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QP signs 10-year LPG supply deal with China’s Squash: Marwan stuns Wanhua Chemicals Mohamed to enter semis published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11366 November 14, 2019 Rabia I 17, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief Amir meets Speaker, members of Shura Council

QATAR | Diplomacy US thanks Qatar for its co-operation US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed his country’s thanks to Qatar for its partnership and co-operation in a variety of issues. Pompeo said in a statement following his meeting with HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani that they discussed the importance of a unified GCC to address regional instability and other bilateral and regional issues, including recent developments in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. ASIA | Justice Suu Kyi accused over Rohingya ‘genocide’ Rohingya rights activists petitioned courts in Argentina yesterday to prosecute Myanmar’s leaders for genocide in relation to military-led mass killings against the minority in His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met at the Amiri Diwan yesterday with HE the Shura Council Speaker, Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, and the Council members. The meeting was 2016 and 2017. The London-based attended by His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani. At the outset of the meeting, the Shura Council Speaker thanked the Amir for meeting them, just days after His Highness inaugurated the Burmese Rohingya Organisation 48th ordinary session of the Shura Council, while stressing the implementation of the directives which the Amir gave in his speech in co-operation with the government. For his part, His Highness the Amir welcomed UK (BROUK) filed the criminal the Speaker and members, noting the eff orts exerted by the Council in enriching the national work in the legislative field and following up the progress of the government work, and its notable presence in international complaint in Buenos Aires calling for forums, stressing the importance of preparing for the upcoming Shura Council elections. The Amir expressed his hope that the elections will enhance the Council’s role in the future. an investigation into top Myanmar generals including commander-in- chief Min Aung Hlaing. The group, represented by former UN rights envoy to Myanmar Tomas Ojea Quintana, also called for proceedings against the country’s civilian leader Cabinet approves Aung San Suu Kyi. Saudi, UAE and Bahrain

EUROPE | Weather Climate change blamed new draft press law for major Venice fl ood he Cabinet has given its nod to a gression on the Gaza Strip, which has to take part in Gulf Cup Much of Venice was underwater draft law regulating press, pub- continued since Tuesday morning and O Regional football tournament to be held from Nov 26 -Dec 8 in Qatar yesterday after the highest tide in Tlications, publishing, media ac- left a number of martyrs and injuries. 50 years ripped through the historic tivities and the arts, in support of the “The Cabinet called for urgent and Italian city, beaching gondolas, freedom of opinion and expression in decisive international intervention Agencies trashing hotels and sending tourists the country. to stop this aggression and provide Doha fleeing through rapidly rising waters. The matter has been referred to the protection to the Palestinian people, Off icials blamed climate change while Shura Council, the offi cial Qatar News blaming Israel for the serious reper- shopkeepers on the Grand Canal Agency (QNA) reports. cussions that could result from its oc- audi Arabia, the United Arab raged against those who have failed The draft law has been prepared to cupation of the Palestinian territories Emirates and Bahrain will par- to protect the Unesco city from the replace Law No 8 of 1979 on Publica- and terrorising innocent citizens,” Sticipate in the Gulf Cup football high tide. Page 16 tions and Publishing, and Decree Law QNA noted. tournament in Qatar, organisers said No 16 of 1993 regulating Advertising, The Cabinet affi rmed that Israel’s yesterday. SPORT | Football Public Relations, and Artistic Produc- repeated practices and violations of The trio will join hosts Qatar and vis- tion and Works. international law and resolutions of itors Iraq, Kuwait, Oman and Yemen for Tickets go on sale “It comes within the context of up- international legitimacy will only the tournament, the new draw of which AGCFF vice president Jassim al-Shukali (left) and general secretary Jassim al-Rumaihi for Club World Cup dating legislation, keeping pace with escalate tensions in the region and will be held today evening. announce the participation of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain in the Gulf Cup. FIFA will launch the ‘last-minute’ phase technical and technological develop- hinder eff orts to resume the peace The regional football showpiece of ticket sales for the Club World Cup ments in the fi eld of the press, publi- process, which cannot be achieved will now be held from November 26 bia, the United Arab Emirates and Bah- in the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup cham- Qatar 2019 today at http://fifa.com/ cations, media activities and the arts, without enabling the Palestinian peo- until December 8, the Arab Gulf Cup rain’s participation in the 24th Gulf pionship,” it said in a statement on tickets, the Supreme Committee for and supporting freedom of opinion ple to exercise their legitimate rights, Football Federation (AGCFF) said at Cup in Doha,” said Jassim al-Shukali, Twitter. Delivery & Legacy (SC) said in a post and expression and freedom of the fi rst and foremost the right to estab- a press conference. According to the vice president of the AGCFF in front of “The (Saudi) federation has decided on its Road to 2022 Twitter page press and media in Qatar,” QNA states. lish an independent State on the bor- previous schedule, the tournament a banner depicting logos of the partici- to agree to participate.” yesterday. Tickets will be available After HE the Prime Minister Sheikh ders of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its was to begin on November 24 and end pating federations. In separate but near verbatim state- from 3pm Doha time. Earlier, FIFA had Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al- capital, the report added. on December 6. The Saudi Arabian Football Federa- ments, the football federations of the opened the Visa Presale for tickets Thani chaired the regular Cabinet The Cabinet also approved a draft The announcement came after a tion earlier said that it had accepted the UAE and Bahrain announced that they to the Club World Cup, presented by meeting at the Amiri Diwan yesterday, law amending some provisions of Law meeting of the Executive Committee invitation to take part in the tourna- too will take part. Alibaba Cloud, until October 31. FIFA’s HE the Minister of Justice and Acting No 9 of 1987 on Control and Regula- of the AGCFF held at the Grand Hyatt ment. The boycotting countries did not par- website said a total of 27,896 tickets Minister of State for Cabinet Aff airs tion of Narcotic Drugs and Dangerous Hotel under the chairmanship of HE “The Saudi Football Federation has ticipate in the previous Gulf Cup two were allocated, 60% of which were Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi said Psychotropic Substances and Regulat- Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed received a letter from the Arab Gulf years ago, which was originally sched- bought by citizens and residents of the Cabinet - at the beginning of the ing their Trade and Use, and referred it al-Thani. Cup federation, which includes a re- uled to be held in Qatar just a few months Qatar, during this limited-period off er. meeting - condemned the Israeli ag- to the Shura Council. To Page 9 “(We) offi cially accepted Saudi Ara- newal of their invitation to participate after the blockade began. To Page 9 Trump to ‘work something out’ with Erdogan on F-35s

Reuters peo and Commerce Secretary Wilbur ish president comes amid anger in the testers denounced Erdogan’s visit and Washington Ross, a reporter asked Trump about the US Congress about Ankara’s October 9 urged Trump to protect Kurds threat- F-35 programme. off ensive into Syria to drive out a Kurd- ened by Turkey’s incursion in Syria. “That’s what we’re here for, we’re ish militia, Washington’s main partner One sign read, “America Stand With resident Donald Trump said talking about with our great senators. in the fi ght against Islamic State. Your Kurdish Allies.” yesterday he and Turkish Presi- There are a lot of alternatives. We’ll “We’ve been friends for a long time, Trump also said they will be dis- Pdent Recep Tayyip Erdogan were work something out. I project that we almost from Day 1. We understand each cussing Ankara’s purchase of a Rus- talking about the F-35 fi ghter jet pro- will work something out,” Trump said. others’ country. We understand where sian S-400 missile defence system. gramme with Republican US senators, Trump lauded his relationship with we are coming from,” Trump told Er- Trump also added that the two sides after Washington removed Turkey from Erdogan as the leaders started a meet- dogan as they sat next to each other would talk about a potential $100-bn the project over its purchase of a Rus- ing to overcome mounting diff erences in the Oval Offi ce. “They’re highly re- trade deal. sian S-400 missile defence system. between the two Nato allies ranging spected in their country and in the re- “We’re also talking about the trade During a White House meeting at- from Syria policy to Turkey’s purchase gion,” Trump said of Erdogan and his deal ... Frankly, we’re going to be ex- tended by Erdogan, fi ve Republican of the Russian missile defence system. Erdogan takes part in a joint press conference with Trump in the East Room of the wife Emine. panding our trade relationship very Senators, Secretary of State Mike Pom- Trump’s warm welcome of the Turk- White House yesterday. In front of the White House, pro- signifi cantly,” Trump said. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, November 14, 2019 QATAR

PM meets minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Attorney-General meets chief prosecutor of Kenya

QNA Nairobi

E the Attorney- General Dr Ali bin HFetais al-Marri, currently visiting Nairobi, met with the Chief Prosecu- tor of Kenya Noordin Hajji. During the meeting, they discussed topics of common interest and reviewed the judicial and legal systems of Kenya and the work of HE the Attorney-General Dr Ali bin Fetais al-Marri, with the Chief Prosecutor of Kenya the Kenyan Public Prosecu- Noordin Hajji, in Nairobi. tion as well as the activities of Kenya Anti-Corruption tation on the future plan of Kihara Kariuki. The two sides The Attorney-General signed HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani met yesterday Commission. The two sides the Kenyan public prosecu- reviewed the legal and judi- a training and technical support with the Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dragan Mektic and his accompanying delegation, on the also reviewed the areas and tors and the expansion they cial co-operation between agreement between the Rule occasion of their visit to the country. During the meeting, they reviewed the relations between the two countries programme of work of the intend to carry out. Qatar and Kenya at various of Law and Anti-Corruption and means of supporting them in various fields, in addition to issues of common concern, especially in the security Public Prosecution Train- HE al-Marri also met with levels, and discussed ways of Centre in Doha and the Kenyan fields. ing Institute, and a presen- Attorney-General of Kenya strengthening co-operation. Public Prosecution. Qatar Airways’ direct service to boost Botswana tourism

By Shafeeq Alingal Tilahun Paulos, vice president tedi, Botswana’s ambassador, Staff Reporter commercial, Qatar Airways. thanked Qatar and Qatar Air- According to the offi cial, Qatar ways for the new move citing it Airways will be the fi rst Middle will help his country earn better atar Airways’ plan to Eastern airline to start service to from tourism. start direct service to Botswana. The fl ights will be op- Myra Sekgororoane, chief ex- QGaborone will bring a erated three times a week from ecutive offi cer, Botswana Tour- boost to Botswana tourism, it Hamad International Airport. ism Organisation (BTO) also was highlighted at a Botswana The Airbus A350-900 aircraft will hailed the new service and said it Tourism Destination Presenta- have 36 seats in business class and will ensure better air connectiv- tion Session at the Hospital- 247 seats in economy class. ity between the two countries by ity Qatar 2019 yesterday at Doha More than 4,000 entertain- remarkably bringing down travel Exhibition and Convention Cen- ment options ranging from time. tre (DECC). blockbuster movies, to music “Presently, passengers have to The offi cial carrier of Qatar and games will be available. rely upon services to Johannes- will start its operation to Gabor- Passengers can also stay in burg, Windhoek and Cape Town one, the capital city of Botswana, touch with their friends and to reach cities in Botswana. The on December 15 strengthening family by making use of the Qatar Airways service will bring the ties between the two coun- onboard Wi-Fi even at 30,000 down the journey time to around tries and drawing Qatari tourists feet. seven hours,” she said. to various destinations in the “Our passengers will enjoy The BTO is paying special at- Southern African country. Gaborone with its vibrant city tention towards drawing tourists “The new route will off er life and given options to ex- from Qatar. “With its huge po- seamless connectivity options plore the tourist destinations tential, Qatar is on our top pri- for international travellers who in the country,” the Qatar Air- ority and we are together taking wish to fl y to Botswana. It will ways official added. up every possible step to attract Botswana ambassador Manyepedza P Lesetedi, Botswana Tourism Organisation CEO Myra Sekgororoane, Qatar Airways’ off icial Martha also provide Botswana with a di- While addressing the func- tourists to Botswana,” the BTO Tilahun Paulos and Botswanian off icials attending the Botswana Tourism Destination Presentation Session at the Hospitality Qatar 2019 rect link with Qatar,” said Martha tion, Manyepedza P Lese- offi cial added. yesterday. Spotlight on sustainable destination tourism

he Hospitality Qa- tar Conference pro- Tvided a comprehen- sive view of global trends in tourism and hospitality yesterday, the second day of the conference, the organis- ers said. The Hospitality Qatar Conference is a CDP-certi- fi ed conference taking place as part of the fi fth edition of Hospitality Qatar at the Doha Exhibition and Con- vention Centre. Successes in sustain- able destination tourism around the world is one of the main highlights of the leading conference. “The global tourism sector and the hospitality industry are A snapshot from Hospitality Qatar. increasingly focusing its attention on sustainable has expanded to accommo- investors and key decision- Performance’, where par- destinations as a growing date new ideas such as solu- makers. We have success- ticipants will learn how to number of travellers seek tions-based applications to fully connected with many optimise time and take hold more meaning and value deliver integrated services professionals, met poten- of the workfl ow and offi ce to their travel experiences, and increase productivity. tial customers and business space, eff ective use of the especially towards environ- Customising hospital- partners in the industry planner and task delegation mentally sustainable desti- ity staff ’s services to meet and presented our range of techniques. nations,” a press statement the needs of organisations innovative products, solu- Finally, the training on notes. is another aspect discussed tions and services.” ‘Food Safety & Hygiene The event featured the during this session. Finally, Khaled Nasser Ahmed, – Making it a Habit’ will ‘Successful Destination the conference ended with director manager, Al Rayyan highlight the best prac- Tourism Initiatives Around a talk on the new trends in Agricultural, which is the tices in food safety as the the World’ led by Wadi Sadel- lighting design in the Hore- fresh vegetables sponsor, topmost priority in Horeca lah, chief operating offi cer ca (hotel/restaurant/café) added: “The Hospitality – from the time the food is of Four Seasons Hospitality sector, featuring several Qatar exhibition continues delivered to the minute it is Consulting. The session dis- case studies in the fi eld. to open many new oppor- served to the customer. cussed the various facets of Saba Mohamed al-Fada- tunities for us to expand our The fi fth edition of Hos- destination tourism, includ- la, director of Communica- business and promote the pitality Qatar, the leading ing sustainable tourism de- tions and PR, Baladna Food strong hospitality indus- international Horeca trade velopment and best practices Industries, noted: “Partici- try of the country, in line show in the country organ- in strategic tourism planning pating in Hospitality Qatar with the goals of the Qatar ised by IFP Qatar, is being and management. as the national production National Tourism Strat- held in partnership with In another session, the sponsor has eff ectively po- egy 2030. The competitions Qatar National Tourism Botswana Tourism Organi- sitioned our company’s have been very lively and Council (QNTC) for the sec- sation presented an over- leadership in providing attracted many visitors, al- ond consecutive year. It has view of the beauty of its services in the Horeca sec- lowing us to showcase our reported the participation wildlife. tor, gain access to leading advantages as a provider of of 228 exhibitors and seven Other key themes include players in Qatar’s hospital- fresh produce in the Horeca international pavilions from the growing importance of ity market and gain valuable industry.” 33 countries, representing hotel technology as well as insights about the sector’s On the third day of the key segments in the hospi- the role of artifi cial intel- development and how it training, participants will tality industry such as ho- ligence (AI) in facilitating contributes to the economic have a comprehensive ses- tels and facilities, interiors visitors for the 2022 FIFA growth of the nation.” sion on key topics such as and design, entertainment World Cup. Imad Askar, owner of ‘Customer Service – Manag- and leisure, travel and tour- The conference also tack- Askar Industrial, which is ing People in Big Events’, cre- ism, resorts and outdoor led the challenges facing the offi cial kitchen sponsor ated to train customer serv- landscape, Horeca tech- multinational enterprises in of the event, said: “Hospi- ice employees to improve the nologies and equipment, the sector, which are doing tality Qatar has continu- support they provide to the ecologically friendly hotel business across borders, and ously expanded to get big- sector and increase customer systems and solutions, and presented key case studies ger and better each year, satisfaction. food and beverages. from around the world. providing us with the plat- Another key focus will The three-day event con- In addition, participants form to connect to leading be on ‘Time Management cludes today, running from explored how hospitality Horeca operators, suppliers, – Get Organised for Peak 1pm to 9pm. Gulf Times Thursday, November 14, 2019 3 QATAR

Norway ministers meet Qatari envoy Al-Hammadi meets Norway’s Minister of Foreign Aff airs, Ine Marie Soreide, the country’s Qatar’s health sector to observe Minister of Defence, General Frank Bakke-Jensen and State Secretary Cambodian official at the Trade Ministry, Hannah Atic, held separate meetings with the non-resident ambassador of Qatar to Norway Sheikha Moza bint Nasser World Diabetes Day today al-Thani. During the meetings, they reviewed bilateral co-operation relations as well as issues of common concern.

QNA eff orts of the Ministry of Public campaign aims to raise aware- President Macri receives envoy’s credentials Doha Health and its partners to combat ness about the need for early diabetes, a number of important detection of diabetes and the Argentine President Mauricio Macri has received the credentials of achievements have been made importance of avoiding diabe- Qatar’s ambassador Battal bin Meajeb al-Dosari. The ambassador he Ministry of Public through the Qatar National Diabe- tes through healthy lifestyles, conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim Health, in co-operation tes Strategy 2016-2022, most no- including nutrition, physical bin Hamad al-Thani to President Macri. The Argentine president Twith Hamad Medical Cor- tably the implementation of guide- activity and awareness, and em- reciprocated the Amir’s greetings and wished the ambassador success poration, Primary Health Care lines for prevention and treatment powering patients to manage in his new duties. Corporation, Sidra Medicine and and the identifi cation of guidelines their health, conducting work- Qatar Diabetes Association, will and clinical pathways through the shops for type 2 diabetes for Envoy to Turkmenistan presents credentials observe today the World Diabe- preparation and publication of self-education and training, and tes Day, which falls on November six national clinical guidelines for launching the diabetes website. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid 14 every year. diabetes care and preparation of a As part of the celebration of Meredov has received a copy of the credentials of Qatar’s ambassador Diabetes is one of the most training plan for all health work- the World Diabetes Day, the Mubarak bin Abdulrahman al-Nasr. He wished the ambassador success prominent health challenges ers on diabetes benefi ting about Ministry of Public Health, Ha- in his work and bilateral relations further development and progress. globally and locally as one of the 20,000 healthcare professionals, mad Medical Corporation and HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs most widespread noncommuni- including risk factors for cardio- the Primary Health Care Cor- Samples tests for school students Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi met in Phnom Penh, cable diseases in the world. vascular disease within the na- poration will participate in the Cambodia, yesterday with the Secretary of State of the Its prevalence rate in Qatar tional diabetes strategy, and initi- “Diabetes March” event organ- The Ministry of Education and Higher Education published on its Ministry of Foreign Aff airs and International Co-operation is 17% in the adults, more than ating the preparation of a national ised by the Qatar Diabetes Asso- off icial website samples of experimental tests and model answers of Cambodia, Sman Manan. During the meeting, which took double the global rate of 8%, research plan for diabetes. ciation under the slogan “Family intended for students of the secondary school for the first semester place in Phnom Penh, they reviewed co-operation relations which calls for eff ective steps to An awareness campaign was and Diabetes”, at Oxygen Park in of the 2019/2020 academic year. The ministry said these models are between the two countries, as well as issues of common combat this disease at the pre- also launched to educate the Education City. In the afternoon aimed at preparing students for this type of test and identifying their concern. ventive and curative level. community about diabetes and and until 5pm, it will include free weaknesses and strengths, calling on schools to prepare schedules for Within the framework of the its risk factors. The four-phase consultation for the public. the trial test. Qatar vows to provide assistance to needy countries

QNA held in Paris and which will con- madi pointed to His Highness the in 2018 to provide multi-year tar Vision 2030, which is in line life skills into the curriculum. universities in Doha, as well as Paris tinue until November 27. Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad support for the fi nancing of a with the development goals and The minister reviewed the specialised colleges and univer- The minister said that Qatar al-Thani’s announcement on the number of bodies of the United the global indicators of educa- eff orts to develop the national sities to meet the needs of the is keen to abide by the principles sidelines of the 74th session of the Nations system with $500mn. tion. educational curriculum in Qa- Qatari market, and to expand atar affi rmed its keen- and purposes of the Charter of United Nations General Assembly, The minister pointed out in The minister also pointed to tar, adding that the curriculum partnership with government ness to provide humani- the United Nations, in particular and through the participation of this context that the total fi - the progress made by Qatar to- are in line with Unesco’s initia- and private sector and regional Qtarian and development the principle of co-operation, the Amir in the UN Climate Ac- nancial assistance provided by wards achieving the fourth goal tives to support peace through and international partnerships assistance to the needy countries co-ordination and partner- tion Summit held on Septem- Qatar Fund For Development of the Sustainable Development, education, promote public val- to support and promote scien- all over the world and contribute ship with many regions of the ber 23rd, that Qatar contributed to support the education sector which is the high rate of enrol- ues and competencies aimed at tifi c research and innovation. to achieving the global goals of world without discrimination, $100mn to support developing in several regions of the world ment in primary education and graduating a student who re- In the fi eld of culture and herit- sustainable development 2030, and provide humanitarian and island countries and the least de- amounted during the period full gender equality in the gen- spects diff erence and accepts the age, the minister underlined the as part of its commitment to the development assistance for the veloped countries to deal with cli- 2013-2019 is about $710mn. eral education stages, as well as other, understands the pillars of keenness of Qatar to pay attention principles of the Charter of the benefi t of the whole world to mate change and environmental Dr al-Hammadi affi rmed Qa- the establishment of specialised global citizenship, rejects intol- to cultural diversity and dialogue United Nations. face common challenges, and challenges. Qatar also signed of a tar’s fi rm belief that education is schools for students with autism erance, violence, terrorism and of cultures, civilisations and reli- This came in a speech deliv- contribute to the achievement new partnership agreement be- a human right and a prerequisite and intellectual disability. intellectual extremism, respects gions, in the belief of its wise lead- ered by HE the Minister of Edu- of the goals of the 2030 Agenda tween Education Above All Foun- for achieving democracy and He said that within the frame- pluralism and cultural diversity, ership and people’s aware of the cation and Higher Education Dr for Sustainable Development, dation and the World Bank, which sustainable development. work of promoting technology and adopts a culture of dialogue, importance of the eff ective role Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al- despite the unfair blockade it commits both parties to provide He added that Qatar has taken education, science, engineering mutual tolerance, the values of cultural diversity, and the posi- Hammadi, during the work of has been under since June 2017, $250mn to support 2mn children all measures to implement the and mathematics, schools for of international co-operation, tive impact of respect for other the 40th Session of the United which has not discouraged Qatar and access to quality education in second strategic plan for the science, technology, engineering world peace and coexistence, cultures in the rapprochement Nations Educational, Scien- from fulfi lling its international 40 countries. education and training sector in and mathematics (STEM) have and respect for human rights. of peoples, and in promoting the tifi c and Cultural Organisation obligations. He also referred to the decla- the country (for the period 2018- been opened, in addition to in- Dr al-Hammadi also pointed values of tolerance, peace and se- (Unesco) General Conference In this context, Dr al-Ham- ration by Qatar at Doha Forum 2022), which emanates from Qa- corporating lifelong learning and to the opening of international curity in the world. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, November 14, 2019 QATAR Doha Debates discusses LuLu-FOGG promotion draw held ‘risk of collapsing facing UN’ at Paris forum QNA gions working together. But we cannot tive, we need to remember what is so Paris perfect harmony. If the UN does not deeply important about merely being quickly make itself relevant for much human. And that’s why, around the of the rest of the world, I think it is in world, people no longer trust govern- atar Foundation for Educa- danger of collapsing,” he said. ments because they do not have the tion, Science and Community Outlining his solution to loss of humanity required to move the world QDevelopment organised an trust in institutions, Prince Zeid told forward,” she said. edition of Doha Debates at the 2019 the latest edition of Doha Debates: The idea of citizens’ assemblies with Paris Peace Forum on the issue of lack “What we need are young, coura- “experts on tap, but not on top” was of public trust in institutions and the geous, smart, and passionate people proposed by Brett Hennig. “I believe risk of “collapsing” facing the United not just to take part in elections, but societies can still thrive with low levels The mega draw for the LuLu-FOGG promotion has been held at LuLu Hypermarket, D-Ring Road, under the supervision Nations unless it makes itself more to stand for political offi ce and believe of trust if governments engage with new of Saad al-Tamimi, inspector from the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. A globally relevant. in their capacity for leadership, be- ways of listening to people and acting total of 23 winners were selected in the draw for LuLu gift vouchers worth a total sum of QR50,000 as prizes. Off icials The debate was attended by Prince cause once they do, we will see more on what they say, and some govern- from LuLu Hypermarket and Doha Drug Store were present at the draw. Zeid Raad Zeid al-Hussein, former trust in government and we will see ments have realised this,” he explained. high commissioner for Human Rights; societies thrive.” “There are already 100 citizens’ Toni Lane Casserly, co-founder of “The only diff erence between a assemblies around the world. If it Cointelegraph, the largest media net- leader who is young and someone who becomes thousands, or tens of thou- work in the blockchain industry; and is just young is that the leader has de- sands, maybe we will learn to do poli- Brett Hennig, an author and the co- cided to shed fear. If you shed fear, you tics diff erently. These assemblies can founder of the Sortition Foundation. are ready to lead,” he added. happen anywhere on a city level, a re- Vodafone Exclusive Telecommunications During the debate, the three speak- For his part, Toni Lane Casserly told gional level, a national level and, who ers suggested solutions ranging from the debate that blockchain governing knows, maybe even larger,” he added. creating governing systems on block- systems would be a response to govern- Following a panel discussion mod- Partner for Hospitality Qatar 2019 chain to replacing government with ments and institutions “failing to serve erated by Ghida Fakhry, the speakers randomly selected “citizens assem- the people they are meant to represent”, fi elded questions from the studio and odafone Qatar has participated tency, Vodafone GigaNet 5G has the blies” and rebuilding faith in gov- and refl ect the fact that “we have more online audience about their stance, as ‘Exclusive Telecommunica- potential to defi ne a unique guest ex- ernment by improving the quality of power voting with a credit card than we ranging from whether global govern- Vtions Partner’ for Hospitality perience. 5G is escalating the adop- leadership. have in a national election”. ment can survive in its current form, Qatar 2019, a fl agship exhibition that tion of technologies, such as Internet Prince Zeid revealed his concern “I believe technology represents how new systems can be trusted provides an ideal platform for industry of Things (IoT), artifi cial intelligence, for the UN, saying: “It is only as great something innately human. Technol- more than traditional ones, and if the professionals to exchange innovative and virtual and augmented reality. or pathetic as the world, it will not be ogy is a tool, and tools only endure be- breakdown of trust in institutions has solutions and showcase their products Hotel chains are now able to consid- great if the world is in a pathetic state, cause of the people who use them and been exacerbated by social media. in the hospitality and tourism sector. er the integration of this technology to and it will not be pathetic if the world the values they hold. At the end of the The fi nal round of voting following The company’s participation falls in off er more personalised services such is in a great state.” day, we are a sovereign humanity, and a debate watched by 3mn people on- line with its eff orts to roll out cutting- as smart rooms, voice assistants, and a “It is a refl ection of the world. The the tools that we use do not need to line saw Prince Zeids solution gather edge communications infrastructure virtual concierge as part of creating an UN, in analogue form, is a network of prioritise connecting with our devices nearly 61% of the vote, with Hennigs and digital solutions that will enable appealing environment for guests. 5G people in civil society, government, and over connecting with each other. If we proposal claiming 26.6% and Cas- the sector to fully-embrace market connectivity will also drive innovation all walks of life, nationalities, and reli- want any of these tools to be eff ec- serly receiving a 12.5% share. opportunities that contribute towards for related services in the hospitality the realisation of the Qatar National and tourism sector such as transport, Vision 2030. This year’s edition of through our 5G and NB-IoT network conferencing and events. 19 violations by shops detected during August, October campaigns Hospitality Qatar is particularly aimed capabilities. Since launching its 5G network a at supporting the country’s eff orts to “Hospitality Qatar 2019 has been an year ago, Vodafone Qatar has been The Ministry of Commerce that the violations varied discount without the prior suppliers (shops) with their accelerate world class projects in the excellent platform to engage with part- leading the deployment of 5G in the and Industry (MoCI) has from lack of displaying approval of the department commitment to the decision lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. ners on how our technology can play a country. It extended its IoT leadership detected 19 violations prices on goods before concerned. of the Minister of Economy Mahday Saad al-Hebabi, Vodafone role in transforming the hospitality in- in November by launching the fi rst related to the promotional and after the promotion, The ministry conducted and Commerce No (312) Qatar Business Services director, said: dustry, especially as Qatar continues to Narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT) network sale of goods during and the failure to display 111 inspection tours during for 2018, organising the “Vodafone Qatar is proud to support count down to welcoming millions of nationwide. NB-IoT is expected to be inspection campaigns in prices in a clear manner, and the period from August 1 promotional sale of goods and the country’s eff orts to become a lead- visitors for the FIFA World Cup in 2022 a catalyst for companies to consider August and October. misleading announcement, to October 9, in order to services through advertising, ing global destination for hospitality as and many other major events.” connecting things that would not have In a statement, the MoCI said and the display of (70%) monitor the compliance of prize draws or prizes. (QNA) well as tourism, leisure and recreation With ultra-fast speed and low la- been viable with existing technologies.

Sheikh Jassim Holy Qur’an NHRC offi cial meets contest to begin on Saturday The organising committee on November 21. of the Sheikh Jassim bin The committee announced German delegation Mohamed bin Thani Holy that 841 contestants - 727 Qur’an Contest at the males and 114 female - have ational Human expat committees in the Ministry of Awqaf and registered to participate Rights Commit- NHRC to facilitate the han- Islamic Aff airs will hold in the competitions, Ntee (NHRC) Vice- dling of complaints, allo- the 26th edition of the including contestants, Chairman Mohamed bin cating the 24-hour hotline. contest on Saturday. The during the registration Saif al-Kuwari yesterday They highlighted the role organising committee will period for those wishing met the Federal Govern- of the reception and regis- hold the first phase tests to participate which lasted ment Commissioner for tration department in the for the female residents for five days in last October Human Rights Policy and Legal Aff airs Department, during morning at Qur’an in Abdullah bin Zaid Al Humanitarian Aid at the which provides free legal ad- memorisation centres for Mahmoud Hall in Fereej Federal Foreign Offi ce Bar- vice, in addition to receiving women in the Al Waab area. Kulaib. bel Kofl er and her accom- complaints and petitions. Male residents, in the first The whole of the Holy panying delegation. As part of its awareness- phase, will compete for Qur’an contest comprises During the meeting, a raising and educational four days from Sunday to three categories. These presentation was held on message, the offi cials said Wednesday November categories include citizen the NHRC’s role in protect- that the Committee is dis- 17-20, during the morning category and it is tested in ing and promoting human tributing leafl ets and bro- and evening periods at memorising the whole of rights, especially with re- chures in vital institutions Imam Mohamed bin Abdul Holy Qur’an recitation and gard to the rights of chil- in the country, including a Wahab Mosque. The results Tajweed. This category will dren and women. pocket manual for workers, of the first phase of the compete in the second and The NHRC offi cials ex- which contains simplifi ed contest will be announced final phases. (QNA) plained to the German rights and duties of work- delegation the role of the ers for all groups and avail- committee in spreading the able in 10 languages. culture of human rights in The meeting was attend- Qatar and briefed it on the ed by Assistant Secretary- NHRC’s fi ve-year strategy General of the NHRC Sultan that includes awareness bin Hassan al-Jamali and a lectures and programmes number of directors of de- for workers and employers, partments and legal experts in addition to establishing of the Committee. (QNA)

Arabosai conference discusses audit institutions’ projects The Arab Organisation of human empowerment and Supreme Audit Institutions a training plan to keep up (Arabosai) yesterday with the vision and mission organised a scientific of the bureau. conference on the sidelines Audit and Financial of the 13th session of the Examination assistant General Assembly, on the president Hamad Ahmad development projects of al-Sulaiti and director of Risk the Arab Supreme Audit Management and Quality Institutions, and discussed Department at the State the projects in the field of Audit Bureau Sheikh Sultan institutional, organisational, bin Nayef al-Thani, reviewed and professional the experience of the State development. Audit Bureau in the field of Rana Alhajri, director, professional development. Centre of Excellence for They discussed the Training and Development development and at the State Audit Bureau, modernisation of audit gave a presentation on the methodologies and the experience of the bureau use of modern technology in the field of institutional in the field of audit work, development. and the development of a She stressed that the system of survey and risk bureau worked in management and quality accordance with its new assurance, and the scientific strategy to develop methodology adopted by technological infrastructure, the State Audit Bureau in planning and development the control of development of human cadre, and projects based on the the development of assessment of the administrative and financial current situation, and the work, where the bureau development of the future adopted a project for status of the bureau.(QNA) Gulf Times Thursday, November 14, 2019 5 QATAR ‘Doha Learning Days’ festival Seedlings take root gets underway from today

oha Learning Days, Qa- ing how to Build Thriving So- tar’s fi rst experiential cieties, is around re-learning Dlearning festival, will basic skills we seem to have take place from today at Cer- forgotten – interacting with one emonial Court and Green Spine another on a one-to-one basis, in Education City. and understanding how to be The six-day festival, which better citizens, then building runs until November 19, has on that understanding together. The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME)’s been organised by World Inno- We have a number of activi- Environmental Protection, Reserves & Wildlife Department, in vation Summit for Education ties based on what it means to co-operation with the Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), yesterday (WISE), an initiative of Qatar be a global citizen, as well as a launched a project to plant 4,000 wild tree seedlings every year Foundation and brings together number of workshops that ex- at the QBG nursery to support the initiative of planting 1mn trees more than 50 local entities. It is plore community development in the country, the MME said in a statement. Senior off icials from open to the whole community, and local culture. both sides took part in the launch event. free of charge. “Bringing those things to- The programme is in the lead gether, and seeing what comes up to the WISE Summit 2019, out of them, is the most excit- to be held from November 19- ing element of Doha Learning 21.Victoria Basma, policy and Days.” partnerships offi cer, WISE, said Doha Learning Days aims to explore new skills. Doha Learning Days is in- the programme features activi- tended to become an annual Closure on Southern Part ties organised and sponsored by and experiences to the com- constructing Existing Learn- run and led by students,” ex- event. “We hope the next step local organisations. munity. ing Frameworks; Re-centering plained Basma. for Doha Learning Days is for These range from coding Activities also include ex- Learning around Human Val- “ Re-centering Learning students to have a lot more in- of Doha Expressway workshops with GoCode, to hibitions by Phone Art Qatar, ues; and Re-learning How to around Human Values is about put and agency in this festi- sports and wellness activities workshops on sustainabil- Build Thriving Societies. bringing the human element val. Next year, we’ll work more with Yama Yoga, LiveLife Qa- ity with Torba Farmers Market, “Deconstructing Existing into the learning experience, closely with students, focusing tar, and Brain Education Middle and presentations by Doha Film Learning Frameworks means making sure all our workshops on skills gaps, and asking them East. All of the activities have Institute. Each of the festi- putting learners at the forefront are interactive and bring some- what are the things that they been designed to bring the fo- val’s sessions relate to one of of the festival, and, to do that, a thing new to our audience. feel would benefi t their com- cus of bringing new learnings the event’s main themes: De- whole host of our sessions are “Our fi nal theme, Re-learn- munities,” added, Basma.

Closure on parts of Bani Hajer Interchange

he Public Works carried as part of Khalifa make a U-turn towards Authority (Ashghal) Avenue Project. Doha. Vehicles on Al Sha- Thas announced clo- Road users from Dukhan hama Street from Bani sure on parts of Bani Hajer heading towards Bani Hajer Hajer towards Doha will Interchange from Dukhan on the service road will have to take the free right to Bani Hajer and from have to continue straight exit towards Al Wajba In- he Public Works Author- ed in co-ordination with the Bani Hajer to Doha from on Dukhan Road towards terchange and make a U- ity (Ashghal) has an- General Directorate of Traffi c, is Thursday to Sunday and Gharrafat Al Rayyan Inter- turn towards Doha. Tnounced a one km closure to complete some maintenance from November 22-24. change and make U-Turn Ashghal will install road of three lanes out of fi ve lanes on works on the road. Ashghal will The closure, to be imple- towards Bani Hajer. Road signs advising motorists the carriageway of the Southern install road signs advising mo- mented in co-ordination users on Al Shahama Street of the temporary closure Part of Doha Expressway under torists of the temporary clo- with the General Directo- from Bani Hajer towards and requested road users Al Wukair Interchange towards sure and requested road users rate of Traffi c, has been an- Doha will have to take the to abide by the speed limit Mesaieed from Thursday mid- to abide by the speed limit and nounced in order to enable free right exit towards Al and follow the road signs to night. follow the road signs to ensure the asphalt works that are Wajba Interchange and ensure safety. The closure, to be implement- safety. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, November 14, 2019 QATAR Mazda unveils MX-30, its fi rst mass-production EV One of the training sessions in progress. azda Motor Corporation has unveiled its fi rst mass- Mproduction electric vehicle (EV), the Mazda MX-30, at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. A new addition SC holds major to Mazda’s car lineup, the MX-30 is the automaker’s third new-genera- tion model. “Aiming to off er an experience that lets customers relax and be sporting events themselves and deepens the bond between car and owner, the model off ers a creative time and space that invites new ways of using a vehicle,” according to a press statement is- training for private sued in Doha by National Car Com- pany, the sole agent for Mazda in Qatar. Under the ‘Car-as-Art’ ethos, the styling of MX-30 aims to security fi rms raise its artistic value and expand the expressive range of Mazda’s ‘Kodo - Soul of Motion’ design ocal private security fi rms have undergone tional best practices. The course is split into 29 language. “Based on a concept of special training as Qatar ramps up prepara- units and includes details on how to prepare for ‘Human Modern’, the design stays The Mazda MX-30 with freestyle doors. Ltions for two major football tournaments. spectator events, controlling the entry, exit and grounded in the beautifully honed, Organised by the Supreme Committee for De- movement of spectators, monitoring spectators, handcrafted forms of Kodo, yet Marumoto, Mazda’s representative livery & Legacy (SC), in collaboration with Qa- confl ict management, dealing with accidents aligns itself with changing values director, president and CEO, at the tar’s Security Committee and the International and emergencies, anti-discrimination and hu- and new lifestyles,” the statement show. “We will continue striving to Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), the training man rights.” explains. deliver creative products and tech- will prepare security personnel for the Arabian Al-Kaabi continued, “These tournaments are “Spaces in and around the centre nologies so that our customers will Gulf Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, sc.qa re- valuable events for Qatar as we get ever closer to console give the cabin an open feel, love and hold onto their Mazda for a ports. the World Cup. This is another opportunity to and environmentally conscious long time.” The training took place over fi ve days at vari- apply our training and test our readiness.” Major materials such as cork and fabrics The MX-30 will be initially in- ous locations across Doha and provided par- Hussain Hamza, head of Private Security at the made from recycled materials are troduced in Europe, and Mazda ticipants with an understanding of safety and Security Committee, said: “This is an integral used in ways that bring out their will announce its plans for the GCC security operations at both competition and part of developing the private security sector and natural appeal, creating a comfort- markets at a later date. The sec- non-competition venues. The SC and ICSS de- one of our main priorities on the road to 2022.” able interior space.” ond model in its new-generation veloped the training programme, which was Mohamed Hanzab, Group chairman and In addition, the MX-30 adopts lineup, the Mazda CX-30 compact delivered by security experts from the UK who CEO of the ICSS, added: “As preparations for freestyle doors so that customers crossover SUV was also on display provide consultancy services to English Premier the upcoming Arabian Gulf Cup and FIFA Club can invent new and creative ways of for the public at the Tokyo Motor League teams. World Cup are well under way, it is important to using the car. Show. The CX-30 is a new compact Jassim al-Kaabi, the SC’s director of National highlight that the safety and security of all par- In line with the human-centric crossover that “combines the bold Security, said: “The objective of the training is ticipants is critical for hosting and delivering a philosophy, Mazda engineers “were proportions of an SUV with elegant The Mazda CX-30. to prepare security personnel in Qatar for both successful tournament. “The ICSS is proud to determined to deliver the same ‘Jin- styling that embodies Mazda‘s tournaments, build our security knowledge and support the eff orts of the Supreme Committee ba-ittai’ driving joy, which every Kodo design language”. friends,” the statement notes. braking have been “dramatically develop our private security industry on the road for Delivery & Legacy on its journey to develop- Mazda off ers, in the EV as well”. “The development team hoped Moreover, the CX-30 was de- enhanced”. Mazda’s Skyactiv-Vehi- to hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022. “In col- ing highly qualifi ed safety and security personnel The model adopts Mazda’s new to create a car that would enrich signed to be easy to drive. The in- cle Architecture enables people to laboration with our partners at the ICSS, we have with strong capabilities – this will be instrumen- electric-drive technology, e–Sky- customers’ lives by helping them creased height over a passenger car make the most of their natural sense developed a series of workshops which integrate tal in securing a spectacular FIFA World Cup by activ, and “combines outstanding and their loved ones make new provides “excellent visibility and of balance and the latest Skyactiv the most current methodologies and interna- the time we get to 2022.” response with smooth dynamic be- and stimulating discoveries within makes getting in and out a breeze engines, including Skyactiv-X, al- haviour to achieve a performance their daily lives. Relaxed and user- while the body size makes it easy to low responsive control of vehicle that drivers can enjoy naturally”. friendly packaging and a cabin that manoeuvre on any road and in any speed in any driving situation. Recall of BMW motorcycle “In any era, Mazda wants people comfortably seats four adults mean parking lot.” The new Mazda CX 30 is expect- to experience exuberant moments customers can easily enjoy trips to Basic performance attributes ed to be launched in Qatar by mid- The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in co-operation with Alfardan Motorcycles, dealer of in life through cars,” said Akira any destination with family and such as accelerating, turning and 2020, the statement adds. BMW motorcycles in Qatar, has announced the recall of BMW S 1000 RR model of 2019 due to possible cracks in the oil cooler hose. The ministry confirmed the recall campaign comes within the framework of its ongoing eff orts to protect consumers and ensure that motorcycle dealers follow up on defects and repairs. The ministry has said that it will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. The ministry urges all customers to report any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud Department, which processes complaints, inquiries Qatar Digital Government signs and suggestions through the following channels: Call Centre: 16001, e-mail: [email protected] Recall of Mercedes-Benz C-Class model The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in co-operation with Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, MoU with Huawei Technologies has announced the recall of Mercedes-Benz C-Class model of 2018 over the SCN coding in the rear signal acquisition and actuation module SAM-H control unit of the vehicle not meeting manufacturer specification. The ministry confirmed the recall campaign comes within the he Ministry of Transport and technology development and also Huawei Technologies shall also framework of its ongoing eff orts to protect consumers and ensure that vehicle dealers follow up Communications (MoTC), support initiatives aimed at devel- provide continuous consulting or/ on defects and repairs. The ministry has said that it will co-ordinate with the dealer to follow up Tthrough its Qatar Digital oping the capabilities of Qatar’s and advising eff orts to relevant de- on the maintenance and repair works and will communicate with customers to ensure that the Government Training Programme digital workforce so the nation can partments to identify pertinent op- necessary repairs are carried out. (QDGTP) initiative, has signed a better meet the demands of digital portunities to digital growth among memorandum of understanding revolution that is transforming dif- others. Trevor Liu Yan, CEO of Gulf (MoU) with Huawei Technologies ferent sectors of local and global North Region, Huawei Technolo- on the sidelines of the Qitcom 2019. economy. gies, said: “Development of the ICT The MoU states that Huawei Reem al-Mansoori, assistant ecosystem is essential in order to Technologies is partnering with undersecretary of Digital Soci- bring digital to every person, home, QDGTP to provide advance tech- ety Development Sector at MoTC, and organisation for a fully con- nology training programme for the said: “The signing of the MoU with nected, intelligent world. IT national talents in government Huawei Technologies comes as part “By working with the Ministry as part of the QDGTP Training Plan. of the Ministry of Transport and of Transport and Communication The company will also, where suit- Communications’ mandate of de- to digitally empower its employees able, provide information and guid- veloping a sustainable and effi cient through a comprehensive training ance on national ICT initiatives that digital society in Qatar. program, we are providing them fall under its mandate and provide “MoTC is focused on developing with the tools required to continue the necessary support in the fulfi l- highly-skilled ICT professionals in building Qatar’s digitally-driven Reem al-Mansoori, assistant ment of joint initiatives. all sectors, including the govern- society.” undersecretary of Digital Society Huawei Technologies will sup- ment, and we are leaving no stone The Qatar Digital Government Development Sector at MoTC, and port initiatives in government, lo- unturned in our commitment to the initiative is aimed at enhancing cus- Trevor Liu Yan, CEO of Gulf North cal research centres, academia, and Smart Qatar initiative. We believe tomer experience, provide greater Region, Huawei Technologies, startup incubators that develop the all entities in Qatar will benefi t from access to government services, and shaking hands after signing the capabilities, expertise, and impact this agreement as Qatar’s digital ec- improve effi ciency thus leading to MoU on the sidelines of Qitcom of local centres of innovation and osystem continues to evolve.” better outcomes for the nation. 2019. Australia, Qatar sign MoU on combating terrorism financing

ustralia and Qatar strength- ened yesterday their co-op- Aeration in the fi ght against fi nancial crime and terrorism fi - nancing by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the Counter-Terrorism Financing Summit held in the Phil- ippine capital Manila. Commenting on the MoU, Aus- tralian ambassador Jonathan Muir said: “Qatar is an important player in the global fi nancial system. I wel- come this agreement as a sign of the commitment of Australia and Qatar to work together globally and bilat- erally to counter serious fi nancial crime and terrorist fi nancing. It will benefi t both parties in many ways, particularly through enhanced in- formation sharing.” The MoU was signed by offi cials QFIU deputy head Mohamed al-Mufthah and Austrac CEO Nicole Rose PSM from the Australian Transaction Australian envoy Jonathan Muir. after signing the MoU. Reports and Analysis Centre (Aus- trac) and its Qatari counterpart, welcome the benefi ts it will provide, said, “The signing of the MoU is the QFUI. Adding Austrac’s com- the Qatar Financial Intelligence particularly enhanced co-operation positive for both countries and prehensive network of international Unit (QFIU). QFIU deputy head and information sharing between confi rms the commitment to the counterparts is critical in the fi ght Mohamed al-Mufthah said, “QFIU the two agencies.” exchange of fi nancial intelligence against money laundering and ter- was pleased to sign this MoU and Austrac CEO Nicole Rose PSM information between Austrac and rorism fi nancing.”

Gulf Times 8 Thursday, November 14, 2019 QATAR

International Silver award for #QatarUnitesUs Mosaic Wall Doha Festival City (DHFC) won silver during the Middle East and North Africa Shopping Aspetar is leader in sports Centre and Retailer Awards for Traditional Marketing on Digital/ Social Media. The award comes in recogni- tion of the Mosaic Wall and hash- medicine: FIFA offi cial tag campaign #QatarUnitesUs, launched during Eid al-Adha By Joseph Varghese for Doha to host the World Cup. earlier this year. Staff Reporter “The medical and paramedi- Known for its unique and cal facilities at the Aspetar are diverse nature, Qatar is home to unique. The facility is an added a diaspora of nationalities. top FIFA offi cial has de- advantage for the country as it is The giant Mosaic Wall was scribed Aspetar Ortho- hosting the World Cup here and an activity intended to engage Apaedic and Sports Medi- can help prepare the players well the community and encourage cine Hospital, as the leader in with its unique facilities.” everyone to show their love and sports medicine. As for the workshop, Dr support to the country. “First of all, Aspetar is an ex- D’Hooghe said that it explores Customers of all ages were DHFC’s #QatarUnitesUs Mosaic Wall. ample of high level care in pre- the relation between a team doc- asked to participate by taking vention, diagnosis and therapy in tor, the players, the coach, the pictures and posting them on excellence in online and social The accolade is a recognition sports related injuries. People get club among other factors. their Instagram accounts, for media marketing. of our commitment towards fi rst class care in this facility. It is “It provides details of the ap- the four days of Eid, using the Leading industry experts enriching the community and a great sport medicine hospital,” proach of the team doctors to hashtag #QatarUnitesUs. from the Middle East, reviewed creating unforgettable moments Dr Michel D’Hooghe, chair of the prevention, therapy, diagnosis of More than 15,680 photos were and decided on the award based and experiences to our shoppers FIFA Medical Committee, told injuries. It is a forum to exchange assembled using a water colour on exceptional innovative mar- and visitors. On behalf of every- Gulf Times. and share their opinion, experi- technique to build up the World keting strategies, implemented one at Doha Festival City, I would He was speaking on the side- Dr Michel D’Hooghe ences and expertise. Prevention Largest Mosaic Wall that demon- on platforms such as Facebook, like to thank the people of Qatar lines of a two-day workshop of injuries is an important aspect strates the diversity and unity of Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, for helping us creating this piece for the football team doctors of in football and sport medicine,” and it will be very good one for in sports medicine, probably the, the country. The category one YouTube, and many others. of art and symbol of the unique- Asian and European Champions continued Dr D’Hooghe. the championship that starts in most important element. The in traditional Marketing award “We are very happy and ness and unity,” DHFC general League that started yesterday. The FIFA offi cial also noted November 2022. As the chairman workshop is a sharing and learn- recognises the highest level of proud of this renowned award. manager Robert Hall said. “Secondly, it is a place for edu- that the prevailing weather con- of the medical committee for ing experience,” he said. cational activities. The hospital ditions in Doha are very pleas- FIFA, I have always argued that “Aspetar has a great reputation shares a lot of information and ant and perfectly suitable for the the World Cup in Doha should and great experience and exper- expertise all over the world. They World Cup in 2022. take place in such period of the tise. It is well known all over the have a great journal that gives in- “Three years from now, Qa- year,” explained Dr D’Hooghe. world and is the leading centre sights into several areas related tar will be hosting the 2022 FIFA The FIFA offi cial also main- for sports medicine. Qatar can to sports medicine. Therefore, World Cup. The weather condi- tained that having a facility like be very proud of such a facility,” I would say Aspetar is a leader tions here now are very pleasant Aspetar is an added advantage added Dr D’Hooghe.

Dr Christina Vlahos Dr Goran Petrovski Dr Hatem Algraff ee Experts address WCM-Q Grand Rounds on gestational diabetes The participants of the workshop at Aspetar hree leading experts in very straightforward when the chances are that they will their respective fi elds speaking about death with chil- react to treatment in exactly the Tof medicine spoke at dren, and to avoid euphemisms. same way as someone who is Weill Cornell Medicine – Qa- It is also very important to take non-diabetic.” Aspetar conducts workshop for Asian and tar’s (WCM-Q) Grand Rounds it slow in order to let the child Dr Algrafee outlined possible to discuss gestational diabetes, absorb what they are hearing, to associations between gum dis- the links between gum disease invite questions, and to provide ease and a variety of conditions, European Champions League team doctors and gestational diabetes, and reassurance that they will be including pregnancy compli- how doctors can work sensi- cared for,” she said. cations, diabetes, respiratory tively with terminally ill chil- Visiting expert Dr Hatem Al- disease, chronic kidney dis- spetar Orthopaedic and the FIFA Medical Committee, A broad range of topics are ad- ducting a study regarding injury. dren and their families. graff ee, a specialist periodontist ease, rheumatoid arthritis and Sports Medicine Hospi- and Dr Gurcharan Singh, chair, dressed on the diffi culties, chal- One is Europe which I am leading Dr Christina Vlahos of the based in London UK, presented Alzheimer’s disease. Atal is hosting a two-day AFC Sports Medicine were also lenges and opportunities faced and the second is Asia led by As- Department of Psychology at ‘Periodontal gum disease and He concluded by saying, workshop for the football team in attendance at the event. when contributing to improving petar. In fact, both studies are led Sidra Medicine gave a pres- systemic conditions; does a re- however, that while associa- doctors of Asian and European Speaking at the opening ses- medical outcomes in football by Aspetar, so it is building the entation titled ‘The Dying lationship really exist?’ tions between gum disease and Champions League. sion, Dr Abulaziz al-Kuwari, As- clubs. bridge between two continents,” Child: Special Considerations Dr Algraff ee said that the risk these conditions have been ob- The event that started yester- petar CEO, said: “Aspetar is com- “We have had similar meet- he added. In Working with Terminally Ill factors that make gum disease served, little evidence of causal day, is said to be the fi rst of its mitted to share knowledge and ings at UEFA for European teams In 2016, the AFC and Aspetar Paediatric Patients and Their more likely included smoking, links have been established. kind involving both UEFA (Un- experience with their partners in for 20 years. I have been together launched a pilot study that sys- Families’. poor oral hygiene, poor nu- Dr Goran Petrovski, a diabe- ion of European Football Asso- the football sector, and the idea with my research group lead- tematically investigated injuries She spoke about the emo- trition, certain medications, tes consultant and endocrinol- ciations) and AFC (Asian Football behind organising this workshop ing the UEFA injury study for and illnesses during the fi nal tionally challenging task of genetic predisposition, and a ogist from Sidra Medicine, gave Confederation) groups. is to create a platform through 20 years. We trust the European rounds of the AFC Champions speaking honestly and sensi- number of systemic diseases. a presentation titled ‘Gesta- It is attended by over 30 foot- which we can strengthen the role team doctors to share the expe- League. tively about mortality in order He then discussed the links tional Diabetes: Insights and ball doctors of renowned clubs in of sports medicine and maintain rience and knowledge and it is a By organising the workshop, to minimise distress as far as between gum disease and dia- Thoughts’. Europe and Asia. a constant communication with successful concept in Europe,” Aspetar aims to share knowledge possible. betes, saying: “There is a direct The presentation included These include Juventus, Liv- the doctors of the teams, hoping noted Prof Jan Ekstrand, Aspetar and experiences through its lead- Dr Vlahos explained existing relationship between the sever- a detailed discussion of gesta- erpool, Chelsea, Dortmund, and that the outcomes will primarily chief medical offi cer. ing studies. research into the diff erent levels ity of gum disease and diabetes tional diabetes, including case Atletico Madrid from Europe and serve the elite footballers.” “We would like to copy the It also provides an opportunity of understanding that children complications. So, if I have a studies of pregnant women, Kashima Antlers, Al Ain, Al It- The event features tools and concept here and invite the Asian for world respected football team of diff erent ages have of mor- patient who has unstable dia- management of the condition, tihad, Shanghai, and Persepolis techniques designed to treat a Champions League team doc- doctors to visit Qatar as the host tality and discussed how to talk betes, it will negatively aff ect and the diff erent characteristics from Asia. range of issues that directly af- tors as well, as there are only two country of the 2022 FIFA World with children about the issue. their gum disease, and if I have a of the disease before, during Dr Michel D’Hooghe, chair of fect players safety and care. confederations under FIFA con- Cup. “It is very important to be patient who has stable diabetes, and after pregnancy. Qatar Automobiles Company unveils Montero Sport 2020

