HMC Marks a Decade of High-Quality Healthcare

BUSINESS | Page 1 QATAR | Page 24 Over 5,000 visitors arrive GECF nations urged in Qatar to keep developing aboard MSC their gas resources Bellissima published in QATAR since 1978

SUNDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11383 December 1, 2019 Rabia II 4, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Oman beat Kuwait 2-1 to HMC marks keep semi-fi nal hopes alive a decade of By Sahan Bidappa Saudi beat Bahrain 2-0 Doha Saudi Arabia defeated Bahrain 2-0 yesterday to keep their semi-final eigning champions Oman over- hopes alive in the 24th Arabian Gulf high-quality came a second half fi ght back Cup at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Rfrom Kuwait for a 2-1 victory at Stadium. Saudi Arabia’s victory has the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup yesterday. thrown Group B’s last two matches In a thrilling end-to-end contest tomorrow wide open as Oman (4 at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, points), Saudi Arabia (3) and Kuwait it was a game of two halves as Oman (3) all have a chance to progress to healthcare dominated the fi rst half before Kuwait the last four. Herve Renard’s men will threatened to stage a stunning recov- take on defending champions Oman 10th anniversary of employee recognition ery in the second. while Kuwait face Bahrain, who are yet Abdulaziz al-Muqbali converted to open their account in the competi- programme celebrated Eight new hospitals two penalties as Oman went into the tion. Abdullah al-Hamdan opened the break with a two-goal cushion. Yousef scoring in the 29th minute while Mo- and several specialised facilities opened to Nasser pulled a goal back for Kuwait hamed Abdu Khubrani headed home meet growing demand for HMC’s services in the 78th minute, but the ten-time the second in the 59th to help the champions could not get past a deter- Qatar Olympic Committee President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani three-time winners notch up their first mined Oman defence for an equaliser. watches the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup match between Oman and Kuwait at the win in the tournament. Sport Page 1 E the Minister of Public Health Oman now have four points from Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari two matches, with Erwin Koeman’s Hyesterday said that Hamad side having drawn their opening tunities. We could have scored three Oman should have been a goal up in the tournament, Oman were given the Medical Corp (HMC) has witnessed match against Bahrain. Kuwait, who goals at least, but in the second half we the 10th minute as an unmarked Muh- penalty after a lengthy review. tremendous development since the shocked Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, had diffi culties,” the Dutchman said. sen al-Ghassani received a long ball From the spot kick, al-Maqbali inception of its Stars of Excellence are on three points. Oman will meet Both the teams enjoyed equal share from Mohsil al-Khaldi, but the striker sent the Kuwait goalkeeper Hameed Awards in 2010. It has also signifi cantly Saudi Arabia in their fi nal group match of support as Oman and Kuwait fans failed to capitalise on the opening. Yousef the wrong way, as he slotted increased the clinical capacity of its tomorrow while Kuwait play Bahrain. fi lled the stadium to create a festive However, Kuwait weren’t lucky two the ball into the left post. In the 28th network of hospitals and health facili- Koeman was a relieved man after atmosphere. Kuwait, who were so minutes later as defender Meshari minute, al-Ghassani had the oppor- ties by opening eight new hospitals and the victory and was impressed with his impressive against Saudi, started on Alenezi brought down al-Ghassani in tunity to double Oman’s lead, follow- several specialised facilities. team’s show. a false note, conceding two penalties the box with a needless tackle. Qatari ing an error from Fahed al-Hajri, but In her remarks during the Stars of “We played very well, especially in due to defensive errors, which proved referee Khamis al-Marri failed to spot the forward shot straight at Yousef. Excellence Awards ceremony she said the fi rst half and we created oppor- costly in the end. the foul, but with VAR being used in To Page 12 Sport Pages 1, 2, 3 that this additional capacity has been able to meet the growing demand for HE Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari HMC’s services despite the annual increase in the number of patients re- of our dedicated staff that has driven 24th Arabian Gulf Cup First team arrives for FIFA Club World Cup ceiving medical care and treatment. improvements and transformation The awards ceremony was held by across our system. The teams that are the Centre for Patient Experience and recognised today for their outstand- Yesterday’s Results Staff Engagement (CPESE) recently in ing work embody HMC values and our the presence of hundreds of staff from cultures of commitment to excellence.” the HMC. A total of 29 awards within three Kuwait 1-2 Oman The awards programme was estab- main categories – health, education lished in 2010 to acknowledge em- and research – were given to the win- Bahrain 0-2 Saudi Arabia ployees’ commitment to delivering ning project teams, including the Man- high-quality healthcare services and aging Director’s Award, the Star of Ex- to recognise the outstanding achieve- cellence Award, the Rising Star Award, ments of staff . and two Awards of Merit. QATAR | Humanitarian aid HE Dr al-Kuwari said: “Since Stars This year’s winning project of the Qatar Charity launches of Excellence began in 2010, HMC has Managing Director’s Award was ‘Em- transformed dramatically. We have sig- bedded Sustainability in Value Im- winter drive in Jordan nifi cantly increased capacity across our provement Work’, which also received a Qatar Charity (QC) has launched network through the opening of eight Star of Excellence award. the 2019-20 winter campaign new hospitals and numerous specialist The project is included under the “Warmth and Peace” for Syrian facilities. This additional capacity has Health category in the Quality and Pa- and Palestinian refugee camps enabled us to meet the increased de- tient Safety subcategory. It focuses on in Jordan. The campaign, under mand for our services. Despite treating value improvement through the use of the slogan “Give Warmth”, was greater numbers of patients each year, improvement science. launched in the presence of Qatar’s we have worked hard to advance the Other winning projects recognised ambassador to Jordan Sheikh Saud quality of care we deliver in all areas of at this year’s ceremony include: Clini- bin Nasser al-Thani. It is expected to our service. cal Practice Award:Diff erent Sites, Same provide 500,000 people with food, Hienghene Sport, winners of this year’s Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League, have arrived in Doha “During the past 10 years, HMC’s Service; Collaborative Achievement shelter and heating materials. Qatar ahead of the start of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019. The team from New Caledonia will open the tournament on services have been assessed and suc- Award: Achieving Global Excellence in Charity is helping refugees and December 11 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium when they face the Qatari champions and FIFA Club World Cup host nation cessfully accredited more than 40 Diabetes Care; Operational Perform- the displaced and needy people representatives, Al Sadd SC. Hienghene Sport became the first New Caledonian side to win the OFC Champions League times by leading accreditation bodies ance Award: HMC-Wide Implementa- in 17 countries at a cost of nearly and qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup, and only the second non-New Zealand side to do so. Also, it is the first time a from around the world. Today we rection of Bed Capacity Management and QR75mn. senior New Caledonian side – club or country – has competed in a global football tournament. Sport Page 8 ognise the commitment and expertise Patient Experience Award. To Page 12 NHRC set to hold international conference on social media

QNA and the International Federation of cial media activists will also partici- defenders, political activists and so- ipation in public life is unparalleled. “New technologies and interde- Doha Journalists. pate, in addition to international and cial media infl uencers, besides dis- The rapid expansion of the digital pendence have helped the growth HE the Chairman of the NHRC Dr regional human rights mechanisms, cussing the application of provisions communications infrastructure and of civil society networks, including Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, noted that national human rights institutions, on incitement to hate in practice and the advancement of digital technol- cross-border growth. However, the he National Human Rights the conference will witness the par- research centres and other relevant the use of social media platforms to ogy had brought about profound social emergence of these new opportunities Committee (NHRC) has com- ticipation of 300 governmental and bodies and organisations. incite and spread hate speech, includ- change, posing challenges and op- has been followed by emerging threats Tpleted all arrangements to or- non-governmental organisations, Dr al-Marri said in a press state- ing against religious minorities. portunities for human rights and civic to civic space. At the same time, digital ganise the Doha International Con- as well as journalists’ unions, major ment that the conference aims to dis- He pointed out that social media space, he added. technologies have also created new ex- ference on “Social Media: Challenges companies and social networks, in- cuss the opportunities created by so- platforms have changed the prevail- Dr al-Marri noted that the protec- cuses for governments to stifl e social and Ways of Supporting Freedoms and cluding Google, Facebook and Twit- cial media to promote human rights, ing concepts in the cultural, politi- tion of human rights now and in the media activity and restrict civil space, Protecting Activists”, which will be ter as well as international celebrities and explore the repeated forms of in- cal and media communication in the future is increasingly dependent on often based on security pretexts,” he held on February 16-17. and human rights defenders, media terference in the use of these means. world, and digital devices have be- the ability to clarify how human rights said. The conference is organised in practitioners, international experts The discussions will identify good come mobile newsrooms, and that principles are applied to social media, Over the years, governments and partnership with the Office of the and representatives of the technol- practices and lessons to benefi t from there is no obscure access to the oth- and to take advantage of those plat- other groups struggling to assert United Nations High Commissioner ogy community, relevant special rap- social media in realising human rights, er easily, where the scope of opportu- forms, which have become an indis- their dominance in public debate for Human Rights, the European porteurs, chairpersons of United Na- explore the impact of online speech nities for the exercise of fundamental pensable tool for realising a range of have tried to interfere with social Parliament, the Global Alliance of tions treaty bodies, judges, lawyers restrictions set by national laws and rights and freedoms of expression human rights and promoting economic media in many different ways, Dr al- National Human Rights Institutions and representatives of victims of so- policies on journalists, human rights and assembly association and partic- and social development. Marri said. To Page 12 Gulf Times 2 Sunday, December 1, 2019 QATAR

Qatar, Finland hold political consultations

QNA Helsinki

atar and Finland have signed a mem- Qorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Aff airs of the two countries. The first round of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and Fin- land was held yesterday in the Finnish capital of Hel- sinki. The Qatari side was chaired by HE the Secre- tary-General of the Min- HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, Dr Ahmed bin Hassan istry of Foreign Affairs, al-Hammadi, and the Undersecretary of Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Aff airs for Foreign and Dr Ahmed bin Hassan Security Policy Carrie Jurgen signing the MoU yesterday. al-Hammadi, while the Finnish side was headed Affairs for Foreign and During the round of po- relations between the two by the Undersecretary of Security Policy Carrie Ju- litical consultations, the countries as well as issues the Ministry of Foreign rgen. two sides reviewed bilateral of mutual interest.

Doha, Helsinki review bilateral relations

HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi met in the Finnish capital Helsinki, Johanna Sumuvuori, the State Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Aff airs of Finland. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations, as well as issues of common interest.

Gulf Times 4 Sunday, December 1, 2019 QATAR QP announces fuel prices for December Commercial Bank launches atar Petroleum (QP) yesterday an- that premium grade petrol will cost nounced the petrol and diesel prices QR1.75 per litre, five dirhams more than Qfor December. November price of QR1.70. Super will be QP has retained the prices for super available for QR1.90 per litre, the same as grade petrol and diesel, while premium in November. exclusive winter campaign grade petrol will cost 5 dirhams more. Diesel will cost QR1.85 per litre, the same The price list on QP website showed as last month. – QNA ommercial Bank has announced that it is launching Cits exclusive winter campaign today under the slogan ‘It’s a Win- Win Winter’. The campaign will continue until January 31, 2020. Through the campaign, the bank is “promising a rewarding and outstanding winter season for all its credit and debit card customers, who are invited to shop and spend online with their Commercial Bank cards a specified total amount during the promotion period to enter the lucky draw for a chance to win brand-new mobile phones – from the Galaxy S10 to iPhone 11 Pro Max”, according to a press statement. At the end of the campaign, a total of 70 lucky winners will be announced through a draw. Roya Khajeh, AGM – head of Cards and Payments, said: “Fol- lowing the successful Cards Sum- mer campaign launched this year, Commercial Bank continues to put its customers ﬁ rst by introducing another rewarding campaign, spe- ciﬁ cally tailored to encourage online shopping.” In fact, Commercial Bank “guarantees its customers safe and pro- card information online”, the state- days, online shopping worldwide customers. Given that, we have de- tected online tractions through 3D ment notes. and locally is witnessing an ever- signed an online-based campaign Secure, an additional layer of secu- Khajeh added, “The winter sea- increasing interest and is appealing that we hope will meet our custom- rity that prevents fraudulent use of son is all about shopping. Nowa- more than before to a wide range of ers’ expectations and lifestyles.” Kuwaiti assembly speaker thanks Qatar

E the Speaker of the Kuwaiti the GCC gathering, adding: “The given it will be the ﬁ rst time an Arab Assembly of the International National Assembly Marzouq result of the matches is just honest country will be hosting such an Parliamentary Union six months Hal-Ghanim has praised the competition between brothers”. He event. ago. reception accorded to the partici- stressed that the competition suc- He added that they consider On the competition, al-Ghanim pants in the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup, ceeded before the kick off when all themselves partners in the World highlighted the desire of all players currently taking place in Doha. He teams participated. Cup and expressed hope that things to win their respective matches. expressed his thanks and apprecia- The Speaker of the Kuwaiti Na- move smoothly on that front. He also wished Iraq luck as hosts tion to Qatar for the reception. tional Assembly described Qatar’s He also said that Qatar has suc- of the next edition of the competi- Al-Ghanem said in a statement organisation of the World Cup 2022 ceeded in organising a number of tion, wishing the country stability, on Friday that the real winner was as a source of pride for all Arabs, major events, including the 140th security and safety. – QNA

Gulf Times 6 Sunday, December 1, 2019 QATAR

Qatar condemns explosions in Iraq

Qatar has expressed its strong The Ministry of Foreign Aff airs renewed in denouncement and condemnation of the a statement yesterday Qatar’s firm position QRCS deploys multi-specialty series of explosions that targeted the centre rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of Iraq’s Kirkuk city and the attack on a of its motives. The statement also expressed security checkpoint in Dialy, which left a Qatar’s condolences to the families of the number of people, including a security off icer, victims, the government and people of Iraq, dead in addition to others injured. wishing the injured a speedy recovery. – QNA medical convoy to S Darfur

QNA surveyed, data is collected Doha to specify the required help, and surgeries are performed to address the health issues he Qatar Red Cres- of the patients, while pre- cent Society (QRCS) serving their dignity and Thas deployed a multi- protection. specialty medical convoy to In addition to 100 patients Nyala, South Darfur State, to be operated on, there will Sudan. be 500 indirect benefi ciar- At a total cost of $80,102 ies from the families of the (around QR292,372), the patients, as well as the whole medical delegation compris- population of Nyala, who es consultants in diff erent would benefi t later on from specialisations from Hamad the provided surgical equip- Medical convoy in Nyala. Medical Corporation (HMC), ment. to be assisted by the local At the developmental lev- medical staff of The Nyala el, the project supports the Specialist Hospital. Nyala Specialist Hospital In a statement, Dr Abdul- with the medical equipment lah Rashid al-Nuaimi, sen- and aids needed to work ef- ior urologist at HMC, board fectively and upgrade their member of QRCS, and head surgical services. Also, the of delegation, said they tar- local medical staff is updated geted 100 operations in gen- with the latest surgical tech- eral surgery, urology, vascular niques. surgery, orthopaedics, and A preliminary survey was paediatric surgery. conducted to select the ben- “Medical examinations efi ciaries, which were dou- and medications will also be ble-checked by a doctor from provided free of charge for Doha. Dr al-Nuaimi giving advice to local doctors. our brothers and sisters in Agreements were signed Sudan,” he added. by QRCS’s representation As shown by the action offi ce in Sudan with the Su- plan, the overall objective danese Red Crescent Society is to make medical assist- (SRCS), the State Directorate ance available to the suffer- of Health, and other local ing patients and injuries in partners to prepare for the Darfur region. To that end, project, secure the offi cial the health conditions of permissions, and make the poor local communities are necessary procurements.

Qatar participates in higher education conference in India

QNA the best ways to prepare and Doha equip the competencies and educational services, as well atar has attended the as benefi t from expertise in 15th International areas of common interest to QHigher Education the participating countries. Conference, held in the In- The conference, which is dian capital New Delhi from held annually in New Delhi to 27-29 November, with the discuss issues related to higher participation of more than education, is an opportunity 64 countries, and more than for open discussions among a thousand participants, in- participants, and focus on the cluding ministers, undersec- development of the ecosys- retaries, heads of universities tem of strategic partnerships non-governmental organisa- in the higher education sector tions, as well as a large group between India and other coun- of offi cials in the field of tries. higher education, scientifi c The Qatari delegation, research and technology. during a visit to a group of Qatar’s delegation to the government institutions conference was headed by concerned with higher edu- Ministry of Education un- cation in India, discussed dersecretary Dr Ibrahim always of co-operation in the Nuaimi. fi eld of higher education and The aim of the confer- the systems of academic ac- ence is to enhance the qual- creditation of universities ity of higher education and and the equivalence of uni- scientifi c research and study versity degrees.

HBKU professor appointed to Gates Foundation panel

professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer- Asity’s (HBKU) College of Science and Engineering (CSE) has been appointed to one of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s most prominent advisory panels. Between 2020 and 2023, Dr Laoucine Kerbache will serve as an Advisory Board Member for the Africa Resource Cen- tre (ARC) Research Advisory Panel, where he will steer the Foundation’s healthcare systems supply chain research in Africa and further aﬁ eld. He joins a distinguished panel of Dr Laoucine Kerbache. global supply chain specialists, with his selection based bal Healthcare Supply Chain on a distinguished academic Conference in Johannesburg. career, leadership experi- Dr Kerbache contributes ence and expertise in supply to the academic and research chains. eff orts, including research on Through this appoint- healthcare supply chains, of ment, Dr Kerbache will ad- CSE’s Engineering Manage- vance supply chain research ment and Decision Sciences in Africa and promote link- Division. ages between likeminded in- An established logistics stitutions in the northern and supply chain expert, Dr Ker- southern hemisphere. He will bache previously served as also contribute to growth of dean of HEC Paris in Qatar, supply chain talent across the where he contributed to the continent and help ensure development of degrees and the ARC has a positive impact custom executive education on Africa’s public sector. Dr management programmes for Kerbache started his tenure companies and institutions by participating in the ARC’s operating in Qatar and the recent meeting at the Glo- Mena region. Gulf Times Sunday, December 1, 2019 7 QATAR Qatar Charity launches winter campaign “Warmth and Peace” from refugee camps in Jordon atar Charity (QC) has launched the 2019- camp. During the visit, eye examinations were 2020 winter campaign entitled “Warmth conducted and eyeglasses were distributed to Qand Peace” from Syrian and Palestinian 500 Syrian and Palestinian refugees and many refugee camps in Jordan to help refugees, the low-income Jordanian families. displaced, and the needy in 17 countries, at a Beneficiary Countries total cost of nearly 75 million Qatari riyals. The winter campaign “Warmth and Peace” targets refugees, displaced and needy people in 17 countries including Syria, Turkey, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, HE Sheikh Saud Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ethiopia. bin Nasser: The campaign focuses on the affected in countries like Syria and Palestine, which are Humanitarian going through exceptional circumstances. It also concentrates on the underprivileged in countries action is an integral where temperatures fall below zero degrees Celsius. part of Qatari policy As part of the “Warmth and Peace” campaign, UNHCR, in cooperation with Qatar Charity, will distribute assistance worth QR11mn to refugees in Iraq, Yemen, and Jordan under the The winter campaign, which kicked off “For Humanity” initiative. Also, winter bags will under the slogan “Give Warmth” is expected to be distributed in 9 countries. provide 500,000 people them with food, shelter Products of the Campaign and heating materials. The campaign aims to meet the necessary winter needs of more than 500,000 people in the Sustainability Projects Office at Qatar Charity while speaking at the inaugural ceremony held at the Zaha Cultural Center. He also pointed out that Qatar Charity’s 2019-2020 winter campaign entitled “Warmth and Peace” would benefit thousands of people in many Syrian and Palestinian refugee camps, as well as, those most in need. Khalid Al-Yafei noted that the suffering of refugees, displaced people living in tents and temporary housing units, and underserved sections suffering from poverty throughout the world, increases with the onset of winter each year. The harsh cold, rainstorms, and blizzards make the lives of the vulnerable further worse

The winter campaign is expected to provide Qatar Charity for this great effort to contribute 500,000 vulnerable social media influencers for their remarkable areas of food, shelter, and heating by providing The campaign was launched in the presence to easing the suffering of refugees during the people them with food, efforts in providing media coverage for the food baskets, winter clothes, blankets, heaters, of H.E Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al Thani, winter. launch of the campaign, shedding light on its heating fuel, tents, caravans, tent and house Ambassador of Qatar to Jordan and Mr. Ayman “As part of its humanitarian and fraternal shelter, and heating roles and highlighting the needs of refugees and maintenance, mattresses, pillows, hygiene items, Al Mufleh, Secretary General of the Jordan duty, Qatar Charity has been launching winter those in need. and bags for orphans containing winter clothes, Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), campaigns from the field to provide winter materials in Speech from JHCO blankets, and food baskets. A delegation from Qatar Charity, many social supplies to those in need and help the most The inaugural ceremony included a speech activists, and numerous social media influencers vulnerable people before the bitter cold comes,” 17 countries. Way to Donate by Mr. Ayman Al Mufleh, Secretary General of the have participated in sending 6 trucks loaded said Mr. Khalid Al-Yafei, director of Financial Given the difficult situation of refugees, Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), with winter supplies to be distributed to Syrian internally displaced persons (IDPs), and those in in which he thanked the State of Qatar, the Qatari refugees and low-income Jordanian families need in countries experiencing the severe cold, people, and Qatar Charity for this humanitarian in the Amman governorate, and Palestinian Qatar Charity urges benefactors to support the campaign, adding that this drive is not new from refugees in Talbieh camp in Madaba governorate campaign to deliver assistance to the targeted Qatar, a beginning, or an end, but is a part of the in southern Jordan, benefiting 1600 people. people to keep them out of danger. It also calls ongoing Qatari charitable action. on the media persons to publicize its winter Members of the Delegation Speech from Qatari Delegation campaign. The delegation included Mr. Khalid Al-Yafei, During a speech delivered on behalf of the The donation in favor of the “Warmth and director of Financial Sustainability Projects Qatari delegation, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Harami Peace” campaign can easily be made through Office at Qatar Charity, Mr. Ahmed Saleh Al thanked benefactors for sending aid to refugees Qatar Charity’s website, mobile App, branches, Ali, director of Media and Communication before the harsh winter to minimize the risks and collection points. The donors can also Department at Qatar Charity, Ibrahim Fetian they may face in their camps during the cold request a “home collector” through the mobile Elsharif, head of Monitoring and Follow-up season. App and dial the hotline 44667711 to make their Section, Qatar Charity, Dr. Ayesh Al-Qahtani, After distributing aid, the delegation toured contributions. Mobile donating is also available. Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Harami, Aqeel Al-Janahi, the Qatar Charity Medical Center in the Zaatari To send QR100 and QR500, please send an SMS a media figure, Mr. Mohsim Jasim, holder of the refugee camp, which provides medical services to 92642 and 92428, respectively. “Al Wakra Live” account on social media, Mr. and treatment to Syrian refugees living in the Mohammed Ghanem Al Mohannadi, holder of the “Al Khor Live” account on social media, and many media persons from Al Nadeeb Qatar, and Marsal Qatar. Speech of the Ambassador “Humanitarian action is an integral part of our policy,” said the ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in winter, necessitating the provision of food, Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani, in his opening Secretary General of shelter, and heating aid urgently. remarks at the launching ceremony of the Given the difficult situation of refugees, campaign, noting that “The assistance provided the Jordan Hashemite internally displaced persons (IDPs), and those by Qatar is a moral and humanitarian duty to help in need in countries experiencing extreme others”. Charity Organization: cold, he urged benefactors and philanthropists He also extended thanks to the Jordanian throughout the world to support the campaign to government and the Jordan Hashemite Charity the campaign is a part deliver assistance to the targeted people and ease Organization (JHCO) for providing all the their hardship. facilities to launch the winter campaign of of the ongoing Qatari Khalid Al-Yafei expressed his thanks and Qatar Charity, emphasizing the strong relations charitable action. appreciation to the Jordanian authorities for between Qatar and Jordan and the development providing all the necessary facilities for the of cooperation in all fields. He also thanked distribution of aid, and the media persons and Gulf Times 8 Sunday, December 1, 2019 QATAR

HE the Commander of the Amiri Guard Major General Hazza bin Khalil al-Shahwani with the new graduates. Amiri Guard concludes ﬁ rst phase of training season

QNA ernise the training system in order Doha to reach the highest level of effi ciency and readiness of the staff of the courses, in line with the directives of he Amiri Guard School has the leadership of the Amiri Guard. celebrated the conclusion of The trainees presented a number Tthe fi rst part of the training of fi eld activities refl ecting the com- season for 2019/2020. The event, petence and combat readiness of the held at the “Hosniya” camp, under Amiri guards. the patronage and in the presence The activities included methods of of HE the Commander of the Amiri self-defence through the application Guard Major General Hazza bin Kha- of a variety of combat movements, in lil al-Shahwani, saw the graduation addition to jumping over the fi rewall of trainees of several basic and ad- with skill and ingenuity. vanced courses. The activities also included real- The closing ceremony was at- istic scenarios for intrusions in the tended by the Deputy Commander of counter-terrorism, tactical descent the Amiri Guard, the Inspector Gen- from the top of the buildings, airdrop eral, the Assistant Commander of the from helicopter, in addition to dem- Amiri Guard, a number of offi cers of onstration of shooting skills – hitting departments and groups, offi cers of fi xed and moving targets accurately, the armed forces and Internal Secu- and the application of a number of rity Force “Lekhwiya”. hypotheses for rapid intervention, Colonel Ali Arahma al-Muraikhi, and protection of personalities. Acting Commander of the Amiri The event concluded with the Guard School, noted that the school Commander of the Amiri Guard hon- always seeks to develop and mod- ouring the graduates. The new Amiri Guard trainees staging a parade during the closing ceremony.

