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Baladna IPO to hit market Qatar beat Bangladesh soon on QFMA approval to top group published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11332 October 11, 2019 Safar 12, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Defence minister meets Boeing Defence chief

QATAR | Announcement PM calls for Impounded vehicles to be auctioned The General Directorate of Traff ic has announced a public auction for the private sector sale of impounded vehicles. A notice posted on the Ministry of Interior’s social media pages yesterday said the two-week-long auction will start on October 13. It will take place in the evening from 4 to 7 at the impounded participation vehicles yard on Street 52, Industrial Area.

QATAR | Business QP wins exploration in Media City rights in Brazil blocks Qatar Petroleum has won exploration QNA tor in its development. rights in three off shore blocks Doha He said tenders will be fl oated for in Brazil, as part of two bidding the various phases and development consortia. The winning bids were of the project. The work will be car- HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Aff airs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah yesterday met in announced by Brazil’s National E the Prime Minister and Min- ried out mainly by Qatari companies, Doha with Leanne Caret, president and Chief Executive Off icer (CEO) of Boeing Defence, Space and Security. During the Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, ister of Interior Sheikh Ab- he said, expressing his confi dence in meeting, they discussed joint projects and ways to move forward. The meeting was attended by senior off icers of the Qatari and Biofuels (ANP) at a public bidding Hdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa these companies to be a key partner in armed forces. session held in Rio de Janeiro. al-Thani has urged Qatari companies the Media City. Competing bids were submitted to the to participate in the development of Qatari Diar Chief Executive Offi cer ANP and the winners were announced Media City. (CEO) Abdullah Hamad al-Attiyah said yesterday. Business Page 1 He was speaking at a meeting to dis- Lusail City will attract various interna- cuss ways of co-operation between the tional companies to set up their opera- BRITAIN | Politics private and public sectors in the devel- tions, adding it is an integrated city that Qatar all set to host the fi rst opment of the Media City and its vari- emulates the developed cities globally. UK, Irish PMs keep ous components. On the involvement of the private Brexit talks alive The meeting was held in Lusail City sector in various projects in Qatar, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday. Khamis Ahmed al-Mohannadi, Chair- edition of World Beach Games and his Irish counterpart Leo HE the Prime Minister stressed the man of the Technical Committee said Varadkar said yesterday they could importance of upgrading the services it seeks to support and stimulate the see a “pathway” to reaching a Brexit provided by the Qatari companies to private sector through the inclusion of QNA supporting the Games as part of their deal after meeting for last-ditch talks, win the trust of international media local companies in various projects in Doha commitment to social responsibility but remained cautious with just days institutions that will be present in the the country. and their keenness to contribute to the left to strike an agreement. Time is city. This is the fi rst meeting to be fol- success of sports events and champi- running out to sign off on any deal Chairman of Media City Sheikh Saif lowed by several meetings for each atar has made all arrangements onships held in Qatar, and thanked the at an October 17-18 European Union bin Ahmed al-Thani said in a statement phase of the Media City project. Qatari to host the fi rst edition of the media for their role in highlighting this summit, the last such meeting before that the Media City is one of the stra- companies will be invited to participate QAssociation of National Olym- global event in the best possible way. Britain’s scheduled departure from tegic projects in the country, calling for in the development of each phase of the pic Committees (ANOC) World Beach Lindberg thanked Qatar for hosting the European Union at the end of the the participation of Qatar’s private sec- project. Games which offi cially opens tomor- the fi rst edition of the ANOC World month. Page 8 row, a senior offi cial said yesterday. Beach Games Qatar 2019. Secretary-General of the Qatar Ol- Sher added this edition is witnessing EUROPE | Honour ympic Committee (QOC) Jassim bin new competitions that represent a chal- Rashid al-Buainain, who is also the lenge for the athletes, and wished suc- Nobel prize for Polish Deputy Chairman of the Supreme cess to all participants and the organis- writer, Austrian novelist HRW article false, says GCO Committee and Director General of ing committee of the tournament. Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk the Organising Committee of the As- Jassim bin Rashid al Buainain Although the Games offi cially opens yesterday won the 2018 Nobel sociation of National Olympic Com- only tomorrow, football competitions in Literature Prize, which was delayed atar has worked relentlessly This has resulted in more than 300 mittees (ANOC) World Beach Games organise a distinctive and exceptional the fi rst edition kick off today at Katara. over a sexual harassment scandal, for years with various inter- cases of work suspension ordered by Qatar 2019, said more than 1,200 ath- event, as the country has organised Twenty-four teams are taking part while Austrian novelist and Qnational organisations to en- inspectors during the summer of 2019,” letes representing 97 national Olympic various events and tournaments. in the football competitions – 16 men’s playwright Peter Handke took the sure the well-being and safety of all the statement noted. “We recognise committees will take part in the event. He added that the hosting of this and eight women’s teams. 2019 award, the Swedish Academy workers, and it is false and misleading the challenges that exist around heat Al-Buainain thanked the ANOC for edition and other major tournaments The men’s competition is divided said. Page 9 to suggest otherwise, Sheikh Jassim stress during the summer months and their confi dence in granting Qatar the refl ects Qatar’s distinguished position into four groups – the fi rst group in- bin Mansour al-Thani, deputy direc- we have developed, in partnership with honour of hosting the World Beach as the capital of world sport thanks to cludes Brazil, Switzerland, the United AMERICA | Health tor for Planning at the Government the International Labour Organisation Games, and said this enhances Qa- the great support of the wise leader- Arab Emirates and Morocco, the sec- Communications Office, has said in (ILO), specifi c guidance for employers tar’s leading position in hosting major ship, headed by His Highness the Amir ond group consists of Italy, Spain, Vaping-related deaths, a statement in response to a Human to conduct risk assessments to mitigate sporting events. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, as Mexico and Solomon Islands, the third illnesses rise in US Rights Watch (HRW) article pub- any possible risk of heat stress. He was speaking at a press con- well as the directives of HE the Presi- group Iran, Paraguay, Senegal and US health off icials yesterday reported lished yesterday. “As part of our commitment to ference which was also attended by dent of Qatar Olympic Committee Ukraine, and the fourth group Russia, 26 deaths and 1,299 confirmed “Our work with international or- workers’ welfare, we are currently Secretary-General of the Federation Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani. Japan, Uruguay and El Salvador. and probable cases so far from a ganisations and partners has resulted leading a comprehensive review on the of National Olympic Committees Al-Buainain stressed the importance In the women’s section, the fi rst mysterious respiratory illness tied in Qatar leading the region on work- impact of heat stress together with the (ANOC), Gunilla Lindberg. of such events in contributing to inspir- group includes Spain, Brazil, Cape Verde to vaping. Last week, the Centres for ers’ health and safety across the board. ILO and the Supreme Committee for Al-Buainain said despite the short ing a new generation of Qatari youth. and Mexico, while the second group has Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Summer working hours have been Delivery & Legacy. The fi ndings will period of time that was available for He thanked all government agen- Britain, Russia, America and Paraguay. reported 1,080 cases and 18 deaths strictly implemented and enforced feed into our future work on all matters the preparation of the Games – about cies, institutions and national and Eight men’s and four women’s from the illness. Page 5 through regular workplace inspections. related to health and safety.” three months – Qatar is determined to private companies for sponsoring and matches will be played today. Qatar, Kuwait sign pact to promote humanitarian law

QNA promote relations in various fi elds, in- tutions, and proposing new legislative Humanitarian Law Sultan bin Abdullah Doha cluding the legal areas. texts. al-Suwaidi said he looked forward to The minister said the agreement will The MoU also affi rms the keen in- achieving the objectives of the seminar, allow for the establishment of database terest of Qatar and Kuwait to ensure which is held under the auspices of Dr atar and Kuwait yesterday to spread awareness of international respect for international humanitarian al-Nuaimi. signed a memorandum of un- humanitarian law among the various law and to broaden its understanding at He said that the National Commit- Qderstanding (MoU) to promote bodies. the national level. tee for International Humanitarian co-operation in international humani- The Kuwaiti minister praised the Meanwhile, the National Commit- Law was established with the objective tarian law. relations between Qatar and Kuwait, tee on International Humanitarian of achieving the objectives of interna- The MoU was signed by HE the describing them as solid in all fi elds, Law, in co-operation with the Inter- tional conventions and agreements and Minister of Justice and Acting Minis- including the legal and judicial co-op- national Committee of Red Cross to promote co-operation. ter of State for Cabinet Aff airs Dr Issa HE Dr al-Nuaimi and Dr al-Afasi sign the MoU yesterday. eration. (ICRC), yesterday organised a legal The legal seminar was attended by Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi and Kuwait’s The MoU aims at working towards seminar to mark the 70th anniver- the International Humanitarian Law Minister of Justice Dr Fahd Mohamed Committee for International Humani- law and to promote legal co-operation, the optimal application of international sary of the four Geneva Conventions Committees in Kuwait, Oman, Moroc- Mohsen al-Afasi on behalf of the Na- tarian Law in Kuwait. including the exchange of expertise. humanitarian law through the dissemi- of 1949. co, Jordan and Palestine, as well as rep- tional Committee on International Hu- The MoU is part of eff orts by the two Dr al-Nuaimi stressed the impor- nation of legal awareness, training and HE the Undersecretary of the Min- resentatives of the Qatar Red Crescent manitarian Law at the Qatari Ministry countries to optimise the application of tance of the agreement, which refl ects raising the capacities of target groups in istry of Justice and Chairman of the and the ICRC’s regional mission to the of Justice, and the Permanent National the rules of international humanitarian the keenness of the two countries to civilian and military educational insti- National Committee on International GCC countries. To Page 2 Gulf Times 2 Friday, October 11, 2019 QATAR GCC ministers endorse Cultural Strategy 2020-2030

QNA countries to participate in for- of the Gulf countries, where two Muscat eign cultural events, as well as personalities from each country the communication with inter- in various cultural fi elds were national cultural institutions honoured. CC ministers of culture and organisations. From Qatar writer Dr Mariam endorsed the Cultural In the same context, the sec- al-Naimi and the renowned art- GStrategy for GCC States ond joint meeting of ministers ist Ghazi Hussein were honoured (2020-2030), during their 23rd responsible for tourism and cul- during the ceremony. meeting yesterday in Muscat, ture in GCC countries was held. zQatar participates in GCC Oman, under the chairman- Qatar’s delegation was headed tourism ministers’ meeting ship of the Minister of Heritage by HE the Minister of Culture Qatar also participated in the and Culture of Oman Sayyid and Sports Salah bin Ghanem Fourth Meeting of the Ministers Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, the bin Nasser al-Ali. responsible for tourism in the Chairman of the current session During the meeting, a number GCC states in Muscat. of the Committee of Ministers of of topics were discussed, in- HE the Minister of Culture Culture. cluding: The common vision and Sports Salah bin Ghanem HE the Minister of Culture and Sports, Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali, with other GCC ministers of culture in Muscat. HE the Minister of Culture between tourism and culture in bin Nasser al-Ali headed the and Sports Salah bin Ghanem the GCC countries, as well as Qatari delegation to the meet- GCC states. The recommen- strategy in the GCC States. select the city as the capital of gramme of initiatives and events bin Nasser al-Ali headed Qatar’s the vision of developing the joint ing. dations included reviewing The meeting discussed pre- the Gulf tourism to be consid- that promote belonging and delegation to meeting. strategy of the cultural and tour- The ministerial meeting the follow-up report on the vious related proposals and ered in addition to preparing a citizenship entitled “Living the The ministerial meeting ap- ism sectors in the GCC countries reviewed the items on the implementation of the third perceptions, most notably the final draft of the standards to Gulf”, which was adopted as proved the linking of cultural and other topics included in the agenda of the meeting with ministerial meeting’s deci- designation and selection of a be adopted in the next meet- one of the joint strategic pro- activities and events to the Gulf committee’s agenda. the recommendations of the sions and discussing the brief Gulf city each year to become ing. grammes. The meeting also ap- Cultural Strategy, as well as cul- On the sidelines of the minis- preparatory meeting held report on the plan of imple- the capital of the Gulf tour- The participants also dis- proved the organisation of an tural work regulations. terial meetings, a ceremony was on Wednesday by the tour- mentation of the comprehen- ism with the circulation of the cussed the recommendation annual exhibition of crafts and It was also agreed for the Gulf held yesterday to honour artists ism Undersecretaries in the sive vision of joint tourism proposed standards on how to on the establishment of a pro- handicrafts. Chief of Staff attends meeting in Muscat Winter camping season to start

HE the Chief of Staff of the Qatar Armed Forces Lieutenant-General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem, headed the delegation of Qatar participating in the meeting of the GCC Supreme Military Committee of the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces held in the Omani capital Muscat yesterday. During the meeting, they discussed topics that contribute to enhancing the future of the on October 30 Gulf defence policy and strengthening co-ordination in the areas of military co-operation among member-states according to a unified strategy that serves the common Gulf security. HE the Chief zEnvironment Ministry to start receiving applications for registration from Oct 14 of Staff was accompanied by senior Qatar Armed Forces off icers. zMeasures put in place to ensure protection of the environment and success of season

QNA In brief Doha he Ministry of Munici- pality and Environment, Trepresented by the Com- mittee for Regulating Camping Activities, has announced that it will start receiving applications for registration for the winter QGOSM attends GCC camping season 2019-2020 from Monday October 14 through De- Standardisation cember 31. Organisation meet The ministry also announced Off icials announcing the details of the winter camping season yesterday. PICTURE: Ram Chand in a press statement yester- Qatar General Organisation for day, that the offi cial start of the qa) and the the ministry’s app on Assistant Undersecretary for ment in co-operation with Standardisation and Metrology camping season will be Octo- smart devices. Environmental Aff airs at the Min- many working observers. He (QGOSM), participated in UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Sheikh ber 30 and it will continue until Registration will be available istry of Municipality and Envi- said measures adopted by the the first meeting of the GCC Khalifa bin Thani al-Thani at the signing ceremony. March 30 at several locations. also at Mall of Qatar, Gulf Mall ronment stressed that the Minis- environment ministry, in co- Standardisation Organisation Assistant Undersecretary for which will take place from Oc- try had increased the open public operation with the Ministry of (GSO) in the Omani capital Environmental Aff airs at the tober 15 for 4 days. beaches during this season, to Interior, include the prompt Muscat. Ministry of Municipality and Al-Sada explained that the provide entertainment places for referral of violations to the Chairman of QGOSM, Engineer Environment Ahmed Mohamed registration will continue in the public, reiterating the minis- environmental and municipal Mohamed bin Saud al-Musallam Top UN honour al-Sada reviewed the terms and each group until the number try’s keenness to balance the sat- prosecution and then to the headed Qatar’s delegation to the conditions to be followed for the of camps allocated to them is isfaction of the public, preserving Supreme Judiciary Council meeting. camping season, including the completed. the environment and protecting during and after the camping The meeting discussed the means of safety. Furthermore, he stressed the the natural resources. season. results of the meeting of the for leading Qatari Engineer al-Sada said that keenness of the ministry to take In response to a question Al-Nuaimi also welcomed team of specialists that preceded the applications can be submit- eff ective measures to ensure the from Qatar News Agency (QNA) all youth and voluntary ini- the meeting of the organisation, ted through government service success of the camping season by about measures against viola- tiatives organised by schools on the internal regulations of the centres located at various re- issuing a list of conditions to be tors, Director of Protection and and youth centres in the field Committee of Standardisation of philanthropist gions of the country, in addi- followed during the season to pre- Wildlife Department, Omar of environmental protection the GCC states. It also reviewed tion to electronic submission serve the Qatari environment as Salem al-Nuaimi, stressed the that promote awareness of the the draft regulation prepared by through the offi cial website of well as to ensure that the campers ministry’s keenness to protect importance of environmental the team of specialists. NHCR, the UN Refugee Refugees, Filippo Grandi. the Ministry (www.mme.gov. enjoy an ideal camping season. and clean the Qatari environ- protection. The meeting agreed to submit Agency announced yes- The signing ceremony was at- the draft regulations to the Uterday the appointment tended by Grandi, Sheikh Khalifa ministerial committee in charge of Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah bin bin Thani al-Thani who attend- of the standardisation aff airs for Thani al-Thani; a leading Qatari ed on behalf of Sheikh Thani bin approval. philanthropist as UNHCR Emi- Abdullah and senior offi cials nent Advocate at a special cer- from the Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Civil aviation authority holds CORSIA training programme Qatar condemns emony held at the Palais de Na- Thani Al-Thani Humanitarian tions, Geneva. The appointment Fund. attack in Iraq comes following Sheikh Thani “It is truly an honour to sup- QNA aviation industry, developed by the bin Abdullah’s landmark contri- port eff orts which make a tan- Doha International Civil Aviation Organ- Qatar has strongly condemned bution of over $35mn earlier this gible diff erence in the lives of isation, and is to be implemented the attack that took place in year in support of vulnerable displaced people globally. Life in voluntarily by participating coun- northeast Iraq’s Diyala, leaving refugees and displaced persons displacement can be immensely xperts from the Qatar tries from 2021, and mandatory for a number of people killed and in Bangladesh and Yemen, a UN- challenging for millions for peo- Civil Aviation Authority all countries from 2027. injured. HCR statement said. ple; this is why partnering with E(QCAA) have organised a Under CORSIA, most of the In a statement yesterday, the “UNHCR is very grateful for UNHCR ensures that critical three-day training programme additional emissions from the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs the unwavering commitment of assistance reaches the most vul- on the Carbon Off setting and growth of international air reiterated Qatar’s firm stance Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah al- nerable displaced people who Reduction Scheme for Interna- transport will be compensated. rejecting violence and terrorism Thani to support forcibly dis- rely on humanitarian aid to sur- tional Aviation (CORSIA). Delegates attending the CORSIA training programme organised by By collaborating in providing regardless of their motives and placed people around the world. vive” said Sheikh Thani bin Ab- Doha hosted the sessions as Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) in Doha. the necessary training courses to reasons. His exceptional generosity has dullah. part of the ACT CORSIA ini- the countries of the region and The statement expressed Qatar’s contributed signifi cantly to im- Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah’s tiative and Qatar’s role as a do- CORSIA and annex 16 of the The training was attended by helping them build their capac- condolences to the families of proving the lives of thousands of donation has benefi ted close to nor country selected by ICAO Chicago Convention, which in- representatives of the GCAA, ity in implementing the CORSIA victims, and to government displaced women, men and chil- 1mn Rohingya refugees in Bang- to provide direct and neces- cluded the development and representatives of civil aviation plan, Qatar is strengthening its and people of Iraq, wishing the dren in Bangladesh and Yemen” ladesh and internally displaced sary assistance to a number of adoption of emission monitor- authorities in Oman, Iraq and strategic partnership with the injured a speedy recovery. said UN High Commissioner for people in Yemen in 2019. countries in the region that are ing and reporting plans and veri- Iran, in addition to a number of ICAO on the bases of construc- preparing to implement the fi cation of their proportions, and participants from Qatar Airways tive co-operation and full sup- CORSIA Plan. the establishment of national and the Amiri Air Force. port for the “no country left be- TAMM Volunteer Network holds awareness lecture The training programme in- regulatory frameworks by im- The CORSIA plan is an emissions hind initiative” and other plans cluded an introduction of the plementing the COSRIA plan. reduction approach in the global and policies. The TAMM Volunteer Network the psychology of the volunteer of volunteering in the field of has organised an awareness in terms of understanding mental health and society and lecture entitled “Psychology the psychological aspect of how volunteer work is used as a of Volunteering”, as part of its volunteering and its components means to foster individual and Qatar, Kuwait sign pact to promote humanitarian law programme to develop volunteer and the impact of volunteering in collective eff ort, as well as to work and support youth to improving the mental health of acquaint them with the latest From Page 1 It also reviewed Qatar’s role in the Deputy Head of ICRC Mission to the She stressed the importance of promote social entrepreneurship. individuals and communities. ways of using volunteerism in The seminar reviewed the four field of international humanitarian GCC countries Dorothea Krimitsas the four Geneva Conventions as The lecture, organised in Dr Amani Salama, a psychologist, the psychological treatment of Geneva Conventions and the law and its pioneering eff orts to praised Qatar’s National Committee they provide for the protection and conjunction with World Mental explained that the aim of the individuals and the advancement challenges they face amid tensions, raise awareness of this law and for International Humanitarian safety of civilians and ensuring Health Day 2019, enables lecture is to introduce the of their mental health eff iciency. wars and conflicts in the region and promote its provisions, especially in Law for hosting the important respect and good treatment during participants to learn more about volunteers to the positive aspects – QNA the world. times of war and armed conflicts. symposium. wars and armed conflicts. Gulf Times Friday, October 11, 2019 3 REGION/ARAB WORLD Iraq begins Occupation outcome mourning for protest victims