atar Automobiles Company (QAC), the authorised general Qdistributor of Mitsubishi Mo- tors in Qatar, has launched the all-new Montero Sport 2020 in Qatar. QAC is the fi rst dealer in the region to launch this vehicle after revealing it at the global launch event in Thailand and ahead of its display at regional motor shows. Held at QAC showroom, the event was attended by Sheikh Nasser bin Nawaf al-Thani, deputy CEO of Nass- er Bin Khaled Group; Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf al-Thani, operations direc- tor – Automotive at NBK Group; Ihab El Feky, COO – Automotive at NBK Group; Hisham al-Sahn, general man- ager of QAC. “It is a historic moment for Qatar Automobiles Company as it strength- ens its position as one of the main Attendees had a unique opportunity to test drive the all-new Montero Sport dealers in the region for Mitsubishi 2020 on a special terrain and get up close and personal with the vehicle’s Motors. Qatar is the fi rst market to Sheikh Nasser bin Nawaf al-Thani, Sheikh Faleh bin Nawaf al-Thani, other dignitaries and NBK Auto off icials at the event. distinctive features and technology. launch the new 2020 Montero Sports in the Middle East after its global “The new model builds on the nity to test drive the Montero Sport on supplies strong acceleration even 2WD (2H) and 4WD (4H, 4HLc, The body is extremely sturdy and launch, and ahead of its introduction Montero Sport concept with modern a special terrain and get up close and when carrying heavy loads or travel- 4LLc), while they can Improve trac- lightweight, due to the generous use of in the region. We will work hand in twist and updates. A new facelift and personal with the vehicle’s distinctive ling uphill. tion when driving off road by entering high tensile strength steel plates that hand with Mitsubishi Motors to ac- rear design with the latest advance features and technology. Thanks to the 8-speed automatic the GRAVEL, MUD/SNOW, SAND or also contribute to a high level of colli- complish bigger achievements in the technology features, along with high The updated look features the new transmission – a fi rst from Mitsubi- ROCK modes. sion safety. coming period,” Sheikh Faleh said. performance, the vehicle stuns and Dynamic Shield front grill, enhanced shi Motors – improved fuel effi ciency The 2020 Montero Sport enjoys The new Montero Sport enjoys “Our relationship with Mitsubishi maintains its position as the best in its front bumper design and new LED and coupled with smoother, more luxuri- plenty of safety features including, seven SRS airbags to help protect the Motors is built on mutual trust, com- segment. When it comes to safety, the fog lights to give the car more tough ous drive is easily achieved. Forward Collision Mitigation sys- driver and passengers by absorbing mon values and shared vision of the Montero Sport exceeds expectations, yet smooth and modern look. Built for maximum stability and tem, Adaptive Cruise Control, the the force of impact in the event of an future. We will stay committed to our thanks to the advance assistance sys- On the back, the layout of rear lamps traction, the rugged frame and aero- Blind Spot Warning system and Lane collision. community to supply the best reliable tems which give the driver more confi - was changed, signal lights and brake dynamically contoured body contrib- Change Assist, Ultrasonic misaccel- The enhanced Smartphone-link vehicles and exceed our customers’ dence and comfort,” al-Sahn said. lights’ positions have been switched, ute to solid handling and stable high- eration Mitigation System, and Multi Display Audio with advanced con- expectations,” El Feky said. “The new The event gathered Mitsubishi fans with a new spoiler out back adding a way performance. Around Monitor. nectivity helps drivers fi nd new plac- Montero Sports has undergone changes and their families who enjoyed a full smoked fi nish in order to give the car Reliable 4WD traction combines Collision safety performance is sig- es while staying entertained on the in exterior design, embraced the latest evening of activities and surprises at a more sophisticated look. with an advanced suspension to keep nifi cantly enhanced by Mitsubishi Mo- go. technology and safety features which an open-air venue that was specifi - The Montero Sport 2020 model is the vehicle in touch with surface con- tors’ RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety The large 8-inch touch screen al- makes it the smart, optimal choice for cally designed and prepared for the equipped with 3.0litre V6 MIVEC en- ditions to stay in fi rm control. Evolution) body, which effi ciently ab- lows the driver to easily operate music the city and off -road driving alike. It is launch. gine. Using the drive mode selector dial, sorbs energy and maintains high cabin playback via USB or Bluetooth, and indeed the vehicle of choice.” Attendees had a unique opportu- The high-displacement engine drivers can easily switch between integrity in the event of a collision. calls are now made with voice actions. Gulf Times Thursday, November 14, 2019 9 QATAR German university, GU-Q research project focuses on A group of Qatari artists will visit India on an art trip. Qatar artists set for ‘women in Islam’ 10-day India visit he study of women in Islam was the tended a lecture on ‘Singlehood in the Arab focus of a recent academic exchange Family’ delivered by GU-Q Professor of His- Tbetween Georgetown University in tory, Dr Amira Sonbol, and a presentation on he Museum of Islamic Abeer al-Kuwari, Manar Ala- Minar and the Red Fort in Del- Qatar (GU-Q) and the University of Tubin- ‘Qatar and the Gulf’ by GU-Q Professor of Art (MIA) announced wadhi, Iman al-Saad, Maryam hi, Amber Palace and Hawa gen in Germany. Government, Dr Rory Miller. Tthe list of Qatari artists al-Majed, Haifaa al-Khuzaei Mahal in Jaipur, and the Red Over the course of two days, a group of They also took part in a roundtable discus- who will be participating in Ek- and Aisha al-Muhannadi. Fort and Taj Mahal in Agra. primary researchers and graduate students sion with Dr Amal al-Malki, founding dean tashif – a new initiative to visit The initiative is sponsored as Additionally, each day will from the German university’s Center for Is- of the College of Humanities and Social Sci- India for a 10-day art trip. part of the Qatar-India Year of include a workshop session lamic Theology (ZITH) came to GU-Q to at- ences at HBKU. The participants will sub- Culture by Seashore Qatar – a whereby participants will dis- tend lectures and take part in strategic meet- “Context is very important in studying sequently produce four to fi ve Qatari-owned company and cover the intricate traditional ings with local partners as part of a newly gender, so we wanted the visiting delegates pieces inspired by their visit. one of the largest multi-disci- arts of India including mar- launched joint research project between the from Germany to understand how religion, The artworks are to be dis- plined business enterprises in ble inlay, known as parchin two universities. society, and culture in the Qatari context played in an exhibition at MIA the country. The trip will in- kari, block printing, jewellery The project, titled ‘Exploring the Feminine relate to the larger questions we are asking,” in January 2020.The chosen clude visits to sites of historic making, carpet weaving and within Islam’, is a multi-year initiative fund- explained Dr Siddiqui. artists are: Khalifa al-Obaidly, interest such as the Qutub more. ed by a grant from the German Academic The next step in the project is a workshop Exchange Service and spearheaded by GU-Q in December, hosted by the German coun- Associate Professor of Theology, Dr Sohaira terparts, and includes the participation of a Siddiqui, with the aim of establishing an in- GU-Q graduate currently pursuing a Master’s ternational network of female scholars, the- degree at the American University in Cairo. ologians, and practitioners, to discuss how “Researchers and practitioners will be HBKU workshops on Cabinet gender, Islamic law, and theology is taught in Dr Sohaira Siddiqui addressing the event. coming from at least four continents and rep- university classrooms and studied as a topic resenting a variety of perspectives,” said Dr okays draft of research. can better understand the role theology and Siddiqui. “There is concerted eff ort to ensure computer engineering “The study of gender in Islam is predomi- Islamic law can play in addressing some of that the majority of the voices at the workshop press law nantly approached from anthropological, the challenges women face today.” are of Muslim women from the Muslim world sociological, and historical lenses,” explained The long-term goal, she added, includes who service various communities.” he College of Science Dr Siddiqui. making materials available online “to assist Previously, six GU-Q students and alumni and Engineering (CSE) in support “While these are all important methods syllabi design so that it is more inclusive on fl ew to Germany as part of the exchange pro- Tat Hamad Bin Khalifa of studying gender, through this project, we issues of gender. Inclusive means diff erent gramme. The German Academic Exchange University (HBKU) is to host of media hope to peel back our layers of understanding perspectives, diff erent geographic locations, Service or DAAD (German: Deutscher Akad- a series of outreach work- to reveal the legal and theological assump- and highlighting the voices of practitioners, emischer Austauschdienst) is the largest shops for high school juniors From Page 1 tions that underpin the social manifestations not just academics.” German support organisation in the fi eld of and seniors with an interest in of gender issues we see today. By doing so, we During their visit, the ZITH delegation at- international academic co-operation. computer engineering. It gave its approval to a The workshops will take draft law amending some place from 9am to 4pm on laws related to the Ministry of November 30, January 25, and Dr Mohamed Abdallah Public Health. February 22 at the Penrose Further, the weekly meet- House, Education City. Stu- its related protocols function. ing approved a draft decision dents interested in participat- ‘Innovate.Create’ concludes of the Council of Ministers to ing may apply through hbku. with a workshop outlining the issue the Charter of Integrity edu.qa/en/innovate-create foundations of programming, as of Public Offi cials. The prep- Over three sessions, partici- well as mobile application de- aration of the draft decision pants will learn how computer sign and development. seeks to achieve the highest engineering aff ects their daily Speaking ahead of the fi rst indicators of transparency lives and engage in workshops workshop, Dr Mohamed Ab- and integrity in the state and Participants in the workshop. covering practical engineering dallah, assistant professor, further protect public money. projects and applications. The CSE, said, “These sessions The charter aims to pro- series begins with a workshop underline our commitment to mote the codes of conduct on the hardware components serving Qatar’s needs through and the ethics of public serv- of a robot. Participants will also the development of future ice among public offi cials in School nurses get training on ways learn about embedded system generations of technically- the country. design and other relevant pro- minded innovators and lead- The Cabinet also took the gramming skills. This is fol- ers. This can only happen if necessary action to ratify a lowed by a session tracing the we spark local interest in com- Mutual Administrative As- to detect low vision among students development of computer secu- puter engineering and related sistance Agreement to Enable rity and how cybersecurity and disciplines at an early age”. the Application of the Cus- toms Law and to Prevent and he Ministry of Public targeted 133 new nurses. Dr Kholood al-Mutawa, that Qatar has implemented the Investigate Crimes or Viola- Health (MoPH), in collab- During the workshop, the head of the non-communicable mandatory visual acuity screen- PHCC to host 4th international tions Pertinent to Customs Toration with the Ministry Blindness Prevention Pro- disease section at the MoPH, ing early at all government and between the governments of of Education and Higher Educa- gramme team of the MoPH de- stressed the importance of early private schools. conference in February 2020 Qatar and The Gambia; and tion, has implemented the school livered lectures on common eye detection of low vision cases in Data from the last vision the United Nations Conven- eye health programme in all gov- diseases and eye trauma and also children and the referral of such screening survey (2018-2019), Primary Health Care Corpora- themes in addition to five pre- tion on International Settle- ernment and private schools. provided practical training to all cases to health centres. “Eventu- which involved 113,946 stu- tion (PHCC) will host the 4th conference workshops which ment Agreements Resulting In this connection, the MoPH participants on how to perform ally, we could decrease the preva- dents, showed that 14% of gov- International Primary Health cover key topics in primary from Mediation. recently organised a workshop accurate visual acuity meas- lence of low vision and lazy eye ernment school students and Care Conference from February healthcare such as: How to In another measure, the on low vision screening for urement and fi ll the electronic complications within this impor- 24% of private school students 19-22, 2020, it was announced conduct systematic reviews, Cabinet approved a draft school nurses in collaboration screening forms, the MoPH said tant age group,” the offi cial said. have low vision, less than the yesterday. wound management, and memorandum of under- with its partners. The workshop in a statement. Dr al-Mutawa also noted normal average of 6/6 vision. The theme of the conference is lifestyle from medical perspec- standing for co-operation in “A Foundation set for signifi- tives, travel medicine, and the fi eld of supervisory work cance”. Topics covered include learning from disease experi- between the State Audit Bu- health promotion, disease pre- ences. The conference will also reau of Qatar and the Nation- vention, integrated healthcare be associated by a specialised al Audit Bureau of Sudan. models, innovation and creativ- medical exhibition. It also gave its nod to a draft Saudi, UAE and Bahrain to take part in Gulf Cup ity in healthcare settings, quality, All clinical and non-clinical twinning agreement between risk and safety, best practices in healthcare professionals as Doha Municipality in Qatar medical education and capacity well as medical students are and Mogadishu Municipality From Page 1 ly-added nations and their fans nadi are eager to put up a great walk away with a whopping building, as well as exchange of encouraged to attend the con- in Somalia. will be whole-heartedly wel- show.” $2mn, in addition to the $1mn experiences and expertise of ference and participate to take The Cabinet reviewed Qa- But they took part when the comed in Qatar. The AGCFF also added in a which all teams will receive for best practices through associ- advantage of this distinguished tar’s national strategy in the tournament was subsequently “As far as I know we have no press release that invitation participating. ated exhibitions and workshops. international platform. fi eld of artifi cial intelligence moved to Kuwait. restrictions on allowing fans letters were sent to the Saudi, This is the fourth time Qatar The conference will bring The four-day event will honour and decided that the Ministry At the press conference, Jas- from all the three nations to en- UAE and Bahrain federations as will be hosting the tournament. together speakers and experts progress and embrace the fu- of Transport and Communi- sim al-Rumaihi, the general sec- ter. If there are any issues the “an attempt to reunite broth- They have twice won the event from across the globe, includ- ture of primary healthcare, pro- cations will take the necessary retary of the AGCFF, praised the State of Qatar will make the nec- ers under the umbrella of the on home soil – in 1992 and 2004 ing the US, Canada, the UK, viding a platform for clinicians, measures to implement the three countries for their ‘posi- essary arrangements,” said al- championship, which has al- – and will be aiming for a glori- Australia, New Zealand, Thai- researchers and practitioners strategy and its recommen- tive’ response. Rumaihi. ways succeeded in strengthen- ous double in 2019, having lifted land, Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon, Dr Mariam Abdulmalik, manag- dations in co-ordination with “We highly value the positive He added: “The tournament ing the bonds of brotherhood the AFC Asian Cup in February. Jordan and Morocco, to share ing director, PHCC said, “The the authorities concerned. response from the three nations will be strong as all the top and love among the people of The Arabian Gulf Cup was knowledge and best practice 4th International Conference is Also, the Cabinet reviewed which means that the tourna- teams in the region will be par- the region. conceptualised in the 1960s, through panel sessions, exhibi- a leading international confer- the annual report and au- ment will now be held in its ticipating. Everybody wants to “Despite the various (politi- with the fi rst edition taking place tions and workshops. ence for healthcare profession- dited accounts of the Qatar original format with the teams win the trophy and we are sure cal) obstacles, the tournament in 1970. Kuwait became the fi rst The conference will have more als to gather and contribute Financial Centre Regulatory divided into two groups,” he said. that the Organising Committee proves that our Gulf is one.” country to win the title after de- than 50 sessions covering their research and knowledge Authority and took the ap- He added that the three new- headed by Saoud al-Mohan- The winners of the event will feating Bahrain. a wide range of topics and in their respective fields”. propriate decision. QU, Springer Nature launch Gulf Studies book series

atar University’s (QU) gration, social research meth- Bhuiyan, American University several decades but also be- plex and strategically impor- ing societies in the Gulf, and International collaboration Gulf Studies Centre ods, and social theories. in Cairo, Egypt; and Samir Ib- came instrumental to changes tant six member states of the their interactions with the rest stands at the core of QU’s re- Q(GSC) has launched a The advisory board includes rahim Hassan, Sultan Qaboos in neighbouring regions that GCC, offering a scholarly pub- of the world. search strategy, which aims to be book series called Gulf Studies Mahjoob Zweiri, Ahmed Ibra- University, Oman. share signifi cant fl ows of goods, lication platform to the schol- The GSC is a leading interna- a leader in academic excellence. in collaboration with noted pub- him Abushouk and Larbi Sadiki The Gulf region, rich in his- capital and labour with the Gulf ars in the region and globally. tional centre specialised in Gulf Research is a key component lisher Springer Nature. (QU); Syed Farid Alatas, Na- tory, culture, and resources, is states. The forces and means The Gulf Studies series takes Studies, with a strong interdis- of QU’s graduate programmes The fi rst volume under the se- tional University of Singapore; one of the fastest changing and that have brought about chang- an interdisciplinary approach ciplinary approach to area stud- and is incorporated in every ries entitled The 2017 Gulf Crisis: Nazli Kibria, Boston Univer- most important economic and es to the six member states of to documenting the changes ies. area of the teaching/learning An Interdisciplinary Approach sity; Ishtiaq Hossain, Inter- political regions and yet least the Gulf Co-operation Council taking place in the Gulf soci- The centre is taking the lead in environment. It is further en- will be published by the end of national Islamic University understood region. (GCC) are complex and merit eties, and the evolving rela- studying the political, econom- hanced with the establishment December. Malaysia; AKM Ahsan Ullah, The region has not only expe- rigorous scientifi c inquiry. tionship between the Gulf and ic, social and cultural aspects of of a state-of-the-art Research The publication is led by QU’s Universiti Brunei Darussalam; rienced unprecedented changes This book series is dedicated the other regions.The series is the fast-changing Gulf region, Complex and 14 research centres Dr Mizanur Rahman, the series M Kabir Hassan, University of in the social, economic and to serving growing academic dedicated to advancing a non- an under-researched area in the of excellence, which address na- editor and specialist in Gulf mi- New Orleans, US; Shahjahan political landscapes in the last interests in the dynamic, com- Western perspective for study- fi eld of academia worldwide. tional priority issues. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, November 14, 2019 HOL STIC Wellbeing Self-education is a part of your health

Online research is not that If you care for animals, simple, nor is research simple offl ine. Therefore, we need to stop eating them make sure we are correctly and adequately self-educating our- selves on a continuous basis. trated by the ability of rational, Most importantly, we have to caring, animal-respecting people get ourselves out of the dark and to participate in the irrational, un- start fi nding our own answers caring practice of eating animals. if they are not readily available. How is it possible for people to Personally, this is how I started both love and eat animals? developing my wellness life- This apparent disparity is known style. I always had questions as ‘cognitive dissonance’ — hav- By Reem Abdulrahman Jassim on my mind and I would ask my ing inconsistent thoughts and al-Muftah parents, elders, friends, family attitudes, especially relating to and even medical staff for an- decision making, which can lead swers, but I would never fully to discomfort and even irrational o you research your health be convinced. In our current behaviour. If you accept that and wellness queries and world, people have so many dif- By Ghanim al-Sulaiti animals have rights; raising and Dconcerns? Do you ask the ferent experiences and opinions killing animals for food is morally best worded questions when you that it may get confusing when wrong. are looking for answers? How you listen to it all. Some people People love animals all over the The reality is people who par- do you gather information be- literally seem to act automati- world. They care for some as if ticipate in a system that treats fore you make a health decision? cally on what they hear, without they are members of the family, animals cruelly, and that kills These questions only scratch due diligence and confi rming and humans can form life-long animals to provide unnecessary the tip of the ice berg when it the information by researching bonds with animals that they food to human beings, are behav- comes to our general natural ig- it. Please do not get caught up grew up with, especially those ing selfishly — contradictory to norance and the truth out there. in the latest trends or strictly inside home. any ‘love’ they may show to the The power of self-education is listen to a certain group of peo- Earlier this week, a friend from pets. Simply because you are not serious and we have to really un- cal to self-educate, so let’s talk perience necessary to be able to Tips: ple, you have to be open to all the gym told me a story about witnessing the brutal killing of derstand its signifi cance when researching eff ectively and effi - differentiate between the truth 1- Use diff erent search en- information and then decide for her recent trip to Portugal. Dur- animals in front of your own eyes it comes to our own health. We ciently. and all the other non-reliable gines. yourself after thorough verifi ca- ing her holidays, on one of the shouldn’t justify you purchas- are raised to listen to our elders When it comes to research- information you may find. As 2- Use key words and change tion. Research might not be able afternoons, her children were ing their remains, meat, from a and to certifi ed doctors when it ing in general, you have to start the saying goes, practice makes them as you narrow your re- to answer every single question excited to play with the pet supermarket. comes to most health advice, but with an open mind. You might perfect. In brief, it is crucial search. you have or the answers might rabbits in their garden. As the We are taught the Golden Rule is that the best way to self-edu- have your preconceived notions to make sure the sources are 3- Verify the source. not be satisfactory enough for children hurriedly attempted to as young children, and all major cate? No and it is defi nitely not or even facts and data that you legitimate, to check the time- 4- Use primary and secondary you, but it is defi nitely better pick up the rabbits and play with religions teach principles of the only way. might already have, but keep in frame in which the informa- sources. than doing no research. In the their furry friends, my friend cau- nonviolence and kindness. The Why do so many of us have mind that health knowledge and tion was created, to make sure 5- Check the date and if it is end whatever you research, you tioned her children to be careful Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr. no self-motivation to fi nd the education is growing and devel- the authors at least understand current or still relevant. will have to decide and choose with handling them. She ensured said, “Injustice anywhere is a answers to our own health ques- oping on a daily basis and the the basics of the topic they are 6- Check the author’s back- what to believe and what to that the children understood the threat to justice everywhere.” tions? I know each and every one answers you might have from discussing and to realise that ground. implement in your personal right way of holding the rabbit Ethical treatment — the Golden of us has unanswered questions a few years ago might now be one source is not and should 7- Is the article answering my life, but know that if you don’t and making sure it was comfort- Rule — must be extended to all in their minds and some of those completely different. You have not be the only answer you find. question? search for answers, it is now able. The children listened living beings: reptiles, mammals, come up on a daily basis, so why to check multiple and different Eventually you will learn to 8- Keep track of the diff erent time to take control of your own carefully and were extra gentle fish, insects, birds, amphibians, are we not motivated enough to types of sources, question the manoeuvre around online re- sources you approved and liked. health and to the information with them, handling them with and crustaceans. look on our own? There can be unclear and get to the bottom of search and gather enough cred- 9- If you fi nd confl icting in- that really will benefi t you and love, aff ection and carefulness More than a century ago, Charles various answers to why a per- conflicting data. Searching for ible information for you to de- formation, dig further until you your wellness journey. as if these rabbits were precious, Darwin showed that all beings son isn’t motivated enough to information online can be com- velop your active lifestyle or to fi nd what convinces you. sacred creatures. had the same common ancestor. seek the information they want, plicated or confusing but you even make a critical health de- 10- Don’t forget the value of „ The author is a wellness advocate My friend went on to explain that All beings share the desire to live. but let’s agree that it is criti- will eventually gain the user ex- cision. academic journals and databases. and infl uencer @keys2balance. later on that evening, the family We all feel pain, joy, grief, and gathered for a traditional family pleasure. We all have worth. dinner. Busy in the conversation, No living being deserves to one of her child interrupted, vis- be abused. We believe that it’s ibly perplexed while staring at a wrong to torture infant and Time has better things to do, than wait for us plate of rabbit meat, skinned and disabled human beings who prepared as a main dish. “Mom, don’t have the same abilities we are eating rabbit for din- as adults. In the same way, all ing the context behind a problem stick to being the good cop. Often ner?” he asked, understandably beings deserve liberty and can set everyone in a good position extracting yourself from the situa- confused. My friend tells me that respect not because they share to figure out the answer themselves. tion and changing your self-talk to it was that point that she realised the characteristics we admire in That’s probably the extent of any advice you would give someone how her lessons contradicted ourselves but because they are help this column is going to provide else, helps. I try speaking to myself her actions. Three hours before living beings. We share the same today, so take it for what it is. as I would if it was a friend or as- dinner, the children were told to evolutionary origins, we inhabit When I find myself encounter a sociate who asked for my advice; ensure the utmost care of the the same Earth, and we are ruled negative emotion such as anger or not allowing the excuses to slide rabbits, and to make sure the ani- by the same laws of nature. We sadness, I seem to get consumed by past. And even if you do, just remind mal does not feel uncomfortable. are all the same. it. Emotions are biological and de- yourself that excuses are only your Now the same animal was dead signed to keep you alive. Emotional way of avoiding responsibility for and cooked, served on a platter „ The author is an expert in vegan states don’t stay for too long, but the situation. Time has better things for human consumption. wellbeing and health. Instagram our mental interpretation of these to do than just wait for the excuses As a vegan I am frequently frus- handle: @Ghanim92  states, something we call ‘feelings’ to pile up. By Sanah Thakur can prolong the state. That’s why, Currently, I’m trying to follow my even though the emotional state own advice. It’s definitely much of anger might have passed, your harder to positively aff irm to our- I’m someone who has always feelings of frustration, irritation and selves that we won’t find ourselves romanticised the idea of wailing in annoyance linger to hold you back. in these situations again. That the Wellness Meal Plan despair; often sitting in my bedroom This is one of the major reasons why next time they do come up, we’ll thinking for hours, listening to music we can’t seem to ‘switch’ out of the be more prepared and resilient. to give me answers or expecting the sluggish feeling and spend our car But as someone told me today, we universe to give a sign of oppor- journeys gazing out of the window can’t choose when we want to be tunity. Unfortunately, much to my in deep, reflective thought. Being resilient. Committing to yourself and despair, this results in no change to aware of the biological experience doing something seriously requires my situation. Begging the world to of emotional states, such as check- following through with what you stop just so I can get back on track is ing our heart beat, perspiration decided. If we build this illusion that a joke that time has no humour for. levels and breathing, helps focus time will wait for us, then we will So how do I fix this? mental energy in one place. This always believe that we can just stop To every problem or situation we way, you can target the fluctuating and wait for the world to allow us to find ourselves in, there are millions feelings rather than stay confused. catch up. There is no solution, until of solutions – finding one that suits I also catch myself being incredibly we stop wasting time and create us is the real struggle. As some- nice to myself, letting the excuses one! one who hasn’t figured a tangible take control of my narrative. There’s solution herself, there’s no right or no need to take this advice the wrong answer I can give you. How- wrong way and start disciplining „ The author can be contacted on ever, I’ve realised that understand- yourself strictly; but you can’t just Instagram @sincerelysanah

But first, Sleep

becomes the norm it can aff ect your ability to function normally making daily life challenging. I take my sleep pretty seriously; over the years I have developed night time rituals. I’m a firm believer that your morning can only be as good as Beetroot and Raspberry Energy Balls: the night before. Makes 8-10 medium sized energy balls My Night Time Rituals include: Ingredients: 1/2 a cup of powdered walnuts 1- Writing down the good stuff that 1/2 a cup of almond flour happened during the day. 1/4 of a cup of beetroot powder By Shefa Ali 2- Avoiding caff eine and drinks a 1 tbs of macadamia or cashew cheese (or any cream cheese you few hours before bedtime. prefer) 3- Replacing tablets and smart 5-6 raspberries I heard someone say recently that phones with a book. 1 tbs of any sticky sweetener you like (we used caramel agave syrup) a lot of people struggle with sleep, 4- Regulate my body clock by stick- Method: because sleep requires peace. I really ing to a sleep schedule. Mix all ingredients in a food processor and there you have your deli- felt that on a deep level. 5- Adjusting the room temperature, cious velvety tarty energy balls When you woke up this morning so its slightly cool. did you curse the alarm? Or did 6- Never going to bed angry with Enjoy the taste of eating right! you jump out of bed with a bounce anyone. in your step? Were you awake for 7- Scheduling something to look half the night before finally falling forward to. asleep an hour before you had to hit 8- Deep breathing. snooze? scenario. We work longer and most responses that keep us in a perma- of good quality, leaving us fully rested 9- Meditation Did you get out of bed and stumble of us struggle to switch off because nent state of high alert. and refreshed for the day ahead. to the bathroom with your eyes half of the digital technology that sur- Many of us spend large amounts of Yet so many of us are sleepwalking Establishing a good routine and closed and bad tempered? When rounds us. money a year on gym memberships, through life on autopilot in a caff eine- creating an environment where we your colleague casually asked, “How Our addiction to smart phones and yoga classes, diet plans, vitamin sup- fuelled state, simply surviving when can enjoy quality sleep is vital to us are you” your automatic response screens have a huge part to play plements and other health related we should be thriving. as individuals and as a race. was “exhausted’. in the hyper- stimulated state that products and services, to improve We all know what it’s like to have a Sleeplessness is a huge issue. stops many of us from being able our well-being and the way we look, bad night’s sleep, it’s hard to get out „ The author is a consultant and Our evolving lifestyle has largely to relax. It’s a combination of the when, in fact, we really need to make of bed in the morning and it’s hard coach. Instagram handle: @miss_ contributed to create this common constant interaction and the rapid sure we get more sleep. Sleep that is to focus and concentrate. If that shefa, Website: missshefa.com Gulf Times Thursday, November 14, 2019 11 REGION/ARAB WORLD/AFRICA

ENVIRONMENT Air pollution shuts schools in Tehran Schools in Tehran were ordered to be closed yesterday after the Iranian capital was cloaked in dangerously high levels of air pol- lution, authorities said. Governor Anoushiravan Mohseni- Bandpey said kindergartens, preschools and primary schools would be shut in the city and the counties of Gharchak, Pishva and Varamin. “The air quality index for the city of Tehran still has not passed the unhealthy status for sensitive groups,” he was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. Average concentrations of hazardous airborne particles hit 133 micrograms per cubic metre in the city and were as high as 150 for 10 districts, he said. That is far above the World Health Organisa- tion’s recommended maximum of 25 micrograms per cubic metre on average over a 24-hour period. Warnings were issued for children, pregnant women, the elderly and people suff ering from cardio- vascular or respiratory diseases to stay indoors. Many people were seen wearing face masks to avoid fumes as they waited for buses on the sides of traff ic-choked streets of southern Tehran during morning rush-hour. Palestinians gather around the remains of a house destroyed in an Israeli air strike at Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, yesterday. A layer of thick smog covered Te- hran on Tuesday, but it appeared to dissipate in northern areas yes- terday morning with fewer school buses on the roads.

INSURGENCY Gunmen kill six in Death toll surges on second ambush near Mozambique border

Unknown gunmen killed six farmers near Tanzania’s southern border with Mozambique, a senior day of violence in Gaza police off icial said yesterday, amid growing concerns over militants AFP shelters. In Gaza, residents sur- a new all-out confl ict between narrowly missed cars on a busy in a poor region where foreign Gaza City veyed damage and mourned the Israel and Palestinian fi ghters highway. companies are developing gas dead outside a mortuary and at in Gaza, who have fought three Israeli medics said they had deposits. The ambush on Tuesday funerals. wars since 2008. treated 48 people with light night, on an island in the Ruvuma xchanges of fi re triggered UN envoy Nickolay Mlad- A total of 23 Palestinians have wounds, while schools were River that forms the border be- by Israel’s targeted kill- enov arrived in Cairo yesterday been killed so far, including Ata closed in areas near the Gaza tween the two countries, is the Eing of a top fi ghter in Gaza afternoon, airport offi cials said, and his wife, according to Gaza’s border for a second day run- latest in a spate of execution-style raged for a second day yesterday following reports he was to hold Hamas-run health ministry. ning. attacks in the area since 2017 that and showed little sign of eas- talks on halting the fi ghting. Islamic Jihad confi rmed the Schools in the blockaded have so far killed more than 100 ing as the Palestinian death toll The UN and Egypt have been dead included other members of Gaza Strip, an enclave of 2mn people. The gas deposits are in the surged to 23. instrumental in mediating pre- its armed wing, while the health people, have been closed since northern Mozambican province Fresh rocket barrages were vious ceasefi res between Israel ministry said three children Tuesday. Unusually and in a Cabo Delgado, and researchers fi red at Israel, which responded and Gaza-based fi ghters. were also among the dead, and sign it was seeking to avoid have found that the militants who with strikes on what it said were But a source close to the dis- that more than 70 people were a wider confl ict, Israel’s an- are based there and launch at- Islamic Jihad fi ghter sites and cussions aimed at mediating injured. nounced targets were confi ned tacks on both sides of the border rocket-launching squads in the a truce warned that the risk of Palestinian relatives of Islamic Jihad fighter Abdullah al-Belbasi Since Israel’s killing of Ata in to Islamic Jihad sites and not have links to hardline groups in Gaza Strip. further escalation remained mourn during his funeral in Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip. what was believed to be a drone those belonging to Hamas. Tanzania, Somalia, Kenya and the Yesterday afternoon, it said it high. strike, at least 220 rockets have It normally holds Hamas, the Great Lakes region, where some targeted two Islamic Jihad fi ght- Israeli Prime Minister Ben- respond to attacks “without Israel killed senior Islamic been fi red into Israel from Gaza movement that rules the Gaza also received training. ers preparing to fi re anti-tank jamin Netanyahu said Islamic mercy”. Islamic Jihad spokes- Jihad commander Baha Abu and dozens have been inter- Strip, responsible for all rocket missiles. Jihad must stop its stop rocket man Musab al-Barayem said the al-Ata and his wife Asma in a cepted by air defences, accord- fi re from the enclave as the ter- Air raid sirens wailed and attacks or “absorb more and group was not interested in me- targeted strike early Tuesday, ing to the army. ritory’s de facto rulers. POLITICS fi reballs exploded as air defence more blows”. He reiterated his diation for now as it retaliated prompting barrages of tit-for- There have been no Israeli Israeli analysts were quick US to review South missiles intercepted rockets, warning that “this could take to the killing of one of its com- tat rocket fi re and air strikes. deaths, though damage has to highlight the change of ap- Sudan ties after sending Israelis rushing to bomb time” and said Israel would manders. The fl are-up raised fears of been caused and one rocket proach. deadline passes The United States yesterday said it was “gravely disappointed” with South Sudan’s failure to form a unity government by a Nov 12 Iraq protests swell as UN presses govt to ‘step up’ deadline and would “re-evaluate” its relationship with the African na- tion’s government. “We will work AFP the crowds unmoved by government the UN’s Iraq mission (UNAMI) said in “We’re here to back the protesters Protesters have felt emboldened bilaterally and with the interna- Baghdad pledges of reform and undeterred by an exclusive interview. and their legitimate demands, which since the country’s top religious au- tional community to take action the deaths of more than 300 demon- US Secretary of State Mike Pom- include teachers’ rights,” said Aqeel thority Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani said against all those impeding South strators. peo, for his part, has said he told Iraqi Atshan, a professor on strike, in Bagh- they “cannot go home without suffi - Sudan’s peace process,” US raqi offi cials must “step up” to re- Washington and the United Nations Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi dad’s Tahrir (Liberation) Square, the cient reforms”. State Department spokeswoman spond to mass demonstrations, the have called on the government to re- that he “deplored the death toll” and epicentre of the protest movement. “Students, boys and girls alike, are Morgan Ortagus said in a state- IUN representative in Baghdad said spond seriously to the protests, with to address the popular movement’s In the southern port city of Basra, all here for a sit-in,” another demon- ment, adding that the United yesterday as anti-government rallies the world body’s representative Jeanine “legitimate grievances”. The protests around 800 students returned to camp strator in Tahrir said. States would also seek “to estab- swelled in Iraq’s capital and the coun- Hennis-Plasschaert saying the coun- had slowed for a few days following a outside the provincial government “If Sistani gave the orders for mass lish a new paradigm to achieve try’s south. try’s authorities must “step up to the deadly crackdown by security forces in headquarters, days after they had been civil disobedience, everything would peace and a successful political Protests demanding an overhaul plate and make things happen”. Baghdad and major southern cities but pushed out by riot police. close — the government, the oil com- transition in South Sudan” with of the political system have rocked “They are elected by the people, they fl ared again yesterday with demonstra- Schools were also shut in the protest panies, everything. That’s how we’ll others in the region. Baghdad and the south for weeks — are accountable to them,” the head of tions by striking students and teachers. hotspots of Diwaniyah and Nasiriyah. have a solution.”

