BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 8 Dutch legend Neeskens praises Qatar’s Qatar gains global focus World Cup as investment destination, says Chamber offi cial plans published in QATAR since 1978

THURSDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 11059 January 10, 2019 Jumada I 4, 1440 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

PM meets US delegation In brief Qatari-Iraqi relations witnessing a new start ARAB WORLD | Agreement QNA was on May 22, 2017 when the Amir beIN back on Doha sent a written message to the then Iraqi prime minister Dr Egypt network Haider al-Abadi, inviting him to visit beIN Media Group yesterday he visit of Iraqi President Qatar. The message was handed by HE announced that Cable Network Barham Salih to Qatar under- the Deputy Prime Minister and Minis- Egypt (CNE) has signed an Tscores the keenness and deter- ter of Foreign Aff airs Sheikh Mohamed agreement to allow beIN’s services mination of the leaderships of the two bin Abdulrahman al-Thani during a to be carried on CNE. “We are countries to enhance bilateral relations meeting with the Iraqi prime minister delighted that Egyptian fans in all fi elds. in Baghdad. can, once again, access the best His Highness the Amir Sheikh During that meeting, the two sides and most exciting sports and Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will meet discussed bilateral relations and means entertainment in the world,” it Salih at the Amiri Diwan today for talks of enhancing them in various fi elds. tweeted. This came a day after beIN on bilateral relations and means of en- In a statement, the two sides stressed Media Group issued a statement hancing them. the need to remove all obstacles that about service disruption on the The two leaders will also discuss a come come in the way of relations be- CNE network in Egypt on January 8. HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday met a delegation from number of issues of common concern. tween them and look forward to the fu- the US House of Representatives visiting Qatar. During the meeting they reviewed bilateral relations and strategic co-operation The Qatari-Iraqi relations are wit- ture, not to think of the past, and open REGION | Confl ict in diff erent fields. They also discussed a number of topics of common interest. nessing a new start, and the fi rst step a new page. To Page 2 Both sides sticking to Yemen truce: UN Both sides in the conflict in Yemen have largely stuck to a ceasefire agreed last month, but Crowds back substantial progress is still needed before more talks can be held on ending the war, the UN special Decision on oneworld link Bashir at representative to the country said yesterday. Martin Griffiths told the United Nations Security Council Sudan rally he had met the leaders of the two sides in recent days and both had expressed determination to in Feb: Qatar Airways chief AFP find a way forward. “I am pleased Khartoum to report that both sides have By Pratap John largely adhered to the ceasefire Chief Business Reporter we agreed in Stockholm,” Griffiths Airline’s performance housands of people cheered Su- said. dan’s President Omar al-Bashir atar Airways will take a “fi nal ‘within budget’: al-Baker Tin a show of support in Khar- REGION | Controversy decision” on its membership in toum yesterday, as riot police fi red Iran confi rms arrest Qthe oneworld alliance in early teargas at protesters at a rival anti- February, Group Chief Executive Akbar By Pratap John to Mykonos (Greece), Bodrum government demonstration. of US veteran al-Baker revealed yesterday. Chief Business Reporter and Antalya (Turkey) and Malaga Hundreds of police offi cers, soldiers Iran yesterday confirmed a US Speaking to Gulf Times al-Baker (Spain). and security agents, some carrying media report that an American said, “The fi nal decision for us to stay The airline also added a host of machine guns, were deployed around military veteran had been arrested or not to stay (in oneworld alliance) will atar Airways’ performance new frequencies to several popular the site of the pro-Bashir rally in the last year, but denied he had been be made in the beginning of February. in the fi rst nine months of destinations including Montreal, the Green Yard, a large open space in the badly treated. “A US citizen called There is an important meeting and I Qthis fi nancial year “is within Maldives, Bangkok, Phuket, Ho Chi capital. Michael White was arrested some have been called to this meeting. the budget”, airline Group Chief Ex- Minh City, Hanoi, Amman, Muscat, Thousands of men, women and chil- time ago in Mashhad and the US “I will go for this meeting; I will hear ecutive Akbar al-Baker has said. Helsinki, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, dren carrying pro-Bashir banners ar- government was informed of this in what they have to say. And if we are “We have received some 15 new Milan, Vienna, Oslo, Copenhagen, rived in buses from early in the morn- the first days of the arrest through satisfi ed with what they want to do as aircraft in the current financial year. Manchester and Zurich. These ing, almost fi lling the site. the US interest section in Tehran,” a group, as an alliance in the spirit of We have received five corporate additions provided even more The rally was the fi rst held in Khar- said foreign ministry spokesman which we entered the alliance, then of jets within this year…we have also flexibility for both business and toum in support of the president since Bahram Ghasemi on his Telegram course we will continue.” launched 15 destinations, and we are leisure passengers. protests erupted. channel. White, 46, from Imperial But, al-Baker added, “If that spirit Akbar al-Baker still launching some more,” al-Baker As well as receiving the first Airbus “This gathering sends a message to Beach, California, was arrested in of splitting the airline still continues told Gulf Times yesterday. A350-1000, the review said the those who think that Sudan will be- July after visiting his girlfriend in with our members, then there is no lines, and around 30 affi liates. “I cannot give you the results, airline received 25 additional aircraft come like other countries that have Iran’s second city Mashhad, his point in Qatar Airways staying in that Royal Air Maroc is a oneworld mem- because we normally announce to the fleet throughout the year been destroyed,” Bashir told a cheering mother told The New York Times alliance.” ber-elect. Fiji Airways has just joined these after our financial year is over, (2018), increasing the total number crowd. this week. Asked whether he felt let down by as the fi rst oneworld connect partner. which is after the 31st of March this in its fleet to 226. “We will stop anyone who destroys some oneworld members, al-Baker re- As part of oneworld, these airlines year. So, I will not be able to give Al-Baker, who was recently our properties.” AMERICA | Dispute plied, “We are let down and this why serve more than 1,000 airports in 160- you much more, but I can tell you appointed Secretary-General of In the initial protests, which erupted we want to leave. We will see if they plus territories, with some 14,000 daily we have defeated the purpose for the Qatar National Tourism Council on December 19 in towns and villages Row over Mexico want to mend fences and if they want departures. which my country was blockaded,” by His Highness the Amir, said, before spreading to Khartoum, several border wall deepens to work together as a team, for which The alliance members carry almost al-Baker said. “Their Highnesses have put a lot of buildings of Bashir’s ruling National President Donald Trump met with we joined the alliance.” 550mn passengers a year on a com- In its recent 2018 review, the confidence in me. And it is my duty Congress Party were torched. congressional leaders yesterday On whether Qatar Airways would bined fl eet of 3,500 aircraft. national carrier had said it launched to serve my country and I will do Angry demonstrators took to the to discuss his demand to build a consider another alliance should it de- oneworld alliance said it generates a host of exciting new destinations my best to achieve the very tough streets after a government decision wall along the US-Mexican border, cide to opt out of oneworld, the Group some $135bn in annual revenues. last year including Cardiff (United targets that I have been given by His to triple the price of bread at a time but the row - which has sparked a Chief Executive said, “Once we leave In a recent FlightGlobal’s FlightStats Kingdom), Canberra (Australia), Highness the Amir. when the country faces an acute prolonged government shutdown an alliance, it is up to us to decide what analysis, oneworld member-airlines Mombasa (Kenya), Gothenburg “It is the duty of every Qatari citizen shortage of foreign currency and 70% - only appeared to deepen, with we want to do. Nobody can dictate to us collectively achieved the “best arrival (Sweden), Da Nang (Vietnam) and to make sure that we deliver what is inflation. no sign of flexibility on either side. what Qatar Airways does.” punctuality” in 2018, with 80.22% of Thessaloniki (Greece). The airline expected from our leader,” al-Baker Authorities say at least 19 people Trump sat down to lunch on Capitol Besides Qatar Airways, the oneworld them landing on-time, a 2-point im- also launched seasonal services said. including two security personnel have Hill with Republicans - a meeting members include American Airlines, provement on other competitor global been killed during the demonstrations. to rally his troops. Later, he was to British Airways, Cathay Pacifi c, Finnair, alliances. Crowds chanted “Yes, yes Bashir, we sit down with both Republican and Iberia, Japan Airlines, LATAM Airlines, The analysis also revealed that Qatar with 89.8% of its 177,324 fl ights moni- by FlightStats of some 45mn fl ights will follow you” at the rally, where the opposition Democratic leaders in Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Royal Jor- Airways was the “world’s most punc- tored departing on time in 2018. operated by hundreds of airlines glo- president was accompanied by his wife the White House. Page 5 danian, S7 Airlines and SriLankan Air- tual international network airline” The ranking was based on analysis bally in the past year. and a group of ministers. Page 3 Qatar starts Asian Cup on a winning note AFC to sue ‘pirate entity’ beoutQ over Asian Cup

Agencies broadcaster beIN. week, had been appearing illegally on did not immediately respond to a re- Doha beoutQ emerged in 2017 after Saudi beoutQ. quest for comment on the AFC action. Arabia and its allies launched a dip- “The Asian Football Confedera- beIN Sports holds exclusive televi- lomatic and trade boycott of Qatar tion today condemns the pirate entity sion rights to a wide range of events for he Asian Football Confedera- accusing it of supporting terrorism, named ‘beoutQ’ that continues to ille- the Middle East including World Cup tion (AFC) said yesterday it was which Doha denies. gally broadcast the AFC Asian Cup UAE soccer, the Premier League, and AFC Ttaking legal action in Saudi beoutQ is widely available in Saudi 2019,” the statement said. matches. Arabia against television channel Arabia. “The AFC has already instructed Last month, the World Trade Organ- beoutQ for illegally broadcasting its But Riyadh claims it is not based counsel to take legal action in Saudi isation (WTO) said it would investigate Asian Cup, the region’s biggest foot- there and that the authorities are com- Arabia and is working alongside other Qatari allegations of intellectual prop- ball tournament. mitted to fi ghting piracy, including an- sports rights owners that have also erty breaches by Saudi Arabia, includ- beoutQ has been accused by soc- nouncing the confi scation of 12,000 been aff ected to protect its interest,” ing the piracy of beIN content. cer’s governing body FIFA, tennis pirating devices last June. the statement added. FIFA said last July it would pursue governing bodies and other sports It is unclear who owns or operates AFC did not provide further detail on legal action against beoutQ after the il- Qatar’s team players celebrate the first goal of the match during the 2019 AFC bodies of illegally airing content the channel. the parties involved in the case or dam- legal broadcast of its 2018 World Cup, Asian Cup group E football match between Qatar and Lebanon at Hazza bin Zayed whose exclusive Middle East tel- In a statement, the AFC said its Asian ages being sought. but details of the case have not yet been Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Qatar showed patience and maturity to pick up a evision rights belong to Qatar-based Cup, which kicked off in Abu Dhabi last The Saudi government media offi ce made public. 2-0 win over a determined and well-organised Lebanon. Sport Page 1 Gulf Times 2 Thursday, January 10, 2019 QATAR

NU-Q highlights education sector’s resilience in the face of siege

hallenges and benefi ts at body, a new admissions recruit- Early in the academic year, the siege of Qatar led to a new Students also produced docu- addressed the graduating class. the crossroads of geopol- ment strategy, stable faculty and His Highness the Amir Creative Media Festival whose mentary fi lms and journalistic Other highlights of the year Citics and higher educa- staff , and successful searches for Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad theme was “Boundaries and reports to document the impact included an inaugural Execu- tion is the focus of Northwest- new [faculty and staff ] positions al-Thani, made a visit to the Borders” and yielded multiple of the blockade. tive Education programme with ern University in Qatar’s annual are evidence that we were not school with a CBS camera student projects. That eff ort Early in the academic year, masterclasses on “Sport, Media, report. deterred.” crew for an interview that was led by two Northwestern His Highness the Amir Sheikh and Business.” Concurrently, the In the document, NU-Q’s The 2017-18 academic year, appeared on the famed communication graduates, the Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, school’s robust research pro- dean and CEO Everette E Den- the school’s 10th year of op- programme 60 Minutes Broadway producer Tom Cas- made a visit to the school with gramme that includes an annual nis appraised the “resilience and erations, welcomed its largest serly and his colleague, anthro- a CBS camera crew for an inter- Media Use in the Middle East resolve” with which the school, freshman class to date and saw a art robotic Newsroom in the pologist George Bajalia of Co- view that appeared on the famed study across several countries its sister institutions in Educa- 17.7% growth in the overall stu- 515,000sqft building designed lumbia University. The two were programme 60 Minutes. published its latest report as tion City, and Qatar have navi- dent body with 53% Qatari citi- by Antoine Predock and also joined by the award-winning Major speakers during the year well as an interactive website. gated the continuing Gulf crisis zens and others coming from 25 featuring the infrastructure of a actor Caitlin Cassidy – all of included broadcast interview- Additionally, a Five-Year Retro- and blockade of Qatar since June countries. television network and a movie whom donated their time to the er Fareed Zakaria of CNN and spective of the study covering 2017 to the present. The year saw the opening studio. enterprise, which involved a 48- Oscar award-winning actress data from 2013 to 2018 was also “The growth of the student of the school’s state-of-the- A self-conscious approach to hour round-the-clock festival. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy who published. Katara launches Qatar-Iraq relations witnessing new start From Page 1 The visit of HE Sheikh Mo- hamed to Iraq last November marked the beginning of an- other new era in the develop- fi rst edition of ment of relations between the two countries, as it was the fi rst visit of a Qatari offi cial to Iraq after the formation of its new government. It was also a sign that the two amber beads expo countries desired to develop co- operation by activating a memo- randum of understanding signed atara – the Cultural Vil- between them, convening the lage is set to launch today Qatar Insurance sponsors Iraqi-Qatari committee meet- K(Thursday, January 10) ings regularly, and contributing the fi rst edition of the “Kahra- Kahraman beads exhibition to the reconstruction of Iraq. man” (amber) beads exhibition During that visit, HE Sheikh at building 12, with around 80 s a progressive leader Mohamed met with senior Iraqi participants from seven coun- in Corporate Social Re- offi cials, and discussed with them tries. Asponsibility (CSR) and bilateral relations in addition to Katara general manager Dr socially-responsible business issues of common concern. Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti practices, Qatar Insurance, has He was accompanied by a said this unique exhibition re- announced it is sponsoring the high ranking delegation. fl ects Katara’s vision to invest Katara Exhibition of Kahraman The Iraqi Ministry of Trade in knowledge and culture by es- beads. said that Iraq and Qatar agreed tablishing a platform for this rare From today (January 10), the to activate economic and trade industry. fi rst edition of the exclusive ex- relations, restore channels of He said he was happy to see hibition will display rare and ex- communication in all fi elds Katara launching the fi rst-of- pensive beads made of authentic and begin holding meetings of Iraq’s President Barham Salih arrived in Doha yesterday on an off icial visit to Qatar. He was greeted at its-kind exhibition specialised Kahraman (amber) from around the Iraqi-Qatari committee in Hamad International Airport by HE the Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, in this ancient industry, gather- the world, it was announced in a Fahad al-Suwaidi, deputy CEO Doha. Charge d’Aff aires of Qatar’s embassy in Iraq, Hussein Ali al-Fadala, and the charge d’Aff aires of the Iraqi ing experts from all around the statement yesterday. of QIC Qatar Operations. In recent statements, Iraqi embassy in Qatar, Dr Abdulsattar al-Janabi. world to help them fi nd a market A fi rst of its kind, the exhibi- Foreign Minister Mohamed outlet for their products. tion will bring together trad- the core values of our business al-Hakim affi rmed the exist- his country and Qatar, which investment, in addition to a Turkey to Qatar through Iraqi “This comprehensive cultural ers and collectors of Kahra- and operating principles align ence of co-operation between includes reconstruction and project to transport goods from territory. and commercial project Katara man beads, along with experts with our objectives for CSR. is launching in the fi eld of Kah- making the beads by hand from “Being socially-conscious raman is one of its sustainable natural fossilised resin. The has allowed us to respond, development projects which will exhibition will also showcase engage, and solve the com- be self-fi nanced”, Dr al-Sulaiti how amber beads are meas- mon concerns of society, along noted. ured, perforated, and various with the co-operation of our Participants from Qatar, Rus- parameters for quality tests. customers, business partners, Cabinet approves draft law on sia, Poland, Lithuania, Lebanon, Fahad al-Suwaidi, deputy and affi liates. Contribution Turkey and Kuwait will be at- CEO of QIC Qatar Operations, and participation in the Katara tending the exhibition, display- said: “Through sponsorships Exhibition for Kahraman beads ing some of their fi nest manu- such as this, we want to show- also underpins our keenness factured pieces of Kahraman. case Qatar’s rich culture and towards maintaining and re- concession granted to Woqod The show will run until Saturday deep rooted heritage. In fact, viving our legacy for our future (January 12). we have always ensured that generation.” He announced that Katara will QNA amending some provisions of Minister and Minister of State acts as well as revocation of the sign an agreement with the Po- Doha Amiri decision No 16 of 2014 for Cabinet Aff airs’ decision No licence. land-based International Amber “This exhibition will also wit- siasts to hold meetings and ex- designating the functions of 11 of 2015 to establish units at The Cabinet meanwhile took Association that aims to boost ness announcement of a perma- change expertise”, Dr al-Sulaiti ministries. the administrative departments the necessary measures to ratify co-operation and collaboration nent Kahraman centre based at said. he Cabinet’s regular 2- A draft Amiri decision on comprising the General Secre- the following: for organising the upcoming Katara which will be a hotspot The exhibition features work- meeting, chaired by the organisational structure of tariat of the Cabinet and defi n- 1. An agreement on the can- editions of the exhibition. for amber merchants and enthu- shops on amber beads making. THE the Prime Minister the Ministry of Finance. ing their competencies. cellation of visa requirements Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin 3- A draft Amiri decision on The Cabinet also approved a for holders of diplomatic and Khalifa al-Thani, yesterday ap- the organisational structure of draft decision of the Minister of private passports between the proved a draft law on the con- the Ministry of Municipality Municipality and Environment governments of Qatar and Gha- cession granted to Qatar Fuel and Environment. on the establishment, organisa- na. Director-General Company (Woqod) for selling, 4- A draft Amiri decision on tion and leasing of lands in the 2. An agreement between the Qatar participates in nuclear marketing, transporting and the organisational structure of Al-Afj a area for recycling in- governments of Qatar and Gha- of QNA meets distributing gas and petroleum the Ministry of Commerce and dustries. na on the regulation of the em- products. Industry. The draft decision aims to ployment of labour from Ghana arms panel meeting in Cairo UK ambassador It decided to refer the draft 5- A draft Amiri decision on encourage the private sector to in Qatar. law to the Advisory Council. the organisational structure of invest in the recycling industry 3. An agreement between QNA Following the meeting, which the Ministry of Administrative and speed up granting lands to the governments of Qatar and he 49th meeting of the bin Sultan Yousef Larm, chaired Doha was held at the Amiri Diwan, HE Development, Labour and So- investors. Ghana on the avoidance of dou- Committee of senior Arab the delegation of Qatar to the the Minister of Justice and Act- cial Aff airs. It also approved a draft deci- ble taxation and the prevention Toffi cials in charge of nu- meeting. ing Minister of State for Cabinet The Cabinet also approved sion of the Minister of Munici- of fi scal evasion with respect to clear weapons and other weap- The two-day meeting will dis- he Director-General of Aff airs, Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al- a draft decision amending the pality and Environment on the taxes on income. ons of mass destruction started cuss a number of issues, foremost Qatar News Agency (QNA) Nuaimi stated that the under organisation of some admin- conditions and regulations for The Cabinet then reviewed yesterday at the headquarters of which is the Arab move to acti- TYoussef Ibrahim al-Malki the provisions of the draft law, istrative units that comprise the allocation of manors’ com- the memorandum of HE the of the Secretariat General of the vate and implement convening a met the ambassador of United the company’s concession will the General Secretariat of the plexes. Deputy Prime Minister and Arab League, with the participa- conference on the establishment Kingdom to Qatar Ajay Sharma be extended for a period of fi ve Cabinet and defi ning their The draft decision includes Minister of Foreign Aff airs on tion of Qatar. of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Doha yesterday. years starting from 18/6/2018. competencies, and a draft deci- general and technical condi- Qatar’s third periodic report on Head of International Organi- in the Middle East, which was is- Talks during the meeting dealt The Cabinet also approved sion of the Minister of State for tions, biosecurity require- the mechanism for the univer- sation’s Department at the Min- sued at the 73rd session of the UN with media relations between the following: Cabinet Aff airs amending some ments, obligations of the li- sal periodic review and took the istry of Foreign Aff airs, Yousef General Assembly. - QNA Qatar and Britain. 1- A draft Amiri decision provisions of the Deputy Prime cence holder and the prohibited appropriate decision thereon.