AFP Iraq appoints new ministers Baghdad aft er PM promises reform Iraq yesterday appointed new education raq yesterday began three days of and health ministers after Prime Minister national mourning for more than Adel Abdul Mahdi promised to reshuff le I100 people killed during recent his government and enact reforms to try protests, while the government was to stem unrest. Israeli troops use tear gas against Palestinian protesters during a clash near the village of Caisan, southeast of the West bank city of Bethlehem, where expected to present a reshuffle to par- Suha Khalil is one of few women to Israeli bulldozers yesterday demolished houses that were reportedly built without a license. liament in response to the political have become a minister in Iraq. crisis. Her appointment was approved by While social media sites in Iraq re- parliament, which also voted for the mained inaccessible — except intermit- appointment of the new health minister, tently via virtual private network (VPN) Jaafar Allawi, after his predecessor quit applications — more images emerged of before the wave of unrest. the violence over the past week in which The changes are unlikely to satisfy Ira- mainly protesters died from live fi re. qis after more than 110 people were killed US warns of sanctions if S Sudan Footage showed demonstrators — who in a government crackdown on protests initially demanded jobs and services be- that began last week over jobs, services fore calling for “the fall of the regime” and corruption. — being fatally shot, or running for cover In a sign that parliament remains under heavy fi re. divided, dozens of lawmakers boycotted rivals fail at unity government Authorities initially blamed “unidenti- the rest of yesterday’s session after fi ed snipers” and infi ltrating “saboteurs” approving the two ministerial appoint- but later acknowledged that the military ments. AFP ment’s offi ce director for Sudan and sanctions targeting South Sudan’s Robert Fairweather, Britain’s spe- had used “excessive force” in the Shia “We voted for two ministries that Washington South Sudan, warned that Western elite or restrictions on their travel to cial representative for Sudan and bastion of Sadr City in Baghdad. were vacant so they could actually start powers would not accept another the United States. South Sudan, said Kiir assured him The judiciary also announced that a riot doing their work, but the prime minister delay in the deadline, which was al- He said the United States was not on the unity government during a police offi cer had “confessed to killing a should have also presented changes to he United States will consider ready extended by six months. considering cutting off its $1bn in meeting last week in Juba. protester” in Hilla, south of Baghdad. ministries riven with corruption,” said sanctions on leaders in South “We’re not prepared to continue annual assistance as it is largely hu- “Certainly it’s the most optimistic Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi re- lawmaker Husham al-Suhail who walked TSudan if they fail to form a to hear arguments for why more time manitarian, supporting food and I had seen him,” Fairweather said. sponded to public anger in his second out of the session, without giving further unity government for the troubled must be given. We think it’s past other basic needs among ordinary He said that a unity government public address in less than a week, pro- details. young nation by their self-imposed time, frankly, for the leadership to people. should off er “a new approach” with posing a cabinet reshuffl e in parliament Some lawmakers who oppose the deadline of November 12, a US offi - sit together and begin to fi nd ways to “I don’t think we should make ordinary people seeing a “trickle- yesterday. power of factions with ties to militia cial said yesterday. move this country forward,” he said. them pawns or victims in a game of down eff ect” of more stability. The deeply divided assembly depends groups that back Abdul Mahdi had sus- South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir “Our view is that if the govern- putting pressure on the South Suda- The enmity between Kiir and Ma- on the participation of its largest bloc: 54 pended their participation in parliament and rebel leader Riek Machar agreed ment is not formed by November 12, nese government, however tempting char, who lives in exile in Khartoum, lawmakers led by Shia populist cleric Mo- during the unrest. in a rare meeting last month to work we’re going to need to re-evaluate that at times may be,” he said. plunged South Sudan into war in qtada al-Sadr. Many Iraqis live in poverty, have together and help bring an end to the relationship between the United But Hunt and his counterpart from 2013, just two years after its hard- The bloc includes ministers but Sadr limited access to clean water, electricity, unrest that has killed some 380,000 States and South Sudan,” he told re- Britain – which along with Norway fought independence. called for the resignation of the govern- basic healthcare or decent education as people and left more than 6mn peo- porters at the US Institute of Peace. make up a troika that leads policy More than 4mn South Sudanese ment nearly a week ago. the country tries to recover from years ple in dire need of food aid. Asked what measures could be towards South Sudan – voiced hope – almost a third of the population – Since protests and violence calmed on of conflict. Bryan Hunt, the State Depart- taken, Hunt said options included the leaders would meet the deadline. have fl ed their homes. Tuesday, the government has proposed If reform is not introduced quickly reforms to lower youth unemployment, more unrest is likely to break out. currently at 25%, while the labour minis- Authorities have still mostly kept the try proposed an online job register. internet shut down 10 days after the vio- Sudanese appoint fi rst The government has also ordered hous- lence began, though not serious violence female judiciary head ing aid. has been reported since Sunday. Trump confi rms Al Qaeda Local authorities demolishing informal to fi ght corruption housing settlements in September fuelled Sudan yesterday appointed a woman as the anger of protesters. Iraqi authorities have announced that the head of its judiciary for the first time One in fi ve Iraqis live below the poverty “exhaustive probes” will be launched into bomb-maker killed in Yemen in the history of the Arab Muslim country, line, in one of the world’s most oil-rich the deadly violence during protests that the ruling Transitional Sovereignty countries. left more than 100 dead and over 6,000 Council said. Flags were fl own yesterday at half-mast wounded. Agencies in 2017 in a United States counter- masterminded the attempted Supreme Court Judge Nemat Abdul- to mourn those who died during the week “For more than a decade, Iraqi govern- Washington terrorism operation in Yemen. Christmas Day, 2009, bombing lah Khair was nominated by the judges’ of violence. ments have said they would investigate US offi cials said last year they of a passenger jet fl ying from Am- professional association, which was part Those killed — protesters and police — abuses by security forces but haven’t were confi dent al-Asiri had been sterdam to Detroit. of a protest movement that helped oust have been declared “martyrs” and their done so,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Mid- S President Donald Trump killed but others had said at the A Nigerian man, Umar Farouk veteran ruler Omar al-Bashir in April. families will receive compensation. dle East director at Human Rights Watch, yesterday confi rmed that time that the evidence was not Abdulmutallab, is serving mul- Taj-Elsir Ali, a former prosecutor and But some Iraqis were unimpressed. in a statement. UAl Qaeda’s top bomb- conclusive. tiple life sentences in prison for lawyer, was named as the public prosecu- “It should have taken place a week ago,” Amnesty International — which said it maker, Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri, Washington had long sought al- trying to set off the bomb in his tor, a government statement said. said Mazen Abdullah, a shopkeeper in interviewed eight activists and journal- believed to be the mastermind Asiri, a militant with Al Qaeda’s underwear. The two judicial off icials “will carry out central Baghdad. ists who described seeing protesters killed behind the failed bombing of a Yemen branch who was known for Trump’s announcement con- their tasks in addressing corruption cases “It’s as if they are telling us we repressed by snipers — urged authorities to prop- US-bound airliner in 2009, has his ability to create hard-to-detect fi rmed that al-Asiri built the bomb and other cases”, the sovereignty council you but now we are presenting our condo- erly investigate the “use of excessive and been killed. bombs, including some implanted used in that failed attempt as well member spokesman said in a statement lences,” he said of the authorities. deadly force”. Trump said in a White House in suicide bombers. as the printer cartridge bomb used without giving details. Hossam al-Kaabi, a 28-year-old who Security forces did not protect protest- statement that al-Asiri was killed Al-Asiri is believed to have in a plot disrupted in 2010. The Sudanese opposition used to took part in protests in Baghdad’s iconic ers from sniper fi re, Amnesty said, “nor accuse the judiciary of being a tool of the Tahrir (Liberty) Square added however have police intervened and arrested any- Bashir regime to suppress dissent and that he considers the national mourn- one responsible for fi ring at demonstra- Yemen to become world’s poorest country if war continues: UN lock up opposition figures. ing as admission by authorities that “our tions”. Sudan in August formed a 11-member martyrs are no saboteurs”. Washington called on Baghdad to ex- War-ravaged Yemen is on course to report, published on Wednesday. government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Transitional Sovereignty Council as part With the return of normal life in Bagh- ercise “maximum restraint” in dealing become the world’s poorest country Because of the war, poverty in Hadi against the Houthis. of a power-sharing deal between the dad, traffi c has again clogged the main with protests, while London “raised con- if the conflict persists, the United Yemen has jumped from 47% of the The fighting has since killed tens military and civilian parties and protest roads of the sprawling city of 9mn inhab- cerns” about the violence and “the need Nations said in a report. population in 2014 to a projected 75% of thousands of people, most of them groups. itants. to respect peaceful protest and media “If fighting continues through by the end of 2019. Yemen, long the civilians, and pushed Yemen to the The council, formed of military leaders Schools, government offi ces and busi- freedoms”. 2022, Yemen will rank the poorest poorest country in the Arabian Penin- brink of famine. It has also displaced and civilians, will run the country for nesses had reopened yesterday. Amnesty also described “a sinister country in the world, with 79% of the sula, plunged into war after Houthi millions and left more than two-thirds a three-year transitional period until At checkpoints into the city and on campaign of harassment, intimida- population living under the poverty rebels seized the capital Sanaa in late of the population in need of aid. elections. A cabinet was also formed in main roads however, vehicles were tion and arrests of peaceful activists, line and 65% classified as extremely 2014. A military coalition launched a The UN has previously described September, including the country’s first searched and additional troops were de- journalists and protesters by the au- poor,” according to the United blistering off ensive months later to Yemen as the world’s worst humani- female foreign minister, Asmaa Abdallah. ployed. thorities.” Nations Development Programme prop up the internationally-recognised tarian crisis.

Freed Tunisia candidate vows to fi ght and ‘win’

AFP “Yesterday, the judicial system evision debate tonight. happy to be back among his po- Tunis set me free. The independent ju- His chances of wooing voters litical “family”. dicial system...there was no deal got a boost from parliamentary “I wish to thank the judges (for my release),” he told report- elections held on Sunday. who are honourable people and unisian presidential hope- ers and supporters outside the Qalb Tounes came second with who set me free despite politi- ful Nabil Karoui said yes- headquarters of his Qalb Tounes 38 seats, behind the Islamist- cal pressure...they realised that Tterday he will “wage bat- party. inspired Ennahdha party which I had suff ered from injustice,” he tle and win” a weekend runoff The 56-year-old had de- won 52 out of 217 seats in the na- added. against a political newcomer, a scribed his incarceration as a tional assembly — far short of the One of his lawyers, Nazih Soui, day after the business tycoon was “political” move. 109 needed to govern. has said that although Karoui is released from jail. “I had hoped that the elections “I thank the Tunisian people now “free” he still remains under “There is a day or two left but would be pushed back by a week,” for the trust they put in me de- investigation. we will wage the battle and we he said of Sunday’s runoff . spite the defamation campaign A former executive for Col- will win,” he said, a day before His return to the politi- of which I was the victim,” Ka- gate-Palmolive who launced a campaigning wraps up for Sun- cal arena as a free man comes roui said. media agency with his brother in day’s election. at a time of uncertainty for “This trust helped me reach 2002, Karoui presents himself as Karoui had been detained since the country hailed as the sole the fi nals and become the sec- a candidate for the poor. August over a money laundering democratic success story of the ond force in parliament,” he He burnished his reputation in probe and tax evasion. Arab Spring. added. recent years with a charity show He was released on Wednesday Karoui will face conservative Karoui said his party has on a TV channel that he founded, night to a hero’s welcome from law professor Kais Saeid in the grown to include half a million travelling the country to hear his supporters following a deci- runoff , and the pair are expected members since he was jailed grievances and distributing aid Tunisian presidential candidate Nabil Karoui speaks to journalists in front of his party’s off ice in Tunis. sion by the Court of Cassation. to take part in a one-on-one tel- — up from 1,000 — and he was to needy families. Gulf Times 4 Friday, October 11, 2019 AFRICA

ECONOMY JUSTICE WEATHER CIVIL STRIFE E Guinea: Currency caps Ghana puts ‘coup plotters’ 6 killed after heavy rains Qaeda-linked group claims will hit energy prospects on trial for treason hit DR Congo’s capital Mali army base attacks

New currency controls enforced by the Bank of Ghana has charged nine people with treason for Six people were killed in the Democratic Republic Mali’s main Islamist militant alliance has claimed Central African States (BEAC) could ruin the oil and allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, of Congo after torrential rains hit the capital responsibility for attacks two weeks ago on army gas industry in the Gulf of Guinea and “destroy” in a rare case for one of West Africa’s most stable Kinshasa, flooding several neighbourhoods, a bases that killed at least 40 troops in of one of Equatorial Guinea’s economy, the country’s oil democracies. The suspects, who were arrested in local off icial has said. The bodies were found the deadliest strikes on the country’s armed minister has said. The rules introduced in June a security operation last month, pleaded not guilty between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. forces, Mauritania’s Al-Akhbar news agency has are aimed at bringing order to a monetary bloc as they appeared in court in the capital Accra. They Five people were killed in the capital’s Selembao reported. The Al Qaeda-allied Group to Support awash with petrodollars which, owing to lax include four military off icers and a medical doctor municipality where around 30 houses collapsed, Islam and Muslims (GSIM) said it carried out the controls, often end up in off shore bank accounts accused of using his hospital to manufacture local mayor Augustin Mankesi told Top Congo attacks in Boulkessy and Mondoro in central after bypassing local economies completely. “This weapons as part of a scheme to “destabilise” radio station. One woman died in the Pelende Mali near the Burkina Faso border, according to is a disaster for oil and gas in the Gulf of Guinea,” President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government. district after she was electrocuted, he added. “Our the agency, which regularly receives extremist Minister Gabriel Obiang Lima told Reuters in Cape Prosecutors in court said the accused intended to community is stricken,” Mankesi added. Residents statements. Mali’s government said the attacks Town. “We are working with this entity (BEAC)...I’m stage protests with the aim of overthrowing the told AFP the road from the sea port district of on September 30 and October 1 killed 40 troops going to be very loud and clear that oil and gas president. The judge remanded those charged in Matadi to the Kinshasa turnoff has been closed but off icials have so far not confirmed details of Gabriel Obiang Lima ... clear stance should be exempt from these restrictions.” custody until October 28 for another hearing. due to erosion caused by the rain. other soldiers reported missing. Beleaguered Burundi govt reaches out to opponents

AFP dition of anonymity, said the rea- fi gures in the Burundi crisis, in- Nairobi son for the secrecy was clear. cluding Belgium, the former co- “Within the Burundian gov- lonial power. ernment, there’s a moderate After recalling its ambassador A group of men from Bangladesh join hundreds of people, originally from Rwanda, DR Congo and Burundi, sleeping in a corridor close to iplomatically isolated and camp which contends that the to Belgium in 2016, Burundi has the off ices of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Cape Town. its economy on the skids, country will hit the wall if noth- just named a new envoy. DBurundi is cautiously ing is done to end the present cri- General Evariste Ndayishimi- reaching out to its opponents in sis, and a hardline camp, mainly ye, the general secretary of the a bid to ease a deepening four- consisting of generations from ruling CNDD-FDD, has also had year-old crisis, with a meeting the (ruling) CNDD-FDD (party), a meeting with the president of Foreigners camp outside UN, want to leave South Africa today in Bujumbura between who refuse to make any conces- the African Union commission, moderates in the government sion because they fear that they and diplomats say that there has AFP Wrapped in blankets, women and chil- Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. and political rivals. will lose everything.” been a slight fall in violence in Cape Town dren lay on mats, while men paced up and Others come from farther afi eld including In the past few days, President “It’s the former camp (the Burundi. down, according to AFP journalists. the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwan- Pierre Nkurunziza’s government moderates) which has started the Underpinning the strength of “We are here because we want the UN and da, Burundi, Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria and has met with CNARED — a forum contacts with CNARED, albeit the moderates’ camp is mount- ozens of foreign nationals have other organisations to help...refugees, to South Asian countries. of exiled opposition fi gures that with the greatest discretion,” the ing worries for Burundi’s econ- camped outside the Cape Town of- take us somewhere safe,” Radjab Mugeman- “They are saying foreigners are taking our opposed Nkurunziza’s decision in diplomat said. omy, which is slowly suff ocating Dfi ces of the UN refugee agency, de- gango 47, a Rwandan Uber driver, told AFP. jobs,...foreigners are taking our women,” 2015 to defy constitutional limits Prior to today’s meeting in Bu- under the impact of economic manding to be removed from South Africa “There is no peace in South Africa, it’s not said Papi Sukami, from the DRC. and seek a third term in offi ce. jumbura, a CNARED met in Nai- sanctions, said the diplomat. saying they were no longer safe. safe!” said an emotional Mugemangango. “Everywhere we are facing discrimina- At least 1,200 people were robi on August 30 and September “The country is on the brink of Around 250 foreigners, many claiming to South Africa is a magnet for economic tion, there is no dignity for refugees in this killed in the violence that fol- 1 with a government delegation bankruptcy,” the source said. be asylum seekers from various African coun- migrants searching for better job prospects country. We are tired,” said Papi Sukami, lowed and more than 400,000 headed by former interior minis- Shorn of precious foreign help, tries, vowed not to leave the premises until the and asylum seekers looking for safety. from DR Congo pleading with the UNHCR people fl ed their homes, prompt- ter Edouard Nduwimana, a Nku- the central bank has just two to United Nations High Commission for Refu- The continent’s most industrialised to “fi nd peace for us”. UNHCR offi cials were ing Burundi to become the focus runziza ally. three weeks’ of hard-currency gees (UNHCR) addressed their concerns. economy attracts people from neighbouring no immediately reachable for comment. of a probe by the International At that meeting, “we found reserves, which are needed to Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged common ground, notably on the buy desperately-need fuel, med- murders, rapes, torture and dis- question of lifting arrest warrants icines and other essentials. appearances. against exiled opposition lead- But another factor that has The talks in Bujumbura took ers, the return of these leaders to help to prod the government to- place with CNARED’s executive enable participation in the 2020 wards talks with the opposition Ebola virus now squeezed into corner: WHO secretary, Anicet Niyonkuru, say elections, their safety, and the is a bustup within the CNARED. sources within CNARED and the opening up of the political space,” The group has been hit by a government. a senior CNARED fi gure told AFP. number of walkouts, including AFP within an area of eastern DRC between Mam- litia attacks in eastern DRC, as well as by CNARED, which has been But afterwards Nduwimana prominent radicals who have Geneva basa, Komanda, Mandima and Beni, he said. resistance in communities to some of the weakened by an exodus of mem- downplayed the meeting — he been demanding that Nkurun- DRC’s latest Ebola epidemic, which be- methods used to rein in the virus. bers in recent months, has re- issued a statement saying he had ziza be arrested for crimes com- gan in August 2018, has killed 2,144 people, “Containing a virus is a diff erent prospect fused to confi rm the meeting acted on his own initiative, and mitted by the regime. ff orts to halt an Ebola epidemic in the making it the second deadliest outbreak of than to eliminate that virus from human publicly. not in the name of the govern- That has left an organisation Democratic Republic of Congo have the virus, after the West Africa pandemic of populations,” Ryan said. According to the government, ment, and had gone to Nairobi to run by leaders who align them- Emade “signifi cant progress”, with the 2014-2016. “We have signifi cantly contained the vi- Niyonkuru has been in the capi- meet political leaders who were selves with a dominant inter- virus now contained to a far smaller and At the height of the latest outbreak, 207 rus in a much smaller geographical area,” he tal to prepare for the 2020 elec- not targeted by arrest warrants. national view — that Burundi mainly rural area, the World Health Organi- “health zones” were aff ected by Ebola, a g-fi said. “Now we have to kill the virus.” tions, for which Nkurunziza says A senior government offi cial should focus primarily on hold- zation (WHO) said yesterday. ure that now stands at only 27, Ryan said. Containing a lethal contagious disease in he will not run again. said that Nduwimana had defi - ing free and fair elections. “We have put the virus in the corner,” But he stressed that despite a “much low- cities is invariably far more challenging than But the sources said that the nitely been sent by President Nku- These deem themselves “real- Michael Ryan, the executive director of er level of transmission”, the danger was not in rural settings, given the greater task of latest meeting was a further step runziza, and that the statement ists” but are criticised by radi- WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, over. tracing and isolating people who are at risk. in a process of clandestine con- had been published only because it cals as “traitors” — a moderate- told reporters in Geneva. “I believe we have “The fact that it is a smaller space is posi- The WHO is set to convene its Health tacts that has been unfolding for had been demanded by hardliners. hardline cleavage that ironically really squeezed the virus into a much small- tive, but...the disease has moved into more Regulations Emergency Committee next several months. The government’s apparent seems to mirror divisions within er geographical area.” rural and more insecure areas,” he warned. week to assess whether the emergency des- A diplomat, speaking on con- overture has extended to other the government. Ebola is now essentially only transmitting Ebola fi ghters have been hindered by mi- ignation should still stand. Kindness of strangers tips the scales in strife-wracked Mali

By Amaury Hauchard, AFP confl ict changed shape. and the living room rearranged to and she charges 1,000 CFA francs Segou, Mali Armed Islamists initially fell house those sheltering there. for a day’s labour. back into the arid northeastern Semasekkou was a farmer Though not much, “there’s al- badlands, but since 2015 violence cultivating millet at Mamba vil- ways this to add to the communal he courtyard of Issa Haid- has spread to the centre of the lage near Mopti until 2017 when fund,” Hamata says, for all the ara’s home in the central country, forcing tens of thou- “terrorists” came and kidnapped 37 people who benefi t from the TMalian town of Segou fi lls sands to abandon their homes. him. Haidara family land contribute to up rapidly at nightfall — testimo- Among the fi rst to be taken in “I spent a year and a half with the joint eff ort. ny to the kindness of strangers. by Haidara six months ago were them in the forest. I went out to With cleaning work for the In quieter times, Haidara lived Amadou Semasekkou, 58, his the fi elds to grow food for them,” women, building site labour for in the house with his wife, their wife and their fi ve children, who he said, wearing a loose purple men and market jobs like fetch- fi ve children and an aunt. fl ed an ethnic Fulani village in the robe and glasses that had seen ing and carrying for the young- But this night, 29 more peo- region of Mopti, a central garri- better days. sters, the members of this group ple have fi led in through a small son town. Semasekkou says he has no earn money to feed everyone. metal door. Semasekkou’s family had felt idea why the extremists decid- “Before they arrived, I bought “They’re displaced, by the threatened by the warriors of ed one day to let him go, but he 50kg of rice and it lasted a month. grace of God, this is how it is in radical Islamist preacher Ama- managed to return to Mamba, be Today, we’ve gone up to 150kg Mali,” said the householder, a dou Koufa on the one hand and reunited with his family and take a month and sometimes it isn’t tailor of 51 with a ready smile, by communal confl ict involving the road into exile. enough,” Issa Haidara says, but clad in a fl owing black African the Bambara and Dogon peoples Their trek took several months there are food distributions by robe, or boubou. on the other. and stops in several towns before the government and some NGOs Despite his meagre income, A specialised commission has they set foot in Segou and soon that help. Haidara has never hesitated to counted more than 300,000 Ma- found a place to rest at Haidara’s Every franc counts and all take people in when destitute lians far from home. house. hands are useful, Haidara says, villagers fl eeing a bloody confl ict Almost 140,000 have become Semasekkou does odd jobs but he doesn’t include children. fl ooded Segou in their thousands. refugees in neighbouring Mau- such as “building work, work in Child labour is widespread in “This is Mali, this is the cus- ritania, Niger and Burkina Faso, the fi elds,” wandering around the Mali and contributes to a low rate tom, it is God who wills it,” Haid- while more than 170,000 are dis- town and off ering his services for of school attendance. ara repeats fi rmly. placed in their homeland. 1,500 CFA francs ($2.50) a day. Still, almost none of the 15 A militancy began in northern Some 20,000 people have Looking for work from street children living in the compound Mali in 2012 on the back of a Tu- come to Segou, a town that has to street is also the daily lot of goes to school. areg rebellion in the Sahara. so far been relatively free of vio- Awa Pamata, a woman of 27 car- Instead they play and run In 2013, French troops helped lence. ing for two children. around, proving quite a handful. to rid key desert towns, such as Sleeping mats have been laid in She off ers to wash residents’ “At least they’re having fun,” Two displaced children play in the courtyard of a house in Segou. Timbuktu, of the fi ghters, but the the courtyard of Haidara’s house clothes in the broad Niger river says Awa Pamata. Gulf Times Friday, October 11, 2019 5 AMERICAS

US to Trudeau, Scheer even ahead of poll debate issue new AFP “A minority government, regard- the New Democratic Party after the from voters in Quebec, the only prov- Montreal less of affi liation, is looking more and fi rst two televised debates, in which ince where its candidates are running, more likely,” said Christian Bourque, their respective party leaders, Yves- an increase of eight percentage points vaping vice-president of Leger, which con- Francois Blanchet and Jagmeet Singh, that has the party nipping at the Lib- rime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ducted the survey on Monday and made positive impressions on the erals’ heels. Liberals are neck and neck with Tuesday for the Canadian Press news 2,150 people surveyed. Quebec, where one-quarter of the advice for PConservatives in the Canada’s agency. Created in 1991 to defend Que- 338 seats in parliament are up for October 21 elections race, with nei- The CBC’s survey aggregator found bec’s idea of independence in the Ot- grabs, is with Ontario the province ther party likely to win an absolute yesterday that 33.9% of Canadians tawa parliament, Bloc Quebecois is wooed most heavily by the major par- doctors majority, polls showed as leaders intend to vote Liberal, versus only running mainly on a secularism law ties. headed into a fi nal debate yesterday. 33% for Conservatives. adopted over the summer by Quebec’s The NPD is in third place with 18% The Liberals and Andrew Scheer’s These survey results give Trudeau a provincial government. support, up four percentage points Reuters Conservatives both have support slight advantage in forming a minor- Popular in Quebec but criticised over the past week, ahead of the Chicago from 31% of Canadian voters, down ity government. elsewhere in Canada, the law forbids Greens who have remained steady at three percentage points over the past In 2015, he won the majority of par- several categories of public servants 11%. week to the benefi t of two smaller liament seats with 39.5% of votes. in positions of authority, including Trudeau and the fi ve other party S health offi cials are pre- Trudeau waves upon arrival at a farm during parties, according to a poll published The Leger poll also showed an in- teachers, from wearing religious sym- leaders will cross swords for the fi nal paring to release new an election campaign visit to Manotick, near Wednesday evening by the Leger In- crease in support for Bloc Quebe- bols. televised debate, which will be con- Uguidance for doctors Ottawa. stitute. cois separatists in Quebec, and for Bloc Quebecois has 29% support ducted in French. stressing the need to ask every patient with an apparent respi- ratory infection about their vap- ing history. The updated guidance will also advise physicians on how to diagnose and manage patients who may have both a lung infec- tion and a vaping injury. Dr Ram Koppaka, a medi- cal offi cer with the Centres for 750,000 hit by power cut Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said that doctors need to be aware that there is an overlap between the early symptoms of vaping injury and common res- piratory infections. The CDC has already recom- mended doctors start asking to reduce wildfi re risk patients about their vaping his- tory during routine visits, but Reuters action was the largest precau- winds elsewhere and thus were gathering that information is Los Angeles tionary electricity shutoff un- part of a larger portion of the especially important as doctors dertaken by California’s biggest grid that was turned off , PG&E evaluate patients with respira- investor-owned utility. spokesman Jeff Smith said. tory symptoms from infectious lectricity was shut off to “It’s too bad that it is such a It urged customers to stock up causes. nearly 750,000 California large area to be turned off ,” said on fl ashlights, fresh batteries, “Both diagnoses must be eval- Ehomes and workplaces on Matthew Gallagher, a resident fi rst-aid supplies and cash, and uated,” Koppaka said. Wednesday as Pacifi c Gas and of Vacaville, a town 60 miles plan for healthcare needs, from The CDC reported yesterday Electric Co (PG&E) imposed a (100km) northeast of San Fran- refrigerated medicine to electri- that as of October 8, 1,299 peo- string of planned power outages cisco, where everything, from cal devices. ple in the United States have had of unprecedented scale to reduce the Walmart outlet to gasoline The utility said it opened 28 confi rmed or probable cases of wildfi re risks posed by extremely service stations, was closed for community centres across the lung injuries linked to vaping, windy, dry weather. lack of power. planned outage zone to provide and 26 have died. The power cut knocked out A similar cutoff was under restrooms, bottled water, bat- Some US doctors have raised traffi c signals, forced school consideration by neighbouring tery charging and air-condi- concerns that vaping injury cas- closures and shut businesses utility Southern California Edi- tioned seating during the day. es will be missed in the crush of and government offi ces across son for nearly 174,000 of its cus- PG&E has drawn increased patients seeking treatment for northern and central California, tomers, about 50,000 of them scrutiny in recent years over seasonal fl u and other respira- said Brian Ferguson, a spokes- in Los Angeles County, should maintenance of transmission tory ailments. man for the state Offi ce of Emer- severe winds hit southern Cali- wires and other equipment im- The early symptoms of vap- gency Services. fornia as forecast, SoCal Edison plicated in major wildfi res. ing injury include shortness of One key disruption was at the spokeswoman Taelor Bakewell In May, state fi re investiga- breath, cough, chest pain, fever, University of California at Ber- said. tors determined that PG&E and in some cases, gastrointes- keley, which cancelled classes Some of California’s most transmission lines caused the tinal symptoms such as nausea, on Wednesday during the fi rst devastating wildfi res were deadliest and most destructive vomiting and diarrhoea. phase of the “public safety pow- sparked in recent years by dam- wildfi re on record in California, “All of those can also be seen er shutoff ”, targeting more than age to electrical transmission A sign calling for PG&E to turn the power back on is seen on the side of the road during a statewide last year’s wind-driven Camp with infl uenza,” Koppaka said. 500,000 homes and businesses. lines from recurring bouts of blackout in Calistoga, California. Fire that killed 85 people in and In the US, fl u activity starts to A second phase began at 3pm high winds that then spread the around the town of Paradise. pick up in October and Novem- Pacifi c time and extended the fl ames through tinder-dry veg- expected to intensify late on Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Jourdan said it expected to re- Cal Fire likewise concluded ber and typically peaks between blackout to 234,000 more cus- etation into populated areas. Wednesday across northern and Fire) said “red-fl ag” warnings store supply to most customers that PG&E power lines had December and February. tomers, said the utility, which “We are entering into a two- central California before gradu- were posted across the state for within 24 to 48 hours after high sparked a 2017 fl urry of wildfi res “The fact that a given indi- was considering a third phase , three- or four-day period of ally migrating into southern what was shaping up to be the winds abate, once power lines that swept California’s wine vidual that presents for clinical for 4,600 more dwellings and extreme fi re danger in Califor- California overnight, National strongest wind event so far this were inspected and any damage country north of San Francisco evaluation could have fl u, could businesses. nia,” Governor Gavin Newsom Weather Service (NWS) meteor- season. repaired. Bay. have lung injury due to e-cig- Although PG&E said changing said at an event in San Diego on ologist Steve Anderson said. PG&E warned residents to Many customers live in ar- PG&E fi led for bankruptcy in arettes, or both, makes it com- weather conditions and work- Wednesday. He said extremely low humid- prepare for outages that could eas where breezes were light on January 2019, citing potential plicated for providers,” Koppaka arounds had restored power to Gale-force wind gusts, most- ity levels added to the fi re threat. last several days. Wednesday, but some are served civil liabilities in excess of $30bn said. about 44,000 customers, its ly in higher elevations, were The California Department of But spokeswoman Kristi by transmission lines hit by high from the fi res. Two businessmen linked Ukraine president says Trump did not seek to blackmail him to Trump scandal arrested Reuters Kyiv