Lebanon slides deeper into turmoil, no sign of new government

Reuters televised interview in which he highway in central Beirut. In his interview, Aoun said delivered a message from Presi- Beirut said Lebanon faced “catastro- Several dozen protesters Hariri was hesitant about being dent Emmanuel Macron affi rm- phe” if the revolt did not stop. watched by troops and police prime minister again. ing France’s readiness to help After he spoke, protesters took sat blocking the normally busy He also said a purely techno- Lebanon in the current circum- new wave of protests par- to the streets across Lebanon road. Nearby lay smouldering cratic government, as demanded stances, the Lebanese presiden- alysed Lebanon yesterday and one was shot and killed af- debris ignited during protests by many protesters, could not cy said. To avoid capital fl ight, Aafter President Michel ter an altercation with Lebanese overnight triggered by Aoun’s govern and so should include commercial banks have imposed Aoun enraged demonstrators by soldiers at a roadblock south of remarks. politicians. Hezbollah and Amal tight curbs on fi nancial transfers urging them to end their revolt Beirut. Despite the depth of the eco- believe Hariri aims mainly to abroad and US dollar withdraw- against corruption and cronyism The man was a follower of nomic crisis, the worst since the keep Hezbollah out of govern- als. in the political establishment. Walid Jumblatt, a veteran Druze 1975-90 civil war, leaders have ment, a source familiar with the The authorities have not how- One month after the eruption politician and former civil war not been able to agree a new two groups’ view said on Sunday. ever announced capital con- of nationwide protests, Lebanon militia leader, who has urged his cabinet. Aoun said on Twitter eco- trols. Banks, which shut for half is in deep political and economic supporters to remain calm. Lebanon’s dollar bonds nomic conditions were deterio- of October during the protests, crisis with no sign of its leaders Protesters blocked roads again slumped further yesterday. rating, although the start of oil closed on Tuesday and yesterday agreeing on a new government to yesterday. The powerful Hezbollah and and gas exploration — expected in strike action by employees replace the outgoing cabinet of Fights broke out yesterday in its ally Amal want Hariri to be soon — would help improve concerned about security risks Saad al-Hariri, who quit as pre- the area of Jal al-Dib near Beirut, prime minister again. things gradually. posed by depositors demanding mier on Oct 29. where protesters faced off with But Hariri, who is aligned with The Lebanese pound weak- their money and protesters. Banks, which were shut for other people including Aoun Arab states and the West, has ened further on the black mar- The union of bank employees half of October, closed again this supporters angered by road- Lebanese demonstrators hold a candle light vigil in the capital Beirut said he will only return as prime ket. said the strike would continue week over staff security con- blocks, footage broadcast by the yesterday, for Alaa Abu Fakher (photo), killed the day before during minister if he is able to form a Dollars were being off ered at today. cerns. LBC television channel showed. ongoing anti-government protests. cabinet of specialists capable of 1,850 pounds compared to 1,820 Aoun called on Lebanese not Most transfers out of the An armed man in a car drove salvaging the situation and able on Tuesday, an exchange dealer to rush to the banks, saying their country have been blocked past protesters in Jal al-Dib wav- mean he was telling them to em- spect us a little,” she said. “Re- to attract international support. said, around 23% weaker than money was safe. He also said and, with US dollars scarce, the ing a gun and fi red into the air, igrate if they didn’t like how the spect this people sleeping in the “We accept this government the offi cial rate of 1,507.5 pounds. Lebanese were keeping dollars pegged Lebanese pound is weak- the National News Agency said. country was run. streets for a month.” should refl ect a political balance The weakening pound has “under the pillow”, referring to ening on a black market. It said protesters took away his A 33-year-old protester, Linda “The reaction (to Aoun) was in the country, but through spe- led some shops to hike prices money kept at home. Though the protests have been weapon and hit his car. Aoun’s Boulos Mikari, blocking a road in very spontaneous. People felt we cialists, not the traditional can- of imported goods in Lebanese The main road in Khalde, the overwhelmingly peaceful, ten- interview included remarks that Beirut’s Nahr al-Kalb area, said have to ramp up the pressure... didates of politicians that usu- pounds. scene of Tuesday’s shooting, sions have surfaced since Tues- angered protesters, including a Aoun had talked to the protest- We will not stop,” said Joelle Pet- ally come into the government,” Aoun met French diplomatic was blocked with burning tyres day evening when Aoun gave a comment widely understood to ers as if they were children. “Re- rakian, protesting at a blocked a source close to Hariri said. envoy Christophe Farnaud, who lain by mourners. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, November 14, 2019 AMERICAS

CRACKDOWN POLITICS TECH TALK PIECE OF HISTORY Facebook removes Cummings widow to run Canada spy agencies split Disneyland ‘Tiki’ birds part 5.4bn fake accounts for his Baltimore seat over Huawei 5G ban of vast theme park auction

Facebook Inc removed 5.4bn fake accounts The wife of the late US Representative Elijah Canada’s spy agencies are divided over whether A Los Angeles gallery is preparing to auction more between April and September this year, along Cummings, who played a key role in House or not to ban Chinese technology giant Huawei than 1,500 rare items from Disneyland and Walt with millions of posts depicting child abuse Democrats’ impeachment inquiry until his death from fifth generation (5G) networks over security Disney World, dating back to the theme park’s and suicide, according to its latest content last month, formally launched a bid on Tuesday concerns, the Globe and Mail reported yesterday. The founding in the 1950s. Mike Van Eaton, co-owner moderation report released yesterday. That for his congressional seat in Baltimore. Maya Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the of Van Eaton Galleries, has said that the auction more than doubles the number of fake accounts Rockeymoore Cummings, 48, announced her Communications Security Establishment (CSE) were traces the history of the famed park, featuring taken down during the same period last year, candidacy to serve out the remainder of her tasked with conducting a review to evaluate the risks items such as the original 1953 prospectus that when 1.55bn accounts were removed, according husband’s term in Maryland’s 7th Congressional as well as the economic costs to Canadian telecoms Walt Disney used to pitch to financiers ahead of to the report. The world’s biggest social network District a day after resigning her post as chair and consumers of blacklisting the equipment the park’s 1955 opening in southern California, an also disclosed for the first time how many of the state’s Democratic Party. Rockeymoore supplier. The Globe and Mail, citing an unnamed original map of Disneyland, and other signage. posts it removed from popular photo-sharing Cummings had said on MSNBC on Monday that source, said the CSIS and the CSE disagree on how There will also be familiar characters up for sale, New Yorkers bundle up against the cold app Instagram, which has been identified as a she and her spouse had discussed the possibility to proceed. The CSE reportedly supports an outright including animatronic birds from the Enchanted yesterday in New York City. Weather reports growing area of concern about fake news by of her succeeding him as his health declined and ban while the CSIS believes the risks can be mitigated Tiki Room, a bronze statue of Mickey Mouse, and predict plunging temperatures due to a blast disinformation researchers. he encouraged her to run should he die. with robust testing and monitoring of equipment. an It’s a Small World animatronic doll. of Arctic air.

Asylum seekers Trump prioritised Biden who entered US may be denied probe ‘over Ukraine aid’ work permits By Ted Hesson, Reuters Reuters Washington Washington he Trump administration yesterday enior Democratic and Republi- proposed a regulation that would bar can lawmakers yesterday pre- Tmost asylum seekers from applying Ssented duelling narratives as a for a work permit if they entered the United US congressional impeachment in- States illegally. quiry that threatens Donald Trump’s Immigration offi cers could grant excep- tumultuous presidency entered a tions on a case-by-case basis if migrants crucial new phase with the fi rst tel- were found to have “good cause” to enter evised public hearing. illegally. The drama unfolded in a hearing In addition, the proposal would allow im- of the House of Representatives In- migration authorities to reject an asylum telligence Committee in which two application or work permit request made by career US diplomats — William Tay- migrants who miss related immigration ap- lor and George Kent — voiced alarm pointments. over the Republican president and Opposition to the plan is expected from those around him pressuring Ukraine immigration lawyers and former immigra- to conduct investigations that would tion judges who have argued that clerical benefi t Trump politically. errors and lack of notice are common con- One revelation in particular drew cerns in the US immigration system. attention, showing Trump’s keen in- The proposed rule also would block asy- terest in Ukraine investigating politi- lum seekers from obtaining work authorisa- cal rival Joe Biden. tion if they have been convicted of any fed- Taylor said a member of his staff eral or state felony and certain other crimes. overheard a July 26 phone call between The Trump administration has advanced Trump and Gordon Sondland, a former several regulatory proposals in recent weeks political donor appointed as a sen- that would toughen the process to obtain ior diplomat, in which the Republican asylum. president asked about those investiga- The latest plan aims to discourage mi- tions and Sondland told him that the grants who might claim asylum to work le- Ukrainians were ready to proceed. gally in the United States, according to US Following the call — which oc- Citizenship and Immigration Services, the curred a day after Trump had asked George Kent, the deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian aff airs, and William Taylor, the top US diplomat in Ukraine, being sworn-in agency that oversees asylum applications. Ukraine’s president during a phone yesterday during a House Intelligence Committee public hearing in the impeachment inquiry against US President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington. “Illegal aliens are gaming our asylum sys- call to conduct these investigations tem for economic opportunity, which un- — the staff member asked Sondland, Taylor and Kent, the deputy assist- have shown little support for Trump’s Taylor, a career diplomat and Trumpers” — a term referring to Re- dermines the integrity of our immigration the US ambassador to the European ant secretary of state for European removal. former US Army offi cer, previously publican opponents of the president system and delays relief for legitimate asy- Union, what Trump thought about and Eurasian aff airs, expressed con- Asked about the impeachment served as US ambassador to Ukraine who he has called “human scum.” lum seekers in need of humanitarian pro- Ukraine, said Taylor, the top US dip- cern that US security aid was with- proceedings, Trump, at a Oval Offi ce and is now the chargé d’aff aires of the Kent said he had been alarmed by tection,” acting USCIS Director Ken Cuc- lomat in Ukraine. held from Ukraine as leverage to get meeting with visiting Turkish Presi- US embassy in Kyiv. eff orts by Giuliani and others to pres- cinelli said in a statement. “Ambassador Sondland responded Kyiv to carry out the investigations. dent Tayyip Erdogan, told reporters Kent oversees Ukraine policy at the sure Ukraine. “These proposed reforms are designed to that President Trump cares more “The questions presented by this he was “too busy to watch” and again State Department. Kent said Giuliani — who Demo- restore integrity to the asylum system and about the investigations of Biden, impeachment inquiry are whether called it a “a witch hunt, a hoax.” “I do not believe the United States crats have accused of conducting lessen the incentive to fi le an asylum appli- which Giuliani was pressing for,” President Trump sought to exploit Nunes accused the Democrats of should ask other countries to engage a shadow foreign policy eff ort in cation for the primary purpose of obtaining Taylor testifi ed, referring to Trump’s that ally’s vulnerability and invite conducting a “carefully orchestrated in selective, politically associated in- Ukraine to benefi t the president — work authorisation.” personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Ukraine’s interference in our elec- smear campaign” using “a horrifi - vestigations or prosecutions against had conducted a “campaign full of The administration last week issued a Asked by Adam Schiff , the com- tions,” Schiff said in his opening cally one-sided process” and accused opponents of those in power, because lies” against Marie Yovanovitch, who proposed rule that would add a $50 fee to mittee’s Democratic chairman, if that statement. “Democrats, the corrupt media and such selective actions undermine the was abruptly pulled from her post as certain asylum applications, the fi rst time meant Trump cared more about the “Our answer to these questions partisan bureaucrats” of trying to rule of law regardless of the country,” US ambassador to Ukraine in May. the United States has charged for such re- investigations than about Ukraine, will aff ect not only the future of this overturn the results of the 2016 elec- Kent said. She will give public testimony to- quests. Taylor said, “Yes, sir.” presidency, but the future of the tion won by Trump. Taylor said he found two channels morrow. In September, the administration rolled With a potential television audi- presidency itself, and what kind of He hewed to the Republican strate- of US policy toward Ukraine — one Democrats are hoping to convince out a proposal to eliminate a 30-day dead- ence of tens of millions looking on, conduct or misconduct the American gy of arguing that Trump did nothing regular and one “highly irregular” — independent voters and other doubt- line for processing work permit requests by Schiff opened the historic session — people may come to expect from their wrong or impeachable when he asked and recounted how a Trump meet- ers that Trump was wrong not only asylum seekers. the fi rst impeachment drama in two commander-in-chief,” Schiff said. Ukraine’s new president to investi- ing with the Ukrainian president in asking Ukraine to dig up dirt on That plan could slow down the timeline decades — in an ornate hearing room Schiff added, “If this is not im- gate Biden. was improperly conditioned on Kyiv his rival but in making it a “quid pro to approve or deny an asylum application. packed with journalists, lawmakers peachable conduct, what is?” “It’s nothing more than an im- agreeing to an investigation into the quo” — a Latin meaning a favour in Along those lines, the latest proposed and members of the public. This week’s hearings, where Amer- peachment process in search of a Bidens and the debunked notion of exchange for a favour. rule also would increase a standard waiting Schiff ’s accusations that Trump icans are hearing directly for the fi rst crime,” Nunes said. Ukrainian interference in the 2016 Nunes accused the Democrats of period for asylum seekers to receive a work abused his power was met by a time from people involved in events Schiff said the inquiry looks at election. pursuing impeachment after failing permit. staunch denial by the panel’s senior that sparked the congressional in- whether Trump sought to condition Taylor said he became aware that a to gain more politically from former Under existing regulations, asylum seek- Republican, Devin Nunes, of the Re- quiry, may pave the way for the Dem- offi cial acts such as a White House hold on the security aid was contin- Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s ers must wait 180 days from the date of sub- publican president’s complicity in a ocratic-led House to approve articles meeting or US military assistance on gent Ukraine opening the investiga- investigation that detailed Russian mitting an application for protection before saga that revolves around whether of impeachment — formal charges — Ukraine’s willingness to carry out two tions and that was most alarming to interference in the 2016 election to they can receive a work permit. Trump and his aides improperly pres- against Trump. political investigations that would him because it entailed “security as- boost Trump’s candidacy. The rule proposed yesterday calls for a sured Ukraine to dig up dirt on a po- That would lead to a trial in the help his re-election campaign. sistance to a country at war.” Mueller documented extensive 365-day waiting period from the date an litical rival for his political benefi t. Senate on whether to convict Trump “And if President Trump did either, Trump has denied any wrongdoing contacts between the Trump cam- asylum application is received. Biden is a former US vice president of those charges and remove him from whether such an abuse of his power and has derided some of the current paign and Russia but found insuf- The proposed rule, which will be pub- and a leading contender for the Demo- offi ce. is compatible with the offi ce of the and former US offi cials who have ap- fi cient evidence to prove a criminal lished today in the Federal Register, will be cratic nomination for the 2020 election. Republicans control the Senate and presidency?” Schiff asked. peared before committees as “Never conspiracy. subject to a 60-day public comment period. Greta Thunberg sails to Europe, sets course for UN climate summit

By Bastien Inzaurralde, AFP with a picture of the boat and the may be waking people up to the “She’s a very brave, independ- Hampton, Virginia open sea. dangers facing the globe. ent, strong young lady. It’s in- “I want to thank all the people “I thought when he got elected, spiring and I’m honestly amazed who I’ve met I North America for now people will fi nally, now peo- at what she’s doing,” Carausu wedish teen activist Greta their incredible hospitality. And ple must fi nally wake up,” she told said. Thunberg yesterday de- thank you all for your amazing AFP in an interview on Tuesday. She added that the crew has Sparted the United States, support!” she added. Six people will be aboard La “decided to have a vegan boat for hitching a ride to Europe aboard a She also tweeted a link for sup- Vagabonde for the trip: Elayna Greta, mostly.” catamaran to attend a UN climate porters to follow her trip: sailing- Carausu, 26, and her partner Ri- Greta plans to attend the COP summit in Madrid. lavagabonde.com. ley Whitelum, 35, together with 25 climate summit in Madrid, Carrying a large backpack and The boat sailed from Hamp- their 11-month-old boy Lenny; which starts in just under three wearing a heavy knit watch cap, ton, in the US state of Virginia, 26-year-old professional British weeks, before heading home to the 16-year-old and her father aiming to reach Portugal, more sailor Nikki Henderson, Greta, Sweden. Svante boarded La Vagabonde, a than 5,500km away. and her father Svante. During her North America 14m catamaran belonging to an During her trip Greta excori- Carausu and Whitelum trip “in one way, lots of things Australian couple that will be her ated world leaders at the United stepped forward when Greta put have changed, and lots of things home for the next two to three Nations, met former US presi- out an appeal on November 1 for have moved in the right direc- weeks. dent Barack Obama, received the someone who could get her back tion,” she told AFP before de- The Swedish activist, who be- keys to the city of Montreal and to Europe. parting. came world famous for found- road tripped across the conti- “We were kind of the only boat “But also in a sense we have ing the “school strikes for the nent in a Tesla electric car lent to around the area that was willing gone a few more months without climate,” is ending a hectic 11- her by actor and ex-governor of to cross the Atlantic this time of real action being taken and with- week North American sojourn California Arnold Schwarzeneg- year,” said Carausu. out people realising the emer- that made headlines at every turn ger. The seas are expected to be gency we are in.” as she criss-crossed the United In a parting shot, the young rougher on her return journey, As for 2020, “I don’t have any States and Canada. activist said US President Donald given the season, but Greta says plans right now,” she says. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg (centre) stands aboard the catamaran La Vagabonde with “We sail for home!” Greta Trump was “so extreme” a cli- the prospect of harsh weather Her school year starts in Au- her father Svante Thunberg (left), La Vagabonde owner Riley Whitelum (second left) and sailor Nikki tweeted as her sailboat departed, mate sceptic he unintentionally doesn’t perturb her. gust next year. Henderson as they set sail for Europe in Hampton, Virginia. Gulf Times Thursday, November 14, 2019 13 ASIA

25 charged over brutal Lanka steps up security killing of Bangladesh for fi nal election rallies student AFP Private poll monitor, the Peo- AFP Colombo ple’s Action for Free and Fair Dhaka Elections (PAFFREL) said it was peaceful compared to the 2015 olice stepped up security election when there were more ome 25 people, many mem- across Sri Lanka yesterday bomb attacks and shootings. bers of Bangladesh’s ruling Pover fears of violence on the However, PAFFREL chief Ro- SAwami League party, were fi nal day of campaigning for the hana Hettiarachchi said there charged with murder yesterday fi ercely contested presidential were more incidents of hate over the brutal killing last month election, offi cials said. speech, disinformation and in- of a university student who criti- Elite police commandos timidation on social media as cised the government on social reinforced police as the two well as radio and television. media. frontrunners in Saturday’s vote “We noticed a trend of us- The battered body of 21-year- Sajith Premadasa and Gotab- ing social media to issue threats old Abrar Fahad was found in his haya Rajapakse held rival rallies against political opponents,” dormitory hours after he wrote in and around Colombo. Hettiarachchi said. a post on Facebook slamming “There are reports of possible Campaigning was to stop Dhaka for signing a water-shar- violence,” a senior police offi cial at midnight Wednesday (1830 ing deal with India. said. “Additional strength has GMT) allowing a two-day cool- Police said he was beaten to been deployed in vulnerable ar- ing-off period before Saturday’s death by fellow students - many eas. Sniff er dogs and explosive ballot, with results expected on members of the ruling Awami detectors will also be used at Sunday. League’s university branch. Oth- fi nal rallies.” Some 16mn people over the ers had links to the pro-gov- Premadasa, 52, is the son of age of 18 years are eligible to ernment Bangladesh Chhatra assassinated president Ranas- choose a winner from among League (BCL). inghe Premadasa who was tar- a record 35 candidates who in- “Murder charges have been geted by a suicide bomber dur- clude two Buddhist monks and pressed to the court against 25 ing a May Day rally in Colombo just one woman. men,” police spokesman Monirul in 1993. The European Union on yes- Islam said. Rajapakse, brother of former terday despatched 30 additional “According to the CCTV foot- president Mahinda Rajapakse, election observers around the Special Task Force (STF) soldiers stand guard during a final campaign rally of New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith age, at least 11 were directly in- narrowly escaped a suicide country, joining 50 who have Premadasa in Colombo yesterday, ahead of the November 16 presidential election. volved in beating Fahad to death.” bomb attack in 2006 blamed on been in Sri Lanka for a month He said the accused had Tamil Tiger separatist rebels. following the campaign. fl ict - when Gotabhaya eff ec- murdered in connection with after being unable to service spent without giving any con- created an “environment of While ethnic tensions have A possible Gotabhaya Ra- tively ran the security forces their work”. Chinese loans to build it. sideration to how it has to be fear” on campus, with physi- eased, this year the country japakse victory has raised con- - however allegedly saw some His government also presided In 2014, two Chinese sub- paid back.” cal abuse and other coercive was rocked by co-ordinated cerns abroad about human 40,000 Tamil civilians killed. over a ballooning of Sri Lanka’s marines docked in Colombo, Basil Rajapakse, another behaviour. extremist bombings on Easter rights and a renewed pivot of He is also accused of - and debts as it borrowed heavily alarming Western countries - as brother, said yesterday that if “They were using their po- Sunday that killed at least 269 the strategically located nation denies - running a “death from China for a string of in- well as India - worried by Bei- Gotabhaya wins Sri Lanka “will litical identity as shelter,” he people. towards China. squad” that allegedly abducted frastructure projects, many of jing’s growing regional impor- work with everybody” on se- said, referring to their links During the election cam- Mahinda and Gotabhaya Ra- and murdered not only Tamils which are mired in graft allega- tance and assertiveness. curing investment. to Prime Minister Sheikh paign, there were no further japaksa are beloved among the but also political opponents and tions. China off ered Sri Lanka “in- Regarding human rights con- Hasina’s party. such attacks but the Election majority Sinhalese community journalists after the war ended. In what for critics is the big- ternational diplomatic protec- cerns, Western capitals “should Fahad’s death sparked wide- Commission said there were for crushing the Tamil Tigers to According to Reporters With- gest example of the pitfalls of tion as well as the funds for give a fair chance to us,” he told spread protests among students nearly 30 incidents of violence end Sri Lanka’s 37-year civil war out Borders (RSF), in the “dark China’s Belt and Road Initiative development,” analyst Paikia- reporters. “They can’t be moni- in the country, prompting Hasi- involving members of rival par- in 2009. decade” of Mahinda’s rule, (BRI), in 2017 Sri Lanka gave sothy Saravanamuttu said. tors of this country, they must na to promise his killers would be ties. The fi nal months of the con- at least 14 journalists “were Beijing a 99-year lease on a port The Rajapakses “spent and be partners.” severely punished. Bomber dies in Cambodian exiled leader barred from attack outside fl ight in Malaysia

AFP boarding of (Rainsy) under the Kuala Lumpur instruction of the Indonesian police offi ce in authorities,” the airline said in a statement yesterday. xiled Cambodian oppo- Tian Chua, a vice-president sition fi gurehead Sam of the People’s Justice Party, ERainsy was yesterday part of Malaysia’s ruling coali- Indonesia blocked from getting on a tion, and a friend of Rainsy’s, fl ight from Malaysia to Indo- said the opposition fi gure was Reuters quarters shortly before 9am nesia, after strongman Hun “barred from Jakarta”. Medan (0200 GMT). Sen pressured countries in the Indonesian immigration “All pieces found at the scene region to bar him. department spokesman Sam will be tested by a forensic lab Rainsy, who has lived in Fernando confi rmed Rainsy 24-year-old university to determine the type of bomb,” France since 2015 to avoid jail was not in the country - how- student blew himself up Prasetyo told a news conference, for convictions he says are po- ever he denied authorities had Aoutside police headquar- noting that nails, cables, a switch litically motivated, and other barred him from entering. ters in the Indonesian city of button and the suspect’s body members of his party are seeking Rainsy and other members Medan yesterday, wounding six parts had been recovered. to get back to Cambodia to unite of his Cambodia National Res- people, just a month after a mili- Indonesia’s anti-terrorism pro-democracy supporters. cue Party (CNRP) did not im- tant attacked a former security unit, Densus 88, was investigat- But Hun Sen - who has mediately respond to requests minister. ing whether the bomber had any ruled Cambodia for over three to comment. National police spokesman links to a radical group like the Police secure their headquarters in Medan, North Sumatra, yesterday, after a suicide attack occurred decades - has described their Last week Rainsy was Dedi Prasetyo said the student Islamic State-inspired Jamaah during their morning roll call. planned return as a coup bid, blocked from getting on a was a “lone wolf” suicide bomb- Ansharut Daulah (JAD), which threatened them with arrest fl ight in Paris to Thailand, er, although authorities were still has carried out a series of attacks Indonesian airport opera- The attack comes a month af- city of Surabaya last year. and urged neighbouring coun- from where he hoped to cross investigating whether he had in the country, he said. tor Angkasa Pura II said it had ter a suspected Islamist stabbed Foreseeing an increased threat tries to help thwart the exiles. into Cambodia, forcing him links to any militant groups. Television broadcast images tightened security at 19 airports and wounded Wiranto, Indone- of attacks from Indonesians who Rainsy failed to make it to instead to fl y to Malaysia. Indonesia, the world’s most showed smoke and a shower following the bombing. sia’s former security minister, joined Islamic State and have be- Cambodia by Saturday, as he His party was dissolved populous Muslim-majority of fragments coming from the The suspected attacker, who after he had opened a univer- gun returning from the Middle had pledged, but got to Malay- ahead of elections last year, country, has suff ered a resur- parking lot area and people rush- was wearing a motorcycle taxi sity building. Wiranto, who like East, police have detained hun- sia - another Southeast Asian paving the way for the ruling gence in homegrown mili- ing out of buildings around the driver jacket and had a back many Indonesians uses just one dreds of suspects since the start country - and vowed to stay in party to win all the seats in tancy in recent years, with headquarters after the blast. pack, is believed to strapped name, has since been discharged of the year. the region and seek to get home. parliament. police frequently the target of “Perpetrators and terrorist the bomb to his body, Prasetyo from hospital after undergoing Stanislaus Riyanta, a terrorism But yesterday afternoon he After facing international attacks. groups will be chased, captured, said. Earlier, a provincial police surgery. expert, said the attack in Medan was barred from boarding a pressure over the opposition Prasetyo said four police of- and brought to justice by our spokesman said the suspect had The government scrambled to could be in retaliation for the death fl ight at Kuala Lumpur airport crackdown, Hun Sen at the fi cers and two civilians, one of law,” Fadjroel Rahman, a spokes- his bag checked before entering tighten its anti-terrorism laws of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr to the Indonesian capital Ja- weekend released Kem Sokha, whom was a police employee, man for President Joko Widodo the car park near an area where after a series of suicide bomb- al-Baghdadi, who killed himself karta, where he had planned to the co-founder of the CNRP, were wounded by the blast in a said in a statement, cited by people were queuing for police ings linked to the JAD group last month during a US commando spend several days. from house arrest. He was car park at Medan police head- media. verifi cation certifi cates. killed more than 30 people in the raid on his compound in Syria. “Malaysia Airlines denied charged with treason in 2017. Confusion, anguish in Vietnam as families await UK truck dead

Reuters of the victims, most of whom to agree that their children’s re- local authorities to nullify their cluding in the northern-central nymity given the sensitivity of used by people working in Vi- Hanoi had left poorer rural villages in mains be cremated instead. agreement to have her cremated. provinces of Ha Tinh and Nghe the issue. It was not clear what etnamese-owned nail salons in search of work, was 15. Last week, Gia signed a form “I want to see my sister one An from which most of the vic- logistical diffi culties the offi cial Britain, where many Vietnamese In Vietnam, the families of the granting permission for Luong’s more time before we bury her,” tims left on their fatal journey, was referring to. migrants seek work. radition in Vietnam dic- victims have been plagued by body to be repatriated. The next said Pham Manh Cuong, Tra the dead should be buried within Vietnam’s largest state-run One such group has been tates that the dead should confusion and anguish over how day, police encouraged him to My’s brother. three days. media, including the Vietnam raising money to help fund the Tbe buried within three to get the bodies home. opt for his son’s ashes instead. Britain’s Embassy in Hanoi “We had to persuade the News Agency (VNA) and the bringing back of the bodies. days, but Nguyen Dinh Gia is Rumours about high costs “I was told the original form, said the Vietnamese government families to accept that the Thanh Nien and Tuoi Tre news- Gia said relatives told him still waiting for his son’s body to circulating on social media, including the option to repatri- was leading eff orts to repatriate remains be cremated, even papers, have not reported on the they had seen social media posts come home. confl icting information from ate Luong’s body, was no longer the remains. Vietnam’s foreign though we know they’d rather case this week. quoting prices as high as 1.2bn “We are tired. We want our local authorities and a par- valid,” said Gia. ministry did not respond to a re- have the bodies, according Sources at two privately- dong ($52,700) to repatriate the child back as soon as possible,” tial blackout of news in Viet- Exhausted and seeking clo- quest for comment. to Vietnamese traditions and owned media outlets said they body. said Gia whose son, Luong, was nam’s tightly controlled me- sure, Gia agreed for his son’s An important event at Vi- beliefs,” a senior offi cial in Ha had been instructed by the “The police didn’t mention one of 39 Vietnamese who died dia have all contributed to the body to be cremated. etnamese funerals is the act of Tinh told Reuters. authorities not to interview any costs when they visited,” in the back of a truck in Britain uncertainty. The family of Pham Thi Tra walking around the body of the “Due to the diffi culties in lo- families of the victims. said Gia. “They just persuaded around three weeks ago. Six families told Reuters they My, who sent an emotional text deceased, so that family mem- gistics and the arrangements The issue of repatriation costs us that it would be better to bring British police have charged had been expecting to receive message to her parents warn- bers can bid a fi nal farewell. between the two countries, we has been widely discussed on back ashes since it’d be very dif- two people with manslaughter the bodies of the dead, but were ing in her dying moments that And for most people in the have to off er that option,” said social media in Vietnam, includ- fi cult to transfer the body from over the incident. The youngest later asked by Vietnamese police she couldn’t breathe, has asked Southeast Asian country, in- the offi cial, who requested ano- ing in private Facebook groups Britain to Vietnam in a coffi n.” Gulf Times 14 Thursday, November 14, 2019 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Uighur researchers say China running more camps than known

