BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Sanchez all praise for Almoez aft er Qatar, South Korea explore joint investments across N Korea rout sectors to boost trade ties published in QATAR since 1978

TUESDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 11064 January 15, 2019 Jumada I 9, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Amir receives Pakistan envoy’s credentials QMC channels to air QATAR | Offi cial Board of Directors of QDB revamped live donation drive His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday issued Amiri Decision No(4) of 2019 for Syrian refugees restructuring the Board of Directors of Qatar Development Bank. The atar Charity (QC), in associa- decision stipulates that the Board tion with Qatar Media Corpo- of Directors of Qatar Development Qration (QMC), will launch to- Bank shall be restructured as day an on-air donation campaign to follows: HE Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari meet the fresh challenges presented as Chairman, HE Sheikh Mohamed by Storm Miriam, which has infl icted bin Hamad bin Qassim al-Thani substantial damage to Syrian refugee as Vice-Chairman, and HE Ahmed camps in Lebanon. bin Mohamed al-Sayyed, Saud bin The storm is expected to bring Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, wind speeds of 100kmph at its peak Salman Keldari, Mohamed Badr today and is forecast to last until al-Sada and Abdulaziz Ismail Faraj Thursday. al-Ansari as Board Members. The The on-air donation campaign, part decision is eff ective from its date of of QC’s Arsal Relief initiative, will be issue and is to be published in the broadcast on QMC channels like Qatar off icial gazette. TV, Qatar Radio and Al Quran Al Kar- eem radio until today midnight, the QC QATAR | Ties His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received the credentials of the ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar, has said in a statement. Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. The Amir welcomed the new ambassador and wished him success in Qatar Charity has urged the public Chief of Staff meets his mission and the relations between Qatar and Pakistan further progress and prosperity. The ambassador conveyed the and benefactors in Qatar to interact Ethiopian offi cial greetings of Pakistan’s President Dr Arif Alvi to the Amir, and his wishes of further progress and prosperity for the Qatari people. with the live campaign and stand by HE the Chief of Staff of the Qatar Earlier, the ambassador was accorded off icial reception ceremony at the Amiri Diwan. Page 5 Syrian refugees in their plight, as they Armed Forces, Lieutenant-General are living under harsh conditions, suf- (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al- fering from cold waves, heavy rain, Ghanem yesterday met with Deputy strong winds and accumulating snow Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian and frost, caused by storms. National Defence Forces, General Also, a number of events will be Berhanu Jula Gelelcha, and his held in Doha and Al Khor as part of the and Al Hayat Medical Centre. accompanying delegation visiting campaign, which will include various QC launched the Arsal Relief cam- Qatar. The meeting discussed a cultural, awareness and interactive ac- paign in response to the diffi cult con- number of issues of mutual interest, No normalisation tivities. ditions faced by Syrian refugees in the in addition to military relations Some shops and commercial stores town of Arsal and other Lebanese ar- between the two sides and means of are also involved in the campaign, in- eas due to Storm Norma, which lashed enhancing them. cluding Al-Aker Sweets, Coff ee Traders Arsal last week. To Page 8

ARAB WORLD | Confl ict Erdogan, Trump mull of Syria ties: FM security zone in Syria Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip O ‘Normalising relations Minister of Foreign Aff airs praised the Erdogan and US counterpart Donald with a regime that does co-operation between Qatar and the Free zones eye global Trump yesterday mooted the African Union and said the fund will creation of a “security zone” in north not respect the rights of support the humanitarian and de- Syria as tensions rose over the fate its people is normalisation velopment work in the AU countries fi rms to help fuel growth of Kurdish fighters in that country. with war criminals’ and will alleviate the diffi cult living In a telephone conversation, the conditions of the irregular African he Qatar Free Zones Authority ment services company. leaders “discussed the idea of migrants. (QFZA) has signed a memoran- Also, QFZA has announced its sup- creating a security zone cleared QNA He said Qatar and the African Un- Tdum of understanding (MoU) port for and participation in Qatar of terrorism in the north of the Doha ion work together in many other fi elds with a leading asset management fi rm Petroleum’s landmark localisation country,” the Turkish presidency such as the eff orts exerted in achieving in the United States, marking signifi - programme - Tawteen, which aims to said in a statement. This came peace in the Darfur region in Sudan cant progress in the establishment of enhance the energy sector’s local sup- after Turkey vowed it “will not be E the Deputy Prime Minister and exploring ways of fi nding solu- regional operations by global compa- ply chain and is expected to create new intimidated” by Trump’s threats of and Minister of Foreign Aff airs tions to other outstanding issues in nies in the free zones. investment opportunities in Qatar. economic devastation if Ankara HSheikh Mohamed bin Abdul- the region. He called for concerted QFZA, an independent authority that QFZA will provide land solutions, attacked Kurdish forces as US troops rahman al-Thani yesterday ruled out HE the Deputy Prime Minister and eff orts to fi nd lasting and sustainable regulates world-class free zones in Qa- tailor regulations, and review business withdraw from Syria. Page 10 normalising relations with the Syrian Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh solutions to the issue of irregular im- tar, announced new strategic partner- plans to help maximise the success of regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani migration and the reintegration of im- ships yesterday that would help drive the programme, which will in turn pro- BRITAIN | Deal The reasons behind freezing Syria’s addresses a press conference in Doha migrants returning to their countries. growth for the country’s free zones. vide a wide range of benefi ts for com- membership in the Arab League still yesterday. In response to a question on the As part of the fi rst phase of the MoU, panies operating in Qatar. May pleads with MPs exist as the regime is still indiff erent to prospects for solutions to the Gulf a developer and producer of energy-ef- It discussed the importance of on eve of Brexit vote what is happening to the Syrian peo- signed an agreement under which Qa- crisis in light of the visit of US Sec- fi ciency and thermal storage solutions, these and future partnerships during British Prime Minister Theresa ple, he said. tar will contribute $20mn to a fund, retary of State Mike Pompeo to Doha and a vertically-integrated medical nu- a roundtable discussion held on the May urged restive MPs to think “Normalising relations with a re- sponsored by the African Union, for on Sunday, HE the Deputy Prime trition company will work closely with sidelines of the US-Qatar Strategic again about rejecting the EU gime that does not respect the rights covering the costs of repatriating ir- Minister and Minister of Foreign Af- QFZA to identify and set up opportuni- Dialogue on January 13. divorce deal, on the eve of a crucial of its people is normalisation with war regular migrants in Libya back to their fairs said their talks covered the issue, ties in the free zones, and will explore QFZA deputy chief executive Abdul- parliamentary vote that could criminals,” HE Sheikh Mohamed bin countries and reintegrating them in adding Qatar continues to follow its partnership opportunities with local la al-Misnad gave a presentation out- scupper the agreement. May warned Abdulrahman said. their communities. principled position for dialogue that entities. lining QFZA’s approach to driving free lawmakers that rejecting it risked He was speaking at a joint press The fund is set up in line with the would restore the strength of the GCC, In addition, opportunities have been zone growth, including a focus on three either a chaotic no-deal scenario conference with chairperson of the directives of His Highness the Amir through unifying the Gulf system and identifi ed with a fully-scaled large target sectors and on strengthening or subverting British democracy by African Union Commission Moussa Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. highlighted the need for all parties to manufacturer of LED lightbulbs and a trade and economic relationships with blocking Brexit. Page 15 Faki Mahamat after the two sides HE the Deputy Prime Minister and commit to the same. To Page 8 technology-enabled facilities manage- key partners such as the United States. PSG stars impressed by Qatar’s 2022 preparations

By Sahan Bidappa Buff on, 40, spent 17 years at Juven- “This is my second time here and Doha tus, playing 656 times and winning I have discovered quite a few things nine Serie A titles, before his 2018 move here, and hopefully will come back to to French champions PSG. play the World Cup in four years,” the aris St Germain goalkeeper Gian- When asked of his chances of play- 20-year-old sensation said. luigi Buff on believes Qatar is on the ing at the 2022 World Cup, the former The 2022 World Cup is scheduled to P‘right path’ as it prepares to host Italy goalkeeper, who retired from take place in November and December. the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Italian international duty last year, did not This will mark the fi rst time that the legend is on his third visit to Qatar and completely rule out his participation tournament is being held outside of the lauded the rapid growth of the country as a player but said he could be in- summer months of May, June and July. as it prepares to host football’s showpiece volved in a ‘diff erent role’. Mbappe said it did not make much tournament in four years’ time. “I will be 41 soon and it’s a bit dif- diff erence when the World Cup will “It’s my third visit to Qatar. It has fi cult to make it to the World Cup as it be played. “Whether the World Cup is great facilities especially at Aspire is still four years away but everything is played is in winter or summer, the com- From left: PSG stars Buff on, Mbappe and Cavani Academy. The country is growing very possible. I may take part in a diff erent petition will be tough and the dates will fast and very rapidly and I think the role if not as a goalkeeper,” he said. not make much of a diff erence,” he said. “We are coming to Qatar every year ing infrastructure in the country is just roes, with an open training session to country is on right path to get ready to PSG forward Kylian Mbappe, who PSG’s Uruguayan striker Edinson for training and I think it’s a phenom- exceptional. They will host a successful be held from 5pm at the Khalifa Inter- host the World Cup in four years’ time,” won the World Cup in Russia last year Cavani too was impressed with Qatar’s enal country. It’s just fantastic and it’s World Cup,” Cavani said. national Stadium, one of the 2022 FIFA said Buff on, who is in Doha for PSG’s with France, was hopeful of playing at sporting infrastructure and said the developing very, very quickly. I think Today, PSG fans in Qatar will be given World Cup venues. annual winter training camp. the Qatar World Cup. country is on the right direction. it’s a country for the future, the sport- a unique chance to get close to their he- Page 24, Sport Pages 1, 2

Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, January 15, 2019 QATAR Mada Centre signs pact with Oman’s IT authority Senior off icials of Mada and ITA at the signing of the MoU.

atar’s Mada Assistive access to information and Technology Centre communication technology, Qand Oman’s Informa- and ways to develop it. tion Technology Authority The meeting also high- (ITA) have signed a memoran- lighted Mada’s achievements dum of understanding (MoU) in enabling PWDs and the to enhance co-operation on elderly through ICT and the digital innovation solutions. promotion of digital access. “We are meeting to witness “We are really pleased to- a successful start to future day with what we have seen co-operation in innovation at the Mada centre to sup- through the signing of an MoU port PWDs. This is a source on supporting innovation for of pride for us in the Arab digital solutions development countries to have such an within the Mada Innovation integrated and distinguished Programme and expanding centre,” Dr al-Ruzaiqi said. the available options for per- sons with disabilities (PWDs) “We are really pleased and the elderly,” Mada Centre today with what we CEO Maha al-Mansouri said have seen at the Mada in a press statement. centre to support She added that this MoU is PWDs. This is a source also dedicated to support the of pride for us in the entrepreneurship and smart Arab countries to have digital solutions of Oman, such an integrated and and expand their regional distinguished centre” partnerships aimed at im- plementing the Mada inno- “We are all proud of the vation programme. technologies we have seen The Omani delegation for all PWDs and we appre- was welcomed by Hassan ciate the outstanding eff orts al-Sayed, Assistant Under- of Mada. We in Oman are secretary for Information working through our cen- Technology at the Ministry tres to develop technological of Transport and Communi- solutions to assist PWDs in cations, Access Programmes various fi elds,” he noted. and Services director Amani The MoU also aims to organ- al-Tamimi, and al-Mansouri. ise co-operation through three The delegation included tracks within the framework ITA CEO Dr Salim bin Sultan of the Mada Innovation Pro- al-Ruzaiqi, Business Entre- gramme in Arabic, supporting preneurship Centre “Sas” competitions, entrepreneur- director Hmood bin Dawoud ship and the direct fi nancing or al-Hamdan, Councils and localisation of assistive tech- Committees head Yasser bin nology solutions. Hilal al-Nasseri, eTransfor- During the visit, the del- mation 1st specialist Noor egation was briefed on the bint Ali al-Hinai. various sections of Mada and Mada and ITA senior offi - the latest ‘ArabIC’ techno- cials met to discuss the scope logical solutions and innova- of co-operation between the tions and other programmes two countries in the fi eld of developed by Mada. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 15, 2019 5 QATAR Amir meets ambassador of Ethiopia Amir issues law to protect the Arabic language

QNA tween the governments of Qa- Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is- of sport of Argentina, signed in Doha tar and Azerbaijan on exempt- sued yesterday the following the Buenos Aires on October 5, 2018. ing two states’ nationals, who instruments of ratifi cation: 5. Approving on a draft agree- hold diplomatic and special 1. Approving a draft air serv- ment on cancelling visa require- is Highness the Amir passports, from entry visa re- ices agreement between the gov- ments for holders of diplomatic Sheikh Tamim bin Ha- quirements, signed in Baku on ernments of Qatar and Kosovo, and private passports between Hmad al-Thani issued Law 8/3/2016. signed in Doha on July 15, 2018. Qatar and Peru, signed in Lima No 7 of 2019 on the protection of 2.Decree No 2 of 2019 on the 2. Approving a draft air serv- on October 2, 2018. the Arabic language. The law is ratifi cation of an agreement on ices agreement between the gov- 6. Approving the ratifi cation eff ective and is to be published in the mutual exemption of entry ernments of Qatar and Moldova, of an agreement on cancelling the offi cial gazette. visa between the governments of signed in Doha on November 27, visa requirements for holders of Qatar and China signed in Bei- 2016. diplomatic, private and offi cial jing on 9/7/2018. 3. Approving a draft agree- passports between the govern- Amir issues 3.Decree No 3 of 2019 ratify- ment between the governments ments of Qatar and Argentina, ing an air services agreement Qatar and El Salvador on regu- signed in Buenos Aires on Octo- three decrees between the governments of Qa- lating the employment of work- ber 5, 2018. tar and Mexico signed in Mexico ers from El Salvador in Qatar, 7. Approving the ratifi cation His Highness the Amir Sheikh City on 24/11/2015. signed in Doha on September 9, on an agreement between the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met the outgoing ambassador of Ethiopia Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is- 2018. governments of Qatar and Para- to Qatar, Metasebia Tadesse Woldegiorgis, at the Amiri Diwan yesterday. The Amir wished the sued the following decrees yes- 4. Approving a draft memo- guay on cancelling visa require- Ethiopian ambassador success in his future mission, and the relations between the two countries terday: Instruments of randum of understanding in the ments for holders of diplomatic, further progress. The Ethiopian ambassador expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Amir 1.Decree No 1 of 2019 ratify- ratification sports fi eld between the Min- offi cial and private passports, and the State’s off icials for the co-operation he received during his tenure. ing a protocol amending certain istry of Culture and Sports of signed in Asuncion on October provisions of the agreement be- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Qatar and general secretariat 3, 2018. Ooredoo announces strategic partnership with Uber

oredoo yesterday announced a Ooredoo – said: “We recognise the im- drivers using the app across the country. strategic partnership with Uber, portance of safety on the road for our “Since launching in Doha, Uber has Obringing together market leaders customers and their need for conven- expanded to cover the entire geographi- in telecommunications and technology. ience, so it gives us great pleasure to be cal area of the capital, as well as suburban The long-term partnership is set to able to announce this strategic partner- areas including Al Rayyan and Al Wakrah, encompass a range of features in staged ship with Uber, a leader in the transport with plans to expand further and make the rollouts over the next few years, includ- sector. We look forward to being able service available to as many people as pos- ing promotions, discounts, product to off er a range of exciting promotions, sible around the country.” co-creation and – as soon as commer- products and services and, in the future, Looking to the future, the partnership cially available – leveraging of Ooredoo’s working together with Uber to ensure will enable customers of both Ooredoo world-fi rst 5G network, the company that our customers on both sides get the and Uber to benefi t from features linked to has said in a statement. best from our groundbreaking 5G net- Ooredoo’s world-fi rst 5G network as soon To kick off the partnership, Ooredoo work.” as it becomes commercially available. Passport customers will enjoy up to Hamdi Tabbaa, general manager of “With customer safety and well-being QR40 discount on two Uber trips to and Uber in Qatar, said: “We have been see- of paramount importance to Ooredoo, from the airport and Nojoom members ing tremendous success for Uber in the telco leader is proud to be partnering will get QR10 discount using a redemp- Qatar, and we are excited about this with Uber – a technology provider with tion voucher, the statement notes. partnership with Ooredoo – which rep- a well-deserved reputation for safety Speaking about the promising part- resents a positive milestone for Uber in on the road – and looks forward to a re- nership, Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi – Qatar, and is part of our continuous ef- lationship benefi cial to both sides,” the director of PR and Communications at forts to bring value to both riders and statement adds. Senior Ooredoo and Uber executives mark the partnership. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, January 15, 2019 QATAR Travelex joins hands HEC Paris hosts Meet the Alumni event with QBBF to enhance operations in Qatar

ravelex Qatar, a existing UK businesses The synergy created subsidiary of the in Qatar and focuses on by Travelex’s global ex- Tleading British fo- new commercial oppor- perience combined with rex company, has joined tunities through regular QBBF’s expertise in navi- Qatar British Business meetings and events that gating Qatar’s business Forum (QBBF) with the facilitate a purposeful ex- landscape is sure to have aim to strengthen bilat- change of views, opinions a positive and far-reach- eral trade ties further and and experiences. ing impact in the market.” enhance its operations Tom Fane, manag- Emad Turkman, chair- locally. ing director of Travelex man of QBBF, added: By entering the fo- Middle East & Turkey, “Our frequent events and rum, Travelex gains more said: “We are delight- workshops focused on significant support to ed to be a part of Qatar enhancing Qatari trade expand its presence in British Business Forum, ties will enable Travelex the Qatari market and which has been facilitat- in collaborating with the pave the way for future ing growth for UK-origin right partners and taking growth, a press state- companies in Qatar for the best business deci- ment notes. QBBF assists nearly three decades. sions.”

HEC Paris recently hosted a ‘Meet the Alumni’ event with a panel of graduates and current participants of its Specialised Master in Strategic Business Unit Management (SBUM) at the HEC Paris Doha campus in Tornado Tower. During the special event, members of the HEC Paris alumni network interacted with attendees to share their experiences and answer questions on why they decided to pursue the HEC Paris in Qatar Specialised Master and its benefits.

Draft law on maritime zones approved Members of Advisory The Advisory Council, chaired by HE the Speaker of the Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, Council seek review of yesterday approved the draft law on Qa- tar’s maritime zones. The Council discussed the report of the traffi c fi nes at meeting Internal and External Aff airs Committee on the country’s QNA accidents. The members discussed the tain “practices” to control and correct maritime zones. After Doha causes of traffi c accidents and how to them. discussion, the Council reduce them, especially in the Sealine The members also stressed the im- approved the draft law area, taking into account the eff orts portant role of the media in reducing and decided to refer it everal members of the Advisory exerted by the concerned authorities, traffi c accidents and highlighting their to the government. Council have called for a review primarily the Ministry of Interior, to dangers, as well as the role of the fam- Sof the penalties imposed on vio- reduce these incidents. ily, society, and schools in educating lators of the traffi c law, as well as the During the discussion, the mem- youngsters to respect the traffi c rules rules for obtaining a driver’s licence. bers emphasised that, besides the law, and laws, and to abide by proper con- The members raised these points special consideration should be given duct while driving. After extensive during a general discussion at yester- to the cultural aspect, and to raise the discussion, the Council decided to day’s regular weekly meeting of the awareness of young people about the refer the matter to the Committee on Advisory Council, chaired by HE the risks of non-compliance with the law Internal and External Aff airs for an in- Speaker of the Council Ahmed bin Ab- and exceeding the specifi ed speed lim- depth study with respect to all aspects dullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, on traffi c its. They also called for legalising cer- and a report to the Council.

HBKU Press launches translation of award-winning book, After Coff ee

QNA readers the chance to become im- Doha mersed in the highest level of Arabic literature.” The event, hosted by OWRI Re- amad Bin Khalifa University search fellow in the School of Lan- Press (HBKU) launched the guages, Cultures, and Linguistics at HEnglish translation of After SOAS, Dr Nora Parr, in a panel discus- Coff ee, written by the Egyptian critic sion on the intertextual exploration of and author Abdelrashid Mahmoudi, belonging, of Egyptian society, and the and was translated by Nashwa Gow- Arabic literary past. anlock. The novel After Coff ee, pub- The focus was on the books unique lished in Arabic in 2013, discusses the investigation of contemporary (post- social fabric, the topographical nature 2011) Egypt that is not ‘dystopian’ or and the anthropological features of the futuristic but rather a story that looks Egyptian village in the 1940s. to the past (and not the future) in or- The novel has a long ephemeral story, der to make its commentary on the through a four-decade journey, and re- present. views the march of its expatriate hero, The translation, however, allowed who was born and raised in a village in Nashwa Gowanlock a little more crea- northern Egypt, and received his prima- tive license. “I reviewed her Gowan- ry education in Ismailia, one of the cities lock’s version wherever she had que- of the Canal, and then moved to Europe, ries with regard to the original Arabic,” on a long diplomatic career in the coun- says Mahmoudi. “My comments and try of classical music and international collection and three story collections, revisions were given as mere propos- symphonies, Austria, the birthplace of and the novel After Coff ee is his second als; and it was left to her to produce Beethoven and Mozart. novel, after the novel, When the horses the fi nal version. So far, the initial re- The novel is 421 pages of medium cry. At HBKU Press we are commit- actions to the translation have been pieces, and is a related narrative tril- ted to providing both our English and favourable.” ogy, the fi rst part of which is called the Arabic-reading audiences exceptional For Gowanlock, staying true to the Wolf Killer, in the village of Qawasima works of literature,” explains Senior original text while explaining poten- in the province of Eastern Egypt, while Editor at HBKU Press, Fakhri Saleh in tially unknown idioms, phrases, and the events of the second part named a press statement. ideas in a way that English language the Lost Lamb in the space of the cit- “The translation of this book is es- readers would understand was defi - ies of Ismailia and Abu Kabir , the third pecially important as we are highlight- nitely a challenge. “This is a case of part, called the Proof, opens in Vienna, ing an award-winning literary work in working to maintain the spirit and tone capital of Austria. Arabic that spreads knowledge and of the work I’m translating,” explains The author of the novel is the Egyp- ideas that are coming out of the Arab Gowanlock,” focusing on transport- tian writer and novelist Abdelrashid world.” he added. ing the meaning across, even if that Mahmoudi, a poet, narrator, novelist, He continued: “This type of cross- requires taking so-called liberties, or translator and researcher in the fi elds cultural communication through using whichever expressions or turns of philosophy, criticism and history translations from Arabic to English of phrase are more congruent with the of literature, has published a poetry is essential as it allows non-Arabic meaning expressed in the source text.

Ministry receives food registration requests

QNA year until today. The system records all of the success achieved by the system Doha information on imported foods, which in reducing food refusals in the access facilitates its control and tracking as ports and obtaining an initial guaran- soon as notifi cations of potential haz- tee that products meet the require- he Ministry of Public Health ards are received, it also reduces the ments of the regulations. said there are 31,000 applica- number of infringing foods and reduc- The Ministry of Public Health is in Ttion from 433 companies in the es the amounts that are rejected and the process of developing an integrat- electronic food registration for the im- re-exported or destroyed for reasons ed electronic food control system to port or export of foodstuff s since the related to the regulations. ensure that food is tracked in the local launch of the system in early April last The large turnout comes in the light market. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 15, 2019 7 QATAR Roads leading to WC stadiums 90% complete: Ashghal offi cial

