BUSINESS | 15 SPORT | 19 Qatar-US Australia's working to Border defends boost economic Kohli after cooperation criticism

Friday 21 December 2018 | 14 Rabia II 1440 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 23 | Number 7747 | 2 Riyals

Traffic Directorate, HMC sign PM meets US Chamber of Commerce official pact to reduce accident injuries

QNA/ THE PENINSULA The MoU aims to promote communication and DOHA cooperation between both sides on awareness The General Directorate of about traffic safety in the community, to Traffic, represented by the extend information on risks to those involved Traffic Awareness Department, in awareness programs, the prevention of signed with Hamad Medical injuries caused by traffic accidents and to Corporation’s (HMC) Hamad Trauma Center a memorandum spread up-to-date and accurate traffic safety of understanding (MoU) on information in cooperation with the media. scientific partnership and coop- eration and the prevention of road traffic injuries. injuries caused by traffic acci- Data. It also provides for the The MoU was signed by dents with various State entities. standardization of scientific ter- Director of Traffic Awareness Qatar leads the Gulf region minology in the field of statistics Department at the General in traffic safety. The roads in and awareness between the two Directorate of Traffic Lt Col. Qatar have become much safer sides, in addition to the Mohammad Radhi Al Hajri and over the past decade due the exchange of information on the Head of Hamad Trauma Center, efforts taken by concerned evaluation of activities and Dr Sheikh Hassan Al Thani. authorities. The road accident events, measuring the impact of The MoU aims to promote mortality rate has fallen from 14 awareness before and after Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met yesterday communication and cooper- deaths per 100,000 people in implementation, as well as with Senior Vice-President for Middle East and Turkey Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce, ation between both sides on 2013 to 5.4 deaths per 100,000 organising joint lectures in the Khush Choksy, who is currently vising the country. They discussed enhancing cooperation between awareness about traffic safety people in 2017. field of diseases that hinder the two countries in various fields, especially in economy and investments. in the community and the most This rate is well below the driving and methods of vulnerable groups in the global average of 17.4 deaths per prevention. country. In addition, the MoU 100,000 people and in high- The cooperation also covers aims to extend information on income countries of 9.2 per conducting research and issuing risks to those involved in 100,000 people, despite the joint publications to improve awareness programs, the pre- high number of vehicles and existing practices with respect to vention of injuries caused by drivers in the country. traffic safety in the State, First edition of National Day Trade traffic accidents and to spread The MoU also provides for according to the requirements of up-to-date and accurate traffic the exchange of information and the research ethics rules issued safety information in cooper- data in the areas of concern of by the Institutional Review Board, ation with the media. The MoU the Hamad Center for Accident medical research centers and Festival achieves great success also aims to exchange best prac- Injuries and Traffic Awareness HMC. The MoU also aims to tices on traffic safety in Qatar in Department, in accordance with extend invitations to employees THE PENINSULA companies and organisations The festival has stimulated trade the fields of monitoring, data- the policy of access and use of to hold talks and exchange views DOHA that participated in the festival across local markets, con- bases, prevention, and handling the National Accident Injury and expertise. `P3 included all trade and service tributed to the country’s The Ministry of Commerce and sectors such as shopping malls, economy, enhanced internal Industry, in cooperation with the restaurants, retail outlets, beauty and external tourism, and National Tourism Council, salons, hospitality service pro- created an environment con- concluded the first edition of the viders, hotels, sport clubs, health ducive to the growth of the trade National Day Trade Festival and beauty centers and insti- sector. QCB raises deposit interest rate to 2.50% yesterday which was organised tutes, and entertainment This initiative aligns with the as part of Qatar’s National Day centers. Ministry’s efforts to organise QNA decision, announced on Wednesday, raising the celebrations. The front windows of par- yearly events that reflect pride DOHA key interest rate for the fourth time this year by The first edition of the fes- ticipating outlets and companies in Qatar’s National Day cele- 25 basis points. tival was a great success, with bore the National Day Trade brations, and which strengthen Qatar Central Bank (QCB) announced yesterday The Qatari riyal is pegged to the US dollar at significant participation from 14 Festival logo label which was the values of loyalty and pride a 25 basis points increase on the QCB Deposit a fixed exchange rate since 1980. malls and over 600 outlets and designed specifically for this in belonging to the country and Rate (QCBDR). The latest quarter-point increase Despite expectations that the US Federal companies, through the launch event and distributed to partic- its wise leadership. The Min- brings the federal funds rate to a new range of Reserve will increase interest rates three more of huge and unprecedented dis- ipants free of charge. istry also sought to bolster 2.25 to 2.50 percent. times next year and one increase in 2020, fiscal counts in the retail, hospitality, Through the festival, the trade activity across all The central bank said in a statement that the policymakers have indicated during their last leisure, and education sectors Ministry of Commerce and markets by offering retail decision to raise the Deposit Rate of the bank was meeting in Washington that they are willing to in addition to clinics, medical Industry and the National outlets the opportunity to offer based on local and international economic data. give up the planned interest rate increase in 2019, centers, beauty centers, and Tourism Council achieved their outstanding promotions, thus QCB’s decision to raise QCBDR comes in line amid growing concerns about an economic service companies among other objective of supporting the enabling citizens and residents with the US Federal Reserve’s (US central bank) slowdown and rising market volatility. institutions. private sector and boosting to benefit from discounts The private sector demand across the retail sector. during this period.

Time for others to Qatar Airways Da Nang flights to boost tourism in Vietnam fight in Syria: Trump THE PENINSULA thrilled to launch our new four- goal is to welcome eight million DOHA times weekly flights to Da tourists to Da Nang in 2020. QNA Nang, our third destination in “The introduction of direct WASHINGTON Qatar Airways is committed Vietnam. Our existing services air services from Doha to Da to bring more travellers to to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi Nang would undoubtedly help US President Donald Trump said it Vietnam, said Akbar Al Baker, are incredibly popular, so we us reach this goal. The is “time for others to finally fight” in Group Chief Executive, Qatar realised the need for further enhanced direct connectivity Syria as he defended his decision to Airways. expansion in Vietnam. Da Nang between Da Nang and Western pull US troops from the country. To celebrate the launch of has experienced a significant Europe for instance would be “Does the USA want to be the Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight boost in development the last beneficial in ramping up tourist Policeman of the Middle East, getting to Da Nang, Vietnam, Al Baker decade and is quickly becoming arrivals from these promising NOTHING but spending precious hosted a press conference an in-demand tourist desti- markets, and we look forward lives and trillions of dollars pro- yesterday at the InterContinental nation. This new gateway will to working closely with Qatar tecting others who, in almost all Hotel Da Nang, in which he high- offer our Vietnamese pas- Airways to fulfil our ambitious cases, do not appreciate what we are lighted the award-winning sengers more convenience and tourism growth plans.” doing” the president asks on Twitter. airline’s robust expansion plans, connectivity to an extensive Qatar Airways began direct “Do we want to be there forever as well as its commitment to choice of destinations on our services to Ho Chi Minh City in Time for others to finally fight...” he Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker (centre), bringing more travellers to global network, as they transit 2007, and launched its Hanoi writes. addressing the press conference at at the InterContinental Hotel Vietnam and to connecting Da through our award-winning service in 2010. Trump tweets it is the responsi- Nang to its extensive global hub in Doha, Hamad Interna- in Da Nang, Vietnam. The airline currently pro- bility of “Russia, Iran, Syria and network via the award-winning tional Airport.” vides twice-daily direct flights others” to battle the Islamic State Hamad International Airport Deputy Director of Danang “Tourism numbers to Da Nang unique landscape of coast, to Vietnam’s capital city and 10 extremist group. “We were doing (HIA) in Doha. Department of Tourism, have steadily increased over rivers and mountains and times weekly flights to Ho Chi there sic work. Time to come home Al Baker said: “We are Nguyen Xuan Binh commented: the years thanks to Da Nang’s varied tourist attractions. Our Minh City.`P3 & rebuild,” he said.`P6 02 HOME FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018 Minister of Education describes Darb Al Saai as national school

QNA DOHA

Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi has affirmed that Darb Al Saai is a national school for all of the activ- ities and programmes that promote the patriotic spirit and raise the values of patriotism, and love for home land in the youth and young generation and a culture of work and productivity. The Minister of Education and Higher Education expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Organizing Committee for the National Day celebrations and the activities of Darb Al Saai Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi (right) and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher and all the volunteers for their Education, Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, toured the pavilions. efforts in order to achieve this ideal event interacted by all. During the visit, the Minister the efforts exerted in educating the For his part, the Undersec- that the celebration of the national events and the prepa- prepare themselves for a dif- toured the pavilion of the Ministry students in particular and the retary of the Ministry of Edu- National Day reflects joy, love ration of children, in line with the ferent era and acquire new skills of Education and Higher Edu- public in general about their pro- cation and Higher Education, Dr and belonging. He said that the vision of Qatar 2030. He called and competencies for the 21st cation in the Doha tent and praised grammes and activities. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Nuaimi, said ministry is keen to take part in on students to do more to century. Qatar’s embassies, consulates celebrate National Day with fervour

Father Amir H H Skracic, Former president of by Suleiman Dedefo, represent- Sheikh Hamad bin Croatia Stjepan Mesic and lineup ative of the Ethiopian Foreign Khalifa Al Thani laid of senior officials in addition to Minister as the guest of honour, parliament members, and in addition to a number of the foundations of the political, cultural, intellectual and ambassadors accredited to modern State of Qatar scientific figures, members of the Ethiopia. and the march was diplomatic corps accredited to In Djibouti, Acting Charge the Republic of Croatia, repre- d’Affaires of the Embassy of the completed by Amir sentatives of the Governor of State of Qatar to the Republic of H H Sheikh Tamim Zagreb and some city and pro- Djibouti, Rashid bin Salem Al vincial governors. Buainain held a reception on the bin Hamad Al Thani, In a speech, the Ambassador occasion of Qatar National Day. who has distanced praised the well-established and The function was attended our country from the distinguished level of relations by Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign between the State of Qatar and Affairs and International Coop- dangers, which were the Republic of Croatia and the eration Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, and still are close to potential opportunities for its Djibouti’s National Assembly it, and led the ship to development and promotion. Speaker Mohamed Ali Houmed, In Pretoria, Ambassador of Minister of Health Djama Elmi safety. the State of Qatar to South Africa, Okieh, Minister of Habitat, Urban Abdullah bin Hussein Al Jaber, Planning and Environment held a reception on the occasion Moussa Mohamed Ahmed and a QNA of Qatar National Day. number of Senior officials in DOHA The ceremony was attended addition to a lineup of ambas- by South Africa’s Minister of sadors, diplomats and represent- Qatar’s embassies and consulates Basic Education Angelina Mot- atives of regional and interna- abroad celebrated Qatar National shekga and a number of foreign tional organizations accredited The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sultan bin Ali Al Khater, at the Day with full fervour. In Beirut, ministry officials in addition to to Djibouti. reception held on the occasion of Qatar National Day, in Sarajevo. the Ambassador of the State of a number of Ambassadors In Sarajevo, Ambassador of Qatar to the Republic of Lebanon the State of Qatar to Bosnia and Mohamed Hassan Jaber Al Jaber, policy of dialogue, and hon- Herzegovina Sultan bin Ali Al held a reception on the occasion ouring undertakings under any Khater, held a reception on the of the National Day. circumstances, focusing on our occasion of the National Day of The ceremony was attended consistent position on the central the State. The ceremony was by Cesar A Khalil, Minister of issue, the Palestine question and attended by Speaker House of Energy and Water in the Leb- became a dialogue and peace, Peoples of Bosnia and Herze- anese Caretaker Government peace and revival, and the govina Safet Softic, Minister of representing the Lebanese Pres- address of convergence and civ- Defence Marina Pendes, Vice ident Michel Aoun, MP Ali Bazzi ilisation and dialogue of President of Bosnian Serb representing the State of Par- religions. Republic (Republika Srpska) liament Speaker Nabih Berri, He also praised Qatar’s Ramiz Salkic and a number of Jamal Al Jarrah, Minister of Com- presence in the region during the parliament members, ambas- munications of the Lebanese reign of His Highness , where sadors and diplomats. Caretaker Government, repre- Doha has become a city of dia- In a speech, the ambassador senting the Prime Minister-des- logue peace and revival, and the stressed that Qatar’s foreign ignate Saad Al Hariri, as well as address of convergence and civ- policy is based on the founda- a number of current and former ilisation and dialogue of tions of peace, security, stability, ministers and deputies, ambas- religions. cooperation and friendship sadors of Arab and foreign coun- The Ambassador stressed among peoples. He pointed out tries accredited to Lebanon, in that the policy of the State of that as a result of the active and addition to a host of political, Qatar is based on clear principles influential role of Qatar, it was cultural, artistic, media, press based on peace, stability, security unfortunately subjected to a con- and Lebanese party, religious and security, cooperation and spiracy by the siege countries and military personalities. friendship, peaceful resolution who tried to undermine its In his speech, the Ambas- of disputes and dialogue, praising security, stability and national sador reiterated the adherence Qatar’s diplomacy and its sovereignty. He added that from to the pillars of the State, which effective and successful role in the beginning of the crisis, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed settling disputes regionally and Qatar’s response was very clear, bin Thani, established on this internationally. The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Lebanon, Mohamed Hassan Jaber Al Jaber, suggesting unconditional dia- day in 1878, and preserved its “The land, air and sea with other dignitaries at the reception held on the occasion of Qatar National Day, in Beirut. logue to end the crisis. sovereignty. Father Amir H H blockade imposed on us unjustly The Ambassador lauded the Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al and without reason constitutes between the State of Qatar and President of the Republic in accredited to South Africa. relations between the State of Thani laid the foundations of the a flagrant violation of interna- the Lebanese Republic in all eco- addition to members of the In Dar es Salaam, Ambas- Qatar and Bosnia and Herze- modern State of Qatar and the tional law and a violation of the nomic, social, educational, cul- Supreme Council for Islamic sador of the State of Qatar to the govina, describing them as strong march was completed by Amir Charter of the United Nations, tural, scientific, sports and health Affairs, a number of deputies, United Republic of Tanzania relations. H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad the Gulf Cooperation Council fields. representatives of national and Abdullah bin Jassim Al Maadadi, In Bandar Sri Bakawan, Al Thani, who has distanced our system and the Charter of the In N’Djamena, the Acting international organizations and held a reception on the occasion Acting Charge d’Affaires at the country from the dangers, which League of Arab States,” he said, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy heads of diplomatic missions and of the National Day of the State. Embassy of the State of Qatar to were and still are close to it, and pointing out that the blockade of the State of Qatar to the international organizations. The ceremony was attended the Sultanate of Brunei Darus- led the ship to safety. did not prevent us from Republic of Chad, Hamad bin In Zagreb, Ambassador of by Tanzania’s Minister of Infor- salam Abdullah Majed Al Jassim He praised the Qatari upgrading the economy. Based Masoud Al Otaibi, held a Qatar to Croatia Nasser bin mation, Culture, Arts and Sports held a reception on the occasion diplomacy, guided by the direc- on solid foundations, and reception on the occasion of Hamad Al Khalifa held a Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe and a of the National Day of the State. tives of H H the Amir, playing an achieving successive success Qatar National Day. reception on the occasion of the lineup of government officials The ceremony was attended active role in international locally and globally, thanks to its The ceremony was attended National Day of the State. and accredited ambassadors. by Brunei’s Minister of Religious forums to defend our right and strength, and diversity, the by Nazir Androji, official of the The function was attended In Addis Ababa, the Embassy affairs Badaruddin bin Othman, view, clarify Qatar’s position on Ambassador noted. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rep- by Deputy Speaker of the of the State of Qatar to the Dem- representing the government of the siege, and reaffirm our The Ambassador highlighted resenting the Chadian gov- Croatian Parliament Zeljko ocratic Federal Republic of Brunei, and a number of gov- steadfast stance on combating the development and opening up ernment, Gedi Saleh, security Reiner, Croatian President’s Ethiopia held a reception on the ernment officials ambassadors, terrorism and its financing and of cultural, educational, intel- advisor to the President of the Adviser for Foreign Affairs Dario occasion of the National Day of and diplomats accredited to the rejecting to comply with any lectual, and sports in spite of the Republic and Dr. Hussein Masar, Mihelin, Assistant Foreign Min- the State. Sultanate of Brunei conditions, highlighting our siege, praising bilateral relations Education Advisor to the ister for Political Affairs Vice The reception was attended Darussalam. FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018 HOME 03 Malaysia looking forward to broaden ties with Qatar QNA Both countries are between the two chaired by the two countries’ Foreign Minister said “We have DOHA committed to further countries and Foreign Ministries and its first and will continue to encourage means of meeting is expected to be held Malaysian companies to venture Malaysia’s Foreign Minister strengthen and boosting them in as early as next year. into Qatar, including by partici- Saifuddin Abdullah (pictured) broaden cooperation various fields in On his assessment of the pating in various Qatari devel- congratulated the leadership, order to reach a business and trade exchange opment projects that are related government and people of the in all areas, wider horizons. between the State of Qatar and to FIFA World Cup 2022 and also State of Qatar on the occasion of particularly in trade They also Malaysia, HE said that the total Qatar Vision 2030. Aside from the National Day, which falls on and investment exchanged views trade between the two countries construction, infrastructure and December 18 each year, looking on a number of has increased by two-fold in 10 building projects, they could also forward to continue working to and the next step regional and years, from $320m in 2007 to find opportunities in the supply broaden the existing cooperation is for the relevant international $670m in 2017, stressing that the of products and services. The between the State of Qatar and agencies of both issues, including current warm and close bilateral Qatari Government has made it the Kingdom of Malaysia. the Yemeni and relations that exist between the clear that they welcome the par- In an exclusive statement to countries to take the Syrian crises. two countries at the political ticipation of our companies.” Qatar News Agency (QNA), the necessary follow-up The meeting level provide a strong foundation In regard of to what extent Malaysian Foreign Minister said actions to all the also discussed for a more active and meaningful does Malaysia policy agree with that Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Malaysia’s efforts economic cooperation in the the State of Qatar in dealing with Hamad Al Thani’s visit to outcomes of the to assist future. international issues especially Malaysia presented a perfect discussions between Rohingya’s ref- The momentum will con- the Palestinian issue and the avenue for H H the Amir and the our leaders. ugees, where the tinue as Malaysia is expected to Rohingya, the Foreign Minister Prime Minister of Malaysia to two sides agreed host the second Joint Trade Com- said that the Muslim countries discuss and exchange views on construction, banking and to intensify humanitarian efforts mittee in Kuala Lumpur in 2019, should play a more proactive a broad range of issues including conjunction with the Third finance, higher education, tech- and charity to help the refugees he said. role in addressing humanitarian bilateral cooperation and Sheikh Tamim International nical cooperation, legal and in their ordeal. “Both sides have also agreed and development issues regional and international Anti-Corruption Excellence judicial cooperation. Moreover, the meeting to continue to encourage the involving the Islamic world, affairs. Award, the Foreign Minister said, It is evident that both coun- covered the Gulf crisis and the active participation of the private including on the issues of Pal- Both countries are com- appreciating Qatar’s recognition tries are ready to elevate the need to solve it through dialogue sector in promoting business estine and Rohingya. mitted to further strengthen and of the efforts being undertaken relations to a greater height, he and diplomatic means between activities and networking. He also said that Malaysia broaden cooperation in all areas, by the Government of Malaysia said, adding “Our leaders have the parties concerned. Malaysia welcomes greater eco- will always contribute and particularly in trade and in fighting corruption. agreed that both countries must Malaysia’s Foreign Minister nomic partnership and trade support the joint efforts of the investment, he said, adding that The Minister said that continue to maximise the poten- underlined that as relations con- cooperation with Qatar. We are international community, in the next step is for the relevant Malaysia enjoys distinctive rela- tials and promote collaboration tinue to grow, Malaysia and encouraged that Qatar is willing whatever means possible, to agencies of both countries to take tions with the State of Qatar, in all areas that are mutually Qatar have agreed to establish a to increase and diversify its promote peace and stability, necessary follow-up actions to affirming that bilateral cooper- beneficial to the people.” new mechanism to ensure the investment in Malaysia,” the stressing, “We, therefore, count all the outcomes of the discus- ation between the two countries In a meeting with Malaysian implementation of agreements Minister said. on the close cooperation and sions between our leaders. has blossomed beyond the Prime Minister Mahathir reached between the leaders of Regarding the extent of regular dialogue with other The recent visit of H H the political sphere and into other Mohamad in Kuala Lumpur on both countries, noting that this Malaysia’s contribution to Qatar’s countries, including Qatar, in Amir to Malaysia, from areas of cooperation such as December 6, H H the Amir mechanism includes the for- preparations to host the FIFA addressing the various global December 5 to 7, was also in trade and investment, reviewed the bilateral relations mation of a high joint committee World Cup 2022, the Malaysian challenges.”

