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Jabeur aims to ‘inspire Chinese New Year shows generation’ take centre stage at malls published in QATAR since 1978

MONDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11440 January 27, 2020 Jumada II 2, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir condoles with Amir honours Lebanese envoy Australian premier His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh MoPH to launch wellness Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani sent programme for workers yesterday cables of condolences to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the death of his father. By Joseph Varghese ommendations to the organisation Staff Reporter based on the findings so that they can implement the suggestions. Hopes fade for missing The recommendations include all as Turkey quake toll rises he Ministry of Public Health the changes needed or other sug- Rescuers desperately attempted (MoPH) is planning to launch a gestions too. This programme was yesterday to find survivors in Tworkers’ wellness programme started in 2014 and so far we have eastern Turkey in the rubble for the private sector very soon, dis- finished with 13 organisations,” of collapsed buildings after a closed an MoPH offi cial. added Dr al-Hajjaj. powerful earthquake claimed “We are planning to launch a ‘Well- at least 38 lives. Nearly 4,000 ness Programme at Workplace’ for MoU with QICDRC signed to rescue workers combed through the private sector. The current pro- debris in freezing temperatures, gramme is for the government and implement programme helped by mechanical diggers, as semi government sector,” said Dr Mo- hope was fading as the 48th hour hamed Ali al-Hajjaj, head of the Occu- The Ministry of Public Health approached. Three bodies were pational Health Section at the MoPH, (MoPH) yesterday signed a memo- found in the city centre, nearly yesterday. randum of understanding (MoU) 40 hours after the 6.8-magnitude Dr al-Hajjaj was speaking to the Dr Mohamed Ali al-Hajjaj. with Qatar International Court and quake struck on Friday evening. media on the sidelines of an agree- Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) Hours later, two more bodies were ment signing between the MoPH gramme includes three steps. The fi rst to implement the Wellness Pro- found bringing the death toll to and Qatar International Court and step is to provide a questionnaire to all gramme at Workplace. 38 in Elazig province and nearby Dispute Resolution Centre to im- the staff to educate them about vari- The MoU was signed by Sheikh Malatya. Page 13 plement the Wellness Programme at ous topics such as blood sugar, hyper- Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani, Workplace. tension, nutrition among others,” he director, Public Health Department, “We are planning for a similar pro- noted. MoPH and Faisal Rashid al-Sahouti, gramme for the workers at their work- “The second step is screening for chief executive off icer of QICDRC. place. This could be a diff erent one as various diseases and the third step is “This agreement is part of the eff orts Kobe Bryant, the environment and the exposure are to provide advice to the specifi c prob- of the ministry to promote health diff erent at their workplace from the lems as well as the assessment of the awareness among diff erent seg- offi ce environment of other organisa- workplace. For example, we assess the ments of society. It aims to achieve His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at the Amiri Diwan four others die tions. Moreover, the number of peo- workplace cafeteria, the type of food the objectives of the National Health off ice yesterday with the outgoing Lebanese ambassador to Qatar Hassan ple at such work place is more. We are sold at the outlet, the colours used in Strategy 2018-2022 and the Public Qassim Najem. The Amir granted the ambassador the Decoration of Al Wajbah in in copter crash studying the feasibility,” explained Dr the food or the nutrition of the food Health Strategy of 2017-2022,” said recognition of his role in enhancing relations between Qatar and his country, wishing al-Hajjaj. sold at the place, among others,” he Sheikh Dr Mohamed at a press con- him success in future tasks and further progress for relations. For his part, the According to the offi cial, the Well- pointed out. ference to announce the partner- ambassador expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Amir and ness Programme at Workplace con- “Once we have completed all ship. Page 5 the state off icials for their co-operation which contributed to the success of his work sists of three components. “The pro- these steps, we provide the rec- in the country. Page 2

Iraqi security forces clash Trump peace plan will not pass: Hamas

with protesters; 12 killed amas leader Ismail Haniya yesterday warned the Mid- Hdle East peace plan US Presi- Reuters dent Donald Trump is expected to Baghdad unveil next week “will not pass” and could lead to renewed Palestinian violence. raqi security forces fi red tear gas “We fi rmly declare that the ‘deal of and live bullets yesterday in clashes the century’ will not pass. The new etired basketball star Kobe Iwith protesters who resisted with plot aimed against Palestine is bound Bryant and four other people stones and petrol bombs, witnesses to fail,” and could lead the Palestin- Rdied in a helicopter crash in and security sources said. ians to a “new phase in their struggle” Calabasas, California, yesterday More than 100 protesters were hurt, against Israel, Haniya said in a state- morning, the city of Calabasas re- including at least 75 in the southern ment. ported. city of Nassiriya, in the renewed vio- Shortly after the Palestinian Islam- “It is with great sadness that lence in Baghdad and other cities after ist movement released Haniya’s state- we learn of the death of Kobe the security forces tried to clear sit-in ment, a rocket was fi red from the Ha- Bryant and four others in a heli- protest camps, medical sources said. mas-ruled Gaza Strip towards Israel, copter crash in Calabasas. The There were no immediate reports the Israeli army said. aircraft went down in a remote of casualties but a QNA report, quot- The army said it had carried out air field off Las Virgenes around 10 ing the Independent High Commis- An Iraqi demonstrator waves the strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza late this morning. Nobody on the sion for Human Rights of Iraq, said national flag as she stands amid debris Saturday, in response to the launching ground was hurt,” the city of Cal- 12 people were killed and 230 others of a protest camp removed by security of incendiary devices attached to bal- abas said on Twitter. injured in protests over the past three forces, during an anti-government rally loons sent over from the Palestinian A damaged Hamas site is seen after it was hit by an Israeli air strike in the The Los Angeles County Sheriff days. Page 8 in Basra yesterday. enclave. (AFP) Page 8 southern Gaza Strip yesterday. confi rmed the report. According to unconfi rmed re- ports, Byrant’s daughters were among the victims. First responders put out the fl ames of the crash site, the sher- iff ’s department said, posting a No need to panic regarding Chinese virus, says offi cial picture of a fi re truck and smoke emerging from the brush in a ra- vine. By Joseph Varghese “We are positive about the situation. of eff orts. It will be clear in the coming for any suspicious cases to be immedi- Bryant, 41, was known to use a Staff Reporter Although such cases are being reported week,” the offi cial said. ately taken to the Communicable Disease helicopter for travel dating to his from China and a few other countries, “In Qatar, the pandemic prepared- Center (CDC). We ensure that any case days as a star player for the Los the fatality rate is only 3% which is very ness committee has met to ensure that will be treated in a special ward if such a Angeles Lakers, when he com- atar has taken all precautions low compared to 33% of Mers-CoV or we align all the protocols. At Hamad situation comes up,” he noted. muted to games in a Sikorsky S-76 against the spread of coronavirus Sars which was at 10%,” he explained. International Airport (HIA), hundreds The offi cial also pointed out that chopper, the celebrity news web- Qthat started in the Chinese city Shekh Dr Mohamed said Qatar is of passengers (from China) are screened deaths outside China due to the virus site TMZ said. of Wuhan and there is no need to panic, closely watching the developments in the with thermal cameras daily. Messages are very few. “The CDC is well prepared The US Federal Aviation Ad- a top offi cial of the Ministry of Public Chinese city and is in frequent touch with are given on the planes. We are also ed- for any eventuality. It is not the fi rst ministration identifi ed the crashed Health (MoPH) assured yesterday. the World Health Organisation (WHO). ucating everyone if any suspicious case time. We have worked with Mers-CoV helicopter as a Sikorsky S-76. “We would like to assure the people “So far, WHO has not announced is discovered, they should immediately situation which was more risky. We Bryant won fi ve NBA champi- that all protocols are in place to face any it as a Public Health Event of Interna- report to us,” he continued. have experienced H1N1 some ten years onship rings with the Los Angeles situation. We do not have any suspi- tional Concern. Both WHO and China Sheikh Dr Mohamed said that over ago. We are well trained and we keep Lakers. He was an 18-time NBA cious case reported until now,” Sheikh are still debating on the fallout of the 90% of Chinese people travelling updating our information. We take any All-Star who wore the No 24 dur- Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani, virus and WHO has given a few more through HIA are on transit. “We want to case seriously in Qatar. We would like to ing his 20-year career with the director, Public Health Department, days to fi nd out if China can control it ensure that they travel safely to their fi nal assure the people that there is no need team. MoPH, told the media. or not. I think China is putting in a lot Sheikh Dr Mohamed al-Thani destination. We have made arrangements for panic,” he added. Page 11 Gulf Times 2 Monday, January 27, 2020 QATAR

Off icial Amir honours Bulgarian envoy Amir meets Sri Lankan ambassador

Amir greets governor-general of Australia

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday sent cables of congratulations to the Governor- General of Australia General David Hurley on his country’s National Day. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani has sent a cable of congratulations to the Australian Prime Minister Scott His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met the outgoing ambassador of Bulgaria Morrison on the occasion of the Metin Hussein Kazak, at the Amiri Diwan off ice yesterday. The Amir granted the ambassador the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met the outgoing ambassador of National Day. Decoration of Al Wajbah in recognition of his role in enhancing relations between Qatar and his Sri Lanka to Qatar Kithsiri Athulathmudali at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. The Amir wished the country, wishing him success in his future assignments and further progress and development for ambassador success in his future missions, and the relations between Qatar and Sri Lanka further Amir greets the relations between Qatar and Bulgaria. The ambassador expressed his thanks and appreciation progress and prosperity. The ambassador expressed thanks and appreciation to the Amir and to the Amir and the off icials in Qatar for their co-operation whichcontributed to the success of his Qatar’s off icials for the co-operation he received that contributed to the success of his work in the Indian work in the country. country. president

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani have sent cables of congratulations to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on Qatar Charity’s 2019 education the occasion of his country’s Republic Day. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani sent a cable projects benefi ted 59,000 people of congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi atar Charity (QC) said it project at schools in northern co-operation with local govern- on the occasion of his country’s implemented many edu- Syria, and implemented many ments, humanitarian organisa- Republic Day. Qcational projects in sev- projects for the benefi t of Syr- tions and UN agencies to provide eral countries around the world ians within their countries and quality education to those in FM gets message in 2019, at an estimated cost of in the countries of asylum. need, aiming to accomplish the nearly QR14mn Qatari riyals and QC had many educational sustainable development goal in from Tajikistan benefi ting some 59,000 people. achievements last year, the most this regard, the statement notes. counterpart QC’s education projects in- recent of which was the inaugu- According to Unicef, an esti- cluded sponsoring refugee stu- ration of Nibrasul-Ilim Prepara- mated 617mn children and ado- HE the Deputy Prime Minister dents, maintaining schools, pro- tory School in Turkey’s Sanliurfa lescents around the world are and Minister of Foreign viding free education to children Province, in co-operation with unable to reach minimum profi - Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin in need and giving salaries to the Turkish government and the ciency levels in reading and Abdulrahman al-Thani received teachers and school staff , it said Kuwaiti Humanitarian Relief mathematics. “Unless we act a written message yesterday in a press statement. Society. now, by 2030, more than 60mn from the Minister for Foreign Qatar Charity has provided In the fi eld of education, QC primary school-aged children Affairs of Tajikistan Sirodjiddin salaries to teachers and school works in more than 30 countries will still be out of school,” Unicef Muhriddin, pertaining to staff working on an e-learning across Africa, Asia and Europe in said. bilateral relations and means of developing them. HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al- Muraikhi received the message, QC’s education projects included sponsoring refugee students, maintaining schools, providing free during a meeting yesterday education to children in need and giving salaries to teachers and school staff . with the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Aff airs of Tajikistan Khusrav Noziri. Qatar condemns attack on army camp in Mali

Qatar voiced its strong condemnation and denunciation of the attack which targeted an army camp in central Mali, causing deaths and injuries. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated the firm position of Qatar rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of motives and reasons. Halal Qatar Festival to begin on February 2 The statement expressed Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims, and to QNA deep within the deserts of stock auction, which will aims to revive the herit- the government and people Doha Qatar, which is sheep and contribute to the develop- age while teaching the new of Mali, wishing the injured a goat breeding. ment of livestock produc- generation about the skills, speedy recovery. It will also present spe- tion. experience, knowledge, he ninth edition of cifi c methods that help in The festival also pro- ethics and values of the Halal Qatar Festival, breeding and raising sheep vides a unique platform to profession. RACA delegation Torganised by Ka- and will showcase nu- showcase and acquire the In addition, the festi- to visit England tara – the Cultural Village merous traditional events best breeds of livestock, in val will feature traditional Foundation, is set to take along with educational and particular sheep and goats. handicrafts made by pro- and Wales today place from February 2 to 10. recreational activities that Halal Qatar Festival will fessionals who will explain The theme of the fes- would appeal to all types of feature several new activi- to visitors how these items An off icial delegation from tival focuses on a distinct visitors. ties this year, especially for were important in the the Regulatory Authority for feature of Qatar’s herit- One of the major events children, such as the Little past in a bid to revive such Charitable Activities (RACA), age, one that is drawn from at the festival is the live- Shepherd competition that crafts. headed by its Director-General, Ibrahim bin Abdullah al-Duhaimi, will visit England and Wales today. The visit aims to exchange Spain’s king receives envoy’s credentials expertise and learn about the best practices in the field of charitable work. The authority received an official invitation from the Charity Commission for England and Wales, who were visiting Doha last July as part of a strategic dialogue between the two sides. The authority’s delegation will present a Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation in the charity work field, given the visit is an important opportunity for both sides to advance co- operation. The delegation will also visit to Disasters Emergency Committee, Fundraising Regulator, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, the King Felipe VI of Spain has received the credentials of Qatar’s ambassador to the country Abdullah bin Ibrahim Department for Digital, al-Hamar in Madrid yesterday. The ambassador conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Culture, Media and Sport, the Hamad al-Thani to the King of Spain. King Felipe VI reciprocated the Amir’s greetings and wished the ambassador Department for International success in his assignment, assuring him of support to advance the relations between the two countries. Development, and the University of Liverpool.

Gulf Times 4 Monday, January 27, 2020 QATAR

Prime Minister meets outgoing ambassadors of Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Bulgaria

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met the outgoing ambassadors of Lebanon, Sri lanka and Bulgaria - Hassan Qassim Najem, Kithsiri Athulathmudali and Metin Hussein Kazak, respectively, yesterday. The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior wished the ambassadors success in their future assignments and the relations between Qatar and their countries, further progress and prosperity.

Bentley Continental Super Sports models recalled The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, eff orts to protect consumers and ensure that in co-operation with Al Wajba Motors, vehicle dealers follow up on defects and repairs. announced the recall of Bentley Continental The ministry has said that it will co-ordinate with Super Sports models of 2017-2018 as the the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and cooler stub pipes of the Power Assisted repair works and will communicate with customers Steering (PAS) might not be correctly to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. Vodafone announces installed, causing the vehicle to leak The ministry urges all customers to report hydraulic steering fluid. any violations to its Consumer Protection The ministry confirmed the recall campaign and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department, comes within the framework of its ongoing which processes complaints. GigaHome special off er odafone Qatar has an- networks in the world - on us. We nounced a new GigaHome have made it easy for everyone to try Vspecial off er - ‘Don’t Buy, the diff erence of being connected Just Try’, which lets anyone try with Vodafone and test our promise GigaHome smart Wi-Fi and en- of high-speed Internet with no in- joy three months without being terruptions including the unlimited locked in. GigaTV entertainment before they Vodafone GigaHome is the latest commit.” in home Wi-Fi technology pow- Vodafone Wi-Fi is available any- ered by Vodafone Qatar’s GigaNet where in Qatar, while Vodafone network, including the latest 5G GigaNet fi bre services are avail- and fi bre technologies. People can able in many areas in Qatar, includ- now enjoy uninterrupted Wi-Fi in ing The Pearl, West Bay, Lusail, Al every room with smart home tech- Sadd, Mesaimeer City, Msheireb, nology and access to unlimited Al Gharaff a, Wakra, and Wukair. entertainment with GigaTV. GigaNet 5G is currently avail- Through a state-of-the-art set- on the go through the GigaTV app. Vodafone Qatar COO Diego Cam- able in key areas across Qatar and top box, GigaTV gives access to a The not-to-be-missed off er al- beros said, “Vodafone is proud to be is constantly expanding. People full suite of entertainment that in- lows customers to try out GigaHo- delivering best-in-class connectiv- can also live chat with Vodafone cludes live TV channels, OSN pre- me - the ultimate home Wi-Fi - for ity on our GigaNet network to digit- on Vodafone.qa/try to set up an mium channels, catch-up features, a three-month trial period, and en- ally savvy customers who demand appointment with an agent. and on-demand content, such as sures that change is easy. Customers the best. Customers who wish to take up movies from major studios, Voda- who sign up will have one month to “We now invite all Qatar’s con- the ‘Don’t Buy, Just Try’ off er and fone exclusive TV series, and kids’ decide if they wish to continue en- nectivity hungry consumers to try subscribe to Vodafone GigaHome content. GigaTV customers will also joying the service for the remainder three months of our premium home can visit www.vodafone.qa/try or be able to enjoy all of these features of the off er period at no extra cost. Wi-Fi powered by one of the best any Vodafone Qatar retail store.

Partial closure on Abdul Aziz Bin Ahmed Street he Public Works Au- During the closure, mo- thority (Ashghal) has torists will be able to use Tannounced a partial Al Maymoun Street and Al closure on Abdul Aziz Bin Areeq Street as alternative Ahmed Street from tomor- roads. row for three months. The Ashghal will install road closure, in co-ordination signs advising motorists with the General Directo- of the temporary traffi c rate of Traffi c, is to allow change and requested road completion of infrastruc- users to abide by the speed ture works as part of the limit along the route and A-Ring Road Development follow the road signs to en- Project. sure safety.

Chevrolet Silverado model 2020 recalled for faulty regulator

he Ministry of Com- on defects and repairs. merce and Indus- The ministry has said Ttry, in co-operation that it will co-ordinate with Jaidah Automotive, with the dealer to follow announced the recall of up on the maintenance Chevrolet Silverado model and repair works and will of 2020 due to malfunction communicate with cus- in the fuel pump pressure tomers to ensure that regulator. the necessary repairs are The ministry confi rmed carried out. the recall campaign comes The ministry urges all within the framework of its customers to report any ongoing eff orts to protect violations to its Consumer consumers and ensure that Protection and Anti-Com- vehicle dealers follow up mercial Fraud Department. Gulf Times Monday, January 27, 2020 5 QATAR

Amir receives written message from president of the Philippines MoPH inks pact to implement workers’ wellness programme he Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday Tsigned a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) to implement the Wellness Programme at Workplace. The MoU was signed by Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Ha- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday received a written message mad al-Thani, director, Public from Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. The message pertained to bilateral relations and the Health Department, MoPH and Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani and Faisal Rashid al-Sahouti with other off icials after signing the means to advance them in diff erent fields. HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Faisal Rashid al-Sahouti, chief MoU. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Saad al-Muraikhi received the message, during a meeting with the Presidential Adviser in the executive offi cer of QICDRC. Philippines Abdullah D Mama-O. “This agreement is part of the enhancing the health and well- place provided by MoPH to correct malpractices through eff orts of the ministry to pro- being of the people of Qatar and QICDRC and is divided into suc- early detection of risk factors mote health awareness among protect them from diff erent risks cessive phases that ensure the for chronic non-communicable diff erent segments of society. It and diseases. continuity of the programme. disease. aims to achieve the objectives Al-Sahouti said that the sign- The Wellness Programme MoPH has invited all minis- Qatar, Tajikistan hold political talks of the National Health Strat- ing of the MoU comes as confi r- at Workplace was launched by tries and government and semi- egy 2018-2022 and the Public mation of the Qatar International MoPH in 2014 to encourage all government institutions to par- Health Strategy of 2017-2022,” Court’s keenness to provide a employees of government and ticipate in the programme. It said Sheikh Mohamed at a press healthy and sustainable work semi-government institutions to has already been implemented conference to announce the environment. adopt and practise healthy life- in several institutions and MoUs partnership. The agreement specifi es the style in their daily lives. It also signed with several organisations Sheikh Mohamed pointed out activities that fall within the provides a healthy and safe en- to improve, monitor and evaluate that the agreement focuses on health programme in the work- vironment for employees, and the health status of employees.

New procedure benefi ts HMC kidney patients

atients requiring kidney blood group must be compat- introduction of this new pro- plantation, and shorten the The second round of political consultations between the foreign ministries of Qatar and Tajikistan transplant procedures ible with the donors blood cedure is a signifi cant step for- waiting list and waiting time was held in Doha yesterday. The Qatari side was chaired by HE the Minister of State for Foreign Pare benefi ting from a new group. However, recent ad- ward for kidney transplantation for kidney transplantation,” Dr Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi, while the Tajik side was chaired by First Deputy Minister of procedure, ABO-incompatible vances in transplantation in Qatar. Fadhil added. Foreign Aff airs Khusrav Noziri. During the session, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and kidney transplantation, im- method have made it pos- “As the technology, system, Dr Hassan al-Malki, head of ways to support and develop them, in addition to discussing issues of joint interest. plemented at Hamad Medical sible for transplantation to and safety have been achieved, nephrology at HMC, said that Corporation (HMC) last year. be performed in cases where we are preparing many patients chronic kidney disease and end- Kidney transplantation is the the recipient and donor have to have ABO-incompatible kid- stage-kidney-disease are highly best treatment option for pa- incompatible blood groups. ney transplantations in 2020,” prevalent worldwide, and he QRCS supports kidney failure patients in Yemen tients with kidney failure as it Last year saw the introduc- Dr Fadhil said. noted that these conditions are Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) the worsening humanitarian patients and cancer patients increases survival and improves tion of this new sophisticated “The ABO-incompatible on the increase in Qatar. implemented a health project situation there, aims to support was provided with foodstuff s, quality of life. technology in Qatar and the kidney transplantation is a “Globally, chronic kid- for the second year in a row to the vital medical needs of this in order to provide food for 212 Dr Yousuf al-Maslamani, di- fi rst blood group incompat- unique project that allows for ney disease causes more than distribute free medicines for 150 group of patients, as well as patients with kidney failure among rector, Qatar Center for Organ ible kidney transplant proce- successful kidney transplan- 2.4mn deaths each year and is patients with kidney failure and conducting catheter operations institution’s inmates. Transplantation at HMC, said dure was successfully done at tation across the ABO blood the sixth fastest-growing cause kidney transplants in the Yemeni for people with kidney failure and This charitable and humanitarian that the ABO-incompatible HMC in May 2019 between a group barrier by reducing the of death. Around 10% of the capital Sana’a. have diff iculties in performing project to support patients with transplantation permits more mother and her daughter,” Dr circulating-related antibody world’s population is aff ected QRCS said in a statement that this continuous dialysis sessions. Also, kidney failure in the secretariat effi cient use of available organs al-Maslamani said. levels using new technology by chronic kidney disease and it project, which is a continuation QRCS noted that in parallel with of the Yemeni capital, aimed at regardless of ABO blood type. Dr Riadh Abdul Sattar Fadhil, and immunotherapy. This will is estimated that the disease af- of its relief for the needy from that, Alshafaqa’s charitable kitchen alleviating the tragic reality of the “With standard kidney director, Qatar Organ Donation expand the kidney donor pool, fects 13% of Qatar’s population,” Yemen’s people in light of that cares for kidney failure patients. (QNA) transplants, the recipient’s Center (Hiba) at HMC, said the improve access to kidney trans- Dr al-Malki said. Gulf Times 6 Monday, January 27, 2020 QATAR

Conference on Psychiatry and Mental Health atar Medical Student’s tar and those attending from Sidra signs agreement with Royal College International Association (QMSA), abroad. Qin collaboration with The event will feature a Qatar Foundation member range of workshops, seminars, idra Medicine, a mem- provide the best care possible,” organisations Weill Cornell activities and lectures deliv- ber of Qatar Foundation, Padmos noted. Medicine - Qatar (WCM-Q) ered by medical students and Shas signed a collaborative In addition to the residency and Sidra Medicine, are pre- world-renowned psychia- service agreement with the Royal programmes, the RCI programme senting Qatar’s inaugural trists, psychologists and men- College International (RCI), an at Sidra Medicine will focus on Medical Students Conference tal health advocates. entity that promotes and delivers demonstrating an impact on pa- on Psychiatry and Mental During the conference, programmes and services on be- tient safety and the quality of Health on February 15 at Sidra medical students will have the half of the Royal College of Phy- care provided by health profes- Medicine. opportunity to present their sicians and Surgeons of Canada. sionals. The conference will deliver research in psychiatry, mental The agreement will help estab- It will also seek to ensure that interactive sessions to equip health, well-being, and qual- lish Royal College International- Sidra Medicine’s simulation attendees with strategies to ity of life. based accreditation processes for training meets requisite stand- maintain their mental health The research presented does Sidra Medicine’s residency train- ards in administration, education and promote personal well- not need to be based on data ing and simulation programmes. and ethics. being, as well as providing collected from medical stu- As a result, all RCI accredited Canadian ambassador Stefanie McCollum and off icials of Sidra Medicine and Royal College International “The accreditation from the guidance for attendees consid- dents. There will be awards for programmes held at Sidra Medi- Canada at the agreement signing ceremony. Royal College International dem- ering careers in psychiatry and the best research poster pres- cine, will be recognised as equiv- onstrate that our residency pro- establishing a hub for medical entations. alent to programmes applicable at Sidra Medicine, was also at- fessionals in Qatar. Partnerships collaborates with many of the top grammes at Sidra Medicine meet students from across the re- The deadline for registration to institutions and residency tended by Canadian ambassador with established institutions academic medical institutions the highest possible interna- gion to form networks and ex- for the conference is February programmes in Canada. to Qatar Stefanie McCollum, and like Royal College International, around the world and we are tional standards. This is another change knowledge. 9 and the registration fee is The agreement was signed by other representatives from Royal ensure that we are not only im- pleased to have Sidra Medicine milestone as we advance our The World Psychiatry Asso- QR55/$15. Mohamed al-Mana, chair, Tran- College International. proving the quality of our resi- on board as a valued partner. medical education following our ciation and the Psych Student The deadline for submission sition Committee and member of “As an academic medical cen- dency education programs but We look forward to work- institutional accreditation by the Interest Group at WCM-Q are of research abstracts is Janu- the Board of Governors at Sidra tre, Sidra Medicine through its ultimately helping to improve ing with their leadership team Accreditation Council of Gradu- also supporting the confer- ary 29. Medicine and Dr Andrew Pad- medical education programmes, patient outcomes,” al-Mana to develop programs to enhance ate Medical Education Interna- ence, which will be preceded To register to attend or to mos, CEO of the Royal College strives to support the develop- said. healthcare professionals knowl- tional in August 2019,” said Prof by a day of networking among submit a research abstract, International. ment of knowledgeable, skilful “As a global leader in speciality edge, tools and confi dence as a Ibrahim Janahi, chair of Medical students and guests from Qa- visit www.mhc2020.com. The signing ceremony held and competent healthcare pro- medical education and care, RCI means to improve practice and to Education, Sidra Medicine.

