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Sunday 8 December 2019 | 11 Rabia II 1441 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 24 | Number 8099 | 2 Riyals

Amir to Sheikha Moza inaugurates DICDD attend Gulf “Despite ’s leadership in being one of the most supportive countries for Cup final, people with disabilities, we are looking to crown see more support in promoting education and employment opportunities." winners QNA/

SANAULLAH ATAULLAH Government of the Republic of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin THE PENINSULA Ecuador, Xavier Torres, also Hamad Al Thani will attend the attended the opening final of the 24th Arabian Gulf H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, ceremony. Cup today. a global advocate for the UN’s On the opening day, more H H the Amir will also Sustainable Development Goals than 1,500 experts, specialists crown the winners of the match (SDGs), and Founder of Qatar and policy-makers from Qatar which will be held at Abdullah Foundation for Social Work and around the world took part bin Khalifa Stadium of Al Duhail (QFSW), inaugurated Doha Inter- in the conference. Sports Club. national Conference on Disa- Addressing the opening cer- bility and Development (DICDD) emony, H H Sheikha Moza bint during a grand ceremony held Nasser said: “First, allow me to Amir sends at Qatar National Convention wonder: what is disability? What Center (QNCC) yesterday. is the difference between a condolences to The conference, which is person who has a disability and US President being held under the theme one who does not. Who describes ‘Leaving No-One Behind’, has and defines this concept.” QNA/DOHA been organised by QFSW in col- She said: “Recent studies have laboration with local and inter- shown what I also believe: that H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Founder of for Social Work, speaking at the opening Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin national partners and will con- every human has some form of of the Doha International Conference on Disability and Development, yesterday. PIC: AR AL BAKER Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Amir clude tomorrow. disability, albeit of different kinds H H Sheikh Abdullah bin H H Sheikha Moza bint and at different stages. But there medical standpoint, and one from we rallied for the cause of disa- doesn’t the illiterate suffer from Hamad Al Thani and Prime Nasser officially inaugurated the should be no difference between a social standpoint. The typical bility in the past, we overlooked an educational disability? Is igno- Minister and Interior Minister accompanying exhibition, which one person and another, based treatment of people with disabil- many people who are exposed rance not an intellectual disa- H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser showcased local initiatives, on their level of disability. Indeed, ities follows the medical to harsh conditions and, thus, bility? Isn’t there also such a bin Khalifa Al Thani sent projects, and assistive-technol- I believe that disability is a ster- approach, which focuses on suffer psychological damage, concept as political disability? yesterday cables of condolences ogies that are today empowering eotype perpetuated by a pre- physical and visible attributes.” whether because of factors And isn’t the violation and assault to H E President of the United people with disabilities vailing mentality and social H H Sheikha Moza bint related to family, society, or the against others a moral disability? States of America Donald The Deputy Secretary- culture that define persons with Nasser said that the very concept effects of war and conflict. I also believe distinguishing Trump on the victims of the General of the , disabilities based on misconcep- of disability is limited to tradi- “If our concept of disability is people apart based on the defi- shoot-out that took place in Amina J Mohammed, and the tions. There are two perspectives tional disabilities and excludes based on visible disability, and nition of disability implicates a Florida, wishing the injured a Advisor to the Presidential on disability: one comes from a other disabilities, and so when ignores hidden disability, then form of discrimination." `P2 speedy recovery. 02 HOME SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019

PRAYER TIMINGS H H Sheikha Moza meets UN Deputy Secretary-General FAJR 04. 46 AM SHOROOK 06. 07 AM

ZUHR 11. 26 AM MAGHRIB 04. 46 PM ASR 02.24 PM ISHA 06. 16 PM

WEATHER TODAY

H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Founder of Qatar Foundation for Social Work, met with Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, H E Amina J. Mohammed, on the sidelines of the Doha International Conference on Disability and Development yesterday. During the meeting, they discussed the rights of persons with disabilities and their empowerment as a vital part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. RIGHT: H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser during a tour of the exhibition set up for the Doha International Conference on Disability and Development, which showcases the successes achieved by persons with disabilities. PIC: AR AL BAKER & AISHA AL MUSALLAM

FROM PAGE 1 and evidently, a major change who we chose to describe as with disabilities, we are realise that disability is not in Sometimes, I even feel that has not occurred in dealing disabled and chose to be dis- looking to see more support in lack of sight, but in lack of the exceptions we make for with the issue of disability. tinguished apart from them. promoting education and insight. In his own words, may people with disabilities, with Children with disabilities still When we look at the devel- employment opportunities. he rest in peace: “We have not o o the intention of showing sym- suffer from what Taha Hussein oping countries, they contain We are now more optimistic been created without any 21 C 28 C pathy toward them, do more was talking about seven more than 80 percent of the after what we have seen the purpose. We have not been Minimum Maximum harm than good.” decades ago, as if time has total number of people with country’s decision-makers tasked with simply satisfying H H Sheikha Moza bint stopped. disabilities in the world. This pledge, and, from our side, we people. We have been given a Misty at places at first becomes moder- Nasser said: “During my prep- “In order to restore time’s makes it blatantly clear: that share this commitment. duty, and it is a duty we must ate temperature daytime and scattered clouds with a chance of rain at some plac- aration to participate in Disa- passage and address the dis- disability levels are an indi- “We must collaborate glo- perform. If we do not fulfil this es at times. bility Week, I wanted to be crimination resulting from the cator of a nation’s devel- bally to devise mechanisms to duty, we must accept the

able to identify with those current and past concept of opment, wherein development stop the waste in resources responsibilities and the con-

HIGH TIDE 03:34 – 12:44 LOW TIDE 08:04 – 20:59 involved in this event. I read disability, we have a great deal and stability declines, the per- caused by the lack of sequences. The time has come Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department The Days by Taha Hussein, of work ahead of us to correct centage of people with disa- investment and empowerment for everyone to perform their known as the blind dean of the consequences of these bilities increases.” for people with disabilities and duty. The time has come to put literature. He men- misconceptions and the per- H H Sheikha Moza bint enable them to play active an end to this kind of blind dis- tioned how, according to his ceptions that followed as a Nasser said: “In the Arab roles in the development of crimination. Rest assured, personal experience, a child result. world, it is estimated that society. We can achieve this nothing about you will be done with disability is trapped “To understand just how there are 40 million people through meaningful without you.” between the sympathy of their much work is required, there with disabilities, more than employment of this large H E Amina J. Mohammed family and the negativity — are 1.5 billion people with dis- half of them are children and number that has been margin- said: “I would like to highlight even mockery — that they abilities around the world, teenagers, due to effects of alised for the sake of disability, the tireless efforts of H H experience outside the home. more than the total population wars and conflicts, as we have especially those talented Sheikha Moza bint Nasser These two behaviours bring of North America, Europe, seen in Iraq since 1980 and among them. herself. She is one of the most about another disability to a , and combined. Syria, Libya, and Yemen since “I was astounded by Taha dedicated advocates we have child because they prevent And these numbers make us 2011. Hussein’s remarkable ability for improving education them from naturally growing realise the unacceptable level “Despite Qatar’s leadership to describe his surroundings around the globe and ensuring and organically integrating of negligence that has been in being one of the most sup- in detail, as if he had more no one is left behind, especially into society. Unfortunately, shown toward these people, portive countries for people than two eyes. It made me persons with disabilities.” SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 HOME 03

OFFICIAL NEWS Prime Minister receives condolences from Omani Interior Minister DOHA: Prime Minister and Interior Minister, H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, received condolences from H E Minister of Inte- rior of the Sultanate of , Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi, on the death of his mother, as His Excellency met with the Omani Minister of Interior last evening. QNA

Qatar strongly condemns attack on passenger bus in Kenya

DOHA: The State of Qatar has strongly condemned the attack that targeted a passenger bus in Kotulo area in Kenya, causing several deaths. In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of For- eign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatar’s firm position rejecting violence and terrorism, whatever the motives and reasons. The statement expressed the condolences of the State of Qatar to the victims’ families, the government and people of Kenya, wishing the wounded a speedy recovery. QNA

Pakistan PM condoles with Prime Minister THE PENINSULA DOHA

Prime Minister of Pakistan, H E Imran Khan, has sent a letter of condolence to Prime Minister and Interior Minister, H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, on the sad demise of Sheikha Mariam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah. In his message, the Prime Minister of Pakistan said he was deeply saddened by the loss experienced by His Excellency and his family. Further, the Government and people of Pakistan join H E and his entire family in this moment of grief. He prayed to Allah the Gracious to shower His blessings on the soul of the deceased, said a statement issued by the Embassy of Pakistan. 04 HOME SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 Minister of Education praises Science Olympiad tests performance

QNA in its sixteenth edition, hosted by Chairman of the Supreme DOHA the State of Qatar this year, under Committee for the IJSO 2019, the slogan of “motivating today’s praised the good preparation Minister of Education and generation for tomorrow’s skills”. and organisation of the tests, Higher Education, H E Dr H E the Minister said that and appreciated the careful Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al holding of these tests in Qatar is follow-up by the officials, Hammadi, has praised the a matter of pride, and appre- especially the supervising sci- performance of students from ciated the role of the organising entific teams, and said that he 70 countries for the Interna- committee in providing logistical found during his visit to the tional Junior Science Olympiad support and creating the envi- examination hall, that the test (IJSO) 2019 test for young people ronment and academic climate is clear to all students of all in the State of Qatar, each in his for students to take the tests and nationalities, wishing them all own language, commending the meet all their requirements. success in their performance. efforts made by the Scientific He also viewed the test paper Fawzia Abdulaziz Al Committee in developing and and was satisfied with its per- Khater, Assistant Undersec- translating the tests. formance by more than 400 stu- retary of the Ministry of Edu- H E the Minister said in a dents representing 70 cation and Higher Education press statement during his visit countries. for Educational Affairs, com- yesterday to the Qatar National Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al mended the organisation of the Convention Centre (QNCC), Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the testing process, and said that where the international Junior Ministry of Education and they were going according to Minister of Education and Higher Education, H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Al Hammadi, during his Science Olympiad tests are held Higher Education, who is also set plans. visit to the QNCC yesterday. Security arrangements during 24th Gulf Cup Championship praised THE PENINSULA Championship, and he praised unit plan was evident in the DOHA the great cooperation the sports process of entry and exit points fans showed with field units in of the public, which went Major General Khalifa Abdullah the stadiums and inspection tents through very smoothly and Al Nuaimi, Head of the 24th Gulf and traffic officials. without any significant problems, Championship Command Center For his part, Major Fahad noting that the success achieved Unit at the Security Committee Saeed Al Subaie, head of the in the 24th Gulf Championship of the Supreme Committee for Qualification and Training Unit is a step for greater success in Delivery and Legacy, has praised in the Security Committee, securing the upcoming sports the high level performance done explained that the fruits of the tournaments and the upcoming by the various units operating work that took place during 2022 World Cup. within the committee. preparations for the tournament Major Rawda Masoud Al He said that the command were best demonstrated during Abdullah, official of the female center unit implements during the field implementation of the unit in the inspection tent, said this tournament the tasks and various tasks during the that the influx of women of all duties necessary to secure the tournament. ages was remarkable during current and upcoming tourna- He pointed out that about the tournament, noting that ments up to the 2022 World Cup. 1333 individuals who were dis- special entries had been He pointed out that the tasks tributed on the main stadiums reserved for female fans who Visitors pass through security checks during the 24th . of the championship command and the families’ recreational came to watch the matches in center unit include operations to area and 120 officers were all stadiums. ensure the flow of information, rooms have been prepared for were equipped with all systems high efficiency in managing the trained. In addition to that, 35 She added more than 140 communication between all units all stadiums equipped with the to act as mobile operating rooms event and performing the tasks men and 30 women trainers female police officers have par- of the Security Committee, and highest technologies managed to intervene in the event of any assigned to them in the best way. were distributed in the most ticipated in securing the cham- communicate information to the by highly qualified cadres to malfunctions in the systems He said that this shows a clear important areas to follow the pionship and inspecting stadium main center in the central oper- manage the event. To further inside the fixed operating rooms indication of the security com- progress of work and take notes entrances. She also praised the ations room of the National ensure the flow of information in the stadiums. mittee’s readiness to receive the so that they can be used in the great understanding shown by Command Center from all oper- and the absence of any defi- General Al Nuaimi hailed all most prominent and bigger event upcoming tournaments. the female fans to the inspection ating rooms in all stadiums. ciencies or interruptions in the the cadres working within the that sports fans expect with He said that the success of procedures and their compliance He added that operations communication process, cars security committee units for their passion, World Cup 2022 the qualification and training with the instructions. SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 HOME 05

Condolences

We extend our sincere condolences and great sympathy to

H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani Prime Minister and Minister of Interior on the demise of his beloved

Mother Sheikha Mariam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah

We pray to Almighty Allah to grant Jannat to the departed soul and patience for the bereaved family 06 HOME SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 Mental Health Services Guide launched in Qatar

THE PENINSULA Mahmoud Saleh Al Raisi, Chair Guide highlights the system-wide DOHA of the National Taskforce for approach to mental health Mental Health and Well-being and services in Qatar. Qatar’s first Guide to Mental HMC’s Chief of the Continuing Care A major focus of the recent Health Services has been launched Group, highlighted the importance expansion of mental health during the 8th Qatar International of making people aware of how to services in Qatar has been to Psychiatry and Mental Health seek help if they are struggling with deliver more services in the Conference, by H E Dr Hanan mental health issues. primary care setting, as Dr Samya Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of “The World Health Organi- Ahmad Al Abdulla, Deputy Public Health. zation states that 1 in 4 people in National Lead for Mental Health The Guide has been developed the world will be affected by a and Well-being and Executive by the Ministry of Public Health mental health disorder at some Director of Operations PHCC, said, (MoPH) in partnership with Hamad point in their lives. One of the main “In the past few years we have Medical Corporation (HMC), Primary challenges is the associated stigma, worked hard to expand the mental Health Care Corporation (PHCC), which often makes it difficult for health services delivered at our Sidra Medicine, and Naufar with the H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, formally launched Qatar’s first Guide to people to talk openly and seek primary health centers. The mental aim of making it easier for people Mental Health Services during the 8th Qatar International Psychiatry and Mental Health Conference. help. For this reason, it is essential health services provided to to access mental health services in that we make people aware of the women, children, and young adults Qatar and helping them choose the expansion of mental health right service for their individual the launch last year by the MoPH services available to them and that in Qatar by Sidra Medicine are also right service for their needs. services has been an important needs. The launch of the new of the three guides to healthcare they understand how to access detailed in the healthcare guides. H E Dr Al Kuwari said that the part of this transformation. Qatar’s Guide provides a clear and concise services in Qatar, one each for these services,’’ said Al Raisi. The most recent mental health provision of mental health services health system now offers a wide resource for mental health children, adults, and the elderly. Iain Tulley, Qatar National facility to open in Qatar, Naufar, has expanded in recent years. range of mental health services services in Qatar,’’ said Dr Al The Guides explain everything Health Strategy 2018-2022 Lead focuses on well-being with a par- “Qatar’s healthcare sector has and it is vitally important that Kuwari. people need to know about for Mental Health and Well-being ticular emphasis on helping indi- undergone enormous growth people understand how to access The publication of the Guide accessing general healthcare and CEO of HMC’s Mental Health viduals overcome addiction and throughout this decade and the these services and can choose the to Mental Health Services follows services in Qatar. Service, said the launch of the substance use disorders. Qatar holds series of events on sidelines QAC takes part in Global President of Conference on Aviation El Salvador of Climate Change Conference in Madrid arrives in Doha QNA and projects and how to tackle the awareness-raising initiatives and Trainer Plus in India MADRID phenomenon of climate change, and programs that aim to raise the QNA/NEW DELHI QNA/DOHA to enhance cooperation with inter- awareness of the individual in pre- The Pavilion of the State of Qatar, national bodies in order to serve serving natural resources and Qatar Aeronautical College (QAC) has participated in the President of the Republic of El on the sidelines of the States partic- future projects in the country. achieving environmental sustain- 6th global Conference on Aviation Trainer Plus, which Salvador, H E Nayib Bukele, ipation in the 25th session of the Among the contents is the ability within the framework of the was hosted by GMR Aviation Academy and Delhi Inter- arrived in Doha yesterday. Conference of the Parties to the Green Cars initiative and the Qatar National Vision 2030. national Airport Limited in the Indian capital, New Delhi. H E the President and the United Nations Framework opening of the unique PV plant in Within the activities of the Qatari QAC also held a simplified exhibition to introduce its accompanying delegation were Convention on Climate Change in the world, where electric cars are pavilion, a seminar entitled “The role programs at the international level through which the welcomed upon arrival at the Spanish capital, Madrid, will offer charged with solar energy that the of technology in facing climate national day of the country was promoted. The three-day Hamad International Airport by many activities, presentations, station stores, as well as high- change challenges and how to conference focused on innovative training, opening new H E Director of Protocol at the projects and initiatives that highlight lighting civil aviation efforts in the benefit from carbon dioxide gas” was horizons and exploring ways in which innovation affects Ministry of Foreign Affairs role in combating climate field of protecting the civil aviation held, which featured a number of training. It also addressed the challenges of training for global Ambassador Ibrahim Yousef change, presented by a number of environment in the State of Qatar, lectures by speakers from Qatar and airlines as well as opportunities in this ever-growing industry. Fakhroo, Acting Charge experts and specialists within the and achieving a safe and effective abroad. The event also provided a forum for all members to explore d’Affaires of the Embassy of the participating Qatari delegation. and sustainable civil aviation It is noteworthy that the State of the features and benefits of new programs, develop job State of Qatar in El Salvador The Qatari pavilion features system, in a way that further Qatar is one of the first countries to opportunities, and enhance the organization and products. Tariq Othman Al Othman, and presentations, videos and activities enhances the State of Qatar sign the “Paris Agreement” on Qatar Aeronautical College (QAC) is a full member of Acting Charge d’Affaires of the by various parties inside and outside position in the global civil aviation climate, as an aware of its the ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS program, and it hosted the last Embassy of the Republic of El the country, to show national efforts industry map, in addition to other importance. edition in 2018 in Doha. Salvador in Qatar Diego Dalton.

Doha to host conference of parliamentarians tomorrow

THE PENINSULA DOHA

The seventh Global Conference of Parliamentarians Against Corruption will begin in Doha tomorrow with the participation of heads and members of parlia- ments of 106 countries and 63 national parliamentary branches around the world. The seventh Global Con- ference of Parliamentarians is hosted by the Shura Council in cooperation with the Global Organization of Parliamen- tarians Against Corruption (GOPAC). The conference will feature a number of sessions, including a session to review GOPAC report on the activities of the Organisation’s General Secretariat. The conference will be held in conjunction with Amir H H Sheikh ’s honouring the winners of the 4th edition of Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award during a cer- emony to be held in the Rwandan Capital, Kigali, tomorrow. H H the Amir and H E Pres- ident of Rwanda Paul Kagame will honour the winners of the Award’s four categories - the Anti-Corruption Academic Research and Education Award; the Anti-Corruption Youth Cre- ativity and Engagement Award; the Anti-Corruption Innovation Award; and the Anti-Corruption Lifetime/Outstanding Achievement Award. The Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Cor- ruption (GOPAC) was founded in Canada in 2002. The organisation brings together about 1200 parliamen- tarians and heads of parliaments from 106 countries, and has 63 branches across the world. SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 HOME 07 Academics from over 130 countries participate Improved outcomes for in 6th International Translation Conference women with high-risk

THE PENINSULA DOHA pregnancies at Maternal

With participation of a group of Medicine Unit translators and academics from over 130 different countries, the FAZEENA SALEEM volume, and diabetes,” said Dr Sixth International Translation THE PENINSULA Al Obaidly. Conference, organised by the “There are also cases that Forum for Arab and Interna- Receiving over 400 referrals are referred due to abnormal- tional Relations, started each month, the Feto-Maternal ities or potential abnormalities yesterday. Medicine Unit (FMU) at the in the unborn baby, which are The two-day conference is a Women’s Wellness and Research detected through a scan done in cultural and intellectual forum Center (WWRC) is providing the primary health care centres for Arab and non-Arab trans- specialised and holistic care to or at private clinics. lators, as their research and sci- women with high-risk and “When these cases come to Panellists during a session at the Sixth International Translation Conference. entific experiences vary in dif- complex pregnancies. The unit us we do a detailed scanning as ferent languages and cultures. provides treatment to expectant well as minor invasive proce- The conference will review more the committee of Sheikh Hamad session was devoted to dis- A Somali translator also pre- mothers requiring specialised dures. In some cases we hold than 40 papers related to trans- Award for Translation and Inter- cussing the problems of Arabic sented a paper entitled ‘Trans- care for maternal or foetal multi-disciplinary meetings to lation issues in eight sessions. national Understanding. translation and some of the lation from Somali to Arabic: reasons. The unit offers advance reach a decision and provide In his opening speech at the The first session of the con- selected languages, including problematic terminology and diagnosis and treatment of proper care and delivery conference, Dr. Muhammad ference came under the title Portuguese, Chinese, Uzbek, vocabulary’, in which he dealt complications which may arise decision,” said Dr Al Obaidly. Hamed Al Ahmari, Director of ‘Problems of translation from/to Malayalam, Somali and Bahasa. with the history of the Somali in unborn babies. She said that the unit is con- the Forum for Arab and Interna- Arabic to Russian’, where a During this session, Dr. Zhang language and its relationship to “We see on an average sultant based and the services tional Relations, praised the role number of aspects were Hongy, Dean of the College of the Arabic language and why around 400 to 490 cases per provided include advanced of translators in transferring cul- reviewed, including Russian- Arabic Studies at the University Somali was not written in the month. The number has ultra-sound; non-invasive pre- tures and knowledge between Arab cultural relations, a brief of International Studies in Arabic alphabets and the increased since we moved into natal testing; prenatal diagnostic nations, stressing that they history of the translator by a Beijing, presented a paper on the influence of Arabic language on the new facility at the WWRC,” procedures in the indicated provide with great service to all former diplomat Oleg Pavikin. problem of cultures: Arabisation Somali language. said Dr Sawsan Hassan Al cases; prenatal diagnosis of of humanity. While Russian researcher, and Westernisation in Arabic- While the Indonesian Obaidly, Consultant Feto- some foetal conditions, besides Al Ahmari noted that there Dmitry Mikulski, from the Ori- Chinese translation. researcher Mashfaq Al Rahman Maternal Medicine and others. are some translations that are entalist Institute of the Russian Catarina Bello, a researcher discussed in his paper the Obstetrics/Gynaecology, “We also aim to project and done in a hurry and that the sci- Academy of Sciences discussed and translator and professor at problem of translating pre- speaking to media recently. prevent pre-term births in high entific standards have not been in his paper the database of news the American University in Cairo, Islamic poetry into the Indo- FMU has continued to risk cases as well as diagnosis observed a matter which affects and topics addressed in the presented a paper entitled nesian language and its impor- improve its services for women and management of cases pre- the understanding the culture of history books of Arab Islamic ‘Translation from Arabic into tance in understanding the with high-risk pregnancies and senting abnormalities. We assess the source language. kings in the ninth and tenth cen- Portuguese: the case of Islamic authenticity of Arab heritage, around seen around 8,500 cases women having high risk mul- The conference has become turies AD. philosophy in the Middle Ages’, pointing to the interest of Indo- in 2018. The unit receives tiple pregnancies, especially an annual event parallel to the As Russian translator Olfa and the researcher, Dr. Jaber Al- nesians in Arabic literature, but referrals by health centres, twins who share one placenta- Sheikh Hamad Award for Trans- Vlasova addressed the charac- Omari, head of the Department modern literature has a greater private clinics and HMC facil- monochorionic, triplets or more lation and International Under- teristics of translation of of Arab Research and Studies at interest than heritage because ities when either expectant pregnancies.” standing, said Al Ahmari noting Moroccan works of writers from BTM College in the Indian state of its difficulty in translation and mothers requiring specialised In addition to providing core that the conference has achieved Arabic into Russian. “Problems of Kerala, addressed the understanding as well. care for maternal or fetal fetal medicine services, Dr Al good results and its works have of translation into Russian” was problems facing translators from The 3rd session was devoted to reasons. Obaidly added that the FMU been well received by those also discussed in a paper pre- Arabic to Malayalam, where he discussing the problems of literary “Some women face diffi- offers other subspecialty clinics, interested in the field of trans- sented by the Iraqi translator considered that the most translation. The fourth session also culties while pregnant and expe- including a fetal cardiology lation, dialogue and culture Abdullah Bead. There was important problem facing the addressed the problems of trans- rience complications for a service and a prenatal genetic exchange. another paper “Concerns of the translator there is the wealth of lation in Islamic literature. The fifth number of reasons, including counseling service for couples He appreciated the efforts of Arabic vs Russian translation” by vocabulary in Arabic, in contrast session discussed translation miscarriage, pre-term labour with a current or previous the organizing committee and Syrian translator Dr. Nizar Ayoun to a weakness in the Malayalam between the accuracy of the term, and pre-term birth, preec- history of fetal abnormalities. the efforts of the scientific com- Al-Aswad discussed the pros- language, so the translator is the smoothness of the text, and the lampsia (associated with high Thousands of women have mittees for the proposed pects of the translation between puzzled when he thinks about cultural challenge of the target blood pressure and protein in received care at the FMU since research, as well as the efforts of these two languages. The second choosing words. language. the urine), abnormal amniotic established in 2002. Gulf Studies and Arabian Peninsula Forum opens QNA role of Qatar Development Bank multiplying the banks contri- DOHA in achieving the goals of national bution to the GDP of the State of development policies in the State Qatar, supporting self-sufficiency The 6th Gulf Studies and Arabian of Qatar”, and its contribution to efforts and increasing value added Peninsula Forum, organized by the strategy of economic diversi- across priority sectors in Qatar. the Arab Centre for Research and fication and private sector growth The first session in the theme Policy Studies (ACRPS), opened with a focus on small and “Making public policies in the Arab yesterday. The current session will medium-sized companies and Gulf states” discussed the policies discuss, over two days, the issue of entrepreneurship where he of economic diversification and public policy-making in the Arab referred to the banks role in pro- work in the Arab Gulf states, in Gulf states and Gulf security in a moting a culture of innovation and which Khaled Al Khater, a changing environment. entrepreneurship, especially researcher in monetary policy and Dr. Marwan Qablan, a among Qatari employees, political economics, presented a researcher at the Arab Center and enhancing productivity levels, paper on the challenges facing eco- Chairman of the Gulf Studies Forum increasing the volume and con- nomic integration between the and the Arabian Peninsula, stressed tribution of non-hydrocarbon Arab Gulf countries. He said that that thinking of the forum since its exports to GDP, increasing the despite the amendments that were first edition focused on dealing with private sectors contribution to the received on the unified economic the affairs of the Arab Gulf region, local economy, and strengthening agreement of the states of the GCC including all issues without Qatar’s position as a regional in 2001 to promote the estab- exception, political, social, eco- center for priority sectors. lishment of a customs union, a nomic, cultural, media and others. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al common Gulf market and a mon- Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa concluded his speech by etary union, several challenges Khalifa, CEO of Qatar Devel- talking about the banks’ hopeful emerged that were clearly reflected opment Bank, spoke about “the goals in its plan 2018-2023 by during the current Gulf crisis.