By Peter Alagos its engineers and top manage- ment, such as the partial open- commodating 8,000 vehicles per Business Reporter ment, and especially the sup- ing of Qatar’s longest and deepest hour in each direction. port provided by the government, bi-directional tunnel. Last month, a Qatar News was able to deliver its projects on On Saturday, al-Emadi, togeth- Agency (QNA) report quoted Ash- he Public Works Author- schedule and had overcome the er with engineers and other gov- ghal president Dr Saad bin Ahmad ity (Ashghal) has completed challenges of the blockade. ernment dignitaries, was present al-Muhannadi as saying that roads T90% of roads leading to “We assured the govern- at the partial opening of the tun- leading to the World Cup stadiums stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World ment and the top management nel that is part of the construction “will be completed by 2020.” Cup, a feat that the agency has ac- in Ashghal that we will move of the Al Rayyan Road Upgrade Al-Muhannadi had said that complished despite the ongoing forward without any hesita- Project phase two. construction work along the Al economic blockade, an offi cial told tion and to continue with our The new tunnel is a major link Khor Expressway will be com- Gulf Times. programmes. We can guarantee between Bu Erayen and Lebday pleted by the end of 2019. The “I am proud to say that 90% of Ashghal’s Highway Projects Department that we will be able to fi nish all Streets, spanning the Al Moka- expressway, he said, is directly the highways that will serve the manager Yousef al-Emadi. PICTURE: projects even before the coun- faha and Lebday interchange. The connected to the Lusail Stadium, stadiums for the FIFA World Cup Shaji Kayamkulam try will start hosting the FIFA tunnel is 1.5km long and sits 25m linking the northern and eastern in 2022 have been completed. The World Cup in 2022.” below ground level, making it the regions of the country. It is also stadiums will be served by certain Emadi, manager, highway projects Al-Emadi said that Ashghal had longest and deepest bi-direction- linked to the Orbital Road, which highways and most of the con- department, at Ashghal. accomplished many infrastructure al tunnel in Qatar. At this initial facilitates the trip to the stadium struction work for these facilities He added, “Despite the eco- milestones in 2018 and had started stage, two out of four lanes in each from the southern and western has been done,” said Yousef al- nomic blockade, Ashghal, through 2019 with another accomplish- direction will be delivered, ac- regions. Over 150 Indians from Qatar to attend PBD in Varanasi ndian ambassador P Kumaran has Under the aegis of the Indian held an interactive session with embassy, the delegation will be led Imembers of the Indian commu- by coordinator Seenu Pillai and the Indian ambassador P Kumaran with the Indian delegation from Qatar for PBD 2019. nity who will attend the forthcoming presidents of the four apex bod- 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) ies - namely K M Varghese of the among all the delegates from Qatar. als of exceptional merit are hon- 2019 Convention is the ‘Role of 2019 Convention, which will be held Indian Business and Professional Since 2003, Pravasi Bharatiya oured with the prestigious Pravasi Indian Diaspora in Building New in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), India, Council, Milan Arun of Indian Divas is celebrated on January 9 Bharatiya Samman Award to India’. The venue will be Deendayal from January 21 to 23. Cultural Centre, Devis Edaku- every year to mark the contribu- appreciate their role in India’s Hastkala Sankul (Trade Facilita- More than 150 participants have lathur of Indian Community Be- tion of overseas Indian community growth. The event also provides tion Centre and Craft Museum) at registered to attend the event this nevolent Forum and Nilangshu to the development of India. These a forum for discussing key issues Lalpur in Varanasi. This time, the year, Kumaran informed. Dey of Indian Sports Centre. conventions provide a platform to concerning the Indian diaspora. participants are being off ered the In 2017, during the 14th PBD, Harish Kanjani and Palash Das the overseas Indian community to On January 9, 1915, Mahatma option to take part in Kumbh Mela 155 people from Qatar attended have supported the preparation engage with the government for Gandhi, the “greatest Pravasi”, had in Prayagraj on January 24 and wit- the conference in Bengaluru, he and distribution of the delegate mutually benefi cial activities. returned to India from South Africa. nessing the Republic Day Parade in added. handbook, diaries and badges During the event, individu- The main theme of the PBD New Delhi on January 26. Qatar Chamber panel discusses challenges facing quarries he Quarries Commit- tee at Qatar Chamber Theld a meeting last week in Doha to discuss ways to ad- dress the challenges aff ecting the industry, the Chamber said in a statement yesterday. Qatar Chamber board mem- ber Khalid bin Jabor bin Twar al- Kuwari presided over the meet- The team of scientists and researchers from Qatar, Europe and ing, which discussed obstacles America during a meeting in Berlin. facing owners of legal quarries, such as competition with some illegal quarries. Khalid bin Jabor bin Twar al-Kuwari presiding over a meeting held last It also touched on the role week at Qatar Chamber. played by the committee in en- Ministry and Qeeri are hancing communication with all as those related to the 2022 FIFA were awarded land in Umm Bab entities concerned to overcome all World Cup and other industries. through bidding off ered by the obstacles faced by companies and They all agreed that quarries country in providing materials developing model to study to look for suitable solutions. represent “a key pillar” for devel- required for the local market. According to committee mem- oping all projects and bear “special The committee said it strives bers, quarries are providing pri- importance” to the country’s eco- to help private sector companies food-water-energy nexus mary materials used in construc- nomic, industrial, touristic, and to actively contribute in the na- tions of roads, bridges, ports, urban development. tional economy by providing all facilities, and buildings, as well The committee also raised role necessary raw materials required epresentatives from the smart devices and tools to sup- as infrastructure projects, such played by quarries companies that for projects in the country. Ministry of Municipal- port the developed model to in- Rity and Environment vestigate and mimic the real link (MME) and Qatar Environment between the food-water- energy and Energy Research Institute in hot and humid regions. (Qeeri), part of Hamad bin Kha- The new smart devices are ex- lifa University, participated in pected to provide the optimum Hyundai’s Elevate ‘walking car’ the second meeting of the World water and energy consumption Scientifi c Panel on Food-Water- for agricultural irrigation to Energy Nexus, held in Berlin support Qatar’s food and water recently. security vision and Doha will be concept highlight of CES 2019 Dr Mohamed bin Saif al-Ku- the fi rst city in the world to ex- wari, director, Environmental perience this approach in 2019. yundai’s Elevate ‘walking car’ concept and Municipal Studies Centre at Based on the requirements emerged as an automotive highlight of the the MME and chair of the Qatar of various crops being planted, H2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held Scientifi c Research Team, and Dr these smart electronic systems recently in Las Vegas, US. Abdulkarem Amhamed, senior will control the water levels for Described as the fi rst Ultimate Mobility Vehi- scientist at Qeeri and techni- irrigation, taking into account cle (UMV), the design blends technology found in cal project lead, took part in the the temperature between night electric cars and robots, allowing it to traverse ter- meeting. and day, humidity and other rain beyond the limitations of even the most capable The Qatari team discussed elements. off -road vehicle. the food, water and energy se- This system has the ability to The concept is primarily designed to provide effi - curity issues and the way for- provide water needed for each cient, rapid, resilient transportation for disaster as- The Hyundai CRADLE Elevate. ward for developing a model to single plant in its growth cycle sistance, such as search-and-rescue and humanitar- understand and investigate the during the day and night, and ian aid missions. Wheels with hub-mounted electric don’t have access to an ADA (wheelchair) ramp could food, water and energy nexus, as the system can be monitored and motors are attached to extendable robotic legs, so the hail an autonomous Hyundai Elevate that could walk up well as predicting the amount of controlled through smart appli- vehicle can drive, walk or climb over obstacles, ac- to their front door, level itself, and allow their wheel- water and energy consumption cation (phones) remotely. The cording to a statement issued in Doha by Skyline Au- chair to roll right in. The possibilities are limitless.” needed to reach the stage of self- stages of growth and harvest can tomotive, a Jaidah Group company and offi cial distri- Elevate is the result of almost three years’ work in sustainability in food, water and also be monitored through the bution partner of Hyundai Motor Company. collaboration with industrial design consultancy, energy cycle life. same app. At CES, engineers have used a working scale model Sundberg-Frear, as part of Hyundai’s mission to The participants also dis- Under the purview of the In- to demonstrate the design in action. A full-size ver- create new ‘last mile’ mobility technologies and so- cussed the mechanism of in- ternational Scientifi c Research sion could climb over obstacles 1.5m tall, or stride lutions. Elevate’s engineering features include ro- volving local experts and spe- Team, MME will allocate the across a gap 1.5m wide. A variety of diff erent bod- botic legs with fi ve degrees of freedom plus in-wheel cialists in the fi elds of food, agricultural area required to ies can be swapped on and off the modular chassis, propulsion, the ability to walk in mammalian and water and energy and benefi ting apply this scientifi c approach, depending on need. reptilian style gaits for omnidirectional motion. from their experience to support which will run for one year to “When a tsunami or earthquake hits, current rescue “By combining the power of robotics with Hy- the project. collect the research data for vehicles can only deliver fi rst responders to the edge undai’s latest EV technology, Elevate has the ability to The Qatar delegation present- model validation and further of the debris fi eld. They have to go the rest of the way take people where no car has been before, and rede- ed a comprehensive plan, which development. by foot. Elevate can drive to the scene and climb right fi ne our perception of vehicular freedom,” said David was developed by the Qatari sci- At the end of the meeting, the over fl ood debris or crumbled concrete,” said John Suh, Byron, design manager, Sundberg-Ferar. entifi c research team, with in- participants agreed to hold the vice-president and head of Hyundai CRADLE, the Elevate is a product of Hyundai’s future mobility puts from national stakeholders. next meeting of the FWE Nex- carmaker’s venturing and open innovation business. roadmap, showcased at CES 2019, highlighting the The plan focused on the ef- us Research Group in Doha in “This technology goes well beyond emergency situ- company’s strategy to create freedom in mobility for fi cient implementation of the April 2019. ations. People living with disabilities worldwide that customers. Gulf Times 8 Tuesday, January 15, 2019 QATAR

No normalisation of ties: FM

From Page 1 the fact that the meas- Mahamat meanwhile ures taken by the siege appreciated the initia- Referring to the visit countries do not help tive launched by Qatar of Omani Foreign Min- joint work. to support and inte- ister Yusuf bin Ala- Qatar, he added, calls grate African refugees wi bin Abdullah, HE for the separation be- in their original com- Sheikh Mohamed bin tween the mechanisms munities, which comes Abdulrahman said it of joint action and the at a time when they was part of Oman’s ef- diff erences that may face the most difficult forts to activate GCC arise between some suffering in conditions committees which have GCC countries, while that are worsening by been inactive due to stressing continued the day. HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman the crisis. He reiter- support for such an ap- He said Qatar’s eff orts al-Thani and chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat witness the HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs ated Qatar’s readiness proach and not disrupt- are a response to the signing of an agreement under which Qatar will contribute $20mn to a fund, sponsored by the Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and chairperson of to support the continu- ing any of the Council’s violations faced by the African Union, for covering the costs of repatriating irregular migrants in Libya back to their the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat address a ation of work in these mechanisms or its com- African citizen at vari- countries and reintegrating them in their communities. press conference. committees despite mittees. ous levels.

QMC channels to air live donation drive to help Syrian refugees hit by storm

From Page 1 heating fuel, blankets, winter mostly children, women, the refugees with immediate as- general, to interact with the plication. Donors can also re- Mobile donations can also clothes and other items, in sick, the elderly and persons sistance including food, win- campaign and support it using quest for a ‘home collector’ be made. To donate QR100, In extremely difficult cir- addition to the distribution with disabilities. ter clothes and heating facili- all possible means. through QC’s app (QCH.QA/ QR200 and QR500, one can cumstances, QC provided of food to the affected fami- Qatar Charity has appealed ties. The charity has also urged Donations towards the cam- APP) or dial the charity’s hot- send an SMS with code (SYH) aid as part of its Below Zero lies. The aid benefited near- to the public to donate gener- mediapersons, social media paign can be made through QC’s line, 44667711, to make their to 92642, 92015, and 92428, re- campaign, which included ly 17,000 Syrian refugees, ously in order to provide the influencers and the public, in website (QCH.QA/B0) and ap- contributions. spectively. QLC and Vodafone Qatar in pact for research through QSurvey

atar Leadership Centre gather internal and external report- (QLC) and Vodafone Qa- ing information, while academic us- Qtar signed a memorandum ers gain the opportunity to engage of understanding (MoU) yesterday in free, unlimited creative research to bolster their co-operation in re- to enrich their projects and deci- search and data collection through sion-making processes. Further, the use of QSurvey. researchers can rely on the tool’s Such co-operation is in line with secure data storage with native Ara- the eff orts of the two organisations bic- and English-language support to further leverage Qatar’s develop- and survey options. Notably, QSur- ing digital research capabilities in vey users can analyse and export the fi elds of culture and science, ac- data onto a system of their choice, cording to a press statement. making it uniquely practical across a As the “world’s fi rst bilingual on- broad range of IT operation systems, line survey tool for the promotion of such as Excel, PDF, and SPSS. scientifi c research,” www.QSurvey. Khames al-Naimi, chief human com and its corresponding mobile resources officer, Vodafone Qa- app were launched in April 2018 Dr Ali Jassim al-Kubaisi and Khames al-Naimi after signing the MoU. tar, said: “We are proud to partner under the patronage of HE Sheikha with QLC to be the first entity that Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa “We are proud to introduce QSur- towards improved research and data will actively use the locally de- al-Thani, Chairperson of the QLC vey amongst our strong network of analytics capabilities that aid the veloped and industry leading tool Board of Directors, as a free plat- partnerships that reaches across development of a strong scientifi c, QSurvey.” form for effi cient data storage and Qatar’s main business domains. Vo- research and legal framework for the “As a digital fi rst company, we are processing. dafone Qatar – a leading telecom- digital market. It is in this environ- always looking for innovative ways Commenting on the benefi ts of munications provider – in particu- ment that QLC aims to contribute to integrate digital technologies into the joint initiative, Dr Ali Jassim al- lar, is an indispensable partner in to the culture of research and data our operations to enhance both our Kubaisi, acting managing director our common objective towards the collection through tangible, long- employees’ working environment at QLC, said: “QSurvey is a crucial advancement of the local knowl- term services to market players,” Dr and our customers’ experience. We building block for our country’s de- edge-economy and therefore serves al-Kubaisi noted. look forward to working with QLC velopment towards international as a natural strategic ally,” he added. The QSurvey platform provides on further research eff orts that help standards in digitalisation and com- “The launch of QSurvey comes as private and public organisations realise Qatar National Vision 2030,” munication.” part of a signifi cant national trend with secure and fl exible services to al-Naimi added.

QRCS brings relief to Storm Norma victims

n response to Storm paulins, and blankets were Norma, Qatar Red Cres- distributed. Icent Society’s (QRCS) Other fragile tents were mission in Lebanon has tak- taken down by the fi erce en action to help the aff ected wind, but QRCS relief work- Syrian refugees at shelter ers managed the situation, so camps in Arsal town, 124km that the families would not northeast of Beirut. stay homeless in the open air. From day one, QRCS’ relief Overall, these activities personnel started distribut- reached out to 114 fami- ing blankets and tarpaulin lies (570 people) as well as sheets to the neediest fami- some nearby schools and lies stuck in snow. So far, 443 mosques. blankets and 444 tarpau- Over the past few days, lins have been distributed at Storm Norma has swept three shelter camps, which through Jordan, Lebanon, are not snow-proof. Palestine and Syria, result- These distributions have ing in heavy rainfall and benefi ted 444 Syrian fami- snowfall on uplands. lies, or 2,220 people, QRCS QRCS works hard to help has said in a statement. the victims of the eight-year As the storm built up, Syrian confl ict, stretching the team received appeals its humanitarian wings for to help the aff ected families the vulnerable in Syria, Tur- in four other shelter camps. key, Jordan, Lebanon and They could save 12 families Iraq, the statement noted. whose tents collapsed, in- Recently, diverse humani- cluding one that caught an tarian aid was provided for electrical fi re. The damaged internally displaced persons tents were re-erected with (IDPs) in Idlib, Aleppo and wood structures and tar- Hama.

Relief distribution by QRCS. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 15, 2019 9 QATAR Qatar’s residential market to see 13,700 units supply in ’19: report the same quarter in 2016, 9.3% rents declined 10.6% annually “In 2019, we expect the mar- By Pratap John Qatar may see an office stock of another 1.2mn sq m GLA Chief Business Reporter compared to Q4, 2017 and 1% and 2.3% quarterly. Similarly, ket to continue to show resil- compared to Q3, 2018. corrections were observed in the ience backed by additional for- The weighted average value villa market, as rents declined eign investment opportunities Qatar may see an off ice stock 2018 ending with some 26,665 the last quarter of 2018, the third ome 13,700 residential of a residential unit stood at 12% compared to 2017 and 2% introduced by the government, of another 1.2mn sq m Gross hotel rooms with the unveiling edition of ‘Shop Qatar’ improved units will be supplied to QR8,334 per sq m. More spe- quarter-on-quarter (QoQ). robust public spending on con- Leasable Area (GLA) through of Staybridge Suites (Lusail), footfall of all participating malls SQatar market this year, cifi cally, apartments were The fourth quarter 2018 re- struction and improvements in upcoming construction projects Centara West Bay Residences by 25%. Headline rents remained according to research and con- QR12,064 per sq m and villas view issued by ValuStrat showed the non-hydrocarbon sector.” for 2019, according to research and Suites (Al Dafna) and La stable over the quarter; however, sultancy fi rm ValuStrat. This stood at QR6,477 per sq m. “marginal” declines in perform- ValuStrat market research and consultancy firm ValuStrat. Castle Hotel (Mushiereb). Since there has been evidence of includes previous construction Values of freehold apart- ance across all sectors. Capital analyst Anum Hasan said, “In A bulk of this – 60%, will be in 2015, there has been a consistent retracting occupancy in relatively backlogs, said ValuStrat, and ments have declined margin- values and rents in the residen- 2018, overall gross yields re- Lusail, ValuStrat said. decline in occupancy, however, older regional shopping centres. noted the projected completion ally by 1.2% on a quarterly basis, tial sector slightly weakened, mained relatively stable for all As for the off ice sector, 26% of during the January-November Additionally, rents in Doha street for 2019 has been adjusted up- whereas values of villas fell by rents continued to favour ten- residential units. Residential the anticipated 960,000sq m period of 2018 average oc- retail declined to QR200 per wards from 10,600 units earlier. 1.1% QoQ. Compared to previ- ants in the offi ce sector. performance of ‘The Pearl’ (for GLA was completed during 2018, cupancy of all hotel categories sq m, a 5% QoQ drop, ValuStrat Residential supply reached ous quarters, villas coped well Falling Average Daily Rates apartments) and ‘Al Wakrah’ making the total off ice stock increased to 61%, an average 3% noted. Manateq off icially inaugu- 290,000 units as of fourth quar- and only a few clusters such as (ADRs) have given rise to oc- (for villas) surpassed all other 4.14mn sq m GLA by the end of rise in occupancy compared to rated four warehousing parks in ter (Q4) 2018 with the delivery West Bay Lagoon, Al Waab, Fer- cupancy in all categories except locations. the year. Market conditions con- same period in 2017. Bu Sulba, Umm Shahraine and of 1,265 apartments and villas eej Soudan, Umm Salal Moham- 5-star hotels. “Capital values of villas in Al tinue to favour tenants as off ice The Average Daily Rate (ADR) Bu Fasila comprising at least in The Pearl, Lusail, Umm Salal, mad and Al Kharaitiyat experi- Headline rents for malls re- Wakrah declined 19%, however, asking rents fell 15% compared to fell 14% year-on-year (YoY) and 1mn sq m GLA of warehousing Duhail and New Salata, the re- enced quarterly declines of up mained relatively stable. its rental values fell 7% caus- 2017 and 2% against Q3 of 2018. Revenue Per Available Room space. Some 650,000sq m GLA port said. to 5%. ValuStrat general manager ing gross yields to increase by Off ices along C and D-Ring roads (RevPAR) declined 10% YoY. warehousing space is projected Qatar’s Residential ValuS- In Q3, 2018, gross residential (Qatar) Pawel Banach said, “Qa- 1%. In The Pearl, capital values (QR110 per sq m) experienced Organised retail stock remained to be completed in 2019, which trat Price Index (VPI) where a yields averaged 4.9% for all unit tar’s real estate sector during the and rents decreased by 8% and the highest reduction in average at 1.8mn sq m GLA by the end will make total warehousing sup- 100-point base was set in Q1 types. Citywide residential ask- fi nal quarter of 2018 witnessed a 5% respectively year-on-year. asking rents followed by Grand of 2018, owing to no new mall ply exceed 13mn sq m by year 2016, now stands at 75 points, ing rents declined 10.8% over the continuation of the tough trad- It will be interesting to see how Hamad Avenue (now QR100 per openings in Q4, 2018. Some end. Median asking rents for dry ValuStrat said. Countrywide past 12 months and 2.2% since ing conditions experienced in interactions of capital values sq m) and West Bay (now QR138 450,000sq m GLA is projected storage fell marginally during the residential capital values de- the third quarter of 2018. Due Q3, however, the rate of decline and rents will aff ect the yields in per sq m). The hotel sector saw to be added during 2019. During quarter. clined by 17.5% compared to to infl ux of supply, apartment continues to slow down. 2019.”

CRA president meets US official Shipment of Canadian heifers delivered to Baladna

shipment of Canadian dairy heifers arrived in ADoha on January 12, des- tined for their new home at the Baladna farm in Al Khor, the Canadian embassy in Doha has said. London Dairy International Farms Ltd of Ontario has sup- plied more than 6,000 Holstein- heifers to Baladna since its fi rst shipment started last year, ac- cording to a statement from the embassy. “London Dairy International won the tender, set out in August 2018. They have proven to be a reliable and very good-quality supplier of high-quality heif- The Canadian ambassador with Baladna and London Dairy International off icials. ers. Canadian cows are known for their high-level production These cows are a tangible cul- al-Kayyat noted, “The Baladna comfortably.” London Dairy of milk and a good body type. mination of many months’ work farm is equipped with state- International president Benji These two crucial components between London Dairy Interna- of-the-art technologies. It has Faulkner added, “Working with perfectly fi t with our ambitious tional and Baladna,” Canada’s a controlled climate cooling Baladna has been both a pleasure Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) president Mohamed Ali al-Mannai held a meeting farm operation in Qatar,” Balad- ambassador Stefanie McCollum system that enables to control and an honour. It was our fi rst yesterday with ambassador Robert L Strayer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Cyber and na’s general manager (farms) said. “I am proud that Canada humidity and decrease the tem- big project in the Middle East, International Communications and Information Policy (US), at the CRA headquarters in Qatar. The Chris Blakeney said. has contributed to Qatar achiev- perature inside the barns up to and the co-operation from the meeting included discussions about a number of international matters of mutual concern, “I’m very excited to be here ing self-reliance in its dairy in- 25C, compared to the outside initial selection to the fi nal boat co-operation in the field of Information and Communications Technology, and the development to welcome the last shipment of dustry.” ambient temperature. This will shipment, has been very good and enhancement of bilateral relations between Qatar and the US. 2,275 heifers arriving in Qatar. Baladna Group CEO Ramez help to acclimatise the cows and continues to grow.” Gulf Times 10 Tuesday, January 15, 2019 REGION/ARAB WORLD Trump, Erdogan Sultan Qaboos meets Pompeo discuss creation of secure zone in northern Syria

Agencies improvement on the issue after Trump said Washington would ensure Turkey would Istanbul last month 2,000 American troops would not “slaughter” Kurds. And before a visit withdraw from Syria. to Ankara last week, White House National Sultan Qaboos bin Said of the Sultanate of Oman yesterday met with the Secretary of State Ankara welcomed the pullout decision Security adviser John Bolton said the US of the United States of America Mike Pompeo, who is visiting Muscat. During the meeting, urkish President Recep Tayyip Er- after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Er- retreat was conditional on the safety of the they discussed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them in various fields in addition to dogan and US President Donald dogan told Trump in a phone call that Tur- Kurdish fi ghters, provoking angry retorts reviewing the latest developments in the regional and international arenas, according to Oman TTrump yesterday discussed the es- key could fi nish off the last remnants of IS. from Turkish offi cials. news agency, QNA reported. tablishment of a secure zone in northern Trump had also pushed for the creation Turkey previously launched military of- Syria cleared of militia groups, the Turkish of a 30-kilometre “safe zone”. fensives in northern Syria in 2016 and 2018 presidency said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo yes- respectively against IS and the YPG. Speaking by phone, the two emphasised terday said talks were under way on Wash- In early 2018, Syrian rebels backed by the need to complete a roadmap regarding ington’s proposal to establish the zone in Turkish military forces captured the YPG’s Syria’s border town of Manbij, as well to fl ashpoint border areas of northeastern northwestern enclave of Afrin. avoid giving any opportunity to elements Syria. Ankara, which supports Syrian opposi- Yemen rebels ‘not complying’ with deal seeking to block the planned withdrawal of “We want to make sure that the folks who tion fi ghters, is also involved in the last rebel US forces from Syria, it said. fought with us to down the (Islamic State bastion of Idlib, where Turkey has agreed a Earlier, Turkey vowed it would not be in- group) have security...and also that terror- buff er zone deal with Damascus ally Russia. AFP said yesterday that Pompeo and the main front line in the Yemeni timidated by US President Donald Trump’s ists acting out of Syria aren’t able to attack But the deal has not stopped an assault by Riyadh Prince Mohamed “agreed on confl ict after government forces threats of economic devastation if Ankara Turkey,” Pompeo said in Riyadh. militants in Syria. (the) need for continued de-es- launched an off ensive to capture attacks Kurdish forces as American troops Cavusoglu earlier said that Turkey was Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alliance calation and adherence to (the) it in June. withdraw. “not against” a “security zone” in Syria, led by militants from Al Qaeda’s former S Secretary of State Mike Sweden agreements”, especially The United Nations has said Trump’s threat came after Ankara repeat- during a press conference in Ankara. Syrian affi liate, last week extended its ad- Pompeo yesterday ac- the ceasefi re in the lifeline port the Hodeidah truce has largely edly threatened a new cross-border opera- Turkey views the YPG as a “terrorist off - ministrative control over the whole of the Ucused Yemen’s rebels of city of Hodeidah. held since it came into force on tion against the Kurdish People’s Protec- shoot” of the outlawed Kurdistan Work- Idlib region. failing to comply with a cease- “A comprehensive politi- December 18 but there have been tion Units (YPG), which have been working ers’ Party (PKK), which has been waging an Syria’s National Coalition, the lead- fi re agreement for the fl ashpoint cal solution is only way to the delays in the agreed pullback of closely with the United States in the war on insurgency against the Turkish state since ing opposition body, on Sunday called for city of Hodeidah reached at UN- end the confl ict,” the embassy rebel and government forces. Islamic State (IS) extremists. US support for 1984. a “radical solution” to put “an end to its sponsored talks in Sweden. tweeted. The Houthis control most the YPG has been a major source of tension The PKK is blacklisted as a terrorist or- (HTS) presence” in Idlib. “The work that was done in Pompeo’s visit to Riyadh of Hodeidah while government between the Nato allies. ganisation by Ankara, the United States and “If Idlib is a terrorists’ nest, those re- Sweden on Yemen was good, comes as US President Don- forces are deployed on its south- “We have said repeatedly we are not the European Union. sponsible are not the Syrians who live in but both sides (need) to honour ald Trump faces Congressional ern and eastern outskirts. scared of and will not be intimidated by any Erdogan’s spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said the region or Turkey but the regime and the those commitments,” Pompeo pressure to end logistical sup- Since the Saudi-led military threats,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Ankara would “continue to fi ght against countries which support (Damascus),” Ca- said in Riyadh following talks port to Saudi Arabia, which is coalition intervened in support Cavusoglu said, adding: “Economic threats them all”, referring to IS and the YPG. vusoglu said, claiming that the statements with Saudi King Salman and leading a military coalition in of the government in March against Turkey will get nowhere.” Kalin added it was “a fatal mistake to that HTS took 50% of Idlib are “not true”. Crown Prince Mohamed bin Sal- Yemen on the side of the gov- 2015, the confl ict has killed near- While there have been tensions over equate Syrian Kurds with the PKK”. There Cavusoglu added the Idlib deal was being man. ernment. The rebel-held port ly 10,000 people and unleashed American training of the YPG under the has been growing friction between Tur- “successfully applied” and that “our teams “Today, the Houthis have city — through which more than the world’s worst humanitarian Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces key and the US over the fate of the YPG, are working together to solve the minor is- chosen not to do that.” 80% of imports and humanitar- crisis, according to the United (SDF) alliance, there appeared to be some especially after Pompeo this month said sues”. The US embassy in Riyadh ian aid pass — was for months Nations. Jordan king visits Iraq 15 killed as cargo aircraft for fi rst time in decade crashes in Iran: army