QA’s Da Nang Partial shift of traffic flights to on Al Waab Street boost tourism in Vietnam THE PENINSULA lanes in each direction for a dis- FROM PAGE 1 DOHA tance of 1km between Mehairja Intersection and Al Waab In October 2017, Qatar The Public Works Authority, Intersection. Airways announced its ‘Ashghal’, announced a partial The second phase will start interline partnership with shift of traffic on Al Waab Street on December 31. During this Vietnam-based Vietjet Air, between Al Suwaidi Intersection time traffic coming from Al Sadd allowing Qatar Airways pas- and Mehairja Intersection. The heading towards Muaither will sengers to travel to and from road layout change will be be shifted from the main car- points in Vietnam not served implemented in two phases riageway onto a parallel road directly by Qatar Airways using starting on Sunday to enable the with three lanes in each a single reservation across both installation of new utilities. direction for a distance of 1km airlines’ networks. The proposed change has between Al Suwaidi Intersection Da Nang has also seen a Qatar and US discuss enhancing military cooperation been designed in coordination and Al Waab Intersection. tremendous increase in its with the General Directorate of The Public Works Authority number of visitors, with a Traffic and will remain in place will install road signs advising record-breaking 6.6 million The Chief of Staff of the Qatar Armed Forces Lieutenant-General (Pilot) H E Ghanem bin Shaheen for six months. motorists of the traffic shift and tourists in 2017, doubling the Al Ghanem with the Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, General David Goldfein. During the meeting, During the first phase traffic request all road users to abide figure in 2013. In 2015, the New they discussed military relations between the two countries and means of enhancing them. The coming from Muaither heading by the speed limit which will be York Times also listed Da Nang meeting was attended by the Amiri Air Force Commander Major General (Pilot), Mubarak Mohamed towards Al Sadd will be shifted reduced to 50 kph along the among the top 52 places to Al Khayarin, and Head of International Military Cooperation Authority Brigadier-General (Pilot) from the main carriageway onto route, and follow the road signs visit. Fahad Hamad Al Sulaiti. a parallel road with three (3) to ensure their safety. The world’s second largest cargo carrier has a strong presence in Vietnam with six weekly freighter services to Hanoi, seven weekly freighter services to Ho Chi Minh City Huge turnout at Ministry of Commerce and 28 weekly belly-hold flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi and Industry’s pavilion at Darb Al Saai Minh City and now Da Nang. Qatar Airways Cargo will offer more than 1,400 tonnes out of the Qatar National Day vision. the country each week, where Events included awareness businesses in the country will and educational programmes in benefit not only from direct addition to various activities tar- cargo capacity to Middle East, geting members the general Europe and Americas but also public. The events focused on regular services and reduced numerous topics including how transit times. Major exports to invest in a new business using from Da Nang will consist of a simple approach, sound con- garments, perishables and sumption habits based on smart electronics. shopping, how to choose and Qatar attends GCC Civil Aviation Qatar Airways will operate compare goods, how to establish its four-times weekly Da Nang a family budget and the important Executive Committee meeting service with a Boeing B787 air- role that consumers play as key QNA craft, which features 22 flatbed partners in protecting their rights, KUWAIT Civil Aviation Authority, Abdulla seats in Business Class and 232 among other important bin Nasser Turki Al Subaey. The seats in Economy Class. Pas- Children take part in the various activities at Ministry of Commerce awareness messages to society. Qatar has attended the 15th meeting discussed a project to sengers will be able to enjoy and Industry’s pavilion at Darb Al Saai. The Ministry presented cer- meeting of the Executive establish a Gulf civil aviation the airline’s superior Oryx One tificates to the youth who had Committee of Civil Aviation of organisation, where the partici- entertainment system, offering THE PENINSULA to a large screen to display the participated in its pavilion from GCC, in Kuwait. The delegation pants decided to postpone the passengers up to 4,000 enter- DOHA signatures, which was marked December 15-20. was headed by President of the project for further reviewing. tainment options. by thousands of signatures and The Ministry of Commerce and patriotic expressions. The Min- Industry concluded yesterday istry organised innovative activ- the activities of its pavilion ities using modern technology, Traffic Directorate, HMC sign pact to reduce accident injuries organised in Darb Al Saai, as to educate the general members part of Qatar’s National Day of the public in a distinctive and FROM PAGE 1 celebrations. The Ministry’s different way. building an integrated health safety, and the formulation of pol- measures. He also pointed to the pavilion witnessed a great In addition, the Ministry Head of Trauma at Hamad system with the General Direc- icies and strategies that reduce costs incurred by the State for turnout by school students and presented various programs Trauma Centre, Dr Sheikh Hassan torate of Traffic. fatal accidents. He said the roles treatment and rehabilitation. the public. and competitions targeting all Al Thani pointed to the impor- Colonel Mohammed Radhi Al of the General Directorate of Colonel Al Hajri said the part- The pavilion featured a ded- age groups, especially children, tance of the MoU in reducing the Hajri stressed that the MoU Traffic and Hamad Medical Cor- nership in awareness raising and icated area for a visitors’ book to highlight the three sectors of number of accidents and consid- strengthens the links between the poration are integrated, explaining information exchange helps where participants could pen the Ministry, namely, Com- ering it as a step forward in General Directorate of Traffic and that the injuries caused by traffic reaching the goal of achieving a their signatures and messages merce, Industry, and Consumer achieving zero road traffic fatal- Hamad Medical Corporation in accidents are handled by the zero road traffic fatalities and about their love for Qatar. Par- Protection, and to achieve the ities, pointing to the importance the fields of awareness of road Hamad Medical Corporation reducing the expenses of treating ticipants used an iPad connected Ministry’s objectives in line with of information as a strategy for users, which raises the level of which takes the necessary medical the victims of these accidents. 04 ISLAM FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018

Jesus or Isa in Arabic (peace be upon him) is of great significance Prophet Jesus in the Quran in both Islam and SYED ABUL ALA MAUDUDI witnessed that she had given birth to a Absolute Master of the Universe to His Christianity. However, child, though she was not married. Had subjects, cannot have any other mission there are differences esus or Isa in Arabic (peace be upon it been otherwise, then the two groups than to prevent the people, from him) is of great significance in both could have been told plainly that the girl becoming disobedient to and inde- in terms of beliefs Islam and Christianity. However, was married to such and such a man pendent of Him, and to forbid them to about the nature and there are differences in terms of and that Jesus was from his seed. In that set others to rank with God as partners life occurrences of Jbeliefs about the nature and life case, one fails to see the reason why in His Authority in any way. For, they occurrences of Jesus. There are about such a long introduction and a series of are sent to invite the people to surrender Jesus. There are about 71 verses in the Quran that refer to arguments should have been necessary and submit and be loyal to the Almighty 71 verses in the Quran Prophet Jesus. to remove all doubts about his miraculous God and worship Him alone. (Following is a translation and birth. Then Jesus could have been called It is a pity that the existing Gospels that refer to Prophet explanation of Chapter 3 verses 44 thru the son of a particular man, instead of do not present the mission of Jesus so Jesus (PBUH). 60 by Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi in his being called “the son of Mary”. The precisely and clearly as it has been pre- masterpiece Thafheemul Quran, English position of those people who, on the one sented above in the Holy Qur’an. Nev- rendering by Muhammad Akbar) hand, profess to believe the Holy Qur’an ertheless all the three basic things men- the commandments of God, ye hold the O Muhammad, these are the to be the Word of God and on the other tioned above are found scattered over tradition of men, as the washing of pots “unseen” things, We are revealing to you: hand try to prove that Jesus was born after in these Books. For instance, the fact that and cups, and many other such like you were not present there when the the natural coming together of a husband Jesus believed exclusively in the worship things ye do. And he said unto the, Full priests of the Temple were casting lots and wife, really try to show that God is not of God is clear from the following: well ye reject the commandment of God, by throwing their quills to decide which able to express Himself as clearly as these “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy that ye may keep your own tradition. of them should be the guardian of Mary: people. (May God protect us from God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” For Moses said, Honor thy father and 43 nor were you with them when they blasphemy!) (Matthew 4: 10). thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father were arguing about it. Quran 3:44 And when he came as a Messenger Not only did he believe in this, but or mother, let him die the death: But ye Note 43: As Mary was a girl who had to the children of Israel, he said,) “I have also made it the ultimate aim of all his say, If a man shall say to his father or been dedicated by her mother to the come to you with a clear Sign from your activities and strove to make the people mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, Temple in the way of God, the question Lord: in your very presence, I make the of the earth to submit to the revealed by whatsoever thou mightest be profited of her guardianship had become a likeness of a bird out of clay and breathe Law of God just as the whole universe by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer problem for the keepers because of her into it and it becomes, by God’s submits to His physical Law. him no more to do ought for his father sex. They were therefore casting lots to Command, a bird. I heal those born blind “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done or his mother; Making the word of God decide the delicate problem.) and the lepers and I bring to life the dead in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). of none effect through your tradition, And remember when the angels said, by God’s Command: I inform you of what Then the fact that Jesus always pre- which ye have delivered: and many such “O Mary, God sends you the good news you eat and what you store up in your sented himself as a prophet and as a rep- like things do ye.” (Mark 7: 6-13). of a Command of His: his name shall be houses. Surely there is a great Sign for resentative of the Kingdom of Heaven, When Jesus perceived that the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary. He will be you in all this, if you have a mind to and always invited the people to follow children of Israel were bent upon dis- highly honored in this world and in the believe. 45 And I have come to confirm him in that capacity alone, is supported belief, he said, “Who will be my helper Next World and he will be among those those teachings of the Guidance of the by a number of his sayings. When he in the cause of God?” The disciples 49 favored by God. He will speak to the Torah which are intact in my time. 46 started his mission in his native place, (promptly responded and) said, “We are people alike when in the cradle and Lo! I have come with a clear Sign from Nazareth, the people of his own town God’s helpers: 50 we have believed in when grown up, and he will be among your Lord; 47 so fear God and obey me. 22: 37-40).On another occasion Jesus said and his own kinsfolk rose against him God; so do bear witness that we are the righteous.” Hearing this, Mary said, Indeed God is my Lord, and also your to his disciples: “The scribes and the and according to an agreed tradition of Muslims (who surrender to God). Lord! “How, O Lord, shall I have a son, when Lord; therefore worship Him alone: that Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore Matthew, Mark and Luke, he said: “No we have believed in that which Thou hast no man has ever touched me?” “Thus is the straight way.”48 Quran 3:49-51 whatsoever they bid you observe, that prophet is accepted in his own country”. sent down and followed Thy Messenger; shall it be,”44 was the answer. God Note 45 That is, “These Signs are observe and do; but do not ye after their And when his enemies were conspiring so enroll us among those who bear creates whatever He wills. When He clear enough to convince you that I have works: for they say, and do not.” at Jerusalem to kill him and the people witness. Quran 3:52-53 decrees a thing, He only says, “Be” and been sent by that God Who is the Creator (Matthew 23: 2-3). advised him to go to somewhere else, Note 49 The Arabic word (havari) is it is. (Continuing their message, the and Absolute Ruler of this universe, pro- Note 47 That is, “I have come to efface he replied: “It cannot be that a prophet almost the equivalent of “helper”. In the angels added,) “And God will teach him vided that you are not obdurate but are and abolish the superstitions of your perish out of Jerusalem.” (Luke 13: 33). Bible, they have been called “disciples” the Book and wisdom, and give him the willing to accept the Truth.” ignorant people, the hairsplitting of your When he was entering Jerusalem for and at some places “apostles” because knowledge of the Torah and the Gospel, Note 46 That is, “This is yet another jurists, the religious austerities of your the last time, his disciples began to utter Jesus used to send them to the people and appoint him as His Messenger to the proof of the fact that I have been sent ascetics and the restrictive additions made in a loud voice: “Blessed be the King that to deliver his message, and not because children of Israel.” Quran 3:45-49 by God. If I had been a false prophet I in the Law of God under the non-Muslim cometh in the name of the Lord.” At this God had appointed them as His apostles. Note 44 That is, “Although no man would have invented my own religion domination; I will make lawful or unlawful the Pharisees felt offended and asked Note 50 Those people who help has touched you, yet a son shall be born and by virtue of these miracles striven for you only those things which God has him to silence his disciples. He replied: establish Islam have been called God’s to you.” It should be noted that the same to divert you from your previous Faith made lawful or unlawful.” “I tell you that, if these should hold helpers. In order to understand its sig- word “kazalika, “meaning “so shall it to the New creed. But I profess the same Note 48 This shows that like all other their peace, the stones would immedi- nificance, it should be kept in view that be,” had been used in response to Zach- original religion to be true and confirm Prophets, Jesus also based his teachings ately cry out.” (Luke 19: 38-40). God has taken upon Himself to persuade arias’ prayer. It, therefore, carries the the same teachings which were brought on the following three fundamentals: On another occasion he said: “Come human beings to adopt Islam of their free same sense here. Moreover, the whole by the Prophets before me.” The Supreme Authority to which unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy will, for He does not force His will on man context here corroborates the story that The fact that Jesus taught the same mankind should submit and surrender laden, and I will give you rest. Take my in those spheres of his life in which He has Mary was given the glad tidings of the religion that had been presented by exclusively belongs to God and all the yoke upon you and learn of me for I am granted him freedom of action but likes birth of a son without any sexual inter- Moses and the other Prophets is sup- social and moral systems should be built meek and lowly in heart..... my yoke is to convince him by reason and admo- course, and the birth of Christ, in actual ported even by the existing Gospels. For entirely on it. Being a representative of easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew nition. As it is the work of God to bring the fact, took place in that unusual way. If example, according to the Gospel of the same Paramount Power, a prophet 11: 28-30). Moreover the fact that Jesus people to the right way by admonition and a son was to be born to her in the normal Matthew, Jesus declared in the Sermon must be obeyed unconditionally. wanted the people to obey the Divine advice, He calls those people who exert known way, and if the event of the birth on the Mount: “Think not that I am come God alone is entitled to prescribe Law rather than man-made laws their utmost to establish Islam “His helpers of Jesus had taker. place in a natural to destroy the law, or the Prophets: I am laws and regulations for making things becomes clear from that tradition of and companions:” This is indeed the way, then the whole discourse starting not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” (5: 17). lawful or unlawful, pure and impure; Matthew and Mark which says that highest position that a servant of God can from verse 33 and ending with verse 63 One of the Pharisees, who was a consequently all laws imposed by others when the Pharisees asked, why his dis- aspire to achieve. For man’s position is would become absolutely pointless. Not lawyer, asked Jesus, “Which is the great must be abolished. ciples transgressed the tradition of the merely that of a servant when he is only that but all other references to the commandment in the law?” He replied: Thus it is clear that Jesus, Moses, elders and took food without washing engaged in praying, fasting and other unusual birth of Jesus in the Qur’an “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with Muhammad and all other Prophets their hands,. he replied and said, “Well kinds of worship, but he is elevated to the would lose their significance and all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and (peace be upon them all) had one and hath Esaias prophesied of you hypo- high and unique position of God’s com- meaning. The Christians had made Jesus with all thy mind. This is the first and the the same mission. Those people who crites, as it is written. This people hon- panion and assistant when he is exerting the Son of God and worthy of worship great commandment. And the second is say that different Prophets were sent oureth me with their lips, but their heart for the establishment of the way of God. simply because of his unusual birth like. unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor with different missions and to fulfill dif- is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they And this is indeed the loftiest position of without a father and the Jews had as thyself. On these two commandments ferent aims, are gravely mistaken. worship me, teaching for doctrines the spiritual attainment, to which a man can accused Mary because they had hang all the law and Prophets.” (Matthew Anyone, who is delegated by the commandments of men. For laying aside aspire in this world. The miraculous birth of Prophet Jesus he Quran confirmed the miraculous cry at his last hour, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama given their rewards in full. And note it chance also as they not only rejected either a human father or a mother, while birth of Prophet Jesus (peace be upon sabachthani?” and the one whose picture well that God does not like the trans- their invitation but also had the head Jesus was born without a father only. Thim) and made it plain that the birth they carry on the cross, was not Messiah gressors.” Quran 3:54-57 of a great Prophet like John cut off Note 54 The main points in the dis- of Jesus without a father was only a man- at all, because God had recalled to Note 51 The word (mutawaffi) in the openly at the request of a dancing girl. course presented before the Christians up ifestation of the infinite powers of God. He Himself the real Messiah before the cru- Arabic text is from (tawaffa) which lit- ‘And their Pharisees and Jurists con- to here are: First, he was only a man who can create anybody in whatever manner cifixion took place. erally means “to take and to receive” spired and sought to get Jesus punished was born in a miraculous way by the will He wills. His miraculous birth, therefore, It is thus clear that those people and “to seize the soul” is not its lexical with the death sentence by the Roman of God and given the power to perform is no reason why he should be made a who try to prove the death of Jesus from but metaphorical meaning. Here it Government. Thus they had proved certain miracles as a clear proof of his god or a partner in Godhead. these verses, really try to show that God means “to recall from mission.” God themselves to be so obdurate that it was Prophet-hood. As regards his “Ascension”, The Quran also confirms and is not able to express Himself clearly recalled Jesus because the Israelites had useless to give the Israelites any further God had arranged to recall him to Himself recounts the miracles performed by and unambiguously. (May God protect rejected him in spite of the clear Signs chance. So God recalled His Prophet before the disbelievers could crucify him. Jesus (PBUH), but makes it clear that all us from such a blasphemy!) he had brought. They had been diso- Jesus and inflicted on them a life of dis- In fact, the Master of the Universe has full those miracles were performed by him, Then the children of Israel began to beying God for centuries and, in spite grace up to the Day of Resurrection. powers to treat any of His servants in any as a servant of God, by His leave and plot (against Jesus) and God also devised of many a warning and admonition Note 52 “Those who rejected” him special way He pleases. It is, therefore, not as an independent authority. It is, His secret plan, and God is the best of served to them, their national character were the Jews who were invited by wrong to infer from the exceptional therefore, wrong to infer that Jesus was devisers. (It was to carry out His secret was rapidly deteriorating. They had Jesus to accept the Truth. “Those who treatment accorded to Jesus that he himself a partner in Godhead. plan that) He said, “O Jesus, now I will killed several Prophets, one after the follow” him are really the Muslims only was the Master or the Master’s Son or a Now let us consider the third thing. recall 51 you and raise you up to Myself other, and had grown so audacious as but if it may be taken to imply all those partner in the authority of the Master. If the Christian belief in “Ascension to and cleanse you of (the uncongenial to demand the blood of any good man who believe in him, then the sincere Secondly, their attention has been heaven” had been wholly baseless, it company and the filthy environment of who ventured to invite them to the Christians may also be included. drawn to the fact that Prophet could have been refuted by pointing ) those who have rejected you and will Right Way. In order to give them the The stories which We are relating to Muhammad (God’s peace be upon him) out that the object of their worship, the set up those who follow you above those last chance for turning to the Truth, God you are full of signs and wisdom. In the invites them to the same Truth that had so-called “Son of God”, expired long who have rejected you 52 till the Day of appointed among them two great sight of God, the case of the birth of Jesus been preached by Prophet Jesus (God’s ago and had become one with dust, and Resurrection. And ultimately all of you Prophets, Jesus and John (God’s peace is like that of Adam, whom He created peace be upon him) in his own time and that they could see, for their full satis- shall return to Me: then I will judge be upon them), at one and the same out of dust and said, “Be”, and he was. 53 that the teachings of the two Prophets faction, his grave at such and such a between you in what you differ, and time. These Prophets came with such This is the fact of the matter your lord is were basically identical. Thirdly, the dis- place. But the Quran does not declare punish with a grievous punishment, both clear signs of their appointment from imparting, and you should not be of those ciples of Jesus believed in and followed the this explicitly. On the other hand, it not in this world and in the Hereafter, those God that only such people dared reject who doubt it. 54 Quran 3:58-60 same religion of Islam that is being pre- only uses such words as give at least a who have adopted the attitude of dis- them as were utterly perverted and Note 53 That is, “If one’s miraculous sented in the Qur’an. However the Chris- vague suggestion of his “Ascension”, but belief and rejection and they shall have prejudiced against the Truth and were birth entitles one to become God or the tians of the later age discarded the message also denies that Jesus was crucified at all. none to help them. And those, who have averse to following the Right Way. Nev- Son of God, then Adam was better entitled of Jesus and digressed from the Faith of his According to it the one who gave a loud believed and done good deeds, shall be ertheless the Israelites lost their last to it because he was created without disciples. FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018 HOME 05 06 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018