ISC organises cycle rally at Doha Corniche

THE PENINSULA DOHA

Indian Sports Center which is the apex body for the Indian Community in Qatar for sports working under the patronage of Embassy of India organised a cycle rally to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahathma Gandhi. The event took place on the H E Ambassador P Kumaran flags off the cycle rally at Doha Corniche. walk way of Doha Corniche near Sheraton Doha next to Costa Dhiman, Rajinder Bhagath (from comed the gathering. coffee on Friday. The speciality Indian Embassy), Sharaf P In the keynote address, of the rally was that it had 150 Hameed (Acting President - ISC), Ambassador P. Kumaran shared cyclists and was flagged off by Azim Abbas (President IBPC), P the thoughts of Mahathma H E Indian Ambassador, P. N Baburaj (President ICBF), Dr. Gandhi who inspire all Indians Kumaran, at 7.30am. R Seetharaman (CEO Doha to become united with the bond The rally was completed at Bank), MS Bukhari (SATCO) of love and affection. the sculpture Orry, the Asian among others attended the The Ambassador stressed on Games mascot which covered event. the importance of using bicycles approximately 2km. Eminent At the finishing point after con- where ever possible which will personalities from the Indian cluding the rally a public function reduce the pollution and make community including Captain was arranged where the ISC acting the environment better for the Kapil Kaushik, Rajesh Kamble, president Sharaf P Hammed wel- human beings. 08 HOME SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 Hot Air Balloon Festival Moody’s assigns A1 rating to Kahramaa THE PENINSULA upon when Kahramaa was DOHA rated.” begins at Aspire Park He added that Moody’s high Moody’s Investors Service rating for the first time for Kah- SIDI MOHAMED (Moody’s) has assigned for the ramaa puts us in front of a new THE PENINSULA first time a A1 long-term issuer commitment, which is to con- rating and a BAA1 Baseline Credit tinue to work to enhance Attracting more than 3,000 Assessment to Qatar General financial sustainability and con- people on the inaugural day, Electricity & Water Corporation tinue to improve operating effi- Qatar’s first Hot Air Balloon (Kahramaa). The outlook is ciency and rationalise costs Festival began yesterday at Aspire stable. across the organization’s oper- Park. The agency revealed in its ations by adopting a number of “Being held for the first time assessment that the long-term initiatives. in Qatar, the event will continue rating of Kahramaa supports the Al Kuwari noted that Kah- for 12 days, until December 18, as low risks of electricity and water Eng. Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari, ramaa’s distinguished per- 33 hot air balloons from 13 coun- distribution activities, as a gov- President of Kahramaa formance in the financial aspect tries adorn the skies over Aspire ernment corporation is the with the success of the corpo- Park,” said Noufah Al Saffar, a owner and the sole operator of implemented electricity network ration in fulfilling its obligations member of the organising com- People attending the first day of Hot Air Balloon Festival at Aspire the system of transmission and expansion projects in Qatar and in providing sustainable and mittee of Qatar’s Hot Air Balloon Park. PIC: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA distribution of electricity and the major strategic Water high-quality electricity and Festival. water in Qatar, in addition to the Security Mega Reservoirs water and its role as a key Teams from UK, India, the US, World Cup and Qatar National skies. This would be a perfect strong financial performance of Project. partner in the development , , , Ireland, Day celebrations, she added. opportunity to those that can’t get the corporation, Kahramaa said President of the Qatar projects witnessed by Qatar and Qatar are taking part The scene of the colourful up with the crack of dawn to see in a statement. General Electricity and Water Moody’s has also awarded in the event. balloons will be a fantastic the mass balloons flying in the air. Moody’s expected that the Corporation (Kahramaa) Eng. Kahramaa a basic credit rating Noufah Al Saffar said that the opportunity to take photographs Today (Sunday) there will be demand for electricity will Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari said: of ‘baa1’. 12-day event of majestic sights are of the memorable experience. first Free Flight. Every day at increase by about 5 percent and “This high evaluation reflects the The agency also suggested combined with live music, and The surreal scene of a group 6.15am all the balloons will be water by about 4 percent success of Kahramaa’s plans that the internal financial flows guests could enjoy cuisines from of Hot Air Balloons taking off and flying to the direction of the pre- annually during the next five based on financial sustainability. of the corporation be sufficient best brands, kids’ entertainment, colouring the skies at sunrise is vailing wind for about 30 to 45 years, in light of the overall It also confirms the strong to cover the expected invest- balloon night glow and more. unforgettable. The balloons will minutes. The free flights will be development taking place in the financial performance achieved ments during the coming period, The event has been scheduled start taking off and fly for a period a spectacular scene to watch over country, with Kahramaa’s ability by the Kahramaa, in light of the which the agency estimated to coincide with three major of 45 to 60 minutes. Doha skies as well as a nightglow. to fulfill its obligations towards high rating of the Qatari during the next five years to be events in the country namely the A couple of hours before Also, there will be free flight plus meeting the growing growth in economy and the support and about QR30bn, noting that Kah- 24th Edition of Arabian Gulf Cup sunset, the Hot Air Balloons will tethering in the early afternoon the demand for electricity and direction of our wise gov- rama’s liquidity is sufficient with Tournament; the 2019 FIFA Club be lifting off together to colour the as well as a nightglow. water in light of what it ernment, which Moody’s relied an expected cash. HBKU faculty contributes to disability and development conference THE PENINSULA with Disabilities (CPRD), based on the Dena Al Thani said, “I’m delighted to DOHA co-production of social policy between be participating at this important inter- civil societies and governments. It is national conference. The global push A faculty member from the College of anticipated that bridging this gap will for sustainable development should Science and Engineering (CSE) at Hamad facilitate meaningful structural change leave no one behind, including people Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is contrib- that leads to the successful achievement with disabilities. My research on uting to proceedings at the ongoing of inclusive equality. attention assessment for children with Doha International Conference on Disa- HBKU’s contribution to conference autism spectrum disorder is guided by bility and Development. proceedings is provided by Dr. Dena Al this principle, as are all of the panel Organiaed under the guidance and Thani, who joins a group of esteemed discussions and activities taking place patronage of H H Sheikha Moza bint international panelists to analyse how at this event.” Nasser, the two-day event looks at the data revolution makes those who “It’s also an honour to represent efforts to harness the sustainable devel- are often invisible, visible. The Assistant the CSE at the Doha International Con- opment agenda to advance the human Professor at the College of Science and ference on Disability and Devel- rights of persons with disabilities. Par- Engineering is to base her contribution opment. Our presence reflects our ticipants will focus on streamlining the around her research on attention commitment to making a significant nexus between the United Nations’ Sus- assessment for children with autism positive impact in the fields of science, tainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Dr. Dena Al Thani (third right), Assistant Professor at CSE, speaking during the spectrum disorder. engineering and technology at home Convention on the Rights of Persons conference. Speaking during the conference, Dr. and abroad.” QC inks pacts with JHCO, Zakat Fund provides aid AMR for Syrian refugees worth QR17m THE PENINSULA existing programmes and projects. The DOHA cooperation agreement aims to coordinate in November efforts on social welfare, the sponsorship Qatar Charity (QC) has signed three agree- of orphans, low-income families, students, QNA ments with the Jordan Hashemite Charity and people with special needs to benefit DOHA Organization (JHCO) and the Arabian refugees living in Jordan and the members Medical Relief (AMR) to boost existing of the local community. The Zakat Fund Department cooperation and coordination on projects The agreements were signed by at the Ministry of Endowments and assistance for Syrian refugees and Yousef bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, CEO of and Islamic Affairs has those affected by the Syrian crisis. Qatar Charity, Mr. Ayman Al Mufleh, Sec- provided an amount of These agreements come as part of retary-General of the Jordan Hashemite The officials of Qatar Charity, JHCO and AMR shaking hands after the signing of QR16,972,548 to beneficiaries Qatar Charity’s efforts made to strengthen Charity Organization (JHCO). Memorandum of Understanding. applying for help during the its relations with its partners in the Believing in the importance of medical month of November 2019. Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. relief work to reduce the spread of dis- Medical Relief shall manage the centre. dentistry, a pharmacy, and laboratory. It Periodic and interrupted The pacts included a Memorandum eases and epidemics in refugee camps, However, the Jordan Hashemite Charity started operations in 2017. assistances, treatment of Understanding (MoU) and a cooper- Qatar Charity, Arabian Medical Relief, and Organization shall facilitate procedures for After the signing of the agreements, assistance, indebted persons ation agreement on orphan care between Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization remittances and disbursement. Qatar Charity, Jordan Hashemite Charity and tuition fees, all of which Qatar Charity and the Jordan Hashemite have signed a contract to operate the The deal was inked by Yousef bin Organization, and Arab Medical Relief are disbursed by the fund Charity Organization (JHCO). Qatar Charity Medical Center in the Ahmed Al Kuwari, CEO of Qatar Charity, presented mementos and souvenirs to management for those entitled The MoU aims to strengthen the stra- Zaatari refugee camp, which was estab- Dr. Awni Al Bashir, Chairman of the Board each other. to families registered with tegic partnership between the two lished by Qatar Charity in cooperation of Directors of the Arabian Medical Relief, The CEO of Qatar Charity also pre- them in accordance with the parties, which has been lasting for several with Arabian Medical Relief, to continue and Mr. Ayman Al Mufleh, Secretary- sented a memento to Amjad Hatim Al Shariah controls, where the years, considering that the JHCO is the providing medical care to Syrian refugees General of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Mubaidin, Deputy Jordanian Ambassador Zakat Fund Administration is body authorized to oversee and coor- in the camp for another year. Organization. to the State of Qatar, in appreciation of the government authority to dinate relief projects in Jordan, and Under the signed contract, Qatar Charity The Qatar Charity Medical Center, the embassy’s efforts in supporting char- which the law is assigned the improve cooperation between them to shall provide expenses for operating the which is one of the largest medical centers itable work and facilitating Qatar Char- competence to collect zakat implement more programmes and joint center (staff, medicines, and medical and in Zaatari camp, includes various spe- ity’s humanitarian and charitable activity funds, and to pay it to those projects and develop technical supplies), while the Arabian cialized clinics such as general medicine, in Jordan. who are eligible. These sums have been distributed a the periodic assistances provided monthly Thousands flock to Katara Traditional Dhow Festival over the weekend to eligible families with a THE PENINSULA countries recalling history and displaying they have come about – have all been dis- of using recyclable goods from the sea in value of QR10.2m, and the cut DOHA maritime tradition, culture, clothes, cuisine played in great providing for inviting visit this day and age of climate change. A lot aid is one-time assistance as and music were very busy, each with their and study. of locals in particular were interested here. needed with a value of The Katara Traditional Dhow Festival hit distinct and fervour. The Qatari sea The finely-chiselled and gleaming tra- The spectacularly boat-shaped tent of QR2.3m. a vibrant note on the first weekend of its tradition along with the nation’s historical ditional dhow boats lined all across, and Greece, which has been designed and The Zakat Fund 9th edition with thousands swarming the progress has been expansively detailed the traditional fishermen sewing fishing installed this year by the Greek Society of Department at the Ministry of esplanade by the beach. with absorbing facts, while the fishing and nets, the traditional fish and trade market Doha “Desmos”, has also been attracting Endowments and Islamic A large number of visitors, including sea-diving culture is vividly of the past have all come alive and people many. Their music shows with tunes of Affairs disburse these families of various nationalities, watched represented. could been exploring information. mamma mia and other hit numbers regale assistance to eligible families cultural shows, savoured cuisines, enjoyed The Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani From the overseas, Italy with its Casa audiences in the afternoon while lively who meet the conditions of music and dances, shopped and took dhow Museum, and the Qatar pavilion (located Italia pavilion has brought along a dedi- music in the evenings is making visitors Sharia, after examining cruises on Thursday and Friday. The fes- exactly at the beach front centre) digs deep cated section of Sardenia and its now join in for dance revelry. requests for social and field tival this year, which has a more colourful into the rich national past and into the dis- world famous tuna, and the clothing While Qatar and some Arabic coun- assistance in order to look, is being held over two weeks from tinction of Qatari culture. culture. Their music and food (pasta and tries may share the same culture, their tra- ascertain the extent of the December 3 to 6 and is open from 9am to The search for oysters, and the pearl pizza), however, has a big hit too with the ditions have been different. As such, entitlement of those 12noon, and from 3pm to 10pm on all days. trade thereafter, the noble deeds of people visitors. is displaying their distinct pearl requesting this assistance, and Friday evening in particular saw the who believed in goodness, charity and Also, traditionally-dressed ladies culture “Al Tawasha”. Also how they to ensure that the Zakat of the festival being flocked by people from all generosity, caring of the poor, their biog- making pita (bread) were a big attraction. nurture pearl, not like gold or diamond, people of Qatar reach walks of life. Pavilions of several raphies, the landmark buildings and how has brought along a moving culture but in a different new way. beneficiaries. SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 HOME 09 QEERI conference concludes THE PENINSULA The four-day to the developmental prospects DOHA of all countries,” said Dr. Ahmad conference showcased M Hasnah, President of Hamad A large number of delegates and a multitude of sessions Bin Khalifa University. guests attended an interesting including panels, round Over 1000 students partici- panel discussion on ‘Imple- tables, oral and poster pated in the Young Innovator menting a Policy Framework to competition where they sub- Support Sustainable Devel- presentations on mitted short videos showcasing opment through the Water- various topics related how objectives related to certain Energy-Environment Nexus, to the opportunities sustainable development goals during the final day of the Inter- and challenges can be achieved. The Philippines national Conference on International School, Compass Sustainable Energy-Water-Envi- across the energy, International School, and Awfaz ronment Nexus in Desert environment, water and Global School walked away with Climates 2019 (IC-SEWEN’19). food security tracks. top prizes in the senior, interme- IC-SEWEN’19, which was held diate and junior categories. Panellists during the IC-SEWEN’19 at the Qatar National Convention Center. at the Qatar National Convention more than 400 delegates – sci- University students from Centre from December 2 to 5, is entists, researchers, engineers Qatar and around the world also the flagship conference of the and students – from around the competed in the Student Oral and decentralised energy, among delightful event – a journey of efforts to tackle the challenges Qatar Environment and Energy world. Poster presentations in energy, others. Pre-event activities also four days bringing together relating to the energy-water- Research Institute (QEERI), part of “I am pleased to attend this environment, water and food featured a panel discussion on various perspectives in research, environment nexus.” Hamad Bin Khalifa University. important conference, which security. The winner in each cat- Unlocking the Potential of development, technology and The conference also offered The four-day conference seeks to address vital topics that egory won a cash prize of $300. Women for Sustainable Devel- innovation. The diversity that we a number of social activities showcased a multitude of ses- can no longer be individually Breakout sessions during the opment, and a workshop on Cor- have seen at QEERI IC-SEWEN: including golfing at the Edu- sions including panels, round shouldered by countries, regions, conference explored topics such rosion Management, and one on nationality, gender, technical cation City Golf Club, a welcome tables, oral and poster presenta- or economies. The global chal- as water desalination, environ- PV Technologies for the Desert expertise and mindsets is reception sponsored and hosted tions on various topics related to lenges we address here require mental challenges in a changing Climate. remarkable, and we hope that by Shaikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al the opportunities and challenges collective efforts. Addressing climate, sustainable oil and gas Speaking at the closing cer- this conference has set up a Thani Museum, and various tours across the energy, environment, water and energy security topics, processes, food security and emony, Dr. Marc Vermeersh platform to build a more solid showcasing Qatar. It ended with water and food security tracks. through established processes, energy-water-environment thanked the delegates and network, and collaborations a gala dinner at the desert These sessions were attended by is quite important and relevant nexus, and opportunities in guests, and said: “It has been a through which we can combine organized by 365 Adventures. Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance captivates audience at QNL

THE PENINSULA Speaking after the concert, DOHA Ali Rashid, one of the attendees, said: “It is my first time attending Music lovers were treated to the concert with my friends and Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Album for we really enjoyed the show. This the Young (or Children’s Album) is what makes the Library very at another edition of the special among other places in monthly Philharmonic at the Qatar to visit with family and Library series recently. friends, as it offers programs for Attendees enjoyed an espe- everyone.” cially exceptional performance Lina Abubaker, who also Fashionista Fashion Show, featuring top brands and latest trends for women and children, at the 29 La Croisette, Porto Arabia, heT of the album’s 24 short pieces, attended, said, “I am new to Pearl-Qatar, on Friday evening. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA which were originally composed Qatar and came to the Library for the piano in 1878 and dedi- for the first time to attend this cated to Tchaikovsky’s favorite concert. It made my evening The Pearl-Qatar holds ‘Fashionista’ Fashion Show nephew. At the Library, they even more special and I will were performed using Gennady continue to keep an eye on the THE PENINSULA to attend “Fashionista” Fashion women’s and children’s Just Per Lei, Little Lady and Krutikov’s string quintet Library’s website to learn about DOHA Show, which took place at 29 La fashion, with the participation Shades, along with VCUarts arrangement. future events and visit again.” Croisette, on December 6. of major brands, such as M Qatar Fashion Alumni, who Fashion enthusiasts flocked to The event featured a spec- Missoni, Aigner, MCM, Blue showcased their fashion collec- Porto Arabia at The Pearl-Qatar tacular fashion runway of Salon Kids, Per Lei Couture, tions. QRCS delegation takes part in IFRC Statutory Meetings

THE PENINSULA at the National Society level 2019, DOHA and launch of the IFRC Youth Engagement Strategy (Y.E.S.) A high-profile delegation from toolkit. Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) Youth delegates participated is participating in the Statutory in the Youth Commission elections Meetings of the International for the term 2019-2023. The 2030 Federation of the Red Cross and Strategy was presented as an Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), introduction to the main collective being held in Geneva, Switzerland, ambitions of the coming decade. December 4-12. They exchanged ideas about the People enjoying Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance at QNL. The event is attended by descriptive strategies to be used senior officials of National Soci- by National Societies, how the eties around the world, as well as youth can contribute to these representatives of the Interna- ambitions, the philosophy under- QRCS delegation during IFRC Statutory Meetings in Geneva. TNG School celebrates tional Committee of the Red Cross lying this transformation to further (ICRC), who come together to enable effective institutional 10th anniversary discuss critical humanitarian Muna Fadel Al Sulaiti, Executive preceding the General Assembly. change, the National Society issues and share the future of the Director of Volunteering and Local It was attended by representatives Development Chart framework, THE PENINSULA /DOHA education sector by playing an International Red Cross and Red Development Division, Dr. Fawzi of Youth Networks, including Al and how it relates to the Youth active role in raising awareness Crescent Movement. Oussedik, Head of International Mereikhi, alongside with IFRC Engagement Strategy and The Next Generation (TNG) School about important issues. This will QRCS’s delegation consists of Relations and International Leaders. policies. has announced the successful be the 6th round of Education Ali bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Sec- Humanitarian Law, and Zeena The Forum shed light on the After the Youth Forum, the completion of ten prosperous Awards hosted by TNG. retary-General, Reema Masoud Mahjoub Elhusein, International major achievements of the IFRC General Assembly convened to years of providing quality To appreciate the com- Al Mereikhi, Board Member, Dr. Humanitarian Movement Youth Commission over the hand over the National Society education in the State of Qatar. mitment & sincerity of its longest Mohamed Salah Ibrahim, Exec- Coordinator. period 2015-2019, gave an Awards and elect a new Secretary- Established in 2009, TNG cur- standing team members, TNG will utive Director of Relief and Inter- First, the IFRC Youth Forum overview of the findings of the General of IFRC to replace Elhadj rently hosts a student body of be presenting its staff with Loyalty national Development Division, was held on December 3-4, 2019, Global Youth Engagement Survey As Sy. nearly 1,800 students and a team Awards for 5 and 10 years of of 300+ members in seven cam- service. Excellence Awards for the puses; that are located in some of following categories: Empowering the most central locations across the Team, Contributing to the CMU-Q leads team to create the country. As an educational School’s Mission & Vision, Incor- institute, TNG is committed to pro- porating innovative Teaching & viding a safe learning environment Learning strategies, Contributing interactive map of Qatari dialect for its students that guarantees to Academic Excellence, Com- their academic, personal and mitment & Sincerity, Responsi- THE PENINSULA/DOHA generational variations of Qatari The project will build standard social growth, empowering them bility & Diligence, Creativity & dialect, and create a digital tool for written conventions for Qatari to meet global challenges with an Innovation and Inspiring Growth Carnegie Mellon University in exploring pronunciation, usage dialect, and digitise this infor- emphasis on Islamic values. & Change, will also be presented Qatar (CMU-Q) is leading a new and expressions. Currently, the mation so they can use natural To mark these ten years, TNG to teachers who have contributed research team that will create an linguistic situation in Qatar is language processing and machine is hosting an anniversary cele- positively in these ten years. interactive linguistic map of Qatari described in scattered documents, learning techniques in their bration this week under the Earlier in October this year, dialect. Zeinab Ibrahim (pictured), and the team’s goal is to fill this analysis. CMU-Q’s assistant pro- patronage of Dr. Hamda Hassan the school had announced teaching professor of Arabic knowledge gap. fessor of information systems, Al Sulaiti, Secretary General, ‘Teachers as Innovators’ award, studies, is the lead principal inves- “The main goal of the research Houda Bouamor, is a principal for Qatari students to learn Qatar National Commission for for teachers who have success- tigator on the project that just is to explore and analyze the investigator on the project. Modern Standard Arabic.” Education, Culture and Science, fully introduced innovative ped- received funding from the Qatar actual dialectal situation in Qatar,” Ibrahim believes this research The QNRF-funded project as the Chief Patron for the event. agogical approaches to their National Research Fund’s (QNRF) said Ibrahim. “Although we have can help preserve and promote includes two Qatari principal As part of its community out- classrooms and achieved National Priorities Research many goals, our main purpose is Arabic language learning in Qatar: investigators, and all of the inter- reach efforts, TNG will be pre- favourable results. The innovators Program. to add to the knowledge base of “This map will be very useful to viewers will be Qatari. The project senting Education Awards to will be presenting their practices The project will map the Qatari dialect, heritage, culture educators in Qatar, so they can is a collaboration of several insti- appreciate organisations who are and sharing their learnings at the social, geographical and and identity.” create syllabi that smooth the way tutions within Qatar. contributing positively to the anniversary event. 10 VIEWS SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 Qatar’s pioneering role in addressing challenges

ESTABLISHED IN 1996 of people with disabilities commended

QNA CHAIRMAN DOHA SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI atar’s pioneering role in addressing the challenges EDITOR-IN-CHIEF faced by people with disabil- Qities, and the great role of H H DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected] Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, founder of the Qatar Social Work Foundation (QSWF) , for her strenuous efforts in ACTING MANAGING EDITOR promoting education around the MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED world and ensuring that no one is left [email protected] out of the school has been praised by top UN official yesterday. Deputy Secretary-General of the DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR United Nations, H E Amina MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI Mohammed, has commended the [email protected] State of Qatar and H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser pointing that in all parts of the world, the stigma attached to persons with disabilities is increasing, and this stigma is associated with a misunderstanding of their rights and the value of the contributions they EDITORIAL make to their societies,. She stressed that this situation cannot be accepted, as it is contrary to the collective com- Helping the displaced mitment of the United Nations to achieve human dignity and its obliga- H E Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, addressing ith the number of forcibly displaced persons and tions in light of the international law DICDD 2019 at QNCC yesterday. PIC: ABDUL BASIT /THE PENINSULA refugees at an unprecedented level, in particular and against the organization’s efforts Win the Middle East and North Africa, which is a to integrate persons with disabilities. country that supports the 2030 Sus- minerals in its body to fix its bones, is region with the highest number of World’s refugees, human- The Deputy Secretary-General was tainable Development Goals. now a painter, singer, human rights itarians support from governments and humanitarian NOGs speaking at the opening session of She considered that organizing this activist and one of the most inspiring remain lifeline for survival for millions across the world. Doha International Conference on conference is a continuation of Qatar’s speakers in the world. According to UNHCR data there are over 70.8 million Disability and Development (DICDD) march in support of the rights of The conference also features an refugees in the world with over 60 percent of them are dis- at the Qatar National Convention persons with disabilities in Qatar and exhibition aiming to show local initia- placed people and 80 percent of them are living in devel- Centre, which is held under the theme all over the world, explaining that the tives, projects and assistive technol- oping countries that are already experiencing economic “Leaving no one behind”. She said that conference seeks to make a positive ogies that support the comprehensive challenges. solving these challenges is easy in difference and a sustainable impact on developments of persons with disabil- Efforts exerted by some countries like Qatar to support order to correct this situation, so the the lives of approximately one and a ities, as a space to be allocated for the the refugees and displaced people have made a significant leaders of government, business, civil half billion people with disabilities, i.e. participating local bodies to review difference in alleviating the suffering of the affected ref- society, organizations concerned with an estimated 15% of the world’s their own initiatives in this field ugees and displaced persons. persons with disabilities, international population. including Qatar Airways, Mada Center Qatar’s governmental and non-governmental contri- organizations and other organizations The conference represents a for Assistive Technology, Exxon Mobil, butions to refugees through the UNHCR for the period 2014- should strive to work to meet these global platform to mobilize interna- Shafallah Center, Al Noor Center for 2019 amounted to more than $200m; this is not to say the challenges. tional support for this issue and the Blind, Supreme Committee for Qatar’s educational initiatives such as the Educate a Child The role provide educational and health Delivery & Legacy (SC), Katara Cul- (EAC) initiative which aims to assist millions of children to of the Sha- services and appropriate job oppor- tural Village, Qatar Science & Tech- access quality primary education. fallah Centre tunities for persons with disabilities nology Park (QSTP), Qatar Tourism Qatar also established a fund under the sponsorship of and the com- that respect their status. added Al Authority, and Ministry of Municipal the African Union to cover the Kholoud Al-Marri, prehensive Mannai. and Environment. evacuation costs of irregular recounted her services that The first day of the conference has DICDD is to review major global African migrants and victims of success story in it provides to seen a plenary session, two main ses- experiences that have helped in over- human trafficking in Libya and education, and how people with sions and four parallel sessions. coming such obstacles and invest in reintegrating them into their mental health The sessions tackled the need of the integration and intersection of the Efforts exerted by communities. she overcame all challenges. states political commitment to the United Nations Convention on the some countries Qatari supports are part of obstacles she faced “One of rights of persons with disabilities by Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN like Qatar to the vision of the Qatari lead- despite losing her the most pushing global leaders to make high- CRPD) and the Sustainable Devel- opment Goals (SDGs), to adopt a global support the ership in supporting humani- vision from birth effective level pledges that commit them to tarian and development pro- ways to uphold their rights. Mechanism for advocacy plan to be culminated with refugees and gramme. It is also “based on the until she was able change this opening paths of action that can link Doha Declaration. displaced people sense of moral and human to obtain a masters mindset is to the United Nations Convention on Conference organizers hope that have made responsibility, the spirit of inter- degree and obtain have more Persons with Disabilities and the this Declaration will be a roadmap to guide governments to promote the a significant national solidarity and burden- and more United Nations’ goals for sustainable sharing to face the major chal- a job and is people with development and maximize the use of rights of their children with disabil- difference in lenges arising from the currently applying disabilities in international agreements were also ities, as it mainly aims to outline a alleviating the increasing and complexity of the for PhD. our offices discussed. practical approach linking the strat- suffering of the refugee and internally displaced and between The general session focused on the egies of the Sustainable Development crisis in the world”. Permanent us. We must be the change we want,” need to achieve inclusive equality for Goals and the United Nations Con- affected refugees Representative of the State of she added. all, while the other sessions dealt with vention on the Rights of Persons with and displaced Qatar to the UN Office in Geneva Her Excellency also urged coun- education and employment policies Disabilities. persons. Ambassador Ali Khalfan Al Man- tries to make more efforts to improve and the need to take into account the The State of Qatar has made souri, had announced during the data on persons with disabilities to rights of persons with disabilities, as remarkable progress in promoting and annual pledge conference for the inform the national plans to integrate well as discussing the issue of pro- integrating the rights of persons with UNHCR for 2020, Qatar’s commitment to provide uncondi- persons with disabilities socially, viding health care, general welfare, disabilities as an urgent priority. This tional $8m to UNHCR’s programme for 2020. stressing that the issue of integrating data and research in the context of is clearly evident when comparing the The Ambassador stated that “the keenness of the Gov- persons with disabilities should be disability. Qatar National Development Strategy ernment of the State of Qatar to encourage Qatari charitable among the priorities of national The conference was presented by (2018-2022) with its first strategy foundations and humanitarian organisations to continue to budgets. It also called for the need to two persons with disabilities, (2011-2016), as the second strategy consolidate the partnership with the UNHCR, and to provide facilitate access for persons with disa- Muhammad Al Fahida and Faisal Al considers remarkably the inclusion of various forms of support necessary to contribute to the imple- bilities as a prerequisite for their social Kooheji. persons with disabilities in society. mentation of its noble humanitarian programmes and mission inclusion, and called for support for The Doha International Con- This new strategic direction in assisting and protecting refugees and promoting their rights, persons with disabilities in conflict ference on Disability and Devel- reflects the belief of planners, policy- and improving their standard of living, especially the level and humanitarian situation. opment (DICDD) also shed light on a makers and Qatari decision-making of education for the future for their children”. Concluding her speech, Her Excel- number of personal success stories circles regarding the rights of persons Al Mansouri called during the same session on the inter- lency urged all actors, especially the for persons with disabilities from with disabilities, and the qualitative national community to find a just solution based on inter- signatory states of the Convention on inside and outside Qatar, and these development in the national policy in national law and relevant UN resolutions to solve the plight the Rights of Persons with Disabilities stories were told by their heroes to line with excellence with the United of the Palestinian refugees and put an end to their tragedy and their international partners, to be confirm the ability of persons with Nations Convention on the Rights of and suffering. He stressed that the State of Qatar will con- more ambitious regarding the imple- disabilities to excel and succeed and Persons with Disabilities and inspired tinue to provide all necessary support to UNHCR’s efforts mentation of their obligations to inte- their entitlement to obtain full by its spirit. to address all challenges and difficulties facing the imple- grate persons with disabilities in equality in all fields similar to others. Qatar also stipulates in its consti- mentation of its humanitarian programs. society. It is the conviction that the con- tution, national laws and Qatar In the first day of the Doha Inter- ference believes in and aims to Vision 2030 to protect the rights of national Conference on Disability and spread and consolidate it. persons with disabilities and provide Development (DICDD), organized by One of the most prominent models their needs and appropriate support the Qatar Foundation for Social of persons with disabilities that partic- to their families and society as QUOTE OF THE DAY Work, under the theme “Leaving no ipated in the conference is Kholoud means to achieve equality and one behind” on 7 and 8 December at Al-Marri, who recounted her success justice among members of the Qatari The deliberate the Qatar National Conference story in education, and how she society, and not just services pro- Center, more than 1,500 people, overcame all obstacles she faced vided to them. killing of unarmed including decision-makers, aca- despite losing her vision from birth It is noteworthy that the estab- protesters by armed demics and specialized experts from until she was able to obtain a masters lishment of the Doha International elements is nothing Qatar and the world, participated in degree and obtain a job and is cur- Conference on Disability and Devel- the first day. rently applying for PhD. opment coincides with the twenty- less than an atrocity For her part, CEO of the Qatar This is in addition to Edward year anniversary of the establishment against the people of Foundation for Social Work, Amal Al Ndopo, who was said to die before his of the Shafallah Centre, which was Iraq. Mannai, commented, on the sidelines fifth birthday, but he defied reality and founded by Her Highness Sheikha of the opening session today, that the became one of the most influential Moza bint Nasser with the aim of State of Qatar is one of the countries young people in the world and one of serving and supporting people with Jeanine that cares most about the rights of the United Nations ambassadors in intellectual disabilities and autism Hennis-Plasschaert persons with disabilities, as it was one support of the sustainable devel- who are not older than 21 years, and UN’s Special Iraq Envoy of the first supporters of the Persons opment goals, as well as Muniba social awareness of their issues and with Disabilities Agreement that it Mazari ,also known as the Iron Lady of rights in order to obtain a more inde- signed in 2008, Likewise, Qatar is a Pakistan due to the abundance of pendent life. SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 OPINION 11 Why Abiy Ahmed’s prosperity party could be bad news for Ethiopia