Reuters Washington kraine’s President Vo- lodymyr Zelenskiy said Uyesterday that US Presi- wo foreign-born Florida dent Donald Trump did not businessmen associated seek to blackmail him during a Twith US President Donald phone call in July or a meeting Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy in September. Giuliani have been arrested on Zelenskiy said he had not suspicion of conspiring to fun- known that US military aid to nel foreign money to US political Ukraine had been blocked at the candidates, offi cials said yester- time of the call. day. Having been made aware of The businessmen, Lev Parnas This picture taken on September 20 shows Giuliani having coff ee This booking photo courtesy of this by his defence minister lat- and Igor Fruman, were arrested with Ukrainian-American businessman Lev Parnas at the Trump the Alexandria Sheriff ’s Off ice in er, he raised the issue during a in connection with a New York International Hotel in Washington. Virginia shows Fruman. separate meeting in September case involving campaign fi nance in Poland with Vice-President laws, a spokesman for the US The two men made illegal con- urged a US government agency in because “we are huge supporters Mike Pence. Attorney’s Offi ce in Manhattan tributions using straw donors, a July 2018 complaint to inves- of the president”. The US House of Representa- Zelenskiy listens to journalists’ questions during his day-long said. according to the indictment. tigate whether Parnas and Fru- Nancy Pelosi, who as House tives has launched an impeach- media marathon at a food court in Kyiv. The arrests were the latest dra- John Dowd, the lawyer for the man had broken the law by using Speaker is the top Democrat in ment inquiry against Trump, matic development in a political two men, declined comment on a shell company to disguise the the chamber, launched the im- focused on whether he used agencies that he could not in- Wednesday made a direct call drama that threatens Trump’s the charges. source of a $325,000 donation peachment inquiry last month congressionally approved aid to fl uence. for Trump’s impeachment. presidency. The two men had been plan- to a pro-Trump political action after the revelation that Trump Ukraine as leverage to pressure “There was no blackmail. Trump meanwhile continued They come as the Democrat- ning to fl y to Vienna on Wednes- committee. had sought foreign interference Zelenskiy to investigate former This was not the subject of to paint the probe as a partisan ic-led US House of Representa- day night, according to a source The CLC later supplemented in the 2020 US election. vice-president Joe Biden, one our conversation,” Zelenskiy smear and accused the US in- tives conducts an impeachment familiar with the matter. its complaint to the US Federal A whistleblower complaint to of Trump’s main Democratic said about his call with Trump, telligence offi cer who fi led the inquiry into the Republican Parnas and Fruman were ex- Election Commission to include Congress also raised concerns rivals as he seeks re-election in speaking to reporters in a day- whistleblower complaint that president centred on Trump’s pected to appear in a federal evidence of wire transfers show- that Trump leveraged $400mn 2020. long series of televised briefi ngs sparked the impeachment row request in a July telephone call court in Virginia later in the day, ing the movement of the funds. in US aid to try to secure a prom- Trump has made allegations, with the press, held at a Kyiv of having political motives. for Ukraine’s president to inves- the Wall Street Journal reported, Parnas told Reuters last month ise from Ukraine’s president to without evidence, that Biden food court. Zelenskiy said he had no de- tigate former vice-president Joe citing people familiar with the that he knew the Federal Bureau investigate Biden and his son, engaged in improper dealings in Zelenskiy said there were sire to interfere in the US elec- Biden, a leading Democratic rival matter. of Investigation (FBI) was in- Hunter Biden. Ukraine. no conditions attached to him tion. in the 2020 presidential election. The Journal described the two vestigating him but was not sure Trump has denied wrongdo- Biden’s son Hunter was on meeting Trump, including Zelenskiy said he had been Parnas is a Ukrainian busi- men as donors to a pro-Trump why. ing. the board of Ukrainian gas com- whether he should investigate made aware by his defence nessman. fundraising committee who “I don’t know what the FBI Democrats are getting impa- pany Burisma. the activities of Hunter at Bur- minister that Washington had Fruman is a real estate investor helped Giuliani’s eff orts to inves- wants,” Parnas said at the time. tient with the administration’s Zelenskiy told reporters that isma. frozen military aid to Ukraine. who was born in Belarus. tigate Biden. Parnas said that any violations blocks on its investigation. his aim in having a phone call The White House published He raised the issue at a meet- Both, according to various me- Two other people who were of Federal Election Commission “Republicans are now refus- with Trump was to arrange a its summary of the call between ing with Pence in Warsaw when dia accounts, helped introduce charged in the indictment were rules were unwitting and a “cler- ing to answer the simplest ques- subsequent meeting and that he Zelenskiy and Trump in Sep- they met at a commemoration Giuliani into top Ukrainian po- David Correia, a US business- ical thing” because he was not an tion: whether it’s acceptable for had asked the White House to tember. to mark the 80th anniversary of litical circles. man, and Andrey Kukushkin, a experienced political donor. a president to pressure foreign change its rhetoric on Ukraine. Asked whether the Ukrainian the start of the World War II. Parnas and Fruman conspired Ukrainian-born US business- Parnas said he was not trying countries to undermine our elec- He said Kyiv was open to a version matched up to the US “I told him ... please help to to “funnel foreign money to can- man. to hide the source of the $325,000 tions. American elections should joint investigation into Biden one, Zelenskiy said: “I didn’t resolve it,” Zelenskiy recalls didates for federal and state of- The Campaign Legal Centre donation. be decided by Americans, not by but added that Ukraine was an even check, but I think that it asking Pence. “And after our fi ce”, according to a federal court (CLC), a non-profi t that favours He said he gave the money to ‘favours’ from foreign govern- independent country with in- matches completely.” meeting, America unblocked fi ling in New York. campaign fi nance regulation, had America First Action committee ments,” Pelosi tweeted yesterday. dependent law enforcement Biden for the fi rst time on the aid.” Gulf Times 6 Friday, October 11, 2019 ASIA Indonesia green group calls for investigation into death of activist

Reuters Golfrid Siregar, an activist with Eko Hartanto, said three men, to come from a blunt object but people, whose network of per- been involved in various projects hydro dam, which some experts Jakarta the Indonesian Forum for the including the pedicab driver, had there were no wounds on other petrators don’t only involve cor- in recent years, including help- had warned would destroy the Environment (Walhi), was dis- become suspects for stealing the parts of his body. His bag, laptop, porations but also the state ap- ing fi shermen in a lawsuit against habitat of orangutans. covered by a pedicab driver lying victim’s belongings, state news wallet and phone were missing, it paratus.” a sand miner and assisting resi- North Sumatra Hydro Energy ndonesia’s biggest environ- unconscious on the side of a road agency Antara reported. said. In a joint news conference in Human rights lawyer Muha- dents in a fi ght against forest en- (NSHE), which owns the dam mental group yesterday called in the city of Medan on Sumatra “We have also done a re-enact- Jakarta yesterday, Amnesty In- mad Isnur also questioned why croachment, said Walhi’s head of project, said by text message: Ifor an independent investiga- island last Thursday, police said. ment of the crime scene to fi nd ternational Indonesia researcher Siregar’s motorbike had not be advocacy, Zenzi Suhadi. “We are requesting all parties tion into the death of one of its He was brought to hospital but what exactly caused his death,” Papang Hidayat said there should stolen if his death resulted from According to Suhadi, his latest not to speculate and connect PT activists after pointing out suspi- died three days later, police said. the news agency cited Hartanto as be an independent investigation a robbery. Police detective Har- and most high-profi le case was NSHE directly or indirectly to the cious circumstances and saying Police initially said it appeared saying. Walhi said in a statement “because the victim had raised tanto and a North Sumatra police representing Walhi in its legal death of Golfrid Siregar ... until his work could have made him a to be a traffi c accident, but yes- this week that Siregar suff ered cases on environmental and hu- spokesman did not respond to re- challenge to stop the construc- the results of a police investiga- target. terday Medan’s chief detective, injuries to his head that appeared man rights crimes against local quests for comment. Siregar had tion of a $1.5bn China-funded tion come out.” Indonesia minister survives stabbing by IS-linked pair

Reuters a serious escalation in aspira- Jakarta tions”, said Sidney Jones of the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Confl ict. ndonesia’s chief security Aside from a failed attack on minister was stabbed yes- the South Sulawesi governor in Iterday by a man authorities 2011, it was the fi rst time in re- Neighbours gather outside the home of the two Indonesians suspected of stabbing the country’s chief suspect had been radicalised by cent history that militants had security minister Wiranto in Pandeglang, Banten province, yesterday. Islamic State ideology, and un- been this close to an assassina- derwent surgery for his wounds, tion of such a senior fi gure in In- the fi rst time such a senior politi- donesia, she said. cian has been attacked in recent The government scrambled to years. tighten its security laws after a Indonesia is grappling with a series of suicide bombings linked resurgence in militancy and hun- to the Islamic State-inspired dreds have been detained under Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) tighter new anti-terrorism laws group killed more than 30 people since the beginning of 2019. in the city of Surabaya last year. Television footage showed Indonesia’s Chief Security Minister Wiranto is pictured being attacked Wiranto, 72, who like many minister Wiranto slumping to the during his visit in Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia. Indonesians uses just one name, ground beside his car after the has served as chief security min- attack in Pandeglang, in Banten dismantled. “I have ordered the area to open a new building at a ister in President Joko Widodo’s province, west of the capital Ja- chief of police and the head of university and people were lin- cabinet since 2016. karta on the island of Java. intelligence, supported by the ing up to shake his hand and take The minister is considered A police photograph showed Indonesian army, to investigate selfi es with him before the attack a product of the late former Wiranto, a former general, being thoroughly and to punish the around noon, said Tohir. strongman Suharto’s “New Or- carried on a stretcher into a near- perpetrators,” Widodo told re- “For the time being, the sus- der” administration, which gave by hospital. The minister had porters after visiting the minister picion from Banten Police, is a big political role to the military suff ered two wounds to his stom- at the military hospital in Jakarta, the man is likely to have been and stifl ed opponents. His ap- ach, said Firmansyah, director of where Wiranto was undergoing a exposed to IS radicalism while pointment drew criticism from the Berkah Hospital. surgery. the woman is still being inves- rights groups for his involve- Tomsi Tohir, Banten police The head of the hospital said tigated,” said national police ment as chief of the armed forces chief, earlier said the minister the surgery should take about spokesman Dedi Prasetyo. Of- in the bloody upheaval in East had been conscious and de- two hours. Police had arrested fi cers wrestled the suspect to the Timor. Wiranto was indicted by scribed his condition as stable a man and a woman they sus- ground and an image supplied by a UN panel over the bloodshed before he was fl own to Jakarta by pected were a couple, and seized police showed the suspect, who surrounding East Timor’s 1999 helicopter for further treatment. sharp weapons they were carry- was wearing a black shirt and independence vote, when about President Joko Widodo said that ing, including knives and a pair of light trousers, with his arms and 1,000 people were killed. He security had to be improved and scissors. legs secured. If the attack was denied any wrongdoing in East Indonesian security cordon off the area after two Indonesians stabbed the country’s chief security the network behind the attack The minister had been in the staged by militants it “represents Timor. minister Wiranto in Pandeglang, Banten province, yesterday. Arrest warrant issued for Nobel laureate Yunus Malaysia arrests two AFP a complaint saying they were Yunus’s lawyer Kazi Ershadul highest court, but lost. Dhaka fired because they set up a trade Alam told AFP. Yunus set up the Bank, which union, court clerk M Nuruzza- The 79-year-old former eco- co-won the Nobel with him in man told AFP. nomics professor who founded 2006, in 1983 to make collater- politicians for links to angladeshi economist Yunus, who is chairman of the pioneering poverty-busting al-free micro loans to millions and Nobel laureate Mu- GC, did not attend the hear- micro lender Grameen Bank, of rural entrepreneurs. The Bhammad Yunus has been ing as he was abroad. The chief has been at odds with Prime bank is now run by managers issued with an arrest warrant executive officer and a senior Minister Sheikh Hasina since appointed by Hasina. after failing to appear at a hear- manager at the company ap- 2007 when he made a brief Hasina has accused him Sri Lanka rebel group ing over the sacking of workers peared at the court and secured foray into the country’s highly of “sucking blood” from the at a company he heads, officials bail, Nuruzzaman said. polarised politics. poor amid allegations the bank said yesterday. “He (Yunus) left Bangladesh In 2011, he was sacked as charges interest rates of more Reuters people on suspicion of “sup- Ayob did not name the sus- A judge at a court in Dhaka before receiving any summons the head of Grameen Bank, in than 20%, and suggested he was Kuala Lumpur porting, promoting, recruiting, pects but the Democratic Action issued the order Wednesday as for appearing before the court. a move widely believed to have responsible for the World Bank fundraising for and possessing Party, a member of Malaysia’s sacked workers from Grameen As soon as he returns, an appro- been orchestrated by Hasina. pulling a $1.2bn loan for a mega items linked to LTTE militants”, ruling coalition, confi rmed in Communications (GC) lodged priate legal step shall be taken,” He challenged his sacking in the bridge project. alaysian police yes- Malaysian police counter-ter- a statement that two of its as- terday arrested seven rorism chief Ayob Khan Mydin semblymen were arrested. Po- Mpeople, including two Pitchay told reporters. lice also detained a 38-year-old Singapore to politicians, suspected of hav- Among them were two state insurance agent on suspicion of become first ing links to the now-defunct lawmakers who had allegedly planning an attack on the Sri Up in arms Sri Lankan Liberation Tigers of delivered speeches and distrib- Lankan High Commission in country to ban Tamil Eelam (LTTE) separatist uted leafl ets in support of the Kuala Lumpur. ads for very group. group at an event honouring Malaysia has been on high Malaysia has listed the LTTE Tamil Tiger “heroes” last year, alert since January 2016, when sugary drinks as a terrorist organisation since Ayob said. gunmen allied with Islamic 2014 amid reports of attempts “There are attempts from State carried out a series of at- Singapore will become the first to revive the group from abroad. certain quarters from outside tacks in Jakarta, the capital of country in the world to ban ads In 2009, the Sri Lankan govern- Sri Lanka, not just in Malaysia, neighbouring Indonesia. for the most unhealthy sugary ment ended a 26-year confl ict to reactivate the LTTE move- Malaysian authorities have drinks in its latest move to with the Tamil Tigers, who had ment,” he said. arrested hundreds of people in combat rising diabetes rates, the been fi ghting for an independ- “We are taking action to ar- the past few years for suspected health ministry said yesterday. ent Tamil state in the north and rest them as we do not want militant links, including 25 peo- Products deemed “less healthy” east of the Indian Ocean island. these activities to spread and ple for activities linked to the must now display labels grading Authorities arrested seven smear the image of Malaysia.” Tamil Tigers, Ayob said. their nutritional and sugar content, with those considered to be most unhealthy banned from Crocodile kills fisherman on Philippine island appearing in ads across all media platforms, including broadcast, A huge saltwater crocodile killed Faltado said. They then used of the incident, which is partly print and online channels. a Philippines fisherman after dynamite to kill it. A crocodile due to habitat destruction. The “This aims to reduce the snatching him from his boat, also killed a 10-year-old boy crocodiles have almost nowhere influence of such advertisements local authorities said yesterday, in the same area less than left to hide, and there is not on consumer preferences,” the the latest in a series of attacks two months ago, according enough food in their habitat,” ministry said, calling the ban terrorising a remote southern to Jovic Fabello, spokesman Fabello said. “It’s a competition a world-first. It added that the island. for a government council that for space because people don’t measures were only a start and The 20-year-old was taken by oversees conservation eff orts want to give in,” he added. it will continue to explore the a 4.9-m (16-ft) crocodile late in Palawan, where Balabac is The local crocodile population possibility of a sugar tax or ban. Tuesday as he and a colleague located. And earlier this year, might also have increased, he “We urge SSB (sugar-sweetened sailed back to the island of a croc killed a 15-year old boy said. beverages) manufacturers to Balabac after a day of fishing, and a fisherman off the island The Palawan island group is consider reformulating their regional police spokesman of about 35,000 people. Last known for its diversity of flora drinks to contain less sugar Displaced children shout during a protest outside UN Refugee Agency UNHCR’s off ice in Jakarta, Socrates Faltado told AFP. The year crocodiles killed two and fauna, but authorities even as we further study these Indonesia, yesterday. next day residents found his people around Balabac. “We are increasingly wary of its measures,” it said. body, still in the croc’s jaws, have to address the root cause unchecked development. Gulf Times Friday, October 11, 2019 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

China’s treatment of Muslims ‘enormous human rights violation’: Pompeo

Reuters engage in this kind of behaviour,” ened its trade blacklist to in- tempt to erase its own citizens.” facts,” Chinese foreign ministry embroiled in a 15-month-old ketball Association (NBA) team Washington Pompeo said in a television inter- clude some of China’s top arti- UN experts and activists say at spokesman Geng Shuang told re- trade war with the United States, offi cial supporting the protests in view with American broadcaster fi cial intelligence startups and least 1mn Uighurs, and members porters during a daily briefi ng in also views US support for pro- Hong Kong, Pompeo said Ameri- PBS. announced visa restrictions on of other largely Muslim minor- Beijing. democracy protests in Hong can businesses were waking up to S Secretary of State Mike Asked whether Chinese Presi- Chinese government and Com- ity groups, have been detained in “China expresses strong dis- Kong as interfering with its sov- the risks of operating in China. Pompeo said that China’s dent Xi Jinping was responsible, munist Party offi cials it believes camps in the remote region. satisfaction and fi rm opposition ereignty. “The reputational cost to these Utreatment of Muslims, Pompeo said: “Xi Jinping leads responsible for the detention or China has denied any mis- to this.” “We’re going to continue to companies, I think, will prove to including the Uighurs, in western the country just like the leader abuse of Muslim minorities in treatment of Uighurs, and said The Chinese Embassy in talk about these human rights be higher and higher as Beijing’s China was an “enormous human of a tank platoon, a small busi- Xinjiang province. Xinjiang was its internal aff air. Washington, in a separate state- violations,” Pompeo said. “As long arm reaches out to them and rights violation” and Washington ness or a country is responsible Pompeo on Sunday called on “Recently, the US side has been ment issued on Tuesday, de- the president has said in another destroys their capacity for them, will continue to raise the issue. for the things that happen in your all countries to resist China’s attacking and smearing China’s nounced the visa action and said context in Hong Kong, we want their employees — in the NBA’s “This is not only an enormous name.” demands to repatriate ethnic Xinjiang policies on the pretense the US accusations on human to make sure that these issues are case team members and general human rights violation, but we Punishing Beijing for its treat- Uighurs, saying Beijing’s cam- of religion and human rights, and rights violations were “made- handled in a way that is humane.” managers — to speak freely about don’t think it’s in the best inter- ment of Muslim minorities, the paign in the western Chinese making baseless and mistaken up pretexts” for interfering in Asked about a growing dispute their political opinions,” Pompeo ests of the world or of China to US government this week wid- region of Xinjiang was an “at- remarks that are contrary to the China’s aff airs. China, which is over a tweet by a National Bas- said. Hong Kong malls, metro close early ahead of protests

