BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 8 Imam, Hafeez steer Pakistan to Synergistic opportunities victory over prevail between Qatar and South Africa Canada, says Doha Bank CEO published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 11069 January 20, 2019 Jumada I 14, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Warm welcome for rally champion In brief More Al Furjan stores QATAR | Offi cial scheduled to open soon Amir to attend Arab summit in Beirut today QNA The motivation behind this project His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Doha is the estimated increase in popula- bin Hamad al-Thani will attend tion within the city of Doha and its the Arab Economic and Social surroundings. The retail mix has been Development Summit to be held he Qatar Development Bank devised to cater to the most important today in Beirut at the invitation of (QDB) announced yesterday that needs. Lebanese President General Michel Tthe construction of the second QDB will not raise rental rates for Aoun. An off icial delegation is batch of outlets for Al Furjan Markets 2 commercial outlets included in Phase accompanying the Amir. project has begun. 2 of its Al Furjan Markets project, al- The new markets will be located in Khalifa had said earlier. QATAR | Diplomacy areas such as Ain Khalid, Luaib, Bani He said the existing rents at Al Furjan Hajer, Al Aziziya, Al Gharafa, Muaither, Markets across the country are pegged Amir and Mali president Al Shamal and Al Wakrah. at QR6,000 per month. hold phone conversation The fi rst batch of Al Furjan Markets His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim was located in Umm Al Qarn and Al The markets will provide all bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday held Khor among other areas. The bank said the main needs; the initiative a telephone conversation with that this phase was 80% complete. will be a good solution in Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar CEO of QDB Abdulaziz bin Nasser terms of supplying the daily Keita. The two leaders discussed al-Khalifa said that the markets will needs of goods and services bilateral ties and means to promote provide all the main needs, adding that of families them. Keita thanked the Amir for the initiative will be a good solution Qatar’s support for Mali in diff erent in terms of supplying the daily needs But unlike the shops built under development areas, especially of goods and services of families. He Phase 1 of the project, the new out- its eff orts in combating terrorism Dakar Rally winner Nasser al-Attiyah being welcomed by HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser said that the current sites are concen- lets are larger at 5x12sq m (compared through supporting education al-Ali at the Hamad International Airport yesterday. The ace Qatari driver won his third Dakar Rally title on Thursday beating trated in areas outside cities, to meet to the existing 4x12sq m) and include as well as providing a number of legends like Carlos Sainz, Sebsatian Loeb and Stephane Peterhansel in the process. Sport Page 1 the needs of people living there. The 16 an extra floor for employees’ accom- armoured vehicles. land plots are on schedule to be com- modation. pleted by the fi rst half of 2020. “The commercial activities had QATAR | Siege The project is considered a strategic been approved by the Ministry of one for Qatar, as it supports the trade Economy and Commerce and we are UN examining rights sector in the country as part of the dealing with 31 commercial activi- violations of students 2030 Qatar National Vision. ties covering all of the day-to-day A senior UN off icial said yesterday Al Furjan Markets project is a unique needs of residents such as phar- the world body is examining MbS has to be dealt initiative launched in collaboration with a macy, grocery, and eateries, among reports that hundreds of Qatari number of government sectors, in co-op- many others,” Al Furjan Markets students had been deprived of eration with the QDB, which is handling all project director Abdul Rahman al- their right to education because construction and administrate work. Suwaidi said. of a blockade imposed on Qatar by some neighbouring countries. Dr Koumbou Boly Barry, special with for Khashoggi rapporteur on the right to education, said she had received petitions to examine the rights violations of the Temperature set to drop Qatari students due to the siege. She was speaking at a seminar hosted by Qatar University and organised by murder: US senator further in coming days the National Committee for Human Rights (NHRC). Page 2 z Sanctions likely in the next few days or weeks, says Graham old weather continues around it will be partly cloudy at times in off - ARAB WORLD | Confl ict Qatar as the minimum tem- shore areas too, with the sea level rising US says 52 militants Cperature is expected to drop to to 13ft. Agencies US, France and Canada have placed Graham acknowledged that he had 11C in Al Khor and 13C in Doha today, Recently, the Met department had killed in airstrike Ankara/Istanbul sanctions on nearly 20 Saudi nation- been “enthusiastic” in his support of weather charts show. said in a report that a cold spell was ex- United States military forces carried als as the case has tarnished Riyadh’s Prince Mohamed but accepted he had The Met department also tweeted pected in the country due to the eff ect out an airstrike yesterday against Al international reputation. been “wrong”. last night that northwesterly winds of strong northwesterly winds. Shebaab group, killing 52 militants, key US senator yesterday said “We will start sanctioning those in- “What has transpired in the last will continue to be active this week, Accordingly, temperatures saw a no- according to a statement from the Saudi crown prince was re- volved in the killing of Mr Khashoggi. couple of years is unnerving to say the with the weather becoming colder at ticeable drop over the weekend and the US Africa Command. “US Africa Asponsible for Jamal Khashog- We’ll make a defi nitive statement that least,” he said. night and early in the morning. The conditions are likely to continue today Command conducted the airstrike gi’s murder and must be “dealt with”, MbS knew about it and is responsi- Graham said the sanctions were in- temperature is expected to drop below as well. in response to an attack by a large as he threatened new sanctions. ble for it and come up with a series of tended to send the message that the 8C in the southern and remote parts of Today, the minimum temperature group of Al Shebaab militants Republican Lindsey Graham, an sanctions,” the South Carolina law- murder was “not what you do if you’re the country. is expected to be 11C in Al Khor (down against Somali National Army infl uential ally of President Don- maker said. an ally of the United States”. Today’s forecast also says strong from 14C yesterday), 12C in Wakrah Forces. We currently assess this ald Trump, has previously said that Turkey says Khashoggi was killed by Bloomberg adds: Mohamed bin winds are expected in some places at (15C yesterday), 12C in Mesaieed (14C airstrike killed 52 militants,” read the Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman a team of 15 Saudis who strangled him Salman has shown “a level of instabil- times. Off shore areas are also likely to yesterday), 12C in Abu Samra (14C yes- statement. (MbS) was complicit in the grisly kill- during a visit to the Saudi consulate in ity that is chilling,” and US lawmak- experience similar windy conditions terday), 13C in Doha (16C yesterday), ing of Washington Post contributor Istanbul on October 2 to obtain paper- ers will take action against the crown today along with high seas. 15C in Dukhan (16C yesterday) and 16C AMERICAS | Toll Khashoggi in October. work ahead of his upcoming marriage. prince for his role in the murder of Northwesterly winds will blow at in Ruwais (17C yesterday). “I have concluded that the rela- The remains of the insider-turned Khashoggi, Graham said. a speed of 8-18 knots inshore, going The maximum temperature, on the Mexico fuel pipeline tionship between Saudi Arabia and critic of the kingdom have yet to be Sanctions are forthcoming, likely up to 22 knots occasionally. Offshore, other hand, will be around the same explosion kills 66 the United States cannot move for- found, three months after his murder. in the next few days or weeks, the Re- the wind speed (northwesterly) will levels as yesterday – 20C in Doha, At least 66 people were killed after ward until MbS has been dealt with,” Riyadh has denied any claims of the publican senator said in an interview be 15-25 knots, reaching a high of 35 Wakrah, Mesaieed and Al Khor, 18C a pipeline ruptured by suspected Graham said, using the initials for the crown prince’s involvement but the yesterday in Ankara, without provid- knots. in Ruwais and 17C in Abu Samra and fuel thieves exploded in central crown prince. case has caused strains with Wash- ing any specifi c details on the penal- It will be relatively cold during the Dukhan. Mexico, authorities said yesterday, Graham also threatened new sanc- ington. ties that may be imposed. day and some clouds and slight dust are Turayna was the coldest place in as President Andres Manuel Lopez tions against those suspected of in- Earlier this month the trial of 11 ac- “Congress will send a very clear also expected in certain inshore areas. the country yesterday at 13C, while Obrador defended the army despite volvement in the murder during a cused opened in Saudi Arabia with the signal to the world and Saudi Arabia Cold conditions will prevail at night, the lowest maximum temperature was its failure to clear the site before the press conference in Ankara. attorney general seeking the death that we would not be doing business too. recorded in Abu Samra and Dukhan at blast. Page 12 Western countries including the penalty for fi ve defendants. as usual.” To Page 6 Meanwhile, the weather report says 17C each. QFC posts ‘remarkable growth’; fi rms registered touch 605

he Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Qatar, the US, Canada, the UK, France, B-Hive, a European collaborative inno- cluding Georgia, France, Spain, the UK, the QFC’s unique off erings,” QFC Au- has achieved a “remarkable Switzerland, Italy, Jordan, India, Paki- vation fi ntech platform to develop the Ghana, South Africa, Malaysia, Paki- thority CEO Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida T31% growth” in 2018, with the stan and others, QFC said. fi ntech industry in Qatar. In line with stan, China, Mexico and the US. said. number of fi rms registered on its plat- Its growth is also refl ected in the its mandate to support Qatar’s eco- Last year also saw the QFC being “Thanks to our proactive approach to form reaching 605 in December 2018 number of “milestone MoUs,” events, nomic diversifi cation eff orts, the QFC recognised as an eff ective netting re- engaging with key international mar- compared to 461 at the beginning of the and international engagements that signed a key MoU with the Ministry of gime by the International Swaps and kets around the world and facilitating year. took place in 2018. The QFC signed Transport and Communications to de- Derivatives Association (Isda), which partnerships with important local and The QFC said this is well past the fi ve landmark memorandums of un- velop the digital industry. will allow fi nancial institutions in the global stakeholders, we are continuing 50% mark of its goal of registering derstanding in 2018 with key local and As part of the its proactive approach QFC and in Qatar, through the QFC, to to see increased interest from these re- 1,000 fi rms by 2022 and includes busi- international stakeholders to develop to fulfi lling its core mandate of attract- confi dently manage their risk exposure. gions across a variety of sectors.” nesses in a variety of industries ranging various sectors of the economy, most ing FDI to Qatar, the QFC organised a “Last year has proven to be yet an- He added: “I am confi dent that the from investment management, insur- notably with the Aspire Zone Founda- number of international roadshows and other period of extraordinary growth QFC’s growth will continue in 2019 and ance, consultancy and investment ad- tion to establish ‘Qatar’s Sports Busi- events in key markets including Spain, for the Qatar Financial Centre. We are beyond. We are currently gearing up for visory, as well as holding companies, ness District’ (QSBD), a new national France, Indonesia and China. proud to welcome over 605 fi rms to our our next phase of growth, which will special purpose companies, and pro- project which aims to create a premier The QFC also participated in a platform, which include major interna- see the QFC supporting some of Qatar’s fessional services fi rms. sports business cluster in Qatar and the number of globally-recognised events tional corporations, as well as excep- leading industries to further diversify The new fi rms originate from a di- Middle East. and welcomed numerous high-profi le tional local businesses. This is evidence its economy and attract foreign direct QFC Authority CEO Yousuf Mohamed verse number of countries, including The QFC also signed an MoU with delegations from around the world, in- of the versatility and attractiveness of investment.” al-Jaida Gulf Times 2 Sunday, January 20, 2019 QATAR Top UN offi cial examining violation of Qatari students’ rights by siege countries

QNA Doha

he United Nations Special Rapporteur Ton the right to edu- cation, Dr Koumbou Boly Barry, said yesterday that she was examining the vio- lations of the rights of hun- dreds of Qatari students who had been deprived of their education because of the blockade imposed on Qatar. On June 5, 2017, Bahrain, The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Dr Koumbou Boly Barry, Saudi Arabia, the United taking part in a seminar hosted by Qatar University and organised by the National Arab Emirates and Egypt cut Committee for Human Rights in Doha. off diplomatic ties with Qa- tar and imposed an unjust students were forced to dis- Dr Koumbou said all She also highlighted other blockade on the country. continue their education in countries, except one, have success stories in countries When the siege countries United Arab Emirates (130 signed the International such as Burkina Faso, Niger cut ties with Qatar and im- students), Saudi Arabia (55 Covenant on Civil, Econom- and Cote d’Ivoire, which in posed air, land and sea block- students) and Bahrain (28 ic and Social Rights, adding one decade have achieved ade on Qatar, they also asked students), as well 706 stu- that this mechanism, ratifi ed what they couldn’t in 60 Qatari citizens, including dents were forced by their 70 years ago, promotes the years, making clear progress students, in their countries countries to discontinue freedoms and dignity of the in gender equality in educa- and their citizens in Qatar to their education in Qatar people of the world. tion, helping families edu- leave within 14 days. University. She added that her du- cate their children, and peo- Addressing a seminar The Committee has re- ties involve asking countries ple with special needs. hosted by Qatar University ceived complaints from that ratifi ed the covenant The United Nations High and organised by the Na- students aff ected by deci- why they have not honoured Commissioner for Human tional Committee for Human sions of the siege countries, its commitments. Rights’ Karim Khazrawi Rights (NHRC) on the role of as these countries banned She highlighted the ex- praised the commitment of UN rapporteurs in protecting universities and educational istence of about 1bn people Qatar to enhancing human human rights, Dr Koumbou institutions to deal with de- across the world who are rights and co-ordinating Boly Barry noted that dur- ported Qatari students who deprived off their right to with the designated bodies ing her visit to Doha she had were not even refunded the education, and in this con- in that regard. met with those aff ected by money they paid to these text, she stressed Qatar’s He added that Qatar had the blockade, adding that she universities. commitment to the provi- responded to the recom- had examined the violations Universities in UAE, Saudi sion of basic education, mendations made regarding of the right to education, Arabia and Bahrain refused where all children of school expatriate workers, noting which aff ected hundreds of to provide these students age get their right to basic that very positive results are students who have been de- with admission certifi cates, education in this country. coming out of that – with prived of that right. and those students who had She commended Qatar the cancellation of the kafala A 2017 report by Qatar’s graduated could not receive for focusing on the devel- system and the exit permits. National Human Rights their graduation certifi - opment of the education The seminar was moder- Committee has revealed cates, the Committee’s re- sector and promoting it to ated by member of NHRC Dr that as many as 213 Qatari port revealed. global standards. Mohamed Said al-Kuwari. Gulf Times Sunday, January 20, 2019 3 QATAR Qatar participates in Berlin event Women’s empowerment in focus at Katara conference

hallenges facing Arab opportunity for experts and re- the impact of internal and for- and social work and on the pro- women in the work sector searches – through the confer- eign politics in the Arab world fessional level, especially in the Cwill be the central theme ence – to discuss issues related on the nature of women’s work, light of rapid and wide-ranging of the fi rst annual conference of to Arab women and exchange women’s role in society and the technological advancement. the Qatari Women’s Pen Forum views and ideas for strengthen- role of laws and ideologies in It will hear from Dr Hayat al- (Multaqa Qalam al Mar’athil Qa- ing the role of Qatari and Arab the work sector with relation to Omari, Dr Nouria al-Iwadi and tariyya), to be held on March 8 women in various fi elds. women. It will have Dr Yousuf Mansour Ahmed al-Saadi. Sa- this year to coincide with Inter- He added that that the con- Mohamed Obaidan, Dr Hassa mia Hassan Ahmed will preside national Women’s Day. ference would discuss diff erent al-Sulaiti, Dr Hassan Abdul over the session. The forum was set up in October topics concerning Qatari and Raheem al-Sayed and Sheikha Dr al-Sulaiti will attend the last year under Katara – the Cul- Arab women and come up with Hassa Khalifa al-Thani as the opening session, along with tural Village to bring together Qa- proposals to enable their in- speakers. Dr Ibrahim al-Nuaimi Aisha al-Mannai, chairperson tari women scholars, writers and creased participation in social will chair the session. of the forum, and Dr Faiza al- intellectuals and pool their talents, and economic life. The second session will try Khurafi as the guest of honour. knowledge and experience. to identify the characteristics There will be an exhibition Academics and researchers Qatar “is among the diff erentiating the Arab society on the sidelines of the confer- from Qatar and across the Arab leading nations in women’s from other societies and the so- ence featuring the achievements world will attend the fi rst annual empowerment, helping cial and economic factors infl u- and contributions of pioneering conference of the forum. them play an ideal role in encing women’s work and em- Qatari women in various fi elds, The conference aims to high- society and civilisation” ployment in the region. It will especially women who entered light the role of women in public have a panel of speakers, includ- the job sector at an early age and Qatar participated in the life and identify the challenges Dr al-Sulaiti stressed that ing Dr Johaina Sultan al-Eisa, served as teachers, nurses, doc- Global Forum for Food and they face in the job sector. It will Qatar “is among the leading na- Dr Adila Mohamed al-Tayeb, Dr tors and even as ministers. Agriculture, which took place also explore new horizons for tions in women’s empowerment, Khulsum Ali al-Ghanim and Dr The forum had earlier an- in Berlin (Germany) from empowerment of Arab women, helping them play an ideal role in Sharifa Khalfan. Dr Hayat Khar- nounced plans to set up a data- January 17 until yesterday, Katara has said in a statement. society and civilisation”. mazi will chair the session. bank to document the achieve- as part of the International Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Su- The conference will be divided The third session will explore ments of Qatari women in order Green Week (IGW). HE the laiti, general manager of Katara, into three sessions. new horizons for women em- to preserve them for the future Minister of Municipality and said they strive to provide an The fi rst session will focus on powerment in terms of public generations. Environment Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie headed the Qatari delegation and opened the Qatar pavilion at IGW. He also met with German Chancellor First lunar eclipse of 2019 to occur tomorrow Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the forum and discussed ways to bolster he fi rst lunar eclipse of the year will com. Central and eastern Africa and Asia – bilateral relations in the occur at dawn tomorrow, Qatar Calen- including the Middle East region – will see a field of food and agriculture. Tdar House (QCH) has said, and people partial eclipse of the moon. He also held talks with his in Qatar will have the opportunity to witness In Qatar, the penumbral phase will be vis- counterparts from diff erent the penumbral phase only. ible, Dr Marzouk notes. countries. HE al-Subaie The celestial phenomenon assumes sig- The eclipse will start at dawn tomorrow, attended a ministerial nifi cance as this will be the last total lunar with the penumbral phase beginning in the meeting as part of the forum, eclipse until May 26, 2021. Qatar sky at 5.37am. which focused on finding The moon will be at the nearest point in its The partial phase will start at 6.35am and solutions to issues related to orbit around the earth (perigee), and the dis- and total phase at 7.43am. The total eclipse the future of the global food tance to the moon will be 357,715km from the will peak at 8.13am, and this phase will end and agricultural industry. earth’s centre, according to a statement from Lunar eclipse at 8.44am. The partial phase will then end at IGW Berlin continues until QCH. 9.51am and the penumbral phase at 10.48am, January 27. The moon will appear larger and brighter last “blood moon” eclipse of the decade. according to QCH. than a normal full moon, QCH astronomy The total phase of the eclipse will be visible The last total eclipse of the moon occurred expert Dr Beshir Marzouk has explained. from North and South America, Europe and on July 27, 2018, and was visible across Africa The phenomenon is being touted as the western Africa, according to timeanddate. and parts of Asia. Gulf Times 4 Sunday, January 20, 2019 QATAR

Conference of Senates, Advisory Councils concludes

The Association of Senates and Advisory Union and its accompanying meetings April Councils in Africa and the Arab world 6-10, 2019. yesterday concluded its conference in Rabat, The participants expressed their satisfaction Morocco, with HE the Speaker of the Advisory regarding the implementation of the HMC dietetics co-ordinators Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al- association’s programme, adopted in Mahmoud participating as the head of Qatar’s Morocco back in September 20-21 of 2017. delegation. They also expressed satisfaction with the The conference issued a communique, association’s success of extending co- welcoming the State of Qatar’s hosting of the operation ties with regional and international attend guidelines’ workshop 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary parliamentary bodies. amad Medical Cor- such as cardiovascular dis- poration’s (HMC) ease, diabetes, obesity, and HCorporate Depart- cancer. ment of Dietetics and Nu- “These guidelines are trition organised recently a designed for all members workshop on the Qatar Di- of the adult community etary Guidelines for clinical between the ages of 18 and dietetics co-ordinators and 64 years. The document food service supervisors. provides adult members of More than 60 specialists the community with rec- from HMC attended the ommendations on healthy workshop held at Bayt Al eating and physical activ- Dhiyafah. ity. The Qatar Dietary “It is worth noting that Guidelines were introduced these guidelines are tar- by the Ministry of Pub- geted at healthy adults lic Health (MoPH) in 2015 without any underlining as a fundamental building medical conditions. Those block that supports and requiring special diets or fosters healthy lifestyle be- who have a medical condi- haviours. tion may need to meet with They aim to assist the a dietitian or other health The workshop in progress. public in choosing foods professional for more guid- that will help them stay ance,” said al-Saadi. healthy, maintain a healthy Al-Saadi noted the im- weight, and reduce disease. portance of eating a diet The guidelines include rich in plant-based foods recommendations about such as vegetables, fruits, the type and quantity of grains, legumes, nuts and food to eat and off ers ad- seeds. vice about which foods and She said that many re- beverages should be lim- search studies support ited, such as salt, sugar, and eating a whole food, plant- added fats and oils. based diet as a strategy They also contain infor- to prevent cardiovascular mation on safe food han- disease, diabetes, and some dling and preparation. cancers. Reem al-Saadi, direc- While meat and fi sh con- tor of the Department of tribute to a healthy diet, she Dietetics and Nutrition said moderation is key and at HMC, said the work- she noted the importance shop was organised as part of making healthy choices of the completion of the such as selecting whole work plan to implement the wheat bread and grains in guidelines across a variety place of white bread, white of sectors in the country, rice, and pasta made from including the health sector. white fl our. She said one of the main Since 2015, the MoPH objectives of the workshop has held a number of train- was to emphasise the link ing workshops for nutrition between proper nutrition specialists from various and the prevention and hospitals in the country, treatment of chronic non- including a Train the Train- communicable diseases, er programme.

