Saudi Reshuffles Council of Ministers

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Russia touts hypersonic missile speed Saudi reshuffles Council of Ministers Moscow, Russia TDT, Al Arabia ister of Media, while Hamad al- has replaced Turki al-Sheikh as Sheikh was appointed Minister president of the Sports Author- ussia touted yesterday a ing of Saudi Arabia Sal - of Education. ity, while Turki al-Sheikh has Rnew hypersonic missile Kman bin Abdulaziz Al Faisal bin Khalid was replaced been appointed as Chairman of said to hit speeds of more Saud yesterday issued a royal by Turki bin Talal as Governor of the Entertainment Authority. than 30,000 kilometres per decree reshaping the country’s the Asir region. Khalid bin Qarar al-Harbi has hour, amid heightened ten- cabinet. Sultan bin Salman has been been appointed the Director of sion with the US over arms A royal decree was also issued moved from the presidency Public Security. control. to restructure the Political and of the Tourism Authority and Bader bin Sultan was appoint- Russian President Security Affairs Council, head- appointed as Chairman of the ed Deputy to the Governor of Vladimir Putin on Wednes- ed by the Crown Prince, Prince Space Authority, which was Mecca and Eman al-Mutairi as day tracked final tests of a Mohammed bin Salman. established under the name assistant to the minister of com- hypersonic missile dubbed The surprise shake up saw the of Saudi Space Authority. The merce. “Avangard,” which he says appointment of a new National Authority shall have a Board of Under the orders, a body will would defeat all existing Guard chief and the replace - Directors appointed by Royal be established on behalf of the missile defence systems. ment of the information minis- Order. General Organisation for Exhi- When Putin unveiled the ter and the head of the tourism Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz following a meeting in Riyadh (file) In other changes, Badr bin bitions and Conferences. new weapon during his authority, but the ministries of Sultan has been replaced by The Authority will have a state of the nation address energy and finance were left Faisal bin Nawaf as Governor of Board of Directors appointed in March, he said the missile untouched. Foreign Affairs, a royal decree ments, Prince Abdullah bin Jouf region. Musa’ad al-Aiban by a Royal Decree. Dr. Majid was highly manoeuvrable Ibrahim al-Assaf, a former fi- said. Jubeir will act as the min- Bandar bin Abdulaziz was ap- was appointed as National Se- Bin Abdullah al-Qasabi will be and flew at 20 times the nance minister will replace Adel ister of state for foreign affairs. pointed as Minister of National curity Adviser. appointed as Chairman of the speed of sound. al-Jubeir as Minister of State for In other significant appoint- Guard, Turki Shabbaneh as Min- Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal Board. Senior officials now say the intercontinental projec- tile is considerably faster. “During tests, Avangard reached the speed of Mach 27,” or roughly 33,000 kilometres (20,500 miles) per hour, Deputy Prime Min- ister Yury Borisov said in Trump declares end to televised remarks. Mach 1 is a unit of meas- urement equivalent to the speed of sound. “At this speed not a sin- gle intercepter missile can global ‘policeman’ role shoot it down,” Borisov said. He also claimed it was impossible to predict the AFP | Al-Asad Air Base , Iraq premier’s office said. his order to withdraw entirely where about 2,000 US forces, missile’s movements, which During the call, Trump invit- from Syria. joined by other foreign troops, meant “missile defence is resident Donald Trump ed Abdel Mahdi to visit Wash- At the Iraqi military base, assist local fighters battling the practically rendered obso- used a lightning visit to ington and he accepted, White Trump sought to defend his Islamic State jihadist group. lete.” PIraq -- his first with US House spokeswoman Sarah “America First” policy of pull- “You can’t have any more time. Putin termed the final test troops in a conflict zone since Sanders said. ing back from multinational al- You’ve had enough time,” he said an “absolute success,” and being elected -- to defend the White House video showed a liances, including what to many he told the top brass. said Avangard would be de- withdrawal from Syria and to smiling Trump shaking hands Americans seem to like the end- According to a transcript ployed next year. declare an end to America’s role with camouflage-clad person- less wars of the Middle East. released by the White House, as the global “policeman.” nel, signing autographs and pos- “It’s not fair when the burden he thanked troops for the Trump landed at 7:16 pm local ing for photos at the base in Iraq. is all on us,” he said. “We don’t “near-elimination” of IS and time at Al-Asad Air Base in west- Morale-boosting presidential want to be taken advantage of said, “we’ll be watching... very, ern Iraq, accompanied by his visits to US troops in war zones any more by countries that use very closely -- the remnants” of wife Melania, following what he have been a longstanding tradi- us and use our incredible mili- the group. described as a stressful, secre- tion in the years following the tary to protect them. They don’t Trump said in Iraq that some cy-shrouded flight on a “pitch September 11, 2001, terrorist pay for it and they’re going to of the US troops from Syria “will black” Air Force One. attacks. have to.” come here for a stay, but a lot of The president spoke to a group Trump has taken consider- “We are spread out all over them are going to be going back of about 100 mostly special forc- able criticism for declining to the world. We are in countries home,” the transcript said. DON’T MISS IT es personnel and separately with visit in the first two years of his most people haven’t even heard While highlighting the mili- military leaders before leaving a presidency. But speculation had about. Frankly, it’s ridiculous,” tary and financial roles he said few hours later. A planned meet- been mounting that he would fi- he added. US President Donald Trump arrive to Turkey and Saudi Arabia had ing with Iraqi Prime Minister nally make the gesture following Trump told reporters he had speak to members of the US military agreed to play in Syria, Trump Adel Abdel Mahdi was scrapped his controversial plan to slash overruled generals asking to during an unannounced trip to Al Asad also told journalists that “we and replaced by a phone call, the troop levels in Afghanistan and extend the Syria deployment, Air Base in Iraq may go back and help.” Expo city is 03 happening Resolving ties Tickets and cargo 04 not subject to UAE reopens Damascus embassy after seven years VAT: Gulf Air Damascus, Syria that the UAE was “keen to put took a tough stance on Damas- 14 jailed over relations back on their normal cus in 2012 and eventually rec- 05 terrorist he United Arab Emirates track”. ognised an opposition umbrella activities Treopened its embassy in Da- It said that the resumption group as the representative of mascus yesterday after breaking of ties aimed to “support the Syria. its ties with Syria in February sovereignty and independence US President Donald Trump 2012. of Syria” and face “the dangers claimed on Monday that Saudi Nearly seven years later, of regional interferences”. Arabia had agreed to finance the Emirati flag was raised Rumours of the Emirati em- Syria’s huge reconstruction again during a ceremony at - bassy reopening had circulat- needs. tended by diplomats and ed in recent days as renovation “Saudi Arabia has now agreed journalists. work was spotted getting under to spend the necessary money An acting charge d’affaires way at the building. needed to help rebuild Syria, has already started working, an The UAE is one of six Gulf Co- The United Arab Emirates embassy is pictured in the Syrian capital Damascus instead of the United States,” Emirati statement said, stressing operation Council nations that after its reopening, Trump said on social media. FRIDAY,WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER DECEMBER 28, 2018 19, 2018 02

HRH PM issues Big salute to martyrs of dutyNew Year holiday HH Shaikh Nasser pays homage to fallen servicemen in recognition to the sacrifices they made for theManama nation Manama stressing that the security, sta- memory. is Royal Highness bility, progress and prosperity HHH ShaikhPrime Nasser Minister pledged Prince nder the patronage of currently enjoyed by the king- unwaveringKhalifa binallegiance Salman andAl Khal loy- the Royal Guard Com- dom is the fruitful outcome of alty toifa His yesterday Majesty issued King Hamad a cir- mander, Major-General the noble sacrifices. bin Isacular Al Khalifa,stipulating the Supremethe New UHis Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme HH Shaikh Nasser bin Ham - HH Shaikh Nasser pointed out Commander.Year’s holiday. Commanderad Al Khalifa, and First a ceremony Deputy Prime was Minister holding a discussion with Mark Xueman, the Vice His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, thethat Crown the Prince, success Deputy of Supreme the Opera - Then,The the Kingdom’s Royal Guard minis Com- Presidentheld at ofthe Public Bahrain Affairs of Defence Huawei Technologies, at Riffa Palace. During the meeting, HRH the Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister meeting the Pitch@Palacetion Restoring Global Hope 3.0 winners, carried out mandertries, deputised directorates the and Royal pub- CrownForce Prince (BDF highlighted) Headquarters the importance of the Kingdom’s Information and Communications Pitch@Palace GCC 1.0 People’s Choice Award winners and AlRawiby the co-Founders, Saudi-led Hala Arab Sulaiman, Coalition Guardlic Special institutions Force will Command remain- Technologymarking the(ICT) Commemorationsector as an engine of economic growth, job creation, and technological Ameera Al-Qubaiti and Mohamed Ebrahim, at Riffa Palace. isHRH one the of Crown the positivePrince extended impacts his of er toclosed make onan inspection1 January 2019, tour development. His Royal Highness also highlighted Bahrain’s commitment, under its Vision Day, in the presence of the Roy- congratulations to the winners of Pitch@Palace Global 3.0, thenoting noble that the sacrifices award reflects of the the late in themarking “Martyr’s the Farm”,beginning along of 2030, to enable private sector investment and innovation, in line with the principles of fairness, level of talent that sits at the heart of Bahrain’s entrepreneurial community. competitivenessal Guard Special and transparency. Force Com- servicemen and the courage and withthe the New relatives Year 2019. of the late mander, Lieutenant-Colonel bravery they had shown while servicemen. HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad carrying out their patriotic du- The proceeds of the Martyr’s Al Khalifa. ties. Farm project will be allocated The Royal Guard Command- Commander-in- The Royal Guard Commander to the familiesMinister of the of martyrs, Interior, in er paid homage to the late ser- Chief of Bahrain stressed that the nation pays recognition ofLieutenant-General their courage and vicemen in recognition of the Defence Force respect for the late servicemen, bravery, and Shaikhas a token Rashid of bin grati - Abdullah Al Khalifa sacrifices they had made while (BDF) Field Marshal noting that their sacrifices, tude for the sacrifices they had receiving Bahraini Shaikh Khalifa bin courage and bravery will re - made while performing their assuming their sacred patriotic Ambassador to duties and defending the Right, HH Shaikh Nasser pays homage to martyrs of duty. Ahmed Al Khalifa main engraved in the national noble patriotic duties. inspecting a BDF Jordan, Ahmed Yousif unit. He listened Al Ruwai. They also to a briefing by reviewed the security its commander cooperation between on the needed Bahrain and Jordan, preparations to and ways to strengthen boost the unit’s it within the efforts to combat readiness develop cooperation and administrative and coordination competence. between the two brotherly countries. RCO, pre-school nursery in deal

Manama sored children. RCO Secre- orphans. Dr Al Sayed pointed tary-general Dr Mustafa Al out that the agreement comes he Royal Charity Organisa- Sayed signed the agreement as part of the Royal Charity Or- Ttion (RCO) signed a coop- with the pre-school nursery’s ganisation’s assistance to fami- eration agreement with Reach director Ameena Ahmed to pro- lies to obtain excellent educa- Nursery to enrol RCO-spon- vide free seats for 4-year-old tion for their children.

Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Dr Abdulhussain Mirza receiving members of the House of Representatives - Issa Al-Qadi, Mohammed Al-Sisi and Zeinab Abdul Amir. The Minister welcomed the visitors and reviewed a number of topics related to electricity, water and renewable energy. The meeting was attended by Adnan Fakhro, Executive Vice President of Distribution and Customer Services at the Electricity and Water Authority and Alexander Al Samahiji, Acting Executive Director of the Sustainable Energy Unit.

The British School of Bahrain (BSB) held National Day celebrations, which included traditional activities and foods, as well as special performances by the talented students who sang, danced, played music and performed many different performancesBahrain to express team their love @ to Bahrain Children’s in their own way. The Science school also hosted Congresstwo singers: Hala Al Turk and Mohammed Abdul Rahim who both added a great touch to the event with their national songs.

TDT | Manama Dr Mustafa Al Sayed with other officials after signing the deal tudents from New Millenni- Sum School and New Indian School are representing Bah- rain in the 26th National Chil- The Bahrain dren’s Science Congress (NCSC) Development Bank taking place at Bhuvaneshwar, (BDB) held a special Odisha, India. function to mark the Team members include jun- National Day. It was ior category team leader Anusa- attended by BDB Group ka and Project Guide Shilpa Bahrain Team members Chief Executive Sanjeev Paul, senior executives Sharma from New Millenni- and staff. um School and Senior category ject Guide Shaji Sam from New This is also the third time a team leader Harihar with Pro- Indian School. team from Bahrain is partici- pating in this prestigious event. NCSC is a flagship programme of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. Children’s Science ConNational- Day marked gress is targeted to spread the Manama concept of ‘Learning through manAluminium of the Bahrain Nogaholding, (Alba) Shai- doing’. khcelebrated Mohammed Bahraini bin Women’s Khalifa Al Teams willhe carryOil and out Gas a project Holding Khalifa,Day on Wednesday and Nogaholding’s at the Alba BD 1.9 Oasis Hall in the presence of over BD 2.9 on the themeCompany and sub-theme (Nogahold - Acting CEO Dr Dhafer Al Jalah- only 100 female employees of the only decided for the year Ting) held a celebration maCompany. attended Alba’s the Deputy celebration. Chief Bahrainto mark team Bahrain’s were celebrationsselected ExecutiveThe Oil Officer Minister Ali Al Baqali, extended basedof theon a anniversary screening conducted of the estab - utmostChief Administration congratulations Officer to HM at thelishment Bahrain of the Students’ modern Instate- of KingWaleed Hamad Tamimi, bin Chief Isa Operations Al Khalifa, novationBahrain Congress as an Arab held and on Muslim 30 HRHOfficer Prime Abdulla Minister Habib, Chief Prince Novembercountry 2018 in 1783 at the by Bahrainits founder KhalifaPower Officer bin AminSalman Sultan Al and Khal - SocietyAhmed of AlEngineers Fateh, the hall 47th in An- ifaManager and LegalHRH Stephanus Prince GroblerSalman Juffair.niversary Out of of the its 17 accession projects to binwere Hamad present atAl the Khalifa, celebration Crown presented,the UN topas a2 fullwere member selected and Prince,where the Deputy female employeesSupreme were Com - by anthe eminent 19th Anniversary panel of judges of HM manderfelicitated and with First a gift Deputy as a token Prime TryTry out out our our Indian Indian plate platter- - Super Super fromthe Universities King’s Accession and various to the Minister,of the Company’s wishing appreciation. the kingdom deliciousdelicious and and great great value value for for money money otherThrone. educational institutes in ofAbove, Bahrain during many a photocall happy on returns the Bahrain.Minister of Oil also Chair- ofoccasion. the national occasion. 03 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018 big story

TDT | Manama

Mohammed Zafran

he long-awaited start to the Expo City is new Convention and Exhi- Tbition Centre Expo City project in Sakhir is underway, with a groundbreaking ceremony planned in the first quarter or in the early second quarter of 2019. The project, 10 times bigger than the Bahrain International Exhi- happening bition and Convention Centre, is expected to supplement Bahrain tourism and exhibitions authori- Expo City location ty’s efforts to make the Kingdom a prominent Meetings, Incentives, Tenders for the project expect- construction which would begin in Conferences, Exhibitions (MICE) ing completion in two years will be March or April next year. tourism destination. awarded soon with the bidding pro- “The bid closes on 16th of Janu- Bahrain International Exhibition cess closing next month, said the ary,” the minister said. “We antic- & Convention Centre in Sanabis Minister of Industry, Commerce ipate to break ground by March- has a 14,000 square meters of ex- and Tourism Zayed R. Al-Zayani. April and are looking at a two-year hibition space and 1,400 square Nine companies have pre-qual- span for the construction.” meters of function space. ified as bidders for the project’s Tribune has learnt that the new centre located in Sakhir in its first phase includes 100,000 square meter area and the second phase com- prises of 50,000 square meter area. Hotels with a combined capacity of around 1,200 rooms will also be part of Expo City. The exhibition space for the project is 120,000sqm while the project is allotted 150,000sqm in total, stated a listing on Protenders. Reportedly around 19 companies had submitted documents for A representative picture showing an exhibition being held in Bahrain The Exhibition and Convention Centre in Sanabis pre-qualification.

