QATAR | Page 7

Cruise season kicks off with launch of new passenger terminal published in QATAR since 1978

WEDNESDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11344 October 23, 2019 Safar 24, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir attends Japan emperor’s enthronement ceremony In brief HIA passenger

ARAB WORLD | Confl ict Russia, Turkey reach capacity to soar deal on Syria border Russia and Turkey agreed yesterday to ensure Kurdish forces withdraw from areas close to Syria’s border to 60mn a year with Turkey and to launch joint patrols, in a deal hailed as “historic” By Santhosh V Perumal Cup and beyond. It is also a strong by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Business Reporter sign that Qatar’s economy is robust After marathon talks in Russia’s and acts as a further economic stimu- southern city of Sochi, Erdogan and lus, providing excellent opportunities his Russian counterpart Vladimir amad International Airport for local and international contrac- Putin announced the deal just hours (HIA) is all set for a second tors,” he said. ahead of a deadline for Turkey to Hmassive expansion, which will The second phase of HIA’s expansion restart its assault on Syrian Kurdish see annual passenger capacity soar comprises twin phases with the fi rst forces. Page 13 to 60mn and construction of a giant phase of the current expansion com- 10,000sq m indoor tropical garden as prising the central concourse linking His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani participated in the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito SPORT | Football well as a 268sq m water feature. concourses D and E. To Page 9 of Japan which took place at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo yesterday. A number of dignitaries including heads of state and Moreover, the expansion – which governments and representatives of international organisations participated in the ceremony. The Amir also attended the dinner Tickets of FIFA Club will also see the construction of a new banquet hosted by Emperor Naruhito in honour of the distinguished guests participating in the ceremony. Pages 4, 17 World Cup for sale cargo terminal that will increase ca- Qatar Airways to take Fans are one step closer to the pacity handled to an estimated 3.2mn record delivery of action today with the opening of tonnes a year – comes as part of Qatar’s airplanes in 2020 the Visa Presale for the FIFA Club well calibrated strategy to transform World Cup Qatar 2019 presented HIA into ‘destination in its own right, Qatar Airways, which on average Cityscape 2019 exhibition opens at DECC by Alibaba Cloud. As of 2pm than just a gateway’. receives an aircraft in 10 days, is (Doha time), Visa cardholders can These were disclosed by Qatar Air- set to take delivery of 40 airplanes E the Minister of Commerce featuring exceptional projects and real He noted that the Qatari real estate purchase tickets to see the club ways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar next year, a global record in terms and Industry Ali bin Ahmed estate and investment opportunities. market is witnessing favourable con- champions of each confederation, al-Baker at the 8th edition of Cityscape of delivery of maximum numbers Hal-Kuwari opened yesterday He said the exhibition represents a ditions for investors, registering more along with Al Sadd SC representing Qatar 2019, which got underway in by any carrier in any calendar year. the eighth edition of “Cityscape Qatar competitive platform for companies competitive prices during the current hosts Qatar, battle for the highest Doha yesterday. This was disclosed by Qatar Airways 2019” exhibition at the Doha Exhibi- from the Middle East, the United King- year, which contributed to attracting honour in global club football. “The expansion of Hamad Inter- Group Chief Executive HE Akbar al- tion and Convention Center (DECC). dom, Europe, the Far East and North investors looking for high-quality real This exclusive opportunity will be national Airport is a vital part of the Baker at a function to announce the In a speech, HE the Minister ex- Africa, to attract the interest of investors. estate. He explained that the volume available at FIFA.com/tickets until future success of the Qatar Airways expansion of Hamad International pressed his happiness at the opening HE the Minister welcomed the fi rst time of transactions recorded an annual in- October 31 at 13:00 CET (15:00 Doha Group, and of course of the country’s Airport. Page 9 the 8th edition of Cityscape Qatar with participation of Tunisia in the exhibition crease of 20% during the fi rst quarter of time). Sport Page 1 preparations to host the 2022 World the participation of several countries through a specialised national pavilion. 2019. Pages 8, 9

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 3 QATAR Ooredoo Announces Major Upgrade of Network Most Important Network Upgrade in Recent Years to Revolutionise Connectivity and Ensure 5G Future Use Cases

oredoo, Qatar’s leading the near future where the best telecommunications medical professionals, located Ooperator, today anywhere around the world, will announced an exciting upgrade be able to diagnose and treat programme for its network, patients here in Qatar using 5G in line with the significant technology. growth that our beloved Qatar The telecommunications has witnessed lately in various leader is demonstrating its fields and to ensure offering the commitment to its own corporate most advanced services to all social responsibility strategy residents, including future 5G and the aims of Qatar Vision use cases, in partnership with 2030 - sustainability, economic global mobile giant Ericsson. growth and environmental The telecommunications management – with the roll-out leader announced it is working of its 5G network; despite the with industry giant Ericsson to phenomenal capabilities of the upgrade existing network. The new 5G network, the technology upgrade, which is being rolled currently being deployed out over a period of several provides vastly superior 5G weeks, will bring new levels Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi performance with the smallest of innovation to healthcare, site footprint and the lowest education and industry as a key COO Ooredoo Qatar possible energy consumption. driver behind the ambitious 5G Speaking of the network expansion plans, with Ericsson vehicles by piloting the world’s upgrade, Yousuf Abdulla al being chosen as a partner first 5G-enabled aerial taxi Kubaisi, Chief Operating thanks to its long-established drone; it trialled on-the-go Officer, Ooredoo Qatar, said: position as market leader and WiFi in moving vehicles; remote “We’re delighted to be working technology pioneer. medical treatment was shown to with such a major international Ooredoo will leverage be possible with haptic gloves, powerhouse to ensure Qatar is Ericsson’s industry-leading scanners and joysticks; the at the forefront of technological Ericsson Radio System, 5G latest VR and AR experiences advancement, in line with New Radio solutions and its were showcased; 5G-enabled our corporate strategy which 10 Gbps microwave network to security for mega-events has aligns with Qatar Vision 2030. fully digitally transform and been displayed at mega-events; We have long been pioneers modernise its existing mobile and many more. in the development of a full network in order to ensure it is Ooredoo is the first operator in commercial 5G network, laying fully prepared to introduce the the world to launch 5G services the foundations for a bold latest technologies in line with and the recent Emir Cup was an and ambitious future, and Qatar National Vision 2030 and ideal opportunity for Ooredoo we are excited to see its rapid ahead of 2022’s events. to showcase some of the most progression in partnership with Ericsson. This upgrade 5G has been much anticipated exciting 5G developments represents a major expansion in Qatar and across the world, and demonstrate how 5G will of our 5G network in Qatar as given its potential to change the revolutionise healthcare and we work towards 5G becoming way internet users experience sports enjoyment. Its ground- mainstream in the country.” connectivity. A 5G network breaking Virtual Stadium and has the capacity to allow the 5G Connected Ambulance Al Kubaisi added: “By investing 10,000 times the volume of were both put to the test; the in high-speed and low-latency traffic compared to LTE, and Virtual Stadium allowed fans 5G technology, we will be able provides peak capacity of 10 to experience a completely to meet the growing data traffic Gbps. Ooredoo has already new way of enjoying sports - demands and deliver the high- showcased a number of exciting combining Virtual Reality with quality network required to offer use cases to give the public an user engagement and interaction the very best Smart City services insight into just how much the and the 5G network - while for Qatar. Our partnership with 5G network will change lives: the 5G Connected Ambulance Ericsson will help us develop it demonstrated autonomous allowed attendees a glimpse into Qatar beyond all current

expectations; it will enable people’s digital lives. We are mal service are encountered. its Smart Cities, its Internet beyond excited to see how the Technical staff have assured of Things capabilities and its future of Qatar unfolds, and we customers any disruption is ex- potential to host immersive are proud to be working with pected to be minor and short- mega-events. 5G-enabled Ericsson to make 5G dreams a lived, with the post-upgrade services will have an enormous reality.” benefits far outweighing any impact on our everyday lives; minor inconvenience in the they will be instrumental in A comprehensive communica- short term, and customers are developing the kind of Smart tion plan has ensured custom- encouraged to contact Ooredoo Cities in which we want to ers have been made aware of the with any queries about service live, in transforming society network upgrade, in case any provision while the upgrade is and industry and in enhancing temporary interruptions to nor- underway. Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, October 23, 2019 QATAR Qatar-Japan ties have made a quantum leap: envoy

QNA The ambassador explained He also pointed out that Japa- Tokyo that the visit also comes in sup- nese offi cials continued to stress port of the relations of trust that Japan’s relations with the and mutual respect between the Gulf countries will remain the mbassador of Qatar to Ja- leaderships of the two countries, same and will not be aff ected by pan Hassan bin Mohamed and to strengthen the friend- the crisis, stressing that Qatar ARafi al-Emadi stressed ship ties existing between His highly appreciates and com- the strength of Qatar’s relations Highness the Amir and Emperor mends this Japanese position, with Japan, especially economic Naruhito, which spanned dec- because it is consistent with and commercial, where Japan ades, referring to a visit by Em- the Qatari position which calls leads Qatar’s energy partners. peror Naruhito to Qatar in 1994, for dialogue with the blockade In an interview with PanOri- when he was crown prince. countries. ent News in Tokyo on the occa- Al-Emadi stressed that the Ambassador al-Emadi said sion of His Highness the Amir Japanese consider the Amir’s that under the blockade and dur- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- visit and participation in these His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani participating in the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito of Japan which ing the last two years, the Qatari- Thani’s visit to Japan to par- historic ceremonies with a high took place at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo yesterday. Japanese relations have witnessed ticipate in the enthronement level of interest and appreciation a qualitative leap, as the Amir ceremony of Emperor Naruhito, because they are a great symbol of a comprehensive strategic part- have formed a backbone for the Japan is still one of the most im- the development of the situation paid an offi cial visit to Japan last the ambassador said that the of the strong friendship between nership, he said. strong relations between the two portant and largest partners in in the region and the hope that the January during which he signed presence of the Amir is of great Qatar and Japan. The two countries also suc- countries, and that Japan has this area, the Qatari ambassador issue would be resolved through a number of bilateral agreements importance in terms of timing, Qatar’s relations with Japan ceeded in building strong multi- been a major market for Qatari noted. dialogue. and memorandums of under- content and ties between the two have made a quantum leap in the faceted relationship, he added. oil and gas for a long time since Regarding Japan’s stance on Japan also expressed support standing in important areas, and countries, as well as to partici- past few years thanks to the direc- The ambassador pointed the 1990s. the Gulf crisis, the ambassador for Kuwaiti mediation eff orts, a bilateral mechanism for strategic pate with the Japanese people in tives and vision of the Amir, and out that the commercial, eco- Japanese companies were the said that Japan has taken a neutral and stressed the importance of dialogue was launched at the level celebrating the beginning of the moved from the stage of co-oper- nomic and investment inter- fi rst customers in the export of stance since the Gulf crisis start- settling the issue in a peaceful of foreign ministers of the two new imperial era “Reiwa”. ation to consolidated foundations ests between Qatar and Japan liquefi ed natural gas (LNG), and ed, and expressed concern about manner, he said. countries.

Minister leads team to Tbilisi Belt and Road Forum

QNA of the new Silk Road in mod- ister of Georgia and organised by Doha ern economic integration and the Georgian ministries of foreign globalisation, saying that the aff airs, economy and sustainable participation in the initiative is development and supported by atar is participating with among the top priorities of the China and the Asian Development a delegation headed by HE Georgian government. Bank. Qthe Minister of Transport Georgia was one of the fi rst The mission of the forum is to and Communications Jassim Seif countries applauding the China- serve as an international platform Ahmed al-Sulaiti in the Tbilisi proposed Belt and Road Initiative for multilateral high-level dia- Belt and Road Forum, which was (BRI) to create new trade corridors logue among senior policymakers, inaugurated yesterday in Tbilisi, between Europe and Asia and im- businesses and community lead- Georgia, under the theme: “Part- prove existing ones, he said. ers to discuss important issues on nership for Global Impact”. The Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, trade and connectivity, examine Inaugurated by the Prime Min- he said, is “an important oppor- challenges facing countries along ister of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia, tunity” and a platform on which the New Silk Road connecting yesterday, the forum saw the at- the countries involved in the BRI, East and West, and fi nd common tendance of over 2,000 partici- international organisations and solutions that have a positive im- pants from 60 countries, includ- the private sector discuss regional pact on the region and the global ing heads of states, ministers, economic challenges and explore economy. diplomats and representatives of ways to overcome the challenges Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ga- international and business organ- and share experience. kharia met HE al-Sulaiti in Tbilisi isations. The forum is being held for the yesterday. The meeting reviewed Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia, receives HE the Minister In his opening speech, Ga- third time in Tbilisi. bilateral relations between Qatar of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti in kharia stressed the importance It is opened by the Prime Min- and Georgia. Tbilisi.

Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, October 23, 2019 QATAR Al-Muraikhi meets Hungarian minister Doha, US city of Charleston sign twinning pact

QNA Washington HE the Minister of State for Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi met the Minister of Foreign Aff airs and Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjarto, in Doha yesterday. The meeting reviewed bilateral relations, as well as issues atar and the United of common concern. During the meeting, an agreement was signed between the governments of Qatar and the States of America Government of Hungary on the abolition of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and special passports. Qsigned a twinning agreement between the cit- ies of Doha and Charleston in South Carolina in the context of deepening the Qatari-US strategic part- nership in all fi elds and en- hancing relations between Qatar National Library the Qatari and American peoples. The agreement was signed by HE the ambassa- dor of Qatar to the United HE the ambassador of Qatar to the United States Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad al-Thani and wins prestigious award States Sheikh Meshal bin Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg signing the agreement. Hamad al-Thani and Char- leston Mayor John Tecklen- understanding and coex- tination for their invest- ation, the ambassador said. QNA designed innovations that burg. istence between the Qatari ments. He added that Doha seeks Doha play an instrumental role The agreement aims to and American people at all HE Sheikh Meshal not- to follow the example of in allowing the building to strengthen co-operation, levels. ed Qatar’s commitment Charleston, one of the most adapt to the evolving needs explore opportunities for He stressed that the re- to invest $45bn in the US important American tourist atar National Li- of its visitors. future partnership between lations between Qatar and economy by 2020, in key cities, in establishing itself brary (QNL) has Qatar National Library, the two sides, including co- the United States are strong sectors such as infrastruc- as a global tourist destina- Qwon the Excellence which was offi cially inau- operation in the fi eld of trade and go back decades, and ture, technology and real tion in the future by attract- in Concrete Construction gurated on April 16, 2018, and culture, and discuss the that they are not limited to estate. He explained that ing 5mn tourists by 2023, Award of the American acts as a steward of Qatar’s possibility of hosting a trade the military and security these investments have and 7mn by 2030, noting Concrete Institute (ACI). national heritage by col- delegation representing the aspects, but extend even contributed to the creation that through work. The building won fi rst lecting, preserving and city of Charleston to visit further to the development of thousands of jobs across The ambassador stressed place in the “Decorative making available the coun- Doha and to see the invest- of bilateral trade and invest- the country. that Qatar, in the last two Concrete” category. Qatar National Library try’s recorded history. ment opportunities off ered ment, as well as educational Qatar’s decision to sign decades, has striven to build The Excellence in Con- The Library provides by the city. and cultural co-operation. the twinning agreement an open, fl exible, forward- crete Construction Awards tion around the world. and aesthetic demands. equal access to all types of In a speech at the signing He also noted that in ad- with Charleston stems from looking, tolerant and in- recognise concrete projects Those projects consid- The Library’s information and services ceremony, Qatar’s ambas- dition to six universities, the full conviction that the clusive society, sponsoring at the forefront of innova- ered for the award inte- 45,000-square-metre and aims to enable the peo- sador Sheikh Meshal bin Qatar hosts the largest US cities of Doha and Charle- a number of exchange pro- tion and technology, and grate creative techniques building was designed by ple of Qatar to positively in- Hamad al-Thani said that military base in the Middle ston have many things in grammes aimed at promot- showcase such projects to and technologies to keep world-renowned architect, fl uence society by creating the twinning agreement East, besides more than 650 common that will contrib- ing understanding between inspire excellence in con- up with ever-evolving Rem Koolhaas, and fea- an exceptional learning and refl ects the sincere desire American companies which ute to the promotion of eco- people of diff erent cultures, crete design and construc- economic, environmental tures numerous custom- discovery environment. of both sides to increase have chosen Doha as a des- nomic and cultural co-oper- religions and races.

State Audit Bureau participates in Cyber Security Centre holds ECOSAI meeting The eighth meeting of the training programme Supreme Audit Institutions of the South and Central Asian regions (ECOSAI) was held in Istanbul QNA yesterday. The two-day meeting Doha was attended by a delegation from the State Audit Bureau headed by HE the President of he Cyber Secu- the State Audit Bureau, Sheikh rity Centre at the Bandar bin Mohamed bin Saud TMinistry of In- al-Thani, as an observer. terior (MoI) yesterday inaugurated a training Qatar attends meet programme for the pre- vention of cybercrime on criminalising aimed at equipping em- ransom payment ployees in the fi eld of in- Off icials and participants on the occasion of the launch formation technology and of the training programme. The fourth meeting of the systems in government joint committee of experts agencies and institutions For his part, the Direc- there is a tendency to in- and representatives of the with the necessary skills. tor of International Co- clude the private sector in ministries of justice and the The programme focuses operation Department the programme to protect interior of the Arab states began on building capacity and Major General Abdul Aziz their information, be- yesterday at the headquarters developing the skills of Abdullah al-Ansari ex- cause if any of these enti- of the Arab League to discuss the employees responsible plained that the country ties is hacked, the systems the criminalisation of ransom for protecting vital infra- is facing a great challenge of state institutions is also payment. structure, and upgrading that imposes the impor- hacked”. Qatar is represented in the the expertise in the fi eld of tance of these training He pointed out that Qa- meeting by Lt Col Mohamed cyber security in various programmes for its agen- tar is on the threshold of Khalid al-Hajri from the Ministry sectors in the country. cies and institutions in a major challenge, which of Interior. The programme will at- general, pointing out that is hosting the 2022 World tract 52,000 trainees from hacking of any institu- Cup. Qatar participates various government and tion of the country is tan- The CEO of Qatar Fi- vital sectors in the coun- tamount to hacking the nance and Business Acad- in education try. The project will be whole state, and therefore emy Dr Khalid al-Horr meet in Tunis implemented over a pe- necessitates measures praised the partnership riod of two years, during to protect the state as a between the academy and The two-day meeting of the which staff will undergo whole. the Ministry of Interior. Qatar-Tunisia Co-operation fi ve training levels. He added that the For his part, the Direc- Committee in higher education The Assistant Direc- Ministry of Interior tor of the Centre for Cyber began in Tunis yesterday. tor of the Cyber Security launches such pro- Security at the Ministry of HE the Undersecretary of the Centre at the Ministry grammes because it paid Interior Major Mahmoud Ministry of Education and Higher of Interior Major Oth- a high price when Qatar Salah Ibrahim said that Education Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh man Salem al-Hamoud News Agency website the programme is working al-Nuaimi is heading Qatar’s made a presentation dur- was hacked, necessitat- to strengthen the protec- delegation at the meeting. ing which he explained ing the introduction of a tion of vital information The meeting will discuss the objectives of the pro- new path in terms of in- infrastructure, both in prospects of co-operation in the gramme, its various stag- formation protection. terms of its ability to pre- fields of higher education and es and its importance in Al-Ansari said, “We vent cyber attacks and de- scientific research and ways to preparing a generation of have now reached the sec- tect if they occur, and also support them. qualifi ed cadres to pro- ond stage in which rep- improve the response to tect electronic systems in resentatives of all state these attacks and the abil- Iraq bombing, various state bodies and bodies and institutions ity to quickly recover from institutions. have been gathered, and them eff ectively. attack in Burkina Faso condemned

Top French honour for Lekhwiya deputy commander Qatar has expressed its strong denunciation and condemnation Lekhwiya Deputy Commander Brig Issy-les-Moulineaux near the French of the bombing, which occurred Gen Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohamed capital Paris. in Salah al-Din province in al-Thani was granted the French Order The Director-General of the French northern Iraq, killing two of the Legion of Honour with the rank of National Gendarmerie commended members of the security and Knight, in recognition of his outstanding the Lekhwiya Deputy Commander’s wounding three others. service throughout his career. achievements, thanking him for his Qatar has also expressed The Director-General of the French keenness and encouragement for the its strong denunciation and National Gendarmerie Lt Col Richard fruitful and continuous co-operation condemnation of the attack that Lizurey presented Lekhwiya Deputy between the two forces in various fields, took place in northern Burkina Commander the Order of Legion of such as training, visits, joint exercises and Faso and resulted in deaths. Honour at the headquarters of the the participation of off icers of the French In a statement issued yesterday, General Directorate of the French National Gendarmerie in covering major the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs National Gendarmerie in the suburb of events hosted by Doha. – QNA reiterated Qatar’s firm stance rejecting violence and terrorism. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 23, 2019 7 QATAR

HE Akbar al-Baker led the inauguration of the new cruise passenger terminal at Doha Port yesterday. PICTURES: Shemeer Rasheed Traditional Qatari performances greeted cruise passengers at Doha Port. Cruise season kicks off with launch of new passenger terminal at Doha Port The inauguration of terminal has completed the dredging and dig- ners, Doha’s emergence as a turna- coincides with the arrival of mega ging works that signifi cantly increased round port for international cruises ship TUI Mein Schiff 5 carrying the port’s berthing capacity. will bring greater economic benefi t 3,350 passengers The minister said that Mwani, as passengers spend more time in the QNTC and other stakeholders contin- country, and learn more about our of- By Joey Aguilar ue to collaborate towards the larger goal fering as a destination,” he noted. Staff Reporter of delivering world-class services to According to QNTC, Mein Schiff 5 is all passengers and ensuring swift and the fi rst of 74 ships expected this sea- seamless fl ows into and out of the Port. son, which equates to a 66% increase he 2019/2020 cruise season Offi cials of QNTC and its partners in the number of ships compared to kicked off yesterday with the in developing the cruise sector led the the last season. Tinauguration of a new passen- inauguration, which included: QNTC Cruise passengers transiting ger terminal at Doha Port and the ar- Secretary-General and Qatar Airways through Doha Port’s new temporary rival of mega ship TUI Mein Schiff 5, Group Chief Executive HE Akbar al- terminal will experience the same highlighting Qatar’s fourth and largest Baker, Department of Passport and level of services and facilities as HIA, cruise tourism season. Expatriates Aff airs Director-General including seamless immigration and The event witnessed the arrival Brigadier Mohamed Ahmed al-Atiq, customs, foreign exchange, taxi and of 3,350 cruise passengers who were General Customs Authority Chair- bus stands, Duty Free Shops, café, warmly welcomed with authentic Qa- man Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Jamal, waiting areas for cruise passengers tari hospitality – from Ardha dance Mwani Qatar CEO Captain Abdullah and staff , as well as city tours and oth- performances to an array of cultural al-Khanji, and Hamad International er tourist information services. experiences and cuisines. Airport (HIA) COO Badr Mohamed As a result of various initiatives by In a statement, Minister of Trans- al-Meer. QNTC and its partners, Qatar’s cruise port and Communications HE Jassim “Despite this being a temporary industry witnessed signifi cant growth Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti said the opening terminal until we complete expansion in the last few years. of the new temporary terminal at Doha plans in time for 2022, we wanted to The 2018/19 season achieved 121% The start of Qatar’s 2019/2020 cruise season welcomed 3,350 visitors aboard TUI Mein Schiff 5 yesterday. Port will support the country’s strat- ensure the experience for cruise pas- growth in the number of cruise pas- egy to develop cruise tourism. sengers matches that of those enter- sengers and 100% increase in the “Doha Port is playing a key role in ing through HIA. We look forward to number of cruise ships, with more reinforcing Qatar’s position as an at- off ering them a warm welcome and a than 140,000 passengers arriving tractive tourist destination through truly Qatari experience,” HE al-Baker aboard 44 ships. These include 38 securing and receiving international said. mega ships, which usually carry be- cruise ships, as well as providing all He said this will be the fi rst season tween 3,000 and 4,000 passengers the facilities necessary for the growth in which Doha acts as a turnaround and crew. of a sector that is considered a key port for cruise ships, with passengers QNTC noted that the previous sea- contributor to the economic diver- beginning and ending their journey in son also recorded signifi cant increase sity pursued by Qatar National Vision Qatar. in the number of German (144%), Ital- 2030,” he noted. Doha Port will host 16 turnaround ian (93%) and British (22.5%) tourists The new facility, spread over calls, giving passengers ample time to arriving aboard cruise ships compared 6,000sq m, will serve as a temporary explore the destination. In addition, to the 2017/18 season. It also includ- terminal for the next two seasons until nine ships will dock overnight during ed Russian tourists, whose numbers Doha Port’s expansion plan is com- the season. grew substantially by 257% in Qatar pleted in 2022, according to a state- “The process of helping hundreds as a cruise destination compared to ment from the Qatar National Tourism of passengers fl y in, start their cruises the previous season, making them the Council (QNTC). around the Arabian Gulf, and fl y home fourth largest nationality. HE the Minister added that Doha from Doha is made possible by great Americans and Mexicans made it to Port continues to receive ships even as co-ordination between the tourism, the top 10 nationalities aboard these it undergoes a comprehensive devel- aviation and hospitality sectors, as cruise ships. opment process that will see it become well as immigration and customs of- QNTC stressed that the 2019/2020 a unique and all-inclusive cruise tour- fi cials,” HE al-Baker said. season is expected to be bigger with ism hub, highlighting that the Minis- “Thanks to the continued collabo- over 186,000 passengers and over try of Transport and Communications ration between QNTC and our part- 61,000 crew arriving on 74 ships. Over 2,500 Asian workers expected to attend free medical camp on Friday ore than 2,500 Asian labourers Mwill attend the 17th Asian Medical Camp at Al Thumama Health Centre on Friday from 7am to 3pm, it was announced yesterday. The camp is jointly or- ganised by the Centre for Indian Community (CIC) and Indian Doctors’ Club (IDC) under the patronage of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Primary Health care Corporation Organisers announcing details about the camp yesterday. (PHCC) and Hamad Medi- cal Corporation (HMC). doctors along with para- on the spot for all visitors. MM Abdul Jaleel, camp Organisers yesterday medical staff from MoPH, IDC vice president Dr convenor, said that regis- said all arrangements are in HMC, PHCC and various Biju Gafoor said the camp tration will be open for all place for the successful or- government and private is also aimed at making the those who want to attend ganising of the mega camp. hospitals. Volunteers along benefi ciaries aware of the the camp and free trans- “Labourers from India, with students from vari- facilities, being provided portation will be provided. Nepal, Pakistan, Bangla- ous institutions will ensure by the government in the Health talks and interactive desh and Sri Lanka will be proper conducting and bet- health sector. “The weaker sessions are also a part of off ered free medical check- ter service for the attend- section often fails to make the camp. up, counselling, medicines. ees,” said Abdul Latheef KC, use of the existing facilities. Indian ambassador P Ku- Follow-up treatment facili- president, CIC. The camp will function as a maran will inaugurate the ties will be arranged and pa- The medical team will link between the public fa- camp. Representatives from tients will be referred to the work in four shifts. cilities and the labour com- various departments and hospitals if needed,” said Doctors will diagnose munity with low income,” organisations will attend the Dr Samia al-Abdulla, chief various ailments including Gafoor explained. opening ceremony. Dr Hana- operating offi cer, PHCC. lifestyle diseases. Lab tests Organisers have ap- di al-Hail, director, Al Thu- “The camp will be at- for blood pressure and ran- proached the benefi ciaries mama PHC was also present tended by more than 200 dom sugar will be available and cards have been issued. at the press conference. Gulf Times 8 Wednesday, October 23, 2019 QATAR Minister: Real estate Qatar-Turkey investment ties market ‘buyer-friendly’ set to expand, By Peter Alagos to non-Qataris who buy real investors to the Qatari market. Business Reporter estate assets valued more than “We are also pleased with $1mn, including free education the off ers proposed by devel- and healthcare, as well as the opers and banks to encourage says envoy ompetitive property possibility to invest in specifi c real estate ownership through prices in 2019 have sectors in Qatar. These benefi ts easy payment plans and new fi - By Peter Alagos Cprompted buyer demand also extend to the owner’s family nancing options for residential Business Reporter for higher quality, making Qa- for the ownership duration, he ownership. We look forward to tar’s real estate sector a “buyer- continued. having more initiatives from friendly market,” HE the Minis- Al-Kuwari said that in accord- the fi nanciers and developers as xpansion projects across ter of Commerce and Industry ance with the modifi cations ap- we move forward,” al-Kuwari various sectors in the Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari said proved by the Cabinet, 16 areas stressed. Ecountry would play a sig- yesterday. have been designated to allow On the regulation of real es- nifi cant role in bolstering in- Speaking at the opening of 99-year leasehold ownership tate brokerage, al-Kuwari said vestment ties between Qatar the eighth edition of Cityscape by non-Qataris, and 10 addi- new standards have been put in and Turkey, ambassador Fikret Qatar, al-Kuwari said, “Trans- tional areas for freehold owner- place to provide a suitable envi- Ozer said yesterday. action volume has jumped by ship, including residential and ronment that will enhance the According to Ozer, Qatari 20% annually in the fi rst quar- HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari commercial properties. qualifi cation of brokers by off er- investments in Turkey are cur- ter of 2019. Residential supply speaking at the opening of Cityscape Qatar. PICTURE: Shemeer He also said the Ministry of ing them special services, con- rently valued at around $22bn. Fikret Ozer, ambassador, Turkey. reached 293,000 units as of Q1 Rasheed Justice has initiated a new ad- trolling speculations, and estab- On the other hand, Turkish PICTURE: Jayan Orma 2019 with the delivery of 3,000 October 24 at the Doha Exhi- formation in the real estate sec- vanced information system in lishing a proper platform for the construction companies based apartments and villas in multi- bition and Convention Centre tor and supporting economic its Real Estate Registration De- sector. in Qatar have invested $16bn frastructure projects are nearing ple areas. There are also 10,000 (DECC). growth in Qatar. partment to speed up transac- “Real estate brokerage com- worth of projects, the ambassa- completion but there will still be new units projected for comple- “Cityscape Qatar 2019 will be “The recent reform to the real tions through a single window, panies have been classifi ed in or- dor said, noting that he expects a market for the interior needs of tion in 2019, 67% of which are in remembered as a breakthrough estate foreign ownership law allowing buyers to complete the der to build trust between them the value of both countries’ in- buildings, so many of our com- Lusail and The Pearl-Qatar.” event – coinciding with the re- grants several benefi ts to foreign process from one place. and investors, and continu- vestments “to increase further,” panies are here in Qatar for inte- Al-Kuwari said Qatar’s real cently released real estate for- real estate investors who acquire “The new law has been posi- ous investor education on their citing Qatar and Turkey’s robust rior design, and we expect more estate also has “a sizeable pres- eign ownership law. This law assets worth $200,000 or more, tively received by all stakehold- rights and responsibilities has economic ties. of these companies coming to ence” during the exhibition, allows non-Qatari individuals including permanent residency ers in the sector, including real been secured. Finally, electronic “We are waiting for other the market in the future.” which is showcasing some of the and corporates to own residen- for the owners and their families estate developers and market services have been made avail- major projects in Qatar, such According to the ambassador, biggest future projects, such as tial and commercial real estate for the entire ownership dura- strategists, and we are pleased able to facilitate the completion as expansion plans announced the value of Turkish exports to Qetaifan Island North and new in various areas around Qatar. tion,” al-Kuwari said. that it is being considered as of formalities and compel bro- by authorities of Hamad Inter- Qatar “is increasing” and that Hamad International Airport The freehold and leasehold laws The minister said the law also a core element in attracting kers to legalise their contracts,” national Airport and the metro since 2016, the fi gures “more expansion, among others until aim at creating a positive trans- provides additional privileges both regional and international al-Kuwari added. lines. Our companies are now than doubled” from $435mn to bidding for these projects and $1.1bn by the end of last year. we are waiting for the results,” “But our target is to increase Ozer said on the sidelines of In- these fi gures further by the end dex Qatar, which will run until of 2019. Turkey produces high- October 24 at the Doha Exhi- quality products at competitive New laws boost bition and Convention Centre prices. Turkish products are also (DECC). at par with their international “Also, following Qatar Pe- counterparts in terms of quality troleum’s announcement to but at a lower cost. ‘positive sentiment’ increase Qatar’s LNG produc- “If this trend continues, the tion capacity from the current embassy believes that we could 77mn tonnes per year (mtpy) reach our bilateral trade targets to 110mtpy, some of our com- for 2019 between Turkey and in Qatar: organiser panies are also looking for op- Qatar, which we are optimis- portunities to participate, tic that they would exceed the including the Ras Laff an expan- fi gures recorded in 2018,” Ozer sion project,” the ambassador explained. of Cityscape continued. Qatar-Turkey bilateral trade On Index Qatar, as many as 15 stood at $2.3bn in 2018; by the Turkish companies are partici- end of the year, the embassy By Peter Alagos the Minister of Commerce pating in the exhibition’s third is anticipating total trade ex- Business Reporter and Industry Ali bin Ahmed edition, said the ambassador, change to breach the $2.4bn to al-Kuwari. who noted that the products on $2.5bn mark, the ambassador The Minister was joined by display during the three-day pointed out. he new laws approved re- a delegation of VIPs, includ- event are “of exquisite quality” Major Turkish exports to Qa- cently by the government, ing Qatar Airways Group Chief and refl ect “original Turkish tar comprise of construction Tsuch as allowing expa- Executive HE Akbar al-Baker designs.” materials, furniture, interior triates to own real estate prop- and Hamad International Air- “I believe this exhibition will design products, food stuff , ma- erties in Qatar, among others, port (HIA) CEO Badr al-Meer, HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari and Qatar Airways chief executive be helpful in providing exposure chinery, and defence products, have solicited “positive senti- who visited exhibitors’ stands, Akbar al-Baker leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Cityscape Qatar 2019 in the presence of VIPs and for Turkish products to Qatari he said. Citing fi gures released ment,” according to an offi cial of including Qetaifan Projects, other dignitaries. PICTURE: Jayaram buyers; this would help in- by Qatar Chamber, Ozer said Informa Markets, the organiser HIA, Qatari Diar, Msheireb crease, particularly, the volume there are around 190 Turkish of Cityscape Qatar 2019. Properties, Barwa Real Es- come “the largest entertainment where the opening and fi nal region,” added Sheikh Nasser. of Turkish furniture exports to companies operating in Qatar “The positive sentiment has tate, and United Development hub in the country.” match of the competition will be The invite-only Cityscape Qatar,” Ozer said. in 2018, “but we believe that been encouraged by the govern- Corporation (UDC). “The island’s location and its held. Qatar Conference will deliver He also said: “Turkish com- the numbers have increased this ment’s recent changes to the law “There’s undoubtedly been distinctive waterfront represent Qetaifan Island North spans a multi-sector overview of the panies are aware that major in- year.” allowing expatriates to purchase a positive atmosphere today at a new and exciting way of life approximately 1.3mn sq m, a country’s real estate market, residential, retail, and offi ce the exhibition, and the show has that symbolises vision and fu- 10th of which will be dedicated hosting keynote presentations freehold property, which will be seen a buzz of exhibitors, visi- ture ambition, off ering its resi- to a water park. The island will be and panel sessions focusing a huge stimulus to real estate de- tors, and real estate profession- dents an integrated living expe- fi lled with family entertainment on gross yields within Qatar’s velopers, especially as the coun- als eager to fi nd out the latest rience,” said Sheikh Nasser bin attractions, distinct neighbour- residential sector. try draws closer to the 2022 FIFA developments and trends in the Abdulrahman al-Thani, Qetai- hoods, luxurious hotels, pedes- Cityscape Qatar is sup- World Cup,” said Chris Speller, market,” Speller said. fan Project managing director trian friendly streets, gardens, a ported by Offi cial Partner, Qa- group director of Cityscape, Following a recent announce- and Katara Hospitality deputy school and medical centres. tar Airways; Platinum Exhibi- Informa Markets. ment launching sales for the chairman. “It will have world-class tion Sponsor, Qetaifan Projects; The three-day event, which fi rst phase of Qetaifan Island Qetaifan Island North will facilities that make it a mod- Gold Exhibition Sponsor, Qatari will run until tomorrow at the North, the Qetaifan Projects serve as a central entertainment ern, globally-competitive Diar; Offi cial Strategic Spon- Doha Exhibition and Conven- team was in full force at City- and leisure destination for the community with a unique sor, Barwa; Conference Sponsor, tion Centre (DECC), was in- scape to showcase the master 2022 FIFA World Cup given its design that is inspired by the Parlaklar Group; and Cityscape augurated yesterday by HE development, which is set to be- proximity to the Lusail Stadium rich culture and nature of the Talks Sponsor, Savills.

