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WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11456 February 12, 2020 Jumada II 18, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani participating in Qatar National Sport Day activities yesterday. He His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani taking part in the activities of the Qatar National Sport Day in Lusail joined in a walking exercise at Al Shaqab and also watched a purebred Arabian horse show. Promenade yesterday. Page 20 Amir leads Sport Day celebrations is Highness the Amir Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani, HE various organisations and federations, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa al-Thani, a other dignitaries and Qatari sportsper- Sheikha Moza joins in QF Sport Day celebrations Hparticipated in the activities of number of Sheikhs and ministers and sons also took part in activities organ- the Qatar National Sport Day yesterday horse riding enthusiasts also partici- ised on the occasion. morning along with citizens and resi- pated along with His Highness the Fa- The events held by diff erent organi- dents of the country. ther Amir, QNA said. sations and companies not only raised People of diff erent ages turned out in Meanwhile, Qatar Foundation (QF) awareness of the importance of leading large numbers at the various designated Chairperson Her Highness Sheikha an active and healthy lifestyle but also venues from the early hours yesterday Moza bint Nasser yesterday attended enabled their staff and family members to engage in a wide range of sports and QF’s National Sport Day celebrations. to interact in a casual and cordial en- fi tness activities. The activities were also attended by vironment. Besides, they also allowed Besides individuals, Qatari minis- HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, the public to take part in a wide array of tries, sports federations, various insti- Vice Chairperson and CEO of QF. In ad- sporting activities. tutions and private entities organised dition, some of Qatar’s top sporting fi g- Parks and popular destinations such or participated in the events and activi- ures as well as members of the commu- as Museum of Islamic Art Park, Katara ties lined up to mark the special occa- nity participated in the QF activities. - the Cultural Village, Aspire Zone, Al sion. HE the Prime Minister and Minister Bidda Park, Doha Corniche, among His Highness the Amir took part in of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa several others, saw a huge turnout of walking and jogging exercises on the bin Abdulaziz al-Thani took part in the people from early yesterday. Lusail Promenade with a number of activities of the Ministry of Interior People braved chilly winds to take world champions, Olympic athletes, (MoI), organised by Qatar Police Sports part in various types of sporting activi- a number of Qatari Women’s Sports Federation on the occasion of the coun- ties at these and several other venues Committee players and Aspire Acad- try’s Sport Day, yesterday morning. around Doha and beyond, and children emy students, the offi cial Qatar News He played football at Suhaim Bin Ha- in particular could be seen having a Agency (QNA) reported. mad Stadium, Qatar Sports Club, with great time trying their hand at diff erent His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh a number of senior offi cials and em- games and exercises. Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani also par- ployees of the MoI. He also participated The Supreme Committee for Deliv- ticipated in Qatar Sport Day activities in other sporting activities held on this ery & Legacy marked the occasion by yesterday morning. The Father Amir occasion, with a number of persons opening three public parks at Al Bayt carried out a walking exercise at Al with special needs. Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium and the Shaqab and also watched a purebred HE the prime minister also opened former Al Ersal Station training sites Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, yesterday attended Qatar Foundation’s National Sport Arabian horse show. the Olympic Cycling Lane on Al Khor cluster, which is located in Onaiza, near Day celebrations. The activities were also attended by HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Road yesterday morning. West Bay. Pages 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 19, 20 Foundation. Some of Qatar’s top sport figures as well as members of the community also participated in the activities. Khalifa al-Thani, His Highness Sheikh A host of other ministers, offi cials of Sport Pages 1, 2, 3, 8 PICTURE: AR al-Baker Page 20 In brief Prime minister opens QATAR | Phone talk Amir condoles with Olympic Cycling Lane Chinese president His Highness the Amir Sheikh E the Prime Minister and Qatar Cycling Federation and Qa- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held Minister of Interior Sheikh tar Sports Federation for Special a telephone conversation with HKhalid bin Khalifa bin Ab- Needs. Chinese President Xi Jinping to dulaziz al-Thani opened the Olym- During the celebrations, Ashghal express his condolences and pic Cycling Lane on Al Khor Road announced opening of Al Dayeen sympathy to him and the friendly yesterday morning, as part of his and North Lusail interchanges. Chinese people on the victims of the participation in the activities of the The interchange at Al Dayeen was coronavirus outbreak, wishing the Qatar’s National Sport Day. opened yesterday while the one at infected people a speedy recovery. The prime minister rode a bicy- North Lusail will be opened on Feb- During the call, the Amir also voiced cle along with a number of minis- ruary 14. confidence in China’s ability to ters and officials from Qatar Olym- HE al-Subaie said Ashghal con- control this epidemic, stressing pic Committee and Ashghal, more tinues to secure achievements in dif- Qatar’s support and willingness than 500 cyclists and persons with ferent infrastructure works. to help in this regard. The Chinese special needs. “The Olympic path for cycles will president thanked the Amir for the HE the Minister of Municipal- serve the sport sector while the two support and Qatar’s assistance in ity and Environment Abdullah new intersections will facilitate traf- transporting the epidemic-control bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Sub- fi c movement to residential areas materials via Qatar Airways. The aie, HE the Minister of Culture and many surrounding vital facili- two leaders also touched on the and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin ties,” the minister said. strategic relations between the two Nasser al-Ali and Ashghal presi- Extended over 33km, the 7m countries, expressing satisfaction dent Dr Saad bin Ahmad al-Mu- wide Olympic cycling track will with the level they have reached in hannadi and other dignitaries at- host international sports compe- recent years, and confirmed their tended the function. titions. The track, with 29 tun- determination to develop them in all The event was attended by of- nels and five bridges, has been fields, especially with regard to the ficials and employees from Ash- designed to allow speeds up to Silk Road initiative. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani riding a bicycle along with other dignitaries. ghal, Qatar Olympic Committee, 50km per hour. Page 3 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 QATAR

Off icial Prime Minister participates in Sport Day activities

QNA Doha

E the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Amir greets HSheikh Khalid bin Kha- lifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani par- ticipated in the activities of the Iran president Ministry of Interior, organised by Qatar Police Sports Federa- tion (QPSF) on the occasion of is Highness the Amir National Sport Day. Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- The Prime Minister partici- Hmad al-Thani, His High- pated in a football game that was ness the Deputy Amir Sheikh held in the Suhaim Bin Hamad Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani Stadium in Qatar Sport Club, and HE the Prime Minister and with a number of senior offi cials Minister of Interior Sheikh Kha- and employees of the Ministry of lid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al- Interior. Thani have sent cables of con- He also participated in a gratulations to Iranian President number of diff erent sport ac- Hassan Rouhani on the occasion tivities with people with special of his country’s National Day. needs in the stadium. Foreign Ministry organises several events to mark Sport Day

QNA Doha

he Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised yester- Tday a number of activi- ties on the occasion of Qatar National Sport Day, with the participation of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Moham- ed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi, HE the Secretary- General of the Ministry of For- interest in ensuring healthy life sport is a common language and cultural ties between peo- missions abroad organised vari- eign Affairs Dr Ahmed bin Has- for all people living in Qatar. spoken and communicated by ples, adding that the Ministry ous sporting events on the occa- san al-Hammadi, and a number In press remarks, he said that all, and it also unites peoples be- of Foreign Affairs attaches great sion of National Sport Day. of diplomats, heads of diplo- this importance is refl ected in hind a noble mission. importance to it, especially on The country’s missions in matic missions, ministry’s of- Qatar’s hosting of international For his part, HE the Minister the country’s Sport Day. Australia, Arab League in Cairo, ficials and their families. sports tournaments in recent of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan Held at the Diplomatic Club, Singapore, Bulgaria, Tajikistan, HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- years, as well as its hosting of the bin Saad al-Muraikhi explained the ministry’s activities included Sri Lanka, Panama, Georgia dulrahman al-Thani affi rmed 2022 FIFA World Cup. that sport diplomacy is parallel a variety of sports events. the Philippines, Myanmar and the great importance attached HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Ab- to official diplomacy, pointing Meanwhile, Qatar’s diplomat- Mumbai, India, held several by Qatar to sports because of its dulrahman al-Thani noted that out that it strengthens social ic, consular and representative events to mark the day. Speaker of Shura Council highlights importance of National Sport Day

QNA Doha

he Shura Council cel- ebrated the Sport Day Twith the participation of HE the Speaker Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al- Mahmoud. The activities started with the members and employees of the Shura Council gathering in front of the council building and then staging a march that embodied the lofty goals and meanings of the Amiri decision No 80 of 2011 which dedicated a national day for prac- tising sports, giving the importance of sport and HE the Speaker of Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud taking part in its role in the lives of indi- Sport Day activities. viduals and societies. The Shura Council’s cel- that the National Sport Day Council events, he noted day has become an occa- ebration ended with a vari- embodies the importance of that since 2011 when His sion for everyone to prac- ety of sporting activities in sport in the lives of people Highness the Amir Sheikh tise sports of all kinds, and which the council’s employ- and societies. Tamim bin Hamad al-Tha- a day to constantly remind ees participated. Talking to reporters on ni issued a decision to al- oneself of its importance HE al-Mahmoud stressed the sidelines of the Shura locate a day for sport, this and as a culture.

Minister pays tribute to Kenya’s former president

HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti has expressed his condolences to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on the death of Kenya’s former president Daniel Arap Moi. HE al-Sulaiti paid tributes to president Moi and also attended the funeral service that was held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. Qatar’s ambassador to Kenya Jabr bin Ali al-Dosari also attended the service. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 12, 2020 3 QATAR Ashghal celebrates Sport Day by opening cycle lane, interchanges arking the National Sport Day celebra- Mtions by the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), HE the Prime Minister and Inte- rior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani yesterday opened an Olympic cycling track on Al Khor Road. HE the Minister of Munici- pality and Environment Ab- dullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali and Ashghal president Dr Saad bin Ahmad al-Muhannadi and other dignitaries attended the function. The event was attended by of- fi cials and employees from Ash- ghal, Qatar Olympic Commit- tee, Qatar Cycling Federation and Qatar Sports Federation for Ashghal Projects Aff airs director Eng Youssef al-Emadi detailing the project to HE the Prime Minister and Special Needs and more than Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani. 500 cyclists in addition to peo- ple with special needs. During the celebrations, Ash- ghal announced opening of Al Dayeen and North Lusail inter- Al-Ali praised Ashghal saying been designed to allow speeds and four exits along with four changes. The interchange at Al such projects are implemented in up to 50km per hour. Ashghal has underpasses. The interchange Dayeen was opened yesterday the interest of the whole society. provided fi ve car parking areas will improve traffi c in the area, while the one at North Lusail Al-Muhannadi said Ashghal stretching along the track near as it provides a free traffi c fl ow to will be opened on February 14. is looking to develop sports in- Qatar University, Lusail Station, 28,000 vehicles per hour. Al-Subaie said Ashghal con- frastructure explaining that the Lusail International Circuit, Se- Al Daayen Interchange consists tinues to secure achievements in authority will provide 2,647km maisma Interchange and Al Bayt of two underpasses in Al Khor road diff erent infrastructure works. of pedestrian and cycle paths in Stadium while 1,450 lighting facilitating the vehicles ’arrival to “The Olympic lane for cycles Qatar by 2022. poles have been installed along- Al Daayen and Umm Garn and the will serve the sport sector while He added that Al Khor Road is side the track. These are in addi- surrounding areas. The interchange the two new intersections will almost completed and it’s sched- tion to 80 bike racks, 100 bench- enhances traffi c as it accommo- facilitate traffi c movement to uled to be completed in mid- es and 20 rest areas. dates about 8,000 vehicles per hour residential areas and many sur- 2020, more than two years before Al Khor Interchange with Lu- as it consists of two lanes in each rounding vital facilities,” the the 2022 FIFA World Cup. sail North is vital as it ensures direction. The interchange serves minister said, adding that Al Extended over 33km, the 7m easy access to Lusail Stadium. It many vital services and facilities Khor Road will ensure the de- wide Olympic cycling track will serves Lusail North, Rawdhat Al such as the recreational complex, velopment of adjacent areas by host international sports com- Hamama, Al Kheesa and Wadi Al service centre, Al Daayen Health developing possibilities of in- petitions. The track, with 29 Banat. The interchange consists Center, Al Daayen Municipality and vestment in various sectors. tunnels and fi ve bridges, has of four bridges, two exit loops, other important facilities. The newly-opened Al Daayen Interchange. Katara Sport Day MoI holds several events

he Ministry of Interior director Brigadier General Ab- (MoI) celebrated National dullah Ahmed al-Ansari con- activities a big draw TSport Day by holding sev- fi rmed that the wide participa- eral events and activities along tion of employees of the MoI with Qatar Police Sports Federa- and all members of society on ith the wide participation of minis- tion at Qatar Sports Club. National Sport Day demon- tries, governmental entities and pri- The events were attended by strates their growing awareness Wvate establishments and a huge turn- HE the Director of Public Se- of the importance of playing out, Katara - the Cultural Village Foundation curity Staff Major General Saad sports and its positive reper- organised yesterday a variety of activities during bin Jassim al-Khulaifi , Qatar cussions on their health. the National Sport Day celebration along the wa- Sports Club president Sheikh Capital Security Depart- terfront and Katara Beach, QNA reported. Jassim bin Hamad bin Nasser From the MoI National Sport Day celebrations. ment director Brigadier General General manager of Katara Dr Khaled bin Ibra- al-Thani, Arab and Qatar Police Ahmed Khaled al-Khulaifi said him al-Sulaiti said: “Katara has become a distin- Sports Federations president because of its many benefi ts for strong boost for every citizen and that Sport Day is encouragement guished destination on such occasions consider- Brigadier Khalid bin Hamad all and for the Ministry of Inte- resident who wishes to change his by the state for citizens and resi- ing the facilities and the services it provides to al-Attiyah, and a large number rior in particular as it contributes lifestyle for the better. dents, hoping that this year will the public. We make sure to provide safe condi- of managers and offi cials of the to raising their physical fi tness in Juvenile Police Department be a sporty year for all, indicat- tions so that visitors spend a wonderful time.” MoI and Qatar Society for the performing the tasks entrusted director Brigadier Ibrahim Essa ing that the organisation of Sport Dr al-Sulaiti added: “Every year, we are work- Rehabilitation of Special Needs. to them. The MoI celebrated Na- al-Buainain hailed that the re- Day aims to build a healthy, ad- ing on introducing new happenings, as the activ- The celebrations included tional Sport Day in 12 locations sponse of all institutions, bod- vanced and productive society. ities’ list for this year includes innovative sport- activities and competitions in across the country. ies, citizens and residents to Establishments and Authori- ing activities and new participation of entities football and volleyball, running, Sheikh Jassim expressed his National Sport Day, which con- ties Security Department direc- from the sports, educational or recreational fi eld, walking, and various sports for happiness at the gracing of HE fi rms the extent of the success tor Brigadier General Ali Khajim which makes the Katara Sport Day programme a children. the Prime Minister and Minis- achieved in order to make sport al-Athibi, Industrial Security comprehensive event.” The Director of Public Security ter of Interior and all offi cers of a part of the daily activity and director-general Lt Colonel Seventy government, sports and private enti- highlighted the importance Qatar the MoI for celebrating Sport culture of individuals. Khalifa Mohamed al-Attiyah, ties, including several ministries, offi cial institu- attaches to sports as it supported Day at Qatar Sports Club. Airport Passports Depart- Police Training Institute direc- tions, sports federations, and health centres, as and encouraged all activities re- Major General Mohamed ment director Brigadier General tor Major Ali Saud al-Hanzab, well as private companies. Snapshots from the Sport Day celebrations at Katara. lated to sports such as establish- Ahmed al-Ateeq of the Directo- Mohamed Rashid al-Mazrouei Research and Follow-up De- HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed and supplied ing clubs, playgrounds and youth rate of Passports Department said pointed out that the participa- partment director Brigadier Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari and HE the Minister of centres. “These venues are open the day refl ects the great attention tion of the MoI along with the Abdullah Jaber al-Labdeh Municipality and Environment Abdulla bin Ab- to citizens and residents with the given to sport and its important various ministries, agencies, and Dukhan Security Depart- dulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie visited the Cultural aim of motivating them to prac- role in promoting health and well- and institutions of the state in ment director Major General Village on the occasion, Katara added in a state- tise sport continuously.” being of the individuals and soci- National Sport Day gives it many Abdul-Hadi Dhafer al-Ahbabi ment. Brigadier al-Attiyah stressed ety as a whole, pointing out that noble and uplifting meanings. also lauded the initiative and Abdul Rahman Jassem al-Tamimi, chairman that sport is of great importance National Sport Day represents a Unifi ed Services Department stressed its importance. (QNA) of the organising committee of Katara Sport Day Events, said: “Katara has become a favourite des- tination for sports fans on the Sport Day, because of its various facilities, vast spaces and beach that allow visitors to practice all kinds of sports in a beautiful and enjoyable family atmosphere. MoTC, related entities mark NSD Al-Tamimi stressed the organising commit- tees keenness to the professional organisation of the event and the availability of quality services he Ministry of Transport healthy and sustainable lifestyle. for the public such as providing transportation and Communications QAC director general Sheikh vehicles (club cart) for visitors, especially for the T(MoTC) and transport and Jabr bin Hamad al-Thani said, elderly and people with special needs. communications entities yester- “Qatar paid great attention to Regarding the participation of the Qatar day marked National Sport Day sports and physical activity and Armed Forces, Lt Salem al-Dosari, supervisor of (NSD) 2020, by organising vari- made it one of the priorities and the Qatar Armed Forces website, said: “We have ous events and sports activities centre of interest. The govern- about 70 trainers present at the site to supervise for employees and their families. ment raised the nation’s aware- and provide various sports activities in an enthu- The celebrations were held ness to practising sport activi- siastic atmosphere, and this the fourth year in a at Al Bidda Park under the slo- ties and insists on how essential row that the Qatar Armed Forces participates in gan ‘Be Active’, the MoTC was it is to save the health of the Katara activities on Sport Day”. joined by the Civil Aviation citizen and the resident alike.” Authority (CAA), Communi- From the MoTC celebrations at Al Bidda Park, Qnbn CEO Dr Ahmed Sal- cations Regulatory Authority man al-Sulaiti said, “The allo- (CRA), Qatar Aeronautical Col- tion to sporting and entertain- als and society, as well as an in- cation of a day to sport refl ects lege (QAC), Qatar Ports Man- ing activities for all age groups. vestment in the human capital.” Qatar’s vision of interest in a agement Company (Mwani Qa- The event also featured several For his part, CAA President healthier community by pro- tar), Mowasalat (Karwa), Qatar group games like tug of war, inter- Abdulla bin Nasser Turki al- moting the importance of sport Rail, Qatar National Broadband familial challenges, mind games Subaey said that this initiative and values of sport for its posi- Network (Qnbn), Qatar Naviga- and folklore games for kids. contributes to the dedication tive refl ection on the safety and tion (Milaha), New Port Project On this occasion, Adviser to of sports community concepts health of the individual.” (NPP) Steering Committee, the Minister, Hassan al-Hail and reinforce Qatar’s position “Every year, Milaha celebrates QTerminals and Mada – Qatar said, “National Sport Day re- as a pioneer in the sports fi eld, this special occasion to demon- Assistive Technology Center. fl ects the wise leadership’s vi- pointing to what this initiative strate its unwavering commit- The event opened with ex- sion for human and society de- has achieved over the past eight ment to the advancement of our ercising walking and some velopment. The day represents years, to establish a sport cul- nation’s vision and long-term women’s exercises, followed by an important message for mak- ture and raise awareness among goals,” said Milaha president several sporting activities like ing sport an integral part of the various groups of society of its and CEO Abdulrahman Issa football and basketball in addi- culture and lifestyle of individu- importance in maintaining a al-Mannai. (QNA) Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 QATAR

Health ministry, institutions and authorities celebrate Sport Day he Ministry of Pub- walking exercise in addition tion of all social groups in set of events through nurs- lic Health (MoPH), to a number of exercises and sport activities, while in- ing in schools to spread the Tinstitutions and au- medical examinations for creasing awareness to make culture of the importance of thorities marked National the employees, and a foot- exercise a daily behaviour daily sport among students Sport Day yesterday in order ball match for employees for individuals. and the school community, to encourage employees and of the ministry, HMC and PHCC leaders, employ- and through simple educa- their families to participate PHCC. ees, medical and nursing tional lectures in addition in sporting activities. The minister stressed that staff and their families par- to activities measuring vital The MoPH, Hamad Medi- National Sport Day contrib- ticipated in many health signs, weight and height, cal Corporation and Primary utes to health promotion and sport events in the pub- and examining the percent- Health Care Corporation and emphasises the impor- lic park near the Leabaib age of sugar in the blood organised festive events in- tance of sport and its role in Health Center. given that diabetes and cluding sports and aware- the lives of individuals and Huda Mohsen al-Wahedi, obesity are among the most ness activities on the im- societies, noting that Sport executive director, Cor- common health problems. portance of sport, physical Day is being held as Qatar is porate Communication at For its part, the Public activity and its many ben- preparing to host the 2022 PHCC, affi rmed that many Prosecution participated in efi ts to physical and mental FIFA World Cup and that it events have been planned in the Sport Day with activi- health. supports health. Leabaib Park this year, in- ties held on Doha Corniche, HE the Minister of Public HE Dr al-Kuwari ex- cluding sport matches and in the presence of HE Attor- Health Dr Hanan Mohamed plained that Sport Day dem- health messages relating ney-General Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Kuwari and heads of the onstrates the great interest to proper nutrition, adding al-Mari, a number of dep- health sector participated in of wise leadership in the that there will be a health uty prosecutors and Public an event at Hamad Bin Khal- health and well-being of cit- awareness corner to be run Prosecution employees. ifa Medical City, amid a large izens as a priority, as the ini- by nutritionists to introduce HE Dr al-Marri affi rmed participation of employees. tiative serves healthy goals healthy lifestyles, provide that Sport Day is a creative The event included a through the large participa- medical advice and discuss initiative that attaches great the importance of healthy importance to the sport fi eld nutritional programmes and thanks to the wise leader- physical activity. ship of His Highness the Various vital examina- Amir Sheikh Tamim bin tions will be also provided Hamad al-Thani. by the nursing staff , she In a statement, he said said, noting that these ef- that Qatar has provided all activities, children’s com- rectly on human behaviour sporting events, including year the country’s Sport Day forts come because of a the capabilities and poten- petitions and a lecture on in all areas of his life. the FIFA World Cup tourna- based on the fact that exer- close link between exercis- tials to allow all members yoga and its importance in Celebrating this occa- ment to be hosted in 2022. cising sport is a basic hu- ing regularly and the pre- of society to practice sports the framework of human sion every year confi rms the For his part, NHRC As- man right, and this includes vention of many chronic everywhere in modern in- health behaviour. wise leadership’s interest sistant Secretary-General the right to health and to life diseases such as heart dis- frastructure and facilities, NHRC Vice-Chairman in sports in all its forms, he Sultan bin Hassan al-Jamali itself. ease, diabetes, high blood where many places and fa- Dr Mohamed bin Saif al- added, saying that the in- stressed that the Sport Day Meanwhile, the Center for pressure and obesity. cilities have been allocated Kuwari said many countries terest of Qatar in sports is in refl ects human, social and Empowerment and Care of The event, she said, also for the practice of physical encourage sports but Qatar line with that of the United cultural values and repre- the Elderly (Ehsan) and the includes physical and ath- activity. is the only country that has Nations in the importance sents an important mile- centres under the umbrella letic activities, games and Yousef Saif Buhindi, di- a day dedicated for sports, of harnessing sport for stone during the year not of the Qatar Social Work competitions, in addition rector, Public Relations and in which all groups and seg- sustainable development, only for the purpose of exer- Foundation in co-operation to awareness lectures in Communication at the Pub- ments of society participate, making and building peace cising sports but also for as- with the Qatar Foundation both Arabic and English on lic Prosecution, said Sport and provides open arenas and tolerance, mutual un- sessing and planning sports participated in the Sport sports for the employees in Day is one of the strategic and sports stadiums, parks derstanding and harmony, behaviour during the new Day activities in the park of the PHCC’s main building. pillars set by Qatar within and amusement facilities for while reducing tensions, in- year. the Qatar Foundation. Al-Wahedi concluded by the framework of achiev- exercising sports. equality and prejudice. He described Qatar as the The Sport Day events saying that the corporation ing its National Vision 2030 He pointed out that many The NHRC vice-chair- sport front of the world and were attended by Qatar So- is interested in spreading that is concerned with hu- countries have praised this man praised the great at- its focus in all that related to cial Work Foundation CEO the culture of daily sport- man development and pre- unique Qatari sport initia- tention the State attaches to sport after it hosted inter- Amal bint Abdel Latif al- ing practice among stu- serving the health of the tive and that the NHRC is sports of all kinds and types, national competitions and Mannai, Ehsan Center exec- dents as it is an important individual and society. keen to celebrate this oc- noting that Qatar has re- championships, made suc- utive director Mubarak bin part of their daily life pro- The National Human casion as an offi cial annual peatedly affi rmed its keen- cessive successes and won the Abdulaziz al-Khalifa, and gramme through the vision Rights Committee (NHRC) sporting event to highlight ness to pay special atten- world’s confi dence in hosting a number of managers and and services of the School also celebrated the National the value of sport and its tion to the need to respect the 2022 FIFA World Cup. employees of the centres af- Health Administration of Sport Day by organising physical benefi ts which are human rights standards and Al-Jamali explained that fi liated to the Qatar Social the PHCC that organises a various events and sports refl ected positively and di- laws in organising major the NHRC celebrates every Work Foundation. (QNA)