Gulf Times 6 Sunday, January 20, 2019 QATAR

WCM-Q event explores impact of gut-brain axis on health

symposium at Weill Cor- be a causal factor in a variety of nell Medicine-Qatar conditions, including ulcerative A(WCM-Q) explored the colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, impact on health of the com- Crohn’s disease, diabetes, obes- plex interactions between the ity, Parkinson’s disease and many nervous system, the gut and the other neurodegenerative diseases microbiota – the micro-organ- and neuropsychiatric disorders. isms living in the gut. As the conduit for many of The activity, directed by Dr these interactions, the vagus Ghizlane Bendriss, visiting lec- nerve is a logical target for re- turer in biology, focused in par- searchers. ticular on the vagus nerve and its Dr Bendriss said, “This sym- role as a mediator of microbiota- posium aims to provide an up- gut-brain communication. date on one of the key routes that As the longest cranial nerves allows the bidirectional com- in the human body, the two munication between the gut and vagus nerves run from the brain- the brain: the vagus nerve. This stem, through the neck and into is a very exciting area of research the abdomen, connecting the that holds a lot of potential for brain with many disparate or- enhanced understanding of gans, muscles and structures, chronic infl ammatory diseases including the colon. and other conditions that we A growing body of research hope will lead to improved or Participants in the WCM-Q symposium learnt about the latest research on the impact of the gut-brain axis on health. suggests that the complex in- novel treatments and preventa- teractions between the micro- tive measures.” microbiota and the main mech- and infl ammatory processes. ed concrete studies that illustrate examples that could benefi t from at the event, which had the full biota, the gut and the brain are The workshop heard a pres- anisms involved in the gut- Dr Mehdi Djelloul, a postdoc- the role of the vagus nerve under modulating the gut-brain-axis. title, ‘The vagus nerve as a key important determinants of hu- entation by Dr Riham Shadid, brain axis and explained the role toral researcher, described the infl ammatory conditions and There were also question- mediator of the microbiota- man health, and that an imbal- a diabetes educator and health of antibiotics, probiotics and anatomical connection between how the microbiota is involved in answer sessions to allow partici- gut-brain axis: from research to ance in the gut microbiota could coach, who defi ned the gut lifestyle on microbiota diversity the gut and the brain and present- this process, while giving clinical pants to discuss the topics raised clinical implications’.

Ministry in sand clean-up drive

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), represented by the General Cleanliness Department, removed large quantities of sand that had accumulated on roads in Qatar following last Thursday’s dust storm. The clean-up was conducted in co-ordination with security patrols.

MbS has to be dealt with for Khashoggi murder: US senator

From Page 1 to maintain ties with the kingdom, which has been “Congress will send a an important US ally in the very clear signal to the Middle East. The senator in world and Saudi Arabia that October slammed MbS as a we would not be doing busi- “wrecking ball” and “toxic” ness as usual.” fi gure who, he said, was di- “We have to deal with bad rectly responsible for the people, but we don’t have to murder of Khashoggi. The have special relationships infl uential Republican said with bad people,” Gra- at the time that he’d sup- ham told Bloomberg News. port eff orts to “sanction the “There’s strong bipartisan hell out of Saudi Arabia”. support not only to con- “This is what we expect demn the actions of Saudi, of rogues, barbarians,” Gra- MbS, but actually do some- ham said in the interview. thing about it.” “To give him a pass would Graham has been an out- be to open up a Pandora’s spoken critic of the crown box in a region already in prince amid Trump’s eff orts turmoil.”

Gulf Times 8 Sunday, January 20, 2019 QATAR

Singer rocks Doha audience Indian singer Arijit Singh enthralled a large audience at Lusail Sports Arena Bedaya to participate yesterday, belting out his much- admired tracks to the delight of music lovers in Qatar. One FM 89.6 brought the in ‘Chocolate, Tea and renowned singer to Doha in association with Shop Qatar, the country’s biggest shopping festival that is part of the Coff ee 2019’ festival Qatar National Tourism Council’s strategy to grow he Bedaya Centre for Entrepreneur- and diversify the ship and Career Development (Bedaya country’s tourism TCentre), a joint initiative by Qatar De- off ering. Shop velopment Bank and Silatech, will take part Qatar has featured in the ‘Chocolate, Tea and Coff ee’ festival to something for be held at Hotel Park (Sheraton) from Janu- everyone, including ary 31 to February 9. fun shows for the Bedaya Centre’s participation in the festival family, makeup aims to introduce to the local market the fi nest and fashion coff ee, tea, and chocolate brands and the latest masterclasses, live products related to this industry. A host of pres- concerts, cultural tigious and specialised companies and a group experiences and of international trainers are also participating more. in the 10-day event to raise awareness and train PICTURES: Nasar T K skills for those interested in this sector. This is the second time that Bedaya is tak- ing part in the festival, marking the culmina- tion of a partnership between the centre and Four & One, the festival’s organiser. Through this partnership, emerging businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their food products related to coff ee, tea and chocolate. This also strengthens the eff orts of Be- daya Centre to support entrepreneurs by showcasing and promoting their products and allowing them to easily reach consum- ers, thereby contributing to the growth and the development of their business. For this year’s edition, Bedaya Centre will be providing start-up prices to businesses and the opportunity for other projects to showcase their products at Dukan Bedaya, which will be also present at the festival. A view of the previous edition of ‘Chocolate, Tea and Coff ee’ festival. Bedaya Centre will off er 12 slots, either stands or free space, for startup businesses able partnership with Bedaya Centre and his goods or participate with their own projects in an area dedicated for the centre, includ- continuous support for local startups. This to demonstrate their production and mar- ing the opportunity for 20 other startups to partnership has helped entrepreneurs show- keting capabilities. showcase their products at Dukan Bedaya. case their products and participate with their “The festival will provide them with Bedaya Centre general manager Reem al- projects in all events organised by them.” promising opportunities, especially after Sowaidi said: “We would like to thank Four She added: “The festival provides an op- the great success achieved by the festival last & One general manager Fernando De Gua- portunity for entrepreneurs interested in year, as well as an atmosphere that combines ma, organisers of the festival, for the valu- this fi eld to showcase and promote their family fun and business.” Gulf Times Sunday, January 20, 2019 9 QATAR

MME issues 25 building demolition decisions

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) issued 29 decisions for the demolition and maintenance of buildings in the last three months of 2018. Of these, 25 decisions were for demolition and four for maintenance, the MME said in a state- ment. A monthly breakdown shows 12 decisions were issued in October, nine in November and eight in December. The decisions were issued by the Building Demolition and Maintenance Commit- tee at the ministry. The committee also received 22 applications for demolition from municipalities during this period. The committee has received 610 applications for demolition and 98 for main- tenance till date, with 541 decisions being issued until now. It was established in accordance with Ar- ticle 4 of Law No. 29 of 2006 regarding the control of buildings, and pursuant to Ministerial Decision No. 88 of 2006, amended by Ministerial Decision No. 289 of 2017. CMU-Q, GBI sign MoU to promote scientifi c research

ulf Bridge Interna- development complements tional (GBI), one of our company’s vision for the Gthe region’s lead- future.” ing cloud, connectivity and CMU-Q delivers select content enablers, and Carn- programmes that contrib- egie Mellon University in ute to the long-term devel- Qatar (CMU-Q) have signed opment of Qatar. Approxi- a memorandum of under- mately 400 students from standing (MoU) for promot- 38 countries study at CMU- ing scientifi c research and Q in the areas of biological the exchange of professional sciences, business admin- expertise. istration, computational The agreement outlines biology, computer science, how GBI and CMU-Q will CMU-Q and GBI off icials shake hands after signing an MoU. and information systems. bolster co-operation in sci- “While there are many entifi c research. The organ- vited to engage in the com- in Qatar. Going forward, ways that co-operation be- isations will promote joint pany’s corporate social this partnership will en- tween GBI and CMU-Q will research activities and stra- responsibility activities in able students to experience be benefi cial, to me the most tegic studies in the fi elds of Qatar. a dynamic business setting, signifi cant outcome will be computer science, business Abdulla al-Rwaili, execu- while we can utilise the ex- the experience our students administration and infor- tive director and managing pertise of CMU-Q faculty to will gain in the workplace. mation systems in an eff ort director of GBI, signed the add value to the knowledge This is a fast-moving eco- to build national capac- agreement on behalf of the and skills of our employees. nomic landscape, and as our ity and contribute to Qatar’s company. He said, “From a Today’s agreement marks students spend more time long-term development and corporate standpoint, GBI the beginning of a long in diverse workplaces, the growth. looks towards educational and productive relation- more they learn to adapt Additionally, GBI will of- institutions such as CMU- ship with a key academic and make valuable con- fer internships for CMU-Q Q to aid in our directive to stakeholder whose proven tributions,” CMU-Q dean students, who will be in- strengthen human capital dedication in research and Michael Trick said. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, January 20, 2019 QATAR GU-Q to host forum on palliative care xperts in the fi elds of said GU-Q dean Dr Ahmad Dal- fessor of Islamic Studies at palliative care in Islamic coun- medicine, biological eth- lal. “Palliative care aff ects all Notre Dame University, Ebra- tries. Moosa’s interpretive and Eics, and religion will con- of humanity, and in line with him Moosa, and director of the historical research on questions verge in Doha on January 22 and Georgetown University’s values Pellegrino Centre for Clinical of tradition, ethics and law in- 23 for a conference on ‘Muslim we are pleased to demonstrate Bioethics at Georgetown Uni- cludes two monographs as well and Christian Perspectives on our commitment by facilitating versity Medical School, G Kevin as several edited and co-edited Palliative Care and End of Life’. a constructive interfaith dia- Donovan. books. He has published in- The conference to be held at logue and partnering with the Afdhal will summarise the fl uential essays on Islamic law, Georgetown University in Qa- Pontifi cal Academy for Life for outcomes on palliative care theology as well as contempo- tar (GU-Q) campus, is jointly this important conference.” and the status and guidelines rary Muslim ethics and political organised by the Vatican’s Pon- Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, for palliative care in Qatar and thought. tifi cal Academy for Life and president of the Pontifi cal the region based on the most The keynote addresses will GU-Q with the aim of initiating Academy for Life, explained, recent WISH conference. Afd- be culminated by Donovan, a multidisciplinary exchange “The palliative care commu- hal has spent her career forg- who will draw on his more than on the issues surrounding the nity recognises the important ing partnerships in support of 30 year experience as a clini- treatment of patients facing life role of religion, given religion’s innovative initiatives, fi rst for cian ethicist from the Chris- threatening illness and death, ability to reach the peripher- the Doha International Fam- tian tradition to refl ect on the with a particular focus on op- ies of humanity, those who in ily Institute and later on as theme of palliative care. Prior Off icials from Mohammed Hamad Almana Group and Focus Brands attended the opening ceremony. portunities and barriers to care each community are the most in the Community and Outreach to his role as director of the in the region. need. Religions are not just one Manager of WISH. She is also Pellegrino Centre for Clini- “One of the main goals of our means for increasing the avail- the co-chair of Nursing Now cal Bioethics, Donovan was the substantive research on bioeth- ability of palliative care, they Qatar, and sits on the steering founding director of the Okla- ics and Islam is to contribute are themselves the true force of committee of the World Health homa Bioethics Centre at the to the global body of knowl- palliative care.” Organisation’s ‘State of the University of Oklahoma College First branch of Cinnabon edge on these issues as well as The keynote speakers for World Nursing’ report. of Medicine. He is listed among to facilitate dialogue among the event include the chief ex- The second keynote speaker, the top doctors in America and researchers and scholars from ecutive offi cer of the World In- Moosa, will speak on Muslim was awarded the Humanism in diff erent academic, intellectual novation Summit for Health perspectives on the theoretical Medicine award from the Gold Qatar opens in Doha and religious backgrounds,” (WISH), Sultana Afdhal, pro- and methodological challenge of Foundation.

Mohammed Hamad Almana the renowned cinnamon rolls step will take us forward to- Group ties up with global firm and American coff ee. wards building a solid, trustful The opening ceremony of the relationship with international ohammed Hamad fi rst branch of Cinnabon Qatar brands in the Qatari market and Almana Group has was held recently at Al Mana Pla- contribute to the advancement QRCS procures cystoscopes Mopened the fi rst branch za, located in the Bin Mahmoud of the local economy after Qa- of Cinnabon Qatar. area, in the presence of repre- tar has clearly proved its ability This came after the group signed sentatives of Mohammed Hamad to establish a strong, stable and a partnership agreement with Fo- Almana Group and Focus Brands invincible economy.” cus Brands – a leading global com- in addition to a number of guests Cinnabon Qatar brand man- for Alouda Hospital in Gaza pany in the food and beverages and bloggers specialising in the ager Rabia Tabet added, “We industry. Under the agreement, fi eld of restaurants & cafés. have made a very valuable in- the Group has obtained the exclu- The venue was fi lled with a vestment to make sure that we atar Red Crescent So- enhance cystoscopy services in laser lithotripsy, QRCS has said a signifi cant contribution sive rights of both representation number of fans of Cinnabon and provide our valued customers ciety (QRCS) has pro- the blockade. in a statement. to urology services in Gaza and operation of seven American- the famous rolls. with the best-quality service to Qcured two cystoscopes At a total cost of $435,000, Dr Akram Nassar, head hospitals. It will help treat owned brands in Qatar. During the ceremony, Mo- cater to all their tastes. We also for Alouda Hospital in north- the new equipment will be used of the QRCS mission in the large number of uro- The brands have more than hammed Hamad Almana Group understand the importance of ern Gaza, under its project to in cystoscopic urography and Gaza, said: “This project is logic patients, who suff er 5,000 branches spread across business development manager providing our guests with the from health problems due to some 54 countries worldwide. Abdulrahman Hamad al-Mana right ambiance through a mod- the high salinity of drinking Cinnabon, Carvel and Seat- said: “This partnership with Fo- ern and stylish design. Our ul- water in Gaza.” tle Best Coff ee will be the fi rst cus Brands is part of a strategic timate goal is to create a unique Also, the project will address brands to be launched in Qatar vision that intends to develop experience that makes every the issue of having to refer the as part of a three-year plan to the Group’s business in this vi- café visitor a constant friend of patients for treatment abroad. open a chain of shops, off ering tal sector. We hope this positive Cinnabon Qatar.” Regarding the importance of these supplies, Dr Ahmed Me- hana, director of the hospital, explained that the new equip- ment would serve the 380,000 population of the North Gaza Governorate. The high-tech equipment will remove urinary tract stones with no need for surgi- cal intervention, causing no medical complications at all. “Now, Alouda Hospital has a whole package of surgical and endoscopic urology services,” he added. The Gaza Cystoscopy Serv- ices Enhancement project covers three health facilities: Alouda Hospital, Patient’s Friends Society Clinic and Hayfa Medical Centre. Its purpose is to improve the quality of urology serv- ices off ered at hospitals of the Ministry of Health and public The machines will be used in cystoscopic urography and laser lithotripsy at Alouda Hospital. hospitals, the statement notes. The Cinnabon Qatar store at Al Mana Plaza. Ooredoo VIP programme names gold bar winner in Myanmar

he Ooredoo VIP cus- The brand-new Oore- tomer loyalty pro- doo VIP programme was Tgramme in Myanmar launched on My Ooredoo has announced the grand App on October 31, 2018, for prize winner of a 61tical Ooredoo’s loyal customer (1kg) gold bar. as an appreciation for their The reward was part of loyalty. Ooredoo VIP cus- the lucky draw programme, tomers would get a ticket for exclusively available for every 50 points earned to get Ooredoo VIP customers chance to participate in the who enrolled in the VIP lucky draw programme. Not programme from October to only can customers redeem December last year. their points for rewards and Ko Thet Han Oo from discounts, but could also Kyaukse Township, Man- participate in a fun game dalay Region, became the called ‘Spin the Wheel’ to winner of the 61tical (1kg) win prizes, including iPhone gold bar. He has been a loyal X, 50GB data and more. The Ooredoo customer since more the points they accu- August 2017. A team from mulate, the more chances Ooredoo Myanmar went they will get to win the priz- to his hometown, Kyaukse es. This 61tical (1kg) gold Township, to hand over bar is the grand prize of the the reward by organising programme. a surprise red-carpet cer- Alok Verma, chief com- emony that included the mercial offi cer of Oore- Kyaukse region’s traditional doo Myanmar, said: “We The Ooredoo VIP programme winner and family with Ooredoo off icials. elephant dance. are happy to off er all our In addition to this mega customers a chance to be grammes, including more can enjoy discounts at our This Ooredoo VIP pro- reward, there are already a VIP with Ooredoo. We mega rewards like the 61ti- 100+ partners nationwide gramme is a free subscrip- 31 iPhone X winners who plan to continue to provide cal gold bar as part of our on food, shopping and en- tion and customers can played ‘Spin the Wheel’ in our customers with the customer appreciation and tertainment, and stand a access Ooredoo VIP by the VIP programme, from best digital solutions and rewards programmes. With chance to win big rewards clicking on VIP Rewards tab all around the country. exciting value-added pro- Ooredoo VIP, customers and play fun games.” on My Ooredoo App. Gulf Times Sunday, January 20, 2019 11 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Iranian TV Muscat festival anchor’s arrest confi rmed

