BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar to take one match at a time, says coach QSE world’s best performer in Sanchez 2018 with about 20% returns published in QATAR since 1978

SATURDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 11047 December 29, 2018 Rabia II 22, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals In brief Al Enna spurs QATAR | Reaction Qatar condemns Egypt bus attack Qatar has strongly condemned the huge boom in explosion that targeted a tourist bus in Egypt’s Giza Governorate and left a number of people killed and injured. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Qatar desert reiterated the State of Qatar’s firm position rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of motives and reasons. The statement expressed the condolences of the State of tourism Qatar to families of the victims, and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Page 3 By Joey Aguilar stressed, as he expect the demand for Staff Reporter desert adventures to surge further in QATAR | Law and order the lead up to the mega football event 28kg of hashish as many tourists have started visiting The ongoing Souq Waqif Spring Festival has become hugely popular with Qatar residents and visitors. A variety of atar’s enhanced winter camp- Qatar this winter season. drug seized entertainment activities will continue until January 4 at Doha’s iconic location. A group of performers are seen entertaining ing season has started to woo an According to the QNTC, during the The General Directorate of Coasts the crowds yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed Qincreasing number of local and last cruise season, which ended in April and Borders Security thwarted an foreign visitors looking for safari and of this year, the country welcomed 22 attempt to smuggle ‘hashish’ into other desert adventures. cruise ships carrying more than 65,000 the country after the directorate Lauding the eff orts of the Qatar Na- cruise passengers — a 39% increase received information indicating the tional Tourism Council (QNTC) for the from the 2016-17 season. presence of an unknown cruiser launch of Al Enna project last month, The ongoing 2018-19 cruise season, near the northern coast. Security Arabian Adventures Qatar CEO Hassen which kicked off in October and con- forces immediately seized the Kuwaiti, Omani tourists Mohamed A Hijji told Gulf Times that tinues until April 2019, is expected to cruiser and arrested the passengers such initiative provided new and “cu- see nearly double the number of cruise on board. The cruiser contained rated” services, as well as amenities, ships that arrived in the previous sea- 28kg of hashish drug. Two Asian for both campers and operators. son and bring 140,000 visitors to Qa- nationals were arrested and referred gush over Spring Festival “Qatar’s desert is in high demand. tar’s shores. to the relevant authorities for legal The desert off ers an array of unique ex- Hijji noted that citizens from 80 proceedings. — QNA periences during the day and at night countries who are allowed visa-free he Spring Festival activities and Oman. It has proved to be a ma- wonderful time, he pointed out. when countless stars can be seen in the entry or visa on arrival to Qatar may be ARAB WORLD | Tragedy hosted by the Organising Com- jor attraction for visitors from other Yousef al-Haddad, another Omani sky,” he said. “On a full moon day, visi- planning their itineraries ahead to visit Tmittee of the Private Engineer- countries too as a live embodiment tourist, pointed out that the festivi- tors can have a great time in the desert,” the country soon or during the tourna- Israeli troop fi re ing Offi ce at Souq Waqif until January of Gulf traditions and heritage, while ties in Doha blends the traditional he said ment. kills Palestinian 4 continues to attract a massive turn- off ering the best services, great shop- with the modern masterfully. Visitors will fi nd it a fantastic expe- The shift in the timing of the World A Palestinian man was killed out of visitors from diff erent nation- ping outlets and eateries that appeal “While preserving the traditions rience to ride a camel for 5km-10km in Cup in 2022 (in November) is also ex- yesterday by Israeli fire during alities, including Kuwaiti and Omani to all tastes. the festivities provide youngsters a the night when the weather is excel- pected to create a positive impact on protests and clashes near the border tourists. Mohamed Awad, a tourist from great time to enjoy various rides and lent. Qatar’s tourism industry as it allows between the Gaza Strip and Israel, Local Arabic daily Arrayah re- Oman, said he had decided to games,” he said adding that Doha has Hijji expressed optimism that the players and other visitors to experience the health ministry in the coastal ported yesterday that the visitors spend his family holidays in Doha become his family’s preferred desti- Sealine area will see more exciting the diff erent off erings at Sealine, Hijji enclave said. Karam Fayyad, 26, was are fascinated by the fantastic win- mainly due to the shared culture nation to spend the holidays and every desert and water activities for residents said. killed east of the Gaza City of Khan ter weather as well as captivating and tradition and the excellent re- time he visited the country there were and visitors in the future. “There is really a demand and eve- Yunis, ministry spokesman Ashraf al- entertainment activities for all age lations between the two brotherly new things to enjoy. Al Enna is a tourism development rybody is looking forward to Qatar,” he Qudra said. Eight other Palestinians groups, especially the folk per- countries. A Kuwaiti tourist said that young project that aims to enhance the winter pointed out. were wounded by live fire during formances by troupes from across He stressed that the atmosphere people love the festivities to a great camping experience in Qatar, protect According to the QNTC, the Al Enna clashes with Israeli soldiers along the world and the various rides and and the overall organisation of the extent and felt at home in Doha. “The the environment, and ensure public project also provides investment op- the border, Qudra added. Page 3 games preferred by children. festivities are superb even according events at Souq Waqif are excellent and safety. portunities for entrepreneurs; for Souq Waqif, with its traditional to the best international standards. Doha has great potential for attract- It is spearheaded by the QNTC with establishing a wildlife nursery to re- AMERICA | People ambience and design, is particularly Qatar is a family-friendly desti- ing tourists from around the world,” the support of the Ministry of Munici- introduce plants and animals that were appealing for visitors from Kuwait nation that attracts people to have a he added. pality and Environment, the Ministry aff ected by the previous camping sea- Angelina Jolie hints of Interior, the Public Works Authority sons; encourages camp owners to plant at move into politics (Ashghal), Qatar Olympic Committee, trees in exchange for special incentives; Angelina Jolie yesterday hinted Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federa- enforces consumer protection meas- she could one day enter politics, tion, Batabit, Mawater, Katara Hospi- ures and supervise commercial trans- as she urged global leaders to do tality, and QSports actions and services; and preserves more to help refugees and women .“It (Al Enna) is a sort of a prepa- the environment by using solar energy, in conflict. Asked whether she was Sudan protesters teargassed ration for the 2022 FIFA World Cup recycling, rationing food consumption moving towards a political career, in Qatar and they (QNTC and stake- and limiting the use of plastic, among the Hollywood star, an envoy for holders) are doing a great job,” Hijji others. Page 16 the UN refugee agency who has Reuters Around 30 SUVs belonging to the raided a meeting of opposition leaders also campaigned on sexual violence Khartoum security forces had surrounded the in Khartoum. against women, said she would “go square outside the building before The nine people they had detained where I’m needed”. Page 5 noon prayers. included Siddiq Youssef, a senior leader udanese security forces yester- Sudan has been rocked by more of Sudan’s Communist Party, as well as LATIN AMERICA | Disaster day fi red teargas and stun gre- than a week of anti-government pro- leaders from the pan-Arab Ba’ath and Snades at 300-400 worshippers tests sparked by rising prices, short- Nasserist parties, the statement said. Mexico fi re kills as they left a mosque near the capital, ages of basic commodities and a cash Fourteen leaders of one of Sudan’s seven children a Reuters witness said, after a call for crisis. two main opposition groupings were A fire at a shack in an impoverished widespread anti-government pro- At least 19 people have died during detained last Saturday and then re- Mexico City neighbourhood tests by opposition groups. the protests, including two military leased hours later. yesterday killed seven children, Activists had urged protesters to personnel, according to offi cial fi g- Sudan has been gripped by a deep authorities said. It was not known gather in large numbers following Fri- ures. economic crisis that began in 2011 what caused the pre-dawn blaze day’s prayers. Amnesty International said on after the southern half of the country at the sheet metal-and-cardboard Civil society groups said authori- Tuesday at least 37 had died. voted to secede, taking with it three- shack in the densely populated ties arrested nine opposition fi gures The head of the media offi ce at the quarters of the country’s oil output, neighbourhood of Iztapalapa, on the on Thursday evening ahead of the National Intelligence and Security and has been aggravated by years of sprawling capital’s east side. The fire planned demonstrations. Service denied knowledge of Thurs- overspending and mismanagement. was similar to another less than a The group in Omdurman, a town day’s arrests. Opposition groups blame President month ago that was caused by a gas near Khartoum, was fi red upon as A committee of professional organ- Omar al-Bashir, who has governed leak, said the top city off icial for the people exited the mosque chanting isations involved in the protests said Sudan since 1989, for the misman- A variety of recreation options including camel rides are available at the Sealine area. area, Clara Brugada. “peaceful, peaceful,” the witness said. in a statement that authorities had agement. PICTURE: Jayan Orma Trump threatens to seal US-Mexico border if wall not built

Reuters week there was no prospect of a quick Asked about Trump’s border-clos- contending that they have refused to posals containing funds for border se- according to a senior Democratic aide. Washington resolution. ing threat, Mexican President Andres negotiate since the White House made curity that could pass both the House The options are a stop-gap funding “We will be forced to close the south- Manuel Lopez Obrador told reporters it an off er last weekend. and the Senate — and that Trump bill that would run through February ern border entirely if the obstructionist was an internal US government matter. “We’re here, and they know where should accept one of those. 8; six full 2019 appropriations bills for resident Donald Trump yes- Democrats do not give us the money to “We take great care of the relationship to fi nd us,” Mick Mulvaney, the White At present, however, the two sides all but the department of homeland se- terday threatened to close the fi nish the wall and also change the ridicu- with the government of the US,” Lopez House chief of staff , said in an inter- remain far apart, Schumer’s offi ce said. curity, which would instead be funded Psouthern US border unless Con- lous immigration laws that our country is Obrador said. “Of course we will always view with Fox News Channel. “Where Democrats have off ered support for through a measure known as a con- gress agrees to provide $5bn in taxpayer saddled with,” Trump tweeted. defend our sovereignty...We will always is Chuck Schumer? Where is Nancy $1.3bn in funding for general border tinuing resolution maintaining current funds for a border wall with Mexico, “Either we build (fi nish) the wall or protect migrants, defend their human Pelosi? They’re not even talking right security, but have long opposed the funding through September 30; or a blaming Democrats for a partial gov- we close the border,” he added. rights,” he said. now,” he said. building of a wall. continuing resolution for all shuttered ernment shutdown that he previously The standoff over Trump’s demand Earlier this month, the Republican Schumer is the top Democrat in If the stalemate persists, House government agencies that would expire said would be on him. for money to help fund the border president said he would be “proud” to the senate and Pelosi is the incoming Democrats, led by Pelosi, plan to im- on September 30. A dispute over funding for Trump’s wall, estimated to cost about $23bn in shut down the government over border speaker of the House of Representa- mediately off er a funding measure to The aide said the legislation expected proposed wall has led to “non-essen- total, was in its seventh day and was security. tives. re-open the government when they for a full House vote on January 3 could tial” operations at numerous agencies widely expected to drag into January In television interviews yesterday, A spokesman for Schumer said the take offi ce on January 3. Pelosi and be a variation on any of the three op- being closed for lack of funding, and when Democrats take control of the US Trump aides sought to blame Demo- White House has been told that there Schumer have been discussing three tions but added that no decision has with Congress adjourned until next House of Representatives. crats for the continuing shutdown, are three existing federal funding pro- general options for that legislation, been made. Gulf Times 2 Saturday, December 29, 2018 QATAR Mali receives 24 armoured QU department honours faculty vehicles from Qatari forces and students consignment of 24 mili- The assistance is part of the tary armoured personnel eff orts of Qatar, represented by atar University’s (QU) dents in the university.” Acarriers has been deliv- Qatari Armed Forces, to contrib- Foundation Pro- FPDE head Mohamed Ma- ered to Mali by the Air Trans- ute to supporting the peace proc- Qgramme Department nasreh, talked about the re- port Wing of the Amiri Air Force ess and laying the foundations of English (FPDE) at the Dean- sponsibility of the admin- which airlifted them on board for stability in Mali. ship of General Studies in col- istration and said, “It is the three C-17 military aircraft. Such eff orts will also contrib- laboration with the Inclusion ongoing mandate of our de- The consignment was re- ute to strengthening interna- and Special Needs Support partment to provide every ceived by Brigadier General tional eff orts to combat terror- Center (ISNSC) hosted an ap- support possible to facilitate Moustapha Drabo, director of ism and establish security not preciation event to honour the academic and personal equipment, fi nance and trans- only in Mali but also in the Sahel students and faculty. growth and success of all port of the Armed Forces of countries known as the G5. The event aimed to promote FP students including stu- Mali, and First Secretary Hamad The airlift operations were inclusion and encouraged stu- dents with special needs and bin Jaber al-Khayarin, charge overseen by a number of sen- dents with special needs and disabilities.” d’aff aires at the Qatari embassy ior offi cers of the Qatari Armed disabilities to feel more wel- Dr Enita Barrett, English in Mali. Forces. (QNA) Senior military off icers of Qatari and Mali armed forces. come as productive members lecturer at the FPDE, and a of the FP family. member of FP Student Sup- During the event, students port Committee, said, “We who participated in the Spe- continue to raise awareness of cial Needs Helper Training the growing numbers of spe- Workshops were awarded cial needs students in our pro- certifi cates of attendance and grammes and build communi- special needs student help- ties that are sensitised to these ers who facilitated training needs. We are proud of the workshops as peer trainers systems we have put in place were awarded certifi cates of to ensure that the centre’s ac- recognition. commodations are provided Student Support Commit- and necessary support made tee in the FP introduced the available.” peer training initiative with Dr Khalid Khader, consult- the aim of promoting general ant for ISNSC said, “The vi- student involvement by hon- sion of the centre focuses on ing their leadership skills and two methods of transforma- promoting communities of tion projects to make the in- learning that help all students clusion of students with spe- The armoured personnel carriers lined up after delivery. achieve their full academic cial needs a reality. The fi rst potential. During the event, targets the quality of serv- selected students, teachers ices provided to students with and administrators shared special needs, the second their thoughts, refl ections and targets the systemic change Italian official meets words of encouragement. in educational policies, com- Qatari ambassador Dr Hazem al-Awah, director munity outreach and physi- QU-CENG marks 10th of the FP, said, “FP manage- cal and digital accessibility. ment offi ce in collaboration Our vital objective is to widen with ISNSC team are investing access to learning and create educational resources and ex- an inclusive learning envi- erting eff orts to provide serv- ronment for all students in- anniversary of MIA ices that facilitate academic cluding students with special success for students with needs (visible, invisible or epartment of Archi- special needs and disabilities.” undiagnosed disability). We tecture and Urban FP, he added, “is playing a are working with our part- DPlanning (DAUP) at signifi cant role in supporting ners to incorporate the prin- Qatar University’s College students achieving success ciples of Universal Design for of Engineering (QU-CENG) and enrolling in their desired Learning into QU’s education organised a ceremony to cel- majors and colleges.” systems where every student ebrate the 10th anniversary Hayat El Samad, assistant can learn and succeed. This of the Museum of Islamic director for student aff airs, event celebrated the continu- Art (MIA). in the FP, said “the goal of ous co-operation between the The event included research this event is to facilitate the centre and the FP as one of studies and projects related to integration of students with our major partners and one of the MIA and done by the stu- special needs in the univer- our most successful collabo- dents and faculty members. sity community and to in- ration stories in supporting QU-CENG dean Prof Ab- crease the communication and including our students dulmagid Hamouda said the opportunities among all stu- with special needs.” ceremony and the exhibition of the students’ projects refl ected the infl uence of art on their de- signs, which in turn highlight- ed the mission of the MIA as a centre of knowledge. Projects presented indicated how CENG’s students and fac- ulty members demand creativ- ity, innovation and quality in its outputs. DAUP head Dr Fodil Fadli said: “This event is unique to Italian Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Secretary-General Elisabetta us as a department since it in- A view of an exhibition held as part of the ceremony. Belloni met with Qatar’s ambassador Abdulaziz bin Ahmad volves faculty members and al-Malki al-Jehni in Rome on Thursday. During the meeting, students showcasing the best into account sustainability, research and graduate stud- they discussed the bilateral relations and ways to boost and projects related to the MIA. cultural and social aspects in a ies Prof Abbas Amira as well as develop them. In addition, they discussed topics of common Dr Fadli emphasised that the local context in line with Qatar students and faculty members interest. students’ projects and designs National Vision 2030. of QU and CENG, attended the Students who have attended the workshops were recognised at represent solutions that take CENG associate dean for event. the event.

QC gives HBKU college takes part in conferences dialysis on refugee ethics, prophetic traditions machine amad Bin Khalifa Uni- programme, took part in a panel versity’s (HBKU) College discussion titled Moderation and Hof Islamic Studies (CIS) Method of Salafi Reasoning. to Gaza continues to engage in global ac- Throughout the session, they ademic conversations on issues off ered their insights on their and concepts pertaining to Islam paper titled Moderate Salafi sm hospital Indonesian Hospital of Gaza off icial shaking hands with QC off icial and Muslim societies. in a Modernising State: The after receiving a dialysis machine. Throughout December, the Hermeneutical Approaches of n support of health services college actively participated in Dr Rajai Ray Jureidini and Dr Hossam Mohamed presented their Islamweb’s Cyber-Muftis. The in Gaza, Qatar Charity (QC) QC’s offi ce in the Gaza Strip, the cal department at the Indone- conferences held in England, paper at the Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia at the paper examines how cyber- Iprovided a kidney dialysis project aims to facilitate dialy- sian Hospital of the Gaza Strip, Germany, and Spain, where fac- Monastery of Los Jerónimos in Murcia, Spain. muftis who work at Islamweb machine to the Intensive Care sis in the ICU of the Indonesian by proving Harmonic Scalpel, ulty members delivered pres- apply the concept of modera- Unit (ICU) of the Indonesian Hospital. a surgical instrument, in co- entations or presented papers, to analyse historical policies and Inner-Islamic Pluralism held tion (wasatiyya) as a political Hospital in the northern Gaza Dr Shawqi Salem, director of operation with the Palestinian off ering their perspectives on practices of Muslim-majority by the Eberhard Karls Univer- virtue and a methodological Strip in co-operation with the the Indonesian Hospital, thanked Ministry of Health. Islamic thought and current de- countries in relation to visas and sity of Tübingen in Germany tool in their fatwas. Palestinian Ministry of Health. the benefactors in Qatar for their More than 350,000 residents velopments in the Islamic world. border controls. on December 7-8. Dr Muetaz The CIS serves as a hub for The implementation of the continued generous donations, of the northern Gaza Strip benefi t Dr Rajai Ray Jureidini, pro- Dr Emad el-Din Shahin, dean al-Khatib, assistant professor contemporary Islamic studies project came in light of the inability which contribute to the support from the services provided un- fessor at CIS, and Dr Hossam of CIS, said: “The College of Is- at CIS, explored the topic of Ha- that promotes dialogue on ideas of the hospital to meet the needs of of the hospital and the provision der the project, which is valued at Mohamed, senior researcher at lamic Studies continually pur- dith and Plurality of Methodolo- concerning Islam. The college emergency cases including kidney of urgent needs in order to serve more than QR182,000. It results in CIS, presented their paper on sues international collaborations, gies: Can Hadith be Approached off ers fi ve postgraduate degree dialysis and artifi cial respiration. the critical patients, pointing out reducing the waiting lists of pa- Ummah and the Nation State: which present an opportunity without Discipline Biases? programmes, and houses sever- The machine, which has that the dialysis machine will al- tients, as they used to wait longer Dilemmas in Refuge Ethics to engage the global community In his talk, al-Khatib ana- al distinguished research cen- been provided at a cost of about leviate the suff ering of patients in the queue to receive health during the Fourth International in dialogue and knowledge ex- lysed the theory and practice of tres, providing its students and QR150,000, benefi ts around 30 resulting from their mobility be- services due to the lack of the ad- Conference on Migrants and change on a range of topics that hadith criticism (ta‘lil) among researchers with the oppor- cases per month. tween governorates. vanced surgical instrument, thus Refugees in the Law, hosted by encompass Islamic thought. hadith critics and jurists across tunity to engage in current is- The project contributes to Salem said, “The machine will exposing them to the risk of com- the Universidad Católica San “Our recent participation in various legal schools. sues with scholars and thought saving the lives of patients and, contribute to protecting patients plications and the deterioration in Antonio de Murcia at the Mon- numerous international con- During the Future of Salafi sm leaders from around the world. at the same time, reduces the from risks and saving money, their health condition. astery of Los Jerónimos in Mur- ferences saw faculty members conference held by Oxford Uni- As one of fi ve established cost of transporting them from and, above all, this will keep pa- The health sector of the Gaza cia, Spain, on December 12-14. imparting their knowledge on versity’s Changing Structures of colleges within HBKU, CIS is the Indonesian Hospital to other tients with renal failure healthy.” Strip receives special attention The paper analyses Islamic various subjects addressing Islamic Authority (CSIA) on De- committed to furthering the hospitals, which have relevant At the beginning of this year, from QC, especially in light of the ethics and principles in the current and emerging trends in cember 5-7, Dr Alexandre Caeiro, university’s institutional pil- facilities. QC’s offi ce in the Gaza Strip has siege, the shortage of medicines treatment of ‘foreigners’, ‘guests’, Islamic studies and aff airs.” assistant professor, and Yous- lars, which are centred on peo- According to engineer Mo- implemented a project to im- and medical consumables, and the and ‘asylum-seekers’, and uses CIS also participated in a sof Salhein, recent graduate of ple, partners, innovation, and hamed Abu Halub, director of prove the services of the surgi- worsening suff ering of patients. Syrian refugees as a case study conference entitled Hadith and CIS’s Master’s in Islamic Studies excellence. Gulf Times Saturday, December 29, 2018 3 / REGION/ARAB WORLD Troop fi re kills Palestinian during protest AFP Gaza City

Palestinian man was killed yesterday by Is- A Turkish-backed Syrian rebel rides on a truck with a mounted weapon at Manbij countryside, yesterday. Araeli fi re during protests and clashes near the border be- tween the Gaza Strip and Israel, the health ministry in the coastal enclave said. Karam Fayyad, 26, was killed east of the Gaza city of Khan Yu- Russia set to host nis, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said. Eight other Palestinians were wounded by live fi re dur- ing clashes with Israeli soldiers summit on Syria along the border, Qudra added. Around 5,000 Palestinians AFP claiming that the Islamic State the Syrian regime for help to demonstrated yesterday along Moscow militants there had been de- face a threatened Turkish of- various parts of the border be- feated. fensive. tween Gaza and Israel, a spokes- “The Americans don’t al- Ankara is opposed to Kurdish woman for the Israeli army said. ussia said yesterday it ways do what they promise, far control of Syrian territory close The protesters threw stones will host a three-way from it,” Lavrov said. “Wash- to its border, saying it helps at the soldiers and also hurled Rsummit with Turkey and ington clearly wants to pass Kurdish separatists inside Tur- explosive devices which fell on Iran on the Syrian confl ict early on the responsibilities on the key. the Gaza side of the border, the next year, after Foreign Minis- ground to its partners in the Peskov said the Turkish min- spokeswoman said. ter Sergei Lavrov voiced scep- coalition.” isters’ visit to Moscow would Palestinians in the Gaza Strip ticism about an announced A Turkish delegation that in- serve to “clarify” the situation have held often violent protests Palestinian protesters run during clashes with Israeli forces across the border fence following a withdrawal of US forces. cludes Foreign Minister Mevlut and “synchronise actions” be- backed by its rulers Hamas since demonstration near the border east of Gaza City, yesterday. “It’s our turn to host the Cavusoglu and Defence Minis- tween the two countries. March 30. summit...around the fi rst ter Hulusi Akar is due in Mos- A three-way summit in Jan- Protesters are calling for Pal- week of the year. This will de- cow today to discuss the US uary would be the latest step in estinian refugees to be allowed pend on the schedules of the pullout. the Astana peace process – set to return to their former homes presidents” of the three coun- Meanwhile, Kremlin spokes- up in early 2017 by Russia and now inside Israel. tries, deputy foreign minister man Dmitry Peskov hailed the Iran, who support President At least 240 Palestinians have Mikhail Bogdanov was cited as entry yesterday by Syrian forc- Bashar al-Assad’s regime in been killed since the demonstra- saying by Interfax news agency. es into the key northern city of Syria, and opposition backer tions began, most of them by The last meeting between Manbij for the fi rst time in six Turkey. Israeli fi re during border clashes Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Iran’s years after Kurds opened the The Astana process was but also by air and tank strikes. Hassan Rouhani and Turkey’s gates. launched after Russia’s military Two Israeli soldiers have been Recep Tayyip Erdogan took “Of course, this will help in intervention in Syria tipped the killed over the same period, one place in Iran in September. stabilising the situation. The balance in the Damascus re- by a Palestinian sniper and an- Lavrov refused to comment enlargement of the zone un- gime’s favour. other during an aborted special yesterday on the US announce- der the control of government Lavrov said the “ultimate forces operation inside Gaza. ment, saying he was “waiting forces...is without doubt a goal” of the Astana process is to Israel accuses Hamas of seek- for actions to follow words.” positive trend,” he said. “restore peace in Syria, with all ing to use the protests as cover US President Donald Trump Kurdish forces who were left ethnic and religious groups at to carry out infi ltrations and at- has said he will withdraw 2,000 exposed by Trump’s pledge to ease and at peace, including the tacks, and says the army’s ac- US soldiers deployed in Syria, withdraw US troops have asked Kurds of course.” tions are necessary to defend the Palestinian youths and protesters sit together around a fire as they seek shelter from the rain, during a border. demonstration near the border with Israel east of Gaza city, yesterday. Trump adviser heads to Turkey, Israel after withdrawal