Qatar Armed Forces mark Sport Day

atar Armed Forces celebrated National Sport Day by organis- Qing competitions that included football, volleyball, basketball, cricket and other games. The celebration was organised un- der the patronage of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mo- hamed al-Attiyah, and in the presence of HE the Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces Lt General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem, HE Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration and Lo- gistics Aff airs Major General (Pilot) Mubarak bin Mohamed al-Kumait al- Khayarin. The activities were attended by sen- ior offi cers, non-commissioned of- fi cers and individuals from all units of the Qatar Armed Forces and the friendly forces, with the participation of the families of members of the Qatar Armed Forces. Staff Brigadier General Yousef Das- ma al-Kuwari, president, Military Sports Association, said that the main objective of these activities is to con- solidate the sporting mindset of mem- bers of the armed forces and urge them to continue practising sports. (QNA) Valentine’s Day 2020 Chopard, partner to the most beautiful declarations Through its creativity, the Maison Chopard, the quintessential deep feelings and shared values. Valentine’s Day offers the declarations. For a wife, a fiancé, a dear friend or indeed anyone who Artisan of Emotions, infuses the act of giving with its noblest watchmaker-jeweller an opportunity to demonstrate the full extent is an object of affection, this uniquely special day gives everyone a meaning: the gifts made to those we love become bonds conveying of its creative genius and to be a partner to the most beautiful chance to express the sincerity of their feelings. Happy Hearts – Chopard’s Big Heart Happy Diamonds Icons – talisman-like dancing diamonds Like an alchemist, Chopard has Mischievous and generous Happy Hearts jewellery perpetually the ability to fashion the shape of the reinvents itself through a multitude of variations and colours, in step heart to create its most accomplished, with the seasons and women’s desires. Chopard’s boundless creativity perfect and proportionate version for has now given rise to new short necklaces joining the collection, the Happy Diamonds Icons. The heart featuring a coloured heart in onyx, mother-of-pearl, malachite or reveals all the Emotion of the Maison, red stone, adorned on either side with two hearts bearing a dancing which pays multiple tributes to those diamond. Likewise, the bangle bracelet, that most iconic expression of who are unafraid to reveal their feelings Happy Hearts, appears in an even more precious version. In addition and express their love. With Happy to its large mother-of-pearl or diamond heart performing a graceful pas Diamonds Icons, a great jewellery de deux with a smaller heart gently framing the impulsive twirls of a classic invites itself into women’s lives. dancing diamond, the bracelet is adorned for the first time with a dainty Whirling between two sapphire crystals, lateral diamond setting. one or three dancing diamonds bring After a first watch presented in 2019, the Happy Hearts collection sparkling life to a new series of short once again welcomes a new timepiece allowing hearts to dance around necklaces in 18-carat white or rose gold, its dial in complete freedom. At the heart of its 30-millimeter steel and either polished or set with diamonds, 18-carat rose gold case, the delightful mother-of-pearl dial provides a completing the collection. They perfect setting for the ballet performed by a dancing diamond and two symbolise the impulses of the heart as dancing hearts: one in 18-carat rose gold and mother-of-pearl, and the well as every move of the women who other in diamond-set 18-carat white gold. wear them like precious talismans.

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L.U.C Chrono One Flyback – the chic chronograph L.U.C XPS Twist QF – the art of extravagance

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Above and. beyond its watch and jewellery expertise, Chopard offers a collection of accessories fashioned from the finest materials by the best Artisans. The Maison’s range of leather goods is now enriched with the Happy Haute Joaillerie – an anthem to rubies Hearts shoulder bag collection. Inspired by this jewellery line, of which the colourful hearts have become the signature of the Maison, two red calf leather In her sketchbooks, Caroline Scheufele, the inspiration behind Chopard Haute Joaillerie, dreamed of highlighting rubies. bags once again celebrate the heart. Within the graceful outline of their heart- Firstly, through an imposing necklace composed of no less than 23 Mozambican rubies and diamonds set in ethical ‘Fairmined’ shaped clasp, the Chopard C performs an eternal dance, radiating the joy of certified gold – a rare form of artisanal gold of which the responsible mining is actively supported by Chopard. Secondly, living that it symbolises through a wave of topstitching in all the colours of the through a ring that the Maison’s Artistic Direction has chosen in order to showcase a beautiful 5-carat ruby in the much- rainbow. A subtle blend of femininity and audacity. coveted pigeon’s blood colour. Carved in the shape of a heart, the stone appears to throb to the rhythm of the passion that For men, Chopard reflects the world of gentlemen drivers through two drives the deepest feelings. An ode to rubies, masterfully composed by the expertise and virtuosity deployed in the Chopard Classic Racing straps in black braided leather featuring a minimalist style Haute Joaillerie ateliers. epitomising timeless luxury. The unmistakable symbol of the Mille Miglia collections, the famous herringbone pattern of 1960s Dunlop tyres, adorns the black and red or black and grey Chopard clasp, ensuring an inimitable sport- chic look. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 QATAR

Italian envoy hails Qatar’s commitment to social development

By Joey Aguilar successful in bringing people Decision No 80, encourages all a rich programme,” the envoy said Italy and Qatar, sport is not only our societies,” Prunas said. “Our Staff Reporter together and refl ects the deep members of the society to take in a statement yesterday. essential to ensure good health countries, as confi rmed in all commitment of the country to part in the nationwide celebra- At his fi rst NSD after recently and well-being among the pop- recent high-level bilateral con- invest in social development and tion aimed at promoting active arriving in the country, the en- ulation, but also to promote in sultations, pay a great attention he high level of participa- human capital, Italian ambassa- and healthy lifestyles. voy said he, together with Italian our communities core values to sport and are keen to increase tion at Qatar’s National dor Alessandro Prunas has said. “I am truly impressed by the embassy staff , enjoyed the many such as discipline, integrity and the level of co-operation in this Italian ambassador Alessandro TSport Day (NSD) proves NSD, held every second Tues- large number of people engaging sports activities organised in Doha inclusion, which are all instru- fi eld to the mutual benefi t of our Prunas. the annual event is extremely day of February under Amiri with enthusiasm and joy in such to mark the occasion. “Both for mental to the positive growth of peoples,” he added. WCM-Q doctor runs more Aspire Zone events draw than 100km to thousands on Sport Day mark occasion By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter doctor and cancer ex- tween body and mind. “So, pert at Weill Cornell the fact that the community atar’s ninth National AMedicine – Qatar cel- joined in the run, despite its Sport Day (NSD) once ebrated National Sport Day diffi culties, really demon- Qagain transformed As- by running non-stop for 24 strates the positive impact pire Zone into a colossal sporting hours. that Qatar Foundation has had venue yesterday, hosting an array Dr Arash Rafi i-Tabrizi, pro- on the psyche of the nation.” of indoor and outdoor events for fessor of genetic medicine in No stranger to ultra-mar- thousands of people to enjoy and obstetrics and gynaecology, athons, Dr Tabrizi has com- experience. took on the gruelling challenge pleted around a dozen of the Aspire Park greeted a large to raise awareness of the ben- extreme races. In 2012 he number of families and chil- efi ts of running and healthy completed the 119km Ultra- dren, as well as groups of friends lifestyles in general. Trail Mont du Blanc race that and individuals, with engaging Supported by Sahtak Awa- follows a mountainous route and fun-fi lled activities as the lan – Your Health First, WCM- through France, Italy and cold and windy weather failed to Q’s public health campaign, Dr Switzerland. In 2014, he com- dampen their spirits. Tabrizi set off from the Green pleted a 360km ultra-mar- Aspire’s popular 2.5km fun run Spine at Qatar Foundation at athon around Qatar to raise kicked off at 8am from The Torch 4pm on Monday, fi nishing at awareness of women’s cancer Doha Hotel to the Khalifa Inter- the same spot at 4pm yester- issues, and in 2018 he fi nished national Stadium, coinciding day, having repeatedly run a the 330km Tour de Geants with several other activities for lengthy route around Educa- through the Italian Alps, participants of all ages and abili- tion City. He estimated that he which saw him run for a total ties. ran around 140km. of 120 hours, fi nally fi nishing Fitness classes at pitch number Dr Tabrizi, who is an ex- 165th out of 850 and having 10 involved cardio step, Tabata, perienced ultra-runner, said, snatched just 12 hours sleep aerobic, grit cardio, spinning, “Running for this distance over fi ve days. interval training, body combat and this length of time is never For the 24-hour Run 4 Your and stretching while fi tness relay easy, but the course is fl at and Health challenge around Edu- included jumping jack, med ball I’ve had a lot of support from cation City, Dr Tabrizi was goblet squat, burpee, push-ups, An array of outdoor activities at Aspire Park attracted a large number of residents. PICTURES: Thajudeen the community which has supported by a number of oth- jump over small and tall hurdle/ been great. er runners and members of the crawl under equaliser/sprint. told to reduce to 82kg, and be- “My primary motivation, public, who each joined him Many Qatar residents, espe- ing active made me well,” he said. though, has been to highlight for a short time. cially children, also took part in “Rugby is my favourite because I the amazing journey over the Another experienced ultra- recreational and sport activities used to play it back home, it is one last 25 years of Qatar Founda- runner, Mohamed Allam, ran (outdoor) such as tug of war, ob- of the most popular sports in Sri tion; a project that is unique in the entire course with him. stacle races, a number of table- Lanka. Here we always play foot- the Middle East. Allam explained, “For me, the top games (dartminton and foos- ball.” “The ideology and goals of most important aspect of this ball), mini archery, 5X5 football Mafais said he is impressed QF, have been transformative event has been to highlight for men and women, taekwondo with Qatar’s “state-of-the-art and have made education a the health benefi ts of run- and boxing practice, the newly- sports facilities” particularly at priority, putting it at the fore- ning. The cardiovascular ben- introduced Run&Bike race, foot- Aspire saying that this was one of front of the nation’s develop- efi ts are obvious, but it also volley for adults and volleyball for the reasons he decided to move to ment. In this context, National helps strengthen the joints, kids, among others. the country. Sport Day is a logical evolution improves bone mass and im- “The sport day in Qatar this Several indoor activities at As- of this, providing a bridge be- proves your mental health.” year is really amazing. I have seen pire Dome, which also formed a lot of events and off erings for all part of Aspire Zone Foundation’s of us,” Sri Lankan expatriate Mo- varied programme of sports ac- Young children take part in hamed Mafais told Gulf Times. “It tivities for NSD, welcomed many various recreational activities at is good, it is wonderful and we are families, including those of Aspire Girls try the mini archery activity at Aspire Park. Aspire Park yesterday. enjoying it together with family Academy, Aspetar and Aspire Lo- and friends.” gistics employees. Table-top He recalled they have been at- Wall climbing, basketball, bad- games tending the NSD celebration at minton, athletics, and 3X3 foot- attracted Aspire Zone for the fi fth consecu- ball matches, among other chal- many tive year. lenges, served as a test of stamina young Compared to previous NSD’s, and endurance for many enthu- visitors. Mafais noted that this year is siasts. “I plan to continue what I unique and said Aspire organised started this sports day, feels like more activities and playing arenas I burned a lot of calories. I saw for visitors at various locations. many people here at Aspire who “Aspire is a very unique place are way older than me but are for sports day because it has wide extremely active, so this is very space and it really gives a sporting inspiring,” said Abdullah, a Suda- atmosphere, it is motivating and nese expatriate who participated keeps people energetic,” he said. in a number of sports activities at “Sport is very important for me Aspire. because I had a back pain before “The NSD celebration here at and the doctor asked me to reduce Aspire is so impressive; there is Dr Arash Rafii-Tabrizi, along with other runners. my weight, I was like 99kg and something for everyone to do.”

Products to promote healthy living showcased Good turnout at Kahramaa’s

By Peter Alagos glianetti underscored the im- Business Reporter portance of allotting a special NSD celebration at Katara day to show the signifi cance of engaging in sports and taking our international and local care of one’s self. “The objec- pholding the motto startups under the Qatar tives behind National Sport Day ‘Be Active’, the Qatar FSportsTech (QST) show- also refl ect the mission of our UGeneral Electricity and cased their innovative products company, which is to empower Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and engaged with the public yes- people to take care of themselves yesterday joined the National terday at Aspire Park during the by being aware of the level of Sport Day (NSD) celebrations annual celebration of National their health and wellness,” he by organising various competi- Sport Day. said. tions for its offi cials, employees The startups – Classtap, HiQ- “It is also important to see a and their families. Nano, Wisify, and Chant Unite lot of children participating in The celebrations at beach are from Qatar, Italy, Portugal, the activities related to National number four at Katara - the and Australia, respectively. They Sport Day because this helps Cultural Village marked sport- are among the 10 startups par- A visitor of Doha-based sports tech startup, Classtap, attempts to them realise the importance of ing activities including volley- ticipating in the accelerator pro- complete the sit-up challenge during the celebration of National sports and maintaining a healthy ball, table tennis, tug of war and gramme of QST, an initiative by Sport Day in Aspire Park. lifestyle at a young age.” cycling. The celebrations also Qatar Development Bank (QDB). Ricardo Moura, CEO of Wisi- witnessed Kahramaa Beach Kahramaa off icials and employees along with their family QST is powered by Startup- services to a wider audience. lifestyle, and they have a lot of fy, said: “It was a very interest- Volleyball Championship. members attended the National Sport Day celebrations. bootcamp, and supported by the Bashar Hudhud, the CEO and events lined up, not just the 2022 ing experience…the way people The activities were held in Supreme Committee for Deliv- co-founder of Classtap, said FIFA World Cup; there’s so much here are conscious about sports co-operation with the Qatar lies and the public who actively a healthy lifestyle and refl ected ery & Legacy, Qatar Financial Qatar’s National Sport Day was happening in between. is something that I admire very Volleyball Association and the took part in various competi- the corporation’s social re- Centre, Aspire Zone Foundation, “the perfect venue” to promote “There are also a lot of part- much in Qatar. Sports is very Qatar Table Tennis Association tions. sponsibility and commitment beIN Sports and the Ministry of wellness and encourage people nerships being forged with many important to people, especially in the presence of Kahramaa The competitions were or- to ensure well being of the pub- Commerce and Industry. to live a healthy lifestyle. international and local entities the positive eff ects it has on president engineer Issa bin Hi- ganised with the aim of raising lic and the employees. Heba Q al-Masri, programme Hudhud said he believes that that bring in diff erent types of one’s health.” lal al-Kuwari and other digni- awareness of the importance For the fi rst time, the cel- director of QST, noted that QST Qatar will be able to success- sporting activities, and help de- Chant Unite co-founder To- taries. of sport and ensuring that ebrations witnessed a power was “grateful and delighted” to fully promote its sports tourism velop the sports environment in bias Cross lauded the govern- A statement by Kahramaa employees regularly engage in challenge competition featur- have some of its startups par- industry. Qatar,” Hudhud told Gulf Times ment for encouraging people to said the celebration witnessed physical exercises. They came ing truck pulling, walking with ticipate in National Sport Day by “The government is doing yesterday. get involved in diff erent types of good participation of Kah- as part of Kahramaa’s eff orts heavyweights and rolling showcasing their products and so much to promote the sports HiQ-Nano CEO Mauro Mo- physical activities. ramaa employees, their fami- to help its employees maintain giant tyres. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 12, 2020 7 QATAR Qatar a global destination for athletes, says QIIB CEO

IIB participated in the regularly hosting world cham- cesses, both regionally and inter- Qatar National Sport pionships and other events in nationally, while our exceptional QDay (QNSD) celebra- some of the most important national Qatari athletes have tions by organising an event sports disciplines. won global and regional champi- that reflects the bank’s keen- “At QIIB, we are keen to partici- onships. ness to engage in various ac- pate in the various activities that “These achievements and tivities of interest to the Qatari promote the values represented successes, whether at the level society, particularly sports, in by sport, such as excellence, suc- of facilities, the organisation of light of the country’s evolu- cess, dedication, patience, perse- championships, or the results tion into a global destination verance, achievement, tolerance achieved by Qatari champions of choice for different types of and ethics. This stems from our and teams, did not come from sports. belief that institutions must play void. They were the result of A large number of employ- a complementary role, regardless hard work, proper organisation, ees and executive management of their functions. Banking and diligent efforts and planning as team led by chief executive of- economic, social and development well as the result of a societal ficer Dr Abdulbasit Ahmed al- activities and sports play comple- culture that is aware of the im- Shaibei walked along the Doha mentary roles and serve the com- portance of sport as a daily ac- Corniche as part of the NSD munity with all its components.”. tivity that improves one’s body celebrations yesterday. He said “Qatar National Vi- fitness and sharpens mind and In the morning, the partici- sion 2030, which is being helps build a healthy society”. QIIB employees and executive management team led by chief executive off icer Dr Abdulbasit Ahmed al-Shaibei walk along the Doha Corniche yesterday. pants gathered in front of QI- achieved, gave sport a great QIIB’s CEO said “the bank will IB’s headquarters on Grand Ha- boost considering the positive continue to support various so- mad Street, and then walked to impact it has on individuals and cial events and activities, namely the Corniche where the sports society. It symbolises human sports. Sport has a long-term events took place. co-operation and interaction impact and societal and cultural Commenting on the occasion, in the local community, among value that contributes to in- Dr al-Shaibei said: “Under the citizens and residents, and at creasing interaction among the leadership of His Highness the the international level, between various groups of society, citi- Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad different peoples”. zens and residents. It also helps al-Thani, our country has now Dr al-Shaibei noted that “in create a positive dynamism that become an example in various addition to world championships enhances the values of aff ection fields, including sports. Qatar held in Doha, sports in the State and emanates from the principle has become a global destina- of Qatar have made great strides of winning, achieving, succeed- tion for athletes from different at various levels. Qatari teams ing and maintaining good per- countries. Our country is now have achieved incredible suc- formance in various fi elds”. QIIB’s participation reflects the bank’s keenness to engage in various activities of interest to the Qatari society. Employees and QU opens new gym as families take part of NSD activities part in events atar University (QU) for all age groups, is a necessity held by Q-Chem joined the nation as it towards building bridges of com- Qcelebrated National Sport munication among all segments Day yesterday by off ering a full of society.” atar Chemical Company With a dozen indoor and out- day of activities for the local Dr al-Khanji said QU’s inter- Ltd (Q-Chem) celebrated door activities, the Mesaieed- community. est in celebrating the day comes Qthe National Sport Day based company organised ac- This year the university col- within the framework of the (NSD) yesterday with a range of tivities that suited all ages and laborated with Qatar Charity and university’s belief in the im- sports activities at Al Reem Club, genders. These included football the Planning and Statistics Au- portance of sport and its role Mesaieed. for adults and kids, aerobics for thority to off er a range of serv- in encouraging the community Q-Chem and companies it op- adults, fi tness, plank challenge, ices and activities dealing with to value sports as it contributes erates, Ras Laff an Olefi ns Com- obstacle games, spinning, bowl- health, wellness and sports. to the academic success of indi- pany Ltd (RLOC) and Q-Chem ing, volleyball, basketball, table QU president Dr Hassan al- viduals. II, hosted an array of sports ac- tennis, lawn tennis and squash. Derham participated in the day’s Dr al-Khater said: “I am tivities for employees and their The indoor multi-purpose hall activities alongside a number of pleased to see students, profes- families. was lively with volleyball, bas- university offi cials including vice sors, staff and families join in on Q-Chem companies are dedi- ketball, table tennis and badmin- president for Student Aff airs Dr the day’s activities. Many sec- cated to this nationwide event ton. There was enough space in Khalid Mohamed al-Khanji, vice tors from outside the university that has placed Qatar at the the hall to accommodate specta- president for Administration have come to the Qatar Univer- forefront in promoting an active tors who opted to enjoy and en- and Financial Aff airs Dr Khalid sity campus to participate in this healthy lifestyle, according to a courage others playing. Football, al-Khater and Student Services event.” statement. cycling and children fun games & Activities director Dr Abdulla Dr al-Yafei said the programme CEO Nasser Jeham al-Kuwari, were held in open-air grounds al-Yafei. was designed to attract the public Q-Chem executive management and attracted many. More activi- Dr al-Derham offi cially inau- QU president Dr Hassan al-Derham and other off icials participate in the National Sport Day activities yesterday. and create community awareness members and leadership team ties were added this year includ- gurated the day by opening the of the importance of sports in the joined company employees with ing pull-up, Zumba, billiard and new gym area in the QU Sports and handball. The event also of- addition to the university, on its ity recognise the importance of life of the individual and society. their families to take part in an table football. & Events Complex, which was fered health services and aware- journey to creating an active, strengthening national commit- QU’s Sports Aff airs Depart- array of sports activities. The hosting of QND raises followed by a jog around the pe- ness booths, where visitors could eff ective and rich students life, ment in the fi eld of human devel- ment director Asmaa al-Naemi “We’re committed to encour- awareness of the importance of rimeters of the complex with check their blood pressure, pulse, as we aim to build a sports gen- opment, one of the pillars of Qa- said: “Our department joined aging and engaging our employ- sports and fi tness in achieving a university offi cials, deans and oxygen and blood. eration that combines academics tar National Vision 2030, which this day by organising a number ees in a healthy lifestyle.” said sound and healthy lifestyle. The supervisors. Commenting on this national and physical health.” seeks to empower the people of of sports activities and pro- al-Kuwari. “Sports is an impor- initiative supports the company The event included a friendly event, Dr al-Derham said: “I am The Planning and Statistics Qatar so that they will be able to grammes that combine the goals tant component in maintaining eff orts to enhance its Corporate sports match between QU and pleased to see a huge turnout Authority president Dr Saleh sustain and support their coun- of the occasion and Qatar Uni- employee well-being, and we Social Responsibility (CSR) pro- Qatar Charity and other com- for National Sport Day 2020. bin Mohamed al-Nabit said the try’s growth. There is no doubt versity’s eff orts to serve soci- support our employees and their gramme and contributes towards petitions in several sports such The new gym at the QU Sports Authority “in collaboration with that organising an event such as ety, both from an academic and dependents to adopt it as a daily achieving Qatar National Vision as football, basketball, volleyball & Events Complex is a positive Qatar University and Qatar Char- this one for National Sport Day, health standpoint.” behaviour.” 2030.