Reuters Washington

n American-born Iranian television anchor has Abeen arrested as a mate- rial witness in an undisclosed US federal investigation, according to a federal court order granted yesterday. At the request of the Justice Department, US District Judge Beryl Howell issued the order, the fi rst offi cial US confi rma- tion of reports of the arrest of Marzieh Hashemi, an anchor for Iran’s English-language Press TV news channel. The order, which approved the partial unsealing of information Omani men perform a traditional dance with tambourines during the 21st edition of the Muscat festival in the capital, yesterday. in the case, said Hashemi was arrested on a material witness warrant issued by a federal judge and that she was assigned an attorney but “has not been ac- cused of any crime.” Hashemi has made two court appearances, and the US govern- ment expects her immediate re- Syria opposition chief says lease after she fi nishes testifying before a federal grand jury inves- tigating violations of US crimi- nal law, the order continued. It did not disclose further de- peace eff orts ‘paralysed’ tails of the case, which has added to tensions between the Iranian AFP Nasr al-Hariri on Friday in Riya- and US governments over the US Riyadh dh, where the Syrian lives in exile, Senator wants US to slow troop withdrawal withdrawal from the Iran nuclear after holding talks with regime deal, the reimposition of harsh representatives in Damascus. US Senator Lindsey Graham said yesterday he hoped President Donald US sanctions, and the detention yria’s opposition chief yes- “Pedersen is the fourth emis- Trump would slow the US withdrawal from Syria until Islamic State is of Iranian-American dual na- terday said peace eff orts sary and was preceded by other destroyed, warning that, if not thought through, the pullout can create tionals by Iran. Swere “paralysed” amid a respected envoys,” Hariri said. an “Iraq on steroids”. Iran has called for the imme- lack of will from key international “The absence of international Speaking in Ankara, Graham also said he believed US Chief of Staff diate release of Hashemi, who powers, after meeting the latest will to push towards a political Joseph Dunford was working on a plan with Turkey to move Kurdish state-run Press TV said was ar- UN envoy tasked with ending the solution has hampered the UN YPG elements away from the Turkish border. Trump announced last rested on Sunday by the FBI at civil war. and its envoys from doing any- month that Islamic State had been defeated in Syria and he would pull St Louis Lambert International Norwegian Geir Pedersen re- thing.” De Mistura ended his US forces out of the country. The decision injected new uncertainty Airport. Press TV on Saturday placed Staff an de Mistura this four-year tenure with an abor- into the eight-year-long Syrian war and spurred a flurry of contacts quoted Hashemi’s son as saying month to become the fourth tive push to form a committee over how a resulting security vacuum will be filled across northern and US offi cials had banned family United Nations negotiator aiming tasked with drawing up a post- eastern Syria where the US forces are stationed. members from speaking to me- to resolve almost eight years of war constitution after seeing re- dia. The television did not give confl ict. The diplomat faces the peated rounds of talks in Geneva further details and the report daunting task of rekindling mori- come to nothing. regime allies Russia and Iran and support the regime are continu- could not be immediately con- bund peace talks and succeed- During his time he saw the opposition supporter Turkey ing to obstruct the formation of fi rmed. ing where his three predecessors UN-led efforts overshadowed by in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana. the (constitutional) committee,” Press TV quoted Hashemi’s failed. He met opposition leader separate negotiations backed by “Some parties from Astana who Hariri said. daughter as saying the anchor had been given “a hijab and food to get by” after it had earlier said CONFLICT prison offi cials had taken a pho- Four Palestinians injured in clash with troops tograph of her without her hijab and had not provided halal food. Sudan protesters plan Four Palestinians were injured during an Israeli incursion into Al-Ain Street in Silwan Press TV said Hashemi was town in occupied Jerusalem yesterday, QNA reported from Occupied Jerusalem.. due to appear before a grand jury Silwan-based Wadi Hilweh Information Center reported an altercation between a on Jan 23. march on parliament group of settlers and young Palestinians who were sitting on Al-Ain Street in the town. The Occupation Forces then stormed the area and fired sound bombs and rubber bullets at the young people there, wounding four of them. The centre added PROBE AFP sionals Association, an that the Israeli occupation forces arrested a young man in Al-Ain neighbourhood Kenya police Khartoum umbrella group of trade un- south of Al-Aqsa Mosque during the incursion and took him to a detention centre in ions, in a statement called Occupied Jerusalem. The Israeli occupation forces also detained a child during the arrest wife, father for a march on parliament operations and beat him before he was released. On January 6, the Israeli occupa- of suicide bomber group that is spear- today to submit to lawmak- tion authorities arrested two young Palestinians in the town of Silwan, south of the heading anti-gov- ers a memorandum calling Al-Aqsa Mosque, and turned them over to a police station for investigation. Kenyan police have arrested the A ernment protests for Bashir to step aside. wife and father of a man identified across Sudan yesterday said “We are calling for a as the suicide bomber in an attack it plans to launch more na- march to parliament in MARITIME on Nairobi’s Dusit hotel complex tionwide rallies over the Omdurman on Sunday,” Around 117 migrants missing after dinghy sinks that left 21 dead, a police source next few days, including a it said referring to Khar- said yesterday. The attacker, one march on parliament. toum’s twin city where par- Some 117 migrants who left Libya in a rubber dinghy two days ago are unac- of five Al Shebaab militants who Protests have rocked liament is located. counted for, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said yesterday, after stormed the complex on Tuesday, Sudan since December “The protesters will three people were rescued from the vessel after it sank in the Mediterranean. “The was identified as 25-year-old Mahir 19, when the government submit to parliament a three survivors told us they were 120 when they left Garabulli, in Libya, on Thursday Khalid Riziki, who grew up in raised the price of bread, memorandum calling on night. After 10 to 11 hours at sea...(the boat) started sinking and people started Mombasa. “The wife of the suicide and since then have esca- President Bashir to step drowning,” IOM spokesman Flavio Di Giacomo said. He said the people came bomber is now in our custody. lated into rallies against down,” added the associa- mainly from west Africa, adding: “Ten women including a pregnant girl were aboard She will help us understand her President Omar al-Bashir’s tion, which represents the and two children, one of whom was only two months old.” An Italian military plane husband’s last moments and his three-decade rule. unions of doctors, teachers on sea patrol on Friday had first sighted the dinghy sinking in rough waters and movement, his story in latest The Sudanese Profes- and engineers. had thrown two safety rafts into the water before leaving due to a lack of fuel. years and his very last move- ments,” a senior police off icial said on condition of anonymity. “She was arrested in Mombasa and has been brought to Nairobi for further questioning,” he added. His father was also arrested. “In Madagascar’s new president the course of investigation of this nature, close family members of such people are crucial because they hold crucial information,” the source said. The off icial said Riziki pledges battle against graft was identified through mobile phone communication. AFP ate jobs.” The ceremony was Antananarivo attended by President Hage UNREST Geingob of Namibia and Presi- At least eight dent Edgar Lungu of Zambia, as adagascan President well as former French president Somali soldiers Andry Rajoelina used Nicolas Sarkozy. killed in attack Mhis inauguration speech In the run-off vote, Rajoelina yesterday to pledge to fi ght cor- took 55.7% and Ravalomanana At least eight Somali soldiers were ruption in a country where poli- won 44.3%. killed when the Al Shebaab mili- tics and business are widely seen Ravalomanana petitioned the tant group overran their military as beset by graft. Constitutional Court over al- camp on the outskirts of the town Rajoelina regained power in leged voting irregularities but of Kismayo early yesterday, mili- the Indian Ocean by winning a later accepted defeat. tary off icials and local elders said. second-round vote in December The two rivals were banned According to the sources, against Marc Ravalomanana after from running in the 2013 elec- heavily-armed Shebaab militants an election process in which both tion as part of an agreement launched a dawn raid on the sides alleged they were victims of to end recurring crises that military camp, followed by a heavy ballot fraud. have rocked Madagascar since exchange of gunfire which lasted Rajoelina first ruled from Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina takes oath of off ice during his it gained independence from hours. “The terrorists attacked 2009 until 2014 after he was in- inauguration ceremony in Antananarivo, yesterday. France in 1960. Bulogagdud military base using stalled by the army when then Rajoelina, 44, is a former heavy weaponry and explosives. president Ravalomanana was said after being sworn in by nine ency International index. events planner and successful The Somali military and Jubaland ousted following violent pro- constitutional court judges at Rajoelina also pledged to entrepreneur with slick commu- forces resisted the enemy before tests. a sports stadium in the capital boost growth in one of the nication skills. Both candidates later retreating back from the “Nobody will be above the Antananarivo. world’s poorest countries, say- spent lavishly on campaigning, base,” Mohamed Abdikarin, a So- law, we will restore the values Madagascar is ranked 155 of ing: “we will build industries in with promises and handouts dis- mali military off icial said by phone. of the rule of law,” Rajoelina 180 countries on the Transpar- each provincial capital to cre- tributed liberally to voters. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, January 20, 2019 AMERICAS

Mueller disputes report on Trump lawyer testimony Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s off ice has taken the rare step of disputing a news report on Trump targets shutdown his Russia investigation, saying that a BuzzFeed article alleging that US President Donald Trump directed his former lawyer to lie to Congress is “not accurate”. Trump’s lieutenants had already strongly pushed back against the report, which said that the with immigration off er president ordered Michael Cohen to lie about a Russian skyscraper Reuters will extend support for legisla- do not believe it can pass the aide said. “He’s holding more tion that was threatening public Latinos, are protected from de- project they pursued during the Washington tion to protect young undocu- Senate. Third, I am ready to sit people hostage for his wall.” services and the economy. portation under the Deferred 2016 election. mented immigrants, known as down at any time after the gov- The source familiar with the Polls showed Americans in- Action for Childhood Arriv- “BuzzFeed’s description of “Dreamers”, as well as holders ernment is opened and work to speech said Trump does not plan creasingly blaming Trump for als (DACA) programme, which specific statements to the resident Donald Trump of temporary protected status resolve all outstanding issues,” to declare a national emergency the shutdown, the 19th to occur protects certain people who il- Special Counsel’s Off ice, and was due yesterday to pro- (TPS), the source said. Durbin said. along the US-Mexico border, a since the mid-1970s. legally entered the United States characterisation of documents Ppose an immigration deal Pelosi, the top US Democrat, The Democratic-controlled step he threatened to take earlier Most past shutdowns have as children. and testimony obtained by this in a bid to end a 29-day partial in a statement said the off er did House has approved several in his struggle with Congress been brief. It provides about 700,000 off ice, regarding Michael Cohen’s government shutdown, a source not “represent a good-faith ef- bills that would restore funding over the shutdown triggered by Pelosi and other Democrats immigrants with work permits, Congressional testimony are not familiar with his plans said, fort to restore certainty to peo- to shutdown-aff ected federal his wall-funding demand. oppose Trump’s demand for the but no path to citizenship. accurate,” spokesman Peter Carr but House of Representatives ple’s lives”. agencies. Declaring an emergency wall, calling it too expensive, in- Former Democratic president said in a statement. Speaker Nancy Pelosi called She said the president’s off er But Trump opposes the bills would be an attempt by Trump eff ective and immoral. Barack Obama put the DACA in Mueller’s investigation into it “unacceptable” as details was unlikely to gain the votes and McConnell has refused to let to circumvent Congress and its Trump said he has no personal place in 2012 through an execu- Russian interference in the 2016 emerged. needed to pass the House or any of them come to a vote in the power over the federal purse feud with Pelosi. tive order. vote and possible collusion The president has not budged Senate. Senate, which is still controlled strings to pay for his wall. “Whether it’s personal or not, The Trump administration between Trump’s campaign and on his demand that $5.7bn to Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Sen- by Trump’s fellow Republicans. Such a step would likely it’s not personal for me,” Trump announced in September 2017 it Moscow is the subject of frequent fund a US-Mexico border wall ate Democrat, said he could not A Democratic aide said Dem- prompt a swift legal challenge said, adding he was concerned would rescind the DACA, but the articles and even more frequent be part of any bill to fully reopen support such an off er. ocrats were not consulted on the over constitutional powers from about more immigrants moving policy remains in eff ect under a speculation. the government, an ultimatum “First, President Trump and proposal and have previously re- Democrats. north through Mexico toward court order. But it is extremely rare – if not Democrats oppose. Senate majority leader (Mitch) jected similar overtures. As the shutdown passed the the US border. Axios reported that Trump unprecedented – for Mueller’s But Trump is expected to try McConnell must open the gov- “It’s clearly a non-serious four-week mark, making it the “I’m disappointed that Mexi- would throw his support behind off ice to issue such a statement. to pressure Democrats in other ernment today,” Durbin said in a product of negotiations amongst longest in US history, about co is not stopping them,” he said. the BRIDGE Act, which would BuzzFeed’s editor-in chief areas. statement. [White House] staff to try to 800,000 federal workers were “If we had a wall, we wouldn’t provide three years of temporary however said the news In a speech that was set for “Second, I cannot support the clean up messes the president still at home on furlough or have a problem.” legal status and work authorisa- organisation stood by its work. 4pm EST (2100 GMT), Trump proposed off er as reported and created in the fi rst place,” the working without pay, a situa- The Dreamers, mostly young tion for the Dreamers. “We stand by our reporting and the sources who informed it, and we urge the Special Counsel to make clear what he’s disputing,” Ben Smith tweeted. Women rally in hundreds of US cities Trump: Location of next summit Reuters huge focus on the 2020 elec- with Kim chosen Washington tions,” said March On’s Natalie Sanchez, an organiser of the US President Donald Trump 2017 Boston Women’s March said yesterday that the location omen marched in who is also with March Forward has been decided for his next hundreds of US cities Massachusetts, which organised summit with North Korea’s leader Wand overseas yester- yesterday’s march there. Kim Jong-un, around the end of day to mark the second anni- US Senator Kirsten Gilli- February. versary of demonstrations that brand, who launched her bid for “We picked a country,” Trump drew millions of protesters to the 2020 Democratic presiden- told reporters, without giving the streets the day after Repub- tial nomination this week, ad- more details. lican President Donald Trump’s dressed the women’s march in A Vietnamese government inauguration in January 2017. Des Moines, Iowa, the state that source earlier told AFP that Women’s March, a national holds the fi rst nominating con- “logistical preparations” were non-profi t organisation that test and acts as a proving ground under way to host the encounter, evolved from the initial Wash- for White House hopefuls. most likely in the capital Hanoi or ington march, again hosted its She told the crowd that the coastal city of Danang. main event in Washington, with 2017 march was one of the most The White House on Friday hundreds of “sister” marches in infl uential political moments in Participants hold signs during the Women’s March in Washington confirmed that the second other cities. her life. (above) and Los Angeles (right). Trump-Kim meeting would occur March On, a separate grass- “Now is the time to get off next month, following a rare visit roots coalition that also grew the sidelines. Our democracy That it is darkest before the As the political movement to Washington by a senior North from the original march, co-or- only works when people like you light,” Graham said. that grew out of hundreds of Korean general. dinated hundreds of marches in stand up and demands it,” Gilli- Activists say the marches loosely affi liated marches in Vice-Chairman Kim Yong-chol, cities such as Boston, Houston, brand said. were a chance to celebrate the 2017 has grown, divisions have a right-hand man to the North Baltimore, and Denver. Kimberly Graham, 54, an at- gains made in the 2018 elec- emerged. Korean strongman, met Trump at Leaders of both groups said torney in Des Moines, said that tions, which saw more women In some cities, like New York the White House on Friday for an they would use this year’s attending the march there two elected to the US Congress than and Washington, there was more unusually long 90 minutes as the marches to push policy related years ago gave her hope after ever before. than one march or demonstra- countries seek a denuclearisation to raising the minimum wage, Trump’s election left her feeling The newly elected women – tion due to criticism that some accord that could ease decades access to reproductive health- dejected. nearly all Democrats – include Women’s March leaders are of hostility. care and voting rights, among Her excitement from seeing the fi rst Muslim women and anti-Semitic – a charge those Yesterday Trump said a “lot of other issues. so many women and minorities fi rst Native American women leaders sought to dispel in recent progress” has been made on the They are aiming to mobi- win mid-term election races has in Congress, as well as the fi rst interviews and statements. issue. lise women to vote ahead of the inspired her to weigh challeng- black women to represent their Leaders of Women’s March The marches also have been The annual March for Life 2020 elections, when Trump is ing Republican US Senator Joni states in New England. and March On say there is a role criticised as being unwelcom- by anti-abortion campaigners expected to be the Republican Ernst. Many cited Trump’s presi- for everyone and that divisions ing to conservative women, who was held in Washington on Fri- Former cop jailed nominee for president. “It’s given me a lot of hope dency among the reasons they in leadership have not detracted may support Trump’s presiden- day, attended by Vice-President “There is defi nitely huge, that things will turn around. decided to run for offi ce. from the overall movement. cy and oppose abortion rights. Mike Pence. over teen shooting

A former Chicago police off icer was sentenced to 81 months in prison on Friday for fatally shooting a teenager in 2014, an Indigenous people protest for their rights incident that triggered months of protests in the city. Jason Van Dyke, who is white, AFP wearing traditional dress, carry- and awareness of this injustice,” Indigenous communities have fired 16 bullets into 17-year-old Washington ing signs with messages includ- a post on the Indigenous People’s also denounced restrictions on Laquan McDonald, who is black, ing “Justice For Missing Murdered March Facebook page said. their freedom of movement and during the confrontation, which Indigenous Women” and “We Will “I came here for the future gen- boundaries they did not draw. occurred while he was a member undreds of members of Not Be Silenced”. erations of my people. I came here “The border was created by set- of the force. indigenous communities “Currently, many indigenous for environmental injustices that tlers, it’s not something that we The slaying was captured on Hprotested in Washington people are victims of voter sup- are happening on our reservations. recognise. Indigenous people mi- police video that showed the on Friday, denouncing injustices pression, divided families by walls Our waters are being polluted. grate North to South, since we’ve knife-wielding teen walk away they are facing and demanding and borders, an environmental Nothing is being done,” said Malia been here, since the beginning of from off icers when he was shot. that their rights be respected. holocaust, sex and human traf- Simon, a 20-year-old member of time,” said Joey Morales, a mem- In October, a jury had convicted A woman speaks during the Indigenous People’s March on They gathered on Washing- fi cking, and police/military bru- the Navajo tribe, which is located ber of the Pijao people of Colom- Van Dyke of second-degree the National Mall at Washington, DC’s Lincoln Memorial. ton’s snowy National Mall, some tality with little or no resources in four southwestern US states. bia. murder over the killing. Fuel pipeline explosion kills at least 66 in Mexico

