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Qatar, Kazakhstan looking to bolster business relations published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11386 December 4, 2019 Rabia II 7, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir chairs Supreme Committee meeting Gulf Cup is an organisational success: al-Khater

By Mikhil Bhat Rush for tickets Doha His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani chaired yesterday this year’s third meeting of the Board A large number of people queued of Directors of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy at the Amiri Diwan. The meeting was attended by His ith Qatar being treated to up at the outlets selling tickets Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Personal Representative of the Amir 24 days of fantastic football for the two semi-finals of the and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, HE the Prime Minister, Minister Wbetween the ongoing 24th 24th Arabian Gulf Cup after sales of Interior and Board member Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, and the other members of the board. Arabian Gulf Cup and the upcoming began at 4pm yesterday. There During the meeting, they reviewed the progress of work on all the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 projects, and the FIFA Club World Cup, the hosts are was a major rush online as well progress of the operational and security plan for 2019 FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar. considering it as a dress rehearsal for (http://gulfcup2019.qa). A total of the football extravaganza that will be 25,000 tickets for the two semi- the 2022 FIFA World Cup. finals had been sold until late And what’s heartening for the or- last evening, the Qatar Football Amir gets invitation to attend GCC Summit ganisers is the encouraging feedback Association (QFA) said in a tweet. they are getting from the various dele- Of these, 17,000 were sold online gations in Doha for the Gulf Cup, part- and 8,000 at the ticket counters. ners and FIFA among others. Earlier in the day, QFA announced “In terms of organisation we are very that the ticket sales would happy with the level of co-ordination begin at 4pm both online and at between ourselves, Traffi c Police, the Villaggio, Doha Festival City, Mall security apparatus, whether it is the Nasser al-Khater, the Chief of of Qatar and Katara - the Cultural Ministry of Interior… We have been Experience and Tournament Village. Serpentine queues were seeing from the opening match on- Readiness at Supreme Committee reported from some of these wards that there has been an increase for Delivery & Legacy, addressing places as football enthusiasts in effi ciency, which is normal in every the press conference yesterday. turned up in large numbers to mega event,” said Nasser al-Khater, the PICTURE: Ram Chand buy tickets for the semi-finals Chief of Experience and Tournament tomorrow. The QFA also tweeted Readiness at Supreme Committee for ful. The opening match we had 9,000 that “due to the huge demand, Delivery & Legacy (SC). passengers. For the match yesterday you may experience a longer wait “The opening match is always the between Qatar and the UAE - we had to enter the website”. Qatar will most challenging one. We have not had 14,000 passengers. These are good play against Saudi Arabia at Al any complaints from any of the teams numbers for us,” al-Khater said. Janoub Stadium, while Iraq will and delegations that we have here. We Three days after the Gulf Cup con- take on Bahrain at Abdullah Bin think overall the organisation has been cludes on Sunday, the FIFA Club World Khalifa Stadium (Duhail) in the a success. We have three more matches Cup will kick-off at Jassim Bin Hamad semi-finals. to go…” Stadium in Doha with Qatari cham- According to al-Khater, all aspects pions Al Sadd taking on New Caledo- of the organisation from ticket sales to nian club Hienghene Sport, winners of “For us it’s good. The venue teams His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has received a written message from the Custodian of the transport infrastructure have thrown this year’s Oceania Football Confed- are the same, the planning stage was Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia inviting him to attend the up good numbers. eration (OFC) Champions League, on one. So we are looking at them as one GCC Supreme Council 40th session to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 10. The message was received As many as 150,000 tickets were Wednesday. tournament with three days in be- by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, sold during the group stages, which “For us, we are not looking at these tween.” during his meeting yesterday with GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani. represented around 69.2% of the total tournaments as two tournaments Talking about the co-operation tickets that were available. “And that’s back-to-back,” al-Khater said. with FIFA, he said, “Our work with a very good number,” al-Khater said. “We have the Gulf Cup, which start- FIFA continues. We have them on the International Junior Science Olympiad to kick off today With the Gold Line on Doha Metro ed on (November) 26 and will run till ground. They have been involved with starting in time for the Gulf Cup and (December) 8, and then we have the us in the Gulf Cup, their people are on the FIFA World Cup, it has made com- Club World Cup, which will start on the venues with us. The feedback has Under the auspices of HE the Prime with the participation of 70 countries the keynote address at the opening muting to and from the venues, espe- (December) 11 and run till (Decem- been good. We have debriefs every day, Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh at Qatar National Convention Centre. ceremony. Qatar is hosting this year’s cially the Khalifa International Sta- ber) 21. That’s almost the length of the we talk about lessons learnt every day. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- HE the Minister of Education and edition, under the slogan “Inspiring dium, much easier for the fans. World Cup in 2022,” the FIFA World So it is a good working relationship.” Thani, the 16th International Junior Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Today’s Young Generation for the “The Metro has been very success- Cup Qatar 2022 CEO added. To Page 8 Sport Pages 1,2,3 Science Olympiad will kick off today Wahed Ali al-Hammadi will deliver Skills of Tomorrow”. Page 5 Ooredoo unveils Qatar’s 1st 5G-enabled smart wheelchair

By Peter Alagos Samanta Bullock, Ghanim al-Muftah, “Now, they have included Qatar on Business Reporter and Ahmed al-Shahrani. their website as the fi rst Middle East- “As a telecommunications provider ern Arab country for people with dis- and digital partner, we thought of what abilities. People with disabilities from n commemoration of International we could off er to Qatar as it observes other countries can go to https://qatar. Day of Persons with Disabilities, International Day of Persons with Dis- gowheeltheworld.com/ and fi nd the IOoredoo unveiled yesterday Qa- abilities (IDPD),” Ooredoo Qatar chief diff erent hotels and other tourist at- tar’s fi rst smart wheelchair that is 5G- consumer offi cer Fatima Sultan al-Ku- tractions that are inclusive and acces- enabled and compatible with Google wari told Gulf Times on the sidelines of sible, and they can also book the smart Assistant to help users identify areas the event. wheelchair before visiting Qatar,” al- and tourist destinations that are inclu- “In terms of tourism and consider- Kuwari pointed out. sive and accessible. ing that Qatar is going to host one of Aside from the smart wheelchair, The unveiling event was part of the biggest sporting activities in the Ooredoo also launched ‘Sarah’, which Ooredoo’s aim of opening up the many coming two years, we decided that could be accessed via Google Assistant. tourist attractions in Qatar to all by ‘tourism for all’ is something that Sarah will answer questions about Qa- partnering with Wheel the World, Ooredoo must support in every indus- tar, its tourism destinations, and other which “encourages touristic activi- try in the country, so we worked very locations in the country that are inclu- ties for people with disabilities, their closely with our partners to ensure that sive and accessible, al-Kuwari said. friends, and family.” there is inclusion for tourism in Qatar,” Before visiting Qatar, al-Kuwari said Wheel the World promotes tourism she explained. people with disabilities could also book for those with disabilities, raising aware- After visiting many locations in Qa- for a smart wheelchair at https://qatar. ness of the challenges they face when tar and working with Ooredoo and sev- gowheeltheworld.com/. “We are work- choosing travel options and working to eral tourism-related companies in the ing to include more smart wheelchairs make experiences possible. The collabo- country, Wheel the World has certifi ed depending on the demand but defi nite- ration has many high-profi le backers, Ooredoo Kuwait CEO Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdullah bin Mohamed al-Thani and other dignitaries during the event held many activities and attractions here, ly there would be more of these chairs including celebrities and infl uencers like yesterday in Doha. PICTURE: Thajudheen according to al-Kuwari. available in the country.” To Page 8 Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 QATAR

Qatar participates PM meets CEO of Thales Group Qatar, Philippines sign pact in UN climate change conference Qatar is participating in the 25th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Madrid, Spain, with a delegation headed by HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment, Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie. On the sidelines of the conference, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment will hold an exhibition. It will include presentations, videos and activities to demonstrate national eff orts, projects to address climate change. Qatar reaff irms HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi met the Secretary of Foreign support to IAEA Aff airs of the Philippines Teodoro L Locsin, in Manila yesterday. During the meeting, they reviewed HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met bilateral relations and a number of issues of common concern. The meeting witnessed the signing Qatar has continued to provide yesterday with the Chairman and CEO of Thales Group Patrice Caine, on the occasion of his visit to of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to hold political consultations between the two foreign all necessary support to the the country. During the meeting, they reviewed areas of co-operation and ways of enhancing them. ministries on issues of common concern. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its new Director-General Rafael Grossi, in order to promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy and non-proliferation. This came in a statement delivered by HE Health ministry holds workshop on correcting cancer misconceptions the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations Organisations in Vienna Sultan QNA rounding cancer, there is an ur- bin Salmeen al-Mansouri Doha gent need to raise awareness and during the special session of disseminate more information the IAEA General Conference he Ministry of Public about the disease. held in Vienna. HE al-Mansouri Health is working with She pointed out that aware- congratulated Rafael Grossi Tmany of its partners to ness of the disease by making it on his new position as IAEA correct cancer-related miscon- part of the school curriculum for director-general, aff irming ceptions and raise awareness children is one of the eff ective that Grossi’s qualifications and about the importance of early ways to reach a wide audience, long experience in the field of detection and prevention. adding that it is recommended to nuclear policies and multilateral The ministry organised a include the defi nition of cancer, international relations will workshop for about 100 social its prevention, early detection lead the work of the Agency workers and psychologists in and how to act when suspected professionally towards achieving public primary and secondary of infection in the programme its objectives in the field of schools on awareness and cor- of teaching students, so that all peaceful uses of atomic energy. recting misconceptions about school students have at least one cancer in collaboration with lesson covering this informa- cancer awareness partners at Participants in the workshop. tion. Qatar-Nepal Hamad Medical Corporation, The cancer awareness and ties reviewed Primary Health Care Corpora- tion through a healthy lifestyle screening and disease-related the global cancer epidemic, fo- hinder preventive measures. prevention initiative in schools tion and Qatar Cancer Society. that includes protection from services in Qatar, as well as the cusing on correcting misconcep- Head of the Health Promotion is concerned with providing a Vice-President of Nepal Nanda During the workshop, several sunlight, nutrition, physical ac- experience of the Qatar Cancer tions about cancer, as well as the and Non-Communicable Dis- proactive approach to informa- Bahadur Pun has met Qatar’s important topics related to can- tivity, abstaining from tobacco Society in cancer prevention negative impact on cancer con- eases at the Ministry Dr Kholood tion so that children and young ambassador Yousuf bin cer were discussed, including the consumption, and correcting programs in schools and how trol mechanisms in society where al-Mutawa said that the Nation- people are educated before they Mohamed al-Hail, in Kathmandu. role of partners in cancer aware- misconceptions about cancer. schools can help prevent cancer. misconceptions can aff ect how al Cancer Strategy states that reach the age at which the risk of During the meeting, bilateral ness, identifi cation, risk factors, They also discussed the im- The workshop is part of a health interventions are accepted, besides the need to uncover the developing the disease increases relations as well as issues of signs, symptoms and preven- portance of early diagnosis, worldwide initiative to combat prevent early screening eff orts and beliefs and misconceptions sur- with age. common concern were reviewed.

Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 QATAR Shura Council officials meet EWEI delegation Doha conference to address issues of disabled persons  Global conference sponsored by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser

he Qatar Foundation for local and international partners. Al-Mannai said, “It took us a Social Work (QFSW) has More than 20 sessions were long time to prepare for this con- Tconcluded a series of held at the workshop, which in- ference and among these prepara- workshops leading up to the in- cluded the participation of Amal tions were the fi ve workshops that augural Doha International Con- bint Abdullatif al-Mannai, CEO we organised with the participa- ference on Disability and Devel- of QFSW, and hundreds of ex- tion of hundreds of experts. We opment (DICDD), sponsored by perts from universities and min- carefully chose the topics of the Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint istries, private organisations and workshops to complement the Nasser, founder of Qatar Foun- centres related to persons with theme of the conference and to The Qatari-European Friendship Association of the Shura Council, headed by HE Yousef bin Rashid al-Khater, yesterday met with Head dation for Social Work (QFSW), disabilities. enrich its outcomes. We hope that of the Delegation of the Eastwest European Institute (EWEI) Stefania Paradisi, and the delegation of Italian students accompanying her. on December 7-8 at the Qatar the conference will garner inter- During the meeting, they reviewed the positions of Qatar, and its internal and external policies, as well as the legislative and supervisory National Convention Centre. “We hope that the national support from diff erent role of the Shura Council. The delegation praised the eff orts of Qatar in supporting the Arab-European relations for peace and stability in The aim of the DICDD is to high- conference will garner countries for people with disabili- the region and the world. light and address the issues and international support from ties and that the announcement of challenges faced by people with diff erent countries for the Doha Declaration will act as a disabilities, which aff ect more than people with disabilities and roadmap for countries to follow 1.5bn people worldwide. that the announcement to enhance their people with dis- The DICDD will culminate in of the Doha Declaration abilities.” the announcement of the “Doha will act as a roadmap for The conference will feature Declaration,” which will become countries to follow to several distinguished speak- a key international reference enhance their people with ers including Amina Mohamed, HMC’s rehabilitation institute point for policy development disabilities” deputy secretary-general of the and the advancement of human United Nations, deputy secre- rights and sustainable social de- The sessions discussed impor- tary general of the UN; Xavier velopment for persons with dis- tant topics such as: data collection Torres, adviser of the Presiden- abilities. and analysis strategies, disabil- tial Government of Ecuador; and registers over 28,000 visits The DICDD will take place un- ity policies, assistive technologies, Edward Ndopu, United Nations der the theme “Leaving no one empowerment of women and girls secretary-general’s advocate for behind” and will be organised by with disabilities, and internation- the Sustainable Development QNA considered the largest rehabili- tending various facilities of Ha- fer from disabilities, muscle or the QFSW in collaboration with al co-operation on disability. Goals. Doha tation hospital in the region. mad Medical Corporation for bone problems, including joint Meanwhile, Offi cials at Qatar treatment, and second is the infl ammation and pain, he also Rehabilitation Institute are ex- commitment of many patients to said in a statement yesterday. atar Rehabilitation Insti- pecting 30,000 visits for physio- improve their physical mobility Moreover, Qatar Rehabilita- tute of Hamad Medical therapy by the end of December, after it got low due to ageing or tion Institute contains seven QCorporation (HMC) has that would be an increase of 15% as a result of injuries or diseases. hydrotherapy pools, 11 physical revealed that more than 28,000 compared to the year of 2018. In addition, patients who exercise rooms and a sensory visits have been registered for The physical therapy supervi- suff ered from neurological and exercise room in addition to a patients who visited the Insti- sor at Qatar Rehabilitation in- muscular problems caused by unit of assistive devices where tute for physiotherapy in 2019. stitute Modher Ahmed said that strokes or neurological dis- patients are trained to perform That represents half of the the increase in the number of eases make up the majority of various physical functions nec- total number of patients who physiotherapy patients is due to physiotherapy patients, while essary to practice daily life, have received various healthcare two factors, fi rst is the increase 30 percent of these patients are modify and adapt their daily services at the institute, which is in the number of patients at- older people over 70 who suf- lifestyles at home. Amal bint Abdullatif al-Mannai speaking at the workshop. Right: Some of the participants.

Workshop on combating human traffi cking held

he Public Prosecu- tions in the fi eld of combating tion, represented by human traffi cking. Tthe Institute of Crim- The workshop is part of a inal Studies and the De- series of other training pro- partment of International grammes to be held in Doha Co-operation, organised the and London this year and second workshop on com- early next year. bating human traffi cking in The workshop was at- co-operation with the Na- tended by representatives of tional Committee to Com- several offi cial authorities in bat Human Traffi cking and the country, namely the Na- the British embassy in Doha tional Committee for Com- as part of the implementa- Public Prosecution workshop. bating Human Traffi cking, tion of the international ef- the Supreme Council of the forts to combat human traf- aimed at equipping par- knowledge of the rules of in- Judiciary and the Ministry fi cking. ticipants with the necessary ternational law and the provi- of Interior, as well as the The three-day workshop information and skills and sions of international conven- Public Prosecution. - QNA

Qatar takes part in Interpol operation

Qatar participated for the second consecutive year in the maritime operation launched by the General Secretariat of the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) with the participation of 60 countries under the slogan: 30 Days at Sea. The operation aims to combat violations of regulations related to marine pollution. The Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security, the Amiri Navy, Ras Laff an Port, Mesaieed Port, the Maritime Operations Department (Qatar Petroleum), Qatar Ports Management Company and the Maritime Systems (Ministry of Transport and Communications) participated in the operation. Qatar condemns attack on church in Burkina Faso

Qatar has voiced strong condemnation and denunciation of the attack that targeted a church in eastern Burkina Faso killing 14 people including children. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs reiterated Qatar’s firm position on rejecting violence and terrorism, regardless of motives and reasons, and aff irmed Qatar’s total rejection of targeting places of worship and intimidating the safe civilians. - QNA ulf Times Wednesday, December 4, 2019 5 QATAR QRCS distributes educational aid in Afghanistan

QNA Afghanistan, especially the Doha education supplies to the needy schools. He added that this aid would he Qatar Red Crescent So- meet the needs of the students ciety (QRCS) in Afghani- in such difficult conditions, Tstan has launched Phase 2 promote the development ef- of a project to support education forts in Afghanistan, and em- in remote and poor provinces of body the strong relations be- the country, with educational tween the Afghan and Qatari aid distributed to fi ve schools in peoples. “I hope that this sup- Urozgan Province, southern Af- port would continue and ex- ghanistan. pand to other fields in the fu- This assistance includes the ture,” he added. distribution of 548 double chairs Urozgan’s Chairman of Pro- and desks, 38 classroom tents, vincial Shura Council Ameer 9,500 copies of textbooks, 1,095 Mohamed Barkzai described the school bags with stationery, 300 The assistance includes the distribution of 548 double chairs and educational aid as a top prior- kits of teaching aids, and fi ve desks. ity. “Supporting education, im- containers to be used as admin- proving the school environment, istration offi ces at a total cost of cial Department of Education. handover to the target schools in and encouraging the students to $180,000. Earlier this year, a memoran- the Chora and Tarinkot Districts, attend the school is the way to Estimated to benefi t up to dum of understanding (MoU) central Urozgan. enable national advancement, 1,095 students, the project was was signed by the three parties In a statement Governor engage the Afghan children in co-implemented with the Af- to stipulate partnership in all of Urozgan Asadullah Shafi q the development of the war-torn ghan Welfare Society, in co- preparations, logistics, selec- Saeed expressed his gratitude country, and build a better fu- ordination with the Ministry tion of benefi ciaries, purchase of for QRCS’s diverse humanitar- ture for all the Afghan people,” of Education and the Provin- QRCS off icials delivering aid in Afghanistan. aid, delivery to the province, and ian and development aid across he said.

Qatar’s population rises to 2.75mn Annual increase in vehicle sales

QNA benefi ciaries. Doha Total electricity con- sumption during October 2019 was 4,761.9 GWh reg- atar’s population at istering a monthly decrease the end of October of 5.8% and an annual rise of Qthis year stood at 35.6%. 2.75mn, registering an in- The total water con- crease of 0.3% from the cor- sumption has reached responding period in 2018 40,814,8000 cu m during when it was 2.74mn, data the same month attaining a released by the Planning monthly decrease of 29.7% and Statistics Authority re- and an annual rise of 9.1%. vealed. The data of buildings Data released by the au- permits issued, the to- thority also showed that tal number of permits has the population increased by reached 954 permits during 0.2% in October 2019, com- October 2019, recording a pared to the previous month. monthly increase of 25.9%. The data were published As regards traffi c acci- in the 70th issue of the dents cases, a total of 599 monthly statistics. cases were recorded during In addition, October October 2019, showing a 2019 month also witnessed monthly increase of 10.9%. an increase in the total live Light injuries accounted for births by 5.7%, off set by the the vast majority of traffi c decrease in total deaths at accidents during the same a rate of 7.4% (compared to month, with 85%, followed September 2019). by severe injuries (12%). Regarding vital statistics, However, 16 deaths were 2,369 live births has been recorded, equivalent to only registered during October 3% of total traffi c accidents. 2019. Also, the total Qatari The total number of reg- live births increased by 9.8% istered new vehicles during compared to last month. On October 2019 reached 6,557. the other hand, 174 deaths The fi gure showed a month- were recorded during the ly increase of 10.7% and an same period, a decrease of annual increase of 3.4%. 7.4% compared to Septem- For Banking Sector; Total ber 2019. Broad Money Supply (M2) Moreover, October 2019 recorded about QR559.0bn saw a monthly increase by during October 2019, an an- 9.4% and 27.3%, respective- nual decrease of 2.1% com- ly, in marriage contracts and pared with October 2018. On divorce certifi cates. The to- the other hand, cash equiva- tal number of marriage con- lents; including Commercial tracts was 313, whereas the Bank Deposits amounted to total number of divorces has QR825.3bn during October reached 154 cases; namely, 2019. one divorce for every 2 mar- The fi gure represents an riages. annual increase of 2.4% Social Security state- compared to October 2018, ments, reached QR87mn when deposits recorded ap- in October 2019, for 15,735 proximately QR806.0bn. International Junior Science Olympiad to kick off today

nder the auspices of HE the Prime Minis- Uter and Interior Min- ister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, the 16th International Jun- president of the Interna- ior Science Olympiad will tional Junior Science Olym- kick off today with the par- piad, will speak at the event. ticipation of 70 countries at The winning students of Qatar National Convention the competition organised Centre. by Qatar Environment and HE the Minister of Educa- Energy Research Institute tion and Higher Education competition will be hon- Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed oured during the ceremony. Ali al-Hammadi will deliver Sheikhs, ministers and sen- the keynote address at the ior offi cials of Qatar and dig- opening ceremony. nitaries and undersecretaries Qatar is hosting this year’s from friendly countries will edition, under the slogan “In- attend the opening ceremony. spiring Today’s Young Genera- Representatives of regional tion for the Skills of Tomorrow”. and international organisa- Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh al- tions, diplomats from various Nuaimi, chairman of the mission in Qatar, educational Supreme Committee for or- leaders, teachers and students ganising the Olympiad, and will also be present during the Dr Khalid Mohamed Yousuf ceremony. al-Ali, the offi cial spokes- The 16th International person for the Olympiad, Junior Science Olympiad is as well as Prof Paresh Joshi, to conclude on December 11. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 QATAR

Doha Bank names 33 winners of Al Dana Savings Scheme raffl e draws

oha Bank announced Banana Island Resort Doha the lucky winners of by Anantara. ing new ways to make sav- and above on top of previ- Dthe eighth Al Dana Braik al-Marri, chief re- ing even more rewarding.” ous month’s average bal- Savings Scheme raffl e draws tail banking offi cer at Doha Doha Bank’s Al Dana ance will enable account Professionals from government and private entities attending the seventh National Cybersecurity Drill (Star 7). held on October 24 at Doha Bank, said: “It has increas- Saving Scheme 2019 in- holders to enjoy double Bank Tower, underlining its ingly become important cludes Al Dana Savings loyalty chances in the draw commitment to off ering re- for everyone to develop a Account, Al Dana Young for every QR1,000 incre- warding banking experiences habit of saving to not only Savers Account, Al Dana mental balance, whereas to customers. have a safety net in case Savings Plan, and Al Dana customers can benefi t from F al-Shamari won of an emergency but also Family Savings Account and triple loyalty chances for QR50,000, the biggest become fi nancially secure Current Account. every QR1,000 incremental prize of the monthly draws, to meet future goals and Customers holding balance with an additional Cybersecurity drill while 30 other custom- aspirations. a minimum balance of deposit of QR10,000 and ers took home a total of “With our wide-ranging QR5,000 in any of these ac- above on top of the previous QR160,000 in cash prizes. Al Dana Savings Scheme counts will be automatically month’s average balance. M Goel won QR10,000 products, at Doha Bank, entered into monthly and New customers of Al from the Al Dana Savings we have been incentivising quarterly draws, as well as a Dana Savings Scheme 2019 Plan draw. Meanwhile, M our customers to embrace year-end draw, which has a stand even more chances focuses on securing al-Abdulghani won the Al the savings culture through grand prize of QR1mn, with to win raffl e draws, with Dana Family Savings Ac- the provision of attractive each QR1,000 giving them a Doha Bank rewarding them count draw, making him rewards for their money chance to win. with 100 bonus chances eligible for a free relaxing saved for a rainy day. We re- Meanwhile, an addi- against a minimum deposit major events staycation with family at main committed to explor- tional deposit of QR5,000 of QR20,000.

he National Cybersecurity various topics and includes training this year’s exercises are based on Drill focuses on securing ma- sessions. The events will conclude teamwork. “This means the two teams Tjor events from a cybersecurity tomorrow. will have to work together to make standpoint, a Ministry of Transport It is part of a series of national drills decisions together and thus giving a and Communication (MoTC) offi cial that the ministry began in 2013 in order more rapid response,” she added. has said. to develop and improve the effi ciency MoTC holds a national cyber- “The seventh drill complements and preparedness of government in- security drill every year to achieve last year’s sixth National Cybersecu- stitutions to address the cyberattacks. the objectives of the Qatar National rity Drill that focused on securing ma- The theme for this year’s exercises is Cybersecurity Strategy in terms of jor events from a cybersecurity stand- Defending the Nation – Know Your Ad- sharpening national cybersecurity point with deeper details and more versary. The exercise is a simulation of capacity and boosting cyberattacks thorough exercises this year in prepa- tightly integrated process and technical response preparedness like detect- ration for the 2022 FIFA World Cup scenarios. ing, investigating, managing and re- Qatar,” said Nora Yousef al-Abdulla, “Star 7 scenarios were designed sponding to cyber breaches. director, Critical Information Infra- based on the outcomes of all previous Khalid al-Hashmi, assistant under- structure Protection, Cyber Security exercises, in addition to other various secretary of Cybersecurity at MoTC, Sector at MoTC. cyber threats that target Qatar and while delivering the opening speech, The events of the seventh National the region in general,” the MoTC of- said that such national drills help Cybersecurity Drill (Star 7) began on fi cial said. Year after year, she said, measure the level of maturity across all Sunday at Al-Messila Resort and Spa the scenarios of each national drill institutions and entities in Qatar re- with participation by more than 900 are becoming closer to reality where garding defending their electronic as- professionals from 95 government problem solvers are divided into two sets and addressing weaknesses. These and private entities across Qatar. Star teams; the operation team and the drills, he added, help diagnose key 7 includes various exercises that test technology team with each of them information security issues, suggest entities’ preparedness to address and having to face and address the chal- appropriate solutions and enhance the handle cyberattacks. And it discusses lenge their own way separately but relevant policies and standards.

Qatari and Somali dignitaries at the opening of the Diplomatic Institute. Minister praises Qatar support to Somalia

atar Fund for De- to Somalia, and the chair- The renovation works in- QFFD is currently imple- velopment (QFFD) man and members of the cluded the rehabilitation of menting a range of diff er- Qparticipated in a Parliamentary Friendship the entire building from the ent development projects ceremony held by Somalia Committee of Somalia. facades, units and interior in Somalia, where the work in connection with the re- Awad, in his speech, halls, the improvement of is underway on the con- habilitation project of the lauded the Qatar govern- the infrastructure as well struction of the 90km Diplomatic Institute. ment’s continuous support as the extension of public Mogadishu-Jowhar road The ceremony was at- to Somalia. He pointed out and private facilities for the and the 22km Mogadishu tended by Minister of For- that the opening of the in- project. In addition to the Afgoye road. eign Aff airs and Interna- stitute represents a qualita- rehabilitation of the Prime The project is part of tional Co-operation Ahmed tive addition to the Somali Minister’s Building, the the ongoing eff orts of Qa- Eissa Awad, Qatar’s ambas- diplomatic activity through works covered the Minis- tar to empower developing sador to Somalia Hassan the training of diplomatic try of Planning, Investment countries and bring them to bin Hamza Hashim, minis- cadres at the ministry in and Economic Develop- stability and prosperity in ters, parliamentarians and co-operation with broth- ment, and the Mogadishu order to achieve peace and ambassadors accredited erly and friendly countries. Municipality building. justice.