AFP strength bilateral ties but did not line’s construction. The two AFP Baghdad give additional details. states have also discussed plans Tehran Abdullah’s last trip to Iraq was for Iraq to import around 300 in 2008, when he became the megawatts of electricity from ordanian King Abdullah II met fi rst Arab leader to visit Baghdad Jordan to cope with widespread military cargo plane Iraq’s president and prime after strongman Saddam Hus- power shortages. overshot a runway, Jminister in Baghdad yesterday, sein was toppled by the US-led Currently, Baghdad relies Acrashed and caught fi re in the monarch’s fi rst trip to Iraq in invasion in 2003. heavily on its eastern neighbour during a botched landing near more than a decade. The two countries share a Iran, importing around 1,300 the Iranian capital Tehran, kill- It is the latest in a string of 179-kilometre border, and Jor- megawatts of electricity and ing 15 people, the army said top-level visits to Iraq in recent dan is a major importer of Iraqi 28mn cubic metres of natural gas yesterday. weeks, which kicked off with a crude oil.In 2013, they agreed on to feed power plants. The plane was carrying meat surprise Christmas trip by US a 1,700-kilometre pipeline link- Washington, which sees Te- from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan President Donald Trump. ing Iraq’s oil-rich Basra prov- hran as its top foe in the region, when it crashed near the capi- King Abdullah met separately ince to Jordan’s Aqaba port, but is keen to break those ties. tal Tehran, an army spokesman with Iraqi President Barham the Islamic State group’s sweep It reimposed tough sanctions told state TV, adding that only Saleh, who had travelled to Jor- across nearly a third of Iraq put a on Iran in November but has the fl ight engineer survived. dan in November, and Prime screeching halt to the plan. granted Iraq a temporary waiver “The plane had 16 passen- Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi, Last year, Jordan approved a on energy imports, while urg- gers, 14 of whom were the army their press offi ces said. They said framework to revive it, but did ing it to partner with US fi rms crew and two were civilians; Jordan and Iraq were looking to not give a timeframe for the instead. 15 were martyred,” spokesman Amir Taghikhani said. “One, Emergency workers and people are seen near the wreckage of a Boeing 707 military cargo plane the fl ight engineer, was injured which crashed on the west of the Iranian capital, near Fath airport, near Karaj, yesterday. and is currently in hospital.” The charred remains of a website. “It exited the runway box from the plane, which will complex. Iran’s ageing air fl eet Palestinian boy dies of injuries from troop fi ring plane’s fuselage with Irani- during the landing and caught provide more details about the has had a string of crashes in A 14-year-old Palestinian boy has died, succumbing An army spokesman said that the protesters an Air Force colours, its nose fi re after hitting the wall at the crash, deputy Alborz governor recent years. to wounds sustained during Friday’s protest along burned tyres, as well as threw stones, explosives wedged through the wall of end of the runway.” Azizollah Shahbazi told Tasnim Iran’s Aseman Airlines was Gaza’s border with Israel, the Health Ministry in and grenades in the Israeli soldiers’ direction. what appeared to be a house, Fath airport is in Alborz news agency. ordered to ground its fl eet of Gaza said yesterday. Abdul Rauf Salha was shot and Also yesterday, the Health Ministry said that Anwar were seen in photographs ob- province, just northwest of Te- Pictures published by lo- ATR planes in February last year critically wounded by Israeli soldiers’ gunfire in the Qudeih, 33, succumbed to wounds he sustained tained by AFP. hran. cal media showed the charred after one of them crashed in the southern Gaza Strip, according to the ministry. two months ago when he was shot and critically Wreckage including a landing The Fars news agency, con- carcasses of the animals on Zagros mountains, killing all 66 He is the second Palestinian to have died as a result wounded by Israeli soldiers’ gunfire east of Khan gear and a mangled jet engine sidered close to the military, board, still smouldering inside people onboard. of clashes in the most recent of the weekly pro- Younis, close to the border. Since late March, 249 were scattered nearby. earlier said there were 16 people one of the buildings the plane Iran has been subject to tests, after a Palestinian woman, 43-years-old Amal Palestinians have been killed in protests along the “A (Boeing) cargo 707 place onboard and that only the fl ight smashed into. tough US sanctions for years, Taramsi, was killed on Friday. Gaza border, according to the Health Ministry. carrying meat took off from engineer had survived. Fars carried a video show- hindering the purchase of new The Israeli army estimated that some 12,000 Pal- The demonstrators are calling for a right of return Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan and had State broadcaster IRIB ing emergency teams cutting aeroplanes and critical spare estinians had gathered at various points along the for Palestinian refugees who fled the area that is an emergency landing at Fath showed footage of burning through the aircraft’s nose, parts for the US-made planes in border fence that divides Israel and Gaza. today Israel. airport this morning,” the army wreckage. which had penetrated what it its air force, civilian fl ag carrier said earlier in a statement on its Investigators found a black said was an empty residential Iran Air and domestic airlines. Bashir says protests will not lead to change in government

Reuters shir’s near 30-year rule. a day after protesters demon- bers and journalists. Earlier this tional security and intelligence ed by bread and currency short- High Commissioner for Refu- Khartoum Security forces have used live strated there for the fi rst time. month the Committee to Protect service. The CPJ had earlier said ages. The protests quickly spread gees Filippo Grandi expressed ammunition to disperse demon- “We said we have an econom- Journalists (CPJ) called on Su- that Sudanese authorities were and turned into demonstrations concern about the situation in strations. The offi cial death toll ic problem and it is not solved danese authorities to release at attempting to censor news cov- against Bashir. Sudan has slid Sudan. udan’s President Omar stands at 24, including two se- via vandalism,” he said in the least three journalists who had erage of the protests. deeper into economic crisis “If the situation deteriorates al-Bashir insisted yes- curity forces personnel. speech, which was shown on been detained after publishing Sudanese authorities have since the southern part of the further there could be displace- Sterday that he would not Amnesty International has Sudanese television. columns in support of the pro- blocked access to popular social country seceded after a referen- ment (of people) and there could step down after weeks of violent said that more than 40 people Since the protests started tests. media platforms. dum in 2011, taking away much also be external displacement,” protests and calls for him to quit have been killed. nearly four weeks ago, more than In Khartoum yesterday, Reu- Speaking in Khartoum last of the country’s oil resources. he told reporters during a visit over a worsening economic cri- “The government does not 800 people have been arrested, ters witnessed a group of jour- week, Bashir challenged his op- The crisis has deepened fur- to Cairo. “But we hope that the sis. change through demonstra- the government said last week. nalists being arrested as they ponents to beat him at the ballot ther since last year, when the situation will be stabilised in a Protests have rippled across tions,” Bashir said, speaking to Human rights activists say attempted to deliver a petition box and blamed unnamed for- country saw some brief protests peaceful manner, respecting the Sudan since Dec 19 in the most thousands of supporters in Nya- those detained include politi- protesting control of the press to eign powers for provoking weeks over bread shortages. lives of the people of course, as sustained challenge yet to Ba- la, the main city in South Darfur, cal activists, civil society mem- the media department of the na- of almost daily protests prompt- Yesterday, United Nations soon as possible.” Gulf Times Tuesday, January 15, 2019 11 AFRICA

MISHAP JUSTICE TAINTED MEAT POLITICS ELECTION 17 people killed in Nigeria’s top judge absent SA neighbours ban imports Tanzania court rejects Senegal opposition duo Uganda road accident from own corruption trial over foot-and-mouth disease opposition petition out of presidential vote

Seventeen people died in north-east Nigeria’s chief justice, Walter Onnoghen, was Countries neighbouring South Africa have banned Tanzania’s High Court yesterday rejected a Senegal’s Constitutional Court yesterday Uganda when a truck carrying traders absent yesterday from the first day of his fiercely- the import of cloven-hoofed animals and their petition from some opposition leaders to halt authorised five candidates, including outgoing from neighbouring Congo overturned, disputed trial overshadowed by the country’s products over a foot-and-mouth disease breakout parliamentary debate on draft legislation they head of state Macky Sall, to contest presidential police said yesterday. Another ten people upcoming elections. Onnoghen had been in the northern Limpopo province, government say would criminalise many legitimate political elections next month but blocked two were injured when the truck’s brakes scheduled to attend the Code of Conduct Tribunal, said yesterday. Agriculture Minister Senzeni activities and cement “one-party” rule. Accusing prominent opposition figures. The seven- failed on a steep slope in the region of a special court set up to enforce ethical conduct Zokwana yesterday confirmed the outbreak of opposition groups of trying to foment violence to member court barred, as expected, former Panyimur on Sunday morning, local police among holders of public off ice. Last week he was foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), first identified a derail economic reforms, President John Magufuli’s Dakar mayor Khalifa Sall and ex-minister spokeswoman Josephine Anguca told DPA. accused of breaching a transparency law that week ago in Vhembe district near the border with government wants to amend the law governing Karim Wade because of convictions for misuse “The traders were going to a fish market requires public off icials to declare their assets. Zimbabwe. The outbreak prompted the World political parties. The changes would expand of funds. The four other candidates in the from the Congo,” she said. “We have yet to Lead defence attorney Wole Olanipekun, heading Organisation for Animal Health to lift the FMD- grounds on which authorities can suspend political February 24 vote will be a rising opposition MP, establish the number of people on the truck.” dozens of lawyers who had gathered in a protest free status, allowing it to boost red meat exports. parties and jail their members. Critics say that would Ousmane Sonko; former prime minister Idrissa Road accidents blamed on drink driving, against the case, said Onnoghen was absent as he Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and eSwatini are prevent an eff ective challenge to Magufuli and the Seck; Madicke Niang, an associate of former overloading, and the poor mechanical had not been properly served with the summons. among the countries that have outlawed imports ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party in next year’s president Abdoulaye Wade; and El Hadji Sall, of condition of vehicles are common in Uganda. The court ordered an eight-day adjournment. of South African red meat over the past week. general election and this year’s local elections. the Unity and Assembly Party.

Congo court to examine Zimbabweans riot after vote result appeal today

AFP govt doubles fuel price Kinshasa AFP Harare R Congo’s Constitutional Court said yesterday it would today Dstart hearing an appeal against olice yesterday fi red teargas as presidential election results that gave angry protesters barricaded victory to opposition leader Felix Tsh- Proads with burning tyres and isekedi. rocks in Zimbabwe after the govern- “The Constitutional Court will start ment more than doubled the price of examining the appeal by Martin Fayulu fuel over the weekend. tomorrow, from 9.30am,” press offi cer At least 13 people sustained gunshot Baudouin Mwehu told AFP yesterday. wounds during protests against the Fayulu, likewise from the opposition, shock price hike, said one doctors’ as- was declared runner-up in the Decem- sociation. ber 30 poll to choose a successor to Pres- Protesters turned back drivers and ident Joseph Kabila, in power for the last blocked buses from carrying passen- 18 years. gers in Zimbabwe’s two main cities of He says the results released last Harare and Bulawayo. Thursday, which are provisional, were An AFP journalist saw protesters an “electoral coup” and is demanding a looting a supermarket. recount. The Zimbabwe Association of Doc- Tshisekedi was credited with 38.57% tors for Human Rights said it had of the vote, against 34.8% for Fayulu. “received widespread reports of pro- Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, the can- testers who have sustained gunshot didate backed by Kabila, came a distant wounds after being shot during the third with 23.8%. ongoing nationwide protests”. In the few opinion polls conducted Thirteen cases had been reported by before the vote, Fayulu had been tipped midday in and around Harare, it said in as clear favourite. He claims he garnered its statement. 61% of the ballot. The extent of the injuries were still Fayulu fi led his appeal on Friday. being assessed, it added. The court has a week to study the re- Residents in Bulawayo said police quest before giving its ruling, with the fi red teargas “indiscriminately” along new president scheduled to be sworn city centre streets and into some resi- in on January 22, according to Corneille dential areas. Nangaa, head of the Independent Na- Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second city, tional Election Commission (CENI). is seen as an opposition stronghold. On Sunday, Southern African Devel- Shops and banks pulled down their opment Community (SADC), a bloc that shutters in downtown Harare as riot includes Angola and South Africa, called police patrolled the streets and a mili- for a unity government and urged a re- tary helicopter fl ew over the capital. People run in the rain from a burning barricade in Harare yesterday. count to “provide the necessary reassur- President Emmerson Mnangagwa ance to both winners and losers.” on Saturday night announced a more increased fuel usage and “rampant” il- a political “regime change” agenda before winning the presidency in a week for better pay, but their calls The country’s long-running political than 100% rise in the price of petrol legal trading. and of “subversive political activities”. July election the results of which were went largely unheeded. crisis erupted two years ago when Kabila and diesel in a bid to improve supplies Petrol prices rose from $1.24 a litre “It has become obvious that there disputed by the opposition. Mnangagwa had on Saturday also refused to step down at the end of his as the country battles its worst gaso- to $3.31, with diesel up from $1.36 a is deliberate plan to undermine and “We want Mnangagwa to know our announced “a package of measures to constitutional term in offi ce, sparking line shortages in a decade. litre to $3.11 starting Sunday — one of challenge the prevailing constitu- displeasure in his failure,” said an- cushion government workers”. protests which were brutally repressed. Among the protesters at the Bula- the highest pump prices in the world. tional order,” government spokesman other Bulawayo protester, 22-year-old But he warned that the government The vast, unstable country has never wayo demonstration was the celebrat- The main labour alliance, the Zim- Nick Mangwana said in a statement Mthandazo Moyo. would come down hard on “elements had a peaceful transition of power since ed writer Philani Nyoni. babwe Congress of Trade Unions late Sunday. “Mugabe was evil, but he listened,” bent on taking advantage of the current gaining independence from Belgium in “We have suff ered enough,” he told (ZCTU) has called for a three-day He accused unnamed opposition he added. fuel shortages to cause and sponsor 1960. It became a battlefi eld for two re- AFP, describing the government’s de- stay-at-home strike, accusing the parties of disguising themselves as Mnangagwa announced a package unrest and instability in the country”. gional wars in 1996-7 and 1998-2003, cision as “stupid”. government of lacking empathy for civic groups and of sponsoring civil of measures to help state workers fol- President Mnangagwa is currently on a and the last two presidential elections, Zimbabwe’s economy has been in a the already overburdened poor. unrest. lowing strikes by doctors and teachers tour of European countries. in 2006 and 2011, were marked by slump for more than a decade, suff er- Police tweeted yesterday that it had But the main opposition Movement over poor pay. He was in Russia yesterday and will bloody clashes. ing cash shortages, high unemploy- “noted with concern that the ongoing for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Doctors in state hospitals went on a fi nish his tour attending the World The infl uential Roman Catholic ment and recently a scarcity of staples protests have turned violent”, warn- Nelson Chamisa said: “We have a na- 40-day strike beginning early Decem- Economic Forum at Davos, Switzer- Church, which says it deployed 40,000 such as bread and cooking oil. ing that “anyone caught on the wrong tional crisis which is descending into a ber demanding salaries be paid in US land. observers to monitor the poll, has also In his televised address late Sat- side of the law will face the full wrath humanitarian crisis”. dollars. When he took over from Mugabe, dismissed the offi cial outcome as not urday, Mnangagwa said the prices of thereof”. Mnangagwa took over from long- They also called for improved work Mnangagwa pledged to revive the refl ecting the true result. But it has held petrol and diesel would more than The government meanwhile ac- time ruler and autocrat Robert Mu- conditions. moribund economy and end the coun- back from saying who, in its opinion, double to tackle a shortfall caused by cused the strike organisers of pushing gabe following military intervention, Teachers unions called a strike last try’s international isolation. was the victor. Gbagbo seeks acquittal on war crimes charges

By Stephanie van den Berg, of evidence that crimes occurred, opinions diff ered on the eve of the Reuters but few witnesses could link the ruling on Gbagbo. The Hague ex-Ivory Coast leader directly. “If we free Gbagbo, it will bring “The prosecutor had a lot of a lot of joy to the hearts of millions insider witnesses, but if you look of Ivorians,” said Pauline Goubo, a nternational Criminal Court at their actual testimony it seems street food seller in Adjame. judges will rule today on like many were afraid to impli- But Ladji Toure, who was sell- Iformer Ivory Coast president cate themselves,” said Thijs Bou- ing mobile phone accessories, said Laurent Gbagbo’s request to be wknegt, an Amsterdam University freeing him would be a mistake. acquitted and released after more researcher on genocide. “Political tension will rise and there than seven years in custody. “A real link between the former will be clashes because the 2020 elec- Gbagbo, 73, and Charles Blé president and the alleged crimes is tions are coming up. I think we need Goudé, a close ally and former hard to make.” to keep him in jail because it’s under political youth leader, have been An acquittal would be a major his rule that the war started.” on trial since 2016 for war crimes setback for the prosecution, stung If the court supports assertions allegedly committed under Gbag- by defeats in cases against Jean- by Gbagbo’s defence team that bo’s leadership. Pierre Bemba, the Congolese ex- prosecutors have failed to present He faces four counts of crimes vice president released in June af- evidence supporting the charges, against humanity, including mur- ter his war crimes conviction was judges could order his release. der, rape, persecution and other overturned, and former Kenyan Prosecutors argue the evidence inhumane acts during post-elec- president Uhuru Kenyatta, who shows Gbagbo and his inner circle toral violence in Ivory Coast be- had charges against him dropped hatched a plan to cling to power tween December 2010 and April in 2015. by whatever means necessary and 2011, when Gbagbo refused to “There is a lot of pressure on the that the trial should continue. accept defeat by rival Alassane ICC to make this case a success,” But the panel of three judges Ouattara. Bouwknegt said. has been split over his ongoing Gbagbo’s lawyers have accused A collapse of the case against custody, with one repeatedly in- prosecutors of “inventing another Gbagbo, the fi rst former head of sisting Gbagbo should be released reality” to fi t the charges and said state to stand trial at the ICC who provisionally while awaiting the security forces under Gbagbo has been in custody since Novem- outcome. had merely defended themselves ber 2011, could bolster opponents Provisional release can be against rebel attacks. questioning its eff ectiveness after granted if the judges are satisfi ed Legal experts say that during only three war crimes convictions the suspect will return for trial Demonstrators hold a banner reading “Victims fear and say no to an ICC treason” as victims and relatives of victims of the 2011 post the trial, which is roughly half in 15 years. and not obstruct or endanger the electoral violence protest against a request to release former Ivory Coast’s president Laurent Gbagbo in front of the Human Rights over, prosecutors presented a lot In the coastal city Abidjan, court’s work. Council offices in Abidjan. Gulf Times 12 Tuesday, January 15, 2019 AMERICAS US govt shutdown

drags into 4th week Trump: Not only did I never work for Russia, I think it’s a disgrace that you even asked that question because it’s a whole big fat Reuters trigger lawsuits over its legality. hoax. Washington The House last week passed four separate bills to fund and re- open several agencies, including resident Donald Trump has the Departments of Agriculture rejected a Republican call and Treasury, the National Park Trump says he never Pfor temporarily reopening Service, and the Securities and shuttered US government agen- Exchange Commission. cies to encourage negotiations Trump opposes these bills and worked for Russia with Democrats over border se- Senate Majority Leader Mitch curity issues, as a partial govern- McConnell, a Republican, has re- ment shutdown limped through fused to bring any funding bill up Reuters Trump and Russia in May 2017 its 24th day. for a vote without the president’s Washington after Trump fi red Comey. About one-quarter of fed- support. Several former Trump top eral government operations “It’s time for you to stop aides, including national se- have been shut down by a lack of standing in the way of re-open- S President Donald curity adviser Michael Flynn funding since December 22 after ing the government. Let the Sen- Trump said yesterday and campaign chairman Paul Trump demanded $5.7bn this ate vote!” House Speaker Nancy Uthat he never worked Manafort, and several Russians year from Congress for building Pelosi said in a Twitter post di- for Russia, his fi rst direct de- are among dozens caught up in a security wall on the southwest rected at Trump yesterday. nial after a media report that Mueller’s probe. US border. In December Trump said he the FBI in 2017 investigated On Saturday, the Post re- Democrats, who control the would take responsibility for the whether he acted against US ported Trump took notes that House of Representatives, have shutdown but has since shifted interests. his interpreter made during a rejected Trump’s demand, as the blame to Democrats. Trump also took issue with 2017 meeting in Hamburg with have Senate Democrats who are A growing proportion of Washington Post report that he Putin that also was attended needed to pass most legislation Americans blame Trump for the had concealed details about his by then-secretary of state Rex in the chamber even though Re- closures, a Reuters/Ipsos poll meetings with Russian Presi- Tillerson. publicans have a majority. found. dent Vladimir Putin and con- Trump also told the inter- On Sunday, Republican Sena- Travellers wait in a security line at Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. The partial The stress from the shutdown fi scated his interpreter’s notes. preter not to talk to other ad- tor Lindsey Graham urged Trump government shutdown has led to services being cut, aff ecting travellers as a jump in unscheduled became more visible as 800,000 Congressional Democrats ministration offi cials about to reopen the government for a absences among federal airport security screeners forced partial closures of airports in Houston and federal employees across the raised the possibility of sub- what was said in the meetings, short period of time in an eff ort Miami. United States missed their fi rst poenaing the translator. the Post said. to restart talks. paycheques on Friday. The New York Times report- “I just don’t know anything It is an idea that Democrats cure money for building a wall When he ran for president, gency” and redirecting US Army The cut government services ed on Friday that the Federal about it,” Trump said yesterday have been urging for weeks. that he argues is needed to secure Trump said Mexico would pay for Corps of Engineers funds to the also aff ected travellers as a jump Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the interpreter’s notes. “Well, that was a suggestion the United States against illegal the wall but its government has wall. in unscheduled absences among opened the investigation after He said he had a successful that Lindsey made but I did re- immigrants and drugs. refused. On Friday, Trump said he federal airport security screeners Trump’s fi ring of FBI director meeting with Putin, adding: ject it,” Trump told reporters as Democrats say that there are More recently, he has sug- would not immediately take such forced partial closures of airports James Comey raised concerns “We have those meetings all he left the White House for a trip cheaper, more eff ective ways of gested that a renegotiated trade action and yesterday said: “This in Houston and Miami. that the president posed a the time, no big deal.” to Louisiana. “I want to get it enhancing border security than deal with Mexico could bring in is so simple you shouldn’t have National parks also remain threat to national security. Democrats, however, said solved, I don’t want to just delay constructing a wall that could the revenues needed to build the to. Now I have the absolute legal shuttered, food and drug inspec- Since the report emerged, they thought it was a very big it.” cost well beyond $25bn. wall or that military funds and right to call it but I’m not looking tions have been curtailed and key Trump has attacked the FBI deal and expressed concern The partial shutdown is the They have off ered $1.3bn for US soldiers could be utilised. to do that.” economic data is on hold, among and the Times but he did not about the report on the inter- longest in US history and has this year in new border security Last week, the administration Some leading Republicans other impacts. issue a specifi c denial about preter. seen Trump lurch from one idea funds to pay for a range of high- was looking into the president have publicly opposed the idea, Federal courts are set to run working with Russia until yes- “It’s disturbing, of course. If to another in an attempt to se- tech and other tools at the border. declaring a “national emer- which almost certainly would out of money on Friday. terday. it’s true it’s disturbing and we “Not only did I never work want to get to the bottom of it,” for Russia, I think it’s a disgrace US Representative Eliot Engel that you even asked that ques- said in an interview with CNN tion because it’s a whole big fat yesterday. hoax,” Trump told reporters as Engel said that the House Total lunar eclipse he left the White House for a Foreign Aff airs Committee he trip to Louisiana. chairs is working with the in- Trump’s relations with Rus- telligence committee to dis- sia and Putin have clouded his cuss a possible subpoena of the this month will be presidency from the begin- Trump-Putin interpreter. ning and he has long dismissed He said he would prefer not the federal investigation into to do that but added: “We may whether his 2016 campaign have no choice.” the last until 2022 worked with Russia to sway the Republicans and White election as a hoax and a “witch House offi cials have defended hunt”. Trump’s actions, saying that AFP The red colour is due to the same The Republican president he had been the victim of a Washington phenomenon that causes sunsets to renewed those charges yester- number of leaks. appear pink, orange or red. day, saying that the offi cials US intelligence agencies “A little bit of sunlight is refract- who initiated the FBI inves- have concluded that Moscow eople in North and South ed by the Earth’s atmosphere and tigation were “known scoun- led a propaganda and hack- America, a large part of Europe reaches the Moon, bending around drels” and calling Comey a ing campaign designed to tip Pand Africa may get a glimpse of the edges of the Earth,” explained “bad cop.” the 2016 White House race to a total lunar eclipse overnight from Walter Freeman, an assistant teach- Special Counsel Robert Mu- Trump. January 20 to 21, the last such event ing professor at Syracuse Univer- eller was appointed to take over Russia has denied interfer- until 2022. sity’s physics department. FBI investigations involving ing. For those in Europe and Africa, the “This small amount of red light In this file photo taken on January total eclipse will unfold shortly be- still illuminates the Moon enough for 30 last year, a person poses for a fore sunrise. us to see it. Instead of being bright photo as the moon rises over Griff ith Los Angeles For those in North and South and white, the Moon will be very dim Park in Los Angeles, California. America, the eclipse can be viewed and red, 10,000 or so times dimmer teachers strike at the beginning or in the middle of than usual.” the Sun and the Moon. Top court rejects US troops’ for higher pay the night. Although total lunar eclipses hap- Cloudy weather can interfere with The full Moon will be in the Earth’s pen, on average, about one to three viewing, but experts say that unlike More than 30,000 Los Angeles shadow from 0334 GMT to 0651 times per year, after this one there in the case of a solar eclipse, there is bid over ‘burn pits’ illnesses teachers demanding higher GMT. will be a gap of three years until an- no need for special eyewear to step pay walked off the job in the When the eclipse begins, a shadow other is visible. outside and view a lunar eclipse. second-largest US school system will move in from the left, as if taking “It’s the last chance for a little That’s because the Moon does not Reuters The Richmond, Virginia-based 4th US yesterday, union off icials said, a bite out of the Moon. while to see a total lunar eclipse,” produce light of its own, but only re- Washington Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the leaving hundreds of thousands of The total eclipse will last about an said Bruce Betts, chief scientist at fl ects the Sun’s light. various consolidated lawsuits brought students in limbo, hour, beginning at 0441 GMT ac- The Planetary Society. “The Moon is never bright enough by service members and their relatives About 640,000 students arriving cording to the National Aeronautics The next total eclipse will be vis- to hurt our eyes like the Sun is,” said he US Supreme Court has turned amounted to a “political question” that yesterday for classes at some and Space Administration (Nasa). ible from Europe on May 16, 2022. Freeman. “A blood Moon is one of away a bid by US troops sickened Congress and the president should re- 900 campuses in the Los Angeles During the eclipse, the Moon will Some partial lunar eclipses will the few opportunities we have to see Tby smoke from open-air pits used solve, not the courts. County School District were met still be visible, but in a shade of red. happen in the meantime. both the Moon and the stars in the to burn waste in Iraq and Afghanistan to The plaintiff s, whose cases were con- by teachers carrying picket signs That’s why a lunar eclipse is often Total eclipses happen only when sky at the same time, since the Moon revive a lawsuit against defence contrac- solidated in Maryland in 2009, said they and rallying in the rain for higher called a “blood Moon”. the Earth moves precisely between is usually too bright.” tors KBR Incorporated and Halliburton. were harmed because the companies did salaries, increased staff and The justices left in place a 2018 lower not follow correct safety procedures. smaller classes. court ruling in favour of the companies. They accused KBR of placing the pits Videos posted on Twitter by the The former service members said in the too close to occupied areas and operating United Teachers Los Angeles lawsuit that they developed various can- them without regard to wind conditions. (UTLA), showed teachers and cers, neurological damage and other ill- The contractor used the pits to dispose others marching with picket signs nesses, often fatal, because of KBR’s neg- of plastics, tires, batteries, medical waste outside of a local public school ligent operation of the burn pits. and other material that released airborne chanting. The case centred on the liability of KBR toxins when burned. “You can’t put students first if and Halliburton over waste disposal serv- Both companies said they should not be you put teachers last,” the UTLA ices they provided the US military in Af- held liable. union posted on Twitter late on ghanistan starting in 2001 and Iraq start- The Supreme Court in 2015 declined to Sunday. ing in 2003. hear the cases at an earlier stage in the liti- No formal talks were held over KBR was part of Halliburton until it was gation after the companies lost a prior bid the weekend, dashing hopes of spun off in 2007. to dismiss the lawsuits. an 11th-hour deal between the teachers union and the school district. Trudeau reshuff les cabinet ahead of election Talks broke down on Friday, when union bargaining chair Arlene Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reshuff led his cabinet yesterday ahead of Inouye said she and her fellow upcoming elections, naming a new attorney general who could decide the fate of a negotiators were “insulted” by Chinese executive arrested in a case that has roiled Ottawa’s relations with Beijing. the latest contract off er from Yale-educated former law professor David Lametti was one of two new ministers named district off icials. in the shake-up, likely the last significant change to Trudeau’s team before Canadians “The district would like us to head to the polls in October. believe that class sizes don’t His displacement of Jody Wilson-Raybould, Canada’s first indigenous attorney general, matter,” said Mabel Wong, a comes with Canada and China at loggerheads over the arrest of Huawei chief financial teacher at John Marshall High off icer Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver last month. School, during a news conference Meng was later released on bail pending the outcome of an extradition hearing. yesterday. The US – which is locked in a trade war with Beijing – has accused her of violating The union wants a 6.5% pay rise, sanctions on Iran. more librarians, counsellors and China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based business nurses on campuses, smaller consultant Michael Spavor on December 10, in a move widely seen as retaliation for class sizes and less testing, as Meng’s arrest. well as a moratorium on new Lametti is now expected to oversee Meng’s case as head of the justice department. charter schools. Gulf Times Tuesday, Janurary 15, 2019 13

