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SPIEF session next month Guineas double for al-Malki to boost Qatar-Russia ties as Al Gazi, Black Pearl win published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXX No. 11381 November 29, 2019 Rabia II 2, 1441 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief

QATAR | Offi cial Iraq to organise 25th Amir sends cable of congratulations to Albanian president Arabian Gulf Cup His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh QNA dent of AGCFF is committed to help Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and Doha Iraq Football Association to solve all HE the Prime Minister and Minister the problems that it could face in the of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin organisation of the next edition. Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani have he Arab Gulf Cup Football Fed- Responding to a question about the sent cables of congratulations to eration (AGCFF) has granted preparedness of Basra city to host the the President of Albania Ilir Meta TIraq the right to organise the next next tournament, al-Rumaihi said that on the anniversary of his country’s Arabian Gulf Cup edition, which will be there are shortcomings, but the AGCFF Independence Day. held two years from now in Basra. has promised to stand with the Iraq The decision was taken during the Football Association, and all attendees QATAR | Employment general assembly of the federation held announced their readiness to provide Tunis hosts QVC yesterday at Sheraton Doha. support to Iraq so that it can host the The assembly was chaired by HE the tournament. panel meeting President of the AGCFF and President Regarding the criteria that should be Tunis hosted yesterday the first of Qatar Football Association Sheikh met by countries to host any upcoming meeting of the quartet committee Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, in the tournament, al-Rumaihi said that one charged with preparing for the presence of Vice-President Dr Jassim of the most prominent one is security, establishment of Qatar Visa Centre bin Mohamed al-Shukaili, Secretary- besides sports facilities, hotels and all (QVC) in Tunisia. Qatar’s Consul to General Jassim al-Rumaihi and repre- other organisational aspects. Tunisia, Jassim Ahmed al-Rumaihi, sentatives of member associations. Meanwhile, President of Iraq and Samir al-Fandary from Tunisian The AGCFF Secretary-General Jas- Football Association, Abdul Khaliq Ministry of Vocational Training and sim al-Rumaihi, announced during the Masood, expressed his pleasure at Iraq Employment were present at the The Qatar team during their training session in Doha yesterday. press conference held after the general being granted the right to organise the meeting. The meeting focused on assembly meeting that the initial ap- next edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup. the importance of the project. The proval to host the 25th Arabian Gulf He also expressed his satisfaction at QVC is scheduled to open next year. Cup in Iraq came because it is the only the trust placed by the presidents of candidate, but the fi nal approval will the Gulf Associations and secretaries ASIA | Diplomacy be determined later, after sending the in the city of Basra and Iraq to have the China warns US Al Annabi will come hosting criteria of the tournament to honour of hosting this event. each member association. Masood added, in a press statement, over Hong Kong law Al-Rumaihi stressed that Iraq de- that the organisation of the 25the Ara- China warned the US yesterday serves to organise the next edition be- bian Gulf Cup in Iraq is a great achieve- that it would take “firm counter cause more than 40 years ago Iraq did ment for the Iraqi people, pointing out measures” in response to US back strong: Sanchez not organise this event. He said the that the Iraqi government represented legislation backing anti-government country is now in a position to host the by the Ministry of Youth and the Iraqi protesters in Hong Kong, and cup, adding that Qatar Football Asso- Ministry of Interior has pledged to said attempts to interfere in the ‘ ciation is supportive of all athletes in provide security for all Gulf teams and Chinese-ruled city were doomed  Players are motivated, hungry to perform’ the region. fans. to fail. US President Donald Trump He pointed out that Iraq’s bid meets He pointed out that all the Gulf fans on Wednesday signed into law By Yash Mudgal The six-match winning streak of tant group game for both the teams. nearly 80% of the requirements, add- are welcome in Iraq, adding that the congressional legislation which Doha the hosts, who currently lead the “I am sure tomorrow we are going ing that the door is still open for the country will provide all means of com- supported the protesters, despite World Cup Qualifi ers Group E with to play an excellent game. We ex- rest of the Gulf associations to send fort to them. He wished the presence of angry objections from Beijing, with four wins and a draw, came to an end pect a very competitive game against their bids. The deadline for receiving everyone, whether coming by air or by which he is seeking a deal to end atar coach Felix Sanchez has as they were not at their best in the Yemen. We have to be at our best. I the bids is next week. sea and also by land, especially Kuwaitis a damaging trade war. Chinese reposed his confi dence in the tournament opener against Iraq. have full confi dence in my team and I Al-Rumaihi stressed that the presi- who can enter the country by road. Vice-Foreign Minister Le Yucheng Qability of his players while “Even in the fi rst match against hope they will be at their best. They summoned US ambassador Terry denying that the performance of the Iraq our performance was not that have the capability and they are moti- Branstad and demanded that Asian Cup champions has declined bad. From the word go we were try- vated,” he said. Washington immediately stop recently. ing to do positive things. We tried to Talking about Bassam al-Rawi’s interfering in China’s domestic The hosts of the 24th Arabian Gulf create chances and we had many, but injury, he said: “We are going to miss aff airs. Page 7 Cup will take on Yemen in their second unfortunately we were not eff ective him. He is an important player for us. Group A match at the state-of-the-art as we have to be and the result was not Hopefully his surgery has gone well Khalifa International Stadium today, in our favour. It happens in football,” yesterday and he will be back soon. 24th Arabian Gulf Cup having suff ered a 1-2 loss at the hands he said. We have players to replace him, but of Iraq in the opener on Tuesday. “We are planning diff erent things defi nitely he will be missed.” Today’s Schedule “I don’t think our performance and step-by-step we will be at our Al-Rawi suff ered a fracture in his is dropping. We have played good best in terms of the results too. I have right leg in the match against Iraq. 5:30pm: UAE vs Iraq games after the Asian Cup victory. no complaints against players. They The defender, who had played a We have won against Oman, Singa- are trying hard and are motivated key role in Qatar’s maiden Asian Cup 8pm: Yemen vs Qatar pore and Afghanistan in World Cup and hungry to perform,” the Spaniard title win earlier this year, was injured Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) president HE Sheikh Hamad bin second round qualifi ers in the last two said. in a dangerous play with an Iraqi na- Khalifa al-Thani (centre) poses with Vice-pPresident Dr Jassim bin Mohamed Venue: months and played quite well in Copa He also assured that Al Annabi will tional team player, and was replaced al-Shukaili (second left), Secretary-General Jassim al-Rumaihi (left) and Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium America,” Sanchez said on the eve of come back strong in the next game by Salem al-Hajri in the match. representatives of the member associations after the General Assembly of the Yemen match. against Yemen, which is a very impor- Sport Pages 1, 2, 3 AGCFF yesterday. PICTURE: Jayaram

Qatar ‘totally rejects’ false accusations by Eritrean ministry High-level security measures at Gulf Cup stadiums

Qatar has totally rejected false surprise at a similar statement he Security Committee of the Major Nawaf Mohamed al-Otaibi, accusations contained in a issued by the Eritrean Ministry of Supreme Committee for Deliv- commander of the Khalifa Interna- statement by the Eritrean Ministry Information. Tery and Legacy (SC) has put in tional Stadium, recalled that prior to of Information, stressing that Qatar The statement said: “The place high-level security measures at the launch of the tournament, an in- has nothing to do with any factions ambassador of Eritrea to the African the Khalifa International Stadium and tegrated security plan was developed or groups in Eritrea, a matter which Union had called on Qatar to mediate Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium where and it took into account all aspects of the Eritrean government knows very between his country and Djibouti the 24th Gulf Cup is being held, the safety, and security for the public and well. in their border dispute in 2017, Ministry of Interior (MoI) said yes- for the sports facility. In a statement yesterday, the considering Qatar was the main terday. “Risk assessment, crowd route Ministry of Foreign Aff airs said it was negotiator of the peace agreement All the units of the Security Com- identifi cation and vehicle route iden- surprised by the sudden issuance signed between the two countries in mittee, according to a statement, are tifi cation were also undertaken to of the Eritrean statement by the 2010. If the Eritrean government had active in keeping the stadiums safe avoid traffi c bottlenecks that can oc- Ministry of Information, instead any doubt about the truth of these and this has come as an introductory cur as a result of the large numbers of resorting to the diplomatic and ridiculous allegations issued by the experience for the 2022 FIFA World of the public expected at such major legal channels that are recognised Ministry of Information, it would not Cup. The units concerned work in sporting events. The plan to keep the in the international community. have made this request.” facilitating the entry and exit of the crowd fl ow under control was also “This raises suspicion about the real The Ministry of Foreign Aff airs crowd, minimising the inconvenienc- implemented,” he explained. intentions and the parties behind this called on the Eritrean Ministry of es at the entrance and exit gates of the “An adequate number of security unrealistic statement”, the ministry’s Information to consider the facts stadiums. personnel are distributed at gates statement noted. and the roots of the problems, rather More than 38,000 spectators at- and entrances leading to the public The statement said that Qatar had than accusations and falsification tended the inaugural match at Kha- galleries. A security plan for public delivered a protest note in April to of the facts of a country where the lifa International Stadium. The se- Securitymen keep vigil during a match. transport, particularly transporta- the Eritrea’s ambassador to Qatar, friendly Eritrean people only have curity personnel opened the gates to tion by metro is also drawn up in expressing its disapproval of and full respect and appreciation. – QNA the public three hours before kickoff . bags and detect any banned items. ployed to facilitate smooth entry for advance, in co-ordination between E-gates were set up in order to check Female police offi cers were also de- women spectators. security bodies. To Page 3 Gulf Times 2 Friday, November 29, 2019 QATAR

Qatar embassy Qatar rushes aid to Albania quake victims Al-Mahmoud meets Turkish speaker organises Induction Day in Washington DC

The embassy of Qatar in the United States organised a day to get acquainted with Qatar in co-operation with the Redskins Club in Washington DC at FedEx Field. As part of its ongoing partnership with Redskins, the event aims to briefed more than 40,000 Redskins and Detroit Lions fans on Qatar’s culture and history as well as its preparations to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The fans were also briefed, amid Qatari traditional music, on the designs and models of the stadiums where the tournament’s matches will be played. During the second half of the match between the Washington HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud met yesterday Redskins and Detroit Lions, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), in co-operation with Qatar Charity, has responded urgently with Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mustafa Sentop on the sidelines of his Qatar’s Deputy Chief of Mission to the earthquake that struck several cities, including Durres, Fura and Kavaya, in Albania. Relief participation in the 42nd Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of the African Parliamentary Union to the United States Dr Hamad items such as beds, blankets, hot meals and food baskets, as well as winter clothes were distributed (APU). During the meeting, they reviewed aspects of co-operation and bilateral relations between Mohamed Hussein al-Muftah among the victims. Mayor of Durres Governorate, Valbona Sako, during a meeting with Qatar’s the two brotherly countries in the parliamentary field and discussed the most important topics on donated $150,000 from the ambassador Ali bin Hamad al-Marri, thanked Qatar and Qatar Charity for their support. Page 9 the agenda of the conference. embassy to the Redskins Club. Mahmoud Abbas leaves Doha

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas left Doha yesterday after a working visit to the Shura Council Speaker participates country. The president and the accompanying delegation were seen off upon departure at Hamad International Airport by HE the Minister of State for in African Parliamentary Conclave Foreign Aff airs Sultan bin Saad al-Muraikhi and Palestinian ambassador to Qatar Munir QNA and consumer potential, as the uted to the resolution of some Ghannam. Djibouti return on investment in the con- African confl icts. The Speaker tinent is one of the highest rates added that Qatar has also contin- in the world. ued its eff orts to support African Netherlands king E the Speaker of the These elements qualify it to issues in regional and interna- receives envoy’s Shura Council Ahmed become the most important pil- tional forums and has supported credentials Hbin Abdullah bin Zaid lars of global growth and make it many countries of the continent al-Mahmoud has highlighted the most important destination in times of hardship and distress King Willem-Alexander of the the interest of Qatar, under the for long-term investment activi- arising from confl icts and natural Netherlands yesterday received leadership of His Highness the ties due to its strong economic disasters. the credentials of Abdullah Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad resources and foundations such “Qatar has a comprehensive Hassan al-Jaber as Qatar al-Thani, to deepen partnerships as the diversity and abundance of vision of security in the region ambassador to the Netherlands. and open new horizons for rela- natural resources and the pres- because it considers that its se- The ambassador conveyed His tions between countries, region- ence of a large untapped agricul- curity is an integral part of the Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim al and international groupings, in tural area. security of the region, and this bin Hamad al-Thani’s greetings particular African countries and HE al-Mahmoud pointed out view is based on the fact that ex- and wishes to the king of the organisations, to build solid stra- that Qatar calls for studying pri- tremism, violence, confl ict, war Netherlands. For his part, King tegic relations based on the prin- orities, ways to overcome chal- and immigration are caused pri- Willem-Alexander entrusted his ciple of constructive co-opera- lenges, and discuss the prospects marily by the absence of job op- wishes of more prosperity and tion to serve common interests. for co-operation and encourage portunities, poverty and wide- progress to the people of Qatar. HE al-Mahmoud said that joint investments with African spread ignorance among young this interest comes due to the countries to provide employ- people, making them vulner- HE the Speaker of the Shura Council Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud signing the agreement commonalities between Qatar ment opportunities for the Afri- able to all sinister temptations by with Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the African Parliamentary Union Alassane Bala Qatar chairs ESCWA and African countries in vari- can people and achieve sustain- criminal organisations.” Sakande. panel session ous fi elds, “which increases our able development goals. He added that Qatar has con- enthusiasm and our quest to join He stressed that the relation- tinued to advocate the need to Qatar signs agreement with APU Qatar participated in the 9th as an observer member of the ship between Qatar and the Af- take preventive measures against session of the Committee African Parliamentary Union to rican continent will continue to these phenomena in the region Qatar, represented by the Union (APU). The agreement and the African Parliamentary on Women of the United recognise the deep historical ties develop to broader horizons to by investing in development Shura Council, has signed a was signed by HE the Speaker Union and bring peace among Nations Economic and Social and common interests of sup- cover wider areas for the good of projects through direct support Memorandum of Understanding of the Shura Council Ahmed bin peoples as well as to enhance Commission for Western Asia porting the issues of liberation, the region and its stability. and initiatives to provide job op- (MoU) yesterday with the Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud parliamentary channels of (ESCWA), which was held in development, brotherhood and He added that Qatar has been portunities for young people as African Parliamentary Union and the Chairperson of the communication between Amman. Qatar, represented by good neighbourliness, and secu- able to strengthen its relations the pillar of the future. (APU). The MoU was signed at Executive Committee of the the two parties, exchange Head of Human Rights Treaties rity in our region.” with the countries of the con- Qatar will also contribute the headquarters of the People’s African Parliamentary Union parliamentary knowledge and Department at the Ministry of He added that Qatar views tinent and to establish partner- $100mn to the United Nations Palace in Djibouti during the Alassane Bala Sakande. expertise in the legislative, Foreign Affairs Hanadi al-Shafei, Africa as a promising continent ships in various economic, social to help countries face of the ef- participation of the Shura Under the MoU, the two supervisory and administrative assumed the presidency of that has the essential elements and cultural fi elds, and its diplo- fects of climate change, includ- Council in the 42nd Conference parties agreed to strengthen fields, and enrich common the 9th session of ESCWA’s for achieving a better future with matic movement through medi- ing some countries of the African of Speakers of Parliaments parliamentary co-operation points of convergence and work Committee on Women for a two- its huge economic, productive ation and good offi ces, contrib- continent. of the African Parliamentary and friendship between Qatar for peace in the world. year term 2020-2021.

Ministry celebrates graduation of Qatar backs MME launches project to preserve leadership training programme all peace endangered trees at Al Sheehaniya

QNA vestment to serve the nation. communication with the hu- eff orts in he Ministry of Munici- Department director Omar Sa- Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve. Doha He extended thanks to the man resources departments in pality and Environment lem al-Nuaimi, Qatar Armed Al-Nuaimi said that the fi rst graduates for their participation government bodies, which had a T(MME), represented by Forces’ Environment Directo- phase of the project is aimed at in the 10 workshops of the one- positive impact on the continuity Afghanistan the Environmental Protection, rate director Brigadier engineer protecting the rare trees and col- he Ministry of Admin- year-programme. and success of this programme. Natural Reserves, and Wildlife Mohamed Ibrahim al-Mohan- lecting their seeds. istrative Development, He called on the graduates to Acting President of Doha In- QNA Department, in co-operation nadi, Shehaneeya Municipality “The project also features TLabour and Social Aff airs urge their subordinates to enrol stitute for Graduate Studies Dr New York with the departments of Ag- director Jaber Hassan al-Jaber, making the public aware of the yesterday celebrated the gradu- in the annual programmes of the Yasser Maali explained that this ricultural Research and Public and Environmental Protection, environment and preserving the ation of the fourth class of the Institute of Public Administra- programme is a new station of Parks and the Municipality of Reserves and Wildlife Depart- endangered tree species. The programme of developing skills tion for 2020, which comprises co-operation to serve the Qatari atar has renewed its sup- Sheehaniya yesterday launched ment’s Wildlife Section head Ali initiative is a part of biodiversity of those who occupy leadership a variety of new training pro- society in its march towards the port for all international the fi rst phase of the project to Saleh al-Marri. conservation eff orts, as well as and supervision positions in gov- grammes that meet the needs of future and achieving Qatar Na- Qeff orts to support peace, protect rare Cordia myxa trees in The event was also attended activating community participa- ernment bodies. government employees in Qa- tional Vision 2030. security, stability and prosper- the Hazem garden. by participants from the Qa- tion in such national eff orts,” he The ceremony was attended tar in both administrative and He pointed out that the Center ity in Afghanistan, expressing The event, according to a tar Armed Forces’ Environment said. by HE the Minister of Admin- specialised tracks, for its direct of Excellence for Training and its belief in the peaceful and po- statement from the MME, was Directorate, various schools, The department is giving istrative Development, Labour benefi t to their performance, as Consulting was launched by litical settlement of crises, the attended by offi cials from vari- Al Sulaiteen Agricultural & In- much importance for the protec- and Social Aff airs Yousef bin Mo- well as being a prerequisite for the Doha Institute for Graduate priority it attaches to mediation ous departments. These in- dustrial Complex, Consolidated tion of endangered species, the hamed al-Othman Fakhro, rep- employee promotion. Studies, to be a distinct house of and its commitment to achiev- cluded Protection and Wildlife Contractors Company and Al offi cial added. resentatives of the Doha Institute He further explained that the expertise in its fi eld, and support ing lasting peace in Afghanistan. for Graduate Studies, Assistant number in the fourth batch of the ministries, government agencies This came in a statement de- Undersecretaries, Heads of De- programme reached 77 partici- and non-profi t organisations in livered by HE the Permanent partment in the Ministry and the pants, bringing the total number achieving their objectives in line Representative of Qatar to the graduates. of those who have completed the with the state’s vision of and as- UN Ambassador Sheikha Alya HE the Minister affirmed programme to 404 directors of pirations for development and Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani at the that the launching of the pro- departments, assistants direc- construction in the areas of hu- UN General Assembly on the gramme of leadership and su- tors of departments and section man, social, economic and envi- situation in Afghanistan. pervisory positions came un- heads. ronmental development. der the directives of HE the HE the Minister praised the Speaking for the graduates, Qatar condemns Prime Minister and Minister role of the Doha Institute for Falih Hussein al-Hajri praised of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Graduate Studies and the Center the quality of the programme, explosion in Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani in of Excellence for Executive Edu- pointing that the 10 workshops Afghanistan order to support Qatari lead- cation for the key partnership in have seen numerous discussions ers to fulfil their tasks and re- the implementation of this pio- in addition to exchanging exper- Qatar expressed its strong sponsibilities, especially with neering programme, attracting tise on issues and challenges. condemnation and denunciation regard to the implementation the best facilitators and means of The workshops also con- of the explosion that took place of the pillars of the National training and supporting the pro- tributed to deepening the par- in Kunduz city in northern Vision 2030 and successive de- gramme with the global experi- ticipants’ understanding of the Afghanistan, killing 15 citizens. velopment strategies, pointing ences that have been instrumen- backgrounds of many policies In a statement issued yesterday, out that this programme is in tal in enriching the programme and decisions, and helped to de- the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs line with Qatar’s long-estab- and its success. velop their capacities to face the reiterated Qatar’s firm stance on lished policy of making human In the same context, he com- challenges and implement solu- rejecting violence and terrorism, potential the focus of atten- mended the outstanding eff orts tions in diff erent state institu- regardless of the motives and tion. made by the administrators tions. He called on his fellow causes. The statement expressed HE the Minister addressed the of the Institute of Public Ad- graduates to shoulder the re- Qatar’s condolences to the graduates, saying that work to ministration in supervising the sponsibility dictated to them by families of the victims and to develop human capital and na- programme, in addition to the the circumstances of the current the government and people of Members of Qatar Armed Forces’ Environment Directorate and off icials from various MME departments tional leaders is the ultimate in- eff orts exerted in continuous stage of the region and the world. Afghanistan. during the project launch. Gulf Times Friday, November 29, 2019 3 QATAR/ARAB WORLD

Armed Forces Chief of Staff meets Armed Forces Chief of Staff meets Commander of Turkish Special Forces Indian Defence Ministry’s Adviser

HE the Chief of Staff of Qatari Armed Forces Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem met with HE the Chief of Staff of Qatari Armed Forces Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem met Commander of Turkish Special Forces Omer Ertugrul and his accompanying delegation. The meeting discussed yesterday with Indian Defence Ministry’s Adviser for International Co-operation Ambassador Somnath Ghosh and military topics of mutual interest. his accompanying delegation. During the meeting, the two sides discussed topics of mutual interest. Envoy praises Qatar-Swiss Pakistan offi cial lauds relations Qatar labour reforms