Reuters At a news conference with Lopez we’ve reached these extremes ... Tlahuelilpan, Mexico Obrador, Hidalgo State Governor it’s because they were abandoned.” Omar Fayad said 66 people were Backing comments made earlier killed and 76 people injured in by his minister for public security, t least 66 people were killed Friday evening’s explosion, which Lopez Obrador said the army had after a pipeline ruptured by happened as local residents tried been right to avoid a confrontation Asuspected fuel thieves ex- to fi ll buckets and drums with fuel. due to the number of people seek- ploded in Mexico, authorities said Lopez Obrador launched a ing to benefi t from free fuel at the yesterday, as President Andres crackdown on fuel theft on De- pipeline site. Manuel Lopez Obrador defended cember 27 and ordered pipelines to The priority, he said, was to the army despite its failure to clear be closed temporarily to stop ille- eradicate the social problems and the site before the blast. gal taps draining billions of dollars lack of opportunities that had Dozens of burned bodies lay in from the heavily-indebted state oil prompted people to put their lives the charred fi eld where the blast fi rm Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex). at risk to get at the fuel – a few li- occurred on Friday evening by the Video on social media of people tres of which are worth more than An aerial view of the scene yesterday, where a massive blaze triggered town of Tlahuelilpan in the central fi lling buckets from the pipeline the daily minimum wage in Mexi- by a leaking pipeline took place the night before, in Tlahuelilpan, Hidalgo state of Hidalgo, in what was one of during daylight hours in the pres- co. state, Mexico. the worst incidents to hit Mexico’s ence of the armed forces. Relatives of victims stood hud- troubled oil infrastructure in years. But Lopez Obrador, who vowed dled together, some of them cry- zada, 35, was looking for his miss- wouldn’t let us. His friends con- Forensic experts inspected and to continue the crackdown on fuel ing, after the massive blast. ing brother, 34-year-old Jesus fi rmed that he was around here.” photographed the remains while theft, defended the army against Much of the rush to siphon off Manuel, yesterday morning. Mexico’s top federal prosecutor soldiers and other military person- questions about why soldiers failed fuel and the chaos of the explosion “I came looking for him when Alejandro Gertz said the pipeline nel guarded the cordoned-off area to prevent the tragedy. was captured on mobile phones the fi re was still going,” he said. was tapped deliberately, but that that was littered with half-burned “We’re not going to fi ght fi re and began quickly circulating on “But we had stay on this side we the investigation was complicated shoes, clothes and containers used with fi re,” he said. “We think that social media. couldn’t get to here. Because of the because everyone right at the blast by people to collect fuel. people are good, honest, and if Construction worker David Lo- heat of the blaze and the soldiers site died. Gulf Times Sunday, January 20, 2019 13 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Thai rival groups Gunmen kill 2 monks demonstrate to demand quick poll

Reuters has been set and a royal de- Bangkok cree must be issued before it in Thailand’s south can be. Some 1km (0.6 miles) from Reuters Thailand’s Muslim minority, ival groups held demon- the demonstration calling for Narathiwat said in a statement. strations in Thailand’s elections, around 30 coun- Police said the assailants were Rcapital yesterday, with ter-protesters gathered with still at large. hundreds of people demand- placards at the Democracy nknown gunmen shot A separatist insurgency has ing quick elections to end mil- Monument. They said they dead two Buddhist dragged on in southern Thailand itary rule and a much smaller were not opposed to a bal- Umonks and injured two for more than fi fteen years. More group of pro-junta support- lot, but national unity must others in an attack at a temple than 6,900 people have been ers saying it was too soon for come fi rst. in Thailand’s mainly Muslim killed and 13,000 injured in the a vote. “We can wait for elections,” south, the fi rst such killing of area since 2004 when violence The competing protests the group’s leader, Jathurun a Buddhist monk in the restive intensifi ed, independent moni- were tiny compared to those Bunbenjara, told reporters. region in more than three years. toring group Deep South Watch that paralysed Bangkok in “We don’t agree with protests An abbot and vice abbot were says. 2014 before the army seized that create chaos... We want to killed when at least six assailants Thailand is a predominantly power in the name of end- see Thais come together and believed to be dressed as mem- Buddhist country but Muslim ing instability, but were an hold an auspicious and great bers of a government security Malays are a majority in three indication of the tensions in coronation.” force burst into the Rattanupap southern provinces bordering the run-up to a long-delayed Thailand’s longstanding temple in Narathiwat province Malaysia. ballot. political divide is between and opened fi re late on Friday, The three provinces, and No date has been set for an strongly royalist and pro- police said. a small part of neighbouring election which was fi rst prom- military conservatives and Prime Minister Prayut Chan- Songkhla, were part of a sul- ised for 2015 and most recently “red shirt” populists linked to ocha and religious leaders con- tanate annexed by Thailand in postponed from Feb. 24. exiled former premier Thak- demned the attack in the mainly 1909. Separatist tensions have Hundreds joined a demon- sin Shinawatra who have won ethnic Malay province, the scene simmered ever since. stration calling for elections every election since 2001. of a long-running insurgency As with most violence in on March 10. Despite measures by the against Thai rule. Thailand’s deep south, there “We’re calling for elections junta to entrench the ruling “The prime minister con- was no claim of responsibility as soon as possible,” activ- generals’ hold on power after demns this outrageous act and for Friday’s attack. Buddhist and ist Sirawith Seritiwa told the any election, opinion polls has ordered offi cials to quickly Muslim leaders as well as state Police and soldiers inspect a shelter inside Rattanaupap temple compound where two Buddhist monks crowd. have shown that Thaksin’s investigate the incident and ap- offi cials have often been targeted were wounded while two more monks were killed in the temple in Narathiwat province yesterday following The junta has said the most supporters remain politically prehend these criminals,” the by insurgents. an attack by black-clad gunmen. recent election delay is be- strong. prime minister’s offi ce said in a At least 23 monks have been cause of scheduling diffi cul- Activist Sirawith denied statement. killed and more than 20 wounded the south but across the country, tary capacity despite government publisher Jane’s, told Reuters. ties with planning for the that the group intended to Thai Muslim leaders also since 2004, but there has not been are feeling aggrieved by Muslims, eff orts to wipe it out. The Thai military government coronation of King Maha Vaji- create chaos ahead of the cor- spoke out against the shooting an attack on monks since 2015. An and it will take time for that to “Regardless of BRN’s specifi c has taken part since 2015 in talks ralongkorn in early May – al- onation – saying that holding of monks. imam was shot on January 11, also change,” Rakchart Suwan, chair- objectives with this attack, the brokered by Malaysia that aim to though it has said it still wants elections earlier would reduce “We urge perpetrators of vio- in Narathiwat province. man of the Buddhist Network for Thai government would be very end the violence but the BRN has the ballot held before those that danger. lence in the southern border The killings have added a Peace, said. foolish not to consider the danger stayed out of the dialogue. ceremonies. It will be the fi rst Thai coro- provinces from all sides to stop religious dimension to a con- Analysts said the latest in- of a toxic communal atmosphere That process was stalled last The Election Commission nation in living memory. The killing innocent people and re- fl ict that initially was rooted in cident showed that insurgent in the south which could get out year and Bangkok has signalled of Thailand has given March king’s revered late father ruled ligious leaders,” the Sheikhul ethnic and national tensions. group Barisan Revolusi Nasional of control,” Anthony Davis, an that it will return to the talks this 10 or March 24 as possible for more than 70 years until Islam Offi ce, which represents “Many Buddhists, not just in (BRN) retained signifi cant mili- analyst with defence and security year. polling dates, but no date his death in 2016. Philippines’ Suspected Bali bomb Australia police richest man mastermind to be freed charge

Reuters “The fi rst reason this matter has not changed, man with Jakarta is humanitarian. we’ve always expressed the Sy dies at 94 He is elderly and deepest of reservations,” his health is also a Morrison told reporters in murder of Henry Sy bu Bakar Bashir, the consideration” Melbourne. AFP coons like Elon Musk, Rupert radical Muslim cleric The Bali attack spurred In- Manila Murdoch and George Soros. Star newspaper in 2006. Aand alleged master- Widodo also cited secu- donesia to set up its now elite exchange “Henry Sy ... passed away After their shop was destroyed mind of the 2002 Bali bomb- rity concerns, but he did not anti-terrorism squad Densus peacefully in his sleep early during World War II, Sy’s father ings, will be granted early elaborate. 88 or Detachment 88, which re- he Philippines’ wealthi- Saturday morning. There are returned to China but Henry release from jail on humani- A legal adviser in Widodo’s ceived funds and training from student est man Henry Sy, who no further details at the mo- chose to stay in the Philippines. tarian grounds, Indonesia’s campaign team, Yusril Ma- Australia and the United States. Trose from being a penni- ment,” his SM group said in a He got a commerce degree president has said. hendra, said he had lobbied It was not immediately less Chinese immigrant to lead- statement. from a Manila university and Bashir, 81, who is consid- the president for Bashir’s clear when Bashir would be AFP ing a multi-billion dollar busi- Sy put up his fi rst shoe store started selling shoes in a shop ered the spiritual leader of release. released from prison in Bogor, Sydney ness empire, died yesterday, his in downtown Manila in 1956, a which would later grow into a the Islamist group Jemaah “This shows to the pub- a satellite city near the capital conglomerate has announced. business which later grew into a chain named “ShoeMart”. Islamiah (JI), was convicted lic that it is not correct that Jakarta, or what the terms of The 94-year-old, from the diversifi ed empire. By 1972, his shops had in 2010 under anti-terrorism Jokowi persecutes or crimi- his release would be. ustralian police yester- Chinese city of Xiamen, made He stepped down as chair- branched out into selling all laws for links to militant train- nalises clerics,” Mahendra Bashir’s lawyers said he day charged a man with his fortune with a Philippine man of his holding fi rm in 2017, manner of goods, prompting ing camps in Aceh province was quoted by Indonesia me- was eligible for early release Athe rape and murder of shopping centre conglomer- assuming the title of “chairman the name to be changed to SM and jailed for 15 years. dia as saying. Jokowi is the because he had served more Israeli exchange student Aiia ate that has put up some of the emeritus” and leaving trusted Department Store. President Joko Widodo, president’s nickname. than a third of his sentence, Maasarwe, some three days largest malls in the world. allies as well as his children in It was in 1985 that Sy made who is seeking re-election in Scores of the more than but he had refused to sign after her body was found in However his holdings also in- charge of his empire. history when he opened his fi rst April, has been criticised by 200 people killed in the 2002 documents detailing the re- Melbourne. cluded banks, hotels and real es- It was a long journey for a man “Supermall” in Manila. opponents who accuse him of bombings of Bali nightclubs quirements for his probation. The 21-year-old was speak- tate in the Philippines, as well as who came to the Philippines as Sy’s holding company, SM In- backing the “criminalisation” were Australian and Canberra Security offi cials have pre- ing to her sister on the phone shopping centres in China. a boy to work in his immigrant vestments Corp. opened its fi rst of clerics. has previously urged against viously raised concerns about when she was attacked just af- He had a net worth of $19bn father’s variety store. mall in China in 2001 and has “The fi rst reason is hu- leniency for Bashir. the cleric’s infl uence in radi- ter midnight on Wednesday, on as of Friday, according to “Our store was so small it been expanding there as well. manitarian. He is elderly and Australian Prime Minister cal networks. In 2016, police the way home from a comedy Forbes.com. had no back or second fl oor, By 2018, SM said it had 70 his health is also a considera- Scott Morrison said yesterday moved him from a maximum- show. Forbes said he was the 52nd we just slept on the counter malls in the Philippines and sev- tion,” Widodo told reporters, that he has been in contact with security prison on Nusakam- Her body was found in bushes richest person in the world last late at night after the store was en in China as well as six hotels according to a statement from the Indonesian government. bangan island in Central Java near a tram stop by passers-by year, beating out bold name ty- closed,” he told the Philippine and eight offi ce buildings. the social aff airs ministry. “Australia’s position on to Bogor. several hours later. Victoria police, who have described the attack as “hor- rifi c”, arrested 20-year-old Codey Herrmann in the out- Hasina’s supporters er suburbs of Melbourne on Abe, Putin on collision course over islands Friday. celebrate poll victory He appeared in Melbourne AFP coast of Japan’s northernmost prove the situation, with Taro body is going to give this land to Magistrates’ Court yesterday to Tokyo island of Hokkaido, are known Kono and Sergei Lavrov not anybody.” face charges of rape and murder. as the southern Kurils in Russia even appearing together for a Tensions between the pair He was remanded in custody and the Northern Territories in joint press conference. have been stoked by actions as and is due to re-appear in court he leaders of Japan and Japan. And at his own New Year’s well as words. on Monday. Russia hold crunch During a New Year address, news conference, Lavrov let In December, Russia said Maasarwe was killed after get- Tsummit talks on Tues- Japanese Prime Minister Shin- rip at Tokyo, saying the two it had built four new military ting off a tram near the univer- day, with the two countries zo Abe sparked outrage in Mos- countries were “still far from barracks on the islands as it sity where she was completing locked in an undiplomatic war cow when he spoke of the need being partners in international ramps up “military and social a year-long exchange. of words over a set of disputed to help Russian residents on the relations.” infrastructure” there. Hundreds of people dressed islands. disputed islands “accept and “Why is Japan the only coun- Moscow has already de- in black held several vigils in Simmering tension between understand that the sovereign- try in the world that cannot ac- ployed missile systems on the Melbourne for Maasarwe on Moscow and Tokyo over the ty of their homes will change.” cept the results of World War II islands, sparking howls of Friday, including fi lling the 86 islands has ramped up in re- A furious Russia summoned in their entirety?” he asked. protest from Japan. tram, which she was believed to cent weeks, with Russia angrily the Japanese ambassador to He also lashed out at the pro- The view from Moscow have ridden on her way home, accusing Japan of whipping complain that Abe’s statements Western bias of Japan – the key is scarcely more concilia- with fl owers. up tension ahead of the sum- were an “attempt to artifi cially US ally in the region. tory, with independent ana- Her father Saeed broke down mit and failing to accept it lost stir up the atmosphere” over “Japan votes not with us but lyst Vladimir Frolov telling at the crime scene, where doz- World War II. the issue of a possible peace against us on all the resolutions AFP the Russian position has ens of fl owers and messages Setting the tone for the talks, treaty. that interest Russia in the UN,” “signifi cantly hardened.” from the public were left nearby Putin’s foreign policy adviser Moscow also fumed Japan Moscow’s veteran top diplomat Political analyst, Fyodor in support. Yuri Ushakov admitted the was trying to “disorientate” the said. Lukyanov, noted: “It is un- “I feel very, very sad from meeting would “not be easy.” public and that the Japanese Putin aide Ushakov was popular in any country to give one side, but from another side, The Russian army claimed leader’s statements “fl agrantly clear that the sovereignty of up even small amounts of ter- when I get this support and this the four islands in the clos- distort the essence of the agree- the islands was not up for ritory, but in Russia it would help – from the people, from ing days of World War II and a ments” reached by Putin and negotiation. be especially so today given the the community, from the po- dispute over their sovereignty Abe in Singapore in November, Russia owns the islands le- diffi cult domestic situation.” Bangladesh ruling Awami League (AL) supporters attend lice – it makes the suff ering to prevented the two countries where they vowed to accelerate gally “according to the results “To start a campaign giving a grand rally to celebrate party’s landslide victory in 11th feel a little more better,” he told signing a peace treaty – a situa- eff orts towards peace. of World War II” and has no away land now would not be time- parliamentary election held on December 30. Sheikh Hasina reporters. tion both countries have vowed Talks lasting several hours plans to hand them over to ly,” he added, citing social dis- was sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister for a record “I want to be with her for to rectify. between the two foreign min- Tokyo, he said. content on issues such as pension fourth term on January 7. more time, but someone The islands, off the northern isters on Monday failed to im- “This is our land, and no- reform and rising food prices. decided I cannot be.” Gulf Times 14 Sunday, January 20, 2019 BRITAIN/IRELAND

Jeremy Clarkson joins calls for Philip Give MPs free vote on to stop driving

DPA London

Brexit options: ex-PM elevision motoring presenter Jeremy Clarkson has joined calls for Britain’s Prince Philip, 97, to give up By Simon Murphy a mediator, to fi nd out what parlia- Major also said that if the cabi- ‘Customs union rollback would unlock Brexit talks’ Tdriving following his car crash on Thursday. Guardian News and Media ment will accept.” net or parliament could not fi nd a “Dreary motoring groups always tell us that older driv- Ideally the party would permit a solution, then the other option was Britain could remove most obsta- “If Mrs May rolled back on her ers are safer than ‘young yobboes’ but I’m not so sure,” the free vote, he said, “so that we can to have a second referendum. cles blocking a Brexit deal if it rolls red line of exiting the customs celebrity presenter wrote in yesterday’s Sun newspaper. ir John Major has called for get an honest representation of Major’s comments come after he back on a promise of leaving the union, most of the outstanding Clarkson praised Philip’s wife, Queen Elizabeth II, 92, MPs to be allowed to have a parliament”. wrote an article last week in which European Union’s customs union, obstacles to a deal would be swept who also still drives, as “a wise old bird.” Sfree vote on a series of op- He said: “It’s the only way to get he said revoking article 50, which the bloc’s Agriculture Commis- away,” Hogan said. “As far as I know she hasn’t put a foot wrong in her entire tions to solve the unfolding Brexit an absolutely honest answer from gave the country two years to leave sioner has said. May’s spokesman said after life,” he wrote. “Let’s hope she keeps that up now, and sends crisis, saying he feared millions members of parliament and if it is the EU after it was triggered in Britain’s last-minute scramble the vote that government policy her husband’s licence back to Swansea,” he added, referring would be hurt if Britain crashed out a free vote it removes the danger of 2017, had become the “only sensi- to shape an EU exit after the deal remained to be outside a customs to Britain’s driving licensing centre in the Welsh city. of the EU with the wrong deal. resignations from government or the ble course”. Prime Minister Theresa May agreed union. The SUV that Philip drove on Thursday was damaged The former prime minister opposition frontbench because they Major yesterday told BBC’s Today with the bloc was crushed in a EU off icials have said that were after it fl ipped onto its side following a collision with an- called on Theresa May to stage a disagree with their leader’s policy. programme: “I’m no longer in poli- parliamentary vote has stalled in a Britain to drop this refusal, then the other vehicle close to the royal Sandringham estate in the series of “indicative” votes in par- “This is such a unique issue I tics, I have no axe to grind. I’m not stand-off between May and opposi- bloc would be willing to negotiate eastern English county of Norfolk. liament to establish if any propos- think it would be an act of states- part of the remain campaign, I’m cer- tion Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. and could ease diff iculties around British media showed photographs of a new Landrover als could command a majority. manship by the party leaders to tainly not part of the leave campaign. “More mainstream UK politicians the Irish border, the main stumbling being delivered to Sandringham yesterday, which some “The prime minister argued val- say: ‘Because of the very strong “I can look at it quite dispas- need to drop the fanciful rheto- block in talks. took as a sign that he intends to continue driving. iantly for her deal. She fought for opinions on either side, we are go- sionately … and I will tell you my ric and start speaking the plain, Hogan, who has been pub- Norfolk Police confi rmed on Friday that the driver of it, she got a deal, she argued val- ing to lift the party whips so par- fear. My fear is that millions of peo- unvarnished truth,” Phil Hogan, a licly critical of Britain’s approach the other car, a 28-year-old woman, suff ered cuts to her iantly for it, but the House of Com- liament and the country can get a ple who do not deserve to be hurt, former Irish government minister throughout the negotiations, said knee while her passenger, a 45-year-old woman, sus- mons killed it and killed it compre- genuine view of what it is members both businesses and individuals and member of Prime Minister Leo that facts remained thin on the tained a broken wrist. hensively,” he told BBC Radio 4’s of parliament most think would be and families and young people with Varadkar’s Fine Gael party, wrote ground in parliamentary debate in A 9-month-old boy who was in the second car with the Today programme. best for our country or, perhaps, their prospects are going to be hurt. in yesterday’s Irish Independent London and that there was precious two women was unhurt, the police said. “So her deal is dead and I don’t least bad for our country’. It is a “And if I have to eat past words newspaper. little time left to “sort out this mess.” The crash has fuelled debate on restrictions for elderly honestly think that tinkering with unique way of doing it but I think because I now realise that is the drivers. Current British traffi c laws require drivers over 70 it is going to make very much dif- it is justifi ed.” case, I will make a meal of them to undergo a medical examination to extend their licence. ference, if any diff erence at all. In 1971, the then prime minister, every single day because it is the then parliament will have, in my protest at May’s deal, dismissed “And so the prime minister still Edward Heath, off ered Tory MPs future and those people, I believe, view, have failed in its duty.” Major’s comments, describing needs a deal. If she can’t deliver a free vote on whether to join the are the primary responsibility of Later in the programme, former them as “remainer elite views”. one that parliament accepts, then European Economic Community parliament, and if parliament does Brexit minister Suella Braverman, “Thank you Sir John, but no she needs to become a facilitator, in order to help solve division. not address that responsibility who resigned from government in thanks,” she said. Non-white police Labour: Election still priority despite referendum pressure paid less: report