Traffi c diversion on part of Salwa Road Temporary shift of traffi c in Industrial Area

he Public Works Author- he Public Works Au- directly. Streets 47 to 52 will be ity (Ashghal) has an- thority (Ashghal) has accessible by exiting the East Tnounced that it will close Tannounced a tem- Industrial Street southbound part of Salwa Road in one direc- porary traffic shift on 2km carriageway before the Aba Al tion, for a distance of around of East Industrial Street’s Seleel Interchange on either 1.6km, at the Rawdat Rashed In- southbound lanes between Street 51 or 52. terchange. East Street 33 Interchange on For access to Streets 37 to 46, The lanes leading from Doha Industrial Area Road and Aba road users have been advised to Abu Samra will be closed Al Seleel Interchange on G- to turn right onto Street 37 and from January 11 as part of this Ring Road. then take the fi rst left to get on diversion, Ashghal has said in a The diversion, designed in Al Wakalat Street to access the statement. The closure has been collaboration with the Gen- rest of the local roads in the co-ordinated with the General eral Directorate of Traffi c, will area. Directorate of Traffi c and will re- be implemented from tomor- The existing diversion on main in place for six months. row and will be in place for four East Industrial Street north- During this period, traffi c will months. bound lanes will remain in be diverted to the opposite side It will be carried out to fa- place on Umm Al Seneem of the road, which will be divided cilitate the completion of Street. into two lanes in each direction Project implemented by Ash- explains. road works on East Industrial The authority will install (see map). ghal. The project aims to pro- The authority will install road Street, Ashghal has said in a road signs advising motorists The closure aims to enable vide a developed and safe road signs advising motorists of the statement. of the traffi c change. It has re- construction works for a new to link Salwa Road with Dukhan traffi c shift. It has requested all During the said period, all quested all road users to abide bridge at the Rawdat Rashed Road, and keep traffi c movement road users to abide by the speed southbound traffic travel- structed parallel road with Road users wishing to access by the 60kmph speed limit and Interchange, as part of the Raw- away from the Rawdat Rashed limit and follow the road signs to ling towards G-Ring Road will three lanes, as shown on the Street 47 can make a U-turn follow the road signs to ensure dat Rashed Road Development residential area, the statement ensure their safety. be diverted to a newly con- attached map. and follow the signs to get there their safety. Gulf Times Thursday, January 10, 2019 3 QATAR/REGION/ARAB WORLD Bashir lauds Qatar’s support for Sudan QF participates in QNA avoid the dangers of war. He Khartoum added that the only acceptable outcome must be sovereignty, leadership, security and com- education leadership udanese President Omar prehensive peace. al-Bashir lauded Qatar’s Speaking about the current Ssupport for his coun- events, the Minister of Trans- try, noting that the peace and port Hatem al-Ser announced series in Washington stability achieved in Darfur that the crisis that hit the coun- through dialogue and the trans- try has ended. formation of armed rebels into He then reiterated the posi- atar Foundation (QF) has political parties were positive tion of the leader of the Demo- participated in the latest contributions to achieving na- cratic Unionist Party, Mohamed Qedition of Inside Higher tional security and stability. Osman al-Mirghani, on the Ed’s (IHE) Leadership Series in Addressing the crowds that unity and cohesion of the coun- Washington, DC. The event, ti- gathered at the Green Square in try with continued eff orts with tled ‘Global Higher Ed in Chang- Khartoum, al-Bashir said that the government of reconcilia- ing Times’, took place at the Gal- Qatar was one of the supporters tion towards the output of na- lup World Headquarters, and of Sudan, along with countries tional dialogue. In his speech, featured Dr Ahmad M Hasnah, such as China, Russia, and Ku- Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir speaks to supporters during a rally head of the Justice and National president of Hamad Bin Khalifa wait. at the Green Square in Khartoum, yesterday. Liberation Party Tijani al-Sisi University (HBKU), a member of The Sudanese president confi rmed the party’s support QF, as a panel speaker. called on his country’s youth The president added that the Sudanese people in the face for the stability of the country. QF’s involvement in the event to work together and improve what the government has of diffi cult circumstances fac- Al-Sisi reviewed Sudan’s formed part of a four-day visit their skills as they get ready for achieved during the last period ing the country, adding that the strategic position and its re- to the US led by HE Sheikha the power handover. He added was done in partnership with country is more than capable of gional environment, which in- Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice that the current administration the people, stressing that no dealing with any crises it might cluded wars and confl icts that Chairperson and CEO of QF. Dr was ready to hand over power group can destroy public prop- face. aff ected the country. Hasnah participated in a panel ti- to those who deserve it. He also erty without being held ac- For his part, Minister of La- Al-Sisi pointed out impor- tled ‘New Directions in Interna- said that the only way to reach countable by the government. bour, Administrative Reform tance of the Doha Document for tional Higher Education’, and was power in Sudan will be through He also issued a message to and Human Resources Devel- Peace in Darfur and its valuable joined by Margee Ensign, presi- the ballot box. those who held arms saying that opment Bahr Idriss Abu Garda, contributions to the sustain- dent of Dickinson College, Car- Al-Bashir also thanked the there was no need for anyone to who is chairman of the commit- ability of security and stability lisle, Pennsylvania, US, and Kevin armed forces for what they of- go down that route following the tee of political forces, stressed in Darfur. He emphasised that Kinser, head of Department of fered to the country to help peace agreement and the na- the importance of strengthen- the Doha Document presented a Education Policy Studies, Penn- maintain its stability. He also tional dialogue. The president ing national unity and adher- model for stability after the suf- sylvania State University, US. IHE highlighted the civilised ap- added that all issues are now ence to national dialogue. Abu fering of the war, declaring that editor Scott Jaschik moderated proach of security forces in up for dialogue, saying that he Garda stressed that dialogue is the approach of dialogue is the the discussion. dealing with protestors, while welcomes them to participate the only option available and basis of stability and demanding Dr Hasnah highlighted the being very fi rm in dealing with in comprehensive peace. Al-Ba- that they must have strong quick and clear decisions to end importance of QF establishing vandalism. shir praised the perseverance of will to overcome the crisis and the crisis. Education City (EC) many years ago. “Qatar Foundation believed that investing in human capital UN asks Australia to consider Saudi teen for ‘refugee resettlement’ is key to the development of the country, and the wider region,” he explained. Describing the in- Dr Ahmad M Hasnah addressing the event. The UN has said an 18-year-old deport her at the request of Bangkok, which is processing her very, very serious consideration novative ecosystem and mul- Saudi woman who fled her family Saudi embassy off icials, barring case. “The UNHCR has referred to a humanitarian visa,” health ticultural nature of EC, where ahead for higher education, Dr Topics included the fl ow of inter- is a legitimate refugee and has her from travelling on to Aus- Ms Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun minister Greg Hunt had said students of over 60 nationalities Hasnah continued: “Higher edu- national students to universities asked Australia to resettle her, tralia where Qunun said she had to Australia for consideration for before the UN determination was are given the opportunity to learn cation institutes should be active around the world, collaboration Canberra said yesterday, as the intended to claim asylum. But refugee resettlement,” Australia’s public. Qunun’s desperate tweets alongside a highly-diverse group members in their communities by among scholars, and the growing Twitter-led campaign to grant her armed with a phone, she barri- Department of Home Aff airs ricocheted across social media of faculty and academic staff , Dr providing the skills and knowl- trend of universities establishing asylum edged towards resolution. caded herself into an airside hotel confirmed in a statement. The de- with the #SaveRahaf hashtag Hasnah said: “Education City, edge that contribute to the current international campuses. Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun was room and fought back — live- partment said it would “consider drawing an outpouring of sup- as a research-based education and future market needs of their QF’s involvement at the IHE stopped by authorities at Bang- tweeting her fears of deportation this referral in the usual way, as port but also the bile of some model, provides students with country.” Throughout the day, Leadership Series refl ects its kok’s main airport at the weekend in a campaign that swiftly galva- it does with all UNHCR referrals”. hardliners in her native country. the opportunity to develop their a number of panel discussions commitment to aligning its after running away from her fam- nised international support and Australian off icials have strongly She only joined the social media critical thinking and expose them were held, featuring a selection higher education eff orts with the ily, who she says subjected her to prompted a sharp U-turn by Thai hinted that Qunun’s request will site at the start of this month but to topics and areas that are of im- of infl uential speakers exploring latest global trends in this fi eld, physical and psychological abuse. off icials. Qunun is now in the care be accepted. “If she is found to be has quickly racked up more than portance to Qatar and the world.” issues surrounding globalisation through participation and dia- Thailand initially said it would of the UN’s refugee agency in a refugee, then we will give very, 100,000 followers. Looking to the path that lies and strategies for responding. logue. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, January 10, 2019 AFRICA

Public sector too threatens to join DR Congo braces for dollar-pay strike in Zimbabwe

By MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters delayed election result Harare By Samir Tounsi, AFP sults, expected on Sunday, would be held up vived traumatic memories of the DRC’s brutal Kinshasa because of logistical problems. past. imbabwe’s public sector workers will join a On Tuesday, Nangaa told AFP his panel The mineral-rich country has never had a growing strike if the government does not hoped to complete the count within “24 to 48 peaceful transition of power since it gained Zagree to pay them in US dollars, the main civil he Democratic Republic of Congo hours” and then set a time for announcing the independence from Belgium in 1960. service union said yesterday. seemed poised yesterday to announce results. Bloody clashes marred elections in 2006 Doctors and some teachers have already staged Tthe results of presidential elections The long delay sparked blunt warnings and 2011, and two wars between 1996 and walk-outs, saying they need the hard cash payments whose repeated delays have stoked fears for from inside and outside the DRC, but also co- 2003, drawing in armies from around the re- to protect them against infl ation and a currency the giant country’s stability. incided with an apparent overture to Kabila gion, claimed millions of lives. crunch — piling pressure on Emmerson Mnangagwa The election’s supervisors — facing mount- from opposition leaders. After Kabila last year announced he would less than fi ve months into his contested presidency. ing pressure at home and abroad — signalled According to the initial timetable, after step down after 18 years in power, he hand- The Apex Council, which represents 16 pub- that the keenly awaited results would be un- provisional results are released, defi nitive re- picked a loyalist, former interior minister lic sector unions, said it gave the government the veiled later in the day. sults are due on January 15 with the swearing- Members of the Congolese civil security Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, as his party’s required two-week notice of industrial action on “Publication of provisional results from in of the new president three days later. movement attend a news conference in candidate. Tuesday. “If they do not pay us in US dollars or an presidential elections, Wednesday January 9,” After deploying tens of thousands of its Kinshasa yesterday. The choice fuelled accusations that Ka- equivalent, we are going on a fully fl edged strike,” said a large banner placed in the press room of own election observers, the powerful Catho- bila — concerned about possible retribution Apex deputy chairman Thomas Muzondo said. the Independent National Election Commis- lic Church last week said it knew the outcome which include Lucha (Struggle for Change) — would use Shadary to protect his interests Cash shortages have plunged Zimbabwe’s fi nan- sion (CENI). of the ballot and called on the authorities to and Filimbi. after the vote. cial system into disarray, threatening social unrest Vast, poor and burdened by a history of reveal the result “in keeping with truth and South Africa and Zambia, DRC’s neighbour But on Tuesday, the opposition hinted at and undermining Mnangagwa’s eff orts to win back bloodshed, the DRC is in the grip of a two- justice”. to the south, joined the clamour to publish the a rapprochement. “There’s no spirit of re- foreign investors sidelined under his predecessor year-old crisis over the succession of Presi- Campaign groups yesterday called for the results. venge,” said Felix Tshisekedi, the candidate of Robert Mugabe. dent Joseph Kabila. immediate release of the results and told peo- “The delay in releasing the results of the the longtime opposition UDPS party. With not enough hard currency to back up funds Kabila, 47, was due to step down two years ple “to be prepared to go out onto the streets elections can lead to suspicions and compro- He also told the Belgian newspaper Le Soir showing in bank accounts, the value of electronic ago but clung to offi ce, sparking widespread in massive numbers” if the outcome failed to mise peace and stability of the country,” South that Kabila could be honoured for ushering in money has plummeted, prompting businesses and protests that were repressed at the cost of accurately refl ect the vote. African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Zam- a peaceful transition. civil servants to demand payment in US dollars they scores of lives. “Results contrary to the truth of the bal- bian counterpart Edgar Lungu said in a joint “One day we will even have to think of can withdraw. The elections were held on December 30, lot box will be considered as a constitutional statement. paying tribute to him (Kabila) for agreeing to Vincent Hungwe, the chairman of the Public but CENI last weekend said provisional re- coup,” said a joint statement from the groups, The turmoil surrounding the election re- withdraw,” Tshisekedi said in an interview. Service Commission that employs civil servants, said the government planned to meet unions and make an off er by today. Late on Tuesday, he said the state would expand cost-of-living payments and propose a new pen- sion scheme. Nigerian military frees editor held over Boko Haram article Any move to compensate workers by increasing wages would scupper government plans to cut the fi scal defi cit by more than half to 5% of GDP this Reuters mittee to Protect Journalists said The military has complained in The regio nal editor said he was The government’s chief spokes- year and bring down the wage bill to 70% of the Abuja showed “a dearth of respect for press the past about critical coverage of “courteously treated” but “his mo- man, Lai Mohammed, said on Tues- budget from more than 90% previously. freedom” a month before elections. its fi ght against the militants from bile phones and laptop were still day that while authorities “are not Reducing that wage bill is one of the main de- Soldiers also shut down the the Boko Haram separatist group, with the military as the authorities about to gag the press,” the media mands of the International Monetary Fund, which igeria’s military has released newspaper’s bureau in the north- and their more lethal off shoot Is- said they needed time to fi nish the “must exercise greater restraint” re- has urged the government to channel more money an editor two days after de- eastern city of Maiduguri where lamic State West Africa. forensic checks being carried out on porting on the northeast insurgency. to infrastructure development and health. The gov- Ntaining him over an article they detained regional editor Uth- But it had stopped short of ar- the equipment,” the paper said. Some publications were “demor- ernment employs more than 300,000 workers and about a planned off ensive against man Abubakar. resting reporters. Its chief operating offi cer, Mannir alising the military and strengthen- spends $300mn on salaries every month. Islamist militants in the northeast, The military later said the article Abubakar was brought back to Dan Ali, called the arrests “totally ing the insurgents,” he said, without Mnangagwa came to power in November 2017 af- his newspaper said yesterday. had “divulged classifi ed military the paper’s Maiduguri offi ce and re- uncalled for and condemnable,” in providing details. ter Mugabe was forced to resign following an army Soldiers raided the Daily Trust’s information” and the action was leased without charge on Tuesday, interviews on local media. A second Daily Trust journalist coup. He was declared president in August 2018 af- offi ces in the capital Abuja on Sun- meant to show the seriousness of the Daily Trust said in an article. The The military did not immediately detained in Maiduguri was released ter a presidential vote that his main opponent says day in an operation that the Com- the breach. bureau was reopened a day earlier. comment on the release. eight hours after the raid. he won fraudulently. Gulf Times Thursday, January 10, 2019 5 AMERICA