One of the many exhibition booths at Index Qatar. PICTURE: Jayan Orma Ezdan Holding Group Turkish envoy opens 3rd edition of Index Qatar off ers overview of urkey is anticipating opportunities off ered in Qatar. growth in its furniture The organisers said the high- Texports to Qatar follow- profi le three-day event is dedi- ing wide exposure of products cated to the interior design and being showcased by Turkish fi t-out industry, and features projects at Cityscape interior design companies par- thousands of the latest products ticipating at Index Qatar’s third and solutions to meet the coun- edition, said ambassador Fikret try’s future demand for interior QIMC unveils its iconic project as HE the Minister of Commerce and By Peter Alagos nessed a massive turnout by tive off ers for a large number of its Ozer, who led the event’s in- products and services to com- Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari and Qatar Airways group Chief Business Reporter visitors, investors, and people various residential and commer- auguration ceremony yester- plete stadia, hotels, and residen- Executive HE Akbar al-Baker look on. interested in the real estate sec- cial units, in addition to its pro- day at the Doha Exhibition and tial units ahead of the 2022 FIFA tor. The group also announced a motional campaign for shops and Convention Centre (DECC). World Cup and in support of the QIMC launches ‘Corniche Park Towers’ zdan Holding Group de- number of promotional off ers on outlets aimed at attracting small The exhibition will open op- Qatar National Vision 2030. livered an overview of its residential and commercial units and medium-sized entrepreneurs, portunities for Qatari buyers to The diversity of exhibits at Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Co tourism increasing needs in the Edevelopment projects in in diff erent parts of Qatar. craftsmen, traders, and investors, meet and network with Turkish Index Qatar gives visitors access (QIMC) yesterday launched its new West Bay area in particular,” the presence of HE the Minister During the three-day event, where it off ers 15 months free rent- interior designers representing 15 to several highly-innovative and project ‘Corniche Park Towers’. Sheikh Abdulrahman said. of Commerce and Industry Ali which will run until October 24 als on two-year contracts for shops companies, Ozer said on the side- unique interior products and The project – a 24-floor off ice He said the project is expected bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, who in- at the DECC, Ezdan is showcas- at Ezdan Oasis project in Al Wukair. lines of the event, which will run services, the organisers pointed tower, a 29-floor residential not only to contribute to the augurated yesterday the eighth ing its most vital projects in the This campaign aims at real- at the DECC until October 24. out. tower, a 38-floor 5-star hotel country’s 2030 vision but also instalment of Cityscape Qatar. residential, commercial, and ising high occupancy rates for After the opening ceremony, The fi rst day of ‘Design Talks’ and serviced apartments – will place it within the global real During a tour of the Ezdan hotel sectors. commercial outlets that vary in offi cials from Qatar National kicked off yesterday amidst be managed by its subsidiary estate landscape, especially pavilion at Cityscape, the Min- In a statement, Ezdan said business activities, such as res- Tourism Council (QNTC) and higher than expected attendance Tarweej Investment Co (TIC). as Qatar is witnessing a ister was briefed about the most that since the fi rst moments of taurants, cafes, pharmacies, and dmg events Doha, the organisers levels, with renowned speak- This was unveiled by QIMC remarkable development in the important projects of the group, the Cityscape launch, a large bakeries, within the project of of Index Qatar, visited some of ers from the industry. Pallavi chairman Sheikh Abdulrahman infrastructure development field, including the Ezdan Oasis mega number of visitors fl ocked to Ezdan Oasis Commercial Avenue. the exhibitors from more than 20 Dean, one of the leading interior bin Mohamed bin Jabor al-Thani, ahead of the 2022 World Cup project, which spreads over a the booth to watch the latest Ezdan Oasis extends over a countries, including Qatar, Italy, designers in the Middle East, at the 8th edition of Cityscape preparations. 1mn sq m area. projects, as well as the distinc- large area in the Al Wukair re- Spain, Belgium, China, Oman, presented ‘5 Things We Learned Qatar, which got underway The latest mixed-use Al-Kuwari was also informed tive rental off ers for various resi- gion, and off ers a variety of France, and Lebanon. Building an All-Female Design yesterday at the DECC. development ascends at the about the group’s fi rst-rate experi- dential and commercial units. multi-room apartments and As the strategic partner Studio in The Middle East’, while “We have eagerly awaited the heart of the West Bay district. ence in the hospitality sector dur- Visitors also received informa- furnished with brand new furni- of Index Qatar 2019, QNTC Anis Benuina, design director of off icial unveiling of the Corniche Sprawling across 10,435sqm of ing an inspection of the fi ve-star tion on Ezdan Real Estate and ture, in addition to two schools endorsed the event and sup- The Creative Union, presented Park Towers project through land, the development enjoys Ezdan Palace Hotel mockup and Ezdan Hotels and malls. and LuLu Hypermarket. The ported the organisers in ‘Making the Intangible Tangible which we strive to cater for the expansive views of the adjacent Ezdan Mall (3) Al Wukair mockup. Ezdan Real Estate Co has recently project also features large spaces bringing international buyers Through Environmental Graphic commercial, hospitality and waterfront. The pavilion yesterday wit- announced a series of competi- of green lawns. to the event and explore the Design’. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 23, 2019 9 QATAR Qatar Airways to take record delivery of 40 planes in 2020 By Santhosh V Perumal for every 650 departure and arrivals a Qatar Airways launch customer for Gulfstream G700 business jets Business Reporter day” and it will refl ect the operational costs. In its recently published annual re- atar Airways, the country’s atar Airways, which on aver- port fi scal 2019, Qatar Airways had national carrier, is the launch age receives an aircraft in 10 said it added 11 new destinations to its Qcustomer for Gulfstream Aero- Qdays, is set to take delivery of global route map in 2018-19, extend- space’s newly introduced G700 series 40 airplanes next year, a global record ing the presence in Europe, whilst also with it placing order for as many as in terms of delivery of maximum num- launching new destinations in Africa, 10 large business jets to be used for its bers by any carrier in any calendar Asia and the Middle East. charter service ‘Qatar Executive’. year. This was disclosed by Qatar Air- The year 2019 saw it further aug- “We are excited to be the launch cus- ways Group Chief Executive HE Akbar ment presence in Europe, with the tomer of the G700, the largest business al-Baker at a function to announce launch of operations to Lisbon, Portu- jet in the industry, and are looking for- the expansion of Hamad International gal; Valletta, Malta; and Izmir, Turkey. ward to the aircraft joining our fl eet,” Airport (HIA). “The Asia-Pacifi c region will see Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Up to now, the country’s national further growth in 2019, with the HE Akbar al-Baker said. carrier has been getting on an average launch of operations to Davao, Phil- Gulfstream introduced the G700 around 35 airplanes a year, which itself ippines and Langkawi, Malaysia,” the yesterday as the industry’s new fl ag- was high, he said. report had said. ship. It boasts business aviation’s larg- “Next year we are to get more than The airline’s fl eet grew by 25 aircraft est cabin and can fl y farther, faster than 40 aircraft, this will be the highest to a point where it welcomed its 250th any other competitor in the business- 12-month aircraft delivery to Qatar aircraft in March 2019. With more than jet industry. Powered by two Rolls- Airways. I don’t think any other airline 300 aircraft worth more than $85bn on Royce Pearl 700 engines, the G700 can in the world is taking 40 or even 35 air- order (including options and letters of fl y 7,500 nautical miles/13,890km at craft a year,” he said. intent) the group has the capacity to Mach 0.85 or 6,400 nm/11,853km at Stressing that taking airplanes at continue its ambitious but sustainable Mach 0.90. It features the Gulfstream this very high rate does not mean that network expansion strategy. ‘symmetry fl ight deck’ with active con- it is parking them, al-Baker said, Qa- Its current fl eet is made up of 203 trol side-sticks and the most extensive tar Airways has the highest utilisation passenger aircraft, 25 cargo and 22 Qa- use of touchscreen technology in the Interior of G700 from Gulfstream Aerospace. Qatar Airways has placed order for 10 G700 jets. among any full service scheduled car- tar Executive jets (at the end of March industry. riers in the world. Airplane utilisation 31, 2019). The passenger fl eet compris- The G700 cabin is also unparalleled, Along with 20 panoramic windows purchase of 10 G700 aircraft in addi- of the G650ER and the fi rst commercial is a key performance indicator for air- es Airbus A350-1000 (seven), Airbus off ering an extra-large ultra-galley and the Gulfstream cabin environ- tion to their recently announced orders charter operator of the G500. “We are line operations and helps in reducing A321-200 (six), Airbus A330-300 (13), with lounge or crew compartment, up ment of 100% fresh air, low cabin al- of additional all-new Gulfstream G500 grateful they have chosen to continue costs per seat-mile. Airbus A350-900 (34), Airbus A340- to fi ve living areas and a large, bespoke titude and whisper-quiet sound levels, and high-performing G650ER aircraft. growing their Gulfstream fl eet with our Although the company has netted 600 (four), Airbus A330-200 (seven), master bedroom with en suite master the G700 promotes in-fl ight wellness As many as 11 Gulfstream aircraft new fl agship G700 and look forward to losses, he said higher effi ciency and Airbus A320-200 (33), Airbus A319LR bath. The aircraft also features an all- and greatly reduces the physical im- are currently in service with Qatar Ex- their customers travelling in the utmost revenue growth provide cushion. Due (two), Airbus A380-800 (10), Boeing new, Gulfstream-developed revolu- pact of travelling halfway around the ecutive, including six G650ERs and fi ve comfort on the largest business jet in to the blockade, al-Baker said, “we 787 Dreamliner (30), Boeing 777-300 tionary lighting system that truly mim- world nonstop. Qatar Executive’s latest G500s. The executive charter service is the industry,” according to Mark Burns, are on average fl ying 25 minutes more ER (48) and Boeing 777-200LR (nine). ics circadian rhythms. agreement with Gulfstream is for the the world’s largest commercial operator president, Gulfstream.

UDC unveils attractive investment opportunities

QNA Doha

nited Development Company (UDC), Uthrough its pavilion at Cityscape Qatar 2019, has show- cased its various real-estate projects to familiarise investors from Qatar and abroad with a range of lucrative investment opportunities, launching for the fi rst time a limited number of beach villa plots in Gewan Is- land and Qanat Quartier Marina at The Pearl-Qatar. CEO of United Development Company Ibrahim Jassim al- Dignitaries and off icials at the Msheireb Properties booth. Othman said the company’s participation in the 8th edition of Cityscape Qatar will highlight Dignitaries and off icials at the UDC booth. PICTURE: Jayaram its various projects and present the progress made in the Gewan He pointed to a number of fi ve stars located in The Pearl support for the sales in The Pearl Msheireb Properties showcases Island project, which the UDC projects that will be ready in and the Gewan Island. and the Gewan Island or even in announced in the previous edi- 2022, including residential Asked whether the profi ts the freehold areas allowed for tion of this distinguished exhi- complexes in Floresta Gardens were aff ected by the volume of foreign investors, and create bition, noting that the work in and another residential complex investment made by the com- better business movement in unique residential, commercial the project is well underway. in Giordano Village. pany, al-Othman underlined the real-estate sector. In his remarks on the sidelines Al-Othman noted that the that the profi ts are not aff ected Al-Othman also expected a of the event, al-Othman said company is currently work- by the size of the investment, signifi cant growth in real es- that the UDC had announced ing on the opening of a number especially as the investment tate demand, especially in light spaces at Downtown Doha sales operations in the Gewan of hotels, including the Hilton gives the company continuity of of the state’s readiness to host Island, and there are plots for Hotel Pearl before the end of profi ts. the 2022 World Cup, and other sale with waterfronts, some of this year, and the St Regis Hotel In terms of supply and de- tournaments. „Announces launch of two new residential properties, which have sea shores. Parts of in Marsa Arabia which will be mand, he pointed out that Qa- He noted that the company these lands have been sold and ready before 2022. tar has put forward a very posi- seeks to create private commu- Al Kahraba and Al Khail others are reserved, and there By the end of these phases, tive initiative, which is allowing nities in its projects, providing „ One-month free rent for residential registration of are other plots for those wishing the UDC will have six interna- non-Qatari ownership. Such an integrated community life interest during Cityscape Qatar to invest. tional brands hotels of seven and initiatives provides signifi cant that attracts the population. „ Business owners and retailers can also make use of more than 300+ units developed to suit all business needs sheireb Properties, the The Al Khail units are designed meet with the team on the ground HIA passenger capacity to soar to 60mn a year national real estate de- to promote the urban lifestyle, and learn more about unique op- Mveloper and a subsidiary with large open kitchens, spa- portunities on off er at Msheireb of Qatar Foundation, is showcas- cious rooms and modern, smart Downtown Doha — Qatar’s latest From Page 1 ing residential and commercial amenities. destination for leisure, living and off erings from Msheireb Down- As a special promotion during business — at competitive prices, “Construction is to com- town Doha (MDD) at Cityscape Cityscape Qatar 2019, Msheireb located in the heart of Doha, the mence by early 2020 and will Qatar 2019. Properties has said it is off ering statement notes. increase the airport’s capac- Following the successful one-month free rent to all resi- Ali al-Kuwari, Acting CEO ity to more than 53mn passen- launch of the development’s dents who provide registration of Msheireb Properties, said: gers annually by 2022. Phase B, fi rst residential building, Wadi of interest over the course of the “Msheireb Properties continues which will be completed after 1, which welcomed residents in three-day event. to add value to the local mar- 2022, will extend concourses August and is now 95% leased, The residential units are con- ket through its fl agship project, D and E to further enhance the Msheireb Properties has an- sidered one of the smartest in Msheireb Downtown Doha. airport’s capacity to more than nounced — at Cityscape Qatar — Qatar in terms of home auto- “As Doha’s centre and latest 60mn passengers annually,” he the launch of two new residential mation and technology. Ten- destination, we are keen on pro- said. properties: Al Kahraba and Al ants can have full control with a viding the best residential and The original capacity of the Badr Mohamed al-Meer, HE Akbar al-Baker and Omar Shahzad of Meinhardt, which is part of expansion. Khail. touchscreen display, high-speed commercial off erings to the resi- airport was 28mn passengers In both residential allotments, fi bre network, energy consump- dents and businesses of Qatar. and after streamlining, it was the fi ve-star airport by integrat- include a new transfer area out the life of the airport. About the apartments range from 1-4 tion monitoring, video and audio Our state-of-the-art infrastruc- enhanced to 35mn, which has ing world-class art collection which will help shorten pas- the new cargo terminal, he said bedrooms featuring en-suite systems integration, modern IP ture has been successful in at- already been exceeded, he said, and refreshing environment of sengers’ connection times and it is slated to be ready by 2023, bathrooms and closets, with telephony and video intercom tracting some of the largest local adding “we are back on pre- lush greenery with contempo- improve their overall transfer and will be a multi-level facility duplex units available too. All systems. and international players, and we blockade numbers”, serving rary retail and dining concepts experience at HIA as well as the with 85,000sq m building foot- buildings enjoy lifts, dedicated Business owners and retailers will remain committed to making over 187mn passengers since its among other leisure attractions central concourse that will ac- print, across three levels as well basement parking, bicycle park- can also make use of more than the district a social, commercial opening in 2014. and facilities under one expan- commodate nine additional as three mezzanine levels, overall ing and storage, 24/7 security 300+ units developed to suit all and civic hub.” HIA’s expansion project will sive terminal. wide-body aircraft stands. providing about 323,000sq m of and lobby, exclusive amenities business needs. Msheireb Properties has a feature a spectacular 10,000sq He said HIA will also deliver On the tropical garden, al- gross fl oor area. including pools for adults and From food and beverage outlets dedicated hotline for business m indoor tropical garden in a 9,000sq m of world-class Al Baker said the fl ora would be Badr Mohamed al-Meer, chief children, gyms, clubhouses and and fashion shops to commercial owners and individuals interest- central concourse as well as a Mourjan lounge located above brought from sustainable forests operating offi cer at HIA, said open terraces. and offi ce spaces, clients can ed in commercial and residential 268sq m water feature which will the retail space with dramatic from around the world. Design- expansion has been designed to The Al Kahraba units are po- choose their ideal locations in ei- off erings. be the focal point of the expan- views looking towards the tropi- ers have developed a column- seamlessly integrate with the ex- sitioned and designed to meet ther Galleria Mall, the pedestrian All information on how to be sion project. cal garden. The lounge will in- free, long-span 85m grid shell isting terminal, allowing smooth the needs of the modern Qatari streets and other squares and pi- a part of MDD is available on the The expansion plan also in- clude additional spas, gymna- roof with performance glass to passenger fl ow and improving family, specifi cally incorporat- azzas within Downtown Doha. website, msheireb.com cludes 11,720sq m of landscaped siums, restaurants and business control and fi lter the light re- the overall passenger experience ing private majlis areas and other Potential residents, retailers Msheireb Properties is on dis- retail and food and beverage centres as well as other passen- quired for the trees to acclima- by minimising travel distances amenities, Msheireb Properties and interested parties can visit play at Cityscape Qatar until to- space, which will enhance the ger facilities. tise to the internal conditions of for connections and providing has said in a statement. the Msheireb Properties booth to morrow, located in booth D.25. multi-dimensional off erings of He said signifi cant features the terminal and grow through- clarity and intuitive way fi nding. Gulf Times 10 Wednesday, October 23, 2019 QATAR

Sports Minister meets UNHCR representative HE Minister of Culture and Sports MIA’s Set in Stone Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali met yesterday the regional representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Khaled Khalifa. During the meeting, they reviewed the possibility of providing cultural and sports initiatives by the Ministry of Culture and Sports to exhibition opens serve the refugees under the umbrella of the United Nations. The exhibition’s fourth section, titled Qatar Connection, Pearls for Gold, recounts the long cultural and commercial exchanges between India and Qatar Ooredoo By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter promotes E the Minister of Cul- ture and Sports Salah data Hbin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali led the opening of the Set in Stone: Gems and Jewels from centre, Royal Indian Courts exhibition at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) yesterday. cloud The exhibition features more than 100 pieces of magnifi cent gems and jewellery from India, services which also forms part of Qatar Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin Nasser al-Thani speaking at the event. Museums (QM)’s various col- HE the Minister of Culture and lections, including several mas- Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin oredoo, the region’s lead- Data Centre and cloud capabili- Qatar Data Centre in partnership terpieces that have never been Nasser al-Ali with other ing enabler of digital ties. with Microsoft, and the Oore- displayed before. dignitaries at the opening of the Obusiness innovation, held Israel Esteban Marti, the ex- doo Cloud Backup – before chief “We are delighted to celebrate *Set in Stone: Gems and Jewels an event for business customers ecutive director of technology at business offi cer Sheikh Nasser the opening of this extraordi- from Royal Indian Courts to explore its Data Centre and beIN Media Group, and Liaqat bin Hamad bin Nasser al-Thani nary exhibition, developed as exhibition at the MIA yesterday. Cloud Services, and the solutions Mirza Ali, the head of infrastruc- closed the morning’s proceed- part of the Qatar-India Year of off ered by international partners. ture in Muntajat, also joined ings with a keynote speech and Culture. It allows us to present Right: A section of the The event brought together a Ooredoo on stage. business customers moved on to examples of the most spectacu- exhibition recounts the long number of Ooredoo’s partners Both strategic customers al- exploring the many booths at the lar pieces in the MIA, along with cultural and commercial to showcase the many business ready benefi t from Ooredoo’s event. important artworks and objects exchanges between India and solutions off ered by the telecom Data Centre and Cloud serv- Ooredoo’s Data Centre and from other QM collections,” Qatar. leader. ices and presented how Ooredoo Cloud Services portfolio covers MIA director Dr Julia Gonnella An industry expert from IDC, Business supports their organi- the needs of all business custom- said in a press statement. The exhibition’s fi rst section, the leading research company, sations through the implemen- ers from small to large, across any The exhibition’s fourth sec- Precious Stones, reveals the cul- gave a market overview and in- tation of sophisticated solutions. industry and vertical including tion, titled Qatar Connection, tural and economic importance dustry insights into current Ooredoo also utilised the governmental. Pearls for Gold, recounts the of stones in India, tracing their trends, customer challenges and event to introduce two key new Ooredoo chief operating of- long cultural and commercial history, sourcing, and trade in service providers’ strategy. services – Azure Stack, a hybrid fi cer Yousuf Abdullah al-Kubaisi exchanges between India and the early modern period, while Following this introductory cloud application modernisa- said of the event: “With so many Qatar, as seen through the tra- the Court & Ceremony section of Golconda, in the Deccan rich earth and crafted into beau- session, Ooredoo presented its tion platform from the Ooredoo businesses in Qatar increasingly ditions of pearls and gold, and explores the role that gems, (southern India), which – until tiful pieces as ornaments or reliant on cloud-based services, explores how this lineage has jewellery and jewelled objects the discovery of new diamond gifts. in pursuit of digitalisation goals, infl uenced local Qatari jewellery played within a courtly context deposits in the 18th century Many travellers and traders it’s vital that we as a business re- fashion. in the outward projection of – were the main source of dia- have been attracted by India’s spond to this and provide prac- Drawing from the MIA’s per- wealth and status. monds throughout the world. reputation for its abundantly tical, logical solutions for their manent collection, the National The third section, Beyond The MIA’s jewelled falcon, rich natural deposits for cen- needs. Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), and the Court, shows the personal, which most likely adorned the turies – “so prized were these “We’re proud to boast a stable the QM’s Orientalist Collection, private and devotional uses of top of a throne, is a masterpiece stones that wars were waged to of renowned international part- this exhibition brings together a crafted jewels. of 17th century Mughal crafts- win the right to exploit mines ners with whom we work to off er splendid array of jewellery, jew- Some of the exhibition high- manship and demonstrates the and control trade routes”. these solutions, and this event elled objects, works on paper, as lights include “Indian-Cut” richness of the Mughal court. According to the MIA, the off ered the ideal opportunity for well as photography. diamonds from the famed mines The necklace from Varanasi: wealth of any Indian court was our business customers to see composed of 17 diamonds sus- directly tied to the size and exactly how we and our partners pended with gold-collared em- value of its royal treasury, and can work together to provide in- eralds surmounted by baroque nowhere was this clearer than in A customer testimonial session from Ooredoo Data Centre and Cloud novative digital, cloud-based so- pearls, is also on spotlight, the Mughal Empire (1526-1858). event. lutions for their needs.” showcasing the continued opu- Whether left in their natu- lence of 19th century Maharajas. ral state, carved, or set within According to the MIA, the gold, precious stones adorned a For the fans: Mall of Qatar to host Barshim tomorrow most impressive object on dis- variety of objects that came to play is known as the “Clive be associated with the wealthy Mall of Qatar has announced that it is giving people some photos and celebrate his gold medal, here at fl ask”, a 17th century jewel-en- elite, emperors and maharajas. the chance to meet the nation’s favourite athlete and the nation’s mall,” said , Mall of Qatar chief executive crusted jade fl ask that once be- Spectacularly opulent, these celebrate his win, at the mall’s Oasis stage at 7pm Khaled Sam Hosn. longed to Robert Clive, 1st Baron objects defi ned Indian luxury, tomorrow. “Doing our part in honouring this national hero, we Clive of Plassey (1725-1774). the MIA noted. Mutaz Essa Barshim, Qatar’s champion high jumper, have put together a series of great activities to cel- This object – remarkable for The exhibition is curated by won the gold medal at the recently held IAAF World ebrate this occasion for the entire family. Meeting this both its beauty and provenance Dr Tara Desjardins, with the Athletics Championships – Doha 2019 after clearing hero will be an exciting one.” – will be displayed in Doha for support of Nicoletta Fazio, a height 2.37m with his signature agility, ease, and Barshim holds the national and Asian records in high the fi rst time. Reem Aboughazala, and Tama- technique. jump. The most impressive object on display is known as the ‘Clive flask’, The MIA noted that for over dur Tariq al-Shamlan. “We invite all visitors and sports fans to come and He had also won the gold medal at the 2017 World a 17th century jewel-encrusted jade flask that once belonged to 5,000 years, minerals and met- It will be open until January meet the nation’s champion, Mutaz Barshim, take Championships in Athletics in London. Robert Clive. PICTURES: Jayan Orma als were extracted from India’s 18, 2020. Italian language takes centre stage Qatar celebrates lecture on the evolution a unique “stage” for artistic per- Made in Italy of Italian opera by re- formances,” Perzolla said. “Our Anowned Italian conductor aim is to provide a comprehen- and concert performer, Maes- sive programme to allow people Italy will be a guest of prestigious and exclusive Ital- tro Adriano Bassi, marked the to approach our language in an honour at the 16th Heya ian brands – Malo, Faggioli opening of the 19th edition of the interactive way.” Arabian Fashion Exhibition Atelier, Positivity Couture, and Week of the Italian Language in Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and in Doha Atelier C – welcomed in the the World at the Qatar National the talents of the “Young Artist collective and organised from Library on Monday. Programme” – the soprano Erika alo, Faggioli Atelier, Made in Italy Luxury by Valeria Titled Evolution of Italian op- Beretti, the mezzo-soprano Irida Positivity Couture, Mangani.” era between 1800 and 1900: con- Dragoti and the pianist Edina Bak Mand Atelier C will kick “On the opening day, in ad- vergences and contrasts, Bassi’s – also performed yesterday at off with the opening show at dition to the fashion show of talk focused on the development Katara – the Cultural Village. the 16th edition of Heya Ara- these Italian brands, we will of the Italian opera in the last two It is a selection of arias com- bian Fashion Exhibition from also introduce the Cosmoprof centuries and Italy’s renowned posed by Verdi, Puccini, Mas- October 25 to 29, and present Worldwide Bologna 2020 fair, composers. cagni and Bellini. their collections at the “Made in a dedicated presentation or- The celebrated pianist and “In co-operation with these in Italy Luxury” stand. ganised by the ICE Agency with journalist also enthralled the au- and other outstanding institu- Italy will be the guest of the aim of encouraging new dience with his piano perform- tions, the Italian embassy has or- honour for this edition of synergies between Italy and ance, playing some opera arias by ganised a new season full of cul- Heya, thanks to Valeria Man- Qatar in the cosmetics sector,” Italian composers Bellini, Mas- tural events,” Perzolla said. gani’s “Made in Italy Luxury”, he added. cagni, Puccini, and Verdi. The celebration, organised by which aims to introduce Italian “Our Italian brands will kick “This evening’s fi rst initiative the Italian embassy in Doha, in small and medium enterprises off Heya with the inaugural is dedicated to the Italian opera co-operation with Qatar Na- (SMEs) to some foreign mar- fashion show,” said Mangani, which has greatly contributed tional Library and Società Dante kets at their invitation. the chief executive of Made in to the dissemination of the Ital- Alighieri, will run until October It will stand out among the Italy Luxury. “For this edition ian Language in the world,” said 27. 250 international exhibitors I brought four brands whose Filippo Perzolla, second secretary Perzolla underscored the im- with the brands Malo, Faggioli common denominator is qual- and head of the cultural section portance of cultural exchanges, Atelier, Positivity Couture, and ity craftsmanship, the result of the embassy of Italy in Doha which contribute “to build a fer- Atelier C. of continuous research and in- in his speech. “I am particularly tile ground to strengthen the re- “This will be a special edi- vestment that allows the crea- pleased to welcome Maestro lations between Italy and Qatar”. tion for Italy, with Italian fash- tion of modern and functional Adriano Bassi, pianist, conduc- Maestro Adriano Bassi at the 19th edition of the Week of the Italian Language in the World launch at the “Our countries are engaged ion and cosmetics at the fore- garments and accessories, al- tor, musicologist and journalist, Qatar National Library on Monday. in important bilateral projects, front,” said Italian ambassador ways more under the banner of but above all a passionate expert united by the common wish to Pasquale Salzano in a press eco-sustainability.” in operatic traditions.” but also the new ‘emerging stag- to everyone wishing to learn the quently the protagonists of live explore new fi elds of co-oper- statement. Following the success of the He noted that the theme this es’ where the Italian culture can basics of the Italian language, as cooking shows. ation and deepen our mutual The envoy noted that Heya Autumn/Winter 2018 edition, year, The Italian language on fi nd expression nowadays”. well as to the Italian community “Other initiatives will be dedi- knowledge. In this process, cul- fair in Doha is establishing it- which attracted 11,800 visi- stage, aims to explore “how the Perzolla said the celebration based in Doha”. cated to our breathtaking monu- ture represents an important tool self as an increasingly dynamic tors, this edition of Heya will Italian Language has contributed in Doha features “a special pro- He added that many activities, ments and landscapes – sorts of to make our friendship even more and interesting platform in the present a rich programme of to the development of perform- gramme of events, which is open for instance, focus on the Italian theatres created either by nature solid and enduring,” he said. – By Gulf region and “we are proud over 20 fashion shows, semi- ing arts such as music and drama, to adults, children and families – cuisine and chefs who are fre- or human genius, which can off er Joey Aguilar that in this context, there are nars and workshops. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 23, 2019 11 QATAR Qatar Airways, HIA and QDF team up to host Trinity Forum nder the patronage of HE the Minister of Transport Uand Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, Qatar Airways, Hamad Interna- tional Airport (HIA) and Qatar Duty Free (QDF) have teamed up to host the 2019 Trinity Forum on October 30-31 at The St Regis Doha. Considered the “world’s most infl uential airport commercial revenues conference”, the Trin- ity Forum is an annual event or- customers,” al-Baker said. world at the 2019 Skytrax World ganised by The Moodie Davitt Founder and chairman at The Airport Awards, while QDF Report, Airports Council Inter- Moodie Davitt Report, Martin was named ‘Airport Retail Op- national (ACI) and ACI Asia- Moodie, said: “It is a thrill and eration of the Year’ at the 2019 Pacifi c. honour to bring the event that I DFNI-Frontier EMEA Awards. This year’s edition in Doha founded in 2003, and which has Together, HIA and QDF “curate marks the fi rst time the confer- become such a pivotal element memorable luxury and retail ex- ence will be hosted in Qatar and of the airport commercial rev- periences for travellers”. co-hosted by an airline carrier. enues calendar, to Qatar for the This year alone, they unveiled Qatar Airways Group Chief fi rst time. Hamad International the fi rst Qatar Airways Boutique Executive HE Akbar al-Baker Airport is one of the world’s great at HIA, opened the Penhali- will be a keynote speaker at the airports, and Qatar Airways is gon’s Made to Measure pop up Graduates from Qatar Airways’ Aircraft Mechanic Apprenticeship programme with off icials during the graduation ceremony. event alongside Badr Mohamed one of modern aviation’s most boutique as an airport world- al-Meer, chief operating offi cer extraordinary success stories. We exclusive, and complemented Carrier fetes graduates of Aircraft Mechanic Apprenticeship programme at HIA. are proud to partner with such HIA’s two Harrods boutiques by They will be joined by other outstanding organisations and launching the Harrods Tea Room Qatar Airways has congratulated skills, whilst gaining direct experi- a pivotal role in maintaining the Simulation training media, which leaders in the aviation and re- with Qatar Duty Free, which so – a fi rst for an airport. the latest seven graduates of ence of Qatar Airways culture and safety and eff iciency of Qatar provide engineering students with tail industries, who will explore epitomises our industry’s drive It also staged the largest air- its internationally-recognised procedures. Airways’ fleet and we look forward a training experience utilising ac- how airports, concessionaires for retail and consumer serv- port podium for Puig brands Aircraft Mechanic Apprenticeship Qatar Airways Group chief to celebrating the achievements cess to virtual aircraft. and brands can work together for ice excellence. We’re also proud Paco Rabanne and Carolina Her- programme during an off icial executive, HE Akbar al-Baker, said: of the next group of programme Candidates also experience the benefi t of the travelling con- and excited to be bringing guests rera, called Pacomarket/Carolina graduation ceremony at Doha “We look forward to having our graduates in 2021.” first-hand training with real sumer. from all over the world to this ex- Hotel. International Airport. new graduates, who are vital for Qatar Airways Maintenance aircraft. “I am delighted to welcome traordinary country, where they HIA is currently undertaking Managed by the award-winning the future growth plans of Qatar Training (QAMT) is internation- A multiple award-winning hundreds of industry peers to this will enjoy amazing Arabian hos- Phase 2 of its expansion. airline’s Technical Department, a Airways join our highly trained ally recognised for its exceptional airline, Qatar Airways was named year’s Trinity Forum in Doha. It pitality, culture and commerce in A multiple award-winning air- total of 18 apprentice mechanics technical department. Having a training standards and service ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 is the shared objective of Qatar a unique and compelling setting. line, Qatar Airways was named and engineers have now success- strong and capable technical team quality and has been awarded World Airline Awards, managed by Airways, Hamad International Together with our kind hosts, we ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 fully completed the programme in creates a foundation for us to Maintenance Training Organisa- international air transport rating Airport and Qatar Duty Free to can promise an unforgettable ex- World Airline Awards, managed 2019, with a further 40 trainees set keep our aircraft flying and its pas- tion approval from the European organisation Skytrax. provide our passengers with an perience.” by Skytrax. to graduate in 2021. sengers travelling, and I would like Aviation Safety Agency and Qatar Qatar Airways is the only airline award-winning shopping and A press statement notes: “The It was also named ‘Best Airline The programme off ers to congratulate the latest round Civil Aviation Authority. to have been awarded the coveted dining experience. We proudly Qatar Airways Group off ers pas- in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best graduates with the appropriate of candidates for successfully QAMT’s facilities include 10 “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, work with brands in the true ‘trin- sengers “unrivalled, award- Business Class’ and ‘Best Busi- Certificate of Recognition the completing the Aircraft Mechanic classrooms equipped with newly- which is recognised as the pin- ity’ model of airport, retailer and winning services throughout ness Class Seat’, in recognition opportunity to build upon their Apprenticeship Programme. installed Airbus Competence nacle of excellence in the airline supplier to create a world-class their journey. HIA was ranked of its Business Class experience, existing academic and technical “These new graduates will play Training and Boeing Desk Top industry, five times. shopping experience to travelling as the fourth-best airport in the Qsuite.

