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Pakistan fi rms play key role in supporting Qatar Joy for Qatar as al-Rumaihi economy: Al-Kuwari qualifi es for 2020 Olympics published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11359 November 7, 2019 Rabia I 10, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

PM meets Finland’s trade minister Baladna forecasts expansion, revenue growth by 2019-end

By Peter Alagos Business Reporter O Total number of products to go up to 172 in next O atar’s dairy production leader, three months Baladna QPSC raising QR1.43bn Baladna Food Industries (BFI), by off ering a 75% equity stake to the public in Qis expecting to expand its prod- uct portfolio in the Qatari market, and its IPO O Company shares expected to be listed is forecasting further revenue growth on the stock market on December 11 this year by the end of the year, according to a senior offi cial. O BFI currently supplies its products to several HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met yesterday with the visiting Currently, the company has 115 prod- Finland’s Minister for Development Co-operation and Foreign Trade, Ville Skinnari, and his accompanying delegation. During ucts, ranging from dairy and cheese to countries, including Oman and Iraq O Cheese the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and prospects for enhancing and developing them, as well as a number of fruit juices and beef, said Power Inter- production to go up by 400% soon O Opening of regional and international issues of common concern. Page 3 national Holding Vice Chairman and BFI Co-Founder, Ramez al-Khayyat. new facilities abroad under study

In brief according to the projections,” al-Khay- GT EXCLUSIVE yat explained. Cabinet hails Amir’s speech “We actually enjoy an operation ARAB WORLD | Unrest profi t this year and next year,” he point- Tourists among eight ed out. at Shura Council session Asked about shares being made hurt in Jordan stabbing “After the completion of the new available for non-Qataris, al-Khayyat Eight people, including four QNA gion and the world. production lines for the third phase re- said: “The anticipated date for the tourists, were wounded in a knife Doha The Cabinet also appreciated the cently, the company started the proc- shares to be listed on the stock market attack yesterday at the famed reference to the preparation of the ess of launching 57 new products, and is December 11 this year. While only archaeological site of Jerash Shura Council elections and the nec- the process extends over the next three Qatari individuals and Corporates are in northern Jordan, a security he Cabinet yesterday hailed essary draft laws. months, bringing the total number of eligible to subscribe to the IPO, all in- spokesman said. Four tourists — three His Highness the Amir Sheikh Moreover, the Cabinet expressed products to 172. vestors are entitled to buy shares on Mexicans and a Swiss woman — were TTamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s pride in what His Highness the Amir “The company will develop its prod- the secondary market of the Qatar Ex- wounded, along with a Jordanian tour speech at the 48th ordinary session of said about the successes and achieve- uct list on an annual basis and will in- change.” guide and a security off icer who tried the Shura Council on Tuesday. ments in the economy sector and troduce new products to serve the Qa- For its export market, al-Khayyat to stop the assailant, public security At its regular meeting, chaired the provision of services and decent tari market and other selected markets said BFI currently supplies its products directorate spokesman Amer Sartawi by HE the Prime Minister Sheikh standard of living, despite the unjust and provide them with the best prod- Ramez al-Khayyat...taking Baladna to to several countries, including Oman said. Page 14 Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- siege. ucts,” al-Khayyat told Gulf Times in an new heights and Iraq. Thani, the Cabinet pointed out that The Cabinet stressed that all these interview. “There is still a lot of room for AMERICA | Politics the speech covered Qatar’s achieve- have been achieved thanks to God and Only recently, al-Khayyat, to- it was reported earlier. growth, so we started exporting to dif- ments in various fields, and outlined to the directives of His Highness as gether with other senior offi cials, an- Also, BFI recently announced that ferent Arab countries and in East Asia. Trump impeachment the features of the next stage and the well as the dedicated eff orts of citi- nounced the decision to raise as much it has seen its revenues scale up to Our strategic plan calls for opening new hearings set to go public effort it requires while adhering to zens and residents. as QR1.43bn by off ering a 75% equity QR36mn a month in the second quarter facilities abroad.” The first open impeachment hearings the values and principles, in order HE the Prime Minister directed the stake to the public in its Initial Pub- of 2019. Revenues grew from an average Al-Khayyat also said Baladna is ex- into US President Donald Trump will to continue the development and ministers to implement the directives lic Off ering (IPO), providing eligible of QR18mn a month in 2018 to an aver- panding its cheese factory, which is begin next week, the congressman building process under His High- outlined by His Highness the Amir in investors the opportunity to invest in age of QR25mn a month in Q1 2019. getting ready by the end of this month leading the probe said yesterday, as it ness the Amir’s sound directives in his speech and prepare the necessary BFI through the new holding company Citing the company’s fi nancial pro- “where we could expand capacity to heads into a highly-anticipated public accordance with the Qatar National plans and programmes. Baladna QPSC. jections, al-Khayyat noted that the fi - 400% of what we have today.” phase. William Taylor, Washington’s Vision 2030. Following the meeting at the Amiri The shares are being offered at nancial performance will improve with In the next six months, al-Khayyat top diplomat to Ukraine, and deputy It noted that the Amir’s impressive Diwan, HE the Minister of Justice and QR1.01 each. The subscription pe- revenue growth expected to rise in 2019 said the company’s total number of assistant secretary of state George speech included stances towards re- Acting Minister of State for Cabinet riod is open from October 27 to No- compared to 2018. cows is expected to continue to grow Kent will testify on Wednesday, House gional and international issues, and Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuai- vember 7. Baladna is expected to list “The company’s performance is ex- from the current 18,000, especially as Intelligence Committee chairman emphasised keenness to promote se- mi said that the Cabinet reviewed top- on the Qatar Stock Exchange by the pected to see increased revenue and the farm has an average new-born rate Adam Schiff announced. Page 15 curity, peace and stability in the re- ics on the agenda. Page 2 second week of December this year, dividend growth in subsequent years, of 40 births per day. Qatar-US security ties discussed Qatar, Congo establish Over 500,000 benefi t from diplomatic relations SC’s Generation Amazing plan By Joey Aguilar ment in communities. A signing ceremony Staff Reporter As part of its goal, the initiative for the establishment aims to reach another 500,000 more of diplomatic to positively impact 1mn people by relations between ore than 500,000 people 2022 through the power of football. Qatar and the in the Middle East and “This year we are creating an Democratic Republic MAsia have so far benefit- enhanced Community Club Mod- of the Congo took ted from ‘Generation Amazing (GA) el and Football for Development place yesterday at the – the Supreme Committee for De- Coaching Certification as part of headquarters of the livery & Legacy’s (SC) football for our transition to become GA Foun- Permanent Mission of development programme, GA ex- dation, which will continue post the State of Qatar to ecutive director Mushtaq al-Waeli 2022 aiming to become a leader in the United Nations in has said. the global football for development New York. “As we reach the 10th year of our field,” al-Waeli said. HE the Permanent journey, we have continued to grow “Aligned to the United Nation’s Representative of the and expand the reach and impact of Sustainable Development Goals State of Qatar to the United Nations The two sides underlined the keenness the programme. It is one of our most and the Qatar National Vision ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin on strengthening and developing the important legacy initiatives,” al- 2030, we see sports in general and Saif al-Thani signed on behalf of the friendly relations and co-operation Waeli told reporters at a roundtable football in particular as a trans- State of Qatar, while the Permanent in the political, economic, trade and discussion yesterday in Doha. formative tool and as a fundamen- HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Representative of the Democratic cultural fields. GA, initiated during Qatar’s suc- tal instrument in order to achieve Mohamed al-Attiyah met the Director of the Defence Intelligence Agency, Lt Gen Republic of the Congo to the United The two sides stressed the importance cessful bid for the 2022 FIFA World socio-economic and wider devel- Robert Ashley, in the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, DC, yesterday. The Nations ambassador Ignace Gata of establishing bilateral relations in Cup in 2010, is using the power of opment outcomes for refugee com- meeting discussed the bilateral relations in the intelligence and security field and Mavita wa Lufuta signed on behalf of accordance with the principles of the UN sport to positively impact lives and munities and disadvantaged youth ways to enhance them. The meeting was attended by the Qatari military attache in his country. Charter. create sustainable social develop- globally,” he noted. To Page 7 Washington, Brigadier General Nawaf bin Mubarak al-Thani. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, November 7, 2019 QATAR

Al-Mahmoud meets head of global body of parliamentarians against corruption Draft law on combating

QNA Doha cover-up of non-Qatari

E the Speaker of the Shura Council HAhmed bin Abdul- business approved lah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud yesterday met the Chair- man of Global Organisa- QNA agenda as follows: qualifi cations according to latory Authority for Chari- tion of Parliamentarians Doha It approved a draft law the learning levels prepared table Activities (RACA) in Against Corruption, Dr amending some provisions as per specifi c criteria. Qatar and the Ministry of Fadli Zon, and the ac- of Law No 15 of 2014 on the It is designed to meet Social Aff airs and Labour in companying delegation. he Cabinet’s regular organisation of charitable all aspects and levels of Kuwait. The meeting reviewed the meeting, chaired by works. structured education in 2. A draft agreement be- functions of the organisa- THE the Prime Min- The Cabinet approved a Qatar, including gen- tween the governments of tion and its global role in ister Sheikh Abdullah bin draft decision of the Cabi- eral, higher, vocational, Qatar and Hungary for co- fi ghting corruption. Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, net on the establishment and technical education, operation in the fi elds of Following the meeting, HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud and yesterday approved a draft and formation of the stand- by providing a reference youth and sports. a memorandum of under- Chairman of Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption Dr Fadli Zon law on combating cover- ing committee to supervise context for the design 3. A draft agreement on standing (MoU) on Qatar’s signing an MoU in Doha yesterday. up of non-Qatari business, the management of central and development of a cultural co-operation be- hosting of the organisa- economic and professional markets. range of new and flexible tween the governments of tion’s seventh conference national branches around important conference Amir Sheikh Tamim bin activities in violation of the The draft decision pro- qualifications that meet Qatar and Hungary. on December 8 and 9 was the world. comes in recognition of Hamad al-Thani in the law. vides for the establish- the needs of the State, the After that, the Cabinet signed. The MoU was signed for the role of Qatar in com- fight against corruption HE the Minister of Justice ment of the standing com- labour market and indi- reviewed the letter of HE The organisation in- the Shura Council by HE al- bating corruption and in and the establishment of and Acting Minister of State mittee to supervise the viduals, and ensure that QCB Deputy Governor cludes parliamentarians Mahmoud, and Dr Fadli Zon. support of the great ef- transparency and good for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa management of central those with the required and Chairman of the Na- from 106 countries and 55 Doha’s hosting of this forts of His Highness the governance. Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi markets at the Ministry of skills are in the field of tional Anti-Money Laun- gave the following details: Commerce and Industry, employment. dering and Terrorism The preparation of the and specialises in several The Cabinet then ap- Financing Committee on draft law came to replace functions, including: pro- proved its draft decision to the proposal to criminal- the current Law No 25 of posing the necessary poli- add the Anti-Money Laun- ise the smuggling of mi- 2004, and in the context cies and programmes for dering and Combating Ter- grants in accordance with 61,000 people vaccinated against fl u of modernising legisla- the development of central rorist Financing Unit to the the UN Protocol against tion, creating an invest- markets and raise their ef- units comprising the Min- the Smuggling of Mi- ment environment based ficiency. istry of Justice and to defi ne grants by Land, Sea and QNA as in more than 50 hospi- infl uenza are also advised arrival of vaccinations for on transparency, and It also approved the Cabi- its competencies. Air, supplementing the Doha tals, private health centres to ensure access to seasonal the entire population. In consolidating the prac- net’s draft decision to adopt The Cabinet also ap- UN Convention against and private and semi-gov- infl uenza vaccine, includ- addition, there is a high tice of activities in ac- the National Qualifi ca- proved the following: Transnational Organised ernmental clinics, espe- ing people with chronic level of awareness among cordance with the provi- tions Framework, which is 1. A draft memorandum Crime, and the views of he Ministry of Public cially with the approaching diseases such as diabetes, the population of the im- sions of the laws in force a mandatory reference tool of understanding for co- the Ministry of the In- Health announced winter season and a signifi - asthma, heart and lung dis- portance of vaccination in the country. for identifying, classify- operation in the fi eld of terior in this regard, and Tthat 61,000 people cant drop in temperatures. ease, kidney and cancer pa- and its effectiveness in The Cabinet then re- ing and organising national charitable and humanitar- took the appropriate de- of diff erent age groups have Vaccination helps pre- tients, the elderly (over 65 the prevention of sea- viewed the topics on the academic and professional ian work between the Regu- cision. been vaccinated against vent complications from years of age), children be- sonal influenza and their seasonal infl uenza until infl uenza, especially in tween 6 months and 5 years knowledge gained during Monday, within a month high-risk populations. old, pregnant women, and the past years of its levels since the launch of the na- The ministry stressed health workers. of safety. tional vaccination cam- the importance of parents The ministry pointed Vaccination teams in the NHRC chief meets UN delegation paign in October. to vaccinate their children. out that the high rates Ministry of Public Health The ministry called on The statistics of the min- of immunisation cover- also carry out several all citizens and residents istry indicate that children age comes in light of the vaccination campaigns to take the initiative to re- were the most vulnerable to great efforts exerted by for workers in many in- ceive the seasonal infl uenza complications of infl uenza the ministry and all rele- stitutions, authorities, vaccine, which is available during the past years. vant authorities, whether universities, educational free of charge in all primary People who are at high in the government or pri- institutions, private com- healthcare centres, as well risk for complications of vate sector to ensure the panies and hotels.

HE the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri met a visiting delegation of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. During the meeting held yesterday at the NHRC’s headquarters, they discussed co-operation on issues of common interest. Al-Marri briefed the delegation on the National Human Rights Committee, its objectives, competencies and methods of work in receiving complaints and ways of resolving them. He also discussed in detail the terms of reference of the monitoring committee of the Legal Department of the NHRC and its surprise visits to a number of state’s facilities, including penal and correctional institutions to inspect their compliance with human rights standards.

QM, UCL Qatar event focuses on protecting intangible heritage

QNA tangible heritage in Qatar, ernising the current legal integrity of communities Doha the participation of local framework for protection across Qatar — all of which communities in the process of cultural heritage, aligned are outlined in the cultural atar Museums (QM) of identifi cation, safeguard, with internationally recog- goals of the Qatar National and University Col- and promotion of intangible nised standards. Vision 2030. Qlege London (UCL) heritage, and the way in- Commenting on the im- For the past decade, we Qatar hosted a panel dis- ternational co-operation in portance of heritage, Ab- have been working very cussion titled “Safeguard- the fi eld may contribute to dullatif al-Jasmi, Director closely with Qatar Muse- ing the Intangible Cultural improve the safeguarding of of Cultural Heritage Protec- ums to support the cul- Heritage in Qatar: Current this heritage. tion Department at Qatar tural goals of the country Scenarios, Challenges and The panel was intro- Museums stated: “Qatar is through various initiatives. Future Perspectives”. duced by Professor Fed- an ambitious country with “This panel is an exten- The event, which was erico Lenzerini (Univer- a lot of aspiration. It is quite sion of that and serves as held at the National Mu- sity of Siena, Italy), who visible that it is now going an introduction to the goals seum of Qatar (NMoQ), explained that intangible through a period of rapid we hope to achieve as part was moderated by Fernando cultural heritage encom- development. of the Cultural Heritage Brugman (Unesco Regional passes the practices, ex- At the same time, it is a Law we are developing in Offi ce) and brought togeth- pressions, knowledge and land with a long history and partnership with QM. The er experts from local insti- skills as well as the associ- a rich heritage. As we move law will serve as a roadmap tutions including: Hamad ated objects and cultural forward towards embracing towards the preservation of al-Muhannadi (Ministry spaces that people recog- our future, it is imperative heritage and national iden- of Culture and Sports), Dr nise as an inherent part of that we do not forget about tity.” Mariam Ibrahim al-Ham- their cultural heritage. our past. Hence, preserv- Last year, QM and UCL madi (Qatar University), It is essential for the ing our cultural heritage — Qatar announced a ground- Dr Abdulla Mohamed al- state to safeguard this type particularly the intangible breaking partnership that Sulaiti (Qatar Museums), of heritage, which is trans- aspects of it — will be vital will deliver a modern legal to discuss the topic of safe- mitted from generation in ensuring that the story framework for cultural her- guarding the key aspects of to generation and evolves of Qatar continues for the itage for Qatar. Qatar’s intangible cultural together with the commu- benefi t of our future gen- In collaboration with key heritage, and its vital con- nities, their environment erations.” international organisation tribution in protecting Qa- and the circumstances of Commenting on the such as Unesco, the two tar’s culture and national history. event, Dr Sam Evans, UCL institutions will modernise identity for future genera- The event comes as Qatar Qatar’s director, stated: current procedures for pro- tions. Museums and UCL Qatar “Safeguarding intangi- tection of cultural heritage The discussion touched work together to further ble cultural heritage is in- included in the Law on An- on various topics, such as protect and promote Qatar’s terlinked with protecting tiquities, No 2, which was initiatives to safeguard in- history and culture by mod- the cultural identity and issued in 1980. Gulf Times Thursday, November 7, 2019 3 QATAR

Off icial Qatar, Finland discuss ways Labour minister to boost trade relations Qatar condemns participates in ILO stabbing incident Qatar lation adopted by the country QNA Qatar-Finland education and the initiatives launched in in Jordan sector ties reviewed support of the private sector in order to increase foreign direct meetings in Geneva Qatar has voiced its strong E the Minister of Com- HE the Minister of Educa- investment and attract more condemnation and denunciation merce and Industry Ali tion and Higher Education Dr Finnish companies to the Qatari of the stabbing incident which Hbin Ahmad al-Kuwari Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali market. QNA took place in the city of Jerash in met yesterday with Finland’s al-Hammadi yesterday met The two sides also discussed Geneva northwest Jordan, and led to the Minister for Development Co- the Minister for Development mechanisms of supporting joint injury of three Mexican tourists, operation and Foreign Trade Co-operation and Foreign Trade investments and encouraging a female Swiss tourist, a police Ville Skinnari, who is currently of Finland, Ville Skinnari, and the private sector to establish atar took part in the Labour laws and off icer and tour guides. visiting Qatar. his accompanying delegation innovative investment projects meetings of the 337th In a statement yesterday, the During the meeting, they re- on the occasion of their visit in key sectors that would serve Qsession of the Governing Ministry of Foreign Aff airs viewed the bilateral relations to Qatar. During the meeting, the economic trends of both Body of the International Labour reiterated the firm position of and discussed aspects of co-op- they discussed important issues countries. They also discussed Organisation (ILO) in Geneva procedures in Qatar on rejecting violence and eration, especially in the fi elds of of common interest and ways the possibility of establishing a with a delegation from the Min- terrorism, regardless of motives trade, investment and industry, to support and develop them, joint business council between istry of Administrative Develop- and reasons. and ways of enhancing them in especially those related to the two countries to serve the ment, Labour and Social Aff airs The statement aff irmed light of the friendly ties between educational fields. joint interests. headed by HE the Minister of Qatar reviewed Qatar’s full solidarity with the the two countries. The volume of trade exchange Administrative Development, government of Jordan and its The meeting highlighted the between Qatar and Finland Labour and Social Aff airs Yousef support for any measure it takes developments in the Qatari and reviewed investment oppor- reached about QR440.8mn last bin Mohamed al-Othman Fa- QNA participating countries appreci- to maintain security. economy over the past years, tunities in all sectors, the legis- year. khro. Geneva ated the role of Qatar Chamber The statement expressed Qatar’s The ILO Governing Body re- in co-operating with the Qatari wishes of a speedy recovery to viewed the legislation and pro- government regarding the new the injured. cedures carried out by Qatar in atari employers reviewed laws and legislation aimed at the labour market. the procedures and laws developing the labour market in Attacks in Greening and cleaning efforts in Umm Salal Representatives of the gov- Qissued by Qatar as part the country. ernments of the participating of improving working condi- He pointed out that the Qa- Afghanistan The gardens section of Umm Salal countries, including the Europe- tions of expatriate labourers in tari employers, on the sidelines condemned Municipality planted 35 trees of an Union, the USA, Switzerland, the country, during their par- of the meeting, agreed with the various types and mowed around Canada and representatives of ticipation in the meetings of the Ministry of Administrative De- 222,200sq m of green areas in the trade unions, praised the International Labour Organisa- velopment, Labour and Social Qatar has voiced its strong public parks and on streets in achievements made by Qatar, tion (ILO) Board of Directors in Aff airs and the Offi ce of the In- condemnation and denunciation the municipality, the Ministry of stressing that the country is a Geneva, Switzerland. ternational Labour Organisa- of the attack on police Municipality and Environment model for the region in light of Employer Representative, tion in Qatar, to hold awareness headquarters in Charbolak (MME) said yesterday. According the signifi cant development in Former Board Member of Qatar seminars on laws and legislation district and the explosion at a to a report issued by the Services labour laws. Chamber, Nasser al-Meer, said relating to labour and workers, in market in Alasay province in Aff airs Department, the gardens HE al-Othman Fakhro that the UN meetings, which co-operation with Qatar Cham- Afghanistan, which killed police section responded to 121 requests thanked the speakers and high- witnessed the discussion of the ber. off icers and wounded a number for pruning trees, sprayed plants lighted the legislation and the report on Qatar and the pro- The agenda of the ILO meet- of civilians, including six women. with insecticides and transported developments achieved by Qatar cedures and laws issued by the ings discussed the agenda In a statement issued yesterday, over 2.9mn gallons of freshwater to in accordance with the strategic country, saw a number of ILO of the International Labour the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs irrigate plants. Further, it continued objectives of its National Vision board members from govern- Conference for 2020 and the reiterated the firm position of with its regular eff orts to maintain 2030. ments and employers praising adoption of the draft ILO work the State of Qatar on rejecting trees and other green areas in The minister underlined the procedures, laws and legislation programme and the results violence and terrorism, various parts of the municipality. keenness of Qatar on creating issued by Qatar in this regard. framework for the years 2020 regardless of motives and Some 900 trees were fertilised with tonnes of household waste, 6,164 tonnes of mixed waste a safe, investment-stimulating Participants also praised the and 2021, in addition to dis- reasons. 3,600kg of processed fertilisers with some tree branches, 3,445 damaged tyres and 250 and balanced working environ- co-operation between the gov- cussing employment and social The statement expressed the and weeding works were carried carcasses of dead animals during the said period. Also, ment for the benefi t of the Qatari ernment of Qatar and the ILO, protection programmes, social State of Qatar’s condolences to out over an area of 10,000sq m. more than 134mn gallons of sewage water was withdrawn, labour market, stressing that the saying it is a model for the region dialogue between the three the families of the victims, and The report also noted that the while 2,774 applications for pest control and 120 for rodent country will continue co-op- to follow. working parties, as well as the the government and people of general cleanliness department at control were implemented and regular spraying was also eration and partnerships with Al-Meer pointed out in a press ILO’s development co-opera- Afghanistan, wishing the injured Umm Salal Municipality lifted 11,329 conducted to combat the menace of pests and rodents. friendly countries and interna- statement yesterday that the tion in support of the sustain- a speedy recovery. tional trade unions. employer representatives of the able development goals. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, November 7, 2019 QATAR

298 applicants for Scientific QRCS organises disaster management Excellence Award There are a total number of 298 applicants for all nine categories of the 13th edition of Scientific Excellence Award 2020, workshop for school headmistresses covering all educational levels, public and private schools and teachers. he Qatar Red Crescent nation, Sociopsychological Sup- tions responsible for disaster The CEO of the Scientific Society (QRCS) has held port, Nutrition and Food Secu- response”. Excellence Award and Secretary- Ta disaster management rity, Health in Emergency, Water According to Huda A Ham- General of Qatar National training workshop for 40 head- and Sanitation, and Shelter. dan, this is one of fi ve workshops Commission for Education, mistresses of public schools The sessions are conducted by a to be held during November, Culture and Science, Dr Hamda in Qatar, in co-operation with group of QRCS’s disaster manage- with a total 200 attendees di- Hassan al-Sulaiti, said that the the Ministry of Education and ment specialists and internationally vided into fi ve groups, three for evaluation and arbitration of the Higher Education’s Training certifi ed volunteers. men and two for ladies. files will be conducted during and Educational Development Projects Expert at QRCS She emphasised the interest from November 10 to December Centre. and the programme’s co-or- of principals to attend the work- 12 by the various arbitration Under the umbrella of the dinator Huda A Hamdan said: shops, in light of the remark- committees, and winners will be QRCS School Programme, the “The purpose of this work- able success of QRCS School announced in January, while the two-day event covered a wide shop is to educate the prin- Programme over the past few years. ceremony will be held on March range of topics related to disaster cipals of schools on the basic “In the second semester, sim- 3, 2020. management and risk reduction, of dealing with disasters, the ilar training workshops will be The Scientific Excellence Award is including Introduction to Disas- importance of preparedness held for the same principals on a pillar of the educational system ter Management, Risk Analysis, for minimising casualties fi rst aid and health education,” in Qatar. Field Assessment and Co-ordi- and losses, and the organisa- she revealed. (QNA) A training session in progress. It aims to honour the distinguished Qatari students, and it also fosters creativity and innovation among students and educational institutions. Monaco prince receives The award works to deepen Ministry launches programme for legal trainers the concepts of excellence and Qatari envoy’s papers creativity through the adoption of he Centre for Legal and judicial fi elds, and to develop design courses on scientifi c bases involved, and how to conduct international standards. (QNA) and Judicial Studies at their skills by providing them with high-level skills. the training activities and put Tthe Ministry of Justice with advanced and modern skills In order to develop the skills them in the training manual. launched the 2nd level of the and by introducing them to the of participants, practical mod- On the other hand, the cen- Qatar school legal and judicial training pro- basic concepts of training and ules for the training sessions tre also organised a specialised gramme for a number of em- objectives, and providing them were designed including setting course in the fi eld of adminis- students to take ployees in various governmental with the knowledge that enable the training timeframe, the time trative investigation and inves- part in World institutes. them to prepare, implement and spent on the training session, tigation records, for a number The programme aims to pre- evaluate the training programme, the objectives of the training of legal offi cers in government Robot Olympiad pare legal trainers in various legal enabling them to set goals and session and the main activities ministries and institutes. (QNA) Qatar schools will participate in a delegation of 12 students in the World Robot Olympiad Qatar International Court and HBKU College of Law sign MoU (WRO2019) which will be held in the Hungarian capital Budapest, Opening new avenues to mutual organisations. MoU also off ers court judges grown organisations, we follow from 8-10 November. The support and collaborative Notably, the newly established and senior personnel the a fundamental drive towards the participating students consist Prince Albert II of the Principality of Monaco received credentials achievement, Qatar International understanding foresees the opportunity to deliver guest development of a diversified, of four teams, having won first of Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani as non-resident ambassador of Court and Dispute Resolution launch of a ‘QICDRC-HBKU lectures at the HBKU College of knowledge-based economy for places in the National Robot Qatar to the Principality of Monaco. The ambassador conveyed His Centre (QICDRC) and Hamad Bin College of Law Lecture Series’, Law as well as attend courses on our country’s future, as we are Championship (NRO2019) held Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s greetings Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College to be organised and hosted by an auditing basis. entrusted with the mentorship at the College of the North and wishes of good health and happiness to Prince Albert and his of Law signed a memorandum of both parties on topics related to Highlighting the benefits of the of the next generation of legal Atlantic in Doha. The students wishes of more progress and prosperity to the government and understanding (MoU). international dispute resolution, joint initiative, Faisal al-Sahouti professionals.” are from three schools: Hamza people of Monaco. Prince Albert reciprocated the Amir’s greet- QICDRC chief executive off icer substantive principles of said, “We are proud to sign a Dr Susan L Karamanian, Dean of Bin Abdul Muttalib Independent ings and wished more prosperity and progress to the people of Faisal al-Sahouti and Dean of commercial and business law, partnership with one of Qatar’s HBKU College of Law, said: “The Preparatory School, Ali Bin Qatar. He also wished the ambassador success in his new duties HBKU College of Law Dr Susan and QICDRC-specific legal foremost higher education MoU builds upon the already Jassim Bin Mohamed Al-Thani and in promoting and strengthening relations of friendship and L Karamanian signed the three- applications. institutes that shares our strong relationship between Independent Secondary Boys co-operation between Qatar and Monaco. year agreement in the presence In addition to joint conferences, dedication to the law and its HBKU’s College of Law and the School and Khalid Bin Ahmed of representatives from both colloquia, and workshops, the central role in society. As home- QICDRC.” (QNA) Independent Preparatory School for Boys.

Gulf Times 6 Thursday, November 7, 2019 QATAR Girl students lend helping hand in tree plantation campaign Students from Juwayriyya Bint Al Harith Primary Girls School taking part in the campaign. tudents of Juwayri- gineering Bureau among The development of yya Bint Al Harith others. The committee is the street near Barwa Me- SPrimary Girls School responsible for fi ve major saimeer Complex and yesterday planted trees tasks including the con- Schools project includes at the street near Barwa struction of central public planting 45 trees and Mesaimeer Complex and parks, provision of dedi- beautifi cation of 2,168sqm Schools Project as part of cated lanes for pedestrians landscape in addition to the Qatar Beautifi cation and bicycles, development 1km of shared pedestrian and Our Kids Planting of the Doha Corniche, de- and cycle paths. Trees campaign. velopment of Central Doha The supervisory com- The initiative was or- and increasing aff oresta- mittee’s work will enhance ganised by The Public tion and greenery areas. sustainability through Works Authority (Ashghal) Mohamed Abdulla Ab- minimising environmental in co-ordination with the bas, head of Doha Mu- pollution and reducing the Ministry of Municipality nicipality’s gardens sec- emission of CO2 through and Environment (MME). tion, said he is glad to see minimised consumption The Supervisory Com- the children participate and conservation of en- mittee of Beautifi cation of in the beautifi cation of ergy resources. It focuses Roads and Public Places the country, from a young on the provision of more in Qatar is implementing age. “They feel the im- public transport options the “Qatar Beautifi cation portance of their role in to reduce the use of private and Our Kids Planting the prosperity of Qatar,” cars and improve lifestyle Trees” campaign, which he said. through clean and safe will continue until the Fatima al-Suwaidi, vice transportation. end of 2021. principal and students af- The committee also The committee works fairs offi cer at Juwayriyya works for ensuring a under the MME, in co-or- Bint Al Harith Primary healthy environment dination with several min- Girls School, said that within residential neigh- istries and other entities the campaign contributes bourhoods and places of such as Ministry of Trans- to increasing students’ public gatherings through port and Communica- awareness on their role in increased aff orestation tions, Ministry of Culture preserving the environ- and landscaping, which and Sports, Qatar Muse- ment. “Thirty students will greatly help in reduc- ums Authority, Qatar Rail- took part in the plantation ing the temperature in way Company, Private En- drive.” cities. Students from Juwayriyya Bint Al Harith Primary Girls School and off icials at the location of the tree planting campaign. Ooredoo marks ‘most successful Qitcom in history’ oredoo has described Qit- solution launches included Cloud care, Transport, Logistics, Envi- com 2019 as “its most suc- Backup, Web Application Firewall, ronment, and Digital Experiences. Ocessful Qitcom ever,” with and consumer products. Showing the popularity of historic partnerships, solution Yousuf Abdulla al-Kubaisi, Ooredoo’s presence, the com- launches, hosting senior delega- Ooredoo Qatar Chief Operations pany welcomed delegations from tions, and exchanging knowledge Offi cer, said: “Ooredoo’s most the Ministry of Health, Ministry at the conference and workshop successful Qitcom ever underlines of Interior, and the Ministry of sessions. Qatar’s bold steps in becoming a Transport and Communications. In line with Qitcm’s theme ‘Safe smart country. Our partnerships Ooredoo thought leaderships Smart Cities’, Ooredoo, the Strate- with multi-national technology took centre stage at Qitcom’s con- gic Sponsor, led a consortium that companies and local leaders on ference programme. Nazeeb Pool- won the Ministry of Transport and innovative technologies support akkal presented on ‘Cybersecu- Communications’ Tasmu Central nationwide digital transforma- rity Challenges in the IoT-Enabled Platform, the digital foundation The Ooredoo booth at Qitcom. tion, enable organisational com- City’, and Onut Toana held a work- for the Tasmu Smart Qatar Pro- petitiveness, and enhance people’s shop on how organisations can gramme enabling Qatar as a smart nerships with Microsoft on the wallets, loyalty points and reward digital lives.” optimise the Ooredoo Azure Stack country. Azure Express Route for organi- programmes from any platform to Crowning Ooredoo’s Qitcom Public Cloud. Ooredoo signed a four-year ex- sations to access the European make digital payments. achievements, the organisers Business customers can lever- tension to provide Qatar Airways’ public cloud; Cisco BroadSoft on Oordoo also announced the awarded Ooredoo with the Best age the Ooredoo Advantage, mak- onboard Wi-Fi, and with Mada, the Qatar Cloud PABX, Qatar’s launch of Ooredoo Life Market- Booth at Qitcom (95-300sqm). ing Ooredoo “Best for Business”, the Assistive Technology Centre fi rst cloud-based calling service; place at Qitcom 2019. The new so- Thousands of visitors experienced thanks to its breadth and depth of Qatar, to enhance the lives of per- and showcased the concept of lution provides Application Pro- Ooredoo’s debut of the fully-auto- talent, best fi xed and mobile net- sons with disabilities. Ooredoo Exchange, an innova- gram Interfaces (APIs) for new and mated smart home, and Internet of works, broadest portfolio of ICT Supporting digital transfor- tive blockchain-based platform innovative business services and Things, and cybersecurity innova- services and solutions, and trusted mation, Ooredoo signed part- for organisations to accept digital solutions. Ooredoo’s other new tions in Connected Sports, Health- partner for 60 years.