US national security adviser John Bolton said Israel’s right to strike inside Syria after criticism yesterday he would visit Turkey and Israel to co- from Russia, which backs President Bashar ordinate on Syria, after President Donald Trump’s al-Assad and will see its clout grow with the US Torrential rains fl ood displaced camps decision to withdraw all US forces. Bolton said he pullout. Moscow condemned Israel’s alleged would head in January to both Turkey — which Tuesday missile strikes near Damascus, the latest has enthusiastically backed Trump’s sudden of hundreds of raids Israel says are aimed at AFP “Many shelters, food and wa- mattresses and the carpets we and caused more than half the move — as well as Israel, a close US ally where the Iranian forces and their Hezbollah allies. Atme, Syria ter stocks were ruined by fl ood- used to sleep on,” said Umm Adi, country’s population to fl ee their pullout has caused concern. “The United States fully supports Israel’s right ing,” it said. a widow and mother of four, who homes. “We will discuss our continued work confronting to defend itself ,” State Department spokesman In the Omar camp in the town had sought refuge from the sev- Firas al-Modhi, 18, who fl ed security challenges facing allies and partners in Robert Palladino said in a statement. orrential rains have of Atme near the Turkish border, en-year confl ict in Omar camp. the town of Halfaya in the cen- the region, including the next phase of the fight “The commitment of the Trump administration washed away hundreds of two days of heavy rains fl ooded “Even the spoons and the food tral Hama province, also saw his against ISIS, as the US begins to bring troops and the American people to ensuring Israel’s se- Ttents in camps sheltering fl imsy plastic tents and turned are gone,” she said. family’s tent in Omar camp de- home from Syria,” Bolton tweeted. curity is both enduring and unshakable,” he said. displaced Syrians in the north nearby fi elds into pools of mud, “Everything was lost in the stroyed by the downpour. Trump last week unexpectedly said he was pull- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has of the war-wracked country, aid said an AFP correspondent, who fl oods. We have nothing left.” “The rain and the water sub- ing all 2,000 troops from Syria, declaring that been delighted by Trump’s hard line on Iran and groups have said, as residents toured the area on Thursday. Tens of thousands of dis- merged our tent. Everything is the United States had achieved its objective as landmark move of the US embassy in Israel to pleaded for help. Residents of the makeshift placed Syrians in the north of wet. We don’t have a blanket the Islamic State extremist movement had been Jerusalem, but the pullout from Syria has caused “On December 26...hundreds homes said the deluge destroyed the country depend on handouts left,” he said. “knocked” out. unease concern in the Jewish state. of tents were washed away in their few belongings, includ- from humanitarian aid groups, With temperatures of zero Islamic State, also known as ISIS, has lost nearly Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is set to meet Atme, Dana, Sarmada and Qah ing bedding, leaving them with including food, blankets and degrees Celsius there was little all of its territory, although thousands of its mili- next week in Brazil with Netanyahu in the wake in the northern countryside of nothing as temperatures plunged heating fuel, to survive the cold to help him and his family stay tants are thought to remain in war-battered Syria. of the Syria pullout decision, which triggered the Idlib,” the Union of Medical Care below zero. winter climate. warm, he said. The United States, meanwhile, robustly defended resignation of Defence Secretary Jim Mattis. and Relief Organisations said in a “My tent has been fl ooded and Since 2011, Syria’s war has “We appeal to aid groups to statement Thursday. the waters have carried away the killed more than 360,00 people help us,” the young man said. Two tourists dead in Egypt blast Yemen government to pay civil servants in rebel-held Hodeidah Reuters Cairo AFP On Thursday, Hadi instruct- An AFP correspondent said Hodeidah ed the government to “urgently yesterday gunfire was heard wo Vietnamese tourists work on paying the salaries of overnight in the south of were killed and 12 other all civil servants in Hodeidah the Red Sea city, whose port Tpeople were injured when he United Nations yes- province starting from Decem- serves as an entry point for a bomb blast hit their bus yes- terday welcomed a de- ber”, Saba state news agency the majority of imports and terday less than four km from Tcision by Yemen’s gov- reported. humanitarian aid to the war- Egypt’s world famous Giza pyra- ernment to pay the salaries of Earlier this month, deputy torn country. mids, authorities said. civil servants in the rebel-held central bank chief Shokeib “We heard the sounds of Ten of the injured were Viet- city of Hodeidah starting this Hobeishy said that Yemen’s jets in the early hours of the namese tourists and two were month. central bank was expecting a morning for a brief 15 min- Egyptians - the driver and a tour For more than two years, $3bn cash injection from Gulf utes, but it has been complete guide, an interior ministry state- the government has been un- allies. His statement came after calm since then,” the corre- ment said. able to pay salaries and the ri- a $2.2bn infusion by Saudi Ara- spondent said, adding that The bus was hit by an explosion yal dropped sharply against the bia to stem a slide in the Yem- the situation on the ground from an improvised device hidden dollar, leaving Yemenis unable eni riyal. More than 1mn civil remains “tense”. near a wall on Marioutiya street at to aff ord food and water. servants lost their jobs in 2016, The conflict between the around 1815 (1615 GMT), the min- “President (Abd-Rabbu when Hadi moved the central Houthi rebels and troops loy- istry said. Mansour) Hadi’s decision is bank from the rebel-held capi- al to Hadi escalated in 2015, About two hours later the bus an important step towards tal Sanaa to Aden, controlled by when he fled into Saudi exile could be seen behind a police improving the economic situ- the government. and a Saudi-led military coa- cordon with one of its sides badly ation, and alleviating the hu- A ceasefire — agreed at lition intervened. damaged and the windows blown manitarian suff ering of the peace talks in Sweden earlier Since then, the war has out, a Reuters reporter said. Yemeni people,” the offi ce of this month — went into ef- killed some 10,000 people, Dozens of police and fi refi ght- the UN special envoy to Yemen fect in Hodeidah city and its according to the World Health ers were at the scene, on a narrow Martin Griffi ths tweeted. surroundings on December 18 Organisation, although hu- sidestreet close to the ring road. “The (special envoy) hopes but has remained shaky with man rights groups say the real Police are investigating, the min- This picture taken yesterday shows the scene of an attack on a tourist bus in Giza province, south of the there will be more steps in this the warring sides accusing death toll could be five times istry said. Egyptian capital Cairo. direction.” each other of violations. as high. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, December 29, 2018 AFRICA

Independent National Election Commission (CENI) workers load a truck with voting materials that will be distributed from the CENI warehouse to various polling stations in Bukavu, yesterday. Congo election monitors warn of shaky preparations Outcome unclear after daunting 20-hour queues to vote, vote barred in some based on the average time it takes to EU slams expulsion opposition areas; Opposition use the voting machines, said Syl- of its ambassador has repeatedly warned vain Lumu, of SYMOCEL, a domes- as ‘unjustifi ed’ of ballot fraud risk tic election observation mission. Polls are scheduled to remain Congo’s decision to expel the Euro- Reuters open for 11 hours. pean Union’s ambassador ahead of Kinshasa “All these measures aim to de- contentious elections was not only crease Kinshasa’s voting power, “completely unjustified” but also since as you know Kinshasa is a “counterproductive,” a spokeswom- olling stations in Demo- city whose heart goes to the left,” an for the bloc said yesterday. cratic Republic of Congo are he said, adding that 5,000 of his Congo’s government gave EU Pill-prepared for tomorrow’s roughly 20,000 observers were ambassador Bart Ouvry 48 hours presidential vote, diplomats and This combination of pictures created yesterday shows leader of the still waiting for accreditation. to leave on Thursday, a tit-for-tat an observer mission said, as poll- Democratic Republic of Congo’s political party Union for Democracy and CENI has acknowledged that measure after the EU renewed ing released yesterday showed op- Social Progress (UDPS), Felix Tshisekedi (left), former interior minister, polling stations were reorganised, sanctions against government position candidate Martin Fayulu Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary (centre), and Democratic Republic of but said it was necessary after off icials, including the ruling party’s favoured to win. Congo’s joint opposition presidential candidate Martin Fayulu. a warehouse fi re two weeks ago presidential candidate Emmanuel Frustration has mounted across burned 80 % of voting machines Ramazani Shadary. the country after repeated elec- back to Dec 30 due to a lack of bal- mats, who has been in recent con- in Kinshasa. There is growing unrest in the tion delays and blunders as well as lot papers in the capital. At the tact with CENI offi cials. Observers from the Catho- Central African country ahead of a decision this week to shelve vot- time, the national electoral com- CENI spokespeople could not lic Church, African Union and tomorrow’s long-delayed elections, ing in several opposition strong- mission (CENI) said preparations be immediately reached for com- Southern African Development with protests breaking out over holds. would be complete by the new ment, but have said that the an- will also be present for the vote, an announcement this week that Protests fl ared for a second date. nounced results will be based on but the government has refused to voting would be delayed in several straight day in eastern cities in But two days ahead of the ballot, hand counts of print-outs from accept election observers from the opposition strongholds until March. response to the decision to cancel only about 60% of election mate- the machines — as the opposition European Union and US-based “The EU regrets this decision voting in Beni and Butembo in the rials — including sheets to tabulate has demanded. Carter Center, which said Kabila’s and considers it as completely east and Yumbi in the west. the vote — have been delivered to The election is meant to bring re-election in 2011 was marred by unjustified,” an EU spokeswoman Demonstrators see it as a ma- polling stations across the country, about the fi rst democratic transi- widespread fraud. said regarding the ambassador’s noeuvre by the government to three foreign diplomats told Reu- tion of power in the vast Central Public support for Kabila’s pre- expulsion. suppress the vote, rather than a ters on condition of anonymity. African country where regional ferred successor, Shadary, has re- precaution due to an Ebola out- Opposition leaders have ac- wars around the turn of the cen- mained fl at in recent weeks even break and militia violence. cused authorities of trying to tury resulted in millions of deaths. as the popularity of opposition known when he was picked as the In the eastern city of Goma, po- rig the vote in favour of outgo- But a chaotic election day could candidate Martin Fayulu soared. joint candidate of an opposition lice fi red tear gas during a standoff ing President Joseph Kabila’s spark fresh violence, as was the The latest poll by a New York coalition in November, but ex- with protesters, while demonstra- preferred candidate, Emmanuel case after the 2006 and 2011 elec- University-affi liated Congo Re- tensive campaigning, including in tors in Butembo barricaded the Ramazani Shadary, using elec- tions. search Group showed Fayulu Ebola-hit Beni, has since height- streets and set fi res at crossroads, tronic voting machines. According to an internal UN leapfrogging from third place in ened his profi le. according to local police. The government denies that. document seen by Reuters, the October to the top spot with 44% The unrest could spread de- Activist group Lucha said po- “If the results sheets don’t ar- CENI has increased the number support. pending on the outcome of the lice had arrested 18 of its members rive on time then it means that of voters per polling station in He was ahead of the former election, according to the poll, during the protest in Butembo. the vote results will be transferred the capital Kinshasa to 700 voters frontrunner, opposition leader which found that 48% of respond- The police confi rmed arrests via the voting machine, and that from the promised 600 by remov- Felix Tshisekedi, on 23%, and ents would certainly or probably but did not say how many. is going to enfl ame suspicions of ing 1,094 polling stations. Shadary on 18%. Fayulu, a former protest if the vote appeared to be Last week the vote was pushed fraud,” said one of these diplo- As a result, the capital could face ExxonMobil manager, was little rigged.

Tanzania seeks buyers for surplus Militants kill at least 10 in bid cashew nut output Tanzania’s government plans to sell around 150,000 tonnes of surplus cashew nuts to private buyers as factories will be unable to process all to capture Nigerian lake town the stock bought up by government from farmers, its agriculture minister said. Last month President John Reuters ern Borno state, on Wednesday Baga was the scene of mass campaign issue ahead of an elec- Magufuli ordered a 94% increase in Maiduguri, Nigeria evening. The borders of Niger- killings by Boko Haram militants tion in February in which he will cashew nut prices, to at least 3,000 ia, Niger, Chad and Cameroon in 2015 when hundreds, pos- seek a second term. The Boko shillings ($1.31) per kilogramme, to meet on the lake. Residents said sibly thousands, of people died Haram insurgency, which Buhari protect farmers from low prices and ilitants and Nigerian 10 people had been killed and and much of the town was de- promised to end when he took of- told his government to buy all of the troops have been fi ght- clashes were still going on as stroyed. fi ce in 2015, aims to create a reli- harvest. “So far, local factories includ- Ming around a fi shing the militants tried to capture the At the time Boko Haram held gious state in northeast Nigeria. ing the ones we are now reviving, town on Lake Chad as the insur- town. territory around the size of Bel- It has killed about 30,000 people can process about 100,000 tonnes. gents step up attacks in the run- But Nigerian army spokesman gium in northeast Nigeria but and forced about 2.7mn to fl ee This will make an excess of about up to a presidential election in Sani Usman said: “We are clear- were later beaten back. their homes since 2009. 150,000 tonnes of cashews of which which security is a campaign is- ing and mopping up.” This attack, however, was the A faction of the group — Is- we are likely to sell to private buyers,” sue, the army and residents said. The only military death was a latest in a string of strikes on mil- lamic State in West Africa (ISWA) Tanzania’s minister of agriculture, The Nigerian army said in a member of the navy, which sup- itary bases in the northeast. — split from Boko Haram in 2016 Japhet Hasunga, told Reuters in an statement the militants attacked ported army troops along with President Muhamadu Buhari’s and is now considered by security telephone interview. a military base in Baga, in east- the air force, Usman said. security record has become a experts to be the stronger group. 10 Burkina Faso police offi cers dead after ambush

AFP “The toll is 10 offi cers who have television, announcing an increase serious condition, were taken to a that three of the four offi cers in the Ouagadougou lost their lives and three wound- in police and army forces patrolling hospital in Dedougou, the source vehicle were wounded. ed,” the ministry said in a state- the area. The offi cers were attacked added. “A convoy of defence and “This is an area that has recent- ment, adding that a police convoy while heading to the village of Loro- security forces who were scrambled ly been the target of a number of en police offi cers were killed from the Toeni region and rein- ni, near the border with Mali, after a from Tougan to come to the scene attacks. Arrangements have been and three wounded in an am- forcements from the Dedougou school had been attacked and text- of the tragedy...also hit an explosive made for regular patrols but we Tbush in northwestern Burkina area had been ambushed. books torched by armed assailants, device that ripped through the lead are working to strengthen the se- Faso on Thursday, the west African Security minister Clement Sawa- a security source said. vehicle but fortunately did not kill curity system on all the sensitive country’s security ministry said. dogo confi rmed the toll on national The wounded, including two in anybody,” Sawadogo said, adding axes of the zone,” he said. Gulf Times Saturday, December 29, 2018 5 AMERICA

Facebook chief sees ‘progress’ Winter storms batter

AFP Washington

acebook chief Mark Zuck- large swaths of the US erberg said yesterday that Fthe world’s biggest social AFP and all that,” Anthony Scott told cautioned that roads in the up- network has “fundamentally” Chicago Texas television station KDFW per Midwestern state were changed to focus on securing its at Dallas-Fort Worth Interna- cloaked in snow. systems against manipulation tional Airport. The weather service predicted and misinformation. wo deaths have been at- “I have to go back to work the the treacherous weather would Capping a tumultuous year tributed to severe weather fi rst of the year. So this is my continue through the weekend marked by data protection scan- Tin the US Midwest as time,” he said. “This was my lit- across the country. dals and government probes, heavy snow and high winds tle vacation. I’m not trying to Heavy snow was expected in Zuckerberg said he is “proud of snarled air and ground trans- spend it in the airport.” the southwestern state of New the progress we’ve made” in ad- portation during a busy holiday Numerous roads were closed Mexico from a new storm, with dressing Facebook’s problems. travel period. on Thursday in the Dakotas, as much as 18” was possible, the “For 2018, my personal chal- More than 450 fl ight cancella- Minnesota, Kansas and Iowa. NWS said. lenge has been to focus on ad- tions and 2,900 delays were re- Ground crews worked to clear To the south, heavy rains were dressing some of the most ported as of yesterday morning aff ected areas, but many re- forecast in the central Gulf Coast important issues facing our as the winter storm blanketed mained packed with snow and and stretching east to the mid- community – whether that’s areas from the north central ice yesterday. Atlantic. preventing election interfer- plains and the Midwest with 8” The South Dakota Depart- A risk of fl ash fl ooding was ence, stopping the spread of hate to 12” of snow. ment of Transportation said ad- possible in a few areas. speech and misinformation, As much snow, if not more, visories warning against travel The nasty weather was still no making sure people have control was forecast to fall in the com- remained in eff ect. match for a colossal blizzard that of their information, and ensur- ing days in the southwestern “Roads are icy, blowing snow smothered the eastern United ing our services improve peo- state of New Mexico, along with is still limiting visibility,” the States in January 2016. ple’s well-being,” he wrote on his a deluge of rain in some southern agency said. “Crews are working That storm shut down New Facebook page. and eastern states – ruining New but mother nature is making safe York and Washington, leaving 15 “We’re a very diff erent com- Year travel plans for thousands This satellite image obtained courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) travel tough.” people dead and impacting some pany today than we were in 2016, of Americans. shows severe weather – heavy snow and high winds – in the US Midwest. More than 450 flight Yesterday North Dakota lifted 85mn residents. or even a year ago. We’ve funda- Millions more in the South cancellations and 2,900 delays were reported as of yesterday morning. a no-travel advisory that had Forecasters said that the mentally altered our DNA to fo- were warned of potential fl ood- been issued for the entire east storm – dubbed “Snowzilla” – cus more on preventing harm in ing from heavy rains. home, according to TV station More than 6,500 fl ights were Some airline passengers re- side of the state, even as drift- dumped 22.2” in Washington all our services, and we’ve sys- A 58-year-old woman in Lou- WDSU. delayed and some 800 more ported being stranded for days. ing snow continued to frustrate and 25.1” in New York’s Central tematically shifted a large por- isiana was killed on Wednesday In Kansas, icy roads caused a were cancelled on Thursday, “I didn’t want to spend three drivers. Park, the third highest accu- tion of our company to work on evening when lightning struck fatal car crash on Thursday on an according to the fl ight tracking days in the airport, missing out National Weather Service mulation since records began in preventing harm.” a tree, which then fell on her interstate highway. website FlightAware. on the holidays – New Year’s (NWS) offi cials in Minnesota 1869. He said that Facebook now has more than 30,000 people “working on safety” and invests billions of dollars in security. Zuckerberg’s comments come at the close of a year when Face- Angelina Jolie hints Trump gets most blame for govt shutdown book was roiled by revelations about the misuse of personal data by the political consultancy at move into politics Reuters the Reuters/Ipsos poll said they The remaining 80% is fully- framed the shutdown as a parti- Cambridge Analytica in the 2016 New York/Washington backed the inclusion of money funded and is unaff ected by the san issue, saying: “Do the Dems US election and on data sharing for the wall in a congressional shutdown. realise that most of the people with business partners. Reuters spending bill. The departments of Home- not getting paid are Demo- However, he said that the London ore Americans blame Only 25% said they supported land Security, Justice, Agri- crats?” questions around Facebook are President Donald Trump shutting down the gov- culture, Commerce and other The assertion, for which “more than a one-year chal- MTrump than congres- ernment over the matter. agencies, shut down “non-es- Trump provided no evidence, lenge” and that the California ngelina Jolie hinted yes- sional Democrats for the partial The shutdown has a had lim- sential” operations on Saturday drew immediate criticism from giant is in the process of “multi- terday that she could US government shutdown, a ited impact so far, partly due to after a tentative funding deal Democrats. year plans to overhaul our sys- Aone day enter politics, Reuters/Ipsos poll released on vacations for the 800,000 fed- collapsed over Trump’s renewed “Federal employees don’t go tems”. as she urged global leaders to Thursday found, as lawmakers eral workers aff ected, though insistence that wall funding be to work wearing red or blue jer- “In the past we didn’t focus do more to help refugees and returned to Washington with that could change soon. provided. seys,” Democratic Senator Mark as much on these issues as we women in confl ict. no quick end to the shutdown in Government agencies began The House has approved a Warner wrote on Twitter. needed to, but we’re now much Asked whether she was sight. notifying the public on Thurs- shutdown-ending spending “They’re public servants. And more proactive,” he said. moving towards a political ca- Forty-seven per cent of adults day about service disruptions. measure that includes Trump’s the president is treating them The comments follow a mes- reer, the Hollywood star, an hold Trump responsible, while The Federal Emergency Man- demand for $5bn, but its pros- like poker chips at one of his sage from Zuckerberg in January, envoy for the UN refugee agen- Jolie: I honestly will do 33% blame Democrats in Con- agement Agency (FEMA) said pects in the Senate were seen as failed casinos,” the lawmaker before many of Facebook’s trou- cy who has also campaigned on whatever I think can really gress, according to the Decem- that the shutdown means it poor. said. bles emerged, when he outlined sexual violence against wom- make change ber 21-25 poll, conducted most- cannot process new fl ood insur- Trump argues that his wall The Reuters/Ipsos poll was his goals of stemming abuse en, said that she would “go ly after the shutdown began. ance policies, possibly disrupt- is needed to stem illegal immi- conducted online in English and hate and foreign interfer- where I’m needed”. UN members earlier this Seven per cent of Americans ing home sales. gration and drugs entering the across the United States. ence, among other things, on the “If you asked me 20 years month adopted a deal aimed at blamed congressional Republi- The Offi ce of Personnel Man- country - a key plank in his 2016 It gathered responses from network used by more than 2bn ago, I would’ve laughed,” she improving the way world copes cans. agement, which oversees the presidential campaign. 2,440 adults, including 946 people. said in an interview with Brit- with rising migration. The shutdown was triggered federal workforce, off ered ad- Earlier this month, he said he Democrats and 846 Republi- “My personal challenge for ish broadcaster the BBC. “I The non-binding pact, by Trump’s demand that tax- vice to government employees would be “proud to shut down cans. 2018 is to focus on fi xing these don’t know if I’m fi t for poli- meant to foster co-operation payers provide him with $5bn to on staving off creditors if pay the government” over wall It has a credibility interval, a important issues,” Zuckerberg tics, but then I’ve also joked on migration, was agreed in help pay for a wall he wants to cheques lapse. funding. measure of the poll’s precision, said in January. that I don’t know if I have a July by all 193 UN members build on the Mexican border. The wall dispute coincided On Twitter, since the shut- of two percentage points for the In yesterday’s message, Zuck- skeleton left in my closet.” except the United States, but Its total estimated cost is with the expiration of funding down started, he has tried to entire sample and four points erberg enumerated a series of Jolie said her work with the only 164 formally signed it at $23bn. for about 20% of the govern- blame the Democrats. for members of either political steps taken over the past year, United Nations and other or- the meeting. Just 35% of those surveyed in ment. In a tweet on Thursday, he party. including fact-checking part- ganisations enabled her to “get “This should not be seen as nerships, advertising transpar- a lot done without a title”, but a headache for people. This is ency and artifi cial intelligence to did not rule out a future switch. how we need our leaders to be remove harmful content. “I honestly will do whatever thinking about balancing our He added that Facebook’s sys- I think can really make change world,” she added. tems are also being retooled with and right now, I am able to Jolie, a mother of six who New York the aim of helping “improve work with a UN agency ... to do last year released her fi lm First people’s well-being”, based on a lot of work directly with the They Killed My Father about research it conducted. people in need,” she said. Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge re- night sky The research, he said, “found “I’m also able to work with gime, launched the Preventing that when people use the Inter- governments and I’m also able Sexual Violence Initiative in net to interact with others, that’s to work with militaries. And so 2012 with Britain’s former for- turns blue associated with all the positive I sit in a very interesting place eign minister William Hague. aspects of well-being ... but of being able to get a lot done Nato agreed in January to when you just use the Internet without a title and without it help report on sexual violence AFP/DPA/Reuters to consume content passively, being about myself or my poli- in war to help bring perpetra- New York that’s not associated with those cies. So for now I’ll sit quiet.” tors to justice and challenge same positive eff ects”. The Oscar-winning ac- the idea that rape is an una- One of the changes aims to tor has in recent years visited voidable aspect of confl ict. n alien invasion? The reduce “viral videos” that are refugee camps to highlight However, there have been Rapture? The sky fl ashed shared across the Facebook plat- the plight of those uprooted questions over the eff ective- Aan eerie blue over New form. by war, and broadened her ness of the initiative, especially York City on Thursday night “These changes intentionally international eff orts to pro- in light of the alleged mass rape and social media users feared reduced engagement and rev- tect women, working with the of Rohingya women in Myan- the worst. The night sky turns blue over New York City, as seen from Weehawken, New Jersey, US, in this still enue in the near term, although North Atlantic Treaty Organi- mar during a crackdown that Extraterrestrial activity was image obtained from a social media video. we believe they’ll help us build a sation (Nato) and governments forced 720,000 refugees to fl ee a leading theory: “IM SORRY stronger community and busi- to help stop the use of rape as a to Bangladesh. WHAT???? THE SKY JUST port were treated to potential volved some electrical trans- it was the end of the world.” ness over the long term,” Zuck- weapon of war. Interviewed on BBC Radio’s TURNED BLUE???? literally so delays as well as a light show. formers and caused a trans- “I saw the light come and erberg said. With 68.5mn people up- Today programme, which she confused I think aliens just tried “Due to a power outage in mission dip in the area. We’re then everything looked blue,” rooted globally, she said more guest edited, Jolie said that the to steal New York,” one user Queens, there is partial fl ight currently investigating the said Catalina Romero, another needed to be done to support campaign had made a diff er- wrote on Twitter. operations @LGAairport. Many cause of the incident.” Astoria resident. “All my neigh- refugees and host communi- ence. “Apparently aliens are land- fl ights are departing, some are The blue fl ashes that briefl y bours went out. I knew some- ties in developing countries. “I have met victims who ing in New York City right now not,” the airport wrote on its lit up the night sky in the As- thing was wrong. “The focus should be what fi nally got reparations when bcs the sky’s blue,” wrote an- Twitter account, later adding toria area of Queens, New York, “Many people panicked It is happening to these people? they didn’t have them before,” other. that power was back in “all ter- shortly after 9pm (0200 GMT) was like daylight. The lights Why is this happening? How she said. “When there are “Why is the sky lit up bright minals” and advising passen- were caused by a power surge went out for 10 minutes.” do we have this many peo- prosecutions and when there blue in Queens New York City gers to check with airlines for and electrical “arching” and The anti-climactic explana- Zuckerberg: We’re a very ple uprooted and what are the is accountability, we will see a right now? Is it fi reworks?” fl ight status information. sparked a transformer explosion tion was disappointing to some. diff erent company today causes?” Jolie said. real change.” Louis Santoro, a New York City In the end, the explanation and a small fi re, said Con Edison “I wish the blue sky in New resident, wrote on Twitter. turned out to be somewhat more spokesman Bob McGee. York was aliens and not a power One resident, Joe Calderone, mundane than the end of times “There was a boom and a plant on fi re,” one Twitter user Michelle Obama is most admired woman in US: Gallup poll told the New York Post: “Damn, or invaders from outer space: a bang and a fl ash of light,” said wrote. I thought a UFO hit Con Ed.” problem at a local power plant. Jim Long, a spokesman for Fire Con Edison’s McGee reas- Hillary Clinton has lost her top spot among the second-most admired woman, behind Angelina Jolie, In this trying time, some saw “The lights you have seen Department New York. sured residents after Internet women most admired by people in the US after 17 in a YouGov poll. the hand of God at work: “Don’t throughout the city appear to “It’s all under control but speculation that aliens or the years to Michelle Obama, according to a Gallup poll. Clinton, a former secretary of state and first lady who worry, New Yorkers. The blue have been from a transformer we’re still getting calls from villain Thanos from the recent Obama, whose recently published autobiography, lost the 2016 presidential election, was now number light you saw in the sky was just explosion at a Con Ed facility in residents wondering what hap- Avengers movie Infi nity War had Becoming, is a bestseller, was the choice of 15% of three on the list published on Thursday, behind the Rapture,” one tweet said. Queens. The fi re is under con- pened,” he said early yesterday. invaded. 1,025 people surveyed, up from 7% in 2017. entertainment mogul Oprah Winfrey. Another Twitter user noted trol, will update as more info be- “I thought it was a terrorist “No, it wasn’t space aliens,” As first lady she took on a number of causes On the men’s side, Michelle’s husband, former that people had been warned comes available,” the New York attack. Everything was fl ooded he said. including an eff ort to fight obesity among children in president Barack Obama, came in first. to change their ways: “What’s Police Department tweeted. with smoke. New York City Mayor Bill the US, calling for healthy eating and exercise. Others who made the list include Melania Trump happening in the sky in New Con Edison, the power com- It looked like blue fi re. It was de Blasio said in a message on She has also been a staunch advocate for women’s with 4% – the same as Hillary Clinton; Queen York? If it’s the rapture, I just pany, tweeted that: “There so big it was like the whole sky Twitter that Con Edison was rights, both in and out of the White House. Elizabeth and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, wanna say I told y’all to quit it.” was a brief electrical fi re at our turned blue,” Astoria resident evaluating the extent of power Earlier this year, Obama was named the world’s both with 2%. Travellers at LaGuardia air- substation in Astoria which in- Ziad Elnokrashy said. “I thought outages in the area. Gulf Times 6 Saturday, December 29, 2018 ASIA The octogenarian challenging Bangladesh’s ‘autocrat’ Hasina