HBKU lecture on changing approaches to crescent sighting Al-Bairaq to represent Qatar

hanges in the approach to In doing so, the event will also con- “Our public lecture will not only at ITEX 2020 in Malaysia crescent sighting will be the sider changes in the perception of this cast light on the ‘how’ but also the Cbasis of the next public lecture sensitive subject from the standpoint ‘why.’ As we see it, there are few bet- by Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s of Sunnah and Shariah. ter qualifi ed than Sheikh Salman bin l-Bairaq, a non-traditional educa- (HBKU) College of Islamic Studies Dr Mohamed El Gammal, associ- Jabor al-Thani to off er a unique per- tional project by Qatar University (CIS). ate professor, Comparative Fiqh, CIS, spective on this particular topic.” A(QU), which focuses on high school Delivered by Sheikh Salman bin Ja- said: “We are looking forward to host- The ‘Crescent from the Perspective students, will represent Qatar with two bor al-Thani, president of the Qatar ing such an esteemed astronomer to of Astronomy, Shariah, and Modern student projects at the 31st International Astronomical Centre, Crescent from discuss what is an emotive issue for Science’ public lecture will take place Invention, Innovation & Technology Ex- the Perspective of Astronomy, Shari- so many Qataris and the wider region. from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Octo- hibition (ITEX) 2020, taking place from ah, and Modern Science looks at how There can be no doubt that scien- ber 30 at the auditorium, Minaretein June 8-10, 2020 in Kuala Lumpur, Malay- modern science and technology have tifi c and technological advances have Building, Education City. sia. infl uenced the traditional practice of changed how societies perceive the The event will be held in Arabic, with ITEX is an international platform for Sheikh Salman bin Jabor al-Thani crescent sighting. practice of crescent sighting. simultaneous translation provided. researchers and innovators to present their researches and inventions. This will mark the second time Al- Bairaq will be attending ITEX. In 2018, Al-Bairaq participated in ITEX and won second place for research in the Traffi c Department gears up for winter camping environment category. One of the projects participating in ITEX 2020, titled ‘Development of Light- ith yet another winter weight Al-SiO2 Nano-Composite for Au- nearing, the Traffi c De- tomotive Applications – Qatar Electric Wpartment is set to start Cars 2022’, proposes a composite material, preparations for the upcoming sea- applicable in manufacturing electric cars son of winter camping, assistant di- in Qatar in 2022. rector of Traffi c Awareness Depart- The objective of this project is to en- ment Lt Col Jaber Mohamed Odaiba hance the properties of the aluminium by A student conducts an experiment. told local Arabic daily Arrayah. combining it with silicon dioxide, fabri- “The department is looking to cating the ultimate composite material. place in the USA, winning third place in raise awareness about camping This project won fi rst place in the mate- the environmental engineering category, through programmes in co-ordina- rial science category in the National Sci- allowing Al-Bairaq further international tion with the Ministry of Municipal- ence Research Week 2019. recognition. ity and Environment (MME), Civil Another project, titled “Value Added “Youth are the leaders of the future and Defence department, bicycle rental Sensors from Environmental and Indus- Al-Bairaq aims to engage them in scien- companies and other stakeholders,” The Traff ic Department is set to start preparations for the upcoming season of winter camping across Qatar. trial Waste,” will also be showcased at tifi c research to develop a knowledge- he said. ITEX 2020. based economy towards achieving Qatar The camping season will start on He said the department is prepar- The Sealine area is considered one wayrit, Al Mazrouh, Umm Alafaei, The project team synthesised sensors National Vision 2030. We are proud of November 1 and last until March 31, ing statistics related to the various as- of the most important winter camp- Al Hasham, Abu Dhalouf, Al Zubara, from solid waste such as plastic and in- Al-Bairaq student’s successes in achiev- 2020. The awareness programmes pects of the previous camping season ing areas in the country. Al Udeid, Rawdat Rashed, Rawdat dustrial wastes. ing numerous national and international will focus on the safety and security and analysing the pros and cons in or- Al Ghashamiya, Al Zubara, Aisha, Al Khor, Al Waab, Emkitanh, The synthesised sensor proved to be awards and we will continue to support measures that should be followed by der to work to avoid inconveniences. Dukhan, Al Sarriya, Zekreet, Buruq, Al Ghariya, Al Mafj ar, Ras Alnouf, economical when compared to the cur- and encourage them in achieving more,” campers and lay stress on the rules A seminar will be held in connec- Al-Naqyan, Al Kharrara, Asherij, Al Aturiyah, Al Suna and Gharb Al rently available sensors in the market. Dr Noora Jabor al-Thani, president of Al- and regulations of driving caravan tion with the new camping season Umm Al Maa, Ras Matbakh, Aradh, Rayes also witness camping during This project also participated in the IN- Bairaq and head of communication and and trailers on the road. and development of Sealine beach. Al Reem Reserve, Al Marrona, Fu- winter. TEL ISEF 2019 competition, which took Outreach at QU, said. GU-Q, Community College start cyber security research group

eorgetown University in Qatar uals, institutions, and nations today. He stressed the critical role of the He noted that CCQ trains Qatari creased turbulence in regional and and the Community College “What is really needed is to not research group, citing cyber security engineers and cyber security experts international aff airs, and in a digital Gof Qatar (CCQ) have jointly only re-imagine ways to meet these issue as an essential priority. and GU-Q trains their students to un- landscape that is constantly evolving, launched the inaugural Cyber Secu- novel threats but to do so before they “The research aims to fulfi l the cy- derstand and respond to the rapidly requiring an understanding of secu- rity Research Group (CSRG). occur, so we can be ahead of them,” ber security aspect of Qatar Vision changing and complex geo-strategic rity policies to adopt new measures to A large audience of security ex- said co-convener and a panellist, Dr 2030 which constitutes a beacon that environment. tackle emerging threats. perts, scholars, and leaders from gov- Rory Miller, a professor of govern- guides economic, social, human and “Excellent Cyber Security is key The group plans to host an array ernment and business sector were ment at GU-Q. environmental development of Qatar to economic development and to the of international experts to discuss present at the event to discuss “Cyber The event was launched with wel- in the coming decades, so that it is in- prosperity of us all. Commercial Bank the concerns across diff erent sec- Security in a Small State: Protecting come remarks from Dr Ahmad Dallal, clusive and helpful to the citizens and is very pleased to support this impor- tors, including business, banking, and the Homeland.” dean of GU-Q and Dr Mohamed al- residents of Qatar in various aspects tant initiative that increases Qatar’s the military, but its main focus will Sponsored by Commercial Bank and Naemi, president of CCQ. of life,” he said. cyber awareness and capability,” said be on bringing together Doha-based featuring Will Wilson, a cyber security Dr Mohamed al-Dorani, professor Dr Miller also touched on the ben- Dr Leonie Lethbridge, chief operating experts in a cyber research group at industry expert based in Edinburgh, as of Cyber Security and Networking efi ts of organising a cyber research offi cer and executive general manager regular intervals to initiate cutting- a keynote speaker, the event delivered and chair of the Information Tech- group that capitalises on the com- of Commercial Bank. edge projects that focus on key issues the message that cyber security is one nology Department at CCQ, also was plementary strengths of each partner The partnership between the two in the cyber realm relevant to local Will Wilson speaking at the event. of the most vital issues facing individ- a panellist. university. universities come at a time of in- stakeholders and Qatar. Gulf Times 12 Wednesday, October 23, 2019 QATAR HMC conference Qatar Airways expresses stresses need for support for ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’ gynaecological Qatar Airways displayed its support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with an all-female crew of 15 cancer awareness operating Flight QR95 from Doha to Zurich

QNA She said it is also an important type of mammogram that can atar Airways showed its Doha platform for local and interna- offer better cancer detection support for Breast Can- tional physicians, nurses, and resulting in the need for fewer Qcer Awareness Month other healthcare professionals biopsies — were discussed as with an all-female crew of 15 s part of the Breast and from related disciplines to en- part of the conference. Many operating Flight QR95 from Gynaecological Cancer gage in meaningful dialogue. of the techniques we use today Doha to Zurich on October 9. AAwareness Month, the “Cancer is a disease that can have been used for the last dec- Two female pilots and an all- Breast Cancer Clinic and the be incredibly challenging for ade and many emerging tech- female cabin crew of 13 staff ed Gynaecological Department at those aff ected, which includes niques are at various stages of the service on board an Airbus Hamad Medical Corporation’s family members. It presents a research and development,” A350-900, one of the most (HMC) National Center for Can- burden for our country as the noted Dr Bujassoum. technologically advanced air- cer Care and Research (NCCCR) incidence rates are increasing — The Senior Consultant, craft in the Qatar Airways fl eet. recently held the Second Breast 86% of the population in Qatar Medical Oncologist at NCCCR Passengers received a special Two female pilots and an all-female cabin crew of 13 staff ed the service on board an Airbus A350-900. and Oncology Cancer Confer- knows someone who has had and Co-Chair of the Confer- on-board announcement from ence. cancer, such as a friend or family ence Organising Committee Dr the captain, along with Qatar statement noted. The conference, which was member. For this reason, the op- Hind El Malik said the confer- Airways ‘Think Pink’ wrist- Earlier this month, Qatar attended by over 400 local, re- portunity to discuss how we may ence is a testament to HMC’s bands and limited-edition pink Airways joined forces with gional, and international health- be able to collectively improve commitment to providing the BRICs amenity kits during the Hamad International Airport care professionals, focused on cancer care services in Qatar is best possible care to cancer pa- service to the Swiss city. (HIA), Qatar Aviation Serv- improving the quality of cancer vital to the development of bet- tients in Qatar. Qatar Airways Group Chief ices and Qatar Duty Free to care for patients with breast ter services and improving the “Over the years, HMC, as Executive HE Akbar al-Baker arrange activities for staff , in- and gynaecological cancers and health of the population,” said the main provider of special- said, “We are extremely proud to cluding pink giveaways and a highlighted advances in imag- Dr Bujassoum. ist healthcare in Qatar, has led see our all-female crew highlight series of QCS lectures at HIA. ing methods, new treatments Dr Bujassoum said improve- the provision of cancer services the importance of Breast Cancer Free mammogram screenings and techniques, and quality im- ments in care for breast can- and has made significant ad- Awareness on board fl ight QR95 by qualifi ed medical staff were provements in patient care. cer patients were highlighted vances in identifying, diagnos- from Doha to Zurich. made available for all eligible The Senior Consultant at throughout the conference, ing, and treating this disease. “Awareness and education is employees, and the airline’s an- NCCCR, Director of the Breast including many new breast im- HMC’s commitment to con- everything in the fi ght against nual Charity Bazaar fundraising Passengers received a special on-board announcement from the Cancer Program at HMC, and aging tools that have been in- tinue improving cancer serv- cancer, and Qatar Airways is event also returned to a variety captain, along with Qatar Airways ‘Think Pink’ wristbands and Chair of the Conference Or- troduced to enhance the ability ices includes the provision of committed to reinforcing the of Qatar Airways locations, the limited-edition pink BRICs amenity kits during the service to Zurich. ganising Committee Dr Salha to diagnose early-stage breast high-quality care, continuous message of early detection and statement added. Bujassoum said the annual cancer. “Advances in imaging support, motivational educa- promotion of a healthy lifestyle Qatar Airways was named perience, Qsuite. It is the only Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Tur- conference is significant be- methods, including ultrasound, tion, and ongoing awareness to help eradicate this devastat- ‘World’s Best Airline’ at the airline to have been awarded key; Malta; Davao, the Philip- cause it encourages collabora- core biopsies, clinical breast activities designed to highlight ing disease.” 2019 World Airline Awards, the coveted ‘Skytrax Airline of pines; Lisbon, Portugal; and tion between the breast and examinations, and breast to- the importance of early detec- Flight QR95 is the latest in managed by international air the Year’ title fi ve times. Mogadishu, Somalia. gynaecological teams at HMC. mosynthesis — an advanced tion,” said Dr El Malik. a series of ‘Think Pink’ Breast transport rating organisation Qatar Airways currently It will add Langkawi, Ma- Cancer Awareness Month Skytrax. operates a fleet of more than laysia and Gaborone, Bot- events and activities organised It was also named ‘Best Air- 250 aircraft via its hub, HIA, swana, to its extensive route by the multiple-award-win- line in the Middle East’, ‘World’s to more than 160 destinations network in December 2019; ning airline, in association with Best Business Class’ and ‘Best worldwide. The airline has Luanda, Angola, in March Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), Business Class Seat’, in recog- recently launched an array of 2020 and Osaka, Japan, in throughout October, a press nition of its Business Class ex- new destinations, including April 2020.

HEC Paris to showcase executive programmes at Oman Expo

EC Paris in Qatar will take part in organisations.“EduTrac Oman Expo takes us and faculty within a short distance of Oman the EduTrac Oman 2019 Higher Ed- into direct contact with working executives with frequent daily fl ights between the Sultan- Hucation Training and Career Expo and major corporations interested in executive ate and Doha making HEC Paris a viable execu- from October 27 to 29 at the Oman Conven- education”, explained Abdallah Abdel-Daem, tive education option, particularly those who tion & Exhibition Centre. director of Programmes, HEC Paris in Qatar. wish to pursue qualifi cations while continuing HEC Paris in Qatar will be located at the “We will be able to meet with prospective par- to work.” After the event, HEC Paris will be run- Higher Education pavilion from where it will ticipants and discuss the programmes that are ning a public information session on October 29 promote the benefi ts of enrolling in one of its best suited for them while exploring with HR from 6pm to 8pm at Intercontinental Muscat executive programmes such as the Interna- professionals how HEC Paris in Qatar can help Hotel, to give professionals and entrepreneurs Qatar Cancer Society was represented by chairman Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor al-Thani (fourth from right) tional Executive MBA, the Specialised Master’s address the training needs for emerging leaders from the private and public sector in Oman in- at the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit. Degree in Strategic Business Unit Manage- or senior executives.” depth insights into how they can boost their ca- ment, Executive Short Programmes and Cer- “We will also highlight our distinctive advan- reers and enhance their leadership skills through tifi cates, as well as Custom Programmes for tage of off ering world class executive education HEC Paris’ renowned degree programmes. QCS chief participates in global ‘Festival of Lights & Off ers’ at Sky Jewellery leaders’ summit in Kazakhstan Sky Jewellery has announced its new initiative, the ‘Festival of Lights pay just 5% of the purchase value.” The Sky Jewellery & Off ers’. showroom near the Sword (HBK) signal in Doha is “Diwali 2019 at Sky Jewellery is one of more rewards and better also conducting a ‘Diwali Diamond Fest’, extending a atar Cancer Society tors discussed the ways in ventive, early detection, treat- rewarding. Every gold purchase worth QR2,500 will bring along one-time off er on all types of diamond necklaces, the (QCS) was represented which cancer detection, treat- ment and care for cancer. a quarter-gram gold coin for free. If the gold purchase exceeds jeweller has said in a statement. A series of diamond Qby chairman Sheikh Dr ment and care contribute to the Sheikh Dr Khalid said QCS’ QR4,000, your gift is worth half a gram of gold absolutely free,” said jewellery designs ranging in price from QR5,000 to Khalid bin Jabor al-Thani at the achievement of universal health participation in the summit Babu John, managing director, Sky Jewellery. QR100,000 is on display for sale at the showroom. World Cancer Leaders’ Sum- coverage (UHC). Reducing the came within the framework of The off icial stressed that Sky Jewellery has designed its Diwali cam- The off er guarantees customers a ‘super saving’ on diamond mit organised by the Union for number of premature deaths the organisation’s membership paign to cater to the “public requirement of the season”. necklaces, and they will also get additional benefits through these International Cancer Control caused by cancer requires ad- in the Union for International He said, “The most challenging phase of Diwali is that the gold purchases. “The Fest off ers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a in Nur-Sultan (Astana), Kaza- dressing inequities in access to Cancer Control, which is one of price is normally poised to go up during the season due to various varied range of designs and value this Diwali,” added John. khstan recently. cancer services to achieve the the largest international institu- technical reasons as well as a hike in demand. We have designed Diamond purchases at all Sky Jewellery outlets bring with them free Approximately 350 global UHC vision of Health for All. tions stressing the importance our pre-booking programme to shield our customers from the gold coins: 2gm free for every diamond purchase worth QR2,500 infl uencers and leaders in can- With “Cancer and Universal of keeping up with the inter- escalating gold price. “This will also guarantee them the opportunity and 4gm free for every purchase of QR4,000. cer control and public health Health Coverage” as a topic, the national experience to develop to enjoy the low price in case the price drops during purchase. This Also, zero deduction on gold exchanges and no making charges on from across governments, UN 2019 edition of the World Can- programmes and future plans safeguards the customer in two ways. The most surprising factor gold coins are some of the other attractions during the season, the agencies, academia, non-profi t cer Leaders’ Summit focused on through participation in all in- behind the pre-booking scheme is that the customer needs to statement added. organisations and private sec- expanding access to quality pre- ternal and external events.

‘Qatar: The Past, Present and Future’ exhibition opens in Geneva

QNA Qatari heritage and intellectual during the opening ceremony, to work to develop the current creativity and innovation. reiterated the State of Qatar’s Qatar’s eff orts and interest in the Geneva property, including a photo ex- to the world’s keen interest on intellectual property landscape. Providing strong intellectual commitment to actively partici- ongoing negotiations in the or- hibition, henna art, calligraphy, intellectual property rights The Minister pointed out that property protection has become pate in the SCCR work, point- ganisation with a view to devel- and painting, as well as presen- (IPR), adding that the State of the State of Qatar has set a time critical, he said. In a related ing to the support provided by oping an international treaty for he State of Qatar opened tations related to the 2022 Qatar Qatar along with other mem- frame for the implementation context, the Minister said that Doha to the member states in the protection of broadcasting Monday in Geneva an ex- World Cup. bers have stressed, during the of its national strategy on intel- the protection of the rights of order to achieve a consensus organisations. Thibition entitled, “Qatar: QNL and Qatar Museums will WIPO meetings held in the past lectual property, which aims to broadcasting organisations is and to conclude an international She said the State of Qa- The Past, Present and Future”, also showcase various photos two weeks, that this interest is update its legislation in line with one of the main challenges fac- convention for the protection tar, which hosts the 2022 FIFA on the sidelines of the meetings and videos. driven by the progress in many international standards. ing the State of Qatar, like many of broadcasting organisations, World Cup and invests in the of the Standing Committee on The Ministry of Commerce areas including technology and He added that this strategy is other member states. voicing Qatar’s readiness to host exclusive rights of a number Copyright and Related Rights, in and Industry, through its pavil- education, as well as signifi cant in line with Qatar National Vi- “This issue has long been a a diplomatic conference ther- of sports events, has the right co-operation with the World In- ion at the exhibition highlights investments dedicated to pro- sion 2030, which aims to build a subject of discussion within the eon. Concluding his speech, the to ensure the protection of tellectual Property Organisation the services it provides in the moting innovation in order to knowledge-based economy and Standing Committee on Copy- Minister expressed his gratitude the rights of broadcasting or- (WIPO). fi eld of intellectual property, develop new projects and indus- transform Qatar into a developed right and Related Rights (SCCR) to the WIPO Secretariat for its ganisations in it, pointing out The Ministry of Commerce whether for authors, patents and tries. country capable of achieving and we thought it would be ap- eff orts and assistance in making that sports channels and other and Industry, the Ministry of the public. The Minister emphasised the sustainable development. propriate to host this side event the “Qatar The Past, Present and international broadcasting Culture and Sports, the Qatar Several Their Excellencies necessity of concerting multi- He also mentioned the many on the sidelines of this very im- Future” exhibition a success. organisations have been sub- National Library (QNL), the Qa- Ambassadors, Permanent Rep- lateral eff orts to establish an in- challenges that could be faced in portant committee meeting,” he Deputy Director General of the jected to piracy and illegal vio- tar Museums and the Supreme resentatives of UN Member ternational intellectual property the international community in said. World Intellectual Property Or- lations of their rights. Committee for Delivery and States in Geneva and represent- system. this regard, adding that it is im- In this context, the Minis- ganisation (WIPO) Sylvie Forbin On the sidelines of the SCCR Legacy are participating in the atives of international organisa- He said that all countries pos- perative for everyone to protect ter commended the tireless ef- praised the exhibition, com- meeting at WIPO headquar- exhibition. tions attended the opening cer- sess and cherish their wealth the global intellectual property forts and dedication of member mending the close co-operation ters in Geneva, the Minister of The exhibition, which lasts emony of the exhibition. of human capital, literature, system, in light of the global rise states in advancing the work of between Qatar and WIPO and Commerce and Industry met for a week, will witness many HE the Minister of Commerce artistic works, crafts, folklore, in trade protectionism and uni- the SCCR to enhance the pro- the signifi cant developments in with Deputy Director General events that contribute to high- and Industry Ali bin Ahmed genetic and biological origins, lateral measures imposed in a tection and application of in- Qatar in the fi eld of intellectual of the WIPO Forbin, and Chair lighting the various aspects of al-Kuwari referred, in a speech stressing in this context the need global economy that depends on tellectual property rights. It property. She also commended of the SCCR Daren Tang. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 23, 2019 13 REGION/ARAB WORLD

Oman Putin, Erdogan strike deal to mulls setting remove YPG from Syria border up new zRussia, Turkey agree on other to maximise Ankara’s continue our operation from Kurdish YPG withdrawal gains,” Soner Cagaptay, director where it left off , this time with regional from border of the Turkish programme at the a much bigger determination,” z Also agree joint patrols in Washington Institute said in a he said. Syria-Turkey border area tweet “Turkey got the safe zone Turkey sought a “safe zone” airline it wanted all this time.” along 440km of border with Reuters Just minutes before Erdogan northeast Syria, but its as- Sochi/Ankara and Putin announced their deal, sault focused on the two border Reuters a senior US administration of- towns in the centre of that strip, Dubai fi cial said the commander of Ras Al Ain and Tel Abyad. yrian and Russian forces Kurdish forces in northeast Syr- Syrian and Russian forces will deploy in northeast ia told the United States he had have already entered two bor- man is considering set- SSyria to remove Kurdish met all obligations set out in the der cities, Manbij and Koba- ting up a new regional YPG fi ghters and their weapons US-brokered truce. ni, which lie within Turkey’s Oairline that could take from the border with Turkey An offi cial from the Syrian planned “safe zone” but to the over domestic operations from under a deal agreed yesterday Democratic Forces later said the west of Turkey’s military opera- state carrier Oman Air, two which both Moscow and Ankara SDF commander “confi rms that tions. sources familiar with the matter hailed as a triumph. the SDF have withdrawn from Erdogan has said he could told Reuters. The agreement expands on a ceasefi re zone”. Before fl ying accept the presence of Syrian US-brokered truce which was to Russia for the talks Erdogan troops in those areas, as long as The new airline would use set to expire later and under- had said hundreds of Kurdish the YPG are pushed out. regional jets for domestic lines the dizzying changes in fi ghters remained near to Syria’s Russia is a close ally of Assad. fl ights and potentially later Syria since President Donald northeast border despite the Turkey has backed rebels to other cities in the region Trump announced a US troop truce demanding their with- seeking to oust Assad during where there is not enough withdrawal two weeks ago, drawal. Syria’s more than eight-year- demand to fi ll the larger ahead of Turkey’s cross-border Turkey began its cross-bor- long civil war but has dropped single aisle jets used by off ensive. der operation nearly two weeks its once-frequent calls for him other airlines in Oman Yesterday’s deal endorses ago following Trump’s decision to quit. the return of Syrian President to withdraw US troops from Ankara is holding covert con- A request for proposal was Bashar al-Assad’s forces to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attend a news conference northern Syria. tacts with Damascus, partly via issued this month by state en- the border alongside Russian following their talks in Sochi, yesterday. That withdrawal has been Russia, to avert direct confl ict tity Oman Aviation Group for a troops, replacing the Americans criticised by US lawmakers, in northeast Syria, Turkish of- feasibility study into operating who had patrolled the region for to patrol a narrower, 10km “excellent” deal which would tary off ensive. Under the deal including some of Trump’s fel- fi cials say, although publicly the new airline, ‘Oman Link,’ the years with their former Kurdish strip of land in the “safe zone” achieve Turkey’s long-held goal with Moscow, the length of bor- low Republicans, as a betrayal of hostility between the two gov- sources said. allies. that Ankara has long sought in of a border strip cleared of the der which the YPG would be re- Kurdish allies who have helped ernments remains. Setting up a new airline for Under the agreement be- northeast Syria. YPG, which Ankara regards as quired to pull back from is more the United States fi ght Islamic Some 300,000 people have domestic fl ights would allow tween Russian President After six hours of talks with a terrorist organisation because than three times the size of the State in Syria. been displaced by Turkey’s of- Oman Air to focus on its inter- Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s Erdogan in the Black Sea re- of its links to insurgents inside territory covered by the US- Trump said on Monday it ap- fensive and 120 civilians have national network where it com- Tayyip Erdogan, the two coun- sort of Sochi, Putin expressed Turkey. Turkish accord, covering most peared that the fi ve-day pause been killed, according to the petes with large Gulf carriers. tries said Russian military po- satisfaction at decisions he de- Last week’s US-brokered of the area Turkey had wanted was holding despite skirmishes, Syrian Observatory for Human The new airline could partner lice and Syrian border guards scribed as “very important, if deal, due to expire at 2200 GMT to include. and that it could possibly go Rights, a UK-based war moni- with Oman Air with both car- would start removing the YPG not momentous, to resolve what later, was limited the central “The outcome of the Putin- beyond yesterday’s expiry, but tor. riers connecting passengers to 30km from the Turkish border is a pretty tense situation which part of the border strip between Erdogan meeting in Sochi to- Erdogan said the fi ghting may It said on Sunday 259 fi ghters each other but would have its today. has developed on the Syrian- the Syrian towns of Tel Abyad day indicates that Erdogan has resume. with the Kurdish-led forces had own independent management, Six days later, Russian and Turkish border”. A senior Turk- and Ras Al Ain, where Turkish become a master of leveraging “If the promises given to us been killed, and 196 Turkey- the sources said on the condition Turkish forces will jointly start ish offi cial described it as an forces had focused their mili- the US and Russia against each by America are not kept, we will backed Syrian rebels. of anonymity because the details are private. Proposals are to be submit- ted by Nov 11, one of the sources said. The new airline would use regional jets for domestic fl ights 14 Palestinians arrested Iraqi forces killed 149 civilians and potentially later to other cit- ies in the region where there is not enough demand to fi ll the with shots to head or chest: inquiry larger single aisle jets used by by troops in West Bank other airlines in Oman. Oman Aviation Group and its Reuters Protesters blame graft and But critics said his gestures unit Oman Air did not respond QNA Israeli jails, along with fi ve oth- families are still suff ering from Baghdad infi ghting among political were vague and appear unlikely to separate e-mailed requests Ramallah ers, including a female prisoner the lack of reconstruction of leaders for failing to improve to defuse public anger over for comment. Oman Air oper- who entered the 29th day of the their homes, or lack of access their lives even in peacetime, rampant corruption. ates fl ights to four airports in strike. to the remaining fi nancial dues n Iraqi government two years after Islamic State Renewed protests are the country, including the main sraeli occupation forces ar- BUDGET DEFICIT approved for reconstruction. committee investigating was declared defeated in Iraq. planned for Friday after an al- Muscat International, according rested yesterday 14 Pales- Meanwhile, Palestinian MP He also stressed on the im- Aa wave of unrest found “The committee found that most three-week hiatus. The to its website. Itinians from diff erent gov- Jamal al-Khodari, who is head portance of lifting the 13-year- that 149 civilians were killed offi cers and commanders lost report recommended that the The airline uses 166-seat Boe- ernorates of the occupied West of the Popular Committee to old Israeli siege, which para- because security forces used control over their forces during Baghdad operations com- ing 737 jets and 71-seat Embraer Bank. face the Israeli siege, revealed lysed all aspects of life in Gaza, excessive force and live fi re to the protests (and this) caused mander in charge of the re- E175 aircraft on domestic and re- The Palestinian Prisoners that there is a $200mn defi cit which also suff ers from a severe quell protests, according to its chaos,” the panel said in its re- sponse to the unrest and doz- gional fl ights. Both aircraft types Club said in a statement that at in the budget for the recon- lack of residential units to meet report, seen by Reuters. port. ens of other senior security are too costly to consistently op- least eight were arrested from struction of homes destroyed the needs of its population. The report, which said more ”There were no offi cial or- offi cials be dismissed and put erate domestic routes at a profi t, the town of Isawiya, while the during the Israeli off ensive on He pointed out that the Is- than 70% of the deaths were ders from the supreme author- on trial. according to industry sources. occupation arrested four Pal- Gaza in 2014. raeli siege on Gaza is illegal caused by shots to the head or ities to security forces to open Its recommendations must Oman has been restructur- estinians from several towns in In a press release, al-Khodari and that it breaches all inter- chest, held senior commanders fi re towards protesters or use be approved by Abdul Mahdi ing its aviation sector in recent Bethlehem. said that many regional donors national laws and conventions, responsible but stopped short live ammunition at all.” before being referred to pros- years. From Ramallah and Al- have not fulfi lled pledges they including the Geneva Conven- of blaming the prime minister Prime Minister Adel Abdul ecutors for possible trials. Oman Aviation Group was Bireh, the Israeli occupation gave fi ve years ago, following tions and the International and other top offi cials, say- Mahdi established the com- The report said 149 civilians formed in 2018 and includes forces arrested a Palestinian the devastating Israeli off en- Declaration of Human Rights. ing there had been no order to mittee to look into the blood- and eight members of the secu- Oman Air, Oman Airports and from Deir Abu Masha’al and sive. He referred to the reality shoot. shed, and he has also promised rity forces were killed in a week Oman Aviation Services. another from Beit Sira. Al-Khodari stressed that of Gaza, which is in a state of Protests over high unem- a cabinet reshuffl e and reforms of disturbances ending on Oct A budget, second airline, Meanwhile, a Palestinian this disastrous situation and complete and unprecedented ployment, poor public services including steps to fi ght graft, 7, and that it found evidence of Salam Air, was launched in 2017. prisoner from Dura town, west the lack of commitment of collapse in terms of humani- and corruption erupted on Oct and provide government jobs sniper fi re targeting protesters It is owned by Omani gov- of Hebron, entered his 101st donors aff ected about 52,000 tarian, living and economic ar- 1, prompting a violent security and land to university gradu- from inside a building in cen- ernment pension funds and the day of an open hunger strike in families, and that thousands of eas because of the siege. crackdown. ates. tral Baghdad. Muscat municipality. Lebanese keep up protests despite emergency measures