Partial closure of Abdul Aziz bin Ahmed Street

he Public Works Au- fi c lights as part of the A- thority (Ashghal) has Ring Road Development Tannounced a partial Project. closure of Abdul Aziz bin During the partial clo- Ahmed Street in one direc- sure, road users of Abdul tion from Wadi Mushaireb Aziz bin Ahmed Street Street towards Electric- heading towards Electricity ity Temporary Roundabout temporary roundabout will (formerly known as Naser be required to use Al Di- bin Khaled Intersection) wan Street and Al Asmakh from tomorrow for a period Street to reach their desired of three months. destinations. The closure, in co-or- Ashghal will install road dination with the General signs advising motorists Directorate of Traffi c, is to of the temporary closure enable the expansion and and requested road users upgrading works on Elec- to abide by the speed limit tricity Intersection and and follow the road signs to installation of new traf- ensure safety. Gulf Times Thursday, November 7, 2019 7 QATAR

Generation Amazing announces Youth Festival and Ambassador programme

By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

ome 170 youths from Qatar and countries across the world will Stake part in the fi rst edition of ‘Generation Amazing (GA) Youth Festi- val 2019,’ scheduled from December 15- 18 at Qatar Foundation’s Oxygen Park. The occasion, which forms part of Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC)’s Generation Amazing Programme, marks the start of a series of festivals leading to 2022 and will be the fi rst youth event held alongside the (From left) Moza al-Mohannadi, Mushtaq al-Waeli, and Nasser al-Khori at the FIFA Club World Cup this year. media roundtable in Doha. PICTURE: Jayan Orma “The GA Youth Festival will take our football for development programme’s Over 500,000 benefi t from SC’s Generation Amazing plan most promising young participants on a football journey of a lifetime,” said GA From Page 1 through the programme,” he stressed. programmes director Nasser al-Khori, In a press statement, Hissa Yousuf M adding that several partners will also be Al-Waeli lauded the support of the al-Ali, director of Training and Education joining the festival. Ministry of Education and Higher Educa- Development at the Ministry of Educa- Al-Khori, along with GA execu- tion and the Qatar National Commission tion and Higher Education, said the aim tive director Mushtaq al-Waeli and GA for Education, Culture and Science, is for the programme to reach 10,000 Marketing and Communication direc- noting that the programme has been schoolchildren every year in Qatar. tor Moza al-Mohannadi, spoke to the launched in 32 government schools and “We are providing and facilitating media at a roundtable discussion on 18 international schools. resources for GA programme in schools. Tuesday at Al Bidda Tower in Doha. Some 50 Physical Education teachers It’s a way of investing in each child to Besides the welcome activities, key and 45 coaches from GA’s strategic promote these values. By attaining highlights of the festival will include partner, Qatar Football Association, also these values, we are raising confident football for development workshops received training under the programme. children,” added al-Ali, who attended led by Youth Ambassadors, cultural Al-Waeli underscored the impor- the train the trainer workshop at Ahmed performances and celebrity Ambassa- tance of the sport saying it serves as a Mansour School. dor activations for all youth attendees. significant tool to drive towards social In Muscat, the train the trainer ses- Participants will have the opportuni- cohesion and development. sions were organised by GA partner ty to learn building and designing social “Research and studies have indicated Sabco Sports before the programme is development programmes around foot- very clearly over the last few years that rolled out across 20 schools in Oman. ball infrastructure, event organisation football for development is one the According to SC, football coach Nabil and community outreach initiatives. most eff ective tools and has evidence- al-Bulooshi joined the programme after According to SC, the festival’s edu- based results that it impacts the lives realising its potential impact on youth cational courses will take participants of many beneficiaries who’ve been across Oman. through the fundamental principles of an active citizenship through football and project management. with the Qatar National Vision 2030. selected for this programme. GA will also launch a local Youth Talented and committed young Qa- Those who are interested can fi ll up Ambassador programme aimed at re- taris and residents selected as Youth an application form online. cruiting fi ve new Ambassadors, aged Ambassadors will undergo a capacity GA Partner Clubs – AS Roma, KAS between 16 and 22, from Qatar in time building programme, which will de- Eupen, Leeds United and Sheffi eld FC, for the Youth Festival. velop their skills, provide them with lo- the English FA, as well as PSG Academy By inspiring and engaging an amaz- cal and international exposure and the in Doha – will also be present, together ing generation of young Qataris and ability to convey GA values to local and with youth participants and GA youth residents, SC noted that GA seeks to international youth. ambassadors for the festival. create a generation of supporters active Applicants who display an interest “We are very excited about their long beyond the FIFA World Cup, unit- in social change and sport develop- contributions and looking forward to ed in their commitment to positive so- ment, and demonstrate basic leader- strengthening these relationships fur- cial change and leaving a legacy in line ship skills, will have the edge of being ther,” al-Khori said. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, November 7, 2019 QATAR As part of the Qatar Sustainability Week 2019, Qatar Charity organizes “My Environment My Responsibility” Event he Women’s Branch of Qatar Charity Center for Community Development in Al Rayyan has organized an event entitled T“My Environment is My Responsibility” in cooperation with the ‘Greener Future’ initiative. The event, which was held within the framework of the Qatar Sustainability Week 2019, witnessed the participation of 30 children along with many women and mothers. The event aims at educating the participants about the importance and role of recycling in reducing environmental hazards to society, teaching them skills to recycle paper and plastic waste, and encouraging mothers to recycle household items, especially bottles. The workshop, which was presented by Mr. Hamad Saad Al- Jabara, an environmental engineer, included both theoretical and practical aspects. The theoretical part of the workshop included the importance of preserving the environment, encouraging participating children and mothers not to use plastic items, and urging them to use papers and stuffs made of biodegradable and environmentally friendly substances. However, on the practical side, participants, including cooperation in other events delight with taking part in such an event. “The workshop is an children, were trained on how to recycle bottles and make new soon. important to us, as we learnt many new things, and knew about beautiful things using plastic water bottles, colored papers, and The workshop witnessed the importance of using environmentally friendly items and the other materials. significant interaction from dangers of plastics,” said Hiba Baroudi, a participating mother, During the workshop, Engineer Hamad Saad Al Jabara the participating mothers and pointing out that for the first time she came to know that there spoke on the dangers of items made of plastic, such as containers, children, who expressed their were shops selling environmentally friendly products.

bottles, carry bags, highlighting their negative effects on aquatic animals and the environment. He also explained these hazards by showing many pictures of aquatic animals that were badly affected due to plastic water bottles and other plastic items thrown near the beaches of seas and rivers.

“The workshop aims to create a sustainable environment in the community by developing ideas that can build a generation aware of the dangers of using plastics, encouraging participants to use alternatives other than plastics, namely papers, and guiding the community to shops that sell environmentally friendly products”, Engineer Hamad Saad Al Jab said in a press statement. It also aims at training participants on recycling used items to reuse them, he added. He also valued the participation of the “Greener Future” initiative along with Qatar Charity in the “My Environment is My Responsibility” event as part of the Qatar Sustainability Week 2019. Qatar Charity and the “Greener Future” initiative enjoy a prolonged cooperation, as they have already participated in the program called “Initiatives Challenge” during the holy month of Ramadan, he further said, noting that there would be greater Qatar Charity releases the 20th issue of ‘Ghiras’ magazine he 20th issue of Qatar Charity’s “Ghiras” magazine has been released. The 160- page issue has brought many significant articles on humanitarian, charitable and Tvolunteering topics, enabling a reader to explore the world of humanity, philanthropy, goodness, and kindness. Flipping through the pages of this issue, the reader will discover the world’s largest refugee relief initiative, a boat that brings a dignified life to the angler ‘Ramazan’ in Sri Lanka, and a quantum leap forward in the implementation of Qatar Charity’s development projects. This issue also includes success stories like wells that improve human living conditions in Naogaon, a district in northern Bangladesh, which was suffering from a major shortage of water for many months each year, affecting severely the health and living conditions of people in the area. Inside this issue, there is a summary of the report released by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC). The report has been translated for the first time into Arabic. Besides, the issue contains many other articles, studies, and infographics that contribute to promoting the culture of humanitarian action and raising awareness, in addition to covering several programmes, projects and activities carried out by Qatar Charity. The magazine is published in both Arabic and English languages. The electronic version of the current issue is available through this link: http://qch.qa/EN_Ghiras_Isuue20

Nearly 1000 Asian students exhibit talents on third day of fiesta s part of the ongoing ‘Asian School Fiesta’ organized by Qatar Charity under the supervision of its community development for expatriate Asian Acommunities , Friends Cultural Center (FCC), nearly 1000 students from dozens of Asian schools in Qatar took part in different contests held on the third day of the fiesta. The participants from more than 30 Asian schools in Qatar who belong to Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Filipino, Indonesian, Malaysian and Sri Lankan communities living in the country exhibited their talents in a competitive environment and a culturally interactive atmosphere of the event. The students categorized into groups of Kids-2, Sub Junior, Junior, and Senior, participated in various types of competitions including oppana elocution ,kathaprsangam , group song, declamation , monocot and mime. Around 1500 students participated in the contests held on the second day of the fiesta, while more than 500 students took part in the competitions of the first day on October 18, 2019. The fourth phase of the fiesta will be organized on Friday 8th of November and the final round will be held on Saturday 9th of November for those who are finalists. Approximately 125 students are expected to give a tough competition to each other in poem recitation, news reading, elocution, action song, and storytelling on November 9, 2019. It is worth mentioning that Qatar Charity has been organizing the Asian school Fiesta for students from expatriate Asian communities in Qatar since 2009. The fiesta provides a platform for students to exhibit their hibernating talents and capabilities, recuperate their creative and artistic skills, and establish a good relationship between the members of the Asian communities in Qatar.

The fourth phase of the fiesta will be organized on Friday 8th of November and the final round will be held on Saturday 9th of November for the finalists. Gulf Times Thursday, November 7, 2019 9 QATAR

Samarppanam dance performance tonight Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) will present Samarppanam, a QNB powers up classical dance performance by renowned Indian artists, Dr Gayathri Subramaniam, Archana and Chetana today from 7pm at ICC Ashoka Hall. charging stations Gayathri Subramanian start- ed learning Bharathanatyam at the age of four from Guru Paramasivam. She earned her Nadanabhooshanam for electric cars from SST collage of Music, Thiruvananthapuram and is practising other dance forms NB Group, the largest fi nancial in- Doha, Al Boraq Automobiles, said with the like Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, stitution in the Middle East and fi rst destination charging station, it is all Keralanatanam, Contemporary QAfrica, has recently signed a con- prepared for the arrival of the all-new Tay- Dance, Kathakali, Oppana, Folk tract with Porsche Centre Doha to install can next year. Dance and Thiruvathirakali. a number of electric vehicle (EV) charg- “Our fi rst fully electric model is a true Gayathri received her Senior ing stations at its head offi ce and selected Porsche for the age of electro-mobility. The Scholarship for Dance from branches. newly installed charging station is part of Department of Culture, Govern- The move was one of a number of initia- ‘Porsche Destination Charging’ facilities in ment of India in 2002. tives launched during Qatar Sustainability Qatar that is connected with a Global Por- Archana and Chetana Week as part of the group’s sustainability sche network,” he added. are professional dancers of programme. Porsche Centre Doha, Al Boraq Automo- Indian Classical Dance, Bhar- “This is only one of the many projects biles currently has three charging stations, athanatyam style. and initiatives our bank is undertaking in one at each of the organisation’s locations. They have been performing partnership with leading organisations in QNB’s partnership with Porsche Doha is professionally for 15 years. Qatar and across our international network part the group’s ongoing plan to enhance The programme is continu- to promote sustainability, considering it an the ownership of EVs in the country, which ation of the initiative by ICC inseparable part of our strategy, and as one guarantees the reduction of air pollution along with all ICC associate of the pillars of the Qatar National Vision levels and a smaller carbon footprint. organisations, Indian Schools 2030,” said Abdulla Kamal, general man- Located at the QNB’s head offi ce build- and Indian Cultural Institutions ager Group Administration and General ing on Corniche Road, the 11-kW charger, in Qatar, to have cultural shows Services, QNB. which is compatible with a range of EVs, on every week. Salman Jassem al-Darwish, chairman will be available to staff and members of the and chief executive of Porsche Centre public. The Porsche electric vehicle charging station at QNB headquarters. MoTC announces winners of Entrepreneurship Zone Awards he Ministry of Transport Committee for Delivery and compete in the camp. the second place to Bleems from velopment Sector Reem al-Man- Digital Incubation Centre experts in the fi eld of digital en- and Communications Legacy (SC), Ooredoo, Mada, The Creative Ideas Camp in- Qatar with 410 votes, and the soori said, “Entrepreneurship is manager Duha Ali al-Buhendi trepreneurship and learn from T(MoTC) has announced Hamad Medical Corporation cluded a series of workshops, third place to UpSales from Su- a key component in building a said, “This year, the Innovation their experiences. the list of winners of the Entre- (HMC), Qatar Airways, and Ha- training sessions and coaching dan with 369 votes. vibrant ICT sector and building a Theater has attracted more peo- It featured start-up presenta- preneurship Zone Awards, held mad International Airport (HIA). programmes over a period of six Live Caller from Georgia was knowledge-based economy. ple and achieved more results tions and speeches by keynote on the sidelines of the recently Each team received a cash prize weeks, delivered by 20 interna- fourth with 351 votes and Waste- We are therefore keen to pro- than the previous edition. speakers, as well as serious dis- held Qitcom 2019. of QR25,000. tional experts and mentors to zon from Rwanda came fi fth with mote a culture of innovation, It has become an integrated cussions on the latest smart so- The Entrepreneurial Zone The Creative Ideas Camp help participants develop their 297 votes. learning and entrepreneurship. platform that brings together en- lutions that will further Qatar’s Awards comprised of three distinct award went to Retail AR (1st ideas. The fi ve winners were selected “This year, we have received trepreneurs, experts and inves- digital transformation. awards: the Programming Camp place), Educarso (2nd place), Skip In addition to the cash prizes, from 100 companies out of the very appreciable and high-qual- tors to showcase ideas, connect, The zone encouraged startups (Codecamp), the Creative Ideas Cash (3rd place), Smart Shuttle technical and operational sup- initial 675 applications. ity participation from aspiring build relationships, encourage and entrepreneurs to develop their Camp, and the Startup Hub awards. (4th place), while Noor ranked port will also be provided to the The 100 companies had the developers and entrepreneurs. innovation and share experi- innovative ideas, projects, pro- Five teams — Hey Qatar, Bare- fi fth. The winners were award- winners of the Creative Ideas opportunity to present their Some winning companies and ences. totypes and digital solutions that Metal, Beyond Barriers, Cereal ed cash prizes of QR125,000, Camp, as well as a free workspace ideas and plans to investors and teams have had opportunities to All entries were outstanding, Qatar’s smart future requires. Killers and Nazariya — won the QR100,000, QR75,000, to enable them to transform their entrepreneurs at the Innovation receive incubation and fi nance as and we hope this years’ experi- It also supported startups CodeCamp Award out of 47 QR50,000, and QR25,000, re- digital ideas into reality. Theater, opening opportunities well as build strong relationships ence will spur further innova- to work on their ideas through teams that came up with smart spectively. The results of the voting- for building partnerships and in- with potential partners. tion.” hackathons, coaching pro- solutions to challenges put for- About 50 companies out of based Startup Hub award were vestment bids. We congratulate all the win- The Innovation Theater zone grammes, business reconcilia- ward by companies and insti- about 200 innovative ideas, that as follows: the fi rst place went to MoTC’s assistant undersecre- ners and encourage them to con- provided an opportunity for the tion sessions, and brainstorming tutions such as the Supreme initially applied, were selected to Carts from Qatar with 964 votes, tary for the Digital Society De- tinue to innovate and excel.” audience to listen to a panel of sessions. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, November 7, 2019 QATAR Fifty One East LuLu Cookies Festival opens pre-order for Sony Alpha 9 II camera ifty One East, Qatar’s lead- The new Alpha 9 II shares the Cookies Festival 2019, organised by LuLu Hypermarket Qatar, was off icially inaugurated by ing department store, and same acclaimed 35mm full- Shanavas P M, regional manager, at LuLu Hypermarket – Al Gharafa in the presence of other LuLu FSony Middle East and Af- frame stacked 24.2 MP Exmor off icials and customers. The festival will run until November 16 at all LuLu outlets. Over 30 varieties rica FZE, the leading consumer RS CMOS image sensor with of cookies in three broad categories – Diet, Healthy and Regular – are available for shoppers at electronics brand, have an- integral memory as the original discounted prices, a press statement notes. nounced the pre-order phase of Alpha 9, giving it the same un- Sony’s latest (Alpha) 9 II (model matched speed performance and ILCE-9M2) full-frame inter- outstanding image quality. The changeable lens camera. new model can shoot continu- The pre-order phase has been ously and completely silently at created specifi cally to support 20 fps for up to 361 JPEG images working professionals in the or 239 compressed RAW im- Al Messila’s Veritas brings ‘best of fi elds of sports photography and ages, with no viewfi nder black- photojournalism in Qatar. out, allowing the photographer Customers can pre-order to follow the subject and action Northern Italian cuisine’ to Qatar the Alpha 9 II at FNAC in La- with no interruption to the EVF goona Mall and Doha Festival during picture taking. For times City, Modern Home in Al Maha when mechanical shutter is pre- l Messila, a Luxury Col- and cheeses for cream sauces,” Center on Salwa Road and Virgin The Sony Alpha 9 II with SEL 24-70 GM lens. ferred or required, the new Alpha lection Resort & Spa, the statement notes. Megastore in Villaggio, Land- 9 II has been improved to shoot ADoha, part of the Luxury “We aim to give guests in Doha mark and Doha Festival City until at up to 10 fps, about twice the portfolio of Marriott Interna- an epicurean experience similar November 25, 2019. All clients speed of the Alpha 9. tional, has opened Veritas, its to that which people would sa- pre-ordering the camera will re- The camera is designed to refi ned Italian restaurant, with a vour in Northern Italy – dishes ceive a VG-C4EM Vertical Grip function whilst continuously day-long VIP event. which refl ect pride in unspoiled upon delivery in December. calculating Auto Focus and Auto Veritas is “expected to lift Qa- countryside and ingredients that Building up on the impressive Exposure at up to 60 times per tar’s global gourmet standing are sensual in fl avour,” said chef legacy of Alpha 9, the new Alpha second, thanks to the newly with its rich, authentic Northern Ciotti. 9 II maintains ground-breaking optimised AF algorithms that Italian cuisine crafted by Miche- The epicurean expertise is speed performance including provide notably enhanced AF lin-star chef Stefano Ciotti, one served up in the “elegant, so- blackout-free continuous shoot- precision and performance, en- of Italy’s most noted culinary phisticated yet modern Veritas ing at up to 20 frames per second suring even the most erratic sub- stars, according to a press state- setting where a soft decor palette with Auto Focus and Auto Expo- ject motion, often experienced ment. summons up the relaxation of a sure tracking, and 60 times per in sports, is captured with high “At Al Messila Resort and Spa, Northern Italian destination es- second AF/AE calculations, while precision. Making it useful for we focus on epicurean excel- Chef Stefano Ciotti cape.” incorporating even more func- sporting events, the camera now lence, which is evident in our in- The ambience is complement- tionality driven directly from the off ers an anti-fl icker shooting novative culinary portfolio, DNA leaves plenty of scope for taste ed by “a subdued and chic play- voice of professionals. Updates mode that automatically detects – Dining Network at Al Messila – refl ecting Al Messila’s standing list of Italian jazz and pop while include signifi cantly enhanced and adjusts for the presence of encompassing our eight innova- as a one-of-a-kind destination,” clientele are pampered by skilled connectivity and fi le delivery, con- The Sony Alpha 9 II body. fl uorescent or artifi cial lighting tive culinary outlets,” explained she added. service staff ”. tinuous shooting at up to 10 fps to maximise image quality. the resort’s general manager, The seasonally infl uenced The resort’s Dining Network at with mechanical shutter, evolved functionality has also been in- “Imaging Edge” application to The advanced focusing system Patrizia Hofer. menu is anchored by fresh anti- Al Messila is overseen by noted AF performance with newly op- creased, adding a stable and fast 5 transfer voice tags with the im- in the new Alpha 9 II comprises “Excellence is synonymous pasti, rich house-made pastas, Italian Michelin-starred execu- timised algorithms, a re-designed GHz (IEEE 802.11ac) band, in ad- ages to their mobile device and 693 focal-plane phase-detection with Veritas. Chef Stefano is grilled meat and seafood. tive chef Pino Lavarra and sup- build to enhance durability and dition to the 2.4 GHz provided in have the voice memos automati- AF points that covers approxi- dedicated to using fresh prod- “The menu’s leaning towards ported by a cadre of some of the operability, and more. the Alpha 9. IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ cally converted to text and added mately 93% of the image area, as ucts, many of which are sourced thoughtful small plates and pure world’s most renowned culinary The Alpha 9 II includes an ac standards are all supported. to the JPEG images in the form of well as 425 contrast AF points. locally. ingredients, bears all the hall- names and Michelin-starred in-built 1000BASE-T Ether- Designed to improve the speed IPTC metadata. All of this can be This Fast Hybrid Auto Focus sys- This approach enables him to marks of traditional Northern chefs. net terminal, enabling gigabit of news agencies’ workfl ow, the done automatically or manually, tem achieves extremely fast and create dishes that are a subtle mix Italian fare which is character- “DNA is where people get to- communication for high-speed Alpha 9 II features a new Voice selectable by the photographer. accurate performance, ensur- of elegance and understatement. ised by a lesser use of olive oil and gether to explore a journey full and stable data transfer opera- Memo function that allows spo- By combining wireless voice/ ing all fast-moving subjects are There is a degree of simplicity tomato sauce and more reliance of fl avours and experiences,” the tions. Additionally, it supports ken information to be attached to image transfer and automatic accurately captured. Additional in their form and content which on butter, risotto, corn polenta statement adds. File Transfer over SSL or TLS images in the form of voice mem- voice to text conversion with the notable focusing capabilities encryption (FTPS) for increased os that can be replayed when the ability to auto transfer images include Real-time Eye AF with data security, and improves PC images are reviewed. with attached voice memos via right eye/left eye selection, Real- remote (tether) shooting per- The voice data can also be in- FTP, it is possible to shoot and time Eye AF for animals – aug- formance, with decreased re- cluded with images sent to an transfer the results to an FTP mented with a new algorithm, lease time lag and reduced live editor, giving them important server without ever having to Real-Time Eye AF for movie, view screen delay when using information needed for eff ec- operate a smartphone. FTP set- Real-time Tracking, selectable the ‘Remote Camera Tool’ desk- tive editing. Alternatively, a fi eld tings within the app can also be focus frame colour, Touch Pad top application. The speed of the photographer can also use the sent to a camera via Bluetooth, focus point control while using camera’s built-in wireless LAN ‘Transfer & Tagging add-on’ allowing for a faster workfl ow. the viewfi nder, and more.

Mughal-e-Azam poised for Qatar premiere

he musical, Mughal-e-Azam, is set for its Doha premiere in December with Tits “scale, design and splendour”. After “enthralling packed audiences across India and abroad”, the musical will now be showcased at Al Mayassa Theatre, Qatar National Convention Centre, with A view of the interior of Veritas. three shows from December 19- 21, accord- ing to a press statement. “The musical, which swept the Broad- wayWorld Awards last year, including the Best Indian Play and Best Director, has set a new benchmark for Indian theatre. Be it Complimentary breast cancer the extravagant sets or the Mughal-era cos- tumes by Manish Malhotra, the breathtaking choreography by Mayuri Upadhya or the live screening at Naseem Al Rabeeh singing by the lead actors, Mughal-e-Azam — the musical is a fi tting tribute to K Asif’s timeless epic,” the statement notes. aseem Al Rabeeh Medi- The stage production is a homage to Asif’s cal Centre, C-Ring Road, classic movie, whose dialogues, music and Nhas announced that it “is songs are part of the cultural memories of reaching out to women patrons” many generations. The director, Feroz Abbas Mughal-e-Azam is a homage to K Asif’s classic movie. by off ering a complimentary Khan, has weaved together a “rich, colour- breast cancer screening through ful tapestry of ideas that touches upon class all of which are sublimely orchestrated by Qatar audience, will get to enjoy this biggest a mammography test and doctor wars and love in the face of rebellion”. It pits Khan to create an immersive theatre experi- show that everyone is talking about.” consultation. an uncompromising father at loggerheads ence”. Deepesh Salgia, creative and strategic vi- Attendees can get the test with his beloved son, in a painful personal Director Khan said, “I had always wanted sion, Mughal-e-Azam, added: “The phe- done and obtain the report on the dilemma. to share this great piece of cinema as a the- nomenal success of the show recently in same day and consult the doc- Mughal-e-Azam ‘follows the story of the atrical experience. The epic love story of Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Muscat has tor as well. The off er is available Mughal Prince, Salim, who openly declares Prince Salim and Anarkali has been told confi rmed the pan-Asian appeal of the show. only for the fi rst 25 registrations his love for a court dancer named Anarkali beautifully on celluloid. I have attempted to With over 170 houseful performances, the on November 8, from 7am-3pm. and leads a rebellion against his mighty fa- create a contemporary version of it for live show’s popularity is growing with every new Referring to the latest initia- ther, Emperor Akbar, who disapproves of audiences. I am humbled by the apprecia- venue. Moreover, as Mughal-e-Azam speaks tive, the medical centre said in their relationship. The epic fi lm was pro- tion from audiences in India and several in- the language of love, like all immortal love a statement: “#I Will I Can - we The Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical Centre on C-Ring Road. duced by Shapoorji Pallonji in 1960. More ternational cities. I am excited as we present stories, we are sure it will be loved by Doha are taking this theme to the next than fi ve decades later, renowned Indian Mughal-e-Azam in Doha for the fi rst time.” audiences in equal measure.” level after observing month-long ultrasound 3D and 4D, X-ray cer is very important as it helps playwright Khan, known for plays like Ma- Dr Tejinder Singh, CEO and managing di- The musical features a cast and crew of breast cancer awareness pro- (general, OPG) and dental X-ray identify breast cancer early. The hatma vs Gandhi, Tumhari Amrita, Saalgi- rector of Q-Tickets Qatar, noted: “Mughal- more than 350 people, over 200 lights il- grammes.” (intraoral and panoramic). earlier the condition is found, the rah and Dinner with Friends, among others, e-Azam, the grand musical, has earned luminating the stage and 550 costumes de- The new Radiology Unit at Na- The centre has both male and better the chances of surviving brings this classic fi lm to stage as a Broad- standing ovations from big crowds and nu- signed by Malhotra. The event is brought by seem Al Rabeeh, C-Ring Road, is female radiologists and radiol- it,” the statement added. Those way-style musical. merous accolades on the international stage. Q-Tickets in association with Qatar Nation- “adding to the vision statement ogy technicians. The services of who would like to avail of the The musical is mostly faithful to the Asif Q-Tickets is proud to bring not just one, not al Tourism Council. through state-of-the-art tech- the Radiology Unit will be avail- complimentary off er can contact classic, complete with “lavish sets, exotic even two, but three Mughal-e-Azam shows For more information, one can contact the nology”, the statement notes. able from 8am-10pm on normal the following numbers to register costumes, fl owery verses, soulful music and for the very fi rst time in Qatar. So, not only Q-Tickets call centre at 44069090 or send an The unit comprises facilities working days. — 44652121/44655151— or send a brilliantly choreographed dance sequences, the Indian community, but also the entire e-mail to [email protected] such as MRI, CT, mammogram, “Screening for breast can- WhatsApp message to 31582424. Gulf Times Thursday, November 7, 2019 11 QATAR

WISE selects 25 young leaders for Learners’ Voice programme

orld Innovation Sum- nity to voice my ideas and per- mit for Education spectives on the fi eld of educa- Senior off icials attend the QU conference on sustainable development. W(WISE) has selected tion at an international level. I 25 outstanding learners from 19 hope to work closely with the countries as the 2019-2020 co- WISE community to rethink and hort of the WISE Learners’ Voice design the future of education, programme. and to one day take on a leading Selected from a diverse pool of role in this fi eld.” applicants, who demonstrated Participants will engage in a their commitment to the fi eld of series of collaborative and inter- QU conference discusses education, the cohort will con- active modules on topics rang- vene for an in-person residential ing from communication skills session in Doha from November to social innovation, delivered by 17 to 19 to participate in an ac- WISE and partner organisations tion-based leadership and edu- Jasmin Higo, another selected cational development module. fellow, who has been involved In addition to completing the in educational and mentorship sustainable development residential training, fellows will projects in Germany, Malaysia, participate in the WISE Sum- the United States, and Ethio- atar University (QU) resource management. communities,” al-Kaabi said. “Our goal is to shed a spot- Sustainable Development (CSD) mit 2019 to share their views and pia, said: “By off ering the WISE hosted the Science for Senior offi cials in QU at- “From this point of view, this light on the efforts – locally Dr Hareb al-Jabri also spoke at creative energies in addressing Learners’ Voice programme, QSustainable Develop- tended the conference including conference focuses on innova- and internationally – towards the event and gave a presenta- pressing global education issues young leaders from all over the ment 2019 Conference this university president Dr Has- tive ways to solve developmental achieving the vision of sus- tion on CSD, its departments and challenges. world are able to fi nd solutions week. san al-Derham, vice president challenges in the areas of food tainable development, which is and achievements, stressing Selected fellow Moiz Lakhani, to the toughest educational The conference discussed of Academic Aff airs Dr Omar and water security, waste man- the vision of our nation Qatar, that sustainable development is a current student at McMaster challenges facing communities scientifi c advancements in sus- al-Ansari, vice president of Re- agement and renewable energy.” and the goal of the United Na- one of the cornerstones of Qatar University in Canada, said: “I’m around the world.” tainable development through search & Graduate Studies Prof He noted that the conference tions. In addition, sustainabil- National Vision 2030. ecstatic to be part of the WISE The Learners’ Voice pro- four dedicated sessions of food Mariam al-Maadeed and dean of refl ects the QU’s vision to pro- ity is a priority of the QU strat- Sustainable development is Learners’ Voice programme as it gramme aims to bring the per- security, waste management, the College of Arts and Sciences mote the culture of scientifi c egy, which covers 2018-2022 one of the main pillars of Qatar will provide me with a platform spectives of young people to the water management and renew- Prof Ibrahim al-Kaabi. research as an eff ective tool in and sets a clear path towards National Vision 2030, focusing to engage with policy makers and challenge of rethinking educa- able energy. “Sustainable development addressing challenges. In addi- excellence in education, sci- on aspects of fi nding a balance educators in the fi eld of educa- tion and equips them to take on The conference focused is considered a strategic way to tion, the conference connects entific research, institutional between preserving the envi- tion. leading roles in their fi elds and in on addressing how these re- achieving economic prosper- researchers and students with development and community ronment, managing natural re- “I will also have the opportu- the world of education. sources can be actively inte- ity and environmental sustain- their counterparts locally and participation,” al-Kaabi said. sources, and economic and so- grated to enable sustainable ability in local and international internationally. Director of QU’s Centre for cial developments.

Symposium on Islamic art to open on Nov 10

ne of the world’s most It will include eminent senior teaching fellow, from China during the Song and dergraduate degree programme prestigious events on the scholars such as Avinoam SOAS University of London. Yuan Periods, Islam and iden- of its kind in the Gulf region. OIslamic art and architec- Shalem, the Riggio professor Panel discussions will take tity in new master-planned The symposium will include ture calendar, the 8th Biennial of the arts of Islam at the Co- place on subjects such as Is- cities: Malaysia, Indonesia, an exhibition at the University’s Hamad bin Khalifa Symposium lumbia University; Prita Meier, lamic Art in the 11th-14th and Saudi Arabia, and Islamic Gallery, titled, “The Sea is the on Islamic Art, will take place at associate professor of African century Chinese port cit- art and material culture in Limit”. The exhibition will bring Virginia Commonwealth Uni- Art History at New York Uni- ies, Muslim-centred design, East Asia. together works by international versity School of the Arts in Qa- versity; Esra Akcan, associate and architecture in the 20th The symposium co-chairs artists who are addressing the tar (VCUarts Qatar) in Education professor in the Department and 21st centuries, Ibn Bat- will be VCUarts Qatar art his- issues of refugees, borders, mi- City on November 10 and 11. of Architecture at Cornell Uni- tuta’s maritime adventures, tory professors Dr Radha Dalal, gration and national identity. The symposium takes place versity; Jessica Hallett, the pilgrimage and transfer of Dr Jochen Sokoly, and Dr Sean The opening reception will take every two years and this year’s curator, Early Modern Middle craftsmanship from South Roberts. place on November 10 at 5.30pm Participants will engage in a series of collaborative and interactive theme is, “The Seas and the Mo- East at Calouste Gulbenkian Asia to the Hijaz, Islamic con- The art history programme at and the exhibition will run until modules on topics ranging from communication skills to social bility of Islamic Art.” Museum; and George Lane, nections between India and VCUarts Qatar is the only un- December 7. innovation, delivered by WISE and partner organisations.