Uneasy calm US’ planned withdrawal from in Hodeida as combatants await Syria worries Western allies UN truce team

AFP France and Britain northeastern Syria, in a short AFP PARIS pledged to keep their video posted on Twitter. HODEIDA forces in the field, “We’ve won against ISIS.... Britain, Germany and France, We’ve beaten them and we’ve An uneasy calm returned to the three of the United States’ main warning that, contrary beaten them badly. We’ve taken battleground Yemeni city of allies in the war against the to Trump’s claim that back the land. And now it’s time Hodeida yesterday after further Islamic State (IS) group, reacted IS had been “beaten for our troops to come back overnight skirmishes, as the with alarm yesterday to Pres- home,” he said. warring parties await the ident Donald Trump’s decision badly”, the fight was The announcement, which promised deployment of UN to pull US troops out of Syria — far from over. appeared to surprise both staff to oversee a hard-won but a move hailed by Russia. Republicans and Democrats in fragile truce. France and Britain pledged Congress, left unanswered a The ceasefire in the Red Sea A soldier mans a machine gun on a patrol truck outside a hospital to keep their forces in the field, May said, using an alternative number of questions, notably port city, which is a vital aid in Aden, Yemen, yesterday. warning that, contrary to name for IS. “The global coa- as to the timing of the pullout lifeline for millions at risk of Trump’s claim that IS had been lition against Daesh has made and whether the US will con- starvation, is the centrepiece of “beaten badly”, the fight was far huge progress, but much tinue to offer air support to its a peace push that is seen as the The official added there has implementation of the UN-bro- from over. remains to be done and we must allies in the region. Trump did best chance yet of ending four been intermittent fighting on a kered ceasefire, under the aus- Speaking in Moscow during not lose sight of the threat they not address the air campaign, in years of devastating conflict. number of battlefronts in pices of a Redeployment Coor- his annual news conference, pose,” he added. which the United States and Military officials and resi- Hodeida province, including the dination Committee. Russian President Vladimir German Foreign Minister partner nations including France dents have reported intermittent districts of Hays and Al Tuhayta. The committee’s UN chair, Putin welcomed the US with- Heiko Maas and the Kurdish- and Britain have spent years fighting between Saudi-backed A coalition official said the Patrick Cammaert, convened its drawal, saying Trump was dominated force leading the pounding IS targets across the government forces and Huthi “level of intensity” of Huthi first meeting by videocon- “right” to do so. Around 2,000 fight against the jihadists said the country. Shiite rebels since the UN-bro- attacks had decreased, which ference from New York on US forces are in the country, move could jeopardise the gains Pentagon spokeswoman kered ceasefire came into effect was “a positive sign but too early Wednesday “to discuss the most of them on a train-and- made against the Sunni radicals, Commander Rebecca Rebarich in the city and its surroundings to draw concrete conclusions”. general outlines of its work, advise mission to support local who still control small parts of said the US would continue its on Tuesday. Pro-government forces and including agreement of a code forces fighting IS. London and eastern Syria. air war while American soldiers A pro-government official Huthi rebels accused each other of conduct”, UN spokesman Paris have not disclosed how A withdrawal could also were in Syria -- but would not said that four loyalists were of breaching the ceasefire Stephane Dujarric said. many military personnel they have wider geopolitical ramifi- say if the campaign would con- wounded in a firefight on agreed at talks in Sweden earlier UN chief Antonio Guterres have in the region. cations. Some US lawmakers tinue afterward. Wednesday night. this month. The rebel-run Saba was “breathing down the neck” “”We remain committed to warned it could encourage IS has seen its self-pro- “The exchange of fire lasted news agency said loyalists tar- of officials to make sure the UN the global coalition and the cam- Turkey to attack the Kurdish claimed ‘caliphate’, which once for about half an hour, and there geted a “number of neighbour- observers are deployed as soon paign to deny Daesh territory forces that the US has been sup- straddled both sides of the Iraq is an uneasy calm this morning,” hoods in the city” overnight. as possible, Dujarric said. and ensure its enduring defeat, porting in the fight against IS. Syria border, shrink to just a few he said. UN observers are due in He added that Cammaert working alongside our critical Trump on Wednesday strongholds along the Euphrates Residents reached by tele- Yemen to head up monitoring will head on Thursday to Jordan regional partners in Syria and abruptly ordered the withdrawal Valley. Experts warn that it still phone confirmed that there was teams made up of government from where he will travel on to beyond,” a spokesman for Brit- of all 2,000 US soldiers, mainly however has the power to no fighting on Thursday and rebel representatives tasked the rebel-held capital Sana’a ain’s Prime Minister Theresa special forces, deployed in conduct a guerrilla insurgency. morning. with overseeing the and Hodeida.

OIC plans to set up Israeli prosecutors recommend indicting PM for bribery fund for Palestine refugees ANATOLIA third corruption probe. make a decision,” Nitzan was firm Bezeq secure a deal worth coverage — with Arnon Mozes, JERUSALEM According to State Prose- quoted as saying. some 1 billion Israeli shekels in publisher of popular Hebrew- ANATOLIA cutor Shai Nitzan, once the pros- The first case for which the return for favorable coverage on language daily Yedioth Ahronoth. RIYADH The Israeli State Prosecutor’s ecution team completes its authorities are recommending the company’s news site. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has recommended the assessment, the attorney-gen- indictment involves Israeli Hol- According to Israeli media reports, Office, for its part, has consist- The Organization of Islamic indictment of Prime Minister eral’s office will begin delibera- lywood producer Arnon Milchan, the attorney general’s office will ently denied the charges against Cooperation (OIC) plans to set Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged tions on whether or not to pursue who was allegedly asked to pur- issue a final decision on both cases Netanyahu. “We are certain that up a special fund to support bribery in two separate both cases. chase luxury items for in March of next year. an examination of the evidence more than five million Pales- corruption cases, Israeli daily “The complex ethical and Netanyahu and his wife. A third case in which while ignoring the background tinian refugees. Haaretz reported . legal issues that arise from these The second involves allega- Netanyahu faces possible noises will prove that there’s According to an OIC Netanyahu will also likely be cases [will be] based on the tions that Netanyahu intervened indictment involves an alleged nothing [to the allegations],” the statement issued Thursday, charged for breach of trust in a opinions he will hear in order to with regulators to help telecom deal — again for favorable media PM’s office said in a statement. the organization’s committee of experts met this week at the OIC’s Jeddah head- quarters to discuss plans to establish a special fund to Both candidates in Madagascar provide millions of displaced Palestinians with badly- needed support. presidential run-off claim victory Zimbabwe: No need to extradite REUTERS number on the voting list was he has won but the fact is that former first lady ANTANANARIVO 13, leading with 57 percent. number 13 has won in the whole Rajoelina and Ravalo- of Madagascar,” said Rajoelina, AP Both candidates competing to manana — whose nickname is who led protests that forced HARARE become Madagascar’s next pres- “Papa” — promised to put the Ravalomanana out of office ident claimed victory after an past behind them when they before going on to become The Zimbabwean election run-off, even though entered the race, and both said president. government says there is “no only a small percentage of the they would accept the result as Soldiers who were deployed need” to extradite Grace results have yet been declared. they cast their ballots in the across the island to ensure Mugabe, the wife of the coun- Democratic Republic of Congo’s Police Officer chases away a man Two former presidents con- capital, Antananarivo. security during the polls were try’s former leader, to neigh- as people gather in front of the entrance of the Independent tested on Wednesday’s second Nevertheless they pre- still seen on the streets. boring South Africa after National Election Commission (CENI) headquarters in Kinshasa, round — Marc Ravalomanana empted the final results on In the first-round election police there issued a warrant yesterday. and the man who ousted him in Wednesday night, although they last month, Rajoelina got 39.23 for her arrest. a 2009 coup, Andry Rajoelina also promised to await the percent and Ravalomanana Energy Mutodi, Zimba- — and the nation is hoping for official outcome. 35.35 percent of the vote. Hery bwe’s deputy minister of DR Congo postpones vote a peaceful outcome with no “We have seen the results. Rajaonarimampianina, who has information, said Thursday repeat of the political chaos of Even if they are not official they been president since Rajoelina that the government objects almost a decade ago. are part of the results: Papa stepped down in 2014, came a to the move by South African by a week to December 30 Madagascar’s electoral body wins,” Ravalomanana told distant third. law enforcement against said results from 5 percent of all supporters. Provisional results in the Mugabe, who is accused of AFP voting machines introduced for polling stations showed That drew a response from run-off are expected before the assaulting a woman in Johan- KINSHASA the poll. Under the system, a Rajoelina, whose candidate Rajoelina. “My competitor said end of the year. nesburg last year. voter touches a photo of the can- Long-delayed elections due to didate to cast their ballot and be held in DR Congo on Sunday then receives a printout of it. The will be postponed by a week paper is then put in a ballot box after voting machines were to provide verification by a Thousands protest economic destroyed in a warehouse fire, manual count later. the country’s electoral board The government said the hardship in Sudan for 2nd day said yesterday. machines were vital for staging “The presidential, legis- elections swiftly, fairly and AP the struggle of most Sudanese lative and provincial elections accurately across a vast country CAIRO to make ends meet in the face will therefore take place on with poor infrastructure. of steady price increases and December 30, 2018,” the head But the devices sparked a Anti-government street protests shortages of basic food items of the Independent National political storm from the outset, broke out yesterday for the and fuel. Election Commission (CENI), with some opposition leaders second consecutive day in a Besides Khartoum, Thurs- Corneille Nangaa, told the — although not all — saying string of cities in Sudan, including day’s protests took place in press. “The electoral process they were vulnerable to hacking the capital Khartoum where Gadaref in eastern Sudan, continues,” he said. and fraud. On December 13, a police used tear gas to disperse Dongola and Barbar to the The sprawling central fire broke out in a Kinshasa protesters. In one city, demon- north of Khartoum, where there African country is in the grip of warehouse, destroying around strators surrounded the office of were no protests on a two-year-old crisis over elec- 8,000 of some 10,000 a local governor, forcing him to Wednesday. Demonstrators tions for a successor to President machines earmarked for the flee the scene in a speeding car took to the streets in the Red Teachers’ strike Joseph Kabila, in power since capital, Kinshasa, according to under a hail of rocks. Sea city of Port Sudan, Barbar Tunisian teachers demanding wage increases march to Habib 2001. The announcement on CENI. More than a tenth of the The protests have been and Atbara in the north and Bourguiba Street during a protest in Tunis, yesterday. Thursday concerns the loss of country’s 44 million registered sparked by a steep rise in the Nohoud in western Kordofan South Korean-made touchscreen voters live in the city. price of bread that deepened province. FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018 ASIA 07 Populists take centre stage as India’s big election nears

BLOOMBERG While Modi has so NEW DELHI party’s move to win favour with far held back on farmers, a key voting bloc. Indian politicians are bringing out announcing a federal It’s up to the states to waive off the goodies, from farm-loan programme to waive loans, Finance Minister Arun waivers to tax cuts, to woo voters Jaitley said in a television ahead of the world’s biggest farm loans, the interview on Tuesday. Congress election next year. The Indian temptation to appease President Rahul Gandhi said his National Congress made good on voters was evident party was merely fulfilling an its election promise by waiving when he hinted this election promise. some loans owed by farmers in However, the debt forgiveness three states that it won last week week at cutting rates doesn’t do much to address the from Prime Minister Narendra on a nationwide root of farm sector distress, and Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. consumption tax for actually contributes to worsening Assam, a state in India’s northeast state finances, with the combined ruled by the BJP, followed suit. at least a fourth time. budget deficit for the federal gov- While Modi has so far held ernment and states close to 6.5 back on announcing a federal pro- percent, the highest among the gramme to waive farm loans, the tions that must be held by May. Group of 20 nations. temptation to appease voters was With the government already “Farm loan waivers are prob- evident when he hinted this week exceeding its budgeted annual lematic and retrograde,” said at cutting rates on a nationwide deficit in October, any tax cuts will Arvind Subramanian, the govern- consumption tax for at least a need to be balanced with possible ment’s former top economic fourth time. That would cut reductions in spending to achieve adviser, echoing views held by Volunteers of India’s main opposition Congress party monitor TV news channels and social media revenue, and together with the the fiscal gap target of 3.3 percent India’s former central bank Gov- inside their war room which was set up for a state assembly election, in Jaipur. loan waivers, put pressure on the of gross domestic product. ernor Raghuram Rajan. “The jury budget deficit, which is already a Modi has buckled under voter is out on political gains. And it has worry for investors and credit pressure in the past when he cut fiscal implications.” Capital Eco- 2019, given the recent success of quick fixes such as waivers. Bank of India, said in a speech last rating companies. “The country is taxes on retail motor fuels in the nomics estimates loan waivers to political parties that made debt “Loan waivers impact the state year. “This, in turn, has to be reaching a stage where 99 percent run up to elections in five Indian farmers will rise from about $15bn, relief promises. Economists agree of public finances in the form of financed by additional market of goods can be at or under the 18 states. Having lost all five contests or 0.6 percent of GDP. Researchers on the need for designing a lasting higher than budgeted revenue borrowings which pushes up percent tax slab,” said Modi, who’ll last week, he may be under at Credit Suisse led by Neelkanth solution to the distress in agri- expenditure,” Urjit Patel, the interest rates, not just for the states be seeking a second term in elec- pressure to match the Congress Mishra see more waivers likely in culture, instead of resorting to former governor of the Reserve but for the entire economy.”

India in touch with UK on Mallya case Myanmar forces Sri Lanka President hold ‘clearance IANS touch with UK authorities on this order,” he said, adding now one NEW DELHI issue,” External Affairs Ministry has to wait and see what happens. operations’ after spokesperson Raveesh Kumar Mallya fled India in March names new Cabinet After a court in Britain ordered said in response to a question at 2016 over a loan fraud, but he has deaths in Rakhine the extradition of Indian indus- a media briefing here. denied fleeing the country and trialist Vijay Mallya to stand trial On December 10, the West- said he was ready to pay back the AFP on charges of committing a Rs minster Magistrates’ Court in money he owed to Indian banks. after final dispute YANGON 9,000-crore bank loan fraud, the London gave its decision recom- Regarding absconding dia- Indian High Commission in mending the extradition of Mallya. mantaires Nirav Modi and Mehul AFP 26 when he sacked Wickremes- Myanmar forces are London is in touch with British “After that (court’s order), the Choksi, both wanted in the Rs COLOMBO inghe in a bid to name nation- conducting new rounds of authorities, with the case now in case goes to Secretary of State for 13,500-crore case, Kumar said alist firebrand Mahinda “clearance operations” in the hands of British Home Home who has two months to India was following up on the Sri Lanka’s President Rajapakse as prime minister. conflict-hit Rakhine state after Secretary, a senior official said. formally order his extradition. At extradition requests submitted to Maithripala Sirisena named a He had to backtrack in the face four local Buddhists were “I would like to say that our the same time, Mallya has two the British and Antigua & Barbuda 30-member Cabinet yesterday of opposition from the legis- attacked and two killed, the mission in London is in active weeks to appeal against the authorities. to end a crippling seven-week lature, where he had no commander-in-chief’s office power struggle with his Prime majority, and Sri Lankan courts. said yesterday, with one of the Minister, but only after a final Shortly after giving Wick- incidents blamed on Rohingya tussle over who should control remesinghe his job back on Muslims. the police. Sunday, Sirisena made it clear The violence occurred Sirisena reinstated Ranil that working with the new gov- around the evening of Wickremesinghe as Prime Min- ernment would be difficult. December 17 along Pyu Ma ister on Sunday after the “I still believe that I should creek in northern Rakhine Supreme Court threw out his not have made Ranil Wick- state’s Maungdaw township, attempt to dissolve parliament remesinghe the prime minister, the same area where forces and hold early elections in the but I bow to the wishes of the waged a bloody crackdown Indian Ocean nation. majority in parliament,” against the Rohingya last year. “The forming of the Cabinet Sirisena said. More than 720,000 was delayed because the Pres- “But, I don’t know how far Rohingya fled to Bangladesh ident wanted to retain media we will succeed in fulfilling the after Myanmar launched and the police,” government wishes of our people.” Sirisena clearance operations in August spokesman Rajitha Senaratne came to power in 2015 with the 2017, and UN investigators said as the new Cabinet was help of Wickremesinghe’s want the country’s top brass announced. “He conceded the United National Party (UNP), prosecuted for genocide for media ministry, but will retain but personal and political alleged abuses carried out control over the police for a clashes came to a head with the during the expulsion. little longer.” No law and order October sacking. Myanmar said it was minister was named in the new The 69-year-old Wick- defending itself against Cabinet and Sirisena, who also remesinghe refused to give way Rohingya militants who serves as defence minister, will to former president Rajapakse, attacked police posts and has take responsibility for the leaving the country with two denied almost all claims of police. claimants to the prime minis- atrocities. The key posts of finance ter’s post and no functioning Preparations under way for Kumbh Mela festival minister and foreign minister government. Calcutta HC gives remained unchanged from The Sri Lankan parliament Wickremesinghe’s deposed backed Wickremesinghe’s conditional nod An Indian woman sells offerings and containers next to a cardboard cut-out of Indian Prime Minister government. Mangala Sama- claim that his dismissal was Narendra Modi at the Kumbh Mela festival area in Allahabad, yesterday. The festival attracts millions raweera stays as finance min- illegal, voting six times against to BJP’s yatra of pilgrims to the confluence of the Yamuna and Ganga Rivers over 49 days to take a ritual bath in ister and Tilak Marapana as Rajapakse during tumultuous the holy waters from January 15, 2019 to March 4, 2019. foreign chief. Sirisena sparked sessions that at times erupted IANS the political crisis on October into brawls. KOLKATA