AFP While the prime minister denies ronment”. “We’ve had violence cerned by the high level of cam- forces, according to civil rights a capital B” and that he wants to Dhaka wrongdoing, she has a growing in elections (before) but this paign violence over the last two groups while the BNP claims restore democracy and Bangla- number of critics at home and time it is systemic and continual weeks,” while the United Nations Zia’s imprisonment is politically desh’s institutions. abroad. “It is really tragic that we violence,” said Hossain. “I never has appealed for calm. motivated. “Is she really Bangabandhu’s or Kamal Hossain — the are are having to witness this in knew you could have so many Hasina is set for a comfortable Hasina denies a descent into (Rahman’s) daughter? It has gone Oxford-educated architect the 47th year of independence,” goons who could be organised win, according to an opinion poll, authoritarianism but Hossain to that level. “We are the victims Fof Bangladesh’s constitu- Hossain told AFP in an interview and deployed all across the coun- securing her a third-consecutive insists she has become an “au- of someone who has no commit- tion — Prime Minister Sheikh at his Dhaka home. try,” he added. term and extending her record tocrat” and says he fi nds it “very, ment to democracy,” he told AFP. Hasina is an ‘autocrat’ who has “Those who are in govern- The BNP and its Islamist ally, as the country’s longest serving very painful” since he helped her Hossain, who walks with the aid betrayed the legacy of her inde- ment know that in any fair elec- Jamaat-e-Islami, say that around ruler. return to Bangladesh following of a stick, insists that as an octo- pendence hero father. tion they would lose hands down. 13,000 of their supporters have The Awami League leader her father’s assassination in 1975. genarian he has no intentions of The 82-year-old former friend That’s the sad thing,” he added. been detained since the elec- won a landslide victory in 2008 Rahman was the founding trying to become president after of Bangladesh’s fi rst president Hossain, a lawyer, was Bangla- tion timetable was announced and the BNP boycotted the 2014 father of Bangladesh and also the election. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman heads desh’s fi rst law minister follow- on November 8. The BNP, whose election, saying it was not free served as prime minister, gain- He believes that senior poli- an alliance opposing Hasina’s ing independence from Pakistan leader Khaleda Zia is serving 17 and fair, gifting her a return to ing the nickname Bangabandhu, ticians must bring through the bid for a historic fourth term in a in 1971 and headed the commit- Kamal Hossain years in jail on graft charges, says power. Now civil society and meaning “Friend of Bengal”. He next generation because once a general election tomorrow. tee that drew up a constitution eight of its supporters have been rights groups accuse Hasina’s was killed, along with most of his leader is viewed as irreplaceable Hossain accuses Hasina’s the following year. He alleges International observers back killed by Awami League activists government of silencing dissent family, in a military coup. “it’s the beginning of the end”. “I Awami League party of trampling that there has been “overwhelm- claims that government oppo- during the election campaign. by muzzling the press and jailing Hossain was close to Rahman have said I will be around to help, over Bangladesh’s hard-won ing violence” against members nents are being targeted, with According to police three Awami journalists. and Hasina, until they fell out advise and assist but you must democratic freedoms by lock- of the opposition coalition led by Human Rights Watch saying that League supporters have died. Hundreds of people have be- politically in the 1990s. get people in their 50s so that you ing up and attacking opposition the Bangladesh Nationalist Party the election was being conducted US ambassador Earl Miller come victims of enforced disap- Hossain says Hasina has be- can nurture leadership for the activists in a bid to rig the poll. (BNP). in a “repressive political envi- said “the United States is con- pearances blamed on security trayed her father’s legacy “with next 20 years,” he said.

Mobile Internet speeds slowed down? Bangladesh has ordered the order was issued late on the shutdown of high-speed Thursday by the Bangladesh mobile Internet services ahead Telecommunication Regulatory of this weekend’s national Commission (BTRC). Reuters election, the Daily Star reported could not reach BTRC off icials Fresh violence breaks out yesterday citing an e-mail yesterday, a public holiday sent to mobile operators by in Bangladesh, and there the telecom authority. The was no notification on the newspaper said people using commission’s website. However, the Internet on their phones a Reuters reporter could still would not be able to stream or use 4G services on his phone ahead of Bangladesh polls upload pictures or videos after yesterday morning.

AFP Dhaka Weakened opposition angladesh’s general elec- tion campaign ended yes- Bterday with more deadly pins hopes on change violence and arrests of opposi- tion activists which have raised international concern as Prime Reuters of power and say they will return Minister Sheikh Hasina seeks a Dhaka to government with an over- record fourth term. whelming majority. A ruling Awami League party Hasina told supporters on supporter was killed by oppo- ampaigning for Bangla- Thursday they must “ensure vic- sition Bangladesh Nationalist desh’s general election at tory of pro-liberation forces”, a Party (BNP) followers, police Cthe weekend ended yes- reference to Bangladesh’s inde- said, while the BNP claimed 19 terday after weeks of violence, pendence from Pakistan in 1971 more of its activists had been mainly against workers and of- led by her father, Sheikh Mujibur detained ahead of tomorrow’s fi cials from an opposition al- Rahman. The Economist Intel- election. liance, that has been criticised ligence Unit expects her party The offi cial campaign ended by the United States and others. to win a third term. The BNP at 8am yesterday after seven Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s said more than 8,200 opposi- weeks of widespread street Awami League is seeking its third tion leaders and activists from a clashes and accusations of an straight term against the main coalition of about 20 parties have offi cial crackdown on the oppo- opposition Bangladesh National- been arrested since the election sition. ist Party (BNP), which boycotted schedule was announced early An opinion poll indicated the last vote in 2014. last month. Four workers were Hasina is favourite to win despite killed and more than 12,300 in- the controversy. Police said the The BNP said more than jured, it said. Awami League supporter was 8,200 opposition leaders The Awami League has in turn beaten to death in the northeast- and activists from a said the BNP and its partners ern city of Sylhet late Thursday. coalition of about 20 were behind attacks that killed at They had reported two earlier parties have been arrested least fi ve of its workers over the deaths of Awami League activ- since the election schedule past three weeks. Police declined ists since the campaign opened was announced early last to confi rm the fi gures. Mahbub on November 8. The BNP says month Talukdar, one of Bangladesh’s fi ve eight of its supporters have been Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stand guard in front of Government Printing Press in Dhaka. election commissioners, has said killed in election clashes. The Awami League is promot- there has not been a level playing Sylhet police chief Shah fi nal rally in the capital. Hasina the jailing of its leader Khaleda uty chief Fakhrul Islam Alam- also called for a vote “free of ing its economic record over the fi eld, although other commission- Harunur Rashid told AFP that has shrugged off accusations of Zia this year on graft charges. gir said. The campaign troubles violence, intimidation and coer- past decade but the BNP-led op- ers have said they expected the two BNP supporters had been using authoritarian tactics, and It says that 9,222 workers and have put Bangladesh in an inter- cion,” according to a spokesman. position alliance, many of whose election would be free and fair. arrested for the latest killing. in her fi nal campaign statement supporters have been arrested national spotlight. An opinion poll has showed leaders have been jailed, has Earl Miller, the US ambassa- The BNP said the the man died in urged Bangladesh’s 104mn vot- during the election campaign US ambassador Earl Miller Hasina is poised for a comfort- vowed to remove curbs on the dor to Bangladesh, said all par- a confl ict among Awami League ers to re-elect her to boost the and that half of its candidates said “the United States is con- able win. The Awami League media, raise wages and freeze en- ties had been victims of violence, supporters. Nineteen BNP ac- impoverished South Asian na- were attacked by ruling party cerned by the high level of cam- leader won a landslide victory in ergy prices. “The government has including women and minority tivists were arrested when police tion’s economic development. supporters. Its Islamist ally, paign violence over the last two 2008 and the BNP boycotted the lost moral support,” BNP Secre- candidates. “However, it appears and paramilitary guards raided Bangladesh’s economy has Jamaat-e-Islami, says more weeks,” following a meeting 2014 election, saying it was not tary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam opposition party candidates the election camp of a BNP can- grown at an impressive average than 3,600 of its activists were with Bangladesh’s election chief free and fair, gifting her a return Alamgir told a news conference have borne the brunt of most didate and several villages in of 6.3% every year since she won also detained. late Thursday. to power. late on Thursday, urging voters to violence,” he said in a statement southern Bangladesh, police and a landslide in December 2008. The opposition has depend- He added that while all parties But since her last victory, civil “restore democracy”. after meeting Election Commis- BNP offi cials told AFP. “Much work is still pending and ed on social media to lobby for have been victims, “it appears society and rights groups have “But the people are with us. sion offi cials. Miller said all can- Thousands of Awami League it depends on the people cast- votes, saying that harassment opposition party candidates accused Hasina’s government of They want change,” he said. didates and voters must be able to supporters rallied in Dhaka early ing a vote for us. Then we will has confi ned many candidates to have borne the brunt of most silencing dissent and muzzling The BNP’s preparations have take part without “harassment, yesterday as candidates made a be able to return to power and their homes. violence.” the press. been hamstrung by the Febru- intimidation, or violence” and last-minute pitch for votes. The complete the work,” she said The BNP stepped up a des- Miller said everyone in Bang- Zia, an arch-rival of the prime ary jailing of their chairwoman, that an independent media must BNP, which says thousands of its late Thursday. The BNP accuses perate call for people to vote on ladesh must be able to vote minister, was jailed for 17 years former prime minister Khaleda be allowed to cover the election. activists have been locked up in a the prime minister of clamping Sunday. “On that day this coun- “without harassment, intimi- this year on graft charges that Zia, on what they call trumped- The United Nations has made a bid to rig the election, said it had down on democracy and free- try will be yours. You will take dation, or violence”. UN Secre- her party says are politically up corruption charges. Awami similar call for a “peaceful, cred- been prevented from holding its dom of speech – including over back its ownership,” BNP dep- tary-General Antonio Guterres motivated. League leaders deny any misuse ible and inclusive poll”.

Six men arrested in Vietnam for 278 skeletons found at killing, eating Rebels breach Myanmar endangered Sri Lanka mass grave monkey

AFP said Rajapakshe. More than Six men were arrested in 20 of the remains were of ceasefi re in army attack central Vietnam for killing and Colombo children. He added that fur- eating an endangered monkey ther forensics examinations AFP Myanmar name, said their sol- spokesman with RCSS’s liaison said they are honouring the while livestreaming it on a ome 278 skeletons have would be needed to establish Yangon diers stationed in Shan state offi ce in Taunggyi, the capital of ceasefi re with Myanmar govern- social media site, police said been found at one of the causes of death, but said that were attacked on Thursday by Shan State, denied the Myanmar ment troops and there has been yesterday. Sbiggest mass graves un- some of the victims appeared troops from the Shan State Army army’s account. “Our local mili- “no off ensive” against them. The traff icking and covered in Sri Lanka since the to have been bound. yanmar’s army ac- (SSA) — also known as the Res- tary commanders said it didn’t “We have been instructed to consumption of rare and end of the country’s civil war “Our task has been to gath- cused rebels yesterday toration Council of Shan State happen among us,” Lieutenant stay in our own area,” he told endangered species is almost a decade ago, a top in- er evidence to determine the Mof attacking and kill- (RCSS). Colonel Sai Oo told AFP. “We AFP. widespread in Vietnam as vestigator said yesterday. cause of death, time since ing “some” of its soldiers, the “Some Tatmadaw men were have instructed our troops on Confl icts have been fester- many still believe in the Dozens of women and death, contributing circum- fi rst skirmish acknowledged killed and some injured in the the ground level already to avoid ing in border areas since inde- healing and medicinal qualities children as well as men were stances, and the specific by the military in the wake of a attack were sent to the military fi ghting.” pendence from Britain 70 years of the animals’ body parts. buried at the site in Man- identity of the individuals in rare ceasefi re with ethnic armed hospital... for treatment,” said a Even with the army’s decla- ago, with various armed groups But the sale of the animals nar where Tamil guerrillas this site,” said Rajapakshe. groups. statement from the Offi ce of the ration of a ceasefi re, Myanmar’s fi ghting for autonomy, identity, occurs on the black market, fought security forces during Mannar was a key bat- The military announced last Commander-in-Chief. border regions are subjected resources and territory. and consumers rarely the conflict, said Samindra tleground in Sri Lanka’s four week it would suspend “all mili- “The Tatmadaw will strongly to fi ghting between opposing The peace process has been broadcast the killing and Rajapakshe, senior judicial decade-long separatist con- tary movements” in the troubled stand by its...ceasefi re declara- armed groups. defacto leader Aung San Suu eating of the creatures, medical officer in the north- flict in which the Tamil Tigers northern and eastern regions for tion and respond in line with the The situation on the ground is Kyi’s stated priority since her which are protected under ern city. waged a bloody war against four months, a move observers law to the attacks of the SSA.” “very complicated”, said Briga- party swept to power in land- Vietnam’s conservation laws. The mass grave was un- government troops. The war say is unprecedented. The army also hit out at lo- dier General Tarr Phone Kyaw, a mark elections in 2015, as the The six men, aged from 35 to covered in March by con- ended in 2009 after a major Halting a simmering decades- cal news outlets for publishing spokesman for the Taaung Na- country opened up following 59, filmed themselves with struction workers preparing military offensive. long civil war could be a way to reports of skirmishes between tional Liberation Army (TNLA) half a century of military rule. a mobile phone eating a live to build a co-operative store. A government appointed coax ethnic armed groups into a the Tatmadaw and other armed – one of the larger ethnic armed But she has had no say over langur monkey and streamed “After 118 working days we panel said in 2013 that about fractious peace process, which groups, threatening “action groups battling the military in security policy, with the military the gruesome video on have unearthed 278 skeletons 19,000 people were missing has been marred by continuous in accordance with the law”, the northeast. retaining key government posts Facebook on November 17. which included the remains since the conflict, including fi ghting in restive border areas. said a statement posted by the While the TNLA is still bat- in a delicate power-sharing ar- They were finally identified of men, women and children,” 5,000 troops. But the Tatmadaw, the military’s military’s information team. A tling the RCSS, Tarr Phone Kyaw rangement. and arrested on Thursday. Gulf Times Saturday, December 29, 2018 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Indonesia trims tsunami death toll, hikes injury tally

AFP Jakarta

he number of people evac- uated after Indonesia’s Tdeadly tsunami has nearly doubled to some 40,000 while more than 7,000 were injured in the disaster, offi cials said yester- day, as they trimmed the offi cial death toll. Authorities said 426 people had been killed — down from a previous tally of 430 — with double-counting by diff erent districts blamed for the change. Two dozen people remain miss- ing almost a week after the dis- Rescuers carrying out one of 18 stranded sea turtles on the beach in Kalianda, after the turtles were found aster. washed ashore after the tsunami. The fresh fi gures come a day after Indonesia’s disaster agen- cy raised the danger alert level Tsunami raises fears for endangered Javan rhino for an erupting volcano that sparked the killer tsunami at the Indonesia’s tsunami has raised ary habitat for the rhinos. “It’s sources and safety from poach- weekend. fears that another deadly wave become our duty to work harder ers are among the key criteria, They have also warned that could wipe out the few dozen to find a second habitat because Rahmat said. “There are still a fresh activity at the crater Javan rhinos still living in the the danger is real,” national park lot of issues to be worked out,” threatened to trigger another wild, conservation authori- chief Mamat Rahmat told AFP. he added. The rhinos’ current deadly wave. Previously, the ties said yesterday. There are “We’re lucky that the tsunami did sanctuary in the park comprises number of displaced — includ- believed to be fewer than 70 of not aff ect the Javan rhinos this some 5,100 hectares (12,600 ing many left homeless — stood Mount Anak Krakatau volcano spews hot ash as seen from Carita in Pandeglang, Banten, Indonesia, yesterday. the critically endangered species time. But the threat is there and acres) of lush rainforest and at 22,0000 but that fi gure has in a national park not far from a we need to act accordingly.” freshwater streams. Several years now jumped to just over 40,000, “But it’s a last-ditch option away from the area. A section of most disaster-hit nations on rumbling volcano that triggered Widodo Ramono, head of the ago, three calves were filmed in according to the latest tally. because it’s not easy with lim- the crater – which emerged at Earth due to its position strad- Saturday’s killer wave. None Rhino Conservation Foundation the national park, raising hopes Some 7,202 people suff ered ited space and people reluctant the site of the Krakatoa volcano, dling the so-called Pacifi c Ring of the animals are believed to of Indonesia, added: “If you’ve for the future of the world’s rarest injuries, jumping from 1,495, to move away.” whose massive 1883 eruption of Fire, where tectonic plates have been killed in the disaster – only got one habitat and there’s rhino after years of population while nearly 1,300 homes were A no-go zone around rum- killed at least 36,000 people – collide. which left more than 400 people another tsunami, the rhinos decline. The shy creature, whose destroyed as the waves crashed bling Anak Krakatoa has been collapsed after an eruption and The tsunami was Indonesia’s dead – but off icials are warning could be wiped out completely.” folds of loose skin give it the into the coastlines of western widened to 5km — up from a slid into the ocean, triggering third major natural disaster in that another deadly wave could Plans to find a second home for appearance of wearing armour Java island and south Sumatra, previous 2km — with residents Saturday night’s killer wave. six months, following a series slam into the stricken region. the species have been in the plating, once numbered in the authorities said. warned to stay away from the Before and after satellite im- of powerful earthquakes on the That is putting pressure on works for about eight years, with thousands and roamed across “We’re recommending that coast. ages taken by Japan’s space island of Lombok in July and conservationists at Ujung Kulon conservationists surveying areas Southeast Asia. But, like other people who lived near the beach The crater’s status has been agency showed that a 2sq km August and a quake-tsunami in National Park, on the western all over Java and neighbour- rhino species across the world, be permanently relocated,” na- raised to high alert, the second- chunk of the volcanic island had September that killed around tip of Indonesia’s main island of ing Sumatra but so far without poaching and human encroach- tional disaster agency spokes- highest warning on Indonesia collapsed into the water. 2,200 people in Palu on Sulawesi Java, to ramp up a longstanding success, he said. The size of the ment on its habitat has led to a man Sutopo Purwo Nugroho four-point danger scale. Indonesia, a vast Southeast island, with thousands more plan to find a suitable second- habitat, climate, food and water dramatic population decline. told a press briefi ng in Jakarta. Flights are being redirected Asian archipelago, is one of the missing and presumed dead. Weapons radar row fl ares up Mystery hacker steals information on between South Korea, Japan 1,000 North Korean defectors in South