Reuters planned include some in support Hong Kong Mainland China troops and police of Taiwan on its National Day and rallies against perceived police not part of Hong Kong operations brutality, with protesters expect- Anti-government protesters stand in front of riot police during a demonstration at the Harbour city in Tsim ong Kong shopping malls ed to wear eye patches to show Sha Tsui district, in Hong Kong. started closing early yes- China’s mainland army and Kong Police Force, the Hong solidarity with a young protester Hterday to avoid becoming police are not part of Hong Kong Special Administrative injured in clashes. aging ticketing machines. The targets of planned protests and Kong police operations, the city’s Region Government today seri- “The violence has been accel- MTR has been accused of clos- Apple pulls Hong Kong app the city’s metro, which has borne government said yesterday, ously clarified that the rumours erating a lot. I think they (police) ing stations at the government’s the brunt of violent unrest in re- responding to Internet rumours are false and groundless,” the are really damaging the law and behest to stop demonstrators cent weeks, was set to close three the People’s Liberation Army government said in statement. the legal system,” said David, a gathering. Besides calling for the Apple yesterday removed an er available on Apple’s Hong hours early. (PLA) and mainland police On Sunday, Chinese soldiers 27-year-old accountant, wearing protection of their civil liberties, app criticised by China for Kong App Store. “We have Hong Kong is one of the were involved in trying to quell issued a warning to Hong Kong a black mask covering the lower many young protesters are also allowing protesters in Hong verified with the Hong Kong world’s top shopping cities but pro-democracy unrest. The PLA protesters who shone lasers at half of his face and clutching a incensed at Hong Kong’s widen- Kong to track police. The tech Cybersecurity and Technology four months of often violent pro- has a garrison in Hong Kong their barracks in the city, in the sign saying “Free Hong Kong”. ing inequality, sky high property giant’s pulling of HKmap.live Crime Bureau that the app has tests have severely dented that but troops have remained in first direct interaction between Police have fi red live rounds prices and poor job prospects. comes as high-profile brands, been used to target and am- reputation, with more than 100 barracks since the protests mainland military forces and and used baton charges and wa- Hong Kong is world’s most including the NBA and its Hou- bush police,” said a notification shops closed, scores vandalised started four months ago, leaving protesters. The PLA garrison ter cannons to quell the unrest. expensive property market, with ston Rockets franchise, come sent by Apple and published and malls now becoming sites for local police to handle the often in Kowloon district warned a Police fi red 367 tear gas canis- prices rocketing over 200% in under pressure from authori- on the HKmap.live’s Telegram sit-ins by protesters. violent and massive protests. crowd of a few hundred protest- ters over the long weekend, when the past decade, driven by limit- ties over perceived support for channel, which has more than The Asian fi nancial hub is fac- The PLA’s top brass has warned ers they could be arrested for tens of thousands of protesters ed housing supply and mainland democracy demonstrations in 70,000 subscribers. ing its fi rst recession in a decade, that violence in Hong Kong is targeting its troops and barrack took to the streets. Chinese buyers. the financial hub. Chinese state “Criminals have used it to vic- with the tourism and retail sec- “absolutely impermissible”. Some walls with laser lights. One President Tsai Ing-wen, in a Tiny living spaces are com- media this week tore into the timise residents in areas where tors hit hardest by the unrest. protesters believe undercover off icer shouted through a loud- National Day speech in Taipei, mon, some of the poorest liv- app, which collates information they know there is no law Protesters are playing cat and mainland security forces have hailer in broken Cantonese, the said Taiwan had rejected the “one ing in cage homes — wire mesh on police locations submitted enforcement,” it continued. mouse with police, organis- been part of the Hong Kong main language of Hong Kong: country, two systems” formula hutches stacked on top of each by users, charging that it was HKmap.live’s makers denied ing demonstrations at diff erent police operations. “In response “Bear consequences for your ac- Beijing suggested could unify it other. helping “rioters”. their app encouraged criminal locations via social media and to rumours on the Internet tions.” In August, Beijing moved with the mainland, saying it had A protester last month Communist Party mouthpiece activity, and lashed out at Ap- stretching security resources. saying that there were members thousands of troops across the set Hong Kong “on the edge of scrawled graffi ti reading: “7K for The People’s Daily said by ple’s removal as “censorship” Opposition to a now-with- of the People’s Liberation Army border into Hong Kong in an disorder”. a house like a cell and you really stocking the app, Apple was and “clearly a political decision drawn extradition bill that would or mainland law enforcement operation state news agency Beijing regards Taiwan as a think we out here scared of jail”. “mixing business with politics, to suppress freedom”. The have allowed suspects to be sent agencies joining the law enforce- Xinhua described at the time as wayward province and has not The popularity of Hong Kong and even illegal acts”. online and Android versions of to China sparked the unrest. But ment operations of the Hong a routine “rotation”. renounced the use of force to leader Lam has plunged to a Yesterday the app was no long- HKmap.live were still available. it has widened into a pro-de- bring it into the fold. Scores of record low of 22.3 points out of mocracy movement. Protesters Hong Kong shops remain board- 100, the lowest of any post-colo- are also expressing anger at the and its residents enjoy freedoms Carrie Lam introduced colonial- ed up after being trashed over the nial chief executive, according to moved elsewhere, and hit sport. economy of the Special Admin- city’s government for failing to that do not exist on the mainland. era emergency laws last Friday, weekend, anti-government graf- a Hong Kong Public Opinion Re- Mainland Chinese visitors, istrative Region,” said Jameson solve social issues such as unaf- The unrest is the city’s worst banning face masks that protest- fi ti is scrawled over bus stops and search Institute survey this week. Hong Kong’s most important Wong, APAC Business Develop- fordable housing and poor job political crisis since 1997 and ers use to shield their identities, buildings, and some streets are The survey was conducted before tourism source, have more than ment Director, ForwardKeys. prospects. Under a “one country, poses the biggest popular chal- which sparked some of the worst still strewn with broken glass and the emergency laws and latest halved between July and Septem- China has accusing some for- two systems” formula adopted lenge to Chinese President Xi violence since the unrest started. twisted metal debris. violence. ber, ForwardKeys travel analytics eign governments, including when Britain returned its former Jinping since he came to power Many Hong Kongers fear the Protest violence has often tar- The unrest has resulted in said yesterday. Britain and the United States, of colony to China in 1997, Hong in 2012. emergency laws will be expanded geted the MTR mass transit sys- tourist numbers plummeting, “The demonstrations are de- fanning anti-China sentiment has a high-degree of autonomy Hong Kong’s embattled leader eroding their rights. Protests tem, torching stations and dam- a slew of events cancelled or livering a devastating blow to the over Hong Kong.

Tourists surge at Uluru before ban takes eff ect Red hot chilli peppers

AFP Sydney

arge numbers of tourists are rushing to scale Uluru L— also known as Ayers Rock — ahead of a looming ban on climbing a site sacred to in- digenous Australians. Photographs of hundreds of people clambering up the giant red monolith have provoked a social media backlash, with crit- ics lashing as “ignorant” those going against the wishes of the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land, the Anangu. “A mass of morally and ethi- cally bankrupt people,” indig- enous woman Laura McBride tweeted alongside an image Tourists looking at Uluru in Australia’s Northern Territory. Large numbers of tourists are rushing to scale showing a queue of people snak- Uluru — also known as Ayers Rock — ahead of a looming ban on climbing a site sacred to indigenous ing up the side of Uluru. “One Australians. A worker sorting chilli peppers at a co-operative which produces both fresh chilli peppers and dried even hiking a toddler up, teach- chilli powder in Yangchang town, Dafang county, Bijie in China’s southwest Guizhou Province. ing the next generation how to be than the previous year. Around days were most likely to want to The climb will be permanent- ignorant.” 13% of those who visited dur- scale Uluru, Schwer said, though ly closed as of October 26, the “Imagine rushing to climb ing that period made the climb, he urged them not to do so. anniversary of ownership be- Uluru before it closes just so you park authorities said. More re- Australian tourist Belinda ing handed back to the Anangu Australian bushfire kills elderly couple: police could brag about disrespecting cent fi gures are not available Moore, 33, drove to Uluru from people. the oldest living culture in the but Tourism Central Australia her home in central Queens- Uluru has great spiritual and world,” tweeted National In- CEO Stephen Schwer said there land state to ascend the rock, an cultural signifi cance to indig- An elderly Australian couple has inside a residence in an isolated blaze destroyed 21 houses. But the digenous Television journalist had been a “signifi cant jump” experience she said she “abso- enous Australians, with their died in an out-of-control bushfire area which had been destroyed final numbers might rise. Madeline Hayman-Reber, who in the number of people visiting lutely loved”. “It’s always been connection to the site dating that swept northern New South by fire, which the NSW Rural Fire The two bushfires have burned called the scenes “embarrass- in recent weeks, with the period something to tick off the bucket back tens of thousands of years. Wales (NSW) earlier this week, Service (RFS) said was caused by more than 115,000 hectares. The ing”. leading up to the ban coincid- list and when we heard it was Though visitor numbers were police have said. Human remains a lightning strike. It is not known Busbys Flat fire started last Friday Offi cials say the ban, which ing in part with school holidays. closing, we knew it was now or expected to decline once the ban belonging to a 77-year-old man when the couple died exactly, but evening and is believed to have comes into eff ect on October 26, “Its been very busy, particularly never,” she told AFP. Moore said was in place, Schwer said lo- and a 69-year-old woman were the Drake fire, which had been been “deliberately lit.” NSW Trans- is intended to show respect for down in the national park pre- she did not think her climb was cal tourism operators were “not found yesterday by state authori- burning for more than a month port Minister Andrew Constance cultural practices, protect the cinct itself,” he told AFP. “We’ve disrespectful to traditional own- particularly concerned” as it ties at the Coongbar property near and had already destroyed several said the Brisbane to Sydney rail site from further environmen- had quite an issue with accom- ers as she was not Aboriginal. would return the area to normal- Drake, NSW Police said. “The homes, reached the Coongbar line in Rappville, which was de- tal damage and to ensure visi- modation availability, because “It may be for their own ity. “People need to remember circumstances around the unfor- area on Tuesday. The Drake bush- stroyed in the tors’ safety. More than 395,000 there’s a lot of people want to people, because it’s their sa- that in central Australia we’re a tunate deaths of these two people fire was joined by another one at Busbys Flat fire, had been dam- people visited the Uluru-Kata climb Uluru before it closes. It’s cred site,” she said. “I’m pretty very interconnected communi- will be subject to an extensive Busbys Flat to form a larger blaze aged. RFS said there were 34 bush- National Park in the 12 months been a busier than normal holi- sad that they’re closing it, but ty,” he said. “The people who are investigation,” Superintendent on Wednesday. According to the fires currently across NSW, eight of to June 2019, according to Parks day period.” Japanese visitors it’s still amazing just to see it. I requesting the climb closure are Toby Lindsay told reporters. RFS, the Drake blaze destroyed which remain out of control, but all Australia, about 20% more and Australians on driving holi- would still recommend it.” our friends and colleagues.” He said the bodies were located eight houses, while the Busbys Flat of them at the lower alert level. Gulf Times 8 Friday, October 11, 2019 BRITAIN/IRELAND NHS doctor mulls leaving UK after refusal of visa for mum

Guardian News and Media Warikoo is angry and frustrat- to Boris Johnson and the Home ish-born 13-year-old daughter from her home country”, added sible if my mother is going to be cised its initial decision as “ludi- London ed that several years of represen- Secretary, Priti Patel, to help re- and his mother will leave before Warikoo. allowed to stay or not, because I crous”, heavy-handed and short- tations have failed to persuade solve the situation. He tweeted Christmas. He has already been off ered a can’t take this any more. I have sighted, given the deepening the Home Offi ce to allow his them on Monday asking for help. The application for Phoola job and immediate permanent worked so hard for young people shortage of family doctors across leading children’s psy- 71-year-old Indian-born mother, “I am a British citizen, NHS con- Warikoo to remain is also based residency for himself, his wife and families in Britain in my time the NHS. chiatrist plans to quit the Phoola, to remain in Britain. The sultant, and a researcher. Have on a section of the immigration and daughter in Australia, and a here and now I want some support The Guardian reported this ANHS and move to Austral- 46-year-old was also born in In- cared for thousands of children rules which says that someone visa for his mother to stay in the from the system for my family, for week how CAMHS services ia because of the Home Offi ce’s dia but became a British citizen in with mental health problems, can be allowed to stay if a child country. it to show a bit of fl exibility.” are among the areas of mental “almost callous” refusal to let his 2014 and has lived in the UK and saved many young lives and – in this case her granddaughter Warikoo told the Guardian: Last week the Home Offi ce healthcare that are struggling mother stay in Britain. worked in the NHS for 15 years. helped thousands of families in Soham – would be left in distress “It’s very stressful for us as a backtracked on a plan to de- with a growing lack of specialist Dr Nishchint Warikoo, the lead Warikoo has argued that be- distress. Now my family is forced if they did not do so. family. We don’t want to leave the port a Taiwan-born but British- psychiatrists. psychiatrist for child and ado- cause he is her only child and she to leave the country. Help please.” “Her (his mother) leaving the country. But we are being forced educated and NHS-funded GP For years, Warikoo’s mother lescent mental health services is widowed and has no family in Warikoo has resolved that if country would cause severe dis- to because we are in this limbo trainee, Dr Mu-Chun Chiang, visited him on six-month visi- (CAMHS) in Hampshire, said he India who could look after her, the Home Offi ce does not decide tress to a child – Soham – direct- state. The Home Offi ce have dis- for making a minor error in her tor’s visas. However, she may no and his family were being “forced she should be allowed to stay so on his mother’s case by Decem- ly as she will be separated from played an almost callous attitude application for a Tier 2 working longer qualify for them because to leave” the UK in order to stay he can take care of her. ber, or if they refuse her leave to her grandmother and indirectly to this case. visa. Medical groups, including she had applied for leave to re- together. Warikoo has appealed directly remain, he, his wife, their Brit- as she (Soham) will be uprooted “I need to know as soon as pos- the Royal College of GPs, criti- main, he said. Corbyn sets out election pitch, targets another upset

Guardian News and Media be done very diff erently. Do we London want our country run by a party that has cut, sliced, diced and privatised our public services, or eremy Corbyn has pledged to do we want the ambition, enthu- pull off another general elec- siasm and imagination of the La- Jtion upset and recover from bour party to create that diff erent poor polling to deny Boris John- and better society?” son a return to Downing Street, To cheers from the crowd, he as he eff ectively kicked off La- concluded: “I’ll take that mes- bour’s campaign with a so-called sage out there. I’m very fi t, I’m alternative Queen’s speech set- very healthy, I’m very happy, and ting out key policies. I’m very, very determined.” Speaking to party activists in Corbyn brushed off a sug- Northampton, where both par- gestion that the party should be liamentary seats are held by Con- pushing for a second EU referen- Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Boris Johnson pose for a photograph at Thornton Manor Hotel, near Birkenhead, north-west England, yesterday. servative MPs with tiny majori- dum before an election. ties over Labour – Corbyn reeled “A second referendum is what off a list of plans in areas includ- we propose under a Labour gov- ing Brexit, inequality, education, ernment, which would be, as I the NHS, housing, crime and the have said, not a choice between a climate emergency. no-deal cliff edge but between an He said it was “the most trans- intelligent arrangement with the formative, radical and exciting European Union and Remain.” programme ever put before the Many Labour MPs are worried Johnson, Varadkar see British electorate”. about going into a general elec- Answering questions from re- tion at a time when the party is porters afterwards, Corbyn de- trailing badly in the polls, and clined to comment on surveys that they would rather see the issue of put the party’s support at as little Brexit put to bed, allowing them as 25%, insisting he never looked to campaign on domestic issues. at polling. But he did predict a Corbyn dismissed the planned ‘pathway’ to Brexit deal similar upset to that of 2017 when Queen’s speech by the govern- Labour confounded the polls to ment as a “cynical stunt”, saying AFP and the Irish republic. Johnson has vowed Britain will He said what was important border open, Johnson presented deny Theresa May a majority. it was “full pomp and ceremony, Birkenhead After “detailed and construc- end its fi ve-decade membership now was to fi nalise negotiations a new proposal last week — but Corbyn ignored a separate setting out an agenda to parlia- tive” talks near Liverpool, John- of the EU on October 31, with or and see if there was “some- it received a cold reception in question about whether he ment that it has no intention and son and Varadkar said fi nding without agreeing exit terms. thing that I hope could fl y”. But Brussels. would step down if he did not no means of delivering”. rime Minister Boris John- a deal was in the interests of all But he could be forced to seek he added: “At the very end this He proposes Northern Ireland win the election. The rest of his speech was son and his Irish counter- sides — but made clear more to delay Brexit for a third time is a British responsibility” on stay aligned to the EU’s single In his speech he said Labour largely a list of previously an- Ppart Leo Varadkar yesterday work was needed. if he fails to agree a deal by next whether it leaves the EU with or market but remain in a separate was seeking a radical transfor- nounced Labour policies, in- said they could see a “pathway” “They agreed that they could week’s summit. without a deal or even cancels UK-wide customs territory, en- mation of the UK so that young cluding its plans for a so-called to reaching a Brexit deal, but re- see a pathway to a possible deal,” His high-stakes meeting with the Brexit process outright. visaging customs but no regula- people could “look forwards to green new deal, reshaping the mained cautious with just days said a joint statement from both Varadkar at Thornton Manor — Negotiations since the 2016 tory checks on the frontier. the future with hope”. economy towards skilled, sus- left to strike an agreement. their offi ces. more commonly used for luxury British referendum vote to leave Northern Ireland’s opt-in to the “It’s not easy, I get all of that,” tainable jobs. Time is running out to sign off “They agreed to refl ect fur- weddings than discussing in- the EU have been conducted be- plan would be open to four-yearly he said. “But the one thing this Asked about the ongoing Ex- on any deal at an October 17-18 ther on their discussions and ternational divorce terms — tween London and Brussels but review by the province’s devolved country can’t aff ord is the level tinction Rebellion protests in European Union summit, the that offi cials would continue to comes after recriminations fl ew Ireland has a key role because of assembly and executive. of inequality that we have.” London, which Johnson and sev- last such meeting before Brit- engage intensively on them.” on both sides over who was to the border issue. But Brussels is adamant it will He said that when an election eral government ministers have ain’s scheduled departure at the Varadkar will now meet with blame for the impasse. Johnson and Varadkar’s dis- not agree to any plan that under- was called, Labour would mo- condemned, Corbyn praised the end of the month. EU offi cials, while Brexit Sec- French President Emmanuel cussion “concentrated on the mines the single market — which bilise hundreds of thousands of movement, predicting its lead- The main sticking point in retary Steve Barclay is due in Macron voiced frustration yes- challenges of customs and con- allows free movement of goods supporters to push its message. ers could even one day be com- the divorce is how to keep open Brussels today for talks with the terday, saying: “Brexit is a Brit- sent”, their statement said. across Europe — or risks exac- “That atmosphere and that memorated on postage stamps, the border between the British bloc’s chief negotiator Michel ish domestic crisis, not a Euro- After MPs rejected the previ- erbating tensions on the island message that things can and will as earlier activists have been. province of Northern Ireland Barnier. pean one.” ous “backstop” plan to keep the of Ireland. New £20 note featuring Brexit ‘not to aff ect winter power supply’ painter Turner unveiled said in its 2019-20 winter out- Reuters London look report. Guardian News and Media The bank is opting for polymer er’s contribution to art extends “Our analysis shows...mar- London over traditional paper notes be- well beyond his favourite stretch gins that are suffi cient even in a cause it is cleaner, longer-lasting of shoreline. ritain will be able to meet scenario with no interconnector and harder to forge. “Turner’s painting was trans- energy demand this winter fl ows between the UK and con- he governor of the Bank The bank said the latest note formative, his infl uence spanned Beven if it leaves the Euro- tinental Europe. However, the of England has unveiled was its most secure yet with two lifetimes, and his legacy endures pean Union, but could need reg- market would need to attract Tthe new £20 polymer windows and a two-colour foil, today. The new £20 note cele- ular supplies of liquefi ed natural regular LNG supplies to the UK,” banknote featuring the artist making it diffi cult to counterfeit. brates Turner, his art and his leg- gas, National Grid said yesterday. it added. JMW Turner as the bank con- The foil features Turner Con- acy in all their radiant, colourful, The United Kingdom is due to Liquefi ed natural gas imports tinues its switch away from pa- temporary, which opened in 2011 evocative glory.” The note fea- leave the EU on October 31 but it into Britain quadrupled during per money. and helped revive Margate as an tures Turner’s 1799 self-portrait, is still unclear on what terms it the winter of 2018-19 to 6.6mn Mark Carney revealed the artistic centre, in blue and the which hangs in Tate Britain, as will exit or indeed whether it will tonnes and peaked at 1.6mn note’s design in Margate at town’s lighthouse in gold. well as one of his most recognis- become the fi rst sovereign state tonnes in April, a multi-year Turner Contemporary gallery, The note will enter circulation able works, The Fighting Temer- to depart the bloc. high, as supplies from the US and which is named after the painter. on February 20 alongside exist- aire – a tribute to the ship which National Grid, which operates Russia inundated Europe and de- Carney was joined by the artist ing paper £20 notes, which will played a big part in Nelson’s vic- the UK power network, expects pressed prices. Tracey Emin, who grew up in the be phased out. tory at the battle of Trafalgar in Britain’s power links with Eu- As global LNG production Kent coastal town. The new polymer notes fea- 1805. rope, called interconnectors, to currently outstrips demand, Turner, the fi rst artist to fea- ture images of historic British The £20 note has a quote from continue to fl ow but in the un- National Grid said it expects to ture on a British banknote, went fi gures, with Winston Church- Turner, “light is therefore col- likely event they fall to zero there see high levels of LNG supply to to school in Margate and many ill appearing on the £5 note and our”, and his signature taken is suffi cient surplus power to Britain this winter, similar to last of his paintings were of the local Jane Austen on the £10 note. A from his will, which bequeathed meet demand. winter. seascapes. Turner Contempo- £50 note featuring the mathe- many of his works to the nation. National Grid has been under But high LNG fl ows into Eu- rary is on the site of the lodging matician and World War II code- Emin said: “What is really fan- scrutiny after a power outage in rope correlate with weak demand house where he stayed when he breaker Alan Turing will follow in tastic about Turner being on this August aff ected 1.1mn electricity in Asia, where top LNG buyers returned to the town. 2021. note is he was wild and he was a customers in Britain. Japan, China and South Korea The £20 note follows the Carney said yesterday: “Our maverick. This note is going to go Bank of England governor Mark Carney (left) and artist Tracey “We anticipate no additional are much more dependent on the bank’s launch of polymer £5 and banknotes celebrate the UK’s all over the world and wherever I Emin pose for a photograph with the new £20 note featuring late adequacy or operability chal- liquid gas. £10 notes, which went into cir- heritage, salute its culture, and go I can say: ‘This is where I come British painter JMW Turner, during the launch event for the new lenges for the coming winter as Should there be an unusually culation in September 2016 and testify to the achievements of its from.’ Not just Margate but art. I note design at Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate, south a result of the UK’s planned exit cold winter there, fewer cargoes September 2017 respectively. most notable individuals. Turn- come from art.” eastern England, yesterday. from the EU,” the grid operator are expected in Europe. Gulf Times Friday, October 11, 2019 9 EUROPE

Romanian govt collapses

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila’s centre-left government collapsed yesterday after losing a confidence vote in parliament, raising the prospect of prolonged $14bn pledged in global political uncertainty due to a fragmented opposition. A fresh parliamentary election is not an option for now because Romania is due to hold a presidential poll next month. By law, Romania cannot hold a parliamentary vote less than six Aids, TB, malaria battle months before a presidential one. The opposition now has 10 days AFP a sum it says will save 16mn lives the medication to save their said Abdourahmane Diallo of the to nominate a new premier, who Lyon between 2021 and 2023. lives, this is still an emergency.” RBM Partnership to End Malar- will need the approval of centrist “We are targeting to halve by At the offi cial close of the con- ia. “Besides the money, the con- President Klaus Iohannis. 2023 the annual death toll from ference, Macron announced that ference has revealed solidarity” The nominee, along with a overnments, philanthro- these three epidemics and we are the fi nal tally of pledges came to between nations. new cabinet line-up, must then pists and private fi rms targeting to avert some 234mn $13.92bn. Sands announced there had survive a parliamentary vote of Gpledged just over $14bn infections,” said the fund’s chief This was short of the target been increases in the pledges of confidence before taking off ice. yesterday for a plan to save 16mn executive Peter Sands. despite an additional $60mn all the G7 bloc of rich countries, “You have talked a lot, but I lives, in a boost for the global Several delegates had ex- made available by France in a 20 donations from African gov- have yet to hear how you plan fi ght against Aids, tuberculosis pressed doubts that such a large bid to make up the shortfall, an ernments, and 11 new donors to govern the country and with and malaria. sum could be generated as the amount Gates then matched. from the private sector. whom,” Dancila told lawmakers The money was promised at a focus switches away from dis- Just minutes later, at a post- Donations from Africa had before the vote. replenishment meeting in Lyon, eases largely aff ecting poor conference press briefi ng, Sands doubled from the last meeting. The next government will face France, of the Global Fund to countries, to other global prob- said Macron’s call for last- The Global Fund groups the daunting task of drafting Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and lems. minute contributions had been states, NGOs and private fi rms a budget plan for 2020 that Malaria, where host President “What we want to do is to heeded, and the tally had crept to support public health pro- accommodates a 40% hike in all Emmanuel Macron had exhorted make Aids, tuberculosis and up to $14.02bn. grammes around the world, in- pensions – previously approved countries to give as much as they malaria disappear from the face Non-governmental organi- vesting about $4bn every year. by Dancila’s Social Democrat can. of the Earth,” Macron told del- Macron welcomes an attendee in Lyon, central eastern France, sations (NGOs) insist that even It says it has helped save 32mn Party – without overshooting “These are not simply num- egates. yesterday on the second day of the conference of Global Fund to more is needed – as much as lives and provided prevention, already strained deficit targets. bers, they are lives,” the French He complained that the re- Fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria. $18bn. treatment and care services to “I will listen to parties’ options leader told delegates. solve to fi ght the deadly trio has The United States is the hundreds of millions of peo- and will propose a government “The funds that are being weakened in rich countries be- causes last year, with 1.7mn new with prominent supporters Mi- number one donor with a ple, while the yearly number of solution with a very clear asked of us are not ... charity. cause fewer of their own are dy- infections. crosoft founder Bill Gates and $4.68bn contribution already deaths caused by Aids, TB and mandate to ensure responsible It is a decision to invest against ing and treatment, particularly Tuberculosis, a high risk for U2 lead singer Bono in attend- voted by Congress, and France’s malaria has been slashed by 40% and eff icient governing until the injustice,” he added, highlight- for HIV, is now readily available. HIV-positive people, claimed ance alongside a number of Af- total pledge amounts to $1.43bn. since 2002 in countries where next parliamentary election, ing the disproportionate rate of And he warned against some 1.7mn lives in 2017, and rican heads of state. NGOs welcomed the confer- the Fund invests. whenever it will take place,” infection and deaths from the “slackening”. malaria more than 430,000. “Where you live should not ence outcome, with Aides boss “What we want to do is to President Iohannis said. three diseases in poor countries According to the UN’s World The two-day meeting in Lyon decide whether you live,” the Marc Dixneuf describing it as a make Aids, tuberculosis and Negotiations with political parties and among women and girls. Health Organisation, 770,000 was the sixth to replenish the singer told delegates. “For 14mn “relief”. malaria disappear from the face start today. The fund had asked for $14bn, people died of HIV-related fund since it was set up in 2002, people with Aids who can’t get “We consider it a success,” of the Earth,” said Macron. Merkel vows to fi ght hate after attempted ‘massacre’ Blow to Macron