In Oval Offi ce speech, Trump demands a wall but does not declare emergency

Reuters Pelosi pointedly mentioned that Washington veterans were hurt by the shutdown; Trump has courted veterans as a candi- date and as president. resident Donald Trump urged Trump at times tried to adopt a soft- Congress in a televised speech on er tone. PTuesday to give him $5.7bn this “This is a humanitarian crisis, a cri- year to help build a wall on the US bor- sis of the heart and a crisis of the soul,” der with Mexico, but stopped short of he said, suggesting that women and declaring a national emergency to pay children were among the migrants of- for the barrier with military funds. President Donald Trump delivers a ten victimized by traffi cking across the Facing Democratic opposition in televised address to the nation from border. Congress to a wall that he promised the Oval Off ice of the White House in Hoping to demonstrate fl exibility to build as a presidential candidate, Washington DC on Tuesday night. during his nearly 10-minute speech, Trump said in his fi rst prime-time ad- Trump said of the border barrier he dress from the Oval Offi ce that there paychecks of 800,000 innocent work- wants built: “At the request of the was a growing security and humanitar- ers across the nation, many of them Democrats it will be a steel barrier and ian crisis at the US-Mexico border. veterans,” she said. not a concrete wall.” Using blunt language in an attempt A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on But Democrats have opposed not just to win public support, the Republican Tuesday found that 51% of adults the construction materials to be used, president said illegal immigrants and mainly blamed Trump for the shut- but the extent of a project that could drugs fl owing across the southern bor- down, up four percentage points from end up costing more than $24bn over der posed a serious threat to American late December, while 32% blamed con- the long run. safety. gressional Democrats and 7% faulted Democrats also argue that a mix of “How much more American blood Republicans in Congress. fencing, which already has been con- must be shed before Congress does its Republican lawmakers have in- structed in many parts of the border, job?” he said, recounting gruesome de- creasingly expressed concerns about and higher-tech tools would be cheaper tails of murders he said were commit- Trump’s handling of the long-running and more eff ective in securing the bor- ted by illegal immigrants. dispute. der. But after days of hinting he might use But he has shown no signs of giving Pelosi said Trump rejected biparti- presidential powers to declare an emer- up. He is scheduled to visit the south- san legislation to reopen the govern- gency as a fi rst step toward directing west border today and may still choose ment agencies shuttered as a result of money for the wall without congres- to make the national emergency decla- the fi ght over the wall, and that he was sional approval, Trump said he would ration. obsessed with “forcing American tax- continue seeking a solution to the im- Vice President Mike Pence told re- payers to waste billions of dollars on an passe with Congress. porters on Monday the president was expensive and ineff ective wall.” Trump’s speech came 18 days into a considering the possibility and the She has previously called the wall partial government shutdown precipi- White House counsel’s offi ce was stud- immoral. tated by his demand for the wall. ying its legality. Trump took issue with that in his Public opposition to the shutdown is Democrats and other opponents of a speech. growing and that could hurt Trump, as wall have threatened to take legal action “The only thing that is immoral is the he said last month he would be proud if Trump issues an emergency order. politicians to do nothing and continue to close the government to fi ght for the They say he is manufacturing a cri- to allow more innocent people to be so wall. sis in a bid to meet his 2016 presiden- horribly victimized,” he said. Democratic leaders, in a rebuttal also tial campaign promise for a wall that US Senate Democratic leader Chuck carried live on national television, ac- he said at the time would be paid for by Schumer, who delivered a rebuttal cused the president on Tuesday night Mexico. along with Pelosi, urged the president of using fear tactics and spreading mis- The Mexican government has re- to reopen the government while the information about the situation along fused to provide such funds. debate over immigration policies con- the border. Trump was to meet at the White tinued. “The president has chosen fear. We House yesterday with Democratic and “The symbol of America should be want to start with the facts,” said Nan- Republican congressional leaders. the Statue of Liberty, not a 30ft wall,” cy Pelosi, Democratic speaker of the Politics colored the remarks from he said. House of Representatives. both sides on Tuesday. “So our suggestion is a simple one. “The fact is, President Trump has Trump said African-Americans and Mr President: Reopen the government chosen to hold hostage critical services Hispanics were especially hard hit by and we can work to resolve our diff er- for the health, safety and well-being of the border crisis; both groups are key ences over border security. But end this the American people and withhold the Democratic constituencies. shutdown now.” Gulf Times 6 Thursday, January 10, 2019 QATAR Qatar Charity provides relief aid to snowstorm-hit people in Lebanon • Nearly 17,000 Syrian refugees, mostly children, women, the sick, the elderly and persons with disabilities, received relief aid from Qatar Charity during the past two days of the storm.

atar Charity (QC) provided Al-Qaisi emphasized that although emergency relief aid to Qatar Charity has contributed to helping Qthousands of Syrian refugees in thousands of families, the situation still the Arsal camp, who are affected by the requires the concerted efforts of all for Storm Norma that wrecks their camp the relief of refugees. The programme these days in Lebanon, benefiting 17,000 coordinator described the situation in affected people during the past two days Arsal as harsh, which requires urgent of the storm. action to salvage the quickly deteriorating The relief team managed to reach condition there. the camp, despite difficulties due to Qatar Charity urges people in Qatar the accumulated snow, heavy rain and to continue supporting its ‘Below Zero’ violent winds and distributed assistance campaign in order to reach out to the as part of QC’s winter campaign entitled largest number of displaced people, “Below Zero”. refugees and those in need. Syrian refugees in Arsal, a town and The donation in favor of the campaign municipality situated in eastern Lebanon, can be made through QC’s website (QCH. are badly affected by the snowstorm, QA/B0) and application. The donors can which has increased their suffering in also request a ‘home collector’ through light of a severe shortage of basic life QC’s app (QCH.QA/APP) or dial the necessities, especially heating materials. charity’s hotline, 44667711, to make their Qatar Charity managed to intervene contributions. quickly to provide relief aid to the affected Mobile donations can also be made. persons in order to help them survive the To send QR50, QR100 and QR500, one blizzard, as the state of emergency has • Qatar Charity is one of the first organizations to respond to the can send an SMS with code (B0) to 92632, been declared. 92642, and 92428, respectively. The charity has allocated a budget to Syrian refugees’ appeal for help in Arsal. Donations to the ‘Below Zero’ support those affected by the snowstorm campaign can also be made at QC’s within the framework of the “Below Zero” headquarters or through its branches campaign. This makes Qatar Charity • The situation in Arsal is harsh and requires urgent action to within the country and collection points one of the first humanitarian agencies to in commercial complexes. respond to this humanitarian duty. salvage the quickly deteriorating condition there. It is worth mentioning that since

The number of beneficiaries during the first two days of the storm reached about 17,000 Syrian refugees, mostly blankets, winter clothes and other items contributions to support the affected the beginning of the Syrian crisis, Qatar children, women, the sick, the elderly to protect the tents from rain and wind, in people, as they are living under the harsh Charity has been supporting Syrian and persons with disabilities. addition to the distribution of food aid to weather conditions these days, suffering refugees in Lebanon by implementing The relief aid included heating fuel, the affected families, in coordination with from freezing cold waves, heavy rain, many relief, shelter, health, development, the Union of Relief and Development snows and frost. and education projects. Associations (URDA) in Lebanon. Jihan al-Qaisi, relief intervention Qatar Charity has carried out many Qatar Charity extended sincere coordinator, said, “Qatar Charity is one of relief projects for internally displaced thanks to all of those, who donated to the first organizations to respond to the persons (IPDs) and refugees in 2018 at its winter campaign entitled “Below Syrian refugees’ appeal for help in Arsal. a cost of more than QR85mn, benefiting Zero”, urging benefactors to make more The charity provided urgent relief aid to about 4 million people in various fields. families threatened with death due to blizzard.” Gulf Times Thursday, January 10, 2019 7 ASIA/AUSTRALASIA Kim ends Beijing visit Japanese FM in Nepal

AFP birthday — and the two later dined with make substantial steps, such as providing Yonhap, citing unidentifi ed sources, Beijing their wives at Beijing’s Great Hall of the assistance to North Korea and normalis- reported that Kim toured a factory oper- People, according to South Korea’s Yon- ing relations with North Korea.” ated by medicine fi rm Tongrentang for hap news agency. “Chairman Kim Jong- Kim chose China for his maiden offi cial about half an hour in an economic zone in im Jong-un’s train left Beijing un’s visit to China was at the invitation of trip abroad last year before holding meet- the Chinese capital. yesterday after the North Korean President Xi Jinping, of course, President ings with South Korean President Moon He then went to the Beijing Hotel, Kleader visited his key ally on a trip Xi would hold meetings and talks with Jae-in and Trump. where he was expected to have lunch with seen as a strategy session ahead of his him,” Chinese foreign ministry spokes- The American leader said Sunday that Xi before his departure. expected summit with Donald Trump. man Lu Kang said at a regular press brief- the United States and North Korea are ne- “For North Korea itself, 2019 is his Kim arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for his ing, adding that more details would be gotiating the location of their next sum- strategic turning point. If he wants to fourth visit to Pyongyang’s sole major released later. Tuesday’s meeting focused mit. shift his focus to the development of the diplomatic friend, meeting President Xi on Kim’s expected meeting with Trump, Discussions between the US and North economy, he needs China’s co-opera- Jinping and reportedly visiting a factory. according to Yonhap. Korea over Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal tion,” said Lu Chao, a North Korea expert The North Korean leader’s motorcade In a New Year speech, Kim warned have stalled since Kim and Trump’s high- at China’s Liaoning Academy of Social was spotted entering the Beijing central that Pyongyang may change its approach profi le summit in Singapore in June where Sciences. railway station yesterday afternoon, and to nuclear talks if Washington persists they issued a vaguely worded declaration In the New Year speech, Kim focused the train departed shortly after on a day- with sanctions. Relations between China about denuclearisation. on North Korea’s moribund economy, long ride back to the northeast border, and North Korea had deteriorated in re- The US insists that UN sanctions must saying that improving people’s lives was according to AFP journalists. The unan- cent years over Pyongyang’s nuclear ac- remain in place until North Korea gives his top priority and tackling energy short- nounced trip was largely shrouded in se- tivities, but Kim has made sure to keep up its weapons, while Pyongyang wants ages was an urgent task. Beijing-based crecy. Beyond confi rming his presence in Xi informed about his dealings with the them immediately eased. China also analyst Hua said changes in the economic Beijing, no details have been provided by United States and South Korea as ties ap- wants the sanctions to be relaxed. But model will aff ect politics, “which poses either North Korea or China on his sched- pear to have warmed. “In order to resist Chinese offi cials also likely want to im- new challenges to his control over the ule, with no coverage in state media even the high pressure of the US, he must com- press on Kim — who has so far pursued country.” “For this point, he must ask for in the nightly news broadcast hours after municate with Xi in advance to see what only limited reforms to his statist econ- advice from China.” the train’s departure. steps he can take to deal with Trump,” Be- omy — the benefi ts the giant Communist The visit coincided with negotiations Kim met for one hour with Chinese ijing-based independent political com- country has enjoyed in its transformation between US and Chinese offi cials in Bei- President Xi Jinping on Tuesday — be- mentator Hua Po told AFP. “Kim needs from impoverished nation to economic jing to resolve a bruising trade war be- lieved to be the North Korean leader’s the support of Xi so as to ask the US to powerhouse. tween the world’s two biggest economies. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali pose for a picture during their meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal, yesterday. Australia police probe suspicious packages sent to missions Nepal records over 1mn tourists in 2018 Tourism in Nepal shot up by nearly 25%, crossing 1mn tourists in 2018, Reuters possible motive and some of the separately confi rmed suspicious according to the country’s Tourism Board. The increase marked a period Melbourne targeted sites that Reuters re- packages had been received. “We of recovery, following a devastating earthquake in 2015 that had left porters visited were open later handled the package according around 9,000 dead and severely aff ected tourism, a major contributor yesterday afternoon. to our standard procedures and to the country’s GDP. “After the devastating tsunami of 2015, Nepal has olice in Australia are in- “The packages are being ex- in close co-ordination with local regularly appeared in diff erent foreign publications and the media as one vestigating suspicious amined by attending emergency authorities ... who are investi- of the major destinations to visit. This has greatly helped to attract tour- Ppackages sent to a wide services,” the Australian Federal gating the incident,” a spokes- ists,” Nepal’s Tourism Board (NTB) head Deepak Raj Joshi told Efe news. range of embassies and consu- Police (AFP) said in a short state- man for the US Consulate said. According to NTB data, 1.17mn tourists visited the Himalayan country in lates yesterday, which offi cials ment. A New Zealand offi cial told the 2018, mostly from India, China, the US, Sri Lanka and European nations. said included the US and British It said the packages were sent Australian Broadcasting Corpo- Tourists from India increased by some 25% compared to 2017, reaching missions in Melbourne, but there to consulates in Melbourne and ration the consulate received an 200,438, while visitors from China stood at 153,602 (47% more) and from were no reports of harm to staff . embassies in Canberra but did envelope with small plastic bags the US at 91,785 (16% more). There were 243,284 arrivals from Europe – Domestic media reported not provide a total number of that appeared to contain con- 23% more than 2017 – led by the UK, Germany and France. In 2014, Nepal more than a dozen foreign offi ces aff ected sites or identify any of crete and asbestos, with “asbes- received 790,000 tourists, whereas a year after the tragedy, the numbers received the packages and that them. tos” written on one of the bags. dipped to 539,000 foreign visitors, most of them volunteers and rescue some staff said they contained “The circumstances sur- The Age newspaper reported that team members. Joshi said tourism was recovering at a rapid pace owing asbestos, a material used in rounding the incidents are being one fi refi ghter was seen outside to government initiatives such as the “Visit Nepal 2020” campaign. With building that can cause cancers investigated,” the AFP state- the South Korean consulate car- eight of the 14 highest mountain peaks in the world, including the Mt and other health problems. ment said. Offi cials at the US and rying a large plastic bag with the A Victoria Police forensic off icer carries items to be loaded into a Everest, Nepal is a popular tourist destination especially for adventure There were no details of any British consulates in Melbourne word “asbestos” written on it. trailer outside the Italian consulate in Melbourne yesterday. travellers. — IANS Gulf Times 8 Thursday, January 10, 2019 BRITAIN MPs force May’s hand as Brexit vote looms

AFP ing out of the European Union on House of Commons. “meaningless and cosmetic”, been driven by Conservative MPs London March 29 with no deal at all. She set out further clarifi ca- adding he would keep pressing for who fear what they see as the It was the second setback in as tions she hopes will win over changes to the overall deal. potentially disastrous impact of many days for the prime minis- her own Conservative MPs and May is also still seeking as- leaving the EU in March with no Ps yesterday voted to ter, after MPs voted late Tuesday Northern Ireland’s Democratic surances on the operation of the arrangements in place to replace force Prime Minister to deny the government certain Unionist Party (DUP), which backstop from European leaders, four decades of membership. MTheresa May to quickly taxation powers in a no-deal sce- props up her government in par- which she hopes to deliver before Late on Tuesday, 303 MPs — set out an alternative plan for nario — another attempt to avoid liament. the vote next week. among them more than a dozen Brexit if she loses a crucial vote such an outcome. The most controversial ele- The prime minister has already former Conservative ministers — on her EU withdrawal deal next Speaking to MPs earlier, May ment of the agreement is the postponed the vote once — in voted to restrict the government’s week, in a second parliamentary said: “The only way to avoid no “backstop” arrangement, which December — to avoid defeat, and taxation powers in a “no deal” defeat in 24 hours. deal is to vote for the deal.” could see Northern Ireland con- has said a loss for the govern- scenario, against 296 who backed The House of Commons voted But her spokesman added: “If tinue to follow certain EU trade ment would plunge Britain into May. to reduce the time the govern- that were not to take place... we rules after Brexit to avoid border “uncharted territory”. But with- The government said it was an ment has to explain its “plan B” would respond quickly and pro- checks with Ireland. out the DUP’s support, and with “inconvenience” but would not from 21 sitting days to three if, as vide certainty on the way for- The government has now of- many of May’s Conservative MP stop preparations for leaving the expected, lawmakers reject the ward.” fered guarantees to local lawmak- still strongly opposed, the deal EU. draft Brexit agreement in a vote The parliamentary manoeu- ers in the province over the opera- cannot pass. Yesterday’s amendment has on Tuesday. vres came at the start of fi ve days tion of the backstop, and on the The prime minister has warned more weight, requiring May, is Members of May’s own Con- of debate on the deal May struck free fl ow of trade between North- that defeat will lead to a no-deal she loses the divorce deal vote, to servative party led the revolt amid with the EU last November, which ern Ireland and mainland Britain. Brexit, or possibly no departure explain her “plan B” by the latest fears that delaying the decision has been strongly opposed from But DUP deputy leader Nigel from the bloc. on January 21. It passed by 308 raises the risks of Britain crash- lawmakers on all sides of the Dodds said the proposals were Both revolts this week have votes to 297.

Pension London Air Ambulance anniversary cold-calling ban comes into eff ect

Reuters London

he fi nance ministry yesterday said it had Tbanned “cold call- ers” or scammers who use the phone, post or e-mail to persuade people to part with their pension pots. Pension freedoms intro- duced in April 2015 allow Brit- ons to cash in their pensions, raising concerns among law- makers that tougher protec- tions are needed for consum- ers who get unsolicited calls from retirement advisers. Companies that make un- wanted, unsolicited phone calls to people about their pensions may now face enforcement ac- Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, arrives at the Royal London Hospital on board the London air ambulance, yesterday. William, a tion, including fi nes of up to former pilot, was named patron of London’s Air Ambulance’s 30th anniversary campaign yesterday as it seeks to raise awareness and £500,000, the fi nance ministry funds for its emergency response work in the capital. said in a statement. “We know that cold-call- ing is the pension scammers’ main tactic, which is why we’ve made them illegal,” said John Glen, a junior fi nance minister. The Money Advice Serv- Police probe if Heathrow drone ice has said there could be as many as eight scam calls every second in Britain, the fi nance ministry said. incident linked to Gatwick chaos Pension fi rms authorised by the Financial Conduct Au- thority (FCA) and offi cials of a Guardian News and Media Heathrow are braced for any fresh said: “Clearly, the government is operating as normal yesterday pension scheme can continue London drone incursions, which they be- looking at the law to see whether morning after the drone sight- to make calls. lieve threatens the safety of plane there are ways in which it could be ing at about 5pm on Tuesday, Calls are also legal if the re- passengers at Heathrow. strengthened.” confi rmed by the Metropolitan cipient consents to them, or olice hunting those behind The development came as the He added: “What I think the police, caused fl ights to be sus- there is an existing relation- a drone fl ight at Heathrow government yesterday underlined airports themselves have to do is pended until 6pm. ship with the caller. Further Pare investigating whether it its commitment to toughen laws step up investment in technol- The ministry of defence de- bans could be introduced. was carried out by the same per- on the use of drones around air- ogy to both detect and then stop ployed specialist equipment at the Parliament’s work and pen- son or group that caused chaos at ports after the military had to be drones from fl ying.” airport following a request by the sions committee is looking at Gatwick in the run-up to Christ- deployed at Heathrow following The department for transport police. whether “contingent charg- mas or if was a copycat crime. the drone sighting. confi rmed that the Aviation Min- Commander Stuart Cundy ing” should be outlawed, a ref- The sighting of the drone just The de facto deputy prime ister Liz Sugg and the Security of the Metropolitan police said: erence to advisers being paid if after 5pm on Tuesday caused minister, David Lidington, said Minister, Ben Wallace, are due to “Military assistance has been im- a pension pot is actually trans- Heathrow managers to order ministers were reviewing the meet the heads of UK airports to- plemented to support us. Howev- ferred to a diff erent scheme. an emergency one-hour halt of legislation after the Heathrow day to discuss resilience against er, we will not be discussing in any This form of fee is seen as fl ights taking off . incident raised fears of a repeat drone attacks. further detail the range of tactics giving advisers an incentive The drone fl ying close to run- of the kind of chaos witnessed at A spokeswoman said: “The available to us as this would only to put pressure on people to ways was witnessed by police offi c- Gatwick before Christmas, when government will continue to work serve to potentially undermine make changes, even though ers, giving police chiefs confi dence drone sightings caused fl ights to closely with a range of stakehold- their eff ectiveness.” He added: the FCA has said that often that the incursion was real and not be suspended for days. ers from industry to explore tech- “Police offi cers were amongst the best course of action is the result of a mistaken sighting. Asked about the Heathrow nical solutions and improve secu- those who saw the drone and a full to leave the pension undis- Police, transport chiefs and the incident on ITV’s Good Morn- rity measures.” criminal investigation has been turbed. military who have been called into ing Britain yesterday, Lidington Heathrow said fl ights were launched. Teen’s murder was targeted attack: police