AFP Reuters in the southern city of Gumi. denounces them as “human for bankruptcy following a cy- Seoul Seoul “The malware was planted scum” and accuses South Ko- berattack linked to the North. through e-mails sent by an in- rean spies of kidnapping some North Korean state media has ternal address,” a ministry offi - of them. denied those cyberattacks. row between Seoul and he personal information cial told reporters on condition The ministry offi cial declined The latest data breach comes Tokyo escalated yesterday of nearly 1,000 North of anonymity, due to the sensi- to say if North Korea was be- at a delicate time for the two Aafter Japan released video TKoreans who defected tivity of the issue, referring to a lieved to have been behind the Koreas which have been rapidly it said backed up its claim that a to South Korea has been leaked Hana centre e-mail account. hack, or what the motive might improving their relations after South Korean warship had locked after unknown hackers got ac- The Hana centre is among have been, saying a police in- years of confrontation. its weapons targeting system cess to a resettlement agency’s 25 institutes the ministry runs vestigation was under way to “We’re sorry this has hap- onto a Japanese plane. database, the South Korean around the country to help determine who did it. pened and will make eff orts to South Korea condemned the Unifi cation Ministry said yes- some 32,000 defectors adjust North Korean hackers have in prevent it from recurring,” the release of the footage and reit- terday. to life in the richer, democratic the past been accused of cyber- ministry offi cial said.Several erated its rejection of the Japa- South Korean Navy’s Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyer DDH 971 is The ministry said it discov- South by providing jobs, medi- attacks on South Korean state defectors, including one who nese allegations. Tensions have seen from Japan Self-Defence Force’s airplane in this photo released by ered last week that the names, cal and legal support. agencies and businesses. became a South Korean tel- fl ared since Japan alleged that a Japan’s Ministry of Defense. birth dates and addresses of Defectors, most of whom North Korea stole clas- evision celebrity, have disap- South Korean destroyer last week 997 defectors had been stolen risked their lives to fl ee pov- sifi ed documents from the peared in recent years only to aimed its fi re-control radar at a ministry yesterday released on “Instead, it is very disap- through a computer infected erty and political oppression, South’s defence ministry and turn up later in North Korean Japanese maritime patrol plane its homepage a 13-minute video pointing that the Japanese patrol with malicious software at an are a source of shame for North a shipbuilder last year, while a state media, criticising South in the Sea of Japan off the eastern fi lmed by the aircraft which it aircraft conducted a low-altitude agency called the Hana centre, Korea. Its state media often cryptocurrency exchange fi led Korea and the fate of defectors. coast of South Korea. said supported its allegations. fl ight in a threatening manner Seoul has denied the allega- Tokyo said the footage contained against our ship which was in- tions, saying the ship was merely scenes where the plane was hit volved in a humanitarian rescue China daycare searching for a North Korean multiple times by the fi re-control mission,” it said. It dismissed the fi shing boat that was drifting radar. “We express deep concern footage as failing to stand up as teacher jailed Xiao walks free near the inter-Korean sea bor- and regret” over the unilateral evidence as it only shows scenes der. In a bid to defuse tensions, release of the footage, the South of the ship from the circling over ‘needle’ defence authorities from both Korean defence ministry said in a plane. The spat has further com- abuse scandal sides held a video conference statement yesterday. “As we have plicated already tense relations on Thursday and “exchanged stated repeatedly, the Gwang- between the neighbours who are A Chinese kindergarten opinions regarding the truth and gaeto destroyer was engaging in tangled in disputes over Tokyo’s teacher was yesterday jailed technical analysis to remove mis- a normal rescue operation and it claim to a remote island control- for 18 months for abusing chil- understandings,” the South Ko- remains as a fact that the ship did led by Seoul and Japan’s denial of dren with needles, a Beijing rean defence ministry said. not use” the fi re-control radar, it legal responsibility for wartime court said, sparking criticism But the Japanese defence said. atrocities. online that the sentence was too short. Liu Yanan, who was a teacher at the RYB Educa- Australia swelters through heatwave as records tumble tion New World kindergarten, pricked four children with Australia looks set to sweat not out of it yet, in fact I would Water’s an issue.” The Bureau of needles in November 2017, through one of its hottest say it’s going to be peaking Meteorology put the hot spell the Beijing Chaoyang Court Decembers ever, the national over more populated areas this down to a combination of hot air said. The scandal triggered weather bureau said yesterday, weekend.” being blown from the northwest national outrage. An investiga- prompting fire bans, health December is the beginning of the toward the densely populated tion into the kindergarten warnings and big crowds trying Southern Hemisphere summer. southeast, where a “blocking” began when parents found to cool off at beaches. As the January and February can be high off the coast was stopping needle marks on their tod- country’s hottest town, Marble even hotter. For the four-fifths of cooler winds from moving it on. dlers who attended the high- Bar in the remote northwest, Australia’s 25mn people who live The bureau’s “extreme heatwave” end, bilingual Chinese-English endured its warmest day ever, on the coast, the summer typi- warning, its highest category, in- school. There were also forecasters said the heat would cally means lazing on the beach, cludes Sydney for the next three allegations that the children spread southeast where the big watching cricket or both. But the days. Sydney’s inland suburbs were made to take mysterious cities of Sydney, Melbourne and unusually high temperatures were forecast to swelter in 40C pills. “The circumstances were Adelaide would endure monthly add to a sense of exhaustion for (104F) heat. vile. Her behaviour has seri- average temperatures up to 16C a farm economy already reeling Almost the entire state of New ously damaged the physical higher than usual. from a year of drought. South Wales had a “high” or “very and mental health of minors,” The capital, Canberra, was brac- “It adds insult to injury,” said high” fire danger, according to the court said in a statement, ing for its hottest December day Laureta Wallace, a spokeswoman the rural fire service. adding that the abuse did not on record -- 39C (102F). “We’re for the National Farmers’ Federa- A “low-intensity heatwave” in result in any lasting injury. going to see December records tion. “Most farmers would have neighbouring Victoria state Liu has also been banned tumbling,” said Diana Eadie, a got some rain prior to Christmas was expected to spread south from working with minors for Giant panda Xiao Hetao walking in the snowfall after being released into the wild at a nature reserve meteorologist at the Bureau of but the benefit of that will have almost as far as the second city five years after serving her in Dujiangyan in China’s southwestern Sichuan province. Meteorology. “We’re definitely been eroded with this heat wave. Melbourne. sentence. Gulf Times 8 Saturday, December 29, 2018 BRITAIN/IRELAND

LEGAL PEOPLE COMMENT OPINION OFFBEAT Three men convicted UK plane spotter exposed Spike in illegal Channel Trump has ‘black and Royal Mail apologises of killing five in blast Trump’s secret Iraq trip crossings ‘concerning’ white’ world view: minister for stamp mix-up

A court yesterday convicted three men for a A British aviation enthusiast was yesterday Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said a spike in Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt yesterday The Royal Mail apologised over a stamp design supermarket blast in Leicester this year that credited with breaking the news of US President migrants crossing the Channel by boat was “deeply criticised Donald Trump’s view of the world after for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in killed five people in an attempted insurance Donald Trump’s secret visit to Iraq after snapping concerning”, after dozens of people were rescued the US president’s announcement of a withdrawal France next year that instead showed US troops scam. The court found Aram Kurd, who was photos of his plane. Alan Meloy, a semi-retired on Thursday. Border off icials found 23 Iranians of American troops from the fight against the landing in what is now Indonesia. The design was renting the shop, and friends Arkan Ali and information technology worker from Yorkshire, in three locations in Kent early Thursday, hours Islamic State group in Syria. “President Trump part of a series of special issues showcasing the Hawkar Hassan guilty of murder after they took the pictures of Air Force One from outside his after French maritime authorities intercepted makes a speciality of talking in very black and “Best of British” and was to be released in time plotted to destroy the business and claim home with a camera he also uses for bird watching. 11 migrants in a small boat near Sangatte. “The white terms about what’s happening in the world,” for the anniversary of the Allied landings on June insurance on it. The trio used 26 litres of petrol He shared the images on his Flickr account, number of incidents over recent days is deeply Hunt told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. 6, 1944. The image, which was previewed on in their scheme, which caused such a powerful correctly identifying the plane as a VC-25 - one of concerning,” said Nokes. “Some of this is clearly “We have made massive progress in the war Thursday, was labelled “D-Day Allied soldiers and explosion that some residents nearby thought two highly customised Boeing 747 jumbo jets used facilitated by organised crime groups while other against Daesh (Arabic acronym for IS), but it’s not medics wade ashore”. “We would like to off er our a bomb had gone off. The blast on February as Air Force One. Other users noted the location attempts appear to be opportunistic.” Nine Iranians over and, although they have lost nearly all the apologies that our preview release for our 2019 25 destroyed the entire building, killing Ali’s and made the connection with a mysterious US were the first to be found early Thursday on a territory they held, they still hold some territory Special Stamp programme included a stamp girlfriend Viktorija Ijevleva, 22, and a family military flight winging across Europe, speculating beach near the Kent port town of Folkstone, after and there is still some real risk,” he said. “We have design which had been incorrectly associated who lived above the shop. that it could be on its way to the Middle East. sailing from France in a 13-foot inflatable boat. to continue to be vigilant,” he added. with the D-Day landings,” the Royal Mail said. Files reveal Homeless in UK Thatcher’s gloom over Irish border

Guardian News and Media Northern Ireland. If there was a London vote tomorrow they would vote to stay with us. They have better conditions in Northern Ireland argaret Thatcher ad- and in England.” mitted she was sending Several times she pleaded Myoung boys “to their with Haughey – who vigorously deaths” as she descended into defended himself against sug- despondency over what to do gestions he was soft on violence about the border in Ireland dur- – for more pre-emptive intelli- ing one of the darkest periods of gence against the IRA and better her premiership, newly-declas- training for the Irish police, the sifi ed fi les in Dublin reveal. Garda Siochana. During an “unusually tense” “If we don’t defeat the IRA, tete-a-tete with the then Irish I don’t know what I’m going to taoiseach, Charlie Haughey, do,” she said. “We can’t have the on the margins of a European border open as it is now. In re- Martin, 33, from Berlin, Germany, homeless after previously working in the logistics business, sits near Charing Cross station in central London, where he has council meeting in June 1988, cent times my feelings have run spent many years sleeping rough. Nearly 600 homeless people in England and Wales died last year – a 24% rise over the past five years, according to official Thatcher told him: “I do not far higher than ever before in my estimates released last week. know what to do about the bor- life. I am not a natural hater, they der.” are using the border to carry on Northern Ireland was trem- an eff ective campaign.” bling on the precipice of full- Several times during the scale civil war after a terrifying meeting, she came back to the and inextricably linked cycle of border as central to her despair, violence starting with the SAS saying the IRA were using it to killing of three unarmed IRA move bombs over from the Re- members in Gibraltar. public or to fl ee from security A loyalist grenade and gun forces in Northern Ireland. attack on the IRA funerals at “I can’t seal the border,” she May’s Brexit deal can get Milltown cemetery in Belfast said. “There is no way we can claimed another three lives, and patrol the 500 miles … Every- was followed days later by the where there is an open border.” killing of two British army cor- Thatcher said the area con- porals, dragged from their car, tained the “biggest concentra- beaten and shot dead, after driv- tion of terrorists in the world” through parliament: Hunt ing into the funeral procession of and “despite technological and one of the Milltown victims. other surveillance we lose them”. Reuters Britain and the EU. May pulled a Hunt said May’s withdrawal referendum should be consid- put pressure on parliament to “Those two corporals were “And so yes,” she added, “I London vote on her divorce deal earlier agreement could be passed by ered, while others, including accept her deal or risk a no-deal among the worst things in my must send more young boys over this month after admitting that lawmakers if the EU made clear Hunt, favour a “managed” no- Brexit. life,” Thatcher told the taoiseach. to their deaths. I ask myself, am I parliament would reject it. that the Irish “backstop” would deal Brexit. “What I suspect is that it’s “The savagery was unbeliev- entitled to do it? There is a bor- rime Minister Theresa Lawmakers are set to dis- be time-limited. May herself has said neither a completely cynical manoeu- able.” She said any move towards derline there but it is not an ef- May’s Brexit deal can be cuss the agreement again next Critics fear the backstop will option is viable. vre to run down the clock and a united Ireland at the time fective border.” Ppassed by the parliament month, with a vote in the week trap Britain in a customs union Jeremy Corbyn, leader of offer MPs the choice of the would spark “the worst civil war During the extraordinary ex- if the European Union provides starting January 14. with the EU indefi nitely, while the opposition Labour Party, devil or the deep blue sea,” in history”. “And it would spread changes, just released into the clarifi cation that the Northern Parliament is deeply divid- European leaders have said said May should recall parlia- Corbyn said in an interview to the mainland,” she added. National Archives in Dublin, Irish “backstop” will be tem- ed, with both supporters and they would not renegotiate the ment early to allow a vote on with the Independent news- During an hour and a quarter Thatcher said she was “not win- porary, Foreign Minister Jeremy opponents of Brexit opposed treaty. her Brexit deal, and warned paper. of heated exchanges in the Brit- ning the battle with the IRA”; Hunt said yesterday. to May’s deal, which seeks to “If it is temporary, then par- it was a matter of “when, not The Labour leader added ish delegation rooms at a trade that sending in troops had been The backstop is an insurance maintain close ties with the liament can live with that,” if” his party tried to force an that the party has selected can- centre in Hanover, Germany, she “useless”; and she had “lost” policy designed to prevent the EU. Hunt told BBC Radio. “We can election by proposing a vote didates in all of its marginal said she did not want Irish peo- unionists in Northern Ireland. return of border checks be- Britain is due to leave the bloc get this (the deal) through, ab- of no-confidence in the gov- seats in preparation for a snap ple in Britain. “So I have failed …,” she said. tween Ireland, an EU member, on March 29 and the impasse solutely can.” ernment. election. A new election is not “Your people come over to us. “I have to deal with guns, bombs, and British-ruled Northern Ire- has increased the chances of a If May’s deal fails, senior Lawmakers (MPs) are not due due until 2022 but one could I wish they wouldn’t,” she said. beating people to death with land. ‘no deal’ Brexit and led to grow- ministers are themselves split to return until January 7 and be called if May fails to get her “They come looking for hous- sticks and many other barbaric It is proving the biggest ob- ing calls for a second referen- on what should happen. Corbyn said the government primary policy through parlia- ing and services. It’s the same in acts.” stacle to a divorce deal between dum. Some suggest that another was using the delay as a ploy to ment. Inmates to get phones in Woman, 97, targeted by cells in bid to cut violence thieves twice in a week Guardian News and Media containing a small amount of London cash, from her handbag. Daily Mail and violence, as well as a boom- tance of family, and there can be On December 23, the woman London ing trade in illicit mobile phones. few groups that this applies to heard a knock on her front win- Around 20,000 phones and SIM more than prisoners. In-cell tel- 97-year-old widow’s dow at about 7.30pm, but she ig- cards are confi scated each year. ephones provide a crucial means wedding ring was stolen nored it. Soon afterwards, a man very prisoner is to be given They are often used to run crime of allowing prisoners to build and Awhen she was targeted by smashed the rear patio window a telephone in their cell in gangs, smuggle in drugs and ar- maintain family relationships, thieves twice in a week before and broke into her house. Ea £17mn move to cut reof- range the intimidation of witness- something we know is funda- Christmas. The woman had a Once inside, he rifl ed through fending. es. Offi cials hope the scheme will mental to their rehabilitation. necklace snatched while she was her Christmas cards searching All inmates, including killers help inmates maintain family ties “Introducing them to more wearing it in an incident at her for money. and rapists, will be able to speak and reduce the risk of reoff ending. prisons is a recognition of the home in Rochdale, Greater Man- He then approached the vic- to friends and loved ones ‘in pri- It will also make it easier to contribution that I believe in- chester, which police described tim in her armchair and snatched vate’ any time, day or night. speak to the Samaritans and cell telephones make to turning as “sickening”. her necklace from around her The move is part of a radi- mental health charities, reduc- prisons into places of decency The victim, who does not neck before fl eeing the property. cal plan from Justice Secretary ing the risk of self-harm – an- where off enders have a real want to be identifi ed, is believed The long gold chain contained David Gauke to help rehabilitate other major challenge for jails. chance to transform their lives.” to live alone following the death her gold wedding ring, a family off enders and stop them return- Already in place at 20 prisons, But David Green, a former of her husband. The fi rst inci- heirloom that had been passed ing to crime when freed. Land- the phones are subject to strict Home Offi ce adviser and chief dent took place on the evening down from her grandmother, lines will be installed in 50 jails security measures. All calls are executive of the Civitas think- of December 16, when her house police said. by March 2020, then extended to recorded, users can dial only a tank, said: ‘While there is some alarm was activated. Detective constable Jordan all 118 prisons in England. small number of approved num- evidence of retaining family An unknown man, who was Wilcock from Rochdale CID Tory MP Andrew Rosindell bers and active monitoring can be links leading to less reoff ending, seemingly passing by at the time, said: “Thankfully, the woman condemned the scheme, saying: introduced if there is suspicious giving prisoners phones assumes approached the woman and of- was not injured, but she was un- “I thought the idea was to pun- activity. Inmates will need to buy that their family is a good infl u- fered to help, but he quickly left derstandably very shaken up by ish criminals and take away their phone cards to pay for calls. ence. That’s not always the case. when a neighbour arrived, police this ordeal. It is sickening that a freedom and creature comforts. Governors can remove the “Sometimes they are a bad in- said. 97-year-old woman was targeted Prison becomes less of a deter- phones – or impose restrictions fl uence. Common sense says that The following day, between in this way and had her precious rent when the authorities do – if they believe they are being there is a danger phone calls will 5pm and 9pm, an unknown man jewellery snatched from around things like this. It’s time to think misused. be abused. They could be used knocked on the woman’s front her neck in her own home. of the welfare of the victims.” Gauke hailed the launch of to oversee continuing criminal door and claimed he was there to “The photo of the necklace is In most prisons, inmates the scheme, saying: “At this activity or collaborate with oth- fi x the alarm. not the best quality, but we are have to queue to use communal time of year more than any other ers about keeping stolen goods or Once the bogus caller was in- hoping people might recognise it phones. This leads to friction we’re reminded of the impor- proceeds of crime hidden”. David Gauke: plan to help rehabilitate off enders side, he stole the woman’s purse, and help us return it to the victim. Gulf Times Saturday, December 29, 2018 9 EUROPE