AFP Halle, Germany as his EU top job

hancellor Angela Mer- kel vowed yesterday that pick is sent home Cthere would be “zero tol- erance” for hate in Germany after an attempted massacre at a syna- AFP gogue, as Jews demanded action Brussels to protect the community from the rising threat of neo-Nazi vio- lence. uropean lawmakers have Two people were shot dead in voted overwhelmingly the eastern German city of Halle Eagainst approving the on Wednesday, with a synagogue candidacy of Sylvie Goulard, the prime target on Yom Kippur. Merkel at the New Synagogue in French President Emmanuel The suspect, 27-year-old Ger- Berlin on Wednesday evening. Macron’s choice to join the man Stephan Balliet, fi lmed the European Commission as a top Goulard: I take note of the assault and live-streamed it. Left: Mourners stand around a offi cial. decision of the European The victims, reportedly a Ger- makeshift memorial of flowers The rejection is a major blow Parliament, in respect for man man and woman, appeared and candles yesterday at the for Macron, who had made democracy. to be chosen at random when the market square in Halle and der gaining infl uence in a post- assailant failed to gain access to Saale, eastern Germany, one Brexit European Union a key rienced choices from east- the temple that he had besieged day after the deadly anti-Semitic priority as the long dominance ern Europe and not from the with gunfi re and homemade ex- shooting. of German Chancellor Angela EU’s more infl uential founder plosives, as the congregation Merkel wanes. members. barricaded itself inside. President Frank-Walter Stein- However, Jewish leaders said Germany has taken pride in and denying the Holocaust, be- The setback landed on the In 2004, in a rare exception, The rampage was streamed live meier, joined by Israeli ambassa- that pledges were not enough, the rebirth of Jewish life since the fore carrying out the attack. same day that Macron’s pet MEPs sent home Rocco Butt- for 35 minutes on Twitch, and dor Jeremy Issacharoff and local with Israeli Prime Minister Ben- Nazis’ World War II slaughter of The gunman also published an project to introduce a stability iglione, the nominee of then eventually seen by some 2,200 offi cials, laid fl owers yesterday at jamin Netanyahu joining calls 6mn Jews across Europe. anti-Semitic “manifesto” online budget for the eurozone sin- Italian prime minister Silvio people, the online platform said, the Halle temple before meeting for Germany to “act resolutely” The community has grown to more than a week ago, which the gle currency bloc was watered Berlusconi. in a chilling reminder of the Jewish community representa- against anti-Semitism. about 225,000 thanks in large SITE monitoring group said ap- down dramatically. The selection of Goulard, mosque attack in Christchurch, tives inside. The head of the Central Coun- part to an infl ux from the ex- peared to have been written by Goulard, who faced two known in EU circles as a fi nan- New Zealand, in March which He later told reporters that the cil of Jews in Germany, Josef Soviet Union after the fall of the Balliet. tense hearings by MEPs amid cial expert, had almost imme- was also played out online in real country had a duty to protect Schuster, called it “scandalous” Berlin Wall. The document obtained by doubts over a series of scan- diately stoked criticism. time. Jews on its soil, also in light of its the authorities had failed to pro- Without mentioning the far- AFP but unauthenticated by po- dals, was rejected by 82 votes A former MEP, Goulard re- Police subsequently captured historical guilt for the Holocaust. vide adequate security on the ho- right Alternative for Germany lice showed pictures of the weap- to 29 and one abstention, sev- signed in June 2017 from a the Halle suspect after a gun bat- “It must be clear that the state liest day of the Jewish calendar. (AfD) by name, Merkel and ons and ammunition he appar- eral parliamentary sources told short stint as France’s defence tle that left him wounded. takes responsibility for Jewish “This negligence has now been Steinmeier condemned xeno- ently used. AFP. minister after being ques- Merkel told a trade union con- life, for the security of Jewish life bitterly repaid.” phobic rhetoric they said had The daily Bild spoke to rela- She was to have taken charge tioned by investigators in a vention that the German state in Germany,” he said. Interior Minister Horst See- grown increasingly mainstream tives and neighbours who de- of a broad economic portfolio, ghost jobs scandal involving a and civil society must do every- Federal prosecutor Peter Frank hofer later joined Schuster at the and dangerous. scribed Balliet, a former soldier, but was the third nominee to parliamentary assistant. thing in their power to stand up said Balliet would be charged Halle synagogue and told him AfD parliamentary group as a loner and computer junkie be rejected during a marathon The EU Anti-Fraud Offi ce to “hate, violence and contempt with two counts of murder and Germany would dramatically leader Alice Weidel pushed back, who lived with his mother. series of hearings where MEPs has also opened an investiga- for human life”. nine counts of attempted mur- bolster the manpower for fi ght- saying that critics were “exploit- In the streamed video he re- also sent picks from Hungary tion into the same case. “There must be zero toler- der in what he called a “terror” ing “right-wing terror”. ing this horrible crime to defame peatedly calls himself a “failure” and Romania packing. Both proceedings are ongo- ance,” she said. act that had been planned to be a “This brutal crime yester- their political rivals with baseless and a “loser”. “I take note of the decision ing, but Goulard has not been Late on Wednesday, Merkel “massacre”. day was a disgrace for our entire defamation”. Hundreds took part a vigil in of the European Parliament, in charged. joined a solidarity vigil at a his- Balliet had packed 4kg (nine country,” he told reporters. “We In a copy of a 35-minute video Halle yesterday evening and were respect for democracy,” Gou- Doubts were also raised toric Berlin synagogue, and fi rm- pounds) of explosives in his car, will on the federal level ... mas- obtained by AFP, the gunman to join a silent march to the tem- lard tweeted after the vote. about Goulard’s activities at ly condemned the anti-Semitic and “wanted to enter the syna- sively augment the security au- fi lmed himself launching into a ple, where locals have left dozens Incoming European Com- the Berggruen Institute, a US- rampage. gogue to kill many people”. thorities.” diatribe against women and Jews of bouquets of fl owers. mission chief Ursula Von der based think tank founded by Leyen was philosophical. German-American billionaire “I proposed 26 candidates; Nicolas Berggruen. three didn’t win a majority While she was an MEP, the for various reasons. The Hun- institute paid her more than garian, Romanian and French €10,000 a month for three Olga Tokarczuk and Peter Handke win Literature Nobels nominations therefore remain years, raising the ire of her col- open,” she said in a statement. leagues. A visibly furious Macron “I’m clean,” a frustrated AFP prestigious distinction, out of Academy had courted controver- slammed the rejection, chalk- Goulard protested at her fi rst Stockholm 116 literature laureates honoured sy in 2016 when it gave the pres- ing it off to “petty” game- hearing earlier this month in since 1901. tigious prize to US singer song- playing by MEPs, who had giv- response to questions from Dating back to 1786, the Swed- writer Bob Dylan, leading some en assurances to Von der Leyen MEPs about the ethics of her olish writer Olga Tokarczuk ish Academy is at pains to repair to question its judgment. that Goulard would pass. position. has won the 2018 Nobel its reputation after a devastat- The Academy has in the past “I was told ‘your nominee is Lawmakers saw it diff er- PPrize in Literature, which ing scandal that saw Frenchman year been revamped with new great’, and they take it, and now ently, angered that Goulard was delayed over a sexual har- Jean-Claude Arnault, who has members and statutes. they fi nally tell me they don’t saw fi t to seek offi ce in Brussels assment scandal, while Austrian close ties to the Academy, jailed Literature professor Mats want it anymore. I need that while ongoing scandals ex- novelist and playwright Peter for rape in 2018. Malm took over as the new per- to be explained to me,” Macron clude her from being a minister Handke took the 2019 award, the The Academy was torn apart manent secretary in June. told reporters in the French city in France. Swedish Academy said. by a deep rift between members “The changes have been very of Lyon. “The EPP Group (European Tokarczuk, considered the over how to manage their ties to productive and we are hopeful He said Von der Leyen had People’s Party) takes the integ- most talented Polish novelist of him. for the future,” Malm told AFP in herself picked Goulard from a rity of our institutions very se- her generation, was honoured Ultimately, seven members an interview just days before the list of three nominees and in- riously and we could not sup- “for a narrative imagination that quit the Academy. prize announcement. sisted that France still wants port it,” said Dutch MEP Esther with encyclopaedic passion rep- This combination of pictures shows Tokarczuk and Handke. In tatters, it postponed the He acknowledged that the af- to take charge of the powerful de Lange, a conservative from resents the crossing of bounda- 2018 prize until this year – the fair had tainted the institution portfolio she was to take on at the parliament’s biggest party. ries as a form of life”. the periphery and the specifi city make his discoveries come to life fi rst delay in 70 years. and said that improvements were the EU. Macron must now nominate Her books portray a polychro- of human experience”, the Acad- by fi nding new literary expres- “From having been associated still needed. Goulard was set to take the a new candidate, but it is not matic world perpetually in mo- emy said. sions for them, the Academy with literature of the highest or- “A lot of hard work remains, of reins of an unusually ambitious certain that he or she will be tion, with characters’ traits in- Handke “has established him- said. der, the Nobel Prize is for many that we are certain.” portfolio covering industrial given the same portfolio. termingled and language that is self as one of the most infl uential Tokarczuk and Handke each now associated with #MeToo In 2017, the last year the prize policy, defence spending, high The European Parliament both precise and poetic. writers in Europe after the Sec- take home a cheque worth 9mn ... and a dysfunctional organi- was awarded, it went to British tech and space. is due to vote on the new Handke meanwhile won “for ond World War”. kronor ($912,000, €828,000). sation,” Swedish literary critic author of Japanese origin Kazuo While not unprecedented, 27-member commission at its an infl uential work that with lin- His works are fi lled with a Tokarczuk becomes just the Madelaine Levy told AFP. Ishiguro, best known for his nov- rejections of candidates are next plenary session on Octo- guistic ingenuity has explored strong desire to discover and to 15th woman to have won the Even before the scandal, the el The Remains of the Day. usually reserved for inexpe- ber 24 in Strasbourg, France. Gulf Times 10 Friday, October 11, 2019 INDIA

CRACKDOWN LAW AND ORDER POLITICS CONTROVERSY CRIME Income tax off icials raid Ex-Ranbaxy promoter Congress faces fresh Minister’s wife loses Smugglers fire at cow senior Congress leaders arrested over fraud trouble in Uttar Pradesh Rs250,000, triggers row vigilantes in Gurugram

Teams of income-tax (I-T) department off icials The Delhi Police’s Economic Off ences Wing The newly-appointed Congress committee in A political tug of war has begun over a Cattle smugglers shot at a member of a cow raided properties of senior Congress leader (EoW) yesterday arrested pharma major Uttar Pradesh is facing rough weather even Himachal Pradesh minister’s wife filing a protection unit in Gurugram early yesterday. G Parameshwara for alleged tax evasion by Ranbaxy’s ex-promoter Shivinder Singh in a before new UPCC president Ajay Kumar Lallu complaint with the Chandigarh Police alleging The victim, identified as Monu, is undergoing education institutions owned by him and his Rs7.4bn fraud case. Former Religare CMD Sunil can take charge. Senior leaders are miff ed, the theft of Rs250,000 from a government treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) of family, an off icial said yesterday. “Off icials of our Godhwani and two others – Kavi Arora and and some have put in their papers. Former vehicle she was using to visit a beauty parlour Medanta Hospital. Around 2am, a cow protection department’s investigations wing are conducting Anil Saxena – were also arrested in the matter. Congress MP Rajesh Misra has expressed his in Chandigarh. The complaint was filed by Rajni unit team spotted a van in sector 10 area and search and seize operations at the Siddhartha Police is reportedly also looking for Shivinder inability to be a part of the advisory council. Thakur, wife of Govind Singh Thakur, minister signalled the driver to stop. “Instead of stopping Group of Educational Institutions run by Singh’s brother Malvinder Singh, who is named “I am not in a position to off er any advice to of forest, transport, youth services and sports the vehicle, they sped away, hitting the makeshift Parameshwara at Tumakuru and Nelamangala in the case too. The duo has been accused by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra,” he said. Coming after in the Jai Ram Thakur government. Targeting police barricade,” said Manish Kumar, a cow in Bengaluru rural district,” an off icial disclosed. Religare Finvest of fraud and misappropriation senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid’s the minister, his wife and the Bharatiya Janata vigilante. “We chased the vehicle for 40 minutes Searches are also reportedly underway at of funds of around Rs7.4bn. In a statement post statement on “Rahul Gandhi walking away”, Party (BJP) government, the Congress asked before they headed towards Sohna on NH 248. the off ices of educational institutions run the arrests, EoW said that Manpreet Singh Suri of this is being seen as a major jolt to the state how she was carrying Rs250,000 with her. When we reached Bhondsi village, the smugglers by Congress leader R L Jalappa in Kolar and Religare Finvest Ltd levelled allegations against Congress. Misra, a former MP from Varanasi, is The theft also became part of social media threw a couple of animals in front of our car and Chikkaballapura districts in the state’s southern Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh among upset at Lallu, a comparative newcomer, being exchanges on how a minister’s wife could use a also fired at us. One of the bullets hit Monu,” region. others. appointed UPCC president, sources claimed. government vehicle for personal use. Kumar said. More skeletons tumble out of Kerala serial killer’s closet

IANS lieving that she was a lecturer at Kozhikode NIT Kozhikode. To maintain the facade on her lecturer status, she would at he story of Kerala suspect- times get people to call Shaju on ed serial killer Jolly Tho- his mobile phone asking him if he Tmas, as revealed from the could pass on the phone to Jolly, police report submitted to court the NIT teacher, as her mobile yesterday, seems straight out of a was switched off . crime thriller. She would also go around car- The court yesterday remanded rying answer-sheets to show off Jolly and her two accomplices – her links to NIT. M S Mathew, who procured cya- The probe team has also found nide and jewellery store worker her involvement in some real es- Praju Kumar – to six days police tate deals. The police hope to get custody for the murder of Roy more evidences by Wednesday Thomas, her husband. Currently, when Jolly Thomas will be pro- this is the only case that regis- duced in court. The police are tered against her. covering all bases to ensure she China President Xi Jinping’s convoy arrives during a rehearsal at a venue in Mahabalipuram yesterday, ahead of a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The police informed the court does not manage to walk free on that custodial interrogation of all the grounds of lack of evidence. three was required as they sus- Attorney B A Aloor, famous for pected Jolly’s involvement in fi ve appearing in several high-profi le other deaths as she appeared to cases, will be representing Jolly. be the common link. Aloor told the media the police The police, who have ques- were unlikely to have incriminat- tioned over 200 people in the ing evidence against his client. case, didn’t rule out further ar- All the deaths, barring that of the Govt eyes China-led trade rests. young child, looked like suicides, The 47-year-old housewife, he added. till the other day, for many in The fi rst in the family to die in Koodathai was someone who 2002 was Jolly’s mother-in-law would pass of as an ideal home- Annamma, a retired teacher. She maker. Social media is awash was followed by Jolly’s father- with pictures of her taking part in-law, Tom Thomas, in 2008. deal despite opposition in family and church tours. In 2011, their son and Jolly’s hus- But the unfolding events have band Roy Thomas died, followed Reuters counterparts from China, Japan, India has reached an agree- called for a nationwide cam- Authority, which falls under the left many gasping for breath. by the death of Roy’s maternal New Delhi Australia, New Zealand and Sin- ment in principle with other paign against the deal, saying commerce ministry. People yesterday were in for uncle, Mathew, in 2014. gapore. countries to include a safeguard any change in tariff s would crip- The RCEP includes the 10 further shock when her confes- A two-year-old child of Sily, The government will be looking mechanism that would trig- ple factories and farms at a time members of the Asean group- sion to the police was placed a relative by marriage, died the he government is pressing for safeguards to be built into the ger duties if goods are deemed of slowing economic growth. ing of Southeast Asian nations before the court detailing the following year, while Sily herself ahead with talks to join a proposed pact to prevent a sudden to have been dumped from a “RCEP shackles the hands and six Asia-Pacifi c countries — reason why she eliminated her died in 2016. TChina-led free trade pact, surge in imports, the trade minis- partner country, a source with of the government to take the China, India, Japan, South Ko- husband Roy Thomas by admin- The police began the probe offi cials said yesterday, despite try said in a statement. knowledge of the negotiations required policy measures to rea, Australia and New Zealand. istering cyanide. into the deaths after Roy Tho- some domestic producers’ con- Goyal has been holding talks said. strengthen manufacturing and Aside from agriculture prod- According to the police report, mas’ brother, Rojo Thomas, who cerns that the country could be to allay fears of a fl ood of Chi- Indian producers fear cut- agriculture,” said RSS economic ucts, critics say cheaper Chinese she was fed up with Roy, who is settled in the US, approached fl ooded with cheaper Chinese nese imports if New Delhi joins ting tariff s on dairy and other leader Ashwani Mahajan. mobile phones, steel, engineer- never had a permanent job and the police and voiced suspicions imports. the agreement, the ministry produce would open the door Proponents of the deal say it’s ing goods and toys could also she wanted her husband to have over the series of mysterious Negotiators for the 16-nation said. to cheap Chinese imports and better for Indian agriculture to fl ood the Indian market. a permanent job. Also, Roy was a deaths. Regional Comprehensive Eco- “The focus and emphasis threaten an agriculture sector be in the trade zone than out. Government offi cials say the habitual drinker, highly supersti- Rojo has been asked by the po- nomic Partnership (RCEP) are of the meetings chaired by the that supports most of India’s “It would be better for the treaty would enable Indian in- tious and objected to of her life- lice to return from the US to help in the Thai capital Bangkok this commerce and industry minis- 1.3bn people. country to have an open ap- dustry to join global supply style which led to her killing him. in the investigation. week for talks aimed at fi nalising ter was on putting in place ap- A political ally of Prime Min- proach where agriculture can chains for high-end goods such The police report also re- The police have sent the ex- the giant free trade zone by the propriate safeguards including ister Narendra Modi’s party has compete globally rather than as electronics and engineering. vealed that she had managed to humed remains for forensic ex- end of the year. auto-trigger mechanism against joined opponents of the free adopt a conservative approach,” Greater access to overseas con several people, including her amination. Initial reports have Trade Minister Piyush Goyal sudden surge in imports from trade pact. said A K Gupta, director of the markets would help off set an present husband Shaju, a school indicated poisoning as the cause will join Indian delegates on the RCEP countries,” it said in a The nationalist Rashtriya Agricultural and Processed Food economic slowdown at home, teacher, for several years into be- of all deaths. weekend for direct talks with his statement. Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Products Export Development they claim.

Farmers protest Kashmir hotels empty even Oxfam slams plight of tea plantation workers as tourist restrictions lifted DPA suming less than 1,800 calories Hamburg per day. The German tea company AFP Vishal Sharma, general manager Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti. Teekanne said it was aware of Srinagar of the fi ve-star Taj Vivanta hotel Farooq Abdullah, 81, was for- orking conditions on the need for action in the region said. merly arrested in mid-Septem- tea plantations in As- and that its checks could not be “We haven’t had a single direct ber under a law allowing him Wsam were sharply comprehensive, as Assam was a he government yesterday call (on the phone) for a booking,” to be held for up to two years criticised by the Oxfam non- problematic region. lifted restrictions on tour- he said adding all 83 rooms at the without charge that has been governmental organisation yes- “The appalling conditions that Tists visiting Kashmir, but hotel were empty. “The last two widely used, and criticised, in terday. are described case-by-case have for hotels around the picturesque months were the worst ever.” Kashmir. “Only around 4 cents go to to date not been found on the lake in Srinagar two months into It was a similar story at the More than 250 people have the pickers of the tea that goes plantations from which we draw a lockdown it was still far from luxury Lalit Grand Palace where been sent to jails outside Jammu into a pack of branded black tea our tea,” Teekanne said. business as usual. a senior member of staff , pre- and Kashmir, the Press Trust of selling for 3euros ($3.30),” Ger- Another German company, Authorities in early August had ferring to stay anonymous, said India news agency reported. man-based Oxfam economic Ostfriesische Teegesellschaft, told holidaymakers to leave “im- occupancy in the 113 rooms was UN human rights chief and globalisation analyst Barbara said that raising pay was a major mediately” over “terror threats” “very low”. Most other hotels Michelle Bachelet said last Sennholz-Weinhardt said. issue. to a major Hindu pilgrimage, around the lake were shuttered, month she was “deeply con- It was obvious that production But this required fundamental sending thousands scrambling as were travel agents, while Sri- cerned” while Washington has through acceptable working and reform of India’s pay and social for places on planes and buses. nagar’s famous houseboats, usu- called for a “rapid” lifting of re- living conditions was impossible contributions system. A few days later on August 5 ally full at this time of the year, strictions. under these circumstances, she “We are one of the small play- New Delhi scrapped Kashmir looked mostly empty. The issue has clouded prepa- said. ers in Assam, and our infl uence of its semi-autonomous status, Authorities say they have rations for a two-day “informal India is the largest exporter of on the living and production sent in tens of thousands of extra killed several militants in gun summit” between Prime Minis- tea to Germany, with 27% of tea conditions is extremely limited,” troops and imposed a lockdown. battles and intercepted weapons. ter Narendra Modi and Chinese consumed in Germany coming the company said. More than two months later Authorities yesterday also re- President Xi Jinping beginning in from the country, according to Around 45% suff er illnesses the Internet and mobile phones leased three low-ranking politi- India today. fi gures from the German Tea As- — such as jaundice, cholera and remain cut off in most areas and cians who along with hundreds The government’s August Farmers from various districts of Karnataka hold green flags sociation. typhoid fever — as a result of fi xed-line phone lines are unreli- of other local lawmakers, activ- move to split Jammu and Kash- as they take part in a protest rally against the Bharatiya Oxfam conducted a survey of drinking contaminated water. able, crippling many businesses ists and others have been de- mir in two irked China because Janata Party (BJP) led state and central governments over 510 workers on 50 plantations in Oxfam noted that German — including in tourism. tained since August 5. it will make the Ladakh region the inadequate distribution of compensation to the farming Assam, fi nding that they suff ered consumers were unaware of the “Lifting the restrictions on Those still in detention include — claimed in part by Beijing — of community victims of natural disasters such as flood and appalling working conditions. origin and production condi- tourists coming will not help un- three former Kashmir chief min- the state a separate administra- drought. Some 56% do not have enough tions that went into producing til communications are restored,” isters: Farooq Abdullah, Omar tive territory. to eat, with more than 25% con- their tea. Gulf Times Friday, October 11, 2019 11 LATIN AMERICA

POLLUTION CLAIM DECISION TRADE DISASTER Venezuela rejects Brazil Brazil pension reform ‘to Brazil audit court clears Panama Canal Search on for Guatemala claims over beach oil spills clear Congress by Oct 22’ pre-salt oil mega auction sees cargo record volcano eruption victims

Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA yesterday President Jair Bolsonaro’s government is confi- Brazil’s Federal Audit Court known as the TCU A record 469mn tonnes of goods were trans- Experts started searching for victims of a volcano denied accusations by Brazil that it was respon- dent it will win final Congressional approval for unanimously approved the ground rules for a major ported through the Panama Canal since October eruption which killed more than 200 people last sible for a massive oil spill that has polluted its pension overhaul by October 22 now that auction of pre-salt oil concessions in a “transfer of last year, despite a trade war between the canal’s year, authorities in Guatemala said. Hundreds of beaches on its northeastern Atlantic coast. lawmakers have agreed on how to share surplus rights” (TOR) area off the country’s southeastern main patrons China and the US, the waterway’s people remain missing after the Volcan de Fuego, Brazil’s Environment Minister Ricardo Salles told oil revenues, his party’s leader in the senate coast. The government expects to raise $25.8bn administrators said. The new record beats that set located about 40kms south-west of Guatemala a congressional commission on Wednesday said. Senator Major Olimpio said Bolsonaro’s from the auction scheduled for November 6, which in October 2018, when the canal saw 442mn tonnes City, erupted on June 3, spewing lava and hot ash that the oil “probably came from Venezuela,” key legislation to reduce a wide budget deficit, is expected to attract a range of oil companies to of transported cargo. During the latest fiscal year, that covered entire villages. “We’ve found the first citing a report from Brazilian state oil company an unsustainable gap that worries investors, will tap one of the world’s most promising conventional from October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019, the body,” the head of the Forensic Anthropology Petrobas. PDVSA said in a statement it “cat- certainly pass Congress, but a second “parallel” oil plays. Under the terms of a revised TOR contract canal handled 469mn tonnes of cargo — a “record Foundation of Guatemala (FAFG), Jose Suasnavar, egorically” rejected Salles’ “unfounded” claims, pension reform bill with contentious issues will with state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, tonnage,” according to the Panama Canal Authority said.A team of eight archaeologists, two anthro- adding that there was “no evidence of oil spills have to wait until next year. Olimpio criticised the government will pay Petrobras $9bn to end (ACP), an autonomous government agency that pologists and 16 locals on Tuesday began using in Venezuela’s oil fields that could have caused lawmakers for holding up the pension reform that a long-standing dispute over the region that has runs the waterway. The most important cargo machinery to search for victims in the village damage to the marine ecosystem” of the neigh- was vital to signal to financial markets that Brazil proven to have far larger reserves than previously comes from routes linking the US East Coast to Asia of San Miguel Los Lotes, in the municipality of bouring country. was serious about restoring fiscal discipline. accounted for. and Latin America. Escuintla. France seeks extradition of Chilean over student’s death

Narumi Kurosaki, 21, went rejected the request to arrest missing from her university him, citing insuffi cient evidence. residence in Besancon, a town The suspect was questioned near the Alps, after having on April 18 by a Chilean judge in dinner with her Chilean ex, the presence of French investiga- Nicolas Zepeda tors, including Manteaux. Zepeda denies any hand in Ku- AFP rosaki’s disappearance. Besancon, France Zepeda, who had threatened Kurosaki in a video posted online which he later removed, admits rench investigators have going to her room on the night issued a request for the ex- of her death but says he left soon Ftradition of a Chilean man afterwards. suspected of murdering his Japa- No blood was found inside nese ex-girlfriend in the east- Kurosaki’s room when police ern French city of Besancon in searched it 10 days later. December 2016, the prosecutor Investigators suspect that Ze- leading the probe said yesterday. peda, who had questioned a doc- Narumi Kurosaki, 21, went tor cousin of his about the prin- missing from her university resi- ciples of suff ocation, strangled dence in Besancon, a town near his ex. the Alps, after having dinner The pair met in 2014 in Japan, with her Chilean ex, Nicolas Ze- where Zepeda was a student, and peda, 28. a year later began a relationship Investigators are convinced that ended after Kurosaki moved Members of the indigenous community gather at the House of Culture in Quito yesterday as Ecuador faces protests over a fuel price hike ordered by the government to secure an IMF loan. that Kurosaki was killed by Zepe- to France in August 2016. da in a jealous rage but her body was never found despite exten- A Japanese friend of sive searches. Zepeda told police he had Laying out the fi ndings of asked her to translate the 34-month probe, Besancon sentences into Japanese, prosecutor Etienne Manteaux which later appeared in said he hoped Zepeda, a teach- one of the messages sent ing assistant, could be brought to from the missing woman’s Protesters seize police as trial in France. phone He said his offi ce had sent a request for Zepeda’s extradition In Besancon, Kurosaki entered to the French government, to be a new relationship, a develop- formally presented to Chile. ment which “clearly exasperated But he acknowledged that Nicolas Zepeda”, according to fi ve die in Ecuador clashes it faced “numerous obstacles”, Manteaux. with Chile generally loathe to In the days before her disap- AFP clashes and disrupted oil output. ing to be solved very soon,” cilities in the Amazon earlier “Unfortunately the Correa hand over its nationals for trial pearance, Zepeda fl ew to France, Quito Street battles between the Moreno earlier said in a video this week. people with their friends are abroad. hired a car and drove to Besan- mostly indigenous demonstra- broadcast on state television. Ecuador, which exited Opec provoking demonstrations and If Santiago refused the re- con, stopping on the way to buy tors and security forces have But indigenous leader Salva- last week citing economic con- some degree of violence there,” quest, Zepeda will be tried in ab- matches, fl ammable liquid and ndigenous groups in Ecuador marred mass protests against dor Quishpe said the “demon- straints, produced more than the offi cial said on condition of sentia, which would “obviously bleach at a supermarket. seized eight police offi cers the fuel hikes in Quito over the stration is ongoing, it has not 500,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) anonymity. be unsatisfactory,” Manteaux When he returned his hire car Iyesterday amid protests over past two days. ended.” – which was worth some $4.6bn Maduro, a leftist fi rebrand said. three days after Kurosaki’s dis- fuel price hikes which offi cials The dead include Inocencio The unrest threatened to in- in exports in the fi rst six months whom Washington is seeking to Kurosaki disappeared on the appearance, it was “very dirty” said have so far killed fi ve people Tucumbi, an indigenous leader fl ict wider damage on an already of the year. oust, has denounced allegations night of December 4. with soil found on the driver’s including an indigenous leader. from the Andean province of weakened economy. Moreno has accused his of involvement as absurd. She was last seen dining with side and in the trunk, Manteaux The uniformed offi cers, in- Cotopaxi, the Ombudsman’s of- The energy ministry an- predecessor and ex-ally Rafael Moreno has drawn support, Zepeda at a restaurant a short said. cluding a woman, were seized fi ce said in a statement. nounced it was shutting down Correa along with Venezuelan however, from seven Latin drive from Besancon. For several days after her dis- during a tense stand-off in Quito “We are calling on the nation- one of the country’s two domes- President Nicolas Maduro of an American countries — includ- In the early hours of the fol- appearances, messages contin- and put on display before an an- al government to eradicate vio- tic oil pipelines, eff ectively sus- “attempted coup d’etat.” ing Argentina, Brazil and Co- lowing morning, fellow students ued to be sent from Kurosaki’s gry crowd at the capital’s House lence and guarantee the exercise pending two-thirds of its distri- “The evidence points precise- lombia. heard cries and thuds coming phone to her friends and family, of Culture, where indigenous of the right to social protest in a bution of crude. ly to him (Correa) as a key play- Correa, meanwhile, called for from the area of her room but her including messages in Japanese. groups taking part in the pro- peaceful manner,” it said. “Due to this shutdown, we are er,” Moreno insisted in an inter- early elections and denied he disappearance was not reported A Japanese friend of Zepeda tests are camped. The fi rst victim was hit by a analysing the possibility of de- view with CNN on Wednesday. was attempting to oust Moreno. for several days, by which time told police he had asked her to President Lenin Moreno was vehicle on Sunday in the south- claring force majeure,” to avoid In Washington, a senior US “There’s no coup here. Con- Zepeda had returned to Chile. translate sentences into Japa- expected to resume talks with ern province of Azuay, and the the country incurring penalties offi cial backed the allegations fl icts in democracy are resolved France issued an international nese, which later appeared in one indigenous leaders after a week other four all died during clashes for postponing crude shipments, and voiced hope that all sides at the polls,” the Belgium-based warrant for Zepeda’s arrest but of the messages sent from the of protests against fuel price in Quito. the ministry said in a statement. in Ecuador would sort out their Correa said in a video published a Chilean judge in February 2017 missing woman’s phone. hikes escalated into deadly “Without a doubt, this is go- Protesters seized three oil fa- diff erences peacefully. on social media.

Thousands bid goodbye to Long wait Mayor tied to truck, legendary Mexican singer dragged in protest

AFP ers of trying to extort him. AFP The other half remained in Jose Joel and Marysol, who Las Margaritas, Mexico “Around 50 or 60 people Mexico City Florida, under a grudging deal were born to Jose Jose’s second came in three pickup trucks, negotiated between his eldest wife, took the other half to Mex- armed with clubs and looking children, Jose Joel and Marysol, ico. ngry farmers stormed a to kidnap city officials to extort housands of tearful fans and their half-sister, Sarita, who “We have brought back the city hall in southern Mex- us and get what they’ve always said a fi nal goodbye in lived in Miami with her father heart of our beloved Prince of Aico, seized the mayor and wanted: to be given money,” he TMexico City to superstar and initially resisted plans to Song, my father. He’s home dragged him through town from said. singer Jose Jose, whose death bring his body back to Mexico. now,” said Jose Joel at the Mexico the back of a pickup truck in pro- “They started struggling, car- last month triggered national In the days after their father’s City airport, where white-gloved test, offi cials said. rying me, tied up one foot and mourning and a family feud wor- death, Jose Joel and Marysol ac- ushers placed Jose Jose’s coffi n in The incident occurred after dragged me out of my offi ce to thy of a telenovela. cused Sarita of hiding his body, a glistening vintage hearse. dozens of members of the To- the street,” he said. The government said 15,000 seeking to get rich off his death Escorted by police, the hearse jolabal indigenous community State prosecutor Jorge Luis people thronged the Palace of and “putting on make-up” amid made its way to the Palace of armed with clubs broke into the Llaven said the attackers were Fine Arts in the heart of the Mex- the family’s mourning. Fine Arts, where the coffin was mayor’s offi ce in the town of Las demanding more public re- ican capital to fi le past a gold- They went as far as to fi le a placed on a red carpet beneath Margaritas in the state of Chia- sources, including direct cash plated coffi n and cry for “The police report, hire a lawyer and a giant black-and-white pic- pas. transfers, for their rural com- Prince of Song,” whose velvety insist on an autopsy, before the ture of Jose Jose with the words Witnesses told investigators munity, Santa Rita El Inverna- voice and ballads of heartbreak Mexican consulate in Miami and “How sad it was to say goodbye” they tied up the mayor, Jorge dero. made him one of the most suc- President Andres Manuel Lopez — the opening lyrics to his most Luis Escandon, pushed him out- Leftist President Andres cessful Latin American singers of Obrador himself intervened to famous song, El Triste. “He was side and tied him to the back of Manuel Lopez Obrador has in- all time. mediate. one of a kind, unique in all the a pickup. troduced a policy of providing A Mexican air force plane fl ew Under the truce brokered by world. No one can ever, ever A baby sits across from US Customs and Border They then dragged him several public assistance in the form of Jose Jose’s ashes — half of them, the Mexican government, half replace him,” said Leticia Her- Protection off icers, near a group of migrants who returned dozen meters down the street, cash payments to benefi ciaries, anyway — to his native Mexico of Jose Jose’s cremated remains nandez, 58, carrying a poster to Mexico to await their US asylum hearing as they block before police and public employ- in order to stem corruption by City from Miami, where the mu- stayed in Florida with Sarita and with photographs of the singer, the Puerta Mexico international border crossing bridge ees intervened and freed Escan- cutting out bureaucratic middle- sician died of complications from her mother — Cuban national as the National Symphony Or- to demand a speedier asylum process in Matamoros, don, who survived without ma- men. pancreatic cancer on September Sara Salazar, who was the sing- chestra played his classic songs Mexico, yesterday. jor injury. Eleven people were arrested 28 at age 71. er’s third wife. in the background. The mayor accused his attack- and a dozen injured in the melee. Gulf Times 12 Friday, October 11, 2019 PAKISTAN

UK police charge Constitution ‘guarantees MQM founder

Reuters/AFP freedom to profess faith’ London

Internews acquitting a blasphemy accused 295-C and 298-A of the Pakistan conviction without the potential cused Wajeeh-ul-Hassan, who cannot corroborate another Islamabad after 19-year imprisonment. Penal Code 1860 in July 2002. risk of error was later arrested. weak piece of evidence. ritish police said yesterday The order said the Constitu- A high court in September “Therefore, by extending the The court wondered why Wa- “Absconsion cannot be that they had charged the tion of the Islamic Republic of 2010 had retained the penalty. benefi t of the doubt, the criminal jeeh who consistently hid over viewed as proof of the crime. BLondon-based founder he Supreme Court of Pa- Pakistan 1973 guarantees free- The convict appealed in the appeal is allowed; the impugned a long period of time, fi nally People stay away from the law of Pakistan’s Muttahida Qaumi kistan has said that the dom to an individual to hold and Supreme Court, which granted judgment is set aside; the appel- dispatched a copy of his iden- for a variety of reasons not nec- Movement (MQM), Altaf Hus- TConstitution guarantees profess the faith of his choice: leave to his plea in 2013. lant is acquitted of the charges tity card so as to voluntarily rope essarily compatible with the sain, with a terrorism off ence in the freedom to an individual “in his divine pursuits, he is sov- After the passage of six years, and shall be released forthwith, himself in a case that might well hypothesis of guilt; to avoid the connection with a speech deliv- to hold and profess the faith of ereign and there is no interme- the court resumed hearing of the if not required in any other case. cost him his life. impending wrath of opponents ered in Karachi three years ago. their choice and that all citizens, diary between his soul and its case. The offi ce shall ensure destruc- “There appears no earthly in hostile environments, more Violence erupted in Karachi regardless of their religion, are Comforter”. The order said that a criminal tion of entire derogatory materi- reason for his choice; if at all, it often than not compel even the after the speech by Hussain was equal before the law and entitled “Therefore, the appellant charge is to be essentially settled al and copies thereof, at all tiers” is assumed that he was on a sui- innocent into recusal of safety.” relayed over loudspeakers in the to equal protection. [accused Wajeeh-ul-Hassan]’s on positive proof alone, and not The complainant, Ismail cidal course, he could have sim- The court said it cannot dis- southern Pakistani city in Au- “Citizens regardless of re- declaration of faith [that he is on perceptional or optical para- Qureshi, had received a series of ply mentioned his identity in the miss the appellant’s plea of be- gust 2016. ligion are equal before the law a faithful Muslim] is to be pre- digms. “The same is required in letters containing blasphemous letters or could come forward, ing a faithful Muslim nor can Hussain, 66, who lives in Mill and entitled to equal protection ferred over divergent imputa- the present case; nonetheless, content. as according to the prosecution, possibly take exception, in the Hill, north London, was charged thereof and it is so guaranteed tions,” the order added. [such positive proof is] hope- In one such letter, the alleged he presented himself on 21-5- absence of evidence to the con- under the Terrorism Act 2006. under the Constitution,” said the A sessions court had sen- lessly out of sight.” sender had established his iden- 2001,” it noted. trary to his acclaimed unfl inch- “On 22 August 2016 (he) pub- seven-page written order – au- tenced Hassan to death for of- The court noted that it would tity by attaching a copy of the The order said it is well settled ing conviction in the injunctions lished a speech to crowds gath- thored by Justice Amin Ahmed – fences under Sections 295-A, be grievously unsafe to maintain national identity card of the ac- that a weak piece of evidence of his faith. ered in Karachi which was likely to be understood by some or all of the members of the public ... as a direct or indirect encourage- All in a day’s work ment to them to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts Punjab admits of terrorism,” London police said in a statement. Hussain was due to appear at London’s Westminster Magis- failure to bottle trates’ Court later. Fearing assassination, Hus- sain requested asylum in Britain in the 1990s and later gained infl ation genie British citizenship but retains widespread infl uence in Karachi. Hussain faces up to seven Internews “The industries department years imprisonment for the Lahore director-general should inter- speech which was “likely to be vene and fulfi l his responsi- understood” as encouraging bilities to curb this menace,” supporters to acts of terrorism, he Punjab government he said. or was “reckless” of the possible has admitted that the The minister reiterated that consequences. Tsale of essential com- people cannot be left at the The MQM, one of Pakistan’s modities at exorbitant rates mercy of hoarders and profi t- biggest political parties, mostly was the failure of institutions eers and warned that exploit- comprises descendants of Mus- responsible to rein in a price ers would be dealt with an iron lim Urdu-speaking people who hike and artifi cial infl ation. hand. migrated to Pakistan from India Presiding over the maiden The meeting reviewed prices around the time of the partition meeting of the task force on of 18 essential commodities of India in 1947. price control at the Civil Sec- and took decisions to stabilise Hussain’s party “completely retariat, Punjab Minister for their rates in markets. disowned” him after the 2016 Industries Aslam Iqbal under- The meeting also decided to statements, splitting into two lined that the exorbitant rise in provide training to price con- factions – MQM Pakistan, and rates of essential commodities trol magistrate as to expedite Hussain’s shrinking group which was “cruelty with the citizens”. crackdown against hoarders he continued to run out of Lon- “It is the negligence and and illegal profi teers. don. failure of the institutions con- It was also decided in the Pakistan later charged him cerned,” he maintained. meeting that strict monitor- with treason and inciting terror- He stressed that line de- ing would be ensured after the ism. partments should realise their prices of essential commodi- The MQM lost its hold on Ka- responsibilities and discharge ties were fi xed in Lahore, Mul- Postal workers load mail onto a train carriage at a railway station in Lahore. rachi during 2018’s general elec- their duties effi ciently so that tan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala tion. relief could be provided to and Rawalpindi in the initial common citizens. phase. “Increase in essential com- modities’ prices by the district Punjab Industries administration without tak- Minister Aslam Iqbal ing the line departments into has announced that he confi dence is deplorable,” the would conduct surprise Electricity becomes pricier again minister said. visits to check on prices in He warned that if anybody markets does so in future, he would be Internews cable to all the consumer catego- PA-G (Central Power Purchasing The actual fuel charges, as re- (RLNG), and Guddu 747 (Gas) personally responsible for it. Later, this price control Islamabad ries except lifeline consumers, Agency) had stated that the ac- ported by CPPA-G, for July 2019 have not been fully utilised. The tradition of revising mechanism will be imple- domestic consumers consuming tual pool fuel cost was Rs5.1800 increased by Rs1.9267 kWh as It observed that had the en- prices of essential items while mented across Punjab. up to 300 units, and agriculture per kWh, against the reference compared to the reference fuel ergy generated from costlier RFO sitting in offi ces will have to be Consumers complain that akistan’s National Electric consumers of all the power dis- fuel cost component of Rs5.1130 charges. (resident fuel oils)-based plants, done away with, he added. prices of almost all essential Power Regulatory Author- tribution companies. per kWh. However, the authority, af- it would have resulted in lower “The price control magis- items have been multiplied Pity (Nepra) has issued a no- The negative adjustment on The actual fuel charges, as re- ter incorporating all the adjust- FCA for the month. trates should personally visit due to ineffi cient price control tifi cation on its decision allowing account of monthly FCA is also ported by the CPPA-G, for the ments, has reviewed and as- In view thereof, the Authority markets to check prices of mechanism in the province. power distribution companies, applicable to the domestic con- month of June 2019 increased by sessed an increase of Rs1.7799 directed CPPA-G/NPCC to pro- essential commodities, and A citizen, Hanif Bhatti, said except K-Electric, to charge sumers having Time of Use (ToU) Rs0.0669 per kWh as compared per kWh in the applicable tariff vide complete details on hourly should refrain from sending since the Imran Khan govern- Rs1.7799/unit extra on power meters, irrespective of their con- to the reference fuel charges. for power distribution compa- basis along with justifi cation/ out offi cials to markets for the ment had come to power, pric- consumers, to collect Rs24.6bn sumption level. The authority, after incorpo- nies on account of variations in reasons for non-operation of ef- same.” es of almost all items have been on account of the monthly fuel The adjustments for June and rating all the adjustments, has the fuel charges for July 2019. fi cient power plants during such The minister also announced multiplied. price adjustment (FCA) for July July shall be shown separately in reviewed and assessed a decrease The Nepra, while going periods. that he would conduct surprise “Whenever you go to the 2019. the consumers’ bills on the basis of Rs0.1308 per kWh in the ap- through the Generation Mix The Nepra further directed visits to check prices in mar- market price of everyday use For June 2019, the Nepra has of units billed to the consumers plicable tariff for power distri- data, noted that costlier energy the CPPA-G that in future such kets. items have been jacked up. asked power distribution com- in the month of July 2019 by the bution companies on account of of around 783 GWh at Rs14.920/ details along with analysis show- Iqbal said industry repre- There must be some mecha- panies to reimburse at the rate power distribution companies, variations in the fuel charges for kWh has been generated from ing fi nancial impact of non-uti- sentatives of ghee, cooking nism to control prices,” he of 0.1308/unit to consumers and said the Nepra’s notifi cation. June 2019. furnace oil-based power plants, lisation of effi cient power plants oil, mutton, beef and chicken maintained. pay them back Rs1.6bn. It further said that the power For July the CPPA-G had whereas effi cient coal and Re- be submitted along with the should be contacted to fi x the Several other citizens also The regulator’s notifi cation distribution companies shall re- pleaded that the actual pool fuel gassidied liquefi ed natural gas monthly FCA data. prices of their products. made similar remarks and de- was issued for the months of June fl ect the fuel charges adjustment cost for July 2019 was Rs5.4687 (RLNG)/Gas-based power plants In case of failure of the CPPA- Illegal practices of less manded the government to and July 2019, offi cial sources in respect of July 2019 in the bill- per kWh, against the reference like Sahiwal Coal, Port Qasim G to provide such details, the weight and measures would fi nd out a permanent solution confi rmed yesterday. ing month of October 2019. fuel cost component of Rs3.5420 Coal, Engro Power Thar, Bhiki FCA request would not be proc- not be tolerated. to this problem. The adjustment shall be appli- For the month of June, the CP- per kWh. (RLNG), Baloki (RLNG), HBS essed.