Press Center elects new chief The board of directors of the Qa- Children, women tari Press Center has held its third meeting where Saad Mohamed al-Rumaihi was selected as the chairman. attend workshop The meeting reviewed future plans for press and media projects. Members also discussed the role of the board in developing press on recycling and media work and raising the level of professional competence of its employees to achieve its QNA papers and materials made from objectives and enhance its pres- Doha biodegradable and environmen- ence locally, regionally and inter- tally friendly materials. nationally, through co-operation On the practical side, the par- with Gulf, Arab and international atar Charity’s Local De- ticipants were trained on how unions. velopment Department, to recycle glass bottles to make The centre was established under Qin collaboration with them beautiful, using plastic provisions of Law No 21 of 2006 Green Future Initiative, organ- water bottles, coloured papers on public interest institutions and ised the ‘My Environment is My and other materials for children. The new Qatari graduates will start their careers in international banking. its amendments to be a private Responsibility’ event at Qatar During the workshop, al- institution of public benefit. Sustainability Week 2019, with Jabara explained the dangers of Several media institutions in Qatar the participation of 30 children plastic materials such as bottles had sought the establishment of and several women. and plastic bags and their nega- the centre to contribute to the The event aims to train par- tive eff ects on aquatic animals development of media and jour- ticipants in the skills of recy- and the environment. 11 Qatari graduates to join HSBC nalistic work. cling paper and plastic waste He said that the workshop It gives attention to media aff airs and to introduce them to the aimed to create a sustainable in accordance with the Qatar importance of recycling and its environment among the local SBC Qatar has se- ly talented applicants who period of two years. Samar M Abusar and Hosni National Vision 2030. role in reducing environmental community through the devel- lected 11 young Qatari wanted to join the bank. It is The candidates will go Abunada will take their initial The centre will be a media and risks to society and encourages opment of ideas that can create a Hgraduates who will a priority for the bank to in- through four rotations, each assignments in several differ- journalism club in Qatar, conduct- mothers to recycle household generation aware of the dangers join its business teams to start vest in the development of lasting for six months and ent business lines within the ing year-round events, publishing items, especially glass. of the use of plastic materials. their new careers in interna- a strong talent pool and the are designed to give gradu- bank. research and studies in the field The workshop, which was He added that the workshop tional banking. bank’s human capital,” Sham- ates a broad experience of “They have been success- of media and journalism, and presented by Hamad Saad al- aimed at encouraging participants The HSBC Graduates Pro- sa al-Fahd, Country Head of HSBC business streams as ful after a rigorous selection establishing partnerships with Jabara, an environmental engi- to use alternatives other than plas- gramme in Qatar offers excel- Human Resources at HSBC in well as international expo- process that defined them as stakeholders and similar centres neer, included two practical and tics such as paper and guide the lent opportunities for young Qatar said. sure. top candidates and excep- and clubs worldwide. theoretical aspects. community to shops that sell envi- ambitious students who are The graduate programme Shaikha al-Thani, Khalid tional talent. They can look The centre also serves as a On the theoretical side, the ronmentally friendly products. eager to start a career in a dy- is designed to develop new Marafi, Meera al-Suwaidi, forward to a very exciting media umbrella for the advance- workshop dealt with the impor- The workshop witnessed great namic international institu- joiners by giving them expe- Noora al-Sidiky, Khalid al- career with HSBC,” said Hus- ment of journalism and media tance of preserving the environ- interaction from the participat- tion. rience in multiple levels of Mannai, Aisha al-Majed, sain Ali al-Sharshani, Head work and serves as the home for ment and encouraging children ing mothers and children and “This year we have been domestic and international Lolwa al-Marwani, Ahmad of Nationalisation and Local Qatar’s media and media profes- and mothers not to use plastic expressed their great admiration very impressed by the high- banking and finance over a al-Khuzaei, Faryal A Dad, Talent at HSBC Qatar. sionals. materials and urged them to use for the workshop. CNA-Q students win top prize in engineering contest

QNA place in the Canadian Technol- of brass nozzles for Ultimaker 3 “This victory shows that and Technologists (CCTT). The Technology Report Contest for the past two years, and CTAB Doha ogy Accreditation Board (CTAB) 3D printers for mass production. CNA-Q students are not only re- board is charged with develop- students from CTAB accred- is pleased to announce that the National Research/Technology Finishing in the top fi ve from ceiving excellent instruction, but ing, co-ordinating and manag- ited programmes. The quality of winner of the 2018 National Ap- Report Contest. CNA-Q was the student Saba that they are ready to compete in ing the national accreditation reports submitted certainly re- plied Research/Technology Re- wo Engineering students Adnan Faroque and Faisal Afreen, with her idea for a Solar an increasing competitive global programme for applied science fl ect the quality education the port Contest was from College of from the College of the al-Mulla, from the Mechanical Carport. market,” al-Khalifa added. and engineering technology pro- students are being exposed to,” the North Atlantic-Qatar (CNA- TNorth Atlantic-Qatar Engineering Technology pro- “We are extremely proud of Established in 1982, the CTAB grammes. Chair, CTAB, Candace Scott said. Q). Congratulations to this year’s (CNA-Q) beat out several top gramme, won fi rst prize for the our students,” CNA-Q President is a standing committee of The “Each year CTAB holds a “CNA-Q students were among winners Adnan Faroque and Canadian schools to capture fi rst design, testing, and fabrication Dr Khalifa al-Khalifa said. Canadian Council of Technicians National Applied Research/ some of the top submittals for Faisal al-Mulla,” Scott added. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, November 7, 2019 QATAR ‘Enchanting programme’ of short fi lms lined up for children at Ajyal festival z Special Bariq showcase to entertain fledgling film enthusiasts aged four and above z Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra to present special cine-concert of classic, Peter and the Wolf

oha Film Institute (DFI) has announced that its Dseventh Ajyal Film Festi- val will present a slate of six fi lms from across the world to “fi re the imagination and rouse the minds of children and the young at heart”. “The carefully curated selec- tion truly celebrates how mas- terful directors skilfully utilise the marvel of cinema to inspire young minds,” DFI said in a statement. A fi xture in the an- nual Ajyal lineup, the Bariq sec- tion of whimsical family-friend- A scene from Sloth. Cat Lake City. ly short fi lms “delight young and old while off ering a unique from around the globe. When development as insightful lead- gramme features the following: Miran Miosic’s White Crow Cat Lake City (Germany/2019) the Novo Cinemas Box Offi ce cinematic experience to festival we dedicate a special selection ers of tomorrow.” One of Ajyal’s In Sloth (Germany/2018) by Julia (Croatia/2018) follows a brave by Antje Heyn tells the story of a for screenings at Novo Cinemas, audiences, captivating budding of short fi lms to our youngest most unique events will be a Ocker, a laid-back sloth decides baby crow that is ridiculed for feline, whose lake-side dream The Pearl-Qatar. For ticket pur- imaginations and introducing fi lm lovers each year, we feed cine-concert featuring the Qa- to buy an ice cream on a sunny day being diff erent until she helps vacation doesn’t go as planned chase and up-to-date informa- the youngest members of the their boundless fascination for tar Philharmonic Orchestra ac- and is faced with a big problem her fl ock fi nd a new home when when he is forced to protect his tion on the Ajyal Film Festival, audience to tools for creative de- the world they explore and learn companiment of the 1995 ani- when the refreshing treat melts pollution causes turbulent beach towel from the permanent visit www.dohafi lminstitute. velopment for years to come”. about each day. mated adaptation of the timeless faster than his leisurely pace al- changes in their environment. residents of the lake. com/fi lmfestival Fatma Hassan al-Remaihi, “We are delighted to witness tale of ‘Peter and the Wolf’ (US) lows. Kuap (Switzerland/2018) Dreams are only one cou- Tickets for the seventh Ajyal Ajyal Film Festival 2019 Of- festival director and chief ex- many special fi rst discoveries of by George Daugherty and Jean by Nils Hedinger teaches us that rageous leap away in Wings Film Festival are now available fi cial Partners include: Katara ecutive offi cer of DFI, said: “The the big screen along the mag- Flynn. The heart-warming fam- life is an adventure, not a race. An (France/2017) by Christoff er An- for purchase at the Ajyal Main Cultural Village – Cultural Part- heart of Ajyal is dedicated to nifi cent journey through the ily fi lm has received numerous adorable tadpole is seemingly left dersen, a story about a boy, who Box Offi ce located in Katara ner; Qatar National Tourism nurturing our next generation of wonders of cinema. It is never awards for inspiring the appreci- behind in the rush to becoming a dreams of being a pilot – and is Building 10, at the Ajyal Box Of- Authority – Principal Partner; storytellers, leaders and dream- too early to plant the seeds of ation of classical music to young frog – only to discover that there faced with his fear of heights fi ce at Vox Cinemas - Doha Fes- Novo Cinemas, Ooredoo – Stra- ers through a collective expe- knowledge and stir up the im- audiences around the world. is still so much left for him to dis- when his remote-controlled tival City for screenings taking tegic Partner and the St Regis rience of inspirational cinema agination that will guide their The Bariq Short Film Pro- cover in his pond. aeroplane gets stuck in a tree. place at Vox Cinemas, and from Doha – Signature Sponsor. Qatari artist Daham displays inspirations from India at expo

atari artist Faraj Daham’s exhibition titled, “See Qthe Unseen” opened yes- terday at the Doha Fire Station after the artist returned from his month-long residency at “What about Art?” Foundation in Mumbai, India. Snapshots from Qatar International Art Festival 2019. The exhibition, which forms part of Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture, will be open until No- vember 29. Daham’s exhibition addresses the concept of historical con- Qatar International Art cealment and exclusion through a qualitative approach between what is visible and what is real. During his residency, Daham relied on local tangible and in- Festival enthrals audience tangible materials to create art- works. Such materials include Faraj Daham showcases his works at the exhibition. Chinese fi shing nets from Kochi, he recently held Qatar India, which he used alongside International Art Festi- handmade manuscripts to hide Tval 2019 (QIAF 2019) en- the intangibility of history. thralled audiences and engaged Daham’s month long residen- a large number of artists in a cy came as part of the Qatar-In- variety of activities, the organ- dia Year of Culture, which aims isers said. to promote mutual understand- The second edition of the ing, recognition and apprecia- festival was organised by MAPS tion between the two countries international in association through various programmes with Katara – the Cultural Vil- and initiatives. lage. During his stay, the artist QIAF 2019 commenced with was provided with an individual the ‘Qatar Tour’, wherein all studio space, professional net- international as well as Qatar- working opportunities and an based participating artists intellectually stimulating envi- joined a city tour that included ronment for dialogue on visual landmarks such as the Museum arts practices for artists and cu- of Islamic Art, National Mu- tar had witnessed spectacular rators. During his residency, Daham relied on local tangible and intangible seum of Qatar, The Pearl-Qatar participation from the interna- “The collaborative nature of materials to create artworks. and Souq Waqif. tional and local artist commu- residencies allows artists to be Registration of the artists nities in 2018. This year, more introduced to new perspectives, ented artists,” Qatar Museums’ experienced in Qatari society. was followed by live painting than 200 artists from some styles and ideas. This helps them (QM) head of Years of Culture His work has been displayed at sessions. The QIAF 2019 art ex- 65 countries gathered for the expand their horizons. We are Aisha al-Attiya said. Katara – the Cultural Village, hibition was inaugurated by Dr amazing celebration of art,” the really pleased to have collabo- Daham’s contemporary work Mathaf, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, statement noted. rated with “What about Art?” is inspired by the transforma- and Al Markhiya Gallery, among general manager of Katara, on “QIAF is a mega event of its to create an opportunity for ex- tion of the world around him and others. the evening of November 1 in kind for creative people. Rash- change for one of our most tal- responds to the rapid changes the presence of the organisers, mi Agarwal, president of MAPS ambassadors of diff erent coun- International, has been pursu- tries, other dignitaries and dis- ing her dream to bring art and tinguished guests. artists on a common platform. The works of more than 200 Her passion for art led her to artists were on display across initiate QIAF with the aim of nowned artists to help gain new tering event on the fourth day 2018 Mercedez-Benz V-Class and 2019 four galleries of Buildings 18 promoting national and inter- insights into art forms. The wherein the participants “ex- and 19 at Katara. More than national artists, art and art- third day witnessed multiple pressed the beautiful side of 1,000 guests visited QIAF on work,” it added. creative activities under one costumes and accessories with Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio recalled the day of the inauguration and Visual art communicates in- roof, including live painting style and substance”. were highly impressed by the novative ideas and QIAF sup- sessions by all artists. The mas- QIAF 2019 collaborated with talent on display, according to a ports all kinds of visual art ex- terclasses shed light on Mad- ‘Artmosphere’ a popular art he Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in co-operation forts to protect consumers and press statement by the organis- hibits, the organisers pointed hubani paintings, watercolour magazine covering the art buzz and Industry, in co-op- with Alfardan Sports Motors, ensure that vehicle dealers fol- ers. out. This is what the QIAF and calligraphy. Creative minds in Europe, to feature the pro- Teration with Nasser Bin has also announced the recall of low up on defects and repairs. “QIAF is a congregation of visitors witnessed during the were further enriched by a live fi les and works of all the par- Khaled Automobiles, has also Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, The ministry has said that it not only artists but also of those gallery walk. Featured were painting symposium and panel ticipating artists. announced the recall of Mer- models of 2019, due to incorrect will co-ordinate with the dealer who enjoy art and its diff erent paintings and sculptures as well talk show, while a documentary The last day of QIAF hosted cedes-Benz V-Class, model of fuel level reading on the instru- to follow up on the maintenance forms of expression. Talents as photography and fashion de- featuring the renowned artist a ceremony where awards and 2018, due to a crack in the right ment panel. and repair works and will com- from across the world gathered sign - all with innovative ideas. from India, M F Hussain, was a certifi cates were given away in sliding door of the centre car- The ministry confi rmed the municate with customers to en- at Katara to display their crea- QIAF also hosted master- highlight of the evening. appreciation of “art, artists and riage. recall campaign comes within sure that the necessary repairs tivity on a single platform. Qa- classes and workshops by re- A fashion show was the glit- art forms”. The Ministry of Commerce the framework of its ongoing ef- are carried out. Gulf Times Thursday, November 7, 2019 13 HOL STIC

It’s time to Act. No Excuses Me-Time Wellbeing

keep developing our food security and renewable energy sectors. solution. Studies show that our Food security is the state of having bodies have a natural craving for reliable access to a suff icient quan- solitude but that we might mis- tity of aff ordable, nutritious food take it for anxiety, stress or even — and with the number of people exhaustion, so start healing your- who are overweight or obese in Qa- self and make that time for you! tar is huge, it’s time to act now on Just think about it…freedom to educating on the need to introduce be away from other eyes watch- plant based foods into diets if we ing you, freedom from having to want a healthy, long-living nation please others and freedom from that’s food secure. It’s important the social obligation of interact- for Qatar, like Brazil, to recognise ing with people…what’s your By Ghanim al-Sulaiti that meat-heavy diets are a waste mind may really need. of resources, we desperately By Reem Abdulrahman Jassim What should you do? It could need to conserve. This is because al-Muftah be the bare minimum of fi ve min- Brazil, home to the Amazon rainfor- farmed animals consume much utes, ten minutes a day or it could est (which has suff ered larger more protein, water and calories be 20-30 minutes a week, just wildfires this year than in the Ama- than they ‘produce’. Most of the hen I was younger I make sure to take that time for zon’s history) is one of the world’s protein from vegetable feed is used seemed to really un- yourself, make it all about you and most prominent meat-producing, for the animal’s bodily functions Wderstand the concept make sure you know you’re will- meat-eating, meat-loving countries. and not ‘converted’ to meat, eggs of ‘me-time’ and I used to en- ingly and purposely engaging in it The reality is that its meat produc- or milk. If we are to avoid future joy it, a lot. As I grew older, I because you enjoy it. Then, try to tion is killing its own country, both global food scarcity we must use noticed that I was reducing my develop another monthly routine in terms of the environment, and sustainable ways of utilising our ‘me-time’ because I was always where you take either a few hours human population. But the ‘Meat’ natural resource base, and Vegan in a rush and always had some- or maybe even a full day for your- nation Brazil is hasn’t stopped and plant-based diets use fewer thing to do. I eventually realised self. Here are a few guidelines to pioneering vegans from taking resources and produce more food how much that made me lose my help you practice ‘me-time’: control of what’s fast becoming an for more people, from the same balance. Alone time is crucial for epidemic. A lawyer, and vegan for amount of natural resources. your physical and mental health 1- Stay away from your phone. over a decade, has single-handedly While cow’s milk has long been and I hope you already practice 2- Get up 10-15 minutes earlier worked with ministries to ensure advertised as the go-to source for the act of spending time with . animal protein is replaced by plant- calcium, much of the world has yourself, but if you don’t, then I 3- Take advantage of opportu- based proteins at all public schools woken up to the reality that dairy really hope you realise the value nities when you are alone to really across 4 districts. By the end of is best to be avoided in order to of it and start by the end of this and manage stress in a better make those developmental deci- time’ on their own grow up to be be alone. 2019, only plant-based meals will pursue a healthy life. Medical study article. manner. In general, a person who sions and changes. You are also better behaved children. There- 4- Make sure you book the be served to the area’s more than one after another has found that The key to benefi ting from enjoys ‘me-time’ is less likely to able to go deep into your own fore, it is critical to be a role mod- necessary time in your weekly 33,000 students. “To preserve the people who consume the cow’s ‘me-time’ is that you have to be depressed. mind, make decisions without el to the children around you and schedule. environment for the present and milk have significantly higher want that alone time. Solitude, or Time alone gives your mind external distractions and even to show them how you may prac- 5- Breathe, watch and focus on for future generations, we need to fracture rates than those who drink being alone is commonly associ- a chance to wander and think dive deep into yourself and learn tice your ‘you-time’ and simul- your breathing continuously. take additional measures,” Leticia little to no milk. And if you’re eating ated with negative vibes or even about diff erent things. You are more about you. This promotes taneously appreciate it. Showing 6- Stretch and breathe, focus Baird declared. “Including changing large amounts of cheese? That’s an used as a form of punishment allowed to think about any- self-healing and self-mainte- them how you take fi ve minutes on each body part as you stretch it our own habits.” In a rural environ- order for saturated fat, sodium, and with kids, but this only blocks thing and are not restricted by nance and might be intimidat- to focus on your breathing is a 7- Don’t let potential distrac- ment, Leticia Baird asked, with little cholesterol on top of that. Another the benefi ts of enjoying that time any other human distractions. ing to a person, leading them to good option to have them observe tions steer you away from your money and even less water, why major study of more than 12,000 alone. Some people become more crea- limit their alone time. Nonethe- and appreciate that simple, yet schedule “you time” not remove meat, a product that children also showed that the more Studies show that people per- tive when alone and need that less, always remember that the necessary time for yourself. As a It might feel awkward at fi rst, required a lot of both? In a region milk they drank, the more weight form better in privacy, therefore ‘solitude’ to be able to work ef- healthy practice of being alone parent, or actually, as a human, but learning to enjoy time with where kids suff ered from high they gained. Aside from the health are more likely to be more pro- fectively. Being alone and away also helps improve sleep, en- you need to recharge, recover, yourself could be the key to your rates of obesity, why not help them implications, avoiding meat and ductive. They also show that a from most distractions allow you hance relationships and reduce reboot or prevent burnouts from balance. become a bit healthier? Why not dairy products continues to be people who takes time for them- to think about your own life and mental and physical stress. time to time and spending time save the community some money the single biggest way to reduce selves are more likely to be hap- self-refl ect, to check your cur- Studies also show that kids with only yourself away from all „ The author is a wellness advocate in medical costs? Not only is her your environmental impact on the pier, have better life satisfaction, rent situation, re-evaluate and who learn to appreciate ‘me- distractions can be the perfect and infl uencer @keys2balance. justification absolutely spot-on planet. If Brazil can do it, Qatar can. in terms of adopting a pragmatic We’re an ambitious, practical, aca- approach to veganism, but it got demic nation with pragmatic and me thinking: if meat-loving, meat- intelligent leadership, and it’s up producing Brazil can accept the to us to acknowledge the concern Recycle the Plastic: But for how long? — The limits of Neuroplasticity facts about why we all need to be of food security in Qatar, educate adopting a vegan diet, and now ourselves on the single largest way begin to ensure children are eating to ensure we know how to eat sus- but continues at a reduced rate of flexibility changes, with the some cells are seen to integrate environmental factors that influence plant-based foods…why are other tainably and keep healthy through throughout life. It is more prominent younger brains being more flexible themselves into existing webs of nature and rate of recovery from ac- countries, including Qatar, not plant based foods, and then act on in certain parts of the brain and compared to the adult brains. A neural connections. New neurons quired brain damage. Such external faster at accepting the same real- it. It’s time to act. No excuses. certain periods of life in comparison mentally eff ortful new experience are also observed being produced factors include family function, ac- ity? Addressing Qatar’s Shura Coun- than in others, for example, children like acquiring a motor skill, learning from stem cells in certain regions of cess to rehabilitation, socioeconomic cil this week, His Highness the Amir are able to recover from brain a new language or moving through the brain even after the ‘critical pe- status and response to the dis- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani „ The author is an expert in vegan injuries much better and more a new environment produces cer- riod’ of development. However, this ability. Gender is also another factor, outlined our country’s economic wellbeing and health. Instagram completely than adults (Mundkur, tain changes (increase in synapses, process of neurogenesis isn’t always though the evidence is controversial, achievements and said that we will handle: @Ghanim92  2005). However, a question that is number of neurons or strengthen- fast enough and sometimes neurons as hormonal factors are seen to much debated in this field is whether ing of connections) in the neural might not also be able to migrate to aff ect brain development. The the plasticity of the brain is infinite systems that support acquisition the areas they are needed, leading to female brain appears to have more or limited to some extent. of the new skill. This ability to learn decay. In some cases, brain damage diff use organisation due to its rapid There are two sides to this debate; new skills remains intact throughout is too extensive for neurogenesis to speed of development, allowing for one claiming that once the cognitive one’s lifespan, however it doesn’t reviv e the lost function. greater potential for plasticity and Wellness Meal Plan By Sanah Thakur structures are established in the ensure that such training induced The two conflicting positions on reorganisation of function. Though critical periods, the components changes go beyond the learned neuroplasticity can be reconciled the brain cannot be stated to have are fixed and flexibility is finished. skills or promote a healthy brain. by analysing the severity and infinite plasticity, it is clear that it isn’t As human beings living in a dynamic Damage to any one component can Despite evidence for neuroplasticity nature of insult, age at the time equipotential in a strong sense. and ever changing environment, only be compensated by adopting occurring even in adulthood, the and other factors like psychosocial In conclusion, evidence indicates that we are constantly in contact with certain behavioural strategies that damage done by diseases such as context and gender. The relationship neuroplasticity is prevalent through- a plethora of external factors that work around the deficit. The second Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkin- between age and damage share out an individual’s lifespan, however directly or indirectly aff ect us side postulates that the brain is son’s etc remain unrepairable by a U-shaped eff ect, with a prenatal its eff ectiveness and degree of inva- either physically, psychologically or permanently plastic, as a continuous the brain. This indicates that there injury having the possibility of the siveness declines with time. Within socially. The brain is the one organ interaction between the individual is a certain limit to neuroplasticity, poorest outcome (no evidence of the field of neuroplasticity there is in our bodies that is designed to and his/her environment results as otherwise brain injury would be transfer of function from injured sit e a lack of consensus on the debate change in response to experience, a in the formation of functionally overlooked in most situations. The to intact tissue) while at the same of the brain’s plasticity continuing phenomenon referred to as ‘plastic- specialised structures throughout implication of such damage is that time plasticity being greater in early throughout adulthood, however ma- ity’. Neuroplasticity is derived from development. However, though the the toxicity of the disease processes childhood, leading to reorganisation jority of the research concludes that the Greek word ‘plastikos’, meaning process of neurogenesis ensures overrides the brain’s capacity for and greater sparing of function. On plasticity is present throughout the to form and includes the structural recovery from brain damage to self-repair or neurogenesis. It oc- reaching adolescence and adult- lifespan, within certain limits which and functional changes in the brain some extent, there are certain limits curs throughout the adult life span hood, the same plasticity becomes are subjective to each individual. as a result of experience and train- to plasticity. however much less rapidly in adults. increasingly less evident. Though ing. During the initial few years, With time, the brain remains consist- While some of the new neurons severity of damage is of primary „ The author can be contacted on plasticity of the brain is maximal ently malleable however the degree that form die almost immediately, importance in the short term, it is the Instagram @sincerelysanah

Super Avo Toast

Ingredients: 1 ripe avocado 1 toasted garlic clove 1 slice of sour dough toast 1 tbs flax seed powder 1/2 lemon or lime juice 1 tsp zaatar (Oriental thyme mix) 1 tbs olive oil Chilli flakes A pinch of salt Microgeens to top your toast 1/2 tbs beetroot powder (to learn how to make the beetroot powder, fol- low our Instagram page) 1 1/2 tbs macadamia nut cheese or cashew cheese (or you can use any cream cheese you like) Note: we used beetroot chips as one of our toppings, but you can use kale chips or sweet potato slices Check my story Method: Rub the toasted garlic clove on your toast, or, smash it with some olive oil and salt with chilli flakes and spread it on your toast. check on each other‘s real life stories. diff erent ways. Which method works here if you need to talk,’ ‘Hi, so sorry Smash the avocado and add the lemon juice to it, to add some flavour How often do you check in with your for you is going to depend on many to hear about ___, want you to know I and to keep it from turning brown. friends? Does it make us bad friends factors: the nature of your friendship, said a prayer for you and I’m sending Add the flax seed powder, zaatar, and salt to the avocado. Mix well. if we don’t? your physical proximity to this friend, you good energy,’ or ‘Hey, saw you Spread the mix on your toast. Top off with your cream cheese, your I like to check on my friends regularly. your own capabilities, your energy have an interview later this week and choice of veggies and micro greens. Sometimes it’s just ‘Are you good? level or other factors at a given mo- just wanted to wish you well!’ Your Finally, sprinkle your beetroot powder and there you have it, a Super Avo Are you happy? How’s your heart? Do ment that may be diff erent at another friend may or may not respond. They Toast! you need anything?’ time, etc. What method works with may respond with a simple ‘thank That doesn’t mean that I run down one friend may be very diff erent from you’ or they may respond asking how Enjoy the taste of eating right. my entire phone book each week and what works with another friend, both you are doing or letting you know check in with everyone, it’s just a very because their needs and access are they need someone to talk to. general way for me to check in with diff erent and because your ability to Regardless if you get a reply or not, my people. meet those needs is diff erent. I think it’s important for us to check My rule of thumb is: If someone has Whether by a phone call, Instagram on each other’s mental happiness crossed my mind and we haven’t DM, or otherwise; checking in can regularly, try it, let me know how it By Shefa Ali interacted recently, I check in with be as simple as a short message worked out for you. them, so they know I’m thinking of that says ‘I thought of you and just them. wanted to say hi,’ ‘You crossed my „ The author is a consultant and These days we check on each other’s So, what does ‘checking in’ actually mind, and I know you’ve been down coach. Instagram handle: @miss_ Instagram stories more then we look like? Well, it can take a lot of lately so I wanted to let you know I’m shefa, Website: missshefa.com Gulf Times 14 Thursday, November 7, 2019 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Iran distances itself further from N-deal, alarming Russia and France

Reuters at Fordow, a move that fur- Dubai ther distances Iran from the accord, was described by Moscow as extremely alarm- ran has stepped up activity ing. at its underground Fordow Iran once hid Fordow from Inuclear plant, state TV said the IAEA until its exposure by yesterday, a move France said Western spies in 2009. showed for the fi rst time that “With the presence of in- Tehran explicitly planned to spectors from the Interna- quit a deal with world powers tional Atomic Energy Agency, that curbed its disputed nu- Iran started injecting (ura- clear work. nium) gas into centrifuges in In another development Fordow,” TV reported. that could also aggravate ten- A central aim of the agree- sions between Iran and the ment was to extend the time West, diplomats said Iran the Islamic Republic would briefl y held an inspector for need to assemble a nuclear the UN nuclear watchdog and weapon, if it chose to do seized her travel documents, so, to a year from about 2-3 with some describing this as months.Iran has repeatedly harassment. denied any such intention. Iran said the inspector was The 2015 deal bans For- prevented from entering the dow from producing nuclear Natanz facility because of a material. A spokesman for concern she might be carry- Iran’s Atomic Energy Organi- Demonstrators run after Iraqi security forces fired tear gas during the ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, yesterday. ing “suspicious material”, the sation, Behrouz Kamalvandi, semi-offi cial Fars news agency told state TV later that the in- reported.It said screening jection of uranium gas would equipment at Natanz flashed start later. He said the cen- a warning sign when the in- trifuges there would enrich spector passed through so uranium up to 4.5% fi ssile pu- her equipment was searched, rity. 90% purity is required for she was denied entry and the bomb-grade fuel. Renewed live fi re in Baghdad President Hassan Rouhani, International Atomic Energy Agency was subsequently in- an architect of the 2015 deal, formed. blamed Washington for Iran’s The incident involving an rolling back of its commit- IAEA inspector appeared to ments, saying Fordow would be the first of its kind since soon fully resume uranium as blackout, sit-ins persist Tehran’s landmark deal with enrichment work. major powers was struck in “Iran’s fourth step in reduc- AFP which ends near the Iranian em- including the central bank. In the country’s south, sit-ins country “billions.” Her tweets 2015, imposing restraints ing its commitments under the Baghdad bassy, and Al-Ahrar, near other Yesterday, at least four peo- closed schools and offi cial build- were shunned by Iraqi protest- on its uranium enrichment JCPOA (the 2015 nuclear deal) government buildings. ple died of wounds sustained in ings in Nasiriyah, Kut, Hillah, ers, who have so far been un- programme in return for the by injecting gas to 1,044 cen- A group of protesters yester- earlier protests, medical sources Diwaniyah and the holy city of moved by pleas to return home, lifting of international sanc- trifuges begins today. Thanks raqi security forces fi red day tried to cross a fourth bridge, said. At least 120 people have Najaf, AFP correspondents said. pledges of reform or talks to pro- tions. to US policy and its allies, For- live ammunition at protest- Al-Shuhada, but were met with died since the protests resumed On Tuesday night, protest- duce a solution to the crisis. Iran’s decision to inject dow will soon be back to full Iers in the capital yesterday live rounds from security forces, October 24, according to an AFP ers set fi re to the homes of par- President Barham Saleh has uranium gas into centrifuges operation,” Rouhani tweeted. as tensions rose elsewhere in an AFP correspondent said. count, as offi cials have stopped liamentarians and local offi cials proposed early elections once a the country between persistent Several protesters were seen giving precise tolls in recent in Al-Shatra, a town north of new voting law and commission anti-government demonstrators being wounded in the fi re. days. Nasiriyah, according to security are agreed, which would pave and paralysed politicians. “The riot police hit us with ba- The initial six-day wave of sources. the way for a new prime minis- Mass rallies have continued tons on our heads and we threw rallies in early October left 157 A sit-in has shut the road ter. in Baghdad and across Iraq’s rocks at them,” said Mahmoud, dead. to the Umm Qasr port, which But that suggestion appears UN Palestinian agency chief south, despite a renewed Inter- a 20-year-old protester being Although the resumption has brings in most food and medical to have angered Iranian offi cials net blackout and violence that treated by medics after trying to been less deadly, security sourc- imports through Basra, for days. trying to close rank around the has left nearly 280 dead. cross Al-Shuhada bridge. es have reported that protesters In Basra city itself, protest current government. suspended amid probe The demonstrations broke “But then they started fi ring are being abducted by uniden- tents burned after security forc- Iran holds sway across Iraq’s out on October 1 in anger over live rounds on people.” tifi ed assailants to intimidate es fi red searing-hot tear gas can- political spectrum, and Saleh’s corruption and unemployment Security forces resumed their them. isters at them on Wednesday. Patriotic Union of Kurdistan AFP chief Christian Saunders, his but have morphed into demands use of live rounds in the capi- A medical source also said Protesters also shut down the (PUK) party has long been seen Jerusalem agency said. The agency said that the entire ruling system be tal on Monday, after nearly two three doctors were abducted this access route to the Dhi Qar oil as close to Tehran. fi ndings in the probe so far upended. weeks of using volleys of tear week from Tahrir, in addition to company and demonstrators “Iran isn’t happy with the role “revealed management issues In Baghdad, protesters had gas, but no fi rearms, to push female paramedic, Saba Mahda- shut down the Shanafi yah refi n- that Barham Saleh has played in he head of the UN agen- which relate specifi cally to the been concentrated in the iconic back protesters. wi, who went missing November ery in Diwaniyah, according to the current crisis. cy for Palestinian refu- commissioner general.” Tahrir Square but have increas- Even the tear gas usage has 2. AFP correspondents. He abandoned those who Tgees has been placed A separate statement from ingly spilled over onto nearby been deadly, however, with The kidnappings, coupled Oil-rich Iraq is Opec’s second brought him to the presidency on administrative leave as an UN headquarters said Sec- bridges leading to the western medics and right group Amnesty with the renewed internet out- biggest producer, but one in fi ve at the fi rst fork in the road,” a internal probe into alleged retary-General Antonio Gu- bank of the Tigris. International saying security age, has sparked worries of people live in poverty and youth source close to top decision- mismanagement at the organ- terres had decided to place For days, they have faced off forces appeared to be fi ring the worse violence looming. unemployment stands at 25 %, makers said isation proceeds, the United Krahenbuhl on administrative against security forces on the canisters directly at protesters. “Cutting the Internet is a sign according to the World Bank. Embattled Prime Minister Nations said yesterday. leave for now. Al-Jumhuriyah bridge, which A spokesman for prime minis- that there will be bloodshed,” a The United Nations’ top of- Adel Abdel Mahdi cast the idea Pierre Krahenbuhl, com- It said preliminary fi ndings links them to the Green Zone ter Adel Abdel Mahdi said secu- government offi cial said. fi cial in Iraq Jeanine Hennis- of an early vote as unrealistic on missioner general of the agen- revealed no “fraud or misap- where government offi ces and rity forces were instructed to use Authorities had imposed an Plasschaert expressed “grave Tuesday in a rare recorded cabi- cy known as UNRWA, will be propriation of operational embassies are based. force if protesters got close to Internet blackout for two weeks concern” over such disruptions, net session that was later aired replaced on an interim basis funds by the commissioner- They then spread to Al-Sinek, important government buildings last month, later loosening it. which she said was costing the on television. by the agency’s acting deputy general.