QNA diplomacy, and the use of media- ayed Zulfi kar Abbas Bukhari, Spe- Geneva tion to resolve disputes and dis- cial Assistant to the Prime Minis- putes peacefully, he added. Ster (SAPM) on Overseas Pakista- “Today there are more than 23 nis and Human Resource Development E the State of Qatar’s large Swiss companies operat- (OP&HRD), called on HE the Minister Permanent Representa- ing in Qatar. The Swiss commu- of Administrative Development, Labour Htive to the UN Offi ce in nity in Qatar has 275 individuals and Social Aff airs Yousef bin Mohamed Geneva, Ambassador Ali bin working in the engineering, hos- al-Othman Fakhro and congratulated HE Khalfan al-Mansouri, has praised pitality and the cultural sectors,” the Minister for the exceptional labour Qatari-Swiss relations describ- al-Mansouri said. reforms undertaken by the Qatari gov- ing them as “outstanding, his- Al-Mansouri pointed out that ernment in collaboration with the Inter- toric and well-established” rela- Qatar’s permanent delegation to national Labour Organisation. tions between the governments the United Nations Offi ce in Ge- The Special Assistant expressed satis- and peoples of the two countries. neva co-sponsored several reso- faction over the worker-friendly policies In an interview with ‘Swis- lutions, and contributed to the of the Qatari government and the overall sinfo’ network, the ambassador holding events and activities that working and living conditions of Paki- reiterated Qatar’s continued refl ect Qatar’s interest in promot- stani workers, the Pakistan embassy said support for the United Nations. ing and protecting human rights. in a press statement. He also said that Doha’s prep- In this context, he pointed He emphasised the need for digital arations for the FIFA World Cup to the visits of Her Highness connectivity between the two ministries, Qatar 2022 are underway and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chair- which would bring a positive change in that all stadiums and associated person of Qatar Foundation for the existing recruitment mechanism. preparations will be ready a year Education, Science and Com- Bukhari also highlighted the potential before the tournament begins. munity Development, to Geneva of the Pakistani workforce and urged HE Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari with Qatari and Pakistani off icials. Al-Mansouri said that Qatar- when Her Highness participated, the Minister on expediting the intake of Switzerland bilateral relations as the chairperson of Educa- skilled Pakistani workers in Qatar’s la- business, direct interaction between the He emphasised that the Pakistani side He was briefed on the facilities pro- culminated in the opening of the tion Above All foundation, in the bour force. manpower agencies of both sides. was all set to fulfi l the manpower require- vided to workers, especially medical, embassy of the State of Qatar in opening of the social forum of the He hoped that the two sides would ac- The conference was attended by offi - ments of Qatar particularly in connection lodging, dining and recreational facili- Bern in 2012 and the opening of Human Rights Council, which tively engage with each other for enhanc- cials from the Qatari Ministry of Admin- with the 2022 FIFA World Cup. ties. the Embassy of Switzerland in discussed the right to education. ing the Pakistani workforce in Qatar. istrative Development, Labour and Social Manpower agencies from both sides He was shown around the camp and Doha some time later. Her Highness, as Chairper- The SAPM also requested HE the Min- Aff airs, top Qatari employers along with appreciated the organisation of the con- the facilities. Qatar and Switzerland share son of the Board of Trustees of ister to open Qatar Visa Centres in Pesha- Qatari manpower supplying agencies. ference and expressed hope that it would Bukhari also met a group of Pakistani the same approach in the fi eld of Silatech, also participated in the war and Lahore. Bukhari highlighted the potential of bring positive results in terms of enhanc- workers staying at the camp, listened to foreign policy, which is based on High Level Forum organised by Separately, Bukhari also attended the Pakistani manpower in areas related to ing the Pakistani manpower in Qatar. their issues and assured them of all pos- non-interference in the internal the Foundation in Geneva under Overseas Employment Promoters Con- security, building and construction, hos- The Special Assistant later visited the sible help from the government and, par- aff airs of countries, strong belief the title ‘Empowering Youth, ference. pitality, medical, engineering and other Asian Town labour camp in the Industrial ticularly, from the Ministry of Overseas in the importance of multilateral Advancing Communities’. It was organised for business-to- professions. Area. Pakistanis.

JLF Doha’s series to be ‘engaging sessions and stimulating discourse’

By Joey Aguilar author of The Arabian Frontier of the Staff Reporter British Raj) will also engage in a talk on empire, its origins and its lasting impact. Musharraf Ali Farooqui, the maestro he Jaipur Literary Festival (JLF) in of the mysterious and the unexpected, Doha will feature “engaging ses- will take the audience through his latest Tsions and stimulating discourse” novel, The Merman and the Book of Pow- from a series of talks and lectures by er, a heady mix of the past and present, prominent speakers from Qatar and history and mythology, told in the clas- around the world, organisers have said. sical qissa style of storytelling fables “The Qatar National Library (QNL) is common to the oral and written litera- proud to be working with international ture in Urdu, Persian and Arabic. partners such as TeamWork Arts, pro- In his bestselling and award-winning ducer of the annual JLF, to bring together book, Early Indians: The Story of Our diff erent cultures, languages and artistic Ancestors and Where We Came From, voices to be part of Qatar’s vibrant liter- organisers said Tony Joseph will take ary community,” QNL executive director Dr Sohair Wastawy the audience on an intriguing foray into Spectators undergo security checks before entering the stadium. Dr Sohair Wastawy said in a recently- our common past with a look at the life- held press conference in Doha. The Ivory Throne, Rebel Sultans and The changing journeys our ancestors took JLF Doha, hosted by QNL in partner- Courtesan, the Mahatma and the Italian and our attempts to trace their patterns ship with TeamWork Arts, and spon- Brahmin. of migration, the spread of Homo sapi- sored by the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs A separate session will see Dalrymple ens and the genetic evidence found in High-level security measures at stadiums and Ooredoo Qatar, is scheduled to take telling the story of the East India Com- the course of the human journey. place on December 12-14 at QNL. pany and discussing The Anarchy – the In Asma’s Indian Kitchen, celebrity From Page 1 Among the topics that will be dis- author’s most ambitious and riveting chef Asma Khan (fi rst British chef to cussed at the three-day festival include book to date. have featured in Netfl ix’s Chef’s Table) “All of the relevant parties including the SC, Qatar Rail Of Thrones and Sultans: Tales from In- Meanwhile, Buket Uzuner, one of the will reveal secrets of her success, tell- and Championship Organising Committee have come to- dian History with Manu S Pillai and Wil- ‘75 Most Infl uential Women’ of Turkey, ing her immigrant’s story and how food gether to establish a mechanism to move the masses from liam Dalrymple, two chroniclers of the will explore the changing face of the city brought her home. diff erent regions of the country as quickly as possible, story of south Asia who will examine the she calls home, Istanbul, with reference The festival will also see legendary In- smoothly and easily. colourful tapestry of Indian history at to her book I Am Istanbul in conversa- dian fi lm actress Sharmila Tagore speak “The security units safeguard the public to reach the the session. tion with academics Firat Oruc. about cinema, literature and a lifetime of nearest point from Khalifa International Stadium with- Dalrymple is a bestselling author, his- In another event, Dalrymple and Dr achievement, in conversation with San- out any hardship and avoid any traffi c jams. The public torian and co-director of JLF while Pil- James Onley (director of Historical Re- joy K Roy, managing director of Team- have been advised about the importance of arriving at the lai is author of the critically-acclaimed search and Partnerships at QNL and work Arts. stadium suffi ciently early before the start of matches. “They can avoid congestion that may occur at the in- spection gates and avoid traffi c congestion on the roads leading to the playgrounds,” he said while stressing the importance of the public co-operating with the security Iraqi forces kill 35 protesters after Iranian consulate torched personnel. Captain Burhan Saleh al-Turki, head of the Abdullah Reuters on demonstrators who blocked a bridge In Najaf, the Iranian consulate was bin Khalifa Stadium at Al-Duhail Sports Club, stated that Najaf before dawn yesterday and later gath- reduced to a charred ruin after it was the security preparations for the tournament are com- ered outside a police station. stormed overnight. plete inside the stadium and in the surrounding areas. Four others were killed in Baghdad, The protesters, overwhelmingly Shias, “All security units have been deployed in the area and raqi security forces yesterday shot where security forces opened fi re with accused the Iraqi authorities of turning they are supported by all major requirements and logisti- “All security check tents have modern luggage in- dead at least 35 protesters after dem- live ammunition and rubber bullets against their own people to defend Iran. cal support,” he explained. spection systems and security gates for people’s pas- Ionstrators stormed and torched an against protesters near a bridge over the “All the riot police in Najaf and the se- The best security personnel have been chosen to se- sage and they are manned by highly trained security Iranian consulate overnight, in what Tigris river, the sources said, and two curity forces started shooting at us as if cure the security tents for public access to the stadium. personnel as per FIFA standards. The list of prohib- could mark a turning point in the uprising died in clashes in Najaf. we were burning Iraq as a whole,” a pro- There are six security tents, including two public entry ited items include fireworks, glass bottles, baby carts, against the Tehran-backed authorities. In Nassiriya thousands of mourners tester who witnessed the burning of the tents, and a tent for the VIP entrance as well as media. sharp machinery, pets and other hard objects that may At least 29 people died in the southern took to the streets, defying a curfew to consulate told Reuters, asking not to be The service tent and VIP access tent are also available. cause damage. city of Nassiriya when troops opened fi re bury their dead after the mass shooting. identifi ed. Gulf Times 4 Friday, November 29, 2019 AFRICA ‘All options open’ in Sahel after Mali deaths: Macron

Reuters loss of troops for nearly four dec- to examine all our strategic op- The 13 French soldiers were erations in Mali and the wider Macron’s government denies told Radio France International. Paris ades, Macron said those seeking tions.” killed in Mali on Monday when region. France is bogged down in an in- France has, however, com- to understand the cost of France’s France is the only Western two helicopters collided in the Thirty-eight French troops tractable confl ict. plained to European allies that it mission in the Sahel should wit- country with a signifi cant mili- dark after being called in to pro- have been killed in the West Af- But Monday’s deaths have is bearing the brunt of a counter- rench President Emmanuel ness a ceremony to honour the tary presence waging counter- vide air support during a combat rican Sahel since France sent provoked renewed public com- terrorism operation that benefi ts Macron said yesterday he dead soldiers. insurgency operations in Mali mission to track down a band of troops to Mali in 2013. parisons with the United States’ all Europe. Fhas ordered his military “France is acting in the Sa- and the wider Sahel region south Islamic State fi ghters. On Wednesday, France’s top drawn-out military involvement Asked about burden sharing, to assess its operations against hel on everyone’s behalf,” an of the Sahara desert. As France mourns the dead general acknowledged France in Afghanistan. Macron replied: “If people want militants in West Africa and all emotional Macron told a news Macron said he had told his commandos, Macron is under would never achieve a total vic- Malian Foreign Minister Tie- to understand what they call options are open, after 13 soldiers conference with Nato Secretary- government and military top mounting pressure from leftist tory over Al Qaeda- and Islamic bile Drame said the comparison ‘cost-sharing’, they can come died during a combat mission General Jens Stoltenberg. brass to look hard at the nature of opponents and military ana- State-affi liated militants who was unjust. on Monday to the ceremonies this week. “Our mission there is impor- France’s operations in the region, lysts to draw up a concrete plan have strengthened their foothold “The Sahel is Europe’s south- France is organising for the dead In his fi rst public remarks since tant. Nevertheless, the situa- adding, “I told them all options for the withdrawal of the 4,500 in a region spanning from Mauri- ern border. It’s normal that soldiers. There they will see the France suff ered its heaviest single tion we face compels me today are open”. waging counter-insurgency op- tania to Chad. France has an interest,” Drame price.” Three dead in attacks against Ebola response centres in DRC

Agencies An outbreak of the much- Goma, DR Congo feared haemorrhagic virus has killed 2,199 in North and South Kivu and Ituri provinces since our Ebola workers in east- August 1, 2018, according to the ern DR Congo were killed latest offi cial fi gures. Fand fi ve injured, adding to It is the Democratic Repub- the toll of people who have died lic of Congo’s 10th Ebola epi- fi ghting the nearly 16-month- demic and the second deadliest old epidemic, the UN said yes- on record after an outbreak that terday. struck West Africa in 2014-16, A member of the vaccination claiming more than 11,300 lives. team and two drivers were killed Mangina is the historic start- at an Ebola workers’ accommo- ing point of the epidemic. dation camp in Biakato Mines in UN Secretary General Anto- Ituri province, the World Health nio Guterres visited the town on Organisation (WHO) said. September 1. The attack occurred 2km from Insecurity has complicated the a temporary base used by UN epidemic from the outset, com- peacekeepers, one of whom was pounding resistance within com- injured in an operation to repel munities to preventive measures, the assailants, the UN said. care facilities and safe burials. Namibians wait to vote at a polling station in Windhoek on Wednesday night. A second attack claimed the On November 4, the authori- life of a police guard at an Ebola ties said more than 300 attacks co-ordination offi ce in Mangina, on Ebola health workers had been in North Kivu province. recorded since the start of the year, “We are heartbroken that peo- leaving six dead and 70 wounded, ple have died in the line of duty as some of them patients. they worked to save others,” said The WHO said that last week, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom seven cases of Ebola had been re- Namibia counts votes after Ghebreyesus. corded, compared with the peak “The world has lost brave pro- of more than 120 per week in fessionals,” he said, quoted in a April 2019. WHO statement issued in Ge- “Ebola was retreating. These neva. attacks will give it force again, There was no immediate claim and more people will die as a polling runs on into night for the attacks, which DR Con- consequence,” Tedros warned. go’s national co-ordinator for “It will be tragic to see more AFP While the party still basks – showing only four out of 121 Polling stations remained noon and only voted after 11pm. Ebola, Dr Jean-Jacques Muyem- unnecessary suff ering in com- Windhoek in the legacy of the liberation constituencies. opened late into the night to Some like street vendor be, said occurred “almost simul- munities that have already suf- struggle, Geingob is predicted Namibia was the fi rst country process voters that had arrived Eunike Ijonda gave up and went taneously, around midnight.” fered so much. We call on every- to lose votes to a SWAPO mem- in Africa to introduce electronic before the 9pm (1900 GMT) home. None of the casualties were one who has a role to play to end ote counting was under- ber running as an independent voting machines (EVMs) for its cut-off time. “People voted until 2 o’clock, WHO staff . this cycle of violence.” way in Namibia yesterday candidate, ex-dentist Panduleni last general election in 2014. “Frustratingly slow”, blasted but me because I have small kids Vafter polling ran on late Itula. The machines – opposed by the front page of the Namibian at home I can’t,” said the 38- into the night in a general elec- The breakaway candidate opposition parties fearing the Sun. “Election littered with year old, peeling onions behind 100 rhino horns, four tiger carcasses seized tion expected to loosen the rul- is particularly popular among lack of paper could facilitate glitches.” her makeshift stall. ing party’s hold on power. youth frustrated by the lack of fraud – are meant to accelerate “Faulty EVMs, delays as Na- Ijonda said she stood in line South African police said yesterday they had seized 100 rhino horns and Namibians went to the jobs and too young to remember the voting and counting process. mibia votes”, echoed The Na- for three hours without moving four tiger carcasses in a sting operation at two farms in the northwest polls on Wednesday to elect the SWAPO-lead war for inde- Geingob won a sweeping 87% mibian. after one of the machines at her of a country battling poaching. Home to about 80% of the world rhino a president and lawmakers pendence. of the vote in 2014, while run- Several voters complained polling station broke down. population, South Africa has been the epicentre of poaching in recent after years of economic hard- The electoral commission has ner-up and second-time runner about the delays. “The other year was faster,” years. Last year it lost 769 rhinos to poachers, and more than 7,100 ship and a recent corruption refused to say by when provi- McHenry Venaani racked up less “Everything went well, but she added. “I am disappointed, I animals have been slaughtered over the past decade. Three suspects scandal that have stirred up sional results will be released. than 5%. it’s only that most people...were want the government to change were arrested during the operation, the Hawks, an elite police unit that resentment against the gov- But in the last election in Streets were quiet in Na- complaining about the EVM,” and make it (voting) two days.” investigates specialised types, said in a statement. “Their arrest follows an ernment. 2014, provisional results were mibia’s capital Windhoek as said 52-year old bank employee Around 1.4mn of Namibia’s intelligence driven operation by the Hawks,” it said. It was not immediate- President Hage Geingob’s announced one day after vot- residents slowly went back to Alfred Siukuta, buying a news- 2.45mn inhabitants were regis- ly clear where the horns and carcasses came from, but the famed Kruger South West Africa People’s ing. their daily occupations. paper on his way to work. tered to vote. National Park has traditionally been the poaching hotspot. Demand for (SWAPO) party has ruled the By late yesterday morning, Although election day was “We are used to voting nor- Half were under 37 and rhino horn is primarily fuelled by consumers in China and Vietnam where southwest African country since parliamentary results started peaceful, the voting process was mally, crossing out (paper) and around a third born after 1990. it is coveted as a traditional medicine, an aphrodisiac or as a status sym- independence from South Af- appearing on the electoral com- painfully sluggish and had peo- all those things,” he told AFP, Average voter turnout for past bol, and can fetch up to $60,000 per kg. rica in 1990. mission of Namibia website ple queuing outside for hours. adding that he waited all after- elections is around 76%.

Two Guinea-Bissau ex-PMs Nigeria holds talks with through to presidential runoff neighbours on border issue

Reuters Nigeria plans to keep its land Reuters and transparent,” Pereira, 56, 1974 to last a full term, he failed Abuja borders closed until at least Janu- Bissau told reporters. to control corruption or the fl ow ary. “We are satisfi ed with the re- of drugs through forested islands In July, Nigeria signed up to an sults. I salute Umaro Embalo off the coast. igeria met with its West African Continental Free Trade wo former Guinea-Bis- Cissoko, my second round oppo- Bissau has intercepted over African neighbours on Area, a project to create a $3.4tn sau prime ministers ad- nent, whom I respect.” 2.5 tonnes of cocaine this year NTuesday over its land economic bloc, despite fears that Tvanced on Wednesday to Pereira campaigned as a mod- believed en route from South border closure, with the African the country could be fl ooded with a presidential run-off vote, the erniser whose promise to bolster America to Europe. giant insisting on levying duties cheap goods from competitive electoral commission said, with health and education made him Pereira was Vaz’s fi rst prime on goods transiting to its country neighbours. incumbent Jose Mario Vaz fi n- popular with younger voters in minister before being sacked in through neighbouring nations to Since taking offi ce in 2015, Ni- ishing a distant fourth after a Bissau. 2015, which touched off the cur- curb smuggling. gerian President Muhammadu tenure marked by infi ghting and Embalo, 47, who served as prime rent dispute between the presi- “Tuesday, there was a meet- Buhari has introduced policies corruption scandals. minister under Vaz from 2016-18, dent and Pereira’s African Party ing between the comptrollers of aimed at curbing imports and Domingos Simoes Pereira fi n- told a news conference that ac- for the Independence of Guinea customs of all the three countries smuggling, to boost local manu- ished fi rst with 40% and Umaro cording to his camp’s count, he re- and Cape Verde (PAIGC). involved. We have not reached facturing. Cissoko Embalo came second ceived 36% and Pereira 38%. In the latest salvo, Vaz fi red any agreement...but our insist- Buhari has also been trying to with 28% in the November 24 “I will win the second round Prime Minister Aristides Gomes ence is that we must all respect boost revenues after a 2016 reces- fi rst-round poll, commission and will lead a crusade against on October 29 and appointed a the ECOWAS protocol on transit sion slashed income. president Jose Pedro Sambu told drug traffi cking and corruption,” successor. goods,” Information Minister Lai “We cannot continue to subsi- reporters, though Embalo later he said. But Gomes refused to step Mohamed told reporters in Abuja. dise the rest of West Africa,” Mo- claimed that his own team’s vote Vaz made no public reaction to down and Vaz fi nally backed Mohamed said the protocol on hamed said, adding that Nigeria count showed it to be a closer the results. down under international pres- duty payment for transit goods has has been able to save around 30% fought race. The 61-year-old president, sure. not been followed to the detriment from its fuel consumption as a re- Because neither passed the who has governed the tiny West The political instability has of local manufacturers. sult of the border closure. Some 50% required to win the presi- African country since 2014, only hurt the economy, which de- He said the government was 10-20% of Nigerian fuel is smug- dency outright, they will face off received 12% of the vote. pends heavily on volatile prices putting in place checks to ensure gled to neighbouring countries as in a second round on December Critics say that even though for cashew nuts, the main in- Former prime minister and presidential candidate Domingos that Nigeria’s economy will not be gasoline is heavily subsidised in 29. Vaz is the fi rst president since come source for over two-thirds Simoes Pereira speaks after the results of the November 24 overrun as a result of a free trade the country and prices are higher “The elections were just, free independence from Portugal in of households. first-round poll, in Bissau. agreement it signed this year. in neighbouring countries. Gulf Times Friday, November 29, 2019 5 AMERICAS McGahn ruling is put on hold Dragon Ball’s Goku in ‘Super Reuters Justice Department lawyers Saiyan Blue’ mode hovers Washington said the fi ling was “in an abun- above the crowd during the dance of caution” in order to 93rd Macy’s Thanksgiving Day ensure that they could then Parade in Manhattan. ppeals court judges put turn to the Supreme Court in a on hold a ruling by a timely fashion if their request is Alower court that would rejected. require former White House McGahn emerged as a piv- Counsel Don McGahn to tes- otal fi gure in a 448-page report Parade tify to lawmakers as part of the completed in March by Mueller. Democrat-led impeachment in- According to the report, Mc- quiry against President Donald Gahn told investigators that balloons Trump. Trump repeatedly instructed McGahn, who left his post in him to have Mueller removed October 2018, last May defi ed and then asked him to deny hav- fl y despite a House Judiciary Commit- ing been so instructed when tee subpoena to testify about word of the action emerged in Trump’s eff orts to impede news reports. McGahn: left his post as White House counsel in October last year. strong former Special Counsel Rob- McGahn did not carry out ei- ert Mueller’s investigation that ther instruction. rejected the Trump administra- former close adviser”. detailed Russian interference in House Democratic leaders tion’s claim of broad immunity The administration wants the winds the 2016 US election. have since focused their im- protecting current and former ruling to be put on hold while The hold on the case comes peachment inquiry on Trump’s senior White House offi cials the Trump administration ap- as the judges for the US Court of actions concerning Ukraine, from being compelled to testify peals it, which means McGahn DPA Appeals for the District of Co- but have discussed pursuing a before Congress, saying that no would not have to testify in the New York The Pikachu balloon hovers above the crowd during the 93rd Macy’s lumbia Circuit consider a longer broader count of obstruction of one is above the law. meantime. Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan. stay. Congress among any articles of Justice Department lawyers The White House has direct- They scheduled oral argu- impeachment – formal charges wrote in the new fi ling that the ed current and former offi cials pongebob Squarepants, Until shortly before the start to weather, in 1971. ments for January 3 on the un- – brought against the president. appeals court should block the not to testify or provide docu- Pikachu and a host of be- of the parade, it was still up in The popular parade, spon- derlying appeal, according to a McGahn’s testimony could ruling before Trump is “irrepa- ments sought in the House of Sloved cartoon charac- the air whether they would take sored by the famous depart- court order. bolster that part of their inquiry. rably injured by the compelled Representatives impeachment ters took fl ight over New York’s off at all. ment store Macy’s, also featured Hours earlier, Washington- In Monday’s ruling, Jackson congressional testimony of a inquiry. streets for the annual Thanks- City rules require balloons to thousands of dancers, fl oats, based US District Judge Ketanji giving Day Parade, despite con- be grounded if sustained winds musicians, marching bands and Brown Jackson agreed to impose Envoy key in Trump impeachment accused of sexual misconduct cerns over high winds. exceed a certain limit. clowns, ending with an appear- a temporary delay on her ruling, Long-time parade favourite New York City police offi cials ance from Santa. saying in an order that it would A US ambassador nominated by Donald Trump who “They have no basis in fact and I categorically deny Snoopy, donning an astronaut decided it was safe for the bal- Singers Celine Dion, Ciara and give her time to rule on whether provided key testimony in his impeachment hearings them,” he said. costume this year to honour the loons to go up, although they Kelly Rowland were among per- to put the case on hold longer- was accused Wednesday of sexual misconduct by The Portland Monthly published named accounts by 50th anniversary of the moon could be defl ated if gusts wors- formers entertaining the crowds. term so the Justice Department three women. three women who said that Sondland, a wealthy hotel landing, led the line-up of giant ened during the event. This year’s parade is the 93rd can appeal. Gordon Sondland, the US envoy to the European owner from Seattle, retaliated against them profes- helium-fi lled balloons snaking The city introduced the regu- edition of the spectacle, which The Justice Department fi led Union, denied the allegations, with his lawyer alleging sionally after they rejected him sexually. through Manhattan yesterday lations after a “Cat in a Hat” bal- attracts more than 3mn people a second emergency application that the accusers were trying to taint his credibility in One of the women acccusing Sondland owns the morning. loon hit a lamppost that then fell along its route, while about 50mn earlier to the appeals court, ask- the inquiry. Portland Monthly. With strong winds blowing and critically injured a spectator more watch it on television. ing that court to put the litiga- “These untrue claims of unwanted touching and A lawyer for Sondland told the magazine the article through the city, the balloons in 1997. The event has become as much tion on hold after Jackson did kissing are concocted and, I believe, co-ordinated for was timed to damage the ambassador’s credibility in were fl oating lower than usual The parade balloons have only of a tradition as feasting on tur- not immediately act on its ear- political purposes,” he said. the Trump impeachment inquiry. and fl at rather than upright. been grounded once before due key on the US holiday. lier request. Three more Navy SEALs spared review after Trump’s intervention