Albanian cabinet reshuffl ed Vessel with 311 migrants following student docks after week at sea protests AFP Red Cross in Spain. In August it had suspended San Roque, Spain Police will identify the mi- its missions, accusing govern- grants before moving them to ments, and Italian Interior Min- Reuters shelters. ister Matteo Salvini by name, of Tirana charity rescue vessel car- The migrants were rescued on “criminalising” migrant rescue rying 311 mainly Afri- December 21 from three vessels charities. Acan migrants plucked off but were denied entry by Italy Salvini has denied the groups lbanian Prime Minister Libya docked in Spain yester- and Malta. access to Italy’s ports, accusing Edi Rama has replaced day, ending a traumatic journey Libya, France and Tunisia did them of acting as a “taxi service” Aeight cabinet ministers which saw them spend Christ- not respond to Proactiva Open for migrants. amid a wave of student and mas at sea and several European Arms’ requests for permission to Malta too has been increas- anti-corruption protests, and nations denying the ship entry. dock, Madrid said. ingly unwilling to host rescue urged his year-old government The migrants cheered and Last Saturday, a newborn vessels. to think and work harder about applauded as the vessel docked baby and his mother were heli- “Your rhetoric and your mes- how to make its term “one of in the port of Crinavis near the coptered from the boat to Malta, sage will, like everything in this achievements”. southern city of Algeciras and while a 14-year-old suff ering life, end,” Camps told Salvini on Students seeking a halving of Proactiva Open Arms, the Span- from a serious skin infection Twitter earlier. “But you should fees and a doubling of the uni- ish charity which runs the Open was taken to the Italian island of know that in a few decades your versity education budget have Arms vessel carrying them, feted Lampedusa. descendants will be ashamed of been protesting in their thou- the arrival with a “Mission ac- “These are people, both chil- what you do and say.” sands since early December and complished” tweet. dren and adults, who have had More than 1,300 migrants have said they will not even talk The migrants come from 19 really horrible experiences in have perished trying to reach unless the government accepts diff erent countries, including both their countries of origin Italy or Malta since the begin- their demands in full. Somalia, Syria and the Ivory and during their journey,” Vi- ning of the year, according to the And since late November, res- Coast. cente Raimundo, the director International Organisation for idents whose houses are slated More than a third of them, 139, of intervention in Spain for the Migration (IOM). for demolition to make way for are minors. NGO Save The Children. That makes this stretch of the a ring road around the capital By early afternoon all of the Photos and videos posted by A migrant is transferred at the Centre for Temporary Assistance to Foreigners (CATE) in San Roque, after Mediterranean the most deadly Tirana have also been staging migrants had disembarked from the charity showed the rest of arriving on board the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms in the southern Spanish port of Algeciras, in for migrants attempting to cross protests, angered still further by the boat and received clothes the rescued migrants celebrat- Campamento, near San Roque, with 311 migrants. to Europe. an illegal bid in the construction and food, as well as medical tests ing Christmas at sea listening to Spain meanwhile has become tender. if required, from Red Cross of- music and singing. to travel for eight days at sea to ates in the sea between Libya charity rescue ship to dock and Europe’s main entry point for The opposition Democratic fi cials. Some children wore red Santa take them to a safe port when in- and southern Europe, coming to unload migrants in the country. migrants this year, overtaking Party joined those protests and, Women and children left the hats as they huddled together on ternational rules say to go to the the aid of migrants who get into The Open Arms resumed its Greece and Italy. although the government ac- boat fi rst. the small ship. nearest safe port,” said Proac- diffi culties during the crossing patrols of the Mediterranean off More than 56,000 migrants cepted that the bid had been il- “They are in good health in “We are talking about lives in tiva Open Arms founder Oscar from northern Africa. the Libyan coast in late Novem- have arrived in Spain by sea this legal and cancelled the tender, general,” said Inigo Vila, who is danger, of people who need help. Camps. This was the fi rst time since ber, along with two other boats year, and 769 have died trying, it called for the government to in charge of emergencies for the And it is really deplorable to have Proactiva Open Arms oper- August that Spain has allowed a run by migrant aid groups. according to the IOM. resign. Announcing his reshuffl e, Rama urged his Socialist Party to see the changes as “part of a necessary refl ection to turn this mandate into one of achieve- Russia builds border fence ments that will lead us to win a third”. One of the triggers for the student protests is alleged cor- in Crimea ahead of ceasefi re ruption in the education bu- reaucracy. The education minister will be DPA replaced by her deputy, whose Kyiv/Moscow fi rst task will be to quell the stu- dent protests, due to resume on January 7, which Rama said were fence about 60km long “still hurting” the government. has been built on the Rama urged his party to en- Aborder with Ukraine on gage with those who were an- the Crimea Peninsula that was gry, to “boost capacities” and annexed by Russia in 2014. to banish nepotism from public It was necessary to protect administration. the people from the government Unimpressed with the chang- in Kyiv, from which one could es, the students left a broken expect anything, a spokesman This still image taken from a video footage shows the 60km fence steering wheel and a copy of the for the Crimean parliament told separating Crimea peninsula from continental Ukraine. constitution at Rama’s offi ce. the Russian news agency Ria Rama campaigned for a sec- Novosti yesterday. must be used as much as pos- Last month, there were fears ond term one year ago by ask- The border fence in the north sible for the repair of critical of a new front opening up in the ing Albanians to enable him to of the peninsula will signifi - infrastructure facilities that are Kerch Strait, a waterway off the be “alone at the wheel”, without cantly increase the security lev- damaged. Unfortunately, there coast of Crimea that connects having the encumbrance of coa- el, he said. are several such facilities.” the Black Sea with the small- lition allies. Revellers in mock military garb take part in the ‘Els Enfarinats’ battle in the southeastern Spanish town The European Union regards The ceasefi re does not have a er Sea of Azov, when Russian “The wheel is a symbol of the of Ibi. Russia’s annexation of Crimea time limit and is not just until forces opened fi re and captured accidents Rama had as a prime as a violation of international Orthodox Christmas on January several Ukrainian naval vessels minister while the constitution law and insists on the territorial 7, the Organisation for Secu- there. is to remind him of the violations integrity of Ukraine. rity and Cooperation in Europe The situation in the region of the right of every Albanian to In fi ghting between the Mos- (OSCE) said yesterday. has since calmed, but 24 mem- (higher) education,” the organis- Spanish town ‘overthrows’ cow-backed separatists and the Germany and France have bers of the Ukrainian Navy re- ers of the student protests said. Ukrainian army mainly in the welcomed the ceasefi re agree- main in detention in Russia, Among the cabinet changes east of the country, more than ment. where they could face up to six was the appointment of Anila 10,000 people have been killed The upcoming holidays years in prison. Denaj, a former fi nance min- militants with fl our and eggs since 2014, according to UN fi g- should “be an opportunity for Ukraine has insisted upon the istry offi cial and commercial ures. the sides to focus on the needs sailors being treated as prison- bank executive who now heads In the period until shortly be- of the civilian population”,, a ers of war, meaning they would the fund for obligatory medical Reuters back more than 200 years. throwing them in a messy battle fore Christmas, 104 dead have joint statement from German not stand trial. insurance, to replace Arben Ah- Ibi, Spain The festival sees a group don involving hundreds of eggs, ki- been counted so far this year. Chancellor Angela Merkel and However, the Kremlin reiter- metaj as fi nance and economy military clothing and stage a los of fl our, and fi recrackers. In the area of confl ict, a truce French President Emmanuel ated yesterday that the detain- minister. coup, declaring new rules on The festival is held every De- has been called for today start- Macron said. ees are to be tried on charges of Belinda Balluku becomes en- he residents of the south- the small town and collecting cember 28 as part of the fes- ing at 0.01am (2201 GMT). Civilians have “already suf- border violation. ergy minister, replacing Dam- ern Spanish town of Ibi fi nes from residents who fall tivities to mark the Day of In- According to Ukrainian me- fered much too long from the “There are no prisoners ian Gjiknuri; and Gent Caka, Tsplattered each other foul of them. nocents, a Christian feast day dia, the Ukrainian ambassa- confl ict and its consequences”, of war on Russian territory,” the deputy foreign minister, will with fl our and eggs yesterday as The collected money is do- remembering the Biblical story dor to the peace talks with the they added, calling for a secure Kremlin spokesman Dmitry step up to become minister, suc- they celebrated the “Els Enfari- nated to charity with the resi- of King Herod ordering the kill- rebels, Yevgen Marchuk, said: area to allow humanitarian re- Peskov was quoted in Russian ceeding Ditmir Bushati. nats” festival, a tradition dating dents restoring order by over- ing of children. “We stressed that this ceasefi re lief. media as saying.

Drivers on drugs outnumber drink drivers at checks, say Danish police Row over Macron ex-bodyguard’s diplomatic passports Danish police have reported that they busted more drivers for driving under the influence of drugs than drunk drivers in the run- up to the festive season. AFP nalla said, accusing opponents of ing with senior African offi cials, The Danish National Police said that during checks from November Paris seeking to “destroy his reputa- sparking concern among offi cials 29 to December 26 they apprehended 397 drivers for driving under tion”. that he has been profi ting from the influence of drugs, compared to 360 drunk drivers. His entourage refused to com- his former insider status. In the corresponding period a year ago there were 275 cases of ccusations fl ew in France ment on how Benalla may have He met with Chad’s President drink-driving and 180 cases of driving under the influence of drugs. yesterday between the used the passports. Idriss Deby earlier this month, Most of the drug cases were related to hashish, said Christian Aoffi ce of President Em- On Thursday, investigative and Le Monde newspaper re- Berthelsen of the National Police Traff ic Centre. manuel Macron and his disgraced website Mediapart reported that ported that he also met with the Intake of medicine is also covered under the cases related to drugs. ex-bodyguard Alexandre Benalla Benalla used a diplomatic pass- Congo’s President Denis Sassou- over diplomatic passports that he port to enter several African Nguesso as well as top offi cials in was supposed to hand over when countries as well as Israel in re- Cameroon. he was sacked. cent weeks. Further suggestions that Be- German police expect record number Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Benalla was at the centre of a nalla may have used a diplomatic of blown-up cash machines this year Le Drian is set to refer the case major scandal this summer after passport for these African travels to prosecutors after reports that it emerged in July that he roughed have sparked a fl urry of criticism Almost every day a cash machine is blown up in Germany. Benalla repeatedly used the pass- up protesters during a May Day among government opponents. The Federal Criminal Police Off ice (BKA) expects that by the end ports following his dismissal in demonstration in Paris while “The president must reveal of 2018 there will have been at least 350 cases, a new high for August. wearing a police helmet. the truth on this aff air, it’s very Germany. Any use of these passports This photo taken on February 24, shows Macron with Benalla at the He was not fi red until after the serious,” said Laurence Sailliet, a The total cost of the damages incurred over the past 12 months was after he was sacked “would be 55th International Agriculture Fair (Salon de l’Agriculture) in Paris. media revelations, prompting a spokeswoman for the right-wing not immediately clear. against the law”, the foreign min- wave of accusations from gov- Republicans party. There has been a steady rise in thieves trying to snatch the cash istry warned in a statement. year, had twice been requested were returned to him after he was ernment opponents of a presi- The scandal is back in the news from ATMs using explosives. Benalla, Macron’s campaign to give the passports back, the sacked. dential cover-up. at an unwelcome time for Ma- In 2008, the BKA recorded 33 cases, 14 of which were unsuccessful bodyguard who was granted a statement added. He left them in his “offi ce at Benalla is now generating more cron, who has suff ered weeks of attempts. senior security job following the However, Benalla’s entou- the Elysee, and then they were unwelcome headlines following violent “yellow vest” anti-gov- In 2013 the total number was 89 and in 2017 it was 268. centrist’s election victory last rage told AFP that the passports given back”, a source close to Be- reports that he has been meet- ernment protests. Gulf Times 10 Saturday, December 29, 2018 INDIA

DISASTER INFRASTRUCTURE DEFENCE DEVELOPMENT WELLNESS Toll goes up in Mumbai Load testing carried Northern army commander Cabinet gives green signal Yoga exemplifies India’s building fire, five dead out on Lucknow Metro reviews security in Valley to new CRZ notification soft power: President

At least five people have been killed in a fire The Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) Northern Army commander Lieutenant The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister The ancient Indian science of wellness, yoga, in an apartment building in Mumbai, police yesterday successfully conducted load General Ranbir Singh yesterday reviewed Narendra Modi has approved the Coastal exemplifies India’s soft power to the world and said yesterday. The fire began on the 11th testing of two metro trains on the remaining security along the border and the hinterland Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification-2018 for interconnects cultures, President R N Kovind floor of the 15-storey building located in section of the North-South corridor, an in the Valley. Defence Ministry spokesman promoting economic growth in the coastal areas, said yesterday. “Togetherness is the essence the Chembur suburbs late Thursday, police official said. The metro trains were run on Colonel Rajesh Kalia said accompanied by the government said yesterday. The move comes of yoga. It not only helps us in connecting inspector SB Ahiri said. “All five victims, viaduct. This is being seen by many technical the Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen AK in the backdrop of a series of representations body, mind and soul, but plays an important four over 70 years and another aged above experts here and elsewhere in the country Bhatt, the Army Commander visited the received by the Ministry of Environment, Forest role in connecting diff erent communities 50 years, died on way to the hospital,” she as yet another milestone for the 22.878-km forward areas in the frontier districts of and Climate Change from various coastal and countries,” said the president. He was said, adding that another senior citizen and long corridor from the Chowdhary Charan Kupwara and Baramulla, where the he was states and Union Territories, besides other addressing the centenary celebrations of The a fireman had been admitted to a hospital. Singh International Airport to Munshipulia. briefed about the ground situation. “During stakeholders for a comprehensive review of the Yoga Institute (TYI), which has been engaged in Over a dozen fire engines fought the blaze The trains rolled out from Charbagh at his interaction with troops, Lt Gen Ranbir provisions of the CRZ Notification, 2011. “The CRZ propounding yoga on a global scale for the past as it raged for about three hours. It was 6.30am and reached the newly constructed Singh lauded their professionalism, sharp Notification-2018 will lead to enhanced activities 100 years. Stressing the need to strengthen controlled by the early hours of yesterday. Its 177m-long balanced cantilever bridge over vigil along the Line of Control and high in the coastal regions thereby promoting yoga training institutes in the country, cause was not yet known and investigations Gomti River where they will stay for 24 hours morale. He exhorted them to remain alert for economic growth while also respecting the President Kovind said that teachers must be had been launched. for load testing. any eventuality. conservation principles of coastal regions. trained to take forward yoga.

Maestros all Navy to join rescue eff orts at Meghalaya mining site

IANS Ksan, Meghalaya

team of offi cials from Coal India Limited (CIL) con- Aducted a preliminary in- vestigation on how to dewater an illegal 370-ft coal pit to rescue 15 Indian classical musician Taufiq Qureshi (left), classical vocalist Pandit Prabhakar Karekar (second left), music composer and santoor miners trapped inside an illegal player Pandit Shivkumar Sharma (second right) and tabla player Aditya Kalyanpur at the announcement of the upcoming ‘Swaranjali’ coal mine for 16 days now. music concert and Indian Classical music festival, in Mumbai, yesterday. A 21-member team of fi re fi ghters from Odisha, who was airlifted by Indian Air Force’s C- 130J Super Hercules from Bhu- baneswar to the Guwahati air- port, are proceeding towards the site at Ksan village in East Jaintia Project for fi rst manned space mission gets nod Hills district. A 15-member diving team of Rescue personnel work on as 15 miners are trapped inside a coal pit the Indian Navy will also be join- filled with gallons of water in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district. AFP India will become the fourth for the blast off , the government Organisation announced in July ing the rescue operation today. A New Delhi nation after Russia, the Unit- said the manned fl ight would be that it planned to send an un- 10-member CIL team, including eral lacunae in the arrangements the NDRF rescuer team dived ed States and China to send a “within 40 months” of yester- manned mission to the moon in four surveyors and six technical made by the district administra- inside the main shaft of the coal manned mission into space. day’s meeting. 2019. India launched an orbiter engineers, arrived at the site and tion. The legislators led by Am- pit, but could not locate any of ndia will send a three-mem- Ministers approved fi nancing Modi has hailed the national to Mars in 2013 which is still op- conducted a preliminary inspec- pareen Lyngdoh expressed their the miners. “Our men dived this ber team into orbit for up to to launch an Indian-developed space programme as a prestige erational and last year launched tion of the mining area. surprise over district magistrate morning to locate the trapped Ia week when it launches its craft into a “low earth orbit” project. The government has a record 104 satellites in one “We fi rst need to survey the F M Dopth going on leave in spite miners, but could not fi nd any fi rst manned space mission ex- for a duration ranging from one stated that space fl ights will blast-off . entire mining area before pump- of the tragedy of such a scale. of them. There is nothing in the pected in 2022, the government orbital period to a maximum of boost the economy, generate New Delhi is competing with ing out the water from the pit. “Precious lives are at stake but main shaft of the coal pit. We announced yesterday. Indian seven days, the statement said. jobs and enhance capabilities in other international players for Our eight pumps of 100HP each the offi cer in-charge of the res- have used all our equipment with ministers approved $1.4bn to Prime Minister Narendra areas such as medicine, agricul- a greater share of the satellite and other equipment are on the cue operations has been allowed us, including SONAR, to fi nd out provide technology and infra- Modi announced in August ture and fi ghting pollution. market, and hopes its low-cost way,” said General Manager of to go on leave,” she said, de- if any of the miners is trapped in structure for the programme, that India will launch a manned A successful manned mission space programme will give it an CIL’s Northeastern Coalfi elds J manding that the district magis- the main shaft,” said NDRF As- according to a government space fl ight by 2022 with at least would allow India to become a edge. China put its fi rst humans Borah. trate be immediately recalled. sistant Commandant Santosh statement. one astronaut. The cabinet had “collaborating partner in future into space in 2003 but its Shen- “The Odhisha fi refi ghters were Lyngdoh said the state govern- Kumar Singh. The sum would make India’s not approved the project how- global space exploration ini- zhou programme cost more than requisitioned by National Dis- ment should task a senior-level Asked if the rescuers have lost one of the cheapest manned ever. tiatives with long term national $2.3bn. Experts say the United aster Management Authority. offi cer with the rescue opera- hope, Singh said, “Rescuers nev- space programmes, stepping up There will be two unmanned benefi ts,” said the statement. States spent the equivalent of They are on the way with several tions. “A senior-level offi cer at er lose hope. We are all putting its space rivalry with China. But and one manned fl ights to The country has invested heav- about $110bn at current values high-tech equipment, including the level of Commissioner and our best eff orts to rescue them.” the statement said India also launch the Gaganyaan (Sky- ily in its space programme in the on preparatory fl ights and the 10 high-power pumps to be used Secretary should be put in charge On Thursday, Chief Minis- hopes to take part in “global” Vehicle) Programme, the state- past decade. mission to put the fi rst man on in search and rescue operations,” of the entire rescue operations ter Conrad Sangma had met space projects. ment said. Without giving a date The Indian Space Research the moon in 1969. said district police chief of East and to co-ordinate with the na- Home Minister Rajnath Singh Jaintia Hills Sylvester Nongtnger. tional and state teams,” she said. and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal N Mahapatra of Kirloskar They also demanded that an and sought immediate Central AAP gives Brothers’ Limited said the team Inspector General of Police level support to evacuate the trapped will submit its reports and rec- offi cer should be deputed at the miners. mixed signals ommendation to the district site to co-ordinate among the The accident inside the coal over alliance administration on how to dewa- National Disaster Response Force pit on December 13 morning Kher objects to special ter the pit. “We require a good (NDRF), State Disaster Response occurred despite the National with Congress number of powerful pumps to Force (SDRF) and the state po- Green Tribunal (NGT) ordering suck out the water and this has lice. The legislators also said that an interim ban on ‘rat-hole’ coal The Aam Aadmi Party’s been informed to our senior of- a small medical team should be at mining in the state from 2014. stand on a tie-up with hand 24x7. Coal mine accidents are com- screening of new fi lm fi cials,” Mahapatra told IANS. the Congress in the 2019 Meanwhile, a six-member The district administra- mon in the mountainous state Lok Sabha elections team of the opposition Congress tion has temporarily suspended because of unscientifi c mining remained unclear IANS in Meghalaya assembly yesterday pumping of water from the coal procedure, commonly known as yesterday as AAP leaders Mumbai visited the site and found sev- pit since December 24. However, “rat hole mining”. attacked the Congress for its “conditional” farm loan waiver while not s controversy erupted over completely ruling out upcoming fi lm The Ac- chances of an alliance. Acidental Prime Minister, a Speaking to the media biopic on former prime minister BJP sweeps Tripura civic bypolls after a meeting of party’s Dr Manmohan Singh, lead actor national executive, AAP of the movie Anupam Kher said Delhi convener Gopal that after certifi cation of a fi lm IANS lone seat in the Panisagar Nagar cluding women, were forced out Rai said, “The party will by the censor board, nobody has Agartala Panchayat went in favour of the from polling booths to turn the monitor the situation in the the right to ask for showing the opposition CPI-M,” the offi cial balloting a complete farce. Not coming days and will take fi lm before its release. told the media. The TSEC last only the workers and their goons, a decision accordingly”, Earlier in the day, Satyajeet he ruling BJP yesterday month declared the byelections BJP leaders including its MLA when asked about the Tambe Patil, President of the swept the bypolls for the to the 158 seats in 14 municipal Dilip Das attacked the Left party chances of alliance with Maharashtra State Youth Con- Tvacant seats in diff erent bodies, including the Agartala workers and agents,” Das said. the Congress. AAP’s Punjab gress, sent a letter to the produc- municipal bodies and Agartala Municipal Corporation. He said BJP workers also as- convener Bhagwant Mann er of the fi lm demanding a special Anupam Kher Municipal Corporation, bagging CPI-M state secretary Gau- saulted former fi nance minister termed the question of screening before it is released. He 66 of the 67 seats, polling for tam Das told the media that “due and incumbent Public Accounts alliance “hypothetical.” raised objections to “incorrect it for anyone? We have shown fi lms ... there are not even that which were held on Thursday, to intimidation, violent attacks Committee Chairman Bhanulal The AAP is in opposition in presentation of the facts” in the it to the CBFC (Central Board many political parties. So how offi cials said. and prevention” their candidates Saha in Bishalgarh in Western Punjab and the Congress fi lm, the trailer of which was re- of Film Certifi cation), that’s can one say that I made this fi lm Communist Party of India- could not submit nominations Tripura. is in power. “Have you ever leased on Thursday. enough.” to support any party?” he re- Marxist (CPI-M) leader Pabi- for most seats facilitating the BJP “Despite our repeated requests heard of an opposition Sharing his view on the issue, However, he added: “If Dr sponded when mediapersons tra Kar said that a rally would be candidates to win without any to all authorities including the party joining hands with Kher, who is narrating the char- Manmohan Singh asks us, we asked if he is doing the fi lm to ex- organised today to protest the contest. Director General of Police and the one in power? What will acter of Singh, told the media: will show him for sure.” tend support to the BJP. “total farcical civic elections and “In places where some of our State Election Commissioner, we tell people if we joined “It’s nobody’s right to ask us to Directed by Vijay Ratnakar Asked if this is one of the strat- murder of democracy in Tripura candidates submitted their nom- with the active connivance of the hands?” Mann said. show our fi lm to them before re- Gutte, the fi lm also features egies to make a political state- by the BJP government”. inations, BJP and their hoodlums offi cials of the TSEC and secu- The AAP leaders attacked leasing it. The fi lm is based on the Akshaye Khanna, Aahana Kum- ment ahead of the 2019 elections, A senior offi cial of the Tripu- attacked them, their houses and rity personnel, the elections were the Congress over book (by the same title), and it is ra and Arjun Mathur, among the National award winning ac- ra State Election Commission properties while the police and rigged in Udaipur, Belonia, Santir “conditions” imposed based on facts. others. While many Congress tor said: “Why not? What is the (TSEC) said that the candidates the State Elections Commission Bazar in southern Tripura and by the party for loan “We have bought the rights members found the fi lm objec- problem in releasing a political of Bharatiya Janata Party won 66 remained as spectators,” he said. Kumarghat, Kailashahar, Panisa- waivers in Madhya and have followed all the legali- tionable, the Bharatiya Janata fi lm around elections? We do re- of the 67 seats through the elec- “On Thursday, during the day gar in northern Tripura besides Pradesh, Rajasthan and ties. Everything was in the public Party (BJP) promoted its trailer lease patriotic fi lms on national tions and the party had earlier of polling, in almost all places, in Agartala,” said Das, a member Chhattisgarh where it came domain ... Now, how can people in social media. holidays ...” The fi lm is scheduled won 91 seats unopposed. “The most of the polling agents in- of the CPI-M central Committee. to power a few days ago. have issues? Why should I screen “I have done more than 500 to release on January 11. Gulf Times Saturday, December 29, 2018 11 LATIN AMERICA Scandal linked to Bolsonaro son clouds inauguration

Reuters former driver of his son, Rio fi ed 1.2mn reais ($305,033) that enance of the money, Queiroz his former driver’s no-show Rio De Janeiro de Janeiro state lawmaker and in 2016-17 fl owed through the said in the SBT network inter- last week, has said that Queiroz Senator-elect Flavio Bolsonaro, bank account of Queiroz, who view that money in his account gave him a “plausible” explana- has clouded his big day, leading for years was on Flavio Bol- was from a side-business of tion, and that the accusations lingering fi nancial critics to doubt the president- sonaro’s payroll as a driver and buying and selling cars. were intended to destabilise the scandal involving elect’s graft-busting credentials adviser. Some payments were “I’m a businessman,” he said. Bolsonaro family. ABrazilian president- and his ability to deliver a new made to the president-elect’s “I make money.” In the interview, Queiroz said elect Jair Bolsonaro’s son has type of politics. wife, Michelle Bolsonaro. Queiroz’s legal team did not the money to Michelle Bolsonaro soured his inauguration next Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio Bol- Rio state prosecutors said in clarify why he agreed to the TV had been explained by her hus- week and tarnished the repu- sonaro and the former driver, a statement that Queiroz’s law- interview instead of talking di- band, and was to repay a loan. tation of a far-right maverick Fabricio Queiroz, have denied yers told them he was willing to rectly with prosecutors. The in- He denied he had been dodging Brazilian president-elect Jair Bolsonaro who surged to victory on a any wrongdoing. co-operate with investigators, vestigators also said they want investigators, and said he had vow to end years of political “Ever since this case came to but also handed over documents to question Flavio Bolsonaro on failed to turn up to appointments er, including by Queiroz’s own why his colleagues were deposit- horsetrading. light, there has been a spectacle from a doctor indicating that he January 10. with prosecutors because of a daughter. Many of the deposits ing money into his account, say- Bolsonaro, who spent nearly of evasions and unconvincing had to undergo an urgent Jair Bolsonaro has said the malignant cancer that requires were made on or around the same ing he would tell investigators. 30 years in Congress, takes offi ce explanations on the part of the surgery. payment to his wife was Quei- immediate surgical removal. day that the state Congress paid Not all were convinced by that on January 1 after an electoral Bolsonaros ... (about) an episode On Wednesday, Queiroz roz repaying a personal loan. He Michelle Bolsonaro has not employees, the COAF found. line of argument. win that gave him a mandate to with relevant implications for sought to explain himself in an added that if he made a mistake commented publicly on the case. It passed on the suspicious “So this is how it works: He hobble violent drug gangs, cut national politics,” Brazil’s big- interview with a Bolsonaro- by not declaring the money from According to the COAF, some fi nancial fl ows in Queiroz’s ac- didn’t go to investigators, be- through red tape to kick-start gest newspaper Folha de S Paulo friendly TV network. Queiroz, he would rectify it with of the payments to Queiroz’ count to Rio state prosecutors, cause he preferred to go on TV. Brazil’s economy and go after the said in an editorial. After citing a health crisis as tax authorities. bank account were made by who have so far failed to get the But, once he was on TV, he said corrupt political class. The scandal arose after Bra- his reason for failing to attend Flavio Bolsonaro, who has other employees on Flavio Bol- former driver to come in and he would rather explain to inves- But a regulator’s questions zil’s Council for Financial Ac- two previous appointments with now been called by investiga- sonaro’s payroll when he served explain the funds. tigators?” prominent journalist about a bank account of the tivities Control (COAF) identi- prosecutors to explain the prov- tors to explain the money after as a Rio de Janeiro state lawmak- Queiroz declined to explain Malu Gaspar wrote on Twitter. Cuba plans Brazilian military’s central role more austerity in Rio security nearing end