Participants applaud QFZA programmes

he Qatar Free Zones Au- State and chairman of QFZA, event which included physical an amazing atmosphere where thority (QFZA) celebrat- the staff, companies registered exercises, football, basketball, participants applauded the Ted the National Sport at the free zones and their fami- table tennis and volleyball in ad- well-organised event and the Day at Ras Bufontas free zones lies. dition to special games for chil- diverse activities that enriched with the participation of HE The attendees participated in dren. competitiveness and engage- Ahmad al-Sayed, Minister of the activities organised for the The activities were held in ment. A moment of celebration at Q-Chem’s National Sport Day activities yesterday. Nation’s prosperity depends on people’s health: Qatar Post chief

atar Post marked the ninth and Direct Mail, with Global Mail lift- the underlying purpose behind its annual National Sport Day ing the trophy. theme is very serious and imperative Q at Qatar Sports Club yester- On the occasion, Qatar Post staff for everyone, with the main objective day featuring sport-related activi- and their family members were wel- being to promote sports and educate ties for staff and their families. The comed by senior offi cials led by chair- the population on ways to cut down activities included a walkathon, man and managing director Faleh al- and reduce health risks that are linked jogging, table tennis, football and Naemi. with an inactive lifestyle.” volleyball. In a statement, he pointed out that Qatar Post regularly celebrates Qa- The day also brought to a close an the prosperity of any country depends tar’s sporting achievements. Recently, inter-departmental football tourna- on the health of its people. it issued a set of two stamps to mark ment that has been underway since “Although all our events on the Na- the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup, which October 2019. The fi nal four teams tional Sport Day were designed to pro- was held for the fi rst time in Qatar Qatar Post’s employees at the National Sport Day celebrations yesterday. were Connected, Global Mail, EMS vide lighthearted and fun-fi lled vibes, during December. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 QATAR UDC celebrates Sport Day at The Pearl-Qatar nited Development Company (UDC) cel- Uebrated National Sport Day in participation with the Ministry of Administrative De- velopment, Labour and Social Aff airs (MADLSA), the General Retirement & Social Insurance Authority (GRSIA), and Qatar District Cooling Company (Qa- tar Cool). The event took place simulta- neously in Costa Malaz and Por- to Arabia districts, where em- ployees, residents, and visitors took part in a variety of sports, as well as entertaining and chal- lenging activities. The activities included foot- ball, basketball, table tennis, volleyball, walkathon, obstacle games, wall climbing, foosball tables, among many other rec- reational games and activities. The event was attended by HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and So- cial Aff airs Yousuf bin Moham- ed al-Othman Fakhro, GRSIA president and UDC chairman Dignitaries from UDC, MADLSA, GRSIA, and Qatar Cool during the celebration of National Sport Day at The The activities included football, basketball, table tennis, volleyball, walkathon, obstacle games, wall climbing, Turki bin Mohamed al-Khater, Pearl-Qatar yesterday. foosball tables, among many other recreational games and activities. and UDC president & CEO and member of the board Ibrahim He added, “The government’s sations, to mark this annual oc- community members. Thus, I National Vision 2030.” mote sports through its events, to encourage residents and Jassim al-Othman, as well as interest in sports, spearheaded casion by spreading the culture invite all participants to engage Al-Othman said, “National with the aim of cementing the visitors to partake in sports Qatar Cool CEO Yasser al-Jaid- by His Highness the Amir Sheikh of sports further in our society, in sporting activities as a daily Sport Day translates the nation’s Country’s position as a regional activities. The Pearl-Qatar re- ah. Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, has by making it a way of life for citi- routine rather than an annual oc- belief in the importance of sports sporting hub. The large turnout mains an ideal location to lead The minister said, “Every year become clear to the entire world zens and residents of the state of casion to build a vibrant society by focusing on promoting an ac- further translates participants’ a healthy lifestyle with plenty on the second Tuesday of Febru- as sights are set on Qatar on this Qatar.” and a new generation capable of tive and healthy lifestyle. These belief in the values that the Na- of green spaces, public parks, ary, our beloved country Qatar is day every year, where sports be- Al-Khater said, “National continuing the journey of devel- values further fulfi l the objec- tional Sport Day aims to improve sea-facing facades, and various transformed into a vast arena to come the drive to an active and Sport Day promotes awareness opment and modernisation wit- tives set by the Qatar National human well-being.” amenities and gym facilities engage in sporting activities in healthy society. of preventive health notions and nessed by the state of Qatar at Vision 2030’s human develop- Every year, UDC regularly that support a broad range of an atmosphere full of energy and “It is therefore necessary for instils a culture of ‘a healthy all levels, in line with the state’s ment pillar. hosts public sports-related indoor and outdoor recreational vigour.” all of us, individuals and organi- mind in a healthy body’ among development policies and Qatar “UDC continues to pro- events across The Pearl-Qatar activities across the island. Vodafone Qatar activities blend technology and sports

odafone used its role of being at the forefront of Vthe digital era to engage the community on Qatar Na- tional Sport Day 2020 in a host of digital sports activities that showcased ways technology and sports are being blended to revo- lutionise how people can exercise and play sports. HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al- Subaie and senior MME As the Platinum Sponsor of off icials during the celebrations. Qatar Foundation’s National Sport Day event for the third year in a row, Vodafone at- tracted thousands of people to its smart sports city located in Minister al-Subaie joins MME Qatar Foundation’s Ceremonial Court. Vodafone teamed up with OX Fitness to off er the country’s Sport Day events at Katara fi rst Virtual Reality (VR) work- out. The VR boxing workout gave Ox Fitness members the chance Vodafone Qatar’s brand ambassador, Mohamed Saadon al-Kuwari, awarding the prizes. nder the patronage and a statement. A number of sen- Public Parks Department, also to experience what the future of presence of HE the Min- ior offi cials, employees and their hosted a number of games for sports will look like. with current technologies. the length of Oxygen Park. Voda- nology can enable an active life- Uister of Municipality and families were present. people with special needs. Another highlight was the Aug- To make the day even more fone Qatar’s brand ambassador, style. We are also pleased to sup- Environment Abdullah bin Ab- The event included various The MME gives due impor- mented Reality (AR) Dodge Ball exciting for its employees, Voda- Mohamed Saadon al-Kuwari, port Qatar Foundation’s annual dulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, the competitions for adults and tance for sporting activities and game, the fi rst ever physical eS- fone ran an internal tournament awarded the prizes to the win- sport day programme that each ministry yesterday joined the children including football, provides facilities for the same port that utilises AR and VR. Both to crown a winning team the AR ners. year draws communities closer National Sport Day celebrations basketball, shooting, boxing, at the public parks. The minis- these activities were powered by dodgeball game champion. “I am delighted with our staff together and promotes the adop- at Katara - the Cultural Village. golf, handball, climbing moun- try also installs sport equipment Vodafone’s GigaNet network, with Moreover, Vodafone handed and the public’s enthusiastic tion of a healthy lifestyle,” said The Ministry of Municipality tain, wrestling and throwing alongside Doha Corniche in or- its extremely fast speeds and ultra- out cash prizes to winners of the participation in today’s Vodafone Khames Mohamed al-Naimi, and Environment (MME) hosted rings. der to encourage the public to low latency, which eliminate the QF obstacle race, a large-scale digital sports activities that were Chief Human Resources Offi cer, 16 sport activities, according to The MME, represented by the exercise. lag often experienced in gaming 3km obstacle course spanning designed to showcase how tech- Vodafone Qatar. al khaliji holds ping-pong match Nakilat, JVs organise wide range of outdoor events

akilat and its joint ven- Laff an Global Village in Ras Laf- ties that the company organises Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al tures celebrated Qatar fan Industrial City. throughout the year to encour- khaliji) celebrated the ninth Qatar NNational Sport Day 2020 Nakilat said the annual Na- age its employees to stay fi t and National Sport Day by organising by organising a wide range of tional Sport Day is an excellent healthy, which is essential to en- a two-day ping-pong event at the outdoor sporting activities for avenue to demonstrate its com- hancing productivity levels and Doha Festival City with the aim of employees and their families. mitment to the health and well- ensuring the creation of a sus- uniting people in the community The event was held at the Al Leg- ness of its employees. The event tainable workforce, in line with through the common interest of taifi ya Park in Doha, as well as the is one in a series of many activi- Qatar National Vision 2030. sport. During the event, participants were cheered on by their col- leagues and friends to win. At QCB staff join in Sport Day celebrations the end of each game, winners received exciting prizes. “al khaliji is a proud supporter of Qatar National Sport Day and is committed to empowering the community. The bank actively promotes wellness and healthy lifestyle among its employees and families through various initiatives throughout the year, in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 for the development of a healthy society,” said Rana al- Asaad, head of Personal Banking at al khaliji. The Qatar National Sport Day aims to create awareness on the importance of sport and fitness in achieving a healthy lifestyle, which enhances a prosper- ous and strong society. It also provides a social opportunity to Off icials and employees of Qatar Central Bank joined the National Sport Day celebrations yesterday by participating in a mass walking event. The walk started from the bank premises and proceeded through spend time with colleagues, fam- Doha Corniche to the Ministry of Interior building, before returning to the starting point. PICTURE: Ram Chand ily and friends. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 12, 2020 9 QATAR

HIA celebrates Qatar National Sport Day

Hamad International Airport celebrated National Sport Day with its Hamad International Airport organised rejuvenating yoga and breathing sessions by yoga passengers as they went on thrilling treasure hunts finding clues at Hamad International Airport also hosted kids’ activities under instructors in line with sports initiatives taking place around the country. The sessions took diff erent key points of the terminal. Participating passengers went for the supervision of licensed trainers at the airport’s activity node place near key tourist spots such as the Lamp Bear area, Small Lie and other activity nodes. an energy boosting walk and received some sporty treasures from the on concourse C, to promote self-confidence, discipline as well as Participating passengers got to relax before continuing their journey. airport’s premium sports stores upon completion of the game. physical fitness. Ministries take part in celebrations SC opens three public parks to mark Sport Day

he Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Tmarked National Sport Day 2020 by opening three pub- lic parks. The parks are located at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Janoub Stadi- um and the former Al Ersal Sta- tion training sites cluster, which is located in Onaiza, near West Bay. Each park features tennis and basketball courts, children’s play areas, jogging and cycling tracks, open spaces and workout equip- ment. Opening the parks illustrates Qatar’s “legacy commitment to harness the power of hosting the FIFA World Cup to inspire health The Ministry of Commerce and fi tness throughout the pop- and Industry and Ministry ulation”, according to a report on of Education and Higher sc.qa. Education were among the SC secretary-general Hassan Snapshots of Qatar National Sport Day celebrations at Al Bayt Stadium Park. ministries and government al-Thawadi said: “We are proud entities that took part in to open three public parks on our Ballan said Al Bayt Stadium ties through an initiative of all The opening of these parks fol- the National Sport Day country’s National Sport Day. Park is an icon of the 2022 Qatar government and private insti- lows initial consultations we celebrations yesterday. These facilities will boost local World Cup stadium, adding that tutions. He added, “This year, held with local communities in Present at the respective communities by providing open many activities and events were the Sport Day celebrations were an eff ort to develop the facilities celebrations were HE the spaces for a vast range of leisure organised for the Sport Day, the transferred to the Al Bayt Stadi- they need.” Minister of Commerce and activities. We are pleased to be offi cial QNA reported. um Park to celebrate the opening Al Janoub Stadium became Industry Ali bin Ahmed showcasing the legacy of Qatar Ballan explained that the ac- of the new facilities.” the second tournament-ready al-Kuwari and HE the 2022 almost three years before tivities of the National Sport Day He called on the public to venue for Qatar 2022 when it Minister of Education the tournament kicks off .” at Al Bayt Stadium Park were not come and enjoy the atmosphere opened in May 2019. Al Bayt and Higher Education Dr Al Bayt Park hosted special limited to those affi liated with at the park. Stadium, which has a capac- Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali National Sport Day activities for the Football Family, but also in- The SC’s Yasir al-Jamal, ity of 60,000 and will host al-Hammadi, among other the Qatar Football Family, in- cluded families and workers in chairman, Operations Of- matches up to and including off icials and dignitaries. cluding employees from the SC, the Al Khor area. It will be a leg- fi ce, and vice-chairman of the the semi-finals stage in 2022, Qatar Football Association and acy for the people of Al Khor and Technical Delivery Offi ce, said: will open later this year. Qatar Stars League. Meanwhile, the people of Qatar in general. “These parks showcase our The former Al Ersal Station members of the local commu- Qatar Football Association commitment to ensuring that training sites cluster hosted nity were invited to enjoy the fa- secretary-general Mansour al- the tournament infrastructure Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal SFC cilities at Al Janoub Park and Al Ansari said the Sport Day is an we are developing will be uti- during the FIFA Club World Cup Ersal Park. opportunity for the Football lised by the current population, Qatar 2019 and will host matches Qatar Stars League CEO Hani Family to practise sports activi- along with future generations. during this year’s Workers’ Cup. Sport Day events highlight Qatar Charity celebrates Mannai corporate culture National Sport Day at QU atar Charity (QC) yes- fi cials and employees of Qatar dication of the awareness its annai Corporation terday took part in vari- Charity. The Qatar Charity em- employees enjoy, noting many hosted Qatar National Qous sporting activities ployees participated in activities partnerships and joint initiatives MSport Day (NSD) cel- organised by Qatar University such as walking, physical exer- between the university and Qa- ebration for Mannai Group As- (QU) on the occasion of Na- cise and a football match with tar Charity. sociates yesterday at the Vi- tional Sport Day, aiming to raise the university team. Jassim al-Emadi, director of chy Celestins Spa Resort, Retaj awareness about the importance Dr al-Derham expressed hap- the Local Development Depart- Salwa. of sport and physical activities in piness at the participation of QC ment, said QC always partici- Speaking at the event, Khalid maintaining and improving the in the National Sport Day activi- pates in the activities that Qatar Mannai, vice-chairman of the overall health and fi tness of in- ties, noting that Qatar is keen to holds annually, including the Executive Committee addressed dividuals and societies, and re- see every individual living in the National Sport Day. the overall signifi cance of inte- ducing the risk of many chronic country in good health and fi t- Qatar Charity’s participation grating a healthy lifestyle into diseases. ness, while also praising the hu- in sports activities “contrib- Mannai’s corporate culture. QC’s participation in the Na- manitarian role Qatar Charity ute to promoting the culture of “The physical and mental tional Sport Day activities wit- plays throughout the world. sports and raising awareness health benefi ts of our health and nessed the attendance and par- Further, Dr al-Derham ex- about the importance of physical wellness programme through ticipation of Dr Hassan Rashid pressed pride in QC’s institu- exercise to build a healthy soci- sporting activities are one of al-Derham, president of QU, a tional work based on profes- ety”, a statement noted, adding the fundamental objectives of Mannai Corporation off icials and employees at the National Sport Day celebrations yesterday. large number of students, pro- sionalism, and its eagerness to that QC attaches importance to our corporate culture known as fessors and employees of the participate in the activities of health development as an essen- Mannai Way. university, as well as many of- National Sport Day is an in- tial pillar of local development. “The tournaments we con- duct prior to the National Sport Day aims to allow everyone in the company to be involved. We believe that the individual games and team activities build cama- raderie, sportsmanship and fi t- ness while we are all having fun at the same time. By committing to promote health awareness activities, we are supporting a healthier work environment”. Tournaments were held for cricket, football, bowling, bad- minton, basketball and vol- leyball in addition to the other games at Mannai Staff Recrea- Mannai Corporation employees who completed 25 years with the group. tion Centre including table ten- nis and billiards. This year, Man- individual and team relay race gramme, Mannai also recog- with Mannai Group during the nai also added triathlon as part at Qatar Foundation’s Education nised those employees who have year. Service awards were given of the off site sports line up. The City. reached the milestone of cel- to the long serving employees employees participated in the As part of the NSD pro- ebrating their 25 years of service from Mannai companies. One of the activities held as part of the celebrations. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