AFP of the Middle East. Now it’s the would remain closed today, hav- Beirut dumping ground of the Middle ing shuttered last week as the East,” he said. demonstrations gained momen- He was unconvinced by the tum. ens of thousands of Leba- government’s rescue plan, an- Given the size of the gather- nese protesters kept the nounced on Monday by Prime ings, the six-day-old mobi- Tcountry on lockdown Minister Saad Hariri. lisation has been remarkably yesterday, rallying for a sixth “They have been in power for incident-free, with armies of consecutive day to demand new years, why did they just wake up volunteers providing water to leaders despite the government’s to these reforms now?” Ram- protesters and organising fi rst adoption of an emergency eco- adan asked. aid tents. nomic rescue plan. “Today, the decisions are not Hariri seemed aware that the Demonstrations initially in their hands. They are in the measures he announced would sparked by a proposed tax on hands of the people.” not quench the people’s thirst WhatsApp and other messag- Among the measures were a for change, telling protestors on ing apps quickly grew into an 2020 budget meant to bring the Monday the plan was not simply unprecedented cross-sectarian defi cit down to 0.63% of GDP, a “trade-off ” to get people off street mobilisation against the without new taxes, along with the streets. political class. a privatisation programme and Lebanon fought a devastating The movement has spread to projects to support the under- 15-year civil war that ended in all major cities and into Leba- privileged. 1990 and many of the country’s non’s vast diaspora. The agreed reforms will also politicians today were formerly The cabinet was spurred into halve the salaries of current and warlords fi ghting along sectar- passing wide-ranging economic former lawmakers and minis- ian lines in the confl ict. reforms on Monday, but the ters. Demonstrators shout slogans during an anti-government protest outside the Central Bank of Lebanon in Beirut, yesterday. Outside of Lebanon, expats in move failed to win over protest- A couple of dozen demonstra- Europe, the United States and ers, who now seem bent on re- tors shouted slogans in front of lutions may put the country in Beirut yesterday, hoping to Lebanon’s economy has been Yesterday morning, the Leba- Africa staged sit-ins and dem- moving the entire political elite, the central bank yesterday, de- on a sounder fi scal footing, but restore confi dence that Lebanon sliding closer to the abyss in re- nese army was trying to reopen a onstrations in solidarity. which they see as corrupt. spite the premier’s announce- they appear inadequate to the can handle its ballooning debt cent months, with public debt number of major roads that have In Beirut, Mounir Malaaeb, Yesterday’s protests initially ment. challenge of the protests, which and unlock a huge aid package soaring past 150% of GDP and been blocked by demonstrators an elderly man from the south- seemed smaller than on previous “Down with the rule of the now demand broader, systemic approved in Paris last year. ratings agencies grading Leba- for days, the state-run National ern city of Tyre who came to the days, but they swelled in the af- central bank. We won’t pay the change,” he said. “We believe, after the an- nese sovereign bonds as “junk”. News Agency reported. capital to join the rallies, said the ternoon, with thousands gather- taxes. Let the banks pay them,” The country’s main parties, nouncement of the decisions of Fears of a default have com- In Beirut, volunteers cleaned protest movement was “the only ing in central Beirut. they chanted. including those of President the cabinet yesterday, that we’re pounded the worries of Leba- up streets after euphoric crowds chance the people have”. Protester Abdel Amir Ram- Heiko Wimmen, analyst with Michel Aoun and the Hezbollah, going to get very positive reac- nese citizens exasperated by the partied deep into the night on “If we give the government adan, a 73-year-old from Bei- the International Crisis Group, have warned of a political vac- tions” from the international poor quality of public services. Monday, dancing to impromptu another chance, we would be rut’s southern suburbs, lament- said it appeared Monday’s meas- uum and supported the reform community, senior government Residents suff er daily elec- concerts and DJ sets. crazy,” he said. “We have been ed the state of the country. ures were not enough. package. advisor Nadim Munla told re- tricity shortages and unclean It is unclear how long protests giving them chances since the “Lebanon used to be the Paris “These mostly technical so- Hariri met top ambassadors porters. water. will last, but banks said they 1990s.” Gulf Times 14 Wednesday, October 23, 2019 AFRICA

JUSTICE CRACKDOWN CRIME OUTBREAK PARCHED DR Congo spy informant Guinea court jails protest Armed robbers hit SA gold Central African nations Botswana drought cause of dies while on trial leaders for up to 12 months plant, kill security off icer ponder anti-Ebola fight over 100 elephant deaths

An informant for Congo’s intelligence agency, A Guinean court yesterday handed down jail Armed men invaded a metallurgical plant owned Health ministers in 10 central African countries More than 100 elephants have died in two who was on trial for alleged involvement in the terms of up to one year against the leaders of by South Africa’s DRDGOLD on Monday night, have held talks on boosting data sharing months in Botswana’s Chobe National Park due murders of two UN investigators, has died from a opposition protests this month that have claimed killing the gold miner’s chief security off icer and and cross-border surveillance in the fight to drought, which has also aff ected wildlife in long-term illness, his lawyer said yesterday. Zaida around 10 lives. Abdourahamane Sanoh, co- stealing an estimated 17kg of gold, the company against Ebola, the Democratic Republic of other countries in the region, the government Catalan, a Swede, and Michael Sharp, an American, ordinator of the National Front for the Defence of said. DRDGOLD’s chief security off icer Bart Congo announced yesterday. Health Minister said yesterday. Botswana’s environment ministry were killed in March 2017 while investigating an the Constitution (FNDC), an alliance of opposition Coetzee was fatally wounded in an exchange Eteni Longondo and counterparts from the said it has recorded a spike in the number armed conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo’s groups, was given a 12-month term, and four of gunfire during the attack at the Ergo plant in nine countries bordering the DRC had met of elephant and other animal deaths since Kasai region. Jose Tshibuabua was charged other leaders were sent down for six months. Brakpan, about 45km east of Johannesburg. The on Monday to swap views on “developing a May. “More than one hundred elephants are with murder after Reuters and Radio France They were found guilty by the court in the capital gang stole “a quantity” of calcine concentrate framework for cross-border collaboration,” estimated to have died naturally in the past two Internationale revealed he had been working as Conakry of initiating a wave of unauthorised containing an estimated 17 kg of gold, the the health ministry said. The strategy aims at months,” the ministry said in a statement, adding an intelligence service informant and had helped protests on October 14 that brought much of the company said in a statement yesterday. The ensuring “timely sharing of critical information that 13 deaths were recorded just this week. In them plan their fatal trip. Tshibuabua died in West African state to a standstill. The opposition robbery comes as mining companies across for rapid response and control of the epidemic... neighbouring Zimbabwe, Its wildlife agency has hospital on Monday from complications related to says 10 protesters have been shot dead by police South Africa battle with increasing numbers of (and) strengthening cross-border health recorded at least 55 elephant deaths over the Aids, his lawyer, Trésor Kabangu, told Reuters. in successive days of clashes. illegal miners. surveillance”, it said in a statement. past month due to lack of food and water.

Ethiopia ready to hold elections in 2020: PM Abiy

Reuters Addis Ababa

thiopia will face problems if it delays its general election beyond the scheduled date of May next Eyear, the prime minister said yesterday, recall- ing past political violence. “Democracy needs exercise. If we say we cannot hold elections now, it will bring a lot of problems. We should work wholeheartedly by building pub- lic trust,” Abiy Ahmed, this year’s Nobel peace prize winner, told parliament. The electoral board has the fi nancing and capacity to conduct the polls in the country of 105mn. The vote would be the fi rst under Abiy, who took offi ce in April 2018 and began introducing political and economic reforms. These reforms have opened up what was once one of Africa’s most repressive nations but also stoked violence as emboldened regional strongmen build ethnic power-bases and compete over political infl u- ence and resources. Ethiopia has regularly held elections since 1995, but with the exception of the 2005 election, no elec- tion has been competitive. In the 2005 poll, riots erupted after the opposition cried foul, security forces killed nearly 200 protest- Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi addresses supporters during an election campaign rally in his home village of Moshupa yesterday. ers, and the government jailed many opposition poli- ticians. “The people of Ethiopia have taken lessons from the confl ict that happened following the 2005 general elections. Ethiopians do not want confl icts arising in connection with elections,” Abiy said. Questioned by MPs about the future of the frac- tious ruling coalition — some form of which has been in power since 1991 — Abiy said he intends to merge Botswana votes in fi rst real the coalition into a single party. One of the coalition’s four ethnic-based parties, the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), re- jected the idea last week. The TPLF was the most powerful force in the coali- tion until Abiy came to power. challenge to ruling party Rapidly transforming the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front “may create more By Brian Benza, Reuters ca’s most successful, but now risks election,” Boko told a news confer- then becomes president. Polls open been an issue during the campaign. instability and that would exacerbate an already diffi - Gabrone coming unstuck because of over- ence on Monday night before warn- at 6.30am and close at 7pm. The main concerns for the Bat- cult environment for conducting a free and fair elec- reliance on a single commodity — ing of possible fraud. Masisi is standing on his record swana are unemployment hovering tion”, said William Davison, an Ethiopia analyst at the diamonds. “I can only accept the result if on tackling corruption, such as at around 20% and stark inequali- International Crisis Group think-tank. otswana today holds an elec- Duma Boko, leader of the Um- the election is free and credible,” he making a declaration of assets ob- ties despite equitable state spend- Asked about a dispute with Egypt over the giant tion that will present the brella for Democratic Change, is added, raising the spectre that Bot- ligatory for public sector offi cials, ing on health and education. hydropower dam being built on Ethiopia’s Blue Nile, Bfi rst genuine challenge to hoping to unseat the BDP of Presi- swana, which has only known one- and slashing bureaucracy for small To tackle either, the winner will Abiy said: “No force will stop Ethiopia from building the ruling Botswana Democratic dent Mokgweetsi Masisi on a prom- sided elections, could witness its businesses. need to do more to diversify the the dam.” Party (BDP) in its fi ve decades of ise to do just that. fi rst rancorous dispute over a tight Khama, the son of founding pres- economy. Abiy, who won the Nobel this month for his peace- dominance over southern Africa’s He is backed by former president result. ident Seretse Khama, quarrelled Diamond mining has fallen to making eff orts with longtime enemy Eritrea, raised wealthiest and most stable nation. Ian Khama, who handed over to Of Botswana’s population of with Masisi over cabinet posts and a fi fth of GDP in 2018, compared the prospect of war over the dam: “If we are going to Whichever party wins will have Masisi last year but has since fallen 2.2mn people, 924,000 registered the new president’s controversial with half in the 1990s, but it still war...we can deploy many millions. But war is not a to move swiftly to transform the into a bitter power struggle with voters will elect 57 national assem- scrapping of an elephant hunting makes up three quarters of foreign solution.” economy, which since independ- him. bly and 490 local government rep- ban in May, which Khama had en- exchange earnings, even as banking Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected ence from Britain in 1966 has grown “We remain resolute and confi - resentatives. forced four years earlier. and tourism grab a greater share of to raise the demand for a mediator over the dam when at 8% a year to become one of Afri- dent that we are going to win this The winning party’s candidate Elephants, however, have not output. he meets Abiy during a Russia-Africa summit this week. Young climate activists in Waterworld! Africa struggle to be heard

By Stacey Knott, AFP He said he admires the huge nicipal chief executive of Asokwa “They can’t just go ahead and Accra crowds taking to the streets from in central Ghana, told AFP he was speak like Greta Thunberg, of Sydney to Stockholm, but in his committed to increasing educa- course, the youth in Africa will West African homeland — ruled tion about climate change to his have diffi cultly to say ‘how dare s Greta Thunberg and the by an authoritarian regime that constituents. you’,” he said. Extinction Rebellion in- has cracked down on protests — As a starting point he wants Those challenges did not seem Aspire climate protesters that wasn’t really an option. to target the poorly maintained to faze Patience Alifo, 23, from across the globe, young African “As youth, we can’t be putting vehicles that belch acrid black Ghana. activists say they still struggle to our lives in insecurity by entering fumes into the faces of passersby The climate campaigner in- make themselves heard. roads and doing something that in his region. sisted that youth needed to be “No continent will be struck Greta is doing,” he told AFP. “It is diffi cult to deal with included in the debate — and that as severely by the impacts of Instead he plans to focus on this situation because the peo- often it is the people in power climate change as Africa,” the more practical steps like planting ple don’t even understand what who need educating the most. United Nations Environment trees, educating rural communi- it means,” he said in reference to Alifo said some authorities Programme said as it warned of ties and writing to leaders calling the environmental impact. refuse to listen to young activ- increased fl ooding, widespread for action. Benin’s former environment ists and the solutions they might food insecurity and major eco- “I think the thing we can do is minister Luc Gnacadja said one propose. nomic losses. use communication and digital problem was the lack of access Even at the climate confer- But awareness remains low communications skills,” he said. to information and education on ence, she insisted, more young and a study from research insti- “We have to share information the issue. people should be represented. tute Afrobarometer in August and let other people know about He said young people needed “We are the current genera- said that four in 10 Africans have us and share the eff orts that we localised data about the impact tion, and we are the ones who never heard of climate change. are doing.” that climate change is having on will face the consequences, if we At the Climate Chance confer- Africa produces only a tiny populations and the economy to have the knowledge about it, I am ence in Ghana’s capital Accra last fraction of global greenhouse gas help lead the fi ght. sure they (young people) will all week, hundreds of campaigners, emissions and the fi ght against Crowds have taken to the be here to negotiate or advocate local government offi cials and climate change can often be seen streets in some African cities as for good policies,” she said. business people from across the as an issue more for people living part of the global protest move- And like activists across the continent sought a way forward. in the developed economies of ment — but their numbers have world, she said campaigners in Togolese activist Kevin Ossah, Europe, America and Asia. been tiny compared to elsewhere. Ghana were getting bolder and 22, led a mock United Nations But those attending the con- Gnacadja said the bold tactics would not silenced or ignored. debate that pitched participants ference insisted awareness could employed by young demonstra- “Even though we are not see- A public transport bus drives on the flooded Agege Motor Road, in the local government area playing the role of major pollut- grow if local offi cials and activ- tors in the West did not readily ing the desired results we believe of Mushin town, Lagos. Recent torrential rainfall has left many roads, homes and factories ers like the United States against ists focus on the problems Afri- translate to the rigid hierarchies that as we continue — there is flooded, especially the chaotic traff ic congestion occasioned by bad conditions of the roads, poor those set to bear the biggest bur- cans confront every day. of societies where challenging going to be change.” drainage and frequent breakdown of vehicles in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital. den of the crisis. Akwannuasah Gyimah, mu- elders is often a taboo. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 23, 2019 15 AMERICAS

POLITICS DATA AT RISK OLD AGE WOES MOTORING Warren rallies with Chicago More US states join NY’s Carter suff ers fracture Pedestrian fatalities near teachers as strike goes on Facebook anti-trust probe after falling at home 30-year high

Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren, a New York’s top attorney said yesterday its Former US president Jimmy Carter suff ered a US traff ic deaths fell 2.4% in 2018 to 36,560 Democrat, rallied yesterday with striking Chicago investigation into whether Facebook violated pelvic fracture after a second fall this month, although the number of pedestrians killed rose teachers, expressing support for the union’s anti-trust laws has expanded to include most the Carter Center said yesterday. Carter, 95, fell to its highest level in nearly three decades, demands as the country’s third-largest school of the country. The New York-led probe now on Monday in his home in Plains, Georgia, his the US auto safety agency said yesterday. The system entered a fourth day of cancelled classes. includes 45 states along with the capital non-profit organisation said in a tweet. Carter was National Highway Traff ic Safety Administration Warren, a Massachusetts senator and former District of Columbia and the US territory admitted to hospital for observation and treatment (NHTSA) said traff ic deaths fell for the second teacher, joined a crowd of hundreds of teachers Guam, according to New York attorney general of what the centre said was a minor pelvic fracture. straight year — down 913 from 2017. The fatality and parents outside an elementary school to Letitia James. “Our investigation now has The former president was “in good spirits and rate fell by 3.4% to 1.13 fatalities per 100mn back the Chicago teachers’ demands for more the support of 47 attorneys general from is looking forward to recovering at home,” the vehicle miles travelled, the lowest rate since resources, and promised to boost funding for US around the nation, who are all concerned that tweet said. Carter was slightly injured in the fall 2014. Despite the decrease in overall deaths, Democratic presidential candidate Senator public schools if elected president in 2020. The Facebook may have put consumer data at risk, earlier this month and required stitches above his pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities continue to Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) addresses striking teacher’s union called the work stoppage last week reduced the quality of consumers’ choices, eyebrow. Carter had a bad fall in May, breaking rise, with deaths of those on foot climbing 3.4% Chicago teachers at the Oscar DePriest after negotiations failed to produce a deal on pay, and increased the price of advertising,” James his hip as he prepared to go turkey hunting. That to 6,283 last year. More pedestrians and cyclists Elementary School in Chicago yesterday. overcrowding in schools and a lack of support staff . said in a release. mishap resulted in hip replacement surgery. were killed in 2018 than in any year since 1990. Trump fl ays impeachment investigation

as a ‘lynching’ Firefighters battle a wildfire threatening nearby hillside homes in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood in Los Angeles on Monday. Key witness testifi es; openly criticised Trump for his In text messages turned over to 50% of Americans now comment, but Senator Susan Col- Congress, he expressed serious res- lins, a moderate Republican and oc- ervations about helping co-ordi- support impeachment casional Trump critic who is up for nate the Trump pressure campaign and removal of Trump re-election in 2020, spoke out. against Ukraine. Wildfi res threaten California from Oval Offi ce “’Lynching’ brings back images Taylor, US Ambassador to the of a terrible time in our nation’s his- European Union Gordon Sondland tory, and the president never should and other top US diplomats dis- AFP have made that comparison,” she cussed leveraging a potential sum- Washington tweeted. mit between Trump and Zelensky homes, prompt evacuations Despite the White House’s de- on a pledge to investigate 2016 elec- cision to not co-operate with the tion interference and a company resident Donald Trump yes- probe, Democrats have pressed on, that employed the son of Biden, a By Gene Blevins, Reuters terday slammed the impeach- seizing a victory of sorts with the frontrunner in the 2020 Democratic Los Angeles PG&E says more potential power cuts Pment inquiry as a “lynching,” closed-door testimony Tuesday of nomination race. using explosive, racially-charged Bill Taylor, the acting ambassador to “Are we now saying that security could hit about 209,000 customers language to discredit the probe as a Ukraine. assistance and WH (White House) alifornia fi refi ghters worked key witness who expressed concerns His communications with other meeting are conditioned on investi- through the night into yesterday PG&E Corp said on Monday about from today evening through the middle of about political interference testifi ed diplomats raised red fl ags about gations?” Taylor asked Sondland in Cmorning to tackle a pair of wild- 209,000 customers could be hit by poten- tomorrow, PG&E had said on Sunday. to Congress. Trump’s pressure campaign against a September text message. fi res threatening people’s homes. tial power cutoff s this week, less than two The company’s handling of recent Trump has relentlessly attacked Kiev that is at the heart of the Dem- Later Taylor expressed more ex- Live aerial video footage broadcast by weeks after its most recent unprecedented power outages has been criticised for the investigation as part of a broader ocrats’ investigation. plicit reservations to Sondland: “I KABC-TV showed fl ames raging along shut-off s hit more than 730,000 homes being too widespread, with insuff icient partisan “witch hunt” against him. Trump urged his Ukrainian coun- think it’s crazy to withhold security a ridge-line at the edge of an affl uent and workplaces in northern California. communication with customers. But yesterday, he used particu- terpart Volodymyr Zelensky in July assistance for help with a political beach-front neighbourhood located be- The bankrupt Californian power pro- The outages are the latest in a string of larly infl ammatory language to lay to investigate the US leader’s Demo- campaign.” tween Santa Monica and Malibu about ducer said the latest cuts were intended to events for which PG&E has been widely into his opponents, saying they were cratic rival Joe Biden and his son, ac- Democrats say they hope Taylor 30km west of downtown Los Angeles. avoid its equipment sparking wildfires in criticised. The utility filed for bankruptcy in seeking to impeach him “without cording to a summary of a phone call will help fi ll gaps in the text messag- Initially, a mandatory evacuation was hot weather. January, citing potential civil liabilities in ex- due process or fairness or any legal released by the White House. ing between the diplomats and shed ordered for about 200 homes in the Pa- “This afternoon, the company began cess of $30bn from major wildfires linked to rights.” Seeking help from a foreign coun- light on the pressure campaign. cifi c Palisades community, as ground its 48-hour advance notifications to its transmission wires and other equipment. “All Republicans must remember try in a domestic election is illegal in “I think he’s going to be forth- teams and helicopters worked on putting customers that it may be proactively turn- The notifications to customers about what they are witnessing here — a itself, but a whistleblower complaint coming,” Democratic congressman out hot spots and carving a containment ing power off for safety and conducting the upcoming power cutoff s left many of lynching,” Trump raged, using a about the call made the more serious Ro Khanna, who as a member of the line around the fi re zone’s perimeter. a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) on them frustrated, with some complaining word that evokes the darkest days of allegation that Trump also sought to House Oversight Committee has sat However, at around 8pm on Monday, Wednesday evening,” it said. on social media. America’s slavery legacy. condition nearly $400mn in military in on multiple witness depositions, the Los Angeles Fire Department said all The power cutoff s may aff ect 15 Cali- “I just got notified PG&E may turn off my More than 3,400 African Ameri- aid to Ukraine on such probes. told CNN. evacuation orders had been lifted from fornia counties and are likely to be much power again this Wednesday!! They just cans were lynched between 1882 and Democrats have described such a Taylor “really can help shed light the Palisades fi re, and residents could re- smaller in scope than the October 9-12 turned it off 10 days ago for 3 days!! This 1968, and congressional Democrats, quid pro quo, and the seeking of for- on whether our policy towards turn home. PSPS event, the company said. can’t go on!! Power is a necessity not a many of them black, reacted with eign interference in US elections, as Ukraine has been driven by American Los Angeles Fire Department spokes- It activated its emergency operations on luxury,” a customer said on Twitter. collective revulsion. impeachable off ences and have in- national interests, or whether the man Brian Humphrey said winds were Sunday night because of a possible strong Another resident tweeted: “It’s causing “How dare you?!” seethed con- tensifi ed their probe of the president. president has hijacked it for his own relatively light, helping to keep the blaze and dry off shore wind. anxiety and money every single time. I gresswoman Barbara Lee on Twitter Taylor is a military veteran and re-election in 2020,” Khanna said. in check by reducing the amount of The primary phase of weather risk work from home and this is impacting my as she assailed the “disgusting and career diplomat who served as US One fresh source of irritation for burning embers blown into the air. was expected to last about 18 to 24 hours ability to do my job.” ignorant message” from Trump. ambassador to Ukraine from 2006 the White House is a new CNN poll Meanwhile, east of Los Angeles in San “That is one word that no presi- to 2009, and is now charge d’aff aires released yesterday showing 50% of Bernardino County’s Little Mountain dent ought to apply to himself,” following the ouster of ambassador Americans now support impeach- area, a 20-acre brush fi re that broke out den hoses, spraying water on roofs. a major wind-driven wildfi re scorched House Majority Whip James Cly- Marie Yovanovich this year. ment and removal from offi ce, a on Monday evening and destroyed three San Bernardino County Fire Battalion nearly 8,000 acres along the north- burn, the most senior black law- Yovanovich testifi ed to Congress new high in the network’s polling, homes, damaged six more and threat- Chief Mike McClintock warned residents ern edge of Los Angeles, damaging or maker in Congress, told CNN. two weeks ago, telling House in- against 43% who are opposed. ened others, fi re offi cials said. The cause against trying to fi ght the fi re themselves, destroying dozens of structures and “I’m a product of the South. I vestigators she was pushed out on Trump is working to ensure the of the fi re is not known. media reported. prompting evacuations of some 23,000 know the history of that word. That “false claims” that she had dispar- unfailing support of Republican Four residents were hospitalised for “The biggest thing for us is if we ask homes. is a word that we ought to be very, aged Trump. lawmakers, repeating on Twitter his smoke inhalation or minor burns, the people to evacuate, we want them to Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Butler said very careful about using,” the South Taylor could be one of the most frequent exaggeration that he has San Bernardino Sun newspaper said. evacuate,” he said. “A garden hose isn’t forecasts for tomorrow include the pos- Carolina Democrat said. consequential investigation wit- “95% Approval Rating in the Re- Some residents in both communities going to stop a rapidly spreading fi re.” sibility of strong, dry winds returning to Few Republican lawmakers have nesses to date. publican Party.” tried to protect their property with gar- The blazes came about two weeks after southern California. Victorious but weakened, Trudeau needs help to form govt

By Michel Comte, AFP Even though he came out lative priorities and a confi dence “In the days ahead, I’ll be men of past and current Tory Ottawa weakened, Trudeau did better vote. meeting with my new caucus, parties fostering “politics of than expected. For now he faces the tough to talk about how we will deliver fear and division” while Scheer Up until election day polls had task of forming a government, for people,” Singh said in a state- called the prime minister a weakened Prime Minister him neck and neck with Con- for which he will have to take into ment. “compulsive liar,” “a phony and Justin Trudeau yesterday servative Party leader Andrew account the demands of minority “We’ll approach building the a fraud.” Aset out to secure the sup- Scheer. parties. new parliament with open minds Going into the election Tru- port of smaller parties he will The Conservatives won 121 Yves-Francois Blanchet, head and open hearts,” he added. deau’s golden boy image had need to form a government af- seats but beat the Liberals in the of the Bloc Quebecois, a down He added: “The real winner already been damaged by eth- ter winning Canada’s nail-biter popular vote, taking 34.4% to and out party that scored a big of this election is not a party or ics lapses in the handling of the general election but falling short their 33.1%. comeback on Monday, said he a leader. Canadians sent a clear bribery prosecution of engineer- of a majority. Scheer issued a warning to can work with the new govern- message: they want a govern- ing giant SNC-Lavalin. Trudeau’s Liberals took 157 Trudeau. “Canadians have ment if the interests of French- ment that works for them, and His popularity took a further seats in the 338-member House passed judgement on (Trudeau’s) speaking Quebec are preserved. they are not satisfi ed with the old hit with the emergence during of Commons, down from a com- Liberal government,” noting that “If what is proposed is good ways of doing politics.” the campaign of old photographs fortable majority of 177 in the last the Liberals shed more than 20 for Quebec, you can count on us,” Trudeau, a 47-year-old former of him in blackface makeup. one, offi cial results showed. seats. said Blanchet, whose party will school teacher, dominated Cana- Some 27.4mn Canadians were Trudeau will thus have to seek “We have put him on notice, have 32 seats in the next legisla- dian politics over the four years eligible to vote in the election, some kind of accommodation Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Palais des his leadership is damaged and his ture. of his fi rst term, but faced a grill- and the turnout was reported to with the Bloc Quebecois or the Congres in Montreal on Monday night. government will end soon and Jagmeet Singh, the leader ing during the 40-day election have been large, at almost 65%. New Democratic Party. when that time comes, the Con- of the New Democratic party, campaign, which he described as A record 97 women were elect- Before launching talks with President Donald Trump and said in his victory speech on servatives will be ready and we promised to be constructive. one of the “dirtiest and nastiest” ed to parliament, including Can- these parties Trudeau greeted from European Council president Monday night. will win!” The leftist former criminal in Canadian history. ada’s fi rst indigenous attorney people at a subway station in Mon- Donald Tusk yesterday. “And they rejected cuts and The fi rst test of Trudeau’s fu- defence lawyer is the fi rst non- Trudeau and Scheer exchanged general, Jody Wilson-Raybould, treal and posed smiling for selfi es. “From coast to coast to coast, austerity and voted in favour of ture government will follow in white leader of a federal politi- barbs as attack ads and misinfor- who ran as an independent can- Trudeau received congratula- tonight Canadians rejected di- a progressive agenda and strong the coming weeks with a speech cal party in Canada, and is now a mation multiplied. didate after Trudeau kicked her tions Monday evening from US vision and negativity,” Trudeau action on climate change.” to parliament outlining his legis- kingmaker. Trudeau evoked the bogey- out of his caucus. Gulf Times 16 Wednesday, October 23, 2019 ASIA Bangladeshi opposition lawmaker jailed for graft Harunur Rashid was found mi League party is seeking to car was also sentenced to two was arrested under conten- At a general election in De- guilty of evading taxes after muzzle dissent. years in jail. tious digital security laws on cember which was marred by he sold a car he had bought Harunur Rashid, who has There was no immediate com- charges of spreading anti-state allegations of widespread fraud duty-free in 2005 when his emerged as a prominent voice in ment from the BNP, the largest propaganda. and ballot stuffi ng, the Awami BNP was in government parliament, was found guilty of opposition party, whose leader He was later granted bail. League tightened its grip on evading taxes on Monday after and two-time former prime The BNP said the arrest was power, with the BNP managing AFP he sold a car he had bought du- minister Khaleda Zia was last carried out to “muzzle” Ahmed to win only seven seats. Dhaka ty-free in 2005 when his Bang- year jailed for 10 years on graft as he was planning to speak out Hasina last month launched a ladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) charges. against a water-sharing accord sweeping anti-graft crackdown, was in government. Rashid, also a joint secretary Bangladesh recently signed with arresting prominent members Bangladeshi court sen- He was sentenced to fi ve of the BNP, earlier this month India. of her own party and sacking the tenced a senior opposi- years in jail and fi ned 5mn taka met with the deputy leader of A former army colonel, who infl uential heads of its student Ation fi gure to fi ve years in ($59,000) by a court in Dhaka the Awami League in an attempt was reportedly a member of and youth wings. jail yesterday for evading taxes “for selling the duty-free car il- to secure bail for Zia, saying Zia’s security team, was also Hasina said the drive was nec- on the sale of a car he imported legally, depriving taxes to the she needed medical treatment arrested on the same charges. essary to prevent a repeat of the when his party was last in offi ce. government”, court inspector abroad. In recent years tens of thou- January 2007 coup by the pow- The opposition in the South Ashikur Rahman said. His own conviction comes sands of opposition activists erful military, which said tack- Asian country has long com- The owner of a private tel- weeks after Hafi zuddin Ahmed, have been arrested for various ling corruption was one of its Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and General Sineenat plained that the ruling Awa- evision channel who bought the another senior BNP fi gure, acts. key goals. Wongvajirapakdi, the royal consort, are pictured in this undated handout photo. Lanka motorist Fall of a royal risks jail after consort and Facebook post Thai king’s