The Calcutta High Court yesterday gave conditional permission to the Bharatiya Iconic Jinnah House in Mumbai to get new look Janata Party’s Rath Yatra rallies, saying the organisers will be liable for any untoward IANS lines of the Hyderabad House in the issue of partition of undivided home post partition. However, Dina Wadia, approached the incident or damage to public MUMBAI Delhi,” Lodha said, quoting a India in 1944 with Mahatma after Independence on August 15, Bombay High Court staking claim property. December 5 letter received from Gandhi, and later in 1946 with 1947, and following Jinnah’s death to the property as the sole heir. The Bengal government Over 70 years after it was aban- Minister of External Affairs Jawaharlal Nehru. in 1948, it was declared ‘evacuee After her demise in November may, however, move the doned by the founder of Pakistan Sushma Swaraj. Top leaders of the Inde- property’ like thousands of others. 2017, her son and Bombay Dyeing division bench today chal- Mohammed Ali Jinnah, his iconic The famed and regal house, pendence movement including Later, in 1955, it was leased out Chairman Nusli N Wadia is pur- lenging the court order. bungalow at Malabar Hill will be with a white and green facade, Gandhi, Nehru, Subhash Chandra to the British Deputy High Com- suing the case. The state government had taken over by the Ministry of large balconies and rooms, was Bose and many others were mission in Mumbai till 1982. Meanwhile, India has made it last week rejected BJP’s plea to External Affairs and refurbished created by renowned British regular visitors to the mansion in After that it has remained clear that Pakistan has no say hold the ‘Rath Yatra’, touted as on the lines of New Delhi’s architect Claude Batley, was built which crucial issues pertaining to vacant with controversies sur- whatsoever on Jinnah House. the ‘save democracy rally’, Hyderabad House, official sources in 1936-38 at a princely sum of India’s freedom struggle and its rounding it. The erstwhile Janata “Pakistan is not in the picture,” saying there was “grave appre- said yesterday. nearly Rs200,000 on a prime future were discussed. Party government proposed to External Affairs Ministry spokes- hension of major breach of The Prime Minister’s Office green corner of Malabar Hill. Though Jinnah moved to hand it over to the Pakistan Con- person Raveesh Kumar said yes- peace and communal violence (PMO) has cleared the process to The ground-plus-one storey Pakistan after partition, he wanted sulate. But the idea was shelved terday in response to a question during and in the aftermath” transfer the Jinnah House from the structure became the dream house his property to be hired on a following protests. at a media briefing. of the programme. Indian Council of Cultural Rela- for its owner, Barrister Jinnah, monthly rent of Rs 3,000 to a Since 1982, it was under the “They have no locus standi as The BJP had moved a tions (ICCR), said Bharatiya Janata then a lawyer at the Bombay Pres- European family or a refined care of the Central Public Works far as this property is concerned,” single bench of the Calcutta Party legislator MP Lodha, in idency High Court, and is spread Indian prince. Department and in 1997 it was Kumar said. “It is a government High Court on December 17 whose Assembly constituency the across over 2.5 acres besides a He made his desire known to transferred to ICCR. After the of India property.” His remarks after the Bengal government’s property falls. built up area of the majestic the then Bombay Province Gov- Enemy Property Bill 2016, it came after the Pakistan Foreign decision and proposed “The MEA has been instructed mansion spread of 1,694 sq ernor Sri Prakasa, who was belongs to the Indian Office earlier in the day said that December 22, 24 and 26 as by the PMO to renovate and metres. Historically, it was the deputed by Nehru to ascertain government. Islamabad would not relinquish fresh dates for the three Rath refurbish it and develop it on the venue where Jinnah first discussed what was Jinnah’s desire with his In 2007, Jinnah’s daughter, its claim over the property. Yatra rallies. 08 VIEWS FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018 Why is the US pulling out of Syria? ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JOE MACARON DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI AL JAZEERA [email protected] S President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to withdraw ACTING MANAGING EDITOR US forces from Syria is a MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED Ureminder that this is not an [email protected] ordinary time in Washington. The political establishment and Congress have been forcing the presi- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR dent’s hand on key foreign policy chal- MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI lenges, from Russia to Saudi Arabia, [email protected] but Trump had a trick up his sleeve on Syria. He has reasserted his executive A file photo showing vehicles of the US-backed coalition forces in the northern power at home by effectively moving Syrian town of Manbij. to limit US power abroad. Now 2,000 US troops are scheduled to withdraw from northern US mission in Syria to deter Iran, now Some US officials continue to Syria within the next 100 days, leaving has absolutely nothing to show for it. believe that the US can play a decisive EDITORIAL behind much uncertainty for both He managed to convince Trump in role on the situation in Syria and allies and foes. September to agree on an indefinite remain in denial about the limits of US There is no simple explanation for US role in Syria. However, his idea of power in the Middle East. There is also the timing and rationale of this an”Arab Nato” was expectedly not fea- some wishful thinking that Trump Promoting global dialogues decision. Some argue that Trump is sible and Saudi Arabia seems unen- might once again change his mind on using it as a distraction from his legal thusiastic about funding a long-term Syria after listening to his advisers, but ost precious and scarce resource of our time is troubles in the US or that he has been US presence in northern Syria. this does not seem the case this time dialogue” United Nations Secretary-General influenced by his phone call with Mattis, on the other hand, has been around. Regardless of whether “MAntonio Guterres told Doha Forum. Turkish President Recep Tayyip warning of Bolton’s adventurism that Trump’s decision will stand or not, the This was the underlying theme when thousands of Erdogan last Friday. Others assert that might risk confrontation with Iran and reputation of his administration will opinion leaders, policy makers, non government organi- a grand deal in Syria is in the making instead has been arguing that the US most likely suffer, as it is increasingly sations and government officials gathered in Doha to discuss and the US sold out its Kurdish should stay in Syria to confront ISIL being seen by allies around the world and brainstorm international issues and formulate a better partners. and push for a path towards conflict as erratic and unreliable. The fact that understanding in resolving conflicts and find innovative Speculations aside, Trump has resolution. But he too seems to have the US is letting down its Kurdish allies and viable solutions to various challenges across the world. been talking about withdrawal for a become more isolated within the will make it difficult for other forces in Doha Forum has become one of the top destinations for while now as he does not see any Trump administration, especially after the Middle East to trust it. policy makers across the world as it is one of the main global financial or strategic value in keeping he lost a key ally with the resignation It is worth noting that the 2,000 US dialogue platforms. The popularity and respect the platform US forces in Syria. Last March, the of White House Chief of Staff John forces in Syria had no combative role commands can be gauged from the fact that around 1,800 president casually announced during a Kelly. Trump’s decision to pull out of and withdrawing them does not mean people from all over the globe attended the two-day forum, rally that US forces will “be coming out Syria might widen the distrust the US will lose its ability to launch air where nearly 100 experts from different fields gave speeches of Syria, like, very soon”. between the White House and the mil- attacks when needed. But the sym- and presentations in more than 15 sessions. The Pentagon and the State itary, which might have repercussions bolism of the withdrawal is significant Under the theme ‘Shaping Policy in an Interconnected Department then in other war zones like Afghanistan, when it comes to the strength of US World’, the forum hosted panels, plenaries and workshops coalesced their where the president also believes the commitment in Syria. around four key themes - security, economic development, efforts to con- US withdrawal should be imminent. At the same time, the most obvious peace and mediation, and trends and transitions. vince the com- The war and peace decisions are beneficiaries of Trump’s decisions Qatar hosting such an important international forum, mander-in-chief typically announced by the White might face unforeseen difficulties, as a which promotes dialogues There is no simple that the US must House in consultations with key result of the US withdrawal. Trump’s among various stakeholders is explanation for stay, but in April agencies and the Congress, but the move throws the burden of resolving only apt as Doha is considered the timing and he gave the mil- way this decision was orchestrated the situation in northern Syria on a pioneer in the region in many rationale of this itary six months reflects a deep division in Washington Russia and Turkey, which might lead aspects like education, media to finish the job on this issue. Possible resignations to a crack in their alliance as they and labour reforms. decision. Some against the from the Trump administration might struggle to fill the vacuum left by the Doha Forum While addressing the forum argue that Trump Islamic State of be announced in the coming days, US. SDF will most probably move has become during the opening ceremony is using it as a Iraq and the weeks and months as a result of this closer to Russia now and expand its one of the top Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin distraction from Levant (ISIL, also decision. engagement with Damascus, poten- destination for Hamad Al Thani outlined known as ISIS). It is important to point out that US’ tially surrendering border posts on the Qatar’s vision of approaching his legal troubles Earlier this policy on Syria has been failing dra- Turkish border to the Syrian regime as policy makers the challenges facing the inter- in the US. month, the US- matically in the past seven years and a way to establish a buffer zone across the national community. backed Kurdish- Trump might just have put it out of its against possible Turkish incursions. world as it is “Out of our belief in the led Syrian Dem- misery. The balancing act between As for Iran, the US withdrawal one of the main importance of views, the ocratic Forces (SDF) captured the town Turkey and the Kurds did not achieve from Syria might weaken its argument necessity of dialogue and the of Hajin, the last ISIL-controlled urban necessarily any long-term conditions for an open-ended stay in the country. global dialogue inevitability of diversity, we area. While ISIL remains a threat, for stability in northern Syria. And the Trump administration might platforms. have been keen to keep the dia- Trump believes the necessary time Washington can neither make a still be able to strike a deal with Russia logue forums and networking given to the military was enough and deal nor confront Moscow in Syria nor to curtail Iranian presence in Syria. platforms active and open to US troops should come home. does it seem invested in advancing a The Trump administration has a exchange views in a free environment for all, irrespective His decision is very much an indi- UN-led political process. The new US lot to explain in the coming weeks of their intellectual affiliations and political perceptions, cation of how detached Trump has envoy to Syria James Jeffrey recently regarding the timeline of this with- and this forum is a relevant epitome,” he said. become from his national security added confusion to US policy by drawal and what US allies should Doha Forum offered a great platform to discuss such team. In the past few months, the con- stating that the Trump administration expect moving forward. An imminent varied topics like ‘Enforcing norms in cyberworld’ to ‘Strug- servative wing of his administration wants change in the Syrian regime not US withdrawal without setting the gling for “Justice”: Palestine, Syria and Yemen’. It covered led by National Security Adviser John regime change. As the White House necessary conditions might lead to a topics from regional conflicts, gender equality, violent Bolton and the military wing led by tacitlyapproved President Bashar al- backlash or in the worst-case scenario extremism to Geopolitics of Natural Resources. It listened Defence Secretary James Mattis made Assad staying in power until the next - an open confrontation between to all the voices without prejudice or judgement and tried different arguments for keeping US Syrian presidential election in 2021, Turkish and Kurdish forces. to put forth an actionable policy or at least a framework to forces in Syria. the US plan in Syria shifted to trying to The US had no strategy of how to begin with. Bolton, who has been advocating hunker down and disrupt the Russian stay in Syria, now it is clear it has no It is not feasible or possible to find solutions for the for months the idea of expanding the plan. strategy of how to leave. problems in the world at one forum, but what it gives is direction and more importantly hope. This vision of hope was visible in the words of Guterres at the closing of the forum. “Despite times of chaos and confusion, and a deficit in trust, I see winds of hope around May’s delays are making Brexit worse the world,” UN chief’s words sums up the two-day forum perfectly. BLOOMBERG suggesting that it might not changed, they said: The humiliations keep bouncing happen until late January — backstop stays as it is, and off. But mere survival in t’s unclear what UK just weeks before the UK is that’s that. office is no achievement. Prime Minister Theresa due to leave the EU on With Europe refusing to May needs to help the May hoped to get from March 29th. budge, May’s withdrawal country acknowledge that, leaders of the European May then went to agreement is dead, and despite all efforts, her Brexit I project has failed. Now, Union at their recent Brussels asking the EU for further delay will not revive QUOTE OF THE DAY summit. As things turned reassurance on the noto- it. What happens on or after Britain has to choose out, she got less than nothing rious “backstop” — a device March 29th if she persists between a cliff-edge Brexit, Everybody is very - a public brush-off that to avoid the need for a hard with these tactics is any- which few in the UK want clear, not only on further weakened her border between Ireland and body’s guess. Perhaps May and for which no real prepa- standing at home, if that Northern Ireland after calculates that if the vote on rations have been made, or what government were possible. Her Brexit Brexit, while leaving the UK, her deal waits long enough, remaining in the EU. policy but what are strategy has collapsed, and perhaps indefinitely, as a Parliament will be pressured However one rates the all — individually and nothing is to be gained by rule-taker with no voice in to back it. There are two UK government’s per- collectively — focused persisting with it any longer. EU affairs. problems with this. First, her formance over the past Playing for time is all Some consoling words, deal is objectively terrible. several years — and it’s hard on is working to ensure May appears to have left, devoid of legal substance, Second, it’s impossible to to be generous — the results that the deal is able though time is not on her had apparently been nego- predict what will happen on are in. The best available to get through the side. The withdrawal tiated by British and EU offi- the brink of disaster, if May Brexit deal is worse, far agreement she negotiated cials in advance — with May maneuvers the country into worse, than remaining in the meaningful vote in the with the EU was set for a believing, against all evi- that position. Meanwhile, the EU. The country ought to be House of Commons crushing defeat in Par- dence, that these crumbs continuing uncertainty, with given the opportunity to liament last week. Instead of might have been enough to no prospect of relief, is the revisit its vote to leave the Theresa May facing that verdict and change Parliament’s mind. worst of all outcomes for union. May or her successor British Prime Minister moving on to develop a In the end, the EU’s leaders investment and growth. (if it comes to that) needs to workable alternative, she refused even this. The with- The prime minister is lead the U.K. out of this wil- postponed the vote, drawal agreement cannot be nothing if not tenacious: The derness, starting now. FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018 OPINION 09 Yemen peace efforts miss a critical factor

s Yemen’s warring parties met From Guatemala to Northern Some may allege that diplomatic water and land resources, risked in Sweden last week, hopes Ireland to the Philippines, women have pressure to add women to the peace their lives to rescue families trapped were high that these peace demonstrated that their involvement in table would be perceived as unwanted by the conflict and evacuated talks — the first since 2016 - a peace process is crucial. Yet in foreign interference. In fact, however, schools held by armed groups. A the Yemeni people have supported would spark a political process to end Yemen, women have had little to no Second, they promote local the ongoing conflict that has left the representation in multiple rounds of reserving seats for women in similar security. Hundreds of women-led JAMILLE BIGIO & country on the brink of famine and talks since 2011 — including in the most contexts, committing in 2013 to a 30 initiatives to provide education and RACHEL VOGELSTEIN created what the UN calls a “living hell recent talks outside Stockholm last percent quota for women on political food to their communities also REUTERS for millions of children.” At the talks’ week. delegations. And before the Yemeni promote local security. They have conclusion, UN Secretary General It’s a gap the United States should conflict began in 2015, women’s rights facilitated humanitarian access in Antonio Guterres announced that the address as Congress debates whether were on the march: after decades of areas aid convoys have had difficulty parties had agreed to a number of to withdraw support for the Saudi-led oppression, Yemeni women from all reaching, supported reintegration important and encouraging steps, multinational coalition fighting in backgrounds were at the center of the programs for child soldiers (filling a including a critical ceasefire in the port Yemen and how to increase the 2011 peaceful protests that eventually gap left by the UN’s own suspended city of Hodeidah, where most aid nation’s chances for peace. To achieve removed President Ali Abdullah Saleh effort), led efforts — in the face of enters Yemen. But though the leaders the latter, lawmakers should advocate from power. One of the most visible ongoing abuse — to release over 300 of the Yemeni peace process plan to for women’s participation in the nego- leaders — Tawakkol Karman, known detainees and tracked bombings and resume talks in January, they continue tiations and in the recovery efforts to as the Mother of the Revolution — was medicine shortages. to overlook a critical strategy that could follow. awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her Third, they are seeding the increase the likelihood of peace: the Despite ample evidence demon- commitment to a nonviolent pursuit of ground for post-conflict recovery. inclusion of women. strating the importance of women’s human rights and opportunity. Women have advocated that the Including women at the peace table involvement in peace talks, a Council Yet once ethnic Houthi rebels from negotiation process address issues is not just a matter of fairness — it is a on Foreign Relations report tracking northern Yemen seized Sana’a and the that can improve the durability of strategic imperative. Research suggests women’s participation in peace proc- Saudi-led multinational coalition peace agreements, including the that when women participate in a esses from 1990 to the present found launched its counter-campaign, establishment of an international Including women peace process, the resulting agreement that women comprise only two percent women’s rights were once again under fund for reconstruction, investment at the peace table is 64 percent less likely to fail and 35 of mediators, five percent of witnesses assault. Within the first five months of in income generation opportunities, percent more likely to last at least 15 and signatories, and eight percent of the war, documented cases of gender- and the revival of the judicial system. is not just the right years. Indeed, this data inspired the US negotiators around the world. The based violence, including rape, Women have also pushed for disar- thing to do — it’s the government to enact a 2017 law to negotiators of the Yemeni peace increased by 70 percent. Child mar- mament, demobilisation, and reinte- smart thing to do. support women’s meaningful partici- process have an opportunity to riage rates rose as well, and today, two gration programs to respond to the pation in peace negotiations. improve upon these dismal numbers. out of every three Yemeni girls are needs of female and child soldiers, married before the age of 18. Of the two and have called for the inclusion of million people displaced from their more women in the security sector - homes, 75 percent are women and all measures which have been children, forced by war to provide for shown to strengthen post-conflict their families with little training and recovery and stability. limited job prospects. Including women at the peace Despite these difficult odds, Yemeni table is not just the right thing to do - women have overcome their political it’s the smart thing to do. marginalisation to contribute to peace efforts on the ground. Including Jamille Bigio is a senior fellow for Yemeni women in the negotiations to women and foreign policy at the end the war in their country would Council on Foreign Relations and reflect the contributions they are Rachel Vogelstein is the Douglas already making, from facilitating Dillon Senior Fellow and director of humanitarian access to assisting in the the Women and Foreign Policy release of detainees to leading the program at the Council on Foreign reintegration of child soldiers. Relations. Here are three ways they have already made a difference: First, they work across divides. Yemeni women from all backgrounds have formed new coalitions, including the Yemeni Women Pact for Peace and Security and the Women’s Solidarity D-RING ROAD Network. Working across political POST BOX: 3488 UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffith makes a speech during the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen at the lines, they have activated local truce DOHA - QATAR United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States. committees to prevent fighting over [email protected]

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE ith an Ebola epidemic end years of conflict characterised by Yemen isn’t at the top of everyone’s TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 raging and millions sexual brutality. list,” said World Vision emergencies FAX: +974 4455 7758 caught in a forgotten “It’s been a catastrophe for the chief Mark Smith. “catastrophe” of conflict country, and for women and girls par- International Medical Corps warned MANAGING EDITOR W TEL: 4462 7505 and hunger, Democratic Republic of ticularly,” Boumnijel said. Christian the disaster in Lake Chad basin, where Congo (DRC) was the most neglected Aid’s head of humanitarian pro- climate change and a prolonged insur- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR EMMA BATHA crisis of 2018, according to an annual grammes Maurice Onyango said the gency by Boko Haram and Islamic State TEL: 4455 7769 Thomson Reuters Foundation poll of violence had caused “large-scale have left 11 million needing help, was aid agencies. trauma”, with children witnessing also set to worsen next year. Action LOCAL NEWS SECTION parents and siblings being murdered. Against Hunger said millions caught up TEL: 4455 7743 An upsurge of fighting in the east of in the “almost invisible” crisis - affecting the mineral-rich country has also exac- Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon - BUSINESS NEWS SECTION erbated the spread of the world’s faced poverty, hunger, sexual violence TEL: 4462 7535 Ravaged by Ebola and second largest Ebola outbreak, agencies and child kidnapping. said. The International Federation of Red SPORT NEWS SECTION The Central African Republic, where Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), TEL: 4455 7745 war, Congo named most armed groups control much of the the world’s biggest relief network, said country and 60 percent of the popu- hunger and disease following major ONLINE SECTION lation needs assistance, came a close flooding across Nigeria threatened to TEL: 4462 7501 neglected crisis of 2018 second in the poll. create a second protracted crisis in the [email protected] Listed as the most neglected by country. “I’m shocked by how little Ocha, Unicef, MercyCorps, Plan Inter- attention (this) has received. The figures PUBLIC RELATIONS national, and Caritas, the country has are staggering,” said IFRC Secretary TEL: 4455 7613 been racked by violence since mainly This year’s survey was unusual for General Elhadj As Sy, adding that nearly [email protected] the high number of “most forgotten Muslim rebels ousted the president in 2 million people were impacted, more crises”, with experts also listing the 2013, provoking a backlash from than 200,000 uprooted and swathes of ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Central African Republic, Lake Chad Christian militias. Armed groups are cropland destroyed. “This massive dis- TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 Basin, Yemen, Afghanistan, South increasingly targeting schools, hospitals, aster has gone largely unnoticed by FAX: 4455 7870 Sudan, Burundi, Nigeria and, for the mosques and churches, while attacks many donors and journalists,” he [email protected] first time, Venezuela. on aid workers have impacted a added. This year was the first time Ven- But Congo’s “mega-crisis” barely “chronically underfunded” humani- ezuela featured in the poll. CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT made headlines, they said, even as the tarian response, they said. About 3.3 million people have fled TEL: 4455 7857 country gears up for landmark elections UN children’s agency Uuicef said political turmoil and economic [email protected] on Sunday which some fear could stoke thousands of children had been trapped meltdown in the Latin American Congo, where 13 further unrest. in armed groups or subjected to sexual country — many driven by hunger or SUBSCRIPTION & million people in a “The brutality of the conflict is violence. “The crisis is growing increas- violence — and another 2 million could DISTRIBUTION shocking, the national and international ingly desperate and resources are at follow next year, according to UN esti- population of 82 TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 neglect outrageous,” said Jan Egeland, breaking point,” added Unicef emer- mates. The United Nations has launched FAX: 44557819 million need help, also head of the Norwegian Refugee Council. gencies director Manuel Fontaine. a $738 million appeal to help nearby [email protected] topped the annual “I visited Congo this year and have UN appeals for both DRC and CAR countries cope with what one UN Thomson Reuters seldom witnessed such a gap between are less than 50 percent funded. “Central official called a “humanitarian earth- needs and assistance.” African Republic is in a death spiral,” quake”. CARE said evidence on the Foundation poll in Congo, where 13 million people in a said Caritas Secretary General Michel ground suggested the real number All thoughts and views 2017, but agencies population of 82 million need help, also Roy. “While governments and the fleeing was far higher than the UN expressed in these columns said the situation had topped the annual Thomson Reuters world’s media have turned their backs, figure. “Given its scale, it’s incredible are those of the writers, deteriorated. Six of Foundation poll in 2017, but agencies we must not. It’s the only hope CAR has how neglected the situation in Vene- said the situation had deteriorated. left.” Plan International said the media zuela is,” said CARE humanitarian not of the newspaper. 21 agencies polled Six of 21 agencies polled named neglected complex crises like CAR and expert Tom Newby. “The world needs named Congo as Congo as the most neglected crisis, DRC because they lacked the shock to wake up to this crisis.” All correspondence the most neglected including WFP, Norwegian Refugee factor of a sudden disaster like Indone- Afghanistan was ranked the most regarding Views and crisis, including WFP, Council, Oxfam, ActionAid, Interna- sia’s huge earthquake in September. neglected crisis by Islamic Relief tional Rescue Committee, and Christian Yemen, at risk of the world’s worst Worldwide, and South Sudan by Save Opinion pages should be Norwegian Refugee Aid. famine in 100 years, was highlighted by the Children. The UNHCR named send to editor-in-chief Council, Oxfam and ActionAid’s humanitarian advisor Muslim Hands and World Vision. “With Burundi while mixed migration was office or mailed to the ActionAid. Rachid Boumnijel urged the interna- three quarters of the population highlighted by the Danish Refugee tional community to redouble efforts to needing assistance, I can’t see how Council. [email protected] 10 ASIA FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018

