medication in June. of them claimed by the Islamic Vandals target Czech repeatedly shouted “Allahu ak- Several others escaped the who knows that he may be about He also suff ered from drug ad- State (IS) extremist group. bar” during his rampage. man. to take the plunge”, he added. diction problems. Another 17 people have been The attacker left his fi rst in- When police caught up with Nathan C’s apartment in Paris Investigators wanted to es- killed in six other attacks by lone mosque with graffi ti tended victim alone when the the attacker, he refused orders also bore “every sign that it was tablish his movements between assailants since April 2017, also latter told him he was Muslim to drop his weapon and “main- going to be no longer lived in”, Wednesday morning and the mostly claimed by Islamic State. and recited a prayer in Arabic at tained a threatening behaviour”, Beccuau said. time of the attack, as well as any In some cases a pledge of alle- AFP Muneeb Hassan Alrawi, head his request. so they opened fi re, wounding The attacker had been iden- relevant contacts, Beccuau said. giance by the perpetrator appears Prague of the Czech Muslim Com- He then attacked a woman him fatally. tifi ed as a gifted child but also The attacker’s family was co- to be the basis for such a claim. munities Centre, told the CTK news agency. mosque in the Czech “We must also see this in the Republic’s second city light of attacks on mosques in Tank tops Aof Brno has been van- the world and of the oppressive dalised with graffi ti threaten- sentiment and atmosphere in Song ing to kill Muslims, police said the Czech Republic,” he added. yesterday. The migrant wave that peak- “Don’t spread Islam in the ed in Europe in 2015 stoked about old Czech Republic! Otherwise anti-Muslim sentiment in the we’ll kill you,” reads the in- Czech Republic, even though it scription on the mosque. is home to only a small number people “We have been investigat- after most refugees headed for ing the case since Friday after- wealthier states such as Ger- noon as damage to property for many or Sweden. angers now,” local police spokesman The Muslim population in Bohumil Malasek told AFP. the Czech Republic, an EU The perpetrator faces up to a member of 10.7mn people, tal- Germans year in prison if convicted. lied at 3,358 in a 2011 census “We take it seriously as a di- but unoffi cial estimates sug- rect threat, it’s not an anony- gest a community of 10,000- DPA mous call on the Internet,” 20,000. Cologne

Nearly 100,000 Syrians leave Istanbul group of children singing a song about their grand- Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said yesterday that a total of Amothers has unleashed 97,255 Syrians left Istanbul in 2019, part of a government move to controversy in Germany, bring- relocate Syrians from Turkey’s largest city to where they were first ing several hundred people onto registered in the country. the streets of Cologne in rival Amid growing economic problems and public dissent, the Turkish protests that descended into government has tightened security measures against unregistered scuffl es yesterday. migrants. The off ending video, which Authorities have since mid-July been removing unregistered was an attempt at satire by pub- Syrians from Istanbul. lic broadcaster WDR, features Some of them were sent to refugee camps outside the city, the a group of smiling young girls governor’s off ice had earlier said. lambasting their grandmothers NGOs and human rights groups criticised the government move, to the tune of a well-known Ger- claiming that some Syrians were deported even to conflict zones in man children’s song. Syria. The government denied deportations. The original song begins with Turkey is home to nearly 3.6mn Syrian refugees under temporary Boys drive models of the Russian WWII T-34 tank at the Sokolniki park in Moscow. the classic lyric, “My granny protection, around half a million of whom are registered in Istanbul. rides a motorbike in the chicken coop”, but this version describes the old woman driving her SUV to the doctor and eating meat every day, before calling her what roughly translates as “an old environment pig”. Right-wing threats on the rise in Germany At a time when children and young people across the globe have been taking their elders to DPA In its fi rst few weeks of exist- even terrorist attacks for politi- ple in their state. Federal prosecutors also sus- It involves eight men from task over environmental action, Berlin ence, it received some serious cal motives. In the city-state of Berlin, it pect that he tried to kill an Iraqi hooligan, skinhead and neo-Na- the colourful language in the tips, but also numerous disrup- There are also another 129 was said to be a “single-digit” asylum seeker in 2016 by stab- zi circles who allegedly attempt- song was a step too far for some tive calls. people who have been classifi ed number. bing him from behind. ed to procure weapons starting in Germany. n Germany, the threat posed The German interior ministry, as “relevant” because they are The federal states say that The question now is why au- in September 2018, in order to Right-wing groups off ended by right-wing terrorism meanwhile, is considering bans leaders in the right-wing ex- providing more details risks thorities lost sight of Stephan carry out attacks on foreigners by the song called for a demon- Inever really went away. on several right-wing extremist tremist world or provide logisti- making people who pose a threat E, who had once been known as and people with diff erent politi- stration outside the WDR head- However, security authorities groups. cal support. to public safety identifi able. a neo-Nazi – and was in 2009 cal views. quarters in Cologne, but were say it is now back up to levels not The Military Counterintel- The chairman of the parlia- Other explanations are also considered highly dangerous. The case of Franco A also made vastly outnumbered on the day seen in a long time ... and they ligence Service (MAD), which is mentary committee responsible conceivable, however: Do some The circumstances are diff er- headlines in Germany, bringing by counter-protesters defending are taking action. responsible for screening sol- for intelligence agencies, Armin interior ministers possibly fear ent in the case of Stephan B, who to light in 2017 mistakes by the free speech and satire. Alarmed by the 2019 murder diers, is in the middle of a reform Schuster, thinks it is likely “that that their state could be seen as a tried on October 9 to force his MAD and the Federal Offi ce for Police reported some clashes of Kassel politician Walter Lue- that was launched mostly be- the number of people posing a stain on the German map? way into a synagogue in Halle in Migration and Refugees. on the sidelines of the opposing bcke and an attack in the city of cause its handling of troops with threat to public safety will in- Or are they worried that it a bid to kill Jews. It had granted refugee protec- demonstrations, with a spokes- Halle – both believed to be mo- right-wing extremist views was crease in the foreseeable future”, could come out that their secu- He went on to kill two people tion to the German army offi cer man saying seven misdemean- tivated by right-wing extremism considered too lax. given recent attacks and arrests. rity authorities do not pay close outside the synagogue and in a after he pretended to be Syrian. ours were recorded and one per- – the German parliament in No- However, is all of this com- enough attention to potentially nearby kebab shop. Prosecutors say that Franco A son arrested. vember approved the creation of mensurate with the actual The move to set up a violent right-wing extremists. The right-wing extremist had was planning an attack that he WDR pulled the video and 600 new posts to help the intel- threat? hotline for tips on Opposition politicians in the not attracted any attention in wanted to blame on refugees. apologised to its critics last ligence and police authorities do Of the approximately 24,100 right-wing extremists has state of Hesse accused its secu- the past, according to what is He had come to the attention week, which in turn fuelled the more to tackle the right-wing people in Germany believed alarmed the AfD rity agency of negligence after known so far. of his direct supervisors in early debate as some claimed that the threat. to have the potential of being Luebcke’s murder. But the Saxony-Anhalt state 2014 by writing a master’s thesis broadcaster had been cowed by The BfV domestic intelligence right-wing extremists, only 46 He said a comprehensive as- The politician was shot dead police does face questions about that was said to contain “radical a co-ordinated far-right outrage agency has set up a hotline for are currently classifi ed by state sessment of the situation would in June on the terrace of his why its offi cers lost track of the nationalist/racist content”. campaign. tips on right-wing extremists. police departments as posing a require a closer look at how house. attacker for one hour after the But following a military hear- WDR director Tom Buhrow The move has been slammed threat to public safety. these people are distributed Germany’s chief federal pros- deadly shootings and why the ing, he only received a “verbal insisted that the criticism didn’t by the far-right Alternative for The numbers are on the rise, among Germany’s federal states. ecutor believes that the killing synagogue had not been pro- warning”. just come from the right. Germany (AfD) party, which however. But the states have so far been had a right-wing extremist mo- tected on a signifi cant Jewish The MAD virtually never re- “We really did have hundreds drew parallels to the way the At the end of 2016, there were reluctant to provide exact fi gures tive. holiday. sorted to tough intelligence tools of seniors and their grandchil- Stasi secret police oppressed only 22; by mid-October of this on the extent of the problem. The main suspect – identifi ed In the city of Dresden, mean- such as telecommunications dren on the phone. We immedi- people in the former East Ger- year, that had reached 43. Sources in the interior minis- only as Stephan E under German while, a trial is still under way surveillance, regular surveil- ately realised that these people many. These are people who police try of the state of Thuringia were privacy laws – initially con- against the far-right terror- lance or the use of informants. were not part of an orchestrated The hotline went live any- believe could carry out serious willing to say that there are cur- fessed to the murder, but later ist organisation “Revolution That is now supposed to have eff ort,” he told the Spiegel news ways. acts of violence and possibly rently “less than fi ve” such peo- recanted. Chemnitz”. changed. magazine. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, January 5, 2020 EUROPE

North Macedonia Thousands march against PM resigns ahead of pension reform in Paris April vote