Guardian News and Media on Bickley Road shortly before live and work in the area,” he said. it was targeted and intent on le- He last saw the teenager, who London 6.30pm on Tuesday to reports “A crime scene remains in place thal force from the outset. We would sometimes come to get of a road traffi c collision. The as offi cers continue their pains- are doing everything we can to his bike fi xed, walking down the 14-year-old boy was found with taking work to piece together the catch those who carried out this alley last week. Speaking out- he murder of a 14-year- stab injuries and despite eff orts details of the attack.” He said a cowardly attack and bring them side the garage where he works, old boy who was hit by a of paramedics, he died at 7.09pm. Section 60, which allows police to justice.” he said: “He’s somebody I really Tcar and stabbed in east No arrests have been made and to stop and search people within a Bickley Road remained cor- spoke to a lot, tried to get him off London was a targeted attack, offi cers have appealed for infor- defi ned area, was in place follow- doned off on yesterday morning, the street, tried to just get him to police have said. mation from the public. Neigh- ing this incident and was being with a small pile of fl owers be- go to school … It really, really hit Scotland Yard said the boy was bourhood patrols have been continually reviewed. ginning to grow at one end. me when I heard.” riding a moped in Leyton when stepped up in the area. Flowers have been placed Anthony Anderson, a me- Mickey, who works at another the collision happened. Three Chief superintendent Richard near where the 14-year-old was chanic on an alley that backs onto workshop on the same alley, said men got out of the car and stabbed Tucker said people were shocked stabbed to death. Bickley Road, said he knew the he hadn’t heard of the attack him before driving off . The car is and appalled by the murder. “The Detective chief inspector victim and would often give him until he left work on Tuesday thought to have been a black Mer- age of the victim – a boy aged 14 Larry Smith from the homicide “fatherly advice”. He said it “hit evening to fi nd the road blocked. cedes B-Class that sustained ex- – beggars belief and I completely and major crime command said: him hard” when he found out the “My car is still parked there tensive frontal damage. understand the alarm and con- “Everything that we have learned victim was someone he knew on and I don’t know when I can get Police were called to the scene cern it has raised from those who about this attack so far indicates Tuesday evening. it back,” he said. Gulf Times Thursday, January 10, 2019 9 EUROPE

Germany seeks to bolster cyber defences ahead of European Parliament poll

Reuters Seehofer told Reuters. German au- hire hundreds of additional cyber ex- underscore better security proce- sonal accounts. The suspect was Last year, an attack on the Foreign Berlin thorities have said an unnamed stu- perts for the federal police force and dures. also known to authorities for previ- Ministry although few details have dent who lived with his parents had the BSI federal cyber security agency German politicians have criticised ous attempts to steal private data in been released on the impact of the confessed to one of Germany’s biggest and set up an early-warning system the security agencies for not acting 2017, though had no prior conviction. hack. erman offi cials are racing to data breaches, that involved leaking by establishing a unit to use technol- sooner to tackle the breach. Asked why authorities had not put Most of those aff ected by the latest bolster cyber security after a personal data and documents of about ogy to monitor and prevent such at- The BSI has said it was contacted by him under surveillance after that in- data breach saw their private mobile Gfar-reaching data breach car- 1,000 people, including Chancel- tacks. a lawmaker in early December about cident, BKA chief Muench said: “It’s numbers and home addresses pub- ried out by a 20-year-old student lor Merkel and other politicians and And, the government would in the suspicious activity on their private a common crime — like robbery. And lished, and dozens of individuals saw laid bare the vulnerability of Europe’s high-profi le individuals. fi rst half of this year update an exist- email and social media accounts, and you can’t put everyone under surveil- photographs, private chats and other largest economy ahead of a critical “If it was so easy to break into ac- ing security law with more protec- was aware of four other cases during lance, especially if they’re at such a personal details published. European Parliament election in May. counts that a 20-year-old could do it tions for industry and citizens, he 2018, but failed to connect them until young age.” Experts say the reliance of many Offi cials say they are anxious to in the bedroom of his parents’ home, said. the full extent of the breach became Germany has faced repeated at- German lawmakers on private, less- close security gaps and raise aware- others can do it too,” Holger Muench, Seehofer also said the government apparent last week. tacks on government networks in re- secure mobile phones and lack of ness ahead of the upcoming election, head of Germany’s BKA federal crimi- would boost training for politicians “At the time, we looked at them and cent years. awareness about complex passwords where voters from across the Euro- nal police, said. and the general public about using se- they looked like isolated cases,” BSI A 2015 hack of the Bundestag lower continue to invite attacks. pean Union will choose lawmakers for “Professional hackers have even cure passwords, adding many people chief Arne Schoenbohm told report- house of parliament that security of- Germany’s decentralised political the parliament, amid concerns that more methods to steal passwords, and continue to use ones that are easy to ers. fi cials say was carried out by a Russian system and the ties of politicians to foreign powers or right-wing forces way more resources.” guess. The BSI is responsible for the op- hacking group called APT28 resulted small, local districts where security could seek to manipulate the election. The interior minister on Tuesday The BSI and the federal crimi- erational protection of government in the loss of over 10 gigabites of data, can be more lax also make it harder “We have to think about preventive outlined several measures designed to nal police met with lawmakers on networks; much of the data aff ected including emails, offi cials said at the to guard against attacks, security ex- measures,” Interior Minister Horst improve security, including plans to Wednesday to discuss the case and in the latest breach came from per- time. perts said.

Italy and Poland Police reveal ransom demand want ‘new spring’ in Europe: Salvini

for millionaire’s missing wife calls for Brussels to interfere Reuters Warsaw less in the aff airs of EU mem- AFP ber states, though the parties Oslo are not currently allied in the taly and Poland should join European Parliament. forces to reshape Europe, “At a party level, we have olice say a ransom demand IItaly’s far-right Deputy started a journey, a sharing has been received for the Prime Minister Matteo Salvini of ideas, visions and projects Pmissing wife of a Norwe- said yesterday during a visit to for the future of the European gian multi-millionaire 10 weeks Warsaw to drum up support Parliament that will, at long after she disappeared on Hal- for a eurosceptic alliance to last, be profoundly diff erent loween, a senior offi cer said yes- contest May elections to the to what went before,” Salvini terday. European Parliament. said. Anne-Elisabeth Falkevik The eurosceptic govern- “We started a dialogue.To Hagen, 68, married to a real es- ments in Rome and Warsaw close a deal in half an hour tate and energy magnate, dis- are both keen to repatriate seems overly optimistic,” he appeared on October 31, police some EU powers from Brus- added.Salvini said he wanted said. Detectives had been in- sels to national capitals and to put together an alliance of vestigating the case discreetly hope like-minded parties will like-minded EU parties that for several weeks but decided to do well in the May elections, would campaign on a shared, make it public yesterday in the which will follow Britain’s 10-point programme that has hope that someone would come planned exit from the bloc in yet to be fully defi ned. forward with information. March. “We proposed a common “A ransom demand and seri- “Poland and Italy will be programme to be off ered to ous threats have been issued,” part of the new spring of Eu- other parties and peoples Inspector Tommy Broske told rope, the renaissance of Eu- in Europe founded on cer- reporters. ropean values,” he told a press tain themes, like (economic) “Our main theory is that the conference with Poland’s growth, security, the family, victim was kidnapped by uni- Interior Minister Joachim Europe’s Christian roots that dentifi ed perpetrators at her Brudzinski. some have denied,” Salvini home” in Lorenskog, about 20 Salvini’s visit to Warsaw was said. kilometres from Oslo, he said. initiated by Brudzinski, who At present, Salvini is allied The authorities had received An undated police handout shows Norwegian Anne-Elisabeth Falkevik Hagen, who is the wife of real estate investor Tom Hagen (right), and said the two had discussed to a small group of far-right no sign of life from the woman, who has been kidnapped according to local media. migration and EU border se- parties such as Marine Le “but we haven’t received any curity. Salvini has repeatedly Pen’s National Rally in France indication that she isn’t alive ei- cidents are extremely rare in the ried to Tom Hagen, also 68 and understated home, now blocked napping is a horrible and inhu- railed against the EU and says and the anti-Islam Freedom ther”, Broske said. wealthy Scandinavian country, Norway’s 172nd richest man, off by police tape. mane act,” he said, expressing the May elections are vital for Party in the Netherlands. Investigators said they had no which enjoys a generally low according to the magazine Ka- While he keeps a low profi le, hopes that news of her disap- creating a “reformist” bloc But he wants to extend its suspects at this stage. crime rate. pital, with an estimated for- Tom Hagen has been the subject pearance would lead to some that can overhaul Brussels in- reach and draw in conservative According to daily Verdens “We have not known anything tune of 1.7bn kroner (174mn of news articles about his busi- kind of sign that she is alive. stitutions from within. groups like PiS. Gang, the ransom demand was comparable in this country,” said euros, $200mn).The real estate ness success. A lawyer for the According to VG, a note writ- Salvini, whose anti-im- Previous attempts by popu- for 9mn euros ($10.3mn) in the Broske. Broske said investigators investor owns 70% of electric- family said they had not paid the ten in poor Norwegian was left at migrant League is the most list right-wing parties to form cryptocurrency Monero. had had “very limited” contacts ity company Elkraft, which he ransom. Hagen’s home warning that she popular party in Italy, said his a eurosceptic alliance in the Cryptocurrencies are hard to with the self-described kidnap- co-founded in 1992, Norwegian “The family decided to follow would die if police were alerted. talks yesterday with Jaroslaw European Parliament have not trace. pers online, but refused to dis- media reported. the police advice,” Svein Holden Investigators refused to com- Kaczynski, leader of Poland’s been very successful as they Police refused to confi rm the close the date of the most recent The parents of three adult told reporters. ment on that report, but said ruling Law and Justice Party often have diff erent priorities sum but said they had advised contact. children, the couple lived a qui- “There’s no doubt that for the international police were co- (PiS), had gone well. or interests and show little ap- the family not to pay. Such in- A housewife, Hagen is mar- et, retiring life in an elegant but family, Anne-Elisabeth’s kid- operating on the case. PiS has echoed the League’s petite for compromise.

TRAGEDY Two dead as snow pummels mountains Stranded migrants disembark

Ski outings turned into life-or-death experiences in the Austrian Alps in Malta after EU deal reached and Slovakian mountains yesterday as two people died, while six pupils survived an avalanche in separate AFP incidents. On both sides of the Ger- Valletta man-Austrian border, schools had to close, cars were stuck in traff ic — if they could even get out of the early 50 migrants stranded driveway — and residents were on at sea for weeks aboard two the alert for roofs that might cave Nrescue ships arrived in Malta in under the weight of dozens of yesterday after the island nation centimetres of snow. The German reached a deal with other EU mem- Weather Service (DWD) forecast ber states, ending a standoff that snow without break through next rights groups branded “shameful”. week, primarily in the Alpine region. “An ad hoc agreement has been Near the Austrian town of Mariazell, reached,” Malta Prime Minister a 62-year-old teacher died after he Joseph Muscat told journalists, lost a ski and then fell off a steep adding that the deal also included a cliff into a forest, according to police, decision on the fate of 249 rescued where he was buried head down migrants already on the island. in the snow. He was taking his class The 49 migrants, including a baby on an outing at the time. His pupils and several children, were rescued were unable to pull him out without by two boats on December 22 and Migrants celebrate aboard the Dutch-flagged rescue Vessel “Sea Watch 3” risking the same fate. A 40-year-old 29 while attempting the dangerous sailing off Malta’s coast yesterday following the announcement that Malta has skier was buried in an avalanche and Mediterranean crossing from North reached a deal with other EU member states to allow migrants to disembark. killed in northern Slovakia yesterday. Africa to Europe. But with no country allowing Germany, France, Portugal, Ireland, ern Europe researcher Elisa De them to dock, they were left strand- Romania, Luxembourg, the Nether- Pieri said the time taken to reach a AVIATION ed off the coast of Malta, suff ering lands and Italy. decision on the migrants’ fate was French Air Force sea sickness and dehydration, with Another 78 will be allowed to “shameful”. some briefl y refusing food and an stay in Malta, and 44 Bangladeshi “The dangerous, unseemly fighter jet missing onboard doctor warning of psycho- migrants will be sent back to their spectacle of politicians bickering in mountains logical stress. country. whilst women, men and children There were ecstatic cheers on Those pulled to safety by the two are stranded in a sea of cruel indif- A search was underway for an Air board the Sea-Watch 3 when a crew rescue ships had been unable to ference, must not be repeated,” she Force Mirage 2000 fighter and member told them “we have a safe disembark because of a diplomatic said. its two pilots who went missing port, it’s over”, according to a video deadlock among EU member states, “The Italian and Maltese authori- yesterday in a mountainous region tweeted by the German NGO Sea despite an appeal by Pope Francis on ties have brazenly undermined the of eastern France, off icials said. Watch International. Sunday. search and rescue system and used “We’re looking for this plane which The migrants arrived in Malta “The past weeks have not been people as pawns to negotiate migra- disappeared from the radars” in the yesterday afternoon after being Europe’s fi nest hour...If human tion policies.” Jura, the prefecture administration transferred from the Sea-Watch 3 values and solidarity are not up- Muscat, who has previously com- said. Snow and low visibility were and Dutch-fl agged Albrecht Penck held, then it is not Europe,” said EU plained that his country has to bear hampering the search, off icials said, ships to Maltese coastguard vessels. migration commissioner Dimitris an unfair share of migrant numbers, with no news from the pilots. The Muscat said that of the total of Avramopoulos. insisted Malta had “never closed its plane was unarmed. 298 migrants, 176 would be sent to Amnesty International’s South- ports and it is still a safe port”. Gulf Times 10 Thursday, January 10, 2019 INDIA

CRITICISM CONTROVERSY PROTEST APOLOGY PEOPLE Rahul attacked for Appeal in top court over Kashmir IAS off icer Cricketer Pandya sorry CBI director Alok Verma ‘misogynistic’ remark Accidental Prime Minister quits over killings for ‘sexist’ comments rejoins off ice

The National Commission for Women (NCW) An appeal was filed in the Supreme Court yesterday, Kashmiri Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Cricketer Hardik Pandya has issued an apology A day after the Supreme Court reinstated Alok will today send notice to Congress president challenging the Delhi High Court order dismissing a officer Shah Faesal yesterday said he had for his alleged “sexist” comments made during a Verma as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Rahul Gandhi over his recent remark on Union public interest litigation seeking a ban on YouTube quit the coveted service to protest against show hosted by Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar. Director with limited powers, he resumed off ice Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. “We showing the trailer of the movie The Accidental unabated killings in Jammu and Kashmir and Pandya, who was accompanied by cricketer Lokesh yesterday and reviewed the progress of various will send a letter to Rahul Gandhi asking him Prime Minister, portraying former prime minister against the marginalisation of Indian Muslims Rahul, said he got “carried away by the nature” of high profile cases. Verma, who was sent on forced to clarify on what grounds he made such a Dr Manmohan Singh. The high court dismissed the by Hindutva forces, “reducing them to second the show, where he boasted about hooking up with leave on the night of October 23-24, returned remark. As a politician he cannot make such a plea yesterday. The petitioner had also challenged class citizens”. Faesal made the announce- multiple women and how he was open with his to work after almost two-and-a-half months. At statement that shows a misogynistic attitude,” granting certification to the film. The film is based on ment on his Twitter page as news of his parents about his adventures. After reflecting on the CBI headquarters, Verma was received by M Rekha Sharma, NCW chairperson said. Gandhi a book with the same title written by Sanjaya Baru, decision spread. “To protest unabated killings my comments on Koff ee with Karan, I would like to Nageswara Rao, who was appointed to look after while addressing a rally in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Singh’s former media adviser. Baru’s book was pub- in Kashmir and the absence of any credible apologise to everyone concerned who I may have Verma’s duties and functions. Verma went directly yesterday said “Prime Minister Narendra Modi lished on April 20, 2014. The petition has contended political initiative from Union government, hurt in any way,” Pandya wrote on Twitter. “Honestly, to his cabin on the 10th floor, which was closed got a woman to defend him in Parliament on that the trailer on YouTube is misleading and was I have decided to resign from IAS. Kashmiri I got a bit carried away with the nature of the show. since the time he was divested of his powers. Two Rafale fighter jet deal”. “Does he think women factually incorrect as there are various inputs not lives matter,” he said. He said he would ad- In no way did I mean to disrespect or hurt anyone’s CBI off icials who were transferred by Rao also ar- are weak,” Sharma tweeted. based on the book. dress a press conference today. sentiments,” he added. rived at the agency headquarters to meet Verma. ‘Misconception’ Cold wave continues in Kashmir being spread on Citizenship Bill: minister