Reuters Trump beefs up with Rocky body on Twitter Washington Donald Trump received a split decision on Wednesday from tens of thousands of Twitter followers after he posted an image of his head superimposed on the muscular he US Navy announced on body of Rocky Balboa, a fictional boxer from the movie series Rocky. Wednesday that it would scrap The post was retweeted 124,000 times and received almost 405,000 likes as of Tplans to carry out reviews of 6.30pm EST (0030 GMT) as many followers responded with memes and photos of three Navy SEALs that could have led their own, comparing Trump’s physique to that of former president Barack Obama. to their ouster from the elite force, af- Followers cheered Trump on with messages of support, saying there is a “fighter in ter President Donald Trump’s extraor- the White House” and thanked him for “being our champion”. dinary intervention in a related case. “No president has ever fought as hard as President @realDonaldTrump on behalf of “I have determined that any failures hardworking, taxpaying, Constitution supporting, God-fearing, middle- and working- in conduct, performance, judgment, class, patriotic, everyday, American citizens,” tweeted Allen Sutton, editor of the or professionalism exhibited by these StewardshipAmerica.com website. offi cers be addressed through other His detractors used the tweet as an opportunity to take swings at Trump, calling the administrative measures as appropri- Republican president “delusional” and “narcissistic”. ate,” acting Navy Secretary Thomas “Is it just me or did this Trump Rocky photo make anyone else throw up in their Modly said in a statement. mouth a little?” tweeted actress Angela Belcamino. The decision follows Trump’s order Some in the media speculated that it was in reference to his ability to fight off contro- on Sunday that Special Operations versy during the ongoing impeachment inquiry in Congress. Chief Edward Gallagher keep his sta- Others suggested that the image alluded to comments he made on Tuesday about tus as a Navy SEAL, even after he was his health during a rally in Florida, where he said doctors told him he had a “gorgeous convicted of battlefi eld misconduct. chest” during a recent physical. The review of the three other SEALs was connected to the Gallagher case. Critics have said such actions would Jacob Portier, Lieutenant-Command- under scrutiny in the Gallagher aff air undermine military justice and send a er Robert Breisch and Lieutenant Tho- as his superiors. message that battlefi eld atrocities will mas MacNeil – had received far less Modly said his decision to scrap the be tolerated. attention than the Gallagher case. reviews should not be interpreted as Trump’s former Navy secretary, Ri- A military jury in July convicted a diminishment of the SEAL ethos, chard Spencer, who was fi red on Sun- Gallagher of illegally posing for pic- which he quoted. day over the case, said on Monday that tures with the corpse of an Islamic It says the elite fi ghters serve with Trump’s decision would leave troops State fi ghter while deployed to Iraq in honour “on and off the battlefi eld”. with the impression “that you can get 2017, but acquitted him of murder in “The United States Navy, and the away with things”. the detainee’s death. Naval Special Warfare Community Trump has argued that Gallagher’s Gallagher also was cleared of charg- specifi cally, have dangerous and im- case was mishandled by the Navy and es of attempted murder in the wound- portant work to do,” he said in his said that he is defending America’s ing of two civilians, a schoolgirl and statement. “In my judgment, neither warfi ghters from unfair prosecution. an elderly man, shot from a sniper’s deserves the continued distraction and The now-terminated reviews of the perch. negative attention that recent events three remaining SEALs – Lieutenant Portier, Breisch and MacNeil were have evoked.”

Man held for throwing faeces at people ‘Numerous fatalities’ on campuses and downtown Toronto after small plane crash

A Toronto man has been charged for throwing faeces on unsuspecting A small airplane crashed in eastern people in apparently random attacks on university campuses and a Canada on Wednesday evening, causing downtown street in Canada’s largest city. “numerous fatalities”, police said. Samuel Opoku, 23, was arrested late on Tuesday and faces 10 counts of Local news channel Global Kingston said mischief and assault with a weapon. the downed aircraft was a single-engine A packed courtroom awaited his brief appearance before a judge on Piper PA-32R, which can seat up to six Wednesday. people, and had been reported missing. According to police, he allegedly emptied a bucket of liquefied faeces “We are now confirming that there over a mother and child seated at a table at a university library, threw are numerous fatalities in regards to faecal matter onto a woman and a man at another university campus, and the small downed aircraft located this emptied a bucket of human waste on a woman on a downtown Toronto evening,” police said in a tweet about street. the accident, near the city of Kingston in The incidents occurred on Friday, Sunday and Monday, respectively. Ontario. The bucket used in the most recent attack was recovered by police and is Global Kingston quoted police as saying being tested to determine its contents, including possible pathogens. they would not provide details on the Canadian media showed images of a firefighter hosing down the scene of number of fatalities until an investigation the latest attack on Monday and surveillance video that showed the suspect was complete. in a yellow construction hat carrying a bucket. In a statement on its website the Toronto mayor John Tory thanked police for their quick response. Transportation Safety Board of Canada “I hope this arrest will help calm concern on campuses and across the city,” said it would send a team of investigators he said in a tweet. to the scene. Gulf Times 6 Friday, November 29, 2019 ASIA Vietnam jails three more activists in crackdown on Facebook posts

Reuters Despite its sweeping economic Communist Party and the Viet- Laos for spreading anti-Viet- convicted this year for anti-gov- “encourage people to participate last half of 2018. Amnesty and Hanoi reforms and openness to social namese government”, the Viet- namese literature there in 2016. ernment posts on Facebook. That in protests during national holi- New York-based Human Rights change, the party does not toler- nam News Agency (VNA) said. Separately, a court in the south- fi gure does not include the three days”, a court said. Watch have decried curbs on free- ate criticism and its leader, Nguy- “He also spread fake and base- ern province of Dong Nai jailed a latest cases. Another 12 politi- Late last month, a 54-year-old dom of expression that leave peo- ietnam has jailed three en Phu Trong, has intensifi ed a less news about the country’s brother and sister yesterday for a cal prisoners remain behind bars architect was jailed for a year over ple facing arrest and jail for voic- more people for anti-gov- crackdown on dissidents and ac- policies, which caused Facebook combination of 14 years on similar on similar charges, the spokes- the same charge. Widely used in ing their opinion, and have also Vernment posts on social tivists since being re-elected in users and residents to misunder- charges of anti-government posts man said. In the other cases this Vietnam, Facebook serves as the urged Hanoi to halt a crackdown media platform Facebook deemed 2016. stand the party and the govern- on Facebook, the provincial police month, a music teacher was jailed main platform both for e-com- on an independent publisher. to defame the ruling Communist Pham Van Diep, a 54-year-old ment,” it added. said in a statement on its website. for 11 years on Nov 15 over anti- merce and the expression of po- “This crackdown has further ex- Party and the government, state activist from the northern prov- The posts were uploaded be- A spokesman for rights group state posts on Facebook and a litical dissent. In May Facebook acerbated the prevailing climate media and police said yesterday, ince of Thanh Hoa, was jailed for tween April 2014 and June 2019, Amnesty International said pre- 38-year-old man was jailed for said it had increased more than of fear in Vietnam,” the rights bringing the total imprisoned this nine years for spreading “dis- VNA said, adding that he had viously that at least 16 people broadcasts of 33 live video ses- sixfold the content in Vietnam to groups said in a joint statement on month to fi ve. torted information defaming the also been jailed for 21 months in had been arrested, detained or sions. The broadcasts aimed to which it restricted access in the Wednesday. Vietnamese families bury fi rst victims of UK truck tragedy

AFP Dien Chau

hrongs of weeping relatives yesterday buried the fi rst Tof 39 Vietnamese people found dead in a truck in Britain last month, in emotional ceremo- nies for the young victims whose deaths have rattled their rural towns. The fi rst of the remains ar- rived in Vietnam from London on a commercial fl ight Wednesday, closing a weeks-long, agonising wait by families eager to have their children back home. All 31 men and eight women found dead in a refrigerated trailer in Essex last month were Viet- namese, many from small towns in central Vietnam. Yesterday several families laid their loved ones to rest after long nights of emotional vigils. Under rainy skies in central Nghe An province, scores of rela- tives and villagers gathered for a fi nal farewell for Hoang Van Tiep, 18, Nguyen Van Hung, 33, two Family members of Hoang Van Tiep are seen as the coff in bearing his remains is transferred from his Family members carry the coff in bearing the remains of Hoang Van Tiep from his home to a church for cousins who died on the truck. home to a church for funeral service in Dien Chau district, Nghe An province yesterday. funeral service in Dien Chau district, Nghe An province yesterday. “I’ve never attended a funeral as big as this. It’s a sad day for all $2,900 for bodies. Many families Europe. They spent several thou- will not be meaningless,” he said. in full so I could see his face one of us,” said a neighbour Hoang Thi opted to pay more for the bodies sand more to secure a spot on the Most of the victims came from last time,” he said of his 25-year- Mai, her eyes wet with tears. so they could give their children truck, promised by brokers as the just a handful of central provinces old son Vo Van Linh, who was sent “I hope they are happy in heav- traditional burials, since crema- safer route into Britain, where in Vietnam, where incomes sag abroad in search of a good job. en,” she added, as their fl ower- tion is rare in rural Vietnam. The many Vietnamese end up working beneath the national average and He was among 16 victims fl anked caskets were transported tragedy has shone a grim light on illegally in nail salons or on can- many people work as fi shermen, whose bodies arrived in Vietnam by a long procession to a cemetery the dangers of illegal migration nabis farms. farmers or factory workers. on Wednesday. The rest of the in Dien Chau district. The parents into Britain, a top spot for many Speaking at a packed memorial Ten of the victims came from remains are expected later this of Hung were carried away from young Vietnamese hoping for service for Hung and Tiep yester- Ha Tinh province, where a mas- week. Vietnam has arrested at the burial on a motorbike, over- better lives. day, priest Phan Sy Phuong said sive toxic dump in 2016 killed least 10 people in connection with come with emotion and unable to The majority of the victims the tragedy was a lesson. tonnes of fi sh, decimating liveli- the tragedy for people smuggling, watch. Those who stayed wailed discovered in the truck on Octo- “Your death may be a warning hoods and sparking an uptick in though none have been formally as the coffi ns were lowered into ber 23 were from central Vietnam, to young people, to our children, illegal migration, according to charged. Several people have also the ground. driven by a perceived lack of op- who because of poverty think they experts. been arrested in Britain, includ- Their families have waited portunity at home and helped by have to leave their homeland,” he “I’m very sad to have to bury my ing the 25-year-old driver of the weeks for their bodies to come a sophisticated network of bro- told the crowd, some of whom own son,” Vo Van Binh told AFP truck Maurice Robinson, who back, and took loans from the kers. Some families told AFP they fainted as the caskets were carried from his bare home in Ha Tinh, pleaded guilty to conspiring to Family members lower the coff in bearing the remains of Hoang Van government to cover the cost of borrowed tens of thousands of in. “The death of 39 people may surrounded by mourning rela- assist illegal immigration in court Tiep during burial rites at a cemetery in Dien Chau district, Nghe An repatriation – $1,800 for ashes, or dollars to send their children to save many others... your deaths tives. “I wanted to bring him back this week. province yesterday.

Indonesia aims to Cheering for Minions Blogger tests fake replace some top civil news legislation by service jobs with AI rebuffi ng correction

Reuters order in Singapore Jakarta

Reuters it’s editor, who is now a citizen ndonesian President Joko Widodo yesterday ordered government Singapore of Australia, will not comply agencies to remove two ranks of public servants in 2020 and re- with any order from a foreign Iplace their roles with artifi cial intelligence, in a bid to cut red tape government like North Korea hampering investment. Widodo made the remarks in a room full of blogger said yesterday or Singapore,” States Times leaders of big companies as he laid out a second-term agenda aimed at he would not comply Review posted yesterday in changing the structure of Southeast Asia’s largest economy by reduc- Awith a Singapore gov- comments attributed to editor ing its reliance on natural resources. ernment order to correct a Fa- Alex Tan. Earlier yesterday, the The president, whose new fi ve-year term began last month af- cebook post in the fi rst test of newly-created POFMA offi ce ter winning an election in April, said Indonesia should transition to the city-state’s new ‘fake news’ said Tan, a 32-year-old Sin- higher-end manufacturing, such as electric vehicles and use raw ma- law. Singapore’s home ministry gaporean, had been instructed terials like coal and bauxite in such industries, not just exports. Such said the post on the Facebook to carry a notice on his Nov. 23 transformation would require foreign investment and Widodo said he page of a blog called the States post with a link to a govern- would improve the business climate by fi xing dozens of overlapping Times Review, which con- ment statement that contained rules and cutting red tape. tained allegations of election “corrections and clarifi ca- To reduce bureaucracy, Widodo said the current top four tiers in A cartoon film character from the Minions entertain visitors during the launch of ‘Universal rigging, was “false” and “scur- tions” about the post. government agencies would be fl attened to two next year. “I have or- Christmas’ at Universal Studios Singapore in Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore yesterday. rilous”. If Tan fails to comply he could dered my minister (of administrative and bureaucratic reform) to re- It marks the second case be fi ned of up to S$20,000, or place them with AI. Our bureaucracy will be faster with AI,” he said, in days under the Protection face 12 months jail, or both, referring to artifi cial intelligence. However, he added this plan would from Online Falsehoods and according to the law which need parliamentary approval. Nepal bus crash leaves 19 dead, 18 injured Manipulation Act (POFMA), applies to persons both in and Widodo did not provide further details, including any guidance on which also allows government outside the country who make which specifi c roles would be removed or how the technology would The death toll from a bus crash The bus was heading to Butwal, several hospitals. Among them, ministers to instruct Internet false statements of fact com- be used. The government will hand over to parliament a bill on tax re- on a mountain road in southern the main city of the region, three are in serious condition,” fi rms like Facebook to correct municated in Singapore. forms next month and another bill addressing labour issues, Widodo Nepal has risen to 19 after two from Sandhikharka, the district he told DPA. The crash site is or block access to content they The POFMA offi ce did not said, a timeline Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati made public passengers succumbed to headquarters. around 227km south-west of deem false. Rights groups have immediately respond to Reu- on Wednesday. their injuries yesterday, local Prakash Bista, a local police Kathmandu. raised concerns the fake news ters questions on how long Tan Political parties in Widodo’s ruling coalition control 74% of the police said. The passenger bus off icer, said the driver lost The wreckage was scattered law could be used to stifl e free had to comply and whether the seats in parliament, making it easy for his administration to push veered off a road and plunged control of his vehicle in a hairpin along the slope below the road speech and chill dissent in the government would instruct through legislation. Widodo reiterated the government’s outlook that into a gorge in Narapani village turn of the narrow mountain and the police search and rescue city state, charges government Facebook to take action if he Indonesia’s economy would grow 5.04%-5.05% this year, slower than of Arghakhanchi district in road. “Eighteen injured team struggled to retrieve the offi cials have denied. didn’t. Facebook declined to its 5.3% target, amid a global economic slowdown. southern Nepal on Wednesday. passengers are being treated in bodies. “States Times Review and comment. Gulf Times Friday, November 29, 2019 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Taiwan pushes anti-infi ltration bill, opposition cries foul

Reuters The legislation is part of a and parliamentary elections on wan was “extremely severe”. to strengthen the legal system to the DPP for using the accusa- “Are they using the case of Taipei years-long eff ort to combat what Jan 11. They say there is extra Other democracies take legal safeguard national security and tions to seek electoral gain and Wang Liqiang to rush the legisla- many in Taiwan see as Chinese urgency following allegations steps to stop such activities, and the future of freedom and de- smear their presidential candi- tion, and paint the Kuomintang eff orts to infl uence politics and from a Chinese asylum seeker Taiwan must do so too, especial- mocracy.” date, Han Kuo-yu. red?” he said, referring to the aiwan needs to have legal the democratic process on the in Australia, Wang Liqiang, who ly due to “China’s unwillingness China has denied meddling in Speaking earlier yesterday colour of the Chinese Commu- means to prevent China island. China claims Taiwan as told media there he was a spy to give up on annexing Taiwan, Taiwan, and says supposed spy at a parliamentarian hearing nist Party. “The legislation could Tinterfering in its politics, its territory, to be brought under who had worked to spread Com- while using Taiwan’s free and Wang is a convicted fraudster regarding the law initiative, easily become a political tool, a government spokesman said Beijing’s control by force if nec- munist Party infl uence in Hong open environment to create di- who has made “absurd” claims. Charles Chen, who is running as especially during the elections,” yesterday about a anti-infi ltra- essary. Kong and meddle in Taiwan poli- vision within society”, Chiu told Taiwan’s main opposition party a Kuomintang legislator, called Chen added. tion law that is being drafted, The ruling Democratic Pro- tics. Chiu Chui-cheng, deputy reporters. the Kuomintang, which favours the planned legislation a “politi- Kuomintang presidential as the main opposition said it gressive Party has begun a re- head of Taiwan’s Mainland Af- “We are right at the front- closer ties with China, has ex- cal tool” for the administration hopeful Han said this week he feared being “painted red” by the newed push for the legislation fairs Council, said China’s infi l- line of external threats and thus pressed serious doubts about of President Tsai Ing-wen to gain would sue Wang if he ever came law. this week, ahead of presidential tration and interference in Tai- have an even more urgent need Wang’s allegations, criticising votes. to Taiwan. China slams US for law backing HK protesters

Reuters violations. The Chinese foreign raise awareness of the sinister Hong Kong ministry said the United States intentions and hegemonic nature would shoulder the consequenc- of the US,” the foreign ministry es of China’s countermeasures said. “The US plot is doomed.” hina warned the United if it continued to “act arbitrar- Foreign ministry spokesman States yesterday that it ily” in regards to Hong Kong. Geng Shuang, pressed on specif- Cwould take “fi rm coun- Chinese Vice Foreign Minister ics of countermeasures planned ter measures” in response to US Le Yucheng summoned US am- by Beijing, declined to comment legislation backing anti-govern- bassador Terry Branstad and de- on a timeline or any measures. ment protesters in Hong Kong, manded that Washington imme- “You better stay tuned, and fol- and said attempts to interfere diately stop interfering in China’s low up on this,” he told reporters in the Chinese-ruled city were domestic aff airs. yesterday. “What will come will doomed to fail. Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed come.” US President Donald Trump government said the legislation Gao Feng, a spokesman for on Wednesday signed into law sent the wrong signal to demon- China’s commerce ministry, did congressional legislation which strators and “clearly interfered” not comment directly on wheth- A protestor holding US flag as she attends a gathering at the Edinburgh place in Hong Kong. supported the protesters, despite with the city’s internal aff airs. er the Hong Kong law would af- angry objections from Beijing, China is considering barring the fect trade talks, saying there were some of the worst clashes be- with which he is seeking a deal to drafters of the legislation, whose no new details of their progress to tween protesters and security end a damaging trade war. US Senate sponsor is Florida disclose. forces. “The situation in Poly U is Protesters in Hong Kong re- Republican Marco Rubio, from Some analysts say any move to still a disaster,” said 30-year-old sponded by staging a “Thanks- entering mainland China as well end Hong Kong’s special treat- Ng, dressed in black and wear- giving” rally, with thousands of as Hong Kong and Macau, Xu Xi- ment could harm the United ing a surgical mask. “We are out people, some draped in US fl ags, jin, the editor of China’s Global States, which has benefi ted from to show we will never forget the gathering in the heart of the city. Times tabloid, said on Twitter. business-friendly conditions in Poly U incident.” “The rationale for us having this More than 5,800 people have the territory. About 100 plainclothes police rally is to show our gratitude and been arrested since the unrest Anti-government protests moved into the campus yester- thank the US Congress and also broke out in June over a proposal have roiled the former British day morning to collect evidence President Trump for passing the to allow extraditions to mainland colony for six months, at times and remove dangerous items bill,” said 23-year-old Sunny China, the numbers increasing forcing businesses, government, such as petrol bombs. Police said Cheung, a member of the stu- exponentially in October and schools and even the interna- any protesters found would re- dent group that lobbied for the November as violence escalated. tional airport to close. Hong ceive medical treatment and ar- legislation. Demonstrators are angry at Kong has enjoyed a rare lull in rests were not a priority, though “We are really grateful about police violence and what they violence over the past week, with they were seen brushing molotov that and we really appreciate the see as Chinese meddling in the local elections on Sunday deliv- cocktails for fi ngerprints. eff ort made by Americans who freedoms promised to Hong Kong ering a landslide victory to pro- The university became a bat- support Hong Kong, who stand when it returned to Chinese rule democracy candidates. tleground in mid-November, with Hong Kong, who do not in 1997, such as an independent Prominent activists Joshua when protesters barricaded choose to side with Beijing,” he judiciary. China says it is com- Wong and Denise Ho addressed themselves in and clashed with said, urging other countries to mitted to the “one country, two the rally, saying they had front- riot police in a hail of petrol pass similar legislation. systems” formula put in place at line protesters to thank for the bombs, water cannon and tear The law requires the State the handover, and blames foreign passage of the bill. Crowds sang gas. About 1,100 people were ar- Department to certify, at least forces for fomenting the unrest, the protest anthem ‘Glory to rested last week. annually, that Hong Kong is au- which it did again in response to Hong Kong’, waving their phone Reuters witnesses at the uni- tonomous enough to justify fa- the US law. torches. Several hundred peo- versity said garbage and aban- vourable US trading terms that “This so-called legislation ple also gathered after nightfall doned sleeping bags, helmets have helped it become a world will only strengthen the resolve outside the Polytechnic Univer- and gas masks were strewn eve- People hold up lights from their mobile phones as they take part in a gathering of thanksgiving at fi nancial centre. It also threat- of the Chinese people, includ- sity, which police entered after a rywhere, but no protesters could Edinburgh Place in Hong Kong’s Central district after US President Donald Trump signed legislation ens sanctions for human rights ing the Hong Kong people, and nearly two-week siege that saw be seen. requiring an annual review of freedoms in Hong Kong.

Fears for infants in Samoa as N Korea test fi res short range rockets in measles deaths New Zealand PM mount apologises over reminder of year-end deadline for US Measles infections continued to climb steeply in Samoa yesterday as a mass vaccina- 1979 air disaster Reuters tion programme fails to reach Seoul the infants most vulnerable to the deadly epidemic. The AFP Peter Mahon, also accused Air government said the number of Wellington New Zealand offi cials of telling reaking a month-long lull in missile fatalities had climbed to 39 and “an orchestrated litany of lies” tests, North Korea fi red two short range the total number of infections to cover up the mistake and Bprojectiles into the sea off its east coast was 2,936, up 250 in a 24-hour rime Minister Jacinda keep the blame on the pilots. yesterday in what appeared to be the latest try period. Infants aged four or less Ardern off ered an offi cial The then prime minister Rob- out its new multiple rocket launchers, South account for 35 of the deaths Papology yesterday on the ert Muldoon attacked Mahon’s Korea’s military said. since the outbreak began in 40th anniversary of New Zea- report, viewing the fi ndings The test-fi ring came as the clock ticks down mid-October and the govern- land’s worst peacetime disaster, against the state-owned carrier on the year-end deadline that Pyongyang had ment said another 21 children the Mount Erebus air crash in as a blow to national prestige, given the United Stated to show fl exibility in were critically ill in hospital. Yet which 257 people died. and it was not formally tabled their stalled denuclearisation talks. the Pacific nation’s director of An Air New Zealand DC-10 until 1999, 18 years after its It also coincided with the US Thanksgiving health Take Naseri said a com- on a sightseeing fl ight over Ant- completion. holiday, and took place one day before the sec- pulsory vaccination programme arctica slammed into remote Ardern said the govern- ond anniversary of the North’s test of an in- was not reaching children aged Mount Erebus during “whit- ment’s handling of the disas- tercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capa- six months to four years, even eout” conditions on the frozen ter’s aftermath was wrong. “It ble of hitting the US mainland. South Korea’s though they are a priority group. continent on November 28, caused trauma on top of grief. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the North redfi People watch a TV broadcasting file footage for a news report on North Korea firing an “We are still not satisfied with 1979, killing all on board. And persecution on top of pain,” the two projectiles into the sea from launchers unidentified projectile, in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. the coverage of the six months “That loss, in and of itself, said the prime minister, who at in the eastern coastal town of Yonpo at around to the four years. We still haven’t was huge. It sent ripples across 38 was not born when the crash 5pm. The rockets travelled up to 380km and South Korea’s military expressed “strong Seoul ahead of Kim Jong-un’s year-end dead- crossed 40% of that age group,” the country... but that loss and occurred. She also said put it reached an altitude of 97km, the JCS said. regret,” urging the North to stop stoking mili- line,” said Leif-Eric Easley, who teaches inter- he said. “The other age groups grief was compounded. It was on record that both the gov- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said tary tension. “Such acts by North Korea are national studies at Ewha Womans University are doing steadily, but we are undeniably worsened by the ernment and Air New Zealand the launch was a threat to not only Japan but unhelpful for eff orts to ease tension on the in Seoul. still worried that most of the kids events that followed,” Ardern now accepted there was an er- the region and beyond, though his defence Korean peninsula,” Jeon Dong-jin, director of North Korean offi cials have warned the are not coming forward or not told a commemoration service ror with navigation systems and ministry said the projectile did not enter Japa- operations at the JCS, told a news briefi ng. United States to abandon its hostile policy being brought by their parents.” in Auckland. An initial inquiry the pilots were totally blame- nese airspace or its Exclusive Economic Zone. Kim has set an end-of-the-year deadline toward the North or Pyongyang would walk The World Health Organisation blamed pilot error but a royal less for the crash. “The time has “We will remain in close contact with the for denuclearisation talks with Washington, away from the talks. The North has demand- has blamed an anti-vaccine commission, the most powerful come to end the piecemeal ac- United States, South Korea and the interna- but negotiations have been at an impasse af- ed the lifting of sanctions against it and the messaging campaign for leaving judicial inquiry under New Zea- knowledgements,” Ardern said. tional community to monitor the situation,” ter a day-long working level meeting on Oct abandonment of joint military drills by the Samoa vulnerable to the spread land law, subsequently cleared “After 40 years, on behalf of Abe told reporters. 5 ended without progress. Analysts believe United States and South Korea, which it calls of the virus. New Zealand nurse the crew. It found the airline re- today’s government, the time The launch is the fi rst since Oct 31, when Pyongyang is trying to send a Thanksgiving preparations for an invasion. Karen Page, who is in Samoa set the plane’s navigation sys- has come to apologise for the the North tested what it called super-large reminder to the United States by demonstrat- The test also comes a week after South Ko- with the Red Cross, said the tems without telling the pilots, actions of an airline then in full multiple rocket launchers, which had also ing progress in weapons development on the rea pulled back from a decision to scrap an vaccination programme had inadvertently setting the air- state ownership; which ulti- been used in tests conducted in August and anniversary of the 2017 ICBM test. intelligence-sharing pact with Japan, a key been popular in urban areas and craft on a collision course with mately caused the loss of the September that were overseen by North Ko- “Today’s launch fi t a North Korean pattern element of security co-operation between the mobile clinics were now moving the side of the mountain. aircraft and the loss of those rean leader Kim Jong-un. of escalating pressure on Washington and key US allies in the region. out into the countryside. The report’s author, judge you loved.” Gulf Times 8 Friday, November 29, 2019 BRITAIN

POLLUTION DECISION REALTY PEOPLE FALLOUT ‘Bags for life’ drive adding College to return House prices rise by most in Gary Rhodes died of head Grenfell contractor being to plastic waste: study looted Benin statue seven months: Nationwide injury, family confirms sued in cladding row

Britain’s campaign to reduce waste by A Cambridge University college has said it will British house prices rose more than expected in The TV chef Gary Rhodes died from bleeding The contractor that refurbished Grenfell Tower is encouraging shoppers to buy plastic “bags for return a bronze cockerel statue looted from November, according to figures from mortgage between the skull and the brain, according to a one of several firms being sued over works on five life” instead of single-use ones has fuelled an Nigeria, which formed the focus of protests over lender Nationwide, suggesting next month’s statement from his family. They said they wanted other tower blocks using similar cladding, because increase in plastic waste from supermarkets symbols of Britain’s colonial past. The statue national election was not putting further to end “painful speculation” about his death, the government has allegedly not released enough last year, environmental groups said yesterday. known as “Okukor” was taken in 1897 from the pressure on the market which remains sluggish. after he died in Dubai on Tuesday. The 59-year- money to cover the costs of making them safe. There was “little tangible progress” by major former kingdom of Benin, which is now part of House prices rose by 0.8% compared with old had been working on a new TV series and Rydon, among others originally involved in supermarket chains in reducing their usage of southern Nigeria, and given to Jesus College in November 2018, the strongest increase since was reported to be in a happy mood when he the works at the Chalcots estate in Camden, throwaway plastics, according to research by 1905 by the father of a student. In a statement the April, Nationwide said yesterday. A Reuters came home from filming. He later collapsed north London, are now facing court claims the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) college said the recommendation to return it was poll of economists had pointed to a rise of and was rushed to hospital. The family said totalling £130mn, to cover the costs of stripping and Greenpeace UK. Eight retailers reported a made by a working group investigating the legacy 0.2%. However, it was the 12th month in a row in a statement that Gary Rhodes died due to combustible cladding, employing fire marshals and rise in their combined use of “bags for life” from of slavery. “This royal ancestral heirloom belongs that annual price growth remained below 1%, subdural haematoma. “The family would again fixing inadequate internal fire stopping measures 960mn to 1.24bn last year, with another 271mn with the current Oba (king) at the Court of Benin,” compared with gains of about 5% at the time request privacy around this very tragic loss and and fire doors. More than 1,000 people had to be bags sold by two more supermarkets, the groups it said, adding that the details of how and when it of the Brexit referendum in 2016. In November again thank friends and family for their ongoing evacuated from the blocks immediately after the said in a report. would be returned had yet to be resolved. alone, house prices rose by 0.5%. support at this time,” the statement added. June 2017 disaster for fear of a repeat catastrophe. Tory candidates ‘issued with manuals on how to smear rivals’

Guardian News and Media they were made two years before London the referendum took place. Other highly dubious claims included in the documents in- onservative candidates in clude: the general election have  The Liberal Democrats want Cbeen issued with a de- to scrap the promotion of “Brit- tailed dossier on how to attack ish values” and replace them Labour and Liberal Democrat with “universal values” – this rivals which contains numerous was a suggestion made in rela- rehashed and potentially mis- tion to counter-terrorism only. leading claims, the Guardian re-  The party’s leader, Jo Swin- vealed. son, supports a new tax on The documents accuse the homes. This dates back to 2014, Liberal Democrats of pushing and is not party policy. policies and sex work as a career  Labour’s plans will push up for schoolchildren. household bills by £2,000. This They also reheat a discred- is sourced from the right-wing ited claim that Labour’s policy tabloid the Daily Express, which Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader, Boris Johnson poses with prospective parliamentary candidates in Plymouth, southwest England, yesterday after attending the on free movement would lead to itself was reporting Tory calcu- unveiling ceremony of the statue of Nancy Astor, the first female MP to take her seat in the House of Commons 100 years ago. 840,000 migrants coming to the lations. UK each year.  Labour will “automatically” Drafted by the Conservative support all strikes. This relies on research department, the docu- a 2015 quote from the shadow ments are designed to provide chancellor, John McDonnell. candidates with approved mes- However, the party’s manifesto sages to use on doorsteps across says it will only “remove unnec- the country. essary restrictions on industrial One 17-page briefi ng note is action”. Tory, Labour spending specifi cally for Tories in seats  McDonnell has said that where the main challenge comes business is “the real enemy”. from Labour. Another 19-page This draws on a 2011 speech he document is for candidates fi ght- made, but misses the ending – ing a Liberal Democrat threat. he said the enemy was “the cor- Many of the statements with- porations who created the crisis”. in them are sourced from com- In one section headed: “The plans not credible: IFS ments made several years ago, or Liberal Democrats don’t share by local party members, and do people’s values”, the briefi ng Guardian News and Media This time, the Conservatives eral Democrats have plenty to year, up from £25bn in 2017, and vision is of a state with a far not accurately refl ect the current note claims: “The LibDems have London are not promising any more offer,” Johnson said. taxes by £80bn, up from £50bn. greater role than anything positions of opposition parties. put forward policies on prostitu- spending cuts but are not pre- Turning to the Labour mani- Both taxes and spending would we have seen for more than Some draw on pledges made in tion – and have suggested pros- dicting any spending increases festo, he said Jeremy Corbyn’s rise to peacetime highs, and the 40 years. They would tax and the run-up to the 2015 election, or titution should be suggested as a he Institute for Fiscal beyond those set out in Septem- party had reinforced its com- national debt would increase by spend more than ever before, take statements out of context. career to schoolchildren.” Studies (IFS) has at- ber either. Their plans would mitment to its current spending about 3% of national income. putting in place a new universal The document on how to at- To reach this claim, the dos- Ttacked the spending leave public service spending plans, raising them to £80bn With the Conservatives, the welfare state with free child- tack Labour focuses on the sier took comments made three plans of the two main parties, excluding health still 14% lower from £50bn in 2017. On top of risk is that their promise to care, free university, free per- economy and includes warnings years ago by a former chairman saying neither election mani- in 2023-24 than it was in 2010- that, there is a £58bn prom- exit the Brexit transition pe- sonal care, free prescriptions that the party’s policies would of the LibDems’ Cheltenham festo “is a properly credible 11. “No more austerity perhaps, ise to Waspi women (Women riod by the end of 2020 could and more besides; they would cost the nation £1.2tn, and that branch and suggested they were prospectus”. but an awful lot of it baked in,” Against State Pension Inequal- mean something rather like impose a swathe of new labour every taxpayer could expect a indicative of party policy. Paul Johnson, the director of Johnson said. ity), which he described as “ex- a “no-deal” outcome. “That market regulations.” bill for £2,400 to install Jeremy In fact, Dennis Parsons was the respected thinktank, noted The Conservatives have pen- traordinary”. would harm the economy and Johnson added: “In the face Corbyn as prime minister. The forced to resign in 2016 after that the Conservatives’ election cilled in few tax changes beyond Johnson said this spending of course increase the debt and of such vast ambition from La- claims were widely debunked making the remarks, which he manifesto in 2017 pledged more a small cut in national insurance pledge, to a group of people who defi cit.” bour, one should not forget that when made two weeks ago. said were a rhetorical question austerity and spending cuts, but contributions. were relatively well off on aver- Summing up, Johnson said the Liberal Democrat manifesto The Liberal Democrats are and not his views. Parsons also in reality public service spend- “If you think things are age, would far outstrip the ad- while there were some spending is itself a radical document that painted as hypocrites with views apologised unreservedly. ing had gone up, and was due pretty much OK as they are, ditional sums earmarked for the increases for health and educa- would involve a decisive move that are at odds with Britain’s Tory candidates targeting Lib to be around £27bn higher next then you will like the Con- “much bigger group of much tion already promised, there away from the policies of the values. One attack line high- Dems have also been given lists year than implied by the mani- servatives’ proposals for tax poorer working age benefi t re- was “essentially nothing new in past decade. lights the “anti-Brexit” com- of examples to support claims the festo. In fact, he said, it was and spend. If you want big in- cipients”. the Conservatives’ manifesto”. “Rarely can a starker choice ments from a Liberal Democrat party is soft on crime, and wants closer to the 2017 Labour pledge creases in taxation and spend- Under Labour, investment “Labour, by contrast, want have been placed before the UK candidate’s blog – even though to “hike taxes on working people”. than the Tories’ own manifesto. ing then Labour and the Lib- spending would rise by £55bn a to change everything. Their electorate.” Hillsborough police chief Net migration from EU cleared of manslaughter into UK at record low Guardian News and Media 151,000 from a trough of 75,000 London in the year to March 2013. Guardian News and Media September 2012 Hillsborough In- police, under Duckenfi eld’s com- The lower value of the London dependent Panel report. mand, did not manage fans’ ap- pound making the UK less at- The jury in Preston heard proach with fi lters or cordons. No et migration from the tractive, improving economic that the lethal crush developed successful measures were taken to EU into the UK is at prospects in EU countries of he former South Yorkshire in the central “pens” 3 and 4 of alleviate the crush that developed Nits lowest level since origin, and the political uncer- police chief superintend- the Leppings Lane terrace, after after 2.30pm; at 2.47pm, superin- before the bloc was enlarged tainty of the prolonged Brexit Tent David Duckenfi eld has a buildup of people at the turn- tendent Roger Marshall, on duty to take in countries including process are all factors that have been found not guilty of gross stiles with tickets to support at the turnstiles, requested the Poland and Lithuania, fi gures infl uenced the decline in net negligence manslaughter more Liverpool. Due to the selected large exit gates to be opened to al- suggest. EU migration. than 30 years after he com- method of keeping the two low people respite. Duckenfi eld The diff erence between EU However, an estimated manded the police at the 1989 clubs’ supporters separate, only declined, then at 2.52pm Marshall nationals arriving and leaving 229,000 more non-EU citi- FA Cup semi-fi nal at Hillsbor- the 23 turnstiles at the Leppings warned that somebody would in the year ending June 2019 zens moved to the UK than left ough between Liverpool and Lane end were used to process die if the gates were not opened. was 48,000, fi gures from the in the year ending June 2019 Nottingham Forest, at which 96 all 24,000 people with tickets Duckenfi eld then gave the order to Offi ce for National Statistics – this has gradually increased people died. for the north and west stands open the gates. (ONS) show, the lowest level since 2013 largely because of The verdict came in a retrial allocated to Liverpool. Of these, Gate C opened on to a con- since 2003, when it was 15,000 a rise in non-EU immigration, that began on October 7. A fi rst only seven turnstiles were avail- course with a tunnel directly and before the so-called EU8 while emigration has remained trial on the same charge, heard able for all 10,100 people with ahead, leading to the central countries joining the union: broadly stable. by the same judge, Sir Peter tickets to stand on the Leppings pens. Many of approximately Czech Republic, Estonia, Hun- The distinction is important Openshaw, ended on April 3 with Lane and north west terraces. 2,500 people who came through gary, Latvia, Lithuania, Po- because the government’s im- the jury unable to reach a ver- Duckenfi eld had been newly gate C, including 30 of the peo- land, Slovakia and Slovenia. migration policy is focused on dict. Duckenfi eld was charged in promoted by South Yorkshire po- ple who were killed, went down EU net migration climbed to ending freedom of movement June 2017 following a new police lice to chief superintendent 19 the tunnel. The prosecution al- a peak of 219,000 in the year with the EU with a broader ar- investigation into the disaster, days before the semi-fi nal and had leged that Duckenfi eld’s failure to March 2015 and has been gument that the country has Operation Resolve, and verdicts never before commanded a match to identify hazards at the turn- falling ever since against the no control of this side of mi- of unlawful killing returned by at Hillsborough. The experienced stiles, monitor the numbers backdrop of the referendum gration. But the element over the jury at the 2014-16 inquests previous chief superintendent, waiting to come in, relieve the and the Brexit negotiations. which it does have control – in Warrington. Brian Mole, had been moved to pressures outside, monitor the The fall is driven by a decline immigration outside the EU – The original 1991 inquest verdict command the division at Barnsley. numbers in the central pens and in EU immigration, down from continues to rise. EU net mi- of accidental death was quashed 21 The court heard that at the direct people away from the tun- a 305,000 peak in March 2015 gration has declined without years later following a long cam- match on April 15, 1989, a backlog nel and central pens, amounted Former police chief superintendent David Duckenfield arrives at to 199,000 in the year to June, restricting freedom of move- paign by bereaved families and the built up at the turnstiles after the to gross negligence. Preston Crown Court in Preston, northern England. while EU emigration is up to ment. Gulf Times Friday, November 29, 2019 9 EUROPE European Parliament declares ‘climate emergency’ in symbolic act

DPA The Oxford dictionary defi nes This limit in temperature heading for Europe on a catama- and public transport, supporting emissions and extreme weather The EU must also achieve Strasbourg climate emergency as “a situ- rise is the more ambitious tar- ran to attend the COP25 summit, communities investing in renew- events happening all over Eu- carbon neutrality by 2040, ac- ation in which urgent action is get foreseen in the Paris climate urged the European Union to fol- able energy, banning pesticides rope”. cording to Greenpeace, 10 years required to reduce or halt climate agreement based on pre-indus- low up on the resolution with and ending subsidies for factory It follows a number of similar sooner than the goal set by in- clear majority of lawmak- change and avoid potentially ir- trial global temperature averages. tangible measures. farms are just some of the bold declarations from states and cit- coming commission president ers in the European Par- reversible environmental damage The resolution comes ahead “We can’t solve a crisis with- ways to take action now,” Green- ies. Ursula von der Leyen. Aliament voted to declare resulting from it”. of next week’s COP25 environ- out treating it as one. Let’s hope peace’s EU climate adviser Se- EU lawmakers also passed an- The current commission al- a “climate and environmental The resolution itself doesn’t mental summit in Madrid, where they now take drastic suffi cient bastian Mang said. other resolution yesterday urging ready proposed the goal of net- emergency” in Europe yesterday, foresee any concrete measures. a delegation of EU lawmakers is action,” she wrote on Twitter. “Our house is on fi re. The Eu- the new commission to up the zero emissions by 2050, but a symbolic act to put EU policy- It urges the European Com- also to be present. Environmental organisation ropean Parliament has seen the 2030 emissions reductions target Poland, Hungary and the Czech makers under pressure to meet mission – the EU’s executive The head of the environmental Greenpeace, and the hard-left blaze, but it’s not enough to stand to 55%, from a current target of at Republic are opposed. environmental targets. branch – “to ensure that all rel- committee, Pascal Canfi n, said GUE/NGL and Green parliamen- by and watch,” he added. least 40%. Von der Leyen has pledged The resolution passed with 429 evant legislative and budgetary yesterday that he is “proud” to tary groups also stressed that the The resolution was proposed However, only a 65% reduction to present her climate plan, the votes in favour and 225 against in proposals are fully aligned with make Europe the fi rst continent resolution needs to be matched by the Liberal parliamentary in emissions by 2030 as com- European Green Deal, within the EU legislature in the French the objective of limiting global to declare a climate emergency. with eff ective action. group last week, due to “the sus- pared to 1990 levels can avert “a her fi rst 100 days as commission city of Strasbourg, with 19 ab- warming to under 1.5° Celsius”, Swedish teen activist Greta “Holding fossil-fuel compa- tained rise in global tempera- full-blown climate crisis”, ac- president. stentions. parliament said in a statement. Thunberg, who is currently nies responsible, investing in rail tures, peaking greenhouse gas cording to Greenpeace. She is to take offi ce on Sunday. Macron stands by Nato ‘wake-up call’ AFP spread of Islamic terrorism in the Paris Sahel region of Western Africa, where 13 French soldiers were Men walk near the back of the Courts of Justice in Valletta. killed this week when two of their rench President Emmanuel helicopters collided in Mali. Macron stood by yesterday Macron said that at next Fhis claim that the North week’s Nato meeting in Watford, Atlantic Treaty Organisation northwest of London, he would Ex-offi cial accused in (Nato) is suff ering “brain death” urge allies to get more involved in with no strategic co-operation the Sahel fi ght. among members, after talks with While Britain has provided Malta murder: sources alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg helicopters and security person- ahead of a high-stakes meeting nel to help France’s 4,500-mem- outside London next week. ber Barkhane force in West Reuters According to police and legal “I totally stand by raising these Africa, and the US provides in- Valletta sources with direct knowledge ambiguities because I believe it telligence support, Paris has so of the probe, Fenech is seek- was irresponsible of us to keep far failed to persuade other allies ing legal immunity in return talking about fi nancial and tech- to make a signifi cant contribu- Maltese businessman for testimony that would im- nical matters given the stakes we tion. Macron and Stoltenberg at the news conference following their meeting at the Elysee palace in Paris. has told police that plicate Schembri and reveal a currently face,” Macron said at a Underscoring that France’s Aformer government wide scheme of corruption on joint news conference after the forces were acting “on behalf of Forces (INF) treaty with Russia ests of our Turkish ally, which withdraw US troops from north- chief of staff Keith Schembri the island implicating senior talks. everyone”, Macron said: “A big- earlier this year. has suff ered numerous attacks east Syria, a move that cleared was the mastermind behind politicians. “A wake-up call was neces- ger engagement by the allies is Nato diplomats have voiced on its soil,” Macron said. “But the way for Turkey to attack the the 2017 murder of journalist A pardon can be issued only sary,” he said, regarding Nato’s obviously something that would concern about even consider- you cannot on the one hand say Kurdish forces. Daphne Caruana Galizia, two by the president, on the rec- failure to address pressing chal- be quite positive.” ing Russia’s request to freeze the we are allies and demand solidar- Trump in turn has repeatedly people briefed on the investi- ommendation of Muscat’s lenges such as relations with Speaking later to Europe 1 ra- status quo, pointing out that it ity in that regard and on the other accused European Nato members gation said yesterday. cabinet. Russia, the subject of Turkey, or dio Stoltenberg said that if Ma- would give Moscow, which has hand present your allies with the of freeloading on the US by fall- Schembri was arrested on President George Vella can- even “who is the enemy?” cron requested Nato’s help the already deployed the missiles, fait accompli of a military opera- ing short of their commitment Tuesday in connection with celled a trip to London next It is no longer Russia or China, alliance would consider the ap- a military advantage over Nato, tion that endangers the actions to spend at least 2% of GDP on the case. week because of the crisis, Macron said: “Our common en- peal “very seriously”. which has not. of the anti-IS coalition of which defence. He has not issued any state- while Muscat pulled out of an emy ... is the terrorism which has Yesterday Macron also de- Macron said he merely consid- Nato is a member.” Stoltenberg confi rmed that ment since his detention but event yesterday evening. struck us all.” fended his push for a rapproche- ered Moscow’s request as a “ba- The comments set the stage Washington would cut its fund- has previously always denied The sources did not indicate Macron’s “brain death” com- ment with Russian President sis for discussions”. for a possibly fractious Nato ing to the alliance’s operating any connection to the killing whether Fenech had provided ment, published in an interview Vladimir Putin, rebuffi ng charges The French president, who summit in London on December budget to 16% of the total from of Caruana Galizia, who wrote any evidence to suggest that with the Economist magazine of naivety. wants to wean Europe off its mil- 3-4, which will be attended by 22%, with Germany and other extensively about corruption. Schembri had masterminded this month, drew sharp criticism “Has the absence of dialogue itary dependence on the US, also US and Turkish presidents Don- nations taking up the slack. Schembri’s lawyers were not Caruana Galizia’s murder, from allies, not least Stoltenberg, with Russia made the European insisted that European countries ald Trump and Recep Tayyip Er- Macron was dismissive of the available for comment yester- and there was no indication who warned against undermin- continent safer? I don’t think so,” be involved in any eff orts to forge dogan. budget debate. day when contacted by Reu- whether a potentially contro- ing the transatlantic alliance. he argued. a new missiles pact. Last year’s gathering got off “If some people want to see ters. versial pardon might be forth- Stoltenberg said yesterday that In a controversial move, he A combative Macron also to a stormy start, with Trump an example of what they term Maltese Prime Minister coming. “in uncertain times, we need suggested talks with Moscow again took aim at Turkey over its calling Germany a “captive” of ‘cost-sharing’, they can come on Joseph Muscat, a close per- Neither Fenech nor his law- strong multilateral institutions over its call for a moratorium on unilateral decision to attack the Russia and demanding that Nato Monday to the ceremony France sonal friend of Schembri, told yers have made any public like Nato”, and that he had “good deploying mid-range nuclear Western-backed Kurdish militia members double their defence is organising” for the 13 soldiers reporters that he hoped the comment since his arrest. and open discussions” with Ma- missiles in Europe. that had been leading the fi ght spending. killed in a midair helicopter col- murder investigation would be Muscat repeatedly dis- cron. The proposal came after the against the Islamic State (IS) in Fresh tensions appeared lision while fi ghting insurgents in wrapped up within “the next missed accusations of wrong- He praised in particular US walked away from the 1987 Syria. within the alliance this year, af- Mali, he said. “There they will see few hours”. doing levelled at his inner cir- France’s role in fi ghting the Intermediate-Range Nuclear “I respect the security inter- ter Trump’s surprise decision to the cost.” Caruana Galizia’s killing by a cle over the past few years and car bomb near her home shone is now facing growing calls to a spotlight on corruption in the resign because of his alleged EU’s smallest country. failure to hold friends and col- Three men were charged leagues to account. with planting the bomb and are His tourism minister quit Rescuers hold out hope for earthquake survivors awaiting trial, but authorities earlier this week while the have so far been unable to say economy minister suspended who hired them. himself from the government AFP cording to Ilir Duka, an Albanian The two-year-old investiga- as the murder probe contin- Durres, Albania rescuer. tion has accelerated dramati- ued. Some 50 survivors have been cally this month after fresh ev- One of the men accused of rescued from the rubble, mostly idence was uncovered, leading planting the bomb has told in- arthquake rescue teams in on the fi rst day. to the arrest last week of busi- vestigators the three were paid Albania clung to hope yes- The number of people who nessman Yorgen Fenech, who €150,000 ($165,000) for the Eterday of fi nding missing may still be buried is unknown. was stopped as he tried to leave hit, according to a Reuters re- people in “survival pockets” rub- Emergency workers, including Malta on his luxury yacht. port. ble, as the death toll rose to 46 teams from neighbouring Serbia with some entire families found and Kosovo, have been working dead beneath their crumbled in perilous conditions as hun- Reward off er in jewellery heist case homes. dreds of aftershocks rattle build- The 6.4 magnitude quake, the ings, interrupting the eff orts. German police off ered a reward of €500,000 for clues that would deadliest in decades, tore down “It’s a diffi cult operation, but help them find mystery robbers who smashed their way into buildings near the Adriatic coast that’s why we’re here, we’ve been a Dresden museum and made off with a haul of 18th century while people were sleeping just doing this for a long time,” said jewellery in one of Germany’s biggest heists. before 4am (0300 GMT) on Italian rescuer Michele Melosi, The lightning raid at the Gruenes Gewoelbe, or Green Vault, one Tuesday. standing with the team’s white- of Europe’s greatest collections of treasures, on Monday has left Experts from around Europe and-brown sniff er dog Folio. investigators baff led even though security camera footage showed have arrived to help shovel away “Hope dies last,” he said, re- two men breaking in through a barred window. slabs of collapsed apartments calling how survivors were found “We will stop at nothing to solve this case,” the president of Saxony and search beneath the wreckage after four days in the 2009 earth- police, Horst Kretzschmar, and prosecutor Klaus Roevekamp said with dogs and specialised cam- quake in the Italian city L’Aquila. in a statement. “By off ering a reward of €500,000 for clues that eras. Thousands of people have lead to catching the perpetrators who broke into the Green Vault In the hard-hit coastal city of been displaced, either because in Dresden on Monday, the investigators ... are taking a further Durres, Italian rescue workers their homes were severely dam- important step in bringing back the stolen items and catching those unearthed the corpses of a moth- aged or because they were still responsible.” er and three children lying in a unsafe due to the continuing af- Most experts say the cultural value of the haul, which included bed together beneath the ruins of tershocks. three sets of 18th century jewellery, is greater than its market value. their fl attened home, a witness at Emergency personnel put an Albanian flag on top of rubble, on the occasion of the Albanian On Wednesday night authori- the scene told AFP. Independence Day, during a search yesterday for survivors in a collapsed building in Durres. ties in Durres moved those who Only one member of the Lala had been sleeping in tents to ho- Ukraine slams Apple over Crimea family who lived there, a young eight or ten days” for victims to hard, we believe in it.” Loved ones have watched in tels and a sports centre. man rescued on Tuesday, has live after an earthquake, Captain Outside the building a bleary- horror over the past few days as Prime Minister Edi Rama has Ukraine has lashed out at Apple for showing the annexed Crimea been pulled out alive. Joel Leroy, a French rescuer, told eyed young man begged to see rescuers unearthed corpses cov- promised to rehouse the newly peninsula as part of Russia. Four other relatives were ear- AFP. the body of his mother who was ered in a grey fi lm of dust, many homeless by next year. Russian lawmakers said on Wednesday that Apple had complied lier found dead at the site of the His team of around 50 was try- found dead inside. of them family members still Illegal construction is rife in with a demand from Moscow for Crimea to appear as Russian shattered four-storey building. ing to track down those believed At the time, rescuers said it wearing their pyjamas. Albania, one of Europe’s poorest territory on its maps and weather apps. Nearby on the perimeter of a to be trapped inside a seven-sto- was too dangerous to extract her During the night, emergency countries. “Let me explain in your terms, @Apple,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister toppled beach-side hotel, a dis- rey building in Durres whose fi rst body. workers in Durres uncovered the Chaotic development explod- Vadym Prystaiko wrote on Twitter. “Imagine you’re crying out traught relative fainted in the two fl oors had collapsed into the Search eff orts have ceased in bodies of a mother and son from ed after the fall of communism that your design & ideas, years of work & piece of your heart are afternoon as he watched rescue ground. the other badly damaged town the Reci family, who were found in 1990 and many buildings lack stolen by your worst enemy but then smb ignorant doesn’t give a workers carry out a man’s body in Victims may still be alive in of Thumane, where the defence in an embrace. proper permits. (****) about your pain. That’s how it feels when you call #Crimea a a yellow bag. “survival pockets” of air that al- ministry said no more were The rest of the Reci family also The earthquake was the dead- (Russian) land.” Yet tireless rescuers kept hopes low them to breathe under the missing after more than 20 bod- perished in the quake, with the liest in several decades in Alba- The Ukrainian embassy in the US tweeted: “We guess Ukrainians alive for survival stories. rubble, Leroy said. ies were pulled out over the last bodies of a father and daughter nia, which lies near a tectonic (are) not giving any thanks to @Apple this #Thanksgiving!” “There may be hope for up to “That’s why we are working so three days. pulled out the day before, ac- fault line. Gulf Times 10 Friday, November 29, 2019 INDIA

WARNING PROPOSAL CONTROVERSY ACCIDENT LEGAL Coal-fired power plants Govt eyes commissions Uproar as children’s library Youth injured during ED ‘waiting to arrest threatened with closure cap for Uber and Ola knocked down in Kerala vehicle inspection drive Karti Chidambaram’

The pollution regulator has warned coal-fired The government plans to cap the commissions The Congress-led opposition yesterday A youth was yesterday injured after a police- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta yesterday said power plants around New Delhi that they could app-based taxi aggregators such as Uber and cried foul as a children’s library was knocked man hurled a stick as the teenager failed to the enforcement directorate is waiting to arrest be shut down for failing to comply with deadlines home-grown Ola earn on rides to a maximum down as a memorial for the state’s first chief stop during vehicle checking. The incident oc- Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress to meet emissions standards, according to sourc- 10% of the total fare, according to a draft proposal, minister E M S Nampoothiripad is being curred near Kadakkal about 50km from Thiru- leader P Chidambaram, who was also present es. The move comes as New Delhi and other a move industry experts warned would hit reve- built inside the Kerala Assembly complex in vananthapuram, Kerala. The tragedy occurred in the courtroom during the hearing on the nearby cities have been struggling with some of nue and operations. Such a law would be another Thiruvananthapuram. The children’s library when the youth driving a bike was asked to bail application of his father. Mehta arguing the worst air pollution levels on earth, prompting blow for Uber after it was stripped of its licence to was constructed at a cost of Rs700,000 by stop by policemen who were checking vehicles. before a three-judge bench headed by justice local governments to shut schools and declare carry paying passengers in London on Monday the previous Oommen Chandy government. When he did not stop policeman Chandramo- R Banumathi said the investigating agency is health emergencies this month. The proposed ac- for the second time in just over two years over The cost for building the memorial is around han hurled a stick which hit the youth and he waiting for lifting of a Delhi High Court stay tion, if implemented, could be the strictest action a “pattern of failures” on safety and security. The Rs8.3mn. Senior Congress legislator V D lost control following which his bike crashed on the arrest of Karti. He insisted that Karti yet on non-compliant utilities, which had already government has proposed reducing the commis- Sateesan said that the Pinarayi Vijayan gov- into a car. The youth was rushed to a nearby has challenged few provisions of Prevention won an extension on a December 2017 deadline sion from the around 20% of the total fair charged ernment is “blowing up money” in a strange hospital where he was diagnosed with a serious of Money Laundering Act in Delhi High Court. for power plants to meet emissions standards, at present, according to the 23-page document way in a situation when the state finances are head injury. He was then taken to the state run Karti remained expressionless during the court after extensive lobbying by the industry. titled “central guidelines for aggregators”. precariously placed. Medical College hospital. proceeding. BJP cries foul after W Bengal bypolls defeat

IANS “Arrogance of the BJP has been New Delhi rejected by the people. They have been threatening to bring NRC, drive citizens away and usurp he Bharatiya Janata Party their rights. We are all citizens. (BJP) suspected foul play Everyone has his or her right. Tafter it lost all the three They have been living in this seats in the bypolls held in West country for so long,” Banerjee Bengal. said. National secretary and Ben- The chief minister said she gal BJP leader Rahul Sinha said would personally visit Kalian- that the state machinery openly ganj, Karimpur and Kharagpur helped the ruling Trinamool to thank the people for the land- Congress. He said the BJP will slide win. report this to the Election Com- Attacking the BJP for its divi- mission. sive politics, she said: “The Con- Sinha said, “though the Elec- stitution was promulgated 70 tion Commission monitors all years ago. We are all voters. All the elections, the execution of are citizens. This new game plan bypolls is being done by the to divide people, to torture them, state. TMC can do anything to has not worked”. win the elections.” “BJP is synonymous with bad Sinha even raised doubts about governance and evil. People the EVMs. He said, “Anything want to embrace the positive and can be done with the EVMs. You discard the negative. They have can’t deny foul play of the ruling witnessed the BJP’s arrogance party in the counting.” in the last few months. The BJP Citing the reasons behind his does not even pay the minimum suspicion, Sinha said, “During respect to people,” she said. Lok Sabha elections, the BJP Banerjee said Bengali-speak- won the Kaliaganj and Kharag- ing people are being driven away pur Sadar Assembly constit- from diff erent states. Maharashtra’s new Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray bows after taking his oath of off ice during his swearing-in ceremony in Mumbai yesterday. uencies with huge margins “We saw it in Karnataka few whereas in Kaliaganj and Kar- days ago. In Kashmir, the hap- impur the party got more votes less workers were killed in cold- as compared to the 2016 As- blood. When no one stood for sembly elections. Still we lost them, we off ered help. We have in all the three seats? given jobs to the families. We are “TMC has won the Kharagpur with the people at times of grief,” Sadar seat for the fi rst time. All she said. these things raise doubts. Every- Alleging that the CPI(M) and Uddhav takes oath where, from media to the public, the Congress had an understand- it was being said that the BJP will ing with the BJP in the state, she win the bypolls.” said “they must understand that From Kaliaganj seat, TMC it will not do them any good to be candidate Tapan Deb Sinha won with the BJP. against the BJP’s Kamal Chan- “They must become self-de- dra Sarkar with a 2,414-vote pendent. We support the Con- as Maharashtra CM margin, whereas from Karim- gress at the national level, but pur, TMC candidate Bimlendu here they go along with the BJP. IANS fi rst from the politically promi- Shinde and Subhash Desai, Prithviraj Chavan, Ashok Scores of leaders, legislators, Sinha Roy humbled his nearest This is sad.” Mumbai nent Thackeray clan to hold the NCP’s Jayant Patil and Chhagan Chavan and Devendra Fad- MPs and well-wishers touched rival, state BJP vice president Banerjee said the people of the post, stepped in the front of the Bhujbal, and Congress’ Balasa- navis were present. Thackeray’s feet as he gracefully Jay Prakash Majumder by over state had given a clear message to stage and knelt down, touching heb Thorat and Nitin Raut. Other prominent person- accepted their wishes and felici- 24,000 votes. the BJP. “One, two, three, make hiv Sena president Uddhav his hands and head on the fl oor Among the prominent digni- alities from all the three parties tations. TMC’s Pradip Sarkar wrested Bengal BJP free,” she said. B Thackeray was sworn- to express his gratitude to the taries present on the occasion included Abhishek Manu Sing- A group of Jain monks and the Kharagpur Sadar seat from Banerjee said the minorities Sin as the chief minister people of Maharashtra for the were more than 500 farmers and hvi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Kapil sanyasins also turned up im- the BJP as he defeated Prem- and the Rajbanshis had voted for of Maharashtra at a colourful honour bestowed on him. farm widows from all over Ma- Sibal, Rajiv Shukla, Praful Patel, promptu to pray for, wish and chandra Jha of the saff ron par- the Trinamool in Kaliaganj. function held in Shivaji Park Thackeray is the third from harashtra, Thackeray’s cousin Kishore Tiwari, Supriya Sule- bless Thackeray and son Aadi- ty by a comfortable margin of “During the Lok Sabha elec- here yesterday evening. the Sena to be chief minister af- and Maharashtra Navnirman Pawar, Sanjay Raut, Arvind Sa- tya, on the stage after the oath 20,788 votes. tions, they were misguided by Governor Bhagat Singh Ko- ter Manohar Joshi and Narayan Sena president Raj Thackeray, want, Rohit Pawar, and Ajit Pa- ceremony. Meanwhile, accusing the BJP certain sections and so they vot- shyari administered the oath of Rane in the late 1990s. Reliance Group industrialist war and his son Parth Pawar. Shivaji Park was transformed of being synonymous with ‘bad ed against us. Minorities, sched- offi ce and secrecy at 6.40pm Besides, two legislators from Mukesh Ambani, his wife Nita Thackeray’s son Aditya Thack- into a colourful sea of human- governance and evil’, West Ben- uled castes/scheduled tribes, to Thackeray – who sported a each of Maha Vikas Aghadi Ambani and their family. eray and wife Rashmi Thackeray, ity with an estimated 100,000 gal Chief Minister Mamata Ban- Adivasi, people of all communi- striking saff ron coloured kurta- (MVA)’s constituents - the Shiv At least three chief min- besides aunt Kundatai (mother people including activists of the erjee yesterday said the saff ron ties voted for us.” pyjama, the Sena’s colour. Sena, the Nationalist Congress isters from other states, six of Raj Thackeray) who was seen three MVA parties and others outfi t lost all three seats in the She said the party also got In an unusual gesture of hu- Party, and the Congress, also former Maharashtra CM like shedding tears of joy at her neph- coming from all over Mahar- state bypolls as the “people re- the backing of the non-Bengali mility, soon after completing took oath as ministers. Sharad Pawar, Sushilku- ew’s ascent as chief minister, were ashtra to witness the historical jected their arrogance”. speaking people in Kharagpur. the formalities, Thackeray, the They are: Shiv Sena’s Eknath mar Shinde, Manohar Joshi, also present. event.

BJP removes Thakur from Town tense Woman murdered, set panel over Godse remark ablaze near Hyderabad IANS truck drivers could be behind the Hyderabad ghastly crime. IANS relevant even today.” discuss with other opposition The owner of a tyre repair shop New Delhi Singh’s response came after parties - who stand united - to told police that a youth brought Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chow- confront Thakur for her remark. he 22-year-old veterinar- a scooty between 9.30pm and dhury raised Thakur’s remark “We have sought an urgent ian, whose charred body 10pm. Priyanka had called her he BJP yesterday con- soon after the House assembled apology from Thakur for her re- Twas found yesterday near sister Bhavya Reddy around demned Bhopal MP for the day. mark, failing which so we are left Shadnagar town, was suspected 9.45pm and told her that her TPragya Singh Thakur for After the minister’s response, with no option but to initiate a to have been raped and murdered vehicle had got punctured and her statement on Nathuram the Congress staged a walkout censure motion,” Tharoor said. by two persons who off ered to somebody had off ered to help her Godse, the assassin of Mahatma from the House. Chowdhury said Even as the BJP sought to dis- help her fi x her punctured bike. and took her vehicle to have it Gandhi, in the Lok Sabha on it is very “condemnable if any tance itself from Thakur’s re- Priyanka Reddy is suspected fi xed. Bhavya said her sister told Wednesday and said she will be person calls Mahatma Gandhi’s marks, Uttar Pradesh BJP legis- to have been killed near Ton- her that she was scared as there removed from the consultative killer a patriot”. lator Surendra Singh defended dupally toll plaza of Outer Ring were some truck drivers near her. committee on defence. Pragya on Wednesday triggered Godse. Road at Shamshabad on the out- Bhavya had advised Priya- BJP’s working president J P a massive controversy when she “Godse committed a mistake skirts of Hyderabad. Her body nka to leave the vehicle and go Nadda said: “We have decided hailed Godse in the Lok Sabha. but he was not a terrorist. Those was dumped and burnt 25kms to the toll plaza to return home that Thakur will be removed from Soon opposition MPs protested who are involved in anti-national away at Chatanpally bridge near by cab. However, when Bhavya the consultative committee of de- against her remark saying she rep- activities are terrorists,” the MLA Shadnagar town in Ranga Reddy later called her, the mobile was fence, and in this session, she will resent’s BJP’s hate politics. told reporters yesterday. district. switched off . not be allowed to participate in Pragya was included in the He further said, “Godse com- Gathering more clues in the The family lodged a miss- the parliamentary party meetings. defence panel on November 23, mitted a mistake. He should have case, Cyberabad police recov- ing complaint with the police The party never supports such triggering a massive protest even not killed patriot Gandhi.” ered the victim’s clothes, foot- around 11pm. The police yes- statements or ideology.” then. The Congress is deter- Surendra Singh has a history wear and a liquor bottle near the terday morning found a charred Defence Minister Rajnath mined to bring a censure motion of making controversial state- Tension prevailed in Mohania, Bihar, as police and Rapid toll plaza, where Priyanka had body near Shadnagar. It was Singh also condemned Pragya’s against Thakur for her contro- ments. He has made objectiona- Action Force had to resort to flag march after a gangrape parked her bike. identifi ed as Priyanka’s body. statement and said, “Mahatma versial remark. ble statements on politicians like video went viral. Mohania falls in Bihar’s Kaimur district. The police have formed 10 Cyberabad police commis- Gandhi is our ideal. He will al- Senior Congress lawmaker Mayawati but surprisingly the Three people were injured in clashes that broke out in the teams to arrest the culprits in the sioner V C Sajjanar said police ways remain the guiding force Shashi Tharoor said he has draft- state BJP has never reprimanded city and were being treated in nearby hospitals. case, which has shocked the en- teams were scanning CCTV of this nation. His ideology is ed an application and will soon him on the issue. tire Telangana. Sources said two footage from the toll plaza. Gulf Times Friday, November 29, 2019 11 LATIN AMERICA

TRAGEDY JUSTICE SECURITY POLICE RAID MOTHERS’ PLIGHT Two kids die, scores hurt in Court raises one of Lula’s Cuba allows police to Cosmetics maker backs NGO Argentine bus accident sentences to 17 years snoop electronically after firefighters arrested

Two children in Argentina died yesterday and A Brazilian court on Wednesday upheld a Cuba has authorised state security agencies Brazilian cosmetics company Natura scores more were injured when a double-decker corruption conviction against former president to use electronic surveillance without prior Cosmeticos SA said on Wednesday that it was bus taking them on a field trip flipped over. There Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was released approval from a court, prompting criticism concerned about a state police raid against were 43 children aged 11 to 13 on the bus and from prison earlier this month. The regional from the United States which accuses Havana a non-government organisation (NGO) that it 10 adults, including two drivers, off icials said. federal court in Porto Alegre also raised Lula’s of spying on opponents and tourists. Havana has partnered with on sustainably developing “There are two children dead who are 11 and 12 June sentence for graft and money laundering said the new laws would make the police the Amazon rainforest region. On Tuesday, years old, and many seriously wounded who in relation to a house he was using in Atibaia more eff ective “in preventing and confronting police in the northern Amazon rainforest were taken to local hospitals,” a police off icer in near Sao Paulo from 12 and 11 months to 17 money laundering and terrorist financing.” The state of Para raided the Health and Happiness Buenos Aires told AFP, speaking on condition of years. Prosecutors had argued that the house measures were introduced in a change to the Project, as part of a probe into the causes anonymity. The accident happened as the bus was renovated by the corruption-tarnished Communist-run country’s penal code last week. of a recent rash of forest fires in the region. negotiated a curve near the town of Lezama, construction giant Odebrecht and two other Electronic surveillance would allow investigators Police also arrested four volunteer fireman Members of the Caravan of Central American 160km south of Buenos Aires, around 6am companies in exchange for contracts with to “listen to and record conversations,” locate working for a separate NGO on accusations mothers looking for their missing migrant (0900 GMT). The group was on a school trip to the state oil giant Petrobras. Lula, who denies and track suspects, take picture and videos and of purposefully setting the fires in an effort to children and relatives arrive at the Citlaltepetl the coastal town of Mar del Tuyu. wrongdoing, can still appeal. tap into all types of communications technology. boost donations. Shelter House in Mexico City, on Wednesday.

Facing sanctions, Venezuela off ers payments in Chinese yuan

Reuters Caracas

enezuela’s government and its oil company PDVSA have off ered to pay suppliers and con- Vtractors into accounts in China using the yuan currency, fi ve people familiar with the matter said. The move made in recent months is the latest ex- ample of how Caracas has sought new ways of making international payments since sweeping sanctions by Washington, intended to force out socialist President Nicolas Maduro, cut off the country’s access to the US fi nancial system. Offi cials have made the proposal verbally to at least four companies that provide services to the public sector, said the people, including two government of- fi cials and three sources from private companies in the fi nancial or oil sectors. The individuals declined to disclose which compa- nies have been approached. The companies are evaluating the proposal, the sources said. Reuters could not determine whether any such pay- ments in yuan have been made. China’s central bank, the Peoples’ Bank of China, did not respond to a faxed request for comment. PDVSA, Venezuela’s central bank, and Venezuela’s information ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Venezuelan public entities have traditionally paid private sector partners in the local bolivar currency or US dollars. But hyperinfl ation and US sanctions, which pro- hibit American companies from doing business with Venezuela’s public sector, are complicating those methods. Colombians shout slogans during a demonstration in Bogota on Wednesday. The off er comes after Venezuela’s government and PDVSA have paid some suppliers and contractors with euros in cash, which they have received from some oil and gold sales, in response to the loss of access to the US fi nancial system due to the sanctions. Paying suppliers in yuan would allow Venezuela to take advantage of funds it has available in China, without touching the US fi nancial system. However, two of the sources said the process of Colombians go on strike as opening accounts at Chinese banks was proving com- plicated. PDVSA and Venezuela’s central bank have long maintained accounts in China, in part thanks to a fi - nancing deal inked more than a decade ago that saw China lend some $50bn to the Opec nation in ex- change for crude shipments. week of protests rolls on Venezuela’s central bank has at least $700mn in yuan in an account at China’s central bank, which it Reuters ment action to stop corruption and Cruz died on Monday and has deployed unless there were distur- The committee also is demand- received earlier this year as compensation for an oil Bogota the murder of hundreds of human become a symbol for protesters, bances. ing a rejection of the government’s shipment, according to two people with knowledge of rights activists. who allege the ESMAD uses exces- Some of the force could be seen tax reform proposal, which in- the Venezuelan central bank’s operations. Thousands marched peacefully sive force. around the city on Wednesday, but cludes a cut in business duties. Reuters could not independently confi rm this. olombian unions and stu- to Bogota’s central Bolivar Plaza and His private memorial service was did not actively participate in po- Duque announced several chang- Receiving payments in foreign currency, or overseas dent groups held their to other points in the city through- held on Wednesday morning and licing protesters. es to the proposal this week at the banks, are “the kind of setup that some contractors Csecond national strike in out the day, joined in the evening by his family has called for nonvio- The National Strike Committee, cost of some $930mn, but experts now have to engage in to get paid,” said Raul Gallegos, less than a week on Wednesday to others attempting to get home amid lence. comprised of major unions and say the modifi cations are unlikely consultancy Control Risks’ director for the Andean honour a dead demonstrator and closures of roads and public trans- “I’m marching so we 21-year- student organizations, is demand- to quell discontent. region.”This will become standard operating proce- protest rumoured government eco- port. olds can have the chance of a good ing the government dissolve the Duque’s promise to hold a social dure as long as Maduro and US sanctions remain in nomic plans, corruption and police Largely peaceful demonstrators job,” said Jean Carlo Hernandez, force. issues-focused national dialogue place.” violence. were marred last Thursday and Fri- who was selling water in Bolivar Talks between the committee through March has sparked deri- Venezuela’s off er to pay in yuan comes even as some The series of protests began last day by the destruction of transit Plaza while wearing a placard that and the government have stalled sion among marchers and oppo- Chinese entities have taken steps to try to distance week with a 250,000-person march stations, the use of tear gas, curfews read “Don’t kill me! I also have amid union demands Duque meet sition politicians, who see it as a themselves from the sanctioned country. and an initial nationwide strike. in Cali and Bogota and the deaths of dreams and goals!” with them without the presence of tepid response to growing discon- China National Petroleum Corp, one of the largest Demonstrators are rallying three people in connection with al- “Dilan could have been me. business leaders or other groups. tent. foreign investors in Venezuela’s oil sector, in August against economic plans — such as leged looting. We’re facing a government that Restricting debate to just one Colombia’s government has the stopped lifting crude from Venezuelan ports due to a rise in the pension age and a cut Saturday’s marches took a dark doesn’t want to help young people sector of the population would support of the United States as it worries about sanctions. to the minimum wage for young turn when 18-year-old protester move ahead even though we’re the “isolate perhaps the most im- manages the protests, US Secretary Analysts said they expect China’s imports of Ven- people — that President Ivan Du- Dilan Cruz was fatally injured by future,” Hernandez said. portant conversation the country of State Mike Pompeo told Duque in ezuelan crude to have fallen to zero last month. que denies supporting, as well a tear gas canister fi red by the ES- Bogota’s mayor, Enrique Pena- has,” Duque said in a statement on a phone call, according to the State But China is importing more and more crude blends what they say is a lack of govern- MAD riot police. losa, said the ESMAD would not be Wednesday evening. Department. from Malaysia, which include some Venezuelan oil.

Chilean lawmakers warn democracy at stake as violence spikes

Reuters “The country is confronting a cri- Lawmakers agreed in the Wednes- a shopping mall in the ritzy moun- Santiago sis of violence and vandalism that day-night deal to push forward with tainside suburb of La Dehesa earlier threatens our democracy,” begins the “resolve” the security reforms, urg- in the week and another in Las Con- two-page document. ing Pinera to use the “constitutional des on Wednesday. hilean lawmakers agreed late A fresh round of attacks and riot- tools” at his disposal to quell the Offi cials had shut key commuter on Wednesday to fast-track ing earlier this week sent Chile’s peso violence, while protecting human metro stations by mid-afternoon Creforms to beef up security, plummeting to a new low against rights. Wednesday throughout the capital’s warning that a resurgence in vio- the dollar at the market close on Similar riots have erupted in coun- business area, known as Sanhattan lence and vandalism was threatening Wednesday. tries across Latin America, including for its gleaming skyscrapers and de- to derail the country’s 30-year-old Forecasts for economic growth Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia in re- signer stores, as protests grew. democracy. and unemployment are increasingly cent months as unrest has spiralled Pinera’s eff orts to quell the vio- Five weeks of unrest over inequal- grim. into violence and demands for po- lence have so far come up short, de- ity and shabby social services have President Sebastian Pinera urged litical, social and economic reforms. spite promises to beef up pensions, left at least 26 dead and more than Congress earlier on Wednesday to Chile´s Interior Ministry report- the minimum wage and healthcare 13,500 injured, prosecutors said. push forward with bills he intro- ed that police arrested 915 people benefi ts. Riots have hobbled the capital’s duced weeks ago to ramp up intel- Tuesday, while the number of “seri- The country’s normally fractious public transport system, once the ligence gathering and toughen pen- ous incidents” overnight had nearly political parties have agreed to work envy of Latin America, and caused alties against still-rampant looting doubled from the previous day. together on a new constitution, billions in losses for private business. and destruction. Vandals looted a major hotel in though diff erences remain. The deal, struck between ruling “Violence is causing harm that the seaside tourist city of La Serena, Protests appear driven by mistrust party and opposition lawmakers, may become irreparable to the body turning over tables, ripping paint- that politicians will keep their prom- acknowledged the government had and soul of our society,” Pinera said ings off walls and breaking windows. ises to bring signifi cant change, and done too little, too late to stem the from the La Moneda presidential Protesters also targeted upscale enduring fury over police handling of crisis. palace. areas of Santiago, marching through demonstrators. Demonstrators are hit by water cannon during a protest in Santiago on Wednesday. Gulf Times 12 Friday, November 29, 2019 PAKISTAN

NUST improves Apex court extends army university ranking

Internews chief’s term by 6 months Islamabad

DPA/AFP/Reuters/Internews Bajwa met US President Don- Islamabad ald Trump this summer and he National University has also met Afghan President of Science and Technol- Ashraf Ghani several times to Togy (NUST) of Pakistan he Supreme Court has al- help set up talks with the Tali- climbed four spots in the QS Asia lowed the country’s pow- ban. University Rankings 2020, to Terful army chief to con- Bajwa ordered the release maintain its position as the top- tinue in his role for another six of Taliban leader Abdul Ghani ranked university in the stand- months, rejecting a government Baradar, who is now spearhead- ings, the latest iteration of which request to keep him on for three ing stalled talks with the US as was released. more years. head of the militia’s political The National University of A three-judge bench in the wing. Singapore (NUS) was the top- capital Islamabad also ordered He was appointed to lead the ranked university in Asia. the government to remove am- military in 2016, taking over There’s only one new face in biguities in laws that govern how from the massively popular the top 10 this year – China’s long the head of the military can General Raheel Sharif, who won Zhejiang University, which im- keep the job. the hearts of millions with his proved seven places to take the Army chief General Qamar blistering fi ght against Islamist sixth position. Javed Bajwa was set to retire Lawyers supporting army chief Bajwa chant slogans in reaction to militants. The Quacquarelli Symonds today – the end of his original the Supreme Court ruling. Since taking power, Bajwa and (QS) Asia University Rankings, a term – but Prime Minister Imran the military have been criticised subgroup of the QS World Uni- Khan said he wanted the general a constitutional institution is pointment to those who expect- for continuing a crackdown versity Rankings, swelled by 68 to remain in his post for three reviewing this matter,” Khosa ed the country to be destabilised on civil society while also be- higher education institutions more years. asked. “The appointment pro- by a clash of institutions,” the ing accused of helping engineer this year to cover a total of 557 The court ordered a shorter cedure should be clearly written prime minister tweeted mo- Khan’s victory in the 2018 elec- universities around Asia. extension. on the constitutional post.” ments after the ruling. tions. While the rankings covered 17 Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif The army chief usually serves But the episode has damaged The government itself is fac- diff erent locations, only four re- Saeed Khosa announced the de- a three-year term. Khan’s administration, which is ing growing anger as it struggles gions are featured in the top 10. cision after a three-day hearing Since the role was established seen as close to Bajwa. to prop up Pakistan’s economy As many as 29 universities are that gripped political circles and in 1972, only one general has had “This is a landmark case: un- after decades of corruption and included from Pakistan in the the population as a whole. his term extended by a civilian precedented questions are being mismanagement. rankings this year. “The federal government will government. raised, threatening to upend the Bajwa is the latest in a long The rankings constructed us- make the necessary legislation Pakistani generals have ruled accepted status quo, and hold- line of Pakistani military gener- ing 10 diff erent indicators, in- in this matter,” Attorney-Gen- the country for almost half of its ing a mirror to society’s psyche,” als who have seen their man- cluding academic and employer eral Anwar Mansoor assured the existence since the South Asian Pakistan’s leading English daily dates extended. reputation, faculty-student ra- court. nation gained independence Dawn wrote in an editorial ear- The ruling comes as tensions tio, citation per paper, paper per The undertaking states that from Britain in 1947. lier yesterday. have skyrocketed with New faculty, staff with PhD, and in- the parliament will draft legis- The national union of lawyers “This is without a doubt the Delhi after Indian Prime Min- ternationalisation. lation on the issue of an army held a strike yesterday to protest most shambolic episode in the ister Narendra Modi stripped The NUST retained its posi- chief’s tenure within six months. Journalists gather in front of the Supreme Court building in against the extension. PTI government’s tenure so far,” the disputed Kashmir region of tion as the top university from The chief justice had ear- Islamabad after the court decision on the army chief’s tenure “Considering that the (army said the editorial. “Surely there its autonomy over the summer, Pakistan and the solitary higher lier instructed that “parliament extension case. chief) is responsible for the are other offi cers more than ca- which Khan’s government cited education institution from the should pass legislation on the command, discipline, training, pable of leading the army. Gen- as its primary reason for the ex- country to make it into the top matter within six months. If the Earlier, Chief Justice Khosa the previous ones? You will have administration, organisation eral Bajwa’s next step will deter- tension. 100. legislation is not passed during remarked: “We have been told to convince us, how the latest and preparedness for war of the mine whether he is thinking of Both India and Pakistan It shared its position with the the given time, the appointment that a general never retires. If a appointment is accurate,” he army... we, while exercising himself or his institution.” have controlled portions of the Shandong University of China. will become illegal”. general never retires, then there continued. restraint, fi nd it appropriate to Bajwa, considered by some to former princely state of Kashmir However, it fell behind Uni- Apparent support from the must be no pension, and if there “Extensions were happen- leave the matter to the parlia- be the most infl uential fi gure in since independence in 1947. versiti Teknologi Petronas of military, and especially Bajwa, is no retirement for generals, ing in the past, but no one took ment,” Chief Justice Asif Saeed Pakistan, has worked directly The dispute over the Muslim- Malaysia. was seen as one of the factors then what is their mode of earn- notice of it. No one is watching Khosa told the court. with the United States and Af- majority region has been the The NUST has improved its that brought Khan’s Pakistan ings?” what is happening in canton- Prime Minister Khan cele- ghanistan on a proposed peace spark for two major wars and rankings by 29 positions over the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to “How is the appointment that ments. Under which law does brated the court’s decision. deal with the Taliban militant countless clashes between the past three years, from 112 in the power in elections last year. took place today diff erent from this practice continuing? Now “Today must be a great disap- group. countries. 2017 rankings, to 83 for 2020. The university is also among the top 400 global universities Special court on Musharraf case says as per the QS World University Rankings 2020 announced ear- it is not bound by high court order All in a day’s work lier this year. Amongst the other top fi ve A special court in Islamabad has allowed former military dictator Pakistani universities included Pervez Musharraf until December 5 to make his statement in the in the rankings are the Lahore high treason case against him, but noted that it is not bound to University of Management Sci- follow the Islamabad High Court (IHC)’s order to not announce the ences (LUMS) at 110, the Quaid- verdict. e-Azam University (QAU) at 111, On Wednesday, the high court, after hearing the petitions filed by COMSATS Institute of Infor- Musharraf and the government, had stopped the special court from mation Technology at 151, and issuing the verdict, with instructions to hear out all the parties in the Pakistan Institute of Engi- order to ensure a fair trial. neering and Applied Sciences A three-member bench of the special court, headed by Peshawar (PIEAS) at 168. High Court Chief Justice Waqar Seth, remarked yesterday that the The LUMS fell 15 places from special court is only bound to obey the Supreme Court’s directives the 95th spot it held last year and not the high court’s. while the QAU slipped two places He remarked that the bench will not comment on the IHC’s order. from its 109th rank, COMSATS The judge, however, allowed Musharraf to record his statement till lost 16 places from its 135th rank, December 5. and the PIEAS slipped 22 spots The special court had said on November 19 that a verdict in the from its rank of 146. case would be announced on November 28 before the high court This year, Pakistan has seven stopped it from doing so. universities in the top 200, down from eight last year. In comparison to Pakistan, Sharif aide appointed PAC chairman as many as 96 universities from India have been included in the A close aide of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan rankings this year, with the In- Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) member of National Assembly dian Institute of Technology from Sheikhupura, Tanvir Hussain, was appointed yesterday as the Bombay (IIT-Bombay) its high- chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). est-ranked higher education in- After the position fell vacant when Leader of the Opposition stitution with a rank of 34. Shehbaz Sharif resigned from the post earlier this month, National China dominated the rankings Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser had convened a meeting of the PAC with 118 universities, including for the election of its new chairman. four in the top 10. In his resignation, submitted on November 18, a day before his Tsinghua University was Chi- departure to London with his brother Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N A labourer arranges tomatoes in crates at a market in Lahore. na’s top-ranked varsity, coming president nominated Hussain as his replacement. in at fourth spot. Authority sets targets for improving electoral laws