US envoy doubts Denuclearisation Afghan Taliban’s depends on removal desire for peace AFP of US threat: N Korea KABUL US peace envoy Zalmay AFP North Korea urged Khalilzad raised doubts SEOUL the US to give up yesterday about the Taliban’s desire to end the 17-year war, North Korea said yesterdya its the “delusion” of after the militants refused to commitment to denucleari- forcing it to give up meet with a Kabul-backed sation of the Korean peninsula its nuclear arsenal negotiating team. was bound up with a “complete While he was certain the removal of US nuclear threats”. “unilaterally” through Afghan government wanted Following a rapid diplo- “pressure and to stop the conflict, Khalilzad matic rapprochement this year, coercion”. told Ariana News that he the North’s leader Kim Jong-Un questioned whether the and President Donald Trump Taliban were “genuinely signed a vaguely-worded arsenal “unilaterally” through seeking peace”. statement in Singapore in June, “pressure and coercion”. “We have to wait and see agreeing to work towards the It also called for the lifting their forthcoming steps,” Turkish National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar (left) meets Pakistani Minister for Defence Production, “denuclearisation of the Korean of sanctions, describing it as a Khalilzad said according to a Zubaida Jalal, in Islamabad yesterday. peninsula”. But the two coun- “touchstone” in determining translation of the interview tries have since disagreed on whether the US was committed provided by the US embassy what it means, causing follow- to implementing the Singapore in Kabul. up negotiations to stall. agreement. Khalilzad’s remarks to Now Pyongyang is A second summit between Turkey, Pakistan talk Afghan media following his demanding sanctions relief and Trump and Kim — who latest face-to-face meeting has condemned US insistence exchanged personal insults and with the Taliban echoed those on its nuclear disarmament as threats of war throughout 2017 expressed privately by some “gangster-like”, while Wash- — is expected to take place next defence cooperation Western diplomats. ington is pushing to maintain year. the measures against the North The US leader faces crit- ANATOLIA defense industry in IDEAS 2018 Akar arrived in Islamabad on Indonesia gets until its “final, fully verified icism over the planned talks KARACHI Expo held in Karachi last month. Wednesday night on a two-day denuclearisation”. since North Korea has taken Jalal thanked the Turkish gov- visit. Ankara and Islamabad have tough with The commentary released few concrete steps to abandon Turkish and Pakistani officials ernment for cooperation in the developed strong bilateral ties, by the North’s official Korean its nuclear and ballistic missile yesterday discussed defence areas of health and education in especially in defence and security anti-terror laws Central News Agency (KCNA) programmes. cooperation in Rawalpindi, a Balochistan, a restive south- fields, in recent years. asserted that the commitment Pyongyang has long said it northern city of Pakistan. western province. In July this year, Ankara won REUTERS was a mutual rather than uni- needs the weapons to deter a Turkish Defence Minister Akar also met Pakistan’s army a multibillion-dollar tender to JAKARTA lateral undertaking. possible US invasion. Hulusi Akar met Zubaida Jalal, chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa at supply four corvettes to Pakistan “It must be clearly under- It has spent decades devel- Pakistan’s federal minister for the army headquarters. They Navy — a deal dubbed as the Indonesian police have stood that the denuclearisation oping them, at a heavy cost in defence production, to discuss exchanged views on issues of biggest export for Turkey’s detained about 20 suspected of the Korean peninsula means both resources and the impo- issues of mutual interest, partic- mutual interest including defence defence industry in history by militants as security is the removal of all nuclear sition of multiple sets of UN, US, ularly ways to improve defence and security cooperation, said a then-Defence Minister Nurettin stepped up ahead of the threats — not only those from EU and other sanctions. cooperation, said a statement by statement from the army’s media Canikli. In May 2017, Turkish and Christmas and New Year’s the North and the South but Washington last week the Pakistani ministry. wing, Inter Services Public Pakistani defence companies holiday season, a commander those aiming at the Korean added three senior North Jalal appreciated Turkish Relations. struck another deal for the con- said, yesterday. peninsula from surrounding Korean officials to those subject President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Earlier, the Turkish minister struction of four Turkish Ada class National police chief Tito areas as well”, it said. to sanctions over human rights for his policies on robust relations laid a floral wreath at the Mon- MILGEM (National Ship) corvettes. Karnavian said the detentions It urged the US to give up abuses, including Choe Ryong between Pakistan and Turkey. ument of Martyrs. He was pre- According to the agreement, two were made preventively the “delusion” of forcing the Hae, who has been considered She also thanked Akar for sented the guard of honour by a ships will be built in Istanbul and under a revised anti-ter- North to give up its nuclear a right-hand man to Kim. active participation of Turkish contingent of soldiers. two others in Karachi. rorism law approved in May, after suicide bombings claimed by Islamic State killed more than 30 people in the city of Surabaya. Decision looms as term of Pakistani military courts nears end “There is no information yet about terror acts over Christmas and New Year’s but INTERNEWS the beginning of January 2019. courts’ term, which will end on amendment. Most political ana- to 5-year imprisonment. Two we are taking proactive steps ISLAMABAD In the prevailing political January 6. However, the official lysts believe that if the gov- accused had also been acquitted. including these arrests,” Kar- scenario, giving another did not reveal how an extension ernment brought a constitutional Fifty-six (56) people from navian told reporters. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf extension to military courts through a constitutional amendment then opposition among these 310 convicts have Indonesia, the world’s (PTI) led government is contem- through a constitutional amendment would be made pos- parties would demand many been executed after completion largest Muslim-majority plating to further extend term of amendment will be an uphill task sible when the government does more concessions. of legal process which included country, has struggled to the military courts, which were for the PTI’s federal not have two-thirds majority in Two days ago, the Inter- their appeals in superior courts contain a resurgence in mil- set up in the wake of December government. parliament and the opposition Services Public Relations (ISPR) and rejection of mercy petitions itancy and scores of Indone- 16, 2014 massacre of school- The government has recently is in no mood to sit with the gov- issued a statement that said since both by the army chief and the sians have travelled to the children in Peshawar to stem the conceded to allow the National ernment on any issue. the establishment of the courts, president. Middle East to join the Islamic growing tide of militancy and Assembly Opposition Leader A senior Pakistan Peoples the federal government had Execution of the remaining State group. terrorism. Shehbaz Sharif chair the key Party (PPP) leader while talking referred to them 717 cases. Five 254 terrorists is pending com- Near-simultaneous The swift trial courts were Public Accounts Committee with reference to another issue forty six (546) out of these 717 pletion of legal process in higher attacks on churches in the established through a consti- (PAC). However, despite that the said his party will evolve its cases had been finalised by the courts. The Supreme Court on capital, Jakarta, and else- tutional amendment with a government’s relationship with strategy after a bill is tabled in military courts. Out of these 546 August 5, 2015 upheld estab- where on Christmas Eve in ‘sunset clause’ for a period of key opposition parties is quite the house. A senior PTI minister finalised cases, 310 terrorists had lishment of military courts to try 2000, killed nearly 20 people. two years. Their term was tense. said he has recommended been awarded death penalty terror suspects in a majority Ever since, authorities have extended in January 2016 for A senior government official amending the anti-terror laws while 234 were awarded rigorous ruling but said the superior judi- stepped up security at another two years and this confirmed that the government instead of extending military imprisonment of varied durations ciary could still review any churches and tourist spots for extension is also going to end by wants to extend the military courts through constitutional ranging from life imprisonment judgement passed by them. the holiday.

Ghosn could win bail as court S Korean taxi drivers strike against carpooling says no to extend detention REUTERS SEOUL

AFP allegations, as Ghosn does, and Tens of thousands of South TOKYO the decision wrong-footed eve- Korean taxi drivers walked off ryone. The move paved the way the job across the country Carlos Ghosn could soon be freed for a potential release on bail as yesterday and held a mass rally on bail after a Japanese court early as today, according to in downtown Seoul to protest threw out a bid by prosecutors public broadcaster NHK. against a carpooling service that to extend his detention, in a move NHK earlier reported that they say will destroy their jobs. nearly as unexpected as the auto prosecutors could also press The demonstration came tycoon’s sudden arrest. further charges, which would days after the death of a taxi The 64-year-old Franco- further drag out his detention. driver who set himself on a fire Brazilian-Lebanese executive Yasuyuki Takai, a former in protest against plans to has languished in a Japanese official at the prosecutor’s office, introduce car-pooling service detention centre since his said: “The court now needs to Kakao Mobility, a unit of mobile November 19 arrest for alleged decide whether or not to free him messenger operator Kakao Corp. financial misconduct sent shock- on bail. He could also be arrested “If the service is imple- waves through the business on suspicion of a third crime. We mented, my income will shrink world. But in another stunning do not know.” by half. I’ll fall into poverty,” said twist in the case, the Tokyo Dis- Prosecutors formally driver Yoon Woo-seok, 62, at the trict Court said prosecutors had charged Ghosn on December 10 rally in front of the National filed a bid to extend his detention with financial misconduct for Assembly. on December 20, but it was allegedly under-declaring his Drivers wearing black head- “rejected”. income by some 5bn yen ($44m) bands and ribbons to mourn A court also rejected the between 2010 and 2015. At the their colleague chanted “combat South Korean taxi drivers hold banners during a rally calling for the car-pooling app to be banned, prosecutors’ appeal against the same time, they re-arrested him illegal carpool”. near the National Assembly in Seoul, yesterday. Tokyo District Court decision. on suspicion of also under- Kakao postponed the official In the Japanese system, it is reporting his income by a further launch of its service after the South Korea has one of the partly because of strong unions government, which has also extremely rare for the court to four billion yen over the past suicide. “We will have continued world’s highest smartphone and tight regulations in Asia’s pledged to promote new indus- turn down prosecutor requests three years. He has not formally consultations with the industry, penetration rates, but app-based fourth-biggest economy. tries to cut reliance on big con- to continue the detention of been charged over this parliament and the gov- car-hailing services such as US- The protests pose a chal- glomerates, such as Hyundai and someone who denies the allegation. ernment,” the company said. based Uber have not taken off, lenge to the labour-friendly Samsung. FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018 EUROPE 11 Drone intrusion brings Gatwick Airport to standstill

AFP airport on 760 flights. Flights into Gatwick, GATWICK AIRPORT Gatwick is the eighth-busiest around 50km south airport in Europe and sits behind of the British capital, British police were yesterday Mumbai as the world’s busiest were diverted to frantically hunting for the oper- single runway air hub. ators of drones flown over Lon- A cat-and-mouse manhunt other airports while don’s Gatwick airport, which is under way to catch those oper- passengers waiting forced the suspension of all ating the drones, with more than to take off faced flights, causing misery for tens 20 police units and dozens of gruelling delays as of thousands of passengers just officers from two local forces days before Christmas. deployed. Sussex Police said they airlines cancelled The airport’s authorities said believed that the devices “are of flights. Some 10,000 its sole runway would stay shut an industrial specification”. passengers were until at least 1600 GMT due to Police superintendent Justin “drone sightings” that began on Burtenshaw said: “We believe affected. Wednesday evening. “We have this to be a deliberate act to had within the last hour another disrupt the airport. However, had to be closed again following drone sighting,” Gatwick’s chief there are absolutely no indica- further sightings. operating officer Chris tions to suggest this is terror- “Please do not set out for the Woodroofe said yesterday. related.” He added: “Each time airport for your flight without “It was on the airport, seen we believe we get close to the checking with your airline first,” by the police, corroborated, and operator, the drone disappears; the airport said on Twitter. so having seen that drone that when we look to reopen the air- “We’re sorry for the disruption.” close to the runway it was unsafe field, the drone reappears.” British Prime Minister Theresa to reopen,” he told BBC News. Gisele Fenech, 43, who was May said she sympathised with Passengers wait around in the South Terminal building at Gatwick Airport after drones flying illegally Woodroofe earlier it would be travelling to Malta, was among passengers impacted and vowed over the airfield forced the closure of the airport, in Gatwick, Britain, yesterday. dangerous to shoot at the drone those stranded at the airport. action. “We will continue to work due to the danger of stray bullets. “We’re meeting family and it’s my with the Gatwick authorities and Flights into Gatwick, around daughter’s birthday today so it’s police will be working... in order this, because it’s affected more be here for some time.” Under a further aspects of this including 50km south of the British capital, gone all wrong. We’ve been to bring this to a close,” she said. than 100,000 people.” Karin new British law, drones cannot further police powers,” she added. were diverted to other airports looking forward to this for so Inside the airport, weary Sjostrom-Nandris, 49, who was be flown near aircraft or within In parliament, members of while passengers waiting to take long,” she said. “Everyone’s trying passengers faced a grim wait to heading to Stockholm, said: “We a kilometre of an airport, or at the upper House of Lords raised off faced gruelling delays as air- to get home for Christmas.” reach their destinations, with can’t really leave this queue an altitude of over 400 feet. the likelihood of a new wave of lines cancelled flights. Some Two drones were first many returning home for the because this seems to be the only May warned the perpetrators people getting hold of drones as 10,000 passengers were affected spotted flying over Gatwick at holidays. place we could possibly find out they could face up to five years presents this Christmas. Gatwick on Wednesday night, and a around 9pm (2100 GMT) on Musab Rashid, 22, who was any information. in prison for endangering an air- serves more than 228 destina- further 110,000 were due to Wednesday. The airfield briefly going to Copenhagen, said: “It’s “The queue looks like it’s craft under recently passed leg- tions in 74 countries for 45 either take off or land at the reopened at 3am yesterday, but wrong, it’s childish of them to do several hours long, so we could islation. “We’re consulting on million passengers a year.

Hungary enforces labour reform UK minister raises possibility despite protests of second Brexit referendum AFP BUDAPEST AGENCIES who have been pushing for a Commons on the withdrawal deal LONDON new vote with the goal of she struck with the EU in Hungarian President Janos reversing Brexit. Labour MP November, fearing a huge defeat Ader yesterday signed into A senior British minister has Owen Smith, who supports the as many of her own MPs oppose law a controversial labour raised the possibility of a second anti-Brexit group Best for it. She is seeking further clarifica- reform dubbed a “slave law” Brexit referendum if MPs cannot Britain, said Rudd’s concession tions from Brussels on arrange- by the opposition despite agree on the way forward when was a “massive moment”. ments relating to the Irish border, sweeping protests. they vote on Prime Minister Rudd, who opposed Brexit and has said the vote would take The law hikes the amount Theresa May’s deal next month. in the 2016 referendum, con- place the week of January 14. of overtime that employers Work and pensions minister ceded that having another vote This is just weeks before can demand from 250 to 400 Amber Rudd said there could be would “distress many of my col- Britain is due to leave the hours per year and allows a “plausible argument” for leagues” in the governing Con- European Union on March 29. The payment to be delayed by up holding another referendum if servative party. government yesterday confirmed to three years. MPs reject the deal and cannot May has repeatedly ruled out MPs would resume debating the “I studied the changes to agree an alternative strategy. “I this option, saying it would only deal on January 9, with three days the labour law, and its provi- don’t want a ‘people’s vote’, or cause more division and may not currently scheduled for discus- sions do not run contrary to a referendum in general,” she resolve the question. Asked yes- sions. But it did not set a date for the constitution,” Ader said. told ITV television. terday if a second referendum the vote itself. The main oppo- Thousands of people have “But if parliament absolutely was plausible, her spokesman sition Labour party has accused demonstrated against Prime failed to reach a consensus, I said: “No.” He said May was May of “running down the Minister Viktor Orban’s gov- could see there would be a plau- “focused on winning the vote on clock” to try to force MPs to back ernment since MPs passed the sible argument for it.” Her the deal that has been agreed”. her deal rather than risk Britain law on December 12, with remarks were welcomed by Earlier this month, May post- leaving the EU with no arrange- police and protesters clashing pro-European campaigners, poned a vote in the House of ments in place. outside parliament. Ader, an Orban ally, said the provisions were similar to laws governing overtime Albanian PM in other EU countries. “The France boosts pay for police in safeguards that protect pelted with eggs (workers’) rights have not wake of ‘yellow vest’ protests in parliament been weakened,” he said. Protesters had asked Ader AFP last week, were the final straw. AFP not to enforce the reform and PARIS “This agreement... paves the way TIRANA unions have threatened a for improved and upgraded general strike if he did so. UK-Poland diplomacy The French government will give working conditions and pay for An Albanian MP hurled eggs The government says the police officers a long-sought officers,” Interior Minister Chris- at Prime Minister Edi Rama Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May and Poland’s Prime Minister law is needed to tackle Hun- raise after a strike called in the tophe Castaner said. in parliament yesterday, Mateusz Morawiecki (right), pose during the UK-Poland Inter- gary’s labour shortage and wake of the “yellow vest” anti- Union officials said that splattering his tie in a dra- that it will enable those who Governmental Consultations at Lancaster House in central government protests, which have starting next year average matic return for an opposition wish to work more hours to London yesterday. strained security forces already monthly pay will be gradually coalition that has boycotted earn more. on high alert after years of boosted by €120 ($137) a month, the house for six months. jihadist terror attacks. and up to €150 a month for Bodyguards quickly The accord was announced senior ranks. The government rushed to help Rama, who late on Wednesday by unions will also begin negotiations on was addressing MPs from a after two days of talks with offi- the huge backlog of overtime podium about recent student Surge in homeless deaths in England and Wales cials, and a one-day strike pay, with unions saying they are protests. The session was which saw police stations vir- owed a collective €275m. postponed and the Speaker AFP drinking — causes that made up should be dying because of tually shut as officers carried With the pay hikes, the gov- said the egg-throwing MP, LONDON only three percent of overall homelessness.” The statistics out only emergency duties. ernment said a planned €300 Endri Hasa from the conserv- deaths last year,” said Ben Hum- were released a day after MPs They have complained of bonus for officers would now ative Democrat party, would Nearly 600 homeless people in berstone, the ONS head of health were told about a homeless man, exhausting hours of patrols and be reserved only for adminis- be banned for 10 days. England and Wales died the last and life events. The average age a 43-year-old known as Gyula chronic under-investment in trative employees and techni- The opposition said the act year — a 24 percent rise over of death was 44 for men and 42 Remes, who was found dead equipment which have cians. “It’s what we were was in solidarity with student the past five years, official esti- for women — and 84 percent of outside the parliament in London. stretched departments to the looking for, we wanted an protesters, who have recently mates released yesterday said. those who died were men. Housing Secretary James breaking point and taken a immediate boost to spending been tossing eggs at the edu- Described as a “national But the spike in winter Brokenshire said the figures heavy toll on the force. power,” said Yves Lefebvre of cation ministry during rallies. tragedy” by one activist, the deaths was not reflected among were “stark”. “It is simply unac- Last month an officer who the Unite-SGP Police union Former president and numbers were released by the the homeless -- possibly due to ceptable to see lives cut short led an “angry police mov- after Wednesday’s talks. current opposition MP Sali Office for National Statistics just greater provision of shelters and this way,” he told lawmakers. ement”, which emerged after Police were emboldened in Berisha wrote on Facebook days after a homeless man died services during the coldest “I believe we have a moral the 2016 firebombing of a squad their demands after the gov- that the eggs were “a greeting outside the Houses of Parliament months, said the ONS. duty to act.” He said the gov- car with two officers inside, was ernment announced a €10bn card for the Christmas and — the second within a year. “This is nothing short of a ernment was committed to found dead at her home in a package of financial relief for New Year’s holidays... sent by The ONS said the estimated national tragedy — especially halving rough sleeping by 2022 suspected suicide. low-income households to the opposition to Edi Rama”. 597 homeless deaths was up when we know that homelessness and ending it by 2027. For many officers, the violent quell the “yellow vest” protests An incensed Rama lashed from 482 in 2013. Their statistics is not inevitable,” said Jon Opposition leader Jeremy clashes with rioting “yellow vest” which have rocked France over out immediately on Twitter. threw up patterns were strik- Sparkes, the chief executive of Corbyn said: “Every year since protesters in Paris and other the past month. “During the months of boycott, ingly different from the general Crisis, Britain’s national charity the Tories entered government cities on recent Saturdays, and The measures include a rise their deputies had to kill time population. for single homeless people. in 2010 rough sleeping has got the huge manhunt for the in the minimum wage, tax relief in the hen houses by raping “More than half were related “In one of the world’s worse,” he tweeted. “There is gunman who attacked a for pensioners and tax-free chickens and looting eggs,” the to drug poisoning, suicide, or wealthiest countries, no one absolutely no excuse for this.” Christmas market in Strasbourg overtime pay for workers. Socialist Prime Minister wrote. 12 EUROPE / AMERICAS FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018