Sudan rebels insist new parliament Zimbabwe police be formed only Four tourists among eight aft er peace deal stop workers’ march Sudanese rebel groups engaged in peace talks with Khartoum insisted yesterday that the Reuters cushion them against triple- injured in Jordan stabbing country’s new parliament be Harare digit infl ation. formed only after an agreement This would see the least paid is reached to end long-running worker earning 7,309 Zim- AFP Jordanian tour guide Zouheir conflicts in three border regions. imbabwe police yester- babwe dollars ($475) — seven Amman Zreiqat witnessed the attack A power-sharing deal signed day blocked a handful times more than the 1,023 and said that it happened “just on August 17 between protest Zof public sector workers Zimbabwe dollars they cur- before midday when around leaders and the generals who from marching to government rently receive. ight people, includ- 100 foreign tourists” were at ruled Sudan after the April offi ces with a petition de- Dozens of police, who out- ing four tourists, were the site. overthrow of longtime president manding better pay, reneging numbered protesters, con- Ewounded in a knife attack “A bearded man in his twen- Omar al-Bashir stipulates that on an earlier pledge to allow fined the workers outside the yesterday at the famed archae- ties wearing black and bran- a 300-member parliament be the demonstration. offices of the Apex Coun- ological site of Jerash in north- dishing a knife started to stab formed within three months. The march had been seen as cil of public sector unions ern Jordan, a security spokes- tourists,” Zreiqat said. Since the signing of the so called a test of President Emmerson in Harare, saying only their man said. He said others started to “Constitutional Declaration”, the Mnangagwa’s willingness to leaders should deliver a pe- Four tourists — three Mexi- shout for help and he, along transitional government, led by tolerate dissent after banning tition to the ministries of fi- cans and a Swiss woman — with three other tour guides Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, recent opposition protests nance and labour. were wounded, along with a and three tourists managed to has engaged in talks with three over the parlous state of the Apex Council leaders tore Jordanian tour guide and a se- stop the assailant. rebel groups to reach a peace economy. Government em- copies of the petition in pro- curity offi cer who tried to stop “We chased him until we deal to end the wars in Darfur, ployees in the southern Afri- test, to cheers from the work- the assailant, public security could grab him and get him on Blue Nile and South Kordofan. can nation want Mnangagwa’s ers, and said the union would directorate spokesman Amer the ground,” Zreiqat said. Rebel groups said that during administration to pay them meet soon to consider their Sartawi said. “We took the knife from him. talks in the South Sudanese US dollar-indexed salaries to next course of action. “The assailant was imme- A Swiss woman, wounded during a knife attack at the famed He stayed silent, without say- capital of Juba, the two sides had diately arrested,” the security archaeological site of Jerash in northern Jordan, is pictured at a ing a word until the police ar- agreed to delay the formation of directorate said in a statement. government hospital in the ancient town, north of Amman, yesterday. rived and arrested him.” a new parliament until a peace CONFLICT The motive for the attack, It was not the fi rst time a Jor- deal has been reached. Russia strikes kill six civilians in which took place around noon Bank and the Gaza Strip during other four had minor injuries.” danian tourist attraction has The groups said they would not (1000 GMT) at the Roman ruins the Six Day War between Israel “A Mexican tourist in serious been the site of an attack. give up their demand despite northwest Syria: monitor of Jerash, a popular attraction and Arab states. condition and a Jordanian tour In December 2016, in Ka- the protest movement’s insist- 50 kilometres from the capital Health Minister Saad Jaber guide” were transferred via rak, home to one of the region’s ence on the original November Air strikes by regime ally Russia killed six civilians in an embattled Amman, remains unknown, confi rmed that eight people helicopter to the King Hussein biggest castles, 10 people were 17 deadline stipulated by the anti-government bastion in northwestern Syria yesterday, a Britain- Sartawi added. had been wounded, after Sar- Medical Center in Amman, he killed in an attack that also left so-called “Constitutional Declara- based war monitor said. At least 20 others were also wounded in A source in the security serv- tawi said they had been trans- added. 30 wounded. tion”. “The Sudanese Revolution- the attack in the village of Al-Sahaara in the militant-run enclave of ices, requesting anonymity, ported to hospital for treat- Jordanian Foreign Minister Seven police offi cers, two ary Front rejects any unilat- Idlib, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. At the site of the said that the attacker was iden- ment. Ayman Safadi telephoned his Jordanian civilians and a Ca- eral attempt to violate the Juba strikes, an AFP correspondent saw a rescue worker carry the limp tifi ed as 22-year-old Moustafa Jaber visited the wounded at Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cas- nadian tourist were killed in the declaration that aims to build body of a tiny girl away from the rubble, her clothes blanketed in fine Abourouis and that he “came the public hospital in Jerash, sis and deputy Mexican foreign attack. confidence measures,” the rebel dust. Bright red blood had gathered around her throat and, under a from the Palestinian refugee accompanied by the Mexican secretary Julian Ventura to as- Claimed by the Islamic State alliance said in a statement. crop of dusty hair, her eyes were closed peacefully shut. camp of Souf”. The Souf camp, ambassador to Jordan. sure them Jordan was caring group (IS), it sparked con- The SRF called on Khartoum to Another emergency worker stood with a body bag at his feet, as located not far from Jerash, was The minister said that four of for their country’s citizens and cern for the tourism industry, “stick to what has been agreed colleagues in white hard hats sprayed water onto a building partially established in 1967 to shelter the victims “suff ered moder- that they would be kept abreast a mainstay of the Jordanian on” in Juba. pummelled to grey rubble. Palestinians fl eeing the West ate to severe wounds, while the of the results of investigations. economy. Gulf Times Thursday, November 7, 2019 15 AMERICA

TRIBUTE EDUCATION LAW AND ORDER CIVIL LIBERTIES SOCIAL MEDIA Kansas voters reverse Chicago schools seek to Ohio man pleads guilty to Regulate, not ban, face Facebook hit by ‘tsunami’ of street name change plug new budget hole plotting Cleveland attack recognition tech: IBM bogus political news: NGO

Voters in Kansas City, Missouri, have reversed a The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) said on An Ohio man, accused of plotting a July 4 bomb IBM weighed in on Tuesday on the policy debate A “tsunami” of political disinformation is decision by city leaders to name a street after Tuesday it would use $134mn in one-time attack in Cleveland last year, pleaded guilty on over facial recognition technology, arguing against pounding Facebook users with the US presidential slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, revenue and savings to cover additional Tuesday to a federal charge of attempting to an outright ban but calling for “precision regulation” election still a year away, online activist network in a contest both sides characterised as being spending in its current budget partly because provide material support to a foreign terrorist to protect privacy and civil liberties. In a white Avaaz said in a report released yesterday. An sparked by citizen disenfranchisement, not of a tentative contract agreement with its organisation, US law enforcement off icials said. paper posted on its website, the US computing analysis by the NGO of the top 100 bogus news racial prejudice. Unoff icial results from the city’s teachers union that ended an 11-day strike. Demetrius Pitts, 50, who also pleaded guilty to giant said policymakers should understand that stories about US politics that went viral on election board showed more than 65% of voters The third-largest US public school system also threatening the life of US President Donald Trump “not all technology lumped under the umbrella of Facebook in the 10 months ending October 31 in Tuesday’s balloting approved restoring the said that increased labour costs in the coming and the president’s immediate family, faces a likely ‘facial recognition’ is the same.” IBM said uneasiness showed that politically tinged false news got more name of the 16km street to “The Paseo,” the years should be covered by growth in existing sentence of 14 years in prison followed by a lifetime about artificial intelligence technology which can than 158mn views. That number of views was name it has had since the late 19th century. The state and local revenue. CPS’ financial outlook of supervised release. Pitts was arrested by FBI use face scans for identification was reasonable. enough to reach every US voter at least once if City Council had voted 8-4 in January to rename improved with a revenue boost starting in fiscal agents on July 1, 2018, after a series of meetings “However, blanket bans on technology are not the evenly spread across the electorate, according to the venerable road that runs through the city’s 2018 under a new Illinois school funding law. The with an undercover agent and an informant in answer,” said the paper by IBM chief privacy off icer Avaaz. “These findings can only be seen as the tip largely African-American east side “Dr Martin yet-to-be-ratified deal reached last week would give which he discussed plans to set off a bomb at an Christina Montgomery and Ryan Hagemann, co- of the iceberg of disinformation ahead of the US Luther King Jr Blvd.” teachers an average raise of 16% over five years. Independence Day celebration in a Cleveland park. director the IBM policy lab. 2020 elections,” Avaaz said in the report.

Ex-UAW chief, Rebuke for Trump in races GM director charged in seen as 2020 barometers bribery probe AFP By Michael Mathes, AFP No evidence of hacking Detroit Washington Voting in US state and local elections on Tuesday showed no evidence of S prosecutors yesterday charged a emocrats celebrated big elec- successful tampering by any foreign former United Auto Workers (UAW) tion wins in two US states seen government, the Justice Depart- Uoffi cial who served on the GM board Das a test of President Donald ment and six US security agencies with money laundering as part of a broaden- Trump’s strength ahead of the 2020 have said. ing criminal probe into the union’s activities. elections, while Republicans held But Russia, China, Iran and other Joe Ashton, a former UAW vice president fast to a governorship in tradition- adversaries of the United States will who served as head of the union’s Gen- ally conservative Mississippi, results seek to meddle in US elections mov- eral Motors department until in 2014, was showed yesterday. ing forward, including through social charged with demanding hundreds of thou- In a sign of trouble for Trump, media manipulation and cyberat- sands of dollars in bribes and kickbacks from Democratic challenger Andy Beshear tacks, the agencies said. vendors. scored a narrow victory in deep-red “While at this time we have The activities were part of a scheme to Kentucky’s gubernatorial race over no evidence of a compromise or steer at least $15.8mn worth of UAW mer- Republican incumbent Matt Bevin, disruption to election infrastructure chandise contracts to vendors, including who refused to concede. that would enable adversaries to Ashton’s personal chiropractor, according to Doubling the hurt, Democrats prevent voting, change vote counts federal court documents. gained control of both chambers of or disrupt the ability to tally votes, Two other former union offi cials who the legislature in Virginia for the fi rst we continue to vigilantly monitor participated in the conspiracy, Jeff Pietrzyk time in 25 years, turning a formerly any threats to US elections,” a joint and Mike Grimes, already pleaded guilty red state solid blue, according to pro- statement, signed by the heads of to charges of money laundering and are jections by US media, including the each agency and released yester- thought to have provided information to New York Times. day, said. federal prosecutors in exchange for leniency “We have called it for Attorney The agencies have increased at sentencing. General Beshear to be the Kentucky eff orts to protect elections and a Ashton was the union’s representative on governor-elect,” Secretary of State new position was created within the the GM board of directors for three years. Alison Lundergan Grimes said on Off ice of the Director of National He abruptly resigned from the board in CNN. Intelligence to focus solely on US August 2017 as the federal investigation in The US president tweeted that election security. corruption in the UAW picked up momen- Bevin “picked up at least 15 points Apparent Governor-elect Andy Beshear celebrates with supporters at C2 Event Venue in Louisville, Kentucky. tum. in last days, but perhaps not enough The UAW, which is midway through con- (Fake News will blame Trump!).” for the party heading into next year’s The Kentucky result — boosted by Cyclist who fl ipped off Trump wins local vote tract negotiations with Detroit’s “Big Three” Beshear, whose father was the last monumental battle against the presi- strong Democratic turnout in sub- automakers, denounced the alleged conduct. Democratic governor in the state, dent. urban districts outside Lexington A cyclist, who was fired after making a District who backed me up today! So “Joe Ashton’s actions, as set forth in the claimed victory, but Bevin did not “This historic victory should send and other major cities — is all the rude single-fingered gesture to US Pres- proud that we were able to #FlipLoud- government’s fi lings, are completely inex- throw in the towel. a chill down the spines of Donald more humiliating for Trump because ident Donald Trump’s motorcade, has pun,” she wrote. With 52% of the vote cusable and violate UAW’s long-standing “This is a close, close race. We Trump and every Republican,” Dem- he fl ew there Monday night to hold been elected to local off ice in Virginia. after 99% of precincts had reported, standards of conduct put in place by former are not conceding this race by any ocratic National Committee chair- a large rally and implore his base to Juli Briskman, whose one-handed the result saw Republican Suzanne leaders like Walter Reuther,” UAW acting stretch,” the governor said. man Tom Perez said in a statement. come out to the polls. salute was captured in an AFP Volpe beaten into second place. president Rory Gamble said in a statement. Should Bevin’s loss be certifi ed, “Democrats are competing in every “If you lose, it sends a really bad photograph that went viral, beat the When fighting her campaign in “The UAW remains focused on negotiat- it would be a shock defeat for a con- election and every state, running on message,” he said. “You can’t let that Republican incumbent to a seat on the Loudoun County — the wealthiest in ing and fi nalizing strong contracts for our servative in a southern state that our values, and channeling unprec- happen to me.” Loudoun County Board of Supervisors the US — Briskman didn’t bring up the members, especially during this round of Trump won by 30 percentage points edented energy into the voting booth Also on that night, he blasted Dem- in state elections that saw Trump’s image that sparked her 15 minutes auto negotiations.” in 2016. — that’s how we won tonight, that’s ocrats for recently voting to bring the Republican party suff er a series of of fame unless homeowners started About a dozen current and former UAW In Mississippi, Republican Tate how we’ll beat Trump.” impeachment probe to a new, public stinging defeats. “talking about the administration” or offi cials and auto industry executives have Reeves emerged as the winner of the Tuesday’s elections were tests of phase. The single mother of two teens lost commented on her bicycle pin. been charged in the probe, which centres on state governor’s race by a comfortable enthusiasm ahead of 2020 for Trump, “The Democrats’ outrageous con- her job as a marketing analyst for a Instead, the ultramarathon runner revelations that they enriched themselves margin against Jim Hood, an anti- who is deeply unpopular nationwide duct has created an angry majority that United States government and military told AFP she wanted to show that through the Center for Human Resources, a abortion, pro-gun Democrat. and is the subject of an impeachment will vote the do-nothing Democrats subcontractor after the snapshot there was “substance” behind her can- joint body run by the auto companies and the “Great going, Tate!” tweeted investigation. the hell out of offi ce,” Trump said. of her gesture spread across media didacy — education, women’s rights, union that was meant to train workers. Trump, who had campaigned in both Trump hailed the Mississippi re- Instead, the opposite happened. and the internet in 2017, bringing her transportation and environmental UAW president Gary Jones took a leave of Mississippi and Kentucky in the clos- sults, claiming that his support was Bevin was in lockstep with Trump, insults and threats. issues — and that she wasn’t “just the absence from the union on Saturday, with- ing days of the race but stayed away key. as was Reeves in Mississippi. “Looking forward to representing person that rode my bike one day and out explaining his departure. from Virginia where Republicans had “Our big Rally on Friday night But Bevin has become one of the my friends & neighbors in #Algonkian flipped off the president.” The FBI raided Jones’ home in August as distanced themselves from him. moved the numbers from a tie to a big most reviled governors in the nation part of the investigation. Democrats will now hold all major WIN. Great reaction under pressure as he implemented unpopular poli- Last month the union negotiated a new statewide offi ces in Virginia and rule Tate!” Trump said on Twitter. cies on healthcare access and teacher growing clout of suburban Virginia divisive brand of politics, said Sena- contract with General Motors, after the the state assembly, a comprehensive With Washington swept up in the pay. voters, to help them reclaim the leg- tor Cory Booker, a 2020 Democratic longest automotive strike in the US in nearly consolidation of power not seen there impeachment saga, results in Ken- Virginia, meanwhile, has been islature. presidential candidate. 50 years. since the 1990s. tucky, Mississippi and Virginia were steadily shifting blue over the past “We just saw in tonight’s elec- “We need moral leadership that And last week, the UAW said it reached a Democratic leadership swiftly por- closely watched for how the crisis is decade, and Democrats counted on tions — from Virginia to Kentucky seeks to unite this country and work tentative labour agreement with Ford, and it trayed the night as a massive boost playing out with voters. Trump’s deep unpopularity, and the — Americans are rejecting Trump’s for a better future for all Americans.” plans contract talks with Fiat-Chrysler.

More impeachment details expected after Trump ally reverses course in Congress

Reuters Public hearings next week, says House Intelligence Committee chief Schiff “It’s clear abuse of presiden- pected to testify, but Reuters Republican-controlled Senate Washington tial power. It cannot be okay in our could not immediately confi rm would then hold a trial on wheth- The first open hearings in the told investigators she was ousted portunity for the American people country for a United States presi- those reports. er to remove Trump from offi ce. impeachment inquiry into US from her post over “false claims” to evaluate the witnesses for them- dent — any president — to go to a Hale is expected to tell inves- Senate Republicans have so far ore details in Congress’ President Donald Trump are set spread by Trump allies, is sched- selves, to make their own determi- foreign leader and ask for help in tigators the State Department shown little appetite for remov- impeachment inquiry for next week, the congressman uled to testify on November 15. nations about the credibility of the his election. It’s wrong,” Repre- was concerned that support- ing the president. Minto Donald Trump overseeing the process said The Capitol Hill hearings will witnesses, but also learn first-hand sentative Sean Patrick Maloney, a ing former US ambassador to At least one, Republican Sena- are expected to be released after yesterday, as the investigation be broadcast live as Democratic about the facts of the president’s Democrat on the House intelligence Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch could tor Lindsey Graham, this week transcripts on Tuesday revealed heads into a much-anticipated and Republican lawmakers ques- misconduct,” Schiff added. panel, told MSNBC yesterday. hurt eff orts to release aid and told reporters he did not plan to a top Trump donor-turned-dip- public phase. tion witnesses, many of whom An anonymous whistleblower The inquiry has shifted this could provoke Trump’s personal read the transcripts even as hun- lomat reversed course and told People will be able to see “the the White House has sought to filed a complaint in September week after congressional investi- lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, the Asso- dreds of pages have begun to be investigators Ukrainian aid was degree to which the president discredit. highlighting potential abuse gators began releasing hundreds ciated Press reported, citing peo- released. tied to probes of political rivals enlisted whole departments of Republican lawmakers have of power when he telephoned of pages of testimony while ef- ple familiar with the matter. On Tuesday, transcripts from sought by the US president. government in the illicit aim of spent weeks accusing Democrats Ukraine’s leader and asked him forts to gather more witness tes- Yovanovitch was abruptly re- appearances by Sondland, who On Tuesday, publicly released trying to get Ukraine to dig up dirt of holding “sham” secret hearings to investigate Trump’s potential timony behind closed doors have called from her post in May. initially testifi ed in October, and transcripts showed US ambas- on a political opponent,” House in the US Capitol basement and 2020 election rival Joe Biden. all but ground to a halt as top ad- The House intelligence panel, Kurt Volker, Trump’s former spe- sador to the European Union Intelligence Committee chairman demanding a more open process. The complaint led Democrats ministration offi cials refuse law- which is leading the inquiry with cial representative for Ukraine Gordon Sondland had returned Adam Schiff said. Schiff said that such a phase to formally launch their impeach- makers’ demands. two other committees, has also negotiations, revealed US diplo- to give lawmakers new details af- Deputy Assistant Secretary has now arrived, and that ment inquiry, which has led to Two offi cials on yesterday’s sought testimony from other mats pressed Ukrainian offi cials ter his memory was “refreshed,” George Kent, who heads the Americans will be able to hear an avalanche of testimony from witness list were expected to be key witnesses, including acting to meet Trump’s demands. corroborating other witnesses European and Eurasian bureau at the accounts of potential abuse several witnesses, including no-shows. White House Chief of Staff Mick Sondland, a hotelier and who said Trump sought to pres- the State Department, testifies on of power directly from wit- current and former diplomats or Energy Secretary Rick Per- Mulvaney, who the White House Trump donor, returned on Mon- sure the Ukrainians into launch- November 13. nesses who were caught up in the administration off icials who have ry, one of the “Three Amigos” said will not appear, and former day and told House investiga- ing investigations that appeared The former US ambassador to scandal. largely corroborated the whistle- tasked by the White House to set national security adviser John tors that he, in fact, had told a aimed at boosting his 2020 re- Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, who The hearings “will be an op- blower’s account. up a back channel to Ukraine, and Bolton, whose participation re- Ukrainian offi cial that Kiev was election campaign. Russell Vought, the acting White mains unclear. unlikely to get nearly $400mn in Democrats in the House of House budget chief, have already Still, Democrats have said they US military aid unless it probed Representatives leading the in- most are likely to heed the White tender for the Democratic nomi- as a witch hunt and accused said they won’t appear. have enough material to move Trump’s domestic political ri- quiry are expected to release House and refuse to cooperate in nation to run against Trump, a Democrats of unfairly targeting Two top State Department of- forward with public impeach- vals, the transcripts showed. more transcripts but have not the probe, which centres around Republican, in the election next him in hope of reversing his sur- fi cials, Ulrich Brechtbuhl and ment hearings, which would Transcripts released on Mon- yet said which accounts they will Trump’s July 25 phone call with year. Hunter Biden was on the prise victory in the 2016 presi- David Hale, have not yet said be a likely prelude to articles of day showed two other US dip- issue as the fast-moving probe Ukrainian President Volodymyr board of Ukrainian energy com- dential election. whether they will appear, al- impeachment — formal charges lomats told lawmakers the State marches toward televised public Zelenskiy asking him to investi- pany Burisma, which had been Democrats have defended the though some other State Depart- — being brought to a vote in the Department under Trump was hearings. gate former US Vice President Joe investigated for corruption. Both inquiry, citing concerns that the ment offi cials have co-operated. Democratic-controlled House. being used for domestic political Additional witnesses have Biden and his son Hunter. have denied any impropriety. president misused his public of- NBC News and the Wall Street If the House votes to approve purposes and warned such action also been called to testify, but Joe Biden is a leading con- Trump has blasted the inquiry fi ce for personal gain. Journal reported Hale was ex- the articles of impeachment, the would hurt American interests. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, November 7, 2019 ASIA

Thailand drug 15 killed in suspected rebel suspects run to ground days after attacks in Thailand’s south daring escape AFP checkpoints, he said. “These Yala acts were by militants.” AFP Nails were also scattered on Bangkok the roads in an apparent ef- t least 15 people were fort to slow the security forces, gunned down in an the army said in a separate n American drug suspect Aambush by suspected statement. and his Thai wife who militants in Thailand’s vio- A bomb squad was dis- Awent on the run after they lence-wracked south, an army patched yesterday morning to shot and stabbed their way out of spokesman said yesterday, one investigate and detonate an ex- a courtroom were apprehended of the bloodiest days in the 15- plosive device suspected to have yesterday, authorities said, with year insurgency. been left by fl eeing attackers the man shooting his wife and Thailand’s three southern- about 3km (1.9 miles) from one then himself as police closed in. most provinces have been in the checkpoint. The couple, along with an as- grip of a confl ict that has killed The southern army com- sociate, had made their brazen more than 7,000 people, as Ma- mander told reporters that the and violent escape from a court lay-Muslim militants fi ght for attackers were targeting “weak holding room in the seedy south- more autonomy from the Thai points”. ern city of Pattaya on Monday, state. “This is just to gain the wounding a police offi cer before Despite the high death headlines and scare Thai peo- fl eeing in a pick-up truck. toll, the highly localised un- ple nationwide,” said Pornsak But yesterday they were rest garners few international Poonsawasdi. tracked down in Sa Kaeo prov- headlines. Prime Minister Prayut Chan- ince, which shares a border with The region is heavily control- O-Cha said the perpetrators Cambodia, with the American led by the police and the mili- must “be brought to justice”, taking his wife hostage in the en- tary, with residents and rights according to Defence Min- suing standoff with police. groups accusing them of heavy- istry spokesman Kongcheep “The foreign suspect shot his handed tactics. Tantravanich. wife, and then himself,” Sattawat Villagers trained and armed Rebels seeking autonomy for Hiranburana, assistant to the na- by security forces are also en- the culturally distinct region tional police chief, said, adding listed to monitor remote vil- bordering Malaysia have been that the American had sustained lages, though they are rarely fi ghting the Buddhist-majority “serious” injuries. targeted by the rebels. Thai state, which colonised the The wife was also wounded This changed late Tues- area over a century ago. Forensic experts examine the site where village defence volunteers were killed by suspected separatist insurgents in Yala province, south though in a less critical condi- day when militants struck two The confl ict is characterised Thailand yesterday. tion, Sattawat said. checkpoints in Yala province by tit-for-tat attacks that usu- The couple are facing death manned by civilian defence vol- ally target symbols of the Thai said Don Pathan, an expert on er that they are still here,” death in August of Abdulloh a late-night attack on a military penalty charges for drug traf- unteers, opening fi re on them as state and its security forces but the so-called Deep South. Pathan said. Esormusor, a Muslim man who outpost, fuelling speculation of fi cking, although sentences are a group of villagers stopped to civilians from both Muslim and Tuesday’s attack marked the Civilian defence volunteers was detained by the military a retaliatory operation. rarely carried out. talk, southern army spokesman Buddhist communities often largest co-ordinated eff ort “in a rarely draw the rebels’ ire “un- and left in a coma after being A week later, several small The third suspect was appre- Pramote Prom-in said. get caught in the crossfi re. very long time”, he added. less if they cross the line and interrogated at a notorious Thai bombs exploded in Bangkok, hended separately, police said, In the largest death toll in The violence has bled into It comes days after Bang- become part of the government detention centre. injuring four people as the city while two others suspected of years, “twelve were killed at tourist destinations, like in 2012 kok hosted the Association security apparatus”, he added. Suspects are routinely taken hosted a major summit attended helping the trio make their dar- the scene, two more (died) at when a series of car bombs in of Southeast Asian Nations The rebels accuse the state of for interrogation and held under by top diplomats, including US ing getaway were also detained. the hospital, and one died this Songkhla province’s Hat Yai (Asean) summit, which brought railroading their distinct culture emergency laws in detention Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. According to local TV, the morning”, said Pramote, adding killed 13 people. head of states from all over the as well as carrying out routine centres where rights groups Thailand has linked the authorities had acted on a tip- that fi ve others were injured. The incidents have been few- world – along with hundreds of abuses which go unpunished. have documented torture. bombs to southern insurgents off from a villager in Sa Kaeo, The attackers took M-16 er in recent years, but the hits foreign journalists. The latest incident stoking Days after Abdulloh’s deten- – though no group ever claimed who saw the couple acting rifl es and shotguns from the have become “more intense”, “It (the attack) is a remind- outrage in the region was the tion, four people were killed in responsibility for the attacks. suspiciously.

Cambodia Vietnam mulls legal action Tsunami drill leader vows over S China Sea dispute he will Reuters diation, conciliation, negotia- which aims for a measured Hanoi tion, arbitration and litigation approach towards its largest measures,” Trung said. trading partner China, had not return on “The UN Charter and UN- spoken recently of potentially ietnam could explore CLOS 1982 have suffi cient following suit. legal action among mechanisms for us to apply In 2014, former prime minis- Saturday Vvarious options in its those measures,” he added, re- ter Nguyen Tan Dung said Viet- territorial dispute with pow- ferring to the United Nations nam was considering legal ac- Reuters erful neighbour China in Convention on the Law of the tion following the deployment Phnom Penh the South China Sea, a sen- Sea (UNCLOS), an interna- of a Chinese oil rig to waters ior government offi cial said tional treaty defi ning maritime claimed by Hanoi – a dispute yesterday. territorial rights. that triggered anti-Chinese ri- elf-exiled Cambodian op- Frictions have grown between China claims almost all ots and a marine standoff . position party founder Sam the two communist-run na- the energy-rich waters of the In the new spat, Vietnam SRainsy said yesterday he tions since Beijing in July sent a South China Sea where it has has made repeated statements will return on Saturday to face ship for a months-long seismic established military outposts regarding its claims and de- arrest amid a crackdown at home survey to an area internationally on artifi cial islands, but Bru- manded that China remove on members of his banned party designated as Vietnam’s exclu- nei, Malaysia, the Philippines, the survey vessel and its es- and Malaysia’s detention of two sive economic zone (EEZ) but Taiwan and Vietnam also have corts from the area, but had not party activists trying to return. also claimed by China. claims. mentioned possible legal ac- The former fi nance minister Speaking at a conference in In 2016, the Philippines won tion publicly until Wednesday. has vowed to return to lead dem- Hanoi, Deputy Foreign Min- a ruling from The Permanent “It would have major politi- onstrations against the one- ister Le Hoai Trung said Viet- Court of Arbitration in The cal ramifi cations for the Viet- party rule of longtime Prime nam preferred negotiations but Hague that invalidated China’s nam-China relationship, but Minister Hun Sen, whom he did have other options for the claim over most of the waters maybe that’s the only thing left called “a brutal dictator”. disputed waterway. following a 2013 case fi led by for Vietnam,” said Bill Hayton, Students take part in a tsunami and earthquake drill in Jimbaran on Indonesia’s resort island of His return could be thwarted “We know that these meas- Manila. a South China Sea expert at the Bali yesterday. by Thailand, whose prime minis- ures include fact-fi nding, me- But Vietnam’s government, Chatham House think tank. ter said he would not be allowed entry en route to Cambodia. “For those of you who know me, this may just be the last time you will see me alive as a free man,” Sam Rainsy said in a video Indonesia to meet social message posted on Twitter. Indonesians invent device Hun Sen has accused the op- position of fomenting a coup, media fi rms as it eyes and his government has ar- rested at least 48 activists with Sam Rainsy’s banned opposition to aid Internet-addicted ‘negative content’ fi nes party this year. The party’s last leader remains under house ar- Reuters Internet addiction is a grow- Reuters ing that he would invite compa- rest on treason charges. Jakarta ing social issue in Indone- Jakarta nies including Google Facebook Sam Rainsy fl ed to France four years sia. In October, two teenagers and Twitter. ago following a conviction for criminal were treated for their addic- Representatives of Twitter defamation. He also faces a fi ve-year rom browsing social me- tion to Internet gaming, media ndonesia will meet social media and Facebook did not imme- prison sentence in a separate case. dia to watching videos reported. companies to discuss its plans diately respond to requests for He denies wrongdoing and Fand chatting with friends, “Children must be taught to Ito impose fi nes of up to around comment. says the charges were politically Indonesian university student be more active and take part in $36,000 if they allow pornography, At an earlier press confer- motivated. Tyas Sisianindita spends about extracurricular activities,” said violence or other “negative” con- ence, he said “negative” content Sam Rainsy yesterday tweeted a eight hours a day on her phone. psychologist Kasandra Putranto. tent on their platforms, a commu- could include pornography or photo of his airline ticket from Par- “I realise that I am addicted,” Satria’s team is working on nications ministry offi cial said. radicalism, and fi nes could range is to Bangkok, from where he would the university student admit- personalising Nettox and im- The Southeast Asian country from 100mn rupiah ($7,160) to travel to Thailand’s border cross- ted, saying she checks her proving its accuracy as HRV aims to push fi rms to better mon- 500mn rupiah ($35,803). ing with Cambodia. Hun Sen has phone continuously from the Nettox, a wristband device invented by Indonesian students to alert readings can vary depending on itor and delete content the au- The move comes amid wider ordered airlines not to allow him to time she wakes up, even when people about the time they spent being sedentary, is pictured on a a person’s body shape, gender thorities deem obscene, Semuel regional eff orts by Southeast board fl ights into Phnom Penh. she is in classes. table during a test at a university in Depok near Jakarta. and health conditions. Abrijani Pangerapan, the min- Asian governments to demand However, Thai Prime Minister “At night, when I can’t sleep, They aim to apply for a pat- istry’s director of information action from global tech giants Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday I can use my phone for up to fi ve Called “Nettox”, from “Inter- blood oxygen levels fall with- ent for their invention with the applications, said late Tuesday. on content regulation and tax said he could not allow inter- hours.” net detox”, the device is worn on in this range, which reminds university by next year. He told Reuters the ministry policy. ference into the internal aff airs A group of fellow students the wrist and contains a pulse the wearer to stop using their Satria says, though, that would issue a regulation gov- The stakes are high for gov- of Cambodia, a fellow member at the University of Indone- oximeter sensor that measures phone. Nettox is targeted at those al- erning the mechanism for fi nes ernments, which are counting of the Association of Southeast sia, led by inventor Irfan Budi haemoglobin oxygen levels and For people aged between 18 ready invested in changing following discussions with the on the digital economy to drive Asian Nations (Asean). Satria, has spent three months heart rate variability (HRV). and 25, the HRV should ideally their behaviour. companies. The fi nes could go growth amid domestic politi- “According to our commitment developing a wearable device Studies have found that pro- stay above 60, according to the “Our goal is to help the into eff ect in 2021. cal tensions, and internet com- to Asean, we will not allow an anti- that can help Internet users like longed mobile phone usage has American Psychological Asso- health-conscious,” he said. “The point of this is that con- panies, which view Southeast government person to use Thailand Sisianindita cut down on the a specifi c lowering eff ect on ciation, Satria said. “To help people who want to trol of content will no longer be Asia’s social-media-loving pop- for activism,” Prayuth told reporters time they spend fl icking at their HRV levels. The Nettox device At a recent trial, Sisianindi- free themselves from Internet the job of the government,” Pan- ulation of 641mn as a key growth when asked about Sam Rainsy. phones. emits a sound when HRV and ta’s HRV reading was 44. addiction.” gerapan said by telephone, add- market. Gulf Times Thursday, November 7, 2019 17 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Moon-Abe meeting is ‘encouraging sign’ for countries’ relations: US diplomat

Reuters US allies, have plunged to their dent Moon and Prime minis- rean Foreign Minister Kang between the United States and December, a South Korean law- ed inter-Korean cooperation, Seoul worst state in decades after ter Abe had the opportunity to Kyung-wha and Vice Foreign North Korea. maker said on Monday after be- stalled after a fl urry of summits South Korea’s top court ordered talk,” Stilwell told reporters after Minister Cho Sei-young, but Envoys from the two countries ing briefed by a spy agency. As last year. Kim last week vowed Japanese fi rms to compensate meetings with South Korean of- did not respond to a question on met in Stockholm last month for the meetings were under way, a to remove South Korea’s “shab- he United States was wartime forced labourers last fi cials. “That’s an encouraging whether they discussed the situ- the fi rst time since US President group of activists rallied in front by,” “capitalist” facilities from “very encouraged” by a year. sign as we watch the relation- ation. Seoul’s foreign ministry Donald Trump and North Ko- of the ministry building, derid- the North’s Mt Kumgang resort, Trecent meeting between But South Korean Presi- ship improve.” said Kang explained its eff orts rean leader Kim Jong-un agreed ing what they call a US attempt once a symbol of cross-border the leaders of South Korea dent Moon Jae-in and Japanese His visit came as an intelli- to craft a “reasonable solution” in June to reopen negotiations to “squeeze” its ally over the rapprochement. and Japan, a top US diplomat Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had gence-sharing pact between to the feud with Japan dur- after a failed summit in Vietnam GSOMIA decision and defence The South’s Unifi cation Min- said yesterday, as strained ties an 11-minute conversation on South Korea and Japan is set to ing the meeting. “The US side in February. But the meeting fell cost-sharing talks. istry, which is in charge of inter- threatened to undercut three- the sidelines of an international expire this month. Seoul decid- said those eff orts are encourag- apart, with the North’s envoy James DeHart, the US repre- Korean ties, said on Wednes- way security co-operation on conference in Bangkok on Mon- ed not to renew the agreement, ing and agreed that such eff orts saying the US side failed to show sentative in the negotiations, day it has proposed sending a North Korea. day, also attended by US offi - known as GSOMIA, amid a spi- should continue going forward,” fl exibility. designed to determine how costs delegation of offi cials from the US Assistant Secretary of cials, the fi rst time they had met ralling political and trade row, the ministry said in a statement. They could hold a fresh are divided for the upkeep of government and companies that State David Stilwell arrived in in more than a year. a decision that Washington has Both sides were also expected round of talks as soon as mid- 28,500 US troops in South Ko- built the facilities for an inspec- Seoul on Tuesday as relations “Very encouraged while we criticised. to discuss ways to reinvigorate November as Kim set sights on rea, was also in Seoul. The lack- tion, after the North rejected its between Seoul and Tokyo, key were there to note that Presi- Stilwell met with South Ko- stalled denuclearisation talks another summit with Trump in lustre nuclear talks also aff ect- off er of talks. Politician wounded in Hong Kong knife attack

AFP threw his support behind the Hong Kong beleaguered leader when they met on Monday, according to Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam attends a news conference at state media. the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government fi rebrand pro-Beijing “President Xi’s trust and sup- off ice in Beijing yesterday. politician in Hong Kong port to me and the Hong Kong A was stabbed by a man government has strengthened testers have displayed no signs related to the stabbing racked pretending to be a supporter our resolve to stop the violence of leaving the streets with 22 up 550mn views and more than yesterday, the latest tit-for-tat and curb the chaos,” she said as consecutive weekends of un- 71,000 posts on Chinese social political violence in a city en- she met in Beijing with Vice Pre- rest while fi ghts have broken out media by mid-afternoon. gulfed by seething pro-democ- mier Han Zheng. with growing frequency. The state-run People’s Daily racy protests. China has run the city un- Beijing supporters have at- and Global Times newspapers The attack came as the Hong der a special “one country, two tacked opponents throughout also linked to a video of the stab- Kong’s unpopular leader Car- systems” model, allowing Hong the summer, often in targeted bing on Twitter — a platform rie Lam said her resolve to crack Kong liberties not seen on the assaults against prominent gov- they have embraced to reach down on the protesters had been mainland, since its handover ernment critics and opposition international audiences but is bolstered by a recent meeting from the British in 1997. politicians. banned inside China. with Chinese President Xi Jin- But public anger has been Eight pro-democracy fi gures As one of Hong Kong’s most ping. building for years over fears have been attacked, including stridently pro-Beijing politi- Yesterday, she condemned that Beijing is eroding those protest organiser Jimmy Sham cians, Ho has become one of the the stabbing at a press briefi ng freedoms, especially since Xi who was hospitalised last month most loathed establishment fi g- in Beijing and said regardless of came to power. by men wielding hammers. On ures among democracy protest- political stand, “any violent ac- Protesters have issued a list Sunday, a man with a knife at- ers. tion... should not be tolerated by of demands, including univer- tacked democracy protesters He shot to further notori- any civilised society”. sal suff rage and an investiga- including a local politician who ety on July 21 after he was fi lmed The international fi nance tion into abuses by police. Ten- had part of his ear bitten off . shaking hands with a group of hub has been convulsed by fi ve Students from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology chant during a forum on fellow injured sions have risen again in recent But the violence is far from men in the town of Yuen Long months of huge and increas- student Chow in Hong Kong. days after a teenager was left in one-sided. Crowds of pro-de- who went on to beat protesters ingly violent protests calling for a coma when he fell one storey mocracy protesters have rou- with sticks and poles, hospital- greater democratic freedoms yesterday morning as the poli- wounded in the incident, in- Ho, 57, was conscious when inside a car park where police tinely beaten their ideological ising 40 people. and police accountability. With tician was campaigning in his cluding the attacker, who was he got into the ambulance. His were fi ring tear gas at projectile- opponents, usually in spontane- He has delivered multi- Beijing and Lam refusing to of- constituency near the border subdued by Ho and his aides bloodstained white shirt and throwing protesters on Sunday ous mob violence during rallies, ple speeches supporting Hong fer a political solution to the with China. Footage posted on- as he shouted in Cantonese: wound dressings could be seen night. including a man on Saturday Kong’s police force and echoing protesters’ grievances, violence line showed the man handing Ho “Junius Ho, you scum!” A po- on the ground in the aftermath Beijing has shown no willing- who was pummelled uncon- Beijing’s condemnations, often has spiralled on both sides of the the fl owers and asking for a pic- lice source, who declined to be of the attack. ness to meet demonstrators’ de- scious and stripped. using incendiary language. Last ideological divide. ture. He then pulled a knife from named, told AFP that Ho re- The stabbing came as Lam mands and recently signalled it Discussion of the attack on month, he accused a prominent In the latest incident, a man his bag before striking Ho in the ceived a stab wound to the left wrapped up talks in mainland plans to tighten its control over Ho went viral inside mainland opposition lawmaker of “eating holding a bouquet approached chest. side of his chest and the attacker China with top Communist Hong Kong following a four-day China, where the Internet is foreign sausage” because she is pro-Beijing lawmaker Junius Ho Police said three people were was arrested. Party offi cials, including Xi who meeting of party leaders. Pro- heavily censored. Four hashtags married to a British journalist.