IANS cuted migrants who have come New Delhi through western borders of the country to states such as Gu- jarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya ommenting on reports Pradesh and others.” of violence in the north- The Bill seeks to enable Hin- Ceastern states as a result dus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, of the Citizenship Amend- Parsis and Christians who fled ment Bill 2019 being passed in to India from Pakistan, Afghan- the Lok Sabha, Union Home istan and Bangladesh without Minister Rajnath Singh yester- valid travel documents or those day informed the Rajya Sabha whose valid documents expired that “misconception” is being in recent years to acquire Indian spread about the Bill. citizenship through the process He said the Bill, which seeks of naturalisation. to remove hurdles in the way The minister said the Bill of eligible migrants from six would help the migrants get In- minority groups from Bangla- dian citizenship. A Kashmiri woman walks with firewood next to a home on the outskirts of Srinagar yesterday. An unabated cold wave continued in the Kashmir Valley yesterday with desh, Pakistan and Afghanistan He said no other country ex- temperatures dropping below freezing point. getting Indian citizenship, was cept India could have provided not confined to Assam or the interim protection from puni- northeastern states but will ap- tive legal action to minorities ply to all states and union ter- facing difficulties in the neigh- ritories. bouring countries. “The burden of these perse- Singh said that the Narendra cuted migrants will be shared Modi-led central government by the whole country. Assam had taken steps to properly im- and northeastern states alone plement the provisions of the would not have to bear the en- Assam Accord and was effec- tire burden and the government tively implementing the Na- Modi vows to expose is committed to providing all tional Register of Citizens. help to the state government “We are committed to com- and the people of Assam. pleting the process. As I said “The purpose is that the mi- earlier, no Indian citizen will be grants facing persecution any- excluded.” where in the country can apply The minister said not much for Indian citizenship. After was done over the past 35 years SP-BSP ‘misdeeds’ that they can live in any state of to implement Clause 6 of the As- the country like an Indian citi- sam Accord which provides for IANS rupee of looted public money because the ‘watchman is alert political conspiracies and alli- humiliating India’s fi rst woman zen,” the minister said. taking steps to promote the so- Agra was unearthed and accounted now’.” ances will be able to stop my war defence minister. His statement came after cial, cultural and linguistic iden- for. The SP and BSP are close to against corruption,” he said. “You all have seen how Con- violent incidents were reported tity of the state. “But our govern- In an apparent reference to the stitching an alliance in Uttar The prime minister was ad- gress leaders tried to disrespect from some northeastern states ment is committed to it,” he said. ttacking the coming to- mining scam in Uttar Pradesh Pradesh to take on the BJP in the dressing people after laying Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok including Assam, Tripura and Singh said that the Bill will gether of the Samajwadi allegedly involving Akhilesh coming general elections. foundation stones and inaugu- Sabha when she was exposing Meghalaya after the Citizen- give Scheduled Tribe (ST) status AParty and Bahujan Sa- Yadav a then mining minister, Modi asked the crowd rating developmental projects their bundles of lies bit by bit,” ship Amendment Bill, 2019 was to six communities in Assam. maj Party in Uttar Pradesh for Modi said the then government whether or not he should per- worth Rs35bn. he said referring to the debate in passed by the Lok Sabha on The communities that are the Lok Sabha elections, Prime “plundered” public money to fi ll form his duties as a ‘watch- He also targeted the Congress, Lok Sabha on the Rafale deal. Tuesday amid objections raised proposed to be included in the Minister Narendra Modi said their own coff ers. man’ working honestly. When saying its leaders were now jit- “They thought Modi was like by the opposition parties. ST category include Koch Ra- their leaders were worried about “People who hated each oth- people responded ‘yes’, the tery because “Michel Mama” - a other politicians and that he will Rajnath Singh said Assam jbongshi, Tai Ahom, Chutia, their misdeeds and were now er... Everything is forgotten... prime minister said all con- reference to British middleman rust with time but they fi nd me had been facing illegal migrant Moran, Matak and Tea tribes of working to defeat the ‘chowki- the guest house incident of Luc- spiracies against him would Christian Michel - was in cus- the same man I was four years problems for several decades the state. dar’ (watchman) who was all out know (an apparent reference to be defeated and the inves- tody of government agencies in back and now they are scared,” and had also witnessed an He said the Assam govern- to expose their “misdeeds”. the attack on Mayawati during tigative agencies would not relation to the Augusta West- he added. agitation over the issue dur- ment had been making recom- Addressing a public meet- the regime of Mulayam Singh stop until each paise of public land scam. Referring to the bill for 10% ing 1979-1985 which led to the mendations concerning these ing here, Modi said the opposi- Yadav in 1995), the Muzaff arna- money looted was unearthed “Now that he is in India, these reservation for upper castes, he signing of the Assam Accord on communities since 1980 and tion leaders were trying to close gar riots and much more are now and accounted for. Congress leaders are sweating, said the existing status had not August 15, 1985. the Home Ministry had formed ranks to stop investigative agen- forgotten and they are striking Modi said political leaders in- so much so that they have hired been disturbed and nobody’s Dispelling the misgivings a committee in 2016 which gave cies from acting against them alliances. volved in scandals and corrup- a lawyer to protect him from the interest had been hurt. Only an about the Bill, he said “the Bill its recommendations in De- but asserted that the govern- “The agenda is: Save your tion should be ready to pay for law.” Modi slammed the Con- extra provision had been made, will provide relief to perse- cember 2018. ment would not stop until each skin and work to defeat Modi, their misdeeds. “No amount of gress leaders for insulting and he added. Expelled Trinamool Kerala hit badly on second day of strike lawmaker joins BJP IANS The bank has lodged a com- Thiruvananthapuram plaint with the police, who have registered a case against 15 per- IANS involved in more heinous activi- giving away the funds received sons. Kolkata ties. He has made a number of from the central government. ormal life across Kerala Barring the Bharatiya Janata controversial statements on the West Bengal cannot be run this was badly hit yesterday Party (BJP)-backed trade union social media and done certain way,” he said. Nas the two-day nation- BMS, all other unions supported things which are not in line with “Who is Abhishek Baner- wide trade strike entered its sec- the strike involving several de- est Bengal’s ruling Tri- party’s culture. He has also been jee to decide whether I would ond day. However, by evening mands including raising the mini- namool Congress yes- expelled,” he said. get the ticket in 2019 elections more shops and establishments mum wages to Rs18,000. State- Wterday expelled two of Khan, who was inducted into from the party? I am a people’s had opened. owned private buses and contract its MPs for their alleged involve- the saff ron party in New Delhi representative. People will de- By and large the two-day vehicles remained off the roads. ment in various controversies in the afternoon following his cide if I am eligible or not. A shutdown had passed off peace- Like on Tuesday, Chief Min- and anti-party activities, a sen- meeting with BJP president Amit single family from south Kolka- fully. But yesterday morning a ister Pinarayi Vijayan and his ior party leader said. Shah, claimed he left the Trina- ta should not be allowed to rule group of protesters stormed into cabinet colleagues did not turn Among the two expelled lead- mool as there is no democracy in Bengal,” he added. the cabin of a State Bank of India up at their offi ces. All university ers, Saumitra Khan, the MP from Bengal. The other expelled Trinamool (SBI) manager here, located near exams slated for yesterday have Bankura district’s Bishnupur Lok Taking a swipe at West Bengal MP, Anupam Hazra, claimed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s been postponed and educational Sabha constituency, joined the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee his name never featured in either offi ce, and vandalised it. institutions were closed. BJP earlier in the day. The other and her nephew and party MP the Saradha ponzy scam or the The incident took place when Even though the tourism indus- leader Anupam Hazra represents Abhishek Banerjee, Khan said it Narada sting operation, where CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri try had sought exemption from Birbhum district’s Bolpur con- is not possible that only a certain a number of fellow party lead- Balakrishnan came to the union shutdowns, popular tourist desti- stituency. family from south Kolkata will ers were allegedly involved and offi ce located opposite to the bank. nation like Alappuzha and Waya- “Khan got involved in several reign in Bengal. questioned the party’s defi nition “At around 10.15am, some nad were badly aff ected as travel- controversies in the last one year. “There is no democracy in of anti-party activities. protesters stormed into my cabin lers found it hard to commute. He did not have any connection Bengal. I have repeatedly told “I want to ask Partha Chat- and asked if I did not know that There were also reports of rail with the party. We have repeat- the party that we should re- terjee what is his defi nition of it was a protest day. I told them and road blockades from several edly cautioned him and gave him spect common people but that anti-party activity? I was neither that although we are open, bank- parts of the state. a lot of time but things did not did not happen. Election is go- involved in Saradha or Narada ing operations were not tak- Meanwhile, the All India Bank change. So he has been removed ing on in the entire country, cases nor did I misuse the name ing place. Then they threw the Employees’ Association (AIBEA) from the party,” said Trina- but not a single blast took place of party supremo Mamata Ban- computer and other properties - a leading union in the bank- mool Congress secretary general anywhere (outside Bengal). erjee to take undue advantage or Members of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) shout slogans from my table,” Manager San- ing sector – said clearance of Partha Chatterjee. They (Trinamool) are snatching extort money from anywhere,” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they stop a train during a tosh Karunakaran told the media cheques valued at over Rs200bn “On the other hand, Hazra is away people’s voting rights and Hazra said. protest and a nationwide strike, in Chennai yesterday. here. was aff ected by the bank strike. Gulf Times Thursday, January 10, 2019 11 LATIN AMERICA

New top Panic buying in Mexico city, prosecutor criticises govt holds fi rm on fuel theft Peru bill Reuters By David Alire Garcia, Reuters beginning to feel the pinch and would Lima Salamanca, Mexico have to slow activities if normal supply did not resume in a couple of days. “We are already beginning to stop eru’s new Attorney Gener- exican President Andres work precisely because of the lack of al Zoraida Avalos on Tues- Manuel Lopez Obrador said fuel,” said Garcia, wearing sunglasses Pday criticised legislation Mon Tuesday an army-assisted and with sweat visible on his forehead proposed by President Martin crackdown on fuel theft was “not in under a bright midday sun. Vizcarra to revamp the pros- vain” despite shortages that spread to At the refi nery, convoys of military ecutors offi ce, warning it would the capital after the government closed vehicles transporting armed soldiers violate the institution’s consti- pipelines and refi neries to choke the could be seen approaching the facility, tutionally-protected autonomy. black market. and inside the refi nery gates uniformed Avalos said she would send Fuel theft has dropped from 787 truck soldiers could be seen inspecting tanker Congress her own bill to shore loads per day to 177 since thousands of trucks both entering and leaving. up trust in the prosecutors’ of- soldiers were sent to state-oil company Juan Pablo Gonzalez, who heads a gas fi ce following a public outcry Petroleos Mexicanos’ (Pemex) installa- station owners association, said Pemex over her predecessor’s attempt tions last month, Lopez Obrador said at had reopened a pipeline from the Sala- to remove two leading prosecu- a daily news conference. manca refi nery for a few hours on Mon- tors from a far-reaching bribery The crackdown on a crime that has day, but shut it quickly because offi cials probe last week. drained billions of dollars from state immediately detected a drop in pressure Her comments echoed crit- coff ers and is blamed for rising violence as thieves opened up illegal taps on the ics who have accused Vizcarra in some regions is the leftist president’s line. of overreach as he pushes poli- fi rst major move against criminals and Lopez Obrador said the government cies aimed at uprooting en- corruption since taking offi ce on De- was investigating members of the pre- trenched corruption in one of cember 1, but risks angering consumers vious administration who were involved Latin America’s fastest-growing and hurting the economy. in the fuel distribution system for signs economies. By closing off pipelines and refi neries they had taken part in the black market. Vizcarra proposed the leg- while it traced leakages, the government The list of people under investiga- islation, which would restruc- has triggered shortfalls and long lines at tion includes the former head of secu- ture the leadership in the public gas stations in at least six states. rity at Pemex, a military general close to prosecutors’ offi ce, after the Worried motorists in Mexico City former president Enrique Pena Nieto, former attorney general, Pedro rushed to fi ll their tanks on Tuesday, he said. Chavarry, initially refused to re- causing some gas stations to shut their People line up to buy gasoline at a gas station in Morelia, Michoacan state. Local media showed images of tanker sign despite mounting pressure doors and lines at others. trucks, escorted by federal police, head- and protests last week. Critics said that with pipelines closed last month that far more was being turing hub in central Mexico, into a se- said. “We are going to end corruption.” ing from oil-rich coastal states to the Chavarry ended up stepping there was less theft only because less stolen directly from Pemex installa- cret storage area. Within sight of the Salamanca refi n- country’s interior. down on Tuesday, portraying fuel was available to steal. tions by an internal network of corrupt Lopez Obrador admitted there were ery’s metal towers, hundreds of people It was not immediately clear what himself as a victim of a media One internet meme likened the strat- offi cials. complaints, but said shortages were not waited for fuel to arrive for up to fi ve impact the crackdown will have on im- campaign to malign him. egy to closing banks in order to tackle On Tuesday he said the military had widespread. hours at two Mobil-branded gas sta- ports of fuel. “I understand this bill was bank robbery. discovered a 3km long “hose” that was He urged an end to “panic” buying tions operated by Exxon Mobil Corp Fe- Mexico is the top export destina- proposed due to the crisis we Criminal groups linked to drug car- funnelling fuel out of storage tanks at and said the problem was distribution, derico Garcia, a 63-year-old construc- tion for US energy products, importing were in,” Avalos told journalists tels have long been blamed for a fuel Pemex’s Salamanca refi nery in the state not supply. tion company manger waiting at one about 1.4mn barrels every day, or nearly after taking offi ce. black market, but Lopez Obrador said of Guanajuato, a major car-manufac- “This is not in vain,” Lopez Obrador of the stations, said his business was a quarter of all US overseas sales. “But I think it’s clear it’s a bill that does, in a way, violate the constitutional structure or con- stitutional design of the pros- ecutors’ offi ce.” Vizcarra’s offi ce did not im- Bolsonaro rejects global migration pact mediately respond to requests for comment. A former vice president, Viz- AFP General Assembly in December. GRATION PACT,” Bolsonaro tweeted. carra has made fi ghting cor- Rio de Janeiro His government has already aban- He added that his country would ruption the centrepiece of his doned the accord, according to sev- continue giving help “to those who government since taking offi ce eral reports and a diplomatic source need it” but stressed that entry “cri- last year to replace Pedro Pablo razil’s far-right President Jair speaking to AFP, but no public confi r- teria” were needed to ensure immi- An exhibit by local artist Robenz and Central American migrants is on display on Kuczynski, who stepped down Bolsonaro has reaffi rmed his mation has yet been made. gration was not “indiscriminate.” the beach next to a section of the US-Mexico border fence as seen from Tijuana, in in one of several graft scandals to Brejection of a global migration His stance aligns Bolsonaro with Brazil is one of the countries ac- Baja California state, Mexico. grip Peru in recent years. pact, saying decisions about who was US President Donald Trump, with cepting a fl ow of Venezuelans fl eeing Vizcarra had repeatedly called able to come into his country need to both leaders dismissing any multilat- economic collapse in their country. for Chavarry to resign, but be “sovereign.” eral approach to immigration for their The UN says more than 2.3mn peo- lacked the authority to dismiss His comments, posted in a series of countries. ple have left Venezuela since 2015, and him directly. messages on his Twitter account, rein- “Brazil is sovereign in deciding the fi gure is expected to surpass 5.3mn Obrador says Trump wall Under Peru’s constitution, forced Bolsonaro’s declaration before whether or not to accept migrants... this year. only Congress, where Chavarry he took offi ce last week that he was go- Not anybody can come into our home, The Global Pact for Safe, Orderly and enjoyed support with the oppo- ing to pull Brazil out of the migration not anybody can enter Brazil via a pact Regular Migration was negotiated over debate internal US matter sition majority, can oust the at- compact that was endorsed by the UN adopted by others. NO TO THE MI- two years under UN supervision and torney general. sealed on December 10 last year at an exican President Andres Manuel He added that unlike Mexico, which Avalos had also called for international conference in Morocco. Lopez Obrador said yesterday elects its presidents for six years, the US Chavarry to resign. It aims to treat international migra- Mhe would not comment on US electoral cycle lasts for only four years, After taking offi ce to replace tion in a co-ordinated, comprehensive President Donald Trump’s demands for a which he called a “very short” period. him, she promised full support way, although it is not binding. border wall, calling it an internal US mat- “So when a new president takes of- for prosecutors investigating On December 19, the UN General ter related to electoral politics. fi ce, almost as soon as they take power, corruption. Assembly adopted the pact, with 152 In a televised speech on Tuesday, they’re already thinking about re-elec- The prosecutors — Rafael Vela countries voting in favour, including Trump urged Congress to give him tion, and their opponents are doing the and Jose Domingo Perez — have Brazil’s previous centre-right govern- $5.7bn this year to help build the wall same,” Lopez Obrador said. become pivotal fi gures in the ment. to prevent illegal immigration and drug Lopez Obrador says he is working to Odebrecht investigation. The nations voting against were the smuggling but stopped short of declar- broker a deal in which his government They recently drew up a plea United States, Israel, Hungary, the ing a national emergency. seeks to provide jobs and visas for mi- deal that commits the company Czech Republic and Poland. At a daily news conference, Lopez grants in exchange for Washington’s to providing evidence on about Rights groups lamented Brazil join- Obrador was asked whether he would support in fostering economic develop- $30mn in bribes it acknowledges ing those that rejected the accord. respond to Trump’s attempts to paint ment in Central America and Mexico’s it paid to local politicians. “The Bolsonaro government has Mexico as a national security risk for the poorer south. Odebrecht is at the centre of adopted an outdated and mistaken United States. “We are persuading, convincing the the ‘Car Wash’ investigation in discourse by considering migrants to “Our view is that there’s a political US government that the best thing is to Brazil, which has rippled across be a threat to national sovereignty,” confrontation in the United States, as develop Central America (and) Mexico,” Latin America and which US President Jair Bolsonaro receives military honours upon arrival at Brasilia’s said Camila Asano, with the non- there is in all countries when elections Lopez Obrador told the news conference. prosecutors have said is the big- Naval Club for the swearing-in ceremony of Admiral Ilques Barbosa — who will governmental association Homme are coming,” said Lopez Obrador, who “That migration becomes a choice, not gest political graft scheme ever take the helm of the Brazilian Navy — yesterday. Conectas. took offi ce in December. an obligation. That is our policy.” uncovered. Maduro dismisses legitimacy questions as second term looms