US approves Putin accuses US of raising risk of nuclear war $3.5bn Patriot

REUTERS The annual event, the missile sale to MOSCOW 14th of its kind, is used Turkey by Putin to burnish his Russian President Vladimir Putin leadership credentials yesterday accused the United AFP States of raising the risk of and send messages to WASHINGTON nuclear war by threatening to foreign allies and foes. spurn a key arms control treaty The United States said late on and refusing to hold talks about Wednesday that it approved another pact that expires soon. short- and intermediate-range, the sale of $3.5bn in missiles In a news conference that land-based missiles in Europe. to Turkey, offering an ulti- lasted more than three hours, Putin Putin said the move, if it matum after US outrage over also backed US President Donald happened, would have unpre- the Nato ally’s plans to buy Trump’s decision to pull troops out dictable consequences. “We are from Russia. of Syria, said British Prime Min- essentially witnessing the The State Department ister Theresa May had no choice breakdown of the international said it had informed Congress but to implement Brexit and that arms control order and (the of plans to sell Turkey a Western democracy was under start of) an arms race,” Putin package that includes 80 serious strain. told more than 1,000 reporters. Patriot missiles, 60 PAC-3 The annual event, the 14th of “It’s very hard to imagine missile interceptors and its kind, is used by Putin to how the situation will develop related equipment. burnish his leadership creden- (if the United States quits the “The proposed sale will tials and send messages to INF treaty). If these missiles increase the defensive capa- Russian President Vladimir Putin holds his annual press conference in Moscow yesterday. foreign allies and foes. appear in Europe what should bilities of the Turkey military This year, he made clear his we do? Of course, we’ll have to to guard against hostile biggest worry was what he called ensure our own security.” are yet being held. Are the Amer- weapons which he believed gave “If, God forbid, something aggression and shield Nato a dangerous new arms race, Another US-Russia treaty, the icans not interested, do they not it an edge over other countries, like that were to happen, it would allies who might train and something he accused the United New START pact, which limits the need them? Ok, we’ll survive and warned the threat of a nuclear lead to the end of all civilisation operate within Turkey’s States of stoking by turning its number of deployed strategic will ensure our own security, conflict was growing as a result and maybe also the planet,” said borders,” a statement said. back on arms control. nuclear warheads each side can which we know how to do. But of the US moves. He also cited Putin. But though Putin criticised A year ago, Ankara Washington has threatened have, expires in 2021. Putin said in general, this is very bad for the dangerous tendency of low- Washington, he made clear that announced a deal to purchase to pull out of the 1987 Interme- he was worried that Washington humankind because it takes us ering the threshold for using he still hoped to meet Trump rival S-400 missiles from diate-range Nuclear Forces didn’t appear to be interested in closer to a dangerous threshold.” nuclear weapons and the idea of sometime soon, saying it was Russia, drawing a rebuke Treaty (INF) which bans Moscow discussing its future. The Russian leader, who said using ballistic missiles with con- important the two leaders dis- from its allies in Nato. and Washington from stationing “No talks on extending this Moscow had developed nuclear ventional warheads. cussed issues such as arms control. A State Department official said that Turkey was jeopardizing participation in another US military program, the coveted F-35 fighter jets, Americans have grown fatter, if Turkey still went ahead shorter since 1999: US data with the S-400 sale. Powerful quake off AFP year for which data is available, Russia’s far east, WASHINGTON 2015-2016. That’s up eight pounds from 1999-2000, when no tsunami threat Americans have grown fatter in the average male body weight the past two decades, adding was 189 (86kg). REUTERS girth to their bellies and in some Women have packed on the MOSCOW cases, even growing shorter, pounds too, going from an according to federal health data average of 164 lbs (74kg) in A major earthquake with a released yesterday. 1999-2000 to 171 lb (77kg) in magnitude of 7.4 struck off The report gave no specific 2015-2016. Russia’s sparsely populated reasons for the trends, which Men’s average waist size has far east yesterday, but offi- come as no surprise as the crept from 39 to 40 inches (99 cials said the threat of a nation battles with an ongoing cm to 102 cm), while women’s tsunami had passed and no obesity epidemic. waists grew three inches -- 36 damage was reported. Average weight, waist cir- to 39 inches (92 to 98 cm) — in The quake off Russia’s cumference, and body mass that time span. American men Kamchatka peninsula, which index (BMI) in adults have today are slightly shorter than was initially measured at increased over the past 18 years, two decades ago: 69.2 inches magnitude 7.8 by the United said the report by the National (175.6 cm) then, and 69.1 inches States Geological Survey, Center for Health Statistics. (175.4 cm) now. before being revised down- US Secretary of Homeland, Security Kirstjen Nielsen (left), speaks with Chairman of the House Judiciary “A significant linear Women’s average height wards, struck 82km west of Committee, Bob Goodlatte, R-Virginia, prior to testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on increase in body weight was also fell one tenth of an inch Nikolskoye at a depth of 9km. “Homeland Security Oversight” in Washington, DC, yesterday. seen over time for both men since 1999, but not enough to The Pacific Tsunami and women,” said the report, be statistically significant. Warning Centre at first said based on data from physical BMI, a key health indicator hazardous tsunami waves US to send migrants back to Mexico exams on more than 47,000 which is calculated as ratio of from the earthquake were people nationwide over the height and weight, showed rises possible within 300km of the to wait out asylum requests age of 20. men climbed from an average epicentre along the coasts of The average American man of 27.8 in 1999 to 29.1 in 2015. Russia, but later said the REUTERS president, Andres Manuel Lopez taken by the Mexican and US weighs 197.9 pounds (89.8kg), Women went from 27.8 on threat of tsunami had passed. WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY Obrador, who took office on governments do not constitute according to the most recent average to 28.2. Russian RIA and TASS December 1. “We want to dis- a “safe third country” scheme, news agencies, citing officials The United States will soon send courage those who are claiming where migrants would have to at the local Emergencies Min- non-Mexican migrants who asylum fraudulently,” US request US asylum while in istry, also said there was no cross the US southern border Homeland Security Secretary Mexico. threat of a tsunami following back to wait in Mexico while Kirstjen Nielsen told a congres- Department of Homeland Storms halt SpaceX mission the quake. No damage was their US asylum requests are sional committee yesterday, Security officials told reporters reported, they said. processed, a major change in describing the plan. on condition of anonymity that REUTERS now targeting the taunch today immigration policy, the Trump In response to the plan, Mex- the Mexican government has CAPE CANAVERAL morning from Florida’s Cape US Senate passes administration announced ico’s foreign ministry under- said asylum seekers would have Canaveral. anti-lynching yesterday. scored that it still has the right access to attorneys in Mexico Thunderstorms forced Elon The cancellation, which fol- Immigrant advocates and to admit or reject the entry of and that migrants would be able Musk’s SpaceX to postpone yes- lowed two previous launch measure human rights experts quickly foreigners into its territory. to enter the United States for terday’s launch of a navigation attempts this week that were denounced the policy change “Mexico’s government has their court hearings, without satellite for the U.S. military, scrubbed for technical reasons, AFP as illegal and violating the decided to take the following giving more details about how which was poised to be the came as thunderstorms and WASHINGTON rights of refugees. actions to benefit migrants, in the process would work. rocket company’s first national wind gusts swirled around the Mexico’s government said particular unaccompanied and “Operationally this will look security space mission for the launch site. After a century of failed that it would accept some of accompanied minors, and to a little bit different at different United States. Patrick Burke, a meteorol- attempts, the US Senate those migrants for humanitarian protect the rights of those who ports of entry simply based on SpaceX said its Falcon 9 ogist with the National Weather finally passed legislation on reasons, in what many will see want to start an asylum process what the infrastructure is like in rocket and payload, a roughly Service’s Weather Prediction Wednesday that makes a as an early concession to US in the United States,” the foreign the area,” said one official. “We $500m GPS satellite built by Center in College Park, Mar- federal crime of lynching, the President Donald Trump’s ministry said. are not implementing this on the Lockheed Martin Corp, were “in yland, said the weather might racism-driven extrajudicial administration by Mexico’s new The ministry said the actions entire U.S. border all at once.” good health” and that it was not clear up until today. killings that came to sym- bolize America’s stained past. The chamber’s three African American senators — two Democrats and one George H W Bush secretly sponsored Filipino boy, letters reveal Republican — introduced the bill earlier this year. It passed AFP week that the late president, who Jim McGrath confirmed the such as one in which he wrote: “I colored pencil,” Timothy wrote by a unanimous voice vote in CHICAGO died last month, had quietly authenticity of the letters. got to go to the White House at in 2004. “a very meaningful moment sponsored a Filipino boy named “This is but one of seemingly Christmas time. Here is a little At age 17, he graduated out of for this body,” said Senator To the boy in the Philippines, his Timothy for 10 years. countless acts of kindness that booklet that I got at the White the program and a charity Cory Booker, who is seen as American benefactor and source The organization released a George Bush performed through House in Washington.” In others, employee revealed to him the a potential 2020 presidential of kind letters and gifts was number of Bush’s heartwarming the years without fanfare, but he offered gentle advice. identity of his pen pal. Timothy contender. known simply as “G. Walker.” To letters to his young charge. rather because it was what was “I sure hope you like school was stunned, the organization The Justice for Victims of the Christian charity helping him “I want to be your new pen in his heart,” McGrath said. and athletics. I do. I am an old told US media. Lynching Act describes the keep his benevolence secret from pal,” Bush wrote in his initial Bush began sponsoring man - now 78 — but I feel young The charity has since lost crime as “the ultimate the world, he was George Herbert letter sent on January 24, 2002. Timothy with a monthly donation at heart,” Bush wrote. touch with Timothy, but its expression of racism” following Walker Bush — the 41st president “I am an old man, 77 years in 2002 until his graduation from Bush also occasionally sent former president Wess Stafford the Civil War, and notes that at of the United States. old, but I love kids; and though the charitable program in 2012. gifts to Timothy, who spoke in his is sure of Bush’s impact on the least 4,742 people, mostly Compassion International, we have not met, I love you Through all of that time, Bush’s letters of loving to draw, and young man’s life. blacks, were lynched in the which helps poor children already,” said the former pres- true identity was kept secret due playing basketball and guitar. “We may not know where country between 1882 and 1968. around the world through a ident, identifying himself as a res- to security concerns. “I’d like to thank you for the Timothy is, but we know he’s Ninety-nine percent of the per- network of local churches, ident of Texas. At times, Bush’s letters con- letter you sent me, as well as the now living a successful life,” petrators escaped punishment revealed for the first time this Bush’s former press secretary tained hints of his true identity, drawing pad, coloured pen and Stafford told CNN. by state or local officials. FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018 AMERICAS / CLASSIFIEDS 13

Movie producer Harvey Weinstein (centre) departs Manhattan Supreme Court in New York yesterday. Movie maker Harvey Weinstein loses bid to dismiss criminal case

REUTERS dismissal of a charge involving it to a grand jury. NEW YORK a third woman after prosecutors Weinstein, who faces a up revealed that a New York City to life in prison if convicted of A New York state judge yesterday police detective had withheld the five charges against him, has denied Harvey Weinstein’s information during the investi- denied abuse following accusa- motion to dismiss criminal gation, and said they could no tions by more than 70 women, charges that he assaulted two longer pursue the charge. mostly young actresses and women, rejecting the movie pro- In his motion to dismiss the other women employed in the ducer’s argument that the case remaining counts, Weinstein movie business, of misconduct, was tainted by police and prose- said the detective’s withholding going back decades. cutorial misconduct. of information compromised the The accusations led to the Supreme Court Justice James integrity of the entire grand jury #MeToo movement in which Burke in Manhattan announced process that led to the hundreds of women have pub- his decision at a hearing in a indictment. Burke, however, licly accused powerful men in packed courtroom. Benjamin wrote that a problem with one business, politics and enter- Brafman, a lawyer for Weinstein, charge did not “infect the tainment of harassment and told reporters outside the court- integrity” of the other charges, abuse. house he was disappointed in the which concern different women. As the accusations against decision but was confident his Weinstein has also argued Weinstein mounted, his client would prevail at trial. that the indictment should be company Weinstein Co fired Burke scheduled a pretrial dismissed because the grand him and filed for bankruptcy, hearing in the case on March 7. jury had not been shown com- and he was expelled from the In a written decision munications that he said showed Academy of Motion Picture Arts released after the hearing, Burke a long-term, consensual rela- and Sciences. said there was “no basis for the tionship between him and one Through his company and defendant’s claim of prosecu- of the women. another studio, Miramax, Wein- torial or law enforcement mis- Burke said that while pros- stein won plaudits and awards conduct in the proceedings”. ecutors must disclose evidence for movies including “Shake- The ruling came about two favorable to a defendant before speare in Love,” “Pulp Fiction” months after Weinstein won trial, they do not have to show and “The King’s Speech”.

Nicaragua expels two global human rights missions

AFP MANAGUA

The government of Nica- raguan President Daniel Ortega expelled two expert missions from the Inter- American Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday, accusing them of meddling and bias in evaluating the Brazilian Workers Party (PT) President and Parana State Senator, crisis-hit country. Gleisi Hoffmann (centre) speaks to supporters of Brazilian former A letter to Organization of president (2003-2011) Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva outside the Federal American States (OAS) Sec- Police headquarters in Curitiba, Brazil, yesterday. retary General Luis Almagro said the suspension of the Brazil media blast ‘legal anarchy’ Special Follow-up Mech- anism for Nicaragua (MESENI) and the Interdisci- after foiled Lula release plinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI) would remain AFP supreme court’s chief justice, Jose “until conditions of respect RIO DE JANEIRO Antonio Dias Toffoli, stepped in for sovereignty and internal to suspend Mello’s order. affairs are re-established.” Brazil’s media scathingly criti- Newspapers headlined the Read to mission cized “legal anarchy” in their confusion, with some speaking members by foreign min- country yesterday, a day after a feud between the judges. An ister Denis Moncada, it one judge’s order that could have editorial in the O Globo news- accused the two entities of freed imprisoned ex-president paper spoke of a “country in legal demonstrating “an inter- Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was shot anarchy”. “This has become fering, interventionist down by another judge. routine. Recently the individual attitude, echoing United Lula, a leftist former leader wishes of the 11 judges (in the States government policies who ruled 2003 to 2010 but supreme court) have overtaken against Nicaragua.” The mis- who is now behind bars for collective decisions,” it read. sions said they would leave graft, saw his hopes raised then Analysts speaking to the the country soon. dashed in the space of a few Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper The order came a day hours on Wednesday. diverged on whether Mello’s before GIEI — created to col- A Supreme Court judge, decision was well-founded, but laborate with authorities to Marco Aurelio Mello, had issued all agreed that the furor assess Nicaragua’s human an order that could have seen all unleashed “weakens the image rights situation — was due to prisoners in Lula’s situation — of the supreme court.” Lula’s present findings on human nonviolent ones who have lost Workers Party was equally rights during the first weeks an initial appeal but continued unimpressed. “Unfortunately, of anti-government protests, to challenge their convictions — because of a series... of infringe- which erupted in April. provisionally released. ments on legal process and the But the government But as Lula’s lawyers constitution, Lula was prevented accused it of acting outside scrambled to have the unex- from leaving prison,” said party agreed parameters by directly pected decision applied, the chief Gleisi Hoffmann. interviewing victims. 14 CLASSIFIEDS FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018

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SFOUBMT BUSINESS Friday 21 December 2018 PAGE | 16 PAGE | 16 BNP Paribas to Americans to lose access spend over $126bn to some US online this holiday pension assets season

Your Global Remittance Partner Currency TT Rate Currency TT Rate Currency TT Rate Currency TT Rate QAR/INR : 19.06 QAR/PHP : 14.51 QAR/LKR : 49.41 QAR/BDT : 23.05 EUR/QAR : 4.30 GBP/QAR : 4.75 CAD/QAR : 2.81 AUD/QAR : 2.72 CHF/QAR : 3.81 SGD/QAR : 2.76 KWD/QAR : 12.12 OMR/QAR : 9.55 MAIN BRANCH LULU HYPER MARKET SANAYYA (STREET 17) AL KHOR PH: 44441448 PH: 44650768 PH: 44510088 PH: 44213444 MATAR QADEEM MANSOURA - AL MEERA ABU HAMOUR BIN OMRAN - ALMEERA PH: 44655559 PH: 44357552 PH: 44621271 PH: 44162002 alzamanexchange www.alzamanexchange.com 44441448 Qatar, US working to boost economic cooperation