North Korea Autumn colours slams planned Lost pup turns US military drills with South out to be a rare North Korea yesterday slammed Washington for plans to conduct a joint military exer- cise with Seoul next month, as purebred dingo negotiations over Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal remain dead- locked. The allies cancelled the AFP Australia from Asia about 4,000 combined air exercise known Sydney years ago. as Vigilant Ace along with While some consider the several other joint drills last dingo to be a wild dog, many year amid a rapid diplomatic e’s furry, playful, and researchers now believe it is a thaw with the North, which has puppy eyes. It’s lit- separate species with a range of considers them a rehearsal for Htle wonder Wandi was characteristics that diff erenti- invasion. mistaken for a dog when he was ate it from domestic and feral But Pentagon spokesman Dav- found in an Australian backyard canines. id Eastburn said this week that - but DNA testing has confi rmed Often thought of as a threat to the US had “no plans to skip he’s a rare 100% dingo. The pup domestic animals and livestock, upcoming combined exercises” was discovered whimpering and some also argue the apex preda- this year. alone in a country town in Vic- tor is helpful in controlling pests A senior North Korean off icial toria in August with talon marks such feral cats and foxes, as well said yesterday that the an- on his back, leading to specula- as numbers of native herbivores nouncement was equivalent tion it could have been dropped such as kangaroos. to a “declaration for confronta- by a large bird of prey. This uncertainty has major tion” that could jeopardise the Rescuers at fi rst thought consequences for the conser- diplomatic process. Wandi was either a dog or a fox, vation of dingoes. The species “We have stressed on several but months later DNA samples is protected in areas where it is occasions that the joint military have revealed that he is in fact considered a threatened spe- drills will force us to reconsider a purebred dingo. Most of the cies vulnerable to extinction, the important steps that we creatures seen in the wild are but elsewhere listed as a pest have already taken,” said Kwon usually, to some degree, dingo- that can be controlled through Autumn leaves at the Futarasan shrine in Nikko city, Tochigi prefecture, about 150km north of Tokyo. Jong-gun at the North’s foreign dog hybrids. measures such as shooting and ministry. Australian Dingo Foundation baiting. Though rare, there have director Lyn Watson said that also been a number of recorded when Wandi “fell out of the sky” attacks on humans - mostly at it was an “answer to a prayer” - the popular tourist destination he can now join 40 other din- of Fraser Island. goes in a breeding program at Wandi, who was named after British backpacker allegedly strangled by man she met on Tinder the charity’s sanctuary. the town of Wandiligong where “When we sent his DNA off he was rescued, is now settling we were hoping that he would in to his new home at the Dingo Reuters tres from a scenic drive in Auck- chest and upper arms, the court Ranges where he buried her, the once considered relatively rare be of high content, but we were Discovery Sanctuary near Mel- Wellington land’s Waitakere Ranges. heard. The accused, whose name jury heard. and its cities and countryside pleasantly surprised to fi nd he bourne. “He’s very bright and The accused, a 27-year-old has been suppressed by the court, McCoubrey told the court the considered safe. It also sparked was as much dingo as you could he seems to be very friendly man, met Millane on the evening has pleaded not guilty to murder. accused initially told police he intense debate about New Zea- get,” she told AFP. Watson hopes with all of our volunteers - of British backpacker was al- of Dec 1 through dating app Tin- “Only two people know what had met Millane for a drink before land’s record on violence against Wandi - whose unusual origins course they all dote on him,” legedly strangled to death der, the jury heard. Closed-cir- happened in that room,” McCou- parting ways with her but then women. story and endearing looks have Watson said. Aby a man she met on Tin- cuit cameras fi lmed the pair kiss- brey told the court, ‘New Zealand changed his story, saying he and Thousands of people held attracted global attention - will But with legal restrictions on der, prosecutors told a New Zea- ing before heading to the man’s Herald’ reported. Millane went back to his apart- candlelight vigils after Millane’s help recast the narrative sur- releasing dingoes into the wild, land court yesterday, in a case hotel apartment, prosecutor “One of them can’t tell us and ment. The accused’s lawyer, Ian death in a national outpouring rounding dingoes and change the pup may have to live out that has shocked the Pacifi c na- Robin McCoubrey told the Auck- the other one hasn’t told the truth Brookie, told the jury Millane’s of grief. Prime Minister Jacinda government policies toward the his days in captivity - though tion. land court. about what happened,” he added. death was an accident. “Ms Mil- Arden held back tears as she much-maligned animal. Watson is optimistic that at- Grace Millane, 22, who was McCoubrey said the Crown’s McCoubrey said the accused took lane died as a result of what they apologised to Millane’s family on There is currently much de- titudes will eventually shift to travelling after fi nishing univer- case was that Millane died in the several photos of Millane’s body consensually engaged in,” Brook- behalf of New Zealand. Her par- bate in the scientifi c community allow him to roam free. sity, went missing in Auckland on accused’s apartment from sus- on Dec 2. Later that day, he placed ie was quoted as saying by Herald. ents, David and Gillian Millane, over the classifi cation of din- Dec 1. Police found her body on tained pressure to the neck. Her the body in a suitcase and drove The killing shocked New Zea- were present in court. The trial is goes, believed to have come to Dec 9 in bushland just a few me- body also showed bruising to her it in a hire car to the Waitakere land, where serious crime was expected to last about fi ve weeks. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, November 7, 2019 BRITAIN Rees-Mogg’s Grenfell remarks ‘caused huge distress’: top Tory

Guardian News and Media The leader of the House of Com- Cleverly said Rees-Mogg’s The Conservative MP Andrew Facebook that people on the real- Corbyn, likening the Labour leader forthcoming trade talks with the London mons issued a “profound apology” comments were hurtful and it was Bridgen has also apologised after ity TV show Benefi ts Street needed to Stalin. The prime minister told EU, as far as the government was after he told a radio interviewer: “I right for him to have apologised. initially defending Rees-Mogg, “putting down”. the Daily Telegraph that Corbyn concerned. “Ultimately, the de- think if either of us were in a fi re, “Jacob recognises that what he suggesting the Commons leader When asked about O’Brien’s would raise taxes so signifi cantly fault setting has always been no he Conservative party whatever the fi re brigade said, we said was wrong and caused a huge was cleverer than those who died comments, Cleverly said they were that Labour would end up de- deal. That is not what we want,” he chairman, James Cleverly, would leave the burning building. amount of hurt and distress,” he in the fi re. Asked whether the “unacceptable” but suggested she stroying the basis of the country’s told the BBC. “The prime minister Thas said Jacob Rees-Mogg’s It just seems the common-sense said. “He has apologised unreserv- Cabinet minister meant to say he would not be sacked as a Tory can- prosperity. has demonstrated, as have the EU, comments on Grenfell Tower thing to do.” edly and I do think that is the right would have left the fl ats against didate. “This is a comment which The Labour party under Corbyn that, when you are focused and “caused a huge amount of hurt and Cleverly was asked on BBC Ra- thing for him to do.” offi cial advice, Bridgen said: “Yes, the candidate themselves recog- “point their fi ngers at individuals both trying to get a good outcome, distress”. dio 4’s Today programme: “Isn’t He told Today that no one could that’s what he meant to say.” nises was unacceptable. It’s the with a relish and a vindictiveness it can be done.” He also defended Rees-Mogg sparked widespread the reality that (Rees-Mogg) has “credibly” know what decisions Rees-Mogg’s remarks came on nature often on social media that not seen since Stalin persecuted a Tory campaign video that critics uproar after claiming the Gren- no idea how these people live? He those trapped in the tower faced a diffi cult day for the Conserva- people say things without really the kulaks”, Johnson added. said had been “doctored”. The fi lm fell Tower fi re victims did not use has no idea how people who didn’t that evening. “I don’t think anyone tives on the eve of their election thinking through their position,” Corbyn quickly rubbished the depicts the shadow Brexit secre- “common sense” when they fol- go to Eton, didn’t go to Oxford, could think through the circum- campaign launch. Earlier it was he said. Boris Johnson formally claims on Twitter. In his interview tary, Keir Starmer, struggling to lowed fi re service advice to stay put didn’t inherit large sums of money stances or the decisions we would revealed that one Tory candidate, launched his election campaign on Radio 4, Cleverly said no-deal answer a question on TV about his in the burning building. really live their lives?” make,” he added. Francesca O’Brien, had written on with a blistering attack on Jeremy remained the “default setting” in party’s position on leaving the EU.

Brexit has made UK’s problems Lawmakers worse, says Juncker ‘refusing to

Guardian News and Media London deliver’ Brexit, rexit has worsened Britain’s problems, the outgoing Bhead of the European com- mission has said in another part- ing shot at the UK government. Jean-Claude Juncker, who is standing down as head of the EU says Johnson executive, delivered a typically blunt assessment in an interview DPA/Guardian News and Media Johnson warned voters they tack in Salisbury. At the time with Germany’s public broad- London face the “horror show” of two Corbyn’s spokesman questioned caster, ARD. referendums next year if La- the evidence that Moscow was “Britain also has problems bour’s Jeremy Corbyn was elect- behind the 2018 attack in Salis- other than Brexit and these prob- rime Minister Boris John- ed. Come with us, get Brexit done bury, Wiltshire, which involved lems have got bigger with Brexit. son told voters yesterday and take this country forward, or, poisoning with the nerve agent They are trying to cover that up, Pthat lawmakers were “re- and this is the alternative next novichok. Corbyn himself said but they just got bigger,” he said. fusing to deliver” Brexit, as he year, spend the whole of 2020 in there had to be “incontrovertible Juncker also described the UK’s offi cially launched his campaign a horror show of yet more dither evidence” before Putin’s regime departure from the EU as a per- ahead of next month’s general and delay,” he said. could be held responsible. petual cycle of “promises, prom- election. “(Labour) would spend the Johnson’s pledges included ises not kept, and lies repeated “Our parliament is paralysed. whole of 2020 having two refer- giving billions of pounds to over and over again”, two days It’s been stuck in a rut for three- endums, one on Scotland... and schools - while Labour, he said, after he accused Boris Johnson of and-a-half years and I’m afraid another referendum on Brexit.” wanted to abolish Ofsted, which telling “so many lies” during the our MPs are just refusing, time Johnson compared Corbyn to safeguarded children from bul- 2016 referendum campaign. and again, to deliver Brexit and Soviet leader Josef Stalin who lying in the classroom. Labour In contrast, Juncker struck a honour the mandate of the peo- sent millions to their deaths in has promised cash for schools more diplomatic note in an in- ple,” Johnson said in a speech labour camps. and says it wants to replace Of- terview with the BBC, saying he outside Downing Street. “They pretend that their ha- sted with another inspectorate. liked the prime minister. He was referring to the 52% tred is directed only at certain The prime minister made The veteran EU leader did not majority vote to leave the Euro- billionaires — and they point some questionable claims about elaborate on what he perceived pean Union in the 2016 referen- their fi ngers at individuals with his fi rst “108 or so days” in offi ce, as lies. He may have been refer- dum. a relish and a vindictiveness not claiming to have made the big- ring to the NHS spending pledge Johnson urged voters to back seen since Stalin persecuted the gest investment in hospitals in on the Vote Leave campaign bus his Conservative party’s bid to kulaks,” Johnson wrote.” They a generation with 40 new ones, that was described by the UK withdraw Britain from the EU in would destroy the very basis of and that he brought 20,000 more Statistics Authority at the time as “just a few weeks” under the deal this country’s prosperity.” Mil- police on to the streets. Each is a “misleading” and undermining he has agreed with Brussels. lions of people were executed Tory pledge yet to be enacted; the trust in offi cial statistics. Opinion polls suggest the under Stalin and many more per- 40 hospitals are only due to get He may also have had in mind Conservatives could win 35%- ished from abuse and disease in extra money for building work another central claim of the 40% of votes in the December 12 a vast network of prison camps, from 2025 to 2030. Leave campaign that Turkey and election, which would be enough known as the Gulags. Corbyn on Tuesday said he four other countries could join for a majority in parliament. Johnson also said he would bring wanted to negotiate a new Brex- the EU by 2020, a statement not Meg Russell, director of the in an Australian-style points sys- it deal and then let the public supported by anyone who fol- Constitution Unit at University tem on immigration, adding that decide between leaving on his lows EU enlargement. Juncker College London, urged Johnson Labour would allow “uncontrolled terms, or not leaving at all, say- announced a fi ve-year freeze on and other politicians to avoid migration”, which would put pres- ing Johnson’s agreement would EU enlargement in 2014, while the “dishonest and dangerous” sure on the NHS. Corbyn has not hurt the economy and erode Turkey’s accession hopes were rhetoric of “parliament versus yet set out Labour’s post-Brexit workers’ rights. on the rocks long before the people.” Such rhetoric is “de- immigration policy, although the At his own campaign launch 2016 referendum. signed to attract public support party’s conference passed a mo- yesterday, Corbyn said Labour In a blow to Labour, Juncker to Johnson’s position for elec- tion advocating a very liberal bor- would deliver real change and described Jeremy Corbyn’s par- toral purposes,” Russell wrote in der regime. he was seeking power to share ty’s plan to renegotiate the Brexit a blog post. A government that believed power. deal as unrealistic, although he Pro-EU former Conservative “Britain should stand tall in “The politics I stand for is also noted it would be up to his minister Philip Hammond told the world” was also a Johnson about sharing power and wealth successor to decide if there were the BBC last week that John- pledge; this contrasted with with people who don’t have a lot “room for manoeuvre for a new son’s government itself had been Corbyn “who sided with Putin” of money and don’t have friends deal or a new treaty”. Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks outside No 10 Downing Street in central London yesterday. “blocking Brexit.” at the time of the chemical at- in high places,” Corbyn said. Labour will ‘chase down’ Welsh secretary quits over rape trial claims tax dodgers, says Corbyn Guardian News and Media public a few days earlier. London On Tuesday, BBC Wales pub- lished an e-mail it said was sent Guardian News and Media “So our tax plans will aff ect cape the fatal fi re as “shameful”. to Cairns by his special adviser, London the richest 5% of our society. We “They shamefully seem to he Welsh Secretary, Alun Geraint Davies, more than a year will be chasing down tax evasion, think the victims of the Grenfell Cairns, has resigned from earlier, in which Davies wrote: tax avoidance and tax havens fi re died because they didn’t have TBoris Johnson’s Cabinet “I have spoken to Ross and he is eremy Corbyn has said he will because at the end of the day if the common sense to save them- over a row about whether he confi dent no action will be taken target tax dodgers if he be- you’re doing some very clever selves. knew of allegations that a former by the court.” Jcomes prime minister at the wheeze, which somehow or oth- “I’ll tell you what’s common aide sabotaged a rape trial. The e-mail was sent on Au- general election as billionaires er is avoiding your levels of taxa- sense: don’t put fl ammable clad- Cairns had been under huge gust 2, 2018, the BBC reported. have a moral obligation to pay tion, you should be paying. Go ding on people’s homes. That’s pressure in recent days over the Four months later, England was their fair share. further away (and) what happens common sense.” actions of Ross England, his selected as the Welsh Conserva- In an election rally in Telford, then? You’ve got an underfunded Leader of the Commons, former adviser, with the furore tive candidate for the Vale of Shropshire, eight miles from school, hospital and public serv- Jacob Rees-Mogg, has apolo- threatening to derail the Tory Glamorgan for the 2021 Welsh where he grew up, Corbyn said ices as a whole.” gised after saying on a radio campaign in Wales. assembly election. He was later a Labour majority government The Labour leader was cheered show that: “I think if either The minister sent a letter to suspended after being accused would “chase down” those who with chants of: “Oh Jeremy Cor- of us were in a fire, whatever Johnson saying he was confi dent by a judge of deliberately sabo- attempt a “clever wheeze” with byn” as he spoke to activists the fire brigade said, we would he would be cleared by any inves- taging the rape trial. The rape their tax. and campaigners at the Univer- leave the burning building. It tigation into his behaviour, but victim is among those who called His comments come after sity of Wolverhampton’s Telford just seems the common sense he was stepping down because it for Cairns to resign. Boris Johnson said in the Tel- campus after introducing their thing to do.” Fellow Tory An- was such a “sensitive matter”. Mark Drakeford, the Welsh egraph that Corbyn would slap candidate in the Tory-Labour drew Bridgen also had to apolo- Johnson thanked Cairns for his fi rst minister and Labour leader new taxes on people of all income marginal seat, currently held by gise after defending him. role in abolishing toll charges on in Wales, yesterday said Cairns’ levels – not just billionaires – Conservative Lucy Allan. Corbyn also said: “Don’t close the Severn Bridge and his “un- position was another example and that the party “viscerally He added: “You’ve got a mor- fi re stations and don’t cut fi re- stinting record of service for the of the Conservative party’s ar- detests” those who have a profi t al obligation to pay your taxes. fi ghters. That’s common sense. party in Wales”. rogance. He said it stood beside motive. However rich, powerful and fa- And don’t ignore residents when Wales is full of key target remarks by Jacob Rees-Mogg Corbyn said: “My personal mous you are, one day you might they tell you their home is a death Leave-voting seats that Johnson about the Grenfell fi re and com- views on billionaires is that have a heart attack. Then you’re trap.” needs to win to secure a majority. ments from a Tory candidate in they’ve obviously got a great deal going to need the public servic- Corbyn used his speech to say Last week, the Welsh Con- Gower, south Wales, suggesting of money therefore they’re in a es.” He also criticised Tory com- he would be a “very diff erent” Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson meets three-month-old Sam on servatives claimed Cairns was people on the reality TV show very strong position to pay a lot ments on Grenfell Tower victims kind of prime minister should he her arrival to visit a mental health enterprise in Golders Green, north unaware of his former aide’s role Benefi ts Street needed “putting more tax. not using common sense to es- be elected. London yesterday, as part of the general election campaign. in the rape trial before it became down”. Gulf Times Thursday, November 7, 2019 19 BRITAIN

Couple told they can’t adopt white baby ‘because they’re Asian’

Daily Mail The couple, who have been “She confirmed she that their parents were born In April 2016 social work- backed by the Equality and Hu- rister for Adopt Berkshire, told London unable to have a child of their would not accept our in India, he was told that they er Shirley Popat telephoned man Rights Commission. Reena Mander: “You are de- own, were willing to give a application due to our were unlikely to be approved as them. Reena, a programme The couple told the court termined to attribute racism to home to a child of any race. cultural heritage and our potential adopters due to their manager, said: “She confirmed it was a simple case of direct these social workers. You inter- Sikh couple who say they They attended an introduc- only other option was ‘Indian background’, because she would not accept our ap- discrimination on the grounds preted it as being racist when it were told they could not tory seminar in late 2015 given to adopt from India or only white children were avail- plication due to our cultural of race, in breach of the 2010 was not.” A adopt a white child be- by their local adoption agency, Pakistan” able in Berkshire and the sur- heritage and our only other Equality Act and the European Hilary Loades, of Adoption cause of their Indian heritage Adopt Berkshire, which pro- rounding area. option was to adopt from India Convention on Human Rights. Berkshire, said she deferred has gone to court. fessed a welcoming attitude Later, Mander, a sales man- The couple, who are in their or Pakistan.” During this time, They claim that they should their adoption application “in- Sandeep and Reena Mander, to all prospective adoptive ager, rang the adoption agency 30s and live in a five-bedroom the Manders adopted a little not have been rejected from definitely” because they wanted who were both born in Britain, parents regardless of race or and was asked to identify his house in Maidenhead, Berk- boy from America. joining the approved adopters’ “a young, simple-needs child” say social workers advised them sexual orientation, and they ethnic origin. shire, continued with their ap- They are suing the Royal Bor- register because of where their but the council had a lot of older they might have better luck if were encouraged to submit an He said that when he stated plication because they believed ough of Windsor & Maiden- parents were born. vulnerable children who needed they tried to adopt a child from application, Oxford County that both he and his wife were their heritage could not be a head, which oversees the adop- The council denies their placing for adoption. The hear- India. Court heard. born and raised in Britain but good reason to reject it. tion agency, in a landmark case claims. Katherine Foster, bar- ing continues. MMR vaccine Time capsule burial banned from export amid global shortages

Daily Mail People who get the MMR London vaccination privately include foreigners who are not entitled to free NHS case and overseas inisters have banned workers on placement in the the export of MMR vac- UK. Mcinations due to a global It also includes some children shortage. whose parents choose to get The government added the them vaccinated in private clin- measles, mumps and rubella jab ics or pay for them to have single to a list of drugs wholesalers are vaccine against measles, mumps forbidden from selling abroad. and rubella. The unprecedented move Last month the Daily Mail aims to protect supplies for Brit- launched a campaign to improve ish patients who get immunised the uptake of childhood immu- outside of the NHS vaccination nisations amid rising cases of programme. measles and mumps. It will have no impact on rou- Latest NHS fi gures show the tine childhood jabs, and Public proportion of children receiving Health England’s supply of MMR the MMR jab has fallen for fi ve vaccines is not aff ected by the years in a row. scarcity. More than 1mn doses of the However, there are not enough MMR vaccine are provided by vaccines in the global supply the NHS each year and children Queen Elizabeth lays down a time capsule for future residents as she visits Royal British Legion Industries village in Aylesford, Britain, yesterday. chain to meet an “unprecedent- get two doses of the jab at ages ed” increase in demand caused one and three. Older children by a spike in measles cases and and adults who missed out are new immunisation programmes also eligible for a free jab. in developing countries. About 1% of MMR vaccines in The department of health im- the UK are given to patients out- posed a ban on drug wholesalers side the NHS immunisation pro- shipping stocks of MMR abroad gramme. But supplies have been where it can be sold for greater hit by global shortages caused profi t. by an unprecedented increase in The move is intended to pro- demand. Extinction Rebellion wins tect supplies for patients who get While the NHS gets vaccines the jab privately in the UK, in- directly from manufacturers who cluding overseas workers. are contracted to provide a set The vaccine has joined all amount each year, private phar- hormone replacement therapy macies have no such guarantee of (HRT), EpiPens and some blood- supply. legal fi ght over protest ban thinning pills on a list of medica- This means wholesalers can tions which fi rms have been for- sell abroad for greater profi t, DPA only ban protests at specifi c lo- respect the decision of the court.” Kate Allen, the UK direc- sioner to be “held to account” bidden from exporting. leading to scarcity in the UK pri- London cations. “We will now carefully consider tor of Amnesty International, after the police “unlawfully Any company which breaches vate market. “It vindicates our belief that the judgement before deciding on said the court ruling confirmed abused their power.” the export ban faces punish- Two manufacturers – British the police’s blanket ban on our our next steps,” the force said. that the ban was “a complete Shami Chakrabarti, the op- ment by the medicines watch- drugs company GlaxoSmithK- police ban on protests in protests was an unprecedented Co-plaintiff Jenny Jones, overstep.” “The sweeping, ill- position Labour party’s shadow dog. Health Minister Nicola line and American pharmaceu- London by climate activ- and unlawful infringement on a Green Party member of the defined and capital-wide ban attorney general, also welcomed Blackwood said: “These restric- tical giant MSD – who supply Aists Extinction Rebellion the right to protest,” said Tobias Lords, parliament’s unelected sent the chilling message that the court’s ruling against “such tions will ensure those who don’t MMR privately in the UK have is unlawful, a court ruled yes- Garnett, a lawyer for Extinction upper house, tweeted that the basic freedoms in this country a disproportionate and blanket qualify for the national NHS pro- been hit by the problem. terday. Rebellion, or XR. ruling was “fantastic news.” can be set aside when the au- ban.” The police reported nearly gramme or with private health- Last month pharmacists London’s Metropolitan Po- “Rather than wasting its time “Peaceful protest is a fun- thorities choose to do so,” Al- 1,828 arrests of protesters in care can also receive protection warned of a lack of every major lice declared all protests by the and money seeking to silence damental right in a democracy len said in a statement. London, mainly for obstruction, from the MMR vaccine. medicine type – including pain- group were unlawful from Octo- and criminalise those who are and must not be arbitrarily shut “There must be no repeats of illegal assembly and public or- “We have an outstanding na- killers, contraceptives and dia- ber 14, after earlier imposing re- drawing its attention to the cli- down,” tweeted Caroline Lucas, this attempt to suppress legiti- der off ences, in the fi rst half of tional vaccination programme betes pills. strictions on protesters follow- mate and ecological emergency, the sole Green Party member mate non-violent protest.” October. and the vast majority of people In addition to a dearth of ing several days of disruption. we call on the government to act of parliament’s main house, the Another rights group, Liberty They said 165 people had been are eligible for free immunisa- hormone replacement therapy Two high court judges ruled now on the biggest threat to our Commons. UK, said the ruling would “help charged by Wednesday. tion on the NHS. There are no drugs, chemists are also strug- that the police were not enti- planet,” Garnett said. Extinction Rebellion UK said safeguard future protests,” while Assistant commissioner Nick issues with the national NHS gling to get common painkillers tled to impose a blanket ban on The Metropolitan Police said it was considering suing the po- Big Brother Watch called for the Ephgrave defended the force’s programme.” and blood pressure pills. “public assembly” and could it was “disappointed...(but) will lice following the ruling. Metropolitan Police commis- decision to ban the protests.

Eating her cake George Michael’s fi rst DNA testing for all posthumous song debuts newborns planned DPA ogy put Britain “on the cusp of London a healthcare revolution.” “Pre- Reuters ing George’s final studio ses- mantic comedy, co-written by dictive, preventative, personal- London sions, is his first original ma- Oscar winner Emma Thomp- ised healthcare. terial to be shared for seven son, features 12 Michael solo he government plans to “That is the future for the years,” a press release said. songs and three Wham! tunes. offer DNA testing for all NHS,” he was quoted as saying. new track recorded by “The lyrics, written exclu- “Emma had a meeting with Tnewborns to screen them Chris Wigley, Genomics George Michael in his sively by George, see the star him and he was intrigued be- for serious hereditary diseases England chief executive, said he A last studio sessions be- addressing society’s ills with cause... the intention was never and identify health risks in hoped an initial 20,000 parents fore his 2016 death was released his trademark blend of self- to make his story, it was to make adulthood, reports said yester- would agree to DNA testing of yesterday, in which the late deprecation and wry humour.” a story inspired by a song,” day. their babies. British pop idol sings about so- The Grammy Award-winner, David Livingstone, a producer “This is brilliant news — just “The benefits of this test cial ills. who had several drug-related on the film, told Reuters, refer- imagine how many lives can be can play out over the course of This Is How (We Want You To run-ins with the law, began ring to a meeting Thompson saved when we know the genet- someone’s life,” the newspaper Get High), his first original ma- working on the song in 2012. It had with Michael to discuss a ic risks we face,” Health Secre- quoted Wigley as saying. terial since 2012, will play at the was finalised in the studio in screenplay. tary Matt Hancock tweeted. “Someone may have had end of upcoming festive film 2015. Thompson heard the new The government-owned Ge- their genome sequenced as a Last Christmas, itself inspired Born Georgios Kyriacos Pa- tune and three other unreleased nomics England will launch a newborn and 25 years later they by Michael’s solo tunes and hits nayiotou to Greek Cypriot im- Michael songs last year when trial of the testing programme develop another health prob- from his Wham! days. migrant parents, Michael was working on the soundtrack. next year with the National lem,” he added. One of the best-selling ar- known for Wham! and solo hits “It’s not like a song that’s Health Service (NHS), The “We can use the same ge- tistes of all time, Michael, who like Last Christmas, Careless been dug out of the vaults, Times reported. nomic data to assess, are they rose to fame in the 1980s as part Whisper and Faith. that’s been sitting there unused The testing could be made likely to have an adverse effect of duo Wham!, died at his home The Last Christmas film, because it wasn’t good enough. widely available within three to this drug versus that drug?” on Christmas Day 2016, aged starring Emilia Clarke and It was a song that he intended years if the trial proves suc- The newspaper said some 53. Henry Golding about a woman to do something with and this cessful, the newspaper said. 3,000 of the 660,000 children A coroner said he died of nat- working as an elf in a Christmas is its new home,” Livingstone Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon It quoted Hancock as saying born each year in England and ural causes. shop, takes its name from the said. tastes a Saltire (Scottish flag) decorated cake at a Syrian at a Genomics England research Wales are believed to have a “The previously unreleased 1986 Wham! festive tune. “(It) does feel like it’s tailor- bakery in Alloa, Scotland yesterday. conference earlier this week “treatable, early-onset dis- track, which was recorded dur- The soundtrack for the ro- made.” that the DNA testing technol- ease.” Gulf Times 20 Thursday, November 7, 2019 EUROPE

IN THE DOCK JUSTICE PROTEST POLITICS GREEN DREAM More time for psychiatric Tougher rape verdict Sit-in by climate activists Protest forces president Compact carbon-neutral report on mosque shooter sought in abuse case disrupts energy meet out of studio side door fuel plant launched

A psychiatric assessment of a Norwegian man Spanish prosecutors will appeal a court ruling An energy industry conference in Paris was halted Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic had to use Germany yesterday launched the world’s accused of carrying out a shooting at a mosque which found five men, who assaulted a 14-year- yesterday when climate activists staged a sit-in a side entrance to access the state television first compact plant for the production of a near Oslo is due in December, authorities said old girl, guilty of sexual abuse rather than the in front of the stage where industry executives building on Tuesday evening after around carbon-neutral fuel. The plant, which is just yesterday. Philip Manshaus, 22, is charged with graver crime of rape, a source at the prosecutor’s were addressing the conference. The activists, 200 angry opposition supporters blocked the the size of a shipping container and run by the terrorism and the murder of his stepsister on off ice said yesterday. The ruling, which has from environmental groups ANV-COP21 and main door in a protest over what they said was Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, can create August 10. His pre-trial detention was extended sparked days of protests by women activists, Friends of the Earth, were protesting energy government control of the media. Protesters, fuel to power cars, ships or aircraft. The fuel is on Monday to December 2, the same day as the has revived memories of the so-called Wolfpack extraction projects. A group of about 20 mostly- shouting “Vucic, thief!”, began gathering around produced in four steps using green electricity. psychiatric assessment is due. Initially, the Oslo case which led to mass rallies across Spain last female activists pushed pass security to enter the about an hour before a Vucic live interview was The technology used removes CO2 directly from district court had wanted the report today, but year over chauvinism and sexual abuse. Last conference room in the hotel hosting the European due to start on Serbian state broadcaster RTS TV. the air. “This has the advantage that the plants approved extending the deadline. The court- Thursday, Barcelona’s High Court sentenced the Annual Gas Conference. They walked in single file The protesters accuse Vucic of staging his media can be located anywhere in the world,” said appointed experts “requested more time,” police five men to 10-12 years in prison. In its appeal, into the centre of the room, sat down in silence in appearances and not taking diff icult questions, Professor Roland Dittmeyer from the project. prosecutor Hilde Strand said in a statement. the Barcelona prosecutor’s off ice said it wanted front of the stage, and linked their arms, according accusations he denies. Vucic posted a photo on The small pilot plant has already filled a barrel Although Manshaus admitted to the acts, he did the men instead to be charged with rape, which to a Reuters reporter in the room. Organisers Instagram from inside the RTS studio, saying he with e-fuel during initial trials, but no more than not plead guilty, and requested to be released. carries prison sentences of 15 to 20 years. announced that the session was suspended. had gone in via the side entrance. a few litres a day can currently be produced.