Ooredoo renews sponsorship of 2020 Al Galayel Championship

oredoo announced yesterday that it will renew its sponsorship of the annual Al OGalayel Championship for a seventh consecutive year. Set to be held on February 4-29, the regionally-renowned championship recording solution to log radio system calls, all is a hunting tournament that aims to test the designed to ensure teams remain safe and con- traditional hunting skills of 25 teams through a nected throughout the event. series of contests. It takes place in the southern Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi, director of PR and nature reserves of Qatar, an area off ering the Corporate Communications at Ooredoo, said: ideal conditions for hunters to put their abilities “We place great emphasis on supporting events to the test. that promote and preserve our vibrant Qatari As part of the support agreement, Ooredoo culture, and we are delighted to be sponsoring will provide a comprehensive suite of services to this valuable event for another year. Traditional ensure all teams stay connected 24/7, even in the Qatari activities, such as hunting remain an in- most remote parts of the Qatari desert. tegral part of our cultural identity, and sponsor- Ooredoo said it will supply Tetra radio com- ing community events such as the Al Galayel munications, Automatic Vehicle Location/ tournament fi ts perfectly with Ooredoo’s cor- Automatic People Location – dedicated map porate social responsibility strategy and com- applications for logistics and operation cen- mitment to our community and country.” tres to control and manage radio subscribers, For more information on the championship groups and alarm centres – and the Tetra voice and on Ooredoo, visit ooredoo.qa.

HBKU announces community classes Senior AAB and Toyota Motor Corporation off icials at the inauguration of the Al Khor Express Service Centre. amad Bin Khalifa Uni- versity (HBKU), part Hof Qatar Foundation, will conduct three community classes in February and March with each four-day course pro- AAB inaugurates Al Khor viding participants tools to suc- ceed in a challenging business environment. Classes begin with a ladies- only session on enhancing com- Express Service Centre munication and life skills, which also covers presentation tech- niques and the power and eff ect bdullah Abdulghani & tions manager, TMC – Bahrain Simaisma, Ras Laff an, Al Tha- For bookings and appoint- of words. The HBKU community classes enhance communication skills. Bros Co (AAB), exclusive Regional Offi ce. khira and Al Ruwais. ments, customers can contact This is followed by a class on Adistributor of Toyota and Also present during the cer- The 1,222sq m service centre 800-1800 (Toyota) and 800- how eff ective communication president, Student Aff airs, said: lenges can be overcome with Lexus in Qatar, inaugurated the emony were Toyota and Lexus has seven working bays with two 2929 (Lexus). leads to better decision making, “While HBKU is a world-class confi dent and eff ective commu- new Al Khor Express Service customers, as well as the AAB car wash bays. The service team, led by particularly in team settings. university with a suitably global nication.” Centre at Zone 74, Street 390, Al senior management team headed It is equipped to perform all Muthusamy Chinnappan, sen- The series concludes with a outlook, we never forget the im- Classes will take place at the Khor Coastal Road (opposite An- by acting CEO R K Murugan and types of periodic maintenance, ior manager of National Serv- course off ering practical advice portance of encouraging posi- Minaretein, Education City, sar Gallery) recently. Customer Service director Kamal light general repair and express ice, oversees the operation of all on delivering impactful and in- tive transformation at home. To with the following dates and The event was attended by al-Hajj. service. service locations. fl uential speeches. this end, these classes support times: Communication and Life AAB chairman Dr Nasser al- The new location is set up in The new Express Service Cen- AAB’s other Service Centres Developed with students and our eff orts to engage with local Skills from February 16-19 from Abdulghani and distinguished line with AAB’s commitment to tre is presently operating under are located at Industrial Area business professionals in mind, communities and provide po- 5pm-7pm (Ladies only, Arabic guests from Toyota Motor Cor- off er the highest level of qual- two shifts and is ready to serve (Street 6), Abu Hamour Pet- sessions include developing tentially life-changing skills. language); Eff ective Commu- poration (TMC) led by Takayuki ity service and convenience to its its customers from Saturday to rol Station, Al Wakra, Madinat core messages and ideas, the “The modern business world nication, from February 23-26 Kanno, general manager, TMC customer. Thursday between 7am and 4pm; Khalifa Petrol Station, Al Nayef importance of body language, is fl uid, competitive and lit- from 5pm-7.30pm (Arabic lan- – Best in Town Activity; Yoshiy- With this opening, AAB will be and between 3pm and 12 mid- Petrol Station, Al Aziz Petrol and tailoring speeches to spe- tered with potential pitfalls. Our guage) and Master Public Speak- uki Koike, general manager, TMC able to meet the service require- night. Station, Airport Road, Woqod cifi c audiences. classes will demonstrate that ing, from March 1-4 from 5pm- – Bahrain Regional Offi ce; and ments of their customers living There are 36 employees desig- Petrol Station Shahaniya and Al Maryam al-Mannai, vice even the most-complex chal- 7.30pm (English language). Masayuki Fukumori, fi eld opera- in Al Khor and nearby areas such nated for the centre. Wataniya.

Big tech fi rms transform economies, but need to be regulated: QatarDebate speakers

ig tech companies are Asian Arabic Debating Championship in Malaysia citizens. And governments are not transforming economies global, whereas the problems are. Band societies, and infl u- QatarDebate Centre (QD), a mem- University in Qatar, while other “We can trust big tech to encing people’s lives, but can- ber of Qatar Foundation (QF), has participating teams will include self-regulate with a model that not be trusted to regulate them- announced the organisation of Arab countries such as Oman, engages a diverse set of global selves, speakers argued at a The Asian Arabic Debating Cham- Kuwait, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, stakeholders, businesses, gov- QatarDebate-sponsored event in pionship which will be held in the Palestine and Yemen. ernments, and academia, and Davos, held in collaboration with Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, The championship aims to also big tech employees and The New York Times. from January 29 to February 2. spread the culture of debating grassroots civil society. The sev- The Oxford-style debate or- The championship will witness and constructive dialogue and eral million employees in big tech ganised by the Qatar Foundation 30 teams of speakers of the Arabic enhance the role of the Arabic across 50 countries have the po- member and the US newspaper, language and others, representing language in diff erent societies, in tential to meaningfully infl uence on the sidelines of the World Eco- 18 Arab and Asian countries, with addition to establishing a culture big tech to self-regulate.” nomic Forum’s 50th annual meet- the participation of 30 judges, in of tolerance that recognises Malcolm Frank, president, ing, saw six speakers go head-to- addition to 50 volunteers. diff erences and diversity and Digital Business, Cognizant, sug- head as they discussed whether Three teams from Qatar encourages openness to other gested that big tech companies a new regulatory board needs include Qatar University (QU), cultures and diff erent perspec- are already, to an extent, regu- to permanently change the tech Police College and Georgetown tives. — QNA lated by the public. landscape, or if companies should “Switching costs are unbeliev- be allowed to self-regulate. ably low for this industry,” he “I want you to think about the never accepted it from govern- said there was “no question” that told the debate. “You don’t like age we’re living through. It’s an ments; traditionally we’ve never AI needs regulation. Google Maps? Go to Apple Maps. age of anger as trust in govern- accepted it from corporations.” However, Rebecca Masisak, Don’t like Bing? Go to Google. ments and major institutions is Lisa Witter, co-founder and chief executive offi cer, TechSoup, With such insanely low switch- broken, because of the failure to executive chairperson, Apolitical, argued against the motion, say- ing costs, digital companies are protect people and share pros- told the debate: “Big tech is call- ing that self-regulation requires already properly regulated in perity,” said Sharan Burrow, gen- ing for this regulation – CEOs are a multi-disciplined stakeholder many important ways.” eral secretary, International Trade QatarDebate sponsored the event at the World Economic Forum in Davos in collaboration with The New asking for help,” referencing tech approach. “Can we trust govern- After the speakers had pre- Union Confederation, arguing for York Times. (Photo Credit: Pasha Kalachev for The New York Times) bosses such as Mark Zuckerberg ments? Governments have agen- sented their arguments, the the motion that big tech cannot be of Facebook, Microsoft president das, too,” she claimed. judges critiqued the discussions trusted to self-regulate. panies is not helping because petition, and indeed democracies nopolies. And who has the right Brad Smith, and Sundar Pichai, “At times, they’re really not and posed additional challenges “The impact of big tech com- they’re subverting privacy, com- as they’re becoming global mo- to monopolise power? We’ve CEO of Alphabet, who last week keeping in mind what’s best for to the debaters. Gulf Times Monday, January 27, 2020 7 QATAR

HEC Paris welcomes new batch for specialised master’s degree course

EC Paris, ranked tionalities who come from programme manager, Qatar programme, and we are thank- number three world- diverse professional back- Leadership Centre. ful for accepting to provide the Hwide for Executive grounds and various sectors, Welcoming the new cohort, eff ort and discipline they will Education and fi rst for the In- which will enhance shared Dr Martin de Holan said: “This need to complete it.” ternational Executive MBA by learning, a key component of programme refl ects HEC Paris’ The HEC Paris in Qatar Spe- the Financial Times in 2019, has the programme. commitment to the develop- cialised Master’s Degree com- welcomed the fi rst cohort of the The panel which delivered ment of a knowledge-based prises three stages, starting Specialised Master’s Degree in presentations on the Spe- economy in Qatar and we want with the core curriculum fo- Strategic Business Unit Man- cialised Master’s Degree dur- it to be a transformational mo- cused on Strategy, Finance, and agement (SBUM) class of 2021, ing the event also included Dr ment in our participants’ ca- Leadership and Change. Partic- at its Doha premises in Tornado Wolfgang C Amann, academic reers. The performance of our ipants will also personalise their Tower. director, SBUM, HEC Paris in participants over the course learning journey further with A total of 33 participants Qatar; and Laura Misola, sen- of the next year is aligned with a choice of one of three tracks: were welcomed during an ori- ior project co-ordinator, HEC the world class standards of General Management, Market- entation session presented by Paris in Qatar. HEC, which are aimed at de- ing & Sales, and Entrepreneur- HEC Paris in Qatar dean Dr The gathering was also ad- veloping a leadership mindset, ship & Business Development. Pablo Martin de Holan, and di- dressed by SBUM alumni guest qualities, and practices, and Further, the professional thesis rector of programmes Abdallah speakers: Bahig Georgi – SBUM of course a never-ending pas- enables participants to focus on Abdel-Daem. 2018 C 2 – GM Informatica sion for excellence. We wish a specifi c challenge related to The new cohort includes Qatar, and Nisreen al-Malek – each and every one of the par- their industry and provide de- participants from nine na- SBUM 2018 C1 – institutional ticipants the very best in their tailed solutions. HEC Paris in Qatar’s first cohort of the Specialised Master’s Degree in SBUM class of 2021 with off icials. All-new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ‘off ers progressive design and comfort’

asser Bin Khaled (NBK) control system Distronic, Ac- Automobiles, author- tive Brake Assist and Active Lane Nised general distribu- Keeping Assist. tor of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, The Sprinter comes also with presents the all-new Mercedes- standard-fi t Crosswind Assist, Mystic World, Al Messila Ladies Wellness Retreat. Benz Sprinter in the country. Active Brake Assist and Lane The new Sprinter, avail- Keeping Assist. Three camera able now at the Mercedes-Benz solutions, from the reversing showroom on Salwa Road, el- camera with rear view mirror evates the benchmark for the display to the 360 degrees cam- Al Messila Resort opens large van segment, off ering an era, are optionally available to innovative and diverse range of further enhance the good overall product features that serves spe- view from the cockpit. cifi c market needs more eff ec- The optionally available LED its hydro wellness facility, tively than ever before. Through high performance headlamps its technology and intelligence, provide for optimum illumina- it off ers every customer a model tion of the carriageway in dark. tailored precisely to his or her Standard fi t airbag can help the Scandinavian restaurant needs. driver in a collision. An addi- The 2019 Sprinter transitions tional fi ve airbags are option- from a commercial vehicle with The new Sprinter is completely dedicated to safety: supporting ally available for driver and co- l Messila, the fi rst Luxury Collection re- pure utility value to an impres- Mercedes-Benz Vans’ role as a driver of innovation and a driver. sort in Doha, offi cially opened its four sive business car for commercial pioneer in the introduction of modern safety technologies in The four-cylinder diesel en- Ahydro wellness Worlds in its Wellness fl eets and businesses. It pioneers the large van segment. gine, available with Euro V emis- Ladies Retreat, the region’s “fi rst and most ex- the new design idiom of Mer- sion standards and suitable for tensive ladies wellbeing destination”, and its cedes-Benz Vans and embodies Qatar fuel characteristics, has a Scandinavian restaurant Snoull during an event the inherent emotional appeal displacement of 2.1 litres with held last week. and intelligence. rear-wheel drive generating with “It gives us great pleasure to announce that The Sprinter has diff erent 120kW (163hp). The Worlds are fi nally open and ready to welcome priorities dependent on the cus- The 7G-Tronic Plus automatic guests and take them on an enriching and well- tomers’ needs and requirements. transmission is also available for being journey,” said Patrizia Hofer, general man- Ranging from the basic specifi - the Sprinter for the fi rst time ager of Al Messila Resort & Spa. cation variant for customers who combining exceptionally smooth “It’s a day of great signifi cance for all of us at Al value proven Sprinter attributes gearshifts with exemplary fuel Messila Resort & Spa, Doha, because in addition such as standard-fi t electronic effi ciency and relieves the driver to the four hydro wellness Worlds, Snoull - whose stability programme (ESP) and of manual gear-changing with menu has been curated by Michelin-starred chef standard safety equipment like keyless start as an option. Theis Brydegaard - also opened offi cially,” she Snoull at Al Messila Resort & Spa. Crosswind Assist, through to The seven close-ratio gears added. the highest specifi cation model keep the engine speed as low as “The four Worlds are a unique facility, nev- raw and rich form, Snoull off ers bright, clean where high-resolution touch- possible in every driving situ- er seen before in the Middle East,” a press North European fl avours. screens and high-quality ma- ation. This has a positive ef- statement noted. Each World is themed dif- Green juices, foraged produce and fresh fi sh are terials determine the visual im- fect on the fuel consumption ferently, depending on the specifi c wellness “off ered through a pure, honest and natural cui- pression and ambience. and improves noise reduction. journey off ered: Oriental, Floral, Mystic and sine, which provides true nourishment”. The stowage compartment The Sprinter has diff erent priorities dependent on the customers’ The transmission operated via Mineral. They house fl oatation tanks, cocoon In order to meet wider guest preferences, Snoull concept exemplifi es the adapt- needs and requirements. the gear shift paddles behind beds, oxygen rooms, Kneipp walks, Hammams also off ers a dedicated vegetarian menu. Al Messila ability of the interior. A choice the steering wheel spokes allow and salt rooms, and each world can be experi- Resort & Spa is also presenting staycation wellness of open or closed compartments, conditioning system ideal for the pioneer in the introduction of shifting gears manually as well. enced in a personalised four-hour journey. packages that include fi tness activities and bal- and a lockable compartment Mena region. The powerful one- modern safety technologies in The infotainment system is Guests can also luxuriate in pools, steam rooms anced nutrition. The off er includes a private as- within the roof liner in the cock- zone automatic climate control the large van segment. just one example of the com- and saunas accessed alongside a premium range sessment with a Retreat Specialist, who will design pit area, enable the confi gura- system, Thermotronic automat- With the presentation of the pletely new control and display of treatments and protocols that are 100% exclu- a tailor-made programme featuring training ses- tion to be tailored precisely to ically regulates the fan, air dis- new Sprinter, a whole range of logic in the cockpit. As it is al- sive to Al Messila Wellness Retreat. They com- sions, nutritional plans and special balanced men- the given requirements for the tribution and temperature to the optional safety and assistance ready familiar from the pas- bine to produce a “unique well-being destina- us at the venue’s restaurants as well as customised workplace behind the wheel. comfort level of a passenger car. systems is now available from senger car model series, the tion within a one-of-a-kind wellness resort”, the spa treatments in its Ladies Wellness Retreat. The desire for multiple indi- The new Sprinter is complete- Mercedes-Benz Vans that were instrument cluster with a large statement pointed out. The rates of the package start from QR1,330 vidualisation options is contin- ly dedicated to safety: support- previously maintained within display consolidates all the con- Inspired by the Scandinavian seasoned history per person per night in the double-occupancy ued in the temperature regula- ing Mercedes-Benz Vans’ role the passenger car series. These trol lamps between the speed- of working with organic ingredients in their most Deluxe Room. tion, with a new advanced air as a driver of innovation and a include the radar-based distance ometer and rev counter.

Turkish Airlines adds Xian to its network QU partners with Sultan Qaboos

ffering its guests the University to hold convention opportunity to fly di- Orectly to 126 countries from Istanbul, Turkish Air- atar University (QU) is methodologies to measure and lines added Xian, the Chinese collaborating with Sul- monitor the quality of scientifi c city with 3,000 years of his- Qtan Qaboos University in research and its impact on soci- tory, to its flight network on Oman to organise the fi rst inter- ety. The conference will address December 30, 2019. national convention on scientifi c strategies of scientifi c research research management titled, management, the management The fl ights are ‘Research Management & Ad- of research programmes and its operated three times a ministration Conference’, which challenges, in addition to ad- week with Airbus will be held at the end of March dressing the ethical and legal as- A330 aircraft in Oman. pects of research projects. QU aims to attract highly During the sessions, discus- With this, Xian became the qualifi ed research and innova- sions will include the topic of flag carrier’s fourth destina- tion for the conference, it has competitiveness in obtaining re- tion in Mainland China and said in a press statement. search funding. the 318th destination in the Qatar University has par- Moreover, to promote external world. ticipated in the formation and research and motivate research- The flights are operated development of the conference ers to adopt it and collaborate three times a week with Air- topics, which will focus on the in partnerships, the conference bus A330 aircraft. Off icials at a ceremony held to mark the inaugural flight. quality and effi ciency of the will clarify the topic of external Starting its flights to China methodologies used in the man- funding programmes, spread the research funding sources and the back in 1999 with Beijing as its to mark the inaugural flight, coming to our country with different dynasties through agement of scientifi c research, scientifi c research culture within way to obtain it. destination, Turkish Airlines Turkish Airlines general man- the increasing attention from the history of China, the re- the competitiveness of obtain- industrial institutions and ex- The keynote speakers in the “reinforced its strong position ager Bilal Eksi said: “We will Chinese tourists to tourism gion’s most popular attraction ing research funding, and build- change the best methodologies conference are Prof Mariam al- in Asia” with the Xian flights, carry our guests to 126 coun- centres in Turkey.” is the Terracotta Army, which ing research capabilities. It also in the management of scientifi c Maadeed, QU’s vice-president the airline said in a statement. tries from Xian, one of the Turkish Airlines passengers features 8,000 terracotta sol- places importance on the impact research locally and internation- for Research and Graduate Stud- With this new addition, the most significant historic capi- travelling to Xian will have diers and draws more than and eff ectiveness of scientifi c re- ally, the statement noted. ies; Dr Aisha al-Obaidly, Capac- carrier’s flight network en- tals, while transferring the the opportunity to explore the 2mn tourists annually. search. The conference strives to Moreover, the conference will ity Building director of Qatar compassed the entirety of the Silk Road to above the clouds numerous cultural and herit- To view the flight schedule, benefi t society by leading scien- help identify the challenges and National Research Fund, and a historic Silk Road that started with our cargo operations. age attractions along with the visit www.turkishairlines.com tifi c research towards fi nding so- issues facing scientifi c research, group of international experts in Xian and ended in Venice. Our new flights will also con- historical fabric of the city. or visit any Turkish Airlines lutions to the community prob- fi nd ways to address them and hailing from various countries During a ceremony held tribute to the tourist numbers Serving as the capital of 13 sales office. lems, expand scientifi c research help identify international across the world. Gulf Times 8 Monday, January 27, 2020 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Erdogan says Libya crisis cannot be solved by ‘military means’

AFP means,” Erdogan told reporters much of the south and east of “We are working together for companied to Algiers — the fi rst Algiers after meeting Algerian President Libya, launched an assault in peace through daily and precise leg of an Africa tour — by a high- Abdelmadjid Tebboune. April to seize Tripoli, base of the monitoring of all developments level business delegation. “We are in intense negotia- UN-recognised Government on the ground,” he said. During his 48-hour visit Er- urkish President Recep tions with the countries of the of National Accord. Ankara has Erdogan’s visit came as the dogan is due to co-chair with Al- Tayyip Erdogan said the region and with international sent military aid to the GNA, UN mission in Libya said weap- gerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz TLibyan crisis could not be actors to secure the ceasefi re and while Algiers last week hosted a ons were pouring into the North Djerad a business conference to solved by “military means”, after facilitate the return to political meeting of Libya’s neighbours African country in violation of bolster the economic partner- talks yesterday with his Algerian dialogue in Libya,” Erdogan told that rejected “any foreign in- a 2011 Security Council resolu- ship between the two countries counterpart in Algiers. reporters. terference” in that country and tion, and despite commitments in the fi elds of “industry, tour- Algeria, which shares a Libya has been mired in chaos called for a negotiated settle- by world powers in Berlin. ism, agriculture and renewable 1,000-kilometre border with since a 2011 Nato-backed upris- ment. Tebboune said he was Before leaving Turkey for energy”. Since 2017, Turkey has Libya, is trying to mediate a ing that killed longtime dictator “in complete agreement” with Algeria, Erdogan claimed that replaced former colonial power This handout picture taken and released yesterday shows Algerian political settlement to the con- Muammar Gaddafi , with two Erdogan on the need to “fol- Haftar was “constantly behind France as the top foreign inves- President Abdelmadjid Tebboune meeting with Turkish President fl ict gripping its neighbour that rival administrations vying for low what was decided in Berlin” violations of the ceasefi re” — re- tor in Algeria, with nearly 1,000 Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Algiers. threatens regional stability. power. last Sunday, when world players ferring to a truce that went into Turkish businesses established “We have said from the begin- The confl ict deepened last called for an end to foreign inter- eff ect in Libya on January 12 at in the North African state, ac- Algerian-Turkish trade exceeded ria after China, France, Italy and ning that the Libyan crisis would year when military strongman ference in Libya and a resump- Moscow and Ankara’s initiative. cording state media. $4bn, making Turkey the fi fth Spain, according to offi cial Alge- not be resolved through military Khalifa Haftar, who controls tion of the peace process. The Turkish president was ac- In the fi rst 11 months of 2019, largest trade partner with Alge- rian fi gures. Palestinians threaten to Protesters keep up anti-govt quit Oslo Accords over Trump peace plan rallies despite violence in Iraq