By Maria Isabel Sanchez and With the exception of Mexico, Former spy chief to head new presidential security unit He’s not alone. The United Na- sembly and fi lled the Supreme Alexander Martinez, AFP the Lima Group — made up of 14 tions says 2.3mn people have left Court with loyalists who annul Caracas mostly Latin American countries Venezuela’s former spy chief, death was off icially ruled a suicide, the new counsel’s responsibilities. the country since 2015 in one of every decision made by parlia- — has urged Maduro to renounce who was ousted last year amid but critics said he was killed. Maduro last month accused the the biggest ever migration move- ment. his second term and deliver pow- an uproar over the death of a Gonzalez Lopez was sworn in United States and neighbouring ments in the region. It hasn’t given up, though, and enezuelan President er to parliament, a demand Cara- jailed opposition politician, was by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez Colombia of plotting to invade It predicts that number will last Saturday declared itself the Nicolas Maduro will be- cas blasted as incitement to stage sworn in on Tuesday as the head in a brief ceremony just days Venezuela, without providing reach 5.3mn by the end of this year. only legitimate institution. Vgin his second mandate a coup d’etat. of a newly-created presidential before socialist President Nicolas evidence. Maduro’s answer has been to The National Assembly an- today, plagued by accusations of Maduro’s second term co- security counsel, according to Maduro is set to be inaugurated Gonzalez Lopez, who has not plead with his allies to invest in nounced it would instil a “tran- illegitimacy and increasing in- incides with the assumption state television. for a second term. spoken publicly since he left his the country’s crude, gold, dia- sitional government” ahead of ternational isolation in a country of power in Brazil of one of his Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez was re- Other countries in the region post at Sebin and did not make mond and coltan resources. new elections, although didn’t crippled by an economic crisis. greatest detractors, ultra-con- placed as the head of the National have called on him not to take comments during the ceremony, He also insists that production divulge how it would hold those. The 56-year-old leader will be servative Jair Bolsonaro who, Bolivarian Intelligence Service off ice, arguing his May 2018 re- is sanctioned by the United States will increase by 1mn barrels a day “Nothing will come out of sworn in by the Supreme Court backed by US President Donald (Sebin) in October after opposition election vote was a sham. and the European Union, along in 2019. parliament that could have the rather than the sidelined — and Trump, is looking to form a re- councilman Fernando Alban died Venezuela’s information minis- with several other Venezuelan But while the opposition has faintest impact on the policies, opposition-controlled — parlia- gional coalition against the “dic- while detained at the agency’s try did not immediately respond to government off icials, for alleged tried every means to dislodge practices or members of govern- ment having been reelected in tatorship.” headquarters in Caracas. The a request for further details about human rights violations. Maduro, it remains fractured ment (because) they have nei- May in a poll boycotted by the Increasingly shunned by its and protests left 200 people dead ther power nor authority,” said majority of the opposition and neighbours — the OAS plans to while a request for a referendum Peter Hakim, from the Inter- dismissed as a fraud by the Unit- hold an extraordinary session to- military and the controversial The International Monetary The country has been hard hit was rejected. American Dialogue, a US-based ed States, European Union and day to discuss Venezuela — Cara- Constitutional Assembly that he Fund predicts that Venezuela’s by a dramatic drop in oil produc- Maduro, meanwhile, retains think tank. Organization of American States. cas has reached out ever more to created last year to bypass parlia- economy will shrink by 5% next tion — upon which it is almost control of both the military and “No authoritarian and repres- The EU even reiterated on its few remaining international ment. year with infl ation — which entirely dependent — in the last political institutions. sive government falls just be- Tuesday its call for new and allies: Russia, China, Iran, Tur- The former bus driver says he reached 1.35mn% in 2018 — hit- decade from 3.2mn barrels a day Many prominent opposition cause its opponents — weak and “free” elections. key and North Korea. feels stronger and more legiti- ting a staggering 10mn %. to just 1.13mn. fi gures are either in jail or ex- disorganised — demand it.” “We believe the (2018) presi- “Those who refuse to recog- mate than ever, but many blame “Some think we’re facing “Venezuela won’t change with ile and various factions within What’s more, Maduro’s sup- dential election was neither free nize the legitimacy of Venezuela’s him for Venezuela’s economic the worst of it...but there will Maduro as president, we can’t continue to squabble over power porters are organised, and armed. nor credible. The EU demands a institutions will be given a recip- woes that have left much of the be much more critical levels to fi nd medication, people are hun- while the National Assembly, the On Monday, a group of armed new election that is free and fair,” rocal and opportune response, population living in poverty with come,” warned Asdrubal Ol- gry,” 23-year-old Gleidimir Pena one institution it controls, has balaclava-clad loyalists vowed to said EU spokeswoman Maja Ko- we’ll act very fi rmly,” said Ma- shortages of basic necessities iveros, director at economic told AFP before emigrating to been left impotent after Maduro defend the socialist leader with cijancic. duro, who has the support of the such as food and medicine. analysis group Ecoanalitica. Peru last week. created the rival Constituent As- blood and fi re. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, January 10, 2019 PAKISTAN Heads of two gas utilities fi red over energy crisis

Reuters committee found that the two “Recently, people have faced natural gas reserves that can fi ll vestigation into deals struck by Islamabad companies were responsible for a severe gas supply crisis,” almost half its energy require- the previous government. the crisis. Chaudhry said in a statement ments but supply constraints The rapid adoption of LNG Since the start of the winter, ... The prime minister has an- have led to increasing demand infrastructure made Pakistan akistan Prime Minister Pakistanis using natural gas for nounced the immediate sack- for LNG imports. one of the industry’s fastest- Prime Minister Imran Khan Imran Khan yesterday cooking and heating, as well as ing of the heads of Sui South- Khan’s critics say the natu- growing markets in Asia, spark- Psacked the chiefs of Sui factories and power plants that ern and Sui Northern,” the ral gas companies are not solely ing interest from the world’s Natural Gas Pipeline Limited rely on the fuel, have experi- statement said. responsible for the recent en- major energy producers and (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas enced signifi cant inconvenience Pakistan has suff ered from ergy crisis, pointing to decisions traders. Company Limited (SSGC) over due to low gas pressure or no chronic energy supply prob- made by his government which As part of moves to increase a severe winter energy crisis supply at all. lems for years, with regular have discouraged the importing energy generation, Pakistan PM reviews that has seen repeated supply Factories and businesses in power blackouts and gas outages of LNG. and the World Bank yesterday outages. the port city of Karachi, Paki- caused by a mix of poorly main- In October, the new govern- signed a fi nancing agreement Information Minister Fawad stan’s commercial hub, have tained distribution networks, ment announced it would rene- worth $100mn for a solar energy Chaudhry, the government’s been badly aff ected, threaten- ineffi cient regulation and poor gotiate agreements for two liq- project in the southern part of main spokesman, said Khan took ing jobs and the livelihoods of governance. uefi ed natural gas (LNG) import the country, a fi nance ministry progress on the decision after an inquiry workers. The country has signifi cant terminals as part of a wider in- statement said.

KP to set up centre for victims of ‘ease of doing Probe into undeclared foreign domestic violence The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government will set up a centre business’ to provide legal aid and medical, rehabilitation and counselling assets of resident Pakistanis facilities to the women victims of domestic violence in the province. According to a statement, in country Internews The LTU Karachi has been the country, of which 100 peo- Arabia, Qatar, Panama, China, the centre will be set up in Karachi made as centre point for the ple belonged to Sindh region, British Virgin Islands, among collaboration with UN Women like Sindh region, which includes the sources added. others. the one in Multan, Punjab at one Internews and timely information to the LTU, LTU-II, regional tax of- Pakistan signed an agree- The FBR sets up six AEoI of the shelter homes. Islamabad businesses. Besides availabil- he Federal Board of Rev- fi ces in Karachi, Hyderabad, ment of multilateral conven- zones and given additional “This would be a 24-hour a week ity of required documents on enue (FBR) has sought and Sukkur. tion on mutual administrative charge to senior offi cials. Later facility to streamline investigation website, full online applica- Texplanations from the The sources said the hearing in tax matters with the OECD in June 2017, it issued the pro- prosecution case flow process by akistan Prime Minister tion system was being rolled resident Pakistanis regarding in 100 notices was started from on September 14, 2016 to be- cedure for the working on data bringing all disconnected justice Imran Khan yesterday out and advance notifi cations their undeclared foreign assets, January 7 and continued next come 104th jurisdiction for received under AEoI. delivery services under one roof,” Pchaired a meeting to were being ensured about sources revealed yesterday. day, as well. taking action against off shore The key data available to the said Chief Minister Mahmood review progress on improv- change in tariff . These assets were identifi ed The FBR had initially tax evasion. revenue authority from the Khan. ing “ease of doing business” In the area of getting credit, under the Automatic Exchange launched investigation against The FBR received fi rst batch OECD member countries in- He was addressing the signing (EoDB) in the country. it was informed that registrar of Information (AEoI), they 3,100 cases whose information of information on September cluded transactions of banks, ceremony between social welfare The meeting was attended would be appointed by the end added. was made available under AEoI. 30, 2018. The scrutiny and dis- stock market, fund managers, department and United Nation by Finance Minister Asad of this month and rules under Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) After sorting the details, semination to AEoI zones was insurance companies among Women during his visit to Women Umar, adviser to PM on com- Secured Transaction Act were Karachi summoned around 100 the revenue authority iden- started late due to various ad- others. Crisis Centre Hayatabad. merce Abdul Razzak Dawood, being fi nalised by ministry of people from the Sindh region tifi ed 2,300 more cases for ministrative hurdles. Pakistan received informa- The chief minister said that it adviser to PM Ishrat Hussain, fi nance. to appear personally and ex- scrutiny, as several people The sources said the rev- tion of many Pakistani hav- was also decided to establish a BOI chairman Haroon Sharif, BOI chairman also briefed plain about the foreign assets, who had availed amnesty enue authority received the ing properties in the UK under technical training centre at one of SAPM Iftikhar Durrani and the meeting about steps be- or banking transactions identi- scheme for off shore invest- information about evasion and AEoI in July 2018. the shelter homes in collaboration senior government offi cials. ing taken to facilitate trading fi ed under the arrangements of ment / assets had already undeclared money of Pakista- The sources said such infor- with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tevta BOI chairman briefed the across borders and reducing Organisation for Economic Co- been scrutinised. nis living in OECD member mation was restricted to the to rehabilitate the victims. prime minister about the clearance time in imports and operation and Development The FBR initially started countries, including Britain, rental income from properties He hoped that the centre would progress on various indica- exports. (OECD). scrutiny of 300 people across the UAE, Switzerland, Saudi owned by Pakistanis in the UK. help to protect women and tors related to “ease of doing He also identifi ed vari- empower them as well. business” (EoDB). ous issues mostly related to The social welfare department On the issue of number of Sindh province in integra- and UN Women have inked an tax payments, it was informed tion of SECP and EOBI with agreement to undertake capacity that the number of payments provincial portal, end to end Life by riverside assessment for upgradation have been brought down from automation of construction of shelter homes to enhance 47 to 21. Eff orts were under- permits and availability of survivors’ access to multi-sectoral way to introduce e-payments complete electronic database quality services in two pilot of social security contribu- of property registry. districts in the province. tions in Sindh and Punjab. BOI The prime minister empha- The chief minister said that chairman said that a new sys- sised upon the need for greater provincial cabinet had already tem of value-added tax (VAT) focus towards addressing approved a women ombudsman refunds would be in place by EoDB issues related to Sindh for protection of women at work March 31 which would sig- since Karachi was the fi nancial places and was monitoring the nifi cantly reduce time in hub of the country. whole mechanism to provide obtaining VAT refunds. Briefi ng the meeting about help of all kinds to the women for The BOI chairman informed various positive developments protecting them against domestic that eff orts were also being with regards to investment fa- violence and violence against made to improve risk-man- cilitation, it was informed that them at workplaces. agement system to reduce MoU on industrial co-oper- The UN Women would arrange number of physical audits. ation has been signed with workshop campaigns for About the ease of starting China last month. propagation of Protection business, the prime minister It was decided that regu- against Harassment of Women was informed that integration lar EoDB meetings meeting at Workplace Act, 2018. They of SECP with provincial por- would be chaired by the prime will also hold trainings of the tals and EOBI has been com- minister with participation committee members constituted pleted in Punjab. However, of chief ministers and the under the Act of diff erent public eff orts were being made to provincial chief secretaries. and private sector off ices. expedite the launch of portal It was also decided that The chief minister said that in Sindh. dedicated EoDB offi ces would women empowerment On ease in getting electric- be set up at federal and pro- policy would create enabling ity, the prime minister was vincial level for the purpose environment for them to informed that signifi cant of removing bottlenecks and Children play on a boat alongside a river in Lahore yesterday. take decisions for their progress has been made to facilitating investors in the betterment. (Internews) facilitate provision of power smooth business operations. Malala’s biopic to have Deadline for registration of its premiere in London mobile phones extended

Internews ganisation to ensure girls’ edu- her days in Swat Valley to her Internews consignments and it was not Mobile phone users wishing to “However as some companies Lahore cation worldwide, while one of becoming the youngest Nobel Islamabad possible for them to register the know the status of a device can wanted to sell their new mobile its initiatives Gulmakai Net- Peace Prize winner. IMEIs of second-hand phones. send the 15-digit IMEI number phones, which were available in work supports the work of edu- Directed by Amjad Khan and An offi cial statement issued via SMS to 8484. The status of a the market, the fi le was deliber- ollywood fi lm Gul Makai, cation champions across the written by Bhaswati Chakra- s per a directive given by by the PTA states that the device mobile phone can also be checked ately delayed. Finally, a statutory which chronicles the life world. Also, Malala used Gul barty, Gul Makai traces the then the federal government, identifi cation registration and via PTA website link www.dirbs. regulatory order (SRO) was is- Bof Malala Yousufzai the Makai as a pseudonym when socio-political atmosphere of Athe Pakistan Telecom- blocking system (DIRBS) would pta.gov.pk or by downloading sued on Dec 24, 2018, which said youngest Nobel laureate and writing blogs for BBC Urdu. Pakistan and has an all-star munication Authority (PTA) has remain operational and all mobile DIRBS android application, the that the ban had been lifted.” an advocate for girl education, Coming back to the biopic, cast that includes Divya Dutta, extended the deadline for regis- phones activated on mobile net- statement concludes. The MPTA leader said that is all set to have its premiere in which stars Reem Shaikh as Mukesh Rishi, Pankaj Tripathi, tration of mobile phones till Janu- works within Pakistan by Janu- MPTA spokesperson Saleem the government had already London on January 25, accord- Malala Yousafzai, the story is Abhimanyu Singh and Ajaz ary 15 after which counterfeit and ary 15 would remain operational Rehmat said that in the past announced that the imported ing to Entertainment Pakistan. based on Malala’s journey from Khan apart from Reem Shaikh. smuggled devices will be blocked. without service disruption. dealers used to import second- sets, non-compliant to the PTA, The website also stated that Earlier, it was announced “Even non-compliant devices hand mobile phones, but a ban would not be activated after Dec Malala will be attending the that the non-compliant de- in operation prior to this date will was imposed in 1996. 31 last year. On the other hand, premiere along with her family. vices would not be registered be tied to these numbers and will “When the Pakistan Tehreek- a number of dealers had already Moreover, other personalities after December 31, 2018 and in remain operational till the useful e-Insaf came to power, we con- placed orders to import second- including Indian and Pakistani future only PTA-approved in- life of the devices,” it states. tacted Finance Minister Asad hand mobile phones, he said. high commissioners and rep- ternational mobile equipment The PTA has developed the Umer and told him that since 95 “Therefore, we requested the resentatives of United Nations identity (IMEI) devices would be DIRBS in line with Section 9.6 of per cent dealers deal in second- government to extend the last will also be attending the event. registered. the Telecom Policy 2015, issued hand phones, the ban on their date for activation of imported The activist, who was shot The decision has been taken by the Ministry of Information import should be lifted,” he said. sets. Minister of State for Rev- at for defying the ban on girls after a number of protests and Technology and Telecom, with “The minister listened to us enue Hammad Azhar made ef- going to school, is also the UN press conferences by the Mo- the aim to curtail counterfeit and played his role in lifting the forts for extending the date for Messenger of Peace. bile Phone Traders Association mobile phone usage, discourage ban. Resultantly, the federal 15 days. We are thankful to the In 2013, she founded the (MPTA) as the traders claimed mobile phone theft and protect cabinet approved lifting of the government for the decision,” Malala Fund, an advocacy or- A post of Malala Yousufzai biopic Gul Makai. that they had already ordered consumer interest, it states. ban on Nov 23 last year,” Rehmat. he said. Gulf Times Thursday, January 10, 2019 13 PHILIPPINES Ombudsman to probe Allegations of bribe fl ood control ‘scam’ to retract By Glee Jalea Manila Times statements he Offi ce of the Ombuds- man has sought docu- Tments from the House of By Eugene Y Adiong er the filing of his certificate of Representatives in preparation Manila Times candidacy (CoC) at the Com- for a probe into the alleged fl ood mission on Elections (Come- control scam in Sorsogon in- lec) provincial office in Shariff volving Budget Secretary Ben- ome witnesses to the Aguak, Maguindanao. jamin Diokno and his daughter’s Maguindanao massa- His pregnant wife, accom- in-laws, House Majority Leader Scre are reportedly being panied by other female rela- Rolando Andaya Jr said yester- bribed to retract their state- tives and their supporters, were day. ments. tasked to file the CoC in the be- Andaya said Ombudsman Rep. Zaid Mangudadatu of lief that being mostly a party of investigators had request- Maguindanao’s 2nd District, women accompanied by media, ed copies of testimonial and who is aspiring for a Senate the convoy would not be at- documentary evidence gener- seat in the mid-term elec- tacked. ated during a public inquiry in tions in May, recently said such But, before the delegation Naga City, Camarines Sur last modus operandi could not be could reach the Comelec office, January 3, the latest episode of ruled out. they were stopped by about a the running feud between the From left: Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Ombudsman Samuel Martires, and House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. Mangundadatu attended a hundred armed men who later Budget department and the New Year’s party for baran- killed most of the members of House that has delayed the pas- now Speaker Gloria Macapagal and Aremar incorporator DPWH,” he told reporters in sogon had a much smaller al- gay (village) leaders that Rep. the delegation including the sage of the 2019 budget. Arroyo, has thrown numerous Romeo “Jojo” Sicat Jr and his a news briefing. Citing DBM location of P377mn under the Stephen Paduano of the Abang journalists. “Apparently, the Offi ce of accusations at Diokno, who wife, Charlotte Justine Sicat, and DPWH figures, the Budget Flood Mitigation Facilities Lingkod party-list group host- The vehicles in the convoy, the Ombudsman has noticed has instituted budget reforms the daughter of Diokno. chief reported that Sorsogon within Major and Principal ed at a hotel in Bacolod City on including their passengers red fl ags of corruption on the including cash-based budget- The Naga City hearing ranked seventh among prov- Rivers programme of 2018, Monday. were buried in graves that were evidence presented and on the ing that required funds to be found no masterplan for flood inces with the largest alloca- making it the 22nd province in But, he said “there are also reportedly dug up a few days testimonies made during the used during the fi scal year, and control projects in Sorsogon. tion under the Flood Mitiga- terms of allocation. witnesses who cannot be before the incident. hearing. We have seen these red transparent releases of funds to Lawmakers also questioned tion Structures and Drainage The province of Pangasinan bribed.” Witnesses have stated that it fl ags of corruption ourselves,” avoid corruption. the use of at least eight “dum- Systems programme of the had the largest allocation with The lawmaker is the younger was the men of Andal Ampatu- Andaya said. Andaya alleges that there my accounts” allegedly by General Appropriations Act of P2.14bn, Bulacan ranked sec- brother of Maguindanao Gov- an Jr, who met the convoy and “The Ombudsman’s entry was a conspiracy between the Aremar to manipulate biddings 2018, with P2.67bn. ond largest with P1.50bn, and ernor Esmael Mangudadatu, Ampatuan himself had con- into the probe encourages us to Department of Budget and for flood-control projects. The Albay came first with Nueva Ecija ranked third with whose wife was among the fronted Mangudadatu’s wife. dig deeper into the fl ood control Management (DBM) and Are- Hamors have refuted allega- P4.03bn, followed by Bulacan P1.19bn. massacre’s 58 victims. “We are a bit disappointed scam and other questionable mar Construction Corp, to tions of colluding with other with P3.65bn, and Tarlac with The Flood Mitigation Facili- The mass killing also took over the court decision last year budget practices under (Budget) corner multi-million infra- contractors, including CT Le- P3.39bn in third place. Sor- ties within Major and Principal the lives of the Mangudadatus’ granting furlough to former Secretary Benjamin Diokno,” he structure projects in Casig- oncio Construction and Trad- sogon was behind the prov- Rivers programme involves the other women relatives and 32 Autonomous Region of Mus- added. uran, Sorsogon. ing, another firm said to have inces of Cavite, Pampanga and construction and rehabilita- media workers, two of whom lim Mindanao governor Zaldy Following protocol, Ombuds- The House rules committee, bagged billions worth of gov- Cebu. tion of flood mitigation facili- were Negrenses. Ampatuan, so he could attend man Samuel Martires refused led by Andaya, has issued sub- ernment contracts. “The Flood Mitigation ties and structures to alleviate Congressman Mangudadatu his daughter’s wedding,” Zaid to confi rm nor deny Andaya’s poenas to officials of the De- Diokno yesterday presented Structures and Drainage Sys- flooding in major river basins said his family was not losing Mangudadatu said. statements. partment of Public Works and data showing that his agency tems programme ensures the and principal rivers falls, Dio- hope that they would soon have But he added that the deci- “It must be remembered that Highways (DPWH) and owners did not favour a particular dis- effectiveness and efficiency of kno explained. justice, despite the fact that the sion was made at the court’s investigations conducted by the of Aremar Construction, the trict for flood control projects flood control facilities such as “These allocations serve to hearings of the Maguindanao discretion. Field Investigation Offi ce of the Hamor family, which Diokno under the DPWH. dikes, dam floodways, pump- bolster the resources of the massacre case have been drag- Zaldy Ampatuan is the Offi ce of the Ombudsman are allegedly favoured. “I have not manipulated the ing stations, among others in Department of Public Works ging on for several years now. principal accused in the highly confi dential in nature,” Summoned were Maria budget to ensure the inclu- all flood prone areas across the and Highways to curb the im- The massacre happened on Maguindanao massacre. Martires said in a statement. Minez Hamor, Casiguran sion of projects in a favoured country,” the Budget chief un- pact of stronger typhoons on Nov 23, 2009, when then Bulu- Other Ampatuans, among Andaya, the budget secre- Mayor Edwin Hamor, Sorso- district particularly the flood derscored. the country brought about by an vice mayor Esmael Maguda- them Andal Sr implicated in the tary of former president and gon Vice Gov. Esther Hamor, control structures under the He also stressed that Sor- climate change,” he said. datu invited journalists to cov- case have since died.