Guy Fawkes Day protest French govt toughens its stance on immigration

Reuters tent camps in eastern Paris would be razed Paris by the end of this year, but he did not say what would happen to similar camps in other parts of the country. rance is to clear out some migrant At the same time, thousands of new tent camps, impose quotas for mi- homes would be made available for asylum Fgrant workers and deny newly-ar- seekers, he said, so that they could live in rived asylum seekers access to non-urgent dignity. Demonstrators wear Guy Fawkes masks and hold placards reading ‘Freedom (for) Political Prisoners’ during a ‘Million Mask March’ organised by healthcare, in a drive to show voters Presi- Philippe also said the test for acquiring Anonymous and other hacktivist movements on Guy Fawkes Day on Tuesday night in Barcelona. Activists gathered around the world for a march dent Emmanuel Macron is heeding their French citizenship would be made more with many wearing white masks of the man who was caught plotting to blow up the House of Lords in 1605, Guido (Guy) Fawkes. concerns about immigration. exacting, and that the government would “We want to take back control of our aim to process asylum applications within immigration policy,” Prime Minister Ed- six months. ouard Philippe, a Macron appointee, told Ministers said quotas would be set for reporters yesterday as he unveiled a pack- people moving legally to France from age of measures on immigration. outside the European Union to work, but “That means when we say yes it really without saying what the ceiling would be. means yes, and when we say no, it really Addressing concerns that France’s free Cyprus to strip citizenships means no.” health system was attracting illegal mi- Opinion polls show voters are worried grants, Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said about the issue, and that sentiment is asylum seekers would have to wait three driving support for far-right leader Marine months before being entitled to health- Le Pen, who is likely to be Macron’s main care. opponent in the next presidential election She said the restriction would not apply after uproar over passports to children, or emergency care. in 2022. Polling shows her popularity is rising In the second quarter of this year, France By Michele Kambas, Reuters conditions of the Cyprus invest- used to distribute pamphlets resem- stance, for high-risk persons.” with voters while Macron — though still in received 28,575 asylum applications, or Athens ment programme,” Cypriot Interior bling passports to visitors at the is- The Reuters investigation showed the lead — is slipping back. 426 per million inhabitants, according to Minister Constantinos Petrides told land’s main airport. that infl uential police, business and Macron’s centrist administration has so Eurostat data. journalists after a four-hour cabinet Authorities say the programme political associates of Cambodia’s far resisted pressure from right-wing ri- That is above the EU average of 291 asy- yprus said yesterday it had meeting. has gone through several transfor- long-time ruler had overseas assets vals on immigration, in part because many lum applications per mn inhabitants, and started a process to strip Petrides did not disclose nation- mations, and was overhauled in Feb- worth tens of millions of dollars. of his own liberal supporters are uncom- puts France in eighth place overall in Eu- C26 individuals of citizen- alities or identities of those aff ected. ruary 2019 with fi ve diff erent due Recently, Cypriot newspaper fortable with any measures they feel are rope. ship they received under a secretive However, Cypriot sources said the diligence layers, compared to one in Politis reported Malaysian fugitive pandering to xenophobia. France has the largest Muslim minority passports-for-investment scheme, group included nine Russians, eight 2013. fi nancier Low Taek Jho, accused of But in announcing the new measures, in Western Europe, and a large proportion admitting it had fl aws. Cambodians, fi ve Chinese nationals, In fi ve years between the inception a multi billion dollar theft at state France joins other European states, among of its immigrant population are from Mus- The Mediterranean island has two Kenyans, one Malaysian and one of the citizenship scheme and 2018, fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad them Italy, Britain and Sweden, that have lim countries. been rattled by disclosures of its Iranian. the Cypriot government approved (1MDB), was another benefi ciary of a opted to take tougher approaches on mi- Some French people say practices found investments scheme since Reuters They involved nine investment 1,864 citizenship applications. passport. grants since the outbreak of the Syria among immigrant communities are at odds exclusively reported last month a projects, whereby groups of foreign Including family members, the Hun Sen has previously denied confl ict in 2011 triggered a migrant crisis with traditional French values, including list of Cambodian benefi ciaries, in- investors in partnership can benefi t number was more than 3,200, and is opposition allegations that members across Europe and fuelled populist right- the offi cial secularism of the French state. cluding its police chief and fi nance from the scheme. close to 4,000 today. of his inner circle had other pass- wing parties. Others say such concerns are used to minister. Cyprus has had a citizenship for “If there were nine investment ports and lived the high life overseas. The French prime minister said the 20 justify racism and xenophobia. Rescinding citizenship is highly investment plan in place since 2013, cases, concerning 26 people among Some 70% of Cambodians live on new measures on immigration his govern- When he was elected in 2017, Macron unusual, and the move came after under which a minimum 2mn euro 4,000 applications, it is logical that $3 a day, according to the Asian De- ment unveiled yesterday were the mark of beat Le Pen nearly two-to-one in a runoff . authorities launched a probe in the ($2.2mn) investment can buy a pass- some would be problematic when velopment Bank. a “France that is open but is not naive.” An opinion poll conducted last month wake of the report. port and visa-free travel throughout controls weren’t strict,” Petrides Petrides, whose ministry signs off “I think we have found the right balance by pollster Ifop showed the gap narrowing: “The Council of Ministers today the European Union. said. on passport applications, said the between reassuring our citizens and not if a runoff were to be held now, Macron affi rmed the will of the government Advertising the scheme is now “There were mistakes, it was a individuals concerned had the right giving ground to populism,” he said. would get 55% while Le Pen would have for strict adherence to the terms and banned, but at least one law offi ce mistake not to have criteria, for in- to appeal. The prime minister said that migrant 45% support, the poll showed. On Norway’s icy border with Russia, unease over military buildup

By Gwladys Fouche, Reuters may be jammed,” Croak barks to Severodvinsk, has worked at the ing maritime manoeuvres with Setermoen/Kirkenes, Norway the Marines, a warning stem- shipyard in Kirkenes since 2006. ballistic missile-capable vessels ming from Nato accusations — “I don’t have those problems present. denied by Russia — that Moscow I used to have in Russia before: I “These were clear messages nder a soft winter sun has in the past jammed GPS sys- have a good job, a normal salary,” from Moscow,” said Lieutenant- in northern Norway, US tems in Norway. he said. General Rune Jakobsen, Com- UMarines train in the ice The rising tension is unsettling About 10% of Kirkenes resi- mander of the Norwegian Joint and snow as they learn how to many Norwegians, not least in dents are now from the Kola Pe- Headquarters — the Norwegian fi ght in the freezing cold. the town of Kirkenes, which for ninsula. Armed Forces operational com- “Which country is to the three decades has been trying to Kirkenes’ Samovar theatre mand centre. “Do not be part of northeast?” Staff Sergeant Dan- foster cooperation with Russia. company performs in both Nor- (Nato’s) ballistic-missile defence.” iel Croak bellows at a group of 20 Residents can cross the nearby way and Russia, and has Russian Despite the tensions, he says soldiers in camoufl aged combat border quickly with a visa-free and Norwegians employees. Russian forces are behaving less jackets and white trousers in a permit. Russian choreographer Nikolai aggressively on the frontier with pine forest near the town of Se- Many go to the nearby Rus- Shchetnev feels at home and is Norway than in some other bor- termoen. sian town of Nikel to buy petrol thinking of applying for dual na- der zones between Russia and “Russia!” they shout back. because it is much cheaper there, tionality. Nato, such as the Baltic Sea. The troops are part of a con- and street signs use both the “Kirkenes is a Russian town in In eff orts to build trust, Jakob- tingent of 650 Marines staging Cyrillic and Latin scripts. Norway,” said Rune Rafaelsen, sen has in recent weeks had talks a recent joint military exercise “I don’t like it that they build the mayor of Soer-Varanger with the regional head of Russia’s with 3,000 soldiers from Nato- up the military on both sides of municipality which includes FSB security service in the Kola member Norway at a time when the border. We don’t want rising Kirkenes. Peninsula, and met the new head both Nato and Russia have in- tensions,” said Eirik Wikan, co- He said he would not welcome of the Northern Fleet, Alexander creased their military presence in owner of the Kimek shipyard in more tanks on the border though Moiseyev, in Kirkenes. the Arctic. Kirkenes, which gets two-thirds he saw Norway’s Nato member- “As a small nation neighbour- A few hundred kilometres from of its revenues from repairing ship as “a guarantee that I can do ing a superpower, you have to Setermoen, Russia is modernising Russian vessels. my job.” strike the right balance between its forces on the Kola Peninsula, “Here in the north, we work Russia denies responsibility deterrence and reassurance,” Ja- home to its Northern Fleet. together to reduce tensions...We for the rise in tensions. kobsen said. Russia has also carried out ma- are trying not to be part of them.” It blames the recent basing of But the military exercises are noeuvres in recent weeks, stag- About a third of the company’s US Marines in Norway, which it also important for Norway. ing a major submarine exercise 180 employees are Russian, 22 of sees as a security challenge. “Working together is what in the North Atlantic, according whom work in the Russian port But Norway’s worries grew af- makes it possible to fi ght together, to intelligence sources cited by city of Murmansk. ter Russia annexed Crimea from if we have to,” said Brigadier Lars A soldier from the Second Tank Squadron of the First Battalion of the Northern Brigade of the Norwegian media. Nikolai Chagin, a mechan- Ukraine in 2014 and then staged Lervik, commander of the North- Norwegian Army looks out from the top of a tank during ‘Reindeer 2’, a Norwegian-US military drill “Do not use your GPSes. They ic from the Russian town of Arctic military exercises includ- ern Brigade based in Setermoen. in Setermoen, Norway. Gulf Times Thursday, November 7, 2019 21 INDIA Gadkari consensus candidate as Maharashtra CM?

IANS According to the sources, out a roadmap to install Gad- restrict himself to the national On Tuesday, Fadnavis was MLAs, the Shiv Sena has openly form the government, it must New Delhi what’s interesting is that the kari as the new chief minister of politics. called by the RSS chief and they dared the BJP, which has emerged submit a list of 145 supporting Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the state, the sources said. This The Shiv Sena has been upset had a 90-minute-long discus- as the single largest party with MLAs (out of the total 288 leg- the ideological mentor of the BJP, could give a window to Shiv Sena with Fadnavis on his rigid stand. sion, but the outcome is not 105 legislators plus some inde- islators). We shall be very happy. ederal Road Transport Min- may sacrifi ce its blue-eyed boy, to scale down its demand of chief RSS top leaders sent feelers to the known. Even senior RSS leaders pendents, to stake its claim to Nevertheless, we are confi dent ister Nitin Gadkari is emerg- Chief Minister Devendra Fad- ministership on a rotation basis. Sena advising it against jumping are tightlipped about the meet- form the government. that the next CM will be from Fing as a consensus candidate navis, and bring in Gadkari. Gadkari maintains good re- the ship, amid its parleys with the ing. Fadnavis had met Gadkari Maharashtra BJP president Shiv Sena,” party MP Sanjay Raut for the post of Maharashtra chief The announcement of the lations with RSS chief Mohan Nationalist Congress Party. The and BJP chief and Home Minister Chandrakant Patil, along with told reporters yesterday evening. minister in a bid to end a power Sena returning to the coalition Bhagwat. It was Bhagwat who Sangh is also believed to have as- Amit Shah on Monday in Delhi. minister Sudhir Mungantiwar Meanwhile, Congress chief tussle between the Bharatiya Jana- fold may come as early as today. catapulted Gadkari into na- sured the Sena that all “issues” The RSS activated its politi- are expected to meet Governor B Sonia Gandhi’s close confi dante ta Party and the Shiv Sena, sources Both Fadnavis and Gadkari are tional politics and made him the will be “amicably resolved”. cal management to broker peace S Koshyari, though the agenda is Ahmed Patel met Gadkari yester- said yesterday. from Nagpur, the RSS headquar- BJP president despite opposi- It assumes even more signifi - within BJP and Shiv Sena after not clear. day morning triggering specula- A fortnight after state assembly ters, and in spite of the apparent tion from many veteran leaders. cance, as Sena leader Kishore the NCP refused to lend support Patil’s decision to accompany tion. election results were announced, cordial relationship in front of Also, during 2014 when Gad- Tiwari wrote to Bhagwat asking to any formation. The RSS had to Mungantiwar – instead of Fad- However, Patel insisted poli- there were indications yesterday the camera, the friction between kari threw his hat in the fray, it him to bring in Gadkari in the move quickly as the tenure of the navis – has led to fresh specula- tics was not discussed during the that a BJP-Shiv Sena alliance gov- the two is an open secret. was Bhagwat’s intervention that picture, saying only he can end state assembly expires this week. tion over his fate. meeting. He said he met Gadkari ernment would be formed. The RSS has apparently put convinced him to withdraw and the impasse in “two hours”. Claiming the support of 170 “If the BJP stakes its claim to on the issue of farmers. Delhi schools reopen, air quality still unhealthy

Agencies The air quality index measured New Delhi by the US embassy in New Delhi stood at “unhealthy” levels of 177 yesterday, down from 331 on chools in New Delhi reo- Tuesday morning. pened yesterday after clos- Anything above 401 is classi- Sing for two days due to a fi ed as “severe”. spike in air pollution that trig- Air pollution at that level can gered a public health emergency seriously aff ect those with ex- and prompted protests by resi- isting respiratory illnesses, and dents and environmental groups. even those who are otherwise Children, many wearing face healthy. masks, returned to schools in PM 2.5, or tiny particulate New Delhi and its surrounding matter that is less than 2.5 mi- cities even as air pollution stayed crons in diameter, are considered at “unhealthy” levels in most particularly dangerous because parts of northern India, includ- they lodge deep in the lungs. ing the capital city. PM 10 is another pollut- India’s weather offi ce forecast ant that is inhaled when people a downpour today. Torrential breathe through their mouths. rains tend to bring down pollu- Despite the pollution cloak- Rapid Action Force (RPF) and Uttar Pradesh police personnel patrol a street in Ayodhya yesterday. Authorities have deployed thousands of additional security forces and roped in tion levels, which hit their high- ing northern India, visitors are about 16,000 “digital volunteers” to sanitise social media of inflammatory posts ahead of a crucial Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute. est levels of the year on Sunday. still thronging the Taj Mahal, The overall air quality across the shining marble mausoleum the city showed some improve- south of Delhi. ment for the second consecu- Every year around 8mn peo- tive day thanks to stronger winds ple – mostly domestic tourists – which helped blow away some of visit the monument. the pollutants hanging in the at- On Tuesday, with smog levels mosphere. many times maximum levels, Authorities in New Delhi ban- only a few of the roughly 10,000 Security stepped up as ished cars with number plates daily visitors wore pollution ending in an odd number on masks, and most of them were Monday in a bid to reduce the foreigners. pollution, although politicians Gildas Courtois, a French in the city of more than 20mn visitor, complained that he was people, bickered over the causes coughing, his nose was running of the pollution and who should and that his eyes were sore. Ayodhya awaits verdict take the blame for it. “We don’t feel comfortable Environmental experts say any with it,” he said. “It makes it bit- Agencies competing claims to the site’s try to track down the posters tive districts including Meerut, violated the basic principle of increase in the burning of crop ter. Makes the visit bitter, be- Lucknow ownership before Chief Justice and demand that they delete Agra, Aligarh, Rampur, Bareilly, neutrality in reporting. stubble in Punjab and Haryana cause it’s a wonder, one of the Ranjan Gogoi retires on Novem- their posts or messages. Ferozabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, The Board urged the me- – part of India’s farm belt that wonders of the world.” ber 17. “We just have to stay alert Saharanpur, Shamli, Muzaff ar- dia to stick to the advisory is- borders Delhi – would lead to an A Japanese tourist wearing a uthorities have deployed “Thousands of (additional) and sensitive to the security of nagar, Bulandshahr and Azam- sued by the News Broadcasting increase in pollution levels. mask at the Taj Mahal felt the thousands of additional security personnel from diff er- the visiting pilgrims,” Ayodhya garh. Standards Association (NBSA) The burning of crop residues same way. Asecurity forces and roped ent agencies have been deployed district magistrate Anuj Kumar Meanwhile, the All India regarding the coverage of the have helped turn India’s capital “Breathing dirty air aff ects our in about 16,000 “digital volun- in and around Ayodhya. Addi- Jha said. Muslim Personal Law Board dispute. into the most polluted major city health directly and instantly,” he teers” to sanitise social media tional vehicles, CCTV cameras, “We are also keeping a very (AIMPLB) has said that a section “A matter which is pend- in the world. said. of infl ammatory posts ahead of body cameras and drones too close watch on social media to of media was involved in ‘rab- ing before the Supreme Court On Tuesday night, more than “I am feeling chest conges- a crucial Supreme Court verdict have been brought in,” Ayodhya ensure there are no rumours or ble-rousing and propaganda’ must be reported in the press 1,500 people gathered at India tion and my eyes are watery. We on the Ayodhya dispute. police senior superintendent incitement.” while reporting on the Ayodhya from a legal point of view Gate, the war memorial at the are using masks but I’m not sure Hindus and Muslims have for Ashish Tiwari said yesterday. Authorities clamped down dispute. without any adjective, per- centre of Delhi, to protest per- how eff ective they are.” decades been bitterly divided “The police are also mak- on movement and assembly of In a statement issued here, the sonal opinion, prejudice, bias sistently high pollution levels For the Taj Mahal, a van with over the 16th-century Babri ing other eff orts to ensure that people in the region last month AIMPLB said: “A large section or emotional narrative in the and demand action from the fed- a large air purifi er on Tuesday mosque in Ayodhya in Uttar things remain calm. We have when the court was concluding of the press, mainly electronic garb of freedom of the press,” eral and the state governments. was parked up, but it was around Pradesh. enlisted around 16,000 digital its hearing into the dispute. media, is involved in rabble- the statement said. “People are angry because it’s 1.5km away in a busy car park Tensions boiled over in 1992 volunteers from 1,600 villages The district also banned fi re- rousing and propaganda. Such The Supreme Court has to de- a collective failure and politicians fi lled with diesel buses. when Hindu zealots destroyed in the region to help monitor crackers and drones, only allow- coverage may help in spreading cide on the appeals against a key need to come together to chalk out “The van is deployed at loca- the mosque, sparking religious and fl ag sensitive content on the ing them to be used if permis- hatred and animosity among the 2010 verdict by the Allahabad a comprehensive plan to address tions where pollution levels are violence that killed 2,000 peo- social media.” sion is granted. citizens of the country.” High Court which ruled that this crisis,” said Vimlendu Jha, an high to clean the air,” said Bhuvan ple. The monitors will report what The authorities have already It said a very large section of both groups should split the site, environmentalist who founded Yadav, head of the local pollution India’s top court is expect- they deem is inappropriate con- issued orders to police chiefs media has started reporting the with Hindus granted the lion’s the activist group Swechha. control board. ed to hand down its ruling on tent to police, who could then in the 34 communally sensi- Ayodhya case in a manner that share. Break dance girl fl ips norms in world title bid

AFP segregating them from boys Games and Rodrigues hopes such possible,” she says, breaking into tu, and Bharatnatyam – a dance Bengaluru at an early age – setting up recognition would “legitimise it a smile. form that originated in southern different goalposts especially in the eyes of parents” and en- A year later, after training with India’s temples over 2,000 years when it comes to things like courage more Indian youths to her friend who is also a b-boy (a ago. ong before b-girl Johanna athletics at school,” she tells try the sport. term for a male break dancer), “All these elements are part of Rodrigues began improvis- AFP. Although there are no verifi ed she performed in public for the who I am...it’s such an advan- Ling routines combining In- “I never understood it...maybe fi gures on the number of male fi rst time. tage as an Indian to be able to tap dian classical dance with head- because I had a mother who did and female breakers in India, Ro- Half a decade on, she says them and use them to create my stands and backfl ips in a quest to everything a man was expected drigues estimates that the com- breaking has transformed her own version as a b-girl,” she says. “redefi ne femininity”, she found to do and everything a woman petitive community today in- sense of self and raised her con- Keen to boost female par- inspiration at home in her wid- was expected to do, whether it cludes some 800 men – and just fi dence as a woman living in con- ticipation in the predominately owed mother. was fi xing lightbulbs, going to 40 women. servative India. male sport, she organises sum- A rare female face on India’s work, riding a motorbike, cook- Rodrigues was a schoolgirl in “I used to feel so worried for mer dance camps for children break dancing scene, Rodrigues ing dinner. Bengaluru when she encoun- my safety, so nervous travelling through her studio Break Brah- is representing the nation at this “I always wanted to be better tered the world of breaking, tak- on my own or being stared at, ma. week’s Red Bull BC One world than the boys.” ing a breather from studying for but now I feel totally comfort- “I love teaching girls because championship in Mumbai, where Born in New York’s Bronx bor- exams to watch a hip-hop dance able dancing in a park or on the they are so uninhibited at that she will battle 15 women and 16 ough in the 1970s, break danc- performance. street,” she says. age,” she says. men for the top prize. ing has become a phenomenon It was love at fi rst sight. “People’s reactions don’t “Breaking isn’t just about Competing against men comes around the world and a staple of “It was amazing to watch them bother me.” strength, whatever some guys naturally to the 23-year-old yoga urban youth culture, performed move with such a sense of free- Although Rodrigues has stud- might think...it’s also about fl ex- instructor, who grew up idolis- everywhere from the slums of dom,” she recalls. ied contemporary dance and ibility and patience. ing athletes like Usain Bolt and Mumbai to the streets of Cape Learning the moves felt like a ballet, today she mainly draws “Being a b-girl is my way of re- harboured dreams of becoming Town. natural next step. on the skills she has picked up defi ning femininity, by combin- Rodrigues performs a dance routine as part of her daily practice a runner. The dance is set to make its “It felt so exhilarating to work learning yoga, the ancient indig- ing masculine and feminine ele- session next to others practising yoga at a park in Bengaluru. “We tend to limit girls by Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 with my body, to see what was enous martial art of Kalaripayat- ments which are part of all of us.” Gulf Times 22 Thursday, November 7, 2019 INDIA

HEALTH ENERGY JUDICIARY INVESTIGATION BAIL HEARING Amethi farmer gets Solar tiles may replace clay Hooda, Vohra get bail in No bail for 2 CPM youths Losing weight is not illness, free liver transplant tiles in Goa homes: minister AJL land allotment case charged under UAPA SC tells Sajjan Kumar

A poor farmer from the Amethi district Clay roof tiles, colloquially referred to as A special court of the Enforcement Directorate A court in Kozhikode, Kerala yesterday refused A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice- got a free liver transplant after the King Mangalorean tiles, that typically adorn roofs of (ED) yesterday granted regular bail to former bail to Communist Party of India (Marxist) designate S A Bobde, while hearing a bail plea of George’s Medical University (KGMU) traditional Goan homes, may soon make way Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda workers who arrested under the Unlawful former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar convicted in in Lucknow helped him get financial for more modern and solar energy-generating and senior Congress leader Moti Lal Vora in the Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Allen Shuaib the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, said “losing weight aid. Gyanendra Pratap Singh, 41, was tiles if Goa Power Minister Nilesh Cabral has case involving Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), and Thaha Fazil, both full time CPM members, does not mean illness…what is more important suffering from liver cirrhosis, and needed his way. Cabral said yesterday his ministry the publisher of National Herald newspaper. were arrested on Saturday in Kozhikode after is that you should be healthy”. Kumar’s lawyer a transplant. Singh’s wife Vandana, 39, would soon implement the Renewable Energy The court on October 30 granted interim bail police recovered Maoist propaganda leaflets, argued his client was not keeping well and decided to donate a part of her organ, Service Company (RESCO) model of solar power to Hooda and Vora on a surety of Rs500,000 besides material condemning the central suff ering from physical ailment, as a result he and the hospital helped the patient in generation, in which roof space is utilised for each. The Central Bureau of Investigation in government’s action in Jammu and Kashmir. has lost nearly 9kg in jail. Kumar is serving getting financial assistance under the outfitting of solar panels that help generate December last filed a charge-sheet against Actress Sajitha Madathil who is a relative life sentence in the riots case and had moved chief minister’s Asadhya Rog Yojana. A cheaper power. “We can replace Mangalorean former Hooda and Vora. The CBI has alleged of Shuaib told reporters that the family will the top court seeking bail on health grounds. liver transplant costs around Rs3mn at a tiles in Goan homes with specially-made solar that Hooda, in conspiracy with Vora, had decide their next move after discussing with Justice Bobde ordered setting up a medical private hospital, while at KGMU it is around tiles. We are soon bringing in the RESCO model, abused off icial position and dishonestly re- legal experts. The family members of both board headed by doctors of All India Institute of Rs800,000. After the 12-hour-long surgery under which once people formally make their roof allotted the institutional plot in Panchkula to have rejected the police charges. “Fazil was Medical Sciences to examine Kumar’s health and both the donor and recipient are doing available to the electricity department, we will AJL at the old rate and caused wrongful gain of forced to shout slogans in the jeep after he was submit a report within in four weeks. Lawyers fine, doctors said. It was the eighth liver conduct an inspection and facilitate replacement approximately Rs6.7mn to the private company threatened by the police using a revolver,” said for the anti-Sikh riot victims opposed Kumar’s transplant at KGMU since March 2017. of traditional roof tiles with solar tiles,” Cabral said. and loss to the exchequer. Fazil’s aunt. bail plea. Delhi courts shut as lawyers’ protest enters the fourth day IANS also left a lawyer with a bullet not come forward to help. New Delhi injury. They did not even come to the The Delhi High Court hospital to see the injured po- meanwhile said its November licemen. Commissioner Am- ower courts in Delhi 3 order directing no coercive ulya Patnaik and his offi cers witnessed a complete steps against lawyers against remained glued to their chairs. Llockdown yester- whom cases were registered Except for a few including day, with lawyers prevent- in the aftermath of Tis Haz- Additional District Commis- ing litigants from entering ari court violence is “self-ex- sioner Harendra Singh, the the premises even as the Bar planatory and needs no clari- rest were not bothered,” said Council of India announced fi cation”. a woman sub-inspector at the withdrawal of strike from to- The order was passed by a protest site on Tuesday. day. division bench, presided by Harendra Singh was sus- As a standoff between the Chief Justice D N Patel and pended on Delhi High Court layers and the police entered Justice C Hari Shankar on a orders. He is considered to A locked gate of the Saket court complex is pictured as lawyers locked themselves inside after days of confrontation with police, in New Delhi its fourth day, shutdowns plea by the Home Ministry. be the major force behind yesterday. were reported from the Patiala The ministry, which di- the new police headquarters House Court as well as courts rectly controls Delhi police, which was inaugurated by in Rohini and Saket. sought clarification whether Home Minister Amit Shah on Mahavir Singh Sharma of protection was extended October 31. All District Court Bar Asso- only with respect to the two There seems to be consid- ciations said lawyers practic- FIRs registered on November erable and widespread dis- Kiran Bedi gets emotional after ing in all the district courts 2 after the Tis Hazari vio- enchantment with Patnaik, of Delhi would abstain from lence and not the subsequent especially among the lower work. events. ranks of the force. The police The Bar Council of India Meanwhile, the day-long top offi cials failed to immedi- protesters praise her leadership announced it will withdraw its protest by thousands of police ately reach out to the frontline strike and resume work from on Tuesday has jolted the top force who could have been mollifi ed. Had this happened, ship is a ‘character’ that takes of an advocate on suspicion of “Monika Madam (Monika today but demanded action brass of the Delhi police, es- IANS against police involved in a pecially Police Commissioner the day-long protest outside New Delhi responsibility and takes tough theft. Bhardwaj, deputy commis- decisions. It is a ‘life’ of ‘do- This was in complete con- sioner of police, North district) scuffl e at the Tis Hazari court Amulya Patnaik. their own headquarters would ing’...Tough times go, memories trast to the support the offi cials and Sanjay Singh (special com- on November 2, while prom- The fact that Patnaik failed not have happened and the ours after police person- of tough acts remain.” The sen- received after the Saturday in- missioner of police) suspended ising action against lawyers to stop the protest has shown commissioner would not have nel protesting outside ior Indian Police Service offi cer cident, and when lawyers on their subordinates to save them- found guilty. that the rank and fi le in the come out as a weak guardian, Hthe police headquarters could not become the Delhi po- Monday thrashed policemen in selves. They were suspended for “We held a meeting yester- police force was no longer in the protesters said. remembered one of their most lice commissioner during her the Saket court. On Tuesday, following the offi cers’ instruc- day in which we have issued awe of him. In a related development, beloved offi cers with loud chants tenure as she was not an IPS Police Commissioner Amulya tions,” she added. notices to advocates. We are There is a growing feel- Lieutenant Governor Anil Bai- of “Kiran Bedi lao, Delhi police “lobby favourite”. Patnaik was booed by constables “Had Kiran Madam been going to take action against ing among the lower ranks of jal yesterday met senior police bachao” (Bring back Kiran Bedi, “Rights and responsibilities are after he asked them to call off the there, she would have led by ex- the guilty lawyers. However, the police that the top brass offi cers including Patnaik and save Delhi police), the Puduch- two sides of the same coin. We as agitation. ample.” the manner in which thou- including the commissioner Joint Commissioner Rajesh erry Lieutenant Governor took citizens must never forget this. Talking to IANS, an ailing Bedi is also known as “Crane sands of policed gathered out- failed to stand by them in the Khurana. to Twitter to share her memo- Whoever and wherever we be. We woman police constable on the Bedi” for ordering the towing side the Police Headquarters Tis Hazari lawyers vs police According to sources, the need a major shift in our emphasis condition of anonymity said, away of former prime minister ries and emotions of an era gone was illegal and unconstitu- incident and the subsequent meeting was a routine one, by when the national capital had in this regard. When we all exer- “Our Golf-1 (Amulya Patnaik) Indira Gandhi’s car from Delhi’s attacks on the policemen by during which Tuesday’s pro- seen similar scenes of protests. cise our responsibility of being is of no use. Had there been a Connaught Place area in 1982. tional,” BCI chairperson Man- As junior offi cers drowned out law abiding there is no confl ict.” commissioner like Kiran Bedi, Hundreds of police person- an Kumar Mishra told report- lawyers. They say that “when test was also discussed. seniors trying to placate them The reason for the police per- we wouldn’t have taken to the nel on Tuesday staged a protest ers here. our own offi cers, some of Calling the clash between on Tuesday in an unprecedented sonnel remembering Bedi, the streets to stage a protest. ‘Kiran over repeated incidents of vio- A minor argument between whom are lazy and late-com- “unfortunate”, Baijal said it moment of diff erence within the fi rst woman IPS offi cer, is rooted Madam’ used to pay heed to the lence against them by lawyers. A a lawyer and police over a ers, did not stand by us, then was imperative to restore the force, the protesters took out in a February 17, 1988 incident at concerns of her sub-ordinates – parking row between police per- parking spot at the Tis Hazari it shows how weak our leader- trust between the police and placards of the former police of- Tis Hazari Court complex, when even constables and hawaldars. sonnel and lawyers on Saturday court complex in New Delhi ship is”. lawyers and also to ensure fi cer and wanted her back. she backed the police force and Whereas, he (Patnaik) didn’t escalated leading to violence and on November 2 fl ared up lead- “They saw what we were that justice is done impar- Yesterday, Bedi, who has a had a face-off with lawyers, who even visit the injured police in arson at the Tis Hazari Court ing to violence and arson, and going through, yet they did tially. new role, tweeted: “Leader- were protesting the handcuffi ng the hospital. complex. Jeweller opens new outlet in Pune BSNL off ers voluntary Govt to import onions as retirement scheme prices hit Rs100/kg in Delhi IANS critical to the survival of BSNL, New Delhi whose 1.75 lakh-strong work IANS Shrinate said there was suffi cient putting stockholding limit of 10 force consumes 75% the com- New Delhi stock of onions in the country, tonnes for retailers and 50 tonnes pany’s revenues in wages. The but prices were on the boil be- for wholesalers to ensure a con- tate-run Bharat Sanchar company has been making losses cause the government was pro- stant and healthy supply in the Nigam Limited (BSNL) for the last 10 years and posted an nion prices which have tecting blackmarketeers who market. Syesterday launched a vol- estimated loss of Rs14,300 crore been rising for weeks now have hoarded the staple vegeta- The minister reviewed the untary retirement scheme for in 2018-19. Ohave crossed the psy- ble. prices and availability of onions employees. Under the VRS, employees chological mark of Rs100 a kg in “Now the government is going across the nation with Con- In a statement the company above the age of 53½ years will Delhi. to import onion. We have strong sumer Aff airs Secretary Avinash said the scheme will remain open get 125% of their salary, which Despite various measures hav- objections on it. The farmers are K Srivastava and Food Secretary until December 3 and that “the they could have earned in the ing been put in place by the cen- not benefi ting with the price rise. Ravi Kant along with other sen- eff ective date of voluntary retire- balance period of their service. tral government, the prices have We would request the govern- ior offi cials. ment under this scheme will be Employees between 50 and 53½ been on fi re and imports are now ment not to quick-fi x and put During the meetings, sev- January 31, 2020.” opting for the VRS will get ben- being made to cool down the re- band aid”, she added. eral steps taken by the govern- Telecom Minister Ravi efi t in the range of 80 to 100% of tail level spike. The Congress is objecting to ment to curb price rise were Shankar Prasad recently asked the remuneration to be paid in In the light of public concern the government plans to import discussed. It was informed that Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ sixth showroom in Maharashtra, BSNL to start a dialogue with the balance period of their serv- over high prices of onions in the onions which it is resorting to in- due to the delay in the arrival and the second showroom in Pune, was recently inaugurated employees on the VRS. ice. market, the Ministry of Agri- crease the supply. of monsoon, the sowing was by brand ambassador and Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor in “BSNL’s revival depends For employees currently above culture yesterday relaxed rules Consumer Aff airs Minister delayed which had a cascading the presence of Malabar Group chairman M P Ahammed, upon the successful imple- 55 years of age, on opting for to facilitate onion imports up to Ram Vilas Paswan said the gov- effect on the arrival of onions managing director – India Operations Asher O, Group mentation of the VRS. Ac- VRS, their pension will be com- November 30. ernment was taking steps to curb in the markets. Also, untimely executive director K P Abdul Salam, regional head M P Subair, countability will be fixed from muted only when they attain 60 The opposition Congress the price rise including creating rains and two cyclones had management team members, media and other guests. The the top, if the revival plan is years, the current retirement age. seized on the issue to attack the a buff er stock of 56,700 tonnes an impact on the overall pro- new outlet is strategically located opposite Gokhale Hall not implemented in its true For those 55 years and less, on Bharatiya Janata Party govern- of onions out of which 1,525 duction and also hindered the at Sarsan Plaza, Laxmi Road, with valet service and ample spirit,” highly placed sources opting for VRS, the pension will ment. tonnes are available with NAFED transportation of onions espe- parking space available, the jeweller said in a statement. told IANS. be commuted in the sixth year Party spokeswoman Supriya at present, banning exports and cially from Maharashtra.] The success of the VRS is (2024-25). Gulf Times Thursday, November 7, 2019 23