POLITICS Iran marks anniversary of revolution

Iran taunted the United States on the 41st anniversary yesterday of Abbas urges UN to reject the ouster of its ally Shah, as huge crowds gathered to mark the historic occasion waving national flags and holding portraits of the founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah R Khomeini, the crowds braved sub-zero temperatures in Trump’s Mideast peace plan Tehran’s iconic Azadi Square. “It is unbearable for the United AFP States to accept the victory of a United Nations great nation and that a super- power has been driven out of this land,” President Hassan Rouhani alestinian President told the gathering. Mahmoud Abbas yester- “It is natural for them to have Pday urged the UN Secu- dreamed, for 41 years, of return- rity Council to reject President ing to this land, because they Donald Trump’s Middle East know that we are one of the plan, saying it would splinter most powerful countries” in the Palestinian lands and never Middle East, he added. Tehran bring lasting peace. and Washington have been Brandishing a large map of enemies since 1979, when the a future Palestine as laid out government of the US-backed by Trump, Abbas denounced Shah was toppled and the it as a “Swiss cheese” deal that Islamic republic established. would give the Palestinians only Shah Mohamed Reza Pahlavi a “fragmented state” without had already fled Iran after control of their airspace, sea or months of protests against his East Jerusalem. rule. That November radical “Who among you would ac- students demanding the Shah’s cept such a state?” Abbas asked, extradition seized 52 hostages at as he warned that Israel would the US embassy in Tehran and create an “apartheid” situation held them for 444 days, prompt- if it moves ahead with annexa- ing Washington to sever all ties. tion. “I would like to say to Mr Donald Trump that his plan cannot achieve peace and secu- LEGAL rity as it cancels international Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks to the UN Security Palestinian protesters wave national flags during a demonstration against a US-brokered peace Sudan to hand legitimacy,” Abbas said. Council at the United Nations headquarters in New York, yesterday. proposal in Gaza City, yesterday. “It cancels all the rights of Bashir to ICC for the Palestinians. This does not fi nancial repercussions, on Se- Israeli occupation. The plan would recognise has taken a series of landmark Belgium and Estonia — as well Darfur crimes meet the aspirations of a two- curity Council members and “Our entire people is saying contested Jerusalem as the un- steps such as recognising Jerusa- as Poland, which left the coun- state solution,” he said. that even some European na- ‘No, no, no’ to this deal,” he said. divided capital of Israel but lem as Israel’s capital and ending cil at the end of last year, jointly Sudan has agreed to hand “If you impose peace it will tions were hesitant. Abbas said Israel’s ambassador to the allow the Palestinians to es- assistance to the UN body that said that any Middle East solu- ousted ruler Omar al-Bashir not last, it cannot last.” that peace with Israel remained United Nations, Danny Danon, tablish a capital on the holy helps Palestinian refugees. “I do tion needs to be based on pre- and others to the International The Palestinians have sought “achievable” and said: “I have replied that Abbas stood in the city’s eastern outskirts. Hours not know who gave him this ad- 1967 lines. Trump’s plan “de- Criminal Court for alleged war to rally international support come to build a just partner- way of a solution. “Only when after Trump unveiled the plan, vice. The President Trump I met parts from these internationally crimes in Darfur, a member of against the plan, which Trump ship.” “This deal is not an in- he steps down can Israel and Netanyahu began to move for- was not like that,” Abbas said. agreed parameters,” they said Khartoum’s ruling body said unveiled alongside Israeli Prime ternational partnership. This the Palestinians move forward,” ward with plans to annex much The Palestinians previously won in a joint statement, while ap- yesterday. The Hague-based ICC Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposal was from one state, Danon said. of the West Bank. support from the Arab League, plauding “all eff orts” to reach a has charged Bashir and three of on January 28. But in a setback, supported by another state to be Trump’s plan would establish Despite the Palestinians’ re- the Organisation of Islamic Co- peaceful resolution. The Euro- his former aides with genocide, the Palestinians dropped plans imposed.” The veteran 84-year- a Palestinian state but grant Is- fusal to deal with Trump, Abbas operation and the African Union pean Union earlier failed to issue crimes against humanity and for a vote on a resolution yes- old leader, long considered a rael sovereignty stretching to said that his fi rst impressions of which have all rejected Trump’s a similar joint statement among war crimes in Sudan’s western terday that would denounce the moderate among the Palestin- the Jordanian border, including the billionaire turned president plan. all members due to resistance region during a devastating proposal. Diplomats said that ians, rejected the use of violence over settlements built since the had been favourable. Yesterday, the four European from a handful of countries in- conflict from 2003. “Those who the United States has put heavy but said that street protests Jewish state captured the West Trump, whose evangelical base Union members of the Security cluding Hungary, led by right- have been indicted by the ICC, pressure, including threats of showed the deep opposition to Bank in the 1967 Six-Day War. is strongly supportive of Israel, Council — France, Germany, wing populist Viktor Orban. they have to go there,” Mohamed Hassan al-Taishay, a member of the ruling sovereign council, said in a statement. “One of them is Lebanon parliament backs new government in vote al-Bashir and (there are) three others,” he later told journalists Tension escalates as Syria regime copter downed Lebanon’s parliament yesterday backed the cabinet and pro- in the South Sudanese capital of gramme of incoming Prime Minister Hassan Diab in a confidence Juba, where a government dele- vote held despite attempts by protesters to block it. Parliament gation was meeting rebel groups AFP ing the country’s four largest SANA confi rmed the downing Regime forces later shelled Speaker Nabih Berri congratulated lawmakers who sat through from Darfur. “We agreed that we Qaminas cities. of the aircraft and the killing of areas near a Turkish observa- an eight-hour session before 63 out of 84 MPs present voted to fully supported the ICC and we The advance marked an- its crew, saying it was caused by tion post in the same village, back an administration which now faces one of the worst crises in agreed...that the four have to be other step in President Bashar a rocket fi red from a part of Idlib said the Observatory and an the county’s recent history. Protesters earlier clashed outside with handed over,” Taishay said. ensions escalated yes- al-Assad’s campaign to retake where Turkey-backed rebels AFP correspondent who saw security forces who used tear gas and water cannon to disperse “We fully supported the claim terday between Syria’s Syria’s last rebel-held pocket, operate. plumes of smoke rising follow- them. The Red Cross said a total of 373 people were treated for that the ICC wanted them and Tregime and rebel-back- where nearly 700,000 civilians The Britain-based Syrian ing a large fi ery blast. tear gas exposure and other injuries, including 45 who were hos- they have to be handed over.” He er Turkey as a Syrian military have fl ed violence since De- Observatory for Human Rights The Observatory said the pitalised. New premier Diab, a little-known academic and former did not specify when the deci- helicopter was shot down and cember in the largest exodus said the helicopter was hit by a attack killed at least three peo- education minister, was tasked with forming a government in De- sion would be carried out. Ankara warned of a “heavy since the start of the war. rocket fi red by Turkish forces, ple but it was unclear if they cember after mass rallies against official corruption and economic price” for any attacks on its Shortly after the M5 motor- though Ankara did not claim re- were Syrian rebels or Turkish woes forced premier Saad Hariri to resign. But more than three forces. way was recaptured, a rocket sponsibility. troops. months on, angry demonstrators charge that the new cabinet fails CRIME The new fl are-up, a day af- attack downed a Syrian regime An AFP correspondent saw Turkey, which has troops to address their demands and won’t be able to rescue Lebanon’s Somalia executes ter regime shelling killed fi ve helicopter in Idlib province, the bodies of the two pilots deployed in several locations ailing economy. Before the session started in an area cordoned Turkish troops, came as gov- killing both pilots, an AFP cor- and the mangled remains of in northern Syria, continues to off by riot police and soldiers, protesters mobbed and threw water two over gang ernment forces battling rebels respondent and a war monitor the helicopter at the site of the support rebel groups battling bottles at the tinted-glass vehicles of lawmakers in a bid to stop rape, murder in northwestern Syria took full said. crash near the village of Qami- the Assad regime or acting as them reaching parliament. control of a key highway link- Syrian state news agency nas, southeast of Idlib city. proxies against Kurdish forces. Somalia executed two men by firing squad yesterday for the gang rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl, a government off icial said, adding it would serve as a warning to others in a country where crimes against Kenya mourns Moi women have rarely been punished. SA marks 30 years since Aisha Ilyes Aden was abducted at a market in northern Puntland’s with state funeral Galkayo town in February last year. Her body was found the next morning near her home. She had AFP well, 1924-2020” national Mandela’s prison release been gang-raped, her private parts Nairobi broadcaster KBC headlined. mutilated, and strangled to death. Former opponent Raila The brutal nature of the killing Odinga, who was jailed for AFP triggered demonstrations calling for housands of Kenyans several years under Moi, Cape Town authorities to enforce a landmark gathered yesterday to called the late leader a 2016 law to secure justice in the Tmourn the country’s “greater fighter” who even- east African nation, where rape vic- longest-serving leader, the tually accepted multiparty outh African President tims are stigmatised and forced to hardline Daniel Arap Moi, as a politics. Cyril Ramaphosa yester- marry assailants. Three men were week of homage climaxed with “I was one of the victims... Sday marked the 30th an- convicted and sentenced to death a state funeral. but he was also forgiving, niversary of Nelson Mandela’s in May last year. The decision was Moi, whose 24-year rule like I am also forgiving, and release from jail with an ad- upheld by an appeal court in June. saw Kenya become a one-par- we made our peace, and dress from the spot where the “This is a clear indication that justice ty state where critical voices we shook hands, and then anti-apartheid icon made his is served in Puntland,” Puntland’s were ruthlessly crushed, died worked together,” Odinga fi rst speech after walking out of Justice Minister Awil Sheikh Hamid on February 4 aged 95. said. “We remember the good prison. told a news conference. Mourners began gathering things that he did,” he added. “It will forever be remem- at a national athletics stadium Those targeted by his re- bered as one of the most before dawn to pay their re- gime included human rights memorable days in the his- PEOPLE spects. and environmental activists, tory of the world,” Ramaphosa Ladysmith Moi, who towered over including the writer Ngugi said, speaking from the City Kenya between 1978 and 2002, wa Thiong’o and the future Hall balcony in Cape Town, in Black Mambazo lay in state for three days in Nobel Peace Prize winner front of a giant statue of Man- founder dies parliament, with tens of thou- Wangari Maathai. dela. sands of people fi ling past. Moi was however praised On February 11, 1990, Man- The founder of South Africa’s male Yesterday morning, he for keeping Kenya a rela- dela had spoken from here to acapella group Ladysmith Black was taken on a gun carriage tive haven of peace during a euphoric crowds, hours after Mambazo, Joseph Shabalala, has draped in Kenya’s fl ag through chaotic period in East Africa his release after 27 years in died in hospital at the age of 78, the the streets of Nairobi to the which saw the genocide in prison. It was Mandela’s first national broadcaster SABC said. crowded Nyayo national sta- Rwanda and civil wars in Bu- major speech as a free man The Grammy Award-winning group dium fl anked by soldiers. rundi and Somalia. and a key moment in South provided back-up harmonies to President Uhuru Keny- His later return — under Africa’s rebirth as White-mi- South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks beside a statue of Nelson Mandela from the balcony Paul Simon’s 1986 Graceland album, atta, who opened the memo- significant pressure — to nority rule crumbled. where the anti-apartheid icon gave his first speech after his release from prison 30 years ago, in Cape introducing their African indigenous rial with the national anthem, multiparty elections in 1992, “It was indeed an exhilarat- Town, yesterday. music to a global audience. Over called Moi “a champion of and peaceful handover of ing moment,” Ramaphosa told their long career they also worked Pan-Africanism.” power to opposition leader thousands of people who had I held the microphone as he sabotage. He served 27 years, Congress and other liberation with musicians Stevie Wonder and The cortege entered the Mwai Kibaki in 2002 also won gathered at the venue. spoke for the very first time,” with stays on the notorious movements. After 27 years, six Dolly Parton, among others. “It is stadium flanked by long lines him some praise. “The day Mandela was re- said Ramaphosa. Robben Island off Cape Town, months and six days in captiv- so sad to learn of the passing of an of red-coated soldiers and a Several foreign leaders from leased was a day we all knew “Nothing could describe then in the Pollsmoor and ity, Mandela, then 71, walked icon...I’m Zimbabwean and I grew brass band playing marching regional nations attended the that apartheid was dead and that brief second when that Victor Verster prisons. free from his prison in Paarl up listening to Ladysmith Black tunes and Christian hymns, ceremony, including Djibouti’s finished. It was a moment microphone crackled,” he His release came days after where hundreds of ANC sup- Mambazo,” said Prosper Tsvanhu, their boots glinting in the Ismail Omar Guelleh, South where the world literally stood added. the country’s last apartheid porters had gathered to greet who remembered his grandfather bright sun. “The Last Salute”, Sudan’s Salva Kiir and Ugan- still. Mandela was sentenced to leader FW de Klerk lifted the him, waving the party’s black, having the group’s vinyl records. Citizen TV wrote. “Fare thee da’s Yoweri Museveni. “He stood here to speak and jail for life in 1964 for alleged ban on the African National green and gold flag. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 12, 2020 11 ASIA

Indonesia 15 refugees drown after will not take back nationals boat sinks off Bangladesh who joined AFP Fishermen tipped off the Begum said her family paid a Saint Martin’s Island coast guard after they saw sur- Bangladeshi traffi cker $450 per vivors swimming and crying for head to be taken to Malaysia. IS: minister help in the sea. “We’re fi rst taken to a t least 15 women and The boat’s keel hit an un- hill where we stayed for fi ve children drowned and dersea coral in shallow wa- days. Then they used three Reusters/DPA Amore than 50 others were ter off Saint Martin’s island, small trawlers to take us to Bogor/Jakarta missing after a boat overloaded Bangladesh’s southernmost a large trawler, which sank,” with Rohingya refugees sank off territory, before it sank, she said. southern Bangladesh as it tried survivors said. Shakirul Islam, a migration ndonesia has decided not to to reach Malaysia yesterday, “We swam in the sea before expert whose group works with take back nearly 700 of its offi cials said. boats came and rescued us,” said Rohingya to raise awareness Inationals who left home to Some 138 people – mainly survivor Mohamed Hossain, 20. against traffi cking, said desper- join Islamic State (IS) in Syria women and children – were Coast guard commander So- ation in the camps was making and other countries, the chief packed on a trawler barely 13m hel Rana said three survivors, refugees want to leave. security minister said yesterday. (40ft) long, trying to cross the including a Bangladeshi, were “It was a tragedy waiting to The minister, Mahfud MD, Bay of Bengal, a coast guard detained over human traffi cking happen,” he said. said the government needed to spokesman said. allegations. “They just want to get out, ensure the security of 267mn In- “It sank because of over- Nearly 1mn Rohingya live in and fall victim to traffi ckers who donesian citizens by keeping the loading. The boat was meant to squalid camps near Bangla- are very active in the camps.” fi ghters out of the country. carry maximum 50 people. The desh’s border with Myanmar, Islam said in the past two The minister said, however, boat was also loaded with some many fl eeing the neighbour- months dozens of Rohingya authorities would try to get more cargo,” another coast guard ing country after a 2017 brutal reported approaches from traf- accurate data on the Indonesians spokesman, Hamidul Islam, military crackdown. fi ckers to his OKUP migration who had joined IS and might added. With few opportunities rights group. take back children aged 10 and Seventy-one people have for jobs and education in the “Human smuggling and traf- younger, although this would been rescued including 46 camps, thousands have tried to fi cking in the Bay of Bengal is Coast guards escort Rohingya refugees following a boat capsizing accident, in Teknaf yesterday. be reviewed on a “case by case” women. Among the dead, reach other countries like Ma- particularly diffi cult to address basis. 11 were women and the rest laysia and Thailand by attempt- as it requires concerted ef- Since last year, Bangladesh Bangladesh and Myanmar community can return to their Indonesia has for months children. ing the hazardous 2,000km fort from multiple states,” the authorities have picked up over signed a repatriation deal to homes in a safe and dignifi ed wrestled with the question of Anwara Begum said two of journey. Bangladesh head of UN agency 500 Rohingya from rickety fi sh- send back some Rohingya to manner”. whether it should repatriate citi- her sons, aged six and seven, An estimated 25,000 Ro- the International Organisation ing trawlers or coastal villages their homeland, but none have “The tragic drowning zens who travelled to Syria to join drowned in the tragedy. hingya left Bangladesh and My- for Migration, Giorgi Gigauri, as they waited to board boats. agreed to return because of of women and children... IS’s self-styled caliphate. “We were four of us in the anmar on boats in 2015 trying to said. Traffi cking often increases safety fears. should be a wake-up call for A tearful plea by a girl named boat... Another child (son, aged get to Thailand, Malaysia and “The gaps in coordination are during the November-March pe- Save the Children called on us all,” Athena Rayburn of Nada Fedulla, who said she was 10) is very sick,” the 40-year- Indonesia. Hundreds drowned easily exploited by criminal net- riod when the sea is safest for the Myanmar to “take all necessary Save the Children said in a brought to Syria by her father in old said. when overloaded boats sank. works.” small trawlers used by traffi ckers. steps to ensure the Rohingya statement. 2015 to join IS, has reignited the debate. Fedulla told BBC that she wanted to go home. “I’m really tired here. We’re thankful if there are people who forgive me,” she told BBC in a Thailand refuses entry to cruise video released last week. She said she did not know that her father would bring her to Syria. “When I was in school, I really wanted to be a doctor and ship with no coronavirus cases I really liked to study,” she said. Aref Fedulla, Nada’s father, is Reuters ing, according to data from the a separate Facebook post that, quarantined in the Japanese port now prisoner of the Kurdish-led Bangkok/Hanoi Marine Traffi c ship tracking while the ship would not be al- of Yokohama, with 135 cases Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), website. lowed to dock, Thailand “will of coronavirus detected on the the BBC reported. Holland America, owned by gladly help providing fuel, Carnival Corp-owned vessel. Last year, the SDF seized IS’s hailand has barred pas- Miami-based Carnival Corp, medicine, and food” to the ship. The World Dream cruise ship last stronghold in eastern Syria Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Apirat Kongsompong sengers from Holland had said on Monday that pas- The coronavirus that was held up in Chinese-ruled after months of fi ghting. reacts during a press conference in Bangkok yesterday. TAmerica’s cruise ship MS sengers would disembark in emerged in the central Chi- Hong Kong for days after it was Indonesia’s counter-terrorism Westerdam from disembarking, Bangkok on February 13 and nese city of Wuhan last month linked to three cases but all pas- agency said the country’s na- its health minister said yester- that there was no reason to be- has caused chaos in Asia and sengers and crew later tested tionals in Syria – mostly women day, the latest country to turn lieve anybody on board had the beyond with many fl ights sus- negative and were allowed to and children – were located in it away amid fears of the coro- virus. pended, businesses disrupted disembark. three camps. ‘Don’t blame army’ navirus despite no confi rmed “I have issued orders. Per- and entry restrictions imposed The virus has killed more Indonesia, the world’s largest infections on board. mission to dock refused,” Public by governments trying to ward than 1,000 people – all but two Muslim-majority country, has The Netherlands-fl agged Health Minister Anutin Charn- off the spread. in China – and infected more been hit by a string of terrorist for soldier’s rampage, ship was sailing west, 96km (60 virakul said in a Facebook post. Another cruise ship, the Dia- than 40,000, most in China but attacks since the 2000s, with re- miles) off the southern coast Thai Deputy Transport Min- mond Princess, with 3,700 pas- including 319 cases in 24 other cent attacks being blamed on IS- says Thai general of Vietnam yesterday morn- ister Atirat Ratanasate said in sengers and crew onboard, is countries and territories. inspired militants.

AFP The gunman “did not re- Bangkok ceive justice from his com- mander and his relatives who promised him fi nancial re- n emotional Thai army turns”, Apirat added, appar- Indonesian Spider-Man chief yesterday urged ently from a commission over Aa nation in mourning the sale of house. over a mass shooting “not to Jakrapanth killed his com- blame the army” after a sol- mander and the commander’s dier gunned down at least 29 mother-in-law fi rst as he em- cleans up neighbourhood people in a rampage linked to barked on an around 17-hour a debt dispute with a senior shooting spree. offi cer. Serving army top brass sit Reuters “After wearing this costume, ally. He has been interviewed General Apirat Kongsom- on the boards of state-enter- Parepare it turns out the public’s response by newspapers and appeared on pong, an arch-royalist more prises, while many declare as- was extraordinary,” he added. television chat shows dressed commonly prone to rants sets in their millions of dollars Many parts of Indonesia suff er in his Marvel Comics super against pro-democracy fi g- despite their meagre soldier’s ndonesian cafe worker Rudi from having little in the way of hero costume to explain his ures, broke down in tears as he wages. Hartono struggled to per- organised public services to deal motivation. apologised during a televised Army chiefs routinely fl ip Isuade residents of his small with trash, with plastic waste in Initially, he admits, he bought press conference on behalf of to become civilian prime min- coastal community of Parepare particular often ending in rivers the Spider-Man outfi t simply to the army to the victims of the isters – often following coups to follow his example and pick or in the oceans. amuse his nephew, before others Rudi Hartono, a man dressed in Spiderman costume, looks at plastic shooting. – while barracks are accused up rubbish strewn on the streets Indonesia, the world’s fourth in his town took notice. waste as he collects rubbish at a beach in Parepare, South Sulawesi. The gunman – Sergeant- of being hives of grey-zone and beaches – until he dressed most populous country, gen- “We need a creative role Major Jakrapanth Thomma – businesses, such as real estate up as Spider-Man. erates 3.2mn tonnes a year of model to foster society’s active released in 2018 by the ministry government would throw more was shot dead by a commando agencies and private security “At fi rst, I did the same activi- waste, with nearly half ending engagement in protecting the of environment and forestry. weight behind eff orts to clean unit on Sunday morning, end- fi rms. ty without wearing this costume up in the sea, a 2015 study in the environment,” said Saiful Bahri, Indonesia, an archipelago of up trash and tighten rules on ing a 17-hour rampage that Senior offi cers often use and it did not attract the public’s journal Science showed. a resident of Parepare in south- more than 17,000 islands, is esti- waste management including on left 29 dead and scores more conscripts as eff ective private attention in order for them to Hartono usually collects west Sulawesi. mated to be the world’s second- single-use plastic bags. wounded. butlers in taxpayer-funded join and help pick up trash,” said waste as Spider-Man before his With a population of around largest producer of plastic pol- “Minimising plastic waste The Thai army has been at grace and favour homes. the 36-year-old Hartono, wear- cafe work begins at 7pm and his 142,000, Parepare produces lutants in the oceans after China, is the most important thing to pains to portray him as a rogue “I guarantee between ing his red and blue Spider-Man eff orts have helped put a spot- around 2.7 tonnes of unmanaged the study added. do, because plastic is diffi cult to soldier rather than a product February and April there costume. light on the waste issue nation- waste per day, according to data Hartono said he hoped the decompose,” he said. of the army system. will be many – from gener- Apirat said he would not als to colonels – who will stand down from his post in be jobless,” Apirat said, also charge of an army which has promising to throw out re- seeped into all aspects of Thai tired army offi cers from life, from politics and business government housing. Nepal to make safety training mandatory for migrant workers to conscription, with a mega- Apirat himself is due to re- billion budget that has surged tire in September. since the last coup in 2014. Thais have fl ooded social Thomson Reuters Foundation man for the labour ministry, sia and asked the government, carrying the body back home, Lanka and Bangladesh to unsta- “The army is a huge organi- media with criticism of their Kathmandu said. which encourages young Nepalis mentions the cause as car- ble destinations like Afghani- sation comprising of hundreds leaders for a perceived lack “We are making orientation to work overseas, to probe their diac arrest without proper stan, Iraq and Libya are not enti- of thousands staff ... I cannot of empathy in the aftermath on how to safely work and live causes and improve protection postmortem,” he said. tled to any assistance if they die focus on every subordinate,” of an unprecedented mass n a bid to reduce migrant abroad – (like) basic occupa- for workers. Bereaved families rarely re- there, activists say. he said. shooting. deaths in the Middle East and tional health and safety tips,... Ghimire attributed migrant ceive compensation, while Nepal “It is necessary to make for- “There are people who crit- Prime Minister Prayut IAsia, millions of Nepalis who job specifi c training, insurance deaths to workplace hazards, only gives assistance of 700,000 eign employment safe, depend- icise the army, I urge them not Chan-O-Cha was forced work overseas will be given man- and communication skills – such as machinery, traffi c rupees ($6,139) to the families able and free from exploitation,” to blame the army... because into rare public contrition datory safety training before de- compulsory before the migrants accidents and heat. of dead migrants who left the said Gokarna Bista, a lawmaker the army is a sacred organi- on Sunday after he smiled parture, offi cials said yesterday. leave.” Stressed migrants – who are country with a work permit, who cracked down on abusive sation,” adding “blame me – and high-fi ved a crowd as About 1,000 out of an esti- Each day, about three coffi ns often illiterate and from remote Gurung said. recruitment agencies when he General Apirat.” he visited Korat, the city mated 4mn Nepali migrants die containing the remains of dead villages in Nepal – also die from In the year to July 2019, served as labour minister for al- Instead he pledged to open where the shooting took abroad each year. Migrant re- migrants arrive at the “dead exhaustion, activists say. about 750 families received most two years until late 2019. a “special channel” to investi- place. mittances make up a quarter of body claim” area in Nepal’s Ganesh Gurung of Nepal In- this government aid, said Ra- “The recruitment process gate all future complaints from No member of the king- impoverished Nepal’s GDP. only international airport in its stitute of Development Studies jan Shrestha, head of the labour should be transparent and the junior offi cers about their su- dom’s rich ruling royal fam- “The government is very capital Kathmandu, according to said the government needed to ministry’s Foreign Employment terms of work, wages, insurance periors, blaming the attack ily, who are buttressed by the much concerned about the rate airport offi cials. fi nd out why migrants die and do Promotion Board. and compensation should be on a debt dispute between the army and protected by a defa- of deaths of its migrant workers The Supreme Court said in more to support their families. The families of thousands of clearly mentioned in the labour gunman and his commanding mation law, has so far visited and is serious about reducing 2017 that 97% of deaths oc- “In most cases the death cer- undocumented workers who agreements with destination offi cer. survivors. this,” Suman Ghimire, a spokes- curred in the Gulf and Malay- tifi cate, which is required for are traffi cked through India, Sri countries.” Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA President Duterte deals blow to US by terminating troop pact

Reuters to be more independent with its It would also limit Philippine ment. The defence pact sets out without Senate approval he had ippines, as well as bind the two granting of immunity from pros- Manila relations with other countries, access to US training and exper- rules for US soldiers to operate in no right to unilaterally scrap in- countries to defend each other ecution for US servicemen. spokesman Salvador Panelo said. tise in tackling extremism, natu- the Philippines and is one of three ternational pacts it had ratifi ed. from external aggression. Duterte, who favours closer ties “The president will not enter- ral disasters and maritime secu- governing what Washington has “We must have a say on this im- Supporters of the agreements with China and Russia, pressed hilippine President Rodrigo tain any initiative coming from rity threats. called an “ironclad” relationship, portant matter,” Senator Richard argue they have deterred Chinese ahead with the termination de- Duterte yesterday termi- the US government to salvage Panelo said Duterte’s decision despite Duterte’s tirades about Gordon told the house. militarisation in the South China spite a Senate hearing on the Pnated a two-decade-old the VFA, neither will he accept was a consequence of US legis- US hypocrisy, ill-treatment and Some lawmakers are concerned Sea and $1.3bn of US defence as- VFA last week during which his Visiting Forces Agreement with any offi cial invitation to visit the lative and executive actions that ageing weapons. that without the VFA, two other sistance since 1998 has been vital senior generals and defence and the United States (VFA) deliver- United States,” Panelo said in a “bordered on assaulting our sov- Duterte says the United States pacts would be irrelevant, namely in boosting the capabilities of un- foreign ministers spoke in favour ing on threats to downgrade an statement. ereignty and disrespecting our uses the pacts to conduct clan- the 2014 Enhanced Defence Co- der-resourced Philippine forces. of it. Ending the VFA could be a alliance crucial to US interests. The decision, sparked by the judicial system”. destine activities like spying and operation Agreement made under Philippine nationalists, how- blow to Washington’s interests The mercurial Duterte, who revocation of a US visa held by the The US embassy in Manila nuclear weapons stockpiling, the Obama administration, and a ever, say the United States did in maintaining a troop presence has clashed with the former co- former police chief who led Du- called it “a serious step with sig- which he says risk making the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty. nothing to stop China building in the Asia-Pacifi c, amid friction lonial ruler over several issues, terte’s bloody war on drugs, could nifi cant implications”. “We will Philippines a target for Chinese Those cover dozens of annual islands in the South China Sea over the presence of US person- has decided to pull the plug on complicate US military interests carefully consider how best to aggression. Some senators sought training exercises and broaden equipped with missiles, and say nel in Japan and South Korea and the two-decade troop rotation in the Asia-Pacifi c as China’s move forward to advance our to block Duterte’s move soon af- access of US air, navy and army the VFA is lopsidedly favour- regional security concerns about pact to enable the Philippines ambitions rise. shared interests,” it said in a state- ter news of it broke, arguing that forces and equipment to the Phil- able to Americans, including the China and North Korea. China’s censors tighten grip after brief virus respite