AFP Uighurs are allegedly pressured ligence and who advised the said that the group tried to verify bly integrate Uighurs into the cational training and coaxing including on the destruction of Arlington to renounce their culture. group, said that around 40% of the nature of each site with on- Han majority, including pres- Muslims away from extremism. cemeteries in Xinjiang, which Researching imagery from the sites had not been previously the-ground accounts but de- suring Muslims to give up tenets Hundreds died in 2009 riots in was documented in an investi- Google Earth, the group said reported. Rights advocates have clined to give greater detail, cit- of their faith such as praying and Xinjiang’s capital Urumqi that gation last month by AFP using ighur activists said yes- it also spotted 209 suspected generally estimated that China ing the need to protect sources. abstaining from pork and alco- largely targeted Han Chinese. satellite imagery. terday they have docu- prisons and 74 suspected labour is detaining more than 1mn Ui- China’s foreign ministry said hol. Olbert described China’s The United States has likened The movement said it had Umented nearly 500 camps for which it would share ghurs and members of other the allegations were “baseless.” policy as “genocide by incar- China’s treatment of Uighurs unsuccessfully asked the State camps and prisons run by China details later. predominantly Muslim Turkic “East Turkestan organisations ceration,” fearing that Uighurs to Nazi Germany’s concentra- Department for satellite data in to detain members of the eth- “In large part these have not ethnicities. outside China have long con- would be held indefi nitely. tion camps, but an increasingly hopes of improving its informa- nic group, alleging that Beijing been previously identifi ed, so we But Randall Schriver, the top ducted activities harming Chi- “It’s like boiling a frog. If they strong Beijing has faced limited tion sources. US lawmakers have could be holding far more than could be talking about far great- Pentagon offi cial for Asia, said in na’s national security,” foreign were to kill 10,000 people a day, criticism outside the West. also spoken out increasingly on the commonly cited fi gure of er numbers” of people detained, May that the fi gure was “likely ministry spokesman Geng Sh- the world might take notice,” he China last month secured a Xinjiang. 1mn people. said Kyle Olbert, the director of closer to 3mn citizens” — an ex- uang said yesterday at a regular said. “But if they were just to statement at the United Nations In a recent letter, Representa- The East Turkistan National operations for the movement. traordinary number in a region press briefi ng. keep everyone imprisoned and by nations including Russia, Pa- tive Jim McGovern and Sena- Awakening Movement, a Wash- “If anything, we are concerned of some 20mn people. He said it was “clear for all let them die off naturally, per- kistan and Egypt — which have tor Marco Rubio, who head the ington-based group that seeks that there may be more facilities Olbert said that archive im- to see” that China’s policies in haps the world might not no- all faced criticism of their own Congressional-Executive Com- independence for the mostly that we have not been able to agery from alleged camp sites Xinjiang had promoted “ethnic tice. I think that’s what China is records — that praised Beijing’s mission on China, urged cus- Muslim region known to China identify,” he told a news confer- showed consistent patterns — unity and social harmony” in re- banking on,” he said. “remarkable achievements in toms authorities to take “ag- as Xinjiang, gave the geographic ence in suburban Washington. steel and concrete construction cent years. China has justifi ed its policy the fi eld of human rights.” gressive action” to ban imports co-ordinates of 182 suspected Anders Corr, an analyst who over the past four years along Activists and witnesses say after fi rst denying the camps, The Uighur activist group of goods from Xinjiang made “concentration camps” where formerly worked in US intel- with security perimeters. He China is using torture to forci- saying that it is providing vo- said it periodically added data with forced labour. Australia bushfi re threat still high as clean-up begins

AFP Glenreagh

ustralians yesterday began sifting through the ashes Aof hundreds of bushfi res that have ravaged the country, relieved that their worst fears were unrealised – but wary of a long and brutal summer ahead. Firefi ghters were still bat- tling around 140 blazes across the country’s eastern seaboard, A kookaburra perches on a burnt tree in the aftermath of a bushfire in Wallabi Point, New South Wales in but a respite from “catastroph- this image obtained from social media. ic” weather conditions meant the danger from many fi res was “The losses, the damage, the downgraded. consequences could have been The northern state of Queens- simply enormous across such a land remained on high alert, with broad geographic area,” Fitzsim- residents on the north shore of mons said. popular holiday town Noosa told New South Wales Police said to “leave immediately” to avoid they had begun investigating an “unpredictable” fi re burning whether a small number of the nearby. Underscoring the risks blazes had been deliberately lit, to residents and emergency re- as they made handful of arrests sponders, a fi refi ghting helicop- Tinonee resident Brian Acheson sets up his tip truck as a makeshift fire truck to assist residents fighting for suspected looting of fi re- ter crashed during waterbombing spot and grass fires in the Hillville area near Taree, NSW, Australia. stricken properties. operations in the state. The hot, dry continent of Aus- The pilot survived with spared. Residents of the small fi res in diffi cult-to-access areas ing that it could be “many, many tralia has long experienced bush- “non-life-threatening injuries”, towns of Glenreagh and Nana of the state. “We’ve got another weeks” before the situation is fi res, but scientists say climate a Queensland Ambulance Serv- Glen returned to fi nd houses in- tough day today and there’s an fully under control. “Unfortu- change is exacerbating extreme ice spokesman told AFP. In the tact, a nearby 150,000-hectare extended forecast that we’re not nately, what we need is rain ... weather conditions, including a worst-hit areas of New South (370,000-acre) inferno having out of the woods by any means,” and there is certainly nothing in prolonged drought in the coun- Wales, cooler southerly winds stopped just short of their doors. he said. the forecast for the foreseeable try’s east that has created tinder- A car and house lay burnt out after bushfires impacted on houses eased conditions – a stark con- But on nearby farmland, un- Tough conditions were ex- future that’s going to make any box-like conditions. and farmland near the small town of Glenreagh, some 600kms north trast with the gale-force gusts lucky families faced homes de- pected to fl are again in Queens- discernible diff erence.” The Bureau of Meteorol- of Sydney, yesterday. and high temperatures that stroyed and cars transformed land and New South Wales at More than 300 new fi res be- ogy says human-caused climate plagued fi refi ghters for much of into blackened husks. Queens- the weekend as the temperature gan in the state Tuesday, with 19 change is also “infl uencing the more extreme fi re season. The However Prime Minister Scott Tuesday. land Fire and Emergency Serv- rises and winds pick up. “We will classifi ed as emergencies. They frequency and severity of dan- unprecedented wave of bushfi res Morrison and other senior min- In all, 50 homes were dam- ices acting commissioner not have all these fi res contained spanned a distance of almost gerous bushfi re conditions” by has brought renewed calls for the isters have repeatedly refused to aged or destroyed, and around Michael Wassing said another before then,” New South Wales 1,000km (600 miles) – from the increasing temperatures, sap- conservative government to curb answer questions about climate 20 people were injured, but wind change yesterday after- Rural Fire Service commissioner outskirts of Sydney north toward ping moisture from the environ- fossil fuels and cut greenhouse change during the unfolding ca- most populated areas were noon could worsen several large Shane Fitzsimmons said, add- Brisbane. ment and causing an earlier and gas emissions. tastrophe.

Protesters blockade universities in Hong Kong New Zealanders to

Reuters cluding Britain and the United vote in referendum on Hong Kong States, for stirring up trouble. In the heart of the city’s Cen- tral business district yesterday legalising euthanasia nti-government protest- night, police used an armoured ers dug in at several uni- vehicle with an offi cer fi ring less- Aversity campuses across than-lethal rounds from the roof Reuters The lawmaker behind the bill, Hong Kong yesterday, setting the to ram a barricade and disperse Wellington David Seymour of the liber- stage for further confrontations protesters who had been block- tarian ACT Party, said people as police said violence in the ing traffi c. who are genuinely concerned Chinese-ruled city had reached a Nearby, protesters also blocked ew Zealand lawmakers have absolutely nothing to fear “very dangerous and even deadly the entrance to the Cross-Har- passed a bill yesterday as there are robust safeguards level”. bour Tunnel that links Hong Nthat would legalise eu- in place. “It is entirely about Protesters – many of them Kong island to the Kowloon area, thanasia, paving the way for choice. Just as their rights and young students – spent much of according to the city’s Transport the public to vote on the issue choices are respected, they will yesterday fortifying barricades Department. in a referendum next year. also need to respect the choic- and stockpiling food and make- Earlier in the day, about 1,000 The bill, which enables ter- es of others,” Seymour said. shift weapons, as other roving protesters blocked roads in the minally ill people to request a The fate of the law rests in bands of masked protesters dis- Central district at lunchtime. medically assisted death, was the hands of New Zealanders rupted transport and businesses Wearing now-banned face masks passed 69-51 in parliament, who will vote in a referendum in many areas. and dressed in offi ce wear, they after several amendments and at the general election which As night fell without more marched and hurled bricks on years of heated debate. must be held by November of the large on-campus clashes to roads lined with some of the Previous attempts by law- next year. seen the previous day, protest- world’s most expensive real es- makers to legalise euthanasia The pubic will also be voting ers manning the barricades and tate and luxury fl agship stores. have failed, and when the bill in a referendum over legalising checkpoints around the univer- Scores of riot police tried to dis- Anti-government protesters build a brick wall as a roadblock during a hold-up against the police at the was introduced in parliament recreational cannabis. Recent sities arranged to sleep in shifts perse the crowds near the stock Chinese University of Hong Kong. again in 2017 it was met with polls have indicated that a ma- to watch for any approaching exchange, wrestling some people several concerns including the jority support the measure to police. Demonstrators have been to the ground and beating others leaders, but it became a battle- the future of Hong Kong so even Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam possible vulnerability of elder- legalise euthanasia. However, protesting since June about what with batons. fi eld for criminals and rioters,” though I’m worried about being met with city government offi - ly patients being coerced. The there has also been a strong they see as meddling by Beijing in At the Chinese University Hong Kong police spokesman Tse checked by the police I still want cials late on Wednesday, accord- bill has since been amended resistance from faith-based the freedoms guaranteed under of Hong Kong (CUHK), where Chun-chung told reporters. to come and support them,” said ing to public broadcaster RTHK, with what its sponsors say are organisations, medical profes- the “one country, two systems” multiple people were injured in Police confi rmed that they had Cheung, a 30-year-old alumni though the exact details of the safeguards, including a re- sionals and others. formula put in place when the clashes between riot police and evacuated a number of mainland bringing supplies including food meeting were not released. quirement that patients be di- The bill received 39,000 former British colony returned to protesters on Tuesday, police Chinese university students from to one campus. Hong Kong’s Education Bu- agnosed as having less than six public submissions, most of Chinese rule in 1997. Allegations accused protesters of running a Hong Kong by boat, while Tai- Protesters and police had bat- reau said all schools would shut months left to live. them opposing it. Opposition of police brutality have fuelled “weapons factory” making hun- wan’s Mainland Aff airs Council tled through Tuesday night at today. Several universities said The patient must be the fi rst National Party lawmaker Mag- protesters’ anger. dreds of petrol bombs that were said dozens of Taiwanese stu- university campuses only hours they would be introducing online to suggest assisted dying, and gie Barry called it a “danger- China denies interfering in thrown at offi cers. dents were also due to leave the after a senior police offi cer said learning and other assessment two doctors must agree that ous and permissive bill” and Hong Kong’s aff airs and has “A university is supposed to city due to safety concerns. the city had been pushed to the methods for the remaining weeks the patient is well-informed said it was important to stop it blamed Western countries, in- be a breeding ground for future “The youngsters are really “brink of a total breakdown”. of the term. and other legal criteria are met. through the referendum. Gulf Times Thursday, November 14, 2019 15 BRITAIN

COMMENT RULING POLITICS PEOPLE Farage says will stand Court blocks planned Shamed MP quits election Rod Stewart unveils down no more candidates strike by Royal Mail staff as wife stands against him epic model railway

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said he would Royal Mail yesterday won a High Court injunction An ex-minister who resigned after sending lewd Singer Rod Stewart has unveiled a huge, stand down no more candidates beyond the to block strike action by postal workers in Britain messages to two women has withdrawn from incredibly detailed model railway city that he 317 Conservative seats his party has already during the busy pre-Christmas shopping period next month’s election after his estranged wife was and friends built over 26 years, in a magazine withdrawn from. When asked if the Brexit Party next month. The union denounced the ruling as chosen to replace him. Andrew Griff iths’ wife Kate, interview published yesterday. The veteran would stand down any further candidates, an “outrage” and said it planned to appeal. The who is divorcing him, was chosen instead of him singer, 74, showcased his huge work, loosely Farage said he would not do so. “No. That’s just company launched its legal action last week to to fight the seat of Burton and Uttoxeter for Prime based on 1940s Philadelphia and begun in a a sort of attempt at intimidation that has come prevent the planned walkout that had been due Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservatives. Griff iths large attic at his Los Angles home in 1993, in an from elements of the press. No. We are going also around the time of the country’s general on Tuesday apologised for his conduct adding interview with British hobby magazine Railway to take on all the Remainers who are standing election on December 12 that risked delaying the that he had “sadly come to the decision that it is Modeller. “I got hooked on American railways in this country.” The Brexit Party leader said arrival of postal votes. Royal Mail had pointed to time for me to leave frontline politics”, a report in because I was living there when the layout was he would take on Labour and remainer parties “potential irregularities” in the strike ballot that the Guardian quoted him as saying. Griff iths quit started,” Stewart told the magazine. Stewart Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage wears boxing in the election. “We’re going to stand against had been called during a dispute between postal as minister for small businesses in July 2018 after said he was inspired by reading a book on gloves during a visit to a boxing gym in Ilford, every single one of them,” Farage said of the workers and management over pay and other the media revealed he had bombarded the two George Sellios, a well-known American railway Britain, yesterday. Labour Party. employment conditions. women with the unwanted messages. modeller. NHS ‘rescue package’ will be funded by the wealthy: Labour

Guardian News and Media turning into just six hospital rec- London alibrations.” Speaking after McDonnell, Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow abour’s NHS “rescue health secretary, gave further package” will be funded by details of Labour’s NHS “rescue Lhigher income tax rates, at plan” revealed overnight. 45p for those earning more than The party’s pledge would £80,000 a year and 50p for those give the health service £5.5bn bringing in over £150,000, John more a year by 2023-24 than McDonnell, the shadow chan- the £20.5bn the Conservatives cellor, has said. have promised, and represent He said the higher income tax the biggest boost to health rates would be in Labour’s mani- spending since Labour was last festo, matching its pledges from in power between 1997 and the 2017 election. 2010. Speaking at the Royal Col- After the speech, McDonnell lege of Medicine, McDonnell was challenged over the impact outlined Labour’s promises to on the NHS of the party’s plans spend about £6bn more than to aim for a four-day working the Conservatives on raising the week, which the Tories claim NHS’s budget for day-to-day would cost billions. Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers a speech during his Conservative party general election campaign visit to the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) in Coventry, spending. Earlier, Ashworth had sug- central England, yesterday. “The day-to-day spending gested on the BBC it would not increase will be funded by tax- apply to the NHS, saying: “No. ing the top 5% at a higher rate It is not happening. There is of income tax,” he said. “Income not a four-day week coming in tax rates, national insurance and the NHS.” However, standing VAT will not increase for 95%. beside Ashworth, McDonnell It is only the 5% we will ask to clarifi ed at the event that the pay a little more. We will reduce policy would apply to everyone the threshold for 45p rates for when brought into force over the Johnson pledges to get £80,000 and reintroduce the course of a decade. He said: “It’s 50p rate for £125,000. That is our a 32-hour working week, imple- pledge.” mented over a 10-year period. McDonnell said the shoulders It will apply to everybody. What of the wealthiest 5% were “broad Jon was talking about was how enough to bear this”, adding that you apply it over that 10-year “our society as a whole gains period. Britain out of Brexit rut from that contribution”. “What we’ve said – a bit He branded the last nine years like the implementation of the Reuters sapped investors’ faith in the ‘groundhoggery’ of Brexit,” he lin, not Britain, because Brexit Opinion polls put the Con- of Tory-led government a “dec- minimum wage – just like every London stability of the world’s fi fth said in an apparent reference to posed too much of a risk. servatives far ahead but ana- ade of decay” for the NHS. other reduction in the working largest economy and damaged the 1993 movie Groundhog Day Johnson, 55, hopes to win lysts caution that Brexit, “For eight years, the NHS week, it is planned and nego- Britain’s standing since it voted in which a TV weatherman fi nds a majority to push through a which has divided both major budget increases have averaged tiated. As we put investment rime Minister Boris in a 2016 referendum to leave himself reliving the same day Brexit deal he agreed with EU parties and their voters, could just 1.4%; that says something into our economy, there will Johnson yesterday the EU. over and over. leaders. The deadline for Brit- confound conventional calcu- about the value they place on be higher wages and over time Ppromised to get Brit- “The UK is admired and re- Earlier yesterday, Johnson ain’s departure is January 31. lations. caring for those in need,” he as wealth is created, we want ain out of its Brexit “rut” if he spected around the world but was heckled by two onlookers Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Underlining the political fl ux, said. a proportion of that wealth wins a December 12 election, people are baffl ed by our de- as he inspected relief eff orts in main opposition Labour Party David Gauke, a former Con- “And when you sift through shared more fairly with the saying the world is baffled by bate on Brexit and they can- a fl ood-hit district of northern was also heckled in the street in servative minister, said a clear the spin of their most recent workforce. That means higher why the country is so “hesi- not understand how this great England, several days after the Scotland. win for Johnson’s party would promises – which use cash terms wages or of course a shorter tant about its future.” On a country can squander so much worst of the fl ooding. He backs holding a sec- be bad for Britain and that he fi gures – they are proposing working week.” campaign trip to central Eng- time and energy on this ques- “You took your time, Boris,” ond referendum to determine would run in the election as an spending just 3.3% extra a year, Labour’s spending pledge puts land, Johnson reiterated that tion and how we can be so hesi- one said. The other asked: whether Britain should leave independent. compared with our 4.3%. On pressure on Boris Johnson to in- only he can break the deadlock tant about our future,” Johnson “Where’ve you been?”. with a diff erent deal he hopes to Moving the debate on to the capital, the NHS capital budget crease the amount he is commit- over Britain’s departure from said. Earlier yesterday, Elon Musk, negotiate, or stay in the EU. National Health Service, on is lower today in real terms than ting to the NHS, which he has the European Union. “If we can get a working ma- chief executive of US elec- Johnson described that pros- which it is traditionally strong, 2010-11. And in recent weeks made one of his three “people’s The election was called to jority we can get parliament tric vehicle pioneer Tesla, was pect as “an expense of spirit and Labour said it would boost we have had the scandal of Tory priorities” and sought to make a end three years of disagree- working for you, we can get quoted as saying he had decided a waste of shame and more po- healthcare spending by £26bn promises for 40 new hospitals Tory vote-winner. ment over Brexit that has out of the rut. We can end the to build a new factory in Ber- litical self-obsession.” over the next fi ve years. Tom Cruise ‘narrowly Charity anniversary Council parking escaped being hit at pub’ charges soar by 90% Daily Mail tion began squeezing town hall London spending in 2010. However, lo- Guardian News and Media sunglasses and going unrec- goodness, I was just leaning in cal authorities “cut back spend- London ognised. to get a bit more ice.” ing on services which are more “There was a man sitting But Ger the Manny disputed arking charges pocketed discretionary or where there down the end of the counter Cruise’s claims of innocence, by town halls have rock- was more scope to raise income he actor Tom Cruise al- called Ger the Manny,” he said. shouting: “You were trying to Peted by nearly 90% over from fees and charges”, it said. most had his arm broken “He was an elderly man and he steal Matt’s cigarettes.” the past decade. The value of parking charges Tby an irate drinker in an had his stick up on the counter Healy-Rae said that Cruise A breakdown of council fi - to councils is now approaching Irish pub who accused him of and he was sipping away at a stuck to his guns: “The Ameri- nances also shows that at the £1bn a year. Since 2010 it has trying to steal the barman’s drink.” can looked at them and said, same time spending on pot- gone up 88%, from £490mn to cigarettes, a Kerry politician The bartender working that ‘I was not, I was trying to steal holes and other road repairs is £920mn. has revealed. day, who was called Matt, nothing.’ They sipped away at down 53%. Money spent on regeneration Michael Healy-Rae, an served the young couple two their Diet Coke and left.” The squeeze on drivers can of private housing went down Irish independent politician glasses of Diet Coke with ice, He added: “If Ger had been be pinned on council chiefs by 70% for each resident over who has been a Dail member before heading into a backroom an inch or two longer he could trying to replace revenue lost the decade – but spending on for the Kerry constituency on an errand. have broke (his) arm.” through Treasury cutbacks, homelessness went up by 72%. since 2016, spoke about the Healy-Rae continued: Far and Away was one of according to the analysis by Spending on bus passes, incident on The Pat Kenny “When he was gone, the Cruise and Kidman’s three on- the Institute for Fiscal Studies. mainly for pensioners, went Show. American leaned behind the screen collaborations: they met Town halls have also hiked down by 6% – a subsidy that Healy-Rae’s family have counter and he had his hand on the set of Days of Thunder the costs of burials and crema- accounts for a quarter of all long been associated with the dipped inside the counter. in 1990, and also worked on tion and slashed spending on council expenditure on trans- pub. The landlord for many “Ger jumped up off his Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide sports pitches, leisure centres port and highways. years was Jackie Healy-Rae, stool, he caught his stick and Shut (1999), before separating and parks. Free bus passes for pen- the father of Michael and his drew a belt at yer man’s hand in 2001. They are being forced to sioners have been regarded brother Danny, who is also a trying to hit him across the Cruise has long been teeto- focus on the services they are as untouchable by successive politician. hand. tal. In his senior year at high legally required to provide – governments, which worry Cruise was in the county in “But he just missed and there school he was dropped from especially social services for about high voting rates among 1991 while shooting the Ron was a big bang down on the the football varsity team after troubled children and care for older citizens. The report said Howard drama Far and Away counter right near the Ameri- it was found he had drunk beer Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is greeted by CEO of vulnerable and elderly adults. council fees or cuts that aff ect with his wife, Nicole Kid- can’s hand.” before a game. Centrepoint, Seyi Obakin, as he arrives at Centrepoint’s In its fi rst full-scale report on the majority of residents have man. The pair entered the On hearing the commotion, The Guardian has contacted new Apprenticeship House in south London yesterday, to local government fi nances, the been pushed so far into the pub one afternoon, Healy-Rae Matt returned to the bar, where Cruise’s representatives for celebrate the 50th anniversary of the charity. IFS said spending on care serv- future “it may be diffi cult to reported, wearing jeans and Cruise reportedly said: “My comment. ices was kept up after the Coali- make further cutbacks”. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, November 14, 2019 EUROPE

EDUCATION POLITICS BLOCKED DOG-GONE NAME GAME Student sets himself on fire Moldova ex-finance minister Police disperse Catalan German town’s sale of EU changes off icial’s title over ‘hard’ university life nominated as PM candidate demo on key motorway sick dog lands in court over far-right connotation

The French government yesterday attempted to Moldovan President Igor Dodon yesterday Police yesterday managed to disperse Catalan A pug bought from a German municipality via The incoming European Commission chief defuse the anger caused by the attempted suicide nominated former finance minister Ion Chicu to separatist protesters from a busy motorway linking e-Bay is at the centre of a legal battle that began has changed the title of her migration of a student who set himself alight to protest the be the next prime minister in what is likely to be Spain and France, reopening the road in both yesterday in the northern city of Muenster. The commissioner from “Protecting our European hardships of his university life. The 22-year-old a Socialist Party-backed minority government directions after more than 48 hours of intermittent new owner is contesting the way the animal Way of Life” following criticism it had far-right student suff ered burns on 90% of his body after following the collapse of the ruling coalition. blockages. The demonstration caused chaos on an was described in the advertisement released by connotations, an EU official said yesterday. attempting to take his life outside a university The previous government was brought down by artery which is particularly important for cross- authorities in Ahlen almost a year ago after they Ursula von der Leyen agreed to modify the building in Lyon in southeast France last Friday. The a no-confidence vote on Tuesday, threatening border freight transport. The highway jam began seized the dog from a debtor unable to pay her title to “Promoting the European Way of Life” man, who had recently lost his student grant and more instability just five months after the pro- on Monday morning when hundreds of activists bills. The owner is demanding more than 20,000 for the commissioner, her spokesman told AFP. whose identity was withheld for privacy reasons, Western prime minister Maia Sandu took off ice flocked to La Jonquera, blocking the busy AP7 euros ($22,000) from the Ahlen authorities, Her commission plans to take charge from remains in serious condition in hospital. President promising to fight corruption. Chicu now has 15 motorway linking Spain and France. Organised by alleging that a city off icial had lied in describing next month. The original name given to the Emmanuel Macron deplored the student’s days to form a cabinet, which then needs the activist group Democratic Tsunami, it was the latest the pug, called Edda, as healthy. The complainant, portfolio had brewed up a storm, especially “tragic” gesture at a cabinet meeting yesterday approval of parliament. The 47-year-old Chicu operation in an ongoing campaign of protest since who bought Edda for 690 euros and renamed among left-wing MEPs who noted a similarity and expressed his “empathy and compassion”, briefly served as finance minister under Sandu’s October after Spain’s top court jailed nine separatist her Wilma, claims that the dog required several to rhetoric employed by anti-immigration government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye said. predecessor, former prime minister Pavel Filip. leaders over a failed 2017 independence bid. operations and needs constant medication. politicians.

2 arrested for Historic Venice fl oods blamed plotting attacks on Muslims

Reuters on climate change, corruption Warsaw

By Ella Ide, AFP Venice olish agents have arrested two people ac- cused of planning attacks against Mus- Plims inspired by Norwegian mass killer uch of Venice was under- Anders Behring Breivik and suspected white water yesterday after the supremacist Brenton Tarrant in New Zealand, Mhighest tide in 50 years the security service said yesterday. ripped through the historic Italian The arrests follow a spate of attacks involv- city, beaching gondolas, trashing ing white supremacists targeting ethnic and re- hotels and sending tourists fl eeing ligious minorities across the globe. through rapidly rising waters. Far-right groups have grown in strength in Offi cials blamed climate change Poland, the largest of the European Union’s while shopkeepers on the Grand post-communist states. Canal raged against those who have The two suspects were taken into custody on failed to protect the Unesco city from Sunday in the capital Warsaw and the northern the high tide. city of Szczecin. They said corruption had repeat- “The arrests are the result of information edly delayed a barrier protection collected earlier by the Internal Security Agen- system which could have prevented cy (ABW) about an extremist group whose aim the disaster. was to intimidate Muslims living in Poland,” the “The city is on its knees,” Venice People walk on a footbridge across a flooded street in Venice. statement said. mayor Luigi Brugnaro said in an in- “The materials gathered during the inves- terview with national broadcaster tigation show the group modelled itself on RAI. terrorist attacks carried out by extremists in- “There’s widespread devasta- cluding Anders Breivik (in 2011 in Norway) and tion,” he said in the famed St Mark’s Brenton Tarrant (in 2019 in New Zealand).” Square, which bore the brunt of the The group intended to carry out attacks us- fl ooding. ing fi rearms and explosives, the statement said, “In all likelihood the damage from and during one search of a house in the Warsaw last night runs into hundreds of mil- suburb of Wlochy, ABW agents found materials lions of euros (dollars)”. for making large quantities of explosives, guns Tourists lugging heavy suitcases and ammunition. waded in thigh-high galoshes or Breivik, an anti-Muslim neo-Nazi, mas- barefoot through the submerged al- sacred 77 people in Norway’s worst peacetime leys, as water taxi and gondola driv- atrocity in July 2011. ers baled sewage-tainted water out Tarrant has been charged with an attack of their trashed vessels. broadcast live on Facebook in 2019 on two A 78-year old was killed by elec- mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, that tric shock as the waters poured into killed 51 people and wounded dozens. his home. “We ask the government to help A man pushes a wheelbarrow on a flooded street in Venice in this picture us, the costs will be high,” Brugnaro A worker walks in the flooded crypt of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice. obtained from social media. tweeted. “These are the eff ects of climate change.” ing on extra boats as water ambulances. it. It doesn’t work and they have sto- 12, including students, Environment Minister Sergio Around 160 fi re fi ghters were de- len 6bn euros. The politicians should Costa blamed climate change and the ployed to rescue people stranded on all be put in jail,” said local Dino Per- “tropicalisation” of violent rainfall jetties and to recover boats broken zolla, 62. killed in road accident and strong winds. free from their moorings. St Mark’s Square in one of the low- “This is what is happening more President of the Veneto region est parts of the city was particularly Reuters and more often in the Mediterrane- Luca Zaia said 80% of the city had aff ected, its vestibule inundated with Bratislava an,” Costa said on Facebook. been submerged, causing “unimagi- water. “Global warming will destroy our nable damage”. “It was apocalyptic, enough to planet if we do not immediately re- German tourist Gabi Brueckner, give you goosebumps,” said Marina lorry carrying gravel collided yesterday verse the direction.” 58, said the nighttime drama had Vector, as she and her husband used with a passenger bus, killing 12 people in The exceptionally intense “ac- been “horrifying”. buckets to scoop water out of their Awestern Slovakia, the country’s deadli- qua alta,” or high waters, peaked at She said she feared, like many shop selling Venetian festival masks. est road accident in a decade, police said. 1.87m. Only once since records be- people, that climate change “will get “The storm was so bad it broke the The accident occurred in rainy weather on a gan in 1923 has the water crept even worse and at some point Venice will marble fl ood barrier out front. Noth- winding two-lane road near the city of Nitra, higher, reaching 1.94m in 1966. drown”. ing’s survived,” she said. 90km east of the capital Bratislava. “It was unbelievable, the wa- A massive infrastructure project Tables and chairs set out for aperi- The truck was probably overloaded and wob- ter rose so quickly,” said resident called MOSE has been underway tifs bobbed outside bedraggled lux- bled, causing it to strike the bus on its side, In- Tiziano Collarin, 59, as he surveyed since 2003 to protect the city, but it ury hotels, where people of all ages terior Minister Denisa Sakova told reporters as the damage. has been plagued by cost overruns, seeking safety from the storm late she headed to the site of the accident. “Windows were blown out, there corruption scandals and delays. Tuesday had been forced to climb The bus then crashed into a ditch, with sev- are those who have lost everything,” The plan involves 78 gates that can in through windows after gangways eral people trapped underneath, she added. he said as the fl ood alarm rang out to be raised to protect Venice’s lagoon washed away. The dead included four high school students. warn those in the canal city that the during high tides — but a recent at- “I’ve never seen anything like it in Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini said in a tide, which had receded somewhat tempt to test part of the barrier my life. There was a terrifying wind, statement he would end an offi cial visit to Cy- overnight, was coming in once again. caused worrying vibrations and en- it was a hurricane. It was horrible,” A deserted and flooded San Marco square with St Mark’s Basilica and the Bell prus a day early to return to Slovakia and visit The fi re brigade said it had carried gineers discovered parts had rusted. said local Cristina, as she fought Tower are lit up during an exceptional ‘Alta Acqua’ high tide water level in the site of the accident as well as the injured in out over 400 operations as well as lay- “They’ve done nothing, neglected back tears. Venice on Tuesday night. nearby hospitals. Ukrainian parliament launches ‘historic’ land sale reform