ASIA Bangla workers reject wage hike, walk off factories Garment workers block a road as they protest for higher wages at Ashulia, outskirt of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

AFP worker was killed last week after 20 taka ($0.25) a month, anger- Minister Sheikh Hasina since Ashulia, Bangladesh police fi red rubber bullets and ing many tailors who churn out winning a fourth term in the De- tear gas at some 5,000 protesters. boutique clothing for high-end cember 30 elections, which were In Ashulia, near the capital Dha- fashion lines overseas. “I think marred by violence and allega- housands of Bangladeshi ka, armoured personnel carriers the wage hike was unjust,” Ruhul tions of vote rigging and intimi- garment workers downed and hundreds of police guarded Amin, executive president of the dation. Ttools and walked out of factories in the country’s largest Garment Trade Union Centre, An estimated 4mn Bangla- clothing factories yesterday, re- garment hub. A message broad- told AFP. deshis work in the country’s fusing to end a week-long strike cast over loudspeakers urged Some workers joining yester- 4,500 garment factories. Rough- over wages and rejecting govern- protesters to return to work: “A day’s protests expressed anger ly 80% of Bangladesh’s export ment eff orts to end the standoff . list is being prepared of those over the heavy-handed police earnings come from clothing Police said thousands of la- who are roaming around. No vio- response last week and accused sales abroad, with global retailers bourers marched off factory lence will be tolerated.” factory bosses of withholding H&M, Primark, Walmart, Tesco fl oors for an eighth consecutive As the strike entered a second pay from those who joined the and Aldi among the main buyers. day, disrupting Bangladesh’s week Sunday, the government strike. Last year, Bangladesh was the $30-bn-a-year industry spin- brokered a deal between unions “We’re not getting paid for the second-largest global apparel ning clothes for major western and manufacturers to end the last week, that’s why we walked exporter after China. It has am- brands. dispute, agreeing to raise wages out,” Mitali Begum, another la- bitious plans to expand the sector Unlike previous days, there for mid-tier tailors. But some bourer, told AFP. The protests into a $50-bn-a-year industry by Police chase garments workers who have been protesting for higher wages, with water cannon at Ashulia, were no reports of violence. One received hikes of little more than are the fi rst major test for Prime 2023. outskirt of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Hun Sen marks 34 years in Cambodia’s food paths power with opposition threat

AFP Phnom Penh

ambodian Premier Hun Sen yesterday marked C34 years in power with a threat “to step on the throat” of his rivals if the EU ends trade preferences over the kingdom’s slide into one-party rule. The European Union has warned it may withdraw its tariff -free Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme, which helps ex- ports from Cambodia’s garment sector, after Hun Sen’s party won all parliamentary seats in Cambodian people buy noodle and boiled rice from a vendor along a street in Phnom Penh. polls last year. The multi-billion-dollar garment and footwear industry provides a steady wage to hun- UN calls for ‘rapid and unimpeded’ aid access to Rakhine dreds of thousands of people in one of Southeast Asia’s poorest The United Nations called on president urged the military to children and men in aff ected countries, and its ongoing suc- the Myanmar government “crush” the rebels of the Arakan areas of Rakhine without access cess is seen as one of Hun Sen’s Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen greets people during a ground breaking ceremony to build the yesterday to allow “rapid and Army during a rare meeting to adequate assistance and few remaining points of vulner- third ring road in Phnom Penh yesterday. unimpeded” humanitarian access with the commander-in-chief protection,” said Pierre Peron, a ability. to Rakhine state, where fighting last week. The president, Win spokesman for UN off ice. His Cambodia People’s Party bombastic Hun Sen warned he well as pulling all leverage for erences is a long, drawn-out between government troops and Myint, is a loyalist of the de “We hope the government (CPP) swept the elections after would “step on the throat fur- democracy and human rights. process that would take several autonomy-seeking rebels has facto government leader, Nobel responds positively to our the main opposition was banned ther” of the opposition if the EU The 66-year-old hammered months. But Hun Sen has been displaced thousands of people. laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. call for rapid and unimpeded from taking part, and its key followed through with its threat home his point on Saturday emboldened after his party The Rakhine state government Fighting has forced about 5,000 humanitarian access, and to fi gures were hit with jail sen- to pull the EBA. “If you want the to visiting former Irish prime swept all parliamentary seats in issued a notice last week blocking people to flee from their homes ensure the protection of civilians tences and legal charges or in- opposition to die – cut it (the minister Enda Kenny, accusing the July 2018 vote. non-governmental organisations and take shelter in monasteries in accordance with international timidated into silence. In recent EBA),” he said at a public event the EU of holding the country’s The Southeast Asian country and UN agencies from travelling and communal areas across humanitarian and human rights months, Hun Sen has loosened yesterday on anniversary of his 16mn people “hostage” with the also enjoys the economic sup- to rural areas in five townships in the region since early January, law,” he said in an e-mail. The his choke-hold on the crippled 1985 appointment as head of tariff threats. Hun Sen is known port of China. Hun Sen said the northern and central parts of according to the UN Off ice for the Rakhine State municipal aff airs opposition, requesting pardons state. “You should understand for his overblown speeches that he will pay an offi cial visit to the state aff ected by the conflict. Co-ordination of Humanitarian minister, whose name is also for jailed opposition members the price that you would pay,” toss aside diplomatic niceties, Beijing later this month to meet The International Committee Aff airs. “We are seriously Win Myint, told Reuters the and journalists in a move seen as Hun Sen said, adding “sanc- but he usually avoids referring with President Xi Jinping to of the Red Cross and UN World concerned about new restrictions restrictions on humanitarian a reaction to the EU’s threat. tions on Cambodia means kill- to the EU trade scheme by name. discuss “economic, investment Food Programme were exempted on humanitarian access which access were put in place for But yesterday, a typically ing the opposition party” as Removing EU trade pref- and development”. from the ban, it said. Myanmar’s leave thousands of women, “security reasons”. Thai capital fi res water cannon into the air to fi ght pollution

Reuters Bangkok

he Thai capital fi red water cannon into the hot tropi- Tcal air and hosed down streets yesterday as authori- ties handed out masks in a bid to combat air pollution in one of the world’s most visited cit- ies which has been blanketed by smog since Saturday. The Agri- culture Ministry was also pre- paring to seed clouds to try to clear the air. The level of hazardous dust particles known as PM 2.5 has exceeded the safe level in 30 of 50 Bangkok’s districts for days, Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwan- muang told reporters. PM 2.5 is a mixture of liquid droplets and solid particles that can include The sunset is seen during a poor air quality day in Bangkok, Thailand. dust, soot and smoke. It is one of the main pollutants included in worldwide yesterday. At the top distribute the fi rst 10,000 masks were told that there is a shortage.” measuring the Air Quality Index was Tel Aviv in Israel, at 454 on to people in various spots around The Department of Pollution (AQI). the index. Pollution in Bangkok the city,” Aswin said earlier in the Control says diesel fumes from Yesterday morning’s AQI in has reached unhealthy levels be- day. cars contribute 50-60% of the Bangkok was 180, according to fore, usually during the dry sea- Many shops have ran out pollution while burning rubbish the popular website airvisual. son between January and March, of masks because of high de- and crops attributed about 35%. com, which measures levels but it doesn’t normally hang mand. “We have been sold out The government has banned in cities worldwide. The tem- around too long. since Saturday,” Supannee Bori- large trucks from entering down- perature was a sizzling 31C. Any Thai authorities vowed to keep wongse, 37, a drug store manager town Bangkok during the rush level above 150 is considered fi ghting. “The city will hand out in Bangkok’s Silom district, told hours, while police have vowed unhealthy and Bangkok ranked N95 masks that can protect peo- Reuters. to enforce the law on emission Government officials distribute masks to the public, after the particulate matter (PM2.5) reached in the top 10 of polluted cities ple against PM 2.5 dust ... We will “We have ordered more but controls. hazardous levels yesterday in Bangkok, Thailand. Gulf Times 14 Tuesday, January 15, 2019 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Singapore warns Chinese court sentences Malaysia as maritime tensions fl are

AFP “We will always take appro- Singapore priate measures to safeguard Canadian man to death our interests, and any country dealing with Singapore must Reuters foreign nationals convicted of ingapore warned Ma- not assume that it is cost-free Beijing/Ottawa drug-related crimes - a Briton laysia yesterday it was to embark on any adventures caught smuggling heroin was Sready to defend its in- or antics against us. executed in 2009, prompting a terests after a fl are-up of “There will be Chinese court yester- British outcry over what it said maritime tensions, the lat- consequences.” day sentenced a Cana- was the lack of any mental health est sign of fraying ties since Tensions eased last week Adian man to be executed assessment. a change of government in when foreign ministers from for drug smuggling, prompting The court said Schellenberg Kuala Lumpur. both countries agreed dur- Canadian Prime Minister Justin had conspired with others in The neighbours have had ing a meeting in Singapore Trudeau to accuse China of using an attempt to smuggle 222kg testy relations since Malaysia to take steps to calm the air- the death penalty arbitrarily. (489.43 lb) of methampheta- evicted the island from the space and maritime rows, The ruling, and Trudeau’s mine from China to Australia Malaysian Federation in 1965, but the Johor chief min- reaction, could aggravate al- in late 2014. He was arrested on ending a brief and stormy ister’s visit has raised the ready sour relations between December 1 of that year. union of the former British temperature again. Beijing and Ottawa following Chinese state television said colonies. Balakrishnan said Singa- the arrest of a senior Chinese in an earlier report that Schel- Ties have gone up and pore looked forward to re- executive in Canada and Chi- lenberg argued in court that he down over the years but have solving issues amicably and na’s subsequent detention of was a tourist visiting China and been shaky since Malaysia’s stressed that the strength two Canadians. was framed by criminals. Mahathir Mohamed – who of its diplomacy depends on The Dalian Intermediate Peo- Before his arrest, Schellenberg has long had a prickly rela- “domestic unity and resil- ple’s Court in China’s northeast had prepared to fl ee to Thailand tionship with Singapore – ience and the fact that we province of Liaoning re-tried from Dalian but was arrested returned to the premiership cannot be intimidated or Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, who while in transit in Guangzhou, with a shock election victory bought”. had appealed his original 15-year the court said. last year. Ties were warm between prison sentence, and decided It did not off er further infor- Tensions rose in recent the neighbours under the last on execution, the court said in a Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, centre, during his retrial on drug traff icking charges in the court in mation about Schellenberg, in- weeks after purported intru- Malaysian leader Najib Razak, statement. Dalian in China’s northeast Liaoning province yesterday. cluding his age and occupation, sions by Malaysian vessels but have quickly started to fray Schellenberg was told in court though media reports have said into Singapore waters, and the since the return of Mahathir, he had the right to appeal to Li- arrested in Vancouver on a US diplomats in China’s capital, na’s arbitrary use of its justice he is a 36-year-old former oil city-state proposed new land- 93, who had a fi rst stint as pre- aoning High Court within 10 extradition warrant. however, say the cases are a tit- system. worker. ing procedures at an airport mier from 1981 to 2003. days upon receiving the ruling, China denounced her arrest, for-tat reprisal. Rights groups condemned the A lawyer for Schellenberg, that Kuala Lumpur claimed Some observers trace Ma- the intermediate court said in a warning of unspecifi ed conse- Earlier yesterday, China’s verdict in Schellenberg’s case. Zhang Dongshuo, said his client would lead to violations of its hathir’s long-running ani- second statement. quences unless Meng was re- government dismissed Tru- William Nee, a Hong Kong- would probably appeal against airspace. mosity towards Singapore “It is of extreme concern to us leased, and detained Michael deau’s statement that Kovrig based China researcher with the death sentence. In the latest incident, the back to his fractious rela- as a government, as it should be Kovrig, a Canadian foreign min- enjoyed some form of diplomatic Amnesty International, said The Liaoning High Court in chief minister of Johor – tionship with the city-state’s to all our international friends istry employee on unpaid leave, immunity. it was horrifi ed that Schel- late December ordered the case the state closest to Singa- founding leader Lee Kuan Yew. and allies, that China has cho- and Michael Spavor, a Cana- A Chinese foreign minis- lenberg had been sentenced to retried after prosecutors said pore – visited a Malaysian During his fi rst stint in of- sen to begin to arbitrarily apply dian consultant, on suspicion of try spokeswoman said Trudeau death, particularly as drug-re- the sentence was too light and ship anchored inside what fi ce, rows erupted frequently (the) death penalty ... as in this endangering state security. should “earnestly study” the Vi- lated off ences did not meet the improper. the city-state claims are its over everything from water case,” Trudeau told reporters in Beijing has not drawn a direct enna Convention governing dip- threshold of the “most serious “China is going to face lots of waters. Singapore called off – Singapore gets much of its Ottawa. link between the arrest of Meng, lomatic ties so as to “not become crimes” to which the death pen- questions about why this par- a scheduled meeting of of- water supply from Malaysia – Bilateral ties turned icy in wanted by US authorities for a laughing stock.” alty must be restricted under ticular person, of this particu- fi cials from both countries in to the Malaysian leader’s plan early December after Meng allegedly misleading multina- Trudeau said his government international law. lar nationality, had to be retried protest. to build a bridge connecting Wanzhou, chief fi nancial offi cer tional banks about Iran-linked “will continue to engage strong- Drug smuggling is routinely at this particular time,” Sophie In a speech to parliament, the neighbours to replace the of Chinese telecommunications transactions, and the detention ly” with Beijing over Kovrig’s punished severely in China. Richardson, Human Rights Singapore Foreign Minister current causeway. The project giant Huawei Technologies, was of Spavor and Kovrig. Western status and what he called Chi- Beijing has previously executed Watch’s China director, said. Vivian Balakrishnan warned: never took off . Indonesia divers fi nd Lion Air jet’s second black box

Reuters Satmiko said it had in the eral days ago and it was found offi cials said there was no plan Jakarta past taken up to three months buried deep in soft mud on the to continue searching for other to download, analyze and tran- sea fl oor in water about 30m parts of the wrecked plane, in- scribe the contents of recorders. (98ft) deep. cluding an angle of attack sensor ndonesian authorities yes- Contact with fl ight JT610 was “We don’t know what dam- that was suspected to have been terday said they will imme- lost 13 minutes after it took off age there is but it has obvious faulty. Idiately begin to download on October 29 from the capi- scratches on it,” Nugroho said. The navy’s Nugroho said hu- contents of a cockpit voice re- tal, Jakarta, heading north to Pictures supplied by an of- man remains had been found corder (CVR) from a Lion Air jet the tin-mining town of Pangkal fi cial from the transportation near the location of the CVR, that crashed into the sea near Ja- Pinang. agency showed chipped bright about 50m from where the karta more than two months ago, A preliminary report by In- orange paint on the CVR memo- crashed jet’s other black box, the killing all 189 people on board. donesia’s transport safety ry unit, but no major dents. fl ight data recorder (FDR), was The crash was the world’s commission focused on airline Nurcahyo Utomo, an inves- found three days after the crash. fi rst of a Boeing 737 MAX jet maintenance and training, as tigator at the safety committee, Investigators brought in a and the deadliest of 2018, and well as the response of a Boeing told reporters it should take no navy ship last week after a 10- the recovery of the aircraft’s anti-stall system and a recently more than fi ve days to download day, 38bn rupiah ($2.70mn), ef- Rear Admiral Yudo Margono holds the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) of a Lion Air JT610 that crashed into Tanjung second black box from the Java replaced sensor, but did not give the data, but if there was a prob- fort funded by Lion Air failed to Karawang sea, on the deck of Indonesia’s Navy ship KRI Spica-934 at Karawang sea in West Java, yesterday. Sea north of Jakarta yesterday a cause for the crash. lem the CVR would be sent to the fi nd the recorder. Bureaucratic may provide an account of the A group of relatives of victims manufacturer. wrangling and funding problems That would mean that after measure” to fully support this Committee,” the planemaker last actions of the doomed jet’s urged the transportation safety “We hope it can be done as hampered the initial search. January 27, investigators could investigation. said in a statement. pilots. committee to reveal “everything soon as possible because all the The L3 Technologies Inc CVR have faced a far bigger problem “As the investigation contin- Since the crash, Lion Air has “We have our own laboratory that was recorded” and to work Boeing operators are waiting,” was designed to send acoustic in fi nding the CVR buried along ues, Boeing is working closely faced scrutiny over its mainte- and personnel to do it,” Haryo independently. said Utomo, adding that investi- pings for 90 days after a crash with much of the wreckage deep with the US National Transpor- nance and training standards, Satmiko, deputy chief of the Navy Lt Colonel Agung Nu- gators hoped to complete the full in water, according to an online in mud on the sea fl oor. tation Safety Board as a technical and relatives of victims have fi led transportation safety commit- groho said a weak signal from report within a year of the crash. brochure from the manufac- Boeing said in a statement yes- adviser to support Indonesia’s at least three lawsuits against tee, said. the recorder was detected sev- With the recovery of the CVR, turer. terday that it was taking “every National Transportation Safety Boeing.

Two suspected N Korean fishermen Dead fi sh cause Moscow says Japan rescued off Japan Two men claiming to be from must recognise all North Korea were found aboard environmental a wooden fishing boat drifting off northern Japan and have been Kurils as Russian detained, an off icial said in Tokyo yesterday. stink in Australia AFP recognition of the entirety of The wooden vessel was spotted Moscow results of World War II, in- some 1.5km (0.9 miles) off Aomori AFP and Northern Tablelands this cluding Russia’s sovereignty prefecture in the Sea of Japan Sydney week,” said state minister Niall over all of the islands of the on Sunday, according to the Blair. ussian Foreign Minister southern Kuril chain,” he said. Japanese coastguard off icial. The deaths have become a na- Sergei Lavrov said yes- Lavrov said this basic “The two men said they were from s many as a million fi sh tional issue, sparking angry alle- New South Wales member of parliament Jeremy Buckingham, right, Rterday after meeting his premise is refl ected in the North Korea and their vessel was are believed to have died gations about the cause and who holding a decades-old native Murray cod, which was killed during a Japanese counterpart that To- 1956 joint declaration of drifting due to engine trouble,” the Aalong the banks of a ma- is responsible. massive fish kill in Menindee on the Darling River, as local residents kyo must recognise Moscow’s the Soviet Union and Japan, off icial said, adding the men had jor river system in drought-bat- “It’s a devastating ecologi- Dick Arnold, left, and Rob McBride from Tolarno Station look on. sovereignty over all of the dis- which Moscow is willing to no identity documents and were tered eastern Australia, and the cal event,” said Prime Minis- puted south Kuril islands in or- use as a starting point. being questioned on board their authorities warned yesterday of ter Scott Morrison yesterday, uses, undercutting billions of ing that his government was only der for peace talks to continue. “This is our base position patrol boat. more deaths to come. pointing to apocalyptic scenes. dollars of investment. following on the policies of the The two diplomats met for and without steps in this di- Five people were originally on the The banks of the Murray-Dar- “The sheer visual image of this is “Dead fi sh and dying rivers opposition Labor government. the fi rst time since leaders of rection it is very diffi cult to boat, which departed North Korea ling Rivers are thick with rotten just terribly upsetting,” he said. are not because of the drought, “I’m concerned today that Japan and Russia agreed last expect movement forward in mid-December, and three were fi sh, with offi cials putting the Morrison’s government it’s because we are extracting too some might want to play politics year to increase eff orts to sign on other issues,” he added. missing after falling into the sea in number of dead at hundreds of has blamed the fi sh deaths on much water from our river,” said with that,” he said. a treaty ending World War II. The Kuril islands, one of bad weather, local media reported. thousands and saying the toll is drought, and defended policies John Williams, an expert in water “There were reports done by Talks stalled for decades due to which lies less than 10km from Dozens of North Korean fishing likely closer to 1mn. which some locals say has caused economics at the Australian Na- scientists under Labor’s contri- Japan’s claim to strategic islands Japan’s Hokkaido, consist of vessels wash up on Japan’s coast Further high temperatures the systemic depletion and pol- tional University. bution to that plan back in 2012 seized by the Soviet army in the Kunashir, Iturup, Shikotan and every year. forecast for this week could lution of the river system. Opposition leader Bill Shorten and the plan has been operating fi nal days of the war. Habomai. Three are inhabited Experts say some fishermen from make the situation worse, the “There’s a drought and this called on the government to set in accordance with that advice.” “Sovereignty over the is- while Habomai is with only the the North are travelling far out to New South Wales government is one of the consequences of up an “emergency task force” to Scientists are calling for lands is not up for discussion, presence of a border patrol. sea in order to satisfy government has warned. drought. There are many, and address the issue. politicians to be held to account. this is Russian territory,” Japan and the Soviet Un- mandates for bigger catches. Low water conditions and the my focus on drought has not “You can’t ignore a million “Billions have been spent on Lavrov said in a briefi ng fol- ion signed the 1956 document, But their old and poorly equipped heat may also have encouraged an shifted one inch,” Morrison said. dead fi sh, that’s a shocking de- upgrading irrigation infrastruc- lowing talks with Japanese which stipulated that the USSR vessels are prone to mechanical algae bloom that starves the fi sh But for years scientists have velopment,” said Shorten. ture,” said Quentin Grafton, Foreign Minister Taro Kono. was willing to cede Shikotan and other problems, including of oxygen and produce toxins. been warning of people extract- Morrison insisted the manage- also of the Australian National Moscow is willing to work and Habomai following a signed running out of fuel, and there “We do expect to see more fi sh ing vast amounts of water with- ment plan for the Murray-Dar- University, “but with no public toward a peace resolution pro- peace agreement, but Japan are few ways for them to call for kills across parts of the far west out check for irrigation or other ling Basin was bipartisan, add- benefi t.” vided “Japan’s indisputable demanded all four islands. rescue. (AFP) Gulf Times Tuesday, Janurary 15, 2019 15

BRITAIN Salmond aides accused of trying to smear Sturgeon Guardian News and Media Lloyd, fi rst learned Salmond was ephoned Salmond on March 6 last “The suggestion put to Stur- The row will also deepen a mond’s case, alleging he has been failing to immediately notify the Edinburgh under investigation for allegedly year to warn him against stand- geon’s chief of staff by the Times, growing rift within the Scottish unfairly traduced by Sturgeon’s civil service she had discussions sexually harassing two female ing if another election was called, that she knew of complaints when National Party, which hoped to government, as are many SNP ac- about government business, and civil servants. because of the sexual harassment she met someone who could be capitalise on the Conservative gov- tivists. had failed to record the content of ensions between Nicola Salmond’s aides briefed the claims against him. Salmond de- described as an intermediary for ernment’s disarray over Brexit this The latest allegations from Sal- those discussions. Sturgeon and Alex Sal- Sun and the Times that Sturgeon nies the harassment claims. Alex Salmond on March 6, is also week by building up the case for mond’s camp could be seen as a The Conservatives and La- Tmond over a sexual harass- and Lloyd knew about the inves- In an offi cial statement issued not true.” a second Scottish independence deliberate attempt to undermine bour reject Sturgeon’s insistence ment investigation have escalated tigation before Sturgeon and Sal- from his Scottish government e- These denials mark a new low referendum. Senior SNP fi gures Sturgeon’s credibility after she the meetings were SNP-related, after her spokesman accused Sal- mond met at her home on April 2 mail account, Sturgeon’s spokes- in the already fractious relation- say privately that strategy has been referred herself on Sunday to an because they were explicitly ar- mond’s aides of trying to smear – an allegation that directly con- man said: “This appears to be an ship between Sturgeon and Sal- comprehensively undermined by independent panel that polices ranged at Salmond’s request to her. tradicts the fi rst minister’s claims attempt to smear the fi rst min- mond, once her close friend and the feud between the pair. the ministerial code in Scotland. discuss a Scottish government Sturgeon’s political spokes- she did not know until Salmond ister. Suggestions by Salmond’s mentor, and brings the schism Several SNP MPs, including The claims could be seen to investigation. Sturgeon’s offi cials man alleged that members of told her that day. ‘insiders’ that the fi rst minister between the two into the public Angus MacNeil, the MP for the bolster allegations from op- have refused to confi rm or deny Salmond’s team were lying about The Times reported claims from knew about the investigation be- domain. They have not spoken in Western Isles, and Joanna Cherry, position parties that Sturgeon that Salmond asked her to inter- when she and her chief of staff , Liz Salmond’s team that Lloyd had tel- fore April 2 are not true. nearly six months. are seen as supporters of Sal- breached the ministerial code by vene.