Minor clashes break out at Reuters Paris protest against pension Skopje reforms

AFP/Reuters orth Macedonia’s Prime Paris Minister Zoran Zaev re- Nsigned on Friday to allow a transitional government to take housands of people over ahead of a snap parliamen- demonstrated yesterday tary election in April, called after Tagainst French President the European Union refused to Emmanuel Macron’s proposed set a date for accession talks with pension reforms which have the country. sparked a month-long transport Under the former Yugoslav strike. republic’s constitution a transi- Police fi red tear gas at dem- tional government, in which the onstrators in Paris’s busy Gare opposition parties are granted du Nord station, used by tour- several ministerial posts, should ists taking the Eurostar service, take over 100 days before the and at the Gare de l’Est, during April 12 vote to ensure condi- demonstrations against plans to tions for free and fair elections reform France’s pension system. are met. The demonstrators, who set “This morning I signed the fi re to rubbish bins, included resignation … I believe it will be “yellow vests” anti-government delivered to parliament,” Zaev activists, whose name is derived said in an interview on online from the high-visibility jackets Slobodna TV on Friday. worn at their protests. Protesters hold a banner reading ‘Let’s protect our pension, block Macron’ during a demonstration on Parliament is due to convene Police also used tear gas in the Place de la Republique in Paris, called by French national trade union General Confederation of to approve the interim govern- Paris’s Bastille area, as demon- Labour (CGT) against pension reform. ment in which current interior strators marched through the minister Oliver Spasovski will city. Reaching the opera house at port falling for the strikers the 20, 30, 40 or 50, one day you’ll hold the post of prime minister The protesters are opposed Bastille square, some demon- longer the disruption goes on retire,” said Jean-Gabriel Ma- – a move already agreed by all opposition to Macron’s attempts strators shouted “we don’t want amid what is now the longest heo, an industrial technician political parties. at reforms that he says will ra- the grandfather clause” refer- continuous train strike in French who said he was in his 50s. The April election is seen as a tionalise France’s 42 separate ring to proposals for new opera history. “If the currently proposed major test for the pro-EU poli- pension regimes into a single dancers to lose the current gen- Some 3,500 protested in Paris, system passes in the way it is cies of Zaev’s Social Democrats points-based system. erous pension benefi ts enjoyed according to police fi gures. laid out, it will be a social ca- after French President Em- Unions reject the scheme, by older colleagues who can cur- Smaller marches took place in tastrophe. Already, the previous manuel Macron in October re- saying that it would require mil- rently retire at 42. the southwestern cities of Mar- reforms are seeing people retire fused to let North Macedonia lions of people to work beyond So far, more than 60 perform- seille and Toulouse. with measly pensions,” added start talks on joining the bloc, the offi cial retirement age of 62. ances at the Paris opera’s histor- A new poll published on Fri- Maheo, taking part in the Paris despite concerns over increasing The marchers set off after ic Garnier and modern Bastille day showed a majority of 61% demonstration. Chinese and Russian infl uence in midday from the Gare de Lyon stages have been cancelled, still support the strike, although The strikes have been ongo- A ‘yellow vests (gilets jaunes)’ protester takes part in a the Balkans. railway station in eastern Paris leading to losses of more than that was fi ve points lower than a ing since December 5, upsetting demonstration in Paris, called by the CGT. Skopje had expected to be behind a giant banner read- €12mn ($13.4mn) in ticket sales. December 19 survey, according travel plans and hitting shops granted a date to start acces- ing “Macron, withdraw your Several other professions, in- to pollster Odoxa. and other businesses over the The following day discus- Unions have called another sion talks after agreeing to end plan; save and improve our re- cluding train drivers, also enjoy “People have to think a bit key Christmas period. sions with union leaders are set day of mass demonstrations for a dispute with Greece by chang- tirements”, heading for Gare special pension provisions. about what kind of society they After a month of disruptions, to resume, but so far neither side Thursday, when teachers, hos- ing the country’s name to North de l’Est, 4km (2.5 miles) to the Macron wants to simplify the want in general and, on a more Macron will tomorrow hold his has appeared ready to give much pital workers and others are ex- Macedonia from Macedonia. north, an AFP reporter said. system and is banking on sup- personal level, whether you’re fi rst cabinet meeting of 2020. ground. pected to join the strike. Macron also led a group of EU leaders who ruled out opening talks with Albania. Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia also aspire to join the EU but the enlargement proc- With support from separatists, Spain’s Sanchez seeks backing as PM ess has largely stalled amid in- creased public concerns in west- ern Europe about immigration Reuters seats in a 350-member parlia- a special session following the and the strains of dealing with Madrid ment, victory for Sanchez hing- electoral board decision. Britain’s exit from the bloc. es on the votes of small regional Sanchez said he wanted to North Macedonia is expected parties. resume dialogue over Catalo- to become the 30th member of pain’s acting Prime Min- Catalonia’s largest separa- nia’s future rather than hammer the North Atlantic Treaty Or- ister Pedro Sanchez, seek- tist party, Esquerra Republicana out the dispute through Spain’s ganisation (Nato) early this year, Sing parliament’s backing de Catalunya (ERC), confi rmed courts, but said he would ad- once its accession has been rati- to form a government, pledged yesterday that it would abstain dress the issues within Spain’s fi ed by all the member states of to resolve the Catalan dispute rather than vote against Sanchez constitutional framework. the US-led alliance. through dialogue as he received in the second and decisive vote The constitution prohibits renewed support from separa- on Tuesday. regions from breaking away and tists in the restive region. The party’s support had been the Catalan independence drive, Largest carrier As Sanchez set out his priori- called into question by a last- including a banned referendum ties yesterday in an attempt to minute decision by Spain’s elec- in 2017, has triggered Spain’s pigeon fair opens end several months of political toral board on Friday to block worst political crisis in decades. gridlock, he assured lawmakers ERC’s jailed leader Oriol Jun- Among his priorities, Sanchez One of the biggest events in that neither Spain nor its con- queras from becoming a member mentioned increases in corpo- the carrier pigeon enthusiast’s stitution would break. of the European Parliament. rate tax, more worker-friendly calendar kicked off in the German “What is going to break is the The board also decided to strip labour legislation, and fi ghting city of Dortmund yesterday. blockade of a progressive gov- the head of Catalonia’s pro-in- climate change. Around 200 exhibitors from ernment democratically elected dependence regional chief Quim He pledged to lift the mini- Europe, America, Asia and by the Spanish people,” Sanchez Torra – an ERC ally – of his posi- mum wage to 60% of average elsewhere are expected at told deputies in opening remarks tion as a regional lawmaker. national wages by the end of the the fair, the largest of its kind as he kicked off several days of Yesterday the leader of the government’s four-year term. in the world, according to the debates and votes in parliament. conservative People’s Party (PP), Sanchez is not expected to win Association of German Carrier Earlier this week, the Socialist Pablo Casado, said that Sanchez the fi rst confi dence vote today, Pigeon Breeders, which organises Party leader Sanchez and Pablo should ensure the decision to Media representatives take pictures of Sanchez before the investiture debate at the parliament in in which he would require an ab- the annual event. Iglesias, the head of the far-left unseat Torra in Catalonia was Madrid. solute majority of 176 members This year, the German Carrier party Unidas Podemos, restated enforced. among all 350 lawmakers in the Pigeon Exhibition (DBA) will for their intention to form the fi rst “Surrendering to the worst Tensions over Catalonia high- abstention of small regional par- leader of the far-right party Vox, Spanish parliament. the first time feature a section for coalition government in Spain’s radicals may make you prime light the struggles a Socialist- ties with competing agendas. Santiago Abascal, demanded But he aims to win a second collectors of ornamental birds. recent history. minister, but you will not be able led minority government would A few hundred people joined Torra be arrested. vote on Tuesday which would The organisers are expecting Since the two parties together to govern,” Casado said during have to pass legislation as it a rally in Madrid yesterday call- Meanwhile, the Catalan par- only require him to obtain more 12,000 visitors to attend the two- fall short of a majority with 155 the debate. would depend on the support or ing for a “united Spain” and the liament was due to convene for votes in favour than against. day fair. Austria’s Greens overwhelmingly back coalition with conservatives

Reuters where the electoral balance is fore 93% of delegates backed the givings about the deal. Salzburg similar, at a time of growing deal in a show of hands. “It is not enough to say that calls for urgent action on climate Kurz has made a hard line on we blocked the FPOe,” Flora change. immigration and “political Is- Lebloch from the party’s youth ustria’s Greens formally Many Greens have balked at lam” his trademark, and the wing said, calling Kurz’s OeVP approved yesterday a elements of Kurz’s law-and-or- deal includes extending a ban on “an authoritarian right-wing Acoalition deal with con- der agenda, despite their leader headscarves in schools until the party”. servatives led by Sebastian Kurz, Werner Kogler saying that the age of 14 from around 10 cur- The dominant mood, how- backing their leader’s argument deal had to refl ect their party’s rently. ever, was one in favour of com- that it would keep the far-right smaller share of the vote. The OeVP-FPOe coalition promise. out of power and bring ambi- The Greens won 13.9% com- collapsed in May when FPOe “Sometimes you have to work tious environmental reforms pared to 37.5% for Kurz’s Peo- leader Heinz-Christian Strache with the Klingons,” one delegate despite misgivings. ple’s Party (OeVP), whose last was caught in a video sting of- from the eastern province of The parties struck the deal on coalition was with the far-right fering to fi x state contracts. Burgenland said in a Star Trek- New Year’s Day, paving the way Freedom Party (FPOe). A provisional government of themed speech, arguing that the for Kurz to return to power three “The future is made of cour- civil servants has been in place party should “boldly go where months after winning an elec- age. Yes but also of the force since June. no Greens have gone before”. tion and for the left-wing envi- of will, of a plan,” Kogler told a The new coalition deal res- Another contentious point is ronmentalists to enter govern- party congress whose approval urrects some of the previous that the Greens’ plan to over- ment for the fi rst time. he needed to seal the coalition Kurz government’s ideas such haul taxation to better price in President Alexander Van der deal. as preventive custody for people planet-warming carbon emis- Bellen will swear in the new He added that it “makes a dif- deemed a threat to public safety, sions has been put off until 2022. government on Tuesday, his of- ference” whether Kurz governs proposed after a fatal stabbing “What will happen in 2022? I fi ce said. with the Greens or the FPOe. apparently committed by an don’t know yet either,” said Ko- Kogler points at fellow party members (from left) Ulrike Lunacek, Alma Zadic, Leonore Gewessler and Rudolf The awkward alliance is be- He received a standing ova- asylum seeker. gler. “But we will work on it and Anschober on the stage during the Greens’ party congress in Salzburg. ing closely watched in Germany, tion and repeated applause be- Many Greens expressed mis- fi ght for it to move forward.” Gulf Times Sunday, January 5, 2020 15 INDIA

SETBACK PEOPLE WEATHER POLITICS EXHIBITION Kerala court dismisses Former Tamil Nadu Fresh snowfall in tourist Punjab CM flays Akalis Kiran Bedi launches actor Dileep’s appeal speaker Pandian dead resorts Shimla, Manali for political stunts book at Delhi fair

A Kerala court yesterday dismissed Senior All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam A cold wave tightened grip on most parts of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh The 28th edition of the nine-day New Delhi Malayalam actor Dileep’s petition seeking leader and former Tamil Nadu assembly speaker Himachal Pradesh yesterday with Shimla and yesterday criticised the Akali Dal for political World Book Fair (NDWBF) opened at Pragati quashing of charges in the actress abduction P H Pandian died in a Chennai hospital yesterday Manali receiving fresh snowfall. As news of stunts over power rate hike and the murder of Maidan yesterday, and saw Lt Governor of case. Dileep, one of the accused, will face trial owing to illness. Pandian, a lawyer, served as the the snowfall flashed across the plains, tourists two Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders. The SAD Puducherry Kiran Bedi launch a book written that began recently. According to sources, speaker from 1985-1989. He was elected to the started arriving at Manali and Shimla hills. The has threatened agitation over the issues, which on her. Where Kindness Spoke is a book on the actor will challenge the decision in the assembly from his native Cheranmadevi in 1977, local Met Department has predicted snow at the chief minister dubbed as theatrics aimed at Bedi’s work in Puducherry and her leadership Kerala High Court. Dileep is accused of 1980 and 1984. In 1999 Pandian was elected to some places from tomorrow. The residents of covering up the misdeeds and misgovernance style, and is written by author Shivani Arora. The masterminding the abduction and sexual the Lok Sabha from Tirunelveli constituency. the capital Shimla shivered as icy winds brought of 10 years. “You can’t hide your miserable track book fair was inaugurated by Human Resource assault of the actress on February 17, 2017. He He was one of the leaders who had opposed down the minimum temperature to 0.7C while record with these pathetic dramas,” he told the Development Minister Ramesh Pokkhriyal was arrested in July 2017 and after spending Sasikala Natarajan after the death of AIADMK the maximum stayed at 5C, a sharp fall from Akalis. Lashing out at the Akali leadership over Nishank. This year, the book fair is themed several weeks in a jail, he secured bail. After chief J Jayalalithaa. He and his son Manoj Pandian Friday’s 11.4C. In the afternoon, Shimla received the threat of stir if the killers of Gurdeeep Singh Gandhi: Writer’s Writer. “We are celebrating 150 securing bail, Dileep has been trying to had raised doubts about the cause of death of 6.4cm of snow. But it largely melted within a few and Dalbir Singh Dhilwan were not arrested years of Mahatma Gandhi, in times when we need delay the trial by filing petitions even in the the former chief minister. Communist Party hours due to rains. It was the season’s second within two weeks, Singh said the police, under him the most. The world today is facing several Supreme Court. Last month, the Supreme of India (CPI) leader R Mutharasan expressed snowfall. According to the Met off ice, Sarahan in his government, were doing a much better job challenges including terrorism. The world, the Court ruled that the actor will not be given a condolences over the death. AIADMK leader and the Shimla district received 6cm snow, and Kothi at solving crimes than ever before. “The police nation, the society and all individuals, need copy of a memory card containing footage of Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said near Manali 2cm of snow. are doing a professional job and investigations in Gandhi because of his vision and his philosophy the alleged sexual assault. Pandian’s death was a big loss for the party. both cases are on track,” he said. of peace and non-violence,” the minister said. Protesters take a page from Hong Kong and beyond