ast month, three of the four rebuild the party’s fractured image, country. The formation of the PP achievements of the last three ethnic-based parties that make Abiy went for the nuclear option: dis- comes at a time when these ethnic decades in terms of cultural and up Ethiopia’s ruling coalition, solving the four constituent units of cleavages are pronounced and the political autonomy and lays the the Ethiopian People’s Revolu- the coalition and forming a single central demands of Ethiopia’s ethnic structural foundation for a unitary L groups for political autonomy and cul- tionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), pan-Ethiopian national party. state that will rob them off their voted to merge into a single national Three of the four ethnic parties tural justice remain unresolved. dignity and autonomy. party, called Prosperity Party (PP). within the coalition, OPDO, ANDM, In most cases, the merger of political There are also Ethiopians who AWOL K ALLO This comes just months before a and SEPDM, voted overwhelmingly to parties or movements that have long oppose the merger because they AL JAZEERA general election seen as a litmus test join the party, while the TPLF, which been allies does not cause a significant believe the time is not right. They for the success of the country’s created these parties and the EPRDF change in the political environment point to the fact that ethnic nation- ongoing democratic transition. coalition, rejected the idea as “illegal they exist in. The EPRDF, however, is alism is still the dominant mode of The EPRDF, which has its roots in and reactionary”. not an ordinary political party. political mobilisation in Ethiopia a former Marxist-Leninist rebel With the creation of the PP, the A vassal configuration assembled and argue that merging the party movement, has been the vanguard three former ethnic parties of the by the TPLF towards the end of the before addressing the central political force in Ethiopia since EPRDF and other ethnic-based parties 1980s, EPRDF was primarily designed political demands of historically coming to power in 1991. that voted to join it, such as the Ethi- to broaden TPLF’s appeal beyond the marginalised ethnic groups and It was made out of four unequal opian Somali People’s Democratic Tigray region and to undercut other before completing the democratic parties that each purportedly rep- Party (ESPDP), will cease to exist as more autonomous political parties. transition risks bringing the resent a dominant ethnic group in the distinct political entities, and their Over the past three decades, the country to the edge of an abyss. country: The Tigray Peoples Liber- memberships will merge. party pitted one group against another In order for Ethiopia’s demo- ation Front (TPLF), the Oromo Peoples Most importantly, the PP is not to stay in power. Such authoritarian cratic transition to stand any Despite its claims Democratic Organization (OPDO), the going to be the direct representative politics eliminated the conditions for chance of success, the next election to be an effective Amhara National Democratic of any particular ethnic group. collective politics and foreclosed the must be fair and competitive, and Movement (ANDM), and the Southern Instead, it will try to be an all-encom- emergence of a viable and credible be seen to be so. One of the most revolutionary Ethiopian People’s Democratic passing national party that speaks for political organisation that could offer immediate challenges to PP is that instrument to advance Movement (SEPDM). In reality, the the entire Ethiopian people. a serious alternative. it will be difficult to win a free and the interests of latter three were satellite parties At first glance, the demise of the In doing so, the party made sure competitive election as a pan-Ethi- created by the TPLF to bolster its EPRDF and the creation of the PP as a that it remains the only political for- opian party while ethnicity remains marginalised ethnic legitimacy as a revolutionary van- pan-Ethiopian party seems like a pos- mation with the capacity to resolve the predominant political cleavage. groups, EPRDF guard party that represents the itive step towards uniting a long- the country’s many deep-rooted Over the past three decades, has always been a interests of the major ethnic groups in divided country. But on closer problems. That is why Abiy’s decision ethnic nationalism occupied Ethio- hodgepodge of ethnic the country. inspection, it becomes clear that the divided opinion among ordinary Ethi- pia’s centre of political gravity, Despite its claims to be an architects of the move failed to take opians and key players in Ethiopia’s becoming the single most groups that served the effective revolutionary instrument to into account a range of constitutional, future alike. For some, the birth of important principle shaping interests of its most advance the interests of marginalised ideological and representational issues the pan-Ethiopian Prosperity Party political life in the country. dominant member, ethnic groups, EPRDF has always that could bring the political legitimacy from the ashes of the EPRDF is a his- Today, nationalist frameworks the TPLF, and ruled been a hodgepodge of ethnic groups and representative capacity of the toric step towards national unity and provide the normative vocabulary that served the interests of its most newly formed party into question. social cohesion. and ethical framework through Ethiopia with an dominant member, the TPLF, and One of the reasons why Ethiopia Among political forces that support which most political actors under- iron-fist for nearly ruled Ethiopia with an iron-fist for adopted a multinational federal order the Prosperity Party are “Ethiopian stand the nature of the problems three decades. Since nearly three decades. in 1994 was because there were politi- nationalists”, a fast diminishing political facing their constituencies. In a becoming the leader Since becoming the leader of the cally salient ethnic cleavages that bloc that views the EPRDF and the society where ethnic consciousness EPRDF and the prime minister of have received eloquent theoretical ethno-national federal order, which holds significant explaNatory of the EPRDF and Ethiopia in April 2018, Abiy Ahmed and political endorsements, particu- grants bigger ethnic groups self-gov- power, and where there are salient the prime minister of tried to rebrand the party to redeem larly since the 1960s. Ethnic identity ernance rights within their respective and pronounced ethnic fault lines, it Ethiopia in April 2018, its tarnished reputation. and ethnic nationalism came to be the states, as the source of Ethiopia’s is unlikely non-ethnic parties, like Abiy Ahmed tried to But it soon became clear that predominant mode of political mobili- troubles. Their support for the PP is the PP, will have a large following. superficial reforms could not resolve sation and organising not just because driven less by a careful assessment of rebrand the party to EPRDF’s crisis of legitimacy and EPRDF chose such an arrangement Ethiopia’s social cleavages and political redeem its tarnished address its crippling dysfunction. So, but rather because of the asymmetric fault lines and more by their fixation on reputation. after a series of high-profile but relationship of inequality and domi- a homogenizing conception of “unity” essentially cosmetic attempts to nation between ethnic groups in the that is responsible for the crisis of legit- imacy that haunted the Ethiopian state for over a century. D-RING ROAD For others, the fusion of the distinct POST BOX: 3488 entities that represented the various DOHA - QATAR ethnic groups marks a return to Ethio- [email protected] pia’s centralising and homogenising past. People who define themselves as “Federalists” or “Confederalists” hold EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE this view, as well as individuals who TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 have a strong attachment to their FAX: +974 4455 7758 ethnic identity. They believe that ethnic communities within Ethiopia are MANAGING EDITOR entitled to be represented in the feder- TEL: 4462 7505 ation by parties that bear their names and put their interests above all else. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Indeed, many Ethiopians living TEL: 4455 7769 outside the capital, Addis Ababa, have a strong attachment to their ethnic LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: communities and believe that ethnic 4455 7743 groups should be entitled to determine their political, economic BUSINESS NEWS SECTION TEL: and cultural status without any 4462 7535 external interference, including the right to be judged and be educated in SPORT NEWS SECTION TEL: their own language. They want to 4455 7745 belong to the larger Ethiopian polity ONLINE SECTION while also preserving their unique TEL: 4462 7501 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is welcomed by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, during identity and character. For them, the [email protected] her visit to Addis Ababa yesterday. PP threatens to undermine the PUBLIC RELATIONS TEL: 4455 7613 these allies will exercise their right of of step with each other over the situ- [email protected] self-defense. Nato’s framework, in ation in Syria. Trump decided to pull US military forces from northern Syria which the led the ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Nato states must mend without consulting European nations alliance with its massive military TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 might, provided a deterrent that in advance. Nato member Turkey, FAX: 4455 7870 maintained stability in the interna- which is building closer ties with differences and settle on [email protected] tional order and eventually ushered in , thumbed its nose at US and the end of the Cold War. Since the European opposition and conducted a clear shared strategies CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT Cold War, questions have been raised military offensive on Syria’s side of TEL: 4455 7857 over the reason for Nato’s continued their border. It is understandable why [email protected] existence and how the costs of the French President Emmanuel Macron, JAPAN NEWS-YOMIURI alliance will be shared. alarmed about the state of the SUBSCRIPTION & Only nine of Nato’s 29 members alliance, has said Nato is experiencing DISTRIBUTION an North Atlantic Treaty have achieved the common target of “brain death.” This was probably a call TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 Organization members stand spending 2 percent of gross domestic for the members to dispel their mis- FAX: 44557819 united in dealing with the product on defense costs. trust of each other and share a [email protected] rising military threats posed and other nations that have not common view. C However, doubts linger over by Russia and China? The alliance reached this threshold must make members must first iron out their dif- further efforts to boost their defense Macron’s proposed establishment of a ferences and then craft and follow spending and prevent the United States European army. Could such a military All thoughts and views Leaders of the common strategies. from bearing an excessive burden. force remain a deterrent without Leaders of the Nato nations have The problem is that US President relying on US military muscle? expressed in these columns Nato nations have held a meeting in London to mark the Donald Trump’s “America First” Eastern European countries that are those of the writers, held a meeting in 70th anniversary of the alliance’s policy is shaking confidence in the directly face the Russian military not of the newspaper. London to mark the establishment. The leaders agreed to collective defense system. threat insist the involvement of the 70th anniversary discuss how the alliance should be to During his visit to Britain, Trump United States is essential. Strength- meet changes in the security again indicated he thought it was ening Nato’s functions is a more real- All correspondence of the alliance’s environment. “unfair” that the United States protects istic policy. regarding Views and establishment. The Nato was launched during the nations that are not spending enough During the London meeting, Nato Opinion pages should be leaders agreed to Cold War with the objective of pro- on defense. When asked whether the leaders discussed for the first time sent to editor-in-chief discuss how the tecting Western Europe from the United States would fulfill its com- how to address the threat of China. threat of the Soviet Union. The alli- mitment to the alliance’s collective They agreed on the necessity of office or mailed to the alliance should be to ance’s founding treaty stipulates that defense system, Trump avoided giving bringing China into international arms [email protected] meet changes in the each Nato member considers an a clear answer and simply said, “It’s a control regimes, and also confirmed security environment. armed attack against another member very interesting question.” Nato they would ensure the security of their to be an attack against itself, and that members also have shown they are out communications networks. 12 HOME SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 13

Sultan Qaboos US, swap prisoners in rare act of cooperation to undergo Switzerland facilitated the swap, which the check-ups in Iranian state news hospital agency IRNA said took place in Zurich. QNA MUSCAT

