BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar shooters on gold QCB may track Fed spree rates amid currency at Arab peg: Fitch Solutions event published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 11008 November 20, 2018 Rabia I 12, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani being received by Croatian His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the presidential palace (The Quirinale) in Rome yesterday. President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic at the Presidential Palace in Zagreb yesterday. Amir, Italian president hold talks Qatar-Croatia z Ways to develop bilateral ties, Gulf crisis, Palestine talks focus on and Libya figure prominently in discussions bolstering ties is Highness the Amir Sheikh of the two countries and the two by a number of ministers. The Amir is accompanied by an offi - Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani friendly peoples. His Highness the Amir arrived in cial delegation. z Several agreements signed for co-operation Hand Italian President Sergio A number of regional and interna- Rome yesterday evening for a two-day His Highness the Amir met with the Mattarella held a session of offi cial talks tional issues were discussed, includ- state visit. President of the Italian Senate, Maria in education, science and military fields at the presidential palace in Rome yes- ing the Gulf crisis, which both sides He was welcomed upon arrival at Elisabetta Casellati, and a number of terday. emphasised the need to settle through the Fiumicino Airport by Minister Italian senators in Rome yesterday. The aking Qatar-Croatia bilat- of both countries, agricultural co-oper- The session dealt with the close dialogue and diplomatic means, in ad- for Parliamentary Relations and Di- meeting discussed bilateral relations and eral relations to new heights, ation to benefi t from joint experiences in bilateral relations and the means of dition to the developments in Palestine rect Democracy Riccardo Fraccaro, means to further develop them. The two THis Highness the Amir Sheikh food security, to exchange sport experi- developing co-operation between and Libya. Qatar’s ambassador to Italy Ab- sides also exchanged views on current re- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and ences and hold training camps, and for the two countries to broader and The meeting was attended by the dulaziz bin Ahmed al-Malki, Ital- gional and international developments. Croatian President Kolinda Grabar- academic co-operation between Qatar more comprehensive horizons, es- members of the offi cial delegation ac- ian ambassador to Qatar Pasquale The meeting was attended by members Kitarovic yesterday witnessed the University and the University of Zagreb pecially in investment, education companying the Amir. Salzano and members of the Qatari of the accompanying offi cial delegation. signing of a number of agreements in addition to student exchange and joint and health, to serve the interests On the Italian side, it was attended embassy and consulate. Pages 3, 9 and memorandums of understanding scientifi c research. at presidential palace in Zagreb, of- The Amir and President Grabar-Ki- ficial Qatar News Agency (QNA) has tarovic held a session of offi cial talks. reported. They discussed bilateral relations and The agreements are for co-operation means of developing them, especially in organising cultural events, mutual in the areas of economy, investment, exemption of visa requirements for tourism, energy, education and health, Advisory Council discusses draft law on media city holders of diplomatic and private pass- apart from developments in the Middle ports, and for co-operation and news East and international issues. exchange between QNA and Croatian The Amir expressed his thanks and The media city will have The discussion took place dur- of media and digital media”, QNA visory Council decided to refer the News Agency. appreciation to the Croatian president an independent budget ing the regular weekly session of the states. draft law to the Information and The memorandums of understanding for the warm welcome, expressing his aimed at managing and Council under the chairmanship of HE It also aims to “achieve economic Cultural Affairs Committee for con- are for co-operation in education, higher happiness at visiting Croatia and hold- the Advisory Council Speaker, Ahmed and professional integration with sideration and report thereon to the education and science, military co-op- ing the third meeting with her this year. developing media activity bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, various state projects and provide an Council. eration between the defence ministries To Page 3 the offi cial Qatar News Agency (QNA) interactive environment by licensed In September, the Cabinet had ap- reported. companies working in the media proved a draft law on the establish- QNA “We continue expanding the base of our relations with more world coun- Doha Under the draft law, the media city city”, which have the authority to ment of a media city. Besides the has a “moral personality and an in- grant licences for television and ra- above-mentioned objectives, the es- tries. In Croatia, which I am offi cially visiting for the fi rst time, I have con- dependent budget aimed at manag- dio broadcasting as well as licences tablishment of the media city is also ducted fruitful talks with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. There he Advisory Council yester- ing and developing media activity for the publishing and distribution of aimed at supporting and encouraging is a common area between our two countries to build a system of successful day discussed a draft law on and attracting international media, newspapers, magazines and books for projects and establishing investment co-operation relations, in particular in the fi elds of economy, tourism and Tthe establishment of a media technology companies, research and eligible companies. funds in the media, according to re- sports,” His Highness the Amir tweeted after the visit. city in Qatar. training institutions in the fields Following the discussion, the Ad- ports. Page 2 Oman National Day celebrated Qatar asks for WTO adjudication in Saudi Arabia piracy dispute z Saudi-based pirate channel beoutQ broadcasts beIN Sports programmes

Reuters ticated pirate operation called “beoutQ”. plaint, and also argued that beoutQ was Geneva Qatar’s latest WTO fi ling, dated No- violating not only Qatar’s rights but vember 9 and published on yesterday, those of many other countries, whose said Saudi Arabia had refused to meet TV programmes could now be watched atar has stepped up its fi ght for Qatari offi cials to try to resolve the dis- for free in Saudi Arabia. justice in a dispute against Saudi pute, as required by WTO rules. “The IPTV applications on beoutQ QArabia at the World Trade Organ- A Saudi government communica- set-top boxes provide access, in the isation (WTO), with a request for adjudi- tions offi ce did not immediately re- territory of Saudi Arabia, to hundreds The embassy of Oman celebrated the Sultanate’s 48th National Day at a reception held in Doha yesterday. Led by Oman’s cation of its complaint that Riyadh had spond to a request for comment. of television channels and thousands ambassador Najib bin Yahya al-Balushi, the reception was attended by a large number of guests, including Qatari dignitaries, violated its intellectual property rights. Saudi offi cials have previously said of on-demand programs from around diplomats from various nations and other off icials. Pictured are al-Balushi with HE the Advisory Council Speaker, Ahmed Qatar launched the dispute in Octo- that the country is taking action to the world, without the authorisation bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, HE the Minister of Justice Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi, HE the Minister of Commerce ber, saying Saudi Arabia was blocking combat piracy and is committed to of the intellectual property right hold- and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Aff airs Yousef bin Qatari-owned broadcaster beIN and protecting intellectual property rights. ers,” Qatar’s latest fi ling said, referring Mohamed al-Othman Fakhro, HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie refusing to take eff ective action against The request for a WTO adjudication to applications for so-called Internet and other dignitaries during the ceremonial cake-cutting. PICTURE: Jayan Orma the piracy of beIN content by a sophis- panel reiterated Qatar’s original com- Protocol television. To Page 2 Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, November 20, 2018 QATAR Amir sends message to Lebanese president Workshop discusses eff orts to establish barcode offi ce in Doha

QNA products has become an impor- based on the organisation of trade is easy to trade globally and is a Doha tant tool for developing trade transactions through the WTO, global requirement in export op- and companies to reach new adding the reliance on informa- erations, especially for EU coun- international markets through tion technology has increased to tries and the USA. workshop to discuss set- traditional distribution chan- keep pace with developments and He explained that the QDB, in ting up a barcode offi ce nels, as well as rapid inclusion of challenges, which is a priority for co-operation with Qatar Cham- Ato help Qatari companies products in e-commerce plat- QDB in the next phase. ber, is organising a series of comply with international la- forms. The QDB aims to expand the workshops on the advantages of belling standards for local and In his opening speech at the industrial base, increase Qatari having a digital barcode offi ce in global markets and to provide workshop, Busherbak added that exports and introduce advanced Doha, in addition to introducing information on the source, loca- Qatari companies are buying technology in the manufactur- its services and benefi ts to Qatari tion and sales of their products their digital code from GS1 offi c- ing and supply phases, he said. business owners. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has sent a written message to Lebanese was held in Doha. es in neighbouring countries or Al-Mansoori highlighted the The application of universal President General Michel Aoun, pertaining to bilateral relations between Qatar and Lebanon and It was organised by Qatar De- from GS1 headquarters in Brus- importance of Qatari exporters coding standards using barcodes ways to develop them. Qatar’s ambassador to Lebanon Mohamed Hassan Jaber al-Jaber handed the velopment Bank (QDB) and Qa- sels, stressing the need to launch to keep abreast with the latest provides a common working message during a meeting yesterday with the president of Lebanon. tar Chamber with the support of a registered offi ce in Qatar that international technology to raise language and expands business the joint technical co-operation meets the increasing require- the quality of products, reduce opportunities. agency of the World Trade Or- ments for safety and follow-up costs and follow modern meth- Supply chain standards save ganisation (WTO). in international trade. ods of commercial exchange and time and cost by reducing risk, Director General’s Assistant Executive Director of Ex- marketing. reducing paperwork manage- for Governmental and Interna- port Development & Promotion He pointed out that digital ment, raising supply chain ef- Qatar moves Sudan: Doha Document tional Relations at Qatar Cham- Agency, Tasdeer, Hassan Khalifa barcode is one of the most im- fi ciency and combating coun- ber, Ali Busherbak al-Mansouri, Busherbak al-Mansoor said that portant methods, where the terfeiting, and promoting the said that digital barcoding for the new global trading system is product is defi ned by a code that sharing of best practices. WTO in Saudi is basis for peace in Darfur piracy dispute QNA it enjoys international consensus, Khartoum pointing out that several agree- Advisory Council discusses two decrees From Page 1 ments and development projects have been implemented within Saudi Arabia was making it he Sudanese government the framework of the document in QNA the Legal and Legislative Aff airs ing of heads of parliaments of al-Thani in his address to the impossible for Qatari nation- has reaffi rmed that the order to achieve peace in Darfur. Doha Committee for consideration European and Asian countries 73rd session of the United Na- als to protect their intellectual TDoha Document for Peace The information minister and report to the council. (Eurasia), which was held in tions General Assembly to hold property rights, giving Qatari in Darfur has become the basis of pointed out that the de facto At the conclusion of the ses- Turkey’s Antalya from 8 to 11 an international conference on nationals less favourable treat- the peace process with popular policy of development and the he Advisory Council at its sion, HE al-Mahmoud briefed October 2018 and the Antalya cyber security and the readiness ment than Saudi and other na- and international support. Qatari support, assistance and regular weekly session, the Council on his meeting with Declaration of the meeting. of Qatar to host it. tionals, and making it unduly The government noted that follow-up is the basis of all the Theld under the chairman- the Speaker of Iraqi Council of HE al-Mahmoud also briefed He explained that these eff orts diffi cult for Qataris to seek judi- the vast majority of the armed success that have been achieved. ship of HE the Speaker Ahmed Representatives Mohamed al- the Council on the results of his resulted in the approval and wel- cial remedies, Qatar said. movements in Darfur and those He stressed that the document bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mah- Halboosi and his accompanying meetings, held on the sidelines come by all delegations of His It also criticised “Saudi Ara- who did not join the Doha Docu- is comprehensive and inclusive, in moud, yesterday discussed de- delegation. The meeting dis- of the Eurasia meeting, with a Highness the Amir’s invitation. bia’s omission to prosecute, as ment for Peace in Darfur, have that it met the wishes of the peo- cree-law No 18 of 2018 amend- cussed bilateral relations be- number of heads of parliaments The Speaker also briefed the a criminal violation, piracy on a shown a clear understanding of ple of Darfur, and the internation- ing some provisions of the tween Qatar and Iraq and ways of fraternal and friendly coun- Council on the participation of commercial scale, of material in the success of the document and al community for a lasting peace tender and auction law issued by to support and develop them tries, during which they dis- the Council’s delegation under which copyright is owned by, or sought to make the most of that in the region. He pointed out that law No 24 of 2015 and decided to in various fi elds, especially the cussed the existing parliamen- his chairmanship in the meet- licensed to, Qatari nationals, and success in accordance with their the steps taken in the regional and refer it to the Economic and the parliamentary sector, in addition tary relations between Qatar and ings of the 139th General Assem- other rights holders from around respective frameworks. international platforms with the Financial Aff airs Committee for to reviewing a number of issues their countries. bly of the Inter-Parliamentary the world.” Sudan’s Information Min- armed movements are based on study and report to the council. of common interest. The Speaker discussed his Union (IPU), which took place Global sports network beIN ister Bushara Juma’a Aror told the Doha Document. The council also discussed de- The Speaker of the Advisory contacts and meetings with the in Geneva from 14 to 18 October Sports is blocked in Saudi Ara- Qatar News Agency (QNA) that The Sudanese information cree-law No 19 of 2018 amend- Council also briefed the Coun- heads of the participating del- 2018, and the results of his in- bia under a boycott the kingdom the Doha Document for Peace in minister praised the eff orts made ing certain provisions of the law cil on the participation of the egations regarding the invita- tensive meetings with senior IPU imposed on Qatar over a year Darfur accommodates all and re- by Qatar in the interest of peace on lawyers issued by law No 23 Council’s delegation under his tion made by His Highness the offi cials and heads of participat- ago. mains open for accession because and stability in Sudan. of 2006 and decided to refer it to chairmanship at the third meet- Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad ing delegations. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 20, 2018 3 QATAR Amir accorded rousing reception in Croatia

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani being received by Croatian President Kolinda His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, accompanied by Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, inspects a guard Grabar-Kitarovic at the presidential palace in Zagreb yesterday. of honour at the presidential palace in Zagreb yesterday.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic chairing off icial talks between His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Croatian President Kolinda Qatar and Croatia in Zagreb yesterday. Grabar-Kitarovic witnessing the signing of agreements between the governments of Qatar and Croatia in Zagreb yesterday. Qatar-Croatia talks focus on bolstering ties

From Page 1 number of important areas, in- Amir’s visit to Croatia, which at the cabinet headquarters in cluding energy, sports and tour- will further develop the excel- Zagreb. The meeting reviewed He also praised President ism. lent bilateral relations. She ex- the relations between the two Grabar-Kitarovic’s important The Amir welcomed the pressed optimism about the fu- countries and the prospects for visit to Qatar last year. Croatian community and com- ture co-operation, particularly their development in various During joint press state- panies to Qatar. He praised the in the fi elds of energy, indus- fi elds, especially in the econo- ments with the Croatian presi- Croatian team’s achievements tries, defence, technology and my, industry, energy, tourism dent after the offi cial talks, His in the 2018 World Cup in Rus- tourism. and food security. Highness the Amir said that the sia, wishing that they qualify for His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Amir visited Qatari-Croatian relations are the 2022 Qatar World Cup and his accompanying delegation the Croatian Parliament head- strong and should be developed make more achievements. His attended a luncheon banquet quarters where he was wel- to a wider perspective in light of Highness the Amir also thanked hosted by the Croatian presi- comed by the Speaker Gordan the regional challenges, stress- the Croatian president for her dent at the Presidential Palace. Jandrokovic, Deputy Speaker ing the importance of continu- country’s contribution of a se- Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Zeljko Reiner, chairman of Qa- ous co-ordination between the ries of valuable books to the Qa- Plenkovic and a number of min- tari-Croatian Parliamentary offi cials of the two countries. tar National Library. isters and senior offi cials were Friendship Group Stjepan Curaj In this regard, the Amir pointed President Grabar-Kitarovic present. and a number of Parliament out that the talks focused on a stressed the importance of the The Amir also met Plenkovic members. Amir holds official talks with Italian president

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Italian President Sergio Mattarella chairing official talks at the presidential palace (The Quirinale) in Rome yesterday.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani being received by Italian President Sergio His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani holding talks with Maria Elisabetta Casellati, President of the Italian Senate, Mattarella at the presidential palace (The Quirinale) in Rome yesterday. in Rome yesterday. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, November 20, 2018 QATAR

QU alumni offi ce Sidra Medicine pioneers new announces 2018 reunion ceremony nder the patron- and impressed with the diabetes management protocol age of Her High- event, and hopes it will be- Uness Sheikha Moza come a basis for new com- idra Medicine, a Qatar Foun- by Dr Petrovski and his team will feedback, slower administrative parents, were educated in us- bint Nasser, honorary munication between QU dation (QF) member, has help Qatar accelerate its diabetes processes, delays in educating ing the Minimed 670G, with the president of the Qatar and its alumni. Spioneered a new protocol to management plan – the country, parents and even complex insur- modifi ed protocol by Dr Petro- University (QU) Alumni The ceremony also pro- help children with type 1 diabetes with around 1,200 T1D patients. ance policies, are a concern.” vski and his team. And the results Association, QU Alumni vides an opportunity for (T1D) in Qatar. The eff orts of diabetologists, “If we had the pumps and a sin- have been positive; the cohort of Relations Offi ce organises graduates to learn about The new protocol developed by endocrinologists, and physicians gle centralised system to moni- patients in the study, who were a press conference to an- the role and objectives Dr Goran Petrovski, an attend- all over the world have resulted in tor patients in a systematic and previously on multiple daily injec- nounce the 2018 Reunion of the QU Alumni Asso- ing physician of paediatric endo- effi cient treatment modes for pa- accurate manner, why couldn’t tions of insulin, have been able to Ceremony ciation and contribute by crinology/diabetes at Sidra Medi- tients with T1D that combine both patients use the 670G, right from better control their glucose levels The reunion is consid- engaging in the activities cine and an assistant professor of glucose monitoring and insulin the start, instead of going through and the quality of life. ered QU’s second biggest and events organised by all clinical medicine at Weill Cornell pumps such as the Hybrid Closed various phases where they used According to Dr Petrovski, the event of each year, coming branches of the associa- Medicine – Qatar and his team, Loop system. other alternatives? And, more im- results have, so far, proven his hy- second only to the annual tion, as well as encourag- has almost reached the conclu- The system, also referred to as Dr Goran Petrovski explains the portantly, will those patients have pothesis correct: that as long as graduation ceremony. The ing graduates to take part sion of a successful trial and off ers an artifi cial pancreas, uses a sen- functioning of the new protocol. the same or better results com- young children with T1D and their reunion is a great opportu- in serving the university patients and their caregivers faster sor and a controller-aided insulin pared to those switching from an- caregivers are provided with prop- nity for QU to enhance its and community. and simpler access to the latest pump both of which are attached pumps, the most advanced model, other device?” he asks. er education and onboarding, the communication with grad- Mohamed al-Mohanna- diabetes treatment. to the body of the patient. The the Minimed 670G is off ered as a In order to test his theory, Dr earlier they start using the Hybrid uates and to create a sense di, director, Outreach and “Diabetes centres all over the sensor reads the glucose levels in part of the treatment only in the Petrovski and his team needed ac- Closed Loop System, the better. of loyalty and affi liation Engagement, told the press world follow diff erent protocols the body and sends the informa- US. Even then, patients often have cess to a reliable hospital system The team intends to expand the with them. The gathering conference that QU has in diabetes management tech- tion to the controller in the pump; to face a long wait before gaining where patients could be provided successful study both in Qatar and also strengthens the con- been organising this event nology,” Dr Petrovski, said, add- the controller, based on the read- access to the device. consistent and continuous infor- abroad. Dr Petrovski was recently tinuity of bonding between for 10 years through the ing, “The access to eff ective T1D ing, uses algorithms to calculate “The effi cacy of 670G in pa- mation and support, and where in Europe to share his fi ndings all parties including among Alumni Relations Offi ce, treatment and the ease with which the amount of insulin that the tients has been proven,” Dr Petro- his team could closely monitor pa- with experts in countries where university offi cials, in the which was established in patients can use insulin to control patient needs and injects the rel- vski said, adding, “But the long tients and get accurate feedback – the 670G is yet to be introduced, spirit of co-operation. 2007. “Currently, the uni- the condition depends on that evant quantity into the patient. waiting period born out of the in- such as Sidra Medicine. and where the protocol developed Mohamed Hakim, versity sponsors the cer- protocol.” While there are various models ability to closely and safely moni- In an ongoing pilot study, 30 in Qatar could potentially give pa- alumni relations special- emony alongside the QU The latest protocol put forward of such sensor-augmented insulin tor patients and receive accurate patients aged from 7-18, and their tients a better quality of life. ist in QU, said the cer- Alumni Association, which emony would honour the was established in 2012.” graduates between the The ceremony will in- years 1990 and 1999. It is clude many activities and a yearly undertaking by the events, such as honouring university to promote the distinguished graduates, Woqod opens petrol station in Al Wakrah spirit of cohesion and co- and will host spaces dedi- operation. cated to the diff erent col- atar Fuel (Woqod) convenience store, manual car Hakim hopes that the leges and research opened Al Wakrah-2 wash, oil change and tyre re- graduates will be happy centres. (QNA) Qyesterday, expanding pair, sale of LPG cylinders, in its network of various petrol addition to sale of gasoline and stations to 79. diesel products for light vehi- “We are pleased to open new cles. fi xed petrol station on Bypass “Woqod is currently over- Road Al Wakrah-2,” Woqod seeing the implementation of Ooredoo tv now chief executive offi cer Saad 18 new petrol stations, a large Rashid al-Muhannadi said. number of which are expected Al Wakrah-2 is spread over to be operational during the requires input of an area of 15,000sq m and has current year,” al-Muhannadi three lanes with nine dispens- explained. ers that will serve Al Wakrah “There are nine stations in Purchase PIN and its neighbourhood. the bidding phase and 14 in the The new petrol station off er design phase. Woqod is target- oredoo, Qatar’s round-the-clock services to ing a total of 130 fuel stations leading telecom- residents, and include a Sidra by the end of 2020,” he added. A view of the new Woqod Petrol Station, Al Wakrah -2. Omunications pro- vider, yesterday an- but we know they’ll appreci- nounced all transactions ate it’s to keep them and their carried out on Ooredoo tv data as safe as possible, and will now require the input to prevent any unauthorised of a Purchase PIN in order transactions being allowed to activate the request. to occur.” MoPH holds The new procedure means Customers who already every time a customer at- have an existing Purchase PIN tempts to make a purchase need only input it each time – whether a subscription to they initiate a transaction, workshops on a service or an on-demand while customers who have yet movie rental – the Ooredoo to set up their PIN will simply tv system will ask for a PIN need to send an SMS to 115, number to be input in order to from their registered mobile WHO new confi rm the purchase has been number, with the text ‘MPIN’ initiated and authorised by the followed by their 8-digit registered account holder. landline number. So, if the Manar Khalifa al-Mu- landline number is 12345678, growth charts raikhi, director, public rela- they should send ‘MPIN tions and corporate commu- 12345678’. A personalised he Ministry of Pub- from diff erent countries nications at Ooredoo, said: Purchase PIN will then be lic Health (MoPH) of the world, pointing out “Keeping our customers’ sent to them. Customers who Torganised four that the main determinants data safe and secure is of par- are new to Ooredoo tv should training workshops on the of growth inequality have amount importance to Oore- follow the same procedure. new growth charts of the been environmental factors, doo, and we are committed In order to ensure this new World Health Organisa- which means that these to ensuring all transactions safeguard is not accidentally tion (WHO) for public and charts can also be used to made through Ooredoo tv switched off , Ooredoo is also private school students assess compliance with are safe, secure and initiated removing the option to deac- and community schools in the UN Convention on the only by the authorised cus- tivate Purchase PIN require- Qatar aged 5-19 years. Rights of the Child. tomer. We understand it’s an ment, further ensuring the The workshops were Dr al-Mutawa noted extra step when customers security of all transactions held in collaboration with that this programme has are accessing our services, initiated on Ooredoo tv. the Ministry of Education been applied to all public and Higher Education, the schools in starting from Primary Health Care Cor- the academic year 2014- poration and Hamad Medi- 2015 and has been imple- cal Corporation. mented in private schools Dr Kholood Ateeq al- and community schools in Mutawa, head, of non- the 2015-2016 academic communicable disease sec- year, adding the aim of tion at the MoPH, said that these programmes is to the adoption and imple- provide a database and mentation of the WHO new build a monitoring system growth charts is an imple- for the growth of students mentation of the National of private and government Nutrition and Physical schools, boys and girls, in Activity Action Plan 2017- the three grades, as well as 2022, which aims to reduce early detection of develop- the burden of obesity and mental disorders that may chronic diseases and re- be related to nutrition. lated diseases in Qatar such The workshops were at- as cardiovascular disease, tended by about 190 new diabetes and some types of nursing staff in schools cancer. and programme supervi- She said that the pro- sors from the MoPH and gramme contributes to the PHCC. A working team promoting health and was formed and trained on non-communicable dis- how to use the new WHO eases, activating the Qa- growth forms to achieve tar National Vision 2030 the objectives of the for human development programme. and promoting the health The analysis of the re- of the entire Qatari soci- sults of the new growth ety to build a new healthy monitoring charts 2016, generation. which included 165,000 She added that the pro- students aged 5-19, showed gramme represents an im- that a large proportion of portant step towards realis- students are overweight ing the right of every child to and obese, especially grow and enjoy good health among 10-14 year-old based on scientifi c evidence students. (QNA) Indian embassy holiday The Indian embassy of Milad-un-Nabi will remain closed (Id-e-Milad), it was tomorrow (Wednesday) announced in a on the occasion statement yesterday. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 20, 2018 5 QATAR Ajyal to screen six Russian fi lms he 6th Ajyal Film Festival will celebrate Qatar – Russia Year Tof Culture Qatar 2018 with the screening of six “Made in Russia” short fi lms, which present an insight into the country’s fi lmmaking trends, culture and people, it was announced. Ajyal, Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) an- nual cinema event, will take place from November 28 to December 3 at Katara – the Cultural Village. “Made in Russia” will screen on No- vember 30 from 8pm at the Ajyal Stage at Katara Esplanade, and includes a se- lection of short Russian narrative and documentary fi lms. This follows the success of the DFI’s “Made in Qatar” screening earlier this year at the VII Saint Petersburg Inter- national Cultural Forum in Russia, in A scene from Maria Guskova’s The Return of Erkin. partnership with the Qatar’s Ministry of Culture and Sports. interaction between our countries,” “We have placed the focus on the “The ‘Made in Russia’ showcase at said DFI chief executive Fatma Hassan work of up-and-coming Russian direc- Ajyal marks Qatar – Russia Year of Cul- al-Remaihi, who is also the Ajyal festi- tors that will stimulate dialogue among ture Qatar, and the signifi cant cultural val director. young fi lmmakers as well as audiences and drive a deeper understanding of Russian cinema – a country that has gifted the world with some of the fi n- est classics and bold new fi lmmaking statements,” she added. Curated by Alexei Medvedev, the “Made in Russia” programme fi lms are: The Hymns of Muscovy (2018) by Dim- itri Venkov, The Return of Erkin (2015) by Maria Guskova, Aquathlon (2018) by Alexey Shabarov, What a Pest (2018) by Svetlana Chernikova, Hide and Seek (2018) by Anastasia Ostapenko, and The First Thunder (2017) by Anastasia Me- likhova. Tickets for Ajyal screenings are priced QR25 for general screening. Tickets are available for purchase 24 hours a day at http://www.dohafi lm- institute.com/fi lmfestival/ticketinfor- mation, or in-person at Ajyal FNAC ticket outlets (located at Doha Festival City and Lagoona Mall), or from the The First Thunder is among the six ‘Made in Russia’ short films to be screened at Ajyal Katara Main Box Offi ce in Katara Ajyal 2018. Building 12. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, November 20, 2018 QATAR

Barwa The Fire Station hosts 18 artists Bank he Fire Station hosted an creatives and fi nd ways to develop of the programme next year,” he names ‘Open Studio’ night yes- and explore their own techniques. added. Tterday, giving the public They also meet curators, access all Participating artists include, the chance to meet the 18 art- QM exhibitions and are encouraged Shaikha Jassim al-Hardan (Qa- draw ists currently participating in to join workshops and lectures. tar), Sarah Hassan al-Ansari (Qa- the highly successful Artist in The programme is part of tar), Mohamed Faraj al-Suwaidi Residence programme. QM’s commitment to nurtur- (Qatar), Abdulla Najib al-Kuwari winners The event was an opportunity ing emerging talent in the coun- (Qatar), Maryam Masoud al-Ameri for art enthusiasts to interact and try and helping Qatar origi- (Qatar), Federica Visani (Italy), speak with the artists about their nate art and culture from within Nayla al-Mulla (Qatar), Faisal of Thara’a work and explore the Fire Station – by providing platforms where Rashid al-Hajri (Qatar), Lolwa a hub for the country’s growing art creativity can thrive. al-Solaiti (Qatar), Sara Ahmad al- community. “The Open Studio Night is one of Fadaaq (Qatar), Rouda Abdulaziz arwa Bank has announced Artists displayed their works, our most popular events because it M A al-Khori (Qatar), Hassan the names of the most re- which included a variety of me- allows the public to directly interact Manasra (Jordan), Alaa Bata (Jor- Bcent round of draw win- dia, such as fi ne art, sculpture, and with the artists and explore their dan), Jesse Payne (US), Guillaume ners for Thara’a, its Shariah- photography, among others. worlds. Such events are not only a Claude Felicien Rousere (France), compliant savings account, at Launched under the patronage testament to the country’s growing Nourbano Feras al-Hejazi (Saudi the bank’s headquarters. of Qatar Museums’ (QM) chairper- art scene but are also a showcase of Arabia), Sidra Zubairi (Pakistan), As the draw results showed, son HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint the incredible work that QM is do- Eman Makki (Egypt), and Michael Hassan Mohamed Darwish and Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the ing to inspire audiences living in and Perrone (US). Arshad Karim each won a cash Fire Station off ers artists in Qatar visiting Qatar,” Fire Station director The Fire Station will announce prize of QR10,000, Barwa Bank the chance to immerse themselves Khalifa al-Obaidly said. the open call to the Artist in Resi- said in a statement. in their work for a period of nine- “With every year, I am incred- dence programme in February of Also, a cash prize worth months. ibly impressed with the works pro- 2019. All artists residing in Qatar QR5,000 was awarded to the The residency provides them duced by the artists in residence are welcome to submit their appli- following bank clients: Pris- with individualised studios and the and I am looking forward to seeing cations through the online submis- ciliano Padua Villaviza, Bashaer chance to collaborate with fellow what they come up with by the end sions page. Visitors at The Fire Station’s ‘Open Studio’ yesterday. Khalid al-Arfaj, Khalid Rahman Jaff ar, Aisha Ali Abu Alshwarib, Faisal Ali al-Anssari, Ibraheim Mahmoud, Fatima Mahmoud al-Mahmoud, Nasser Emair al-Naemi, Mubaraka Salem al- Vodafone showcases security Wasmi, Sajid Atique, Mohamed Abdulla al-Kuwari, Nabseel Cadirikanakka Pillandagath, Abdulla Mohamed al-Hama- expertise at QCB conference di, Aiman Hussein El-Taweel, Obaid Mohamed al-Mirri, Fat- ma Mohamed al-Naimi, Saed odafone Qatar, Gold Spon- Mubarak al-Hajri, Abdulla Ajlan sors of the fi fth annual In- al-Kaabi, Muna Mohamed al- Vformation Security Con- Shahri, Abdulghani Ali al-Saegh ference for the Financial Sector and Issa Ali al-Ansari. organised by Qatar Central Bank The draw was conducted (QCB), showcased the company’s under the supervision of a rep- expertise in security solutions and resentative from the ministry the Internet of Things (IoT). concerned. This is the fourth consecutive Thara’a off ers account year that Vodafone has taken part holders the chance to ben- in what has become one of the most efi t from cash rewards up to important events in the country. QR1,000,000. Based on several This year’s event was themed ‘Se- criteria, Thara’a account hold- curing Digital Assets’ and focused The Vodafone booth at the Information Security Conference for the Financial Sector. ers are eligible for a number of on information security in Qatar, periodic draws for cash priz- infrastructure improvements and ganisations in Qatar with the latest e-commerce transactions, reputa- es. Totalling QR3,300,000, solutions for all vital sectors related innovative security products and tion and confi dential data. “Vo- Thara’a cash rewards are dis- to information security. services.” dafone’s DDoS mitigation solution tributed on both a monthly and In a keynote presentation titled Vodafone also showcased its makes sure the customer network biannual basis to customers “Security in the IoT Era”, Vodafone various security solutions at the is protected from diff erent levels of holding a minimum balance of Qatar chief business offi cer Mah- conference, including Mobile Asset DDoS attacks, including the DDoS QR10,000. mud Awad gave an overview of how Tracking and the enhanced DDoS attacks specifi cally targeted at cus- On a monthly basis, there IoT was fuelling digital transfor- mitigation solution, which was tomer applications,” the statement are 21 winners per draw for the mation not only in the banking and launched in May this year to protect notes. cash prize of QR5,000 each, as fi nance industry but also across all businesses and governmental sec- Mobile Asset Tracking enables well as two winners per draw industries, and the importance of tors’ networks from being attacked, monitoring the status of the key as- for the cash prize of QR10,000. security in order to keep connected the company said in a statement. sets out in the fi eld to ensure that Additionally, twice a year, there devices and people’s data safe in a Distributed Denial of Service they are secure and are put to the are two winners per draw for constantly changing world. attacks or DDoS is an attempt to best possible use at all times, and the cash prize of QR25,000, two Addressing the audience, Awad make an organisation’s online serv- therefore reducing costs and in- winners per draw for the cash said: “Security is a key concern for ice (websites, servers, mails, online creasing security. Vodafone’s Mo- prize of QR50,000 each, and organisations globally. Protecting payments and data transfer) una- bile Asset Tracking is an all-inclu- yearly there are two winners of assets, devices, networks, data and vailable by overwhelming it with sive solution, with everything from the grand prize of QR1,000,000 applications is an essential compo- traffi c from multiple sources. This tracking devices to wireless net- for each winner - rewarding 194 nent of doing business. Vodafone downtime results, among others, in work, hosting and reporting tools, winners in total with cash prizes Qatar is committed to provide or- a loss of productivity, visitor traffi c, the statement adds. up to QR3,300,000.