Reuters cession because that aff ects traf- New Delhi/ Bengaluru fi c.” In Hong Kong, where anti- government demonstrations efore midnight on New have raged on for months, pro- Year’s Eve, a call to ac- testers adopted a “be water” Btion was sent on a pri- strategy, inspired by martial vate WhatsApp group - within arts legend Bruce Lee, popping the hour, dozens gathered in up in diff erent locations almost the centre of Hyderabad, many daily to catch authorities fl at- Protesters take part in a demonstration against the new citizenship law in Hyderabad yesterday. holding banners to protest a footed. controversial new citizenship Sharjeel Imam, who helped law. organise a New Delhi sit-in pro- Police quickly dispersed the test against the new law that has group and briefl y detained six run for weeks, said he plans to people, but for Syed Faheem adopt the fl ash mob strategy to - who formed the WhatsApp keep the agitation going. group - it marked another suc- In Hyderabad, the idea to copy cessful fl ash protest, inspired Hong Kong’s play-book came as Over 100,000 march to by tactics used by protesters in protesters sought ways to run a Hong Kong. long-term campaign that po- Faheem, a software consult- lice would fi nd hard to curb, two ant, is one of a growing group of members from Faheem’s group opponents to the new law who said. have begun to borrow tactics “Hong Kong has been piv- used in protests from Hong Kong otal....It was very inspiring,” protest citizenship law to Paris, to protest legislation said a 30-year-old IT profes- that critics say discriminates sional, who declined to be Agencies (CAA), which was passed by Mo- ments were closed in parts of Modi’s government has called cebook from the place where against Muslims. identified. Hyderabad di’s government in December. Hyderabad as businessmen and the pan-India protests politi- protests against the CAA had In Hyderabad, some protest- After police restricted pro- The Hyderabad protesters traders turned out to participate cally motivated. gone violent. ers say it is impossible to se- tests in another southern city, held placards with slogans in- in the march. At least 25 people have been Police claimed that Jafar was cure police permission to hold students at the Indian Insti- ver 100,000 protesters, cluding “Withdraw CAA imme- Several educational institu- killed in protest-related clashes arrested for her involvement in demonstrations, forcing them tute of Management in Ben- many carrying the Indian diately,” and “India’s only reli- tions had declared a holiday. with police since early December. the clashes. to adopt new tactics to show galuru took inspiration from Otricolour fl ag, took part gion in Secularism.” The All India Majlis-e-Itte- Protests against the CAA also In Guwahati, Bharatiya Janata dissent. 2015 protests in Paris where in a peaceful march in Hydera- Witnesses said the protest re- hadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), a went ahead in several other cities Party (BJP) working president J P “The objective is to get 30 shoes were put on display - in bad yesterday, chanting slogans mained peaceful, and estimated major political force in Hydera- yesterday with hundreds turning Nadda said Congress leaders were minutes at one spot. Some peo- place of cancelled protests - to against Prime Minister Narendra that more than 100,000 people bad, was not part of the protest. out for protests in cities in Kar- ignorant about the new law and ple support us, others come and support action against climate Modi’s new citizenship law. were in attendance. The AIMIM, led by Hyderabad nataka. are driven by “politics” and not argue with us,” said Faheem, who change. The protest, dubbed the ‘Mil- The usually busy Tank Bund MP Asaduddin Owaisi, had ap- Hundreds of men and women “nationalism” in their protest. has organised regular fl ash pro- Students also borrowed ideas lion March’, was organised by an and Lower Tank Bund roads, proached the police seeking per- gathered at a rally in the tech hub Describing Congress leaders tests through WhatsApp mes- from the 1975 protests against umbrella group of Muslim and Telugu Talli Flyover, RTC Cross mission for a march under the of Bengaluru, with some accus- as “totally ignorant”, Nadda ridi- sages that are amplifi ed via so- the imposition of an emergency civil society organisations. Roads and other major thorough- banner of United Muslim Action ing Modi’s government of trying culed them for saying that the cial media. in India. More than 40% of Hydera- fares in Liberty, Himayatnagar, Committee. to divide India along communal authorities would seek passports The location of the pro- “Police weren’t letting us bad’s estimated population of Basheerbagh were teeming with However, the police denied lines, to distract from a sharp and Aadhaar cards in connection tests, which change daily, are place placards with any mes- nearly 7mn are Muslims. slogan-shouting protesters. permission. domestic economic slowdown with the CAA. posted just an hour or two in sages, so we copied what the Demonstrators were still Citizens from various walks of The new law eases the path and job losses. “What are you referring to? advance, with the exact spots press did in 1975 and left blank pouring into the protest site late life joined hands to participate in for non-Muslim minorities from In a related development, a This is a bill to give citizenship, shared just minutes ahead of placards with ‘Concerned Citi- yesterday afternoon, despite the march, so far the biggest pro- Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pa- Lucknow court yesterday grant- not to take it away. You are not time. zens of IIM-Bangalore’ written police saying no march would test against CAA in Hyderabad. kistan to gain Indian citizenship. ed bail to 12 people including driven by patriotism, you are Hyderabad’s police chief An- on them,” a student involved in be allowed and that permis- Traders, lawyers, writers, But, if combined with a pro- social activist Sadaf Jafar and driven by politics. You don’t see jani Kumar told Reuters people the protest said. sion had only been granted for a journalists, software engineers, posed National Register of Citi- former police offi cer S R the nation, you only see the vote are being permitted to gather in “Generations later, when they 1,000-person gathering. other professionals, students, zens (NRC), critics of the CAA Darapuri in connection with the bank. For you vote comes before areas such as sports grounds, or ask us what we did when they The government has faced activists, religious leaders and fear it will discriminate against violence and arson during the pro- the nation. For us, the nation is indoor auditoriums to protest, came for the Muslims, I at least weeks of acrimonious and, at house wives converged on Dhar- minority Muslims in India and tests over the CAA and the NRC. always a priority. Why do you see but added: “We’ve not given want to be able to say - ‘We times, violent protests against na Chowk near Indira Park. chip away at India’s secular con- Jafar was arrested on Decem- everything from the perspective permission for any rally or pro- tried’”, she said. the Citizenship Amendment Act Shops and business establish- stitution. ber 19 while she was live on Fa- of vote bank?”

Women stage protest Shiv Sena’s sole Muslim Pilot criticises own govt minister denies quitting over children’s deaths IANS tive on this issue,” Pilot said. Jaipur The deputy chief minister IANS Eknath Shinde and other senior ments to the party high com- added that getting into the Mumbai party leaders scotched all specu- mand, but declared that he will ‘number game politics’ will lation on the reported resigna- abide by its decision as a disci- ajasthan Deputy Chief not be accepted by those who tion. plined party soldier. Minister Sachin Pilot lost their children. hiv Sena’s newly-inducted Sattar - the Shiv Sena’s sole As the fi nalisation of the Ryesterday took an ap- Gehlot had earlier said that junior minister Abdul Sat- Muslim face in the ministry - is much-anticipated cabinet port- parent dig at his own govern- the mortality rate of infants in Star Nabi yesterday dis- likely to meet Thackeray today. folios allocation reaches its ment on the ‘number game 2019 had been the lowest in the missed reports of his resignation He is among the four Muslims zenith, there were internal re- politics’ over the death of over last six years. Pilot said that he as “mere rumours.” in the cabinet, who were sworn ports that many departments 100 children in Kota’s J K Lon had not come to politicise the “Whatever issues were there, in when Thackeray expanded his from the Congress quota would hospital, and said account- issue and there was “no one the party has discussed with me cabinet on December 30. be changed or swapped among ability should be fi xed for the with him to raise slogans here”. and there’s no question of any Since the past one week, top various ministers, including the deaths of innocent children. “I am talking of fi xing ac- dissatisfaction. Anything else I leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi al- PWD ministry, creating heart- “Either the administration, countability and responsibil- have to say, I will speak with my liance of Shiv Sena-Nationalist burns among many. medicos, or government... ity. I met the bereaved families party president Uddhav Thack- Congress Party-Congress are The opposition Bharatiya Ja- someone needs to be held ac- here who shared their pain and erayji. I have not resigned as busy fi nalising the cabinet port- nata Party and its ally, Repub- countable for these deaths,” he grief on losing their children as minister... this is just a rumour,” folios. lican Party of India (A), have said expressing anger against young as 2-4 months old. They Sattar told journalists. Meanwhile, Congress cabi- been taking potshots at the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s told me ‘we have lost our child, Earlier in the morning, the net minister Nitin Raut yes- government, predicting its col- government in which he is the but we don’t want a repeat party’s Rajya Sabha MP Anil terday indicated he was “a bit lapse due to internal contradic- number two. of this in future’,” the deputy Desai also confi rmed that Sattar disappointed” that his port- tions. “Thirteen months after chief minster said. had not resigned. folio was reportedly being NCP minister Nawab Ma- forming our government in the Meanwhile, Congress gen- “This is not correct. He has changed. lik sought to justify the delays state, targeting the previous eral secretary Priyanka Gan- not resigned, nor submitted any “In the past 60 years, this as mainly due to the creation government on irregularities dhi hit back at Bahujan Samaj such resignation letter to me or is the fi rst time that the Pub- of new/separate departments, being reported in the hospital Party supremo Mayawati who anybody else in the party,” Desai lic Works Department (PWD) probably a full-fledged chief shall not solve the issue. had wondered why she did not said, dismissing it as “media im- would be handled by a Dalit in minister’s office, a separate “Had they been doing things go to Kota. agination”. the state. It was a big prestige ministry for the Metro Rail right, they (the Bharatiya Janata “She (Mayawati) should There were rumours that Sat- and honour to me by the party,” projects in the state, and not Party) might not have been re- have gone and met the victims. tar had resigned as he was upset Raut told IANS. because of the reported greed Women participate in protest against rapes and crimes jected by the people. People have A Congress team has been sent at not being given a cabinet post. He declined to elaborate and of the Congress or any alliance against women in Kolkata yesterday. chosen us and therefore we need and it will send a report on the However, Home Minister said he would convey his senti- partners. to be compassionate and sensi- issue,” Gandhi said. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, January 5, 2020 PAKISTAN

