Kabul                                                                                                                                                                                                  14 Nov. 2017                                                                                                                                                                                    (Daily Dawn)

Dozens of Afghan police and soldiers have been killed in a wave of Taliban attacks on checkpoints in Afghanistan, officials said on Tuesday, as insurgents step up assaults on the beleaguered security forces.

The raids in the southern province of Kandahar and the western province of Farah on Monday night came hours after a suicide attacker rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a United States (US) military convoy, wounding four soldiers.

The Taliban issued statements on their social media accounts claiming the attacks.

“I can confirm that last night the Taliban launched a wave of attacks on police checkpoints in Maiwand and Zhari districts and we lost 22 brave policemen,” Kandahar governor spokesman Qudrat Khushbakht told AFP.

He added that 45 militants were killed during the fighting that lasted around six hours.

In one of the attacks militants used an explosives-packed police pickup to ambush a checkpoint, Kandahar police spokesman Matiullah Helal told AFP.

At least 15 policemen were wounded in the coordinated assaults.

The attack on the US military convoy in Kandahar added to the casualty toll.

“There were a total of four US service members injured and all are in stable condition in US medical treatment facilities,” a spokesman for Nato's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan said, adding there were no fatalities.

Farah governor spokesman Naser Mehri told AFP nine Afghan National Army soldiers were killed in two separate attacks in the province bordering Iran that also claimed the lives of at least three civilians.

“There are signs the Taliban may have used night vision technology to approach and surprise our forces, though they were spotted before reaching the posts and suffered casualties,” Mehri said.

The Taliban have intensified attacks on security installations across the country in recent weeks in a show of strength as the US deploys more troops to train and assist Afghan forces.

Analysts said the Taliban's almost daily attacks are intended to show their ability to strike even heavily defended targets with the aim of further demoralising Afghan forces already beset by huge casualties and desertions.

The Taliban often use bomb-laden armoured Humvees and police vehicles stolen from Afghan security forces to blast their way into security compounds.

The tactic was used multiple times last month with devastating effect: hundreds were killed and wounded over a bloody few days that left military bases and police headquarters destroyed or severely damaged.

Afghan security forces have faced soaring casualties in their attempts to hold back the insurgents since Nato combat forces pulled out of the country at the end of 2014.

Casualties leapt by 35 per cent in 2016, with 6,800 soldiers and police killed, according to US watchdog SIGAR.

The insurgents have carried out more complex attacks against security forces in 2017, with SIGAR describing troop casualties in the early part of the year as “shockingly high”.

In August, Trump announced that American forces would stay in Afghanistan indefinitely, increasing attacks on militants and deploying more troops.

 

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                    14 Nov 2017

The fifth session of the Qatar-South Korea Strategic Co-operation Committee will be meeting in next month, it will further strengthen bilateral ties in various fields, announced by ambassador Heung Kyeong-Park of South Korea.

South Korean envoy to Qatar was addressing this evening at a reception hosted by him on the occasion of National Day celebrations. Present on the occasion were Dr Mohamed bin Saleh AlSada,  Minister of Energy and Industry of Qatar,  ambassador Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhroo, Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, diplomats, dignitaries and guests including members of Korean community.

Park said that both the countries are expected to enhance their bilateral relations in the fields of education, agriculture, sports, healthcare and in other areas of mutual interests.

He said that last November, first liver transplantation in Qatar was conducted along with cardiac and orthopedic surgeries on the occasion of the Korea–Qatar Medical Forum.

He said second edition of the medical forum is also scheduled early next month, will witness new and advanced liver and heart artery surgical operations.

The envoy said that early next year will also provide “fertile opportunities for exchange on the sporting front,”
citing the upcoming world sports events scheduled to take place in the Asian region.

“The Winter Olympics will be held in Pyongchang, South Korea, from February 9 to 25, 2018 while the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics comes not far behind,” he told. “It will be followed by the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
and, most importantly, the Qatar World Cup in the same year.”

He said such 'opportunities will strengthen the ideals of harmony and peace against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and conflict especially throughout Asia.'

'I also hope that South Korea and Qatar, as hosts of two of these global sporting celebrations, can pull their weight as champions of such causes,” he said.

On Qatar and South Korea trade relations, Park said Qatar continues to supply one third of South Korean natural gas consumption of 12 m tonnes annually and one tenth of South Korea’s oil consumption 100 m barrels
annually.

At least 15 South Korean companies are participating in the construction of various infrastructure projects in the country including Doha Metro, Lusail Expressway, Umm Haul power and desalination plant, and the
Qatar National Museum.

After Cake-cutting ceremony, Korean B-Boy Group by Jinjo Crew performed acrobatics on break dance music.

Park in his address on the occasion announced that the South Korean economic and political situation is stabilising after the presidential election last May. “Korean stock indices (KOSPI) increased from 1970 to 2,526 as till today,” he said.

The envoy said that North Korea has not conducted a missile test for two months, the longest such lull in testing this year. The issue is still being closely monitored and discussed by the South Korean government with the governments of US, China and other major countries to force North Korea to move in the right direction, ambassador Park told. .

“As long as we stand united, I believe the situation in the Korean peninsula and beyond can be stabilised further,” he said.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                      14 Nov 2017

Recep Tayyib Erdogan, President of Turky arrived Doha on Tuesday evening on an official visit to Qatar.

Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs of Qatar received Turkish President and accompanying delegation at Hamad International Airport.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                      13 Nov 2017

Hamad Medical Corporation is advising the public to take necessary precautions as the Qatar Meteorology Department has forecasted strong winds and poor visibility across most of the country due to sand and dust storms.

Sand and dust storms usually occur when strong winds lift large amounts of sand and dust from bare, dry soil into the atmosphere. Dust consists of tiny solid particles floating in the air, which can get past the lungs’ natural defenses and harm sensitive lung tissue. Fine particles of dust can irritate the lungs and trigger allergic reactions or asthma attacks, and prolonged exposure to airborne dust can cause chronic breathing and lung problems, as well as heart disease.

“Sand and dust storms could have adverse effects on health and could trigger sinus allergies and respiratory infections, especially in those with chronic diseases. Those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney diseases, and hypertension should see their doctor as soon as possible if an infection due to sand or dust storm occurs,” said Dr. Yousuf Al Maslamani, Medical Director of Hamad General Hospital.

He said that while HMC’s Emergency Departments are fully prepared for all emergencies and have additional staff on standby, residents are urged to take basic health and safety precautions during sand or dust storms.

Dr. Al Maslamani advises taking the following precautions during inclement weather:

• Avoid going outside, especially during high winds or low visibility when the dust levels are particularly harmful. Spend as little time outside as possible, and avoid doing outdoor exercise. Keep your windows and doors closed.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a mask or damp cloth to reduce inhalation of particles of dust.
• When driving, keep the car windows closed.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes to prevent eye infections. Wear protective gear such as airtight goggles. If your eyes become irritated, rinse with water. Be especially careful if you wear contact lenses.
• Those with severe allergies are advised to use antihistamines before the onset of allergy symptoms.

Dr. Al Maslamani highlighted that infants and young children, as well as the elderly, are at high risk of contracting a respiratory infection from airborne particles. According to him, others at risk include those with a history of asthma, bronchitis, emphysema or other respiratory conditions. People with heart disease, pregnant women, and those who work outdoors, such as construction or delivery workers, are also at increased risk.

Dr. Al Maslamani said individuals who experience mild symptoms such as watering eyes, cough or wheezing should go to their Primary Healthcare Center while those who have severe breathing problem may have a lung infection and should go to the Emergency Department.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                    13 Nov. 2017

The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) presented recently findings from its research on genomics and Islamic biomedical ethics at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). The presentation was attended by the inaugural class of HBKU’s Genomics and Precision Medicine program, the first of its kind in the Middle East.

Maha El Akoum, Research and Policy Development Officer at WISH and PhD student at HBKU, presented these results, which were outlined  in a WISH report titled “Genomics in the Gulf Region and Islamic Ethics.”

The 2016 report highlights the Islamic perspective on the ethical management of incidental findings; seeking to find balance between receptiveness toward new healthcare practices while abiding by traditional Islamic customs. Analyzing both vantage points, the report concludes with policy recommendations as potential tools to assist healthcare providers in navigating these scenarios.

El Akoum said: "It's an exciting time to be working in health policy while being a doctoral student in the first genomics PhD cohort at HBKU.  Having witnessed this report mature to completion for the 2016 WISH summit, to now be presenting its findings and impact in the local policy sphere to my fellow students is truly a gratifying experience. The Genomics in the Gulf Region and Islamic Ethics report is the perfect example of the importance of bridging the gap between research and policy."

The WISH report is an outcome of the forum on Genomics in the Gulf Region and Islamic Ethics, which was conducted during the 2016 WISH Conference. Chaired by Dr. Mohammed Ghaly, Professor of Islam and Biomedical Ethics at HBKU’s Research Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE), the forum discussed complex biomedical solutions which pacify religious and moral codes while simultaneously facilitating an open environment for scientific advancement. The report examines focal points addressed during the forum, inclusive of various hypothetical scenarios, from Islamic and moral perspectives, to illustrate how these suggested policies would be put into practice.

Dr. Ghaly commented: “With rapid advancements in the biomedical sciences, it is crucial for both religious scholars and biomedical scientists to continue to debate on certain moral questions and dilemmas. The 2016 WISH conference, and the report thereafter, tackled issues in the field of genomics for the first time in Qatar, bringing together international scholars to address key ethical challenges. The discussions encompassed important topics in genomics, including incidental findings, organ transplants, stem-cell research and beyond, and we were able to reach conclusions and policy recommendations that are both timely and pertinent.”

HBKU’s Genomics and Precision Medicine program, featuring a master’s and PhD track, was launched early this year as a direct response to the challenges facing the country and the region, as outlined by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health. The University welcomed its first cohort of students in August of this year.

The 2016 research report titled “Genomics in the Gulf Region and Islamic Ethics” can be accessed through the WISH website: www.wish-qatar.org/wish-2016/forum-reports.

Details of HBKU’s full range of graduate programs, which target the needs of Qatar and the region, can be found at www.hbku.edu.qa.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                      12 Nov 2017

The South Korean Embassy has arranged number of cultural and sports events to mark its National Day celebrations in Qatar.

South Korean Ambassador Heung Kyeong Park on announced in a press conference called at his residence recently followed by Korean envoy's generous hospitality inviting on dinner serving home made Korean dishes. Ambassador Heung said that Korea has time-honoured and diverse cultural heritages and that Korean people have continually developed their culture

over more than 2,000 years. “Naturally, Korea has 12 Unesco world heritage sites and 19 Unesco intangible cultural heritages in the format of music, dance and other communal activities. These cultural heritages have provided a rich ground for the contemporary K-pop, K-drama and K-movies,” he said.

Ambassador giving details of the various events being organised during 2017, elaborated that in the evening of Monday, 13th November in collaboration of Katara Cultural Village, globally acclaimed b-boy group, Jinjo Crew will enthrall the audience at their “Rhythm of Korea” show at Katara Drama Theatre. The group has won five major world b-boy contests and achieved the first b-boy grand slam in 40 years of b-boy history.

They will show dynamic dances to the fast rhythms of Korea and Kukkiwon Taekwondo Demonstration Team will focus on the speed of physical actions in three areas namely forms, sparring and breaking.

Korean Envoy told that Doha-based Korean restaurants and groceries will present Korean food at the official diplomatic reception arranged in the ambassador's residence garden.  Korean children will be displaying Taekwondo on the occasion.

“After Taekwondo started reforming from Korean traditional martial art since 1940s, it has continuously developed and spread across the world. As of now, 80m people are practicing Taekwondo as Olympic event in 206 countries,” told by ambassador Park.

On Saturday 11th November,  a taekwondo competition was held at the Basketball Stadium of Education City in cooperation with Qatar Taekwondo and Karate Federation and Korean community in Qatar.

In addition to sport and cultural events, a round table discussion on the situation of Korean peninsula with Dr Shin  eom-chul will be held on November 20 at W Doha Hotel.

Announcing about Second Korea-Qatar Medical Forum, ambassador Park informed that it will be held early next month.'The first living donor liver transplantation was conducted here in Doha in November last year. I expect advanced surgical operations on liver and heart artery bypass to be conducted as part of the second Korea-Qatar Medical Forum this coming December'.

Ambassador Heung Kyeong Park announced that fifth Korea-Qatar High Level Strategic Cooperation Committee meeting is also scheduled in December 2017.  The committee reviews co-operation in all sectors including trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, healthcare and agriculture.

Beirut                                                                                                                                                                                                    12 Nov 2017                                                                                                                                                                                          (the japantimes/AFP)

Saad Hariri, whose resignation as Lebanon’s prime minister a week ago sent shockwaves across the region, said Sunday he is “free” in Saudi Arabia and will return to Lebanon “very soon.

In an interview from Riyadh with his party’s Future TV, Hariri brushed aside rumors that he was under de facto house arrest in the kingdom, from which he announced his surprise departure.

“I am free here. If I want to travel tomorrow, I will,” Hariri said.

“I will return to Lebanon very soon,” Hariri said, adding later that he would land in Beirut “in two or three days”.

Hariri, 47, announced he was stepping down from his post in a televised address on Nov. 4 from Riyadh, and has yet to return to his native Lebanon.

However, Lebanese President Michel Aoun has yet to formally accept his resignation and said Hariri has been “restricted” in his movements.

Hariri’s surprise resignation came as tensions rise between Riyadh and Tehran, which back opposing sides in power struggles from Lebanon and Syria to Yemen.

At the time, Hariri accused Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of taking over his country and destabilising the broader region.

“We cannot continue in Lebanon in a situation where Iran interferes in all Arab countries, and that there’s a political faction that interferes alongside it,” he repeated on Sunday in apparent reference to rival movement Hezbollah.

“Maybe there’s a regional conflict between Arab countries and Iran. We’re a small country. Why put ourselves in the middle?”

Wearing a suit and tie and with a Lebanese flag in the background, the former prime minister looked tired on Sunday and spoke softly but firmly throughout the interview.

Hariri, who also holds Saudi citizenship, told journalist Paula Yaacoubian that he wrote his resignation himself and wanted to submit it in Lebanon, “but there was danger.

He also appeared to lay down an exit strategy, saying he would be willing to “rescind the resignation” if intervention in regional conflicts stopped.

“We need to respect the disassociation policy,” Hariri said, referring to an agreement among Lebanese political factions that they would not interfere in Syria’s six-year war.

He appeared to be alluding to Hezbollah’s military intervention on behalf of the Syrian government, to which Hariri is opposed.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said Friday that Hariri was “detained in Saudi Arabia, he is banned from returning to Lebanon.

Hariri has spent the past week in a string of meetings with diplomats and Saudi officials in Riyadh, including an encounter with Saudi King Salman.

He left the kingdom once for a trip to Abu Dhabi.

In his interview on Sunday, Hariri said he has “excellent” ties with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in an apparent effort to put to rest rumors that the Saudi crown prince had pressured him to step down.

“Really, I consider him a brother and he considers me a brother. It’s an excellent and special relationship,” he said.

But he refused to comment on the internal political turmoil in Saudi Arabia, where dozens of high-profile politicians and businessmen have been arrested in what authorities say is an anti-graft drive.

The two-time prime minister’s father, Rafik, made his fortune in Saudi Arabia and also served as prime minister for years before he was assassinated in 2005.

Saad cited fears for his life when he resigned from his post last week, less than a year after his unity government was formed with Hezbollah.

Lebanese have expressed concern that the move could thrust the country into a political and economic tailspin, as it remains unclear who could replace Hariri.

Western countries moved quickly to express their support for Hariri, with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson calling him a “strong partner.

Tillerson warned against “any party, within or outside Lebanon, using Lebanon as a venue for proxy conflicts or in any manner contributing to instability in that country.”

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                      12 Nov. 2017                                                                                                                                                                                        (QNA)

Sheikh Saif bin Ahmed bin Saif AlThani, Director of the Government Communications Office and Official Spokesman of State of Qatar announced on Sunday that Qatar has opened an investigation into an alleged attempt to manipulate its currency during the early weeks of the Gulf political crisis, now in its sixth month.

He told French news agency AFP that an unnamed global financial institution, partly owned by United Arab Emirates investors, had been instructed to stop trading Qatari riyals across Europe and Asia. He said that if the act of financial warfare was proven to be true, it would be a disgrace and danger not only to Qatar's economy but the global one as well.

Director of the Government Communications Office, State of Qatar said following the "instruction" one of the financial institutions stopped trading in riyals for a few days and it was only after Qatar reached out to them that they resumed the trading.

Sheikh Saif said Qatar's intelligence agencies are carrying out an investigation in this matter and have engaged with law enforcement officials in the relevant jurisdictions. "The Qatari government through its various entities, including the central bank, is working on confirming and identifying these reports."

The government spokesman said that Qatar had become aware of the currency issue in July but was revisiting the issue following recent media reports.

He said that there would definitely be an effort to bring Qatar's hosting of the World Cup 2022 under attack one way or the other.

Since June 5, Qatar has been diplomatically, politically and economically boycotted by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt over charges Doha supports terrorism. Doha denies the accusations.

Sheikh Saif's disclosure comes just days after The Intercept, a US-based investigative website, said it had uncovered a UAE plot to "wage financial war" on Doha.

It claimed leaked emails belonging to the UAE's ambassador in Washington, Yousef al-Otaiba, revealed a complex plan to attack the riyal through bond and derivatives manipulation.

The plan allegedly aimed to destabilise Qatar's economy to the extent that it would have to give up the right to host the football World Cup in 2022.

Qatar is the first Arab country to be chosen to host the FIFA World Cup and has launched massive construction projects in preparation.

Doha                                                                                                                                                                                                      13 Nov 2017

For the first time in its 28-year history, INDEX – the Middle East’s largest interior design event – has launched in Qatar.

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Hassan Al Ibrahim, Chief Tourism Development Officer of Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), officially inaugurated three days long exhibition at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Center on Monday.