Qeeri to launch 13 solar radiation monitoring stations atar Environment nologies, plan for grid inte- solar energy power infra- tion available to help reduce forecasting,”Abdulla al- and Energy Re- gration based on spatial and structures. We believe that economic and fi nancial risks Mannai, director at QMD, Qsearch Institute temporal variability, man- having a network of 13 sta- and ensure the introduction added. (Qeeri), part of Hamad bin age solar energy integration tions, and working closely of cost-eff ective solar en- Solar radiation data has Khalifa University, is de- in the grid and carry out an with QMD will allow us to ergy power systems.” multiple applications which veloping a network of 13 economic assessment of produce high-quality data “Qeeri, with its state-of- can help improve the qual- solar radiation monitoring solar energy investments. which can contribute to- the-art facilities and sci- ity of life of the people liv- stations which will enable Dr Veronica Bermudez, wards enhancing the adop- entifi c expertise, is a key ing in Qatar: production of precise mapping of solar senior research director at tion of clean and sustain- collaborator for QMR. The electricity, residential and resources across Qatar. Qeeri, said, “Reliable and able energy sources such as SRA stations are not only of industrial thermal heat, The project, in line with precise information on so- solar power. Qeeer’s solar high value for solar power crop cultivation, meteorol- Qeeri’s mission to assist lar resource availability and radiation measurement and plant developers and op- ogy, water desalination with Qatar in tackling its grand associated meteorological modelling facilities will erators, and grid manage- concentrated solar power, challenges related to en- parameters are essential to make high-quality and valu- ment, but will also help us eff ects on human health and ergy and environment, will adopting and developing able solar resource informa- at QMD improve weather climate change. be implemented in collabo- ration with Qatar Meteoro- logical Department (QMD). Solar Resource Assess- ment (SRA) is the analysis and study of the solar radi- ation potential at a partic- ular site or in a specifi c re- gion. The assessment helps decision-makers to esti- mate with high precision, how much energy can be produced from solar power applications positioned at the study location. Qeeri fi rst launched its work on SRA in 2012 in Ed- ucation City in Doha, with one monitoring station measuring solar radiation and other meteorological parameters. Over the past fi ve years, Qeeri’s SRA ca- pabilities have evolved and expanded to include a sat- ellite receiving station to enable the spatial estima- tion of solar radiation and long-term modelling of solar resources across the country. The information pro- vided by Qeeri SRA fa- cilities help stakeholders identify locations with high solar energy po- tential, deploy the most appropriate solar tech- Gulf Times Tuesday, November 20, 2018 7 QATAR

Katara to host Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Qatari women’s programme graduates felicitated conference rominent Qatari scholar and academic Dr he Community College of Aisha al-Mannai has been appointed as Qatar (CCQ) celebrated the Pchairman of the Board of Trustees of the re- Tgraduation of the 7th and cently-formed Qatari Women’s Pen Forum (Mul- 8th cohorts of its “Early Childhood taqa Qalam Al Mar’athil Qatariyya) functioning Assistant Teacher” certifi cate pro- under the aegis of Katara – the Cultural Village. gramme, under the patronage and Dr Mariam al-Naimi of Qatar University has in the presence of HE the Minister been selected as vice chairman while Dr Hala of Education and Higher Educa- Sultan al-Eisa, Dr Kultham Ali al-Ghanim and Dr tion, Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed al- Asma Abdullah al-Atiyyah are other members of Hammadi. the Board. The ceremony was attended by During his meeting with members of the Board, CCQ’s Board of Trustees, the college Katara general manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al- president Dr Mohamed al-Naemi, Sulaiti stressed the important role being played and the dean Dr Abdallah Haza- by Qatari women in diff erent fi elds of culture, imeh, along with a number of faculty arts, knowledge and innovation, under the pa- members, guests and dignitaries. tronage of the wise Qatari leadership. Dr al-Hammadi congratulated He said that Katara was committed to support- the graduates, praising the role of ing Qatari women to develop their skills and tal- CCQ in introducing advanced aca- ents in various fi elds, considering their key role in demic programmes, in line with the family and society. Ministry of Education and Higher He hoped that the new Forum would promote Education’s strategy aimed at qual- communication and dialogue between the young ifying national competencies in and old generations, under the guidance of pio- the fi eld of education, providing a The graduates with HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi, and other officials. neering Qatari women. suitable learning environment, and Dr al-Mannai expressed her appreciation to developing advanced curricula that Qatar has been keen to provide edu- 2014. Since then, the programme the key to subsequent school and Additionally, CCQ recently start- Katara for launching the Forum saying Qatar’s meet the requirements of the 21st cation and training opportunities has achieved great success, with the professional success.” ed off ering its students the Associate leadership has enabled Qatari women to reach century. across diverse fi elds and disciplines total number of graduates reaching During the event, the College of Arts in Early Childhood Educa- vast horizons of knowledge, creativity and in- The minister also highlighted the in line with the labour market needs, over 300 to date.” also honoured 16 schools and kin- tion degree programme. novation and make great contributions to Qatari importance of the Early Childhood all while maintaining the highest Early Childhood Programme co- dergartens in recognition of their The curriculum discusses theo- society. Assistant Teacher programme as it standards of academic excellence. ordinator and instructor Dr Merfat outstanding collaboration in the ries related to principles of child She added that Qatari women are living in a addresses the child’s needs in many To this end, the college has forged Fayez said: “The physical, intellec- practical training part of the Early development, and equips educa- golden era under the wise leadership of His High- aspects, which contributes to en- close partnerships with national in- tual, social, and emotional develop- Childhood Assistant Teacher pro- tors with the technological means ness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. hancing the capacity of assistant stitutions, at the forefront of which ment of children has a direct eff ect gramme, and the resulting impact and methods to stimulate children’s Dr al-Naimi said that the Forum has decided teachers to communicate with chil- comes the Ministry of Education on the kind of adults and community of this hands-on approach to teach- learning, manage classroom behav- to organise its fi rst annual conference on March dren and perform their duties to the and Higher Education, culminat- members they grow up to become. ing on achieving the objectives of iour, and utilise healthy, safe and 8 next year to coincide with the International fullest. ing in the development of the Early Hence, early experiences are con- the programme and raising the ef- age-appropriate educational prac- Women’s Day. Dr al-Naemi said: “Since incep- Childhood Assistant Teacher cer- sidered the fi rst steps in the learning fi ciency of assistant teachers across tices that support their growth and The conference will discuss and explore the tion, the Community College of tifi cate programme in November journey of the individual and hold the country. development. leadership role played by Qatari women and her achievements in the intellectual, cultural and social fi elds so that the new generation will learn and benefi t from their success stories. Online registration to be compulsory for Indians coming on employment visa An exhibition on the sidelines of the conference will also take place, featuring the achievements Indian citizens holding Non- The decision has been taken to before departure. Those who fail 2019, the MEA has said. new rule applies only to those and contributions of pioneering Qatari women in Emigration Check Required (non- “provide protection and welfare to register will not be allowed to “Off -loading of unregistered non-ECR Indians who are flying to these various fi elds, especially women who entered the ECR or ECNR) passports will now to Indian emigrants abroad”, the travel to these 18 countries – Qatar, emigrants at the airports would be countries for the first time on an job sector at an early age and served as teachers, to have to mandatorily register advisory – which is available on the Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, eff ected by the appropriate authority employment visa. nurses, doctors and even as ministers. themselves online before travelling website of the Indian embassy in Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, after January 1, 2019,” the advisory Earlier, only holders of Emigration She said that the Forum will set up a data bank to 18 countries, including Qatar, on Qatar - states. Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi continues, adding that there is no Check Required (ECR) passports to document the achievements of Qatari women an employment visa, according to The registration has to be Arabia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, change in existing procedures for all were required to get prior approval to preserve them for the future generations. a new advisory issued by India’s completed on the portal, www. Thailand, the UAE and Yemen – for other visa categories. before travelling to these 18 Qatari women scholars and writers who have Ministry of External Aff airs (MEA). emigrate.gov.in, at least 24 hours employment starting January 1, Some reports suggested that the countries. carved a niche in various fi elds of knowledge have been brought together in the Forum.

Qatar Airways to deploy state-of-the-art A380 on Frankfurt sector from March

atar Airways yesterday an- look forward to welcoming passengers that set it apart from other aircraft. nounced it will add the state- travelling to and from Frankfurt on Economy Class passengers also ben- Qof-the-art Airbus A380 to one board.” efi t from the added spaciousness of the of its two daily services from Doha to The A380 aircraft features a luxu- A380, with higher ceilings on the main Frankfurt from March 31. rious and exclusive First Class Cabin deck and a wider seat confi guration The move will increase the airline’s with ultra-wide seats, which recline and design to off er more leg room, plus current daily capacity on the Doha to into a flat bed, two-passenger ta- contoured headrests. Frankfurt route by 23%, as well as off er ble extension dining, and designer A multiple award-winning airline, passengers the option to choose from sleeper suits, flight slippers and Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s First Class on board the A380 or its amenities. Best Business Class’ by the 2018 World patented, award-winning Qsuite Busi- Passengers travelling in Qatar Air- Airline Awards, managed by interna- ness Class experience off ered on the ways’ award-winning Business Class tional air transport rating organisation Boeing 777 aircraft, which will serve can also enjoy direct aisle access with Skytrax. the route’s second daily fl ight. the 1-2-1 seat confi guration and a suite It was also named ‘Best Business Qatar Airways Group chief execu- of entertainment options including Class Seat,’ ‘Best Airline in the Middle tive, Akbar al-Baker, said: “We are on-board Wi-Fi, keeping them fully East’, and ‘World’s Best First Class Air- thrilled to be able to bring the A380 to connected while up in the air. line Lounge’.Qatar Airways currently our passengers travelling to and from In addition, passengers in First and operates a modern fl eet of more than Frankfurt, one of our key gateways into Business Class can relax and socialise 200 aircraft via its hub, Hamad Inter- Germany. The addition of this aircraft at the on-board lounge located on the national Airport to more than 150 des- increases capacity on the route signifi - upper deck of the A380 aircraft. tinations worldwide. cantly, providing passengers with ad- The 517-seat capacity is spread As part of its continued expansion ditional fl exibility and greater choice across twin decks in a tri-class con- plans, Qatar Airways plans to launch in making travel plans, and is further figuration of eight seats in First Class, an array of new destinations over the evidence of Qatar Airways’ on-going 48 seats in Business Class and 461 in coming months, including Mombasa, commitment to strengthening and Economy Class, featuring world- Kenya; Gothenburg, Sweden and Da expanding our European network. We class amenities and first rate services Nang, Vietnam.

QIB, QPAY launch first Islamic ‘Point of Sale’, online payment gateway

IB has offi cially launched Qa- A technical team will be handling the tar’s “fi rst Islamic Point of Sale setup, the training, and support related Q(PoS) & Online Payment Gate- to setting up the PoS machines across way” solutions in collaboration with diff erent locations and the online pay- QPAY international, a Qatar-based ment gateway. Fintech company off ering a wide port- A 24x7 support team will always be folio of electronic payment solutions. available to support the businesses on- This solution has been introduced to site and online. serve QIB’s corporate and SME clients Tarek Fawzi, general manager, QIB’s and support their business banking merchants’ real-time access to all Wholesale Banking Group said: “With needs. transactions made on the PoS on an the launch of the fi rst Islamic PoS & The Islamic PoS solution developed online platform eliminating the need Online Payment Gateway Solutions by Android smart technology will pro- for merchants to keep a log of all trans- reaffi rms QIB’s position as the leading vide innovative, secure, and highly ef- actions made and fl exibility in time. Islamic Bank in Qatar.” fi cient payment processing services. The PoS is available amongst QIB’s “As Islamic banking is currently The new PoS supports contactless existing corporates including SME and witnessing a new era, QIB wants to card transactions, E-Wallet, mobile prospective merchants. reassure its corporate and SME clients PoS (mPoS), QR code scanner and on- For businesses that require e-com- that they will continue to leverage Fin- line billing and settlement. merce solution to process payments tech based solutions to provide new Mobile PoS (mPoS) is an innova- online, QIB & QPAY are off ering a quick services and products to provide them tive business solution, that services and secure online payment gateway to innovative solutions that are Shariah- delivery-oriented businesses where enable them to serve their clients bet- compliant to help them grow their the PoS is connected via Bluetooth to a ter, save time, and increase the source businesses,” he said. smartphone that serves as a cash regis- of revenue. Nebil Ben Aissa, CEO and founder, ter (compatible with both Android and It also helps in reducing excessive QPAY said: “QPAY is very proud to iOS), making card transactions port- costs involved in physical transactions. work with QIB in order to help Qatari able. By having an online payment gate- small businesses to be aligned with The PoS has a built-in camera that way companies can give their clients Qatar’s 2030 vision and 2022 World allows merchants to scan barcodes, an option to pay online at any time and Cup with a cashless electronic society. which eliminate the need for SME’s make a hassle-free process. Our advanced Financial Technology and corporate clients to have a separate It also helps in reducing the signifi - (Fintech) systems in partnership with barcode reader as the new PoS machine cant amount of paper. world payment leaders such as the will serve this dual function. QIB Corporate and SME clients can Nexxo Network; enables us to imple- The PoS solution accepts VISA, easily apply by submitting a request to ment, in Qatar, the latest innovation in Mastercard, American Express, and their designated relationship manag- mobile and e-payment services while UnionPay international cards. ers, or visit QIB Corporate branch and promoting growth for a very healthy Online billing feature will enable fi ll the agreement form. Qatari small business sector.” Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, November 20, 2018 QATAR

Application period extended for biomedical research training programme Mamas and Papas Kids Shoes recalled

The deadline for applying to the and managerial responsibilities administrator, applications from nership with the Qatar Research The Ministry of Commerce and framework of its ongoing ef- plementation of measures relating Biomedical Research Training Pro- related to biomedical research. nationals are welcomed irrespective Leadership Programme at Qatar Industry, in collaboration with forts to ensure that suppliers to defective products.. gramme for Nationals, an initiative The programme was launched of their discipline. Foundation. Interested applicants Mamas and Papas, has an- follow up on product defects The ministry has urged all cus- of Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar in 2011 and so far has helped 36 The training programme is a can contact the research training nounced the recall of Mamas and repair defective items in a tomers to report any violations (WCM-Q), has been extended to graduates take the first step on full-time, six-month employment team for more information at and Papas Kids Shoes with the bid to protect consumers and to its Consumer Protection and December 20. the path to a successful career commitment with trainees receiv- [email protected]. product numbers S912GE9, has urged all customers to re- Anti-Commercial Fraud Depart- The initiative is a unique opportu- in research. The programme will ing a graduation certificate upon Applicants can also find more S912CN7 and S912300 over the turn the item to the sales outlet ment through the following chan- nity for Qatari college graduates restart in January 2019. completion. The trainees are paid information and submit their appli- potential detachment of tassels/ for necessary action. nels: Call centre: 16001, e-mail: with an interest in biomedical Although the programme is aimed a stipend as part of a comprehen- cations online at https://qatar-weill. pom poms, which could pose The ministry stressed that it will [email protected], Twitter: @ research to gain hands-on experi- at recent graduates who are interest- sive compensation package. cornell.edu/research/research-train- choking risk for children. co-ordinate with the shop to recall MEC_Qatar, Instagram: MEC_Qa- ence in the laboratories at WCM-Q ed in pursuing a career as a bench The programme is fully funded by ing-programs/biomedical-research- The ministry said the recall the product and will communicate tar, MEC mobile app for Android and in the diff erent administrative or clinical researcher, or a research WCM-Q and is organised in part- training-program-for-nationals. campaign comes within the with customers to ensure the im- and IOS: MEC_Qatar Gulf Times Tuesday, November 20, 2018 9 AMIR’S VISIT TO ITALY Qatar-Italy ties built on strong friendship, strategic partnership

QNA The relations between Qatar and Italy had strengthened after the opening of embassies of both investment opportunities. The Doha volume of trade exchange be- countries in 1992. The relations are strong and have been witnessing a rapid growth at all levels, tween the two countries has especially after the historic visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Italy witnessed remarkable develop- ollowing a successful of- ment in recent years. fi cial visit to the Republic in January 2016 which resulted in several important agreements between the two countries Trade between the two coun- Fof Croatia, His Highness tries reached 2.3bn euros in 2017, the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- vital sectors between the two omy and its wide investment cal, economic and sports fi elds, military co-operation between in February this year, the air- an increase of 9% over the previ- mad al-Thani started yesterday a countries who share common prospects. agreements between the invest- the two countries, Qatar an- line announced a new phase of ous year. Qatar’s investments in state visit to the Italian Republic, political and economic views The Qatari-Italian relations ment agencies in both countries, nounced in August 2017 the growth and development, start- Italy increased signifi cantly, and at the invitation of Italian Presi- and joint interests. witnessed exchange of visits at and MoU on combating crime, in signing of a deal with Italy to ing with its brand new identity natural gas exports from Qatar dent Sergio Mattarella. During The relations between Qatar the highest levels, topped by the addition to co-operation agree- buy seven naval units worth and livery as Air Italy. to Italy accounted for the largest the visit, His Highness the Amir and Italy had strengthened af- offi cial visits of His Highness the ments in energy, climate change, 5bn euros. The two countries Italian companies focus on in- share of trade between the two will hold talks on means of bol- ter the opening of embassies of Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin education, higher education, also signed contracts for the vestment in Qatar and are grow- countries. Italy was the world’s stering bilateral relations in all both countries in 1992. The re- Khalifa al-Thani to Italy in 2005, scientifi c research, air trans- purchase of NH90 helicopters, ing continuously, covering many seventh-largest economy and areas, in addition to issues of lations are strong and have been 2009 and 2012, and the visit of port and a memorandum of un- the latest of its kind. fi elds, including trade, con- the fourth largest economy in mutual concern. witnessing a rapid growth at all then Italian president to Qatar in derstanding between the Qatar Qatar Airways launched its struction and technology. There Europe in 2008. It is a member A number of agreements and levels, especially after the his- 2007. In November 2017, former Chamber and the Italian Cham- fl ights to Italy in 2002 when it are dozens of Italian companies of the G8, the European Union memorandums of understand- toric visit of His Highness the Italian prime minister Paolo ber of Commerce. fi rst arrived in Milan, launching operating in Qatar, especially in and the OECD. ing (MoUs) will be signed dur- Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Gentiloni paid an offi cial visit to In addition, a joint Qatari- one year later direct fl ights to the projects of establishing the The main Italian industries ing the visit, contributing to al-Thani to Italy in January 2016 Qatar. Italian Businessmen Council Rome, and then Venice in 2011 stadiums of 2022 World Cup, are tourism, machinery, iron and strengthening and developing which resulted in several impor- Moreover, several high-rank- was established to promote and Pisa in 2016. Qatar Airways metro lines, medical equipment steel, chemicals, food process- the relations to serve the joint tant agreements between the ing offi cials of both countries, economic relations and ex- is now operating 42 direct fl ights in Sidra, Hamad International ing, motor fuels, textiles, cloth- interests and the aspirations of two countries. including foreign, interior and plore areas of bilateral co-op- a week from Hamad Interna- Airport and cooling towers in in- ing, and ceramics. Its most im- the two friendly people. Qatar’s successful participa- defence ministers, exchanged eration. The volume of trade tional Airport to four destina- dustrial facilities. portant agricultural crops are The visit will certainly con- tion in Expo Milano 2015 con- several visits in recent years. exchange between the two tions in Italy. Italy is a strategic partner of fruits, vegetables, grapes, po- tribute to promoting co-opera- tributed further to developing On the level of signed agree- countries witnessed a remark- Qatar Airways last year also Qatar and is a unique destina- tatoes, beets, soybeans, olives, tion between the two countries the mutual co-operation in all ments and MoUs, Qatar and able development in recent announced the acquisition of a tion for Qatari investments in meat, dairy products and fi sh. and advancing them to wider fields, mainly the economic Italy signed an agreement to years. Italy is a distinguished 49% stake in AQA Holding, the various sectors and economic Italy’s most important exports horizons in all fi elds to boost and investment. Qatar’s pa- avoid double taxation, an agree- destination for the Qatari in- new parent company of Air Italy. activities. Qatar is keen on us- are metals, textiles and clothing, the economic co-operation, in- vilion organised important ac- ment for cultural and tourism vestments which have entered Italy’s long established privately ing part of its resources to in- machinery, motor fuels, operat- crease trade exchange and en- tivities contributed greatly to co-operation, agreements and various sectors and economic owned airline was previously vest in strategic partner econo- ing equipment, chemicals, en- hance co-operation in various highlighting the Qatari econ- MoUs in the diplomatic, politi- activities. In the framework of known as Meridiana, however, mies, where there are promising ergy equipment, and tobacco. Qatar-Italy joint military exercises Defence agreements refl ect strength of Qatar-Italy ties

During Dimdex 2018, Qatar and Italy signed an agreement for the purchase of 28 NH90 helicopters through aerospace and defence group Leonardo. Also, both countries signed two other agreements on long-range missile carrier aircraft, and purchase of automatic aircraft The Qatari Amiri Navy carried out exercises in partnership with the Italian Naval Forces in the simulators for training purposes territorial and economic waters of the State of Qatar. The maritime exercise included marine communications, surface communication in addition to defence against air targets with the By Peter Alagos Qatari Amiri Air Force. These military exercises are part of the co-operation agreements signed Business Reporter between the two countries in the fields of training and planning on all tasks and duties required.

he signing of several deals be- tween Qatar and Italy during Tthe Doha International Mari- time Defence Exhibition and Con- ference (Dimdex 2018) is an indica- Casa Italia opens today tion of the robust relations of both countries in the fi eld of defence. During Dimdex 2018, Qatar and asa Italia is making its capacities as machinery cannot taurants in Doha will prepare and Italy signed an agreement for the debut today at the eighth replace manual skills, creativity serve an array of delicacies at the purchase of 28 NH90 helicopters Cinstalment of the Katara and genius,” said Salzano, who festival, Salzano continued. through aerospace and defence Traditional Dhow Festival, which added that Italian handcrafted The fi ve-day Katara Tradi- group Leonardo. Also, both coun- will run until November 24 at the products serve as the pillars of tional Dhow Festival will feature tries signed two other agreements on HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Katara Beach, Italian ambassador the ‘Made in Italy’ brand and re- local, regional, and international long-range missile carrier aircraft, al-Attiyah and former Italian defence minister Roberta Pinotti witness the signing of agreements Pasquale Salzano has said. For the mains to be the country’s “unri- participants, including Qatar, and purchase of automatic aircraft between Qatar and Italy during Dimdex 2018. fi rst time in Qatar, the ambassa- valled global asset”. Kuwait, Oman, Turkey, India, simulators for training purposes. dor said Italy is proud to show- “Even though the economy of Greece, Italy, and Zanzibar, The agreements were signed in tion, in accordance with the plans tieri has lined up several civil infrastructures, includ- case maritime traditions from its both countries is now based on among others. The festival also the presence of HE the Deputy Prime and strategies for the armed forces. development opportunities ing buildings in co-opera- world-renowned tourist destina- new resources, the fi shermen’s features a wide range of cultural Minister and Minister of State for On board the ITS Carlo Margot- in Qatar such as a tender tion with other important tions. nets of Sorrento – as those of Qa- events, sea contests, and tradi- Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mo- tini at Hamad Port, Beretta Group for a new naval base and for and specialised local part- He said Italian artisans are in tar – are still made with the same tional shows, as well as a com- hamed al-Attiyah and the then Ital- and Barzan Holdings signed a joint research and development, ners,” Festucci said. Doha to demonstrate skills in ancient techniques and passion. bination of fi reworks display and ian defence minister Roberta Pinotti venture (JV) agreement for the estab- delivery, and test of Un- Last November 10, the making diff erent handicrafts, “From Capri to Sorrento, from laser show, according to Katara. during the event held in March. lishment of a weapons production fa- manned Fast Patrol Boat. Italian embassy and Le- including sandals from Capri, a Taormina to Doha, once upon a In a statement, Katara general In a statement, Amiri Air Force cility in Doha. The signing ceremony “Fincantieri and its subsidi- onardo brought to Qatar symbol of the Dolce Vita donned time, the fi shermen’s lifestyle manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim helicopter wing commander Brig was also held during Dimdex 2018. aries, Seastema, will defi ne the Frecce Tricolori, which by Jackie Kennedy and other shared common patterns, with al-Sulaiti said this year’s edi- Mashout Faisal al-Hajri said the Carlo Festucci, secretary-general a co-operation agreement demonstrated exciting and Hollywood stars. the men being out at sea for tion “stands apart in terms of the three agreements will contribute of AIAD, a body that represents the with Barzan Holdings, es- synchronised aerobatic ma- Casa Italia or “Italian home” months, while the women tried number of participants, diversi- greatly to enhancing the capabili- Federation of Italian Companies for tablished by Qatar’s Minis- noeuvres together with the will also pay tribute to the an- to make a living by handcraft- ty of the competitions and relat- ties and effi ciency of the air force by Aerospace, Defence and Security, said try of Defence to develop the Qatari Display Team during cient trades of former Italian ing artisanal products, waiting ed activities, the space allocated owning the best and most modern the project will address the weap- necessary technology on the a two-day air show in Doha. seaside villages, which are popu- for them to come back,” Salzano for the festival, and the expected aviation fl eet in the world. The air- ons and equipment requirements of Unmanned Vessels and the The airshow also featured lar tourism destinations today. pointed out. number of visitors.” craft agreement includes 16 NH90s Qatar’s Armed Forces. Festucci said relevant Shore Control Sta- Leonardo’s latest aeronau- Salzano said a fi sherman from The ambassador also said Al-Sulaiti noted that since its in tactical transport (TTH) confi gu- Beretta Group and Barzan Holdings tion…Fincantieri will also tics technologies courtesy of Sorrento, who hails from a fam- festival-goers will see gondolas inception, the annual event has ration and 12 NH90s in naval (NFH) have pooled their resources to launch participate in a tender for the M-346 (T-346A) and the ily that makes fi shing nets using from Venice near Casa Italia with grown popular, attracting many confi guration, he continued. a joint industrial project in Qatar in design and construction of Eurofi ghter Typhoon. centuries-old technique, will be a ‘gondolieri’ donning the tradi- participants from a number of Al-Hajri said the three agree- order to meet the requirements of the present during the event. tional striped attire. Also, Italian friendly countries and organis- ments will signifi cantly support the Qatar government’s Armed Forces to The ambassador added: “We musicians will serenade visitors ing various traditional marine system of modernisation and devel- be equipped with state-of-the-art certainly treasure these assets with popular Italian pieces, while competitions, which highlight opment at the Amiri Air Force, both individual armaments. based on know-how and human chefs from the best Italian res- Qatar’s rich heritage. in arming or training and rehabilita- He also said Italian fi rm Fincan- IItalytaly seessees growthgrowth inin foodfood eexportsxports toto QatarQatar byby 20192019