Nearly 600 lawmakers Kashmir events to mark fail to meet ECP rules

Internews Self-determination Day Islamabad Internews Imran Khan has complained that in Uttar Pradesh, police bias Kashmir (AJK), public rallies, destiny under the spirit of the able to them (the Kashmir peo- Islamabad about how much longer the and the scale of violence against besides special gatherings and internationally-acknowledged ple),” said sources from National he Election Commission world would remain silent while the minorities are plumbing new processions, in all nine district UN resolutions, passed by the Events Organising Committee of Pakistan (ECP) has re- the Modi government indulges depths. headquarters of the territory Security Council on January 5, (NEOC), the major organiser of Tleased a list of nearly 600 ashmiri people living in “state terrorism”. The article says that Uttar would be the hallmark of the day. 1949. the scheduled special meetings members of parliament and four along both sides of the In his Twitter message, Khan Pradesh (UP) is in the throes of Special meetings would high- “It would be once again de- today in Mirpur district. provincial assemblies who have KLine of Control (LoC) and shared some pictures of the what is fast becoming a gravely light the importance of granting clared by the Kashmiris before In Mirpur, a rally of the people failed to submit the details of rest of the world will observe Indian police attacking Mus- culpable crime against human- the right of self-determination the world, through the special from all walks of life will be held their assets and liabilities and the Right of Self-determination lims, calling in part of the Modi ity, adding that it may not be an to Kashmiris, which has been meetings at both sides of the at the District Court premises at those of other members of the Day today, with the renewal of a government’s ethnic cleansing exaggeration to say that the UP suppressed and denied by India Line of Control and rest of the 10am. family. pledge to continue their ongoing campaign. chief minister has declared war for the past last 71 years, an AJK world, that the Kashmir prob- The procession will later con- Those who have been men- struggle until they achieve their The prime minister also shared on the minority communities of government spokesman said. lem should be resolved only in verge for a special ceremony at tioned in the list include some legitimate right of self-determi- an article from The Hindu news- his state, enacting and encour- The Right of Self-deter- accordance with the United Na- central Shaheed Chowk in the members of the federal cabinet nation through implementation paper with a heading A danger- aging his police forces to unleash mination Day reiterates the tions resolutions, and that no city, under the auspices of the as well as two chief ministers of the UN resolutions, it was of- ous new low in state-sponsored upon them an unlawful and bru- long cherished demand of the solution of the lingering global District National Events Organ- – Sindh’s Murad Ali Shah and fi cially said. hate, written by Harsh Mander, tal reign of terror. Kashmiris that they should be dispute sans the aspirations of ising Committee. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mah- Meanwhile, Prime Minister in which the writer highlighted Today in Azad Jammu and granted the right to decide their the Kashmiris would be accept- mood Khan – and members of provincial legislatures, including provincial ministers. Under the law, all the legisla- tors are required every year by December 31 to fi le the related Trump authorises documents to the electoral body, which has the mandate to carry out scrutiny of the same, if it deems fi t and fi nd discrepancies. military training On non-compliance, the Election Commission bars them from performing their duties as legislators. for Pakistan Their membership can be re- stored on compliance with the legal requirement. DPA/Internews actions that advance regional Members of the federal cabi- Islamabad/Washington security and stability.” net who have not complied with The restart of the pro- this requirement can be barred gramme, however, is subject to from performing their offi cial S President Donald approval by Congress. duties. Trump has authorised Republican and Democratic The ECP traditionally gives Uthe resumption of Pa- aides for the Senate and House two more weeks to the legislators kistan’s participation in a US of Representatives commit- besides the deadline; after that military training and educa- tees with jurisdiction over the the names of non-compliers are tional programme, more than a process did not immediately notifi ed, and the relevant leg- year after suspending it. respond to requests for com- islatures are moved to bar them The measure signals a ment. from attending sessions. warming in relations follow- The State Department ad- Defence Minister Pervaiz ing a meeting last year between ministers IMET. Khattak, Law Minister Farogh Trump and Prime Minister Im- It was a small facet of US Naseem, Education Minister ran Khan, and also comes as Is- security aid programmes for Shafqat Mehmood, Minister lamabad plays a key role in the Pakistan worth some $2bn that for Railways Rashid Ahmad are Afghan peace process. remain suspended on orders among the cabinet members “It is fi rst step towards a that Trump abruptly issued in who have not submitted the wider and deeper engagement January 2018 to compel the nu- documents to the Election Com- between the two countries,” clear-armed South Asian na- mission. Talat Masood, a retired general tion to crackdown on militants Likewise, Bilawal Bhutto told DPA yesterday. IMET aff ords spaces to foreign The Duke of Cambridge is seen at a glacier in the Hindu Kush mountain range, situated in the Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in Zardari, Asif Ali Zardari, Mian The US realises that it can- military offi cers at US military this photo taken by the Duchess of Cambridge in October last year. Raza Rabbani, Mir Hasil Khan not aff ord to ignore Pakistan, education institutions, such as Bizenjo, Anwarul Haq Kakar, and he said. the US Army War College and Sarfraz Bugti are also among the Almost all US security as- the US Naval War College. non-compliers. sistance to Pakistan was sus- A second US offi cial said on As per the list, 166 members pended in January 2018 after condition of anonymity that Prince William’s photo in Chitral goes viral of the National Assembly, 32 Trump accused Islamabad Pakistan was in the process of senators, 190 members of the of not doing enough to crack selecting offi cers to send to the Punjab Assembly, 85 members of down on terrorist groups, in- United States. Internews the years, triggered by global irreparably damage our planet Meanwhile, local residents Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, cluding those operating in Af- Pakistan’s suspension from Islamabad warming, on which he had ex- or we remember our unique felt joy over the selection of 82 members of Sindh Assembly, ghanistan. the programme in August 2018 pressed his deep concerns. power as human beings and our Chitral-based snap by the and 40 members of Baluchistan In August 2018, the military prompted the cancellation of Accompanied by the Duchess continual ability to lead, inno- prince. Assembly, have yet to fi le their training programme was also 66 slots set aside that year for he photo of Prince Wil- of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, vate and problem solve. The photograph can also be statement of assets and liabili- suspended. Pakistani military offi cers in liam, sitting on a rock he had fl own to the valley in “Remember the awe-inspir- seen in the printed form on the ties with the ECP. Trump’s announcement was one of the fi rst known impacts Twith the Chiantar glacier the extreme north of Chitral to ing civilisations that we have shops and the back screens of Last year, on fi rst day of Janu- made in a message on Twit- of Trump’s decision to halt se- in Baroghil in the background watch the process of disintegra- built the lifesaving technology vehicles in the city. ary 1, 2019, as many as 688 ter on Friday by the Bureau of curity assistance. during his visit to the region of tion of the glaciers there. we have created, the fact that we Shahzada Sirajul Mulk, a members of parliament and leg- South and Central Asian Af- The US military tradition- Chitral on October 16 last year, The photograph was taken by have put a man on the moon. former pilot of the national air- islators failed to submit details of fairs at the US Department of ally has sought to shield such has gone viral after the Duke of the duchess. “People can achieve great line and a member of the hith- their assets to the ECP. State, and signed by United educational programmes from Cambridge released the picture In the Instagram message, things. And the next ten years erto ruling family of Chitral, The ECP issued a statement, States Principal Deputy As- political tensions, arguing that on Instagram at the New Year. William sharply expressed his present us with one of the said that the photograph of the containing the names of the sistant Secretary for South the ties built by bringing for- The social media site is brim- fears about the melting glaciers. greatest tests, a decade of action British prince that went viral legislators and their constituen- and Central Asian Aff airs Alice eign military offi cers to the ming with the picture of the “The Earth is at a tipping to repair the Earth,” reads the showed that exemplary peace cies, and they were issued a fi nal Wells. United States pay long-term duke gazing at the glacier which point and we face a stark choice: message that accompanied the and tranquility prevailed in the notice to fulfi ll the legal require- “To strengthen military dividends. has developed fi ssures over either we continue as we are and photograph. area. ment by January 15. to military co-operation on The announcement of the shared priorities and advance resumption of training came US national security, President hours after US Secretary of Donald Trump authorised the State Mike Pompeo called resumption of International Army Chief General Qamar Military Education and Train- Javed Bajwa in the wake of the Army Act amendments to be passed by voice vote ing (IMET) for Pakistan. The assassination of Iranian gen- overall security assistance sus- eral Qassem Soleimani. pension for Pakistan remains It comes two weeks after the Internews The Speaker will then read the of the “Ayes” and “Noes” to the After the lapse of two minutes, bill may originate in either House in eff ect,” the State Depart- US State Department had pub- Islamabad terms of the motion before the Speaker, who will then announce he shall put the question a second and shall, if it is passed by it, be ment said. licly acknowledged that the US National Assembly and put the the result to the National Assem- time and declare whether in his transmitted to the other cham- A State Department spokes- would resume military training question for second time. bly. opinion the “Ayes” or the “Noes” ber; and, if it is passed without woman said in an e-mail that programme for Pakistan. voice vote will be held to If the division is still demand- The division will not be at have it. amendment by the other House Trump’s 2018 decision to sus- The conversation between pass the proposed amend- ed, he will say “Aye” to the right, an end until the result is so an- If the opinion so declared is also, it shall be presented to the pend security assistance au- Bajwa and Pompeo had focused Aments in the army, navy “No” to the left; divide. nounced. again challenged, he shall direct President for assent. thorised “narrow exceptions on the regional security situa- and air force acts, by both the Those who wish to vote will If the number of “Ayes” and that the votes be recorded ei- However, if a bill transmitted for programmes that support tion following the US drone National Assembly and Senate, proceed to the “Ayes” or the “Noes” are equal, the question ther by division in the manner to a House is passed with amend- vital US national security in- strike in Baghdad that had re- as per the rules of procedure gov- “Noes” lobbies, and pass in sin- will be decided by casting vote of set out in the Fifth Schedule or ments, it shall be sent back to the terests”. sulted in Soleimani’s death, erning the proceedings of the two gle fi le before the tellers appoint- the Speaker. by operating the automatic vote chamber in which it originated, The decision to restore Pa- sparking global outcry. parliamentary chambers. ed by the speaker. Rule 276 says that except as recorder. and if that House passes it with kistani participation in IMET “Pakistan’s Chief of Staff However, if the result of the On reaching the desk of the otherwise provided, the votes However, if, in the opinion of those amendments, it shall be was “one such exception”, she General Bajwa and I spoke to- open voice vote is challenged, a teller, each member will, in turn, of members on any question put the Speaker, the division is un- presented to the President for as- said. day about US defensive action division between those favour- call out the division number, by the Speaker may be taken by necessarily claimed, he may ask sent. The programme “provides to kill Qassem Soleimani. ing and opposing any legislative which will be allotted to him for voice in the fi rst instance. the members who are for “Aye”, If a bill transmitted to a House an opportunity to increase bi- “The Iran regime’s actions piece will take place. this purpose. and those for “No”, respectively is rejected or is not passed within lateral co-operation between in the region are destabilising Under the rules, no secret bal- The tellers will then mark off The rules make it clear that to rise in their places and, on a 90 days of its laying in it or a bill our countries on shared pri- and our resolve in protecting lot would be held. this number on the division list an ordinary law require a count being taken, he may de- sent to a House with amend- orities”, she added. “We want American interests, personnel, The Fifth Schedule to the Na- simultaneously calling out the simple majority in both the clare the determination of the ments is not passed by that to continue to build on this facilities, and partners will not tional Assembly rules provides name of the member. upper and lower Houses National Assembly. House with such amendments, foundation through concrete waver,” Pompeo had tweeted. the mode of division. In order to ensure that his vote In such a case, the names of the it, at the request of the House in It says that when the minority has been properly recorded, the On the conclusion of a debate, voters shall not be recorded. which it originated, shall be con- desires a division and the Speak- member should not move off un- the Speaker shall put the ques- The result of voting by a divi- sidered in a joint sitting, and if Pakistan-Iran accord on border issues er is satisfi ed that the demand is til he has clearly heard the teller tion and invite those who are in sion shall be announced by the passed by the votes of the major- not an abuse of the rules, he will calling out his name. favour of the motion to say “Aye” Speaker and shall not be chal- ity of the members present and Pakistan and Iran have signed an agreement to jointly resolve order a division to be held, and The division number allotted and those against the motion to lenged. voting in the joint sitting it shall border issues, including terrorism, unlawful trade, drugs smuggling, shall direct that the division bells to each member will be commu- say “No”. A member may not vote on any be presented to the President for illegal border crossing and human traff icking. be rung for two minutes to en- nicated separately. The Speaker shall then say: “I question in which he has a pecu- assent. The development came at the conclusion of the three-day 23rd Pak- able members not present in the The number will also be think the Ayes have it”, or, as the niary interest. The rules make it clear that Iran Joint Border Commission meeting held. chamber to return to their places. marked on the seat-card of each case may be, “the Noes have it”, If he votes on such a question, an ordinary law like the present The Pakistani delegation was headed by Baluchistan Home Minister Immediately after the bells member. and the question before the Na- the vote shall, on a substantive amendments require a simple Mir Ziaullah Langove and Chief Secretary Captain (retired) Fazeel stop ringing, all the entrances When the voting process is tional Assembly shall be deter- motion carried by the National majority in both the National As- Asghar, while Sistan-Baluchestan Deputy Governor for Security to the lobbies will be locked and completed in the division lob- mined accordingly. Assembly, be disallowed. sembly and Senate. Aff airs Mohamed Hadi Marshi led the Iranian side. the staff posted at each entrance bies, the tellers will present their If the opinion of the Speaker The pecuniary interest shall be However, a constitutional Senior civil and military off icials were also present on the occasion. will not allow any entry or exit division lists to the Secretary as to the decision of a question direct and personal and not re- amendment required two-thirds Both the countries have resolved to boost trade activities as well as through these entrances until the who will count the votes re- is challenged, he shall order that mote or general. majority both the parliamentary security arrangements at the border. division has concluded. corded and then present the total the lobbies be cleared. It is further explained that a chambers. Gulf Times Sunday, January 5, 2020 17 PHILIPPINES Duterte’s call to support new army chief