Present on the occasion were  Najeeb bin Yahya Al Balushi, ambassador of Oman and Pasquale Salzano,  Italian Ambassador.

The renowned INDEX brand – which has grown to host exhibitions across the Middle East, Asia and Africa in recent years – is expected to draw more than 3,000 designers to the capital for three-days of networking, buying and industry focused seminars that will supply professionals from the commercial, residential and hospitality sectors.

Supported by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a series of discussions and presentations are also in pipe line during exhibition period at the venue. A number of designers, architects, CEOs and directors from some of the region’s biggest firms will be sharing their expertise and experiences.

The Design Talks series will feature design experts including Shahd ElMahdi, Interior Design Manager at ASTAD Project Management; Peter Cook, Managing Director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Qatar; and Esra Al-Kazem Design Director, AEA Designs.

They will be joined on the panel by leading voices from the likes of Atelier Ten, the Arab Engineering Bureau, LACASA Architects & Engineers and Sabban Interiors, with more than 15 talks scheduled across the duration of the event.

Jaafar Shubber, INDEX Qatar event director, said: “According to our exclusive research with market analysts Ventures, the fit-out and contractor market for interior designers across Qatar will be worth almost US$1.5bn in the next year. That is a massive amount, at what is a time of huge growth for the country. We are thrilled to arrive here at a period of such excitement and expansion as Qatar prepares to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

“We will be showcasing products from more than 50 local and international manufacturers and suppliers, all of whom will be bringing the latest furniture and décor products needed to help fit-out the hundreds of ongoing and future projects across Qatar and the wider region. Our all-encompassing design event will also include daily seminars featuring many of the region’s most influential and creative design minds, as well as a host of interactive features across the exhibition floor.”

Ahmed Al Obaidli, Director of Exhibitions at QTA, commented: “We are delighted to welcome exhibitors and speakers to this edition of INDEX, the first to take place in Qatar. Hosting and attracting global business events is a key part of our efforts to develop the business events sector, which is considered a priority in the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy. We look forward to seeing more world-class events delivered in this growing industry.”

A study by market analysts Ventures – the details of which are released today – discovered that the value of interior-based design and fit-out spend across the GCC-region will reach almost US$17 billion in the next 12 months.

In Qatar alone, the money invested in interior projects within each of the main construction sectors – commercial, residential, retail, hospitality, medical and educational– will be close to US$1.5 billion.

Some of the top firms appearing at this week’s INDEX Qatar include La Sorogeeka, Jotun, Mezzaluna, Seasons Accessories Inc, Cristal de Paris and Stil Décor.

The event is anticipated to attract thousands of interior designers, architects, project managers, importers and distributers from the full spectrum of retail, hospitality, residential and commercial design across its three days.

For further information and register to attend at: www.index-qatar.com

 

New Delhi                                                                                                                                                                                          11 Nov 2017                                                                                   

Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director, Tablez, was recently honoured with the ' Entrepreneur of the Year award 'at the Franchise Awards 2017 held at The Lalit, New Delhi on Wednesday. In its 15th edition, Franchise Awards 2017 are India's top most honour in retailing and recognizes personalities and businesses for their excellence in retailing, franchising and business development.

Speaking after receiving the award, Adeeb said, “It is a great honour to receive this award. The Franchise Awards respects the core value of entrepreneurial spirit and this recognition encourages me to further expand our business here in India and propel it to greater heights.”

Judged by an independent panel of experts and supported by the Indian Franchise Association (IFA) & with Francorp India as Process advisors, Franchise Awards rewards individuals and organizations that have shown outstanding business acumen, passion and achievement of franchise businesses across India.

Adeeb Ahamed heads Tablez, the organized retail arm of Lulu Group International, along with Lulu Exchange, the financial services company which has more than 170 branches worldwide and Twenty14 Holdings, hospitality investment firm which owns prestigious properties around the world.

Tablez has introduced leading global brands in F&B, toys, lifestyle and apparel to India. The company recently opened the first outlet of leading American brand Toys R Us and Babies R Us at Phoenix Marketcity in Bengaluru.

Tablez has introduced Spanish fashion brands Springfield and women’secret to India, while on the F&B front it holds the franchise rights for Cold Stone Creamery and South Africa-based flame-grilled chicken concept, Galito’s. In addition to them, Tablez has successfully developed two home-grown brands: Bloomsbury’s – a boutique café and artisan bakery, and Peppermill - a colonial Indian themed fine dining restaurant.

Other awards including Franchisor of the Year, Franchisee of the Year, Hall of fame, Licensee of the Year, were also given away during the event.