AFP from the interim agreement” of AFP dents gathered to condemn Ramallah the Oslo pact if Trump unveils Baghdad the riot police’s dismantling his plan. of their main protest camp the The Trump initiative will turn previous day, according to an alestinian leaders threat- Israel’s “temporary occupation housands of students AFP correspondent. ened yesterday to with- (of Palestinian territory) into a fl ooded Iraqi streets yes- In Baghdad, university stu- Pdraw from key provisions permanent occupation”, Erekat Tteday to keep up their dents marched from a campus of the Oslo Accords, which de- said. anti-government movement in the city centre to the main fi ne arrangements with Israel, if The Israeli-Palestinian Inter- despite a crackdown, while rally area of Tahrir Square. US President Donald Trump an- im Agreement, signed in Wash- rockets landed near the US em- Riot police fi red live rounds nounces his Middle East peace ington in 1995, sought to put into bassy in Baghdad. and tear gas at clusters of young plan next week. practice the fi rst Oslo peace deal One protester was killed in protesters in the nearby Khal- Trump was scheduled to un- agreed two years earlier. the southern hotspot of Nasiri- lani and Wathba squares, but veil the plan ahead of his meet- Sometimes called Oslo II, the yah, with demonstrators defy- protesters threw rocks and ing in Washington this week with interim agreement set out the ing gunshots and tear gas fi red Molotov cocktails to keep them Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin scope of Palestinian autonomy by riot police seeking to shut back.At least 17 protesters were Netanyahu. Netanyahu, who in the West Bank and Gaza. protest camps. wounded, a police source said. has called Trump “the greatest The interim pact was only Activists have long worried Security forces have stopped friend that Israel has ever had”, supposed to last fi ve years while a that their months-long move- short of entering Tahrir Square, said he hoped to “make history” permanent agreement was fi nal- ment demanding a complete where some protesters stood in Washington this week. ised but it has tacitly been rolled overhaul of Iraq’s political es- their ground even after many But the Palestinian leader- over for more than two decades. tablishment could be snuff ed tents were dismantled. ship was not invited to the talks Israel has occupied east Jerusa- out. In the southern city of Nasir- and has rejected Trump’s ini- lem and the West Bank since the Stoking those concerns, iyah, security forces yesterday tiative amid tensions with the US 1967 Six-Day War. fi rebrand cleric Moqtada Sadr also fi red live rounds to disperse president over his recognition More than 600,000 Israelis dropped his support for the Iraqi demonstrators wave the national flag during an anti-government rally in the southern city of protesters who were angered by of Jerusalem as Israel’s undi- now live there in settlements protest movement on Fri- Basra, yesterday. authorities pushing them out of vided capital. World powers have considered illegal under interna- day, after holding an anti-US roads around their main protest long agreed that Jerusalem’s fate tional law. rally attended by thousands in Zone, two security sources said fi ngers in a victory sign in defi - Baghdad Iraq’s south this week, camp in Habbubi Square. should be settled through nego- The Trump administration Baghdad. There was no immediate claim ance of security forces who fi red with more than 15 people killed One protester died after be- tiations between Israel and the last year announced that it no ROCKETS LAND of responsibility for the attack, live rounds in a bid to clear them. as anti-government activ- ing shot by security forces and Palestinians. longer considered Israel’s set- NEAR US EMBASSY the latest this month to target “Only for you, Iraq!” read a ists stepped up road closures dozens more were impacted by Chief Palestinian negotiator tlement of civilians in the West the high-security zone, which sign held by a young protester in and sit-ins. On Saturday, four tear gas in the brief skirmishes, Saeb Erekat said that the Pal- Bank as “inconsistent with in- Yesterday, two days after is also home to the Iraqi parlia- the shrine city of Karbala, hint- demonstrators were shot dead a medical source said. estine Liberation Organisation ternational law”, further outrag- Sadr supporters demanded the ment. ing at the movement’s insist- as riot police stormed protest At least 75 protesters suf- reserved the right “to withdraw ing the Palestinians. departure of some 5,200 Amer- The rocket fi re came as thou- ence on not being affi liated with camps across the country, ac- fered bullet wounds and around ican troops from Iraq, a vol- sands of students rallied across any political party or outside cording to medics, stoking fears 100 were impacted by tear gas ley of rockets landed near the the country yesterday, waving backer. of a broader crackdown. in brief skirmishes, a medical US embassy in Baghad’s Green Iraqi fl ags and holding up two Violence has resurged in In Basra, hundreds of stu- source said. Eight killed in truck blast in northern Syria Oman top diplomat in Iran for second time within week

DPA Twenty-four others were in- AFP World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, least their fourth encounter since late ington since a US drone strike killed Damascus jured in the explosion in the town Tehran Switzerland, which Zarif skipped after July. Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in of Azaz in the countryside of the scheduling changes to the annual event. Zarif’s withdrawal from Davos was Baghdad on January 3. northern province of Aleppo. Zarif and Alawi discussed “bilateral due to “unilateral changes in mutually Iran retaliated five days later by t least eight people were The truck exploded while it was ran’s top diplomat Mohamed Javad co-operation regarding the Strait of agreed arrangements on part of WEF”, launching a wave of missiles at US killed yesterday when a parked near a petrol station, also Zarif hosted his Omani counterpart Hormuz and emphasised their govern- Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Ab- troops stationed in Iraq. Atruck loaded with explo- causing heavy damage to houses IYusuf bin Alawi yesterday for the ments’ will...to guarantee maritime bas Mousavi said in a tweet. Tehran had been on high alert hours sives blew up in an area control- and stores in the vicinity, a police second time within a week for talks on and energy security for all,” Iran’s for- The spokesman lamented that it was later when its air defences mistakenly led by Turkish-backed rebels source said. So far, there has been security in the sensitive Gulf. eign ministry said in a statement. a “missed opportunity for dialogue”. shot down a Ukraine International Air- in northern Syria, local medical no claim of responsibility for the Alawi was making the visit to Te- It was their second meeting in the Tensions have soared in the region and lines passenger jet, killing all 176 peo- and security sources said. attack. hran on the tail end of his trip to the Iranian capital since Tuesday and at especially between Tehran and Wash- ple on board.

Lassa fever 20 soldiers dead Burundi ruling party picks kills 29 in in Mali attack: govt candidate to contest presidency Nigeria Reuters keeping mission, known Bamako as Minusma. The militants were pushed back initially Reuters Nkurunziza and Ndayishimiye AFP but have since regrouped Nairobi are close allies who started out Lagos bout 20 soldiers were and strengthened. in the CNDD-FDD (Council for killed in a pre-dawn In a sign of their success, the Defence of Democracy-Force Aattack on an army Minusma has become the urundi’s ruling party, the for the Defence of Democracy) as igerian health authorities camp in central Mali yester- UN’s deadliest mission. CNDD-FDD, yesterday rebels in the 1990s. Nkurunziza have announced stepped- day, the government said. Large areas of the Sahel, Bpicked secretary-general became president in 2005 after Nup emergency measures The identity of the at- the band of scrubland south Evariste Ndayishimiye as its a peace deal was signed in Tan- to tackle a rise in Lassa fever cases tackers was not immediately of the Sahara, are no longer candidate in a presidential elec- zania. after 29 people died this month. clear. In a statement, the controlled by soldiers and tion scheduled for May. His decision to run for a third, “As at 24th of January 2020, government said “terror- police, to the dismay of local Ndayishimiye, 52, is a retired fi ve-year term in 2015 sparked 195 confi rmed cases and 29 ists” entered the camp near governments and their in- army general who also heads the widespread protests and vio- deaths had been reported in 11 the village of Sokolo, killed ternational partners, includ- department of military aff airs lence. states,” the Nigeria Centre for the soldiers and caused “sig- ing the United States, which in the president’s offi ce and has His party has welcomed his Disease Control (NCDC) said in nifi cant material damage”. have struggled to contain served as minister of the interior decision to stand down, confer- a statement on Saturday. “Reinforcements have the spread of militant groups and security. ring on him the title of “Supreme A national emergency opera- been dispatched to the scene across West Africa. Twenty- Current President Pierre Nku- Guide of Patriotism” and lav- tions centre had been activated and an aerial reconnaissance four Malian soldiers were runziza will not seek re-election. ish perks including a villa worth to coordinate the response “to is underway in the area to killed and 29 wounded when Ndayishimiye, who hails from Burundi’s ruling party, the National Council for CNDD-FDD’s $530,000. the increasing number of Lassa track down the attackers,” militants attacked a patrol in the central Burundi province secretary-general Evariste Ndayishimiye and his wife Angeline Burundi is one of the world’s fever cases” across the country. it said. Groups with links to northern Mali in November. of Gitega, promised to carry on Ndayubaha attend the extraordinary congress after he was picked poorest countries and lost donor Endemic to Nigeria, Lassa fe- Al Qaeda and Islamic State Twenty people were with the current government’s as their candidate for the next presidential election scheduled for funding after the violence fol- ver belongs to the same family as operate in arid central and wounded earlier this month programmes if elected. “This is May, in Gitega Province, yesterday. lowing the 2015 election. the Ebola and Marburg viruses, northern Mali and have in the north, including 18 UN not a new start,” he told a party In September, the United Na- but is much less deadly. used the area as a base to at- peacekeepers from Chad, in congress in the town of Gitega after he met the required con- paign for him “with all our force tions warned that police, secu- The virus is spread by contact tack soldiers and civilians in a rocket attack on a military after Nkurunziza announced he ditions, including understand- and intelligence”. This is the fi rst rity forces and the ruling party’s with rat faeces or urine. neighbouring Burkina Faso, base used by UN, French and would be the candidate. ing Burundi’s violent history, time that an outgoing Burundian youth league, the Imbonerakure, It starts with fever and can, in Niger and beyond. Malian forces. “Much has been done...we respect for former combatants president has picked his suc- were committing serious human worst case scenarios, lead to se- Former colonial power France’s armed forces want that by 2027 every Burun- and a vision for developing the cessor peacefully, Ndayishimiye rights violations. vere bleeding and organ failure. France intervened in 2013 minister Florence Parly will dian citizen sees change at his country. said. Those included killings, dis- Nigeria declared an outbreak to drive back militants who travel to Washington this home, in his neighbourhood, in He will face off with the oppo- The East African nation of appearances, torture and gang of Lassa fever a year ago and had seized northern Mali in week amid fears that US his district or where he works.” sition Frodebu and CNL parties 11mn people has suff ered coloni- rape of alleged political oppo- around 170 people died from the 2012, and the UN Security forces could pull out of the CNDD-FDD grandees said in the May 20 election. al occupation, civil war and dec- nents. Burundi condemned the virus in 2019. Council deployed a peace- region. they settled on Ndayishimiye Nkurunziza promised to cam- ades of intermittent massacres. accusations. Gulf Times Monday, January 27, 2020 9 AMERICAS

First coronavirus patient displayed Immigration symptoms on fl ight to Canada clampdown

Reuters/AFP Toronto/Los Angeles may threaten Canada’s chief medical off icer said yesterday that an individual who was jobs, wages declared the country’s first “presump- tive” confirmed case of the novel AFP coronavirus had developed symptoms Washington on the plane while travelling from Wuhan in China to Toronto. The province of Ontario health he 20-year-old San Diego bakery off icials on Saturday said a man in his Con Pane Rustic Breads & Cafe 50s developed a respiratory illness Twent out of business this month after arriving in Toronto on January after an audit by US authorities found im- 22 from Wuhan, the epicentre of the migrants working there illegally. outbreak of the viral disease, and was In April, a small Nebraska town lost a being treated in a public hospital and potato processing plant, and the local rev- in isolation. enue it generated, in the wake of an immi- Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief health gration raid on its facilities. off icer, told reporters in Ottawa that A restaurant in New York appears to the patient had mild symptoms while have suff ered similar fate in August. on the flight, though he did not report Farmers say they are planting less, his condition after landing at the turning to automation, eliminating some Toronto airport. crops, leaving them to rot in the fi eld or The individual arrived via China contemplating selling out of the business Southern Airlines flight CZ311 from altogether — all because they cannot fi nd Guangzhou to Toronto. enough immigrant labour. Tam said health off icials are in the As the US birth rate falls and a labour early process of contacting other shortage worsens, President Donald Trump’s travellers on that flight. crackdown on immigrants could make the But Tam said other people on the A supporter of President Donald Trump rides a tractor outside the Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate and US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) situation worse for businesses like these. flight or airport that were not close campaign rally venue in Ames, Iowa, on Saturday evening. Trump and others who favour tighter to the patient should not be overly immigration controls say low-skilled mi- concerned. grant workers compete for American jobs Canada’s Health Minister Patty and drive down wages for all workers. Hajdu told reporters that the National But a growing body of research suggests Microbiology Laboratory will take up the contrary: that removing immigrant work- to 24 hours to confirm the findings on Trump threatens Schiff , says ers can be destructive, resulting in lost jobs, the local laboratory. lower wages, cancelled investments and less And once NML tests are confirmed aff ordable services — even for Americans. positive, then Canada will announce About 7.6mn unauthorised migrants work its first confirmed case of the novel in the United States, amounting to 4.6% of coronavirus. Dem has not paid ‘price, yet’ the labour force, according to the Pew Re- Canada is on high alert to prevent search Center, and the share is shrinking the spread of coronavirus and avoid even as demand for workers is strong. the repeat of SARS, or Severe Acute Reuters Sanders, Biden in tight race in early primary states: polls “I don’t think the president is try- Immigrants staff major industries like Respiratory Syndrome, that killed 44 Washington ing to be able to do a death threat food processing, farming and hotels as well people in Canada, the only country Senator Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Indiana, was within strik- here or do some sort of intimida- as small businesses such as restaurants and outside Asia to report deaths from vice president Joe Biden yesterday ing distance at 22%. tion,” he said on CNN’s State of the building contractors and provide sought- that virus in 2002-2003. resident Donald Trump said appeared to be locked in a tight US Senator Amy Klobuchar, who Union. “Both of them are saying the after services such as child care and cleaning. Government health off icials say yesterday that the Democratic race for the Democratic presidential is still trying to break 10% in polls, American people will speak on this.” In 2016, an analysis by the National Canada is better prepared this time. Plawmaker leading the im- nomination, with only days left until picked up the endorsement of the Another House impeachment Academy of Sciences found there was China’s National Health Commission peachment case against him, Rep- voting begins, a couple of surveys New Hampshire Union Leader news- manager, Democrat Zoe Lofgren, “little evidence” that immigrants aff ected said on Sunday the ability of the new resentative Adam Schiff , has “not have indicated. paper. told CNN Trump should “get a grip” overall employment for the native-born. coronavirus to spread is strengthening paid the price, yet” for his actions, a Sanders led a poll of New Hamp- Nationally, Biden still appeared to and be more presidential. And Julie Hotchkiss, an economist at and infections could continue to rise, statement Schiff said he viewed as a shire voters with 25% support. His be holding a lead, with a Washington “The president has a tendency to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, sifted after more than 2,000 people were threat. closest competitor was former Biden, Post-ABC poll yesterday showing say things that seem threatening to through employer and wage records from infected in China and 56 have died. The vitriol from Trump against with 16%, according to a poll by cable Biden and Sanders pulling away from people,” she said. the state of Georgia and found fi rms that Meanwhile, a patient in California’s Schiff and other Democrats fol- network CNN and the University of the pack. The poll showed Biden at Trump’s team of lawyers began hire unauthorised workers actually pay Orange County was on Saturday con- lowed three days of their arguments New Hampshire. the helm with 32% support, followed their defence on Saturday, arguing their legally authorised workers higher firmed as the third person on US soil in his impeachment trial before the A separate poll of Iowa voters by Sanders at 23%. Democrats’ eff orts to remove the wages and stay in business longer. infected with the new deadly virus, US Senate on charges he abused by CBS found Sanders and Biden The next closest candidates were president from offi ce would set a “Paper after paper, I see a net positive health off icials said. the power of his offi ce by pressur- statistically tied, with 26% and 25% US Senator Elizabeth Warren with “very, very dangerous” precedent in impact from the presence of these work- The infected person was a traveller ing Ukraine to investigate a political respectively. 12%, and former New York City mayor an election year. ers,” she told AFP, stipulating that her from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the rival, and then tried to obstruct an Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of Michael Bloomberg with 8%. Alan Dershowitz, a member of views are her own. epicentre of the outbreak, the Orange investigation by Congress. Trump’s legal team, told Fox News Employment for US citizens actually fell County Health Care Agency said. “Shifty Adam Schiff is a COR- Sunday the conduct described in by 0.7% in communities where authorities The Centers for Disease Control RUPT POLITICIAN, and probably a Trump and Trump’s Republican included “pencil neck” and “liddle.” the Senate trial did not amount to an deported a half million mainly Hispanic and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the very sick man. He has not paid the supporters in Congress. Critics accuse Trump of using an impeachable off ense. immigrants between 2008 and 2015, ac- patient had tested positive for the price, yet, for what he has done to Some Republican senators took anti-Semitic trope in referring to the He shrugged off a recording rstfi cording to research published in December novel coronavirus, it said. our Country!” Trump said on Twit- umbrage at Schiff ’s more pointed Jewish lawmaker as “shifty.” reported on Friday in which Trump by economists at the Universities of Colo- The individual was in isolation ter. comments, including that the presi- The White House did not re- told Lev Parnas, an associate of his rado and California. in a local hospital and was in good Asked on NBC’s Meet the Press if dent could not be trusted to do the spond to a request for comment on lawyer Rudolph Giuliani, he wanted Low-skilled immigrants often “com- condition. he took the Republican president’s right thing for the country and that Trump’s Twitter post. to see the US ambassador to Ukraine, plement” the skills of higher-skilled na- “There is no evidence that person- social media post as a threat, Schiff Republican senators were under ex- Representatives for Schiff said Marie Yovanovitch, fi red. tive-born and legally authorised workers to-person transmission has occurred said, “I think it’s intended to be.” treme pressure to acquit Trump. they had nothing to add to the con- “The president has full authority — allowing businesses to thrive and em- in Orange County. The current risk of As lead impeachment manager, Schiff said on NBC he was mak- gressman’s comments. to fi re an ambassador,” Dershowitz ploy more workers overall, they said. local transmission remains low,” the Schiff , chairman of the House Intel- ing the argument “that it’s going to White House spokeswoman said. US employers frequently argue that health care agency said. ligence Committee, played a central require moral courage to stand up to Stephanie Grisham told Fox News During the House of Representa- Americans will not do some jobs that mi- There were no details given on how role in Democrats’ eff orts to paint this president.” Channel she had not spoken to tives impeachment hearings last grant workers will, like picking crabs or the person arrived in the United States Trump’s behaviour as dangerous to “This is a wrathful and vindictive Trump about the tweet but, “I think month, witnesses described Giuliani slaughtering animals in food plants. or their identity. democracy the Republican-led Sen- president,” he said. he means he hasn’t yet paid the price as leading eff orts to pressure In August, Americans rushed to fi ll The two other US cases involve a ate, where Trump is likely to be ac- “I don’t think that there’s any with the voters.” Ukraine on investigating former vice newly open positions at a Mississippi woman in Chicago who had travelled quitted. doubt about it and if you think there US Senator James Lankford, a Re- president Joe Biden, a leading 2020 chicken processing plant after one of the to Wuhan in late December before While some Republican senators is, look at the president’s tweets publican, likened Trump’s comment Democratic candidate, and his son largest-ever federal immigration raids en- returning to the US on January 13, and said Schiff had been eff ective, most about me today, saying that I should to those of Democrats who say Re- Hunter Biden, who sat on the board snared hundreds of Hispanic migrants. a man in his thirties from Washington appeared unswayed. pay a price.” publicans will pay a price at the bal- of a Ukrainian energy company. But it was unclear if there were enough state who had also travelled to the Chi- The lawmaker from California, Trump regularly levels personal lot box for supporting Trump or will Yovanovitch was seen as resisting applicants to fi ll all the newly vacant posi- nese city recently, the CDC said. a former federal prosecutor, has attacks against political opponents. pay a price in the future as they are those eff orts and was recalled in May tions or how long the replacements would been a regular target of attack from His broadsides against Schiff have held accountable. last year. stick to their gruelling new jobs. Canada monarchists afl utter over Harry and Meghan’s move

By Michel Comte, AFP He quipped that he might set provinces are arguably the most a full-time role, be a patron of Vancouver up a stand to sell royal memo- vocally pro-monarchy. things and a ribbon cutter, is rabilia on the street, where Chip If Harry craves fl avors of Brit- relatively new,” Hallsor said. Wilson, founder of the Lululem- ain, the island city of Victoria on “It’s not part of royal tradition. It striking sight, the Royal on yoga-wear chain, also lives. the Pacifi c (named after Harry’s started in the media age.” Standard fl aps against the Canadian sales of the Union great-great-great-great-grand- As Greenwood said, “Let’s be Adark skies and unrelenting Jack and Saint George’s Cross mother), with its multitude of tea honest, there’s enough members rains of Vancouver, Canada’s Pa- fl ags have already jumped, ac- rooms and double-decker buses, of the royal family over there (in cifi c coast metropolis. cording to Susan Braverman, might feel more at home. Britain) for offi cial duties.” Monarchist Raymond Green- president of The Flag Shop. But, said Vancouver lawyer Of greater concern might be wood raised the Queen’s banner She admits to being “a big fan” and royal commentator Edward whether their presence in Cana- atop his house just days ago to of Meghan from the days when Wang, “I wouldn’t say British da overshadows the Queen’s of- welcome Prince Harry and his the former American actress ap- Columbia (overall) is very British fi cial representatives, including wife Meghan after learning that peared in the television series anymore, it’s become very multi- former astronaut Payette. the royal runaways were consid- Suits, shot in Toronto. cultural, with large South Asian “A charity or other organisa- ering moving to his oceanside Braverman, like others here, and Chinese communities.” tion would certainly be more in- Kitsilano neighborhood here. was quick to dismiss criticism Canadian monarchists, of- terested to have Prince Harry as Locals surveyed by AFP are of the duke and duchess of Sus- ten on guest lists for functions their patron than the viceregals,” giddy about their move. sex for their shock exit from their hosted by Governor General Ju- acknowledged Hallsor. Tourism groups are even more royal roles. lie Payette and provincial vicere- But, he added, “I don’t see it as excited about the prospects of a “We all want our kids to grow gals, are champing at the chance a competition.” boost from the global attention up and become independent, to rub shoulders with the prince Wang, meanwhile, warned of on the couple. don’t we? They’re just spreading and his wife. potential political pitfalls should “I’m very, very happy,” said their wings,” she said. “Selfi shly, it’s our hope that Prince Harry and Meghan choose Greenwood, president of the lo- Where Harry and Meghan set- even if Prince Harry and Meghan to use their newfound freedoms cal branch of the Canadian Club tle in Canada will likely depend are doing fewer royal duties over- to be more forthright. and a volunteer at Tourism Van- on where they have the most all, if they’re doing them in Can- He noted Meghan’s “strong couver; he is also known as “Mr support. Megan’s mother Doria ada there’ll be more for us,” Bruce feelings” about a number of Fireworks” for having brought Ragland lives in Los Angeles, and Hallsor, head of the Victoria chap- issues, pointing to her pub- an annual international fi reworks Vancouver is the closest Cana- ter of the Monarchist League, told lic thrashing in 2016 of Donald show to the city. dian city with direct daily fl ights. AFP. “So that’s a plus for us.” Trump, which risks putting an “I mean, who wouldn’t want But her best friend Jessica He rejected critics, including unwanted spotlight on Prime Susan Braverman, president of The Flag Shop, poses at her Vancouver store. to run into Meghan walking her Mulroney — married to the son Meghan’s estranged father Tho- Minister Justin Trudeau’s own dogs in the neighbourhood,” he of former Canadian prime min- mas Markle, who assailed the sometimes strained relations Canadians, but off side with its oil Wang said. “If they start attack- vice to the couple to help them said, referring to pictures pub- ister Brian Mulroney — is in To- couple for bowing out from rep- with the US president. industry; Canada is the world’s ing the oil industry, for example, I better fi t in: work on their French lished of Meghan out for a stroll ronto, where Meghan spent years resenting the British monarchy. The couple are also big pro- fourth largest oil exporter. don’t think the premier of Alberta — which, along with English, is in North Saanich, where she and shooting Suits. “The idea that every member ponents of climate action, which “There’re certainly risks of would be too happy about it.” one of Canada’s two offi cial lan- Harry are now staying. Canada’s Atlantic Maritime of the royal family should have is in line with the values of most stepping into political landmines,” He also off ered this bit of ad- guages. Gulf Times 10 Monday, January 27, 2020 ASIA