LATIN AMERICA

COMMENT DECISION APPROVAL DECISION CRIME ‘Nothing to hide’ over Morales defies Brazil’s lower house clears Colombia to speed up Mexico ready to co-operate police abuse claims: Pinera calls to resign gun ownership proposal social investment plan with FBI in shooting probe

Chile’s president said his government had A Bolivian protest leader vowed to intensify Brazil’s lower house of congress approved Colombia said it would speed up social Mexico is willing to co-operate with the US “nothing to hide” concerning allegations that pressure on President Evo Morales to resign a proposal to ease gun ownership, but investment of $391.6mn earmarked for Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating police killed, tortured and sexually assaulted as he resisted opposition demands that he withdrew some of the measures the southwestern Cauca province, where indigenous the killings of nine members of a Mormon civilians during deadly protests against him. step down over contentious election results. government had hoped to see pass. The communities and political candidates have family, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Prosecutors say five of the 20 deaths recorded Luis Fernando Camacho, a civic leader who bill, which will now head to the Senate, been recent targets for violence by crime gangs said. The six children and three women were in the protests against high living costs were has become a major figure in the opposition, was limited to regulating gun use among and dissident rebels. The spending will include ambushed by suspected members of a criminal suspected to have been at the hands of security said he would push for Morales’ resignation. snipers, hunters and collectors. It also made subsidies for poor families, road construction, gang when travelling in a convoy of vehicles in forces. “We have been totally transparent about Camacho flew from the eastern city of Santa small adjustments to rules governing the help for economic projects and improvements in an area in the north of the country on Monday. the figures because we have nothing to hide,” Cruz to La Paz but said officials barred him purchase of firearms by security officials, health coverage, education and nutrition. Twelve Eight children survived the attack. The victims President Sebastian Pinera said. A UN human from leaving the airport. An air force plane who are already permitted to carry guns. people have been killed in two attacks by armed had both Mexican and US citizenship. “We’ll rights mission is investigating allegations of later returned him to Santa Cruz. Other The parts that were withdrawn, which relate groups in the province over the past week. “The take care that there is an investigation and that police brutality. Chile’s National Human Rights opposition figures continued their calls for to granting access to firearms to a broader common enemy is drug traff icking and that’s justice is done, and we have no limitations in Institute says it has brought legal action over 181 Morales to step down after his contentious swathe of the population, will be presented why the idea is to fight drug traff icking not just informing (the US) about how it is going. And cases including alleged murders, sexual violence election win last month pushed the country in a separate bill, the legislative body’s with closer security but also socially,” Peace if they want to participate, they could do that,” and torture by the military police. into a democratic crisis. press agency said. Commissioner Miguel Ceballos said. Lopez Obrador said. Brazil unveils reform package to tackle huge fi scal defi cit

Reuters government has proposed will Brasilia pass this year. There is a tight window in 2020 to pass laws before cam- razilian President Jair Bol- paigning starts for local elections sonaro’s government has in October. Bunveiled a bundle of wide- Raising taxes to resolve the fi s- ranging reforms, aimed at cut- cal crisis is out of the question ting spending and reducing the because Brazil already has one size of the state to drive down its of the highest tax burdens in the chronic fi scal defi cit. world, Treasury Secretary Man- Pushing ahead with an ambi- sueto Almeida said. tious privatisation plan, he sent Pensions and payroll were so Congress a bill to sell Brazil’s costly that the government’s largest utility, state-run Centrais non-discretionary spending has Eletricas Brasileiras SA, known reached 95% of the budget, he as Eletrobras. said, increasing a public debt Another proposal seeks to end that is close to 80% of gross do- the government’s mint monopo- mestic product. ly, allowing a private contractor But with interest rates at a rel- to print the country’s currency. atively low level and the govern- Alongside Economy Minister ment committed to respecting Brazil’s Mines and Energy Minister Bento Albuquerque (centre), Infrastructure Minister Tarcisio Freitas (right) and the executive-secretary of the Civil House of Brazil’s presidency Paulo Guedes, Bolsonaro handed a federal spending cap, Guedes Jose Santim, attend the government auction for off shore oil fields in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday. in constitutional amendments said Brazil could eventually re- that will also, if passed, decen- turn to having a primary budget tralise budget resources, ease surplus. non-discretionary spending The decentralisation of rules, and free up funds to pay spending, the public employee down public debt and boost in- reform, and, eventually, an over- vestment in a sluggish economy. haul of Brazil’s tax system would One proposal that will not be be nothing less than a “transfor- popular in Brasilia would enable mation of the Brazilian state,” Brazil oil auction raises the government to cut public Guedes said. sector employee salaries, hours “Congress wants to rewrite and benefi ts, and end job stabil- the history of the Brazilian state ity for new hires, to reduce the machine... We have a wonder- size of the federal payroll that ful agenda of work ahead for the weighs heavily on the budget. next six months or one year,” he Guedes said that measure said. a ‘disappointing’ $17bn was a priority to start reducing The government has dropped spending and he hoped it would the idea of keeping a golden share AFP up to bid for the blocks that are ducer in the next 10 years. planned to exercise its prefer- more than 60% of Brazil’s oil be approved before the end of the in the company that would give it Rio de Janeiro estimated to contain as much as It ranked ninth in 2018, ac- ential rights for two of the four production. year with the help of lawmakers. the power to veto decisions once 15bn barrels of oil – nearly dou- cording to the US Energy Infor- blocks. Environmental activists held The right-wing president and sold, which many lawmakers see ble the size of Norway’s reserves. mation Administration. It was expected to partner a protest outside the luxury ho- his economy minister are seeking as a needed guarantee for the razil’s auction of drilling Two of the four blocks did not Brazil’s state-owned oil gi- with foreign explorers. tel in Rio where the auction was to build on the momentum from country’s security. rights to four deep-sea oil receive a bid. ant Petrobras was among the If the rights to the four ar- being held, demanding “ocean a landmark pension reform that Mines & Energy Minister Bfi elds raised a disappoint- “It’s a historic day for Brazil’s bidders that also included eas had been sold, it would have without oil.” was passed by Congress in Sep- Bento Albuquerque said the state ing $17bn yesterday, offi cials oil sector,” Decio Oddone, head ExxonMobil, Shell and China’s raised 106bn reais, or more than Describing the auction as tember. would retain a signifi cant stake said, well short of expectations of the National Petroleum Agen- CNOOC. $26bn. “ridiculous,” the 350.org action “We are sure that, in a short in Eletrobras and no shareholder for the highly-anticipated mega cy, said earlier, as the sale in Rio Unlike previous oil fi eld sales, In the end, nearly 70bn reais group said Brazilians “want a time, perhaps early next year, would be allowed to hold more sale. de Janeiro got under way. the areas up for grabs had already was bid. sea free of devastating oil spills mid-next year at most, this... than 10%. Government offi cials The government had hoped The auction comes after been explored by Petrobras, re- The windfall would be a boon and the greed of fossil fuel cor- will become a reality and it will say there are no plans to privatise to collect more than $26bn from President Jair Bolsonaro’s recent ducing the risk for buyers. to Bolsonaro’s far-right govern- porations.” The sale comes as benefi t us all,” Bolsonaro said in giant oil company Petroleo Bra- the auction of so-called pre-salt push for the Latin American Prices were fi xed and the win- ment as it struggles to revive Brazil battles to contain a mas- remarks in Congress that were sileiro SA (Petrobras) or the two reserves trapped beneath the country to be included in Opec. ners were companies off ering economic growth, reduce un- sive oil spill, which has aff ected broadcast on local television. large state banks, Banco do Brasil ocean fl oor off Brazil’s southeast The government had hoped the largest cut of oil to the gov- employment and pay down a hundreds of beaches along more Lawmakers, however, say none and Caixa Economica Federal, coast. the sale could turn the country ernment. crippling debt burden. than 2,000km of Atlantic coast- of the major reforms Bolsonaro’s Brazil’s largest mortgage lender. A dozen oil majors had signed into the world’s fi fth largest pro- Petrobras had already said it Pre-salt deposits account for line.

Argentina debt woes Vale failed to report ‘needs to be solved’

Reuters possible sovereign bond default. Mexico City “As we have said over and over dam defects: offi cial again, the International Mon- etary Fund is also responsible for AFP water into the structure, which giant. Police said in September rgentina’s debt is a prob- what is happening in Argentina, Rio de Janeiro can “destabilise” the mining they have enough evidence to lem that the incoming and we don’t like the monetary waste, ANM said in a statement. charge employees of Vale and its Aadministration must re- fund,” Fernandez said. On January 10 — two weeks German auditor over false infor- solve, its president-elect, Alber- The IMF deal, negotiated with ining giant Vale failed before the dam ruptured — two mation used to certify the safety to Fernandez, said during a news outgoing President Mauricio to report problems at a devices measuring liquid pressure of the dam. conference in Mexico. Macri, has been in limbo since Mmassive tailings dam in had reached emergency level. It is up to prosecutors to de- Speaking on his fi rst overseas the August 11 primary election. Brazil that could have averted its A Vale report of a survey con- cide whether to charge seven Vale trip as the next president of the Fernandez’s bigger-than-ex- collapse, killing hundreds, a gov- ducted three days before the workers, none of whom are senior South American nation, Fern- pected margin of victory in the ernment agency said. breach, but only fi led on February managers, and six employees of andez criticised the debt load his primary pummelled the peso cur- The January 25 dam breach in 15, showed “all the irregularities” the auditor TUV SUD. administration will inherit. rency and sparked fresh debt fears. the mineral-rich state of Minas of the dam. The TUV SUD employees in- “The speed with which debt Argentina’s incoming presi- Gerais spewed millions of tons “If ANM had been correctly clude a German-based business was taken on and the character- dent Fernandez broke tradition of toxic mining waste across the informed, it could have taken development director, engineers istics of the debt were impres- by choosing Mexico for his fi rst countryside, leaving 270 people precautionary measures and and consultants who certifi ed the sive, because the debt is very trip abroad since his victory. dead or missing, and forcing Vale forced the company (Vale) to dam’s stability in 2018. large and it must be met in the In the past, Argentine presi- to suspend some of its operations. take emergency actions that That came after a judge ordered very short term,” he said. dents have made neighbouring Internal Vale documents seen could have avoided the disaster,” Vale to pay nearly $3mn to the “That is what we have to try Brazil the destination of their by investigators from the Nation- ANM said. families of three victims of the to solve.” Argentina shoulders fi rst post-election trip. al Mineral Agency (ANM) show In a statement Vale said it tragedy. about $100bn in sovereign debt. Relations between Argentina the mining company was aware would not comment on the A separate court ruling in July The centre-left Fernandez also and Brazil have been tense in of problems with a horizontal “technical decisions taken by its ordered Vale to pay for all the had choice words for the Inter- the wake of the October 27 poll, drainage system installed seven geotechnical team at the time.” damage caused by the disaster, national Monetary Fund, which with Brazilian President Jair Bol- months before the disaster. The company said it would wait without quantifying the amount he said was partly to blame for sonaro saying last week that he The system is designed to con- for the “expert, technical and sci- of money. Argentina’s economic woes. will not attend Fernandez’s inau- trol the water level of the dam. entifi c conclusions on the cause Brazil has since banned the The multilateral fi nancial or- guration ceremony. ANM said they are “delicate, of the dam rupture.” ANM said it construction of new upstream ganisation extended a credit line The Brazilian leader, a far- especially in upstream dams” like would forward its fi ndings to the dams, which are cheaper but less of $57bn to the recession- and right former army captain, had the one owned by Vale. federal police and prosecutors. stable than other types of tailings Argentina’s president-elect Alberto Fernandez greets attendees infl ation-racked country last co-operated closely with outgo- Installation of these pipes re- The report comes amid grow- dams, and ordered the decom- after speaking at Antiguo Colegio de San Idelfonso in Mexico City year, when a run on the peso cur- ing President Mauricio Macri, a quires the injection of pressurized ing pressure on the global mining missioning of existing ones. yesterday. rency sparked concerns about a conservative. Gulf Times 24 Thursday, November 7, 2019 PAKISTAN FBR mulls digital survey Protection of environment to assess real estate wealth top priority, Internews ties, an offi cial document comprising less than 2.5mn of nesses across the board within put on a back burner in the past Islamabad showed. return fi lers. next four years, as the country as there was a widespread criti- The digital survey along with The FBR was advised to keep is grappling with a challenge to cism in the business community geo-tagging needs to be under- the Chinese proposal for the improve tax-to-GDP ratio and against the new taxation model. says PM he Pakistan government taken over the next two years to survey under consideration. bring a gigantic undocumented The international fi nancial is mulling a Chinese pro- assess and tap colossal wealth China had proposed the govern- economy into the net. institutions called for removal Internews ing women were involved be- Tposal of using geo-tag- parked in the real estate sec- ment for conducting digitised The FBR is to fully imple- of double taxation system - a Islamabad sides action was taken action ging technology to conduct a tor over the next two years, the land survey (digital cartography) ment VAT regime for all busi- key barrier to mobilise revenue against the timber mafi a. nationwide survey of properties document said. of entire country two years back. ness segments over next two to and improve tax-to-GDP ratio, The prime minister added in a bid to evaluate wealth parked There is no accurate estimate The FBR is further consider- four years, the offi cial document which is one of the lowest in the rime Minister Imran the federal government of into the largely undocumented of investment involved in the ing a proposal for proof of con- revealed. emerging economies. Khan has said the pro- PTI has now embarked upon real estate sector, it was learnt domestic real estate sector, but cept of digital survey of Islama- FBR said there is a need to “The challenge for Pakistan Ptection of Pakistan’s an ambitious plan of planting yesterday. a conservative estimate puts it bad industrial area along with phase out the existing gen- is to generate considerably more environment is top priority of 10bn trees. The government of Paki- at billions of dollars with most of geo-tagging option. The revenue eral sales tax system and revenue by developing a modern the government. “This year we will launch stan has already approved, them going untaxed. collecting agency was asked to gradually implement VAT re- tax system without penalising Addressing the 7th Asian massive tree plantation drives in principle, a proposal by The government off ered a take the task on priority basis. gime to enhance revenues, economic growth or exacerbat- Regional Conservative Fo- across the country as the nec- the Federal Board of Rev- tax amnesty scheme recently The FBR is further consider- broaden tax base and assist in ing income inequality,” the In- rum of International Union essary planning and infra- enue (FBR) of a digital na- to bring the undocumented ing to implementing a value- documentation of the economy. ternational Monetary Fund said for Conservation of Nature structure including nurseries tionwide survey of proper- properties into the tax net added tax (VAT) regime for busi- The VAT proposal had been in a report. (IUCN) in Islamabad yes- have been developed in the terday, the prime minister fi rst year,” he said. said Pakistan was a diverse The prime minister added country. the youth will drive this mas- “Pakistan has twelve eco- sive campaign, adding that logical zones from desert to environment protection will Navy test fi res anti-ship missile Himalayan forests which are also be made part of syllabus. Islamabad to rare in the world,” he said. The prime minister further Internews [of] peace and stability has to be tionalisation of the Zarb Weapon The prime minister added said the government has also Karachi taken in the context of our quest System was depictive of Paki- the population growth and the started another campaign for maintaining a peaceful co- stan’s strong resolve and high lack of interest for protection under which vertical build- existence in the region and not level of preparedness. He reaf- of environment in the past has ings will be constructed in the come under akistan Navy test fi red to be construed as our weakness. fi rmed the resolve that Pakistan devastated our wildlife and cities. land-based anti-ship mis- Pakistan Navy, being a profes- Navy’s personnel remained vigi- forests. “Town planners need to be Psile Zarb as part of a train- sionally competent and potent lant and combat-ready to guard “The PTI government in more conscious of environ- ing exercise from this coastal force, is fully capable of thwart- the sea frontiers and maritime Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was ment protection,” the prime region. The missile successfully ing any aggression with an interests of our motherland. the fi rst government which minister said. administrative followed its pre-planned trajec- iron fi st.” At a change of command cer- took the fi rst major step to He regretted that seventy tory and accurately engaged the He lauded the eff orts, dedica- emony held at PNS Qasim, Rear deal with the climate change per cent of trees in Lahore target at sea. tion and professional conduct Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi took by launching the billion tree were cut off in ten years which Chief of Naval Staff Admiral displayed by all participants, over as Commander Coast. Tsunami project,” the prime has made it one of the most Zafar Mahmood Abbasi wit- especially the crew of missile Vice Admiral Muhamed minister said. polluted cities. charge of mayor nessed the exercise as the chief unit, scientists and engineers for Fayyaz Gilani handed over He said the magic formula The prime minister added guest. making the event a success. the command to Rear Admiral of the success of this initiative he regretted the US’s decision He said: “Pakistan’s pursuit He further said that opera- Lodhi, says a statement. was that local people includ- to pull out of the Paris accord. Internews tor after a competitive process Islamabad to run the CDA and jobs of the CDA and MCI offi cials and of- fi cers would be safeguarded and he federal cabinet has protected. However, the cur- approved restructuring rent management and policy Medical board recommends Sharif’s treatment abroad Tof the Capital Devel- levels of the two organisations opment Authority (CDA). In would be separated. future, the civic agency will “Under the new dispen- Internews Asked if Sharif would consider work under the administrative sation to be decided for Lahore leaving for London for his treat- control of the mayor. Islamabad, the CDA will ment on the doctors’ advice as he During the cabinet meeting initially fund development earlier appeared reluctant, the chaired by Prime Minister Im- of the city which deterio- he medical board treating PML-N source said: “Whenever ran Khan, adviser on institu- rated in last three years,” the former Pakistani prime his going abroad is decided it will tional reforms Ishrat Hussain source said, adding that the Tminister Nawaz Sharif be the doctors and his [Sharif] briefed the cabinet about the cabinet was briefed that the at the Services Hospital for the decision.” new local government system CDA’s fi nancial health had last two weeks has recommend- PML-N stalwarts Khawaja for Islamabad. improved. ed his treatment abroad keep- Asif and Ahsan Iqbal have al- A source who participated During the last cabinet ing in view complications of his ready declared that leaving the in the meeting said the cabinet meeting, it was decided that disease. country for treatment will solely directed that Islamabad’s re- the CDA would have a nine- “We have recommended ge- be the decision of Nawaz Sharif. form process should be com- member board - fi ve from netic tests followed by cardiac “If going abroad for treatment pleted in three months and the private sector and four treatment under one roof which is the only option for Nawaz interim arrangements should from the government sec- requires more diagnosis to pro- Sharif, then the government will be made to introduce Punjab tor - who would be ex-offi cio vide further treatment to Nawaz fi nd a way,” a private TV chan- like local government system members. Sharif. The panel of doctors has nel quoted Interior Minister Ijaz in the capital. The chairman of the au- come to a unanimous decision Shah as saying. Under the system placed in thority will be amongst the that since the complete genetic The minister had last week Punjab, development agen- private members. The ad- test facility is not available in disclosed that the name of Sharif cies work under the local ministrative powers would be Pakistan, the patient requires was not on the Exit Control List governments. given to directors general who treatment abroad,” the medical (ECL). “I checked the record and The source said a report will run their concerned for- board head and Services Insti- we did not put Nawaz Sharif on prepared by Hussain and a mations and board members tute of Medical Sciences princi- ECL,” he had said. summary prepared by the would not be paid rather they pal Dr Mahmood Ayaz said. Last week, the Islamabad CDA and the interior ministry would have an advisory role. “Doctors have provided best Supporters of jailed Pakistan’s former PM Nawaz Sharif garland his car as he leaves a hospital in Lahore yesterday. High Court granted bail to Na- regarding restructuring of the Currently, the CDA board treatment to the patient [Shar- waz Sharif for eight weeks, sus- CDA and Islamabad reforms is the main decision making if] here. The patient is stable The medical board consisting also been advised exercise and Dar’s son Ali Dar tweeted that ar- pending his seven-year sentence were discussed and approved body which takes major deci- as compared to the initial days of four senior and leading hae- walk,” he said. rangements had been made at the in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills cor- by the cabinet. sions which are implemented when he was shifted to the hos- matologists has diagnosed im- According to the doctors, SMC to shift Nawaz Sharif. ruption reference on medical It was decided that a new by the board members being pital. However, his platelets mune thrombocytopenia (ITP) 50,000 platelets and beyond are A source in the Pakistan Mus- grounds. improved system of manage- heads of various wings of the are not stable and the doctors disease - a disorder that can lead required for a patient to be de- lim League (PML-N) said that Earlier, the former prime ment would be introduced civic agency.In accordance recommended his treatment to easy or excessive bruising and clared fi t for [air] travel. the doctors treating Sharif were minister had secured bail in the in the capital within three with CDA Ordinance 1960, abroad,” he said, adding that bleeding - in the patient. Earlier in the day, a medical team worried about his health because Chaudhry Sugar Mills case from months. The source said it was the authority’s chairman and during the course of treatment Dr Ayaz said the doctors had so of the Sharif Medical City (SMC) of continuous drop in platelets the LHC on the similar ground. also decided that in future the members should be hired the former premier had suff ered far given Sharif seven mega units in Raiwind arrived at the Serv- which was yet to be diagnosed. On December 24 last year, an CDA would be placed under from the private sector after an angina attack, besides com- to improve his platelets which ices Hospital to shift the former “Whatever treatment the doc- accountability court had sen- the administrative control of a competitive process so that plaints of bleeding from gums were currently ranging between premier to this facility which is tors had in Pakistan they tried tenced the former prime minis- the mayor. they could take independent and some other parts, because 30,000 and 40,000. “We are near his residence. It was also and exhausted and their advice ter to seven years in prison in the A managing director would decisions in the interest of the of frequent changes in platelet controlling blood pressure and established by the Sharif family. [for Sharif’s treatment aboard] Al-Azizia case but acquitted him be hired from the private sec- authority. count. sugar of the patient. He has Former fi nance minister Ishaq cannot be ignored,” he said. in the Flagship reference. Protesters turn to poetry, sports to pass time Maryam Nawaz Internews enthusiastic and expressed the Shahid Afridi. He and his friends Islamabad willingness to obey whatever have been playing cricket on decision their leaders make. Kashmir Highway to kill time. released on bail “We have made all the ar- Khan said: “We play cricket in ith little to do but wait rangements to deal with emer- our area but we did not expect to for political leaders to gencies. We even have tempo- play it in Islamabad.” Internews prosecutor had opposed Wmake speeches, par- rary sheets to avoid rain. We are He added that he nev- Lahore the PML-N leader’s plea, ticipants of the Jamiat Ulema- here for a long stay to achieve er thought he would come which Maryam had fi led e-Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) Azadi our goals,” Saraj Khan from to Islamabad, let alone play after her father Nawaz March camped out on Kashmir Quetta said. cricket there. aughter of former Sharif was hospitalised in Highway have turned to games He said the motivational and Another marcher, 32-year-old prime minister Na- critical condition. and literature to pass the time. party songs were not a planned Mohamed Azmat from Bannu, Dwaz Sharif and Paki- Nawaz, who had been Some were seen participating Azadi March activity, but a few said they had bought a football stan Muslim League – Na- serving a jail term in Al- in a literary circle where several people who enjoy listening to from a nearby market and decid- waz vice president Maryam Azizia reference case, was people recited poetry to keep the and reciting poetry were taking ed to hold a match with a group Nawaz was yesterday re- also given bail by a bench of protesters’ spirits up. Over the part in the small gathering. from Peshawar. leased on bail after her law- the Islamabad High Court last few days, participants have Protesters have also taken to “We decided to play foot- yers fulfi lled requirements (IHC) on humanitarian also taken up various traditional playing cricket, football, volley- ball. It will be memorable for set forth by the Lahore High grounds last month. sports and games. Activists of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) gather in their shelter ball and traditional games such as us. Finding this new activity Court (LHC). The LHC had asked Mar- Nawaz Ali, who was reciting under the rain during an anti-government Azadi (Freedom) March in ‘langri’ and another where a group brought us out of boredom from According to details, Kot yam to submit her passport to poetry and singing party songs Islamabad yesterday. tosses one person into the air and the routine of sleeping, waking Lakhpat Jail offi cials issued the satisfy “judicial conscience” to motivate his fellow protesters, catches him on a fabric sheet. up and listening to speeches,” he release orders that were later as prosecution expressed ap- said: “I cannot speak Urdu so I struggle is to end the rule of Im- to stay united and motivated Kashmir Highway, typically said. sent to Services Hospital for prehension she would fl ee the presented my ‘kalam’ or poetry ran Khan’s government,” he said. to force the resignation of the fl ooded with traffi c, has now be- Naseer Ahmed, another par- signatures. country. in Pashto.” Another participant who “selected” prime minister. come a playground for younger ticipant, said they have also The LHC on Monday The court also asked her Safdar Shah from Peshawar joined in with the recitations Although they have been protesters. been visiting various parts of granted bail to Maryam in the to submit two surety bonds was among the listeners. “I feel said the literary circle was a camping on Kashmir Highway in Sikander Khan, who has the capital. “We mostly go in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. of Rs10mn each and depos- good. Such things motivate us fun way to express their com- H-9 and G-9 since last Thurs- come from Khyber Agency with morning and return before the The National Account- it Rs70mn with the deputy to continue our struggle; our mitment with their cause, and day, the protesters remained friends and cousins, is a fan of speeches start.” ability Bureau (NAB) registrar. Gulf Times Thursday, November 7, 2019 25 PHILIPPINES

Army Robredo accepts Duterte’s claims thwarting of suicide off er of post in drugs war bombing Vice president says tivists to call for international her to take the role, saying she Police killed only in self-de- she will not stay quiet intervention. Allies had warned had plenty of criticism and fence, the administration says. Robredo, who was elected sepa- should put her ideas into prac- In an Oct 23 interview, Robredo Reuters Reuters rately and has an adversarial tice. Ronald dela Rosa, a police- said the death toll was too high Manila Manila relationship with Duterte, that man turned senator and former and international help should be the off er of “drugs tsar”, or a drugs war commander, said Ro- sought if the government kept joint chair of a panel on illegal bredo had a chance to impress. tolerating abusive police. oldiers in the southern he vice president of the drugs, was a trap to ensure her “This is the time for her to Yesterday, she said she had Philippines foiled what the Philippines yesterday ac- embarrassment and failure. shine...I will pray for her suc- nothing to lose. “If could save at Sarmy said yesterday was an Tcepted President Rodrigo She said she was sceptical cess,” he said on television. least one innocent life, my prin- attempted suicide bombing in an Duterte’s off er of a lead role in about Duterte’s motives, but The crackdown is popular ciples and heart are telling me I urban area, the latest in a series his brutal war on drugs, even would take a chance. among Filipinos, with a Sep- should give this a try,” she said. of attacks blamed on a group though she expected her politi- “I am against the killings of tember opinion poll showing “They are asking me if I am aligned with Islamic State. cal rival’s administration would the innocent, I am against abus- 82% of respondents believed it ready for this job? My question Troops manning a checkpoint try to thwart her progress. es committed by offi cials. He eff ective, although critics say it is: Are you ready for me?” on the island of Jolo engaged in The appointment follows knows my criticism. He knows has been failed to curb addiction Presidential spokesman Sal- a short gunfi ght with three men criticism by Leni Robredo in what I plan to fi x,” Robredo told or drugs supply or rein-in drugs vador Panelo said Robredo on a motorcycle late on Tuesday an interview with Reuters and a news conference. kingpins. would be welcome in Duterte’s afternoon. subsequent media appearances, “If the president is thinking Activists accuse police of cabinet. “Her acceptance shows The attackers were killed which angered Duterte, whose that I will keep quiet because I executions and cover-ups on a she is smarter than her col- and bomb vests, a handgun, a drugs crackdown has killed accepted the off er, he is wrong.” massive scale being ignored by leagues in the opposition,” he grenade and detonators were thousands and prompted ac- Vice President Leni Robredo has accepted the challenge. Duterte’s loyalists had urged the government. said in a text message. seized, the military said. The intended target was an urban area of Jolo, the island’s capital, and two of the men were Egyptian, the regional armed forces command said in a state- Duterte govt satisfaction ment. Panelo says ‘workaholic’ The other man was Filipino and a member of Abu Sayyaf, a group that has pledged al- rating dips, but still legiance to Islamic State and is president needs to rest notorious for piracy and for kid- napping foreigners. The incident would have By Catherine S Valente ‘very good’: survey been the fi fth attempted suicide Manila Times bombing in the southern Philip- pines in the past 16 months. By Catherine S Valente faction fell from excellent to very and neutral on one subject. Such attacks were previously resident Rodrigo Duterte Manila Times good in Balance Luzon, from +73 The Duterte administration unheard of despite decades of deserves some rest be- in June to +63 in September. garnered a “very good” rating separatist unrest and lawless- Pcause he is “working very It stayed excellent in Mindan- on helping the poor (+62), pro- ness that has given rise to hard- hard,” Malacanang said yester- he net satisfaction rat- ao, although down by 10 points viding information needed by line sentiments. day. ing of President Rodrigo from +80 in June to +70 in Sep- the citizens to properly examine It marked a sinister turn in the Palace spokesman Salvador TDuterte’s administration tember. what the government is doing Philippines’ fi ght to contain mil- Panelo said other world lead- dropped slightly but remained It also stayed excellent in the (+54), and having clear policies itant groups inspired by Islamic ers expressed concern about “very good” in the third quarter Visayas, down by one point from (+53). State who have been joined by Duterte’s health during the of 2019, according to the latest +71 in June to +70 in September. The respondents also rated fi ghters from Malaysia and In- recently concluded regional Social Weather Stations (SWS) However, it rose from very “good” on the government’s donesia, including in a brazen summit in Thailand. survey released yesterday. good to excellent in Metro Ma- performance on fi ghting terror- attack and fi ve-month occupa- “If you will ask me, he re- The poll from September 27- nila, up by 12 points from +59 in ism (+49), developing a healthy tion of Marawi City in 2017. ally needs to rest because there 30 showed that 77% were satis- June to +71 in September. economy (+48), protecting the The suicide attacks were all were these comments from fi ed by the Duterte administra- The government’s perform- freedom of the press (+47), rec- in the Sulu archipelago, Abu other world leaders that, ‘Your tion’s general performance, 10% ance also fell to “very good” in onciliation with rebels (+40), Sayyaf’s stronghold, and were president looks overworked. were dissatisfi ed, and 13% were rural areas (+67) and “very good” foreign relations (+39), recon- all claimed by Islamic State. Don’t let him work too much,’” undecided. in urban areas (+67). ciliation with communist rebels They included a twin bomb- he added. The latest fi gure gave Duterte In classes A, B, and C, the Du- (+38), eradicating graft and cor- ing of a church in January that “We said, actually, yeah he’s a net satisfaction rating of terte administration’s net sat- ruption in government (+32), killed 21 people, a van bomb at working very hard, and at the +67, which is considered by isfaction rating rose from “very recovering ill-gotten wealth of a checkpoint in July 2018 that same time he had an accident. SWS as “very good.” good” to “excellent” with +78, former president Marcos and his killed 11, a suicide attack by two So that contributed to what “This is six points below the an increase from June’s +60. cronies (+30), among others. youths that killed eight in June, you’re seeing now,” Panelo said. record-high excellent +73 (82% But it fell seven points from It posted a “moderate” rating and a woman who prematurely The Palace offi cial noted that satisfi ed, 9% dissatisfi ed) in June “excellent” to “very good” in on ensuring that no family would detonated a bomb she was car- there was no fi nal plans yet if 2019, and similar to the very Class D (+66) and declined to ever be hungry and have noth- rying near an army detachment Duterte would take a leave for good +66 in December 2018,” “very good” with +68 in Class D. ing to eat (+28), and “neutral” on in September. a week. SWS said. Respondents interviewed for fi ghting infl ation (+5). The attackers included Indo- “There’s no plan yet. I’ll ask SWS attributed the six-point the survey were also asked to rate The September poll used nesians, a Moroccan and Filipi- him. We’ll be talking anytime President Rodrigo Duterte needs rest because Asean leaders decrease in the administration’s the government’s performance face-to-face interviews on 1,800 nos. now,” Panelo said of Duterte, had commented that he looks overworked, Palace spokesman overall net satisfaction rating to on several subjects. adults nationwide, sampling er- Philippine President Rodrigo who presided over a Cabinet Salvador Panelo has said. declines of 10 points in Mindan- Out of 16 specifi c perform- ror margins of + or – 2.3% for Duterte has vowed to wipe out meeting in Malacanang yester- ao, 10 points in Balance Luzon, ance subjects rated, net satisfac- national percentages, + or – 4% Abu Sayyaf and has intensi- day. resonance imaging and medical thronement of Japanese Em- and one point in the Visayas, tion ratings of the Duterte ad- each for Balance Luzon and fi ed military operations in its “He’s a workaholic. He can’t evaluation. peror Naruhito. combined with a 12-point in- ministration were very good on Mindanao, and + or – 6% each strongholds, although bombings be stopped. You know the job He earlier said the presi- Some world leaders have crease in Metro Manila. three subjects, good on 11 sub- for Metro Manila and the targeting civilians and military of the president is just reading dent was advised by doctors expressed concern over Du- The government’s net satis- jects, moderate on one subject, Visayas. have continued unabated. the briefers and signing papers. to “rest for a couple of days terte’s health, after he fell It’s a heavy load. Most likely, he and limit his physical activity, off his motorcycle within the will lessen his volume of work, particularly avoiding standing Presidential Security Group so that he won’t be too pres- or walking for long duration.” compound in Malacanang sured,” he added. Duterte, 74, cut short his last month. Duterte will take Panelo issued the statement visit to Japan after he com- a one-week break after the to allay anew public fears on plained of “unbearable” pain 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, his Thousands to take part in the physical condition of the in his spinal column following president, who was earlier di- his motorcycle accident. former top aide, Sen. Chris- agnosed with muscle spasms The president visited Japan topher Lawrence “Bong” Go, after he underwent a magnetic last month to attend the en- earlier said. overseas workers’ summit