QC providing relief to Albania quake victims

ith funding from sands of them are displaced the Qatar Fund due to the destruction of Wfor Development their homes, the statement (QFFD), Qatar Charity notes. (QC), through its fi eld offi ce Albania was recently hit in Albanian capital Tirana, by a strong 6.4-magnitude continues to provide emer- earthquake, causing doz- gency relief aid to victims of ens of deaths and hundreds the earthquake that struck of casualties, in addition to several areas of the country material losses and damage Qatar’s ambassador to Albania Hamad bin Ali al-Marri with a few days ago. to infrastructure. other off icials. The assistance, which included water, ready-to- eat meals and food baskets, benefi ted more than 1,150 people in several aff ected areas of Albania, QC said in a statement. This was in addition to the distribution of blankets, mattresses and winter clothes. The aid was delivered in the presence of Hamad bin Ali al-Marri, Qatar’s am- bassador to Albania, and the mayors of the targeted governorates. The urgent response comes within the frame- work of humanitarian and fraternal duty towards communities aff ected by disasters and crises to help the earthquake victims in Albania and ease their hu- man suff ering, as thou- Relief work in progress. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 4, 2019 7 QATAR Kahramaa chief for joint eff orts to tackle climate challenges A section of the Caravan Complex in Doha. ssa bin Hilal al-Kuwari, president of Qatar Gen- Sterling Restaurants begins Eeral Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa), and vice chair of Board of Trustees of Hamad Bin Khalifa Univer- ‘Dine & Win’ promotion sity (HBKU), participated in the opening day of the Inter- national Conference on Sus-  Promotion starts today and Steakhouse, Bennigan’s, through its many support tainable Energy Water and will run until second week of Shebestan Palace, Caravan centres. It is also supported by Environment Nexus in Desert March 2020 Bukhara, Coff ee Beanery, other divisions of the company Climates 2019 (ICSEWEN’19)  Diners have chance to Kababji, TCBY, Fuddruckers, in Qatar, as well as the region, yesterday. win 2 Toyota Land Cruisers Asiana, Star of India and to ensure maximum eff iciency ICSEWEN’19 is the fl agship and/or food coupons worth others, the statement notes. and output,” the statement conference of Qatar Environ- QR500,000 The promotion starts today points out. ment and Energy Research In-  Two raff le draws to be and will continue until the The executive added, “Our stitute (Qeeri), part of HBKU. conducted at Caravan second week of March 2020. business is to serve great food The conference is being held at complex on January 30, 2020 The promotion will off er to our guests at all times. We, the Qatar National Convention and March 11 diners the chance to win two as a company, believe that the Centre until tomorrow. Land Cruisers and/or food measure of success of any Other dignitaries who partic- Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari and other dignitaries at ICSEWEN’19 yesterday. terling Restaurants, coupons worth QR500,000. food establishment is ‘quality’. ipated in the ceremony included known for providing Two separate raff le draws will “We believe that food quality Dr Ahmad M Hasnah, president, the needs of diverse stakeholders, between research and public and al-Mohannadi, managing direc- S“exceptional promo- be conducted at the Caravan begins with the proper HBKU; Alistair Routledge, pres- policy decisions, and to protect private sectors, and we look for- tor and general manager, Qatar tional off ers” to its diners complex (C-Ring Road/Salwa ordering of food supplies. ident and general manager of valuable resources. ward to seeing it unfold over the Electricity & Water Co; Dr Abdul through its restaurant chains Road junction) on January 30, We have a strong purchase ExxonMobil Qatar; Luca Sutera, “This conference provides a next two days.” Sattar al-Taie, executive director, in Qatar, has announced that 2020 and March 11. team who, over the years, chief fi nancial offi cer, Nebras platform for collaboration be- Routledge delivered keynote Qatar National Research Fund; it is back with an “exciting” “We value our customers have developed vendors who Power; Dr Richard O’Kennedy, tween our guests from around the address on ‘Technology for Sus- Amit Singh, managing direc- ‘Dine & Win’ promotion this and believe that our regular share the same vision as we vice president, Research, Devel- world to share ideas and to inten- tainable Energy’, while Sutera tor, Schlumberger; and Dr Huda month. clients deserve something do. Ordering quality products opment and Innovation at Qatar sify our combined eff orts in devel- spoke on the topic of ‘Global al-Sulaiti, Qeeri. “Renowned all over Qatar for in return for their continued and equipment is a business Foundation and vice president oping tangible solutions that posi- Energy Transition’, and Dr al- “Through this conference, providing exceptional dining patronage of our restaurants,” mentality and we take it very for Research at HBKU; Dr Mar- tively impact our communities.” Maadeed on ‘Industry 4.0 and we aim to exchange ideas, share services and experiences, a senior executive of Sterling seriously.” iam al-Maadeed, vice presi- Dr Vermeersch said, “The the Energy-Water-Environment knowledge, and provide up- Sterling Restaurants will be restaurants said. Sterling Restaurants has dent for Research and Graduate conference is an important mile- nexus’. Meshaal al-Shamari, vice dates on our technology devel- off ering their patrons the Sterling Restaurants has been “always been evolving, Studies at Qatar University and stone towards Qeeri’s objec- chair of Mena Regional Network, opment status, and learn from chance to win two Toyota Land in the food and beverage changing, modifying and Dr Marc Vermeersch, executive tives of being recognised as a World Green Building Coun- leading experts around the Cruisers and/or food coupons business in Qatar for a long adapting to new business director, Qeeri. key player in the local, regional, cil, and director of Qatar Green globe. The challenges that Qa- worth half-a-million Qatari time since its inception under environments and needs”. It Commenting on the confer- and international arenas. Qeeri’s Building Council explored the tar and other hot arid regions riyals,” the company has said the Tri-Star Group. has a large number of qualified ence, al-Kuwari said, “The ener- eff orts to align with Qatar’s Na- ‘Social Impact of Social Develop- face are unique, and we hope in a statement. “Having various business and experienced employees in gy-water-environment nexus is tional Research Strategy and ment’ with Dr Vermeersch high- to explore potential solutions Diners will now have the interests throughout the GCC, Qatar. This mix of culture from associated with human, econom- become a reference centre in the lighting the work being carried for relevant issues in the im- chance to enjoy their favourite Sterling Restaurants is the over 18 countries “ensures ic, and environmental sustain- fi elds of energy, environment out at Qeeri. plementation of research in the food as well as stand a chance single largest operator of high- communication in any ability. This connection is becom- and water research and technol- Dr O’Kennedy moderated a area of energy, water and envi- to win the prizes on off er quality restaurants and catering endeavour, understanding of a ing more pronounced with climate ogy development are important panel discussion on ‘Oppor- ronment,” Dr Veronica Bermu- through Sterling’s diverse operations in Qatar and brings guest’s needs and the ability to change. The understanding of the for the country’s industries. IC- tunities and Challenges within dez, senior research director of roaster of restaurant chains, a wealth of knowledge and excel in service standards”, the diffi culties of these complex rela- SEWEN’19 is a knowledge plat- EWE the nexus’ with the par- Qeeri’s Energy Centre and the including Pizza Hut, Ponderosa experience to its projects statement adds. tionships is necessary to balance form that seeks to bridge the gap ticipation of Fahad bin Hamad chair of ICSEWEN’19, added. Qatar-India 2019 Year of Domasco launches GAC Culture to end this month high-end MPV in Qatar By Joseph Varghese Staff Reporter oha Marketing Services Company (Domasco), the exclusive distribu- he activities of Qatar-In- Dtor of GAC Motor in Qatar, has an- dia 2019 Year of Culture nounced the launch of GAC’s fi rst high-end Twill conclude by the end multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the GN8, in of December with some major the market. events planned throughout the The launch took place at an event held at month. Dana Club. “The high-profi le events tak- The release is a “major milestone” for ing place in various places in GAC Motor as it now covers the mid-to- the country include the Jaipur high-end sedan, SUV and MPV markets, Literary Festival Doha, and the according to a press statement. great Indian musical, Mughal- Speaking at the launch, Faisal Sharif, e-Azam,” said Indian ambassa- managing director of Domasco, said: “With dor P Kumaran. this launch, GAC Motor has taken the line The legendary M F Husain’s of luxury MPVs to a whole new level and latest installation, the ‘Seeroo continue to redefi ne its landscape. The GN8 fi al Ardh’, will soon be unveiled is designed to meet the market’s growing in Qatar Foundation’s Education demand for high-end seven-seaters that City. A photo exhibition about Indian ambassador P Kumaran. cater to family and business needs alike. The GN8 from GAC Motor. India by Qatari and Indian pho- We are now able to off er customers an even tographers is going on at Katara. others. It is truly gratifying and anniversary of the father of the wider choice from GAC and welcome all to designed to meet ever-growing demand ic Sunroof, Power Liftgate, 10.1-inch colour Kumaran was speaking to we got great support from the nation Mahatma Gandhi. test-drive and experience this amazing new from consumers for a better driving expe- LCD screen display, Apple CarPlay, wire- Gulf Times on the sidelines of government of Qatar in organis- “We are planning to plant 150 vehicle.” rience, quality and safety for their family,” less phone charging and the Bosch ESP 9.1 a tree planting event at Oxygen ing all these events,” explained tree saplings in Qatar with the Developed on GAC Motor’s C-Class the statement notes. that can eff ectively prevent side slip with 14 Park, Education City, as part of Kumaran. participation of students from platform, which integrates the “world’s For convenient ingress and egress, the active safety systems. the Qatar-India 2019 Year of “The musical, Mughal-e- Indian schools. We will also have most cutting-edge technologies”, the GN8 GN8 is equipped with automatic sliding Adhering to GAC Motor’s brand philoso- Culture on Monday. Azam will be showcased at Al a rally with 150 cycles on Decem- is company’s fi rst large-scale MPV model. doors with four opening modes, including phy of “innovation, quality and pleasure” The Indian envoy pointed out Mayassa Theatre, Qatar National ber 6. We have lined up several It measures 5m in length and has a 3m long remote key control, external handle, inter- and embracing “cutting-edge technol- that events highlighting Indian Convention Centre, with three activities this month,” he said. wheelbase to “ensure plenty of interior nal handle and front-row integrated switch. ogy”, the GN8 completes its line of luxury culture could be presented in shows from December 19-21. The “We would like to present more space”. Once inside the GN8’s cabin, passengers C-Class vehicles, which also includes the Qatar in a big way with an ar- Jaipur Literary Festival will run programmes, especially as India is “The grandeur of this new MPV is also are treated with climate control and an eco- GA8 sedan and GS8 SUV. ray of diverse and distinct pro- from December 12-14 at Qatar a big country and every state and refl ected in its spectacular exterior design, friendly, low-VOC “odourless sanctuary” Customers wanting to book a test drive grammes throughout Qatar- National Library,” he added. region has distinct cultural back- luxurious cabin design, smart technology while on the move. can call 8008123/44248989 or visit the India 2019 Year of Culture. The ambassador also pointed ground. However, we have been and excellent safety features. Powered by a Aside from these intelligent controls, the exclusive GAC Motor showroom on Salwa “We could highlight diff er- out that the embassy is organ- able to bring some of the best of 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that is con- GN8 also has a Tyre Pressure Monitoring Road, near the Qatar Decoration signal, op- ent areas of culture such as art, ising many programmes this the Indian culture during this nected to a six-speed automatic transmis- System, Electronic Parking Brake with auto posite HSBC Bank. The showroom is open fashion, cinema, music among month to mark the 150th birth year,” added the ambassador. sion, this high-end seven-seater MPV is hold, Automatic Parking System, Panoram- from Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 8pm.

Preparations for Qatar National Day celebrations in full swing at Darb Al Saai

Preparations for the 2019 Qatar National Day (QND) celebrations at Darb Al Saai are in full swing. The Organising Committee of the Qatar National Day celebrations had recently released the 2019 Darb Al Saai events calendar for visitors. The events will run from December 12-20. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 QATAR

Kazakhstan National Day celebrated Al Daayen Municipality honours employees

Kazakhstan ambassador Askar Shokybayev is joined by Qatar’s Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Aff airs HE Yousef bin Mohamed al-Othman Fakhro, HE the Al Daayen Municipality has honoured 112 workers under the patronage and with the support of Doha Festival City, in recognition Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi, HE the of their distinguished eff orts. Al Daayen Municipality director Rashid al-Khayareen honoured the employees at a ceremony in the Minister of State Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari in cutting a cake at the Kazakhstan National Day presence of Robert Hall, general manager of Doha Festival City, and other off icials. All the targeted employees were given gifts celebrations in Doha yesterday as Qatar Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Chief of Protocol Ibrahim Yousif as a token of appreciation. Al-Khayareen said the event was meant to appreciate the field eff orts exerted by the employees in Fakhroo and dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Eritrean ambassador Ali Ibrahim Ahmad look on. carrying out their designated tasks. It will also encourage them to exert more eff orts in the future. He added that the honouring PICTURE: Ram Chand event would be held annually to help improve the quality of work. Winners of Qatar Global Award announced

QNA on Chinese, Japanese, Korean the executive programme of the He noted that Qatar Univer- Doha and other Asian civilisations. Alliance of Civilizations Plan sity is proud of its achievements He pointed out that the min- 2018-2022 which emphasises and its ability to overcome the istry will work through its diplo- on recognising outstanding re- challenges, as part of its quest to inners of Qatar Global matic missions in Beijing, Tokyo search work. achieve its vision. Award for Dialogue and Seoul to organise cultural For his part, Qatar University For his part, Dean of the Col- Wamong Civilizations events to publicise the winning president Dr Hassan bin Rashid lege of Sharia at Qatar University — second session 2019 were an- book and distributed to various al-Derham said that the annual Dr Ibrahim Abdullah al-Ansari nounced in Doha yesterday by universities, research centres award, which is sponsored by HE praised the scientifi c level of the the Committee for the Alliance and institutions, as well as cul- the Deputy Prime Minister and award’s researches this year, and of Civilization at the Ministry tural centres to familiarise the Minister of Foreign Aff airs and said that critical subjects were of Foreign Aff airs and the Isesco peoples of Asia with the role Chairman of Qatar Committee addressed in an innovative and Chair in Alliance of Civilizations played by Muslim immigrants for the Alliance of Civilization realistic manner, with deep and at the College of Sharia and Is- in the civilisational, cultural Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrah- solid approaches to the tools of lamic Studies at Qatar Univer- and artistic construction in the man al-Thani, achieved within acculturation and the relation- sity. countries of the Far East. a short time a signifi cant in in- ship with the other civilisation. Dr Mohamed Ahmed Abdel- He stressed the importance of ternational participation, depth Commenting on the occa- salam from Egypt won the fi rst mobilising energies in the next in the curriculum and scientifi c sion, Secretary-General of Qatar place for his research entitled session of Qatar Global Award content, and an important infl u- National Commission for Edu- “The impact of Muslim migra- to secure a large participation, ence in the fi eld of civilisational cation, Culture and Science Dr tion on the culture and arts of especially from researchers of dialogue in terms of creating a Hamda al-Sulaiti said that the the Far East”. the Organisation of Islamic Co- deep intellectual movement and award consolidates the construc- Dr Bachir Khalafi from Alge- Off icials announcing the winners. operation. a wide discussion in various top- tive co-operation between the ria won the second place for his HE Dr al-Hammadi pointed ics of civilised dialogue, which is commission, the Isesco and the research “Muslim immigrants In his speech during the cer- Ahmad bin Hassan al-Hamma- on the culture and arts of the Far out that this award, which is the in line with the mission of Qatar Faculty of Sharia of Qatar Uni- in the West between identity emony announcing the winners, di, said that the fi rst place win- East countries, which refl ected fruit of co-operation between University in its directions and versity, which resulted in the cre- requirements and the require- HE the Secretary-General of the ner confi rmed the depth of the the advancement of Islamic civ- the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs strategy based on its qualitative ation of Isesco Alliance of Civili- ments of citizenship”. Ministry of Foreign Aff airs, Dr impact of Muslim immigrants ilisation and its positive impact and Qatar University, is part of excellence in education. zations Chair at Qatar University.

Ooredoo unveils 5G-enabled smart Metro clocks up huge passenger numbers MIA hosts photography show to mark wheelchair Shafallah Centre’s 20th anniversary From Page 1 Ooredoo Kuwait CEO Sheikh he Museum of Islamic Art Mohamed bin Abdullah bin Mo- (MIA) hosted a photogra- hamed al-Thani said: “We’re Tphy exhibition to celebrate delighted to be working with the 20th anniversary of the Sha- Wheel the World and using fallah Centre and to mark the In- Google Assistant API technol- ternational Day of Persons with ogy to make Qatar accessible to Disabilities 2019. all, and this initiative is an ideal Guests who attended include opportunity for us to live our Dr. Julia Gonnella, director of Ooredoo brand pillars. MIA; Amal al-Mannai, CEO “In making a difference to of Qatar Foundation for Social those with disabilities we’re Work; Laalei Abu Alfain, manag- caring, we’re challenging the The Doha Metro witnessed a huge rush of passengers on Monday, when Qatar won its last group match ing director of Best Buddies Qatar current status that some ac- against the UAE to qualify for the semi-finals of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup. “Yesterday (Monday) was a and CEO of Shafallah Centre; and tivities in Qatar, such as dune momentous day for Qatar. 95,000 journeys were made using the Doha Metro, this really is changing Salem al-Marri, deputy director bashing are off-limits to those the way we move. Thank you,” Qatar Rail said in a post on its Doha Metro & Lusail Tram Twitter page of Learning and Outreach at MIA. with disabilities. We’re con- yesterday. Many spectators used the Metro on Monday to travel to and from Khalifa International The exhibition featured 70 necting people with disabili- Stadium, where the Qatar-UAE match took place. Qatar Rail also tweeted photographs showing the photographs that captured vari- ties all over the world to enable huge rush yesterday, with passengers - both citizens and expatriates - turning in large numbers to avail ous activities, events and mile- The opening of the exhibition. them to book unique experi- of the Metro services. The Sport City station is closest to the stadium. stones that Shafallah Centre has ences in Qatar via the Ooredoo achieved over the past 20 years. ited the library for a storytelling leries and explored the pieces and Wheel the World branded Various activities for mem- session, while the second group displayed at MIA. booking portal. We want to bers of Shafallah Centre were worked as a team to recreate one The event was jointly organ- make the incredible experi- also organised; including a treas- of the pieces displayed in the Set ised by Qatar Museums, Shafal- ences our wonderful country ure hunt and an arts workshop, in Stones: Gems and Jewels from lah Centre, Best Buddies Qatar has to offer available to all, and among others. Royal Indian Courts exhibition. and Seashore Group of Compa- we look forward to welcoming The fi rst group of students vis- The fi nal group visited the gal- nies. visitors of all abilities to enjoy them.” The collaboration between Ooredoo and Wheel the World is made possible with strategic partners Qatar National Tour- Italian students visit Diplomatic Institute ism Council, Accessible Qatar, Supreme Committee for Deliv- ery & Legacy, and Plug & Play, he Department of Inter- and supported by Qatar Air- national Co-operation at ways, Katara Hospitality, Sharq Tthe Ministry of Foreign Village & Spa, Embrace Doha, Aff airs, in co-operation with the Qatar International Adventures, Diplomatic Institute, organised and 365 Adventures. an interactive meeting with an Italian student delegation cur- rently visiting the country. The director of the Diplomatic Institute, Dr Abdulaziz bin Mo- Gulf Cup an organisational success: al-Khater hamed al-Horr, welcomed the delegation and expressed his hope that the visit would be use- From Page 1 “We are working together with Qatar Na- ful to learn about the develop- tional Tourism Council (QNTC), Qatar Air- ment achieved by Qatar. The Italian delegation with off icials. With some big numbers coming into the ways, Katara - the Cultural Village and the During the meeting, secre- venues for the Gulf Cup matches and more Ministry of Sports and Culture. There is a tary-general of the Qatar Na- al-Ansari, gave a presentation externally as they are in line with expected during the Club World Cup, it is a fully integrated plan for fans that will be at- tional Commission for Educa- on Qatar’s development policy the United Nations Vision 2030. good test for the security apparatus in place tending the FIFA Club World Cup. It’s simi- tion, Culture and Science, Dr in bilateral and multilateral He pointed to Qatar’s inter- and al-Khater reposed confi dence in the lar to we are doing for the Gulf Cup. There Hamda al-Sulaiti, touched on global partnerships, Qatar’s re- est in supporting programmes crowd control measures. are a lot of activities and events happening Qatar’s eff orts to support edu- lief and development assistance of health, education and eco- “There is defi nitely very, very good crowd in Katara, in Souq Waqif. And for the Club cation and culture in the world and direct support to nearly nomic empowerment, and the control organisation, in terms of effi ciency, World Cup too we will have these cultural through programmes imple- 140 countries over the past five importance of cultural exchange people entering the stadiums through the Rush at a metro station on Monday. and traditional activities and events. But we mented in co-operation and years. for its role in raising awareness security gates… some matches were a lit- will also make sure that we have something partnership with Unesco. Al-Ansari touched on the ob- and tolerance and narrowing the tle more challenging just because they were the measures, and all the organisational part for all the fans that will be attending,” said For his part, the director of jectives of Qatar National Vision scope of violence and terrorism, bigger matches. But they were all important of the tournament.” The organisers have also al-Khater, who also added that the ticket the Department of Internation- 2030 and the strategies and plans which embodies preventive di- steps towards organising a successful World ensured that the fans have a good time be- sales for the Club World are “going very al Co-operation, Tariq Ali Faraj to achieve them internally and plomacy. – QNA Cup. So all in all we are very satisfi ed with all sides the football action on the fi eld. very well”. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 4, 2019 9 QATAR WCM-Q research probes causal link between obesity and diabetes

esearchers at Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar (WCM- RQ) have made new discov- eries that could help explain why QCDC, QU off icials at the signing ceremony. some obese people get type-2 diabetes while others do not. The multi-institutional team of researchers, led by WCM-Q’s Dr Nayef Mazloum, analysed QCDC, Qatar University sign pact blood samples from 107 people resident in Qatar and identi- fi ed signifi cant diff erences in the metabolites of those who to promote career guidance were obese but insulin sensitive and did not have type 2 diabetes Dr Mohamed A Elrayess Dr Nayef Mazloum compared to equally obese indi- atar Career Develop- and CE to advance their shared values collaborations with key cadres who can perform their viduals with insulin resistance ers’ which, if present, appear to developing those conditions or ment Centre (QCDC) objectives at both local and in- stakeholders, such as Qatar duties and accomplish the and/or type-2 diabetes. indicate that an obese individual who already have them. How- Qhas signed a memo- ternational levels. University, to ensure laying the tasks entrusted to them to the Dr Mazloum, assistant pro- may be resistant to type-2 dia- ever, while we have gained an randum of understanding with Commenting on the MoU, foundations of solid and world- fullest, ultimately serving Qa- fessor, Microbiology and Im- betes. improved understanding of the Qatar University’s College of al-Mansoori said that the class career guidance services tar’s national priorities.” munology, said, “One of the key Of the 107 subjects in the metabolic processes at work, Education to promote aca- agreement with CE will further in our beloved country.” These activities will be characteristics of type-2 diabe- study, 32 were control subjects the full nature of the underly- demic and career guidance, and empower QCDC to achieve its In line with the MoU, QCDC jointly planned and conducted tes is reduced insulin sensitivity, of healthy weight, while 75 were ing metabolic pathways involved advance professional develop- goal of helping youth make and and CE will exchange exper- to advance career guidance strongly associated with obes- obese, including 20 who were is still quite poorly understood. ment. implement sound career deci- tise to advance each other’s and meet development needs ity. However, some individuals obese and insulin sensitive, 41 This research does point the Abdulla al-Mansoori, di- sions. goals through diverse forms of within the Qatari context and who are obese somehow main- who were obese and insulin re- way towards further studies that rector, QCDC and Dr Ahmed “By providing support for collaboration including train- in accordance with interna- tain their insulin sensitivity and sistant, and 14 who were obese could help us develop a far richer al-Emadi, dean of College of youth to grow professionally ing, advisory, consultancy, tionally recognised best prac- therefore have a far lower risk and had type-2 diabetes. The and more detailed picture of Education (CE), Qatar Univer- and achieve their life goals, we and multifaceted service pro- tices. of developing type-2 diabetes majority of subjects in the study how type-2 diabetes functions, sity, signed the agreement dur- contribute to Qatar’s develop- visioning. The MoU builds on QCDC and associated complications. In were Qatari nationals. which could potentially help ing a ceremony held recently at ment and sustainable growth in Al-Emadi said, “We are and CE’s unique collabora- this study we were able to iden- The team comprised re- with the development of new di- Multaqa,Education City. line with our shared objective confident that our joint efforts tion with local and interna- tify for the fi rst time a number searchers from WCM-Q, Qatar agnostic tools and therapies.” The MoU lays the founda- with Qatar University, as well will contribute to key achieve- tional partners to serve the of individual metabolites that Biomedical Research Institute, The other researchers who tions for a strategic partner- as the Qatar National Vision ments in terms of promoting local community and to meet are involved in helping some the Biomedical Research Centre contributed to the study were ship that will enable QCDC – a 2030,” al-Mansoori said. academic and career guidance the needs of Qatar’s education obese people maintain insulin (BRC) at Qatar University, the Haya al-Sulaiti, Ilhame Diboun, member of Qatar Foundation – “QCDC understands and in order to develop qualified and training sector. sensitivity - we hope that it may Royal College of Surgeons in Ire- Maha Agha, Fatima Mohamed, eventually be possible to use land – Bahrain, and the Univer- Stephen Atkin and Alex Dom- these discoveries as the basis for sity of Groningen in the Nether- ling. developing new diagnostic tools lands. “This research has opened and even therapeutic medi- Dr Mohamed A Elrayess of the up promising new avenues to cines.” BRC at Qatar University, who identify and validate biomar- The research identifi ed me- co-led the project said, “This in kers that would, with further Police College holds cultural tabolites involved in the me- an extremely exciting piece of studies, hopefully improve our tabolism of phospholipids, a research for us because if we can ability to both prevent and treat type of fat found mainly in the understand what makes some type-2 diabetes and associated membranes of cells. A total of obese individuals with lower risk conditions,” added Dr Khaled three phospholipid metabolites to insulin resistance and type- Machaca, senior associate dean, event to mark ‘Arabic Day’ were identifi ed by the research- 2 diabetes, we might be able Research, Innovations, and ers as ‘potential novel biomark- to help those who are prone to Commercialisation at WCM-Q.

he Police College in co- operation with the Doha TInstitute for Graduate Studies yesterday organised a cultural event as part of observ- HBKU CIS professor takes ing the World Arabic Language Day. The event was entitled Ara- bic language and society; the part in World Halal Summit role of Qatar. The programme, according to a tweet by the Ministry of In- faculty member from the terior (MoI), included a number College of Islamic Studies of sessions about poetry, the A(CIS) at Hamad Bin Kha- Qatari dialect, teaching Arabic Officials and representatives attending the event at Police College yesterday. lifa University (HBKU) recently to non-Arabic speakers in the participated in this year’s World security fi eld and Doha Histori- College, said the event was and the laws to preserve it. number of offi cers of the Police Halal Summit, in Istanbul. cal Dictionary. aimed at contemplating ways The event also discussed the College and the Doha Institute The summit is one of the Brigadier Dr Mohamed of protecting the Arabic lan- role of Police College in mak- for Graduate Studies attended, largest halal events that gather Abdullah al-Muhanna, di- guage and dealt with a vari- ing use of the Arabic language in addition to specialists and leading experts from around the rector general of the Police ety of topics related to Arabic in security and legal sectors. A researchers. world to discuss current issues in the halal sector. Dr Dalal Aassouli, assistant professor and programme co- ordinator of the MSc in Islamic HBKU’s Dr Dalal Aassouli (centre) at the World Halal Summit in Istanbul. Ministry recalls vehicles over defective air bag inflator Finance programme, gave a The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in co-operation with Al- sure that vehicle dealers follow up on defects and repairs. presentation on eff orts to embed fi nancial innovation, partner- cial industry is well positioned mana Motors Company, announced the recall of Mustang models The Ministry has said that it will co-ordinate with the dealer to sustainability into the Islamic fi - ships, awareness and impact to play a key role in achieving of 2005–2014, GT models of 2005–2006, Fusion & MKZ models of follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will com- nancial industry. assessment. Dr Aassouli also the SDGs. Our Islamic finance 2006–2012, Milan models of 2006–2011, and Edge & MKC models municate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs She emphasised that the outlined how HBKU’s Islamic fi - programmes at HBKU offer of 2007–2010. are carried out. The Ministry urges all customers to report any United Nations’ Sustainable De- nance programmes can support a great platform for students A defect in the air bag inflator on the passenger side may result in violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud velopment Goals (SDGs) provide fulfi lment of SDGs on a global and professionals to attain the sharp metal fragments coming out of the passenger airbag if an Department, which processes complaints, inquiries and sugges- opportunities for this sector to level. skills needed to understand accident occurs. tions through the following channels: Call Centre: 16001, e-mail: incorporate sustainability prin- On educating current and global sustainable develop- The Ministry confirmed the recall campaign comes within the [email protected], Twitter: @ MOCIQATAR, Instagram: MOCIQA- ciples into its activities to better future practitioners in the Is- ment challenges, and propose framework of its ongoing eff orts to protect consumers and en- TAR, mobile app for Android and IOS: MOCIQATAR. support development objectives. lamic Finance world, Dr Aas- viable ethical financial alterna- Key enabling factors include souli says: “The Islamic finan- tives to tackle them.’’