By Ma RL Tolentino Manila Times

resident Rodrigo Duterte has prodded soldiers to P“work in unison” with Lt Gen. Felimon Santos Jr, the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in the fi ght against “lawlessness and terrorism.” Yesterday, the president led the turnover of military leader- ship at Camp Aguinaldo, the na- tional headquarters of the AFP, in Quezon City. “I trust that you will work in unison with the incoming chief of staff , Lt. Gen. Felimon San- tos Jr as you remain steadfast in protecting our country against lawlessness and terrorism,” Du- terte said in his speech during the change of command and re- tirement ceremony in honour of Noel Clement, the outgoing chief of staff of the country’s Armed Forces. “Under the command of Lt. Gen. Santos, I am confi dent that Rodrigo Duterte: seeking support for new armed forces chief Outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Lt Col Noel Clement (left) shakes the hand of his the AFP will further achieve successor, Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr, during the change-of-command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo more milestones in the cam- attacked Marawi City on May 23, As he took his oath, the new under the Duterte administra- in Quezon City, yesterday. paign to protect our freedom and 2017. AFP leader vowed to neutral- tion. democratic values. Congress later approved his ise the communist insurgency “Not within my term, within mayor, the president’s daughter. Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya Service Star Medal, two Gold It is my hope that you will car- requests for an extension. through localised peace talks the term of the president, we are “The AFP can now focus its said in a news briefi ng. Cross Medals, nine Bronze Cross ry out programmes that will ele- In his speech during the under his stint. confi dent we will end that before resources, manpower and fi re- Malaya added that the ap- Medals, 40 Military Merit Med- vate the competence, the probity change of command, Duterte “For the national peace talks, the end of the president’s term,” power on the remaining com- proach of the government on the als and 10 Military Commenda- and integrity of our uniformed said, “Be assured that this ad- that are on the table, what we he said. munist terrorist armed groups peace talks with the communist tion Medals.The PNP Offi cer in personnel,” he added. ministration will always as- are doing on the ground is we are Santos recognised the impor- who insist on not giving up the groups is now localised. Charge, Lt Gen Archie Francisco The president said, “May this sist the men and women of the focusing on localised peace talks tance of a “whole-nation ap- armed struggle in spite of the Aside from the ending the Gamboa, previously congratu- momentous occasion renew Armed Forces of the Philippines (in various provinces) through proach” in combating the NPA. goodwill shown to them by the communist insurgency, San- lated Santos, his mistah in the your commitment to defend our as we overcome the challenges local chief executives, who are “In this whole-nation ap- administration,” Santos said. tos said he was also focusing on Philippine Military Academy Si- homeland from lingering and we face as a nation.” really on the ground,” Santos proach, this approach addresses Last December, the Depart- fi ghting other terrorist groups, nagtala Class of 1986. emerging security threats as you Also in the same speech, he told reporters in a chance inter- the motivation for insurgency ment of the Interior and Local modernising the AFP, achiev- “We hope for him the best and uphold the safety of our families described as “successful” Clem- view after he was sworn in. and hopefully it will put an end Government (DILG) said a total ing peace and development in we will be in support of his lead- and communities.” ent’s tour of duty as AFP chief. He said his primary focus un- to a treacherous life cycle,” he of P171.6mn in fi nancial assist- Mindanao and helping the Phil- ership,” Gamboa said. “Together, let us embody “Your stint at the helm of our der his term was to end the lo- said. ance through Enhanced Com- ippine National Police in its war Meanwhile, Santos’ pred- solidarity as we pursue a more military will be remembered for cal armed confl ict with the New On the localised peace talks, prehensive Local Integration on drugs. ecessor said he believes that the peaceful future for all,” he added. your principled and irreproach- People’s Army (NPA), the armed he cited the experience of Davao Programme (E-Clip) was re- “Likewise, the AFP will con- former would serve well as the The pursuit of peace contin- able leadership in fi ghting insur- wing of the Communist Party of City under Mayor Sara Duterte- ceived by 2,882 rebels who sur- tinue to be proactive against lo- AFP chief of staff . ues in southern Mindanao where gency and securing our sover- the Philippines. Carpio where many rebels sur- rendered from July 2018 to No- cal terrorist groups such as the “The man that will take over the proclamation issued by the eignty,” the president said. “To end the local armed con- rendered and were given jobs. vember 2019. Abu Sayyaf,” he added. the helm of the AFP from here president in 2016 declaring a “I likewise laud your spirited fl ict with communists, that is Previously, Mayor Duterte The DILG said of the total sur- Santos’ last posting before his on is a man of solid reputation state of national emergency re- eff orts in spearheading the hu- our focus (because) it’s gaining wanted the exclusion of Davao renderers, 2,635 former rebels appointment as AFP chief was as and straightforward in his pro- mained even as martial law in the manitarian assistance and dis- ground,” Santos added. City from the Christmas holi- received immediate assistance. chief of the Eastern Mindanao nouncements. region expired as 2019 ended. aster response operations of the “We will immediately neu- day ceasefi re and the resumption “The E-Clip will be here to as- Command. I am confi dent that your new Military rule in Mindanao AFP. tralise those who insist (on gain- of the peace talks with the CPP sist rebels who want to change He also commanded the Nue- chief of staff is determined and lasted for two years and seven Your faithful adherence to the ing) political power through because the city’s Peace 911 was the story of their lives, those who va Ecija-based 7th Infantry Di- capable as a leader,” Clement months. military professional service in- armed struggle,” he said in his more “eff ective.” want to abandon the hostility of vision. said in his speech. The president declared mar- spires your troops to continue own speech during the turnover. Davao’s Peace 911 is a com- armed confl icts. Santos is a decorated military He was appointed as AFP chief tial law in the South after the Is- serving with valour, heroism and Santos assured that the com- prehensive peace-building pro- The government will not ne- offi cial, receiving medals and last September 24, replacing lamic State-linked Maute group selfl essness,” Duterte added. munist insurgency would end gramme of the city under its glect you,” DILG spokesman and awards such as Distinguished Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr.

Ruling on drug-linked Maguindanao politician warns on Ampatuan’s plea

cops likely this month By Ma RL Tolentino is allowed to stay comfortably with this family showed me how Manila Times inside a hospital suite,” Man- devious and calculating they gudadatu said in a statement are. It is not farfetched that they By Jomar Canlas had said they were ready to sub- yesterday. would think of the option to es- Manila Times mit the case for decision. aguindanao Second Ampatuan had said that he cape. If that happens, it would He told Manila Times that a District Rep. Esmael suff ered three strokes in a span be very diffi cult for our police to resolution on the case had al- MMangudadatu wants of two months and dealt with arrest them again,” he alleged. he Department of Justice ready been prepared. the Quezon City Regional Trial chronic atrial fi brillation, dia- “We are expecting other but (DoJ) has assured the pub- Guevarra said the ruling was Court to closely look into and betes mellitus and hyperten- similar petitions such as this, Tlic that it would issue the supposed to be released in De- be wary of former Autonomous sion. He was confi ned in the in- but we are also ready because ruling on the controversial “ninja cember 2019, but the Christmas Region in Muslim Mindanao tensive care unit for a week and we know this isn’t over with cops” case by January. holiday break got in the way. governor Zaldy Ampatuan’s stayed in a hospital for 58 days their conviction. We are guided According to Justice Secretary Senior Assistant State Pros- request to be transferred to the in October. by prayers in our ongoing fi ght,” Menardo Guevarra, the DoJ pan- ecutor Alexander Suarez, who New Bilibid Prison (NBP) infi r- The court ordered Ampat- he said. el of prosecutors has wrapped up heads the special panel of pros- mary because of his allegedly uan’s return to Camp Bagong In its decision, Branch 221 of its probe of a criminal complaint ecutors, had declared that the “deteriorating health and de- Diwa two days before he was the Quezon City Regional Trial against now-retired Philippine case had been now submitted for bilitating physical and mental convicted on Dec 19, 2019, rul- Court convicted 43 people and National Police (PNP) chief Os- resolution. condition.” ing that his recovery could be acquitted 58 others in connec- car Albayalde and several others Suarez said the panel had rein- “If he is as sick as he and his done while in detention. tion with the 2009 Maguindan- on the November 2013 Pampan- vestigated the case since October lawyers claimed him to be, then Mangudadatu said that while ao massacre. ga anti-drug raid by ninja cops or 16. we leave it up for the NBP doc- it was within Ampatuan’s right Fifty-eight people, includ- members of the PNP who alleg- The respondents to the case tors and experts to determine Esmael ‘Toto’ Mangudadatu: urging caution to seek medical attention, he ing Mangudadatu’s wife, two edly recycle confi scated shabu have fi led their respective coun- it. I am not against him seeking was not surprised by the re- sisters, 12 other relatives and and other illegal drugs. ter-affi davits denying the charg- medical assistance as long as it the NBP infi rmary in Muntin- cal Center or in any expensive quest. 32 journalists, were among Guevarra said the prosecutors es against them. is done within the confi nes of lupa City. Not in Makati Medi- and private hospital, where he “My 10-year court battle those killed. US, Philippines in war of words over De Lima