Reuters Beijing A child wearing a face mask rides his scooter past a police off icer wearing protective gear outside Hong hina’s coronavirus out- Mei House at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong yesterday following the evacuation of more than 100 break has tested the lim- people from the housing block after four residents in two diff erent apartments tested positive for the new Cits of free speech on the coronavirus. country’s heavily censored on- line and social media, with a Taiwan urges brief window of liberalisation that opened during January sub- Hong Kong housing block Philippines to lift sequently slammed shut by au- ban on citizens thorities. evacuated aft er cluster fi nd While censorship in China has over virus fears tightened under President Xi Jin- More than 100 people were Nonetheless the occupants ping, questions of transparency evacuated from a Hong Kong of 35 flats connected to the Taiwan urged the Philippines around the current outbreak are housing block yesterday after same drainage system were yesterday to lift a travel ban on especially sensitive after Bei- four residents in two diff erent moved out. Health secretary its citizens after Manila included jing’s cover-up of the extent of apartments tested positive Sophia Chan said four them in curbs on arrivals from the 2003 Sars epidemic fuelled for the new coronavirus. residents who showed flu-like China in a bid to control a suspicion and mistrust, and led Locals were forced to leave symptoms were taken to a coronavirus epidemic, despite to offi cial calls for openness this in the early hours as health hospital isolation ward but Taiwan’s small number of cases. time around. off icials in masks and white later tested negative for the Taiwan is governed entirely The period from Jan 19 to Feb overalls scrambled to work out virus. The others were taken to separately from China, but Beijing 1, when public concern about whether the virus had spread quarantine camps. Residents claims the island as its own and the coronavirus exploded just through the 35-storey complex yesterday morning found their the World Health Organisation as China was gearing up for the A man wearing a protective face mask has his hair cut by a barber in Shanghai yesterday. that houses some 3,000 neighbourhood filled with (WHO) clubs its virus cases in the Lunar New Year holiday, saw people. police and health off icials. “Of category for China. an uncharacteristic loosening. Cyberspace Administration of and the devastating 2008 Si- asked audio and video platforms Hong Kong is on high alert course I’m scared,” a 59-year- Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Online buzz about the outbreak China (CAC), did not respond chuan earthquake, when domes- to step up control on “harmful for any potential “super old resident, who gave her it had been in close touch with fl ourished, with netizens largely to phone calls or to requests for tic journalists and social media information and rumour” related spreader” events, especially surname as Chan, told AFP. the Philippines to seek a lifting unfettered in criticising local comment sent by fax. users felt emboldened. to Wuhan virus. in the towering housing “I live with my son, daughter- of Monday’s sudden ban, which authorities — but not central China’s censorship machine “At the same time, initially, of- It also asked them to stick to blocks that make the city one in-law, grandchildren and my stranded some Taiwanese at government leaders — over their was tested last week when Li fi cials might be a bit fl at-footed offi cial media such as Xinhua and of the world’s most densely husband. We seldom go out Philippine airports. “We are handling of the crisis. Wenliang, a Chinese doctor who and distracted dealing with an People’s Daily, “not to push any populated places. During already because we don’t have proactively in communication That liberalisation has come had been reprimanded for is- unexpected crisis so things slip negative story, and not to con- the 2003 outbreak of Severe enough masks. I don’t allow and have lodged representations to end, with censors in the past suing an early warning about through the cracks. Even cen- duct non-offi cial livestreaming Acute Respiratory Syndrome my grandchildren to play in with the Philippines, including week shutting down WeChat coronavirus, died of the disease, sors within some social media on the virus.” (Sars), which killed 299 people the hallway. Now we can’t even the presidential off ice and foreign groups and scrubbing social me- triggering widespread outrage as companies may be sympathetic Some investigative articles in Hong Kong, 42 deaths came stay at home.” ministry, to tell them that we dia posts, according to Chinese well as mourning. to some of the content and let it published by local media out- from just one housing block There are now 49 confirmed are not a virus area of China’s,” reporters. Online media outlets were through,” she said. lets from Wuhan have also been where about 300 people were cases of the virus in Hong spokeswoman Joanne Ou said in Authorities have also rep- permitted to report on Li’s death, The brief window of media deleted. Chen Qiushi, a citizen infected. Kong, including a cluster Taipei. rimanded tech fi rms that gave but not the anger it had engen- freedom came after offi cials journalist who was sending dis- In that outbreak, the virus was of 10 family members who Taiwan has just 18 virus free rein to online speech. “Xi dered, and early discussions on in Wuhan, where the outbreak patches from Wuhan over Twit- found to have spread through had all shared a hotpot meal infections, versus more Jinping has made it clear that social media calling for the Wu- started, admitted that it was ter — which is blocked in China faulty drainage pipes. Off icials with an infected person. The than 42,000 in China. It he expects eff orts to strengthen han government to apologise to much worse than anticipated and — including images of corpses in said yesterday’s relocation of Sars epidemic left profound has complained the WHO ‘the guidance of public opin- him later disappeared. were heavily criticised for their the city’s hospitals, has been for- residents in Tsing Yi district psychological scars on Hong classification has misled ion’ to be increased,” said Fergus A notice sent to editors work- move in January to reprimand cibly put under quarantine since was a precautionary measure Kong and saddled locals with countries into believing it poses Ryan, an analyst at the Austral- ing for an online Chinese news eight people for “spreading ru- Friday, according to his fam- after three members of the a deep distrust of authorities the same health risk as China, ian Strategic Policy Institute outlet and seen by Reuters asked mours” on the emergence of the ily and a friend managing his ac- same family contracted the in Beijing who initially prompting them to impose the (ASPI) who studies Chinese so- them not to “comment or specu- virus— one of whom was Li. count in his absence. virus. The family lived 10 covered up the outbreak. The same flight and travel curbs on cial media. late” on Li’s death, “do not hash- Last week, however, CAC an- Many Chinese Internet users floors directly below another financial hub has been hit by it. Taiwan and the Philippines “We’ve already seen around tag and let the topic gradually die nounced that it had punished have turned to black humour or man who had already been panic buying even though have close economic and cultural 300 more journalists dispatched out from the hot search list, and some websites, mobile applica- shared images, songs and other diagnosed as a carrier. “We the government has said ties, but no formal diplomatic to Wuhan and surrounding ar- guard against harmful informa- tions and social media accounts art forms in private WeChat are not sure what was the imports remain steady. There relations, as the Philippines, like eas to report on the outbreak. It’s tion.” for publishing illicit content on groups to express their dismay. exact route of transmission,” is an acute shortage of face most countries, only recognises highly likely their brief is to paint Sarah Cook, the China me- the outbreak, saying it wanted One phrase widely shared Wong Ka-hing, from the Centre masks - including in hospitals the government in Beijing, and a rosier picture of the govern- dia bulletin director at Freedom to foster a “good online atmos- mocked how many Internet pag- for Health Protection, told where stocks are being rapidly not in Taipei. ment’s relief eff orts rather than House, said that previous cri- phere” amid the country’s eff orts es and content were now show- reporters. “It could still be depleted - fuelling anger More than 115,000 Philippine engage in any muckraking or ses had also seen brief windows to contain the epidemic. ing “server not found” or “404”. through the usual method of towards the city’s pro-Beijing citizens live and work in Taiwan, critical reporting.” of openness, such as the deadly A notice circulated by CAC last 404+404+404+404+404=2020 droplets or contact.” leaders. mainly in factories and employed The cyberspace regulator, 2011 crash of a high-speed train week that was seen by Reuters ,” said the shared post. as household help.

Rains forecast to douse Australia wildfi res Big bird on show

Reuters longest running blazes and NSW tourists under apocalyptic-like around 20 blazes yesterday - Sydney offi cials are hopeful that more red skies during Australia’s peak down from a peak of 60. Heavy rain forecast for this week will summer holiday period. rain was also forecast in Victoria extinguish the remaining 24 Hawkesbury City Mayor Bar- for coming days, although offi - orrential rain across Aus- fi res, four of which are burning ry Calvert said the dousing of cials expect it to dampen, rather tralia’s east could ex- “uncontrolled”. the massive Gospers Mountain than extinguish, many of the Ttinguish all remaining “All going well, all will be con- fi re this week was a huge relief. fi res. bushfi res in the country’s most tained and we’re hopeful to get “We’ve been living with this fi re “The lower end rainfall totals populous state by the end of the to a stage where we can call them for four months,” he told Reuters won’t put out fi res, they will week, authorities said yesterday, out,” the NSW Rural Fire Service by telephone. allow them to be contained or raising hopes a deadly national (RFS) said in an e-mailed state- “We could never relax. For controlled by fi refi ghters in the crisis is almost over. ment. several weeks, we all had our near future,” Victorian State Australia has been battling The current situation is a far bags packed ready to evacuate Response Controller Tim Wie- hundreds of blazes since Sep- cry from the height of the crisis as the fi re would move quickly in busch told reporters in Mel- tember in an unusually pro- in early January when NSW fi re- diff erent directions depending bourne. longed summer wildfi re season fi ghters were battling almost 150 on how the wind changed.” In Queensland state, which that was fuelled by three years of fi res that produced a fi refront “The smoke would also get also received heavy rainfalls, just drought, which experts have at- about 6,000 km long. Blazes you down, we were desperate one fi re remains ablaze, while tributed to climate change. across the country have razed for some clean air.” The welcome nine fi res are alight in South Heavy rain and storms have nearly 12mn hectares (29.7mn rainfall has come as something Australia south. The rainfall has, in recent days swept across New acres) of tinder-dry bushland, of an early surprise. The Bureau however, proved to be a double- South Wales (NSW) state, which killing 33 people and an esti- of Meteorology in January said edged sword. bore the brunt of a crisis that mated 1bn native animals, since rains suffi cient enough to extin- Nearly 60,000 households engulfed several states and ter- September. guish the fi res was unlikely until across NSW remained without ritories at its peak. The fi res destroyed thousands at least March. electricity yesterday as fl ash Visitors walk in front of a static display of the United States Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III The downpour has already of homes and prompted mass In neighbouring Victoria fl ooding bought down power- on the tarmac during the Singapore Airshow in Singapore yesterday. doused two of the biggest and evacuations of both locals and state, fi refi ghters were battling lines and trees. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 12, 2020 13 BRITAIN/IRELAND

POLITICS INVESTIGATION LAW AND ORDER OUTBREAK VERDICT Johnson plans cabinet Four held over killing Two more arrested for Team tests coronavirus Man convicted of terrorist reshuff le tomorrow of N Ireland journalist Vietnamese truck deaths vaccine on mice plot at London tourist sites

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will shake up his top Four men were arrested under the Terrorism The police said that two more arrests had been A team of UK scientists believe they are among A man was found guilty of plotting terrorist team tomorrow in his first cabinet reshuff le since Act in Northern Ireland yesterday in connection made over the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants the first to start animal testing of a vaccine for attacks at tourist sites in London just over a year taking Britain out of the European Union, his off ice with the death of journalist Lyra McKee in 2019, found in the back of a truck near London last year the new coronavirus outbreak that has killed after he was acquitted of terrorism following said. The Conservative leader had held off from a police said. The men, aged 20, 27, 29 and 52, while investigations indicated they had died of more than 1,000 people and spread around the his previous arrest outside Buckingham Palace. ministerial revamp in the wake of the December were detained in Londonderry and were being overheating and lack of oxygen. The victims, who world. Researchers at Imperial College London Mohuissunnath Chowdhury, from Luton, was election, preferring instead to wait until Brexit was held in Belfast after the 29-year-old was shot included two 15-year-old boys, were found on said their ultimate goal was to have an eff ective convicted at Woolwich Crown Court after he told delivered on January 31. “On Thursday, the prime in the head during a night of rioting and petrol an industrial estate in Grays in Essex in October. and safe way of halting the Sars-like strain’s spread undercover police about his plans during a six- minister is expected to carry out a reshuff le of his bombing. “The arrests have been made under Mostly from Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces by the end of the year. “At the moment we have month surveillance. His sister Sneha Chowdhury ministerial team,” his spokesman said. He will then the Terrorism Act after the New IRA claimed in north-central Vietnam, their deaths shone a just put the vaccine that we’ve generated from was convicted of failing to report his plans to hold a meeting of his new-look cabinet on Friday. responsibility for murdering Lyra, who was shot light on the human smuggling trade. Autopsies these bacteria into mice,” Imperial College London counterterrorism police, even after he asked her After years of political turmoil over Brexit, Johnson dead in the Creggan area of the city on April 18, had concluded that the provisional cause of researcher Paul McKay said. “We’re hoping that to help practise an attack, the Metropolitan Police wants to focus on domestic issues, including his 2019,” a police statement said. The police have death was a combination of hypoxia — oxygen over the next few weeks we’ll be able to determine said. Chowdhury was arrested in possession promise to “level up” the country by creating more asked community members to come forward deprivation — and hyperthermia — overheating — the response that we can see in those mice, in their of a sword near Buckingham Palace in central opportunities around Britain, not just in London. with information on the crime. in an enclosed space. blood, their antibody response to the coronavirus.” London in 2017 and was charged with terrorism. Crackdown on terror sentences to aff ect about 50 prisoners

Guardian News and Media nine counts of sharing terror London material on social media and encouraging hatred, including by tweeting support for ISIS. He bout 50 prisoners con- is understood to have been due victed of terror off ences for automatic release on Febru- Awill no longer be auto- ary 28. matically freed halfway through Others that the thinktank says their sentences, under emergen- are due for automatic release in cy government legislation de- March include Mohamed Ghani, signed to prevent further attacks from Barnet, north London, by recently released inmates. who in 2019 was sentenced to The urgent introduction of a 28 months for four off ences in- parliamentary bill yesterday – cluding threatening to kill po- due to become law before the lice offi cers in a call to 999 and end of the month – is aimed at possessing the ISIS propaganda pre-empting the release of any magazine Inspire. Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks with apprentices during a tour of the Curzon Street railway station where the HS2 rail project is under construction, in Birmingham, more prisoners serving a fi xed- Mohamed Khilji, from Brent, Britain, yesterday. length terrorist sentence. north-west London, who was The move follows the Lon- jailed in June 2018 for fi ve years don Bridge knife attacks by Us- on eight counts of encourag- man Khan in November last year ing terrorism by sharing graphic and the Streatham stabbings videos of ISIS beheadings was by Sudesh Amman this month. also due to be freed shortly. Both men were convicted ter- Aras Hamid, jailed for eight rorists released mid-term from years in January 2017 for trying prison on licence. to join ISIS, would have been eli- PM gives go-ahead for Most of the 50 or so inmates gible for release this year. He was aff ected by retrospective chang- arrested in the back of a lorry in es to enforcement of their sen- a layby at Dover. Hamid was also tences are believed to be serving found to have possessed what time for terror-related crimes, the Crown Prosecution Service though others may be far-right said was large quantities of ter- activists. rorist material. high-speed rail project Of the 224 inmates serving The government argues the time for terror-related off ences changes, though applying to Reuters terday he would restore disci- in those regions to whom he government and the country’s side London, he also promised in British prisons in September those already behind bars and London pline to Europe’s largest infra- promised so much in the gener- neck”. “an integrated plan for rail in last year, 77% were classed as eff ectively retrospective, do not structure project after its costs al election are going to be sorely Johnson responded defi ant- the north”. having extremist views and 17% alter the total length of sentenc- spiralled. disappointed when they see ly: “Every great infrastructure He said that a minister would were deemed to support far- es imposed by the courts. rime Minister Boris John- “The cabinet has given high- what actually happens.” project is opposed by the people be appointed to oversee the right ideologies. Instead of being freed auto- son yesterday gave the speed rail the green signal,” he HS2 is one of the few issues at this stage.” project, and promised to cut its A total of 53 prisoners held matically halfway through their P“green signal” for a high- told Parliament. causing unrest in Johnson’s He avoided the embarrass- cost. for terror off ences were released sentence, inmates will be forced speed rail line connecting Lon- “We are going to get this Conservative Party since he ment of a widespread party re- HS2, which initially won in the year up to the end of June to spend a minimum of two- don to northern England, de- done, and to ensure we do so won a large majority in parlia- bellion by promising to overhaul government approval in 2012, 2019. thirds of their term behind bars fying critics of the overbudget without further blowouts on ment. the project’s management, re- will connect London to Bir- The Henry Jackson Society, a before being referred to the Pa- project and underlining his either costs or schedule, we The line cuts through areas view some elements of its route mingham, known as phase one, thinktank, estimates there are role Board, which will consider willingness to spend big on in- are taking decisive action to outside London which are home and simultaneously announce before splitting into two and 11 terror off enders on fixed sen- their release. Those receiving frastructure. restore discipline to the pro- to Conservative voters, putting funding for other local trans- heading further north, to Man- tences who would have been el- sentences for off enders of par- Known as HS2, the scheme gramme.” pressure on lawmakers who port projects. chester in the west and Leeds to igible for early release this year ticular concern (SOPCs) will also will slash journey times and A review was carried out last represent them. Johnson said he was backing the east. before the law was changed, be aff ected. add capacity to Britain’s year into whether HS2 should But it is also symbolic of his HS2 as part of a wider revamp of The government has already including fi ve individuals who The legislation will cover crowded network, allow- still go ahead, after its predicted election promise to spend more Britain’s transport infrastruc- spent £7.4bn on HS2 without would otherwise have been England, Wales and Scotland but ing it to catch up with coun- cost rose to a reported £106bn, money improving infrastruc- ture, including upgrades to laying down any tracks. freed in late February and early not Northern Ireland. Anyone tries such as France and Spain almost double the bill fi ve years ture in the north of England. buses and cycle lanes, empha- However, the physical work March. sentenced to less than two years which have long had extensive ago. “HS2 is unloved, unwanted sising a plan to build connec- has started, with buildings de- The fi rst is Mohamed Zahir for relatively minor terror of- high-speed rail. Opposition Labour Party and has been grossly misman- tions between towns and cities molished, land cleared and util- Khan, a shopkeeper from Sun- fences – such as wearing a uni- Johnson, who secured a big leader Jeremy Corbyn said the aged,” Conservative lawmaker in northern England. ities rerouted. derland, who was sentenced form or displaying an article of a election victory in December by government had shown it was Andrew Bridgen said, adding Fitting with Johnson’s prior- Contracts worth around to four years and six months in proscribed organisation – will be winning towns across northern unable to manage large projects that he feared the project “could ity to “level up” the country by £10bn have already been hand- May 2018 at the age of 40 for excluded from the changes. England, told lawmakers yes- properly and warned: “People well be an albatross around this investing in transport links out- ed out for construction work.

Royal visit Queen’s grandson Sinn Fein urges EU to back united Ireland bid to divorce wife AFP formed when the Dail recon- Dublin venes on February 20, it must contain multiple parties and Reuters wonderful daughters Savannah The Sun, newspaper which talks have already begun to London and Isla.” fi rst reported the split, said the inn Fein yesterday thrash out a coalition. Buckingham Palace said it had monarch, 93, would be very up- called on the European Sinn Fein wants a central no comment as it was a private set by the news which comes on SUnion to back its bid for role in power after winning eter Phillips, the grand- matter. the back on a series of major set- a united Ireland after a surge 24.5% of fi rst preferences in son of Queen Elizabeth, The statement said both backs for the royal family. in support saw it become the Ireland’s single transferable Pand his Canadian wife are families were saddened by the Harry and Meghan plunged second largest party in par- vote system — the largest of to divorce after 12 years of mar- news. the Windsors into crisis last liament. any party. riage, the couple announced Phillips, 42, son of Elizabeth’s month when they announced The result from Satur- Its leader Mary Lou Mc- yesterday. daughter Princess Anne and they wanted to cut back on offi - day’s election has shaken up Donald has already talked to Phillips, the eldest of the 15th-in-line to the throne, and cial duties. the political landscape in the smaller left-wing parties to monarch’s eight grandchildren, Autumn, 41, met in 2003 at the That led to a deal which means EU member state, with Sinn try to determine whether it is and Autumn had informed the Montreal Grand Prix, when he they will retire as working royals Fein — once shunned because possible to form a government queen and their family last year, worked for the Formula 1 racing to spend more time in Canada of its links to IRA paramili- without the two main centre- their statement said. team BMW Williams and she and the US. taries — also the second big- right parties. The couple, who married in worked at the BMW hospitality Meanwhile, the Queen’s sec- gest party across the border “I may well be the next taoi- 2008, have two children, Savan- suite. ond son Prince Andrew also in British-ruled Northern seach (prime minister),” she nah, 9, and Isla, 7. They married at the Queen’s stepped down from public duties Ireland. said on a walkabout in Dublin “They had reached the con- Windsor Castle residence near in November. When vote counting fi n- on Monday. clusion that this was the best London, the scene for a number “The Queen must wonder ished in the early hours, the “Sinn Fein won the election, course of action for their two of recent royal weddings includ- what she has done to deserve nationalist left-wing Sinn Fein we won the popular vote... children and ongoing friend- ing that of another of Elizabeth’s this,” the Sun quoted an un- had secured 37 of the 160 seats I’m very clear that people who ship,” their spokesman said. grandsons, Prince Harry to his named senior royal source as in the Dail, Ireland’s lower came out and voted for Sinn “The decision to divorce and American wife Meghan. saying. house of parliament. Fein have voted for Sinn Fein to share custody came about after Phillips has no royal title and “Peter Phillips has always Centre-right party Fianna be in government.” many months of discussions has tended to stay out of the been a favourite of hers and Fail was only one seat ahead The surge in support for and although sad, is an amica- limelight. Prince Philip and she will be with 38 while Prime Minister nationalist Sinn Fein, once re- ble one. He did, however, organise a gi- crestfallen by this, especially on Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, speaks with a wheelchair Leo Varadkar’s Fine Gael took garded as the political wing of “The couples’ fi rst priority ant street party in front of Buck- top of all the other bad news. patient during a visit to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation 35 — a result likely to topple the the IRA, broke the strangle- will remain the continued well- ingham Palace to celebrate the “It makes you wonder what’s Centre (DMRC) in Nottinghamshire yesterday. premier from offi ce. hold of two-party politics in being and upbringing of their Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016. going to happen next.” If a new government is to be Ireland. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 EUROPE

World CO2 emissions WHO says coronavirus is stable in 2019: IEA

DPA ‘public enemy number 1’ Paris

DPA accurate or stigmatising”, Ghe- medication is developed. Within the same 24-hour pe- Geneva breyesus said. The virus has thrown indus- riod, 2,478 new infections were orld carbon diox- To prevent the outbreak from tries that do business with Chi- confi rmed across China, bring- ide (CO2) emissions turning into a pandemic, gov- na into chaos, including travel ing the total tally up to 37,626. Wstopped growing in he World Health Or- ernments must help poorer and tourism. Two stranded cruise ships 2019, after two years of increas- ganisation (WHO) has countries now so that their In Washington, US Federal have illustrated the fears sur- es, the International Energy Tdescribed the new coro- health systems become able to Reserve Chairman Jerome Pow- rounding covid-19. Agency (IEA) said yesterday. navirus as a major global threat stem the virus, the WHO chief ell warned that covid-19 could The Diamond Princess, op- Global emissions stood at 33.3 while speaking out against some said. have a broader fi nancial impact erated by Carnival cruises, re- gigatonnes, with a sharp decline of the extreme measures that He noted that 99% of the around the world. mained quarantined off the in the amount of emissions from have been taken to contain it. more than 40,000 cases have It “could lead to disruptions in coast of Yokohama, Japan, advanced economies making up “A virus is more powerful in occurred within China and only China that spill over to the rest where it has been for a week. for a continuing increase in de- creating political, social and two fatalities have been reported of the global economy”, he said. At least 135 cases of infection veloping countries. economic upheaval than any outside the Chinese mainland. Meanwhile, a raft of deaths have been confi rmed on board, Declining use of coal for terrorist attack,” WHO chief Te- But he said it was “concern- and new infections continue to with the ill removed and taken to electricity generation was the dros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told ing” that person-to-person be reported in China. hospital. Ghebreyesus: A virus is more powerful in creating political, social driving factor in emissions re- reporters in Geneva. transmissions to people with no The country’s daily death toll Thailand, meanwhile, became and economic upheaval than any terrorist attack. ductions in wealthy countries, With scientists still learning travel history to China had re- topped 100 for the fi rst time the latest country to deny entry assisted by milder weather in about how the pathogen spreads cently appeared in France and since the virus emerged in late to a luxury cruise ship operated economies and societies work- Genetic analysis of the vi- several countries, the Paris- and where it came from, one Britain. December. by the Holland America Line, ing. rus suggests that it may have based agency said. thing that the UN health agency Ghebreyesus made the com- On Monday, 108 people died even though no cases have been “We must accept that under originally been transmitted In the European Union emis- was able to say with certainty ments at the launch of a two-day due to the virus, according to confi rmed on board. these circumstances there is from bats, senior WHO scientist sions fell by 5%, thanks to in- was that the disease has been of- scientifi c conference in Geneva fi gures released by the country’s WHO emergency operations no such thing as zero risk,” he Marie-Paule Kieny said. creased use of renewable energy fi cially named “covid-19”. yesterday to speed up the devel- health authorities, a spike that chief Mike Ryan urged govern- added. However, it was very likely sources and a switch from coal The abbreviation stands for opment of medications and vac- exceeded the 97 deaths recorded ments to respect the “dignity Since the beginning of the that the virus was passed on in- to gas. coronavirus disease 2019, and cines for the new coronavirus. the day before. and human rights of travellers”. outbreak in December, the virus directly from the small winged Germany led the way with an was intended to “prevent the use The WHO chief said that it The death toll now stands at Health concerns must be bal- has spread to about two dozen mammals to humans via some 8% reduction. of other names that can be in- might take 18 months before a 1,016. anced with the goal of keeping countries. intermediate species, she added. The United States, with a 2.9% reduction, produced to- tal carbon dioxide emissions of 4.8 gigatonnes – down almost one gigatonne from their peak in 2000. New top Euthanasia bill sparks fi erce debate in Spain Japan also registered a 4% de- cline, aided by increasing output from reopened nuclear power offi cials in Reuters a cure, without a solution and plants that had been shut down Madrid which cause signifi cant suff er- after the 2011 Fukushima disas- ing,” government spokeswom- ter. Moscow an Maria Jesus Montero said Demand for coal continued pain’s new left-wing gov- yesterday, adding that doctors to grow in Asia, however, which ernment submitted to who object to the practice will was responsible for almost 80% and Kyiv Sparliament yesterday a be able to opt out. of the 400-megatonne increase bill that would allow euthanasia The Catholic Church – his- in carbon emissions from devel- and assisted suicide in certain torically a lodestar for public oping economies. point to cases, reigniting a bitter debate opinion in Spain – considers The agency singled out South- on whether to decriminalise euthanasia to be morally wrong, east Asia as having seen particu- both practices. and the main conservative op- larly strong emissions growth. thaw in ties Euthanasia involves a phy- position People’s Party (PP) sician taking an active role in and far-right Vox also want it to ending a patient’s life whereas remain a criminal off ence. Record seizure Reuters in assisted suicide the doctor But the church’s infl uence Moscow/Kyiv provides a lethal substance for has been on the wane ever since of fentanyl the patient to self-administer. Francisco Franco’s dictatorship Under the current law, help- ended in 1975. Dutch police have made a record ew senior appointments ing someone end their life car- Vox spokeswoman Ro- seizure of fentanyl, prosecutors in Moscow and Kyiv ries a jail term of up to 10 years, cio Monasterio said her party said yesterday. Npointed towards a tenta- but 84% of Spaniards are in would mount “fi erce” resist- Police off icers found more than tive thaw in relations, after the favour of decriminalisation, ance to the bill, which she said a kilo (2.2 pounds) of what Ukrainian president’s new chief according to a 2018 national would allow people whose life they initially believed to be of staff off ered guarded praise opinion poll. was no longer considered use- cocaine hidden in a plastic bag for the man who has been put in After two previous attempts ful to be “eliminated”. in a garden shed belonging to a charge of the Ukraine fi le in the to change the law failed due to a Euthanasia has attracted 42-year-old man in the southern Kremlin. lack of support and the prema- much attention in Spain, which A man holds a sign, reading in Spanish ‘There is no right to kill’ during a demonstration against city of Eindhoven on February 3. While there was no indication ture end of the previous legisla- has one of the world’s highest euthanasia, called by the ‘Derecho a Vivir’ (Right to live) group, in front of parliament in Madrid. But the Netherlands forensic whether the timing of the an- ture last year, the government life expectancies, particularly institute identified the substance nouncements was intentional, now has an almost guaranteed since the 2004 fi lm Mar Aden- ades campaigned for the legal and two other political parties tures demanding a referendum. as the powerful opioid painkiller the simultaneous appointments majority through the support tro (The Sea Inside) catapulted right to die, committed assisted including the Left Bloc have Within Europe, euthanasia fentanyl, the Dutch federal in the two capitals were seen in of the centre-right Ciudadanos the issue into the national spot- suicide after courts denied him submitted separate proposals, and assisted suicide are allowed prosecution service said in a both countries as signs of a new and a handful of smaller par- light. that right. which the Portuguese parlia- in Switzerland, the Netherlands statement. approach to a confl ict that has ties. The Spanish fi lm tells the Neighbouring Portugal is ment is likely to approve. and Belgium in certain circum- Fentanyl is 50 times stronger killed over 13,000 people. “We’re talking about clearly story of how Ramon Sampedro, also debating legalising eutha- Opponents however have stances and under strict local than heroin and up to 100 times In Kyiv, President Volodymyr debilitating diseases without a paralysed man who for dec- nasia and the ruling Socialists collected thousands of signa- regulations. more potent than morphine. Zelenskiy elevated aide Andriy Yermak, who had acted as an en- voy in prisoner exchanges with Russia in recent months, to the post of chief of staff . In Moscow, the Kremlin Austria blocking EU sea patrols over migrants: diplomats said that the relationship with Ukraine would now be handled by the Ukrainian-born deputy Reuters Nearly 190 migrants rescued in Spain aft er missing boat found country” for migrants seeking a The EU’s top diplomat Josep head of the Russian presidential Brussels/Rome better life in Europe, similarly Borrell, who has warned the bloc administration, Dmitry Kozak, Nearly 190 migrants have been rescued off the coast authorities. to Germany and Sweden, and is that it may become irrelevant if sidelining a noted hardliner, of southern Spain after rescuers found the three Spanish sea emergency services rescued all of the opposed to the maritime patrols, it cannot act more assertively, Vladislav Surkov. taly is prepared to consider a boats they were travelling in and brought them to 69 migrants on the third boat and brought them to arguing that rescuing people en- hoped to reach a deal to revive Yermak told the Ukraine 24 TV resumption of maritime pa- safety yesterday. safety in Motril harbour, in Granada. courages more to come. the maritime patrols on Febru- channel on Monday, before ei- Itrols in the Mediterranean, Port authorities had already seen two of the boats, Those on board the three boats included 40 women Diplomats said that Vienna ary 17 at a meeting of foreign ther appointment was formally a senior offi cial said, but diplo- carrying 119 people, on Monday evening and brought and 10 minors. had rejected a compromise for ministers in Brussels. announced, that he had met Ko- mats said Austria is sticking to them to safety in the port of Malaga. All are reported to be in a healthy condition. the mission to resume in phases, Borrell noted in a speech to zak and thought he was an im- its objections, in a blow to Euro- They were received by a Red Cross team, the aid All of the migrants were from sub-Saharan Africa. starting with air surveillance the European Parliament on provement on Surkov. pean eff orts to uphold a UN arms organisation said on Twitter. The boats had set sail from the Moroccan coast of over the sea, then moving into all Monday that Austria has “major A senior source involved in embargo on Libya. The third boat was initially missing and a sea plane Bouyafard. Libyan airspace and then with a concerns” about reviving a mis- Ukraine’s negotiations with The EU’s military mission spent several hours searching for the vessel before it Time and again people travel from Morocco to try fi nal phase using all available EU sion that many European Union Russia said: “Our experience Operation Sophia stopped de- was spotted by sailors on a merchant ship, accord- and reach the Spanish coast via the western Mediter- assets on air, land and sea. governments said had been ef- with Kozak ... shows he has been ploying ships last March after ing to Europa Press news agency, which cited the ranean. At a news conference with fective in dissuading smugglers constructive, kept his word and Italy, facing an anti-immigrant his German counterpart Angela when it was fi rst launched in we have had the impression he backlash, said it would no longer Merkel last week, Kurz said that June 2015. has been focused on achieving receive those rescued at sea. Italy also insists that the mis- “The reactivation of Opera- despite weeks of negotiations, enforcing the UN embargo was Borrell told Italy’s La Repub- the results that we got.” Italy is ready to restart the sion not focus on rescues while tion (Sophia) is possible but with Austria’s conservative govern- “possible from the air”. blica newspaper that a compro- Russia and Ukraine have been sea patrols, the country’s vice- accepting the principle of re- a profoundly revised mandate ment has retained its objections. However, EU military com- mise was sea patrols away from enemies since 2014, when pro- foreign minister said, but Aus- newed sea patrols, following a and a focus on the arms embargo The EU needs the support of manders who briefed EU dip- the central Mediterranean and Moscow president Viktor Yanu- tria was still blocking the move, summit of world leaders last in Libya,” Italy’s Vice-Foreign all 27 member countries to re- lomats this month warned that migrant routes, “further to the kovych was toppled in Kyiv and based on its position that people month in Berlin to seek a cease- Minister Emanuela Del Re told start the maritime patrols. anti-aircraft systems in Libya east towards Benghazi, or even Moscow responded by seizing rescued on the high seas should fi re among Libya’s two rival gov- Reuters yesterday. Austrian Chancellor Sebas- made such overfl ights increas- by the Suez canal. The arms and annexing Ukraine’s Crimea not be taken to Europe. ernments. However, diplomats said that tian Kurz says Austria is a “target ingly risky. come from the east”. peninsula. Moscow-backed separatists then launched an uprising in eastern Ukraine, leading to a confl ict which has persisted de- spite a 2015 ceasefi re. AfD plans to take legal action over Merkel’s state vote comments Both countries were keen to play down the prospect of an abrupt change in their relation- DPA mier,” Bjoern Hoecke, the head ers and fuelling anti-Semitism The AfD national leader- right to equal opportunity,” said and said she had not done so. ship. Berlin of the AfD’s parliamentary group – has been a red line for German ship also plans to submit a “le- AfD leader Joerg Meuthen. Her words were an assess- “The change in the leadership in Thuringia, tweeted yesterday. establishment parties. gal warning with a declaration Merkel led the CDU until De- ment of the political situation in in the offi ce of the president in Thomas Kemmerich was Hoecke said his complaint to cease and desist”, a party cember 2018, when she handed Thuringia, Michl argued. no way aff ects the policy of the he far-right Alternative elected state premier of the cen- stems from statements that spokesman said. over the party’s reins to Anne- The expert also noted that state,” Zelenskiy’s offi ce said in a for Germany (AfD) party tral German state of Thuringia Merkel made on February 6 dur- “Since Mrs Merkel no longer gret Kramp-Karrenbauer. members of the Bundestag, in- statement. Tplans to take legal action on February 5 by members of ing a trip to South Africa, when holds a relevant function in the Walther Michl, a Munich- cluding Merkel, have immunity Opposition politicians from against Chancellor Angela Mer- Merkel’s Christian Democrats she called Kemmerich’s elec- CDU and was in the African based legal scholar, believes from prosecution. the Fatherland party and the kel over statements she made (CDU), the AfD and his pro- tion “unforgivable” and said it country not recognisably as a that the AfD’s complaint against It is not the fi rst time that the bloc of Zelenskiy’s predecessor, about the government crisis in business Free Liberals. should be reversed. CDU member but as the German Merkel has no chance of success, far-right party has taken legal Petro Poroshenko, said Yermak’s Thuringia. Working with the AfD – an Hoecke accused Merkel of co- head of government, there is saying: “This is a clear PR stunt.” steps against Merkel and other elevation signalled a softening of “I will fi le a complaint against anti-immigrant party accused ercing Kemmerich into resign- here a clear case of abuse of of- Michl said that Merkel would politicians – with mixed suc- policy towards Russia. Merkel for coercion of the pre- of harbouring Nazi sympathis- ing. fi ce with damage to the parties’ have had to threaten Kemmerich cess. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 12, 2020 15 INDIA

AAP sweeps back to power in Delhi with 62 of 70 seats, inflicts Kejriwal: win marks crushing defeat on BJP; Congress fails ‘new politics of work’ to open its account

Agencies everyone else to follow.” New Delhi It was the BJP’s fi rst elec- toral test since deadly anti- government protests erupted he Aam Aadmi Party nearly two months ago. yesterday swept back The protests, in which at Tto power in New Delhi least 25 people have been winning 62 of the 70 seats in killed, erupted across the the crucial assembly elec- country in mid-December, tions. after the BJP passed a new The polls were considered citizenship law critics say vio- a bellwether for Prime Min- lates India’s secular constitu- ister Narendra Modi and his tion and discriminates against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), minority Muslims. which was a distant second, The BJP’s Delhi unit chief getting only eight seats. Manoj Tiwari had predicted it “It is the victory of people of would win a majority. Delhi who considered me their Neelanjan Sircar, an as- son,” AAP leader and outgoing sistant professor at Ashoka Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal University near New Delhi, told his supporters at a rally in said that local issues, includ- Delhi, saying the win marked a ing delivery of basic services “new politics of work.” like education and health, ap- “This is the type of politics peared to sway voters towards that will take the country for- the AAP, even as the BJP ran ward in the 21st century.” a polarising campaign on the Modi congratulated Kejri- back of Modi’s image. wal. “Modi is a larger than life “Wishing them the very character at the national level, best in fulfi lling the aspira- which obviously gives the BJP tions of the people of Delhi,” a huge advantage in national Modi tweeted. politics,” Sircar said. Kejriwal said he looked for- “But it doesn’t translate to ward to working with Modi’s state level politics, where the government for the capital’s BJP often doesn’t have a char- development. ismatic face.” He told Modi he wished to Bespectacled former bu- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal waves to supporters after visiting a temple following his party’s emphatic victory in assembly elections, in New Delhi yesterday. make Delhi a world class city. reaucrat Kejriwal, 51, formed “Thank u so much, sir. I look AAP in 2012 amid an anti-cor- forward to working closely ruption movement that swept with Centre to make our capi- India. tal city into a truly world class The party won a stunning Atishi, Chadha likely city,” he tweeted. victory in 2015 state elections Delhi has defeated polarising The Congress party failed to in the capital, wiping out the open its account. BJP and Congress. to join new cabinet Earlier, AAP supporters The Congress registered its agenda of BJP: Chidambaram danced in the streets as the lowest vote percentage at less count showed they were in- than 5% this time, and party IANS fl icting a crushing defeat on leaders were busy touting dif- IANS results with humility. There was a claims of winning 48 seats have New Delhi Modi. ferent reasons. New Delhi strong polarisation in Delhi. The fallen fl at on the ground. The re- They cavorted to bhangra According to the latest Elec- result is also due to that. Every sults refl ect that people of Delhi music and set off fi reworks in tion Commission fi gures, the election is a test of democracy. can never go with communal ith another landslide expectation they would get a AAP garnered 53.65% of the ormer fi nance minister and “We dedicate ourselves to revive forces.” victory for the Aam landslide victory. votes polled in the February 8 senior Congress leader P the Congress party. At the same Congress spokesman Ran- WAdmi Party in the The BJP had launched an elections, the BJP 38.47% and FChidambaram yesterday time, we are happy that the most deep Surjewala said “the mandate Delhi assembly polls, party chief aggressive campaign to win the Congress 4.31%. taunted the Bharatiya Janata Party toxic election campaign unleashed and message of people of Delhi is Arvind Kejriwal plans to rejig his the city of 20mn people from The Congress was unable to over its defeat in the Delhi as- by the prime minister and home defi nitely against us but it is also cabinet when he forms the new the AAP. even save the security depos- sembly elections saying the Aam minister led by the BJP, is defeated against the communal leadership of government. But the AAP, which swept its of its candidates in almost Aadmi party won and the “bluff today. That is the message people of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sources said that Atishi Mar- to power in 2015 after being all the seats it contested, bar- and bluster” lost. Delhi have given today. We are quite Home Minister Amit Shah. People lena and Raghav Chadha would launched three years earlier by ring one. Four seats were left “AAP won, bluff and bluster sure that we will work hard and have rejected their ideology.” be part of the new cabinet. Mar- Chadha (above) and Marlena Kejriwal, retained control. for ally Rashtriya Janata Dal of lost. The people of Delhi, who are come back – that’s our promise in Nationalist Congress Party lena won from Kalkaji and Chadha The BJP won a huge major- Bihar. from all parts of India, have de- this hour of defeat.” president Sharad Pawar said “the from Rajinder Nagar. Both were ity in national elections last The party’s best electoral feated the polarising, divisive and Echoing the same sentiments, Modi-Shah magic has failed in contributing to the state govern- year, but Delhi adds to six performance in the Delhi as- dangerous agenda of the BJP,” he Congress’ Delhi president Sub- Delhi.” ment in diff erent capacities as ad- state elections Modi’s party sembly elections came in 2003 tweeted. hash Chopra said: “Both parties “Congratulations to Arvind visers before being removed by the has lost in the last two years. when it bagged 48%. In 2008, “I salute the people of Delhi successfully polarised the elec- Kejriwal-ji and AAP workers for central government, citing their Kejriwal fought the election the fi gure was 40%. In the who have set an example to other tion. All claims of BJP which the achieving a ‘sweeping victory’ in “illegal appointments”. on local issues such as subsi- 2015 assembly elections, the states that will hold their elec- home minister was making tall the polls!” Pawar tweeted. Marlena, an alumna of Delhi’s dised water and electricity, as Congress had got 9.7% votes tions in 2021 and 2022.” St Stephens College and Oxford well as the safety of women. but failed to win even a single Chidambaram was referring to Delhi Congress chief resigns University, has been praised by Yogendra Yadav, an aca- seat. polarisation in Delhi ahead of the the party for her eff orts to re- demic who was a member of After former chief min- assembly polls following the pas- With the Congress failing to open party that the state unit owns up form Delhi’s education sector. the AAP executive until 2015 ister Sheila Dikshit took sage of the Citizenship Amend- its account in the Delhi assembly the defeat. The party may now With her reaching the assembly, and now has his own party, charge of party affairs ahead ment Act (CAA). elections, the party’s Delhi unit focus on GenNext leaders since sources said the role of Deputy said the result was a clear re- of the 2019 Lok Sabha elec- Last month, there were three chief Subhash Chopra resigned no election is round the corner. Chief Minister Manish Sisodia jection of Modi and his party’s tions, the party’s vote share incidents of fi ring near an an- even as knives were out for the The party, which bagged 22% of would be a bit curtailed as she impact in the education system angry campaign. increased to 22% compared ti-CAA protest site in Delhi’s resignation of the party’s Delhi the polled votes in the 2019 Lok would now be looking after the in the national capital. She had “The BJP indulged in one of with the AAP’s 18% even Shaheen Bagh and Jamia Millia aff airs in-charge P C Chacko, who Sabha elections, got less than 5% Education Department. served as adviser to the deputy the most vitriolic, communal though it failed to win a sin- Islamia University area, in which a has been blamed for the dismal this time. The Congress has been Sisodia, with the help of chief minister on education from hate-mongering campaigns as gle Lok Sabha seat. student was injured. electoral show. Though Chopra a divided house in Delhi ever alumna, who completed her July 2015 to April 2018, before a desperate electoral gamble,” However, after her death Another Congress leader P C did not get suff icient time to gear since 2010 when a section of Master’s degree in History on a her removal for holding an unap- he said. in July 2019, it only seems a Chacko said: “We respect the ver- up the Congress for the electoral the party tried to dislodge Sheila Chevening scholarship and went proved designation. She is also a “If this succeeded, it would downhill journey for the Con- dict of the people. Congress lost battle, it’s a tradition with the Dikshit. to Oxford’s Magdalen College as member of the Political Aff airs have become a template for gress. the election today. We accept the a Rhodes Scholar, had made an Committee of the party. Mallya appeals against 11 jailed for life in Bihar shelter sex abuse case extradition from Britain ter or accomplices of Thakur. DPA New Delhi The crime was detected in July 2018 and caused national out- Reuters nancial status of Kingfisher quick buck” and that the col- rage after Mumbai-based Tata London Airlines. lapse was an ordinary busi- Delhi court yesterday Institute of Social Sciences sub- “This is not a Ponzi scheme ness failure. sentenced 11 people to life mitted a report containing the – this is an airline,” Mont- “Dr Mallya is not a fl y-by- Aimprisonment in a case girls’ complaints. usinessman Vijay Mallya gomery said. night fi gure,” she said. of sexual and physical assault of The court had recorded the launched an appeal in “Her assumption that she Mallya, who denies the several girls at a shelter home in statement of 33 girls, of which 14 BBritain’s High Court has an accurate evidential pic- charges against him and is cur- Bihar in 2018. alleged rape and the remaining yesterday against a 2018 deci- ture is simply false.” rently on bail, sat with the pub- Judge Saurabh Kulshrestha alleged sexual harassment and sion to extradite him to India In her 2018 judgment, Ar- lic in the courtroom to watch sentenced Brajesh Thakur, who physical assault, media reports to face fraud charges result- buthnot said that Indian bank- the appeal, which is expected ran the shelter in Bihar’s Muz- said. ing from the collapse of his ing offi cials might have been in to last two days. aff arpur district, and fi ve men Most of the victims were be- defunct company Kingfi sher “the thrall of this glamorous, His extradition would be to jail for the remainder of their tween 7 and 18 years. Airlines. fl ashy, famous, bejewelled, a huge win for Prime Minis- life, Thakur’s lawyer Nishaank The girls were forced to dance India wants to bring back bodyguarded, ostensibly bil- ter Narendra Modi, who has Mattoo told DPA. to vulgar songs, sedated and Mallya, 64, whose business in- lionaire playboy who charmed faced pressure from political “Thakur and fi ve others who raped at the shelter in the scan- terests have ranged from avia- and cajoled” them into ignor- opponents to bring to justice were found guilty of gang-rape dal that exposed the role of poli- tion to liquor, over $1.4bn in ing their own rules and regula- several people who have fled and sexual assault were handed ticians and senior offi cials, re- loans Kingfi sher took out from tions. India in recent years to escape the strictest form of life impris- ports said. Indian banks which the au- Mallya was nicknamed “the prosecution, many for loan onment, that of spending their Thakur, the owner of the NGO thorities argue he had no inten- King of Good Times” after the defaults. entire lives in jail,” he said. that ran the shelter, was also a tion of repaying. slogan of one of his premium In 2018, Arbuthnot rejected Another fi ve people, includ- politician and had contested the Mallya’s lawyer, Clare beers and his hard partying Mallya’s argument that the ing women staff members, were state assembly elections. Montgomery, said that the lifestyle. case was motivated by po- given standard life imprison- The fallout of the case in- 2018 extradition ruling by Montgomery sought to litical considerations, that he ment – which under Indian law cluded the resignation of then Judge Emma Arbuthnot had counter this image, saying would not receive a fair trial amounts to only 14 years – for state social welfare minister “multiple errors” because that in seeking the loan to in India and that extradition abetting rape. Manju Verma, after it emerged she did not take into account rescue his struggling airline would infringe his human All of those sentenced were that Thakur had links with her all the evidence about the fi- he was not trying to “make a rights. Mallya arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice in London yesterday. either staff members at the shel- husband. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 LATIN AMERICA