Two more cases of Public anger grows over coronavirus suspected coronavirus in Thailand in Nepal Reuters Passengers arriving on IANS Bangkok fl ights from Guangzhou Kathmandu across fi ve airports including the main he health minister in Suvarnabhumi airport, ollowing the confi rmation Thailand, the country Chiang Mai, Phuket, Don of the coronavirus case in Twith the most confi rmed Muang and Krabi are being FNepal, offi cials have said cases outside China of the new scanned aft er the number that two more people were sus- coronavirus, called an emergen- of coronavirus cases rise to pected to have been infected with cy meeting yesterday with the eight the virus that has so far claimed transport and tourism ministries the lives of 56 people in China, amid rising public discontent 11mn visitors from there last the epicentre of the outbreak. over the government’s handling year. “Both of them have been kept of the illness. In China, there have been in isolation at Teku hospital,” “We can control the situation nearly 2,000 cases of the illness The Kathmandu Post quoted and are confi dent in our ability to and 56 people have died. A scat- Mahendra Prasad, spokesperson handle the crisis,” Public Health tering of cases have been report- for the Ministry of Health and Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ed in other countries, including Population, as saying yesterday, told reporters. The number of Thailand. adding that the man and woman cases of the disease in Thailand Graffi ti artist, @head- had returned from China. rose yesterday to eight. achestencil commented on The man, said to be in his late Anutin added that three of Twitter, “Can close roads and is- 20s, had returned from Shanghai the people infected were being lands, but can’t close the coun- on January 19. treated and fi ve had recovered try from China for the safety and He had gone to Pokhara the and gone home. confi dence of the public. Can following day but returned to The hashtag #crapgovern- you not value Yuan more than visit the Dhapasi-based Grande ment was top trending on Twit- our lives #crapgovernment.” International Hospital on Janu- ter in Thailand on Saturday All but one of the eight cases ary 21 for respiratory problems. with over 400,000 tweets. Us- in Thailand were tourists from Doctors at the hospital then ers complained about the man- Wuhan, the central Chinese city referred him to Sukraraj Tropical agement of the virus and other that is at the epicentre of the and Infectious Disease Hospital health issues. outbreak. One Thai national, in Teku two days ago, according “If it reaches a point where who had visited Wuhan over to an offi cial. public health is in danger, we the New Year, contracted the The offi cial said the woman, will take (more) action,” Anu- disease. who had visited a private hospi- tin said, adding that the gov- There have been no cases of tal in Kathmandu, also has been ernment would not prioritize human-to-human transmission brought to the Teku hospital. tourism revenue over health. in Thailand. “Health condition of both the “Detecting infected patients The government is scanning Health workers use infrared thermometers to check the temperature of tourists who arrive at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport yesterday. patients is stable,” Shrestha told is a good sign because it shows passengers arriving on fl ights The Kathmandu Post. that our system is effi cient,” from Guangzhou across fi ve air- Based on numbers during the ($1.52bn) of lost tourism revenue, tourist spots have introduced and subways are increasing the “They are under observation Anutin said. ports including the main Suvar- Sars outbreak in 2003, three Minister of Tourism and Sports hygiene measures. frequencies of wipedowns and in isolation. Doctors are trying China is Thailand’s biggest nabhumi airport, Chiang Mai, months of reduced travel from Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said. Mass transit operators in- spraying disinfectant in trains, to ascertain if they have indeed source of tourists and had nearly Phuket, Don Muang and Krabi. China would result in 50bn baht Major shopping malls in Thai cluding the Bangkok skytrain the transport ministry said. been infected with the deadly virus.” Preparations are underway to send specimens like throat swabs and blood samples collected Farmer’s field day from both patients to the World EU mission raises concerns Health Organisation’s (WHO) collaborating centre in Hong Kong to confi rm if they have been infected with the new strain of over Lanka presidential polls coronavirus. Earlier, throat swab and blood IANS pects of the election. Sri Lanka was also urged to samples of a 31-year-old Nepali Colombo The EUEOM off ered 23 rec- adopt a law on campaign fi - student, who had returned from ommendations for improving the nance and campaign expendi- Wuhan, the capital of Hubei framework for elections based on ture. province and where the outbreak he European Union its observations, analysis and ex- The EUEOM said the law has originated, were also sent Election Observation tensive discussion with a range of should include clear provisions to the WHO laboratory in Hong TMission (EUEOM) has national stakeholders. on timely disclosure before Kong, which on Friday confi rmed presented its fi nal report on “An electoral process well and after elections, oversight, that he was infected with the vi- Sri Lanka’s November 16, 2019 managed by the Election Com- sanctions and enforcement. rus. presidential election in which mission and a peaceful cam- The island nation was also The disease has already spread it raised concerns on the ab- paign on the ground contrasted urged to adopt special meas- to a dozen other countries with sence of a law on campaign with divisive rhetoric, hate ures as anticipated by the Con- Canada confi rming its fi rst case fi nance, disinformation and speech and disinformation in stitution to remove barriers on Saturday after a patient in biased election coverage by traditional and social media,” and promote equal participa- Ontario tested positive. The man private and state media. Matias said at the breifi ng. tion of women in public and is said to have travelled from The chief observer of the “The absence of a law on political life. China recently. EUEOM to Sri Lanka, Marisa campaign fi nance and the bi- The EUEOM was deployed Five cases have been reported Matias, presented the report and ased election coverage by pri- to Sri Lanka from October 11 in Thailand, Five in Hong Kong, recommendations at a media vate and state media contrib- to December 12, 2019 with four in Australia, three each in briefi ng on Friday, reports the uted to an uneven playing fi eld 30 long-term and 30 short- Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Colombo Gazette newspaper. and limited the opportunity term observers from 27 EU France and two each in Japan, A farmer works in a mustard field on the outskirts of Dhaka yesterday. The report off ers a compre- for most candidates to convey member states, Norway and South Korea, the US, Vietnam hensive assessment of all as- their message.” Switzerland. and Macao. Key group joins peace talks in Thailand Rohingya refugee writers dial AFP The main rebel group believed “observers from overseas” had representative Anas Abdul- Kuala Lumpur to be behind the guerilla attacks attended Monday’s meeting. rahman clasping hands with – the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Thailand’s National Security former Malaysian police in- into Myanmar poetry slam (BRN) – has long refused peace Council also released a state- spector-general Abdul Rahim he key rebel group behind talks with Thai offi cials. ment saying they are “ready to Noor in the middle. AFP a 16-year insurgency in They claim to be fi ghting for work with every stakeholder”. “They have agreed to resolve Yangon TThailand’s south has met independence after Thailand The rebel group has long in- the issues through peace and the kingdom’s head negotiator annexed the three southern sisted the talks be overseen by not to fi ght. It can be done,” for the fi rst offi cial meeting in provinces – Yala, Pattani, and international mediators, which Abdul Rahim Noor said late ohingya Muslim poets their peace talks. Narathiwat – over a century ago. the Thai state has staunchly Tuesday. in Bangladeshi refugee Observers see the dialogue as But this week marked a opposed, bringing the negotia- The two sides agreed an- Rcamps joined Buddhist the best hope of ending a con- warming in relations as the tion process to a stuttering halt other meeting will be held next bards in Myanmar by video link fl ict which has left thousands two sides held their fi rst offi cial in 2014. month, he added. as part of a groundbreaking po- dead in Thailand’s three south- meeting on Monday, with Ma- Since then, only MARA Pa- Calling this the “best hope” etry festival in a country reeling ernmost provinces. laysia as a facilitator. tani – an umbrella organisation for the years-long confl ict, from genocide allegations. The region has been in the The BRN said in a statement representing other insurgent Matthew Wheeler, of Interna- Five Rohingya writers took grip of a simmering insurgency on Tuesday that after years factions – has taken part, and tional Crisis Group, cautioned part in the three-day “Poetry since 2004, with clashes be- of back-channelling the two progress has been slow. that a long journey remains. for Humanity” event in Yangon, Audience attend “Poetry for Humanity” event in which Rohingya Muslim tween Malay-Muslim rebels parties had agreed to “resolve A photo from Monday’s “As diffi cult as the process with three speaking live by video poets recited poetry via a video link in Yangon yesterday. and the Buddhist-majority armed confl icts... by means of meeting shows Wanlop Rug- has been up to this point, the link to a packed room while two Thai state claiming more than political resolution”. sanaoh, head of Thailand’s most diffi cult work remains to had sent pre-recorded readings, Burmese. We also love Myan- Forty poets from across My- 7,000 lives, mostly civilians. The rebel group added that Peace Dialogue Panel, and BRN be done,” he said. fearing their stuttering connec- mar,” the 27-year-old said. anmar recite works in various tion would not hold up. Poets once vexed Myanmar’s languages including Burmese, They drew applause for verses censorship-obsessed former but the focus is on re-connect- on the bloodshed that forced military junta. ing the estranged Muslim mi- hundreds of thousands of Ro- Now younger writers are keep- nority. hingya to fl ee their homes in ing the art form alive as a form of Ethnic Rakhine writer Won Vietnam to buy electricity from Laos northern Rakhine state - and dissent under the civilian gov- Roe travelled especially from his also for their resilience. ernment of Aung San Suu Kyi. home state, where deep divi- DPA tricity provider Vietnam Elec- Chealun Sekong Group. ment’s ongoing strategy to main- “My words are taller than the Festival organiser Maung sions prevail between the mainly Hanoi tricity (EVN) has signed con- While those purchases are set tain supply in a nation whose cur- walls put between Buddhists and Saungkha, who was jailed for Buddhist Rakhine and remaining tracts allowing it to purchase to begin in 2022, EVN will begin rent total energy capacity is nearly Muslims. My words are stronger six months in 2016 for writing Rohingya Muslim communities. vast amounts of hydropower purchasing smaller amounts of 50bn kWh annually. than the hatred designed for a poem deemed defamatory Rakhine mobs stand accused ith electricity short- from neighbouring Laos, be- electricity from Chealun Se- From 2021, Vietnam is ex- me,” reads one verse from writer to the former president, says of committing atrocities against ages predicted in the ginning in 2021. kong Group in 2021. pected to face shortages of Mayyu Ali’s poem “My Words”. acknowledging the word “Ro- the Rohingya alongside security Wnear future, the Viet- The utility company plans In July 2019, Vietnam’s Min- 3.7bn kWh, although new coal He fl ed with his family to the hingya” is a fi rst step towards forces. namese government has agreed to buy almost 600mn kilo- istry of Industry and Trade power plants scheduled to open Bangladeshi camps where he has preventing more human rights But Won Roe is convinced po- to buy huge amounts of elec- watt-hours (kWh) from two forecasted that the country will over the coming years should helped bring together a group of abuses. etry can act as a “bridge between tricity from Laos, state media hydropower plants in Laos, face severe power shortages mitigate this. around 150 refugees sharing a “We hope people will learn communities” and worked said. both owned by Phongsubthavy from 2021. Renewable energy has also passion for poetry. about equal rights and about closely, if virtually, with Mayyu According to a Vietnamese Group, and a further 632mn The decision to buy power from grown exponentially in Viet- “I want to show Burmese peo- treating diff erent people in a hu- Ali ahead of the event. newspaper recently, local elec- kWh from another plant run by Laos forms part of the govern- nam over the last few years. ple that the Rohingya are also mane way.” “I see him as a poet, a friend.” Gulf Times Monday, January 27, 2020 11 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Hong Kong bans entry of visitors from China virus province

Reuters ported in other countries, in- in some cases. China’s National traditionally celebrated by hun- originated late last year in a sea- ply to Hong Kong residents. questioned the eff ectiveness of Beijing cluding in Thailand, Australia, Health Commission Minister Ma dreds of millions of Chinese trav- food market in Wuhan that was Hubei’s governor yesterday these eff orts. the United States and France, but Xiaowei said the incubation pe- elling around the country and illegally selling wildlife, has said he felt “agonised” and re- Health offi cials in Orange no fatalities have been recorded riod for the virus can range from abroad to see family, began on spread to cities including Beijing sponsible for the outbreak. Wang County, California, said a third esidents of China’s Hubei outside China. one to 14 days, during which in- Friday but has been severely dis- and Shanghai. Xiaodong described the situation case had been registered in the province, where the new The mayor of Wuhan, at epi- fection can occur, which was not rupted by the outbreak. The World Health Organisa- as severe and said medical sup- United States in a traveller from Rcoronavirus outbreak was centre of the outbreak, said he the case with Severe Acute Res- Ma said China would intensify tion this week stopped short plies were still tight. Wuhan, who was in isolation and fi rst reported, will be banned expected another 1,000 new pa- piratory Syndrome (Sars). its containment eff orts, which of calling the outbreak a glo- China confi rmed 2,051 cases of in good condition. from entering Hong Kong from tients in the city, which was step- Sars was a coronavirus that have so far included transport bal health emergency, but some infection as of 7pm (1100 GMT) China temporarily banned today as China tries to halt the ping up construction of special originated in China and killed and travel curbs and cancellation health experts question whether on Jan 26, while the death toll nationwide the sale of wildlife rapid spread of the outbreak. hospitals. The newly identifi ed nearly 800 people globally in of big events. China can contain the epidemic. from the virus remained at 56, in markets, restaurants, and e- Health authorities around coronavirus has created alarm 2002 and 2003. “According to The country may extend the Hong Kong, which has six con- state broadcaster CCTV report- commerce platforms. Wild and the world are racing to prevent a because much about it is still un- recent clinical information, the week-long Lunar New Year holi- fi rmed cases, will also ban entry ed. often poached animals packed pandemic after more than 2,000 known, such as how dangerous it virus’ ability to spread seems to day, state broadcaster CCTV re- from today to people who have Airports around the world have together in Chinese markets are people were infected in China is and how easily it spreads be- be getting somewhat stronger,” ported, citing a meeting hosted visited Hubei province in the stepped up screening of passen- blamed as incubators for viruses and 56 have died. A handful of tween people. It can cause pneu- Ma told reporters. by Chinese premier Li Keqiang. past 14 days, the city’s govern- gers from China, although some to evolve and jump the species cases of infection have been re- monia, which has been deadly The Lunar New Year holiday, The virus, believed to have ment said. The rule does not ap- health offi cials and experts have barrier to humans. China expands drastic travel restrictions

AFP Wuhan

hina expanded drastic travel restrictions yes- Cterday to contain an epi- demic that has killed 56 people and infected nearly 2,000, as the US, France and Japan prepared to evacuate their citizens from a quarantined city at the out- Security personnel wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus, stands at a subway station in Beijing yesterday. break’s epicentre. China has locked down the Some foreigners in Wuhan hard-hit province of Hubei in the expressed deep concern, saying country’s centre in an unprec- they feared going outside. “We edented operation aff ecting tens want to be evacuated as soon as of millions of people in a bid to possible, because either the vi- slow the spread of the respiratory rus, the hunger or the fear will kill virus. us,” Mashal Jamalzai, a political Its ability to spread appears to A discarded facemask sits on a street in Wuhan yesterday. science student from Afghani- be “getting stronger” though it stan at Central China Normal is “not as powerful as Sars”, top consulate staff and other Ameri- 2002-03 Sars epidemic and University, told AFP. Chinese health offi cials said at a cans in the city. 1998 Yangtze River fl ooding. The outbreak is suspected press conference. France’s government and the The health emergency has over- to have originated in a Wuhan The previously unknown virus French carmaker PSA also said whelmed Wuhan’s hospitals with market where animals including has caused global concern be- they planned to evacuate staff patients, prompting authorities rats, snakes and hedgehogs were cause of its similarity to the Se- and families, who will be quaran- to send hundreds of medical re- reportedly sold. China said yes- vere Acute Respiratory Syndrome tined in a city in a neighbouring inforcements, including military terday it was banning all trade in (Sars) pathogen, which killed province. doctors, and start construction wildlife until the emergency is hundreds across mainland China Japan is co-ordinating with on two fi eld hospitals. over, but conservationists com- and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. Beijing to swiftly evacuate its cit- The number of confi rmed cas- plain that China has previously Outside the epicentre, Shan- izens, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe es in the city could rise by 1,000, failed to deliver on pledges to get dong province and four cities said. South Korea’s consulate in Wuhan’s mayor Zhou Xianwang tough. — Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an and Wuhan said it was conducting an predicted, based on the number Animal rights groups called Tianjin — announced bans on online poll of its citizens there currently undergoing observa- for the ban to be made perma- long-distance buses entering or to gauge demand for a chartered tion in hospital. nent, saying it could end the leaving, a move that will aff ect fl ight out. He also said around 5mn peo- possibility of future outbreaks. millions of people travelling over Instead of New Year revelry, ple had left the city during the Health offi cials said the virus has the Lunar New Year holiday. Wuhan has been seized by an ee- new year travel rush. Speaking at since become transmissible be- A man wearing two face masks travels in the subway, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new The populous southern prov- rie calm that deepened yesterday a press conference and wearing tween humans. coronavirus, in Beijing, China. ince of Guangdong, Jiangxi in the as new restrictions banned most a face mask, Zhou said the city’s “From what we see now, this centre, and three cities made it road traffi c in the metropolis of medical staff were “very strained disease is indeed... not as power- Fearing a repeat of Sars, China bat the crisis. Shanghai’s Dis- nese Premier Li Keqiang, called mandatory for residents to wear 11mn. and tired”. ful as Sars,” said Gao Fu, head of has dramatically scaled back cel- neyland park had already closed for local authorities to consider face masks in public. Originat- Loudspeakers broke the si- With non-essential vehicles China’s Centre for Disease Con- ebrations and travel associated Saturday. “extending the Spring Festival ing in Hubei’s capital of Wuhan, lence by off ering tips slathered banned from the road, volunteers trol and Prevention, at a press with the New Year holiday, which Also in Hong Kong, protesters holiday”, in order to prevent the the virus has spread throughout with bravado. “Do not believe in stepped up to drive sick fellow briefi ng in Beijing. However, it began Friday, while tourist sites opposed to government plans to movement of people. China and across the world - rumours. Do not spread rumours. citizens to hospitals. “There has also appears that the “spread- like Beijing’s Forbidden City and use a newly built public housing Several cities responded, with with cases confi rmed in around a If you feel unwell, go to the hos- to be someone who does this,” ing ability of the virus is getting a section of the Great Wall have facility as a quarantine centre new school terms delayed in Bei- dozen countries including as far pital in time,” the message said. Zhang Lin, 48, told AFP journal- stronger,” said Ma Xiaowei, head closed. threw petrol bombs at the build- jing, Shanghai and the city of Su- away as the United States. “Wuhan is a city that dares to ists as he waited for a patient to of China’s national health com- In Hong Kong, Disneyland an- ing, showing how fearful people zhou in eastern Jiangsu province The US State Department said face diffi culties and keeps over- emerge from a clinic for the drive mission. The government says nounced yesterday it had closed are of the virus. — which also ordered companies yesterday it was arranging a fl ight coming them,” the female voice back home in nearly deserted most deaths involved the elderly as a precaution after the city A new working group to tackle to extend the end of the holiday from Wuhan to San Francisco for added, mentioning the deadly streets. or people with existing ailments. declared an emergency to com- the epidemic, chaired by Chi- until February 9. Rallies across Australia ‘Masked’ memories for ‘Invasion Day’ protests

AFP Annual rallies have steadily grown in Melbourne size as protesters bring attention to injustices faced by indigenous people housands of people joined Invasion Day and call on the government to change Tprotests in cities across the date of Australia Day Australia yesterday to mark the beginning of British colonisa- Day. It was only formally es- Chants of “Always was, tion of the vast continent. tablished as a nation-wide always will be, Aboriginal January 26 is offi cially rec- celebration in 1994. This year, land” rang out as large crowds ognised as Australia Day, a non-indigenous Australians marched through the city. public holiday to celebrate the were asked to give reparations Some waved the Aboriginal fl ag origins of the modern nation in the form of a donation to the while others held aloft signs and is commemorated with #PayTheRent campaign. with slogans such as “No Pride fi reworks, concerts and citizen- Melbourne rally organiser in Genocide” and “Sovereignty ship ceremonies. Lidia Thorpe, a former Victo- Was Never Ceded”. One pro- However, the date is a time of ria state government politician, tester, who gave her name only mourning for indigenous Aus- drew attention to the plight of as Sophie, said she believed tralians, who have inhabited the Aboriginal families who had to Australia Day should be abol- land for 65,000 years and view pay for the funerals of relatives ished entirely rather than sim- the arrival of British settlers in who died in custody. ply moved to another date. 1788 as heralding two centuries “It’s 2020 and we’re still try- “I think any day that has years of pain and suff ering. ing to raise money to bury our these barbeques and celebrat- Annual rallies have stead- people. So we’re asking people ing Aussie pride, I think that’s ily grown in size as protesters to pay the rent, you’re on sto- absolutely inappropriate,” she bring attention to injustices len land,” she said. “It’s time to told AFP. “I don’t think there’s faced by indigenous people reparate for the mass injustice any day that you can celebrate and call on the government to that we’ve had as fi rst people of Australia Day without also cel- A group of tourists wearing masks to prevent from new coronavirus, poses for a photograph in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. change the date of Australia this country.” ebrating a genocide.” Gulf Times 12 Monday, January 27, 2020 BRITAIN 217 patients alerted after ‘needless’ operations by surgeon

Daily Mail despite an ongoing inquiry into unnecessary breast operations named 52-year-old who was told previous operations, which can how many people have been af- pretty big carpet by now”. London his practices. on hundreds of patients. she had two unnecessary opera- cost around £5,000 each, had fected”. According to the law fi rm, a The company confi rmed 217 A law fi rm revealed the lat- tions in two months. She was re- been unnecessary. An MRI scan Millband said: “This could patient recall letter revealed the patients treated by the ortho- est ‘unnecessary or inappro- ferred to Rahman by her GP as an has since indicated a tendon tear be the tip of the iceberg, so we Royal College of Surgeons was undreds of patients have paedic surgeon at the Spire priate surgery’ probe. Solicitor NHS patient as she was suff ering that could be linked to Rahman’s encourage others who feel they commissioned to conduct an in- been called in by a scan- Parkway in Solihull, West Mid- Linda Millband, who led the civil shoulder pains and carpal tun- treatment. have received similar unneces- dependent review into Rahman’s Hdal-hit private hospital lands, have been off ered a review claims against Spire after the Pa- nel syndrome, a nerve condition “I trusted him,” she said. “He sary care from Habib Rahman practice. over fears a surgeon may have of their care. terson scandal, said: “A second that aff ects the hand. After he was dressed smartly and was or indeed any other surgeon at a This resulted in a recom- carried out unnecessary shoul- The private hospital was one patient recall and another rogue performed two shoulder manip- very charming.” Spire hospital to come forward.” mendation that patients who der operations. of the places where surgeon Ian surgeon operating unnecessarily ulations in six months that failed Thompsons Solicitors said She said she was “deter- received shoulder manipulation Habib Rahman was dropped Paterson left patients disfi gured. at Paterson’s old private hospital to solve her problem, she was re- Spire had not publicly disclosed mined Spire do not get away surgery from him should be as- by Spire Healthcare but contin- He was jailed for 20 years in 2017 suggests systemic failings.” ferred to another consultant. a review of Rahman’s patients so with brushing yet another sessed to see “whether their care ues to work at an NHS hospital for wounding after carrying out Millband represents an un- She was then told both her there was “no way of knowing recall under what must be a was appropriate”. Grenfell inquiry Wowing the crowds panellist quits over links to cladding fi rm