By Javier J Ismael Vicente Sotto 3rd had chastised included in the US State De- Manila Times US senators for meddling in the partment budget signed by internal aff airs of the Philip- President Donald Trump last pines. December 20. he word war between In light of offi cial word that he This is separate from the US United States senators would be barred from entering Senate resolution authored by Tand Philippine govern- the Philippines, US Sen. Edward Markey. On January 1, the ban ment offi cials over the contro- Markey vowed to continue fi ght- extended to cover Markey over versial detention of opposition ing against the Duterte adminis- the resolution he authored and Senator Leila de Lima on alleged tration’s “strongman tactics.” filed along with four other US illegal drugs-related charges for “President Duterte is sorely senators, including Durbin. more than two years continues. mistaken if he thinks he can si- If Markey’s resolution is Senator Panfi lo Lacson, chair- lence my voice and that of my adopted by the entire US Sen- man of the Senate National De- colleagues. He has already failed ate, Philippine officials in- fense and Security committee, to silence Senator Leila de Lima, volved in the arrest and de- over the weekend said respect Maria Ressa and others in his tention of De Lima face the ran both ways, especially be- country, who have spoken truth prospect of being denied US tween two long-time allies. to power,” Markey said on Janu- visas and having their assets “If some US senators still see ary 3. there frozen. our country as their colony, we “I stand with the people of the The sanctions were proposed will tell them to their faces we Philippines and with my state’s to aid in exacting accountabil- are not,” he added. vibrant Filipino-American com- ity for human rights violations “If they insult us, we will in- munity in fi ghting for the high- in the Duterte government’s sult them back. We are entitled est democratic ideals and against anti-illegal drug campaign. to our national pride and dig- the strongman tactics of the Du- Lacson: stressing national pride De Lima: controversial detention? Apart from this, sanctions nity,” Lacson said. terte government,” he added. were proposed in line with law- Senator Christopher Law- Markey issued the remarks in denounced the Philippine gov- Rappler’s Maria Ressa. sanctions on human rights vio- chard Durbin in retaliation for makers urging the Philippine rence “Bong” Go, former special response to President Duterte’s ernment for its role in extraju- The resolution also invoked lators anywhere in the world. sanctions that barred Philippine government to release De Lima, assistant to President Rodrigo decision to bar him over a US dicial killings seen in the “war the Global Magnitsky Act, the On Dec 27, 2019, Duterte ini- offi cials involved in De Lima’s who has been imprisoned for Duterte, agreed that the Philip- Senate resolution he authored, on drugs” and called out the US law that gives its execu- tially ordered the Bureau of Im- case from entering the US. over two years on drug charges, pines is not a US colony. which condemned the con- “harassment” of the media in tive branch the power to impose migration to deny entry to US The provision to deny en- which she asserts were fabricat- Meanwhile, Senate President tinued detention of De Lima, the Philippines, particularly of travel restrictions and fi nancial Senators Patrick Leahy and Ri- try to Philippine officials was ed by the government. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, January 5, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Global interest rates may remain low for foreseeable future Global interest rates are likely to remain low for the foreseeable future with the US Federal Reserve (Fed) deciding to keep its benchmark rate in a range of 1.5% and 1.75% at its last meeting for 2019. The US central bank also signalled it will leave rates unchanged through the end of 2020. Looking ahead, the Fed’s dot-plot of interest rates forecasts by offi cials showed no changes this year and only one hike in 2021. Only four of 17 offi cials seem to think rates Economic development might rise this year. The view in fi nancial markets is not quite as sanguine. Investors believe the Fed will cut rates once over the course of next year, according to CME Group. Analysts said it’s decades and paradigm shifts a signal investors still have lingering worries about the economy. The Fed had cut US interest rates in three successive meetings starting in July to shield the economy from a GOVERNANCE OF THE POST-BRETTON WOODS ORDER disruptive trade war with China that’s reduced business By Darim al-Bassam In 1972, Robert McNamara, then (3) Control of infl ation. Usually through of institutions is largely dependent on investment, harmed exports and sent the manufacturing president of the World Bank, made monetary policy (higher interest rates) and specifi c local circumstances. Policies must what was seen as a landmark statement. fi scal austerity – which have the eff ect of therefore be tailored to the particular sector into contraction. he years Governments in developing countries, he depressing aggregate demand. circumstances of a given country. It Qatar-based QNB, immediately said, should redesign their policies so as to (4) Privatisation of state-owned follows that no one-size-fi ts-all structural the largest fi nancial following meet the needs of the poorest 40% of their industries. This raises money for the adjustment policy as was prescribed by QNB is concerned institution in the Tthe people - and relieve their poverty directly. government, but also, in theory, can help the Washington Consensus approach. Second World War The cornerstone of the new development improve effi ciency and productivity, The successful implementation of growth that the world Middle East and North were marked by strategy was thus an explicit attack on because private fi rms have a profi t incentive policies presupposes a thorough grasp of Africa, recently said it an unprecedented poverty - albeit one so mounted as not to to be more effi cient. local circumstances. has become too expects global interest speed of economic recovery from damage economic prospects. Its economic (5) De-regulation of markets to Inspired by new institutional economics, rates to remain low for the most devastating confl ict in the slogans were: ‘redistribution with growth’, encourage competition and more fi rms to the PWC can provide a more nuanced dependent on history of mankind, combined with an and ‘meeting basic needs’. enter the industry. understanding of economic development. at least the next few equally impressive strength and scale The early 1970s saw two events of (6) Opening the economy to free trade For example, the PWC acknowledges that monetary policy years, which will help to of international cooperation never particular signifi cance for international – removing tariff barriers which protect at the core of the development process maintain government before witnessed. The fi rst two decades development. One was the Opec oil shock, domestic industries. lies a profound shift in social relations, debt sustainability. That will allow fi scal policy to respond were considered as the “Golden Age of which sent prices soaring and ended the era (7) Ending food subsidies. This can the distribution of property rights, work Capitalism”, a period of economic boom of cheap energy and cheap industrialisation distort the market and lead to over- patterns, urbanisation, family structures, to any substantial negative shocks that hit the global and prosperity . - and therefore of cheap development. The supply and hold back diversifi cation of and so on, for which an analysis limited economy. It was associated with the emergence other was the global food shortage brought the economy to a more industrial based to macroeconomic aggregates is both However, political polarisation and vested interests will of new international institutions such about by two disastrous world harvests in economy. insuffi cient and potentially misleading. undermine both the effi ciency and eff ectiveness of fi scal as the International Monetary Fund 1972 and 1974. (8) Devaluation of currencies to restore In the early 2000 and with the (IMF) and the World Bank as part of The UN responded to the atmosphere competitiveness and reduce current establishment of the Millennium stimulus. Taken together these constraints mean that the Bretton Woods monetary system in of crisis with a series of international account defi cit. This usually leads to higher Development Goals by world leaders, the fi scal policy can help mitigate some of the downside risks 1944, the United Nations Conference on conferences: on environment (Stockholm, import prices. Pro-Poor Policy debates started and the to global growth, but QNB cautions against viewing fi scal Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the 1972); population (Bucharest, 1974); In the late 1980s and 1990s, the mainstream PWC was compelled to admit stimulus as a panacea. United Nations Industrial Development food (Rome, 1974); women (Mexico City, hegemony of the Washington Consensus that poverty reduction and redistribution Organisation (UNIDO) and the fi ve UN 1975); human settlements (Vancouver, came under attack with the apparent failure were not spontaneous by-products of QNB expects a modest acceleration of global GDP growth Regional Commissions; the birth of many 1976); employment (Geneva, 1976); water of this strategy, and growing pressure growth, the correction of macroeconomic to around 3.4% in 2020 to be driven by easier monetary new nations as a result of decolonisation; (Mar del Plata, 1977); and desertifi cation on the World Bank and the International imbalances, or improvements in policy around the world, in particular the Fed’s dovish pivot and the emergence of new mechanisms (Nairobi, 1977). Meanwhile, the countries Monetary Fund (IMF) by several country macroeconomic policies and governance. to cutting interest rates. That is despite the ongoing US- of international co-operation, such as of the developing world were growing in governments, international organisations Instead, poverty has to be addressed the Marshall Plan for the reconstruction confi dence. Encouraged by the success of (including some United Nations agencies), directly through a dedicated set of China trade war, global manufacturing recession and other of Western Europe and in the 1960s, the Opec cartel in 1974, they established a non-governmental organisations (NGOs), economic and social policy tools. The IFIs risks to the outlook. the strategy for the First United Nations North-South Dialogue demanding a neo universities and social movements. Various also had to confront claims that inequality QNB is also concerned that the world has become too Decade of Development. international economic order: a change aspects of criticisms were raised. is harmful because it induces political and dependent on monetary policy, which is becoming less By the early 1970s, the development in relationships among the nations to The shift in the interest of international economic instability and, in extreme cases, movement was running out of steam. The allow the up-and-coming members of the agencies and of the World Bank moved political violence and civil war. eff ective. There is also a growing risk that low global idea that transfers of capital and technical international community to gain access to to a Post-Washington Consensus (PWC) The pro-poor growth (PPG) was defi ned as interest rates are infl ating debt and asset price bubbles. know-how would quickly dispense with world trade and fi nancial market. approach with a focus on institutions the increase in the income share of the poor Therefore, it is important that fi scal policy can respond gross poverty had proved misconceived. Such developments started ringing economics, issues of governance and a (alternatively, in PPG, the incomes of the poor to any substantial negative shocks that hit the global The distribution of the Golden Age alarming bells in the West. The north- return to the political economy of growth grow faster than those of the non-poor, in outcome was uneven and confi ned to the south dialogue rounds were aborted and in general and to the problems of policy which case poverty falls faster than it would economy. countries of the North. Throughout the a market oriented radical policy shift was implementation in particular. if all incomes had grown at the same rate). Analysts believe the global growth this year would decade of the 1960s, the growth rate in the imposed by president Regan and prime Evidently, the PWC was welcomed as a Another defi nition focused on the absolute depend a lot on a broader agreement that resolves economically advanced market economies minister Thatcher in the early 1980s to huge improvement over the market theology improvement of the living standards of the longstanding trade disputes between the US and China, the accelerated, and the gap between the per counter such moves by the South. Basic of the 1980s. The state in the new approach is poor, regardless of changes in inequality. capita incomes of the developing countries needs development approach were being recognised as important, as are investments, The incremental convergence of the world’s two largest economies. and those of the developed countries forced off the agenda by growing neo-liberal and how eff ectively states and other non- participants in the PPG debates has What could give the US economy and economies around widened. Two-thirds of the world’s perspectives that saw effi cient markets as state institutions, like fi nancial institutions, further supported the development of the world another boost is a dialling down in US-China population living in the less developed the key mechanisms for satisfying needs. work to create conditions conducive for the inclusive growth (IG) paradigm in the trade tensions after a fl urry of tit-for-tat tariff s that regions of the world still had less than one- The rise of monetarism and neo classical investment must clearly have a lot to do with late 2000s. IG stresses the importance of sixth of the world’s income. In 1962, annual economics again in the 1980s has shifted explaining growth and in directing policy growth for poverty reduction, admits that came to a crescendo over the summer. The two countries per capita income in those regions averaged development theory towards the trickle-down attention when growth is poor. a wide range of policy combinations can are trying to fi nish the fi rst phase of what they hope is a $136, while that of the economically proposition. Such paradigm shift towards Reconsideration of the role of the deliver these outcomes, and aims to select broader agreement that ends the trade war. advanced market economies in North laissez-faire policies constituted a strong state in orchestrating the economy was the appropriate policies through “growth US President Donald Trump has said he will sign the fi rst America and Western Europe averaged political and academic offensive against the inspired by the notion of the developmental diagnostics”: Inclusive growth refers $2,845 and $1,033, respectively. “predatory state.” Development strategies, state in the successful East Asian newly both to the pace and pattern of growth, phase of a long-awaited trade deal with China on January In a report issued in 1969, UN including basic need that implied an activist industrialising economies (NIEs). In all which are considered interlinked, and 15, in a move that de-escalates the tariff war between the secretary-general U Thant noted that state had no more raison d’etre because the these cases, it was found that the state had therefore in need to be addressed together. world’s two biggest economies. the slower progress in development had magic of the market would bring back national violated the main tenets of the Washington Traditionally, poverty and growth analyses Trump also said “high-level representatives of China” been accompanied by the emergence or growth and prosperity. The overarching Consensus through long-term planning, have been done separately. aggravation of major imbalances that development concept shifted to development protectionism, directed fi nance and other In my opinion, the IG paradigm is would attend an offi cial ceremony at the White House. imperilled future growth. Without greater without the state at the country level and departures from the free market. limited in many ways. It does not address progress in food production and the more globalisation without countervailing power at Moreover, the notion of “adjustment the limitations of previous World Bank eff ective control of communicable diseases, the international level. Blind belief in markets with a human face” was emphasised in the strategies, including the contradictions To Advertise the necessary conditions for steady starts enjoying again a great popularity. new approach. Irrespective of the merits of between policy legitimacy, ownership economic and social development could Structural Adjustment Policies (SAP) Washington Consensus in bringing stability and participation, the cost of the policy [email protected] hardly be said to have been created. were brought to the fore. They refer to a set and growth, poverty was rising in the shifts, and the absence of self-correcting Display This led to a new climate of development of economic policies often introduced as a “adjusting” countries, and demonstrated mechanisms in IFI policies. Under IG, thinking. Since economic growth did condition for gaining a loan from the IMF. the tendency of the adjustment costs to failure will continue to be blamed on the 44466621 44418811 not automatically sweep poverty away, SAP was labelled as the “Washington fall on the most vulnerable. The WC stood victims, and the remedy will continue development analysts decided that the Consensus “ doctrine. To be eligible for accused of being at least oblivious to the to include the demand that they should Classified second Development Decade must also a loan from IMF, developing countries disproportionate burden on the poor try again, harder. These limitations 44466609 44418811 include measures deliberately targeted at often have to implement some or all of the arising from the processes of adjustment cannot be addressed responsibly except the poor -- to help them meet their basic following policies: and stabilisation. through a considerable relaxation of Subscription needs for food, water, housing, health and (1) Cutting government spending to More importantly, PWC took into the conditionalities imposed by the education. In the fi rst development decade, reduce the budget defi cit. Also known as consideration that the adjustment policies IFIs. Conditionality is the enemy of [email protected] economists and planners had looked upon ‘fi scal austerity’, are context specifi c and issues of good experimentation. Conditionality is also these rather as forms of ‘consumption’ (2) Raising tax revenues and trying to governance and effi cient institutions inimical to the contextual links between unconnected to economic productivity. improve tax collection by clamping down are decisive for the success of economic general principles and local conditions © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Now their thinking began to change. on tax avoidance, development processes. The effi ciency which is, allegedly, at the core of IG. Gulf Times Sunday, January 5, 2020 19 COMMENT How ownership concentration is happening