Mayor against Brexit in peril, plan to charge EU May warns nationals

Guardian News and Media London ahead of

adiq Khan has written to the government to demand Schanges to its planned post- Brexit immigration policy, say- ing that forcing long-established vote on deal EU nationals to pay fees to stay showed ministers had not learned Reuters could agree to extend the dead- “If the backstop were never- the lessons of Windrush. London line for Brexit, but not beyond theless to be triggered, it would In a letter to the home secre- elections for the European Par- only apply temporarily, unless tary, Sajid Javid, the Labour mayor liament due in May. and until it is superseded by a said the wider immigration policy, rime Minister Theresa May May warned lawmakers on subsequent agreement that en- including plans to restrict immi- yesterday warned that Sunday that failing to deliver sures that a hard border is avoid- gration to people earning above PBritain’s planned exit from Brexit would be “catastrophic” ed,” they said. £30,000 a year, would badly dam- the EU could be derailed, a last- for democracy, and her ministers May said the assurances might age London’s economy. ditch eff ort to win over Brexit- said that thwarting the outcome not go far enough for some law- Khan has been a critic of There- supporting lawmakers who have of the 2016 referendum could makers and the small Northern sa May’s Brexit plans. He also dif- repeatedly said they will vote lead to rise in far-right populism. Irish party that props up her gov- fers from offi cial Labour policy on down her divorce deal. As part of the eff ort to get the ernment said it was insuffi cient. the subject, supporting a second The fate of the United King- deal approved by the British par- “The letter isn’t legally bind- referendum. dom’s March 29 exit from the EU liament, the EU and May set out ing,” Democratic Unionist Party In the letter, Khan said the im- is deeply uncertain as parliament some assurances in a choreo- deputy leader Nigel Dodds told migration white paper, published is likely to reject May’s deal today graphed exchange of letters yes- BBC radio. just before Christmas, was dis- evening, opening up outcomes terday. With no-deal Brexit the de- appointing in content and tone. ranging from a disorderly divorce The EU told May that it stood fault option if May’s deal is de- “The promised ‘new conversation to reversing Brexit altogether. by commitments to fi nd ways to feated, some lawmakers are on immigration’ is off to a poor Amid the deepest crisis in avoid triggering the controversial planning to pull control of Brexit start,” he wrote. British politics for at least half “Irish backstop” in their Brexit from the government. The mayor criticised the £65 a century, May and EU leaders deal and that this pledge had le- Though May is weakened, the fee millions of EU nationals will exchanged letters giving assur- gal weight. executive has signifi cant powers, need to pay to apply for so-called ances on her withdrawal agree- In a joint reply to questions especially during times of crisis, settled status, likening it to errors ment, though there was little from May, European Commission so it was unclear how parliament that saw some members of the sign of a change of heart among President Jean-Claude Juncker would be able to take control of Windrush generation targeted for rebel lawmakers. and European Council President Brexit. immigration enforcement when May used a speech at a china Donald Tusk said the EU stood by If May’s deal is defeated and they could not prove their status. factory in the Leave-supporting its commitment to try and reach a the government is unable to have “There are hundreds of thou- city of Stoke-on-Trent to say post-Brexit trade deal by the end any amended version passed in sands of young people who were that lawmakers blocking Brexit of next year in order to avoid using the next three weeks, one sug- born in the UK or, like the Win- altogether was now a more likely the unpopular backstop. gestion is for senior lawmakers drush generation, brought here outcome than Britain leaving While stressing that noth- who chair parliamentary com- as young children, who are pre- without a deal. ing in their letter could be seen mittees to come up with an alter- vented from participating in the “There are some in Westmin- as changing or being inconsist- native Brexit plan. economic, social and political life ster who would wish to delay or ent with the draft treaty agreed “We’re in the very, very fi nal of the UK by the prohibitive cost even stop Brexit and who will use with May last month, they said a stages of the end-game here,” of applying for leave to remain or every device available to them to commitment to speedy trade deal said Nick Boles, one of the Con- citizenship,” Khan wrote. do so,” May said. made by EU leaders had “legal servative lawmakers behind the “While the previous home sec- “While ‘no-deal’ remains a value” which committed the Un- plan, who said he would vote for retary rightly waived fees for the serious risk, having observed the ion “in the most solemn manner”. May’s deal. Windrush generation, the gov- events at Westminster over the However, even if the target “What we need to do is fi nd the ernment clearly has not learnt the last seven days, it’s now my judg- date were not met, they wrote, solution, and if the government wider lessons. There are many ment that the more likely out- Britain would have the option can’t fi nd the solution — and we others still at risk from the same come is a paralysis in parliament to extend a status-quo transi- want the government to fi nd the policies that led to the Windrush that risks there being no Brexit.” tion period to avoid triggering solution, and we’ll be voting for generation experiencing discrimi- As the world’s biggest trading the backstop, which is meant to her solution — but if it can’t then nation, destitution, and deporta- Prime Minister Theresa May gives a speech at a factory in Stoke-on-Trent to call on MPs to support bloc tried to brace for an unpre- avoid a hard customs border for parliament needs to,” he told BBC tion.” her Brexit bill. dictable ride, Spain said the EU Northern Ireland. radio.

Hillsborough police chief’s Royal ‘disclosure’ Freezing conditions manslaughter trial opens ‘likely end-January’ Guardian News and Media crease the risk of snow across Guardian News and Media must be undertaken by ordinary “whether there is anything that London the UK.” London citizens like yourselves”, then will prevent you from returning The Met Offi ce said sudden read 10 questions they must an- independent and impartial ver- stratospheric warming had ap- swer to determine whether they dicts in these proceedings based ritons should prepare for peared around Christmas, with lmost 30 years since 96 were likely to be suitable to reach only on the evidence you will freezing weather towards a sharp rise in temperatures men, women and chil- “independent and impartial” hear”. Bthe end of January after over a couple of days. When this Adren were killed at the FA verdicts. Openshaw told them that the same weather patterns that happens in the Arctic, it can Cup semi-fi nal between Liver- The questions included question was not “an easy caused the “beast from the east” lead to a rush of cold air blow- pool and Nottingham Forest at whether they, or close relatives way out” of jury service, but occurred again around Christ- ing eastwards across Europe a Sheffi eld Wednesday’s Hillsbor- or friends, knew Duckenfi eld or they must declare if they had mas, forecasters have said. few weeks later, bringing much ough football ground, the trial Mackrell; were police offi cers; “a settled opinion” about the The Met Offi ce said tempera- cooler temperatures to the con- has started of the police offi cer employees of any criminal jus- Hillsborough case. tures were expected to drop in tinent. in command of the match, Dav- tice agency; were employed by Duckenfi eld and Mackrell sat the coming weeks, but it was The Met Offi ce said this is also id Duckenfi eld, on a criminal the Football Association, Shef- not in the dock but in the body too early to forecast widespread what happened early in 2018. charge of gross negligence man- fi eld Wednesday football club of the court among their lawyers snow. But a spokesman said that slaughter. or Sheffi eld city council; were as the trial began. By the end of the month, con- while a repeat of the “beast Graham Mackrell, the Shef- supporters of Liverpool, Ever- Duckenfi eld, newly promot- ditions were expected to be more from the east” could not be dis- fi eld Wednesday club secretary ton, Sheffi eld Wednesday or ed to chief superintendent by wintry and a new “beast from counted, the forecast for the and safety offi cer at the time Nottingham Forest; lived in or South Yorkshire police when he the east” cannot be ruled out. next week suggested the UK of the disaster, is standing trial near Skelmersdale or Ormskirk took charge of the semi-fi nal on A Met Offi ce spokesman said: would experience stable weath- alongside Duckenfi eld, on two – areas close to Liverpool that April 15, 1989, is charged with “Next week there will be colder er conditions. counts of breaching his duties are within the Preston court’s failing in his duty to take reason- spells and there could be a little “There have been some parts under safety legislation. jury service catchment area – able care for the safety of spec- bit of wintriness in the north, of Europe that have experienced Relatives of some of those or were students between 1984 tators at the Leppings Lane and but nothing too exceptional for quite signifi cant cold, (and) who died at Hillsborough were and 2003 of Edge Hill Univer- north stand areas of Hillsbor- this time of year. As we head to- heavier-than-average snow in at Preston crown court to see sity, where substantial academic ough designated for 24,000 Liv- wards the later part of January it countries like Austria and in the trial begin with the process work on the disaster was under- erpool supporters. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, will turn colder, but there’s still northern and central Europe. of selecting a jury of 12 peo- taken. The indictment alleges that arrive to off icially open “Number 7”, a “Feeding Birkenhead” a lot of uncertainty in that fore- “We are looking at the next ple from 100 who fi led into the The questionnaire also asked Duckenfi eld’s failure to protect citizens supermarket and community cafe, in Birkenhead, cast about where any snow will week or so, but we could see a courtroom. people whether they or close the spectators from overcrowd- yesterday. The duchess told royal well-wishers yesterday she fall. change after that. But there is The judge, Sir Peter Open- family or friends had been ing and crushing amounted to was six months pregnant but the royal couple do not know “There is a stronger signal of nothing in the next week or so shaw, told them jury service was at the match or were close to gross negligence, and was “a the gender of their first baby, the media reported. the week beginning January 21 that could indicate any change “a necessary public duty which somebody killed or injured; or substantial cause” of the deaths. getting colder which would in- like the ‘beast from the east’.” Gulf Times 16 Tuesday, January 15, 2019 EUROPE New wave of Alpine snow brings death,

An aerial view shows cars driving a road near Pogradec, Albania, yesterday. Cold weather road chaos and snow has engulfed the northern and southeastern parts DPA/AFP In Slovakia, heavy snowfall A number of Austrian ski re- of Albania in the last week. Local Munich/Vienna/Geneva and strong winds caused several sorts and communities were also media has reported that at least traffi c accidents, bringing roads inaccessible by car yesterday. five people have died due to the to a standstill and cutting off the Authorities reported 17,000 low temperatures. fresh wave of winter electricity supply of thousands of people stranded in the Salzburg weather hit Europe’s Al- households. region alone. help from federal police, while Apine countries yesterday, In the north of the country, The German weather service Chancellor Angela Merkel ex- cutting off communities and around 15,000 households in the forecast that snow would stop pressed her recognition for all causing at least one death, sev- Liptau and Orava regions were by early today, giving the region those helping in the Alps. eral road accidents and an ava- without electricity yesterday, about 48 hours without new Switzerland has also been af- lanche in southern Germany. the regional news agency TASR snowfall. fected, with multiple regions In Austria, a man shovelling reported. However, there could be more reporting the highest alert levels snow fell off a roof and died, and In the village of Oravska Pol- on the horizon for Thursday, with for avalanches possible. a dozen bus passengers were in- hora near the Polish border, a bus snow accumulation in lower alti- Road and railroad connections jured in snow-related accidents. collided with a car on a snow- tudes this time, as well as up in were especially aff ected in the In the town of Faistenau, covered mountain road, but the the mountains. eastern canton of Grisons. near Salzburg, four workers 51 bus passengers, 47 of them Lower-lying regions in Ger- Swiss authorities have raised were clearing snow from a roof children, were unhurt, according many – where the temperatures avalanche warnings in several re- when they lost their footing and to the fi re service. are lower and the snow accumu- gions to their highest levels. dropped 6m to the ground, ac- In Germany, a 300m-wide lation less – are seeing fl ooding And, just a week before the cording to local police. avalanche struck a hotel in the as rivers and streams rise over World Economic Forum’s main One of them, a 47-year-old southern town of Balderschwang. their banks. annual meeting in Davos, train man, was completely buried by Police said there were no in- So far, authorities are only re- service to the glitzy ski town snow. juries, though the avalanche did porting some fl ooded fi elds and in eastern Switzerland has also Although helpers began to dig strike with such force that some meadows, though some residen- ground to a halt, national rail him out immediately, he died at of the snow made it inside the tial areas have been warned to be service SBB said. the site of the accident. building. on the lookout. The head of the local govern- Firefighters and members of the mountain rescue service remove snow from the Hotel Hubertus, in In Austria’s Styria province, a Access to the town has been “Flood waters are slowly com- ment in the town of Disentis, Balderschwang, southern Germany, that was buried yesterday by an avalanche. The 300m avalanche long-distance bus veered off the cut off since Sunday due to ing,” said one police spokesper- Robert Cajacob, told AFP, that destroyed windows of the hotel, but nobody was injured. road amid heavy snowfall and heightened risk of avalanches on son. the town’s population of 2,200 slid 12m down a slope. the one road leading to the com- German Interior Minister as well as “several hundred tour- The offi cial added that the sit- al weather offi ce, MeteoSwiss, and that another 30cm to 50cm The driver and 12 passengers munity. Horst Seehofer went to review ists” currently had no way out uation was “stable” but “prob- said that parts of the Alps had were expected in some parts of were injured in the accident near About 1,300 people are strand- the snow removal eff orts in per- because of rail closures and im- lematic”. seen 60cm to 90cm (24” to 35”) the northern Alps in the coming the town of Aich. ed there. son yesterday, promising extra passable roads. A statement from the nation- of snow since Saturday night hours. Liberal mayor of Poland’s Gdansk dies after stabbing

Reuters ing “Adamowicz is dead!” as he Minister Mateusz Morawiecki Warsaw rushed the stage and stabbed and Interior Minister Joachim Adamowicz, who crumpled to Brudzinski. the fl oor. Adamowicz was an outspoken awel Adamowicz, the lib- Speaking on the stage before opponent of PiS. eral mayor of the Polish he was arrested, the attacker ac- “I’m expressing great pain Pcity of Gdansk, died yes- cused the mayor’s former party for the tragic death due to the Battisti is escorted by Italian off icers from an airport facility into terday of his wounds, a day after of putting him in prison, where criminal attack on mayor Pawel a police car. being stabbed by a former con- he said he was tortured. Adamowicz. We express soli- vict who rushed the stage during The attacker has been iden- darity with his family,” Jaroslaw a charity event. tifi ed by Polish authorities as a Kaczynski, the PiS leader, was “We couldn’t win,” Poland’s 27-year-old named Stefan, who quoted as saying in a tweet from Health Minister Lukasz Szu- was released last month from the party spokeswoman. Italian ex-militant mowski told reporters via private prison where he had been serv- Adamowicz stood out for his broadcaster TVN. ing a 5-1/2 year sentence since initiatives to encourage migrants Doctors had operated on Ada- 2014 for attempting to steal from to seek refuge in the northern extradited and jailed mowicz for fi ve hours, state news banks in Gdansk. Polish city, and for his support agency PAP said. His full name has so far been of a protest campaign to defend Adamowicz was attacked withheld. the rule of law in Poland against after decades on run while attending the annual Great Psychiatrists will now assess what activists consider eff orts Orchestra of Christmas Charity, if the attacker can be held crimi- by the PiS to increase its control a fundraiser where volunteers nally responsible for his actions, over the judiciary and other bod- AFP but the starting point,” Interior collect money for medical equip- prosecutor Krzysztof Sierak said ies. Rome Minister Matteo Salvini told ment in hospitals. at a press conference. Adamowicz was one of Po- journalists at Ciampino, cit- The head of the charity re- Politicians across the political land’s longest-serving mayors, ing the presence of “dozens” of People march in Warsaw against violence and hatred in the wake of a signed soon after Adamowicz’s spectrum in Poland condemned holding his position in Gdansk ormer communist mili- other former militants still on deadly attack on Gdansk Mayor Pawel Adamowicz, who was stabbed death was announced. the stabbing, including members since 1998. tant Cesare Battisti, the run in countries from Latin in Gdansk on stage of a public charity event. The banner reads ‘Stop Television footage of the at- of the ruling nationalist Law and In the 2018 regional election, Fwanted in Italy for four America to France. Hatred’. tack showed a man scream- Justice Party (PiS), such as Prime he won 65% of votes. murders in the 1970s, ar- Italy had repeatedly sought rived in Rome yesterday after the extradition of the militant, an international police squad who lived in Brazil for years Man jailed for tracked him down and arrested under the protection of former him in Bolivia. leftist president Luiz Inacio ordering online Jailed in 1979 for belong- Lula da Silva, himself now in Ex-minister given jail term for racial slur child sex abuse ing to an armed revolutionary prison for corruption. group outlawed in Italy, Bat- Battisti, 64, was seized late A 71-year-old Norwegian was tisti escaped from prison two on Saturday in the Bolivian city DPA sentenced to 12.5 years in prison years later, and has spent near- of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in an Rome yesterday for ordering sexual ly four decades on the run. operation carried out by a joint assaults to be carried out online An Italian-fl agged Falcon team of Italian and Bolivian of- against dozens of young Filipinas. 900 plane carrying Battisti fi cers. former member of the “With his actions, the accused landed at Rome’s Ciampino The fugitive could be seen Italian government who contributed to a sex industry airport yesterday morning. walking casually about Santa Acompared a black oppo- that brutally exploits vulnerable Battisti, who was not wear- Cruz in sunglasses and a blue nent to a primate was yesterday children in the worst possible ing handcuff s, smiled grimly as T-shirt, in surveillance footage given an 18-month jail sentence way,” the Sore Sunnmore district he was escorted off the plane taken hours before his capture. for making a racist insult. court in western Norway wrote in by a dozen policemen. He gave up without a strug- In July 2013, Roberto Calderoli its verdict. “I know that I’m going to gle, according to Italian gov- said then-integration minister Between 2012 and 2013, the man prison,” an apparently resigned ernment sources. Cecile Kyenge, an Italian na- used an online video calling Battisti said, according to po- Battisti was sentenced to life tional born in the Congo, “made service to contact people in the lice. imprisonment for having killed him think of an orangutan”. Philippines. He mostly slept during the two Italian police offi cers, tak- “Even if it is a fi rst-instance He paid them to, under his fl ight, as well as speaking ing part in the murder of a ruling and the punishment is Calderoli: a former government minister who is Kyenge: it is an encouraging ruling for all those instructions, sexually assault about his life and escape from butcher and helping plan the suspended, it is an encourag- currently a deputy speaker of the Senate. fighting against racism. minors under the age of 14, the Brazil to Bolivia. slaying of a jeweller who died ing ruling for all those fi ghting youngest one “probably between Justice Minister Alfonso in a shootout that left his teen- against racism,” Kyenge, now a time because the constitutional League party led by deputy pre- In 2006, Calderoli was ex- three and five years old”, while he Bonafede said that for secu- age son in a wheelchair. member of the European Parlia- court was asked to weigh in on mier and Interior Minister Mat- pelled from government after watched, the court found. rity reasons Battisti would be Battisti has admitted to be- ment for the centre-left Demo- the dispute: earlier this year, it teo Salvini. sporting a T-shirt emblazoned The court said there were “at taken to Oristano prison on the ing part of the Armed Proletar- cratic Party, commented on Fa- ruled that Calderoli’s remarks He served as minister for in- with controversial cartoons least” 48 victims. island of Sardinia instead of ians for Communism, a radical cebook. were not covered by parliamen- stitutional reforms in 2004- of the Prophet Muhammad Norwegian police were alerted Rome’s Rebibbia jail. group that staged a string of The verdict was issued by a tary immunity. 2006, and for public admin- (PBUH). by the US Federal Bureau of He will begin his life sen- robberies and attacks, but has court in the northern city of Calderoli, currently a deputy istration in 2008-2011, in His actions triggered deadly Investigation (FBI) as part of tence with six months in soli- always denied responsibility Bergamo. speaker of the Senate, belongs to conservative cabinets led by Sil- protests in Libya, a former Ital- a larger case the latter was tary confi nement. for any deaths, painting him- Legal proceedings took a long the far-right, anti-immigration vio Berlusconi. ian colony. probing. “This is not the fi nish line self as a political refugee. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 15, 2019 17 INDIA

OPINION OBITUARY LEGAL TRAVEL CRUELTY Modi-Shah biggest threat Senior Congress leader Notices issued on pleas Minister concerned at low Bodies of 16 puppies found to country, warns Kejriwal Deshmukh dies at 84 challenging snooping order Kerala tourism ranking near Kolkata hospital

Calling Narendra Modi and Amit Shah the “biggest Senior Congress leader, a permanent invitee of The Supreme Court yesterday issued notice to the Union Minister K J Alphons yesterday Hospital garbage bags containing 16 dead pup- threat to the country”, Aam Aadmi Party chief All India Congress Committee (AICC) and former Centre seeking its response on multiple petitions expressed his unhappiness over his home pies and a dog with signs of severe torture were Arvind Kejriwal said if the BJP came to power again chairman of Maharashtra legislative council challenging the ministry of home aff airs (MHA) state Kerala’s low ranking in the tourism recovered near a medical college in Kolkata, in 2019, it will change the Constitution to do away Shivajirao Deshmukh died following brief illness order authorising security and intelligence agencies sector. Speaking to the media in Thiruvanan- police said yesterday. “The incident took place on with elections. Addressing party volunteers over at a private hospital in Mumbai yesterday. He was to snoop on all computers. Hearing the petitions, thapuram, Alphons, who is the minister for Sunday and a charge-sheet has been filed against the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Delhi chief under treatment for kidney-related issues for the the court directed issuing notices to the parties tourism, said that Kerala ranked eighth in the unknown persons,” an off icer of Entally police sta- minister also said that the need of the hour was to past few days at the Bombay Hospital. He was 84. including the Modi government and posted the country in attracting foreign tourists and 16th tion said. A video later surfaced on social media come together and save the nation, adding that the Deshmukh’s last rites will be performed at Kokrud matter for after six weeks. The MHA’s December 20 in domestic travellers. “Kerala is a beauti- where two women were seen beating the pup- party members must go door to door and expose in Sangli district, his home village today morning. order authorised 10 Central agencies, including the ful state and I am certainly not happy with pies near the hostel building of Nil Ratan Sircar the BJP’s gameplan. Speaking on the occasion, Deshmukh, who started his career as a govern- intelligence bureau (IB), enforcement directorate the rankings. Neighbouring Tamil Nadu has Medical College & Hospital. The video was filmed AAP leader Gopal Rai said: “The Congress has no ment employee, joined politics with the Congress (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as well as secured the top position,” the minister said, by the students of a dental college opposite to presence in Delhi. Only AAP is capable of defeating after the backing of the late Maharashtra chief the Delhi Police to “intercept, monitor and decrypt noting that the unprecedented floods in Au- the hospital. Mainak Das, a dental college student the BJP in the upcoming elections.” Kejriwal, in his minister Vasantrao Patil, in the 1970s. Deshmukh any information generated, transmitted or stored in gust last year took a heavy toll on the state’s who witnessed the incident said the women speech, compared the BJP’s rule to that of Hitler. served in various key posts. any computer”. tourism sector. claimed the puppies disturbed them a lot.

Upper Army project opened caste Kanhaiya and quota comes others charged into force

IANS with sedition New Delhi

he central government yesterday notifi ed the T10% quota amendment in its offi cial gazette, bringing by Delhi Police reservation to the economi- cally weak section among upper IANS Union (DSU), now disbanded, sedition, unlawful assembly and castes formally in action. New Delhi had organised the event. The uni- criminal conspiracy. “In exercise of the powers versity withdrew the permission The police claim to have suffi - conferred by sub-section (2) when it came to know that event cient evidence to proceed against of section 1 of the Constitu- hree years after former was organised to commemorate them. tion (One Hundred and Third Jawaharlal Nehru Univer- Afzal Guru, who was hanged for The police have listed around Amendment) Act, 2019, the Tsity (JNU) student leaders his role in the Parliament attack. 90 people, which include JNU central government hereby Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid However, the DSU continued staff and security personnel, as appoints January 14, 2019, as and Anirban Bhattacharya were with the event, which was at- witnesses in the case. CCTV and the date on which the pro- arrested for alleged sedition, tended by Kanhaiya Kumar and mobile footage are also a part of visions of the said Act shall the Delhi Police yesterday fi led a other student leaders, police chargesheet. come into force,” the govern- charge-sheet naming them and said. Reacting to the fi ling of the ment said. seven Kashmiri students as ac- Kashmiri students from vari- chargesheet, Kanhaiya Kumar The Constitution (One Hun- cused in the case saying anti- ous other universities were also said it was a diversionary ploy by dred and Third Amendment) national slogans were raised at present at the event and had the Modi government to hide its Act, 2019 was passed by Parlia- the event. raised various anti-national slo- all-round failures. ment on the last day of the win- The charge-sheet was fi led gans. “I have not received any sum- ter session last week with day- before metropolitan magistrate Police have invoked electronic mons or information from the long discussions and voting in Sumeet Anand, who posted the evidence and statements of vari- court. But if it is true, then we are both Houses. matter for further hearing today. ous students, staff and security thankful to the police and Modi The Act amends Articles 15 Both Kumar and Khalid have guard to press its charges. that fi nally after three years, and 16 of the Constitution to questioned the fi ling of the The case involves an event or- when it is time is for him and his provide quota to the general charge-sheet ahead of the Lok ganised on the JNU campus in government to go, the charge- category people with a family Sabha polls and said the police February 2016 against the hang- sheet has been fi led. But what income of up to Rs800,000 per action was “politically motivat- ing of parliament-attack mas- is pertinent is the timing of the annum. ed” and a “diversionary ploy” by termind Afzal Guru during which charge-sheet – just ahead of the President Ram Nath Kovind the Narendra Modi-led BJP gov- “anti-national slogans” were Lok Sabha polls. has already given his nod to the ernment. raised. “It is evident that there is a amendment. The police have slapped charg- Besides Kumar, the then Ja- political motive behind this. The Meanwhile, former chief eco- es under various sections of the waharlal Nehru University Stu- motive is that the Modi govern- nomic adviser to the Union fi - Indian Penal Code (IPC) dealing dents’ Union (JNUSU) president, ment has been a failure in all as- nance ministry, Kaushik Basu, with sedition, voluntarily caus- former students union vice pres- pects, it has not been able to ful- said here yesterday that the new ing hurt, forgery, using as genu- ident Shehla Rashid and Com- fi l even a single promise, so it is law providing 10% reservation ine a forged document, punish- munist Party of India (CPI) leader playing all its cards to divert the to economically weaker general ment for unlawful assembly, D Raja’s daughter Aparajita have attention,” he told the media. category people in education and unlawful assembly with common also been named in the charge- Pointing to the chargesheet government jobs was “unwant- object, rioting and criminal con- sheet, but not as accused. being fi led after three years of ed” and it could achieve “close to spiracy. While 36 others, including the incident, he said the Modi nothing.” Citing video footage captured Rashid and Aparajita, have also government, just as all its other “It was an unwanted legis- during the event, police have al- been named for being present promises, was “not serious” and lation and it is a disappoint- leged in the charge-sheet that at the controversial event, the was using the issue now as a po- ing move. It will achieve close anti-national slogans were raised police have not “found any suf- litical tool. to nothing and will create a by the accused, who were part of fi cient and incriminating evi- Shehla Rashid too accused the cumbersome procedure. The the event held in Jawaharlal Ne- dence” against them. Modi government of using the is- way the law is brought in is hru University (JNU) in February Along with Kumar, Khalid and sue to derive political mileage. that 10% of jobs is reserved 2016, The charge-sheet men- Bhattacharya, seven students “The Modi government has virtually for everyone (every tions various slogans including, from Jammu and Kashmir – used this manufactured contro- household),” he said at the Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates the Married Accommodation ‘we want freedom’ and ‘India will Aquib Hussain, Mujeeb Hussain, versy in instalments. The next launch of his book The Repub- Project at Birchgunj Military Station in Port Blair yesterday. The phase II of Married break into pieces’, police sources Muneeb Hussain, Umar Gul, instalment would be on the nom- lic of Beliefs, here at a pro- Accommodation Project includes 868 dwelling units for the troops of Andaman Nicobar said. Rayeea Rassol, Bashir Bhat and ination day for 2019 elections,” gramme organised by Indian Command. The police said that the Umar Basharat – have been slapped tweeted Rashid with hashtag Chamber of Commerce. Khalid-led Democratic Students’ with various off ences, including “JitteryModi”.