DECISION DEFENCE LAW AND ORDER LEGAL PEOPLE Maduro to file lawsuit over Colombia puts military on Bogota aims to eradicate Morales ordered to Correa bribery trial US sanctions on airline alert after guerrilla threat 321,237 acres of coca prove poll eligibility begins in Ecuador The Venezuelan government said it plans Colombia has put its armed forces on maximum Colombia hopes this year to eradicate 321,237 Exiled former president Evo Morales has The trial of former Ecuador president Rafael to file a lawsuit with the International Court alert following the announcement of a acres of coca, the base ingredient in cocaine, been given until today to prove he is a Correa, who lives in exile in Belgium, for illicit of Justice (ICJ) in response to Washington’s nationwide three-day “armed strike” by left-wing Defence Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo said. permanent resident in Bolivia or risk being campaign funding has begun. Correa, 56, decision to impose sanctions on state- guerrillas, the government said. ELN commander A wide variety of tools will be made available thrown off the list of Senate candidates for is accused of accepting funds from private owned airline Conviasa. “We are going to Uriel announced on social media the “72-hour to remove the coca plants, the minister said, May’s general election, the country’s supreme businesses for his 2013 election campaign in seek international justice with a lawsuit armed strike in the national territory” from including the possible re-introduction of aerial electoral court (TSE) said. The TSE said both return for state contracts. Another 20 people against the government of US President Friday. The ELN is the last recognised guerrilla spraying of the herbicide glyphosate. The Morales’s candidacy and that of his Movement are also facing trial for bribery, including ex- Donald Trump,” Venezuela’s president movement still fighting authorities in Colombia country has come under constant pressure for Socialism (MAS) party’s presidential vice-president Jorge Glas, who’s already been Nicolas Maduro told supporters in Caracas. and can count on around 2,300 fighters. ”All the from the US, the principal destination for candidate, Luis Arce, lack the necessary sentenced to six years in prison in a separate US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin country’s units are on maximum alert to deal cocaine, to reduce coca cultivation within its documentation. The TSE’s website says both case for accepting a bribe from Brazilian justified last week’s decision by saying with any requirement to protect the population,” borders since the end of 2017, when the area have until today to submit it. Morales is construction giant Odebrecht. Correa will be that the Maduro regime uses the airline “to said Defence Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo. He taken up by coca plantations hit 209,000 currently living in exile in Argentina having tried in absentia. If convicted, it would signal shuttle corrupt regime officials around the said the armed forces would “respond with the hectares. The coca crop in 2017 had the fled Bolivia in November after resigning as an end to Correa’s political career as Ecuador’s world to fuel support for its anti-democratic adequate and legitimate firmness in the face of capacity to produce 921 tonnes of cocaine, president following three weeks of protests at constitution bars those convicted of graft from efforts.” these terrorists’ threats.” according to the US government. his controversial re-election. standing for public off ice. Argentina, IMF to hold crucial debt revamp talks this week

Reuters need for some fi scal austerity with Buenos Aires the political restrictions imposed by the government’s leftist coali- tion,” Zelpo said. rgentina heads into do-or- “If it is successful the economy die talks this week with its will recover. If not, the recession Abiggest creditor, the In- will deepen,” he said. ternational Monetary Fund, fresh Analysts expect on average an from a failed bond sale on Mon- economic contraction of 1.5% this day that augured poorly for the year. government’s plan for revamping Fernandez’s late 2019 election about $100bn in debt. was a rebuke to previous leader The country wants to postpone Mauricio Macri, who killed his debt payments while honouring own hopes of re-election by im- its promise to voters to avoid pain- posing unpopular subsidy cuts ful budget cuts. that fuelled infl ation while his That agenda was dealt a blow over-borrowing in the bond mar- on Monday when the economy ket helped weaken the local peso ministry sent a one-sentence currency by 83% during his four- statement saying, without expla- year term. Activists participate in a protest against El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele at the National Congress in San Salvador, El Salvador. nation, that the planned issue of The IMF and Argentina have a peso-denominated debt had been complicated past. Many blame the abandoned. fund’s policies for causing a 2001 “The government wanted to economic meltdown that threw issue debt at a lower interest rate millions of middle-class Argen- than investors were willing to ac- tines into poverty. cept. This unsuccessful episode is A 2018 run on the peso none- not a good sign ahead of the IMF theless forced Macri into a $57bn talks and the restructuring proc- IMF loan agreement that included Supreme Court admits ess,” said Gabriel Zelpo, director tough fi scal targets. of Buenos Aires economic consul- Only $44bn of that money was tancy Seido. distributed before the agreement Left-leaning President Alberto was put on hold last year when Fernandez hopes to convince the Argentina admitted it would have fund to rejig $44bn in suspended to rejig a total of about $100bn in loans under a programme that debt. Economy Minister Martin lawsuit against Bukele would avoid the kind of fi scal aus- Guzman has approached the IMF terity and structural reforms the and bondholders with talk of an DPA act of intimidation to secure a criminal gangs, whose battle for stitutional crisis generated by the ers stationed near the legislative IMF typically imposes to restore investor-friendly bond revamp, Mexico City $109mn loan to better equip the territorial control makes El Sal- executive branch” and called on assembly, the unnecessary mili- nations’ fi nances. while making it clear the govern- country’s military. vador one of the most dangerous the United Nations and the Or- tary presence and the restrictions The government also wants IMF ment will neither risk worsening The president appealed to an countries in the world outside of ganisation of American States on press freedom could mark the approval of its plan to restructure the recession by imposing fi scal he Supreme Court of El article from the constitution to a war zone. (OAS) to monitor the situation. beginning of a dangerous route for tens of billions of dollars owed to austerity nor keep making unsus- Salvador has admitted an force the session, but the majority The 38-year-old president has The presence of soldiers in institutions and for human rights bondholders. It hopes to achieve tainable bond payments. Tunconstitutionality lawsuit of lawmakers were uncertain of deployed the country’s military to the parliament building drew in the country,” she said. all this before a March 31 deadline The fund and the government against President Nayib Bukele, the legality of the call and did not recapture land from the gangs. heavy criticism from interna- Bukele dismissed the accusa- it has imposed on itself so it may both say they expect a productive who on Sunday was accompanied attend the session. Local media, including el- tional rights activists, who ar- tions of authoritarianism in an in- refocus on restoring growth. dialogue this week. into parliament by armed soldiers He also threatened to allow a Salvador.com, cited opposition gued it undermined parliamen- terview with Spanish newspaper The future of Latin America’s The ministry wants to get the in an ongoing stand-off with law- popular uprising if the loan were lawmakers as saying that there tary independence. El Pais. No 3 economy hinges on today- IMF on board with its plan for de- makers. not approved by the following had been almost no discussion Jose Miguel Vivanco, the head “If I were a dictator or someone through-Friday discussions to be laying debt service payments long At the request of two citi- Sunday. The Supreme Court will of Bukele’s plan and that the lack of Human Rights Watch in the who doesn’t respect democracy, I held in Buenos Aires between IMF enough to let the economy emerge zens, the court admitted the case now determine whether the call of information about how the Americas, condemned the inci- would have taken control of eve- and Argentine offi cials. from recession and to improve its against Bukele and ordered him to for an extraordinary session was money would be used prevented dent on Twitter, referring to it as rything,” the 38-year-old said. The week may end without a repayment capacity. refrain from using the armed forc- constitutional or not and, in the them from making an informed “a show of brute force.” Amnesty Bukele came to power in June hard statement from either side “I don’t know if there will be an es “in activities contrary to (their) meantime, ordered as a precau- decision. “We cannot react to International’s Americas direc- 2019, after pledging to coun- about new economic or debt man- explicit or implicit endorsement constitutionally established pur- tionary measure that any action the executive with a gun to our tor Erika Guevara-Rosas said the ter the legacy of corruption and agement policies, however. from the IMF of the actual bond poses.” related to the dispute be paused. heads,” Mario Ponce, the head incident was reminiscent of “the gang violence in the country and “The government needs to restructuring,” said Siobhan Mor- Bukele’s decision to bring One of Bukele’s campaign of El Salvador’s opposition- darkest times of El Salvador’s his- promising to stem illegal migra- make the perfect move, with a den, head of Latin America Fixed armed soldiers into the parliament pledges ahead of his election vic- controlled Legislative Assembly, tory,” referring to the civil war that tion through Guatemala to the US. bond restructuring that the IMF Income Strategy at Amherst Pier- building during an extraordinary tory eight months ago was to wrote on Twitter. ended in 1992. El Salvador has one of the high- can approve and that balances the pont Securities. session on Sunday was seen as tackle the country’s powerful He also condemned the “in- “The multiple reports of snip- est murder rates in the world.

Fugitive arrested Mexico set to unveil ‘toned Brazil steps up fi ght down’ justice reforms against deforestation Reuters Deforestation in Brazil’s Ama- Brasilia zon doubled in January compared Reuters Reuters in January. the sources. “He brings his own with the same month a year ago, Mexico City The drafts, which included reforms.” The attorney general’s data from space research agency sweeping changes to Mexico’s offi ce did not respond to a request razil has authorised its na- INPE showed. criminal law, led to an outcry for comment. tional public security force Ibama environmental en- exico has scaled back a among rights groups and a rethink. In a previous statement, the of- Bto support eff orts to fight forcement agents told Reuters planned judicial reform The new version of the reform fi ce distanced itself from the drafts deforestation in the Amazon, last week that usually deforesta- Mthat alarmed rights de- “is not very deep” and does not and said Gertz had not signed off amid worries that 2020 could see tion falls to a minimum during fenders and caused a backlash go as far as the original plan, said on them. another surge in destruction of the current rainy season, from within President Andres Manuel one of the sources, a senior gov- The bill were to be submitted to the world’s largest rainforest. roughly October to April, but Lopez Obrador’s cabinet, three of- ernment offi cial who requested Congress in mid-January. Justice Minister Sergio Moro this year they are seeing ille- fi cials said adding that the revised anonymity in order to speak more Lopez Obrador took offi ce in approved the security force, gal loggers and land speculators version could be unveiled within frankly. 2018 with the promise of fi ghting composed of police with special continuing to act unusually ag- days. The proposed reform, led by corruption and violence fuelled by military-style training, to sup- gressive. It was not immediately clear if Mexico’s attorney general Ale- organised crime. port operations carried out by Ibama is severely understaff ed the new proposal will still include jandro Gertz, is the cornerstone But last year, murders hit a environmental agency Ibama and underfunded, with agents new rules on wire taps that would of Mexico’s attempts to reform its new record with 34,582 cases, in Para state through the end of saying this means they cannot allow private communications to unwieldy judicial system after a raising criticism of his security the year, according to the offi cial contain deforestation in such a be used as evidence and limits to previous overhaul in 2016 failed strategy. government gazette. vast area as the Amazon. legal challenges that can lead to to end low conviction rates and The administration proposed Para is Brazil’s second-largest Agents also complained of a extradition delays, issues seen as record murder numbers. the reform in response to the fail- rainforest state and sits along lack of police support last year. vital to Mexico’s security partner, The original proposals included ure of a criminal justice system in the so-called arc of deforestation The Amazon absorbs vast the US. an expanded use of preventive place since 2016 that many securi- that encircles the Amazon and is amounts of carbon dioxide and Challenges have been used to detention and in some case could ty forces and politicians complain rapidly penetrating deeper into scientists say its protection is vi- draw out the legal process for sev- have validated illegally obtained has made it harder for them to the forest. tal to curbing climate change. eral drug traffi ckers, including that evidence. prosecute suspects, driving crime The announcement comes as The surge in deforestation and of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzman, Some ministers and members of higher, they say. Colombian Police transfer Dutch citizen Said Razzouiki scientists, environmental en- fi res in the Amazon last year pro- who is currently serving a life sen- the ruling party felt such ideas in- Less than 10% of homicides in from Medellin to Bogota after he was captured in Medellin, forcement agents and offi cial voked international condemna- tence in the US. fringed human rights, half a dozen Mexico are resolved and tradition- Antioquia’s department, Colombia. The 48-year-old fugitive statistics point toward another tion of the right-wing government The sources said the new ver- sources consulted by Reuters said. ally many confessions are achieved was on the run since 2018 and is wanted on drug, murder potential spike in deforestation of President Jair Bolsonaro who sion was considerably less am- “I don’t agree what the attor- under torture or pressure from au- and terrorism charges by Netherlands off icials. this year, after soaring to an 11- has called for protected areas of bitious than a draft reported by ney general is doing,” said one of thorities. year high in 2019. the Amazon to be developed. Gulf Times Wednesday, February 12, 2020 17 PAKISTAN Most young Pakistanis opting to go freelance: report

Internews Freelancing’s popularity is kistani freelancers prefer to work dia, global marketplaces and on- are empowered to acquire work, The worldwide average hourly by the World Economic Forum. Karachi attributed to the potential for from home. line payment platforms equipped set their own wages, market their rate charged by freelancers was However, there are industry- greater job opportunity, inde- “Pakistan has remained in the the global workforce with all the skills, and get paid how and when $21, higher than the $19 average specifi c nuances, and fi elds ex- pendence, higher income and a top fi ve freelancing markets in tools needed to chart their own they want.” rate reported in Payoneer’s 2018 isted where the gender gap re- ost Pakistanis under the promising move in the direction the world consistently. Now is career path, leveraging a free- The report highlighted that the survey and signifi cantly higher mains pronounced, including age of 35 – around 90% of wage equality. the time our small and midsize lance work lifestyle to build a freelance workforce was overall than the average salaries in many fi nance and project management M– are opting to go into Men and women in Pakistan businesses (SMBs) grow beyond full-time career, a “side-hustle” very young, with nearly 70% of of the countries surveyed. fi elds. freelance work, more than the selected Web and graphic design borders and drive Pakistan’s dig- or even just extend their career freelancers surveyed being under One of the more optimistic That said women earned more global average of 70%, according as the top freelancing fi eld. ital economy,” said Payoneer’s post-retirement. the age of 35, and 21% were under fi ndings from the report was than men in marketing and web to a report released by the digital In terms of advertising on so- country manager Mohsin Muz- “The freelancing economy has the age of 25. that women’s participation in and graphic design. payment company Payoneer. cial media, Pakistani freelancers zafer. grown exponentially over the This youth movement was the freelance workforce had been “Freelancing is booming The report titled Freelancer are most reliant on Facebook and “More people now consider past decade, and I believe we can even more pronounced in Asia, gaining momentum and the av- around the world, driven by the Income Report 2020 is based on a LinkedIn. freelancing as a full-time career now fi rmly say that the future of where 82% of respondents were erage wage for females was leaps growing global generational survey of more than 7,000 free- However, according to Pay- as opposed to a part-time gig, work has arrived. Obstacles that under 35, compared to North and bounds ahead of the greater shifts,” said Payoneer general lancers from 150 countries, in- oneer, in 2020 advertisements on which is a big shift to positiv- could slow or hinder freelancers’ America where the number was workforce. manager Eyal Moldovan. “Mil- cluding emerging markets such Facebook declined from previous ity. This also means an increased ability to grow, connect and be still high but closer to 47%. Female freelancers earned on lennials and Gen Z crave inde- as Pakistan. years, with LinkedIn increasing landscape of opportunity for our successful have been removed,” While freelancers found value average 84% of men’s earnings pendence and broad, new oppor- Payoneer says that more peo- by 1% from 2018. youth and the overall impact on said Payoneer chief executive in freedom and fl exibility of be- across all fi elds, and while there tunities with a whopping 54% in ple (75%) are going freelance The data showed that even digital Pakistan,” he added. Scott Galit. ing their own boss, happiness is room for improvement, the gap developed countries starting or full-time due to income satisfac- with the growth of co-working The report said that the gig “Freelancers from all walks of was most tightly correlated with is much smaller than the 64% planning to start their own busi- tion. spaces in the country, 81% of Pa- economy powered by social me- life and every corner of the world income earned. average for all workers reported nesses.”

Food subsidies announced PM gets neutral voice on to control prices state of nation’s economy

DPA Internews Advisory Council Atif Mian, a trends and business revival, an- to provide subsidised food items Islamabad Islamabad former governor of the central other meeting participant said. at the Utility Stores Corporation bank and former fi nance minis- The meeting took place the and by setting up new outlets. ter. day Pakistan stock market faced The Rs16bn cost is inclusive of he government has an- rime Minister Imran Khan A few days ago, Mian had another round of battering and the Rs6bn cost of setting up the nounced subsidies on took a neutral opinion on given a briefi ng through a video the benchmark KSE-100 index outlets. Tfood prices at state-run Pthe state of economic af- link. dived over 841 points to fi nish Such measures have not paid retail outlets to control soaring fairs to verify offi cial indicators The briefi ng was held against trading deep in the red. any dividend in the past. prices that threaten to hurt the and situation on the ground the backdrop of growing pub- Reeling from the turmoil in The Rs16bn will be diverted popularity of Prime Minister shown by his economic team. lic resentment, a rosy picture global markets in addition to a from Benazir Income Support Imran Khan. Former special assistant on painted by the ministry of fi - soaring infl ation in the country, Programme (BISP) funds and the “The government will extend revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan nance and the SBP, and intel- the Pakistan Stock Exchange fell fi nance ministry will not give a helping hand to the people gave a presentation to the prime ligence reports suggesting that below the 39,300-point mark as any subsidy, the sources said. during these diffi cult times,” in- minister and his team on the the economic conditions were investors opted to offl oad stocks. It was also discussed in the formation minister Dr Firdous current state of aff airs, sources not as good as described in of- The prime minister was told meeting that high interest rates Ashiq Awan told reporters after said. fi cial briefi ngs, the sources said. that contrary to the perception cannot control food infl ation. a special cabinet meeting con- The meeting was attended by The briefi ng focused on the that the economy was recover- The SBP governor is said to vened by the prime minister. the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e- Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)’s ing from the stabilisation phase, have told the meeting that the More than $60mn will be Insaf (PTI)’s former secretary- performance, the country’s there were as yet no signs of an central bank increased the sub- spent to bring down the prices general Jahangir Khan Tareen, overall economic situation, economic revival, the sources sidised long-term fi nancing of wheat fl our, rice, sugar and along with the government’s business revival, struggling ex- said. for the export-oriented sectors cooking oil, the special assistant core economic team. ports and troubles brewing in Large-scale industries have and also took other measures to to the prime minister on infor- Among the attendees were the banking sector, the sources been contracting for the last boost credit for the private sec- mation said. State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said. over 15 months and the exports tor. Shortages of sugar and wheat Governor Dr Reza Baqir, Plan- Akhtar Khan had been asked nose-diving for the last three However, according to some fl our due to rising prices have ning Minister Asad Umar, Advis- to give the briefi ng in his capac- months. participants, the measures were fuelled public anger. er on Finance Dr Hafeez Shaikh, ity as a businessman and public Similarly, banks’ non-per- not enough to give confi dence Flour prices almost doubled Food Minister Makhdom Khusro policy expert due to his stint in forming loans were on the rise, to the private sector, the sources last month, causing the govern- Bakhtyar, Commerce Adviser the last Pakistan Muslim League the sources said. Prime Minister Khan was given a presentation on the current state said. ment to import the food staple Razak Dawood, Adviser on In- – Nawaz (PML-N) government The sources said that the SBP of aff airs, sources said. A realistic assessment about and the premier to promise re- stitutional Reforms Dr Ishrat as special assistant to the prime governor defended the decision the FBR’s ability to collect taxes lief. Husain, and Economic Aff airs minister on revenue. to keep interest rates high and infl ation shot up to 14.6% – and-half-year due to increase in in the current fi scal year was also According to industry sources, Minister Hammad Azhar. The contours of the briefi ng stated that in the last monetary double the pace of 5.6% in Janu- utility prices, 33% currency de- given to the prime minister. an estimated 1mn jobs have been Akhtar Khan’s presentation were not in line with what the fi - policy meeting, there was some ary 2019 – the highest in past valuation and high interest rates, In seven months (July-Janu- lost since Prime Minister Khan was part of recent interactions nance ministry and the SBP were discussion on increasing the in- over nine years, according to the and squeeze on both formal and ary) of 2019-20, the FBR report- took over in 2018 after his party by the prime minister with in- telling to the prime minister terest rates to contain high infl a- Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. informal economy. ed tax collection of Rs2.407tn, won national elections marred dependent voices, including about the status of the exports, tion. The cost of living has signifi - The prime minister is also set falling short of the target by by allegations of manipulations former member of his Economic tax collection, infl ationary In January 2020, the headline cantly increased in the past one- to announce a Rs16bn package Rs385bn. by the country’s powerful mili- tary. At least 1.2mn jobs are expect- ed to be cut by the end of current year, independent economist Hafeez Pasha said. UN secretary-general Guterres visiting next week In January, infl ation was re- corded at a nine-year high of 14.6%, Pakistan’s Bureau of Sta- Internews is an acknowledgement of the of the National Assembly. velopments banks, civil society, and discuss solutions for volun- tistics said. Islamabad country’s hospitality towards the His four-day visit would con- and the country’s private sector. tary, dignifi ed, and sustainable Interest rates are at an eight- refugees. clude on February 19. “This conference is taking repatriation of refugees to Af- year high at 13.25% while the Pa- Pakistan is hosting the inter- Prime Minister Khan is ex- place at an important juncture ghanistan. kistani rupee lost about 40% of nited Nations Secretary- national conference in collabo- pected to inaugurate the two-day when eff orts at consolidating “Pakistan is confi dent that the its value against the dollar. General Antonio Guterres ration with the United Nations international conference on Af- peace in Afghanistan are making Conference will reinforce inter- Rising prices for gas and elec- Uis expected to visit Paki- High Commissioner for Refu- ghan refugees here in the federal progress,” it added. national eff orts as agreed to in tricity drag at the economy. stan on February 16, a spokes- gees (UNHCR), wherein the UN capital, with UN High Commis- The conference would provide the UN Global Compact on Refu- Pakistan’s economy has been person for the Foreign Offi ce has chief is set to present his keynote sioner for Refugees (UNHCR) an opportunity to highlight Pa- gees and Global Refugee Forum in crisis since then due to bur- said, as the country prepares for speech during the conference Filippo Grandi, ministers, and kistan’s exemplary compassion, to bring about a renewed focus on geoning fi scal and current ac- an international conference on and he would be apprised of Pa- senior offi cials from around 20 generosity, and hospitality in the Afghan refugees. count defi cits and a huge dip in Afghan refugees. kistan’s stance on the Kashmir countries supporting the Afghan hosting one of the largest refugee “It will also help in building tax revenues. The spokesperson said Gu- issue during his visit, the spokes- refugees across the globe and populations in the world. a positive narrative on refugees, Last year, Pakistan secured a UN chief Guterres is terres’s participation in the person said. in Pakistan – set to attend the It would further identify key especially at a time when borders loan package worth $6bn from scheduled to meet international conference – to Guterres is also scheduled to event. developments and milestones in are being closed on them and the International Monetary President Alvi and Prime mark “40 years of Afghan refu- meet President Dr Arif Alvi and In a press release issued here, the 40-year evolution of the Af- millions are being made stateless Fund to avert a crisis, but the Minister Khan, as well as gees presence in Pakistan: A new Prime Minister Imran Khan, as the foreign offi ce said senior-lev- ghan refugee situation, refl ect on under nationalistic and ideologi- conditions attached to such pro- Foreign Minister Qureshi, partnership for solidarity” and well as Foreign Minister Shah el participation was also expect- the lessons learned during this cal pretences,” the Foreign Offi ce grammes are highly unpopular. and members of parliament. scheduled for February 17-18 – Mehmood Qureshi and members ed from the UN, multilateral de- period, identify the challenges, added.