REUTERS H M Sultan Qaboos bin Said of TEHRAN/WASHINGTON the Sultanate of Oman will undergo medical examinations The United States and Iran each in Belgium, Diwan of the Royal freed a prisoner yesterday in a rare Court of the Sultanate of Oman swap, an act of cooperation announced. between the two countries whose H M Sultan Qaboos bin Said ties have worsened since Pres- of the Sultanate of Oman is ident Donald Trump took office. leaving the country today Trump said Xiyue Wang, a US heading to the Kingdom of citizen held in Iran for three years Belgium to undergo some on spying charges, was returning medical examinations for a to the United States. An Iranian limited period of time, the official said that Iranian Massoud Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (left) and freed Iranian scientist Massoud Soleimani standing by a plane at an undisclosed Diwan of the Royal Court said Soleimani had been freed from location. RIGHT: US Ambassador to Switzerland, Edward T. McMullen Jr., presents a US flag to welcome Princeton graduate student Xiyue in a statement reported by detention in the United States. Wang on arrival in Switzerland after his release from Iran, yesterday. Oman News Agency Switzerland facilitated the yesterday. swap and Iranian state news agency IRNA said Foreign Minister continue to work hard to bring released based on “Islamic According to Princeton, he exchange and Hook and Wang Kenya police Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed home all our citizens wrongfully clemency”. was born in Beijing in 1980, emi- were now “en route to Landstuhl Soleimani in Zurich, where it said held captive overseas,” he said. Switzerland represents US grated to the United States in 2001 in Germany where Wang will be officers among the swap took place. It said Sole- Zarif said earlier the prisoner diplomatic interests in Iran, since and became a naturalised US examined by doctors”. imani was expected to return to swap was imminent. Later he Washington and Tehran cut dip- citizen in 2009. His wife and child The official said Wang was 10 dead in bus Iran in the coming hours. posted pictures on Twitter of lomatic ties shortly after the 1979 are Chinese citizens. China, which expected to stay in Germany for In a statement issued by the himself with Soleimani talking on Islamic Revolution in Iran. normally requires its citizens to several days. US Secretary of State attack White House, Trump made no board an Iranian plane. Wang, a Princeton University give up their nationality when they Mike Pompeo said he was mention of the freeing of Sole- “Glad that Professor Massoud graduate student, was convicted become citizens of another “pleased that the Iranian gov- REUTERS imani but thanked the Swiss gov- Soleimani and Mr. Xiyue Wang on espionage charges and sen- country, has not commented pub- ernment has been constructive in NAIROBI ernment for its help in negotiating will be joining their families tenced to 10 years in prison in licly on the case. this matter”. Wang’s release. shortly. Many thanks to all 2017. His family and the university A senior US official said Brian He added “we will not rest Kenyan police officers were “Freeing Americans held engaged, particularly the Swiss have always said he was in Iran Hook, the US special represent- until we bring every American among those killed when captive is of vital importance to government,” Zarif tweeted. for research into a history degree ative for Iran, accompanied Sole- detained in Iran and around the gunmen suspected to be from my Administration, and we will IRNA reported that Wang was and denied spying. imani to Switzerland to make the world back home”. militant group Al Shabaab attacked a bus on Friday near the border with Somalia, Pres- ident Uhuru Kenyatta’s office Death toll from Baghdad said yesterday. The vehicle belonging to the gun attacks rises to 25 Medina Bus Company was attacked on a lonely stretch of AP the early hours yesterday. The road in the Kotulo area as it BAGHDAD assailants first unleashed the travelled between the towns of deadly assault on Baghdad’s Wajir and Mandera. Iraqi officials said yesterday the Khilani Square and Sinak Bridge, “People, among them police casualty toll had risen to 25 dead driving through the areas that officers, were brutally mur- and 130 wounded after a bloody are the epicentre of the popular dered,” Kenyatta’s office said night of attacks by unknown uprising. Protesters said the elec- in a statement. gunmen that targeted anti- tricity in the square was cut, cre- Police said 10 people had government demonstrators in ating chaos as they ran from the been killed and that the the capital. bullets and took cover in nearby attackers had specifically tar- Influential Shia cleric mosques and streets. geted non-Somalis after Muqtada Al Sadr, the head of Three among the dead were flagging down the bus. The area parliament’s Sairoon bloc, said policeman and the rest were pro- is mostly inhabited by ethnic a drone had targeted his home testers, the officials said. Somali Kenyans. in Najaf yesterday, according to The attack included the “The attackers separated statements from the political burning of a car park that dem- local Somalis from non-locals, party. onstrators had converted into a and in the process, shot 10 non- The health and security offi- base for their sit-in, while sur- locals dead,” police spokesman cials spoke on condition of ano- rounding buildings in the square Charles Owino said in a nymity in line with regulations. were pockmarked with bullet statement. Supporters of Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada Al Sadr gather near his home, after it was reportedly attacked The attack on Friday was holes. Protesters raised a He said security forces were by a drone, in Najaf, Iraq, yesterday. among the deadliest since bloodied white flag as they pursuing the gunmen and that October 1, when thousands of sought to return to the scene the driver and conductor of the Iraqis took to the streets calling yesterday. in the capital and the country’s withdrawing. Friday’s deadly Khazali, who is a commander in bus were in custody and helping for sweeping political reforms One was seen collecting the southern cities. attacks came hours after Wash- the group, and Husain Falih Aziz with investigations. and the end of Iran’s influence spent cartridges, and he held out A string of mysterious knife ington slapped sanctions on the Al Lami. Iraqi security forces Al Shabaab said it had in Iraqi affairs. Security forces at least a dozen. attacks against anti-government head of Asaib al Haq, a powerful were deployed to streets leading carried out the attack and that regularly use live rounds and Anti-government activists protesters also occurred on Iran-backed militia accused of to the square by the early it had killed 10 people including tear gas to disperse the demon- have sought to blame supporters Thursday in the square, after being behind deadly sniping morning. Nassar Al Rubaie, head “secret security agents and gov- strations, leading to heavy of Iran-backed Iraqi militias, supporters of the Iran-backed attacks on protesters. The US of Sairoon’s political committee, ernment employees”. casualties. which have staged similar militias attempted their own Treasury sanctioned leader Qais decried the drone attack on Al- The Somali-based group The gunfire continued until attacks against protester sit-ins rival demonstration before Al Khazali, his brother Laith Al Sadr’s home. has targeted Kenya many times. 12 die in western Air strikes kill 19 civilians in northwest Syria Palestinian Presidency Uganda floods civilians including three children in the nearby village of Balyun, applauds US Congress for AFP the Observatory said. KAMPALA Crude barrel bombs dropped supporting two-state solution by government helicopters killed Twelve people have been swept five civilians including three QNA peace will be achieved only to their deaths by floods in children in the village of Aba- RAMALLAH through the establishment of the western Uganda, the Red Cross deeta, also in the same area. independent Palestinian state on said yesterday, as the East In the southeast of the The Palestinian Presidency has the June 4, 1967 borders with African country is battered by embattled region, a raid by a applauded the US Congress for East Jerusalem as its capital, and torrential rain. regime aircraft killed another supporting the two-state the fulfillment of the aspirations “We have recovered 12 child in the village of Bajghas, the solution and rejecting the of the Palestinian people.” bodies from the water and one Observatory said. annexation of occupied Pales- It reiterated that “true peace person has been rushed to hos- The Britain-based monitor, tinian land, settlement policy, will not be achieved without a pital with serious injuries,” said which relies on a network of the fait accompli, unilateral return to international law, Diana Tumuhimbise, Red Cross sources inside Syria, says it measures and for recognising international legitimacy and the branch manager in the Bun- determines the provenance of the aspirations of the Palestinian Arab Peace Initiative.” It dibugyo district. an air strike by looking at flight people to establish their own demanded the US adminis- “The rain started last night patterns and the aircraft and state. tration to annul previous wrong and continued until 9:00 am munitions involved. The Presidency considered policies. (0600 GMT),” she said The Idlib region, which is the Congress resolution that The resolution, proposed by A man stands before a cloud of dust amidst rubble in a collapsed yesterday. home to some three million passed by a majority of 226 Democratic member of Congress building following a reported air strike in the village of Balyun in “Several houses have been people including many displaced votes in favour to 188 against as Alan Lowenthal and which was swept away, roads have been Syria’s northwestern Idlib province, yesterday. by Syria’s civil war, is controlled “a response to the current wrong endorsed by members of both blocked and some washed by the country’s former Al- policy of the American admin- parties, is in line with United AFP away completely.” The Red AL-BARA, SYRIA northwestern region of Idlib also Qaeda affiliate. istration,” the most recent of Nations Security Council reso- Cross has launched a search wounded several others, the The Damascus regime has which was statement by US Sec- lutions the latest of which was and rescue operation with the Syrian Observatory for Human repeatedly vowed to take back retary of State Mike Pompeo in resolution 2334 of 2016, said the police, military and community Syrian regime and Russian air Rights said. control of Idlib. which he said that settlements Presidency. members in 12 affected areas strikes yesterday killed 19 Air strikes by regime ally Syrian President Bashar al- are not inconsistent with inter- US President Donald Trump but it is not yet clear how many civilians, eight of them children, Russia killed four civilians Assad’s forces launched a blis- national law. recognised Jerusalem as the people are missing. in the country’s last major oppo- including a child in the village of tering military campaign against The Presidency said in a capital of the Israeli entity and Rain is hampering commu- sition bastion, a war monitor Al-Bara in the south of the the region in April, killing around statement that “this resolution moved the US embassy to it in nication in the remote location, said. region, the Observatory said. 1,000 civilians and displacing is a clear message to the US 2018 and cut US aid to the on the border with DR Congo. The air raids in the Russian raids also killed nine more than 400,000 people. administration and that Palestinians. 14 ASIA SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 Investigation into Hyderabad police encounter begins AFP National Human Rights Indian Express reported SHADNAGAR yesterday. Commission launched A team from the National A top Indian rights group an investigation into Human Rights Commission yesterday launched an investi- the police shooting arrived at the scene yesterday gation into the police shooting of four abuse-murder afternoon having first visited the of four abuse-murder suspects morgue where the bodies were after accusations they were suspects after held. gunned down in cold blood to accusations they were The Commission said that it assuage public anger. gunned down in cold was concerned that the killings But in a country where vio- blood to assuage would “send a wrong message lence against women is rife and to society.” The police have been an overburdened criminal justice public anger. ordered the bodies to be pre- system means attackers often served until Monday evening and Members of the youth wing of the Congress party staging a protest against Uttar Pradesh state escape punishment, many horror, with one Supreme Court that their autopsies be filmed. government, in New Delhi, yesterday. Indians also celebrated the sus- lawyer calling it “murder in cold The four men had, according pects’ deaths. blood” and Amnesty Interna- to police, confessed during inter- The launch of the investi- tional saying the “alleged extra- rogation to -raping and gation by the National Human judicial execution” should be murdering the woman before Woman abuse victim dies Rights Commission comes as the investigated. setting fire to her body under a country also reeled from the The Indian Express said in bridge. death of another woman on its editorial yesterday that the The Indian Express editorial in hospital after burn attack Friday, set on fire on her way to shooting of the four suspects slammed the country’s political a sexual assault court hearing in “reflects an idea of medieval class, accusing them of “choosing AP Yogi Adityanath, the state’s 33,658 cases of rape in the the northern state of Uttar mob justice.” to whip up a toxic primal anger NEW DELHI Chief Minister, said that the case country. But the real figure is Pradesh. Police are often accused of that never lies too far beneath would be heard in a fast track court believed to be far higher as many The gang-rape and murder using extra-judicial killings to this grossly unequal society. An alleged rape victim in and that the “strictest of punishment women in India don’t report of the 27-year-old vet last week bypass the legal process to They are choosing to not just northern India who was set on will be given to the culprits.” cases to police due to fear. outside the southern tech capital cover-up botched investigations cheer, but lead the bloodthirsty fire while heading to a court Priyanka Gandhi, general Indian courts also seem to be of Hyderabad had prompted or to pacify public anger. mob.” hearing in the case has died in a secretary of the opposition Con- struggling to deal with these nationwide protests and calls for More than 33,000 rapes Veteran politician Kapil Sibal New Delhi hospital, officials said gress party, faulted the Uttar cases. Data shows that more swift and tough justice, with one were reported in India in 2017, warned that “savage Taliban- yesterday. Pradesh government, led by than 90 percent of cases of lawmaker calling for them to be according to the latest gov- style justice... will make courts The woman was attacked in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s crimes against women are “lynched”. ernment figures, but vast irrelevant.” But the murdered Uttar Pradesh by a group of men ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, for pending in city courts. Police said that they shot the numbers go unreported, experts woman’s father said “justice was that included two of the five she failing to provide the woman with Meanwhile, the father of the four suspects, who had been in say. done”. had accused of gang rape last security, even after a similar case victim yesterday demanded a custody for a week, early Friday At the same time, a huge In another incident, police year, police said. The two were in the state in which a woman Hyderabad-like “encounter” for after they snatched officers’ guns backlog of cases that many in southern India’s Kerala state out of custody on bail. who accused a BJP lawmaker of the perpetrators. during a night-time re- victims wait years for their yesterday said that one of four Five men were arrested in rape was severely injured in a Talking to reporters here, the enactment at the crime scene attackers to be convicted, and men accused, but later acquitted, connection with the burn attack, vehicle hit-and-run incident. deceased’s father said: “I have organised by detectives. that many perpetrators escape over the deaths of two girls in police said. Uttar Pradesh is known for its only one demand... my daughter Their deaths were met with justice. 2017 was beaten by an angry The 23-year-old woman suf- poor record regarding crimes should get justice.” celebrations, with hundreds The reconstruction at the mob. fered extensive injuries and was against women. According to the He demanded a Hyderabad- heading to the scene and show- crime scene where the suspects Following an outcry over the airlifted on Thursday from Uttar most recent available official crime like “encounter”, or death ering officers with flower petals, were shot was overseen by a acquittals in the case, which saw Pradesh to Safdarjung Hospital records, police registered more penalty for the accused. as politicians, celebrities and police officer involved in two two girls aged 13 and nine hang in New Delhi, where she died than 4,200 cases of rape in the He said that his daughter’s sports stars congratulated police similar incidents, including when themselves after being sexually late Friday of cardiac arrest, said state in 2017 - the most in India. post-mortem was to be con- on social media. three acid attack suspects were abused, the local government Dr Shalab Kumar, head of the Government figures for 2017 ducted at Safdarjung Hospital in However, others expressed killed in a forest in 2008, the has filed an appeal. hospital’s burn unit. also show that police registered Delhi yesterday. Judicial process has become expensive: President Is Modi govt for own IANS “Also, the scope of providing information about its decisions could ring the bell outside their JODHPUR free legal aid to the poor and the in nine languages, he added. residence and get justice. But now citizens or illegal deprived has to be widened,” The President said that truth the situation has changed. President Ram Nath Kovind said Kovind said while inaugurating forms the foundation of our “The judicial system has yesterday that judicial process the new building of the main Republic and the Constitution become very expensive. It has migrants: NESO has become very expensive. bench of the Rajasthan High has entrusted the judiciary with become difficult for any poor “It has become extremely dif- Court here yesterday. the important responsibility of person in the country to reach the IANS northeast shutdown on ficult for the poor man to reach He urged the judges of protecting the truth. high court and the Supreme Court. SHILLONG December 10 from 5am to 4pm the Supreme Court or the high Rajasthan High Court that infor- “In such a situation, the In such a situation, it is the respon- in protest against the bill. court. In such a situation, we will mation on the decisions given responsibility of the judiciary sibility of all of us that every citizen Expressing its strong resentment The Central government is have to make collective efforts to should be made available in increases. In our country, in order of the country has access to cheap at the Union Cabinet’s approval expected to introduced the con- provide cheap and speedy justice Hindi. Using the best technology, to seek justice from the kings and justice. Everyone will have to make to the contentious Citizenship tentious Bill in Parliament on to the people of the country. the Supreme Court is providing emperors in the past, any person efforts in this direction,” he said. Amendment Bill, 2019, the North December 11 after the Union East Students Organisation Cabinet gave its nod to the (NESO) on Friday asked Prime measure on Wednesday. Jharkhand polls: Minister Narendra Modi and The cabinet approval came Home Minister Amit Shah after Shah held consultative 63.44% votes whether the government is for meetings with the Chief Min- its own citizens or for the illegal isters of northeastern states, cast in second migrants. leaders of different political “From the attitude and parties and civil society groups phase, one dead approach of the Government of and other stakeholders in New India, it clearly shows that the Delhi. IANS government is for the illegal Noting that the Bill will only RANCHI migrants,” the apex students body “encourage more infiltration of the indigenous communities in from Bangladesh where the Jharkhand recorded 63.44 per the northeastern states noted in present Hindu population in cent vote, five per cent lowest the letter to Modi and Shah. Bangladesh is more than 140 than in 2014, in 20 Assembly “In fact, the duty of the gov- lakh”, the NESO said: “This seats amid few incidents of ernment is to protect its own cit- treacherous act of the gov- violence in which one person izens from external aggression ernment is a big threat to the was killed in the second phase of but through this Amendment, identity and survival of the the Assembly election yesterday. instead of deporting them, the indigenous communities of the According to the Election government is rewarding their northeast and this will further Commission, the highest 74.44 illegal entry by granting them alienate the indigenous people per cent polling was recorded Indian citizenship,” the letter of the northeast where we have in the Bharagora Assembly seat added. been receiving only political and the lowest 47.42 per cent Passing out celebration The NESO, which is spear- injustice from time to time.” in Jamshedpur West. The voting heading the protest against the It also said that the bill vio- percentage in Jamshedpur East Newly-recruited army soldiers from the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) celebrate during amendment of Citizenship Act, lates the provisions of the his- — Chief Minister Raghubar a passing out parade at JAKLI army headquarters in Srinagar, yesterday. 1955, has also called for an toric Assam Accord. Das’s seat — was 50.67 per cent. In 2014 Assembly polls, 68.01 per cent and in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections 67.97 per NIA chargesheets 2 in ISIS Kerala-Tamil Nadu module case cent votes were cast. The polling started at 7am IANS NEW DELHI An NIA spokesperson in Delhi of the Islamic State group’s Tamil bombings in Sri Lanka that left terrorist organisation ISIS/Daish and concluded at 3pm in 18 said the anti-terror probe agency Nadu module and he was over 250 people dead. on social media with the intention Assembly seats. The voting in The National Investigation filed the chargesheet against arrested from Coimbatore on The Central probe agency of recruiting vulnerable youths Jamshedpur East and West Agency yesterday filed a charge- Mohammad Azarudeen and Sheik June 12 this year. registered a case on May 30 this in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. seats concluded at 5pm. sheet against two ISIS suspects Hidayatullah in a Special NIA The NIA had arrested both the year, taking suo motu action The spokesperson said that One person was killed in arrested by the agency in court in Ernakulum under several accused the same day. According against six accused from Coim- during investigation, it was firing and six, including three connection with its probe into sections of IPC and the Unlawful to NIA officials, Azarudeen was batore, Tamil Nadu, based on revealed that Azarudheen and policemen, were injured in the the ISIS Kerala-Tamil Nadu (Activities) Prevention Act (UAPA). also a Facebook friend of Zahran information that the accused and Hidayathulla were propagating Sisai constituency of the Gumla module case, including the group According to the NIA, Hashim, the alleged mastermind their associates were propagating violent extremist ideology since district. mastermind. Azarudeen was the mastermind behind the recent Easter the ideology of the proscribed 2017. SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 ASIA 15 PM Imran to visit Afghanistan bids farewell to slain Japanese physician AP Geneva for Global KABUL, AFGHANISTAN Afghan President Ashraf Ghani led a memorial yesterday in the Refugees Forum capital Kabul to bid final farewell to a Japanese physician INTERNEWS Foreign Office says the killed earlier this week in a KARACHI Geneva forum is being roadside shooting in eastern held to recognise Afghanistan that also killed five Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Pakistan’s hospitality Afghans, who were travelling Khan will visit Geneva to attend with him. the first-ever Global Refugees and compassion for Dr. Tetsu Nakamura was Forum that will begin on hosting the Afghan affectionately known as “Uncle December 17, the state-run refugees for over Murad” by villagers in eastern Radio Pakistan has reported. forty years. PM Imran Afghanistan, where he led the Addressing a weekly news development of water and agri- briefing in Islamabad, Foreign will also attend the cultural management projects Office Spokesperson Dr Kuala Lumpur Summit since his arrival in Afghanistan Muhammad Faisal said the on December 18-20. in 2008. forum is being held to recognise Ghani joined Afghan Pakistan’s hospitality and com- National Security soldiers in passion for hosting the Afghan 20. The Foreign Office spokes- carrying Nakamura’s coffin refugees for over forty years. person said that Kuala Lumpur draped in an Afghan flag to an This is the first major Summit is a platform to awaiting aircraft. meeting on the refugees and it exchange views on the current Nakamuro’s wife Naoka and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (centre, carrying coffin) and Afghan honour guards carry the coffin will be jointly hosted by the UN challenges and to work together daughter Akiko had travelled to of Japanese doctor Tetsu Nakamura before his body’s transportation to his homeland, at the Hamid Refugee Agency and the Gov- to address them. Afghanistan along with three of ernment of Switzerland. He said the summit will his colleagues, to accompany his Karzai International Airport in Kabul, yesterday. No group has claimed responsibility of the killing. Several heads of states are provide Pakistan with the body home to Japan. expected to join Prime Minister opportunity to exchange views Ghani called the death of vigils were held throughout the we couldn’t save you Nakamura was travelling Imran Khan as co-conveners. and find solution to the chal- Nakamura a big loss to the country. Giant posters embla- Nakamura.” with three guards when he was Faisal maintained on the lenges facing the Muslim world, people of Afghanistan and zoned with his picture still Authorities in eastern Nag- killed. His guards also died. invitation of Malaysian Prime particularly governance, devel- promised that national police adorn parts of the capital. rahar province, where the The Taliban issued a Minister Mahathir Mohammad, opment, terrorism and Islamo- would search and arrest the Hundreds of social media shooting occurred, said that statement soon after the Prime Minister Imran Khan will phobia. He said the summit will killers. He called Nakamura, to posts in Afghanistan expressed they had received intelligence shooting denying responsibility. also participate in the Kuala also provide us an opportunity whom he had earlier given hon- sorrow and outrage over the earlier that Nakamura may be The Islamic State affiliate also Lumpur Summit which is due to to foster cooperation in diverse orary Afghan citizenship, a hero. attack. One post carried a targeted in an attack and had operates in the area but until take place in Kuala Lumpur areas with the participating Nakamura’s killing shocked drawing of the Japanese phy- warned Nakamura to be partic- now no one has taken respon- from December 18 to December countries. many Afghans and candlelight sician, with the words: “Sorry ularly cautious. sibility for the killings. Court to hear Thousands in Myanmar rally behind Suu Kyi ahead of Hague hearing Sharif’s appeal AFP ICJ hearing scheduled for widespread murder, rape and on December 18 NAYPYIDAW, MYANMAR December 10-12. arson — violence that UN inves- “We are proud of her taking tigators have branded as gen- INTERNEWS Thousands rallied in support of accountability... by going to The ocide. But the Rohingya garner ISLAMABAD Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar Hague to protect the nation’s little sympathy within Myanmar, yesterday, on the eve of her image,” shouted prominent with many believing that they The Islamabad High Court (IHC) departure for the UN’s top court writer Htin Lin Oo into a micro- are illegal immigrants from will hear former prime minister to defend Myanmar against phone in front of a banner Bangladesh. Nawaz Sharif’s appeal against charges of genocide against emblazoned with the words “We Myanmar insists abuse alle- the sentence given in the Rohingya Muslims. stand with our leader”. gations are under investigation Al-Azizia reference on The raucous rally in the “Our blood shall come by its own committees — panels December 18. capital Naypyidaw came as together and unite us when it is which rights groups say have On January 1, the former China’s foreign minister arrived important,” he shouted to a whitewashed the atrocities. premier had filed an appeal in for a visit at Suu Kyi’s cheering crowd, who hoisted The military says the opera- IHC, declaring the seven-year invitation. colourful artwork of Suu Kyi in tions were justified to flush out jail sentence given to him by an Analysts say Beijing’s per- the air. The ICJ lawsuit was Rohingya militants. accountability court in the Al- manent seat on the UN Security brought by Gambia, a tiny, Win Swe, a Naypyidaw res- People participate in a rally in support of Myanmar State Counsellor Azizia reference as null and Council — and its veto vote — mainly Muslim West African ident at the rally who was Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, yesterday. void. makes it a valuable ally as state that alleges Myanmar sporting a T-shirt with Suu Kyi’s According to the cause list Myanmar faces intensifying breached the UN’s Genocide face on it, said he will support issued by the court’s registrar, scrutiny over its treatment of the Court of Justice (ICJ) next week tattered overseas reputation. Convention with its bloody 2017 his leader in “whatever she the case will be heard by a two- Rohingya. to defend Myanmar against But domestically “The Lady” crackdown on the Rohingya. does”. “They aren’t just accusing member bench comprising Once-lauded democracy charges it committed genocide remains revered, and the resolve Some 740,000 Rohingya fled one person in Myanmar, they are Justice Aamer Farooq and champion Suu Kyi’s shock against the Muslim minority risks of her supporters has only into neighbouring Bangladesh, accusing the whole country,” he Justice Mohsin Kayani. decision to face the International further damaging her already hardened in the lead-up to the bringing with them accounts of said. Separately, the court will also hear National Accounta- bility Bureau’s (NAB) plea seeking an extension in the pre- Bangladesh tears down brick mier’s sentence. NAB in its 12-page repose kilns to fight toxic smog submitted to IHC had taken the stance that the former prime AFP polluted in the world. The next minister’s health was in no SATURIA, BANGLADESH day, the High Court ordered the imminent danger. hundreds of illegal brick factories The bureau had stated that Excavators flanked by Bangladesh that surround the city to be closed the medical reports did not riot police are at work demol- within two weeks. suggest a surgery anytime soon ishing illegal soot-belching brick Many were built in the past and the court had sentenced kilns around the smog-choked five years as heavy industry and Sharif keeping in view of his capital Dhaka, forcing migrant construction fuelled a booming medical history. labourers out of work and back economy. On December 24, 2018, an to their villages. While authorities say tearing accountability court had sen- Every autumn, following the them down will make Dhaka’s air tenced Sharif to seven years in monsoon rains, Dhaka’s brick more breathable, thousands of prison in the Al-Azizia Steel kilns — which use coal and wood kiln workers have been left Mills corruption reference. to fire bricks from clay — start up without a job. In a short verdict again, adding to the emissions Most workers travel to urban announced, the court said there pumped out by other heavy indus- brick kilns during the winter was concrete evidence against tries and the thousands of vehicles months, where they earn between the former premier in the Al- on the streets of the capital. 300-800 Taka ($3.5-$9.5) per day. Azizia reference and that he On November 25, an inde- The money they save keeps them was unable to provide a money pendent air quality monitor and their families afloat for the Labourers work at a brick kiln on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, on November 22, 2019. trail in the case. pegged Dhaka’s air as the most rest of the year. Russian trade minister to lead 64-member delegation to Pakistan INTERNEWS it built the Pakistan Steel Mills, track from Quetta to Taftan. Affairs Hammad Azhar will rep- Russian offer of SSJ-100 aircrafts the countries would also explore ISLAMABAD OGDCL, Guddu and Mazza- Russia will offer Sukhoi resent Pakistan during the talks to PIA, the officials said that the for increasing the fargarh power plants, installed SuperJet-100 passenger planes at IGC level. said planes will be available on bilateral trade which currently Russia has decided to develop its a lot of hydel turbines, and to Pakistan for PIA, according to Both sides will find out more direct purchase and lease to pur- stands at about $400m. Pakistan’ stakes in Pakistan’s economy in repaired the Jamshoro power senior officials at Economic avenues in cooperation on trade, chase options and can be posi- exports stand at $150m while a big way and to this effect a plant and more importantly it Affairs Division, ministries of economic, scientific, and tech- tioned immediately on wet lease import from Russia $250 million. 64-member delegation headed was a Russian engineer who Industries and Production and nical areas in IGC meetings. to meet the immediate opera- Last year the bilateral trade by Minister for Trade and Indus- erected Minar-e-Pakistan mon- Commerce. Russia and Pakistan The officials said that tional requirements of PIA. surged by up to $700m as tries for the Russian Federation, ument in Lahore. will also figure out the much- working group of both the coun- The aircraft can be operated Pakistan purchased MI-35 heli- Denis V Manturov, is visiting Under the latest scenario, delayed North-South gas tries on energy will meet on both on domestic and interna- copters from Russia. Pakistan for four days from Russia has aspired many times pipeline. December 9 whereas working tional sectors to Middle East, CIS, Talking about much-delayed December 8 to 11 to attend an to help reconstruct Pakistan Steel This will be the sixth meeting group on trade and industries India, China, Colombo, Bang- North-South pipeline, the official Inter-Governmental Mills making it economically between the two countries at the will hold talks on December 10 ladesh, and the UAE. Aircraft can said that Russia has so far failed Commission. viable and play its role in Paki- IGC level on economic, trade, sci- and a plenary session is to be be supplied on both wet or dry to provide sanctions-free Russia contributed a lot stan’s energy sector. Russia also entific and technical cooperation. held on December 11. lease with option to purchase. structure to Pakistan for initi- towards Pakistan’s progress as wants to construct the railway Federal Minister for Economic Mentioning about the During the 4 days visit, both ating $2.1bn pipeline. 16 ASIA SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 North Korea envoy says denuclearisation off negotiating table with US

REUTERS range launches by North Korea, UNITED NATIONS calling it a “serious provocation” against Pyongyang and saying North Korea’s ambassador to the Ambassador Kim Song they were playing the role of “pet United Nations said yesterday dog” of the United States. that denuclearisation is off the said in a statement Trump and Kim Jong-Un negotiating table with the United that the “sustained have met three times since June States and lengthy talks with and substantial 2018, but talks have made little Washington are not needed. dialogue” sought by progress and recent days have Ambassador Kim Song’s seen a return to the highly comment appeared to go further the United States was charged rhetoric that raised fears than North Korea’s earlier a “time-saving trick” of war two years ago. warning that discussions related to suit its domestic In 2017, the two leaders to its nuclear weapons pro- famously engaged in a war of gramme, the central focus of US political agenda. words, with Trump calling Kim engagement with North Korea Jong-Un “Rocket Man” and in the past two years, might have on the United States to change North Korea slamming the US Comic Con to be taken off the table given its policy of demanding president, now 73, as a “dotard”. Attendees looking at figurines on display during the Singapore Comic Con, in Singapore, yesterday. Washington’s refusal to offer Pyongyang’s unilateral denu- On Tuesday, Trump once concessions. clearisation and demanded relief again called Kim “Rocket Man” Kim said in a statement that from punishing sanctions. and said the United States the “sustained and substantial North Korean leader Kim reserved the right to use military Trump, Moon discuss maintaining talks with North dialogue” sought by the United Jong-Un has warned he could force against North Korea. States was a “time-saving trick” take an unspecified “new path” Pyongyang said any repeat of AFP the UN General Assembly in New week in which exchanges to suit its domestic political next year, raising fears this could such language would represent SEOUL York in September. between Trump and North Korea agenda, a reference to US Pres- mean a return to the nuclear “the relapse of the dotage of a “The two leaders shared an raised the prospect of a return ident Donald Trump’s 2020 ree- bomb and long-range missile dotard.” South Korea’s President Moon assessment that the current sit- to a war of words, culminating lection bid. testing suspended since 2017. In spite of Trump’s reprise Jae-in and US President Donald uation on the Korean peninsula in Pyongyang’s threats to resume “We do not need to have On Tuesday, North Korea’s of the Rocket Man meme, he still Trump agreed during a phone is grave,” said Ko Min-jung, the referring to the US president as lengthy talks with the US now Foreign Ministry repeated a call expressed hope that Kim Jong conversation to maintain spokeswoman of the South’s a “dotard” and to take military and denuclearisation is already for Washington to change its Un would denuclearise. dialogue with the nuclear- presidential office. action if the US military moves gone out of the negotiating “hostile policies” and said it was On Friday, the US ambas- armed North Korea, Seoul said “They agreed momentum for against it. table,” he said in the statement. up to Washington to decide what sador to the United Nations said yesterday, with the two allies dialogue to achieve prompt The South Korean leader The US State Department did “Christmas gift” came at the end the United States had not yet noting the situation had results from denuclearisation was instrumental in brokering not immediately respond to a of the year. decided whether to have a UN become “grave”. negotiations should be con- the landmark summit between request for comment. Kim Song also hit out at a Security Council meeting to The 30-minute talk was the tinued,” she went on to say, Trump and Kim in Singapore last Tensions have risen ahead statement this week from EU discuss North Korean human first conversation between the adding that Trump had year which produced only a of a year-end deadline set by members of the UN Security rights abuses that has angered US President and the South requested the call. vaguely worded pledge about North Korea, which has called Council criticising recent short Pyongyang. Korean leader since they met at The discussion came after a denuclearisation. Almost 90% of people in Samoa receive measles vaccine amid outbreak Government says six million REUTERS infected almost 4,500 people in nations such as Germany and the people, particularly our young of vaccines, medical supplies and MELBOURNE the South Pacific nation of just United States, as parents shun generations,” Prime Minister have sent medical personnel to Filipinos lifted 200,000 since late October. Of immunisation for philosophical Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said help with the outbreak. Samoa said yesterday that nearly those who died, 57 were children or religious reasons, or fears, in a statement. The World Health Organi- out of poverty 90% of eligible people had been under the age of four. debunked by doctors, that such “It is imperative therefore to sation said this week that vaccinated against measles as it The mandatory immuni- vaccines could cause autism. strengthen the culture of measles infected nearly 10 BLOOMBERG lifted a two-day curfew imposed sation campaign aims to vac- Samoa and the United acceptance of vaccination in million people in 2018 and killed MANILA amid an outbreak that has killed cinate 90 percent of the popu- Nations appealed on Friday to order to create ‘herd immunity’. 140,000, mostly children. 65 in recent weeks. lation, tripling Samoa’s coverage the international community for This is a painful lesson we have The picture for 2019 is even Nearly 6 million Filipinos were There were, however, 103 in just a few weeks. The gov- about $10.7m to battle and learnt from the current crisis.” worse, it said, with provisional lifted out of poverty, the Phil- new cases of measles reported ernment said a rate of 89 percent recover from the crisis. New Zealand and a number data up to November showing a ippine statistics agency said, as since Friday, Samoa’s Health had been achieved as of Friday. “The impacts of this emer- of other countries and organisa- three-fold increase in case the government boosts Ministry said it a statement. Measles cases are rising gency will be far reaching on tions, including the UN agency numbers compared with the spending on social welfare. The measles virus has worldwide, even in wealthy Samoa and our Unicef, have delivered thousands same period in 2018. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, 16.6% of the population — about 17.6 million Filipinos — were poor in 2018. HK police chief promises That compared with the 23.3% poverty incidence in 2015, flexibility ahead of rally equivalent to about 23.5 million people, according to a report. REUTERS Police have given a rare The poverty threshold was HONG KONG green light to the demonstration estimated at $211 a month for planned for today by the Civil a family of five, the agency Hong Kong’s new police Human Rights Front (CHRF) said in the report based on a commissioner said yesterday group, which organised largely survey conducted every three that his force would take a peaceful million-strong marches years. flexible approach to pro- in the summer. President Rodrigo Duterte, democracy demonstrations as The march will gauge who took office in 2016, has the city gears up for a rally today support for the pro-democracy increased spending on edu- that is expected to draw a huge movement following its over- cation and health, while crowd. whelming victory in local elec- boosting infrastructure to Chris Tang Ping-Keung was tions late last month. Police said create more jobs. appointed last month upon his they would intervene “immedi- The Philippine economy is predecessor’s retirement and ately” if it turned violent. among the fastest growing this amid six months of sometimes Tang said he hoped today’s decade, expanding at about 6% violent anti-government protests protest would be peaceful. a year. in Hong Kong. He was speaking What started as demonstra- The income gap, which in Beijing on a “courtesy visit” tions against a now-withdrawn measures the average amount during which he briefed top offi- bill allowing extradition to the poor must earn to get out of cials in charge of public security, mainland China has morphed Hong Kong police chief Chris Tang Ping-Keung addressing the media after the meetings with Chinese poverty, was about 2,338 pesos legal and Hong Kong affairs. into calls for greater democratic officials, in Beijing, yesterday. in 2018, the statistics agency “We will use both the hard freedoms and sometimes violent said. and soft approach. We will be protests. alleged police brutality. Tara Joseph, President of the was detained by immigration Poverty incidence was stringent on illegal violent The international financial Beijing has condemned the American Chamber of Com- authorities for around two hours highest in the Autonomous actions such as throwing of hub has enjoyed relative calm in unrest and blamed foreign gov- merce in Hong Kong, said yes- as she made her way to the to Region in Muslim Mindanao in petrol bombs, acid,” Tang told the weeks since the elections. ernments, including the United terday that she had been denied the former Portuguese colony for the south at 53.6% and lowest reporters in Beijing. “For other Protesters have set out five States and former colonial power entry to the neighbouring the AmCham Macau Ball. in Metro Manila at 1.5%. issues, if possible, we will adopt demands, including universal Britain of interfering in the coun- Chinese-ruled territory of Macau. Authorities did not give a reason The Southeast Asian nation a more flexible approach.” suffrage and an investigation into try’s internal affairs. Joseph, a US citizen, said she for refusing her entry, she added. targets to cut poverty US should stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, top diplomat tells Pompeo

REUTERS of 2019 and the Hong Kong response to Beijing’s treatment The Uighur Act followed U.S nearly six months of protests in according to the report. BEIJING Human Rights and Democracy of its Uighur minority. legislation recently signed into Hong Kong. Beijing has con- On Friday, China had notified Act of 2019, Yang said the United UN experts and activists said law by President Donald Trump demned the unrest and blamed the US embassy of the new China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi States had seriously violated China has detained possibly one aimed at protecting human rights foreign interference. measures, which Foreign min- told US Secretary of State Mike international relations, and million Uighurs in mass in Hong Kong amid a crackdown Yang said US officials have istry spokeswoman Hua Pompeo on a phone call urged Washington to “correct its detention camps in Xinjiang, a on pro-democracy protests. repeatedly made statements Chunying said were a “counter- yesterday that the United States mistakes” and “immediately stop region in China’s far west. What started as demonstra- that distorted and attacked measure” to Washington’s should stop interfering in China’s interfering in China’s internal China said the camps are part tions against a now-withdrawn China’s political system and decision in October to restrict internal affairs, according to a affairs”. of an anti-terror crackdown and bill allowing extradition from domestic and foreign policies, Chinese diplomats. “We once report by state TV. The US House of Represent- are providing vocational training. Hong Kong to mainland China and interf“China expresses its again urge the US side to correct Citing the passing of the atives passed legislation on It denies any mistreatment of has morphed into calls for firm opposition and strongly its mistakes and revoke the rel- Uighur Human Rights Policy Act Tuesday requiring a stronger Uighurs. greater democratic freedoms and condemns this,” said Yang, evant rules”. SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 EUROPE 17 Murder suspect swallows poison after verdict AFP Willy Bardon had been was however acquitted of Bosschere, adding that the the harrowing 26-second that he had not been at the scene. AMIENS sentenced to 30 years murder. defendant would have been recording was the key piece of “It is clear that Mr Bardon jail for kidnapping “The condition of Willy searched before entering the evidence in the trial. tried to kill himself. He had said The suspect for the rape and Bardon was stabilised by the court. Another suspect Gregory repeatedly that he could not bear murder of a young woman in and holding a person doctors during the night,” Amiens Bardon, 45, was placed under Wiart, whose DNA was found at going back to prison,” his lawyer northern France almost two against their will prosecutor Alexandre de Boss- police guard at a hospital and an the scene, died in 2003. But six Stephane Daquo said, adding decades ago was under guard in followed by death. chere yesterday. update on his condition was witnesses told the court they rec- that the defence would appeal a hospital yesterday after he swal- He said indications given by expected later in the day. ognised the voice of Willy Bardon conviction that he claimed was lowed pesticide in an apparent his family and also an analysis Bank employee Elodie Kulik, on the tape. based “on a simple impression”. suicide bid following his substance at the courthouse in showed that Bardon had swal- 24, was kidnapped, raped, DNA testing advances had The victim’s father Jacky conviction. the northern city of Amiens late lowed a pesticide in the seconds strangled and her corpse then allowed new evidence to be Kulik expressed relief at the Willy Bardon, on trial over on Friday. after the verdict was announced burned in January 2002 in gathered years after the event, verdict while regretting Bardon’s the murder of Elodie Kulik in Bardon had been sentenced at court in Amiens at the climax Tertry, 20km from Saint-Quentin leading police to identify Wiart. apparent suicide attempt. 2002 in a case that has to 30 years jail for kidnapping of a 13-day trial. in the Aisne region. Throughout the trial, Bardon “I can go to her grave attracted strong interest in and holding a person against “We do not know how he Before dying, she managed insisted he was innocent, even tomorrow and say that I did my France for years, ingested the their will followed by death. He managed to hide that,” said de to call emergency services and protesting to the parents of Kulik job,” Kulik said.

Bosnia postpones repatriation of Ukrainian President former IS fighters, families from Syria hopes for lasting

REUTERS truce, prisoner swap SARAJEVO AP The Paris talks will focus on Bosnia said that the repatriation KIEV implementation of the 2015 of nine ex-Islamic State fighters, Minsk agreement, a deal that along with wives and children, ’s new president has said was brokered by France and from Syria that had been he believes an international Germany. planned for this weekend, summit next week will help The document was signed would be delayed until further achieve a lasting ceasefire in the after a series of defeats for notice. country’s separatist conflict. Ukrainian forces and envisaged The chairman of Bosnia’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy said broad autonomy for the rebel- tripartite presidency Zeljko late Friday ahead of talks with held regions and a sweeping Komsic said earlier that the the leaders of Russia, France and amnesty for the separatists. group would return home this Germany in Paris tomorrow that It also contains a provision weekend. he also hopes to negotiate a that Ukraine could only regain But Bosnia’s security min- quick deal to exchange all pris- control of the border in the sep- istry, citing “sudden and oners held by the warring aratist-controlled regions after unforeseen circumstances in parties. they hold elections and receive Syria”, said the group — all More than 14,000 people the autonomous status — a dip- Bosnian citizens — had been put have died in fighting between lomatic coup for Russia, which Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attending a off indefinitely. It did not Ukrainian forces and Russian- backed the separatists across the meeting in Sochi, Russia, yesterday. elaborate. backed separatist rebels since frontier. The ministry was in contact the conflict erupted in 2014 after Former Ukrainian President with international partners to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Petro Poroshenko has organise the transfer when con- eyes closer integration with Russia Ukraine and Russia struck a demanded Zelenskiy not grant ditions improved. prisoner exchange deal in Sep- autonomy to the separatist-con- Hundreds of Bosnian cit- AP Sea coast, to discuss economic in Sochi, Lukashenko urged tember and agreed on a troop trolled areas even though he izens are believed to have left MINSK agreements intended to bring the Putin to continue fuel shipments pullback from two locations in himself accepted that provision Europe to fight for Islamic State two ex-Soviet neighbours and at Russia’s domestic prices. eastern Ukraine as part of efforts when he negotiated the Minsk in Syria and Iraq, and many are Leaders of Russia and Belarus allies even closer. Lukashenko, “We just want equal condi- to pave the way for the Paris deal. now in detention camps waiting sat down for talks yesterday on who has ruled Belarus with an tions — nothing else,” talks. Russia has also released That drew a sardonic to be handed over to their deepening ties between the two iron fist for more than a quarter- Lukashenko said with a wry three Ukrainian navy ships it response from Zelenskiy, who countries of origin. allies — a meeting that triggered century, relies on cheap Russian smile as he faced Putin across seized in a Black Sea incident a said that the “former president In October, Bosnia’s a protest in the Belarusian energy and loans to maintain a the table. “We shall talk about year ago. disagrees with what he signed security minister said the capital. Soviet-style economy. future prospects. It’s a landmark “It was a signal that Russia himself.” country was preparing to take More than 1,000 opposition Russia and Belarus signed a meeting,” Putin said. is ready for a conversation,” Zel- Poroshenko and other back and try nine of its demonstrators rallied in Minsk union agreement in 1997 that Some in Belarus fear that the enskiy said during a TV talk critics of Zelenskiy called a rally nationals suspected of fighting to protest closer integration with envisaged close political, eco- new agreements could pave the show. in Kiev today to warn him for IS militant group in Syria Russia, which they fear could nomic and military ties, but way for a full merger — concerns Zelenskiy, a 41-year old against making concessions to but their return was post- erode the post-Soviet inde- stopped short of forming a single fueled by Russia’s 2014 annex- comic actor with no previous Russia. poned after Turkey launched pendence of the nation of 10 state ation of Ukraine’s Crimea. political experience, was elected Zelenskiy said in Friday’s TV a military incursion into million. The Kremlin has recently There also has been specu- in a landslide in April on show that he will push for northeast Syria to fight The protesters marched cranked up pressure on Belarus, lation that Putin, who has been promises to end the fighting. quickly regaining control of the Kurdish militia. across the Belarusian capital, raising energy prices and cutting in power for nearly two decades, Opinion surveys have shown border so that Ukraine oversees IS group lost its last terri- chanting “No to integration” and subsidies. Russian officials noted could contemplate a merger with broad public support for Zelen- it at the moment when the local torial foothold in Syria in March “Belarus to Europe.” that Minsk should accept closer Belarus as a way to stay at the skiy’s peace efforts, but some in election is held. of this year and many of its mil- Russian President Vladimir economic integration if it wants helm of the union state of Russia Ukraine fear that the novice He said that Ukraine hopes itants are now believed to be in Putin hosted Belarusian Pres- to benefit from lower energy and Belarus after his current Ukrainian leader could make to conduct the vote next October Kurdish-run prisons in ident Alexander Lukashenko for prices. presidential term expires in concessions to the steely Russian along with local elections across northern Syria. talks in Sochi, on Russia’s Black Speaking at the start of talks 2024. president. the country, EU has double standards Slovakia’s former PM leaves party on Kosovo, : Thaci congress to seek Speaking at an international medical treatment conference in Berlin, Thaci said Kosovo deserves the visa-free REUTERS/BRATISLAVA regime as it has fulfilled all EU-set terms. Former Slovak prime minister “While Kosovo is blocked in Robert Fico left the annual the visa liberalization and (North) congress of the main ruling Macedonia and Albania are Smer party, which he still leads, blocked in launching negotiations yesterday to seek medical (with the EU), Serbia is promised treatment, Slovak media (the opening of) new chapters”. reported. The six western Balkan “I have a huge problem with countries are at different stages blood pressure, I am going to a in their quest to join the EU. hospital,” newspaper Dennik N AP While Montenegro and Serbia quoted Fico as telling reporters PRISTINA have already opened accession before he left the Incheba venue talks, the bids of Albania and in Bratislava. Kosovo’s president accused the North Macedonia to start the Fico, 55, who had heart European Union of maintaining membership process were surgery in April 2016, was double standards for blocking a blocked in October by some EU charged on Thursday with Families from an apartment building damaged by a gas explosion arrive to a temporary accommodation visa-free travel deal with his members led by France. racism over his support for a in Presov, Slovakia, yesterday. country but opening new chapters Kosovo is the last former far-right former lawmaker who in Serbia’s integration process eastern European country not lost his seat in parliament over despite its affiliation with Russia. enjoying visa-free travel to EU remarks he made about Slova- Hashim Thaci (pictured) member states. A year ago Kosovo Slovakia gas explosion toll rises to 7 kia’s Roma minority. said Serbia’s leader visited set a 100% tariff on Serb and If found guilty, police said Russia the day Nato was holding Bosnian goods in retaliation to AP The explosion occurred finally fully extinguished yes- Fico could face a prison term of its summit, “in a clear message Belgrade’s efforts to block its rec- BRATISLAVA toward the top of the 12-story terday morning. up to five years. of their orientation.” ognition in the world and joining building on Friday. The entire Prime Minister Peter Pel- Fico was prime minister for Kosovo is a former Serbian the international organisations. Officials yesterday raised the top half of the building burned legrini, who visited the site late 10 of the 12 years preceding his province that broke away after The move has stalled the death toll from a gas explosion and the top three floors were Friday, said the building is so resignation in 2018 following a war in 1998 to 1999, and Serbia EU-facilitated Kosovo-Serbia in an apartment building in destroyed, firefighters said. damaged that it’s possible it will mass demonstrations against does not recognise its 2008 dec- talks that started in 2011 which eastern Slovakia to seven. Rescuers have said some 40 have to be demolished. corruption prompted by the laration of independence. Rela- the block considers fundamental Firefighters and the town people were injured. People in surrounding shooting dead of an investi- tions between the two countries for both countries in their inte- hall of the city of Presov said one More than 100 firefighters homes also had to be gative journalist and his are tense. gration path. person is still missing. tackled the blaze, which was evacuated. fiancee. 18 EUROPE SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 Leak of UK papers tied to Russian operation REUTERS The Reddit said plot against our NHS. And of LONDON it had identified course neither the UK nor the US government have denied their The leak and distribution of clas- and suspended 61 authenticity,” he said. sified UK-US trade documents accounts which “Our releasing them to jour- online is tied to a previous attempted to further nalists was clearly in the public Russian disinformation promote the leaked interest.” campaign, social media site The British government said Reddit said, fuelling fears that papers. in a statement it was “already Moscow is seeking to interfere looking into the matter” with in Britain’s upcoming election. accounts which Facebook said support from the National Cyber Britain’s opposition Labour “originated in Russia.” Security Centre, part of the Party seized on the leaked doc- “We were recently made GCHQ signals intelligence uments on November 27, saying aware of a post on Reddit that agency. they showed the ruling Conserv- included leaked documents from “Online platforms should atives were plotting to offer the the UK,” Reddit said in a take responsibility for content state-run National Health statement. “We investigated this posted on them, and we Service (NHS) for sale in trade account and the accounts con- welcome the action Reddit have talks with Washington. nected to it, and today we taken today,” it said. Britain’s opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn (right) with Welsh Labour leader and First The NHS is much loved by believe this was part of a cam- Britain goes to the polls Minister Mark Drakeford as he campaigns in Barry, south Wales, yesterday. Britons and has become an paign that has been reported as next week in an election called important issue in the country’s originating from Russia.” by Prime Minister Boris election campaign, in which The company said it had Johnson to try to break the Corbyn dismisses Russia leak accusations Labour trails the Conservatives identified and suspended 61 Brexit deadlock in parliament despite cutting its lead in some accounts which attempted to more than three years since the AFP National Health Service (NHS) to with Donald Trump’s polls. further promote the leaked country voted to leave the LONDON US companies. administration.” But researchers said on papers. European Union. Corbyn said yesterday that Prime Minister Boris Johnson Monday that the way the docu- “All of these accounts have The country’s security The leader of Britain’s main oppo- the story of a Russia link was himself has come under scrutiny ments were first shared on the same shared pattern as the agencies have warned that sition Labour party yesterday “such nonsense” and “an over why he has not released an Reddit and then promoted online original Secondary Infektion Russia and other countries may dismissed as a “conspiracy advanced stage of rather belated official report into Russian inter- closely resembled a disinfor- group detected, causing us to attempt to disrupt the vote with theory” claims that a leaked clas- conspiracy theories by the prime ference in the Brexit referendum, mation campaign uncovered believe that this was indeed tied cyberattacks or divisive political sified government document used minister”. and within his Tory Party. earlier this year. to the original group,” it said. messages on social media. in his election campaign was put “When we released the doc- “The Prime Minister has That operation — known as A Labour spokesman The Kremlin has repeatedly online by Russia. uments, at no stage did the prime answers to give, which he refuses Secondary Infektion — declined to comment on how the denied allegations of election Jeremy Corbyn has said the minister or anybody deny that to do, about Russian donations attempted to spread false nar- party obtained the leaked doc- meddling. files containing details of trade those documents were real,” he to the Tory Party or the report ratives across at least 30 online uments or ties to the Russian Officials in Moscow were not talks between British and US rep- added. “Those documents show that he is sitting on about Russian platforms, and stemmed from a campaign. immediately available for resentatives prove the gov- exactly what the British gov- interference in British politics,” network of social media “These documents reveal the comment. ernment would “sell-out” the ernment was doing in discussions said Corbyn. European police Nobel science laureates stress urgency of addressing climate arrest 11 Dutch AP Didier Queloz, who shared this one. We’d better spend our M. Stanley Whittingham, who Princeton, my home town, as citizens in major STOCKHOLM the physics prize for discovery time and energy trying to fix it.” shares the chemistry award for they go marching for control of drug gang bust of an exoplanet orbiting a sunlike Esther Duflo, one of the eco- helping develop lithium-ion bat- climate. It is a wonderful thing. Nobel Prize laureates gathered in star, took issue with people who nomics laureates, cautioned that teries, said “to help solve the I love their enthusiasm, their AFP/THE HAGUE Stockholm to receive their awards shrug off climate change on the dealing with climate change “will climate issue, the time is right now, energy, their devotion to some- took the opportunity yesterday to grounds that people will even- require a change in behavior, but we have to be pragmatic. ... We thing very worthwhile,” he said. European police have arrested stress the importance of tually leave Earth. particularly in the rich countries” can’t just turn off all the CO2.” Whittingham also said that 11 Dutch citizens suspected of addressing climate change. “I think this is just irrespon- that are heavy consumers of Canadian-American James he was encouraged by the pro- being part of a gang that used Winners of the prizes in sible because the stars are so far goods and energy. Peebles, who gets half of this tests: “Maybe some of the young a transport business as a front physics, chemistry and eco- away I think we should not have While some believe that year’s $948,000 physics prize for folks don’t realise how long it to smuggle large quantities of nomics made the assessment any serious hope to escape the there is no need to consume less studying what happened soon takes. But I go back to the drugs across the continent, ahead of next week’s presen- Earth,” he said. “Also keeping in provided consumption is fueled after the Big Bang, later said that Vietnam War era and the US including tonnes of hashish, tation of the prizes. The remarks mind that we are a species that by renewable energy, “it would he is excited about the wave of where it was really the young heroin, cocaine and ampheta- come as a global summit on has evolved and developed for be great if that were the case but youthful climate change people that pushed the politi- mines. climate change takes place in this planet. We’re not built to I don’t think we can count on it protesters. cians to get out and stop that Three suspects each were Madrid. survive on any other planet than necessarily,” Duflo said. “I see these people in nonsense.” arrested in Norway and Italy, while single suspects were arrested in Britain, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the Nether- Tensions as yellow lands, Europe’s judicial agency said. A year-long investigation vests join French showed “that a transport company based in the Nether- lands was involved in smug- gling large quantities of drugs retirement protests to several European countries,” Eurojust said in a statement. AP tax hike disrupted traffic on “Police suspect that the PARIS highways from Provence in the drugs were transported by southeast to Normandy in the truck along with legal cargo, Paris police skirmished northwest. A similar fuel tax is from Spain to the yesterday with yellow vest what unleashed the yellow vest and redestributed to other activists joining a wave of movement a year ago, and this countries,” the agency said. protest actions against the convergence of grievances could Law officers also seized government’s overhaul of pose a major new threat to four tonnes of hashish, 200kg France’s national retirement Macron’s presidency. of amphetamines, 64kg of system, as highway blockades The travel chaos is not cocaine, 45kg of the synthetic and train stoppages disrupted deterring the government so far, drug MDMA and 25kg of heroin. weekend travel around the though. Prime Minister Edouard Norwegian police sparked country. Philippe plainly told the French the probe in 2017 after an A few thousand yellow vest in a nationwide address on increase in violent crime protesters marched from the Friday: “You’re going to have to including shootings in Oslo. Feminist protest in Rome Finance Ministry complex on the work longer.” Norwegian police probed an Seine River through southeast He will present details of the Blindfolded feminist activists from the group “Non Una di Meno !” (Not One Less !) taking part in a organised crime group “with Paris, pushing their year-old plan next week. The government choreographed performance during a flash mob on Piazza Cavour in Rome, yesterday. Tens of women clear links between southern demands for economic justice - says it won’t raise the official and Nordic countries as well as performed “The rapist is you”, the song of a feminist performance which emerged amid the social and adding the retirement reform retirement age of 62 but the plan in central Europe,” Eurojust said. crisis in Chile and became viral around the world. to their list of grievances. Most is expected to including financial marchers were peaceful but conditions to encourage people some threw projectiles or pushed to work longer. Philippe did Kids hurt in Albania quake meet footballers Ronaldo, Buffon riot officers, prompting repeated offer one olive branch, saying bursts of tear gas from police. the changes would be pro- AP Aurel lost his sister and grand- Rome with Lazio for Serie A with relatives or in neighbouring The marchers appear to be gressive so that they don’t TIRANA mother, while Alesio lost his championship. Kosovo. emboldened by the biggest become “brutal.” father and sister. “It is not only for them. It is The European Commission national demonstrations in years Macron says the reform, Two Albanian boys who jumped The boys were taken to the for all the suffering people in the had already sent $16.6m to on Thursday that kicked off a which will streamline a convo- from their apartments during an hospital and then visited by country,” said Rama. Albania and has pledged further mass strike-and-protest luted system of 42 special earthquake that killed relatives Prime Minister Edi Rama, who At a dinner afterward commitment, including organ- movement against President pension plans, will make the got a small reprieve from the learned of their dream. together with the kids’ parents, ising an international donors’ Emmanuel Macron’s redesign of system more fair and financially tragedy on Friday when they met Rama on Friday took them Rama also gave to Cakoni a conference. the pension system. sustainable. their football idols. to Rome to meet Juventus jersey signed by Milan’s goal- Rama was optimistic, after As the strikes entered a third Unions, however, see the Aurel Lala, 7, and Alesio players Cristiano Ronaldo and keeper, Gianluigi returning from a Nato summit in day yesterday, tourists and plan as a threat to hard-fought Cakoni, 10, jumped from the bal- Gianluigi Buffon. Donnarumma. London this week, about positive shoppers faced shuttered workers’ rights, and are digging conies of their apartments to Both boys received a signed The November 26 earth- reaction to his plans for an inter- subway lines around Paris and in for what they hope is a pro- escape the collapsing building in jersey and took a photo with the quake damaged more than national donors’ conference for near-empty train stations. tracted strike. They also plan new Thumane, one of the hardest hit players. They hugged and 11,000 buildings and left an esti- earthquake relief. Transportation workers are nationwide retirement protests towns in the 6.4-magnitude exchanged high-fives with the mated 12,000 people homeless. Tirana has pledged to com- central to the strike, but other Tuesday, despite the tear gas and earthquake that killed 51 people players. Many have found shelter in plete reconstruction of the groups are joining the fray, too. rioting that marred the edges of and injured more than 3,000. Juventus played yesterday in hotels, public buildings, tents, quake-hit areas by 2020. Truckers striking over a fuel the Paris march on Thursday. SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 AMERICAS 19 White House rejects participation in impeachment probe

AFP committee chair, Jerry Nadler. “As you know, your Volodymyr Zelenskiy to open highly partisan, and unconstitu- Doug Collins, announced a list of WASHINGTON “House Democrats have impeachment inquiry investigations into Biden and his tional attempt at impeachment witnesses his camp wishes to sub- wasted enough of America’s time is completely baseless son, and also into a widely-dis- in our nation’s history”. poena “to provide context and The White House blasted the with this charade. You should and has violated missed theory that Ukraine helped He repeated Trump’s tweet transparency about the underlying impeachment inquiry into end this inquiry now and not Democrats in the 2016 election. of Thursday: “If you are going to facts at issue.” Donald Trump as “completely waste even more time with addi- basic principles of The US leader is accused of impeach me, do it now, fast, so Besides Schiff, the list includes baseless” yesterday, signalling it tional hearings,” he wrote. due process and demanding Zelenskiy announce we can have a fair trial in the Hunter Biden and his business would not seek to defend the Cipollone issued the letter fundamental fairness,” the investigations in exchange Senate, and so that our country partner Devon Archer, who both President in Democratic-led minutes before a deadline to White House chief for the release of military aid and can get back to business.” In a sat on the board of a Ukraine hearings to draw up formal declare whether the White a high-profile summit — which statement Nadler accused Trump energy company Burisma, which charges against him. House would deploy represent- lawyer Pat Cipollone Democrats say constitutes of continuing to block “key evi- Trump allegedly pressured Zel- But Republicans demanded atives to defend Trump against wrote in a letter to bribery. Democrats also say dence” from Congress. enskiy to investigate. that Joe Biden’s son Hunter, the accusations he abused his office the committee chair, Trump’s actions amount to solic- “We gave President Trump Also included were the lawmaker leading the by pressuring Ukraine to find dirt iting foreign interference in a fair opportunity to question whistleblower, believed to be a impeachment probe Adam on former Vice-President Biden, Jerry Nadler. American elections — which is witnesses and present his own CIA analyst who reported his Schiff, and the whistleblower at his potential challenger in the barred by US laws. to address the overwhelming concerns about Trump’s the origin of the inquiry all testify 2020 election. weeks. If they pass the Demo- Trump denies any wrong- evidence before us,” Nadler said. demands of Zelensky; possible next week before the House Judi- Nadler’s committee is to cratic-led House as expected, it doing but has refused to coop- “If the President has no government contacts of the ciary Committee. meet starting tomorrow to would make Trump only the erate with the inquiry, citing his good response to the allega- whistleblower; White House “As you know, your review the evidence from inves- third president in US history to privilege as President to prevent tions, then he would not want national security official Alex- impeachment inquiry is com- tigators and decide whether to be impeached. That would set up top aides from testifying. to appear before the committee. ander Vindman, whose earlier pletely baseless and has violated charge Trump with abuse of a trial next month in the Repub- Cipollone told Nadler in the Having declined this oppor- testimony strongly supported the basic principles of due process power, bribery and obstruction. lican-controlled Senate, seen as letter that adopting articles of tunity, he cannot claim that the allegations against Trump. With and fundamental fairness,” Those charges could become likely to acquit him. impeachment “would be a process is unfair.” the exception of Vindman, there White House chief lawyer Pat articles of impeachment sent to Trump is accused of pres- reckless abuse of power” and Meanwhile the senior Repub- was little likelihood Nadler Cipollone wrote in a letter to the the full House to vote on within suring Ukrainian President constitute “the most unjust, lican on the Judiciary Committee, would accept the witness list. Top US court blocks Supreme Court temporarily resumption of federal shields Trump executions — for now bank records AFP that the government cannot rush AP / WASHINGTON WASHINGTON executions in order to avoid judicial review of the legality The Supreme Court late on The US Supreme Court on Friday and constitutionality of its new Friday temporarily shielded the refused to lift a stay on federal execution procedure,” said bank records of President Donald executions, temporarily Shawn Nolan, a lawyer for one Trump and three of his children thwarting plans by Donald of the inmates. from House Democrats. In an Trump’s Justice Department to Citing the “staggering bru- order signed by Justice Ruth imminently resume capital tality” of the crimes, the Justice Bader Ginsburg, the House punishment. Department asked the nine- cannot enforce subpoenas issued There have been just three member Supreme Court to lift to Deutsche Bank and Capital federal executions since the the stays and allow the execu- One at least until December 13. death penalty was reinstated by tions to go ahead. The justices are scheduled to the US government in 1988, the The fifth planned execution discuss at least one and maybe last one 16 years ago. — that of a Native American man two other similar cases at their The Justice Department from the Navajo tribe — was private conference that day. One US First Lady Melania Trump waves as she walks with patient Declan McCahan during her visit at wants to resume the use of the suspended by another court. concerns a subpoena from the Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC. death penalty for federal crimes, Since taking office, Trump House for Trump’s financial and the next execution could has appointed two judges to the records and the other is a have taken place as soon as Supreme Court and conservative demand from the Manhattan dis- today. Daniel Lewis Lee, an justices outnumber liberals by Melania Trump befriends 18-year-old trict attorney for his tax returns. avowed white supremacist, was five to four. Trump is a fervent The Court already has scheduled to be put to death for advocate of the death penalty former leukemia patient blocked the House from getting the 1996 murder of a family of and has even said it should be the financial records while it con- three, including an eight-year- applied against drug dealers. AP family lives in Aldie, Virginia. account of her interactions with siders what to do with the cases. old girl. Lee, who was scheduled to WASHINGTON At one point, when McLane Mrs. Trump. Trial judges and appellate panels But the Supreme Court be executed today, was con- suffered a relapse, she answered The First Lady has spent a lot in all three cases have ruled that declined to allow federal exe- demned to death by a federal The first time Caoilinn McLane the telephone to find the First of time visiting children in hos- the records held by the banks and cutions to go forward for the jury in 1999 for the murders of met Melania Trump she had no Lady was on the line. “It was so pitals around the country, espe- Trump’s accounting firm, Mazars moment, saying that — “in light Bill Mueller, his wife Nancy, and idea it wouldn’t be the last time. special,” she said. “I felt very cially those born dependent on USA, must be turned over. of what is at stake” — the block Nancy’s daughter, Sarah Powell. Fighting leukemia from her bed cared for and it... meant a lot that opioids. Her concern for Caoilinn The subpoenas to Deutsche on executions should be Lee’s accomplice, Chevie at Children’s National Hospital, somebody was thinking about McLane fits with her “Be Best” Bank and Capital One also seek reviewed by an appeals court. Kehoe, the man seen by many Caoilinn McLane, then 15, met me.” Libby McLane said the youth initiative and its focus on documents pertaining to three It added that while the appli- as the actual mastermind of the the First Lady in 2017. White House had reached out to child well-being. Libby McLane Trump children, Donald Trump cation was denied for now, crime, was meanwhile sen- Mrs. Trump had quietly her a couple of days in advance said the First Lady has also sent Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric another could be filed if the tenced to life in prison. visited the hospital to help with to set up the call. messages through Children’s Trump; the Trump Organi- matter had not been resolved by According to opinion polls, preparations for a “healing” At the time, mother and National Hospital. “She really zation; and other Trump lower courts within 60 days. support for the death penalty has garden that was being built for daughter were spending a lot is genuine and cares for the business holdings. Ginsburg Attorney-General Bill Barr declined in recent years and is patients and their families. of time going back and forth kids, and that’s so special,” oversees emergency appeals announced in July that the down to around 54 percent from They met again when the between hospitals in the Dis- Libby McLane said. from . Federal Bureau of Prisons would 80 percent in the early 1990s. First Lady returned weeks later trict of Columbia so the girl At the hospital, the First Lady adopt a new lethal injection pro- Only a handful of states, mainly to dedicate the rooftop garden. could get radiation treatments toured a short-stay unit and a Pearl Harbor veteran tocol, paving the way for the in the US south, still carry out exe- And the pair saw each other she needed to get ready for a surgical unit. She also visited to be interred executions of five convicted cutions. Of the 25 executions in on Friday when McLane was bone marrow transplant. with patients in a playroom and on sunken ship murderers held at the federal the US in 2018, 13 were in Texas. given the honor of introducing “So when the call was helped make snowflakes with penitentiary in Terre Haute, Most crimes in the United Mrs. Trump when she returned coming, I knew who it was and them. She came down to the AFP / LOS ANGELES Indiana. The executions were set States are heard in state courts, to the hospital to continue the I let her answer it,” Libby atrium after the tour, sitting with for between December 9 and but some are handled by federal tradition of first ladies reading McLane said. “I sort of freaked two patients to read “Oliver the It was an attack that shaped January 15, 2020 using a lethal prosecutors, such as hate crimes, to patients at holiday time. out,” added Caoilinn McLane. Ornament Meets Belle,” a sequel history, leaving more than dose of the drug pentobarbital. some particularly heinous “I’m glad that we’re here, The high school senior said her to the story she read at the hos- 2,400 Americans dead and Four of the condemned men crimes or those that take place and I get to see her again,” leukemia is in remission fol- pital in 2018. When finished, she forcing the United States to sued, challenging the legality of on military installations or McLane, now 18, told The Asso- lowing a bone marrow trans- wished everyone “Happy and enter a war it had been the protocol, and lower courts Native American reservations. ciated Press in a brief interview plant about a year ago. healthy New Year”. She also reluctant to join. stayed the executions. The last federal inmate executed before the event as she sat with The First Lady’s office con- praised the doctors and nurses On Saturday, the 78th anni- “The courts have made clear was Louis Jones, in 2003. her mother, Libby McLane. The firmed Caoilinn McLane’s on staff as “amazing”. versary of the 1941 sneak attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor, the remains of one of the survivors of the assault will be interred Golden Globe nominations to reveal award season hopefuls on his sunken ship, the USS Arizona. AFP New York to Los Angeles, calling Johansson could herself earn Similarly, last year’s contro- contention. So too will shows from Lauren Bruner, who was LOS ANGELES in the lawyers as she separates multiple nominations, with a sup- versial Oscar best film winner Apple’s new streaming service, among the last sailors rescued from a narcissistic theater porting role in “Jojo Rabbit” It is “Green Book” began its journey including flagship “The Morning from the Arizona as it exploded Hollywood’s award season director played by Adam Driver. among a batch of historic, with the best drama Globe. Show” led by Jennifer Aniston and into flames and sank, died in hopefuls will start to take shape Hot on its heels are Martin wartime-set movies pushing for The Hollywood Foreign Press Reese Witherspoon. September at age 98. He had today with the nominations for Scorsese’s three-and-a-half- honors. Sam Mendes’ trench epic Association’s 90-odd voters last HBO’s “Succession” experi- expressed in years past his wish the Golden Globes — the first hour gangster epic “The “1917” and American Civil year selected every eventual enced a late popularity surge to be buried alongside fellow clear indicator of the movies and Irishman” — also from Netflix War-era “Little Women” are yet Oscar winner in a major category during its recent second season sailors who died on that fateful stars destined for glory. — and Quentin Tarantino’s nos- to hit theaters, but both are except best musical score. about the back-stabbing day. The Globes are Tinseltown’s talgia-fest “Once Upon a Time rapidly gaining momentum. Unlike the Oscars, the Globes members of a powerful New “It’s a historical event and second-most important film in Hollywood”. Each boasts In the acting categories, split major categories into York family. Five nominees for this is the last surviving awards, and a strong bell- major A-list power, with Robert Joaquin Phoenix in dark comic drama, and “comedy or musical.” each category will be revealed crewman of the USS Arizona wether for success at the De Niro and Al Pacino facing tale “Joker” and Renee Zellweger The awards also honor tele- at a pre-dawn Beverly Hills cer- being returned to his ship and season-ending Oscars. Awards off against Leonardo DiCaprio as Judy Garland in “Judy” are hot vision. While these categories emony presented by Dakota his shipmates,” Pearl Harbor tracker Gold Derby predicts and Brad Pitt. favorites. But previously unher- often mimic the small screen’s Fanning, Tim Allen and Susan National Memorial spokesman heartbreaking divorce saga With Vatican drama “The alded films could begin a surge showpiece Emmys, which take Kelechi Watson. Jay Blount said. “Marriage Story” will lead the Two ” and Eddie Murphy today — as happened last year place in September, the Globes’ The ceremony will be Bruner will be the 44th USS way with six major nods. comeback vehicle “Dolemite Is with Queen musical biopic later cut-off date can provide broadcast online and on NBC’s Arizona survivor interred on the The Netflix film portrays how My Name” also on its roster, “Bohemian Rhapsody”. surprises. “Today.” The 77th Golden ship. The remaining three living a seemingly stable love can be Netflix will expect to cement its Despite negative reviews, Netflix’s royal family drama Globes will take place in Los sailors who survived the attack ripped apart after Scarlett place among — or atop — Hol- star Rami Malek went on to bag “The Crown,” featuring a new cast Angeles on January 5, hosted have asked to be laid to rest Johansson’s actress moves from lywood’s traditional studios. the best actor Oscar. led by Olivia Colman, will be in by Ricky Gervais. with their families. 20 AMERICAS SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019