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DTN_03_03082018.pdf FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018 04

Biker run over by minibus Tickets and cargo not TDT / Manama Mohammed Zafran The deceased iden- biker in his thirties was tified as a Bahraini Afatally run over by a min- man ended up on the ibus on Shaikh Isa Bin Salman road after crashing subject to VAT: Gulf Air Highway yesterday. against a parked car The deceased identified as a 1000 enterprises registered Bahraini man ended up on the TDT | Manama med bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa said road after crashing against a other car. The woman was im- According to the latest re - in remarks carried by BNA ear- parked car. mediately taken to Salmaniya ulf Air’s air tickets and ports, over 1000 local and in- lier that the Kingdom will ex- According to eyewitnesses, medical complex. cargo are not subject to ternational enterprises in the clude oil products from VAT, as the man was tossed up in the Separately, in another in- the Value Added Tax Kingdom have registered for part of essential goods exclusion G Gulf Air is keen air after crashing and got run cident, six vehicles report- (VAT) which comes into force the first phase of the VAT imple- from the tax. over by the minibus. edly crashed into each other on 1 January 2019, said Gulf Air to cooperate with mentation. In another accident, a preg- on the Shaikh Isa bin Salman in a statement yesterday. all VAT related Assistant Undersecretary Report violations nant woman was injured. Causeway. No injuries were Confirming the exemption, stakeholders for Development and Policy of The National Bureau for Tax- Reports say the mishap oc- reported. Gulf Air’s Deputy Chief Exec- to review the Public Revenues at the Min - ation (NBT), in a statement re- curred after the car she was The Ministry of the interior utive Officer, Captain Waleed implementation istry of Finance and National leased yesterday, said consum- driving got rear-ended by an- is yet to confirm the accidents. Al Alawi, said Gulf Air is keen Economy, Rana Ebrahim Fa- ers are not required to register to cooperate with all VAT relat- mechanisms during qihi, said that 668 enterprises for VAT nor are they expected ed stakeholders to review the the trial period in the Kingdom have already to go through the registration implementation mechanisms starting on 1 January received their VAT registration, certificate procedures. during the trial period starting 2019 while more than 500 compa- NBT said consumers are en- BCCI seminar on new CR fees on 1 January 2019. nies have initiated the process of couraged to make sure that TDT | Manama VAT Commercial Registration CAPTAIN WALEED AL ALAWI registration. shops clearly display their Fees. 5pc VAT Businesses below the manda- registration certificate prior to he Bahrain Chamber of The seminar is scheduled for Bahrain will levy 5 per cent tory registration thresholds for paying the VAT. TCommerce and Industry Sunday and will commence at VAT in a phased manner through 2019 are not required to register To report any violations in- (BCCI) in cooperation with 11 am in Al Majlis Hall of Bait transitional mandatory registra- 1 January 2019, while those next year while those wishing cluding levying the tax on goods the Ministry of Industry, Al Tijjar. tion thresholds. making over BD500,000 and to voluntarily register in 2019 and service not subject to VAT Commerce, and Tourism is The new CR fee structure According to the regulations, BD37,500 have to be registered must exceed the voluntary reg- or charging VAT prior to its in- holding an awareness-rais- came into effect on 1 Decem- businesses earning over BD5m by 1 July 2019 and 1 January istration threshold of BD18,750. duction call 80008001 or email ing seminar on the new ber 2018. will have to be registered by 2020 respectively, reports say. Oil Minister Sheikh Moham- [email protected]. Bahrain to host 8 in 1 Expo TDT/Manama Harpreet Kaur

irst Target Consulting & FExhibitions Organising is to host one of the biggest shopping expos in the Kingdom The 8 in 1 Expo includes Bahrain International Modern House, Bahrain International Technology Expo, Health and Beauty International Expo, Fashion Time Exhibition, Per- fume expo and many others. The event will be held at the Bahrain International Exhibi- tion Centre from 9 to 12 January 2019 for a span of three days. The first Target is a Bahraini organisation specialises in organisation of exhibitions and conferences, which was established in 2007. “The exhibition, Jamal Dawood, Chairman of the board of First Target Est., told Tribune, is a combination of retail sectors under one roof Scenes from previous expo targetting different segments ous edition.” “Diversity makes the exhi- of society. Fashion accessories, cosmet- bition so unique which is dis- Bahrain Financing Company (BFC) General Manager, Pancily Varkey, inaugurating the 51st branch of BFC at Atrium Mall The expo, the organiser said, ics, perfume department, elec- tributed across many sections (Saar). BFC’s Head of Retail Sales and Branches, Deepak Nair, Corporate Business Development Manager, Roger Menezes expects to reap more success in tronics, a section of sweets and also allowing visitors to take and other BFC officials were present. First 100 customers who made a transaction received a gold coin followed by this year’s edition considering many more will be there at the advantage of great offers,” Ja- giveaways for those who couldn’t make it to the first 100. The branch is open from 9 am to 10 pm every day. the huge “turnout in the previ- expo. mal added. Evaluations help enhance the quality of government services

reau, Education & Training Government Quality Authority, University of • Bahrain and Silah Gulf all coop- Service Centers erated in providing employees Evaluation Committee to participate in the evaluation members honoured team,” said AlQaed during the ceremony held for complet - TDT | Manama ing the final evaluation of the centres. The ceremony was held in the he success of the Govern- presence of Dr Shaikh Abdulla Tment Service Centers Eval- bin Ahmed Al Khalifa - Chair- uation Committee and its objec- man of the Board of Trustees at tives will help to raise the quality During the honouring ceremony of the Government Service Centers Evaluation Committee team the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, of the government service cen- eGovernment Authority said the vices according to international Salman bin Hamad AlKhalifa speaking during a ceremony International & Energy Studies tres and customer satisfaction move ensures the continuous practices. - the Crown Prince, Deputy Su- held to honour the team mem- (Derasat), committee members level, a top official said. development of public services, The effort, Ali AlQaed said, preme Commander and First bers who took part in the evalu- and 30 attendees of the evalua- Committee Chairman Mo- enhances the user experience by reflects the aspirations of the or- Deputy Prime Minister – and ation process of the government tion team. hamed Ali AlQaed - Chief Ex- improving procedures, as well ganisational committee chaired his vision. service centres. Team members received ap- ecutive of the Information & as delivery of high-quality ser- by His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Ali AlQaed was “Derasat, Civil Service Bu- preciation certificates. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018 04 05

Biker run over by Court jails 14 Bahrainis over terrorist activities minibus Tickets and cargo not Bahraini company TDT | Manama

TDT / Manama The deceased iden- he High Criminal Court Investigators found Mohammed Zafran yesterday convicted 14 biker in his thirties was tified as a Bahraini T that the activities of Bahrainis for their involve- the cell were financed Afatally run over by a min- man ended up on the ment in establishing, joining ibus on Shaikh Isa Bin Salman road after crashing subject to VAT: Gulf Air manager jailed for and funding a terrorist group. by the leaders of the Highway yesterday. against a parked car The cell, according to court terrorist organisation The deceased identified as a 1000 enterprises registered files, carried out terrorist as- living abroad Bahraini man ended up on the TDT | Manama med bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa said saults, unlicensed demonstra- road after crashing against a other car. The woman was im- According to the latest re - in remarks carried by BNA ear- tions, rioting, and handled ex- parked car. mediately taken to Salmaniya ulf Air’s air tickets and ports, over 1000 local and in- lier that the Kingdom will explosive devices. According to eyewitnesses, medical complex. cargo are not subject to ternational enterprises in the clude oil products from VAT, as sexual harassment One of the convicts received the activities of the cell were the man was tossed up in the Separately, in another in- the Value Added Tax Kingdom have registered for part of essential goods exclusion G Gulf Air is keen a life term in jail, while nine financed by the leaders of the air after crashing and got run cident, six vehicles report- (VAT) which comes into force the first phase of the VAT imple- from the tax. others received seven years terrorist organisation living over by the minibus. edly crashed into each other on 1 January 2019, said Gulf Air to cooperate with mentation. sexual abuse of two of his fe - to her, demanded a kiss from imprisonment and a fine of abroad. In another accident, a preg- on the Shaikh Isa bin Salman in a statement yesterday. all VAT related Assistant Undersecretary Report violations In passing the verdict, Two of his female male staff. her after asking her to come BD100,000. The convicts besides organ- nant woman was injured. Causeway. No injuries were Confirming the exemption, stakeholders for Development and Policy of The National Bureau for Tax- • The offences took place in the court considered to his office, just 10 days after The court also awarded a ising the activities also filmed Reports say the mishap oc- reported. Gulf Air’s Deputy Chief Exec- to review the Public Revenues at the Min - ation (NBT), in a statement re- colleagues filed 2017 when the accused was evidence including joining. three-year term to three other the attacks on Sitra Police Sta- curred after the car she was The Ministry of the interior utive Officer, Captain Waleed implementation istry of Finance and National leased yesterday, said consum- sexual harassment working as a manager in a pri- eyewitness accounts The defendant also tried to convicts, as well as BD 200 tion and police personnel. driving got rear-ended by an- is yet to confirm the accidents. Al Alawi, said Gulf Air is keen mechanisms during Economy, Rana Ebrahim Fa- ers are not required to register complaints against him vate bank. exploit her by summoning her fine to two defendants. Na - The second defendant led to cooperate with all VAT relat- qihi, said that 668 enterprises for VAT nor are they expected Charges were pressed against to his office after switching off tionalities of all convicts will the field operations to kill po- ed stakeholders to review the the trial period in the Kingdom have already to go through the registration TDT | Manama him after the authorities re - After the incident, the de - the lights. be revoked after completing licemen, damage private and implementation mechanisms starting on 1 January received their VAT registration, certificate procedures. ceived a complaint from one of fendant also called the victim The public prosecution jail terms. public property and terrify during the trial period starting 2019 while more than 500 compa- NBT said consumers are en- BCCI seminar on new CR fees his employees accusing him of on phone seeking pardon but found that the accused sexual Court files indicate that the public. on 1 January 2019. nies have initiated the process of couraged to make sure that he highest appeal court sexual harassment. ended up dropping sexual in- harassed the first and second fugitive elements of terrorist The Prosecution present- TDT | Manama Commercial Registration registration. shops clearly display their VAT 5pc VAT CAPTAIN WALEED AL ALAWI has affirmed the one- The defendant, according to nuendos. victims with his repetitive be- organisation ‘14th of February’ ed witness testimonies, de- Fees. Businesses below the manda- registration certificate prior to year jail term given to the victim, tried to exploit her He was also accused of sexu- haviour with obscene attacks, were involved in recruiting the fendant confessions, techni- he Bahrain Chamber of The seminar is scheduled for Bahrain will levy 5 per cent tory registration thresholds for paying the VAT. T a Bahraini company manager sexually while in his cabin from al harassment by another lady often addressing them in a first and second defendants. cal evidence and referred the TCommerce and Industry Sunday and will commence at VAT in a phased manner through 2019 are not required to register To report any violations in- after being found guilty for the which she managed to escape. staff. The defendant, according vulgar way. They were tasked to form defendants to the High Crim- (BCCI) in cooperation with 11 am in Al Majlis Hall of Bait transitional mandatory registra- 1 January 2019, while those next year while those wishing cluding levying the tax on goods a terrorist cell and carry out inal Court which deliberated the Ministry of Industry, Al Tijjar. tion thresholds. making over BD500,000 and to voluntarily register in 2019 and service not subject to VAT riots, vandalism, arson at - the case during its sessions Commerce, and Tourism is The new CR fee structure According to the regulations, BD37,500 have to be registered must exceed the voluntary reg- or charging VAT prior to its in- tacks and to create panic in in the presence of defence holding an awareness-rais- came into effect on 1 Decem- businesses earning over BD5m by 1 July 2019 and 1 January istration threshold of BD18,750. duction call 80008001 or email the country by planting fake attorneys. ing seminar on the new ber 2018. will have to be registered by 2020 respectively, reports say. Oil Minister Sheikh Moham- [email protected]. explosive devices on public The convicts have the right Two arrested for selling alcoholic substances roads. to appeal the verdict before TDT | Manama They were also ordered to the Court of Appeals within Announcing the arrest, The Crimi - activities in a flat in the Gudaibiya target Sitra Police Station and the prescribed duration and wo Asian nationals were arrested for nal Investigation Directorate (CID) Di- area. stage unlicensed demonstra- are also permitted under the Tmaking and selling alcoholic substance rector General revealed that the sus - Legal procedures were taken to refer the tions in Sitra area. Bahraini law to plead before Bahrain to host 8 in 1 Expo in Gudaibiya. pects, a man and a woman based their case to the Public Prosecution. Investigators also found that the Court of Cassation. TDT/Manama Harpreet Kaur irst Target Consulting & FExhibitions Organising is to host one of the biggest shopping expos in the Kingdom The 8 in 1 Expo includes Bahrain International Modern House, Bahrain International Technology Expo, Health and Beauty International Expo, Fashion Time Exhibition, Per- fume expo and many others. The event will be held at the Bahrain International Exhibi- tion Centre from 9 to 12 January 2019 for a span of three days. The first Target is a Bahraini organisation specialises in organisation of exhibitions and conferences, which was established in 2007. “The exhibition, Jamal Dawood, Chairman of the board of First Target Est., told Tribune, is a combination of retail sectors under one roof Scenes from previous expo targetting different segments ous edition.” “Diversity makes the exhi- of society. Fashion accessories, cosmet- bition so unique which is dis- Bahrain Financing Company (BFC) General Manager, Pancily Varkey, inaugurating the 51st branch of BFC at Atrium Mall The expo, the organiser said, ics, perfume department, elec- tributed across many sections (Saar). BFC’s Head of Retail Sales and Branches, Deepak Nair, Corporate Business Development Manager, Roger Menezes expects to reap more success in tronics, a section of sweets and also allowing visitors to take and other BFC officials were present. First 100 customers who made a transaction received a gold coin followed by this year’s edition considering many more will be there at the advantage of great offers,” Ja- giveaways for those who couldn’t make it to the first 100. The branch is open from 9 am to 10 pm every day. the huge “turnout in the previ- expo. mal added. Evaluations help enhance the quality of government services reau, Education & Training Government Quality Authority, University of • Bahrain and Silah Gulf all coop- Service Centers erated in providing employees Evaluation Committee to participate in the evaluation members honoured team,” said AlQaed during the ceremony held for complet - TDT | Manama ing the final evaluation of the centres. The ceremony was held in the he success of the Govern- presence of Dr Shaikh Abdulla Tment Service Centers Eval- bin Ahmed Al Khalifa - Chair- uation Committee and its objec- man of the Board of Trustees at tives will help to raise the quality During the honouring ceremony of the Government Service Centers Evaluation Committee team the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, of the government service cen- eGovernment Authority said the vices according to international Salman bin Hamad AlKhalifa speaking during a ceremony International & Energy Studies tres and customer satisfaction move ensures the continuous practices. - the Crown Prince, Deputy Su- held to honour the team mem- (Derasat), committee members level, a top official said. development of public services, The effort, Ali AlQaed said, preme Commander and First bers who took part in the evalu- and 30 attendees of the evalua- Committee Chairman Mo- enhances the user experience by reflects the aspirations of the or- Deputy Prime Minister – and ation process of the government tion team. hamed Ali AlQaed - Chief Ex- improving procedures, as well ganisational committee chaired his vision. service centres. Team members received ap- ecutive of the Information & as delivery of high-quality ser- by His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Ali AlQaed was “Derasat, Civil Service Bu- preciation certificates. 06 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018 world