THE PENINSULA presence for US companies at the DOHA event, as they can benefit from the opportunity of being in Qatar Minister of Commerce and Qatar and the US hold and discuss the investment Industry H E Ali bin Ahmed Al opportunities available with Kuwari met with the visiting close economic and Qatari businessmen. In addition Senior Vice-President for Middle trade relations which to closely learning about state- East and Turkey Affairs at US reflect positively on of-the-art infrastructure for Chamber of Commerce Khush investors and investment oppor- Choksy and discussed ways of the volume of trade tunities available to them. promoting cooperation between exchange between Both sides also discussed the the Ministry of Commerce and the two countries, mechanisms to support joint Industry (MCI) and US Chamber which during the investments and stimulate the of Commerce in the economic, private sector to establish inno- trade and industry fields. first 10 months of vative investment projects in key In addition, the meeting high- 2018 amounted sectors that will serve the eco- lighted the opportunities available to approximately nomic trends of Qatar and the US. for increasing trade exchange in QR22bn. They stressed the importance light of the potentials and capac- of exchanging visits between ities found in the Qatari and US businessmen and encouraging economies, reports QNA. cooperation between government The meeting also presented US companies to the Qatari agencies and the private sector the latest developments in the market. to serve the common interests of economic, trade, investment and Al Kuwari said the ministry Qatar and the US. Bombardier’s first business jet with queen-sized bed industry relations between both intends to organise a special event Qatar and the US hold close An interior view showing a bed in the cabin of Bombardier’s Global 7500, the first business jet to have countries and the ways to develop for the private sector, part of the economic and trade relations a queen-sized bed and hot shower, is shown during a media tour in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. them. US strategic dialogue which will which reflect positively on the The Minister also presented be held in January 2019, in the volume of trade exchange the available investment oppor- presence of a number of officials between the two countries, which tunities in all sectors, the legisla- in the government sector and the during the first 10 months of 2018 tions adopted by the State and ini- private sector, to discuss the pros- amounted to approximately tiatives launched to support the pects for trade and investment QR22bn. The US is the fifth largest private sector which in turn between the two countries. trading partner with a 6.23 QSE index closes at 10,412.51 points increases the direct foreign The Minister said he looks percent share of Qatar’s trade investments and attracting more forward to seeing a prominent exchange. THE PENINSULA sector accounted for 26.36 for 48.1 percent of the total DOHA percent. Real Estate sector traded value. QNB accounted for accounted for 5.83 percent and 12.75 percent and Industries Qatar Stock Exchange’s (QSE) Consumer Goods and Services Qatar accounted for 4.64 percent. benchmark index lost 43.63 sector accounted 2.96 percent. When compared on daily Qatar participates in Arab points, or 0.42 percent, last week Industries sector led traded basis, the QSE index dropped when the bourse closed yes- volume last week with 75.8 83.89 points, 0.80 percent, terday at 10,412.51 points. percent of the total traded compared to Wednesday’s ministerial meeting Trading value during last volume. Banking and Financial closing. QNA week increased by 117.24 percent Services sector accounted for The volume of shares traded CAIRO Sahlawi. The draft agenda of the security, including the Sudanese to reach QR1.89bn compared to 10.87 percent. Real Estate sector increased to 27.23 million from meeting, to be chaired by Iraq, President Omar Al Bashir’s ini- QR871.72m. accounted for 6.29 percent and 20.28 million on Wednesday comprises 23 items, the most tiative on Arab food security, the Trading volume increased by Telecoms sector accounted 2.95 and the value of shares also The Ministerial extraordinary important of which is the Sec- Arab food security emergency 208.21 percent to reach 96.08 percent. increased to QR664.96m from meeting of the Economic and retary-General’s report on the program, integration and trade million shares, as against 31.17 Industries sector led traded QR378.03m on Wednesday. Social Council of the Arab Arab joint action in the field of in agricultural and plant crops, million shares, while the number number of transactions last week From the 48 companies League started yesterday to economic and social devel- and livestock products in the of transactions rose by 261.99 with 80.55 percent of the total listed on QSE, shares of 46 saw prepare the draft agenda for the opment and a report on the Arab region. percent, to reach 66,457 trans- number of transactions. Banking trading yesterday. From these, Fourth Arab Economic and follow-up to the implemen- Participants in the meeting actions as compared to 18,359 and Financial Services sector nine companies gained, 35 Social Development Summit, tation of the previous resolu- will also discuss an item on the transactions. accounted for 8.77 percent. Real closed lower and two remained which will be held in Lebanon tions taken at the 2013 Riyadh developments of the Greater Market cap rose by 0.74 Estate sector accounted for 4.19 unchanged. next month. Summit and a special annex to Arab Free Trade Area and the percent to reach QR593.97bn as percent and Telecoms sector Indices of all sector ended The State of Qatar took part the periodic convening of the completion of the requirements compared to QR589.62bn at the accounted for 1.99 percent. in red zone today. QSE Total in the meeting with a delegation Arab Summit for Development for the establishment of the end of previous week, reports From the 46 listed com- Return Index decreased 0.80 headed by H E Qatar’s Per- on the basis of a decision of the Arab Customs Union, the Arab QNA. panies 13 ended last week higher, percent to 18,345.69 points and manent Representative to the Economic and Social Council. Charter for the Development of Industries sector led traded while 32 fell and one remained QSE Al Rayan Islamic Index Arab League, Ambassador The draft agenda also the SME sector and other value last week with 58.89 unchanged. down 0.75 percent to 3,911.15 Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al includes an item on Arab food sectors, including energy. percent of the total traded value. Qatar Aluminum led traded points. QSE All Share Index lost Banking and Financial Services value during last week accounted 0.96 percent to 3,100.01 points. Oil price slumps 4% to lowest in a year as stock markets sink

REUTERS a barrel, or 4.9 percent, to a low again as market players take their Saudi Energy Minister Khalid US crude inventories fell by LONDON of $45.82, before recovering some cues from a rout on global stock Al Falih said he expected global 497,000 barrels in the week to ground to around $46.60 by 1200 markets,” said Stephen Brennock, oil stocks to fall by the end of the December 14, the US Energy Oil prices fell more than 4 percent GMT. analyst at London brokerage PVM first quarter, but added that the Information Administration said, North Sea Brent yesterday, hitting their lowest in North Sea Brent dropped by Oil. market remained vulnerable to smaller than the decrease of 2.4 dropped by $2.60, or more than a year on worries about $2.60, or 4.5 percent, to $54.64 a The Organization of the political and economic factors as million barrels analysts had 4.5 percent, to $54.64 oversupply and the outlook for barrel, its lowest since September Petroleum Exporting Countries well as speculation. expected. energy demand as a US interest 2017, and last traded around and other oil producers including Opec plans to release a table Distillate stockpiles, which a barrel, its lowest rate rise knocked stock markets. $55.44, down $1.80. Russia agreed this month to curb detailing voluntary output cut include diesel and heating oil, since September Equities dropped worldwide Both major oil futures con- output by 1.2 million barrels per quotas for its members and allies dropped by 4.2 million barrels, 2017, and last traded after the US Federal Reserve tracts rallied sharply on day (bpd) in an attempt to drain such as Russia in an effort to the EIA said, versus expectations around $55.44, down raised rates and maintained most Wednesday but are now at or tanks and boost prices. shore up prices, Opec Secretary- of a 573,000-barrel increase. of its guidance for additional hikes close to their lowest levels for over But the cuts will not happen General Mohammad Barkindo Distillate demand rose to the $1.80. Both major over the next two years, dashing 15 months, more than 30 percent until next month, and production said in a letter seen by Reuters highest since January 2003, oil futures contracts investor hopes for a more dovish below multi-year highs reached has been at or near record highs yesterday. which bolstered buying, partic- rallied sharply on policy outlook. at the beginning of October. in the United States, Russia and US inventory data offered ularly in heating oil futures, the US light crude oil fell by $2.35 “Oil prices are selling-off once Saudi Arabia. some support. market’s proxy for diesel. Wednesday. 16 BUSINESS FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018 BNP Paribas to lose access MarketWatch to some US pension assets QSE FTSE100 DOW BRENT 10,412.51 6,744.86 23,242.87 $46.59 BLOOMBERG prices and agreed to pay a $90 contained in the Employee WASHINGTON million fine, received a one-year Retirement Income Security Act, -83.89 PTS -21.08 PTS -80.79 PTS -1.58 waiver in May. The Labor or ERISA, making it easier for 0.80% 0.31% 0.35% Dow & Brent before going to press BNP Paribas SA will have a Department has typically made them to include money from harder time managing Amer- such temporary waivers per- 401(k) plans and other corporate icans’ pension assets after the manent. But the agency notified pensions in their investment US Labor Department exercised BNP’s US unit that “it had funds. its rarely used power to prevent decided not to propose per- While firms can lose this Americans to spend banks with a criminal taint from manent relief,” according to a designation if any of their cor- managing certain retirement previously unreported regu- porate affiliates gets convicted assets. latory filing. of a crime, the waivers that the over $126bn online The Department of Labor BNP’s filing didn’t say why Labor Department has histori- prohibited transaction rules told the French lender in the permanent waiver was cally granted allow money man- under ERISA and related October that in the wake of a declined. Labor Department agers to keep working. Banks exemptions. “It’s a pretty severe this holiday season recent settlement with the officials didn’t return requests including Citigroup Inc., consequence because the Justice Department, the bank for comment. JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bar- exemption is so widely used BLOOMBERG and affiliates would no longer The department’s move, clays Plc sought and received and well understood.” NEW YORK be eligible for what’s known as while unusual, is unlikely to such waivers after pleading BNP Paribas said in a a Qualified Professional Asset have impact on the bank’s oper- guilty in 2015 to rigging cur- statement that it had recently When it comes to online orders Manager exemption. Banks that ations. BNP Paribas is a minor rency rates. received word from the Labor this Christmas, US consumers are convicted of a felony are player among U.S. retirement A rare exception was Royal Department that the agency are spending more than ever supposed to lose their QPAM managers. It has about $1 billion Bank of Scotland Group Plc, had “reviewed and declined the before. status -- seen as essential for in pension assets that could be which lost its waiver in 2016 bank’s request to continue to Shoppers shelled out a managing corporate and union affected by the decision, a tiny after it had already pulled out use the Qualified Professional record $110.6bn online between pension plan assets -- unless share of its investment advisory of the U.S. pension business. Asset Manager exemption.” November 1 and December 19, they get a waiver from the Labor business. “A refusal to extend it is The firm said the decision about $17bn more than in the Department. The Labor Department pro- unusual,” said Joshua Lichten- would potentially affect only same period last year, data from BNP Paribas USA, which vides professional money man- stein (pictured), a partner at about 0.3 percent of some Adobe Analytics show. And with pleaded guilty in January to agers with a standard exemption Ropes & Gray who advises asset $472bn managed globally as of so-called Super Saturday -- the manipulating foreign currency to conflict-of-interest rules managers on the so-called September 30. last Saturday before the festival consumer confidence grows, gas -- still ahead, total internet prices fall and wages rise. The spending for the final two Adobe report measured trans- months of the year is expected actions from 80 of the top 100 to hit at least $126bn, an all-time US online retailers. Total to start exports from new big oil field in Nigeria high. “Weary holiday shoppers Half of website traffic this continue to look for alternatives BLOOMBERG program for the new grade seen production when the country is from a $4bn floating production, year came from shoppers on the to crowded stores, long lines and LONDON by Bloomberg. Initial exports meant to be restricting supplies storage and offloading vessel, go using their smartphones, empty shelves in the final push should be just over 100,000 to help Opec and its allies avert the largest facility of its kind ever Adobe said, but most Americans to this festival,” said Taylor Sch- Total SA is poised to start exports barrels a day but could double a glut. built by the French major. still prefer to close the deal using reiner (pictured), director of of crude from a major new off- in the following months. Egina is the first of a series Nigeria agreed on December their computers. Sixty-one digital insights at Adobe. shore field in Nigeria, adding to The extra supplies will arrive of a projects that are intended 7 to curb its output when the percent of the dollars spent “Retailers who can offer the global supplies at a time when at an awkward moment for an to revive Nigeria’s oil production Organization of Petroleum online came from purchases easiest shopping experience, oil prices are plunging. oil market that’s seen prices for into the next decade, while also Exporting Countries and allied made via desktops this year, whether through excellent use Shipments of Egina crude benchmark Brent and West increasing the share of output producers met in Vienna. The even as more people are increas- of data to anticipate shoppers’ from a floating offshore pro- Texas Intermediate grades from offshore facilities and thus nation will have to cut supplies ingly browsing from the ease of needs or by providing an option duction vessel have been plunge by more than $30 a minimizing risks from sabotage starting in January by about their palm. for picking up products at brick- scheduled for February, barrel since early October. The and crude theft. Total, the field’s 40,000 barrels a day under the Shoppers are emboldened and-mortar stores, are the ones according to a copy of a loading project will also bolster Nigerian operator, will handle shipments deal. to spend more this season as people are flocking to this week.”

BREAK TIME

CROSSWORD MALL ROYAL PLAZA VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER

Zero (2D/Hindi) 2:00, 5:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm; Maari 2 (2D/Tamil) 2:30pm Padi Padi Leche Manasu (2D/Telugu) 2:15pm Johny Johny Yes Appa (2D/Malayalam) 2:30pm Aquaman (2D/Action) 8:30pm Zero (2D/Hindi) 5:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm; Maari 2 (2D/Tamil) 2:15 & 11:15pm Bumblebee (2D/Animation) 7:15pm Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2D/Action) 5:00pm; Little Miss Dolittle (2D/ Comedy) 5:15pm Remi, Nobody’s Boy (2D/Comedy) 6:30pm Anna And The Apocalypse (2D/ Comedy) 9:30pm Bumblebee (2D/Animation) 7:00 & 9:15pm; Kanaa (2D/ Tamil) 11:15pm Asher (2D/Drama) 11:30pm

LANDMARK ASIAN TOWN Padi Padi Leche Manasu (2D/Telugu) 12:00pm; Johny Johny Zero (2D/Hindi) 2:00, 5:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm; Yes Appa (2D/Malayalam) 5:45pm; Autorsha (2D/Malayalam) Johny Johny Yes Appa (2D/Malayalam) 2:15 & 8:15pm 2:00 & 8:30pm; Joseph (2D/Malayalam) 11:15pm; Kanaa (2D/ Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2D/Action) 2:15pm; Tamil) 9:15am & 2:30, 8:15pm; Silukkuvaarpatti Singam (2D/ Maari 2 (2D/Tamil) 2:30 & 8:00pm Bumblebee (2D/Animation) 4:15 & 9:00pm; Tamil) 11:00pm; Antariksham 9000 KMPH (2D/ Telugu) 1:00pm Zero (2D/Hindi) 9:00am, 12:00, 3;00, 6:00, 9:00pm, 12:00am, Johny Johny Yes Appa (2D/Malayalam) 5:30pm 1:30am & 3:00am Aquaman (2D/Action) 6:30pm Maari 2 (2D/Tamil) 3:45, 6:30, 9:15, 12:00am & 2:45am Silukkuvaarpatti Singam (2D/Tamil) 11:15pm Antariksham 9000 KMPH (2D/ Telugu) 11:00pm FLIK Mirqab Mall

Anna and the Apocalypse 12:00, 12:50, 9:40pm & 0:30am ROXY Aquaman (2D/Action) 4:15, 1:25, 7:00 & 9:30pm Asher (2D/Drama) 2:30, 7:05, 4:40 & 9:50pm Aquaman (2D/Action) 10:30am, 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10;30,8, 10 & Bumblebee (2D/Animation) 11:30am, 2:10, 4:50, 7:30, 10:10, 11;00pm; Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2 (2D/Ani- 2:00, 0:05am, 6:55, 9:25, 11:40, 12:05 & 2:50pm mation) 1:30, 4:30 & 6:30pm; Maari 2 (2D/Tamil) 3:45, 6:30, 9:15, Maari 2 12:00am & 2:45am; Seethakaathi (2D/Tamil) 8:30, 4:45pm Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2 (2D/Ani- Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2D/Action) 10:30am & mation) 11:00am, 11:55am & 5:15pm 3:30pm; Zero (2D/Hindi) 9:00am, 12:00, 3;00, 6:00, 9:00pm, Second Act 0;20am, 11:30am & 7:50pm 12:00am, 1:30am & 3:00am Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2D/Arabic) 10;25, 4:35, 2:15, 7:15, 10:05pm & 12:00 midnight; Widows 4:40pm Zero (Hindi) 9:45pm AL KHOR Note: Programme is subject to change without prior notice. Zero (2D/Hindi) 10:30am, 1:30, 4:45, 8:00 & 11:15pm Seethakaathi (2D/Tamil) 11:30am, 5:30 & 11:30pm Bumblebee (2D/Animation) 10:30am, 1:00, 6:30 & 12:00 mid- night; Aquaman (2D/Action) 3:00 & 9:00pm Maari 2 (2D/Tamil) 2:30 & 8:30pm

ZERO

The story revolves around Bauua Singh (Shah Rukh Khan), a vertically challenged man, who is full of charm and wit, with a pinch of arrogance. Born to a wealthy family and raised in an environment of affluence. SPORT Friday 21 December 2018 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 NBA: Houston Disgraced Aussie Rockets make Smith barred from record 26 Bangladesh 3-pointers T20 League 5th International Qatar Cup weightlifting championship begins IR Iran top Asia Norway’s Rebekka Tao Jacobsen in action during the opening day of the 5th in FIFA rankings International Qatar Cup weightlifting championship THE PENINSULA at the InterContinental Doha. DOHA Jacobsen won the Women’s 55kg category. As many as 130 Islamic Republic of Iran ended their weightlifters from 35 countries 2018 season as Asia’s best, according including 64 male contenders to the latest FIFA Rankings released are taking part in the event that yesterday. is being hosted by the Qatar The Iranians retained their Weightlifting Federation (QWF). position in 29th spot, with Australia, Qatari star Fares Ibrahim Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Hassouna will be the cynosure Arabia’s positions also unchanged of all eyes today when he at 29th, 41st, 50th, 53rd, and 69th competes in the 96kg category. respectively to complete Asia’s top PICTURE: SYED OMAR five. Team Qatar’s position also remains unchanged at 93 ahead of the AFC Asian Cup which will kick off in the UAE on January 5 next year Preparations for all teams have Al Rayyan rout Al Sailiyah as gathered pace with a series of friendly matches taking place over the next two weeks, before the Con- tinental showpiece kicks off. Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez Al Sadd, Al Khor share points has already announced a 27-player training squad for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019. THE PENINSULA Abdraman Mahamat Aziz for Ahmed in the 7th minute. After The Al Annabi will play friendlies DOHA his side’s second goal. receiving a cross from the against Jordan (December 23), Kyr- In the 67th minute, flank, Ahmed beat two gyzstan (December 25), Algeria Football giants Al Rayyan Mohamed Alawi deflected defenders to the ball and then (December 27) and Iran (December yesterday went on a goal- from close range to scored Al Al Rayyan’s easily deflected it into the net 31) in Doha before they leave for scoring spree to post a 4-0 win Rayyan’s third goal. Lucca Borges from close range with Al Khor UAE. over Al Sailiyah in their QNB In the 75th minute, Abdul- Brito (left) keeper Yousef Hassan Awad Stars League (QSL) Cup Round rahman Mohammed Al Harazi vies for the in no position to stop the ball. TOP 15 ASIAN NATIONS IN FIFA four clash yesterday. fired a long-range bullet to ball with an In the 31st minute, Al Khor MEN'S RANKINGS The win at the Grand score Al Rayyan’s fourth goal Al Sailiyah equalised off a penalty kick. Hamad Stadium was Al of the match. player during Ahmed Hassan Al Mohannadi Rayyan’s fourth consecutive Earlier, at the Al Sadd their QSL Cup converted from the spot after win. Stadium, a goal in each half Group B match Al Sadd keeper brought down In the 32nd minute, feared powered Al Ahli yesterday to yesterday. an Al Khor attacker with a striker Rodrigo Tabata gave Al a convincing 2-0 win over Al reckless tackle. Rayyan the lead with a goal on Shahaniya. Referee Abdulhadi a direct free-kick that sailed It was Al Ahli’s second win Alasmar Al Ruaile pointed to above the wall and crashed in QSL Cup while Al Shahaniya the spot and Al Mohannadi into the net. are yet to register their first scored easily. Tabata, the former Qatar victory. Al Khor jumped to a 2-1 national team player, doubled In the 36th minute, Ali Fer- lead when Salem Khalifa the lead just into the first eydoun easily converted a found the net on a penalty in minute of the second half. penalty after he was brought In the dying second of the The ball beat Al Shahaniya the 38th minute. Lucca Borges Brito spotted down by Al Shahaniya keeper second half, Al Ahli put a 2-0 keeper Al Amri before crashing In the 84th minute, Tabata unmarked on the edge Amer Ahmad Al Amri. ring to their performances into the net. Aladeen Suleiman Younes of the Al Sailiyah box and Al Amri dived to his right when U-23 player Mohamed Later, hosts Al Sadd fought headed home in spectacular slipped in a neat short cross. and Fereydoun drove the ball Yasseen charged into the Al for a 2-2 draw against Al Khor. fashion as Al Sadd found the Tabata surjed ahead with the to the left for his side’s opening Shahaniya box and drove the The home team opened equaliser late in the second ball and slotted it past keeper goal. ball with his left foot. the scoring through Hassan half. Filler dethrones Biado to win World 9-Ball title in Doha

THE PENINSULA At the Al Arabi Sports Club, The champion, 21-year-old He rallied to take tthehe nnextext DOHA the 35-year-old from The Philip- Filler won his first major title as four racks to cut the deficit,cit, 11-1011-10.. pines, Biado settled for the he took home the top prize of But after that, Fillerr ran the Carlo Biado lost his World 9-Ball runner-up prize of $20,000 as he $40,000. next racks to topple thee FiliFilipinopino title yesterday when he lost to failed to become the second back- Biado lost steam in the final star. German rival Joshua Filler in the to-back world 9-ball champion match and found himself trailing The tournamentt wwasas final of the 2018 World 9-Ball since Earl Strickland did it in 1990 against Filler in the race-to-13 organised by the Qatarr Billiard Championship in Doha. and 1991. finals, 9-7, after 16 racks. and Snooker Federation ((QBSF)QBSF)