Guardian News and Media work of the inquiry and that she London was resigning “with deepest re- gret”. Mehra was appointed on De- key member of the Gren- cember 23, but her links to Ar- fell Tower public inquiry conic only emerged this month Ahas resigned after fury when members of Grenfell among survivors and the be- United (GU), the survivors and reaved at her links to the com- bereaved group, found that pany that made the combustible when Mehra was president of cladding. the Women’s Engineering Soci- Hours before the inquiry is ety she helped draft a success- due to start hearing evidence ful grant application to the Ar- about “decisions which led to conic Foundation in 2017. The the installation of a highly com- £71,000 grant was the charity’s bustible cladding system”, Boris largest single grant that year and Johnson announced Benita Me- was spent on a mentoring pro- hra was standing down from a gramme that ended in December panel advising the chairman of 2019. Mehra remains a trustee of An artist performs in front of the National Portrait Gallery in Trafalgar Square at the Chinese Lunar New Year parade through central London, Britain, yesterday. the inquiry, Sir Martin Moore- the charity. Bick. It followed 10 days of rising The Arconic Foundation’s pressure on the prime minister board of directors includes sev- from the community devastated eral senior Arconic executives by the fi re on June 14, 2017 – and its stated goal is to support which claimed 72 lives – to re- the company’s mission by mak- verse her appointment. ing grants in countries where it The Guardian revealed last trades. week that Mehra, an engineer, Mehra said it was apparent her previously ran an organisation link to the donation “has caused which received a £71,000 grant serious concerns to a number UK ‘to set out trade talk from the Arconic Foundation, of the bereaved, survivors and the philanthropic arm of the con- residents core participants”, but glomerate which supplied the she stressed that she had never aluminium composite cladding spoken to anyone at the Arconic panels which burned like petrol. Foundation and her only role had Survivors said her selection, been to review the initial pro- formally made by Johnson, was posal. aims by early February’ a clear confl ict of interest and Accepting her resignation, some threatened to withdraw Johnson’s private secretary, Guardian News and Media month, with Boris Johnson ex- out of the customs union. We’re day: “There is no disagreement take control of our laws, money participation if she remained. Emily Beynon, said that the London pected to make a speech reveal- not just going to diverge just for in government at all: we are and our borders. And to do that The inquiry has already con- Cabinet Offi ce “having made ing his approach. the sake of it – we need to look clear – we are leaving. we will not be rule-takers – we cluded the Arconic panels were further inquiries into your case, Barclay said: “The key issue at where the opportunities are. “In terms of divergence, we will be setting our own laws and the main cause of the spread of have said that they continue he UK will set out its ne- is that we will have control of “But it is true that we are going are not having alignment. We that is a fundamental feature of fi re and lawyers for the fi rm are to believe that there is no con- gotiating aims for trade our rules, we will not be a rule- to have control of our approach will be diverging. We want to leaving the European Union.” due to give their opening state- fl ict of interest that would have Ttalks with the EU by early taker, we will not diverge for the to regulation and that’s the very ment tomorrow. prevented you from taking part February and will not diverge sake of diverging, we start from essence of Brexit: that we can do New 50 pence coin unveiled Johnson said he had accepted in the Inquiry.” But GU had de- from Brussels’ rules for the sake a position of alignment. But the things diff erently, particularly her resignation, adding: “As the scribed her selection as “a slap of it, Steve Barclay has said. key opportunity is that we will where, for example, there is in- Britain yesterday unveiled a Friday, the government said, inquiry’s phase two hearings be- in the face” and shadow housing The Brexit secretary, whose job be able to set our standards, high novation, there is new technolo- new 50 pence coin minted to with another 7mn entering gin, we remain completely com- secretary, John Healey, called for will become defunct when the UK standards, on workers’ rights, on gies, there’s things where we want mark the country’s departure circulation later in the year. mitted to getting to the truth of her to be removed. As pressure leaves the EU on January 31, set a the environment, on state aid as to move quickly. Brexit at its very from the European Union, Finance Minister Sajid Javid, what happened, learning lessons rose on Johnson last week the more moderate tone than some of part of that trade policy.” core is that we will have control of which bears the inscription who is also Master of the Mint, and delivering justice for the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, said his colleagues who insist the UK He argued the UK and the our laws, our regulation and that “Peace, prosperity and was presented with the first victims.” the situation was “another ma- will be looking for no alignment EU would be able to negotiate a is why we can’t be a rule-taker. We friendship with all nations” and batch of coins. “Leaving the In her resignation letter to jor blow for the … community with the EU after Brexit. zero-tariff and zero-quota deal need to have that opportunity.” the Brexit date of January 31, European Union is a turning Johnson, Mehra said she had (which) epitomises the careless Speaking on the BBC’s An- even while Britain was insisting Earlier, Priti Patel sounded a 2020. About 3mn of the coins point in our history and this made “a regrettable oversight” approach this government con- drew Marr Show, he said the on some degree of regulatory di- diff erent note as she focused on will be distributed from banks, coin marks the beginning of by not connecting the grant tinues to take in the aftermath of broad aims for trade talks vergence. “We’re coming out of divergence. The home secretary post off ices and shops from this new chapter,” he said. her organisation received to the this tragedy”. would be set out within the next the single market, we’re coming told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sun- Jeff rey Archer sues agent Health scare Govt allays fears over ‘missing £500,000’ over coronavirus Guardian News and Media British academic Prof Mar- London tin Dove said no one from the Daily Mail also claimed that Curtis Brown He said the audit has identifi ed UK government had tried to London failed to keep hold of more than “underpayments” of “£538,486 contact him regarding the 250 documents relating to his since 2002, plus interest of over riti Patel has suggested coronavirus outbreak despite book deals with publisher Pan £250,000”. the government is look- him having recently returned eff rey Archer is suing his Macmillan. Curtis Brown says it Ramsden accused Curtis Ping at the option of air- home from working in Wuhan former literary agent, claim- ‘entirely rejects’ Lord Archer’s Brown of a ‘breach of duty’ be- lifting UK citizens from the from January 3-12. Jing it owes him more than claim and intends to fi ght the al- cause of “its apparent failure Chinese city of Wuhan that has However, Patel insisted the £500,000 in unpaid royalties. legations. to retain documents relating been hit by the coronavirus. government was taking “all The bestselling author and life The agency started acting for to (Lord Archer) and failure to When asked about reports the precautions and the right peer has accused agency Curtis Lord Archer in 2002 – months complete regular conciliation that Dominic Raab, the foreign measures” working with the Brown of failing to hand over the after he was jailed for four years exercises has led to underpay- secretary, was considering an World Health Organisation payments while it represented for perjury and perverting the ments”. evacuation of more than 200 and Public Health England. him for 17 years. course of justice. His agent regu- He said the dispute led to Lord Britons trapped in the city, the She told Sky News’s Ridge Lord Archer, 79, whose fi rst larly visited him and negotiated a Archer quitting the agency and home secretary said the UK was on Sunday programme: “There novel, Not A Penny More, Not A deal for the publication of three that he is now represented by “looking at all the options”. are many eff orts being made Penny Less, was published in 1976, volumes of Lord Archer’s prison MRM. She said there were still no and the Border Force provides split with the agency in March and diaries, chronicling his spell be- The peer claims that when he confi rmed cases of coronavi- information to Public Health says he has evidence he is owed hind bars. was signed by Curtis Brown in rus in the UK, after tests on 31 England. They are contacting £538,486, as well as more than In high court papers obtained 2002 it was agreed that it would people came back negative. people and reaching out and £250,000 which would have ac- by the London Evening Standard, handle the fi nances and “be en- The Foreign Offi ce has ad- providing screening and testing. crued in interest over the years. Lord Archer said that in 2018 he titled to a sum equal to 10%” vised against all travel to Hubei That is in hand.” The home sec- The former Tory MP and Con- asked Mitchell Rights Manage- from book deals. province but not announced retary said Public Health Eng- servative Party chairman has ment (MRM) to run a ‘reconcili- A spokesman for Curtis Brown that it will evacuate Brits. This is land had a hub at Heathrow air- made a fortune from his books, ation exercise’ to check he had said: “We’re disappointed be- in contrast to France and Japan, port as part of Britain’s eff orts to which have sold around 300mn received all the royalties he was cause we’ve had a successful who are putting in place logis- prevent the spread of the virus. copies worldwide. owed from his work. relationship with Jeff rey for 17 tics to get their citizens out. Later, Stephen Barclay, the Bestselling works involved in James Ramsden QC, repre- years and have worked very hard The government has been Brexit secretary, told the BBC’s the dispute include The Sins Of senting the peer, said: “It was for him, as we do for all our cli- criticised for being slow off the Andrew Marr Show that the The Father and Best Kept Secret, not possible to complete that ents. The Queen yesterday made her first public appearance mark to fi nd and give informa- Foreign Offi ce would continue as well as a 30th anniversary edi- exercise because in excess of 250 But we entirely reject this since pulling out of an engagement last week due to a tion to the thousands of people to monitor whether to try to tion of his celebrated novel Kane documents, including royalty claim and will defend it robust- cold. She attended church in Sandringham. in Britain who have fl own back rescue Brits in Wuhan and And Abel, published in 2009. It is statements, are missing.” ly.” from Wuhan in recent weeks. would keep it under review. Gulf Times Monday, January 27, 2020 13 EUROPE

France withdraws tear gas grenade Turkey quake rescue from police use

AFP grenades in public order polic- Paris ing. The OF-F1 grenade was eff orts wind down banned from use in May 2017 rance will withdraw from after the death three years ear- Reuters In all, 45 people were rescued use an explosive tear gas lier of an environmental activ- Elazig, Turkey from under rubble on Saturday Fgrenade used by riot po- ist, Remi Fraisse, during a pro- night, Turkey’s AFAD disaster lice and blamed for injuring test over a dam. authority said. numerous protesters, the in- It has been replaced by the woman and her young Speaking later in Elazig, about terior minister said yesterday, GLI-F4. child were pulled out alive 550km (340 miles) east of the amid growing anger at per- French police have come in Alate on Saturday from un- capital Ankara, Interior Minister ceived police brutality. for much criticism for alleged der a collapsed building before Suleyman Soylu said the rescue Sanctioned for use by French violent behaviour since the Turkey began winding down its operation was largely concluded. law enforcement since 2011, start of the yellow vests pro- rescue operation yesterday, fol- The AFAD said rescuers were the GLI-F4 grenade explodes test movement in November lowing an earthquake that killed still working only at one site in with a loud, powerful blast to 2018, and in recent clashes at least 38 people. Elazig, where Turkish broadcast- release a cloud of tear gas. with striking workers rallying The magnitude-6.8 earth- ers said three people were be- Each shell contains 26g of against pension reform More quake struck in eastern Turkey lieved to be missing. TNT. than 200 alleged abuses re- on Friday evening, killing 34 peo- Soylu also said aftershocks The grenade is designed to lated to police handling of the ple in Elazig province and four in were continuing, and Health help law enforcers under at- “yellow vest” protests were the neighbouring province of Minister Fahrettin Koca, speak- tack escape from a dangerous signalled to the IGPN police Malatya. ing alongside Soylu, said 104 situation, but is blamed for watchdog. More than 1,600 others were people were being treated in hos- maiming protesters in some- A number of recent vid- injured and 45 were rescued from pitals. times hairy confrontations eos showing what appear to be under rubble on Saturday night, Thirteen were in intensive care with police in more than a year unjustifi ed police violence at Turkey’s AFAD disaster author- but none was in a critical condi- of anti-government “yellow demonstrations have sparked ity said. tion. vest” protests. outrage on social media. Those rescued included a Other provinces sent thou- Interior Minister Christophe One showed an offi cer trip- 35-year-old woman and her in- sands of emergency workers to Castaner told France 3 broad- ping a woman, and another fant daughter in the Mustafa Pasa support rescue eff orts, which caster: “It happened, a few showed an offi cer fi ring a rub- district of Elazig. were also supplemented by hun- months ago, that police were ber bullet at point-blank range. Rescuers who heard their dreds of volunteers, offi cials said. obliged to use them (the gre- A few days ago, a riot police screams took several hours to The AFAD said yesterday that People spend the night in a park nades) to extricate themselves offi cer was caught on cam- reach them in temperatures as it had sent more than 10,400 in Elazig, eastern Turkey, near a from a threat, and that protest- era punching a bloodied pro- low as -4° Celsius (24.8° Fahren- tents, 17,000 beds, 37,000 blan- huge fire. ers who picked them up were tester, held down on his back, heit), state media said kets, heaters and food supplies. seriously injured. at a demonstration in Paris, “Can you hear me?” television Environment and Urbanisa- Right: This image taken from “This is why I think we need prompting an investigation by footage showed a rescuer calling tion Minister Murat Kurum said video shows a rescue worker to withdraw the GLI-F4.” the police oversight body. to the mother. “We are coming. the quake had damaged buildings with a child who was found alive French rights body Defen- President Emmanuel Ma- We will save you.” in several provinces and 12 struc- on Saturday in the rubble of a seur des Droits says France cron warned last week that “Please get me out, I can- tures needed to be demolished collapsed building in Elazig. is the only European country the “unacceptable behaviour” not stand it anymore. Get my immediately. to use explosive munitions of some offi cers risked under- daughter, I am nothing without He later said that the govern- It said 1,521 buildings had been against protesters. mining the “credibility and my kid,” she replied before being ment would begin a reconstruc- damaged, including 645 heavily In July last year, the Coun- dignity” of the force. safely lifted out on a crane. tion process, and there were damaged and 76 collapsed struc- cil of State – France’s highest But he also denounced the The woman’s husband was 1.5mn structures needing “im- tures. court for administrative justice violence of some extremist among those killed. mediate renewal”. Speaking on Saturday during a – rejected a bid by the Human protesters, who have hurled In a nearby neighbourhood, Interior Minister Soylu said visit to Elazig and Malatya, Pres- Rights League and the CGT paving stones and other pro- rescue workers stood on moun- those aff ected by the quake ident Recep Tayyip Erdogan said labour union to ban the use of jectiles at security forces dur- tains of debris where the quake would start receiving fi nancial that steel-framed houses would the GLI-F4 as well as LBD stun ing protests. had split an apartment building support from today. be rapidly built for displaced being slow. We cannot be late and killed in August 1999 when a in half. The AFAD said it had trans- residents. we will not allow any delays,” he 7.6-magnitude quake struck Iz- They dug through using buck- ferred 3mn lira ($506,688.29) Yesterday he said that new, said in Istanbul. mit, a city southeast of Istanbul. ets, blowing whistles when in emergency aid to each of the permanent houses would also be Turkey has a history of power- In 2011, an earthquake in the they needed silence to listen for municipalities in Elazig and provided soon. ful earthquakes. eastern city of Van killed more Pope asks Catholics trapped people. Malatya. “We do not have the luxury of More than 17,000 people were than 500. to say ‘Never Again’ Key vote in Italian region as Reuters Some Jews say Pius, who Vatican City reigned from 1939-1958, did not do enough to help those facing persecution by Nazi Salvini seeks to topple govt ope Francis has asked the Germany and turned a blind world’s 1.3bn Catholics eye to the Holocaust. Pto stop for a moment of The Vatican maintains that AFP (0600 GMT) and 11pm, along- ident and hoping to win on his prayer and refl ection on the Pius chose to work behind the Bologna side similar regional elections in track record in the region, which 75th anniversary of the libera- scenes. the smaller southern region of boasts low jobless fi gures and is tion of the Nazi death camp at Francis’s appeal yesterday Calabria. home to “Made in Italy” success Auschwitz and say “Never comes amid a backdrop of ris- talians voted yesterday in a Turnout in Emilia Romagna stories such as Ferrari and Lam- Again”. ing anti-Semitism in Europe key regional election which was high at midday (1100 GMT), borghini. He mentioned today’s anni- and the US. Ithe far-right hopes will shake at over 23%, compared to just He may also benefi t from the versary during his weekly noon On Friday, anti-Semitic the country’s fragile coalition 11% at the same time during the youth-driven Sardines move- address to thousands of people graffi ti was found scrawled on government to its core and re- last regional elections. ment, which was born in the re- in Saint Peter’s Square. the door of the home of a son turn strongman Matteo Salvini The League is hoping for a re- gion just a couple of months ago “Indiff erence is inadmissible of a Holocaust survivor in Italy. to power. peat of its historic win in October but has fast become a national before this enormous tragedy, Last month in eastern The wealthy centre-north re- in Umbria, which had been a left- symbol of protest against the far- this atrocity, and memory is a France, scores of Jewish graves gion of Emilia Romagna has been wing fi efdom for 50 years. right. duty. Tomorrow, we are all in- were found desecrated in a a stronghold of the Italian left Its candidate in Emilia Ro- But analysts say many local vited to stop for a moment of cemetery, hours before law- for over 70 years, but while left- magna, Lucia Borgonzoni, 43, family-run, artisanal fi rms are prayer and refl ection, each one makers adopted a resolution wing values still hold sway in its has been overshadowed by Sal- disgruntled and feeling left be- of us saying in our own heart: equating anti-Zionism with cities, the right has been rallying vini, who has held daily rallies hind by the march of globalisa- ‘never again, never again’,” he anti-Semitism. serious support in towns and the and inundated social media with tion. said. A global survey by the countryside. snaps of him sampling delicacies Others say the traditional left More than 1mn people, most US-based Anti-Defamation The last surveys published in the Parma ham and Parmesan has abandoned those it once of them Jews, were killed at League in November found before the pre-election media cheese heartland. sought to defend for big banking the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp that anti-Semitic attitudes blackout showed the anti-im- Salvini infuriated the left on interests. during World War II. had increased in many places migrant League neck-and-neck Saturday when he broke the pre- The League triumphed in Overall, some 6mn Jews died around the world and signifi - with the centre-left Democratic election silence – which under Emilia Romagna at the European in the Holocaust. cantly in Eastern and Central Party (PD), which governs Italy Italian law means candidates Parliament elections in May, be- At Francis’s orders, the Vati- Europe. in coalition with the anti-es- cannot campaign the day before coming the leading party with can in March will open its se- It also found that large per- tablishment 5-Star Movement a vote – by tweeting about the nearly 34% of the votes, topping cret archives on the war-time centages of people in Eastern (M5S). “eviction notice” he was set to the PD’s 31%. pontifi cate of Pope Pius XII, a and Western European coun- This picture taken on Friday shows Salvini taking a ‘wefie’ with Some 3.5mn citizens are eli- deliver to the government. Just fi ve years earlier it had historic move that Jews have tries think Jews talk too much Borgonzoni during a rally in Ravenna ahead of yesterday’s gible to cast ballots to elect the The PD’s candidate Stefano taken home a mere 5%, compared sought for decades. about the Holocaust. regional election in Emilia-Romagna. region’s president between 7am Bonaccini is the incumbent pres- to the PD’s 53%.

Candles lit at Berlin Holocaust memorial to mark liberation of Auschwitz

Seventy-five years after the liberation of The candlelight vigil in Berlin came on the eve first visit to the Auschwitz camp. Auschwitz, 75 candles were lit yesterday at of the 75th anniversary of the Soviet liberation Sinti and Roma people were also persecuted the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, of the Nazi concentration camp. by the Nazis during the Holocaust. a field of 2,700 concrete pillars arranged in a Today is also Holocaust Remembrance Day. Today around 200 Holocaust survivors are labyrinthine grid in the heart of Berlin. Of the 6mn Jews annihilated by the Germans, expected to attend commemorations at the Lea Rosh, who was instrumental in getting the more than 1mn were murdered in the camp. site of the former camp in Oswiecim, Poland, nearly 15-year-old monument created, set up Concerts were also held at the Berlin where the Nazi German occupiers established the candles for yesterday’s ceremony. Cathedral yesterday, including a “Requiem for the concentration camp during World War II. “Every day, but especially on Holocaust Auschwitz” in the evening. The presidents of Israel, Poland and Germany, Remembrance Day, we have to show our The Frankfurt-based Roma and Sinti as well as the Dutch and Spanish royal faces, we have to stand up together so that the Philharmonic played music by Roger Moreno- couples, heads of state and government, much-vaunted ‘Never again’ does not become Rathgeb, a Dutchman who comes from a Sinti and delegations from more than 30 other a hollow phrase,” she said. family and who composed the work after his countries will also be in attendance. Dutch government offers first apology for World War II persecution of Jews

Prime Minister Mark Rutte has made the the Netherlands survived World War II, but no Netherlands, which the Nazis occupied from Netherlands’ first government apology for the government apology has been off ered for the 1940-1945. war-time persecution of Jews. role the authorities played. “Our government institutions did not act as “Now the last survivors are still with us, The question of an apology was raised in 2012 guardians of justice and security,” Rutte said I apologise today in the name of the when Rutte was also prime minister, but he yesterday. “Too many civil servants carried out government for what the authorities did at said not enough information was available the orders of the occupiers.” that time,” Rutte said. about government action during the war and “The bitter consequences of the drawing up He was giving an address in Amsterdam in that there was “not broad enough support” for of registers (of Jews) and of the expulsions memory of victims of the Holocaust on the eve an off icial apology. have not been adequately recognised, nor A child lays roses yesterday at the Holocaust Memorial monument in downtown Thessaloniki, Greece, of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the In 2000, then-prime minister Wim Kok recognised in time” he added. “On the whole, it during the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which commemorates the persecution of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz. apologised for the “icy welcome” Nazi camp was too little too late. Too little protection. Too Jewish people during World War II. Only 38,000 of the 140,000 Jews who lived in survivors received on their return to the little help. Too little recognition.” Gulf Times 14 Monday, January 27, 2020 INDIA

OFFBEAT CRIME POLITICS DECISION WILDLIFE Prakash Raj, Karat Infighting in Congress Police decommission Mumbai gets India’s get death threats in Uttarakhand widens historic British-era rifles first ‘walk-through’ aviary

Actor and activist Prakash Raj, Communist The rift in the Congress in Uttarakhand is out in the Police in northern India yesterday bid goodbye Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray leader Brinda Karat and former Karnataka open with many members threatening to resign to the historic British-era bolt-action rifles after inaugurated the country’s first and biggest chief minister H D Kumaraswamy have been from the committee formed on Saturday. Two-time using them for one last salute during the annual ‘walk-through’ aviary at the Veermata Jijabai threatened with death for opposing communal legislator from Dharchula in Pithoragarh Harish Republic Day parade. The Lee-Enfield .303 rifle was Bhosale Udyan and Zoo in Mumbai yesterday. forces of the ‘Sangh Parivar.’ The threat was Dhami has threatened to quit from the post. He the main firearm of British colonial military forces Spread over 18,200 sq.feet and 44 feet high, the posted in a letter penned in Kannada on Raj’s claims that despite being a senior MLA he has been and, despite being designated “obsolete” around aviary will house over 100 species of rare, exotic Twitter handle dated Saturday, the actor said given the post of secretary in the state which is 25 years ago, it has been the main weapon used and common birds, living their natural environs. in a post yesterday. The letter was addressed unacceptable to him and his supporters. Dhami by police in Uttar Pradesh over seven decades. There is a separate enclosure for aquatic birds, to Nijagunanada Swamiji, a prominent anti- alleged that both state President Pritam Singh and The rifle – used by the British during the two World and more birds shall be added on gradually, said Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor participates in the communal activist and an outspoken voice opposition leader Indira Hridayesh have a “tacit Wars – fires one shot at a time, after which the a BMC spokesperson. A small bridge also passes ‘Bajaj Allianz Life’ event in an attempt to break against the RSS and its aff iliates.The anonymous understanding with BJP”. Another Congress leader barrel needs to be reloaded by pulling the bolt. through the aviary which will be opened for the the current ‘Guinness World Record’ for the most handwritten letter has warned that all persons said to be upset is former minister Nav Prabhat As many as 45,000 of the rifles were being used public to walk through and view the birds at people holding the abdominal plank position, in named therein would be “definitely eliminated” who said “People in the Congress are fighting for by the state police and the model was a favourite close quarters. The VJBUZ also has India’s first air- Mumbai, yesterday. starting January 29. the 2022 chief minister post.” among constables due to accuracy and sturdiness. conditioned enclosure for Humboldt Penguins. Govt unfazed as EU moves CAA, Kashmir resolutions