By Olga Shylenko, AFP giant holdings of land which has pressure from critics, promised Kyiv been available only for rent since to organise a referendum on the the Soviet period. issue. Some farmland is owned by The prospect triggers intense krainian lawmakers yes- the government in Ukraine but unease in Ukraine which experi- terday backed a key bill much is in small plots individuals enced multiple failed economic Uto create a land market received after the breakup of the reforms in the past three decades and open up the sale of farmland Soviet Union and is currently il- and where small farmers are too from 2020, despite a feared pub- legal to sell. poor to benefi t from a market lic backlash. “Don’t do stupid things!”, pro- opening. “This day will go down in the Russian MP Sergiy Shakhov said “Germans, French, Chinese history of Ukraine,” Prime Min- passionately in session. “Ukrain- (...) are ready to rush and imme- ister Oleksiy Goncharuk, who ians will curse you!” diately buy Ukrainian land,” pen- was present in parliament during While the bill was strongly sioner Tetyana Kulish told AFP. the vote, said on Facebook after promoted by President Volody- “A nation without its land the bill passed in the fi rst of two myr Zelensky, he was unable to simply doesn’t exist,” she added. readings. convince some in his own party “Everyone is afraid. Nobody “Finally, we can move from to support it, having to rely on knows how it is going to work,” feudalism to real market rela- votes from independent law- said Dmytro Tkachenko, a tions as a fully fl edged, devel- makers. 42-year-old farmer. oped country,” he added. The bill that must be voted The former Soviet republic, During a stormy session 240 on again by the end of the year whose stalling economy has been lawmakers in the 450-seat launches the land market from propped up by Western aid for chamber backed the law as farm- October 2020, but only for years, is home to one-third of the ers and nationalists protested Ukrainians and Ukrainian com- world’s fertile black soil rich in outside the parliament building. panies. nutrients, according to the World The reform is awaited by in- The government initially Bank. vestors but critics fear that open- planned to open the market for Opening it up for sale could ing up the land market will lead foreigners from 2024, but this lead to a 1.5% GDP boost, it said Ukrainian farmers and activists protest land sale reform in front of the parliament in Kyiv yesterday. to a takeover by foreign owners or week Zelensky, obviously under in a 2017 report. Gulf Times Thursday, November 14, 2019 17 INDIA Disqualifi ed Karnataka MLAs to join BJP today

IANS The court earlier in the day “The top court’s ruling came in The top court also said that tional morality, saying the speak- “Such person does not deserve the son of JD(S) MLA from Gur- Bengaluru upheld their disqualifica- time for the rebels to fi le nomina- parliament should reconsider er can only examine whether the to be reposed with public trust mitkal, Naganagouda Kandakur. tion by former state assembly tions for contesting the by-polls “strengthening certain aspects resignation is voluntary or oth- and confi dence”. Kumaraswamy had alleged that speaker K R Ramesh Kumar. from their assembly seats before of the Tenth Schedule, so that erwise. The Congress hailed the Su- Yeddyurappa was trying to buy eventeen Karnataka legis- However, the three-judge the last date of fi ling papers on such undemocratic practices (of It said there is no doubt that preme Court judgment and the loyalty of a JD-S MLA. lators whose disqualifi ca- bench allowed them to con- November 18,” Madhusudana defections) are discouraged.” disqualifi cation takes place when demanded that the BJP govern- Addressing a press conference Stion was upheld by the Su- test the by-elections from the said. There is a growing trend of there is defection. ment in Karnataka should order in New Delhi, Congress leader preme Court yesterday will join assembly segments they re- A three-judge bench headed speakers acting against the con- The defection had happened a probe into the roles of Chief Abhishek Manu Singhvi also de- the Bharatiya Janata Party today, signed in mid-July before they by Justice N V Ramana while stitutional duty of being neutral, before the resignation and Minister B S Yeddyurappa and manded that the BJP government a party offi cial said. were disqualified and expelled upholding the disqualifi cation, the court said. therefore, the tenet of disquali- federal Home Minister Amit in Karnataka should immediately “All the 14 MLAs from the by their parties. however, quashed the speaker’s “The speaker has no power fication does not vanish, the Shah in the alleged “Operation resign and asked Prime Minis- Congress and three from the Ja- They had stayed away from the decision to bar the MLAs from under the constitution to dis- court said. Kamala 0.2” tapes. ter Narendra Modi and his cabi- nata Dal - Secular (JD-S) will join assembly on July 23 when then contesting elections till 2023. qualify the members till the end At the same time, the court In February, the then chief net members to do some “soul our party here and 15 of them will chief minister H D Kumaras- In a signifi cant observation, of the term,” it said. emphasised the speaker should minister Kumaraswamy released searching”. contest by-elections on our par- wamy lost a trust-vote in the as- the court said citizens were being The court, however, refrained disassociate from his politi- audio tapes that purportedly re- The Congress leader also dared ty symbol,” BJP Karanataka unit sembly, leading to the fall of the denied stable governments be- from commenting on the validity cal party and should not behave corded conversations between the BJP to take the disqualifi ed spokesman G Madhusudana told 14-month-old coalition govern- cause of horse trading and other of the resignations. contrary to the spirit of the neu- state BJP president Yeddyurappa, rebel MLAs in their fold ahead of IANS. ment. such corrupt practices. It emphasised on the constitu- trality and independence. BJP MLA Shivangouda Naik, and the by-elections. Pawar to meet Sonia to discuss Maharashtra govt formation

IANS ship of Maharashtra is keen to New Delhi join the coalition. Congress MLAs are staying in a Jaipur re- sort to prevent poaching. ationalist Congress The Shiv Sena made a formal Party chief Sharad Pa- approach to the Congress on Nwar will meet Congress Monday when Thackeray solic- interim president Sonia Gandhi ited Gandhi’s support for form- this weekend to firm up alliance ing the government. talks with the Shiv Sena to form A bit wary, the Congress- a government in Maharashtra, NCP combine has adopted sources said. a cautious approach by not Though the state has been jumping at the Sena’s proposal, A bird flies amidst smog near the Presidential Palace in New Delhi yesterday. placed under president’s but decided to discuss its rami- rule, the three parties are fications among themselves. keen to take forward the talks for the formation of new The Congress wants government. Shiv Sena to agree on the The meeting comes in the CMP and then further wake of both NCP and Con- negotiations will take gress forming sub-committees place on the contours of to work out the common mini- the government Supreme Court rebukes mum programme on which the three parties have to agree. The Congress-NCP coali- However the CMP will be fi- tion announced on Tuesday nalised first between NCP and that they will first discuss the Congress, and then taken to proposed alliance with the Sena Shiv Sena for final talks. in detail and then talk with The meeting is likely to be the party on the possibility of govt over Delhi smog held this weekend but dates are forming a government with a not decided yet as Pawar will be CMP. Agencies Gogoi and Justice S A Bobde said. ronment, a Delhi-based research system based on licence plates, tal and if there is so much smog, visiting Vidharba from today. The Congress has not yet New Delhi The overall air quality index and advocacy organisation. but Roy Chowdhury was not what kind of message is it giving The Congress has given the decided on how to be part of (AQI) in Delhi was 494, accord- The Central Pollution Control optimistic it would help much, to the world? When Merkel was green signal to the proposed al- the government. The party is ing to the monitoring agency Board said pollution levels had given the weather. here, there was smog all around. liance in the Maharashtra after mulling outside support with s New Delhi remained SAFAR. touched 500 in some parts of the “Emergency measures cannot What kind of message it will Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray the speaker’s post and chair- shrouded in toxic smog The index measures the lev- city, meaning danger for healthy clear the air up when there is no give?” Kejriwal said. spoke to Gandhi for the second man of the legislative council. Ayesterday, the Supreme els of airborne PM 2.5 - parti- people, not just those suff ering wind to blow pollution away. It is Later, he urged the opposition time since Monday. But the state leaders want to Court censured the federal gov- cles that can reach deep into the from existing conditions. a day-to-day battle right now,” to support the odd-even scheme. On Monday the Congress participate in the government ernment for its inaction and lungs. Delhi’s smog could get even she said. In a tweet in Hindi, he said: “I held a marathon meeting with which will be on equal sharing sought remedial action. Anything above 60 is consid- worse, SAFAR said, as farmers Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind urge the opposition, don’t oppose its senior leaders to decide on of portfolios and corporations. Cooler temperatures and ered unhealthy. burning stubble in areas around Kejriwal said his government the odd-even scheme. The pol- the support to the Sena, and on Maharashtra was brought lighter wind trapped heavy smog With the cool season setting the city have been generating could extend the “odd-even” lution has increased. The city is Tuesday night Congress leaders under president’s rule on Tues- over the Indian capital, pushing in, the city was likely to suff er for clouds of acrid smoke. scheme, if required. demanding odd-even. The oppo- led by Ahmed Patel met Thack- day. pollution to “severe” levels in weeks. “No sudden recovery is ex- He also said the image India sition should support the public.” eray in Mumbai. Governor B S Koshyari sent many places with no immediate “Now that it is getting colder, pected under this condition at was building before the world Research released this year The Congress wants Shiv his recommendation to the relief in sight, government agen- air is not rising high enough to least for the next two days and was also not good. said the toxic smog across north- Sena to agree on the CMP and Home Ministry calling for im- cies said. disperse pollutants. The whole AQI is likely to deteriorate fur- Kejriwal said when German ern India cuts short the lives of then further negotiations will posing president’s rule, saying “The whole of North India is trapping is happening close to ther,” it said. Chancellor Angela Merkel visited around 1mn people each year. take place on the contours of his attempts to put a govern- suff ering and not much has been the ground,” said Anumita Roy The city government is re- Delhi last month, there was smog India has 14 of the world’s 15 the government. ment in place in the state had done by the government,” Su- Chowdhury, an executive director stricting private cars until No- all around. most polluted cities, according to The state Congress leader- failed. preme Court Chief Justice Ranjan at Centre for Science and Envi- vember 15 with an “odd-even” “Delhi is the national capi- the WHO. Verdict on controversial JNU rolls back hostel fee hike Rafale jet deal today after protests

IANS that in accordance with Article the December verdict were simi- IANS New Delhi 10 of the IGA, the pricing in the lar to the main petition, which New Delhi deal cannot be disclosed. “In this was not allowed by the court. The matter, the secrecy clause of the top law offi cer also rubbished the he Supreme Court will inter-governmental agreement allegation of the petitioners that owing to pressure from protesting stu- today pronounce judg- between India and France per- the government played a fraud on dents, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Tment on the Rafale deal, tains to defence deals and not to the court regarding the informa- B(JNU) yesterday rolled back a proposed which was made an election is- the award of contract for con- tion on the deal. hike in hostel charges and other decisions. sue by opposition parties citing struction of fl yover or dams...” “The petitioners are seeking The decision of the JNU Executive Com- corruption. Former ministers Yashwant a review on the base of stolen mittee was announced by Human Resource Attorney-General K K Sinha and Arun Shourie, and ac- documents...they committed Development Secretary R Subrahmanyam, Venugopal, representing the tivist lawyer Prashant Bhushan, theft by accessing incomplete two days after the major protest undertaken central government argued be- who have fi led review petitions, fi le notings of the government by the students, during which even HRD fore a bench headed by Chief have urged the court to set aside departments,” the AG said. Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal was confi ned to Justice Ranjan Gogoi that there the December 14, 2018 verdict, Bhushan had argued that eight the campus for more than fi ve hours. was no “corruption” in the deal which dismissed their appeal for critical clauses, including the “JNU Executive Committee announces and that the government was criminal investigation into the Ra- one on anti-corruption, were a major rollback in the hostel fee and other bound to maintain secrecy on fale deal. Later, the court reserved dropped on the deal, and also ig- stipulations. Also proposes a scheme for pricing, as per Inter-Govern- verdict on a batch of petitions nored the objection of three ex- economic assistance to the EWS (Economi- ment Agreement (IGA) signed seeking a review of its judgment. perts on pricing of the aircraft. cally Weaker Sections) students. Time to get between India and France. Bhushan said various aspects “The Centre should place the back to classes,” the HRD secretary tweeted The AG had insisted that the - alleged suppression of material entire fi le of the negotiations amid continuing protest by the students. world over defence deals are not facts - have been hidden from the team before the court...for the Subrahmanyam did not give details of the examined in a court of law. court, and an FIR should be reg- deal to go through. The Centre rollback but offi cials in the ministry said Referring to the Rafale deal istered to undertake criminal in- also breached the ceiling price. single room occupancy will now be Rs200 as a question of national secu- vestigations. He also said a three- The French government issued a and for double room Rs100. Earlier, the rity, the AG had told the court: member Indian Negotiation letter of comfort, which was not charges were hiked from Rs20 to Rs600 for “We have signed an IGA, which Team (INT) had objected to the of any comfort”, Bhushan said. single room occupancy and from Rs10 to we are obliged to follow. Rafale parallel negotiations undertaken Shourie, who briefl y argued, Rs300 for double room occupancy. is not for ornamentation. It is by the prime minister’s offi ce, informed the court that it has The university also restored the one-time essential for protection of each and as a consequence, allegedly been misled, and although the mess security deposit to Rs5,500 from the and every one of us....nowhere the deal became expensive. government has given all the proposed Rs12,000, offi cials said. in the world do such matters go The AG objected to the re- documents regarding the deal However, the service charge of Rs1,700 before the court.” view petition and said the basic to CAG, “why can’t they share will continue, as will the utility charges, The AG also told the court grounds for seeking a review of them with the court?” he asked. which will be the actuals. Gulf Times 18 Thursday, November 14, 2019 INDIA

BREAKTHROUGH TRAGEDY TRIAL INVESTIGATION CRIME Man who attacked Another TSRTC worker ends Tejpal’s lawyers grill victim IIT student falls to death Wrestler kills taekwondo Pawar in 2011 arrested life; strike enters 40th day for third consecutive day from campus building player in Gurugram

A man who attacked then agriculture minister Another employee of Telangana State Road Defence lawyers representing former Tehelka An 18-year-old student of the Indian Institute of A taekwondo player was shot dead by a wrestler Sharad Pawar in 2011 has been arrested after Transport Corporation (TSRTC) committed editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal who has been accused Technology (IIT) Delhi died after falling from the after she refused his marriage proposal, police five years on the run. On November 24, 2011, suicide as an indefinite strike entered 40th day of sexual assault, continued to cross examine the roof of the computer engineering department said. The incident happened in Gurugram’s Harvinder alias Arvinder Singh slapped Pawar on yesterday. A Naresh is the fifth employee to victim for the third consecutive day yesterday, building, police said yesterday. According to the Bhorakalan village on Tuesday, Bir Singh, the during a public function in New Delhi saying commit suicide since the beginning of the strike during the in-camera trial at a district court in police, preliminary investigation has revealed assistant commissioner of police (ACP) of Pataudi he was angry over price rise and corruption. on October 5 by nearly 50,000 employees to North Goa’s Mapusa town. Speaking to reporters, that before the incident happened on Friday last, Range, said. He said the wrestler Somvir Singh Singh had also threatened to kill Pawar. A case press for various demands. Naresh, a driver, special public prosecutor Francisco Tavora said the victim Ananya Gupta’s mother visited her was pressuring Sarita Dhandhi for the last three was registered against him in Connaught Place was depressed over not receiving salary for two the cross examination would continue today. The around 8am and stayed with her till afternoon. months. “The accused came to victim’s house early police station. During the trial, Singh managed months and also feared losing his job, his family trial proceedings are out of bounds for media. Later in the evening, Gupta was seen going alone on Tuesday and tried to convince her to marry to flee and since then he has been evading said. He was taken to hospital where doctors Tejpal is charged with several sections of the towards the roof using a ladder. Soon after that him. When Sarita refused his proposal, he pumped arrest. On March 29, 2014, Patiala House court declared him dead. As news of the suicide Indian Penal Code for sexually assaulting his a security guard near the lecture hall complex bullets into her chest. The victim died on the Metropolitan Magistrate Kumari Pragati had spread, a large number of TSRTC workers junior colleague inside a lift of a resort hotel in heard a sound and rushed to find her on the spot,” the off icer said. Hearing the gunshot, family declared Singh a fugitive. He was arrested rushed to the hospital, carried the body to a Goa during the magazine’s event in November ground severely injured, police said. Gupta was members rushed to Sarita’s room, but by then Singh after a long chase by the police, an officer said. bus depot and launched a protest. Tension 2013. The trial, which began in September 2017, admitted to hospital, where she died on Tuesday. had fled. The Two had met during a sports event Singh was produced in court from where he prevailed as police tried to prevent protesters was delayed after Tejpal appealed to the Supreme Police said the investigation is on and that no in Rohtak a year ago and they became friends. But was sent to judicial custody. from entering the depot. Court seeking quashing of the charges. suicide note was recovered from the spot. Sarita did not wish to continue their acquaintance. SC to deliver verdict on Sabarimala dispute today

IANS Court seeking a review of its biological attributes. In the con- New Delhi verdict to lift the ban, on the stitution, equality is the domi- grounds that religious practices nant theme,” said Dwivedi while cannot be “tested on the basis of voicing the board’s opinion that he Supreme Court will rationality”. people should accept the top deliver its judgment today The petitions, which include court’s verdict. Ton the issue of entry of review pleas and transfer pleas, The board had earlier con- women of all age groups into the have been fi led in the court chal- sistently opposed the entry of Sabarimala temple. lenging its decision to let women women into the shrine and its U- Britain’s Prince Charles takes a ride in an electric rickshaw during his visit to the Indian Meteorological Department in New Delhi A fi ve-judge bench headed by enter the temple. On the last day turn has been brought on record yesterday. Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi in of the hearing, in what appeared before the court. February concluded arguments to be unprecedented, the Tra- In light of these circumstanc- and reserved the judgment on a vancore Devaswom Board (TDB), es, it will be interesting to see the batch of petitions seeking a re- which manages the temple, re- outcome of these arguments in view of its own verdict in 2018, versed its stand in the top court the Supreme Court judgment. which allowed the entry of by expressing its support to its Meanwhile, Kerala police have Charles talks climate change, women of all ages into the tem- verdict. stepped up security around the ple in Kerala. The board told the court that temple town as the two-month- It is one of the most important discrimination on the grounds long festival kicks off on Sunday. judgments, which is expected to of biological attributes was not The new season opens on be pronounced before the chief correct. Sunday and closes on January 21. takes e-rickshaw ride in Delhi justice’s term ends this month. The bench had heard submis- The police do not want to take On September 28, 2018, the sions on behalf of all parties, in- any chances this time, particu- DPA silience as well as combat the World Health Organisation. He also attended a military court opened the gates of the cluding the Kerala government, larly following the large-scale New Delhi eff ects of climate change. New Delhi has been ranked service to commemorate the temple in Kerala to women in the TDB, Nair Service Society protest and violence that oc- “India is one of the coun- among the world’s most pol- sacrifi ces of soldiers from India, the age group of 10-50, saying and others. The court had then curred last year following the tries most vulnerable to climate luted cities in recent years. Britain and the Commonwealth the ban in place was violative said it would pronounce its order Supreme Court verdict allow- ritain’s Prince Charles change. The (IMD’s) new early Crop stubble burning by nations in the World War I and of their fundamental rights and on whether to review the judg- ing all women to enter the tem- discussed climate change warning system has enabled farmers in New Delhi’s hin- World War II. constitutional guarantees. ment or not. ple. Right-wing groups chased Band clean energy issues India and other countries to terlands, along with climatic Charles will meet with Indian A constitution bench, headed The Kerala government had women, preventing them from with experts and took a ride prepare and respond faster to factors like lack of winds, add business leaders in Mumbai to- by the then CJI Dipak Misra, gave expressed its support for the entering the temple. in an electric rickshaw on the cyclones,” his Clarence House to emissions from heavy traf- day to discuss sustainable mar- a 4:1 verdict claiming the ban led ruling in 2018 and urged the top The police have classifi ed the opening day of his India visit offi ce said. fi c, industry and the burning of kets, the British High Commis- to gender discrimination. The court not to review the judgment. pilgrimage season into four seg- yesterday. Charles, a prominent climate garbage and fuel. sion said. path-breaking judgment has left The Nair Service Society ments with the fi rst two weeks Charles, 70, heir to the Brit- change campaigner, later went Later yesterday, Charles met This is the British royal’s the temple authorities disap- moved the court opposing its being from November 15-29. ish throne, who arrived in New for a ride in a battery-powered President Ram Nath Kovind second visit to India in two pointed. 2018 verdict, and the Kerala During this time over 2,550 po- Delhi early yesterday, began his electric rickshaw at the IMD of- and visited the Gurudwara years. Many political and religious government, TDB and the two lice personnel would be posted in visit as pollution levels hit “se- fi ce. Bangla Sahib, a Sikh shrine, to The journey falls on his 71st leaders expressed disagreement women who had entered the and around the temple complex. vere” in the Indian capital. He also met with Indian win- celebrate the 550th birth an- birthday today. with the court’s observation and shrine had expressed their op- The second phase is from No- The Prince of Wales visited ners of awards on environmen- niversary of Sikhism founder His last visit was as part of a felt the lifting of ban may have position to the review petitions. vember 30 to December 14, and the Indian Meteorological De- tally sustainable energy - in- Guru Nanak. joint tour with wife Camilla, the an adverse impact on society. It Senior lawyer K Parasaran, the third from December 15-29. partment (IMD), where he was cluding the e-rickshaw and an He hailed the community’s Duchess of Cornwall, to Brunei, also has led to massive protests counsel for the Nair Service So- The fourth and the most im- briefed on how the centre tracks app-based bus service - that contribution in Britain. India, Singapore and Malaysia in Kerala, which resulted in a ciety, had urged the court to set portant period begins from De- and forecasts cyclones and oth- are reducing pollution and con- During the visit to the shrine, in November 2017. political slugfest between the aside its earlier verdict. cember 30 till the close of the er potential disasters, the Brit- gestion on Indian roads. he tried his hand at ‘seva’ or In all, he has made 10 offi cial ruling Communist Party of In- Rakesh Dwivedi, lawyer for temple. ish High Commission said. During the British royal’s voluntary service in the com- visits to India. dia (Marxist) and the Bharatiya TDB, told the court that Article The entire security arrange- The discussions with mete- tour, New Delhi’s overall air munity kitchen by fl ipping a Charles’ visit comes weeks Janata Party. 25 (1) equally entitles all per- ments are led by additional di- orological experts focused on quality exceeded 450, almost ‘chapati’ or put on a big griddle after his son William and wife On October 8, multiple peti- sons to practise one’s religion. rector general of police Sheikh ways to strengthen disaster re- 18 times the safe limit set by the to cook. Kate toured Pakistan. tions were fi led in the Supreme “Women cannot be barred on Darwesh Sahib.

CJI off ice comes Police use batons, tear gas under RTI: court The office of the Chief Justice of India comes under the Right to on BJP protesters in Kolkata Information Act, the Supreme Court said yesterday. Chief Justice IANS Some BJYM workers were then the disease, which has aff ected Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Kolkata seen climbing the barricade, as 44,000 people in the state. Sanjeev Khanna and some snatched sticks from the Ghosh accused the state gov- Deepak Gupta ruled that police after jumping to the other ernment of issuing an order to the chief justice’s office is a olice made a baton charge, side of the barricade. doctors not to write dengue in public authority under RTI, lobbed tear gas shells and The police retaliated by wield- the prescription. and upheld the Delhi High Pused water cannons to dis- ing their sticks and using the “For the last three years, den- Court verdict of 2010. perse hundreds of belligerent water jets on the protesters be- gue has emerged as a serious The court said: “Transparency Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) youth fore lobbing tear gas shells. problem in Kolkata. When they and accountability go wing leaders who tried to march The BJYM later claimed 60 couldn’t control the disease, hand-in-hand, and the chief to the Kolkata Municipal Cor- of their workers, including state they came out with an order that justice off ice comes under poration headquarters yesterday president Debjit Sarkar were in- doctors cannot write dengue in the RTI regime.” Justice protesting against a host of issues jured after they were “merciless- the prescription. The doctors Khanna said “transparency including the civic body’s failure ly beaten” by the police. Thirty- were forced to write ‘unknown only strengthens judicial to control the dengue menace. fi ve activists, including a dozen fever’ instead. independence”. Through Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha women, were arrested. “The government tried to act this judgment, the court has (BJYM) activists fl ung water A police offi cer said several se- too clever. It has only led to the junked the appeal filed by its bottles, and threw stones at the curity personnel were also injured. spread of the disease. Even a KMC secretary general challenging police who had put up guard rails Led by BJP state president Dilip offi cial has died from the disease. the Delhi High Court order and steel barricade near Chandni Ghosh, general secretary Raju People are in panic,” he said. in holding off ice of the chief Chawk in central Kolkata to pre- Bandopadhyay, and actress and Mitra accused male police per- justice amenable under the vent the protesters from reach- BJYM leader Rimjhim Mitra, the sonnel of manhandling women RTI. ing the KMC headquarters. protesters started from Central BJYM workers. “Why did they The judgement of the apex The march was organised as a Avenue, raising slogans against stop us? We had permission to court talks about conditional means of swaying public opinion the civic authorities’ negligence in march further. The police acted disclosure, on case to case ahead of next year’s civic polls. containing the spread of dengue. ferociously”. basis. The top court also The protesters set ablaze tyres They carried posters and ban- The BJYM also demanded a passed observation on right and tried to dismantle the barri- ners targeting Chief Minister corruption-free KMC, and a to privacy, and ruled that cade with sticks, rods and metal Mamata Banerjee and asking her cleaner Kolkata, with fewer cable proactive disclosure by plates, as police used their phys- to reply to the charge that the au- wires, posters and hoardings and Police push Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists as they try to break the barricade during a protest judges would further the ical strength to protect it. thorities were hiding facts about better civic services. against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) led-state government in Kolkata yesterday. judiciary’s independence. Gulf Times Thursday, November 14, 2019 19

LATIN AMERICA Hackers demand $5mn from Pemex in cyberattack

Reuters ers across Mexico, freezing sys- Paymer,” a type of ransomware. But they said Pemex still had tribution facilities were operat- was targeted by “Ryuk,” a strain using software patches and wip- Mexico City/Washington tems such as payments, accord- The website demanded 565 time to meet their bitcoin de- ing normally and that the attack of ransomware that experts say ing infected computers clean, ing to fi ve employees and internal bitcoins, or nearly $5mn at cur- mand and would not comment had aff ected less than 5% of its typically targets companies with said one source, who spoke on e-mails. rent prices, and threatened further while the new deadline computers. annual revenue between $500mn condition of anonymity. ackers have demanded Hackers have increasingly tar- Pemex with a 48-hour deadline, was pending. “Let’s avoid rumours and dis- and $1bn — far below Pemex’s The company had to commu- about $5mn in bitcoin geted companies with malicious listing an e-mail address to con- Pemex did not immediately re- information,” it said in a state- levels. nicate with employees via mobile Hfrom Mexico’s Pemex programs that can cripple sys- tact. spond to a request for comment ment. DoppelPaymer is a relatively messaging service WhatsApp stating that the state oil fi rm tems overseeing everything from When Reuters wrote to the about the ransom demand. A person who works in Pemex’s new breed of ransomware that because employees could not missed a special discount by supply chains to manufacturing, e-mail for details, the appar- The attack is the latest chal- production and exploration said cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike open their e-mails, said another not paying immediately after a removing them only after receiv- ent hackers replied, saying that lenge for Pemex, which is bat- that division was not aff ected. said was behind recent attacks source, who was also not author- cyberattack that fouled up the ing substantial payments. Pemex had missed a deadline for tling to pay down heavy debts, There was some confusion on Chile’s agriculture minis- ised to speak to reporters. company’s systems. A ransom note that appeared a “special price,” an apparent reverse years of declining oil pro- about which form of ransomware try and the town of Edcouch in “In fi nances, all the comput- The hack, which Pemex said it on Pemex computers seen by reference to the discounts some- duction and avoid downgrades to was used in the attack. Texas. ers are off , there could eventually detected on Sunday, forced the Reuters pointed to a darknet times off ered to ransomware vic- its credit ratings. One Pemex offi cial said in an Pemex has reconnected unaf- be problems with payments,” the company to shut down comput- website affi liated with “Doppel- tims for early payment. Pemex said its storage and dis- internal e-mail the company fected computers to its network person said. Hundreds injured, over 1,000 held in Chile protests