AFP having many fl oral garlands Colombo attached to his rear view,” a senior police offi cer said. assertive reign “Having anything that ob- Sri Lankan motorist structs the driver’s view of the risks jail for complain- road is an off ence.” AFP arch’s direct control in Oc- Aing on Facebook that he The offi cer, speaking on Bangkok tober by royal decree, only had been given a traffi c ticket condition of anonymity, said a few months after the May because he is Buddhist. the motorist misled social coronation. Amid a fi erce debate on re- media users by claiming the he very public down- It is unclear how many sol- ligious freedoms in the Indian police action was against fall of the Thai king’s diers are in each regiment, but An aerial view of a fire on a pipeline owned by PT Pertamina in Cimahi near Bandung, West Java province, Ocean nation, the motorist Buddhism. T34-year-old consort – experts say a single division yesterday. now faces court action for the He said the post had pro- stripped of all royal titles and holds up to 5,000 troops. traffi c off ence and the Face- voked hatred against the au- military ranks by a late-night The troop transfer saw book post in which he said he thorities and caused religious command – left the country pushback from the youth- had been persecuted for plac- tensions. open-mouthed yesterday at propelled Future Forward ing a Buddha statue on his “We are prosecuting the the latest abrupt act from its Party in parliament who ques- dashboard. driver under the ICCPR Act monarch. tioned the “urgency” of such The post has been widely (International Covenant on Former royal bodyguard a move – an unprecedented Indonesia pipeline political objection to a royal shared on social media, with Civil and Political Rights),” the and army nurse Sineenat many lambasting authorities offi cial said. Wongvajirapakdi was dis- command. over the case. A conviction under this law missed from the rank of Chao But the decree still passed “They say Sri Lanka gives carries a penalty of up to 10 Khun Phra, or noble consort, with an overwhelming foremost place to Buddhism, years in prison. and accused of “disloyalty to majority. fi re kills worker Banking billions: King Va- but if you display a Buddha Sri Lankan roads are notori- the king”. statue you are fi ned,” one Fa- ously dangerous with at least Her whereabouts are un- jiralongkorn inherited one of Reuters tribution through the pipeline part of a busy toll road. cebook user said, using exple- eight people killed daily in the known but the announcement the world’s richest monar- Jakarta temporarily, a company spokes- The construction worker who tives against the authorities. country of 21mn. has set social media alight chies from his beloved father woman, Dewi Sri Utami, told was killed was a crane operator, “Sri Lanka bans Buddha It is common for drivers with speculation and intrigue Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died reporters. the local fi re department offi cial statues,” said Facebook page to display religious idols just sparked by the rare glimpse in October 2016. fi re broke out on a pipe- She said the company would said by telephone. “Bulto” which shared the above the windscreen hoping behind cloistered palace walls. Among his successor’s line operated by Indo- not comment on the cause of the Local media said the fi re had driver’s ticket and a picture of for divine protection. But it wasn’t the fi rst time earliest moves was to assert Anesian state oil and gas fi re until after it has carried out broken after drilling work was a Buddha statue. “The new- Safety features such as air- King Maha Vajiralongkorn has full, personal control over the company Pertamina in West an investigation and is focusing carried out as part of the con- est traffi c off ence, displaying bags and seat belts are manda- made his powerful presence Crown Property Bureau (CPB), Java province yesterday, killing for now on putting out the blaze. struction of a China-funded idols.” tory only for newer vehicles, felt since ascending the throne which has billions in assets in a Chinese construction worker, a Video footage showed thick $6bn high-speed railway project “The ticket was for not the while there is scant respect for in 2016. banks, companies and prime local fi re offi cial said. black smoke rising from one linking Jakarta and Bandung, the Buddha statue, but for violat- safety on overcrowded public Here are fi ve ways royal real estate. Pertamina halted fuel dis- side of a highway and engulfi ng capital of West Java. ing the Motor Traffi c Act by transport vehicles. power has been displayed un- The CPB committee was der Thailand’s new king so far, previously headed by the fi - from beefi ng up his security nance minister in an arrange- German arrested to taking direct control of a ment that gave a sheen of pub- fortune. lic oversight of a trust some in Thailand over ‘Disloyalty’ in palace: The experts estimate to be worth death of pensioner palace said Sineenat had not $30-$60bn. obeyed the king, had created The CPB’s full assets are Thailand to ban glyphosate privately held and remain a A German man has been arrested confl ict in the palace by going in Thailand on suspicion of above her authority, and had closely guarded secret. concealing a dead body, by acted “against the appoint- Haircuts and salutes: putting the corpse in a wooden ment of the Queen (Suthida) Discipline, protocol and loy- crate before disposing of it in a ... for her own ambitions”. alty are virtues state offi cials and other pesticides say the king insists upon, es- canal, police said yesterday. Her actions had also under- The 52-year-old was arrested last mined the monarchy, it said. pecially among royal guards. Saturday, Thai immigration police AFP Known as Koi, Sineenat is a Vajiralongkorn reminded told reporters. Bangkok qualifi ed pilot and was the fi rst members of his beefed-up de- The body is believed to be that of woman to receive the consort tail in April that their duty was a 77-year-old German woman. title in nearly a century. to “preserve the nation, coun- The two had flown to Thailand in hailand edged closer After she obtained it, the try, and monarchy”. May 2017 and had opened a bar yesterday to banning palace released images of The army introduced a new together, police said. Tglyphosate and two oth- a short-haired Sineenat in salute under Vajiralongkorn Thai police said they acted on er controversial pesticides de- combat fatigues shooting in which soldiers must puff the recommendation of German spite protests from farmers in weapons, fl ying a jet and pre- out their chests and jerk their police to arrest the man, who is a multi-billion-dollar agricul- paring to parachute from a heads to the side. wanted in Germany for credit ture industry aiming to be the plane, as well as holding the And the country’s police card fraud worth 6,000 euros “kitchen of the world”. king’s hand. force has adopted a uniform ($6,690). The woman’s relatives Agriculture employs 40% of It was a vivid contrast to crew-cut said to be at the in Germany had filed a missing Thailand’s population and the the swift dismissal, which has king’s request. person report after being unable Southeast Asian country is one gripped Thai Twitter users. Charter changes: Any major to contact her. of the world’s leading rice and #SaveKoi was one of the legal changes in Thailand re- Neither the alleged perpetrator sugar exporters. trending hashtags, while one quire the king’s signature. nor the victim can be named due It is also one of the biggest user said they felt “sorry” for But King Vajiralongkorn or- to strict German privacy laws. consumers of pesticides being Sineenat. dered rewrites to part of the According to the man’s Thai wife, banned or phased out in other Sineenat’s rapid fall from country’s new constitution, the victim died after slipping parts of the globe because of favour is not the only time the including a vaguely worded and falling in a bathroom at links to a variety of illnesses. Thai farmers arrive at the Ministry of Industry in support of certain pesticides during a government Thai public has been given a clause that says any unfore- their home in Chonburi, some Thailand’s National Haz- committee hearing in Bangkok yesterday. glimpse into the king’s dra- seen issues should be handled 90km south of Bangkok, in early ardous Substances Commit- matic personal life. based on “tradition”. January. tee voted to ban glyphosate ics say the weedkiller glyphosate several defeats in court that it agricultural production. Several relatives of his third They also scrap the need for She told police that her husband and chemicals paraquat and is a likely cause of cancer. plans to appeal against. Thailand’s health minister, wife Srirasmi were arrested the king, who spends much of had wrapped the body in a chlorpyrifos, offi cials said. Farming organisations and Austria became the fi rst Euro- who has argued the pesticides as part of a police corruption his time in Germany, to ap- blanket and placed it in a wooden “The ban will be eff ective on the chemical industry have pean Union member to forbid all put lives at risk, praised yester- probe and charged with lese point a regent when abroad. storage crate. December 1,” committee chair lobbied for the continued use glyphosate use in July, with restric- day’s move as “heroic” on his majeste. While Thailand’s constitu- He then took it by motorbike with Panuwat Triangjulsri, of the Min- of glyphosate, sold under the tions also in force in the Czech Re- Facebook page even as several Vajiralongkorn divorced her tional monarchy is nominally a sidecar to a canal, and threw the istry of Industry, told reporters. trade name Roundup made by public, Italy and the Netherlands. dozen farmers protested – cit- and she lost her royal titles, above politics, Vajiralongkorn body in, she said. Paraquat, a herbicide which Bayer subsidiary Monsanto. France is phasing it out by 2023. ing a rise in production costs. and pictures later circulated of has taken actions that many The background to the case is the US Centers for Disease In the US there are more than Vietnam banned all herbi- “If we don’t have the chemi- her with a shaven head. see as smudging the line. not clear, but police suspect the Control calls “highly poison- 13,000 lawsuits with plaintiff s cides containing glyphosate cals to eradicate the weeds, we Army units: The palace Before the March 24 elec- man of wanting to take the older ous”, has been banned in Europe claiming glyphosate caused soon after the Roundup cases will have to use more labour- has also stepped up royal se- tion he torpedoed a bid by woman’s pension income for since 2007. diff erent kinds of cancer even in the US, but the decision was ers,” said Charat Narunchron curity under Vajiralongkorn, his older sister to become himself. Studies have linked the pesti- though it is widely used in swiftly denounced by the US of a farmers’ association in adding 1,600 police offi cers. prime minister at the head of They are investigating whether cide chlorpyrifos to developmen- agriculture there. Secretary of Agriculture, who Chanthaburi province, who Two new army units were an anti-junta party, calling it she was murdered. (DPA) tal delays in children, while crit- The company has suff ered said it would impact global called the ban “unfair”. later put under the mon- “highly inappropriate”. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 23, 2019 17 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) listens to the speech of Emperor Naruhito (centre) during the enthronement ceremony where emperor off icially Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako depart Akasaka Palace for the court banquet at the Imperial proclaims his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo yesterday. Palace in Tokyo yesterday. Japan emperor Naruhito completes enthronement in ancient ceremony

AFP Tokyo

apan’s Emperor Naruhito completed his ascension to Jthe Chrysanthemum throne yesterday in a ceremony steeped in the traditions and grandeur of a monarchy that claims 2,000 years of history. The rituals cemented a transi- tion that began with his father’s abdication earlier this year, and drew royalty and political leaders from around the world. A public parade for the event was postponed after a deadly ty- phoon, but the government went ahead with the granting of par- dons for more than half a million people convicted of minor of- fences including traffi c violations. The main event took place in the Imperial Palace’s Pine Room, where royal attendants drew back purple curtains hanging from two Sayyid Assad bin Tariq bin Taimur al-Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Co-operation heavily adorned structures hous- Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Queen Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah arrive to Aff airs and Special Representative for the Sultan of Oman (right) arrives at the Imperial Palace for the court ing the imperial thrones, revealing attend the enthronement ceremony. banquet in Tokyo yesterday. the emperor and empress stand- ing inside. mushi” steamed egg custard dish the royals quietly moving out of released by national broadcaster “I hereby declare my en- and clear soup with Japanese lob- the room. Outside, a small crowd NHK on the eve of the ceremony thronement at home and abroad,” ster and matsutake mushrooms. of well-wishers gathered despite found 70% of voters in the coun- Naruhito said, dressed in a volu- Standing before him, fl anked by driving rain that forced the palace try hold “friendly or favourable” minous draped robe topped with royal family members also wear- to move some of the guests inside. views towards the imperial family. a copper overcoat. ing heavily decorated traditional They watched the ceremony on But despite the support, the Empress Masako, a Harvard- robes, Prime Minister Shinzo their phones outside and listened monarchy that is sometimes de- educated former diplomat, stood Abe promised the people of Japan as a gun salute was sounded when scribed as the world’s oldest faces silently before her throne in a would “respect your highness the it was complete. other concerns, particularly suc- similar, smaller structure, wear- emperor as the symbol of the state “I feel as a Japanese person that cession. ing a multi-layered kimono and a and of the unity of the Japanese this is such a historic moment,” Emperor Naruhito and Em- highly stylised hairpiece. Naruhi- people.” said Kyoko Tanaka, 51. “I want the press Masako have one child, to pledged to “pray for the happi- He then raised his hands three royal couple to be a good example a 17-year-old daughter named ness of Japanese people and world times, shouting “Banzai!” or for Japanese people, like their Aiko. But imperial rules allow peace” and “fulfi l my duty as the “Long live the emperor!” predecessors were,” she added. only a man to ascend the throne, symbol of Japan and of the unity The solemn ceremony was Others too said they had felt and royal women lose their titles if of the people of Japan.” conducted almost entirely in si- compelled to come to the palace, they marry a commoner. In the evening, he hosted lence, with royal family members despite the parade being post- With Naruhito’s ascension, his around 400 of the assembled roy- gliding wordlessly into the room poned until November 10. “I know brother Akishino is now crown alty and dignitaries to a sumptu- and standing throughout. Only we can’t see the ceremony, but I prince. And Akishino’s son — ous banquet at the palace where the sounds of a gong and drum wanted to feel the atmosphere in 13-year-old Hisahito — is cur- traditional Japanese court music signalled the stages of the ritual, front of the palace,” Shoko Koeda rently the only other remaining was played and the guests were with a low, loud beat indicating said, watching the proceedings on successor. allowed to have closer views of the to guests representing around 180 her phone. “This is a historic mo- The question of altering the throne. countries and institutions that ment. I feel special.” succession rules has been raised According to local media, the it was time to stand and hear the The Japanese royal family — NHK found 74% support the dinner was Japanese style and proclamation. commands relatively broad sup- shift — but no formal moves have the menu included steamed aba- And it was over almost as soon port, although polls suggest the yet been made to make the chang- lone, smoked salmon, asparagus as it had begun, with attendants younger generation is less in- es. wrapped with beef, “chawan- closing the purple curtains and terested in the monarchy. A poll Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend the court banquet at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and his daughter Crown Princess Victoria attend the enthronement ceremony.

Netherlands’s King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima arrive at the Pakistan President Arif Alvi and his wife Samina Alvi leave after the enthronement ceremony of Japan’s Em- King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Imperial Palace for the court banquet in Tokyo yesterday. peror Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo yesterday. Bhutan arrive at the Imperial Palace for the court banquet in Tokyo. Gulf Times 18 Wednesday, October 23, 2019 BRITAIN Police to interview US diplomat’s wife over fatal crash AFP/Daily Mail Northamptonshire Police “We do understand from col- told Sky News television that ernment knew the US diplomat’s on diplomatic immunity, which emerged that Northamptonshire London Chief Constable Nick Adderley leagues in the US that the family the family were “disgusted” and wife was going to leave the coun- would stop family members hav- Police has handed over its fi le to said Sacoolas had asked to be in- is utterly devastated.” “appalled” at the suspect’s be- try – but was unable to stop her. ing such protection in future. the Crown Prosecution Service terviewed under caution by Brit- The accident took place near a haviour. He said the US government had In a statement to the Com- (CPS). The evidence includes he wife of a US diplomat ish offi cers, in the US. British airbase in Northampton- “I’m angry that someone could informed Foreign Offi ce offi cials mons, he said: “As this case has CCTV footage of Sacoolas driv- who became a police sus- “The suspect not being in the shire, central England, which is do this and then get on a plane in mid-September that Sacoolas demonstrated, I do not believe ing on the wrong side of the road. Tpect in Britain following county clearly frustrates the in- used by the US military as a com- and go,” he said. would go back to America ‘immi- the current arrangements are The CPS will review the evidence a fatal road crash will be inter- vestigation but it does not stop munications hub. The parents met with US Pres- nently’, following the crash. right and the review will look at and decide if it is strong enough for viewed in the US, the UK police it,” he said. Dunn’s Kawasaki motorbike ident Donald Trump last week, But Raab said attempts to have how we can make sure the ar- criminal charges to be brought. If the said yesterday. “Lawyers have clearly stated hit a Volvo sports utility vehicle calling him warm and welcom- her remain in the UK for ‘justice rangements at Croughton can- evidence passes that test, an extra- Harry Dunn, 19, died on Au- that the suspect wants to be per- travelling in the opposite direc- ing but criticising the White to be done’ over the Harry’s death not be used in this way again.” dition request could be made to the gust 27 after his motorbike col- sonally interviewed by offi cers tion, according to local police. House’s attempts to engineer a were unsuccessful and the police He said the review would be con- US for her arrest. lided with a car owned by US from Northamptonshire Police in The accident triggered a dip- snap meeting between them and were unable to legally prevent ducted before the end of the year. Harry’s parents say they be- citizen Anne Sacoolas, who later order for them to see her and the lomatic storm, with his family Sacoolas. Sacoolas from leaving. “Our view remains that justice lieve the US is “intent on ruth- left Britain claiming diplomatic devastation this has caused her demanding she return to Britain. Meanwhile Foreign Secretary Raab has announced that remains to be done,” he added. lessly and aggressively” protect- immunity. and her family. Dunn’s father, Tim Dunn, Dominic Raab revealed the gov- Britain was reviewing its policy His comments came after it ing Sacoolas. Extinction On the edge Rebellion protests cost police £37mn

Guardian News and Media they spend money. According to London a report by the European Com- mission in January our govern- ment spends £10.5bn a year sub- rotests by Extinction Re- sidising fossil fuels. bellion have cost the Met- “The prime minister recently Propolitan police £37mn reminded us that when Margaret so far this year but Britain’s Thatcher left offi ce 29 years ago, most senior offi cer has said she she was aware of the dangers of is against a ban on the climate global warming but the problem emergency group’s campaign of was fi led in the ‘pending’ tray.” disruption. Extinction Rebellion is con- Dame Cressida Dick said the sidering fresh action in the run- fortnight-long autumn demon- up to Christmas, but Dick said strations, which ended last week, she was against pre-emptively A fisherman floats in a boat close to a ‘plughole’ on a reservoir in Derbyshire. cost at least £21mn, a fi gure ex- curtailing its campaigns. pected to rise by several million. “Am I going to go to govern- It comes on top of the £16mn ment and say can we stop, please, spent on policing the group’s or could you change your policy? protests in April. Of course not, we are the police, Dick said the total so far was we are impartial, we’ve got a job higher than the £15mn spent to do.” every year on the Met’s violent The Met says it needs to bal- crime taskforce, which tries to ance the right to protest in a de- reduce the number of stabbings mocracy against the disruption it and other violent crime in Lon- may cause. Begum begins appeal don. During XR’s autumn cam- At a press briefi ng, Dick said paign, the Met made 1,828 ar- the force was so stretched offi c- rests and 164 charges have been ers did not see their families for laid so far. days. About 21,000 offi cers had The commissioner said that of been placed on 12-hour shifts, those convicted after the group’s and one had told the commis- protests in April, so far 384 had against citizenship loss sioner they worked 45 hours over paid costs and got a conditional three days. discharge. It left them with a Guardian News and Media If she was forced to go to Bang- last year, she was moved to anoth- zenship on February 19, 2019. Her turning to the UK. Extinction Rebellion has said criminal record, but some crit- London ladesh, her parents’ country of er camp, al-Roj, following threats youngest child died three weeks Begum has limited means of it is carrying out a campaign of ics question if the penalties are origin, she was at risk of being against her. She has denied com- later. In written submissions Tom communicating with her solicitor, civil disobedience to force radical enough of a deterrent, particu- hanged, the court was told. ments she initially made while in Hickman QC, representing Be- Daniel Furner, from the law fi rm reforms to address the climate larly for activists who may regard hamima Begum, the woman Begum, who was born in the UK, al-Hawl, saying that she had to gum, said she had spent her time Birnberg Peirce, Hickman said. emergency, with actions includ- criminal convictions in the fur- who left Britain as a school- grew up in east London. The court protect herself. in Syria waiting at home for her Lawyers for the Home Offi ce ing prolonged disruption at mul- therance of their cause as a badge Sgirl to join Islamic State in was told there was no evidence she In a later interview with the husband, who had been impris- did not immediately release their tiple sites across the capital. of honour. Syria, has launched an appeal had ever visited Bangladesh or ap- Daily Mail, the court was told, oned and accused of spying. Her submissions to the court. Dick said: “We are certainly at Dick confi rmed police and against the Home Offi ce’s move to plied for citizenship there. In Feb- Begum stated: “I hate the Dawla days were taken up with caring Bangladesh has offi cially de- a point where I would say to Ex- government offi cials were dis- revoke her citizenship and prevent ruary 2015, when she was 15, she (Isis’s name for itself) so much. I for her children. She did not speak nied Begum has dual citizenship, tinction Rebellion, this is placing cussing changes to public order her from returning to London. left her home with two other teen- hate these women and what they Arabic. saying she is a British citizen by a horrendous strain on London laws to deal with protests such At a partially secret hearing be- agers and travelled to Syria. stand for and what they believe in Conditions in al-Roj were birth and has never applied for and on the Met. as those of Extinction Rebellion, fore the Special Immigration Ap- She disappeared from western and that they think they can ter- reported to be “squalid” and Bangladeshi nationality. The “We have to, whatever the including ways to deter repeat peals Commission (Siac), lawyers sight until February 2019, when rorise anyone who does not share wretched. Hickman told the Home Offi ce’s decision to deprive cause, stop very serious disrup- off enders and disruption. Po- for Begum, who is now 20, alleged she was discovered by journalists their views.” court: “(Begum) intended to re- her of British citizenship therefore tion when it is unlawful, which it tential new off ences under con- she had been left stateless, was in al-Hawl refugee camp, in Syria, Siac is not considering whether turn to the UK when the British “rendered her stateless”, Hickman most patently is.” sideration include one of fi xing unable to mount a “fair and ef- following the collapse of the Isis. Begum poses a risk to national se- government, after hearing of that told the court. It was illegal, un- A spokesman for the group, things to the highway. fective” legal challenge and was During her time in Syria, Be- curity. It heard a short outline of intention, deprived her of her der international law, to make any Rob Cooper, said: “Perhaps this “We are not looking for ex- at risk of “death, inhuman or de- gum gave birth to three children, the case before going into secret British citizenship with the pur- citizen stateless and therefore the government should look at how traordinary powers,” Dick said. grading treatment”. all of whom have died. In February session. She was deprived of citi- pose of preventing her from re- decision was unlawful, he said.

Green number plates Bomber’s brother for eco-friendly cars

Daily Mail ate our progress. pleads not guilty London “Green number plates are a re- ally positive and exciting way to help everyone recognise the in- Guardian News and Media only to enter not guilty pleas to unsuccessful attempts to buy rivers of electric cars could creasing number of electric vehi- London all the charges. bomb-making chemicals. It is be given green number cles on our roads.” He was remanded in custody also alleged that Abedi assisted Dplates that allow them to The plan is modelled on a trial at Belmarsh prison in south-east in buying a Nissan Micra to store use bus lanes and park for free. in Ontario, Canada, where driv- he younger brother of the London and is due to go on trial device components, and made The scheme is part of a £1.5bn ers of electric vehicles were given Manchester Arena bomb- on January 13 at the Old Bailey. detonator tubes for use in the ex- drive to boost sales of electric ve- free access to toll roads and high- Ter has denied murdering The trial was due to start next plosive. hicles. occupancy vehicle lanes, resulting 22 people who were killed while month but has been delayed until Meanwhile Home Secretary Town halls will be encouraged in a spike in electric vehicle regis- leaving an Ariane Grande concert the new year. It is expected to last Priti Patel has confirmed that a to grant incentives to cars with trations. in 2017. between six and eight weeks. public inquiry into the attacks the green plates, such as free or Elisabeth Costa, senior director Hashem Abedi, now 22, also It took six minutes for the will take place as soon as possi- cheaper parking. Three designs are at the Behavioural Insights Team, pleaded not guilty to one count charges to be read out in court ble. She agreed a public inquiry being considered, the most radical which is part-owned by the Cabi- of attempted murder, encom- and for Abedi to enter not guilty should replace the inquest of which is an all-green plate. net Offi ce, said: “The number of passing all the injured victims, pleas to each one in turn. process, following last month’s If approved, it will be the fi rst clean vehicles on our roads is in- and conspiring with his brother He is accused of murdering ruling from Sir John Saunders, major change in plate design since creasing but we don’t notice as it’s to cause explosions. Elaine McIver, 43; Saffi e Roussos, the coroner of the Manchester 1969, when silver-on-black plates diffi cult to tell clean vehicles apart Abedi had travelled to Libya eight; Sorrell Leczkowski, 14; Arena inquest, certain highly were replaced with today’s yellow from more polluting ones. before his brother Salman Abe- Eilidh MacLeod, 14; Nell Jones, sensitive intelligence would and white refl ective versions. “Green number plates make di, 22, detonated an explosive 14; Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15; risk national security if it be- The other two proposed designs these vehicles, and our decision vest on May 22, 2017, causing Megan Hurley, 15; Georgina Cal- came public. feature a green stripe and green to drive in a more environmen- multiple deaths and injuring lander, 18; Chloe Rutherford,17; Patel said: “It is vital that those dot on the traditional plate. tally friendly way, more visible 260 people. Liam Curry, 19; Courtney Boyle, who survived or lost loved ones in Ministers have launched a 12- on roads. We think making the The defendant, who was raised 19; Philip Tron, 32; John Atkin- the Manchester Arena attack get week consultation on the plans changing social norm noticeable in Manchester, was extradited son, 26; Martyn Hett, 29; Kelly the answers that they need and with a view to introducing green will help encourage more of us to from Libya in July after being Brewster, 32; Angelika Klis, 39; that we learn the lessons, what- plates within 12 to 18 months. swap our cars for cleaner options.” detained there shortly after the Marcin Klis, 42; Michelle Kiss, ever they may be. This process Transport Secretary Grant But road campaigners warned the bombing. 45; Alison Howe, 45; Lisa Lees, is an important step for those Shapps said: “The UK is in the move could “foster resentment” Abedi, of no fi xed abode, ap- 43; Wendy Fawell, 50; and Jane aff ected as they look to move on driving seat of global efforts to among owners of petrol and die- peared at the Old Bailey in Lon- Tweddle, 51. from the attack and I know that tackle vehicle emissions and sel cars, particularly those who are don yesterday wearing a grey The defendant is accused of they want answers as quickly as climate change and improve air unable to aff ord the high up-front jumper and red T-shirt. He spoke making both successful and possible.” Hashem Abedi: denies charges quality, but we want to acceler- cost of switching to electric. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 23, 2019 19 BRITAIN/IRELAND William ‘concerned over troubled Prince Harry’

Daily Mail and his relationship with Wil- watching the documentary.” One said: “Actually I just think of their family talking like that on knows his brother will always be A source in the royal household London liam, saying they have “good Insiders told the BBC that Wil- there is a really deep sadness camera.” there for him, a suggestion that suggested the future king had days” and “bad days” and are liam was “worried” about his there. Things will never be the Harry and Meghan’s inter- was repeated to the Mail by royal watched it at home on Sunday travelling on “diff erent paths”. brother, hopes he is “all right”, same again, clearly.” views, which aired on Sunday sources, who said that William, night along with the rest of the na- rince William was said to Meghan revealed that friends and thinks the suggestion that The source added: “People will night, triggered a huge public de- 37, would “always have his back”. tion. Buckingham Palace declined be “concerned” for his had warned her about marrying Harry and Meghan want a six- debate what he (Harry) said about bate about their roles in the royal It is clear, however, that the to comment. In the one-hour Pbrother Harry after he into the royal family, while Harry week break from royal duties is their relationship, although the family, with several commenta- two brothers’ relationship is un- documentary, Harry and Meghan: bared his soul in an emotional described the way he dealt with probably a “good thing” as they truth is, as he said, that they are tors expressing concern for them, likely ever to be the same again An African Journey, presenter Tom interview. the pressures of his life as a ques- are in “a fragile place”. on diff erent paths and don’t see but one suggesting they should even if the “rift” between them, Bradby followed the couple and A source said William hoped tion of “constant management”. But royal sources scotched talk as much of each other as they “stop whingeing”. which began in the run-up to their young son Archie on their Harry and his wife Meghan were Describing how William felt of William being “furious” about used to. Harry admitted in the docu- Harry’s wedding last year, has tour of the continent. “all right” after both told of their at seeing his younger brother the timing of the programme, “But that doesn’t stop (him) mentary that he and his brother, been bridged by a fragile peace. Harry, 35, said he still felt grief struggles to cope as royals. clearly upset in the programme, which ITV began trailing toward being concerned about his who were once inseparable, now No one the Mail spoke to could over the death of his mother Di- In the ITV documentary, the a senior royal source said: “He is the end of his own successful tour brother. I think it would be dif- have their “good days” and “bad confi rm whether William saw the ana, describing it as “a wound prince spoke of his mental health concerned, as anyone would be of Pakistan with his wife Kate. fi cult for anyone to see a member days”. But he insisted that he documentary in advance. that festers”.

Energy suppliers MPs reject to face tougher checks Johnson’s bid

Guardian News and Media London to fast-track nergy suppliers could be blocked from taking on Etoo many customers un- der proposals designed to ensure fast-growing companies are fi - nancially fi t to handle expan- sion. Brexit deal Ofgem, the industry regula- tor, plans to run fi nancial health Guardian News and Media and loopholes closed to avoid the would not leave without a deal. checks on growing energy star- London threat of a no-deal Brexit once and Hammond told the Times the tups before they reach a certain for all.” bill was “a camoufl age to a no-deal number of customers after more Labour whips had earlier of- Brexit at the end of 2020”. Stew- than a dozen company failures in oris Johnson’s plan to fast- fered to discuss an alternative art, another of the 21 Tories who the sector in the past two years. track his Brexit deal through programme motion with the gov- had the party whip withdrawn last If the suppliers fail the test they Bparliament in time for next ernment, but Johnson was deter- month, said he and some of his fel- will be barred from taking on more week’s October 31 deadline has mined to make a fi nal attempt to low rebels had negotiated through customers and forced to prove been rejected by MPs, even after achieve his “do or die” deadline of the night to give parliament more they are fi nancially fi t before he threatened to pull his deal and leaving the EU on Halloween. control over the next phase of the growing past the next threshold. press for a general election. It is unclear whether the prime Brexit negotiations, including be- Ofgem said it would put the After a day of cajoling and in- minister will pull his deal and ask ing able to vote for an extension to checks in place before a supplier ducements from the prime min- parliament to back a general elec- the talks. reaches 50,000 customers, and ister and the Conservative whips, tion instead. During six hours of debate in again at 150,000 and 250,000. the government lost a crunch vote The EU27 now appears likely to the Commons yesterday, Dominic The next threshold would be set by 322 to 308 – a majority of 14. grant the delay to Brexit requested Grieve, the former Tory attorney between 500,000 and 800,000. The legislation was only pub- in the letter the prime minis- general, accused the prime minister The regulator may also de- lished late on Monday, and the ter reluctantly sent on Saturday of “bullying” tactics. mand that suppliers write a “liv- Chancellor, Sajid Javid, declined evening, in compliance with the The Justice Secretary Robert ing will” that sets out how they to publish an economic analysis of Benn act. Buckland, winding up the debate would continue to provide cus- the deal. Even some MPs minded The rebellion against the pro- for the government, made a last- tomers with a good service as to back Johnson’s deal said they gramme motion was led by the minute concession to soft-Brexit well as an “orderly exit” if it can- could not accept such a truncated former Tory chancellor Philip Tories. not survive in the market. debate. Hammond, and one of Johnson’s In response to a question from Mary Starks, an executive direc- The House of Commons had leadership rivals, Rory Stewart. his predecessor David Gauke, he tor at Ofgem, said the plans would earlier backed the second reading They were keen to secure reas- said the government would bring create more accountability in the of the withdrawal agreement bill, surances that if the government forward an amendment off ering energy market and reduce the risk by 329 votes to 299. had not succeeded in negotiating MPs a vote on extending the tran- and cost of further collapses. That appeared to signal there a free trade agreement with the sition period by July next year, and The tougher standards for ex- was a potential majority for the EU27 by the end of 2020, the UK that it would abide by it. isting energy providers follow prime minister’s deal, although proposals to raise entry require- some of the Labour MPs who sup- Transition talks ‘likely to exceed 2020 deadline’ ments for new suppliers to stem ported it said they could withdraw the rise of unsustainable fi rms. their backing at a later stage in its Michel Barnier has fuelled MPs’ market and customs union but The regulator encouraged a progress through the House of fears of a no-deal Brexit at the not be part of the EU’s decision- large number of startups to enter Commons if they were unable to end of 2020 after suggesting making bodies, finishes at the the market to increase competi- amend it. future negotiations on a trade end of December 2020. The tion and drive better customer MPs have tabled a string of deal might require more than withdrawal agreement allows service. However, it exposed amendments, on issues includ- three years of talks. Speaking for the transition period to be customers to a raft of unsustain- ing a customs union, environ- to the European parliament, extended by “one to two years” able energy suppliers, many of mental standards, and avoiding the EU’s chief Brexit negotia- but Boris Johnson has said he which gave poor customer serv- the risk of a no-deal exit at the tor appeared to concede the will not trigger such a prolonga- ice before going bust. end of 2020. 14-month transition period tion. There is growing concern Fourteen suppliers have The Labour leader, Jeremy Cor- would not allow time to reach among MPs that voting through crashed out of the market since byn, said: “We will seek a very agreement on a new trade and the withdrawal agreement January 2018. In August, thou- clear commitment to a customs security arrangement. He said without amendment will create sands of homes and hundreds of union, a strong single market rela- such talks could take “three a new cliff -edge over which companies were left without an tionship, hardwired commitments years or more”. The current pro-Brexit MPs could manoeu- energy provider when Solarplic- on workers’ rights, non-regres- transition period, during which vre to get the UK out of the EU’s ity collapsed. An anti-Brexit protester demonstrates outside the Houses of Parliament in London yesterday. sion of environmental standards, the UK will stay in the single structures without a deal.