Ejercito says sin tax will ensure funds for healthcare

By Bernadette E Tamayo Manila Times

enator Joseph Victor Ejercito yesterday said SPresident Rodrigo Du- terte’s support for additional excise taxes on tobacco and al- cohol products is benefi cial to the government’s healthcare programme. “That is welcome, of course, since it will ensure funding for the Universal Healthcare Pro- gramme,” he said. The annual revenue pro- Devotees flip their towels to celebrate the feast day of the Black Nazarene in Manila, yesterday. jection from collected excise Senator Joseph Ejercito taxes on tobacco and alcohol is from P45bn to P50bn, said sought the establishment of Ejercito, chairman of the Sen- a hospital exclusive to Philip- ate Committee on Health. pine Coast Guard (PCG) per- Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” sonnel and their dependents. Millions throng annual procession Pacquiao earlier fi led a bill He earlier fi led Senate Bill raising the excise tax on ciga- 2128 which seeks to establish rettes to P60 per pack from the PCG General Hospital in AFP By early afternoon, nearly P35, while Ejercito, in a sepa- the Coast Guard Base Taguig Manila halfway into the typically 20- rate bill, sought to raise the in Lower Bicutan, Taguig City. hour procession, the Red Cross excise tax on cigarettes to P90 “This measure aims to rec- had already treated nearly 220 per pack. ognise their hard work, brav- hrongs of believers fl ung patients for cuts, dizziness, Palace spokesman Salvador ery and heroism. To address themselves at a historic bruises and sprains. Panelo earlier said the presi- their well-being is the State’s Tstatue as it was paraded Every year hundreds are hurt dent has certifi ed as urgent the utmost concern without sac- through the Philippine capital and a few deaths are not unusual. bill hiking the excise tax of to- rifi cing and jeopardising the yesterday in an annual festival “It is so dangerous to join the bacco and alcohol. future of their family and loved that is one of the world’s biggest procession. If you see people Also yesterday, Ejercito ones,” Ejercito said. shows of Catholic zeal. charging forward, this makes me Many in the heaving crowd of nervous,” said 21-year-old col- men and women, which police lege student Angelica Alcantara. said numbered more than a mil- “Many young people do this ‘Garbage’ set for return to South Korea lion, believe touching the Black for fun but this is about your Nazarene or being in its presence faith in God,” she added. Repatriation of 6,300 tonnes of garbage shipped to Tagolo-an, can heal the sick or grant good Critics say the procession is a Misamis Oriental, from South Korea last year has been scheduled fortune. mish-mash of superstition and for Sunday, a Customs off icial said yesterday, Manila Times reported. Devotees massed before dawn unnecessary risk for the people John Simon, head of the Bureau of Customs sub-port at the Phivi- to catch a glimpse of the life- who fl ock to it each year. dec Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental sized statue as it was wheeled on But Church offi cials say the (PIE-MO), said the cargo vessel MV Kalliroe of Maersk Shipping Lines a metal fl oat along a seven-kil- practice is a vibrant expression is expected to arrive on Saturday (January 12). ometre route through Manila’s A firebreather performs as Catholic devotees celebrate and wait to touch the statue of the Black Nazarene of faith in nation of 105mn that is “Loading of the cargo would immediately start upon arrival here narrow streets by a crew tugging on its feast day in Manila, yesterday. overwhelmingly Christian. because the South Korea-bound vessel would leave the following thick ropes. They include more than 80mn day,” Simon added. He said the first to be shipped back would be “I survived a stroke because Around him people chanted the icon which is named for its than 7,000 offi cers to guard the Catholics. “If you are an out- the 1,200 tonnes that first arrived at the PIE-MO industrial zone in of him (God). I will do this every “Viva Nazareno” (Long live charred appearance. event, while mobile phone net- sider, you will not hear, see or July 2018. The remaining 5,100 tonnes, loaded in 51 container vans year until I am 100 years old,” Nazarene), cheered and jostled It is believed to have survived works were cut off as precau- feel that faith. You will only see and disguised as recyclable raw materials for plastics, which arrived said 70-year-old Joaquin Bor- for a glimpse of, or selfi e with a fi re in the 17th century while en tion against remotely detonated a very unruly or chaotic situa- at the port in mid-October 2018, would follow because these would dado, who has attended the pro- the statue, cloaked in a maroon route to the Philippines, which bombs. tion,” said Father Danichi Hui, a still be repacked and inventoried prior to their shipment to South cession for decades. robe and topped with a crown of became Asia’s bastion of Ca- Authorities did not report any priest at the procession’s desti- Korea, according to the Customs off icial. “God ordered me to do this thorns. tholicism under 400 years as a specifi c threat to the procession, nation, Quiapo church. He said the garbage, disguised as recyclable raw materials for plas- and I feel no exhaustion,” he Believers, barefoot as a sign Spanish colony. but the nation is home to several “But inside there is a rhythm tics, first arrived at the PIE-MO industrial zone in July last year. added, wearing an ankle-length of penitence, scramble over Philippine police chief Oscar active insurgencies that have of peace. There is a serenity,” robe and crown of barbed wire. one another to touch towels to Albayalde said he deployed more carried out attacks on civilians. he said. Gulf Times 14 Thursday, January 10, 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 N Korea’s Kim seeks to up ante with Xi summit North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s surprise trip to China could herald a new round of summitry on and about the peninsula, analysts say, but may also be an attempt to pressure US President Donald Trump as negotiations between them falter. Discussions between Pyongyang and Washington over the North’s nuclear arsenal have stalled since Kim and Trump’s high-profile summit in Singapore, with the US insisting that sanctions must remain in place until it gives up its weapons, and the North demanding Why US fi rms and an immediate easing. In his New Year’s address – always a key moment in the North Korean political calendar – Kim said that if Washington persisted with its approach, “we may be compelled to find a new way for defending the sovereignty of the country and the supreme interests of households need China the state”. With his visit to China, “Kim is eager to remind the By Shang-Jin Wei China soared by 530% – far more than But the availability of cheap imported workers they employ could lose their jobs, Trump administration that he does have diplomatic New York the 130% cumulative growth of US goods from China lowers prices not only and living standards for low- and middle- exports to the world as a whole. for US consumers, especially low- and income US households would suff er as and economic options besides what Washington and This was a direct result of the middle-income families, but also for US prices for many goods rise. Seoul can offer,” said Harry Kazianis of the Centre for hina will benefi t from a considerable and unilateral trade businesses, supporting job creation. None of this is to say that China the National Interest in Washington. normalisation of its trade liberalisation China has pursued after Nearly 40% of US imports from should not be making changes. The US should be “quite concerned” by any effort by relationship with the United joining the World Trade Organisation China are parts and components and It should work to lower trade barriers States, but it is important to in 2001, including reducing its applied intermediate inputs. further, reduce subsidies to state- Pyongyang to strengthen ties with Beijing, he added, as C realise that the same holds true for the tariff rate from 30% before WTO The cost savings these imports bring owned fi rms, relax restrictions on almost all North Korean trade flows through China and US. accession to less than 6% today. to US businesses help to boost their foreign fi rms operating in the country, any improvement in relations would weaken the Trump When the US tech giant Apple Furthermore, approximately half of competitiveness, enabling them to hire and strengthen intellectual property administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy. recently slashed its sales forecast, CEO the imports into China are subject to more workers. rights. Tim Cook pointed to declining sales in zero tariff s if production is for the world According to my research with But if bilateral trade is to be fairer and With US and Chinese China – where US President Donald market. colleagues, this supply-chain more effi cient, the US needs to make officials meeting in Beijing Trump’s trade war is exacerbating the China’s rapid GDP growth boosted eff ect creates more jobs than direct some changes as well. “It shows to address a trade row that eff ects of a slowing economy – as a imports, but that growth was also competition from China eliminates. For example, it should reduce high has roiled global markets, major contributing factor. facilitated by trade liberalisation and While the lost jobs are concentrated tariff s (often in the 20% range) on Beijing clearly Apple’s diminished performance other pro-market reforms. in a subset of manufacturing sectors, textiles and garments, a major category he said, “the timing could highlights how important the Chinese No country has dismantled more the jobs gained from trading with China of Chinese exports. has a North not be any better” for the market has become to the bottom lines barriers to trade or undertaken more are spread throughout the economy, And it should reform its anti- Chinese side. “It shows of many US companies – and reveals pro-market reforms than China over including many modern service sectors. dumping regime (by merging it with Korea card to Beijing clearly has a North the risks Trump’s protectionism poses the last four decades. Thanks to this job-creation eff ect, the antitrust regime) and change unfair to the American economy. China’s market-oriented reforms US trade with China benefi ts 75% rules that, by imputing the production play if it sees fi t” Korea card to play if it sees The truth is that Apple sells unleashed a wave of entrepreneurship of American workers, even before costs of other higher-cost countries fit.” substantially more iPhones and iPads and enabled private-sector fi rms – both accounting for the positive eff ect on to Chinese production, put Chinese Chinese forces played to the Chinese than US export statistics domestic and foreign-owned – to thrive their purchasing power and before any exporters at an artifi cial disadvantage. an integral role defending the North during the 1950- imply. and, in many cases, to achieve faster income transfer from winners to losers. Both the US and China gain from Likewise, General Motors sells more growth than state-owned fi rms. Nonetheless, many in the US normalising bilateral trade relations. 53 Korean War, and Beijing remains Pyongyang’s key cars in China than what is recorded This contrasts sharply with the continue to focus solely on the potential While policy reform is diffi cult diplomatic backer and trade partner. in US export data – more, in fact, narrative being pushed by some that role of open trade in fuelling job losses. anywhere, owing to political pressures It has always feared the collapse of its neighbour, than in the United States and Canada China has largely ignored or evaded the When a US fi rm lays off workers, and vested interests, a reciprocal and which would threaten floods of refugees streaming combined. commitments it made when joining the trade with China is frequently blamed. balanced approach could be the key to That is because these companies, like WTO. But when a US fi rm hires more sustained progress in both countries. onto its territory and the prospect of US troops many others, operate in China and sell If that were true, China simply could workers, one seldom hears about the The question is whether leaders will stationed on its border in a unified Korea, but in recent directly to Chinese consumers. not have managed to grow faster than cheaper Chinese inputs that made it have the necessary courage and wisdom years became increasingly frustrated with its nuclear Far fewer Chinese companies sell 95% of the world’s countries since possible. to put the relationship back on track. – antics. directly in the US. 2001. Some in the US are calling for a Project Syndicate Because US companies have Some argue that, even if US decoupling of the US and Chinese That changed last spring, when Kim ended six years increased their operations within China businesses have profi ted from their economies. z Shang-Jin Wei, a former Chief as a diplomatic recluse to go to Beijing and pay his over time, bilateral trade statistics only access to the Chinese market, US- If that happens, US companies Economist of the Asian Development respects to Xi in his first overseas trip as leader. partly refl ect the Chinese market’s China trade hurts American workers using Chinese inputs would lose Bank, is Professor of Chinese Business A series of visits have followed in both directions importance to the US economy. whose jobs are exposed to low-wage competitiveness relative to their and Economy and Professor of Finance From 2000 to 2018, US exports to competition from Chinese workers. European and Japanese counterparts, the and Economics at Columbia University. – although Xi has yet to reciprocate with a trip to Pyongyang – along with three summits between Kim and the South’s President Moon Jae-in, and Beijing lent Kim a plane to travel to Singapore. At their meeting Kim and Trump signed a vague pledge to work towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula in a blaze of publicity, but the two sides have since disagreed over what that means. Kim did not visit Seoul by the end of last year, despite South Korea’s Moon suggesting he would do so, but speculation of a second Kim-Trump summit to try and break the deadlock has mounted. A location for the meeting was being negotiated, the US president said at the weekend, leading sceptics to express hopes that its substance and outcomes were also being discussed.

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US Trade negotiators, including undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Aff airs Ted McKinney (right) return to their hotel after the second day of trade talks in © 2018 Gulf Times. All rights reserved Beijing on January 8. Gulf Times Thursday, January 10, 2019 15 COMMENT India’s great wall of equality

By Jayati Ghosh were so many women that they formed New Delhi three or four columns. All of these women stood together, shoulder to shoulder, and made a pledge: “We ast year was a watershed will uphold Renaissance values, we for gender relations. The will stand for equality for women, we #MeToo movement rocked will resist attempts to make Kerala a Lestablishments around the lunatic asylum, and we will fi ght for world, forcing even powerful men secularism.” to face public scrutiny for their The “renaissance values” to which behaviour toward women. But, despite the women referred are those of a patriarchal backlash, the movement Indian social reformers from the shows no signs of abating: on January early twentieth century, who were 1, in the Indian state of Kerala, an committed to upholding secularism, estimated fi ve million women formed ending gender discrimination, and a human chain – or “women’s wall” eliminating casteism. The “lunatic – stretching nearly 400 miles across asylum” refers to a statement made the length of the state, to demonstrate in 1892 by the Hindu revivalist their commitment to the fi ght for monk Vivekananda, who called gender equality. Kerala a “madhouse” of caste-based One cannot overstate the symbolic discrimination. power of the women’s wall, which Given the issue that triggered the included more than one-third of women’s wall in the fi rst place, it is Kerala state’s entire female population an apt reference. Beyond serving as a over the age of six – about 2mn more condemnation of patriarchy in Kerala people that even its organisers had (and India more broadly), the women’s anticipated. The event had the backing wall was intended as a sharp rebuke of the state government, but it owes its to opponents of a recent decision success to the engagement of a variety by India’s Supreme Court to permit of groups and organisations, not to women enter a temple on a hill in mention the individual women who Sabarimala in Kerala. participated. Women of child-bearing age were Those women came from all strata of previously barred from the temple, society. There were doctors, lawyers, supposedly to uphold tradition, based teachers, students, nuns, domestic on the deeply antiquated belief that workers, agricultural labourers, wage such women were “impure.” But Indian women hold out their hands as they stand in a line to take part in a ‘women’s wall’ protest in Kochi in southern Kerala state on January 1, 2019. workers, and homemakers. There were keeping women out of the Sabarimala Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. temple is not actually traditional at all: Yet the Supreme Court’s decision it “an unnecessary, provocative act” despite high female literacy rates symbol of possibility. Women will, There were mothers holding babies, women of all ages regularly entered the has triggered widespread protests. when two women managed to exercise and strong human-development the event made clear, lead the struggle young girls, and elderly women who establishment until 1991, when a court Both of India’s big national parties their right to enter the shrine the indicators, relatively few women for their own emancipation – thereby could barely stand, resting on others decision banned them. – the Bharatiya Janata Party, which morning after the women’s wall. As participate in paid work. liberating all of society. - Project for support. In many areas, there were This blatantly sexist prohibition controls the national government, and for the temple priest, he closed the site Even so, the unabashed and Syndicate also chains of the women’s male allies, amounted, the Supreme Court ruled, the Congress party – have cynically briefl y after their visit to carry out a vehement misogyny displayed in standing across the road from them in to a violation of the basic principles exploited this backlash, and have been “purifi cation ritual.” response to the Supreme Court z Jayati Ghosh is professor of solidarity. of India’s constitution. And it has accused of orchestrating violence and Of course, gender inequality is decision stands out. That is why economics at Jawaharlal Nehru The women’s wall snaked much in common with the appalling aggression by agitators demanding pervasive across India. The country displays of unity and commitment University in New Delhi, Executive through towns and cities, along “untouchability” system, whereby that Kerala’s government refrain from ranks low in most measures of to equality like the women’s wall are Secretary of International Development highways and village roads, all the low-caste people have been blocked implementing the court’s ruling. women’s empowerment, including not just uplifting, but also vitally Economics Associates, and a member way from Kasargod in the north to from entering temples, as well as from, Even the Congress party’s Shashi formal labour-force participation, important to India’s future. of the Independent Commission for Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital, say, drinking from the same water Tharoor, a typically liberal member assets owned, and nutrition. Violence After a challenging year, the the Reform of International Corporate in the south. In some stretches, there source as those of the upper castes. of parliament from Kerala, declared against women is rampant. In Kerala, women’s wall stands as a potent Taxation.