Internews and Codes of Conduct for politi- political party and appointment “training and capacity build- process and scrutiny of campaign quality assurance in the manage- include improving electoral Islamabad cal parties, candidates, election of a single returning offi cer for a ing” with a goal to strengthen the expenditures, election expenses ment of procurements, budget technologies used during the agents, polling agents, observers, National Assembly constituency capacity of ECP employees by and statements of assets and li- and fi nance and to ensure fi nan- past elections to enhance trans- media, security agencies, polling and associated provincial assem- providing quality trainings and abilities. cial autonomy and improving parency, awareness and effi cien- he Election Commission staff and other stakeholders. bly constituencies. learning opportunities at nation- The strategic actions proposed the ECP’s fi nancial management cy in electoral processes. of Pakistan (ECP) has un- Similarly, the commission will Under the second pillar of al and international levels. under this head include revi- system. The ninth pillar of “electoral Tveiled the third fi ve-year continue to provide technical “electoral integrity and public The plan highlights that every sion and improvement of SOPs The seventh pillar of “voters’ complaints and dispute resolu- strategic plan setting specifi c assistance and advice on local perception”, the ECP seeks to election requires a well-trained (standard operating procedures) registration and participation” tion” sets a goal to ensure timely targets to meet the challenge government legislation to ensure enhance stakeholders’ engage- electoral workforce of hundreds for scrutiny of documents sub- seeks to ensure that citizens, es- disposal of electoral complaints of conducting one of the larg- that these laws remain legally ment in the electoral process, of thousands of individuals mitted by political parties, devel- pecially women and socially-ex- and adjudication of electoral dis- est single-day elections in the congruent with the Elections Act institutionalise transparency and sourced temporarily from other opment and operationalisation cluded groups, get computerised putes. world and bridge gaps in the legal and operationally feasible. enhance public access to infor- government institutions for the of a management information national identity cards (CNICs) The targeted actions include framework governing elections. Referring to the areas where mation in electoral management. conduct of elections nationwide system for political parties’ en- and are registered as voters. development and deployment The plan unveiled by Chief the law could be strengthened, Under the third pillar of “insti- and points out that a total of 131 listment, election symbols and The targeted actions include of complaint management sys- Election Commissioner Justice the strategic plan proposes tutional development”, the com- district returning offi cers, 849 fi nancial statements and im- review of SOPs for voters’ reg- tem to ensure timely disposal of (retired) Sardar Mohamed Raza amendments to limit fi nancial mission wants to strengthen its returning offi cers, 183,407 pre- provement of SOPs for submis- istration and development and electoral complaints and adju- has set targets for improving transactions made by political offi ces’ infrastructure for a more siding offi cers and 670,812 as- sion and scrutiny of campaign execution of a plan with clear dication of electoral disputes, electoral laws for national and parties to single bank account, conducive working environment. sistant presiding and polling of- expenditures by contesting can- targets for the National Data- revision of the existing dispute local elections. “response” to non-compliance The targeted actions include fi cers had been trained by 2,644 didates and statements of assets base and Registration Author- resolution mechanism and en- Under the goal, the ECP plans of legal obligations like intra- construction of the ECP’s own master trainers for the conduct and liabilities by the members of ity (NADRA) to bridge the gen- gaging relevant stakeholders for to review the Elections Act 2017 party elections and timely sub- purpose-built offi ces at provin- of 2018 elections, in addition to diff erent legislatures. der gap and ensure issuance of its improvement. and propose amendments to im- mission of statements of assets cial, regional and district levels training of security personnel. The goals under the sixth pil- CNICs to all eligible citizens. Two other strategic pillars in- prove it. and liabilities, fi xing a quota for and a federal election academy at The fi fth pillar is “election op- lar of “budget and procurement” The eighth pillar is ”informa- clude gender mainstreaming and The ECP also plans to further women in the list of 2,000 mem- Islamabad. eration”, which seeks to improve include improving planning, im- tion, communication and elec- social inclusion and monitoring, improve the Election Rules 2017 bers required for enlistment of a The fourth strategic pillar is political parties’ enlistment plementation, transparency and toral technologies”, and its goals valuation and research. Gulf Times Friday, November 29, 2019 13 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Seeing the Prophet in a dream bu Hurairah (radhiallahu matters is the claim of seeing the they believe is unseen none can meet ‘anhu) said that the Prophet Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) him except for the great awliyaa’. This (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in a vision while awake, and that he claim is similar to the Shia belief of the Asaid: “Name yourselves with hears those who greet him, and returns hidden – awaited Imaam.” my name, but do not call yourselves their greetings. Truly, these are some So the subject of this article with my nickname; and whoever sees of the newly invented matters and concerns the Prophet’s (sallallaahu me in his dream, he has [truly] seen deviations that neither existed among ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying, me, for Shaytaan never appears in the companions nor among the best of ‘Whoever sees me in a dream, then my image. And he who purposefully the Ummah. Rather this is misguidance he has [truly] seen me.’ (al-Bukhari, speaks a lie against me, will have his from Shaytaan who inspires people, Muslim and others) In one narration, seat in the Fire.” (Al-Bukhari) confusing them when they violate the ‘Then he will see me while awake.’ Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: shar‘ (legislation). So he causes them There are other hadiths with slightly “It is mandatory for us to love the to fall victim to the same things the diff erent wordings, which speak of Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) previous nations and disbelievers fell seeing him in a dream. The meaning of more than ourselves, our parent, our victim to. these statements is that seeing him in a children, our families, and our wealth. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: dream is not falsehood, or misleading, We must revere him, honour, and “The people of India [claim to] see because Shaytaan cannot assume his obey him, outwardly and inwardly. We someone from among their pious appearance. must also befriend and ally ourselves people who they revere. The Christians Is it possible for anyone to see the with those who support him, and see personalities from among their Prophet while they are awake? disassociate ourselves and maintain prophets, the disciples and others The answer to this question is that enmity with all who oppose and whom they revere. The deviators the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa disbelieve in him. among the people of the qiblah [ie, sallam) after his burial, will not be seen “We know that there is no path Muslims] see those whom they revere, in this world while they are awake. to Allah, except by following His whether it be the Prophet (sallallaahu But his (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) Messenger’s (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa ‘alaihi wa sallam) or another prophet. saying, sallam) way, and one cannot be a This occurs while they are awake, and ‘Whoever saw me in a dream shall friend of Allah, or a true believer, nor he speaks to them, and they to him. see me while awake.’ can one be saved from punishment – They might seek his advice and ask This refers to the people of his time by any means – except by believing him questions regarding some hadiths who believed in him, although they in him, and following him, both so he answers them. To some of them, did not see him, meaning that they inwardly and outwardly. And there it [miraculously] appears as if a rock would migrate to him and see him. So is no means of achieving nearness to has opened up and the Prophet came Allah granted such a dream to them. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) except out of it and embraced the onlooker It has also been said that the meaning by believing in and obeying him and his companions. Some might of this is that they will see the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), he is the imagine that he gave them salaams in in the Hereafter. So it is not possible best of all who lived before, and all who a loud voice, such that it reached the to understand these hadiths to mean will live, he is the seal of the prophets. distance of days or a distant place.” that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa He alone has been distinguished with Shaykh ‘Abdur-Ra’oof Muhammad sallam) can be seen by someone who is the great intercession on the Day of ‘Uthmaan wrote a splendid section in awake during this life as the Sufi s and the Resurrection, making a distinction his book Love of the Prophet. Some of people who follow their desires claim. between himself and all of the other it follows: Ibn Hajar said: “This is a severe prophets, as Allah has granted it. “But these myths occurred only problem. If it were interpreted as it “He is the one who holds the most among some latter ignorant people, appears, then these people who see praised rank, he will carry the banner taking advantage of the ignorant state him would be Sahaabahs, and until of praise [on the Day of Resurrection]. of that Muslims suff ered from, leading the Day of Resurrection one could join Adam and all who came after him them into the captivity of myths and the rank of the Sahaabahs. To cause [Muhammad] will be under his legend – like fables. [For example]: further problem for such claim, there banner. He will be the fi rst to open ‘Umar bin Sa’eed an-Noonee wrote in is a large number of people who saw the door to Paradise, thereupon the his book ar-Rumaah, that the awliyaa’ him in a dream, but none of them door-keeper will say, ‘Who is it?’ and see the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu claimed to have seen him while awake, the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa ‘alaihi wa sallam) while they are and what he (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) will reply ‘I am Muhammad.’ awake, he attends any gathering or sallam) informed us of could not be The door-keeper will say, ‘I have any place he wishes in both body and contradicted. That is if this meaning been commanded to open the door to soul, he moves freely throughout the was correct, then everyone who saw Paradise for none before you.’” Earth and the Universe, doing so as him in a dream would be one who Those who understood this love, and he is, as he appeared before his death, actually saw him while awake!” acted according to its requirements nothing having changed. And that he Does the person have any in the best fashion are the noble is normally hidden from the vision infl uence over the dream? companions of the Prophet, and those of humans just as the angels, who As for the hadith: “Whoever has great scholars and guided leaders although they have forms, they are seen me in a dream has seen me, who followed them. They were the normally unseen. for Shaytaan does not appear in my best at understanding the Book and “Therefore if Allah desired any image.” the Sunnah, so if they agreed upon servant to see him He would lift the And the hadith of Abu Hurairah; good, and what contradicts it then it Ibn Hajar wrote: “Whenever white, with a good smile, appearing to a matter, then it is the truth, for his veil so that the Prophet could be seen “The dream is one of three: the good suff ered from the infl uence of the one Muhammad bin Seereen was told by have kuhl around his eyes, a handsome (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) nation in his original form. Such innovations dream, which is good news from Allah, listening. So the dreamer’s vision of his someone that he had seen the Prophet face, his beard fl owing from here does not agree upon error. lead many diff erent Sufi cults to call a sad or bad dream, which is from noble presence is true, while the bad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) in a to here, down to his chest.” ‘Awf In the case of any disputes that they themselves the “Muhammadiyyah” Shaytaan, or a dream in which the infl uences are from the dreamer.” dream he would say; ‘Describe what said, “I was not aware of all of these suff ered, they were directed, upon Path. Their followers claim that these dreamer speaks to himself.” Additionally, it is not feasible to limit you saw to me.’ If the person described descriptions of him.” Ibn ‘Abbaas said, the tongue of the Prophet (sallallaahu rituals of theirs have been taken This hadith has revoked any chance the statement; ‘And whoever saw me unfamiliar characteristics to him, he “If you had seen him while awake, you ‘alaihi wa sallam) to refer back to the directly from the Prophet. Examples of Shaytaan appearing in the Prophet’s has [truly] seen me’, to apply only to the would reply, ‘You didn’t see him.’ The wouldn’t be able to describe him more Book and the Sunnah, as Allah said of these groups include the Tinjani form, but it leaves the chance that companions, since the companions did chain for this report is authentic. And accurately.’” (Fath al-baaree) (which means); order, the Ahmadiyya Idreesiya order, Shaytaan could appear in a diff erent not mention such limitations, rather there is support for this from al- This proves that the decisive “O you who believe! Obey Allah and others among the diff erent Sufi form. The scholars agree that if one has the opposite of this has been reported Haakim by way of ‘Aasim bin Kulayb scholars considered it a condition for and obey the Messenger and those in tareeqahs. Such ideas also founded the a dream, but the descriptions of the from them. As in the case of Ibn ‘Abbaas who said that his father told him, ‘I the correctness of the dream that the authority among you. If you diff er in Hadaras and Mawlids. Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) when he asked a person who claimed said to Ibn ‘Abbaas, I have seen the vision be in accordance with how he anything among yourselves, refer it to “The Sufi s claim the hadara that do not match the real descriptions of to have seen him (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Prophet in a dream.’ He said, ‘Describe actually appeared, a portrait which Allah and His Messenger if you indeed they participate in was so named him, then this is from the dreamer’s sallam) in a dream to describe the vision him for me.’ He replied by mentioning Shaytaan is unable to imitate. believe in Allah and the Last Day, that because the Prophet attends these imagination as if it were to say he was he had in the dream, in order to validate that he looked like al-Hasan bin ‘Ali. Is one who sees him in a dream is better and more suitable for a fi nal gatherings, attending either with talking to himself in the dream. or invalidate it. Similarly this was done Ibn ‘Abbaas said, ‘You saw him.’ The considered one of the Sahaabah? determination.” (An-Nisaa’ 4:59) his soul, or with both his body and Ibn Abi Jamrah (a commentator on after him by the great Imaam of the chain for this report is good. There is The answer to this question is no, The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa soul. They also believe in such ideas Mukhatasar Saheeh al-Bukhari) said; Muslims, Muhammad bin Seereen. So also support for this in the Musnad of because the Sahaabah are those who sallam) said: regarding their Mawlid celebrations “There are those who say that the the hadith is generally applicable to all Ahmad, where Yazeed al-Faars said, saw him during his life. “Indeed whoever lives after me for the Prophet. This is a time when Shaytaan cannot assume his exact dreamers, yet the validity of actually ‘I saw Allah’s Messenger in a dream Are the hadiths heard from him among you will see much diff erence. they get together and chant verses appearance, so whoever sees him in seeing him can only be ascertained during the time of Ibn ‘Abbaas.’ A during a dream argumentative So adhere to my Sunnah and to of poetry, read the Qur’an, and await a good appearance, that is because by those who are familiar with his narrator said Yazeed was a Qur’anic evidences? the Sunnah of the Rightly-Guided the arrival of the Prophet. One of of the goodness of the religion of the appearance, like the companions, scribe. ‘I said to Ibn ‘Abbaas, “I saw The answer to this question is no, Khalifahs after me. Cling to it fi rmly, them will say, ‘The Prophet has come! one dreaming, and if the appearance or the next generation who saw his Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi due to the condition for evidence being and beware of newly invented matters, The Prophet arrived!’ To ensure the was bad then that is because of a resemblance in his close relatives like wa sallam) while dreaming.” Ibn that it was transmitted via precise for every newly invented matter is an misguidance of the people, they will defi ciency in the religion of the one Faatimah and her children, or al-Hasan ‘Abbaas said, “Allah’s Messenger said, hearing, and the one sleeping is not in innovation and every innovation is say, ‘Only the perfect worshippers dreaming. And he said that this is and his children, may Allah be pleased ‘Shaytaan is not able to appear as me, such a state. misguiding.” (A well known authentic will be able to see him. Those who are the truth.” Then he said; “Similarly with them. so whoever has seen me in a dream, he (By Mohamed Safwat Noor al- hadith recorded by at-Tirmithee and not perfect, the sinners, he will be what he said about his (sallallaahu Is seeing him as he really looked has [truly] seen me.’ So are you able to Deen. This is a translation of the others) shielded from their vision. Similar to ‘alaihi wa sallam) Sunnah during a condition for the validity of the describe this man you saw to us? I said, article which appeared in at-Tawheed Among these newly invented their beliefs about the Qutb, one whom the dream, whatever agrees with it is dream? “Yes,...[he was] between brown and magazine.) Muhammad the Messenger of Allah ll praise is due to Allah and god but He. He gives life, and makes to (deceased) was the Messenger of Allah To obey the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi to have a choice in their aff air. And cast in Hell. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] may peace and blessing die. Believe then in Allah, and in His the Qadianis and Ahmadiyyahs who wa sallam) in what he has commanded whosoever disobeys Allah and his be upon his servant and Messenger (Muhammad), the Prophet state that Ghulam Ahmed (deceased) was and forsake what he has forbidden or Messenger, he has gone astray into Muhammad was a man, not divine AMessenger Muhammad who could neither read nor write, who the prophet the so called Submitters or discouraged. To worship according manifest error. [Surah Al-Ahzaab, 36] The fi fth implication of the testimony and on his household and all of his believes in Allah and in His Words followers of Rashad Khalifah (murdered) to the shari’ah (law) of the Prophet But no, by your Lord (Rabb), they “Muhammad is the Messenger of Companions. (the Qur’an), and follows him so that who claim that he was a prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and not can have no faith until they make you Allah” is to believe that Muhammad In an article published earlier on the perhaps you will be guided. by whims and innovations. To judge by the judge in all disputes between them, (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was only meaning of the testimony of faith “Ash- The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Two Revelations the shari’ah of the Prophet (sallallaahu and fi nd in their souls no resistance a man sent to us by Allah to be obeyed hadu al-Laa ilaaha illallah Muhammadar sallam) has said: And the prophets The third implication of the ‘alaihi wa sallam) and not by any other against your decisions, but accept and that we do not worship him. Allah Rasoolullah” [I bear witness that there were formerly sent to their people only, testimony “Muhammad is the law. To love the Prophet Muhammad (them) fully with submission. [Surah has said: Say to them (O Muhammad) is nothing worthy of worship except whereas I have been sent to all mankind. Messenger of Allah” is to believe that (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) more An-Nisaa 65] ‘I am only a man like you; it is revealed Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Allah sent two revelations with the than our parents, children, mankind, The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa to me that your God (ilaah) is only of Allah] we focused on the fi rst part of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi indeed our very selves. sallam) has said: All my people will enter One God; so let him who hopes for the the testimony. Now we would like to The fi nality of Prophethood wa sallam): the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Allah Most High states: Say (to them Al-Jannah (The Garden) except those who meeting with his Rabb do righteousness further elaborate on the second half with The second implication of the Allah said: Allah was verily gracious O Muhammad): If you love Allah, refused. (On being asked about those who and not associate anything in the hopes of providing a fuller explanation. testimony is to believe that the Prophet to the believers by sending them a follow me, and Allah will love you, and refused, he replied:) He who obeys me will worship of his Rabb’. [Surah Al-Kahf 111] The statement or declaration that Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa messenger from themselves, to recite forgive your sins. Allah is All-Forgiving, enter Al-Jannah, he who disobeys me has The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah has sallam) is the fi nal prophet to be sent to them His signs, and to purify them, and Alla-Merciful. Say : Obey Allah and the refused. [Al-Bukhari] sallam) has said: Do not over praise me many implications, some of which are as mankind. Allah states in the Qur’an in to teach them the scripture (the Qur’an) Messenger. But if they turn away Allah If anyone introduces into this aff air as the Christians over-praised the son follows: Surah 33 Al-Ahzaab 40: Muhammad is and the wisdom (the Sunnah) though loves not the disbelievers (kaafi reen). of ours anything which does not belong of Mary. I am His slave so say: ‘Allah’s not the father of any one of your men, before that they were in manifest error. [Surah Aali ‘Imraan 31-32] to it, it is rejected. [Al-Bukhari and slave and messenger’ [Al-Bukhari and Muhammad was sent to all of but he is the Messenger of Allah and the [Surah Al-An’aam, 164] And let those who oppose his Muslim] Muslim] mankind Seal of the Prophets. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa (Muhammad’s) command beware, None of you believes until I am Let each an every claimant to the The fi rst implication of the testimony The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has said: I have been indeed lest a trial befall them (that would dearer to him than his father, his child, religion of Islam be aware of the proofs that Muhammad is the Messenger of sallam) has said: And the line of the been given the Qur’an and something lead them to disbelief) or a painful and all of mankind [Al-Bukhari and of his faith and the essential aspects Allah is the belief that Allah sent the prophets is closed with me [Muslim] like it along with it. [Abu Dawood] punishment be infl icted on them. Muslim] of his testimony. This is especially Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi And: Before the Last Hour there will [Surah An-Noor 63] There are three qualities for which important in these times when anyone wa sallam) to all mankind and the jinn be great liars, so beware of them The Messenger has rights You have indeed a good example in anyone who is characterised by them can make any claim and get support until the Day of Judgment. Allah states [Muslim] The fourth implication of the the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) will experience the sweetness of faith: for it no matter how outlandish or in the Qur’an in Surah 7 Al-’Araaf The above proofs are suffi cient to refute testimony is that there are rights due to for whosoever hopes for Allah and the He whom Allah and His Messenger unfounded by making unauthentic 151 Say (to them O Muhammad): O any of the heretical groups who claim any the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu Last Day, and remembers Allah much. are dearer than all else; He who loves historical or textual claims. We thank Mankind! I am the Messenger of Allah prophet or messenger after the Prophet ‘alaihi wa sallam) that must be [Surah Al-Ahzaab, 21] a human being for Allah’s sake alone; Allah for preserving His religion for to you all, (the Messenger) of Him to Muhammad such as some contemporary observed. Among these are: It is not fi tting for any believer, and who has as great an abhorrence of those who would seek to know the truth Whom belongs the dominion of the groups do namely: the Nation of Islam To believe in all that the Prophet man or woman, when Allah and His returning to unbelief after Allah has and we ask Him to put us and keep us heavens and of the earth. There is no who believe that Elijah Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has said. Messenger have decreed a matter, rescued him from it as he has of being upon the Straight Path, Ameen. Gulf Times 14 Friday, November 29, 2019 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES The political apology in the race for president

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg suddenly feels regret – just in time for his run for president. As mayor of New York for 12 years, Bloomberg oversaw an aggressive, tough on crime, stop-and-frisk policy that disproportionately targeted African Americans and Latinos. And for that he is sorry. That wasn’t his story a few months ago. Before he decided to jump in the race to unseat President Donald Trump, Bloomberg was not a fan of admitting wrong and maligned an apology culture in politics. He mocked The limits of Lagarde presidential candidate and former vice-president Joe Biden and former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke for bowing to pressure: Biden for an “apology tour” after By Yanis Varoufakis fi nanciers to whom I presented my plans our central banker to engineer a run every euro that Draghi’s ECB printed criticism of a crime bill some believe led to the mass Athens for a moderate debt restructuring, the on bank deposits and stocks, it was to buy Italian public debt, it created Athens stock exchange index shot up by easy to feel resentment toward him. two euros to buy German public debt. incarceration of black men, and O’Rourke for apologising 13%, led by a gain of more than 20% for I resisted that temptation because I There was no economic rationale for his white privilege. hortly after the Eurogroup Greek bank shares. appreciated Draghi’s constraints. I knew for buying bunds once Germany’s Yet, there was Bloomberg a couple of weeks ago meeting of eurozone fi nance With that wind in my sails, I fl ew to that, contrary to offi cial propaganda, budget surplus rendered them scarce. standing before a congregation at an African American ministers on June 27, 2015, I Frankfurt to meet Draghi for the fi rst he was the least independent central By continuing to buy them in huge megachurch in Brooklyn seeking mercy. He had not Sbumped into a worried-looking time. One might think that a freshly banker in the developed world. He numbers, the ECB created a bund Mario Draghi, the President of the appointed eurozone fi nance minister needed the Eurogroup’s approval – shortage, pushed interest rates into yet announced his run for president, but the rumours European Central Bank. “What on earth who had just managed to boost his essentially that of the German fi nance negative territory, and, in the process, were strong that he was. Despite trash-talking Biden, is Jeroen doing?” he asked me, referring country’s fi nancial assets signifi cantly ministry – to lend to failing banks in inflicted a great deal of damage on now his, political rival, Bloomberg needs the African to Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Eurogroup’s would be helped by his central Italy, Spain, and indeed France and German pension funds and insurance American vote, which accounts for about a fifth of then-president. “Damaging Europe, banker. Instead, the ECB’s governing Germany against collateral that the companies, not to mention on Democrats. Mario. Damaging Europe,” I replied. He board decided the same day to sever euro crisis had rendered worthless. To Chancellor Angela Merkel’s standing nodded, looking concerned. We took Greek banks’ access to euro liquidity. get that permission, he had to do as he with conservative savers. A more than the elevator to the ground fl oor and Unsurprisingly, Greek corporate and was told regarding Greece. And that Was Draghi remiss? Of course not. Bloomberg needs decade-long police parted silently. banking shares crashed, wiping out the meant choking into submission a Greek He laboured within absurd political state against brown Journalists fi nd it natural to assume previous day’s gains. government that insisted on discussing constraints imposed by institutions the African people is not a good that Draghi and I had a hostile In any other country, the position of what the German government did designed to make it impossible for the look. At the height of relationship during the 2015 standoff the central banker would be untenable. not want discussed: a sensible debt central bank to do its job properly. The American vote, between Greece, which I represented, The remit of a central bank is to aid restructuring. sole purpose of the “capital key” rule, his stop-and-frisk and the ECB. But the impasse at which the government’s eff orts to stabilise Seen in this light, Draghi’s decision to which forced him to buy German and which accounts programme, police we had become stuck was not caused fi nance and support the economy. In the cut liquidity to Greece’s banks appeared Italian debt at a two-to-one ratio, was stopped 575,000 by a clash of characters, and it involved eurozone, however, political constraints almost logical. It was the same with to allow politicians in Berlin to pretend for about a fi ft h of people under the no mutual recrimination. Rather, it force the central bank to infl ict the his stance a few months later, when he that the ECB was not really fi nancing policy, and African refl ected an institutional failure for kind of damage Draghi’s ECB visited sat silently in the Eurogroup meeting, the roll-over of stressed Italian debt Democrats which I never held Draghi personally upon our stock exchange that February listening to the German fi nance minister – exactly what was needed to save the American and Latinos responsible. Hostility between us, being afternoon. dictate to the rest that expulsion from euro. were stopped the most according to The New York Times. unnecessary, was absent. Under Draghi’s leadership, the the euro was the price of refusing levels Draghi deserves neither hostility nor Police made about 685,000 stops in 2011 and 87% were My fl eeting exchange with him came ECB violated the raison d’être of of austerity that, ultimately, would put adulation for his stewardship of the African American or Latino. It was bound to come up to mind as he recently vacated the a central bank on other occasions. the ECB’s infl ation target out of reach. ECB. He proved adept at working within during the election and Bloomberg obviously sought to electric chair amid much speculation Between February and late June 2015, It also explains why, on that Saturday ridiculous constraints that forced him to about the ECB’s future direction under Draghi fuelled repeated bank runs in in June, when Dijsselbloem violated do things that no central banker should head it off early. Else, he runs the chance of looking like his successor, Christine Lagarde. It Greece. Whereas any central banker every EU protocol, Draghi said nothing ever do – and not just against Greece. Trump, who has praised such policies throughout his reminded me of the unacknowledged anywhere else would have pledged and expressed his anger to me only in Maybe a more courageous man would term. powerlessness of the ECB president, full support for the banking system in private. have refused to do those things. But no Voters are holding candidates accountable for their who leads a mighty institution that is such circumstances, Draghi did the Going beyond Greece, under one can feel anger toward another for past actions, but they shouldn’t stop their scrutiny at far less independent in practice than it opposite: He intimated his fear of bank Draghi’s leadership, the ECB adopted not being a hero. is in theory. Lagarde will now have to closures and amplifi ed speculation of instruments that intentionally What matters today is that Lagarde these apologies of convenience. Candidates need to prove reckon with that powerlessness as she imminent capital controls by regularly misdirected enormous sums of public will have to labour within exactly the their case beyond words. If not, people should show their steers the ECB in a sea of defl ationary announcing tiny increases in liquidity money. Consider the quantitative easing same ridiculous constraints. Sensible displeasure at the ballot. hazards. provided to Greece’s national central (QE) that he launched in March 2015. Europeans should be very hostile to that One has seen the consequences of indiscriminate During 2015, Draghi sometimes bank. It was akin to a fi re captain yelling Without QE, which involved creating reality. – Project Syndicate arrests in Baltimore, which is dealing with a population made decisions detrimental both to the in a crowded hall: “You are about to approximately €2.7tn ($3tn) to help Greek people and to Europe’s common burn. I am gradually reducing the water countries like Italy roll over their public  Yanis Varoufakis, a former of people with criminal records who can’t get jobs. The interest. One came on February 4. On cannon’s supply to a trickle. Run for debt and stay in the eurozone, the euro fi nance minister of Greece, is leader issue came up when former Baltimore Mayor Martin that morning, following a meeting I your life!” would not exist today. of the MeRA25 party and Professor of O’Malley made a bid for president. Some say it was one had in London the previous day with Given such calculated attempts by Nonetheless, it is absurd that for Economics at the University of Athens. factor that hurt his chances. If Bloomberg doesn’t want to end up in the same predicament and really wants to prove he’s sorry, he needs to lay out policies to improve the lives of people hurt by his choices. Critics are already looking sceptically at his attempt at atonement and have questioned the timing. Many of those caught up in the arrests probably weren’t given the same benefi t of the doubt for their indiscretions and mistakes. Like with the other candidates in the race, one predicts Bloomberg won’t be able to brush off such an issue that has morphed into an indictment of the fairness of the justice system. Time will tell if Bloomberg’s speech was enough to shield him enough from criticism not to hurt his presidential bid. Or if people will see through his apology. – Tribune News Service

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© 2019 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Mario Draghi Christine Lagarde Gulf Times Friday, November 29, 2019 15 COMMENT Rising heat steals jobs and lives in eastern India

By Manipadma Jena Only with more money can people Bhubaneswar, India buy air conditioning and make changes to their homes that “may off er better protection”, he said. This extreme heat we now see There is still time to stop rising heat is no less than a sly thief,” said from destroying lives and livelihoods in Murali Sahoo, a building painter Odisha, environment and development “in eastern India, as he washed experts said. his buckets and brushes at the end of Dutta, of the public health institute, another sweltering work day. said the government should more A decade ago, a week’s work painting strictly enforce existing regulations could bring in Rs6,000 ($84), the that prohibit employers making 43-year-old said. outdoor labourers work during the But over the last fi ve years, hottest part of the day. increasingly blistering summer The law also obliges employers temperatures in his home state of to provide water, shade and head Odisha mean working all day is no coverings to protect workers from the longer possible, even if he starts at 7 heat. am to get a jump on the heat. Pradeep Kumar Nayak, chief “Today my weekly earnings have general manager of the Odisha State fallen to just Rs2,500 ($35), a measly Disaster Management Authority, said Rs350 ($5) a day. the state needs to seriously examine How can a family survive on this?” the impact of extreme heat on self- asked Sahoo, the father of two boys. employed people’s livelihoods and As climate change brings ever- on economic productivity and state more-wilting heat in some of the GDP. world’s already hot spots, the future “Those who lose most are those for outdoor workers like Sahoo may be with subsistence earnings,” he told bleak, scientists say. the Thomson Reuters Foundation by If greenhouse gas emissions telephone. continue to grow at current rates, by By the end of the century, the heat-related death toll could reach as high as 42,000 per year in Odisha. For Sahoo, losses are already adding 2100 Odisha will get as many as 48 up. extremely hot days every year, up from of Public Policy and one of the authors such as its 480km-long coastline — That would be the equivalent of high as 42,000 per year in Odisha, the In 2017, the painter was diagnosed only 1.5 such days in 2010, warned the of the study. and the rise of concrete buildings and 34mn full-time jobs, the ILO said. CIL study predicted. with intestinal cancer, which he Climate Impact Lab (CIL), a nonprofi t “Temperature and precipitation asphalt roads in its towns as reasons Extreme heat also can be deadly, Income inequality is partly to blame attributes to years of working in consortium of scientists, in a report aff ect diverse outcomes such as it can become particularly hot and health experts warn. for the state’s vulnerability to the rising intensely hot weather. released this month. human health, labour productivity, humid. Ambarish Dutta, an Odisha expert heat, said Jina, the environmental He said he had often pushed his body The study’s researchers classifi ed agricultural yields, crime, and As temperatures soar, the study said, at the Indian Institute of Public Health economist. to its limits to get work done, becoming a day as extremely hot if the outside confl ict,” he told the Thomson Reuters Odisha’s economy will suff er as people in the state’s capital Bhubaneswar, said On average, a person in India dehydrated because he worried that temperature reaches above 35 degrees Foundation via e-mail. fi nd it increasingly diffi cult to work. in Odisha the “killing eff ect” kicks in starts investing heavily in cooling taking water breaks would put him Celsius. The study projected that average No one has yet calculated what when the ambient temperature reaches technologies such as air-conditioning further behind schedule. The report, on heat deaths in India, summer temperatures in Odisha will go rising heat might do to the state’s over 36.5 degrees Celsius. once they make at least Rs983,000 His wife left him when he was was conducted in collaboration with from about 29 degrees Celsius in 2010 productivity, Jina said. In the decade up to 2017, a total ($13,700) a year, noted another diagnosed, “because, perhaps, she the Tata Centre for Development at the to over 32 degrees Celsius by 2100. The Climate Impact Lab plans to of 630 people died as a result of Tata Centre for Development study believed I would not survive”, he said. University of Chicago and examined That would give Odisha the biggest provide those projections in a later heat waves in Odisha, a state where published last month. Sahoo is now in remission but has the human and economic costs of jump in extremely hot days of all of study. nearly three-quarters of the working Government data shows that in been left too weak to work more than 15 climate change and weather shocks in India’s 29 states. But a report released by the population is in the informal labour Odisha the annual per capita income days a month. India. The national average increase will United Nations’ International sector, most of them working is much lower, at Rs75,800 (just over He can no longer tolerate the heat so “Weather and climate shape India’s be from 24 degrees Celsius to about 28 Labour Organisation (ILO) in July outdoors, according to government $1,000), putting air conditioning out only takes interior painting jobs. economy and society,” said Amir Jina, degrees, researchers said. predicted that, by 2030, India as data. of reach for most people. “The changing weather has an environmental economist at the Meteorologists point to the state’s a whole could lose nearly 6% of But by the end of the century, the “The capacity to adapt better is unravelled my life,” he said. – University of Chicago’s Harris School location, its geographical features — working hours to heat stress. heat-related death toll could reach as proportional to higher incomes,” Jina said. Thomson Reuters Foundation

The power of green public fi nance Three-day forecast TODAY to fund them. Instead, we need to Investors and rating agencies are to extend the deadline (until the end Maximum Temperature : 280c By Werner Hoyer Minimum Temperature : 210c Luxembourg leverage public money to mobilise increasingly scrutinising investment of 2021) for its support of gas projects private capital. The new European portfolios for potential “stranded already under appraisal. SATURDAY Commission under President Ursula assets,” such as oil and gas projects As we have seen in recent years, Maximum Temperature : 280c olicymakers and pundits have von der Leyen understands this. In that will become obsolete as more climate policies can be perfectly Minimum Temperature : 200c been wringing their hands pursuing a European Green Deal, von renewable-energy technologies designed, but if they leave SUNDAY over the crises affl icting the der Leyen has asked the EIB to become become commercially viable. Many communities behind, they will invite Maximum Temperature : 270c PEuropean Union, arguing the fi nancial engine of the low-carbon existing fossil-fuel projects already a backlash and likely fail. Right now, Minimum Temperature : 190c transition. have shorter life spans than was at least ten EU member states face that it is falling behind in confront- Fisherman's forecast ing major threats to its long-term To that end, the EIB will use its previously expected, and fi nancial specifi c energy-investment challenges survival. Yet on the issue of climate fi nancing to mobilise more than $1tn portfolios that rely heavily on such that cannot be ignored. for investments in climate action and assets will increasingly be at risk of To help them fi nd a way forward, WARNING change, nothing could be further Inshore : Nil from the truth. In mid-November, environmental sustainability over devaluation. the EIB will be working closely with Offshore : Nil EU member states demonstrated that the next decade, while increasing With some governments the European Commission and the they can unite behind a shared vision the share of climate investment in its abandoning previous commitments new “Just Transition Fund,” including WEATHER Inshore : Moderate temperature of a low-carbon future. And European overall fi nancing portfolio to 50% by to reduce emissions, one might think advisory support. daytime with scattered institutions are already leading the 2025. At the end of 2020, its entire that the global eff ort to tackle climate A properly managed green clouds fi ght against climate change at the glo- fi nancing will be aligned with the change is losing steam. But we should transition will off er more than enough Offshore : Partly cloudy with a chance of scattered bal level. Among these, the European goals of the 2015 Paris climate accord, not underestimate the power of economic opportunities for everyone rain Investment Bank will now be playing and one year later its fi nancing for fi nancial pressure to eff ect change, in the energy sector – from generation an even greater role as an instrument projects relying solely on fossil fuels nor can we ignore the determination to transmission and distribution as WIND Inshore : Southeasterly-North for decarbonising the economy and will end. Going forward, the bank will of local governments and the well as storage. In addition, the need easterly 05-15 KT limiting global warming to well below be committed to the most ambitious private sector to act where national for low-carbon technologies for Offshore : Northeasterly-North- 2°C above pre-industrial levels. climate investment strategy of any government have not. the mobility and energy-intensive westerly 03-13 KT Climate change is the top political public fi nancial institution in the Nonetheless, to get and keep all industrial sectors will create more Visibility : 4-8/3 KM issue of our time. Scientists estimate world. governments on board, the low- opportunities for innovative Offshore : 1-3 FT that if we remain on our current path, Rather than simply following the carbon transition must be inclusive. businesses. we will experience global warming fi nancial markets, public fi nancial While countries with over 90% of New participants are entering the the EIB’s capital voted in favor of market, consumers are becoming more of 3-4°C by the end of the century, institutions must lead them, by Around the region at which point large portions of the creating investment channels into the new energy lending policy, some active, and civil-society organisations Weather planet will be uninhabitable. Coupled the green technologies of the future countries did vote against it. They are mobilising. By shaping markets Weather tomorrow Max/min with demographic growth, the impact – from fl oating wind farms and new have legitimate concerns about the and guiding private investment toward today Max/min Clear 23/10 on human welfare and migration forms of tidal-energy production to economic implications for their the sectors that will ensure a just and Baghdad Clear 22/11 P Cloudy 24/13 fl ows would be catastrophic. Carbon better batteries and more effi cient constituents. We cannot ignore the fair transition for everyone, the EIB Kuwait City Sunny 26/16 Sunny 27/21 emissions reached a record high in buildings. Public banks must go position of countries that depend looks forward to demonstrating how Manama Sunny 26/21 Sunny 28/19 2018, indicating that we urgently need to where private capital is still on fossil fuels like coal, and that see much can be achieved through the Muscat Sunny 28/19 Sunny 15/05 to step up our response. reluctant to go, as the EIB has already increased natural-gas production as a leverage of public fi nance. – Project Tehran P Cloudy 13/06 The transition to a low-carbon demonstrated in the off shore-wind transition fuel. Rather, we must help Syndicate economy will not be possible without sector. them accelerate that transition, by massive investment. But scarce public Besides, there is a clear business ensuring that the process is just and  Werner Hoyer is President of the resources will not be nearly enough rationale for prioritizing green fi nance. fair. The EIB, for example, has agreed European Investment Bank.

Live issues

Supplements touting brain benefi ts may contain unauthorised ingredient Around the world Weather Weather today Max/min tomorrow Max/min By Lisa Rapaport patients from getting the correct to test in a lab and see how much of the found in some supplements available Athens M Sunny 22/14 P Cloudy 22/12 Reuters Health diagnosis and treatment. ingredient they contained. for purchase in the US, side eff ects of Beirut P Cloudy 22/17 P Cloudy 22/17 “Any products making unproven They tested a total of 10 samples piracetam include anxiety, insomnia, Bangkok P Cloudy 33/24 P Cloudy 34/26 drug claims could mislead consumers from four manufacturers. The agitation, depression, drowsiness and Berlin S Showers 06/-1 P Cloudy 04/01 any supplements mar- to believe that such therapies exist and amount of piracetam contained in the weight gain, the authors write. Cairo M Sunny 25/14 Sunny 25/14 keted for brain health keep them from accessing therapies recommended servings ranged from Side eff ects may be worse at higher Cape Town Cloudy 28/16 Sunny 21/16 may contain piracetam, that are known to help support the 831mg to 1,542mg. In the four products doses, although the precise risks are Colombo S T Storms 30/25 T Storm 28/25 Man ingredient not proven symptoms of the disease, or worse as that contained the ingredient, the unknown, they point out. Dhaka Sunny 31/20 P Cloudy 30/20 eff ective for preventing or easing some fraudulent treatments can cause amount of piracetam ranged from 85% Beyond the small number of Hong Kong Sunny 22/14 Sunny 20/17 dementia or cognitive impairment serious or even fatal injuries,” then- to 188% of the amount claimed on the samples tested, other limitations Istanbul P Cloudy 17/15 Rain 18/14 and not approved for sale in the US, FDA Commissioner Dr Scott Gottlieb label. of the study include the possibility Jakarta S T Storms 33/26 T Storm 33/26 researchers say. said in a statement. Following the manufacturers’ that amounts of piracetam in the Karachi Sunny 29/16 Sunny 27/16 In an analysis of fi ve products While the FDA didn’t single out recommendations, consumers could supplements might vary over time, the London S Showers 10/03 Sunny 07/-1 purchased online, researchers found piracetam, it’s one of the more be exposed to quantities ranging study authors note. Manila P Cloudy 31/26 P Cloudy 31/23 that four contained piracetam, common and worrisome ingredients from 831mg to 11,283mg of piracetam Even so, consumers should steer Moscow Cloudy -1/-2 S Showers 02/02 sometimes in dangerously high in unapproved cognitive enhancement per day, depending on the brand clear of piracetam supplements, given New Delhi S Showers 24/16 P Cloudy 23/13 amounts. The fi fth, which was labelled supplements, researchers note in consumed, the researchers note. the lack of evidence that it helps New York Cloudy 11/02 P Cloudy 08/-1 and sold as piracetam, contained no JAMA Internal Medicine. In Europe, where piracetam is cognition and the potential harmful Paris Showers 12/08 Showers 10/03 detectable amount of the drug. For the study, Dr Pieter Cohen of prescribed for disorders including side eff ects, the researchers conclude. Sao Paulo Rain 21/15 Cloudy 21/17 The US Food and Drug Somerville Hospital Primary Care dementia and cognitive impairment, “Clinicians should advise patients Seoul P Cloudy 10/-4 Sunny 07/-2 Administration (FDA) warned last in Massachusetts and colleagues tablets are typically 800 mg or 1,200 that supplements marketed as Singapore T Storm 31/26 T Storm 31/26 February that so-called cognitive searched online for supplements mg and daily dosing tends to be 2,400 cognitive enhancers may contain Sydney Cloudy 24/16 P Cloudy 26/20 enhancement supplements may be with piracetam in the description or mg to 4,800 mg, the study team notes. prohibited drugs at supratherapeutic Tokyo Rain 11/07 Clear 10/05 ineff ective, unsafe and could prevent ingredient list, then ordered samples At doses lower than researchers doses,” the study authors warn. Gulf Times 16 Friday, November 29, 2019 QATAR

Screen grabs from the new video. Qatar Airways unveils star-studded on-board safety video

atar Airways has turned priority one and we want to en- message – ‘Going Places Together’. the pre-match team-talk sure everyone, including our Qatar Airways was recently Qinto an entertaining safety most frequent travellers, watches named ‘Airline of the Year’ for video that will be shown on board our safety briefi ngs,” said Qatar the fi fth time by the 2019 World fl ights before the end of the year. Airways senior vice president Airline Awards, managed by in- Featuring football legends (Marketing and Corporate Com- ternational air transport rating past and present, the “humorous munications) Salam al-Shawa. organisation Skytrax. video” delivers important safety “The wonderfully creative It was also named ‘World’s information with the help of per- concept from 180 Kingsday will Best Business Class’, ‘Best Busi- sonalities from the airline’s ongo- capture our passengers’ atten- ness Class Seat’, and ‘Best Airline ing partnerships with AS Roma, tion whilst providing a fun, light- in the Middle East’.bQatar Air- FC Bayern Munich and FIFA. hearted video to get the in-fl ight ways currently operates a mod- The fi lm stars Brazilian foot- entertainment underway. The ern fl eet of more than 250 aircraft baller Neymar Jr, FC Bayern Mu- level of quality and attention to via its hub, Hamad International nich star Robert Lewandowski detail in this video is paramount Airport (HIA), to more than 160 and AS Roma legend Cafu, who and I am sure the content will destinations worldwide. are led through the in-fl ight both inform and amuse our glo- the world of Qatar Airways en- including AS Roma, Boca Juniors The world’s fastest-growing safety routine by a comedic a life jacket, where Cafu helps a agency ‘180 Kingsday’, the six- bal passengers of all ages.” chants.” The video is available and FC Bayern Munich. airline has added several exciting double act of coach and kitman younger version of himself attach minute fi lm is designed for Qatar Kalle Hellzen, executive crea- online at https://youtu.be/OT- As offi cial FIFA partner, Qatar new destinations to its growing played by British television regu- an oxygen mask and where Paris Airways’ global audience. tive director, 180 Kingsday, said: 3CLInWrk4. Airways sponsors the FIFA Club network this year. lar Jason Thorpe and comedy ac- Saint-Germain star Neymar Jr Mirroring the airline’s latest “Humour has been shown to in- Qatar Airways holds an ex- World Cup Qatar 2019 and the FIFA The airline will add Gaborone tor Ross Hatt. makes a special appearance to campaigns, the fi lm seeks to add crease memory, so there seems tensive global sports portfolio, World Cup Qatar 2022, refl ecting (Botswana) this year to its ex- This is a locker room like guide Qsuite passengers. a playful spin to a vital part of the to be no better way to communi- sponsoring top-level sporting the values of sport as a means of tensive route network along with never before in which Lewand- Directed by Peter Lydon, who in-fl ight experience. cate such important information events and some of the biggest bringing people together, something Luanda (Angola) and Osaka, (Ja- owski demonstrates how to use co-wrote the script with creative “At Qatar Airways, safety is than by making it fun. As always, football clubs around the world at the core of the airline’s brand pan) in 2020.