Parents have duty to give Varadkar sorry for kids MMR jab: minister cancer test failures AFP have provided a diff erent result Dublin or a warning of increased risk or Daily Mail dose of the MMR jab until they He accused parents who avoid evidence of developing cancer,” London are about 13 months old, as it is vaccinations – known as ‘anti- Ireland’s Cervical Check pro- unlikely to be eff ective if given vaxxers’ – of both ignorance and rish Prime Minister Leo Var- gramme said in a statement in earlier. complacency. adkar yesterday issued a for- May 2018. arents who shun the MMR Other young children may be Last month Hancock revealed Imal state apology to women The scandal came to light fol- jab are endangering the advised to avoid the jab, includ- he was taking legal advice about whose cervical cancer diagnoses lowing the case of Vicky Phelan Plives of babies and seri- ing those with cancer, leukaemia, introducing compulsory child- were delayed by failures in a na- — a cancer patient whose 2014 ously ill children, the health sec- severe asthma or organ trans- hood vaccinations. Countries tional screening programme. diagnosis was delayed by an in- retary warned. plant recipients. including France and the US have “On behalf of the state, I apol- accurate smear reading in 2011. Matt Hancock says unvac- The latest NHS fi gures show that already made certain jabs man- ogise to the women and their Phelan brought a case against cinated youngsters may catch the number of children receiving datory for all children in state loved ones who suff ered from a Ireland’s Health Services Execu- measles themselves and then the two doses of the MMR jab – for schools. litany of failures in how cervical tive and a testing laboratory to infect vulnerable, high-risk pa- measles, mumps and rubella – is at But doctors say imposing such screening in our country oper- the country’s high court, win- tients. its lowest in seven years. In some laws in UK would have adverse ated over many years,” Varadkar ning a 2.5mn euro ($2.8mn) set- He said that while parents parts of England – including mid- consequences and create mis- said in parliament. tlement against the lab. might think their decisions on dle-class London boroughs – a third trust among families. The de- “We say sorry to those whose She refused to sign a non- jabs are a “personal choice” and of fi ve-year-olds have not received partment of health said compul- lives were shattered, we say sorry disclosure agreement and the “nobody else’s business”, they in their vaccinations. sory vaccinations would be a last to those whose lives were de- systemic failures of the scheme fact have a “moral” duty. Cases of measles and mumps resort if other policies to improve stroyed and to those whose lives came to national attention in Writing for the Mail, Hancock have surged in recent years and uptake failed. could have been diff erent.” April 2018. stated: “The reality is that by both diseases can lead to fatal Figures from NHS Digital show An audit of smears from A scoping inquiry published choosing not to vaccinate their complications, including swell- that only 86% of fi ve-year-olds re- around 1,500 cervical cancer pa- in September 2018 uncovered own child, they are choosing to ing of the brain. ceived both doses of the MMR jab tients diagnosed from 2008 to issues “redolent of a whole- put the lives of vulnerable chil- The health secretary, who has in 2018-19, the lowest since 2011- 2018 found previous screening system failure” and a number of dren at risk – those either too three young children, said “the 12. But in the London boroughs of tests from approximately 200 women whose early smear tests young or too seriously ill to re- case for vaccination is not only Westminster, Hackney and Ken- women could have provided ear- were incorrectly read have since ceive the vaccine.” a scientifi c argument, but also a sington and Chelsea, up to 36% of lier detection. died following battles with can- Babies do not receive the fi rst moral one”. children have not been immunised. Matt Hancock: warns parents “The screening test could cer. Gulf Times 20 Wednesday, October 23, 2019 EUROPE

Opposition challenges Two held after Oslo Polish election results Reuters upper house seats, has made Warsaw overtures to opposition sena- tors in an attempt to establish a working majority. oland’s opposition chal- The opposition was request- lenged results in three ing either a recount with votes Pdistricts in elections for deemed invalid allocated to ambulance rampage parliament’s upper house yes- them or a re-run of the votes terday, setting the scene for in those districts, with the Su- AFP accident, during which their ve- fi rmed that they were investigat- a dispute over a tight result a preme Court to decide on the Oslo hicle overturned. ing reports by local media about day after the ruling party sub- course of action, Civic Plat- When emergency services ar- the two suspects having links mitted requests for recounts in form spokesman Jan Grabiec rived at the scene, the man stole with far-right organisations. other districts. said. orwegian police said yes- the ambulance while the woman The nature of the pair’s rela- Poland’s governing Law and “Our protests would take terday that they arrested fl ed. tionship was not known. Justice (PiS) party retained place regardless of whether or Nan armed man who stole “According to testimonies and In their attempts to stop the a majority in Poland’s lower not PiS submitted theirs. We an ambulance in Oslo then ran observations, the suspect delib- driver, police opened fi re several house after the October 13 have real grounds for our pro- down and slightly injured four erately drove on the sidewalk to times and the ambulance then elections, but narrowly lost it tests,” Marek Borowski, a sena- pedestrians, including twin ba- randomly hit victims,” Johan Fre- crashed into a gate outside a resi- in the Senate. tor from the opposition Civic bies. driksen, deputy commissioner of dential building. The ruling party has asked Coalition grouping which in- His motivations were not im- the Oslo Police, said. Television images showed a the Supreme Court to approve cludes Civic Platform, told re- mediately known but the Oslo The incident took place in a heavily damaged Mercedes am- recounts in six electoral dis- porters. police said on Twitter that they residential neighbourhood in bulance with what appeared to tricts. Opposition protests centred had “no information for now in- northern Oslo. be several bullet holes in the front The loss of the Senate ma- around the allegedly mistaken dicating that this is terror-relat- Students at a nearby school left door. jority coupled with a smaller use or confusing positioning of ed”. and daycare centre were ordered A large number of police offi c- than hoped for majority in the logos on ballot papers, as well “What was the purpose? What to remain indoors for hours. A man is arrested by the police after hijacking an ambulance in Oslo. ers, some of them heavily-armed, lower house came as a blow as that PiS did not announce was the motive? We cannot an- During his rampage, the man were deployed at the scene, and a to PiS, which had hoped for a early enough its replacement swer this at such an early stage hit a woman with a pram carrying ries,” the Oslo University Hospi- Offi cers later also detained the helicopter hovered overhead for a stronger mandate to continue for a candidate who had died. of the investigation,” senior Oslo two seven-month-old twins, and tal said in a Twitter post. woman, a 25-year-old Norwe- while. its overhauls of the justice sys- The Supreme Court has up police offi cer Grete Lien Metlid an elderly couple had to throw The man also fi red a gun from gian who appeared to be “under Norway has experienced sev- tem, media and cultural insti- to 90 days to rule on the valid- said at a press conference. themselves out of the way. behind the wheel of the ambu- the infl uence” at the time of the eral terrorist attacks by right- tutions. ity of elections. Police confi rmed that they had The woman and the babies lance at the offi cers dispatched to fi rst accident. wing extremists, including the Opposition parties hold 48 “We have nothing to hide, also arrested a woman linked to had to be taken to a hospital but stop him. Investigators said they had July 2011 twin attacks by Anders of 100 seats in the upper house, if somebody wants interna- the male suspect accused of at- escaped without any severe in- After the ambulance crashed found two fi rearms, one shotgun Behring Breivik that left 77 peo- but wield a majority thanks to tional checks we have noth- tempted murder. juries. into a building, police arrested and an Uzi submachine gun, and ple dead. three independent senators ing against that,” PiS deputy Prior to the rampage, the pair “Fortunately we can now con- the 32-year-old Norwegian man, suspected narcotics at the scene However, there have been no who are broadly supportive. spokesman Radoslaw Fogiel – who both have criminal records fi rm that the two twins ... are who was already known to the where the ambulance was stolen. attacks carried out by Islamist Polish media have reported was quoted saying by state-run – had been involved in another considered to have minor inju- authorities. The authorities have con- extremists on Norwegian soil. that PiS, which also holds 48 news agency PAP. German farmers stage tractor protest Russia discovers AFP The protesters are furious at “Tuesdays for Farmers”, DPA Berlin a new package of regulations news agency reported, in a play introduced by Chancellor An- on the “Fridays for Future” fi ve Arctic gela Merkel’s government last strikes calling for action against housands of farmers month, which includes plans to climate change. drove their tractors into ban the controversial weedkiller Many farmers have said they islands TGerman cities yesterday, glyphosate by 2023 and limits are fed up with “farmer bashing” in protest at the government’s the use of fertiliser to reduce ni- by environmental activists, who new agricultural policies which trate levels in groundwater. they say have made agricultural AFP they say will hurt their liveli- Glyphosate, sold under the businesses the bogeyman in the Moscow hoods and make them scape- trade name Roundup, has been climate debate. goats for climate change. blamed for plummeting insect German Agriculture Minister Long convoys of tractors held populations and according to Julia Kloeckner voiced support ussia’s navy said yester- up traffi c at the main protest some studies causes cancer in for the farmers. day that it had discovered sites in Berlin and Bonn, both humans, but supporters of the “They make the food we eat, Rfi ve new islands revealed home to federal government widely used product insist it is a they work hard, but they are by melting glaciers in the remote offi ces, while thousands more safe and eff ective tool to ensure seen by some as nothing more Arctic. honked their horns and blocked agricultural productivity. than ‘polluters’ or ‘animal abus- An expedition in August and roads in cities including Mu- The new restrictions “mean ers’. And that is neither right nor September charted the islands, nich, Hanover and Stuttgart. we would have to start working fair,” she told the Bild daily. which have yet to be named and “Agricultural regulations are as an organic company, which Angry farmers took to the were previously hidden under becoming ever more strict ... is very diffi cult in our region”, streets in similar protests in glaciers, said the head of the and threatening our existence,” said Bernard Kalies, a fruit and France yesterday (see accom- northern fl eet, Vice-Admiral Al- said 19-year-old Tom Hollstein, vegetable farmer near the border panying report below), while exander Moiseyev. who hung a doll dressed as a with Poland. Dutch farmers have staged two “Mainly this is of course farmer from a makeshift gallows One of the demonstrators in nationwide demonstrations in A woman walks past tractors caused by changes to the ice sit- on the back of his vehicle. Bonn held up a sign that read recent weeks. during a protest in Bonn by uation,” Moiseyev, who headed farmers against the German the expedition, said at a press government’s agricultural conference in Moscow. “Before policy. these were glaciers; we thought they were (part of) the main gla- French farmers rail against Right: A farmer blocks a road cier. Melting, collapse and tem- with his tractor with a dummy perature changes led to these and a sign reading ‘Today it’s islands being uncovered.” him, tomorrow it might be Glacier loss in the Arctic in govt over falling revenues me’ during a demonstration in the period from 2015 to 2019 was Nimes, southern France. more than in any other fi ve-year period on record, a United Na- AFP offi ce as the protests began on andez, president of the Young cess of the fi lm Au Nom de la tions report on global warming Paris Monday night. Farmers association in the Terre (In the Name of the Earth), said last month. Another asked “France, do southern Gard department. which recounts the true story Russia has opened a string of you still want farmers?” refer- “Every day a farmer takes his of a farmer driven to suicide by “Farmers are deeply angry tening to farmers’ demands, in military and scientifi c bases in undreds of farmers ring to regulations, price wars own life, and it seems that Em- ever-increasing demands on his inside, they keep taking it on particular by passing a food law the Arctic in recent years, with rolled out tractors to and global trade deals many say manuel Macron’s government operations. the chin, and they need to ex- aimed at giving farmers more interest in the region growing Hstage protests at gov- are stifl ing their ability to make isn’t aware of the problem,” she Many farmers say they are press their exasperation with the pricing control against large as rising temperatures open up ernment offi ces across France a living. said. being targeted by unreasonable government’s inconsistencies,” retailers who enjoy huge profi t shipping routes and make hith- yesterday, railing against meas- It was the second mass protest French health authorities con- restrictions on the use of pesti- Christiane Lambert, head of the margins. erto inaccessible mineral re- ures that they say are crimping this month, after an estimated fi rmed in July that the number of cides, as well as by vegan activ- FNSEA farmers’ federation, told However, Agriculture Minis- sources easier to exploit. revenues and contributing to a 10,000 farmers blocked high- suicides among farmers reached ists denouncing the raising of CNews television. ter Didier Guillaume acknowl- This summer’s expedition to spike in suicides in the sector in ways across France on October 8. 605 in 2015, the most recent year livestock. “We get the feeling that agri- edged yesterday that for many two archipelagoes – Franz Josef recent years. “We’re demanding an end to of data available, after staying Despite working long hours culture is caught in a vice, and farmers the law has not done Land and Novaya Zemlya – in- “Macron, answer us!” read ‘agri-bashing’, to stop making stable at around 150 a year from year-round, their revenues of- that no one understands the risk enough. volved some 60 people including a banner in Le Mans, western our jobs more and more diffi - 2007 to 2011. ten barely cover their costs: of our lands emptying out be- “The numbers don’t add up” civilians from the Russian Geo- France, as farmers dumped hay cult, to stop putting spokes in The subject, long taboo in More than 30% of farmers earn cause dozens of farms are disap- for many, Guillaume said on LCI graphic Society and was the fi rst and dug up a roundabout in our wheels and blaming us for the sector, has made headlines just €350 a month, according to pearing,” she said. television, vowing to “harden aboard a rescue towboat instead front of the regional government everything,” said Delphine Fern- in recent weeks with the suc- Social Security fi gures. The government says it is lis- things up politically”. of an icebreaker. Louvre blockbuster: honouring Leonardo da Vinci 500 years on

By Gina Doggett, AFP scripts, sculptures and other which runs until February 24. ruvian Man drawing. It was fi nally resolved with Paris objets d’art. The other notable no-show Last week an Italian court re- Paris pledging to loan several The show walks the visitor is the Salvator Mundi, the work jected a bid by an association Raphaels to Rome next year, the through the timeline of the mas- that became the most expen- advocating for the protection of quincentenary of that artist’s blockbuster retrospec- ter’s peripatetic life under the sive painting ever sold when it Italy’s heritage – Italia Nostra death. tive of Leonardo da Vinci tutelage of dukes, princes and fetched $450mn (€400mn) at a (Our Italy) – to block the loan of The Vitruvian Man – which Aopens tomorrow at the kings, from Florence to Milan, Christie’s auction in 2017. the work dating from the late 15th Italian media say is insured for Louvre museum to mark 500 Venice and Rome, and fi nally Mystery now surrounds the century, arguing that it was too at least €1bn – joined the Louvre years since the death of the Ren- France, where he spent the last painting – whose authenticity is fragile to travel. show with just days to spare be- aissance master in the historic three years of his life. disputed by some experts – as it A spat over Italy’s contribu- fore the opening. town of Amboise, France. Two works are missing from has not been seen in public ever tions to the Louvre show erupted It will stay only eight weeks Nearly 200,000 people have the show, starting with the Mona since the stunning sale. late last year when the new pop- rather than the full four months. already reserved their place in Lisa. Offi cially, it was to be displayed ulist rulers in Rome took issue The drawing, kept in a cli- line for the exhibition, the big- Organisers decided the world’s at the Louvre Abu Dhabi but an with the previous government’s mate-controlled vault in the gest ever organised to showcase most famous painting should unveiling set for September 2018 agreement with Paris. Accademia Gallery in Venice, is the Tuscan polymath’s indel- Visitors discuss a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci’s, the Portrait remain in the Louvre’s Salle des was inexplicably postponed. Lucia Borgonzoni, the number rarely displayed to the public. ible contributions to humanity – d’Isabelle d’Este, during the opening of the exhibition yesterday. Etats – its normal home – to help The Louvre said the museum’s two in Italy’s culture ministry The exhibition curated by the with an emphasis on his painting. avoid overcrowding. request to borrow the work is still and a member of the anti-immi- Louvre’s Vincent Delieuvin and A decade in the planning, the The British Museum, the Her- Paris over the loans. As it is, the masterpiece at- pending. gration League party, argued that Louis Frank, the heads of the show simply titled Leonardo da mitage of Saint Petersburg and The exhibition in the Hall Na- tracts nearly 30,000 people a day. The fi nal act in the dispute be- the accord was lopsided in favour museum’s painting and graphic Vinci groups 162 works, includ- the Vatican have also contrib- poleon features 11 of the fewer The Mona Lisa’s ineff able tween Paris and Rome over Italy’s of France. arts departments, includes infra- ing 24 drawings loaned by Queen uted, as well as, of course, Italy than 20 paintings defi nitively at- smile will however beguile visi- contributions to the show came At the height of the row, it ap- red refl ectographs that off er an Elizabeth II of Britain from the – after a sometimes acrimonious tributed to the Renaissance mas- tors in a virtual reality experience with a last-minute legal eff ort to peared that Italy would cancel insight into the master painter’s Royal Collection. tug-of-war between Rome and ter, as well as drawings, manu- at the end of the Leonardo show, block the loan of the iconic Vit- the accord altogether. techniques. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 23, 2019 21 INDIA

We have not fl ed country, says spiritual leader after raids

Agencies “godmen” to have fallen foul of were seized. Cash receipts and world, promote the concept of media reports claiming they had and which teaches courses in the poor and vulnerable for power, New Delhi the law in recent years for crimes investment and business docu- “oneness philosophy” and re- fl ed India. spirituality – attracting students fame and money. from rape to murder to fraud. ments worth Rs400 crore were ceive millions of dollars in dona- “We will not leave you, we from across the globe. In 2017 Gurmeet Ram Rahim The raids on properties be- also recovered,” a tax offi cial said. tions every year. will not abandon you. Things Media reports said a glimpse Singh was convicted of raping nvestigators seized more than longing to Bhagavan – whose The offi cial said the group had Bollywood actor Shilpa Shet- will continue as usual, things are of the couple in a crowded room two of his disciples, prompt- $14mn in cash, gold and dia- group is accused of tax eva- been suppressing fi nancial infor- ty and fashion designer Donna continuing as usual,” an appar- costs $60 while a one-on-one ing riots by tens of thousands of Imonds after raiding 40 prop- sion and amassing unaccounted mation for years and channelling Karen are said to have stayed at ently unfazed Naidu said, wear- meeting with the guru sets fol- people in several states that left erties belonging to a spiritual wealth up to of Rs6bn ($75mn) money through shell companies his ashrams a decade ago, and ing his trademark white dress lowers back by $700. 40 people dead. guru with a worldwide following, – involved 300 investigators and into real estate and to foreign he also claims other celebrities and with a gold-bordered cloth Gurus off er spiritual enlighten- In January he was sentenced to offi cials said yesterday. took place over fi ve days in three countries. and politicians among his fol- draped over his shoulder. ment and help huge numbers of life imprisonment for murdering Vijayakumar Naidu, known southern states. The 70-year-old guru and his lowers. His son runs several real estate devotees in India with their fi nan- a journalist who exposed ram- as Kalki Bhagavan, a former in- “$2.5mn in cash and gold wife Amma, who claim to have The couple issued a video companies and the Oneness Uni- cial, physical and mental problems pant sexual abuses at his luxuri- surance agent is one of several weighing 90kg and diamonds millions of followers across the statement on Monday denying versity – spread over 400 acres but are often accused of preying on ous sect headquarters in Punjab.

Government and Facebook spar over decryption laws in top court

Agencies The case went to the Supreme New Delhi Court after Facebook in August asked the top court to hear all cases concerning privacy and ndia’s government asked Fa- curbs on social media usage, lo- cebook Inc yesterday to help cal media reported. Iit decrypt private messages WhatsApp has been trying to on its network, citing national fi nd ways to prevent its misuse, security requirements in a court following concerns that the plat- hearing on privacy rights on so- form was being used to spread cial media platforms. disinformation, but has said it Attorney General K K will not dilute end-to-end en- Venugopal told the Supreme cryption. Court that it was the responsi- Rohtagi said local laws neither bility of social media companies mandated companies to share to share data wherever there was data with government agencies, a threat to national security. nor placed the onus of facilitat- “A terrorist cannot claim pri- ing a process of decrypting mes- vacy,” Venugopal said. sages on them. “For Facebook and WhatsApp “The rules say if I have the key, A bank employee reads a newspaper in front of a United Bank of India branch building during a day-long strike against mergers of several state-run banks, in Kolkata, yesterday. to say they cannot decrypt is not I could give the key. But I don’t acceptable.” have the key myself,” Rohtagi Facebook-owned WhatsApp, said, referring to Facebook or which has about 400mn users in WhatsApp servers which are lo- India, allows groups of hundreds cated outside of India. of users to exchange texts, pho- The Supreme Court said it will tos and videos using end-to-end now consolidate all pending cas- encryption, beyond the oversight es on the issue from lower courts of independent fact checkers or across the country and hear it 300,000 bank workers even the platform itself. beginning the last week of Janu- The government said in an af- ary. fi davit it planned to frame new Tushar Mehta, a lawyer for the rules to govern social media government, said there was no “keeping in view the ever grow- intention to invade into personal ing threats to individual rights lives of citizens, and India mere- and nation’s integrity, sover- ly wanted to guard its citizens strike against mergers eignty, and security.” against extremism. “They can’t come into the Mehta, who is the solicitor Agencies banking assets in the country the protests would not derail the “However, RBI offi cials in- 73-year-old woman in Solapur country and say we will estab- general, told the court that no Mumbai and also have a lion’s share in the merger plans. formed the delegation that it died on Sunday after her daugh- lish an non-decryptable system,” intermediary can claim to be safe nearly $150bn of soured loans in “We have seen that the unions was waiting for an internal in- ter’s savings of around Rs2.25 Venugopal said, referring to big and secure if they fail to provide the banking sector. had taken similar steps even in quiry report of the PMC Bank crore were in the PMC Bank. Internet platforms. details of terrorists and anti-na- early 300,000 employ- The sector suff ered from out- the last round of merger which which is expected to be submit- Her son-in-law in Mumbai But Facebook’s lawyer Mukul tional people. ees of state-run banks of-control lending in 2006-11 included the State Bank of India ted by the weekend. That report said Bharati Sadrangani had Rohtagi told the court the com- He also stressed a balance Nwent on strike yester- when the economy grew rapidly, and then in the case of Bank of will be discussed with the gov- been anxiously calling her fam- pany was not obliged to share between national interest, sov- day against government plans to and has continued to struggle. Baroda but it quietly died down ernor who is likely to return this ily regularly inquiring about the users’ data with the Indian gov- ereignty of the country and pri- consolidate the sector through Employees stayed away from later,” said the chief executive week before any fi nal decision status of the money and had col- ernment. vacy. mergers as part of eff orts to en- work across the country and offi cer of a public sector bank, is taken,” the PMC Bank De- lapsed after suff ering a heart at- “No intermediary can say that sure stronger balance sheets. joined in protest marches. requesting anonymity. positors’ Association convenor tack. in the guise of privacy, terrorist Prime Minister Narendra Services such as cash deposits Meanwhile, the aggrieved de- Vishwas Utagi said. This becomes the sixth PMC activities can be protected,” Me- Modi’s government has vowed and withdrawals, cheque clear- positors of the scam-hit Punjab Though RBI offi cials said Bank-related death in the past hta said. to cut the total number of ances, ATM operations were & Maharashtra Co-operative they would be making a media 10 days, and many more deposi- But Judge Deepak Gupta asked state-owned banks to 12, from aff ected, according to bank em- Bank Ltd found no solution at announcement in the matter tors, especially senior citizens, the government lawyers to ex- 27 in 2017, raising fears of job ployees. a meeting with Reserve Bank of soon, the agitating depositors are under great stress as the cri- plain why the onus of facilitating losses. C H Venkatachalam, general India (RBI) offi cials as the cen- set a deadline of October 30 for sis continues to drag on, Utagi decryption should be on the so- Under the current round of secretary of the All India Bank tral bank Governor Shaktikanta the RBI after which they would said. cial media companies. squeezing, 10 banks will be Employees Association (AIBEA), Das is touring abroad, repre- intensify their agitation, Utagi Meanwhile, scores of PMC He said the law allows the gov- amalgamated into four. said the plan was to expand the sentatives said yesterday. said. Bank depositors held another ernment to seek help to decrypt, “Government may call it a protest movement to other bank A delegation of the protesting Simultaneously pursuing le- noisy protest in Mumbai yester- but does not suggest the compa- merger but in reality it is cold- employees as well, taking it up to depositors, which was called by gal angles, Utagi fi led a public day and have vowed to continue nies do it for the government, he blooded murder of six banks,” a nearly a million workers to force the RBI for a meeting, was re- interest litigation and a writ pe- their demonstrations until the told Venugopal. release by the bank unions said. the government to reconsider its portedly assured of various op- tition on behalf of a school in the RBI or the government takes India’s flag is seen through a 3D “Nobody prevents you from The state-owned banks ac- decision. tions to revive the bank “as soon Bombay High Court. concrete measures to resolve the printed Facebook logo in this illus- having your own system of de- count for nearly two-thirds of A senior banker, however, said as possible”. In another development, a crisis. tration picture of April 8, 2019. cryption,” Gupta said. Traffi cking cases fall sharply, It’s neck-and-neck in but campaigners doubt fi gures Haryana: new exit poll IANS the results, Haryana will prove Chandigarh to be a tough challenge for the Reuters The data on traffi cking, usu- was astounding,” said an offi cial BJP and Congress, seeing a Mumbai ally released annually, is seen as who declined to be named from neck-and-neck fight, the India crucial to eff orts by charities and West Bengal, a common destina- new exit poll yesterday Today website said. organisations to stop the prac- tion for traffi cking victims. said the Bharatiya Ja- Another major prediction ases of human traffi ck- tice. Human traffi cking in West A nata Party and Congress made by the India Today-Axis ing in India have fallen Campaigners said a drop in Bengal plummeted to around 350 were locked in a close fight in My India exit poll is that Dush- Csharply according to new traffi cking cases was to be ex- cases in 2017 from over 3,500 in Haryana and the result could go yant Chautala’s Jannayak Ja- government data, but campaign- pected partly due to increased 2016, according to the data, re- either way. nata Party (JJP) would win 6-10 ers warned yesterday that the vigilance spurred by govern- leased on Monday after a delay of A day earlier, several opin- seats, while others are also like- fi gures may not refl ect the full ment-backed awareness cam- over a year. ion polls predicted the ruling ly to pick up the same number magnitude of the crime. paigns. The figures are broadly con- BJP will return to power with of seats. South Asia, with India at its Campaigner Digvijay Kumar sistent with the findings of a brute majority by winning 75 The exit poll predicted the centre, is one of the fastest- said, though, that traffi ckers had anti-slavery group Walk Free out of 90 seats. BJP to secure 33% votes, the growing regions for human traf- changed their tactics to circum- Foundation that reduced its The India Today-Axis My In- Congress 32% and the JJP fi cking in the world. vent authorities. estimate of enslaved people in dia exit poll yesterday showed 14%. Thousands of people – largely “Traffi ckers have changed India from 18mn in 2016 to 8mn the BJP was likely to win 32-44 The India Today-Axis My In- poor, rural women and children their mode of operating, dis- in 2017. seats. dia exit poll has also prepared a – are lured to cities each year carding known routes and fi nd- Campaigners said that esti- In the last assembly polls, the region-wise result for Haryana. by traffi ckers who promise good ing new ones. In many cases, the mates of the scale of human traf- BJP won 47 seats while the half- The India Today-Axis My In- jobs, but sell them into modern police are not registering cases fi cking in India should incorpo- way mark in the assembly is 45. dia exit poll used face-to-face day slavery. under traffi cking laws,” said Ku- rate data on missing children as The Congress on the other interviews with a questionnaire Figures released by the Na- mar of anti-traffi cking NGO In- kidnapped persons. hand is likely to win 30-42 in all 90 assembly seats in Har- tional Crime Records Bureau stitute for Development Educa- Saji Philip of anti-traffi cking seats. In the last election, the yana. The poll included a sam- late on Monday showed around tion and Action. charity International Justice party won just 15 seats. ple size of 23,118. 3,000 human traffi cking cases Home Ministry spokesman Mission said many cases could If the results of the India Seventy-two per cent of the were reported in 2017, a drop declined to comment on the data. be going undetected because BJP working president J P Nadda chairs a meeting of general Today-Axis My India exit poll respondents were in rural ar- of around 60% from just over “The success of our awareness traffi ckers increasingly operate secretaries of the party to discuss the possible post-poll scenarios at hold true tomorrow when the eas, while 28% were in urban 8,000 recorded in 2016. programme against traffi cking online. party headquarters in New Delhi yesterday. Election Commission declares centres. Gulf Times 22 Wednesday, October 23, 2019 INDIA

TRAGEDY CONTROVERSY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION CRIME IIT student dies after Dress like a typical Indian Boat with trapped bodies 2 of 4 girls missing from Chit fund firm chief arrested ‘falling’ from hostel roof to get driving licence retrieved from Godavari Bihar shelter home traced for duping investors in Odisha

A student of the Indian Institute of Technology Even though there is no dress code for driving Thirty-seven days after a boat carrying 77 Police claimed to have traced two of four girls Police have arrested the managing director of (IIT)-Bhubaneswar died after allegedly falling licence applicants, the men and women are people sank in Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh, who went missing from a state-run shelter a chit fund firm on charges of duping investors from the hostel roof, police said yesterday. advised to come in ‘proper dress’, said an a search team yesterday retrieved the badly- home in Motihari in Bihar on Monday. A police of over Rs5 crore, off icials said yesterday. Chirag Pravin Jain, a second year student of off icial in a Regional Transport Off ice (RTO) mangled vessel with some highly-decomposed off icer of the East Champaran district confirmed Manoranjan Ray, the managing director of Computer Science, was found dead on Monday in Chennai. “Whether it is men or women, bodies. A 40-member-strong team including that four girls had gone missing from the Inter Occean Videsh Limited, was arrested evening. Jain, from Pune in Maharashtra, was the general advice is to come in a proper personnel from Kakinada port and scuba divers shelter home. “The police got to know about the from New Delhi on Monday, they said. Police taken to hospital after he reportedly fell, but died dress,” the off icial told IANS. “Diff erent kinds succeeded in finally pulling out Royal Vasista incident from shelter home caretaker Madhu said Ray siphoned off investors’ deposits after during treatment. “A case of unnatural death of people come to the RTO daily. In order to near Kachuluru village in East Godavari district. Kumari. We immediately launched a search. One luring them with higher rates of returns and has been registered and we are investigating avoid any untoward incident the applicants Rescue workers were in the process of retrieving girl was recovered from Bariyarpur village and other off ers during 2010-13. The company later the case,” said Anup Sahu, Bhubaneswar deputy are advised to come in proper dress. Men the bodies, which have decayed beyond second from Chandrahiya village. The search closed the off ices and its employees left without commissioner of police. IIT Bhubaneswar in a who are in lungi and shorts are asked to come recognition. The number of bodies stuck in the for the two other girls is on,” police off icer repaying the investors, the police said. Ray was statement said the local police are investigating in proper attire,” the off icial said. According boat could not be ascertained immediately. Kanchan Bhaskar told IANS. Madhu Kumari brought on transit remand and presented before the matter. The parents of the student have been to reports, a woman wearing jeans and a The boat capsized near Kachuluru village on said both the missing girls were from the West a designated court in Cuttack yesterday. Earlier, informed about the incident, the institute said. sleeveless top was asked to come back September 15. While 26 tourists were rescued by Champaran district. “One of the missing girls is Sunita Samal, another director of the chit fund “This is indeed an irreparable loss to the institute properly dressed by an off icial in RTO off ice in villagers, the bodies of 38 others were retrieved pregnant,” she said. This is not the first time that company, was also arrested in connection with and the family,” it added in a statement. K K Nagar in Chennai. later. Another body was found two days ago. girls have fled from Bihar’s shelter homes. the case. Telangana bus employees mark protest with fl owers