Applications open for QSTP’s ninth cycle of XLR8 programme

atar Science & Tech- success both in Qatar and for- It features three modules that gramme’s success is evident nology Park (QSTP), a eign markets. These include take participants on a journey through the increasing number Qmember of Qatar Foun- WakeCap, a company that de- to transform their ideas into of participants and successful dation Research, Development, velops wearable technologies to products with the potential to startups graduating from each and Innovation (QF RDI), has improve the safety of construc- make a commercial impact. The cycle.” announced that applications tion workers and increase pro- first module helps participants The eighth cycle of the pro- are now open for ninth cycle of ductivity on sites, and Stellic, identify target markets, design gramme held earlier this year the XLR8 programme. a fully-integrated portal that an early prototype, and solicit attracted a record number of Interested entrepreneurs brings together academic plan- customer feedback, while the participants and featured, for may apply for Cycle 9 of the ning, data analytics, and career second enables entrepreneurs the first time, the three final- programme at https://qstp.org. navigation. to assess whether the market is ists of season 11 of Stars of qa/qstp-xlr8/. Deadline for ap- Both companies have suc- large enough to sustain a star- Science, Qatar Foundation’s plications is January 31, 2020, cessfully expanded beyond tup. The third module trains edutainment TV initiative and QSTP said in a statement. Qatar, making their mark in them to attract early stage in- the Arab world’s leading inno- XLR8 is QSTP’s flagship ac- international markets, such as vestors and additional invest- vation show. celerator programme, which, China, the US, and Mexico. ment to grow their startups. Over the last eight seasons, since its inception four years Through the intensive 10- QSTP executive director XLR8 has attracted over 120 ago, has contributed to the week training and mentorship Yosouf Abdulrahman Saleh teams and more than 300 as- growing innovation ecosys- programme, QSTP provides said, “XLR8 is contributing a piring entrepreneurs, resulting tem in Qatar, and propelled the participants with the opportu- great deal to fostering the local in 20 startups. growth of aspiring tech entre- nity to interact with like-mind- startup ecosystem and private Additionally, 11 of these star- preneurs around the world. ed people to explore innovative sector investments in emerg- tups are incubated at QSTP and Out of the startups that have solutions to an array of chal- ing technologies, which will six have set up shop in Qatar, emerged from XLR8, a number lenges, and equips them with strengthen Qatar’s position as while three companies have Participants in QSTP’s XLR8 programme during one of the previous sessions. of companies have achieved the tools necessary to succeed. a regional tech hub. The pro- launched abroad. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Lebanese politicians Nature close-up suggest progress in government talks

Reuters backed Lebanese businessman Beirut Samir al-Khatib to head the next cabinet but added that “some details” still had to be ebanese politicians sig- hashed out. nalled progress yester- He said his party would only Lday towards agreeing a name technocrats as ministers. new government to tackle the Hariri, whose government country’s worst economic cri- grouped all of Lebanon’s dom- sis in decades, though a deal inant parties including the had yet to be done. Hezbollah movement, is still Talks between the main serving in a caretaker capacity. feuding parties have been Political sources said nego- deadlocked since Saad al- tiations were moving quickly Hariri resigned as prime min- towards creating a cabinet ister in late October under with Khatib as prime minister. pressure from huge protests Caretaker Foreign Minis- against the ruling elite.A pre- ter Gebran Bassil said there vious deal had appeared to be was agreement on forming a fi nalised, but it unravelled last government led by “a trusted month after a candidate for figure Hariri fully backs” and prime minister withdrew. with a majority of “compe- The next government will tent” specialists from each have to enact urgent reforms side. and attract foreign support to “We have hope that mat- stave off even worse collapse ters have reached close to a after years of bad governance, happy ending,” Bassil, Presi- corruption and waste. dent Michel Aoun’s son-in- A Palestinian man holds up a lion cub before children along a street in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday, placed there by a local zoo owner to promote the Hariri said yesterday that he law, told a news conference. venue. The Rafah Zoo in the southern Gaza Strip was known for its emaciated animals, with the owners saying they struggled to find enough money to feed them. In April, international animal rights charity Four Paws took all the animals to sanctuaries, receiving a pledge that the zoo would close forever. However it reopened again in August with two lions and three new cubs, penned in cages only a few square metres in size. Iran rejects ‘lies’ about casualty fi gures

AFP nuclear agreement and reim- Tehran posed crippling sanctions. The days of unrest in Iran from 23 killed in ceramics November 15 saw protesters at- ran yesterday rejected tack police stations, loot shops as “utter lies” unoffi cial and torch banks and petrol sta- Icasualty fi gures given for tions as authorities imposed a street violence that erupted week-long Internet blackout. Te- last month during demonstra- hran has not yet given any overall tions against a shock decision death toll, but yesterday strongly to hike fuel prices. rejected such reports and fi gures factory fi re in Sudan US President Donald Trump, as enemy “propaganda”. Iran’s speaking in London, told re- judiciary spokesman Gholam- Reuters porters that “the word is that hossein Esmaili said: “I explic- Khartoum thousands of people are being itly announce that the numbers killed in Iran that are protest- and fi gures that are being given ing,” without providing details. by hostile groups are utter lies wenty-three people were “That’s why they cut off the In- and the statistics have serious killed and more than 130 ternet. They cut off the Internet diff erences with what they an- Tinjured when a fi re broke so people can’t see what’s go- nounced. out after a gas tanker exploded ing on,” he said ahead of a Nato “They announced some while unloading at a ceramics summit. numbers as well as some factory in the Sudanese capital Iran’s economy has been names... Their claimed num- Khartoum yesterday, the gov- battered since last year when bers are sheer lies and fabri- ernment said. Trump unilaterally withdrew cated,” he said in remarks aired The blast at a factory in a the United States from a 2015 on state television. northern suburb was so pow- erful it blew the tanker into a nearby lot, according to wit- nesses and a senior civil defence offi cial. Video footage showed people running and shouting for 12 Palestinians held help at the site of the accident. Flames and smoke billowed from the factory as volunteers QNA prisoner Essam Zuhair Taher. and security forces tried to put Jerusalem Also arrested were four out the fi re. young men from Nablus gov- The fi re completely destroyed ernorate following raids and the factory, a government state- sraeli occupation forces search of their homes, while ment said. arrested 12 Palestinians, three others were arrested “I don’t understand what Iincluding a liberated pris- from Hebron governorate, happened, I heard a blast and Members of the Sudanese Civil Defence put out a fire at a tile manufacturing unit in an industrial zone in north Khartoum, yesterday. oner, from diff erent parts of southern West Bank. ran. One man in a long fl owing the West Bank. On the other hand, the Is- garment was running behind me, were completely burnt,” said wounded. “Preliminary obser- ble materials,” the government countries, medical sources said. Israeli occupation forces ar- raeli occupation authorities he suff ered a serious injury and I Hussein Omar, a volunteer at the vations indicate a lack of neces- statement said. Those injured were trans- rested fi ve Palestinians from were informed to seize lands was also injured in my leg,” said scene. sary safety measures and equip- The casualties included em- ferred to hospitals in the capital. Ramallah and Al-Bireh Gov- in Jab’a village, southwest of William, a factory employee. The government called on cit- ment at the factory, in addition ployees of various nationalities, Some were in critical condition, ernorate, including the freed Bethlehem. “I pulled out 14 bodies which izens to donate blood to treat the to random storage of fl amma- among them some from Asian a local police chief said.

Iraq parties, allies debate new PM as violence hits southern cities

AFP the luxury of time and must rise government posts and making ethnic northern city of Kirkuk Baghdad to the moment,” Jeanine Hennis- sure constitutional amend- yesterday. Plasschaert said yesterday. ments do not threaten its re- In the shrine city of Najaf, 35 Demonstrators have protested cent “gains”, said analyst Adel protesters were wounded when raqi politicians and their rampant corruption, lack of jobs Bakawan. plainclothes guards fired shot- regional allies gathered in and poor public services. The Kurdish administration guns and tear gas on crowds IBaghdad yesterday to dis- Despite the oil wealth of said yesterday it “hoped for near the tomb of Ayatollah Mo- cuss how to resolve two months Opec’s second-biggest produc- the implementation” of a deal hamed Baqir al-Hakim, a cleric of protests that brought down er, one in fi ve Iraqis lives in pov- agreed in principle days be- who founded a major political the government, as violence hit erty and youth unemployment fore the premier’s resignation, party, medics said. southern cities. stands at one quarter, the World granting it a share of the 2020 Najaf has been rocked by vi- Demonstrators demanding Bank says. federal budget in exchange for olence since protesters torched reform have fl ooded the capi- Protesters say such problems exporting its oil through the the Iranian consulate there last tal and the south since October, require more deep-rooted so- national seller. Wednesday, accusing Tehran of in the largest grassroots move- lutions than the resignation of Other parties were also seek- propping up the government. ment the country has witnessed Abdel Mahdi, the fi rst premier ing guarantees, a government Tribal dignitaries called on in years. to step down since Iraq installed source said. populist cleric Moqtada Sadr to Seen as a threat to the rul- a parliamentary system after “Political blocs want to intervene, his office said. ing elite, rallies were met with Saddam Hussein’s overthrow in maintain their positions,” the He has yet to respond. In violence from security forces 2003. source said, describing discus- Karbala, riot police fired live and armed groups, leaving more The 77-year-old said it sions as “very difficult”. rounds and tear gas at protest- than 420 people dead and nearly would be a “waste of time” Parties are considering a ers, an AFP correspondent re- 20,000 wounded — the vast ma- to keep a caretaker cabinet in six-month “transitional” cabi- ported. jority demonstrators. place, in a hint that a political net to oversee electoral reform Police dispatched reinforce- After violence increased last deal to name a new premier was before an early parliamentary ments to the flashpoint city of week, prime minister Adel Abdel in the offing. vote, government and political Nasiriyah, where deaths have Mahdi resigned. But any successor would sources said. been highest in recent days, Talks to fi nd a replacement need the approval of divided A new electoral law is a key and to Basra. intensifi ed this week. Among factions, Kurdish authorities protest demand and is now a Some 500 extra officers in those attending the negotiations University and college students attend the ongoing anti-government protests in Basra, yesterday. and Iraq’s key allies, the US and centrepiece of proposed re- Nasiriyah and 150 in Basra rein- are two key allies of Iraq’s main Iran. forms, with parliamentary forced prisons holding accused parties: Iran’s Revolutionary “Soleimani is in Baghdad to group Hezbollah’s pointman on parts in Iran and Lebanon. The Kurdistan Regional blocs expected to discuss it. militants, to prevent breakouts Guards commander Major Gen- push for a particular candidate Iraq, “is also playing a large role The United Nations envoy to Government supported Abdel Meanwhile, protests con- amid the chaos. eral Qasem Soleimani and Leba- to succeed Abdel Mahdi,” the in persuading political forces on Iraq called on decision-makers Mahdi and is likely worried by tinue. In Baghdad, authorities nese power-broker Mohamed source said, without providing this”, the source added. to respond urgently to demands his resignation. In solidarity with southern announced yesterday they Kawtharany, a high-ranking po- details. Political powers in Iraq have for change. The KRG is prioritising keep- provinces, hundreds of stu- were releasing 16 detained litical source said. Kawtharany, who is Lebanese long had close ties with counter- “Political leaders do not have ing a sizeable share of federal dents marched in the multi- protesters. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 4, 2019 11 AFRICA Anti-corruption drive in Gabon reshuffl es political pack

AFP his job. He was sacked as minis- offi ce. Laccruche adopted a low pany, whose executives included you do not have impunity. Now in the capital to be appointed born green activist who has Libreville ter late Monday, Prime Minister profi le as government minis- Laccruche’s brother Gregory it’s up to the judiciary to do its general attorney of Franceville, lived in Gabon for three decades Julien Nkoghe Bekale said in a ter, though his infl uence stead- Laccruche, a businessman and work and to decide,” said Jessye at the far end of the country. and become a citizen, as new video message. ily grew after Bongo suff ered a mayor of Akanda, a coastal town Ella Ekogha. Current investiga- “Mr N’Zahou is hiding be- minister of water and forests. he oil-rich central African “The president decided to act stroke in October 2018. northwest of Libreville. tions are a follow-up to Opera- cause he is being followed and His predecessor, Guy Bertrand state of Gabon has carried fast,” the prime minister said. The pro-government daily Gregory Laccruche was de- tion Mamba, an anti-corruption has the impression that some- Mapangou, was fi red over a Tout a string of top-level Others are the former director L’Union reported that more tained, a source close to the campaign launched by Bongo in one wants to do away with him,” scandal involving illegal logging arrests and reassignments as it of the National Fund for Health than 85bn CFA francs ($142mn presidency told AFP. The public 2017, Ekogha said. said lawyer Anges Kevin Nzigou, of kevazingo, a precious and ramps up a drive against corrup- Insurance (CNAMGS), Renaud / 129mn euros), had disappeared prosecutor said that suspects Bongo himself chaired an ex- who represents about a dozen protected wood, by a Chinese tion. Nearly two dozen people, Allogho Akoue and the head of from the funds of the Gabon Oil have been charged with embez- traordinary council of the judi- suspects. fi rm. some of them in the inner circle presidential communications, Company (GOC) over the past zlement and money laundering. ciary last Friday, a fi rst in his 10 “The common point in all Running in parallel with this of power, have been ousted from Ike Ngouoni, who was regarded two years. GOC is a state fi rm “This is a political vendetta,” years in offi ce, which began with these arrests is Laccruche Ali- political upheaval is continu- offi ce, arrested or given other as Laccruche’s right-hand man. run by Patrichi Tanasa, who is declared Boris Rosenthal, aide an election in 2009 after the hanga. You perfectly know this ing speculation about Bongo’s duties. Both have been arrested. close to Laccruche. to detained presidential spokes- death of his father, Omar Bongo, yourselves. The starting piont health. Part of the Gabonese op- A leading fi gure is President Key changes have also been Tanasa has been in custody man Ngouoni. Bongo’s offi ce ruler of Gabon for 41 years. for all these arrests is Laccruche position continues to call for an Ali Bongo Ondimba’s chief of made in the intelligence and se- since late November. An inves- said the inquiry has no political After the council session, Li- Alihanga’s dismissal,” he said. expert assessment on his condi- staff , Brice Laccruche Alihanga, curity forces, under decisions tigation by L’Union also targeted link. “Whatever your position, if breville’s chief prosecutor Ol- Earlier this year, Bongo ap- tion to see if he is fi t to run the who has been dismissed from carried out by the president’s the Dupont Consulting Com- there are suspicions against you, ivier N’Zahou lost his position pointed Lee White, a British- country.

Food aid expanded in Zimbabwe The World Food Programme announced yesterday that it will Mugabe left behind $10mn, have to expand its emergency operations in Zimbabwe because half of the population is suff er- ing from severe hunger due to climate change and an economic meltdown. “The scale of hunger in the country is going to get worse some properties, says report before it gets better,” said WFP Ex- ecutive Director David Beasley. He Reuters said the organisation would have Harare to more than double the number Establishing Mugabe’s assets of people it is already helping to 4mn by January as the “unprec- imbabwe’s former leader will take a long time: lawyer edented climate-driven disaster Robert Mugabe, who died gripping southern Africa” contin- Zin September, left $10mn The process of establishing including $10mn in a local bank, ues apace. According to the WFP, and some properties in the capi- the assets of the late Robert four houses in Harare, 10 cars, temperatures are rising at more tal, but no will naming his ben- Mugabe will take some time, his one farm, his rural home and an than twice the average global rate efi ciaries, details of his estate lawyer said yesterday, casting orchard. One of the properties and drought and flooding have published by state-owned news- doubt on a state media report is the palatial home known hit both urban and rural areas. In paper the Herald showed yester- that the former Zimbabwean as Blue Roof in an upmarket Zimbabwe, this is exacerbated by day. leader left $10mn and some suburb where Mugabe lived. an ongoing economic crisis along Zimbabweans have specu- properties in the capital. Zim- The list does not include several with a “shortage of foreign cur- lated for years about the extent babweans have speculated for farms that he reportedly owned rency, runaway inflation, mount- of Mugabe’s wealth, with many years about Mugabe’s wealth, or a dairy business he ran with ing unemployment, lack of fuel, assuming that he and his family with many assuming that he his wife Grace, or any property prolonged power outages and amassed a vast fortune during his and his family amassed a vast outside Zimbabwe. Mugabe’s large-scale livestock losses.” 37 years in power. fortune — perhaps as much as lawyer, Terrence Hussein, told The announcement comes a few Mugabe’s daughter Bona $1bn, according to a leaked US Reuters that the Master of the days after Hilal Elver, the United Chikowore wrote in October to cable from 2001 — during his 37 High Court would this week Nations’ special rapporteur on the the Master of the High Court years in power. appoint an executor to compile right to food, called on the West to seeking to register her father’s The government-owned Herald Mugabe’s assets and liabilities. lift sanctions on Zimbabwe, saying estate, the Herald reported. It newspaper said Mugabe’s He said the properties listed in they were helping to push the listed assets including $10mn daughter Bona Chikowore wrote the Herald report were not in southern African country to the held in a local bank, four houses in October, the month after Mugabe’s name while his rural brink of “man-made starvation.” in Harare, 10 cars, one farm, his her father’s death, to the High homestead had no title because Western sanctions were imposed rural home and an orchard. Court seeking to register the all communal land in Zimbabwe on Zimbabwe over human One of the properties is the pa- Mourners hold a poster during the state funeral of Zimbabwe’s longtime ruler Robert Mugabe at a estate. The paper listed assets is owned by traditional chiefs. rights violations during the rule latial home known as Blue Roof in national sports stadium in Harare in a file picture. of Robert Mugabe, who died in an upmarket suburb of the capi- September, but also more recently tal where Mugabe lived. not found any will left by Zim- not aware of any,” Hussein wrote Mugabe was rumoured to have fered tantalising glimpses of the and said he did not have enough in response to violence against The list does not include sev- babwe’s founding leader. Under in a letter to the High Court that more than $1bn of assets in Zim- family’s lavish spending. money to pay for the upkeep of protesters, civil society and oppo- eral farms that he reportedly Zimbabwean laws, the estate of a was quoted by the Herald. babwe and overseas but that it A legal dispute in 2014 over a the Blue Roof. sition leaders. Elver also urged the owned or a dairy business he ran person who dies without a will is Hussein did not respond to had no reliable information. $5mn villa in Hong Kong sug- Mnangagwa hinted last week Zimbabwean government to fulfil with wife Grace, or any proper- distributed between their spouse calls and questions from Reuters Social media posts showing gested the family had been that the Mugabe family owned its human rights obligations and ties outside Zimbabwe. and children. for comment. Chikowore did not his sons Robert Jr and Bellarmine buying overseas property. The a number of farms in Zimbabwe reform the country’s agricultural The Herald said Mugabe’s law- “Thus far, we have not been answer calls to her mobile phone. Chatunga with bottles of expen- government said it owned the and that the government would and food system. According to the yer Terrence Hussein had also able to locate a will, but have sent A diplomatic cable from the US sive champagne at a Johannes- house. Towards the end of his leave them with just one, in line WFP, 7.7mn people lack adequate asked the court to register the es- out enquiries to other law fi rms, Embassy in Harare in 2001 that burg nightclub and reports of life, Mugabe complained about with rules limiting farm owner- food supplies in the beleaguered tate, saying he and the family had although the family members are was published by Wikileaks said Grace’s shopping sprees have of- the size of his retirement package ship. country.

‘Kenya forcing importers to use costly new railway’ S African court cuts

Reuters 660bn shillings for the rail- jail term for white Mombasa way and other projects, about a tenth of its total national debt. The bank did not immediately farmers in coffi n case enya’s new Chinese- respond to a request for com- built railway should ment. Kenya Railways did not Khave been a boon for respond to requests for com- AFP tively left them to serve fi ve years business. The $3.3bn line sliced ment. Johannesburg instead. “This Court has found hours off the journey from the The China Road and Bridge that the appellants should have port city of Mombasa to the Corporation, which built been convicted of assault with capital, Nairobi. But some im- the railway and now runs it South African court has intent to do grievous bodily harm porters said their transport through its Kenya subsidiary cut the sentences of two instead of attempted murder,” costs shot up by nearly 50% Africa Star Operations, said it Awhite farmers who forced Judge Yvonne Thokozile Mbatha when they used the rail due did not set policy on cargo. a black man into a coffi n and said, sentencing each man to fi ve to extra fees, more time spent The exact terms of the threatened to kill him, sparking years in prison. clearing goods at the congest- agreement are not public. The nationwide outrage. South Af- “I have considered the ra- ed Nairobi train depot and the new line opened in 2017. Run- rica is beset by deep-rooted racial tionale of sentencing, namely need to send a truck to collect ning alongside a dilapidated inequality even after the end of deterrence, retribution and reha- the goods from there. track British colonialists built white-minority rule in 1994 and bilitation,” Mbatha said. She also These importers used to a century ago, it cut the Nai- racist incidents regularly erupt on handed each man a one-year sen- truck their goods in from the robi-Mombasa journey to four social media. tence for kidnapping, while Jack- coast. But port authorities now hours from 12 for passengers Willem Oosthuizen and Theo son received an additional year’s say businesses based in Nairobi and to eight hours from 24 for Martins Jackson had been sen- imprisonment for defeating the and upcountry must use the cargo. China supported the di- tenced to 16 and 19 years in Octo- ends of justice by assaulting the new line because the Mombasa rective requiring importers to ber 2017 after a video of their act sole witness in an attempt to stop port is contracted to supply A Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) cargo train transferring containers near the town of Sultan use the railway, said Wu Peng, in the eastern Mpumalanga prov- him from testifying. it with a minimum amount of Hamud, Kenya. Beijing’s ambassador in Nai- ince went viral. They had pleaded The shorter terms will run cargo. “KPA has an obligation robi. not guilty and said the incident concurrently with the fi ve-year to feed the railway ... we were tries with debt. Last year, it Businesses say quired to use the more expen- “That is a responsible and was only intended to scare Victor sentence. Two clips of the 2016 the guarantors of the rail,” said agreed to restructure more sive railway. Port authorities smart move by the Kenyan gov- Mlotshwa, whom they accused of incident, taken on their mobile Daniel Manduku, head of the than $12bn in repayments owed little has changed are diverting shipments to the ernment,” Wu told Reuters. stealing copper cables from their phones, showed the men shoving state-run Kenya Ports Author- by Ethiopia, whose Chinese- and they are still new railway, said a Nairobi- After the directive was lifted, farm. Mlotshwa down into the wooden ity. funded railway is also strug- based customs clearance agent. the embassy said the line “has The pair were convicted of at- coffi n and pressing the lid with The railway’s problems are a gling. required to use “You are made to pay for it revolutionised cargo and pas- tempted murder as well as kidnap, their boots as he begged for mer- cautionary tale, both for devel- Now some Kenyan politi- the more whether you like it or not.” senger movement”. Parliament intimidation and assault with in- cy. They are also seen threatening oping nations loading them- cians are asking whether their Moving a 40-ft container summoned the transport min- tent to do grievous bodily harm. to put a snake in the coffi n. selves with Chinese debt, and railway was worth the cost. expensive railway to Nairobi by rail costs 80,000 ister to answer questions about On Monday, the Supreme Court Throughout the case, the men for China as it seeks to expand Hundreds of people - resi- shillings ($800) - roughly the the cargo policy in November of Appeal set aside the convic- denied that their actions had global trade links and project dents, business owners and Mombasa is projected to han- same as a truck, said Mercy but he did not appear. Esther tions for attempted murder and caused the victim to fear for his soft power through its massive local leaders - hold weekly dle 34mn tonnes of cargo this Ireri, chief operations officer Koimett, principal secretary at intimidation, a move that eff ec- life. Belt and Road initiative. demonstrations in Mombasa year; most does not go by rail. for the Kenya Transporters As- the department of transport, “The vast majority of its against the mandatory move- Cargo destined for Mombasa, sociation. But importers must told Reuters the government (China’s) overseas spending ment of cargo by rail. or countries other than Kenya, also pay at least 25,000 shil- was no longer making import- Two Malian troops killed in bomb blast has no detectable effect on The contract between Chi- can still go by road. But Kenyan lings for a truck to collect the ers use rail. economic growth,” said Brad- na’s Exim Bank, the Kenya importers in and around Nairo- goods from the Nairobi depot But Daniel Nzeki, chairman Two soldiers were killed and seven were injured by a roadside bomb in ley Sparks, executive director Ports Authority (KPA) and bi say they have been forced to and 15,000 shillings in depot of the Container Freight Sta- central Mali on Monday, the army said. The attack follows the deaths of AidData, a research facil- Kenya Railways requires KPA use the line since October last fees, said three businessmen tions Association of Kenya, of 13 French troops in a mid-air helicopter collision last week as they ity that tracks development to provide 1mn tonnes of cargo year. The port confirmed the who asked not to be named. and Ireri of the Kenya Trans- were chasing militants in northern Mali. Mali has been struggling to finance at William and Mary to the railway per year, rising to policy in August, but rescinded Manduku, also a board mem- porters Association, said port contain an insurgency that erupted in the north in 2012, and which has university in Virginia. 6mn by 2024. the order in October after pro- ber of Kenya Railways, said the security in Mombasa was still claimed thousands of military and civilian lives since. Despite some China has sought to allay KPA says rail cargo is expect- tests. higher charges are necessary to preventing trucks from picking 4,500 French troops in the Sahel region, plus a 13,000-strong UN fears that its infrastructure ed to hit 5mn tonnes this year, Businesses say little has meet loan repayments. Ken- up some cargo. “It is a circus,” peacekeeping force in Mali, the conflict has engulfed the centre of Mali projects overload some coun- after more than 4mn last year. changed and they are still re- ya owes Exim Bank of China Nzeki said. and spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 AMERICAS

POLITICS LAW AND ORDER PEOPLE DECISION OFFBEAT Senator Kamala Harris Armed student shot by Former president Carter Government proposes Baltimore police dismiss ‘ending presidential bid’ police at Wisconsin school hospitalised in Georgia face scans for travellers mayor’s kidnap claims

First-term US senator Kamala Harris of Police shot an armed student who confronted Former US president Jimmy Carter, released The Trump administration intends to propose In a recent interview, Baltimore mayor Bernard California, a rising Democratic Party star and an officer at a Wisconsin high school from one hospital in Georgia the day before a regulation next year that would require C Young said he’s concerned about a white van outspoken critic of Republican President yesterday, marking the state’s second school Thanksgiving, was admitted to another over the all travellers — including US citizens — to be “snatching” young girls to sell their organs. But Donald Trump’s immigration policies, will end shooting in as many days, authorities said. holiday weekend for treatment of a urinary tract photographed when entering or leaving the US, Baltimore police say they have no reports of any her bid in the 2020 presidential race, according Details of the latest incident were still unclear infection, the Carter Center said. “He is feeling according to the administration’s regulatory such incidents. Young’s source, according to to a campaign source. Harris, 55, positioned late yesterday morning, but police in the city better and looks forward to returning home soon,” agenda. The proposed regulation, slated to an interview with WBAL, is social media. “We’re herself as a unifying candidate who could of Oshkosh said a student who was “armed the statement said of Carter, who at age 95 has be issued in July by the Homeland Security getting reports of somebody in a white van trying energise the party’s base of young, diverse with a weapon confronted” a school resource lived longer after leaving the White House than Department, would be part of a broader system to to snatch up girls for human traff icking and for progressives while also appealing to more officer and the cop fired at least one shot. Both any former president in US history. The former track travellers as they enter and exit the US. Jay selling body parts, I’m told. So we have to be careful moderate voters. Yet after climbing into double the teen and the officer sustained injuries and peanut farmer and Georgia governor was admitted Stanley, a senior policy analyst with the American because there’s so much evil going on, not just digits in opinion polls following a strong debate were taken to local hospitals, according to the to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Civil Liberties Union, blasted the idea. “Travellers, in the city of Baltimore, but around the country,” performance in June, Harris slid out of the top city’s police department. Authorities said no Georgia, over the weekend, the Carter Center said, should not have to submit to invasive biometric he said. Police spokesman Matt Jablow said the tier in recent months and lags behind leading other students were injured and there was no adding that its next statement would be issued scans simply as a condition of exercising their department is “aware of the posts on social media candidates’ fundraising hauls. threat to the community. “when he is released for further rest and recovery.” constitutional right to travel,” he said. but we do not have any reports of actual incidents.” Mum charged First snow of the season with murder in death of kids found hanged