File on top doctor’s killing Building collapses Modi to open Kerala in 1983 missing: police highway bypass today By Ashraf Padanna the National Highway 66 is also Kochi fast nearing completion, making Tribune News Service fi le of the fi rst information report behind Trehan’s murder. On the navigation between here and the New Delhi number 346 from the VRK (ver- basis of his confession, Valtoha state capital easier. nacular record keeping) branch was named as an accused. rime Minister Narendra The highway, constructed at a where case dairies, fi les of ab- Although Valtoha was arrested Modi will inaugurate a cost of Rs3.52bn, has three ma- he Punjab Police have fi - sconders and proclaimed off end- from the Golden Temple during P13.4km road in Kerala to- jor bridges over the picturesque nally admitted that the fi le ers, cancelled/untraced cases are the Operation Bluestar in 1984 day after nearly fi ve decades of Ashtamudi Lake. Tof the case involving the maintained. and was detained in the Jodhpur waiting since its conception. The state government had infamous 1983 murder of promi- “In addition to getting the fi le and Tihar jails, the police in the Modi will arrive in the state earlier announced that Chief nent doctor Sudarshan Kumar reconstructed, Mann has also Dr Trehan murder case surpris- capital Thiruvananthapuram at Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would Trehan has gone missing. been asked to submit a report ingly told the court that he was 4pm and fl y to Kollam where he inaugurate the bypass. However, Dr Trehan was murdered in his into the role of the police offi cials absconding and they could not will declare the bypass on the Modi reportedly upset the Vijay- clinic in Patti town of Tarn Taran responsible for its disappearance arrest him despite their all-out national highway open. an government’s plans at the be- on September 30, 1983. and not reporting the matter all eff orts. He will also address a rally hest of his party’s state leaders. Virsa Singh Valtoha, who went these years,” Parmar added. The police on the basis of false of his Bharatiya Janata Party at Kerala had 1,782km of national on to become MLA twice on Shi- An investigation by the Pun- submissions got Valtoha’s ar- the Peeranki Maidan kicking off highway till May 2018 and the romani Akali Dal (SAD) ticket, jab Human Rights Organisation rest warrants issued and later the campaigning in Kerala for the length has now gone up to more was named as one of the ac- had exposed the hushing up of Dr court ordered them to comply national elections three months than 2,280 km. cused in the case that was never Trehan’s murder all these years with Section 82 of the Code of away. Works on bypasses in Thiru- brought to its logical conclusion due to the police-politician nex- Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to set He will also visit the Sree Pad- vananthapuram and Thalassery- by police. us that helped Valtoha hide the in motion legal procedure before manabhaswamy temple and in- Mahe are also going on, provid- Inspector general of police, fact that he was never acquitted declaring an absconding accused augurate federally funded infra- ing a further fi llip to the trade Amritsar range, S P S Parmar said in the case. a proclaimed off ender. structure improvement projects and hospitality industry. he had marked an inquiry to Tarn A charge-sheet in the case was Valtoha got bail in the case for visitors there. Political observers are keenly Taran senior superintendent of registered against unidentifi ed in February 1991 but the police The new bypass, revived in watching Modi’s speech in Kol- police Darshan Singh Mann in persons on the day of the mur- never presented a supplementary 2015 by chief minister Oom- lam as the BJP hopes to cash in December seeking a report from der. A year later, police took on charge sheet against him. men Chandy with state’s par- on the Sabarimala issue that has him. remand Hardev Singh, who was Parmar said the connivance of ticipation after the fi rst-phase deeply divided the society. “Mann has informed me that then lodged in the Nabha jail in police offi cials who never both- of works stalled 25 years ago, is The prime minister will leave the case fi le is missing from the other criminal cases. ered to report the case and con- Rescue operations underway at the site where a expected to reduce travel time Kerala at 7.50pm after the short Patti police station,” Parmar said. During interrogation, Hardev duct an inquiry into disappear- two-storey building collapsed in Noida’s Nithari village for motorists. visit. He will address anoth- “I have given instructions to confessed that he along with ance of the fi le cannot be ruled yesterday. Many are feared trapped under the debris. Another bypass revived during er rally in Thrissur later this the SSP to ‘reconstruct’ the case Valtoha and Baldev Singh were out. the same period in Alappuzha on month. Gulf Times 18 Tuesday, January 15, 2019 INDIA

OBITUARY CRIME LEGAL OFFBEAT INDUSTRIAL ACTION Malayalam film director Juvenile kills father Top court issues notice Rajasthan to felicitate BEST strike brings misery Lenin Rajendran dies at 67 over domestic discord on Sajjan Kumar’s plea those adopting stray cows for Mumbai commuters

Veteran filmmaker and chairman of Kerala State The Delhi Police arrested a juvenile for stabbing The Supreme Court yesterday issued a notice Rajasthan has decided to award those who would Over 4mn commuters including students were Film Development Corporation Lenin Rajendran his father to death. The police said the incident to the Central Bureau of Investigation on former adopt stray cows in the state, on Independence badly hit as the strike by over 20,000 employees of died at a private hospital in Chennai. He was occurred in east Delhi’s New Ashok Nagar when Congress leader Sajjan Kumar’s appeal challenging Day and Republic Day. Deputy Chief Minister the Bombay Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), 67 and was under treatment for liver ailments the wife of the deceased, identified as Hazari the Delhi High Court verdict sentencing him to Sachin Pilot yesterday said: “Our government is the lifeline of the city, entered the seventh day in at Apollo Hospital, Chennai, for the past three Mukhiya,42, informed the local police about the life imprisonment following his conviction in one trying to connect with people on issues about Mumbai yesterday. Amidst moves to “privatise” weeks. “He directed 16 films. He always treaded a altercation and stabbing. “During investigation, of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases. The court sought which the previous (BJP) government tried BEST – which supplies electricity to south Mumbai diff erent path and that’s what made him diff erent. it was found that Mukhiya had an argument with a response from the CBI on Kumar’s plea seeking to divide the society.” The state directorate of and also runs the public bus services – the ruling He was a known Left traveller, that was evident in his wife over a financial issue. When he abused her, suspension of the sentence while challenging his Gopalan issued an order to all district collectors, Shiv Sena and BJP, worried over its political most of his pictures. His unexpected demise has the accused juvenile took a knife from kitchen and conviction. The high court had sentenced Kumar to saying: “Those charitable and sensitive citizens repercussions, have been struggling to bring the come as a shock. The Malayalam film industry stabbed Mukhiya. He was taken to LBS Hospital life imprisonment setting aside his acquittal along adopting stray cows will be felicitated by the buses back on the roads. While the Congress and will miss him,” said State Minister for Culture where he was declared brought dead,” a policeman with five others saying the “criminals” escaped district collector on Independence/Republic the Nationalist Congress Party have blamed the and Cinema A K Balan. Kerala Chief Minister said. “Mukhiya worked as a labourer in a Noida prosecution and punishment for over two decades. Day.” The district collectors have been asked to Sena-BJP for the developments, the Maharashtra Pinarayi Vijayan and opposition leader Ramesh factory. The accused was later arrested from his Kumar in his appeal has contended that the High motivate public, charitable people and social Navnirman Sena has threatened to hold Chennithala condoled the death of Rajendran. hideout in New Ashok Nagar,” the off icer added. Court verdict was given on “erroneous” grounds. workers to adopt stray cows. demonstrations if the strike issue is not resolved. 150mn living in 111 border districts may get ID cards

Tribune News Service representatives from 17 states New Delhi that have border districts. “The revamp is aimed at en- suring that people are not forced s many as 150mn Indians to leave these areas for want of living in 111 strategic and better infrastructure. The idea is Aimportant border dis- to make strategic and important tricts may fi nally get “identity villages along the border, model cards” to prove their national- villages, that have every possible ity and improve security along infrastructure,” the third senior the country’s border. Currently, offi cial said. many of them face harassment “It is a much-needed thing on account of not having proof and a need of the hour. From the of identity. security point of view, this an The move is part of the extremely signifi cant decision. planned restructuring of the Better infrastructure will help Border Area Development Pro- retain our people and impor- gramme (BADP), senior govern- tantly, Indians will have proof ment offi cials said on condition of their identity,” K M Singh, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara and State Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar visit the Karnataka Power of anonymity. former additional director of the Corporation Office, in Bengaluru yesterday. The Centre spends about Intelligence Bureau and a senior Rs90bn every year on border member of the Vivekananda In- districts. BADP aims to meet ternational Foundation said. the “special development needs The move to issue the iden- of the people living in remote tity cards to Indians who live in and inaccessible areas situated border districts was also recom- near the international border,” a mended by the Kargil Review home ministry offi cial who did Committee. not want to be named. An estimated 140-150mn In- BJP ‘poaching’ Congress Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan dians inhabiting the 111 border and West Bengal were the biggest districts of the country, may benefi ciaries of this programme, now get identity cards, the fi rst receiving about Rs720mn, offi cial said. Rs810mn and Rs850mn respec- The cards will be issued us- tively in 2017-18. ing the database of the National The Union Cabinet gave its Population Register (NPR), legislators in Karnataka nod to the restructuring of the which records the identities of BADP programme in the last all Indian residents. The data is Agencies Shivakumar told the media in disclosed by the party leaders. ing the BJP to hide its failures. from the southern state are in week of December, one of the maintained by RGI. Bengaluru/New Delhi Bengaluru. The ruling coalition partner “Daily activity of Kumaras- the national capital to meet its government offi cials said. NPR uses the “family” as the The BJP was trying to “desta- JD-S leader and Chief Minister wamy government...Cry Op- leadership ahead of the ensuing The ministry of home aff airs basic enumeration unit and was bilise” the Janata Dal-Secular H D Kumaraswamy, however, eration Kamala (referring to Lok Sabha elections in April- has written to Registrar General compiled during the 2010-2011 arnataka Minister D K (JD-S)-Congress coalition gov- asserted that the government alleged poaching by the BJP), May. and Census Commissioner of census. It was updated in 2016. Shivakumar yesterday ernment by poaching the legis- continues to remain stable. hide failure to run government In the 225-member Karnata- India (RGI) to examine the “fea- NPR has biometrics of indi- Kalleged that the BJP was lators, he alleged. “All the legislators are in by blaming BJP. Fight among ka Assembly, the Congress has sibility of issuing identity cards viduals to enable the issuance trying to poach the state’s Con- Shivakumar, however, did not touch with us and we are certain themselves for power...,” the 80 MLAs including the Speaker, to the Indian citizens living in of identity cards to citizens. The gress legislators. The Congress name the MLAs who were re- of the stability of the coalition party’s state unit tweeted on the the JD-S 37 and Bharatiya Ja- the border districts,” a second government plans to update the says a group of “missing” law- portedly approached by the BJP. government,” Kumaraswamy issue. nata Party (BJP) 104. government offi cial said. data, based on data currently be- makers is proof that the BJP has The Congress leader spoke told the media. Speaking to media in New Yeddyurappa also alleged Apart from issuing identity ing collected for the 2021 census launched “Operation Lotus”. to the media ahead of a meet- Among the “missing” law- Delhi later, BJP’s Karnataka unit that Kumaraswamy was trying cards, the revamped BADP pro- and issue the cards, the second “Three of our MLAs are in ing held in Bengaluru by the makers is Ramesh Jarakiholi, president B S Yeddyurappa rub- to split its ranks. gramme will focus on creating offi cial said. Mumbai. We (Congress) are party’s senior leaders, including who was dropped recently by bished Congress’ allegations of “The JDS wants to break BJP infrastructure in the strategical- The data verifi cation will be aware of the horse trading Deputy Chief Minister G Para- Kumaraswamy in a Cabinet poaching. lawmakers. We are united. We ly located and important border done as per processes outlined that is being attempted by the meshwara, former chief minis- shuffl e. The others are Anand “These allegations of poach- will stay in Delhi for one or two districts. in Citizenship Rules, 2003 to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). ter Siddaramaiah and state unit Singh, B Nagendra, Umesh Jad- ing are only rumours and there days,” he said. In 2017, the Union home min- create a National Register of In- Our legislators have also ad- president Dinesh Gundu Rao. hav and B C Patil. is no truth to it,” Yeddyurappa “We are not trying to form istry reviewed the BADP pro- dian Citizens (NRIC) of border mitted to being approached by The agenda of the meeting Meanwhile, the BJP fl ayed the told reporters in New Delhi. an alternative government,” he gramme. The home minister met districts. the BJP,” Minister for Irrigation held and the outcome were not coalition government for blam- The BJP’s MPs and legislators added.

Harvest festival No plan to snap ties with BSP prepares to mark Congress : RJD leader Mayawati birthday today Tribune News Service BSP zonal co-ordinator New Delhi Akhilesh Ambedkar said the IANS Tejashwi Yadav referred to the ties like the SP and BSP was es- main birthday function would Lucknow Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sab- sential to save the country from be organised in the state unit ha by-polls in March 2018 where the BJP-RSS ideology which he fter the formal an- offi ce with senior party leaders the SP and BSP, arch rivals for a added was being imposed on the nouncement of an elec- and offi ce-bearers. “Members of ashtriya Janata Dal leader quarter century, joined hands to country. Atoral alliance between district units will celebrate her Tejashwi Yadav yesterday defeat the BJP. He fl ayed Prime Minister Modi the Samajwadi Party (SP) and birthday in their respective dis- Rindicated that his party may “The by-elections has already for denying special status to Bihar the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) tricts,” he said. not dump the Congress in Bihar proved the success of the alli- despite repeatedly promising it on Saturday, all eyes are now on According to party lead- for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections ance. Even without the Congress, and said central agencies like the the 63rd birthday celebrations of ers, Mayawati will celebrate her even as he expressed confi dence SP and BSP alone displayed their Central Bureau of Investigation BSP chief Mayawati today. birthday with state unit leaders that the SP-BSP alliance in Ut- power. The motive is to defeat (CBI) and the enforcement direc- BSP has announced it will cel- and workers in Lucknow in the tar Pradesh will wipe out the BJP the BJP. Whether the Congress is torate (ED) were functioning like ebrate the occasion today as ‘Jan morning and will leave for Delhi and stop the saff ron party from there or not, the BJP will be de- “allies of BJP”. Kalyankari Diwas’. in the evening for celebrations returning to power in Delhi. feated,” he asserted. Speaking on the occasion, According to BSP leaders fa- with alliance partners, party of- Addressing a press conference Tejashwi Yadav, however, was Akhilesh Yadav too fl ayed the miliar with the developments, fi ce-bearers and family members. jointly with Samajwadi Party quick to reiterate Congress presi- Modi government for only making the party has fi nalised candi- “After announcing that her chief Akhilesh Yadav, he said that dent Rahul Gandhi’s assertion hollow promises. dates to 38 seats and Mayawati party would maintain distance after the alliances in Uttar Pradesh that the motive of the opposition “Despite our repeated de- may release the list of candidates from the Congress, Mayawati is and Bihar, if a tie-up happens in parties was to oust the Bharatiya mands for a bullet train connect- on her birthday. working towards the formation Jharkhand among anti-BJP par- Janata Party. ing Delhi with Kolkata via Uttar However, a few BSP leaders of a non-Congress, non-BJP ties, then the wipe-out of the BJP “The SP-BSP alliance is his- Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, claimed that the party would an- third front with regional parties was certain from the three states toric and it will show the way not Modi shamelessly gave the bullet nounce candidates after a meet- which have strong base in their where the BJP won 110-115 of the just in Uttar Pradesh or Bihar but train to his home state connecting ing between SP and BSP leaders respective states,” a BSP leader, 134 seats in 2014. will also decide who comes to Mumbai,” said Akhilesh Yadav. in Delhi on January 16-17. who did not wish to be named, Asked what would be his party’s power in Delhi,” said the Rash- He said the entire country was Though Mayawati has earlier said. stand regarding the Congress in triya Janata Dal leader who is unhappy with the BJP. announced that she would not “The pre-poll alliance with SP Bihar in the wake of Samajwadi here to meet Akhilesh Yadav and Asked if Mayawati or he him- contest the Lok Sabha election, was a step in that direction,” he Party (SP)-Bahujan Samaj Party Mayawati. self could be the probable prime Villagers take part in a community fishing event during a BSP leader on condition of added. (BSP) combine dumping it in Ut- Claiming there was a “state of ministerial face, Akhilesh Yadav Bhogali Bihu celebrations at Goroimari Lake in Panbari, anonymity said she could be in Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) tar Pradesh, Tejashwi Yadav said: emergency” under Prime Minister remained cryptic saying: “Uttar some 50kms from Guwahati, yesterday. Bhogali Bihu is the fray from Bijnore or Nagina leader Tejashwi Yadav met BSP “The Congress has been with us Narendra Modi, Tejashwi Yadav Pradesh has given many a prime a harvest festival celebrated in Assam. seat in west Uttar Pradesh or chief Mayawati at her residence from early on.” said the coming together of par- ministers”. Ambedkar Nagar in the east. in Lucknow on Sunday. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 15, 2019 19 LATIN AMERICA Maduro govt denies ordering assembly leader’s detention

Mexico’s Attorney General Alejandro Gertz (left) speaks as President Andres Manuel By Maria Isabel Sanchez, AFP He was detained while travelling Colombia seeks new organisation to replace UNASUR Lopez Obrador (right) listens during a press conference on measures taken by the Caracas to the political meeting in Caraballe- government to combat fuel theft, at the National Palace in Mexico City. da, 40km from the capital, Caracas. Colombia is seeking the support of saying that it had been created by Maduro dismissed what he called other countries in the region for the Venezuela’s late president Hugo he president of the opposi- “hatred” and “lies.” creation of PROSUR, an organisation Chavez to break up Latin American tion-controlled but sidelined “Nobody should become hooked that would replace the controversial unity and to create an organ backing TNational Assembly was de- on hatred and on lies. We are going Union of South American Nations his regime. 3 Pemex execs to be tried tained by Venezuelan intelligence to get hooked on Venezuela’s pros- (UNASUR), President Ivan Duque said Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay agents for around an hour Sunday, perity,” he said. yesterday. and Peru had earlier suspended their but President Nicolas Maduro’s gov- “They forced us to get out. They Chile has already given its backing memberships in UNASUR. ernment denied any knowledge of did not hit him (Guaido), but they to the plan, the daily El Tiempo and The 12-member agency was cre- for fuel theft in Mexico the operation. told us they had to proceed with his the broadcaster RCN quoted Duque ated in 2008 to promote regional “We have learned that there was immediate arrest,” his wife Fabiana as saying. integration as a bulwark against US AFP He said he could not identify the three a situation in which a group of of- Rosales said in a telephone call made The creation of PROSUR would influence, but it has been largely Mexico City suspects because the case was still under fi cials acting in a unilateral manner public by a member of the assembly, help to finish with “the dictatorship in paralysed by political divisions investigation, adding that the date for their conducted an irregular procedure,” Larissa Gonzalez. Venezuela,” Duque said. and infighting over how to handle initial court appearance was expected to be said Communications Minister Jorge After Guaido’s release, Rosales in Instead of being “in the service of the economic and political crisis in exico’s attorney general said yes- set soon. Rodriguez. a Twitter post thanked “everyone a particular government,” PROSUR Venezuela. terday that three top offi cials at Five people are also being investigated He added that offi cers from the that reacted immediately with sup- would coordinate South American Thirteen governments belong- Mstate oil company Pemex will face for money laundering linked to fuel theft, SEBIN intelligence service “are be- port against the dictatorship’s abus- public policies and defend democ- ing to the Lima Group of American trial for fuel theft, insisting a controversial including a former lawmaker and an ex- ing dismissed and subjected to a es against my husband.” racy and the market economy, the countries have announced sanctions government crackdown that has caused Pemex executive, offi cials said. stricter disciplinary procedure” af- “The dictatorship cannot break president added. against Venezuelan President Nicolas gasoline shortages, is paying off . In all, authorities have opened 1,700 ter having provoked a “media cir- his fi ghting spirit,” she added. Colombia left UNASUR in August, Maduro’s regime. Leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez individual investigations for fuel theft, cus.” US Secretary of State Mike Pom- Obrador’s administration is racing to con- which became a massive black-market in- Following his release, Juan Guaido peo denounced the “arbitrary” de- tain the fallout from its decision to turn off dustry in Mexico under previous govern- was met by hundreds of cheering tention. of transition after branding Maduro alty” to him on both Wednesday and several major oil pipelines in a bid to fi ght ments, involving powerful drug cartels and supporters at the political rally he “We call on security forces to up- a “usurper.” Thursday. rampant fuel theft. corrupt Pemex insiders. had been heading to when he was hold the constitution and rights of He also called on Venezuelans to Guaido knows full well that the Illegal taps of Pemex pipelines cost Lopez Obrador’s government has shut intercepted on a highway by armed the Venezuelan people. The US and rally January 23 for a transitional assembly is powerless to act without Mexico an estimated $3bn in 2017. off key pipelines until they can be fully and hooded men in two Venezuelan world are watching,” he wrote on government, a signifi cant date as it the military’s help. But the government’s strategy to fi ght secured and deployed the army to guard intelligence service vehicles, ac- Twitter. was then in 1958 that the military “Is it enough to lean on the consti- the problem has led to severe gasoline and Pemex production facilities. cording to his wife. Once he reached Caraballeda, dictatorship of Marcos Perez Jimen- tution in a dictatorship? No. It needs diesel shortages across a large much of the Tanker trucks are being used to deliver “So Maduro no longer controls the Guaido was met by cheering crowds. ez fell. to be the people, the military and the country, including Mexico City, forcing fuel in the meantime, but experts say there armed forces because the chain of “Brothers and sisters, I’m here!” Maduro was re-elected in May in international community that lead people to queue for hours — sometimes are not nearly enough of them. command was broken,” Guaido said. he said before directing a message at a vote that was boycotted by the op- us to take over,” he said on Friday. days — to fuel up their vehicles. Mexico City residents yesterday woke up “Who is commanding the regime Maduro. position, whose best known leaders As part of his call for the military Lopez Obrador, who took offi ce on De- to a second week of fuel shortages, though now? If they’re already admitting “The game is changing. The peo- were barred from running, under to sever ties with Maduro, Guaido cember 1, has vowed to keep up the fi ght lines at service stations appeared shorter that they don’t control the state’s ple are in the street. The symbols of house arrest or in exile. announced that the legislature and asked Mexicans to be patient. than the previous week. security agencies, there’s a serious pressure, resistance and strength are The outcome was widely criti- would pass an amnesty law for mili- Speaking at the president’s daily press Lopez Obrador called on private com- problem at Mirafl ores,” he added, here,” Guaido said. cised as marred by fraud and voter tary members imprisoned on con- conference, Attorney General Alejandro panies to step up gasoline imports, sug- referring to the presidential palace. “If they want to send a message intimidation, with the United States, spiracy charges. Gertz said the crackdown was making gesting they bore some of the blame for the Guaido had directly challenged so that we go into hiding, here is the European Union and Organization of Maduro is widely blamed for the progress. shortages. the legitimacy of Maduro as the people’s response: We are here!’” American States refusing to recog- country’s economic crisis, with ba- “We are now prosecuting the case of “We want to speak with those (compa- president was sworn in for a second On Friday, the 35-year-old Guaido nise it. sic food and medicine scarce and three top Pemex offi cials...who were in nies) that have import permits to fi nd out term on Thursday, calling the next had said that the Venezuelan consti- Maduro, though, crucially retains hyperinfl ation estimated to reach charge of pipeline management,” Gertz why they haven’t been making the author- day for a transitional government tution gave him the authority to as- the support of the military high 10mn% in 2019, according to the In- said. ised imports,” he said. ahead of new elections. sume power as part of a government command, which reiterated its “loy- ternational Monetary Fund.