By Bill Smith, DPA back a campaign for a second ref- Guardian News and Media London erendum on Brexit. London A leaked opinion poll for the pro-EU group Best for Britain ritain’s opposition Labour found nearly one-third of voters he pay gap in the Metropolitan police between white party yesterday vowed to would be less likely to choose La- offi cers and their black and Asian counterparts has Bpush for an election to break bour if it backs another Brexit ref- Twidened in the past year despite promises to close the impasse on Brexit, but it left erendum, The Guardian reported the divide, new fi gures have shown. A Met study of average open the possibility that it could yesterday. wages found that black and Asian police offi cers working back a second referendum. Best for Britain disputed the in London were paid £1.80 an hour less than their white Prime Minister Theresa May signifi cance of its private poll for colleagues last year, compared with £1.52 in 2017. suff ered a crushing defeat in par- Labour. All 37 senior offi cers on salaries of £100,000-plus were liament on Tuesday, as more than “It is not news that strong sup- white, it found, while ethnic minority offi cers received 100 of her own Conservatives vot- porters of Leave wouldn’t back a fewer and smaller bonuses than their colleagues. ed against her Brexit deal, before pro-Remain Labour party,” the The report, which looked at the pay of 37,257 Met em- she narrowly won a no-confi dence group said in a statement. ployees, of whom 6,349 are black, Asian and minority vote put forward by Labour that “People across the country are ethnic (BAME), found the gap was even worse when all split along party lines. turning their backs on Brexit,” it staff – not just police offi cers – were taken into account. “Wednesday’s no-confi dence said, referring to recent polls that On average, it said, BAME staff receive £2.05 less per vote was just the beginning of La- have suggested a small increase in hour than the average white member of staff , a mean pay bour’s eff orts to secure a general support for Britain remaining in gap of 9.67%. These fi ndings, the second ethnic police election — not the end,” shadow the EU. pay audit by the Met, will increase the pressure on police Brexit secretary Keir Starmer said “Fighting against Brexit is the commissioner Cressida Dick to take action. in a speech yesterday to a left-wing most popular option for (Labour’s) Last year the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, pledged political think tank. electorate, and increasingly for all change after a pioneering pay audit found that the city’s “Securing a general election is voters,” it said. BAME public employees were paid anything up to 37% less — and always will be — our prior- Starmer said a second referen- on average than their white counterparts. It revealed that ity as it’s the only way to deliver the dum “has to be an option for La- the pay gap was “particularly stark” at the Met, the Greater radical change this country needs,” bour.” London Authority and the two development corporations. Starmer said. A woman dressed as suff ragette gestures in London during the Women’s March calling for equality, justice and The sole alternative is to nego- The force yesterday issued a statement saying: “The But Starmer said Labour could an end to austerity. tiate again with the EU, perhaps report makes it clear that police offi cer and police staff swing its support behind a second following Labour’s proposals for a pay is determined by role with no reference to ethnicity. referendum on Brexit, as one of this week. Three cabinet ministers trying to persuade individual law- not support May’s deal “or any “comprehensive customs union” BAME employees who undertake the same role, have the “just two remaining options” along had told the newspaper that an makers to back an amended ver- tweaked version of it that may ma- and “a strong single market deal.” same length or and work the same hours, receive the same with the agreement of a close eco- election was a possibility, it said. sion of her deal. terialise.” “This is a credible solution to pay as white employees.” nomic relationship with the EU. May has rejected calls for an Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, The strong opposition in par- avoid no deal,” he said. But the statement noted: “Perversely, recent improve- Speculation grew yesterday that election and said she seeks “con- who has declined to meet May un- liament means May’s deal “can no With Britain scheduled to leave ments in recruiting more BAME offi cers and staff also May herself could call an election. sensus” in talks with lawmakers less she rules out the possibility of longer be considered a credible op- the EU on March 29, it appears “in- works to increase the gap: an increasing proportion sit in The Financial Times reported from all parties. a no-deal Brexit, called the talks a tion,” he added. evitable” that it will have to extend the lower pay spines lowering the average; this will im- that senior offi cials had “discussed Critics accuse her of staging “stunt.” Corbyn has resisted growing the negotiating process, Starmer prove as newer recruits progress their careers and move contingency plans for an election” a public relations exercise while Starmer said Labour could calls from Labour lawmakers to said. their way to the top pay points.”

Football club off ers rough Patients stockpile drugs as fear of no-deal Brexit grows sleepers a warmer refuge By Sarah Marsh and Frances Ryan NHS resources could be wasted. large supplies when it wasn’t because Guardian News and Media “If we are in a situation where sup- they were going on holiday. The pa- plies are constrained and people then tient who received a private prescrip- By Mattha Busby could be put to use for other purposes start trying to get a lot more insulin tion got it from their regular GP. So Guardian News and Media when they are not being full used and inisters have been urged by than they need...I worry about the way they had likely been honest about their football grounds are a prime example. top doctors to reveal the ex- that might play out.” intentions to the GP and the GP was Crystal Palace are setting a standard Mtent of national drug stocks, One diabetic patient, speaking sympathetic but couldn’t help them rystal Palace has off ered rough for other clubs to follow,” she added. amid growing evidence patients are anonymously, told the Guardian: “I with an NHS prescription.” sleepers a room inside their The space is returned to normal club stockpiling medication in preparation am T1D and everyone on the diabetes Another patient, Florence Pat- Cstadium to spend the night, use in the mornings and when the team for a no-deal Brexit. forums are stockpiling insulin. People taralowha, claimed her GP had told prompting a local councillor to call on plays home games, rough sleepers will The Royal College of Physicians are reporting shortages due to this. We her Naproxen, an anti-infl ammatory other Premier League football clubs to be referred to other emergency shelters (RCP), which represents tens of thou- are used to getting insulin dispensed drug, was in short supply due to Brexit. follow their lead. in the borough and in central London. sands of doctors, urged the govern- immediately or next day, but people “I was informed by him there is no Eight people used the shelter — a Support workers will seek to advise ment to be more “transparent about say they are being asked to leave it a Naproxen in the country due to Brexit lounge which now serves as an over- those using the shelter and help get them national stockpiles, particularly for Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, the chair week.” trade deals, as the medication is main- night emergency refuge when tem- into longer-term accommodation. things that are already in short supply of the Royal College of GPs, is urging Another woman, who also wanted ly outsourced for other countries,” she peratures hit freezing — on Thursday “We are delighted to be collaborat- or need refrigeration, such as insulin”. people not to stockpile drugs. to remain anonymous, said: “I’m re- said. night, the fi rst time it was opened. ing with Croydon council and their Prof Andrew Goddard, the RCP pres- ally nervous about medical supplies Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, the Up to 10 homeless people in Croy- partner agencies to ensure that rough ident, said: “Faith in the system will be dering drugs from abroad, and by ask- and have scouted out both how to do chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: don, south London, will be able to sleepers can fi nd an emergency shelter created by openness and regular up- ing their GPs for emergency prescrip- day trips to France to get meds, or il- “We … would ask them (patients) not sleep at Selhurst Park, the club said, in the event of severe winter weather,” dates to trusts and clinicians; this will tions. legal postal supplies from India.” to take it upon themselves to stockpile, adding that it wants to be “a force for the club chief executive, Phil Alexan- allow clinicians to reassure patients.” One diabetic patient has been stock- Patients have also reported their or put their prescribing healthcare good in the community”. der, said, thanking volunteers and the The Pharmaceutical Services Nego- piling insulin for four months, order- GPs helping them to stockpile, with professional in a diffi cult position by As part of the initiative, agreed with supermarket Sainsbury’s for providing tiating Committee (PSNC) has warned ing twice the amount he needs for each a 37-year-old woman saying she was asking them to help them to do so, and Croydon council, people will be pro- food. medical shortages have increased in of his drugs from the pharmacist. given an emergency prescription. look to the government to reassure the vided with a hot dinner, camp bed, “The club wants to be a force for recent months. Robin Hewings, the head of policy “I saw my GP just before Christmas public.” breakfast and washing facilities. good in the community and we are Generic drugs are usually bought at Diabetes UK, backed calls for more and said I was freaking out about a no In December, the Department of “Freezing temperatures are a partic- happy to do our bit to help those most through nationally set tariff prices. transparency from the government deal and medicine shortages … She Health and Social Care revealed plans ular safety risk for rough sleepers and in need.” However, pharmacies can apply for about current stock levels to reassure said that, since I was anxious about that would amend the Human Medi- this is a wonderful gesture by Crystal Crystal Palace players Mamadou price concessions under which the patients. it, she’d give me a six-week supply of cines Regulation 2012 and let pharma- Palace for helping us reduce that risk,” Sakho and Christian Benteke recently NHS will temporarily pay more when “There is a level of concern that each of the medicines to keep in a cup- cists dispense an alternative medicine, said local councillor Alison Butler, the visited the Skylight Centre, a com- the drugs are in short supply. has risen quite a lot (in the last few board and hopefully any interrupted rather than the prescription, without cabinet member for homes. munity hub for homeless people run by The number of concessions the months) and people with diabetes are supplies would be smoothed over by having to contact a GP. “I do hope that the actions and sup- the charity Crisis. PSNC applied for went up from 45 in talking about stockpiling. The govern- then. If nothing happens, I can just use The health secretary, Matthew port of our local Premier League foot- Local homelessness rose by 50% last October, to 72 in November and 87 in ment needs to be more transparent it as normal, but she said it was en- Hancock, insisted the move was “not ball club will encourage more busi- year, according to the charity. December. about insulin supplies.” tirely reasonable for me to be afraid,” actually just about Brexit”. nesses in Croydon to get in touch and Councils have a legal duty to pro- The Guardian has also found evi- Hewings said people with diabetes she said. The government has asked pharma- do what they can to help us address vide emergency accommodation to dence some patients are stockpiling in particular needed more reassurance. Speaking anonymously, the owner ceutical companies to stockpile medi- homelessness. rough sleepers in the event of freezing drugs, against offi cial guidance. He added the risks associated with of a chemist in London said: “The cas- cines as part of a UK-wide, no-deal “There are so many buildings that weather. They said they were doing so by or- patients stockpiling drugs meant es I’ve seen were just patients getting contingency plan. Gulf Times Sunday, January 20, 2019 15 EUROPE Protesters put Macron’s grand ‘debate’ to test AFP ber over fuel taxes but quickly Paris grew into a broader anti-Ma- cron and anti-globalisation re- A bee shaped balloon sporting the words ‘agriculture industry kills’ is held by protesters during a rally volt. yesterday for climate justice, animal welfare, low impact farming, and good food in Berlin. rance’s “yellow vests” Marie-Helene Guais, 60, ac- took to the streets yes- cused the government of “not Fterday for a 10th straight addressing the real issues”. weekend of anti-government “What I want is citizen- protests, despite attempts by sponsored referendums so that Thousands take part in parade President Emmanuel Macron to citizens can repeal laws, over- channel their anger into a series see spending and recall senior of town hall debates. offi cials or even the president against industrialised agriculture In Paris, several thousand if they want,” she said, echoing people, many waving placards one of the protesters top de- calling for Macron to resign or mands. AFP aim at government policy which “We can’t feed the whole condemning police violence, The growing number of dem- Berlin prioritised large-scale farming, world if we reduce industrial marched peacefully through the onstrators to suff er serious in- deemed damaging to health and agricultural production,” the Left Bank in freezing tempera- juries at the hands of the police the environment, to the detri- agriculture minister responded, tures. has compounded their hostility housands of protesters, ment of small farmers and bio- although she admitted that the “Parisians, rise up!” they towards the state. backed by a procession of growers. sector needed to be “more effi - chanted, urging residents of the The “Disarm” collective, Tfarm tractors, marched “This protest ... shows that the cient and respectful of the envi- capital to join the movement a local group that campaigns in Berlin yesterday for environ- desire for a diff erent agricultural ronment”. which has been led by rural and against police violence, has mental protection and against policy is now undeniable,” said More than 100 organisations small-town France. counted 98 cases of serious the industrial agriculture lobby. Green party co-leader Robert took part in yesterday’s colour- At the end of the march, injuries, including 15 cases of Police put the number of dem- Habeck, who took part in yester- ful march, with 171 tractors de- clashes broke out around the people losing an eye to rubber onstrators at over 12,000, while day’s demonstration. scending on Berlin from several Invalides war museum, with bullets. organisers said 35,000 turned Conservative Agriculture parts of the country. police using tear gas and water A riot police off icer stands in front of a vandalised branch of the The police have pointed to out. Minister Julia Kloeckner has re- The ministerial quarter around cannon to disperse hooded pro- Banque Populaire in Toulouse yesterday, on the sidelines of ‘yellow several attacks on offi cers as While the “Grune Woche” ceived “an unequivocal message” Brandenburg Gate remained par- testers who threw paving stones vests’ demonstration. justifi cation for their sometimes international agricultural fair from the street, said Saskia Rich- tially blocked for several hours and bottles. heavy-handed approach. was taking place in the Ger- artz, spokeswoman for the pro- before the protest broke up Demonstrations were also editions, which ended in clashes cron hopes to lure them off the Macron is looking to the de- man capital, the protesters took test organisers. peacefully. held in other major cities, with with police, the torching of cars streets. bates to reconnect with the clashes reported in the western and shopfronts being smashed. This week, he kickstarted two French and try salvage his re- city of Rennes and eastern city Michel, a 53-year-old com- months of nationwide discus- form agenda. of Lyon. puter engineer from the Paris sions on issues ranging from He has assured that there will The interior ministry esti- suburbs who did not wish to taxation to public services, be “no taboos”. mated the number of protesters give his full name for fear of spending over 12 hours debating However, he has refused to Rally in at 27,000 by the early afternoon losing his job over his radical with mayors at separate gather- consider reinstating a fortune – down from 32,000 at the same politics, was taking part in his ings in the north and southwest tax on high earners which he time a week ago – with 7,000 in ninth demonstration in as many of the country. partly repealed in one of his Budapest the capital. weeks. The debates mark a return to fi rst, and most unpopular, acts Turnout was being closely The father of three said that form for the combative 41-year- as president. watched for signs of possible he intended to boycott the de- old president, who was elect- In December, he also unveiled against fatigue in the movement as it bates organised around the ed at the head of a grassroots a €10bn ($11.5bn) package of enters its third month and Ma- country on some of the issues movement that went door-to- wage increases and tax relief for cron’s “great national debate” raised by the “yellow vests”. door asking the French what low earners and retirees. PM Orban gains momentum. “It’s over. We’re divorcing our kind of changes were needed. But the measures fell short of Some 80,000 police were de- elites and there can be no getting A prodigious debater, he vig- the mark for the protesters, who ployed to keep the peace. back,” he said, adding: “People orously defended his reforms. are demanding a radical policy Reuters Last week, an estimated a to- are starving but for them every- Many “yellow vests” see the shift in favour of low earners, Budapest tal of 80,000 people took part in thing is fi ne. They have to go!” debates as an attempt to drain buoyed by opinion polls that protests that were markedly less By giving the protesters a fo- support from their movement, show widespread sympathy for violent than several previous rum to air their grievances, Ma- which erupted in mid-Novem- their cause. everal thousand Hungar- ians demonstrated in Bu- Sdapest yesterday against Six charged with Prime Minister Viktor Orban and a new overtime law that has terror financing drawn workers out to the streets Merkel eyes closer co-operation in several protest rallies. Bulgarian prosecutors have Marching through central Bu- charged five Syrian citizens dapest behind a banner reading in EU defence, weapons systems and a Bulgarian woman “We have had enough”, protest- alleged to be members of ers waved Hungary’s national a crime group which had tricolour and the European Un- Reuters that builds on a 1963 treaty of “We have very strict export sent more than €25mn ion fl ag on their way to the main Berlin post-war reconciliation and is rules, others have less strict ($28mn) to foreign terrorist gathering point of the protest at aimed at bolstering the EU. rules ... but anyone who devel- organisations since 2016. the feet of the mediaeval Buda In a speech to her conserva- ops an airplane with us would Bulgarian special police Castle. erman Chancellor An- tive Christian Democrats (CDU) also like to know whether they forces arrested 43 people on “They totally ignore what we gela Merkel said yester- in the northern city of Rostock, can sell the plane with us,” she Friday in co-ordinated raids say and what we want, which is Gday that the European Merkel said: “It is good that said. “We will have to make on a terrorism financing ring. irritating,” said Lajos Kovacs, one Union must deepen co-opera- after several decades we want compromises, that is what we Rumyana Arnaudova, of the protesters. tion in defence and in particular to develop a common defence are talking about at the mo- the chief prosecutor’s Orban’s ruling Fidesz party weapons systems development, policy.” ment.” spokeswoman, said yesterday pushed the law allowing employ- warning Germans that they “We must develop weapons Last year, France stopped that one of the six accused, ers to ask workers to do up to 400 may need to make compromises systems together,” she said, short of Germany’s move to halt who were all residents of hours of overtime a year through on strict export controls. adding that Europe had many arms sales to Saudi Arabia after Bulgaria, had been indicted in the legislature last month, us- In a bid to counter growing more systems than the United the murder of Saudi journalist absentia and an international ing its big majority as opposition Protesters kneel on the ‘Chain Bridge’ in Budapest, blocking the eurosceptic nationalism be- States. Jamal Khashoggi. arrest warrant issued for him. parties sought to block the vote. traff ic following a rally against the Hungarian government. fore elections to the European Arguing that EU countries In her weekly podcast, Merkel The crime group had been Orban has said the law served Parliament in May, Merkel has should not compete among stressed the importance of the operating in Bulgaria since the interests of workers, who Research published earlier this Nationalist Jobbik scored stressed the importance of close themselves for new projects French-German partnership at 2016 and had indirectly will have the legal possibility to week showed support for Fidesz 11%, while the Socialists had 7% co-operation within the bloc. and fi ghter planes but develop the heart of the EU, saying the financed a terrorist work overtime at a time when dropped by three points to 32% support according to the sur- On Tuesday (January 22) she products together, she said friendship was “far from a given organisation operating the economy is struggling with a of voters in January, but even so, vey, which showed that a third signs an agreement with French there would be a need to com- after centuries of military con- in another state, she said massive labour shortage. Orban’s ruling party remained of those polled had no preferred President Emmanuel Macron promise on export rules. fl ict between our countries”. without giving more detail. A survey by pollster Zavecz well ahead of its main rivals. party. Poland bids emotional farewell to murdered mayor