Source reveals that only 4,599 Afghan refugees Disaster management to come under voluntarily repatriated in the past seven months The voluntary repatriation of the Afghan refugees They are hoping to acquire citizenship someday, faces failures as only 4,599 refugees have been he added. repatriated to their native country in last seven The progress reports showed that the number of the federal climate change ministry months. voluntary repatriation to Afghanistan has fallen Each year the United Nation High Commission for to 60%, and in the past eight months of 2019, Refugees (UNHCR) announces the repatriation progress has showed that only 14,017 refugees Internews sary to have a unifi ed umbrella ponent in the project concepts of impending risks to the country of the Afghan refugees through their facilitation have been repatriated to their native districts. Islamabad to deal with the lurking climate every mega project to ensure cli- and corrective measures. centres while the eff orts of the repatriation have The voluntary repatriation process is also change impacts and threats,” Ad- mate and disaster risk resilience,” The chair and committee seemingly fallen short as very few refugees have believed to have seen very little progress because viser to Prime Minister on Cli- he said. members resented the absence been repatriated, said a source. of the upcoming winter. he federal ministry of mate Change Amin Aslam has The adviser said the PMD re- of Islamabad’s mayor and Capi- Amongst the reasons cited for the slump in Up to 1.4mn Afghan nationals presently reside climate change is get- informed Senate Standing Com- quired moderation in line with tal Development Authority (CDA) voluntary repatriation are the properties illegally in Pakistan and the government has repeatedly Tting more responsibility mittee on Climate Change. the developing trends and cli- chairman. occupied by Afghan refugees across the country. extended the deadline of their repatriation. by acquiring the administrative The adviser said 80% of the matic risks facing the country. The committee recommended control of the National Disaster disasters in the country were State Minister for Climate the merger of the Earthquake Management Authority (NDMA) caused by climate change. Change Zartaj Gul told the meet- Reconstruction and Rehabilita- Japan in talks with Pakistan to import skilled labour and Pakistan Meteorological De- He said the international re- ing that the public response to tion Agency and other emergency partment (PMD). search had found that 90% losses plastic bags was commendable. response bodies with the NDMA, Japan is in negotiations with Pakistan to allow He said that Japan has decided to open the labour Offi cial sources confi rmed this during disasters and extreme cli- She said the ministry would and said the Parliamentarians’ for the import of thousands of skilled labour, market in 14 sectors, including construction, week that a summary for this mate change interventions were take strict action against the dis- Caucus on Disaster Risk Reduc- and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in nursing care, agriculture, manufacturing, and purpose has been forwarded to due to wrong infrastructure being tributors of fake biodegradable tion and Management should be this regard is expected to be signed soon, Radio light engineering. Prime Minister Imran Khan for developed. plastic bags. made active. Pakistan reported this week. The Japanese diplomat praised Pakistani workers mandatory approval. “We have written to the minis- NDMA member Idris Mehsud It also sought a detailed brief- Deputy head of mission at Japanese embassy in who are working in Japan, saying that they are “Keeping in view the disaster try of planning and development highlighted disaster management ing by the NDMA on its interven- Pakistan, Yusuke Shindo, said the MoU could be skilled and working with full commitment and risk to the country, it is neces- to include the climate risk com- and risk reduction initiatives and tions. signed between the two countries next month. honesty. Gulf Times Friday, October 11, 2019 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Ad-Du’aa if ever we needed it...

nd when My slaves ask you (O else in disobedience to Him on Yaum Al-Qiya- 10. The one making taubah (repentance) from plication.” Muslim & others to the du’aa from a heart which is forgetful or Muhammad) concerning Me then amah in the following: sin 3. Face the Qibla. Jaabir (radiallaahu ‘anhu) frivolous.” At-Tirmidhi (answer them), I am indeed near. I Call your witnesses beside Allah if your are 11. The traveller whose sustenance is from reports: 7. To be persistent, even insistent in du’aa Arespond to the invocation of the sup- indeed truthful. (Al-Baqarah:23) halaal “The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and repeat it three times. Ibn Masood (radial- plicant when he call on me. So let them obey 3. Asking for something. Allah said: came to the place of standing at Arafat, faced laahu ‘anhu) reported that: “When the Prophet Me and believe in Me so that they may be led Call to (ask) Me that I may respond to you. Prerequisites of du’aa the Qibla and continued making du’aa until the (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) made du’aa, he aright. [Al-Baqarah 186] (Ghaafi r:60) When calling to your Lord, be sure to be sun set.” Muslim used to make it three times and when he asked, The word du’aa is the plural of da’wah and 4. Exalting of Allah and addressing one an- aware of the following requirements for making 4. Lowering the voice and keeping it “in he asked three times.” – Muslim both come from da’aa which means to ask or other. Allah said about the people of Paradise: du’aa: between” neither complete silence nor com- 8. To begin du’aa with the mention of Allah to call. To call “to something” in this way is to Their call therein is “Exalted are You, O 1. Sincerity of directing all of your worship to pletely out loud. Abu Musa Al-Ash’ariy re- and invoking His blessing on the Prophet (sal- encourage others to do it. The meaning of du’aa Allah!” and their greeting therein is “Salaam”. Allah alone ported that: We were approaching with Allah’s lallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) before asking for in Islam is: for the slave to call out to his Lord to (Yunus:10) 2. Obedience to Allah by fulfi lling all obliga- Messenger. When we came near Al-Madinah, things and to close one’s du’aa with praise of care for him, have mercy on him and supply him 5. Allah calling us. tions upon you and avoiding all that forbidden. he said “Allahu Akbar”. The people, too said Allah. with his needs and wants. On the day when He calls you and you re- 3. Avoiding all harmful consumption of food, “Allahu Akbar” and they raised their voices 9. To repent from one sin’s and to undo any The reality of du’aa is to manifest one’s ab- spond with His praise. (Al-Israa:52) clothing/jewellery and drink whereupon the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa injustices done to others (including return- solute poverty and powerlessness before Allah 6. Calling to Allah in praise and supplication. 4. Preceding the du’aa with a good deed sallam) said: ing property improperly taken or undoing any Most High and the affi rmation that all power Say: Call “Allah” or call “Ar-Rahman”... Al- 5. Purity (tahaara) “O people, verily the one whom you are call- other kind of harm) before turning to Allah in to bring about anything belongs exclusively to (Israa:110) ing is not deaf and is not absent. Verily, the one du’aa. Allah Most High. It is a sign of true worship and Some etiquette of du’aa whom you are calling is between the necks of When we respond to Allah’s call to worship it contains the meaning of praising and exalting Those whose du’aa is answered by Allah Also, pay close attention to the following your mounts.” Al-Bukhari & Muslim Him alone and to obey Him by performing Allah Most High and ascribing to Him the at- Allah and His Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa etiquettes (aadaab) of supplicating Allah Most 5. Humility, fear (of Allah and His pun- our obligations and avoiding all the forbid- tributes of generosity and grace. sallam) have mentioned various people/condi- High: ishment) and desire (for His mercy and His den, Allah responds to this by granting us our tions under which Allah answers the du’aa of 1. Take advantage of the blessed times which reward) when making du’aa. Allah said: du’aa. There can be nothing greater in this Types of du’aa mentioned in the Qur’an His slaves. Among them: Allah and His Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa They used to race one another to good deeds world than to have a du’aa which is answered 1. Worship. Asking for something which only 1. The one in desperate need. sallam) have told us about such as the day of and they would call to us in desire and in fear by Allah Most High. Any nation which pos- Allah can grant is an act of worship which can 2. The oppressed upon whom injustice is Arafat, all of Ramadan (especially the last ten), and they were humble before Us. (Al-Anbi- sesses many people who have this will suc- only be directed to Allah Most High. To address being infl icted Jumu’ah and the time of tahajjud (after sleeping yaa:90) ceed in this world and in the next. Allah will it to other than Allah is shirk. 3. A parent who makes du’aa against their and before fajr), etc. Allah said: 6. Be serious in what you ask for and certain place in power over them those who fear and And do not call besides Allah those who child And in the late night they seek forgiveness. of the ability and the promise of Allah to obey him and grant them victory over their cannot benefi t your and cannot harm you. 4. A just ruler (Adh-Dhaariyaat:18) respond to your call. Do not put conditionals enemies. The du’aa of Muslims for each other (Yunus:106) 5. A righteous individual 2. Take advantage of the special circum- on what you ask for except for things like “if it is more powerful than Muslims only making 2. Seeking of Aid. Calling to one for aid can 6. The righteous son/daughter who prays for stances when du’aa especially encouraged such is the best for me in this life and the hereafter du’aa for themselves. only be directed to Allah in issues where only his parents as when one is in prostration (sajdah), upon in Your knowledge”, but not things like “if you And your Lord said: Call to me that I may re- He can respond. One can request aid from a 7. The fasting individual until they break meeting the enemy army, when Allah send His wish”, etc. Allah does not respond to du’aa spond to you. Verily, those who are too arrogant present, living and capable individual and this their fast mercy (e.g., rain) and between the adhaan and which is made “routinely” or frivolously with- to worship me will enter Hell-fi re humiliated. is not shirk. However, to ask those incapable of 8. Any Muslim who makes du’aa for another the iqaama. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa out consciousness. The Prophet (sallallaahu (Ghaafi r:60) helping (such as the deceased) or not present is Muslim without their knowledge sallam) said: ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Oh Allah have mercy upon the Muslims who to worship other than Allah Most High. Allah 9. Every Muslim as long as they are not ask- “The closest a slave ever is to his Lord is “Call to Allah with certainty of being an- are suff ering from attacks and oppression and rejected the ability of anyone to help anyone ing for injustice or breaking of family ties. when he is in prostration, so make much sup- swered. And know that Allah does not respond living in fear, ameen. Ways we can cope with our own illness

lways keep in mind that trials Look within yourself for the cause So whoever believes in Allah alone are inevitable and people of your illness and treat it with lawful and seeks forgiveness from Him, He deal with trials in a variety medical treatments. Don’t ignore your will provide for him an appointed term, Aof ways. Allah Says (what illness - seek medical attention right and whoever does good after that, He means): “And We will surely test you away. Doctors have only been able to will increase him from His Grace. with something of fear and hunger and make as many strides in medicine thus Supplicate with a humble heart and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, far because Allah has allowed them to a crying eye asking Allah to cure you: but give good tidings to the patient, do so. Every disease has a cure except Try to take advantage of the time when who, when disaster strikes them, say, death. Try to search out and fi nd a supplications are more likely to be ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed righteous Muslim physician if possible. answered, praising Allah and calling to Him we will return.’ Those are the You should question yourself and be upon Him with His Beautiful Names. It ones upon whom are blessings from fair, do not deceive yourself: If you are is also recommended to give something their Lord and mercy. And it is those affl icted with a distress hardship, look in charity from the best of your posses- who are the [rightly] guided.” [Qur’an fi rst for the reasons and reprimand sions before making your supplications. 2:155-157] yourself. Allah Says (what means): Understand and realise that illness is Commenting on this verse, Ash- “What comes to you of good is from not the end of your life. If Allah has Sharabaasi, may Allah have mercy upon Allah, what comes to you of evil (O taken something from you, think of all him, said: “You all are going to be tried Man) is from yourself…” [Qur’an 4: 79] the things that He has given you and all with some kind of these trials. But you “And whatever strikes you of disas- of the things that you still have. will be diff erent in your attitude and ter, it is what your hands have earned.” A believer always strives for the responsibility towards these trials.” [Qur’an 42: 30] pleasure of his Lord and does not stop Some people have patience and When you are grieving and don’t because of disease or a trial. The best others have none. Some recover and know the reason behind it, then do no example is the example the scholar of others do not. Trials teach all of us, let grief fi nd a way into your heart. Learn this nation; Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be but only one group is deserving of the that Allah decrees everything and noth- pleased with him, when he lost his vi- reward. “And give good tidings to the ing that strikes you should have missed sion and said: “If Allah has taken from patient.” This suggests that since man you; and nothing that has missed you, my eyes their light, it is in my tongue must be subjected to trials, and since should have struck you. Beware of saying and heart that I will fi nd the light. My he is going to be affl icted by one form anything that may indicate irritation heart is bright and my mind has no of a trial or another, it is then better for and dissatisfaction with Allah’s Decree, defects. And in my mouth there is a him not to become anxious. such as saying: “O Lord, why have you sharp, authentic sword.” Man is going to be tried whether he affl icted me with this?” Guard the mandatory acts of wor- accepts this fact or not. Since he is go- Be confi dent that Allah knows what ship (Faraa’id): do not neglect them to ing to receive a reward for the trial if he is best for you: You should place your the best of your ability. If you have any is patient, it is then better for him to be trust in Allah and must remember questions, ask people of knowledge. considered from this good group “And that you do not know the wisdom Perform many good and righteous give good tidings to the patient.” behind this trial, perhaps it will make deeds as possible. If someone else can A healing for the heart Don’t become pessimistic: Don’t you stronger and lead you on a path do them for you on your behalf, this is shut your eyes only seeing the dark- to a better life. We should never limit also acceptable. Beware of any practice ness of grief and worry. It will lead you Allah’s wisdom to our comprehen- that is not lawful, especially those llah Almighty Says in the 2. It adequately and clearly negates doubts are better served by their eff orts. into depression and isolation waiting sion level, because we will never be against our faith, such as slaughtering Qur’an (what means): “We our doubts. If healing and guidance, knowledge and for death to arrive, and that is a bleak able to comprehend it — it is above our animals to anything other than Allah, send down of the Qur’an that No book on this earth other than the certainty could not be obtained from existence for anyone, especially for capability to understand .We should, hanging charms, seeking refuge with which is healing and mercy Qur’an provides such comprehensive the Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet jinn or going to sorcerers. A someone who is faced with illness. however, know for a certainty that for the believers.” [Qur’an 17:82] And proofs and testimonies in relation Muhammad, sallallaahu alaihi wa sal- Try not to allow grief and sadness Allah does not intend harm because When you are physically able, try also (what means): “O mankind! There to exalted matters of monotheism, lam, it would be impossible to obtain overcome your heart or over burden it is harmful. Harm with Allah is not to occupy your time with benefi cial has come to you instruction from your confi rmation of Allah’s attributes, the them from the utterances of those your mind. Don’t give an opportunity intended for itself but for other things things like reading. Find activities that Lord and healing for what is in the Day of Judgment, Prophethood and perplexed sceptics. for the devil to whisper to you and try that may bring good. you enjoy and that will distract you breasts and guidance and mercy for the refutation of incongruous doctrines The Qur’an draws its ability of to cause you mental distress that will Ibn Uthaymeen, may Allah have from your disease and worries. believers.” [Qur’an 10:57] and degenerate opinions. healing the diseases of lusts by its only add to your pain and suff ering. mercy upon him, said: “Allah doesn’t Always remember that your faith It is narrated on the authority of Although the Qur’an off ers a genuine wisdom and fair exhortation, through Al-Sa’adee said: “Don’t you know that particularly intend harm for a person can and does make miracles: Do not An-Nu’maan Ibn Basheer may Allah cure for the evils of suspicions and the renouncement of earthly pursuits weakness of the heart and its delusions when He causes him to become ill. Al- underestimate the eff ect of reliance be pleased with him who said : “I doubts, its benefi t depends to a large and the pursuance of the Hereafter. It are truly the incurable illness?” lah intends for the disease to take place upon Allah. There are many incidents heard the Messenger of Allah, sallal- extent on comprehending its essence draws upon parables and narrations The strength of the heart and its and the disease is what may harm man. that have been witnessed where the laahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, say: “That and purpose. Those who are blessed containing lessons to be pondered. If reliance upon Allah are the examples But He did not intend harm for man. impossible becomes possible by the which is lawful is plain and that which with such faculties would have the the heart assimilated these qualities, of strong men. How many hospitals He intends for him only the good from power of faith. is unlawful is plain and between the ability to distinguish between right and it would certainly be inclined towards are fi lled with patients suff ering from it. Sometimes, the Divine Wisdom may Although the cure for illness is out two of them are doubtful matters wrong, as clearly and easily as they can good deeds and renounce the evil ones. delusions and paranoia? These delu- be apparent to the sick, and sometimes of our hands and is up to Allah alone, about which not many people know. distinguish between day and night. The Qur’an also eliminates spiritual sions and anxieties aff ect even healthy it may not. As Allah has said (what we can still do something to make a Thus, he who avoids doubtful matters They would know for certain that diseases which corrupt our intentions people and will sometimes cause mad- means): “And fear a trial which will not diff erence to those who are suff er- clears himself in regard to his religion all other knowledge and concepts and prompt us towards ill deeds; hence ness and mental problems. strike those who have wronged among ing. It is unfortunate that often times and his honor, but he who falls into prevailing among people are either the heart heals and returns to its nor- Therefore, the health of the heart is you exclusively, and know that Allah is we belittle the impact we can have on doubtful matters falls into that which traditions or false presumptions; how- mal nature, where its facultative and the basis for the health of the body, and severe in penalty.” [Qur’an 8:25] others, especially to those who are ill. is unlawful, like the shepherd who ever fanciful and appealing they may self-acquired deeds excel. The body the disease of the heart is the true dis- Remember Allah and ask Him for Just a smile or a funny story to make pastures around a sanctuary, all but appear, these would be unable to off er also returns to its normal function- ease. Man may go through psychologi- forgiveness much: Ali, may Allah be someone laugh and forget their wor- grazing therein. Truly, every king has a substitute for the Truth or genuine ing by rejecting whatever contradicts cal instability where he fi nds the world pleased with him, said: “When Allah ries for a moment is something that a sanctuary, and truly Allah’s sanctu- matters as encapsulated in the Qur’an the right guidance, just like an infant a narrow place of distress. But, if the guides His servants to ask for forgive- can be remembered for years — be- ary is His prohibitions. Truly in the and would provide no benefi t. who accepts nothing but milk. In this sick allow these thoughts to control ness, He helps them to achieve what cause it made an impact and it made a body there is a morsel of fl esh which, The Hadith (narration) of Prophet course of aff airs, the heart feeds on their mind, it will add to their distress they request.” Allah has said (what diff erence. How many times have we if it be whole, all the body is whole Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa faith and the Qur’an which provides and their wish for death — possibly to means): “But Allah would not punish experienced the impact ourselves in and which, if it be diseased, all of it is sallam, compares the futility of such it with reprimands, consolidation, the extent of contemplating suicide. them while you are amongst them. And our own lives when someone visited us diseased. Truly it is the heart.” [Al- eff orts to: “Inferior camel’s meat on support, gladness, joy and invigora- One may wish to die because of Allah would not punish them while they or gave us a call - just at the time when Bukhari and Muslim] top of a rough mountain, neither the tion to establish its authority, as a body pressure and pain, but we must realise seek forgiveness.” [Qur’an 8:33] we were at our lowest moment? Most Diseases of the heart are a mixture hill is easy to climb nor the camel is is nourished by what develops and that an early end results in punishment Allah has told us that He would not of us will never forget that person who of suspicions and lusts which can lead healthy enough to get down the hill.” strengthens it. within the grave. So, by living they are punish someone who seeks forgive- took the time to think about us, and we our souls into turmoil and despair. [Al-Bukhari] The heart and the body would aff orded more time to repent and turn ness, because sincere forgiveness re- always remember them fondly because However, Allah Almighty has provided In fact, the knowledge obtained not fl ourish without adhering to the back towards Allah, and that is surely moves the sin that is the reason for the they — without realising it — helped to us with a special prescription that will by theologians could be found in the Qur’an. Even if they attained some better. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi punishment. The Prophet, sallallaahu shine some light on our dark days. cleanse and heal our diseased hearts: Qur’an with a much better elaboration of the desired results from another wa sallam, said: “No one among you ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “He who is The Qur’an. and explanation, for the theologians are source, the attainment would be very should wish to die because of distress. constant in seeking forgiveness, Allah Article source: http://www.islamweb. The Qur’an provides the healing for inclined to aff ectation, wordiness and minor and would not serve the purpose But if he must do so, then he should say, will make for him a way out of any dis- net/emainpage/ many types of ailments: perpetuating perplexity. They assume and desired end result. ‘O Allah give me life as long as life is bet- tress, release from grief, and provide 1. It contains proofs and clear that their attitudes help in refuting ter for me, and cause me to die as long as for him from where he does not expect evidences which separate right from suspicions and doubts, but contrary to Article source: http://www.islamweb. death is better for me’.” [Al-Bukhari] it.” [Abu Daawood and Ibn Maajah] wrong. their presumption, these suspicions and net/emainpage/ Gulf Times 14 Friday, October 11, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES US regulators ignoring risk posed by Tesla’s Smart Sumon software

In the rush to roll out driverless cars, Tesla is playing fast and loose with public safety by putting untested, uncontrolled autonomous vehicles on city streets. Last month the car company released Smart Summon, a software update that allows Tesla owners who have purchased a “full self-driving” package to use a smartphone app to command their vehicle to turn itself on, pull out of a parking space and drive to the smartphone holder’s location. The app works on Teslas parked up to 200 feet away. Tesla beamed Smart Summon to customers with instructions to use only in private parking lots and driveways, and only if the app user can see the car at all times “because it may not detect all obstacles.” Oh and yes, “be especially careful around quick moving people, bicycles and cars.” You think? Harley struggles to fi re up Of course, videos soon appeared showing driverless Teslas cruising through busy shopping centre parking lots, driving on public roads and travelling out of sight of their operator. Some videos show successful trips by the unmanned vehicles, while others show near collisions. Apparently, it’s all perfectly legal. And that’s the problem. The US federal government’s transportation safety regulator, the new generation of riders National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration, says it is keeping an eye on the Smart Summon system and “will not hesitate to act” Tougher emissions rules in Europe, Its Model 3 now comes with a base they have not even bothered ordering if it fi nds evidence of a safety-related defect. That’s in keeping Reuters Chicago China and the United States are forcing price of $35,000 and was instrumental the bike, which would require investing with the hands-off approach to autonomous vehicles taken by the auto companies to switch to electrifi ed in lifting its vehicle deliveries to a record in a Level 3 charging station and train- federal government, which has adopted no national rules governing models. level in the latest quarter. ing staff . the deployment and performance of driverless technology. arley-Davidson Inc is betting A survey of US millennial motor- Traditional Harley Davidson entry- An Ohio-based dealer, who had In the US, there are rules for driverless cars at the state level, but on electric motorcycles to cyclists, published in February by the level bikes cost about $6,900. initially signed up for LiveWire, said they vary from state to state. California, which has been a leader attract the next generation of Motorcycle Industry Council, found The motorcycle maker has plans to he pulled out at the last minute as he in trying to sort through the complexities of the coming driverless younger and more environ- 69% of the riders interested in electric bring out four more electrifi ed models was not sure of the bike’s demand in his revolution, developed some of the fi rst regulations to guide the H mentally conscious riders to reverse motorcycles. in the mid-power, low-power, e-bicy- area. testing and deployment of truly autonomous cars on public streets. declining US sales. Harley’s dealers said they are getting cles and kids’ two-wheeler segments A delay in LiveWire’s arrival in stores Only one company But as Harley ships its fi rst inquiries from young customers, but are by 2022. has left the dealers in the Midwest and Because Smart _ Waymo, the self- “LiveWire” bikes — priced at $29,799 struggling to translate them into sales. But unlike Tesla, Harley does not the East Coast with hardly a month to driving division of — to dealers, there is little evidence the A key reason: LiveWire’s retail price. enjoy the true fi rst mover’s advantage. aggressively push the bike before the Summon is Google parent company 116-year-old brand is catching on with “Interest is very high,” said a sales California-based Zero Motorcycles snow season sets in. Alphabet _ has a permit new young customers. manager at a New Jersey-based dealer- is already selling electric bikes in the Winter generally means a lull for controlled by a from California to test The problem lies mostly with this ship, who declined to be named because United States with retail prices ranging motorcycle sales. autonomous cars without “super-premium” product’s price. he was not authorised to speak to from $8,500 to $21,000. When dealers began taking preorders, human wielding a human inside. Tesla The bike costs nearly as much as media. “But once you get to pricing, Its top-end bike — SR/F — is similar the delivery was expected in August, but and 62 other companies a Tesla Model 3, and aims for a mar- interest is thrown out of the window.” to LiveWire, but costs nearly $9,000 was later shifted to September. a smartphone, it have permission to test ket that does not really exist: young, Over half of young college graduates less. On September 30, the dealers Reuters autonomous cars with a “green” and affl uent fi rst-time motor- in America, whom Harley is courting Still, Bob Clark, a dealer for Zero’s spoke with were still waiting for the fi rst doesn’t count as person on board. cyclists. with battery-powered bikes, are saddled bikes in Chicago, says he has not yet bike. That’s why it’s The sleek sport bike has been avail- with student loans that entail average sold one SR/F to riders under the age In a Twitter post on October 2, Harley autonomous under so surprising and able for preorder in the United States repayment of $200 to $300 per month. of 35. said the bikes are starting to arrive at disappointing that the since January. Harley is not off ering any discount or All three electric bikes he sold to authorised dealers. state regulations California Department of However, the bulk of the orders are incentives to push the sales, either, the young riders this year were in the The tweet also carried a picture of the Motor Vehicles is going coming in from existing and old riders, dealers said. $10,000 price range. fi rst LiveWire that was “rolled off the along with this self-serving experiment in self-driving in the public according to interviews with 40 of the In an interview with CNBC television “Young riders are environmentally line” at its York, Pennsylvania, facility space. 150 dealerships nationwide that are car- in May, Levatich called LiveWire “one conscious, but are also very price-sen- in late September. The DMV made the mystifying decision that a car driving itself rying the bike this year. of the best engineered products on the sitive,” Clark said. With the demand rather limited, the market” and said it was worth its price. dealers said, Harley has decided to keep through a parking lot is, in fact, not “autonomous technology” The dealers Reuters spoke with It is not just pricing. account for little over a quarter of Gary Jon Prough, general sales LiveWire’s limited range is also ham- the supplies tight in order to protect subject to state regulation. A DMV spokesman compared Smart LiveWire dealerships and are spread manager at a dealership in Country- pering its sales. the bike’s brand value and prevent any Summon to other advanced driver-assist features on the market. across Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, side, Illinois, said the vast majority of The bike can travel 146 miles in the price-discounting pressure. He said that because Smart Summon is controlled by a human Ohio, Michigan, California, Nevada, millennials cannot aff ord the bike as city or 95 miles in combined city and The dealers said they are all expecting wielding a smartphone, it doesn’t count as autonomous under state New Jersey and New York. LiveWire is targeted at young and af- highway riding per charge. to receive less than 10 LiveWires this regulations. Harley has for years failed to increase fl uent customers with incomes above An ordinary household outlet can year. That reasoning opens a can of worms. What happens if or when sales in the United States, its top market $100,000 a year. provide an overnight charge, while Level James Hardiman, an analyst at Wed- Tesla develops Smart Summon to operate over a range longer than accounting for more than half of its To drive up sales, Prough and other 3 direct current fast chargers stationed bush Securities, reckons Harley would 200 feet? The company has already promised to add automatic motorcycles sold. dealers expect Harley to go Tesla Inc’s at Harley dealers will fully charge the sell between 400 and 1,600 LiveWires driving on city streets by the end of the year, along with traffi c- As its tattooed, baby-boomer base way: launch more aff ordable battery- bike in 60 minutes. in the fi rst year. light and stop-sign recognition. If people can summon their Teslas ages, the Milwaukee-based company powered vehicles after creating a buzz This renders LiveWire less eff ective That is not even 1% of the 228,051 from across town with their smartphone, is the technology still is fi nding it challenging to woo new with the premium model. for longer-distance rides, limiting its bikes it sold worldwide last year. off -limits for regulation by California? customers. Tesla’s fi rst electric car cost over appeal among rural riders who prefer “This is going to be largely a rounding Plus, there is a big diff erence between autonomous features _ In 2018, Harley posted the steepest $100,000, but prices came down with touring bikes. error certainly this year and even next,” such as adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring _ that sales decline in four years in the United subsequent models. Seven Harley dealerships told Reuters Hardiman said. are designed to help the driver safely manage the car and Smart States. Summon, in which the driver cedes control to the computer after US sales are tipped to fall again this turning the system on. year. And who will ensure that Tesla owners are using this new The heavyweight motorcycle maker’s technology safely? Tesla has been far more aggressive than its rivals stock price has declined by 42% in the in making cutting-edge driverless technology readily available to past fi ve years. its customers. The company has already come under scrutiny by By comparison, the S&P 500 Index regulators for its Autopilot system after two fatal crashes involving has gained 47%. Tesla’s driver assistance system. When Chief Executive Offi cer Matt The bigger problem is that federal regulators have refused to Levatich announced LiveWire’s launch adopt rules for the testing and deployment of driverless cars. last year, his hope was the ease of riding Current policies let the car’s manufacturer decide when the vehicle motorcycles with no gears or clutch is safe enough for public use. But the public streets should not would help attract young and environ- be turned into laboratories for private company experiments, mentally conscious urban riders. especially not when the results can be lethal. - Tribune News In an interview with Reuters in Feb- Service ruary 2018, Levatich said the bike would help address Harley’s demographic problem. “It is more about the next century To Advertise than the last century,” he said at the time. [email protected] The preorders, thus far, have belied Display those hopes, according to the dealers. “It is appealing to a demographic that 44466621 44418811 is already riding,” said Gennaro Sepe, a sales manager at a Harley dealership in Classified Chicago. 44466609 44418811 His store has received four preorders for the bike. Subscription All of them are from existing riders. Harley declined to comment on [email protected] LiveWire preorders. The motorcycle maker is not the only company investing in battery-powered © 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved transportation. Harley-Davidson’s new electric motorcycle, LiveWire, is shown in this handout photo released by the company. Gulf Times Friday, October 11, 2019 15 COMMENT No more half-measures on corporate taxes