Tribune News Service The district attorney said the Allentown, Pa. investigation, which drew inter- national attention, was diffi cult for both police and the commu- n the weeks before her two nity. children were found hanging “It is very emotional for all Iin the basement of her Berks of us,” Adams said at a news County home, Lisa Snyder told conference at the Berks county a friend that she was depressed courthouse in Reading to an- and “didn’t care about her kids,” nounce the charges. “To have an investigation showed. two children taken at such a Snyder, 36, searched the Inter- young age, what appears to be net for information about death two very innocent people. It’s by hanging and carbon monox- not right. It hits us in the heart.” ide poisoning, and perused true- Police were called to Sny- crime television shows about der’s home on Route 143, near getting away with murder. One Kempton, around 4.30pm on day before the hanging, Snyder September 23 and found Conner A woman passes a car jumpstarting another, following the first snow of the season during the morning commute in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, US, yesterday. ordered the dog lead, a type of dog and Brinley hanging about three leash, that was found wrapped feet apart from opposite ends of around their necks. a plastic-coated wire dog lead. She picked it up the next The children were unresponsive morning from the Hamburg and in cardiac arrest. Walmart, police said, hours be- They were airlifted to Lehigh fore the children were found. Valley Hospital Cedar Crest, After more than two months where they were taken off life sup- of investigation, authorities have port three days later, Adams said. now charged Snyder with fi rst-de- Adams said Snyder told fi rst gree murder, third-degree murder, responders that she attempted Trump loses court fi ght tampering with evidence and en- to get Brinley, who weighed dangering the welfare of children. about 40 pounds, down from the As Snyder, of Albany Town- lead, but became overwhelmed ship, was arrested she showed by anxiety and left the basement “little to no emotion,” said Berks to call 911. Rescue workers cut County district attorney John the children down. Snyder never Adams, and continued to insist returned to the basement while over fi nancial records that her son, Conner, was bullied paramedics worked to save the at school and took his own life children, Adams said, which po- Reuters Trump is expected to appeal signifi cant public interest than at the Supreme Court of the US.” to keep his fi nancial and tax and that of his sister, Brinley. lice found suspicious. New York the case to the US Supreme whatever public interest inheres The Supreme Court’s 5-4 records private. Adams said interviews with “I would agree that we all may Court. in avoiding the risk of a chief conservative majority includes He broke with tradition by not Conner’s classmates and teach- think that a mother of children The 2nd Circuit rejected executive’s distraction arising two justices appointed by releasing his tax returns as a can- ers, as well as a video of him who are found hanging would US appeals court yes- Trump’s arguments that Con- from disclosure of documents Trump. didate in 2016 and as president. getting off the bus shortly be- make every eff ort possible to terday handed President gress lacked a valid purpose for refl ecting his private fi nancial In separate legal cases, Trump Germany’s Deutsche Bank fore Snyder called 911 to report save them,” Adams said. “That ADonald Trump another seeking his records and that transactions,” Judge Jon New- also has sought to block House has long been a principal lender fi nding the children hanging, was not done in this situation.” defeat in his bid to keep his fi - disclosure of the material would man wrote in the ruling. Democrats from obtaining his for Trump’s real estate business. showed that wasn’t true. Recordings of 911 calls re- nancial records secret, directing compromise his and his family’s Trump had sued the two tax and fi nancial records from A 2017 disclosure form showed “The video shows no sign that vealed that Snyder told rescue Deutsche Bank AG and Capital privacy and distract the Repub- banks in an eff ort to prevent his long-time accounting fi rm. that Trump had at least $130mn Conner was in distress whatso- workers that Conner was bul- One Financial Corporation to lican president from his duties. the disclosure of his fi nancial The subpoenas involved in of liabilities to the bank. ever,” Adams said. “In fact, from lied and had been threatening comply with subpoenas from The material sought by the records. yesterday’s ruling were issued “As we have said previously, the video he appeared to be a suicide. She claimed he killed his congressional Democrats de- committees include records of US district judge Edgardo months before House Demo- we remain committed to pro- happy child.” sister because he “didn’t want manding the material. accounts, transactions and in- Ramos ruled in May that the crats began an inquiry in Sep- viding appropriate information Adams confi rmed that Berks to go alone.” Adams said police A three-judge panel of the vestments linked to Trump, his subpoenas could be enforced, tember into whether there were to all authorised investigations County Children and Youth had had doubts about that part of the Manhattan-based 2nd US Cir- three oldest children, their im- prompting Trump to appeal. grounds to impeach Trump over and will abide by a court order previously removed Conner and story from the start. cuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 mediate family members and “We believe the subpoenas his request to Ukraine to inves- regarding such investigations,” Brinley from Snyder’s care, later “Eight-year-olds, generally, against Trump’s bid to block several Trump Organisation at issue are not invalid,” said Jay tigate Democratic political rival a Deutsche Bank spokesman returning the children to their that I am aware of, do not com- two House of Representatives entities. Sekulow, a lawyer for Trump. “In Joe Biden and his son Hunter said of yesterday’s decision. mother. mit suicide, so of course we had committees from enforcing sub- “The Committees’ interests light of the 2nd Circuit decision, Biden. Capital One did not imme- Snyder is being held in Berks questions almost immediately,” poenas issued in April to the two in pursuing their constitutional we are evaluating our next op- Trump, running for re-elec- diately respond to a request for county jail without bail. Adams said. banks seeking the documents. legislative function is a far more tions including seeking review tion in 2020, has fought hard comment.

Fire shuts subway Ontario focused on rare Buttigieg ‘stole’ my disease drugs ahead of talks healthcare plan: Biden Reuters favours the public option and Reuters “On the other issues, we don’t grammes support older Canadi- Fort Dodge, Iowa coined the phrase “Medicare Toronto see that there’s a problem, with ans and people with low income for all who want it” to describe respect to Ontario.” or very high costs. the concept. There is likely room for consen- Most rely on employer-fund- S Democratic presi- “He stole it,” Biden told re- he Canadian province sus on rare diseases, as the federal ed plans to pay for medicines. dential contender Joe porters on his campaign bus in of Ontario will push for government promised a new na- Trudeau’s Liberals will need UBiden said his fast-ris- Iowa. Tthe federal government tional strategy to improve access the support of rivals like the left- ing rival Pete Buttigieg “stole” Biden said he would have to tackle the high cost of treat- to the drugs in the last budget. leaning New Democratic Party the former vice president’s been criticised if he had copied ments for rare diseases as ne- But since by defi nition few (NDP) to govern. healthcare policy proposals, someone else’s health plan. gotiations over a new national patients have rare diseases, a The NDP has pushed for a as the two battle for support “What would you have done prescription drug programme programme focused there would comprehensive, single-payer in the early nominating state to me? You’d have torn my ears are set to kick off , the province’s not get Canada much closer to drug programme. of Iowa. off ,” he said. health minister said. the universal coverage Trudeau Ontario, with a right-wing Biden, among the leaders in A spokesman for Buttigieg’s Prime Minister Justin Tru- promised. populist premier, Doug Ford, is the 16-member Democratic campaign declined to com- deau’s Liberal Party, which was While rare disease treatments one of several provinces led by fi eld for the right to take on ment but pointed to state- reduced to a minority govern- face small markets, the extreme- rival parties. Republican President Donald ments by Buttigieg about ment following the October ly high prices they command If too many provinces opt Trump in next year’s election, “Medicare for all who want it” election, made a universal phar- and policies that speed their ap- out of pharmacare, that would is proposing expanding the Af- that pre-date Biden’s current macare programme a key cam- proval have made them a hot and weaken the programme as lower fordable Care Act. presidential campaign. paign promise of their re-elec- profi table niche for drugmakers. participation means less bar- Popularly known as Biden was in Iowa for eight tion bid, without off ering much Elliott said she told new feder- gaining power in buying drugs. Obamacare, the healthcare law straight days of campaign- detail on how it might work. al Minister of Health Patty Hajdu As Canada’s most populous was the signature domestic ing to thwart a slide in public The details will need to be ne- during a call on Friday that pro- province, Ontario is particularly policy achievement of former opinion polls that has ben- gotiated with provincial and ter- vincial and territorial ministers important, but the promise of Democratic president Barack efi ted Buttigieg, who leaped ritorial governments, responsible would like to teleconference billions in new federal funding Obama, whom Biden served as into fi rst place in some recent for delivering most healthcare. early in the new year and meet in could make a deal possible. Nearly 200 commuters were forced to evacuate a train No 2. surveys there. “I think that we should start the spring on a number of issues, Elliott also said the province and trudge through a smoky tunnel after a small fire shut Biden would add a “public The Iowa caucus on Febru- with where we see a real prob- including drug costs. needs to make a decision on down a stretch of Toronto’s busy crosstown line for several option,” allowing individuals ary 3 will be Democrats’ fi rst lem, and Ontario sees a real Canada is the only devel- whether to switch patients to hours. The blaze broke out on the tracks near the platform at to opt into a government plan nominating contest. problem with the rare and or- oped country with a universal biosimilars, cheaper near copies Dundas West Station around 7am, prompting the evacuation but preserving the existing role Polls show Senators Bernie phan disease drugs,” Christine healthcare system that does not of expensive biotech drugs for of that station and a neighbouring one, the city’s fire for private insurers. Sanders and Elizabeth War- Elliott, the provincial health cover prescription drugs for all, which exact generic copies are department and the Toronto Transit Commission said. Like Biden, Buttigieg, the ren are also in the running in minister, said in an interview. although a patchwork of pro- not possible. mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Iowa. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 4, 2019 13 ASIA Bangladesh Smoke grenade blast shuts recruiting agencies after injures two in Jakarta abuse claims Reuters “A smoke grenade was found Jakarta and we’re looking into why it AFP shut down had failed to pro- was there,” Margiyono said, in Dhaka vide safeguards to the mi- comments aimed at reassuring grant workers and in some suspected smoke grenade the public that described the in- cases sent them back to their exploded yesterday at cident “as not so extraordinary”. angladesh said yes- employers. Aa park near Indonesia’s Asked if the blast was the terday that it has shut “Our campaign will presidential palace in the capi- result of an attack, Pramono Bdown 166 recruiting continue,” Saleheen said. tal Jakarta, injuring two military responded, “We haven’t con- agencies hiring people to work Their closure followed talks personnel who were jogging, the cluded so, because we’re still in Saudi Arabia after a spate of between Bangladeshi and city’s police chief said. investigating.” sexual abuse and torture al- Saudi offi cials in Riyadh. President Joko Widodo was Pramono was cited by CNN legations at the hands of em- Both countries also decided not at the palace at the time, a Indonesia as saying that smoke ployers in the Gulf kingdom. to update an online database presidential spokesman said. grenades were sometimes car- Since 1991, some 300,000 of the female workers to en- It was not immediately clear if ried by personnel in the riot Bangladeshi women have sure their safety, a statement the blast was the result of an at- squad or other units. travelled to Saudi Arabia, ac- issued by the Bangladeshi ex- tack, but Indonesia, the world’s “Maybe it was left behind or cording to the Dhaka gov- patriate welfare ministry said. most populous Muslim-majori- something,” he said. ernment, mostly to work as Saudi police have also ty country, has suff ered a resur- Jakarta police spokesman household staff . agreed not to hand back any gence in homegrown militancy Yusri Yunus said his offi cers But a string of them have re- Bangladeshi woman who es- in recent years. were awaiting the go-ahead turned to Bangladesh in recent caped from a Saudi employer The explosion, at 7:15am from doctors to question the two months levelling allegations of to her workplace, it said. (0015 GMT) on the north side injured soldiers. sexual abuse and torture and The ministry also said that of the park, was thought to have Within three hours, authorities even that recruiters had sold the Saudi Department of Pro- been caused by a smoke grenade, had reopened the park area where them as sex slaves. tection and Support “will Jakarta police chief Gatot Eddy the blast took place, across the Last month videos secretly take prompt action if a female Pramono told a televised news street from the headquarters of shot by Bangladeshi female worker falls in danger”. conference. Indonesia’s home ministry. Police cover a blood spilled with soil at the blast site in Jakarta yesterday. workers were shared hun- Dhaka last week said it was It injured two military per- The park in the heart of the dreds of thousands of times also trying to repatriate an- sonnel who were there for exer- city is a popular spot for people up outside police headquarters sible for a series of attacks across to at a function to open a univer- on social media and sparked other 32 women who fi lmed cise, Jakarta military chief Eko working out and also tourists. in the Indonesian city of Medan. the country. sity building. Wiranto, who uses protests across Bangladesh. a joint distress call from a Margiyono said, adding that Last month, six people were The attack was linked to the In October, a suspected mili- just one name, like many Indo- Government spokes- Saudi detention centre af- they were taken to hospital and wounded after a 24-year-old Islamic State-inspired Jamaah tant stabbed and wounded nesians, had to have surgery, but man Munirus Saleheen said ter they ran away from their were conscious. university student blew himself Ansharut Daulah (JAD), respon- former security minister Wiran- has since left hospital. that the agencies that were employers. Lankan ambassador Shelling by Myanmar Rohingya summoned over mission child refugees army kills three in being denied worker’s abduction education, AFP The next day a local worker explain the purported evidence Rakhine: lawmaker Geneva at the Swiss embassy in Co- against the events described says HRW lombo claimed she had been by the embassy, which the Sri abducted and forced to hand Lankan Ministry of Foreign Reuters central government, and au- Aung Kyaw, a regional MP from Reuters witzerland has sum- over sensitive information - Aff airs had alluded to”, the Yangon thorities cut internet access to Mrauk U, said. Yangon moned Sri Lanka’s am- reportedly including the names statement said. most of the region in June. “The government must pri- Sbassador and asked to of Sri Lankans who had sought Meanwhile, Colombo Chief Tens of thousands of peo- oritise the safety of civilians see the “purported evidence” asylum in Switzerland. Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne helling by Myanmar’s ple have been displaced across immediately. They must con- angladesh is blocking hun- that Colombo says casts doubt According to the Swiss for- has ordered the woman to military killed three - a Rakhine since clashes began in trol their security forces,” he dreds of thousands of Ro- on claims by a Swiss embassy eign ministry, the woman was make a statement to inves- Swoman and two infants December last year, bringing said. Bhingya children from ac- staff member that she was “threatened by unidentifi ed tigators by December 9 after - and wounded six others in fresh chaos to the region, from Before the recent fi ghting, cessing meaningful education, abducted. men” and forced “to disclose police said they needed to in- Rakhine State on Monday, ac- which more than 730,000 Ro- Mrauk U was popular with in- Human Rights Watch (HRW) Envoy Karunasena Hetti- embassy-related information”. terview her. The magistrate cording to residents and a law- hingya Muslims fl ed a military ternational tourists who came said yesterday, urging authorities arachchi, who is based in Ber- On Sunday, Sri Lanka sought restricted her travel abroad maker in the town of Mrauk U, crackdown in 2017. to see the ancient temples that to lift restrictions on schooling in lin, met Switzerland’s State to raise doubts about the Swiss until December 9. where security forces are fi ght- Two military spokesmen did dot the landscape. refugee camps. Secretary Pascale Baeriswyl in narrative, claiming ambassa- The Swiss repeated that it ing against an ethnic militant not answer phone calls from Now, displaced villagers In a report called ‘Are we not Bern on Monday, a statement dor Hanspeter Mock had been supported Sri Lanka’s desire to group. Reuters seeking comment, camp in tents in the shadows human?’, HRW accused Bang- said. given “clear evidence” that the investigate the matter but reit- The army unleashed a while a spokesman for the Ar- of the monuments and, in the ladesh of violating the rights of The diplomatic spat began staff member’s account did not erated that “the employee con- counter-insurgency campaign akan Army also blamed the town, families sleep in bunkers 400,000 school-age children when a senior Sri Lanka police add up. cerned still cannot be questioned against the Arakan Army, army for the shelling, saying built with sandbags to escape who have fl ed Myanmar and are offi cer sought asylum in Swit- But in a statement issued late on health grounds”. which recruits from the re- there were no clashes involving shelling and gunfi re. currently living in the Cox’s Ba- zerland after investigating sev- on Monday, the Swiss foreign The Sri Lankan government gion’s mostly Buddhist ethnic its fi ghters in Mrauk U. “This has happened in a ci- zaar refugee camps. eral cases involving members ministry indicated that such this week alerted airport im- Rakhine population, almost a Two pregnant women were vilian area in Mrauk U town and “Depriving an entire genera- of the powerful Rajapaksa fam- proof had not been shared. migration authorities to stop year ago. among the wounded, and the also near … an ancient pagoda,” tion of children of education is ily - Gotabaya Rajapaksa cur- The state secretary “asked any police offi cer leaving the The militants are fi ghting woman killed in the shelling said Zaw Htun, a local teacher. in no one’s interest,” Bill Van Es- rently serves as president. ambassador Hettiarachchi to country without permission. for greater autonomy from the was a mother of three, Tun “It is unacceptable.” veld, associate children’s rights director at HRW said. “The in- ternational community needs to Dhaka campus vending machines act and demand that Bangladesh and Myanmar change course.” Boat rescue off er menstrual pads to students More than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims have fl ed Myanmar to Vending machines have been cents), Sikder said. neighbouring Bangladesh since installed at Bangladesh’s The services will be available a 2017 crackdown by Myanmar’s leading university to provide in women’s common rooms, military, which followed attacks female students with sanitary libraries and all female by Rohingya insurgents. pads as part of eff orts to break dormitories. The HRW report said Bangla- the “taboo” of menstruation in “It is part of a social movement desh had banned Rohingya refu- the South Asian society. against the taboo over gees from enrolling in schools out- Students at the University of women’s menstruation in side the camps or taking national Dhaka will be able to collect Bangladesh,” Sikder said, exams and also barred UN agencies sanitary pads whenever adding that the service will and foreign aid groups from giving they need them from 10 significantly ease women’s formal accredited education. machines installed on the diff iculties during their period. It accused Myanmar of not campus, Tilottama Sikder, an Menstrual hygiene is a agreeing to recognise the use of its elected member of the Dhaka challenge as the majority of school curriculum in the camps. University Central Students women and girls use old cloth Bangladesh’s Refugee Relief Union (DUCSU), said yesterday. to soak up the blood, according and Repatriation Commission Education Minister Dipu Moni to a 2014 national hygiene chief Mahbub Alam Talukder is expected to formally open study in Bangladesh. said it was untrue that children the service, jointly brought in About a third of teenage in the camps were not being edu- by the DUCSU and Advanced girls and half of adult women cated and that there were 4,000 Chemical Industries, a leading are forbidden from religious learning centres in the camps. conglomerate that makes activities while menstruating, “Rohingya will have to go back pharmaceutical products, and a further quarter to third to Myanmar,” he said. “They are Residents ride a boat along houses submerged by floodwaters following heavy rains in Sungai Kolok district in southern today. are forbidden from non- not our citizens and we can’t Thai province of Narathiwat yesterday. Each pad will cost 10 taka religious activities during that allow them to use our national (slightly higher than 10 dollar time, the report said. (DPA) curriculum.” Nepal village to off er cash rewards to women who shun ‘menstrual huts’

Thomson Reuters Foundation day when she lit a fi re to keep teenage girl and a mother and and are barred from touching a as a natural process in the life of 41% of a 28mn population live as carbon dioxide poisoning. Kathmandu warm in the freezing mud and her young sons died in two simi- range of items - including milk a woman,” said Dirgha Raj Boga- on less than $3.20 a day. Campaigners say few are pun- stone hut, but was discovered lar incidents earlier this year. and cattle. ti, adding that demolishing the Bogati repeated warnings by ished as victims rarely fi le com- dead the next morning in west- The custom remains prevalent The chairman of Purbichowki huts had proven ineff ective. local offi cials that families would plaints against their own family Nepali village will give ern Nepal’s Achham district, in Nepal’s remote west where village municipality in Doti dis- “If we dismantle one hut, they be denied state benefi ts if found members. Om Prakash Aryal, a cash rewards to women police said. some communities fear misfor- trict - on the western border of move away and build another practising chhaupadi. human rights lawyer, urged po- Awho refuse to be isolated “It appears she died after suf- tune, such as a natural disaster, Achham district where the latest one,” he said. The government introduced lice to prepare their own reports in illegal ‘menstrual huts’ dur- focating,” Narapati Bhatta, a unless menstruating women and victim died - said he will reward The new reward - a one-off three-month jail terms and fi nes and fi le cases in courts if victims ing their periods, an offi cial said police inspector, said. girls - seen as impure - are sent women who reject chhaupadi payment to deter families from of 3,000 rupees for those who feared coming forward. yesterday after the custom led to Outrage led to a parliamentary away to animal sheds or huts. with 5,000 Nepali rupees ($44). using the huts - will benefi t 100 exclude menstruating women “It is shame that such an in- another death. investigation into the centuries- They are also not allowed to “We need to tear down the women this year, he said, in one and girls, which puts them at human practice still prevails Parbati Buda, 21, was on the old Nepali practice of “chhau- meet other family members or huts in our minds, change atti- of the world’s poorest nations, risk of snake bites, attacks by in Nepal. It is a blot on our third day of her period on Sun- padi”, outlawed in 2005, after a venture out, must eat frugally, tudes and accept menstruation where World Bank data shows wild animals and abuse, as well civilisation,” he said. Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA WHO warns measles resurgent as Samoa deaths continue to climb

AFP since the epidemic began in mid- have so far done little to stop the higher than people realise,” he past 20 years. “But we are start- eliminated” status a few months from anti-vaccine campaigners. Wellington October, 50 of them children virus spreading in a country that told Radio New Zealand. ing to have a slide back and there later, despite experiencing its Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele aged four or under, offi cials in was particularly vulnerable to “This is quite a severe disease are outbreaks happening all over worst outbreak since 1992. The Malielegaoi this week said vac- the Pacifi c nation said yesterday. measles due to low vaccination and we just aren’t used to seeing the world in all WHO regions WHO has pointed to various rea- cination was the only answer to he World Health Organi- Another 18 infants are criti- rates of about 31%. it, so it comes as quite a surprise and it’s leading to the virus being sons for declining immunisation the epidemic. sation (WHO) warned of cally ill in hospital and the cri- World Health Organisation when we see how fatal it can be.” exported through internation- rates including lack of access He has ordered the govern- Ta “slide back” in global sis shows no sign of slowing, medical offi cer for the western He said the fatality rate in Sa- al travel,” he said. Cases have to healthcare and complacency ment to cease non-essential eff orts to eliminate measles yes- with 153 new cases in the past Pacifi c, Jose Hagan, said it was moa was less than 2% but had skyrocketed in Europe, leading about the need to vaccinate. operations on Thursday and terday, as the death toll from an 24 hours, taking the national a grim reminder of the danger been known to reach 5% in de- to Britain, Greece, the Czech Another major factor, which Friday so public servants can outbreak that has killed dozens total to 3,881 in a population of posed by “probably the most veloping countries. Republic and Albania all los- has been cited by the WHO as help a mandatory vaccination of children in Samoa continued 200,000. Emergency measures infectious disease that we know Hagen said increased access to ing their measles-free status in a reason for the severity of the campaign that aims to give anti- to climb. including compulsory mass im- of”. “Unfortunately the case (to) measles vaccines was estimated August. The United States nar- Samoa outbreak, is misinfor- measles jabs to everyone aged A total of 55 people have died munisations and school closures fatality rate of measles is much to have saved 21mn lives over the rowly maintained its “measles mation about immunisation below 60. North Korea’s Kim opens huge fl agship construction project

AFP the area several times, report- Seoul edly riding a white horse to the mountain’s summit in October. The vast Samjiyon project in- orth Korean leader Kim cludes a museum of revolution- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un accompanied by Pak Pong-ju, vice-chairman of the State Affairs Jong-un has opened a ary activities, a winter sports Commission of the DPRK, cuts the ribbon during a ceremony at the township of Samjiyon County, Nfl agship construction training complex, processing North Korea, in this undated picture released by North Korea’s Central News Agency (KCNA). project close to Mount Paektu, plants for blueberries and pota- a symbol of the Korean nation toes, and 10,000 apartments. and offi cially the birthplace of Thousands of workers his father and predecessor, state swarmed over the site during media reported yesterday. construction, AFP saw, many The ceremony was held in of them soldiers. Much of the snowy scenes before thousands North Korean army is devoted to of soldiers and civilians, and construction. portrayed as a demonstration Students have been sent to of the resilience of the North, work on the scheme during uni- which is subject to international versity holidays, KCNA reported sanctions imposed over its nu- Skiers watching fireworks during a ceremony to mark the completion previously, while diplomats clear weapons and ballistic mis- of the construction of the township of Samjiyon County. say children have also been de- sile programmes. ployed. It comes with time running largely empty streets covered up in February, and Pyongyang According to North Korean out on Pyongyang’s demand for in snow. Banners proclaimed: has issued a series of increas- propaganda, Kim Jong-il was the US to off er it fresh conces- “Long live the great leader of the ingly assertive comments in re- born at the nearby Mount Paektu sions by the end of the year, and force of our party and country, cent weeks as its time limit ap- Secret Camp where his own fa- ahead of Kim’s New Year speech comrade Kim Jong Un!” Kim had proaches. ther Kim Il-sung was fi ghting on January 1, a key political “worked heart and soul to turn In a separate report yester- the Japanese — although inde- set-piece in the isolated coun- Samjiyon County, the sacred day, KCNA quoted vice foreign pendent historians and Soviet try. Kim donned a black leather place of the revolution, into the minister Ri Thae-song saying: records say he was actually born trench coat and gloves for the utopia town under socialism”, the “What gift the US receives for in Russia, where North Korea’s opening, and — surrounded by offi cial KCNA news agency said. Christmas depends entirely on founder was in exile. fur-hatted offi cials — cut a red The Korean people were, the US’ decision.” The offi cial story plays a cen- ribbon in front of a statue of his it said, “advancing along the Pyongyang has poured huge tral role in Pyongyang’s teach- father Kim Jong-il. straight road chosen by them- resources into the rebuilding of ings about the Kim family, who Winter already has North Ko- selves without any vacillation Samjiyon, the closest town to have led the country for three rea’s far north fi rmly in its grip, despite the worst trials”. Nuclear Mount Paektu, a dormant volca- generations, and every year and icicles hung from build- negotiations with the United no that straddles the border with 100,000 or more students and ings, Korean Central Television States have been deadlocked China. Kim is closely associated workers are taken on study trips (KCTV) footage showed — the since the Hanoi summit broke with the scheme and has visited to the area. A view of North Korean township of Samjiyon County after its completion. Imperial Springs Forum in Beijing Former Malaysia PM Najib attends court proceedings in 1MDB trial

AFP Kuala Lumpur

ormer Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was Fa “victim” of the multi- million dollar 1MDB scandal that saw state coff ers drained on his watch, his lawyer said yesterday, as the ex-premier gave evidence in his own fraud trial. Huge sums were stolen from sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, allegedly by the ex-prime minister and his cronies, and spent on everything from high-end real estate to art- work. China’s President Xi Jinping shakes hands with former Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai Najib’s coalition was ousted at before posing for a photo with representatives of the Imperial Springs International Forum the polls last year after six dec- at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. ades in power, largely due to pub- Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak with his supporters before entering a court room at the lic anger over the scandal. He has High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. since been arrested and hit with dozens of charges linked to the achieve its goals and attract in- fence lawyers had earlier said it manner as the prime minister looting of the investment vehi- vestments.” would take two days for him to and minister of fi nance and in the cle. “Najib is not part of the con- Najib, 66, went on trial in read the entire statement, but interest of the public.” Tourists found alive after two spiracy. He is a victim as much as April over the controversy, in a as his testimony went on, it ap- Lawyer Shafee said they will others in the 1MDB scandal,” his case centred on the transfer of peared it would take longer. prove that Najib “did not misap- lawyer Muhammad Shafee Ad- 42mn ringgit ($10.1mn) from He was able to read only 70 propriate funds... either directly weeks lost in Australian outback bullah told reporters. former 1MDB unit SRC Inter- pages in his statement by the end or indirectly” and “did not act “The leader of the pack is Jho national into his bank accounts. of the day. The trial will resume dishonestly”. Low,” he said, referring to fugi- The former leader arrived at the today. Najib is facing four charges The amount transferred to AFP put and waiting for a rescue, ley told public broadcaster ABC tive Malaysian fi nancier Low court wearing a blue suit and held of corruption and three counts of his account “was done without Sydney the group feared supplies were that the trio — accompanied by Taek Jho, a member of Najib’s in- a brief prayer with supporters at money-laundering in the trial. his knowledge or involvement” dwindling and two of them de- their blue Staff ordshire terrier ner circle who allegedly master- the building’s steps. Defence Each charge of corruption carries as the transactions “were be- cided to walk along a property Raya — had survived by drink- minded the elaborate fraud that proceedings began with Najib a maximum jail term of 20 years, ing manipulated by third parties man and woman have fence line in the hope of fi nding ing pre-mixed vodka drinks and spanned from the United States giving testimony under oath. He and each money-laundering without his knowledge and ap- been rescued after sur- help. water from a hole dug for cattle, to Switzerland, Dubai and Sin- will be cross-examined by pros- count is punishable by a term of proval,” Shafee said. The case is Aviving two weeks in Police said yesterday that a lo- eating biscuits and sheltering in gapore. ecutors and is expected to be on up to 15 years. one of several 1MDB-linked tri- Australia’s arid outback on lit- cal rancher had found the man, a hole dug under her car. “The crux of my defence is the witness stand for around four Prosecutors have argued that als investigating Najib’s conduct. tle more than groundwater and 40-year-old Phu Tran, “slightly But the third person, 46-year- the entire scheme is designed days. Najib wielded huge infl uence The biggest opened in August, biscuits, but a third person is still disorientated” but in a “good old Claire Hockridge, has not by Jho Low,” Shafee added. Low He began his testimony read- over the unit and knew that sto- centring on allegations he illicitly missing, police said yesterday. condition” a two-day walk from been seen since splitting from “portrayed himself as someone ing from a 243-page statement, len money was being funnelled obtained over $500mn from the The three friends set out to the vehicle. Phu two days ago. infl uential in the Middle East recalling his long career in poli- from it into his accounts. fund. US authorities who are also explore the country’s vast sun- His discovery came after “She was still fi ne when he countries” Najib told the packed tics and ministerial posts he held But Najib told the court: “I, investigating the fraud, as money baked interior near Alice Springs Tamra McBeath-Riley, 52, was left but we obviously are now courtroom, speaking calmly dur- since 1978, including the post in an absolute and unequivo- was allegedly laundered through on November 19 when their car found on Sunday less than 2km focusing our search to identify ing fi ve hours of testimony. of fi nance minister, and giving cal manner, like to state that I do the American fi nancial system, became bogged down in a river from the same vehicle suff ering where she is,” police superin- “I thought his infl uence and lengthy background on the set- not have any personal interest believe $4.5bn was looted from bed. After three days staying from dehydration. McBeath-Ri- tendent Pauline Vicary said. connections will help 1MDB ting up of 1MDB and SRC. De- in SRC, except in a professional the fund. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 4, 2019 15 BRITAIN

SETBACK DECISION OFFBEAT POLLUTION U-TURN Tories’ ice sculpture US broadcaster Sky to Full stop for Whale died with 100kg School drops beard ban complaint dismissed invest $3.9bn in studio Apostrophe Society plastic junk in its belly for pupils after outcry

Britain’s TV regulator rejected a complaint by the US-owned broadcasting group Sky launched The Apostrophe Protection Society is closing down, A sperm whale washed up on a British beach A school has ditched plans to stop pupils growing Conservatives over an election debate on climate plans yesterday to develop a major new television its founder has announced. Former journalist John may have starved to death because its stomach beards after an outcry from parents. The mixed change in which Prime Minister Boris Johnson was and film studio in Elstree, north of London, in an Richards, 96, started the society in 2001, aiming to was packed with so much plastic waste. The secondary said it was outlawing all facial hair, also in- replaced by a melting ice sculpture. Channel 4 had area steeped in movie history. The broadcaster preserve the correct use of the “much abused punc- 46ft-long whale had a gut full of discarded fishing cluding moustaches and sideburns, so that younger invited all political leaders to take part in last week’s said in a statement that Sky Studios Elstree will tuation mark”. Richards spent the last quarter of his nets and other debris such as cups and carrier pupils won’t feel ‘intimidated’. The “additional dress hour-long debate but Johnson refused, suggesting support over 2,000 jobs in the creative sector career as a sub-editor – a task which also involved bags weighing around 100kg. It was found on a regulation” was outlined in an e-mail to parents at that minister Michael Gove could go in his place. But and will receive £3bn production investment over correcting journalists’ use of Apostrophes. When he beach on the Isle of Harris in the Hebrides and The Brakenhale School in Bracknell, Berkshire. It said the broadcaster would not accept Gove and instead five years. British-based Sky, formerly owned by retired, he kept spotting the same glaring mistakes dissected by scientists to try to find the cause of the rule was “in line with other schools”. But Jane replaced Johnson with a ice sculpture of planet media baron Rupert Murdoch but run by US ca- and decided to take action. But Richards said he was its stranding. A member of the Scottish Marine Coley, headmistress at the comprehensive, now Earth. The Conservatives complained to broadcast- ble giant Comcast since 2018, added that the facil- now closing down operations for two reasons. “One Animal Stranding Scheme said on Facebook: ‘It says she is ditching the proposal after a backlash ing watchdog Ofcom about a lack of impartiality. But ity would include 14 stages. “Sky Studios Elstree is that at 96 I am cutting back on my commitments was a sad, sad ending for this juvenile whale. The from parents. She said it had been the school’s Ofcom ruled the programme “did not raise issues will play a pivotal role in bringing the wealth of UK and the second is that fewer organisations now intestines had virtually nothing in them as it could intention to upset anyone, adding: “We have now re- warranting further investigation under our due and European talent and creativity to the world,” care about the correct use of the Apostrophe in the no longer process food. Debris in our oceans is flected and as a result we will not be asking students impartiality and elections rules”. said Sky Chief executive Jeremy Darroch. English language.” everyone’s problem.” to remove facial hair.” Harry Dunn’s father attacks Raab over road death

Guardian News and Media “Raab was cold, stiff and im- London personal. He off ered his condo- lences, yet they only came across as empty words. The worst of it he grieving father of Harry was that he didn’t actually have Dunn, the British teenager any good news: he insisted that Tkilled in a hit-and-run, Sacoolas had diplomatic immu- has issued a stinging attack on nity. Charlotte, my wife, asked Dominic Raab, accusing the for- him if he would put in another eign secretary of “empty words” request for a waiver and he said and only meeting the family as a he would do that,” Dunne wrote. publicity stunt. “I had allowed my hopes to Harry’s parents, Tim Dunn build up, and now I realised we and Charlotte Charles, are cam- had been brought in on false pre- paigning for Anne Sacoolas, the tences. It felt to us like a public- wife of a US intelligence offi cial ity stunt so that Raab could make who was allegedly responsible it look to the public as though for the fatal crash, to be brought he was doing something for back to the UK to face justice us. After we left the meeting, I after she fl ed to the US claiming broke down outside his offi ce. I diplomatic immunity. have been furious with him ever Protesters hold a placard at a demonstration during US President Donald Trump’s visit for the Nato summit, in London yesterday. In a comment piece for the since.” Guardian, Dunn accuses Raab of The parents accuse Raab of being “cold, stiff and imperson- giving a statement to the House al” when he and Charles met the of Commons two weeks later politician in a “terrible” encoun- that contradicted what he told ter set up under “false pretences” them in the meeting. “He said following their 19-year-old son’s that on October 8, the day before death. we met him, the US and UK had Dunn, who was dismissed by agreed that the question of dip- Trump vows to ‘stay out’ the foreign secretary when he lomatic immunity was no longer confronted him outside a hus- pertinent because Anne Sacoolas tings in Raab’s constituency last had left the country. As a result, month, condemned the politi- there were no longer any obsta- cian’s conduct. “We think politi- cles to justice. Why, then, had he cians should be honest and de- told us that she still had immu- cent, and we feel Raab is neither nity? When we heard that state- of UK vote during visit of those,” he wrote. ment, we were horrifi ed. After “He seemed really troubled to that, there was no way we could AFP “I’ll stay out of the election,” state visit to Britain earlier this ident who is deeply unpopular in on the NHS were greeted with see me at the hustings. He was trust him.” London Trump said, adding: “I don’t year by stating that “every- Britain. scepticism. rude and dismissive, he pointed Another blow came, they say, want to complicate it.” thing” would be on the table in Opinion polls suggest John- “If that’s the case, why have his fi nger at me. He could have when Raab told Sky News he was He declined to repeat his any post-Brexit trade talks. son’s Conservative party is these talks gone on for two easily pulled me aside and talked trying to clear the path to justice, S President Donald previous criticism of main But Johnson said last week heading for a comfortable win years?” said Corbyn, who claims to me. If he didn’t have time to despite having said a month ear- Trump yesterday prom- opposition Labour leader that if Washington tried to in- in next week’s election, which to have evidence of secret dis- speak, he could have arranged for lier that there were no obstacles. Uised to “stay out” of Brit- Jeremy Corbyn, although he clude the NHS in trade talks, has been dominated by Britain’s cussions with Washington that us to meet another time. Instead, Having heard nothing from ain’s election campaign during a praised Johnson as “very ca- “we’d walk away”. looming EU exit. include the health service. he wouldn’t even shake my hand.” Raab since their meeting, the two-day visit, while also seek- pable and I think he will do a Trump yesterday insisted: Trump supports Brexit but The US president has previ- The family fi rst met Raab in parents decided to travel to his ing to defuse a key attack line good job”. “We have absolutely nothing to he publicly criticised former ously criticised Corbyn as “bad” early October. constituency, Esher and Walton, against the Prime Minister Boris But answering questions dur- do with it and we wouldn’t want prime minister Theresa May’s for Britain, but he declined to Their son was killed two to confront him. “If Raab wasn’t Johnson over healthcare. ing talks with Nato chief Jens to if you handed it to us on a sil- approach, suggesting she give repeat this yesterday. months earlier, outside RAF going to let us know what he was Downing Street is braced for Stoltenberg, he could not stay ver platter.” up on trying to get a divorce deal In an intervention timed for Croughton, in Northampton- doing, I wanted to ask him face to fi reworks as Trump attends a out of an election issue that La- The president confirmed with Brussels. the Nato summit, Johnson ac- shire, when his motorbike was face, so he could explain all the meeting of the Nato military al- bour has put at the heart of its he would be meeting Johnson, The US leader has since ques- cused the Labour leader of be- involved in a crash with a car al- lengths he had supposedly gone liance in Britain, just days before campaign. who is co-hosting the Nato tioned whether Johnson’s own ing a security threat, saying that legedly driven by Sacoolas on the to,” Dunn explained. “We also a crucial election on December Corbyn claims US fi rms are summit, but it is not clear if deal would allow a trade deal with “every time he has the chance, wrong side of the road. Sacoolas wanted to meet local voters and 12. seeking to exploit Britain’s the pair will have formal one- Washington — something the pre- he sides with our enemies”. He returned to the US, but Charles let them know precisely what In his fi rst press conference state-run National Health Serv- to-one talks. mier touts as a big prize of Brexit. told The Sun tabloid that Brit- and Dunn hoped Raab could was going on. We think politi- yesterday, the notoriously un- ice (NHS) in any UK-US trade There is speculation that, in NHS doctors and nurses were ain’s intelligence allies — in- push for her return to the UK. cians should be honest and de- predictable US leader tried to deal London signs after leaving the middle of an election cam- among many who held protests cluding the US — were “very However, they were left disap- cent, and we feel Raab is neither avoid controversy in repeated the European Union. paign, Johnson wants to avoid at Trafalgar Square yesterday, anxious” about working with a pointed after the meeting. of those.” questions about British politics. Trump fuelled the row on his appearing too close to a US pres- while the president’s assurances Corbyn-led government. Comic Kumar booed Official visit Man held after boy off stage at charity bash dies in hit-and-run Guardian News and Media Essex police said those injured London included two 15-year-old boys, Guardian News and Media about Johnson, Jacob Rees Mogg, of I’m a Celebrity 2018. a 13-year-old boy, a 16-year-old London Theresa May and the Brexit proc- The comedian said at the girl and a 53-year-old woman. At ess for not going well.” opening of the event that mem- olice investigating the least three of the teenagers were He said he was amazed by how bers of the audience were asked death of a 12-year-old boy thought to be pupils at the school. he comedian Nish Kumar “easily off ended” the audience to fi nd someone on the table that Pwho was hit by a car out- Essex police said: “A man has has spoken out after he was, and how people had booed most resembled Jeremy Corbyn. side a school in a suspected hit- been arrested following a fa- Twas heckled and forced and heckled him for much of his The former Commons Speaker and-run have arrested a 51-year- tal collision in Loughton. The to cut his set short at a char- set. “I sort of knew what I was John Bercow, who was present old man on suspicion of murder. 51-year-old, from Loughton, was ity Christmas lunch after making doing and I knew the risk,” Ku- at the lunch, was booed by the Four teenagers and a woman in arrested on suspicion of murder, jokes about Conservative politi- mar said. “They were more eas- room, while Redknapp joked her 50s were also hurt during the six off ences of attempted mur- cians and Brexit. ily off ended than I thought they about tax evasion and the likeli- incident in Loughton, in Essex, der, one off ence of causing death Kumar said he had a warm would be. I would like to apolo- hood of Arsenal’s next manager though their injuries were not by dangerous driving, six of- reception at the start of his set gise if I triggered any of them.” being English. thought to be life-threatening. fences of causing serious injury at the Lord’s Taverners Christ- He added it was particularly “If he is allowed to say that, “As a school and a commu- by driving, failing to stop at the mas lunch, but that the audience funny when he told the jeering why am I not allowed to say what nity, we are devastated to say scene of a collision and driving quickly turned against him once audience “I should have known Boris Johnson said in a newspa- that as a result of the incident in without insurance. he spoke about a number of is- this would happen when I agreed per column? I don’t understand Willingale Road, it is with great “There is no wider threat to the sues including Brexit and Boris to do a set in front of people who why all these things are not fair sadness that we must report public at this time, but we contin- Johnson. colonised my ancestors”. game.” that a 12-year-old student from ue to ask anyone with information Kumar, who hosts the BBC One man shouted back: “That Kumar said, however, he was our school has sadly died,” said to come forward and assist with comedy series The Mash Report, was ages ago.” glad he had agreed to do the set. Helen Gascoyne, the headteach- our inquiries.” The arrest came said he was surprised by how Kumar was the headline act of He supports the organisation’s er of Debden Park high school. after police earlier said they were angry the audience became at The Lord’s Taverners Christmas charitable work and said it was “Our thoughts are with the searching for Loughton man Terry the event, held at the Grosvenor Lunch, which supports children important for comedians to get Queen Elizabeth receives the High Commissioner for family and all those aff ected. As a Glover over the incident. House hotel, London, on Mon- living in poverty or with a dis- out of their comfort zone, add- Cyprus Andreas Kakouris and Kareen Farrell Kakouris school we continue to work with Offi cers had earlier urged peo- day. ability through sport. The celeb- ing: “I was surprised at how an- during a private audience at Buckingham Palace in London the police supporting the ongo- ple not to speculate about the “I made what I considered to rities included Harry Redknapp, gry they were but that’s the way yesterday. ing investigation.” circumstances surrounding the be some extremely mild jokes the football manager and winner it goes at the end of the day.” The boy died in hospital, while collision. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 EUROPE 2010s the hottest decade in history, says WMO

AFP hottest non-El Nino year yet. sea level reached its highest on due to weather extremes could temperature rises to “well below” drid over how countries already to increase their climate action Madrid Man-made emissions from record, fuelled by the 329 bil- reach 22mn. 2C. dealing with climate-related ambition ahead of a deadline next burning fossil fuels, building in- lion tonnes of ice lost from the “Once again in 2019 weath- The Intergovernmental Panel catastrophe can fund eff orts to year. frastructure, growing crops and Greenland ice sheet in 12 months. er and climate related risks hit on Climate Change (IPCC) last adapt to the new reality. Friederike Otto, deputy direc- his decade is set to be the transporting goods mean 2019 is Each of the last four decades hard,” said WMO secretary-gen- year outlined how vital it was for “Our economic activities con- tor of the University of Oxford’s hottest in history, the set to break the record for atmos- has been hotter than the last. eral Petteri Taalas. “Heatwaves mankind to aim for a safer cap of tinue to use the atmosphere as a Environmental Change Institute, TUnited Nations weather pheric carbon concentrations, And far from climate change and fl oods which used to be ‘once 1.5C – ideally by slashing green- waste dump for greenhouse gas- said the WMO report “highlights agency said yesterday in an an- locking in further warming, the being a phenomenon for future in a century’ events are becoming house gas emissions and retool- es,” said Joeri Rogelj, Grantham that we are not even adapted to nual assessment outlining the WMO said. generations to confront, the ef- more regular occurrences.” ing the global economy towards Lecturer in Climate Change at 1.1 degree of warming”. ways in which climate change is Oceans, which absorb 90% fects of humanity’s insatiable, At just 1C hotter than pre-in- renewable energy. Imperial College London. “And there is no doubt that outpacing humanity’s ability to of the excess heat produced by growth-at-any cost consump- dustrial times, 2019 has already The UN said last week in its Even if all Paris pledges were this 1.1 degree is due to the burn- adapt to it. greenhouse gases, are now at tion means millions are already seen deadly heatwaves in Europe, annual “emissions gap” assess- honoured, Earth is still on course ing of fossil fuels,” she said. The World Meterological Or- their highest recorded tempera- counting the damage. Australia and Japan, superstorms ment that the world needed to to be more than 3C warmer by the Christian Aid’s global climate ganisation (WMO) said global tures. The report said more than devastate southeast Africa, and cut carbon emissions by 7.6% end of the century. lead Kat Kramer said the WMO temperatures so far this year The world’s seas are now a 10mn people were internally dis- wildfi res rage out of control in each year, every year, until 2030 “There is no indication of a report showed the need for con- were 1.1° Celsius (2° Farenheit) quarter more acidic than 150 placed in the fi rst half of 2019 Australia and California. to hit 1.5C. fade out of the warming,” Taalas crete progress in Madrid. above the pre-industrial average years ago, threatening vital ma- – 7mn directly due to extreme Nations are currently in cru- Instead, emissions are rising. told reporters. “The numbers will “Delegates have no excuse to between 1850-1900. rine ecosystems upon which bil- weather events such as storms, cial talks in Madrid aimed at fi - And while governments spend be higher if we continue our cur- block progress or drag their feet That puts 2019 on course to be lions of people rely for food and fl ooding and drought. nalising rules for the 2015 Paris hundreds of billions of dollars rent behaviour.” when the science is showing how in the top three warmest years jobs. By the end of the year, the climate accord, which enjoins subsidising fossil fuels, there ap- Part of the discussions in Ma- urgently action is needed,” she ever recorded, and possibly the In October, the global mean WMO said new displacements countries to work to limit global pears to be no consensus in Ma- drid is aimed at getting countries said. UN sounds alarm on climate health risks This handout image obtained on Monday shows unmanned aerial Reuters capacity and connections. vehicle (UAV, or ‘drone’) imagery that captured the lake drainage in Madrid As a result, less than half a unprecedented detail, before (left) and after, five hours later, showing percent of international climate a loss of 5mn cu m of water, or two-thirds of its volume. fi nance has gone to projects to uman health is paying the head off climate risks to health, price of the world’s fail- Campbell-Lendrum said. Hure to curb global warm- “These countries are exposed, ing, the World Health Organisa- they are vulnerable and they are Drones show ice sheet tion (WHO) warned yesterday, unsupported,” he added. urging governments at UN cli- The WHO plans to help de- mate talks to cut climate-chang- veloping countries put together fracturing in real time ing emissions faster and provide projects to bolster their health funds to address growing threats. systems that can secure backing Those range from lung and from international climate funds, AFP By making use of on-board heart problems caused by toxic he added. Washington GPS, the team was able to geo- air to deaths in storms and wild- One of the biggest potential locate and stitch together thou- fi res, and the expansion of den- sources of fi nance, the Green Cli- sands of photos that were in turn gue, malaria, cholera and other mate Fund, has identifi ed health cientists said on Monday used to create detailed 3D recon- diseases spread by mosquitoes and well-being as a priority that they had used a drone structions of the ice sheet’s sur- and contaminated water. area but has yet to approve any Sto observe the rapid frac- face. “The cost of not taking enough projects with that focus, Camp- turing and draining of a lake on A glacier is a river of ice that action at the climate summit... is bell-Lendrum noted. the Greenland ice sheet, a phe- moves slowly under its own paid by my lungs and your lungs,” Things that could be fi nanced nomenon that may become more weight toward the ocean. said Maria Neira, director of the might include “smart hospitals” frequent as a result of climate When it reaches the sea, it department of environment, – now being tested in the Carib- change. breaks off into icebergs, which climate change and health at the bean – built to withstand strong The ice sheet is typically about represent about 40% of Green- WHO, a UN agency. winds and fl oods while also har- 1km thick, and during summer, land’s contribution to rising sea The causes of climate change A visitor walks by the logo of the UN Climate Change Conference COP25, decorated with plants at the vesting rainwater and running on it is normal for some of the sur- levels (the rest is from the actual and air pollution overlap, she ‘IFEMA – Feria de Madrid’ exhibition centre, in Madrid. solar power. face to melt and form thousands melting of the glaciers). added, calling for societies to Off -grid renewable energy of lakes. The Store Glacier advances at “decarbonise”, including by crease in deliveries of babies on and fi nancial health costs of cli- WHO report showed. projects also can cut emissions Many of the lakes drain in just a rate of 600m per year. ditching coal as a source of power the day it hit and the day after, mate change, health services and Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, from health facilities and make a few hours, creating vast open- The team, which also included and heat, and ending subsidies with those births happening up related institutions need a boost WHO’s co-ordinator for climate them more resilient in disasters ings at the base of the ice, up to a scientists from Aberystwyth and for the extraction and use of fos- to two weeks before they were in funding – currently sorely change and health, said that all when electricity networks go kilometre deep. Lancaster Universities, found sil fuels. due. lacking, the WHO said. countries surveyed – from Eu- down, Campbell-Lendrum said. Meltwater from surface that the sudden drainage of the According to the WHO, the Such early births can poten- Yesterday, it released a report rope to the Americas, Africa and He noted that the mental streams continues to fl ow down lake temporarily increased its burning of oil, gas and coal is re- tially harm children’s later devel- highlighting how countries are Asia – are struggling to fi nance health impacts of climate change them for the rest of the melt sea- speed from 2m to 5m per day. sponsible for two-thirds of the opment, researchers said. increasingly prioritising dealing measures such as protecting hos- had “shot up the agenda”. son, creating some of the world’s The water that fell under the outdoor air pollution that causes At the Madrid climate talks with climate change threats to pitals from weather disasters and The eff ects can range from the largest waterfalls. ice served as a lubricant. about 4 million premature deaths yesterday, activists and aid agen- health. ramping up disease surveillance. trauma of going through disas- This process has been ex- Even more surprising was that each year. cies cited a rise in hospital emis- Half of about 100 nations sur- In richer countries, the diffi - ters to the shock of being made tremely diffi cult to observe this bed of water lifted the gla- More intense and longer sions linked to smoke from Aus- veyed said they had developed a culty lies in securing allocations homeless, or young people feel- fi rsthand, but a group of gla- cier’s height by 55cm, the team heatwaves are another growing tralia’s recent bushfi res. national strategy or plan to tackle from national budgets due to ing anxious and frustrated about ciologists from the Scott Polar said. health problem in many parts of In southern African countries the risks. competing priorities. climate change. Institute at the University of “That’s 1km of ice lifted up the world. hit by Cyclone Idai this year, they However, only about 38% had Poorer nations, on the other Once a “hidden issue”, it is Cambridge were fortunate when half a metre, so you can imagine A study published in the jour- said, people are struggling to fi nances in place to even par- hand, need international climate “the one that we have heard the they arrived at the Store Glacier the kind of pressures that were nal Nature on Monday found ex- feed their families after fi elds and tially implement their plans, and fi nance to help them cope, but most about in the past four to in northwest Greenland in July involved,” said Chudley, a doc- treme heat in the United States homes were destroyed. fewer than 10% had the money to are struggling to access it be- fi ve months”, he told journalists 2018. toral student at Cambridge. from 1969-1988 caused an in- To deal with the rising human put them fully into practice, the cause of a lack of information, in Madrid. A few days after their arrival, The research team’s paper de- over the course of fi ve hours, scribes in fuller detail the for- two-thirds of the lakes or rough- mation of these vast fractures, ly 5mn litres of water disap- which in turn create water beds peared from the surface through that accelerate the glacier’s a fracture. movement. Activist Thunberg Aerial photography captured “As we see climate change by the drone from before and progressing in Greenland, we’re after showed a dark blue oval seeing more lakes, and we’re see- shrink into a smaller, shallower ing them get larger, and we’re and lighter blue circle. seeing them higher up into the channels youth fury Tom Chudley, co-fi rst author colder section of the ice sheet, of the study that appeared in and we can see that some of these the Proceedings of the National lakes are beginning to drain,” said Reuters In September, she carried her Meteorological Organisation Academy of Sciences, told AFP Chudley. Lisbon message to a one-day climate (WMO) launched a report at the that the “thing that drones can “Potentially we’re increas- summit at the United Nations in talks that found the past decade do is allow us to take these kind ing the amount of lakes that are New York, furiously telling lead- was almost certain to have been of high quality measurements in draining in new places that we een activist Greta Thun- ers “you have stolen my dreams”, the hottest on record. regions that aren’t safe to access haven’t previously identifi ed,” he Thunberg waves as she arrives at the Santo Amaro docks in Lisbon, berg reached Europe yes- before sailing back to Europe for In a stark reminder that burn- for scientists on the ground”. warned. onboard the catamaran La Vagabonde. Tterday after a 21-day cata- the latest round of talks. ing fossil fuels has fundamen- maran dash across the Atlantic Thunberg was due to spend the tally changed the composition for a United Nations summit rest of the day meeting activists of the Earth’s atmosphere, the Finnish prime minister resigns amid cabinet row over postal services where she will invoke the fury of in Portugal before departing for report said the concentration of global youth at politicians’ foot- Madrid, where the negotiations carbon dioxide (CO2) hit a record Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne stepped in a caretaker capacity, as the president If the five parties in the outgoing coalition dragging over climate change. are being held in a series of hang- 407.8 parts per million in 2018 down yesterday and handed in his requested. agree to continue to work together, “People are underestimat- ar-like halls. and rose again in 2019, hovering government’s resignation at a meeting with Parliamentary speaker Matti Vanhanen later Vanhanen told reporters that he believed a ing the force of angry kids,” the Carolina Schmidt, environ- at the highest levels seen in mil- President Sauli Niinisto, after a row erupted told reporters that Finland has changed new government could be in place within a young Swede told a crowd of ment minister of Chile, which lions of years. over the state-owned postal services and his prime minister a few times in the past 15 week. reporters and supporters as she is chairing the negotiations, Opening the climate sum- leadership style. years, so the country has some experience Rinne resigned after one of his coalition disembarked from a white cata- said that she hoped Thunberg’s mit on Monday, UN Secretary- The government was expected to stay on for the transition ahead. partners withdrew its support. maran, La Vagabonde, in Por- presence would galvanise more General Antonio Guterres had tugal. “They’re angry and frus- ambitious commitments by gov- warned that 400 parts per mil- trated.” ernments at talks aimed at bol- lion had once been considered an France’s SNCF cancels 90% of TGV trains for tomorrow due to union strike The prospect of another fi ery stering the 2015 Paris Agreement “unthinkable” tipping point. intervention by the 16-year- to avert catastrophic tempera- Despite the grim statistics, French rail operator SNCF said yesterday as well as those on suburban lines in the cancelled, according to its website. old, whose ability to stare down ture increases. young delegates said they were that 90% of high-speed TGV trains across Paris region will also be cancelled, while Only one in three Thalys trains between Paris politicians has inspired a global “We need that tremendous inspired by Thunberg’s deter- the country will not run tomorrow, when international services will be “severely and Brussels will operate, and just one round- protest movement, electrifi ed force in order to increase climate mination to minimise her own unions kick off an open-ended strike against disrupted”. trip Lyria TGV serving Switzerland will run. younger delegates at the interna- action,” Schmidt told Reuters carbon footprint by twice brav- a planned pension overhaul. Around half of Eurostar trains, including 16 The Paris metro is also bracing for gridlock, tional climate talks underway in television. “We need Greta in ing the Atlantic instead of fl ying: The SNCF expects 90% of regional trains between Paris and London have already been with 11 of the city’s 16 lines completely shut. neighbouring Spain. here with all that force.” which they saw as a symbol of re- Since staging a solitary protest Increasingly erratic weather sourcefulness and defi ance. outside the Swedish parliament patterns, from wildfi res in Aus- “She is making a statement Italians campaign to have Unesco heritage status for espresso more than a year ago, Thunberg tralia and California to fl oods in that you don’t always have to has channelled the anger felt by Europe, have added to the sense take the easy way,” said Lander A campaign seeking Unesco World Heritage be added to the UN culture agency’s list drink for a good start of the day, it is a millions of teenagers saddled of urgency around the two-week Wanters, 20, a Belgian climate status for Italy’s famous espresso coff ee was of “intangible” world heritage traditions, real social ritual”, the Consortium for the with the prospect of an escalat- summit in Spain. activist. presented in the Italian parliament yesterday. campaigners said at a press conference. Protection of the Traditional Italian Espresso ing climate crisis their parents Underscoring the pace of “We have to act now to do Espresso-making and -drinking should Italy’s espresso is “not just an indispensable said in a statement. failed to avert. change, the Geneva-based World something for the climate.” Gulf Times Wednesday, December 4, 2019 17 EUROPE

Turkey threatens to block Nato Trump slams European Baltics plan

Reuters London allies ahead of Nato meet

Reuters It will add to the growing In a swipe against Nato mem- advantage of on Nato and also to block a plan to defend Baltic Russian President Vladimir urkey will oppose a Nato plan London doubts over the future of the ber Turkey, which he accused of then to be taken advantage of states and Poland against Rus- Putin told a meeting of military to defend Baltic countries 29-member alliance, described working with Islamic State (IS) on trade, and that’s what hap- sian attacks unless the alliance leaders yesterday that Nato’s ex- Tunless the alliance backs it last month by Macron as “brain proxies, Macron said the alliance pens. We can’t let that happen,” backs Ankara in recognising the pansion was a danger for Russia. in recognising a Kurdish militia as S President Donald dead” in the run-up to a London could not even agree on the defi - he said of transatlantic dis- Kurdish YPG militia as a terror- In a bid to placate Trump, a terrorist group, President Recep Trump slated European meeting intended to be a 70th nition of terrorism. putes over everything from the ist group (see accompanying Europe, Turkey and Canada Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday ahead Uallies yesterday ahead anniversary celebration. The leaders of Canada and the aerospace sector to a European report). will pledge $400bn in defence of an alliance summit in London. of a Nato anniversary summit, “It’s a tough statement, Netherlands added their sup- “digital tax” on US technology Erdogan has already strained spending by 2024, and also agree The threat underlined the mount- singling out France’s Emmanuel though, when you make a state- port yesterday to a Franco-Ger- giants. alliance ties with a move to buy to reduce the US contribution to ing challenges to a bloc hailed by Macron for “very nasty” com- ment like that, that is a very, very man proposal to reform Nato. Dismissing signals from Ger- Russian air defence systems. fund the alliance itself. backers as the most successful ments on the health of the alli- nasty statement to essentially “I don’t think you survive many that it would do more to Trump told reporters in Lon- The allies will approve a new military alliance in history just as ance and Germany for spending 28, including them, 28 coun- 70 years as an alliance without hit a Nato target of spending 2% don that he was looking at im- strategy to monitor China’s its leaders, including US President too little on defence. tries,” Trump told reporters as regularly refl ecting,” Canadian of national output on defence, posing sanctions on Ankara over growing military activity, and Donald Trump, gather in London to Underlining the breadth of he met the head of Nato. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Trump accused it and other na- the issue. name space as a domain of war- celebrate its 70th anniversary. strife in a transatlantic bloc In an interview with theEcon- told a forum before the sum- tions of being “delinquent”. The question mark over the fare, alongside air, land, sea and Turkey’s defi ance will only add to hailed by backers as the most omist last month, Macron made mit, sitting alongside his Dutch Nato Secretary-General Jens Baltics’ plan, which was drawn computer networks. doubts over the political future of successful military alliance in headlines by faulting Nato for counterpart Mark Rutte. Stoltenberg, who shared ome- up at their request after Russia They will issue a statement the North Atlantic Treaty Organi- history, Trump demanded that failing to update its strategy to Trump explicitly linked his lette and sausages with Trump annexed Crimea from Ukraine in condemning Moscow’s Crimea sation (Nato), already described by Europe pay more for its collec- respond to newer threats such as complaint that Europe does not over breakfast, tweeted that the 2014, raises issues about secu- annexation. French President Emmanuel Macron tive defence and also make con- instability in Syria. pay enough for Nato’s security pre-summit talks had got off to rity on all of Nato’s frontiers. While giving few specifi cs, as “brain dead” and undermined by cessions to US interests on trade. Macron, speaking alongside missions to his “America First” an “excellent start”. Under Nato’s 1949 founding Trump said he believed Russia Trump’s questioning of the entire The attack echoed a tirade Trump yesterday, stood by his defence of US commercial inter- But the US leader’s broad- treaty, an attack on one ally is an wanted deals on arms control premise of his superpower defend- by Trump ahead of the North comments and said that Nato ests, saying it is time for Europe side came only hours after splits attack on all, and the alliance has and nuclear issues, and that he ing the West. Atlantic Treaty Organisation needed to be clear about its core to “shape up” on both fronts. opened up elsewhere in the al- military strategies for collective would be willing to bring China Erdogan, who has strained alli- (Nato)’s last summit in July 2018. purposes. “It’s not right to be taken liance, with Turkey threatening defence across its territory. into such accords. ance ties with a move to buy Russian air defence systems, repeated his threat to block a defence plan for the Baltics and Poland unless Nato steps up support for its fi ght in northeast- Poll: Most ern Syria against the Kurdish YPG militia. “With pleasure, we can come to- Germans gether and discuss these issues there as well,” Erdogan said of the Baltics plan ahead of his departure from favour Ankara for the Nato summit. “But if our friends at Nato do not recognise as terrorist organisations those we reducing consider terrorist organisations ... we will stand against any step that will be taken there.” reliance Erdogan added that he had spoken to Polish President Andrzej Duda on the phone and had agreed to meet on US him and leaders of Baltic countries in London. Turkey, France, Germany and DPA Britain are also expected to hold sep- Berlin arate meetings around the summit. In an interview with Reuters, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper he majority of Germans warned Ankara that “not everybody are in favour of reducing sees the threats that they see”, and he Treliance on US defence urged it, in the name of alliance uni- and having closer ties with Rus- ty, to stop blocking the Baltics plan. sia, according to a YouGov sur- Nato Secretary-General Jens Leaders of Nato alliance countries, and its secretary-general, join Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince of Wales for a group picture to mark 70 years of the alliance. vey commissioned by DPA. Stoltenberg reaffi rmed the mutual Fifty-fi ve per cent of Germans defence clause at the heart of the said that in the case of an attack, Nato pact, insisting it would respond they would want European Nato to any attack on Poland or Baltic nations to defend themselves countries. without support from the United “Through the presence of Nato Nato recognises China ‘challenges’ States. forces in Poland and in the Bal- Around one-fi fth (21%) of tic countries, we are sending Rus- Germans do not want to relin- sia a very strong signal: if there is AFP don to mark the alliance’s 70th point for Beijing and the US, balanced way to the challenges developing 5G networks, saying quish US military support, the an attack on Poland or the Baltic London birthday, will also approve an with Washington accusing Chi- China poses”. that it has close ties to the Chi- poll found. countries, the whole alliance will internal report drawing up an na of “intimidation”. Europe has struggled to fi nd nese government and its equip- Additionally, 48% are in fa- respond,” Stoltenberg, a former Nor- action plan for how Nato should Beijing has built military in- a common position on China, ment could be used to spy for vour of a full or partial with- wegian premier, said in interviews he Nato alliance is to approach China. stallations, rammed vessels and with some states stressing the Beijing. drawal of the roughly 35,000 US with several European newspapers. formally recognise the “We have now recognised sent survey ships into disputed risk it poses while others – nota- Last week Germany said it soldiers stationed in Germany. Queen Elizabeth will host the T“challenges” posed by that the rise of China has secu- territory in the sea, where sev- bly poorer countries in the south planned to tighten rules on non- Around a third (32%) of re- leaders at Buckingham Palace. China for the fi rst time, but the rity implications for all allies,” eral countries have competing and east – welcoming Beijing’s EU takeovers of its high-tech spondents said the full US troop But even the British hosts, for gen- alliance chief insisted Tuesday the Nato chief said at an event in claims. willingness to invest in infra- fi rms, following concern about contingent should stay in Ger- erations among the most enthusias- he did not want to make an ad- London. Nato’s defence remit is lim- structure projects. acquisitions by Chinese com- many. tic champions of the trans-Atlantic versary of Beijing. “China has the second larg- ited to Europe and North Amer- The draft summit declaration panies. There is also strong support partnership that Nato represents, are Secretary-General Jens est defence budget in the world ica, but Stoltenberg said China’s – agreed by ambassadors but yet The move aff ects fi rms work- for closer relations with Russia, disunited over their project of quit- Stoltenberg said China’s grow- and has recently displayed a lot infl uence was beginning to reach to be approved by leaders – also ing in the areas of robotics, with 54% of respondents saying ting the EU and distracted by a ran- ing military capabilities – in- of new, modern capabilities in- its shores. stresses the need for “secure artifi cial intelligence, semi- that the North Atlantic Treaty corous election due next week. cluding missiles that could hit cluding long-range missiles able “It’s not about moving Nato and resilient” communications conductors, biotechnology and Organisation (Nato) should work “The question is, as we celebrate Europe and the United States – to reach the whole of Europe and into the South China Sea but systems, particularly 5G infra- quantum technology. more closely with Russia once 70 years, are we waving in cel- meant the alliance had to tackle the United States.” about taking into account that structure. Tomas Valasek, a senior fel- again. ebration or do people think we are the issue together. Under President Xi Jinping, China is coming closer to us in This points to growing anxi- low with the Carnegie Europe Only 21% are in favour of con- drowning?” said a senior European The leaders of the North China has adopted a more bull- the Arctic, in Africa, invest- ety in Nato and the West at large think tank, said that Nato would tinuing the hard-line stance Nato diplomat. Atlantic Treaty Organisation ish attitude to foreign relations ing heavily in our infrastruc- about the role of Chinese com- likely take time to build a policy against Moscow. Stoltenberg argues that despite (Nato)’s 29 member states will and has been accused of mount- ture in Europe, in cyber-space,” panies, particularly Huawei, in on China. The poll showed a divide when quarrels that have made headlines, sign off a joint summit state- ing cyber-attacks against Eu- Stoltenberg said. building the networks needed He said that long-term it it comes to the EU’s economic the alliance is in fi ne health, having ment today acknowledging the rope and spying to steal intellec- He insisted the new Nato ap- for the next generation of mobile could represent “a bigger prob- sanctions against Russia: 34% strengthened its capability to carry “opportunities and challenges” tual property. proach was “not to create a new communications. lem but a slower burning one” are in favour of a suspension, out its core mission of defending Eu- posed by China’s rise. The fi ercely contested South adversary but to analyse and Washington has pressured than Nato’s traditional adver- 37% are against it, while 29% did rope. The meeting outside Lon- China Sea has become a fl ash- understand and respond in a Europe to exclude Huawei from sary Russia. not specify their choice.

New SPD leaders pull back from Spanish legislators are sworn in

AFP 52 mandates and becoming the ers handed heavy jail terms in sinking German govt coalition Madrid third-largest faction within the October over a failed 2017 inde- 350-seat parliament. pendence bid in a move which Days after the election, sparked a wave of mass demon- Reuters setting tough conditions for snap election. more staff to boost capacity. pain’s new parliament met Sanchez and the radical left- strations, some of which turned Berlin staying in the coalition, three A draft of the main motion “In this sense, steady invest- for its opening session yes- wing Podemos agreed in princi- violent. people familiar with the matter seen by Reuters showed that ment must not be prevented Sterday, with the far-right ple to form a coalition govern- ERC and the Socialists are due said. SPD leaders are set to call for a by dogmatic positions such as Vox as the third-largest party ment. to meet again, with Eurasia ana- eaders of Germany’s So- At the congress, starting on large public investment push Schaeuble’s black zero,” the following a divisive election that But such a government would lyst Federico Santi saying that cial Democrats are lean- Friday, the SPD is set to call on that should not be hindered by document said, referring to failed to resolve years of political only have 155 seats, leaving it de- a deal between them “remains Ling away from proposing Merkel’s conservatives to dis- “dogmatic positions” such as former fi nance minister Wolf- deadlock. pendent on support from other likely” although the talks “will that the party quit Chancellor cuss new measures to stabilise the government’s “black zero” gang Schaeuble, the master- Just over three weeks after the factions for the 176 mandates to probably drag on for several Angela Merkel’s government as Germany’s slowing economy budget policy of no new debt. mind of the self-imposed budg- vote, lawmakers were yester- pass an investiture vote. weeks”. they work on a motion to put to and improve an already agreed The SPD shares the view of et goal of not incurring any new day taking the oath of offi ce, al- Last month, Sanchez’s ne- But opposition to the proposed delegates at a party congress, climate package, the sources leading economists and busi- debt. though there was little indication gotiating team began talks with coalition, notably from business party sources said. said. ness groups that public invest- The SPD leaders’ main mo- of when a government would be the Republican Left of Catalonia leaders over a government in- Norbert Walter-Borjans and “Today, we constructively ment of more than €450bn tion calls for a higher minimum formed. (ERC), a Catalan separatist party cluding Podemos with support Saskia Esken, leftist critics of discussed the right path into the ($500bn) needed over the next wage, without repeating previ- The legislature has been grid- which won 13 seats in Novem- from the separatists, has sparked the coalition with Merkel’s con- new era,” Walter-Borjans told 10 years cannot be fi nanced ous demands from Esken and locked since an inconclusive ber’s election. growing calls for Sanchez to talk servatives, won a vote for lead- the SPD’s party newspaper Vor- through reallocation of existing Walter-Borjans for increasing April election which the Social- But so far it has refused to of- with the right-wing opposition ership of the SPD on Saturday, waerts. funds alone, the draft said. Germany’s wage fl oor to €12 per ists won but without a major- fer its backing, demanding in People’s Party (PP). putting Europe’s largest econo- He added: “One thing is clear: Public investment should not hour from €9.19 currently. ity – in an outcome repeated exchange talks on the Catalan During yesterday’s session, my at a political crossroads. We do not want to get out of the be limited to times of economic The SPD’s party board is ex- on November 10, leaving Pedro crisis which would likely include MPs reelected Socialist Meritxell But Esken and Walter-Bor- grand coalition head over heels.” growth because keeping invest- pected to discuss and fi nalise Sanchez a winner but weakened. its call for a referendum on self- Batet as parliamentary speaker, jans, interim SPD leader Malu A decision by the SPD to leave ment levels persistently high the main motion for the party And this time round, Vox – determination – an idea Madrid while Pilar Llop, a judge special- Dreyer and Vice Chancellor Olaf the coalition would have thrown would help local authorities to conference tomorrow morning, which only a year ago was just has rejected out of hand. ising in gender violence who has Scholz agreed a wording yester- Germany into a political crisis overcome planning bottlenecks with changes to the wording still a marginal player – more than ERC is headed by Oriol Jun- ties to the Socialists, was chosen day for the motion that avoids and opened the prospect of a and construction fi rms to hire possible. doubled its showing, snaring queras, one of nine Catalan lead- as president of the Senate. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 INDIA

DEFENCE CRITICISM DECISION BIZARRE SPACE Indian warship ‘drives Vadra hits out over removal Maharashtra to review Fugitive guru sets Nasa spots Indian crashed away Chinese vessel’ of security to Gandhi family Bullet Train project up own ‘nation’ lander on Moon’s surface

The navy chief yesterday said an unauthorised Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi’s Maharashtra’s Maha Vikas Aghadi government Even as the Gujarat Police is looking for self- India’s Vikram lunar lander, which crashed Chinese vessel had entered its waters in the husband Robert Vadra said the removal of Special will ascertain if mega-projects like the styled guru Swami Nithyananda in an alleged on its final approach to the Moon’s surface in Indian Ocean Region in September, with media Protection Group (SPG) security cover from the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train can be case of kidnapping and wrongful confinement September, has been found thanks in part to the reports suggesting New Delhi deployed a warship Gandhi family was part of a political agenda shelved in view of a staggering Rs6.71 lakh of children, a website named Kailaasa. sleuthing eff orts of an amateur space enthusiast. to repel the vessel. India is wary of Chinese clout and a major blunder of the central government. crore debt burden on the state, Minister Jayant org has popped up suggesting that he has Nasa released an image taken by its Lunar in the Indian Ocean Region which it considers to “The SPG security cover should not have been Patil said. He said the debt burden comprises founded his own country and designed its Reconnaissance Orbiter that showed the site be in its sphere of influence. The Chinese research removed from the Gandhi family,” he said. Vadra Rs4.71 lakh crore debt besides the obligation flag, constitution and emblem. The website of the spacecraft’s impact. Nasa said it released vessel, Shi Yan 1, was spotted in September in was on his way to Ajmer via Jaipur. Speaking to of another Rs2 lakh crore on ongoing projects. declared that the fugitive has declared a a mosaic image of the site on September 26, India’s exclusive economic zone in the Andaman media at Jaipur airport, he said, “This is vendetta His comments came a couple of days after ‘Hindu sovereign nation’ and even has a inviting the public to compare it with images Sea, within 200 nautical miles from the Andaman politics. The government is making wrong use of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ordered a Cabinet along with a prime minister. It has of the same area before the crash to find signs and Nicobar Islands. Indian media reports said the its agencies.” Speaking about the investigation review of all undergoing development projects also called for donations for the country and of the lander. The first person to come up navy’s maritime surveillance aircraft had spotted into the land scam involving him, he said, “I will be taken up by the previous BJP-led government, through it, an opportunity to gain citizenship with a positive identification was Shanmuga the vessel in the region, prompting the navy to present for investigation before any agency from especially the big ticket ones like the Bullet of ‘Kailaasa’. However, it is yet not clear where Subramanian, a 33-year-old IT professional from send a warship that pushed it away. wheresoever I have been summoned.” Train. the nation is located. Chennai. Akali Dal rues Shah stance on Rajoana’s death sentence

IANS Addressing the home minister, Chandigarh the Ludhiana MP Bittu had asked in the Lok Sabha: “Why did you commute the death sentence of he Akali Dal yesterday Balwant Singh Rajoana?” described as “very un- Shah then said: “Please, don’t Tfortunate” a statement go by media reports. The sen- by Union Home Minister Amit tence has not been commuted.” Shah ruling out the commuting Shah’s statement was contra- of the death sentence of Babbar ry to reports last month which Khalsa terrorist Balwant Singh stated that the home ministry Rajoana for the assassination had commuted Rajoana’s death of former Punjab chief minister sentence. Beant Singh. Rajoana, 52, who is currently Shah made the announcement lodged in the Patiala Central Jail, in the Lok Sabha while respond- is the prime accused in the case ing to Congress MP and Beant and is serving a life term. Singh’s grandson Ravneet Singh A former Punjab Police con- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) parliament members Sanjay Singh (right) and Shushil Gupta wearing garlands made out of onions and display placards to protest against onion price Bittu during Question Hour. stable, Rajoana was sentenced hike at the Parliament House in New Delhi yesterday. Shiromani Akali Dal president to death on August 1, 2007, by a Sukhbir Singh Badal, whose par- special Central Bureau of Inves- ty is in alliance with the BJP in tigation (CBI) court in Chandi- Punjab, said in a statement: “We garh. all feel pained today. We thought It was claimed that the Home we had moved ahead when me- Ministry this September had ap- dia reports appeared last month proved the commutation of Ra- claiming that Rajoana’s death joana’s death sentence to a life- Kejriwal govt rapped for sentence had been commuted. term as a humanitarian gesture “However, today’s assertion ahead of the 550th birth anni- has shocked everyone. There versary of Sikhism founder Guru is a feeling of hurt that justice Nanak Dev, a decision which was has not been done to the Sikh criticised by Bittu. community and the spirit of the Media reports said besides spending Rs10bn in a month clemency which was espoused Rajoana, the home ministry on the occasion of the 550th Pra- had granted a special dispen- kash Purb has not been carried sation to eight other Sikh pris- IANS The CAG’s report on the ter, especially in March, shows duced corruption, unwanted the chief minister stressed. through.” oners from various jails in the New Delhi ‘State Financial Management that the rules were not followed. expenditure and spent the He said all agencies control- He said the Akali Dal stood country. of the Government of Delhi be- The report of the CAG was money for providing facilities led by his political opponents for adopting a humanitar- On March 28, 2012, the home tween 2017-18’ adds: “General tabled in the Lok Sabha on De- to the people. It got clean chit had scrutinised them. ian approach in the case and ministry had stayed Rajoana’s he Comptroller and Au- Financial Rule (GFR) 56 states cember 2. from CAG and other investi- “The CBI raided my offi ce. had conveyed this to the Union execution following clemency ditor General (CAG) has that the process of spending the Meanwhile Kejriwal yester- gation agencies irrespective of The Delhi Police raided my government through various appeals fi led by the Shiromani Traised questions over the entire budget suddenly in the day claimed his government ruthless scrutiny in the last fi ve house. My fellow ministers – representations. Gurdwara Parbandhak Commit- Arvind Kejriwal government in last months of the fi nancial year had eradicated corruption and years,” Kejriwal said during the Manish Sisodia, Satyendra Jain “We feel this is a deserving tee (SGPC), the Sikh body man- Delhi spending more than Rs- is against fi nancial rules. This did away with unwanted ex- concluding session of the As- and Kailsah Gahlot – were also case for clemency as Rajoana aging religious shrines. 10bn in a gap of 30 days. It said should be avoided”. Despite this penditure, adding the AAP sembly yesterday. raided by the central agencies. has spent more than 23 years in Beant Singh and 16 oth- the spending was against fi nan- in the last quarter of 2017-18, a government and legislators got While Delhi off ered a people- They got nothing suspicious. It prison without parole. The SAD ers were killed in an explosion cial rules. huge amount was spent under a clean chit from the CAG for centric development model, the was the fi rst time a chief minis- is against the death penalty as a outside the civil secretariat in The CAG has pulled up the 26 sub-heads, the report said. the fi ve consecutive years and Union government followed ter’s bedroom was searched by matter of principle and has also Chandigarh on August 31, 1995. government for dumping funds The CAG further stated that other investigation agencies, crony-capitalism, he said. the police. conveyed this to the government Dilawar Singh, a Punjab Po- meant for several items into an during the audit, it was revealed like the CBI, the enforcement “In spite of harsh scrutiny, “Our principle on probity as well as the president,” Sukhbir lice offi cer, had acted as a sui- account for the entire year and that a total of Rs14.04bn was directorate and the Income Tax, the CAG couldn’t fi nd anything that a public servant should al- Badal said. cide bomber to assassinate Beant then spending suddenly while spent on 26 items in 2017-18, couldn’t fi nd fault irrespective wrong with the Delhi govern- ways be ready for public scru- He added that a high-level Singh. approaching the end of the fi - of which Rs11.01bn was spent of ruthless scrutiny. ment in the last fi ve years. In tiny took us ahead. When some delegation would meet the Un- Rajoana was the second nancial year. in the last quarter (January, Speaking in the Assembly, he 2015, people of Delhi gifted us people expressed fear over ion minister soon and apprise bomber in case Dilawar Singh The Delhi government has been February and March). Of this, said his government spent the an unprecedentedly massive complaints against MLAs, I said him about the sentiments of the failed to kill the Congress leader. questioned for spending money Rs10.64bn was spent in just one money on people and it was the victory with 67 seats out of 70. don’t worry; Prime Minister Sikh community and urge that Rajoana had cited the 1984 anti- overstepping the rules in 26 items, month – March, 2018. most accountable government After fi ve years, we have ful- (Narendra) Modi and his agen- Rajoana’s death sentence be Sikh riots as the reason behind including health, education, city The CAG said the amount ever in India. fi lled the responsibilities en- cies will take care of such com- commuted. the killing of Beant Singh. development and social welfare. spent so hastily in the last quar- “The Delhi government re- trusted to us by the public,” plaints,” Kejriwal said.

Elephant electrocuted Not quitting BJP, Chidambaram bail says Pankaja Munde

IANS After emerging from his plea decision today meeting, Tawde said that Pan- Mumbai kaja has been very disturbed IANS custody”, while senior advocates witnesses involved in the case. after seeing the media reac- New Delhi Kapil Sibal and A M Singhvi, ap- “One of the witnesses has hree days after her tions to her Facebook post pearing for the former minister, written a letter, and two oth- social media actions but she has no issues with the told the bench that the ED can- ers have requested that he not Tcaused concerns amid party, adding that rest what- he Supreme Court is today not orally prejudice the court be brought face-to-face with Bharatiya Janata Party circles, ever she has to say would be scheduled to pronounce against the grant of bail. them....in fact, his presence may former Maharashtra minister conveyed on December 12, the Tits judgement on senior Sibal told the court that al- infl uence the prosecution,” Me- Pankaja Munde-Palwe yester- birth anniversary of her father Congress leader P Chidambar- though the ED claims to have hta claimed. day said that she has no plans and former Union minister, the am’s bail plea in the INX Media e-mails and bank transactions Citing the gravity of the eco- to quit her party. late Gopinath Munde. money laundering case regis- indicating money laundering nomic off ences, Mehta told the Her statement came after Meanwhile, political sources tered by the enforcement direc- connected to Chidambaram, court that the entire world was former ministerial colleague said that top state and cen- torate. evidence to link all these to him facing the menace of money Vinod Tawde called on Pankaja tral BJP leaders have been in On November 28, a bench had yet to be presented. “Show laundering. and had detailed discussions contact with Pankaja in the headed by justice R Banumathi us one piece of evidence... you Mehta told the bench, also with her this afternoon at her past three days in an attempt had reserved judgement on the cannot destroy reputations,” comprising justices A S Bopanna offi cial residence. to mollify her and prevent her appeal fi led by Chidambaram Sibal contended. and Hrishikesh Roy, that the ED Pankaja said that her Face- from taking any drastic steps, challenging the November 15 Attacking the ED case against probe had uncovered 12 bank ac- book post of Sunday was being including quitting the party, verdict of the Delhi High Court Chidambaram, the senior law- counts where proceeds of crime misinterpreted and rumours particularly after Sena MP denying him bail. yer said that the ED should show were deposited and the agency were being spread that she was Sanjay Raut’s statement that The apex court had allowed at least one property, bank ac- had also gathered the details of planning to quit the BJP, par- besides her, many other BJP the ED to submit three sets of count or telephone call, which 12 properties, with specifi c ad- ticularly after she dropped the leaders are in contact with sealed covers in two volumes. establishes that Chidambaram dresses, which have been togeth- party name from her Twitter him. “The registry is directed to re- was involved in the case. Sibal er tracked down in 16 countries. handle on Monday. Curiously, after a series of ceive the sealed cover and keep insisted that “the entire case was He also informed the apex She also claimed that her warm greetings to Maha Vikas them in safe custody for perusal nothing beyond allegations”. court that economic off ence was post was not intended to Aghadi’s Chief Minister Ud- of the court, if required,” the On the other hand, Mehta told a separate class of off ence graver “pressurise” the BJP lead- dhav Thackeray, who recipro- court said. a three-judge bench headed by than murder. It is a white collar ership in any manner, amid cated with equal warmth on Solicitor General Tushar Me- Justice Banumathi that whether crime which has the potential speculation that after losing Monday, Pankaja has been si- hta, representing the ED, told in custody or not, the former to shake the faith of the com- The carcass of an elephant that was electrocuted lies at the October 2019 Assembly lent on Twitter since past fi ve the court “Chidambaram is ex- fi nance minister was powerful mon man in the establishment, Kadur in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, yesterday. elections, she was eyeing reha- days, barring her Sunday post tremely infl uential even from enough to wield infl uence on he said. bilitation vide a top party post. on Facebook. Gulf Times Wednesday, December 4, 2019 19 LATIN AMERICA US Marine charged with smuggling guns into Haiti

DPA/TCA Duroseau, described in the help Haiti and wants to become Haitian officials told the he could teach Haitian soldiers guns),” he told federal agents, been creating a little bit of part Miami indictment as a military fire- president of Haiti,” according to Miami Herald “that they be- how to shoot, according to the according to the indictment. of the instability in Haiti,” the arms instructor, reportedly the indictment filed. came suspicious when they indictment. “It’s still a part of the attention indictment said. told investigators he brought The unidentified person saw the three black cases, two He said he knew that bring- I need.” There is no attorney listed for active-duty US Marine the eight guns to the Caribbean helped Duroseau check in to fly of which were long. Most of- ing guns and body armour into In an interview with Naval Duroseau. was arrested last month country to teach marksmanship to Haiti from an airport in New ten the cases mean guns are Haiti was illegal, the court filing Criminal Investigative Services Federal records show a war- Awhen investigators say he to the Haitian army. Bern, North Carolina, accord- inside.” said. agents in Haiti, Duroseau said rant for his arrest has been sent landed in Haiti with boxes fi lled Investigators say Duroseau ing to the indictment. Haitian police arrested Du- According to the indictment, he wanted to help the Haitian to the US Marshals Service. with guns, ammunition and body bought some of the guns in Duroseau had three boxes roseau when he landed in the the Marine told investigators people, according to the indict- The US Marine Corps pub- armour. Federal prosecutors in- Jacksonville, near Camp Leje- with five handguns and three capital, Port-au-Prince, on that he planned to be arrested ment. lished a profile of Duroseau in dicted Jacques Yves Sebastien une in Eastern North Carolina. military-style rifles and ammu- November 12, according to US when he arrived in Haiti so he He told them he wanted to 2016 that said he was in Haiti Duroseau, a native of Haiti, in An unidentified “known in- nition, which he declared when court filings. could “gain a platform to make “wear the uniform of the mili- during the devastating 2010 North Carolina last week on gun- dividual” told federal investiga- he checked the luggage, accord- Duroseau told investiga- a statement.” tary that’s been established” earthquake and was trapped for smuggling charges. tors that Duroseau “wanted to ing to the indictment. tors he “picked every gun” so “I know why I brought (the and “defeat the thugs that have four days before being rescued. Mexico hunts Corruption trial cartel gunmen after deadly fi refi ght kills 22