China hijacker killed two before Indonesian police burns commandeering ‘Exit Afghan or face mountain of marijuana bus Soviet-style defeat’ Taliban warns the United States to leave Afghanistan

The Soviets pulled• out of Afghanistan in 1989 A member of the medical staff (L-in white) takes care of an AFP | Kabul, Afghanistan injured person after a hijacked bus crashed into pedestrians in Indonesian police burn a large pile of seized marajuana at a ceremony in Longyan in China’s eastern Fujian he Taliban warned the Banda Aceh province United States yesterday Banda Aceh, Indonesia were paraded around the cer- Beijing, China Tit would face the same emony. fate as the Soviet Union in the towering stack of marijua- Aceh is a deeply conserv- 1980s if it did not leave Afghan- Ana that weighed a hefty ative region at the tip of Su- he man who hijacked a istan, as Washington considers 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds) matra island that publicly Tbus and crashed it into slashing troop numbers. went up in smoke Thursday whips criminals for a range of pedestrians in east China’s In a taunting message sent as Indonesian police lit up the offences including gambling, Fujian province had killed on the 39th anniversary of the US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet members of pungent contraband. drinking alcohol, and having two others before the inci- Soviet invasion of the war-torn the US military during an unannounced trip to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq Authorities in the Mus - gay sex or relations outside of dent, state media reported. country, the Taliban said US lim-majority nation’s Aceh marriage. The hijacker, a 48-year- forces faced “humiliation” and foreign troops as a condition for province took a match to the Indonesia also has some of old identified only by his could “learn a great deal” from engaging in peace talks. bricks of pot and also de- the world’s strictest drug laws. surname Qiu, killed a lo - the experience of their Cold The White House has so far stroyed some 19 kilogrammes This month, five foreigners cal official and police of- War foe. Take heed from not confirmed the widely-pub- of methamphetamine, seized were arrested in Bali for drug ficer Tuesday before flee- The Soviets pulled out of Af- the Soviet defeat licised move that left foreign in raids this year. trafficking, with a German and ing the scene and taking ghanistan in 1989, ending a dec- in Afghanistan and diplomats and Afghan officials Five drug suspects in Peruvian possibly facing exe- over a public bus in Long- ade-long occupation and pre- abandon thoughts in Kabul stunned and dismayed. bright-orange prison garb cution if convicted. yan city, Fujian TV said cipitating a bloody civil war and of testing the mettle It came last week as US peace Wednesday. the emergence of the Taliban. of the already envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met After Qiu killed the cadre “Take heed from the Sovi- proven Afghans with the Taliban in Abu Dhabi, who was visiting his home, et defeat in Afghanistan and part of efforts to bring the mil- he went to a local commu- abandon thoughts of testing itants to the negotiating table Ex-China spymaster nity office where he fatally the mettle of the already proven ZABIULLAH MUJAHID with Kabul. wounded a police officer Afghans,” Taliban spokesman TALIBAN SPOKESMAN That was the latest in a se- using a knife hidden in his Zabiullah Mujahid said in a ries of meetings between US Ma Jian jailed for life clothes, the report said. statement in English, Dari and officials and representatives Photos taken by Fujian TV Pashto. of the Talian that began in the showed broken glass and a Mujahid said any future re- summer. blood-splattered floor. lations between the Taliban Trump had decided to with- There are fears Trump’s de- Qiu fled the scene and and the United States should draw roughly half of the 14,000 cision could undermine Khal- hijacked a bus, which he be based on “sound diplomatic US troops in Afghanistan. ilzad’s negotiating position, em- drove into a crowd. and economic principles” rath- But a senior commander said bolden the Taliban, and further Eight people were killed er than conflict. that the group was “more than erode morale among Afghan and 22 injured in the inci- The Taliban have not formal- happy”. The Taliban have long forces, which are suffering re- dent. ly responded to the news that insisted on the withdrawal of cord losses. Indonesia hikes danger level for deadly tsunami volcano Ma Jian (Courtesy of Economic Times) hind closed doors in August AFP | Beijing, China Carita, Indonesia and Sumatra islands. because of state secrets in - But the status change sparked volved, the court said. ndonesia yesterday raised new fears with many residents x-China spymaster Ma From 1999 to 2014, Ma used Ithe danger alert level for an already scared and refusing to EJian was jailed for life over his position at the ministry to erupting volcano that sparked return to their communities corruption, a court in north- help Chinese billionaire Guo a killer tsunami at the weekend, over fears of another tsunami. eastern China announced yes- Wengui further his business after earlier warning that fresh “This worries me,” said Ugi terday. interests, receiving over 109 activity at the crater threatened Sugiarti, a cook at the Augusta “Ma Jian’s behaviour con- million yuan ($15.9 million) in to trigger another deadly wave. Hotel in hard-hit Carita. “I’ve stituted the crime of accept- bribes, the court said, detailing Authorities also widened a already left.” ing bribes, forcing others to several instances where the no-go zone around rumbling Sukma, a security guard at trade and insider trading,” the two had colluded. Anak Krakatoa to five kilo - the shattered Mutiara Carita Dalian Intermediate People’s In 2013, Ma engaged in in- metres (three miles) -- up from Cottages, added: “Just please Court in Liaoning province sider trading through his rel- a previous two kilometres -- and pray for us and that everything announced in a statement. atives, selling some 49 million warned shell-shocked residents will be okay.” At least 430 people Ma pleaded guilty and has yuan worth of stocks, the court to stay away from the coast, af- were killed in the disaster, with decided not to appeal, the said. ter more than 400 were killed by The Anak (Child) Krakatoa volcano erupting, as seen from a ship on the Sunda 1,495 people injured and an - court said, adding that his Ma’s fall from grace was Saturday night’s wave. Straits other 159 were missing. Nearly political rights have been re- precipitated by a sweeping in- Plumes of ash burst into the 22,000 people have been evac- voked for life and all his per- vestigation into other figures sky as pyroclastic flows -- hot ter agency spokesman Sutopo scale, while aviation officials uated and are living in shelters. sonal assets confiscated. in China’s security apparatus, gas and other volcanic mate - Purwo Nugroho. ordered flights to be redirected On Wednesday evening, the A former deputy head of most notably Zhou Yongkang rial -- flowed down the crater, “People (near the volcano) away from the area. disaster agency said that wind China’s ministry of state se- who was responsible for the threatening anyone too close could be hit by hot rocks, pyro- was blowing “ash and sand” curity, Ma was put under in- security ministry and Ma’s to the volcano and raising the clastic flows and thick ash.” ‘Just pray for us’ from the volcano to the nearby vestigation for corruption in boss in 2012. Guo, who was re- risk of rough seas for boats in Authorities raised the cra- The new flows posed no im- towns of Cilegon and Serang on 2015 and expelled from the peatedly named in the court’s the vicinity. ter’s status to high alert, the mediate danger to nearby towns Java, and advised residents to Communist Party the follow- statement, is now a fugitive “There is a danger of more second-highest warning on the as the volcano sits in the middle wear masks and glasses if they ing year. living in New York since he eruptions,” said national disas- country’s four-point danger of the Sunda Strait between Java had to venture outdoors. The hearing was held be- fled China in 2014. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018 07