Qatar keen to develop relations with Bulgaria Three-day forecast

TODAY of this visit in promoting bilateral Maximum Temperature : 250c QNA Minimum Temperature : 200c Sofia relations between the two countries. He pointed out that the joint FRIDAY committee for economic co-operation Maximum Temperature : 210c mbassador of Qatar to between the governments of Qatar and Minimum Temperature : 140c Bulgaria Rashid bin Ali Bulgaria has been established since SATURDAY al-Khater has said that the 2009. Maximum Temperature : 220c AQatari-Bulgarian relations The two countries have been able to Minimum Temperature : 150c strengthen their economic and trade are distinctive and have witnessed Fisherman's forecast remarkable development in recent relations, which is revealed by the years. continuous rise in the terms of trade between the two countries in recent WARNING In an interview for Bulgaria’s 24-hour Inshore : Expected strong wind/ newspaper, he pointed out that Qatar years. poor visibility at places is keen to develop and strengthen the The ambassador said that the two at times relations with Bulgaia at all levels and countries’ governments have been Offshore : Expected strong wind and high sea in all fi elds to serve the interests of the able to push forward the co-operation WEATHER Qatari and Bulgarian people. relations in the economy through Inshore : Partly cloudy with slight The ambassador appreciated many bilateral agreements, stressing dust to blowing dust at places at times and and Bulgaria’s support for Qatar in light that Qatar’s foreign policy is based on cold by night of the unjust blockade imposed on peace, security, stability, co-operation Offshore : Partly cloudy at times it, calling for leadership in Bulgaria and friendship among the countries WIND to fi nd a solution to the Gulf crisis and peoples of the world. Inshore : Northwesterly 15-25/32 by bringing the parties back to the He said that Qatar always KT negotiating table. emphasises the need to resolve Offshrore : Northwesterly 18-28/38 He explained that Qatar was confl icts by dialogue between the KT subjected to conspiracies by the parties and by peaceful means, Visibility : 4-8/2 KM countries of the blockade, which pointing out that Doha plays a pivotal Offshore : 7-9/15 FT started with the crime of hacking role in this area by providing eff ective Qatari ambassador to Bulgaria Rashid bin Ali al-Khater. the website of Qatar News Agency mediation to settle disputes and Around the region and broadcasting false news in May fi nd solutions at the regional and Weather 2017, followed by the imposition of treaties and conventions. remained the fastest growing in the international levels. Weather tomorrow Max/min the unjust blockade in an attempt to The ambassador stressed that region, including the productive and Concluding the interview, the today Max/min M Sunny 13/02 threaten the security, stability and these unjust measures taken by industrial sectors. ambassador said that Qatar is Baghdad M Sunny 13/02 Sunny 16/07 national sovereignty of the state. the countries of the blockade did Ambassador al-Khater also considered one of the fi rst countries to Kuwait CityP Cloudy 17/07 Cloudy 19/14 Besides, he said, the imposition of not negatively aff ect Qatar, either explained that the President of support humanitarian and charitable Manama Cloudy 21/15 P Cloudy 25/18 unilateral measures by the countries economically or politically. Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, is expected works in countries that have been Muscat P Cloudy 27/19 Sunny 07/-2 of the blockade constitutes a fl agrant The national economy was to visit Qatar at the beginning of this hit by disasters and supports poor Tehran Sunny 08/-2 violation of regional and international able to maintain its strength and year, pointing out the importance countries in the fi eld of education.

Live issues Exercising more after heart attack tied to lower death rates

Around the world By Lisa Rapaport weeks after a heart attack, and again physical activity,” Ekblom advised. The study wasn’t a controlled Reuters Health 10 to 12 months afterwards. After an Just moving more around the home, or experiment designed to prove whether Weather Weather average follow-up of about four years, taking slow walks, can help, along with or how activity levels might directly today Max/min tomorrow Max/min 1,087 people died. other things like reducing stress and infl uence mortality rates after a heart Athens M Sunny 15/09 S Showers 14/07 eart attack survivors who Physical activity has long been avoiding alcohol and tobacco. attack. Beirut M Sunny 16/10 Sunny 17/11 step up their exercise eff orts linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular It’s possible that exercise benefi ts Another limitation is that it only Bangkok M Cloudy 33/25 Cloudy 33/26 may live longer than those disease and premature death after people after a heart attack in many asked how many days each week Berlin M Cloudy 03/-3 Rain& Snow 05/02 Hwho remain inactive, a events like a heart attack or stroke. of the same ways it does before, said people got at least 30 minutes of Cairo Sunny 18/06 Sunny 20/08 Swedish study suggests. The current study, however, off ers Claude Bouchard of the Pennington physical activity; this doesn’t help Cape Town P Cloudy 21/16 S Showers 21/16 Compared to patients who were fresh evidence of the potential to Biomedical Research Centre in Baton assess which types of exercise, or how Colombo S T Storms 31/23 S T Storms 31/23 inactive for the fi rst 10 to 12 months after improve survival odds by exercising Rouge, Louisiana. much, might be ideal. Dhaka Sunny 27/13 Sunny 27/13 their heart attack, patients who were after a heart attack, or by trying to Among other things, exercise “However, based on the available Hong Kong P Cloudy 18/16 Cloudy 19/17 active during that whole time were 71% keep up with some workouts even if a might help improve risk factors for literature to date, it seems like even Istanbul Showers 12/09 Rain 11/04 less likely to die during the four-year previous level of exercise is diffi cult to cardiovascular disease like obesity, high low levels of physical activity even Jakarta S T Storms 31/26 T Storm 31/25 study, researchers reported in the Journal maintain. blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, high below the current recommendations Karachi P Cloudy 26/19 M Cloudy 26/16 of the American Heart Association. “If you have not been active before cholesterol, excess liver fat, and chronic relate to improved survival,” said Trine London M Cloudy 06/05 Cloudy 08/05 People who were inactive at fi rst your (heart attack), don’t worry, start infl ammation, Bouchard, who wasn’t Moholdt of the Norwegian University Manila Sunny 31/24 P Cloudy 31/23 but who increased their activity levels now, it will improve your health and involved in the study, said by e-mail. of Science and Technology. Moscow S Showers -8/-13 M Cloudy -11/-13 over time, meanwhile, were 59% less prognosis,” lead study author Orjan Like other people, heart attack While patients should check with their New Delhi Fog 21/07 M Sunny 21/08 likely to die during the study than their Ekblom of the Swedish School of Sport survivors should aim for about 150 physicians before starting a new exercise New York P Cloudy 03/-4 M Sunny 00/-6 constantly sedentary counterparts, and and Health Sciences in Stockholm said minutes a week of moderate intensity routine, it’s likely that there would be good Paris M Sunny 06/02 S Showers 06/04 even people who reduced their activity by e-mail. “If you have been active activity, Bouchard said. options for people at almost any fi tness Sao Paulo M Sunny 32/21 M Sunny 31/21 levels but still got at least a little exercise before your (heart attack) great, but “Walking is the easiest form level, Moholdt, who wasn’t involved in the Seoul P Cloudy 04/-4 P Cloudy 06/-3 were 44% less likely to die. keep it up.” of activity to pursue this goal,” study, said by e-mail. Singapore T Storm 32/26 S T Storms 32/25 Overall, the study involved 22,227 “For individuals who cannot Bouchard advised. “It has a very low “Exercise is safe and being Sydney Showers 23/21 S T Storms 26/21 patients who were surveyed twice exercise it is important to underline risk of injury and allows for easy sedentary is far more dangerous,” Tokyo Clear 10/00 Clear 13/02 about their activity levels: at 6 to 10 that exercise is only a limited part of quantifi cation of the exercise dose.” Moholdt said. Gulf Times 16 Thursday, January 10, 2019 QATAR QFS off ers advice to emerging fashion designers in Doha Al-Baker and Sheikh Saoud with FC Bayern München players Coman, Hummels and Süle and Arenas (Al Sadd Sports Club) among other dignitaries during the unveiling of Qatar Airways’ first-ever brand shop at the Hamad International Airport (HIA) yesterday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma By Joey Aguilar Staff Reporter

merging fashion designers in the country may soon fi nd themselves taking their pas- Esion to greater heights with Qatar Fashion Society’s (QFS) guidance on establishing and Qatar Airways brand growing their business. “Qatar is one of the biggest consumers in the luxury segment and we want to nurture more young fashion designers here,” QFS founder Fahad al-Obaidly said at Shop Qatar’s Design District, located at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. store unveiled at HIA QFS is a non-profi t initiative which aims to provide fashion entrepreneurs and brands key atar Airways and Qatar their own penalty shoot-out and practical advice on building and sustaining a Fahad al-Obaidly at Shop Qatar’s Design District Duty Free (QDF) unveiled shop from an exclusive range of business in Doha. It now has 42 members. on Tuesday. PICTURE: Jayan Orma Qthe airline’s fi rst-ever branded travel essentials includ- Citing Virginia Commonwealth University brand shop at the Hamad Inter- ing a high-end luggage collec- – Qatar’s (VCUQ) capability in providing the “Such initiative gives local designers the op- national Airport (HIA) yesterday. tion, a kids’ range of travel games know-how and technical expertise to its students portunity to promote and to put standards in the Complete with burgundy and accessories. This truly is the and graduates, al-Obaidly said QFS, for its part, fashion industry as well,” he added. lighting, curved walls, a busi- embodiment of an experience is trying to equip them with the skills to market Al-Obaidly recounted that the past four days ness class desk and an A380 worth travelling for.” and expand their business. since the District’s opening on January 5 have fi rst class seat to experience, the Qatar Duty Free was awarded VCUQ, which produces around 22 graduates inspired participating designers “to step up and shop is specially designed to en- ‘Airport Retailer of the Year’ at annually from its Fashion Design programme, compete the way they present their collection.” able customers to feel as though the 2018 DFNI Global Awards. In occupies the largest space at the Design District. Being featured at Shop Qatar for the fi rst time, they have stepped on board a April, the leading airport retailer It off ers students an opportunity to share their the District is a hub for the shopping festival’s Qatar Airways aircraft. was recognised at the PAX In- latest creations, connect with a like-minded fashion-forward events and activities, hosting a The grand reveal of the one- ternational Readership Awards, community and establish a customer base. series of fashion shows, workshops and master- of-a-kind boutique took place Al-Baker with Arenas among others at Qatar Airways’ first-ever brand when Qatar Airways won ‘Best “What we see is that students are interested classes until January 12. at an event at HIA, offi ciated by shop at the Hamad International Airport (HIA) yesterday. In-Flight Duty Free Programme’ in the business side, so we collaborate with pro- Al-Obaidly, who curated a number of fash- Qatar Airways Group Chief Ex- for the Middle East and Africa, duction houses, public relations agencies, re- ion exhibitions and moderated fashion confer- ecutive Akbar al-Baker. ball players from the legendary and hub, Hamad International and was acknowledged as an in- tailers and department stores, as well as other ences related to the industry in Qatar, fi nds the VIPs in attendance included German football club FC Bay- Airport, a further testament to dustry leader for its outstanding institutions, so they will really understand what District “educational and an inspiring space for the Qatari ambassador to Ger- ern München Kingsley Coman, our vision of redefi ning the per- in-fl ight duty free service, which is the next step for them to reach their goals,” al- designers.” many, Sheikh Saoud bin Ab- Mats Hummels, Niklas Süle, and fect travel experience for our is operated by Qatar Duty Free. Obaidly said. “Designers not only see the space (allotted to dulrahman al-Thani; German football star Gabriel Arenas from travellers.” Later this year, Qatar Duty Free, The Qatari artist moderates Fashion Speak- them) as a plain booth or stall to sell their col- ambassador to Qatar Hans-Udo the Qatar football club Al Sadd Musleh said, “We are proud along with Qatar Airways and Ha- ers’ Corner sessions at the District, which off ers lections but a platform for storytelling,” the QFS Muzel; Hamad International Sports Club. to launch such a unique concept mad International Airport, will fashion enthusiasts “a wide variety of artistic ex- founder stressed. Airport chief operating offi cer Al-Baker said, “Qatar Airways to our customers, enabling them host the world’s most infl uen- pressions” and the latest trends in the industry. According to al-Obaidly, these spaces aim to Badr al-Meer; and Qatar Duty is delighted to launch its fi rst- to experience the unique luxury tial airport commercial revenues A unique “360-degree immersion experience” connect designers to their consumers and help Free vice president (operations) ever boutique to engage shop- of Qatar Airways. This boutique conference, The Trinity Forum. also awaits visitors at al-Obaidly’s ‘Fashion them reach the next level of their business. Thabet Musleh. pers in a unique way by enabling takes shopping to the next level, The conference, organised by The Meets Art’, a special interactive art installation About keeping the Arab touch in most of the The unveiling was attended by them to enjoy the Qatar Airways where customers can experience Moodie Davitt Report, ACI World which combines art and fashion. designs, al-Obaidly said local designers continue guests including Al Sadd Sports experience on the ground. We are an A380 fi rst class seat, grab the and ACI Asia-Pacifi c, which will He lauded the District for being one of the best to enrich their patterns in their collections such Club general manager Turki al- excited to launch this new retail latest football strip from one of be held in Doha on October 30 and platforms for Qatari designers to further enhance as in abayas, kaftans and shoes, among others, Ali, as well as professional foot- concept at our magnifi cent home the world’s top global teams, play 31 this year. their skills and showcase their works. refl ecting the country’s culture and heritage.

Ooredoo Doha Marathon runners urged to collect race packs at MIA Park today oredoo is call- most popular sporting should arrive at the gath- ing all participants events – attracts both in- ering point with plenty Oof ‘Ooredoo Doha ternational marathon su- of time to spare on Friday Marathon 2019’ to ensure to take their places at the perstars and Qatari citizens morning, as the event has they collect their race packs starting line of the much- and residents, and features attracted a record number in good time, with teams anticipated event on Friday a range of distances from a of participants and is ex- ready to hand out the packs 11 January from 6.30am, 1km children’s run to the full pected to be phenomenally in MIA Park today from Ooredoo announced in a 42.2km marathon, ensuring busy. For more information 4pm to 10pm. statement yesterday. the event is accessible to all. on the Ooredoo Doha Mara- Runners in the Ooredoo The Ooredoo Doha Mara- All race participants are thon 2019 and Ooredoo, Doha Marathon 2019 are set thon – one of the year’s also reminded that they visit ooredoo.qa.

AAB main sponsor of VFQ

Volleyball The AAB team won the tournament and became champions, followed by the Tamam Trading team as first runner-up. tourney VFQ is an expatriate Six teams participated in Tamam Trading team as fi rst sports organisation consist- the one-day league, which runner-up. bdullah Abdulghani ing of senior players from was organised to bring the The games were held at the & Bros Co (AAB), ex- the working Indian com- Indian community together Qatar Volleyball Association in- Aclusive distributor of munity in Qatar and invited through sports and to foster door courts, Al Arabi Stadium. Toyota and Lexus in Qatar, players from India. the spirit of sportsmanship “AAB’s commitment to was the main sponsor of the Prior to the games, a jer- and camaraderie, AAB said community sports is part of recently concluded second sey-launching ceremony in a statement. its CSR initiative geared to- season of volleyball matches was conducted where the The AAB team won the wards the development of the conducted by Volley Friends draw for the teams was also tournament and became community through sports,” Qatar (VFQ). held. champions, followed by the the statement added.

677 building permits issued last month

By Santhosh V Perumal (5%), Al Shamal-25 (4%) and fencing 3% (23 permits). for residential buildings, 32 Business Reporter and Al Khor 24 (4%). Of the new residential for non-residential and 84 On a month-on-month buildings permits, PSA for additions. basis, total number of per- found that villas’ topped Of the 271 residential build- atar saw as many as mits issued in the country the list, accounting for 50% ings completion certifi cates 677 building per- witnessed a 0.3% decline in (145 permits) of all new issued, as many as 110 were Qmits issued in De- December. Al Khor recorded residential buildings per- for villas, 87 for dwellings of cember with Al Rayyan and 56% plunge, Al Daayen 23%, mits, dwellings of housing housing loans, 11 for apart- Wakrah together constitut- Wakrah 3% and Doha 2%; loans 38% (110 permits) and ments and four for others. ing 53% of the total, accord- whereas Al Shahaniya wit- apartments 6% (17 permits). Al Rayyan saw 61 resi- ing to the offi cial statistics. nessed more than doubled Commercial buildings dential building completion On geographical basis, permits, and Al Rayyan and were found to be in the certifi cates issued, followed the Planning and Statistics Umm Slal registered 14% forefront of non-residen- by Wakrah (42), Al Daayen Authority (PSA) found that and 4% growth respectively. tial buildings permits with (39), Doha (34), Umm Slal Al Rayyan remained atop In terms of type of permits 38% (30 permits), followed (18), Al Khor (7), Al Shamal the municipalities where issued, data indicates that the by industrial buildings (6) and Al Shahaniya (5). the number of building new building permits (resi- as workshops and facto- Of the 110 villas completion permits issued were 200 or dential and non-residential) ries 32% (25 permits), and certifi cates issued, as many as 30% of the total permits is- constituted 54% (368 per- mosques 13% (10 permits). 29 were in Al Rayyan, 20 each sued, Al Wakrah-156 (23%), mits) of the total building Qatar witnessed a total in Doha and Al Daayen, 16 in Doha-119 (18%), Al Daay- permits issued in December of 328 building completion Umm Slal, 10 in Wakrah, six en-69 (10%), Umm Slal- last year, while additions con- certifi cates issued in De- each in Al Khor and Al Shamal, 48 (7%), Al Shahaniya-36 stituted 42% (286 permits), cember, of which 212 was and three in Al Shahaniya.