AFP EU Council President Donald ment – led by the centrist Civic “It’s hatred that killed Pawel,” of condolence at the city’s Euro- Gdansk, Poland Tusk, a longtime friend of Ada- Platform (PO) party, to which PO leader Grzegorz Schetyna told pean Solidarity Centre. mowicz, attended the ceremony Adamowicz once belonged. lawmakers on Wednesday. “A Gdansk, a city of around half a at St Mary’s Basilica, one of the For many Poles however, the well-organised, crazy hatred di- million people, was the cradle of housands of Poles gath- largest brick churches in the mayor’s murder was fueled by rected at a man who with the help Poland’s anti-communist Soli- ered in the Baltic port city world. online hate speech and toxic di- of thousands of Gdansk residents darity movement in the 1980s. Tof Gdansk yesterday to bid Nobel Peace laureate Lech visions between the main politi- was building this great, proud Adamowicz, mayor of Gdansk an emotional farewell to mur- Walesa, another former presi- cal parties. and free city.” for two decades, was backed by dered liberal mayor Pawel Ada- dent, also attended the cere- “We must eradicate forever Numerous media outlets have the PO party in 2018 municipal mowicz, whose public stabbing mony, being held on what Duda from political life and the public compared Adamowicz’s mur- polls and won re-election with has raised questions about hate has declared a day of national arena, the language of contempt, der to the 1922 assassination of 64% of the vote. speech in politics in the country. mourning. of humiliation, denigration, lack president Gabriel Narutowicz by The capital Warsaw has named Adamowicz, 53, who was may- Giants screens were set up in of respect and dignity towards a fanatical nationalist at a time of Adamowicz an honorary citizen. or of Gdansk for 20 years, was several parts of Gdansk to allow our loved ones,” Gdansk Arch- rampant hatred. The attack on Adamowicz is stabbed in the heart in front of people to watch the ceremony bishop Slawoj Leszek Glodz said Since Adamowicz’s death, unusual in Poland, where politi- hundreds of people at a charity and photos of the mayor were Adamowic: re-elected just last year. in his homily. police have detained several in- cal violence is rare. fundraiser last weekend by an ex- displayed in numerous shops, Politicians from PO and the dividuals for uttering or writing The last attack on a political convict wielding a knife. cafes and restaurants in the city. centres and cultural institutions viously been sentenced to more ruling conservative Law and Jus- threats against other politicians. fi gure was in 2010, when a man “It’s as if we have lost a mem- “I am 24 years old and he was all thanks to him. It’s my duty to than fi ve years in jail for armed tice (PiS) party have traded barbs Tens of thousands of people fatally shot an aide at a regional ber of our family,” said Gdansk in power for all of my life,” said be here.” robbery. for years, as have their supporters have already queued for hours PiS offi ce before stabbing anoth- resident Rafal Jankowski. Tomasz Ceglinski. “Every year, The mayor’s 27-year-old at- Recently released, the man online, with critics accusing the to see the late mayor’s casket, er employee, who survived. Around 3,500 people, includ- we saw changes in the city: in- tacker, who reportedly has a his- claimed he had been wrongly im- government of tacitly condoning covered in white fl owers and the ing President Andrzej Duda and vestments, new roads, shopping tory of mental illness, had pre- prisoned by the previous govern- the atmosphere of hostility. city’s red fl ag, and to sign a book „ See also page 18 Gulf Times 16 Sunday, January 20, 2019 INDIA

OUTBREAK GORY STATISTICS POLITICS TRANSPORT PROTEST 5 more swine flu deaths in 4,199 died in Kerala road Karnataka Congress MLAs New Year bonanza for Kashmiri Pandits mourn Rajasthan, toll stands at 48 accidents in 2018: report meet at Bengaluru resort Mumbai commuters ‘genocide’, demand closure

Five people in Rajasthan reportedly died The police said yesterday 4,199 persons died in Congress MLAs in Karnataka, who have been Ahead of the upcoming general elections, Around 50-70 Kashmiri Pandits, including school yesterday due to swine flu, taking the death road accidents in Kerala in 2018 — an average herded to a resort outside the city to keep the Centre has offered a bagful of bonanza children, yesterday observed a silent protest toll to 48 in just the first 19 days of 2019, health of over a 11 day. The numbers were 4,131 in them away from being poached, yesterday for the 8mn Mumbai commuters. They at Raj Ghat — the resting place of Mahatma off icials said. Two deaths were reported in 2017 and 4,287 in 2016, the Police Information held a meeting to discuss the political situation include the flag-off of the much-discussed Gandhi — commemorating the 29th year of their Jodhpur, two in Udaipur and one in Barmer. From Centre said in a statement to the media in in the state. “The Congress Legislature Party Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus-Hazrat forced exodus from their homeland. Nearly half January 1 to 19, a total of 5,061 samples were Thiruvananthapuram yesterday. Maximum (CLP) meet was held at Eagleton Resort. The Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express, MEMU services a million Kashmiri Pandits were forced out of tested out of which 1,173 were reported positive. deaths were reported in Alappuzha district meet discussed present political situation, on Diva-Panvel-Roha section and Extended Kashmir by terrorists and fanatics in 1990 during Health and Family Welfare Minister Raghu (365), followed by Malappuram district (361). drought situation and issues regarding Budget Pune-Karjat-Pune Passenger Train. The Pen- a high tide of militancy in the region. Amit Raina, Sharma has appealed to people to seek medical The hilly district of Wayanad reported the proposals,” the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Roha electrified section in Raigad will be spokesperson of solidarity group “Roots for help as soon as they face flu symptoms. “We least number of fatalities with 68 deaths. Committee (KPCC) said in a statement. The inaugurated, besides two escalators at Panvel, Kashmir”, told IANS: “We are the only community have cancelled the leaves of doctors to ensure Thiruvananthapuram city witnessed 187 deaths, legislators were shifted to the private resort on and lifts at Bandra Terminus, Andheri and which never indulged in any violence. Even patients don’t face any problems,” he added. it said. During 2018, 31,611 persons suff ered the city outskirts on Friday night after a CLP Borivali, plus foot overbridges at Prabhadevi, when we were victimised we never resorted to a In 2018, 225 people lost their lives to this virus serious injuries, while in 2017, the number stood meeting was chaired by Siddaramaiah at the Belapur, Matunga Road, Jogeshwari, Andheri counter-violence.” He demanded that the exodus while 2,419 tested positive out of 22,705 samples. at 29,733. state legislature building Vidhana Soudha. and Borivali. be recognised as a genocide.

Modi laughs off opposition’s rally as ‘anti-people’

IANS Silvassa (Dadra & Nagar Haveli)

rime Minister Narendra Modi yester- day attacked the mega-rally of Op- Pposition parties in Kolkata terming it “anti-people”. Speaking at a rally in the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Modi said the op- position alliance was not against him, but “against the people of India”. “They have not even properly united to- gether, but have already started bargaining for their share (of seats). They are seeking support to save themselves, but I want your support to take the country forward,” Modi said. He pointed out that his campaign against corruption has angered many people, but he was not concerned as he prevented them from looting public money. To counter these and other actions, the opposition has now formed the ‘Mahagath- bandhan’ alliance for the upcoming general elections. Modi also took a swipe at what he called attempts by those who “muzzled democ- racy” now speaking of “saving democracy”, Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee and other leaders join hands at a mass meeting in Kolkata yesterday. and said the BJP’s sole aim is to work for the development of the country and its people. Earlier, Modi laid the foundation stone of a medical college in Silvassa and inaugurated the nearby Hazira Armoured Systems Com- plex of Larsen&Toubro. At the L&T complex, he felicitated the entire team for building the state-of-the- art K-9 Vajra Self-Propelled Howitzer guns, terming it as “a signifi cant contribution to- Opposition parties come wards India’s defence sector and protecting the country and its 1.3bn people.” He checked the guns and even took a ride in one of the vehicles on display at the com- together to ‘oust Modi’ plex. IANS The parties decided to form a four- the election. Now there is no question Banerjee repeated her known stand “ The BJP and NDA want to divide Kolkata member committee consisting of of holding discussion on that. Now, we that the strongest anti-BJP force in a India and we want to unite India. That Akhilesh Yadav (SP), Satish Chandra must focus on removing the BJP from state should be allowed to decide on is the purpose all the leaders have Mishra (BSP), Abhishek Manu Sing- power,” she said. the alliance. come here with one voice — Save In- wenty three political parties, hvi (Congress) and Arivind Kejriwal “One city or state is not important “ Everyone has to come together dia, save democracy and also unite In- including the Congress and ma- (AAP). but the country is very important. for the sake of the nation. Whoever dia — that is the campaign we are go- Tjor regional parties like SP, BSP Former prime minister and Janata That’s why collective leadership is vi- is powerful in a certain place should ing ahead with,” he said. and DMK, yesterday came together at Dal (Secular) president H D Deve Gow- tal,” she said. be allowed and strongly supported to After giving the rally a miss, along a mega rally under the auspices of Tri- da conceded that it was a “herculean Some of the leaders, however, did fi ght there,” she said. with her son and party president Ra- namool Congress chief Mamata Ban- task to forget diff erences and come to- try to give a roadmap for taking on Former ministers Yashwant Sinha hul Gandhi, senior Congress leader erjee to throw the gauntlet at Prime gether” and said “the main task now is the BJP jointly by emphasising on and Arun Shourie, who are now bit- Sonia Gandhi sent a message calling Minister Narendra Modi for defeating how we should move forward”. one-on-one fi ght against the BJP by terly opposed to Modi, also stressed on for the programme’s success and say- him in the coming general elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Baner- putting up the strongest candidate in engaging the saff ron outfi t in one-on- ing it was an “important attempt” to but kept the daunting issue of their jee, who was the last speaker, said eve- every seat. one fi ghts. “In such an eventuality, the galvanise leaders across the political prime ministerial candidate to be de- ryone is a leader in the proposed alli- “In every seat, there should be only BJP will be fi nished,” said Sinha. spectrum to fi ght the “arrogant and cided after the elections. ance, and a “collective decision” will one candidate and the strongest can- Indicating the process of consulta- divisive” Modi-government. Banerjee, who organised the well- be taken after the polls once the BJP didate against the BJP. They (the BJP) tions and coming together would con- Her message on behalf of the All attended ‘United India’ rally at the was defeated. are the only benefi ciaries of any divi- tinue, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister India Congress Committee was read historic Brigade Parade Ground called “This gathbandhan (alliance) has sion of votes, be it in Haryana, or Ut- and Telugu Desam chief Chandrababu out by party’s leader in the Lok Sabha for a ‘collective leadership even as Sa- been formed to save the people of the tar Pradesh, or Bengal or Bihar. So our Naidu announced that he would hold a Mallikarjun Kharge at the ground. majwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav nation and give them justice. You (BJP) main aim should be to avoid any divi- similar opposition rally in Amaravati A day earlier, the Congress presi- said: “Whoever people decide, will have only president (Amit Shah) and sion of votes. Wherever we could pre- and invited all the leaders present on dent too had sent a message to Baner- become prime minister”. PM. Here everybody is a leader, eve- vent any division of votes, say in Gora- the stage. jee extending his support to the rally Later, the leaders met over tea and rybody is a worker, everybody is an khpur or Phulpur (where the BSP and Naidu dubbed Modi as a “publicity and hoping that the “show of unity” A handout photo of Prime Minister interacted with the media when they organiser. the SP came together to defeat the BJP prime minister” and said the nation will send a powerful message of “a Narendra Modi siting on an armoured said demanded scrapping of the proc- “There is no need to worry about in Lok Sabha by-polls last year) the needs a new prime minister who can united India together” for ideas that vehicle during the inauguration of the ess of Electronic Voting Machines who will be the prime minister. We will BJP lost,” said Congress spokesperson perform, “someone who would work the BJP and Modi were intent on de- Larsen and Toubro Armoured Systems (EVMs) and a return to ballot papers. take a collective decision on that after Singhvi. for the betterment of the poor”. stroying. Complex in Hazira.

Transferred nuns seek Pinarayi intervention The four nuns, who publicly landhar, Bishop Mulakkal, who protested last year demand- is accused of raping the victim Audience impresses curator as art show enters second month ing rape accused Bishop nun repeatedly between 2014 Franco Mulakkal’s arrest, and and 2016. were handed transfer orders Mulakkal was arrested on By Ashraf Padanna also boasts of being the fi rst cura- much more visitors this time,” Kochi to do. It’s a defi nite charac- three days back, yesterday September 21, 2018, on rape Kochi tor of a biennale where more than Dube told this newspaper as two ter, exceptional character. That’s sought Kerala Chief Minister charges after these four nuns half the exhibitors are women. dozen students from School of why so many people are coming.” Pinarayi Vijayan’s intervention joined the public protest in “She’s done a wonderful job the Art Institute of Chicago wait- She feels the main thing on Eu- in the matter. Kochi that forced the police to nita Dube, the curator of here, as she did on the Indian art ed for an interview. rope’s agenda is culture, but ours The nuns, who are present- succumb to pressure from var- the fourth edition of the scene with her radical views. The “The venue’s speciality is that is religion, which doesn’t allow ly attached to a Kuruvilangad ious quarters and take strong AKochi-Muziris Biennale, Biennale has opened the window it’s nowhere else in the world. people to get into things that are convent near Kottayam, have action against the bishop. South Asia’s most signifi cant art to the world for many an artist,” After Venice, this is unique and challenging. The eff ect of culture been posted at four diff erent The nuns on Wednesday event, is happy at the quality of says contemporary artist Bhaska- a most happening place. Some- is very weak in their minds. places vide the transfer order refused to accept the transfer audience it has been receiving. ran Bara, who was a participant things are really possible in Kochi “If the religion releases its grip, issued on Wednesday. orders and said they would Art enthusiasts, both Indian in the last edition and getting in- to do. As a curator, I tried to do then people will get more into the In the letter, they requested remain in the convent at and international, are thronging vites from shows abroad since. justice to its character.” culture,” she argues. Vijayan to see to it that the Kottayam, where they are cur- this Kerala port city every day to “The real change is in the way She was here as an exhibitor at The growing infl uence of right- transfer orders were revoked rently posted. watch the paintings, sculptures the artists here think and in their Dube ... clear vision the fi rst edition in 2012, and she wing politics also worries her. as their only agenda was Following the transfer and installations of 94 artists forms. The Indian contemporary used to visit every edition since. She believes they are wiping out their wish to remain with the orders though, the Mother from across the world on display art has carved a niche for itself on The Biennale is growing in its “It represents a unique history the Nehruvian history and trying victim, who was yet to receive Superior of the Missionaries of since December 12. the international scene. For Ker- size and diversity. of this port city reaching out to to “put something” in its place. any sort of support from the Jesus — the congregation to Dube, famous for her radical ala, it’s going beyond the temple Bose Krishnamachari, presi- the world across the seas through “The developmental history of Church and was only banking which these nuns are attached views, rates KMB as the best in art and coming out in the public dent of the Kochi Biennale Foun- a vibrant trading community. Its the Nehruvian era is also being on them. to — have gone on record to the world after Venice, and her space.” dation and the co-curator of the architecture and the place where undermined. I really wanted the Seeking the intervention, say that this was just a routine selections represent the response He hopes Indian art will re- fi rst edition with Riyas Komu, it lies are all very special things,” young artists and thinkers to ad- they pointed out that these transfer that happened of the art world to all sorts of dis- discover itself through this “silk also underlines this. she told Gulf Times. dress this, to see diff erent means transfers were eff ected as regularly. criminations — ethnic, gender, route” connecting two worlds The quality and size of the au- “The one you can see elsewhere you can approach social prob- they were all witnesses in the Mulakkal secured bail on caste and class. through this historic port that dience also testify the claims of in the world with some similarity lems. Only some works are doing case against the-then Roman October 16, 2018, and is back She had deliberately chosen had once brought the Arabs, the the artists and organisers. is Havana. It has a sea and this it very directly,” she says. Catholic Diocese head in Ja- in Punjab. such works from a rainbow of na- Chinese and Europeans to its “Last season, we received kind of things. “It’s the choice of an artist to tions and subcultures, and she shores. 600,000 footfall, and we expect “Somethings are possible in comment directly or indirectly.” Gulf Times Sunday, January 20, 2019 17 PAKISTAN