Feline achievement A cat wins the Brazil minister blasts supermodel Bundchen, ‘Best HHP Cat’ award during the International invites her to be an ‘environment’ envoy Feline Expo in Costa Rica, San Jose. Several Reuters Brazil without knowledge of the rectly to her by Twitter in one countries and Brasilia facts,” Dias told Sao Paulo’s Jovem instance after vetoing rules that judges, including Pan radio station earlier yesterday. would have reduced the size of the from Germany, Press representatives for Bund- Jamanxim national forest in Brazil’s the United States razil’s agriculture minister chen did not immediately respond Amazon rainforest. and Brazil, are yesterday criticised super- to request for comment. Environmentalists have blasted participating in Bmodel Gisele Bundchen for Recruiting the supermodel as the new Bolsonaro government, the international saying Brazil is a deforester and said a spokeswoman for sustainabil- warning that it may broadly roll expo. she will invite the supermodel to be ity would be a major public rela- back environmental protections. an ambassador for the country’s ef- tions coup for the government Bolsonaro has said he wants to forts to supply the world with food of right-wing President Jair Bol- end an “industry” of environmental while preserving nature. sonaro, which took power January fi nes, which activists say is a major Minister Tereza Cristina Dias 1, by bringing onboard a critic of his tool for ensuring rules are followed. said on Twitter that Bundchen predecessor’s moves to loosen en- He has also suggested Brazil would receive the invitation soon, vironmental protections. could exit the Paris Agreement on after striking out at her in a radio Bundchen, who is married to climate change. interview. US football star Tom Brady, twice Dias’ tweet followed on the radio “Sorry, Gisele Bundchen, you squared off with former president interview in which she cited gov- should be our ambassador, to say Michel Temer on social media over ernment statistics that Brazil has that your country preserves, that policies to shrink or eliminate pro- preserved roughly two-thirds of its your country is on the global van- tected areas of the Amazon. native vegetation as evidence of the guard of preservation, and don’t Temer ultimately reversed him- country’s accomplishments in con- come here saying bad things about self in both cases, responding di- servation. In fl ooded Argentine fi eld, ducks swim where soy should sprout

By Hugh Bronstein, Reuters The main soy region of Argen- Aires and southern Santa Fe and But this year, with the econo- Norberto de la Riestra, Argentina tina is to the north and is on track Cordoba provinces. my in recession, agricultural ex- to deliver a healthy crop of 50mn About 2mn of the 17.8mn hec- port tax revenue is crucial. tonnes or more. tares planted with soy, Argen- “The harvest will depend on rgentine farmer Mario But the fl oods here in the com- tina’s main cash crop, have been the weather and the economy Giustocio looks out at a munity of Norberto de la Rias- damaged by heavy rains related will depend to a great extent on Aseries of ponds that have tra are like a cruel joke after a to the El Nino weather phenom- the harvest,” said Julio Calzada, formed over a fi eld that should be drought roasted Giustocio’s farm enon this season, Argentina’s chief economist at the Rosario green with shin-high soy plants and others across the Pampas two main grains exchanges told grains exchange. by now. grain belt last season. Reuters. The Rosario grains exchange It is sunny but the weather The drought cut last year’s “The forecasts indicate more estimates the 2018/19 crop at forecast says more rain may be on soy output to 37mn tonnes from problems in marginal growing 50mn tonnes. the way. about 55mn tonnes initially ex- areas, but not in key soy-growing But that depends on whether His land in eastern Buenos pected. regions. the fl ooding worsens. Aires province was lashed by Giustocio, who manages 4,000 So in general, the picture is “The concern is that weath- 755mm of rain from October to hectares, says he lost 30% of his still good,” said Esteban Copati, er volatility could continue December, compared with the early-seeded soybeans, and has head analyst at the Buenos Aires through the end of January,” 250mm that normally fall during not been able to sow his late- Grains Exchange. Calzada said, noting that soil that period. season crop. Forecasts of a nationwide water levels are already at or be- “We’re worried because the The ideal deadline for plant- 50mn to 54mn tonne harvest are yond their limits. forecast for January through ing is the end of the year, but he holding steady. Forecast models show the rain March says it’s going to keep wants to try planting later this That is good news for the gov- continuing across Argentina raining more than normal and month if his fi elds become dry ernment, which signed a $56bn over the next two weeks, with the soil is already saturated,” enough. fi nancing deal with the Interna- the wettest weather occurring in said Giustocio, speaking over the Even if he manages to get some tional Monetary Fund last year northern regions of the country mooing of cows wading around seeds into the ground, yields that requires it to erase its pri- where little soy is grown, accord- A cow grazes in a flooded field near Norberto de la Riestra, Argentina. and drinking from fi elds he had would likely be very low. mary fi scal defi cit. ing to analysts with Refi nitiv Ag- slated for soybeans before the Giustocio’s plight is emblem- Soy export taxes are being riculture Research. Harvesting occurs in March The dirt road leading to his sprout in soil that still needs days deluge. atic of the crisis facing hundreds counted on to help hit that fi s- The models show the country through May. property has been cleared of tree to dry out. Ducks paddle nearby. of farmers on the periphery of cal target As one of the world’s should start drying out by mid- Giustocio, his feet sinking in stumps and other remnants of “If it does not rain over the Argentina is a major exporter Argentina’s main farm produc- key grains exporters, Argentina February. mud as he gives a tour of his farm the fl ooding. next few days we will try to plant of the oilseed and the world’s No 1 tion area, a famously fertile re- has always depended on good More than 96% of Argentina’s to a Reuters reporter, just wants The debris is piled up next to again. After that, it will be too supplier of soymeal livestock feed. gion centred in northern Buenos weather. 2018/19 soy has been planted. to get back to planting. fi elds where sparse green shoots late,” he said. Gulf Times 20 Tuesday, January 15, 2019 PAKISTAN

Aleema Khan bought properties ‘through Punjab’s PTI govt sewing machines’

Internews Islamabad allocates Rs100mn rime Minister Imran Khan’s sister Aleema PKhan, who is named as one of the benamidars of a property in the UAE, claimed yesterday that she bought properties from the money she earned through sewing ma- to each lawmaker chines. She appeared before the Su- Internews said that the MPAs submitted system in the province, as at other issues were ignored in the On the other hand, a senior preme Court yesterday, as a Aleema Khan: I have been Rawalpindi their development proposals to present the PML-N has a major- past, and being elected repre- offi cial of the district admin- three-member bench headed working and earning for the government last month but ity in all the municipal corpora- sentatives of the people, it is our istration said that the previous by Chief Justice of Pakistan myself for the past 20 years. due to the fi nancial crisis the tions and district councils. duty to inform the government PML-N government in Punjab Saqib Nisar heard a case per- acktracking from its pre- funds were yet to be released. Any change to the local gov- about it,” he said. made a political move before the taining to the assets owned by “You can check my wealth vious claim of not utilis- “The PTI’s parliamentary ernment law could only be made The MPA said that the PTI general elections on July 25, 2017, Pakistanis abroad. statement, I have been working Bing development funds meeting is scheduled to be held through the provincial assem- lawmakers had presented their by preparing the development Answering reporters’ ques- and earning for myself for the through lawmakers, the Pakistan in Lahore (this week) to discuss bly, but the ruling PTI does not proposals to the government, plan in 2018 and launching many tions after the hearing, Khan past 20 years,” she claimed. Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) govern- issues pertaining to the ruling have the required majority in the which would spend funds on projects. said that she bought proper- On being named a benami- ment in Punjab is set to allocate party members in their respec- house. the sectors as pointed out by the “More than 50% work on the ties by earning through sewing dar of the prime minister, she Rs100mn to each of its mem- tive districts. The MPAs will ask In this situation, he added, the MPAs. projects had been completed machines. said she had been given prop- bers of the Provincial Assembly the provincial government to provincial government had al- When contacted, PTI MPA on these development schemes “People poke fun at sew- erties from her parents, not (MPAs). start development works.” located Rs100mn to each ruling Umer Tanveer said the develop- worth over Rs3bn, and the pro- ing machines, which employ from her brother. In this regard, the government He said the ruling party mem- party MPA, and asked them to ment funds would be spent by the vincial government would not thousands [of people]. Many Earlier in December, the Su- has already collected develop- bers had also decided to raise the submit their development pro- government; the role of the rul- take the risk of stopping work on women in Pakistan earn their preme Court had ordered Alee- ment proposals from the ruling issue of bureaucracy as senior of- posals. ing party MPAs is only to identify them. These projects have to be livelihoods from sewing,” she ma Khan to deposit Rs29.5mn party MPAs. fi cials of the district administra- “We have submitted the de- problems of the residents. completed before launching new said, adding that the sewing in taxes and fi ne after taking a In the past, the PTI criticised tions were not co-operating with velopment proposals to the Pun- “The provincial government schemes.” business was bringing foreign suo motu notice of her unde- the Pakistan Muslim League – them to resolve problems of the jab government, which would allocated Rs100mn for each The offi cial said the govern- exchange into the country. clared property in the UAE. Nawaz (PML-N) for utilising citizens. release the funds soon,” said constituency, and in this regard ment is facing problems to start development funds through its He said the MPAs also wanted Chaudhry Adnan, a PTI MPA we will give a presentation in new schemes before completing parliamentarians. to launch new projects in their from Rawalpindi. the parliamentary meeting (this the ongoing ones. However, after coming to pow- areas, especially in those union He said there is a dire need week),” he said. “It is the basic reason be- er in Punjab, the party sought councils that were neglected to launch new projects in many The government would also hind the delay in the release of development proposals from its during the tenure of the previous areas as the previous govern- resolve problems of the citizens funds for the new projects. But Properties of 96 more members of the provincial as- PML-N government. ment remained busy in executing in the cantonment areas as the the MPAs are hopeful to arrange sembly. He said the party also wanted projects to make commissions. proposals included water supply funds for development schemes A senior leader of the party to change the local government “The shortage of water and schemes. in their areas,” he said. Pakistanis in UAE traced, FIA tells court All in a day’s work University rebrands Internews unco-operative, while one is Islamabad absconding. Furthermore, 413 people Valentine’s Day took advantage of the tax am- he Federal Investiga- nesty scheme that ended in tion Agency (FIA) has August last year, whereas 167 AFP on February 14, the statement Tinformed the Supreme people declared their proper- Islamabad on the website added. Court that it has tracked down ties to the FBR. University spokesman properties of 96 more Pakista- Seventy-nine people de- Qamar Bukhari told AFP yes- nis in the United Arab Emir- clared their properties in tax Pakistani university is terday that the UAF is seeking ates. returns, while 97 individuals rebranding Valentine’s donations as it aims to give A three-member bench disowned their properties in ADay as “Sister’s Day”, headscarves to at least 1,000 of headed by Chief Justice Saqib the UAE, the FIA report said. and debating marking the holi- its 14,000 female students. Nisar heard a case pertaining The FIA had earlier identi- day widely seen as a Western “These scarfs will be dis- to the foreign assets owned by fi ed 1,115 people who owned import by handing out head- tributed by the university ad- Pakistanis. properties in the UAE. scarves and shawls to its female ministration and not their fel- An audit member of the Fed- The FBR representative told students. low male students,” he added, eral Bureau of Revenue (FBR) the court that the FIA had pro- The University of Agricul- saying that the goal is to ensure and FIA director general Bash- vided data of 895 people and ture in Faisalabad (UAF), in respect for women. eer Memon were among the 1,365 properties. central Punjab province, said Valentine’s Day is increas- offi cials present at yesterday’s The audit member further the change was taken to pro- ingly popular among younger hearing. said that Rs340mn have so far mote “eastern culture and Is- Pakistanis, with many taking The FIA, in its report sub- been recovered, while another lamic traditions among the up the custom of giving cards, mitted in the apex court, said Rs768mn are expected to be youth”. chocolates and gifts to their that 1,211 Pakistani citizens recovered. “In our culture, women are sweethearts to mark the occa- own 2,154 properties in the Displeased by the progress more empowered and earn sion. UAE. so far, the chief justice ordered their due respect as sisters, However, the country re- About 345 people have been the FBR to submit its progress mothers, daughters and wives,” mains a deeply traditional served notices. report within a month about UAF vice-chancellor Zafar Muslim society, and many The report also stated that recovery of assets and amounts Iqbal is quoted as saying on the disapprove of the holiday as a 61 people remain unidenti- illegally accumulated abroad institution’s website. Western import. fi ed, fi ve are deceased, 10 are by Pakistani citizens. “We were forgetting our cul- On social media many re- ture, and Western culture was jected the UAF initiative, with taking root in our society,” he some joking that “Sister Day” Apex court dismisses NAB appeal continued. could also be seen as a refer- “UAF was mulling a plan to ence to the Hindu festival of against Sharifs’ jail suspension distribute scarves, shawls and Raksha Bandhan, in which gowns printed with the UAF in- brothers vow to protect their The Supreme Court of Pakistan has dismissed the National signia among female students” sisters. Accountability Bureau (NAB)’s appeal against the suspension of the Sharif family’s sentences in the Avenfield reference. A five-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar Indus Blues bags another award and comprising Justices Asif Saeed Khosa, Gulzar Ahmed, Mushir Alam and Mazhar Alam Miankhel, upheld the Islamabad High After winning the Best Documentary Feature Award at the South Court’s verdict that had ordered suspension of prison sentences Film and Arts Academy Festival 2018, Indus Blues has bagged awarded to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter another award. Maryam Nawaz in the Avenfield corruption reference. The film, which documents the struggles of several Pakistani folk The NAB had approached the apex court after high court, on artists who are trying hard to keep a fading art form from dying, September 19, suspended prison sentences of the Sharifs awarded while reminding the world what it is about to lose, has picked up the by an accountability court on July 6. Gold Award at Spotlight Documentary Awards 2018. The accountability court had convicted Nawaz, Maryam and Indus Blues is the brainchild of director and cinematographer her husband Safdar in the Avenfield properties reference and Jawad Sharif, who took to social media to announce the good news. sentenced them to 11 years, eight years and one year, respectively, “This is a big win for us! Indus Blues won another award. Thank you in prison. so much for all the support. Love!” he posted on Facebook. Upholding the lower court’s decision, the Supreme Court bench Produced by the Foundation of Arts, Culture and Education (FACE), threw out the NAB’s request to revoke the Sharifs’ bails, observing in association with Bipolar Films, Indus Blues has won multiple that the anti-corruption watchdog had failed to provide the nominations and awards at international film festivals including A boy makes clay pottery at a workshop in Karachi. “grounds for cancellation of bail”. Regina International Film Festival (RIFF). The high court did not exceed its authority in granting bail to the convicts of the Avenfield reference, the Supreme Court bench observed. Justice Khosa, who will be sworn in as the country’s next chief justice later this month, stated that the high court decision was temporary and that the apex court would not interfere with the Pakistan journalist wins AFP’s Kate Webb Prize decision. “Nawaz Sharif is already behind the bars. He did not misuse the bail, and regularly appeared in the trial court [for hearings],” Khosa AFP the country’s powerful military said AFP Asia-Pacifi c regional who have been working in an in- remarked. Islamabad and a reporting mission to the director Philippe Massonnet. creasingly restrictive reporting South Waziristan tribal region – “His deeply-researched arti- environment over the last year.” birthplace of Pakistan’s Taliban – cles tackle sensitive subjects with The Kate Webb Prize, with a Court orders fresh report on mentally reelance reporter Asad to look into the civilian toll from an admirable balance of passion, €3,000 ($3,400) purse, honours Hashim was named as landmines. commitment and journalistic journalists working in perilous or ill prisoner on death row: NGO Fwinner of the 2018 Agence Pakistan has battled home- detachment.” diffi cult conditions in Asia, and France-Presse Kate Webb Prize grown militancy for nearly 15 The award also recognised his is named after a crusading AFP Pakistan’s top court has ordered a fresh medical report into yesterday for his coverage of the years, with tens of thousands of work on other highly sensitive reporter who died in 2007 at the the condition of a mentally ill prisoner on death row, an NGO plight of ethnic Pashtuns and Hashim: I consider the award not people killed, and insurgents re- issues, such as Pakistan’s blas- age of 64, after a career covering representing him said, days after his execution was temporarily blasphemy issues in his native just a recognition of my work, tain the ability to carry out dev- phemy laws and the country’s the world’s trouble spots. suspended. Pakistan. but of all Pakistani journalists. astating attacks despite recent judicial system. The award, which in 2017 went The case of Khizar Hayat, a former police off icer sentenced to The award, named after one improvements in security. “I am honoured by the jury’s to Myanmar journalist Mratt death in 2003 for killing a colleague and who has spent more than of AFP’s fi nest correspondents, Pashtuns and other minority “These are challenging times decision to select my work this Kyaw Thu for his brave coverage 15 years in custody, has attracted widespread attention from rights recognises journalism by locally- groups caught in the crossfi re of for journalists in Pakistan, and year,” Hashim said after learn- of ethnic and religious confl ict in groups and the UN. hired reporters in Asia operating Pakistan’s fi ght against militants. Asad Hashim’s work stands out ing he was the winner of the 2018 his homeland, is administered by “The case was adjourned till the Special Medical Board examines in risky or diffi cult conditions. These included an investiga- for the kind of courageous, inde- prize. “I consider the award not AFP and the Webb family. Khizar and files their report before the court,” the Justice Project Hashim, 33, was honoured tive report into enforced disap- pendent reporting the Kate Webb just a recognition of my work, The prize will be formally pre- Pakistan (JPP), a rights organisation that is representing Hayat, said for a series of articles on ethnic pearances allegedly conducted by Prize was created to recognise,” but of all Pakistani journalists, sented at a ceremony in March. in a press release. Gulf Times Tuesday, January 15, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES

Drugs worth Supreme Court urged to advise millions seized Diokno to implement pay hike

By Jomar Canlas that there is an urgent and para- includes the pay increase for the By Rhea Ruth Rosell Manila Times mount necessity for the writ to military and uniformed person- Manila Times prevent serious damage,” it said. nel. It really will not cover, can- Andaya slammed Diokno, not cover the fourth tranche ouse Majority fl oor arguing that withholding the of the salary increase,” Assist- high-value target for il- leader Rolando Andaya release of funds would be tan- ant Secretary Myrna Chua ex- legal drugs, posing as a HJr and several govern- tamount to deprivation of the plained. Avegetable vendor, yielded ment workers yesterday urged right to property enshrined un- Diokno welcomed Andaya’s more than P2mn worth of sus- the Supreme Court (SC) to order der the 1987 Constitution. petition, saying: “It’s good that pected shabu when arrested in a the Department of Budget and Diokno reiterated that the there is a mandamus case before buy-bust in Cebu City. Management to implement pay DBM would wait for a new na- the SC, so once and for all we Chief Insp. Regino Maramag, hikes for government workers. tional budget before imple- can resolve this issue.” station commander of Pardo Po- In a 27-page petition for menting the salary hikes. Budget Undersecretary Janet lice Station, said a poseur buyer mandamus lodged before the “We have to wait for the pas- Abuel told reporters: “We are bought a medium pack of shabu high court, Andaya, who was sage of the 2019 General Appro- preparing for that. Basically, the for P14,000 from Elvie Peter joined by a group of state work- priations Act (GAA), otherwise provisions (of the EO) are very Mandreza, 31, in Sitio Kauswa- ers, said Budget Secretary Ben- we do not have legal basis for the clear and those are the provi- gan, Barangay Basak Pardo, in jamin Diokno should be com- implementation of the fourth sions that we will be emphasis- Cebu City at past midnight on pelled to release funds under the tranche,” Diokno said during a ing in our answer.”Malacanang Saturday. He told Manila Times fourth tranche of adjustments news briefi ng yesterday. yesterday backed Diokno anew that Mandreza is tagged as a under the Salary Standardiza- He stressed anew that EO 201 in his standoff with the House high-value target and could dis- tion Law (SSL). required that the implementation of Representatives, saying Con- pose millions worth of shabu Under Executive Order (EO) of the salary schedule was “sub- gress was to blame for the delay every week in Cebu City, espe- 201 series of 2016 issued by the ject to appropriations by Con- in salary hikes. “The one holding cially in Barangay Mambaling. Aquino Third administration, gress.” “There’s no appropriation (the salary hike) hostage would Seized from Mandreza were the pay hikes must be imple- for this salary adjustment in the be Congress, not Executive De- two more small sachets and three mented in January 2019. Con- 2018 budget. There is one in the partment,” Palace spokesman large packs of shabu, weighing gress, however, failed to pass 2019 budget,” Diokno said. Salvador Panelo said. about 310 grams with an esti- the 2019 budget, forcing the According to a DBM estimate, “What will be your basis (for mated street value of P2.108mn. government to operate under a the government would need the fourth tranche?) Where will Mandreza, who was under re-enacted 2018 budget. Majority Floor leader Rolando Andaya Jr files before the Supreme Court a class suit, petitioning to order about P45bn to P50bn to fund you get the money. But as soon surveillance for about three The lawmaker argued Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to release the fourth tranche of the salary hike for government workers. the salary adjustment for some as the budget is enacted, that’s weeks, told police that he has that a portion of the 2018 1.3mn civilian workers this year. precisely why we’re urging gra- been in the illegal drugs trade for budget covered the Miscel- Diokno of various irregulari- with Congress began last year Andaya said Diokno should not The DBM also clarifi ed that ciously the House or Represent- a long time. laneous Personnel Benefi ts ties, with the former claiming over the adoption of a cash- use as an excuse the delay in the there was not enough money atives … , as well as the Senate, “He (Mandreza) and his live- Fund (MPBF) amounting to that the Cabinet offi cial had fa- based budgeting system for passage of the 2019 budget. in the MBPF of the 2018 re- to approve the budget,” Panelo in partner pose as vegetable P99,446,295,000.00, which voured a contractor linked to his the 2019 budget instead of the “Evidently, the violation of enacted budget for the salary said. vendors in Carbon public mar- could be used for payments daughter’s in-laws. corruption-prone obligations- the rights of herein petition- increase. This is so the salary increase ket (in Cebu City) as their front,” of personal benefi ts worth Malacanang, however, has based system. ers and the class they represent “The MBPF is specifi c for the would kick in by the second Maramag added. P75.1bn. Andaya had accused backed Diokno since his rift In his petition for mandamus, is material and substantial and third tranche of the SSL, which quarter of 2019, he said. Lorenzana rejects plan to Palace expects poverty Call for level to fall in new year ‘fair’ travel arm civilians to check rebels By Ralph Villanueva articulated by Secretary (Er- advisories Manila Times nesto) Pernia of NEDA, sustain high economic growth that By Dempsey Reyes terior and Local Government creates many jobs and reduce Manila Times Manila Times (DILG), meanwhile, reminded alacanang sees a de- prices and infl ation,” he said, Manila all local government units not to cline in the number of referring to the National Eco- give in to demands of the NPA Mpoor Filipinos as the nomic and Development Au- efence Secretary Delfi n rebels for “permit-to- campaign government continues to ad- thority. residential Communica- Lorenzana has rejected fees,” with the election season dress infl ation in the country. tions Operations Offi ce Dthe idea of arming the having begun last week. “With the president’s tire- “Our economic managers P(PCOO) Secretary Martin public in a bid to end the com- Jonathan Malaya, DILG less eff orts in addressing and are vigorously pursuing Andanar said he would ask tour- munist insurgency in the coun- spokesman, pointed to Memo- taming the infl ationary eff ects policies and programmes ism leaders to issue travel advi- try, saying it would pose “lots randum Circular No 2018-211 of the prices of basic goods geared towards reducing sories that are “more specifi c” to of challenges.” issued by Interior Secretary and commodities, we remain the poverty level and areas in the Philippines aff ected “I would suggest not arming Eduardo Año, reminding all optimistic that many Filipino propelling the country’s by security issues so as not to af- everyone. Who are the peo- locally elected offi cials not to families would continue to feel economic development...” fect other travel destinations. ple to be armed? Do we have provide any form of support to more comfort this year,” Palace Andanar, in a news confer- enough fi rearms to arm every- Delfin Lorenzana: opposed to arming civilians NPA members. spokesman Salvador Panelo. Panelo added that the gov- ence in Dapitan, Zamboanga del body?” Lorenzana told report- Malaya also warned that lo- The Social Weather Stations ernment’s economic managers Norte, said he would direct his ers in a text message. help in the campaign to end the privilege to purchase fi rearms cal offi cials supporting the (SWS) found that in December are pursuing policies and pro- agency’s Offi ce for Global Me- His statement came days af- NPA rebellion, citing ambushes freely for illegal activities. communist rebels fi nancially 2018, only 50% of Filipinos grammes, not only to reduce dia Aff airs to push for fair travel ter President Rodrigo Duterte by the communist rebels of sol- “Bottomline, it may not be would suff er the penalty of re- considered themselves poor, poverty, but to put the country advisories. “I will stress on the said in his speech last week that diers and policemen. advisable to arm everybody for clusion temporal if found guilty lower than September’s 52%. in the same rank as other pro- importance of (travel advisories) he was keen on arming every But, the president added, he all the problems that it may of violating Republic Act 10168 Panelo said the survey result gressive Asian countries. specifi c in the provinces or the civilian to eliminate the New was willing to talk peace with cause,” Lorenzana pointed out. or the “Terrorism Financing could be tied with the recent “Our economic managers cities that are aff ected by terror- People’s Army (NPA) through- them if the insurgents would He said the military already Prevention and Suppression drop of infl ation at 5.1% for De- are vigorously pursuing poli- ism,” Andanar said. out the country. tone down their attacks on gov- has its Civilian Armed Forces Act of 2012.” cember, the lowest since June cies and programmes geared He cited the role of the Offi ce But, Duterte’s Defence sec- ernment forces. Geographical Unit (Cafgu) and “The DILG may also fi le other last year. The Palace spokesman towards reducing the poverty for Global Media Aff airs in cul- retary was somehow apprehen- Lorenzana said in case the Special Cafgu, who are civilians charges pursuant to the Revised cited the forecast of the Bangko level and propelling the coun- tivating better tourism relations sive with the possible provision proposal would prosper, prop- armed by the Armed Forces of Penal Code and other pertinent Sentral ng Pilipinas that infl a- try’s economic development between the Philippines and of fi rearms for civilians. er training must be observed the Philippines (AFP). laws and seek the disqualifi ca- tion this year is expected to de- to a degree satisfactory to the other countries. In his speech during the among civilians on how to “The beauty of the Cafgu tion of all those candidates who celerate below 4%. administration’s goal of not “The good relations between birthday celebration of Mas- handle guns before they are programme is that (the mem- shall be proved to have co-op- “Even as we acknowledge only giving our countrymen PCOO and diff erent informa- bate Gov. Antonio Kho last released to them. He also said bers) are under the AFP and erated with non-state actors in such positive development, we comfortable lives but putting tion ministries in Asean, Japan, Thursday, Duterte said he there should be proper control subject to military justice,” accordance with provisions of note however that the poverty our country at par with our China, Australia, US, brings our would allow each civilian and so that civilians and local chief Lorenzana added. the Omnibus Election Code,” among Filipinos is still high. fast developing industrialised department closer to them,” he mayor to purchase fi rearms to executives would not use the The Department of the In- he said in a statement. In addressing it, we must, as Asian neighbours,” he said. added. Comelec, police, candidates sign covenant for peaceful polls