Caribbean Elon Musk cleared of defamation over tweet island nation

AFP Unsworth had sought $190m in damages from questioning that he was simply Dominica votes LOS ANGELES the tech billionaire, arguing that his reputation reacting to Unsworth’s “unpro- in election had been damaged by the tweet. Musk hugged his voked” comments and claimed Tesla co-founder Elon Musk lawyer on hearing the verdict, telling reporters: that “pedo guy” was a term (pictured) was cleared of defa- widely used in South Africa, AFP mation late on Friday by a jury “My faith in humanity has been restored.” where he grew up, and meant ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA in Los Angeles over a tweet in “creepy old man”. Musk’s which he labeled a British caver that the $190m he was seeking Thailand in the summer of 2018. attorney Alex Spiro told jurors in The small Caribbean island “pedo guy”. The jury deliberated would amount to “a hard slap on Unsworth at the time said his closing argument that the case nation of Dominica voted in a less than an hour before ruling the wrist” for Musk and would Musk’s offer was nothing but a boils down to “an argument general election on Friday that in favor of Musk and clearing prevent him “from ever planting PR stunt — a claim he main- between two people”. “This was was marred by a string of pro- him of any liability in the high- a nuclear bomb in the life of tained during the trial — and had just an insult,” Spiro said. tests in recent weeks and claims profile case that pitted him would allow “a bullying bil- another individual”. Describing suggested he “stick his sub- “Plaintiff is taking one of those of fraud. against Vernon Unsworth. lionaire... to cast a long shadow.” the 48-year-old entrepreneur as marine where it hurts”. insults and putting it in the spot- The Labour Party (DLP) of Unsworth had sought $190m “I just hope that nobody else has a “billionaire bully”, Unsworth In court testimony, Musk said light.” The attorney insisted that it incumbent Prime Minister Roo- in damages from the tech bil- to go through (this) and go toe-to- attorney Lin Wood said his client the “pedo guy” tweet he shared was Unsworth who picked a fight sevelt Skerrit looks set for a lionaire, arguing that his repu- toe with Mr Musk again,” Stephens was a man of modest means with his 22 million followers was and his client had simply pushed sweeping victory, increasing its tation had been damaged by the said, noting the “enormous” whose life had been upended by an off-the-cuff insult and did not back with a tweet he later share of seats to 18 out of 21, tweet. Musk hugged his lawyer amount of money Musk had at his the much-publicized row. mean he was accusing Unsworth regretted. “Elon Musk doesn’t like according to preliminary results. on hearing the verdict, telling disposal to defend himself. Musk’s outburst against — a financial consultant who that tweet, shareholders don’t like The election was the first reporters afterwards: “My faith Unsworth said he was sorry Unsworth followed an interview splits his time between Britain the tweet, Elon Musk’s mom since Dominica — which is in humanity has been restored.” the verdict did not go his way but in which the 64-year-old caver and Thailand — of being a pedo- doesn’t like the tweet,” Spiro said home to about 70,000 people One of Unsworth’s attorneys, would respect the jury’s decision. dismissed Musk’s offer of a mini- phile. He apologized on Twitter while underlining that nowhere — was devastated by Hurricane Mark Stephens, expressed disap- The caver’s legal team had submarine to rescue young soccer for his outburst and again during was the word pedophile men- Maria in September 2017. pointment saying the verdict told jurors in closing arguments players trapped in a cave in his testimony. He insisted during tioned specifically. The process has been blighted by controversy, with political opponents accusing Protesters clash with police as Skerrit — who has held the Trump to delay listing Mexican nation’s top spot since 2004 — Chile unrest enters 50th day of failing to implement promised electoral reforms, including voter cartels as terrorist groups AFP As with every Friday since identification cards, thus SANTIAGO protests began on October 18, increasing the possibility of fraud. AP “However, at the request of a cartels as terrorist outfits, Trump thousands gathered at Plaza Protestors had attempted to WASHINGTON man who I like and respect, and said the US and Mexico instead Protesters clashed with police Italia in the center of Santiago get the election postponed until has worked so well with us, will “step up our joint efforts to as thousands took to the streets to wave flags, sing and dance in February, but a battle through the President Donald Trump said in President Andres Manuel @Lop- deal decisively with these vicious of Chile’s capital on Friday for a a show of opposition President courts for an injunction failed. a tweet that he will hold off on ezObrador- we will temporarily and every-growing organiza- demonstration that marked 50 Sebastian Pinera’s conservative Demonstrations in Marigot and designating Mexican drug cartels hold off on this designation.” tions.” Foreign Minister Marcelo days since the outbreak of the government. Salisbury — both strongholds of as terrorist organizations. Mexico’s president thanked Ebrard wrote that López country’s worst civil unrest in Protesters held up a huge the opposition United Workers’ Trump said all the work had Trump for his decision to “tem- Obrador also “respects and decades. Chilean flag with a closed eye, a Party — have seen roads blocked been completed and he was stat- porarily hold off” on designation appreciates” Trump. “Cooper- Furious Chileans have for symbol of the 300 people who and debris set on fire. utorily ready to issue a declaration Mexican drug cartels as terrorist ation won, and there will be weeks been protesting social have suffered optical injuries Chief of Police Daniel but had decided to delay at the organizations. In a speech after good results,” Ebrard tweeted. and economic inequality, and during confrontations with police. Carbon said officers were request of Mexican President Trump’s tweet, López Obrador It was unclear if Mexico had against an entrenched political Some demonstrators armed forced to disperse crowds using Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. said: “I thank Trump for having promised Trump anything in elite that comes from a small with stones and Molotov cock- rubber bullets and tear gas. The Mexican government put off the decision... and having return for suspending the des- number of the wealthiest fam- tails clashed with police, who Businessman Ronald Astaphan had pushed back against chosen understanding and coop- ignation, which could have ilies in the country, among scattered them with tear gas and said he was disappointed with Trump’s plan, saying such a step eration.” Under pressure from caused Mexico headaches. Such other issues. water cannon. Officers erected the ballot results. “This is not by the US could lead to violations Trump’s threat to impose tariffs, a designation might require The crisis is the worst in barricades around the square what a lot of Dominicans had of its sovereignty. Mexico has pressed thousands of Mexico to periodically gain US three decades of Chilean later in the evening. hoped for, but it was expected “All necessary work has been national guard troops into service certification that it was cooper- democracy and has led to 26 Chile’s unrest began with a because we did not get the completed to declare Mexican to help block Central American ating in fighting the cartels, and deaths and more than 12,000 demonstration against a price reforms we wanted. When I Cartels terrorist organizations,” migrants from traveling through could potentially have affected injuries, according to the Organ- hike on metro tickets in San- went to vote I presented my Trump wrote on Twitter. “Stat- Mexico to reach the US. Mexico’s access to international ization of American States, with tiago, which spiraled into violent passport but no one even utorily we are ready to do so.” In place of designating the lending agencies. another 20,600 people detained. protests across the country. bothered to look at it,” he said. BUSINESS SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 24

Citibank New Denmark property York presents Citi market could lose STP award 10% of value if 2019 to QIIB speculation banned

Qatar, Ghana to expand ties in energy segment

MOHAMMAD SHOEB Qatari investors.” We are THE PENINSULA working to accelerate the pace of industrialization in Ghana Qatar and Ghana are working and the government is facili- to enhance cooperation in the tating to provide land and other field energy and mining, which needful support, which include may include establishing oil and providing the right incentives gold refineries and other and tax holidays. We are projects. Both the countries are bringing the investors and working to sign more agree- private companies both from ments to strengthen bilateral Ghana and Qatar together.” He H E Saad Sherida Al Kaabi (centre), Minister of State for Energy Affairs and the President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum, with Fahad bin economic cooperation, which noted that Qatar’s investment Hamad Al Muhannadi (fifth left), Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nebras Power, and other officials during the event. include singing agreements in Ghana is very limited but it related to investment is expected to witness signifi- protection, and MoUs for coop- cation jump in the coming eration in the field of oil and years. And both sides are also Nebras Power celebrates 5 years of achievements gas, agriculture, real estate and working to engage the private industrial mining, Ghanaian sector and improving the THE PENINSULA Power, and the Nebras executive to set benchmarks and to achieve years at various levels, including Minister of Business Devel- business climate to expedite the DOHA team. the mission envisioned by its stake- the financial level, where the opment H E Dr Ibrahim pace of bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, the Min- holders and partners. company achieved a steady Mohammed Awal told The The minster also noted that As a part of the celebration of ister praised Nebras Power’s five Fahad bin Hamad Al increase in profits and assets. He Peninsula in an exclusive Ghana has a lot of natural Nebras Power on the occasion years of successful investing in Mohannadi, Chairman of Nebras also highlighted the expansion of interview, during his recent visit resources such as minerals and of the fifth anniversary of its power generation projects in inter- Power, said that he was pleased its investment portfolio, which has to Qatar. agricultural products, but need incorporation, H E Saad Sherida national markets and reaffirmed with Nebras Power’s achieve- climbed precipitously to 14 assets “We had singed some MoUs to add value to them. For Al Kaabi, Minister of State for his support for Nebras Power, ments in its short history, during in seven countries. Nebras Power with Qatar, including one with instance Ghana is the second Energy Affairs and the President which stems from the importance which it attained the objectives set has also witnessed significant the the energy minister last largest producer of coco but the and CEO of Qatar Petroleum, met of supporting Qatari companies in by the board of directors and the accomplishments in its strategic year, and we are going to country is looking to refine and with Fahad bin Hamad Al helping them to achieve the highest goals of its founders. partnerships with international implement that from next year. add value. Muhannadi, Chairman of the levels of success and to increase Khaled Mohamed Jolo, CEO developers and financial institu- We have broadened the Famous for its industrial Board of Directors of Nebras their competitiveness in their of Nebras Power, referred to the tions that are operating in the framework, which include minerals, Ghana is the 2nd Power, in the presence of Khaled industries. The Minister urged the milestones reached by the power generation and water cooperation in the field of oil largest producer of gold on the Mohamed Jolo, CEO of Nebras executive management to continue company over the course of five desalination sectors. and gas and setting up refin- Africa continent behind South eries and other projects using Africa. It is the world’s 7th the gas component as we are largest producer of gold; pro- QNB launches National Day promotion on loans wasting so much of gas in ducing over 102 tonnes of gold Fiat appeals Ghana. We are also looking to and the 10th largest producer THE PENINSULA/DOHA of up to six months. Fur- each win a cash prize of QR50, optimize and better utilise our of gold in the world (in 2012). thermore, customers will auto- 000. to Europe’s resources which may also Ghana has the 9th largest QNB Group recently announced matically be granted free inter- Heba Al Tamimi, General include producing fertilizers reserves, and is the 9th largest the launch of a new promotion national remittances and up to Manager, QNB Group Retail, said, top court and some other products,” Min- producer, of diamonds in the for its customers in celebration 200,000 welcome Life Rewards “I would like to take this oppor- ister Awal said. world. of Qatar National Day, offering points, upon transferring their tunity to congratulate the proud against $33m He added: “Setting up refin- “We are going to be number a special rate to all its customers salaries and availing a personal people of Qatar, inviting them to eries is the top priority, but we one again in terms of coco pro- when applying for a personal loan, while customers obtaining celebrate Qatar National Day EU tax order are also looking at some other duction by next year. The global loan across its branch network, a new credit card during the with the best rewarding offer in projects to ensure the better uti- market size for coco is about starting from 11 to 22 December promotion period will benefit the country.” “We have put REUTERS lization of our oil and gas and $120bn, but we get only little of 2019. from free interest purchases for together these unique benefits BRUSSELS other resources such as coco, it. If we add value and refine QNB’s customers can enjoy up to 90 days. and exclusive offers to express gold and other minerals. We coco we can get big money and a personal loan with an As an added reward, eight our gratitude during this special Carmaker Fiat Chrysler has have a lot of gold reserves but we can take care of coco exclusive and limited time Qatari nationals and four expa- occasion and celebrate this lodged an appeal with Europe’s we need refineries to add value, farmers of Ghana,” Minister interest rate of 4.25 percent p.a., triates who avail a personal loan special day with our customers.” top court against an EU order which is a good opportunity for Awal. `P22 with the option of a grace period until the end of March 2020 can Al Tamimi added. to pay €30m ($33m) in Luxem- bourg back-taxes, seeking to overturn a lower tribunal ruling backing EU antitrust regulators. Indonesia Corner opens at Landmark Mall Fiat filed its appeal to the Luxembourg-based Court of LANI ROSE R DIZON Total trade volume between Qatar and Justice of the European Union THE PENINSULA Indonesia increased by 154 percent to on Wednesday, two months $877m in 2018 compared to the previous after the General Court dis- Indonesia’s Ambassador to Qatar, H E year, and is expected to triple to $3bn in the missed its challenge against the Muhammad Basri Sidehabi, on Thursday next three years. European Commission’s 2015 formally opened the Indonesia Corner at Talking to The Peninsula on the sidelines ruling, the company said the Landmark Mall in the presence of a of the event, Sidehabi added that Indonesia’s yesterday. number of Qatari businessmen and the Minister of Trade H E Agus Suparmanto and “We confirm Fiat Chrysler Indonesian community in Doha. Minister of Industry Agus Kartasasmita are Finance Europe (FCFE) lodged Located at the mall’s main lobby, the likely to visit Qatar next year to sustain the an appeal with the European 9sqm booth, which will be open for at least current momentum in trade ties between Court of Justice (CJEU) against three months, promotes various Indonesian the two countries. The Indonesian embassy the General Court’s judgment tourism, trade, and investment opportu- in Doha has already sent the invitations to of 24 September 2019 relating nities in the form of brochures, books, the Ministers, following the success of the to FCFE’s Luxembourg tax product samples, videos, and periodic cul- Indonesian Trade Expo, wherein as many as ruling,” the company said in a tural performances. The booth will be open 15 trade agreements have been signed statement to Reuters. from 10am to 10 pm during Saturday- between Indonesian companies and their As part of its crackdown Thursday, and from 4pm to 10 pm on Indonesia’s Ambassador to Qatar, H E Muhammad Basri Sidehabi (centre); President Qatari counterparts. against tax avoidance by mul- Fridays. of Qatar-Indonesia Business Council, Farhan Al Sayed (left); and Hafeet Group CEO, President of Qatar Indonesia Business tinationals, the EU executive “The first solo Indonesian products Saad Al Dabbagh (second right), with other guests during the opening of Indonesia Council Farhan Al Sayed, added: “A lot of has ordered scores of com- exhibition in Qatar which was held in Doha Corner (Trade, Tourism and Investment Booth) at the Landmark Mall in Doha on Qatari businessmen are now travelling to panies to pay back-taxes recently triggered more economic and Thursday. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA Indonesia to look for opportunities in trade ranging from tens of millions to business collaboration between private exchange as well as in investments. During as much as €13bn in the case of sectors in Qatar and Indonesia. The Indo- through the establishment of Indonesia tourist visits, and investments between both the recent Indonesian Expo, there were lots iPhone maker Apple. nesian Embassy wants to keep the Corner,” Sidehabi said during the event. countries. of interests in different brands, in aspects Ireland, which supported momentum going by continuously inten- He added that relations between Qatar Trade relations between Qatar and of paper and tire industry. There were also Luxembourg in the case, also sifying promotion about Indonesia, espe- and Indonesia, especially in the economic Indonesia are expected to further increase talks in cable businesses and manufacturing appealed, a person familiar cially those related to trade, tourism, and field, will further strengthen. And the estab- in the coming years, with business sectors opportunities. Also, in the food industry, with the matter said. investment potential through direct lishment of the Indonesia Corner could also from both sides actively seeking new halal industry is strongly picking up in The CJEU usually takes 18 engagement to the Qatari community contribute to increasing the trade exchange, investment opportunities in both countries. Indonesia.’’ months to issue a judgment. 22 BUSINESS SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019

MARKETWATCH

QSE FTSE100 DOW CRUDE 10,358.35 7,239.66 28,015.06 $59.07 +86.24 PTS +101.81 PTS +337.27 PTS +0.64 0.84% 1.43% 1.22% Dow & Brent before going to press

US probe finds Cambridge Analytica misled Facebook users on data AFP/WASHINGTON from their friends, and fed into an effort by the firm to predict the US regulators concluded Friday behavior of individual US voters. that British consultancy Cambridge It was not immediately clear Analytica – at the center of a what impact the FTC findings QIIB Deputy CEO, Jamal Abdullah Al Jamal (fourth right), receiving the award from Citi Bank Qatar CEO, Amir Khan, at the ceremony. massive scandal on hijacking of would have. The FTC issued an Facebook data – deceived users order which prohibits Cambridge of the social network about how Analytica – which closed in 2018 it collected and handled their – from making false misrepresen- personal information. tations on how it handles personal Citibank New York presents The Federal Trade Com- data, and requires compliance mission said its investigation with a US-EU privacy agreement. launched in March 2018 concluded The FTC reached a settlement that the now-defunct political con- earlier this year with Cambridge Citi STP award 2019 to QIIB sulting firm “engaged in deceptive Analytica’s former CEO Alexander practices to harvest personal infor- Nix and app developer Aleksandr THE PENINSULA operations, and Najib Ahmed high level banking technology, and facilitates foreign payment mation from tens of millions of Kogan that requires them to DOHA Nasreddine, head of interna- and no doubt foreign operations services according to the best Facebook users for voter profiling delete or destroy any personal tional operations. are pillars in our activity that we global banking standards”. and targeting.” The FTC said the information they collected. Citibank New York granted Citi On behalf of Citibank the conduct under the highest global Amir Khan, Citibank Qatar British firm, which worked on The company claimed in 2018 Straight Through Processing event was attended by Mehsen standards”. CEO also expressed his “satis- Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential it had been ruined by “numerous (STP) award 2019 for foreign Al Mahdi – head of Citibank “Foreign payment operations faction” at QIIB receiving the campaign, made “false and mis- unfounded accusations” that payments to QIIB. QIIB won the banking correspondence, are crucial for banks, in addition award once again this year. In leading” claims when it offered made it impossible to keep the award on the basis of its excep- Salman Hashimi, AVP corre- to technology and professional fact, foreign payments through Facebook users a “personality business afloat. Facebook’s own tional performance achieved in spondent banking group officer, cadres able to handle foreign QIIB are increasing in terms of quiz” -- stating it would not investigation found that some terms of foreign payments and and Manish Seebal, customer payment operations that require quality and professionalism, download names or any per- data from 87 million users in the ability to meet the best interna- service officer. direct transfer of funds without especially with support of com- sonally identifiable information. US and elsewhere had been com- tional industry standards. On the occasion, Jamal al- any human interference. In fact, petent staff and the quality tech- The case created a firestorm promised by the firm, and claimed QIIB Deputy CEO Jamal Jamal stated, “We are delighted this has to be done in a way that nology used”. over data protection when it was the practices violated the social Abdullah Al Jamal received the to receive the STP excellence guarantees their access to tar- Khan affirmed that “the disclosed that Cambridge Ana- network’s terms of service. award from Amir Khan, Citi award for foreign payments geted beneficiaries timely and business relationship between lytica was able to create psycho- Facebook, which did not Bank Qatar CEO at a ceremony again from Citibank New York. reliably and without any error Citibank and QIIB will continue logical profiles using data from immediately respond to a query held at the Bank headquarters This confirms that QIIB’s viability or delay”, he added. and strengthen in future. All the millions of Facebook users on the FTC decision, paid a in the presence of Sayyed and leadership are consolidated Al Jamal highlighted QIIB’s necessary ingredients for such a through the harvesting of the data. record $5bn penalty early this Mohamed Kheir Barhuma, head in different banking sectors, close relationship and part- strong relationship are there and The personality prediction year in a settlement with the reg- of Operations, Sayed Assem namely technology. We have nership with the Citibank, a part- we hope that this will reflect pos- app was downloaded by 270,000 ulator over mishandling users’ Mahmoud, head of central channelled our investments into nership that benefits our clients itively on both parties”. people but also scooped up data private data. Qatar, Ghana Vodafone and Al Kass showcase to strengthen region’s first live 5G & 360-broadcast ties in energy from Arabian Gulf Cup FROM BUSINESS PAGE 21 He said that cooperation in THE PENINSULA such an exceptional viewing expe- the field of education can be DOHA rience for football fans in Qatar another promising sector as and the region. It’s been a about 60 percent of the nearly Vodafone Qatar, Official Telecom- welcome opportunity to enhance 30 million Ghanaians are below munications Sponsor of the 24th our coverage in an innovative way 30 who need good education Arabian Gulf Cup, in partnership for the thousands of enthusiasts and training. “The literacy rate with Al Kass Sports Channels, using our digital platform to in Ghana is very good but we brought football fans the country support their teams.” QICCA board member for International Relations Sheikh Dr need more institutions for edu- and the region’s first-ever live 5G almost no lags, 5G-powered Thousands of football fans Thani bin Ali Al Thani presenting the certificate to one of the cation and training for the and 360-broadcast from Al Virtual and Augmented Reality have been enjoying a host of participants. young population who can Janoub stadium where Qatar can enable high-quality mixed innovative fan experiences manage the economy very faced Saudi Arabia in the semi- reality interactions with the game offered by Vodafone throughout well.” He also said noted that final game of the tournament. and even allow viewers at home the tournament including its QICCA concludes agriculture can be yet another The 360-degree camera was to see goals from new angles in latest ‘Fan of the Match’ in- promising area for cooperation. installed at Al-Janoub Stadium real-time. stadium competition, and a ‘Fan arbitration programme Despite huge area of arable and broadcasted the game live to Vodafone Qatar Chief Exec- Zone’ where visitors have been land Ghana is heavily depended the Al Kass YouTube Channel over utive Officer, Sheikh Hamad experiencing a customised AR THE PENINSULA completion of the sixth stage on food imports, but trying to Vodafone Qatar’s GigaNet 5G Abdulla Al-Thani, said: “The way game powered by Vodafone’s 5G DOHA of the programme titled “Prac- boost output. network, giving fans a real-time we enjoy live sports games is GigaNet network and a VR tical Trial”. “We spend over $5bn in experience of the game as if they about to be transformed by 5G football game. In addition to The Qatar International Centre A statement issued by importing rice and other food were physically present, with no capabilities. By unlocking the full Vodafone’s specially designed for Conciliation and Arbitration QICCA said participation in the items. But we are working to delay or interruptions. potential of immersive technol- platform www.fans.vf.qa, open (QICCA) concluded last week programme will include regis- become self-sufficient and The live Virtual Reality (VR) ogies such as VR, the live sporting to everyone in Qatar, offers inter- the ‘Qualification and Prepa- tration of the participants in growing fast. In 2019 we are experience, was yet another 5G viewing experience will be truly active games that allow players ration of the Arbitrators the centre’s list of arbitrators. expected to be the fastest milestone for Vodafone Qatar, personalized and interactive. The to predict match results and Programme’, which was held Sheikh Thani said the pro- growing economy in the world. who has raised the fan experience fan experiences powered by answer a series of quizzes and in co-operation with the Centre gramme covered all aspects of And over the last three years we at the Arabian Gulf Cup tour- Vodafone Qatar’s 5G network at trivia on a daily basis for a chance for Continuing Education at commercial arbitration, were among the best three. We nament to another level with its the Gulf Cup are a taste of what is to win valuable prizes. following the including practical application, need better quality of high- state-of-the-art digital to come at future international Vodafone Qatar has been completion of six phases of the pointing to the importance of yielding seeds, fertilizers more connectivity. tournaments.” keeping fans connected on its programme. qualification and preparation tractors other equipment. So 5G’s low latency, fastest speed, From his end Eissa Abdullah GigaNet network at Khalifa Inter- QICCA board member for of arbitrators. the opportunity is huge,” he and highest bandwidth can create Al Hitmi, General Manager of Al national Stadium, Abdulla Bin International Relations Sheikh Sheikh Thani also said that added. viewing experiences for sporting Kass Sports Channels, said: “Al Khalifa and Al Janoub Stadium as Dr Thani bin Ali Al Thani registration is now open of the “We have a very stable gov- fans like no other and get them Kass is pleased to have partnered part of its sponsorship of the handed over certificates to the next edition which will kicks ernment in Ghana, which has much closer to the game. With with Vodafone Qatar in delivering Arabian Gulf Cup 2019 trainees following the off next January. been giving priority to develop five key sectors, including agri- culture, industry and infra- structure. We want to mod- Oryx Rotana unveils attractive Qatar National Day offers ernize our agriculture to boost production for domestic con- THE PENINSULA Qatar, Rotana is presenting its Nafourah Garden. The Cellar, the annual membership. until the end of the year. sumption as well as export. The DOHA offers revolving around the Spanish/Mediterranean restaurant In addition, the pastry chefs at Commenting on unveiling the Ghanaian economy with about numbers 41 and 141 in celebration will offer a three-course set menu Oryx Rotana along with his entire exceptional offers, Ghassan Dalal, $68bn GDP (nominal) is clas- Oryx Rotana, the five-star luxury of this important event. for just QR 141. Oryx Rotana’s team, has created a model of Souq General Manager of Oryx Rotana sified as a middle income business hotel in Doha has Guests can avail a discount of all-day dining Choices will be Waqif, one of Qatar’s most historic said,” We are delighted to launch country (with about 7,000 per unveiled fabulous offers to mark 41 percent on the best available introducing the 1-4-1 offer (one landmarks. The model is made of these exclusive offers for Qatar capita income at $211bn PPP the Qatar National Day celebra- room rate in 41 hours for bookings -Four(For)- one) for their lunch Fondant, where eight buildings National Day to make the celebra- estimated 2019). Services tions. To make the National Day made from 18 December, 2019 till and dinner buffets, where two can were built representing the houses tions extra special for our guests. account for 52 percent of GDP, truly memorable, the hotel is 18 January, 2020. Booking dine and pay for one. Moreover, of Souq Waqif along with Al Fanar The National Day is one of the followed by manufacturing providing an array of offers window will be opened during the Sky Lounge will be offering a Islamic Cultural Center. The iconic most special days in Qatar and we (24.1 percent). Exports of goods specially curated to participate National Day until the 19 variety of special National Day structures were decorated with a are working hard to make it mem- and services account for 40 with members of all communities December, 2019. desserts served with coffee or tea spray of Arabic coffee to give a dis- orable for all our guests. On behalf percent of GDP, while imports on this special occasion. For the restaurants, guests can for QR 41. Bodylines Fitness & tinctive color to the design which of all our team, we would like to of goods and services account Aligned with the anniversary enjoy the Mechoui night on Wellness Centre however will will continue to be displayed at the wish all our guests and residents for 51 percent. of the founding of the State of Wednesdays for QR141 only at Al extend 50percent discount on hotel’s lobby from 8 December a very happy National Day.” SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 BUSINESS 23