AFP agency said in a statement. Villa Union, Mexico The attack was the latest in a string of security disasters for Lopez Obrador’s government exican forces hunted since the leftist leader took offi ce for a drug cartel behind a year ago promising a change in Ma bloody fi refi ght in a strategy against Mexico’s power- town near the US border that left ful drug cartels. six locals and 16 gunmen dead His plan — summed up in his — the latest security embar- mantra “hugs not bullets” — is to rassment for President Andres attack violent crime at its roots Manuel Lopez Obrador. by fi ghting poverty and inequal- At least 60 gunmen terrorised ity with social programmes, the small northern city of Villa rather than with the army. Union over the weekend, riding But there are few signs that is into town in heavily armed four- working. Argentina’s former president and vice president-elect Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner waves as she arrives for a hearing of a corruption trial in a case involving her, in by-fours and spraying dozens of Mexico appears on track to set Buenos Aires, Argentina. houses with bullets before at- a new murder record this year, tacking city hall, taking seven with 28,741 so far. hostages along the way, includ- Recent high-profi le episodes ing fi ve minors. have heightened the pressure on Offi cials responded by deploying the government. the army, National Guard and state Last month, gunmen believed and local police, triggering a series to be from the La Linea drug of fi refi ghts Saturday and Sunday cartel massacred nine Mormon that left 22 people dead: two kid- women and children with dual napped city employees, four state US-Mexican nationality in a re- Chile unveils $5.5bn plan to police and 16 gunmen, according to mote area between the northern authorities in Coahuila state, where states of Sonora and Chihuahua. Villa Union is located. And in October, authorities Witnesses said the gunmen briefl y arrested Ovidio Guzman, wore the insignia of the North- son of jailed kingpin Joaquin “El prop up faltering economy east Cartel, a breakaway from the Chapo” Guzman, then were forced ultra-violent Zetas, a drug cartel to release him when gunmen from founded by corrupt army com- their Sinaloa cartel laid siege to the AFP agenda will generate 100,000 height of the global economic hub for the city’s rallies, and halt, and many people worked mandos in the northern state of western city of Culiacan. Santiago new jobs next year,” Briones crisis. dozens of young people broke shorter days. Tamaulipas in 2010. That incident, in particular, said. “Economic activity during into diff erent metro stations. At least 23 people have been Authorities arrested two of appears to have “radiated” to But the measures will mean a the month was aff ected by the A 12-year-old boy was ar- killed, including fi ve at the the gunmen, who told investi- other cartels, convincing them hile has launched a real increase in public spending drop in services, commerce and rested during a demonstration hands of security forces, and gators the cartel’s objective was they can gain the upper hand massive $5.5bn stimu- next year of 9.8% as compared manufacturing,” the central in the southern city of Con- more than 2,000 were wounded. to “come in and hit Villa Union with violent attacks, said secu- Clus package after data to 2019, pushing the fi scal defi - bank said. cepcion for stealing glasses In the third quarter, Chile’s hard” in order to “intimidate” rity expert Raul Benitez of Mex- showed its economy contracted cit up to 4.4% of gross domestic Mining activity — Chile ac- from an optician, police told gross domestic product was up the state government, accord- ico’s largest university, UNAM. 3.4% in October — the largest product. counts for nearly a third of the local media. 3.3%. ing to Governor Miguel Angel “What happened in Villa Un- year-on-year drop in a decade “Like any Chilean household world’s copper production — He was placed in the custody But the new GDP fi gures an- Riquelme. ion is a refl ection of what hap- — as widespread social unrest that faces unforeseen trouble, grew by 2%, but non-mining of an adult since he was too nounced on Monday prompted Riquelme praised the “brav- pened in Sinaloa,” he said. continues. we will turn to our savings and sectors contracted by 4%, the young to be charged, they said. the government to revise offi cial ery” of the group of 15 police “The cartels are getting the The package unveiled by Fi- our borrowing capacity, while bank said. Protests initially erupted in estimates of about 2% growth who responded to the initial at- idea they can act with impunity nance Minister Ignacio Briones remaining aware that both have The government’s plan “loses mid-October over metro fare for the year downward, to 1.4%. tack, whom he said managed to and that they are winning the war includes boosting 2020 public limits that cannot be exceeded,” meaning if we do not manage to hikes but quickly escalated into In 2020, they estimate GDP contain the gunmen even though against the government.” Lopez spending by $3.03bn, to support Briones said. isolate the vandals, looters, nar- the most severe outbreak of so- will increase 1-1.5%. they were badly outnumbered. Obrador, who marked one year in small, medium and large busi- The government announced cos and all those who threaten cial unrest since the end of the With the markets unsettled, “Within an hour and a half, we offi ce Sunday — just as the attacks nesses. the stimulus measures after the our democracy,” said Interior dictatorship of Augusto Pinoc- the central bank on Thursday had the criminals surrounded,” took place — called the latest in- Another $525mn is earmarked central bank reported the wor- Minister Gonzalo Blumel. het in 1990. announced it was intervening he told radio network Formula. cident an “exception.” “This isn’t for other initiatives like the ren- risome GDP fi gures for October. Protests broke out across the Furious Chileans have taken in the foreign exchange mar- “Security forces are deployed something that happens every day ovation of the metro system in The 3.4% drop was far greater country on Monday night, the to the streets to protest social kets to support the peso, which on the ground and in the air across in Coahuila. The government has Santiago, which has sustained than the 1% decrease anticipat- 46th consecutive day of dem- and economic inequality. last week fell to a historic low of the region, to ensure this cowardly been taking great care on the se- serious damage since protests ed in offi cial estimates, and rep- onstrations. Businesses have remained 828.36 to the dollar. attack does not go unpunished,” curity issue,” he told his daily news erupted on October 18. resented the economy’s worst In Santiago, protesters gath- closed during the period of un- On Monday, the peso ended the state’s emergency response conference. “Estimates show that this performance since 2009 at the ered in the Plaza Italia, a main rest, public transport came to a trade at 805.24 to the dollar. Honduras jails seven for Suriname president murder of dam activist to seek re-election AFP dominated Suriname’s politics Paramaribo, Suriname since taking power in a 1980 mil- Reuters building came to a halt after sidestepped the larger culprits. itary coup. Tegucigalpa completing as much as a fi fth of “This is a day of pain because The so-called “December kill- the project. the intellectual authors of my uriname President Desi ings,” in which the regime rounded Lenca activists criticised the mother’s murder are still en- Bouterse said he will seek up and executed 13 civilians and Honduran court handed dam on the Gualcarque River for joying impunity,” Zuniga told Sre-election in the South two military offi cers, have long down jail terms of up to what they said would probably reporters. “We are not going to American country despite be- clouded Bouterse’s rule. Afi ve decades for seven cause major disruptions to their believe that there’s true justice ing convicted of murder for the The president said he would men convicted of the 2016 mur- water and food supply, and fault- until these people are in jail.” Zu- execution of political opponents. address a meeting of his National der of indigenous activist Berta ed the project for a lack of re- niga has in the past accused the “Of course, with big bold let- Democratic Party (NDP) on Fri- Caceres, who led a battle against quired indigenous consultations. Atala-Zablah family, a promi- ters. You will not be able to miss day where a team of legal experts a major dam on the ancestral Those already convicted in- nent Honduran business group the name,” Bouterse told a radio would explain the verdict to law- lands of her Lenca tribe. clude an employee of the Hon- and major DESA shareholders, of programme when asked if he makers. “Five of those accused of the duran project operator Desarrol- being behind the murder. would appear on the list of can- On the radio programme murder...were sentenced to 50 los Energeticos, or DESA; an Both the family and represent- didates for the May 2020 elec- — hosted by the government years in jail and another two to active duty military offi cer and atives of the business group have tions. spokesman — Bouterse thanked a term of 30 years,” said court a retired offi cer who was a DESA denied the accusation. Bouterse, 74, returned on Sun- party supporters who turned out spokeswoman Lucia Villars. employee. In a separate case, Roberto day from a state visit to China at the airport to greet him on his Honduran law gives the men While DESA ran the project, David Castillo, a former DESA and will appeal Friday’s judge- return from China on Sunday. 20 days to appeal the sentences. Chinese state-owned Sinohydro, executive president who had led ment, according to his lawyer “People are playing a political Caceres, shot to death at her one of the world’s largest dam the dam’s construction, was ar- Irvin Kanhai. game with me and the support- home in the town of La Esper- developers, was originally con- rested in March of last year and A three-judge court convicted ers came to power me, to support nanza, was a veteran land rights tracted to build it but eventually accused by prosecutors of being Bouterse over the executions of me,” he said. activist who started out in the backed out in 2013. behind the murder. 15 regime opponents in Decem- He also snubbed calls from early 1990s, setting her sights on The sentences announced It is unclear when his trial will ber 1982 when he was the coun- lawmakers for his resignation illegal logging. nearly a year after the seven men conclude. try’s military ruler. after being convicted on Friday Since 2006, she had organised were convicted, were harshly DESA has rejected accusations Suriname’s President Desi Bouterse, who was convicted of murder A two-time coup leader, two- over the executions when he opposition to the $50mn Agua criticised by Caceres’ daugh- that it was responsible for Cac- for the execution of opponents by a court in Suriname, addresses term president and convicted was the country’s dictator in the Zarca hydroelectric dam, where ter Olivia Zuniga, who said they eres’ murder. the media in Paramaribo, Suriname. drugs-traffi cker, Bouterse has 1980s. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 PAKISTAN

Anti-graft reference Amendment to army law is fi led against likely to be tabled today former Internews The delayed session of the ernment has formed a three- reappointment or extension of port in the Senate, where it lacks position to ensure the smooth premier Islamabad lower house of parliament is member committee to com- an army chief’s tenure. a majority. passage of this legislation, Prime likely to continue for about two mence work on drafting new Comprising Foreign Minister In its verdict, the Supreme Minister Imran Khan’s initial re- weeks. legislation codifying the mo- Shah Mahmood Qureshi, De- Court specifi cally urged the action to the court’s ruling was Abbasi resident Dr Arif Alvi has In light of directives of the Su- dalities of extending the army fence Minister Pervez Khattak, federal government to “clearly to slam the “forces within” that summoned the National preme Court, the government is chief’s term of service. and Minister for Planning Asad specify the terms and conditions sought a clash of institutions PAssembly to meet today also likely to introduce a bill for Last week the Supreme Court Umar, the committee has been of service of the COAS (chief of between the government and the Internews (December 4). amendment to the Army Act to allowed the government to ex- tasked to reach out to the op- army staff ) through an Act of armed forces. Islamabad Earlier, he had exercised his give legal eff ect to extension of tend the term of army chief Gen- position to secure its support for Parliament and to clarify the This has prompted backlash powers under Article 54 of the the chairman of the Joint Chiefs eral Qamar Javed Bajwa by six legislation to be drafted. scope of Article 243 of the Con- from opposition lawmakers Constitution to revoke orders of Staff Committee and three months, on the condition that While the government has stitution in this regard.” who have long maintained that he National Accountabil- made on November 22 to sum- services chiefs. it would use that time to enact maintained that it only needs a While a majority of govern- the PTI government is failing at ity Bureau (NAB) has fi led mon a National Assembly ses- Meanwhile, the Pakistan legislation to remove defi cien- simple majority to pass this leg- ment lawmakers have said that working with them to resolve the Ta reference in the Lique- sion for December 2. Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led gov- cies in the law concerning the islation, it will still require sup- they want to work with the op- issues faced by Pakistanis. fi ed Natural Gas (LNG) import contract case against 10 accused, including former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former Friendly ties fi nance minister Miftah Ismail, and former Pakistan State Oil Fighting fi nancial crime is (PSO) managing director Im- ranul Haq. The accountability bureau submitted the reference in an govt’s main agenda: Imran accountability court in Islama- bad. According to the reference, Tycoon agrees to hand over warded his resignation to the Es- was from the proceeds of crime. one company received benefi ts $244mn to settle UK probe tablishment Division. Hussain is one of Pakistan’s of over Rs21bn between March He had been due to retire on richest and most powerful busi- 2015 and September of this year. Internews/Reuters December 17. nessmen and biggest private em- Additionally, the reference Islamabad/London Memon said that he stepped ployers, and is known for upmar- stated that the national excheq- down in protest against his sack- ket gated housing communities. uer will suff er a loss of Rs47bn by ing a few days before his retire- He has been caught up in cor- 2029 because of the contract. rime Minister has said that ment. ruption investigations but also Former Oil and Gas Regula- fi ghting fi nancial crime “I am considering my removal supports charitable causes. tory Authority (Ogra) chairman Pis the main agenda of his from the position of FIA direc- Britain’s National Crime Saeed Khan, Ogra chairperson government, during a meeting tor-general as victimisation, Agency (NCA) said that it had Uzma Adil, Engro Group chair- with the newly-appointed Fed- that’s why I resigned in protest,” agreed a settlement in which man Hussain Dawood, former eral Investigation Agency (FIA) he said. Hussain would hand over a prop- Port Qasim Authority chairman director-general Dr Wajid Zia, Replying to a question, Mem- erty, 1 Hyde Park Place, valued at Agha Jan, former Ogra mem- who called on the prime minister. on said he was removed without £50mn, and cash frozen in Brit- ber Aamir Naseem, former PSO Special Assistant to the Prime any reason in a disgraceful and ish bank accounts. managing director Shahid Islam, Minister on Accountability Mirza insulting manner. The NCA had previously se- and Abdul Samad have also been Shahzad Akbar was present. He said that according to prac- cured nine freezing orders cover- named in the reference. Zia assured the prime minister tice, no offi cial close to retire- ing £140mn in the accounts on Both main accused persons – that he would do his best to serve ment is replaced, but in his case the grounds that the money may Abbasi and Ismail – have been the country with commitment. all traditions were violated. have been acquired illegally. behind bars for over four months His predecessor, Bashir Mem- Meanwhile, in another devel- The British agency said the as- in this case. on, had earlier quit his post in opment, real estate tycoon Malik sets would be passed to the gov- A source had said on Mon- protest, terming his removal Riaz Hussain has agreed to hand ernment of Pakistan and that the day that of 10 persons accused, from the offi ce victimisation. over £190mn ($244mn) held in settlement with Hussain was “a Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi with Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa against whom the reference has Memon quit the offi ce 15 days Britain to settle a British inves- civil matter, and does not repre- during their meeting in Colombo on Monday. been framed, two are said to have before his retirement and for- tigation into whether the money sent a fi nding of guilt”. turned “approvers”. The source added that the NAB believed that corruption of Zardari files bail some Rs20bn had occurred in Simple joys the scam. plea in court on The former prime minister medical grounds was arrested in connection with the case in July. Jailed former president Asif Ali He is accused of awarding a Zardari has approached the 15-year contract for a terminal Islamabad High Court, seeking against the rules when he was bail on medical grounds. the petroleum minister in former The jailed Pakistan Peoples Party premier Nawaz Sharif’s cabinet. (PPP) co-chairman is currently The case was closed by the under treatment at the Pakistan NAB in 2016 but reopened in Institute of Medical Sciences 2018. (PIMS). On January 2, the NAB’s ex- A day earlier, PPP chairman ecutive board authorised inves- Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had tigations against Khaqan, being announced that the party will former minister for petroleum submit a bail plea for the former and natural resources, for his al- president on medical grounds. leged involvement in irregulari- “We do not trust Pakistani ties in the import of LNG. doctors,” he told the media. However, Khaqan has said Bilawal, who was accompanied several times in the recent past by his sisters Bakhtawar and that he did not commit any il- Aseefa, the children of Zardari legality in the award of contracts and late former prime minister for LNG import, and could, Bilawal Bhutto, added: “Though therefore, prove his innocence at it was a diff icult task to convince any forum. him to file a bail, Aseefa managed He has presented the view to convince him. We have hope that the import of LNG was the that we will get justice.” need of the time in 2013, when Zardari was arrested in June after the country was facing an acute his bail application was rejected shortage of gas. in connection with a high-profile In April, the government im- money laundering case that saw posed a travel ban on Khaqan, millions allegedly siphoned out of Gypsy children play near buff aloes, not far from the Ravi river in Lahore. Ismail and fi ve other persons in the country. this case.

Sindh advised to contain upsurge of locusts More online transport services

Internews in detail, during which the latter since the locusts came to Paki- ing cotton production would be coming to Karachi, says minister Karachi assured the former of the federal stan from Iran in March 2019 via under a corrosive threat. government’s full co-operation coastal areas of Baluchistan. The FAO said some groups in locust control. The control teams have sur- and swarms of locust have start- Internews bring all online transport serv- ing our duty as comfortable and he federal government Bakhtiar also discussed the veyed around 659,320 hectares ed to leave the summer breeding Karachi ices within the legal jurisdiction. accessible transport is the gov- has advised Sindh prov- issue with the Sindh governor. so far and controlled an area of areas along the Indo-Pakistan He added that it would be im- ernment’s responsibility.” Tince to expedite desert Shah promised to contribute 161,625 hectares, out of which border: “On November 10, a plemented soon after approval of Quashing rumours that the locust control activities as the Rs10mn for the procurement of 6,200 hectares have been treat- swarm fl ew over Karachi, mov- ore online transport the Sindh Assembly, but in the provincial government had invasion of the migrating pests pesticides and aviation fuel to ed through spraying 121,565 li- ing from east to west.” companies, besides Air- meantime, online bus transport plans to discontinue the online in the recent past poses a risk help overcome the existing lo- tres of pesticides. An offi cial said that locusts Mlift, are coming to Kara- services could continue to run. transport service, he said: “We of crop losses to growers and to cust emergency situation. The FAO has warned that the were observed in some suburbs chi, which will make the fi eld ex- “Legislation for the online encourage these transport com- food security. Locusts were fi rst reported in situation remains serious in In- of Karachi, such as Gadap Town, tremely competitive, remarked transport companies will be panies so that they can bring Minister for National Food Baluchistan nine months ago. do-Pakistan border. after which they apparently left Sindh Minister for Transport and business-friendly so as to en- maximum facilities to the pub- Security and Research Khurso Locusts, known as Tiddi Dal “Control operations continue towards Baluchistan. Mass Transit Awais Shah. courage more investment in the lic.” Bakhtiar advised the federal in the local language, pose a against groups of hoppers and The locust activity observed “Even though the country’s sector,” he said. In 2018, Prime Minister Imran Plant Protection Department threat to crops as they generally adults, bands and swarms along in Sindh is in fact migration economic situation is not good, Clarifying the government’s Khan promised that the federal (DPP) and the Sindh agriculture devour large swathes of vegeta- both sides of the Indo-Pakistan from summer-monsoon breed- private-sector companies are stance, the provincial minis- government would buy and op- department to further invigor- ble grown in fi elds. border,” the FAO said in a report. ing zone towards coastal areas of investing in the city’s transport ter said that online ride-hailing erate buses on the Green Line Bus ate desert locust control activi- The DPP, in collaboration “In Pakistan, 12,000 hectares Baluchistan, which is the win- sector, which is a very positive services were not being discon- Rapid Transit (BRT) route. ties by deploying three aircraft with the UN’s Food and Ag- were treated on November 1-10 ter-spring breeding zone. step. Therefore, the Sindh gov- tinued and that the Sindh gov- Responding to the criticism in the province. riculture Organisation (FAO), in Cholistan, Nara and Thar- Desert locusts fl y during the ernment will do everything pos- ernment is keen to provide better on his party’s performance, the Sindh Chief Minister Murad provincial agricultural depart- parkar deserts, of which 400 day and settle during the night. sible to facilitate these compa- travel facilities for the people. Sindh transport minister said: Ali Shah was briefed about the ments, district administration, hectares were by air. Vegetation An offi cial statement said nies,” he added. “We assure the private compa- “There is an impression that the existing desert locust upsurge and associations have been con- remains green in most places such migrations are usually not Speaking to reporters after the nies, which provide this service Sindh government is not doing during a meeting. ducting desert locust surveil- due to a late-ending monsoon.” in search of food. formal launch of online transport in Karachi or other cities, that anything in Karachi, which is not Subsequently, the chief min- lance and control activities in Fears were triggered among The DPP is closely monitor- service Airlift, Shah said Sindh they will receive all possible sup- correct as many mega projects of ister and the food security min- the desert areas of Baluchistan, growers following the locust in- ing the situation, the statement is going to be the fi rst province port from our government,” he mass transit are in the planning ister discussed the locust issue Tharparkar, Nara and Cholistan vasion, that the already-shrink- added. to enact legislation in order to said. “These companies are do- phase.” Gulf Times Wednesday, December 4, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES

Agency project Typhoon leaves three dead, aims to thwart entry of hundreds of fl ights halted Reuters terrorists Manila typhoon struck the Phil- By William B Depasupil ippines yesterday, kill- Manila Times Aing at least three people, disrupting air travel and forcing government offi ces and schools he Bureau of Immigra- to shut. tion (BI) has tapped the Authorities evacuated some Tsupport of its foreign 225,000 people ahead of the counterparts to ensure the se- arrival overnight of Typhoon curity of more than 8,000 ath- Kammuri, known locally as Ti- letes and delegates during the soy. 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Offi cials said their precau- Games. tions prevented greater loss of BI Commissioner Jaime life, while warnings of fl oods, Morente has said “Project Rip- storm surges and landslides tide” was implemented last were issued in the wake of the week to thwart the entry of for- country’s 20th typhoon of the eign terrorists who might take year. advantage of the event. “We’ve seen great improve- According to the Immigra- ment in local government tion chief, Project Riptide is management of preparations part of the International Po- for disasters,” disaster agency lice’s (Interpol) major event spokesman Mark Timbal told support team (Imest) pro- news channel ANC. gramme. It was enforced by the Winds gusting up to 200kph BI and Interpol in co-ordina- damaged homes and structures tion with its counterparts from and tore down trees and signage France and Singapore, and as it barrelled through central funded by Interpol Tokyo. islands south of the capital, as BI Port Operations Divi- it moved across the archipelago sion chief Grifton Medina said towards the South China Sea. Interpol teams were deployed A man died after being elec- to the three terminals of the trocuted while attempting to fi x Ninoy Aquino International his roof in Camarines Sur prov- Airport, Clark International ince, according to a civil defence Airport and other major ports offi cial. to monitor arriving foreigners. Two people who ignored a “Those whose names are in mandatory evacuation were Residents are seen after Typhoon Kammuri hit Camalig town, yesterday. our blacklist and who are sub- killed in Oriental Mindoro, one ject to red notices and alerts hit by a falling tree and the other from the Interpol are to be im- by a sheet of metal roofi ng ma- mediately excluded and booked terial. on the first available flight back “It could have been more if to their port of origin,” Medina we did not have pre-emptive added. evacuation,” Humerlito Dolor, Rommel Tacorda, BI’s Border governor of Oriental Mindoro Control and Intelligence Unit province, told DZMM radio. chief, said Imest assists mem- Some 499 fl ights were post- ber-countries in making secu- poned and 100,000 people rity preparations by identify- impacted by a precautionary ing and reducing cross-border closure of Manila’s main air- movements of terrorists and port for 12 hours until 11:00pm fugitives. yesterday (1500 GMT).Flights “The threats of terrorism and continued in unaff ected areas of event disruption have forced the country. host countries to dedicate Pictures posted on social more resources in addressing media showed waves crashing such threats, thus the help of against bulwarks, panels fl ying Interpol in undertaking secu- off roofs, and fallen trees. rity preparations in the lead Authorities warned of storm up to and during the holding surges of up to three metres and of major international events is possible fl oods and landslides crucial in ensuring the safety of ahead after heavy winds and the delegates,” Tacorda said. rain. A view of the destroyed wall of the passenger terminal in Legazpi City, Albay province, Commercial sea travel was south of Manila yesterday. A family gathers at Delpan Evacuation Center after the typhoon hit Metro Manila, yesterday. halted. Government offi ces and power outages. structural damage, with tel- ceiling over the departure areas. Dec 11 and organisers postponed ing, kayak, windsurfi ng, polo, schools in Manila were closed Worst hit was the airport in evision showing cables, light- The Philippines is hosting the several events until later in the sailing, skateboarding and ca- Mayor’s and utilities fi rms warned of Legazpi City, which suff ered ing and panels hanging from the Southeast Asian Games until competition, among them surf- noeing. husband shot dead Judge says Maguindanao Palace to off er festive cash massacre case verdict By Jaime G Aquino Manila Times likely on December 19 incentive to offi cials village head and hus- band of the incumbent By Franz Lewin Embudo By Javier J Ismael A mayor here was gunned Manila Times Manila Times down yesterday morning. Pro- vincial Police Director Col. Re- drico Maranan said Reynaldo he long-awaited prom- s recommended by Sen- Licudo-Casareno was the in- ulgation of the decision ator Christopher Law- cumbent barangay chairman of Ton the Ampatuan mas- Arence “Bong” Go, the Tumana East and husband of sacre case will be out on De- Andal Ampatuan Sr and Junior Offi ce of the President (OP) will Mayor Susan Casareno. cember 19, the judge handling allegedly ordered the killings. give P3,000 Christmas incen- The victim sustained multi- the case said. tives to elected barangay (vil- ple gunshot wounds in differ- In a notice issued by Presid- challenging then-Mayor Datu lage) offi cials, namely barangay ent parts of his body and did ing Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes, Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan Jr, captains, barangay kagawad not make it alive at a nearby the verdict will be read at the member of one of Mindanao’s (councilmen), Sangguniang hospital, according to Rosales Quezon City Jail Annex at leading political clans, in the Kabataan (SK or Youth Council) Police chief Major John Cor- Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig 2010 gubernatorial polls. chairmen and Indigenous Peo- puz. City at 9am. Andal Jr and Zaldy Ampat- ple’s Mandatory Representa- Maranan ordered Corpuz to The judge will release the uan are still in jail, while Sajid tives (IPMRs) to show appre- conduct investigation for the decision after 10 years of trial. Ampatuan is out on bail and is ciation for their hard work in immediate solution of the case. In late November, Reyes currently the mayor of Shariff their respective communities “We are not tolerating this asked for a 30-day extension Saydona Mustapha town in pending the passage of a meas- kind of criminal acts commit- to promulgate the decision, Maguindanao. ure providing for additional ted by suspected gun for hire citing the sheer volume of case The father of the Ampatu- compensation for them. groups and I am ordering the records, which the Supreme ans, Andal Sr, the alleged mas- “I suggested this to President PNP (Philippine National Po- Court granted and gave her termind of the crime, died on Rodrigo Duterte to give joy to Christopher Go: support for off icials lice) in Pangasinan to cultivate until December 20. July 17, 2015. our barangay offi cials who tire- information and search for The massacre happened Meanwhile, Justice Sec- lessly render services in their the passage of Senate Bill (SB) welfare in return for the service it is in our barangay that we witnesses who can give infor- on Nov 23, 2009 in the town retary Menardo Guevarra communities,” Go said. 391 or the “Barangay Services they render to their respective hone dutiful citizens who will mation that will help the police dominated by the Ampatuan thanked the court judge “for “President Duterte and I are Compensation Act,” which is communities. become the future builders of in solving the case,” he said. clan in Maguindanao province her patience and diligence” in fi nding ways and means to pro- still being deliberated in the “The barangay serves as the our nation,” Go added. Corpuz said the shooting in southern Mindanao, where handling the multiple-murder vide you Christmas incentives Senate Committee on Local primary planning and imple- The senator said it was high incident was reported to the 58 individuals — 32 of them case. or anything that could be useful Government. menting unit of government time that the hard work and police station by Lindo Li- journalists — were killed while “We trust that she will dis- for our elected barangay offi - Originally known as the policies, plans, programmes, efforts of barangay officials cudo, also incumbent Punong on their way to fi le a certifi cate pense justice even-handedly cials this Christmas,” he added. Magna Carta for Barangay Act projects and activities in our are recognised. Barangay in Casanicolasan and of candidacy for Esmael Man- and with utmost respect for The senator, who has pur- of 2019 fi led by Go in July this communities,” he said during a “Our barangay are not on cousin of the fallen victim. Re- gudadatu, then vice mayor of the rule of law,” Guevarra said sued measures to promote the year, SB 391 is a consolidated Senate committee hearing. autopilot. They are manned by covered from the crime scene Buluan town, in the 2010 na- in a message to reporters. welfare of barangay offi cials, version of all other related bills “It is through our barangay these hard-working and dedi- are five empty shells and live tional elections. Private Prosecutor Nena is hoping that this Christmas fi led in the Senate, which aim that government programmes cated individuals who, despite bullets of calibre 45 pistol. The other victims had also Santos said they were confi - incentive will inspire the vil- to provide barangay offi cials and services reach our people. their seemingly thankless The suspects immediately been kidnapped and killed, dent of a “guilty verdict” at lage offi cials to provide untiring additional compensation simi- It is through our barangay that job, are committed to ensur- escaped on board a motorcycle including Mangudadatu’s wife least for the principal accused, service in their role as provid- larly accorded to a regular gov- our policies, plans and projects ing that our barangay serve after the shooting, according to and his two sisters, lawyers sons of the alleged master- ers of frontline services to the ernment employee as well as aimed at improving our country the purpose they are intended witnesses. and aides. Mangudadatu was mind Andal Sr. community while waiting for other benefi ts to promote their materialise. Most importantly, for,” Go said. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Enduring slowdown: India needs across-the-board steps to revive growth