DPA/Reuters Earlier Chile’s Finance Minister Buenos Aires Ignacio Briones said the weaken- ing of the peso was a “sign of wor- ry” that he and his colleagues were undreds of people have watching very carefully. been injured and more He called on Chileans to help Hthan 1,000 arrested during restore “normality” so that busi- heavy rioting in Chile, the interior nesses could return to proper ministry said yesterday. functioning and people could re- A Cabinet reshuffl e and meas- turn to work after weeks of strikes, ures to reduce inequality have marches and damage to property been unable to calm a nationwide and public transport that he has protest wave which has continued estimated cost the economy $3bn. in the country for nearly a month. “The peaceful marches have More than 100 premises — made their point and that message mainly shops and shopping cen- is refl ected in the measures that tres — were looted on Tuesday and the government and the opposi- overnight, the news website Emol tion have taken,” he told journal- quoted the ministry as saying. ists in Santiago. “All our actions About 30 buildings were set have consequences and they are on fi re and 20 police barracks at- having grave consequences that tacked. are now being seen in the economy Four buses were also torched and particularly on entrepreneurs Bolivian interim president Jeanine Anez takes part in a ceremony with the police in front of the Presidential Palace, in La Paz, Bolivia, yesterday. and 49 police vehicles damaged. and in the most vulnerable sec- Those injured included 347 po- tors.” lice offi cers and 46 protesters. President Pinera vowed that Television images showed those responsible for the violence widespread violence in the city would be prosecuted under the of Antofagasta, where a burning strict state security law that allows building collapsed and traffi c poles for tougher penalties. were knocked over. “The grave situation of violence New Bolivia leader vows to About 250,000 people attended and delinquency severely threat- protest marches on Tuesday, in- ens our democracy, our state of cluding 80,000 in the capital. law and above all, the rights of The violence has so far claimed all Chileans and especially of the about 20 lives. most vulnerable,” he said. The demonstrations were ini- Pinera appealed to citizens to hold quick polls; foes fume tially sparked by metro fare hikes. sign up to three “national accords” President Sebastian Pinera can- to restore security, promote a more Reuters Her arrival at the presidential the Organisation of American by seeking a fourth term. building yesterday, which Mo- celled the hikes and announced equal society and develop a new La Paz palace faces an immediate chal- States (OAS) declared his re- Bolivia’s largest union threat- rales had stopped using consid- measures including higher pen- constitution to replace one crafted lenge from lawmakers loyal to election was manipulated, and the ened a widespread strike unless ering it a discredited symbol of sions and taxes for the wealthy. during the 1973-1990 Augusto Morales who hold a majority in military urged him to quit. politicians could restore stabil- past power. But the protesters are now de- Pinochet dictatorship. olivia’s new interim presi- parliament and have threatened From Mexico, Morales has ity, while a coca farmers’ union Bolivia’s crisis has divided manding a constitutional reform. Chile’s central bank president, dent yesterday pledged to hold a rival session to nullify stayed defi ant, accusing opposi- offi cial and a lawmaker close to international reaction, with Pinera on Tuesday called on “all Mario Marcel, urged calm, saying Bto hold a new election as her appointment. tion leaders of a coup. Morales called for protests until left-wing allies echoing his al- actors” to start working on a new that despite the peso’s precipi- soon as possible and condemned After weeks of violent protests Supporters, including a he returned to fi nish his mandate legations of a coup, and others constitution. The political unrest tous fall, Chile’s fi scal situation “revenge” acts by disgruntled over alleged election rigging teaching union, planned rallies in January. cheering his resignation as good has taken its toll on the economy: remained “solid.” supporters of fallen leader Evo and then Morales’ resignation, for Morales, Bolivia’s fi rst in- Anez met on Tuesday night for democracy. The government revised its growth Meanwhile, most of Chile’s Morales who resigned after pro- the highland capital La Paz was digenous president who was be- with the police and military, Conservative-led Brazil and forecast for the current year to 2% copper mining companies said tests over a disputed vote. calmer yesterday, though dozens loved by the poor when he took urging them to ensure peace. Britain congratulated Anez. from 2.6% and, at 790 pesos to they maintained operations on Senate vice-president and of his supporters protested out- power in 2006. “What a shame revenge con- “We look to all political par- the dollar, the Chilean currency Tuesday, albeit with some delays conservative Jeanine Anez, 52, side looking to block access to Opponents say pressure had tinues,” she tweeted to one law- ties to support eff orts to restore yesterday reached its lowest value and sporadic unrest. assumed the interim role on the palace. built to a point of no-return af- maker who said his house had calm following recent violence since 1990. To date, copper production in Tuesday after Morales took ref- In 48 hours of turmoil at ter increasing evidence of tam- been attacked by supporters of and to organise fresh presidential Prior to the crisis, the exchange the world’s largest producer of the uge in Mexico following the end the weekend, mutinous police pering with the October vote, Morales’ Movement for Social- elections in accordance with the rate stood at 710 pesos to the dol- red metal has not been signifi cant- of his 14-year socialist rule of climbed on stations and joined and that Morales had gone ism (MAS). She entered the older constitution,” the British Foreign lar.. ly hurt by weeks of protests. the poor Andean nation. marches, allies deserted Morales, against the will of the people “Burned Palace” presidential Offi ce said in a statement. Venezuela ex-intel chief Bolsonaro ‘to quit divided PSL party’ goes missing in Spain At stake is 390mn reais Reuters Brasilia ($94mn) in public campaign AFP tional Court rejected a US ex- Known as “El Pollo” (the funds for municipal elections, Madrid tradition request on the grounds Chicken), Carvajal was stripped an unprecedented war chest for it was “vague” and “politically- of his rank by the administration razilian President Jair Bol- the PSL, which rode Bolsonaro’s motivated”, and instead ordered of President Nicolas Maduro af- sonaro will quit his frac- coattails to grow from a single enezuela’s former military Carvajal’s release from provi- ter coming out in support of Juan Btious right-wing Social lawmaker in Congress to the sec- intelligence chief has gone sional detention where he had Guaido as Venezuela’s acting Liberal Party (PSL) and start a ond-largest bench. Vmissing in Spain just days been held since his April 12 arrest president in February. new one by March 2020, PSL While senators, governors and after a court approved a request in Madrid. He then fl ed by boat to the Do- lawmakers Daniel Silveira and mayors can freely switch parties, for his extradition to the US on The ruling drew a protest from minican Republic before relocat- Bia Kicis claimed after meeting lower house lawmakers are sub- drug traffi cking charges, police the US state department, which ing to Spain. with the president. ject to rules that bar them from said yesterday. said it hoped the judges would Carvajal has long been sought The PSL, which Bolsonaro continued access to the campaign “They are currently looking “reconsider” their decision. by US Treasury offi cials who sus- joined as a vehicle to win the funding if they swap parties. for him,” said a spokeswoman The court reversed that deci- pect him of providing support to elections in October, is split “Several representatives plan for Spain’s national police, refer- sion on Friday after accepting an drug traffi cking by the Farc guer- down the middle over control of to follow the president. We are ring to General Hugo Armando appeal from the public prosecu- rilla group in Colombia. the party, though it is not clear prepared to lose the campaign Carvajal who served as intelli- tor’s offi ce, although full details In an indictment fi led in New how many of its 53 representa- funds because we want to found gence chief under the late Ven- of the ruling have not yet been York in 2011, Carvajal was ac- tives and three senators will fol- a new party to follow him,” Kicis ezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. made public. cused of co-ordinating the trans- low the president. said. Judicial sources said police had “The judges found that the port of more than 5.6 tonnes of A meeting will be held on No- Bolsonaro needs to gather gone to Carvajal’s house in Ma- facts provided were suffi ciently cocaine from Venezuela to Mex- vember 21 to begin setting up the 500,000 signatures to start a drid to arrest him after Friday’s precise,” a court source said. ico in 2006 that was ultimately new party, which will be called new party, and his supporters court decision but could not fi nd On Monday, Carvajal himself destined for the US. Movimento pelo Brasil, or Move- are confi dent he can achieve that him. tweeted: “Neither my lawyers nor One of the evidentiary docu- ment for Brazil, Kicis told Reu- through social media, a tool that Carvajal’s lawyer María Do- I have been formally notifi ed of ments submitted in the US ex- ters by telephone. greatly aided his successful run lores de Arguelles said she had any judicial decision regarding my tradition request, which emerged The split came to a head last for president last year. “not been informed” they were case.” And yesterday, his lawyer during the September hearing, month with an exchange of in- One of the PSL’s three sena- going to re-arrest him, adding said she had still not received the was a sworn statement by a US sults between the president and tors, senator Soraya Thronicke that she did not know his where- full transcript of Friday’s decision, drug enforcement agent who ac- President Jair Bolsonaro and China’s President Xi Jinping shake PSL founder Luciano Bivar, who from the farm state of Mato abouts. which court sources said would be cused Carvajal of co-operating hands during a meeting before the Brics summit in Brasilia, Brazil, has not wanted to hand over the Grosso, told Reuters she has not In September, Spain’s Na- released in the coming days. with Farc. yesterday. reins to Bolsonaro and his sons. made up her mind yet. Gulf Times 20 Thursday, November 14, 2019 PAKISTAN Nod for policy to check graft in social safety nets

Internews age corruption and to pro- crucial, and the importance of nating discretionary powers,” that by the end of four years, Islamabad mote effi ciency, transparency whistle blowing and confl ict of she said. PASSD will strive to use block and accountability for results interest. She said, “The policy is bind- chain technology to ensure data and compliance with rules in “It also sets the institutional ing on the Poverty Allevia- transparency. he Pakistan cabinet has welfare programmes. framework to promote integrity tion and Social Safety Division She said that the Poverty Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan approved Ehsaas Govern- She said that these meas- through risk management and (PASSD) and its ancillary or- Alleviation and Social Safe- Tance and Integrity Ob- ures were meant to make wel- assurance, maintenance of risk ganisations including the Bena- ty Division would continue servatory and Ehsaas Govern- fare organisations eff ective registers, appointment of ac- zir Income Support Programme, to refi ne this policy based on ance and Integrity Policy aimed and responsive to the needs of countability offi cers; error, fraud Baitul Mal, Pakistan Poverty lessons learned. at checking corruption and pro- those who they were meant to and corruption frameworks, in- Alleviation Fund, and Trust for To support the implementa- moting transparency as well as serve, and to ensure rule-based formation technology security Voluntary Organisations and tion of this policy, PASSD has PM: Govt to accountability in social safety control on the use of public departments, strengthening of the observatory is meant to en- appointed a governance fo- nets. resources. fi nancial management and fi - sure tracking of compliance, cal person and will establish a Sania Nishtar, special assist- She said policy was meant duciary systems, procurement and, since the key issue with “governance and integrity ob- ant to the Prime Minister on to address institutionalised systems, access to information, policies is their implementation, servatory” to facilitate imple- Social Protection and Poverty corruption and collusion in electronic fi ling, and develop- that is why, the observatory and mentation of this policy. The focus on job Alleviation, said that purpose social welfare organisations. ment of work plans, and creation the policy have been launched policy will be posted on the Pov- of the policy was to build sys- It outlines how board should of credible data sets. In addition, together.” erty Alleviation and Social Safety tems that strongly discour- function, which policies are the policy is aimed at elimi- She said that it also outlined Division’s website shortly. creation

Internews his team on the stabilisation of Services to Islamabad the rupee. Sharif rejects govt’s terms The prime minister further said that the economy has sta- humanity akistani Prime Minister bilised and the country will Imran Khan yesterday now progress. “The most pos- Psaid the economy has itive outcome is that the IMF, award for treatment abroad stabilised and the government World Bank and ADB them- will now work on creating jobs selves said that Pakistan is on QNA for his departure for London for surety bonds making a com- luxury properties in London. for the youth. the right direction,” he said. for Edhi Islamabad his treatment,” a Pakistan Mus- mitment that he would return Sharif, who served as the The prime minister said While commenting on lim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after the treatment and face prime minister of Pakistan for this while addressing the the ties with China, PM Im- insider told Dawn news. corruption cases against him. three terms, challenged the agreement signing ceremo- ran said that China is help- Foundation akistan’s former prime “Nawaz Sharif said these Special assistant to the Paki- court’s ruling on corruption ny between a Chinese tyre ing Pakistan in every possible minister Nawaz Sharif demands/conditions are illegal stani Prime Minister for Infor- cases on the grounds that the manufacturing company and way. He added that Pakistan Phas refused to travel and can’t be met in the presence mation Firdous Awan, briefi ng conviction and sentence were the government. Under the also wishes to help Chinese Internews abroad for his medical treat- of court guarantees already media after a Cabinet meeting not based on any evidence. agreement the tyre manufac- investors. Islamabad ment under the conditions pro- submitted to it (court) with re- chaired by Imran Khan, said Sharif agreed on Friday to turing company will set up a He added that now tyres posed by the government which gard to his bail,” he added. that it would be one time ap- go to the United Kingdom production plant in Pakistan. will be manufactured in Pa- decided to allow him to travel if Nawaz Sharif is suff ering proval on submission of in- for treatment, heeding doc- In his address, PM Khan kistan and will no longer be he Edhi Foundation has he agrees to sign surety bonds from multiple health complica- demnity bonds by the Sharif tors’ advice and accepting his said that when his government smuggled. been presented with the making a commitment that he tions, including erratic platelet family or the fi ne imposed by family’s request. took over the economy was in “This will benefi t the TIsa Award for Service to would return after the treat- count, and is currently being courts in the cases fi led against He was scheduled to leave for a very bad shape. country in two ways. First- Humanity by Bahrain. The award ment and face corruption cases taken care at his residence near Nawaz Sharif by the National London on a Pakistan Interna- The prime minister said ly, we won’t have to import carried a $1mn reward, along against him. Lahore. Accountability Bureau (NAB). tional Airlines (PIA) fl ight on that the rupee’s value has in- tyres. Secondly our exports with a medal of pure gold and a “We categorically told the Earlier Pakistan Cabinet de- In July 2018, a court sentenced Sunday morning. creased against the dollar in will increase which will high certifi cate of appreciation. government that Mr Sharif cided to allow the former prime Nawaz to 10 years in jail and However, he could not leave the last three months, and the decrease our current ac- The award was delivered to the would not submit any indem- minister to go abroad for medi- ordered him to pay a fi ne of as his name fi gured in the no country’s exports were also on count defi cit and reduce the Edhi Foundation at a grand royal nity bonds to the government cal treatment if he agrees to sign $10mn and the confi scation of fl y-list. the rise. He also congratulated |infl ation,” he added. ceremony by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the ruler of Bahrain. It followed the recommendations of an international jury, which selected the Edhi Foundation af- ter shortlisting several qualifi ers. According to a statement is- JUI-F protesters leave capital to block roads countrywide sued by the awarding commit- tee, the honour, which is given every two years, was established Reuters help and assistance,” Rehman in 2008 by a Royal Decree from Islamabad told the crowd from the top of King Hamad. It aims to recognise an articulated lorry that has individuals that have dedicated served as a stage for nightly their lives to humanitarian work. nti-government protest- addresses to protesters. The foundation is the larg- ers in Pakistan called off “Your presence here has cut est charity agency in Pakistan, Aa two-week sit-in on the the roots of the government. known worldwide for its human- capital’s main highway yester- In the next phase, we will itarian work. It serves all human day, but began what they called demolish this trunk.” beings from all races, religions a “Plan B” aimed at crippling Earlier, JUI-F workers hold- and nationalities without dis- the country’s roads and ousting ing party fl ags blocked the tinction. Prime Minister Imran Khan. western Quetta-Chaman Faisal Edhi received the award The protests, led by Fazl-ur- highway linking the country on behalf of the foundation. Rehman, head of the conserva- with Afghanistan, resulting in The charity was founded by tive Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) a long queue of trucks laden Abdul Sattar Edhi, a well-known party, began with the “Azadi” with goods, footage from pri- philanthropist, ascetic, humani- (freedom) March on October vate news channels showed. tarian, and social activist. He is 27 from the southern city of “The roads are already known as the “father of the poor” Karachi. blocked with our workers but and “the angel of mercy”, and has Thousands of protesters we are going to sit with them,” been repeatedly nominated for reached the capital Islamabad said Qutb-ud-Din, one of the the Nobel Prize for Peace. on October 31, where they have many party supporters dis- Highly revered and respected been holding a sit-in demand- mantling the makeshift tent all over the world, Edhi dedicat- ing Khan’s resignation and a camp in Islamabad. “We are ed his life to serving the poorest fresh election, over allegations going to begin Plan B.” people. He established a giant of electoral fraud and mis- Rehman is a veteran politi- charity foundation that spon- management of the economy cian who can mobilize sig- sored the building of maternity - accusations the government nifi cant support in religious hospitals, morgues, orphanages, denies. circles across the country, es- Vehicles are seen after they were stopped on a highway linking the country’s southwest region with Afghanistan, during the second phase shelters and a nursing home. Yesterday, Rehman told sup- pecially in the southern and of so-called Azadi March (Freedom March), called by the JUI-F to protest against the government, in Qilla Abdullah near Quetta yesterday. Until his death in 2016, he porters, who waved distinctive western states of Balochistan dedicated his life and that of all sticks in the black-and-white and Sindh. fi rst concerted opposition The protests come as the turn to the International Mon- stan for about half of its history his family members to the serv- stripes of the party, to return If successful, the expansion challenge that cricket star- government is battling high in- etary Fund (IMF) for a $6bn and sets security and foreign ice of people. The award honours to their home states to begin of the sit-in could also disrupt turned-politician Khan has fl ation and a sluggish economy. bailout in July. policy. him, and the work that is still “Plan B”. Sindh’s capital Karachi, Paki- faced since he won a general Khan ran on a platform of The opposition says Khan’s The military denies med- being done by the foundation “Our strength is converged stan’s most populous city and election last year, promising to economic reform, but his gov- government is illegitimate and dling in politics and Khan has for the betterment of the people here, and our associates are out its commercial hub. end corruption and create jobs ernment - like many of its is being propped up by the dismissed the calls to step across Pakistan. on the roads, they need your Rehman’s campaign is the for the poor. predecessors - was forced to military, which has ruled Paki- down.

Remittances in July-Oct fall by 2% The remittances sent by 34.8% year-on-year. Govt to import tomatoes to check rising prices overseas Pakistanis edged Meanwhile, the UK came in lower by around 2% in the first third with inflows inching up Internews Pakistan Bureau of Statistics; while, imports from Iran will help These standards also hit im- ing prices of vegetables in the four months of this fiscal year, by 0.94% to $1.143bn in July- Islamabad though it is selling at as high as fi ll the gap to some extent. port of tomatoes and onion from domestic market. the State Bank reported. October, rising from $1.132bn. Rs300per kg in several parts of The Ministry of Commerce Afghanistan at Chaman and The government is yet to de- The country received $7.478bn Only major decline of 6.6% was the country. has also introduced non-tar- Torkham border as well. cide on waiver of duty and taxes in remittances during July- from the United Arab Emirates fter a delay of more than As the situation spirals out of iff measures related to quality Federation of Pakistan Cham- on import of three essential veg- October FY20, as against as the country received a month, the Pakistan control, the Ministry of National standards on almost all vegeta- bers of Commerce and Indus- etables – tomatoes, onions and $7.617bn in same period last $1.538bn, versus $1.646bn in Agovernment has fi nally Food Security (MNFS) met im- bles as part of the measures to tries president Daroo Khan Ach- potatoes. year, a decline of 1.82%. same period of last year. reached a decision to explore av- porters yesterday in Islamabad reduce import bill of the country. akzai said that authorities are Currently, there is only 5.5% The four-month period of FY19 Inflows from Gulf Cooperation enues including import of toma- to look into ways of speeding up The import was linked with not accepting quarantine certifi - income tax on import of toma- had witnessed an increase Council countries also dropped toes from Iran to arrest the sky- imports tomatoes from neigh- the quarantine certifi cation re- cates of Afghanistan to allow en- toes while there is no customs or of 16.8% compared to the by 2.3% to $711mn, as compared rocketing prices of the vegetable bour countries. quirement but no staff of the try of tomatoes and onions into sales tax on it. preceding year. to $727mn in same period of in the domestic market. “We will consider allowing quarantine department is posted the country through Chaman However, on import of onion, Inflows from Saudi Arabia were last year . The combination of ill-timed import of tomatoes from Iran,” at boarder areas with Iran and and Torkham border stations. the government charges 20% sales the highest as usual, but they Remittances from the European policies and bad weather caused MNFS Federal Secretary Mu- Afghanistan. He said that Afghanistan has tax and 5.5% income tax only. And showed a slight decrease of 1.1% Union increased by 3.3% to disruption in supply of toma- hamed Hashim Popalzai said. He Currently, not a single non- adequate tomato and onion pro- on the import of potatoes, the to $1.737bn during the period, $230mn, up from $223mn. A toes – a kitchen staple – across said some importers are coming to objection certifi cate was issued duction. Other vegetables, he government collects 25% addi- as against $1.757bn in same noticeable decrease in growth the country since early October. meet him in this regard. “We will for import of tomatoes from Iran said are also subject to similar tional customs duty, 17% sales tax months of 2018-19. was noted in inflows from Tomato prices in the region have think over it and make a decision owing to absence of quarantine quarantine restrictions. and 5.5% income tax. On the other hand, remittances Malaysia, which clocked in at shot up due to heavy rains last in the meeting,” Popalzai added. department at Taftan border. The supply gap has also been To reduce the import price of from the United States grew $542mn, indicating only an month. It is estimated that new crop of Now, the government has no op- partially supported by the lack of these commodities, the govern- by 3.8% to $1.234bn, up from uptick of 0.90%, which in the The average maximum na- tomatoes and onion will reach the tion but to make special arrange- imports from Wagah, India. The ment needs to withdraw these $1.188bn. In the four-month same period of last year was tional price of tomatoes was market in the next two to three ments for quarantine checking suspension of trade with New meaningless revenues to pass the period of FY19, they had grown 67%. (Internews) Rs180 per kg, according to the weeks from Sindh. In the mean- at the border. Delhi has also contributed to ris- benefi t forward to end consumers. Gulf Times Thursday, November 14, 2019 21 PHILIPPINES Infrastructure boost Congestion likely during SEA Games traffi c drill

By Jan Arcilla scheme for the affected roads Manila Times in Metro Manila. MMDA earlier said it would deploy 2,300 personnel in Metro he Metropolitan Manila Manila to help manage traffic Development Author- flow and provide assistance Tity (MMDA) warned the during the country’s hosting public to expect heavy traffi c of the SEA Games from No- today, as it will conduct a sim- vember 30 to December 11. ulation of the 30th Southeast MMDA spokesman Ce- Asian (SEA) Games opening line Pialago said they have ceremony. requested the suspension The simulation will allow of classes in at least seven authorities to synchronise and universities and colleges in co-ordinate, and be familiar Metro Manila as part of its with the routes to be taken traffic management plans for by convoys from 22 hotels in the SEA Games. Metro Manila to the Philippine These schools are De La Arena in Bulacan and other Salle University, De La Salle- sporting venues. College of Saint Benilde, St The MMDA said the simula- Scholastica’s College, Arel- tion will be from 1pm to 4pm. lano University Law School The roads that would be and Wesleyan College, all in aff ected are the South Lu- Taft Avenue; St Paul College zon Expressway, Magallanes, in Pasig City; and Saint Pedro Taft Avenue, Quirino Avenue, Poveda College in Quezon EDSA Northbound lane, North City. DLSU and the DLS-CSB Workers install lighting system on a bridge in Manila yesterday, as motorists speed past them. Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, announced on Tuesday the and North Luzon Expressway. suspension of classes and of- “From hotels in Tagaytay, fice work from December 2 to Pasay and Manila, the convoy 7 to give way to events at the will traverse EDSA, North Rizal Memorial Sports Com- Luzon Expressway and other plex. main roads in Metro Manila The country will be repre- before arriving at the Philip- sented by 1,115 athletes and pine Arena in Bulacan,” the 753 coaches and officials in agency said. the biennial regional multi- The MMDA said no roads sport event. Robredo to adopt new would be closed during the The country last hosted simulation and convoys the SEA Games in 2005 when would use the yellow lane. it got the over-all champion The agency said it would award with 113 gold, 84 silver approach in drug war implement a stop-and-go and 94 bronze medals.

By Glee Jalea us succeed in this campaign,” Manila Times she said. On Monday, Robredo Cable TV group slams met with private and public groups involved in the United ice President Maria Le- Nations Offi ce on Drugs and govt failure to resolve onor Robredo will keep Crime and the UN Community VOplan Tokhang as part of Based Resilience Analysis (Co- the government’s recalibrated BRA), consisting of religious high pole rentals campaign against illegal drugs, groups, civil society sectors, lo- her spokesman said yesterday cal government units and other amid swirling speculation that anti-drug advocates to address Manila Times al increase. In a NEA memo- the police’s programme would the drug problem. Manila randum 2018-055 dated Aug be scrapped. Philippine National Police 15, 2018, rural electric co-op- Barry Gutierrez, Robredo’s (PNP) offi cer in charge Lt Gen eratives, led by the Philippine spokesman, said under the Archie Francisco Gamboa is set group of cable TV and Rural Electric Cooperatives new anti-drug campaign, there to meet the vice president today Internet operators has Association (Philreca), were would be no senseless killings. to discuss the drug war. Aaccused the Depart- directed to implement a new “The vice president is talking “I have things in mind to tell ment of Information and pole rental policy raising rates about changing the perception her tomorrow,” Gamboa told re- Communications Technology by an average of about 40%. of the public that this only in- porters. (DICT) and National Electri- Juliano-Tamano said that volves killings. Gamboa said he might bring fi cation Administration (NEA) in some cases, the rate of in- We want to have a bal- up the Philippine Anti-Drug of alleged insincerity in re- crease was as high as more anced appreciation of the pro- Strategy (PADS). solving the issue of high pole than 300% or more than three gramme and have the people Vice President Maria Robredo: new strategies “It is thick, it did not come rentals imposed by rural elec- times the old rate. understand its other aspects,” from thin air. This has been tric co-operatives. After the appeal of Fictap, he explained. Illegal Drugs (ICAD) post to put International Development to campaign against drugs,” she studied, this has been thor- Undersecretary Eliseo Rio, Robredo yesterday lauded law an end to extrajudicial killings discuss the current state of US- said. oughly researched so they came Juliano-Tamano said that DICT offi cer-in-charge, enforcement agencies involved and save innocent lives. Philippines counter-narcotics The discussions addressed up with a new strategy,” Gamboa in some cases, the rate of agreed to hold the memo- in a recent drug operation that She met with United States co-operation and potential the need to come up with a clear said. increase was as high as randum and form a technical led to the seizure of P6.8mn and representatives yesterday to US government funded pro- baseline data on the drug cam- Gamboa said the PADS was more than 300% working group (TWG), which P5.7mn worth of shabu in Makati discuss and rebrand Oplan grammes. paign in the country, the pos- the anti-drug campaign of the would review the issue and City and Tondo, Manila. Tokhang. Robredo said that they tack- sible amendment of the Com- Dangerous Drugs Board. Federation of International make appropriate recommen- “This was done without sac- In a statement, the US Embas- led ways to assist the Philippine prehensive Dangerous Drugs Robredo had suggested some Cable TV and Telecommu- dations. “To our disappoint- rifi cing innocent lives. Hopeful sy bared that Robredo met with government in dealing with the Act, and the strengthening of improvements to the PADS by nications Associations of the ment, sad to say, the TWG has that we can continue this in our the US delegation comprised of narcotics problem. programmes for drug use pre- adding “attainable” and “real- Philippines (Fictap) National not been formed until now, fi ght against illegal drugs,” she offi cers of the Federal Bureau of “We talked about the lapses vention and community-based istic” short term targets by 2022. Chairman Estrellita Juliano- one year and seven months said in a tweet. Investigation, the Drug Enforce- of the current campaign and rehabilitation. She also proposed the inclusion Tamano sent a letter to NEA from the fi rst time Gen. Rio Robredo said she took the In- ment Agency, the Department other means of assistance that “As allies of the Philippines, of advocates in the campaign complaining against the im- promised to do it,” Juliano- ter-Agency Committee on Anti- of State and the US Agency for they can provide to intensify the they will do everything to help against illegal drugs. plementation of the pole rent- Tamano said. Manifesto signed to give thrust to drive against corruption