Diﬁ to hold symposium on QNL to celebrate national marriage in Arab world

oha International education, the state of mar- achievements this month Family Institute is riage, types of marriages, Dhosting a forum on a current and future trends in culturally signifi cant con- marriage, and relationship atar National Li- Qatari artist behind the programme and an inter- short pieces composed in versation in the Arab world – education programmes in brary is celebrat- iconic painting “Tamim national literature festival, 1878; originally for the pi- marriage. the Arab world. Qing national pride the Glorious.” He will talk the library presents count- ano, they will be performed The two day symposium, Experts from across the and heritage this month about his creative journey. less opportunities for eve- in this concert using Gen- titled The Arab Family Fo- Mena region are set to attend with a chance to discover The lecture “Scripts from ryone to be inspired by the nady Krutikov’s string rum on Marriage, is tak- the forum, which will also see books, art and other crea- Qatar’s History” on Decem- achievements of our Qatari quintet arrangement. ing place at Qatar National the participation of youth and tive achievements that are ber 15 will highlight personal writers and artists.” Dr James Onley, the li- Convention Centre from couples, to discuss best prac- a source of individual and letters and signatures from “Librarians in Qatar: brary’s director of Histori- tomorrow, and will focus tices for marital education collective pride for the famous Qatari historical Historical Eff ect on Infor- cal Research and Partner- on reports by Doha Inter- programmes in Qatar. country. fi gures, which refl ect the mation Literacy” on De- ships, tells the fascinating national Family Institute “Difi has produced a Qatar’s writers and art- country’s social and eco- cember 26 is a special event yet mostly forgotten story (Difi) that discuss marital comprehensive report on ists will be able to share nomic life. The lecture will where librarians can refl ect of Qatar and the British In- the state of marriage in the these achievements on also discuss Mus’haf Al Zu- on their intellectual herit- dian Empire from 1916 to Arab world, focusing on 22 the global stage when the bara, one of the oldest ex- age and the role of libraries 1947 in a talk on December countries,” said Dr Sharifa library hosts the coun- amples of calligraphic writ- on the development of in- 10. His talk will be followed Noaman al-Emadi, execu- try’s fi rst international lit- ing found in Qatar. formation literacy in Qatar. by a guided tour of the tive director of Difi. “The erature festival, JLF Doha, “My Dream in Qatar” on Today and tomorrow, “Qatar, India & the Gulf” report addresses various with a diverse line up of December 17 will celebrate Unesco and the library are exhibition at the library. deficits in our knowledge events featuring promi- Qatar National Day by giv- organising a regional con- The library will host the on marriage trends, the fac- nent international writers ing young members aged 12 ference, “Supporting Doc- country’s fi rst international tors that shape marriage, and thinkers. to 18 a chance to inscribe umentary Heritage Preser- literature festival of its kind, and the obstacles and chal- The month’s busy pro- their dreams for their fu- vation in the Arab Region.” JLF Doha, from December lenges to marriage across gramme of events kicks off ture in Qatar on helium The conference aims to 12 to 14. In partnership with the Arab world.” on December 5 when the balloons, released together strengthen collaboration Teamwork Arts, producer library hosts the launch outside the library. between memory institu- of the iconic annual Jaipur “Difi has produced a of Qatari writer Jassim al- Abeer al-Kuwari, di- tions and conservation Literature Festival, JLF Doha comprehensive report on Mohannadi’s fi rst comic rector of Research and practitioners in the region will recreate the magnifi cent the state of marriage in book, Primeval. Al-Mo- Learning Services at the and to present the fi ndings spirit of this annual liter- the Arab world, focusing hannadi will discuss his library, said, “Creativity of the library and Unesco ary carnival in Doha, a cel- on 22 countries. The experience writing the is a wonderful channel to survey on documentary ebration of literature and the report addresses various comic book, including the express one’s heritage and heritage in the Arab region. power of dialogue. defi cits in our knowledge process of drafting the culture and the pride it in- The monthly Philhar- Younger readers will on marriage trends” plot. stils, and Qatar National monic at the library con- have the interactive Chil- “Qatar in My Eyes,” with Day is a great time for us cert series returns with dren’s Storytelling Work- Difi is also undertaking a Ahmed al-Maadeed on to celebrate the nation’s Tchaikovsky’s Album for shop with renowned au- systematic review of marital December 6 is an exciting rich history. This Decem- the Young on December 5. thor Musharraf Ali Farooqi education programmes across opportunity to meet the ber, through an exceptional The album consists of 24 on December 14. the Arab region that aims to map and analyse the content, topics, and approaches used to provide policy recommen- dations. A highlight of the forum will be a keynote speech by Dr Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, assistant secretary-general and head of the Social Aff airs Sector, the Arab League. Representatives from universities in Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, and the UK will also speak at the forum. Difi is a global policy and advocacy institute that has special consultative status with the United Nations Eco- nomic and Social Council. It works to advance knowledge on Arab families through research and promote evidence- based polices at a national, regional, and international level and hopes to make great strides in the often overlooked topic of marriage through this forum. Qatar National Library to mark national creative achievements in December. Gulf Times Sunday, December 1, 2019 9 QATAR HEC Paris in Qatar conducts 2nd edition of Entrepreneurship Day fter its resounding suc- where we left off last year, HEC ety Development at the Ministry cess last year, HEC Paris Paris in Qatar has once again of Transport and Communica- Aheld its second edi- expressed its contribution by tions, Digital Incubation Centre tion of Entrepreneurship Day training and educating the local of MoTC; Hayfa al-Abdulla, In- for all participants of the HEC professionals in bringing new novation Centre director, Qatar Paris International Executive ideas and approaches and help- Science and Technology Park; MBA (EMBA) Class of 2020 at ing Qatar to achieve the National Jahongir Burhonov, Vice Presi- Tornado Tower. Vision 2030. I am sure that this dent of Business Development, The event provided the perfect day is going to become a perma- Qatar Financial Centre; and platform for industry experts to nent fi xture in the years to come two representatives from Qa- share their expertise with the and lead to some signifi cant tar Development Bank – Kha- participants and discuss the developments in the future.” lid Abdulla al-Mana, Executive initiatives they have in place to Imminent personalities from Director of Business Finance support local entrepreneurs. reputable organisations were in- and Hamad Salem Mejegheer, “It gives me immense pleas- vited for the event. The speakers, Executive Director of Export ure to welcome all the partici- who provided the participants Development & Promotion. pants and distinguished speak- with valuable insights, includ- The Entrepreneurship Day ers from key organisations to ed Aysha Khalifa al-Romaihi, included a session, which was the Entrepreneurship Day for head of Strategic Initiatives and solely dedicated to Q&A and the second year in a row,” said Business Collaborations, Qa- networking. The day ended Abdallah Abdel-Daem, director, tar Business Incubation Centre; with the alumni presenting their Degree Programmes, HEC Paris Reem al-Mansoori, assistant projects and discussing business in Qatar. “Carrying on from undersecretary of Digital Soci- ideas with the audience. HEC Paris holds second edition of Entrepreneurship Day. QNB launches new end-of-year international spends campaign for Mastercard cardholders NB Group has an- Further, QNB customers will in-class and award-winning sale machines and e-commerce season. Together, we are mak- nounced the launch automatically be granted one products and loyalty benefi ts. transactions. Reward points can ing their international journeys Qof a new end-of-year entry into the campaign raf- We are very proud to collaborate then be redeemed in hundreds more priceless, wherever they promotional campaign for its fl e draws upon spending the with Mastercard on this cam- of outlets in Qatar and over- may go.” Mastercard cardholders. equivalent of QR100 in foreign paign to bring great delight to seas, including Harrods,” the QNB Group’s presence During the campaign period, currency. Up to fi ve daily win- our customers.” statement notes. through its subsidiaries and as- set to run from today until Jan- ners will be eligible to win up to “QNB’s cards and payment Somu Roy, general manager, sociate companies extends to uary 31, 2020, customers with QR5,000 in cashback. products continue to lead the Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq, Mas- 31 countries across three conti- QNB Mastercard debit, credit Heba al-Tamimi, general market with their wide range of tercard, said: “At Mastercard, nents, providing a “comprehen- or prepaid cards will be eligible manager, QNB Group Retail, benefi ts and privileges. Besides we place the consumer at the sive range of advanced products for an “exciting range of ben- said: “This campaign is another being simple to use, as well as heart of all our initiatives. We and services”, the statement efi ts when they use their card clear demonstration of the ef- boasting of cutting-edge safety are delighted to collaborate adds. The total number of em- to make international spends, fort of the QNB cards business and security features, cardhold- with our longstanding partners ployees is more than 29,000, op- including e-commerce trans- to reward customers based on ers are automatically rewarded at QNB to launch this exciting erating through 1,100 locations, actions”, the bank has said in a transaction behaviour. each time they use their card lo- campaign to reward QNB Mas- with an ATM network of more statement. “Our cardholders enjoy best- cally or abroad at both point of tercard cardholders this travel than 4,300 machines. The QNB head off ice.

Off icials cutting a cake to mark the 15th anniversary celebrations of Al-Ahli Hospital. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Al-Ahli Hospital celebrates 15th anniversary special gather- full-fl edged hospital with ing, honouring of several ICUs and more than Aoutstanding staff 1,400 staff members. In the members and competitions last fi ve years, the number marked the 15th anniver- of staff and buildings has sary celebrations of Al-Ahli been doubled,” he said. Hospital. The hospital has under- The celebrations came gone several expansion and after the hospital success- development programmes. fully completed 15 years of New emergency facilities service and achieved vari- for adult and paediatric care ous milestones in terms of will be set up while new quality treatment, infra- units will also be built for structure development and physiotherapy, orthopaedic technological excellence. and head & neck. Besides, Besides, the hospital has a new cosmetic department received international ac- Staff attending the celebrations. along with a plastic surgery colades through awards and unit will come up at the accreditation. its race towards develop- fi ve years and became “the hospital. The celebrations were at- ment. “The hospital has largest private hospital in Further, the hospital will tended by Al-Ahli Hospital turned to be a distinct med- Qatar”. get eight more operation chief executive offi cer Kha- ical destination with the Dr Hussain said eff orts theatres with facilities of lid al-Emadi, deputy CEO highest level of facilities, by the staff and directors stomach surgery. It is also and director of projects sophistication and qual- helped the hospital – which looking to increase the staff Jamal S Hammad and chief ity services and this has was started as a clinic – be- strength in accordance with of medical staff Dr Abdul been possible through hard come “the largest private the increase in number of Azim Abdul Wahab Hus- work,” he said, thanking all hospital in the country patients. sain, apart from heads of and directors of the hos- with modern facilities”. “We have got one branch various departments, doc- pital for helping formulate “The hospital is equipped in Al Wakrah and are now tors and other medical staff . specifi c goals and strategies with qualifi ed doctors and looking to expand our pres- On this occasion, al- over the years. medical staff , as well as ence towards the north,” Dr Emadi said Al-Ahli Hospital He noted that the hospi- advanced equipment, to Hussain explained, added successfully completed its tal secured several achieve- treat patients. The clinic, that the hospital also has 15-year journey and over- ments and remarkable with a small emergency plans to draw medical came several challenges in development over the last section, has now become a tourists. Gulf Times 10 Sunday, December 1, 2019 QATAR All-new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ‘impresses with new features’ asser Bin Khaled (NBK) like Crosswind Assist, through display to the 360 degrees cam- Qatar fuel characteristics, has a Automobiles, the au- to the highest specifi cation era, are optionally available to displacement of 2.1 litres with Nthorised distributor of model where high-resolution further enhance the good overall rear-wheel drive generating with Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, has touchscreens and high-quality view from the cockpit. Standard 120kW (163hp). presented the all-new Mer- materials determine the visual fi t airbag can help the driver in a The 7G-Tronic Plus automatic cedes-Benz Sprinter in Qatar. impression and ambiance. collision. An additional fi ve air- transmission is also available for The all-new Sprinter is avail- The stowage compart- bags are optionally available for the Sprinter for the fi rst time. able now at the Mercedes-Benz ment concept exemplifi es the driver and co-driver. Rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, showroom on Salwa Road. adaptability of the interior. A The exterior of the Sprinter the new Sprinter covers two drive “The new Sprinter elevates choice of open or closed com- has a new “sensual design with- variants, and can therefore be the benchmark for the large van partments and a lockable out compromising its role to sup- optimally confi gured for the rel- segment, off ering an innova- compartment within the roof port business needs and require- evant transport requirement and tive and diverse range of prod- liner in the cockpit area, en- ments”. Vehicles in modern fl eets operating profi le. uct features that serves specifi c able the confi guration to be are increasingly being given the The interior also follows the market needs more eff ectively tailored precisely to the given role of company representatives, design philosophy of ‘sensual than ever before. Through its requirements for the workplace whereby the Mercedes-Benz de- purity’. Characteristic features technology and intelligence, the behind the wheel. sign strategy, established in the include the contrast between the new Sprinter off ers every cus- The desire for multiple indi- passenger car sector, creates the gentle, emotional, yet clear lines tomer a model tailored precisely vidualisation options is contin- basis for this. along the larger surface areas in to his or her needs,” NBK Auto- ued in the temperature regu- The Sprinter Tourer can ac- the cockpit which has also been mobiles has said in a statement. lation, with a new advanced commodate up to eight people revamped. The 2019 Sprinter “transi- air-conditioning system ideal plus the driver. With the longest The infotainment system is tions from a commercial vehicle for the Mena region. of the four vehicle lengths and just one example of the com- with pure utility value to an im- Found in a separate control the highest roofs, the Sprinter pletely new control and display pressive business card for com- panel below the display for the Panel Van off ers a load com- logic in the cockpit. For passen- mercial fl eets and businesses”. It telematic system, the modu- partment volume of up to 17cu- ger transport, the new Sprinter is pioneers the new design idiom lar construction of the venti- bic metres. When necessary, a available with diff erent confi gu- of Mercedes-Benz Vans and em- lation system allows both the trailer load of up to 3,500kg can rations in the passenger com- bodies the inherent emotional integration of a standard heat- The all-new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. additionally be attached with a partment and diff erent equip- appeal and intelligence. ing system and the use of a permissible gross combination ment variants for the seating. The Sprinter has diff erent roof-mounted air-conditioning reach a possible combined total comfort level of a passenger car. control system Distronic, Ac- weight of up to 8,750kg. Partnering with Arobus, a re- priorities dependent on the cus- system with a separate cooling of 18kW to deliver the ultimate in With the presentation of the tive Brake Assist and Active Lane With over 600 items of op- nowned bodybuilder solution tomers’ needs and requirements. circuit. The high-performance climate comfort in the passenger new Sprinter, a whole range of Keeping Assist. tional equipment, including spe- provider – Mercedes-Benz Vans Ranging from the basic speci- overhead air-conditioning sys- compartment. optional safety and assistance The Sprinter also comes with cial fl eet and suspension solu- Mena has converted the Sprinter fi cation variant for customers tem supplements the air-con- The powerful one-zone au- systems is now available from standard-fi t Crosswind Assist, tions, the sprinter can be adapted into a ‘Shuttle’ variant for the who value proven Sprinter at- ditioning at the front to up to tomatic climate control sys- Mercedes-Benz Vans that were Active Brake Assist and Lane precisely to one’s requirements. Middle East. The Sprinter ‘Shut- tributes such as standard-fi t 7kW with an additional 11kW of tem Thermotronic automati- previously maintained within Keeping Assist. Three camera The four-cylinder diesel en- tle’ lineup comes in three seating electronic stability programme rear cooling output, both run- cally regulates the fan, air the passenger car series. These solutions, from the reversing gine, available with Euro V emis- confi gurations from 15 to 22 seats and standard safety equipment ning on independent circuits, to distribution and temperature to the include the radar-based distance camera with rear-view mirror sion standards and suitable for plus the driver. Ooredoo celebrates winners of intrapreneurship programme oredoo announced that it to benefi t the company and its ideas to a Final Demo Day Com- also be supported with dedicated recently held an awards customers, in order to foster an mittee, which selected two of offi ce space and equipment, seed Oceremony to celebrate atmosphere of creativity and in- these ideas to move forward to funding of QR200,000 per team the winning teams of its fi rst novation in which employees feel the Activation stage. based on agreed milestones, and intrapreneurship programme, motivated to explore their ideas The winning teams will be access to mentoring and coach- Al Mostaqbal. The ceremony and turn them into reality, the working on two solutions: Qatar ing, the statement explains. was held at the Ooredoo head- company said in a statement. Services Public Cloud and Preci- Yousuf Abdulla al-Kubaisi – quarters in the presence of sev- Designed in collaboration with sion Ponics for Smart Agricul- chief operating offi cer at Ooredoo eral senior representatives from QBIC, the programme invited ture. Both teams demonstrated – said: “We were absolutely de- Ooredoo, Qatar Development “any and all staff to submit ideas their solutions at the awards lighted with the response to the Bank and Qatar Business Incu- that would solve problems for ei- ceremony. fi rst edition of our Al Mostaqbal bation Centre (QBIC). ther Ooredoo or its customers”. The two winning teams will programme. We know some of The MG ZS EV. The Al Mostaqbal intrapre- From the many ideas that were now be diverted from their of- the most prominent innovations neurship programme encouraged submitted, and many teams that fi cial Ooredoo posts to concen- of today – the ‘Like’ button on Ooredoo employees to think out- were formed to work on those trate on developing their ideas Facebook, Gmail, the MacBook – side the box and go the extra mile ideas, fi ve teams pitched their while still being paid, and will came about as the result of intrapreneurship programmes, and we also know we have a phenomenal MG Motor launches pool of talent within our staff , so it made perfect sense for us to establish our own intrapreneurship programme. “We’ve seen some incredible fi rst electric vehicle ideas and some incredible innovation, and look forward to seeing the chosen ideas being developed by the winning teams in the The winning teams with off icials at a ceremony. next few months.” for Middle East

G Motor has revealed its fi rst-ever 100% Melectric vehicle for ‘Win up to 200 gold bars’ at Joyalukkas the Middle East market – the brand-new MG ZS EV. eading jeweller has an- alukkas Group chairman and man- gold jewellery worth QR500 will The “stylish, compact” SUV nounced that it “is de- aging director Joy Alukkas said: be entitled to one raffl e coupon. is based on the popular Mid- Llighting customers with its “Another eventful year draws to Similarly, customers who buy dle East seller, the MG ZS, and ‘Shop More, Win More’ off er”. an end, and we would like to thank diamond jewellery worth QR500 is the fi rst all-electric car from The promotion is valid for our customers for support and pa- will get two raffl e coupons. the British-born brand, ac- close to two months, giving tronage. They have indulged in our Patrons can win up to 200 gold cording to a press statement. shoppers “more time and op- designs and collections all of 2019, bars from the grand raffl e draw. points with every purchase, “MG is prepared to em- tions to pick the very best jew- and I’m sure their trust in us will During the off er period, cus- which can be redeemed for gifts, brace the New Energy Vehicle ellery to gift themselves or their continue. It’s our patrons’ loyalty tomers can sell or exchange their exclusive deals and experiences. world and has already show- loved ones and stand a chance that has kept us moving forward old gold purchased from any jew- The off er is valid until Janu- cased this through the over- to win up to 200 gold bars”, the beyond expectations.” eller, for “best rates or brand-new ary 25, 2020, across all Joyaluk- whelming response and the company has said in a statement. Under the ‘Shop More, Win designs”, the statement notes. kas showrooms in Qatar, Kuwait, successful introduction of the Launching the promotion, Joy- More’ off er, shoppers who buy Customers can also earn JGR Oman and other countries. MG ZS EV in Europe and the UK. The brand is now launching its fi rst-ever 100% electric vehicle in the region,” the statement notes. New LuLu outlet opens in Al Meshaf The new MG ZS EV is equipped with a single electric motor that drives the front A view of the interior. wheels and delivers 148bhp and 350Nm of torque – accel- to ensure its innovative vehi- on becoming the smartest and erating the compact SUV from cles are reliable and equipped most sustainable in the world, 0-100km/h in 8.2 seconds. The to take on the sometimes ex- we can contribute to that vision new EV can travel on a single treme weather conditions in of the future with our fi rst-ever battery charge of NEDC for the region. This summer, the 100% electric vehicle. 335km and is equipped with MG ZS EV was tested in the “The MG ZS EV is based on fast charging, which allows up UAE during the hottest months our compact SUV model which to 80% of the battery to be re- of the year and concluded the has proved to be very popular charged in just 40 minutes. programme successfully, dem- in the region. After extensive Based on the popular 1.5L onstrating that the company hot weather testing, and a ro- petrol version of the MG ZS is ready to deliver electric ve- bust development programme, SUV, the compact SUV “has hicles in the Middle East,” the I am very pleased to say we have proved to be the perfect option statement explains. an appealing, stylish and inno- for buyers looking for a styl- Tom Lee, managing direc- vative electric vehicle for the ish, well-equipped, reliable car tor for MG Motor Middle East, region.” with an aff ordable price tag”. said: “MG Motor Middle East MG Motor has been expand- “As part of MG’s plans to is benefi ting hugely from the ing across the Middle East and become market leaders in New brand’s global commitment to now has a network of dedicated Energy Vehicles, the brand remain at the forefront of new retail partners across the Gulf LuLu Hypermarket Qatar opened its new outlet at Al Meshaf last Thursday. continues to undergo a rigor- energy development. Now, as region, boasting of 22 show- ous development programme the region’s major cities focus rooms and 23 service centres. Gulf Times Sunday, December 1, 2019 11 QATAR QAC introduces all-new Mitsubishi ASX 2020 model atar Automobiles Co ASX clearly meets the demands (QAC), the authorised of people looking for powerful The new Mitsubishi 2020 ASX. Qdistributor of Mitsubishi and well-equipped vehicle. The Motors in Qatar, has introduced additions on the exterior design lisers are precision-tuned for tection of the driver and passen- ed, the Emergency Stop Signal the new 2020 ASX model to its and technology features put the responsive handling and sporty, gers. These include Blind Spot System helps reduce the chance customers in Qatar, following car at the top in its category. comfortable performance. Warning/Lane Change Assist, of a rear collision by automati- its global launch at the recently The new ASX has enhanced On the road, drivers can choose which uses radar sensors in the cally fl ashing the hazards to warn held Tokyo Motor Show. safety features that ensure the between three driving modes to rear bumper to detect vehicles in the driver behind. The new 2020 ASX is now high-levels of protection and best match one’s preferred driv- rear blind spots, on the right and The cargo area is spacious available at QAC showroom at comfort for both the driver and ing style and road conditions for left sides. and easy to use for any driver. Salwa Road. passengers alike.” fuel-effi cient driving and out- The available 7-airbag system With up to 358 litres of cargo Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf al- The new 2020 ASX model has standing 4WD performance. helps protect every passenger in space available even with fi ve Thani, director, operations, gone through some signifi cant The engine is teamed with the every seat. occupants inside, one can bring automotive at Nasser Bin Kha- styling changes. With a new INVECS-III (Intelligent & Inno- When Rear Cross Traffi c Alert everything you need. led (NBK) Group, said: “With look, new technology and a new vative Vehicle Electronic Control is active, an indicator appears The new ASX is equipped with the promising 2020 coming more powerful engine, it now A view of the interior. System) CVT (Continuously in the combination meter dis- the state-of-the-art technol- closer, QAC is ready to supply adopts Mitsubishi’s latest Dy- Variable Transmission), “ideally play. If radar sensors in the rear ogy features, including an 8-inch its customers with its new and namic Shield front design lan- ventional turn indicators in the and environmental perform- tuned to deliver eff ortless ac- bumper detect an approaching display monitor that makes nav- modern vehicles. Our mid- and guage with LED headlights and reconfi gured tail lamps, while a ance. The maximum torque of celeration from any speed”. The vehicle nearby while reverse gear igation and the rear-view camera long-term plans respond to the taillights. Mitsubishi also de- new rear fascia and bumper de- the engine is 197Nm/4,200rpm, Active Stability Control system is engaged, a warning message easier to use. Smartphone-link rapid-changing market and new signed a fresh rear skid plate fi n- sign deletes a lot of chrome work generating a maximum output of uses onboard sensors to analyse appears in the multi-informa- Display Audio helps one operate automotive trends to enhance ished in silver to make the ASX and sharpens its visage. 110kW. the vehicle’s motion and identify tion display, a buzzer sounds map settings, music playback, our position as one of the best- seem a bit more rugged. The 2.0-litre engine gives “all The MacPherson strut front lateral wheel slippage. and an indicator blinks in both and calls all with voice actions selling dealers of Mitsubishi in A similar change has been the power needed for all trips”. and multi-link rear suspensions The new Mitsubishi ASX is door mirrors. for a more enjoyable and safer the region.” made at the front bumper to MIVEC technology allows the make driving on rough roads equipped with plenty of features The new ASX is also equipped drive. The ASX also presents the Hesham al-Sahn, general complete the look. Out back, engine to combine maximum smooth and comfortable, while that enhance the safety measures with Hill Start Assist system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto manager, QAC, said: “The new LED taillights work with con- power output, fuel effi ciency the shock absorbers and stabi- and ensure the maximum pro- When sudden braking is detect- systems. ‘Unlock unlimited’ prepaid data and calls with Vodafone

n a “fi rst for the country”, Vodafone Qa- ibility and ease-of-use. Our loyal cus- tar has announced the launch of Unlim- tomers choosing prepaid now get even Iited Prepaid, a “brand-new innovation more control over their spending. Espe- that lets prepaid customers cially as mobile consumption gets higher unlock unlimited data or local calls” for a and higher, customers are now assured day for QR10. of a worry-free solution that safeguards All Vodafone Qatar prepaid custom- their spending and guarantees freedom ers need to only recharge their main credit from overcharging.” balance and, once their data or local call To enjoy unlimited data or local calls, usage reaches QR10, unlimited data or lo- prepaid customers should make use of their cal calling will automatically be activated credit balance for local calls or data usage. until midnight, the company has said in a This is an automatic pack, activated once statement. the respective usage reaches QR10. The benefi ts of Vodafone Qatar’s new “Vodafone Qatar continues eff orts to product innovation ensure that there are introduce market-leading solutions for no further charges for each unlimited serv- value-seeking consumers and businesses ice beyond QR10 for that day and eliminate that set new standards for the industry,” the the dependency on having to recharge with Diego Camberos, Vodafone Qatar chief statement adds. data packs or local packs, the statement ex- operating offi cer, said: “Vodafone Qatar For more information on the new Un- plains. In addition, there is no need to com- has always endeavoured to bring world- limited Prepaid, one can visit the nearest mit to monthly or weekly rentals to get un- class services and value to customers Vodafone store or go to www.vodafone.qa/ limited usage. through innovations that off er more flex- newunlimitedprepaid

The FUSO Canter Chiller. Saudia Group names ‘Shop & Win’ draw winners QAC presents off er on Japanese FUSO Canter Chiller

atar Automobiles Co Chiller aims to support corpo- for transportation without any (QAC), the authorised rates’ operations in the fi eld of impact on the performance and Qdistributor of FUSO in chilled items transport. This re- stability”. Qatar, is presenting a special of- fl ects our role and contribution The smooth transmission fer on the Japanese FUSO Canter in activating the business cycle supports the performance of the Saudia Group’s ‘Shop & Win’ car promotion’s first draw was held at Saudia Department Store, Plaza Mall, Mesaimeer. Pictured are Chiller trucks that are “perfectly and meeting the corporates’ de- engine to carry heavy loads. Be- the winners at the key handover ceremony for the Toyota RAV4, along with the Saudia Group general manager, purchase manager suited to meet the demands and mands of transporting frozen, sides, the truck is equipped with and marketing manager. requirements of chilled items fresh and chilled goods at best a high-performance battery that transport”. and highest healthy standards. ensures stable supply of electri- Valid on 2019 models until “FUSO Canter Chiller ensures cal power. The butterfl y-valve December 3, the off er compris- the quality of goods, so they type exhaust is standard equip- es a special price along with a reach customers in a good and ment, and improves brake per- package of benefi ts that includes healthy manner.” formance and also extends brake Shine Gold & Diamonds announces raffle draw winner free fi rst service, free registra- The FUSO brand is known “for life. tion for the fi rst year and two its trusted quality, economic ef- The cab of Canter enables the Shine Gold & Diamonds has years or 120,000km warranty fi ciency, solid and functional safety and comfort of both driv- announced the winner of (whichever comes fi rst), accord- design and committed servic- ers and passengers at the same the first lucky draw of the ing to a statement by QAC. es”. The leading Japanese brand time. The big cab is equipped ‘Winter Shopping @ Shine’ In addition, in-house fi nance “highly invests in technology with reclining and front-back promotion. The draw was is available through NBK Finan- and the continuous develop- adjustable seats to improve held at LuLu Hypermarket, cial Services. ment of its vehicles to meet the driveability and reduce driver Gharrafa, on Thursday. The The Canter is a light-duty rapid-changing requirements of fatigue, thus enhancing safety winner, Randall Ivan Carino truck, “one of the most success- individuals and corporates”, the and reliability. As the tachome- of the Philippines (coupon No ful and in-demand trucks across statement notes. ter is redesigned, it easier to read 22333) is seen in the picture the world thanks to its safety The Canter is known for its the meter cluster and monitor with the executive director standards, high performance, lifetime value and lower cost of the functions of the truck. of Shine Gold & Diamonds, low cost of operation and life- operation. Being fuel effi cient The halogen headlights gen- Abdul Hameed, and other time value”. The Japanese FUSO and needing less frequent main- erate bright beam and wide off icials of Shine. Canter Chiller is available now tenance, the Canter “guarantees beam pattern to improve driving at the FUSO showroom on Salwa that work is always running to safety at night. “The Mitsubishi Road. secure more profi ts”. The high FUSO Canter embodies the vi- Hesham al-Sahn, general rigid cab and chassis contrib- sion of Mitsubishi from design manager, QAC, said: “The new ute “to outstanding safety and to delivery and support,” the special off er on FUSO Canter durability and allow more space statement adds. Gulf Times 12 Sunday, December 1, 2019 QATAR HMC marks a decade of high-quality healthcare

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Maximising Patient Experi- ence by Increasing Direct Nurs- ing Care Hours. The Education and Research Star of Excellence Awards went to the Hamad Healthcare Qual- ity Institute’s (HHQI) project ‘Capacity and Capability Build- ing Programme’ and the ‘Treat- ment Burden Impact on Quality of Life’ project. Nasser al-Naimi, deputy chief of Quality, CPESE and director, HHQI said: “Our success story started in 2010 and continues as we celebrate the Stars of Ex- cellence 10th anniversary. This programme puts high-quality care and patient satisfaction at the top of our priorities and enables us to develop a valuable programme that allows us to recognise the determination and hard work of our dedicated employees.” “Today, the programme is embedded in HMC’s culture. It places great emphasis on teamwork, recognising that while we have truly talented and motivated individuals working across HMC, it is when we work together as a team that we deliver the very best results,” added al- Naimi. HMC honours employees with Stars of Excellence awards.

Campaign for public hygiene Registrations open for ministry’s IT Digital Leadership Training Programme

he Ministry of Transport gramme functions under the the last two years being in a and Communications umbrella of the boarder Qatar managerial IT role command- T(MoTC) has announced Digital Government Training ing own team. that applications for admission Programme, which includes a Selected participants will to the IT Digital Leadership number of specialised train- go through an extensive lead- Training Programme is now ing programmes for Qatari IT ership assessment to identify open until December 22. workers and specialists such as individual development needs. The IT Digital Leader- the CTO Training Programme These needs are addressed at ship Training Programme is a and IT Talent Programme. four in-person workshops re- six-month new training pro- These two programmes have volving around digital lead- gramme developed for the fi rst to date succeeded in attracting ership. Selected participants time in Qatar to fulfi l the needs a signifi cant number of Qatari will be awarded programme of the middle-management IT professionals from multiple completion certifi cation de- executives. government entities. pendent on their attendance of It is designed to develop new The new programme is the workshops along with the digital skills for mid-tenured available for Qatari IT profes- mandatory capstone project. IT managers at government sionals. The programme is lim- They will be announced over entities in Qatar while applying ited to 1-2 participants from January 2020. Al Sheehaniya Municipality’s Health Control Section has carried out an inspection learning within practical busi- the same organisation. Each Government entities are in- campaign pertaining to street vendors in the Mekaines area, in co-ordination ness contexts. candidate needs to be nomi- vited to nominate their can- with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Municipality and The programme contributes nated by their organisation’s didates until December 22 via Environment (MME)’s General Cleanliness Department, the Mekaines police and to qualifying a new generation management team. [email protected] or Al Fazaa. Accordingly, waste materials and garbage left behind by street vendors of IT leadership in Qatar in line Additionally, the applicant by calling 40452357/40452334. were removed and the place was thoroughly cleaned, the MME said in a statement. with the overarching strategic must enjoy a professional-level QDGTP functions within the The campaign is part of the municipality’s efforts, made in co-operation with the objectives of Qatar National command in English with over framework of the Qatar Dig- entities concerned, to maintain public hygiene around the country and curb the Vision 2030, the MoTC has six years of experience in IT ital Government 2020 Strategy spread of violations by street vendors. said in a statement. domain or relevant work, but that was offi cially launched in The new training pro- the candidate must have spent May 2014.

Oman beat Kuwait to Inspection drive at barn keep semis hopes alive

From Page 1 Kuwait came back rejuvenated in the second half, while Oman’s Four minutes later, Oman fans energy dropped considerably, were celebrating in the stands, just as it did against Bahrain on while Kuwait supporters stood in Tuesday. With coach Thamer disbelief after Yousef conceded a Enad pushing his players ahead, penalty. The Kuwaiti custodian Kuwait found the space to at- rammed straight into al-Maqba- tack. But it wasn’t until the 78th li, who had charged into the box minute that they were successful after receiving a long pass from in scoring a goal as Nasser’s left Al Sulaiman al-Busaidi. Al- footed shot from outside the box Maqbali once again chose to go beat al-Rushaidi. left from the spot kick as a clue- Oman fans had their hearts in less Yousef stood still. the mouth when defender Ab- With their backs against the dul al-Mukhaini made two huge wall, Kuwait went all out for the mistakes, but Kuwait players equaliser and they nearly had one lacked sharpness on the night to Al Sheehaniya Municipality, in the 40th minute. Ahmed al- make any use out it. in co-operation with the Dhefi ri and Nasser combined to Kuwait coach Enad lamented Ministry of Municipality and hoodwink Omani defenders but the mistakes in the fi rst half, Environment’s Livestock the latter’s shot was easily saved which he said cost his team the Department, has carried out by goalkeeper Faiz al-Rushaidi, match. “It was a diffi cult game a joint campaign at a barn who was once again excellent against a strong side. We played complex in Abu Nakhla with the on the night. In the next minute, badly in the fi rst half and the participation of the technical Nasser’s shot kissed the post af- Omani team was able to take control and general control ter another link-up play with al- advantage of our mistakes and sections at the municipality. Dhefi ri and Bader al-Mutawa. score two penalties,” he said. The joint campaign was aimed Oman were always in the game “But in the second half we at detecting violations there though and they should have made some adjustments and and dealing with them in been three-up three minutes were better organised. We had accordance with the applicable before break but al-Ghassani some opportunities and scored laws and regulations. squandered two big opportuni- a goal, but could not fi nd the ties. equaliser,” he added.

NHRC is all set to hold international conference on social media

frameworks that regulate online many social media platforms in its that the UN Special Rapporteur al-Marri noted. He revealed some dress the challenges and threats or other initiatives to ensure tak- From Page 1 expression, he added. terms and conditions a special ban on freedom of religion or belief of the expected outcomes of the faced by activists on social media ing advantage of the social media Dr al-Marri said that the con- on “hate speech”. Some platforms stressed that war begins in the conference, including the devel- platforms, in addition to iden- in human rights work, as well as Since most social media plat- ference will explore the possibility have also recently updated their minds and is fostered by the logic opment of mutual understanding tifying future activities that will the expansion of partnerships and forms are private, technology of harnessing social media to be an rules against hateful behaviour of what is fuelled by invocations, among diff erent stakeholders on expand the civil space in social capacities to address hate speech companies also play a key role important tool to enhance the civil to include language that deprives often hidden and hateful, and the opportunities, risks and good media, and forming a network and incitement to discrimination in responding to multiple re- space or to spread hatred online, others of humanity on the basis of that positive talk is also a healing practices to work to expand the for future co-operation and co- in the means of social communi- quests from authorities and to a which may lead to acts of violence religion. tool for reconciliation and peace- civil space in and through social ordination that will address leg- cation, leading to exit a set of good range of evolving legal and policy in normal life, so it has included In the same context, he noted building in hearts and minds,” Dr media, and develop ways to ad- islation, policies, regulatory tools practices and lessons learned. Gulf Times Sunday, December 1, 2019 13 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA Iraq protests continue as parliament prepares to remove PM

Reuters ammunition, tear gas and stun sign, and this is how authority Baghdad grenades against protesters for is in democratic countries,” he nearly two months. said. Scores of the more than 400 He added that President rotesters burned tyres and dead have been killed in recent Barham Salih would then need to surrounded a police sta- days, particularly in the south- name a new premier for approval Ption in the southern Iraqi ern cities of Nassiriya and Najaf. by parliament. city of Nassiriya yesterday, a At a funeral procession for Iraqi protesters have wel- An Iraqi demonstrator carries the national flag during ongoing anti-government protests, in Baghdad, yesterday. Reuters witness said, pressing protesters killed this week in comed the resignation but say it their demands for sweeping re- Najaf, a holy city, a mourner who is not enough. consulate. Nassiriya was the form despite the prime minister declined to give his name said: They demand the overhaul of scene of the worst violence to hit promising to quit. “This man was protesting hold- a political system they say is cor- war-weary Iraq since the anti- Lebanese rally against crackdown Demonstrations continued ing an Iraqi fl ag and a fl ower. rupt and keeps them in poverty government protests began in Dozens of people in protest-swept Lebanon staged uprising in Lebanon are one,” she said. in Baghdad, but there were far He was shot dead. and without opportunity. Baghdad on Oct 1. Many Iraqis a candlelit vigil outside Iraq’s embassy yesterday “A protester killed there is a protester killed here.” fewer reports of casualties than He’s a sacrifi ce for the nation.” Populist cleric Moqtada al- fear violence will continue to to denounce the excessive use of force against Like their counterparts in Iraq, Lebanese demon- on the previous two days when Iraq’s cabinet approved Abdul Sadr, who has supported the escalate as angry families mourn demonstrators there. strators are rallying against corruption, unemploy- several were injured in clashes Mahdi’s resignation, his offi ce protests but not thrown his dead relatives and the govern- Participants at the Beirut observance raised pic- ment and poor public services. They are also with security forces in the Iraqi said in a statement yesterday, full weight behind them, said ment moves slowly to enact only tures of Iraqi protesters who have been killed in an pushing for an end to the kind of political system capital, according to police. but parliament has yet to with- late on Friday that demonstra- limited reform. unprecedented anti-government movement. that prioritises power-sharing between sects over Prime Minister Adel Abdul draw its support for the prime tions should continue and that Weeks of political wrangling Some raised the Lebanese flag, while one woman good governance. Despite confrontations with se- Mahdi announced his resigna- minister at a session, making it the people should pick the next are expected before a successor wrapped the Iraqi tricolour around her shoulders. curity forces and supporters of established parties, tion on Friday after a call from offi cial. prime minister. to Abdul Mahdi is picked and a Iraq’s grassroots protest movement has been the protesters in Lebanon have largely been spared the Iraq’s top cleric for the govern- “The government has done “The next candidate for prime new government formed. largest the country has seen in decades — but also violent crackdown seen in Iraq. ment to step down to end weeks all it can to respond to the de- minister should be chosen by Iraq’s semi-offi cial Human the deadliest. More than 420 people have been But rights groups and the United Nations last week of deadly unrest. mands of protesters and enact popular referendum and picked Rights Commission said yes- killed and 15,000 others wounded since protests criticised Lebanese security forces for failing to The unrest, which has killed reforms...and calls the parlia- from among fi ve proposed can- terday those responsible for the began on October 1, according to an AFP tally com- protect protesters from attacks by backers of the more than 400 people, mostly ment to fi nd solutions (to unrest) didates,” Sadr said in a statement killings of protesters must be piled from medics and an Iraqi rights commission. Hezbollah and Amal movements. demonstrators, amounts to the in its coming session,” the state- on Twitter. brought to justice and that it The toll spiked dramatically this week, when a Amnesty International on Friday also urged the biggest crisis confronting Iraq ment said. He said protesters should would gather evidence for pros- crackdown by security forces left dozens dead Lebanese army “to end arbitrary arrests” and since Islamic State insurgents Abdul Mahdi’s government, meanwhile press their demands ecution. in Baghdad, the Shia shrine city of Najaf and the torture of peaceful protesters following a wave of seized vast swathes of Iraqi and including himself, will stay on but reject violence. A statement issued by the southern hotspot of Nasiriyah. detentions. Syrian territory in 2014. in a caretaker capacity following The burning by demonstrators commission did not acknowledge Nasiriyah is the birthplace of Prime Minister Adel Lebanon and Iraq are ranked among the most cor- It pits mostly young, dis- the lawmakers’ vote until a new of the Iranian consulate in Najaf the prime minister’s resignation. Abdel Mahdi, who vowed to resign on Friday. rupt countries in the region by anti-graft watchdog aff ected protesters against a government can be chosen, the on Wednesday escalated unrest The International Committee Lebanon has also seen an unprecedented anti- Transparency International. government accused of squan- prime minister said later in a tel- and led to Abdul Mahdi’s resig- of the Red Cross urged a halt to government protest movement since October 17. At the vigil yesterday, a demonstrator who gave his dering Iraq’s oil wealth while in- evised cabinet meeting. nation. rising casualties. “Firearms and Layal Siblani, the organiser behind the vigil, said the name as Hussein said that in light of excesses com- frastructure and living standards “This is a positive thing...it In Nassiriya, deadly clashes live ammunition must only be spiralling violence in Iraq this past week prompted mitted by Lebanese security forces, protesters had deteriorate. show’s we’re no longer a dicta- erupted on Thursday hours af- used as a last resort,” it said in a the show of solidarity. “The uprising in Iraq and the a duty towards their peers in Iraq. Security forces have used live torship — governments do re- ter the torching of the Najaf statement.

ELECTION STRIFE Namibia opposition cries foul over vote counts 15 hurt as car bomb hits Two Namibian opposition parties yesterday cried foul over alleged fraud Algerians march against ‘foreign interference’ in this week’s presidential and parliamentary elections, which they say village in Syria have caused delays in delivering election results. Partial results from this week’s general election showed the incumbent AFP read one placard in response to a At least 15 people were injured president Hage Geingob leading with over 56% of the vote. While the Algiers European Parliament resolution yesterday in a car bombing in a electoral commission’s chairperson Advocate Notemba Tjipueja called on Thursday. northeastern Syrian town held by for patience as vote counting was being finalised, Geingob took to social The resolution condemned rebels allied with Turkey, a local media to thank Namibians for his re-election. “I wish to thank Namibians everal hundred Algeri- “the arbitrary and unlawful ar- medical source and a war monitor for re-electing me as their president,” he tweeted, promising to “bring ans marched yesterday in rest and detainment of, attacks reported. The bombing took place tangible improvements in the lives of our citizens.” His South West Africa Ssupport of a presidential on and intimidations of jour- on a main street in the village of People’s Organisation (SWAPO) has ruled the sparsely populated nation election rejected by a mass pro- nalists, trade unionists, lawyers, Ain Arus, in the countryside of since independence from South Africa in 1990. Geingob’s closest rival, test movement that has rocked students, human rights de- the north-eastern Syrian border Panduleni Itula, a SWAPO member who is running as an independent the North African country since fenders and civil society and all town Tal Abyad. The victims were candidate, as well as the leader of the Landless People’s Movement February. A woman marches with a sign reading in French “no to foreign peaceful protesters” in Algeria. transferred to Turkish hospitals near (LPM) Bernadus Swartbooi have alleged fraud in the elections ahead of The march was organised by interference” during a demonstration in the centre of Algiers. Algiers denounced what it the Syrian border, a source said on the final count. As the final batch of votes were being tallied, Itula yes- the UGTA trades union group called “fl agrant interference in condition of anonymity. The blast terday penned a letter to the electoral commission, Geingob and other which is close to the National The UGTA supported Boute- the country as the December 12 its internal aff airs” and a “disre- also resulted in unspecified material stakeholders, urging for dialogue to avoid a “potential national crisis” with Liberation Front of former fl ika during his 20 years at the polling day nears, but yester- gard” for its institutions. damage, the Syrian Observatory for devastating eff ects. president Abdelaziz Boutefl ika, helm in Algeria. day’s was the fi rst staged by a Marchers yesterday also Human Rights said. So far, there has who quit in April under pressure Pro-regime “spontaneous” group close to the regime. voiced their support for been no claim of responsibility. The from the street. rallies have been held across “No to foreign interference!” the military. bombing marks the 12th such attack CRACKDOWN that has targeted areas controlled Gabon president’s spokesman detained by Turkish-allied rebels in northeastern Syria since late October, accord- The spokesman for Gabonese President Ali Bongo was transferred to the ing to the Britain-based observatory. capital’s main prison on Friday, his lawyer said, one of eight people held in Turkey and its allied Syrian rebels custody under a new anti-corruption drive. Bongo has vowed to crack down Agitators seek justice for martyrs in Khartoum seized Tal Abyad and other areas on graft since returning from months-long medical leave following a stroke in after launching a military off ensive late 2018 that raised questions about his fitness to rule and fuelled instability in northeastern Syria on October 9 in oil-dependent nation. On Friday, prosecutor Andre Roponat said 16 people AFP dan’s now ousted leader Omar al-Bashir. on April 11 after the demonstrations trig- against Syrian Kurdish militias there. had been detained as part of an investigation into the misappropriation of Khartoum More than 250 people were killed and gered by an acute economic crisis. Two ceasefire deals, first with the public funds and money-laundering. Of these, eight were placed in pre-trial hundreds injured in the months-long A crowd of men and women marched United States and then with Russia, detention and eight were released on bail. He did not provide names, evi- protests that erupted in December 2018, from a central Khartoum square to Prime brought a pause to the Turkish dence or detail of the alleged crimes. Earlier in the week, media reports said undreds of protesters marched according to umbrella protest movement Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s offi ces, de- operation. Turkey regards the Syrian that presidential spokesman Ike Ngouoni was one of those detained. When yesterday through downtown Forces of Freedom and Change. manding authorities deliver justice for Kurdish People’s Protection Units contacted by Reuters late on Friday, Ngouoni’s lawyer Carol Moussavou said: HKhartoum to demand justice for Bashir, who ruled Sudan for 30 years, those killed and also fi nd out about pro- (YPG) as terrorists linked to separa- “I confirm that my client has been placed in custody at Libreville’s central those killed in demonstrations against Su- was deposed by the army in a palace coup testers who went missing. tist insurgents. prison.” She did not give further details. Roponat said it was too early to say who would face trial as the investigation was ongoing. “Pre-trial detention is not a conviction,” he said in a statement. Since his return from overseas medical leave in March, Bongo has fired his vice-president and the forests minister over a scandal linked to the disappearance of illegal hardwood.

UNREST Smog in Iran shuts schools, universities Crowd lynches two suspected militants AFP The decision to shut schools “Having examined the in- city, said Taghizadeh. But ac- Tehran. In Tehran, average A crowd in eastern DR Congo yesterday lynched two people they sus- Tehran and universities in the capi- dex of pollutants in Tehran... it tivities would be halted today concentrations of hazardous pected of being members of a militia blamed for the killing of more tal was announced late Friday was decided for all schools to for all sand mines and indus- airborne particles reached 146 than 100 civilians over the past month, an AFP journalist said. The by deputy governor Mohamed be closed tomorrow in Tehran tries in Tehran that contrib- micrograms per cubic metre killings came on the same day that the United Nations peacekeeping ir pollution forced the Taghizadeh, after a meeting of province, except for the coun- ute to air pollution, he added, yesterday morning, according chief visited eastern DR Congo where anti-UN protests have erupted closure of schools and an emergency committee for air ties of Firuzkuh, Damavand and without specifying which to air.tehran.ir, a government- since the militia attacks. Munitions were found in the bags of the two Auniversities in parts of pollution. Pardis,” he was quoted as say- ones. linked website. people, a man and a woman dressed in civilian clothes, in the town Iran yesterday, including Te- “Due to increased air pollu- ing. Schools were also closed By mid-afternoon, the index of Beni. The crowd of several dozen people accused them of being hran, which was cloaked by a tion, kindergartens, preschools An odd-even traffic scheme yesterday in the northern had dropped to 107 after winds members of the Allied Democratic Forces, a shadowy armed group cloud of toxic smog, state media and schools, universities and was imposed yesterday to re- province of Alborz and in the blew away some of the pollu- with links to Ugandan hardliners, the journalist said. “They didn’t have reported. higher education institutes of strict the number of private central province of Esfahan, tion hanging over the capital. ID and when we checked their bags we found ammunition, military The young and elderly and Tehran province will be closed,” vehicles on roads in the capital IRNA reported, citing offi- The World Health Organisa- garb and cartridge clips,” said Fabrice Muhindo, who works at the people with respiratory ill- he said, quoted by state news and trucks were banned out- cials. tion’s advised maximum level carpark where the lynchings took place. “They are ADF members nesses were warned to stay in- agency IRNA. right in Tehran province, IRNA Other areas where schools is 50. The pall of pollution has who were on their way to an operation against the population. We doors and sporting activities Schools in the capital would reported. were shut included the north- shrouded the sprawling city neutralised them,” he said. Beni police chief Jean-Felix Kazingufu told were suspended for the start of also be closed for a second day The scheme would be lift- eastern city of Mashhad, Oru- of 8mn for days and is only AFP that his team was trying to identify the bodies, “and to find out the working week in the Islamic on Sunday, Taghizadeh said ed today, but heavy vehicles miyeh city in northwestern expected to clear on Monday how and by whom they were killed”. republic. later. would still be barred from the Iran and Qom city, south of when rain is forecast. Gulf Times 14 Sunday, December 1, 2019 AMERICAS

SCREEN TIME MOURNED INNOCENT VICTIMS POLLUTION 4-YEAR CONTRACT Families from Uzbekistan 3 giraff es among animals Major sewage spill closes Fiat Chrysler reaches killed in Canada plane crash killed in wildlife park fire several California beaches labour deal with union

Two families from Uzbekistan died earlier this Ten animals were killed in a fire at a wildlife A spill of about 4mn gallons (15mn litres) of raw Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and the United week when their single-engine aircraft crashed park in the US state of Ohio, the park sewage has prompted the Orange County Health Auto Workers (UAW) union yesterday announced in a wooded area on the outskirts of Kingston, said in a statement late on Friday. Three Care Agency to close ocean and bay water a tentative agreement for a four-year labour Ontario, killing all seven people aboard, the giraff es, three red river hogs, and a areas from Crystal Cove State Park in Newport contract, a boost for the automaker as it works to Uzbekistan ambassador said in a tweet on springbok were among the dead, the Beach to Poche Beach at the Dana Point and merge with France’s Groupe PSA. Italian-American Friday. “Deeply saddened by the plane crash in African Wildlife Safari park in Port Clinton San Clemente border, a stretch of about 20km Fiat Chrysler and PSA, the maker of Peugeot Kingston,” ambassador Javlon Vakhabov wrote said on its Facebook page. Three in southern California, health off icials said. The and Citroen, last month announced a planned on Twitter, adding that the crash killed children bongos — a type of African forest spill was caused by a broken force main at the $50bn merger to create the world’s fourth-largest aged 3, 11 and 15 years old. Vakhabov said the antelope — were also killed. Some 400 other Ben Brown Golf Course in Laguna Beach, first automaker. The tentative agreement with Fiat embassy was in touch with the Kingston police animals at the park were safe, and no people reported before dawn on Thursday, the agency Chrysler is subject to ratification by the union and the coroner’s office. Kingston Police said were harmed in the fire. Out of fear that the fire said. In Los Angeles County, authorities warned members. The UAW yesterday said the contract Shoppers carry televisions purchased from a on Wednesday that seven people in a Piper could spread, two giraff es and a zebra were freed against swimming at local beaches because with Fiat Chrysler included a commitment from store during ‘Black Friday’ sales in Los Angeles PA-32 aircraft died when the plane crashed from a nearby barn. The traumatised animals contaminants in runoff from recent rainfall could FCA to invest $9bn, creating 7,900 new jobs over on Friday. that evening. were being treated by a vet. cause bacteria levels in ocean waters to increase. the course of the four-year contract. House deadline for Trump to decide his participation in Congress hearings

By David Morgan, Reuters The Judiciary panel is expected a hearing to examine the evidence Washington to hold a series of impeachment report and further proceedings proceedings, including an initial to consider formal articles of im- hearing on Wednesday at which le- peachment. US congressional panel on gal experts are due to testify about House Democrats aim to resolve Friday gave President Don- the constitutional grounds for im- the question of Trump’s impeach- Aald Trump one week to say peachment. ment by Christmas. whether his legal counsel intends to The impeachment probe is look- If the House impeaches him, introduce evidence and call witnesses ing into whether Trump abused the Republican-controlled Sen- in upcoming impeachment proceed- his power to pressure Ukraine to ate would hold a trial to determine ings that could lead to formal charges launch investigations of political whether he should be convicted of misconduct within a few weeks. rival Joe Biden and a discredited and removed from offi ce. The Democratic-led House Ju- conspiracy theory promoted by Political analysts say the ul- diciary Committee, which is due to Trump that Ukraine, not Russia, timate verdict will come in next begin weighing possible articles of interfered in the 2016 US presiden- year’s US elections for president impeachment against Trump next tial election. and Congress, and candidates from week, sent a two-page letter to the After weeks of closed-door wit- both parties have used the im- president setting a deadline of 5pm ness depositions and televised peachment issue to ramp up their EDT on December 6 for the presi- hearings, three investigating pan- campaigns. dent’s counsel to specify intended els led by the House Intelligence Democratic House Speaker actions under the committee’s im- Committee are due to release a Nancy Pelosi, who launched the peachment procedures. formal report soon after lawmak- impeachment inquiry on Septem- The procedures set out rules by ers return to Congress on Tuesday ber 24, on Friday asked supporters which the president can call wit- from a Thanksgiving recess. in an e-mail from her campaign nesses, introduce evidence and The report will outline evi- committee to condemn Trump’s People play on the snow at San Bernardino Forest in Wrightwood, California. make presentations. dence gathered by lawmakers on actions. Panel Democratic Chairman Jer- the panel, along with those on “President Trump used taxpayer rold Nadler set the same deadline the Foreign Aff airs and Oversight money to bribe foreign countries for Republican lawmakers on the committees. to inﬂ uence the 2020 elections for committee to notify him about in- After Wednesday, the Judiciary his own political gain,” she said in Winter storm strands 1,000 people in tended witnesses and evidence and panel, which could recommend a the e-mail which asked recipients scheduled a December 9 meeting full House impeachment vote be- to register their disapproval on her to consider the matter. fore Christmas, is expected to hold campaign website. Arizona, delays Thanksgiving travellers

US says will ‘protect its interests’ at climate conference in Spain By David Schwartz, Reuters Emergency Management team, Arizona east into the US upper Midwest. Phoenix Department of Transportation, (Arizona Freezing rain was expected to turn into he United States will send a boost commitments to fi ght cli- of Trump’s Republican party. Public Service) and the National Park snowy blizzards in parts of Minnesota, diplomatic team but no senior mate change, after Chile pulled out The president has cast the Paris Service with a priority on clearing roads,” Wisconsin and Michigan, with more than Tmembers of Donald Trump’s due to civil unrest. climate accord as elitist and unfair ome 1,000 people were stranded Sanderson said. 18 inches (46cm) of snowfall possible in administration to a global climate- “The United States will continue to the US, saying when announcing without heat or power in a small More than 1,000 residents and tour- some mountainous areas, the service said. change conference starting in Spain to participate in ongoing climate his decision to withdraw that he SArizona town near the Grand Can- ists were stranded in Tusayan, along State Some snow could appear in the North- tomorrow, according to a statement. change negotiations and meet- was “elected to represent the citi- yon on Friday during a major winter storm Route 64, as of Friday evening, the mayor east by today morning, the weather serv- However, in an eff ort to raise the US ings — such as COP25 — to ensure zens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.” that threatened to disrupt travel for mil- said and shelters had been set up inside ice said. profi le in Madrid, House speaker Nan- a level playing fi eld that protects But scientists say the accord lions as it moves east one day after the the national park. New York City and other areas further cy Pelosi will led a 15-member con- US interests,” the US State Depart- is vital to check the worst dam- Thanksgiving holiday. The National Weather Service said on down the Atlantic Coast are expected to gressional delegation to “reaffi rm the ment said yesterday. age from global warming, such as The Town Council of Tusayan, just Twitter snow had been reported “all the way get a wintry mix of precipitation today. commitment of the American people The US team will be headed by increasing droughts, rising fl oods south of Grand Canyon National Park, down at the bottom” of the Grand Canyon. More than 4mn Americans were ex- to combating the climate crisis.” ambassador Marcia Bernicat, prin- and intensifying storms. declared a state of emergency on Friday “Getting the roads open is the main pected to fl y and another 49mn expected The US, at Trump’s direction, is cipal deputy assistant secretary of The fi nal US withdrawal from morning, citing the power outage and thing we need,” Sanderson said. to drive at least 80km or more over the withdrawing from the Paris climate state for oceans and international the landmark accord is scheduled nearly two feet (60cm) of snow that has “The County and (Arizona Department weekend for Thanksgiving, according to accord, which set a goal of limiting environmental and scientifi c aff airs. for November 4, 2020, a day after made roads impassable. of Transportation) are working to make it the American Automobile Association. global temperature rises to well Pelosi, calling climate change the next presidential election. “We are working to arrange emergency possible to safely travel State Route 64.” Wintry weather disrupted travel this within two degrees Celsius from “the existential threat of our time,” Several Democratic presidential shelter at the National Park, in buses, The weather service forecast more week ahead of Thursday’s Thanksgiving pre-industrial levels. announced a delegation of Demo- aspirants have said that, if elected, and at other locations,” said Mayor Craig than a foot (30cm) of snow across moun- celebrations, with airports in Minneapolis Spain stepped in to host the crats drawn from both the House they would immediately return to Sanderson said in a written statement. tain areas of Colorado, Utah and Arizona and Chicago reporting hundreds of de- COP25 meeting, which seeks to and the Senate, with no members the agreement. “We are working with the County on Friday before the storm system moves layed or cancelled fl ights. Biden to blitz Iowa back roads by bus in hunt for support

By Trevor Hunnicutt, Reuters gressive,” said Vilsack, who en- ing blitzes and cash-on-hand Council Bluff s, Iowa dorsed Biden last month. advantage have turned into real Public opinion polls show Bi- support for them in Iowa,” said den’s one-time double-digit lead one Biden campaign email to emocratic presidential in the state has disappeared, and supporters last week. candidate Joe Biden yes- he is now fi ghting fast-rising Biden’s campaign ended Sep- Dterday began crisscross- Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old tember with under $9mn in cash ing Iowa by bus for eight days, mayor of South Bend, Indiana, on hand, trailing Trump, Sand- the longest trek of his campaign, and progressive candidates US ers, Warren, Buttigieg and Sena- to make a personal appeal for Senators Elizabeth Warren and tor Kamala Harris, according to support in a critical state where Bernie Sanders for fi rst place. the most recent fi lings with the he has lost ground in polls. Biden, 77, still enjoys a lead in US Federal Election Commis- Biden, who served as vice national public opinion polls. sion. president to Democratic former “It really is time to start turn- The post-Thanksgiving holi- president Barack Obama, is ing over our government to a day bus tour by Biden will cov- among a historically large Demo- younger generation,” said Linda er 18 counties and more than cratic fi eld, many with better- Murken, chair of the board of su- 1,287km). fi nanced operations, who are vy- pervisors in Story County, Iowa, Biden was scheduled to start it ing for the party’s nomination to where Biden is expected to cam- with an appearance alongside his face Republican President Don- paign on Wednesday. wife, Jill, at his campaign’s fi eld ald Trump in the November 2020 Murken has endorsed Butti- offi ce in Council Bluff s. election. gieg, saying that younger leaders “The goal is to have him con- Iowa, the state that hosts the may inspire younger voters and nect with people one-on-one,” fi rst presidential nominating have a greater sense of urgency said campaign spokesman TJ contest on February 3, will be a about climate change. Ducklo. key test. Biden campaign manager Greg “It is a very close race as we Tom Vilsack, the former Iowa Schultz told donors last month get close to voting with the four governor and US agriculture sec- on a conference call the cam- (leading) folks. And that was al- retary, said many of the state’s paign does not have to win Iowa ways the expectation.” Democrats are still weighing to secure the nomination. Biden will not be alone on the their options. But Biden’s fundraising pleas Iowa campaign trail. “They’re going to be looking underscore the need to counter Buttigieg, Warren, Sanders, for somebody who, at the end a wave of ads in Iowa for Trump Harris and other candidates are of the day, understands how to and Biden’s Democratic oppo- all expected to campaign in Iowa move the country forward in a nents. at points during the same eight- Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden holds a community event in Des Moines, Iowa. way that’s realistic but also pro- “Our opponents’ advertis- day stretch. Gulf Times Sunday, December 1, 2019 15 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA China arrests Pensioners, students two over rally for HK protest meddling in Reuters “I have seen so much police Hong Kong brutality and unlawful arrests. HK aff airs This is not the Hong Kong I know. I came today because I want the econdary school students government to know that we are Reuters Kong in August to support and retirees joined forces to not happy with what they have Beijing “anti-China” activities. Sprotest in Hong Kong yes- done to our generation,” said Lee, an adviser from a small terday, the fi rst of several weekend Ponn, who attended with her township in Taiwan, had been rallies planned across the city, as daughter and son-in-law. hina has arrested a missing since August 19 after pro-democracy activists vowed Demonstrators are angered by citizen of Belize for al- travelling to Shenzhen. to battle what they say are police what they see as Chinese inter- Clegedly colluding with He was being investigated brutality and unlawful arrests. ference in freedoms promised people in the United States to for “engaging in criminal acts A top Hong Kong offi cial said when Britain returned Hong meddle in the aff airs of Hong that endanger state security”, the government was looking into Kong to Beijing in 1997. Kong, the offi cial Guangdong a spokesman for the Taiwan setting up an independent com- Although the protests were Communist Party newspa- Aff airs Offi ce of China’s State mittee to review the handling of sparked by an extradition bill per reported yesterday, citing Council said in September. the crisis, in which demonstra- that was later scrapped, demon- local authorities. Hong Kong – a business and tions have become increasingly strators have been making “fi ve Lee Henley Hu Xiang, a trade gateway for China as an violent since they began more demands” that include universal Belizean businessman who international fi nancial centre than fi ve months ago. suff rage in choosing the city’s lives in China, had funded – has been mired in often vio- Hong Kong has seen relative leader and an independent in- key members of “hostile lent anti-government protests calm since local elections last quiry into police use of force. forces” in the United States to for nearly six months. week delivered an overwhelming China denies interfering and undermine China’s national The unrest has plunged the victory to pro-democracy can- says it is committed to the “one security, and supported ac- former British colony into its didates. Still, activists appear country, two systems” formula tivities that led to chaos in biggest political crisis in dec- keen to maintain the momentum put in place in the Asian fi nancial Hong Kong, the Southern ades, at times forcing busi- of their movement. hub in 1997. It has blamed foreign Daily said. nesses, government, schools “I came out for the peaceful pro- forces for fomenting unrest. People raise their hands as they sing and listen to the protest anthem “Glory to Hong Kong” during a It did not give details. and even the international test in June when there was more People gathered yesterday to protest in the Central district of Hong Kong yesterday. Lee was arrested in the airport to close. than 1mn people, but the govern- pay their respects at a vigil out- southern Chinese city of “The attempt by those an- ment did not listen to our de- side the Prince Edward rail sta- hundred protesters formed a line and The UN High Commissioner ing Post newspaper yesterday. Guangzhou on November 26 ti-China, Hong Kong chaos- mands,” said a 71-year-old woman tion where some residents be- stood side by side, holding hands. for Human Rights, Michelle At yesterday’s fi rst rally, the by the Guangzhou State Secu- mongering people to pressure in Hong Kong’s Central district lieve that protesters were killed The Hong Kong city govern- Bachelet, also called for an in- crowd in the park rose at one point rity bureau, the report said. China through exploiting for- who only gave her name as Ponn. by police three months ago. ment is looking into setting up vestigation into allegations of to sing “Glory to Hong Kong”, Authorities in Guangzhou eign anti-China forces will She brought her own plastic Police have denied that account. an independent committee to excessive police force. which has become the unoffi cial could not be immediately eventually be a clown act, stool to join a cross-generational Some in the crowd shouted review the handling of the crisis, “I appeal the government anthem of protests. Many of them reached for comment. like a mantis trying to stop a protest of a few hundred people “revenge” and “fi ve demands”. Matthew Cheung, Chief Sec- to take important confi dence- put their hands in the air with fi ve Separately, the newspaper chariot,” state news agency at the city’s Chater Garden. Eld- “They need to release the full retary for Administration, told building measures, including a fi ngers outstretched, a symbol of confi rmed that a Taiwanese Xinhua said in a commentary erly Hong Kongers, some with vi- CCTV footage of that night,” reporters when asked about an proper independent and impar- the pro-democracy movement. man, Lee Meng-Chu, was also published yesterday. sors and canes, stood not far from said D Wong, a 19-year-old independent review committee. tial judge-led investigation into A 70-year-old retiree in a blue arrested by police in nearby “Hong Kong will not sink in young, black-clad protesters. protester holding up his laptop Some critics on social media have reports of excessive use of force aviator sunglasses and a grey Shenzhen city on October 31, this way. The heartless scum- All listened to pro-democracy that was playing a fi lm about said that such a committee would by the police,” Bachelet wrote tracksuit, who gave his name as for allegedly stealing state bags will inevitably be swept speakers in a gathering marked by perceived police brutality. fall short of the independent inves- in an opinion piece in the Hong Ko, said seniors could off er guid- secrets for foreign forces af- into the ash heap of history,” music and a festive mood. In the Kowloon Bay area, a few tigation they have been demanding. Kong-based South China Morn- ance to the younger protesters. ter he made a trip to Hong it said. N Zealand Final remains of UK truck victims arrive in Vietnam gun owners AFP arrived in their hometowns. Many chose to receive the The central provinces have Hanoi Yesterday, “the bodies and bodies because they wanted well-entrenched networks of protest tighter ashes of 23 remaining victims to carry out traditional bur- brokers who facilitate the risky ... arrived in Noi Bai Airport in ial rites, and had to take out trips with the promise of well- he fi nal remains of the Hanoi,” announced the Minis- loans from the government to paid jobs, though migrants controls 39 people found dead try of Foreign Aff airs. facilitate the return. typically end up working in nail Tin a truck in Britain last Sixteen bodies and the ashes The father of Le Van Ha – who bars or cannabis farms. Reuters month arrived in Vietnam yes- of seven victims were fl own left behind a wife and two chil- The brokers promised the 39 Melbourne terday, the foreign ministry from London, state-run Viet- dren for Europe in the hopes victims the truck route was safe said, returning them to bereft nam News Agency reported, and of a higher income to support and billed it as the “VIP route”, families after weeks of waiting. they were immediately “deliv- them – said that everything was their families said. group of about 50 New The victims were among the ered to their homeland by car”. prepared for his son’s return. The Northern Irish driver of Zealand fi rearm owners 31 men and eight women dis- The victims hailed mostly “I decided to receive his body the truck, 25-year-old Maurice Aprotested further gun re- covered in a refrigerated lorry in from the central provinces, back instead of ashes so that we Robinson, pleaded guilty on forms yesterday, sounding a note Essex, east of London, on Oc- some of the country’s poor- could see him for the last time,” Monday to conspiring to assist of discord over the tightening of tober 23 – all Vietnamese na- est, while some were from the Le Minh Tuan said. illegal immigration. the country’s gun laws after the tionals who were illegal migrant north. “Everyone is sad but fi nally Several other people have mass shooting in Christchurch workers. Families were given two op- my son will be back home.” been arrested in the UK over in March that killed 51 Muslim The fi rst 16 bodies were tions for repatriation: $1,800 Several of the victims’ rela- the incident, while Viet- A relative of Anna Bui Thi Nhung, one of the 39 Vietnamese people worshippers. returned on Wednesday, to bring back ashes, or $2,900 tives said they borrowed tens of nam has held at least 10 peo- found dead in a truck near London last month, carries her image Prime Minister Jacinda Ar- with tearful relatives mob- for the cost of a coffi n carrying thousands of dollars to pay for ple – though none have been during the funeral ceremony at her village in Nghe An province of dern’s eff orts on gun control bing ambulances when they the body. their relatives’ trips to Europe. formally charged. Vietnam yesterday. have gained global praise, but at home – with a general election next scheduled for year – she has faced resistance from the federal opposition National Party, gun lobby groups and ordinary N Korea warns Japan PM may soon Facebook corrects citizens over planned legislation introduced in September. Yesterday, the group of fi rearms post under Singapore owners staged a protest at a gun see ‘real ballistic missile’ launch buy-back event in Auckland, according to media reports, carrying Reuters a fourth test of its new “super- and the most stupid man dwarf without parallel in the fake news law placards bearing slogans including Seoul large multiple-rocker launcher,” ever known in history as he world.” “This bill hurts ordinary Kiwis!” with its North Korean leader fails to distinguish a missile UN Security Council resolutions AFP with requests from a “foreign and “Be safe: reject arms bill”. Kim Jong-un expressing “great from multiple launch rocket ban North Korea from firing Singapore government”. The new legislation now mov- orth Korea’s state me- satisfaction” over the latest system while seeing the ballistic missiles and using But after authorities or- ing through parliament would dia yesterday lashed test. photo-accompanied report,” such technology, but North dered Facebook to put a cor- create a gun register and tighten Nout at Japanese Prime In the wake of Pyongyang’s the North’s KCNA news Korea rejects the restriction as acebook published a rection next to the post, the vetting of owners, among other Minister Shinzo Abe as an firing, Abe said on agency said, citing a vice an infringement of its right to correction on a user’s social media giant said it had changes. In April parliament “imbecile and political dwarf” Thursday that North director general of the North self-defence. Fpost yesterday follow- complied. passed nearly unanimously laws for calling Pyongyang’s latest Korea’s missile launch was Korean Foreign Ministry’s In early November, Pyongyang ing a demand from Singapore, The item now appears with curbing the use and circulation of test of a large multiple-rocket a threat to Japan and the Department of Japanese criticised the Japanese prime the fi rst time a tech giant has a label below it, stating: “Fa- most semi-automatic fi rearms. launcher a ballistic missile international community, Aff airs. minister after Tokyo said North complied with the city-state’s cebook is legally required to Stuff .nz, a New Zealand news launch and warned he may see and that Tokyo would “Abe may see what a real Korea’s test of what it called law against misinformation. tell you that the Singapore website, cited Victoria O’Brien, a real one in the near future. monitor the situation with ballistic missile is in the not “super-large multiple rocket Authorities had ordered the government says this post has a national shooting champion, North Korea fired two short- its partners. distant future and under his launchers” on October 31 was social media giant to correct a false information”. as saying that guns being bought range projectiles into the sea “It can be said that Abe is the nose ... Abe is none other than a likely ballistic missiles that post promoting an article on It also contains a link to back and destroyed had cultural off its east coast on Thursday in only one idiot in the world perfect imbecile and a political violated UN sanctions. a fringe news site containing the government’s own fact- signifi cance. “scurrilous accusations” of checking website. election rigging, ramping up “As required by Singapore their use of a controversial law law, Facebook applied a label against misinformation. to these posts, which were The law gives ministers determined by the Singapore powers to tell platforms to put Government to contain false Thai contest to name baby hippo warnings next to posts they information,” said a Facebook deem false, but that activists spokesperson. fear could be used to curb free “As it is early days of the law Reuters hippo, it is cute and healthy, but bathing with its mother, 20-year- speech. coming into eff ect, we hope Chonburi, Thailand so far nameless. old “Jona” who is a long-time star A post by Alex Tan – who the Singapore Government’s The public are being invited to attraction at the zoo. runs anti-government website assurances that it will not im- vote on the zoo’s Facebook page The zoo says it is important the States Times Review – had pact free expression will lead isitors to a zoo in Thai- until December 20, where they for the baby to learn to imitate a correction notice placed be- to a measured and transparent land are being off ered will be entered in a draw off ering behaviour from its mother. low it after a government re- approach to implementation.” Va tasty choice over the a cash prize or free admission for “We will see these mother and quest, Facebook confi rmed. The government’s fact- name of its newest resident – a a year. son together for around a year On Thursday authorities had checking website said that baby pygmy hippopotamus that The pygmy hippopotamus is before they can separate,” zoo ordered Tan to put up a correc- Tan’s article, which claims is drawing crowds. native to forests and swamps of director Attapon Srihayrun said. tion next to his November 23 elections are rigged in Sin- The male was born at the end West Africa, with adults grow- “When the baby getting big, we post on elections. gapore to ensure the ruling of October at the state-run Khao ing to just half the size of the will rearrange them in separate But Tan – who is based party stays in power, con- Kheaw Zoo in Chonburi prov- common hippopotamus. enclosure.” overseas – refused, say- tained “false statements of ince, 80km (50 miles) east of The new baby hippo can be The winning name will be an- A month-old baby pygmy hippo is seen with its mother at its enclosure ing he is an Australian citi- fact” and “made scurrilous Bangkok. The zoo’s sixth pygmy seen daily eating vegetables and nounced on December 28. at Khao Kheow Zoo in Chonburi, 80km east of Bangkok. zen and would not comply accusations”. Gulf Times 16 Sunday, December 1, 2019 BRITAIN

Archbishop demands PM vows action as London wife of US diplomat be Bridge attacker is named extradited

AFP By Nadeem Badshah London Guardian News & Media

rime Minister Boris John- he archbishop of Canter- son has vowed to review bury has written to the PBritain’s sentencing sys- TUS ambassador in London tem after a convicted terror- demanding that the wife of an ist released early from prison American diplomat be extradit- stabbed two people to death and ed to the UK for questioning over injured three in a London Bridge the death of Harry Dunn. attack. Justin Welby has intervened Members of the public have in the long-running dispute been hailed as heroes for pre- over diplomatic immunity af- venting even greater loss of life ter Dunn, 19, was killed when by tackling Usman Khan – one his motorbike was involved in a armed with a 5’ (1.5m) narwhal head-on collision with a car. tusk and another with a fi re ex- Prime Minister Johnson, Home Secretary Priti Patel, and Commissioner of the City of London Police Ian Anne Sacoolas, the motorist tinguisher – before police shot Dyson arrive at the scene of the attack on London Bridge. suspected of driving the Volvo him dead. in Northamptonshire on August Video footage of the confron- serve the tariff , serve the term, inology gathering. in “terrorist training” in Paki- 27, admitted she had been driv- tation showed Khan, 28, being of which they are sentenced,” Tour guide Stevie Hurst told stan. ing on the wrong side of the road challenged by a man, reportedly the prime minister added, not- BBC radio: “Everyone was just However, his sentence was outside RAF Croughton during a Polish chef, wielding the tusk ing the Conservatives’ manifes- on top of him trying to bundle quashed by the Court of Appeal the crash but claimed diplomatic – believed to have been grabbed to called for a tougher sentenc- him to the ground.” in April 2013 and he received a immunity and was allowed to re- from the historic hall where the ing regime. “I saw that the knife was still new 21-year term, comprising turn to Maryland. stabbings began – as another London Mayor Sadiq Khan and London police chief Commissioner Johnson spoke hours before in his hand so I just put a foot in a custodial sentence of 16 years A letter was sent on October person sprayed him with the ex- Cressida Dick at the scene of the attack on London Bridge. the fi rst victim of the attack was to try and kick him in the head,” and fi ve years on conditional re- 8 from the archbishop’s offi cial tinguisher. named as Jack Merritt, a course he said. lease. residence at Lambeth Palace in Khan had been conditionally ploughed into pedestrians on sive list of licence conditions” co-ordinator at Cambridge Uni- A British Transport Police of- Inmates are usually released London, although he has yet to released from jail last December London Bridge before attacking with which he had previously versity’s criminology institute, fi cer in a suit and tie who also half-way through this type of receive a reply. after serving less than half of a people at random with knives in been complying. according to media reports. intervened was seen carrying a determinate sentence – and time The archbishop said that Sa- 16-year prison sentence for ter- nearby Borough Market. Yesterday police searched two The institute hosted a pris- large knife away. spent in custody before trial may coolas, 42, should be extradited rorism, and was wearing a fake On that occasion, eight peo- properties in Stoke-on-Trent, oner rehabilitation event at “As we saw the worst of hu- have been taken into account. to the UK to allow a “full and explosive device. ple were killed and 48 wounded Khan’s home city, and Staff ord Fishmonger’s Hall, a historic man kind, we saw the very best The Parole Board said it had proper investigation”. Yesterday, the Islamic State before the three attackers, who in central England. building on the north side of the of human spirit and London,” no involvement in his release A spokesman for Welby, 63, (IS) group released a statement were wearing fake suicide de- The latest attack came less bridge. Met Commissioner Cressida and that it appeared to have told the Daily Mail: “The arch- claiming responsibility for the vices, were shot dead by police. than two weeks before Britain’s Khan attended the event re- Dick said yesterday as she vis- happened automatically as re- bishop has written to the US attack. Metropolitan Police Assist- general election, and politicians portedly armed with two knives ited London Bridge. quired by law. ambassador Robert Wood John- “The person who carried ant Commissioner Neil Basu temporarily suspended cam- and the fake suicide vest. Khan, a British national, was Johnson, who took over as son asking him to reconsider the out the London attack ... was a said that fi ve people had been paigning. As the confrontation moved handed an indeterminate sen- prime minister in July, said the diplomatic immunity. fi ghter from the Islamic State, stabbed in all inside Fishmon- “It does not make sense for us from inside the hall to the pave- tence for the protection of the cases of other convicted terror- “He would like Mrs Sacoolas and did so in response to calls ger’s Hall before members of the as a society to be putting people ment outside, a throng of people public in 2012, with at least eight ists released early were under to return so a full and proper in- to target citizens of coalition public pursued the attacker onto who have been convicted of ter- could be seen in videos grap- years in prison. urgent review. vestigation can be carried out.” countries,” IS said, referring to London Bridge. rorist off ences ... out on early pling with Khan. He was part of an eight-man Queen Elizabeth II expressed Welby’s daughter, Johanna, a multi-country alliance against The three survivors remain in release,” Johnson, who became They reportedly included a network inspired by Al Qaeda her “enduring thanks” to the was killed aged seven months the group. hospital. Tory leader in July, said as he convicted killer on day-release who had plotted to bomb targets “brave individuals who put their old in France in 1983 after a road The incident comes two years Basu added that Khan had visited the scene. from prison and other ex-of- including the London Stock Ex- own lives at risk to selfl essly help traffi c accident. after Islamist extremists in a van been released under “an exten- “We argue that people should fenders also attending the crim- change, and planned to take part and protect others”. The archbishop and his wife Caroline mark each anniversary of their baby daughter’s death. Dunn’s parents are taking legal action against the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, and Suspect sought help to deradicalise: lawyer have submitted a judicial review accusing him of misusing or abusing his power by granting By Vikram Dodd astating consequences. “Sharif said the policy for Sacoolas diplomatic immunity, Guardian News & Media He said that Khan fi rst men- terrorist prisoners needed to after which she left the country. tioned wanting to be free of change to boost eff orts to turn They say secret treaties be- Islamist extremism after his them away from supporting ide- tween the UK and US that give he London Bridge at- conviction in 2012, and then re- ologies that incite violence. intelligence staff at the base legal tacker had asked for help peatedly throughout his time in “There is a fl aw in the policy. protection have been disclosed Tto be deradicalised while jail, last mentioning it in 2018 You should have substantial to them and that the documents he was in prison, but none was before his release. ideological evaluation of these make no reference about immu- forthcoming, his solicitor has “He requested intervention individuals before they are re- nity for family members. claimed. by a deradicaliser when he was leased on licence.” The family’s spokesman, Radd Vajahat Sharif told the Guard- in prison,” Sharif said. “The only Sharif said Khan appeared to Seiger, said the case was “likely ian that Usman Khan had come option was the probation service be rehabilitated and was a model to be appealed” by the Foreign to realise that violent extrem- and they cannot deal with these prisoner during his time in HMP and Commonwealth Offi ce ism was wrong and accepted his off enders. Whitemoor: “He was having a go (FCO) and if it goes to the Su- understanding of Islam was de- “He asked me on the phone at the (Islamic State) before his preme Court, would cost them fi cient. to get assistance from a specifi c release. I’ve no idea what hap- upwards of £50,000. Khan was one of nine mem- deradicaliser. pened after his release, that is The FCO has said it would bers of an Al Qaeda-inspired “He asked [me] once or twice what is shocking. “oppose and seek costs” for any terrorist group convicted in 2012 before he was released in 2018. “Maybe he was not ideologi- judicial review, and that claims of plotting to bomb the London “Probation does a good job cally robust enough to resist of any misuse or abuse of power Stock Exchange and build a ter- with conventional off enders, but the radicalising groomers – I by Raab were “entirely without rorist training camp in Pakistan they can’t deal with ideological thought he was a reformed char- foundation”. that was disrupted by MI5 and off enders.” acter.” Last month she met North- the police. After his conviction in 2012, Sharif said that when Khan amptonshire police offi cers who He was also a supporter of al- Khan was given an indetermi- was arrested in 2010 he sup- travelled to the US to take fur- Muhijaroun, the extremist group nate jail sentence, with a mini- ported al-Muhijaroun, but “by ther statements. with which scores of terrorists mum term of eight years. A police off icer is seen near London Bridge in London, following a terror incident there the previous the end he was disillusioned Tim Dunn and Charlotte were involved. On appeal in 2013, it was re- night. with them”. Charles, Harry’s parents, trav- However, Sharif said Khan placed with a 16-year, fi xed- “His parents are thoroughly elled to the White House in Oc- became disillusioned with the term sentence and an extended he had to report to a police sta- ise his Islamic thinking was not Islamic understanding was in- decent, hard-working people, tober to meet Donald Trump, group after his imprisonment, period on licence. tion every day, had interactions correct; he accepted that. He complete. A lot of these char- fi rst-generation migrants from who expressed sympathy but re- and that extremists may have Sharif said Khan, whom he with the probation service and criticised the Al Qaeda ideology acters pick and choose from dif- Pakistan. His family were at a fused to force Sacoolas to return targeted him to be “regroomed” last spoke to in March, was re- had to wear a tag. and violent extremism. ferent sermons, it’s like an echo loss when he was arrested and to the UK. after release from jail, with dev- leased to a bail hostel from where “In prison he begin to real- “He did recognise that his chamber. charged.” Tories criticised over police staff cuts

By Rowena Mason raised the issue of police cuts as added: “The numbers of police can rest assured on that.” Guardian News & Media she was asked about what should offi cers is important in ensur- The 90-minute debate covered be done to increase security. ing the speed of response we saw a huge range of issues, with op- After paying tribute to the today. position parties attacking Sunak he Conservatives faced bravery of the emergency serv- “The government in Scotland on Brexit, the National Health criticism over cuts to po- ices and public in responding to has increased and maintained Service (NHS), and the use of nu- Tlice numbers as politicians Friday’s attack, she said: “This police numbers. clear weapons. took part in a seven-way televi- was an extreme event but what “I think it’s regrettable that Richard Tice, the Brexit party sion debate just hours after the we can’t ignore is that over recent hasn’t happened elsewhere in the chairman, lined up with Sunak London Bridge terror attack. years we’ve seen increases in vio- UK.” to make the case for Brexit and to Labour, the SNP, Green party lent crime right across the coun- Adam Price, the Plaid leader, argue that the NHS is not at risk and Plaid Cymru politicians all try and at the same time since said “resources are always part of being privatised in a US trade took the Tories to task for having 2010 we’ve seen over 20,000 of the answer” as he criticised deal. reduced police numbers by more police offi cers cut from frontline lower police numbers in Wales, However, the other represent- than 20,000 over the last nine services. while Caroline Lucas, the Green atives were scathing about the years. “It is right to recognise that MP, said: “More police numbers Tory approach to Brexit and the BBC presenter Nick Robinson (right) speaks during the general election debate in Cardiff . Their co-ordinated attack in that would have a direct impact would certainly help.” NHS. the debate hosted by the BBC and of course we’ve got to invest Rishi Sunak, the chief secre- Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem lead- negotiated, I think a bad deal, on the table in a future trade deal, that she would be “prepared to” was a sign that the issue could more in community neighbour- tary to the Treasury representing er, said: “I’m sorry to have to say is only a withdrawal deal – the I simply do not trust him and I do and would assess the situation, become problematic for Boris hood policing and Labour has the Conservatives, defended his this but we’re so not far along on trade talks haven’t started yet.” not believe him on that point.” while Tice said: “After careful Johnson in the same way that pledged to do that, but we’ve also party’s record on security. this Brexit journey – we’re like in Long-Bailey also went on the Sunak branded the idea that consideration, yes, if it was es- Theresa May was held account- got to invest in counter-terror- He said that voters could “rest episode one of a 10-season box attack with Labour’s claim that the NHS would be for sale a “des- sential.” able for falling police numbers in ism measures and make sure they assured” that Johnson’s govern- set, and if you don’t like what Johnson would put the NHS on perate conspiracy theory”. Long-Bailey said the protec- the wake of terror attacks during are properly funded.” ment would keep them safe. you’ve seen up to now you don’t the table in negotiations with On whether they would use tion of the British people was the 2017 general election cam- She was backed up by Nicola Sunak said: “The fi rst duty have to watch the rest.” Donald Trump, backed up by nuclear weapons, Price, Lucas “paramount” for any prime min- paign. Sturgeon, the SNP leader and of every government is to keep Sturgeon added: “This ‘get Sturgeon. and Sturgeon all said they would ister, adding: “They would need Rebecca Long-Bailey, the fi rst minister of Scotland, who us safe. Investing in the police. Brexit done’ is the biggest con of The SNP leader said: “I’m go- defi nitely not use them. to look at the circumstances and shadow business secretary rep- said no amount of police offi cers Giving them the powers and re- this election. ing to be pretty blunt here: when Sunak said “yes, if the circum- of course they would need to take resenting Labour in the debate, could prevent a terror attack but sources that they need. And you The deal Boris Johnson has Boris Johnson says the NHS is not stances demanded”, Swinson said action if necessary.” Gulf Times Sunday, December 1, 2019 17 EUROPE

Hague knife attacker Search for survivors in arrested

AFP The Hague Albania quake called off AFP rules, a widespread problem in utch police arrested a Durres, Albania Albania. homeless man yester- Visibly moved Rama and Dday over a knife assault President Ilir Meta also attended in a busy shopping street in The he search for survivors of the Lala family funeral. Hague, in which three teenagers a deadly Albanian earth- “It is impossible to fi nd the were wounded. Tquake was called off yes- words after this horrible trag- The 35-year-old suspect was terday as eight family members, edy,” Meta told reporters. detained in the centre of the city including four children, killed in Rama on Friday also attended a day after the stabbing which the port of Durres were laid to the burials of nine people from caused panic as shoppers hunted rest. two families who had died in Black Friday bargains. The 6.4 magnitude quake that Thumane. Police had earlier said they hit the Balkan country before About 900 people were in- were investigating “several sce- dawn on Tuesday was the most jured in the earthquake, of narios” and that it was “too early deadly and destructive in dec- whom 41 are still hospitalised, to speculate” about whether ades. the authorities said. there was a possible terror mo- The latest victim of the quake, Nearly 2,500 people from the tive. that left about 5,000 people worst-hit areas have been moved The attack happened just homeless, died in a hospital yes- into hotels or other buildings. hours after a terror suspect terday, bringing the death toll to Another 3,480 people in the stabbed two people to death in 51, the defence ministry said. capital Tirana, where there were London (* see report on page 16). “Rescue operations have end- no casualties, fl ed to shelters, “Following the stabbing in- ed,” Prime Minister Edi Rama with some now housed in recep- cident in Grote Marktstraat, a told a cabinet meeting while tion centres and others staying 35-year-old man has just been struggling to hold back tears as in the homes of relatives, Rama arrested in the centre of The he read the victims’ names. said. Hague. The man has no fi xed Entire families were crushed Yesterday the prime minister place of residence,” police said in their homes while they were expressed “deep gratitude” to on Twitter. “He will be trans- sleeping, forcing relatives and rescue teams from Albania and ferred to a police station where neighbours to watch in agony as around Europe who had pulled he will be questioned.” rescue teams pulled bodies from some 50 people from the ruins. The victims were a 13-year- the ruins this week. Towns in one of Europe’s old boy and two 15-year-old The damage was the worst in poorest countries, which has a girls, none of whom knew each Durres, on the Adriatic coast, population of 2.8mn people, de- other, police said. and the nearby town of Thu- veloped chaotically after the fall They were all treated in hospi- mane, where scores of peo- of communism in the 1990s. tal but released overnight. ple were trapped beneath the Prime Minister Rama (right) pays his respects to relatives during the funeral of eight Lala family members, who died during the earthquake Experts say that a lot of con- The male attacker ran off after wreckage of apartment build- in Durres. struction took place disregard- the stabbings at a department ings and hotels. ing building safety codes and store in the city centre, trigger- Among them were eight and was evacuated to Italy with the other Lala family victims in- in black, broke the silence in the are the only memories we have,” utilising cheaper materials. ing a huge manhunt involving members of the Lala family, in- two other victims for specialised cluded their grand-mother, her hall where tiny white coffi ns of whispered Fatmira, in her 50s, “A chaotic and completely police helicopters. cluding four children, who were care. paralysed son and a niece. the children lay next to each choking in tears. arbitrary model of development Images on social media buried in Durres yesterday. Rescuers on Thursday found Thousands of people paid re- other. The woman lived near the collapsed under the rubble ... showed shoppers running in Only one member of the fam- the body of Marjeta Lala holding spect to the victims passing by So they could be “always to- Lala family in what she called a (and) turned into death traps, panic away from the scene, on ily, Rame Lala, 19, survived when in her arms her three children – eight coffi ns put at display at a gether”, sobbed Esama, a woman “cursed neighbourhood”. even for the ones who built a nighttime retail street lit by their four-storey home col- aged between two and six years. hall in the town’s palace of cul- close to the family. In the 1990s many houses them,” Skender Minxhozi, a Christmas fairy lights. lapsed. The body of her 10-year-old ture. “A few books, a doll, a sweater, were built on marshy land there prominent local journalist, told Two teenage girls came run- He sustained serious injuries daughter was found nearby and Only cries of women, dressed that we have found in the rubble, with no respect for construction AFP. ning into the store after being stabbed, broadcaster NOS quoted witnesses as saying. “I saw two girls screaming and running away. A man fl ed. He jumped very athletically over Maltese PM to step down on benches to get away. He looked like a cheetah,” one witness told NOS. “People were trying to get away, but that didn’t work. I was January 18, say party sources shocked.” Police forensics offi cers were seen examining a knife found at AFP 45-year-old Muscat would an- Tuesday, but his release on the scene overnight. Valletta nounce his decision – or wheth- Thursday sparked accusations “It’s a little too early to specu- er it would be via a televised an- of a cover-up. late about that kind of thing,” nouncement – but they stressed Muscat, who has vowed to re- police spokeswoman Marije alta’s Prime Minis- that he would not stay beyond sign if links were found between Kuiper told AFP earlier when ter Joseph Muscat will January 18. himself and the murder, said on asked about a possible terrorist Mstep down on Janu- The news came amid mount- Friday that he would remain in motive, adding that investiga- ary 18, party sources told AFP ing pressure from Caruana Gal- power, telling reporters he want- tors were still looking at several yesterday, following mounting izia’s family and protesters on ed “this case to be closed under possible scenarios. criticism of his response to the the streets, who have cried foul my watch”. The stabbing took place not murder of journalist Daphne over his handling of the aff air. But Caruana Galizia’s fam- far from parliament, which is Caruana Galizia. The escalating murder in- ily, who have accused the prime People holding placards and photos of killed journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia stage a protest late on the seat of government for the Party insiders said he would vestigation has rocked the minister of protecting his long- Friday outside the off ice of the prime minister in Valletta. Netherlands and home to many step down once those behind tiny Mediterranean island and time chief of staff have called for international organisations and the killing had been charged and reached the highest rungs of him to go. for attempted blackmail, saying as a “one-woman WikiLeaks”, A Maltese court is expected to courts. once his Labour Party has cho- the country’s politics, with two “We share Malta’s shock and that the mogul had threatened to exposed cronyism and sleaze rule tomorrow on a request by In Britain, two members of the sen a new leader. ministers and Muscat’s chief of anger at the release of Keith implicate him in the aff air if he within the country’s political Fenech for the chief investigator public were killed in a stabbing “He always said that he will staff Keith Schembri stepping Schembri,” the family said in a was not given a pardon. and business elite. in the case, Keith Arnaud, to be on London Bridge in the heart of be leaving soon and he feels that down from their posts this week. statement. “At least two wit- Fenech, a tycoon whose busi- Before she was killed, she had removed, amid allegations that the capital on Friday. now is the time to go,” said one Thousands of demonstrators nesses and multiple pieces of ness interests span the energy alleged that Schembri and Mizzi he also had close ties to Schem- The Netherlands has seen a party source. took to the streets of the capital physical evidence implicate and tourism sectors, was arrest- had been involved in corruption. bri and the prime minister. series of terror attacks and plots, First however, he wanted to Valletta on Friday evening after Schembri in the assassination of ed on his yacht last week after an She had named Cardona in a After his release on bail, although not so far on the scale see that the Caruana Galizia Muscat refused to give immunity our wife and mother.” alleged middleman in the mur- separate case. Fenech said he feared for his life. of those in other countries. murder was solved on under to the main suspect in the 2017 They accused Muscat of play- der, taxi driver Melvin Theuma, Leaked e-mails revealed in “This is happening in the EU, In March four people were his watch, as he had promised, murder, tycoon Yorgen Fenech, ing “judge, jury, and executioner was off ered a pardon to identify court appeared to show both right now. Where is the voice of killed when a Turkish-born man sources added. to disclose what he knows about in an assassination investigation those involved. Schembri and Mizzi stood to the European Commission or opened fi re on a tram in the city “After the mastermind or the case. that so far implicates three of his That arrest was followed receive payments from a Dubai other EU leaders?” Robert Bar- of Utrecht. masterminds are arraigned in It was the sixth such demon- closest colleagues”. swiftly by the resignation of company called 17 Black, owned rington, former head of Trans- In August 2018 an Afghan man court, he plans to announce that stration in two weeks. Muscat said on Friday he had Schembri and tourism minister by Fenech. parency International in the UK, stabbed and seriously wounded he will be stepping down and Fenech has identifi ed Schem- recused himself from the deci- Konrad Mizzi, while economy The Caruana Galizia family said on Twitter. two American tourists at Am- that there will be a leadership bri as the mastermind behind sion on whether to grant immu- minister Chris Cardona said he said Schembri and Fenech have The European Parliament is sterdam’s central station. election on January 18,” a party Caruana Galizia’s 2017 car bomb nity to Fenech. was “suspending himself”. the same doctor, who reportedly planning to send a mission to He was jailed for 26 years in source told AFP. killing, according to sources. The premier later said he had Caruana Galizia, a popular served as an intermediary, pass- Malta, a parliament source told October this year. The sources did not say when Schembri was arrested on reported Fenech to the police journalist and blogger described ing secret notes between them. AFP. Critics of Merkel coalition win SPD leadership vote

DPA kel’s conservative-led coalition Esken and Walter-Borjans, Despite their calls for party tion and to begin a slow and care- Berlin with the SPD and her future grip who was fi nance minister in the unity, the election of Walter- fully orchestrated exit from the on power. state of North Rhine Westphalia Borjans and Esken could raise national stage. The SPD’s annual conference for seven years, have made their questions about the future of But a break-up of the gov- ermany’s ailing Social set down for next Friday in Ber- support for the continuation of Scholz as fi nance minister. erning coalition could mark the Democrats (SPD) have lin now has to sign off on the new the coalition conditional on the He has also backed Germany’s abrupt end of the Merkel era and Gbacked a new leadership leadership team and to consider conservative coalition partners balanced budget. trigger either fresh elections or team sceptical about continuing the party’s role in the Merkel- agreeing to renegotiate the alli- Once a model for social demo- open the way for a weak minority Esken and Walter-Borjans acknowledge applause after being the party’s fragile alliance with led coalition in the run-up to the ance. crats around the world, the SPD government. announced as winners of the SPD ballot for leadership. Angela Merkel, raising doubts next national election in 2021. This includes an agreement to has suff ered major setbacks in Still, despite the sense of crisis about the future of the chancel- The 67-year-old Walter- raise the minimum wage as well recent years with its support surrounding the SPD, the lead- ahead with 38% support. the party’s voter support. lor-led coalition. Borjans said following the an- as a massive investment in cli- plunging dramatically after many ership ballot seems have failed Walter-Borjans and Esken The SPD last swept to power The SPD announced that a nouncement of the ballot that mate measures and the nation’s of its voters switched their alle- to generate much excitement garnered only 22% in the opinion as head of a national govern- former state fi nance minister, the party needed “to stay togeth- infrastructure, as a result taking giance to either the hard left or among the party’s 425,630 mem- poll. ment more than 20 years ago Norbert Walter-Borjans, and er”, with the 58-year-old Esken aim at Berlin’s tight fi scal con- far-right of German politics. bers. However, a remarkable 40% of under then-chancellor Gerhard SPD lawmaker Saskia Esken had echoing his remarks, saying that trols under its balanced budget, Now, with the SPD having Only about 54% of party mem- the members said to the pollsters Schroeder, winning 40.9% of the had won the run-off ballot for the it was not a question of victory or which has been a key feature of been junior partners in Merkel- bers took part in the leadership they had no opinion of the two vote and paving the way for their centre-left party’s leadership. defeat but rather keeping the SPD Merkel’s period as chancellor. led coalitions for all but four of ballot. leadership teams. coalition with the Greens. They defeated Finance Min- together. Consequently, any moves to her 14 years in power, many SPD In addition, a survey of SPD The SPD leadership ballot But after sinking to a record ister and Vice-Chancellor Olaf In an interview with German renegotiate the coalition agree- members believe it is time to members by Mannheim-based came six months after the dra- low of 20.5% in the 2017 national Scholz and his co-candidate television N-TV, Walter-Borjans ment are likely to meet with stiff abandon the alliance to allow the pollsters Forschungsgruppe matic resignation of party chief election, the Social Democrats Klara Geywitz. also said that he did not see the opposition from Merkel’s Chris- party to regroup and rebuild its Wahlen and published on Friday Andrea Nahles, who had con- now have just 14% support, ac- With about 53% of the vote, Merkel-led coalition as being in tian Democrats (CDU) and their electoral base. by public broadcaster ZDF be- vinced her reluctant party to sign cording to a survey published Walter-Borjans and Esken’s suc- the interests of the country or the Bavarian-based Christian Social Last year, Merkel laid out plans fore the ballot was announced up again to a coalition with the yesterday by Berlin pollsters cess could decide the fate of Mer- SPD. Union (CSU). to leave politics at the next elec- showed Scholz and Geywitz CDU and CSU, but failed to boost Forsa. Gulf Times 18 Sunday, December 1, 2019 INDIA

DEFENCE DEMOCRACY LAW AND ORDER WINTER FARE First night trial of Agni-III 64.44% votes cast in first Porsche owner fined for Himachal’s Kaza province conducted off Odisha coast phase of Jharkhand polls no plates or documents freezes at -18C

India yesterday conducted the first night trial Jharkhand yesterday witnessed 64.44% polling The Ahmedabad Police has imposed a fine The Kaza subdivision in Himachal Pradesh’s of nuclear capable long-range ballistic missile in the first phase of the vote in the 13 Assembly of Rs980,000 on the owner of a Porsche 911 Lahaul-Spiti district was the coldest in the state Agni-III from the Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha constituencies, which is 1% more than recorded supercar for driving without a number plate yesterday with a low of minus 18 degrees Celsius, coast. The Strategic Forces Command of the in these seats in the 2014 elections. Defying and valid documents. The vehicle was seized an off icial said. The maximum temperature Indian Army conducted the first night trial of the the Maoist boycott call, voters queued up in on November 27. The Traff ic Police department in Kaza stayed at three degrees Celsius, missile from launch pad-IV of the Integrated Test large numbers at polling stations since morning has mentioned the incident on its Twitter Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Met Range in Bhadrak district at 7.17pm, said defence to caste their votes. According to Election handle, saying: “During a routine checking in observatory in-charge Sunny Rana told the sources. According to the Defence Research and Commission final data, the polling per cent was Ahmedabad West, a Porsche 911 was caught media. The observatory is located in Kaza town, Development Organisation (DRDO), Agni-III is the 64.44. The highest polling 71.47% was recorded at by PSI MB Virja. The vehicle had No Number some 350km from Shimla. The entire Lahaul- mainstay of India’s nuclear arsenal. The missile was Lohardagga and the lowest 56.59% at the Chatra Plate and Valid Documents. Vehicle detained Spiti district has been wrapped in a thick blanket inducted into the armed forces in June 2011. The seat. There was no major incident reported in the and slapped fine of Rs 9 Lakh 80 Thousand.” of snow. Lahaul-Spiti’s district headquarters A handout photo of the nuclear-capable missile missile has a strike range of 3,000km to 5,000km first phase. Minor clashes were reported between One Twitter response was: “Seriously? 9.8lk? Be Keylong was low at minus 5 degrees Celsius, Agni-V being test fired from Wheelar’s Island, and is capable of carrying both conventional and workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the logical, be reasonable...Being rich is not a crime... while the maximum was minus 1.9 degrees off the coast of Odisha, last night. nuclear warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes. Congress in the Daltanganj Assembly seat. It’s too much in the name of fine.” Celsius. Shimla saw a low of 4.9 degrees Celsius. Thackeray wins trust vote amid BJP boycott

IANS name and serial number of each MLA voting/ Mumbai abstaining was noted down by a Assembly staff in the open vote, and after the government achieved its full support fi gure of 169, he Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), led by the pro-tem Speaker declared resolution Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, passed in favour of the government. Tyesterday won the vote of confi dence The entire House proceedings were tel- securing 169 votes, considerably higher ecast live, in accordance with the apex court than the minimum of 145 required in the orders. 288-member Maharashtra Assembly. After winning the confi dence vote, a The break-up comes to 169 for the MVA beaming Thackeray, sporting a bright gold- Demonstrators argue with a police off icer during a protest yesterday in Shadnagar, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. government, four abstentions, and walk out en-saff ron coloured headgear, bowed before before voting by 155 MLAs, including the the House, expressed his gratitude to the As- Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) 105 and its sup- sembly for reposing confi dence in his gov- porters. ernment and said it would get down to work Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in right earnest. Police under siege over veterinarian’s rape-murder case leader Ajit Pawar, nephew of NCP chief Shar- MVA leaders attacked the opposition for ad Pawar, also voted in favour of the govern- creating diff erent types of hurdles in the ment, along with Rohit Pawar, and Thack- House proceedings and said the ruling alli- AFP Accused sent to judicial custody was abducted on Wednesday night eray’s son Aditya Thackeray. ance’s claim of 169 MLAs support was proved Hyderabad after she left her scooter near an Those who abstained, included the Mahar- correct in the fl oor test. A magistrate in Telangana’s Shadna- After repeated requests by of- express-way toll booth. ashtra Navnirman Sena and the Communist The trust vote came after a stormy start to gar town sent all four accused in the ficials failed to pacify the crowd, the The four men are alleged to have Party of India (M) with one legislator each, the two-day special Assembly session, called undreds of people yester- in gruesome gangrape and murder police resorted to lathi-charge to defl ated a tyre whilst she was away and the All India Majlis Ittehadul-e-Mus- specifi cally for the fl oor test and the election day laid siege to a police of a woman veterinarian to judicial disperse the protesters. The mag- and off ered to help when she re- limeen with two legislators. of Speaker. Hstation where four men are custody for 14 days. istrate was brought to the police turned to collect it. Ajit Pawar had allied with the BJP’s former Adopting an aggressive stance, the opposi- being held over the latest gruesome The mandal executive magistrate station from the back door. The victim called her younger chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and was tion BJP, led by Fadnavis boycotted the ses- rape-murder to shock India. passed the orders at Shadnagar Demanding that the accused sister to say she was stranded and sworn in the deputy chief minister at an early sion contending that the proceedings contra- Baton-wielding police pushed police station as the accused could be publicly hanged, citizens were that a group of men had off er to fix morning ceremony on November 23, stun- vened the statute and Supreme Court orders. back crowds from the building in not be produced in fast-track court staging protest at the police station her scooter. ning the nation. He said the ruling Sena-NCP-Congress the southern city of Hyderabad at Mahabubnagar due to non- since morning. The woman said she was “afraid”, However, the government collapsed in removed the earlier pro-tem Speaker Kali- where they said the 27-year-old availability of the judge and also Raising slogans of “we want according her sister’s testimony to barely 80 hours. das Kolambkar and appointed another Dilip veterinary doctor was gang-raped, because of tense situation outside justice”, angry local residents, police. Earlier, amidst ruckus by the Opposition, Walse-Patil in his place, contravening parlia- killed and then her body burned. the police station. members of women’s groups and The sister called back later but a resolution seeking the House’s confi dence mentary rules and regulations. While the suspects were quickly Accused Mohamed Arif, Chin- students squatted in front of the the victim’s phone was switched in the Thackeray government was moved by Fadnavis also took objections to the man- detained, the killing sparked new takunta Chennakeshavulu, Jollu police station in the town, about 50 off . Ashok Chavan of the Congress, Nawab Ma- ner of the oath-taking ceremony held at outrage in a country that has been Shiva and Jollu Naveen are likely to km from Hyderabad. Police said the ashes of the wom- lik of the NCP and Sunil Prabhu of the Shiv Shivaji Park on November 28 saying it was in the international spotlight over be shifted to Mahabubnagar jail. Police tightened the security and an’s body were found on Thursday Sena. not done as per the format, since the names its handling of sex assaults since Earlier, three doctors of a govern- deployed additional force around morning. Even before it could be taken up for voting, of various past and present national leaders/ the brutal gang-rape and murder of ment hospital were also brought the police station to prevent The body had been wrapped in a the BJP-led opposition staged a noisy walk- heroes were invoked. a student on a Delhi bus in 2012. to the police station as the angry violence. blanket and doused with kerosene. out, rising slogans and questioning the man- However, Walse-Patil rejected the conten- “How anyone could subject an- protests by citizens in front of the The accused, two truck drivers The killing has set off a firestorm ner in which the House proceedings were be- tions saying the special session was as per the other human being to such terrible, police station demanding death for and two cleaners, hail from Naray- of social media comment, many ing conducted. directives of Governor B S Koshyari and in unprovoked violence is beyond im- the accused created tension. anpet district of Telangana. calling for a tough reaction. As directed by the Supreme Court, the accordance with the Supreme Court orders. agination,” said former opposition “The culprits must be given se- Congress party leader Rahul Gan- verest punishment,” commented dhi on Twitter. refusing to go home. of seeing such cases over and over Rajasthan state’s chief minister BharatNet links 129,000 village panchayats Police had to bring in reinforce- Anu Dubey had sat outside the again,” she said. Ashok Gehlot, one of tens of thou- ments to bolster security around assembly carrying a sign question- According to government fi g- sands to post Twitter comments. haratNet, the pan-India data con- Termed as one of the largest infrastruc- the Hyderabad police station. ing why she could not “feel safe” in ures, more than 32,000 rape cases Women’s groups turned against nectivity programme, had connected ture projects globally that aims to digit- The suspects later yesterday ap- her own country. were reported in 2017, however, a minister in Telegana state, which B129,000 Gram Panchayats (village local ally connect 250 thousand villages and peared before a magistrate for what “The only purpose of this protest experts say that the crime is vastly includes Hyderabad, who said the bodies) with optical fi bre, Telecom Minister bring them onto the Digital India band- is expected to be the start of “fast- is to ensure that I am not burned to unreported. dead woman could have been saved Ravi Shankar Prasad said yesterday. wagon, the project was launched in 2012 track” proceedings. death tomorrow,” she told reporters Other cases reported yesterday if she had called police fi rst instead The government had allocated and dis- during the previous Congress-led federal But police were also criticised as later, fi ghting back tears. included a 16-year-old girl who of her sister. bursed Rs2.04tn for the BharatNet project, government. protests spread to other cities. “That woman died, other girls died in a Delhi hospital 10-days “Is there no shame,” hit back Prasad tweeted. It would connect all the Since then it has missed many deadlines. A woman who tried to stage a have also died. Every 20 minutes, after being allegedly raped by a Swati Maliwal, head of the Delhi 25mn Gram Panchayats with high-speed The phase one was completed in January one-person demonstration outside there is a rape in India. I don’t want neighbour and then set ablaze. Women’s Commission. “Now the broadband network, he added. The project is 2018 with 100,000 villages connected with the Indian parliament in New Delhi to die. And I can’t be a spectator Police said the 27-year-old Hy- blame is being put on the dead vic- being executed in two phases. high-speed broadband. said she was beaten by police after to any more rape cases. I’m tired derabad vet, who cannot be named, tim.”

Martyrdom anniversary We didn’t expect to see home, says ﬁ sherman ﬂ eeing Yemen

IANS “We did our job catching fi sh on boats and now we have been released and we are Kochi travelling into the sea. But, our boss never all going our ways,” said Nissar. paid us on time and several times we had “I do not have the mental courage to again verbal duels with him. Finally, we decided undergo the suff ering in the seas and hence, or 44-year-old Nissar hailing from we won’t work. We never had money and I will no longer do this job,” said Nissar. Kollam, the sea was a passion, but af- had to go without food for days together. Nissar and his team arrived on Friday on Fter enduring untold miseries during Then, we reported the matter to the police the fi shing boat named Al-Thiraya 3, belong- the nine day escape voyage of 5,000km on a and our employer agreed to pay us, and we ing to his Yemeni employer and all of them fi shing boat along with eight others, he has went back to work.” added Nissar. have been cleared and have joined with their vowed that he will not hit the sea again. He said things, however, remained the anxious relatives who came to receive them. Speaking to IANS, Nissar who was cleared same and fi nally nine of us gathered the mor- Speaking to IANS, Circle Inspector of Po- by the immigration offi cials here, said he has al strength and courage to undertake what lice attached to the Coastal Police in Kochi called time on his fi shing career. could be a journey to our death in the seas. Chrispin Sam said that seven of them hail “It was a journey that began almost 10 “We knew we had to save enough fuel from Tamil Nadu, while two are from Kollam days back from Yemen and we never even and that we accumulated every time we in Kerala. “Their papers are in order and the in our wildest dreams felt that we would went fi shing for our boss and fi nally when emigration process is over and all of them be able to reach here, but we did and I have we knew we had 4,000 litres of fuel, getting have been released,” said Sam. decided, to never again go for fi shing, which whatever ration we could, we left the shores “A few fi shermen from Tamil Nadu in- has been my profession,” said Nissar. of Yemen. When we started, none of us ever formed their relatives about their journey and Nissar said that it was in December last thought we would make it. these relatives got in touch with the Coast year that he reached Dubai where he met “We travelled day and night and the sea Guard and other departments. Since we got some people who got him the job of a fi sher- was very rough and windy, but since we were the information about their travel, the sea man in Oman. not afraid to die, we were not scared. We had patrol teams were also alerted and thus the “After sailing for a few days, we were told only for one meal a day and that was all what boat was spotted,” said Sam. “As soon as they that we have reached our destination and it we had for nine days. It was day before yes- were spotted, the Coast Guard offi cials got Sikh youth perform the Gatka, a martial art, during a procession on the eve of the martyrdom day of was after two days, we realised that we were in terday night that the Coast Guard spotted into the boat and brought them to our sta- the 9th Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar yesterday. Yemen only and not Oman. From then our tra- us and from that moment till this time, we tion. Various departments have cleared them vails began and it was a nightmare,” said Nissar. were treated with lot of compassion by all as all of them have valid papers on them.” Gulf Times Sunday, December 1, 2019 19 LATIN AMERICA

On the frontline: Bolivians face upheaval and uncertainty

AFP and his Movement for Socialism He worked on the ex-presi- Firebrand protest leader Camacho says he will seek Bolivian presidency “I wasn’t trying to rock the La Paz (MAS) party, says “terrorists” had dent’s 2005 campaign and now government,” Guillen tells AFP. threatened to burn down their worries that the indigenous lead- Luis Fernando Camacho, a leading he wanted to ensure that Morales department of Potosi, who made “We went with the idea of de- houses if they did not join dem- er’s achievements over the past force behind the ouster of Bolivian “and his leadership of henchmen common cause during the unrest fending our vote. We were very eeks of protests, block- onstrations against right-wing 14 years could be eroded by the president Evo Morales, yesterday never govern again” and that the that prompted Morales to flee angry, but also frustrated, furi- ades and food short- interim President Jeanine Anez, next government. announced his own plans to seek Bolivian people “no longer be after losing the backing of the ous and sad.” Wages rocked Bolivia’s who took power after Morales Cardozo wants Morales, who the presidency. excluded from public decisions.” military and police. Night after night Guillen and sprawling cities of La Paz and El stepped down on November 10. fl ed to Mexico after losing the In a statement, the 40-year-old Camacho had previously de- Known for his aggressive and his group joined thousands of Alto, making daily life diffi cult Around 100 neighbors blocked support of the security forces, to Camacho formally declared his nied any interest in the presiden- religious rhetoric, Camacho led protesters outside the electoral and dangerous. off their wide streets with wire return to Bolivia and take on an candidacy for the “next national cy. Bolivian election law requires anti-Morales protests in Santa tribunal. The country’s worst political and burning tires. advisory role for the next genera- elections,” which have yet to be that a party or a coalition present Cruz before heading to La Paz They were tear gassed in con- crisis in more than a decade was Anyone wanting to enter had tion of MAS leaders. scheduled. its candidates; it is not known with the announced intention of frontations with police. ignited by a disputed October 20 to be physically checked. “We cannot be ungrateful and Camacho, a deeply con- under which political banner delivering a resignation letter for “Another thing that made us election. “We had to go out and stay ignore what they (the old guard) servative opposition leader in the Camacho would seek the nation’s Morales to sign. mad was how they underesti- Incumbent president Evo Mo- there until three in the morning, have done for Bolivia,” Cardozo, prosperous eastern Santa Cruz highest off ice. Morales supporters temporarily mated the youth,” says Guillen, rales claimed victory, but op- almost the entire night, in rain 57, tells AFP in his cramped of- region, had joined with other key After Morales’s departure, the blocked him at the airport. But Ca- during a break at the leafy uni- position groups accused him of and everything,” Viricochea, 57, fi ce. opposition figures in demanding interim government called for macho went on to form important versity campus. rigging the results. He ended up tells AFP at her modest home. Protests and blockades since Morales’s resignation. new general elections, but no political alliances in La Paz. “Perhaps they thought be- resigning and moving to Mexico. “It has really taken a toll on me the ballot have disrupted daily Morales resigned on November date has been set as the Electoral Others who have announced cause this was our fi rst election, Dozens of people were killed psychologically. I felt really bad, life in the seat of government, 10 and fled the country a day later Tribunal charged with overseeing their intention to run in the elec- we would let it go. It wasn’t like in the ensuing violence, deepen- locked up in my house.” which has been plagued by food to take refuge in Mexico, amid voting is still being formed. tions are former president Carlos that.” ing divisions between indigenous Viricochea, who worked as a and fuel shortages. swelling protests over what politi- There has been speculation Mesa, who placed second in the While the future of Bolivia is people loyal to Morales and Bo- secretary in the La Paz local gov- “The past three or four weeks cal opponents said was his rigging of an electoral alliance between disputed October 20 elections, uncertain, Guillen is sure about livia’s mostly urban middle and ernment until she retired this have been terrible. We have had of October 20 elections. Camacho and another civic leader, and evangelist and politician Chi one thing: Anez was right to fi ll upper classes. year, favours new elections. to totally change our work rou- In his statement, Camacho said Marco Pumari from the southern Hyung Chung. the power vacuum left by Mo- Armed with a metal pipes and “After a lot of struggle, we tine, life routine,” Cardozo says. rales. shovels, Mercedes Viricochea have achieved democracy and we Cardozo fears for the future of Guillen has a warning for poli- and her neighbours spent several feel very calm,” she says. Bolivia. Esteban Guillen, 19, was furious Opposition groups accused Guillen and other students ticians planning to contest the nights defending their homes in Grover Cardozo, who runs a “I’m very worried, almost when Morales — who had ruled Morales, who had been seeking a from the private Bolivian Catho- next election. El Alto, a stronghold of the ex- video production company in anxious, about what’s coming,” Bolivia for most of his young life fourth term, of cheating to avoid lic University in a middle class “If they decide to do what Mo- president. La Paz, is a staunch supporter of he says. — claimed victory without going a runoff , sparking weeks of pro- neighbourhood of La Paz were rales did, we will be there and ac- Viricochea, a critic of Morales Morales. After voting for the fi rst time, to a second round. tests. among them. tive,” he says. DiCaprio accused of ‘fi nancing fi res’ in Amazon jungle

Reuters They were released on Thursday on a Sao Paulo judge’s order. Politicians and other NGOs fi ercely criticised the arrest, saying it was part razilian President Jair Bolsonaro of a concerted attempt by Bolsonaro’s claimed on Friday that Holly- government to harass environmental Bwood star Leonardo DiCaprio groups. fi nanced fi res being set in the Amazon Scientists and activists blame land rainforest, without presenting any evi- speculators, farmers and ranch- dence, the right-wing leader’s latest ers for setting the fires to clear land broadside in casting blame over forest for agricultural use, saying that defi res that have generated international foresters are being emboldened by concern. Bolsonaro’s rhetoric of promoting Bolsonaro appeared to be comment- development and farming over pres- ing on social media postings claiming ervation. that the environmental organisation The Amazon rainforest is consid- the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) had ered a bulwark against global climate paid for images taken by volunteer fi re- change. fi ghters that it then supposedly used to Bolsonaro has repeatedly lashed out solicit donations, including a $500,000 at various factions in casting blame for contribution from DiCaprio. the forest fi res. The WWF has denied receiving a do- In a Facebook live post on August nation from DiCaprio or obtaining pho- 21, he said, “Everything indicates” that Colombian indigenous people and students protest against the government of Colombian President Ivan Duque in Bogota on Friday. tos from the fi refi ghters. NGOs were going to the Amazon to “set “This Leonardo DiCaprio is a cool fi re” to the forest. guy, right? Giving money to torch the When asked then if he had evidence Amazon,” Bolsonaro said on Friday dur- to back up his claims, Bolsonaro said he ing brief remarks in front of the presi- had “no written plan,” adding, “that’s Indigenous guards join protesters in Colombia capital dential residence. not how it’s done.” DiCaprio denied having donated to One day later he admitted that farm- the WWF. ers could be illegally setting the rainfor- By Sinikka Tarvainen, DPA The number of demonstrators has ray of demands, including the cancel- ing and the destruction of bus stations In a statement, the actor lauded “the est ablaze, but roughly a month later he Bogota gone down since Thursday last week, lation of alleged government plans for and other public property. people of Brazil working to save their attacked the “lying media” for saying when an estimated 250,000 people labour and pension reforms, a full im- The Bogota authorities have es- natural and cultural heritage.” that the rainforest was being devastated marched around the country. plementation of the 2016 peace deal timated the damage at 40bn pesos But, he said, “While worthy of sup- by the fi res. ndigenous guardsmen on Friday Nationwide marches also took with the former guerrilla group FARC ($11.5mn) in the capital alone. port, we did not fund the organisations Bolsonaro had talked about DiCaprio joined thousands of people who place on Wednesday and new ones are and stronger measures to protect the Mayor Enrique Penalosa on Friday targeted.” on Thursday during a live webcast. Imarched in the Colombian capi- scheduled for December 4. environment. prohibited rallies in Bolivar Square, DiCaprio has been an outspoken ad- The president said the WWF paid the tal as anti-government protests went Dressed in traditional clothes, The strike committee is now also which has seen some clashes, starting vocate on behalf of combating climate fi refi ghting NGO to take pictures of for- into their ninth day. more than 150 members of indigenous demanding that President Ivan Du- tomorrow for a month. change, speaking frequently about en- est fi res in the Amazon. “We don’t want this country to guards — groups armed only with que start talks with the National Lib- Shopkeepers who say the demon- vironmental issues including the Ama- “So what did the NGO do? What is continue bleeding,” said Jhoe Sauca sticks that are tasked with defending eration Army (ELN), Colombia’s most strations harm their business clashed zon forest fi res. the easiest thing? Set fi re to the forest. from CRIC, an indigenous people’s indigenous territories — gathered in important remaining guerrilla group. with masked protesters in Soledad in the His Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, Take pictures, make a video,” the presi- organisation based in the western central Bogota. Duque has met with organisations north, broadcaster Caracol reported. which is focused on projects that “pro- dent said. Cauca department. They led an estimated 2,000 stu- and experts on education, the envi- The violence has sparked strong tect vulnerable wildlife from extinc- “(WWF) makes a campaign against Indigenous people demand an end dents and other people who marched ronment and the 2016 peace deal. criticism of the riot police ESMAD, tion,” is part of the Earth Alliance. Brazil, it contacts Leonardo DiCaprio, to the killings of hundreds of indige- towards Bolivar Square, according to But he has so far not accepted the which fatally wounded young protest- Four members of the nongovernmen- he donates $500,000.” nous and other community leaders by broadcaster City TV. strike committee’s request for exclu- er Dilan Cruz in Bogota last Saturday. tal organisation Alter do Chão Fire Bri- “A part of that went to the people armed groups, as well as more social Other protesters played classical sive talks with the government, with- With the protests, Colombia joined gade were arrested last week with police that were setting fi res. Leonardo DiC- equality, Sauca and other representa- music in a park, while still others ral- out the participation of other sectors. a wave of civil unrest in South Amer- accusing them of purposefully setting aprio, you are contributing to the fi re in tives told the national broadcaster lied elsewhere in the capital. Some of the protests have turned ica that has swept countries including fi res in order to document them and the Amazon, that won’t do,” Bolsonaro Canal Uno. The demonstrators have a wide ar- violent, escalating into clashes, loot- Ecuador, Chile and Bolivia. drum up more donations. said.

‘Black Friday’ comes to Venezuela as socialist government loosens controls

Reuters Diaz, a 42-year-old bank worker The reforms, however, have at a shoe store in Maracaibo, Caracas from the city of Los Teques some not revived the economy. Venezuela’s second-largest city, 35km from Caracas’ Sambil mall, Infl ation in the nine months which has been hard-hit by where she was waiting in line through September was 4,680% blackouts and gasoline shortages enezuelans fl ocked to outside a toy store to buy gifts for while commercial activity fell this year. shopping centres in Cara- her three grandchildren. 39.2% in the fi rst quarter com- Stores in the western city of Vcas, the country’s largest “Discounts are the only way, be- pared with the same period last San Cristobal joined the rest city, on Friday to take advantage cause with prices through the roof year, according to the most re- of the country in off ering dis- of the fi rst ‘Black Friday’ dis- one can’t aff ord anything,” she said. cent central bank data. counts, but thousands of its counts in recent memory, as so- Malls and small retailers across A migration wave that has seen residents streamed across the cialist President Nicolas Madu- the country advertised discounts more than 4mn Venezuelans fl ee Colombian border to go shop- ro’s government loosens controls of up to 80% on goods from shoes the country has continued una- ping in the nearby city of Cucuta, in the face of an economic crisis. to electronics, hoping an infl ux of bated. where Black Friday has long been For the fi rst six holiday seasons Christmas shoppers could com- But the contours of Venezue- a mainstay. of his presidency, Maduro at- pensate for weak sales so far in la’s economic crisis have shifted. But in the rest of the country, tempted to keep consumer goods Venezuela’s sixth straight year of While price controls once led Reuters witnesses and retail- prices low despite galloping in- economic contraction. to bare supermarket shelves and ers said attendance was above fl ation with strict enforcement In January, the government long lines, stores are now better average for normally moribund of price controls. said it would make price con- stocked but with goods whose shops — though a far cry from This year, with the Opec nation trols more “fl exible” and loosen a prices are far beyond the reach the frenzy often associated with facing crippling US sanctions on complex, longstanding system of of those who earn the minimum the event elsewhere in the world. its oil industry, the government currency controls. wage of less than $10 per month. “It’s a way for people to forget has left retailers more or less alone. That has led to a wider cir- “Sales are down 50% so far about the gasoline lines and the “My sister saw it on social me- culation of foreign currency, as this year, so we decided to do whole crisis,” said Maria Sakhr, dia and said, ‘Look, there are 70% Venezuelans turn to the dollar to Black Friday to get people ex- who works at a toy store in the discounts at the Sambil,’ and we protect their earnings against a cited and boost sales,” said Ros- western city of Barquisimeto that came running,” said Elizabeth fast-devaluing local bolivar. mary Mogollon, 42, who works was off ering 20% discounts. Venezuelans look at products while shopping on ‘Black Friday’, in Cucuta, Colombia. Gulf Times 20 Sunday, December 1, 2019 PAKISTAN

Islamabad safest city in Pakistan, Karachi least safe Islamabad is ranked the safest city in Pakistan, at the 244th position by World Crime Index, Govt to amend law for while Karachi is the country’s most crime-prone city, at 71st position. The ranking of Lahore has improved to 201 in the latest report of the World Crime Index. The previous report that came out at the start of 2019 ranked all military chiefs: A-G Lahore in the 174th position among 328 total cities measured Legislation on army ry as per their responsibilities Just like what the Supreme constituted a committee com- across the world. chief’s job to be done with in regard to the defence of the Court in its order stated about prising of Foreign Minister Shah The security condition in Lahore consensus, says PM’s aide country’s frontiers. the functions and responsibili- Mehmood Qureshi, Defence has improved, which is the major This is not yet clear if the gov- ties of the army chief, the chiefs Minister Pervez Khattak, and reason for its improved ranking, Internews ernment will go for a constitu- of the air force and the navy are Leader of the House in the Sen- reported Research Snipers.News. Islamabad tional amendment or would pre- responsible for the command, ate Shibli Faraz to reach out to The most dangerous city in the fer simple legislation to achieve discipline, training, administra- the opposition leaders and form world as per the World Crime the objective. tion, organisation and prepared- a consensus over the issue. Index is Caracas in Venezuela. ttorney-General for Pa- Article 243 of the Constitu- ness for war of their respective She said that all the political The safest city in the world is Abu kistan Anwar Mansoor tion that was extensively dis- forces, and are also the chief ex- parties should show maturity Dhabi, having 89.39 points on Ahas said that the govern- cussed during the last few days ecutive in their respective head- and refrain from doing politics safety index. ment will change the law for the of the Supreme Court’s hearing quarters. on the matter as the country was On the crime index, the city inclusion of a provision of term of the army chief’s extension The much-discussed Article confronting security issues. scored 10.61. extension for all services chiefs case, deals with all the three 243 of the Constitution, inter- Awan said that the Supreme The crime index and safety index – the Chief of Army Staff , the chiefs – army, naval and air force estingly, deals with the com- Court’s decision to give a six- of Islamabad are 30.47, and 69.53 Naval Chief, the Air Chief, and – equally. mand of all the armed forces. month extension to the army respectively. the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs In its short order, the Supreme The constitutional Article chief and asking the government The crime and safety index of of Staff Committee. Court has referred to the attor- also envisages the same proce- for legislation in the meantime Lahore is 38.43 and 61.57, while He confi rmed that although ney-general’s categorical assur- dure of appointment for all the had strengthened democracy Karachi’s crime and safety index the Supreme Court decision ance that the past practice of Services Chiefs. and upheld the supremacy of are 56.79 and 43.21 respectively. focuses on the army chief’s ex- extensions (given to army chiefs, Meanwhile, Special Assistant parliament. The most dangerous cities in the tension, the government will either by themselves or by the Attorney-General Mansoor: the government will change the law to to the Prime Minister on Infor- She further said the army world are Caracas in Venezuela, change the law to provide for a governments being followed in provide for a term extension for all the services chiefs. mation and Broadcasting, Dr chief had helped project the soft Pietermaritzburg in South term extension for all the serv- General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s Firdous Ashiq Awan, has said image of Pakistan internation- Africa, Port Moresby in Papua ices chiefs. case) is to be codifi ed under the The Supreme Court order cising judicial restraint, fi nd it that the job extension army chief ally, and the way he had high- New Guinea, San Pedro Sula The question was raised law. read: “Considering that the appropriate to leave the matter General Qamar Bajwa is an issue lighted the incidents in Indi- in Honduras, Pretoria in South when the Supreme Court asked The attorney-general gave Army Chief of Staff (COAS) is to the Parliament and the Fed- of national interest and legisla- an-administered Kashmir was Africa, Durban in South Africa, whether an extension to the the undertaking that the federal responsible for the command, eral Government to clearly spec- tion on it would be made with unprecedented. Johannesburg in South Africa, army chief’s term is also ap- government shall initiate the discipline, training, administra- ify the terms and conditions of the consensus of all the political “He has given new hope to Fortaleza in Brazil, Salvador in plicable to the air chief and the process to carry out the neces- tion, organisation and prepared- service of the COAS through an parties in parliament. the Kashmiri people that their Brazil, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. naval chief, who like the former sary legislation in this regard and ness for war of the Army, and is Act of Parliament and to clarify Speaking to a TV news chan- struggle for freedom would The top 10 safest cities are Abu command their respective forces sought a period of six months for the Chief Executive in General the scope of Article 243 of the nel yesterday, she said that reach their logical conclusion,” Dhabi, Doha, Quebec City in and fall under the same catego- getting the needful done. Headquarters, we, while exer- Constitution in this regard.” Prime Minister Imran Khan had she added. Canada, Taipei, Munich, Dubai, Zurich, and Bern, Hong Kong, and Eskisehir in Turkey.

KP launches app Pakistani aims to bring shade to help recover missing children to Iraq’s Arbaeen pilgrims Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has launched the “Mera Bacha Alert”, By Syed Raza Hassan, Reuters a mobile phone application Karachi developed to help people and relevant departments in recovering missing children in retired Pakistani indus- the province. trialist has sent thou- The app was launched at Asands of saplings to Iraq a ceremony at the chief to bring shade to pilgrims, an minister’s secretariat, with idea formed when his relatives the spokesperson for the returned from a holy site with adviser to the chief minister on sunburn. merged districts and provincial Mohammedi Durbar, 85, government, Ajmal Wazir, wants to plant nearly 50,000 Inspector-General of Police trees along the entire 80km (50- Naeem Khan, and others in mile) pilgrimage route between attendance at the ceremony. Iraq’s Shia holy cities of Najaf The app is a recent addition to and Kerbala. the already available Khyber Millions of people make the Pakhtunkhwa Citizens Portal, and pilgrimage every year for the re- would be included in the Pakistan ligious ritual of Arbaeen. Citizen Portal. They walk most of the way Bags of plants with weight and ordinal numbers written on them are Speaking on the occasion, Chief under a baking sun. seen before being transported. Minister Khan appreciated Among the worshippers last Labourers load a truck with the eff orts of the Performance year were Durbar’s grandson and “The trees are happy,” Durbar in good shape and plans to travel trees and plants to be Management and Reforms daughter-in-law, who returned said. back to Iraq to work on the plan. transported for planting along Unit (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) in to Pakistan tanned and with A ﬁ rst batch of 9,800 sap- The trees will spend the win- the pilgrimage route between developing the app, and said photographs showing a barren lings of eight types of trees, up ter in a nursery in Baghdad, Najaf and Karbala, at a farm on it would not only help recover landscape. to eight months old, set off from with the planting due to begin in the outskirts of Karachi. the missing children but would “I immediately realised there Karachi by truck on Friday, for March. also help discourage unpleasant was no shade,” Durbar told Reu- their journey across Iran to Iraq. He said about a dozen people Right: Durbar, 85, gestures as he incidents regarding children in ters at his farm on the outskirts The shipment was delayed would plant the trees, with the speaks with Reuters at his farm the province. of Karachi. about a month because of anti- help of small digger he is also on the outskirts of Karachi. “It is a priority of the government Durbar travelled to Iraq, spoke government protests in Iraq and sending from Pakistan. to ensure protection of to offi cials and got permission last-minute visa delays. Durbar, a member of the Da- trees, but he knows he has found children. The ‘Mera Bacha Alert’ for his project, and a promise Durbar says that the saplings woodi Bohra sect, estimates it his calling after a lifetime in in- application is a golden step in this that the trees would be cared for. will be well looked after on their will take three years to plant all dustry. regard,” he said. He also planted some trees in journey, with the truck stopping of the trees at a cost of Rs25mn “I thank God, at this age, he The chief minister was also Najaf to see if they could thrive to ensure that they get regular ($160,000), which he is paying. has put me on the right path,” he briefed in details about the there. sunshine and water. He is not sure if he will live to said. “Partnership with nature is preparation of the app, its The test was a success. He is conﬁ dent they will arrive see pilgrims walking under his good.” mechanism and features.

Govt told to restrict activities of Afghans The Peshawar High Court has directed the federal government of Pakistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to restrict the activities of Afghan refugees in the country, in line with the law of the land. Government, opposition urged to A bench consisting of Justice Lal Jan Khattak and Justice Mohamed Naeem Anwar disposed of a petition filed by senior lawyer Mohamed Moazam Butt, who sought its orders for the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to regulate the life and work of Afghan refugees in the country and deport illegal refugees. avert crisis at election commission In a two-page verdict, the bench ruled: “No one would disagree what the petitioner has averred in his petition, that activities of the refugees must be under the law on the subject, and on no count they Internews election reforms organised by the Yaqoob noted that all political elections, the ECP had registered tured to a point that it considered could be allowed to do what they want, as the refugees have to lead a Islamabad Free and Fair Elections Network parties had played a laudable role 43mn female voters. However, FAFEN its partner because of its regulated and controlled life.” (FAFEN). in the preparation of the Election we fear that the number of un- healthy criticism and observa- It added that refugees could not be allowed to conduct businesses in “The tenure of the elected Act 2017. “However, the Election registered female voters may in- tions. the country without authorisation by the relevant quarters. lection Commission of Pa- cantonment boards is also go- Act should not be considered the crease,” he said. A working group has been The bench, however, ruled that the issue could not be decided by the kistan (ECP) secretary Ba- ing to expire on December 15,” he fi nal word as it too has some op- Yaqoob said that as per the formed at the ECP on FAFEN’s court while exercising its constitutional jurisdiction, so it deemed it fit Ebar Yaqoob has said that he added. “In one province, there is erational fl aws.” guidelines, polling stations for recommendation. to send the petitioner’s case to the respondents for taking appropri- hopes the government and op- a stay order on local government The secretary informed the disabled people should be set up Speaking on the occasion, Mu- ate and legal action under the law against the refugees and to regu- position would soon sort out the elections for 10 months.” audience that the commission on the ground fl oor but a return- dassir Rizvi, the head of FAFEN late their lives to the possible extent so that the citizens of Pakistan issue of the appointment of the The ECP secretary said the had prepared proposals after ing offi cer in Rawalpindi did not Programmes, said the women could lead their lives peacefully. commission members to prevent commission is fully prepared to consulting with locals and the even bother to facilitate a disa- and men’s turnout at polling sta- It issued directives to five of the respondents: the interior, defence, the body from becoming ineff ec- conduct the local government media about elections in 30 dis- bled candidate to go downstairs tions in last year’s general elec- State and Frontier Regions secretaries, and the KP government tive next month. polls. tricts noted for irregularities. to take his nomination papers. tions stood at 46% and 55% re- through its chief and home secretaries. The chief election commis- Yaqoob noted that the ECP is “In Shangla, elections were The polling stations used in spectively. The petitioner contended that the unchecked movement and roam- sioner (CEC) and the ECP secre- an autonomous body under the rescheduled because less than every election have now become The lowest turnout of fe- ing of the Afghan refugees had created numerous problems for tary are set to retire next month, Elections Act. 10% women voters had cast their permanent. male voters was in Khyber Pa- citizens of the country, so their activities must be regulated. and the issue of the appointment However, he added, the com- votes,” he said. “But there was Prior to the election, the ECP khtunkhwa, and the highest in The bench observed that though the petitioner had argued the case of two members of the commis- mission’s autonomous status is great participation by women in wrote to the chief ministers of the Punjab. at the end of his arguments, he said he would be satisfied if direc- sion, one each from Sindh and not being recognised. the elections in tribal districts, provinces to ensure electricity The highest percentage of tions were given to the respondents to enforce the law and rules on Baluchistan, has landed in court The ECP secretary also which was a major success for and other facilities at the schools votes, 76%, went to three major the issue raised in the petition. because the government and stressed the need for proportion- political parties and the commis- which were being used as polling parties, the Pakistan Tehreek-e- Moazam Butt said that after the Soviet-Afghan war began in 1979, opposition were unable to reach ate representation of the popula- sion.” stations. Insaf (PTI), the Pakistan Muslim millions of Afghans reached Pakistan as refugees. consensus on the nominations. tion in the elections. The ECP secretary urged po- “The chief secretaries were re- League – Nawaz (PML-N), and He said although it has been years since Afghanistan regained its “The ECP won’t be able to “The commission is working litical parties to further support peatedly (contacted), to remind the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). independence, Afghans have chosen not to return. conduct local government elec- with NADRA [National Database the commission. them of the necessary measures Around 70% of the voters in Butt said the respondents are under legal obligation to regulate the tions [in the absence of the CEC and Registration Authority] for “Political parties have a re- but sadly no improvements were Baluchistan faced diffi culties life of refugees to protect the life, liberty and property of Pakistanis. and members],” Yaqoob warned the registration of female voters,” sponsibility to ensure women’s seen,” the secretary maintained. because their votes were non- while addressing a conference on he added. registration. Before the 2018 Yaqoob said the ECP has ma- transferable. Gulf Times Sunday, December 1, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES

Health dept stresses Duterte urges citizens to key role of HIV testing emulate revolutionary hero DPA Manila By Catherine S Valente trymen from foreign dominion,” Manila Times Panelo said in a statement. “As we pay tribute to the Fa- he Philippines’ health ther of Philippine Revolution, department yesterday n the 156th birth anni- let us be inspired of his life and Turged Filipinos at risk of versary of Andres Boni- his bravery as the remnants of contracting HIV to get tested, Ofacio, President Rodrigo society’s ills in his time con- lamenting that the hesitation of Duterte called on all Filipinos tinue to haunt us, even as they vulnerable people to get tested to emulate the revolutionary remain an obstacle to unchain was among the factors hamper- hero’s “love for country” as “we us from the bondage of poverty ing eff orts to combat the spread bring to life the strong and pro- and corruption plus the evolved of the virus. gressive Philippines that he had modern twin evil of illegal drugs “The number of diagnosed envisioned for us all.” and terrorism,” he added. HIV cases has also been increas- Duterte, in his message on Meanwhile, Vice President ing from one per day in 2008 Bonifacio Day, said each Filipino Maria Leonor Robredo yesterday to 35 per day as of July 2019,” should unite to rid the nation of said the same courage shown by Health Secretary Francisco Du- corruption, criminality, terror- Andres Bonifacio is expected of que said in a statement ahead of ism, illegal drugs and other so- us, especially our leaders. “To- World AIDS Day today. cial ills. day, we join the Filipino nation Duque urged communities to “It is through Andres Boni- in commemorating the life and help in raising awareness and facio’s courage and selfl essness birth of one of the bravest heroes encouraging care and support that we have become an inde- in our history, Andres Bonifacio,” for people with HIV, adding that pendent and vibrant nation that said Robredo in a statement. many of those who with the vi- advances ever forward to the “Over a century after the rus are not aware of their infec- future. I urge everyone to emu- struggle of Bonifacio and the tion. late his love for country in our Katipunan, we continue to face “A lot of this is really on ac- endeavours as we bring to life intense struggles — the fi ght count of poor understanding of the strong and progressive Phil- against poverty, and injustice, the problem, to include the hesi- ippines that he had envisioned and inequality; the fi ght against tancy of vulnerable populations for us all,” Duterte said. crime and illegal drugs; the fi ght to have themselves tested for “Even in death, his great sacri- against corruption in govern- HIV/Aids and then of course the fi ce persists to ignite the spark of Protesters groups burn an eff igy of President Rodrigo Duterte (centre) during a protest rally commemorating the 156th birthday of national ment; and the fi ght against sup- lack of comprehension,” he said. meaningful change so that we can hero Andres Bonifacio in Manila, yesterday. pression of our rights,” the vice According to latest data from bring this nation he had left be- president added. the Department of Health, there hind to greater heights,” he added. try,” Duterte added. fl y to Mindanao to attend to the Bonifacio was executed by perity, under a regime of peace, “Amid the modern times and were 1,111 new cases of HIV in- The president said Bonifacio Day “Up to this day, we are chal- problem of insurgency in Mind- fellow Filipinos who accused security and life of comfort for the modern challenges it brings, fections in July. was “an auspicious occasion” to lenged to continue his revolu- anao.” him of sedition in 1897. all Filipinos.” the same bravery and zeal Sexual contact remained the refl ect on his “legacy of awaken- tion as we liberate ourselves Bonifacio, dubbed as the Palace spokesman Salvador “Our identity as a people shown by Bonifacio are expect- predominant mode of transmis- ing the Filipino consciousness to from corruption, criminal- father of the Philippine revo- Panelo urged Filipinos to “be- is rooted in the revolution the ed of each of us, especially those sion. Since the fi rst HIV infec- fi ght for our freedom and build an ity, terrorism, illegal drugs and lution, was born on Nov 30, come the new heroes of this ‘Great Plebeian’ started in his who lead our nation — courage tion was reported in the Philip- entire nation.” other social ills that continue to 1863 in Tondo, Manila. He generation in the mould of An- younger years. As heirs to this to protect our national sov- pines in 1984, a total of 69,512 “The Father of the Philip- plague our society,” he said. was one of the founders of the dres Bonifacio.” This, he said, worthy cause, it is but fi tting ereignty; courage to fulfi l our cases have been confi rmed, 70% pine Revolution has taught us Duterte attended the Bonifa- Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalan- would “pave the way for the that we emulate his revolution- sworn duty and fulfi l our prom- of which were reported from to embody patriotism and take cio Day rites in Caloocan City gang Katipunan ng mga Anak succeeding ones to resurrect the ary fervour and continue with ises to the people; and courage 2014 to 2019. Fifty-fi ve people a stand against our oppressors yesterday afternoon. ng Bayan or KKK, a group which culture of love and nationalism the struggle he pursued, to- to put the nation’s welfare fi rst have died from HIV/Aids in the through the civic duties we ful- Last year, the president fought for the Philippines’ in- that will propel this nation and gether with the other heroes, for rather than personal interest,” country. fi l as citizens of this great coun- skipped the event as he “had to dependence from Spain. country to progress and pros- the emancipation of our coun- she said.

President warns of action Watchdog chief hails renewed aggression in anti-drug drive if power grid sabotaged By Jim Pilapil after her termination represents Manila Times a 1,675% increase in the value of illegal drugs seized by the gov- By Catherine S Valente come you, but I said you will re- ernment,” said Jimenez, who is Manila Times ceive from me a mouthful then olunteers Against Crime now the chairman of the Presi- I go to other places and look for and Corruption found- dential Anti-Corruption Com- help,” the president said. Ving chairman Dante mission. resident Rodrigo Duterte Duterte made the statement Jimenez, and present chairman “The figures suggest that has warned that a “quar- amid security concerns raised of the Presidential Anti-Crime there may have been a period Prel” between the Philip- by some senators on the Chinese Commission, has hailed the of ‘tentativeness’ among law pines and China would erupt if government’s co-ownership of sudden increase in confi scated enforcement agencies in im- Beijing attempted to shut off the the National Grid Corp of the illegal drugs as a renewed ag- plementing the war on drugs country’s power grid. Philippines (NGCP), which oper- gression among law enforce- during Robredo’s incumbency, In a television interview, Du- ates the country’s power trans- ment agencies in carrying out which seemed to momentar- terte said he would not allow mission system. the Duterte administration’s ily polarise the government’s China to take control of and cut But before he made the threat, war on illegal drugs. hard line stance against illegal the country’s power transmission the president said he did not Jimenez based his assess- drugs,” he added. “The sud- system. think China would shut down the ment on the November fi gures den surge in the drug haul in a “Look, China, we are friends. country’s power supply. He noted presented by the Philippine Na- matter of days after her termi- We’re doing business. You want that both countries were engaged tional Police (PNP). nation was a positive indica- money, we want money. It pro- in business and that cutting the He said PNP data showed tion of a renewed energy in the duces money for both of us. Now, power supply would do no good. that from November 6 to 24, or war on drugs,” Jimenez said. do you intend cut it and for what “It’s a business, so why would during the incumbency of Vice President Rodrigo Duterte reason? You answer me. China cut it? I’ll ask them, ‘Will President (VP) Maria Leonor At a press conference in Camp Crame, the PNP and PDEA presented to the media the hundreds of kilos of removed Robredo as ICAD co- Why would you take control you have time to cut it?’” Duterte Robredo as co-chairman of the shabu worth billions that were seized from three Chinese suspects in a raid on a warehouse in Makati City. chairman after he learned that out of a thing that you off ered us? said. “China will respond, ‘Why Inter-Agency Committee on she consulted organisations I will not allow that,” he told CNN would we cut it? That’s money.’ Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), a ities and the seizure of P143mn total of 456 operations yielded the two periods covered, the and people critical of his ille- Philippines. I’ll ask what would be the reason total of 3,187 operations were in illegal drugs. 669 arrests, the surrender of 50 amount of drugs confi scated in gal drug policies and the ten- “I will tell China, ‘You know, to cut it. conducted that resulted in the But from November 25 to 27, drug personalities and the con- the 19-day stint of VP Robredo dency of the vice president to China, if you do that, then there China will respond, ‘We will arrest of 4,595 suspects, the or three days after Robredo’s fi scation of P2.5bn illegal drugs. as ICAD co-chairman com- share confidential information will be a quarrel. I may not over- not cut it,’” he added. surrender of 303 drug personal- exit as ICAD co-chairman, a “Comparing the data of pared to the three-day period to them. Rising seas threaten early end for coastal village

Reuters were pulled into the sea, one by “If we are asked to move inland, it Sitio Pariahan one, as she and her siblings held would be diffi cult to make a liv- onto bamboo poles. Their school ing. What if we become beggars was also destroyed, and left only there?” anica Martinez, 16, grew with walls. More than 50 families Fernando Siringan, a climate up in a house that grows left and never returned. change expert, has studied Sitio Dtaller every few years. Now, Martinez and her siblings Pariahan closely and said some Her father raises the stilts of take a 30-minute boat ride to delta areas north of Manila were their bamboo hut so water from school, sometimes with uniforms changing rapidly because land the sea doesn’t reach the fl oor. drenched by big waves. was subsiding and water levels They live in Sitio Pariahan, a “It seems scary to look at, but rising at the same time. coastal village in the Philippines you get used to living like this,” she “What is being projected 50 that was once an island, and is said. “It’s diffi cult, but also fun.” years from now or 100 years from now without land. Her parents rely on their boat to now for many parts of the globe is Sitio Pariahan, about 17km make a living. “Without a boat, actually happening right now at north of Manila, is sinking about you are paralysed,” said her moth- even faster rates,” he said. 4cm every year, owing largely to er Mary Jane Martinez, who sells A UN climate change summit land subsidence from the popu- crabs her husband catches to the will be held in Madrid from Dec lation’s overuse of groundwater, town’s market. 2-13, and with wildfi re in the Unit- according to experts. She said life in the village was ed States and Australia, and severe Now rising sea levels caused getting harder day by day, but she fl ooding in Europe all being linked by global warming could soon still preferred it to the city. to global warming, public pres- make this village unliveable, a “If you work hard here, you will sure is rising on cost-conscious problem faced by other coun- survive. You only have to jump on national governments to fi nd ur- tries in Asia, where the poorest the sea to catch food. In land, you gent solutions. communities are hardest hit. can work hard and still not have Danica sees no long-term fu- A deep well is the only source Siblings Cindy (left), 14, and Danica Martinez, 16, prepare to board a boat to travel to school with their father Domingo (front right), 40, in the enough,” she said. ture in what has become like a of water, and residents use it to submerged coastal village Sitio Pariahan, Bulacan, north of Manila. Her husband, Domingo, said scene from Waterworld, a 1995 bathe, clean, cook and, some- leaving was not an option, be- fi lm starring Kevin Costner in times, even to drink. On days that power is low, this. She recalls basketball tour- performances, and celebrate with moss. Much of the destruc- cause there is nowhere to go. They which post-apocalyptic tribes live Solar panels are installed on residents pass the time by gam- naments and grand feasts that mass at the church. tion happened when Typhoon once tried to rent an apartment in on boats and rafts. many rooftops for electricity, bling. their community once held, so The court is now fully sub- Nesat struck in 2011, bringing a nearby town, but moved back “Someday I also want to leave mostly to watch television that’s Martinez remembers that popular that visitors from near- merged, and the church that was waves Martinez said were as big shortly after. and experience what it’s like to live shared between neighbours. their village wasn’t always like by towns would fl ock to watch once fi lled with devotees is stained as houses. She saw how the huts “Our livelihood is here,” he said. inland,” she said. Gulf Times 22 Sunday, December 1, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Qatar LNG industry set for bigger and wider horizons

Qatar’s recent announcement on scaling up its LNG production capacity to 126mn tonnes per year (tpy) by 2027 will have a multiplier eff ect on the national economy over the coming decades. The production boost represents a huge 64% increase on the current 77mn tpy and help Qatar consolidate its position as the world’s top transhipper and producer of liquefi ed natural gas. For many years, the local economy, construction sector in particular, will benefi t from the establishment of mega trains and associated facilities for enhanced LNG production, HE the Minister of State for Energy Aff airs Saad bin Sherida al- Trump, the Navy SEAL Kaabi noted at a media event in Doha. Qatar Petroleum’s planned increase in its LNG production capacity will signifi cantly boost the national economy, he said. Eff ectively, Qatar’s LNG production capacity will exceed 142mn tpy annually (by 2027), when the output from the and the Trident Pin Golden Pass LNG export facility located in Sabine Pass, authority of the chain of command. The or generals did threaten to resign when Texas, is also accounted for. By Noah Feldman The principle of civilian control limits Bloomberg News the degree to which the admirals could admirals may also have felt, with some confronted with orders they didn’t like. A The Golden Pass LNG export project, which is owned by act; it means, for example, that military justifi cation, that Trump was sending president could be held in check by such the Golden Pass Products, is a joint venture of QP (70%) and offi cers believe they can’t resign to a message to the troops and the wider threats, thwarting his or her eff ective ExxonMobil (30%). he confusing saga of Donald protest presidential decisions. world that the government of the United control over the military. Overall, Qatar’s hydrocarbon production will account for Trump’s intervention in the That left Spencer, the Navy’s top States sanctioned the intentional killing In the Trump era, it might seem case of Navy SEAL Edward civilian, as the one person who could go of civilians in theatres of combat. superfi cially appealing for the president nearly 6.7mn barrels oil equivalent per day with the LNG Gallagher seems to be over at down with the ship. That he seems to In any case, after Trump’s to be checked by his generals. Yet the production capacity boost to 142mn tpy. T last. Gallagher’s demotion has been re- have done, ending his time as secretary announcement, the Navy announced principle of civilian military control needs The expansion of versed – a demotion that resulted from of the Navy by standing up for the it would take away Gallagher’s trident. to be preserved even during the Trump The recent fi ndings Qatar’s LNG facilities his posing with the corpse of a captured Navy’s honour against the president’s The move was largely symbolic; presidency. The admirals know that; and is considered as the Islamic State fi ghter in Iraq – and he intervention. but symbols matter. The Navy’s it means they can’t resign in protest. at the North Field will get to keep his trident, the pin that If you’re still confused, start with announcement indicated that the The secretary of the Navy, however, world’s largest and signifi es SEAL membership and that why the admirals sought to take away Navy considered Gallagher’s actions is a civilian. Spencer appears to have will have a great one of the energy Navy offi cials wanted to take away. Gallagher’s trident. Chief Petty Offi cer dishonourable, and wanted to take done what the admirals could not do, sector’s most lucrative The main political casualty is the Gallagher was court-martialed this away a marker of honour and prestige and stood up to Trump, who fi red him positive impact projects. secretary of the Navy, Richard Spencer, past summer for a set of war crimes associated with being a SEAL. via the secretary of Defence. In his letter The country may also who was fi red by the secretary of including premeditated murder and Although some reports suggest that acknowledging his “termination” – not on Qatar’s gas defence after (it would seem) trying to attempted murder. He was acquitted the Navy sought and got White House a letter of resignation – Spencer wrote maintain its position get Trump to stay out of the issue on on all the charges but one, the charge clearance before announcing it would take to Trump that he believed Trump’s industry as the holder of the behalf of the admirals. of wrongfully posing for a photograph away the trident, the reality of the Trump action violated “good order and largest non-associated The whole fi ght between Trump with a human casualty. The jury White House meant that the admirals discipline.” And he added that he could gas reserves in the world for the foreseeable future by and his admirals looked remarkably sentenced Gallagher to demotion from had to have known that Trump could not “in good conscience obey an order establishing confi rmed gas reserves of 1,760tn cu ft at the opaque from the outside. That’s because chief petty offi cer (E-7) to petty ceroffi reverse their decision. And that is what that violates the sacred oath” he took in North Field. underneath, important and confl icting fi rst class (E-6). the president did: after issuing a tweet support of the Constitution. principles were at stake. On November 15, Trump reversed announcing that Gallagher wouldn’t lose Given Trump’s decision, Spencer’s This is in addition to more than 70bn barrels of On the one hand was the sincerely Gallagher’s demotion. At the same time, his trident, Trump followed up with an fi ring is the right outcome. The admirals condensates, and massive quantities of LPG, ethane, and felt desire of the senior uniformed naval he issued pardons for two Army offi cers, actual order to that eff ect. couldn’t quit; so the civilian secretary helium, a huge quantity by any standard. offi cers to stand up for the rule of law one of them serving a 19-year sentence for Being reversed in this way left the of the Navy got himself fi red to stand New studies have revealed that the North Field’s and prevent Gallagher from being seen the murders of two civilians, and the other admirals in an extremely awkward up for the principles that the admirals productive layers extend well into Qatari land in Ras Laff an, as a hero. Once Trump had issued his facing trial for killing an unarmed civilian. position. Civilian offi cials who have share. Of course it would’ve been better pardon, the admirals felt the only way Of the three presidential actions, principled commitments to values like if Trump hadn’t intervened at all. But paving the way for a new LNG production project in the they could stand against human rights the Gallagher reversal was the most discipline, honour, or the rule of law to the degree that it could, the Navy north of Qatar. violations and bad discipline was to take minimal, since Gallagher had already can and should resign when a president upheld its honour. - Tribune News “These results will enable us to immediately commence away Gallagher’s trident. been acquitted of the most serious undercuts those values, especially in Service the necessary engineering work for two additional LNG On the other hand was the charges against him. Yet the senior Navy public. But things are little trickier for mega trains with a combined annual capacity of 16mn recognition by those same admirals brass nevertheless objected to the idea admirals and generals.  Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg that civilian control of the military is a that the president had essentially cleared Long-standing tradition says that, to Opinion columnist. He is a professor tonnes per year,” al-Kaabi noted. fundamental principle in a democracy. Gallagher. That decision arguably sent protect the principle of civilian control of law at Harvard University and was The North Field development project is a testament to Civilian control means that the a message to Navy personnel that if over the military, general offi cers should a clerk to US Supreme Court Justice the visionary leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh president has the authority to tell the they violated military discipline, they not resign in protest against lawful orders David Souter. His books include The Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his guidance and strong and military what to do, even down to the could seek redress from the president. given by the president. To see why, just Three Lives of James Madison: Genius, unlimited support to Qatar’s energy sector detail of who gets to wear what pin. Such a message would undermine the imagine what would happen if admirals Partisan, President. QP had said earlier it was lifting its LNG production to around 110mn tpy by 2024, and that it would build four new production facilities, known as LNG trains. During the past two years, Qatar Petroleum worked diligently to determine the degree to which the North Field extends towards the south west, as well as the possibility of production from Qatar’s northern coastal onshore areas. It is worth mentioning that the latest North Field appraisal well (NF-12) was drilled onshore in the Ras Laff an Industrial City, about 12km from shore and underwent extensive testing over the past few months. As Minister al-Kaabi noted: “The recent fi ndings at the North Field are very important”, which will have a great positive impact on Qatar’s gas industry, and help it move forward into bigger and wider horizons.

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© 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved This July 2 picture shows Gallagher with his wife Andrea after being acquitted of premeditated murder at San Diego Naval Base. Gulf Times Sunday, December 1, 2019 23 COMMENT Makings of a ‘geopolitical’ European Commission

By Mark Leonard EU Agency for Cybersecurity) into Berlin a well-staffed and well-financed institution with centralised computer emergency response teams (CERTs), oday, Ursula von der Leyen cyber forensic squads, and legislative will finally take office as representatives to push for stronger president of the European security protocols across the bloc. TCommission. She has prom- Finally, von der Leyen will be ised to lead a commission that will tasked with repositioning the avoid a scenario in which, as French European Investment Bank and the President Emmanuel Macron recent- European Bank for Reconstruction ly warned, Europe might “disappear and Development as credible geopolitically” amid an escalating counterweights to China’s Belt Sino-American rivalry. and Road Initiative. So far, the EU To be sure, the European Union has has not taken a strategic approach the largest market in the world, the to reshaping the global financial second-highest defence spending architecture, and its response to (after the United States), 55,000 China’s global investment and diplomats, and the world’s largest development activities has been development-assistance budget. timid at best. Giving the EIB But these strengths are constrained and the EBRD a global remit to by the fragmentation of European fund projects outside of Europe power both between and within would help to reverse this failure. member states and EU institutions. Moreover, it would allow Europe While China and the US are both to bail out countries facing fiscal adept at integrating geopolitics or financial crises in the event that with their economic interests, the the US or China tie the hands of EU stubbornly acts as if these were the International Monetary Fund or separate agendas. other institutions. If von der Leyen is to succeed in Each of these seven tests is in an building an effective “geopolitical area where the EU could potentially commission,” she will need to pass become a key global player, capable seven big tests. The first will be to of holding its own with other build unity behind her proposed great powers. But each challenge European Green Deal, which she has will require genuine unity among made one of her central priorities. Europeans, with EU institutions and The question is not just whether member-state governments working she can direct an effective European together seamlessly. response to climate change, but Rather than dealing with these whether she can prevent the issue issues in a piecemeal fashion, von from becoming another front in the Ursula von der Leyen der Leyen should pursue a grand culture war between the EU’s western bargain that gives real meaning and member states and the cohort in potential counter-measures against This strategy has already proved The third, represented by Germany, a screening mechanism for foreign shape to the next five years of EU Central and Eastern Europe. America’s weaponisation of the effective in the standoff over auto advocates “strategic patience,” based investments that both protects policymaking. Among other things, Voters in the Czech Republic, dollar. Since US President Donald tariffs. on the hope that Trump’s eventual sensitive sectors and compensates that will require creative thinking Poland, and Slovakia are ambivalent Trump withdrew from the Iran Third, von der Leyen’s Commission departure will allow for a return to EU member states that are asked to about the next seven-year budget about whether climate change needs nuclear deal, his administration will have to take up the issue of normality. The only way to reconcile turn down foreign capital. In addition framework, which should be used to to be addressed at all. If von der has effectively been deciding with European defence. There are three these views is to strengthen Europe’s to establishing common screening marshal the resources that Europe Leyen’s Commission does not take whom Europeans may trade, by discernible camps. The first includes contributions to Nato, so that it is procedures, the EU should empower needs to establish itself as a global steps to bring these populations threatening secondary sanctions the French, who want to achieve seen as a better partner to the US. the Commission to veto foreign player, and to advance innovative on board, the European Green Deal against any company that does European strategic autonomy and Fourth, von der Leyen’s investments on security grounds, measures like green bonds, digital could reprise the politics of the euro business with Iran. The challenge end the bloc’s dependence on the Commission must reconsider the with the European Council retaining taxation, and carbon pricing. Only and refugee crises, when marginal EU for a geopolitical commission, US. The second camp, epitomised EU’s competition policy, which the final say (through qualified then will “geopolitical commission” constituencies felt neglected by more then, is to identify areas where by Poland, favours “strategic currently focuses only on state aid majority voting). be a turning point, not a sound bite. powerful actors in the EU core (many US companies are asymmetrically servitude,” and wants to double down and other unfair practices within Sixth, von der Leyen’s Commission – Project Syndicate of whom were clearly convinced of dependent on Europe, and where on the transatlantic relationship by Europe, while ignoring unfair will need to develop a European their own moral superiority). European sanctions (or the mere purchasing more US equipment and competition from abroad. Fifth, cyber defense agency worthy of the  Mark Leonard is Director of Second, von der Leyen’s threat of sanctions) could be establishing “Fort Trumps” to keep and on a related note, the new name. Specifically, the EU’s new the European Council on Foreign Commission will have to be open to deployed to maximum effect. the US engaged on the continent. Commission will need to develop leaders should transform ENISA (the Relations. Climate change is also a health crisis

By Maria Neira to prevent 4mn childhood asthma many of the countries with the Geneva cases per year from traffic fumes, heaviest health burden from air or we won’t. In any case, the pollution need to phase out their lifetime health of a child born today highest-pollution energy sources. he climate crisis is also will be profoundly affected by the At WHO, we will continue a health crisis. The same decisions we make about climate to push for action on these emissions that cause change now and in the years to issues, while collaborating with T global warming are also come. That is why the World Health others who are doing the same. largely responsible for polluting Organisation has made climate On December 7, during the UN the air we breathe, causing heart change a top institutional priority. Climate Change Conference disease, stroke, lung cancer, and Climate change should be (COP25) in Madrid, WHO and infections, and affecting every a priority for all businesses, the Global Climate and Health organ in our bodies. Air pollution governments, and multilateral Alliance will convene a one-day is the new tobacco, causing as organisations, too. Keeping the summit on climate and health, many deaths as cigarettes do. And issue high on the agenda provides allowing representatives from though it threatens us all, children, the necessary motivation to make civil society, the health sector, and the elderly, pregnant women, and difficult choices. By taking action all other stakeholders to shine a adults with weakened immune now to reduce carbon dioxide spotlight on this critical issue. systems are the most at risk. emissions and limit global warming Like the pollution that causes it, It is now common knowledge to no more than 1.5°C relative to the climate change does not observe that smoking tobacco severely pre-industrial level, we would not national borders; it does not save its harms you and those around you. only ensure that our planet remains effects just for those who pollute. That is why the tobacco industry’s hospitable for future generations; On the contrary, inequality is a lobbying and advertising campaigns we could also save at least one key feature of the climate crisis: have been strictly regulated around million lives per year, according to those least responsible for the the world. Globally, we have WHO’s estimates. problem – children, disadvantaged taken steps to safeguard existing Moreover, in countries like communities, and the Global South health policies, and to force these the United States and the United – must bear a disproportionate companies to tell the truth: that Kingdom, eliminating air pollution share of the health burden. their product kills. would save the economy 4% of GDP WHO’s new global survey, to be And yet, our reaction is very per year in averted health-care launched at COP25, shows that different when we learn that air costs. In China and India, reducing many countries are highly exposed, pollution and fossil-fuel-driven emissions enough to limit global vulnerable, and unsupported in climate change are just as deadly. warming to 1.5°C would more than dealing with health risks from Where are the policies to prevent pay for itself when accounting climate change and air pollution. the fossil-fuel industry from for the attendant health benefits. It is clear that we need an lobbying governments, or to end Likewise, transforming our food international and just response the $370bn in subsidies lavished on and transportation systems would to this increasing strain on public coal, oil, and gas companies every save still more lives, by providing health. Future efforts must reflect year? Why are we still paying for a healthier diets and encouraging the real costs of our harmful-fuel product that is killing us? more physical activity – all while based economy and aid those most As with the world’s strong cleaning the air and stabilising the affected. response to tobacco, ending climate. To achieve this, we will need all harmful fuel use will require scaling The human right to a healthy signatories to the Paris climate up current policy interventions life and a sustainable future is accord to strengthen their national and social-mobilisation efforts. increasingly being enforced through climate plans by 2020. Beyond Fortunately, some multilateral legal systems, and officials that fail that, we need to establish new, financial organisations have already to uphold these rights are being robust mechanisms for protecting recognised the opportunity that held accountable. In France, for the most vulnerable and helping such a change represents. Just example, a court found that the communities adapt to the realities recently, the European Investment government had failed to do enough of climate change. Health must Bank announced that it would use to limit air pollution around Paris, be at the heart of our Paris its position to funnel public and and in Indonesia, Jakarta residents commitments. The pollution that private capital toward renewable similarly took legal action against is choking our air and warming our energy. the government because of air planet has been accumulating for The choice between phasing out pollution. generations. We cannot afford to harmful fuels and continuing on At this year’s United Nations take that long to fix the problem. – the current path is black and white General Assembly, many Project Syndicate – it is a matter of life or death. governments answered the WHO’s We either will decide to prevent call to achieve “air quality that  Maria Neira is Director 7mn premature deaths per year by is safe for citizens, and to align of the Department of Public cleaning up our air and providing climate change and air pollution Health, Environmental and Social people with clean energy sources, policies by 2030.” This represents Determinants of Health at the World or we won’t. We either will decide an encouraging first step. Now, Health Organisation. Gulf Times 24 Sunday, December 1, 2019 QATAR Masterclass on Sports Journalism and Civic Engagement

ulf Times and Arrayah newspa- In line with the “overall renais- ism and the responsibility, ethics and Attendance to the Masterclass is and editor of Media Studies Journal, as pers, in association with North- sance” across all fi elds in Qatar, es- laws associated with content genera- free of cost but requires registration. well as a former newspaper reporter. Gwestern University, are hosting pecially sports, they stressed the en- tion. Among the instructors is Eddy Marcela Pizarro joined NU-Q’s a four-day Masterclass on how ordinary deavour to form a media base of 100 All four sessions will be held in the Borges-Rey, an associate professor- Journalism and Strategic Communi- people can engage in news coverage of professionals in digital sports journal- evening, between 4.30pm and 9.30pm, in-residence at Northwestern Univer- cation Programme in 2019 as assistant sports in Qatar. Running from tomor- ism in the fi rst phase. and provide opportunities for the par- sity in Qatar (NU-Q). professor-in-residence. row until December 5, the programme The programme aims to provide ticipants to connect with Qatar’s lead- His area of academic expertise is Pizarro is an award-winning jour- is open to all sports enthusiasts in Qatar. “invaluable insider knowledge and ing media house and learn from expert digital journalism and emerging me- nalist who worked as a producer and Gulf Times Editor-in-Chief Faisal guidance on how ordinary people can instructors at Northwestern Univer- dia and his teaching includes courses reporter at Al Jazeera English, both on Abdulhameed al-Mudahka and Ar- be successful sports content genera- sity. on mobile journalism, data journal- the ground in Latin America, Wash- rayah Editor-in-Chief Abdullah bin tors and engage in sports and activi- Participants of the Masterclass will ism and social media for journalists, ington DC and Doha and for the media Ghanim al-Ali al-Mohannadi an- ties organised in the country, and have receive a certifi cate and become active among others. critique show, The Listening Post in nounced the registration for the Mas- their unique perspectives published”. members of the community, contrib- Craig LaMay is a professor and fac- London. terclass as part of the ‘Friends of Qa- The Masterclass promises to be uting images, videos and content. ulty associate at Northwestern’s Insti- To register for the Masterclass, visit tar’ initiative launched by Gulf Times highly-interactive and will provide While no previous experience or tute for Policy Research and a leading www.gulftimescommunity/friend- and Arrayah, which aims to support real insight into what editors need, knowledge is necessary, participants world authority in sports journalism. sofqatar.com One can also contact sports media and keep pace with dig- how to gather and produce a story, the need to create accounts at least on two He was the editorial director of the contribution@gulftimescommunity. ital developments. technical aspects of mobile journal- social media platforms. Freedom Forum Media Studies Center com Northwestern University in Qatar. More than 5,000 visitors arrive in Qatar aboard MSC Bellissima SC Bellissima arrived at Doha Port on Thursday Mmorning, bringing more than 5,000 visitors on its maiden call to the destination. During the 2019/20 cruise season, two ships from MSC Cruises — MSC Bellissima and MSC Lirica — will make a total of 24 visits to Qatar. A number of offi cials, including HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, HE Ak- bar al-Baker, Secretary-General of QNTC and Group Chief Ex- ecutive of Qatar Airways, Cap- tain Abdullah al-Khanji, CEO of Mwani Qatar, Badr al-Meer, chief operating offi cer at Hamad International Airport, Pierfranc- esco Vago, MSC executive chairman, Carlotta Colli, deputy head of mission at the Italian embassy in Qatar, among others, were present to welcome the ship at Doha Port. VIPs and off icials during the plaque-exchange ceremony. VIPs and off icials during the ship tour. A crest-exchange ceremony took place between Qatari of- tant role played by the National porting the development of Doha that removes up to 97% of sulphur pating in travel agent roadshows fi cials and the ship’s captain, Tourism Council, Qatar Ports Port and ultimately off ering oxide emissions; advanced waste across Italy with Qatar Airways Giuseppe Maresca, upholding Company and the relevant au- unique accommodation options management and wastewater to attract more tourists to Qatar.” a maritime tradition that cel- thorities to make the 2019/2020 to the visiting fans in 2022,” HE treatment systems; ballast water The 2019/20 cruise season ebrates maiden voyages to a new tourism season a success, which al-Baker said. “Together with treatment system; latest-tech- kicked off in October with the port. will achieve signifi cant growth in the high-end experience aboard nology systems for the prevention launch of Doha Port’s new tem- HE al-Sulaiti praised the long- the number of tourists coming to MSC Cruises’ ships, Qatar’s be- of oil discharges from machinery porary terminal, and is set to be standing fruitful partnership Doha Port. spoke and authentic tourism spaces and various state-of-the- the biggest yet for Qatar, bring- with Mediterranean Shipping MSC Cruises has played a sig- off erings, and state-of-the-art art energy-effi ciency improve- ing a total of 248,123 passen- Company (MSC). During the nifi cant role in Qatar’s cruise sports venues and transport sys- ments – from heat recovery sys- gers aboard 74 ships, showing a 2022 FIFA World Cup, MSC will tourism since December 2016 tems, fans are in for a truly unfor- tems to LED lighting. growth of 121% and 66% respec- provide two cruise ships that will when MSC Fantasia made its gettable World Cup.” Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC tively, over the previous season. be used to provide “an excellent maiden voyage to Qatar. Featuring 19 decks, 12 in- Cruises, said: “We are pleased Among the 74 confi rmed calls accommodation experience for It was the fi rst mega ship to ternational dining venues, an to be here today to celebrate this season, there are 16 turna- fans and visitors”. dock at the Doha Port, followed by 80m-long LED dome and 2,217 MSC Bellissima’s maiden call to round calls and nine overnight “Doha Port is playing a key role 27 more calls by ships belonging to cabins and suites equipped with Doha, another milestone of the stays in Doha Port. in reinforcing Qatar’s position as MSC Cruises during the 2016/17, the world’s fi rst digital cruise as- broader partnership that our This will give cruise visitors an attractive tourist destination 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons. sistant ‘Zoe’ – MSC Bellissima, Group enjoys with Qatar and its ample time to explore the des- through securing and receiving More recently, Qatar partnered launched in March this year, has people. MSC Bellissima is the tination’s travel, hospitality and international cruise ships, as well with MSC Cruises to charter two the capacity of up to 5,686 guests. largest and most modern cruise retail promotions during the as providing all the facilities nec- of its ships during the FIFA World MSC Bellissima features some ship deployed in the region. And, winter season, as well as a host essary for the growth of a sector Cup Qatar 2022, providing visit- of the latest and most advanced together with MSC Seaview – of exciting events to choose from that is considered a key contrib- ing fans with accommodation in environmental technologies at which from next season will be such as the ongoing GCC Cup, utor to the economic diversity 4,000 cabins on the ships. sea to minimise and continuously calling weekly, she is a testimony the upcoming FIFA Club World pursued by Qatar National Vision “Our partnership with MSC reduce her environmental impact, of our commitment to develop Cup 2019 matches and the ‘Qa- 2030,” the Minister said. Cruises goes beyond adding Qa- including: a cutting-edge hybrid further the potential of Doha as tar Live’ series of music concerts He emphasised the impor- tar to cruise itineraries, to sup- Exhaust Gas Cleaning System a homeport. We are also partici- featuring global artistes. MSC Bellissima at Doha Port. Embassy celebrates 30 years of Peru-Qatar ties

he embassy of Peru re- its relation with Qatar in the edu- cently hosted a reception cation, culture and sports fi elds,” Tto celebrate the 30th an- he said. niversary of the establishment “In this regard, I had a meeting of diplomatic relations between with HE the Minister of Culture Peru and Qatar. Led by Peru’s and Sports in Qatar and other ambassador to Qatar, Jose Ben- authorities.” zaquen Perea, the event was at- He then highlighted the vis- tended by a number of Qatari dig- its of a Peruvian congressman to nitaries, diplomats from diff erent the 140th Assembly of the Inter- countries and other guests. Parliamentary Union in Doha last The Peruvian envoy, in his ad- April. dress, welcomed Ibrahim Yousif Peru was also a part of the Abdullah Fakhroo, director of World Innovation Summit for Protocol at the Ministry of For- Education through the partici- eign Aff airs (MoFA); Essa al- pation of the former Education Mannai, director of the American Minister, Dr Jaime Saavedra Aff airs Department, MoFA; Jamal Chanduvi. al-Bader, former Qatari ambas- He expressed gratitude to Her sador to Peru; as well as the am- Highness Sheikha Moza bint bassadors and other offi cials and Nasser, “who has been guiding guests present on the occasion. this eff ort through her leadership “Since November 7, 1989, bi- of Qatar Foundation for Educa- lateral and multilateral relations tion, Science and Community (between the two countries) have Dignitaries cutting the ceremonial cake to mark the occasion. A view of the gathering. Development”. been developing positively,” the “On this occasion, I would ex- envoy said, highlighting the ex- the privilege to receive, in my their people, promoting a close Peru is one of the most impor- on a continuous average annual including petrochemicals and press our gratitude to the Gov- change of high-level visits that country, His Highness the Amir link between external action and tant countries in Latin America, growth over the past 20 years of construction materials, among ernment of Qatar for hosting the “had become signifi cant signs Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- development priorities. We are the envoy stressed. 4.6% (GDP),” he added. others.” Peruvian athletes in the recent in our ties and the deep political Thani. President Martin Vizcarra both countries based on the rule Its diverse characteristics in- The ambassador also high- “We are working on an inclu- world championships for athlet- trust between our countries”. discussed with His Highness the of law, with diplomatic policies clude a variety of climates, histo- lighted bilateral trade with Qatar. sive investment pact that will be ics and beach games. “Allow me to remember in this Amir the main regional and infor renewed co-operation, po- ry, a vast territorial expanse, sig- “We co-ordinated the work likely signed within next year. It In football, it is a pleasure to celebration, the offi cial visit to ternational issues of common litical dialogue and promotion of nifi cant natural resources, people of a commercial delegation that will encourage investments be- say that Qatar will host an un- Peru of His Highness the Father interest and a number of mutual trade and investments, as well as with great skills and a solid eco- came to Doha last July. For this tween both countries. We also forgettable edition of the FIFA Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa agreements were signed (on the the defence of human rights, the nomic and industrial background. year, we hope to export goods to expect that Peru and Qatar will World Cup in 2022, it will be a al-Thani, in February 2013, and occasion).” fi ght against poverty and terror- “Today, Peru is considered one Qatar worth QR17mn, mostly in sign an air services agreement in friendly meeting between all the the visit of the President of Peru “Qatar and Peru fully agree ism, environmental conserva- of the world’s leading emerging agricultural and pharmaceutical the fi rst quarter of next year,” the peoples of the whole world ... to Qatar in 2014,” he recalled. on common goals, such as the tion, and education and health markets, with a solid recent his- products, and to import (goods) Peruvian ambassador noted. and the Peru team will be here in “In October last year, we had prosperity and happiness of for all,” he continued. tory of economic stability based around QR15mn from Qatar, “Likewise, Peru is promoting Doha,” the envoy added.