By Joseph E Stiglitz shifting. And Gabriel Zucman of the already include deductions for the New York University of California, Berkeley, cost of capital and interest. These and his colleagues estimate that some are “residuals” – pure profits – that 40% of overseas profi ts made by US arise from the joint operations of a lobalisation has gotten a multinationals are transferred to tax multinational’s global activities. For bad rap in recent years, and havens. In 2018, 60 of the 500 largest example, under the 2017 US Tax Cuts often for good reason. But companies – including Amazon, and Jobs Act, the total cost of capital Gsome critics, not least US Netfl ix, and General Motors – paid no goods is deductible in addition to President Donald Trump, place the US tax, despite reporting joint profi ts some of the interest, which allows blame in the wrong place, conjuring (on a global basis) of some $80bn. for total reported profits to be up a false image in which Europe, These trends are having a devastating substantially less than true economic China, and developing countries have impact on national tax revenues and profits. snookered America’s trade negotiators undermining the public’s sense of Given the scale of the problem, into bad deals, leading to Americans’ fairness. it is clear that we need a global current woes. It’s an absurd claim: Since the aftermath of the 2008 minimum tax to end the current race after all, it was America – or, rather, fi nancial crisis, when many countries to the bottom (which benefi ts no corporate America – that wrote the found themselves in dire fi nancial one other than corporations). There rules of globalisation in the fi rst place. straits, there has been growing demand is no evidence that lower taxation That said, one particularly toxic to rethink the global regime for taxing globally leads to more investment. aspect of globalisation has not received multinationals. One major eff ort is (Of course, if a country lowers its tax the attention it deserves: corporate tax the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profi t relative to others, it might “steal” avoidance. Multinationals can all too Shifting (BEPS) initiative, which has some investment; but this beggar- easily relocate their headquarters and already yielded signifi cant benefi ts, thy-neighbour approach doesn’t work production to whatever jurisdiction curbing some of the worst practices, globally.) A global minimum tax rate levies the lowest taxes. And in some such as that associated with one should be set at a rate comparable to cases, they need not even move their subsidiary lending money to another. the current average eff ective corporate business activities, because they can But, as the data show, current eff orts tax, which is around 25%. Otherwise, merely alter how they “book” their are far from adequate. global corporate tax rates will converge income on paper. The fundamental problem is on the minimum, and what was Starbucks, for example, can that BEPS off ers only patchwork intended to be a reform to increase continue to expand in the United fi xes to a fundamentally fl awed and taxation on multinationals will turn Kingdom while paying hardly any UK incorrigible status quo. Under the out to have just the opposite eff ect. taxes, because it claims that there are prevailing “transfer price system,” two The world is facing multiple crises – minimal profi ts there. But if that were subsidiaries of the same multinational The Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) headquarters stand in Paris, France. including climate change, inequality, true, its ongoing expansion would can exchange goods and services across slowing growth, and decaying make no sense. Why increase your borders, and then value that trade “at does one value a production process allowed to use transfer pricing to For its part, the OECD will soon infrastructure – none of which can presence when there are no profi ts to arm’s length” when reporting income without the managerial services allocate profi ts within the US. That issue a major proposal that could move be addressed without well-resourced be had? Obviously, there are profi ts, and profi ts for tax purposes. The price provided by headquarters? would entail pricing goods repeatedly the current framework a little in this governments. Unfortunately, the but they are being funnelled from the they come up with is what they claim The ability of multinationals to as they cross and re-cross state direction. But, if reports of what it will current proposals for reforming global UK to lower-tax jurisdictions in the it would be if the goods and services benefi t from the transfer price system borders. Instead, US corporate profi ts look like are correct, it still would not taxation simply don’t go far enough. form of royalties, franchise fees, and were being exchanged in a competitive has grown, as trade within companies are allocated to diff erent states on a go far enough. If adopted, most of a Multinationals must be compelled to other charges. market. has increased, as trade in services formulaic basis, according to factors corporation’s income would still be do their part. – Project Syndicate This kind of tax avoidance has For obvious reasons, this system has (rather than goods) has expanded, such as employment, sales, and treated using the transfer price system, become an art form at which never worked well. How does one value as intellectual property has grown in assets within each state. And, as the with only a “residual” allocated on a z Joseph E Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate the cleverest fi rms, like Apple, a car without an engine, or a dress importance, and as fi rms have gotten Independent Commission for the formulaic basis. The rationale for this in economics, is University Professor excel. The aggregate costs of such shirt without buttons? There are no better at exploiting the system. The Reform of International Corporate division is unclear; the best that can at Columbia University and Chief practices are enormous. According arm’s-length prices, no competitive result: the large-scale shifting of Taxation (of which I am a member) be said is that the OECD is canonising Economist at the Roosevelt Institute. to the International Monetary Fund, markets, to which a fi rm can refer. And profi ts across borders, leading to lower shows in its latest declaration, this gradualism. He is the author, most recently, of governments lose at least $500 billion matters are even more problematic in tax revenues. approach is the only one that will work After all, the corporate profits People, Power, and Profi ts: Progressive per year as a result of corporate tax the expanding services sector: how It is telling that US fi rms are not at the global level. reported in almost all jurisdictions Capitalism for an Age of Discontent.

World needs to quicken steps to Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 370c Minimum Temperature : 310c reduce global warming – IMF SATURDAY Maximum Temperature : 360c Minimum Temperature : 300c By Lindsay Dunsmuir yesterday, the IMF noted the long- “well within the bounds of price to higher energy costs until cheaper SUNDAY Washington term goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement fl uctuations experienced during the green alternatives became widespread. Maximum Temperature : 360c was to limit temperature rises past few decades.” To that end, governments must give Minimum Temperature : 300c to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees A global price fl oor would be the people and businesses incentives to ountries around the world Fisherman's forecast should urgently begin Fahrenheit), but that current global most effi cient way of doing this, but reduce emissions without derailing accelerating eff orts to reduce commitments to reduce emissions another option would be for advanced economic growth, the IMF report greenhouse gas emissions, were consistent with warming of 3 economies to have a higher fl oor noted, as it cited the contrasting WARNING C Inshore : Nil and the best way to do that is through degrees Celsius. price or for them to provide fi nancial examples of France and Sweden. Offshore : Nil implementation of carbon taxes and The Fund also noted that many and technical support to emerging French President Emmanuel global co-operation, the International countries are set to miss their own market countries in exchange for Macron’s suspension of a $50-per- WEATHER Inshore : Misty at some places Monetary Fund said yesterday. targets and that the United States their commitment to more ambitious tonne carbon tax in 2018 following by early morning “Global warming causes major has said it will pull out from the Paris targets, the report said. a public backlash was due to “the becomes relatively hot damage to the global economy and climate deal in 2020. The Fund estimates that the perceived unfairness of the tax, daytime with slight dust at times and some scat- the natural world and engenders “Implementation of existing $75-per-tonne carbon tax would which was introduced at the same tered clouds, relatively risks of catastrophic and irreversible commitments is therefore a fi rst-step prevent 725,000 premature air time as broader tax reductions seen humid by night outcomes,” the global lender said in a priority, but mechanisms to boost pollution deaths overall in the Group as benefi ting the wealthy,” the report Offshore : Slight dust at times with scattered clouds semi-annual report released ahead of action at a global level are urgently of 20 industrialized nations by 2030, a said. WIND the IMF and World Bank fall meetings needed,” the report said. lot of them in China. Sweden, which introduced a carbon Inshore : Southeasterly-North- of fi nance leaders and policymakers Carbon taxes, which would raise The need to tackle climate change tax of $28 per tonne in 1991 that has easterly 05-15 KT Offshore : Northeasterly-South- next week. the cost of fossil fuels, would be the has become pressing, particularly since risen to $127 a tonne, introduced easterly 03-12/15 KT The stark warning was issued most comprehensive means of tackling among the G20 countries, as the the emissions-cutting mechanism as protests continue to demand global warming, according to the potential impact on economic growth along with a reduction in income Visibility : 4-8/3 KM immediate action to cut carbon report, as it would make people and and fi nancial stability has become taxes for low and middle-income Offshore : 1-3/4 FT households, and competitive concerns emissions and avert an ecological businesses reduce emissions, convert more apparent. Around the region disaster. energy or switch to greener power Most of the G20 central banks, were addressed through lower initial Weather On Monday, thousands of climate- sources. including the European Central Bank rates for industries. Weather tomorrow Max/min change protesters took to the streets in Implementing a carbon tax of $75 and People’s Bank of China, have “Finance ministers can play a key today Max/min P Cloudy 40/23 cities around the world, launching two per tonne would have the greatest signed up to the Network for Greening role by undertaking carbon taxation Baghdad Sunny 41/23 Sunny 37/24 weeks of peaceful civil disobedience. impact in reducing emissions, with the the Financial System, an information- or similar pricing, adjusting broader Kuwait City Sunny 37/24 Sunny 37/29 UN climate scientists warned price of coal rising more than 200% sharing group. tax and expenditure policy as part of Manama Sunny 37/29 Sunny 32/26 last month that if greenhouse gas above baseline levels in 2030. The IMF, whose majority a comprehensive strategy, ensuring Muscat Sunny 33/26 M Sunny 28/17 emissions are not slashed the world The cost of electricity and gasoline shareholder is the United States, also adequate budgeting for investment Tehran Sunny 28/17 must face a reality of cities vanishing would also rise considerably and by joined last month. in R&D and support for cleaner under rising seas, rivers running dry varying degrees in countries. A main diffi culty with a carbon tax technologies, and coordinating and marine life collapsing. Gasoline prices would rise 5% to is how politically feasible it would be strategies internationally,” the IMF In its Fiscal Monitor report 15% in most countries, the IMF said, in many countries, given it would lead said in its report. – Reuters

Live issues

Dog ownership linked with longer life, especially for heart patients Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min Anne Harding pet – even just a cricket in a cage Kramer, noting that her own step encourage clinicians to discuss Athens P Cloudy 28/19 Sunny 28/17 Reuters Health – is also known to relieve stress, count has climbed “sky high” since pet adoption with their patients, Beirut P Cloudy 28/24 Sunny 28/25 anxiety, depression, loneliness and she adopted Romeo, an energetic particularly those with pre-existing Bangkok P Cloudy 33/26 S T Storms 32/26 social isolation. But studies looking miniature schnauzer that she walks cardiovascular disease and those Berlin Cloudy 17/14 M Cloudy 19/11 og owners live longer, and at whether having a dog extends at least three times a day. living by themselves,” Dr Dhruv Cairo Sunny 34/21 P Cloudy 35/22 canine companionship survival have had mixed results. In another study in the same S Kazi of Beth Israel Deaconess Cape Town Cloudy 22/14 Cloudy 20/14 may be especially good for To investigate, Kramer’s team issue of the journal, Dr Tove Fall of Medical Centre in Boston writes in Colombo T Storm 29/24 S T Storms 29/24 Dpeople with heart disease searched through medical literature Uppsala University in Sweden and her an editorial accompanying the study. Dhaka P Cloudy 32/24 M Sunny 32/23 and those living alone, new research dating back to 1950 and found colleagues looked at 181,696 people “We’ve known this forever, that Hong Kong Sunny 30/25 P Cloudy 29/24 shows. 10 studies of dog ownership and who had a heart attack between 2001 pets make our lives better, but to Istanbul P Cloudy 23/16 Sunny 22/15 “We studied more than 3mn survival including a total of 3.8mn and 2012, and 154,617 who’d suff ered know that the sum of it translates to Jakarta S T Storms 33/23 P Cloudy 34/23 people, and the results are very people. a stroke over the same period. The better cardiovascular health is very Karachi Sunny 34/25 Sunny 34/24 significant,” Dr Caroline K Kramer of Overall, dog owners were 24% less heart attack patients who owned a dog exciting for those of us who like dogs London Showers 17/12 Showers 14/12 the University of Toronto Leadership likely to die over the next decade and lived alone had a 33% lower risk of and work in cardiology,” Kazi said Manila P Cloudy 32/25 S T Storms 32/25 Sinai Centre for Diabetes at Mt Sinai than non-dog owners. People who’d having another heart attack, while the in a phone interview. “I’ve wanted a Moscow Cloudy 11/07 Rain 11/09 Hospital told Reuters Health by suffered a heart attack or other risk was reduced by 15% for those who dog for 40 years, and the data finally New Delhi Sunny 33/22 Sunny 34/22 phone. cardiovascular event had a 65% lived with a dog plus a partner or child. convinced me.” New York Cloudy 16/13 P Cloudy 21/14 People who own dogs have lower reduced risk of dying over the next For stroke patients living solo, the risk Before adopting a dog, Kramer and Paris P Cloudy 21/12 P Cloudy 22/17 blood pressure, healthier cholesterol decade if they owned a dog. Dog of another stroke was 27% lower, while Kazi agree, it’s essential to make sure Sao Paulo P Cloudy 29/18 M Sunny 31/19 levels and a milder stress response ownership reduced overall mortality repeat stroke risk was 12% lower for you have the resources to care for it Seoul Sunny 26/14 Sunny 23/09 than those with canine-free homes, from cardiovascular causes by 31%. dog owners who didn’t live alone. properly. “One has to make space in Singapore P Cloudy 32/26 P Cloudy 31/26 Kramer and her team note in the Increased physical activity plays “Given the magnitude of the one’s life to be able to accommodate Sydney Rain 15/12 Showers 15/12 journal Circulation: Cardiovascular a key role in the cardiovascular potential benefit – and likely little them before making that leap of Tokyo Rain 22/18 Rain 25/21 Quality and Outcomes. Having a benefits of dog ownership, said or no harm – these findings should faith,” Kazi said. Gulf Times 16 Friday, October 11, 2019 QATAR INS Mysore’s visit highlights close relations between Qatar and India

By Shafeeq Alingal The ship, completely built in India, was dia today. “Indian Navy is grow- Indian Navy off icers on-board INS Mysore at Hamad Port yesterday. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed Staff Reporter ing and it’s obliged to serve the commissioned into the Indian Navy country and others by helping on June 2, 1999. With advanced radars them meet maritime challenges. he arrival of Indian Naval Indian Navy has so far add- Ship (INS) Mysore at Ha- and sensors, the ship is equipped with ed several achievements to its Tmad Port is a signifi cant latest cutting-edge technology in credit by discharging its duty boost to the ongoing Qatar-In- and serving merchant ships in dia Year of Culture and the bi- facing emergency situations, threats the sea very well,” said Kulvinder lateral relations between the two from the sea, undersea and air Singh Bali, who serves the ship countries. as assistant commander. The warship, a destroyer, he is keen to encourage co-oper- bian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman He added Indian Navy is dropped anchor at the port on ation between the two countries as part of India’s eff orts to en- maintaining a continuous pres- Wednesday. “The ties between in various sectors including de- sure safe passing of merchant ence in the region and the the two countries are strength- fence. ships in the sea. number of ships increased as per ened further. The ship’s arrival INS Mysore (D60) is the sec- “Maritime sector contributes the needs. speaks volumes about the fact,” ond ship of the Delhi-class much to the growing economy of A 305-member crew, includ- defence attache Captain Kapil guided missile destroyers. the country and we are obliged ing 48 offi cers, is with the ship Kaushik told Gulf Times during a The ship, completely built in to pay much attention towards and some of the offi cials paid visit to the ship yesterday. India, was commissioned into safeguarding the sea transporta- visits to the cultural sites and The Indian Navy offi cer the Indian Navy on June 2, 1999. tion,” he said noting that Indian tourist places in Qatar. thanked Qatar for its keenness With advanced radars and sen- Navy’s intervention has eff ec- Captain Gopalan who visited towards strengthening the rela- sors, the ship is equipped with tively resulted in the elimination cultural destinations in Qatar, tionship with India noting the latest cutting-edge technology of piracy in the Arabian Sea. hailed the country’s eff orts in country was visited by top Qa- in facing emergency situations, The captain who visited some integrating heritage with mo- tari offi cials during the past few threats from the sea, undersea Qatari offi cials said India is dernity. “Qatar is a successful years. and air. sharing a good friendship with example of keeping the balance He also thanked the Indian Captain Prakash Gopalan said Qatar. The ship is expected to between heritage and moder- ambassador P Kumaran, citing the ship is deployed in the Ara- leave the port and go back to In- nity.” INS Mysore at Hamad Port.

Qatar University hosts meet of international Ooredoo sponsors play student exchange forum for Asia and Pacifi c to honour senior citizens oredoo has announced that atar University (QU) employers well-qualifi ed and from Qatar Petrochemical full member position in 2021.” develop the future of the APIF. it is acting as the offi cial hosted the ninth meet- motivated trainees to promote Company, Qatar Fertiliser In his speech, Sultan Qaboos A group of 17 delegates from Osponsor for a play being Qing of the International international understanding, Company, and Qatar Chemi- University College of Engineer- Asian countries and the Mid- presented by the Centre for Em- doo has said in a statement. Manar Association for the Exchange co-operation and trust among cal Company. ing assistant dean for Train- dle East participated in the powerment and Welfare of the Eld- Khalifa al-Muraikhi, director of PR of Students for Technical Ex- students, academic institu- ing and Community Service, forum, including Qatar, Ku- erly, under the umbrella of Qatar and Corporate Communications at perience (IAESTE) Forum for tions, employers and the wider The association off ers and Asia-Pacifi c IAESTE Fo- wait, Oman, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Foundation for Social Work. Ooredoo, said of the sponsorship: Asia and the Pacifi c (APIF), community. employers well-qualifi ed rum president Dr Ghazi Ali al- Palestine, Turkey, Bangladesh, The play, titled Tales of My “Supporting events that benefi t which aims to strengthen the QU College of Engineering and motivated trainees Rawas thanked QU for hosting India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Grandfather, is being presented at our communities is of paramount exchange between member Department head Dr Nasser al- to promote international the event. Sri Lanka, Philippines, Indo- Mall of Qatar to celebrate Interna- importance to us, as is encouraging countries and tackle challenges Emadi told the event that QU understanding, co- Other objectives of this gath- nesia, and Thailand, in addition tional Day of Older Persons over community cohesion. together. has been hosting the IAESTE operation and trust among ering are to overcome the chal- to representatives from IAESTE two days, until today. It is open to “We’re delighted to be sponsor- The forum fosters the core since 2011. students, academic lenges of student exchange board. the public for free. ing such a worthwhile event and values of Asian and Pacifi c “Our national commit- institutions, employers in APIF region, promote and During the forum, strate- Tales of My Grandfather’ is in- look forward to sharing Interna- members’ friendship. tee consists of academic and and the wider community increase student exchange be- gic plans for future develop- tended “to honour our senior citi- tional Day of Older Persons with The non-profi t IAESTE, student representatives from tween APIF countries, enhance ment were also discussed and zens and share with the younger everyone – from the newest mem- is an association of national Qatar University, College of In addition, we have been ac- the core values and principles to prepare for the next annual generations the contribution of bers of our society to our respected committees representing aca- the North Atlantic-Qatar, cepted during the general con- of IAESTE, improve commu- conference, which will be held their elders to our society”, Oore- elders.” demic, industrial and student Community College of Qatar ference in 2019 to be an associate nication among APIF members in January 2020 in Tatranska interests. The association off ers and industry representatives member and we hope to get the and discuss strategic plans to Lomnica, Slovakia. Closure of exit 20 on Al Majd Road

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced the closure of exit 20 northbound of Al Majd Road from tomorrow for 14 days. During the closure, motorists who want to use Rawdat Al Ghargat Interchange exit ramp should exit at Umm Shahrain Interchange, exit 10, and use the truck route. Ashghal will install road signs advising motorists of the changes on the road and requested all to abide by the speed limit and follow the road signs. Delegates and off icials at the forum. QFSW launches initiative for gender equality in work environment

QNA tation (Aman), and it will be fol- ment. Al-Mannai added that the this ambitious initiative through Doha lowed by the rest of the centres foundation is counting on the re- Aman Centre. under the umbrella of QF for So- sults of this initiative to provide a She added that the initia- cial Action. prototype that can be replicated tive will form an accountability atar Foundation for So- In her speech, QFSW CEO not only at the level of national framework aimed at building and cial Work (QFSW), in co- Amal Abdullatif al-Mannai said institutions but also at the global disseminating a common under- Qoperation with the United that she was pleased to launch level. standing of the issue of gender Nations (UN) Economic and So- what she considered one of the She stressed that international equality and the empowerment cial Commission for Western most important initiatives for performance reports on the sta- of women within organisations. Asia (ESCWA), kicked off the civil society in general, and for tus of women in Qatar and the For his part, Aman Centre ex- ‘Gender Equality and Women women in particular, saying this actions of all relevant state bod- ecutive director, Dr Mansour Empowerment in Work Environ- was done in the framework of ac- ies have been a strong incen- al-Saadi, said that the initia- ment’ initiative yesterday. tivating the consultative status of tive to adopt this initiative to tive contributes to the real em- The initiative, which is within QFSW to Ecosoc. complement the gains made for powerment of women through the framework of activating the She said this project is the fi rst women in general and working achieving the objectives of Aman consultative status of QFSW at approved international frame- women in particular. Centre, especially awareness and the UN Economic and Social work to measure the compat- For her part, ESCWA Centre protection, stressing that this Council (Ecosoc), was launched ibility of the regulations of the for Women director, Dr Mehre- initiative has been thoroughly as a fi rst phase at the Centre for organisations with the mecha- naz al-Awadi, said she was de- studied by the team working at Dr Mehrenaz al-Awadi, Amal Abdullatif al-Mannai, and Dr Mansour al-Saadi speak about the initiative Protection and Social Rehabili- nisms of women’s empower- lighted that QFSA has adopted the Centre. yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram