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04 NEWS Govt DoesN’t Believe iN PoliticAl victiMisAtioN: sArwAr
LAHORE STAFF REPORT
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PUNJAB Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar on Monday said that the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) government does not believe in political revenge and victimisation.
The governor was talking to media persons on Monday while visiting the mausoleum of Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal to pay respects to the great poet and thinker on his birth anniversary.
“I had opposed registration of the treason case, ” Sarwar said. “The cases were not filed against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) by this government, ” he said. It is a matter of the accountability institutions and all these cases belong to previous governments, he further said.
Hesaidthataccountabilityis notthejob of the government or the opposition, and it shouldbeperformedbytheinstitutions. “No talks are possible over the cases or sending thegovernmenttohome, ”thegovernorsaid. “Talks should be held over the key national issues, ” he further said. “Difference of opinion among political allies is part of the democraticprocess” ,hesaidandexpressedhope that the government’s alliance with Pakistan MuslimLeague-Quaid(PML-Q)willremain intact. Earlier, the Punjab governor visited the mausoleum and laid a floral wreath at Allama Iqbal’s grave.
Four of seven accused of honour-killing held in Mirpurkhas
MIRPURKHAS: Police have claimed to arrest four accused of honour-killing a 17-year-old girl at Goth Rawat Banglani. Police on Monday said that four of the seven men accused of being involved in the reported honour-killing of a 17-year-old girl in Mirpurkhas have been arrested.According to an initial investigation, the 17-year-old girl from Mirpurkhas was murdered for 'honour' . Police said that the teenager was buried shortly after she was killed in what may have been an attempt to hide the crime. Police added that three of the seven people named in the first information report (FIR) are the 17-year-old girl's brothers. TLTP
ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal on Monday said that the accountability watchdog has adopted an approach of unbiased accountability in the country. “We are committed to eliminating corruption from the country, ” he said while sharing the twoyear performance of the accountability watchdog. The chairman said that they received 75,268 complaints during the past two years and resolved 66,838 of them. “2414 of these complaints were forwarded by the NAB authorities for further action, ” he said, adding that they had approved 1240 enquiries and completed 1220 enquiries during the past two years. STAFF REPORT
Murad approves compensation for rain-affected people
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Chief Minister of Sindh Syed MuradAli Shah on Monday approved compensation of losses to the people affected by calamitous rainfall in the province.
“The rainwater submerged 1,752 villages in the province during the rainfall this year, ” Shah was informed in a briefing on the losses in rainfall.
More than 2.2 million people were affected in Sindh during the rainfall, according to the briefing. The crops on 1.49 million acres and 2.9 million houses were damaged in the disastrous rainy spell.
Moreover, 1.29 million people were affected due to the collapse of their houses, the chief minister was informed. Overall, 149 people were killed and 103 sustained injuries in the rainfall, the chief minister was told.
The chief minister approved compensation of losses to the affected people under the social protection policy, which will be endorsed by the Sindh cabinet in a meeting, a spokesperson of the chief minister said.
The chief minister has decided to summon a cabinet session earlier to take the decision.The chief minister said that poor and affected people will not be left unsupported.
He also directed for re-verification of the data of affected people. The compensation amount will be transferred after perusal of the national identity card, the spokesperson added.
Approver accepts whitening Suleman Shehbaz’s Rs600m
LAHORE TLTP
MuhammadMushtaqaliasChini,one of the approvers in a money laundering case against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President ShehbazSharifandhisfamily,hasrevealedthatSulemanShehbazusedhis account to whiten a whopping Rs600 million of ill-gotten money.
In a statement recorded before a court, he said that Abdul Qayyum and his son Qasim Qayyum made transactions worth Rs600 million in his bank account through fake telegraphic transfers (TTs). He said that he handed over Rs600 million cash to Qasim Qayyum who made fake TTs in his account, showing that the amount was transferred from abroad in his account.
Back in 2014, Chini said, he was used to whitening Suleman Shehbaz ’s black money, and he was asked to help whiten Rs600 million of Suleman. When he said it was impossible for him, he was told that his account would only be used for the purpose, he added.
He said that he allowed them to use his account for the purpose due to old business ties and greed. The approver disclosed that Rs214 million worth of telegraphic transfers were made through accounts of his company in early 2014. Later in the same year, telegraphic transfers of Rs293 million were made in the account of Mushtaq and Co.
He said that he handed over the cheques of the same amounts to
Muhammad Usman, chief financial officer of the Shehbaz family.
Moreover, Mushtaq said that Rs100 million were transferred into his account from Waqar Trading Company and he handed over a chequeofthesameamounttoUsman. Suleman Shehbaz prepared fake loan agreements of all these transactions, which showed that he got Rs600 millionloan.Later,SulemanmadeRs100 milliontransactionsinChini’saccount as loan return, he added.
Five Die As JeeP PluNGes iNto rAviNe iN MANseHrA
MANSEHRA TLTP
At least five persons died and two others got injured when a jeep fell into a deep ravine in Battal area of district Mansehra on Monday. According to police, a woman among five people died on the spot and two others got injured. The police said that the accident occurred when the driver lost control over the steering while taking a sharp turn. The local people and police retrieved the injured and dead from the gorge and shifted them to King Abdullah Hospital Mansehra. Earlier in February last, two people, including a woman, were killed and five others sustained critical injuries when a passenger jeep fell into a deep ravine in Charian area of Mansehra district. The jeep carrying passengers was on way to the Allari Bajri village from Garhi Habibullah when its driver could not hold control over the steering as a result of which the vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a deep ravine.
NAPHDA chief inaugurates first prefabricated house in federal capital
ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Naya Pakistan Housing Development Authority (NAPHDA) Chairman Lieutenant General (r)AnwarAli Hyder inaugurated the first pre-fabricated house here on Monday. Speaking on the occasion, the chairman said that provision of low-cost houses to the people of low and middle classes is the government’s top priority. He said that the government would provide all out facilities to the builders and other stakeholders to materialise the dream of the prime minister for provision of accommodation to the poor and middle classes at affordable rate.Arenowned Korean company G-Songuo, in association with Naya Pakistan Housing DevelopmentAuthority has completed the construction of state-of-the-art modular model house. Briefing the chairman, the company representative said that the fully furnished two bedrooms house was constructed within seven days.
ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
PRIME Minister Imran Khan on Monday chaired a meeting of the political committee to review the overall political situation in the country as well as the government's media strategy.
The prime minister directed the members of the economic team to highlight the successes achieved by the government in the media. "All economic indicators are highlighting a positive trend, " the PM said while lamenting the opposition over spreading propaganda against the government regarding inflation.
Imran Khan maintained that it was due to the policies of the previous governments that the masses were suffering. “We have overcome the effects of their economic decisions after two years of work and finally the economy is witnessing stability, " he added.The premier said that the benefit of growing economy would soon be shifted to the masses. "The economic team should disseminate among masses as to how previous governments ruined the economy, " he said, adding that the public gatherings in Swat and Hafizabad once again proved that PTI enjoyed the confidence of the masses.
Meanwhile, National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam Minister called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday and briefed on availability of essential items in the country. The meeting discussed in detail the introduction of modern seed technology in the agricultural sector and its importance for increase of agri-productions.The PM emphasised the need for strict monitoring of timely availability of food items and directed the minister to provide relief to the general public.
CCoE to take decision over unbundling of SSGC, SNGPL today
ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI
The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE), scheduled to meet today (Tuesday), is likely to grant approval for the unbundling of the two state-owned gas utility companies, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), into five smaller gas companies.
According to sources who confided in Profit, said that the CCoE will take up a proposal by the Petroleum Division regarding gas sector reform, particularly the dismantling government-owned gas utility companies into one transmission and four provincial companies.
They said that the Petroleum Division has been actively pursuing the break-up to ensure the sector’s sustainability. “The division has already devised a way forward to proceed with the reform agenda, ” sources added.
According to the details, the newly devised gas reform agenda includes the appointment of a ‘transaction advisor’ through a competitive process whereas the cost to be incurred during this process would be equally shared by the gas companies. “OGRAshould allow the same in the companies’ revenue requirements while financing from an international donor may also be explored to accomplish the task, ” sources said.
The division has suggested that an independent National Gas Transmission Company (NGTC) be formed and operate as a common carrier for existing and newly formed gas distribution companies under third-party access rules promulgated by OGRA, while the company itself would not be engaged in the purchase or sale of gas, being mandated to only transport gas. Similarly, multiple gas distribution companies would be created with unified principles by both SNGPL and SSGCL within the area of their jurisdiction for the operation of smaller distribution companies. These companies would be established on a technical and economical basis keeping in mind the population, network, density, gas demand, workload, supervision and efficiency for the sustainability of newly formed distribution companies.
Covid-19 positivity rate on rise in major cities despite smart lockdowns
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All public and private offices would be required to have 50 per cent of their staff work from home.
Additionally, all markets, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, bakeries, wedding halls and beauty parlors have been ordered to close shop by 10:00 pm while amusement parks/recreational places can remain open until 6:00 pm.
Earlier, the government ordered work-from-home policy for half of the staff in both public and private sector offices and relatively broader smart lockdowns in the urban centres of the country as part of the second phase of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
The NCOC appreciated the efforts of the provinces for taking prompt and necessary measures in line with health guidelines for the safety and wellbeing of the public.The country has yet to fully utilise its testing capacity of 73,572 and is currently testing significantly below numbers proposed by global health experts.According to theWorld Health Organisation (WHO), Pakistan’s testing policies likely only record the most symptomatic patients while ignoring the spread among asymptomatic carriers, which recent studies have suggested comprise the majority of infections in the country.
Since last week, the number of single-day new cases has crossed 1,000 mark for the first time since the first week ofAugust.
In view of the increasing cases of Covid-19, the Punjabgovernmenthasannouncedtoimposesmartlockdown in the areas with coronavirus cases whereas all such markets, bazaars, offices and wedding halls will be sealed.A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corona was convenedonthedirectionofPunjabChiefMinisterSardar Usman Buzdar on Monday in which important decisions were taken to save the people from the second wave of Covid-19 and to implement security measures.
The meeting decided to close all markets, bazaars, offices and public points that were violating the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs). Reportedly, smart lockdowns will be imposed in 15 areas of the provincial capital, which has been approved by the Cabinet’s AntiCorona Committee.
These areas include New Muslim Town C Block, Tipu Block, Babar Block, Raza Block, Sikandar Block, Umar Block, Anarkali, Mozang, Gulshan Ravi, Johar Town, Township, Samanabad, DHAPhase 6, some areas of Askari XI, DHA A Block, HEFC Society B Block, Cavalry Ground and Garden Town.
The meeting also discussed the introduction of rapid testing of Covid-19, and the decision to declare Rawalpindi Institute of Urology as Covid-19 Hospital.
During the meeting, Provincial Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid said that the number of positive cases is increasing in Punjab and Covid-19 test positive rate has also increased. “418 patients are undergoing treatment in government hospitals in Punjab. The condition of 76 patients is critical. On the direction of CM Punjab, there is ample stock of essential medicines and PPA kits. The health department will procure more PCR kits for coronavirus tests, ” she said.
“Every step will be taken to control the second wave of Covid-19, adding Provincial Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal. SpecialAssistant to Punjab CM Dr FirdousAshiq Awan, Punjab chief secretary, inspector general of police, senior member of Board of Revenue, additional chief secretary home, Lahore division commissioner, secretary specialised healthcare and medical education, secretary primary and secondary healthcare, senior officers and military officials attended the meeting while the commissioners of Multan division and Rawalpindi division participated in the meeting through video-link.
Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab on Monday rejected reports that Hyderabad's positivity ratio had crossed 15 per cent, saying that it was "wrong" to make such claims.In a video message shared on hisTwitter account, Wahab said that according to official data of the past few days, the positivity rate in the Hyderabad district stood at 8.7 per cent.
NEWS 05 KP businessmen demand withdrawal of power tariff hike
PESHAWAR AZIZ BUNERI
Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has demanded the government to immediately withdraw the increase in electricity tariff of 48 paisa per unit on the head of fuel adjustment, terming it detrimental for industries and businesses. The demand was made by SCCI president Sherbaz Bilour while talking to different delegations of industrialists and traders here on Monday. Stating that the coronavirus pandemic had left industries and businesses reeling, Bilour said the hike in electricity rate would further escalate industrial productivity as traders would not be able to pay off heavy bills and increase financial depression under the present uncertain and unfavourable conditions. “The price hike would affect the manufacturing sector which could halt industrialisation in the province, ” he added. The SCCI chief said that National Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) had already made an increase of 48 paisa per unit in the electricity tariff on the head of fuel adjustment for one month in August 2020. He maintained that the electricity production cost was around Rs3.68 per unit in August while electricity advance fuel cost was Rs3.20 per unit in the afore-stated month, adding that additional recovery would be made from consumers in November due to the business community being burdened with Rs5billion. Mir Shakilur Rehman gets bail after months in detention
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He added that NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Javed Iqbal had not issued arrest warrants for the director land department and director general of LDA. Explaining how the land was acquired, Pervaiz said that the total land in question was 48,883 yards and was purchased to build the neighbourhood — Johar Town. The owner of the land died and it was divided and transferred in 1985, he added. The heirs requested the LDA to grant permission to start construction on the land in 1986, which was rejected by the then-director general of LDA, the lawyer said, adding that the official wrote to Rehman saying that under the land policy, his share equalled 48,702 yards. “Not one rupee of the government was lost during this entire matter, ” he claimed. At this, Justice Qazi Amin asked whether NAB had raised the matter of the government accruing any losses to which Pervaiz replied in the negative. Pervaiz argued NAB had not accused his client of withholding payment for the property he acquired, saying that the amount was paid according to the policy. “NAB’s case is that the money should be paid according to market rates and not according to policy, ” he said. Justice Yahya Afridi observed NAB had to determine whether the case was valid, according to the policy. The anti-graft body also had to disclose how many cases the accountability judge who heard Rehman’s case previously had, he added.
Pfizer says Covid-19 vaccine over 90pc effective
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Experts cautioned that they still needed to see the full trial data, which have yet to be peer-reviewed or published in a medical journal, but the preliminary results looked encouraging so far.
There are still many questions around the vaccine, such as how effective it is for vulnerable groups and how long it will provide immunity, and the “new normal” of social distancing and face masks looks set to remain for the foreseeable future.
BioNTech Chief Executive Ugur Sahin told Reuters he was optimistic the immunisation effect of the vaccine would last for a year though that was not yet certain.
“This news made me smile from ear to ear. It is a relief to see such positive results on this vaccine and bodes well for Covid-19 vaccines in general, ” said Peter Horby, professor of emerging infectious diseases at the University of Oxford. MARKETS SURGE: The prospect of a vaccine electrified world markets with the S&P 500 and Dow hitting record highs as shares of banks, oil majors and travel companies soared. Pfizer shares were 8.6 per cent higher in NewYork at 1450 GMT, while BioNTech’s stock was up 11 per cent.
Shares of other vaccine developers in the final stage of testing also rose with Johnson & Johnson up 4.5 per cent and Moderna 5.5 per cent stronger. Britain'sAstraZeneca was down 3.5 per cent.
“The efficacy data are really impressive. This is better than most of us anticipated, ” said William Schaffner, infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee. “The study isn’t completed yet, but nonetheless the data look very solid. ”
U.S. President DonaldTrump welcomed the test results, and the market boost: “STOCK MARKET UP BIG, VACCINE COMING SOON. REPORT 90% EFFECTIVE. SUCH GREAT NEWS!” he said on Twitter.
President-elect Joe Biden said the news was excellent but did not change the fact that face masks, social distancing and other health measures would be needed well into next year. 1.3 BILLION DOSES: Pfizer expects to seek broad U.S. authorization for emergency use of the vaccine for people aged 16 to 85. To do so, it will need two months of safety data from about half the study ’s 44,000 participants, which is expected in the third week of November.
“I’m near ecstatic, ” Bill Gruber, one of Pfizer’s top vaccine scientists, said in an interview. “This is a great day for public health and for the potential to get us all out of the circumstances we’re now in. ”
To break the dynamic of the spread of the coronavirus, between 55 per cent and 65 per cent of the population will need to be vaccinated, Germany ’s health minister Jens Spahn told a news conference on Monday, adding that he doesn’t expect a shot to be available before the first quarter of 2021.
Pfizer and BioNTech have a $1.95 billion contract with the U.S. government to deliver 100 million vaccine doses beginning this year. They have also reached supply agreements with the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan.
The U.S. drugmaker said the interim analysis was conducted after 94 participants in the trial developed Covid-19, examining how many of them had received the vaccine versus a placebo.
Pfizer did not break down exactly how many of those who fell ill received the vaccine. Still, over 90 per cent effectiveness implies that no more than 8 of the 94 had been given the vaccine, which was administered in two shots about three weeks apart.
The efficacy rate is well above the 50 per cent effectiveness required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a coronavirus vaccine. MORE DATA NEEDED: To confirm the efficacy rate, Pfizer said it would continue the trial until there are 164 Covid-19 cases among participants. Bourla told CNBC on Monday that based on rising infection rates, the trial could be completed before the end of November.
Pfizer said its data would be peer reviewed once it has results from the entire trial. “These are interesting first signals, but again they are only communicated in press releases, ” said MarylynAddo, head of tropical medicine at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany.
“Primary data are not yet available and a peer-reviewed publication is still pending. We still have to wait for the exact data before we can make a final assessment. ”
The global race for a vaccine has seen wealthier countries forge multibillion-dollar supply deals with drugmakers such as Pfizer, AstraZeneca Plc and Johnson & Johnson, raising questions over when middle income and poorer nations will get access to inoculations.The U.S. has spent billions of dollars to spur vaccine development at six pharma companies including Moderna and Johnson & Johnson through Operation Warp Speed. Pfizer is not part of that research and development program and runs its trial independently, but does have a nearly $2 billion deal to supply vaccines to the United States.
Trump repeatedly assured the public that hisadministrationwouldlikelyidentifyasuccessful vaccine in time for the presidential election,heldlastTuesday.OnSaturday,Democratic rival Biden was declared the winner. ESSENTIALTOOLS:Vaccines are seen as essential tools to help end the health crisis that has shuttered businesses and left millions out of work. Millions of children whose schools were closed in March remain in remote learning programs.
Dozens of drugmakers and research groups around the globe have been racing to develop vaccines against Covid-19, which on Sunday exceeded 50 million infections since the new coronavirus first emerged late last year in China.The Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine uses messenger RNA(mRNA) technology, which relies on synthetic genes that can be generated and manufactured in weeks, and produced at scale more rapidly than conventional vaccines.
Moderna Inc, whose vaccine candidate employs similar technology, is expected to report results from its large-scale trial later this month.
The mRNA technology is designed to trigger an immune response without using pathogens, such as actual virus particles.
Pfizer alone will not have the capacity to immediately provide enough vaccines for the United States.TheTrump administration has said it will have enough supply for all of the 330 million U.S. residents who wish to be vaccinated by the middle of 2021.
The U.S. government has said the vaccines will be provided free toAmericans, including the insured, uninsured and those in government health programs such as Medicare.
Second wave of the pandemic
Planners playing whack-a-mole
IN the last week of October, the country was warned by Specialadvisor to Prime Minister on health Dr Faisal Sultan that a second coronavirus wave had appeared in Pakistan requiring imposition of strict restrictions. he cited the positivity ratio surging to 2.52.75% and a significant increase in coronavirus related mortalities. The SaPM complained that despite the pandemic not being over yet, people were not adhering to recommended precautions as they should, given the pandemic was still far from over. Federal Ministerasad Umar recommended that all employees in public and private offices wear masks. SaPM Faisal Sultan warned that the government would impose a fine on people who did not follow coronavirus SOPs in public places.
Two days later the National command and Operation centre (NcOc) made it compulsory for all citizens to wear a face mask when stepping out of their homes. The NcOc called on all provinces to ensure that people wore masks and adhered to standard operating procedures (SOPs), particularly in bazaars, shopping malls, public transport and restaurants. It appears that the plan was not fully discussed with the provinces as the required action still remains to be taken. Directives without enforcement plans are no more than sermons.
On Monday the NcOc again warned that there was sharp increase in new cases of coronavirus and the total number of infections and mortalities had increased further. Without getting earlier directives enforced the NcOc has this time issued new guidelines for weddings in selected cities which are to be observed from November 20. While there is no doubt a need to regulate the marriage festivities, which are presently helping in the spread of the pandemic, there is an even greater requirement to enforce wearing of masks and maintaining social distancing by all who come out of their homes. It is a bad policy to change priorities every other weak.
What is worrisome is that all the four provinces have shown slackness in implementing the coronavirus related SOPs. If the provincial governments have capacity related issues that stand in the way of their carrying out the assignment, it is the NcOc’s job to devise ways and means to help them overcome the problem.
Press freedom under the PTI Censorship, intimidation and arrests
YESTErDaY, after a detention of eight months, Editor Jung/Geo group Mir Shakeel-ur-rehman was released on bail by the Supreme court following a rejection of his plea by the Lahore high court earlier. The charges against him have been framed by NaB and are related to purchase of a property “illegally ” 34 years ago when Mian Nawaz Sharif was chief Minister of Punjab. If the Sc proceedings are anything to go by, where NaB’s lawyer admitted that the transaction in question had not resulted in any loss to the exchequer, the accountability watchdog’s case was weak and did not merit a pretrial arrest. In this light, it becomes increasingly difficult, especially for journalists, not to draw the conclusion that the arrest was related to critical reporting of the government by Mr. rehman’s media group.
Over the past two years, a culture of self-censorship has developed within the media that is fuelled by the threat of curtailment in advertisement if a certain editorial line is not followed. Increasing incidents of temporary detainment of reporters by ‘ unknown persons’is another source of fear that restricts journalists from pursuing certain stories. There have been instances where prerecorded interviews of opposition leaders have been abruptly taken off air within few minutes of them being broadcasted.attempts to exert similar control over social media have failed miserably as well, rather embarrassingly for a government that on one hand heavily marketed the idea of ‘digital Pakistan’ while on the other introduced policy that would force major social media companies to share user data with the state as and when required. The government has gone so far as to say that certain media coverage critical of the state can be considered treasonous if it ‘ unintentionally propagates the enemy ’s stance’ . Whenever Prime Minister Imran Khan is questioned about a media crackdown under his government, he insists that Pakistan has one of the freest presses in the world, which is not only a completely unsubstantiated statement but outright ludicrous considering how rapidly the space for dissent and critical reporting has shrunk since the PTI came to power.
The box of
And related thoughts
HASAN AFTAB SAEED
Each time a child comes into the world it is fresh proof that God has not (yet) given up on mankind. a close second to this, when it comes to the blessings of childbirths among relatives and friends, is the guaranteed box of sweets. Few things have the capacity to bring a smile to the face quite like a box of sweets; and for some unknown reason, it is infinitely more fun when you receive it than if you buy it. It has been said that if you knew how these sweets are manufactured you would never eat them.Well, most of us have not seen the process, and we can never have enough of them. Science has left little room for doubt regarding the terrible effects of sweets on one’s health and looks. But all this information does is give them all the irresistible charm of the forbidden fruit. Plus, it is considered bad form not to ‘sweeten the mouth’ to celebrate a loved one’s happiness.Those who are otherwise conscientiously watching their weight happily allow themselves to partake in a gulab jamun or four without feeling guilty about it. Of course, there are those brave souls who, citing their ‘on a diet’ status, politely decline the offer. The nexttimeyouencountersuchaspecimen,quietlyleave the mithai box within his reach and observe his movementsfromasafedistance.chancesarethatbeforethe minute is out his hand will have surreptitiously sneaked its way to the box and will have started transportingthecontentsintohiswaitingmouth.allthebet-
mixed mithai
ter if the scene is recorded for the benefit of posterity, mysteries of the universe.)This is the cue for passing for the expressions on the discovery of being caught on the box of sweets to the paterfamilias, which Provare usually priceless. But do not be too harsh on him idence has prudently provided to all families, doubtfor it requires superhuman resolve to resist this temp- less for this very purpose. tation; and probably even that is not enough. For ac- Some people are of the opinion that those who cording to Mr Khalid Farshori, our leading authority have not been to Lahore are not born yet. There are onsupernaturalphenomena,thelitmustestforwhether others who maintain that those who have not tasted ahouseishauntedistoseeifsugarandsweetsarecon- Bengali sweets do not know what sweets are. Being sumed without human involvement. One occasionally born and lived for many years in Lahore, and having hears reports suggesting that enjoyed some of the Bengali djinns have a penchant for delights, I can confidently mischief, but who would say that the latter opinion is have thought a sweet tooth they possessed as well?and if Some people are of the mu the ch fir b st etter one. founded than djinns tation find irr the esis sugary tible, tempwhat opinion that those who have nu The mber in of exp mit lica hai bly sho hi ps g i h n chance have? do we poor sapiens not been to Lahore are not the country zled those has always of a thoug puzhtful Talking of sweets, born yet. There are others bent. Granted that the nation where have the balu shahi enjoys robust wedding and and the laddu gone? Laddu who maintain that those birth rates; but are they high used wedd to ing b s e ti a ll fix as t l ure ate in as all the who have not tasted Bengali enough such e to render so many stablishments ec of ostart of the nium. Sadly, current mille not anymore. nIn sweets do not know what n o om ne ically adds feasib court le? Even judgmen if ts som was e famili reserved es for balu shahi the birth of sweets are. Being born and that soar send the sales of s ing before their weets Urdu a baby girl whereas laddu lived for many years in translation becomes availfor that of a baby boy. This able, it hardly adds up. here subtle distinction was in line Lahore, and having enjoyed Mr Farshori comes to our with the sentime expecting parents nt h and eld by others some of the Bengali rescue would on we ce do again. without (What him?) in do the n’t fami mind ly, if namely: the baby ‘We is a delights, I can confidently according tures dress to ed him, in w tall hite creahave boy a bo or y. ’ a gir The l, p as long as ractice wa it is s no say that the latter opinion is been mitha o i bserved shops to jus f t reque befo nt re doubt in questionable taste, much better founded than their closing hours. his hybut there is no reason why pothesis: the excess sweets laddu and balu shahi should the first one. are bought by djinns. have had such a spectacular Though yet to pass muster fall from grace. as a theory, this has the merit When it comes to the of beautifully accounting for box of mixed sweets, there is disposal of the tonnes of an invariable sequence to how the items are eaten. mithai manufactured in the country every day. One is The dark coloured gulab jamuns are always the first reminded of the incomparable Dr Bashiruddin Mahto disappear from the box, followed in strict order by mood, who first came up with the proposal of using oval gulab jamuns, barfi, and then chum chum – the untiring energy of djinns to produce electricity. If white ones followed by pink ones. (Some people mis- we could somehow combine the two ideas and devise takenly refer to chum chum as rus gulla. Well, call a a way to make djinns manufacture sweets too! That rose by any name, etc.) So long as the above delica- would be a win-win for everybody. It would also give cies are there to be had, nobody as much as looks at a new meaning to the phrase: ‘Untouched by human the other contents of the box. Strangely enough, once hands. ’ these are no more, the remaining items also start getting consumed until one is left with unnamed atroci- Hasan Aftab Saeed is a connoisseur of music, ties that nobody dares to lay his hand on. (Why they literature, and food (but not drinks). He can be make them in the first place is one of the enduring reached at www.facebook.com/hasanaftabsaeed
A systems failure
Perhaps a hybrid system will work for everyone is f a s ree ystem that has enough to al a lo fr w ee market economy which accumulation of private wealth but not too free to permit exploitation of the treated only as a momentary turbulence in an ocean poor. a system that allows for adequate checks and HumzA AHmAD BArlAS of calm and prosperity. The ocean, of course, is cap- balances against malpractice.above all, a system that italism. at the very least guarantees subsistence to all. Sometimes, critics of the system are conveniently Sounds utopian, right?
AvarIcE is one of the deadly sins. Sadly, labelled communist propagandists. There is nothing wrong in assuming the best for capitalism and the free market economy That capitalism is here to stay is a foregone con- everyone. In fact, that is far better than wishing proscontinue to fall for its intrigues. This fatal clusion. The end of history of sorts. perity for a few at the expense of the rest. Scattered flaw in capitalism brutally exposed itself how true is that? progress doesn’t really serve the purpose of human during the financial crisis of 2008.The col- Quite to the contrary, the enormous difficulties advancement. Striving for a future that carries the lapse of Lehman Brothers opened our eyes to the caused by the financial cri- promise of good and welfare damage that the greed of a few can cause to many. sis of 2008 have in fact for all segments of society is The cabal of banking system, mortgage lenders, strengthened the case for essential for meaningful and credit rating agencies in the US abetted by gov- state intervention in the growth. The lust of a few ernment negligence of epic proportionso a r com crisis plic that ity trigge snatched red aw a ay crisis jobs, economic words, the sp se here. have In str oth uck er at Investing in humanity is the cann nate ot be allo the larger wed goal to of domi holis rendered several homeless and plunged the global the very heart of laissez only way forward. Blinkered tic development. economy into a recession. It was perversely ironic that the banks responsible faire. The failure to reform development is a recipe for to s asys atiate tem the that only greed of tends a few for shattering bonuses to th so eir many mana dreams gement wer and e e doling out mployees, high as if capitalism and ensure circulation of weal wider th is unrest and social discord. It while neglectin system built on g others cruelty, is a vice they were being of the public. rewarded for making complete fools ca sy using stem. cra Th c e ks d wi em thin and the for only creates the illusion of and kno savagery. w, is one avarice, as of the dea we dly ery They were, of others. in fact, making money out of the mis- state-led capitalis intervention to t vices is grow fix ing prosperity whereas in sins. machi Succum nations bing will to h its alt and when the curtains were lifted from their un- stronger. reality only a small minority human advancement and ulcan ran ny practice high. Still, s, it calls for reform was perhaps too and a much ccount to ask abili for. ty the Of special importance is demand for social safety benefits at the expense of a tima phe. tely lead to a catastroBecause Leaders the usual gathered happened. around. Promised reform and nets and as t universal incomes. he discontents of large majority. suc The only h a catast way roph to e i prevent s to inaccountability. Governments took one or two small capitalism raise their heads vest in shared progress. steps to placate public sentiments. against the travesties of the Investing in humanity is and the fools (read public) bought in their rhet- system, its beneficiaries the only way forward. Blinkoric of raising living standards to new heights; only will try to undo calls for ered development is a recipe to lament the depths of their folly later on. change. already, we are witnessing all over the for unrest and social discord. It only creates the illuThe sages that promised reform never translated world a fierce contest between the elite’s greed and sion of prosperity whereas in reality only a small mitheir words into action. Either because they never the poor’s need- a contest that is being accentuated nority benefits at the expense of a large majority. wanted to or perhaps, they did not know how to. by populist leaders. Bridging the gap between the haves and have Maybe they just caved into pressure from large cor- Depending on which side ultimately wins, the fu- nots will create an atmosphere of shared prosperity porations, businesses and banks. ture could either be one of shared prosperity or of too and fulfil the promise of human development. In order to preclude any overhaul of the system few holding too much of global wealth. its beneficiaries- MNcs, banks, and their supporters But if greed can be regulated by the states and The writer is a graduate in Public Administration in legislatures- constantly remind us of the immense moderated by compassion, perhaps a far better sys- from the National University of Sciences and growth and development ushered in by capitalism tem can be allowed to evolve.areformed capitalism Technology (NUST). He can be reached at since the end of World War II. The crisis of 2008 is of sorts. humza.a.barlas@gmail.com
I want my American dream back
A once great nation divided by one man
Dr AloN-BEN mEir
AS a little Jewish boy in the streets of Baghdad I was looked upon by arab boys my age as inferior. I became accustomed to it as if it were a natural phenomenon which I could do little to change. When my family and I landed in Israel following the historic exodus of the Iraqi Jews I did not understand why we were uprooted to go to a foreign land. But even at that tender age of nine or ten I felt that being among other Jewish boys I would no longer be looked down upon; but that was not the case. I wondered why, why? ‘We are Sephardic Jews, ’ my brother told me ‘theashkenazi Jews do not think of us as equal’ and so, living among my fellow Jews did not change my plight. I left Israel to study in Europe and could not help but look back but in anger. To my chagrin, though not as much to my surprise here too, in the cradle of Western democracies, racism and discrimination were just under their skin. and I could feel it deep in my veins. In France I was seenasanundesirableintruder.InEngland,aforeigner, a stranger. Though I loved the European culture and their way of life Europe was not a welcoming home to meet my yearning desire. all the while I had been hearing about the “americandream”Themagic,thesoundthesetwo words exude wholly captured my imagination. Going back to the lands that rejected me was no longer the path I’ll travel as my longing to reach theamerican shores was the only thing that was anchored in my mind. I imagined america as the land of the free that gave voice to the forgotten. Where race, color, and creed do not matter and human rights friends and allies and cozied up to its adversaries are guarded with zeal. Where the ingathering of and foes. he tarnishedamerica’s exceptionalism all cultures and people made it richer and grace and sacrificed its greatness on the altar and human resources and talent knew no limits of his illusions and shame. or constraints. Trump is cunning, cruel, and corrupt, deWhere opportunity awaits the able and gen- ranged, delinquent, and deceptive. he is a narerosity is extended to the needy.Where everyone cissist, white supremacist, and racist a bigot, is equal before the law and political differences brutal, and beastly. are valued to makeamerica better. Not a single maligning word in the English Where sacrifices are willingly made to dictionary does not fit Trump’s personality and right the wrong and morals and fortitude guide demeanor. its leaders. Where caring about friends and al- Four more years of Trump would have irlies is the hallmark of the nation and opposing reparably impaired america, tear the country oppression near and far is the emblem that dis- asunder, weaken its exemplary institutions, tinguished america. This is the character of sow chaos, trepidation, and fear threaten libamerica, This is the soul of america. This is erty and the freedom of the press and gravely what made america poison the socio-politgreat. ical order. The america that Four more years of gave me a home. The Trump in power would am my erica th dreams. at fulfilled Four more years of Trump have squandere p d ermane ameri ntly ca’s These were the in power would have leadership role, bankideals that held ameri- rupt america’s moral cans together and with permanently squandered standing, embolden all for that an a d merica believ stands es in. America’s leadership role, ameri compr ca’s omise ene the mies, secua is merica not a was perf never and ect union bankrupt America’s moral rity of leavea our mer allies, and ica’s foes to and every pr from Lincoln esi to dent Nix — on standing, embolden cheer N its decline. o man should be has transgressed in one America’s enemies, allowed to destroy form or another. america’s noble expeBut thenamerica’s compromise the security rience. his enablers— strive ideals to ha l s ive an u d p w to ill its al- of our allies, and leave the leadership rep their ublican deafenways be new end as if it eavour wer and e n a o America’s foes to cheer ing shor s t ile of nce is n treason. othing country tory has in ris hum en to an hisgovern its decline. de h mn istory them wi for ll ha conving with such a vision and sold their country by resolve placing the putting their personal right of the individual and party interest beat the core of its constitution. With all of its fore the nation’s. They are so intoxicated with faults and failings Two hundred and forty years power caring less where america will be after of theamerican experience have madeamerica four more years of Trump. the beacon for all nations. No, america will never be the same if they Young and old, large and small countries are allowed to crush the once-cherished amerilooked at america with awe and admiration. can dream. Never has it occurred though to the multitude of and as long I can discern right from wrong, americans that one man, in four short years Iwillfightalongsidemillionsofmyfellowamerwould nearly shatter everything that america icans to restoreamerica’s greatness and grace. stood for. Because I want myamerican dream back. he sullied the country ’s character and fouled its soul. he gravely injured its revered institu- Dr Alon Ben-Meir is a professor of tions and battered its unity as one nation. international relations at the Centre for Global he alienated americans from one another Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on and basked in the polarization and division he international negotiation and Middle Eastern gleefully fostered. he betrayed america’s studies. alon@alonben-meir.com
Editor’s mail
Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively Congratulations Pakistan cricket team
PaKISTaN cricket team showed consistency by winning the second match of the three match T20 series against Zimbabwe to win the shortest format of the game series by 2-0 with one match remaining. Babarazam has scored two fifties in both matches to assist his team to win over Zimbabwe.although in the first Twenty20 match, the visitors gave tough time to the hosts, but in the second one, Pakistan completely dominated. It may be mentioned here that Zimbabwe have lost thirteen T20 International matches against Pakistan including this.additionally, Zimbabwe has never won a match against Pakistan during the last 22 years in Pakistan apart from the last bilateral (ODI) in the ongoing series. I hope the streak would be continued and the team would show better performances in the upcoming series as well. Hamal m.NaHEEm BugH
Standing for Kashmir
ThE International Lawyers Forum hosted a reception in the honour of hamza Farooque (Kashmri leader) who is the great grandson of Moulvi abdullah (known as the Socrates of Kashmir and the Mentor of the Great Kashmiri Leader Shiekhabullah), at a local hotel.after the recitation of the holy Quran and Nationalanthem, Barrister habibullah Bolach presented Sindhiajrak, Mehmood Khanadvocate presented the Jinnah cap and Sulman Farad presented flowers to the chief guest hamza Farooque. Speaking on this occasion Nasirahmedadvocate, chairman ILF said he is the great grandson of Moulviabdullah, stating that his family strived with immense efforts for the pursuit of freedom for occupied Kashmir. he further went on to appeal to the new President Elect, Joe, Biden, to take necessary steps regarding human rights violation in occupied Kashmir & decimation amendment in law. hamza Farooque speaking on this occasion stated that he will make sure that “a complete diplomatic offensive like never before in Pakistan’s history ” will be taken with Pakistan developing a much stronger stance on all legal points concerning Kashmir. he appealed to the aid of the Government of Pakistan and the Foreign Ministry to liaise with him to achieve this goal. hamza Farooque regardedarticle 370 of the Indian constitution to be an unconstitutional abomination which now has officially led to India being nothing more than an occupational force in occupied Kashmir. hamza Farooque further went on to state that this is a game changer in the dynamics of this crisis as the abrogation of the constitution came within only one month of the Office of the United Nations high commissioner for human rights releasing a report condemning India on the severe human rights violations seeking to probe into the issue. The human rights report was released on the 8th of July, 2019 and the Indian constitution removedarticle 370 on the 5th of august, 2019. Not only did India refuse the report, but being afraid of the consequences of an official UN probe which would ultimately expose India for the atrocities committed by the BJP Government they removed the article to justify the tyranny as an “internal matter” . JamSHEd ali KHowaJa KaracHi
Shocking statement
PaKISTaN’S deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has blamed the chief ofarmy Staff and some other senior officials of the Pakistani army, taking their names in a public rally, which is against all sense and political convention. he blamed these respectable figures for the current political situation in the country, as the Opposition has held their massive joint rally against PM Imran Khan-led government. Listening to this shocking statement, I thought a little and became astonished about his policies during his rule and now then blames the selected.I recognize the country is going through a very difficult period. But according to our prestigious Prime Minister, he needs to promote his work of making those in trouble who were involved in making the country ’s status so outrageous. We hope Nawaz would soon reveal evidence to support the government. BarKatullaH turBat
It is business now
aMErIca has chosen Joe Biden as next President.after all the hype and hoopla, things have started to settle down now. The whole world had been keenly watching thisamerican election. I had then been getting the news doses from channels like BBc, cNN. True, the US has been grappling with so many crises compared to before. Even before the election, there were reports of violence and racial slurs across the region. hence, it has been proved thatamerica is now nothing short of a mix of people from various backgrounds from across the world. Pointing the finger at others won’t do any good. It is in the right frame of mind to appreciate the good things done by predecessors instead of criticizing. In my native areas like Korkai, Tuticorin, Tiruchendur, Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Marthandam, Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, the people have been remembering and admiring the good job of ancestors my grandfather was a renowned government servant in ancient times. The newly elected Joe Biden team has huge responsibility ahead. Last time around, I had gone through some serious letters fromamerican farmers in newspapers like ThE WaShINGTON POST, ThE NEWYOrK TIMES. They were talking about crises in their farming and livelihood. The machinery of the media and government must talk seriously of these issues. The world history has been witness to numerous bright explorers from the West-most of whom had travelled widely across the East. The USashould pay more attention to the happenings inasia that has been not only the energy machine but also home to giant economies. It is back to serious and sincere business. having been home to almost everything from farm produce to technology, the US is now bound for extensive hard work by default in the best interests of all. Team Biden should handle crises coming from within and emerging from across the world through proper policies and making the most of the mandate given by the people out there. P SENtHil SaravaNa durai mumBai
08 WORLDVIEW A prevIew of BIden’s foreIgn poLIcy
THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE NEW PRESIDENT AND THE OLD ONE? EXPERIENCE, CIVILITY AND APPRECIATION OF ALLIES
BloomBerg JAmes stAvridis
Igot to know Joe Biden when I was a combatant commander for the Barack Obama administration, first at the U.s. southern Command and then most deeply in my four years at the Northatlantictreaty Organization. Once, at a dinner hosted byamerica’s NatO ambassador in Brussels, I watched the then-vice president meet with ambassadors and foreign ministers from the 27 other nations then in the alliance.
Biden walked around the large table and was able to comment in depth on any number of the countries, from huge Germany to tiny Iceland, with a short vignette about a visit to this or that city, or a telling anecdote concerning a head of state, or a comment on current policy. this was not the result of memorized crib sheets from his staff: Biden did it off the top of his head, and it was a natural and unforced demonstration of his long term of service not just domestically, but also in the larger world.
While the 2020 election campaign understandably focused on domestic issues, Al JAzeerA AsAd dAndiA
Last month, French President Emmanuel Macron declared in an address to the nation that “Islam is a the world” . In the same speech, he ening laïcité, France’s unique iteration of capitation of a schoolteacher, the vicious stabbing of two Muslim women and diplomatic spats have reignited global anxieties about the entanglement between Islam and
Much has been written about France’s weaponisation of laïcité to discriminate africa – what it called its “mission civilisatrice” (civilising mission). this violence mentioned as France’s contribution to paralleled violence that was, and continues to be, meted out to its historic Others. But (and other) colonialism, imperialism and
When I first read Macron’s remarks and has anyone checked up on them? the Biden is a former chairman of the senate Foreign Relations Committee, and reinforcing america’s geopolitical primacy will be high on his agenda.
He will bring a deeply experienced team of foreign and security policy advisers with him into government, many veterans of the Obama administration. Having worked alongside nearly all of them, I would say this might be the deepest initial bench any president has brought to the White House in the post-Vietnam era. among them: Nicholas Burns, William Burns and tony Blinken held top jobs at the state Department; avril Haines and Michael Morell similarly helped guide the CIa; Michele Flournoy, Lisa Monaco and Jeh Johnson filled senior roles involving defense and homeland security; susan Rice was ambassador to the United Nations and national security adviser.
Whether all of these serious players will take on official roles remains to be seen, but it is a very good start.and a real strength of a Biden foreign policy team would likely be stability. Donald trump has had four national security advisers in as many years. Look for members of a Biden team to have long terms. as we begin to contemplate the Joe Biden approach to the world, it is worth examining the similarities and differences with the outgoing trump administration. It may come as a surprise, but many aspects of foreign and security policy will likely continue on their current trajectory, albeit with different style and grace notes.
Biden has signaled that he intends to UNIQUELY IN CRISIS enment liberalism’s oppositional foil has been discussed so much that it need not be examined here. Let us, however, take Macron’s statement descriptively: Is Islam
If by “Islam” , Macron means Muslim minorities in North america and Western fact, it is precisely in “the West” – which the advent of mass literacy, mass migration and information technology (including social media) have collectively facilitated a vibrant cultural and intellectual transformation among Muslims in the Global North, the likes of which preceding generations could never have imagined. Never have more Muslims been so actively engaged in creatively studying, interpreting, contesting and embodying their tradition as they are today. challenge traditional authority in exegesis, ethics, politics and more, without the need for white liberal saviours. Black Muslims documented, are at the forefront of social more capaciously about imagining a world beyond policing, prisons and the carceral one another) – led by Muslims – further jects and their descendants and now globtake a relatively tough stance on China, for example.this will include continuing to address the pre-Covid basket of challenges the U.s. has with Beijing: claims of territoriality and construction of artificial islands in the south China sea; trade and tariff imbalances; intellectual property theft; and shadowy conflicts in cybersecurity. there will also be continuing pressure on various terrorist groups, including alQaeda, the so-called Islamic state, and al shabaab in Eastafrica. Likewise, with economic and diplomatic pressure on the corrupt Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela. and the general idea of bringing home troops from “the forever wars” is likely, albeit at a more measured pace based on conditions on the ground.
But the differences are going to be far more pronounced than the similarities. at the top of the list will be an immediate (and sensible) return to the Paris Climate accords, moving the U.s. back into a leadership role in international environmental efforts. this is a potential zone of cooperation with China that I suspect will be explored seriously. this more collegial global effort in climate will lay alongside a generally higher appreciation for cooperation with other international organizations: the World Health Organization and other United Nations entities; regional groups such as the Organization of american states and association of southeast asian Nations; and, dear to my heart, NatO. similarly, this team will be more inclined to invest in treaties as tools to help shape the world in ways that help U.s. objectives. at the top of the list will be a new strategic arms limitation agreement with
In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, loyal patriots committed to the myths of american exceptionalism in order to avoid a long time, Muslims sought a “seat at the ticulating a consciousness with an acute violence exerted by places like the Us and France.
Like other traditions that challenge the Black, Indigenous, Marxist or feminist traditions – all of which intersect and inform offer, drawing from a 1,400-year heritage community than to its stagnation or backwardness. But what if by “Islam” , Macron there is no doubt that the “Muslim mixed results, most devastating in syria, Iran. the Gulf arab monarchies marshal a façade of social liberalisation that is overIraq and afghanistan remain entangled in myriad power struggles amid the fallout of Russia, to replace the expiring New staRt pact, and perhaps over time with China. Russia has signaled a willingness to hammer out an accord. a Biden administration will also consider revisiting the intermediate-range nuclear forces treaty, which was abandoned by the trump administration; the open skies agreement for nuclear weapons verification; and possibly the Iranian nuclear deal.all of this will signal a return to classic diplomacy.
I am being asked often about the defense budget under President Biden. Despite some calls from the left wing of the Democratic Party to slash defense deeply, I suspect the dollar amount will stay flat or drop by a percentage or two.there will, however, be a realignment within that budget to emphasize 21st-century tools of warfare: cybersecurity; unmanned vehicles (not just aerial drones, but also satellites, unmanned submarines and surface ships); special Forces; hypersonic weapons; and artificial intelligence. this will come at the expense, probably, of troop levels and some number of very expensive large platforms (aircraft carriers and army brigade combat teams). Modernization of the nation’s nuclear arsenal, begun under Obama, may be put on hold.
In terms of individual nations, the degree of similarity and difference between trump and Biden will vary. Iran should expect a return to negotiations, but not to the exact previous nuclear deal. North Korea may find a willingness to consider creative solutions, such as allowing it some number of nuclear weapons but with restrictions and inspecamerica’s forever wars. the Balkans are tivism that led to the Bosnian genocide. them is also the consequence of particular of this essay. Even a cursory glance at the a discourse which serves as nothing more well and has extended to Iraq, algeria, sudan and Lebanon in the last year. Palestinians and Kashmiris maintain their against ostensibly liberal democracies. Women’s and minority-led movements in turkey, Pakistan and Iran continue to gal-
Gulf arab dissidents refuse to toe the against repression. Muslims of India mobilised the largest mass-led demonstrations of when, not if. against all odds, Muslim that when the world brings its worst, they lims become a Moses.
What is also overlooked is the role of sustaining the very illiberal systems of opFrance are staunch allies of Israel, India, continue to enjoy uncritical american and and threats to its sovereignty allow Iranian eralism where american and French warplanes and corporations can permeate borders in one direction while refugees are ment of this liberalism depends on the enwhere what was previously colonial exploitation by imperial metropoles is now
When the world at large is witnessing an unprecedented surge in far-right movements, the breakdown of governing institions on delivery systems. two leaders who enjoyed privileged access and a warm relationship withtrump — Recep tayyip Erdogan of turkey and Vladimir Putin of Russia — are unlikely to find that same degree of friendliness.
With China, look for the development of a stand-alone China strategy, which will probably have carrots and sticks in the mix. aBiden team will also push on human rights and political freedoms in respect to Hong Kong, taiwan and the Uighurs. traditional allies, both in the Pacific and Europe, will have willing partners in the Pentagon and state Department.arab states such as saudi arabia will find a pragmatic ally looking to construct a coalition to put pressure on Iran, but also one that will hold them to task on human rights.
Many Israelis will be sorry to seetrump go but will quickly accommodate themselves to Biden. He has a long and strong personal relationship there and, for example, will not seek to reverse the move of the U.s. Embassy from tel aviv to Jerusalem. the Biden team will support strengthened ties between Israel and thearab states in the face of Iranian challenges.
In africa and Latin america, there will be sincere respect (e.g. no more allusions to “shithole countries”) and an effort to construct win-win solutions to our differences. allies and friends will be wary after four years of divisiveness and the policy of america First — which at times trended toward america alone, as the administration withdrew from agreements, pulled back troops, and walked away from traditional methods of doing business.aBiden administration won’t make all of them happy on all issues. But nearly every one of them will welcome a change.
James Stavridis is a retired U.S. Navy admiral and former supreme allied commander of NATO, and dean emeritus of the Tufts University.
‘Islam’ is not in crisis, liberalism is
WHEN THE WORLD IS FACING UNPRECEDENTED POVERTY, VIOLENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL COLLAPSE, IT ASTONISHES THAT ONE COULD SUGGEST THAT MUSLIMS OR“ISLAM”ARE
religion that is in crisis today all over unveiled a political programme for strengthsecularism that stringently restricts religion in the public sphere. since then, a brutal delaïcité.
against Muslims and on the history of French liberalism as a rationale for the brutal colonisation of millions of peoples acrossasia and is as much part of French history as its revolutionary triad of liberté, égalité, and fraternité (liberty, equality and fraternity).
It is only the latter, however, that is ever modernity.there is seldom a reckoning with the dark underbelly of liberalism, and the unMuslims – having borne the brunt of French racist violence – know it all too well. Indeed, for many, Macron’s call for an “Islam of the Enlightenment” is viewed as the latest development in that history.
about Islam in crisis, the immediate question that occurred to me was:Who is this “Islam” truth is that the trope of “Islam” as Enlightin crisis?to answer that question, we would have to begin with defining the terms.
Europe, then on the contrary, there has never been a more exciting time to be Muslim. In Macron and his predecessors have long positioned as the antithesis of “Islam” – where some of the richest discourses among Muslims are emerging.
Muslim women are bringing to the fore their subjectivities to assert their agency and and Muslims ofafrican descent, whose long history of resistance in theamericas is welljustice organising, calling on people to think logics of nation-states. the growing body of scholarly literature on Islam in the English language, be it in academic settings or in normative confessional settings (with the two often cross-pollinating bears witness to the flourishing of Islam in the West. It is safe to say that English, once a language of Empire, reclaimed by its subalised, is as much an “Islamic” language as are Persian or Malay.
Muslims – particularly in the United states – were compelled to position themselves as being suspected of being a fifth column. For table” to demonstrate this loyalty. today, Muslim communities are spending less time seeking a seat at the table and more time building tables of their own, without having to pander to power. they are arawareness of the various structures of Islamophobic violence that have in large part been responsible for shaping their global dispossession, subjugation, surveillance and more. and yes, that includes challenging the state
hegemony of the dominating global order of racial capitalism and white supremacy, be it each other – the Islamic tradition has carved its place as one that has its own critiques to spanning from the americas to Morocco to Indonesia. I would argue this is a testament to the richness and vibrancy of the Muslim meant the Muslim world? world” (in quotes because the category is not without its problematics) is struggling. the aftermath of thearab spring has thus far had Libya and Yemen. the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the Indian occupation of Kashmir continue unabated. Right-wing nationalist movements have either overtaken or are gaining ground in turkey and Pakistan.
Dissidents continue to be imprisoned in shadowed by the quashing of political rights. seeing a revival of the same exclusionary naWhile many of these crises overlap, each of historical circumstances that demand rigorous analyses which are beyond the purview factors that shaped them makes it very clear that these crises can hardly be boxed into a totalising discourse about “Islam in crisis” –than a cover to avoid grappling with the very complicated histories that brought the “Muslim world” to where it is today.
What is overlooked is that despite all of this, the spirit of thearab spring is alive and decades-long struggles for justice and rights vanise against discrimination, patriarchy and state violence.
line of their autocrats by raising their voices asserting their rights.
For all of the above, justice is a question populations and their allies continue to show offer their best. In the face of Pharaoh, Mus-
liberalamerican and French governments in pression they claim to oppose. the Us and Egypt and the Gulfarab states, all of whom European patronage and weapons; even Iran, an avowed enemy of theWest, paradoxically benefits whenamerica’s crippling sanctions leaders to shore up national legitimacy.
We ought to interrogate the kind of libkept out from the other; where the advancetrenchment of illiberal regimes and policies; translated into postcolonial extortion, sanctions and threats via international institutions and corporations.
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at tutions, skyrocketing inequalities and impending climate catastrophe, it astonishes that one could suggest that Muslims or “Islam” are uniquely in crisis. We would do better to understand that our challenges are interconnected, and to suggest that “Islam” is the sole – or even a meaningful – unit of analysis or explanatory factor for crisis is tenuous at best.
It is in fact liberalism – the political philosophy birthed out of the Enlightenment which marshalled freedom, equality, and autonomy – that is in crisis. Its ideals are hardly exclusively of European provenance, being as they are present in numerous non-European traditions, but it is Europe’s stream that dominates the global terrain today.
From the left, liberalism is charged with being founded upon violent and racist dispossession of its historic Others and birthing the system of global inequality that exists today. Its staunchest critics from this side include american philosopher Cornel West and Indian writer Pankaj Mishra. these critics argue that the “chickens have come home to roost” for liberal states, as the violence they wrought upon the world’s masses has now exposed their cracks, which can no longer be veiled by the veneer of equality and freedom, which were conditional to begin with.
While critics from the left may cherish the freedoms of liberalism with the aim of transcending them through political economy, liberalism’s critics from the right –such asamerican scholars Patrick Deneen and adrian Vermeule – castigate its very foundations. they view it as an atomising and suffocating ideology that untethers human beings from any sense of community or social commitment to one another. While the left and right may disagree on the solutions, both know that the time for liberalism’s reckoning has come. Even american political scientist Francis Fukuyama, patron-saint of liberalism, is sounding the alarm bells.
Macron can rest assured that Islam will be all right; that Muslims have overcome many a crisis and will overcome many more. as for those of us who are concerned for humanity at large, now is the time to think deeply together, to lean in to one another, and to listen with a spirit of openness and empathy as we face the global crises that threaten Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Who knows, maybe this “Islam” can offer a thing or two to address liberalism’s crisis.
CORPORATE CORNER
Ufone, AJM Pharma join hands for clinical trials of Covid vaccine in Pakistan
KARACHI: Ufone has joined hands withAJM Pharma (Pvt) Ltd to offer a reliable call center solution. Call center representatives will provide information related to the clinical trials of novel coronavirus vaccine. People can access information about hospitals/research sites performing the clinical trials in the country, register themselves as volunteers for the trial and also get an online prescreening by calling the helpline. Ufone executed the entire process of call center deployment along with recruitment and training within a week that helpedAJM Pharma in timely execution of their new project. The vaccine candidateAd5-nCoV, intended to prevent Covid19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, is jointly developed by CanSino Biologics Inc and the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology.
ACE Money Transfer, Bank Alfalah partner for cross border payments
LAHORE:ACE Money Transfer has advanced its services and partnership with BankAlfalah by launching a mega incentive campaign for its customers sending remittances to Pakistan and which are paid by BankAlfalah. Customers stand to win various prizes, including high-end laptops, smartwatches, motorbikes, gift vouchers and a grand bumper prize of a brand new 1.8L Honda Civic car. “By launching this incentive campaign with BankAlfalah, we look forward to giving back to our customers who trust our services with their hard-earned money, ” said RashidAshraf, CEO ofACE Money Transfer. “By working with them we have significantly expanded the scope of our services including instant account deposit service to all bank accounts in Pakistan. ”
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) has collaborated with DETASAD (DETECON Al Saudia Co Ltd), a Saudi-German joint venture and a leading contributor to the ICT sector of Saudi Arabia, to establish a digital cloud marketplace in Pakistan.
KARACHI: Shan Foods Private Ltd has decided to implement SAP S/4HANA as part of the company’s digital transformation plan. With the implementation of SAP's S/4HANA private cloud edition, Shan Foods will be able to drive its business operations efficiently through deployment of next-generation integrated business planning tools.
KARACHI: Byco Petroleum Pakistan Ltd has partnered with Daraz to launch its flagship online lubricants store on Daraz. Byco’s flagship store on daraz.pk is currently live now and will offer customers a safe and reliable platform to choose from its extensive range of authentic lubricants, specially formulated for passenger-cars, motorcycles, and diesel-engines.
NEPRA raises power tariff by Re0.48 per unit
ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has issued a notification to increase the price of electricity by Re0.4828 per unit, putting an overall burden of Rs5 billion on the consumers. According to a notification issued by NEPRA on Monday, the authority, after incorporating the aforementioned adjustments, has reviewed and assessed an increase of Re0.4828/kWh in the applicable tariff for XWDISCOs on account of variations in the fuel charges for the month of August 2020. STAFF REPORT
buSINESS 09 GOvT MAy fURThER ExTENd CONCEssiONAl RlNG sUPPly TO UREA PlANTs Till fEB 2021
ISLAMABAD SHAHZAD PARACHA
THE federal government is likely to extend concessional RLNG supply to urea plants till February 2021, it was learnt on Monday. Sources said that the Ministry of Industries and Production has sent a summary to the Economic Coordination of Committee (ECC) seeking extension of subsidized gas supply toAgritech Ltd and Fatima Fertilizer. The ministry opined that local production would help the government overcome any possible shortage of urea.
The ECC, in its last meeting, had constituted a three-member committee under the chairmanship of industries & production minister to prepare a proposal for the further operation of above-mentioned plants.
It may be noted that the government in August this year had operationalized Agritech Ltd and Fatima Fertilizer for three months through provision of RLNG at subsidized rates. The supply period was then extended till December 31 by the ECC during its October 21 meeting. POSSIBLE HIKE IN UREA OFFTAKE: Last week, the Ministry of Food Security & Research and National Fertilizer Development Centre (NFDC) had conveyed to the government projections of a 10pc increase in urea offtake during the ongoing Rabi season.
Sources said the ministries had made the projection based on the recent increase in minimum support price for wheat and governments' (federal and provinces) plan of subsidizing urea to farmers. FERTILIZER SUBSIDY PACKAGE: Moreover, the government is finalizing a Rs37 billion Fertilizer subsidy package, under which the center and provincial governments will give subsidies to farmers on fertilizer purchases.
Sources said that the Punjab government has agreed to provide a subsidy of up to Rs200 per bag of urea to farmers; however, Sindh and KP were asking the federal government to provide the subsidy from the central government’s kitty.
The federal government is currently negotiating the issue with these provinces.
PESHAWAR AZIZ BUNERI
NationalAssembly SpeakerAsad Qaiser has said that the Rashakai Economic Zone, which has been built under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 21.
Qaiser announced this while talking to media after a review meeting on the Rashakai Economic Zone inauguration at the residence of CPEC Committee Chairman and NA Member Arbab Sher Ali Khan on Monday. Federal Defence Minister Pervez Khan Khattak was also present on the occasion. "The Rashakai Economic Zone will usher in a new era of growth that will help further develop our economy, " Qaiser said. "The incumbent government is taking all possible steps to develop the country's economy on modern lies, besides ensuring welfare of the people and promoting trade relations withAfghanistan. "
He said that trade expansion with Afghanistan would not only provide employment opportunities to the people of both countries but would also bring peace in the region. He said the new zone would employ around 200,000 people.
The NA speaker reiterated that a peaceful Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan. Islamabad wanted to further strengthen its trade ties with central Asian countries which would not be possible without peace and stability inAfghanistan, he added. "We would also inviteAfghanistan to formally join CPEC so that the country could be put on the track of development, " the speaker said. "An economically developedAfghanistan will defeat terrorism & extremism and bring durable peace in the war-riddled country. ”
Qaiser maintained that Pakistan was taking all possible measures to enhance its trade volume with Afghanistan, adding that work on the fulfillment of commitments made by the incumbent government for promotion of trade withAfghanistan was underway in full swing.
On a query, he said comprehensive reforms were underway in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which were aimed at specifically benefitting the downtrodden segment of the province.
OGDC revenue drops Rs7bn in 1QFY21
ISLAMABAD APP
The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) registered a sales’revenue of Rs59.528 billion for the first quarter (July-Sept) of FY21 as compared to Rs66.204 billion in the corresponding year of last year.
“Despite coronavirus pandemic and a natural decline in existing hydrocarbon deposits, OGDC managed to produce around 36,221 barrels per day (BPD) of crude oil, 904 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) gas and 714 tonnes per day (TPD) of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the first quarter of FY21. The company, during the corresponding period of the last year, had extracted 37,560 BPD crude oil, 960 MMCFD gas and 702TPD of LPG, ” the company ’s quarterly report available withAPP stated.
During the period under review, the company contributed around 47pc, 29pc and 36pc towards the country ’s total oil, natural gas and LPG production, respectively.
OGDC also injected two new wells, producing 65,233 barrels crude oil and 368 MMCF gas in its production gathering system besides carrying out 27 work-over jobs at mature fields to arrest the natural decline and sustain oil and gas production.
However, the report said, oil and gas output was impacted by natural decline at Dakhni, Kal, Pasakhi and Tando Alam fields coupled with the non-revival and partial revival of wells.
During the three-month period, the company had spud four exploratory and development wells including Juna-1, Sheen Dund-1, Nangpir-1 and Qadirpur-62, and completed drilling and testing of seven wells pertaining to the previous fiscal year, whereas total drilling stood at 17,620 metres.
The company, being the market leader in Pakistan’s exploration and production sector, holds the largest exploration acreage which as of September 30 stood at 77,591 sq. km, representing 37pc of the country ’s total area under exploration.
Further, the OGDCLacquired a 975 line kilometre (LKM) of 2D seismic data in comparison to 556 line km in the corresponding period last year.The acquired seismic data represented 80pc of total 2D seismic data acquisition in the country.
Moreover, around 1,271 LKM of 2D seismic data and 1,800 sq. km 3D seismic data were also processed using in-house resources.
Govt reopens application receiving process for KJP loans
ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
The government has reopened the application receiving process for Kamyab Jawan Programme (KJP), under which applicants will be provided loans under soft and easy conditions. The provision of subsidised business loans is aimed at the uplift of youth by offering them opportunities to utilise their entrepreneurial potential to the fullest. Under the Prime Minister's Kamyab Jawan Programme, the government has allocated Rs100 billion to give loans to youth having the requisite business plans and skills.As per SpecialAssistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Muhammad Usman Dar, the scheme has huge potential to not only enhance business activities in the country but also to create employment opportunities. "Under the scheme, a 25pc share of the loans has been reserved for women entrepreneurs. " Back inAugust, the government announced to enhance the scope of the Kamyab Jawan Programme by increasing the maximum limit of loan from Rs5 million to Rs25 million.
OGRA starts issuing licences for new CNG stations
ISLAMABAD TLTP
TheAll Pakistan CNGAssociation (APCNGA) said on Monday that the government is promoting compressed natural gas (CNG) to reduce urban pollution, cut oil import bill and increase employment opportunities. In a statement,APCNGACentral Chairman GhiyasAbdullah Paracha said that the government has taken a number of commendable steps to facilitate CNG pump owners, including removal of ban on setting up new CNG stations. "Now Oil and Gas RegulatoryAuthority (OGRA) has started issuing licences for new CNG outlets to those who fulfil all formalities, while ban on import of CNG kits has been lifted and import duty as well as sales tax has been slashed to promote its imports, " the statement read. Paracha said that latest CNG kits would now be available in the country that would result in 15pc extra mileage.
MARKET DAILY PSX falls flat after range-bound session
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday fell flat after a range-bound session, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining only 52 points amid lackluster activity.
Global equity markets, on the other hand, largely remained positive, whereas crude oil prices also inched up from the previous close; WTI crude price rising 2.45pc to $38.05 while Brent Crude price increasing 2.33pc to $40.38. "The market traded within a narrow range today; volumes falling from the previous quarter's average. Banks, fertilizer and off-board scrips largely contributed to the market activity, with HBL and MCB posting price gains. Overnight positivity in US Futures, followed by a positive trend in regional markets also helped investors take a positive view, although muted, about KSE-100, " a report issued byArif
Habib Ltd read.
The benchmark KSE-100 Index oscillated both ways on Monday, recording its intraday high at 40,943.80 (+212.19 points) and low at 40,596.99 (-134.62 points). It settled higher by 52.43 points at 40,784.04.
Among other indices, the KMI-30
Index lost 192.04 points to end at 64,983.51,whiletheKSEAllShareIndex closed flat (+3.36 points) at 28,670.87. CMYK
The overall market volumes fell from 350.41 million shares in the previous session to 276.79 million shares (21pc). Average traded value also declined by 17pc, from $72.5 million to $59.9 million. Power Cement Ltd (POWER +0.85pc), TRG Pakistan Ltd (TRG +6.54pc) and Pak Elektron Ltd (PAEL +3.08pc) led the volume chart, exchanging36.54million,31.98million and 19.21 million shares, respectively. Sectors that kept the benchmark index afloat included banking (+40.20 points), technology & communication (+40.10 pts) and pharmaceutical (+25.72 points).Among the companies, Habib Bank Ltd (HBL +39.59 points), TRG Pakistan Ltd (TRG +37.11 points) and MCB Bank Ltd (MCB +23.52 points) remained the top contributors.
Adding 1.70pc to its cumulative market capitalization, the pharmaceutical sector ended as the session’s top performer, with GlaxoSmithKline Ltd (GLAXO +6.54pc), The Searle Company Ltd (SEARL+2.23pc) and Ferozsons Laboratories Ltd (FEROZ +0.52pc) posting decent gains.
In a notification to the exchange, Avanceon Ltd (AVN -1.03pc) informed that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Avanceon FZE, has secured a contract “for the expansion of the EDC (ethylene dichloride)/VCM (vinyl chloride monomer) Emergency Shutdown System (ESD)” .
UN laUNcHes NeW liBya Talks amid caUTiOUs OpTimism
WHO chief looks forward to working ‘very closely’ with Biden team
GENEVA AGENCIES TUNIS AGENCIES R IVAL Libyan factions met Monday for UN-led talks aimed at bringing a lasting peace to their war-torn North African country and preparing for elections. The meeting in neighbouring Tunisia follows months of relative calm and a key ceasefire deal in October between the two major camps in the long-running conflict. “You have the opportunity to end a tragic conflict, ” UN Secretary GeneralAntonio Guterres told delegates in a video message at the opening ceremony. “Now it’s your turn to shape the future of your country. ” This week’s talks in Gammarth, near theTunisian capitalTunis, aim to unify the country under a single executive and pave the way for national elections. The UNSMIL-led dialogue follows months of relative calm in Libya, which tumbled into chaos following the toppling of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Last month the two main sides in the complex conflict signed a landmark ceasefire agreement, opening the way to a resumption of economically vital oil production and progress on efforts to end years of political deadlock. “This is a unique opportunity, ” UN acting envoy to Libya Stephanie Williams told journalists in Tunis. “There has been significant progress on the ground. ” The latest political talks, part of a multi-track process also involving military and economic negotiations, aim to unify the country under a single executive and pave the way for national elections. “Elections need to be the ultimate objective here, ” Williams added, calling for “a clear road map” towards holding polls as soon as possible. Libya has been dominated by armed groups and divided between two bitterly opposed administrations: the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) based in the capital Tripoli and a rival administration in the east, backed by renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar. Haftar, backed by Egypt, Russia and the UnitedArab Emirates, launched an offensive on Tripoli in April 2019 but was beaten back in June by the GNAwith military support from Turkey in an operation that pushed Haftar’s troops back to the central coastal city of Sirte, Gaddafi’s birthplace. The fighting left hundreds dead and displaced tens of thousands of people.The warring factions returned to the negotiating table in September in UN-supported talks held in Morocco, Egypt and Switzerland. Peter Millett, a former British ambassador to Libya, warned on the first day of talks that “if potential spoilers like Haftar and the militias don’t see themselves benefitting, hostilities could break out again” . “The most important thing is a timeline for elections, ” he said. “It needs to be short, maximum nine months, with key milestones for implementing and a clear message from the international community that they will impose sanctions on anyone who obstructs it. ” Guterres urged world powers to support peace efforts and to respect a longstanding UN arms embargo, words echoed by the host of the talks, Tunisian President Kais Saied. The World Health Organization chief welcomed efforts on Monday to strengthen the Geneva-based body through reform and said that it was looking forward to working closely with the administration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden. WHO’s funding must become more flexible and predictable to end a “major misalignment” between expectations and available resources, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, citing reform efforts by France, Germany and the European Union. “We still have a lot of work left to do, but we believe that we’re on the right track, ” Tedros told health ministers as the annual meeting resumed of the WHO, which groups 194 countries. U.S. President Donald Trump has frozen U.S. funding to the WHO and begun a process that would see the United States withdraw from the body next July, drawing wide international criticism amid the Covid-19 crisis. He accuses the WHO of being “China-centric” in its handling of the pandemic, which Tedros has repeatedly denied. Thai protesters march to palace demand royal re to forms Arab 6 pro League -Palesti hails endorsement of nian UN resolutions Biden, who will convene a national coronavirus task force on Monday, said during campaigning he would rescind Trump’s decision to abandon the WHO on his first day in office. Tedros urged the international community to recapture a sense of common purpose, adding: “In that spirit we congratulate President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala BANGKOK AGENCIES A CAIRO GENCIES refugees, occupied shows in and criticize the Israeli settlement expansion on Palestinian territories.The massive endorsement ternational commitment to "the important role Harris and we look forward to working with this administration very closely. “We need to reimagine leadership, build on mutual trust Despite a burst of water cannon and a police blockade, thousands of Thai protesters marched to the Grand Palace in Bangkok on Sunday to demand curbs to King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s powers and the removal of the government. Police used the water cannon for only the second time in months of largely peaceful protests to demand greater democracy and the departure of Prime TheArab League (AL) has welcomed the recent endorsement of six UN resolutions in favour of the Palestinian people and their rights and opposing Israeli practices, the Cairo-based pan-Arab body said in a statement. "This vote reflects the commitment of the international community towards the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost of which is the right to self-determination and the right of that UNRWA has been playing since its establishment in providing vital services to more than 5.5 million refugees, " said theAL official. He also urged the states that promised financial contributions to UNRWAto fulfill their commitments so that the pro-Palestinian agency could continue its work and overcome the additional challenges posed by the Covid19 pandemic. and mutual accountability to end the pandemic and address the fundamental inequalities that lie at the root of so many of the world’s problems, ” he said.An oversight panel called last week for reforms at the WHO including “predictable and flexible” funding and setting up a multi-tiered system to warn countries earlier about disease outbreaks before they escalate. Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta Palestinian refugees to return to their homes, " SaeedAbu Earlier this week, the Israeli forces demolished a leade racy, r. al “ l When t people he wi k ll ing fin truly d hap cherishe piness, ” s democthe protestAli,ALassistant secretary occupiedArab territories, general for said in the Palestine affairs statement. and sm lea all vin P g alest over inian 70 ci villag vilians e h in om the eles o s ccupied includin Wes g 41 t Bank minors , , No special treatment ers for said in the wal a ls sta of tem the ent pal read ace, a w f h e e w re doze they n met were res at The resolutions were passed last week by the United Nations GeneralAssembly with a committee overwhelma U move t nion. T h h a e t I was srael slammed i-Palestin by ian the con UN flict and has the Europea been going o n n for Trump after stopped flatterin b g y p pol rais ic e e fr lines. om th “ e When y people, ou yo h u ear mu al st l the also ing majorities and were supported by the threeArab countries with which Israel recently signed normalization deals for ian decad lands es, an fol d t lowing he Wes t t he Israeli oc ern-backed cupation creation o o f f Palest Israel inin January 20: Twitter hear fearless criticisms and suggestions all the as well as most European states. 1948. The Palestinians seek to establish their own indesame, ” said the statement, signed “ with power of The renewed resolutions support the UN Relief and pendent state on the 1967 borders, based on the UN-pro- CALIFORNIA equal human dignity ” by “people” . The Royal Works Agency (UNRWA), which helps the Palestinian posed two-state solution. AGENCIES Palace was not available for comment. It has not commented since the start of the protests. But the US President Donald Trump will be subject king said a loved and t mise, as he week ago that the prote hat Thailand was a land greeted thousands of w sters were s of comproell-wishers till Significant differences still to the same Twitter rules when president-elect Joe on January 20, the social as any Biden media other takes comp user offic any e near the very spot that the demonstrators reached on Sunday. Reuters journalists estimated more than 10,000 protesters marched from Democracy Monument in central Bangkok. Police put the remain in EU-UK trade talks has confirmed. Twitter places “public interest” notices on some rule-breaking tweets from world leaders that would otherwise be removed. Such tweets from political candinumber at 7,000. “Reform or revolution, ” read dates and elected or government officials one placard. Police spokesman Kissana LONDON to agree on their future trade relationship. The transition are instead hidden by a warning and Twitter Phathanacharoen said water cannon had been AGENCIES period ends on Dec. 31 but negotiators are still trying to takes action to restrict their reach. But the fired only as a warning. The Bangkok authority ’s reach an agreement to protect nearly a trillion dollars in company said this rule does not apply to emergency unit said one police officer and four Significant differences remain in talks over a trade deal annual trade from possible quotas and tariffs. former heads of state or prime ministers. protesters were hurt during the brief confronta- between Britain and the European Union, both sides said Both sides say an agreement can be struck before “This policy framework applies to current tion outside the palace, where police had set a as they promised to step up efforts to find an agreement. then but little progress has been made over the issues world leaders and candidates for office, and barricade of buses and barbed wire. “We no After a call between British Prime Minister Boris of corporate fair play, fishing rights and the settling of not private citizens when they no longer longer want the monarch to interfere in politics, ” Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von disputes. The chief negotiators, the EU’s Michel hold these positions, ” a Twitter spokesman Jutatip Sirikhan, one of the protest leaders, told der Leyen, both said talks would continue in London next Barnier and Britain’s David Frost has resumed talks in said. It has added warnings and labels to Reuters. ‘PLEASE, KING’ One 25-year-old pro- week but that the main sticking points remained. London on Monday and will “redouble efforts to reach tweets from the @realDonaldTrump actester, who gave his name only as Keng, said “The prime minister set out that, while some a deal” , Johnson’s office said. “Our teams will continue count, including many since Tuesday ’s elec“Please, king, please listen to the people. People progress had been made in recent discussions, significant working hard next week. We will remain in close con- tion that made unfounded allegations of are unhappy because you let the military have differences remain in a number of areas, including the tact in the next days, ” Von der Leyen said. Time is run- voting fraud. It first hid one of his tweets full power and approved their coups. We want so-called level playing field and fish, ” a spokesman for ning out for an agreement this year, and European behind a “public interest” label in May the reform. ” The protesters brought boxes Johnson’s office said. lawmakers who discussed the matter on Friday said that when the president contravened the comstuffed with letters for the king and left them There was a similar message from Von der Leyen. for this to happen, a deal must be in place by the middle pany ’s policy against glorifying violence. near the palace with police agreement. Protests “Some progress has been made, but large differences re- of this month. Under Facebook Inc’s policies, it appears that since July have increasingly called for reforms main especially on level playing field and fisheries, ” she Even if there is a deal, a report this week said trade be- after Mr Biden takes office in January, Mr to the powerful monarchy, breaking a long- said on Twitter. tween Britain and the EU still faces widespread disruption Trump’s posts will also lose their exemption standing taboo against criticising the institution Britain formally left the EU last January but has been from Jan. 1, while systems needed to implement require- from review by the site’s third-party fact- which can be punished by up to 15 years in following the bloc’s rules since then as the two sides try ments of the Brexit divorce deal will not be ready. checking partners. prison. The protesters say the monarchy has helped enable decades of military domination of Thailand, most rcen miership of Prayuth 2014 coup and kept tly by , who it afte approving the preseized power in a r disputed elections India bets big on farmers to rescue economy from pandemic last year. The protesters seek to put the king more clearly under the constitution, reversing NEW DELHI has also supported incomes of farmers ness activities, affected demand and strong. Construction activities have also changes he made shortly after taking the throne AGENCIES and laborers. caused labor shortages. “We are seeing gathered pace. “We continue to witness as well as moves he made to take personal con- Some companies reported a high de- rural markets as well as smaller towns unprecedented retail demand, ” said Hetrol of the palace fortune and some army units. The Indian government is pinning its mand for their services and products in perform relatively better, ” Sanjiv mant Sikka, president at Mahindra & Several dozen royalists earlier held a counter- hopes on the agricultural sector to boost rural areas, including automobiles, ce- Mehta, chairman and managing director Mahindra, which makes tractors. protest at Democracy Monument, wearing yel- the country ’s economy that has been hurt ment, steel, tires and jewelry. “Despite of Hindustan Unilever, was quoted as Some analysts, however, say that low shirts in the colour of the king and waving by the Covid-19 crisis, as bountiful rains Covid-19 and the related lockdown, the saying by Bloomberg. rural demand may not be able to offset Thai flags. Many held up pictures of the king have set the stage for another year of agricultural activities across the country The company sells its products the shortfall in urban demand because the and his late father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. “I record crops, officials say. have almost remained unaffected. This through 8 million outlets in the coun- share of agriculture in gross value added want to protect the monarchy and the king, ” said Statistics show rural incomes in has raised the hope that rural demand try and is Asia’s biggest maker of per- of the Indian economy ranged between Chutima Liamthong, 58. “The monarchy is the India have stayed strong and the produc- could drive the economic recovery, ” said sonal care products by market value. 14.6 percent and 17.8 percent from 2012 identity of Thailand. We cannot stand without tion of monsoon-sown food grains is es- India Ratings and Research, a unit of It has seen its biggest jump in sales to 2020, according to India Ratings and the monarchy, ” she said. Monarchists see the timated to hit a record 144.5 million Fitch Ratings. since 2011. Research. India is the second-worst-hit student-led protesters’ demands for reforms to tons. The government’s decision to raise Meanwhile, in urban areas, compa- Tractors, passenger cars and light by the coronavirus pandemic nation after the institution as a way of getting rid it of en- support prices for some crops and boost nies are still struggling to boost their commercial vehicles are seeing a healthy the US, with more than eight million retirely, although protesters deny that is their goal. spending on rural employment programs sales as the pandemic has ravaged busi- demand as rural buying continues to be ported infections.