Pakistani militant Woman chops off wanted in Chinese stalker’s genitals attack killed in Mumbai, India Afghanistan N. Korea admits n Indian woman cut off Quetta, Pakistan Athe genitals of a man who had been stalking her, Pakistani separatist before rushing him to hos- Awanted over an attack pital to save his life, police on the Chinese consulate said yesterday. in Karachi in November has The 47-year-old wom- been killed in a suicide blast farming failures an and two men lured her in Afghanistan, his group neighbour to an isolated has confirmed. AFP | Seoul, South Korea to attain the goal of grain pro- spot in Mumbai before Aslam Baloch was be - duction” set out in a five-year hacking off his genitals. lieved to be one of the orth Korea has acknowl- development plan that wraps “We have arrested the leaders of the Balochistan Nedged “drawbacks” in its up in 2020. woman and two accomplic- Liberation Army, one of a agricultural sector this year, The North has been less hes- es and she has accepted it myriad of insurgent groups echoing UN reports of declin- itant in highlighting shortcom- was her plan to chop off the fighting in Pakistan’s restive ing crop yields in a country that ings and policy failures through stalker’s genitals because of southwestern Balochistan remains heavily reliant on food its state media since leader Kim his constant harassment,” province. imports and aid. Jong Un succeeded his late fa- Senior Inspector Gajanan He was killed on Tuesday Agricultural production is ther Kim Jong Il in 2011. Kabdule said. along with four others in a chronically poor in the North, The young, Swiss-educated The 27-year-old neigh- blast in Afghanistan’s south- which has periodically been leader has occasionally been bour had sought sexual fa- ern Kandahar province, the hit by famine, with hundreds reported rebuking officials for vours from the woman -- a group said in a statement of thousands dying -- some es- failing to satisfactorily carry out mother of two -- and told issued late Wednesday in timates say millions -- in the tasks. the woman’s husband he which they vowed to con- mid-1990s. The UN’s Food and Agricul- was in love with her, which tinue their fight for Baloch Premier of the government ture Organization said this led to a fight between the independence. cabinet, Pak Pong Ju, referred Visitors look at an art installation by South Korean artist Lim Young-sun entitled month that the isolated, nucle- couple, Kabdule said. Kandahar police chief to “drawbacks made by some ‘The Show Must Go On’ depicting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US ar-armed state would need to The woman then alleg- Tadin Khan confirmed a farms and units in the past” at a president Donald Trump, at the Seoul Art Center import 641,000 tonnes of food edly sought help from two suicide bombing had taken national meeting of farming of- in the coming year. The figure young men in the neigh - place in the provincial capi- ficials that took place in Pyong- conduct seed production and Pak was quoted as saying by is up from 456,000 tonnes this bourhood. They contacted tal, killing two civilians. An- yang this week, state media said management in a responsible the KCNA news agency in an year, when it bought 390,000 the victim and lured him to other Afghan official who on Thursday. way and also fell short of do - English-language report. tonnes and received 66,000 an industrial zone on Tues- spoke anonymously said Ba- “He said that they failed to ing proper strain distribution,” He “underscored the need tonnes in food aid. day, the officer added. loch and a second member The woman then took the of the BLA were the targets lead in cutting off the stalk- of the attack. er’s genitals in the street be- No group has claimed re- fore rushing him to hospital. sponsibility for the attack. Saving Dal “We recovered the knife Four people were killed and genitals and all three when militants attacked Indian army soldiers collect weeds in accused are in police cus- China’s consulate in the Dal Lake during a dense fog in Srinagar. tody,” Kabdule said, adding port city of Karachi in No- Indian army is stepping up efforts that an investigation was vember. to save Dal Lake from pollution that underway. Police have not threatens to turn it into a weed-clogged identified the woman or the swamp. stalker. Media reports said the Two injured in blast injured man underwent outside Athens life-saving surgery. church Athens, Greece ‘Cracking’ Sydney tower residents evacuated Tourists found drowned homemade explosive Sydney, Australia Adevice went off ear- ers were declared “structurally after golf-buggy collision ly Thursday in front of a esidents in a recently com- unsafe”. church in central Athens Rpleted Sydney high-rise The issue threw the Christ- Bangkok, Thailand rescued by nearby fishermen. injuring its caretaker and apartment block that made mas plans of affected residents More than 50 rescue work- a police officer, police said. “cracking noises” on Christ- into disarray, with some telling he bodies of two South ers from the military and The explosion happened mas Eve were moved out again local media they had to sleep TKorean men who drowned police were involved in the at 7:10 am (0510 GMT) in Thursday as engineers work in their cars while waiting to while golfing in northern search for the missing men the upmarket Kolonaki “round the clock” to fix the is- return home. Thailand have been found, po- -- Sung Jun-yong, 68, and Ha area, police said, adding that sue. Others said that even though lice said Thursday, after their Jae-oong, 76. an arterial road had been Police and emergency servic- their apartments were deemed wives’ buggy collided with One body was found last sealed off. es evacuated some 300 people to be safe, they were too afraid their own, knocking them into night about 2 kilometres (1.2 The police officer was in the 38-storey Opal Tower in to live in them. a river. miles) from the accident site, hospitalised with minor in- the Sydney Olympic Park and Builder Icon on Thursday The group were on a ferry while the other was discovered juries to his face and hands other nearby buildings on Mon- defended the tower as “struc- preparing to cross the river by villagers Thursday morning sustained when he went to day after reports of “cracking turally sound”. that runs through the course “floating near a temple”, Suwat inspect a “suspicious” pack- noises”. “The temporary relocation when the men -- who were in said. age after being alerted by The building moved “one to is a precautionary measure to one buggy -- were accidental- “Their wives said both are the caretaker. two millimetres” during the allow engineers to work around ly rammed by their wives in able to swim but I think the The caretaker was also incident and authorities said the clock to comprehensively another. cause of drowning was the hospitalised. they found a crack on the 10th investigate and remediate the The impact threw them all strong undercurrent,” he add- A worker at a cafe near floor. site in the quickest time frame into the muddy waters, said ed. the church told Skai televi- Some two-thirds of the units possible, without further dis- district police Lieutenant The two couples arrived in sion that the blast had been were declared safe to return to Police and firefighters stay in front of ruption to residents,” it added Colonel Suwat Suawatmontri. Thailand on Christmas Eve for “powerful.” Tuesday morning, but 51 oth- the Opal Tower during an inspection in a statement. The women were promptly a holiday. Bangladesh’s deadly election campaign ends in anger Dhaka, Bangladesh supporters of the ruling Awami November 8. The BNP and its ally angladesh’s deadly election League marched in Dhaka and Jamaat-e-Islami say more than Bcampaign entered a final full other cities bringing the traf- 11,500 of their followers have day yesterday with followers of fic-choked streets to a stand- been arrested and thousand of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina still ahead of the official close of activists, including candidates, parading in the streets while campaigning early Friday. injured in attacks by ruling party. her opponents insisted the vote The BNP, whose leader is in Amid international concern would not be free and fair. jail, said it had been prevented over events, UN Secretary Gen- Both sides launched new sal- from holding its closing rally in eral Antonio Guterres appealed voes in their war of words ahead Dhaka. Thousands of its sup - for calm. Guterres “calls on all of Sunday’s polling. porters were allowed to march stakeholders to ensure an en- Hasina accused the opposition through the northern city of Syl- vironment free of violence, in- of organising bomb attacks while het however. timidation and coercion before, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party At least six people -- four from during and after the elections, said “the state” was aiding an the BNP and two from the Awa- so as to enable a peaceful, cred- assault on the opposition. Supporters of Bangladesh Awami League march along a street as they take part in a rally ahead of the December 30 mi League -- have been killed ible and inclusive poll,” said a Thousands of flag-waving general election vote, in Dhaka since the campaign started on spokesman. ALL TRUTHS ARE EASY TO UNDERSTAND QUOTE ONCE THEY ARE DISCOVERED; THE OF THE POINT IS TO DISCOVER THEM DAY GALILEO GALILEI FRIDAY DECEMBER 28, 2018 To reclaim Baghdad, Iraqi artists grapple with its ghosts

HISTORIC WALK

Artists came together for a two-day walking tour of Iraq’s capital in an effort to address social dilemmas and reclaim

Baghdad’s identity An artist practises at the Abu Nuwas Theatre that was destroyed in 2003 during the war in the Iraqi capital Baghdad

A SPECIAL BREAD Lebanese bakers with special needs master German rye and Stollen Bakery on the ground floor of the Mosan centre for special needs students began operating in 2003 after a German charity - Bread Against Misery - donated second-hand baking equipment

Reuters | Burj Al Shamali, Lebanon the principles of making bread the German way. Kerdi now trains a group of students on how to hen Ali Kerdi, who has impaired speech and make a variety of German breads that were previ- Whearing, was a teenager, he would look on ously alien to their area of southern Lebanon. curiously as his mother kneaded and baked their “The main aim of the project was to train them homemade bread. how to make bread, it was not to open a busi - Years later, he would do the same as he worked ness,” said Ali Charafeddine, director of the Mosan as a cleaner at a centre in southern Lebanon where centre, which currently has 175 special needs people with special needs were being taught how students. to make German bread. But the bakery has become popular among locals Now, at 35, Kerdi is in charge, running the bakery and expatriates - even including some UN peace- with two other special needs employees. keepers - and its bread and biscuit products are “First, they wanted to teach me sewing, then neatly stacked outside for sale. carpentry, then I was running errands. But I would The bakery provides a taste of home for Maria, watch them as I worked. If I touched the dough, a foreigner who has been living in Lebanon for they would tell me to go away,” said Kerdi, who seven years. never gave up on his dream of learning to bake. “This bread is baked in my country, it tastes like On a rainy day in December, Kerdi and his from my home. It’s very nice,” she said, adding that team were busy making Stollen, rye bread with she will not be going home to Belarus for Christmas fruits and nuts that is a Christmas staple in this year. Germany. Kerdi says his journey towards running the bak- The bakery, on the ground floor of the Mosan ery has been a special source of pride because his centre for special needs students, began operating income supports his family. in 2003 after a German charity - Bread Against “People were surprised that I was baking. It was Misery - donated second-hand baking equipment the first time they saw this kind of bread. Now they from Germany. know me as the one who learned here and then Three German bakers came for three months to became the boss,” he said as he showed a student Lebanese men hold bread fresh from the oven in the southern city of Tyre teach the staff how to operate the equipment and how to fold a pretzel.

Hon. Chairman Najeb Yacob Alhamer | Editor-in-Chief Mahmood AI Mahmood | Deputy Editor-in-Chief Ahdeya Ahmed | Chairman & Managing Editor P Unnikrishnan | Advertisement: Update Media W.L.L | Tel: 38444692, Email: [email protected] | Newsroom: Tel: 38444680, Email: [email protected] Subscription & circulation: Tel: 38444698/17579877 | Email:[email protected] | Website: www.newsofbahrain.com | Printed and published by Al Ayam Publishing TODAY IN 1065 1612 1836 1908 HISTORY Westminster Abbey in London First observation of Neptune - Spain recognizes independence Earthquake strikes Messina, Italy, consecrated Galileo observes and records a of Mexico killing nearly 80,000 “fixed star” without realising it is a planet

AFP | Baghdad “There are more cafes with young Iraq has been rocked by waves of people, more creative initiatives, but it ressed in a multi-coloured bean- is in the restricted realm of educated instability, from the 2003 US-led in- ie and grey sneakers, Zaid Saad urban bourgeoisie,” said Pieri, a spe- vasion to years of sectarian violence Dhad just finished setting up his cialist in Iraq’s modern urban history. and bombings, to the three-year war contemporary art exhibit on Baghdad’s “It’s better than nothing, but not against IS that ended last year. sandy riverbank when police showed enough to irrigate the whole society.” Those 15 years have scarred the up. Indeed, the scrums of shoppers along capital, with many streets sealed off The piece was part of a two-day Rasheed were more interested in the ta- by police and blast walls surrounding walking tour of Iraq’s capital, an effort bles of watches, shimmering carp, and by young artists to address social di- fake Adidas than the public art exhibit. any building deemed to be a possible lemmas and reclaim Baghdad’s identity “Are you Iraqi?” one asked the walk- target after more than a decade of violence. ers, as puzzled passersby looked on. But at virtually every turn, organizers As the sun set on Baghdad’s Tahrir came up against some of the very stere- Zaid Saad talks to spectators in the Iraqi capital Baghdad (Liberation) Square, artist Luay Al-Ha- otypes they sought to break down, from the sea route to Europe. A radio near- forms of demonstrations and protest. dari erected his contribution: a pink blast walls to jumpy security guards and by blared testimonies of relatives or It wants something new,” said Saad, a statue of a woman with snapped chains Hadari said in a nod to Iraq’s conserv- skeptical members of Iraq’s conserva- friends who wished them well. member of Iraqi art collective Tarkib. dangling from each wrist. atism. tive society. “I want to deliver the message that “Art, especially contemporary art, Draped in a plastic sheet modelled Ali Amer, a 34-year-old engineer at- Saad’s art, for example, was set up in we should stay here. We should build is new here. So it’ll have an effect,” he after a traditional robe, the figure rep- tending the walk, said the onus was on a highly-sensitive area: directly across our country first, and then go to other added. resented women IS had abducted and Iraqi society itself. the Tigris River from Baghdad’s Green places,” Saad, 27, told AFP. Iraq has been rocked by waves of sexually exploited during its reign over “Our city’s filthy? We’re the ones who Zone, the walled-off enclave housing “They left because of the pressures instability, from the 2003 US-led inva- parts of Iraq. dirtied it. It isn’t safe? We’re creating parliament, other government offices, and everything that happened here, sion to years of sectarian violence and “I cut the chain, her hands are up in the problems,” he told AFP. and numerous embassies. which turned Iraq into an unlivable bombings, to the three-year war against the air — there’s hope in the piece,” said “Today was an attempt to solve these Police officers arrived as he was pre- country. The main reason is the gov- Daesh that ended last year. Hadari, who told AFP he chose Tahrir problems, that’s why I wanted to take paring to unveil his work, leading to a ernment present in the Green Zone,” Those 15 years have scarred the cap- Square because the artwork was about part.” flurry of phone calls and handwritten he said. ital, with many streets sealed off by liberation. Abu Adhraa Al-Rubaye, a burly man authorizations before Saad was finally Art, he insisted, could be a way to police and blast walls surrounding any Hours earlier, he had to make selling phone accessories near one of able to introduce the piece to an audi- address the toughest challenges facing building deemed to be a possible target. last-minute adjustments to the stat- the art installations, was less sure. ence of around two dozen. Iraq today: waves of emigration, the One segment of the “Baghdad Walk” ue’s makeshift robe to cover more of “We grew up on violence. There’s no “Sanduq” or “Crate” in Arabic aftermath of the Daesh group, poverty ran parallel to a stretch of protective her body. hope it’ll change through art,” he said. brought together 11 cardboard boxes, and pollution. concrete T-walls separating a bustling “Most people won’t understand the “War, after war, after war — history each representing an Iraqi who risked “Iraqi society has gotten used to all open-air market from a public bank. concept and will consider it nudity,” is stronger than art.” Hussein Matar, the stocky photogra- pher leading this portion of the stroll, was unphased. “Everything negative in the city is just skin-deep. We can change it,” he told AFP. Matar had shot new versions of dec- ades-old photographs of Baghdad’s her- alded past, hanging the paired pictures on the dilapidated classical Iraqi homes of Rasheed Street. Despite his optimism, most of Bagh- dad’s heritage has been permanently “disfigured,” warned Caecilia Pieri, associate researcher at the French In- stitute of the Near East. And initiatives like the walk, while Artists practise at the Abu Nuwas Theatre that was destroyed in 2003 during the war in the Iraqi an improvement, were only reaching a capital Baghdad small segment of Iraqi society. Artists practise at the Abu Nuwas Theatre

Ali Kerdi, 35, trains special needs students at a bakery in the southern city of Tyre, Lebanon Ali Kerdi (left)with special needs students at a bakery in the southern city of Tyre, Lebanon

US Fed chairman’s job ‘100 pct’ safe: Trump advisor Britain voices Washington, United States

resident Donald Trump has Pno intention of firing the chairman of the Federal Re - grave concerns serve, despite his barrages of criticism against the central bank, White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett said Wednesday. “Yes, of course, 100 percent,” Hassett said when asked on ABC over Huawei television whether Fed boss Jerome Powell would keep his London, United Kingdom agency chief Alex Younger who job. earlier this year said Britain Hassett also downplayed jit- ritish Defence Secre- would have to make “some de- ters over the economic outlook, tary Gavin Williamson cisions” about the involvement following plummeting stock Bhas warned of his “very of firms such as Huawei. market prices. deep concerns” about Chinese Britain’s government earlier “All the anecdotal informa- Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin (file) technology giant Huawei being this year announced the West tion we’re getting is that the involved in the use of 5G on Midlands region in central Eng- fundamentals remain extreme- check that they have healthy and you know,” Hassett said. Britain’s mobile network, The land would become the first ly sound,” Hassett said, as Wall liquidity levels. “We’ve all been doing that Times reported yesterday. large-scale testing area for 5G. Street bounced back from its The calls -- apparently meant really quite a bit over the few “I have grave, very deep con- Fifth-generation mobile net- most recent losses. to demonstrate the White weeks.” cerns about Huawei providing works, or 5G, will have fast - Hassett said that Christ - House’s grip on the volatile sit- Hassett said that the ongo- the 5G network in Britain. It’s er transmission speeds and mas-period shopping had been uation -- backfired by sparking ing budget impasse in which something we’d have to look at could enable a far wider use “through the roof” and that the concerns that the government swaths of the federal govern- very closely,” Williamson was of self-driving vehicles and in- economy was still expanding might be worried about a run ment are going without fund- quoted as saying by the news- ternet-powered household ob- at a good pace, with “the mo- on the banks. ing, due to Congress’ refusal to paper. jects.It is expected to be rolled mentum that we saw this year... “Secretary Mnuchin talks to authorize Trump’s demand for “We’ve got to look at what Gavin Williamson (Courtesy of Irish out in Asia and the United carrying over to next year.” bankers all the time, practically more money on a US-Mexico partners such as Australia Times) States from 2020. The Trump advisor likewise every day and you know, the border barrier, would not harm and the US are doing in order Huawei has defended its sought to calm nerves triggered markets clearly are focused on the economy. to ensure that they have the posed, that the Chinese state global ambitions and network by revelations that Treasury downside risk for next year and “A few weeks shutdown is not maximum security of that 5G does sometimes act in a malign in the face of Western fears Secretary Steve Mnuchin it’s important to gather infor- going to be something that has network,” he said. way,” he said. that the Chinese telecom giant phoned the CEOs of America’s mation from the normal sourc- any kind of significant effect on “We’ve got to recognise the Williamson’s comments echo could serve as a Trojan horse biggest banks last weekend to es and from informal sources the outlook,” he said. fact, as has been recently ex- similar warnings from MI6 spy for Beijing’s security apparatus.

Russia plays down idea of China, US trade negotiators to meet forming joint org with OPEC Beijing, China March 1. Reuters | Moscow This would be the first face- rade negotiators from China to-face talks since the truce was t is highly unlikely that OPEC Tand the United States are agreed by both leaders on the Iand other oil producers planning to meet in January for The Chinese and US sidelines of the G20 in Buenos would set up a joint structure talks, Beijing said Thursday, but Aires. due to the additional red tape stopped short of confirming the economic and trade On Sunday, Beijing’s com- it would create as well as the exact date or location. teams have always merce ministry said China and risk of US monopoly-related Both sides are engaged in a maintained close the US “made new progress” sanctions, Russian Energy bruising trade war but rela - communication on the issues of trade balance Minister Alexander Novak Russian Energy Minister Alexander tions have thawed since Chi- GAO FENG and intellectual property during said yesterday. nese President Xi Jinping and a phone call between officials The Organisation of the Pe- Novak COMMERCE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN US President Donald Trump from the two countries. troleum Exporting Countries said that Moscow and OPEC agreed to a 90-day truce earlier Beijing on December 14 an- and other top oil producers led lynchpin Saudi Arabia had this month. maintaining intensive telephone week of January 7, Bloomberg nounced that starting January by Russia have since the end of reached a general agreement “The Chinese and US econom- consultations, the two sides reported, citing two people fa- 1 it would suspend extra tariffs 2016 made an unprecedented that the OPEC+ format should ic and trade teams have always have made specific arrange - miliar with the matter. added to US-made cars and auto joint effort to curb output and be “institutionalised” and ex- maintained close communica- ments for face-to-face consul- Word of the meeting follows parts. support prices. tended until 2019 and beyond tion,” said commerce ministry tations.” small signs of progress -- and China also resumed the pur- OPEC and Russia jointly pro- to monitor the market and take spokesman Gao Feng at a regu- Deputy US Trade Represent- the absence of new threats from chase of US soybeans and eased duce more than 40 per cent of joint action if needed. lar briefing. ative Jeffrey Gerrish will lead Trump -- while the two sides investment rules for US compa- the world’s oil. However, Novak said such “In January, in addition to the US team for talks during the work to ease trade tensions by nies following the truce. Russia’s energy ministry had an idea has been ditched. Ex-MtGox bitcoin chief maintains innocence in trial arguments Tokyo, Japan nies all charges. MtGox -- once charges he is facing, public he former head of collapsed the world’s biggest bitcoin ex- broadcaster NHK said. Tbitcoin exchange MtGox change -- collapsed in 2014 af- Those charges are not di - apologised yesterday for losses ter cryptocurrency worth half a rectly related to how MtGox that bankrupted the firm but in- billion dollars disappeared from lost 850,000 bitcoin -- worth sisted he was innocent of charg- its virtual vaults, a mystery that KNOW WHAT around $480 million at the es including embezzlement at remains unsolved. time. MtGox was shuttered in closing arguments in his Tokyo In early December, Tokyo 2014 after admitting the massive trial, local media reported. prosecutors demanded a 10-year disappearance of the coins. The France-born Mark Karpeles, jail term for Karpeles, claiming MtGox was shuttered company initially said there was 33, faces charges that he pock- his alleged acts “were extreme- in 2014 after ad- a bug in the software underpin- eted about 340 million yen ($3.1 ly vicious, as they completely mitting the massive ning bitcoins that allowed hack- million) and fraudulently ma- undermined confidence in trad- disappearance of the ers to steal them. nipulated data related to MtGox. ing.” coins. Karpeles later claimed he had His trial began in July 2017 Karpeles yesterday apolo- found some 200,000 of the lost and the Tokyo District Court is gised for failing to prevent the coins in a “cold wallet” -- a stor- scheduled to announce a verdict disappearance of the coins but Mark Karpeles, former CEO of Mt. Gox, attends a press conference in Tokyo age device that was not connect- on March 15 next year. He de- insisted he was not guilty of the (Courtesy of Fortune) ed to other computers. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018 11 Huawei expects 21pc revenue rise

for its 5G technology despite ment from its 4G cellular net- ing the unprecedented step of in what has large- Huawei would what he described as a year of work after the foreign intelli- opening its research and devel- ly been seen as • “incredibly unfair treatment”. gence service singled out the opment labs to media. retaliation for report sales revenue “Huawei has never and will company as a security risk. “Banning a particular compa- Meng’s case. of $108.5 billion never present a security threat,” In November, New Zealand’s ny cannot resolve cybersecurity Guo wrote in the message titled intelligence agency barred Hua- concerns,” Huawei’s rotating AFP | Beijing, China “Fire is the Test of Gold”. wei equipment in the rollout of chairman Ken Hu told reporters. “Setbacks will only makes us the country’s 5G network on the “Huawei’s record is more courageous, and incredibly same grounds. clean.” hinese telecoms giant unfair treatment will drive us Australia and the United Meanwhile, chief Huawei expects to see a to become the world’s number States also enacted similar bans financial officer C21 per cent rise in revenue one,” he added. earlier this year, leaving Canada Meng Wanzhou, for 2018, its chairman said yes- The company has been under the only country in the “Five who was arrested on terday despite a year of “unfair fire this year, with Washington Eyes” intelligence network not December 1, is fighting treatment” which saw its prod- leading efforts to blacklist Hua- to take steps against the Chinese extradition to the US where ucts banned in several countries wei internationally. firm. Huawei founder Ren is a she faces charges of violating over security concerns. A top Huawei executive was former People’s Liberation Army Iranian trade-related sanctions. Huawei would report sales also arrested in Canada earlier engineer and there are concerns She has been released on bail revenue of $108.5 billion, up 21 this month at the request of the of close links with the Chinese and is now living under elec - Rotating per cent year-on-year, rotating US, which is engaged in a bruis- military and government, which tronic surveillance in a luxury chairman Guo chairman Guo Ping said in a ing trade war with China. the firm has constantly denied. home in Vancouver. Ping New Year message to staff. This month, Britain’s largest Last week, the Chinese tech Following her arrest, two Ca- Guo also said the firm had mobile provider BT announced firm sought to dispel the fears nadians were detained in China signed 26 commercial contracts it was removing Huawei equip- around its technology by tak- on grounds of national security

Foxconn to begin London’s Gatwick airport sold assembling top-end Vietnam posts Apple iPhones in to French Vinci conglomerate India in 2019 decade-high Reuters | Mumbai /Delhi pple Inc will begin as- Asembling its top-end growth of 7.1pc iPhones in India through the local unit of Foxconn Hanoi, Vietnam GSO head Nguyen Bich Lam. as early as 2019, the first He added the economy time the Taiwanese con - ietnam’s growth soared to would remain robust next year tract manufacturer will Vmore than 7 per cent this with the expected contribu- have made the product in year, its highest in a decade, tion of manufacturing pro - the country, according to helped by a surge in its manu- jects such as Vinfast, a local a source familiar with the facturing sector. car assembly company owned matter. The country has long been by Vietnam’s largest private Importantly, Foxconn will one of Asia’s fastest growing conglomerate Vingroup. be assembling the most ex- economies -- GDP growth Run by Vietnam’s richest pensive models, such as de- topped 5 percent over the past man Pham Nhat Vuong, Vin- vices in the flagship iPhone five years -- largely driven by group also recently unveiled X family, the source said, the exports of cheap manufac- its first made-in-Vietnam mo- potentially taking Apple’s tured goods, from Nike shoes bile phones in an effort to gain business in India to a new to H&M T-shirts, as well as a slice of the lucrative market. level. tech products like Samsung However, the World Bank Passengers sit with their luggage in the South Terminal building at London Gatwick Airport, south of London, on The work will take place phones and Intel computer predicted a slowdown over the December 21, 2018, as flights started to resume following the closing of the airfield due to a drones flying. at Foxconn’s plant in Srip- processors. next two years if Vietnam does Paris, France erumbudur town in the But this year’s growth sur- not protect itself from escalat- airport sector”, according to a southern state of Tamil passed the communist gov- ing global trade tensions. statement by Gatwick. One of Nadu, said the source, who ernment’s target of 6.7pc, “As an open economy, Vi- rench building conglomer- its best-known airports is the is not authorised to speak to hitting 7.08pc, according to etnam needs to maintain a Fate Vinci said yesterday it hub of Portugal’s capital Lisbon. the media and so declined to figures released Thursday by responsive monetary policy, was adding Gatwick airport, With the latest acquisition, be named. the General Statistics Office exchange rate flexibility and Britain’s second-busiest, to the KNOW WHAT Vinci Airports will control 46 Foxconn, which already in Hanoi. “The processing and low fiscal deficits to enhance dozens of hubs it already owns, airports in 12 countries with a makes phones for Xiaomi manufacturing sector was the its resilience against potential booking a majority stake for total traffic of 228 million pas- Corp in India, will invest 25 bright point and the main driv- shocks,” said Sebastian Eck- nearly three billion pounds. With the latest sengers a year. billion Indian rupees ($356 er for the overall growth” with ardt, the bank’s lead economist The purchase of Gatwick, Gatwick, which in Britain is million) to expand the plant, a 12.98 percent increase, said for Vietnam. which is Europe’s eight-biggest acquisition, Vinci second only to Heathrow, will including investment in iP- airport and runs the busiest sin- Airports will con- become the biggest airport in hone production, Tamil Na- gle runway in the world, comes trol 46 airports in Vinci’s portfolio, making the du’s Industries Minister M only months before Britain is to 12 countries with a purchase “a major strategic C Sampath said. leave the European Union. total traffic of 228 move”, the French company The investment may cre- The proximity of Brexit million passengers said. ate as many as 25,000 jobs, “probably helped us close the a year. “The transaction represents he added. Another source deal”, Nicolas Notebaert, Vinci a rare opportunity to acquire also said Foxconn planned Airports chief, told a telephone an airport of such size and to assemble iPhones in In- conference. quality and fits extremely well dia. The absence of a Brexit deal with Vinci Concessions’ long- with the EU could cause major passengers. term investment horizon,” it air travel problems as both sides said. would no longer recognise each Best known for motorways Gatwick’s CEO Stewart Win- other’s aviation safety stand- Vinci is best-known for be- gate said there would be no ards. Vinci said it will own a ing one of the world’s biggest management or operational 50.01-percent stake in Gatwick construction companies, em- changes to the “immediate” thanks to the deal worth £2.9 ploying close to 200,000 peo- running of the airport. billion ($3.7 billion, 3.2 billion ple across the globe, and for Global Infrastructure Part- euros) by the end of June. running motorways in France. ners, the current owners of Gatwick made headlines last But the company has also Gatwick, will hold on to 49.99 week when it closed its runway been buying up airports -- most percent in the airport. A Vietnamese boy (centre L) dressed in Santa Claus costume rides pillion repeatedly due to reports of recently in Brazil, Japan and Gatwick’s only runway hit a Workers adjust a hoarding of with her mother past the late 19th-century St. Joseph’s cathedral in the old mystery drone sightings near- Serbia -- making it “a top 5 glob- world record of 950 flights in a the newly launched iPhone XS in quarters of Hanoi during Christmas Eve by, impacting nearly 140,000 al player in the international day in 2017, Vinci said. Ahmedabad, India FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018 12

European markets slide Wall Street surge buoys Gulf as global rally falters London, United Kingdom rienced over on Wall Street yesterday has hit the wall,” Riyad Bank continues urope’s major stock mar- ThinkMarkets analyst Naeem • Ekets kicked lower yes - Aslam said. “Investors are busy to climb on merger talks terday as investors shrugged profit-taking. Basically, we are off bumper Wall Street gains, struggling for the momentum Saudi’s SABB, cashed in recent profits and to continue.” Samba• rise on eyed mounting uncertainties New York stocks had hur- dividend proposals on the horizon of the global tled higher in post-Christmas economy. trade on Wednesday, following Wall Street had roared back strong data and White House El Sewedy Electric to life on Wednesday, shak- reassurances that Powell top• gainer in Egypt ing off four straight routs fol- would remain in his post. lowing strong retail sales data Sentiment also improved af- Reuters and White House reassurances ter a Bloomberg News report that Federal Reserve Chair Jay said a US government delega- Powell won’t be fired. tion would travel to Beijing audi Arabia and other Asian equities mostly spar- in early January to hold trade Gulf stock markets gained kled on Thursday, with Tokyo talks, the first face-to-face Syesterday as the sharp re- surging but Chinese stocks slid discussion since US President bound on Wall Street overnight on weak data. Donald Trump and Chinese and Brent oil’s recovery from European equities also hit President Xi Jinping agreed below $50 a barrel lifted inves- a wall, slipping into negative on a 90-day trade war truce. tor sentiment. Visitors look at stock price information displayed on a digital screen inside the Saudi Stock Exchange territory in low-volume trade The Dow Jones Industri- Saudi Arabia’s index rose with many investors away for al Average finished up nearly 0.5pc with Al Rajhi Bank add- Closing Bell first half. with six of seven banks a long festive break. 1,100 points, or about five per- ing 1.1pc. Samba Financial Group gaining. In late morning deals, cent, at 22,878.45 points, and Riyad Bank climbed for a SAUDI  0.5pc » 7,749 points gained 1.7pc after proposing a The Dubai index was flat but Frankfurt stocks tanked 1.7 per the broad-based S&P 500 also fourth straight day, adding 1.3pc. EGYPT  1.1pc » 12,984 points dividend of 1.0 riyal for the same some real estate shares gained, cent as the market opened for flew five percent higher. The stock has been buoyed by DUBAI  2,469 points period. with Emaar Properties rising the first time this week -- and Investors in Europe howev- news of merger discussions with Saudi Cable Co, which 2.1pc and Emaar Development played catch-up with Mon- er took the new-found opti- National Commercial Bank, the ABU DHABI  0.3pc »4,831 points jumped its 10pc daily limit in up 0.8pc. day’s heavy losses elsewhere mism in their stride. kingdom’s biggest lender by as- QATAR  0.6pc » 10,288 points the last session, added a further Egypt’s blue-chip index, in Europe. London sank 0.8pc Back in Asia, Chinese mar- sets, which edged down 0.3pc. KUWAIT  0.2pc » 5,267 points 3.4pc in its heaviest trade for a which had snapped a three-day and Paris shed almost 0.1pc kets slid after the release of Saudi British Bank increased month; on Wednesday, it said it losing streak on Wednesday, compared with Monday’s clos- weak economic data, showing 1.4pc after its board proposed BAHRAIN  0.3pc » 1,322 points reached a final settlement with rose 1.2pc. El Sewedy Electric ing levels. that profits in the industrial a higher dividend of 1.0 riyal OMAN  0.4pc » 4,344 points creditors on 313.6 million riyals was the top gainer, jumping sector declined 1.8pc in No- per share for the second half of ($83.60 million) of loans. 5.6pc, while tobacco firm East- ‘Rally hits wall’ vember. Hong Kong lost 0.7pc the year, after 0.96 riyal for the Qatar’s index rose 0.6pc ern Co increased 2.6pc. “The rally which we expe- and Shanghai shed 0.6pc. Key figures around 1100 GMT London - FTSE 100:  0.8 pc at 6,630.45 points US jobless claims dip in sign of labour market strength Frankfurt - DAX 30:  1.7 pc at 10,455.65 Reuters | Washington Paris - CAC 40:  0.1 pc at 4,623.65 yesterday. of that increase was related The Federal Reserve raised EURO STOXX 50:  0.4 pc at 2,960.94 Initial claims have now fallen to the difficulty government interest rates last week for he number of Americans in three of the last four weeks statisticians have in adjusting the fourth time this year, but Tokyo - Nikkei 225:  3.9 pc at 20,077.62 (close) Tfiling applications for job- and are just above the 49-year the claims data for seasonal forecast fewer rate hikes next Hong Kong - Hang Seng:  0.7 pc at 25,478.88 (close) less benefits fell marginally low of 202,000 reached in the swings. Claims can be volatile year and signaled its tighten- Shanghai - Composite:  0.6 pc at 2,483.09 (close) last week to near a 49-year low, week ended Sept. 15. at the end of the year when ing cycle is nearing an end in pointing to underlying strength After several years of near- US holidays throw off a mod- the face of financial market New York - Dow:  5.0 pc at 22,878.45 (close) in the labour market. steady falls, claims trended el that the government uses to volatility and slowing global Euro/dollar:  at $1.1400 from $1.1353 at 2200 GMT Initial claims for state un - higher between mid-September smooth the data for seasonal growth. Dollar/yen:  at 110.86 yen from 111.37 yen employment benefits dropped and mid-December, prompting fluctuations. The Labour Department said Pound/dollar:  at $1.2635 from $1.2633 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted concern the US economy was Economists polled by Reuters claims were estimated last week 216,000 for the week ended Dec. losing a step. had forecast claims increasing for the states of California, Kan- Oil - Brent Crude:  77 cents at $53.70 per barrel 22, the Labour Department said It remains unclear how much to 217,000 in the latest week. sas, Texas and Virginia. Oil - West Texas Inter:  76 cents at $45.46

Amazon, Walmart face hit from new India e-commerce rules New Delhi, India eral election due by May. raditional traders and local Analysts said the rule would Tplayers rejoiced yesterday at have a major impact on the busi- new e-commerce rules imposed ness models built up over the the by the Indian government on last five years by the US giants global giants such as Amazon KNOW WHAT as they make inroads in India’s and Walmart which analysts said growing market. could force them to rethink their “Amazon, Walmart and oth- Indian operations. Under the surprise er players with their India in- Under the surprise restric- restrictions, e-com- vestments will have to rethink tions, e-commerce companies their business strategies,” Satish are banned from selling prod- merce companies are Meena from Forrester Research ucts from firms in which they banned from selling said. have a stake. They are also for- products from firms “Consumers will face the bidden from entering into exclu- in which they have a brunt and prices will go up while sive deals with sellers. stake. They are also available options will go down.” The rules, which come into forbidden from en- The Indian government has force on February 1, will par- tering into exclusive in the past two years sought to ticularly hit Amazon, which has strengthen home-grown enter- invested billions of dollars in its deals with sellers. prises against foreign compe- India operation, and Flipkart, tition. which was taken over this year It has told credit card com- by another US giant, Walmart. panies such as Visa, American The government acted in re- Express and Mastercard that sponse to complaints from brick all information on Indians must and mortar retailers that e-com- be stored on India-based commerce giants were unfairly sell- An employee of Amazon India walks out of a security gate at Amazon’s newly launched fulfilment centre on the outskirts of puters. ing products at discount prices. Bangalore The government has also pro- Indian law already prevents exclusivity, predatory pric- posed limits on what internet foreign-owned companies from on the e-commerce sites who Snapdeal, one of India’s big- terprises),” Snapdeal founder ing and deep discounting” to giants can do with personal data. selling directly on their internet legally remain intermediaries. gest Internet shopping sites, said Kunal Bahl said on Twitter. their advantage, CAIT secretary It recently proposed that the sites. Amazon and Walmart, which the changes would enable a level The Confederation of All In- Praveen Khandelwal said. WhatsApp messaging app break So the e-commerce compa- in May bought a 77 percent stake playing field for all sellers. dia Traders (CAIT) said the new The new rules will start on its trademark encryption which nies have been buying in bulk in Indian company Flipkart for “Marketplaces are meant policy would end discounting February 1 when the nationalist guarantees private communica- and then selling the products to $16 billion, will be worst hit by for genuine, independent sell- wars between e-retailers. government of Prime Minister tions between users. The Face- favoured vendors. These then the new rules. Neither has made ers, many of whom are MSMEs It would also check big com- Narendra Modi announces its book-owned firm has fiercely resell the products at discount a public reaction. (Micro, small and medium en- panies from using “the policy of interim budget ahead of a gen- resisted the calls. 13 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018

MARY POPPINS RETURNS SHAH RUKH KHAN, ANUSHKA SHARMA, OASIS JUFFAIR :DAILY AT: 1.30 + 6.30 + 11.30 (G) (ADVENTURE/MUSICAL/FAMILY) NEW KATRINA KAIF PM EMILY BLUNT, LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA, OASIS JUFFAIR :DAILY AT: 11.00 AM + 2.00 + ONC`E UPON A DEAD POOL BEN WHISHAW 5.00 + 8.00 + 11.00 PM. (PG-15) (ACTION/ADVENTURE) NEW Cyrus, Hemsworth OASIS JUFFAIR :DAILY AT (ATMOS): 10.45 AM + CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 10.30 AM + 1.45 + 5.00 RYAN STEVENSON, DAVID OAKES, + 8.15 + 11.30 PM 1.15 + 3.45 + 6.15 + 8.45 + 11.15 PM AURA GARRIDO DAILY AT:(KIDS CINEMA): 7.45 + 10.15 PM SEEF (I) DAILY AT: 11.45 AM + 2.45 + 5.45 + 8.45 + 11.45 PM CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 11.30 AM +4.15 + 9.00 DAILY AT (VIP): 12.45 + 3.15 + 5.45 + 8.15 + PM 10.45 PM SAAR DAILY AT: 8.15 + (11.15 PM THURS/FRI) SEEF (II) DAILY AT: 2.00 + 7.00 PM + 12.00 MN CITYCENTRE DAILY AT (IMAX 2D): 10.30 AM + WADI AL SAIL DAILY AT: 11.15 AM + 2.15 + 4.45 + 5.15 + 7.45 + 8.15 + 10.45 + 11.15 PM now married 3.45 + 6.30 PM JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN DAILY AT: 12.30 + 3.15 + 6.00 + 8.45 + 11.30 PM AQUAMAN (PG) (COMEDY/ACTION/ADVENTURE) + (1.00 AM THURS/FRI) (PG-15) (ACTION/ADVENTURE) ROWAN ATKINSON, OLGA KURYLENKO, DAILY AT (VIP II): 12.00 + 2.45 + 5.30 + 8.15 + The couple had planned to first wed in Malibu before 11.00 PM JASON MOMOA, AMBER HEARD, EMMA THOMPSON NICOLE KIDMAN IANS | Los Angeles SEEF (II) DAILY AT: 12.45 + 3.30 + 6.15 + 9.00 + CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 12.00 + 2.00 + 4.00 + 11.45 PM + (12.45 MN THURS/FRI) OASIS JUFFAIR :DAILY AT: 11.15 AM + 2.15 + 6.00 + 8.00 + 10.00 + 12.00 MN SAAR DAILY AT: 12.00 + 2.45 + 5.30 + 8.15 + 5.15 + 8.15 + 11.15 PM CREED II inger Miley Cyrus and ac- (11.00 PM THURS/FRI) CITYCENTRE DAILY AT (ATMOS): 11.30 AM + tor Liam Hemsworth are WADI AL SAIL DAILY AT: 12.30 + 3.15 + 6.00 + 2.30 + 5.30 + 8.30 + 11.30 PM (PG-13) (DRAMA/ACTION/SPORT) now reportedly married. 8.45 + 11.30 PM DAILY AT (VIP I): 11.00 AM + 2.00 + 5.00 + 8.00 TESSA THOMPSON, MICHAEL B. JORDAN, S + 11.00 PM SYLVESTER STALLONE They had originally planned to SIMMBA DAILY AT (IMAX 3D): 9.15 PM + 12.00 MN wed in their ocean-side home in (PG-15) (HINDI/ACTION/COMEDY/DRAMA/ CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 6.15 + 9.00 + 11.45 PM DAILY AT: (1.00 AM THURS/FRI) Malibu before it was destroyed ROMANTIC) NEW in a wildlife. SEEF (II) DAILAY AT: 11.45 AM + 2.45 + 5.45 + HUNTER KILLER RANVEER SINGH, AJAY DEVGN, According to bbc.com, 8.45 + 11.45 PM + (12.45 MN THURS/FRI) (PG-15) (ACTION/THRILLER) SARA ALI KHAN SAAR DAILY AT: 5.30 + 8.30 PM. + (11.30 PM. GERARD BUTLER, GARY OLDMAN, Cyrus has confirmed her mar- THURS./FRI.) riage to Australian actor and OASIS JUFFAIR :DAILY AT: 11.15 AM + 2.15 + COMMON 5.15 + 8.15 + 11.15 PM WADI AL SAIL DAILY AT: 11.00 AM + 2.00 + 5.00 long-standing partner. She + 8.00 + 11.00 PM. CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 11.00 AM + 1.30 + 4.00 CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 11.30 AM + 2.30 + 5.30 + 6.30 + 9.00 + 11.30 PM shared images from the cere- + 8.30 + 11.30 PM mony, reported to have been BUMBLEBEE SEEF (I) DAILY AT: 12.00 + 3.00 + 6.00 + 9.00 SECOND ACT held on Sunday, on social media PM + 12.00 MN (PG-13) (ACTION /ADVENTURE/SCI-FICTION) (PG-15) (COMEDY) NEW After the couple’s compound SAAR DAILY AT: 11.00 AM + 2.00 + 5.00 + 8.00 + HAILEE STEINFELD, JOHN CENA, (11.00 PM THURS/FRI) JORGE LENDEBORG JR. JENNIFER LOPEZ, VANESSA HUDGENS, was burned down by the dev- Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth MILO VENTIMIGLIA astating California wildfires WADI AL SAIL DAILY AT: 11.45 AM + 2.45 + 5.45 OASIS JUFFAIR :DAILY AT: 12.15 + 5.45 + 11.15 CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 2.00 + 6.45 + 11.30 PM last month, the stars moved ilies were together. After their Wednesday - tells PEOPLE ex- + 8.45 + 11.45 PM PM their wedding to Cyrus’ home Malibu house didn’t make the clusively. THOMAS & FRIENDS: BIG WORLD! CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 11.30 AM + 2.00 + 4.30 ROBIN HOOD + 7.00 + 9.30 PM + 12.00 MN in Franklin, Tennessee, reports fire, they have been living at Cyrus was heartbroken by (PG-15) (ACTION/ADVENTURE) DAILY AT (IMAX 3D): 1.15 PM people.com. Miley’s Tennessee house,” a the loss of their Malibu home, BIG ADVENTURES! THE MOVIE TARON EGERTON, EVE HEWSON, “They had planned to get source close to the singer, 26 but recently told Ryan Seacrest (G) (ANIMATION/ADVENTURE) NEW SEEF (II) DAILY AT: 11.15 AM + 1.45 + 4.15 + 6.45 + 9.15 + 11.45 PM + (1.00 AM THURS/FRI) JAMIE FOXX married in Malibu over the - who shared touching photos she’s in “a really good kind of DONA ADWERA, PETER ANDRE, WADI AL SAIL DAILY AT: 6.30 + 9.00 + 11.30 PM CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 6.30 + 9.00 + 11.30 PM holidays when all of their fam- from their Dec. 23 nuptials on healing place now.” RICHIE CAMPBELL OASIS JUFFAIR :DAILY AT:(KIDS CINEMA): 2.30 RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET THE POSSESSION OF HANNAH GRACE + 4.15 + 6.00 PM (PG) (ANIMATION/ADVENTURE/COMEDY) (18+) (THRILLER/HORROR) CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 10.30 AM + 12.30 + 2.30 JOHN C. REILLY, SARAH SILVARMAN, SHAY MITCHELL, STANA KATIC, + 4.30 PM GAL GADOT LOUIS HERTHUM Hart to host New Year’s eve weekend SEEF (II) DAILY AT: 11.00 AM + 1.00 + 3.00 + 5.00 PM OASIS JUFFAIR :DAILAY AT: 10.45 AM + 3.30 CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 1.00 + 5.00 + 9.00 PM + 8.15 PM SAAR DAILY AT: 12.15 + 2.15 + 4.15 + 6.15 PM IANS | Las Vegas weekend in Vegas at Drai’s is going to CITYCENTRE DAILAY AT: 11.30 AM + 1.45 + 4.00 17- EL BADLAH be unreal. Unreal? I’m talking about one WADI AL SAIL DAILY AT: 11.30 AM + 1.15 + 3.00 + 6.15 + 8.30 + 10.45 PM (PG-13) (ARABIC/COMEDY) + 4.45 PM omedian Kevin Hart is starting the new of the biggest and best lineups in the SEEF (II) DAILAY AT: 11.15 AM + 1.30 + 3.45 + TAMER HOSNY, AKRAM HOSNI, Cyear with a new gig after stepping down world,” Hart said in the video. THE FIXIES: TOP SECRET 6.00 + 8.15 + 10.30 PM MAJED EL MASRY, AMINA KHALIL as the Oscars’ host. “You got my man Fab, Lil Wayne, (G) (ANIMATION/ADVENTURE/COMEDY) NEW SPIDER MAN INTO THE SPIDER VERSE CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 11.00 AM + 3.00 + 7.00 The “Night School” actor, 39, is Big Sean. You got Future, the LARISA BROKHMAN, PROKHOR (PG) (ANIMATION/ACTION/ADVENTURE) + 11.00 PM hosting a New Year’s Eve weekend Countdown hosted by yours CHEKHOVSKOY, JODI EICHELBERGER celebration at Drai’s Nightclub, here truly, Kevin Hart!” HAILEE STEINFELD, NICOLAS CAGE, 18-ODIYAN (PG-13)(MALAYALAM) OASIS JUFFAIR :DAILY AT:(KIDS CINEMA): MAHERSHALA ALI MOHANLAL, PRAKASH RAJ, after stepping down as the Oscars’ He continued, “It’s not going 11.00 AM + 12.45 PM host earlier this month, reports peo- to be any bigger, it’s not going OASIS JUFFAIR DAILY AT: 1.00 + 5.45 + 10.30 MANJU WARRIER CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 11.15 AM + 1.00 + 2.45 PM ple.com. to get any better. Come to Ve- + 4.30 PM CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 11.45 AM + 2.45 + 5.45 + The comedian will be joined by gas, celebrate with us at Drai’s. CITYCENTRE DAILY AT: 11.15 AM + 1.45 + 4.15 + 8.45 + 11.45 PM SEEF (II) DAILY AT: 11.45 AM + 1.30 + 3.15 + 6.45 + 9.15 + 11.45 PM rappers Fabolous, Lil Wayne and It is going down! Let’s bring 5.00 PM SEEF (II) DAILY AT: 11.30 AM + 4.30 + 9.30 PM 5-COLD SKIN Big Sean to name a few. Hart shared the New Year in right - let’s SAAR DAILY AT: 10.30 AM + 12.15 + 2.00 + (15+) (ADVENTURE/DRAMA/HORROR) NEW the news in a video posted to his bring it in with a smile, baby. 3.45 PM MAARI 2 (PG-15) (TAMIL) RAY STEVENSON, DAVID OAKES, Instagram account on Wednesday. We live, love and laugh. I’ll see WADI AL SAIL DAILY AT: 11.30 AM + 1.15 + DHANUSH, SAI PALLAVI,TOVINO THOMAS, 3.00 PM AURA GARRIDO “Oh my God! 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IANS | London FEMALE CLEANER WANTED Situation vacant for female Pilipino cleaner. he Beatles legend Paul McCartney says he Apart from an attractive pay, benefits include free Toften misses his late band members John accommodation, overtime compensation and work Lennon and George Harrison. visa. Individuals with flexible visa are also eligible In an interview to BBC Radio for the position. Kindly contact Mob: 66996306, Scotland, the 76-year-old spoke E-mail: [email protected] about the band members. PEARLY GEISHA - Female Shih Tzu, DUSKY - Male Persian mix, 3 JUNIOR - Male Shih Tzu, 4 yrs, “John and George are still a big 11 yrs, brown and white w black yrs, black and grey, neutered, white w brown spots (just groomed part of my life, always will be. It ears (less furry that photo), missing microchipped, quiet (can be distant last month), not wearing collar or would have been great to get TUITIONS AVAILABLE teeth on bottom jaw, spayed, not w humans), not wearing collar ID tag, kitchen door opened/garage the Beatles back together wearing collar or ID tag, escaped or ID tag, may have escaped thru door also open, Saar (behind St again. People always say Hindi Tuitions available in open garage, likely STOLEN, Al Hidd peep hole in kitchen, Hamad Town Christopher School), last seen near what if? But we can’t, so, Mahooz by a north Indian Teacher. (near Lulu Hypermarket), 10/12/18. (roundabout 4 near Yusuf Zainel Megamart Saraya 1, 20/8/18. sadly, that’s not going to 33360866/ 34425597/36644649 home) 24/11/18. 39252695 6988850 happen,” McCartney said. Contact 39152791 14 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018 sports

Serena hails rule changes to protect Olivier strikes again as mothers in tennis AFP | Abu Dhabi Pakistan collapse erena Williams has de - Sscribed the new changes Pakistan suffered another dramatic collapse to go from 101/1 to 190 all out to the ‘Special Ranking’ rule introduced by the WTA for Pakistan first innings, 181 2019 as “great” and believes Olivier finished with South Africa first innings (overnight the move will encourage more 5-59• to go with his first 127-5) players to take a break from A. Markram lbw b Hasan Ali 12 the tour to have children then innings figures of 6-37 D. Elgar c Azhar Ali b Shaheen Afridi 22 come back to resume their ca- H. Amla c Babar Azam b M Amir 8 reers. AFP | Centurion, South Africa T. de Bruyn c S Ahmed b M Amir 29 Under the new rules, return- F. du Plessis c Babar Azam b S Afridi 0 ing mothers who have a special Women that are T. Bavuma c Sarfraz Ahmed b S Afridi 53 ranking that would earn them younger can go out magnificent spell of D. Steyn c Sarfraz Ahmed b M Amir 23 a seeded position can be drawn there and have kids fast bowling from Du- Q. de Kock c Fakhar Zaman b M Amir 45 as an ‘additional seed’ at tour- and not have to Aanne Olivier inspired a K. Maharaj lbw b Hasan Ali 4 naments, meaning they would worry about it and Pakistan collapse after tea on K. Rabada c Asad Shafiq b S Afridi 19 not be able to face a seed in not have to wait the second day of the first Test D Olivier not out 0 opening round of tournament. against South Africa at Super- Extras (lb3, nb3, w2) 8 This change also ensures ‘til the twilight Sport Park yesterday, leaving Total (60 overs) 223 that no seed will get bumped of their years to South Africa needing 149 to win. Pakistan, second innings as a result of a returning moth- have children and Pakistan slipped from 100 for Imam-ul-Haq b Olivier 57 er given a protected seeding. I think it’s a really one at tea to 190 all out, at one Fakhar Zaman c Rabada b Olivier 12 Williams, along with other great rule point losing five wickets for 25 Shan Masood c Maharaj b Steyn 65 mothers on tour like former in 11 overs. Azhar Ali c Rabada b Olivier 0 SERENA WILLIAMS Duanne Olivier celebrates the wicket of Imam-ul-Haq world number one Victoria The last wicket fell shortly Asad Shafiq c De Kock b Steyn 6 Azarenka, had been advocat- before the close of play which tea interval and went on take fours. Babar Azam b Rabada 6 ing for such rule changes that great rule.” did not leave enough time for five for 59 for match figures of Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn Sarfraz Ahmed c Du Plessis b Rabada 0 would ease the transition back The 37-year-old American South Africa to start their chase. 11 for 96 following his six for 37 supported Olivier with three Mohammad Amir b Rabada 12 for players following the birth had her daughter Alexis Olym- Olivier took two wickets in in the first innings. and two wickets respectively. Yasir Shah c De Kock b Olivier 0 of their children. pia in September 2017 and re- four balls immediately after the Imam-ul-Haq (57) and Shan It was the second successive Hasan Ali not out 11 “I think it’s great,” Williams turned to the WTA circuit last Masood (65) gave Pakistan day on which 15 wickets fell. Al- Shaheen Afridi c Markram b Olivier 4 said of the new rule changes March at Indian Wells. hope of setting a difficult target though the pitch appeared to be Extras (b6, lb10, w1) 17 during a press conference in “I think having gone through for the hosts on a pitch which playing slightly easier than on Total (56 overs) 190 Abu Dhabi ahead of an exhi- the experience myself really has helped the fast bowlers the first day, Pakistan will seek bition match against her sister opened my eyes up to me and, throughout. to make early inroads on Friday South Africa work hard to take Venus yesterday. ‘Would have I done it sooner 15 But Imam was bowled off an after restricting South Africa to a 1-0 lead in the three-match “Women that are younger had there been different rule wickets fell on the inside edge in the first over after 223 all out in the first innings. series. can go out there and have kids changes?’ I don’t know. But second successive day tea and Masood quickly found Mohammad Amir took four Temba Bavuma (53) and and not have to worry about now that there is an opportu- during the Centurion himself effectively fighting a for 62 and teenager Shaheen Quinton de Kock (45) were it and not have to wait ‘til the nity, people don’t have to ask Test lone battle before he was ninth Shah Afridi claimed four for mainly responsible for South twilight of their years to have that question anymore,” added out after a fighting 120-ball 64 and together with Hasan Ali Africa squeezing out a 42-run children and I think it’s a really Williams. innings which included seven (two for 70) are likely to make first-innings lead. Rafael Nadal confident about Bangladesh lifts Smith’s T20 ban AFP | Dhaka one replacement player outside of the players’ draft and the BCB fitness for Australian Open angladeshi cricket officials had agreed to their demand. AFP | Abu Dhabi Byesterday lifted a ban on Australia’s ex-vice captain former Australian captain Ste- David Warner will also play ve Smith playing in the forth- in the BPL -- which concludes afael Nadal is “confident” coming Twenty20 Bangladesh on February 8, 2019 -- having Rhe will be 100 percent fit Premier League, an official said. signed for the Sylhet Sixers as when the Australian Open The ruling means Smith, cur- one of their two pre-draft sign- starts in less than three weeks’ rently serving a one-year ban ings. time despite enduring yet an- from international cricket over Smith and Warner were other tough battle with injuries a ball-tampering scandal, is free Former Australian cricket captain handed year-long interna - over the past few months. to play for Comilla Victorians Steve Smith speaks during a press tional bans for their roles in conference The Spanish world num- in the next edition of the BPL a ball-tampering scandal that ber two had to pull the plug starting on January 5. Yunus added that in return rocked Australian cricket in early on his 2018 season and He has signed for the side other franchises wanted at least March. has not played since a knee and is expected to join up problem forced him to retire Spain’s Rafael Nadal poses with the Mousquetaires Cup (The Musketeers) after with teammates in mid-Jan- during his US Open semi-final his victory in the 2018 French Open uary for the second phase of against Juan Martin del Potro in the BPL as a replacement for September. ular loose body in November Nadal will dip his toes Pakistani cricketer Shoaib He underwent surgery on his and only resumed training two back into competition at Malik. ankle to remove an intra-artic- weeks ago. the Mubadala World Tennis The Bangladesh Cricket Championship exhibition in Board (BCB) had initially Abu Dhabi, where he faces blocked his participation af- either Kevin Anderson or ter other franchises raised Chung Hyeon in his opener objections about Smith, who today. was not in the initial players’ “I started two weeks ago draft list for the tournament. and of course doing the things “We could not give him step by step and I think I have permission earlier as oth- time to be ready for Mel - er franchises had protested at Seef District too bourne at my 100 percent,” his signing,” BCB spokesman Nadal told reporters in the Jalal Yunus said yesterday. UAE capital yesterday. “Today four franchises “It’s going to be good to emailed us separately saying have some matches before but that they have withdrawn I’m confident that I’m going their objections for the to arrive to Melbourne with greater interest of the tour- Um al Hassan +973 17728699 Seef District +973 17364999 the right situation.” nament,” he said. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018 15

Inter Milan fan dies after clashes at Napoli game Boult rips through Sri Lanka AFP | Rome n Inter Milan supporter Trent Boult sublime, runs flow as New Zealand take control against Sri Lanka on Day 2 Adied yesterday morning after being hit by a vehicle during clashes with Napoli New Zealand first innings 178 (T. South- fans on Wednesday before Boult’s 6 for 4 ee 68, B. Watling 46; Lakmal 5-54) the Serie A match between • Sri Lanka first innings (overnight studs New Zealand’s the two teams at the San dominance 88-4): D. Karunaratne c Williamson b Southee 7 Siro. D. Gunathilaka c Raval b Southee 8 Milan police chief Mar- AFP | Christchurch, New Zealand D. Chandimal c Watling b Southee 6 cello Cadorna told jour- K. Mendis c Watling b de Grandhomme 15 nalists that the incident A. Mathews not out 33 happened after around 100 hief destroyer Trent R. Silva c Southee b Boult 21 Inter fans attacked Napoli Boult felt he was “in N. Dickwella c Southee b Boult 4 supporters’ minibuses with Cthe groove” as his sub - D. Perera lbw Boult 0 chains and hammers. lime six-wicket spell, backed S. Lakmal lbw Boult 0 Cadorna, himself a for- by half-centuries from Tom D. Chameera lbw Boult 0 mer Serie A referee, said Latham and Jeet Raval gave New L. Kumara lbw Boult 0 that four Napoli fans were Zealand a vice-like grip on the Extras: (b 5, lb 5, nb 0) 10 injured in the “despicable second Test against Sri Lanka in Total: (all out; 41 overs) 104 and absolutely impossible Christchurch yesterday. New Zealand second innings to prevent” attack. At the close of the second day, J. Raval c Mendis b Perera 74 In the ensuing confusion, New Zealand were 231 for two, T. Latham not out 74 Inter fan Daniele Belard- holding a commanding 305-run K. Williamson c Mendis b Kumara 48 inelli, 35, was hit by a vehi- R. Taylor not out 25 lead in their second innings with cle, likely a dark SUV and not Extras: (b 3, lb 1, wd 3, nb 3) 10 eight wickets in hand. one of the Napoli minibuses, Total: (for 2 wickets, 79 overs) 231 Sri Lanka’s hopes of taking according to mobile phone the series-deciding Test were Sri Lanka’s Roshen Silva dives to make his ground as New Zealand’s Neil Wagner waits for the ball footage of the incident, Ca- for four harbouring thoughts of dorna said. severely dented in a 15-ball mas- gives you a bit of confidence mara and was caught at first slip overhauling New Zealand’s first Inter fans carried Belard- terclass of swing bowling from and just lets you go about your for 48. innings 178. inelli to a nearby hospital Boult when he took six wick- thing. Sometimes you’re not re- At the close of the second day, But nine overs and 16 runs where he died of his injuries ets for four runs to give New ally thinking about much and Latham was on 74 with Ross later their last six wickets were despite being operated on. KNOW WHAT Zealand a 74-run first innings it’s kind of happening for you.” Taylor on 25. gone, all taken by Boult, who advantage. With the Sri Lanka innings Latham received a life on 32 finished with a career best six “It is probably one of the best in tatters, New Zealand took when he top-edged Suranga for 30. swing bowling grounds in the 74-run first-innings lead, which Lakmal to fine leg where the ball “Honestly, we are well behind Pochettino sad to Latham received a country. It was quite still out Latham and Raval extended slipped through the fingers of a in the game,” Sri Lanka batting life on 32 when he there and the ball was in good to 195 with a century opening diving Dushmantha Chameera. coach Thiran Samaraweera said, lose on-fire Son to top-edged Suranga nick as well,” Boult said. stand. Patel, who worked with but adding that they remained South Korea once Lakmal to fine leg “It is nice to get the ball mov- Latham to produce the first hopeful. ing around, making the most ‘We are well behind’ wicketless session in the Test “Anything can happen. The more where the ball slipped of it. Kane Williamson and Latham when they batted from lunch to new ball is due after one over through the fingers of “It’s all about rhythm for me added a further 68 for the sec- tea, was out in the second over (today). If we can get through AFP | London a diving Dushmantha anyway. I suppose getting into ond wicket until Williamson after the resumption for 74. a couple of wickets, keep them Chameera a groove, a couple of wickets played a lazy shot to Lahiru Ku- Sri Lanka had resumed at 88 under 420, that’s a good thing.” ottenham manager TMauricio Pochettino has lamented the fact on- form Son Heung-min will Klopp plays down six-point lead for title-chasing Reds miss another chunk of the Man City face doubts about club season next month at Reuters | London the Asian Cup. title challenge – Guardiola The South Korean has iverpool’s six-point lead scored five goals in his last Reuters | London Lat the top of the Premier three games as Spurs have League table “means nothing” soared into second in the oubts about their Pre - at the halfway stage of the sea- Premier League by smash- Dmier League title defence Now there will be son ahead of tough tests against ing Everton 6-2 and Bourne- would have crept into Man- doubts, and what Arsenal and defending cham- mouth 5-0 in the past week. chester City’s players’ minds you have to do is pions Manchester City in the Son missed the start of the after a third defeat in four try to change the next week, manager Juergen season due to his commit- games, according to manager Klopp said. ments at the Asian Games Pep Guardiola. dynamic to winning Liverpool thrashed Newcas- where South Korea’s gold The champions suffered a and put in a good tle United 4-0 at Anfield on medal ensured he will be 2-1 loss at Leicester City on performance Wednesday to move on to 51 exempt from military ser- Wednesday as goals from Ri- PEP GUARDIOLA points from 19 games as the vice. cardo Pereira and Marc Al - Merseysiders extended their Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson and manager Juergen Klopp applaud the fans at However, he skipped brighton cancelled out Ber- exceptional the lads are in the advantage over the chasing the end of the match international duty in No- nardo Silva’s early strike. locker rooms. pack with an eighth consecu- quick to dismiss the advantage. Liverpool have made their vember and Spurs instantly City, who were also beaten “The fact is we lost three in tive league victory. “That means nothing... we best start to a season having saw an upturn in his form as by Chelsea and Crystal Palace four, and the last two, and if Early pacesetters City lost play Arsenal and City,” Klopp extended their unbeaten run to Son netted the first of seven in the league this month, have you want to be real contenders 2-1 at Leicester to fall seven told Sky Sports. “Good that we 19 matches, but Klopp said his Premier League goals this 44 points at the halfway stage we have to win again.” points adrift following a third have six points more than other squad should not get carried season against Chelsea on of the season and sit seven Guardiola suggested that defeat in four matches, leaving teams but that is what we want- away, with an in-form Spurs November 24. points behind leaders Liver- Liverpool and Tottenham Klopp’s side in a strong posi- ed to do all the time, create a side now their closest challeng- “What can I say, Sonny is pool and one behind Totten- were peaking at the right time tion to claim a first title since basis for the rest of the season. ers after City’s recent slump. doing a fantastic job for the ham Hotspur. while his team were lagging 1990. However, the German was Now the first part is over.” “We want to create our own team,” said Pochettino. “Now there will be doubts, behind on current form. and what you have to do is “They are better than us try to change the dynamic in that moment, you have to to winning and put in a good accept it, and it’s important performance,” Guardiola told to accept where we are, and Inter to play two league home games behind closed doors Sky Sports. “I don’t forget who they are improving,” Guardiola we are, how good we are, how added. AFP | Rome Napoli fans. Senegalese centre-back nter Milan will play two Se- Koulibaly will have to serve a Irie A home matches behind two-match ban for his sending closed doors as punishment for off, after seeing a second yellow the racist chants directed to- card for sarcastically applaud- wards Napoli defender Kalidou ing the referee. Koulibaly, the Italian league an- Koulibaly apologised on Twit- nounced yesterday. ter for the defeat and being sent Koulibaly was subjected to off but said: “I am proud of the monkey noises from the crowd colour of my skin. (Proud) to be several times during Inter’s 1-0 French, Senegalese, Neapolitan: win at San Siro on Wednesday, a man.” leading Napoli to ask for match Napoli’s Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly (2ndL) exits the pitch after Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti receiving a red card as Napoli’s Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti (C) looks on to be halted, without success. revealed that the club’s staff had Inter will also have to play In its statement, the league’s ture towards Kalidou Kouli- asked the referee three times to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks dejected as Leicester City staff another game with their North disciplinary body mentioned baly”, but also “insulting songs suspend the match because of celebrate their second goal Stand closed. “offensive songs of a racist na- of a territorial nature” towards the chants. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2018 16 Pujara ton grinds down Aussies Kohli declared the Indian first innings with 7 overs left in the second day’s play

India first innings Australia trail India M. Agarwal c Paine b Cummins 76 • H. Vihari c Finch b Cummins 8 by 435 runs at stumps C. Pujara b Cummins 106 V. Kohli c Finch b Starc 82 Pujara scores second A. Rahane lbw b Lyon 34 centuary• of Test series R. Sharma not out 63 R. Pant c Khawaja b Starc 39 R. Jadeja c Paine b Hazlewood 4 AFP | Melbourne Extras (lb14, b15, nb1, w1) 31 Total 7 wickets declared, 169.4 overs 443 170-run stand between Australia first innings century-maker Chetesh- M. Harris not out 5 A. Finch not out 3 war Pujara and captain A Extras 0 Virat Kohli put India in a dom- Total (0 wickets, six overs) 8 inant position in the third Test yesterday as Australia’s openers survived half a dozen nervy overs before the close. tralia’s bowlers in hot conditions Dogged Pujara stroked 106 with Cummins’ 3-72 proving the and Kohli 82 before they both pick. fell soon after lunch on what Sharma, back after missing the until then had been a lifeless second Test with an injury, was Melbourne pitch. in good touch, but had a massive Rohit Sharma was not out let-off on 15 when he swept a Na- 63 after notching his 10th Test than Lyon delivery to square leg half-century when Kohli called where substitute fielder Peter a halt to the innings late in the Siddle made a complete mess of day at 443 for seven as India go a simple catch. in search of a crucial 2-1 lead in Australia’s leading spinner the four-Test series. finally got a reward in his next That gave the tourists’ attack over, trapping vice-captain six overs before stumps to tar- Australia’s Travis Head seeks cover as India’s Cheteshwar Pujara drives past him Ajinkya Rahane lbw for 34 as get Australian openers Mar- really well and then back up and one. Tendulkar by making a seventh the pitch started to show signs cus Harris and Aaron Finch, bowl well and put India under a They batted through to lunch hundred in Australia. They re- of variable bounce which could who battled through to be eight lot of pressure,” he said. with scarcely an alarming mo- main tied on six each. spell trouble for the home bats- without loss. I think we have “I think that absolutely all ment. But when Kohli started to A stoic Pujara had been un- men. “I think we have enough runs enough runs on three results are still on the table take on the short ball soon after flappable in his 319-ball innings Lyon had another chance on the board. Already today you the board. Already 100 percent -- India, Australia being seen by the physio for a until Pat Cummins sent down a spilled when Cummins fumbled can see the pitch has started de- today you can see and a draw. It’s hard to say after back complaint in the afternoon rocket that stayed low, breached an easy catch from Rishabh Pant teriorating and there’s variable the pitch has started two days with the wicket deteri- session, he was undone by pace his defence and clattered into near the boundary. Pant finally bounce on it. I don’t think it’s deteriorating and orating, but we are confident we spearhead Mitchell Starc. the stumps. fell for 39 and when Ravindra easy to bat on now,” said Pujara. can bat really big.” The Indian run-machine had Pujara, who has scored more Jadeja went soon after, Kohli “Our bowlers have been bowl- there’s variable hit a four and was attempting an- runs and faced more balls than made the declaration. ing well so I would say we have bounce on it. I don’t Stoic Pujara other boundary next ball when any other batsman in the series, The flat track in Melbourne enough runs on the board.” think it’s easy to bat Pujara and Kohli had contin- he uppercut to third man for added 38 to his overnight 68 in follows much livelier pitches Despite the ominous task on now ued to build their intimidating Finch to take an easy catch. another tremendous knock by a in Adelaide and Perth which ahead, Finch insisted Australia CHETESHWAR PUJARA partnership after coming togeth- It deprived Kohli of a 26th man who has now scored 17 Test produced results in the four-Test could still win. er when openers Hanuma Vihari Test century and the chance to tons and two in this series. series which is on a knife-edge “It’s still game on if we bat and Mayank Agarwal fell on day surpass boyhood hero Sachin It was an arduous day for Aus- at 1-1.

Hazard wants to be a Chelsea Federer hoping for another ‘crazy good’ season ‘legend’ after hitting century mark AFP | Perth, Australia AFP | London we won today also,” said Haz- oger Federer said yesterday ard on reaching his Chelsea Rhe was fired up after an in- den Hazard offered Chel- century. tense off-season and ready for Esea fans hope his future “100th and 101st goal with another “crazy good” year, start- may remain with the London- this amazing club is something ing with his Australian Open ers by stating he wants I will never forget, but now the title defence next month. 20 to become a club “leg- fans, me, the staff, the players, Ranked third in the world, Grand Slams have been end” like former team- we want more. I want to score the Swiss great is aiming for won by Roger Federer mates Frank Lam - more goals for this club and be his third straight singles title pard, John Terry and a legend like Lampard, Terry in Melbourne, having enjoyed a Didier Drogba. or Drogba.” late-career renaissance to win Hazard Two of the three goals came the year’s opening Grand Slam The mixed doubles match scored in first-half stoppage time as in both 2017 and 2018. will see an unprecedented his 100th Hazard’s opener was quickly Each of those victories came battle between two of the and 101st cancelled out by Roberto Pe- off the back of his appearance at greatest players the game Chelsea reyra’s spectacular strike. the mixed teams Hopman Cup has ever seen, with 43 goals as However, Hazard made sure in Perth, where he again starts Grand Slam singles titles Maurizio he was the match-winner as his preparation for the new sea- between Federer and Sarri’s men he was brought down by Ben son by representing Switzerland Williams. moved back Foster and then converted the this week. Federer conceded it into the Pre- resulting spot-kick early in the Switzerland’s Roger Federer poses with the trophy after he won against Federer’s win in Melbourne was a once-in-a-life- mier League second half to move Chelsea Canada’s Milos Raonic in the final match at the ATP Mercedes Cup tennis in 2017 was his first Grand Slam tournament in Stuttgart time match-up and top four by two points ahead of Arsenal title since 2012 and came when one that he was qui- grinding out in the battle for Champions many had written him off as a ing,” he said in Perth yesterday. Open over the last month. etly looking forward a 2-1 win at League qualification. contender. “If that didn’t happen, maybe “I’ve been very happy with to. Watford on Despite fuming at Chelsea’s At the age of 37 and with 20 it’s logical you can’t produce how the off-season went,” he “We’ll probably Boxing Day. lack of focus in losing at Stam- Grand Slam wins in his back that tennis every year. You also said. “The last three or four play it down a little However, ford Bridge for the first time in pocket, he can reflect on a “cra- maybe need a bit of luck, and the weeks have been very intense. bit and say it’s not doubts remain charge of the Blues to Leices- zy good” couple of years, includ- draw to fall your way. I’m very excited and motivated that big of a deal for over the Bel - ter on Saturday, Sarri named ing an eighth Wimbledon title. “A lot of things need to hap- for this next season.” us, it’s just another ten- gian’s future with the same starting line-up with Federer will again be the pen to win any slam. I hope that Federer opens his Hopman nis match, but it really his contract set Hazard again serving as the crowd favourite in Melbourne, again it will be the start of a Cup account on December 30 isn’t because it’s prob- to expire in 2020 focal point of the attack ahead but he won’t be going into the great season for me because the with the tie against Britain. ably going to happen and persistent of Olivier Giroud and Alvaro event expecting another unlike- last two seasons have been crazy On New Year’s Day he will once and never again,” rumours over in- Morata. ly title, admitting logic suggest- good for me.” partner Belinda Bencic as the he said. terest from Euro- “Hazard can play in every ed he faced a tough task. Federer said his body was defending champions face the “That’s why I hope pean champions position,” said Sarri. “Today “I think with my age people continuing to hold up well and United States represented by we’re both going to be Eden Real Madrid. he played very well with two know that if I did something ex- that he had been building his Frances Tiafoe and Federer’s injury free when that Hazard “It means a lot, goals and could have had a two traordinary that would be amaz- training towards the Australian fellow great Serena Williams. day comes around.” especially because or three assists.”