Alissa Amico With the decline in offerings intermediaries. Stock markets are now Dubai globally, many of today’s “too- no longer mutualised or state-owned, large-to-fail” companies are not but are instead mostly organised financial institutions, as was the in a few large, self-listed exchange f the global economy were a case during the 2008 crisis, but groups. As a result, competition for chess game, few pieces would privately held non-financial firms. new listings is not occurring between be left on the board. Most would Ownership concentration is also a national stock exchanges, but between Ibe relegated to the role of by- reality for listed firms, where the top an oligopoly of exchange groups whose standers, observing a concentration three shareholders have majority ultimate objective is less the protection of power in the hands of an ever- control in 50% of the world’s largest of the rights of shareholders in listed dwindling number of global players. companies, according to recent companies and more the defence of Now let us imagine that the pieces OECD estimates. their own shareholders rights. left standing are corporate entities, This trend – set to continue in the Ultimately, these trends with a shrinking number of ultimate coming years – is underpinning an translate into a dwindling number owners at the helm. This analogy increasing rift in economic ownership of large enterprises and fi nancial fundamentally characterises the rights between company founders intermediaries with increasingly global economy today. and ordinary investors. For example, concentrated ownership. While a The globalisation that embodied investors in the Snapchat IPO were degree of ownership concentration can the 1990s unleashed the power off ered – for the fi rst time in modern create value, it can also create negative of multinational corporations, history – non-voting shares. While externalities on competition, wealth enabling them rapidly to crush local the IPO prompted an outcry, Snapchat distribution, and fi scal transparency competition in smaller markets. With is representative of the ownership on a macro level. On a micro level, the advent of the Internet economy a structures at Tesla, Uber, Amazon, and the current level of economic decade later, online distribution and other large companies where founders concentration facilitates neither fair network eff ects boosted corporate use multiple share classes to retain rents for minority shareholders nor concentration further, giving rise control with minority ownership. respect for consumer rights. to behemoths like Amazon, Google, At the same time, with enthusiasm Broadening corporations’ defi nitions Airbnb, and Facebook. for privatisation declining globally, of their purpose and responsibilities Today, corporate ownership governments remain signifi cant – and, toward stakeholders, and focusing concentration is being fostered by in many cases, controlling – owners on the stewardship responsibilities new factors, which could ultimately of large pockets of corporate wealth. of institutional investors and asset pose a systemic threat to the Indeed, in almost 10% of the world’s managers – both remedies currently global economy. One of the most listed companies, the public sector has in vogue among corporate executives important is the decline of public a controlling stake. The consequences and policymakers – is insuffi cient. equity markets across developed of this can be seen in the Nissan- Instead, what is needed is a focus on economies: the number of companies Renault debacle, which highlights the the duties of controlling shareholders accessing them has halved during governance perils of state-invested toward minority investors. Stronger the past decade. In most markets multinationals. checks and balances, and perhaps outside Asia, new firms are not Some investors – such as Norway’s Snap co-founders Evan Spiegel (C) and Bobby Murphy ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange with NYSE even Chinese Walls, also need to be listing; on the contrary, in response sovereign wealth fund, which owns Group President Thomas Farley. Investors in the Snapchat IPO were offered – for the first time in modern history – introduced for large asset managers. to greater compliance and regulatory 2% of every European listed company non-voting shares. These and other remedies to address obligations, some are de-listing. – take a diversifi ed approach. Other concentration are essential, not This is occurring despite sovereign investors have much more concentrated. A recent study by two stewardship resources have not grown the ten largest institutional investors only in the name of better corporate policymakers’ attempts over the past concentrated stakes and play a more Harvard researchers, Lucian Bebchuk proportionately. own 20% of the global market governance, but also as a response to fi ve years to revitalise capital markets active role in governance. and Scott Hirst, found that 80% of the The growing concentration of capitalisation. Indeed, concentration- the worldwide wave of protests against and create incentives for fresh listings, But not only sovereign investors capital allocated to investment funds capital in these investment funds related confl icts of interest faced the increasingly unjust distribution of especially of technology and state- are becoming concentrated players. today is going to Vanguard, BlackRock, raises a host of new concerns, not by institutional investors and asset national income and global wealth. – owned fi rms. The recently aborted With the ongoing shift of capital and State Street. In two decades, least competition-related, as asset managers are already raising eyebrows Project Syndicate WeWork initial public off ering (IPO) from actively to passively managed these three players are predicted to managers vote on strategic matters in policy circles. highlights the anemic condition of funds, asset managers’ portfolios cast as much as 40% of the votes in companies that might be rivals. This picture is further complicated  Alissa Amico is Managing Director equity markets today. are becoming signifi cantly more in S&P 500 companies, while their In the airline industry, for example, by the concentration of other fi nancial of the GOVERN Centre. People around the world will demand change in Three-day forecast

TODAY 2020. Will global leaders be up to the challenge? Maximum Temperature : 260c Minimum Temperature : 210c

MONDAY By Ivo Daalder Hong Kong and to guard against Chinese views that increased economic and tiago, in Paris, Rome and Warsaw, in Al- Maximum Temperature : 230c Minimum Temperature : 160c Chicago Tribune commercial and military spying and the political openness best fosters such giers, Johannesburg and Khartoum, and in so many other global cities, people growing threat many now believe Beijing development. And it is having some TUESDAY poses to national security. In Beijing, success, as countries around the in the millions have taken to the streets Maximum Temperature : 230c oreign policy wasn’t taking meanwhile, President Xi Jinping has world opt to align with China and its to demand change and a government Minimum Temperature : 160c a back seat as the year 2019 also taken a hard line against domestic large investments to promote their that serves the people rather than the ended and we started the critics to ensure the Communist Party’s economic development. Even in the powerful. Even as authoritarians have Fisherman's forecast third decade of this turbulent unquestioned pre-eminence in Chinese West, China’s deep pockets and strong strengthened their hold on power across WARNING F Inshore : Strong wind and poor century. In Iraq, demonstrators chant- society and pursued an increasingly na- authoritarianism are gaining increas- the world, it would be foolish to dismiss horizontal visibility ing “Death to America” ransacked tionalistic foreign policy that frequently ing support and some admirers. the force that people can bring to bear expected at places and parts of the US embassy compound. In paints the United States and the West as Yet, the competition between a in support of real change. Whether they thundery rain at times. North Korea, Kim Jong-un announced adversaries. new authoritarianism and the old will prevail in these confrontations is Offshore : Expected thunder rain/ The domestic politics in both liberalism is hardly over. Even as the impossible to know, but they’re bound strong wind. he would no longer abide by a testing WEATHER moratorium that President Donald countries is feeding increasing senti- White House has muted its traditional to continue pushing their demands for Inshore : Misty to Foggy at Trump had long trumpeted as a great ment to separate the Chinese and criticism of human rights abuses and change in the coming year. places at first becomes We enter the ‘20s at a time when light to blowing dust diplomatic achievement. American economies and societies. authoritarian rule around the world, and partly cloudy with The coming year is likely to be dom- One indication of this decoupling is last year saw the emergence of a pow- American power and infl uence con- a chance of rain. inated by two major realities in global the attempt to erect a technologi- erful counterforce to both as millions tinues to wane, China’s is increasing Offshore : Cloudy with a chance aff airs: the deepening antagonism cal iron curtain between advanced of people all over the world took to the and people all around the world are of scattered rain maybe thundery at times between China and the United States communications systems like 5G streets to protest the corruption of making clear that their voices need to WIND and the growing confl ict between and even the Internet. The urge to power and the failure of governments be heard. It’s times like these that call Inshore : Northwesterly 12-22/28 authoritarianism and liberalism. decouple also reflects a growing to meet the people’s essential needs. for farsighted leadership – for leaders KT Offshore : Northwesterly 18-25/35 Although 2020 is starting off well geopolitical competition for power This confrontation between the with clear visions on where to take KT for Washington and Beijing, with the and influence around the globe, with people and those in power will very their countries, who can see problems Visibility : 4-8/2 KM announced signing of a phase-one China using its newfound might to likely deepen in 2020. Even as Beijing and forge strategies and build coali- Offshore : 6-8/10 FT trade agreement in mid-January, rela- undermine a US-led global order has sought to tighten its grip, millions tions ready to solve them, and who can tions between the world’s two largest that has served America and its many in Hong Kong took to the streets and bring along the people without whose Around the region powers will become increasingly com- allies so well for more than 75 years. the ballot box to declare their deep de- consent and support they are bound Weather Weather petitive in the coming year for both Increased competition between the sire to decide their own future. They’re to fail. The big unknown for 2020 and today Max/min tomorrow Max/min domestic and geopolitical reasons. United States and China is also appar- unlikely to give up on their demands beyond is whether the major powers Baghdad P Cloudy 17/06 M Sunny 18/05 In Washington, China hawks are gain- ent in the growing confl ict between for more democracy and the big ques- in the world will have the right calibre Kuwait City Sunny 21/08 Sunny 20/09 ing strength, not only in the White House authoritarianism and liberalism more tion is whether China will agree or, of leaders to help all of us succeed. – Manama Rain 21/18 Sunny 21/16 but also on Capitol Hill and in both generally. China is increasingly pro- instead, respond with more repression Tribune News Service Muscat M Sunny 30/21 Sunny 27/20 political parties. Congress is looking to moting its own brand of state capital- and violence. Tehran M Sunny 08/-2 Sunny 08/-2 legislate an ever harder line against China ism and authoritarian control as the That same question now confronts  Ivo Daalder is president of the – both to punish Beijing for its gross best path for national development, leaders around the world – for in Bagh- Chicago Council on Global Aff airs and human rights violations in Xinjiang and pushing it as an alternative to Western dad, Beirut, Caracas, La Paz and San- a former US ambassador to Nato.