UK FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE Brexit uncertainty likely to (USD per GBP) persist beyond UK election

In June 2019, we noted that EU on the Withdrawal weaker outlook for the UK would move forward faster, with Brexit uncertainty has been a Agreement. However, he was economy and British currency PM Johnson’s deal likely to be persistent drag on the UK unable to push it through the (GBP). However, GBP has rallied passed soon after the election. economy since the June 2016 British Parliament by the 31 7 percent since early October Second, if a Labour gov- referendum when the UK October deadline. After losing 2019 when PM Johnson failed to ernment came to power, then narrowly voted to “Leave” the numerous votes in Parliament, push his deal through Par- PM Corbyn would attempt to EU rather than “Remain” in the PM Johnson was forced to liament and called a general renegotiate a new Withdrawal EU. In that article we and antic- request a further extension of election to be held on the 12 Agreement. He would then call ipated that a general election, December 2019. In our view, for a second referendum, which or second referendum, would QNB ECONOMIC much of the “No-deal” tail risk would prolong uncertainty but be necessary. COMMENTARY was priced out of both FX spot also open up a path to The outlook for economic and options markets. “Remain”. growth is one of the main deter- The Conservatives and Third, the election may minants of the strength of a cur- the Brexit deadline to the 31 Labour parties have dominated result in a hung parliament or rency. The British pound (GBP) January 2020. British politics for many years. weak minority government, fell sharply after the 2016 refer- The hardest form that Brexit However, fractures into “Leave” barely able to forge a coalition. opinion polls are indicating a a trade deal with the EU could endum and remains 17 percent could take is often referred to as and “Remain” camps run While this would raise the pos- clear majority for the Conserv- not be discussed before a With- below the average of the pre- “No-deal”, whereas remaining through both main parties, sibility of a second referendum, atives. Indeed, the latest pre- drawal Agreement is imple- vious 5 years . This illustrates the in the EU is effectively the softest making future voting patterns it could also bring “No-deal” diction by pollster YouGov is mented and will likely be even market concern about the neg- form of Brexit. PM Johnson’s less predictable than ever. The back on the table and prolong that the Conservative party more difficult to negotiate. ative impact of Brexit on the deal with the EU on the With- main parties have different uncertainty. would win 359 seats and deliver Therefore trade negotiations outlook for the UK economy. drawal Agreement implies a views for Brexit. So we consider Back in June, opinion polls PM Johnson a working majority and Brexit uncertainty are likely Since our last article, Boris harder Brexit than most of the three scenarios. suggested that a general election of 68. to drag on well beyond the Johnson has taken over as the options being considered during First, if a Conservative gov- would lead to a hung parliament PM Johnson’s promise to December 2020 deadline set by British Prime Minister (PM) and the summer of 2019. ernment were to be elected with with Labour as the largest party. “Get Brexit Done” is a powerful PM Johnson in all three renegotiated the deal with the That alone would imply a a workable majority, then Brexit However, the most recent slogan for the election. However, scenarios. World Bank to reduce lending to China

AFP/WASHINGTON administration, including Malpass prior to his election as The World Bank said yesterday the current head of the World its lending to China has fallen Bank. sharply and will continue to be Treasury Secretary Steven pared back, after US President Mnuchin told US lawmakers Donald Trump demanded it stop Thursday that the United States altogether. “has objected” to the institution’s “Why is the World Bank multi-year program of loans and loaning money to China? Can projects in China. this be possible? China has That program, which includes plenty of money, and if they plans to reduce lending to China, don’t, they create it. STOP!” was adopted on Thursday. The Trump wrote on Twitter Friday. program “reflects the evolution of Qatargas officials on the sidelines of one of the Town Hall meetings. The bank, which is led by our relationship with China,” former US Treasury official Martin Raiser, World Bank Country David Malpass, defended its Director for China, said on approach in a brief statement. Thursday. “Our engagement will Qatargas reviews performance, “World Bank lending to be increasingly selective.” China has fallen sharply and will Trump’s very public stance continue to reduce as part of our comes amid negotiations agreement with all our share- between Washington and challenges and strategic goals holders including the United Beijing seeking to end the US States. president’s 18-month-long trade THE PENINSULA The Town Hall meeting the liquefied natural gas (LNG) The 2020 strategic goals, as “We eliminate lending as war, which is aimed at forcing DOHA is an open forum for production is on target achieving explained during the meetings, countries get richer,” it said. China to make concessions on the best in class reliability per- included striving for an Incident Trump was reiterating a protecting American businesses Qatargas Operating Company employees to meet formance of 98.8 percent while and Injury Free workplace, position long held by his and reducing its trade surplus. Limited (Qatargas), has recently with Qatargas’ Chief the Laffan Refinery achieved a improving uptime availability, held its annual Town Hall Executive Officer and strong reliability of 98.6 percent, reliability and utilisation of the meetings in Doha and Al Khor, the Management well ahead of the current year LNG plants to achieve full plant India’s construction, property Qatar, and discussed the targets. The Company also com- capacity and meet supply rights; Company’s achievements in Leadership Team pleted successful and safe shut- and enhancing and promoting industries in trouble: Rajan 2019 and its strong performance for discussions downs of three of its mega LNG reliability culture across the in a wide range of areas were on the Company’s train to ensure their reliability. organisation to drive efficiency. BLOOMBERG/MUMBAI highlighted. Updates on the North Field In addition, further strategic The Town Hall meeting is an performance. Expansion (NFE) and North Filed goals were identified as maxim- India’s real estate, construction and infrastructure industries are in open forum for employees to Production Sustainability (NFPS) ising revenue by penetrating “deep trouble,” and non-bank finance companies which lend to meet with Qatargas’ Chief Exec- whereas the greenhouse gas projects were provided during new markets; maximising cus- these sectors should have their asset quality reviewed, former central utive Officer and the Man- (GHG) emission rate showed 0.35 the event. While the NFPS tomer satisfaction while bank Governor Raghuram Rajan said. agement Leadership Team for against a target of 0.42. In the project will ensure that the retaining contractual and There is also “significant distress in rural areas,” Rajan wrote in discussions on the Company’s year under review, Laffan current production capacity of financial performance; and an opinion piece in India Today magazine. He said India is in a performance, future challenges Refinery 1 marked 10 years of the North Field offshore wells is achieving Qatarisation targets growth recession, defined as an economy growing at a slow pace and strategic goals for the year operation without any Lost Time well maintained into future, the through a skill based Qatari- and where unemployment is rising. ahead. Incident and the Company suc- NFE project will further enhance sation Strategy. India’s GDP growth slowed to 4.5% in the quarter ended Sep- The meetings observed that cessfully completed two key the State of Qatar’s production A question and answer tember, a six-year low. A crisis among shadow lenders and a build- the Company maintained a environmental projects: the capacity from the current 77 session followed in which Khalid up of bad loans at banks have curbed lending in the economy. strong environmental and safety Waste Materials Management million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatargas The Reserve Bank of India should carry out an asset quality performance as it achieved a facility and the Treated Indus- to 110 Mtpa by 2024. Updates on CEO, and the management team review of the non-bank finance companies, Rajan said. The central flaring rate of 0.38 against a trial and Process Water facility. the Barzan Pipeline and Helium replied to employee’s questions bank closely monitors the top fifty non-bank financiers, which target of 0.44 thanks to a suc- In the area of Efficient and 3 projects were also provided and enquiries on work-related account for about 75% of total assets in the shadow banking sector, cessful Flare Reduction Project Reliable Operations, during the event. matters. Governor Shaktikanta Das said in a press conference on Thursday. ’s Fernandez signals policy shifts with new cabinet, economy chief

REUTERS under outgoing conservative Pres- very prepared,” Fernandez said on Greylock Capital Management, BUENOS AIRES ident Mauricio Macri. They also Friday evening introducing his which is closely involved in the highlight a balancing act by the cabinet. “He knows very well the restructuring talks with Argentina, Argentine President-elect Alberto South American country’s new debt conflicts and the macroeco- said he supported Guzman’s Fernandez unveiled his cabinet and leader, as he seeks to address the nomic conflicts Argentina has.” appointment but acknowledged new central bank chief on Friday varied demands of his disparate Fernandez also named low-profile some investors had concerns. evening, laying out his core team Peronist coalition. economist Miguel Angel Pesce as “Wall Street seems to have days before the center-left leader “It suggests a moderate central bank chief. Pesce has pre- some concerns about Guzman’s takes office facing a stalled approach by Fernandez towards the viously criticized the orthodox lack of experience in politics and economy, rising debt fears and (economic) issue,” said Gabriel approach of the central bank under ‘heterodox’ economic views. I think painful inflation. Brasil, lead political analyst for Macri, who hands over power to these views are misplaced,” he said. Fernandez named Martin Argentina at consultancy Control Fernandez on Tuesday. “As far as experience, Guzman Guzman, 37, as economy minister, Risks. He added that Guzman did Vice President-elect Cristina has been involved in sovereign and who will need to help steer debt not represent the more “radical” Fernandez de Kirchner, a divisive quasi-sovereign situations. And his restructuring negotiations with elements in the Peronist movement. former president with huge views on growth rather than aus- international creditors and the Guzman, a young academic political influence in the country, terity led recoveries are spot on.” International Monetary Fund over and protégé of Nobel Prize- was notably not present at the Capital Economics, meanwhile, around $100bn in sovereign debt. winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, event where Fernandez announced said in a note that while Guzman Argentina’s incoming Economy Minister, Martin Guzman (centre) Fernandez’s cabinet and key is a debt restructuring expert but his cabinet picks. was more moderate than others, reacts before President-elect Alberto Fernandez announce his economy pick underscore a sharp has little hands-on experience in Hans Humes, the head of he was “unlikely to take a shift from the austerity policies policy making. “He is a young man, emerging market specialist market-friendly approach.” cabinet ahead of taking office on December 10, in Buenos Aires. 24 BUSINESS SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 Denmark property market EU to consider tougher tax could lose 10% of value haven listing if speculation banned REUTERS/BRUSSELS A group of European Union countries is BLOOMBERG 2012, and has negative rates calling for the bloc to cast a wider net COPENHAGEN longer than any other country. when listing tax havens and to consider Dybvad said that his proposal imposing stricter sanctions for countries As some of Denmark’s pension still leaves incentives to buy com- facilitating tax avoidance, according to funds prepare to write down their mercial properties. “So I do not an EU document and an EU official. property portfolios, the country’s think the investment case has The document, prepared by the housing minister says he would been significantly degraded,” he Danish government and seen by Reuters, find a 10 percent market decline said. urges a discussion on whether “current an acceptable outcome as he tries For now, the pension industry criteria provide sufficient protection to alter the law to prevent spec- is asking the government to con- against tax avoidance and evasion” and ulation. sider revising its proposal to pushes for “strengthened” standards and The comments follow a make it target firms like Black- sanctions. Germany and France were heated debate in Denmark, stone more specifically. It’s a view among its backers. largely centered on Blackstone echoed by lawmakers. It also calls for a discussion on how Group Inc. Kaare Dybvad (pic- The pension industry In an emailed comment, member states deal with the issue, asking tured), the minister for housing now faces losses in an James Seppala, Blackstone’s “Do we internally have sufficient safe- in the Social Democrat gov- head of real estate in Europe, guards against tax avoidance and ernment, says the firm represents asset class that had said the firm’s focus is “on evasion?” This potentially sets up a an “infamous” business model in stood out as an engine making long term investments dispute with EU members Luxembourg, which properties are bought, ren- for returns in an era in local housing with a simple the Netherlands and Ireland, which ovated and then put back on the of negative interest goal of operating and main- widely use low tax and other sweeteners market at rents that tenants can’t taining homes to the highest to host EU headquarters of foreign firms, afford. Blackstone says that it rates. Denmark’s standards. The company is also depriving other EU governments of tax follows the law and that it repre- central bank first went committed to supporting local revenues from profits that corporations sents too small a chunk of the below zero in 2012, priorities by adding to new make on their territory. Copenhagen real estate market supply and making units more At a meeting of EU finance ministers to affect prices. and has negative rates environmentally sustainable.” on Thursday, several EU states backed This week, Dybvad unveiled longer than any other Heidi Bank, who sits on the par- the Danish proposal, one EU official said, a proposal designed to protect country. liament’s housing committee for naming Germany, France, Spain and tenants. Instead, he drew crit- the opposition Liberal Party, says Austria among the explicit supporters. icism from Denmark’s pension tenants’ rights would be better Croatia, which holds the EU chair industry, which says the plan is plan goes ahead. Michael Nel- protected by empowering Den- from January, said the review of the so broad that it undermines lemann Pedersen, chief mark’s housing tribunal, which current criteria would be discussed during longer term investment in the investment officer at PKA presides over disputes between its six-month presidency, the official said. property market. Pension in Copenhagen, called landlords and renters. The review was likely to take place in But those warnings aren’t the proposal “a step back;” he Meanwhile, Dybvad says he February or March, the official added. enough to shake Dybvad’s also said the corner of the fund’s wants to make his proposal ret- After revelations of widespread tax resolve. real-estate portfolio that’s roactive. His ministry is currently avoidance schemes used by corporations “I can live with smaller losses affected by the law will drop by looking into whether such a goal and wealthy individuals to lower their since the market has doubled about 15 percent if the govern- would be based “on solid ground, tax bills, the EU set up a blacklist in 2017, within the past five years,” ment’s proposal becomes reality. legally.” The government is set to but its definition of tax havens was Dybvad said in an interview on The pension industry now sit down with industry represent- narrow. For example a zero percent cor- Friday. “Against that background, faces losses in an asset class that atives to go over Dybvad’s pro- porate tax rate is not a sufficient con- I can live with losses at 10 had stood out as an engine for posal in the coming weeks. The dition for being listed. It also screens only percent, for instance.” Pension returns in an era of negative minister says he expects an non-EU countries, saying its 28 states funds have started to estimate the interest rates. Denmark’s central agreement to be reached either were already applying high standards scale of their losses, if Dybvad’s bank first went below zero in before Christmas or in January. against tax avoidance.

CROSSWORD MALL ROYAL PLAZA

Panipat (2D/Hindi) 2:00 & 11:15pm Kettyolanu Ente Maalakha (2D/Malayalam) 2:00 & 11:15pm Helen (2D/Malayalam) 5:00 & 9:15pm Jada (2D/Tamil) 2:30 & 11:30pm Pati Patni Aur Woh (2D/Hindi) 7:00pm Frozen II (2D/Animation) 4:30 & 6:15pm Arctic Dog (2D/Animation) 2:00pm Pati Patni Aur Woh (2D/Hindi) 4:45 & 9:15pm Kamala (2D/Malayalam) 2:00pm Omar Wa Bisat El Rih (2D/Animation) 4:00pm Frozen II (2D/Animation) 2:30, 3:30, 5:15 & 7:00pm Arctic Dog (2D/Animation) 2:15pm Kettyolanu Ente Maalakha (2D/Malayalam) 4:30, 8:45 Dark Waters (2D/Biography) 7:00pm & 11:30pm; Unbreakable (2D/Tagalog) 7:15pm Unbreakable (2D/Tagalog) 7:00pm Panipat (2D/Hindi) 8:00 & 11:00pm Jada (2D/Tamil) 9:15 & 11:30pm Code 8 (2D/Sci-Fi) 7:45 & 9:30pm

LANDMARK FLIK Mirqab Mall

Arctic Dog (2D/Animation) 2:30 & 5:15pm A Score To Settle (2D/Action) 11:45am, 1:50, 3;55, 8:25 & 10:30pm Puzhikkadakan (2D/Malayalam) 4:15pm Arctic Dog (2D/Animation) 10:40am & 12;35pm Kettyolanu Ente Maalakha (2D/Malayalam) 6:30, Charlie’s Angels (2D/Action) 11:25pm 9:00 & 11:00pm; Pati Patni Aur Woh (2D/Hindi) Code 8 (2D/Sci-Fi) 3:45 & 7:45pm 11:30pm; Panipat (2D/Hindi) 8:00pm Dark Waters (2D/Biography) 6:00pm Frozen II (2D/Animation) 2;15, 4:00, 6:00 & 7:00pm Frozen II (2D/Animation) 10:50am, 11:30am, 12:15, 1:00, 1:35, 2:20, Jada (2D/Tamil) 3:00pm 3:05, 4:25, 5:10, 5:40, 6:30, 8:35, 9:10 & 10:40pm 8:45 & Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu (2D/Tamil) Frozen II (3D/Animation) 7:15pm 11:15pm Knives Out (2D/Action) 11:25am, 2:00, 4:30, 9:45pm & 0:20am AL KHOR Le Mans ’66 (Ford Vs Ferrari) (2D/Action) 10:50am, 1;45, 2:30, 4:40, 5:25, 7:35, 8;20, 10:30 & 11:15pm Puzhikkadakan (2D/Malayalam) 10:30am, 3:45 & Panipat (2D/Hindi) 9:35pm; Pati Patni Aur Woh (2D/Hindi) 7:00pm 9:15pm; Panipat (2D/Hindi) 11:45am, 6:45 & 11:45pm Unbreakable (2D/Tagalog) 4:00 & 6:20pm Frozen II (3D/Animation) 11:45am, 2:00, 4:15 & 6:30pm; Kettyolanu Ente Maalakha (2D/Malayalam) 1:00, 6:30 & 12:00pm; Pati Patni Aur Woh (2D/Hindi) ASIAN TOWN 3:00 & 9:00pm; Jada (2D/Tamil) 8:15pm; Irandam Helen (2D/Malayalam) 8:30pm; Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu (2D/Tamil) 11:30pm Panipat (2D/Hindi) 10:45pm Kettyolanu Ente Maalakha (2D/Malayalam) 6:00 & 8:45, 11:30pm; ROXY Pati Patni Aur Woh (2D/Hindi) 6:15pm; Puzhikkadakan (2D/Malayalam) 8:45pm; Daniel Isn’t Real (3D/Thriller) 11:00am, 1:00, 1:30, 11:15pm; 3:50, 6:00, 6:20, 8:10 & 8:30pm; Dark Waters (2D/ Kamala (2D/Malayalam) Biography) 11:00am, 1:10, 3:15, 3:40, 6:00, 8:15, 8:40, Android Kunjappan (2D/Malayalam) 6:00pm; 10:30, & 11:00pm; Dhanusu Raasi Neyargalae (2D/ Jada (2D/Tamil) 3:15pm; Tamil) 10:15 & 11:40pm; Frozen II (3D/Animation) Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu (2D/Tamil) 6:00pm; 11:00am, 1:15, 12:30, 2:45, 3:30, 5:00, 5:45, 7:15, 8:00 & 9:30pm; Kettyolanu Ente Maalakha (2D/ Malayalam) 6:00, 8:00, 11:00 & 11:30pm Panipat (2D/Hindi) 10:30am, 1:00, 4:20, 6:50, 10:10, 11:15 & 11:20pm; Pati Patni Aur Woh (2D/Hindi) 1:50, 4:20, 7:40 & 10:10pm Puzhikkadakan (2D/Malayalam) 10:30, 12:30, 1:00, 3:00, 3:30, 5:30 & 8:45pm

DANIEL ISN’T REAL

Daniel Isn’t Real is a 2019 Psychological horror film, directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer, from a screenplay by Mortimer and Brian DeLeeuw. SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 SPORT 25 We have to sort out our defence. We have con- SEA GAMES CRICKET ceded two goals in every Mourinho says Spurs Multi-sports events in India v West Indies, match, we are conceding must fix leaky defence. the Philippines till 2nd T20 at cheap goals. We have to

ACTION December 11 Thiruvananthapuram work on it, but it is hard. TODAY’S Capitals extend Russia braces for four-year win streak to 6

REUTERS Olympic ban over doping MIAMI Jakub Vrana scored the game-winning goal and REUTERS also had an assist, and Braden Holtby made 27 MOSCOW saves to lead the visiting Washington Capitals to their sixth straight victory, a 3-2 decision over Russia could be hit with a four-year the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. Olympic ban on Monday for flouting Evgeny Kuznetsov and Travis Boyd also anti-doping rules, a punishment local scored goals and John Carlson added his 32nd officials have said would be unfair The problem is that assist for Washington, which swept the three Cal- and part of a malicious Western we have four years ifornia teams on a road trip for the first time in attempt to destroy sport in the ahead of us and franchise history. The Capitals also improved their country. NHL best road record to 14-2-1. Russia, which has tried to for now, judging Ryan Getzlaf had a goal and an assist, and showcase itself as a global sports by the reaction of Adam Henrique also scored for Anaheim. Ryan power, has been embroiled in doping the current sports Miller finished with 33 saves. scandals since a 2015 report commis- authorities, I don’t Blackhawks 2, Devils 1 sioned by the World Anti-Doping Rookie Kirby Dach, appearing in an NHL Agency (WADA) found evidence of see any prospect shootout for the first time, scored the decisive mass doping in Russian athletics. of resolving these goal in the fifth round as visiting Chicago edged Its doping woes have snowballed issues: Ganus New Jersey. Dach’s goal capped an entertaining since, with many of its athletes side- shootout in which both teams scored in the first lined from the past two Olympics and two rounds. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane the country stripped of its flag alto- tallied for the Blackhawks while Nikita Gusev gether at last year’s Pyeongchang and Jesper Boqvist were successful for the Devils Winter Games as punishment for before Chicago goalie Corey Crawford and New state-sponsored doping cover-ups at Jersey goalie Mackenzie Blackwood turned back the 2014 Sochi Games. the next two shots apiece. Russian sport could enter four Penguins 2, Coyotes 0 more years of gloom on Monday Evgeni Malkin snapped a goaltending duel when WADA’s executive committee with a third-period goal, and Brandon Tanev Head of Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) Yuri Ganus listens to a question during an interview at his office convenes in Lausanne to rule on added an empty-netter Friday to back the 33-save in Moscow, Russia on December 5. whether to ban the country from performance of Tristan Jarry in Pittsburgh’s win hosting major sporting events and to over visiting Arizona. force its clean athletes to compete their anti-Russian argument,” Foreign “The problem is that we have four find those guilty in other countries Jarry, facing the Coyotes for the first time in without their flag or anthem for four Minister Sergei Lavrov complained years ahead of us and for now, and say that the main source of evil his career, picked up his fourth career shutout years. last week. judging by the reaction of the current is the West or the East, or anyone and second not only this season but in a row. He WADA has accused Moscow of International sports bodies and sports authorities, I don’t see any else,” he said. was coming off a 28-save performance on tampering with laboratory data by officials have heavily criticised prospect of resolving these issues,” “That’s nonsense. The main Wednesday in a 3-0 win over the St. Louis Blues, planting fake evidence and deleting Russia over its latest doping Ganus said. problem is our culture, the culture and he has a personal scoreless streak of 144:51. files linked to positive doping tests offences, alleging that the country RUSADA is set to be stripped of inside the sports world.” Oilers 2, Kings 1 that could have helped identify drug has once again violated the ethos its accreditation for the second time Ganus said he hoped President Leon Draisaitl and Alex Chiasson both col- cheats. of sport. in four years as part of the same Vladimir Putin, who has yet to lected one goal and one assist to pace Edmonton Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov “Russia has not learned, and is not doping sanctions. comment on WADA’s recommenda- to a home victory over slumping Los Angeles. last month attributed the discrep- prepared to learn, from its serious Ganus pointed to what he said tions to punish Russia, would order Goaltender Mikko Koskinen stopped 35 shots ancies in the laboratory data to tech- indiscretions,” the Institute of was an unhealthy culture among Rus- serious reform of the country’s sports for the Oilers, who vaulted the Coyotes to reclaim nical issues. Other senior officials National Anti-Doping Organizations sia’s sporting authorities which he administration. the top spot in the Pacific Division. have likened the proposed pun- (iNADO) said in a statement this said was resistant to change. “In our country with these tradi- A pair of first-period power-play goals by ishment to broader attempts by week. Officials had used destructive tions, autocratic and bureaucratic, Draisaitl and Chiasson provided more than Western countries to hold Russia Yuri Ganus, the head of Russian methods to handle a crisis that could the presidential level is needed to enough offense for the Oilers. Michael Amadio back. anti-doping agency RUSADA, has have been resolved by honestly make decisions to change,” he said. gave the Kings a comeback chance when he put “The more these types of deci- been one of the few critical voices addressing issues, he said. “I really hope that the time has come them on the board with 6:28 left in the third sions are made, the better it is... for inside Russia. “I don’t think we need to... try to for serious changes.” period.