AGENCIES
VALENTINO Rossi insists the freeze on engine development for the 2021 MotoGP season is “not an excuse” for Yamaha and its problematic motors.
Due to cost-saving measures brought in as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, all manufacturers(exceptKTM,whoisallowed to build a new engine after losing its concessions) must start the 2021 campaign with their current engine specification. After the firstround,normalupdaterulesapply,meaning all butAprilia will be unable to develop their engines for the rest of the season.
Yamaha has been beset by problems with its engines this year, with its motors AGENCIES Eight years ago, Sergio Perez sat on the brink of great things in F1. He had ansecond – and almost a win – in Malaysia,
McLaren was an option for 2013. So was Ferrari. And it appears Mercedes was too. He went McLaren, winners of the last race of 2012.
That proved to be the wrong decision,
He had just received a phone call from Lawrence Stroll, telling him his contract
The Mexican, who missed two races after testing positive for Covid 19, is arhas left him with very few options. As it WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN: It could when he stood on the podium for the first time in Malaysia. “I remember that day so regularly the slowest through the speed traps and also fragile, with three of its four riders - including Rossi - losing an engine to mechanical issues after the Jerez rounds.
Theenginefreezelookslikeitwillimpact Yamahathehardest,butRossiinsiststhereare other avenues related to engine performance the Japanese marque can look into. “The engine is frozen [for 2021], but it’s not an excuse, ” Rossi said after his European Grand Prixendedwithanengineissue. “InMotoGP now, you can make a lot of things around the enginetoimprovetheperformance,fromthe electronicsside,tothewayto[keep]freshthe engine, to keep the engine temperature low, and from the exhaust [side].
“So, also if you can’t go inside the engine [to improve] you have a lot of different issues that you can improve. “So, for me, if Yamaha can work well and in the right direction, we can do better. ” Rossi’s first race since his return from Covid-19 ended after just five laps, when an “electronic problem” in the engine forced him to park up.
Rossi noted it seems the other manufacturers out-developedYamaha in the pre-season and ultimately moved ahead as the campaign progressed - but stressed the biggest issue is still the engine. “It’s true that like a lot of times, we are ready, we are fast at the beginning of the season, ” he added.
“And then it looks like the other manufacturers bring a lot of new things, so they need some races to fix and at the end of the championship they are very strong.
“But it also depends on race by race, last week Franco [Morbidelli] won and here in Valencia it’s difficult for all the Yamahas.
“I think and I always said to them the engine is a big problem for us because we are always the slowest on the straight, but at the same time we have reliability problems.
“So, we have a lot of problems to finish the season with five engines. So, we don’t have enough performance, but we also don’t have enough reliability.
“Also, the engine character that was for a long time was the strong point ofYamaha, now it looks like the other engines are also smoother in acceleration than us. “If you put all the problems together this is the place world champions (Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton). Having respect from my idols was so big for me. It was a bit of a
That feeling was shared widely in the tinued an upward trajectory, was in
However, McLaren threw a spanner in the works by offering him a deal to drive
At the time, the Woking-based team dotted line with them, rather than Ferrari –THE DECISION THAT CHANGED his interaction with Formula 1’s most famous team. “It was a natural step that a where we have [to improve]. ”
SPORTS 11 Barcelona 5-2 Real Betis: Lionel Messi’s record as a substitute is incredible
AGENCIES
Lionel Messi was a surprise absentee when Ronald Koeman named his Barcelona XI to face Real Betis.
With the Blaugrana on a run of four league games without a win at Camp Nou, nobody expected to see the Argentine named among the substitutes. However, his manager quickly moved to clarify that the forward had a slight ankle problem and wasn’tfitenoughtostart. WetalkedtoLeo, who came out of the Dynamo [Kyiv] game withaniggleandhewasnotfittoplayfrom the start, ” Koeman said in his post-match press conference. “He was on the bench in case we needed him. If he was physically OK, he would have played from the start. ”
Need him they did, as Betis went toeto-toe with Barcelona and went into the break with the scores level at 1-1.
Messi’s introduction after half time had an immediate impact as he set up Antoine
Griezmann to score with a clever dummy.
MESSI’S STARRING ROLE: The 33AGENCIES
Mattia Binotto may not be present at the upcoming Turkish Grand Prix, as he says there’s work to be done to improve Ferrari’s 2021 challenger back at the team’s trackside operations at some of the final I didn’t go to McLaren, I certainly would
McLaren at the time were dominating, they offered me a contract. It made a lot of sense at the time. Unfortunately, it didn’t year-old then netted a brace of his own - the first coming from the spot, his 12th consecutive successful penalty. Messi’s performance secured all three points for Barcelona and it’s no surprise given his extraordinary record as a substitute. Inevitably, it’s rare that he is left out through choice, but he has made 83 appearances coming off the bench for the club, scoring 38 goals and assisting five in all competitions.
No other player has scored as many La
Liga goals off the bench, with 26 in 55 already considering eventually skipping some of the racing in the last part of the “Because at the end, when you ’re responsible for an entire team, certainly the race event is important, but the entire… management of the entire team is even Part of the reason Ferrari have strugable to score any podiums or fight for anything apart from points. Things changed a lot since then. ” (the team that later became Racing Point) gave him a lifeline – and he has rewarded them in buckets – taking five of their six stone of their challenge for P3 in the congames. Real Betis must have been dreading seeing him warm up, not least because
of his record against Los Verdiblancos that was his eighth brace, while he’s also man leaving him out for the first half turned out to be no cause for alarm after all.
Binottoconsideringmissingraces‘startingfrom Turkey’toworkonFerrari’s2021contender
The familiar face of FerrariTeam Principal Maranello base.
This season is gearing up to be Ferrari’s worst in the hybrid era and beyond as they currently sit sixth in the championship with 103 points, compared to three consecutive runner-up finishes from 2017 to 2019.As a result, Binotto has his work cut out to improve their fortunes for 2021 – and is considering taking a step back from overseeing four races of the season in a bid to accelerate the team’s work on the car for next year back at the factory.
“You need always to balance your tasks at the racetrack and at the factory; still the factory is important where we are developing the car, preparing the cars. I think I will not follow all the races, even in 2020 I am season starting from Turkey… “ , he said at the last Grand Prix at Imola.
more important, ” he explained.
scored two hat-tricks in the fixture. Koegled this season is because their perviously
class-leading power unit took a step back in 2020. But Binotto said that results from tests of their 2021 power unit have been “ very promising” …
He said: “I think that next year we may have a completely new power unit.As Ferrari we have invested a lot in developing further the power unit for 2021, furthermore for 2022, the engine is currently running on the dyno.
“I think that the feedback in terms of both performance and reliability are very promising. ” While we may not see Binotto in Turkey, Bahrain orAbu Dhabi, it’s clear that he and the team back at Maranello will be burning the midnight oil to try to get the red cars back to win-
A mistimed McLaren move, and missing out on Mercedes and Ferrari – what might have been for Sergio Perez
nounced himself on the scene with a brilliant and the world was his oyster…
and though he has rebuilt his reputation with Force India and Racing Point, he has never got his hands on a race-winning car and now faces the prospect of leaving F1 without the kind of results his talent appeared to deserve.
Fast forward to this year – and Perez was feeling the pain of rejection.
with Racing Point would be ended early, at the end of the season, with Sebastian Vettel being drafted in to replace him.
guably in the form of his life and driving better than ever, but Racing Point’s late decision stands, it looks like it’s Red Bull or nothing if he is to stay on the grid in 2021. have all been so different, from that moment clearly, ” says Perez, as we chat in the Racing Point motorhome at pre-season testing.
“Walking onto your first podium is a big thing. And I was there standing next to two shock being next to them, in such a difficult race. Fernando said to me ‘don’t worry, wins would come for you soon’ . ”
paddock, but it has not come to fruition, partially because of the decision he made about his career path in 2013.
The Mexican was a member of the Ferrari DriverAcademy and, providing he concontention to drive for the famous red team at some point in his career.
alongside Jenson Button.
were flying high at the top and looked to be a real force for 2013. So Perez signed on the and it seems, Mercedes. EVERYTHING: “It was all natural, I was part of the FerrariAcademy and there was a lot of contact with the team, ” says Perez of driver part of the academy would be linked to them. It was all looking like I was going there, but then things changed.
“We were talking to Mercedes, but that really depended if Lewis didn’t go there, I wasthesecondoption.It’swhattheysaid.We had a couple of options, looking back then.
“2013 was the closest I came to going to Ferrari. That was very close. In hindsight, if have gone to Ferrari but things change very quickly in F1.
pay off.The car was quite bad, and I was not
He was offloaded by McLaren after just one season. His star had fallen. Force India podiums and making them a real force in the midfield. This year, he has been the cornerning form for next season.
structors’championship. PUTTINGTHINGS IN PERSPECTIVE: “I’m pleased with my career, ” he says. “I’m in a good stage. I feel proud of what I have achieved, with the material I have been given. This is a sport which is related to car performance, and it depends which team you ’re at, at which point. With the material I have had, with the results I’ ve had, I’m proud of it.
“I feel privileged to be here. If you look back, a lot may say I’ ve been unlucky with the cars and things that I didn’t have but on the other hand, I’m very lucky to have been able to have made a career out of this difficult sport. ” Perez expects his future to be determined in the next few weeks. RED BULL HOLDS THE KEY: With the door shut at Haas and Alfa Romeo, Perez ’s only option of racing in F1 next year lies with Red Bull. It is understood he has had talks with Red Bull MotorsportAdviser Helmut Marko about a seat next year, while Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has conceded they will have to look outside their driver pool ifAlbon does not “claim” his seat through his performances in the final few races of the season.
Perez would be a sensational fit for Red Bull and the right call if they are serious about fighting for the constructors’championship. For the Mexican, it would be fine reward for a career that has deserved an opportunity to have a car with race-winning potential. But will Red Bull bite the bullet and take him?