Live issues

Rhyme helps teach children hand hygiene Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min By Vishwadha Chander “People may be surprised there’s an “Are you sleeping, are you sleeping, on the hands of the children, who were Athens S Showers 12/05 Rain 07/04 Reuters Health issue with how we wash our hands,” Brother John, Brother John, between 6 and 9 years old, before they Beirut Rain 16/13 Sunny 18/13 Thampi said in an e-mail. “While Morning bells are ringing, morning washed with soap and water while Bangkok Sunny 34/24 Sunny 34/24 there have been public health cam- bells are ringing, singing the song. After the routine, Berlin M Sunny 04/02 Cloudy 06/-1 inging the steps of good hand- paigns about when to wash our hands, Ding, ding, dong; ding, ding, dong” there was a signifi cant reduction in Cairo Sunny 18/09 Cloudy 18/11 washing technique to the tune that is, the right moments, there has . . . were replaced with: the markings, according to a report in Cape Town Cloudy 21/16 M Cloudy 20/17 of a popular nursery rhyme been relatively little focus on how to “Scrub your palms, between the The BMJ. Colombo M Sunny 29/24 S T Storms 31/24 Smay help young children learn wash our hands, the right technique, fi ngers “This song is a fun way to teach Dhaka S Showers 22/13 Sunny 23/12 the process and fend off common particularly among children.” Wash the back (one hand), wash the children how to wash their hands and Hong Kong Cloudy 19/18 P Cloudy 21/18 infections picked up in school, a small Because there didn’t seem to be an back (other hand) has the potential to decrease the bur- Istanbul S Showers 08/06 Rain 08/06 Canadian study suggests. existing musical video targeted at chil- Twirl the tips (one hand) around den of germs on hands, a very common Jakarta T Storm 31/25 T Storm 30/25 Dr Nisha Thampi and colleagues dren showing the six-step technique (other hand) way of catching an infection,” Thampi Karachi M Sunny 24/14 P Cloudy 24/13 adapted the tune of the song Brother using the recommended handwash Scrub them upside down told Reuters Health. London P Cloudy 09/06 S Showers 09/07 John, also known as Frere Jacques, duration of 20 to 30 seconds, Thampi Thumb attack (one thumb)! Thumb She said her daughter also taught Manila M Sunny 30/24 P Cloudy 31/24 replacing its lyrics with a six-step and colleagues decided to develop attack (other thumb)!” the song and technique to Thampi’s Moscow Cloudy 01/-3 Cloudy -2/-4 handwash practice prescribed by their own musical mnemonic. They Thampi then used her 8-year-old 4-year-old son. New Delhi M Sunny 19/11 Cloudy 16/11 World Health Organization. wrote the lyrics with the help of daughter as a test case. To be eff ective, the technique should New York P Cloudy 06/02 P Cloudy 08/0 “As a mother of two school-going schoolchildren. “She heard the fi rst version of the ideally be implemented early in life, Paris P Cloudy 08/01 P Cloudy 06/04 children, I think a lot about germs at “To get my own children to wash song and helped revise it to have bet- used regularly and embedded into Sao Paulo T Storms 26/19 P Cloudy 28/21 work and home,” said Thampi, medical their hands with the proper technique, ter fl ow. She demonstrated it to her the national curriculum in schools, Seoul M Sunny 06/-2 S Showers 06/02 director of the Infection Prevention I played with each step until it fell into friends and classmates,” Thampi said. said Nicky Milner, director of medical Singapore S T Storms 31/24 S T Storms 31/24 and Control Program at Children’s a song pattern that fl owed nicely to the To test whether the routine would education at the School of Medicine, Sydney Cloudy 23/19 Showers 23/21 Hospital of Eastern Ontario, in Ot- tune of Brother John,” Thampi said. be eff ective in removing germs, the re- Anglia Ruskin University, in Chelms- Tokyo Clear 10/04 Clear 11/02 tawa. The Brother John lyrics: searchers applied fl uorescent markings ford, UK. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, January 5, 2020 QATAR Shop Qatar 2020 set to begin from January 7

By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter

atar National Tourism Council ( QNTC) will Qstart Shop Qatar 2020 with a fashion show, featuring Hind al-Rumaihi and French collective Faith Connexion at Barahat Mshereib on January 7. The fourth edition of Shop Qatar will run until January 31 in co-operation with the offi cial Jawaher al-Khuzaei speaking at the event. festival partners: the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Qatar shoppers spend QR200 at the can catch a glimpse of the lat- Airways, Katara, Alfardan Pre- participating outlets, they will est couture and ready-to-wear mier Motors, Vodafone, Qatar get a chance to win six cars and fashion at Shop Qatar’s Fashion TV, Al Hazem, and 12 commer- cash prizes worth more than Shows. Some 20 international, cial partners. QR2mn through three raffl e regional and local designers will “There will be a number of draws. be showcasing their Spring/ colourful retail and entertain- The retail partners of Shop Summer collections 2020 from ment programmes, fashion Qatar 2020 are: Al Mirqab Mall, January 23-27. Residents and shows among other activities AlKhor Mall, City Center, Doha visitors can learn about the new- during this edition of Shop Qa- Festival City, Gulf Mall, Hyatt est trends in the world of fashion tar. We will also have a week cel- Plaza, Lagoona Mall, Landmark and makeup through a series of ebrating the Chinese New Year. Mall, Mall of Qatar, Villaggio, masterclasses and workshops There will be three raffl e draws The Pearl-Qatar and Galeries with celebrity makeup artists as well as many other shopping Lafayette. These partners will and infl uencers. attractions and discounts,” said provide discounts up to 70% Throughout the festival, all Rashed Saeed al-Qurese, chief on a range of consumer goods participating malls will host marketing and promotion offi c- including clothes, electronics, free roaming shows and family- er, QNTC at a press conference cosmetics and accessories for friendly entertainment as well yesterday. men, women and children. as a colourful lights and confetti Major Abdullah Khalifa al- Qatar Airways Holidays is of- show every weekend. The festi- Muhannadi, director of Visa fering fl y and stay packages to val will see a host of live music Support Services Department visitors from both Oman and concerts featuring Pakistani and at the Ministry of the Interior, Kuwait. These include return Indian artistes. Salam al-Shawa, senior vice Salam al-Shawa, Saeed al-Qurese and Major Abdullah Khalifa al-Muhannadi at the press conference. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil fl ights, two nights (plus break- As part of the Chinese New president, marketing and cor- fast) at 5, 4 and 3-star hotels, and Year Celebrations, there will be porate communications, Qatar countries around the world to everyone to enjoy and the visi- activities in store throughout the tar off ers experiences designed a free shopping transfer tour. dragon parade and drums show Airways and Jawaher al-Khuzaei participate in the fourth edition tors will have a number of ave- festival noting that the events for visitors and residents to ex- There will be weekly raf- at various malls, from January from QNTC also spoke at the of the Shop Qatar. Applications nues to explore with some of the cater to everyone. plore Qatar’s retail, hospitality, fl e draws at 9pm every Friday 25-31; Chinese arts and crafts event. will be processed within 24 hours very attractive activities such as According to the offi cial, the fashion and cultural off ering. It during the festival (January 17, activities at various malls from According to Major al-Mu- for those identifying Shop Qatar the Aspire Lake festival, Doha festival will be a blend of tradi- marks the start of Qatar-France 24 and 31), with 12 cash prizes January, 25-30 and a fashion hannadi, the Qatar Visa Portal as the reason for their visit. International Book Fair among tion with modernity, entertain- Year of Culture, and ends with worth QR330,000 and two cars show at Al Hazm on January 29, platform will be open from today Al-Shawa noted that the fes- others. ment with shopping and exciting Chinese New Year celebrations. to be won at each raffl e. featuring Chinese celebrity de- to receive visa requests from all tival will be a fantastic time for Al-Khuzaei gave a glimpse of events with elegance. Shop Qa- During the festival, when Fashion-forward shoppers signers Lan Yu and Grace Chen. Qatar sees double digit growth in visitor numbers: QNTC offi cial

By Joseph Varghese age of increase in the number ity sector has been on an upward markets for the last two years the major attractions around the Staff Reporter people visiting Qatar,” Rashed swing. The revenue and other and they continue to be an im- country. Saeed al-Qurese, chief market- parameters in the hospitality portant one for us. We have “The connectivity between ing and promotion officer of sector have gone up consider- started many campaigns in the the places has increased and the atar has registered a QNTC told Gulf Times yester- ably, he said. Chinese market and we have Doha Metro lines have resulted marked increase in the day on the sidelines of a press As for Shop Qatar 2020, al- had a good number of Chinese in an increase in the number of Qnumber of visitors to conference to announce details Qurese said this year’s events visitors to Qatar and hopefully, people visiting various malls. the country with a double digit of Shop Qatar 2020. will be more comprehensive we will continue to get an in- Doha Metro has provided bet- growth in 2019, a top offi cial of “We had a double digit in- with three weeks of very inter- creased number of Chinese visi- ter connection and access to all Qatar National Tourism Council crease of about 17% as per the esting and attractive activities as tors in the coming years too. In- the major attractions around ( QNTC) has said. initial records. The exact num- well as more additions. dia, Oman, Kuwait, Russia and the country including Hamad “We are on an upward tra- bers and other data will be re- “We will have a week of cel- other West European countries International Airport. This has jectory on the number of ar- leased very soon. We expect the ebration for Chinese New Year. such as the UK, France, Italy also resulted in a very positive rivals to the country. There has trend in all other parameters We also have a number of ac- and Germany among others are impact on road transport. All been a marked increase in the compared to 2018,” al-Qurese tivities including entertainment also source markets for us,” the the major destinations are eas- number of people visiting Qa- said. programmes, fashion shows, offi cial said. ily accessible now within a very tar in all the months last year. According to him, the hotel raffl e draws and many more,” he Al-Qurese also said that Doha short time and this has helped As per the records, there has occupancy rate has also gone up noted. Metro has helped in providing people reach such places quick- Rashed Saeed al-Qurese been a double digit percent- and the revenue in the hospital- “China is one of our source the visitors with better access to er,” he added.