IANS ties. The EU-UK ties have soured New Delhi since the Brexit vote. Meanwhile, thousands pro- tested across the country against he European Union (EU) the citizenship bill that many fear parliament has decided to is discriminatory against the mi- Tpressurise New Delhi over nority Muslim community. The the Citizenship Amendment Act protests, which began last month, and reorganisation of Jammu gathered fresh momentum as the and Kashmir. nation celebrated Republic Day. Out of 751 members of the EU In Kerala, the CPI-M-led Left Parliament, 626 have moved six Democratic Front (LDF) yester- resolutions on both issues. day organised a human chain The diplomatic off ensive extending from Kasargod to the by the EU against India comes Tamil Nadu border, involving ahead of Prime Minister Naren- participation of an estimated dra Modi’s visit to Brussels for 7mn people. the India-EU summit in March. People came out in large num- Sources in the ministry of bers to participate. After a trial external aff airs here said the at 3.30pm, the chain running on government took note of the the side of the National Highway EU move immediately and will from Kasargode to Thiruvanan- The army’s BMP-II Infantry Combat Vehicles drive down the Rajpath during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi yesterday. withstand EU pressure by re- thapuram, a distance of about minding its members that the 600 km, began forming at 4pm. CAA is “an internal matter” of The preamble of the Con- India. stitution was fi rst read out and “Moreover, this legislation has then every participant took a been adopted by due process and pledge to be ready to give their through democratic means after lives to protect the Constitution, a public debate in both Houses of “which is now facing threat on Republic Day parade shows Parliament,” a source said. account of the CAA by the BJP- The government, sources said, led central government”. is going to argue that every society The human chain was the takes into consideration a context brainchild of the CPI-M and at and criteria to formulate its own the northern point in Kasargode, process for naturalisation. Euro- its politburo member S Ramach- off military might, diversity pean countries have themselves andran Pillai was fi rst in the chain followed the same approach, an and at the southernmost end, at offi cial pointed out. “This is not the Tamil Nadu border at Kali- IANS/Reuters For the fi rst time, the riders Scaled-down models of the Republic Day chief guest Brazil- Charlie” aerobatic manoeuvre. discrimination,” he added. yakevala near here, was another New Delhi performing daredevil stunts on Rafale aircraft were paraded by ian President Jair Messias Bol- Earlier, President Ram Nath Sources said that New Delhi politburo member M A Baby. motorbikes to the delight of the the air force, following the na- sonaro watched. Kovind received the national is hoping that the sponsors and “Kerala has always led numer- crowds were women. tion’s purchase of 36 jets from Bolsonaro sat next to Prime salute at Rajpath. Lieutenant supporters of the draft in EU will ous protests and also shown to t was tricolour balloons, 22 Inspector Seema Nag saluted France in 2016 in a multi-bil- Minister Narendra Modi — who General Asit Mistry, General engage with it to get a full and the rest of the country, what very tableaux projecting India’s the gathered VIPs as she led her lion-dollar deal. wore a saff ron turban — and Offi cer Commanding, Head- accurate assessment of the facts strong protests can lead to. This Irich diversity and the armed fellow bikers — one precari- The mounted camels of the waved and clapped from behind quarters Delhi Area, led this before they proceed further. show has been near total and forces showcasing their might ously perched at the top of a lad- Border Security Force put in an a bullet-proof glass. year’s parade. “As fellow democracies, the even though the leadership of on Rajpath, as the country cel- der wedged behind her vehicle’s early showing, strutting down The T-90 Bhishma battle Prime Minister Modi also EU Parliament should not take the opposition is not taking part ebrated 71 years as a republic handlebars as others formed a the avenue in brightly coloured tanks of the Indian Army rolled paid rich tributes to the mar- actions that call into question in this, numerous supporters yesterday. human pyramid, drawing the caparisons. down the Rajpath, commanded tyred soldiers by laying a the rights and authority of dem- have taken part and this shows Sixteen state tableaux and six loudest cheers from thousands The Air Defence Tactical Con- by Captain Sunny Chahar of 86 wreath at the National War ocratically elected legislatures that we are all one to a wrong de- from diff erent ministries and of spectators. trol Radar was displayed at the Armoured Regiment. Memorial in New Delhi, be- in other regions of the world,” a cision of the Centre,” Baby said departments were displayed on The event also witnessed India parade as was Boeing P8I Long Traditional dancers repre- fore the parade began. He was senior offi cial said. soon after he fi nished taking part Rajpath. showcasing its military prowess. Range Maritime Patrol aircraft senting some of India’s diverse accompanied by Chief of De- Interestingly, UK Prime Min- in the human chain. Huge crowds gathered for the The two-hour showcase of and the Kolkata Class Destroyer regional cultures performed fence Staff General Bipin Ra- ister Boris Johnson, who is in Chief Minister Pinarayi Vi- parade, with women taking cen- military might and cultural di- and the Kalvari Class submarine on elaborately decorated fl oats wat along with the three serv- the midst of completing Brexit jayan, along with his family tre-stage at the annual pomp- versity included everything by the Indian Navy. showcasing selected states. ice chiefs - Army Chief General from the EU, has been reaching members, stood in the chain at fi lled spectacle of military might from battle tanks and state-of- Advanced Light Helicopters The show culminated with a M M Naravane, Navy chief ad- out to India for strengthening Palyam in the heart of the state featuring army tanks, horses and the-art weaponry to traditional were fl own in ‘Diamond’ forma- Su-30 MKI fi ghter jet roaring miral Karambir Singh and Air trade and bilateral relationship capital. camels. dancers. tion, over Rajpath as this year’s through the sky in a “Vertical Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria. Manipur opposes Assam Ulfa faction admits Rifl es’ role at check posts carrying out blasts IANS ported in Dibrugarh – at Mar- Guwahati wari patty near Gurudwara on IANS wait until the outcome of the in- January 19. The woman IPS of- A T Road and close to Circuit Imphal quiries. We would not make any fi cer is posted as sub-divisional House in Graham Bazaar. further statement on the sensi- police offi cer at Yairipok town in our low-intensity blasts, The police cordoned off the tive issue,” a defence spokesman Thoubal district. two of them triggered by blast spots. Bomb disposal squad he Manipur government said yesterday. Chief Minister N Biren Singh FImprovised Explosive De- members also reached the areas and the central paramili- Manipur government spokes- said the state government would vices (IED), took place in Assam within a short time. According to Ttary Assam Rifl es, which man and Education Minister take appropriate actions over yesterday morning as the nation a senior Dibrugarh district po- operates under the command of Th. Radheshyam told the media the issue. The Manipur women was celebrating its 71st Republic lice offi cer, the blasts at Marwari the Indian Army, are at logger- that state has decided to hand commission had also issued Day, offi cials said. There were no Patty and Graham Bazar were heads over the guarding of check over the security of all check summons to the accused As- casualties or injuries. triggered by IED devices. posts along highways follow- posts along the highways to the sam Rifl es soldier to appear Banned insurgent outfi t Ulfa CCTV footage available from ing the alleged harassment of a police as these are currently be- before it. The commission has (Independent) later in the day the blast spot at Duliajan showed woman IPS offi cer by an Assam ing manned by the Assam Rifl es also forwarded the IPS offi cer’s claimed responsibility for the two motor-bike riders speeding Rifl es soldier. troopers. complaint to the National Com- explosions. Three of the explo- away after lobbing a grenade. While the Assam Rifl es, the The minister said the state mission for Women for taking sions took place in Dibrugarh Singh said they had initially oldest paramilitary force guard- government after reviewing the action. district and one in Charaideo, received reports of fi ve blasts, ing the India-Myanmar border, situation has felt that the Cen- The Assam Rifl es in a sepa- both in Upper Assam. including one at Doomdooma in has strongly refuted the allega- tral Reserve Police Force troop- rate statement had termed the Additional director-general of Tinsukia district. Chief Minister tions of a woman Indian Police ers can also be posted at the woman IPS offi cer’s allegations police (law and order) G P Singh Sarbananda Sonowal, who or- Service (IPS) offi cer of “physical check posts if additional forces as “baseless, fabricated and ma- said: “We have been able to con- dered an inquiry, described the assault, molestation, harassment were required to man these licious” and accused her of ille- fi rm four blasts. The fi rst blast incidents as “cowardly attempt and abuse” by the paramilitary check gates. gally entering neighbouring My- was reported at 8.10am and the to create terror on a sacred day”. troopers, the Manipur govern- Following the complaint of anmar (Namphalong-Tamu) and last one 8.25am. There was no “Strongly condemn the bomb ment has approached the Union the woman IPS offi cer, police purchasing various goods from damage to property and no hu- blasts in a few places of Assam. home ministry to deploy state had fi led charges at the Teng- the border market there. man injury or casualties.” This cowardly attempt to cre- forces in place of Assam Rifl es noupal police station against an “The incident happened in The fi rst blast was heard ate terror on a sacred day only troopers at all check-posts set up Assam Rifl e soldier for “alleg- broad daylight (2pm) in front of at Teok Haat in Sonari under exhibits the frustration of the along the highways in the state. edly physically assaulting and multiple agencies. It is unimagi- Charaideo district, the second terror groups after their total “As the state government and molesting the police offi cer at nable that a soldier tried to mo- one occurred Ain the oil town rejection by the people. Our gov- the Assam Rifl es are separately Khudengthabi check post while lest, physically assault or beat an A member of the bomb disposal squad inspects the site where of Duliajan near Duliajan Police ernment will take the sternest probing the allegations of the she was returning from the In- IPS offi cer,” the offi cial Assam three low-intensity blasts took place in Dibrugarh district of Station in Dibrugarh district. action to bring the culprits to woman IPS offi cer, we would dia-Myanmar border post on Rifl e statement said. Assam yesterday. The two other blasts were re- book,” Sonowal tweeted. Gulf Times Monday, January 27, 2020 15 LATIN AMERICA Critics up in arms over Mexico’s judicial recast plans

Reuters after a previous overhaul in 2016 Rights defenders are raising In part, the reforms are aimed at it will present a bill in February “to corruption, crime and impunity. taps without warrants and even Mexico City failed to end rock-bottom con- alarm bells about proposals that addressing concerns by authori- resolve the grave situation which The government did not re- torture could be used in trials. viction rates and record murder include an expanded use of pre- ties that the 2016 switch to a US- exists in the country.” It distanced spond to a request for comment. Mexico’s National Human numbers. ventive detention and could vali- style accusatorial system made it itself from the draft bills, saying The proposals seek to restrict Rights Commission (CNDH) said exican rights groups Drafts of the proposed changes date illegally obtained evidence. harder for ill-prepared police and they had not been signed off by the legal challenges known as amparos it was alarmed by a proposal to and leftist President fi rst reported by Reuters earlier “It is an extraordinarily re- prosecutors to make cases stick. attorney general. to avoid delaying extraditions, allow detention of suspects for MAndres Manuel Lopez in January include plans to al- gressive reform that seriously They would also remove ob- It was not clear whether the something used to draw out the le- 40 days without trial on corrup- Obrador’s opponents are pushing low private communications to threatens human rights and stacles long criticised for gum- government will change the gal process of several drug traffi ck- tion and “socially linked” cases, back against a sweeping new ju- be used as evidence and to limit processes given as basic, such as ming up criminal proceedings. drafts before presenting them to ers, including Joaquín “El Chapo” previously only permitted with dicial reform designed to combat legal challenges to avoid extra- presumption of innocence,” said Many Mexicans have lost faith Congress. Guzman, currently serving a life organised crime cases. soaring crime, warning that the dition delays for suspects, two independent senator and rights in the justice system. In earlier comments, attorney sentence in the US. Article 19, a freedom of speech proposed changes threaten indi- issues seen as vital to Mexico’s activist Emilio Alvarez. Murder rates hit a record high general Alejandro Gertz told law- Also concerning activists is a group, said the proposed reform vidual freedoms. security partner, the US. “It is surprising that a govern- of 34,582 deaths last year, while makers the reform would create a proposal that would allow “il- would “modify the justice system The reform is a cornerstone of The publication of the reforms ment that identifi es with the left less than one in 10 homicides re- single criminal code, replacing 32 licit” evidence to “be taken into with alarming setbacks in terms Mexico’s attempts to get a grip bill was delayed to February after presents such an authoritarian sults in a conviction. state and regional codes. consideration and evaluated” by of freedom of expression and in- on its unwieldy judicial system the draft became public. model of justice.” Mexico’s prosecutor’s offi ce said He said the goal was to end a judge, raising fears that wire- formation.”

30 killed as storms Peru votes in lash Brazil

AFP/Reuters Brasilia elections key t least 30 people have been killed in two days of Aintense storms in south- eastern Brazil, the Minas Gerais state civil defence offi ce said. Seventeen people are also to president’s missing, seven injured, and some 3,500 have been forced out of their homes following a series of landslides and building collapses, civil defence offi cials said. Television footage showed reform bid images of overfl owing rivers, fl ooded neighbourhoods and AFP vian offi cials since 2004, and of a “coup d’etat” and swore in trees and utility poles knocked Lima bribing four former Peruvian Vice President Mercedes Araoz over by the rushing water. presidents. as “acting president,” but she re- Several highways have also “Popular Force thinks it can signed the following day. been cut by the fl ooding, and resident Martin Vizcarra win 20-25 congressmen, but The opposition took its case to scores of bridges have been looks set to break the op- compared with the absolute do- the constitutional court, which knocked out. Pposition stranglehold on minion it had, it will lose a lot,” ruled in Vizcarra’s favour. Most of the victims were Peru’s Congress as legislative analyst Luis Benavente, director Demonstrators took to the killed in landslides or buried in elections got underway yester- of the Vox Populi consultancy, streets to support Vizcarra and destroyed homes. day, the fi rst time they have been said. his anti-corruption push. At least two children were held separately from a general “Fujimorism will be the big Polls showed 90% support for listed among the dead. election. loser in this election.” the president’s daring move. The heavy rain and fl ooding Polling stations opened Popular Force has been the Other opinion polls ahead is also hitting the nearby states throughout the country of 25mn major bloc in Congress since the of the election suggested there of Rio de Janeiro and Espirito people at 8am (1300GMT) in an last election in 2016, but Fujimori could be a hung legislature, with Santo. election called after Vizcarra dis- is expected to pay for being im- centrist parties expected to do Rainfall in the region has been solved parliament in September plicated in the Odebrecht scan- well. the heaviest since records were in a bid to overcome an impasse dal that saw her spend 13 months Vizcarra doesn’t have a party fi rst kept 110 years ago, the Na- with the Keiko Fujimori-led op- in pre-trial detention until she himself but “will achieve a more tional Institute of Meteorology position. was released in November. bearable relationship with the said. Voters in Lima queued up The 44-year-old daughter of centrist parties that achieve a In one 24-hour period, the to vote long before the doors jailed former president Alberto majority in Congress,” said Al- Minas Gerais state capital Belo opened, reporters at the scene Fujimori (1990-2000) has seen varez. Horizonte recorded 172 milli- said. her popularity plummet and she And he will need to as he re- metres (almost seven inches) of The vote comes just 15 months may even be sent back to pre-tri- quires legislative support for his rain. ahead of the next general elec- al detention tomorrow when she anti-corruption reforms. Authorities warn that the tion, and after Vizcarra suc- faces the courts once again. If centrists do dominate Con- danger of landslides remains cessfully dissolved Congress in “The election winner is going gress, “Vizcarra won’t have the high, especially in the Belo Hori- September in a bid to break a po- to be Martin Vizcarra, because he same level of opposition that zonte area. litical crisis over repeated clashes will have managed to change the characterised his relationship” The deluge coincided with the with the Keiko Fujimori-led op- hostile Congress of the last few with the Fujimori-dominated fi rst anniversary of the dam col- position. years,” political analyst Augusto legislature, said Alvarez. lapse in the Minas Gerais town Fujimori’s Popular Force party Alvarez said. The new lawmakers will sit for of Brumadinho that killed 270 held an absolute majority in the Popular Force’s main allies in only 16 months until the April people. single-chamber legislature with the legislature, the social-dem- 2021 general election, and a new Meanwhile, Brazilian miner 73 out of 130 seats, but yesterday ocrat APRA, have also been hurt president is due to take offi ce Vale SA has raised the emergen- they were expected to suff er a by the corruption scandal. three months after that. cy level at the Sul Inferior dam at drubbing at the ballot box, large- APRA’s ex-leader Alan Gar- Neither Vizcarra nor any of the its Gongo Soco mine in Barao de ly due to the wide-ranging Ode- cia, a two-time former president new lawmakers will be eligible Cocais, in the southern state of brecht corruption scandal that (1985-1990, 2006-2011) com- for re-election in 2021, so only Minas Gerais, after heavy rainfall snared Fujimori in its tentacles. mitted suicide in April as police 16 of them are currently seeking eroded the structure’s reservoir. Fujimori is accused of accept- turned up at his home to arrest re-election. “As a result of unusually heavy ing $1.2mn in illicit party fund- him for corruption related to the Yesterday there were 2,300 rain, Vale reinforced the number ing from the Brazilian construc- Odebrecht case. candidates representing 13 par- of fi eld teams on standby for any tion giant Odebrecht for her 2011 In a widely popular move Viz- ties. Although some 25mn Pe- eventual emergencies,” Vale said election campaign. carra dissolved Congress on Sep- ruvians are eligible to vote there in a securities fi ling late on Sat- A landslide in Vila Bernadete, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais state, damaged several houses and left four Odebrecht has admitted to tember 30. has been strong voter apathy this urday. dead and seven missing. paying at least $29mn to Peru- The opposition accused him electoral cycle. Brazil govt under fi re for Contesting polls Stranded migrants Thatcher, Reagan week hopeful of reaching US Reuters Central American migrants who Tapachula, Mexico got caught up in the scramble Guardian News and Media said the events “will provide cies – and worked at the University earlier this week. Brasilia an overview” of Thatcher and of Chile during Augusto Pinochet’s When Mexican authorities Reagan’s “infl uences on current dictatorship in the 1980s. uatemalan migrant Wil- started rounding up and detain- conservative world leaders”. In an interview with the Finan- fredo Gomez said he ing others, Gomez said he prayed onservatives and culture “Thatcher and Reagan are cial Times last year, he described Gwished he could become and threw away his backpack in warriors in Brazil have ex- idols of many Brazilians and cur- Chile’s neoliberal reforms as “a “invisible” as Mexican security an attempt to pass as Mexican. “I Cpressed delight after one rent politicians,” she said. wonderful transformation”, and forces started rounding up and even told them good afternoon,” of the country’s most celebrated The initiative is in partnership added: “Thatcher, Reagan, they detaining other US-bound Cen- Gomez said. Reuters was unable research institutes announced with Brazil’s foreign offi ce, which understood that.” Bolsonaro’s tral Americans who had illegally to determine how many of the plans to host a Margaret Thatch- has swung to the right under Bol- politician sons meanwhile have crossed into the country. migrants who had crossed into er and Ronald Reagan week later sonaro, forming close ties with been photographed with Thatch- Mexican security forces started Mexico were still in the area. this year. conservative leaders such Donald er and Reagan memorabilia such taking a much tougher approach to Even as chances of succeed- But critics view the event as Trump and Victor Orban. The as T-shirts, coff ee mugs and Central American migrants earlier ing looked increasingly slim, yet another attempt by the gov- Foreign Minister, Ernesto Araujo model fi gures. this week after hundreds entered many were clinging to hopes they ernment of far-right President – who believes climate change is Charles Gomes, a legal schol- the country illegally from Gua- would eventually reach the US. Jair Bolsonaro to impose con- a Marxist plot – will participate. ar and senior researcher with a temala in an attempt to reach the Gomez said he had been in Ta- servative and Christian infl uenc- Admiration for Thatcher and focus on migration at Rui Bar- US-Mexican border. pachula for two days, roaming es on the country’s top academic Reagan runs deep within the Bol- bosa House, cast doubt on the Mexican President Andres the streets for food, sleeping al- and cultural institutions. sonaro government. Thatcher and Reagan week’s aca- Manuel Lopez Obrador is under in- ternately in the park, at the mar- In May, the Rui Barbosa House In a speech in the White House demic value. tense pressure from US President ket or on the street. Foundation – a research centre gardens last year, Bolsonaro “The event isn’t based on any- Donald Trump to stop the number Mostly, he said, he had been that receives government fund- quoted Reagan and said he was one’s academic work, it appears of migrants but his handling of the contemplating how to reach the ing – will host a string of exhi- a “great admirer” of the former to be pure propaganda,” he said. situation near the southern border US or Canada. bitions and lectures about the president and B-movie star. Critics have accused Bol- has draw criticism. Though for now, with no mon- right-wing 1980s icons. The Economy Minister, Paulo sonaro’s government of “ideo- Bolivia’s interim President Jeanine Anez speaks during a Critics accused Lopez Obrador ey left, Gomez is staying put at Leticia Dornelles, a former Guedes, trained in free market fun- logical interference” in several ceremony to announce her nomination as presidential of doing Trump’s bidding after es- the local migrant shelter. “I can’t journalist and telenovela writ- damentals at the Chicago School of sectors – often to their detriment candidate for the upcoming elections on May 3, in La Paz, sentially erecting a “wall” of secu- stand the cold, the hunger and all er, who was chosen to head the Economics – the seedbed for Rea- – from arts and education to for- Bolivia. rity forces that resulted in chaos. that,” the 42-year-old said. “Here, foundation in October last year, gan and Thatcher’s economic poli- eign and indigenous policy. Gomez was one of the many at least I’ve got a place to sleep.” Gulf Times 16 Monday, January 27, 2020 PAKISTAN

286-foot mural Politicians, govt offi cials unveiled in Karachi

Internews ‘at fault’ for wheat crisis Karachi Internews ble for the crisis have also been was decreased from 50 sacks to who said that he was unaware take stern action against the ed to arrive by February 15, the Islamabad mentioned in the report. 45. of any such report forwarded to culprits. fi nance ministry had said in a 286-ft mural made by The document stated that the However, the same phenom- Prime Minister Khan. Special Adviser to the Prime statement, adding that it would Italian artist Giuseppe price of a 40kg sack of wheat, enon was not experienced in The spokesperson said he Minister on Information and waive regulatory duties on the APercivati, called Rising report forwarded to which was available for Rs1,550 Rawalpindi, where the quota could give his point of view only Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq grain, which could be shipped in Blue, was unveiled at Karachi’s Prime Minister Imran in November 2019, was in- was increased from 25 sacks to after the report is brought to his Awan, had said that the prime until March 31. Centrepoint. AKhan has held politi- creased deliberately to Rs1,950 30. notice. minister had taken steps to bring Offi cial sources had said that It is part of the International cians and government offi cials in the open market the next Food Department secretary The prime minister took no- stability in wheat prices. the government decided to ap- Public Art Festival (IPAF), an ini- responsible for the wheat crisis month. Waqas Ali Mehmood failed to tice last week of the surge in “By taking timely steps, fl our prove the proposal for import tiative of “I Am Karachi”, whose that has made life diffi cult for According to sources, the re- increase the wheat quota of the wheat prices, instructing all prices will fall,” she said, adding to save consumers from soaring organisers claim is the world’s Pakistanis. port also mentioned that just fl our mills, according to the re- four provincial chief secretaries that stern action will be taken wheat prices, even though suf- tallest mural. Sources said that the report two months ago, wheat was port. to initiate a “grand operation” against those selling wheat at fi cient stocks of the commodity Speaking on the occasion, Ital- identifi ed two issues which gave available in markets across Paki- Owners of fl our mill then de- against those involved in hoard- self-prescribed rates. are available. ian consul-general Anna Ruffi no rise to the wheat crisis: adminis- stan in abundance. cided to increase the price of ing fl our and selling it at exorbi- Last week the Economic Co- The move will help main- said that the talented artist had trative incompetence and politi- However, in December, the fl our after the cost of a 40kg sack tant rates. ordination Council (ECC) ap- tain minimum stocks of wheat worked in Karachi before at the cal pressure on the Food Depart- staple food started to disappear of wheat eventually went up to The Prime Minister’s Offi ce proved the import of 300,000 at 200,000 tonnes, as fears of IPAF, as well as in several other ment. from the markets. Rs2,100. ordered the provincial govern- tonnes of wheat to relieve a a looming wheat shortage and countries such as the US, Portu- Names of the politicians and The report mentioned that Geo News contacted the Pun- ments, chief commissioners, shortage of fl our supplies. hoarding inform prices across gal, Australia, and Japan. government offi cers responsi- the quota of Lahore fl our mills jab government spokesperson, and deputy commissioners to The fi rst shipment is expect- the country. She said the mural is a mes- sage of peace and friendship, as well as a cry of alarm for the en- vironment. For Kashmir The subject matter is the con- servation of mangroves in Paki- Punjab lawmakers support stan, especially along the coast of Sindh, which is why it is a great gift to Karachi, she added. Ruffi no thanked the artist and chief minister, says Awan the event organisers for per- forming valuable work for the city. Internews Calling out Opposition Percivati said that the project Sialkot Leader in the National Assem- took only about nine days to bly Shehbaz Sharif, Awan said: paint, but months were spent for “The people of the country its preparation. pecial Assistant to Prime want Pakistan to progress. He fi rst came in July to fi nd a Minister Imran Khan on “For the country to progress, location, and as soon as he saw SInformation Dr Firdous it is necessary that the parties the TPL Tower (Centrepoint), he Ashiq Awan has refuted claims which have been given a man- said: “This is perfect place.” about things going awry for the date by the people for fi ve years, He thanked the people behind ruling Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf play their constitutional role in the project, especially Ambareen (PTI) in Punjab. legislating.” Thompson and Amin Hashwani, Addressing a press confer- She maintained that during executive director and president ence in her hometown Sialkot, the prime minister’s visit to La- of “I Am Karachi”, for lending she said that all provincial leg- hore, Khan will meet lawmakers their support. islators have voiced confi dence Awan: Instead of speaking and review ongoing develop- “Karachi is a beautiful city in the leadership of Chief Min- out against the government, ment projects in the province as but has been neglected a bit. ister Usman Buzdar. and trying to lead the people well as give orders to fasttrack It’s called the City of Lights but She said that for the past astray, the opposition should certain schemes. sometimes it’s more like a city of week, there have been reports fulfil their role in parliament “Ultimately, the people’s dust. The people of Karachi are about a “forward bloc” in Pun- and help the government in government is answerable to the beautiful. jab, of reservations expressed legislating. people. Eventually, through the “The city can be as beautiful by the government’s coalition prime minister’s reform agenda, as Milan, Rome or London,” he partners, and about Buzdar’s da-setters’ in the media and in you will see that each new day remarked. leadership. the opposition.” will bring some betterment to Terming the mural an iconic Commenting on Buzdar’s She added that “our [the the country and each attack by example of public-private part- meeting with a group of party government’s] coalition part- the opposition to make the gov- nership, IPAF chairman Jameel legislators on Saturday, Awan ners are standing shoulder-to- ernment fail, will backfi re. Yusuf claimed that the 286-ft said: “After voicing all of their shoulder with the government. “Instead of speaking out mural is the world’s tallest, trac- concerns and reservations, all “Whether it is the Pakistan against the government, and ing the stunning Karachi coast- (lawmakers) in Punjab have Muslim League – Quaid-e- trying to lead the people astray, line. once again expressed confi - Azam (PML-Q) or other politi- the opposition should fulfi l Describing the artwork’s sym- dence in Buzdar’s leadership. cal parties, they are determined their role in parliament and help bolism, the offi cial told the au- “This is surely not good news to put the country on the road to the government in legislating,” dience that the mangroves sup- for ‘trend- setters’ and ‘agen- progress.” she stressed. ported Pakistan’s ecosystem as a breeding ground for marine life and birds. According to him, the mural is artistic and abstract in a way that not only suggests the height, but Three KP ministers sacked also the rising ocean levels, in reference to climate change. “It depicts the rise of a nation, Internews ing, which the government was Centre, following the general of a voice, of the awakening of a Peshawar quick to deny. election in 2018, has recently conscience of climate change. It Sources said that around 25 been facing problems in both is also symbolic of us as a nation: provincial legislators of Prime provinces and the Centre after how we keep rising despite our hree ministers of the Minister Imran Khan’s ruling similar cracks appeared among setbacks,” Yusuf said. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) its lawmakers. Karachi Port Trust chairman T(KP) government were party were invited to the din- Recent reports suggest a for- Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar said sacked yesterday, a notifi cation ner at the senior minister’s resi- ward bloc has emerged within Members of the ‘Youth Forum For Kashmir’ take part in a demonstration yesterday in Islamabad. he is proud to be a part of the issued by the provincial admin- dence. the PTI in Punjab, allegedly due Kashmiris observe the Indian Republic Day as ‘Black Day’ in Pakistan. project in supporting “I Am Ka- istration cabinet wing said. On Thursday, even after the to diff erences with Chief Min- rachi”. The sacked ministers are Atif provincial government denied ister Usman Buzdar over gov- Khan, who was the minister for reports of the cabinet show- ernance issues in the province, sports, culture and tourism, down, Tarakai, an uncle of although the government has Shahram Tarakai, who was the health minister Shahram Khan, denied this. minister for health, and Shakeel who is considered to be a close The PTI’s key ally in Punjab Ahmed, who held the portfolio aide of Atif, came on TV and – the Pakistan Muslim League 2020 to remain challenging, say experts of revenue and estate. criticised his own party’s pro- – Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) The move came just two days vincial government, giving cre- of Shujaat Hussain, has also after local media reported on a dence to speculations of a turf voiced its grievances with the Internews (retired) Asif Yasin Malik. ers Pakistan an impediment to its About ties with the US, it said, pressure group emerging in the war within the ruling PTI. set-up, publicly criticising the Islamabad Economist Syed Hussain rise as a regional hegemon, but at it is a near-certainty that bilat- province, allegedly led by Atif – The elder Tarakai even hinted government and threatening Haider evaluated the economic the same time it realises the limi- eral engagement will remain lim- who was a strong candidate for at leaving the set-up. to take back its support in the situation and Farhan Bokhari as- tations of a military adventure ited to the minimum agenda of the post of chief minister fol- Sources further said that Centre and in Punjab. akistan’s external envi- sessed the prospects of political against it. Afghanistan for the foreseeable lowing elections in July 2018. the reason for the rift between Similarly, the Muttahida ronment will remain chal- stability. This, he opines, is frustrating future, and transactional nature Atif threw a lavish dinner for Mahmood Khan and Atif Khan Qaumi Movement – Pakistan Plenging throughout 2020, The report said that the situa- India. of the relationship will continue. provincial lawmakers on Fri- was the rejection of the latter’s (MQM-P), which is the PTI’s which will have serious implica- tion in Kashmir and the plight of The former defence secretary The report fl agged develop- day night, apparently to muster nominees in the recent cabinet coalition partner at the federal tions for its economy, security Muslims in India will guide Paki- fears that India could in this situ- ments in the Middle East as a support to take on Chief Min- reshuffl e. level, has also said that it is un- and internal stability, says a re- stan’s engagement with Delhi. ation intensify its operations to defi ning challenge for Pakistan’s ister Mahmood Khan, amid re- The loss of the local govern- happy with the government. port published by a local think Chances of limited confl ict be- internally destabilise Pakistan. foreign policy. ports of an intensifying jockey- ment portfolio by Atif’s closest One of the MQM-P’s federal tank. tween India and Pakistan would Indian strategy, he said, would On the economic front, the ing for power between the two. ally in the provincial cabinet, ministers, Khalid Siddiqui, has The think tank, the Islamabad remain high, it added. be to undermine the Pakistan report projected that Pakistan’s The event took place after Shahram, also did not sit well for the time being given up his Policy Institute, believes that Army’s credibility and support GDP growth would remain close an alleged showdown between with the senior minister. cabinet portfolio as talks to get tense relations with India would The Islamabad Policy among the public, fuel sub- to 2.5% because of slowdown Atif and the chief minister dur- The PTI, which formed gov- him back on the cabinet have continue to consume much of Institute believes India nationalism in Baluchistan, and specifi cally in large-scale manu- ing a provincial cabinet meet- ernments in Punjab, KP, and thus far been unfruitful. Pakistan’s strategic and diplo- will continue to be a major escalate terrorist activities in the facturing and agriculture sectors. matic bandwidth. challenge for Pakistan newly-merged districts of Khy- Infl ation would remain high It, moreover, forecast that the ber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province hovering around 13%. Religious council declines to give opinion on movie peace process in Afghanistan Bashir has maintained that or the erstwhile Federally Ad- The increase in power tariff s would in the near future continue the foremost threat to Pakistan’s ministered Tribal Areas (Fata). and higher oil prices could, how- The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), which the Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP) started an online campaign, to be marred by uncertainty. security from India has become “Larger objective appears stra- ever, cause infl ation to shoot be- government recently approached to determine demanding a ban on the “objectionable” film. The report, Pakistan Outlook dire with the transformation of tegic encirclement of Pakistan, yond these estimates. if Sarmad Khoosat’s award-winning film Zindagi Commenting on the film, the CII chairman said: 2020: Politics, Economy and Se- India as a Hindu state under the thus, creating a multi front threat Furthermore, it is anticipated Tamasha was suitable for public exhibition, “The government has consulted us on the film curity, has reviewed current ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. scenario. It would cause a prior- that policy rates would be cut in has said that “it does not come under the and we will evaluate it, although it does not come trends in the external environ- He contends that US support ity dilemma as well as resource 2020 because the current rates responsibilities of the body to give an opinion under the responsibilities of the body to give an ment, the economy, the political for India, while ignoring Delhi’s stress on our security forces,” he are unsustainable. about films and dramas”. opinion about films and dramas.” stability, and security, and on the “reckless” behaviour, was in added. Bokhari believes that as long “We will not give a verdict but a suggestion about “We want to ensure that we do not make any basis of that made short-term violation of all norms of civility, The report further said that as party structures remain weak the film. Only the concerned authorities should under-pressure decision on the matter. projections in these areas. international norms and princi- navigating China-US competi- and led by families, where high- decide about the fate of the film,” said CII chairman “This is the reason why we will take the help of The foreign policy aspect has ples. tion will test craft of Pakistani est offi ces have passed on in a he- Dr Qibla Ayaz. the people who are experts in films and drama been analysed by former foreign The biggest challenge in 2020 policymakers in near term. reditary manner, political parties In the wake of a recent controversy stirred by the fraternities.” secretary Salman Bashir, while for Pakistan, he therefore be- This would, moreover, strain will remain inherently weak and trailer of the film, the government decided to block The government blocked its release after the TLP the military dimension has been lieves, will be to manage the fall- Pakistan-US ties while com- unable to meaningfully contrib- its release. objected to its portrayal of a struggling cleric. dealt with by former defence out from the US-India nexus. plicating regional environment ute to the discourse on key policy The issue started after members and supporters of It was to have hit cinemas on January 24. secretary Lieutenant-General Malik said that India consid- from Pakistan’s perspective. issues. Gulf Times Monday, January 27, 2020 17 PHILIPPINES Govt lowers volcano alert, thousands can return home