By Javier J Ismael occasion where OFWs and their Villar, who is also director of Manny Villar, Las Pinas Rep. Manila Times families gather and interact with the Villar Social Institute for Camille Villar, Public Works Graft charges registered against private and government institu- Poverty Alleviation and Govern- Secretary Mark Villar, Pasay City tions for concerns ranging from ance, was joined by Susan Ople Mayor Imelda Calixto Rubiano, enator Cynthia Villar access to fi nancial services, so- of the Ople Training Center dur- Trade and Industry Secretary Bello for ‘excessive’ trips abroad yesterday said that some cial benefi ts (and) legal assist- ing the news conference. Ramon Lopez are expected to at- S4,000 overseas Filipino ance, among others,” Villar said “Aside from teaching our tend the event. workers (OFWs) and their fami- in a news briefi ng. OFWs how to wisely invest their Burn Gutierrez, chief execu- By Divina NJD Cruz tive Order 241 Series of 2017 “ar- lies are expected to attend the This year, the one-day sum- savings and grow their income, tive offi cer of the English Learn- Manila Times rogating for himself the issuance 9th OFW and Family Summit to mit’s theme is “Kabuhayan sa it is equally important to educate ing Camp; Eric Atenacio, Terra of new licenses of recruitment be held on November 12 at the Sariling Bayan.” The summit them how to protect their hard- Verde Ecofarm owner; and Rien- agencies or the renewal of ex- World Trade Center in Pasay hopes to inculcate fi nancial lit- earned money and how not to zie Biolena, president and chief raft charges were fi led pired ones, whether land or sea- City. eracy among OFWs to equip fall victims of human traffi cking, fi nancial planner of Wealth Arki against Labour Secre- based — in eff ect amending or “My family and many OFWs them with the necessary tools to illegal recruitment and invest- Consultancy Inc will discuss Gtary Silvestre Bello 3rd even abrogating the mandate of always look forward to this event grow their money in their home- ment scams,” the senator said. growing one’s earnings. before the Offi ce of the Om- the POEA, which is an act of the because it has evolved into an land. Former Senate President For the topic, “Business Land- budsman yesterday over his al- Congress of the Philippines.” scape and Trends for Start-ups,” leged “excessive” trips abroad. A treason charge was also the panelists will be Emma To- Radio commentator Adolfo fi led against Bello in connec- lentino, Eco Natural Integrated Paglinawan said he fi led graft Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello tion with his “secret trip” to the Farm owner; Ace Vergel de la and corruption and malfea- Netherlands to rendezvous and Cruz, acquisition executive of sance charges against Bello for said after fi ling the complaint. meet with Communist Party of Grab Ph; and Capt. Danny Rico- “his abuse of power in making Other offi cials of the Depart- the Philippines founding Chair- hermoso, executive vice presi- 40 offi cial travels abroad” from ment Labour and Employment, man Jose Maria Sison in July 2018. dent of Integrated Seafarers of Jan 17, 2017 to Oct 30, 2019, Philippine Overseas Employ- “This is treason under Article 114 the Philippines. which he said cost the govern- ment Administration (POEA) of the Revised Penal Code because To register, visit http:// ment at least P4mn. Director Ria Corazon Lano and the Philippines is in state of war ofwsummit2019.villarsipag.org, He noted that former Cabi- Executive Director of the Oc- with the Communist Terrorist or visit the OFW and Family net members such as former cupational Safety and Health Groups, whose ultimate goal is not Summit desk at any of the Vista Presidential Commission for Center Noel Binag were also in- just rebellion but an overthrow of Mall and Starmall branches na- the Urban Poor chairman Terry cluded in the complaint. our duly constituted government,” tionwide. Ridon and former Maritime In- Paglinawan accused Bello of Paglinawan said. Participants will have a dustry Authority administra- abusing his powers in authoris- Paglinawan, who is also lead chance to take home a house and tor Marcial Quirico Amaro 3rd ing these trips along with the convener of social reforms ad- lot from Lessandra by Camella, were fi red for making seven and travels of Labour and Employ- vocate group Solidarity for Sov- two motorcycles from Izuzu 24 trips, respectively, abroad. ment Offi cer Jessica Gabriel ereignty, urged Bello to resign to Cavite, “pangkabuhayan” show- “So, what makes Bello so ex- Abad, who reportedly went “spare” the Labour department case from All Day Supermarket, ceptional a globetrotter that he abroad six times. A usurpation and the Offi ce of the President appliance showcase from All could disregard the presiden- charge was also included for from “further shame and em- Home, Xtreme appliance and tial guidelines?” Paglinawan Bello’s issuance of Administra- barrassment.” Villar: focus on OFW welfare other prizes. Gulf Times 26 Thursday, November 7, 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 Twitter gives Facebook a needed lesson on integrity

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey struck a needed blow for tech integrity and democracy recently when he said that the social networking company would pull the plug on political advertisements. If only Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg would see the light. For decades tech companies were renowned for embracing the highest standards of business ethics and respecting the needs of their customers. Zuckerberg has arguably done more in the last decade to destroy public trust in tech than any CEO in Silicon Valley history. His stubborn refusal to vet political ads for accuracy threatens the integrity of our elections – and those of countries around Britain faces tough the world – and the future of democracy. If that wasn’t enough, Zuckerberg continues to line his pockets by invading the privacy of Facebook’s 2.4bn users. Bill Hewlett and David Packard must be spinning in their graves. Zuckerberg may have a fortune of nearly $70bn, but history will not treat him kindly. Even Facebook employees are appalled. The New York Times post-Brexit choices recently published a letter sent to Zuckerberg by 250 Facebook employees in which they said, “Misinformation aff ects us all,” other important sectors. also intent on rolling back consumer Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). and “Free speech and paid speech are not the same thing.” By Ngaire Woods London The fi rst is banking and fi nance. and investor protections, reducing Furthermore, the European It wasn’t a coincidence that Dorsey timed his announcement In 2018, the UK’s fi nancial services prudential regulation of systemically Commission has adopted a stance minutes before Zuckerberg made an earnings call that sector contributed £132bn ($170bn) to signifi cant banks, undermining the strongly in favour of protecting showed Facebook’s fi nancial performance exceeded analysts’ uge amounts of time, eff ort, the economy, or 6.9% of total output, regulation of non-banks and the competition and limiting the digital expectations. and frustration have gone provided 1.1mn jobs (3.1% of the total), shadow banking system, reducing giants’ market dominance. In March, “We believe political message reach should be earned, not into negotiating the terms of and paid some £29bn in tax (in the funding for research and monitoring the Commission fi ned Google €1.5 bought,” Dorsey said. Hthe United Kingdom’s exit 2017-18 UK tax year). The sector also of the fi nancial industry, and taking billion ($1.7bn) for blocking rivals in the Dorsey also tweeted: “This is about paying for reach. And from the European Union. And with the generated £60bn worth of exports in a hands-off approach to enforcing online advertising market – the third paying to increase the reach of political speech has signifi cant UK set to hold a crucial parliamentary 2017 (against £15bn in imports). securities laws. time it has penalised the company for ramifi cations that today’s democratic infrastructure may not be election on December 12, it still is not But the fi nancial services sector Some investors would benefi t hugely antitrust violations. prepared to handle. It’s worth stepping back in order to address.” clear whether, when, and how Brexit poses huge risks if it is not adequately from US-style fi nancial deregulation The US government, however, will happen. regulated. The 2007-2008 fi nancial in the UK, and will continue to push strongly supports the free movement No one knows how much But assuming the UK does leave crisis reduced UK national output by for it. But their quest for profi ts over of data (which the big American tech A day of misinformation played a the EU, its next government will need 7%, wiped out 1mn jobs, caused wages systemic safety would jeopardise the companies want), while Trump has role in the outcome of the to begin the long, diffi cult process of to fall by 5% below 2007 levels, and hard-won regulatory measures that previously been quick to criticise the reckoning 2016 presidential election. negotiating new relationships with brought bank lending to a halt. All parts currently protect the UK public from a Commission for fi ning Google. At fi rst, Zuckerberg claimed the rest of the world. That will involve of the UK (and much of the rest of the repeat of the 2007-08 crisis. It would The UK relies heavily on the big global awaits Facebook there was no eff ect. But, tough choices, one of the thorniest of world) felt the catastrophic impact. also damage the City of London’s place tech fi rms, all of which are American as evidence poured out, which is whether the UK should align After the crisis, an independent at the heart of European fi nance. or Chinese, and must therefore try to and other tech Zuckerberg apologised its regulations in key economic sectors commission made a clear case for To date, the UK has taken a robust regulate them. Once it leaves the EU, it after admitting in 2017 that with those of the EU or the United regulatory reform to protect the British approach to fi nancial regulation and will face a choice between giving in to companies if Russian operatives used States. Where, then, is Britain headed? public (and the public purse) from implemented measures that go beyond US pressure or fi nding a way to mirror Facebook to spread divisive Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants reckless bank lending. Policymakers those introduced by EU regulators. These EU regulation (including the GDPR and they fail to get messages by purchasing at the UK to reach a trade and investment in the EU and the US also accepted the include a new regime aimed at holding the EU-US Privacy Shield Framework). agreement with the US after Brexit. need for robust regulation. senior bankers accountable for their Brexiteers claim that the UK can least 3,000 ads on its site. ahead of basic After all, America is the UK’s largest Today, however, America and decisions, and ring-fencing large banks’ create its own “global strategy” and do Zuckerberg wrote on his single-country trade partner and its Europe are pursuing sharply divergent retail operations to protect customers’ things “Britain’s way” after it leaves integrity issues personal Facebook page, biggest source (and destination) of approaches. EU regulators continue to deposits from shocks to the wider the EU. In 2016, for example, then- “For the ways my work was foreign direct investment. strengthen prudential rules and capital fi nancial system. And because the UK prime minister Theresa May said that that threaten used to divide people rather In seeking such a deal, however, the requirements (especially for very large public broadly supports these measures, after Brexit, the UK would rely upon than bring us together, I ask UK would have to decide how far it is banks), and are widening the ambit the post-Brexit government will its “steadfast allies” to establish an long-held forgiveness and I will work to willing to realign its regulatory regimes of regulation to cover every asset and presumably be hesitant to weaken them. alternative to the EU’s Galileo satellite do better.” with those of the US (as American fi rms profession in the fi nancial services The second challenge for the UK navigation system. American values Really? If so, it’s hard to and investors want). Closer alignment industry. after Brexit will be handling the big Three years later, however, with tell. with the US would create new barriers The US, by contrast, has reversed US technology companies. Earlier this Trump in the White House and the UK Zuckerberg tried to defend Facebook’s policy of allowing to trade with the EU, which is a much course under President Donald year, a UK Parliament report found that in a much weaker negotiating position larger market for UK exports. Moreover, Trump, whose administration has set Facebook “intentionally and knowingly with the EU, it is not clear who these false political ads by saying he didn’t “think it right for private the prospect of adopting US standards about undoing core elements of the violated both data privacy and anti- steadfast allies are. And even harder companies to censor politicians and the news.” – on drug pricing, the environment, regulations implemented after the competition laws.” Yet the size and choices await the government that That puts Facebook in the position of knowingly joining food standards, and animal welfare, for fi nancial crisis. The US government’s global reach of the big tech fi rms make emerges after December 12. - Project forces for fi nancial gain with those spreading lies and example – is already creating a public agenda now includes lowering capital it hard for any non-US government to Syndicate misinformation for political gain. Separating fact from fi ction backlash in Britain. requirements, weakening stress testing regulate or infl uence them. in political ads is time-consuming work, but it’s a basic As the UK prepares for life after and “living wills” for banks, and Instead, the EU has led the way zNgaire Woods is Dean of the responsibility for those who publish them. If Zuckerberg is not Brexit, regulatory tensions with the US allowing more proprietary trading and in enshrining citizens’ rights to Blavatnik School of Government at the prepared to do the work, he should stop accepting the ads. and EU could potentially fl are up in two unregulated derivatives dealing. It is data privacy, through its General University of Oxford. Zuckerberg is right when he says that political ads make up less than 0.5% of Facebook’s revenues, or roughly $300mn. But, while that might not be a lot of money to the billionaire, it’s nearly half of all the money candidates have raised so far in the presidential election. He’s also correct when he says other companies, including Google-owned YouTube, publish false or misleading political ads. But that doesn’t make it right. That others do it is a pathetic excuse for Facebook, especially given the company’s record of enabling political manipulation. A day of reckoning awaits Facebook and other tech companies if they fail to get ahead of basic integrity issues that threaten long-held American values. Twitter’s Jack Dorsey took a step in the right direction. The question is to what degree will others – especially Facebook – follow?

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© 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Johnson: What we’ve got is a fantastic deal that nobody thought we could get. Gulf Times Thursday, November 7, 2019 27 COMMENT JUI-F: Which way will the cookie crumble?

By Kamran Rehmat The general perception is that drops, he has made it clear that, free Doha the two parties are doing so to seek and fair elections notwithstanding, his concessions for their own jailed still signifi cant number of votes are up leaders, one of whom, Sharif, has for sale.” azlur Rehman, chief of his fac- already been released by court for eight The ambassador acknowledged that tion of the right-wing Jamiat weeks on medical grounds. JUI-F wanted to be a major party and Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), So why is Rehman bent on trying wanted to be “more engaged with the Fcurrently holding Islamabad to to upset the applecart and why now US”. ransom with thousands of his followers when the Khan government has The cable added: “At one point in to force Prime Minister Imran Khan painstakingly fronted multifarious the conversation, Rehman asked the to resign is a wily old politician with challenges to navigate the country to Ambassador if the USG (United States a near unparalleled streak of fi nding some form of political and economic Government) would deal with him if himself into the corridors of power, stability? he was elected as Prime Minister and any which way. Until now, that is. The commentariat in Pakistan has a cautioned the USG not to put all of its The JUI-F supremo is demanding near consensus on the running theme eggs in the basket of Benazir Bhutto. that Khan resign because in his view — Rehman’s desperate but mostly vain Ambassador noted that it was not the incumbent has come into power attempts to stay politically relevant. USG policy to crown any particular through a rigged election and failed His political scorecard makes for not leader in Pakistan….Rehman indicated to deliver. Rehman himself lost both only interesting reading but serves as a his desire to travel to the US and his seats in the National Assembly — valuable guide to understand where he suggested he could lobby the Congress lower house of Pakistan’s bicameral is coming from. and American think tanks “as well as legislature — in last year’s general Since succeeding his cleric father Benazir Bhutto.” elections. The portly 66-year-old lost Mufti Mehmood in 1980 — an event Ironically, for someone who relented the seats to much younger contestants which itself caused a split in the party on his declared opposition to the late from Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf since the much senior cleric Samiul Benazir for a share of spoils, he and (PTI). Haq refused to work under the-then his party have an abiding misogynist Rehman also lost heavily in the 27-year-old — Rehman’s ability to streak and publicly disapprove of subsequent presidential polls to somersault for a share of spoils has women’s participation in public rallies the PTI’s candidate Dr Arif Alvi in a meant he has trucked with almost all in a country where just a tip over half failed attempt to enter the parliament key political allies and rivals with the the population is female. Even women through other means. fi nesse of a gymnast. journalists were forced to leave their He has since rallied the two main Consider two examples. ongoing sit-in! opposition parties namely, the After raising the political heat on So will a desperate Rehman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and General Pervez Musharraf for his eventually carry out his threats to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz decision to sign with the US on the march on the PM House and force his (PML-N), both of whose leaders are war-on-terror post-Nine Eleven, exit? incarcerated over corruption charges driving support for Taliban against BOXED INTO A CORNER: Fazlur Rehman addressing the JUI-F sit-in in Islamabad. AFP Even as a government committee and abuse of power (ex-PM and Western forces in Afghanistan and engages regularly with the opposition’s PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif is pushing for enforcing Shariah, he Similarly, the cleric at one time from Anne Patterson, the-then US Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Senator Rehbar Committee — and more already convicted) and have their own conveniently dropped the “ideology” opposed the rule of a woman in Islam ambassador in Islamabad, which off ers Talha Mahmood, Senator Azam Swati recently, the entry of wily political axes to grind, in a studied endeavour to to suit his ambition for power. He even — two-time prime minister Benazir a fascinating insight into the mind of and Malik Sikander Khan and US cousins, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain revive his and their political fortunes. didn’t let Musharraf putting him under Bhutto, in this instance — but then the JUI-F chief and his insatiable lust diplomats, in which she wrote: and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, who Interestingly, despite publicly house for almost half a year come in conveniently, settled for a role as for power. “Fazlur enjoys being courted by both have his ears — for a peaceful way out, supporting Rehman and his campaign the way of getting the Opposition chairman of the National Assembly’s The said cable indicated to the US Musharraf and Bhutto and sees himself the powerful military’s public pledge to oust the Khan government, the Leader’s slot as he cut a deal to support Kashmir Committee under her that his “still signifi cant” number of increasingly in the lucrative position earlier this week “to support national two parties have baulked at the idea the general’s controversial Legal government where he eff ectively, used a votes were “up for sale” even if his of being kingmaker, if not the next institutions at any cost” would likely of forcing the issue through extra- Framework Order that enabled the large number of foreign visits for joy ride party’s voter support dropped in the Prime Minister, because of JUI-F’s have chastened Rehman to the outer constitutional means and refused to strongman to give legal cover to his at public expense as well as other perks. 2007 general elections. voter strength in what may be a three- limits of a misadventure. be a part of the JUI-F’s sit-in, leaving extra-constitutional steps and stay on But nothing quite beats the infamous Patterson’s cable provided details way vote tie among Pakistan’s major zThe writer is Features Editor. He Rehman isolated and on the edge. in power! WikiLeaks cable of November 27, 2007 of a meeting between JUI-F leaders parties. Even if JUI-F’s voter support tweets @kaamyabi

Death by dirty cooking Three-day forecast TODAY second-biggest driver of climate change diff usion of relevant technologies. having more than doubled since 2000. Maximum Temperature : 320c By Kandeh K Yumkella Minimum Temperature : 260c Freetown, Sierra Leone after CO2: solid-fuel cooking in Sub- To this end, the CCF will leverage And the share of the population using Saharan Africa alone accounts for some World Bank and other development- biomass for cooking fell from 64% in FRIDAY 6% of global black carbon emissions. bank resources to attract private 2010 to 59% in 2015. Maximum Temperature : 310c ach year, exposure to household Compounding the eff ect on climate, investment, including by creating new This shift has been driven partly by Minimum Temperature : 250c air pollution (HAP) kills 4.3mn up to 34% of wood fuel in Sub-Saharan revenue streams and incentives across expanded access to liquefi ed petroleum SATURDAY people – more than HIV/Aids, Africa is harvested unsustainably, value chains. It will also develop an gas. In 2016, India became the world’s Maximum Temperature : 310c Emalaria, and tuberculosis com- contributing to deforestation. impact bond market for the clean- third-largest LPG importer, behind China Minimum Temperature : 270c The persistence of outmoded cooking cooking sector. and Japan. That year, the government also bined. HAP is produced when house- Fisherman's forecast holds use antiquated fuels – such as and heating methods amounts to a Moreover, the CCF will support a launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala fi rewood, coal, crop waste, and kerosene major drain on economies. In Sub- global platform for knowledge and Yojana programme, with the goal of Saharan Africa, about 3% of GDP is innovation, including the Health and providing LPG access to 50mn households WARNING – for cooking and heating, so ending Inshore : Nil HAP-related deaths is as straight- lost annually as a result of increased Energy Platform of Action, convened living in poverty by 2019. Last year, it Offshore : Expected strong wind forward as delivering clean-cooking mortality and morbidity from HAP, by the World Health Organisation, the surpassed that target, and expanded with high sea at first solutions. avoidable spending on solid fuels, UN Development Programme, and the the scheme to cover 80mn families. WEATHER Yet the world hasn’t done it. Across time wasted collecting fi rewood, and World Bank in collaboration with the Other countries, such as Cambodia and Inshore : Relatively hot daytime Africa, for example, over 80% of people environmental damage. Women and civil-society organisations Hivos and Indonesia, have also made signifi cant with sctd clouds& mild still rely on biomass as their primary children suff er the most. ENERGIA. All of this should help to progress in expanding access to LPG and by night Offshore : Slight dust at times source of energy. In my home country, Failure to address the problem does produce verifi able results at the outcome other clean-cooking fuels. with some clouds Sierra Leone (one of the fi ve most not refl ect inadequate technology or level (number of households with access The imperative now is to continue vulnerable countries to climate change), even insuffi cient resources, but a lack to clean cooking) and the impact level building on these gains, while adapting WIND Inshore : Northwesterly-North- less than 20% of the population has of political will. While governments (benefi ting health, gender equality, and the strategies that powered them to easterly 05-15 KT electricity, while over 90% rely on and international actors have worked to the environment). diff erent contexts, especially in Africa. Offshore : Northwesterly-Norther- charcoal and fi rewood for cooking. If expand access to electricity, they have But, as promising as the CCF is, To this end, the UN should lead the ly 05-15/22 KT current trends hold, Africans will still be often left clean-cooking solutions – using, achieving its goals will require coherent way in advancing a multi-stakeholder Visibility : 4-8 KM using such fuels to cook in 2050. say, electricity derived from renewable policy strategies, underpinned by a approach driven by strong public- Offshore : 2-4/5 FT It would cost an estimated $4.4bn energy – on the back burner. Eff orts to strong and sustained commitment at private partnerships. Such an approach annually to meet the world’s residential promote clean cooking have been largely the national, regional, and global levels. has worked before, mobilising billions of India is one country that has shown dollars in investment in renewables and clean-cooking needs – far more than unco-ordinated, narrow, and piecemeal, Around the region what is currently available. While that with limited consumer buy-in. such a commitment. energy effi ciency. It can work again – Weather fi gure is not small, it is dwarfed by the A new initiative aims to change According to the World Bank’s and save millions of lives in the process. Weather tomorrow Max/min costs of inaction. Beyond its devastating this. The World Bank’s Clean Cooking Energy Progress Report 2019 – which – Project Syndicate today Max/min Sunny 29/12 eff ects on human health – HAP is the Fund, launched at September’s United tracks progress toward Sustainable Baghdad Sunny 28/12 P Cloudy 30/19 second-largest risk factor for death Nations climate action summit in New Development Goal 7 (to ensure access z Kandeh K Yumkella, former United Kuwait City P Cloudy 31/20 P Cloudy 30/26 and disability in Sub-Saharan Africa York, will mobilise $500mn to help to aff ordable, reliable, sustainable, and Nations under-secretary-general and Manama P Cloudy 31/24 Sunny 31/22 – reliance on non-renewable wood ensure universal access to clean cooking modern energy for all) – the country chair of UN-Energy, was the founding Muscat M Sunny 31/23 Sunny 18/09 fuels for cooking contributes up to one by 2030. This includes scaling up the has raised its electrifi cation rate CEO and a special representative of the Tehran Sunny 18/09 gigaton of CO2 emissions annually, or production of clean-cooking fuels, considerably, from 50% in 1994 to 93% secretary-general for Sustainable Energy about 2% of total emissions. developing well-functioning supply in 2017. Its clean-cooking access rate for All. He is currently a member of Sierra Moreover, such cooking methods chains to deliver them to billions of remains much lower – 45% in 2017 – Leone’s Parliament and the Pan-African are a major source of black carbon, the people, and encouraging innovation and but still represents signifi cant progress, Parliament.

Live issues

Diabetes may distract women from cancer screenings Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min By Vishwadha Chander “And, if there is a higher risk of reported in Diabetologia. treatment,” noted Dr Emily J Gallagher, Athens P Cloudy 24/19 S T Storms 23/14 Reuters Health cancer, we wanted to make sure we’re When the study team looked at an assistant professor of endocrinology, Beirut Sunny 28/24 Sunny 29/23 at least catching the cancers early,” rates of colorectal screening, women diabetes and bone disease at the Icahn Bangkok P Cloudy 33/25 P Cloudy 33/24 Lipscombe told Reuters Health in a with diabetes were 14% less likely School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in Berlin M Cloudy 11/03 M Cloudy 10/06 he burdens of managing a phone interview. than women without the disease to be New York City, who wasn’t involved in Cairo P Cloudy 30/20 P Cloudy 30/19 chronic disease like diabetes The authors searched for studies screened, while men with and without the study. Cape Town P Cloudy 17/13 Cloudy 21/14 may lead women to skip done between 1997 and 2018 on rates of diabetes had similar screening rates. The focus on managing diabetes may Colombo P Cloudy 30/24 S T Storms 29/24 Trecommended cancer recommended screening tests in adults Diabetes has a high burden of care, result in cancer getting lower priority, Dhaka P Cloudy 32/23 Cloudy 31/24 screenings, researchers say. with diabetes: mammography for breast Lipscombe said. said Gallagher, whose practice focuses Hong Kong M Sunny 26/19 M Sunny 25/19 An analysis of data from studies cancer and Papanicolaou (Pap) test for “The complexity and time taken to on diabetes and endocrine conditions Istanbul P Cloudy 23/15 Sunny 24/15 over two decades fi nds that women cervical cancer in women, and fecal manage diabetes could mean routine in cancer patients. She agrees with the Jakarta Sunny 35/24 Sunny 34/25 with diabetes are less likely than those blood or colonoscopy tests for colorectal preventive services such as cancer researchers that better awareness of the Karachi Sunny 32/17 Sunny 31/18 without the disease to get screened for cancer in women and men. screening may be forgotten or neglected, importance of cancer screenings among London P Cloudy 10/03 Showers 09/01 cervical, breast and colorectal cancers. Of the 37 studies included in the by both patients and providers.” diabetes patients and their healthcare Manila T Storm 31/26 S T Storm 32/26 “We know people with diabetes have analysis, 21 were from the US, three were It’s not clear why colon cancer providers is needed. Moscow S Showers 06/03 Cloudy 06/01 a small, but signifi cantly increased risk from Canada and the rest from Europe, screening rates diverged only for women, “We know the more chronic diseases New Delhi Showers 25/18 P Cloudy 27/17 for certain kinds of cancer. We wanted the Middle East and Asia. Study groups she noted. “We wonder if there is a a person has, the less likely they are to New York Rain 16/02 Sunny 06/-1 to fi nd out if lower cancer screening ranged in size from 129 to 732,687 perception that colorectal cancer is more see their primary care provider, but Paris P Cloudy 11/06 M Cloudy 10/04 is contributing to these diff erences,” people. common in men than women.” the latter must stay part of the team,” Sao Paulo S T Storms 27/19 S T Storms 23/19 said senior researcher Dr Lorraine Overall in the studies, women with “Patients with diabetes get screened Lipscombe said. Seoul Sunny 13/-2 Sunny 13/01 Lipscombe, an endocrinologist at diabetes were 24% less likely than for development of traditional diabetes The good news, she added, is with Singapore P Cloudy 32/26 S T Storms 31/26 Women’s College Hospital and an women without diabetes to get cervical complications like retinopathy, early cancer screening, “the prognosis Sydney Cloudy 28/11 M Sunny 19/13 associate professor of medicine at the cancer screening and 17% less likely to nephropathy and neuropathy, and is as good for diabetics as it is for people Tokyo Clear 23/11 Cloudy 18/12 University of Toronto. get breast cancer screening, researchers blood pressure, lipid monitoring and without the illness.” Gulf Times 28 Thursday, November 7, 2019 QATAR Remodelled Jaguar Land Rover showroom to delight customers Alfardan Premier Motors’ refurbished Al Sadd Jaguar Land Rover showroom provides excellence in automotive innovation lfardan Premier Motors showroom perfectly embodies Co, the offi cial retailer the luxury and refi nement syn- Aof Jaguar Land Rover ve- onymous with the automotive hicles in Qatar, yesterday an- leader, and marks another signal nounced the completion of of our enduring commitment to renovation works of its second Jaguar Land Rover,” he added. world-class showroom at Al “Alfardan Premier Motors is Sadd area. an important and long-standing The enhancements allow the partner of Jaguar Land Rover in luxury British marque to reach Qatar,” said Bruce Robertson, a wider clientele in Qatar and managing director, Jaguar Land better serve their demands with Rover Mena. “Alfardan Premier access to the state-of-the-art Motors has consistently in- services for both Jaguar and vested in providing world-class Land Rover brands. showrooms and service centres, The refurbished showroom keeping the needs of our cus- Jaguar vehicles displayed in the showroom. functions as a complementary tomers at the core. sister showroom to the fl ag- The Alfardan Plaza showroom ard, the Alfardan Plaza show- due to be launched in the region ship site Alfardan Premier Mo- is just another step forward in room was designed to enrich the during the fi rst quarter of 2020. tors that was opened at Burj this regard, and one that refl ects customer experience, beyond Dedicated areas of the show- Alfardan in Lusail City earlier not only the growth of our brand simply showcasing each brands’ room will also display approved this year. The Lusail branch is but the local market’s evolving model portfolio. pre-owned vehicles from Jag- the world’s biggest, state-of- vision and ambitions,” he said. By creating an immersive uar and Land Rover, designed the-art, multi-level Jaguar Alongside state-of-the-art space featuring distinct archi- against rigorous Qatari serv- Land Rover showroom. The Al lighting systems and luxurious tectural touches, the showroom icing and maintenance qual- Sadd location is conveniently customer lounges, the show- successfully embodies ultimate ity standards adopted by both positioned in the well-known room boasts a trailblazing vehi- comfort and luxury worthy of brands, and off ering pre-owned Alfardan Plaza. cle personalisation studio that the Jaguar Land Rover name. motorists the same peace of The freshly remodelled fa- off ers the ultimate in bespoke The newly refurbished mind they would enjoy when cility is sure to delight auto- vehicle customisation. Ultra- showroom will showcase the purchasing a new model. enthusiasts and loyal clientele modern confi guration tables full range of the latest vehi- The showroom also houses an alike. Alfardan Premier Motors and accessory walls allow cus- cles for both brands, including area of a special vehicle which is has created a welcoming hub tomers to add their own per- the Range Rover, Range Rover home to the likes of the Range for its customers, merging in- sonal touch while choosing their Sport, Range Rover Velar, Range Rover SVAutobiography, Range novative design and technology next model. Rover Evoque, Land Rover Dis- Rover Sport SVR, Jaguar F- built around customers’ needs Alfardan Premier Motors not covery and Land Rover Dis- PACE SVR and Jaguar F-TYPE and expectations. “Our Lusail only off er customers a place to covery Sport. Under the Jaguar SVR. showroom has provided a po- buy their vehicle but also pro- line-up will be featured the Jag- Customers will also see a dium to showcase the fi nest au- vides a space to personally ex- uar XF, XE, F-PACE, E-PACE range of Jaguar Land Rover pre- tomotive craftsmanship and a perience the Jaguar Land Rover and F-TYPE. mium lifestyle branded goods springboard for brand growth,” brand. This showroom has Joining the fl agship line-up and merchandise that have said Samer Bou Dargham, gen- been designed with the same will be the new Land Rover De- been carefully designed with eral manager for Alfardan Pre- meticulous attention to detail fender. The keenly anticipated the same attention to detail that mier Motors. synonymous with the Jaguar icon is equipped for 21st-cen- goes into designing and devel- “Our Al Sadd location builds Land Rover range of vehicles, tury adventures with intuitive oping Jaguar Land Rover range on this momentum by inviting in order to provide an uncom- technologies and connectivity. of vehicles. When the time more of Qatar’s astute motorists promising retail experience for Touted to be the most capable comes to take the keys, the fa- to immerse themselves in Jag- Qatar’s discerning automotive Land Rover ever built, the model cility has dedicated private bays Alfardan Premier Motors Co, the off icial retailer of Jaguar Land Rover vehicles in Qatar, has announced uar and Land Rover. Now newly clientele. Built to the new Jaguar was revealed earlier this year at for the vehicles’ handover to the completion of renovation works of its second world-class showroom at Al Sadd area. refurbished, the Alfardan Plaza Land Rover global ARCH stand- the Frankfurt Motor Show and is customers. PICTURES: Thajudheen

Range Rover vehicles on display in the showroom. Off icials at the opening of the renovated showroom. Kaws’ Holiday lands in Doha

ollowing the opening of of today’s consumerist soci- guided by our mission to bring Kaws: He Eats Alone at the ety. The installation in Doha is dialogue to the streets of Qatar FFire Station, Qatar Muse- the most recent iteration of the by displaying various forms of ums (QM) unveiled at the Dhow touring Kaws: Holiday project striking creations. Every piece Harbour, Holiday, an installa- after previous displays in some we have displayed to date was tion by US born artist, Brian of the world’s most important hand-picked to inspire local Donnelly – known as Kaws. The cultural hotspots that include talent and to create an organic infl atable sculpture is on display the city of Seoul in South Korea connection between art and the for the fi rst time in the Middle and Mount Fuji in Japan. community,” he added. East and joins Qatar’s grow- Located at the heart of Qatar’s QM’s director of Exhibitions ing portfolio of permanent and cultural square, which is close Sheikha Reem al-Thani said: temporary public art pieces. to popular destinations such as “We are excited to unveil Holi- Holiday depicts Kaws’ char- the Museum of Islamic Art, the day as part of the Kaws: He Eats acter, Companion, in a laid- National Museum of Qatar and Alone exhibition, which has back position. The 40m sculp- Souq Waqif, the Dhow Harbour been highly-praised by Qatar’s ture represents the artist’s is the ideal location to host such growing art community.” attempt to remind passersby to a show-stopping piece in Qatar. “The exhibition and this in- relax in an increasingly hectic “Kaws is one of the most im- stallation are an ode to Kaws’ world. portant contemporary artists of playful commentary on the very Much like the rest of Kaws’ our time, one who has managed things that make us human. We body of work, the installation to establish an iconic imagery look forward to seeing how the uses wit and irreverence to pro- that is uniquely his. After the community will react to and in- vide a playful commentary on successful unveiling of Small teract with the piece as they go our humanity. Lie in 2018, we are pleased to about their daily life,” she noted. With gloved hands and X’s continue our collaboration with The artist’s exhibition, Kaws: for eyes, the highly-popular him and to bring his work to the He Eats Alone, is curated by ac- Companion character was fi rst region for the fi rst time,” QM’s claimed art historian Germano created in the late 1990’s and Head of Public Art Abdulrah- Celant and will be on display at has become a symbol that both man al-Ishaq said. the Fire Station until January 25, embraces and rejects the ideals “Our public art strategy is 2020. The 40m high sculpture represents the artist’s attempt to remind passersby to relax in an increasingly hectic world.