AFP measures Rio de Janeiro he Brazilian military’s central role in Rio de Ja- Tneiro state security is as fi nances nearing its end, with a drop in some indicators of violence but a signifi cant increase in people killed during police operations. “We have fulfi lled our mis- worsen sion,” General Walter Souza Braga Netto, who led the Rio state security forces under a Reuters presidential decree since mid- Havana February, said. Outgoing President Michel Temer took the drastic step ash-strapped Cuba plans of placing Rio security in the fresh austerity measures hands of the military, citing the Cand will pressure the police force’s inability to control sluggish bureaucracy to tighten heavily armed drug gangs. its belt and cut red tape to ad- Army patrols had already dress weak growth, falling ex- been used in the impoverished port earnings and rising debt. favelas but the military inter- The economy has averaged 1% vention saw generals replace ci- annual growth over the last three vilian authorities in top security years, compared with a 5% to 7% jobs, as well as an increase in the rate economists say is needed to use of soldiers to back up police. recover fully from a 1990s de- The intervention was unheard pression caused by the fall of its of since the country’s return to former benefactor, the Soviet Economy Minister Alejandro Gil democracy in 1985 after 21 years Union. Fernandez: We cannot spend of military rule. Brazilian Army soldiers patrol during a permanent operation at Vila Kennedy favela in Rio de Janeiro. The communist-run coun- more than we earn. It ends as planned on Decem- try has more recently been hit ber 31, but the next governor of favela which is Brazil’s most with the military at the helm to 8,301 during the same period Additionally, 94 police of- by the economic collapse of forcing Cuba to import from the state, Wilson Witzel, who populous, hesitated in talk- of Rio security, the number of in 2017. fi cers were killed in 2018, com- its new sponsor and strategic Russia and Algeria. takes offi ce the following day, ing about results of the military intentional homicides dropped The number of people killed in pared to 134 the previous year. ally, Venezuela, which began to Cuba imports more than half has already indicated that he in- intervention. by six percent compared to the police operations, however, has From January 1, Witzel will send fuel and cash its way in ex- the fuel it consumes. tends to take a hard line against “This intervention is more same period the previous year, increased by about 38 percent, manage security himself with- change for doctors and medicine Gil said fuel consumption drug traffi ckers, including tar- political than eff ective, so I with signifi cant decreases in the meaning that the total number out the oversight of the military, 18 years ago. would be cut from 91 metric geting them with the help of think nothing has changed,” said last four months, offi cial fi gures of violent deaths remains close but he has already pledged to use Other external shocks, such tonnes per million pesos in gross snipers. Jose Luiz, a fashion designer, show. to two percent higher than 2017, tough measures. as Hurricane Irma in late 2017 domestic product this year to 84 His position is in line with who sees “repressive politics” The data from Rio’s Public at 4,871 victims. These include the training of and the Trump administration’s tonnes in 2019. far-right president-elect Jair continuing. Security Institute (ISP) also re- According to the ISP, 1,444 peo- snipers to kill armed criminals tightening of US sanctions, have Foreign trade fell around 25% Bolsonaro, a former soldier who “If I share my opinion about port a signifi cant drop in the ple have been killed by police since even if they don’t pose an im- also weighed on the Caribbean from 2013 through 2017, with sees guns as the answer to crime it, it will bring me serious prob- number of armed robberies of the beginning of the year, with De- minent threat to police, as well island nation’s economy. annual imports dropping to in a country with tens of thou- lems. It’s better not to talk,” said cargo-carrying vehicles, which cember fi gures not yet available – a as the use of drones from Is- “The 2019 plan is one of ad- $11.3bn from $15.6bn, according sands of homicides a year. Maria Goretti, a housewife. were down almost 20% but record since this statistic began be- rael that could fi re on traffi ckers justment to current realities. to the government. Residents of Rocinha, a Rio From March to November, still reached 6,675, compared ing compiled in 1999. from a distance. We cannot spend more than Gil said trade declined fur- we earn,” Economy Minister ther in 2018, without providing Alejandro Gil Fernandez said fi gures. Chilean shoplifting at a session of the National The minister said exports Assembly last week. would increase 6% next year gang arrested State-run companies account while imports would be slashed Colombian rebels free hostage after almost a year Police said yesterday they had for and control most economic 11% compared with the 2018 busted a crime syndicate of activity, including fi nances and plan, in an economy heav- AFP ing a 10-day Christmas truce ELN that have been on hold released and the ELN ceases its Chilean tourists and students that foreign trade, through a planned ily dependent on raw materials Bogota called by the ELN and due since Duque assumed offi ce in “criminal activities.” had allegedly stolen more than economy. and machinery from abroad for to last from December 23 to August. The ELN, which is consid- a million dollar worth of luxury Cuba last reported its foreign nearly everything it produces. January 3. His predecessor, Juan ered the last active rebel group goods, designer clothing and debt at $15.8bn in 2015. It began Economist Pavel Vidal, a olombia’s last re- Riano Ravelo, who was Manuel Santos failed in a bid in Colombia and numbers sporting gear from homes and delaying payments to some sup- former central bank analyst who maining Marxist rebel handed over to a humanitar- to sign a disarmament deal around 1,800 fi ghters, has re- shops across Australia. pliers and investors in 2016, with teaches at the Universidad Jave- Cgroup, the ELN on ian mission jointly run by the with the ELN, similar to the jected those demands as “un- Eight Chileans aged between western diplomats and busi- riana Cali in Colombia, called the Thursday released a hostage government and the Catholic one that saw Farc rebels lay acceptable.” 19 and 36 have been arrested in nessmen estimating the short- 1.5% growth target “reasonable” held for almost a year, the church, was one of 10 hostages down their arms in 2016 and Colombia has been beset for connection with more than 80 term debt accumulated since as sugar, agriculture and tourism country’s ombudsman’s offi ce the right-wing government of form a political party, before more than half a century by a burglaries and for shoplifting then at more than $1.5bn. had a particularly bad 2018 due said on Twitter. President Ivan Duque believes he left offi ce. multifaceted armed confl ict in designer stores in Sydney President Miguel Diaz-Canel to Hurricane Irma, meaning that Rafael Andres Riano Ravelo the ELN is currently holding. Duque has favoured a much mostly carried out in lawless and Melbourne, police said in a told the Assembly that next growth would come from a low was 41 when he was captured The hostage issue is one of harder line towards the left- jungle regions and involving statement yesterday. year the country would slightly starting point. close to Colombia’s border the main stumbling blocks to ist guerrillas and insists that Marxist guerrillas, paramili- Five men and three women, all reduce the backlog of overdue “What is most worrisome is with Ecuador on January 13. kick-starting peace talks be- peace talks can only resume taries and drug traffi ckers, as from Chile, were charged with payments through austerity the payment crisis, which con- His release comes dur- tween the government and the once all hostages have been well as government forces. off ences including breaking measures and by drawing on a tinues to grow, and creditors are and entering, dealing with the glut of inventory and emergency losing patience,” said Vidal, who proceeds of crime and breaching reserves. has authored various reports on the Migration Act. Diaz-Canel and Gil said plans Cuba in conjunction with inter- Argentina plans to increase electricity prices by 35% All have been denied bail and face for the economy to grow 1.5%, national lending institutions. court again in January. after an anemic 1.2% this year, Western diplomats who met Argentina plans to raise stages, starting in February, year, to zero in 2019 under a although higher utility bills One of the women could be were based in part on doing away with top offi cials recently said electricity prices by an average said the sources, who asked not standby financing agreement will put upward pressure on extradited to the United States with bureaucratic habits and the Cubans said little about 35% nationwide next year, to be named because the policy with the International Monetary consumer prices. where she faces charges of cutting waste and theft. how they planned to surmount government sources directly had not yet been off icially Fund. Subsidy cuts are a key Energy subsidies are expected stealing lingerie from a Victoria’s “The plan must be executed the crisis and gave no indica- familiar with the matter have said. announced. Public utility prices part of his fiscal programme. to total $5.11bn next year, down Secret outlet in July, the Sydney immediately. We have to re- tion they would allow more Higher power bills would hit have soared as the government Inflation is expected to end from $6.88bn in 2018 and far Morning Herald reported. view the system to insure there private initiative and capital families already struggling with has cut subsidies as part of its this year at over 47%, in part under the $17.23bn that the Police allege the eight operated is no room for bureaucrats to accumulation by citizens. high inflation and a shrinking deficit reduction programme. due to increases in electricity, government spent on energy as a crime syndicate breaking into manoeuvre,” Diaz-Canel said, “Obtaining inputs and credit economy that has caused job President Mauricio Macri has water, heating gas and public when Macri took off ice in 2015, homes in some of the wealthiest threatening to replace them if on the international market will losses and an increase in poverty. agreed to reduce the primary transportation prices. Analysts according to data from the suburbs of Sydney and stealing they stuck to their old ways. be more diffi cult in 2019,” Vidal The 2019 electricity price fiscal deficit, expected at 2.7% expect the inflation rate to off ice of the country’s energy luxury items from designer Venezuelan oil deliveries have said. (Reporting by Marc Frank; increases will come in four of gross domestic product this fall to under 28% next year, secretary. (Reuters) stores, shipping the stolen goods fallen at least 40% since 2014, Editing by Dan Grebler) and cash overseas. (DPA) Gulf Times 12 Saturday, December 29, 2018 PAKISTAN

Legislators endorse We have to quit policy of population control relying on others: Imran measures PM says he will launch the Minister Shah immediately re- which was transferred to Murad Internews biggest operation against sign from his post. Ali Shah.” Islamabad money laundering in history PTI Member of the Provincial “Corruption of Rs530mn is Assembly (MPA) Khurram Sher just a part of it, when the foren- Internews Zaman told the media: “The JIT sic audit of the last 10 years is opulation planning is im- Islamabad/Karachi report proves that the PPP was conducted then more corruption portant for Pakistan to involved in the worst form of will come forward,” he added. Pachieve its health, educa- corruption in Sindh.” Meanwhile, Federal Minister tion and economic goals, elected rime Minister Imran Khan “The Sindh chief minister for Water Resources Faisal Vaw- representatives for all the prov- has said that the mindset should resign,” he demanded. da said: “(PPP co-chairman) inces, the major parties and re- Pof running the country “We are not only demanding the Asif Zardari attacked the Su- ligious scholars agreed unani- through foreign debts damaged Sindh chief minister’s resigna- preme Court yesterday.” mously at a national dialogue on it, and that Pakistan will have to tion as his name has been placed “The JIT has been formed by Pakistan’s population challenge. quit the policy of relying on oth- on the ECL, but also because he the Supreme Court,” the minis- The dialogue was hosted by ers. is behind a lot of these matters.” ter added. “If Zardari is not in- the Population Council and was Addressing a conference of “There has been corruption volved in any corruption, then held on-camera. envoys here, the prime minister (involving) billions in every de- his name will cleared, no one is A press release says that par- said yesterday that there is no partment. We cannot wait for above the law.” ticipants of the event agreed that respect for someone who keeps another fi ve years, and will raise “Zardari used the term ‘fa- Rehman: Tehreek-e-Inteqaam proactive policies and strong asking others for money. our voice against them on every voured one’ (in reference to (movement of revenge) has family planning programmes can He stressed upon the need for forum,” Zaman added. Prime Minister Khan), but it shown its real face by place pave the way for the develop- eliminating hurdles in the way of Prime Minister Khan: We are mocked when we speak of national He further said: “We will end is Nawaz Sharif who is the fa- Bilawal’s name on the ECL. ment of the country. foreign investment in the coun- honour. Where Pakistan stands today, I believe that this is a great the PPP’s government in Sindh, voured one,” Vawda added while The legislators endorsed the try. opportunity for us. and the nation should prepare commenting on the former a mob that is demolishing the Supreme Court’s recommenda- Lauding the ministry of for- as the PTI will form the govern- president’s address a day earlier. system.” tions for addressing Pakistan’s eign aff airs for organising the Khan was speaking with jour- team (JIT) report, the federal ment in the province.” Yesterday PPP leader Nafeesa Earlier, while speaking to the population challenge, and as- conference, Khan said that a nalists at his offi ce, where he government has released a list of PTI parliamentary party Shah said that Prime Minis- media, Nafeesa Shah said: “The sured their support for stronger nation rises only when it starts said that the US State Depart- 172 suspects whose names have leader in the Sindh Assembly, ter Khan should be barred from ECL should not be used as a legislation for making contra- “believing”. ment had revealed that some been placed on the Exit Control Haleem Adil Sheikh, echoed fl ying abroad as he also faces a means for political blackmail- ception accessible. “We are mocked when we $10bn worth of money is “laun- List (ECL). Zaman’s words: “We are going National Accountability Bureau ing. We will not allow two laws Elected representatives en- speak of national honour. Where dered” from Pakistan. Top PPP leaders including to form the government in the (NAB) inquiry. to run in one country.” gaged in constructive dialogue Pakistan stands today, I believe “Since yesterday we have party chairman Bilawal Bhutto province.” Taking to Twitter, she ques- Further, PPP stalwart Sherry and expressed the need for a col- that this is a great opportunity been hearing hue and cry from Zardari as well as former presi- “Murad Ali Shah has been tioned how Sindh Chief Min- Rehman also criticised the gov- lective responsibility to address for us,” he said. Sindh,” said the prime minis- dent Asif Ali Zardari and his proven to be a very big thief, ister Ali Shah’s name could be ernment’s move: “Tehreek-e- the population issue and its im- He, however, said they will ter in an apparent jibe aimed sister Faryal Talpur, are among and will have to resign. Assets placed on the ECL: “How can Inteqaam (movement of re- pacts on all aspects of life. have to change their mindset for at the Pakistan Peoples Party those placed on the no-fl y list. and bank accounts of all those a chief minister’s name be [on venge) has shown its real face “Pakistan loses 12,000 moth- the country to make progress, (PPP), whose leaders are facing Sindh Chief Minister Syed named in the JIT report should the] ECL? What if he has to visit by place Bilawal’s name on the ers in pregnancy-related causes since a fraudulent mindset had an inquiry in relation to fake ac- Murad Ali Shah and former chief be seized,” he added. a country on his offi cial work?” ECL.” annually, while millions of cou- caused huge loss to it. counts. minister Qaim Ali Shah are also Sheikh further alleged: “The “By this standard, Prime Min- “We are not scared of this ples cope with unwanted births Yesterday the prime minister He said that while the country included in the list. Rs7.5bn subsidy that was given ister Imran Khan should be on mutual understanding between each year in the country. said that his government will continues to face problems, it is Yesterday leaders of Prime to farmers was also transferred the ECL too, as he is under in- the PTI (the Pakistan Tehreek- “At an annual growth rate of launch the biggest operation no longer in crisis. Minister Khan’s Pakistan Te- in Omni Group’s bank account. quiry in the NAB,” the member e-Insaf party of Prime Minister 2.4%, Pakistan has the slowest against money laundering in Following a series of actions hreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in A loan worth billions of rupees of the National Assembly said. Khan) and the joint investigation demographic transition in the history. in wake of the joint investigation Sindh demanded that Chief was taken from Sindh Bank, “This is not a government, it is team,” she further said. region. This is a national emer- gency,” said Population Council country director Dr Zeba Sathar. The authorities have discretion on Citing current fertility trends, All in a day’s work she said that the impact of rapid issuing of travel bans: law minister population growth is evident. She told the meeting that Minister for Law and Justice Dr Farogh Naseem has said that the the use of contraceptives has names of suspects can be included in the Exit Control List (ECL) dropped to 34% and is the lowest without court cases, and that the interior ministry and the National in the region compared to 77% in Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecuting agencies have the Iran, 68% in Sri Lanka, and 62% discretionary power to add individuals to the no-fly list. in Bangladesh. Speaking to the media, the minister said: “The interior ministry or If the fertility rate in Pakistan the NAB recommend placing names on ECL when they suspect that was the same as in the rest of the those individuals will not return to the country.” region, it could save thousands “The interior ministry and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of mother’s lives, and the coun- will present the list of suspects whose names have been placed on try will have 40mn fewer people ECL before the Supreme Court,” he added. living in poverty, she said. The federal law minister assured: “After the joint investigation team Dr Abdul Ghaff ar Khan, the (JIT) report has come forward, there should be no compromise for director general of population suspects … they do, however, have the right to defend themselves.” welfare at the ministry of na- Regarding bigwigs being placed on ECL, Naseem said: “The media is tional health service, presented independent, and this is such big news that it will be out in the open. the Supreme Court’s task force Everyone should be respected but the process of accountability recommendations. should continue.” Highlighting the key recom- In response to a question, Naseem said: “(Pakistan Muslim League mendations which include en- – Nawaz leader) Khawaja Asif’s name was not under consideration suring universal access to fam- during the cabinet meeting. The government will take measures ily planning and reproductive through which the law and Constitution is implemented.” health service, contraceptive The minister further said: “If evidence is found against government commodity security, curriculum representatives, then they will also be placed on the ECL.” and training and the role of reli- gious scholars, he reiterated the need for stronger legislation to Shehbaz chairs first PAC meeting accelerate the fertility transition in the country. Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim The dialogue was held with League – Nawaz president Shehbaz Sharif chaired the first meeting support from the United Nations of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday. Population Fund and hosted Sharif, who is in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau members of the Senate, na- (NAB), was elected as PAC chairman unopposed on December 21. tional and provincial assemblies, He was issued with a production order to attend the meeting by former speakers and advisers to National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser a day ago. A fishmonger waits yesterday for customers at a market in Rawalpindi. the government as well as reli- The PML-N president decided that he will not chair any session gious scholars. related to the previous PML-N government’s rule. The details of the cases sent to the NAB and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have been summoned for the next session on Monday. In the first session, it was also decided that no off icer less than grade 19 will give briefing to the meeting. The heads of the NAB, the FIA and other institutions were also in Former PM Abbasi to lead PML-N attendance. The auditor general of Pakistan briefed the committee. Speaking to media at the Parliament House earlier, Sharif expressed Internews bad before his arrest to follow the Tahira Aurangzeb, and Sardar concern at the political situation in the country. Islamabad latter’s advice in critical matters. Yaqoob Khan Nasir. “Accountability has nothing to do with [what’s happening], this is “It was Shahid Khaqan Abbasi The sources said that Abbasi injustice and transgression,” he said. “We respect the judiciary but himself who was not interested in has also stated time and again disagree with the NAB court’s decision.” ormer prime minister Sha- becoming head of the parliamen- that his hands are “clean”, and The second session of the committee will be held on Monday hid Khaqan Abbasi is likely tary advisory board, because he that if anyone wants to look into (December 31) and Tuesday (January 1, 2019). Fto supervise the party af- was of the view that all the sen- his tenures as a minister as well Earlier this month, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government fairs in absence of ousted prime ior members should work jointly as the prime minister, he would conceded the chairmanship of the PAC to Shehbaz, almost three minister Nawaz Sharif and Op- without getting any post in the face the challenge at any forum. months after a stalemate over the key position. position Leader in the National interest of the party,” the sources When contacted, Abbasi said, The PAC is considered the most powerful parliamentary committee. Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, who said. “No one would head the parlia- are both currently behind the The sources said that Abbasi is mentary advisory board, as all bars as a result of the corruption now being considered as “acting its members would play their due KP snow jeep rally starts today cases against them, the reliable head” of the party, leading the role in strengthening the party all sources said. eff orts to formulate roadmap for over the country.” Off -road enthusiasts from across the country are expected at the However, Abbasi said: “I am a six-month-long mass contact He said: “We don’t know eighth snow cross jeep to be held on snow caped mountains of only a party worker, but being movement, during which the whether the incumbent (Pakistan Naran today. one of the senior-most party parliamentary advisory board Tehreek-e-Insaf) government The two-day gruelling test of driving skills on snow is a joint venture members, I am supposed to play would focus mobilising the party will go for mid-term elections, of the Tourism Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Mansehra my due role in the absence of Na- workers at the grassroots level but we have decided to mobilise district government, the Frontier 4×4 Club, Pak Wheels, and waz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif. and strengthening the basic in- the party workers by organising Mountain Dew. “But I must say that all mem- frastructure of the party in all the rallies and public meetings in all “We have invited more than 50 owners of off -road vehicles to the bers of the upcoming parliamen- federating units. major cities of the Punjab and race,” organiser Babar Khan said. tary advisory board would have They said that apart from Ab- other provinces of the country.” Abbasi: now being considered as ‘acting head’ of the PML-N. “We have selected a 3km terrain for the race, which includes snowy equal say in the decision-making basi, the parliamentary advisory Replying to a question, Ab- tracks, mountain tracks, and hill tracking for the drivers, who will process.” board is likely to comprise sen- basi said: “At the moment, the support base of the party during ing mass contact movement will show the skills on those tracks,” he added. The sources said that Nawaz ior party members such as Raja parliamentary advisory board of a mass contact movement that come to an end on June 30 next To a question, he said: “We have already conducted races for the Sharif had also personally ex- Zafarul Haq, Khawaja Asif, Ah- the party would focus on three would start from December 30.” year. past seven seasons on the same track, and this year we have added pressed confi dence in Abbasi’s san Iqbal, Ayaz Sadiq, Pervaiz objectives: stronger contacts “The parliamentary advi- “It will not be an election cam- more to the race, which would provide special attraction to the loyalty and commitment, and Rashid, Mushahidullah Khan, with the party workers, identifi - sory board has a clear-cut plan paign, but an eff ort to prepare the tourists and families and also give a positive message to the world.” directed the party’s senior mem- Rana Sanaullah, Mushahid Hus- cation of weaknesses in the party to achieve its targets within six party workers for all types of po- Winners will get shields and trophies for various categories. bers during a meeting in Islama- sain Sayed, Rana Tanvir Hussain, structure, and strengthening of months because the upcom- litical developments,” he said. Gulf Times Saturday, December 29, 2018 13 PHILIPPINES

New Year preparations Dominguez urges anti-graft agency to target ‘big fi sh’