By Catherine S Valente ing number of complaints. That’s placed in drop boxes in govern- He said the anti-corruption signed a manifesto of support for Manila Times very encouraging. I am very ment offi ces, villages, and city desk served as a one-stop shop the intensifi ed anti-corruption humbled by the people’s trust in halls,” Belgica said. for the public to fi le complaints drive. our work. It also shows that they A weekly report on the status of corruption. The manifesto included a en. Christopher Lawrence are becoming more aware of the of corruption complaints will The initiative, which was re- commitment to “free ourselves “Bong” Go, the Presi- problem of corruption and are be submitted to the Offi ce of cently launched in railway ter- from corruption activities,” Sdential Anti-Corruption willing to help. That’s a big step the President and Congress, he minals, deserved “wider support combat corruption in their own Commission (PACC) and other forward,” he said. added. and implementation,” the sena- districts and offi ces, co-operate government agencies signed a “Injustice such as corruption “Of course now with the tor said. with government, and set up Ka- manifesto to further boost Pres- reinforce each other, creating a PACC, it goes through due proc- “From the very beginning, tarungan Desks in their areas of ident Rodrigo Duterte’s cam- vicious cycle that corrodes the ess and investigation. But to fur- the president has said it loud jurisdiction. paign against corruption. fabric of society. It undermines ther our resolve in combating and clear that he will wage a re- Among those present were Go and PACC Commissioner people’s trust in political and corruption and getting informa- lentless war against three ma- offi cials from the Departments Greco Antonious Belgica led the economic systems, institutions tion, the fi ght against corruption jor ills of our society — illegal of the Interior and Local Gov- signing of the manifesto during and leaders. Corruption is injus- is heavily dependent on infor- drugs, criminality and corrup- ernment, Labour and Employ- the launch of the latest anti- tice,” he added. mation,” Belgica said. tion. So far, great strides have ment, Education, Justice, Trade corruption programme in Mala- Belgica said the PACC would “So we move further after the been made. Filipinos now feel and Industry, and Health, and canang yesterday. partner with government insti- president’s order, he told me to so much safer on our streets and the National Bureau of Investi- During the event, Belgica in- tutions and local government go around and led the anti-cor- services in government offi ces gation, Bureau of Customs, So- troduced the Katarunggan (Jus- units in the establishment of the ruption campaign be felt by the have become so much faster and cial Security System, National tice) Desk, a “responsive and anti-corruption desks.He said local government.” better but we must not be com- Housing Authority, Pag-IBIG safe reporting platform” that the commission would also work In the same event, Go ex- placent. We must be more vigi- Fund, Philippine Overseas Em- would be established in national with the Philippine National Po- pressed support for the set- lant, dedicated, and proactive ployment Administration, Tech- and local government offi ces and lice for the deployment of Ka- ting up of Katarungan Desks in than ever,” Go added. nical Education and Skills De- other public places, for the re- tarungan Desk offi cers. various government offi ces and Apart from Go and Belgica, velopment Authority, Anti-Red porting of all kinds of complaints “The Katarungan Desk will public places, saying offi cials other representatives from vari- Tape Authority, and local execu- about corruption in government. have dulugan (feedback) forms. involved in corruption must be ous government agencies and tives from the cities of Quezon, “We are receiving an increas- That will be the form that will be held accountable. local government units also Mandaluyong and Valenzuela. Christopher Go: anti-corruption drive Gulf Times 22 Thursday, November 14, 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 More than blue and red on the US political map A cluster of suburban Philadelphia counties and a rural South Jersey legislative district became overnight sensations last week as national political pundits painted a blue tsunami centred in Delaware County and a red glare around Cape May, mostly in shades of Donald Trump. While political prognosticators were quick to cast portents for the 2020 presidential election on these results, we think the snapshot taken last Tuesday is still developing. The only thing voters in these state, county and municipal contests may have proven is that all politics is local, and many results can be chalked up to demographic shifts Kartarpur: Winning throughout the region. Those shifts may also explain the most refreshing change that this election signalled: an apparent fatigue with establishment party organisations. In Philadelphia, former Democrat-turned-Working Families Party candidate Kendra Brooks decisively won an at-large City Council seat. Her victory demonstrated a deep hearts and minds grassroots hunger for someone and something other than the standard product of the city Democrats’ increasingly creaky By Kamran Rehmat often became a collateral for the reiterated the peace off er he made to in future, too, for lasting resolution of machine. Doha up-and-down nature of the bilateral his Indian counterpart even before confl icts,” Singh said at the session. The fact that Brooks will occupy a seat held by Republicans relations. assuming offi ce in August last year For the uninitiated, Kartarpur marks As has been described several times and hoped one day the two countries the most signifi cant and constructive for decades also suggests the city GOP’s profound distress; liss it was in that dawn to be this past week, it was a classic case of would fi nd their calling as neighbours phase in Guru Nanak’s life. It was here, party chair Mike Meehan’s description of the entire election alive! ‘so near yet so far’ — with Sikhs able coexisting in peace. on the banks of the Ravi, that he laid cycle as “preposterous” sparked calls for his resignation from Saturday, November 9, 2019, to merely spot the holy site some 4km Khan said he was humbled by what the foundations of a new faith. Nanak the dwindling ranks of the faithful. Bwill go down in the history from the international border but, he could do to facilitate the world came to the town between 1520 and 1522 There was more bad of the subcontinent not only as a tragically unable to cross it. Sikh population and likened their after he had travelled extensively across news for traditional milestone but also a sterling reminder Since living up to his promise of long decades of yearning to how continents. With voters Republicans in the of what is possible when the human opening the Kartarpur Corridor in less Muslims would feel if they were able He spent the formative years of his spirit soars over manmade borders and than a year after laying the foundation to see Madina, the last resting place of life at Talwandi, a town 90km west of willing to take historically GOP- barriers in an all-conquering fl ight of stone, Prime Minister Imran Khan Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from a Pakistan’s cultural capital Lahore, where dominated but imagination. has been hailed as a peacemaker and distance, but not being able to visit it. he was born in 1469. It was later renamed a chance on increasingly blue The day, closer to home in Kartarpur showered with love even across the Another prominent presence at the Nankana Sahib in his honour. Today, it is Delaware, Chester — the last resting place of Baba Guru border in India, with a rare public Kartarpur ceremony was former Indian the capital of Nankana Sahib district. upstarts like and Bucks counties in Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism note of thanks also coming from his prime minister Manmohan Singh, who Guru Nanak spent the next 10 years Pennsylvania, where — also represents perhaps, Pakistan’s counterpart Narendra Modi. made a poignant return to the land of at Sultanpur Lodhi where he attained Brooks, McClellan Democrats took control biggest and now its most celebrated This was amply demonstrated by his birth. The journey took Singh 72 enlightenment. And for the next peace initiative in the 21st century, a stirring speech at the Kartarpur years; despite remaining in offi ce for 10 20 years, he travelled across many and the three of the principal governing completely overriding tense relations inauguration delivered by Navjot Singh years and receiving several offi cial and countries and continents before coming bodies in all three. with neighbouring India, which also Sidhu, former Indian Punjab minister unoffi cial invitations, he could not make to Kartarpur. newbies in Although transplants signed to pave the way for his disciples and current MLA, who roused the it, which again, is put down to political Interestingly, Pakistan hosts the three from the city and to cross over into Pakistan. audience with his signature poetic compulsions. most important shrines that directly Upper Darby, this immigrants from Asia The 9-km corridor links Gurdwara depiction, only this time it had a Last Saturday, Singh led the fi rst connect Sikhs to Guru Nanak and have long been helping Darbar Sahib in Narowal district of sweeping tremolo. delegation of Sikh pilgrims as they therefore, the ‘land of the pure’, which election delivered turn Delco bluer, evidence Pakistan’s Punjab province, Guru Nanak Describing Khan as a “lionhearted” entered Pakistan through the Kartarpur is what Pakistan literally means. The Dev’s birth and fi nal resting place, peacemaker immune to the idea of corridor. Pakistani Foreign Minister fi rst is the Nankana Sahib, where he was many “fi rsts” of demographic and other to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Indian counting political gains and losses and Shah Mehmood Qureshi warmly born 550 years ago; the second is Panja changes in the electorate Punjab’s Gurdaspur district. concerned only with uniting people, received him and his wife Gursharan Sahib, which marks the site of a major was especially dramatic in Upper Darby. Barbarann Keff er, For this past week, emotionally Sidhu thundered: “For four generations, Kaur, and recounted to him how the episode during his travels; and the third a fi rst-term Democratic member of the township council, charged stories of reunion or simply our people paid the price of the former fi rst lady herself made tea for Kartarpur Sahib, built on the banks unseated Republican Mayor Tom Micozzie, who had served return to roots following seven decades partition-wrought bloodletting. In 72 him when they last met. of the Ravi, where he spent the last 18 since 2009. And three openly LGBT Democrats – Meredith of separation that followed the bloody years, no-one did for our nation what The ex-Indian premier called the years of his life. Hegg, David Neill and Damien Warsavage – were elected to the Partition of 1947 — the harbinger of Imran Khan has done”. Kartarpur opening a “big moment” Notably, Foreign Minister Shah the single largest exodus of humankind Turning to his one-time cricket and even before entering Pakistan had Mehmood Qureshi in his speech said the Upper Darby school board. in history — continue to dot the media adversary, Sidhu said: “Khan Sahib, you stated at a special session of the Punjab Imran Khan government was now moving In Chester County, where until two years ago no Democrat landscape. Several videos have since have made history and nobody can deny Assembly to mark the 550th birth to work on the restoration of 400 Hindu had won countywide offi ce since the Civil War, a 7,000-voter also gone viral; some funny, others your place in it. You are the sikandar anniversary of Guru Nanak that the temples that had been identifi ed for GOP registration edge was not enough to save the well- sober, but nearly all endearing. (conqueror) of hearts. And while “Kartarpur model” had the potential to the purpose and open them to religious regarded Republican incumbent Matt Holliday from losing Previous attempts to build a corridor Sikandar (Alexander the Great) had won resolve future confl icts. tourism in the future as well. the prothonotary’s offi ce to Democratic challenger Debbie and open the religious shrine for Sikhs, the world with fear, you have conquered “Peace and harmony is the only way Bookman. Democrats were triumphant in other county races particularly from India, which is home the world by winning hearts.” forward to ensure a prosperous future. z The writer is Features Editor. He to the largest population of faithfuls, Prime Minister Khan in his speech The Kartarpur model may be replicated tweets @kaamyabi as well, including taking control of the Bucks County Board of Commissioners for the fi rst time since 1983. But results in the 1st Legislative District in South Jersey’s Cape May and Cumberland Counties, a traditionally conservative area, made diff erent headlines. Democratic incumbents for a state Senate and two state Assembly seats in the 1st District all lost to GOP candidates, one of whom, Assemblyman-elect Antwan McClellan, will become the fi rst African American in history to represent the district, which Trump carried in 2016. And other GOP candidates fared far better elsewhere in the Garden State than their counterparts in, say, Virginia did. With voters willing to take a chance on upstarts like Brooks, McClellan and the three LGBT newbies in Upper Darby, this election delivered many “fi rsts.” The people will be more excited for what that portends for the region, and the country, if those “fi rsts” include many more young people registering to vote – and a record-breaking voter turnout in 2020. – Tribune News Service

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© 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved DIVIDENDS OF PEACE: Thousands of devotees from India at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, after the opening of the corridor on Saturday. (Reuters) Gulf Times Thursday, November 14, 2019 23 COMMENT Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions, yet many don’t know they suff er from it

Dr Alexandra Butler to produce adequate amounts of insu- identify new targets for drug discov- Principal Investigator lin depend upon the type of diabetes. ery. The mechanisms underlying the at Qatar Biomedical Type 1 is essentially a total insulin susceptibility of kidney, retina, periph- Research Institute, defi ciency due to the destruction of beta eral nerve and arteries to damage in part of Hamad Bin cells by the body’s immune system. Type diabetes are yet to be proven, but the Khalifa University, talks 2 is a complex disease characterised by DRC has made advances towards un- about eff orts to tackle insulin resistance and insulin defi ciency. derstanding these. The centre is paving diabetes in Qatar The degrees of resistance and defi ciency the way towards improved biomarkers vary, but insulin defi ciency is key to and focused treatments, or preci- developing diabetes. sion medicine for diabetes, in order to hat is diabetes? Gestational diabetes is a form of tackle this globally devastating disease. Diabetes is a disease diabetes that can develop during that occurs when there is pregnancy as pregnancy is a state of Can we prevent or reverse diabetes if Wan inability to pro- increased insulin resistance and these we follow a healthy lifestyle? duce adequate amounts of insulin (a women have a higher risk of develop- In the Gulf region, the diabetes epi- hormone produced by beta cells in the ing type 2 diabetes later in life. demic is largely fuelled by obesity and pancreas) to maintain blood glucose There are also genetic defects of sedentary lifestyles. Type 1 diabetes levels within normal limits, and it beta cell function and insulin action, is not reversible but type 2 is largely represents a major medical, social, and such as Maturity Onset Diabetes of the preventable and can be reversed in its economic burden worldwide. Young (MODY). earlier stages by adopting a healthy The prevalence of diabetes has Some conditions, such as diseases of lifestyle, the mainstays of which reached epidemic proportions globally, the exocrine pancreas, can cause sec- include regular exercise, a healthy diet with 424.9mn aff ected adults aged ondary diabetes as can certain drugs, and maintaining a healthy weight. 20-79, representing 8.8% of the global corticosteroids being a prime example. but clinically appear to have type 2 Diabetic complications are costly, diabetic patients in Qatar. Anyone can suff er from diabetes and adult population. diabetes, and older patients with late extremely diffi cult to manage, and lead The underlying causes of insulin those with aff ected family members are This fi gure is predicted to rise to What are the symptoms of diabetes? onset of diabetes who require insulin to increased mortality rates. Diabetic resistance are not addressed by any at an increased risk. It is therefore a good 628.6mn by 2045, aff ecting almost Those with type 1 diabetes may and share characteristics of patients patients are also at increased risk of current therapy. idea to follow your doctor’s advice as to 10% of the worldwide adult popula- experience thirst, a frequent need to with type 1 diabetes where Latent neurological impairment and certain The DRC is also investigating the the frequency of testing for diabetes. tion. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 urinate, weight loss, fatigue, blurred Autoimmune Diabetes of Adulthood forms of cancer, so identifying biomar- mechanisms of insulin resistance to to 95% of diabetes cases, with type vision, ketoacidosis (a life-threatening (LADA) should be considered. kers that predict the future develop- 1 diabetes accounting for about 5%. conditions where the body starts ment of diabetes and/or its related However, half of those with type 2 breaking down fat at a rapid rate), and What role is Qatar Biomedical complications is imperative. About Hamad Bin Khalifa University diabetes have not been diagnosed. infections. Research Institute (QBRI) playing in Accordingly, biomarker discovery is Innovating Today, Shaping Tomorrow In Qatar, 20% of the population is Type 2 diabetes can lead to thirst, relation to diabetes research? a major focus of the ongoing research aff ected by diabetes (type 2 account- frequent urination, and malaise, but The genetic risks for type 2 dia- at the DRC. With the advent of stem Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), ity through an enriching academic ing for 90% of those) with a projected symptoms are usually much milder and betes are likely to be diff erent for cells, the concept of mimicking nature a member of Qatar Foundation for experience, innovative ecosystem, and rise to 24% in the next two decades. many individuals with type 2 diabetes Qataris compared to other Asians and to generate new beta-cells to reverse Education, Science, and Community unique partnerships. HBKU delivers Diabetes in Qatar aff ects all segments do not know they have the disease until Europeans. Therefore, identifi cation diabetes has emerged, although more Development (QF), was founded in multidisciplinary undergraduate and of society, from the young to the eld- they are tested. of factors that are associated with the work needs to be done to allow for safe 2010 as a research-intensive university graduate programmes through its erly, and places a signifi cant social and In certain circumstances, it can be high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in and eff ective therapy. that acts as a catalyst for transforma- colleges, and provides opportunities economic burden on Qatari society. diffi cult to distinguish between type the Qatari population is an important In collaboration with the Harvard tive change in Qatar and the region for research and scholarship through What is the diff erence between type 1 and type 2 diabetes (see Table 1). focus of ongoing research at the Dia- Stem Cell Institute, the Stem Cell while having global impact. Located in its institutes and centres. For more 1 and type 2 diabetes, and are there Distinguishing the type of diabetes betes Research Center (DRC) at Qatar group at DRC is working towards Education City, HBKU is committed to information about HBKU, visit www. other types? can be particularly diffi cult in younger Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), developing safe and eff ective stem cell- building and cultivating human capac- hbku.edu.qa The reasons underlying the inability patients who are treated with insulin, part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University. derived therapy to meet the needs of

Global trade’s bright (green) future Three-day forecast TODAY is coming into force, we will soon regulations that could reduce carbon- representatives focused squarely on Maximum Temperature : 290c By Pascal Lamy Minimum Temperature : 230c Paris benefi t from the extraordinary eff ects dioxide emissions by up to 43% the question of how to power “global of a new, permanent global health by 2030. In real terms, that means trade without the use of fossil fuels.” FRIDAY dividend. We can expect to see data in preventing a cumulative 3.8 billion Moreover, many large shipping Maximum Temperature : 290c ost discussions of trade the coming years indicating reduced tons of CO2 from being emitted companies have already committed Minimum Temperature : 230c nowadays inevitably health-care costs and improved into the atmosphere, which is the to commercialising full-size, zero- SATURDAY feature the words “war,” educational outcomes from around the equivalent of shutting down 98 coal- carbon vessels on deep-sea trade Maximum Temperature : 270c M“tariff ,” or “Trump.” But world. fi red power stations. routes by as soon as 2030. Minimum Temperature : 240c In the meantime, governments Still, there are also weaker proposals Beyond these current eff orts, there look beyond the headlines and you will Fisherman's forecast see the foundations of a more collabo- will be collaborating on additional on the table. One put forward by are many promising new technologies rative, healthy, and sustainable world measures to reduce the environmental Japan and Norway would lower CO2 being tested, from clever air-bubble WARNING and climate impact of the global emissions from shipping by only lubricated hulls to wind-assisted Inshore : Expected thundery rain trade system emerging. at places associated The global shipping industry, which maritime trade system. Such eff orts 1-6% by 2030, while still allowing for propulsion and – crucially – carbon- with strong wind carries 90% of all global trade by are essential to reach the targets emissions to grow above their current neutral fuel types. When it comes, the Offshore : Expected thunder rain volume, has started to acknowledge outlined in the 2015 Paris climate levels. shipping industry’s pivot to these fuels associated with strong wind and high sea the urgency of climate change, agreement. As matters stand, the Given ever-growing public will generate massive investments WEATHER and is taking steps to minimise its shipping sector, ranked alongside demands for climate action – not in renewable energy in developing Inshore : Moderate temperature environmental impact. On January countries, is the world’s sixth-largest to mention new data pointing to countries. with sctd clouds& c of rain at places maybe 1, 2020, cleaner fuel standards for greenhouse-gas (GHG) emitter. the pace and severity of climate Finally, banks accounting for more thundery with blowing shipping will take eff ect globally. After The good news is that under an change – a weak approach simply than 20% of all loans to the shipping dust at times more than a decade of negotiations, ambitious IMO agreement concluded is not good enough. Besides, tough sector have committed to disclosing Offshore : P cloudy at times with c of sctd rain maybe member-state governments at last year, the shipping sector must efficiency regulations would not the carbon intensity of their loans thundery by aftrenoon the United Nations International reduce its GHG emissions to “at make trade more expensive, as some every year, using transparency to drive WIND Maritime Organisation (IMO) have least” half of their current levels by detractors claim, because they capital toward more effi cient ships and Inshore : Northwesterly-North- easterly 05-15/25 KT agreed to a new “global sulphur cap,” 2050, while also taking steps to start would lead operators to acquire more away from dirty ones. Offshore : Northwesterly-North- demonstrating that multilateralism is reducing emissions before 2023. The fuel-efficient vessels. Fuel is now Clearly, the private sector is easterly 03-12/25 KT still possible. The method of powering bad news is that discussions over the single biggest operating expense stepping up. Now, governments Visibility : 4-8/3 KM shipping vessels will now undergo a the best policies for achieving these in shipping, which means that early gathering at the IMO summit in Offshore : 1-3/8 FT adopters of technologies that reduce London need to do the same, by change on the scale of the shift from goals have stalled. As important as Around the region coal to oil a century ago. mutually agreed targets are, they are fuel costs can offer better freight supporting clear, transparent, and Weather Under the IMO accord, the shipping no substitute for concrete action. rates and achieve a competitive ambitious short-term measures Weather tomorrow Max/min industry will be required to reduce Still, policymakers have an advantage. to reduce emissions. Only that can today Max/min P Cloudy 27/12 sulphur-dioxide and nitrous-oxide opportunity to get back on track A more effi cient shipping fl eet create the incentives for investment in Baghdad P Cloudy 26/14 P Cloudy 28/17 pollution on a massive scale. Among during a new round of international would not only make international zero-carbon technologies and carbon- Kuwait City Sunny 29/17 P Cloudy 28/23 other things, the policy ensures that talks in London this month on trade less oil-dependent; it would also neutral trade over the long term. – Manama Sunny 29/23 Sunny 28/18 millions of children around the world decarbonising global shipping. There, help to insulate freight rates against Project Syndicate Muscat Sunny 28/19 M Sunny 14/03 will have a chance to live healthier delegates to the IMO are considering a future oil-price spikes, such as the Tehran P Cloudy 16/06 lives. Over time, we have learned wide range of policy options that could one that led to destabilising food riots zPascal Lamy, a former that these air pollutants can have make a signifi cant diff erence. around the world in 2008. director-general of the World a deleterious eff ect not just on our For example, Denmark, Germany, At any rate, the industry is ahead of Trade Organization and EU trade hearts and lungs, but also on brain and Spain have proposed tough, governments on this issue. At a recent commissioner, is a Global Ocean development. Now that the cap transparent “operational effi ciency” shipping industry gathering, industry Commissioner.

Live issues

Insomnia symptoms tied to increased risk of heart attack and stroke Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min By Lisa Rapaport focused during the day due to poor Compared with participants The increased risk of heart attack Athens Sunny 21/13 Sunny 22/13 Reuters Health sleep – were 18% more likely to have without specifi c insomnia symptoms, and stroke persisted even after Beirut M Sunny 28/22 T Storms 26/20 events like a heart attack or stroke those who did have sleep problems researchers accounted for other Bangkok S T Storms 32/24 P Cloudy 33/24 than people without any of these sleep were older, more likely to be female, factors that could independently aff ect Berlin P Cloudy 08/03 M Cloudy 12/07 eople who have trouble fall- issues, the researchers reported in not married, and from rural areas. the risk of stroke or heart disease like Cairo Sunny 33/19 M Sunny 27/17 ing asleep or staying asleep Neurology. People with insomnia symptoms also alcohol use, smoking, and level of Cape Town Cloudy 21/17 Cloudy 22/16 may be more likely to have a “These results suggest that if we less education, lower income, and physical activity. Colombo P Cloudy 29/25 S T Storms 29/25 Pheart attack or stroke than can target people who are having were more likely to have a history “The link between insomnia Dhaka Sunny 31/21 Sunny 31/21 individuals who don’t have any sleep trouble sleeping with behavioural of diabetes or mood disorders like symptoms and these diseases was even Hong Kong Sunny 23/19 Sunny 23/19 diffi culties, a recent study suggests. therapies, it’s possible that we could anxiety or depression. stronger in younger adults and people Istanbul Cloudy 21/13 M Sunny 21/12 Researchers followed 487,200 reduce the number of cases of stroke, People who had trouble falling who did not have high blood pressure Jakarta T Storm 32/24 S T Storms 34/24 people in China for about a decade heart attack and other diseases later asleep or staying asleep were 9% more at the start of the study, so future Karachi M Sunny 30/19 Sunny 29/18 starting when they were 51 years old on down the line,” Dr Liming Li, senior likely to have events like a heart attack research should look especially at early London S Showers 08/03 Showers 08/04 average. None of them had a history of author of the study and a researcher at or stroke than people who did not have detection and interventions aimed at Manila S Showers 29/25 Cloudy 30/25 heart disease or stroke at the start of Peking University in Beijing, said in a this trouble. these groups,” Li said. Moscow P Cloudy 06/00 P Cloudy 05/01 the study. statement. And, people who woke up too early The study wasn’t a controlled New Delhi M Cloudy 28/17 P Cloudy 28/17 After almost a decade of follow- About 11% of the people had diffi culty in the morning were 7% more likely experiment designed to prove New York M Cloudy 09/04 P Cloudy 12/-1 up, there were 130,032 cases of falling asleep or staying asleep; 10% to have these events than individuals whether or how insomnia symptoms Paris M Cloudy 08/02 Cloudy 06/03 stroke, heart attack and other similar reported waking up too early; and 2% without this issue. might cause events like a heart attack Sao Paulo S T Storms 27/20 T Storm 22/16 diseases. had trouble staying focused during the When people had trouble staying or stroke. Another limitation is that Seoul Sunny 04/-2 Showers 15/02 Overall, people who had three day due to poor sleep, the study found. focused during the day due to poor researchers relied on participants Singapore T Storm 31/26 T Storm 30/25 insomnia symptoms – trouble falling The researchers didn’t determine if sleep, they were 13% more likely to to report their own sleep symptoms Sydney Sunny 22/16 Sunny 28/16 or staying asleep, waking too early the people met the full defi nition of experience events like a heart attack and any heart attacks or strokes they Tokyo Rain 22/13 Clear 17/09 in the morning, and trouble staying insomnia. or stroke. had. Gulf Times 24 Thursday, November 14, 2019 QATAR

(From left) Melvyn Kirtley, Dana Alfardan, Sheikha Raya al-Khalifa, and Bianca Bonomi at the talk at NMoQ. PICTURE: Ram Chand Shining a light on magnifi cent jewels of iconic designer Jean Schlumberger

By Joey Aguilar supported by Alfardan Group and Talk highlights Jean were worn by some of the most Schlumberger collection is such inspire the new generation of in- Staff Reporter Tiff any & Co. iconic women of his time, in- a perfect example of using jew- credibly talented local designers. “I was thrilled to be a part of cluding actresses Audrey Hep- ellery as a medium to showcase We look forward to seeing how the round-table discussion at Schlumberger’s genius burn and Elizabeth Taylor and a love of nature executed in an his innovative spirit and creativ- he genius and historical NMoQ about Jean Schlumberg- American horticulturalist and exceptionally unique whimsical ity will spur their imagination signifi cance of Jean Sch- er, one of the most talented and work and the Qatari philanthropist, Rachel “Bunny” manner.” and infl uence their future works,” Tlumberger and the Qatari gifted artists of the 20th century. Lambert Mellon. “Listening to Melvyn speak she said. legacy of jewellery design were He had a remarkable ability to legacy of jewellery design Mellon’s collection is the fo- was a real treat and gave us an According to QM, the exhibi- the highlight of a talk at the Na- look at nature in a more abstract cus of the ongoing exhibition in-depth perspective of the mind tion has been widely lauded in tional Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) way. Using fl owers, sea creatures, Raya al-Khalifa, during the He then gained access to the at NMoQ, according to Qatar behind that magic that is Jean Qatar, especially given the coun- on Tuesday. insects and birds as his models, round-table discussion, moder- Tiff any & Co vault and was able Museums. “I truly enjoyed the Schlumberger,” she added. QM’s try’s long legacy in jewellery The discussion, hosted by Qa- he boldly reimaged them into ated by Harper’s Bazaar Qatar to use coloured gemstones, dia- Schlumberger collection round- Director of Exhibitions Sheikha making. tar Museums (QM) and American colourful, vibrant gems,” said editor-in-chief Bianca Bonomi. monds and 18-carat gold to up- table at NMoQ. Reem al-Thani cited the stunning For decades, gathered pearls luxury jewellery and specialty Tiff any & Co’s chief gemologist Schlumberger began his ca- grade his designs and really bring The Schlumberger exhibition work of Schlumberger saying it from the Gulf were traded to retailer Tiff any & Co, forms part Melvyn Kirtley. reer crafting costume jewellery out the tri-dimensionality and resonated with me immediately has been an inspiration to many India, the Ottoman Empire, as of the ‘Magnifi cent Jewels of Jean He was joined by critically- for the French fashion designer show all the colours that nature as the aquatic features in his jew- jewellery makers across time. well as Europe and North Amer- Schlumberger: From the Virginia acclaimed Qatari musician, com- Elsa Schiaparelli in 1930s Paris, has to off er. ellery so closely tie to the pearl “We are grateful for the sup- ica – providing aristocratic and Museum of Fine Arts Collection’ poser, songwriter and symphonic before heading his own private Schlumberger’s designs, rang- diving heritage of my family,” Al- port received by Alfardan Group emerging middle classes with the exhibition, which will run un- artist Dana Alfardan, and jewel- salon at New York’s Tiff any & Co ing from cigarette cases and pill fardan said. and Tiff any & Co in bringing his luxury item to use in jewellery til January 15, 2020. The show is lery collector and expert Sheikha beginning in the 1950s. boxes to brooches and necklaces, Al-Khalifa noted that “the masterpieces here in Qatar to and clothing.

Ibrahim Mohamed al-Jaidah at the book launch at Msheireb Museums yesterday. PICTURES: Khalid Othman

1001 Days Prominent Qatari architect Ibrahim al-Jaidah launches his latest book Ajyal’s selection of trans-adapted By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter shorts makes fi lms accessible to all rominent Qatari architect Ibrahim Mohamed al-Jai- elivering the magic of Five trans-adapted films will equal access to the magical Pdah launched yesterday his cinema to all audiences, provide visual and hearing-impaired world of cinema,” she added. latest book titled ‘Qatari Style’ – Dthe 7th Ajyal Film Festi- The screening will take place a compilation of interior spaces val, Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) audiences with tools to experience at 7.30pm on November 21 at the showcasing the hospitality and annual celebration of fi lms, will Katara Drama Theatre and will warmth of local culture. present Made in Qatar: An In- the power of film on the Ajyal stage include: Rawan al-Nassiri and The event, held at Msheireb clusive Experience programme Nada Bedair’s Treasures of the Museums — the four heritage on November 21. Past (2017), a charming docu- houses and the cultural desti- The fi ve fi lms are specially cu- mentary about three cheerful nation in Msheireb Downtown rated to refl ect the theme of the and engaging Qatari grand- Doha — was attended by various festival and make fi lm accessible, mothers who have spent their fi gures from the art and culture regardless of physical obstacles. lives putting food on their fami- scene in the country. Presented in partnership with lies’ tables through their handi- “This is the fi rst ever book Qatari Style is a compilation of various interior spaces showcasing the Translation and Interpreting work; 1001 Days (2017) by Aisha that provides insights into the warmth of Middle Eastern hospitality resonating with the sound Institute (TII) of the College of al-Jaidah, a modern-day take unique Qatari places. Qatar was of the local culture. Humanities and Social Sciences on Sheherezade that captures a crossroad to many trading and at Hamad bin Khalifa University, her signifi cance as a legendary migration routes, resulting in refl ected in the spaces, and also arts, ranks as a pioneer of a new Ajyal’s inclusive programme fea- heroine fi ghting for independ- the development of the distinc- the breadth of foreign infl uences architectural movement which tures a hand-picked selection of ence, dignity and freedom; tive local style,” said al-Jaidah, on the local culture. combines the far-reaching infl u- fi ve compelling works by local Amer: An Arabian Legend (2016) author of the book and Group The book is available at Sogha, ences of Islamic art with modern fi lmmakers. by Jassim al-Rumaihi, the story CEO of the Arab Engineering the souvenir shop at Msheireb styles. Visually impaired audi- Amer: An Arabian Legend of Amer, one of the most iconic Bureau. Museums. His focus on vernacular ar- ences will experience the fi lms stallions in Arabian horseracing Besides sharing about the in- “We are very happy to host the chitecture has brought a new through audio descriptions of history through conversations spiration behind the book and launch of this artistic book and dimension to the architectural visual elements while viewers with people whose lives were its structure, he also signed spe- are proud to be a platform that space in the region. He won who have hearing impairments closely entwined with Amer’s cial copies for the attendees and gives a voice to established and numerous awards, including will benefi t from enriched sub- career as a champion in racing toured them through the muse- emerging Qatari talent. the Organisation of Islamic titles in Arabic and English and and breeding; Kholood al-Ali’s um to give examples of the archi- Ibrahim al-Jaidah is a notable Capitals and Cities Award and sign language interpretation. Fragile (2019), an animated tectural concepts that the book fi gure in the fi eld of architec- the Arab Town Organisation “Ajyal represents the limit- short fi lm that follows a ceramic highlights. ture, and this compilation of his Awards and has been nomi- less possibilities and inspiration girl’s journey of self-discovery “Rich in colour and detail, Qa- thoughts on elements and de- nated three times for the Agha of our youth and their potential and reinvention as she sets off to tari style is rarely minimal and signs that speak of Middle East- Khan Award, and in 2005, he to realise their dreams. The fi rst conquer the mountains separat- noteworthy for its depiction and ern hospitality with distinct Qa- received the State of Qatar En- programme of its kind in the re- ing her from the world beyond fusion of various infl uences. I am tari traits, are concepts that we couragement Award. gion, Made in Qatar: An Inclu- Sh’hab her home; and Sh’hab (2018) by inspired by my national identity have been keen on refl ecting here Al-Jaidah is also a frequent sive Experience off ers unprece- Amal al-Muftah, about a mis- that is constantly recalling the in Msheireb Downtown Doha,” lecturer at local and internation- dented access to the full cinema ical limitations,” Festival direc- this integrative experience to chievous 8-year-old girl from past to honour its modern devel- Msheireb Museums director Dr al universities, and regularly par- experience to fi lm enthusiasts of tor and DFI CEO Fatma Hassan the Ajyal audiences. With each the old village of Al Wakrah, opment,” al-Jaidah said. Hafi z Ali said. ticipates as a speaker in industry diff erent abilities, demonstrat- al-Remaihi said. year, we create a more inclusive who would do anything to spend Selected interiors celebrate the Al-Jaidah, a Qatari with a pas- and architectural design relevant ing the power of fi lm as a tool for “Together with our partners environment that breaks down time with her father and older personal and local dispositions sion for the photography and events. inclusion that transcends phys- at TII, we are proud to present hidden barriers and provides brother at sea.