Islamabad to hold spring festival Legal setback for government Baluchistan plans border markets from February 28 Having already organised public as court restores medical body Internews A grant of Rs40.7mn was also meeting was informed that the events to mark Kashmir Solidarity Islamabad approved for the BSEZA to estab- process of registration of the Day earlier this month, the lish the Baluchistan Economic BSEZA in the Securities and Ex- Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Internews tutions and doctors, as well as providing assist- Zones and the Industrial Estate change Commission of Pakistan Administration has decided to Islamabad ance to patients regarding safety and rights. he Baluchistan Special Development and Management would be completed soon. host a family festival to celebrate According to the offi cial press release issued Economic Zones Authori- Company. The concerned authorities the onset of spring in the city. by the ministry of information and broadcast- Tty (BSEZA) in southwest of The rules and regulation, the informed that in the industrial In an event briefing at the n a legal setback for the Imran Khan govern- ing, this was to ensure that the essential records Pakistan in its meeting reviewed establishing of a technical sec- zone of Quetta, located at the Pakistan Monument, ICT Deputy ment, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has and assets of the erstwhile council are protected the plan of establishing of 13 bor- tion as well as vacancies of exec- eastern bypass, 70 units were Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat Ideclared a presidential order on the disso- till the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) der markets at the Pak-Iran and utives for the authority have also functional and funding appli- unveiled the three-day Islamabad lution of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council begins its operations. Afghan national boundaries, and been approved. cation has prepared to provide Spring Festival (ISF) 2020, to take (PMDC) as null and void. This sudden move stirred public outcry from agreed to provide infrastructure The meeting also approved the more facilities there. place from February 28. The decision was announced by IHC Justice various factions of society including the Paki- including communication, water building laws of Gadani, Hub and The chief minister said that Aiming to make it the biggest Mohsin Kayani during a hearing yesterday. stan Medical Association (PMA), the Associa- and power, and other facilities Bostan Special Economic Zones with the approval of investment family festival in the history of Dismissed employees were also restored. tion of University Physicians and Surgeons Pa- with the co-operation of federal (SEZs). policy at provincial level, the the federal capital, Shafqaat Last year on October 20, the PMDC was abol- kistan (AUPSP), the Young Doctors Association government. The meeting, while agree- confi dence of the industrialists explained that the purpose of the ished through an ordinance by the government. (YDA), former employees of the former council, The meeting, presided over by ing with the lease and allotment would be restored. festival is to attract the residents Under the new rules introduced in the ordi- and the opposition. Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan, policy in the SEZs of Hub and He added that Baluchistan is of the twin cities of Islamabad nance, after completing fi ve years of medical According to the PMC Ordinance, the federal approved the agenda of the au- Bostan, directed to ensure pro- rich in natural resources, which and Rawalpindi, particularly the education, candidates must pass a test before government is to create a commission compris- thority with some amendments vision of basic infrastructure, are not utilised due to incompe- youth, towards healthy activities. they acquire a house job. ing the Medical and Dental Council, the Na- after discussing in detail, which including water, electricity, gas tence. The festival will include activities The PMDC, the only high-level state organi- tional Medical and Dental Academic Board, and was presented by Industry and and other facilities. “We have to take hard deci- such as music shows, food stalls sation in the country, off ers registrations for, the National Medical Authority, each having Trade Secretary Ghulam Ali Ba- The bylaws of economic zones sions if we claim good govern- and diff erent types of games, legislation to, and inspections of medical insti- various powers and functions. loch. were also approved, and the ance,” said Kamal. including a marathon. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The coronavirus will not Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar cripple China’s economy [email protected] 44350478 (News), By Zhang Jun been fi rst-rate. In addition to ordering empirical matter, epidemics can cause just over 6% in the last several years is Shanghai a nationwide mobilisation of medical only short-term economic slowdowns. much slower than at the time of the Sars 44466404 (Sport), personnel and resources (including from Having said that, external shocks will outbreak. But the Chinese authorities 44466636 (Home delivery) the military), the authorities have been not signifi cantly alter the Chinese can still ensure a robust recovery ust fi ve days before the Chinese assessing major hospitals’ capabilities economy’s medium- and long-term through targeted fi scal- and monetary- 44350474 New Year, the authorities in Beijing to diagnose and treat coronavirus growth trend. Once the coronavirus policy adjustments that support small facebook.com/gulftimes fi nally declared the coronavirus patients. More important, as part of storm passes, therefore, the economy and medium-size enterprises and Jepidemic that originated in Wuhan a national disease-control campaign will bounce back and return to its service-sector businesses aff ected by twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar to be a major public health emergency. announced on January 20, offi cials are previous course. the coronavirus epidemic. Because Wuhan’s municipal identifying and observing any citizens Back in 2003, for example, most According to my preliminary government had initially withheld who had travelled to and from Wuhan economists and researchers estimated estimates, the worst-case scenario is information and failed to control the since the outbreak began. that the Sars outbreak would lower that the epidemic lowers GDP growth virus eff ectively, about 5mn residents Meanwhile, urban communities China’s second-quarter GDP growth in the fi rst quarter by a third or half, GULF TIMES and temporary workers left the city for and rural villages alike have tightened by about one-fi fth, but shave less than leaving the fi gure 2-3 percentage points the Lunar New Year holidays before the access restrictions in order to 0.5 percentage points off the full- lower than in the fi rst quarter of 2019 city was offi cially closed off on January reduce unnecessary movements year fi gure. These forecasts refl ected But if things start to look up in the 23. As a result, the virus spread rapidly and aggregations of people, even the limited number of regions and second quarter, the ensuing rebound throughout China and beyond, leading establishing temporary rationing sectors aff ected by Sars, as well as the will partly off set that drop. And with Economic impact to the current high-profi le international systems to distribute face masks to expectation that the outbreak would the necessary macroeconomic policy health emergency. families and individuals. In addition, last no more than three months. adjustments in place, economic growth Unsurprisingly, China’s economy holidays have been extended and In the event, second-quarter GDP will accelerate again during the second is slowing down. The services sector, schools remain closed. By helping to growth fell by two percentage points, half of the year. of virus is playing which includes retail, tourism, hotels, minimise the public’s exposure to the much as expected. At the time, China’s Provided there are no further external and transportation, and accounts for peak of the epidemic, these steps are economy was expanding by about 10% shocks, continued policy loosening more than half of the country’s GDP, playing an eff ective role in curbing the annually, and the Sars-induced slowdown should limit the full-year decline in is suff ering severely. Disruption in this spread of infection. There is a higher was quickly off set by subsequent strong GDP growth to 0.5-1 percentage point. out in many ways sector will in turn aff ect manufacturing. probability that the increase in the growth. So, on a graph of Chinese growth That would imply a 5-5.5% full-year And growing international concern number of infections will slow in the from 2002-2007, the impact of the Sars economic expansion in 2020, which is The newly-identifi ed coronavirus dubbed 2019-nCoV, at the continued spread of the virus coming weeks. outbreak is not even visible. still largely in line with China’s current that emerged late last year in the central Chinese city of might further strain trade and limit It is still too early to assess the full Although the scope of the growth trend. But it is not yet clear Wuhan, has become a global health emergency. the movement of people. But the key economic impact of the coronavirus coronavirus outbreak now exceeds that whether the Chinese government, question is whether we believe it will outbreak. However, the key factor will of Sars, its duration is still the key factor currently preoccupied with tackling China is spending at least $10bn to control the outbreak last longer. not be the epidemic’s range or severity, for assessing the size of the impact on the epidemic, will cut its GDP growth and reaching out for medical supplies. The government has My answer is no. The coronavirus but rather its duration. The sooner the the economy. Current data suggest that target for this year accordingly. - Project imposed a quarantine on Wuhan and more than a dozen epidemic is very unlikely to last epidemic is over, the quicker China’s the epidemic will likely reach a turning Syndicate long. Despite all its problems, China economy will recover, given its trend point in the next two weeks. That would other cities in the region, a travel ban covering in excess of undoubtedly still has an unparalleled growth. Although severe control mean China might conquer the virus z Zhang Jun is Dean of the School 50mn people. ability to mobilise resources in response measures will weaken current economic in the fi rst quarter, which is essential of Economics at Fudan University The World Health Organisation has warned that “we may to a large-scale emergency. During the performance, they might help to end the to mitigating the epidemic’s impact on and Director of the China Center for last two weeks, for example, offi cial outbreak earlier. overall growth in 2020. Economic Studies, a Shanghai-based only be seeing the tip of the iceberg” from the virus, noting eff orts aimed at controlling panic have In any case, as both a theoretical and True, China’s annual GDP growth of think-tank. that there have been concerning instances of the disease being spread from people with no travel history to China. The new coronavirus might have infected at least 500,000 people in Wuhan by the time it peaks in coming weeks, according to a mathematical modelling the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is using to predict the epidemic’s transmission dynamics. The global economic impact of the outbreak is playing out in many ways that one. The outbreak has hurt China is spending commodity prices, roiled supply chains and started at least $10bn to trigger declarations of to control the force majeure, with S&P Global Ratings warning the coronavirus fallout will last for months. outbreak The level of global anxiety and the impact of the “fear factor” in stock markets is probably what we should worry most about, says Torsten Slok, chief economist for Deutsche Bank. The virus may have already halved the pick-up in global growth in 2020, QNB said in latest report based on “simple scenarios and calculations”. Aggressive measures taken to contain the virus together account for 70% of China’s GDP and 80% of its exports. China is the world’s largest importer of crude oil and second largest importer of LNG. While oil imports are estimated to have fallen by 25% already, lower gas demand is prompting Chinese gas buyers to consider reducing import volumes, given already high inventories, QNB said. The virus deaths toll has crossed 1,000, while causing thousands of people to fall gravely ill and overwhelm hospitals in China. But once researchers understand the full A nurse in a protective suit feeds a novel coronavirus patient inside an isolated ward at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, during the Lantern Festival, which marks spectrum of illness, the overall fatality risk is likely to be the end of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on Saturday. much less than 1%, according to Ian Lipkin, director of the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York. China is a key driver of global growth, but expansion in the world’s second largest economy has already been sputtering Anti-Asian panic is spreading like a virus amid the ongoing trade war. China’s $14tn-plus economy, second in size only to the US, accounts for almost a third of Meanwhile, students across California smallpox, bubonic plague and roasted Peking ducks in their windows. global growth each year. By Tamara Venit-Shelton Los Angeles Times have reported feeling that fear of the tuberculosis. The inspectors claimed, without For sure, there is not a sector of the global economy virus made them targets for anti-Asian In San Francisco, the Department evidence, that the ducks harboured untouched by the 2019-nCoV. But what makes China’s comments and open hostility. of Public Health had a practice of salmonella and other bacteria. he images out of Wuhan are Racial profi ling for coronavirus conducting medical investigations that As epidemiologists look to the economic outlook particularly uncertain is the multifaceted chilling. In the epicentre of the isn’t confi ned to California or the quarantined Chinatown and restricted future, they anticipate that many global nature of this latest shock. The outbreak has brought coronavirus outbreak, health United States. Asians in Europe – its inhabitants’ freedoms. epidemics will emanate from less about critical interruptions to both demand and supply; Toffi cials in white hazmat suits including Chinese but also Vietnamese Yet, the Chinese had no higher rates developed parts of the world, including hover over the body of a victim. Crowds and Cambodians – have reported of mortality than any other working- Asia. impacted both manufacturing and services; and disrupted of ordinary people, their faces obscured coronavirus-inspired acts of class community in San Francisco. Successful containment will depend both internal and external trade, according to Mohamed A by surgical masks, try to carry on as harassment in schools and playgrounds Motivated by fear and racism, on broad, public support for scientists El-Erian, a Bloomberg columnist and the chief economic normal. as well as on public transportation. authorities sometimes simultaneously and health offi cials, working to adviser at Allianz SE. As the United States, Australia, Chinese shop owners in Italy and France quarantined Asian American disseminate accurate information about Russia, Japan and many other countries have noted a decline in their business as neighbourhoods and denied them how viruses spread. The bottom line: Policymakers, analysts and investors should announce travel restrictions to and fearful customers keep their distance. essential medical services. For example, Eff ectively fi ghting contagions will take into account the degree of uncertainty now in play to factor from China, it was only a matter of time The Italian coast guard quarantined the Chinese were shut out of San also require fi ghting fears driven by in the longer-term global economic impact of the outbreak. before paranoia about coronavirus and 7,000 passengers and crew aboard a Francisco’s public hospitals during a racist impulses. The quarantines of Asians would spread as well. cruise ship off the coast near Rome when citywide outbreak of bubonic plague Chinatowns in the 19th century didn’t On January 30, Los Angeles offi cials a traveller from Hong Kong developed fl u- in 1900. In response, they organised suppress disease or improve public warned that a fake letter circulating on like symptoms. It was, indeed, nothing their own private hospital, staff ed by health but did legitimise discrimination To Advertise Facebook and email falsely claimed that but the fl u, but locals at the port staged a a combination of Western-trained against entire populations. fi ve people in Carson, a city south of protest demanding the testing of all 750 medical scientists and traditional Today, as state agencies and school [email protected] downtown Los Angeles, had contracted Chinese on the ship. Rising incidents of Chinese herbalists. In 1918, as the global authorities issue warnings and Display coronavirus and named fi ve local anti-Asian abuse have been reported in infl uenza pandemic crested, Japanese reassurances, they should be sensitive businesses in an Asian neighbourhood Australia and Canada as well. immigrants were similarly excluded to this historical pattern. What’s needed 44466621 44418811 as being connected to the outbreak. In the United States, racially charged from mainstream medical care in Los is evidenced-based, easily understood The hoax letter is just one instance panic over the virus echoes a long Angeles and Orange counties. information that defuses public Classified of fear-mongering directed at Asian history of anti-Asian racism that Medical scapegoating and anxieties without provoking race-based 44466609 44418811 communities that is playing out on identifi ed Asian Americans and their discriminatory policing of Asian-owned panic and deepening inequalities. social media. An Instagram post by businesses and neighbourhoods as businesses and homes were routine in the Subscription UC Berkeley’s health services off ered vectors for epidemic disease. 19th century. Unfortunately, it is all too z Tamara Venit-Shelton is an reassurance that anti-Asian xenophobia Beginning in the 1870s, as easy for these attitudes to be reawakened, associate professor of history at [email protected] was a “common” and “normal” immigration from China to the United particularly during health crises. Claremont McKenna College and author reaction to concerns about contracting States surged, public health offi cials In the 1980s, for instance, Los of “Herbs and Roots: A History of coronavirus (it was deleted after often wrongly linked American Angeles County health inspectors Chinese Doctors in the American Medical © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved alumni and students voiced outrage). Chinatowns to outbreaks of leprosy, targeted Chinese restaurants displaying Marketplace.” Gulf Times Wednesday, February 12, 2020 19 QATAR

HHundredsundreds aattendttend QQataratar SSportport DDayay ccelebrationselebrations bbyy AAlfardanlfardan GroupGroup he power of sport which unites diff erent cultures Tand promotes healthy life- styles was on full display at the 2020 Qatar National Sport Day activities organised by Alfardan Group at Aspire Ladies Sports Hall yesterday. Home to one of the most di- verse workforces in Qatar, more than 1,500 employees of the group participated in the lively set of events which featured some of Qatar’s most passionate sporting activities such as foot- ball, cricket, volleyball, basket- ball, billiards, badminton, table tennis and golf.

Home to one of the most diverse workforces in Qatar, more than 1,500 employees of the group participated in the lively set of events

Guerlain Spa, Alfardan pro- vided participants an electrifying start to their day with a series of Zumba warm-up exercises; while medical specialists representing Alfardan Group’s newest subsidi- ary, Alfardan Medical with North- western Medicine (AMNM), were on standby to provide fi rst-aid to the attendees. Board members of the Al- fardan Group, namely, chairman Hussain Ibrahim Alfardan, vice chairman Ali Hussain Alfardan, board director Fahad Hussain Alfardan, president and CEO Omar Hussain Alfardan, and Wahat Shafalahia general man- ager Fardan Fahad Alfardan were present to welcome the employ- ees and their families and friends who participated. They also handed out the awards to the winners of the sports competitions. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 QATAR

Amir participates in Sport Day activities

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani taking part in the activities of the National Sport Day at Lusail Promenade yesterday. The Amir walked and jogged along with a number of world champions, Olympic athletes, a number of Qatari Women’s Sports Committee players and Aspire Academy students. Sheikha Moza attends Sport Day events at Education City

By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, participated in Qatar National Sport Day activities at Education City er Highness Sheikha and Msheireb. PICTURES: AR al-Baker Moza bint Nasser, Chair- Hperson of Qatar Founda- place right from early morning. Her Highness Sheikha Moza interacted ball to chess. Yasmeen Tebroon tion (QF), attended the National The major activities included from Tunisia visited QF with her Sport Day (NSD) celebrations obstacle course, yoga, full-body with a number of attendees; went daughter Sarai, who is blind due at the Education City of Qatar workout as well as several other around the places of activities and to albinism in her eyes. She par- Foundation yesterday. Her High- physical activities. ticipated in the disability friendly ness Sheikha Moza was joined by Torba Farmers Market, at the encouraged the participants despite games on the green spine, and QF Vice Chairperson and CEO Ceremonial Court, off ering a va- the strong chilly winds Yasmeen said, “My daughter was HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al- riety of organically-grown pro- thrilled to take part in these ac- Thani, as well as other senior of- duce, locally-prepared food and mitment. Open to everyone, our endurance levels. This year, I did tivities today. The fact that such fi cials as thousands attended the beverages and sustainable prod- activities aim to foster social en- better than before, which made events are organised on such a day-long activities. ucts to the public, was another gagement while showcasing the me very happy.” large scale shows how inclusive Her Highness Sheikha Moza attraction at the event. opportunities within Education “This is a pretty neat concept,” QF is. Look at the turnout today, interacted with a number of at- Machaille al-Naimi, president City that people of all ages, cul- said Bob Kelly from Lincoln, Ne- despite the wind. The number of tendees; went around the places of Community Development, QF, tures, backgrounds, abilities, and braska, who brought his wife and people with diff erent needs who of activities and encouraged the said, “Our aim is to eff ect posi- interests – can enjoy.” two children to the festivities in have come here today clearly participants despite the strong tive change in society, and we Hamad al-Dosari, one of the Education City. “I think more shows that they have come to as- chilly winds. The NSD was an believe this can be done through participants in QF’s activities, countries should try this. It gets sociate QF with such initiatives. occasion for thousands of at- education, sharing knowledge, said that Education City is the people out doing physical activ- “And we weren’t disappointed tendees to exercise, play sport and providing inclusive oppor- ideal destination. “This year, I ity. I would compare it to July 4 – she played football, she shot and learn about healthy living in tunities for everyone. This in- wanted to participate once again in America, which is a day when hoops. I’m just grateful to live in an inclusive and welcoming en- cludes the chance to enjoy sport in QF’s events because they are everyone goes out to the beach or a country where the leadership vironment. and physical activity, and to well-organised and very diverse,” the mountains.” makes people like my daughter The event was formally kicked join together as a community in he said. “Today, I participated in A key focus of this year’s activ- feel included as much as those off with a cycling tour around the building a healthier, more active the QF Race for the second time. ities included off ering a range of without any disability.” Vodafone Education City, though several nation. “Our National Sport Day It’s a serious race and measures ability-friendly activities, with Qatar was the platinum sponsor other activities have been taking celebrations refl ect this com- the competitors’ abilities and off erings, from football and goal- of QF’s NSD activities.

Prominent sports celebrities take part in QF activities

ome of Qatar’s top names in sports joined the Qatar Na- Stional Sport Day activities organised by Qatar Foundation (QF) at the Education City. They included high-jumper Mutaz Barshim, footballer Ab- dulkarim Hassan, swimmer Nada Arakji; hurdler Mariam Farid; taekwondo athlete Kaltham al- Mutawa among others. Barshim said, “I would like to extend my warmest greetings to Qatar Foundation for organising these activities today. I am glad to be here at Education City with many athletes, and many mem- bers of the community who have come together to participate in these diff erent activities.” “I am pleased to participate in Qatar Foundation’s National Sport Day activities, to reaffi rm that sport is important through- out the year and not just today. Every year, participation in sports Participants at the cycle rally. PICTURE: Jayaram activities is increasing across the community, in all events and ac- to participate in sports. “It is such Farid, a student at QF partner one is happy to be part of today’s tant role in my life, and has helped tivities at a national level, and a great honour for me to be here in university Northwestern Univer- activities. Sport is a lifestyle for me learn many things. I encour- this refl ects the truly positive QF, especially as I am a graduate sity in Qatar, maintained that it everyone in Qatar, especially for age all members of the communi- impact that has been established of Carnegie Mellon University in was great to be at Education City, women who include it within ty to exercise every day for at least with the government’s support,” Qatar. It is so nice to be back and not only as an athlete but also as their daily routines, and this re- 30 minutes, even just walking. “I said footballer Hassan. I am honestly very excited for to- a student. “QF is part of my daily fl ects the status of sport in Qatar really hope that everyone enjoys According to Arakji, Qatar Na- day – I hope everyone has fun and life, and it is an honour to be here and the way it has truly become a sport, because it is really fun and HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of tional Sport Day is an opportu- achieved what they came for to- today. We have huge opportuni- lifestyle,” described Farid. full of benefi ts,” taekwondo ath- Qatar Foundation, participated in QF’s National Sport Day activities. nity for everyone in the country day,” explained the swimmer. ties and facilities here, and every- “Sport has a major and impor- lete al-Mutawa added. (Supplied picture)