BUSineSSaSUSUalfoRtRUmpinSpiteofelectionloSS
WASHINGTON AGENCIES
WHILE sitting president Donald Trump may have lost the White House, he gave no sign of conceding, instead pressing ahead with legal fights challenging the outcome, as well as his usual rounds of golf and attempts to appoint new public officeholders. Republican Donald Trump, the first US president to lose a re-election bid in 28 years, announced onTwitter on Monday that he has fired Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, and that the current director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Christopher Miller, will become acting secretary “effective immediately. ” Esper had been on shaky ground with theWhite House for months and had reportedly had a letter of resignation prepared weeks in advance. The rift had deepened after he said in June that he did not support using active-duty troops to quell the largescale protests across the United States triggered by the death of George Floyd at the hands of police. His remarks from the Pentagon briefing room were seen by many as an effort to distance himself from Trump’s threats to deploy the military to enforce order onAmerican city streets and went over poorly at the White House. Reportedly, Esper’s relations with Trump had been running sour before that, as both Trump and national security adviser Robert O’Brien viewed him as uncommitted to the then-president’s vision for the military. Trump went as far as to mock his defence chief’s derisive nickname of “Yesper” during a news conference in August, a moniker Esper was given by the officials who believed he did not go far enough in standing up to theTrump’s controversial decisions. Furthermore, White House insiders claim that Trump had reduced Esper’s influence to the point that the defence chief had no choice but to take his lead from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Esper’s replacement, Miller, is a former Army Green Beret who previously served as the top counterterrorism policy official in the Trump White House’s National Security Council. Top Republicans in Congress likewise had not acknowledged Biden’s victory, in a sign of the charged partisan atmosphere, he will face when he takes office on Jan. 20, although some members ofTrump’s party and a bipartisan group focused on the transition urged the president to cooperate. Trump, who still has not accepted Biden’s victory, was playing golf at the time that the final election results came in, marking his 307th visit to the golf course during his four years in office. According to the White House pool reporter,Trump appeared for the motorcade to his course in Sterling, Virginia, “ wearing white Maga cap, windbreaker, dark slacks, non-dress shirt, shoes that look appropriate for golfing” during the visit to one of his 17 golf clubs. The reporter added that a protestor near the course held a sign which read “Good riddance” . Trump’s repeated trips to the golf course have been a source of controversy throughout his term, but he has defended his actions onTwitter by saying, “My ‘exercise’is playing, almost never during the week, a quick round of golf. Obama played more and much longer rounds, no problem. ” Trump, who has so far claimed to have won 18 golf championships, in a statement said, “We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner” , and went on to make unfounded claims about voter fraud and ballot irregularities. Meanwhile, Golf Digest had in 2015 recognised Biden as one ofWashington’s top 150 golfers and compared him to John F Kennedy in that regard. Joe Biden and his advisers on Sunday were working on plans to tackle the crises facing a dividedAmerica, first and foremost the raging coronavirus pandemic, a day after the Democrat won enough states to clinch the US presidency. Biden delivered a message of unity and conciliation in a speech in his home state of Delaware on Saturday, saying it was “time to heal” the nation. “The work starts right away, ” Biden Deputy Campaign Manager Kate Bedingfield said on Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press. ” Bedingfield said Biden planned to launch a coronavirus task force on Monday, led by former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner David Kessler. More than 237,000Americans have died of Covid-19 and coronavirus cases have spiked to record numbers in recent days. Some 10 million Americans thrown out of work during coronavirus lockdowns remain idled and federal relief programs have expired. Biden and his advisers will also move forward with the work of choosing officials to serve in his administration. Bedingfield added that Biden would “address a mandate to bring the country together — to unify, to lower the temperature, to set aside the harsh rhetoric of the campaign and get to the hard work of governing. ” The bipartisan Partnership for Public Service’s Center for Presidential Transition said Biden had clearly won and called for the Trump administration to work cooperatively with him. “History is replete with examples of presidents who emerged from such campaigns to graciously assist their successors, ” it said in a statement. Two former senior US intelligence officials — Michael Morell andAvril Haines — have emerged as leading contenders to serve as director of national intelligence or run the CIAunder Biden, several current and former intelligence officials said. Congratulations poured in for Biden from abroad, including from conservative British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister Imran Khan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, making it hard for Trump to push his unfounded claims of electionfraud.SaudiArabiaalsoofferedcongratulations, more than 24 hours after Biden’s victory.Thecountry ’sdefactoleader,Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has enjoyed close relations with Trump, and Biden has said he will reassess ties with the kingdom. Wearing his trademark red “Make America Great Again” baseball cap, Trump golfed at hiscourseinSterling,Virginia,forthesecond day in a row. His motorcade was met by a smatteringofadmirersanddetractorsholding signs, including one that read: “Trumpty Dumpty HadAGreat Fall. ” Unlike other past defeated US presidential candidates, Trump has not made a concession statement or reached out to Biden. “Since when does the Lamestream Media call who our next president will be?” Trump wrote on Twitter after golfing. Republican former President George W. Bush said in a statement that he spoke with Biden and congratulated him on his victory. “Though we have political differences, I know Joe Biden to be a good man, who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country, ” Bush said. “The American people can have confidence that this election was fundamentally fair, its integrity will be upheld, and its outcome is clear. ” After attending church in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden and his family visited the church’s cemetery, where his son Beau and other relatives are buried – as he did on the morning of Election Day on Tuesday. According to an adviser, Biden plans to repeal a ban on travelers from several Muslim-majority nations, rejoin an international climate accord, reverse Trump’s withdrawal from theWorld Health Organization and buttress a program protecting from deportation “Dreamers” brought to the United States illegally as children. SENATE CONTROLSTILLATSTAKE: Biden clinched Pennsylvania on Saturday to put him over the threshold of 270 Electoral College votes needed to secure the US presidency. He won the popular vote by more than 4 million ballots. He pledged that as president he would seek to unify the United States and “marshal the forces of decency ” to battle the pandemic, restore economic prosperity, secure healthcare for American families and root out systemic racism. Biden has spent half a century in public life as a US senator and vice president. He will be 78 years old when he enters theWhite House, the oldest person to assume the office. His running mate, US Senator Kamala Harris, will be the first woman, the first Black American and the first American of Asian descent to serve as vice president, the country ’s No. 2 office.
11killedinattackoniRaqi aRmypoStinBaghdad
ChinaholdsoffonsendingcongratulationstoBiden
BAGHDAD: Unidentified gunmen killed at least 11 people and wounded 8 others including soldiers in an attack on an Iraqi army post in western Baghdad, police sources and medics have said. The assailants in four vehicles attacked the post in the city ’sAl Radhwaniya district using grenades and automatic weapons, the sources said. The army and police forces have started an operation in search of the attackers, police sources said. Meanwhile, security sources and medics toldAFP that the attack was carried out by Daesh terror group. There was no immediate claim of responsibility from Daesh. Daesh attack on a lookout point west of Baghdad manned by a state-sponsored tribal force left 11 people dead late on Sunday, security sources and medics toldAFP. The militants threw grenades and fired on the tribal Hashed forces stationed atAl Radwaniyah, on the southern outskirts of the Iraqi capital, near the Baghdad airport. “IS [Daesh] attacked the monitoring tower, killing five members of the tribal Hashed and six local people who had come to help repel the attack, ” a security source said. DAESH’S SLEEPER CELLS: Daesh swept across a third of Iraq in 2014, seizing major cities across the north and west and reaching the suburbs of the capital Baghdad.After a fierce three-year fight backed by the US-led coalition, Iraq declared Daesh defeated in late 2017. The coalition has significantly drawn down its troops this year, consolidating them to three main bases in Baghdad,Ain alAsad in the west andArbil in the north. But Daesh’s sleeper cells have continued to wage hit-and-run attacks on security forces and state infrastructure, particularly in desert areas where troops are stretched thin.Attacks with such high tolls and so close to the capital have been rare, however. AGENCIES
caR BomB hitS police BaSe in kandahaR; 4 dead, 40 injURed
KABUL: At least four people have been killed and about 40 people wounded after a suicide car bomber targeted a police base inAfghanistan’s southern Kandahar province, a provincial official said. Paramedics have been searching the rubble of homes destroyed by the explosion hours after the attack late on Sunday night in the province’s Maiwand district, said MohammadAshraf Nadery, the provincial director of Kandahar’s public health department. He said those wounded included both soldiers and civilians. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack that came a week after 22 people, including 18 students, were killed when gunmen went on a rampage at Kabul University, an attack claimed by the ISIL(SIS) armed group. In Pul-e-Charkhi area of the capital, Kabul, a roadside mine blast on Monday wounded at least two civilians, according to local media reports. Kandahar has been a stronghold for armed groups since the 2001 US-led invasion following the September 11 attacks on the US. Violence has soared inAfghanistan in recent months, even as Taliban and government negotiators hold peace talks in Qatar. The two sides have made little progress and attacks continue despite warnings from the US that continued violence could derail the talks. AGENCIES BEIJING AGENCIES
China, which has held off on congratulating US presidential election winner Joe Biden even as leaders of other countries have done so, said on Monday it would follow the custom in responding to the result. Democrat Biden clinched enough states to win the presidency but incumbent President DonaldTrump has not conceded and is making legal challenges to the outcome of the November 3 election. “We noticed that Mr. Biden has declared election victory, ” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a daily media briefing. “We understand that the US presidential election result will be determined following US law and procedures. ” In 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent congratulations toTrump on November 9, a day after the election. Relations between China and the United States are at their worst in decades over disputes ranging from technology and trade to Hong Kong and the coronavirus, and the Trump administration has unleashed a barrage of sanctions against Beijing. While Biden is expected to maintain a tough stance on China — he has called President Xi Jinping a “thug” and vowed to lead a campaign to “pressure, isolate and punish China” — he is likely to take a more measured and multilateral approach. “We always believe that China and the United States should enhance communication and dialogue, manage differences on the basis of mutual respect, expand cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit and promote sound and stable development of bilateral relations, ” Wang told the briefing. Hu Xijin, the editor of the Global Times, a tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party ’s People’s Daily, said in a tweet: “China hasn’t congratulated Biden on his victory as quickly as Western countries did. ” “I think it’s because China needs to keep [a] larger distance from the US presidential election to avoid getting entangled in its controversy. This actually shows that China respects the US as a whole, ” he added. Earlier on Monday, Chinese state media struck an optimistic tone in editorials, saying relations could be restored to a state of greater predictability, starting with trade. While acknowledging that Washington was unlikely to ease pressure on China over issues such as Xinjiang and Hong Kong, the Global Times said Beijing should work to communicate with Biden’s team. “It’s in the common interests of people from both countries and of the international community that China-US relations become eased and controllable, ” it said. The China Daily said it was “obvious” improving ties with China could start from trade, and reviving trade talks was critical to restoring some understanding and trust. Wang Huiyao, head of the Center for China and Globalization and an advisor to the government in Beijing, said he expects more dialogue under a Biden administration. “Biden’s election means an opportunity to re-establish relations with the US as he is more likely to uphold multilateralism. That means China and the US can start discussing issues including climate change, pandemic control and trade, ” Wang told Reuters. On China’sTwitter-likeWeibo, top trending items included the hashtags “#BidenSpeaksToTheWholeCountry#” , viewed 1.21 billion times, and “#Trump will lose special Twitter protections in January#” .
Asian stocks surge & US futures trade higher on Biden victory
DUBAI AGENCIES
Stocks inAsia and Europe rose on Monday with the US futures also climbing following the election of a new US president as optimism for a better economic outlook and further monetary stimulus grew. Risk appetite continued to improve after Joe Biden was declared the 46th president of the US over the weekend. S&P500 futures rose 1.4 per cent at 12:14pm UAE time, picking up from last week’s rally, the strongest weekly jump for the benchmark sinceApril. Contracts on the Nasdaq 100 index were up about 1.9 per cent, while Dow Jones futures rose 1.27 per cent. The Eurostoxx 50 market was up 1.55 percent, Germany ’s DAX climbed 1.77 percent and the FTSE 100 rose 1.52 per cent. “As the US election overhang clears, market dispersion rises as a period of riskfriendly casual looks to follow the post-election frenzy, ” Stephen Innes, chief global market strategist at Axi, said. “Monetary policy can help extend post-election rallies in risk sentiment, creating a bridge to a postvaccine environment. ” Although President Donald Trump continues to refuse to concede election results and vows to explore legal options, markets are taking cues from the president-elect, who has begun his transition efforts. There is a growing sense the election will not be contested and in his victory speech Mr Biden promised swift and concerted efforts to control the pandemic and reboot the economy. Odds point to a divided government, but more fiscal support for struggling businesses and individuals is likely. “What is priced in the market is that Joe Biden will do whatever it takes to bring coronavirus cases down, and his judgment is mostly going to rely on science, ” NaeemAslam, chief market analyst atAvatrade said in a note to investors on Monday. “It is also expected that Biden, with his background, will soon be able to negotiate another relief package with Democrats and Republicans in Congress. There is no doubt that the US economy desperately needs more fiscal stimulus, and the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, has already mentioned this several times. ” The sentiment inAsia was also upbeat. The Nikkei 225 closed up 2.12 per cent, the Hang Seng was up 1.1 per cent and the Shanghai index finished the session 1.96 per cent higher. “AcrossAsia, the picture is much the same – a sea of green, ” Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst forAsia Pacific at Oanda, said. “I expect the Biden afterglow to withstand any tweets from the White House or threats of legal challenges.Thatshouldbethethemeoftheentireweek. ”Mr Biden is perceived in Asia as being likely to “reengage in international trade” , a positive for Asian economies, he said. “There may also be some dialling down of the geopolitical tensions in the region, ” he added.
Russia wants final US vote count before congratulating anyone
MOSCOW: The Kremlin says it will wait for the official results of the US presidential election before commenting on its outcome, and that it had noted incumbent Donald Trump’s announcement of legal challenges related to the vote. President Vladimir Putin has remained silent on the issue since Democrat Joe Biden clinched the presidency on Saturday, four days after the November 3 election, clearing the threshold of 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the White House. In the vote’s run-up, Putin had appeared to hedge his bets, frowning on Biden’s anti-Russian rhetoric but welcoming his comments on nuclear arms control. Putin had also defended Biden’s son, Hunter, against criticism from Trump. Speaking to reporters on a conference call, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Moscow deemed it better to wait before congratulating anyone. “We think it appropriate to wait for the official vote count, ” he said. Asked why in 2016 Putin had congratulated Trump soon after he had won the Electoral College and beaten Democrat Hillary Clinton, Peskov said there was an obvious difference this time around. “You can see that there are certain legal procedures that have been announced by the current president. AGENCIES