Manila Times want to showcase honest, or- serve as a warning to threat Printing Offi ce (NPO) to see its Manila derly and fair elections. groups attempting to disrupt the readiness for the printing of bal- At least 6,000 people joined elections. lots. Jimenez said the printing the events in Quezon City. Aside “We are united as one guard- machines of the NPO can churn ffi cials of the Com- from Comelec, police and mili- ing the peacefulness and main- out 800,000 ballots a day. mission on Elections tary offi cials, representatives of taining the cleanliness of this “At this point, we see no prob- O(Comelec), the Philip- the Public Attorney’s Offi ce, the year’s polls,” Eleazar said. lem meeting our timeline,” he pine National Police (PNP), the Department of the Interior and In Marawi, candidates for added. military and candidates in this Local Government, and the Na- elective positions in Lanao del The NPO will print more than year’s polls held unity walks and tional Citizens’ Movement for Sur vowed to make the May 2019 60mn ballots, including those prayer rallies in various areas and Free Elections (Namfrel) were elections peaceful and credible for overseas voters. signed a covenant for peaceful also present. as they joined the unity walk and During the 2016 elections, 85 elections. Among the politicians seen at prayer rally. embassies and consulates were The unity walks and signing the event were Sen. Paolo Be- Lanao del Sur Police Provin- designated as polling centres. of peace covenants were held in nigno Aquino, Rep. Gary Alejano cial Offi ce Director Police Senior Overseas voters are only allowed Quezon City, Bulacan and Ma- of Magdalo party-list, former Supt. Madzgani Mukaram said to vote for national candidates rawi City. DILG secretary Rafael Alunan 400 politicians and members of such as president, vice president Chief Supt. Joel Napoleon 3rd, women’s rights advocate various groups participated in and senators. Coronel, Police Regional Offi ce Samira Ali Gutoc-Tomawis, the event. Jimenez also reminded police 3 acting director, said the events human rights lawyers Lorenzo He said the candidates signed and military personnel manning were organised by the Come- Tanada 3rd and Jose Manuel a peace covenant titled “Integ- Comelec checkpoints around lec, the PNP and Armed Forces Diokno, and former commu- rity Pledge,” where they vowed the country that the “plain view of the Philippines. The event in Participants in the Unity Walk, Inter-Faith Prayer Rally and Peace Covenant signing for the 2019 Midterm nications assistant secretary to ensure free, orderly, honest, doctrine” or visual inspection is Bulacan was joined by 500 po- Elections at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, release doves as a sign of their commitment to peaceful, Margaux “Mocha” Uson, among peaceful and credible elections. in eff ect. lice personnel. The unity walk honest, orderly and credible elections. others. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., Phil- He said checkpoints must started at 4.30am at the historic Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel, ippine Army 103rd Brigade com- be located in well-lit areas and Barasoain Church and ended at ment and Natural Resources, tion. Members of non-govern- The prayer rally was led by director of the Quezon City Po- mander based in Kampo Ranao, manned by uniformed personnel the provincial capitol gym. Department of Public Works ment organisations and baran- Msgr. Pablo Legaspi, pastor John lice District (QCPD), said the challenged candidates to keep of the PNP or AFP. Coronel said delegates and and Highways, National Police gay (village) offi cials also took Pangilinan and Ustag Gamor groups assembled in front of the the upcoming electoral exercise Under Comelec Resolution other stakeholders from Region Commission, National Bureau part in the events. from the Muslim community. Quezon City Hall at 4 am and peaceful. 10468, police or military per- 3 came from various government of Investigation, Bureau of Fire Only a few aspirants in the Temie Lambino, Comelec re- marched to the Quezon City cir- Also on Sunday, Comelec sonnel should not compel mo- agencies such as the Department Protection, Bureau of Jail and May midterm polls, however, gional director, said the events cle. In his speech, Metro Manila spokesman James Jimenez said torists to step out of their vehi- of Interior and Local Govern- Management and Penology, and turned up for the signing of the symbolised democracy and a Police director Guillermo Elea- poll offi cials were scheduled to cle, unless there is a reasonable ment, Department of Environ- Commission on Higher Educa- peace covenant. better community where they zar said the unity walk should visit the facilities of the National ground. Gulf Times 22 Tuesday, January 15, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah 2nd Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor reaffi rms strength of bilateral ties K T Chacko QNA P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar Doha [email protected] 44350478 (News), he governments of Qatar and the United States held the 44466404 (Sport), second Strategic Dialogue in 44466636 (Home delivery) TQatari Doha on January 13, 2019. HE Deputy Prime Minister and 44350474 Minister of Foreign Aff airs Mohamed facebook.com/gulftimes bin Abdulrahman al-Thani chaired the meeting along with US Secretary of twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar State Michael Pompeo, with ranking offi cials from the two sides attending. At the end of the strategic dialogue, the two countries issued a joint statement saying that they discussed GULF TIMES numerous aspects of their strong bilateral ties, including regional security and defence co-operation, education and culture, law enforcement and counterterrorism partnerships, Andy Murray: commercial and energy co-operation, and labour issues. The two countries welcomed this Second Annual Strategic Dialogue, the gift that the fi rst in Doha, and reviewed the signifi cant progress since the fi rst Strategic Dialogue was held in Washington, DC, in January 2018. They keeps giving highlighted the strength of the bilateral relationship and the opportunities to further deepen our co-operation British tennis star Andy Murray said last week he will call to benefi t both countries. The two it quits sometime this year. But following his fi rst round sides also signed on Sunday three exit from the Australian Open yesterday in a gutsy fi ve-set memoranda of understanding (MoUs) encounter against Qatar ExxonMobil Open winner Raoberto and a Statement of Intent (SoI). Bautista Agut, he hinted he may carry on playing. Qatar and the United States expressed strong support for the expansion of bilateral “Maybe I’ll see you again, I’ll do everything possible to try,” relations evinced by high-level meetings he told spectators in a quavery voice. in 2018 between His Highness the Amir For a nation steeped in tennis history but long starved of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and success, Britain’s Andy Murray is the gift that keeps giving. US President Donald J Trump; HE Qatar’s From the moment the scrawny kid from the Scottish town Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of of Dunblane won the junior title at the 2004 US Open, he was Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin touted as the real McCoy. Abdulrahman al-Thani and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo; HE Qatar’s He did not disappoint and 14 years later, with his battle- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister scarred right hip apparently proving beyond even Murray’s of State for Defence Aff airs Khalid bin never-say-die attitude, only the hard-hearted could wish Mohamed al-Attiyah and US Secretary of him anything other than goodwill as he prepares for life after Defence James Mattis, in addition to an tennis with his 32nd birthday looming. exchange of other ministerial-level visits Whatever happens in the fi nal act of his career he belongs in to Washington and Doha. These high-level the pantheon of British sporting greats. diplomatic engagements highlight the two nations’ shared commitment to advance Despite a career forged in the toughest of all tennis eras, co-operation and promote global peace and Murray has 45 career titles, including three Grand Slams, prosperity. two Olympic golds, a Davis Cup and $60 million in career The two governments expressed earnings. concern about the detrimental security, Yet it was perhaps a defeat that opened the door to economic, and human impacts of greatness, and a nation’s aff ection. the Gulf crisis on the region. Qatar Zakriski participated in sessions on The 2012 Wimbledon fi nal, Murray’s fi rst at the All England highlighted its appreciation for the defence co-operation. constructive role played by the United The two governments reaffi rmed Club where he shouldered home hopes for more than a decade, States in support of the eff orts of the their commitment to the Joint saw him eclipsed by Roger Federer and then receive a standing Amir of Kuwait to resolve the dispute. Declaration on Security Co-operation ovation as the tears fl owed during his runner-up speech. Qatar and the United States also to promote peace and stability and Britain loves a plucky affi rmed their continued support for a counter the scourge of terrorism. loser but Murray was strong and united Gulf Co-operation The United States welcomed Qatar’s Despite a career to prove anything but. Council (GCC) that is focused on generous off er to expand critical He returned to the promoting a peaceful and prosperous facilities at bases used by US forces forged in the future for all the people of the region in the country and to align operating Wimbledon lawns and on countering regional threats. procedures at these bases with Nato toughest of all weeks later and rode HE Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Aff airs standards, thereby increasing the a wave of national Secretary-General Dr Ahmed bin Hassan operational capability of US and tennis eras, Murray euphoria to beat al-Hammadi and US Deputy Assistant coalition forces based in Qatar. Federer to Olympic Secretary of State for the Arabian Peninsula The US and Qatar signed an MoU has 45 career titles, gold. and Regional and Multilateral Aff airs enabling deeper co-ordination on A few weeks after that Timothy Lenderking discussed potential potential expansion at Al Udeid Air Base. including three mechanisms to address wider regional Qatar’s off ers to fund capital expenditures he outlasted Serbia’s challenges beyond the Gulf, including and sustainment aff ords the possibility of Grand Slams Novak Djokovic to win establishing a Middle East Strategic a more enduring US presence. the US Open having lost Alliance (MESA) between the United States Both countries noted the recent his fi rst four Grand Slam fi nals – a record he shared with coach and its Gulf and regional partners. expansion of the bilateral maritime Ivan Lendl. The two governments discussed partnership, including the visit by the Signifi cant as that Flushing Meadows victory was – it regional security, including: joint largest US naval ship to ever come to banished the ghost of Fred Perry by ending a 76-year wait for eff orts to defeat ISIS, fi nding a lasting Qatar in October 2018. Qatar’s Navy resolution to the confl icts in Syria, and Coast Guard represent the largest a British Grand Slam champion – what followed a year later Libya, and Yemen, as well as political maritime contribution in the 33-nation took Murray’s standing to an entirely diff erent level. developments in Iraq; and eff orts to Combined Maritime Force (CMF) Task He fought back from two sets down in the quarter-fi nal to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian confl ict. Force-152 led by the US Navy’s Fifth beat Spain’s Fernando Verdasco and again found himself in The United States also recognised Fleet and continue to be high value trouble against Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz before winning in four. Qatar’s active leadership and mediation partners and members. These missions Top seed Djokovic awaited in the fi nal but Murray was to promote peace and reconciliation increase regional security by providing simply too good, winning in straight sets to end a 77-year jinx among all parties in Afghanistan and a visible presence and deterrent to for British men on the hallowed lawns. Sudan. The US shared Qatar’s concern maritime crime in the Arabian Gulf. about recent developments in Gaza and The two governments discussed the While the scoreline was routine, the fi nal heart-pounding the need for tangible steps to improve $26bn Foreign Military Sales (FMS) game will forever live in British sporting folklore. humanitarian and economic conditions. programme that currently exists Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh al-Nuaimi and dialogue, cultural and professional Murray’s obdurate playing style, relying on superhuman The United States acknowledged between the United States and Qatar. US Assistant Secretary for Educational exchange programmes, programmes defensive skills mixed with fl ashes of genius shot-making, all Qatar’s generous humanitarian role Qatar highlighted the continued and Cultural Aff airs Marie Royce that support and engage youth, and fuelled by a ferocious will to win, began to take its toll. bilaterally and multilaterally through opportunity for US partnership in participated in sessions on culture and both parties will support the work of He required back surgery at the end of 2013 and in 2014 he the work of various UN agencies, in the developing Qatar’s Expeditionary education. individuals and organisations who did not reach a Grand Slam fi nal for the fi rst time since 2009. form of a $500mn multi-year assistance Amphibious Capability, Joint Special Both governments underscored the are committed to enhancing cultural pledge, including $8mn annually Forces expansion, as well as an signifi cance of co-operation in the fi elds understanding between the US and Qatar. The best was yet to come though. between 2019 and 2023 to support improved ability to defend against of education and culture, as evidenced In the fi eld of counterterrorism In 2016 Murray reached his fi fth Australian Open fi nal and forcibly displaced populations, and external aggression and to better by their inclusion for the fi rst time in the and law enforcement partnerships, fi rst French Open fi nal – losing to career rival Djokovic in assist refugees including millions of operate alongside US and Nato military Strategic Dialogue and by the signing Qatar’s Chairman of the National both. He rebounded, however, to beat Canada’s Milos Raonic vulnerable young children and women. forces in coalition operations. of the fi rst bilateral MoU and SoI in Anti-Terrorism Committee Major to win his second Wimbledon title. Among the primary benefi ciaries will In 2018, the US Navy and Marine education and cultural co-operation. General Abdul Aziz al-Ansari chaired A knighthood followed and a third BBC Sports Personality be the UN Development Programme, Corps hosted a Qatar Naval delegation Both countries expressed the a session with US Co-ordinator of the Year award but only he knows if that manic charge to Unicef, UNRWA, the World Food to the United States to showcase importance of continued mutual for Counterterrorism Ambassador Programme, Offi ce of the High US expeditionary amphibious co-operation in these fi elds, agreeing Nathan Sales on law enforcement and the summit exacerbated the hip injury that will end his career. Commissioner for Human Rights, the operations, and both nations conducted to continue working through the counterterrorism partnerships. In his fi ve-setter yesterday, he proved once again he has lost United Nations High Commissioner amphibious exercise Eastern Maverick US Department of State’s Bureau of Qatar emphasised, during the session, none of his pugnaciousness. But will it encourage him to go for for Refugees, Special Purpose Trust for the fi rst time since 2012. Education and Culture. the signifi cant role of the US in the region more glory? We might know in the coming days. Fund, the UNSC Counterterrorism The two governments acknowledged The US also praised Qatar Foundation and its contributions to countering Committee, and Department of their strong and lasting bilateral and its affi liates for their important terrorism and violent extremism. The Political Aff airs, among others. security partnership, and look forward work on joint educational, research United States thanked Qatar for its Qatar and the United States to further discussions on the possibility and cultural programmes with leading continued eff orts to counter terrorism, To Advertise emphasised the vital contribution their of more enduring basing. American institutions, both in Doha counter the fi nancing of terrorism, and defence partnership provides for the HE the Deputy Prime Minister and through Education City and in the prevent violent extremism in all forms. [email protected] security and stability of the region. This Minister of Foreign Aff airs Mohamed United States. Both sides intend to strengthen their Display strong and lasting partnership is key bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and the US In recognition of the bilateral co- security and counterterrorism (CT) to successfully combating terrorism, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo operation in the fi eld of culture, the two partnership to eradicate terrorism and 44466621 44418811 countering violent extremism, and signed the MoU in the fi eld of education governments also signed a Statement violent extremism. deterring external aggression. US to continue building and sustaining key of Intent (SOI) to work together to The United States welcomed Qatar’s Classified offi cials lauded Qatar’s contributions partnerships in the fi elds of primary, enhance cultural understanding commitment to provide $75mn over 44466609 44418811 in supporting the strategic US military secondary, and higher education; English and people-to-people connections fi ve years to the work of the UN Offi ce presence in Qatar under the US Central and Arabic language instruction; student between the US and Qatar, in order to of Counter-Terrorism, including its Subscription Command. advising; promoting academic exchange; foster mutual understanding, promote eff orts to help member-states develop Chairman of Military Co-operation and facilitating a wide range options of intercultural dialogue, and support and implement advance passenger [email protected] Authority Brigadier General (Pilot) study abroad that enable students to the shared ideals of tolerance and information and passenger name Fahad al-Sulaiti, and US Principal achieve their personal and professional appreciation for diversity. record systems in accordance with UN Director for Middle East Policy, Offi ce goals. As a result of the SoI, both parties will Security Council Resolution 2396. To © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved of the Secretary of Defense Jennifer HE the Under Secretary of Education encourage cultural programming, cultural Page 23 Gulf Times Tuesday, January 15, 2019 23 COMMENT 2nd Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue reaffi rms strength of bilateral ties

From Page 22 HE the Undersecretary of the Ministry of enterprises on commercial terms set out in They reviewed the progress made under Commerce and Industry Sultan bin Rashid al- the Understandings initially announced on the terms of the MoU on Counterterrorism Khater participated in the session on commercial January 30, 2018. Those Understandings sought signed on July 11, 2017, and the second bilateral co-operation along with US Assistant Secretary to ensure healthy competition in the global CT Dialogue convened in Doha September of State for Economic and Business Aff airs aviation sector while preserving the Open Skies 5, 2018, including the 2018 Joint Action Plan Manisha Singh and US Deputy Assistant relationship between the United States and to implement provisions on border security, Secretary of Treasury for Africa and the Middle Qatar. information sharing, countering the fi nancing East Eric Meyer. As for co-operation in the labour fi eld, of terrorism, anti-money laundering, aviation The two governments acknowledged the Undersecretary of Administrative Development, security, cybersecurity, and judicial capacity challenges facing Qatar as a result of the Gulf Labour and Social Aff airs Mohamed Hassan building. crisis. They also stressed the importance of al-Obaidly participated along with US Deputy Qatar and the US hailed the start of a robust maintaining freedom of navigation, overfl ight, Undersecretary of Labour for International slate of Anti-Terrorism Assistance training that and unimpeded lawful commerce in accordance Aff airs Martha Newton in a session on labour began in November 2018 that will consist of 33 with international law. issues. Both sides acknowledged recent progress courses over the next four years and will provide Both countries also underscored their and commitments made by Qatar on combating the Ministry of Interior and Internal Security commitment to boosting trade and investment human traffi cking and advancing labour Forces with enhanced skills and abilities to and noted the growing strength of bilateral trade rights. Under the framework of the US-Qatar detect and defeat threats from transnational relations. Qatar confi rmed that the United States Anti-Traffi cking MoU signed during last years terrorist and criminal organisations, with is its top import partner, representing 18% of all Strategic Dialogue, Qatar and the government special focus on supporting Qatar’s security imports to Qatar in 2018. of the United States have undertaken over a preparations to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Qatar and the United States welcomed the dozen joint initiatives to build capacity, raise The two governments also noted progress on role of US companies in Qatar’s development awareness, and promote labour rights. To a bilateral LoI on Cybersecurity Co-operation and of Qatari investment in US fi rms and jobs. further bolster these positive developments, signed at the fi rst Strategic Dialogue by Qatar’s The Qatari delegation outlined successful this year the two governments look forward Ministry of Transport and Communications and implementation of reforms designed to attract to signing an MoU to expand collaboration the US Department of State. The LoI resulted foreign investment in Qatar, including free trade with a specifi c focus on strengthening Qatar’s in exchanges of Qatari and US cybersecurity zones and expanding business ownership for labour inspectorate and helping to address the experts and offi cials last year, the participation non-citizens. challenges facing domestic workers. of a US cybersecurity expert in Qatar Central The two governments recognised Qatar The two countries emphasised the importance Banks FinTech conference, and opened avenues Investment Authoritys (QIA) previous of their continued partnership which benefi ts for increased information sharing between commitment to invest $45bn in American the interests of both countries, as well as the Qatar’s Computer Emergency Readiness Team fi rms, real estate, and jobs. QIA Chief Executive security and prosperity of the Gulf region. (Q-CERT) and its US counterpart. Mansour al-Mahmoud described plans to They also stressed that the strategic dialogue Qatar and the United States reaffi rmed the increase Qatari investments in American underlined the commitment of Qatar and the US need to address violent extremism through infrastructure. to increase co-operation in fi elds that provide preventive frameworks. They underscored the The two governments expressed their the greatest mutual and practical benefi t. Such role that both countries play in supporting the mutual desire to build upon the momentum of co-operation includes the issues discussed today Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and the their MoU to enhance co-operation between but also incorporates important work in the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Qatar and the US in the energy sector. Both fi elds of health, food safety, intellectual property Fund (GCERF) as well as QFFD leadership in governments recognised the importance of rights, nuclear safeguards and more. transparency of developmental assistance Qatar Petroleum’s (QP) announcement of a The statement added that Qatar and the US and Qatar’s active membership of the Middle planned investment in the United States over remain committed to dialogue and long-term co- East North Africa Financial Action Task Force the next fi ve years valued at $20bn. They also operation on political issues, consolidating state- (MENAFATF). welcomed recent moves by a number of US of-the-art defence facilities, combating terrorism In terms of trade, investment & energy energy companies to establish offi ces in Qatar and violent extremism in all its forms, countering co-operation Qatar Petroleum Director for to support joint ventures with Qatargas and the fi nancing of terrorism, expanding their trade International Engagement HE Sheikh Mishal Nakilat. and investment partnerships, and enhancing bin Jabor al-Thani participated in a session on Delegations from the two countries met educational and cultural co-operation. energy co-operation with US Deputy Secretary separately to discuss civil aviation matters, The two sides agreed to hold the fi rst working of Energy Dan Brouillette and Assistant during which they reaffi rmed the commitments group in April of 2019, and look forward to Secretary of State for Energy Resources Frank by both governments to fi nancial transparency reviewing progress in these areas at the next Fannon. and to putting business with state-owned Strategic Dialogue in Washington in 2020.

Three-day forecast

TODAY Maximum Temperature : 260c Minimum Temperature : 210c

WEDNESDAY Maximum Temperature : 260c Minimum Temperature : 200c

THURSDAY Maximum Temperature : 270c Minimum Temperature : 150c Fisherman's forecast

WARNING Inshore : Poor visibility at places by early morning Offshore : Nil

WEATHER Inshore : Misty to foggy at places by early morning becomes moderate temperature daytime with some clouds, relatively cold by night Offshore : Partly cloudy with chance of mist at some places at times WIND Inshore : Southeasterly-Southerly 05-15/18 KT Offshrore : Southeasterly-North- easterly 03-13/20 KT Visibility : 4-8/2 KM Offshore : 1-3/6 FT

Around the region Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Baghdad Sunny 18/07 P Cloudy 18/08 Kuwait CityP Cloudy 19/14 S T Storms 22/13 Manama P Cloudy 24/18 P Cloudy 26/19 Muscat P Cloudy 26/19 Sunny 27/20 Tehran Sunny 11/02 Sunny 12/07

Live issues

Around the world Weather Weather Vegans take more sick days than carnivores today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Athens P Cloudy 08/02 Sunny 12/04 Beirut Cloudy 16/12 Rain 13/09 By Victoria Allen This month has been dubbed average of 0.7 visits. that they were ‘buying death for a Bangkok S T Storms 32/26 P Cloudy 33/25 Science Correspondent ‘Veganuary’ by a campaign to Their sick days are on the rise, cruel tradition’. Berlin Showers 06/06 Cloudy 07/03 persuade Britons to adopt the diet with two-thirds of vegans admitting An estimated 3.5mn Britons follow Cairo Cloudy 18/11 Cloudy 16/08 – and bakery chain Greggs has even to taking more time off work due to a vegan diet free from meat, dairy, Cape Town Cloudy 23/18 Sunny 27/18 or many vegans, the health launched a vegan sausage roll. But minor illness than in previous years. eggs and other animal products such Colombo S T Storms 31/23 S T Storms 31/23 benefi ts are one of the motives the study by Fisherman’s Friend Among meat-eaters, half had taken as honey. The trend is being driven by Dhaka Sunny 27/14 Sunny 28/13 for switching to a plant-based indicates vegans take 4.78 days the same amount of time off as the millennials, those born from 1980 to Hong Kong S Showers 14/12 P Cloudy 17/12 Fdiet. off a year for colds, flu and minor year before and a third had taken 2000. Istanbul Rain 07/-1 M Sunny 06/03 This does not, however, guarantee ailments. Meat-eaters take 1.4 days less. Jon White, of lozenge marker Jakarta S T Storms 32/25 T Storm 31/25 being fi t and ready for work, a study off work a year for these reasons, The subject of diets was behind Fisherman’s Friend, said: “Every year Karachi Sunny 25/16 P Cloudy 26/16 suggests. and vegetarians take 2.6 days, while the resignation of William Sitwell we spot diff erent trends but this is the London M Cloudy 11/08 Showers 10/03 Vegans are more likely to succumb the average among all British work- as editor of Waitrose Food magazine fi rst time we have recorded how many Manila M Sunny 31/23 P Cloudy 30/22 to winter bugs, taking almost twice the ers is 2.5 days. after his joke to a freelance writer days people take off according to their Moscow Snow 01/-7 Cloudy -4/-7 average time away from their desk for The annual survey adds that vegans who had suggested a series on plant- diet type.” He said there was no “fi rm New Delhi Fog 21/07 Fog 21/07 illness. take more sick days than gluten-free based meals. explanation” why vegans may have New York P Cloudy 04/-2 M Cloudy 06/-3 This works out as nearly fi ve days a and lactose-intolerant people com- He replied: “How about a series on more time off sick. Paris M Cloudy 09/03 Cloudy 07/05 year, three times as much as meat- bined. killing vegans, one by one? Expose Heather Russell, of The Vegan Soci- Sao Paulo S T Storms 32/22 I T Storms 33/22 eaters, reveals research on 1,000 offi ce The results also show that vegans their hypocrisy? Force-feed them ety, said: “Research links this way of Seoul P Cloudy 02/-11 P Cloudy -1/-6 workers. are three times more likely to visit meat?” eating with lower blood pressure and Singapore S T Storms 32/25 S T Storms 31/25 Vegans are also three times more their GP for a cold or the flu, book- Last month vegan protesters oc- cholesterol, and lower rates of heart Sydney Cloudy 29/21 M Sunny 29/22 likely than the average person to visit ing 2.6 appointments a year to see cupied a Waitrose supermarket to tell disease, type 2 diabetes and some Tokyo Clear 09/02 Clear 11/04 their GP during the cold and fl u season. a doctor compared to the national shoppers looking for festive turkeys cancers.” – Daily Mail Gulf Times 24 Tuesday, January 15, 2019 QATAR Sheikha Hind meets US official Generation Amazing National Festival held in Philippines

QNA Manila

ore than 600 children from underprivi- leged communities have attended the Minaugural Generation Amazing National Festival in the Philippines. The event, which is held on an annual basis in countries with a Generation Amazing presence, brings together youth coaches and program part- ners, with the aim of showcasing football’s power to unite communities and promote equal oppor- oversee a futsal tournament for 600 players. tunities. In addition to welcoming children and young Cebu City hosted last month’s event, which fo- people from across the Philippines, the event also cused on youth participation and leadership and represented an important opportunity to cel- was attended by 30 Generation Amazing youth ebrate and raise awareness of Generation Amaz- coaches. ing’s impact in the country. Generation Amazing youth ambassadors Jean Last year, the programme positively impact the Paul Masubay and Jhean Nieras Hessel were lives of more than 7,000 young people and is hop- strongly involved in preparations for the event, ing to increase that fi gure in 2019 and beyond. which was organized in collaboration with There are plans to open a Generation Amazing FundLife International, a community-based or- community centre and football pitch is Tacloban, ganisation which uses sport to provide equal op- which has one of the highest poverty rates in the HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation (QF), yesterday met Marie Royce, US Assistant portunities and provide access to quality educa- Philippines. Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Aff airs, at Education City. HE Sheikha Hind and Royce discussed QF’s various education, tion. The facility will serve as a valuable resource for science and research, and community development initiatives. Royce also received a comprehensive presentation on Education City and The festival began on 6 December 2018 with a residents of fi ve nearby communities. visited the open-air viewing platform on the eighth floor of the QF headquarters. Royce also signed QF’s Visitors Book to commemorate two-day educational and training seminar for the The multi-purpose pitch will cater to people’s her visit. youth coaches. love of football and basketball, which is hugely The training centred on enabling the coaches to popular in the country.

Port call Around 3,000 tourists arrived at Doha Port yesterday aboard cruise ship MSC Lirica on its fourth call to Qatar in the ongo- ing 2018/19 season. (Image courtesy of Mwani Qatar)

Warm welcome for visiting Paris Saint-Germain players

aris Saint-Germain (PSG) have kicked off their Win- Pter Tour in Doha, where a number of events and training sessions have been planned for them. The PSG team arrived at their hotel on Sunday evening, where there was a warm welcome awaiting them in the form of excited fans hoping for photo- graphs with their favourite foot- ball superstars. Yesterday, the team started their morning with a visit to a Doha Metro station, where they had the opportunity to experi- ence a ride to Wakrah on the state-of-the-art Metro. They then visited Al Wakrah Stadium and had a chance to learn more about the 2022 FIFA World Cup preparations. Snapshots from the second day of the PSG players’ trip to Doha. After the Metro brought the players back to Doha, the PSG Other players also participated tions related to topics such as the their expectations for playing trip coming to an end, the PSG session at Khalifa Stadium that ers and to observe the strenu- team visited Qatar Foundation in individual and group inter- advantages of having training at their fi rst World Cup during the players were preparing for up- will occur at 6pm today. ous training that the team goes to attend the inauguration of the views back at their hotel, where Aspire Zone Foundation’s top- winter in Qatar in 2022. coming events on their tour, Fans have been encouraged to through to prepare for the second PSG Football Academy. they were able to answer ques- of-the-line sports facilities and With the second day of their which include a public training come to cheer for PSG’s play- half of the football season.

Qatar Foundation hosts PSG stars

Players and management from French football champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) visited Qatar Foundation (QF) yesterday. The PSG visit to Education City saw Machaille al-Naimi, president of Community Development at QF, meet the club’s head coach Thomas Tuchel, assistant sporting director Maxwell and players Julian Draxler, Juan Bernat Velasco, Layvin Kur- zawa, Moussa Diaby, Stanley Nsoki and Colin Dagba, who learned about QF’s centres, initiatives and mission. They were also given an over- view of Education City from the viewing balcony on the eighth floor of the QF headquarters, and signed QF’s Visitors Book to commemorate their visit.