IANS and bus stations. Hyderabad Though the Telangana High Court twice suggested to both parties to resolve the issue triking employees of state- through talks, no initiative was owned Telangana State taken by either side to break the SRoad Transport Corpora- impasse. JAC convener Ash- tion (TSRTC) adopted a novel wathama Reddy said they were way to protest yesterday as their ready for talks if the government indefi nite strike entered the 18th or TSRTC invites them. He said day. the strike will continue even if The employees presented the talks are held. fl owers to temporary workers to Last week, two employees Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Nobel Economics Prize winner Abhijit Banerjee in New Delhi yesterday. request them not to operate the committed suicide due to de- buses. The protesters were seen pression over losing jobs and not meeting temporary drivers and receiving salaries for September. conductors and presenting them A statewide shutdown was also roses with a request to co-oper- observed on a call by the JAC and ate with them by not attending to supported by opposition par- duties. ties, but the government has not The temporary employees budged from its stand. were told that the Joint Action The court is scheduled to Proud of Nobel laureate’s Committee (JAC) of the striking resume hearing a Public Interest employees is also fi ghting for fi ll- Litigations (PILs) on October 28 ing up the vacancies in the trans- when the government is expect- port utility and, hence they will ed to brief the division bench on also gain from the ongoing strike. the steps taken to resolve the is- More than 48,000 employees sue. of TSRTC have been on strike A judge is also separately hear- accomplishments: Modi since October 5 to press for their ing a petition fi led by the Na- demands, which includes the tional Mazdoor Union (NMU), Agencies sees governance in particular... media is trying to trap me into to Kolkata to meet his mother. an alumnus of two of the city’s merger of the corporation with seeking direction to the TSRTC New Delhi and how it, therefore, creates saying anti-Modi things. He has He received a tumultuous landmark institutions - South the government so that they are to pay the salaries for Septem- structures of elite control over been watching TV, he has been welcome at the airport. He was Point School and Presidency treated at par with government ber. The TSRTC conveyed to the the governance process,” Baner- watching you guys; he knows received with bouquets by state University (Presidency College employees. court on Monday that it is not in rime Minister Narendra jee added. what you are trying to do.” ministers Bratya Basu and Firhad when he graduated). Taking a tough stand against a position to pay salaries to the Modi yesterday met Nobel “And in that process, he very Some Bharatiya Janata Party Hakim who is also the mayor of With a pilot car blaring siren, the employees, the state govern- employees. Plaureate Abhijit Banerjee nicely explained how he is try- leaders, including cabinet min- Kolkata and driven out of the Banerjee’s convoys started off ment called the strike illegal and The TSRTC told the court that and said “India is proud of his ing to reform the bureaucracy to isters, have been critical of Ban- terminal in a golf cart on his fi rst for his South Kolkata residence. rejected all their demands. Chief it requires Rs239 crore to pay the accomplishments”. make it more responsive, to un- erjee’s work. Addressing a press visit to the eastern metropolis On the way, there were large Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao salaries, but it has only Rs7.49 “Excellent meeting with No- derstand the ways in which peo- conference in Pune last week, after winning the coveted award. display boards and festoons dot- not only ruled out talks, but also crore in its account. bel laureate Abhijit Banerjee. His ple’s views need to be taken into Railways and Commerce Min- With photographers and jour- ting the route welcoming Ban- declared that except 1,200 all The corporation also stated passion towards human empow- account,” he said. ister Piyush Goyal said Banerjee nalists frantically capturing erjee. others who failed to join duty that the strike by the employees erment is clearly visible. We had Banerjee said that an impor- had “a Left-leaning mindset” every moment of the historic He will leave for the US to- before the expiry of deadline during the festival season has so a healthy and extensive interac- tant point for India is to create and that his views had been re- occasion, and autograph seek- morrow morning. cease to be TSRTC employees. far caused a loss of Rs125 crore to tion on various subjects. India is a bureaucracy which takes the jected by India. ers rushing towards the famed Banerjee, an Indian-origin He made it clear that there was TSRTC, which has accumulated proud of his accomplishments. views of the people into account. Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, economist, the large posse of economist and an academic pro- no question of taking back the losses of Rs5,269 crore. Wishing him the very best for “I think it was a very impor- Banerjee was instrumental in police personnel and comman- fessor, was jointly awarded the employees. The JAC leaders on Mon- his future endeavours,” Modi tant point for India to have a framing Congress’ Nyuntam dos had a tough time in taking Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences While employees continued day evening called on Governor tweeted posting a photograph of bureaucracy that lives on the Aay Yojana (NYAY) or minimum him to the waiting car fi tted with along with his French-American their protest with the support of Tamilisai Soundararajan to seek himself and Banerjee on Twitter. ground and get its stimulus from income guarantee scheme. The red beacons - as a mark of re- wife Esther Dufl o and American opposition parties, various trade her intervention. This is the sec- After the meeting Banerjee how life is on the ground. With- party was routed in the polls. spect for his feat. economist Michael Kremer “for unions, student bodies and peo- ond time that they met the gov- said Modi spoke about “his way out that, we get an unresponsive BJP secretary and former “Welcome home Nobel lau- their experimental approach to ple’s organisations, the TSRTC ernor on the issue. of thinking about India, which government,” he signed said. West Bengal unit president Ra- reate Mr Abhijit Banerjee” and alleviating global poverty.” have been operating bus services The governor last week called was quite unique”. He said the prime minister hul Sinha followed up on Goyal’s “Banglai swagato, Nobel joyi, The 58-year-old Kolkata- with the help of workers recruit- Transport Minister P Ajay Ku- “One hears about policies but joked about the media trying to jibe with a barb linking the Nobel Bangla tomai niye gorbito (We- born economist is currently the ed on a temporary basis. mar to know about the steps one rarely hears about the think- bring out “anti-Modi remarks” Prize to the Indian-origin econ- come to Bengal, Nobel winner, Ford Foundation International TSRTC claims to be operating being taken by the government ing behind it,” Banerjee told re- from him. omist’s marriage to a French- Bengal is proud of you)” - read Professor of Economics at Mas- a majority of the 10,500 buses to ensure that people are not in- porters. “The prime minister started American economist. the placards which also had big sachusetts Institute of Technol- with police protection at depots convenienced. “He talked about the way he by cracking a joke about how the Later in the day, Banerjee fl ew pictures of the Kolkata boy - ogy.

President in Tokyo Assam govt to implement Tiger poacher on the run two-child norm from 2021 for six years arrested AFP on orders of businessmen across New Delhi India. IANS tion growth. At 31,169,272 in the legislation to raise the quota for “He’s jumped bail earlier and Guwahati 2011 census, the state registered a women in jobs up to 50%. fudged documents. Over the 16.93% growth in 10 years. However, the two-child norm ne of India’s most wanted years, he has taken on several The BJP-led government in decision is not a sudden move, tiger poachers, who also names as well, the latest being he Bharatiya Janata Party Assam that came to power in but a logical progression of Sep- Ohad a fetish for eating the Jasrat,” the offi cial said. (BJP) government in As- 2016 initiated the draft popula- tember 2017 “Population and organs of sloth bears, has been He is also being investigated Tsam has decided that peo- tion policy on March 27, 2017. Women Empowerment Policy of arrested after being on the run for the killing of a tigress that ple with more than two children Health and Education Minister Assam” that advocated the move for six years, offi cials said. went missing in the Pench Re- will be ineligible for government Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier and also suggested that existing Wildlife offi cials in Madhya serve in Madhya Pradesh in 2012, jobs after January 1, 2021. said legislators must adhere to government staff must follow it. Pradesh formed a special task the offi cial told AFP. The decision was taken at a the family planning norms and Recently, several BJP leaders, force in 2013 after several sloth A year later, the animal’s hide cabinet meeting on Monday, with the state would take up the issue including Gen V K Singh, San- carcasses were found. was found 1,500km away in Ne- an aim to curb population explo- with the central government. jeev Balyan, Satyapal Singh and The man arrested, named as pal. India is home to almost 75% sion. A statement from Chief “We will propose to the central Mahesh Sharma, participated in Yarlen, belongs to a communi- of the world’s tigers and has at Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s government to make the two- a march to demand such a legis- ty that believes the organs of a present 2,967 of the big cats. offi ce said those with more than child norm the yardstick for con- lation, which shows the party is sloth bear – listed as “vulnera- According to government two children would not be con- testing polls. If a state MLA fl outs trying to understand the ground ble” on the IUCN Red list – can data, Madhya Pradesh tops the sidered for government jobs from the family norms, he/she should situation whether India is ready cure ills. list with more than 500 of them. January 1, 2021. be disqualifi ed from member- for a law on population control According to the Times of In- India is also among the 12 coun- The cabinet also decided to ship and barred from contesting or not. dia, he admitted to police killing tries that committed to doubling grant land to landless indigenous polls,” Sarma said. Earlier, he had claimed India several tigers, many sloth bears, the tiger population by 2022, ac- people and also for construction Besides this, the state govern- had 50mn illegal Bangladeshis hundreds of wild boar and pea- cording to the World Wildlife of houses. “The benefi ciaries, ment also proposes widow pen- and Rohingyas that might take cocks. Foundation’s TX2 programme. however, will not be able to sell sion and providing victims of the actual population count way President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife Savita arrive at the An offi cial from the forest de- Prime Minister Narendra the land for at least 15 years,” it triple talaq dependency allow- above the offi cial 1.25bn. These Imperial Palace to attend the proclamation ceremony of partment in Madhya Pradesh told Modi, while releasing the 2018 said. ance or pension till they are im- statistics were thrown to sub- Japan’s Emperor Naruhito’s ascension to the throne, in Tokyo AFP that he would sell the organs tiger census earlier this year, said The Assam government had in parted skill upgrade training. The stantiate the demand for a popu- yesterday. of the bears, which are also be- India had achieved its target four 2017 drafted a policy on popula- government will also consider a lation control law. lieved to have special properties, years in advance. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 23, 2019 23

LATIN AMERICA UK to use £1bn meant for green energy for fracking in Argentina

Guardian News and Media “infrastructure, green energy and for the UK. The briefi ng note was Separate records, also uncov- cording to the records. enous Mapuche people after an of the largest provisions has been London healthcare” to invest in Argen- prepared before a key meeting be- ered by Friends of the Earth, re- Argentina has become a mag- oil fi re burned for more than three for £346,000 to support BP’s PAE tina’s economy. tween the UK government’s trade vealed that there had been no net for major oil companies after weeks next to a freshwater lake in in the 2017-2018 fi nancial year. Instead offi cial records, released envoy to Latin America, the UK fewer than 13 meetings between discovering the world’s third larg- Vaca Muerta. The government’s plan to sup- he UK is planning to invest through a freedom of information ambassador to Argentina and Ar- the UK and oil companies oper- est shale reserves in the world. Argentina delivered its fi rst-ev- port Argentina’s shale industry in Argentina’s controversial request, have revealed the govern- gentina’s energy minister in Feb- ating in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta It hopes to replicate the US en- er export of light crude and lique- comes after an investigation re- Toil shale industry using a ment’s plan to prioritise support ruary this year. hydrocarbon reservoir since the ergy revolution by encouraging oil fi ed natural gas from Vaca Muerta vealed an eleven-fold increase in £1bn export fi nance deal intended for major oil companies which are Tony Bosworth, a campaigner at beginning of last year. companies to exploit the reserves earlier this summer, fi ve years af- support for fossil fuels over the to support green energy, according fracking in Argentina’s vast Vaca Friends of the Earth, said: “With The companies have contribut- within the Vaca Muerta region de- ter local community protest was past year to almost £2bn. to government documents seen by Muerta shale heartlands. the world hurtling towards cata- ed donations amounting to more spite strong opposition from local quashed by authorities using tear- The plans are strongly opposed the Guardian. One government memo, un- strophic climate change, and par- than £40,000 to fund birthday communities. gas and rubber bullets. by MPs on the environmental au- UK Export Finance, the gov- covered by Friends of the Earth, liament declaring a climate emer- celebrations for the Queen held A Guardian investigation this The UK’s loans to support work dit committee, which branded ernment’s foreign credit agency, said that while Argentina’s clean gency, it’s outrageous that the UK at the British embassy in Bue- month revealed that the fracking in Argentina have been modest to the UK’s foreign fossil fuel in- promised in 2017 to off er loans energy sector was growing, it was government is continuing to back nos Aires over the past two years. industry had already caused ir- date, but are expected to rise as vestments as the “elephant in the totalling £1bn to help UK com- “Argentina’s huge shale resources huge fossil fuel developments There have been no meetings with reversible damage to the ancestral Argentina’s burgeoning shale in- room” undermining the UK’s cli- panies export their expertise in that off er the greatest potential” abroad.” renewable energy companies, ac- homeland of Argentina’s indig- dustry increases production. One mate leadership. Mexico sends in elite troops to patrol city after cartel battle

Reuters ons bought legally in the US and Culiacan, Mexico sold to cartels south of the bor- der. “We both agreed to move exico has sent in special quickly to share information forces troops to patrol and deliver specifi c results,” Ma northern city in the the US embassy in Mexico said wake of a cartel assault that freed on Twitter, calling it Opera- Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s tion Frozen. “The commitment son in a hail of bullets, and also made by Mexico and the US will won a US promise to help stop strengthen capacities to address gun-smuggling at their shared and reduce one of the causes of border. violence.” More than 400 soldiers turned The Mexican government said up in Culiacan over the weekend earlier in a statement the US had after gunmen from the Sinaloa promised eff orts to clamp down cartel briefl y took control of the on the illegal trade, which is be- city and forced security forces lieved to be the source of most to free the drug lord’s son from fi rearms in the hands of Mexican a botched arrest attempt last criminals. week. “Arms traffi cking is a signifi - Demonstrators are sprayed by security forces with a water cannon during a protest against Chile’s state economic model in Santiago, Chile, yesterday. “We are going to protect the cant problem and one the US is citizens, that is our mission,” addressing with renewed focus in said General Carlos Ramon Car- Mexico,” a state department offi - rillo de Villar, who oversaw for- cial said in response to a question mations of soldiers marching at from Reuters. a media event. “We are fi ghting Videos of the attacks in Cu- insecurity.” liacan last week showed cartel The convoys of army trucks gunmen fi ring armour-piercing Pinera seeks cross-party with mounted machine guns .50 calibre rifl es and at least one rumbling through Culiacan’s truck mounted with a heavy ma- streets were meant to instil con- chine gun — weaponry that is fi dence. not available by legal means in However, a national poll Mexico. showed two thirds of respond- Lopez Obrador has faced heavy ents believe drug lords and mob- criticism for the handling of the help to end street violence sters are more powerful than the raid, which critics say looked like government after the gunbattles a capitulation to criminals and AFP The conservative Pinera de- (CUT) called strikes and protests lists at hospitals and high prices daily life waited patiently as long last week that forced an army re- risked encouraging cartels to use Santiago clared over the weekend that for tomorrow and Friday, along- for medicine. queues formed at bus stops and treat. more force to resist arrests. the country was “at war against side 18 other social organisa- “This has been going on for supermarkets. Sinaloa public safety director The president has defended a powerful, implacable enemy,” tions. 30 years,” the 55-year-old said. Only one of the Santiago met- Cristobal Castaneda told news his policy of trying to dial down resident Sebastian Pinera and imposed a state of emer- The public health sector The metro fare increase has ro’s seven lines — which normal- anchor Joaquin Lopez Doriga clashes with drug cartels to re- convened a meeting with gency on Santiago and most of workers’ union also announced been suspended but that has not ly carry 3mn people a day — was that 13 people were killed dur- duce murder rates. Pleaders of Chile’s political Chile’s 16 regions. plans to strike and demonstrate. stopped the violence. operational, although a fl eet of ing the disturbances that ran late Many people could have been parties yesterday in the hope of Army General Javier Iturriaga The violence — with wide- The government raised the 4,300 public buses took up much into Thursday night. killed had security forces at- fi nding a way to end street vio- announced curfews in eff ect for spread looting, arson and clashes death toll to 15 yesterday. of strain. President Andres Manuel tempted to hold Ovidio against lence that has claimed 15 lives, as the last three nights. with security forces — is the worst Eleven of the fatalities were in More than half of Santiago’s Lopez Obrador has insisted the the cartel foot soldiers, Lopez anti-government campaigners On Monday, Pinera adopted a to hit Chile since it returned to the Santiago region and caused 136 metro stations suffered decision to release Ovidio Guz- Obrador told a regular news threatened new protests. more conciliatory tone, saying democracy after the 1973-1990 by looting and arson, mainly tar- heavy damage on Friday, the man was the only way to save conference. “Not just the crim- The country’s worst violence he wanted to address people’s right-wing dictatorship led by geting supermarkets and shop- first day of riots. Around 50 lives after cartel henchmen inals, who are also human be- in decades erupted on Friday, grievances. General Augusto Pinochet. ping centres, Deputy Interior schools and 10 universities in erected roadblocks, torched ings, the soldiers, who we must initially triggered by an increase He said the meeting with po- Some 20,000 police and mili- Minister Rodrigo Ubilla told a the capital remained closed but trucks and opened fi re with protect,” he said, “but (also) ci- in metro fares. litical parties was to work on “a tary troops have been providing news conference. hospitals and clinics operated heavy, military-style weapons. vilians.” But it has mushroomed into social agreement that will al- security. “This is not happening Three of the deaths outside normally. After a telephone call with US “I always have great belief in a broader outcry against social low us all together to rapidly, because they raised the metro the capital were from gunshots, Monday night saw a marked President Donald Trump over the wisdom of the people, and I and economic woes, including effi ciently and responsibly ap- fare by 30 pesos,” said a man who he said. drop in violence. A drive through the weekend, Mexican Cabinet know that the majority of Mex- a yawning gap between rich and proach better solutions to the gave his name only as Orlando, In central Santiago, many Santiago in the early hours of ministers met US ambassador icans supported the govern- poor, in a country normally con- problems affl icting Chileans.” taking part in Monday’s protests. shops and businesses that were yesterday showed it largely de- Christopher Landau to ask for ment’s decision,” the veteran sidered one of the most stable in But Chile’s largest union, the He cited gripes including low closed on Monday had reopened. serted except for military vehi- help stemming the fl ow of weap- leftist said. Latin America. Workers’ United Centre of Chile salaries and pensions, waiting People returning to work or cles and police patrols.

Anti-Morales rally Petrobras, Brazil’s govt Party looks to suspend Bolsonaro’s son

Reuters the offi ces and homes of party ‘near oil marketing deal’ founder Luciano Bivar in an elec- Brasilia toral fraud probe. Reuters Petrobras declined to com- liminary estimates, PPSA head The small party surged from no- Rio de Janeiro ment on the negotiations. Jose Eduardo Gerk said in an in- resident Jair Bolsonaro’s where to become the second largest On November 6, a who’s who terview. right-wing Social Liberal in the Brazilian Congress by serv- of international oil fi rms will That compares with Petrobras’ PParty opened disciplinary ing as the platform for Bolsonaro’s razil’s Petrobras could take compete to snap up prolifi c off - current exports of 583,000 bpd proceedings against 19 of its law- successful presidential run last over marketing of the gov- shore oilfi elds in Brazil in a proc- in the September quarter. makers yesterday, including Bol- year. With 53 seats in the lower Bernment’s share of crude ess expected to fetch some $25bn Last year, the PPSA sold its oil sonaro’s son Eduardo, in an on- house, the PSL will have access to from off shore oilfi elds, a govern- for the government. on the spot market and via auc- going battle for control of Brazil’s more than 390mn reais ($95.8mn) ment offi cial disclosed, adding The following day, fi rms will tions. second largest party in Congress. in public campaign funds in 2022. signifi cantly to the state-run oil compete in a separate process But that is set to change as the The lawmakers could be sus- Bivar and other PSL leaders, fi rm’s trading operations. expected to bring another $2bn agency closes in on the outsourc- pended and lose their seats for de- such as senator Major Olimpio, In an interview, the head into state coff ers. ing contract with Petrobras, Gerk posing Delegado Waldir, the par- have opposed Bolsonaro’s bid to of Pre-Salt Petroleum, better Following signifi cant explora- said. ty’s chief whip in the lower house, take over the party and are fi ghting known by its Portuguese ac- tion work in the area, the fi elds “Since I got here (in April), the and replacing him with Eduardo back. Besides seeking to suspend ronym PPSA, said it is close to are known to hold billions of bar- negotiations... with Petrobras Bolsonaro, against the wishes of Eduardo Bolsonaro and 18 other inking a deal in which Petro- rels of untapped crude. have gone forward and we hope the PSL leadership. lawmakers who sided with him, bras’ trading desk will manage All winners will hand a signifi - to be able to come to an agree- The rift risks leaving the presi- the party plans to remove him as the oil that Brazil’s government cant chunk of that oil over to the ment by the end of the year,” he dent with no party base in Con- PSL president for Sao Paulo and receives from private sector government, via the PPSA, as is told Reuters. gress and undermines his ability also his brother senator Flavio firms. standard practice within Brazil’s With the oil it receives set to to get his legislative proposals ap- Bolsonaro as its head in Rio de Ja- The potential deal, being dis- so-called “pre-salt” oil produc- skyrocket in the coming years, proved. At stake is a large cam- neiro, Olimpio told reporters. cussed ahead of a blockbuster ing region. the PPSA is also set to grow. paign war chest for next year’s lo- By midday, a group of lawmak- season for oil bidding rounds Due mainly to the upcoming Currently a relatively sleepy cal elections. ers siding with the Bolsonaros had in the South American nation, rounds, the oil that the PPSA agency of 44 employees located The bitter dispute came to a obtained a court injunction sus- would signifi cantly boost the manages could soar from just in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Gerk head after President Bolsonaro pending the party’s move to pun- volume of crude traded by Pe- a few thousand barrels per day said the agency hopes to hire an- Doctors and health employees march in protest against called on the PSL two weeks ago to ish them, one of the lawmakers, troleo Brasileiro SA, as the fi rm is (bpd) last year to around 500,000 other 50 in-house employees by Bolivia’s President Evo Morales, in La Paz, Bolivia, yesterday. open its books for audit, and days Congresswoman Bia Kicis, said in formally known. bpd by 2028 according to pre- 2021. later, the federal police searched a post on Twitter. Gulf Times 24 Wednesday, October 23, 2019 PAKISTAN

JUI-F chief vows Delegation of diplomats to oust the govt

Reuters taken to Line of Control Islamabad Internews Islamabad he chief of one of Paki- stan’s largest religious Tparties has announced a embers of the diplo- protest campaign aimed at oust- matic corps in Paki- ing Prime Minister Imran Khan, Mstan reached yesterday raising the prospect of politi- the Line of Control (LoC) that cal turmoil as the government divides the Kashmir region be- struggles to stabilise the econ- tween Islamabad and New Delhi, omy. to visit the sectors hit by the In- Fazlur Rehman, the leader of dian troops fi ring on Saturday the conservative Jamiat Ulema- and Sunday. e-Islam – Fazlur (JUI-F) party, Foreign Offi ce spokesperson said the government of cricket- Mohamed Faisal accompanied er-turned-politician Khan was the diplomatic corps, who vis- “incompetent and illegitimate” ited Jura village, Shahkot and and was installed by the mili- Nousheri sectors along the LoC. tary establishment after a rigged He said the visit was organ- election last year. ised to disprove the Indian Army “We have decided to march on chief’s statement that they had Islamabad,” the heavily-bearded targeted and destroyed “terror- Rehman told a news conference ist camps in Kashmir”. in the capital. “Our basic de- The invitation to the diplo- A Pakistan army off icer briefs Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing (fourth left), Pakistan army mand is that the people who’ve matic corps was extended on Major-General Asif Ghafoor (second left), and foreign diplomats during their visit at a cross border got no right to rule should resign an emergency basis to heads of shelling-aff ected area in Jura, a village of Neelum valley in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. immediately.” missions of all embassies in Is- Khan won last year’s election lamabad. of the LoC, the military’s media Commission is which can’t “Senior journalists represent- on a promise to end corruption The Indian charge de aff aires spokesperson said that India had stand with its Army Chief? In- ing international media were and help middle-class families was also invited to prove the violated the 2018 agreements for dian High Commission staff also accompanying the diplo- but the economy is running into claim of his army chief before the 3,038th time, while in 2019, didn’t have the moral courage mats, including ambassadors headwinds and the government the foreign diplomats. India has violated the agreement to accompany fellow diplomats and high commissioners. in July agreed to a $6bn bailout Inter-Services Public Rela- 2,608 times so far. in Pakistan to LoC,” Ghafoor “The diplomats and jour- from the International Monetary tions (ISPR) director-general He added that in 2018, 58 ci- tweeted. nalists will be free to visit any Fund (IMF). Major-General Asif Ghafoor, vilians were killed and 319 in- Foreign Offi ce spokesman part of the area hit by the In- Khan rejects his critics’ accu- who accompanied the diplo- jured, while in 2019 there have Faisal also tweeted that India did dian Army, and interview any- sations that he is backed by the matic delegation, said the diplo- been 44 civilians deaths and 230 not send a representative to join one to ascertain the presence or military, which has a long record mats also visited Jora Bazaar and injured. the diplomatic delegation to the lack thereof any training camp of intervention in politics. met the people and shopkeepers Earlier, the ISPR director- LoC. there, since the Indian Army The military also denies any there. general said in a tweet that Indi- “The Indian side has not chief claimed on Sunday after involvement in civilian politics. The diplomats also inspected an diplomats did not have moral joined us in the visit to LoC … the two-day bombardment that Election authorities rejected the damage to houses and shops courage to see the truth on the neither have they provided co- it targeted the so-called camps opposition complaints of rigging attributed to Indian shelling. ground. ordinates of the alleged ‘launch- where the freedom fi ghters were in the 2018 vote. On the alleged Indian breach “What good Indian High pads’. imparted military training.” Kashmiri residents stand on the wreckage of a house in Jura. Rehman is a veteran politician who heads an alliance with sev- eral seats in the National Assem- bly and provincial assemblies. But his real infl uence comes from his ability to mobilise sup- Pakistan and India agree on fee for Kartarpur corridor port, particularly in numerous religious schools, or madrasas, across the country. Internews The Indian ministry of exter- The two sides, during their “It is a matter of disappoint- simrat Kaur Badal called it Gurdwara, is scheduled to be The main opposition parties Islamabad nal aff airs had said in a media negotiations, kept on diff er- ment that while understanding “shameful”, and in a video post- opened on November 9 ahead of former prime ministers Na- statement earlier in the day that ing over various issues rang- has been reached on most of the ed on social media accused the of the 550th birth anniversary of waz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto the Indian government had con- ing from number of pilgrims to elements for facilitating the visit Pakistan government of “doing Guru Nanak Dev Ji falling on No- have both said they would back espite tensions running veyed its readiness “to sign the the number of days the corri- of pilgrims from India, Pakistan business on faith” and using the vember 12. Rehman’s campaign against high over Kashmir, Paki- Agreement on Kartarpur Sahib dor would remain open and the continues to insist on levying a fee for “boosting economy”. Former Indian prime minister Khan, though have also said they Dstan and India are set to Corridor on 23 October 2019”. composition of Pakistan Sikh service fee of USD20 per pilgrim India’s Punjab Chief Min- Manmohan Singh was invited to would not support any uncon- sign the agreement that would The details of the agreement Gurdwara Prabandhak Commit- per visit,” the statement said. ister Amarinder Singh mean- the inaugural ceremony but he stitutional action. govern the operations of the had been under negotiation tee (PSGPC), which had been set It further said: “While agree- while tweeted: “I appeal to @ only agreed to come over as an The government has said it visa-free Kartarpur Corridor for since March. up to facilitate Sikh pilgrims. ing to sign the agreement, the ImranKhanPTI to withdraw $20 ordinary pilgrim. wants negotiations with the op- Indian Sikh pilgrims. The fi rst round of talks was The last sticking point was government of Pakistan has fee imposed by @pid_gov on pil- The groundbreaking cer- position while vowing that no Foreign Offi ce spokesman Dr held on March 14 at the Indian the $20 service fee that Pakistan been once again urged to recon- grims to Kartarpur Sahib to fa- emony of the corridor was per- one would be allowed to paralyse Mohamed Faisal confi rmed yes- side of Atari-Wagah border. has decided to charge from every sider its insistence to levy serv- ciliate [sic] *’khulle darshan de- formed in November last year life in the capital. terday that an agreement had Alongside the offi cial-level Sikh pilgrim using the corridor. ice fee on pilgrims. India would edar’* of the fi nal resting place after Delhi agreed to a Pakistani Information Minister Firdous been reached on the draft and talks, both sides held several Faisal said that the issue had be ready to amend the agree- of SRI Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The proposal to provide Indian Sikhs Ashiq Awan said on Monday that the two sides would be signing rounds of expert-level meetings been resolved. ment accordingly at any time.” world Sikh community will be visa-free access to the Gurdwara it was not fair for the opposi- it soon. to discuss technical aspects of However, the Indian ministry Sikh leaders in India also ex- grateful to you for this gesture.” in Kartarpur Sahib. tion to destabilise the country at He said: “The dates for sign- the project. statement revealed its reluc- pressed their disappointment The corridor, which would Up to 5,000 Sikh pilgrims can a time of tension with old rival ing of the accord are being There have so far been three tance and urged Pakistan to re- over the visa fee. provide visa-free access to In- use the corridor on any day to India over the disputed Kashmir worked out.” rounds of offi cial-level talks. view the fee. India’s Union Minister Har- dian Sikh pilgrims to Kartarpur perform pilgrimage. region. Pakistan has also been strug- gling to avert a balance of pay- ments crisis and to prevent its debt from spiralling out of con- New apex court judge Opaque appointments at transparency body trol.