By Mayvelin U Caraballo Manila Times

inance Secretary Car- los Dominguez 3rd has Fthrown his support to the anti-graft drive by direct- ing his department and at- Carlos Dominguez. tached agencies to closely co- ordinate with the Presidential you know, if you only have so Anti-Corruption Commission much time, we better go af- (PACC) in catching “big fi sh.” ter the big ones because of its In a statement, the Depart- many eff ects on the economy,” ment of Finance (DoF) said Dominguez was quoted as Dominguez told PACC chair- saying during a recent brief- man Dante Jimenez that the ing held by the PACC for Fi- commission could co-ordinate nance department offi cials. with Bayani Agabin, who is the Dominguez, however, said the undersecretary for legal aff airs, big-time crooks were diffi cult and the heads of the other DoF to catch because of the devi- offi ces and attached agencies. ous, smart ways they use to The PACC, which is under hide their misdeeds. the Offi ce of the President, “Those guys who bribe peo- was created by President Ro- ple to look the other way, who drigo Duterte in 2017 through give them nice contracts, who Executive Order 43. It has the give them concessions for power to conduct lifestyle many, many years, who let them checks, look into possible graft make money for no risk. That’s and corruption activities, a big, big corruption. But you and recommend punishment have to be really be very smart, against erring offi cials that you have to be smarter than would range from suspension them to catch them because it’s to removal from offi ce. white-collar crime,” he said. The Finance chief called on Dominguez said corruption Workers prepare firecrackers in a makeshift factory ahead of New Year celebrations in Bocaue, Bulacan province, yesterday. the PACC to focus its investiga- in the bureaucracy emanates tions on “big fi shes” involved in from three instances: “The anomalous government con- collection of taxes and other tracts, so it could make prudent revenues, the spending of use of its limited time and re- public funds, and the approval sources in the remaining half of by state offi cials and employ- the Duterte presidency. ees of projects that are grossly “We have limited amount of disadvantageous to the gov- time. I’m not saying we should ernment but highly benefi cial Final charge against not go after the small ones, but to certain people.” Sison claims credit Arroyo dismissed for two uprisings By Dempsey Reyes message. He then forwarded AFP Ferdinand Topacio, Arroyo’s rigging charge and was re- Manila Times a link to an article he wrote Manila lawyer, told ABS-CBN televi- leased later that year after the in August, evaluating the sion the ruling was a “vindi- Supreme Court dismissed the “achievements” of the CPP cation”. Arroyo, 71, served as plunder charge against her. xiled Communist Party since its inception 50 years he last of a series of crimi- president from 2001 to 2010 Despite the controversies, in of the Philippines (CPP) ago. Among these were the nal charges against former but her term was tainted by al- 2010 she was elected as a con- Efounder Jose Maria “overthrow” of the govern- TPhilippine president Glo- legations of massive corruption gresswoman, representing her “Joma” Sison has slammed ments of presidents Ferdi- ria Arroyo has been dismissed a and vote-rigging. family’s home province north Palace spokesman Salvador nand Marcos in 1986 and court said, capping a remarkable She was jailed on the charge of Manila. Panelo for calling the com- Joseph Estrada in 2001, as comeback for the controversial of electoral sabotage in 2011 She still occupies that post, munist rebellion a “failure” on well as ideological, political former leader and Duterte ally. and in 2016 was hit with an ad- and was sworn in to the influ- its 50th founding anniversary, and organisational achieve- The Manila court ruling, ditional charge that she stole ential position of House Speak- citing “great achievements” in ments. which was released yesterday, 366mn pesos ($6.8mn) in state er in July. the past years. Sison said President Rod- said there was not enough evi- lottery funds meant for charity Arroyo’s change of fortune “How can the CPP be a rigo Duterte “will soon be out dence to support accusations programmes. came after her ally, fiery city failure in growing big and of power by any reckoning.” that then-president Arroyo Benigno Aquino, a staunch mayor Rodrigo Duterte, was strong from being small and “But the people’s democrat- had conspired with a local poli- critic of Arroyo, was elected elected president in 2016. weak in 1968 and in build- ic government and revolution- tician to rig the 2007 mid-term president in 2010 and sought to She has been a supporter of ing the New People’s Army ary movement will continue to elections in favour of her sena- Arroyo: remarkable comeback make his predecessor a high- Duterte, whose controversial (NPA), the revolution- advance wave upon wave until torial allies. profile scalp of his anti-cor- campaign against illegal drugs ary mass movement and it overthrows the reactionary “For failure of the prosecu- able doubt and moral certainty tage” against accused Arroyo is ruption campaign. has claimed thousands of lives the people’s democratic government of bureaucratic tion to prove the guilt of ac- despite ample opportunity... hereby ordered dismissed”, the But in 2016, Arroyo was al- and been widely condemned by government?” Sison told puppets, big compradors and cused Arroyo beyond reason- the charge of “Electoral Sabo- court ruling said. lowed to post bail on the vote- human rights groups. Manila Times in an online landlords,” he added. Call for greater support Duterte seeks action against Iloilo to indigenous people

Manila Times 115 series of 2002, which author- offi cials for assaulting policeman Manila ises payment of death benefi ts to barangay offi cials who die during their term of offi ce. By Ralph Villanueva offi cer at gunpoint in the town the mayor did was abuse of enatorial aspirant Chris- The IP Mandatory Represent- Manila Times plaza on Wednesday morning. authority and display of arro- topher Lawrence “Bong” atives (IPMRs) to the barangay Representative Garin said gance, a conduct unbecoming SGo yesterday said he would (villages), however, are not cov- the incident stemmed from his of men in authority and well- push for the strengthening of the ered by the benefi ts, as the EO resident Rodrigo Duterte intention to fi le charges against deserving of punishment. I will National Commission on Indig- covers only the village captain, has ordered the Depart- a Sangguniang Bayan (Town not tolerate this kind of behav- enous Peoples (NCIP) to protect seven village councilors, Youth Pment of the Interior and Council) member’s son, Virgil iour and will order the removal the welfare of indigenous peo- Council president as Local Government (DILG) to fi le Gegato, who allegedly struck a of Mayor Garin’s deputation ples (IPs). ex-offi cio member, and charges against two Iloilo of- bottle of beer against another authority over the Guimbal po- “I have heard many of their barangay secretary and treasurer fi cials for mauling a policeman. man, identifi ed as Noel Gicana. lice once the investigation re- expressions of grief, complaints who die during their term of of- Iloilo representative Richard Macaya, who was assigned to sults are out,” Eduardo Ano, the and concerns. Thus, I would like fi ce. Garin and his father, Guimbal the case, allegedly asked Gicana DILG chief, said in a statement. to look at their situation and how Go was in Pampanga on De- town Mayor Oscar Garin, were to drop the case. Section 61 of the Local Gov- we can help. We will strengthen cember 21 with a group of Du- said to have beaten up Police This led to the intervention ernment Code of 1991 states NCIP,” Go said in an interview. terte supporters that brought Offi cer 3 Federico Macaya at the of the Garins, who claimed that local offi cials may face ad- The former special assistant more than 40 doctors from Met- Guimbal town plaza on Decem- Macaya’s move was “a betrayal Duterte: wants action against off icials ministrative charges for abuse to President Rodrigo Duterte ro Manila to give free checkups ber 26. of public trust and abuse of his of authority, oppression and said there was a clamour from and medical advice to the indig- “I will ask General Ano (Inte- position.” lieving of Monreal as Guimbal great disservice to the people of misconduct in offi ce. IPs to amend Executive Order enous tribe Aeta. rior secretary) to take a look why “What the police did was, to chief of police, for not arresting Guimbal.” Albayalde on Thursday or- that happened, and investigate. me, is a betrayal of public trust the Garins despite being in the Bulalacao accepted the dered the cancellation of the But I will — I’m not urging him. and abuse of his position. What area of the incident. apology but reiterated that Garins’ permits to carry fi re- I’m ordering him to fi le a case (Macaya) did was clearly against Representative Garin apolo- this would not stop the fi l- arms outside of their residences against the two,” Duterte said. the policy of the PNP not to gised for mauling the police of- ing of a grave coercion com- and licenses to own and possess Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, move for the settlement of the fi cer on Wednesday. plaint against Representative fi rearms. police regional director of West- case on the victim’s camp in a “I reiterate my apologies for Garin and a grave threat charge Based on the PNP database, ern Visayas, said the Garins had criminal case,” the lawmaker my actions which I take full against his father, Oscar. representative Garin owns 11 asked Macaya and Police Sen- said. responsibility for. But I would The DILG said the incident fi rearms and three of them with ior Insp. Antonio Monreal, the Macaya has fi led charges of like to clarify that my actions could serve as a ground for the expired licenses. Mayor Garin town’s chief of police, to go to physical injuries, assault upon are not directed to the Philip- House of Representatives to im- owns eight fi rearms, three of the public plaza. a person of authority, alarm pine National Police as an in- pose sanctions on representa- them with expired licenses. The Philippine National Po- and scandal, grave coercion and stitution, or against its offi cers tive Garin. The fi rearms of the two will lice (PNP) in Western Visayas grave threats against the Garins. and personnel,” Garin said in a The DILG on Thursday said be confi scated by police author- reported that Representative PNP chief Oscar Albayalde statement. Garin said his ac- it would strip Mayor Garin of ities and they will be ineligible Garin disarmed, handcuff ed, ordered the PNP Legal Service tions were “a mere display of his authority over the Guimbal to own and possess guns. slapped and spat on Police Of- to provide legal assistance to extreme frustration” towards police because of the mauling “I cannot in conscience let fi cer (PO) 3 Federico Macaya Macaya. one single PNP offi cer whom he incident. this abuse and oppression pass Go: support for indigenous communities Jr. while Mayor Garin held the Bulalacao has ordered the re- perceived to have “committed a “What the congressman and without justice,” Albayalde said. Gulf Times 14 Saturday, December 29, 2018 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Britain faces a bleak Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar future in Trump’s world [email protected] 44350478 (News), it is exactly this consensual rulebook subverted the Brexit vote, and regularly risks especially if, as in Britain, Chinese 44466404 (Sport), By Simon Tisdall London that Trump is recklessly tearing up. violates British sea, air and cyberspace. companies are investing in nuclear 44466636 (Home delivery) If there is to be a US trade deal with His covert hooliganism extends from power and telecoms infrastructure. So, supplicant Britain, for example, it the Barents Sea to the Sea of Azov. bottom line: how much would Liam Fox 44350474 isagreements over the terms will be on Trump’s onerous “America Russian “malign activity” in 2019 will and friends give up to sweeten a deal facebook.com/gulftimes of Britain’s departure from fi rst” terms. If the whim takes him, underscore the reality that, in or out, with Beijing? They should remember, the EU are obscuring the his punitive tariff wars will intensify, Britain’s external defence and security while counting pennies and yuan, that twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar Ddaunting international regardless of their impact on struggling remain intimately linked to Europe’s. values matter more than VAT. challenges that await the country partners. Britain may cast itself as a Then there are EU allies to consider. Trump’s second-rank friends once it supposedly shakes off Europe’s 21st-century champion of free trade Are they now to be forgotten? Angela are an equally unappealing bunch. shackles. It’s a tough, unforgiving world and international engagement, but it Merkel, a European standard-bearer Saudi Arabia is a player these days, out there, and 2019 is shaping up to be is Trump’s protectionist, isolationist reviled by Trump and German economically and politically. Yet British GULF TIMES an even bigger rough-house than usual. and nationalist tropes that are trending xenophobes alike, is on her way gun-running to Riyadh has always By jettisoning a pivotal alliance, Britain worldwide. out. France’s unpopular president, been objectionable, ethically speaking. no-mates is seriously weakening its In Trump’s fearful world, the night Emmanuel Macron, is besieged. If the Dodgy deals of that type will be even capacity to manage these looming is full of terrors, and that’s especially Franco-German centre cannot hold, more insupportable in future, now we threats. true of 2019. The president needs a rightwing populist-nationalists from know the Saudi crown prince counts Measles outbreaks The spectre of Donald Trump lies at scary distraction from the deep legal Italy to Poland will profi t. The threats to assassins among his subordinates. Or the heart of ominous turbulence on the and political trouble he is in at home, Europe’s democratic order are real and take emerging Brazil. A lot of jolly juicy global horizon. Nearly halfway through especially as he desires a second term. pressing. This is Britain’s fi ght, too, as opportunities there, as Boris Johnson his term, the 45th US president is This distraction would preferably come history shows. might say. Except Brazil recently elected in US and Europe helping to create a world where old rules from overseas – for in Trump’s world, So forget the Irish backstop for a a hard-right president who plans to don’t apply and long-held assumptions, foreigners are defi ned not as friends minute. Forget the price of fi sh. Who burn down the Amazon for cash. This such as Britain’s claim to a “special but as potential foes. Deliberately will stop Putin and the onwards march does not sit well with Britain’s climate relationship” with Washington, are an intensifying the US confrontation with of Europe’s hard-right? Not Trump. He change commitments. a wake-up call anachronistic embarrassment. Iran is one defl ective possibility. Trump welcomes anything that weakens the If push comes to shove, it’s even Trump’s is an anarchic realm, has worked hard to provoke Tehran, EU. If or when such crisis points arrive, suggested Britain could revive old dangerous, delusional and chaotic – reneging on the 2015 nuclear deal and even the most intransigent Eurosceptic Commonwealth ties to sustain its Public health offi cials in New York and New Jersey are comparable to a dysfunctional Florida imposing new sanctions over British may fi nally grasp the inescapability of venture into the unknown. But who fi ghting a measles outbreak that has sickened dozens theme park – on which a category objections. The Israelis and Saudis Britain’s European ties and the true in the modern Commonwealth needs of people since November, most of them unvaccinated fi ve hurricane is bearing down. It is would be up for a fi ght. But for Britain, worth of European unity. Britain? India, for example, has moved members of orthodox Jewish communities. The virus was characterised by structural vandalism, it would be an unpropitious start to The post-Brexit challenge posed on since the days of empire. In 2019, its and fuelled by self-interest, insults and post-Brexit global outreach. At the by China is of a diff erent order: as GDP will overtake Britain’s. Any deal traced to travellers from Israel, which is dealing with its own lies. Trump’s ignorant, confrontational same time, Trump’s hostility to existing much moral as economic. The Chinese with Delhi will be costly. And it may not measles outbreak at the moment persona informs concerted US eff orts military deployments overseas presage president, Xi Jinping, is running one of be long before belittled Britain forfeits So far, the outbreak has been relatively small because, to overturn or bypass the rules-based problems on other key policy fronts. the most repressive regimes on Earth, its permanent seat on the UN Security despite gaps in what’s known as community immunity, the international order – he regularly A prime example is his rash decision under whose grim auspices Muslims in Council, too. overall national vaccination in the US remains high enough attacks and undermines the United to ignore UK advice and abandon the Xinjiang, Buddhists in Lhasa, “house Old roles are reversed. The balance of Nations, the European Union, Nato, fi ght against Islamic State in Syria. US church” Christians in Beijing, pro- power shifts. In Trump’s world, nobody to prevent wide-scale epidemics such as the one that raged the international criminal court, the troop withdrawals from Afghanistan, democracy activists in Hong Kong, respects weaklings and has-beens, through parts of Europe this year. But Americans should international court of justice, the where Britain recently increased troop and independent media, academics especially when they used to run the be alarmed, nevertheless. The next measles outbreak – and World Trade Organisation and eff orts to numbers, may follow. James Mattis, the and writers suff er hugely. Trump does show (or thought they did). Viewed from there will be one – could be much worse. address climate change. It encourages defence secretary, could not stop him, not give a hoot about human rights in all those places formerly coloured pink That’s because immunisation rates among US school- bad behaviour everywhere. and resigned in protest. After Brexit, China or anywhere else. But the British in the atlas, Brexit increasingly looks like To survive on its own in a world belittled Britain will have less say than traditionally do. Does Britain really payback time. In spurning its European aged children are – incredibly – declining in certain states, full of hazards, Britain is relying on ever. want to become further entangled home, self-destructive Britain casts itself thanks to unreasonably permissive immunisation rules. All the familiar frameworks, multilateral Russia is a leading benefi ciary with a communist dictatorship whose unready and unloved into a world of pain. but three US states allow parents to opt out of vaccination institutions, laws, regulations, of Trump’s contempt for Western internal repression is matched by an - Guardian News & Media requirements on religious grounds, and 18 of them allow diplomatic conventions and solidarity and shared values – and a big aggressively expansionist, illiberal exemptions based on what they call personal belief, which commercial codes that have governed problem for Britain no-mates. Vladimir world view? As the head of MI6 noted • Simon Tisdall is a foreign aff airs state-to-state relations since 1945. But Putin poisoned at will in Salisbury, recently, there are also grave security commentator. is an even less strict standard. Many vaccination opponents believe the medicine in vaccinations for measles, mumps, rubella and other real diseases causes autism and various “vaccination injuries.” They have no science to back this up, only misinformed anecdotes that serve to scare gullible parents. And they’re gaining ground. A study published earlier this year found that nonmedical exemptions have been on the rise in 12 of the 18 states in America that allow personal belief exemptions. The World Health Organisation attributes a global spike in measles in the last two years to the spread of misinformation by Measles is nothing those opposed to vaccinations. to mess around The opponents of vaccination with; it is extremely aren’t just contagious pushing bad facts. Organisations such as the National Vaccination Information Centre are behind legislative eff orts to make it easier for parents to refuse to immunise their children. One example was a proposed bill in New York state that would have barred school offi cials from asking for supporting information when a parent claims a religious exemption. That bill didn’t pass. Happily, California has gone the other way – tightening its immunisation requirements. California is one of only three File photo of British Prime Minister Theresa May with US President Donald Trump during a ceremony at the new Nato headquarters in Brussels on May 25, 2017. states in America that allow neither religious nor personal belief exemptions. A serious measles outbreak in 2014 that was traced to Disneyland brought attention to the state’s declining immunisation rates, particularly in communities where the anti-vax fears had taken root. Mattis’ truth-telling resignation That outbreak was scary, but it served as a wake-up call to California lawmakers, who just months later banned all exemptions for vaccinations except those for medical By Virginia Heff ernan have been starved for over the last two “the central challenge to US prosperity public servant in the White House. reasons. Childhood immunisation rates immediately Tribune News Service years. Our upside-down nation has and security.” It’s heartbreaking – but human – that almost forgotten what a disciplined and That’s right. The central challenge there’s a note of real resignation in rebounded statewide, reaching 95% for the fi rst time principled approach to national security to peace and prosperity. Not Canada, Mattis’ resignation letter. in decade, including in school districts where rates had esignation letters can be sounds like. Europe, CNN or Amazon. What’s more, Last Friday, news broke that Supreme dropped the most precipitously. rants. Meltdowns. But mostly (If you want more discipline and undernourished asylum-seekers from Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Opposition to mandatory vaccination in California they’re boilerplate. One job site principles, read a paper Mattis cites Mexico and Central America don’t who is 85, had had surgery to remove continues, however. When personal belief and religious Radvises quitters to be brief, not in his letter: “2018 National Defence endanger the peace either. malignant nodules on her lungs. Her to burn bridges, and – this above all – Strategy of the United States: Trump pleased the Kremlin last week doctors said there was “no evidence exemptions were banned, medical exemptions increased. “Don’t tell the whole truth in your exit Sharpening the Military Edge.” It’s by withdrawing troops from Syria and of any remaining disease” after the The rise is still too small to impact overall rates of protection, interview.” thoughtful, thorough, and there’s lifting economic sanctions on Putin’s surgery, and others hastened to add but it is a trend that bears watching. For once, Defense Secretary James N nothing in it about mafi a rats or billionaire pal Oleg Deripaska. But what that that doesn’t mean it won’t show Measles is nothing to mess around with; it is extremely Mattis broke a rule. When the former smocking guns.) makes the Russian president happy up again. contagious, in part because sick people can infect others Marine Corps four-star general and Daily, Americans who deserve better terrifi es what’s left of the free world. Ginsburg’s sudden frailty and Mattis’ head of Central Command tendered his are subject to the president’s onslaught And, unmistakably, it also terrifi es departure are reminders that although before they realise they are suff ering from more than the resignation to President Donald Trump of vile, tweeted gibberish. But in two Mattis. America may be a nation of laws and sniffl es. And it can be particularly deadly for unvaccinated last week, he told the whole truth. long years, they haven’t ever heard the Americans can be forgiven if they not individuals, there are certain adults. Before a vaccination was developed in the 1960s, In his elegant, elegiac and deceptively White House authoritatively state the no longer remember what dignity and individuals in government who serve about 2.6mn people died from measles every year, according simple letter, Mattis outlined his core nation’s once-fi rm position on global rationality sound like in public life; the as bulwarks against both autocracy and to the World Health Organisation. - Tribune News Service beliefs about global security. security. Mattis letter jogs America’s collective anarchy. The letter merits a close look, but not In plain view, and fl amboyantly, memory. But it has arrived right at the Mattis is certainly one, and Ginsburg because it’s brilliantly original. Instead, Trump has spited America’s allies edge of too late. is another. And, as Mattis showed last the brief essay takes a steely tone to and bowed and scraped before Mattis is a famously cerebral Marine, week, they can’t be expected to sacrifi ce To Advertise reiterate with absolute clarity America’s authoritarians, including his favourite, literate and urbane. He carried a copy themselves in Trump’s one-man civil war. bedrock commitments in the post- Russian President Vladimir Putin. of Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations” to America needs more like Mattis and [email protected] World War II international order. Ever-mindful of Trump’s mounting his deployments in the Persian Gulf and Ginsburg, a general and a jurist who Display Protect the free world against sycophancy to Putin and other Iraq, including both battles of Fallujah. have each sworn an oath to the nation’s expansionist authoritarianism. autocrats, Mattis discovered last week There’s considerable irony in his nom laws and ideals. Whatever your politics, 44466621 44418811 Was that so hard? Reasonable people that he must distance himself from our de guerre, “Mad Dog,” which may have you believe they meant it. There are can diff er on tactics and some preach compromised president. endeared him to the tacky president some pacts between the people and Classified isolationism. But Mattis’ line covers Unlike Trump, Mattis makes clear, he but doesn’t remotely capture a man of the government that even this reckless 44466609 44418811 even those who prefer to pull in the is not a lost patsy or puppet. Mattis’ even temperament and wide president can’t break. drawbridges; it is an entirely credible In no uncertain terms, he writes in learning. Mattis’ mentor Marcus Aurelius Subscription and complete statement of postwar his defence strategy statement that Given all that, his letter is tinged wrote instructions that suit our nation American resolution. China and Russia are seeking to control with sadness, a palpable grief for the and its leadership this dark December: [email protected] And that’s why Mattis’ letter is a Europe and the Middle East with old American moral and philosophical “Do not act as if you were going to live vitally necessary document. It evokes authoritarian measures and new forms values, and for his inability, fi nally, 10,000 years. Death hangs over you. the common sense, wisdom and of warfare, including election hacking. to successfully defend them on his While you live, while it is in your power, © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved competence that the American people These two nations, Mattis writes, pose own, the last serious and decent be good.” Gulf Times Saturday, December 29, 2018 15 COMMENT Would Americans pass ‘best’ immigrants test?