AFP Manila

n explosive eruption of restive Taal volcano Ano longer appears im- minent, Philippine authori- ties said yesterday as they lifted most of a mass evacuation order but warned residents to remain ready to fl ee. Warning signs such as earth- quakes have been steadily wan- ing since Taal burst to life two weeks ago with plumes of ash and lava, forcing over 135,000 people into shelters over fears a massive blast was coming. The nation’s seismological agency said steadily shrinking ash and gas emissions were signs A resident cleans ash from the front of his home after the Philippine of “decreased tendency towards volcanology bureau lowered the alert level from 4 to 3 and residents hazardous explosive eruption”, were allowed to return home in the town of Lemery, Batangas Residents on motorcycles ride back to their homes after the Philippine volcanology bureau lowered the alert level and residents were allowed leading them to lower the alert province, south of Manila, yesterday. to return home in the town of Lemery, Batangas province. by a notch. The immediate impact of the Hermilando Mandanas told have died in the eruption, but the killed livestock as well as crops. to the volcano, like Agoncillo and one of the most active volcanoes return home. “That’s where we reduced warning was the lift- a press conference. “There’s ash it unleashed forced the brief However, seismologists Laurel. in a country where eruptions and were born, including my an- ing of the evacuation order for a possibility that the volcano closure of the capital’s main warned the volcano could un- However, the scientists reiter- earthquakes are a dangerous part cestors...so we are determined nearly all the towns that ring the may still erupt and we should international airport, leaving leash a much bigger eruption ated that access to the volcano of life.Its last eruption was in to go back,” said Ronald Hu- volcano, a tourist attraction that still be ready to evacuate in one tens of thousands of travellers “within hours to days”, posing a island, which was once home 1977, but it has a long history of marang, a 32-year-old factory sits in the middle of a lake. hour.” stranded. deadly risk to anyone in a 14-kil- to a community of thousands, activity. In 1965, a Taal eruption worker. “I am not really afraid “Residents of all towns un- Agoncillo and Laurel, which The volcano shot ash 15 kilo- ometre radius “danger zone”. and the lake around it “must be killed some 200 people. (of an explosion) because dur- der lockdown except Agoncillo are home to roughly 80,000 metres high and spewed lava in By yesterday, seismologists had strictly prohibited”. Despite the risks that the vol- ing the initial eruption we and Laurel now have the op- people, are the towns closest to the January 12 eruption, which reduced that exclusion zone by Taal, located just 60 kilome- cano erupt could again erupt, didn’t evacuate our house im- tion to return,” local governor the volcano. No one is known to crushed scores of homes and half to include only areas closest tres from the capital Manila, is many residents were eager to mediately,” he said.

11 suspected coronavirus Fewer Filipinos went hungry in fourth quarter: survey cases under scrutiny By Catherine S Valente and 0.8 point in Mindanao. Manila Times Total hunger in Balance Lu- zon went down from 8.1% in By Franz Lewin Embudo Research Institute for Tropical September to 6.3% in Decem- Manila Times Medicine (RITM). “At the mo- ewer Filipinos experi- ber. But it rose in Metro Ma- ment, their throat swab is be- enced involuntary hunger nila from 8.3% in September to ing tested. We get a sample and Fin the fourth quarter of 9.3% in December. In the Visa- ealth Secretary Fran- it will be brought to RITM,” he 2019 compared to the previous yas, total hunger also rose from cisco Duque 3rd said that said. quarter, according to a survey 8.7% in September to 9.3% in Hthere were 10-11 persons However, the health chief re- conducted by the Social Weath- December. In Mindanao, it rose “under investigation” on sus- fused to give further details. er Stations (SWS). from 11.9% in September to picion that they have the 2019 If a patient is found positive The poll covering December 12.7% in December. novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). for non-specifi c coronavirus, 13 to 16 among 1,200 Filipino “The resulting average hun- “As of now, we have 10-11 sus- his or her specimen will be sent adults nationwide found that ger rates for 2019 by area are pected cases but this is still for to the International Reference 8.8% or an estimated 2.1mn 11.3% in Metro Manila, 9.9% in verifi cation. Laboratory in Melbourne, Aus- families went hungry for lack of Mindanao, 9.2% in the Visayas They are what we call ‘person tralia. “They have the ability to food to eat — at least once in the and 8.5% in Balance Luzon,” the under investigation’,” Duque said know or determine the case if it past three months. Customers enjoy their meals at a canteen in Manila. SWS said. in an ambush interview during is the same with Wuhan, China,” This is slightly lower than the The December 2019 poll, the awarding ceremony of Rota- Duque said. “We have no con- previous survey results in Sep- in March 2004. Earlier in 2019, is a continued recovery since who went hungry always. conducted using face-to-face ry Golden Wheel Awards on Sat- fi rmed case of novel coronavirus. tember that said 2.3mn families quarterly hunger was 9.5% in the record-high 19.9% aver- The quarterly decrease in the interviews nationwide, had urday night at the Novotel Hotel The latest confi rmatory test or 9.1% suff ered hunger. March and 10% in June,” the age hunger in 2011 and 2012,” it national hunger rate resulted sampling error margins of + or in Quezon City. results yielded a negative for the The national hunger rate de- SWS said. added. The latest hunger rate is from a decrease of 1.8 points in – 3% for national percentages He clarifi ed that these cases fi ve-year old Chinese, who at the clined by 0.3%. “The resulting annual aver- the sum of 7.3% who went hun- Balance Luzon, combined with and + or – 6% each for Metro were subject for confi rmatory moment is still in one of the fa- “The December 2019 hunger age hunger rate for 2019 is 9.3% gry only once or a few times in increases of one point in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the tests to be administered by the cilities in Cebu City,” he said. rate is the lowest since the 7.4% versus 10.8% for 2018. This the last three months, and 1.5% Manila, 0.6 point in the Visayas Visayas and Mindanao. VFA ‘can be terminated sans approval from senators’

By Javier J Ismael nald) ‘Bato’ dela Rosa is being tution that there should be no reconsider his decision to ter- ecutive action.” Guevarra added Manila Times punished by the US for having agreement without two-third minate the VFA. Cagayan de that the study, among others, once been the implementer of vote of the 24-member Sen- Oro Second District Rep. Rufus would provide explanation on his main programme of govern- ate,” said Gordon. “A treaty is Rodriguez said the president’s nagging questions like whether enate Minority Leader ment, the all-out war against the country’s word of honour. Its option to revoke the VFA would the VFA is a treaty or an execu- Franklin Drilon said while drugs. Since that is domestic abolition should not be done out be detrimental to the national tive agreement. SSenate ratifi cation was policy, then punishing someone of spite or whim,” he added. interest and security of the Phil- “Is the VFA a treaty or an needed to make the Visiting even if indirectly for a domes- Gordon argued that the VFA ippines. executive agreement? If it’s a Forces Agreement (VFA) valid, tic policy shows the intent to is attached to the Philippine-US “I hope our good president treaty, is a Senate concurrence which the Senate did during the interfere by a foreign state with Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT). will reconsider this move. Al- required for termination? Who Estrada presidency, it could now Philippine domestic policy,” the Meanwhile, Defence Secre- though abrogating the VFA is give the notice of termination? Is be terminated without concur- senator added. tary Delfi n Lorenzana also on within the power of the chief ex- it necessary to state any ground rence of the chamber. He said the agreement should Saturday said the VFA might be ecutive, it will be inimical to our for termination?” he said. Drilon over the weekend re- always be subject to review. terminated unilaterally by the national interest and security,” The VFA was ratifi ed by the called that in 2017, he tried to “The president may cancel Philippines. he added. Senate of the Philippines on May pass a Senate resolution that it with or without a reason. He “It is well within the right of Rodriguez said only the US 27, 1999 after the closure of the required Senate concurrence in can even say that “times have the Philippine government to under the MDT and the VFA American bases in the country termination of treaties in gen- changed and it is no longer need- Franklin Drilon: backing review of agreement do so if it determines that the could come to the defence of the in 1991. It is a bilateral agree- eral. ed by the country,” he added. agreement no longer redounds Philippines in case the country’s ment between the two countries, The resolution, however, was Sen. Panfi lo Lacson, chair- that may be granted, cancelled the 24-member Senate why he to our national interest,” Loren- vessels are attacked in the South which, among others, reaffi rms opposed by Sen. Emmanuel Pac- man of the Senate National De- or even denied outright, without wants to terminate the VFA be- zana noted in a statement. China (West Philippine) Sea, an their obligations under the MDT. quiao and it was not passed. fence committee, said the VFA need for explanation or justifi - cause the president has no abso- “The termination does not extension of the Pacifi c Ocean. Under the MDT, which the Sen. Aquilino Pimentel 3rd, between the Philippines and the cation, Lacson added. lute power to terminate it. need the approval of the Con- The Department of Justice is US and the Philippines signed chairman of the Senate Foreign United States is a bilateral accord In the absence of a Philippine Gordon, chairman of the Sen- gress,” he added. done with its study on the pro- in 1951, the two countries are Relations committee, said ter- that went through diplomatic Supreme Court ruling on the ate blue ribbon committee, add- The Defence chief said he was cedure for terminating the Visit- bound to support each other if minating the VFA could be done discussions prior to ratifi cation president’s power to unilaterally ed that unilateral termination by in constant consultations with ing Forces Agreement. either of them is attacked by an- by the president as the chief im- by the Senate after intense ple- break a treaty or bilateral agree- the president of a treaty ratifi ed Foreign Aff airs Secretary Teo- But Justice Secretary Menardo other country. plementer of Philippine foreign nary deliberations. ment like the VFA without the by the Senate is still not a de- doro Locsin Jr on the matter. Guevarra also on Saturday re- Under the VFA, American policy and as the commander- On the other hand, the US visa consent of a two-third super- cided case in the Supreme Court. Lorenzana said future actions fused to disclose details of the forces are allowed to stay in the in-chief of the Armed Forces of — of which dela Rosa was de- majority vote of the members He noted that there had been to be taken by the Department study in deference to a memo- country for joint military exer- the Philippines. nied recently and prompting the of the Senate, according to the cases fi led before the Supreme of National Defense and Armed randum that he would send to cises with Filipino forces, which “The reason stated by the president to warn Washington senator, the president could do Court on top of the Saguisag vs Forces of the Philippines regard- the president early next week. include, among others, the president for terminating the to give back to the senator or he so without the Senate’s approval Ochoa case that contend that the ing the termination would be He said the study, as ordered yearly Balikatan (shoulder-to- PH-US VFA may sound ‘per- would scrap the VFA — is a con- or consent. president’s abrogation of a treaty discussed with the president. by the president, dealt only with shoulder) exercises and the Co- sonal,’ but I see the point of the ditional authorisation unilater- But Sen. Richard Gordon has is not absolute. A lawmaker also on Satur- the procedure for termination, operation Afl oat Readiness and president. He believes Sen. (Ro- ally given to a visiting foreigner said Duterte should explain to “It is stated in the Consti- day urged President Duterte to “not on the wisdom of the ex- Training exercises. Gulf Times 18 Monday, January 27, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Not backing down: beIN Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar CEO Yousef al-Obaidly [email protected] By Sam Carp 44350478 (News), SportsPro Media 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) ousef al-Obaidly is not afraid to admit that 2019 was 44350474 far from routine, but he is facebook.com/gulftimes Yfocusing on the positives. “It has been a very tough year,” twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar he acknowledges, speaking in late- December, 2019, “but a huge year that is very positive, despite the enormous and unique challenges we have faced unlike other businesses. Most GULF TIMES companies would have failed, and we actually got stronger in a really tough situation.” Promoted to the role of chief executive of Qatar-based beIN Media Group in November 2018, al-Obaidly 2022 Sustainability oversees a broadcasting juggernaut operating in 43 countries – its presence spans the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), France, the US, Canada and 11 Strategy off ers a territories in the Asia-Pacifi c region - and one that has spent some $15bn on a lavish portfolio of sports rights. unique opportunity It is from Turkey – home to beIN- owned satellite provider Digiturk The 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar is going to be unique on - where al-Obaidly is able to speak many fronts. Yet another indication in this regard is the with SportsPro to look back on a year fi rst-ever joint FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Sustainability that saw beIN Sports – the company’s fl agship sports network – secure Strategy presented by Qatar and FIFA and published last further multi-million dollar rights week. The fact that the commitments outlined include contracts and deliver its usual slate developing human capital, safeguarding workers’ rights of major events, including the FIFA and delivering innovative environmental solutions are Women’s World Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, for which it was the host proof for the far-reaching vision. broadcaster. The inclusion of a full human rights salience assessment “If we look at the things we have Yousef al-Obaidly in the development process for the strategy is a fi rst for been doing in year one, we are truly a mega-sporting event. The issues and initiatives that global,” notes al-Obaidly, who under a minute to access French pay- stage cycling race organised by the to the UEFA Champions League for spearheaded beIN’s international TV broadcaster RMC Sport’s coverage Amaury Sport Organisation, promoter three seasons from 2021, at what the form the framework of the strategy, were identifi ed with expansion in his previous guise as of December’s world heavyweight title of the Tour de France. company described as a “fi nancially the help of a thorough and continuous consultation deputy chief executive. “We are not fi ght between Anthony Joshua and For al-Obaidly, there is no logic in a disciplined and considered price”. process with local and international stakeholders, and only a Mena business – a lot of people Andy Ruiz Jr using a beoutQ box with rights holder accepting a big pay day That deal kicked off a urryfl of thematic experts through surveys, workshops, meetings think we are sports and Mena in short, an Internet connection. If nothing for staging an event in the very country activity in that particular market, and but there are a lot of things that we else, it makes clear that what was once that is eating away at the value of its was soon backed up by a long-term and the circulation of drafts, as explained by the Supreme have been doing across the globe.” considered a beIN problem now runs media rights. distribution deal with rival pay-TV Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and FIFA. It would be fair to say, though, that far deeper. “We are only as strong as the broadcaster Canal Plus. Then, at the Throughout the process, over 100 national and of the challenges to which al-Obaidly That, as a matter of fact, is weakest link,” he says. “Some rights turn of the year, beIN bagged rights in international governmental, non-governmental and refers, one has been quite unlike any something beIN - and al-Obaidly holders do nothing, and they see France to all 51 UEFA 2020 European other previously confronted by a in particular - has been trying to more money in their parties and Championship games – including 28 private sector organisations were consulted. It was fi ve broadcaster. Saudi Arabia-backed emphasise for some time. Described social activities than their anti-piracy exclusive matches - in a deal SportsPro years ago that FIFA and the SC began to develop and piracy operation beoutQ - or “one of by those close to him as someone who initiatives. You look at Serie A and the understands to be worth €35mn implement the event’s Sustainability Strategy – the fi rst the biggest issues that has faced our quietly goes about his business, al- Spanish FA, I fi nd it really fascinating ($39mn) – some €25mn ($27.7mn) to be planned and delivered jointly by FIFA, the host sports and entertainment industry”, Obaidly remains notably unfl ustered that they enter the same country that is less than it paid to show the same as al-Obaidly describes it - has been when discussing something that doing the piracy.” tournament in 2016. country and the local organisers, represented in this case an unwelcome distraction for beIN has no doubt caused him signifi cant Others, al-Obaidly points out, are at Those deals might only make up by the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC (Q22). for well over two years, a parasite the headaches. He notes that beIN has least setting a better example. a small portion of beIN’s broader The associated policy company has struggled to contain as it “fought on behalf of the whole industry “Yes, there’s hope, and I think the business, but viewed in isolation they applies to all functional has slowly infected various strands of to try to end” beoutQ, claiming that Premier League and La Liga have been indicate that the broadcaster’s bids Commitment its business. the saga “went completely ignored for really outstanding rights holders in are now based on a rights holder’s areas and projects involved beIN claimed in a lawsuit fi led a year”. (combating) both beoutQ and piracy approach to protecting its content, to develop in the preparations against Saudi Arabia in October 2018 in general,” he declares. “I believe as well as what is attractive from a for and staging of the that the theft of its content by beoutQ ‘The endless growth both organisations have secured commercial standpoint. human capital tournament, in addition had caused it $1bn in damages - a fi gure big enforcement victories in recent “It’s both, they’re really interlinked,” that will now amount to considerably of sports rights is months, they have taken ownership, al-Obaidly explains. “Previously our and safeguard to post-event activities. more. and I think everybody should do that. decision was maybe driven by the The fi ve sustainability With beoutQ chipping away at over. Some rights “What the Premier League and La subscriber numbers, and now it’s also workers’ rights commitments are: the very core of beIN’s business, it is Liga have really both understood is driven by the rights holder’s attitude, to develop human tempting to label al-Obaidly’s job as holders might get that live sport value is delivered in the and the action towards piracy and one of the most testing, perhaps even seconds and not the minutes and the protecting the rights. Rights holders capital and safeguard workers’ rights; to provide an intimidating, in sports broadcasting lucky in some hours – we just don’t have time. You need to take ownership and stop hiding inclusive tournament experience; to catalyse economic – not that it sounds like he was either make your money now or you behind their broadcasters the whole development; to deliver innovative environmental deterred when Nasser al-Khelaifi , markets, but I think don’t make money, it’s as simple as time. solutions; and to set an example of good governance and the company’s chairman, asked his the majority of them that. And that’s why people should try “So, for me, really the two points compatriot to succeed him in the role. to immediately close these pirate sites, now in terms of beIN are interlinked: ethical business practices. “You want to challenge yourself and will see a decline’ not to wait until 45 minutes, because how do you tackle piracy, but also A total of 22 objectives have been described in detail, make your industry better,” says al- the damage has already been done if what is the price - based on your together with more than 70 concrete initiatives and Obaidly, in what is his fi rst interview Al-Obaidly had famously made we wait.” subscribers, your revenue - you want? programmes to deliver the strategy and achieve the with an English-language publication headlines in October during a rare In the case of Serie A, beIN has For example, if a rights holder doesn’t as beIN chief executive. “You want public appearance at a sports business made no secret of its disapproval of protect its rights, subscriber numbers objectives set. As pointed out by Hassan al-Thawadi, SC to put your own stamp on it, make it conference in London. It was then that the league’s relationship with Saudi will also be smaller anyway. So they secretary-general and Q22 chairman, when Qatar bid to better. It’s only the beginning, and it’s he delivered the sobering news that Arabia, making clear that the Italian have to link together now, and the host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it did so with a vision to really the most exciting thing. “the glorious media rights bubble is soccer body is putting £390mn Internet is just becoming more and use the tournament as a catalyst for sustainable, long- “Of course, as a chief executive, about to burst”, telling a room full of ($500mn) worth of overseas rights more crucial that everybody has to do certain hurdles will come your way, decision-makers that the pillars upon deals with the broadcaster at risk by a lot more.” term change in Qatar and across the Arab world. but you have to overcome them and which the industry has grown in recent honouring its contract with Saudi FIFA secretary-general Fatma Samoura has described you have to fi ght them, and you have years are being eroded. Arabia’s General Sports Authority. ‘We launched a the 2022 FIFA World cup as a unique opportunity to bring to do what you can collectively with “I’m a true believer of that and I Serie A, though, is not the only about positive change. In her view, the Sustainability your team. I think we are maturing as a was very vocal about that during my competition to have had its rights deals brand in France in management team, the issues we have speech,” al-Obaidly says now. “The with beIN scrutinised by the company. Strategy is also in line with the UN’s Sustainable navigated are completely unique. We endless growth of sports rights is The broadcaster has said for some time 2012 – look at us now. Development Goals. As pointed out by Ambet Yuson, have to run a global business, and you over – some rights holders might get that it will reassess how much it spends general secretary of the Building and Wood Workers’ have this big thing in the background of lucky in some markets, but I think the on live sport, but it is only recently that Aft er a few years International (BWI), the SC, in particular, has taken beoutQ. I cannot think of a CEO in the majority of them will see a decline. In it has become clearer what that revised industry who probably faces as many certain cases rights values are going strategy might look like. we operate in 43 the risk and broken new ground by going far beyond challenges as we have, (including) to drop off completely, and I think the “Our new strategy is premium, but declarations to form a partnership with the BWI in order the attempt of the theft of our entire economic model of our industry will be in proportion,” al-Obaidly states. countries over fi ve to conduct joint safety inspections and train elected business by a state.” changed. “So in the Mena, currently there is no continents’ workers’ representatives. This is action on the worksite Born in 2017 out of a wider “I always fi nd fascinating when you go exclusivity, and our off ers will refl ect diplomatic row in the Middle East – to the negotiating table and people tell that. In many cases we won’t renew, or As al-Obaidly has noted, exclusivity and not mere words and promises of reforms. It is making one which saw beIN banned in Saudi you, ‘we have the West Coast company we will reduce our off er signifi cantly. in the Mena region is in short supply, a diff erence for construction workers. Arabia – beoutQ originally transmitted and they will be very competitive’. If we “In the rest of the world, I would say but despite recent eff orts to secure In the strategy, FIFA and the other tournament 10 encrypted channels via Riyadh- have seen it, and we have seen it slightly, that we will bid for premium rights, the long-term future of its business organisers commit to expanding these eff orts to cover based satellite operator Arabsat, I think they will be very disappointed – but very proportionately, because in France and elsewhere, he is quick to off ering access to all of beIN’s premium we’re not there yet. sports rights everywhere are hyper- dismiss the notion that the broadcaster workers in other sectors involved in delivering the sports content, ranging from the 2018 “If you look at customers, whether infl ated, especially with digital piracy is about to pivot away from its home tournament. This work has already begun. The workers’ FIFA World Cup to Formula One motor they’re young or old, they’re accessing crumbling the return on investment. market any time soon. rights legacy of the 2022 tournament will be more racing - and everything in between. everything for nothing. Today, France, I would say, is the classic “Well, I’m from Qatar, I’m from meaningful once these initiatives are implemented for all Even now, the situation remains far wherever they are, this behaviour example of a hyper-infl ated market: the Middle East, so the Middle East from a resolution. In an ideal world, has been completely normalised, and so many competitors, you have four is always going to be the heartbeat of workers in Qatar – in construction and beyond. al-Obaidly says, beIN “should be it’s just a habit of people accessing strong players in the market. our business,” al-Obaidly says. “We allowed to operate” in Saudi Arabia content. And with the Internet, it’s just “We really relish the competition, are looking to grow across the Middle and that “the rule of law should also be going to continue for people to access (but) the worst thing for our whole East and North Africa, exploit all the To Advertise respected”. He adds that beoutQ set- content for nothing, or almost for free.” industry is to have illegal competition, markets and the passion for sport. top boxes “need to be confi scated” and Some rights holders, however, are and by illegal competition, I mean piracy. Other markets are really positive for us, [email protected] “those responsible, including Arabsat, not heeding that advice. As well as It’s not fair competition. When you so we will continue to remain global, Display should be held accountable”. Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, have a fi xed business based on the value but the Middle East will always be at However, al-Obaidly reveals that which took the decision to stage the of rights, it’s the worst. That money the heart and the centre of everything 44466621 44418811 while beoutQ is now down from Joshua-Ruiz rematch in Diriyah, actually goes to criminals, and doesn’t we do.” satellites, its IPTV-enabled boxes - al-Obaidly is quick to call out Italian go into the system, which aff ects the Al-Obaidly describes his own Classified which provide access to virtually every soccer’s Serie A and the Spanish grassroots, jobs and all of that. country as having “huge, huge 44466609 44418811 sports and entertainment channel Football Federation, both of which have “So, we just need to adapt ourselves, ambition” in sport, and is also keen around the world - “remain out there taken their Super Cup competitions to ensuring that we are sticking with to point out – as he is on several Subscription and still functional”. Saudi Arabia in recent months. The end what we have with a premium, but occasions during the interview – that “Basically it’s like changing your car of 2019 brought with it confi rmation proportionate based on the market “all roads will lead to Qatar 2022”, [email protected] from an automatic to manual,” he adds. that yet more sporting events will dynamics.” when beIN will broadcast the fi rst-ever To illustrate that analogy, shortly be taking place in the country over That was very much the message in edition of the FIFA World Cup to take after this interview, SportsPro is sent a the coming year, including a Ladies November, when beIN won the lion’s place in the Middle East. © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved video demonstrating how it took a little European Tour golf event and a fi ve- share of exclusive rights in France To Page 19 Gulf Times Monday, January 27, 2020 19 COMMENT The next big development challenge

By Arvind Subramanian ington Consensus also originated in and Josh Felman the West. The fi rst represents a reac- Cambridge tion against the neoliberal approach and is motivated by several disturbing long-run trends: weak growth, rising e have suddenly arrived inequality, an increasingly beleaguered at a tricky stage in global middle class, and collapsing social economic develop- mobility. Wment. Emerging markets This emerging post-neoliberal con- are losing their dynamism, after a sensus questions the primacy accorded remarkable three-decade-long run to markets. It advocates a larger role for during which they caught up rapidly the state, both to generate better market with advanced economies. Moreover, outcomes (for example, via minimum- rekindling this vigour requires a new wage increases and stricter enforcement economic strategy. But where will such of antitrust policies) and to correct a model come from, and who will pro- inequitable outcomes via aggressive vide the intellectual leadership? redistributive policies. This approach The latest economic forecasts from also calls for more proactive fi scal and the International Monetary Fund and monetary policy in the short run. the World Bank are sobering, pointing The second strand of thought is to protracted slowdowns across the associated with Abhijit Banerjee and board in China, India, Sub-Saharan Esther Dufl o, both winners of the 2019 Africa, and Latin America. Of course, Nobel Prize in Economics. Banerjee alarmism about the “end of growth” and Dufl o argue that economic growth might be as overblown as past hype is not really infl uenced by policy The latest economic forecasts from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank point to protracted slowdowns across the board in China, India, Sub-Saharan about emerging markets’ unstoppable changes, or at least not in ways for Africa, and Latin America. rise. But policymakers in developing which we have strong evidence. They countries are genuinely concerned and therefore advocate a strategy of “going presupposes – between states and unlikely to take seriously any advice to their situation and rejecting what is nical expertise for political objectives are grappling with how to revive fl ag- small”: focusing on measures, such markets. The reality in developing focus on the “small and certain.” They not? And do they have their own new than about valuing it for its own sake. ging dynamism. as distributing free malaria bed nets countries is that both states and mar- have no choice but to strive to achieve ways of thinking about the develop- What is clear is that solutions to In the past, governments had a ready and deworming children, that clearly kets are weak – the very defi nition of rapid growth, which has been a prereq- ment challenge? the new growth and development intellectual solution: the so-called seem to be eff ective and will produce underdevelopment. So, a policy agenda uisite for all successful development Consider the situation in the two challenges in emerging markets will Washington Consensus, a term coined localised benefi ts. that focuses on increasing the role of transitions. Moreover, the experience of largest developing countries, China have to be indigenous, rather than by John Williamson of the Peterson But it is not obvious that either the state may well be unrealistic. the 1980s and 1990s shows that this ob- and India. China has the intellectual coming from Western institutions. Institute for International Economics, approach is of much help to develop- In addition, climate change is a jective is not a chimera, and that growth capacity, but is facing the breakdown Building and maintaining among which advocated a broad strategy of ing countries. The post-neoliberal new and critical aspect of the post- can indeed be increased by appropriate of its economic model. Chinese poli- national policymakers the sort of open, macroeconomic stabilisation, privati- consensus almost entirely refl ects neoliberal consensus that is likely to policy reforms. cymakers now need to fi nd another self-confi dent intellectual capacity sation, deregulation, and globalisation. concerns in advanced economies: prove increasingly problematic. On Mahatma Gandhi famously said: approach that both encourages growth that Gandhi espoused could well be the Some questioned whether and to secular stagnation and unconventional one hand, the overwhelming scientifi c “I do not want my house to be walled and ensures that the Communist Party next development challenge. – Project what extent the strategy worked. But monetary policies are not high-priori- evidence of global warming is a clarion in on all sides and my windows to be of China remains in control – all the Syndicate the fact is, there was a template – cre- ty problems for governments in poorer call to action. On the other hand, stuff ed. I want the culture of all lands while preventing the extraordinary ated by leading Western academic and countries. Moreover, emerging markets policies aimed at promoting rapid to be blown about my house as freely build-up of debt from triggering a z Arvind Subramanian, a former policy institutions – that was seen as are still growing, not stagnating. And decarbonisation raise deep concerns as possible. But I refuse to be blown crisis. It’s not obvious to anyone how chief economic adviser to the govern- useful by developing-country poli- even inequality, which is a common in developing countries, because off my feet by any.” Do developing they can do this. ment of India, is a non-resident senior cymakers. And the high noon of the concern, takes a very diff erent form, such measures could easily clash with countries today have the capacity not Meanwhile, India’s current inward fellow at the Peterson Institute for Washington Consensus coincided with and requires very diff erent solutions, in the needs of their energy-deprived to be blown off course? Do policymak- economic turn appears to refl ect a International Economics and a visiting developing countries’ strong perform- developing economies. citizens. ers have the intellectual and cognitive broader inclination to be walled in and lecturer at Harvard’s John F Kennedy ance. Perhaps the biggest drawback of Similarly, many developing-country wherewithal to absorb and assess the prevent foreign winds from blowing School of Government. Two of the current strands of the post-neoliberal approach is the policymakers simply cannot aff ord the new thinking on economic develop- freely. And this intellectual nativism z Josh Felman is Director of JH thought that might replace the Wash- dichotomy that it poses – or, perhaps, luxury of a narrow agenda, making them ment, adopting what is appropriate to seems to be more about harnessing tech- Consulting.

Not backing down: beIN CEO Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 180c From Page 18 Minimum Temperature : 140c TUESDAY Al-Obaidly says his company wants Maximum Temperature : 210c to use the opportunity “to bring Minimum Temperature : 120c the world to Qatar, and Qatar to the WEDNESDAY world”. Maximum Temperature : 200c For the time being, though, al- Minimum Temperature : 140c Obaidly is focused on his second full year as chief executive, one which will Fisherman's forecast see beIN broadcast the Tokyo 2020 WARNING Olympic Games and Euro 2020 in the Inshore : Poor horizontal vis- ibility expected at times, Mena region, as well as co-present strong wind at some the National Basketball Association’s places inaugural regular season game in the Offshore : Strong wind and high sea French capital of Paris. There are also WEATHER plans to evolve the company’s beIN Inshore : Relatively cold daytime Connect over-the-top streaming with some clouds and blowing dust at some off ering and build on new initiatives places at times,cold by – namely beINspired and the beIN night. Academy – launched last year. In Al-Obaidly hails the support of the Premier League in the fight against piracy. addition, al-Obaidly reveals that Offshore : Scattered clouds WIND “some new hires are coming from North America, Asia, Australia and, sports business at large to tackle the course prosecute pirates. Inshore : Northwesterly 12-22/28 big, big organisations” to join the of course, the Middle East and North issue together. “We should stop hiding behind KT company’s management team. Africa. Who else can say that? We look “What the industry needs is a politics; it’s commercial theft, Offshore : Northwesterly 18-28/34 KT “I would say look how far we have at the campfi re eff ect that live sports collective eff ort, it’s not only us,” that much is simple and plain. It Visibility : 4-8/3 KM come,” he adds, commenting on the has to bring people together, and we he declares. “We should quadruple has nothing to do with politics, it’s rising scale of beIN’s ambition. “We will continue to do that.” the investment into the anti-piracy completely, completely commercial Offshore : 5-9/12 FT launched a brand in France in 2012 – look Despite the positives, though, infrastructure – I know we invested theft. We need rights holders to at us now. After a few years we operate al-Obaidly remains well aware that signifi cantly even to overcome what protect their IP, because if they don’t Around the region in 43 countries over fi ve continents. We the ambition, growth and prosperity the technology is, to try more and protect their IP, then there is nothing Weather Weather produce in nine languages, we are by far of that business could be curbed by more to understand. We need to ensure to be commercialised for both the today Max/min tomorrow Max/min the biggest buyer of beoutQ and the mushrooming of that piracy is a top, top priority for the rights holder and the broadcaster. Baghdad Sunny 15/03 M Cloudy 16/07 sports rights and we have a market- piracy more generally. For that threat top management, and really engage “We will continue to fi ght – it’s a fi ght Kuwait City Sunny 18/07 M Sunny 19/08 leading sports off ering in Europe, to be subdued, he is calling on the the government on that issue, and of that is still there and we will do it.” Manama Cloudy 17/13 Sunny 19/13 Muscat P Cloudy 21/16 M Sunny 21/14 Tehran P Cloudy 07/-1 M Sunny 07/0 Live issues Researchers fi nd cancer-fi ghting potential in non-cancer drugs

By Julie Steenhuysen Repurposing Hub, a collection of better understand how they attacked animal studies on some of the drugs Reuters Health samples of more than 6,000 drugs and killed cancer cells. These included to see which have the best chances and compounds that are either a treatment for diabetes, a drug for of success in a clinical trial, and they approved by the US Food and Drug infl ammation, a treatment for alcohol plan to test even more cancer drugs for Around the world S researchers who tested the Administration or have gone through abuse and one for treating arthritis anti-cancer properties. Weather Weather cancer-fi ghting properties early-stage clinical trials proving they pain in dogs. He sees the approach being useful today Max/min tomorrow Max/min of more than 4,500 non- are safe in people. Most of the drugs they tested in two ways. In limited cases in which Athens Rain 16/07 Sunny 17/08 Ucancer drugs found nearly The researchers tested the drugs attacked cancer in novel ways. the drug is promising enough, the Beirut M Cloudy 16/12 P Cloudy 17/12 50 drugs for other conditions showed on more than 550 diff erent cancer cell The drug tepoxalin, for example, treatment could be quickly brought Bangkok P Cloudy 33/23 Sunny 32/23 at least some cancer-killing ability. lines. which was originally developed for into clinical trials in cancer patients. Berlin M Cloudy 08/04 Showers 08/02 “We found that a surprising Earlier eff orts at this kind of use in people but later approved But Corsello believes the more likely Cairo P Cloudy 20/09 P Cloudy 20/09 number of non-oncology drugs discovery have been painstaking for treating osteoarthritis in dogs, use is to identify new and unexpected Cape Town P Cloudy 21/14 Sunny 21/17 are able to kill cancer cell lines in because researchers had to grow cell worked by attacking a target called molecular targets that could lead to Colombo P Cloudy 31/24 P Cloudy 30/23 the lab,” said Dr Steven Corsello of lines one at a time and test each drug MDR1 that’s expressed on the surface cancer treatments. Dhaka Sunny 23/13 Sunny 24/14 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the individually. This time, they used of cells and protects them from Bloom, who was not involved Hong Kong P Cloudy 16/09 S Showers 15/10 Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard DNA barcodes – introducing unique chemotherapy. with the study, said the paper Istanbul Cloudy 12/08 Rain 11/08 University, who led the research. snippets of DNA with a virus to label Corsello said cancer patients who “highlights the struggle to balance Jakarta T Storm 29/25 S T Storms 31/25 Dr Bruce Bloom of Cambridge, the cell lines. This technique allowed develop resistance to chemotherapy transparency and sharing of Karachi P Cloudy 24/12 Sunny 22/10 Massachusetts-based Healx, a company them to pool the cell lines, shortening often have high levels of this protein. discoveries, with heavily patent- London Showers 09/03 P Cloudy 07/03 that uses artifi cial intelligence to screening time. Antabuse, a drug approved to dependent commercialisation Manila P Cloudy 32/23 M Sunny 31/23 discover drugs for rare diseases, told “We tested 4,518 compounds in this treat alcohol dependence, showed requirements for therapies to make Moscow Cloudy 02/-5 S Showers -1/-2 Reuters Health by e-mail the new drug experiment in total,” Corsello, founder activity in cancers that lack a portion it to market.” New Delhi Fog 19/12 Showers 18/12 targets and mechanisms of action of the Drug Repurposing Hub, said in of chromosome 16, which commonly He said while the data support the New York P Cloudy 08/02 P Cloudy 07/-1 identifi ed by the researchers could a telephone interview. “We found 49 occurs in some breast cancers. repurposing of non-oncology drugs to Paris Rain 09/05 S Showers 08/04 be valuable both for new treatment non-oncology drugs that were able Other drugs showing anti-cancer oncology and could lead to even more Sao Paulo Sunny 33/18 M Sunny 31/19 approaches and for repurposing older to selectively kill cancer cell lines – properties included a compound discoveries, the disclosure of specifi c Seoul S Showers 08/04 Cloudy 09/02 drugs. killing some but not other cancers, originally developed to treat diabetes drug names and targets might make Singapore S T Storms 31/26 S T Storms 31/26 Published this week in Nature which is an ideal property.” called vanadium, and levonorgestrel, a it harder for companies to protect Sydney I T Storms 26/22 P Cloudy 28/21 Cancer, the work is the largest yet The researchers selected four of hormone used in contraceptives. future repurposed and new treatment Tokyo Cloudy 06/02 Rain 09/03 to use the Broad Institute’s Drug these drugs to undergo more testing to Corsello’s team plans to conduct discoveries. Gulf Times 20 Monday, January 27, 2020 QATAR Indian expats celebrate 71st

Indian ambassador P Kumaran along with students and community members cutting a cake to mark Republic Day yesterday. Republic Day PICTURES: Jayan Orma

By Shafeeq Alingal Staff Reporter

he Indian community in Qatar marked their na- Ttion’s 71st Republic Day celebrations at a grand event at the embassy premises yesterday. The ceremony was attended by a large number of community members from various Indian states, including representatives of various social and cultural or- ganisations, and students from Indian schools who rendered patriotic songs. The event be- gan with ambassador P Kumaran hoisting the national fl ag. While addressing the gather- ing, the envoy congratulated the Indian community for their sub- Students singing patriotic songs during the Republic Day celebrations. stantial contributions to Qatar. The ambassador, who pointed DIG Anwar Khan, the function out that the number of Indian was attended by the offi cers from expatriates in Qatar has reached Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) 750,000, said that achievements Samudra Paheredar that arrived were possible through the dedi- at Hamad Port as part of sharing cation of the pioneering Indian experiences of maritime opera- expatriates in Qatar. tions including pollution control, “The Indian community combating maritime terrorism, owes much to their predeces- coastal security and maritime sors for establishing a strong surveillance. base through commitment and The envoy read out excerpts dedication,” he said urging the from the Republic Day message Indian ambassador P Kumaran hoisting the national flag during the community members to keep the by Indian President Ram Nath 71st Republic Day celebrations at the embassy in Doha yesterday. reputation intact. Kovind in Hindi and English. The ambassador also thanked “Seven decades ago, on 26th lands, they have also enhanced sharing our democratic ideals Qatar leadership and government January, our Constitution came India’s image before the world and the fruits of our development for the support being extended to into eff ect. Even before that, this community. Many of them have with the entire world,” it contin- the community in various sec- date had acquired special signifi - made great contributions in a ued. “As India and Indians march tors. Kumaran noted that the bi- cance. Having resolved to attain A section of the audience at the event. wide variety of endeavours. forward, we remain committed to lateral relationship between the ‘Purna Swaraj’, our people had The idea of world as a large engaging the global community two countries is growing and it been celebrating ‘Purna Swaraj barked on our journey as a Re- every year we celebrate our Re- our diaspora. During my vis- well-knit family, captured in our to build a secure and prosperous has seen remarkable growth in Day’ on every 26th January from public on 26th January, affi rm- public Day on 26th January,” the its abroad, I have observed that message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutum- future for ourselves and for the recent years. 1930 to 1947. ing to the principles laid down message read. “Another source Indians have not only brought bakam’, strengthens our relations entire humanity,” the president’s Led by Commanding Offi cer That is why, in 1950, we em- in our Constitution. Since then, of pride for our country has been prosperity to there adopted with other nations. We have been message said. Chinese New Year shows Junoon set to rock Doha again after 17-year hiatus take centre stage at malls fter 17 long years, the reunited Junoon band By Joey Aguilar Afrom Pakistan is com- Staff Reporter ing to Qatar this month to bring back the nostalgia and relive the magic of their smash hits, the series of traditional Chi- organisers have said. nese performances and The ‘Sultans of Rock’ will Aactivities took centre rock the Doha stage once again stage yesterday at various malls through a live performance at in the country to mark the Chi- the Qatar National Convention nese New Year, enthralling a large Centre on January 30. number of shoppers and visitors. The concert, ‘PK Music Fest The shows and activations Season II’, is presented by Rah- When the band was formed They called it quits in 2005 af- form part of Shop Qatar’s 2020 modus as part of Shop Qatar, in 1990, it was the brainchild ter a whirlwind three decades of edition, organised by Qatar Na- with the support of Q-Tickets. of lead guitarist and songwriter stardom. tional Tourism Council (QNTC) This is not the fi rst time the Salman Ahmad. Following their sold-out in- in collaboration with several group will perform in Qatar. In Ali Azmat, vocalist, and Brian ternational concert tours since partners, aimed at promoting the 2003, the band won the hearts O’Connell, bassist, completed they were reunited in 2018, Qa- country as an international travel of the Doha crowd. This time, the trio. As pioneers of Sufi tar will witness, once more, “Ju- destination with diverse off er- the band is headed for “another rock, Junoon is one of the most noon’s intense musical chemis- ings and products across retail, full-house show as they enjoy a infl uential bands of all time. try that is as electrifying as their entertainment and culture. devoted fan base in the country,” Some of their record-break- music”, the statement notes. Doha Festival City (DHFC) according to a press statement ing hits include Sayonee, Saeein The band’s loyalists, who was the fi rst to host a dragon by the organisers. and Jazba-e-Junoon, among call themselves ‘Junoonis’, are parade on Saturday followed by Not only has the band earned others. “highly anticipating the grand Mall of Qatar (MoQ) yesterday, the ‘South Asia’s most suc- The band members, who hail comeback”, the organisers add. entertaining mall-goers who are Dragon Parade performers entertain Doha Festival City shoppers on Saturday. cessful band’ recognition, but from Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, Fans coming from the UK, the spending the day with their fam- are also regarded as ‘One of the and Tappan, New York (US), US, GCC and the subcontinent ilies and friends. biggest rock bands in the world’ have released 19 albums and are all gearing for the reunion According to MoQ, it is hon- by Q Magazine and ‘The U2 of sold 30mn copies worldwide. tour in Qatar. oured to host such kind of per- Pakistan’ by The New York The band has made a come- Tickets can be booked at formances and activations in this Times’. back after a 13-year hiatus. www.q-tickets.com. edition of Shop Qatar, attracting many visitors and making the country a favourite tourism des- tination. “We are always excited to bring Kahramaa awareness campaign something to celebrate every oc- casion and the cultures and di- versity of the people in Doha. The parade was fantastic and everyone loved the dragon show. We look forward to welcoming everyone for more activities dur- ing the upcoming month,” said DHFC general manager Robert Hall. MoQ also opened its Chinese Cultural Hub at its Luxury Court Chinese Drummers perform at MoQ’s Ooredoo stage to mark the Chinese New Year. on Friday as part of the festivity, featuring Chinese calligraphy, Mall on January 30 (between 5pm Apart from the festivity, the qab, as well as The Pearl-Qatar, photo booth, face painting, and and 7.40pm), besides the Chi- mall added that it is also hold- will also be hosting dragon pa- ribbon dancers. It is open from nese Drummers (6pm) on Janu- ing workshops for children rades and other performances 10am-10pm and runs until Janu- ary 31. “It is admirable that the called Kid’s Zone, which allows and activities from today and ary 31. Other Shop Qatar venues Qatar National Tourism Council children to explore their imagi- until January 31. such as The Pearl-Qatar also fea- is celebrating Chinese New Year nation, and create craft works A Chinese fashion show, fea- tured Chinese calligraphy yes- as part of Shop Qatar 2020. This using everyday items like paper turing Chinese designers Lan Yu More than 1,500 school students participated in an energy conservation awareness programme terday and will go to Villaggio on is a testament to the eff orts of plates, wooden spoons, among and Grace Chen, including solo conducted by the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation’s (Kahramaa) National January 27 and 28 and to Lagoona QNTC in making Shop Qatar a others. Other malls such as La- musician and dragon parade, Programme for Conservation and Energy Eff iciency (Tarsheed). The three-day programme, Mall on January 29 and 30. truly inclusive festival for visi- goona, City Center Doha, Gulf, is set to take place at Al Hazm held at Kahramaa Awareness Park in co-operation with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Meanwhile, the dragon parade tors around the globe,” Al Khor Landmark, Villaggio, Hyatt Plaza Mall on January 29 from 6pm- Legacy (SC), upheld the motto ‘together for a sustainable championship’. will also be staged at Al Khor Mall said in a statement. (Chinese Drummers) and Al Mir- 8.30pm.