Internews issued by the ministry of law Internews Procurement Regulatory Au- According to the complaint, tors, namely Ali Temoor, Ya- Lahore and justice last week. Islamabad thority appointed employees a majority of these 32 “illegal” sir Shamim Khan, and Rizwan He was the fi fth senior-most without advertisement”. appointees are relatives of sen- Mehmood, who were initially judge of the LHC. The audit further noted that ior PPRA offi cials. appointed on contract with- enior Lahore High Court Justice Khan started practis- he Public Procurement “the management appointed In some cases, the senior of- out completing formalities and (LHC) judge Justice ing in the lower courts in 1985, Regulatory Author- the employees without observ- fi cials employed their personal without the approval of the SAminuddin Khan was soon after he was issued a li- Tity (PPRA), established to ing proper procedure”. servants on lower-grade posi- PPRA board. sworn in on Monday as a Su- cence. ensure transparency in procure- Subsequently, the audit “is of tions in the PPRA without ad- Most of the appointments preme Court judge. In 1987, he was appointed as ments by all Pakistan federal the view that an appointment of vertising the posts in the press. without advertisement have Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif an advocate of the LHC, and of government offi ces, has been staff without advertisement was The complaint said: “The ap- been made allegedly on the di- Saeed Khosa administered the the Supreme Court in 2001. found making 32 appointments irregular and unauthorised”. pointment of 32 PPRA staff is rective of former PPRA manag- oath in a formal ceremony in He joined Zafar Law Cham- in a non-transparent manner. Following the audit objection, violation of law, misuse of pub- ing director Mohamed Khalid Islamabad. bers in Multan in 2001 and In the audit of the PPRA, the a citizen, retired Brigadier Sule- lic authority, discretion as well Javed. The ceremony was attended worked with the legal fi rm until offi ce of the Auditor-General man Khan, has fi led a complaint as usurpation of a public offi ce PPRA director-general Irfan by judges of the apex court and he was elevated to the position of Pakistan raised objection to with Principal Secretary to the without completing legal for- Rafi que, when contacted, said Rehman: Our basic demand is senior lawyers. of a judge. these appointments. Prime Minister Azam Khan, malities.” the audit para regarding the un- that the people who’ve got no The notifi cation of Justice He was appointed to the As per the audit objection, drawing his attention to “ille- As per a list of the 32 offi cials, authorised appointments is be- right to rule should resign Khan’s appointment had been bench in 2011. “the management of Public gal” appointments. there are three deputy direc- ing examined. immediately. Ex-premier Sharif moved from prison to hospital

DPA/Internews could be due to multiple pathol- low the medical treatment in La- to hospital for a medical check- waz Sharif by the government on his heart at a clinic in London Islamabad ogies and requires immediate hore. up. show that his condition is very more than two years ago. in-hospital care. I have requested A good number of workers “For the medical check-up of serious. It is a callous attitude of In March, the Supreme Court the authorities concerned to act gathered outside the National Nawaz Sharif, the NAB is shifting Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf granted him a six-week release ormer prime minister Na- in urgency,” he tweeted after see- Accountability Bureau (NAB) of- him to the Services Hospital,” a (PTI) government that despite on bail to get treatment. waz Sharif, who is serving ing the PML-N supremo at the fi ce in Lahore late on Monday bureau’s spokesman said, adding his worsening health condition Sharif and his daughter Mar- Fa seven-year sentence on NAB’s Thokar Niaz Baig offi ce. evening and demanded that the that doctors would decide about he is not being shifted to hospi- yam Nawaz have been held at a corruption charges, was moved “Today met former PM #Na- authorities concerned move their his admission (to the hospital). tal,” Shehbaz said, warning the high-security prison in Lahore. from jail to hospital after his wazSharif for consultation and leader to hospital. Yesterday the NAB issued a prime minister of consequences An advocate for civilian gov- health deteriorated late on Mon- evaluation. He’s visibly unwell They also chanted slogans in new statement saying that Sharif if anything happened to the su- ernment in a country ruled by day. and has multiple serious life- favour of Sharif and placed burn- was “stable now”. preme leader of the main opposi- generals for decades, Sharif was Sharif 69, was found to have threatening health issues of acute ing tyres on a road. Shehbaz Sharif, the former tion party. removed from offi ce on corrup- a “critically low platelet count” nature. Some PML-N workers issued prime minister’s younger broth- “Nawaz Sharif is still in the tion allegations emanating from that required “immediate” hos- “I have recommended imme- a video message to supporters to er and current president of the hospital where a team of doctors the 2016 Panama Papers leak pitalisation, his personal phy- diate hospitalisation for workup reach the NAB offi ce to express PML-N, warned the government is assessing and evaluating his detailing off shore tax evasion sician Dr Adnan Khan said in and treatment. The matter is of solidarity with their leader. against denying treatment, say- condition,” PML-N spokesper- schemes. tweet. utmost urgency,” Dr Khan said. The bureau had to call in police ing that Prime Minister Imran son Marriyum Aurangzeb said The Supreme Court has barred “Former PM #NawazSharif His Pakistan Muslim League to control the situation. Khan would be responsible if early yesterday. him from holding political offi ce. is detected to have critically low – Nawaz (PML-N) party had The NAB later took the deci- anything happened. Sharif has a history of diabe- His PML-N lost to Khan’s par- Sharif: has a history of diabetes. Platelet Count (16*10^9/L) that pushed for the authorities to al- sion to move the former premier “The medical reports of Na- tes and had medical procedures ty in 2018 elections. Gulf Times Wednesday, October 23, 2019 25 PHILIPPINES

11 rebels Fire devastation surrender in Eastern Mindanao

By Dempsey Reyes Manila Times

iting “disillusionment,” 11 members of the New CPeople’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the military over the weekend, the Eastern Mind- anao Command (EastMinCom) reported. Among those who surren- dered was an NPA squad leader, identifi ed as a certain “Tonton,” monitored in the tri-bound- ary area of Cotabato-Davao City-Bukidnon, EastMinCom spokesman Lt Col Ezra Balagtey said. Balagtey said Tonton surren- dered at 9.30am on Saturday. He was also reported to be a mem- ber of the Manobo tribe based in Antipas, North Cotabato. Seized from Tonton was an M16 rifl e and ammunition. He was initially turned over to the Philippine Army’s 72nd Infantry Firefighters work at the scene of a blaze at an informal settlement in Manila, yesterday. Battalion for custodial debrief- ing and assessment. In a separate surrender, three NPA members who were moni- tored in Surigao del Sur yielded to the 3rd Special Forces Battal- ion with the assistance of village offi cials in Tandag City in the af- ternoon of Sunday. The three were identifi ed by Balagtey as alias Kakar, 34, a former squad leader; Elmo, 37, a Duterte cuts short Japan former team leader of the NPA; and Rosa, 28, a former supply of- fi cer for the NPA. They were also brought to proper authorities for proper as- sessment and custodial debrief- ing. In Compostela Valley, trip in ‘unbearable pain’ Balagtey reported that seven “Militia Ng Bayan” members AFP the back of a car beside Go. fentanyl on learning he was surrendered to the 71st Infantry Manila “I can’t bear it, it’s around “abusing the drug” by us- Battalion in the town of Mawab. my belt area (waistline), about ing more than the prescribed three inches. It’s really pain- patches. hilippine President Ro- ful,” added the president, who Duterte has also said he suf- drigo Duterte, suffering Go said was on his way back to fers from migraines and other Senators junk Pfrom “unbearable pain” the Philippines. illnesses including Buerger’s plan to extend in his spine after a motorcycle Panelo said the pain was “a disease, which is characterised probationary period accident, is cutting short a trip consequence” of the motorcy- by inflammation of blood ves- to Japan, his spokesman said cle accident that the presiden- sels, usually due to smoking. Senate Minority Leader Franklin yesterday. cy said Duterte had suffered on Duterte will see his neurolo- Drilon has vowed to block the The 74-year-old hurt his hip the palace grounds. gist today after flying back to passage of the proposed bill in in the crash last week, with his The leader fell off his vehicle Manila later, while his daugh- the House of Representatives health already the subject of just 10 days after he publicly ter Sara Duterte Carpio will to extend workers’ maximum intense speculation follow- revealed that he has myasthe- represent him at the emperor’s probationary period from six ing his disclosure earlier this nia gravis, which causes mus- banquet later, Panelo said. months to two years, Manila month that he is suffering cle weakness and can result in The Filipino leader attended Times reported. Senate President from a disease that causes one drooping of eyelids, blurred Naruhito’s enthronement cer- Vicente Sotto 3rd and Senator of his eyelids to droop. vision as well as weakness in a emony earlier yesterday using Francis Pangilinan also rejected A statement from the lead- person’s extremities. a cane to help him walk, he the measure. Rep. Jose Singson er’s spokesman Salvador Pan- Questions over his health added. Jr of the Probinsiyano Ako elo said Duterte would leave have swirled since he took of- Senator Go also released party-list recently filed a bill that Japan sooner than planned, fice in 2016, with Duterte at a photo of the president sit- seeks to extend the six-month having attended the enthrone- times skipping events and ting down with his forehead probationary period to 24 ment ceremony of Emperor meetings or discussing his propped up by a cane. months to allow employers to Naruhito with the aid of a various ailments in long and The Philippine constitution assess whether a worker is quali- cane. rambling speeches. requires the handover of pow- fied for regularisation, particularly “The palace announces that He has previously said he er to the vice president if the in positions requiring specialised the president will cut short his used to take fentanyl, a potent leader dies or is incapacitated. skills and talents. “I will oppose its trip to Japan due to unbearable President Rodrigo Duterte arrives to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito opioid painkiller, because of a However Panelo said yes- passage. If the House passes it, pain in his spinal column near in Tokyo, yesterday. spinal injury caused by other terday “the public can rest consider it DoA (dead on arrival) the pelvic bone,” Panelo said. motorcycle accidents when he assured that there is nothing in the Senate,” Drilon said in a Duterte later described his Senator Christopher Go, a “If you ride motorbikes you who are into motorbikes, they was younger. to worry about as regards the text message. predicament in a short video former chief aide who accom- will experience a crash once crash like I did,” he said, grim- According to Duterte, his physical health and condition clip posted on Facebook by panied him on the trip. or twice in your life. All those acing and moaning while sat in doctor made him stop using of the president”.

One in three Filipino children stunted: Unicef Journalist, companion killed in ambush By Eva Casaljay Azucena Dayanghirang, execu- Manila Times tive director of the National Nu- trition Council (NCC), said. By Jaime Pilapil crashed into a plant box beside The PPAN is the country’s Manila Times the road. ne in three Filipino chil- framework for nutrition im- Gonzales was immediately dren under fi ve years old provement aimed at the fi rst brought by responding police- Oare stunted, or too short 1,000 days of life, which refers to tabloid columnist and men to Arayat District Hospital for their age, while roughly sev- the period of pregnancy up to the his companion died in for treatment, but, according en percent of children are too fi rst two years of a child. Aan ambush on Sunday to investigator Cpl. Lawrence thin for their height, a recent “This is the window of golden evening in Arayat, Pampanga. Perez, he was pronounced dead report of the United Nations opportunity wherein key health, Jupiter Gonzales, a column- at the hospital. International Children’s Emer- nutrition, early education and re- ist of Remate, and his friend gency Fund (Unicef) revealed. lated services should be delivered Christopher Tiongson were on Tiongson died instantly, The State of the World’s Chil- to ensure optimum physical and board a Nissan Almera driven while Gonzales was brought dren: Children, Food and Nutri- mental development of a child,” by the journalist and bound to a nearby hospital where tion said stunting rates among Dayanghirang said. The NCC for Olongapo-Gapan Road at he was declared dead one-year-olds is 36.6%, which said many infants “are surviving Barangay Cacutud, Arayat, is twice as much as the 15.5% but not thriving” because they Pampanga, when they were Undersecretary Jose Joel Sy among six to 11-month-old in- are not eating well. It added that fired at by unidentified sus- Egco, executive director of the fants. only a third of babies are breast- pects at about 10.30pm on PTFoMS, immediately co-or- It also added that stunting fed during their fi rst six months. Sunday. dinated with Perez in Arayat to rates remain at the 30% level or Around 44% of those aged six Tiongson died instantly, speed up the investigation and more among children three to to 23 months are not fed fruits while Gonzales was brought to he himself led a team of inves- four years old. and vegetables, while 59% are a nearby hospital where he was tigators to the crime scene. “Stunting is now seen as one not fed eggs, dairy products, fi sh declared dead. Lt Col Eder Collantes and re- of the major impediments to or meat, which are their required The Presidential Task Force tired Lt. Col. Rechie Duldulao, human development and is rec- nutritional intake. The Unicef on Media Security (PTFoMS) PTFoMS investigation chief ognised as a well-established report also showed that adoles- said it was deeply saddened and deputy, respectively, ac- marker of poor child develop- The Unicef report said that stunting rates remain at the 30% level or more among children three to cents are eating unhealthily and and condemned in the strong- companied Egco. ment,” the report concluded. four years old. not meeting their nutritional est possible terms the killing of Gonzales was known for be- Meanwhile, a tenth of Filipi- needs. Gonzales. ing a staunch critic of illegal no adolescents are overweight. pine representative, said. She three children’s stuntedness units to carry out the Philip- According to the report, obes- According to a spot report gambling proliferating in local “The triple burden of un- added that the undernutrition is irreversible when they reach pine Plan of Action on Nutrition ity among adolescents has tripled submitted to the PTFoMS by carnivals. dernutrition, hidden hunger facts in the country are disturb- age two.“Clearly, we have to pre- (PPAN) 2017-2022 and give par- in the last 15 years because proc- Lt. Col. Dale Soliba, chief of The PTFoMS presumes any and overweight poses serious ing, citing that one in three 12 vent that increase. We are urging ticular attention to the fi rst 1000 essed foods high in salt, fats and police of the Arayat Municipal form of media violence as threats to child health,” Oyun to 23-month-old children suf- key stakeholders at the national, days of life to give our Filipino sugar are becoming more acces- Station, initial investigation work-related, until further in- Dendevnorov, Unicef Philip- fer from anaemia, while one in regional and local government children a brighter future,” Dr sible and aff ordable. showed that Gonzales’ vehicle vestigation proves otherwise. Gulf Times 26 Wednesday, October 23, 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 HE Dr Saleh bin Mohamed al-Nabit, President of the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) and Chairman of the HE Dr Saleh bin Mohamed al-Nabit with HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Permanent Population Committee, delivering a speech. Nasser al-Ali and other dignitaries. GULF TIMES Qatar has achieved 2030 SDGs in Dollar weakness seen persisting, but reserves education, health ahead of time dominance here to stay QNA of the stages of follow-up of the been taken in this regard, which gives hope establishment of an elected youth Doha implementation of this policy indicates that the demographic imbalance and its council to express its voice and assume that a package of related measures have various repercussions can be reduced in the its responsibilities in addition to The US has historically maintained a strong dollar policy, been implemented in whole or in part, future. enabling them to lead institutions for but cracks have started appearing in the mighty greenback of atar has achieved the 2030 which along with other factors, have He stressed that the Population both men and women. late. sustainable development led to a decline in the rate of population Policy of Qatar is a continuous process For his part, the representative of The currency’s recent slump may turn into further goals (SDGs) in the fi elds of growth, and the strengthening of subject to continuous evaluation aimed the United Nations Population Fund education and health ahead the trend towards modernisation of at identifying the change brought about (UNFPA) in the GCC Aser Toson praised weakness through early next year, as potential progress on Q of time, HE Dr Saleh bin Mohamed the means of production in order to by the programs and interventions the commitment of Qatar to the global US-China trade talks and Brexit along with softer domestic al-Nabit, President of the Planning rationalise the recruitment of unskilled presented by this policy in practice and agenda for sustainable development economic data undermine the currency’s haven status, and Statistics Authority (PSA) and labour and to secure adequate housing to uncover the challenges and obstacles and the commitments it requires on the according to Scotiabank. Chairman of the Permanent Population for expatriate workers. that prevent eff ective implementation level of population development. He The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index is down about 2% from a Committee, has said, while outlining In the fi eld of education and health, of these programs and interventions. stressed that the Population Policy of what has been achieved during the HE al-Nabit said that the average years Meanwhile, Adviser to the Minister of Qatar is a continuation of this approach two-year high reached on October 1, amid its longest weekly past two years in the fi elds of economy, of schooling have doubled over the past Culture and Sports for Strategic Aff airs, as it refl ects the themes of the second losing streak since January. It touched the lowest since July construction and other developmental two years, and the expected number has Dr Mohamed Ismail al-Ansari, pointed national development strategy and last Friday as Federal Reserve vice chairman Richard Clarida areas. also risen. Life expectancy at birth has out that Qatar is multicultural due to takes into account human development left the door open to a third straight rate cut later this This came in a speech delivered by risen, with maternal mortality rates are the multiplicity of communities in it. and promotes women’s rights and month. Dr al-Nabit during the celebration of falling to a rare or almost non-existent He noted that with reference to Qatari reproductive health. the Qatar Population Day, which was level, he said, adding that this means history and community practices, they He also noted Qatar’s interest in youth The dollar’s reign over the currency markets is now marked yesterday under the theme, that Qatar has achieved the 2030 SDGs found that Qataris regarded pluralism and the development of their capacities looking the shakiest since the start of 2018, according to ‘Population Policy between Reality in the fi elds of education and health as a source of strength, cultural and the involvement of all sectors of Bloomberg report. and Hope’, in the presence of HE the ahead of time, and has also achieved the enrichment and social stability, which society in the process of sustainable The greenback’s 2% drop this month leaves it on course Minister of Culture and Sports Salah goals related to other areas. was refl ected in the internal cohesion development, and its focus on important for the worst month since January 2018 and it’s under threat bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali along Despite the realistic achievements during the blockade. themes in its national vision aff ecting with a number of offi cials in the mentioned, there is a need to do more He stressed the importance of key human rights issues in the areas from the prospect of a Brexit resolution that would hurt bodies concerned with population and to achieve all the goals and objectives of strengthening the Qatari identity to of education, health, environment, haven assets, as well as the odds of more US interest-rate development issues, and representatives the population policy, he said, stressing maintain the principle of acceptance expatriate employment, women’s cuts, according to NatWest Markets. of United Nations Population Fund. that the biggest challenge is to correct and positive interaction with the other empowerment and children’s rights. “The dollar’s longstanding bullish outlook is faltering Dr al-Nabit said that Qatar has the the demographic imbalance, which is at all levels, as well as pointed out that Toson said that the Population Policy, as several key market themes reach their endgames,” right to be proud of the enormous an obstacle to achieving all the goals of the Ministry of Culture and Sports is in which UNFPA contributes to the development achievements in the fi eld this policy. working with its partners to promote implementation of some of its activities according to Mansoor Mohiuddin, senior macro strategist of economy, construction, health, He pointed to some measures the values and cultural identity of Qatar in co-operation with the Permanent at NatWest. education and other vital areas that related to the objectives of population and highlight them through enriching Population Committee (PPC), seeks to Should the bearish have enabled the country to be among policy that can be achieved within a local cultural production and support map out the demographic features of views prove accurate, it countries with very high human specifi ed period of time, such as the the Qatari talent, investing in arts and the future of Qatar, which is in light of The greenback’s would mark a pullback in development. issuance of legislation and laws or the sports in promoting respect for other an ambitious development agenda for the social and economic developments what’s been one of this HE al-Nabit pointed out that the establishment of certain institutions, cultures, creating an environment that sway over global Human Development Index issued but warned that some measures require allows them to express themselves, and in the country and the region, as well year’s most dominant by the United Nations Development fundamental changes in the social, providing the material and structural as addressing the challenges related to currency markets currency themes. The Programme for 2018 ranked Qatar 37th economic or cultural structure. potentials that enhance cultural the demographics in light of its eff orts dollar gained from out of 189 countries included in the In this context, he explained that the practice in the State. towards the knowledge economy. is now looking the relatively higher US report. actions associated with a long-term Regarding the demographics of the It is worth mentioning that the interest rates and growth, He said the most important strategic objective of reducing the country, Dr al-Ansari stressed the programme of action of the Population shakiest since the achievements accomplished during imbalance of the demographic structure importance of addressing the issue Policy of Qatar, includes the themes as well as safety bids the two years of the implementation of the country is diffi cult to achieve of quantity in a qualitative manner, of population and labour force, urban start of 2018 prompted by global risks of the population policy derived from overnight, because it is related to a large focusing on the status and role of Qatari growth and environmental housing, such as Brexit. the Qatar National Vision 2030 and number of factors, mainly the provision youth, which represents the largest education and training for youth, public NatWest sees this changing, as the Fed may ease policy from the second national development of suffi cient manpower to meet the demographic force in society. health and reproductive health, women, strategy, especially in the areas related needs of the ambitious development He pointed out that the Ministry of children, the elderly and persons with further and with reduced odds of Britain crashing out of the to population, expatriate manpower, plans of the State. Culture and Sports is keen to empower disabilities. European Union without a deal. education and health. He noted what has been achieved so far youth through awareness programmes The main objective of the This month also brought a potential breakthrough in He explained that the Qatar has in addressing the demographic imbalances, and provide opportunities for Population Policy is to achieve a trade talks between the US and China, though US President paid special attention to issues related adding that the results of the second phase preparation, selection and community balance between population growth Donald Trump said an agreement probably won’t be to population and manpower, adding of the follow-up to the implementation of and political participation, such as in and the requirements of sustainable signed until he meets his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in that the results of the second phase the programme of action on Population the elections of the boards of directors development, ensuring a decent life for (November 2018 - October 2019) Policy indicates that signifi cant steps have of clubs and youth centers and the the population of Qatar. November. The strong dollar helped contain infl ation during the 1990s, but since the 2008 fi nancial crisis, the rising dollar has made the Federal Reserve’s job harder. The central bank would like to see greater infl ation to promote borrowing and economic growth. The strong dollar may also be depressing domestic demand and pulling down net exports. Foreign-exchange reserve managers at central banks around the globe, however, expect the dollar to remain dominant for at least another quarter-century. Roughly 66% of managers believe the greenback will remain the reserve currency of choice over the next 25 years, according to a recent UBS Asset Management survey of 30 central banks. The US currency accounts for about 62% of global central banks’ $11.7tn foreign-exchange reserves, the International Monetary Fund said last month. The fi nding comes as questions emerge over the state of the so-called strong dollar policy and countries like Russia vocally diversify out of the greenback. Bank of England governor Mark Carney railed against the dollar’s hegemony in August, bemoaning the currency’s “domineering infl uence” on trade. The dollar’s status as a global reserve currency means that other countries also rely on its stability. Investors should also keep in mind how a strong-versus-weak dollar impacts their investments.

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© 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Gulf Times Wednesday, October 23, 2019 27 COMMENT A fresh look at US-China rivalry

By Arvind Subramanian the collective commitment to address Even the BRI risks turning sour as Cambridge climate change, sabotage of the global participating governments struggle trading system, and unravelling under the weight of huge Chinese international security arrangements. loans. In Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s lmost a decade ago, China In addition, America has magical realist novel The Autumn bulls like Martin Jacques damaged its own political of the Patriarch, the defaulting and I predicted the rise of institutions. It currently has an Caribbean dictator repays his “Gringo” Athe People’s Republic at the erratic and unbalanced president, a creditors by giving up the sea, piece by expense of a declining United States. gerrymandered Congress, a politicised emerald-green piece. In the real world, Today, with the two superpowers Supreme Court, and a system of acquiring land, natural resources, and unabashedly jostling for hegemony – rulemaking rigged by the elite. Over sea lanes could prove China’s undoing their trade war being just one sign of the past century, US institutions often as a debt collector. this – it is time for a fresh assessment. inspired awe and invited emulation In short, in the current struggle It is tempting to view the US-China in much of the world. Now, they for global pre-eminence, China is rivalry as just another superpower have become an object of mockery, depleting its accumulation of soft transition in a long line going back while the 2008 global fi nancial crisis power, while America is as well – and to the classical shift of power from similarly tarnished the American losing its economic strength in the Athens to Sparta. But this case is model of fi nance-driven, winner-take- process. diff erent. all capitalism. This hegemonic rivalry thus Traditionally, a strong rising Moreover, whoever wins the 2020 differs sharply from previous power has challenged a weakening presidential election will find it hard historical episodes. From the incumbent, making the outcome to restore the lustre of US political Athens-Sparta transition to the preordained. The only question was and economic institutions, owing handover from the United Kingdom whether the transition would be to America’s deep polarisation to the US in the twentieth century, peaceful or violent. and entrenchment rather than the challenger’s credentials were This question also applies to the attenuation of adverse economic undeniable. It was as if a young, US-China struggle. But the outcome is trends. This raises increasing doubts vigorous boxer were challenging far from inevitable, because the powers about America’s ability to project its and defeating a flabby, middle-aged of both the aspirant and the incumbent power externally. opponent. are eroding – albeit in diff erent ways. What about China? If the Chinese Today, by contrast, China and Let’s start with the more obvious economy remains on track, it will America look like two tired boxers case of America. Previous predictions challenge US economic supremacy in who go at each other for 15 gruelling of US decline were based on the medium term. However, the risks rounds, not to determine who will stay unfavourable domestic economic of a Chinese economic derailment upright, but rather to discover who will and social trends such as slowing have increased, as domestic debt be the fi rst not to go down. With such productivity growth, declining social has climbed to vertiginous and wannabe and reigning hegemons, is it mobility, and worsening income unsustainable levels while export any surprise that the world fi nds itself inequality. opportunities have shrunk. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. in a leaderless and rudderless drift? – In recent years, however, America Perhaps most worryingly, Chinese Project Syndicate has faced the additional problem President Xi Jinping has – bizarrely – rise has always been hobbled by a Bank to challenge international process that was established 75 years of a precipitous decline in its soft turned away from the private sector- lack of soft power. In an attempt fi nancial institutions that it (and many ago. Although there have been no z Arvind Subramanian, a former power, which Joseph Nye defi ned as a led growth model that served as the to rectify that defi ciency, China other emerging powers) regards as formal objections to the recent changes chief economic adviser to the country’s ability to get others to want country’s transformational golden launched the Belt and Road Initiative increasingly discredited by outdated of leadership at both institutions, this government of India, is a non-resident what it wants. Today, that soft-power goose for over four decades. As a (BRI) to promote the international governance mechanisms. As if to has not gone unnoticed in the rest of senior fellow at the Peterson Institute currency, more valuable than the dollar result, China’s economic prospects transfer of its impressive expertise in reinforce that view, the US and Europe the world. for International Economics and a itself as a source of US hegemony, has seem far less bright than they did a few building infrastructure eff ectively and have yet again asserted their monopoly Tragically, however, all of China’s visiting lecturer at Harvard’s Kennedy been debased beyond recognition. US years ago. expeditiously. on control of the World Bank and accumulation of soft power is being School of Government. He is the author global leadership is now associated Because China is an undemocratic At the same time, China established International Monetary Fund, fatally undermined by its political and of Eclipse: Living in the Shadow of with disastrous wars, repudiation of and closed society, its hegemonic the Asian Infrastructure Investment respectively, through an undemocratic strategic turn. China’s Economic Dominance.

Scientists ‘may have crossed ethical Three-day forecast TODAY Maximum Temperature : 380c line’ in growing human brains Minimum Temperature : 280c THURSDAY Maximum Temperature : 350c Minimum Temperature : 280c Guardian News and Media “If there’s even a possibility of the develop a rich diversity of tissues, called for an ethical debate on brain London organoid being sentient, we could be from cerebral cortex neurons to retinal organoids. FRIDAY crossing that line,” said Elan Ohayon, cells. The authors, including Hank Greely, Maximum Temperature : 350c the director of the Green Neuroscience Organoids grown for eight months director of the Centre for Law and the Minimum Temperature : 280c Laboratory in San Diego, California. developed their own neuronal Biosciences at Stanford University euroscientists may have Fisherman's forecast crossed an “ethical rubi- “We don’t want people doing research networks that sparked with activity in California, said organoids were con” by growing lumps of where there is potential for something and responded when light was shone not yet sophisticated enough to raise WARNING Nhuman brain in the lab, and to suff er.” on them. immediate concerns, but that it was Inshore : Nil in some cases transplanting the tissue Because of the manifest diffi culties In another study led by Fred Gage time to start discussing guidelines. Offshore : Nil into animals, researchers warn. in studying live human brains, at the Salk Institute in San Diego, Greely said there was no single WEATHER The creation of mini-brains or brain organoids are considered a landmark researchers transplanted human brain ethical line when it came to organoids. Inshore : Misty at places at first becomes relatively hot “organoids” has become one of the development. organoids into mouse brains and found “I’m confi dent they don’t think daytime and some hottest fi elds in modern neuroscience. They have been used to investigate that they connected up to the animal’s we’ve reached a Gregor Samsa state, clouds and chance The blobs of tissue are made from schizophrenia and autism, and why blood supply and sprouted fresh where a person wakes up and fi nds of scattered rain by afternoon. stem cells and, while they are only the some babies develop small brains connections. he is an organoid,” he said, referring Offshore : Misty at times with size of a pea, some have developed when they are infected with Zika virus Ohayon wants funding agencies to the character in Franz Kafka’s The some clouds spontaneous brain waves, similar to in the womb. to freeze all research that aims to put Metamorphosis who wakes up to fi nd WIND Inshore : Southeasterly-North- those seen in premature babies. Researchers hope to use organoids human brain organoids into animals, he is a giant insect. easterly 05-15 KT Many scientists believe that to study a raft of brain disorders, along with other work where there But he added, “If they mean the organoids have the potential to from Alzheimer’s to Parkinson’s, and is an reasonable chance of organoids potential to perceive or to react to Offshore : Northeasterly-South- transform medicine by allowing them eye conditions such as age-related becoming sentient. things, that seems to me likely.” easterly 03-13 KT to probe the living brain like never macular degeneration. Ohayon has developed computer Greely believes the concerns become Visibility : 4-8/3 KM before. But in their presentation to the models that he believes help identify more serious if organoids perceive and But the work is controversial Society for Neuroscience meeting when sentience is likely to arise, but react to stimuli that might cause pain. Offshore : 1-3 FT “That becomes still more important if because it is unclear where it in Chicago, Ohayon and his adds there is an “urgent need” for Around the region may cross the line into human colleagues Ann Lam and Paul Tsang more work in the area. we have reason to believe the organoid Weather experimentation. will argue that checks must be in In Britain, researchers are already has an aversive reaction to that stimuli, Weather tomorrow Max/min On Monday, researchers will tell place to ensure that brain organoids banned from working on donated that it ‘feels pain’. I strongly doubt that today Max/min P Cloudy 32/19 the world’s largest annual meeting of do not experience suffering. “We’re embryos that are older than 14 days. anyone has reached that point or come Baghdad M Sunny 32/20 P Cloudy 34/26 neuroscientists that some scientists already seeing activity in organoids The limit, which some scientists close to it,” he added. Kuwait City M Sunny 36/24 M Sunny 36/28 working on organoids are “perilously that is reminiscent of biological want to extend, was imposed to Gage told the Guardian: “I think it Manama P Cloudy 36/28 Sunny 33/26 close” to crossing the ethical line, activity in developing animals,” protect developing humans from is never too soon to raise issues about Muscat Sunny 33/26 Showers 19/13 while others may already have done so Ohayon said. suff ering. ethics in science, so that a thoughtful Tehran Showers 19/13 by creating sentient lumps of brain in In one recent study, researchers at Last year, a group of scientists, dialogue can guide scientifi c research the lab. Harvard showed that brain organoids lawyers, ethicists and philosophers and decisions.”

Live issues Movement during class improves students’ academic abilities

Around the world By Linda Carroll whilst also providing children with an by being less active the rest of the day. challenge, breaking physical activity Reuters Health outlet for activity,” she added. Active lessons may help make up up throughout the day can have Weather Weather Still, Norris said, a “combination of for the fact that school children aren’t similar eff ects.” today Max/min tomorrow Max/min activity is the best solution, including getting enough exercise, said Dana Still, “it looks as though physically Athens Sunny 25/16 Sunny 27/14 hen academic classes active lessons, breaks, PE and Rofey, an associate professor at the active school lessons do not make a Beirut Cloudy 27/22 S T Storms 24/21 include physical activity, opportunities before and after school.” University of Pittsburgh School of substantial impact on overall fi tness as Bangkok P Cloudy 34/27 M Sunny 34/27 like squats or running in To analyse the impact of physical Medicine. assessed by BMI, said Dr Sheena Ranade, Berlin Fog 17/11 Fog 18/11 Wplace, students do better activity during lessons on academic “Our group has found that these a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon at The Cairo S T Storms 26/18 M Sunny 27/20 on tests, a new study suggests. achievement, Norris and colleagues improvements not only show up Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. But Cape Town M Cloudy 17/13 Cloudy 19/14 The idea of intertwining academic reviewed the medical literature looking academically but are signifi cant “exercise is exercise, and elevating the Colombo T Storm 28/25 T Storm 28/24 learning with physical activity has for studies on the topic. They settled enough that we see changes in heart rate for extended periods of time, Dhaka S T Storms 32/25 Showers 27/22 come about as more and more schools on 42 studies, 37 of which were used for their brains with increased physical using your muscles and developing Hong Kong M Sunny 26/22 M Sunny 26/22 have cut back on physical education analyses combining data from multiple activity,” Rofey said in an e-mail. physical skills through sports and play Istanbul P Cloudy 22/15 Sunny 22/15 (PE), the researchers explain in the studies. Overall, the new study included “There is also ample evidence that are benefi cial whenever you choose to Jakarta P Cloudy 35/25 M Sunny 34/25 British Journal of Sports Medicine. information on 12,663 students, mostly changes can positively aff ect academic participate in them,” she added. Karachi Sunny 34/23 Sunny 34/23 Teachers say “time is the main in grade school or preschool. Nearly achievement.” Active lessons may help children London S Showers 16/11 Showers 13/07 barrier to physical education,” said co- half the studies were from the US, seven Active lessons may be a good idea focus on learning, Ranade said in an Manila S T Storms 33/26 P Cloudy 32/26 author Emma Norris of the Centre for were conducted in Australia, fi ve in the even for schools that still off er PE, e-mail. Moscow Cloudy 14/08 S Showers 11/06 Behavior Change at University College UK, four in the Netherlands and one Rofey said. “Children are full of energy and New Delhi Sunny 33/18 Sunny 32/18 London. “Teachers would like to give each in China, Croatia, Ireland, Israel, “The more movement our kids get, if, as implied in this meta-analysis, New York Sunny 18/09 Sunny 21/10 pupils active time in breaks and PE but Portugal and Sweden. the better,” she added. “Incorporating when children are using their bodies Paris M Cloudy 20/13 P Cloudy 19/09 academic priorities and targets often Active lessons were linked with small bouts of physical activity at they are more able to engage in their Sao Paulo M Cloudy 23/17 S T Storms 27/18 mean active time is removed.” better test scores, but in general they any point during the day should be lessons, that is a good thing,” Ranade Seoul Cloudy 22/12 P Cloudy 23/11 One workaround is to add physical did not lead to higher levels of overall encouraged. Several large studies said. “Additionally, increased activity Singapore T Storm 31/25 S T Storms 32/26 activity to regular lessons, Norris activity or improvements in BMI. The have now found that small bouts helps with bone development, cardiac Sydney Sunny 23/16 M Sunny 24/18 said in an email. “Active lessons allow researchers suspect students might throughout the day are equivalent strength and endurance, dexterity and Tokyo Clear 23/13 Cloudy 21/16 teachers to maintain academic time have compensated for active lessons to one large bout. So, if time is a mental wellbeing.”