The Indian economy has long been suff ering through a major slowdown with few signs the prolonged slump has bottomed out. Data released last week showed growth slowed to 4.5% in the July-September quarter, its weakest pace since 2013, putting pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speed up reforms as fi ve rate cuts by the central bank have failed to boost investments. The economy is expanding well below the average 7-8% quarterly pace seen in the past few years. Economists have been steadily downgrading their growth forecasts for the current fi scal year through March 2020, with the median estimate in a Bloomberg Malcolm X the survey now at 5.6%, down from 6% in October. The central bank’s most recent forecast is for growth of 6.1% this fi scal year. After India’s growth slowed to 5% in the three months to June from a year ago, rating fi rms and brokerages have lined up to downgrade growth revolutionary estimates for Asia’s third-largest economy. The World Bank slashed its growth forecast for India lex These common values are not the fairness of the value standards, block their liberties in the name of to 6% for the current fi scal from its April projection concepts particular to Muslims, detailed by Begovic. This idea this enmity. but Islam as ideas and ethics had a remained with Malcolm as the idea The American press eventually of 7.5%, citing a broad-based and severe cyclical great role in the transformation of of his life and struggle, and caused united with Elijah Mohamed slowdown. Growth is expected to gradually recover to A Haley has Malcolm’s life. In his biography, he the trouble of linking him with some and worked hard on this before 6.9% in 2020-21 and to 7.2% the following year, the succeeded in swore as he was narrating the details leaders of tyrannical history, in the assassination of Malcolm. Washington-based bank said in a recent report. connecting of his journey throughout the nights particular those who used to adopt Mohamed presented himself as For India, many the reader of sex, drugs and theft that there was the communist approach. He used a black prophet sent against the to the spirit no ethical power on earth that could to attack the hypocritical image of white. Consequently, they all judged Monetary indicators — automobile of Malcolm transform him into a different human America in the Third World, and said Malcolm X as an extremist and the sales, rail freight, X the being and cleanse him of all such that the ambassadors of Washington security organisation was strongly policy space is petroleum product By Mohanna al-Hubail revolutionary, debauchery but Islam. were fed up with such disgrace, involved in the very details of this consumption, domestic air and the Therefore, the link that gathers except for one of them, whom he scene, according to many clues that narrowing as several stages of his life through The Said, Begovic, Haley and Malcolm referred to positively. He was a white appeared at Malcolm’s biography. traffi c and imports — are Autobiography of Malcolm X (As is the huge lack of adequate balance American who listened to Malcolm Malcolm reported the attempt of his infl ation starts signalling weak domestic Told To Alex Haley). Malcolm used within the Western cultural and and had an intellectual dialogue with assassination to the police through consumption. to consider his description at the political media lobbies. However, him. Malcolm responded to him and his new society. His house was even to pick up The US-China trade war American press as right, but only Malcolm recognised the need to mentioned him in his records. burnt down before his assassination. according to his own interpretation in correct his address against the white This issue, which is experienced However, all the details of the crime has been hurting India’s regard to his struggle. Westerners after the Haj (pilgrimage by some strugglers, could be scene, the statements of security exports as well. It was not according to the to Makkah) journey. Haley was writing excused, especially at that time, so officials, and the address of Elijah The bigger problem, however, is the slide in domestic depiction of the press tailored to about Malcolm as a rights activist for long as it was not used as a direct Mohamed after his assassination consumption, which makes up nearly 60% of India’s overthrow Malcolm, describing him as the common society even though he weapon by the struggling intellectual were all witness to the manipulation “The most outrageous red Negro” in was not in complete agreement with to incite a rights’ opposition against of the crime scene of his killing. It GDP. And private sector research suggests India is America. Whoever reads his biography it. the tyrant. Such intellectual claims was sufficient to leave the scene for experiencing jobless growth and failing to create high- by Haley, revised by Malcolm himself Said has also a different sphere to be in enmity with America, and the extremists to finish up the final quality employment. before he was killed and confirmed to from Malcolm, without abandoning accordingly exhaust his people, chapter of the process. The deepening slowdown is raising the pressure on Haley that he was anticipating death the main idea, which is his search for deprive them of their rights and One of the most important ideas at any moment and would not see the of Malcolm’s biography is his self- the central bank to extend its monetary easing when book published, would recognise the criticism of his racist approach to it meets tomorrow. The Reserve Bank of India will amount of distortion that happened the Western whites, which he had lower the benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 4.9%, to Malcolm after his death, not only denounced, but the press did not pay according to the median of 16 economist forecasts during his lifetime. It is a fact that attention to this and continued to cannot be eased or even ignored. focus on his anger. He used to respond compiled by Bloomberg. This fact strongly reveals itself for to them stressing that the American But monetary policy space is slowly closing as the independent research. It comes racism was the inciter of his rage and infl ation starts to accelerate. Consumer prices rose out very clear to remind us that the he did not hate the white man, whom 4.62% in October from a year earlier, the fi rst reading world under Western imperialism he had not seen any difference with and the American imperialism in while performing Haj. above 4% – the RBI’s medium-term target – since July particular is still counterfeiting Hence, he came to know that 2018, and the highest since June last year. history, and erasing the values of the issue is not colour or the For sure, the government has taken a number of struggle and the sacrifices of pioneers. Western race in itself, but rather measures to bolster the economy. Most of these Hence, we find a clear link between the culture produced in the name the ideas of Malcolm X, Edward Said of the supremacy of the Western measures, however, are focused on improving the long- and Ali Ezzat Begovic in their interest race, impacting the world culture term potential of the economy, rather than providing a and determination to emphasise and and social history. Such culture short-term boost. liberate the idea that the case of the leads people to fall victims to race global south and east with the Western civilization supremacy wars and Longer term, India’s close-to-$3bn economy is seen world is not to define the values of interests. as having one of the highest growth rates in the world social justice, and the development of The moment of Malcolm’s of any large emerging market. But here’s the point: For individuals and their liberties, but in assassination came as he was reaching Modi to deliver on his pledge to turn the country into creating proper balance and dropping the peak of revising his ideas, which such a case. highly won the sympathy, compassion a $5tn economy by 2024, India needs its economy to This is an important indication of and enthusiasm of the white American expand at a 9-10% pace for a sustained period of time. the role of the American press against and English young people for his In a wider sense, developing countries such as India the ‘most angry African American’ lectures. Eventually, the divided south shouldn’t be dependent only on domestic demand. and the role of the Western press and north worlds in America started to today against the angry southerners unite over the values of human justice. “Young, labour-surplus nations must go out and tap standing for the rights of their people Ultimately, Marin Luther King heard world markets, not limit themselves to whatever can who are crushed under the yoke of about Malcolm from his wife. King be drummed up at home,” says Mihir Sharma in a tyranny and the heat of such racist heard about his sincere feelings and Bloomberg column. policies. his support to him. The issue is not a recurring gust In fact, Malcolm’s firmness in of rage, it is rather a return to a promoting the rights of African To Advertise decisive intellectual fact that reflects Americans paved the way for the on today’s horrendous political positive treatment of King. Innovation [email protected] and humanitarian reality. The issue and humanitarian thoughts were Display is that the battle of progress and flowing within the spirit of Malcolm, liberty against religious and cultural stressing that the revival of the 44466621 44418811 backwardness and the ailing spirit Islamic human rights within him of the southern societies is still was not an ideological recovery that Classified suffering from a western interference classify people according to their 44466609 44418811 rather than an internal inability. It religions, but a recovery of dignity, is exactly what happened in the case and united partnership for all the Subscription of Malcolm’s struggle and his angry people suffering on earth for the sake rebellious spirit, which used to come of social justice, and equal human [email protected] out in an inadequate violence at some rights, yet at this particular moment of its expressions, against the patterns Malcolm X was assassinated. he encountered from Michigan to New  Translated from the original in © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved York. PICTURE COURTESY: Amazon.com Arabic by Gulf Times Gulf Times Wednesday, December 4, 2019 23 COMMENT Vodafone Qatar’s 5G network paves the way for smart connected industry

G paves the way for economic prosperity in cities. A recent report by IHS Markit estimates 5that 5G will enable $12.3tn in global economic output across a range of industries within the next three decades. To put that in perspective, this is more than the combined spend- ing of China, Japan, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom in 2016. Digital transformation enabled by 5G connectivity equips companies and industries to harness the full array of emerging technologies such as Big data, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artifi cial Intelligence (AI), and Virtual & Augmented Reality (AR/VR). All these and more are now converging to connect machinery and equipment, sensors, and people to everything around them in ever more sophisticated and resourceful ways. Qatar IT Conference & Exhibition (Qitcom) 2019, which recently wrapped up its fi fth edition, was an opportunity to see a full range of the most cutting- edge technology – among them the latest 5G solutions. Vodafone Qatar, presented an award-winning GigaNet 5G Smart City pavilion showcasing a breadth of real live technologies and services on Vodafone’s ready GigaNet cutbacks in cost. characterise smart factories of the state-of-the-art Drone-no fl y zone, 5G network in diff erent zones like The 5G capabilities will benefi t future. the world’s fi rst IoT drone tracking and Smart Homes, Connected Retail, businesses that need to instantly Other solutions, ideally suited to safety technology. The technology is Smart City and Smart Industry. and wirelessly connect to other Qatar’s oil and gas industry, is the use an important use case for emergency by Vodafone 5G connectivity is exactly and productivity based on real-time Vodafone’s innovative professionals remotely. And they can of IoT for improved data and survey services and other authorities in which what Qatar’s industries need to location and data. solutions showed how the speed, be used in countless creative ways; accuracy. Vodafone has showcased the solution enables them to establish meet the challenges they face today: What the solutions also highlighted responsiveness and reliability of 5G leveraging VR for business functions a 5G Industrial Drone that can be temporary or dynamic no fl y zones the demands to boost productivity, is an important evolution: from seeing can help any industry achieve better such as remote support and training remotely controlled to fetch and or to protect permanent no fl y zones optimise operational effi ciency and 5G as “a faster network” to a robust business outcomes. Construction, that require instant communication observe data from highly sensitive such as airports, oil and gas fi elds enhance worker safety on the factory ecosystem that results from 5G fuelling manufacturing, oil and gas, and with the highest data transmission and dangerous locations for pipeline and production plants from drone fl oor and on site. As for example with technologies such as IoT and Artifi cial other industries will benefi t from quality. The higher speeds and low maintenance. intrusions. the Smart Worker Band – a solution Intelligence, virtual and augmented increased effi ciency and productivity latency of 5G will also enable the Another drone-related technology The benefi ts of optimisation, that was also showcased and provides reality. This is an evolution that is sure to for professionals with subsequent eff ective use of automation that will that was showcased was Vodafone’s automation, and innovation enabled features to enhance worker safety transform the industry as we know it.

Trump’s tariff risks pushing Brazil closer to China Three-day forecast

TODAY rescue of its troubled deep-water oil to President Xi Jinping and China, but friend” because Washington, like Maximum Temperature : 280c Reuters Minimum Temperature : 190c Brasilia auction last month. relations with Beijing have thawed some European countries worried by Analysts said Trump’s repeated following Bolsonaro’s visit to China Bolsonaro’s environmental polices, is THURSDAY snubs of Bolsonaro could push Brazil in October and Xi’s visit to Brasilia for turning away from Brazil. Maximum Temperature : 260c S President Donald Trump’s back toward the more long-term, the BRICS summit last month. Bolsonaro said on Monday he will Minimum Temperature : 190c surprise decision to slap consistent and drama-free embrace of And while Trump could lose next appeal to Trump for mercy. FRIDAY metals tariff s on Brazil is China. year’s presidential election and be He was confi dent the US leader will Maximum Temperature : 270c Ua blow to President Jair “If you’re concerned about China’s replaced by a Democrat more hostile “listen to us.” Minimum Temperature : 210c growing economic infl uence in Latin to Bolsonaro, Xi is likely to remain So far, though, there appears to be Bolsonaro’s aim of forging closer ties Fisherman's forecast with Washington and could push Latin America, imposing tariff s is at best in power for the foreseeable future, little evidence that he will. America’s No. 1 economy closer to counterproductive,” said Monica de analysts said. Despite his eff orts since becoming Signifi cantly, Chinese state oil president on Jan 1, Bolsonaro has WARNING Trump’s top trade foe — China. Bolle, senior fellow at the Peterson Inshore : Nil Earlier on Monday, Trump said he Institute for International Economics companies CNOOC and CNODC were received little in return from Trump. Offshore : Nil will impose tariff s on US steel and in Washington. the only bidders other than Brazil’s Brazil’s bid to join the Organisation aluminium imports from Brazil and Thomaz Favaro, regional director own state-run Petroleo Brasileiro SA of Economic Co-operation and WEATHER Inshore : Misty at places fisrt Argentina, catching the two South at consultancy Control Risks, said in a massive oil auction last month, Development (OECD) group of rich becomes moderate American countries off guard and Bolsonaro’s eff orts to shimmy closer following an invitation made by countries has been met with a mixed, temperature daytime prompting them to seek explanations. to Trump have not gained traction in Bolsonaro during his visit. even lukewarm, response from with scattered clouds Offshore : Fine to some clouds Bolsonaro strode to victory last Washington, while Beijing has been The two countries, which notched Washington. at times year as the “Trump of the Tropics,” far more open to working strategically a record $100bn in bilateral trade last Meanwhile, Bolsonaro has buckled threatening to slash China’s with Brazil. year, have also been driven closer by to Washington’s demands in other WIND Inshore : Northwesterly-North growing footprint in his country’s “It’s very clear that China has tried necessity. areas, such as ethanol and wheat easterly 05-15/18 KT economy. to position itself as a steady ally of the China is buying more Brazilian quotas, off ering travel visas for US Offshore : Northwesterly 05-15/21 Once in offi ce, he doubled down on Brazilian government, regardless of meat as its domestic hog population citizens. KT Trump but also held back on bashing political diff erence, and I think that has been decimated by African swine He is considering the United States Visibility : 4-8/3 KM Beijing in favour of a more pragmatic message has been very well received in fever. operating a military base on Brazilian Offshore : 2-4/6 FT approach with China, Brazil’s top trade Brasilia,” he said. It has also licensed 45 additional soil despite misgivings from the partner. Favaro added that Trump’s Brazilian meat plants for export this country’s armed forces. year. Yet a two-year US ban on Brazil beef Increasingly, it seems, only one of surprise tariff move, which was likely Around the region those strategies worked. undertaken to shore up his base of US “The US-Brazil rapprochement is imports remains in place, despite nine Weather Trump’s latest tariff announcement farmers ahead of next year’s election, in trouble because the US is starting months of talks and a personal plea Weather tomorrow Max/min suggests Bolsonaro’s US overtures “could push Bolsonaro closer into to realise there’s not much Brazil from Bolsonaro to Trump during his today Max/min Sunny 19/09 have fallen on deaf ears. China’s hands.” can off er,” said Oliver Stuenkel, an visit in March. Baghdad P Cloudy 18/07 Sunny 22/16 By contrast, Bolsonaro’s once- The impact of Trump’s tariff s on the international relations professor at the China is sure to be taking notice of Kuwait City Sunny 22/12 Sunny 24/19 acrimonious relationship with Beijing US-Brazil free trade deal talks, which Getulio Vargas Foundation, a Brazilian those frictions. Manama Sunny 24/19 Sunny 27/19 has softened and is yielding tangible opened this year, remains to be seen. university. “If you raise tariff s, you open the Muscat P Cloudy 27/19 P Cloudy 12/06 results, with China buying ever more Bolsonaro’s allegiance is far stronger Soon, Bolsonaro may have to door for other blocs to take advantage,” Tehran P Cloudy 12/03 Brazilian meat and even coming to the to Trump and the United States than admit that Beijing is an “all-weather said one diplomat in Brasilia.

Live issues Slight hearing loss may aff ect kids’ behaviour Around the world By Linda Carroll hearing loss causes worse academic is like that all day long.” is more background noise in the Weather Weather Reuters Health performance and behaviour problems, Le Clercq’s team studied 4,779 classroom,” Chi said. The noise could today Max/min tomorrow Max/min “We would like to raise awareness that children born between 2002 and 2006. simply come from “the chatter of Athens Showers 14/09 M Cloudy 13/07 possibly slight hearing loss may have Children with moderate or severe peers or the sound coming from the Beirut P Cloudy 21/17 Rain 19/14 hildren with slight hear- more eff ects in daily life than often hearing loss were excluded from the heating or cooling system.” Bangkok Sunny 29/18 M Sunny 28/17 ing loss may do a little less assumed,” said lead author Dr Carlijn study. Chi, who co-authored an editorial Berlin P Cloudy 06/-2 M Sunny 04/00 well in school and may be le Clercq, of Erasmus University Between ages 9 and 11, the children accompanying the new study, agrees Cairo Sunny 24/13 Sunny 25/14 Ca bit more likely to develop Medical Center, in an e-mail. had their hearing checked in a quiet that children with mild hearing Cape Town Cloudy 24/16 Sunny 28/18 behaviour problems, a new study “Children with slight hearing loss room. A smaller group got a second problems should be seated at the front Colombo T Storm 29/24 T Storm 28/24 suggests. may benefi t from a seat in the front of exam, in which their ability to hear of the classroom and recommends Dhaka Sunny 28/17 P Cloudy 30/17 Hearing impairment that doctors the classroom close to their teacher. speech in a noisy environment was that teachers with softer voices be Hong Kong P Cloudy 22/16 Showers 17/14 and parents may have considered And for children who seem to have tested. equipped with microphones. “We’ve Istanbul Showers 09/06 P Cloudy 11/04 slight or mild “may actually trouble keeping up at school or whose School performance and all had teachers who mutter and are a Jakarta S T Storms 33/26 T Storm 33/25 be associated with both school attention span is limited, a hearing test behavioural problems worsened as challenge to hear,” he said. Karachi P Cloudy 29/20 Cloudy 29/19 performance and behaviour,” could be considered.” hearing declined, the researchers “The bottom line is that this should London P Cloudy 06/01 Cloudy 10/08 researchers write in JAMA Le Clercq and colleagues focused found. not be ignored and we should provide Manila S T Storms 31/26 S T Storms 31/25 Otolaryngology-Head and Neck on children who had problems hearing The new study “highlights the fact interventions for those who have even Moscow S Showers -1/-2 Cloudy 03/00 Surgery. tones below 25 decibels. that hearing loss, whether severe slight hearing loss,” Chi said. New Delhi P Cloudy 23/10 P Cloudy 22/10 Among nearly 5,000 Dutch “Rustling leaves are approximately or slight, may aff ect behaviour and The new fi ndings should alert people New York M Cloudy 07/03 P Cloudy 07/02 elementary school children, slight or 20 decibels,” le Clercq explained. school performance,” said Dr David to the possibility that children with Paris M Sunny 04/-2 M Cloudy 04/02 mild hearing impairment was linked “Maybe it is not a big deal if you can’t Chi, who is chief of the division of poor school performance and behaviour Sao Paulo S T Storms 28/21 S T Storms 27/17 with higher behavioural problem hear rustling leaves. However, (for paediatric otolaryngology at UPMC problems might have hearing loss, Seoul Sunny 06/-6 Sunny -2/-11 scores on questionnaires fi lled out people who can’t), almost all normal Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. said Dr Maura Cosetti, who directs the Singapore Cloudy 31/26 T Storm 29/25 by parents and with lower scores on speech will be softer in their ears. You Slight hearing defi ciencies may Cochlear Implant Centre at New York Sydney Sunny 26/16 Sunny 31/18 standardised testing. can imagine it takes more eff ort to be enough to make it hard for kids to Eye and Ear Infi rmary of Mount Sinai in Tokyo Clear 15/06 Clear 13/05 While the study can’t prove mild understand that speech, especially if it discern “certain words when there New York City. Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, December 4, 2019 QATAR

Dignitaries at the opening of the 9th edition of Qatar’s Traditional Dhow Festival yesterday at Katara. Sailors launch a dhow at the festival yesterday. Dhow Festival opens at Katara he 9th edition of Qatar’s ing with the 24th Arabian Gulf tural and recreational activities performances and art workshops Traditional Dhow Festival Cup Football Tournament and that give special focus on tra- for children are among the ac- Twas launched yesterday the FIFA Club World Cup Qa- ditional marine history of their tivities. The festival also includes at Katara – the Culture Village tar 2019,” said Dr Sulaiti while countries. a forum that will host the crew of Foundation, under the patronage launching the festival. “The This edition of the festival of- Fath Al Khair 4, which completed of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Dhow Festival is the most dis- fers the visitors a closer look on a historic voyage in Europe pro- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. tinguished among the tradi- the traditional methods of fi sh- moting the 2022 FIFA World Cup The event, open to the public tional and cultural festivals and ing, market place, shipbuilding, last July. until December 16, from 9am to seeks to inspire the young gen- ropes, sail, dredging machine, Maritime competitions in- 12 noon and 3pm to 10pm, show- eration to learn and follow from craftsmanship, trade, tools to cluding rowing, sailing, Al Hadd- cases Qatar’s rich maritime her- their forefathers’ cultural past. classic dhow boats, traditional aq, free swimming, Al Brikha, itage and the deep-rooted ma- Katara has put in all efforts for food and seafood, music, and Al Jinan, Shoush and Tafrees, rine life traditions in the region. people of all ages and from all even fancy footwear. in addition to Senyar competi- Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, walks of life to come and see Dr Selcuk Kursad Koca, di- tion, will also be held during the Turkey, India, Greece, Italy, this exciting and encouraging rector of the Turkish Culture course of the two-week long fes- Spain, Iran, and Zanzibar are the festival. We expect many more Center, Doha, stressed that the tival. participants. The opening event people this time and of all na- festival gives ample room for the Schoolchildren to present saw HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim tionalities, and also fans of participants to showcase their ‘Al Qumash’ over weekend al-Thani, former minister HE Dr football who are and will be in marine culture and traditions. The 9th edition of Qatar’s Tra- Mohamed Saleh al-Sada, Katara Qatar through sport,” he added. He described it as a celebration ditional Dhow Festival will be general manager Dr Khalid bin The participants are present- of marine life and an active hub brightened by the presentation Ibrahim al-Sualiti and a number ing some pieces of their related for related cultures from diff er- of ‘Al Qumash’ – a storytelling of other dignitaries in attend- traditional music and dance. The ent countries to meet at a sin- presentation by schoolchildren ance. festival features a programme gle platform and display their about Qatar’s rich pearl diving “This is the first time that the packed with activities, events related culture, arts, history history, the glorious maritime Dhow Festival is being held over and exhibitions, traditional art, craftsmanship and folk heritage. history, on Thursday and Friday, two weeks. It is also coincid- in addition to competitions, cul- Maritime museums, folk band at 7pm and 9pm. A cultural performance at the dhow festival. Casa Italia participates at Dhow Fest for second time

By Joey Aguilar the renowned marvellous island in Katara esplanade. Meanwhile, Casa themes. According to the embassy, traditional recipes. Several Italian Staff Reporter the heart of the Mediterranean with Italia also features the ‘The time- the plates on show are created by the restaurants in Doha and Italian food its meaningful sea culture. Sara less beauty of Venice’ (courtesy of La skilled hands of Umberto D’Arienzo, importing companies - Al Messilia Marrocu, the assessor for culture Vela spa) photo exhibition, display- a member of a family of artisans and Resort, IFG Lavazza, Carluccio’s, he Italian embassy in Doha in Portoscuso — a fi shermen village ing the most beautiful spots of what decorators and is carrying on the Colosseum, Bombo Crepes and Ag- opened the “Casa Italia” yes- founded in 16th century based on was described as “a marvellous city.” second-generation family tradi- rico - gives visitors the chance to Tterday, marking its second fi shing and coral miners — is bring- In front of Casa Italia are authen- tions. experience the most popular Italian year of participation at the Katara ing the traditional tools used for the tic Gondola vessels docked with The Municipal Councillor for recipes and street-food, and to cel- Traditional Dhow Festival, which is tuna fi shing from the local museum stewards in gondolier attire to take Fishery of San Benedetto del Tronto, ebrate the authentic Italian cuisine celebrating its 9th edition. Literally of fi shery. pictures with the festival-goers. Mario Ballatore, presents a photo and taste. “Italian Home”, this unique space at A photo exhibition, courtesy of Traditional Venetian artworks exhibition of this renowned sea Italian musician Gabriele Giuliano the annual event showcases the best Martino Motti, underlines the dif- made of handmade “vetro di Mu- holiday destination located in the and his folk group perform live as of ‘Italian Traditions at Sea’, rang- ferent phases of the tuna fi shing in rano”, the authentic world-re- Marche region and brings to Katara they entertain the audience with ing from authentic artisanal and Sardinia related to the “Tonnara”, a nowned Murano glass made by some typical fi shing nets from his traditional music from the South of food products to live performances, traditional method to catch tunas. skilled glassblowers, are also show- town. Italy: pizzica, tarantella and tammu- among others, by its musicians and Ladies in original Sardinian cos- cased with their rich colours and Italian TV chef Massimo Malan- riata. Doha-based Italian saxophon- chefs. tumes prepares handmade pasta and gold and silver specks. trucco is also holding workshops at ist Ilenia Torsello also takes part in In a statement, the embassy said a Trio of musicians fl ying in from Casa Italia is decorated with ar- Casa Italia to explain the benefi ts of the live performances and delight An Italian chef off ers festival-goers with authentic Casa Italia promotes and focuses on Cagliari are playing “Launeddas” - a tisanal handcrafted and painted the healthy Mediterranean diet and the visitors with soft background Italian cuisine at the opening of Casa Italia, which the city of Venice, its ancient his- typical wind instrument - to enter- plates from the Amalfi coast, the re- Italian food products. He also per- music while they are enjoying the is taking part at the Katara Traditional Dhow tory and traditions; and Sardinia, tain visitors with folk music at the nowned Ceramics of Vietri with fi sh forms live cooking shows to prepare cultural display at Casa Italia. Festival 2019. PICTURE: Joey Aguilar FIFA Club World Cup comes to QF

oung people who participate in an array of sporting competi- Ytions at Qatar Foundation have had the chance to get a close look at one of football’s most glittering pieces of sil- verware – the FIFA Club World Cup. The 2019 edition of the international football tournament will be held in Qatar from December 11-21, with Qatari Stars League champions Al Sadd being joined by the champions of Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, North America, and Oceania to offi cially decide soccer’s club world champions. The FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 is the 16th edition of the tournament and will see eight matches played in Doha, with the competing clubs being Liverpool, Flamengo, Esperance Sportive de Tunis, Al Hilal, Club de Futbol Monterrey, and Some of the participants at the workshop. Hienghene Sport, as well as Al Sadd. And ahead of the tournament, the trophy arrived at Education City (EC) QU-QTTSC training workshop addresses road safety management at the weekend, with school students who participate in the Qatar Foundation s part of the continuous ef- 39001 standards and fi nally dis- rectorate of Traffi c, Ministry of Mu- tion with local authorities and inter- (QF) Junior Football League and univer- forts to implement the Na- cussed the impact of RTSM on busi- nicipality and Environment, as well national partners. This workshop is sity students who took part in a range of Ational Traffi c Safety Action ness and operational performance. as from many engineering consulta- one in a number of forums that aim sporting tournaments organised by QF Plan (2018-2022), a training work- The course discussed the insti- tion companies and contractors have to raise public awareness and re- Community Development throughout shop on Road Traffi c Safety Man- tutional management process re- participated in the workshop. sponsibility in road safety.” the year being able to have their pictures agement was recently organised by lated to road traffi c safety manage- Susanna Zammataro, the direc- QTTSC workshop co-ordinator taken with the cup. the Qatar Transportation and Traf- ment. Furthermore, the procedure tor general of the International Road assistant professor, Dr Wael Alhaj- The trophy was also on display at the fi c Safety Centre (QTTSC) at Qatar to perform road safety management Federation and Martin Heath, tech- yaseen said that having an eff ec- Torba Farmers Market and the EC Unit- University College of Engineering in capacity review is presented with nical director of RTSM Global Lim- tive road traffi c safety management ed event – organised by students from FIFA Club World Cup on display at collaboration with the International practical examples and group exer- ited and member of the ISO 39001 system in the institutional level is QF universities to mark Qatar National Education City. Road Federation. cises. British Standards Working Group essential to ensure sustainable im- Day – at Education City’s Ceremonial The workshop aimed to provide The management of fl eet safety RTS/1, presented the workshop. provement in road safety levels Court. “To have a major football trophy tournaments in Education City in col- information on the elements of the programmes and the application of QTTSC director Prof Faris Tar- through the continuous reduction in at Education City is a real motivation for laboration with organisations such as Road Traffi c Safety Management diff erent tools to support road safety lochan said, “Road Traffi c Safety is road fatalities & severe injuries. the young people who play in our junior Qatar Basketball Federation and the Qa- system (RTSM) including the insti- management related processes were one of the important challenges that ISO 39001 can signifi cantly help football league, and for those who par- tar Football Association, as we continue tutional management, the interven- also addressed. are facing the local and international institutions or organisations to have ticipate in the sporting competitions we to see the standard of competition rise tions and the results. More than 35 participants from the community, thus QTTSC is working in place a comprehensive manage- organise,” said Alexandru Rosca, head of every year. Concluding the year with the Furthermore, the workshop ad- National Traffi c Safety Committee, actively to contribute in improving ment system of road safety interven- Sports Programming, QF. visit of the FIFA Club World Cup is a great dressed the requirements of ISO senior engineers from General Di- the traffi c safety status in collabora- tions. “We have had a great year of sporting way to round the year off .”