By Peter Alagos in Qatar for a series of meetings, Ahmed al-Obaidly and offi cials of On Qatar’s food security pro- Business Reporter which were organised with the Baladna and LuLu Group Qatar. grammes, Salzano said Italy is support of the Italian embassy in Several meetings were held on participating in the construction Qatar and the local offi ce of the the next day with offi cials of the of a food storage and processing taly, which is closely involved Italian Trade Agency “to off er Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, Qatar facility at Hamad Port, which is with Qatar’s initiatives in food Doha a very signifi cant support in Investment Authority, Hassad capable of supplying stockpile for Isecurity and in the agro-food its food chain distribution.” Food and Qatar Ports Manage- three main commodities – rice, industry, is expected to boost its The visit will help in the in- ment Company (Mwani Qatar), as sugar, and edible oils, for 3mn food exports by 2019, Italian am- crease of Italian food exports to well as private sector companies people for two-and-a-half years. bassador Pasquale Salzano has said. Italian ambassador Pasquale Qatar by next year, according to Agrotec and PRAS Qatar. In a signing ceremony held in In the fi rst six months of 2018, Salzano. Salzano, who notes that the agro- “We are currently co-ordinat- July last year, HE the Minister of Salzano said Italy witnessed a 4% food industry is among “the most ing with Coldiretti, which is the Transport and Communications growth in food exports to Qatar. paratively, total trade volume relevant interests we are working most important association of Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti said Food is among the major sectors between both countries stood at on” with the State of Qatar. farmers in Italy because food se- the QR1.6bn facility will be built that witnessed growth in the fi rst roughly €2bn last year, Salzano The Italian delegation, which curity is one of the main issues on a 530,000sq m area adjacent to half of the year, including machin- told Gulf Times. also included main players of the Qatar is focusing on. So, aside Hamad Port. eries, which saw a 2% increase, In July this year, a high-level Italian agricultural production from defence, we are also working He added that the project con- fashion (11%), and furniture (26%). delegation led by Italian National and network, met with the then on other major sectors, such as the sists of specialised facilities for the These fi gures contributed to Coldiretti Union national presi- Minister of Municipality and En- agro-food industry, hence we are processing, manufacturing, and the growth of Qatar-Italy trade dent Roberto Moncalvo and Fili- vironment HE Mohamed bin Ab- going to have Italian companies the refi ning of rice, raw sugar, and exchange, which stood at €1.4bn era Agricola Italiana Inc national dullah al-Rumaihi, Qatar Cham- investing in Qatar in food and wa- edible oils, which “will be available from January to June 2018. Com- president Ettore Prandini were ber board member Mohamed bin ter security,” Salzano emphasised. for local, regional, and global use.” Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, November 20, 2018 QATAR

Malabar Gold & Diamonds opens first US outlet

The first outlet of Malabar Gold & Diamonds in the US was inaugurated by Neeta Bhushan, Consul General of India – Chicago; in the presence of Debra Silverstein, Alderman for 50th Ward of the City of Chicago; Dr Gopal Lalmalani, Mayor of Oakbrook; Malabar Gold & Diamonds International Operations managing director Shamlal Ahamed; US Operations president Joseph Eapen; other directors, management members, and well-wishers. Germany mulls setting up higher education facility in Qatar: envoy

ermany is exploring the chances of setting up a Ghigher level educational institute or university in Qatar, ambassador Hans-Udo Muzel said yesterday. He was addressing a press con- ference about the celebrations to be held in Doha today as part of the ‘Day of German Unity.’ Replying to a query from Gulf Times, ambassador Muzel and deputy head of mission Daniel Schemske recalled that there were some deliberations between of- fi cials of the two countries a cou- ple of months ago and they are expected to have further engage- ments on the matter in the coming months. While Muzel highlighted the recognition the courses and pro- grammes at German universities are receiving at the global level, especially in the technical side, Schemske said there is consider- able demand from students across the world for higher level engi- neering and research programmes at some of the major German uni- versities. “We are also accelerating our German ambassador Hans-Udo Muzel speaks as deputy head of mission Daniel Schemske looks on, yesterday. PICTURE: Ram Chand eff orts to attract more students from the Gulf region, including of eff orts are being made to boost Arab Cultural House “Al Diwan” for vital cultural exchanges and establishment of a broad strate- Qatar, to our universities,” said cultural relations between the two in the German capital of Berlin development, and a testament to gic dialogue in the cultural fi eld, Schemske. countries and lauded the eff orts of in November last year aimed at Qatar’s commitment to building which will contribute to mutual Schemske also pointed out that Qatar’s ambassador to Germany spreading the Arab culture in the bridges with nations around the understanding of cultures and almost one-fourth of the students Sheikh Saud bin Abdurahman al- framework of the Qatar-Germany world. strengthen bilateral institutional at German International School Thani in initiating some major Year of Culture (2017) . Al Diwan, he hoped, will con- relations through partnership Doha are Qatari. steps in this direction. He also hoped the Arab Cul- tribute to the strengthening of the with other cultural institutions in Later the ambassador said a lot Muzel said the opening of the tural House would be a platform Arab-German relations and the Germany. Qatar ‘has weathered economic blockade’

ith sheer determination and hard initiatives being made by Qatar for setting work, Qatar has weathered the up joint ventures with global companies Qatari investments rise more than 25bn euros Wadverse eff ects of the economic including those from Germany. The ambas- blockade and is already back at where it had sador also indicated that talks were also held Qatari institutions and industries have invested another 10bn Euros in the German economy. been before the embargo began in June last in recent months to attract Qatari entrepre- in Germany to the tune of more than 25bn Eu- Last year’s bilateral trade was worth 3bn Euros,” year, said Germany’s ambassador to Qatar neurs to invest in the Small and Medium ros, German ambassador Hans-Udo Muzel said. he said. At the Doha Forum next month, there Hans-Udo Muzel yesterday. enterprises in Germany. The most important event in Qatar-German would be further discussions on enhancing Singling out for praise such mega projects Answering another question the ambas- bilateral relations in 2018 was the visit of His trade and investments between both countries. as the Doha Metro and also the signifi cant sador said more than 2,500 tourists from Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad A government to government business growth in the level of activities at the Ha- Germany arrived in Qatar earlier this month al-Thani to Germany in September, he recalled. meeting has also been scheduled in Berlin in mad Port since the beginning of the block- in a luxury cruise ship, “Mein Schiff 4. The “Qatar has a made a commitment to invest February next year, the envoy added. ade, Muzel said these are some of the best fl ow of tourists from Germany is expected examples of what one could produce in the until the run up towards the 2022 FIFA face of adversities. World Cup and may be even after the event, sions senior health offi cials from Qatar and stitutions in diff erent parts of Germany and Equally remarkable is the ongoing work he said. Germany had on the sidelines of the recent Hamad Medical Corporation in the coming at the Free Economic Zones under devel- German embassy’s deputy head Dan- WISH Summit. “There would be greater years,” he said, especially in such areas as opment, said the envoy while recalling the iel Schemske recalled the fruitful discus- levels of co-operation between health in- oncology and higher research.

CNA-Q exhibition focuses Domasco off ers exclusive deals to on ‘National Inspiration’ mark Honda’s 70th anniversary

ollege of the North Atlantic oha Marketing Services the company’s wide range of in the past 70 years. From its – Qatar (CNA-Q) formally Company (Domasco), products and quality crafts- modest beginnings of building Copened its Art and Photogra- Dexclusive distributor of manship. spare parts to becoming one phy Exhibition and Competition this Honda in Qatar, is celebrating Fuelled of the leading brands in con- week, with the two of Qatar’s best the Japanese brand’s 70th an- by his sumer vehicles, motorcycles, known and celebrated artists, Fahad niversary by off ering custom- love for aircraft and much more, Honda al-Madadeed and Hameed al-Siddi- ers exclusive deals until No- all things has always strived to realise its qi, in attendance. vember 24. mechan- dreams and bring about a posi- The exhibition hosts over 100 The limited period off er will ical and tive change in the way people works of art by students and staff make it easier for customers to comple- live. The 70th anniversary of- under the theme “National Inspi- purchase select Honda models mented fers is our way to say thank ration”. All members of the college and the off er includes a cash by a you to our loyal customers for community were encouraged to en- back deal of up to QR45,000 humble trusting the brand for so long,” ter their works of art on the topics along with free 20,000km begin- Domasco managing director of what inspires them about being service. Customers can also ning as Faisal Sharif said. Qatari or living in Qatar, from archi- take advantage of the attrac- an ap- Customers can purchase tecture to native animals to desert CNA-Q has opened an art exhibition. tive fi nance options off ered by prentice their new Honda at the show- landscapes and famous landmarks to Domasco. at a repair shop, Honda was room located on Khalifa street, famous leaders of the country. students the opportunity to express Back in 1948, Honda made eventually built on the values near National mosque and TV Submissions will be judged by a their national pride through art and a mark in the industry by be- of diverse products at aff ord- R/A. Showrooms are open Sat- panel of experts to determine the photography,” said CNA-Q presi- coming an incorporated entity. able prices, without sacrifi cing urday to Thursday from 8am to winners. “As a national college, it dent Prof Khalifa al-Khalifa, who The company founder, Soichiro on quality. 8pm and on Friday from 4pm to is extremely important that we give opened the event. Honda, set the foundation for “Honda has come a long way 8pm. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 20, 2018 11 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

Russia, West clash over chemical arms watchdog’s new powers

AFP scrutinise the OPCW’s new role and out lies” and an excuse for US Ambassador Kenneth sanctions on Moscow. Russians accused by Dutch au- tional norm against the use of The Hague in pointing the fi nger for toxic “raining down missiles” on Syr- Ward said Russia’s claims that British envoy to the OPCW thorities in October of trying chemical weapons has come weapons attacks. ia. the OPCW’s new powers were Peter Wilson called any attempt to hack into the OPCW’s com- under strain”. “Their repeated But the United States and He said the June decision was illegitimate were “pungent hy- to limit the watchdog’s power puter system, using electronic use poses a challenge that must ussia clashed bitterly with Britain furiously accused them “illegitimate” and went beyond pocrisy”, and warned against to attribute blame for chemical equipment hidden in a car be met with strong and unified the West yesterday as it of trying to “turn back the clock the Chemical Weapons Conven- allowing a “new era of chemical attacks “unacceptable”. French parked outside a nearby hotel. resolve,” he added. Rtried to block the world of history”, and said the work to tion, the 1997 agreement to rid weapons use to take hold”. ambassador Philippe Lalliot At the time the organisation Winner of the Nobel Peace chemical arms watchdog’s new attribute blame for attacks in the world of toxic arms, under “What have they done for the meanwhile said the Russian plan was investigating the attack Prize in 2013, the OPCW says it ability to attribute blame for Syria should start as planned which the OPCW was set up. last few years but to connive “at best” would indefi nitely on Skripal as well as a major has overseen the destruction of attacks like those in Syria and early next year. Syrian Deputy Foreign Min- with their Syrian ally to bury the postpone the attribution role chemical attack in Syria. 96.5 % of the world’s chemical Salisbury. The West pushed through ister Faisal Mekdad denied his truth of what has happened in “and that is something we can- The spying incident is not on arms stocks. Accusations of hypocrisy and the new powers after a string of country had ever used chemical Syria, along with the dead killed not accept”. this meeting’s agenda, how- But in recent years it has seen lying erupted as the Organisation chemical incidents in Syria, as weapons, in a fi erce broadside at by the use of chemical weapons Member countries will now ever. its role expand to cover Syria for the Prohibition of Chemical well as a nerve agent attack on the western allies. by the Assad regime,” Ward said. vote on the watchdog’s budget The OPCW says the two- and other attacks. Weapons debated how to move Russian former double agent “You have taught people to “And as if that wasn’t bad — the first such vote in its his- week meeting of the 193 Arias said in the run-up to ahead with plans agreed in June Sergei Skripal in the British city use chemical weapons, you enough, Salisbury comes along.” tory — and on the plans for an member countries is meant the meeting that he aimed to to give the body new teeth. of Salisbury in March. have used chemical weapons Britain accused Russia of car- “expert group” today. to “discuss the future of the have a “very small but strong” Backed by China and Iran, Russian envoy Alexander in the fi rst two world wars.” he rying out the Salisbury attack The OPCW is meeting for organisation”. New OPCW di- investigative team start work Russia called last-minute votes Shulgin said Western claims of said.”Where is your morality? using a Soviet-era chemical two weeks. rector-general Fernando Arias early next year on attributing on the OPCW’s budget and on chemical weapons use by Da- This is sheer hypocrisy and sheer called Novichok and the West The meeting is also the first warned in his opening address blame for all attacks in Syria setting up an “expert group” to mascus and Moscow were “out lies.” has since imposed a series of since the expulsion of four on Monday that the “interna- going back to 2013.

AID UNRWA says budget deficit slashed after Gulf, EU input Yemen peace push gathers The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said yesterday that UNRWA has dramatically reduced its budget shortfall despite US funding cuts after Gulf and EU contributions. “You are all aware pace ahead of UN envoy’s visit how diff icult this year has been for UNRWA in particular following the AFP unexpected decision by the US to Sanaa Clashes, air strikes cut $300mn this year of UNRWA’s resume in Hodeidah income,” commissioner general Pierre Krahenbuhl told a news ff orts to end Yemen’s dev- Saudi-led warplanes bombed conference in Jordan. At the start astating war picked up positions held by Houthi rebels of 2018, the UN agency faced a Epace yesterday as the gov- in Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah $446mn budget deficit, he said. ernment and rebels edged closer late yesterday as clashes raged But after mobilising to tackle the to peace talks and Britain led a in the suburbs, shattering a lull unprecedented financial crisis push at the UN Security Council in fighting that had raised hopes caused by the US cuts, “we have for an immediate truce. for a ceasefire, residents said. now reduced the shortfall...to The moves come ahead of They said the Saudi-led coalition $21mn”, he added. “This is a very a visit in the next few days to carried out more than 10 air encouraging result at the end of the Arabian Peninsula country strikes and that fierce battles a lot of work,” he told reporters by UN envoy Martin Griffi ths, could be heard on the edges of after meeting with the agency’s who is once again trying to get the Houthi-held city, 4km away advisory commission in Sweimeh all sides around the negotiating from its port. One resident said a on the Jordanian shore of the table. medium-range missile had been Dead Sea. “The government has in- fired from the city centre towards formed the UN envoy to Yem- the “July 7” district where ground en...that it will send a govern- fighting was raging. CONFLICT ment delegation to the talks Israeli fire wounds with the aim of reaching a polit- ical solution,” Yemen’s foreign the political path to stop the cameraman, ministry said, quoted by the of- bloodshed”. 24 Palestinians fi cial Saba news agency. Members of the Yemeni pro-government forces walk through destruction in an industrial district in the eastern outskirts of the port city British Foreign Secretary Earlier, Mohamed Ali al- of Hodeidah, yesterday, during the ongoing battle for control of the city from the Houthi rebels. Jeremy Hunt arrived yester- Israeli fire wounded a cameraman Houthi, head of the Houthi day in Iran for the first time to for the Associated Press news rebels’ Higher Revolutionary all barriers to humanitarian aid. The rebels have also fi red ate a conducive environment” to seek “an appropriate for- discuss Tehran’s role in Yem- agency and 24 other Palestin- Committee and an infl uential The proposed resolution hundreds of ballistic missiles for talks. mula for the involvement en, meeting with his Iranian ians during protests yesterday in political fi gure, tweeted that he would signifi cantly ratchet up into neighbouring Saudi Arabia, He is expected to visit the of Ansarullah (the Houthis’ counterpart Mohamed Javad northern Gaza, the health ministry wanted his group to announce the pressure on the Saudi-led which has since 2015 has led a Yemeni capital of Sanaa this movement) and other politi- Zarif. in the Hamas-run enclave said. “readiness to suspend and halt coalition and the Houthi rebels military coalition to restore to week to finalise arrangements cal parties throughout Yemen “We are very, very keen to Rashed Rashid was shot in his left all military operations” and stop to seek a negotiated settlement power President Abd-Rabbu for peace talks in Sweden, a in a government of unity”. He move towards peace in Yemen. ankle while filming hundreds of fi ring missiles on Saudi Arabia. in Yemen, where millions are on Mansour Hadi’s government. date for which has not yet been told Sky News an agreement That’s our number one prior- Palestinians who were protesting Saudi Arabia, which is lead- the brink of starvation. Residents of Sanaa, inter- set. had been reached to ensure ity at the moment,” Hunt told on a beach by the border fence ing a coalition backing the It also calls for a large injec- viewed by AFP, welcomed the Yesterday, Saudi King Sal- Houthi delegates could at- British television after the near Beit Lahia, a spokesman for the Yemeni government, also lent tion of foreign currency into the Houthi call to halt military op- man told the Shura Council, tend the talks without fear of talks. ministry said. The cameraman was its support to new talks. economy through the central erations. his country’s top advisory being prevented from return- Fighting in Yemen intensi- taken to hospital. His condition was A UN draft resolution on back to support Yemen’s col- “This initiative is not a body, that Riyadh also sup- ing to Yemen, an obstacle that fied at the start of November not immediately known. Demon- Yemen presented to the Secu- lapsing currency and for sala- sign of weakness but a sign of ported a “political solution” doomed peace talks slated to as the coalition renewed an strations have taken place in this rity Council yesterday calls for ries of civil servants, teachers strength to prevent bloodshed and a “comprehensive nation- take place in Geneva in Sep- offensive aimed at seizing Ho- area on Mondays since Palestinians an immediate truce in the bat- and health workers to be paid and for life to go on,” Moham- al dialogue” in Yemen. tember. deidah, whose port serves as began a wider protest movement tleground port city of Hodei- within one month. ed al-Jouri said on the streets Multiple past attempts to The Houthis’ foreign minis- entry point for nearly all of the in late March against a decade-long dah, according to the draft seen The Houthis have control- of the capital. hold negotiations between ter, Hisham Sharaf Abdallah, country’s imports and human- Israeli blockade of Gaza. An Israeli by AFP. led Yemen’s capital Sanaa since Griffiths also hailed the the government alliance and met UN officials late Sunday, itarian aid. Pro-government army spokesperson said yesterday The text, circulated by Britain capturing it in late 2014. rebel move towards end- Houthis have failed. and was quoted by the rebels’ forces announced a pause in that 750 Palestinians took part to the 14 other council mem- They also still hold Hodei- ing missile strikes, saying he Griffiths said he hoped the news agency as saying that their offensive last week as in- in “clashes” near the border and bers, sets a two-week deadline dah, home to a key port on the “hopes that all parties contin- rivals would meet in Sweden the UN and the international ternational pressure grew for a threw stones towards soldiers who for the warring sides to remove Red Sea. ue to exercise restraint to cre- “within the next few weeks” community should “adopt ceasefire. responded “by using anti-riot meas- ures and firing in line with standard operational procedures”.

CURBS Russia, Iran, Turkey to Nigeria’s pro-business opposition US hits Libyan militia leader hold Syria talks next leader begins presidential campaign with sanctions Libyan militia leader Salah Badi was week: Kazakh FM placed on the US sanctions blacklist AFP the state-run oil company and yesterday, days after the United Na- Lagos “reconsider” the introduction tions Security Council placed global AFP tipped the balance in the re- of bidding rounds for marginal restrictions on doing business with Astana gime’s favour. fi elds and oil blocks, and he the Islamist commander. In the It has gradually eclipsed an igeria’s opposition plans to double refi ning ca- wake of fractious international talks earlier UN-sponsored nego- leader Atiku Abubakar pacity to 2mn barrels of crude last week aimed at stabilising the ussia, Iran and Turkey tiations framework known as Nlaunched his presiden- daily by issuing new licenses for violence-torn country, the US State will hold the next round the Geneva process. tial campaign yesterday vow- greenfi eld investments in crude Department said Badi was being Rof talks on Syria’s con- This month’s meeting ing to create millions of jobs to refi neries. sanctioned because he had worked fl ict on November 28-29 in the comes with continued vio- tackle rising inequality and in- In response to Buhari, who in to undermine Libya’s government Kazakh capital Astana, Kaza- lence threatening plans for a security in Africa’s top oil pro- a misstep earlier this year said and stability since 2014. Badi is a khstan’s foreign minister said buff er zone around Idlib, the ducer. youth in Nigeria “do nothing”, senior commander of the armed yesterday. last major opposition strong- Seated for a nine-minute Abubakar pledged to revive an Al-Sumud front and the Fajr Libya “The participants plan to hold in Syria. address streamed live on Fa- apprenticeship programme brigade, both of which have chal- discuss the current situation Russia and Turkey agreed in cebook and Twitter, Abubakar which will recruit 100,000 ar- lenged the UN-backed coalition in Syria, in particular in Idlib, September to set up the buff er laid out his plan to “get Nigeria tisans to train 1mn people. Government of National Accord. creating conditions for the zone to avert a Syrian regime working again”. The opposition candidate return of refugees and inter- off ensive, but militants who “The sad fact today, as you promises to introduce liberalis- nally displaced people, and hold around 70% of the area know, is that too many of our ing reforms in contrast to Bu- HEALTH post-confl ict reconstruction,” have refused to withdraw. people are not working and are hari, a 75-year-old former gen- Global fight against Kairat Abdrakhmanov said in Fighting in the area has living in poverty and insecu- eral who has focussed instead Astana. continued, with militants on rity,” Abubakar said. on rooting out corruption. malaria has The meeting will be the 11th Friday killing 22 regime fi ght- “The very fabric of our soci- Buhari’s anti-graft campaign stalled, WHO warns in the Astana peace process — ers in an attack on govern- ety is breaking down. We have has yet to secure any high-pro- set up in early 2017 by Russia ment forces in the northwest never been so divided as a na- File photo shows Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president, at the fi le convictions while his oppo- The World Health Organisation and Iran, who support Presi- of Hama province near the tion,” he said. national convention of Nigeria’s opposition People’s Democratic Party nents accuse him of mounting a yesterday said global eff orts to dent Bashar al-Assad’s regime planned zone. “The most important ques- (PDP), in the southern city of Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta. political witch-hunt. fight malaria have hit a plateau as in Syria, and opposition backer Meanwhile, the Syrian army tion in this election is: are you Although Nigeria is Africa’s it reported there were more cases Turkey. said Islamic State militants better off than you were four tial polls. But his campaign for (788bn euros) by 2025 — top oil producer, poverty is of the killer disease in 2017 than Abdrakhmanov said rep- had been cleared from a rug- years ago, are you richer or the Peoples Democratic Party more than double the current rampant and unemployment the previous year. The latest WHO resentatives of Damascus ged area in southeastern Syria, poorer? That is why our prima- (PDP) is gaining momentum, amount — and vowing to lift “at is high in the former British report showed that the number of and armed opposition groups where they had been holding ry focus is to get Nigeria work- with the 71-year-old political least 50mn people out of ex- colony. malaria cases climbed to 219mn would take part, but did not out for months against a cam- ing again.” veteran casting himself as an treme poverty”. Under his plan The government, approach- last year, 2mn higher than 2016, specify what level of offi cials paign to defeat them. As a former vice president antidote to lacklustre growth in to help businesses he would in- ing its 10th year fi ghting Boko while international funding has de- from Russia, Iran and Turkey In a statement, Syria’s army dogged by allegations of cor- Nigeria. troduce tax incentives, improve Haram militants in the north- clined. “The world faces a new real- would attend. high command said it had tak- ruption, Abubakar drew criti- Abubakar laid out his plan availability of foreign exchange east, is also struggling to con- ity,” WHO director-general Tedros The Astana process was en full control of the Tulul al- cism and scepticism when he to ramp up growth in his policy and accelerate the privatisation tain outbreaks of violence Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned launched after Russia’s mili- Safa heights, a volcanic pla- announced his intention to run document, targeting a gross of the power sector. between herders and farmers as the UN agency launched the tary intervention in Syria teau east of Sweida province. in the February 2019 presiden- domestic product of $900bn He would partially privatise across the country. new report. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, November 20, 2018 AMERICAS

NATURE’S FURY ANIMATION ICON POLITICS HOT AIR RISING Thousands evacuated as Mickey Mouse celebrates Peru ex-president Garcia Fuego volcano erupts its 90th birthday seeks asylum in Uruguay

Nearly 4,000 people were evacuated yesterday It was the Roaring ’20s. Calvin Coolidge was in Former Peruvian president Alan Garcia entered the from areas around Guatemala’s Fuego volcano, the White House, the New York Yankees had Uruguayan embassy and applied for asylum, hours which began violently erupting overnight, the just won their third World Series title and Mickey after being banned from leaving the country while country’s disaster agency said. The volcano spewed Mouse made his debut on the silver screen. On under investigation for corruption, the Peruvian out dangerous flows of fast-moving clouds of hot Sunday, Mickey Mouse, the brainchild of cartoonist foreign ministry said on Sunday. Garcia entered the ash, lava and gas early yesterday and more than Walt Disney that eventually came to symbolise a embassy and home of the Uruguayan ambassador in 2,000 people had taken refuge in shelters so far, global entertainment empire, celebrated his 90th a residential Lima neighbourhood on Saturday night off icials from the agency told reporters. There were birthday. The iconic rodent launched his celluloid and requested asylum, according to a statement no immediate reports of injuries. More dangerous career in Steamboat Willie, at New York’s Colony from the foreign ministry. Garcia “has requested flows of hot ash and lava could be expelled, Theater on November 18, 1928. In the eight-minute- asylum from that country, in accordance with the said Juan Pablo Oliva, the head of the country’s long, black-and-white cartoon, Mickey pilots a provisions of the Convention on Diplomatic Asylum The Fuego volcano erupts over Alotenango, seismological, volcanic and meteorological institute steamboat and entertains his passenger, Minnie of 1954, of which Peru and Uruguay are parties,” the Hot-air balloons take to the air during the a municipality in Sacatepequez department, Insivumeh. In June, explosive flows from Fuego Mouse, by making musical instruments out of the foreign ministry said, adding the request “should be XVIII International Balloon Festival in Leon, 65km southwest of Guatemala City. killed more than 190 people. menagerie on board, according to IMDB.com. evaluated by the government of Uruguay.” Guanajuato State, Mexico.