PM slams ‘ruling elite’ over Dams fund donations dip travel ban

Internews Islamabad after Nisar’s retirement

Internews Rs9.28bn as of the fi ling of this of Pakistan (SBP), which used the Habib Bank Limited Islamic Ahmad (Rs16,374,476), Shan E funds for the construction of rime Minister Imran Khan Islamabad report, had been receiving an to update the status of fund on Charity (Rs100,000,000 each), Abbas Ashary from Saudi Arabia dams in July last year. has taken to Twitter to average of Rs47.6mn daily since a daily basis, has not done so Qarshi Industries, Engro Cor- (Rs13,748,428), Zafar Siddiqui Later, Prime Minister Khan Pcensure the “ruling elite” its establishment on July 6 last since January 15, two days before poration, US Apparel and Tex- (Rs13,300,000), and Amjad Ali joined the campaign and issued over their reaction to the gov- n the fi rst day after the year by Nisar. Nisar’s retirement. tile Mill, and Bestway Cement Khan (Rs13,230,004). an appeal to overseas Pakistanis ernment’s decision to place their retirement of former Friday’s fi gure shows a 70% According to the State Bank (Rs50,000,000 each), and em- The State Bank data shows to donate generously. names on the Exit Control List Ochief justice of Pakistan decrease from the daily average. website, the top 10 institu- ployees of the SBP and its sub- that overseas Pakistanis have He asked them to contribute (ECL). Saqib Nisar, the dams fund set Interestingly, on Thursday, on tional donors are employees sidiaries (Rs44,279,498). donated Rs1.23bn to the fund up at least $1,000 each, and those He took to Twitter to share up by him witnessed a steep de- Nisar’s last day as chief justice, of the Punjab government, The top 10 individual donors till January 15. who can aff ord were requested to videos of the country’s beauty cline, the offi cial website of the the dams fund saw Rs79.52mn in with Rs1,091,455,518, the Pa- are Mohamed Ali Tabba with The groundbreaking ceremo- give more. and wrote: “The majestic beauty Supreme Court showed. donations, almost fi ve times the kistan army (Rs582,071,939), Rs100mn, Hasho Group chief ny of Mohmand Dam is expected To mobilise funds, some rul- and diversity of our land is un- According to the website, only amount received the very next the Strategic Planning Division executive Murtaza Hashwani to be held later this month. ing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf paralleled. Sadly, this beauty is Rs14.43mn in donations were day. (Rs201,093,824), the Pakistan (Rs60mn), Sardar Tanvir Ilyas The project will be built at a (PTI) party lawmakers, includ- not appreciated by our ruling received in the Supreme Court of Legal and economic experts air force (Rs100,280,791), Na- Rs29.5mn, Riaz Hussain and Yas- cost of Rs309bn by a consortium ing Senator Faisal Javed, visited elite, which is why ECL is such a Pakistan and Prime Minister of had in the past warned about the val Accounts Controller Sajid meen Riaz, Muslim Commer- of a Pakistani engineering fi rm foreign countries where dona- calamity for them.” Pakistan’s Diamir-Bhasha and sustainability of the dams fund Ali (Rs63,826,604), the Frontier cial Bank (Rs20mn each), Abdul and a Chinese company, which tions were given or pledges were “The captivating grandeur Mohmand Dam Fund Account following the chief justice’s re- Constabulary (Rs40,000,000), Hannan Khan (Rs19,882,351), have won the bid. made. of our land is why I would be on Friday (January 18). tirement. Bahria Town (Rs110,127,185), Ziaullah Qureshi from Switzer- Former chief justice Nisar Nisar also paid a visit to Brit- happy just remaining confi ned The fund, which stood at In addition, the State Bank The Karachi Port Trust and land (Rs16,374,476), Zeeshan launched the campaign to raise ain for the purpose. here, working for our people,” he added. Earlier this week, the pre- mier tweeted: “Why are some of All in a day’s work our lawmakers so scared of the ECL? Why are they so keen to go Sindh police stepping up abroad? “There is so much work to be done by politicians in and for Pakistan – the land they claim monitoring of social media to love but some cannot wait to take frequent trips abroad, and lawmakers have iqamas or resi- Internews elements and promoters of dif- of mandate on the particular dencies abroad.” Karachi ferent ideologies which cannot subject as the area is already “Can anyone explain this be dubbed as pro-nationalism” under watch of the FIA’s cyber- strange phenomenon to those of have sparked concerns, neces- crime wing, he said that the us who would be quite happy to s the federal govern- sitating immediate and strong Sindh police’s plans are not on remain in and work for Pakistan ment plans a new body measures. a collision course with any in- because we actually love Paki- Ato regulate the print, The move by the Sindh po- stitution. stan,” Khan added. electronic and social media, the lice, the offi cial said, is the rst fi Instead, it would add value to The federal cabinet on Thurs- police authorities in Sindh have by the law enforcement agency, overall eff orts of diff erent agen- day approved the removal of developed a technical team un- which had realised the signifi - cies against “hatred, terrorism, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) der its anti-terror wing that has cance of the digital and social violence and militancy”. chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari started monitoring all digital media platforms. “Initially, we are monitor- and Sindh Chief Minister Murad platforms amid their growing “Actually, we have raised ing the trend and getting leads Ali Shah’s names from the ECL, use for “promotion of ideology a separate technical team of while probing diff erent cases,” in light of the Supreme Court’s of hatred, anti-state activism professionals,” said Raja Umer said Khattab. “In the course of verdict. and militancy”, a senior offi cial Khattab of the Counter-Terror- our operation, if we fi nd any- said. ism Department (CTD), which thing that falls under the man- The development from the has been tasked with keeping an date of the FIA or any other Chief minister Sindh police came after a se- eye on social and digital media. agency, we would defi nitely take ries of steps announced by the “One of the tasks of the team them on board. okays staff grants federal government and insti- includes monitoring social me- “We are already co-ordinat- and allowances tutions, including the Pakistan dia. They have been trained for ing with every investigation, Telecommunication Authority that purpose, and more meas- law enforcement and intelli- Punjab Chief Minister Usman (PTA) and the Federal Investi- ures are being planned for their gence agency for better results Buzdar has approved various gation Agency (FIA), where capacity-building.” in diff erent cases.” allowances and grants for the “the infi ltration of anti-state When asked about any clash The FIA a few months ago al- A worker repairs a charging light at his roadside shop at a market in Islamabad. government employees. lowed establishing of 15 cyber- The scholarship for gazetted Military offi cers ordered to quit social media crime reporting centres in the off icers’ orphaned children has country. been increased from Rs20,000 to Hundreds of Pakistani army off icers have quit WhatsApp groups and Five of the centres will be Rs50,000. deactivated their Facebook accounts after being ordered to abandon opened in Punjab, three each According to the Services social media for unspecified security concerns, sources revealed this in Sindh and Khyber Pa- and General Administration week. khtunkhwa, two in Baluchistan, Police report four killed, one Department, the children The off icers were asked to stay away from all social networking plat- and one each in Islamabad and of deceased non-gazetted forms, even in private capacity, after a meeting of the army command- Gilgit-Baltistan. off icers will receive Rs10,000 as ers last week, off icials told DPA. The decision was taken in ac- scholarship. At least six off icers who spoke to DPA said that they had quit the cordance with Section 51 of the hurt in anti-terror operation They will be provided an annual WhatsApp groups and abandoned other platforms to comply with the Prevention of Electronic Crimes scholarship of Rs5,000, raised new orders. Act 2015, which grants the gov- from Rs1,500. The commanders did not specify what the security concerns were. ernment powers to take all nec- Internews intercept a car and motorcycle spoke to us. A few minutes later, The wedding grant for gazetted Some off icers speculated that the intention was to restrict online com- essary measures for the preven- Sahiwal near the toll plaza; however, the however, CTD offi cials returned off icers’ children has been munication with civilians. tion of cyber-crime. people in the car starting fi ring and took the children with them increased from Rs40,000 to Interaction between Pakistani military off icers, who follow many of CTD offi cials said that it is not at them”. to an undisclosed location,” the Rs150,000, whereas in case of the traditions of the colonial British army in the sub-continent, and the fi rst time that the depart- he Counter-Terrorism “The operation was con- eyewitnesses added. non-gazetted off icers, the amount members of the public is, however, very limited. ment had taken up monitoring Department (CTD) has ducted as part of the one in “The car was coming from has been raised from Rs15,000 to The move follows by a series of statements by army chief General social media, as in the past it Tannounced that the local Faisalabad, which took place on Lahore, and the women killed Rs100,000. Qamar Bajwa blaming social media for what the military refers to as a had kept posted the relevant au- commander of the Islamic State January 16,” the spokesperson were (aged) 40 and 13 years, re- “fifth generation war” or “hybrid war” against Pakistan. thorities about its concerns and group (known locally as Daesh), further said. spectively,” they further said. The Pakistani military believes that “hostile intelligence agencies” are proposed measures for eff ective and three others, including two The injured child, while Following the incident, Pun- Bill submitted to using social media to build a negative perception of the army among regulation. women, were killed in an op- speaking to local media, said: jab police spokesperson Nabila young people. “For instance in 2017, the eration near GT (Grand Trunk) “My parents, sister and father’s Ghazanfar said: “If those killed raise lawmakers’ CTD police had prepared a con- Road. friend are among those killed in were innocent citizens, then ac- salaries and perks Khosa does not have any social media account solidated list of websites, web- “Four people, including two the incident.” tion will be taken against those pages and social media accounts women and Daesh local com- Eyewitnesses rejected the who fi red at them.” Ghazanfar Cheena, a Pakistan A Supreme Court spokesperson has rejected reports that Chief Justice spreading extremism and ter- mander Zeeshan, have been CTD’s account, saying that the “IG (Inspector General of Po- Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of Pakistan Justice Asif Saeed Khosa has social media accounts. rorism,” said another offi cial. killed, and one child injured in people in the car did not fi re at lice) Punjab has sought a report member of the Provincial According to a statement by the spokesperson, the chief justice does “The CTD had also written to the cross-fi re,” a CTD spokes- offi cials. from the regional police offi cer Assembly (MPA) from Bhakker, not have an account on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media the PTA, the FIA and other au- person said. “There were no weapons regarding the incident,” the has submitted a bill calling platform. thorities for closing or banning The suspects were kidnap- found with the bodies,” they spokesperson added. for amendment to the Punjab “The chief justice has directed the Federal Investigation Agency, the of such websites, webpages and pers and three children were re- said. Provincial Minister for In- Provincial Assemblies (Salaries, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and other relevant depart- social media accounts to foil covered, police said. The eyewitnesses further said formation and Culture Fayyazul Allowance and Privilege of ments to inquire about the fake accounts,” the spokesperson said. designs of the banned militant “Three terrorists managed to that the children, while speak- Hassan Chohan said: “Within Members) Act 1974. Khosa was sworn in as the 26th chief justice of the country on Friday. organisations. escape and have been identifi ed ing to them at a nearby petrol one hour, there will be clarity The bill is meant to bring salaries, He replaced Saqib Nisar, whose tenure came to an end with his retire- “The CTD in fact had iden- as Shahid Jabbar, Abdul Reh- station, claimed that the “po- regarding the incident.” perks, monetary privileges of ment on Thursday. tifi ed 25 such websites, which man, and their accomplice,” the lice have killed their parents”. Further, according to sources, Punjab Assembly MPAs on par Khosa, 64, will serve as the chief justice for almost eleven months, and were involved in spreading reli- spokesperson added. “Following the fi ring inci- Prime Minister Imran Khan has with the members of other will retire on December 20 this year. gious and ethnic extremism and According to the spokes- dent, the police left the children taken notice of the incident and assemblies. terrorism.” person, “a CTD team tried to at the petrol station where they sought a report. Afghan Taliban reject talks with US in Pakistan

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad’s between Khalilzad and Pakistani is no clarity on when they may tion could resume if they were The statement did not give Pakistan stay extended offi cials, including Prime Minis- resume. assured that only three issues details on the talks, but sev- ter Imran Khan, on Friday. “We have made it clear again would be discussed – a US with- eral local TV channels reported Reuters/Internews Senior Taliban leaders said and again that we would never drawal from Afghanistan, an ex- that Pakistan agreed to host the Peshawar/Islamabad that regional powers including hold any meeting with the Af- change of prisoners, and lifting a next round of talks between the Pakistan had approached them ghan government as we know ban on the movement of Taliban Afghan Taliban and the United and wanted them to meet the US that they are not capable of ad- leaders. States in Islamabad. he Afghan Taliban have delegation in Islamabad, and also dressing our demands,” said one Khalilzad arrived in Islamabad Khalilzad, an Afghan-born rejected reports in the Pa- include the Afghan government senior Taliban leader, who spoke on Thursday and met Prime Min- veteran US diplomat who served Tkistani media that they in the peace process, but that the on condition of anonymity. ister Imran Khan as well as the as George W Bush’s ambassa- This handout photo taken and released by Press Information are prepared to resume meetings approaches had been rejected. The United States says any Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood dor to Afghanistan, Iraq and the Department (PID) on Friday shows Prime Minister Imran Khan with with US special envoy Zalmay “We wanted to make it clear settlement in Afghanistan must Qureshi and other offi cials. United Nations, was named by US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad (second right) and other off icials during a Khalilzad in Islamabad, and re- that we will not hold any meeting be between the internationally- “The two sides reviewed de- the Trump administration four meeting in Islamabad. peated their refusal to deal di- with Zalmay Khalilzad in Islama- recognised Afghan government velopments post Abu Dhabi, in months ago as a special envoy to rectly with the Afghan govern- bad,” Taliban spokesman Zabiul- and the Taliban, who have so far order to take the Afghan peace negotiate peace. leave for the US, but extended fi nalised. The US embassy will ment. lah Mujahid in a statement. refused to talk to an administra- process forward,” a foreign offi ce Diplomatic sources meanwhile his stay following the decision inform the foreign offi ce of the Pakistani newspapers and tel- Talks between the two sides tion that they describe as an ille- statement said. said that Khalilzad has extended to hold the next round of talks new date,” the source added. evision stations reported that have stalled after the Taliban ac- gitimate puppet regime. An Afghan Taliban delegation his stay in Pakistan. between the US and the Afghan Khalilzad is on his fi fth visit to a meeting in Islamabad was in cused Khalilzad of straying from The Taliban leader said that had a round of talks last month According to the sources, the Taliban. the region for Afghan reconcilia- prospect following discussions the agreed agenda, and there peace talks with the US delega- with US offi cials in Abu Dhabi. US envoy had been scheduled to “The return date has not been tion since his appointment. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, January 20, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Turning the tide on obesity requires aggressive action

Almost a quarter of the global population will be obese by 2045; researchers recently said and warned of a mounting medical bill worldwide. If current trends continue, some 22% of people in the world will be obese by 2045, up from 14% in 2017, according to research presented at the last European Congress on Obesity in Vienna. One in eight people, up from one in 11, will have type 2 diabetes—a form of the disease that generally hits in adulthood as a result of being overweight. In 2016, more than 1.9bn adults, 18 years and older, were overweight. Of these over 650mn were obese. Some 39% of adults aged 18 years and over were Can PiS avoid blame for overweight in 2016, and 13% were obese. Most of the world’s population lives in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight. Nearly 41mn children under the age of fi ve were overweight or obese in 2016. murder of Gdañsk mayor? Over 340mn children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese in 2016. elected as an independent, he was fatally shot by a right-wing fanatic. In the meantime, PiS-controlled Already, health systems are spending “huge sums just to By Sławomir Sierakowski Warsaw previously a co-founder and member of The 1922 tragedy did not unite media accused Civic Platform of treat diabetes,” the researchers said. Civic Platform, and enjoyed the party’s Polish society. On the contrary, the carrying out the attack, including in Researcher Alan Moses of a Danish healthcare fi rm support. assassin soon became a “national its coverage quotes only from Civic he murder of Gdañsk Mayor In Poland – like other countries hero” for the right, and Poland’s Platform politicians and the former analysed population data for all countries in the world, Paweł Adamowicz has sent with similar histories of war, uprisings, minorities were effectively shut out president of the Constitutional Court. obtained from a World Health Organisation database. Poland into a tailspin. The and assassinations – political tragedy of parliamentary politics, because But it is Kaczyñski’s party that for the They divided the population Tnature of the crime speaks to never seems to unite us; instead, it the other parties were wary of allying past three years has been denouncing of each country into age groups, the febrile state of Polish politics under deepens existing divisions. After the with them. The doctrine of Polish Poland’s judges as thieves and Overweight the rule of Jarosław Kaczyñski’s Law murder of a popular political fi gure, one majoritarianism prevailed. communists. Should we be surprised and further into body mass index and Justice (PiS) party. might expect an empathetic response Then, in 2010, Poland experienced that a convicted criminal recently left and obesity (BMI) categories, and looked at Adamowicz was everything that from all sides. But Polish civic life has another national tragedy, when a prison convinced that those who put trends to make projections. the PiS is not. Though conservative, deteriorated – become more polarised plane carrying then-president Lech him there are illegitimate, and that are largely BMI is a ratio of height to he symbolically bestowed the keys and malevolent – in the wake of every Kaczyñski – Jarosław’s brother – Civic Platform, a staunch defender of weight used to divide people to the city on Gdañsk’s women to political tragedy, and the subsequent crashed outside of Smolensk, killing the judiciary, should be punished? preventable commemorate the centennial of process of reconciliation generally takes everyone on board, including the chief Because Poles are generally into low- to high-risk categories women’s suff rage in Poland. He, along decades. of the Polish General Staff , 18 members suspicious of opposition parties, courts, for developing heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 with a dozen other mayors, invited There is a basic psychological of parliament, and numerous other and private media, the PiS’s diversion diabetes and certain cancers. refugees to their cities, off ering jobs mechanism underlying this dynamic. If military and political leaders. Shortly strategy has been eff ective. But if the and support – an off er the central a society comprises enough people who thereafter, the Polish right began party thinks it can avoid blame for A person with a BMI of 25 or more is considered government rejected. When my perceive themselves as victims of some accusing then-Prime Minister Donald Adamowicz’s murder, it may be in for a overweight, and 30 or higher obese. organisation invited the leftist Slovene kind, the public reaction to misfortune Tusk and Russia of jointly plotting the surprise. Owsiak is a widely respected A healthy BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. philosopher Slavoj Žižek to Gdañsk in will tend not toward empathy, but hate. crash. and beloved public fi gure. Almost The researchers said turning the tide on obesity would 2009, Adamowicz immediately invited The instinct is to treat sympathy as a Since then, the Polish right everyone in Poland has either seen or him to dinner. scarce resource that must be defended has created a “cult of Smolensk,” benefi ted directly from the life-saving require “aggressive and co-ordinated action”. The timing and setting of the crime from rivals. It is as if society were locked appointing its own pseudo-experts medical equipment his charity provides. Overweight and obesity are linked to more deaths are telling. The assailant attacked in a state of competitive suff ering. (none of whom has ever examined a Generations of Poles have participated worldwide than underweight. Globally, there are more Adamowicz during the fi nale of an The Polish scholar Andrzej Leder plane crash) to “investigate.” Under in the charity’s fundraising drives. For people who are obese than underweight – this occurs in annual fundraiser organised by the put it best: “Those who have a sense the PiS government, there have been, years, Poles have ranked Owsiak as the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. of victimisation have hearts of stone.” for eight years, monthly marches country’s greatest moral authority – every region except parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Now in its 27th year, the event has been Among other things, this insight helps commemorating the crash, and the ahead of the Pope. The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an crucial to fundraising eff orts for the to explain the post-World War II surge military is forced to hold ceremonies The state media’s narrative energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories modernisation of Polish hospitals and in anti-Semitism among Poles, many where the names of the “fallen” are read portraying Owsiak and Civic expended. is the country’s most trusted public of whom had just witnessed the Nazis out. Since the Smolensk crash, Poland Platform as the guilty parties entity. murder millions of Jews on Polish soil. has been divided into two warring behind Adamowicz’s murder will Overweight and obesity, as well as their related non- And yet the charity and its founder, Adamowicz’s murder brings to mind camps. only undermine the PiS. Kaczyñski communicable diseases, are largely preventable, WHO points out. Jerzy Owsiak, have for the past three events in Poland in 1922, shortly after This time will be no diff erent. In has repeatedly demonstrated his Supportive environments and communities are fundamental years been subjected to a right- the country regained independence. the hours immediately following the impulsiveness. He pursues power in shaping people’s choices, by making the choice of healthier wing hate campaign similar to that After Gabriel Narutowicz was declared attack on Adamowicz, Polish President without considering the consequences directed against Poland’s judiciary the winner of the country’s fi rst Andrzej Duda and PiS offi cials, shocked of his actions. And if he attacks Owsiak, foods and regular physical activity the easiest choice, and and opposition parties. Speaking democratic presidential election, he by what had occurred, exhibited he will lose. – Project Syndicate therefore preventing overweight and obesity. from the stage, the killer explained came under vicious attack from the restraint. That lasted less than a day. At the individual level, people can limit energy intake that he had exacted revenge against right, which decried him as a “Jewish The primetime news programme on zSławomir Sierakowski, founder of from total fats and sugars; increase consumption of fruit the previous governing party, Civic president” because of the support state television blamed the tragedy on the Krytyka Polityczna movement, is Platform, which he held responsible for he had received from the country’s Owsiak, accusing him of not securing Director of the Institute for Advanced and vegetables, as well as legumes, whole grains and nuts; a prison sentence that he had recently numerous national minorities. Just fi ve the event. No mention was made of the Study in Warsaw and a fellow at the and engage in regular physical activity (60 minutes a day concluded. Though Adamowicz was days after taking offi ce, Narutowicz was words of the actual perpetrator. Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin. for children and 150 minutes spread through the week for adults). Individual responsibility can only have its full eff ect where people have access to a healthy lifestyle. WHO stressed that at the societal level it is important to support individuals in following the recommendations given, through sustained implementation of evidence and population based policies that make regular physical activity and healthier dietary choices available, affordable and easily accessible to everyone, particularly to the poorest.