By Conor P Williams – those who merit being and staying We’ve often diminished native-born Washington here. Maybe you’ve always been a citi- Americans’ access to full citizenship zen. Great. Congratulations on choos- along those same lines. ing the right parents. But we’ve been But the ideal promise of the he Trump administration’s reviewing your tax return from last American dream has always been clear. determination to revamp year, and we noticed that you fi led for The US has long congratulated itself the American immigration the mortgage interest deduction. Un- for being a haven for all those willing to Tsystem appears to be bound- fortunately, that’s going to require us work to build better lives. As it less. From its proposed redefi nition of to put your citizenship on probationary happens, that treacly credo is more which public benefi ts immigrants can status. If you’re going to participate in than just mythology. It’s an use without being labelled a “public this new, merit-based US, you’re going enormously productive driver of charge” to its steep reduction in the to need to prove that you’re not going national success. American US’s refugee ceiling to its sudden with- to be depending on the public for tax magnanimity towards the world’s drawal of legal status for immigrants subsidies when you buy a house. migrants has actually served the from countries like Haiti and El Salva- Or maybe you’ve been fl ying high in country better than any national eff ort dor to Donald Trump’s recent fl irtation the public eye, building a business on at sifting immigrants for their with ending birthright citizenship, a range of tax evasion schemes. We’re potential talents. the administration appears willing going to need you to get right with the Immigrants and their children to stretch, change or even break US IRS … or you’ll be facing a loss of the have founded a substantial chunk of laws en route to an ill-defi ned eff ort to full rights of citizenship. America’s greatest companies. remake American immigration around Studies suggest that immigrants ac- Hard-working, fortune-building, a “merit-based” approach. tually outperform Americans on host nation-enhancing immigrants are as At an intuitive level, its strategy of meritorious behaviours, and actually American as blue jeans. They’ve been makes sense. If you think of the US perform worse as they integrate into central to American technological domi- as a sandlot squad competing to out- American society. Or, to oversimplify nance – YouTube, Google and What- shine other nations in a never-ending, a lot, as immigrants adopt our culture, sApp. Notwithstanding all-encompassing, resource-scarce language and habits, as they become periodic (and current) national anxiety Olympics, then sure, we clearly ought more like us, their “merits” drop. about immigrants’ supposed political to treat immigration like a competitive They get less healthy, struggle more radicalism, children of immigrants are draft. If we want to win, if we want with their marriages and participate less likely to be Marxists than they are to beat the other countries, presum- in crime more often – ie at rates that to contribute to American life like the ably we want to vet potential new “more closely match the general popu- Marx brothers. Rather than undermining US immigrants – our new “players” lation of native-born Americans”. American identity, immigrants tend to – carefully. In this view, we should People participate in a protest march calling for human rights and dignity for immigrants, in Los Angeles, February 18, 2017. Yikes. We native-born Americans show up and excel at things like obviously use our immigration system (REUTERS File Photo) are ill-positioned to level judgments on America’s pastime – such as the to fi lter in only the best free throw immigrants’ merits, at least not with- Yankees’ Joe DiMaggio before and the shooters, the most beautiful models, haps we need to apply the same fi lter to that US citizens without a high school extra scrutiny. And hey, why stop at out fi rst turning an eye to our own. Red Sox’s Xander Bogaerts today. the richest moneylenders, the clever- the native-born? diploma were more likely to rely on food stamps and Medicaid? Sure, the big, broad-lit American No question about it: the US needs est scientists, etc. Amid our widening income, as- public benefi ts than immigrants with- You naturalised 15 years ago? Great. creed is about meritocracy, through comprehensive immigration reform to While it’s tautologically hard to set and regional inequalities, many out a high school diploma. For high But if you get hurt on the job and need and through. But it’s not really about update its system and provide legal argue against “merit” – the word is its Americans fi nd themselves strug- school graduates, immigrants were social security disability benefi ts, we’re earning your citizenship before you clarity for immigrants like the own defence – native-born Americans gling to put together stable families slightly more likely than US citizens to going to have to pull those naturalisa- start by having rich parents, a debt- Dreamers and other residents ought to be careful about thinking this and prosperous careers. Many rely on use Medicaid, and slightly less likely to tion papers up for review. Sorry, buddy, and risk-free path to success, or a without documentation. But the Trump way about immigration. public programmes of some sort to be on food stamps. this country is working on perfecting clear slate of past achievements. Being administration’s simplistic thinking That’s because athletic teams aren’t help them continue their educations, If we’re going to set new standards our talent pool. We just don’t have room American isn’t about deserving it – it’s about immigrants’ “merit” doesn’t just ruthless in their decisions about get healthcare, buy homes or feed their for newcomers seeking to join our for those who can’t pull their weight. about getting an opportunity to build a advance that conversation in the new players. They’re also ruthless families. national team, sooner or later we’re Your kid’s trying to go to college, and better life through hard work. slightest. Merit isn’t a crisp, clear, about ensuring that they don’t carry This isn’t a secret. The administra- going to apply them to folks who’ve she needs a Pell grant? There’s just not It’s true that the US hasn’t always essential trait that some people have longstanding team members that drag tion’s justifi cation of its recent eff ort been here longer. When it comes to room for families that are going to bur- lived up to its stated values. We have and others lack. It defi es easy down the squad. In other words, if to force immigrant families to choose the administration’s narrow under- den our higher education system. often doled out residency, citizen- measurement or national we’re going to apply a merit-based between using social programmes standing of merit, we Americans with This isn’t your great-grandfather’s ship and opportunity according to curation – even for those un-American logic to potential new Americans, per- and retaining their legal status noted deeper roots might not do well under US. Nowadays, we only accept the best immigrants’ wealth and skin colour. enough to try. – Guardian News & Media

LEGAL HELPLINE Three-day forecast

TODAY Maximum Temperature : 240c Termination of contract during leave period Minimum Temperature : 170c SUNDAY Maximum Temperature : 240c Minimum Temperature : 200c By Dr Nizar Kochery packaging thereof. Any agreement to ture in whole or in part, the contractor matter is blocked due to this case. Doha the contrary shall be invalid. shall be liable for such defects that may Does the law state any remedy for MONDAY arise from the design but not for defects the parties to speed up the expert Maximum Temperature : 260c Liability for defect due to the method of construction and meeting? Please advise. Minimum Temperature : 180c Question: I am working as HR execution. Where the employer assigns Fisherman's forecast manager in a MEP contracting in building design the engineer to supervise the execu- OW, Doha company. We do small scale con- tion in whole or in part, such engineer WARNING tracting works in Qatar. As there shall also be liable for such defects that A: According to Article 351 of the Civil Inshore : Nil is no ongoing projects to employ Q: Our company has designed may arise from the method of execution and Commercial Procedure law, if the Offshore : Expected strong wind all the staff we have sent back a building structure which was supervised. Thus, the engineer shall not expert fails to submit his report within and high sea to the be liable for the defects in the execution the term specifi ed in the court order, he north by noon. majority of employees on unpaid approved by the client and main WEATHER leave. But the present position of contractor. On the execution of the if the scope is limited to design. shall provide a submission to the court Inshore : Sacttered clouds with the company is becoming worse. project, there is defect in the struc- describing the work performed, and chance of scattered light rain at places and The management has decided ture. Now the client and contractor reasons that hinders from the slight dust, cold by to terminate those employees’ has issued a notice for compensa- completion of his duty. If the court night. services who are on leave. Can we tion for the defective execution. Delay in submission fi nds the reasons justifi able, the court Offshore : Partly cloudy terminate the employees’ services Our company is not responsible shall grant an extension of time to of report by expert WIND and pay the benefi ts and due sal- for any defect in the execution. As submit the report. If there is no Inshore : Northwesterly 05-15 KT ary to their home bank account? per law does the designer have any justifi able reason for the delay on the Please advise. responsibility in case of defective Q: A contracting company fi led part of the expert, the court may Offshrore : Northwesterly 06-16 KT, Gusting to 22 KT execution? The design was free a civil case related to a contract impose a fi ne not exceeding QR2,000 SG, Doha from the defects. Please help. against us in 2018 January and and grant time or replace him and Visibility : 4-8 KM the court appointed an expert in obligate him to refund the money Answer: According to Article 85, DH, Doha March. But no expert has con- received from the court. Offshore : 3-5/7 FT termination during the leave period tacted us till date for any meeting. Around the region is not in compliance with the Labour A: According to Article 712 of the Civil We have been attending the case Weather Weather Laws. The law prohibits the employer laws, if the work of the engineer is limit- for past 6 months regularly. Our z Please send your questions to today Max/min tomorrow Max/min from terminating the employment ed to the design of the building or struc- payment connected to the subject [email protected] Baghdad M Sunny 15/07 P Cloudy 16/07 contract or notifying the worker of Kuwait CitySunny 19/10 P Cloudy 17/12 the termination thereof during any Manama P Cloudy 22/18 P Cloudy 22/18 of his periods of leave. Moreover, the LEGAL SYSTEM IN QATAR Muscat Sunny 26/19 Sunny 26/19 employer may not notify the worker Tehran Sunny 09/-1 Sunny 09/01 of the termination of the contract if According to Article 117 of the Criminal condition of the release, and he shall be the notice period expires during any of Procedure Code, the order of preventive pledged in the investigation record or the such periods of leave. detention shall be issued after interrogat- prosecution offi ce. The minute or report ing the suspect and shall be for four days, shall have the power of executive deed. renewable for a similar period. According to Article 122, if, without If the interest of the investigation Norms for packing requires the continuation of the suspect’s any reasonable excuse, the suspect fails preventive detention after the expiration to execute any one of the obligations im- special consignment of the period, the Public Prosecution shall posed on him, the bailment amount shall submit the issue to a judge of a Court of be retained by the State without a need Q: We have an agreement for sup- First Instance having jurisdiction to issue for a judgment in this respect. The whole an order to extend the detention for a pe- ply of material for which special amount of the bailment shall be refunded riod not exceeding thirty days, renewable packing is required. Qatar laws ap- if an order that the action should not be ply to the agreement. What are the for a similar period or other periods, or instituted has been issued or there was a relevant provisions in this regard? to release him with or without bailment, after examining the papers and hearing judgment of acquittal or the obligations Around the world DR., Doha the statements of the Public Prosecution referred to in the preceding paragraph Weather Weather and the suspect. have been executed. today Max/min tomorrow Max/min A: As per Article 174 of the Trade In all cases, the period of precautionary The issuance of a release order shall not Athens Sunny 16/06 P Cloudy 13/07 detention shall not exceed six months, law, if the nature of the consignment prevent the Public Prosecution member Beirut Rain 16/13 Rain 16/14 unless the suspect was announced to be Bangkok Showers 31/23 P Cloudy 28/21 requires special preparations for the from issuing a new arrest warrant against carriage, the consignor shall perform referred to a criminal court having juris- Berlin Showers 07/05 Cloudy 07/02 As per Article 120, the provisional the suspect if there is strong evidence necessary preparation to protect diction before the expiry of this period. Cairo P Cloudy 18/10 P Cloudy 19/10 against any damage or destruction to If the charge attributed to him is a felony, release of the suspect shall be depend- against him or if he violates the duties im- Cape Town Cloudy 24/18 Cloudy 23/18 the extent that it shall not expose any the period of precautionary detention ent on the provision of a bailment, in the posed or circumstances exist that require Colombo M Sunny 31/22 M Sunny 32/22 person or other goods to damage. The shall not exceed six months except after cases other than where it is obligatory. taking such action. Dhaka Sunny 23/12 Sunny 25/12 The Public Prosecution member or judge, consignor shall be liable for dam- obtaining an order from the criminal If the suspect is referred to the court, Hong Kong M Cloudy 16/11 P Cloudy 17/11 court having jurisdiction prior to its as the case may be, shall estimate the age arising from defective packing. his release if he is precautionary detained, Istanbul Showers 07/04 P Cloudy 07/04 Nevertheless, the carrier shall be expiry to extend the detention for a period bailment amount. Such amount shall be Jakarta Cloudy 33/26 Cloudy 33/26 or his detention if he is released shall be of responsible for such damage if he/she not exceeding 45 days, renewable for a allocated as a penalty for the suspect’s Karachi Sunny 25/12 Sunny 25/13 consents to deliver in the knowledge similar period or periods, otherwise the non-attendance at any of the investiga- the competence of the court he is referred London Cloudy 12/06 Cloudy 12/07 or possible knowledge of the con- suspect shall be released. The precaution- tion or case procedures, and to guarantee to. In the case of a judgment of lack of Manila T Storm 28/24 S T Storms 29/24 signor’s neglect of this commitment. ary detained suspect shall be released if he that he will not evade the judgment jurisdiction, the court which issued the Moscow Cloudy -9/-11 Cloudy -5/-7 The carrier is deemed to be aware of spent in precautionary detention a period execution, and to perform all other duties judgment shall be the relevant court to New Delhi Fog 21/05 Fog 21/06 the damage if the damage is clear or equal to half of the maximum penalty imposed on him. consider the request of release or deten- New York M Sunny 11/01 P Cloudy 05/03 prescribed for the crime for which he is The bailment amount shall be paid Paris M Cloudy 06/06 M Cloudy 09/06 if it is of a type that cannot be hidden tion, until the case is initiated in the court from a regular carrier. The carrier precautionary detained. by the suspect, or others, in the court or Sao Paulo P Cloudy 30/18 P Cloudy 31/18 having jurisdiction. may not deny responsibility for the The Public Prosecution may order a Public Prosecution treasury, as the case Seoul Sunny -3/-13 Sunny -2/-13 damage or perishing of an item he/she provisional release of the precautionary may be. Any person may be accepted to The victim shall not attend at the con- Singapore S T Storms 31/26 I T Storms 32/26 delivers by proving that the damage is detained suspect, either of its own accord pledge to pay the full prescribed amount sideration of the renewal of precautionary Sydney Cloudy 31/21 P Cloudy 31/22 consequent on a fl aw in the packag- or upon the suspect’s request. of the bailment if the suspect violates a detention of the suspect. Tokyo Clear 08/01 Clear 08/02 ing of another item or in loading or Gulf Times 16 Saturday, December 29, 2018 QATAR

Sealine area becoming hub for desert adventures

Qatar’s Sealine area is attracting an increasing number of local and foreign visitors looking for safari and other desert adventures. The launch of Al Enna Project last month by the Qatar National Tourism Council is providing new and ‘curated’ services, as well as amenities, for both campers and operators. Scenes from Sealine area yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma Workers’ welfare – legacy in action

By Mahmoud Qutub particularly with construction Welfare Forums – gives workers sites, which showed remarkable Doha reaching its peak in many areas/ access to a democratic platform results in reducing body temper- stadiums. to elect colleagues to represent atures. In 2019, we plan to deploy Through our commitment to their constituency groups. This the next generation of innovation our years from now, Qa- the application of our workers’ platform helps amplify our work- in heat management for 30,000 tar will have played host welfare standards, we have al- ers’ voice, gives us greater insight workers on our sites. Fto the 2022 FIFA World ready improved accommodation into their needs and provides Many challenges remain, but Cup tournament. Every day be- facilities, eradicated passport them with access to remedy. We we are proud of the progress de- tween now and that moment is retention, enhanced our health have focused on ensuring that the livered in a short time and will vital for ensuring that the World and safety practices through in- mechanisms we have established continue to build on it. It is re- Cup’s fi rst venture into the Arab creased training and awareness are independent, transparent, assuring to see that the steps we world is a success. One of the and introduced comprehen- accessible and eff ective. have taken are being recognised. most critical areas of focus is the sive medical checks for all our To date, we have over 112 fo- At the Sporting Chance Forum 30,000 workers helping to build workers. rums across the programme cov- in Paris recently, Sharan Burrow, the stadiums and non-compe- A key highlight of our success ering over 22,000 workers (89% general secretary of the Inter- tition venues required for the this year was the tackling of re- of the workforce) with an average national Trade Union Confed- matches. cruitment fees – a highly com- voter turnout of 85%, demon- eration, applauded the country’s We believe that we have a so- plex issue impacting workers strating the confi dence and trust eff orts in addressing workers’ cial and moral responsibility to in Qatar, and millions of others our workers have in the system. welfare issues and noted that the health, safety, security, and around the world. Many work- The year 2018 was also a year in “Qatar is becoming a model for dignity of every worker on our ers are forced to pay vast sums which we identifi ed a revolution- other Gulf states.” project. This responsibility is of money to ‘middle men’ to se- ary solution to enhance our heat Collaboration, partnership exemplifi ed and driven by the cure employment abroad, driven stress plans and keep our work- and transparency are the foun- SC Secretary-General, Has- by the hope of securing a better ers comfortable whilst working dation on which these mile- san al-Thawadi, who is acutely future for their families. Cooled Coverall testing with SC staff and TechNiche at Lusail Stadium. in hot conditions. After many stones have been achieved and aware of the responsibility and It is illegal in Qatar for work- months of research, tests and pi- with four years to go, our journey opportunity of ensuring that ers to be asked to pay recruit- To navigate this challenge, we by our contractors to reimburse Cup in action. We have used the lots, the SC identifi ed the oppor- is far from over. We will contin- the 2022 FIFA World Cup ac- ment fees. The reality, however, transferred the burden of proof QR78.4mn ($21.5mn) to work- spotlight of a mega sporting event tunity to develop a bespoke cool- ue to engage with partners and celerates social, cultural and is not as simple. We know that a from the employee to the em- ers over the next three years. As to bring attention to a global issue ing technology with a specialist our workers to implement even economic progress in Qatar and large percentage of workers on ployer. If the employer could of today, QR44.7mn ($12.3mn) impacting human rights. We have partner, UK-based TechNiche. If better practice, enable tangible beyond. SC projects have paid recruit- not prove they had paid the cost of that will be paid to 14,356 SC put money back in the pockets of successful, our cooling suit has change, and improve the working As 2018 draws to a close, it is ment fees in their home coun- of recruitment, we collaborat- workers, while the remaining workers that should not have been the potential to revolutionise the lives of all concerned. a good time to take stock of the tries. Unable to provide any ed with them to reimburse the QR33.7mn ($9.3mn) will go to paid in the fi rst place. experience of anyone working (The writer is Executive areas where we have had the proof of this payment though, it workers for the fees they may 16,560 workers not employed on Workers are central to our re- outdoors in a hot climate. Director, Workers’ Welfare most impact, and plan for the is often impossible to ensure re- have paid. SC projects. form eff orts and our flagship In June 2018, we deployed Department, Supreme Committee next phase in workers’ welfare, imbursement by employers. The result was a commitment This is the legacy of a World grievance mechanism – Workers’ 3,500 cooling vests across SC for Delivery & Legacy.) 18 QU biomedical science students present their graduation projects

group of 18 biomedical gitis during the period of Sep- heart development. They found in Qatar and was done by Shaza deleterious mutations shared be- science students of Qa- tember 2018 – September 2019, that hyperglycaemia aff ected the Malik and Roan Zaid, while the tween the two genes were identi- Atar University presented only 7.8% were diagnosed with blood fl ow velocity and ejection second project was conducted fi ed and proteins such as GBA2, their graduation projects re- viral meningitis with higher throughout the developing heart. by Samia Ahmed and Mariam GLB1 and GALC, which inter- cently covering various subjects prevalence in males. It altered the gene expression and Radi shed the light on some novel act with the GBA protein, were with the majority tackling dis- Based on the molecular analy- changed grossly the heart struc- mutations that are believed to mapped. The second project eases frequently encountered in sis done in the biomedical re- ture. This study, supervised by correlate with the pathogenic- was done by Maryam Niazullah A student presenting her project. the country. search centre, the most com- Dr Marwan Abu-Madi and Dr ity of malignant hyperthermia in and Sadia Tasneem to study the Sara Jemmieh and Amira Kohil mon viruses circulating in Qatar Hussin Yalsin, aimed to develop Qatar. eff ectiveness of using compu- lently attached to a starch back- tar, while Hoda Najjar and Farah presented their research project were Echovirus-3, Echovirus-11 a chick model of hyperglycaemia Another two projects super- tational tools in variants clas- bone) on platelets aiming to fi nd Alserr studied the toxicity eff ect entitled, “Epidemiological Sur- and EV-C105. This study, fi rst to investigate congenital heart vised by Dr Hatem Zaid had the sifi cation of patients with Pomp a manner to reduce the toxicity of of semiconductor photocata- veillance and Molecular Epide- of its kind in Middle East and defects in babies of diabetic recognition of being published in disease. Both projects may serve iron chelators used in the thalas- lyst compounds (HH-rGO/TiO2 miology of Viral Meningitis in North Africa region, highlighted mothers. scientifi c journals. Hend Eldous as a platform for potential devel- saemia therapy. Sara Abdelghaney and H2-rGO/TiO2) on zebrafi sh. Qatar”. a strain that is associated with On the molecular genetic and Zainab Mahgoub studied a opment of therapeutic drugs. and Somaia Abouzaid studied the They found that HH-rGO/TiO2 The project, developed under non-polio paralysis. fi eld, two projects utilised data collection of missness mutations Nahjeha Rizwan and Waad sero-prevelance of Hepatitis E compound has more severe tox- the supervision of Prof Asmaa Moneera Nasir and Hissa al- from Qatar Genome Projects in GBA gene that is known to pre- Elkhair under the supervision of virus and compared between the ic eff ect at high concentration al-Thani and Dr Hady Yassin, Thani used a chick model em- supervised by Dr Mashael al- dispose patients with Gaucher’s Dr Ibrahim Mustafa studied the detection methods of HEV an- than H2-rGO/TiO2 did. The last showed that among 2,261 pa- bryo to investigate the eff ect of Shafi . The fi rst study underpin disease to develop Parkinson’s eff ect of macromolecular iron tibodies using non-A-C- hepa- two projects were supervised by tients suspected to have menin- hyperglycaemia on embryonic glucose-6-phosphate defi ciency disease. In this study, the most chelator (Deferoxamine cova- titis samples of patients in Qa- Dr Gheyath Nasrallah. Over 400 attend HMC’s Annual Research Day

amad Medical Corpora- vancing patient care outcomes,” ted,” noted Sunitha Shyam, HMC Mohamed Hammoudeh, senior tion (HMC) held its 8th added Prof Frenneaux. corporate research grants man- consultant, Rheumatology. HAnnual Research Day The panel included Dr Abdul ager and organiser of ARD. Best Oral Presentation: Diag- (ARD) recently, focusing on the Sattar al-Taie, executive director, Annual Research Day 2018 nostic Value of Speckle Tracking theme ‘Pathways to Research Qatar National Research Fund; Dr Awards: Distinction in Research Strain Analysis in Non ST Eleva- Impact.’ Feras Alali, director of Research Individual Award: Dr Shahab tion Acute Coronary Syndrome, The event was attended by and Graduate Studies, College of Uddin Khan, Academic Research Comparison study with Coronary over 400 delegates and provid- Health Sciences, Qatar Universi- Scientist, Interim Translational Angiography – Dr Sherif M Helmy, ed an interactive platform for ty; Dr Omar El-Agnaf, acting ex- Research Institute; Distinc- senior consultant, Cardiology. researchers at HMC to showcase ecutive director, Qatar Biomedi- tion in Research Award: Clinical Best Poster Presentations: their research, celebrate the cal Research Institute, Hamad Bin Research Trauma and Vascular First award: Screening of achievements of the past year, Khalifa University; Dr Charbel Surgery. NYESO-1 antibody as a tumour- and discuss collaborative re- Panellists and other experts and off icials at HMC’s 8th Annual Research Day. Abi Khalil, assistant professor Research Excellence Awards: specifi c biomarker in National search opportunities to address of Genetic Medicine and assist- Prof Adeel Butt, vice chair for Center for Cancer Care and Re- Qatar’s healthcare challenges. within Arab populations. 2018,” said Prof Frenneaux. livered by eminent scientist and ant professor of Medicine, Weill Faculty Aff airs, Department search (NCCCR), HMC, Qatar Numerous awards were giv- The opening address of ARD “Such outcomes will help us in surgeon, Prof Anil K D’Cruz, di- Cornell Medicine; and Professor of Medicine; Dr Hazem Elewa, – Dr Afsheen Raza, Post-Doc- en out on the day, with the Best 2018 was given by Prof Michael pursuing new treatment meth- rector and professor of head neck Ibrahim A Janahi, senior consult- clinical pharmacy specialist, Al toral Research Scientist, iTRI, Publication Award going to a Frenneaux, chief of Scientifi c, ods and practices, ensuring we surgery, Tata Memorial Hospital, ant and division chief, Paediatric Wakra Hospital; Dr Ayman El- NCCCR. study that examined genetic Academic, and Faculty Aff airs are able to deliver the highest India. He drew on his leadership Pulmonary, Sidra Medicine, who Menyar, consultant, Surgery. Second award: Diagnostic Ac- factors underlying susceptibil- at HMC. He highlighted HMC’s quality care, with the best out- experience in various interna- also moderated the very well- Promising Young Researcher curacy of Dynamic MR Imag- ity to rheumatoid arthritis in commitment to research. comes for patients. We are very tional medical and public health received discussion. Awards: Dr Abduljabbar Alham- ing of Breast – Dr Samra Abid Arab populations. Rheumatoid “The Medical Research Cent- pleased with the quality of re- organisations and talked about “Every year we are delighted to moud, medical resident; Doua Qureshi, Medical Resident, arthritis is a chronic infl am- er and our researchers at HMC search showcased today and be- the importance of embedding re- see an increase in the number and al-Saad, clinical pharmacy spe- Radiology. matory disorder that causes are committed to the pursuit of lieve that researchers at HMC are search into clinical practice. quality of abstracts submitted for cialist; Dr Navas Nadukkandiyil, Third award: Diabetes Com- swollen and painful joints. It is high-quality research. Translat- making a positive contribution “This year’s panel discussion oral and poster presentations for specialist, Rumailah Hospital. plications in the HMC Ambu- one of the most common forms ing this research into tangible towards achieving HMC’s vision explored successful models and ARD. The abstracts this year were Best Publication Award: A lance Services: Joining Forces for of arthritis. The fi ndings of the and globally recognised out- of delivering safe, eff ective, and new ideas to build on our re- selected after careful scientifi c Multinational Arab Genome- an Empowered Health Education study will be used to explore comes is an important area to compassionate care to our pa- search strength and harness op- review. A total of 44 posters and Wide Association Study Identi- in Qatar – Hassan Farhat, Am- new ways to prevent and treat focus on and this has been the tients,” added Prof Frenneaux. portunities for collaborations, six oral abstracts were selected fi es New Genetic Associations bulance Paramedic, Emergency rheumatoid arthritis predominant theme for the ARD The keynote lecture was de- all with the ultimate aim of ad- from over 100 abstracts submit- for Rheumatoid Arthritis – Dr Ambulance Services.