CNN seeks urgent hearing after White House Democrats again threatens to yank reporter’s access Reuters No comic turn at next White House correspondents’ dinner Washington The White House correspondents’ Ulysses S Grant and Alexander peddling the conspiracy theory dinner will break with tradition next Hamilton. that the Hawaii-born leader lacked NN yesterday called on year and forgo a comedian as its “While I have never been a valid US birth certificate. a federal court to hold featured speaker, opting instead for mistaken for a stand-up comedian, “As we celebrate the importance Cemergency proceedings a historian specialising in the lives I promise that my history lesson of a free and independent news challenge after the White House said it of US presidents. won’t be dry,” Chernow said in a media to the health of the republic, would again revoke press access The decision came after statement. I look forward to hearing Ron place to correspondent Jim Acosta de- stand-up Michelle Wolf delivered Since coming to power in Janu- this unusual moment in the context spite a temporary restraining or- a controversial star turn this year ary 2017, President Donald Trump of American history,” said Olivier der on Friday to reinstate him. — mercilessly sending up White has shunned the annual gathering Knox, the president of the White Acosta’s credentials were re- House press secretary Sarah Sand- of the Washington press corps, and House Correspondents’ Associa- voked after Trump denounced ers, who was seated on the podium has dubbed the media “the enemy tion. him as a “rude, terrible person” with her. of the American people.” The annual gala dates back to Trump on during a November 7 news con- The guest speech at next April’s Trump did attend the event 1921, and from 1980 until 2017, ference. black tie gala will come from histo- as a guest in 2011, when he was presidents from both parties had CNN challenged the move in rian and biographer Ron Chernow, subjected to a blistering roast by attended, except for 1981, when court and on Friday won a rul- who has written books about then-president Barack Obama, president Ronald Reagan was ing that temporarily reinstated the lives of George Washington, who mocked the reality TV star for recovering from being shot. Acosta while the court considers the news network’s lawsuit over the ouster. steps are necessary, much less vide due process. He did not ad- can’t keep asking questions.” Whitaker In a fi ling yesterday, CNN and what those steps should be.” dress any alleged violations of Despite the fi ling, Acosta and Acosta asked for an expedited It said the White House ex- free speech, protected by the US CNN said they “remain hopeful” Reuters sion of Mueller’s investigation the Federal Vacancies Reform hearing next week after top White pected to make its fi nal decision Constitution’s First Amendment. the dispute could be resolved out- Washington when Trump appointed him on Act even though he was not a House communications offi cials on Acosta credentials by Friday. Trump, who has long blasted side of court, they wrote. November 7 as the chief US law Senate-confi rmed offi cial. told Acosta in a letter late on Fri- White House spokeswoman the media and often targeted At the contentious news con- enforcement offi cial to replace Many legal experts have dis- day that it had already decided to Sarah Sanders and White House Acosta, said on “Fox News Sun- ference a day after Trump’s Re- hree Democratic sena- Jeff Sessions, who the presi- agreed with the department’s suspend his press once the two- communications chief Bill Shine day” the judge’s decision was publicans lost their majority in tors yesterday launched dent ousted. view. week restraining order expires. had earlier told Acosta that it had “not a big deal” and that the the US House of Representatives, Ta new legal challenge Whitaker in the past criti- The Justice Department was The White House opposed the made a “preliminary decision” White House would establish Trump erupted into anger when to President Donald Trump’s cised the scope of Mueller’s able to cite only one instance request for an emergency hearing, backed by Trump. rules for the press. Acosta questioned him about the naming of Matthew Whitaker probe and brought up the pos- in US history — in 1866 — in writing in response to the court: When US District Judge Timo- Asked what they would entail, investigation of Russian med- as acting attorney general, ac- sibility of undermining it by which a non-Senate confi rmed “Not only is there no ‘emergen- thy Kelly temporarily restored he said: “We’re going to write dling in the 2016 presidential cusing Trump of depriving the slashing the special counsel’s person was named acting at- cy’ right now, it is impossible to Acosta’s credentials, he said the them up right now...we’ll have election and a migrant caravan US Senate of its constitutional funding. torney general. know at this point whether next White House had failed to pro- rules of decorum, you know, you travelling through Mexico. power to act on such appoint- Whitaker has not recused Kerri Kupec, a Justice De- ments. himself from overseeing the partment spokeswoman, is- The lawsuit was fi led in fed- probe despite calls by Demo- sued a statement yesterday de- Michael Bloomberg donates eral court in Washington by crats for him to do so. fending Trump’s designation Senators Richard Blumenthal, Trump said in an interview of Whitaker. $1.8bn for college education Sheldon Whitehouse and Sen- on the Fox News Sunday pro- The appointment “is lawful New migrant group sets out ator Mazie Hirono, all mem- gramme that he would not in- and comports with the Federal ormer New York mayor Michael Bloomberg bers of the Senate Judiciary tervene if Whitaker moved to Vacancies Reform Act, the Ap- said Sunday he’s giving $1.8bn for fi nancial aid Committee that customarily curtail Mueller’s investigation pointments Clause of the US for US from El Salvador Fat Johns Hopkins University, believed to be the reviews attorney general nomi- and that his appointee is “go- Constitution, Supreme Court largest ever donation to a post-secondary institution. nations. ing to do what’s right.” precedent, past Department of AFP help from anyone at all. And the gangs are Bloomberg said he was making the gift to help Congressional Democrats Trump has called the Mu- Justice opinions, and actions of San Salvador threatening us. So we had better get out,” qualifi ed low- and middle-income students have expressed concern that eller investigation a “witch US presidents, both Republican said Cecilia Bonilla, 36, with her boys Ste- more easily aff ord access to university in a coun- Whitaker, a Trump loyalist, hunt.” and Democrat,” Kupec said. ven, fi ve, and Daniel, 13. try where post-secondary education fees at elite could undermine or even fi re The attorney general of “There are over 160 instanc- efying US pledges to turn back The single mom without formal job schools often exceed $50,000 a year, a prohibitive Special Counsel Robert Mu- Maryland last week brought a es in American history in which those seeking asylum at the bor- training is leaving her tiny home in a poor barrier for most families. eller, whose investigation of similar legal challenge, saying non-Senate confi rmed persons Dder, a caravan of about 200 mi- area wracked by gang violence, Soyapan- “I was lucky: My father was a bookkeeper who Russia’s role in the 2016 US Trump violated the so-called performed, on a temporary grants set out Sunday from El Salvador go. never made more than $6,000 a year. But I was election has cast a cloud over Appointments Clause of the US basis, the duties of a Senate- seeking their American dream. Javier Campos, 42, is an unemployed able to aff ord Johns Hopkins University through Trump’s presidency. Constitution because the job of confi rmed position. To suggest The group — separate from the larger fi sherman and came from distant Usu- a National Defense student loan, and by holding “Americans prize a system attorney general is a “principal otherwise is to ignore centuries one of Central American migrants that lutan and slept overnight with fellow mi- down a job on campus,” Bloomberg wrote in a New of checks and balances, which offi cer” who must be appointed of practice and precedent,” she began its journey last month — gathered grants. York Times op-ed. “My Hopkins diploma opened President Trump’s dictato- by the president and confi rmed added. in a square in the west of the capital. “What am I going to do. I don’t want to up doors that otherwise would have been closed, rial appointment betrays,” Blu- by the Senate. Democrats are preparing to They then headed out together by bus leave my family. But it’s because of them I and allowed me to live the American dream.” menthal said in a statement. A hearing on Maryland’s le- take over control of US House to Sonsonate, citing gang violence and decided to see if... I can get to the US and Bloomberg, who made his fi rst donation to The lawsuit also accused gal challenge is slated for De- of Representatives in January desperate poverty as their reasons. have hope for a better life,” he said, leav- Hopkins the year after he graduated — just $5 — Trump of violating a federal law cember 19. following gains in the midterm From there, the migrants — including ing his wife and three children at home for has since already provided $1.5bn for research, that establishes the line of suc- A challenge to Whitaker’s elections, though Republicans many families with children, decked out now. teaching and fi nancial aid. cession if the attorney general appointment was also made maintained control of the Sen- in warm clothes and backpacks — said “Here in El Salvador I cannot fi nd a job,” The new donation will come on top of that, and post becomes vacant — giving last week as part of a Supreme ate. they would travel to Guatemala by bus, or hope for one, he stressed. serve as fi nancial aid for qualifi ed students from full authority to the deputy at- Court case on gun rights. Top US House lawmakers and on to the United States. On October 13, thousands of Hondu- lower family income levels. torney general — and rejected The Justice Department last have said they plan to scru- They know it won’t be easy without a ran migrants set out in a caravan trying to He did, however, acknowledge that his donation the Justice Department’s legal week issued a 20-page legal tinise Whitaker, including US visa. reach the United States. was only helping one school in a country where reasoning in its support of the opinion declaring that Trump’s whether he should recuse him- “The truth is, I don’t have much choice. On their heels, in late October at least more students come from the top 1% of earners Republican president’s action. appointment of Whitaker was self from overseeing Mueller’s I don’t want to leave but what am I going another 2,000 Salvadorans followed suit, than from the bottom 60% of the income scale at Whitaker took over supervi- lawful under a 1998 law called investigation. to do here, alone with two children. No citing joblessness and gang violence. dozens of elite colleges. Rain looms as search for California wildfi re missing continues

Reuters The Camp Fire broke out in make it a lot harder to fi nd re- a Walmart parking lot in Chico, Paradise, California northern California on Novem- mains,” she said. west of Paradise, were moved to ber 8 and quickly all but obliter- “There’s really nothing that shelters on Sunday as that loca- ated Paradise, a mountain town can be done about this. The tion is prone to fl ooding, accord- mergency services yester- of nearly 27,000 people around workers looking for remains are ing to local media reports. day renewed their search 150km north of the state’s capi- going to be stuck with this.” About 650km south of Sacra- Ethrough the charred tal, Sacramento. Pathologists from the Uni- mento near Malibu, at least 5cm wreckage of California’s deadli- It has burned about 151,000 versity of Nevada, Reno, worked of rain are expected to fall on a est ever wildfi re for the nearly acres and was 66% contained through the weekend as fi refi ght- second fi re, the Woolsey. 1,000 people still unaccounted early yesterday, up from 65% ers peeled back debris, collecting Known to have killed three for, with rain expected to help fi re late on Sunday, the California bits of burned bones and photo- people, it was 94% contained crews fi ghting the blaze but com- Department of Forestry and Fire graphing everything that might yesterday morning and full plicate eff orts to fi nd its victims. Protection (Cal Fire) said. help identify the victims. containment was expected by The remains of 77 people have Up to 10cm of rain is expected The rain also could increase Thanksgiving on Thursday. been recovered, the Butte County to fall north of San Francisco be- the risk of mudslides in areas Malibu’s power supply was cut Sheriff ’s Offi ce said late on Sun- tween tonight and Friday, said where the fi re destroyed all veg- off yesterday to allow for repairs, day, as it cut the number of miss- Patrick Burke, a forecaster at etation. the Los Angeles County sheriff ’s ing to 993 from 1,276. the National Weather Service’s “While it isn’t an exceptionally offi ce said. The number of missing has Weather Prediction Center in strong storm, the recent burns The cause of both fi res is under fl uctuated dramatically over the Maryland. make mud slides on hills and investigation, but electric utili- last week as reports have come in Heavy rain could aid with con- slopes a real danger,” the Nation- ties reported localised equip- from rescue teams in the fi eld. taining the fi re this week, but al Weather Service’s Burke said. ment problems around the time The sheriff ’s offi ce said that the may also make it harder for teams The storm, which is expected they broke out. number will continue to move up sifting through ash and dirt look- to carry moderate winds of about PG&E Corp has said it could and down as remains are found, ing for bodies. 24kph to 32kph, could also cause face liability that exceeds its in- more missing reports come in and Colleen Fitzpatrick, founder problems for evacuees, hundreds surance coverage if its equipment people who have been reported of the California-based consult- of whom are sheltering in tents were found to have caused the missing turn up safe. ing company Identifi nders Inter- and cars. Camp Fire. Some people appear to have national, said the expected rain The number of people in need Many schools in the San Fran- been added to the list more than will turn the site into a “muddy, of shelter is not clear, but as cisco area were due to remain once under variant spellings mushy mess,” slick with wet ash. many as 52,000 people had been closed yesterday because of of their names, the Los Angeles “It’s going to coat things and ordered to evacuate. smoke from the Camp Fire, about A sign warns looters in Paradise, California. Times reported. stick to things and it’s going to Evacuees sleeping in tents in 274km to the northeast. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 20, 2018 13 ASIA

Top cop Lanka new PM may lose budget investigating Rajapakse removed

as MPs plan to remove funding AFP Colombo Reuters japakse last month after fi ring Colombo Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister, setting off the political ri Lanka’s president or- turmoil on the island off India’s dered the removal of a ri Lanka’s newly appointed southeast coast. Spolice chief investigating Prime Minister Mahi- Rajapakse is seen as a close alleged crimes by the family and Snda Rajapakse, who lost ally of China, though Beijing has associates of his preferred can- two motions of no-confi dence denied accusations that it was didate for prime minister Ma- last week, may lose his govern- instrumental in getting him ap- hinda Rajapakse, offi cials said ment’s budget even as he clings pointed. yesterday. to power. Dinesh Gunawardene, a Ra- In the latest twist in the on- Lawmakers opposed to Ra- japakse loyalist, said Wick- going crisis, Chief Inspector japakse said they intend to re- remesinghe’s coalition had Nishantha Silva was transferred move funding for staff salaries handed a motion “to suspend from the Criminal Investigation and other costs in a vote on all government expenses” to Department on Sunday as he November 29. The opposition, the speaker and the parliament pursued inquiries into the close which regards his administration secretary. family and allies of Rajapakse, an as illegitimate, will also seek ap- “According to the previous offi cial said. proval to slash the government’s no-confi dence motions, both Since sacking Wickremesing- overall budget, they said. Rajapakse and his government he, Sirisena has taken the police It was the latest of several new are out. There is no govern- under his direct control. twists yesterday in the politi- ment, but there are MPs,” M A Silva investigated the killing cal chaos that has embroiled Sri Sumanthiran, a lawmaker who Civil activists demonstrate amid an ongoing political crisis, as rain falls in Colombo yesterday. of 11 children between 2008 and Lanka for the past few weeks. had voted for the no-confi dence 2009 and had secured an ar- Leaders of political parties motion, said. ness before adjourning the House that investigations have begun Wickremesinghe loyalists al- in the 225-member parliament. rest order last week against the backing Rajapakse and Presi- “The fi nance of the country is to November 23. into Friday’s events, including lege that Rajapakse’s party is try- Most foreign countries, in- country’s top military offi cial dent Maithripala Sirisena re- under the control of the parlia- Unlike last Thursday and Friday damage that was done to public ing to buy lawmakers for as much cluding Western nations, have when he was shifted on Sunday, fused to allow a third motion ment. Now we have proposed a there were no physical altercations property in the melee. as $3mn each. Rajapakse loyalists yet to recognise Rajapakse as the an offi cial said. of no-confi dence to be held motion to stop government fi - on the fl oor of parliament yesterday. The political crisis has hit the have rejected the allegation. prime minister. “He was about to arrest Ad- through name call or electronic nances for the prime minister’s On Friday, lawmakers supporting economy. Yesterday, the rupee Both Sirisena and many Ra- Last week, eight Western miral Ravindra Wijegunaratne voting yesterday. The previous offi ce,” he said. Rajapakse threw books, chilli paste fell to a record low of 177.20 per japakse loyalists have said they have countries stayed away from a when his marching orders came,” two motions passed through a Ananda Kumarasiri, the dep- and water bottles at the speaker to dollar. Foreign investors have the majority in parliament. How- meeting with the government a senior police offi cial said. voice vote but Sirisena said they uty speaker of the parliament, try to disrupt the second vote. pulled out more than 30bn ru- ever, the no-confi dence motion to register their protest against “This is a serious blow to half a hadn’t followed the proper pro- established a select committee Parliament Speaker Karu Ja- pees ($169.5mn) since the crisis against Rajapakse and his govern- Sirisena’s decision to dissolve dozen high profi le investigations.” cedures. Sirisena appointed Ra- to carry on parliamentary busi- yasuriya said in a statement unfolded on October 26. ment was passed twice by 122 votes parliament. Wijegunaratne has remained the chief of defence staff . Silva was also pursuing the killers of editor Lasantha Wick- rematunga and investigating Rajapakse’s former defence sec- retary brother Gotabhaya, who is PM says Cambodia will accused of defrauding the state. Gotabhaya Rajapakse was in- dicted in September on charges of siphoning off over $250,000 in state funds to build a memo- not allow foreign bases rial for his parents. Silva was also investigating an AFP jing’s aggression in the strate- “The constitution of Cam- alleged corrupt aircraft purchase Phnom Penh gically pivotal South China Sea. bodia bans the presence of from Ukraine when Gotabhaya Rumours a Chinese naval foreign troops or military bas- Rajapakse was in power between base is under construction off es in its territory.... whether 2005 and 2015. ambodia will not allow Cambodia’s southwest coast naval forces, infantry forces Sacked PM Wickremesinghe foreign military bases have been swirling. or air forces.” has accused Rajapakse of seeking Con its soil, strong- The area under scrutiny The US, once the region’s to grab power again in order to man premier Hun Sen said is in the Gulf of Thailand undisputed military power, is sabotage the court cases against yesterday, swatting away US but gives ready access to the acutely aware of the strategic his family and associates. concerns about a possible South China Sea. and trading importance of the In August, a special court Chinese naval site near hotly Beijing claims most of the South China Sea and insists it charged Rajapakse’s chief of staff contested seas. fl ashpoint area, infuriating the remains international waters. with embezzling millions of dol- China has lavished billions Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia US, Australian and British lars from a state insurance fi rm. of dollars in soft loans, in- and Taiwan who all have com- warships have increasingly Rajapakse’s top civil servant, frastructure and investment peting claims to its islands and conducted “freedom of navi- Lalith Weeratunga, was convict- on the poor Southeast Asian potentially resource-rich waters. gation” operations through ed of misappropriating $4mn kingdom, providing Prime But in comments during a the sea to press that point, in- and sentenced to three years in Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, second left, and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Minister Hun Sen with a fast cabinet meeting, broadcast furiating Beijing. prison. Phuc, left, attend a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi yesterday. growing economy that he on Facebook live, Hun Sen Hun Sen dismissed reports Two of the former presi- wields as justifi cation for his denied military bases of any of a Chinese base as “infor- dent’s three sons have also been 33-year authoritarian rule. kind have - or will be - built mation that only tries to ma- charged with money-laundering In exchange Cambodia has on Cambodian territory. nipulate the truth.” and other relatives face corrup- been a staunch China ally. “I have received a letter “I will reply to the letter tion allegations. Russia pledges to expand It has seeded disunity among from Mike Pence, US Vice form US Vice-president Mike The former president was the 10-member Asean bloc of President, regarding concerns Pence to make him under- questioned in August over the Southeast Asian nations over that there will be a China naval stand clearly about the issue,” 2008 abduction and torture of a energy ties with Vietnam a diplomatic pushback to Bei- base in Cambodia,” he said. he said. journalist.

DPA Rosneft is currently drilling ited Vietnam for the 2017 Apec Hanoi in the South China Sea in a joint summit in Da Nang. venture with Vietnamese state Medvedev last visited Viet- oil fi rm PetroVietnam in waters nam in 2015, while Putin’s last Maldives set to pull out of contested by Vietnam and Chi- offi cial state visit to Hanoi was ussian Prime Minister na, although Rosneft maintains in 2013. Dmitry Medvedev met his it is staying within Vietnamese Moscow was Hanoi’s principle RVietnamese counterpart territorial waters. ally in the 1970s and 80s, with Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday Both sides also agreed to hold a the Soviet Union providing key China trade deal: Nasheed during a state trip to Hanoi. Year of Russia and Year of Vietnam support to Vietnam as the US While details of the talks in their respective countries. and China refused to recognise were sparse, both sides said “Our people are genuinely in- the South-East Asian country in Reuters ment ratifi ed the treaty despite from China were $342mn, while they hoped to expand co-oper- terested in each other, each oth- the later years of the Cold War. Male opposition protests that he had its exports to China were just ation in the energy sector, with er’s history, and are eager to get Although ties were downsized rushed through the 1,000-page $265,270, according to Mal- Medvedev saying that he expects to know each other better,” said when the Soviet Union col- document in less than an hour dives customs data. The island state oil and natural gas fi rms Medvedev. lapsed in 1991, the Vietnamese he Maldives’ new gov- without any debate. nation bought meat, agricul- Gazprom, Rosneft and Zarubez- The trip comes a year after military still imports most of its ernment will pull out of Nasheed, a former president tural produce, fl owers, plants, hneft to expand operations. President Vladimir Putin vis- weaponry from Russia. Ta free trade agreement and now an adviser to Solih, electronics and toys from China (FTA) with China because it was said parliament would not pass among many other items. a mistake for the tiny nation the law changes required for the It imported $194mn worth of to strike such a pact with the zero tariff s agreement to come goods from India, its traditional world’s second biggest econo- into force. Mohamed Nasheed speaks partner, during the same period, my, the head of the largest party “It was ratifi ed by parliament, during an interview with while exporting $1.8mn of prod- Khaleda seeks stay in the ruling alliance said. but fortunately it calls for diff er- Reuters. ucts including scrap metal such It is the latest sign of a ent sets of legislation. We are not as copper, aluminium and steel. backlash against China in the going to have this further leg- with the Maldives to consoli- The Yameen administration on graft case verdict Maldives, best-known for its islation. We can’t go with that,” date their traditional friendship, said at the time that the FTA luxury resorts on palm-fringed Nasheed told Reuters in an inter- plan their practical cooperation with China would help diversify IANS “Khaleda had been sentenced coral islands. view in the capital Male. and promote Belt and Road to the $3.9bn economy and boost Dhaka to fi ve years in prison in a false, “The trade imbalance be- China’s embassy in Male did inject “new impetus” into their fi sheries exports from the Mal- fabricated and fake case,” Kamal tween China and the Maldives not respond to a request for a future relationship, the foreign dives, crucial since the Euro- told the media. is so huge that nobody would comment on the trade pact. ministry cited Luo as saying pean Union declined in 2014 to ormer Bangladesh prime “The BNP chairperson then think of an FTA between such But China’s foreign ministry during Sunday’s meeting with renew a tax concession on them. minister Khaleda Zia has challenged the trial court’s verdict Khaleda Zia ... sentence parties,” said Mohamed Nash- said in a statement that Cul- Maldivian president. The two countries would Fsought a stay on the 10- at the High Court. We believed the unprecedented. eed, the chief of the Maldiv- ture and Tourism Minister Luo The statement cited Solih open up services such as fi - year prison sentence awarded to situation would be redressed. ian Democratic Party, which Shugang, President Xi Jinping’s as expressing appreciation for nance, healthcare and tourism, her in orphanage graft case, her “But, astonishingly, the date staying the sentences of these leads the ruling federal alliance. special envoy to the inaugura- China’s long-term support of China said at the time. The lawyer said yesterday. of the verdict was announced two cases, the former leader will “China is not buying anything tion, told Solih that China paid the Maldives and that he was Maldives has no free trade pacts The petition to stay the ver- before the hearings came to an be able to participate in the up- from us. It is a one-way treaty.” great attention to developing willing to further deepen coop- with any other country. dict in the Zia Orphanage Trust end. We could not even complete coming general election. On Saturday, as he took offi ce, relations with the Maldives. eration under the Belt and Road If the Maldives turns away, it graft case was fi led a day after the hearings of the ACC (Anti- The BNP leadership has bought the new President Ibrahim Mo- The Maldives is among a framework. would be the latest setback for Khaleda, also the Bangladesh Corruption Commission) peti- nomination papers for three con- hamed Solih declared the state number of small countries where Critics in the Maldives say a China, which is facing opposi- Nationalist Party (BNP) chair- tion to extend her sentence.” stituencies on her behalf. coff ers have been “looted” and China has invested billions of China-led infrastructure boom tion for its projects in countries person, challenged the trial The lawyer also claimed On February 8, the trial court had warned that the country was in dollars building highways and has left the tiny country of a lit- stretching from Malaysia to court’s verdict in the case. that the doubling of Khaleda’s convicted her of embezzling 21mn fi nancial diffi culty after racking housing as part of its Belt and tle more than 400,000 people Nepal, and even from its all- Her lawyer Kaysar Kamal fi led sentence was unprecedented. taka in foreign donations meant for up debt with Chinese lenders. Road Initiative. Through that in- debt-ridden, and a free trade weather ally Pakistan. a petition with the appellate di- “Usually a sentence is reduced the Zia Orphanage Trust. She was Former president Abdullah itiative, Beijing hopes to improve pact would only make the situ- A proposed free trade agree- vision chamber judge earlier in on appeal. But in Khaleda’s case sentenced to fi ve years in prison. Yameen, who lost the election in trade and investment fl ows with ation worse given the lopsided ment has been held up in Sri the day, reports bdnews24. it was increased. This is com- The sentence was increased September, signed the FTA dur- much of Asia and parts of the nature of the relationship. Lanka over Colombo’s demand A bail petition has also been pletely motivated by politics.” to 10 years by the High Court on ing a visit to Beijing in December, rest of the world. Between January and August that it have the option to leave submitted alongside it, he said. BNP leaders hope that by October 30. and the same month his parlia- China was willing to work this year, the Maldives’ imports after 10 years. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, November 20, 2018 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA North Korea defector soldier is general’s son: report

AFP bal headlines last year, and saw class” – he felt no allegiance to no interest nor loyalty since the adding he had no regrets about does not keep tabs on defectors “I really felt that we were on Tokyo him hospitalised with serious the North’s leadership. “Inside hereditary system is taken as a defecting. after they are released from re- the verge of war with the US,” Oh injuries. the North, people, and especial- given, regardless of its inability The newspaper said Japanese settlement centres. was quoted as saying. “The ten- It is very rare for the North’s ly the younger generation, are to feed people.” intelligence offi cials had con- Lee Cook-jong, the South Ko- sion (that I felt) trickled down he North Korean sol- troops to defect at Panmunjom, indiff erent to each other, poli- Oh denied media reports in fi rmed Oh’s identity. A short clip rean doctor who treated Oh, told from the top.” dier who defected to the a major tourist attraction and tics, and their leaders, and there the South that he was wanted for posted by the Sankei Shimbun a radio interview last month that Now a rapid rapprochement TSouth in a hail of bullets the only place on the frontier is no sense of loyalty.” murder in the North. After some on its website shows him wear- the defector had secured a job has taken hold on the peninsula last year is a general’s son but where forces from the two sides He was “indiff erent” to the unspecifi ed trouble with friends, ing a black jacket and a white and bought a car, adding he had and troops in the border truce says most Northerners of his age come face-to-face. rule of Kim Jong-un, the third the Sankei said, he started drink- top, speaking with a slight North nearly lost his North Korean ac- village where he defected are to have no loyalty to Kim Jong-un, The 25-year-old Oh is the generation of the Kim family to ing. On his way back to his post Korean accent. His face is not cent. The geopolitical landscape be disarmed. according to a Japanese newspa- son of a major-general, Japan’s lead the North, and had no in- he broke through a checkpoint revealed. around the Korean peninsula has Oh said he understands the per. Oh Chong-song’s dramatic Sankei Shimbun newspaper re- terest in how his friends felt and, fearing execution, decided Seoul’s unifi cation ministry – shifted dramatically since last former comrades who shot him. dash across the border at the ported, in what it said was the about it. “Probably 80% of my to keep going. which handles inter-Korean af- year when US President Donald “If they didn’t shoot they Panmunjom truce village in the defector’s fi rst media interview. generation is indiff erent and “I feared I could be executed if fairs including the resettlement Trump threatened to rain “fi re would face heavy punishment,” Demilitarised Zone – under fi re But despite his privileged birth has no loyalty,” he was quoted I went back so I crossed the bor- of defectors – declined to com- and fury” on the nuclear-armed he said. “So if I was them, I from his comrades – made glo- – he described himself as “upper as saying. “It is natural to have der,” he was quoted as saying, ment on the interview and said it North Korea. would have done the same.” Hong Kong protest leaders deny public nuisance charges

Reuters Hong Kong

hree leaders of Hong Kong’s 2014 pro-democ- From left: Baptist minister Chu Yiu-ming, law professor Benny Tai, and sociology professor Chan Kin-man Tracy “Occupy” movement, shout slogans before entering the West Kowloon Magistrates Court in Hong Kong yesterday. which paralysed parts of the Chi- nese-ruled city for nearly three country, two systems” formula, streets. Government prosecutor democracy movement. The US- months, denied public nuisance with the guarantee of a high de- Andrew Bruce detailed in court China Economic and Security charges yesterday as interna- gree of autonomy and freedoms how the three “Occupy” leaders Review Commission warned in a tional criticism of the erosion of denied citizens in mainland Chi- had given speeches and inter- report to Congress last week that civil liberties grows. na, including freedom of speech views urging more people to join China had “ramped up its inter- Law professor Benny Tai, 54, and the right to protest. However, the “unlawful occupations”. He ference” in Hong Kong and had retired sociologist Chan Kin- critics, including foreign govern- said this had been a “joint en- “closed down the political space man, 59, and retired pastor Chu ments, business groups and ac- terprise” to conspire with others for pro-democracy activists to Yiu-ming, 74, face charges of tivists, say that the guarantee is to try to fuel the movement for a express discontent”. conspiracy and incitement to ringing increasingly hollow. “prolonged and indefi nite” time. Authorities have banned a commit public nuisance, and The court heard how in 2013, Lawyers for the defendants, political party advocating Hong incitement to incite public nui- Tai, Chan and Chu began prom- however, questioned the basis Kong independence, barred de- sance. ulgating and planning a non-vio- for this allegation. The six other mocracy activists from contest- The closely watched trial illus- lent civil disobedience campaign defendants are veteran demo- ing local elections and disquali- trates the tensions in the former to occupy streets in the Central cratic party member Lee Wing- fi ed six opposition lawmakers British colony as disaff ected business district should China tat, democratic lawmakers Tanya from the legislature. A senior ‘Fi- democracy activists push back not allow a democratic vote for Chan and Shiu Ka-chun, activist nancial Times’ journalist, Victor against attempts by Communist its next leader. The “Occupy” Raphael Wong and former stu- Mallet, was barred from the city Party leaders in Beijing to tighten campaign germinated in Sep- dent leaders Eason Chung and this month after he helped host their grip on the city’s freedoms tember 2014, ahead of schedule, Tommy Cheung. “Even if the an independence activist at the and autonomy. Each charge car- Sociology professor Chan Kin-man delivers his farewell speech at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and became part of what grew court fi nds us guilty, history Foreign Correspondents’ Club in ries a maximum jail term of seven where he has been teaching for over two decades. into the biggest populist chal- will show that we committed no what critics said was an attack on years. Six others, including two lenge to Beijing since the Tianan- crime,” Cheung, now a column- freedom of speech. lawmakers, are also facing public brellas, a symbol of the move- a joint statement. “These charges decided not to plead guilty.” men Square demonstrations in ist, told reporters. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam nuisance charges in a trial that is ment, outside the court, clapping enable the government to abuse Tai told Reuters he hoped the Beijing in 1989. Some critics say the case could has repeatedly stressed Hong expected to last around 20 days. and demanding an end to “politi- the power of prosecution and in- trial would be an opportunity to Hundreds of thousands of peo- have repercussions for hundreds Kong respects media and other In a show of defi ance, the nine cal prosecution”. fringe on the freedom of speech “reboot the spirit of the people”. ple, including many youngsters of other protesters who have freedoms but has so far refused defendants and more than 100 “A movement can be crushed and peaceful assembly. The Hong Kong returned to Chi- and students, took to the streets not been charged, and create a to give an explanation for deny- supporters unfurled yellow um- but not defeated,” the nine said in nine defendants unanimously nese rule in 1997 under a “one in sustained occupation of major chilling eff ect on the Hong Kong ing Mallet entry. At Apec, China, others woo Pacifi c

Reuters Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono his views better represented Zealand also announced an am- Port Moresby Sailele Malielegaoi told in an in- how we feel,” Papua New Guin- bitious $1.7bn plan to expand terview in Port Moresby. “They ean Treasurer Charles Abel told PNG’s electricity grid and In- absolutely have no importance Reuters. ternet coverage. fter world leaders jetted to us. All we are interested in He said he particularly ap- The major economies also out of Papua New Guinea is to build a small road, a small preciated Xi’s remarks that de- put on a show of soft power. Afollowing the acrimo- hospital, a small school building veloping countries are owed Pence showed nine Pacifi c lead- nious end to the Asia-Pacifi c and all these things about trade equal treatment as traders by ers a 400-year-old Bible that Economic Cooperation (Apec) issues are well beyond our com- developed countries. Abel, who is in PNG’s parliament after he summit, Pacifi c nation lead- prehension.” The Pacifi c island is also deputy prime minister, helped secure its donation by a ers gathered at Australia’s High nations command swathes of added he felt Pence came across missionary. Commission for kangaroo sau- ocean, pivotal during World War as a little too aggressive. “We’re And on Sunday evening as sages and cold beer. II, and are home to fi sh stock and not interested in taking sides, sweltering heat gave way to a The fi nal function on Sunday reserves of fossil fuels. we’re just happy to work with all sea breeze, Australian Prime in the capital Port Moresby fol- The emergence of China as our good partners and we really Minister Scott Morrison turned lowed a whirlwind of diplomacy a key aid donor and partner for appreciate the assistance that’s the sausages on the barbecue as for the leaders of the sparsely Pacifi c countries has led to fric- coming,” he said. he touted university scholar- Chinese President Xi Jinping walks with Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at the Nurul Iman Palace in populated but strategically im- tion between China and western In Port Moresby, China had ships and deeper ties with Aus- Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. portant Pacifi c. allies. China is now the second- just added the fi nishing touches tralia. While they have been feted by biggest aid donor to the region to a showpiece six-lane boul- Neither Pence nor Morri- both East and West in the build behind Australia, rising from evard running between a main son, though, matched China’s up to Apec, key issues aff ecting nearly nothing a decade ago. road in Port Moresby and par- rhetoric on climate change, a them – climate change and de- China’s emergence drew liament house. major security issue for Pacifi c Xi in Brunei as oil-dependent velopment – were largely side- barbs from US Vice President Xi also pitched the Belt and islands where rising sea levels lined at the summit by a war of Mike Pence, who said coun- Road initiative to eight Pacifi c are forcing people to move to words between the superpowers tries should not accept debt leaders in a meeting. Tonga live on higher ground. Climate on trade policy. that compromised their sover- signed up and earned a reprieve change featured in Xi’s bilateral sultanate seeks investments With both giants unyielding, eignty – a reference to China’s from debt repayments to Bei- meetings with Pacifi c countries, Apec leaders failed to agree on a Belt and Road project. Such di- jing. For his part, Pence said the which are concerned by Wash- communique for the fi rst time in visive comments did not neces- United States would join Aus- ington’s withdrawal from the AFP at extending Beijing’s economic After talks between the sultan the forum’s history. “Let them sarily go down well. “I was just tralia and PNG in building a port Paris climate accord and Aus- Brunei and geopolitical clout. and the first Chinese president fi ght it out ... those are the issues pleased with the message from on Manus Island. The United tralia’s soft pedalling on the is- Initiatives include a multi-bil- to visit the country in 13 years, that concern them,” Samoan the Chinese president. I thought States, Japan, Australia and New sue. lion-dollar oil refi nery – Brunei’s a joint statement said that resident Xi Jinping visited biggest ever foreign investment Brunei “will continue to sup- Brunei yesterday, with the project – a dam and a highway. port and jointly promote co- Taiwan still welcomes China-made films after ceremony speeches row Psultanate turning to China The wealthy former British operation in the Belt and Road to boost its fl agging, oil-depend- protectorate, which is surround- Initiative”, China’s infrastruc- Taiwan’s Golden Horse Awards yesterday that, due to the country embracing diversity. my country will be treated as ent economy as warnings mount ed by Malaysia, long depended ture drive, official news agency still welcomes the inclusion of all controversy, China will boycott “This is Taiwan, not ‘Taiwan, an independent entity,” said Fu, about Beijing drowning small on abundant oil deposits but Xinhua reported. Chinese-language films as long the awards, which have gained China,’” Cheng stressed. Cheng whose film Our Youth in Taiwan countries in debt. Xi, who ar- was plunged into recession when Brunei, a conservative Mus- as participants show respect recognition over the years as the referred to the controversy won the best Documentary rived from a tense summit in Pa- prices fell several years ago, and lim-majority country of about for the people of Taiwan, the Oscars of the Chinese-language sparked by award-winning Award. pua New Guinea dominated by a crude reserves are also in a long 400,000 people, is a rival claim- island’s cultural minister said film industry, according to state- Chinese actor Tu Men, who The documentary focuses war of words between China and decline. ant to China in part of the South yesterday. The 55th Golden run Central News Agency. “We said at the ceremony he was on leading characters in the US, was treated to an offi cial “Brunei, whose income from China Sea – which Beijing claims Horse Awards ceremony, held sincerely welcome all Chinese- honoured to present an award the island’s 2014 Sunflower welcome at Sultan Hassanal Bol- hydrocarbons will decrease in in almost its entirety – but its on Saturday night in Taipei, language movies, as we have in “China, Taiwan” and that “both Movement against a proposed kiah’s enormous, golden-domed the coming years, is looking for criticism has been muted. There was overshadowed by politics been doing,” Taiwan’s Culture sides are like family.” services trade agreement palace. help from China in developing have as yet been few outward after some winners and Minister Cheng Li-chiun replied. The Chinese actor’s statement with China. Taiwan has had its Like in many other parts of economic alternatives,” Mur- signs of unease at growing Chi- presenters mentioned Taiwanese That means all Chinese-language came after Taiwanese own government since 1949, Asia, Chinese companies are in- ray Hiebert, a Southeast Asia nese infl uence in tightly-con- independence and Chinese movies, including films produced documentary director Fu Yu’s when Chinese nationalists fled vesting huge sums in the absolute expert from think-tank the trolled Brunei, where per capita unification. in China, are still welcome. She speech mentioning Taiwanese there after losing a civil war to monarchy on Borneo island, part Center for Strategic and In- GDP remains among the highest Lawmakers raised concern said Taiwan is a free, democratic independence. “I hope one day communists in China. of an infrastructure drive aimed ternational Studies, told AFP. in the world. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 20, 2018 15 BRITAIN

DECISION PEOPLE CLAIM OPINION DEMAND Worboys must stay in Ex-footballer Gascoigne Thousands of UK workers Cameron best hope for Axe 200 peers from prison, says Parole Board charged with sexual assault denied toilet access: Unite Britain, says former aide bloated Lords: MPs

The serial sex attacker, John Worboys, must stay Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne has Thousands of people do not have access to basic David Cameron’s former director of strategy has The House of Lords should axe 200 peers within in prison after the Parole Board reassessed his been charged with sexually assaulting a woman toilet facilities in their workplace in the UK, accord- claimed his old boss could return to No 10, as 11 years and limit the tenure of new arrivals to case and decided he should not be released. The on board a train, British Transport Police said ing to a major union. Unite said it had uncovered ‘the best hope for Britain’. Steve Hilton suggested 15 years, MPs have demanded. The recommen- black-cab driver, who was convicted of assaults yesterday. Gascoigne, 51, was charged with “one evidence of staff at branches of big high-street the man who called the Brexit referendum could dations were made by the Commons public on 12 women in 2008, had been granted his count of sexual assault by touching”, said a banks being required to urinate in buckets, and replace Theresa May if the Tories forced her out. administration and constitutional aff airs com- freedom in January after the board accepted his spokeswoman for the force. The 51-year-old, who construction sites failing to provide any female Cameron, 52, resigned as PM after losing the mittee, which said the growing size of the Lords, claim that he no longer posed any risk to the pub- has struggled with alcoholism since he retired toilets. Bus drivers had been denied toilet breaks referendum in June 2016. He retired from politics which has 800 members, aff ected its eff ective- lic. But after a public outcry over the decision, the from top-flight football, was arrested at Durham for up to five hours, and workers in call centres a few months later when he stepped down as MP ness. The MPs claimed the cut in numbers could high court ordered the board to carry out a “fresh station in northeast England on August 20. He is for big financial institutions were told to log in and for Witney in Oxfordshire after 15 years. Hilton said be achieved with a commitment by the prime determination” into the case. The Parole Board due to appear in a magistrates’ court on Decem- out to take a toilet break. In total, Unite said tens he is convinced Cameron is still the best man for minister to a ‘two-out-one-in’ policy. Sir Bernard chair, Nick Hardwick, was forced to resign over ber 11. Gascoigne made his name with Newcastle of thousands of workers across the UK suff er a the job. He wrote in The Sunday Times: “If there is Jenkin, chairman of the committee, said: “The the issue. The board yesterday said the reassess- before going on to play for Tottenham, Italian lack of “toilet dignity”, where they are either not a Conservative Party leadership election... David House of Lords is of vital importance... but it is a ment had been carried out and the serial rapist giants Lazio and several other teams including provided with proper toilets or have restrictions Cameron’s return to No 10 could in fact be the problem that the size of the chamber continues would remain behind bars. Glasgow Rangers. placed upon them in using facilities. best hope for Britain.” to grow exponentially”.

House prices fall by £5,000 Brexit deal on average

Guardian News and Media London ‘will set UK

ouse prices fell by more than £5,000 on average Hin November, sliding fast- est in Britain’s wealthiest towns as Brexit uncertainty gripped the property market, according to the on path to website Rightmove. In the largest November drop in prices since 2012, Rightmove said the average price of prop- erty coming to the market was down by 1.7%, or £5,222, on the month alone. It said the big- gest falls were in London, where prosperity’ the typical asking price fell by £10,793 (a fall of 1.7%) and in the Guardian News and Media perilous week of her premier- case – and not one penny of it will south-east of England, where London ship, May urged voters not just create new jobs or new products,” prices were down £8,647 (2.1%). to “listen to politicians” but also she said. “While other countries The “ripple eff ect”, where to businesses providing jobs that are forging a competitive future, rising prices in London spread heresa May has told busi- “put food on the table for your Westminster seems to be liv- around the rest of the country ness leaders she will “una- family” and which have been ing in its own narrow world, in during the boom years, has now Tshamedly” put the eco- supportive of her plans. which extreme positions are be- reversed, said Rightmove, with nomic success of the UK and the “We are not talking about po- ing allowed to dominate.” How- falling prices in the capital now livelihoods of “real people” fi rst litical theory, but the reality of ever, she criticised May over her spreading across the south. as she battles to bring her muti- people’s lives and livelihoods. plans to curb immigration after “Higher-end, former hotspot nous Tory backbenchers to heel Jobs depend on us getting this Brexit – a central demand of vot- towns are now among the biggest over her Brexit plans. right. What we have agreed una- ers at the 2016 referendum – and annual fallers with Rickmans- The prime minister warned shamedly puts our future eco- suggested the new system would worth (-7.1%), Esher (-6.4%) Conservative MPs threatening to nomic success, and the liveli- stop EU workers being able to and Gerrards Cross (-6.0%) now bring down her leadership that hoods of working families up and “jump the queue” over those cold spots following price rises Brexit was not just an exercise in down this country, fi rst.” from outside Europe. of nearly 40% over the seven “political theory” as she battled However, May angered Tory “Government may be listen- preceding years,” said Miles to seize back the initiative from Brexiters by signalling that the ing to business when it comes to Shipside of Rightmove. hostile Eurosceptics. end of the Brexit transition pe- immigration, but they still aren’t Rightmove’s price fi gures often Her eff orts to keep control of riod could be extended from hearing,” said Fairbairn. “The best diff er signifi cantly from the prices her restless party were boosted December 2020 to the next gen- way to build public confi dence is recorded in the Halifax and Nation- when the Foreign Secretary, Jer- eral election, due in June 2022, through a migration system based wide indices as they capture asking emy Hunt, speaking on a trip to with the extra payments and free on contribution, not numbers.” prices rather than mortgage data Iran, said MPs seeking to oust movement that would involve. May told the business lead- (from the lenders) or sold prices May risked “the most appalling The EU’s chief negotiator, ers they must “play their part” (from the Land Registry). chaos” that could destabilise the Michel Barnier, has said Brussels in creating a successful post- These fi gures suggest that the country and even prevent Brexit. is open to an extension to De- Brexit Britain, stressing their recent standoff between buy- “When people think about cember 2022, but May said: “It essential role once her fi nal deal ers and sellers – with sellers not this, they will realise that back- is important in delivering for the was agreed. “It’s not just a job for willing to cut asking prices to ing her is the right thing to do.” British people that we are out of politicians,” she said. fi nd a buyer – may now be over. In a defi ant speech to busi- the implementation period be- Meanwhile, on a trip to Te- It said the average asking price ness leaders at the CBI conference fore the next general election.” hran, Hunt told the Guardian: for a home in the UK is £302,023, in London, May vowed to press Carolyn Fairbairn, the CBI’s “May has perhaps got the most with the price of newly market- ahead with her Brexit plans despite director general, said May’s deal diffi cult job of any prime min- ed property now 0.2% (-£607) attempts to force the government was signifi cantly better than ister or president in the western cheaper than 12 months ago. to renegotiate with Brussels. “stepping off that cliff ” of no- world at the moment. Somehow Anecdotal reports that sell- “It was never going to be easy deal Brexit next March, adding she has to fi nd a way of navigat- ers are listing their property but or straightforward and the fi nal that plans for a future trade deal ing the shoals of Brexit in a way receiving hardly any viewings stage was always going to be the at least charted the route to fric- that allows us to have national and that it is taking much longer toughest,” she said. tionless trade with the EU. closure on the issue and move on to fi nd a buyer are supported by “But we have in view a deal She had harsh words for and deal with all the other issues the Rightmove data. It found that will work for the UK. And let Tory rebels threatening to vote we face. That means leaving the that the average property takes no one be in any doubt – I am de- down May’s deal. “Our fi rms are EU, but with a friendly trading 61 days to sell, up from 56 days Prime Minister Theresa May replies to questions after speaking at the Confederation of British Industry’s termined to deliver it.” spending hundreds of millions of relationship, and a friendly rela- earlier this year. (CBI) annual conference in London yesterday. As she began perhaps the most pounds preparing for the worst tionship at all levels.” Britain ‘wide open’ to Beach clean-up Woman accused of Russian cyber menace poisoning patients Guardian News and Media Blackpool Victoria hospital. The London inquiry is complicated and we Daily Mail In a report, the group said off ensive cyber capabilities to have a team of specialist detectives London ministers had a “wholly inade- damage, disrupt or destroy the working on this case who are also quate” grip on the danger hostile systems or networks of their ad- olice have arrested a off ering support to those families nations posed to UK’s critical na- versaries’, according to the Cabi- healthcare professional at who have had loved ones identi- ritain is at the mercy of tional infrastructure (CNI). net Offi ce. Pa hospital in Blackpool on fi ed as potentially being involved. Russian hackers who are The past year has seen cyber at- Organised crime groups are suspicion of administering poi- “Our priority and the priority Bplotting cyber attacks that tacks on the health, telecommu- also becoming as sophisticated son to patients. of Blackpool teaching hospitals could bring the country to its nications, energy and government and dangerous as nation states in Lancashire constabulary said NHS foundation trust is to en- knees, politicians have warned. sectors. The head of the National their cyber capabilities and it has they were contacted by Black- sure the safety of patients. We are There are 10 attacks happen- Cyber Security Centre, Ciaran never been so easy and cheap to pool teaching hospitals NHS working closely with the trust as ing every day, with many aim- Martin, told MPs and peers in the launch a catastrophic attack, the foundation trust on November 8 part of the investigation.” ing to paralyse areas such as the committee that Russia has already report suggests. In the last two after concerns were raised about Wendy Swift, chief executive NHS, the national grid and even established “a foothold (in the years there have been 1,000 sig- the mistreatment and neglect of the foundation trust, said: “We Parliament. UK’s Internet infrastructure), an nifi cant cyber attacks – around of patients on the stroke unit at can confi rm a healthcare profes- And there is a ‘consistent rise intrusion that you can use for on- 10 a week. Not all of these have Blackpool Victoria hospital. sional has been suspended in line in (Russia’s) appetite for attack’ going espionage purposes or can targeted the UK’s CNI, but some A female healthcare profession- with trust policy following allega- on these sectors, according to the develop as the potential for a hos- such as the May 2017 WannaCry al was arrested last week on sus- tions of mistreatment against pa- Joint Committee on National Se- tile, disruptive and destructive act attack which crippled the NHS, picion of administering poison or tients on the stroke unit. curity Strategy. in the future”. have had a devastating impact. a noxious substance with the in- “We take all allegations of this Such is the severity of the He also warned that Russia has Despite the escalating threat, tent to injure, and ill treatment or type extremely seriously and problem that the committee is begun to diversify its targets to Britain has not adequately pro- wilful neglect. Police said she had when the concerns were raised now calling for a designated cy- include “softer power democrat- tected such infrastructure from been bailed until December 6. The we immediately contacted the ber security minister. ic institutions”. But it is not just attack and there is ‘no silver bul- trust confi rmed that the woman police. The trust is working with It said the UK needed a min- Russia that poses a major threat, let’ to solve the ‘wicked problem’, had been suspended and sought to the police and co-operating fully ister ‘who, as in a war situation, Britain is ill-prepared to fend off the committee concluded. reassure patients that the hospital with their investigation. has the exclusive task of assem- computer hacking attacks from It found that “too many net- remained safe. “We would like to reassure bling the resources... and ex- other nations such as North Ko- works are still insecure” and Detective chief inspector Jill all our patients that all neces- ecuting the measures needed to rea and China. the operating systems in some Johnston from Lancashire po- sary actions are being taken. defend against the threat’. State sponsored hackers are areas such as electricity substa- Volunteer Pam Michael collects plastic and other waste lice said: “This arrest is part of an The hospital remains a safe and The government is utterly fail- branching out from stealing se- tions and transportation control as she walks her dog George along New Brighton beach ongoing investigation into allega- caring environment for patients ing to respond to the cyber ‘arms crets and intellectual property rooms were often old, vulnerable near Liverpool, Britain, yesterday. tions of mistreatment of patients and the provision of services will race’, the committee heard. theft and “starting to explore to attack and diffi cult to fi x. by a healthcare professional at continue as usual.” Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, November 20, 2018 BRITAIN Post Offi ce system glitch raises doubts over woman’s conviction

Daily Mail es in their branches. The explosive document has one suicide was blamed on the er- The fi ve-page memo, cop- The sub-postmistress, 43, and lems but was found guilty of London She was convicted of theft and emerged during a High Court rors. The state-owned Post Offi ce ied to IT experts and Post Offi ce her husband Davinder, 47, had theft without the jury knowing sentenced to 15 months while trial in which more than 500 has spent £5mn of public money executives, admits: “If widely invested £200,000 to run their that the Post Offi ce had admit- eight weeks’ pregnant with her former sub-postmasters, are su- defending itself in court and known, (this) could cause a loss village post offi ce in West By- ted internally to an IT ‘bug’ two ost Offi ce chiefs watched a second child, after the computer ing the Post Offi ce. maintains there is no signifi cant of confi dence in the Horizon fl eet, Surrey. months earlier. pregnant mother get jailed in her village post offi ce recorded They claim they were wrongly problem with its computers. system by branches”, adding They put in a further £20,000 Misra was given a 15-month Pfor ‘stealing’ from the post a shortfall that could not be ex- blamed for money going ‘miss- But it has been forced to dis- there could be a “potential im- of their own money to make up sentence and spent the sec- offi ce she ran – while hushing up plained. ing’ in their branches when the close confi dential e-mails for pact upon ongoing legal cases for mysterious shortfalls that ond trimester of her pregnancy a major report revealing a com- She was jailed on her son’s supposed shortfalls were caused the proceedings, including the where branches are disputing plagued their accounts. But the behind bars. She was released puter accounts glitch. 10th birthday. Yet a secret in- by glitches in the Horizon com- internal memo in August 2010 the integrity of Horizon data”. Horizon computer system con- on an electronic tag after four Seema Misra was one of ternal memo now reveals postal puter terminals installed by the which confesses a ‘bug’ in the One such case was Misra’s. tinued to fl ag up baffl ing losses. months. Her husband said he felt hundreds of sub-postmasters bosses knew at the time there Post Offi ce. Horizon software was causing Two months after the secret There was no direct evidence “ashamed of this country”, add- whose lives were ruined when was a problem with the compu- Many were jailed, bankrupted discrepancies in the accounts of memo, she went on trial accused of theft. At her trial, Misra told ing: “My wife is a good citizen. they were blamed for cash loss- ter system but covered it up. or otherwise ruined, and at least about 40 post offi ces. of stealing £74,000. jurors about the computer prob- We are good people.” Facebook gives New trauma centre opens £4.5mn to fund 80 local newspaper jobs

Guardian News and Media of more relevant, timely local London news. In times of our charita- ble objectives we are there to attract, train, and qualify out- acebook will donate standing journalists.” £4.5mn to fund 80 local As yet, there are no details Fnewspaper jobs for the of where the jobs will be based, next two years, as the compa- although recruitment for the ny faces further questions over new positions is expected to its relationship with the media start from January. The scheme and long-term impact on the will place an emphasis on fi nd- news business. ing trainees from a range of The social networking com- socio-economic backgrounds pany will make the money and include school leavers, in available to subsidise the cost a bid to make newsrooms more of trainee journalists based representative of the audiences Scotland’s First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party, Nicola Sturgeon off icially opens the NHS Tayside Trauma Centre at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee yesterday. in newsrooms across Britain they serve. Salaries are ex- The Dundee unit is the second of four of Scotland’s new major trauma centres. with the objective of providing pected to refl ect trainee status; “reporting from towns which the NCTJ says a typical wage have lost their local newspaper for such a job is about £17,500 and beat reporters”. a year. Facebook has always previ- Regional newspaper groups ously insisted it is more in- insisted they would con- terested in working with pub- tinue to run their own trainee lishers to build their revenue schemes and not simply use rather than giving direct cash the new reporters – who are transfers to pay for journal- expected to focus on “com- 3,000 doctors under probe ists. This scheme, the fi rst munity” reporting rather than time Facebook has attempted court or specialist journalism such a scheme anywhere in – to replace existing jobs. the world, is being arranged Five of the largest regional in the form of a cash donation publishers that covers outlets to the National Council for the in most major cities will be after fake psychiatrist case Training of Journalists, a reg- invited to apply to the fund: istered charity. Reach, Newsquest, Midlands Guardian News and Media Alemi had been working in the schools in some Commonwealth Charlie Massey, the chief ex- result. We are confi dent that, 23 The organisation will then News Association, Archant London UK for more than two decades countries to work in the UK ecutive of the GMC, said: “It years on, our systems are robust divide it up in co-ordination and JPI Media – the new owner with forged qualifi cations from without having to pass an exam. is extremely concerning that a and would identify any fraudu- with the local publishers, of the defunct Johnston Press the University of Auckland. The GMC said it was incred- person used a fraudulent quali- lent attempt to join the medical with trainee journalists on the titles, which went into admin- he records of up to 3,000 The convicted fraudster had ibly rare case but started a review fication to join the register and register. scheme given formal training istration at the weekend. doctors are being re- failed the fi rst year of medical after the News and Star made we are working to understand “Patients deserve good care and then employed directly “We know that we’re in a Tviewed after it emerged school in New Zealand in 1992, them aware of the details of Ale- how this happened. We have from appropriately qualifi ed by local newspapers for the diffi cult industry,” said Laura that a woman worked as a NHS but subsequently managed to mi’s faked qualifi cations. brought this to the attention of professionals and place a great duration of the two-year pilot Adams, the content director at consultant psychiatrist for 22 register as a doctor with the In October, a court heard how police and other agencies, in- deal of trust in doctors. To ex- scheme. Archant, which publishes ti- years with fake qualifi cations General Medical Council (GMC) Alemi befriended Gillian Bel- cluding NHS England, so that ploit that trust and the respected “Our experience of work- tles including the Eastern Daily before she was convicted of try- with a forged degree certifi cate, ham, then 84, who was strug- they may also take any neces- name of the profession is abhor- ing with Facebook has been Press and Islington Gazette. ing to defraud a patient. forged primary medical quali- gling to deal with the recent sary action to support patients rent.” a very positive one,” said the “Our teams have shrunk and Zholia Alemi, 56, was jailed for fi cation and a fake letter of rec- death of her husband. Alemi re- and answer any questions they A Cumbria police spokesman NCTJ chief executive, Joanne we’ve had to make many diff er- fi ve years last month for faking ommendation from her most drafted the pensioner’s will and may have. told the News and Star: “Cum- Butcher, who acknowledged ent effi ciencies but this is posi- an 87-year-old patient’s will as recent job in Pakistan, under a fraudulently applied for power “Our processes are far strong- bria Constabulary is liaising there were concerns in the tive because we can invest.” part of an attempt to inherit her visa scheme that has since been of attorney over her estate. The er now, with rigorous testing in with the General Medical Coun- publishing industry about the Google, which is separate- £1.3mn estate after they met at a discontinued. consultant psychiatrist was place to ensure those joining the cil and will be commencing fur- company’s impact on the news ly battling regulation of its dementia clinic in Workington, The investigation has found guilty of four fraud and register are fi t to work in the UK. ther criminal investigations re- business. Google News service, has giv- Cumbria in 2016. prompted an urgent review of all theft charges at Carlisle Crown It is clear that in this case the lating to allegations of fraud and “The view I have is that Face- en cash sums to publishers for Following the trial, an inves- doctors who registered with the court and was jailed for fi ve steps taken in the 1990s were any potential further off ences. book is sincere in its hope that many years through its News tigation by the Cumbrian news- GMC under the scheme, which years. inadequate and we apologise for It would not be appropriate to this will lead to the creation Initiative programme. paper News and Star revealed allowed graduates of medical In response to the cases, any risk arising to patients as a comment further at this time.” Water cannon sold for Building residents fear freezing winter scrap at £300,000 loss Guardian News and Media higher bills. “You’ve got elderly London people and people on low incomes and with card meters,” said one. Guardian News and Media Ollerton, a scrap metal yard in The failure represents a set- The replacement of the cladding London Newark, Nottinghamshire. back for Khan, who had promised esidents of a Salford block on nine Salford blocks managed by The fee recoups 3.4% of the to sell the vehicles in his election of fl ats stripped of its Pendleton Together was delayed £322,834.71 spent on the vehi- manifesto and spend the money Rdangerous cladding fear when the company was barred from hree unusable water can- cles since 2014. on youth services. The money they will have to endure freezing accessing the £400mn fund set up non bought by Boris John- The 25-year-old vehicles cost he has recouped does not even temperatures and higher heating by the government after the Gren- Tson when he was mayor £85,022 in 2014, but they were cover the estimated £12,000 bill costs this winter. fell tower fi re. of London have been sold for found to be riddled with faults for insuring the vehicles since he Plane Court, managed by the The ministry of housing, scrap, at a net loss of more than and required expensive modifi - was elected in May 2016. company Pendleton Together, a communities and local govern- £300,000. cation to make them roadworthy. But he still claimed that by PFI contractor with Salford coun- ment said the money was only Johnson bought the crowd- This included £32,000 to com- selling the vehicles for £3,675 cil, had its cladding removed be- available to local authorities and control vehicles from the Ger- ply with the city’s low emission each for scrap he had met his tween August and the end of Oc- housing associations, prompting man police in 2014, in anticipa- zone, and almost £1,000 on new election pledge. tober this year after post-Grenfell Salford council to accuse them tion of social unrest, without stereos. Khan said: “For too long, Lon- tests found it to be fl ammable. of “washing their hands of the checking whether they could be Offi cials had hoped to sell the don taxpayers have had to bear Since then residents have situation”. used on London’s streets. vehicles for up to £43,000, but the brunt of Boris Johnson’s complained about cold tempera- Eight other blocks owned by In one of his most humiliat- despite the improvement work, appalling botched water can- tures in their homes and higher Salford city council and man- ing episodes as mayor the then no buyer could be found. non deal. This has been another heating bills, because of the loss aged by Pendleton Together are home secretary Theresa May Under conditions of the origi- waste of taxpayers’ money by of the insulation that the clad- still covered in fl ammable clad- banned them from use any- nal sale by the German federal Boris Johnson. Londoners con- ding provides. The management ding, with interim fi re safety where in England and Wales. police, the vehicles could only be tinue to live with his vanity. company said the building’s measures – such as 24-hour fi re It left the capital’s taxpayers sold on to a European policing or “I am pleased we have man- “external works” were forecast marshals – in place to keep peo- with three expensive white el- civil protection organisation, as aged to fi nally get rid of them to be fi nished by June 2021. ple safe. ephants. a guard against them being used and I made an election promise “A lot of older people are hav- Pendleton Together said it The current mayor, Sadiq by a repressive regime. to Londoners that I would claw ing to put the heating up that bit would begin visiting Plane Court Khan, pledged to claw back as The ministry of defence has back as much of this cash as pos- more and they are dreading their residents this week to discuss much money as possible on the been trying to help offl oad the sible, and pump it into helping bills,” said a resident, who did their heating issues and explain redundant vehicles by selling vehicles since December 2016 young people at risk of being af- not want to be named for fear of the proposed compensation ar- them. But after almost two years but no European authority fected by crime and giving them reprisals from the management rangements. “While visiting the mayor’s offi ce admitted de- wanted them. The mayor’s offi ce better life opportunities.” company. residents we will discuss the feat in its attempt to fi nd a repu- said: “The length of time they The Green party joint leader Tenants have said they want to opportunity to work with them table buyer. took to sell was due to lack in in- and London assembly mem- be reimbursed for the extra heat- to monitor their energy usage in It announced yesterday that terest from potential buyers, in- ber Sian Berry said more money ing costs, but also warned that order to ensure they receive ap- it has agreed to sell the vehicles cluding the UK government and would have been saved if the ve- many wouldn’t be able to aff ord propriate compensation,” said a for just £11,025 to Reclamations overseas authorities.” hicles had been scrapped sooner. Boris Johnson: plan backfires the short term costs of paying spokesperson. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 20, 2018 17 EUROPE French universities to off er more courses in English

Reuters ing in the country would help creased competition from Ger- foreign students,” he added. up a business in France. as a sign of low quality. Britain,” the premier stressed. Paris build French infl uence overseas. many, Russia, Canada and China, Under the plan, France will “We are constantly compared, From September 2019, non- Some of the extra revenue will Home to centuries-old uni- the prime minister’s offi ce said. simplify student visa regulations audited, judged among 10 other European students will be be used to boost the number of versities such as the Sorbonne in “Many countries are already but will also increase tuition fees possible destinations. In an age charged €2,770 annually to scholarships off ered by the for- rance wants to boost the Paris and some leading business building global ‘attractivity’ for students outside the Europe- of social media, no one can rest study for a bachelor’s degree and eign ministry. number of foreign stu- schools, France is the world’s top strategies, linking studies, the job an Economic Area in order to be on its reputation only,” Philippe €3,770 a year for masters and The number of courses taught Fdents at its universities by non-English speaking student market, tourism, which explains able to provide better facilities. said. PhDs. in English, which have already more than half over the next dec- destination, but it ranks behind the infl uence of Asia or monar- However, fees will still be French offi cials said that cur- “That means France will still been increased fi vefold since ade, and will off er more courses the United States, Britain and chies in the Gulf,” Philippe said in much lower than in Britain and rent fees of around €170 ($195) subsidise two-thirds of the cost 2004 to 1,328, will be boosted taught in English to attract them. Australia. a speech unveiling the strategy. other neighbouring countries. a year for a bachelor’s degree in of their studies,” Philippe said. further, Philippe said. Prime Minister Edouard The number of foreign stu- “In this fi eld just as in other From March 2019, foreign France or €243 for a masters’ – “And the fees will remain well More French classes will also Philippe, announcing the plan dents at French universities fell economic ones, the world’s bal- graduates with a French master’s the same as those paid by French below the €8,000 to €13,000 be on off er for foreign students yesterday, said that increasing by 8.5% between 2011 and 2016 ance of power is shifting. That’s degree will be able to get a resi- students – was interpreted by charged by the Dutch or the tens and student visa applications the number of foreigners study- and the country has seen in- why we need to welcome more dence visa to look for work or set students in countries like China of thousands of pounds paid in will be made available online. Nobel literature body expands French protesters jury after scandal

AFP The chairman of the Nobel Stockholm Foundation, which manages the fi nances and administra- target fuel depots tion of the Nobel prizes, ad- he Swedish Academy, mitted to daily Dagens Nyheter Reuters/AFP Further large-scale protests heavily indebted state rail op- which has awarded the that it had forced the Academy Paris are being planned. erator SNCF, unfl inching in his TNobel Literature Prize to take in independent outsid- A call by a member of the right- resolve to inject new energy into since 1901, said yesterday that ers. wing Debout La France (Stand Up the French economy. it would expand its prize jury to The Foundation has long rotesters angered by higher France) party for protesters to However, derided by political include outsiders for the fi rst been critical of the Academy’s fuel taxes blocked access to descend on Paris on Saturday and opponents and left-leaning vot- time following a scandal that handling of the crisis. Pthree oil depots in France “block” the city has been viewed ers as a “president of the rich”, forced it to postpone this year’s The scandal erupted during and sporadic unrest erupted in over 165,000 times on Facebook. the former investment banker’s award. the #MeToo campaign in No- the overseas territory of Reunion, Another Facebook page call- popularity has dwindled to new The venerable institution vember 2017, when 18 women in a third day of demonstrations ing for a mass rally on Saturday in lows. has been in crisis mode since claimed to have been raped, against President Emmanuel Paris “because there is where the A survey for pollster IFOP November 2017, after a deep sexually assaulted or harassed Macron’s economic reforms. government is!!!” had also gar- published yesterday showed a rift emerged among Academy by Jean-Claude Arnault, who Up to 20,000 protesters clad nered widespread interest. four-point fall in the past month members about how to man- is married to Academy member in fl uorescent high-visibility The government has warned in his approval rating, with just age its longstanding ties to a Katarina Frostenson. jackets blocked highways across that the anarchic nature of the one in four people satisfi ed with Frenchman accused – and now The Frenchman ran the Fo- France with burning barricades roadblocks threatens the safety his performance. convicted – of rape. rum club, which he founded in and convoys of slow-mov- of both demonstrators and driv- In a sign the “yellow vest” pro- For the fi rst time in 70 years, 1989 as a meeting place for the ing trucks, as the government ers. tests might impact the economy the Academy postponed this cultural elite and which was showed no sign of backtracking A protester was killed at the if they persist, shopping malls year’s literature prize by a year popular among aspiring young on a further tax hike on January 1. weekend when a panicked driver saw revenues fall by an estimated while it attempts to sort out its authors hoping to make con- French oil and gas giant Total ran her down at a blockade in 35% on Saturday, according to problems. tact with publishers and writ- said it operated two of the three the southeastern department of consultancy group Nielsen. Yesterday, the Academy said ers. aff ected depots on mainland Savoie and more than 400 people Organisers have vowed to con- in a brief statement that its No- The Swedish Academy fund- France, one in Vern, near the were hurt in sometimes violent tinue their protests until the gov- bel Prize committee – usually ed his club for years. northwest city of Rennes, and confrontations between drivers ernment drops the taxes. made up of fi ve members who Arnault’s accusers claim the the other in Fos-sur-Mer in the and demonstrators. The grassroots movement recommend a laureate to the Academy was aware of his be- south. A handful of skirmishes were emerged on social media last rest of the Academy – would haviour but ensured that “a A fourth depot was blocked on also reported on Sunday night, month over a surge in fuel prices in 2019 and 2020 also include culture of silence” reigned in Reunion, a former French colony including in the northern port this year, in particular for diesel, “fi ve external experts”, includ- cultural circles. that lies between Mauritius and city of Calais where an Australian which many blame on taxes im- ing critics, publishers and au- Arnault, 72, was found guilty Madagascar. truck driver and a British motor- plemented in recent years as part thors ranging in age from 27 to in October of raping a woman The so-called “yellow vest” ist were detained after trying to of France’s anti-pollution fi ght. 73. in 2011 and sentenced to two movement was born out of a force their way through a barri- It quickly snowballed into a The Academy’s permanent years in prison. backlash against higher fuel cade. broader protest over stagnant secretary, Anders Olsson, told He has appealed the convic- prices, but has tapped a broad- In Reunion, looters ransacked spending power under Macron. news agency TT the two-year tion, and that verdict is due on er frustration at the perceived a shopping mall in the south of “I earn €500 ($570) a month – appointment was “temporary”. December 3. squeeze in household spending the island and many businesses how do you expect me to live on power and mounting public dis- remained shuttered after mobs that? With what I earn I can only satisfaction with Macron. torched 70 cars at a dealership allow myself one meal a day,” said The price of diesel at the pump and trashed a fast-food outlet. Jean-Luc, a 57-year-old protest- has increased by about 20% in Roadblocks paralysed traffi c ing in Calais. the past year to an average of on some of Reunion’s main high- Prime Minister Edouard Polish church asks €1.49 ($1.68) per litre, according ways. Philippe said on Sunday night to website www.carbu.com. In 18 months in power, Macron that the government had heard People take part yesterday in a road blockade next to a replica of the Some of the increase is due to has stared down trade unions and the anger, but that it would for forgiveness for Statue of the Liberty in Colmar, eastern France, as part of a rising global oil prices earlier in street protests as he loosened maintain the fuel taxes, which are set to increase again in January. paedophilia cases nationwide ‘yellow vest’ protest against high fuel prices. the year. labour laws and overhauled the Swimming coach gets 12 years for Reuters to children and young people Warsaw and their relatives,” the Polish Spain raises possibility of early election abusing 37 girls bishops wrote in a statement after a conference dedicated to An instructor who worked at oland’s Catholic Church the issue. AFP yweight in the ruling Socialist ments during a press conference main ally in parliament, said. swimming pools in the city has asked victims of sex- They called on victims to re- Madrid party who is close to the prime in Morocco. Podemos leaders will hold an of Baden-Baden in southwest Pual abuse by the clergy port the crimes to church and minister. To pass his draft budget, extraordinary meeting on Friday Germany has received a 12-year for forgiveness, a month after state authorities. Sanchez, who took over in Sanchez needs the support of to prepare for “any possibility prison sentence for the sexual an appeal court upheld a ruling “We note with sadness that panish Prime Minister June from the conservative the parties that brought him to proposed by the government, be abuse of 37 girls under his care stating that the church was re- in Poland too there are cases Pedro Sanchez’s minor- Mariano Rajoy after a surprise power in June, including Cata- it snap elections this year, next from a court in the city. sponsible for the crimes of one of sexual abuse of children and Sity government, which no-confi dence vote, has up until lan separatist parties which year, or whenever they decide”, On completion of his sentence, if its priests. young people by some mem- is struggling to pass its draft now vowed to stay in offi ce un- have so far steadfastly refused to said Podemos spokeswoman he is to be placed in preventive The Catholic Church world- bers of the clergy and those 2019 budget, would not rule out til 2020 when the next general back the spending plan. Noelia Vera. detention. wide is reeling from crises working in the church. holding an early general elec- election is due. Failure to pass the budget Only the prime minister has The sentence was in line with involving sexual abuse of mi- “We repeat after Pope Fran- tion, a top cabinet minister said However, conservative op- would force the government the power to dissolve parliament what prosecutors had called for. nors, damaging confi dence in cis: ‘The pain of the victims yesterday. position parties have repeat- to roll over this year’s budget, and call a general election. The man’s defence lawyer the church in Chile, the United and of their families is also our Asked about the possibility edly pressed for early elections, which was drafted by the previ- Under Spanish law, Sanchez called for a six-year sentence States, Australia and Ireland pain’,” the bishops said. of the government calling snap arguing that the government of ous conservative government, would have to do so by April 1 at and rejected the demand for and other countries. Pope Francis will meet bish- polls to coincide with Euro- Sanchez, whose party controls and try to pass some of the an- the latest for the vote to be held preventive detention, saying The Polish court of appeal ops from around the world at pean, regional and municipal just 84 seats in the 350-seat nounced measures by decree. on May 26. there were no legal grounds for it. upheld last month a land- the Vatican in February to dis- elections on May 26, Transport parliament, is not viable. “Does it make sense that a The Socialists are leading in During the trial, the accused mark ruling granting 1mn zloty cuss the matter of protection of Minister Jose Luis Abalos said: “When we will have (elec- government which has 84 seats the polls, with 31.6% support, told the court that he had ($260,000) in compensation minors. “Of course, we can’t rule out tions), and we will logically governs by decree ... what would more than 13 points ahead of the been blackmailed into making to a victim of sexual abuse by a More than 5mn people anything.” have elections because we are be sensible would be to hold main opposition conservative underwater videos of the girls Catholic priest, accepting that fl ocked to cinemas across Po- “You can’t venture anything, a democracy, will be known,” elections,” Pablo Iglesias, the Popular Party, according to a aged as young as four. the church was responsible. land in recent weeks to watch between now and May there is a Sanchez said when asked about leader of the far-left Podemos closely-watched survey by state The lawyer of the 34-year-old “We ask God, the victims of a movie called Clergy that de- lot of time,” said Abalos, a heav- the transport minister’s com- party which is the Socialists’ pollster CIS last month. accused read out a statement to abuse, their families and the picts Catholic priests in a high- the eff ect that his client had made church community for for- ly unfl attering light, breaking the initial video out of curiosity giveness for all the harm done box-offi ce records. using another man’s camera. He alleged that this man, his superior, had later threatened Priest blows €120,000 in parish cash ‘Picasso found in Romania may be hoax’ him, insisting that he should make more videos, but the court A Catholic priest in Germany, lured by a get-rich-quick Internet rejected this as a lie. scam, has admitted to embezzling a small fortune from his parish, a Reuters Westerman told NOS on trying to verify the work’s au- The other paintings that were The assault on the girls in the diocese spokeswoman said yesterday. Amsterdam Sunday that he had received an thenticity, could not immedi- stolen were Matisse’s La Li- pools and in changing rooms The preacher in the central Harz Mountains region confessed to e-mail from a Belgian theatre ately be reached for comment. seuse en Blanc et Jaune, Monet’s went unnoticed for two years his congregants at this week’s Sunday mass that he had skimmed company which is staging a play The BERLIN theatre company Waterloo Bridge, London and until parents became suspicious. €120,000 ($137,000) from church funds. painting that Romanian about a famed art forger. in Antwerp, Belgium, which is Charing Cross Bridge, London, The court considered as many “I let myself get snared by crooks on the Internet” who were running prosecutors said on Sun- He said the painting he recov- putting on the play about for- Paul Gauguin’s Femme devant as 200 separate incidents, and a bogus lottery, the 64-year-old clergyman said. “They convinced Aday might be a work by ered appears to have been a for- gery, said in a carefully-worded une fenêtre ouverte, Meijer De the police investigation turned me to transfer money to them several times.” Pablo Picasso stolen in 2012 is gery hidden as part of an elabo- tweet that it had “brought back” Haan’s Autoportrait and Lu- up video recordings in the man’s The spokeswoman said the priest had turned himself in to the more likely a forgery created as rate hoax. Tête d’Arlequin in a new frame. cian Freud’s Woman with Eyes home. police and his bishop, Gerhard Feige. a publicity stunt, Dutch media Separately a former curator of On its website it said it would Closed. The man, who has no previous He is to pay back the total sum he stole and lost and “accept the reported. the museum that owned the real “be back with more details on A Romanian man and several convictions, worked as a consequences of the state and the church”, Feige said on Sunday. State broadcaster NOS cited Tête d’Arlequin, or Harlequin’s this issue within the next few accomplices were convicted of freelance teacher for three The bishop stripped the priest, whose name was not released, of author Frank Westerman, who Head, told Dutch television that days” and listed links to reports the theft in 2013, but none of the diff erent swimming schools in the his post on the parish board in the town of Ballenstedt and said he helped locate the painting in based on photos he had seen of of the discovery of the painting. artworks have been recovered. southwestern state of Baden- would take further disciplinary measures. Romania’s Tulcea county after the painting found, it appeared The real Picasso was stolen Romanian experts believed at Wuerttemberg between 2015 and But it was not immediately clear whether the priest would lose his an anonymous tip, turning it to be a forgery. from an exhibition in Rotterdam least three of them were burned 2017. job – a decision that will be taken by the parish after the bishop over to Romanian police on Sat- Romanian prosecutors, who in one of the art world’s most in an attempt to destroy evi- He has been in jail for more than makes his recommendation. urday. said on Sunday that they were dramatic heists. dence. a year pending trial. Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, November 20, 2018 INDIA

TRANSPLANT TRIAL DATA BREACH JUDICIARY POLITICS Organs of brain dead Court wants Lalu’s presence HC grants more time to Court rejects plea seeking Manipur CM hits out girl save three lives through video conferencing UIDAI to file response to restrain Swamy’s tweets at ministers, off icials

The liver and kidneys of a 13-year-old brain- A Delhi court yesterday sought former railway The Delhi High Court yesterday allowed the Unique A New Delhi court yesterday dismissed Congress Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh yesterday dead girl were transported through a 170km- minister Lalu Prasad’s presence through video Identification Authority of India’s appeal seeking leader Motilal Vora’s plea seeking to restrain asked some ministers and senior off icials to resign long green corridor to Kolkata, saving three conferencing in a money laundering case related more time to file a response on a plea seeking Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian if they are not concerned about people’s welfare. lives, off icials said yesterday. “The organs of to the 2006 IRCTC hotels maintenance contract. exemplary damages for the losses caused due Swamy’s tweets on the ongoing National Herald Biren Singh was visibly angry as only a handful Madhusmita Bayen were transported from Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj asked the Central to leakage of Aadhaar data. A bench of Justice case. Vora, in his plea, has alleged that Swamy is of ministers, MLAs and off icials were present at a Durgapur Mission Hospital in West Burdwan Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement S Ravindra Bhat and Justice Prateek Jalan listed trying to influence the proceedings and doing function held at the banquet hall of 1 Manipur Rifles district to Kolkata’s SSKM Hospital through a Directorate (ED) to present him on December 20 the matter for February 14 for further hearing. character assassination of the accused by in Imphal. The spacious hall was empty except for green corridor on Sunday night. The distance through video-conferencing. He is being treated The court was hearing a plea filed by Shamnad tweeting. Swamy denied the allegations. Swamy some elected members and off icials. Biren Singh covered was nearly 170km,” a doctor said. While for various ailments at the Rajendra Institute Basheer through advocate Siddharth Aggarwal had filed a complaint about ‘cheating’ in the said that the government had started giving due the two kidneys were transplanted into Abhishek of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi. He was alleging that the dissemination of personal acquisition of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), respect to all those little known and unsung heroes Misra and Mithun Dalal early yesterday, the in Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Central Jail after being information of Aadhaar holders made it clear that which published the National Herald newspaper, who had done so many things for the country. He liver was received by Sanjit Bala, admitted in convicted in December 2017 in the fodder scam. the government was responsible for any breach of by Young Indian, a firm in which Congress leaders said that some Nagas from Manipur had been sent the same hospital, the doctor said. Madhusmita Later, he was shifted to RIMS for treatment. The right to informational privacy. The petitioner has Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi each own a 38% on exile to Kalapani along with prince Kullachandra had slipped into coma a few days ago and Delhi court was hearing a case related to alleged said his constitutional rights have been violated stake. Swamy had accused them of allegedly of Manipur during British occupation. He also was declared brain dead on Saturday. “The irregularities in the allotment of contracts of due to the negligence of UIDAI. Citing the Supreme conspiring to cheat and misappropriate funds by recalled the leadership of former prime minister transplants were successful. The recipients have the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corp Court’s judgment, the petitioner said when the paying only Rs50 lakh, by which Young Indian Pvt Indira Gandhi in maintaining the country’s integrity been kept under observation for the next 72 (IRCTC) hotels in Ranchi and Puri in 2006 to a state violates the constitutional rights of a citizen, Ltd obtained the right to recover Rs90.25 crore and her role in “Operation Blue Star” to flush out hours,” the doctor added. private firm. courts may award compensation. which AJL owed to the Congress. Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in 1984.

Malaria cases drop 70 protesters by 24% in India, arrested as says WHO

IANS New Delhi Sabarimala ndia has been identifi ed as the top country marking Imaximum progress in reduc- ing malaria cases among the 11 highest burden countries, reg- istering a 24% decrease in 2017 row deepens compared to 2016, according to a World Health Organisation Agencies rested late Sunday had been pro- senior IAS offi cer, who later be- (WHO) report. Pamba, Kerala testing against a ban on spending came a legislator with us and According to the WHO World the night on the hilltop around then moved on to greener pas- Malaria Report 2018, India is the temple. tures, I am only a simple political the only high-burden country olice arrested at least 70 Devotees, many shirtless in activist. But he should not have moving in a positive direction, people taking part in pro- line with the tradition followed said things without knowing with Odisha emerging as the Ptests around the fl ashpoint by pilgrims, chanted mantras as facts,” Surendran said. best performing state in its fi ght Sabarimala temple, as a plea was they faced off with police. Alphons said he would inspect against the disease. made to the Supreme Court yes- “What the police has done is how the state has utilised the Rs- The report suggests that ma- terday seeking more time to fol- wrong. I am here with other lo- 1bn relief fund from the central laria cases declined from 323,800 low an order to let women enter. cals to protest against the arrest government. “I will go around in 2017 (January-September) to The temple has become a ma- of devotees,” Raghunathan Nair, the temple town to make sure 55,365 in 2018 for the same dura- jor battleground between right- one demonstrator said. how the funds have been used.” tion, along with a drop in deaths to wing Hindu groups and gender He was one of more than 100 Surendran said: “It’s true that single digits in Odisha. activists. people who protested outside a the Centre has sanctioned Rs100 “Through innovations, such Tens of thousands of pilgrims police camp, where all the ar- crore for various projects in as improving healthcare worker have thronged the hilltop shrine rested devotees were being held Sabarimala and the deadline for skills, expanding access to di- since it reopened on Friday amid before their court hearing. implementing it ends in July 2019. agnostics and treatment and unprecedented security. Dozens of women took part in Moreover the unprecedented strengthening data collection, “We arrested 70 devotees af- protests, all chanting mantras fl oods saw close to Rs19 crore of Odisha is doing what it takes to ter overnight protests around and slogans. work in progress in projects get- fi ght this preventable but deadly Sabarimala,” V N Saji, assistant Federal minister K J Alphons ting washed away in September. disease,” the WHO report said. commissioner of police, said. criticised the state government What happened in the temple However, the report suggests The area has been increasingly for the action. premises last night was a takeo- that 1.25bn Indians still remain tense with Hindu organisations As news spread about the ar- ver by the RSS goons. The police at the risk of getting diagnosed and Prime Minister Narendra Mo- rests, protesters assembled near pleaded with them to return as it’s with malaria. di’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s against the law to remain there. According to the WHO, ap- opposing the Supreme Court or- residence in Thiruvanathapuram It was only after they refused to proximately 70% of the world’s der to let girls and women in the and shouted slogans. move that the police acted.” malaria burden is concentrated 10-50 age group in the temple. “I fail to understand why the Opposition Congress leader in 11 countries - 10 in sub- There have been several pro- Kerala police has clamped pro- Ramesh Chennithala said it was Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso, tests and strikes. hibitory orders. This is not the most unfortunate that pilgrims Cameroon, Democratic Repub- Many pilgrims going to way things should be handled. are held in police custody and lic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Sabarimala have also com- Sabarimala pilgrims are not ex- the state government should re- Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, plained about restrictions on tremists. You cannot use force lease them at the earliest. Uganda and United Republic of their movement during the new in this place,” Alphons said in “The prohibitory orders Tanzania) and India. clampdown. Nilackal, before heading to the should be withdrawn immedi- In 2017, 151mn malaria cases The Kerala government sent shrine. ately as there is no need for it. and 274,000 deaths were re- thousands of police to the region Minister for Devasoms (Tem- Vijayan has made a complete ported in these 11 countries. fearing a repeat of pitch battles ples) Kadakampally Surendran mess of the Sabarimala pilgrim- The report also reveals a pla- around the temple in October, said it was not pilgrims but right- age season as the police is cre- teauing trend in the number of when the shrine fi rst reopened wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak ating havoc and has turned the people aff ected by malaria - in after the Supreme Court ordered Sangh (RSS) goons who had taken temple town into a terror zone. 2017, there were an estimated the lifting of a longstanding ban over the shrine, and defended the Vijayan has lost control and he 219mn cases of malaria com- on women. arrest of the protesters. should demit the Home portfo- pared to 217mn the year before. Hindu activists protest following the arrest of devotees at Sabarimala temple, in Kochi yesterday. Police said many of those ar- “Unlike Alphons who was a lio,” said Chennithala.

Congress, NGOs to stage rally New machine aims to end sewer death shame

AFP seeking Parrikar resignation New Delhi

IANS Parrikar has been in and out happen or not,” Lobo added. undreds of “manual Panaji of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, Lobo’s comment comes on scavengers” die each New York and Delhi for nearly a day when a leading national Hyear cleaning out sewers nine months. daily published a story quoting in cities across India but a ma- he opposition Congress He returned from New Del- a letter from the federal Law chine unveiled for yesterday’s and several NGOs will hi’s All India Institute of Medi- Ministry to the Mines Minis- World Toilet Day could help to Tjoin a rally in Panaji to cal Sciences on October 14 and try, that the central Mines and end that tragic record. demand the resignation of ail- has not moved out of his private Minerals Development and Thousands of mostly low- ing Goa Chief Minister Mano- residence. Regulation Act, which man- caste people are employed in one har Parrikar, an organiser of the Apart from the opposition, dates auctioning as the only of the world’s dirtiest jobs unc- march said yesterday. which has been demanding his route for allotment of iron logging human waste from un- “The march will be held to- resignation for several months ore mining leases, cannot be derground pipes. morrow. Social activist Rajan now, cabinet ministers from amended - as requested by the More than 1,300 have died, Ghate, who is on an indefi nite the ruling alliance conceded Goa government - to facilitate mainly suff ocated, in the past hunger strike, will lead the on Saturday that Parrikar’s ab- renewal of the state’s mining three years, according to the Su- march to Parrikar’s residence sence from offi ce had brought leases to existing lease holders. labh International charity. in Dona Paula. The march will the state administration to a The letter, according to the The men are called “manual be attended by NGOs, leading standstill. news report, was sent to the scavengers” because they mainly individuals and some politi- Meanwhile a ruling Bharatiya Mines Ministry last month. scrape the waste with their bare cal parties, including the Con- Janata Party legislator said Par- The Congress has already hands without any protective gress,” organiser Aires Rod- rikar will address the media in upped the ante on the issue, gear or masks. rigues, a lawyer, told reporters. three days to clear the air over accusing Parrikar as well as the The machine launched by Su- Goa Congress president the ongoing mining impasse in state BJP of trying to hide the labh injects high pressure water Workers scrub a sewer cleaning machine on a truck before its unveiling during an event to celebrate Girish Chodankar confi rmed the state. fact that the Law Ministry had into the tunnels and tanks and World Toilet Day in New Delhi yesterday. his participation. “I think chief minister should already rejected the chief min- then collects the waste with a Ghate has been on a hunger come out and tell properly. He ister’s request for amendment. mechanical bucket operated the sewers was “demeaning”. no person will die in the sewers engers” clean out primitive non- strike for the past four days is the right person because he is Mining in Goa was banned in from ground level. “We hear so often the tragic any more.” fl ush toilets with basic tools, at the Panaji city square, de- the minister of mines and CM February this year by the Su- A remote control inspec- news about sewer workers losing Lawmakers have passed sev- although the practice is now on manding that Parrikar, who is of state,” Michael Lobo, the as- preme Court, faulting the state tion camera generates high- their lives,” he said. eral laws aiming to stamp out the the wane. suff ering from advanced pan- sembly deputy speaker, said. government for irregularities resolution images of the sewer “This machine can safely age-old practice of manual scav- Pathak also unveiled a giant creatic cancer and has been un- “In the next two, three days in granting second renewals of system. clean the waste matter and it will enging, the latest in 2013. Indian-style toilet pot to raise able to attend offi ce for several the chief minister will address 88 mining leases, while also di- Bindeshwar Pathak, the Su- gradually make manual scaveng- But many scavengers are still awareness about sanitation in a months, resign and hand over a press conference and tell recting the state government to labh International founder, ing redundant. used through subcontractors. country where some 150mn peo- charge. whether it (mining) is going to allot fresh mining licences. said that forcing humans into “With this machine we hope In rural areas, women “scav- ple do not have home toilets. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 20, 2018 19 INDIA CAG report on note ban to be ready before budget session

IANS table the report in parliament. ambit of the national auditor to tabled in the budget session,” a outside the CAG’s audit jurisdic- the above statement but there is a crisis of credibility for the in- New Delhi Last week, 60 retired bureau- audit the Reserve Bank of India source said. tion, it was well within its rights no sight of the promised audit stitution. crats had written to the CAG, (RBI) or even the public sector He said the fi ndings will be a to seek audit of the fi scal impact report on demonetisation,” the “In the past, the CAG has been alleging that the report on de- banks, it was looking at issues part of Report Number 1, which of the decision, especially its im- former bureaucrats told the CAG criticised for nitpicking and fo- he Comptroller and Audi- monetisation was being “delib- which had a bearing on demon- is always presented in the budget pact on tax revenues. in their letter. cusing on trivial issues on the tor General (CAG) is au- erately” delayed to not “embar- etisation and on the impact that session. He said the audit report would “An impression is gaining one hand, and for audit over- Tditing the impact of the rass” the central government till arose out of the disruptive ac- “But there is no full-fl edged cover linkages of demonetisa- ground that the CAG is deliber- reach on the other. But there was controversial demonetisation next year’s Lok Sabha elections. tion, executed on November 8, budget session this time. We will tion with the public exchequer, ately delaying its audit reports never any occasion to accuse the on India’s economy and may Calling it an “unconscionable 2016. send it when the report is due. expenditure on printing of notes, on demonetisation and the Ra- CAG of being infl uenced by the complete its report on it before and unwarranted delay”, they “We don’t audit RBI. That Whether they (the government) RBI dividend to the Consolidat- fale deal till after the May 2019 government of India or having to the budget session of parliament said there was no sight of the is out of the ambit of the audit. lay it (on the table) or not, that ed Fund, and the huge amount of elections so as not to embarrass remind it about the timely per- early next year. audit report on demonetisation We don’t have a mandate to au- is a diff erent thing,” the source data generated by banks and the the present government,” they formance of its constitutional However, sources said since promised by the previous CAG dit RBI or even the public sector said. Income Tax Department in the said. duties,” they said in the letter. it will not be a full-fledged Shashi Kant Sharma over 20 banks. Issues which have a bear- Former CAG Sharma had said wake of the ban on Rs1,000 and They added that the CAG’s Apart from the audit report on budget session with 2019 be- months ago. ing on demonetisation, those are in March last year that while Rs500 currency notes. failure to present the audit re- demonetisation, the report on ing an election year, it is not Sources in the CAG offi ce said being looked at and that comes demonetisation per se was a “It is more than 20 months ports in time may be seen as a Goods and Services Tax is also clear if the government would that while it was outside the in the report which is usually banking and money supply issue since the previous CAG made partisan action and may create due during the budget session. Last phase of Chhattisgarh elections to be held today

IANS chief minister, later fl oated his Raipur own outfi t and aligned with the BSP and the Communist Party of India - is perceived to impact the three-way contest is in poll battle where the vote share the offi ng as Chhattis- diff erence between the BJP and Agarh goes for the second the Congress was less than 1% and concluding phase of assem- in 2013. bly elections today for 72 seats In 2013, the BJP with 41.04% spread across 19 districts. vote share won 49 seats, while The ruling Bharatiya Janatga the Congress got 38 with a Party wrestling it out with the vote share of 40.29% in the opposition Congress and the 90-member assembly. Ajit Jogi-Mayawati-led alliance Among the prominent faces Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu speaks to reporters as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other leaders look on yesterday. emerging as a formidable third in fray in the last phase are state front. Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel A total of 1,079 candidates are (Patan), Leader of Opposition in the fray, and both Congress in the assembly T S Singh Deo and BJP are contesting all the 72 (Ambikapur) and former fed- seats. eral minister Charandas Mahant The Mayawati-led Bahu- (Shakti). jan Samaj Party (BSP) is in the For the BJP, the list includes Opposition to meet before fray for 25 seats and its ally and state ministers Brijmohan former chief minister Jogi’s Janta Agrawal (Raipur City South), Congress Chhattisgarh (J) is Rajesh Munat (Raipur City contesting from 46 seats. West), Amar Agrawal (Bilaspur), The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Prem Prakash Pandey (Bhilai Aadmi Party (AAP) has fi elded Nagar), Dayaldas Baghel (Nawa- candidates in 66 constituencies. garh) and state party president parliament session: Naidu Polling will be held from 8am Dharamlal Kaushik (Bilha). to 5pm in all 72 seats where an For the alliance, Jogi is in the IANS compulsion” for the senior op- tect the nation. Those who are institutions in the country in- Congress supremo, said she has electorate of over 15mn, includ- fray from Marwahi, his wife Kolkata position leaders to join hands to opposing BJP will join together, cluding the Central Bureau of invited Naidu for her proposed ing over 7.7mn male and over Renu Jogi is contesting from protect the nation. discuss everything and chalk Investigation, the Income Tax opposition party meeting here 7.6mn female voters are eligible Kota, while his daughter-in-law Echoing his views, Baner- out a programme to go forward,” Department and the Reserve in January next year, which was to exercise their franchise. There Richa Jogi is a BSP nominee from he much talked about jee said the meeting of anti- he said. Bank of India are under threat confi rmed by the TDP chief. are nearly 1,000 voters from the the Akaltara seat. meeting of parties op- BJP parties would be held after Naidu, whose TDP was ear- while the nation’s economy is at “We are grateful that he has third gender. The high-decibel poll cam- Tposed to the Bharatiya Ja- campaigning in the assembly lier an ally of the BJP, has met a standstill. come here. I invited him also for Elaborate security arrange- paign which ended on Sunday, nata Party to strategise against elections and before the start a spectrum of leaders includ- “We have to protect the in- the January 19 meeting. We are ments including use of helicop- saw Prime Minister Narendra the ruling party in the next Lok of the winter session of parlia- ing Congress president Ra- stitutions...you name any in- discussing the matters for the ters and drone have been put in Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Sabha elections has been post- ment. hul Gandhi, Nationalist Con- stitution, they are under severe country’s interest and earlier, we place for the polls to take place at Chief Minister Raman Singh and poned, senior leaders said yes- “The meeting to be held on gress Party’s Sharad Pawar, pressure and threat. Be it the also discussed so many things. over 19,000 polling booths and his Uttar Pradesh counterpart terday. November 22 has been post- Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s CBI, Income Tax, RBI every in- Today, we discussed in detail over a 100,000 security person- Yogi Adityanath raising the pitch The meeting may now be poned due to the ongoing elec- M K Stalin, National Confer- stitution is under threat. Even about the next future plans. nel have been deployed. for the party. held after the current assembly tion campaign. We want to meet ence’ Farooq Abdullah, former the petrol and diesel prices are When the meeting will be decid- For the Maoist-aff ected Gar- For the Congress, which look- elections and before the start before the next parliamentary prime minister and Janata Dal increasing, there is infl ation, ed, we will discuss the plan of ac- iaband, Dhamtari, Mahasamund, ing to unseat the BJP, president of the winter session of parlia- session. We are in discussions (Secular) chief H D Deve Gow- the whole nation’s economy is tion. We are working and speak- Kabirdham, Jashpur and Balram- Rahul Gandhi led from the front ment, Andhra Pradesh Chief about it. The date of the meet- da and Bahujan Samaj Party at a standstill,” he said. ing together,” Banerjee said. pur districts, extra security ar- targeting Modi and the Raman Minister Chandrababu Naidu ing will be announced soon,” chief Mayawati to forge a front Asked if Mayawati, who has Responding to a question re- rangements have been made. Singh government over corrup- and his West Bengal counter- Naidu told reporters following against the ruling party and had refused to be a part of the “ma- garding who would be the face Carved out of Madhya Pradesh tion and agrarian distress. part Mamata Banerjee said in the two leaders’ meeting at the proposed a meeting of opposi- hagatbandhan” if the Congress of the proposed grand alliance in 2000, the state where the BJP Besides fl aying Modi for de- Kolkata yesterday. state secretariat Nabanna here. tion parties to be held in New is included, will be considered of opposition parties, Baner- is in power since 2003 is wit- monetisation, Gandhi also dared Claiming that democracy “Democracy in the country is Delhi on November 22. as an ally, Naidu said, “All these jee said, “Everybody will be the nessing a three-way poll battle the prime minister to speak up in the country was in danger, in danger. So there is a demo- Terming the meeting with things, we are going to discuss. face of this mahagatbandhan for the fi rst time. over the Rafale deal which the Naidu, who is also the Telugu cratic compulsion for us to join Banerjee as successful, Naidu We are in touch with Mayawati (grand alliance).” Naidu inter- Jogi - who ruled the state for Congress calls to be India’s “big- Desam Party (TDP) chief, said together. It is the responsibility said fi ghting together has be- ji along with everybody else.” jected to say that “all of us are the fi rst three years as a Congress gest defence scam”. that there was a “democratic of us, the senior leaders to pro- come necessary as all major Banerjee, the Trinamool senior to Modi”. Modi inaugurates new CBI offi cer alleges Doval, Haryana expressway

CVC link in bribery case IANS Modi dedicated the KMP Ex- Gurugram pressway, also called as Western Peripheral Expressway, to people IANS Detailing his interrogation the court, Congress spokesman from Sultanpur village in Guru- New Delhi of Manoj Prasad, a middleman Randeep Singh Surjewala said rime Minister Narendra gram district. arrested in the Asthana case, “democracy was in peril and Modi yesterday inaugu- “Our government has un- Sinha said in the petition: “As constitution in danger”. Prated the Kundli-Manesar dertaken the massive expan- he Congress yesterday per Manoj Prasad, Dineshwar “Deeply shocking revela- section of the Kundli-Manesar- sion of highways and railways targeted Prime Minister Prasad, father of Manoj, retired tions have surfaced in public Palwal (KMP) Expressway in in the country to bring more TNarendra Modi after a as Joint Secretary, R&AW, and domain, which puts a question Haryana, and said it would help development. Everyday, 27km senior Central Bureau of Inves- has close acquaintance with... mark on Prime Minister Modi, in reducing traffi c pollution in of highways are being made,” tigation offi cial alleged in the NSA Ajit K Doval. the functioning of PMO, allega- the national capital. Modi said. Supreme Court that National “This was one of the fi rst tions of bribery against a minis- The 136.65km long six-lane Taking a dig at the previ- Security Adviser Ajit Doval and things Manoj claimed on be- ter and NSA helping the accused expressway, which will provide ous government, Modi said the Central Vigilance Commissioner ing brought to CBI HQ and ex- and CVC being named in these an alternative route to motorists Bharatiya Janata Party govern- K V Chaudhary had interfered pressed complete surprise and murky dealings,” Surjewala told to go towards Uttar Pradesh and ments (in the Centre and states) in the investigation against CBI anger as to how the CBI could reporters. Rajasthan, will help in easing were determined to get work ex- Special Director Rakesh Asthana pick him up, despite his close “The assertions have been traffi c fl ow, especially of heavy ecuted and completed compared facing bribery charges. links with the NSA Doval. made under oath before the Su- vehicles, through Delhi. to earlier when projects would In his application seeking “Prasad claimed that recently preme Court by someone who Haryana Chief Minister just linger on. quashing of his transfer to Nagpur his brother Somesh and Samant has been privy to relevant docu- Manohar Lal Khattar said the “Work was going on on this on the dramatic night of October Goel helped the NSA on an im- ments and they expose the stench expressway would lead to more (KMP) expressway for 12 years. 23, CBI offi cial M K Sinha , who portant personal matter. He of corruption that pervades the development of the National You should have got this ex- was probing the Asthana case be- further claimed that India opted Modi government,” he said. Capital Region (NCR). He said pressway 8-9 years back. It was fore being shunted out, also alleged out of a contest from Interepol. Besides urging the court to the 83km Kundli-Manesar to be used during the (2010) that a “few crore of rupees was Regarding genuineness of this order a separate probe into the section was completed four New Delhi Commonwealth paid to Union Minister of State for claim of Manoj, no attempt was allegations made against the top months ahead of the revised Games. This shows the work Coal and Mines Haribhai Parthib- made to verify the claim regard- Modi government offi cials and deadline. culture of the previous govern- hai Chaudhari” by Sana Sathish ing the NSA,” said the petition. ministers, the Congress leader The 53km Palwal-Manesar ment which encouraged delays Babu, a witness in the case against Expressing alarm over the as- said the party will raise the issue Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the expressway section was inaugurated in April and wastage of public money,” meat exporter Moin Qureshi. sertions made by Sinha before in parliament. yesterday. 2016. Modi said. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, November 20, 2018 PAKISTAN

Federal Service Tribunal to be able PM Imran hits back to hear appeals

Internews there would be two jurisdic- Islamabad tions of the tribunal – original and appellate. The FST will entertain rou- after Trump ‘tirade’ he Pakistan Tehreek-e- tine service petitions under its Insaf (PTI) government original jurisdiction. AFP/Reuters/DPA ualties in this war & over $123bn transcript of the interview. Tplans to restructure the A judgment, decree and or- Islamabad/Washington was lost to economy. US ‘aid’ was Bin Laden was found to be hid- Federal Service Tribunal (FST) der of sentence issued by the a miniscule $20bn,” Khan tweet- ing in the Pakistani city of Ab- in order to reduce burden on FST will be challenged in the ed yesterday. “Our tribal areas bottabad, where he was killed in the high courts and the Su- tribunal. rime Minister Imran Khan were devastated & millions of ppl a raid by US Navy Seals in 2011 preme Court. Such a mechanism is already hit back yesterday at US uprooted from their homes. The in an incident that sent relations The proposal to empower in place in the high courts, PPresident Donald Trump’s war drastically impacted lives of between the wayward allies to a the FST to hear appeals against where a two-member division claim that Islamabad does not do ordinary Pakistanis.” new low. orders related to service peti- bench hears an appeal against “a damn thing” for the US, call- He also noted that Pakistan Critics have said US aid over tions is among the 100-day an order of a single-member ing on the US leader to name an continues to provide the US with the years to Pakistan has not agenda of the law and justice bench. ally which has sacrifi ced more supply lines into Afghanistan, yielded desired strategy goals for ministry. The minister expressed the against militancy. adding: “Can Mr Trump name Washington, something Trump The FST was constituted hope that by providing the “Record needs to be put another ally that gave such sac- seems to have taken on board as under Article 212 of the Con- right to appeal within the FST, straight on Mr Trump’s tirade rifi ces?” he moves to cut assistance, al- stitution to adjudicate matters the burden on the Supreme against Pakistan,” Khan, a former Instead of making Pakistan “a ready reducing payments worth relating to the terms and con- Court would be reduced since World Cup cricketer, wrote in scapegoat for their failures”, the some $800mn. ditions of civil servants. the grievance of the petition- a series of tweets defending his US should do a serious assess- “They were just one of many The primary objective of the er or the federal government country’s record in Washington’s ment of “why the Taliban today countries that take from the establishment of the tribunal would easily be addressed in war on terror. are stronger than before”, he con- United States without giving was to provide an independent the tribunal. The US president gave an in- cluded. anything in return. That’s END- and autonomous forum for ad- Currently, 4,456 cases are terview to Fox News Sunday in Trump also told Fox News ING!” Trump wrote on Twitter judication of disputes relating pending adjudication in the which he said he cancelled as- host Chris Wallace that Al Qaeda yesterday. to government employees. FST headquarters in Islamabad sistance worth hundreds of mil- Prime Minister Khan: Can Mr Trump name another ally that gave chief Osama bin Laden had lived Pakistan denies support- The tribunal has its head- and its camp offi ces in Lahore lions of dollars to Pakistan earlier such sacrifices? “beautifully in Pakistan and what ing Afghan Taliban insurgents quarters in Islamabad, with and Karachi. this year because “they don’t do I guess in what they considered a waging war against US-backed two camp offi ces in Lahore and An FST offi cial said that un- anything for us, they don’t do a Washington has long pres- along the border between the two nice mansion, I don’t know, I’ve troops in Afghanistan, and Is- Karachi. der the proposed amendment, damn thing for us”. sured Islamabad to crack down countries. seen nicer”. lamabad has also always rejected Headed by a chairman, the the employees of corporations The friction threatens to fur- on militancy, accusing Pakistan Pakistan, which joined the US “Living in Pakistan right next claims that offi cials aided bin FST members, who are experi- and autonomous bodies who ther worsen already fragile re- of ignoring or even collaborat- war on terror in 2001, says it has to the military academy, every- Laden. enced administrators, district approach the high courts may lations between Islamabad and ing with groups which attack paid the price for the alliance. body in Pakistan knew he was Khan did not respond to and sessions judges or senior also fi le petitions in the FST. Washington. Afghanistan from safe havens “Pakistan suff ered 75,000 cas- there,” he said, according to a Trump’s bin Laden comments. advocates of high courts, are The tribunal charges no fee appointed by the president. from appellants/civil serv- At present, a civil servant ants for fi ling appeals or other can only fi le a petition against documents. an adverse order by their re- However, a nominal of Rs100 spective departments or min- as cash security and Rs60 per Scepticism over istries. respondent as cost of service. Since the existing law is ap- The cash security is refund- parently not suffi cient to ad- able. dress grievances of civil serv- Litigants are also allowed to Empress Market ants and employees working in argue their cases themselves corporations and autonomous without hiring the services of bodies, they tend to approach an advocate. the high courts for relief. The offi cial, however, said in ‘beautifi cation’ plan While the FST has no ap- case the law is amended, there pellate jurisdiction, the gov- would be a sharp increase in ernment servants or the fed- the number of cases, and in Internews glass pane of the clock tower has eral government fi le appeals order to decide these cases, Karachi been damaged. Also, stone is a against the tribunal’s orders in the sanctioned number of FST porous material, and it ‘breathes’, the Supreme Court. members would have to be in- so chemicals must not be used on Clause 3 of Article 212 says: creased. n the past few weeks, thou- it. “An appeal to the Supreme At present, there are 10 sands of shopkeepers of the “There needs to be a step-by- Court from a judgment, decree, members in the FST, including IEmpress Market in Pakistan’s step analysis of the building … order or sentence of an admin- the chairman. Karachi have witnessed the de- immediate therapy is not needed istrative court or tribunal shall The Establishment Divi- mise of their livelihood after the as the building needs a proper in- lie only if the Supreme Court, sion has recently approved two Supreme Court directed the au- vestigation.” being satisfi ed that the case more seats for the FST. thorities to take action against Sandblasting makes building involves a substantial question Lawyers who deal with FST encroachments, resulting in their vulnerable, she said. of law of public importance, cases termed the proposed shops being razed. “Cleaning an old building is grants leave to appeal.” amendment a positive devel- Now heritage experts have not always bad, but the methods According to Federal Law opment, but some senior bu- raised alarm over the govern- used can be disastrous. Sand- Barrister Farogh Naseem, the reaucrats are of the opinion ment’s decision to start a mission blasting is a particularly destruc- government has proposed an that it would be counterpro- of sandblast cleaning the stone tive process, and has long been amendment to the FST Act to ductive since the FST members materials of the heritage monu- an ongoing discussion for peo- empower the tribunal to hear cannot make decisions with ment. ple who are concerned with the appeals as well. the same impartiality and in- Without any input from his- preservation of old buildings. Naseem said the FST’s juris- dependence as judges of the torians, urban planners, and “Studying precedents from diction would be expanded and superior courts. heritage consultants, the “beau- South Asia, many projects have tifi cation” plan of the iconic been denied approval because British-era structure to restore they used sandblasting or oth- its original shape has been de- er destructive techniques that A worker uses a sandblasting technique to clean the British-era Empress Market building, constructed nounced and labelled as “vandal- damaged historic buildings,” she between 1884 and 1889, in Karachi. ism and insensitive”. explained. Sharifs’ silence to Architect and heritage con- The current intervention boils heritage consultant for legal and explained that such conserva- rect conservation methods.” sultant Marvi Mazhar severely down merely to beautifi cation, professional advisory for on-site tion projects should be based on Similar interventions have criticised the move by the gov- she said. interventions. pre-intervention research and by been done before on the Empress ‘avoid problems’ ernment: “Who are the people “There are just very basic “There is a need to document evaluating the state of preserva- Market as a result of which the working on the building? Were guidelines and regulations in the and develop a condition survey tion of the existing building. problems of the stone have ag- they given workshops on how law on how to go about with re- report of the current condition of However, none of this was gravated, she said, adding: “The Internews was adopted in view of the to deal with heritage? Is there a gards to preservation of heritage the building so that a strategy can done by the Karachi Metropoli- approach is always cosmetic as Lahore general elections. committee which knows and has buildings in the province. be developed for its usage and tan Corporation (KMC) or the with other heritage projects in Nawaz Sharif and Maryam a plan about what restoration will “With regards to Empress project planning for the future. Sindh government. Sindh. All over the province there Nawaz have kept out of the look like? Did they even docu- Market, was there a condition “Also, workshops heritage “According to the Sindh Cul- has been bad restoration work ormer Sindh governor spotlight since the suspension ment the building before this survey report developed post- awareness should be held to train tural Heritage (Preservation) Act, done by government-based or- Mohamed Zubair has of their sentence in the Aven- brutal ‘preservation’?” encroachment removal drive? Do artisans and craftsman to work listed heritage buildings, such as ganisations.” Fclaimed that former fi eld case back in September. She explained how the recent they have internal and external on heritage buildings.” the Empress Market, require a The Empress Market in previ- prime minister Nawaz Sharif Their silence was perceived interventions seem to be devoid reports on the building which Professor Anila Naeem, head scheme of interventions: a pro- ous interventions was plastered and his daughter, Maryam Na- in political circles as an out- of archival and on-site research, will help in developing preser- of the architecture and planning posal needs to be sent to the her- with cement which caused ex- waz, are staying silent because come of a “deal with certain which in no way will increase the vation strategy? The question of department at the NED Univer- itage committee for review, and tensive stone damage; a few years they do not want any problems quarters”. lifespan of the building to last minimal damage to historic fab- sity of Engineering and Technol- then a no-objection certifi cate later the same was done again, out of the court. The PML-N has associ- another 20 years. ric is critical at this point.” ogy, questioned the rushed inter- (NOC) has to be issued. arbitrarily, without involving ex- He said the two are fi ghting ated the duo’s silence with the It has been a few days since the Mazhar put forward sugges- ventions by government offi cials “In the case of the Empress perts. their cases in the courts and do death of former premier’s wife, government’s latest intervention tions on what the government at the Empress Market. Market, an NOC has not been is- The recent interventions on not want any problems, adding Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, who to clean the building, she said, must immediately do. Naeem, who is also a member sued. From the looks of it, there the Flagstaff House saw similar that they do not want to off end died on September 11, explain- adding: “Gushing water was fi rst “They must develop an Em- of the technical committee for also seem to be no conservation restorations techniques in which certain stakeholders. ing that the two would observe used to wash the building, which press Market heritage consult- heritage on Sindh, which comes architects involved, and the KMC a yellow colour was used which Zubair said that the silence a 40-day period of grief. broke the windows. Even the ant committee and appoint a under the culture department, team has no idea about the cor- destroyed the look of the build- should not be misconstrued as However, Sharif and Mar- ing. resulting from a deal. yam have remained silent be- 200 more shops razed in Karachi in city authority’s anti-encroachment campaign “Diff erent categories of stone He shared that Pakistan yond the 40 days. deterioration need diff erent rem- Muslim League – Nawaz Senior PML-N Rana Sanaul- As part of the grand operation to remove heavy Nearby, on the road connecting Preedy Street, During his visit to various parts of Saddar, he edies; it is not the same for the (PML-N) is giving the incum- lah insisted that the two are not encroachments in Saddar and adjoining areas of another 50 shops were razed. interacted with people in the area and inspected entire building. Cleaning of stone bent government time so that silent out of any fear, adding Karachi, the authorities demolished 200 more He said more than 20 off ices along with an inter- the proceedings. technically needs mapping and it can function and deliver on that leaders of their stature do shops, a restaurant and a bus terminal yesterday. city bus terminal, called Shalimar Bus Adda, were Off icials said the citizens thanked the mayor for analysis of stone damage. promises made to the people not speak without reason. “No encroachment can be allowed on city pave- demolished. removing encroachments in Saddar and bring- “However, colour or sand- before elections. He said they will address the ments, roads and parks after clear instructions of A restaurant and eight shops built on the ing the iconic Empress Market to its original blasting tends to be the go-to With regard to speculation public when the party runs a the Supreme Court,” said Mayor Wasim Akhtar, footpath near Bambino Cinema on Aga Khan III shape. conservation techniques for his- of a change in Nawaz Sharif’s campaign against the govern- who is spearheading the anti-encroachment Road, and more than 20 shops near the Saddar Akhtar admits that there is resistance to the toric buildings in Karachi and narrative, Zubair said that ment. operation. Fire Station, were also demolished. eff orts, but noted that there is always opposition other parts of Sindh,” she added. Sharif and Maryam would not Sanaullah added that they He said the country’s worst and hardest en- “The operation continued for several hours when one did something good. The idea of a bazaar, which is a change their narrative. would address the public when croachments were removed in Saddar with the today, in which our teams have torn down more “Most shopkeepers and traders have co-oper- very signifi cant part of local cul- He said that that narrative the time is right. help and co-operation of various civic organisa- than 200 shops, a restaurant and a bus termi- ated in this campaign and vacated the space in ture, is also being dissolved with tions, and law enforcement agencies. nus,” Rehman said. front of their shops or distanced from drains, ideas being fl oated by govern- “That is why this action is smooth and continues He said the operation entered its third week footpaths and parks after receiving notices from ment offi cials that restaurants or Government to initiate mental health without hurdles. The removal of encroachments yesterday, and “we still need a great deal to ac- the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), for art galleries will be established, will continue in other neighbourhoods of the city complish this task”. which we are thankful to them.” apart from other commercial programme for women in prison as well without any leniency and discrimination.” Off icials said that the removal of encroachments He said it is the duty of the KMC to bring the activities, within the Empress He asked shopkeepers to take away their along both tracks of the Karachi Circular Railway glory of the teeming city back, which needed Market. The human rights ministry has decided to start female mental belongings put on footpaths, or risk the wares is also being planned. joint eff orts from all citizens. Instead of celebrating the con- health programme for women in prisons. being confiscated, and “you, yourself would be They said the encroachers had created a mess Rehman said that the removal of encroach- cept of a bazaar, which is prac- A ministry off icial said that the new programme would provide responsible for the loss”. for pedestrians and earning millions of rupees. ments is being carried out peacefully without tised in so many other parts of assistance to the female prisoners facing mental health issues. Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Saifur Rehman “We will bring Karachi into its original shape for discrimination. the world and attracts thousands He said that the government is also planning a campaign to create said that 122 shops, illegally built on the storm- which we already have the support of citizens He said although there was some resistance at of tourists, heritage experts say awareness regarding the mental health issues. water drain behind the Rainbow Centre along and traders community,” said an upbeat Mayor some places, the situation was overcome with that an alien concept is being He said that by improving mental health and providing a conducive Sohrab Katrik Road, were demolished. Akhtar. the help of the police and paramilitary Rangers. forced upon the cultural fabric of atmosphere to female prisoners, they would be able to become Karachi. active, contributing members of society. Gulf Times Tuesday, November 20, 2018 21 PHILIPPINES Duterte’s call to end ‘adventurism’ in South China Sea

Manila Times Manila

resident Rodrigo Duterte has called on nations to desist “adventurism” in PSouth China Sea, as he reaffi rmed the importance of peace and stability in the dis- puted sea, Malacanang said a day before Chi- nese President Xi Jinping’s state visit. Duterte made the call during the recently concluded 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Members of the Manila Police District bomb squad take security measures in Manila for the upcoming Summits in Singapore, where he urged his state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. fellow Southeast Asian leaders and their dia- logue partners to refrain from carrying out acts that may further escalate tensions in the disputed sea. “In his national statement, the president Courts, govt offi ces in Manila to reaffi rmed the need to maintain and promote peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overfl ight in the South Chi- suspend work over Xi visit na Sea and stressed the need to exercise self- Duterte: wants nations to end adventurism restraint and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation,” Malacañang said South China Sea, President Duterte called on ket and largest source of imports, and the Manila Times to lay a wreath at the Rizal 2005. In a statement, Palace in a statement. all parties to work together for the early con- second largest source of tourists. There has Manila Monument in Rizal Park upon spokesman Salvador Pan- “The president asserted that aggressive clusion of an eff ective and substantive CoC,” been a surge of interest for private invest- his arrival. elo said the visit would be a moves by nations can worsen the situation it added. ment in each other’s countries, and interac- All motorists from the “turning point” in both coun- with damage that could be exponential. The In an op-ed piece published in Philippine tions between our cultural groups have been cting Chief Justice An- northern part of Manila and tries’ histories. president urged stakeholders to desist from newspapers ahead of his two-day state visit, frequent,” he said. tonio Carpio has can- intending to use the Roxas Panelo said the relations adventurism in the South China Sea,” it add- President Xi said Manila and Beijing should “More and more Philippine fruits are com- Acelled work in all courts Boulevard’s southbound lane between Manila and Beijing ed. The Philippines is the country co-ordi- “make the South China Sea a sea of peace, ing to the dining table in Chinese households, in Manila today, following the should take A Soriano, go “surged forward the vision- nator for the Asean-China dialogue. friendship and co-operation.” and a growing number of Philippine scenic suspension of classes and city straight Magallanes Drive, ary leadership of President Manila, one of claimants to a number of “We need to deepen political mutual spots are being included in the itinerary of government work in the capi- turn right to P Burgos, and go Duterte.” features in the disputed waters which it calls trust to sustain the growth of China-Phil- Chinese tourists. China fi rmly supports the tal for the state visit of Chi- straight to Lagusnilad (Taft “China is now considered the West Philippine Sea, scored a victory ippine relations. China wishes to work with Philippines’ fi ght against drugs and terror- nese President Xi Jinping. Avenue). a top trading partner of the against China in 2016 before a United Na- the Philippines to draw up blueprints for ism and its post-confl ict reconstruction ef- Carpio’s order effectively All vehicles from FB Har- Philippines, a leading export tions-backed tribunal that invalidated Bei- our future relations with a broader per- forts in Marawi, thus contributing to peace cancelled work in the Su- rison Street should turn right market for the Philippines, jing’s “nine-dash line” claim to the vital sea spective, and strengthen strategic commu- in the country. In the face of disasters, our preme Court, the Court of to P Ocampo or go straight and one of the largest tour- lane. Under Duterte’s leadership, however, nication on bilateral ties and major regional two peoples have stood together and come Appeals and all trial courts to Mabini. All vehicles from ist origins to the Philippines,” the Philippines has refused to fl aunt the vic- and international issues. We need to prop- to each other’s help, writing new chapters in Manila, including the Ma- Jones, McArthur and Quezon Panelo said. tory and antagonise China, in exchange for erly handle differences through friendly of friendship between our two countries,” he nila Regional Trial Court and bridges going to Roxas Boul- He then lauded Xi’s efforts better economic ties with the world’s second consultations, enhance dialogue and co- added. Manila Metropolitan Trial evard via P. Burgos should go to promote peace and stability largest economy. operation on maritime issues, and make the Malacanang noted that during the Asean Courts. The regular en banc straight to Taft Avenue. Other in Asia through dialogue and Duterte, as country co-ordinator for South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship meetings, “the Philippines clearly articu- or full-court session of the route diversions have also consultations in handling the Asean-China dialogue relations, maintained and co-operation that truly benefits our lated its principled position on the need for a Supreme Court today was also been issued. West Philippine Sea (South that a code of conduct (CoC) in the South two peoples,” Xi said. rules-based order in the region while under- cancelled. Malacanang yesterday said China Sea) issue. China Sea should be implemented at the The Chinese leader noted that “Since scoring the imperative for security and sta- Several roads in Manila will the visit of President Xi to the “Indeed, amity solves in- soonest time possible. President Duterte took offi ce, China and the bility as necessary conditions for sustained be closed from 6am today. country would be an oppor- ternational disputes and even “He (Duterte) reaffi rmed Asean and Chi- Philippines have re-engaged in dialogue and growth and development.” The Manila District Traffic tunity to “further strengthen forges a more powerful alli- na’s shared commitment to the full and ef- consultation for the proper handling of the It said the president emphasised the need Enforcement Unit (MDTEU) and sustain our bilateral rela- ance between both countries fective implementation of the Declaration South China Sea issue.” to sustain Asean eff orts toward building a warned motorists of heavy tions with the foreign coun- against threats to security, in- on the Conduct of Parties in the South China “Our relations have now seen a rainbow “resilient and innovative” region, while un- traffic and advised them to try.” cluding terrorism, violent ex- Sea,” the Palace said. after the rain. In just a little more than two derscoring the need for developing relations take alternate routes as the Xi’s visit will be first time tremism, criminality, and the “While noting the steady progress in the years, China has become the Philippines’ with dialogue partners based on “mutual re- Chinese leader was scheduled by a Chinese leader since drug menace,” he said. negotiations on a code of conduct in the largest trading partner, largest export mar- spect for sovereignty.”

Suspected Clean-up campaign President dismisses IS-allied three social welfare militants department offi cials killed By Ralph Villanueva nomination was rejected by Manila Times the Commission on Appoint- ments last year. DPA Last week, Duterte said he Manila resident Rodrigo Du- would sack a government of- terte has fi red three fi cial upon his return from Pleft-leaning undersec- the Association of South East wo suspected Islamic retaries at the Department of Asian Nations and the Asia- State-allied militants Social Welfare and Develop- Pacifi c Economic Co-oper- Twere killed yesterday in ment (DSWD), the agency said ation Summits in Singapore a shootout with police and sol- yesterday. and Papua New Guinea, re- diers in the southern Philippines In a statement, the DSWD spectively. while transporting a homemade said Undersecretary for Pro- Just last month, Duterte bomb, police said. tective Programs Mae Fe sacked Labor Undersecretary The shootout began when the Templa and Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod, a former Ana- suspects opened fi re at security for Promotive Programs Mar- kpawis party-list representa- forces as they passed a check- ia Lourdes Turalde-Jarabe tive and a political detainee point in Tacurong City in Sultan stepped down from their posts during the Marcos regime. Kudarat province, 967 kilome- on November 14 following National Anti-Poverty tres south of Manila. “orders from Malacanang.” Commission chairman Liza Troops chased the vehicle and Hope Hervilla, undersecre- Maza, a former Gabriela cornered the suspects, trigger- tary for the department’s dis- party-list representative, re- ing the fi refi ght that killed the aster response management signed in August this year af- two militants, police said in a Employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways clean a portion of the Araneta Underpass in Cubao, Quezon City, group, resigned on the same ter the president terminated report. The military and police where the paint had been blackened by soot. day, the DSWD said. peace talks between the gov- had set up checkpoints in the Executive Secretary Salva- ernment and the Communist province after receiving infor- dor Medialdea, in a message Party of the Philippines. mation that militants allied with to reporters, said Rolando Former Kabataan party-list the Islamic State terrorist group Bautista, the former Philip- representative Terry Ridon would be transporting impro- pine Army chief appointed as was kicked out by Duterte vised explosive devices. the new head of DSWD, re- from the Presidential Com- Police investigators confi scat- quested the personnel chang- mission for the Urban Poor in ed a homemade bomb, a pistol, Rebel leader visits army HQ es. December last year for alleg- a submachine gun and a black “We expect the new secre- edly excessive travels. Islamic State fl ag from the sus- tary to bring his own team to Duterte has fi red a number pects’ vehicle, the report said. DPA the partnership forged between ed military installations and entity in Mindanao. Galvez said provide better services to the of government offi cials since Last year, IS-allied militants Manila the two forces while working camps. And to be very candid, he assured Murad that even if he public,” he said. June 2016 because of excessive laid siege to the southern city of for peace in the southern region during those years of war, I have is scheduled to retire soon, the Medialdea denied that the foreign trips, as well as cor- Marawi, triggering a fi ve-month of Mindanao. thought only of destroying or military will remain committed exit of the three DSWD offi - ruption. battle that killed more than he leader of the largest The MILF has been fi ght- neutralising military camps,” he to pursuing peace and develop- cials had something to do with The list includes former De- 1,200 people and displaced over rebel group in the south- ing for an independent Islamic added. “I never imagined dur- ment in Mindanao. their political inclinations. partment of Interior and Lo- half a million people. Tern Philippines visited state in Mindanao since the ing those dark days that I will “The armed forces of the It was for the “formation of cal Government chief Ismael Troops killed the leaders of the yesterday the headquarters of late 1970s, but signed a peace one day step inside a military Philippines, being a dynamic a good team,” he said. Sueno; National Irrigation siege, including Isnilon Hapilon, the country’s military for the agreement with the Philippine camp and be feted with this ex- organisation, will keep chang- Assistant Secretary Glenda Administration chief Peter the head of the notorious Abu fi rst time since he joined the government in 2014 after dec- ceptional honour by what used ing leadership, but rest assured Relova of the Offi ce of the Sec- Lavina; Social Security System Sayyaf group and the reported insurgency more than four dec- ades of confl ict which has left to be our adversary.” that it will continue to sup- retary assured the public that commissioner Jose Gabriel leader of IS in South-East Asia. ades ago. thousands dead. During his visit, Murad met port the peace process with the the delivery of DSWD services “Pompee” Lavina; Maritime The Abu Sayyaf group has been Ebrahim Murad, chairman “More than four decades with armed forces Chief of MILF,” he said. would continue. Industry Authority Admin- blamed for some of the worst ter- of the Moro Islamic Liberation ago, I walked out of a university Staff General Carlito Galvez to The creation of the new Bautista replaced Judy istrator Marcial Quirico Am- rorist attacks in the country as Front (MILF), said his visit to without completing my engi- discuss security co-operation Bangsamoro Autonomous Re- Taguiwalo, a left-leaning aro 3rd and Commission on well as high-profi le kidnappings Camp Aguinaldo in Manila was neering degree,” he said. ahead of a plebiscite next year gion was a key provision of the former University of the Phil- Higher Education chief Patri- and hostage beheadings. a “concrete manifestation” of “Since then, I have avoid- to establish a new autonomous 2014 peace agreement. ippines professor, whose cia Licuanan. Gulf Times 22 Tuesday, November 20, 2018 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 Zverev, Khachanov can challenge the big guns in 2019 It has been a long time since the world of tennis excitedly discussed the prospect of a young crop of tyros springing up to threaten the domination Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and to a certain extent Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka have had on the game for more than 15 years. Indeed there have been young players who have impressed occasionally, but most of them faded into obscurity after picking up a few titles without really TB, NCDs, and the making an impact on the Grand Slams. A few, like Marat Safi n, who won the Australian Open in 2005, and Juan Martin del Potro, who was the US open champion in 2009 are notable exceptions, having picked up a major each, but even they couldn’t reach lessons of HIV their full potential for a variety of reasons. But as we bid adieu to 2018 and prepare to welcome preferences of patients. Such novel are achieved, HIV will no longer be a margin solutions to high-volume, low- the new season, there are expectations that tennis By Elizabeth Radin, Miriam Rabkin, and Wafaa El-Sadr models of care also relieve the burden public-health threat by the year 2030. margin profi t models. As a result, these fans can expect a tumult in the established order of New York of large numbers of patients on health Setting targets is useful for eff orts reduced the cost of annual HIV things. While it can be argued that the “Big Four” facilities and health workers. benchmarking progress and identifying treatments from more than $10,000 per For example, in several countries, coverage gaps. For example, in many patient in 2001 to less than $100 in 2016. are anyway on their way out due to age and health- lobal health is once again in stable patients who prefer to visit their countries, the largest gap in the Likewise, controlling TB and NCDs related issues, there can be no denying that there are the spotlight. In September, health-care provider less often receive coverage of HIV services is in diagnosis, will require making medications more at least two players who can steal their thunder in the United Nations General multi-month supplies of medications. particularly of men and young people. convenient and aff ordable. While the GAssembly convened two In South Africa, where as many as As a result, many programmes now TB response has leveraged strategic 2019. high-level meetings – one on ending 4.3mn people with HIV are receiving off er new options to reach these groups, partnerships to expand coverage, They are Alexander Zverev and Karen Khachanov, tuberculosis (TB), and the other on treatment, prescriptions can be refi lled such as confi dential workplace testing large gaps remain, the largest being fi ghting noncommunicable diseases at pharmacist-managed vending and self-testing. Another gap is among treatments for children and patients who this month (NCDs). It was the fi rst time ever that machines. In Lesotho, where people populations that are disenfranchised with drug-resistant TB. For NCDs, created a sensation the UN featured two health crises so may live hours from a health facility, and stigmatised in some countries, such companies like Novartis, Pfi zer, and Federer, Nadal by winning two of the prominently on its annual agenda. HIV testing is off ered in the home and, as men who have sex with men. the Indian drug maker Cipla have made But with these discussions now for those found to have HIV infection, Targets along the cascade could be eff orts to bring aff ordable medicines to and Djokovic biggest tournaments over, the global health community community treatment is supported by similarly benefi cial for controlling TB patients in Africa. But while donations outside of the Grand must focus on securing the necessary local health workers. and NCDs. The Stop TB Partnership, may help stimulate initial demand, a have dominated Slams. political commitments to sustain A similar approach could be taken for example, has proposed 90-(90)- more deliberate market approach will international co-ordination and for TB and NCDs. For TB, this might 90 treatment goals for the disease, be needed to achieve price reductions. the game for While Russian planning. One model worth emulating mean longer gaps between checkups although they have yet to be widely A multisectoral coalition launched in Khachanov won the in the fi ght against both TB and NCDs is for patients who adhere to treatment adopted. For NCDs, the focus is on 2017 could help drive effi ciencies, but it more than 15 the approach taken to confront the HIV and show no signs of drug resistance, achieving UN Sustainable Development will need additional support to succeed. Paris Masters beating epidemic. while those experiencing side eff ects or Goal 3.4, which calls for a one-third Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, years Djokovic in the fi nal, Since 2001, when the UN General who require more complex treatments reduction in premature deaths from Director-General of the World German Zverev last Assembly hosted its fi rst meeting on could receive more intensive care. such illnesses by 2030. But the latter Health Organisation, recently called HIV/Aids, the trajectory of the disease Likewise, patients with well-controlled goal is not disaggregated along the on governments to increase their Sunday, captured the season-ending ATP Finals, has shifted dramatically. Today, NCDs who show no symptoms and are NCD care cascade of diagnosis and leadership and investments in health with Djokovic again the runner-up. some 22mn people living with HIV doing well on medications may need treatment. For example, it would be systems to fi ght TB and NCDs. But The 21-year-old Zverev has been talked of as the are receiving treatment. As a result, only occasional visits to a health- useful for programmes to monitor how while more resources are no doubt annual Aids deaths have fallen by half care provider, while those with more many people with high blood pressure needed, they must be accompanied leader of a pack of hungry young tyros ever since he – from 1.9mn in 2003 to 940,000 in complicated cases could benefi t have been diagnosed and placed on by sound strategies that engage was a teenager. 2017 – while the rate of new infection from closer medical monitoring and treatment, what proportion of those communities, guide programming, and But so far he has fl attered to deceive at the majors – has decreased by nearly half in several counselling. on treatment have achieved blood- scale up prevention and care. Best of of the hardest-hit countries. Eff orts Second, HIV programmes succeeded pressure control, and what treatment all, with the Aids response blueprint with a run to the quarter-fi nals at this year’s French to control TB and NCDs – which, like in part because they established goals level would be required to reduce already in hand, there is no need to Open the only time he has made it past the fourth HIV/Aids, place a heavy burden on low- for the entire “cascade of care” – from premature deaths by the desired target. reinvent the wheel. – Project Syndicate round of any of the four Slams. and middle-income countries – can diagnosis to treatment. Finally, the Aids eff ort was able to leverage the lessons learned from the For example, the “90-90-90” expand as a result of strong advocacy zElizabeth Radin is Lecturer in He already has 10 titles under his belt including response to HIV. targets set by the Joint United Nations and collaborations that reshaped Epidemiology and Technical Director of the ATP Finals and three Masters crowns but it was Three lessons in particular stand Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAIDS) – in markets for diagnostic and treatment the PHIA Project at ICAP at Columbia out. First, as the global Aids response which 90% of people living with HIV programmes. By forecasting medication University. Miriam Rabkin is a professor the manner of his win against Djokovic at London’s expanded, it faced the dual challenge of have been diagnosed, 90% of those needs, aggregating orders, and promoting of medicine and epidemiology and O2 Arena – overpowering the relentless Serb 6-4, including hard-to-reach communities diagnosed with HIV are on treatment, competition, in combination with intense Director of Health Systems Strategies 6-3 – that caught the eye on Sunday, a day after he while continuing to support a growing and 90% of those on treatment are advocacy, policymakers and providers at ICAP at Columbia University. Wafaa number of patients receiving treatment. virally suppressed – helped focus were able to secure market effi ciencies. El-Sadr is Professor of Epidemiology triumphed in straight sets against Roger Federer. In response, HIV programmes have the global Aids response. In fact, The resulting economies of scale allowed and Medicine and Director of ICAP at “It’s quite astonishing, winning this title, beating evolved to off er services shaped by the models suggest that if these targets suppliers to shift from low-volume, high- Columbia University. two such players back-to-back, Roger and Novak, in semi-fi nals and fi nals,” he said. Khachanov, 22, also had an excellent 2018, winning the Paris Masters and the ATP 250 events in Montpellier and Moscow. He was the fi rst alternate at the ATP Finals but couldn’t make it as none of the qualifi ers withdrew. There can be no doubt that the emergence of Zverev and Khachanov is just what is needed to spice up men’s tennis.

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File photo of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres addressing the opening segment of the Interactive Civil Society Hearing, part of the preparatory process © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved towards the General Assembly High-level Meeting on Tuberculosis. PICTURE: Cia Pak / UN Gulf Times Tuesday, November 20, 2018 23 COMMENT The Dred Scott of climate change?

By Robert Dugger fi scal and environmental policies, of an inferior order” who had “no Washington, DC Juliana could be the fi rst step toward rights which the white man was bound recognising a similar responsibility in to respect.” Scott, therefore, had no the US. It is a small step, but one that standing to sue in federal court. n 2015, 21 young people between could have far-reaching implications Will Kelsey Juliana, the chief the ages of 11 and 22 fi led a for policy, especially at a time when plaintiff in the federal suit, also be major lawsuit against the US the president and his administration denied? Already, in the US Supreme Igovernment for failing to limit the are actively pursuing policies that Court’s comments about Juliana, there eff ects of climate change. In Juliana eff ectively loot the next generation. are echoes of Dred Scott. v. United States, the plaintiff s argue And, indeed, US President Donald Ultimately, however, the Dred that because they will have to live with Trump’s administration has resisted Scott ruling was out of touch not the repercussions of global warming the case at every turn. only with basic morality, but also for much longer than anyone else, Earlier this year, a lower court ruled with the growing economic and on average, the government’s failure that the case could go to trial, and the cultural power of the North and to protect the environment violates trial was set to begin at the US District the direction of US history. That is their constitutional rights to equal Court in Oregon, on October 29. But what we are seeing today, both in the protection under the law and due in late September, Supreme Court Trump administration’s claims that process. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a Juliana is nonjusticiable, and in US The philosopher Peter Singer temporary stay of the case to consider law’s antiquated failure to recognise points out that this case represents a request from the Justice Department future Americans’ rights to a liveable a historical turning point, because to halt it altogether – a highly unusual environment, unburdened by excessive it addresses the rights of children move. debt. and future Americans to a liveable Fortunately, the Supreme Court Opponents of Juliana, including the environment. But the trial is about decided to deny the government’s politically infl uential energy industry, more than the environment; it will request and let the trial move forward. cynically hope that they can succeed have far-reaching implications for But the Trump administration is not in getting the case dismissed and put intergenerational justice more broadly. giving up: it has now fi led dismissal generational rights in the hands of a Consider the issue of public appeals with the US District Court in deeply divided – and, for powerful debt. There have always been Oregon and the Ninth Circuit Court of vested interests, pliable – Congress. moral objections to one generation Appeals in San Francisco. Like the opponents of emancipation burdening the next with excessive Trump administration attorneys in the 1850s, they count success in debt, eff ectively limiting young insist that the case is “nonjusticiable,” terms of the few months or years people’s future liberty by impinging on meaning that the courts are not the they can continue to benefi t from their ability to form families, educate proper venue to resolve the issues the Constitution’s lacunae. And they children, and create wealth. With US in Juliana; even if this was not the may well be able to hold onto the federal defi cits rising toward $1tn a case, they continue, the plaintiff s past a little longer. When it came to year, the issue is becoming cripplingly lack standing to sue. The US federal abolishing slavery, the US trailed the urgent. courts from the district level up to the United Kingdom by more than 30 years In deciding Juliana v. United States, Supreme Court – all of which have – a delay that only made matters worse the Supreme Court must grapple with US President Donald Trump surveys homes destroyed by the Woolsey fire with California Governor-elect Gavin Newsom, already ruled that the case should go to in the mid-1800s. the fact that the US Constitution first responders and California Governor Jerry Brown in Malibu, California, US, in this November 17 file picture. trial – clearly disagree. But the direction of history is clear. does not explicitly recognise future There are parallels between Juliana v. The tide is turning against permitting citizens. While it was the fi rst of many That might sound reasonable. But unemployable people who will have generations, the state shall protect the United States and the Supreme Court’s living citizens to exploit their children national constitutions to embody if the interests of future Americans difficulty raising their own children natural foundations of life and animals infamous decision in Dred Scott v. and grandchildren. In this sense, the Enlightenment principles that are not protected, powerful actors to become productive adults. by legislation and, in accordance Sandford. Scott, a slave, sued for his whatever the outcome, Juliana v. citizens are equal under the law and today can drain resources from One modern country does recognise with law and justice, by executive and and his family’s freedom in 1857 – eight United States is just the beginning. – endowed with unalienable rights, it the not-yet-born. The result this risk in its constitution: Germany. judicial action…” years before the US Constitution’s 13th Project Syndicate applies those principles only to living is environmental degradation, Article 20a of Germany’s Grundgesetz By demonstrating that younger Amendment abolished slavery. Chief Americans. Future US citizens will unsustainable public debt, and (Basic Law) stipulates that, “Mindful living citizens suff er more than their Justice Roger B Taney ruled that slaves zRobert Dugger is managing partner at have rights only after they are born. generations of under-educated, also of its responsibility toward future older counterparts from short-sighted and their descendants were “beings Hanover Provident Capital.

Rethinking animal agriculture Three-day forecast TODAY from animal cultivation, and as neutral, protein-rich crops, like pulses food and agriculture should be treated Maximum Temperature : 270c By Paul Gilding Minimum Temperature : 210c Tasmania much as 80% of all land in farming is and other legumes. By planting more more like energy and transportation, devoted either to raising animals or to beans, peas, and lentils, farmers both of which have clear guidance on WEDNESDAY growing their feed. There is also the would help combat climate change by how to address climate change and Maximum Temperature : 250c n mid-July, as a brutal drought stubborn reality that eating so many lowering greenhouse-gas emissions, reduce emissions. Policies to limit the Minimum Temperature : 190c decimated crops, some European animals is making us less healthy. and would benefi t from crops that planet-warming eff ects of agriculture THURSDAY dairy and meat farmers were We can do better without great are more resilient to drier, warmer and food production are long overdue. Maximum Temperature : 270c Iforced to cull their herds early sacrifi ce. According to recent research weather. We are two years away from the fi rst Minimum Temperature : 210c by Chatham House, for example, Government support can also be major report to gauge progress under to reduce the number of animals Fisherman's forecast they needed to feed. Such desperate people in developed countries would diverted from factory meat farms the Paris agreement. Countries will decisions will become routine in a accept reducing their meat intake if toward development of plant-based have to show what they have done world where heat waves will be longer, convenient and tasty alternatives were “meats” and other meat alternatives. and what they are doing to cut their WARNING hotter, drier, and more frequent. That available for about the same price. The market for “clean meat” is nascent emissions. But they will leave a huge Inshore : Strong wind expected is why now is the right time to start To be clear, I am not suggesting that but burgeoning, and the public part of the problem untouched if they at places at times a serious conversation about animal everyone should become vegetarian response has been overwhelmingly fail to address the production and Offshore : Strong wind and high/ thunder rain at times agriculture. or vegan (though it is indisputable positive to some of the more advanced consumption of meat and dairy. WEATHER The animal agriculture industry is that these diets are better for the products on the market. Meanwhile, European farmers will Inshore : Moderate temperature not only vulnerable to the observed environment, contribute less to Still, just like the fossil-fuel suff er through more droughts like the daytime with sctd clouds & c of sctd rain and predicted eff ects of climate climate change, and are healthier). Nor industry, meat industry advocates one they endured this summer, as will at places at times. change; it is also a key contributor do I think that governments should have pushed policymakers to block other food producers around the world. Offshore : Partly cloudy to cloudy to the problem. In fact, the farming mandate limits on meat consumption. the mainstreaming of alternatives. It will become harder and harder to with sctd rain may be of animals for meat and dairy But for policymakers who accept that In many countries, lobbyists have farm meat and dairy products, and thundery at times products accounts for 16.5% of global there is little downside and signifi cant even successfully championed the early culls will become the new normal. WIND greenhouse-gas emissions. upside for most people in developed prohibition of meat-based names for As with fossil fuels, our only choice is Inshore : Northwesterly 12-22/25 KT Moreover, if we treated climate countries to reduce their meat intake, plant-based products. For example, to overcome the industry’s defensive Offshrore : Northwesterly 15-25/35 change as the emergency it is and there are plenty of cost-eff ective France recently banned terms like vegan resistance and transform our food KT were serious about slowing the solutions to nudge us in that direction. “burger” and “steak” on the grounds system so that it enables diets that Visibility : 4-8 KM pace of warming over the next 20 For starters, governments can – and that only animal meat could be either. are healthier, cleaner, and every bit as Offshore : 4-7/13 FT Such policies are a clear barrier to delicious. – Project Syndicate years, the proportional infl uence should – stop subsidising factory Around the region of livestock farming would be even farming and the crops that fatten up reducing meat consumption, and they Weather greater. This is because the animal factory-farmed animals for slaughter. contradict countries’ commitment to zPaul Gilding is co-founder of the Weather tomorrow Max/min sector is responsible for a third of all By supporting polluting and inhumane meet their Paris-agreement targets. Changing Markets Foundation, a today Max/min P Cloudy 22/14 anthropogenic methane and two- practices, countries are literally The meat sector’s support for them fellow at the University of Cambridge Baghdad Sunny 22/11 Sunny 23/14 thirds of nitrous oxide emissions – paying companies to undermine the puts it in the same role as the fossil- Institute for Sustainability Leadership, Kuwait CityP Cloudy 22/14 Sunny 24/19 both potent greenhouse gases that trap emissions targets set by the 2015 Paris fuel industry, focused on nothing a former CEO of Greenpeace Manama P Cloudy 24/20 Sunny 28/23 more heat than carbon dioxide. climate agreement. more than its own bottom line. Or can International, and author of The Great Muscat Sunny 29/23 Sunny 16/06 Beyond climate pollution, a Instead, governments can – and producers engage as a positive force in Disruption: How the Climate Crisis Tehran P Cloudy 14/07 staggering 60% of all biodiversity loss should – shift subsidies to encourage the transition away from meat? Will Transform the Global Economy. is attributable to land-use changes the production of more climate- When it comes to climate policy, Live issues Vaccinating against superbugs Around the world By Seth Berkley and Jeremy Farrar often prescribe antibiotics that are brain and lung infections – like should be to ensure universal access, Geneva ineff ective. This, in turn, prolongs the childhood pneumococcal illnesses which will require a huge expansion Weather Weather length and severity of the illness, and and Haemophilus infl uensae type b, in international coordination. A new today Max/min tomorrow Max/min can lead to death. or Hib – have dramatically reduced report commissioned by Wellcome Athens Cloudy 21/16 P Cloudy 21/12 hether you live below the But what if doctors in Pakistan could the disease burden in the US and highlights many further opportunities Beirut Sunny 23/18 P Cloudy 23/18 poverty line in the slums prevent typhoid in the fi rst place? We around the world, lowering the need for vaccines to make a positive impact Bangkok S T Storms 32/26 P Cloudy 33/26 of Karachi or work as a believe they can. Gavi, the Vaccine for antibiotics in the process. Most on global health and AMR. Berlin Cloudy 02/00 P Cloudy 02/-3 Wbanker on Wall Street, Alliance, is helping to distribute a important, while superbugs develop The World Health Organisation has Cairo Sunny 28/16 P Cloudy 28/18 drug-resistant “superbugs” are among new vaccine, and if the immunisation resistance to medications, they do not created a list of deadly pathogens that Cape Town Showers 19/13 Cloudy 18/13 the gravest threats to your health. drive is successful, it will eventually become resistant to vaccines. require new antibiotics, with those Colombo S T Storms 28/24 S T Storms 29/24 But while the problem is ubiquitous, lead to a reduction in unnecessary And yet, despite vaccines’ that cause salmonella, gonorrhoea, Dhaka M Sunny 29/18 Sunny 30/18 we are not entirely defenceless. On antibiotic use, which is the main factor eff ectiveness in the fi ght against AMR, and shigella at the top. But vaccines are Hong Kong P Cloudy 23/21 P Cloudy 24/17 the contrary, in the race to prevent fuelling the rise and spread of deadly we are not taking full advantage of also needed to prevent these diseases in Istanbul Showers 16/13 Rain 17/12 antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the superbugs everywhere. them. For example, global coverage for the fi rst place. To accomplish that goal Jakarta T Storm 32/26 T Storm 33/25 world has a potent if underused tool: Each year, some 700,000 people the Hib vaccine is 72%, but only about – and stave off AMR in the process – Karachi Sunny 33/21 M Sunny 33/19 vaccines. die from drug-resistant infections 44% of the world’s children receive the signifi cantly more money must be spent London Showers 06/02 Showers 07/01 One epidemic currently plaguing worldwide. But superbugs also complete course of the pneumococcal on vaccine research and development. Manila P Cloudy 32/26 S T Storms 31/26 Pakistan illustrates vaccines’ pose a threat to the eff ectiveness of vaccine. Universal vaccination for the By increasing investments now, new Moscow P Cloudy -2/-4 Cloudy 0/-4 potential. For two years, health modern medicine; if left unaddressed, pneumococcal vaccine alone would vaccines will be available to help care New Delhi Fog 29/14 Fog 28/13 professionals have been trying to AMR could make more infections lead to an estimated annual reduction providers stay ahead of superbugs. – New York P Cloudy 09/01 M Sunny 06/-6 contain an outbreak of extensively untreatable, cancer therapies of 11.4 million days of antibiotics for Project Syndicate Paris Snow 03/-2 P Cloudy 06/01 drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid. Cases ineff ective, routine surgeries children under fi ve. Sao Paulo Cloudy 18/16 Cloudy 22/17 linked to Pakistan have even been impossible, and even childbirth Simply put, there is an urgent need zSeth Berkley is CEO of Gavi, the Seoul M Sunny 12/03 S Showers 08/-2 reported among travellers returning unsafe. to increase uptake of vaccines that Vaccine Alliance. Jeremy Farrar is Singapore S T Storm 30/26 T Storm 29/25 to the United States and the United We already know that vaccines help are already available – including for Director of the Wellcome Trust, a global Sydney M Sunny 23/17 M Cloudy 27/18 Kingdom. Unfortunately, diagnosing reduce the risk of AMR. For example, typhoid – and to develop new ones. charitable foundation dedicated to Tokyo Clear 15/10 Clear 16/09 XDR typhoid is diffi cult, and doctors immunisations against bacterial For existing vaccines, the top priority improving health. Gulf Times 24 Tuesday, November 20, 2018 QATAR Qatar Shell inks pact to sponsor Company House

By Joey Aguilar of the sustainable MDD, Msheireb and Company House – form part In this house, visitors saw fi rst- Staff Reporter Properties is committed to social of Msheireb Museums, which tell hand accounts of the men who la- responsibility as a fi xture to the stories of human perseverance boured in this industry, not just to values of human civilisation in and hard work, and how domes- provide for their families, but also sheireb Museums and Qatar.” tic family life was transformed in to lay the foundations for their Qatar Shell signed an He thanked Qatar Shell, a glo- Doha before and after the discov- emerging nation. Magreement yesterday, bal leading energy company, for ery of oil in the country. According to MP, Qatar making the latter the sponsor of its valuable collaboration as MP Part of the of QR20.4bn MDD Shell’s sponsorship of this herit- Company House, one of the four looks forward “to building more project, the museums use modern age building adds great value to heritage houses that were reno- partnerships with such prestig- technology to narrate and share Msheireb Museums — the leading vated at Msheireb Downtown ious national and international some of the ‘great tales’ of Qatar’s cultural destination at MDD. It Doha (MDD). organisations”. past and continue to document was one of the fi rst international The agreement was signed by The agreement will see Qatar oral history from people who want companies which started ex- Qatar Shell deputy general man- Shell supporting the Company to share their stories. ploitation of oil in Qatar and has ager Rashid Majed al-Sulaiti and House and the archive documen- The Company House, which strong eff ort in documenting this Msheireb Properties (MP) acting tation of Qatar’s oil and gas his- encompasses a collection of history. Qatar Shell deputy general manager Rashid Majed al-Sulaiti, Msheireb Properties acting CEO Ali al-Kuwari CEO Ali al-Kuwari, in the pres- tory. It will also contribute in or- equipment and items that were Such sponsorship forms part and senior off icials of Msheireb Museums and Qatar Shell visit the Company House after the agreement ence of Msheireb Museums di- ganising events and programmes used in the oil company at old of Qatar Shell’s Corporate Social signing yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma rector Hafi z Ali. “The agreement aimed at raising awareness on times, was once used as the head- Responsibility programme, sup- with Qatar Shell refl ects Msheireb the importance of this sector and quarters for Qatar’s fi rst oil com- porting various segments and of the Qatar National Vision 2030. We highly appreciate this mission tion eff ort of the Company House Properties’ vision in preserving its impact on the current genera- pany, and tells the story of the sectors, including education, “We have selected Qatar Shell and that’s what motivated us to and activate their programmes the national heritage, which is tions. pioneering Qatari petroleum in- sports, health, culture and the en- because of its successful record sign this partnership,” Ali said. of events to make this museum one of the missions of the com- Four heritage buildings – Mo- dustry workers and their families vironment. It aims to enhance the in documenting history and pre- The Msheireb Museums direc- a major hub which preserves the pany,” al-Kuwari said. “In addi- hamed bin Jassim House, Rad- who helped transform Qatar into a national capabilities and eff ec- serving the national heritage in tor noted that this agreement will important history of Qatar to the tion to our mandate as a developer wani House, Bin Jelmood House modern society. tively contribute to the four pillars the communities it has worked. enhance the archive documenta- next generation. Eighth Katara Traditional Dhow Festival begins today

he Eighth Katara Tradi- the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- for diff erent categories and age sailing vessels and dhows at cluding shipbuilding, ropes, sail public and schoolchildren. An interactive discussions on sea tional Dhow Festival will mad al-Thani, will witness the groups. There will be a variety of Katara, food outlets and other and dredging machine, at a mar- art competition focusing on sea traditions involving experts will Tbegin at Katara beach to- participation of Qatar, Kuwait, sea contests carrying traditional services at the festival. It will ket at the festival. traditions will be held on the add more colour to the festival. day, featuring a rich variety of Oman, Turkey, India, Greece, It- names such as Hadaq, Shoush, also feature pearl extracting During the evenings of Thurs- sidelines of the festival, off ering Impressive fi reworks themed on cultural events, maritime con- aly, and Zanzibar, among others. Tafreesh, Tajdeef, Bareekha, Al from oyster, as well as games and day and Friday, visitors will be impressive prizes. The fi rst prize marine traditions will illuminate tests and traditional shows, along In a press statement, Katara Shira, Sabaha, among others, in workshops for children. Par- treated to traditional maritime winner will get QR30,000 while the Katara sky on Thursday and with a spectacular fi reworks dis- said the organising committee addition to folkloric shows. ticipating countries will show- dances such as Saliya, Kharkhour the second and third prizes of- Friday from 8pm to 8.30pm. The play. The four-day event, under expanded the scope of the ac- Festival-goers will also see a case their traditional maritime and Ghazal. In the mornings, fer QR20,000 and QR10,000, festival will conclude on Friday the patronage of His Highness tivities to make them suitable massive display of traditional craftsmanship and tools, in- the festival will be open to the respectively. A cultural cafe with evening.