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© 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved A man holds a City of Gdansk flag as he and others line up for the funeral service for the city’s mayor Pawel Adamowicz at St Mary’s Basilica in Gdansk, Poland, yesterday. Gulf Times Sunday, January 20, 2019 19 COMMENT The world economy goes Hollywood

By Anatole Kaletsky data were only slightly weaker than London expected in the second half of 2018. The World Bank, for example, has reduced its estimates of global growth f there is one useful conclusion in 2018 and 2019 by just 0.1 percentage that economists and investors points, to 3% and 2.9%, respectively, can draw from the crazy year that since its June outlook. Ihas just ended – indeed, from the The main cause for concern has whole crazy decade since the Global been the behaviour of fi nancial Financial Crisis of 2008 – it is this: markets. Many economists saw the As they say in Hollywood, “Nobody simultaneous plunge in long-term knows anything.” interest rates and equity prices In the fi lm industry, the richest in December as an indicator of and most experienced studios and recession: either investors “know producers spend vast amounts of time something” awful that is not yet and money on audience research, evident in the statistics, or declining but still have no idea if their latest market sentiment would become a creations will turn out to be hits self-fulfi lling prophecy by causing or fl ops. So why be surprised if the businesses or consumers to cut back. same is true of fi nancial markets – But, before concluding that fi nancial or, for that matter, of commodity markets can always predict or shape prices, policymaking, and corporate the future, we should recall that performance? economic and policy changes usually Why be shocked if the world’s move fi nancial expectations – not vice richest company admits, as Apple versa. did after Christmas, that it has no So what events, apart from market idea how many iPhones it will sell in volatility, would cause a recession or China? Or if the world’s best-informed severe global slowdown? A popular energy traders predict a global supply answer is simply the passage of time. shortage that will boost oil prices The global economic expansion that above $100, just when a supply glut began in 2009 has already lasted sends the market tumbling to $50? almost ten years. If a US recession Or if the US president doesn’t know does not occur by 2020, the country if he hates or loves global trade? will have experienced the longest Or if stock markets predict a global uninterrupted expansion in its history. economic boom when bond markets There is nothing in economic theory predict recession and then both reverse or historical experience to suggest suddenly, contradicting each other in that expansions die of old age, or that the opposite direction? recessions happen spontaneously. But The World Bank has reduced its estimates of global growth in 2018 and 2019 by just 0.1 percentage points, to 3% and 2.9%, respectively, since its June outlook. At this time last year, economic expansions do become more vulnerable expectations were almost universally to diseases of old age: high interest of accelerating, as most economists of US overheating and rising bond returned to what looked like a stable month? Could it be that investors are optimistic. Every region of the world rates, rising energy prices, accelerating (including me) expected. yields. Once the overheating concerns pre-sanctions range of $60-65, and the so confused by political chaos that appeared to be simultaneously infl ation, or banking crises that are But many of the forces that subsided, bond repricing turned out to strengthening of the dollar ended. In they have given up trying to anticipate booming for the fi rst time since the triggered when unsustainably high caused last year’s slowdown are now be very limited, equities everywhere short, markets seemed to move broadly what could happen next? 2008 fi nancial crisis. Central bankers property prices suddenly collapse. And reversing. Oil prices have fallen, US rebounded, and the dollar remained in line with the changing political and If so, then markets, instead of were confi dent that they could safely if none of these economic mishaps bond yields are back to almost where very weak. Dollar weakness and global macroeconomic fundamentals – until being predictive, become increasingly start to withdraw their extraordinary occurs, eventually political leaders they started in 2018, trade confl icts equity strength reversed abruptly everything suddenly went haywire reactive, simply extrapolating recent monetary stimulus, and stock-market can become recklessly overconfi dent, appear to be subsiding, and China is in May, when markets were hit by a in early December. For the next three events. In a world where “nobody investors were almost unanimously leading to wars, trade confl icts, or easing macroeconomic policy at least perfect storm of the three political weeks, until December 24, the S&P 500 knows anything,” investors may be bullish. Yet 2018 turned into the worst gross budgetary mismanagement. to some extent (and will probably move shocks that I had considered most collapsed by 16% for no apparent reason, no better than Hollywood moguls year for investors since the fi nancial Several of these problems began to to outright stimulus if its economy likely: soaring oil prices in anticipation Brent oil plunged from $61 to $50, the at predicting the future. – Project crisis, forcing central bankers to begin appear in 2018: rising interest rates in weakens much further). of Iran sanctions; the US-China tariff dollar again strengthened, and yields on Syndicate backing away from their plans to the US, fi scal tightening in Italy and The policy changes and political war; and the formation of a left-right ten-year US bonds fell from 3% to 2.7%. normalise monetary policy, economists much of Europe, an escalating tariff events just described were clearly populist government in Italy. If all of the main fundamentals zAnatole Kaletsky is Chief to downgrade their growth forecasts, war between the US and China; and the main drivers of last year’s market In October, with political risks suggest that economic growth in 2019 Economist and Co-Chairman of and many businesses to prepare for higher energy prices around the world. shocks. For example, January’s stock- receding, emerging markets started to could end up as strong or even stronger Gavekal Dragonomics and the author recession in 2019 or 2020. It is not surprising, therefore, that the market correction and volatility outperform, stock markets stabilised than in 2018, why, did equity prices of Capitalism 4.0, The Birth of a New What went wrong? Economic world economy slowed in 2018, instead surge were clearly caused by fears elsewhere (even in Europe), the oil price and bond yields suddenly collapse last Economy.

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WARNING Inshore : Strong wind expected breast at places at times Offshore : Strong wind and high sea WEATHER cancer risk Inshore : Relatively cold daytime with some clouds and slight dust some places at times. Cold by night. QNA/Agencies Offshore : Partly cloudy at times London

WIND Inshore : Northwesterly 08-18 KT K scientists have developed reaches to 22 KT an online calculator that Offshrore : Northwesterly 15-25/35 could enable doctors to more KT Uaccurately predict a patient’s Visibility : 4-8 KM chance of developing breast cancer, ac- cording to the BBC. Offshore : 6-8/13 FT If rolled out, the new tool could change the way in which the condition Around the region is treated. Weather Weather The result is more precise than ever today Max/min tomorrow Max/min before, as more than 300 genetic indica- Baghdad Sunny 13/03 Cloudy 13/04 tors have been taken into account, says Kuwait CitySunny 15/07 M Cloudy 14/08 Cancer Research UK who co-led the Manama Cloudy 18/13 M Sunny 19/14 study. Muscat Sunny 22/17 Sunny 22/16 Tehran M Sunny 07/-2 M Sunny 07/0 “It could be a game changer for breast cancer because now we can identify large numbers of women with diff erent levels of risk – not just women who are at high risk.”

“This is the fi rst time that anyone has combined so many elements into one breast cancer prediction tool,” said the Around the world study’s lead author, Antonis Antoniou, Weather Weather Professor of Cancer Risk Prediction at today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Cambridge in a statement. Athens Rain 14/06 P Cloudy 15/08 “It could be a game changer for breast Beirut M Cloudy 17/13 M Sunny 18/12 cancer because now we can identify Bangkok M Sunny 34/24 M Sunny 34/25 large numbers of women with diff erent Berlin Sunny 02/-6 M Sunny 01/-3 levels of risk – not just women who are Cairo Cloudy 19/09 Sunny 22/08 at high risk.” Cape Town P Cloudy 27/17 P Cloudy 23/17 This ability to easily and precisely Colombo Cloudy 31/22 P Cloudy 30/23 stratify patients into a variety of dif- Dhaka Sunny 27/14 Sunny 28/14 ferent risk groups is designed to help Hong Kong P Cloudy 20/12 P Cloudy 16/09 doctors better tailor individual care to Istanbul P Cloudy 12/07 Showers 10/06 patients, avoiding unnecessary screen- Jakarta T Storm 31/25 T Storm 30/24 ing for low-risk patients, or instituting Karachi P Cloudy 24/16 Sunny 23/12 preventative therapies for high-risk London P Cloudy 06/01 P Cloudy 06/03 ones. Manila M Cloudy 31/24 Cloudy 31/23 Around 627,000 women died from Moscow Snow -4/-8 M Cloudy -6/-16 breast cancer worldwide in 2018, ac- New Delhi Fog 26/13 Showers 21/12 cording to the World Health Organisa- tion (WHO). Gulf Times 20 Sunday, January 20, 2019 QATAR QSTP awards ‘techpreneurs’ at Arab Innovation Academy he second edition of the ‘WheelsOnClick’ created a Arab Innovation Acad- platform that connects owners Temy (AIA), a collaboration of underutilised cars with people between Qatar Science & Tech- in need of cars for a short period. nology Park and the European The platform follows the popu- Innovation Academy (EIA), con- lar Airbnb concept, which users cluded with a grand pitching and can use to look for, or list cars, graduation ceremony recently. for rent. Members of the team AIA is the fi rst and largest included Abhimanyu Saini from entrepreneurship programme Indian Institute of Science, In- in the region, aimed at equip- dia; Fathalrhman Adam from Al ping entrepreneurs in Qatar, Neelain University, Sudan; Gari- the Mena region, and the glo- ma Natani from Indian Institute bal community with the skillset of Technology, India; Omaiyma to build their startup in just 10 Hilal Alkathiri from Ibri College days. The accelerated mode of of Technology, Oman; and Wisal experiential learning introduced Ahmed Khatir Bakhat from Alza- participants to cutting-edge iem Alazhari University, Sudan. methods and tools in entrepre- Yosouf Abdulrahman Saleh, neurship, from team formation executive director of QSTP, said: and idea creation to pitching to “I’m very proud of what we’ve venture capitalists and angel achieved in the second edition investors. During the competi- of AIA, with the majority of the tion, participants developed and teams completing their projects launched new tech ventures in a throughout their journey with real marketplace, with genuine us. We look forward to educat- customer feedback. ing the public and raising further QSTP is part of Qatar Founda- awareness about the substantial tion Research, Development and benefi ts of the AIA programme, Innovation. while encouraging greater par- The programme, which began ticipation from the youth of Qa- on January 2, brought together tar and the region in our third world-renowned technology edition.” collaborators; more than 160 Alar Kolk, president of EIA, participants selected from a added: “This year, we have wel- pool of over 900 applicants; 25 comed a record number of par- speakers; and 37 mentors and ticipants from all corners of the investors, representing 30 dif- Mena region. Here, students de- ferent nationalities. The second Yosouf Abdulrahman Saleh and Alar Kolk with the winning teams of the second edition of the Arab Innovation Academy in Doha. velop the skills and confi dence edition of AIA also witnessed needed to develop startups even greater participation in the tourism.Two days before the app is connected to GPS, and from Higher School of Econom- clude Aboubakr Aqle, Ghadeer concept of a software-hardware from scratch, and learn to create programme from Arab women. graduation ceremony, the tech- contains information about epi- ics, Russia; Tareq Osman Babiker Abuoda, and Omer Abad from system that can help people with unique value in the world of en- The startup ideas produced preneurs presented their start- demic diseases in the region of a from Al Neelain University, Su- Hamad Bin Khalifa University, disabilities communicate using trepreneurship and innovation.” by the participating teams ad- up ideas to other participants, particular travel destination, as dan; and Yafa Abd AlRahim from a member of Qatar Foundation, just their eyes, by blinking. Team The expo served as a dry run dressed many global problems mentors, and visitors in a public well as prevention methods and Birzeit University, Palestine. Qatar; Jalila Rashid al-Sharqi members included Abdelkader for the teams ahead of the fi nal – from retaining children’s in- Startup Expo, answering ques- necessary vaccinations. The second-place award went from Sultan Qaboos Univer- Keddar and Samia Cherifi from grand pitching day, where the top terest in reading and re-utilising tions about their products, serv- The team is composed of to team ‘Fly Stories’, which cre- sity, Oman; and Tasneem Ismail the University of Abou Bakr 10 teams presented their startup industrial wastes, to simplifying ices, and business concepts. Bashar Shawar from Palestine ated a platform that provides from Doha Institute for Graduate Belkaid, Algeria; Abdullah Ab- ideas to investors, received valu- the search for blood donors – The AIA 2019 fi rst place win- Polytechnic University; Chaim- children with an interactive Studies, Qatar. dulwakil and Dogukan Aksu able input from the attendees, and spanned several industries, ner was team ‘Salamat-e’, which ae El Mahdaoui from Mohamed reading experience, and authors Teams ‘EyeTalk’ and ‘Wheel- from Istanbul University, Tur- and were directed toward areas including health, education, developed a mobile app that VI University of Health Scienc- with an outlet to publish their sOnClick’ were tied in third key; and Shaikha Alsubaey from where their business concepts construction, real estate, and serves as a ‘health passport’. The es, Morocco; Polina Ladchenko stories. Members of the team in- place. ‘EyeTalk’ presented a Qatar University, Qatar. should be further developed. 19 aspiring Qatari doctors among 46 to start clinical rotation at HMC hospitals

total of 46 fourth year partnership between HMC and and priorities in healthcare edu- medical students from QU will ensure they have a solid cation. AQatar University’s Col- educational foundation to help The medical students have lege of Medicine (QUCMED) will meet the future healthcare needs spent the past three and a half This week, 46 medical students from QUCMED will start clinical rotations at Al Khor and Al Wakra Hospitals. begin a 14-week clinical rota- of the country’s population. years in the classroom and lab, tion, also known as a clerkship, The group is the inaugural learning the fundamentals of and other core specialties. “Not students will shadow HMC con- enrolled in the College of Medi- of many years of hard work,” said at Hamad Medical Corporation’s general medicine class from basic medical sciences and ac- only will clinical rotations enable sultants and medical residents cine’s six-year MD programme, Prof Toft. (HMC) Al Khor and Al Wakra Qatar University’s medical col- quiring the clinical skills that medical students to safely apply and will have the opportunity including 160 Qatar nationals. As part of their training, the hospitals this week. lege. Established in 2014 by underpin the art of medicine and the knowledge they have accu- to not only participate in the “This is an exciting time for students will complete clinical According to Dr Abdullatif al- His Highness the Amir Sheikh the practice of patient care. mulated in the classroom to re- care for patients but also to help us and for these students. For rotations at HMC, Sidra Medicine Khal, deputy chief medical of- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Their clinical rotations at al-life medical situations, under solve complex medical problems QUCMED, today represents an- and Primary Health Care Corpo- fi cer and director, Medical Edu- response to the growing need HMC, which will continue the watchful guidance of experi- through valuable hands-on ex- other important milestone in our ration. During a ceremony held cation at HMC, and associate for medical doctors, QUCMED throughout their fourth, fi fth, enced clinical supervisors, HMC perience,” said Dr al-Khal. journey toward witnessing the last week at HMC’s Hajar Audi- dean for clinical aff airs at QU, 19 focuses on the development of a and sixth years of study, will will also provide the right learn- Prof Egon Toft, dean of the graduation of our fi rst batch of torium, all the 46 students were of these students are nationals. home-grown medical workforce provide them with real-world ing environment to meet the re- College of Medicine and vice Qatar University medical doc- recognised for their important He said the students represent for Qatar, rooted in the specifi c practical experience in surgery, quirements of the clinical cur- president for Medical and Health tors in 2021. For these students, it contribution to protecting and the next generation of Qatar’s needs of the population and internal medicine, paediatrics, riculum for the students. Over Sciences at Qatar University, said represents the next phase in their advancing the health and welfare medical professionals and the aligned with national strategies psychiatry and mental health, the next 14 weeks, these medical there are currently 310 students medical training and the fruition of the country’s population. WCM-Q professor’s book details medical students’ Tanzanian journey

he life-changing expe- for the ill is so diffi cult to obtain riences of a group of 10 there that illness meant suff er- Tmedical students on a ing and would usually only get service learning trip to Tanzania worse. In fact, around 85% of the have been shared in a book com- Tanzanian population will never piled by Weill Cornell Medicine- see a doctor in their entire life.” Qatar (WCM-Q) professor, Dr Student Narjis Mhaimeed of Dietrich Busselberg. the Class of 2022 wrote of the The 154-page book, titled Ex- natural beauty of the parks and periencing Tanzania: Refl ections the wildlife and noted: “Unfor- of a Medical Service Learning tunately, these wonders of na- Trip Through the Eyes of Aspir- ture are not as safe as one would ing Physicians, features articles hope them to be. Poaching has by students recounting their been a huge, ongoing issue. The impressions of the east Afri- elephant population declined by can country, its people, wildlife 60% in fi ve years, from 109,051 and awe-inspiring landscapes, in 2009 to 43,521 in 2014. Lions and the challenges of provid- are also in grave danger – the ing healthcare in a low-resource number of lions has dropped setting. from 25,000 in 2010 to 16,000 The book is illustrated with WCM-Q medical students spent 10 days in Tanzania, helping provide free health checks to local people WCM-Q student Nasser al-Kuwari conducts a health check during currently.” more than 300 photographs and viewing the country’s impressive scenery. the visit to Tanzania. Further articles were penned taken by Dr Busselberg, a keen by WCM-Q students Dabin amateur photographer, who and elephants, among many lation. This contrast between by WCM-Q’s Student Aff airs Manyara National Park and the the Maasai people, the system Chung, Omar Mhaimeed, Safah accompanied the students on others. natural beauty and hardship Division. During the trip, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, of national parks and their role Khan, Jasna Chalangal, Nasser the 10-day trip. He captured Dr Busselberg, professor of made for some quite profound group visited Arusha and Moshi home of the famed Ngorongoro in protecting the fl ora and fauna al-Kuwari, M Fatin Ishtiaq, the students as they toured the physiology and biophysics, said: experiences for the students, in the northeast of the coun- Crater. of the country, the scourge of Abdallah Elshafeey and Omar country helping to provide free “Tanzania is an extraordinary fundamentally altering their try, and spent time interacting The articles, written by both poaching, and the major pub- al-Bashtawi. Student academic health checks for local people, as country of incredible natural perception of what it means to with local people in their homes, students and local profession- lic health challenges facing the counsellor Steven Stay, who also well as viewing the spectacular beauty, but it is also a low-in- be a doctor and a healer.” businesses, a local hospital, als, explain the social, economic country. accompanied the students on the scenery and a wealth of exotic come country where accessing The service learning trip to schools and an orphanage. They and cultural context of Tanzania, Student Mohamed A Salameh trip, contributed the concluding animals including lions, chee- healthcare is often very diffi cult Tanzania took place in the sum- also visited three national parks: the diff erence between urban of the Class of 2022 wrote, article of the book, while Dr Bus- tahs, hippos, rhinos, crocodiles for the majority of the popu- mer of 2018 and was supported Tarangire National Park, Lake and rural lifestyles, the lives of “Proper and comprehensive care selberg wrote the foreword.