Hamilton and MotoGP great Davis, James power Lakers in rout of Blazers

Rossi preparing REUTERS NBA Results lead at the break. Davis had 15 MIAMI for ride swap Results from the NBA points in the first quarter as the games on Friday: Lakers took a 39-34 advantage. Anthony Davis delivered 39 Boston 108, Denver 95 Los Angeles later rattled off 15 REUTERS points, nine rebounds and three Miami 112, Washington 103 straight points behind four LONDON blocked shots as the Los Angeles Portland 113, LA Lakers 136 3-pointers -- two from Rajon Lakers rolled to a 136-113 victory Milwaukee 119, LA Clippers 91 Rondo and one each from James Six-time Formula One world over the host Portland Trail San Antonio 105, Sacramento and Kuzma -- to open up a champion Lewis Hamilton and Blazers on Friday night. 104 58-39 lead with 7:14 remaining. MotoGP great Valentino Rossi LeBron James made four Chicago 98, Golden State 100 Meanwhile, Giannis Antetok- are preparing for a ride swap 3-pointers while recording 31 ounmpo scored 27 points and Oklahoma City 139, Minnesota in Spain tomorrow, with the points, eight assists and seven grabbed 11 rebounds on his 25th 127 Briton “super excited” at the rebounds as the Lakers birthday as the Milwaukee Bucks Charlotte 104, Brooklyn 111 prospect. improved their record to 20-3, extended their NBA-best Cleveland 87, Orlando 93 Hamilton, who collected his tied with the Milwaukee Bucks winning streak to 14 games with Detroit 108, Indiana 101 F1 champion’s trophy at an FIA for best in the NBA. Kyle Kuzma a 119-91 victory on Friday over gala in Paris on Friday, will scored 15 off the bench and the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. head to Valencia’s Ricardo JaVale McGee added 13 points from 3-point range, while Khris Middleton scored 17 Tormo circuit for the closed on 6-of-7 shooting as Los notching a season high for points points while Pat Connaughton event organised by mutual Angeles completed a 3-0 road and improving to 11-1 on the and Ersan Ilyasova added 13 sponsor Monster. trip that began with games road. Kent Bazemore scored 10 each as the Bucks improved to “I think me and @Lewi- against the Denver Nuggets and points for Portland, which con- 10-1 at home to become the sHamilton will have some fun Utah Jazz. nected on 45.3 percent of its second team in the Eastern Con- soon,” Rossi teased on his Damian Lillard registered 29 shots and was 10 of 34 from ference with double-digit home Instagram feed next to a picture points, eight assists and seven behind the arc. victories after the Philadelphia of him sitting in a Mercedes F1 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. The Trail Blazers trailed 76ers. car. The 40-year-old Italian, a Hassan Whiteside added 17 81-70 after Lillard’s 3-pointer Kawhi Leonard scored 17 nine times world champion points, 10 rebounds and three with 10:02 left in the third points for the Clippers in his first with seven of those coming in steals and Carmelo Anthony, CJ quarter. James responded by game at Milwaukee since the the top MotoGP class, will drive McCollum and Anfernee Simons making three 3-pointers over an Toronto Raptors earned a victory a 2017 Mercedes while Ham- added 15 points apiece. 80-second span to give Los there in Game 5 of last season’s ilton gets to ride Rossi’s Portland’s Rodney Hood suf- Angeles a 95-77 advantage and Eastern Conference finals to take Yamaha. Rossi has driven a fered a torn left Achilles tendon the lead reached 20 on Davis’ a 3-2 series lead. Leonard’s Formula One car before, several during the first quarter. Hood dunk to make it 101-81 with 3:59 Raptors went on to win the series times with Ferrari between collected a rebound and fell to remaining. in six games on the way to the 2004 and 2010 when there was the floor after landing and The Lakers led 110-93 NBA title. speculation he could follow in immediately grabbed for the entering the final stanza. The Paul George added 13 points the tracks of the late Britons lower portion of his left leg with lead reached 121-100 when for the Clippers, who lost for just John Surtees and Mike 3:27 left in the stanza. He was James slammed home a lob from the second time in their past 11 Hailwood and switch from two scoreless in the contest. Alex Caruso with 7:16 left and the games. wheels to four. The Lakers have won three advantage topped out at 27 as The victory was never in Four times 500cc world of the past four meetings with Portland never mounted a late doubt as the Bucks led 30-15 champion Surtees remains the the Trail Blazers after losing the charge. after one quarter and 52-43 at Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers hits a three point shot only man to win the Formula previous 15. Davis scored 25 and Los halftime, though they shot just One title (in 1964) as well as top during the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers Los Angeles shot 54.1 percent Angeles posted a season-high for 37.5 percent from the field in the motorcycling honours. at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on Friday. from the field, including 17 of 36 first-half points as it held a 77-62 opening two quarters. 26 SPORT SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019

Australian Open Pakistan recall Alam third round scores

Sydney: Leading third round after gap of 10 years scores at the Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in Syd- AP “The retention of ISLAMABAD ney yesterday (par 71, AUS unless the 14 players also stated, *denotes amateur): reflects the trust and Pakistan has recalled faith we have in 200 - Matt Jones 67-65-68 34-year-old middle-order these players, who 203 - Cameron Tringale (USA) batsman Fawad Alam for the have the ability and first time in 10 years for the Test talent to turn things 69-65-69 series against Sri Lanka. around. 204 - *Takumi Kanaya (JPN) 65- Chief selector and head “The Australia 69-70, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) coach Misbah-ul-Haq said yes- tour was well below 68-66-70, Paul Casey (ENG) 68- terday that the lefthanded our expectations and 65-71 batsman was selected because has affected our of his recent prolific scoring in pride. We prepared 205 - Jamie Arnold 70-71-64, domestic cricket. as best as we possibly Denzel Ieremia (NZL) 69-65-71 The series, which is part of could but just Englishman Paul Casey tees off on day three of the Australian 206 - Marc Leishman 69-67-70, ICC’s World Test Championship, couldn’t convert Open at the Australian Golf Club in Sydney yesterday. Aaron Pike 71-66-69, Brett Rum- starts at Rawalpindi next those preparations ford 69-67-70, Blake Windred Wednesday. into on-field per- Karachi will host the second formances. We are 68-68-70, Shae Wools-Cobb 69- Test from Dec. 19-23. now seeing Australia Jones increases 65-72 Alam last played a Test as a huge learning 207 - Richard Green 72-67-68, match against New Zealand at experience and will David Bransdon 71-66-70, Jason Dunedin in 2009, eight months make all out efforts to Australian Open Scrivener 68-71-68 after a terrorist attack on the Sri overcome the weak- Lanka team bus at Lahore that nesses that have been 208 - Dimitrios Papadatos 67- shut the doors of international identified.” lead to 3 strokes 66-75 cricket on Pakistan. Misbah was given 209 - Daniel Gale 68-72-69, KJ Alam scored a century in his three responsibilities Choi (KOR) 69-71-69, Cory Craw- AP debut Test against Sri Lanka in - chief selector, head ford 71-69-69, Greg Chalmers July 2009 and has scored over Fawad Alam is seen in action during a Quaid- coach and batting SYDNEY 71-68-70, Ryan Chisnall (NZL) 71- 12,222 runs in a 16-year first e-Azam Trophy match in this October file coach -when the class career at a healthy average photo. Alam, 34, has been recalled to the Pakistan Cricket Matt Jones coped best with difficult afternoon conditions yesterday 67-71, Nathan Green 70-69-70, of 56.84. Pakistan Test squad after a gap of 10 years. Board removed head at the Australian Open for a 3-under 68 to take a three-stroke lead Peter Lonard 69-69-71, Rod Alam is one of the two coach Mickey Arthur into the final round. Pampling 69-70-70, Aaron changes Pakistan selectors have he has been part of the Pakistan and batting coach Jones, who led by one stroke after the second round, had a three- Wilkin 71-68-70, Mark Brown made from the 16-man squad cricket team set-up for the past Grant Flower after the World Cup round total of 13-under 200 at The Australian Golf Club. American (NZL) 71-65-73, *Lukas Michel that lost the two-Test matches few years, which is backed up while chief selector Inzamam- Cameron Tringale was in second after a 69. Jones said he had no 68-67-74, *Yu Chun-an (TPE) 65- against Australia. with his fitness, form and ability ul-Haq stepped down. idea what score t would take to win today. 70-74 Alam has replaced Iftikhar to bowl long spells at a good “The perspective is that it’s “It depends on what the conditions are like; just try not to make Ahmed while leftarm fast bowler pace, which was evident during a one-man show,” Misbah said a double and a triple on the front nine like I did last time and make 210 - James Antiss (NZL) 69-71- Usman Shinwari comes in place the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. I am yesterday. “I think there should it a little easier,” he said. 70, Cameron Smith 68-72-70, of young fast bowler Mohammad sure he will make up a good be a clarity on this, there are six Japanese amateur Takumi Kayana and Louis Oosthuizen, who Scott Strange 71-69-70, Christo- Musa. combination with Imran Khan, selectors who closely watch both shot 70, and Paul Casey, who had a 71, were tied for third at pher Wood 71-69-70, *Hayden Chief selector and head Mohammad Abbas, Naseem players in domestic cricket and 9-under, four strokes behind. Hopewell 68-68-74, Stephen Al- coach Misbah said: “I want to Shah and Shaheen Afridi. also do work with the players on Casey fell out of the lead with a double-bogey six on the par-4 lan 70-68-72, Scott Arnold 68- congratulate Fawad Alam on his “Mohammad Musa will not their technique. They know all ninth after hitting into a green-side bunker and with a difficult lie 67-75, Ben Eccles 68-68-74 selection for the Sri Lanka Tests. be part of the squad, but he will the minus and plus of these to exit. 211 - Rick Kulacz 74-66-71, Jar- It is a reward for his continued remain with the side so that he players very well and my prime “Ït was a flat day, I just never really got going, not much to really ryd Felton 71-70-70, Darren Beck hard work, perseverance and can continue to work on his job is the head coach.” say,” Casey said. “When I had opportunities, I didn’t capitalize and dedication to the game. His bowling with Waqar Younis. Pakistan Squad: Azhar Ali there was obviously a couple of errors in there. But how do you get 71-69-71, Matthew Cheung (HKG) selection is not only a lesson to “We have retained 14 of the (captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, around this course without making errors? 74-65-72, Jordan Zunic 70-70- the emerging cricketers but also 16 players who went to Australia. Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Haris Marc Leishman shot 70 and was tied for eighth, six behind Jones, 71, Abraham Ancer (MEX) 72-66- a testament of the selectors’ This indicates our consistency Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran the 2015 Australian Open winner. 73, *Louis Dobbelaar 72-67-72, policy of valuing domestic and continuity as we believe in Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad “Tough greens, you really fought your way around today,” Ryan Fox (NZL) 71-68-72, Michael cricket and rewarding consistent first picking the best available Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Leishman said. “It was a tricky wind and I didn’t get off to the best Hendry (NZL) 70-69-72, Deyen performers.” players and then providing them Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, start, a couple over through 10 but fought pretty hard, made a couple Lawson 72-65-74, Wade Ormsby He added: “Usman Shinwari sufficient opportunities to justify Shan Masood, Yasir Shah, Usman of putts there on the back nine. I think the course is getting firmer 68-69-74 has been drafted into the side as their talent. Shinwari. and tougher, especially if the wind stays like this.”

Embattled CSA appoint Faul Kohli would rather Woodland grabs the lead as action CEO finish than entertain at Hero World Challenge REUTERS AP NASSAU REUTERS/NEW DELHI JOHANNESBURG BAHAMAS India’s captain Virat Kohli says his priority is to help India win Cricket South Africa (CSA) have matches than just play ‘slam-bang cricket’ for the sake of enter- Two big birdies from Gary appointed administrator taining the crowd in the Twenty20 game. Woodland gave him the lead in Jacques Faul as acting chief Kohli produced a batting masterclass in Friday’s Twenty20 the Hero World Challenge. A executive and hope to conclude match against West Indies, smashing a career-best 94 not out closing birdie on a hole that has negotiations with former Test to help India chase a 200-plus target with eight balls to spare. vexed Tiger Woods put him in captain Graeme Smith to take The elegant right-hander, who clobbered six sixes, went run- range of a third victory this year. over as director of cricket next a-ball in his first 20 deliveries before exploding to plunder 74 Patrick Reed fully expected to week, the governing body said off the last 30. be right there until watching video on Saturday. “I’m not someone who comes to the stadium wanting to of his club moving sand away The CSA decided to appoint entertain people hitting the ball in the air. I want to get the job from his golf ball in a waste area, Faul at a special board meeting done,” Kohli told broadcaster Star Sports after India won the leading to a two-shot penalty in a yesterday after a chaotic week series opener in Hyderabad by six wickets. round that didn’t go all that well in which they suspended CEO “Within that, if I get an opportunity to hit sixes, I will. But the in the first place. Thabang Moroe over gov- aim is not to play slam-bang cricket. The end of an entertaining ernance concerns, had three “I think my role in this team is to bat long. Myself or Rohit round Friday in this holiday event board members resign and lost (Sharma), one of the guys has to play till the end because our in the tropics set up what figures key sponsor Standard Bank, strength is usually striking in the later half of the innings, and to be a lively conclusion. Wood- Gary Woodland of the US lines up a putt on the third hole during who will not renew their con- our strike rate goes up.” land’s final two birdies gave him the third round of the Hero World Challenge in Nassau, Bahamas. tract when it ends in April 2020. Kohli relies more on his timing than muscle power to hit a 4-under 68 and a one-shot lead “Jacques Faul did not hes- those sixes and the 31-year-old sees no reason to try and overhaul over Henrik Stenson. about where I’m at itate for a moment when I his technique. Six players were separated by World Challenge scores and I look forward to asked him to be acting CEO,” “The basic funda is that I don’t want to change my game too three shots. That includes Woods, tomorrow.” CSA president Chris Nenzani much because I play all three formats and I want to contribute who hasn’t won his event since it 203 - Gary Woodland 66-69-68 The next two told a news conference. in all three formats. I don’t want to be a format was in California in 2011. With one 204 - Henrik Stenson (SWE) 69-67-68 weeks cap off a mem- “He has been acting CEO in specialist. eye on being a playing captain at 205 - Tiger Woods 72-66-67, Justin Thomas 69-69- orable year for the past and said he would “It’s about contributing to your team and the Presidents Cup next week in 67, Jon Rahm (ESP) 70-66-69 Woodland, who won come in to lend his support and making the team win.” Australia, Woods focused on 206 - Patrick Reed 66-66-74 his first major at put his shoulder to the wheel Kohli’s knock was an innings of two halves birdies instead of potential 210 - Chez Reavie 68-73-69, Rickie Fowler 69-69-72, Pebble Beach in the for (the) country.” with the right-hander trying to hit too hard ini- pairings at Royal Melbourne and Justin Rose (ENG) 69-70-71 US Open, and then his tially before rediscovering the sublime timing was two shots off the lead. 211 - Matt Kuchar 71-70-70, Kevin Kisner 71-70-70 wife had twins. England squad for which makes him the top ranked batsman both The final round is today, so the 212 - Webb Simpson 73-68-71 This is the first in tests and one-dayers. American team - 11 are in the tour- 213 - Xander Schauffele 73-70-70 time traveling with Test series in SA “I thought I’m not a guy who slogs the ball. nament, Dustin Johnson is coming 214 - Jordan Spieth 75-70-69 the entire family - Joe Root (captain), James Anderson, I’m more of a timer, so I’m going to to the Bahamas to join them on three kids under 2 - 216 - Tony Finau 79-68-69, Bubba Watson 72-73-71 Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart rely on my timing. And the charter - can get an early start and they couldn’t fit Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak then the pitch was good across the globe. all the car seats and Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack enough for me to go “I just have to focus on going the par-5 15th, and then finished strollers on the plane. Leach, Matt Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dom through the line of the out there and making birdies,” in style. First, he holed a 30-foot It was a forgettable day for Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark ball and just play my shots.” Woods said. “And then I have 23 putt on the par-3 17th. Then, with Reed in so many ways. Wood hours on a plane to recover.” the wind at his back, he hit wedge Staked to a three-shot lead, he ** The 4-match series will be Eng- Woodland makes his Presi- to 3 feet for another birdie. didn’t make a birdie until the 14th dents Cup debut next week, and On Thursday, he ended his hole, a short par 4 that can be land’s first away in the World Test he appears to be in good form. He round with three straight birdies. reached off the tee. He added two Championship. dropped only one shot, gave “It was a nice finish, same as more down the stretch, only to lose another way by failing to birdie yesterday,” he said. “So excited two strokes in the scoring room. SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019 SPORT 27

Match officials attend seminar in Qatar ahead of FIFA Club World Cup

Hani Balan, Chairman of the Qatar Referees Committee and Vice-Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee and Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees’ Commission during the FIFA Referee Seminar in Qatar. RIGHT: Balan and Massimo Busacca (centre), Head of Refereeing Development with FIFA during the Seminar, which will end on December 10. Qatar will host the FIFA Club World Cup which kicks off from December 11. BOTTOM: Referees attending the Seminar in Doha.

Serie A: Inter held Liverpool go 11 points clear by Roma leaving Juve to eye top spot as Tottenham run riot AFP MILAN AFP LONDON Inter Milan were held to a goalless draw by Roma at the San Siro on Friday, leaving the way open for Rampant Liverpool beat Bourne- Italian champions Juventus to reclaim top spot in mouth 3-0 to lock down the Serie A this weekend. Christmas number one spot ahead Antonio Conte’s side have a two-point as Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham blitzed advantage on Juventus who play Lazio at the Stadio Bournemouth goalkeeper Burnley 5-0 to climb to fifth in table. Olimpico on Saturday. Aaron Ramsdale dives as a Interim boss Duncan Ferguson The match in the San Siro had been over- free kick goes wide of the lifted Everton’s spirits, condemning shadowed by a racism storm after Italian sports post during the English Chelsea to their third Premier League daily Corriere dello Sport’s controversial “Black defeat in four matches while bottom Premier League match against Friday” headline. club Watford battled to a goalless Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium The front-page headline accompanied an article draw against Crystal Palace. in Bournemouth, southern about the first Serie A meeting between former Liverpool took advantage of England, yesterday. Manchester United teammates Romelu Lukaku and playing before their closest rivals to Chris Smalling. widen the gulf at the top of the table On the pitch, defender Smalling and Gianluca to 11 points, meaning they cannot be Mancini stifled Inter’s prolific strike duo Lukaku caught by December 25. and Lautaro Martinez, who between them have Jurgen Klopp, mindful of a fixture scored 18 of their team’s goals in 15 league games pile-up for his side, made seven this season. changes from the 5-2 midweek Conte’s side proved toothless in attack against victory against Everton, with Sadio a well-organised Roma, failing to find the net for Mane dropping to the bench and the first time this season, days before their Cham- Alisson Becker back in goal following pions League clash against Barcelona. suspension. “The great merit of Roma is having stopped Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Lautaro-Lukaku,” said coach Paulo Fonseca. opened the scoring for the European poking home Jordan Henderson’s goalmouth scramble. Son Heung-min under-21 international Dominic “Inter’s main chances came from our mistakes, champions in the 35th minute after long ball, moments after Bourne- added a third with a brilliant solo Calvert-Lewin. but we always played the ball with courage and mouth defender Nathan Ake left the effort shortly after the half-hour, Mateo Kovacic scored his first that’s what I want for the team. English Premier League pitch injured. running from deep in his own half Premier League goal to pull the score “We did well defensively. Smalling and Mancini English Premier League Results yesterday: Liverpool made it 2-0 just before before slotting past goalkeeper Nick back to 2-1 but the Toffees wrapped had a good game like the whole team, it’s certainly Bournemouth 0 Liverpool 3 (Oxlade-Chamberlain the break when Naby Keita played Pope. up victory six minutes from time, not easy against Inter.” 35, Keita 44, Salah 54) a fine one-two with Mohamed Salah Kane made it 4-0 in the 54th Calvert-Lewin latching on to a loose Lukaku, Marcelo Brozovic and Matias Vecino Everton 3 (Richarlison 5, Calvert-Lewin 49, and finished from close range, with minute with his second goal of the ball in the box to finish underneath all missed chances for the hosts as Roma snatched 84) Chelsea 1 (Kovacic 52) Keita turning provider for Salah in game and turned provider for Kepa Arrizabalaga. a precious point to move fourth and into the Cham- Tottenham 5 (Kane 4, 54, Moura 9, Son 32, the 54th minute. Moussa Sissoko to score Spurs’ fifth. Former Everton player Ferguson, pions League places. Sissoko 74) Burnley 0 Spurs lost their first match under Spurs are still six points behind who celebrated the goals wildly, Inter were lacking in midfield with Stefano Watford 0 Crystal Palace 0 new boss Mourinho at Old Trafford fourth-placed Chelsea but will fancy refused to talk up his chances of Sensi, Nicolo Barella and Roberto Gagliardini all Playing Today (1400 GMT unless stated) in midweek but flew out of the blocks their chances of closing the gap on getting the job full-time despite the out with Roma missing goalkeeper Pau Lopez while at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium their London rivals, who are stum- win, telling BT Sport: “I’m here for Edin Dzeko started on the bench after flu, but came Aston Villa vs Leicester, Newcastle vs yesterday. bling after a six-game winning run Everton. I’m here for as long as they on for the final 25 minutes. Southampton, Norwich vs Sheffield United, Harry Kane put them ahead with earlier in the season. want me here. Midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo took Dzeko’s place Brighton vs Wolves (1630) his 14th goal of the season in the Everton made it a miserable day “I’m sure they’re out there up front with Roma dominating the first half hour, On Monday fourth minute and Spurs doubled for Frank Lampard thanks to an early looking for other candidates, and although Inter had the best chances with Antonio West Ham vs Arsenal their lead when Lucas Moura tapped strike from forward Richar- rightly so. We want the best guys in Mirante denying Lukaku after a blundering Jordan home at the far post following a lison and two goals from England the world managing our football club. Veretout back-pass.

La Liga Benzema delivers again as Real cruise to win Spanish La Liga results yesterday: AFP the city. Victory means Zinedine Benzema display will at least be the Clasico will spend the on the left. Vinicius’ last start Real Madrid 2 (Varane 37, Benzema MADRID Zidane’s side move to the top of of some consolation, after he Christmas break first in the table, came in the defeat to Mallorca 79) Espanyol 0 the table, for a few hours at least, teed up Raphael Varane before with the top two pulling away on October 19 and the 19-year- Granada 3 (Fernandez Luna 48, Real Madrid were without Eden before Barcelona play later at scoring his 15th goal this term to from the likes of Atletico Madrid, old, who has been out of favour Soldado 58-pen, Herrera 77) Alaves 0 Hazard and Gareth Bale home to Real Mallorca. Espanyol, put Espanyol out of sight. who drew away at Villarreal. under Zidane, impressed with Today’s Matches yesterday but Karim Benzema who have not won in six league “We’re talking about Karim Sevilla, in third, are four a daring and dynamic Eibar vs Getafe (1100), Real Betis vs stepped up again to ensure they games, stay 19th. a lot recently, in a good way,” points behind Zidane’s side performance. Athletic Bilbao (1300), Real Valladolid beat struggling Espanyol in La An ankle injury is likely to said Zidane. before they travel to Osasuna Vinicius may now be given vs Real Sociedad (1500), Leganes Liga. rule Hazard out of the season’s “None of us are perfect. But today. another outing against Club vs Celta Vigo (1730), Osasuna vs Benzema scored one and set first Clasico on December 18 he’s asked to chase and he does The absence of Hazard and Brugge in the Champions League Sevilla (2000) up another in a 2-0 win at the San- while Bale has a thigh problem it. He’s asked to score and he Bale meant Rodrygo came in on Wednesday, when Madrid are Played on Friday tiago Bernabeu, where Real wore and is also a concern ahead of does it. I can’t ask for more, only on the right of the front three likely to rest key players given Villarreal 0 Atletico Madrid 0 an all-green kit to show support that crunch game at Camp Nou. that he keeps doing it.” Increas- while Vinicius Junior was given their qualification as runners-up for this week’s Climate Summit in But another excellent ingly it looks like the winner of a rare chance to stake a claim is already guaranteed. SPORT PAGE | 25 PAGE | 26 Davis, James power Indian captain Los Angeles Lakers Kohli would in rout of Trail rather finish than Blazers entertain

Sunday 8 December 2019 Khalifa Stadium to host FIFA Club World Cup final

QNA operational at present and has In addition to the DOHA hosted large crowds during the double-header on ongoing Arabian Gulf Cup. It is December 17 - the Khalifa International Stadium also just a short walk from the fifth-place play-off and will host three additional nearest Doha Metro station, the semi-final involving matches during the FIFA Club making it easy for fans to get to CONMEBOL Libertadores World Cup 2019 after the official and from the venue. opening of Construction at Education winners CR Flamengo Stadium was postponed until City Stadium is complete and the - Khalifa International early 2020. venue is now operational. Stadium will also host In addition to the double- However, the necessary certifi- the second semi-final, header of games on December cation process took longer than involving UEFA Champions 17, the fifth-place play-off and expected and therefore the League winners Liverpool the semi-final involving CON- stadium was unable to host the MEBOL Libertadores winners CR required test events prior to the FC, on December 18, Flamengo, Khalifa International semi-final and final of the FIFA along with the final and Stadium will also host the second Club World Cup at full capacity. third-place play-off on semi-final, involving UEFA The priority is to ensure an December 21. Champions League winners Liv- enjoyable experience for all fans erpool FC, on December 18, so it was decided to open the along with the final and third- stadium at a later date. remain as previously indicated place play-off on December 21. In 2020, the stunning venue, in the match schedule. Khalifa International which is scheduled to host In due course, all successful A view of Khalifa International Stadium. Stadium has a capacity of 45,416 matches up to and including the ticket applicants will receive a and reopened in May 2017 fol- quarter-finals of the FIFA World dedicated email with further lowing a successful redevel- Cup will become the third tour- information, including details of opment to prepare it for the FIFA nament-ready venue ahead of applied for tickets to match 6 impacted all their tickets will be seats will be allocated within the how and when to download the World Cup Qatar 2022 . 2022. and the double-header of automatically issued to Khalifa same price category. The date tickets from their account on The stadium is fully Fans, who successfully matches 7 and 8 will not be International Stadium, and their and time of those matches will FIFA.com/tickets. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain eye Gulf Cup glory

FAWAD HUSSAIN Saudi Arabia’s coach Herve Renard Bahrain coach’s Helio Sousa THE PENINSULA Saudi Arabia’s coach Herve Renard Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will be aiming to go all-out to have their hands on the coveted Gulf Cup Bahrain is a strong team and showed a good trophy as they clash in the final level. We must focus and fight until the last of the eight-team event at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium minute to achieve this goal (of winning the today. title) that will please all Saudi people. The title-match will kick off at 7pm. Both the teams, who were placed in Group B in the prelim- inaryinary ststage,age, reached the final Bahrain’s coach Helio Sousa afterafter hard-hard- foughtfought We hope to win the match within the 90 minutes without going again for the additional time where it will be difficult, but in the end we are ready for any scenario.

victoriesvictorie in the semi-finals occasions. Saudi Arabia, who also Saudi Arabia are boosted by matches at any time, as what presented in this tournament,” he onon TThursday.hur defeated Bahrain 2-0 in group eight players from Al Hilal – the happened against Kuwait and added. BahrBahrain - coached by stage last week, continued to play AFC Champions League winners Iraq,” Sousa said. Prior to the semi-final against PortuguesePortugue Helio Sousa with different strategies during – and for coach Renard, the “This is football. Pressure Iraq, Bahrain’s football associ- underunder wwhomho ‘The Reds’ won the tournament. In matches fol- group remains the key for his should be present because you ation flew in two planeloads of theirtheir mamaidenide WAFF Champi- lowing their 1-3 loss to Kuwait in side. are required to accomplish a task Bahraini fans to Doha and Sousa onshiponship titletitle last August – the opener, they were offensive “Saudi Arabia remains a from every match, and such pres- said the presence of support will toppledtoppled GroupGrou A winners Iraq against Oman and Bahrain while strong team in any tournament, sures are good for the players. I be good for his side. 5-35-3 in a penaltypenalty shootout after an in the Qatar semi-final they and their (eight players) presence am satisfied with all the technical “We will have our fans. This epicepic battlebattle in the first focused on defending. in the final is the evidence for and professional work that we motivates us,” he said. semi-final.semi-final. “We deal with each match that,” Renard said while warning FrenchmanFrenchma Herve Renard’s with a special strategy and also his players to remain focused ‘Green‘Green Falcons’Falco displayed a look at the shortcomings of the against ‘The Reds’. stubbornstubborn defdefensiveen performance opponents. We are very happy to “Bahrain is a strong team and to kkeepeep AsianAsian champions Qatar reach the final after a good showed a good level. We must silentsilent after a first half goal by victory in the semi-final,” Renard focus and fight until the last 20-year-old20-year-old strikerst Abdullah Al said at the pre-final press con- minute to achieve this goal (of HHamdanamdan fforor a 1-0 victory in the ference yesterday. winning the title) that will please secosecondnd semi-final.semi-f “I think that we deserved to all Saudi people,” he added. WhileWhile SaudiSa Arabia are be present in this big final. This Bahrain coach Sousa, who in gunninggunning for thetheir fourth regional was our goal from the beginning, his first press conference in Qatar title,title, BaBahrainhrain aare hoping to con- not only to participate, so we said his team will fight to win tinuetinue ttheirheir winningw form and must be ready for it,” the maiden Gulf Cup title, was con- clinch the mmaidenai Gulf Cup title Frenchman added. fident yesterday ahead of the today.today. tough final. CoacCoachh RRenard’sen Saudi Arabia Mabkhout top scorer “We hope to win the match willw enterenter the Al Duhail’s within the 90 minutes without stadstadiumium turturf with a better going again for the additional recordrecord againstaga their neigh- time where it will be difficult, but bours.bours. IInn all,a both the teams 44 in the end we are ready for any have squaredsqu off 18 times Is the number of total goals scenario,” the Portuguese coach inin tthehe regionalreg tournament scored at the 24th Arabian said on the eve of the final. withwith theth Saudis winning Gulf Cup, prior to the final. “It is important to start ini 1010 matches, and of the UAE is so scoring in this match and it would BahrainBahra victorious four far the top scorer in the be special if we are able to score times.timet s Both the teams early. We will try to attack as we tournament with five goals. The Saudi national team will wear the full white, while the Bahraini ssharedhare points on four did in previous games, and we are team will sport their usual red colour. a team capable of returning in