The champion, Joshua Filler (rear, centre) and runner-up Carlo Biado, pose for a photograph with the officials of Qatar Billiard and Snooker Federation and World Pool Billiard Association at the conclusion of the 2018 World 9-Ball Championship at the Al Arabi Sports Club in Doha yesterday. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018 Wolff hints Bottas has to justify his seat at Mercedes

REUTERS to be ready to return to racing in 2020. LONDON Whether that is with Mercedes, or another team using the same engines, remains to Valtteri Bottas has what it takes to succeed be seen. with Formula One champions Mercedes Bottas said at the end of the season but he will also have to show next season that he just wanted to go home, recharge that he deserves to be there, according to and come back strong again next year. team boss Toto Wolff. Wolff expected the 29-year-old to do The Finn failed to win a Grand Prix that. this year and ended up fifth overall while “Valtteri is a fierce warrior and he British team mate Lewis Hamilton took 11 wouldn’t be where he is today if he was wins and became only the third driver to not an outstanding racing driver. I think win five world championships. he absolutely embraces the challenge of “Every racing driver in a Formula One being team mate and competitor to Lewis car has to look over his shoulder. It is a Hamilton,” the Austrian said. very brutal sport where only the best ones “I think where things have gone wrong survive and they are very well aware. They with Valtteri in 2018 was that he was very have made the selection of the top 20 unlucky. He could have, should have -- racing drivers in the world and every single but that doesn’t count - won three races.” year they have to justify that they deserve The Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku was the place. It is not only valid for Valtteri a big blow, with Bottas robbed of victory but all the others as well,” Wolff said. by a puncture three laps from the end. Had Aspire Academy felicitates champion athletes Mercedes have 22-year-old he won there, instead of Hamilton, he Aspire Academy student athletes, including shooters Abdulaziz Al Turki, Nasser Al Naemi and Saoud Al Yafei, who Frenchman Esteban Ocon as their reserve would have led the championship. won eight medals at the recently concluded 14th Arab Championships, pose for a photograph during a felicitation driver for 2019 after he lost his race seat “All points go back to zero and he has ceremony held yesterday. The youngsters played a major role in the host nation’s rise to the top during the eight- at Force India, now renamed Racing Point, the same opportunity like he has in the day event which saw over 200 shooters from 10 countries in action. Qatar bagged 47 medals, including 18 gold, to Canadian Lance Stroll. last year to win the driver’s title. He cer- 14 silver and 15 bronze. Wolff said last month that Ocon would tainly has the talent and the intelligence,” be doing simulator work and some testing said Wolff. New US bill Rockets make record 26 3-pointers; to criminalise doping Raptors fight back for 6th straight win conspiracies

AGENCIES Houston Rockets guard James Harden (centre) makes a three AFP HOUSTON WASHINGTON point basket during their NBA game against Los Angeles Lakers at the Toyota Center in Houston. James Harden continued his Two US senators introduced torrid scoring but received plenty legislation that would crimi- of help as the Houston Rockets nalise international sports set an NBA single-game record doping conspiracies that affect by sinking 26 3-pointers in a major international competi- 136-118 victory over the visiting tions. Washington Wizards on The bill introduced by sen- Wednesday. ators Orrin Hatch of Utah and Harden scored 35 points on Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode 10-of-18 shooting, including Island is named after Grigory 6-of-11 success on 3-point Rodchenkov -- the Moscow lab- attempts, to lead the Rockets to oratory director who blew the their fifth consecutive victory. whistle on a Russian doping Houston shot 55.3 percent campaign at the 2014 Sochi overall, drilling 26 of 55 3-point Winter Olympics. tries. With the outcome well in In announcing the measure, hand and Houston reserves on Whitehouse said the United the floor, the partisan crowd States “must hold the crooked begged for 3-pointers in the and corrupt accountable waning moments until Michael whenever we can. That means Carter-Williams sank the forcefully confronting Russia’s record-breaker with 31.1 seconds use of corruption as a tool of remaining. foreign policy.” With nine assists, Harden It would establish criminal finished just shy of posting a penalties for participating in a double-double, a feat accom- scheme in commerce to plished by teammates Clint influence a major international Capela (20 points, 12 rebounds) sport competition through pro- and P.J. Tucker (11 points, 11 hibited substances or methods. rebounds). Chris Paul added 21 Penalties will include fines points and eight assists. Bradley of up to $1m or imprisonment Beal led Washington with 28 of up to 10 years, depending points. on the violation. Jazz 108, Warriors 103 Rudy Gobert stopped a Mitchell added 17 apiece for the points and seven rebounds, Greg and Raymond Felton earlier in as six inNBA the second RESULTS quarter and Golden State run with a late Jazz, who won their fourth Monroe added 13 points and the day. Russell Westbrook had US gymnast dunk, and Utah used superior straight at home. Stephen Curry eight rebounds and VanVleet had his eighth triple-double of the Charlotte 110, Cleveland 90 3-point shooting to record a put up a game-high 32 points 11 points. Victor Oladipo scored season (19 points, 11 rebounds, Orlando 90, San Antonio 129 victory in Salt Lake City. and Durant added 30 for the 20 points for the Pacers, who 17 assists). Boston 103, Phoenix 111 Zeng handed Jae Crowder, Joe Ingles and Warriors, who had won their have lost two in a row after Buddy Hield scored a career- Toronto 99, Indiana 96 Kyle Korver combined for 13 previous four road games. winning seven straight. high 37 points for Sacramento, Portland 99, Memphis 92 doping ban 3-pointers, helping the Jazz out- Raptors 99, Pacers 96 Thunder 132, Kings 113 hitting seven 3-pointers. Sacramento 113, Oklahoma City 132 score the Warriors 48-30 from Fred VanVleet made a Forced into an expanded role De’Aaron Fox added 28 points Utah 108, Golden State 103 REUTERS beyond the arc en route to a win 3-pointer with 25.9 seconds to thanks to a pair of suspensions, and 12 assists in the loss. Chicago 93, Brooklyn 96 WASHINGTON that evened the season series at play to give injury-depleted Paul George turned in yet Suns 111, Celtics 103 Houston 136, Washington 118 a win apiece. The Jazz held the Toronto a one-point lead against another big-time performance Kelly Oubre Jr. bombed in a Milwaukee 123, New Orleans 115 Laura Zeng, the United States top- Warriors scoreless over the final the visiting Indiana Pacers for for Oklahoma City by scoring 43 3-pointer with 49.9 seconds left Minnesota 123, Detroit 129 (OT) ranked rhythmic gymnast and winner 1:13, including a missed 3-point their 6th straight win. points in a win at Sacramento. in his Phoenix debut, helping the Philadelphia 131, New York 109 of five Pan Am Games gold medals, was attempt by Kevin Durant that Kawhi Leonard had 28 While George started in his Suns hold on to beat host Boston. handed a six-month ban on Wednesday could have tied the score. points, 10 rebounds, six assists typical spot, he also served as the In running their winning by the United States Anti-Doping Ingles finished with a team- and four steals for the Raptors, Thunder’s backup point guard streak to four games, the Suns eight in the third. The win at Agency (USADA). high 20 points, Crowder had 18, who had lost their two previous after the NBA levied one-game fell immediately behind 11-2 Boston was Phoenix’s first since Zeng, who also represented the and Gobert and Donovan games. Pascal Siakam had 17 suspensions to Dennis Schroder before pulling ahead by as many November 2014. United States at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, tested positive for the banned diuretic and masking agent acetazolamide in an out-of-competition test on Oct. 18, USADA said in a statement. Mumbai to host NBA preseason games Zeng provided evidence to a USADA investigation that the prohibited REUTERS the visits of 35 current and former NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum country where I was raised,” Ranadive substance was from an altitude sickness NEW DELHI and WNBA players since 2006 and and India Managing Director Yannick said in a statement. medication, which was prescribed to opened an office in Mumbai in 2011. Colaco said that NBA would also conduct “The sport is experiencing tre- her parent and given to her in response Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings will “Our inaugural NBA India Games will outreach programmes during the matches mendous growth in India and we are to an illness. play two preseason games in Mumbai help (unleash) the enormous basketball on Oct. 4 and 5. excited about continuing to expand the USADA said the 19-year-old next year, the first National Basketball potential in a country with a thriving Fittingly, one of the teams playing the NBA’s reach to fans across the globe. believed she was being given ibuprofen Association games to take place in India, sports culture and a growing, young and games will be the Kings, which has the “The world wants to watch bas- and therefore did not have to apply for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said engaged population,” Silver said in a NBA’s first Indian-born majority owner ketball and India is a fast-growing new a Therapeutic Use Exemption, which is yesterday. statement. and Mumbai-native Vivek Ranadive as frontier.” required to authorise the use of a pro- Cricket-mad India has been on the “We thank the Kings and Pacers its chairman. More than 350 live NBA games are hibited substance in sport. radar of the NBA. The association runs an organisations for participating in this his- “As an Indian-American, it is an honor shown in India each season, including 78 Zeng’s ban began on Oct. 18, the academy near New Delhi, has arranged toric event.” to help bring this historic moment to the with Hindi commentary. date her positive sample was collected. FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 19

Tennis Photograph of the Year 2018 Tennis faces ‘serious integrity problem’, Aerial view of a Mariachi band says review panel performing during an exhibition tennis REUTERS match between LONDON Austrian player Dominic Thiem Scrapping official live scoring data at the lowest level and German player of professional tennis and taking a harder line on Alexander Zverev “tanking” are among the recommendations made by at “Sinfonia del an International Review Panel in a report published Mar” forum, before yesterday. the start of the The panel was formed in 2016 by the sport’s four Mexico ATP 500 main professional governing bodies to address betting- Tennis Open in related and other integrity issues. Acapulco, Guerrero “Today, tennis faces a serious integrity problem,” state, Mexico in this the panel said. “There are several reasons for this: The February 26, 2018, nature of the game lends itself to manipulation for file photo. betting purposes. “There are many contingencies. There is only one player who must act. Detection is difficult, not least because at many lower level matches there are no spectators and inadequate facilities to protect players from potential corrupters. “Moreover, under-performance is often attributed to ‘tanking’, which too often has been tolerated.” The panel said there was no simple solution to the problem with a package of measures required, including banning tournaments from accepting spon- sorship by the betting industry and reorganising the Tennis Integrity Unit with independent oversight. The panel said players in the lowest tiers were susceptible to being corrupted because of the diffi- culty of making a living, with only 250-350 players earning enough money to break even. “The player incentive structure creates a fertile breeding ground for breaches of integrity,” the panel said.

Jamshed Australia’s Border defends Kohli after criticism charged over AFP frosty handshake with Paine at “Aggression on the field, in Border added. “The professional mp/arb/dh bribery MELBOURNE the end of the game. terms of play, is no bad thing. But era has sort of beaten that out to Facebook Kohli’s animated wicket cel- unwarranted aggression in per- a certain degree. It’s good to see offences Former Australia captain Allan ebrations have also been widely sonal conduct goes by another guys with that passion, drive and Border has come to the defence frowned upon while India legend term: loutishness,” it said. a bit of character.” AFP of Virat Kohli (pictured), saying Sunil Gavaskar hit out at his “It is also, in Kohli’s case, Border, who played 156 LONDON his antics might be over the top “selection blunders”. exacerbated by a sense of arro- Tests, including 93 as captain, but the game needs more “char- And in a stunning rebuke, gance that he exhibits.” said he believed Kohli was pas- Banned former Pakistan acters” who show “passion”. veteran Bollywood star Naseer- But Border leapt to the sionate by nature, but also moti- batsman Nasir Jamshed has The Indian skipper has come uddin Shah described him as Indian Captain’s defence, saying vated by a “quiet” squad and the been charged in Britain with under criticism for his sledging “not only the world’s best the game needed players like desire to win India’s first ever bribery offences as part of an and heated exchanges with Aus- batsman but also the world’s Kohli. series in Australia. investigation into spot-fixing tralian counterpart Tim Paine worst behaved player”. “I haven’t seen anyone sort “To drive the team to be in cricket, the National Crime during the tense second Test in “Kohli’s cricketing brilliance of carry on so much as a captain number one, which he’s Agency said yesterday. Perth, which at one point needed pales beside his arrogance and when his side takes a wicket,” achieved, but to win away from Jamshed and two British the umpire to intervene. bad manners,” added Shah on he said in a Fox Sports podcast home is one of those important nationals -- Yousaf Anwar and Bowling great Mitchell Facebook. yesterday. “It’s really over the things you notice as a captain,” Mohammed Ijaz -- were Johnson also slammed Kohli for An opinion piece in the top but it’s good in a way. You he said. “I think he’s feeling that served with written sum- failing to acknowledge the mass-circulation Hindustan can see some passion about what pinch.” monses, charging them each crowd’s applause after he was Times yesterday said Shah had he’s trying to do. The four Test series is tied 1-1 with two counts of bribery, controversially given out in the articulated what many Indian “There’s not many characters with the next one starting in Mel- said a spokesman for the NCA. first innings for 123, and for his cricket fans had been thinking. in our game at the moment,” bourne on Boxing Day. The three men were arrested in February 2017 as part of an investigation that Bangladesh beat West Indies related to tournaments organised by national cricket boards from Pakistan and to level the Twenty20 series Bangladesh. The three men AFP will appear at Manchester DHAKA magistrates’ court on January 15 each charged with bribery Shakib Al Hasan claimed his maiden five-wicket haul as Bang- and conspiracy to commit ladesh beat West Indies by 36 runs in their second Twenty20 inter- bribery. national in Dhaka yesterday. An NCA spokesman said Shakib finished with 5-20, helping Bangladesh bowl out West all of the alleged offences Indies for 175 runs and draw the series level after the hosts made related to tournaments that 211-4 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. took place overseas, including Rovman Powell hit 50 off 34 balls but succumbed to pressure the Pakistan Super League in as West Indies folded their innings in 19.2 overs. 2017. Jamshed was not in the Opener Liton Das struck 60 off 34 balls while Mahmudullah national team at the time of Riyad (43 not out), Shakib (42 not out) and Soumya Sarkar (32) the alleged offences, the chipped in with useful cameos as Bangladesh posted their highest spokesman said. A view of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, popularly known as the ‘MCG’, in this October file photo ever score in a Twenty20 international on home soil. Jamshed played two posted on @MCG, the official Twitter handle of the iconic sports venue in Australia. The MCG will Left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell finished with 2-38 as the most Tests, 48 one-day interna- host the Boxing Day Test between hosts Australia and India starting on December 26 with the successful West Indies bowler. The third and final match of the tionals and 18 T20s for four-match series tie at 1-1. series will be held at the same venue tomorrow. Pakistan until 2015. Australia bowlers hope new MCG Disgraced Aussie Smith barred pitch produces lively encounter from Bangladesh T20 league REUTERS Starc admitted he did not know tried to inject more life into the AFP as a replacement for Pakistani handed a year-long interna- MELBOURNE how the new pitch would ground’s pitches and Siddle was DHAKA cricketer Shoaib Malik. tional bans for their roles in a behave ahead of the third test optimistic that the series against “The rule of the tour- ball-tampering scandal that As Australia prepares to play a of the four-match series against India, currently tied at 1-1, Bangladesh’s Cricket Board nament is that if a franchise rocked Australian cricket in first Test at Melbourne since a India, but team mate Peter would not still be level ahead of said yesterday it has barred takes a replacement, his name March. The BPL was expected docile pitch was given a “poor” Siddle is confident the the final match in Sydney. former Australian captain Steve should be in the list of initial to be Smith’s third T20 league rating a year ago, two of the December 26 test will at least “I played a couple matches Smith from the forthcoming players’ draft. But Smith’s name outing -- after Canada’s Global side’s pacemen are expecting a yield a result. ago when I got back from the Bangladesh Premier League was not there, “ said Bang- T20 and the Caribbean Premier journey into the unknown “I didn’t play last year. I had UAE against South Australia and Twenty20 tournament fol- ladesh Cricket Board chief League -- since the ban was against India but are hopeful it to watch from the side and it it was actually a good cricket lowing an objection raised by Nizamuddin Chowdhury. imposed. can produce a competitive didn’t do a thing for five days, wicket,” the 34-year-old told some franchises. “Some franchises raised He also recently signed for match. so hopefully they’ve sorted it sports radio station SEN. Smith, serving a one-year objection about it. So we have the Pakistan Super League, The Melbourne Cricket out,” Starc told reporters of one “He (Page) knows what he’s ban from international cricket to bar him from playing the which will be played in Feb- Ground (MCG) moved to of cricket’s most iconic venues. got to do now leading into the and Australia’s domestic Shef- BPL,” he said. Australia’s ruary and March. The BPL, improve the playing surface “It sounds like they’ve been test match. field Shield and Big Bash ex-vice captain David Warner which was launched in 2011, after receiving the negative trying a few things with the “It’s going to be a good one League, had signed for Comilla will however play in the BPL was hit by allegations of rating from the International (Sheffield) Shield cricket there and I think the boys should be Victorians to play in the next -- which concludes on Feb- match-fixing in its early years. Cricket Council (ICC) following in the first few rounds. excited and there’s definitely edition of the BPL starting on ruary 8, 2019 -- having signed After a suspension, the last year’s drawn Test against “I think it may be a surprise, going to be a result wicket I January 5. He was expected to for the Sylhet Sixers as one of tournament resumed in 2015 England, when only 24 wickets what they actually dish out next think, going by what’s happened join the team in mid-January their two pre-draft signings. and has since been staged fell in five days. week.” in the first couple of Shield for the second phase of the BPL Smith and Warner were without serious controversy. Pace spearhead Mitchell New curator Matt Page has games this season.” 20 MORNING BREAK FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 2018

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 04. 53 AM SHOROOK 06. 15 AM

ZUHR 11. 32 AM MAGHRIB 04. 51 PM ASR 02. 29 PM ISHA 06. 21 PM

WEATHER TODAY

MoI celebrates graduation of staff from British Royal Navy College The Ministry of the Interior yesterday celebrated the graduation of a number of its candidates at the British Royal Navy College at it’s headquarters in Dartmouth. A delegation from the Ministry headed by Major General Khalifa Nasr Al Nasr, Director of Human Resources Department attended the ceremony. The Ministry’s staff have graduated from the British Royal Navy College after passing theoretical and practical training and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in marine science. It is worth mentioning that the Ministry has been sending its candidates in marine specialties to the Royal Navy College for more than 10 years, as part of its comprehensive scholarship scheme. 17oC 26oC Minimum Maximum Misty at places at first becomes mild daytime with scattered clouds, relatively cold by night. Qatar’s embassies abroad celebrate National Day

HIGH TIDE 04:15 – 14:45 LOW TIDE 10:45 –21:30 Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department QNA Force, military attaches and the three DOHA escorts of the northern Greek Muslim minority, a representative of the Arch- Qatar’s embassies and diplomatic mis- bishop of Athens and Greece, person- sions marked the National Day, which alities from the business and civil is celebrated on December 18 of every society community and the diplomatic year, in commemoration of the state’s corps accredited to Greece. founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed In his speech, the Ambassador bin Thani, under the theme “as long stressed that the State of Qatar is based as it was proven by our deeds...Qatar in its foreign and regional policies on Will Remain Free.” the principles of peace, stability and Their Excellencies, Heads of Dip- cooperation among peoples and lomatic, Consular and Representative always stands for the peaceful reso- Missions of the State of Qatar abroad, lution of disputes. Ambassador Al- extended greetings and congratula- Naama said that the State of Qatar has tions to Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin been subjected to a conspiracy that has Hamad Al Thani, Father Amir H H tried to threaten its national inde- Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, pendence and sovereignty through an The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the People’s Democratic Republic and the Qatari people on this precious unjust siege. He reiterated that the of Algeria, Hassan bin Ibrahim Al Malki, with other officials on the occasion occasion, wishing the State of Qatar State of Qatar continues to believe in further progress and prosperity. dialogue to resolve the current Gulf of Qatar National Day. In Paris, Qatar’s ambassador to the crisis which has not affected Qatar’s French Republic Sheikh Ali bin Jassim economy or policy. Al Thani, held a reception on the He said that things went contrary occasion of the National Day of the to what was planned by the countries State. The ceremony was attended by of the blockade, as the State of Qatar a number of political and economic exceeded the blockade imposed on it figures, heads of major companies, a and is witnessing a significant increase number of parliamentarians and senior in foreign and domestic investments officials of the Presidency of the in various sectors. The Ambassador Republic (Elysee), the Presidency of stressed the strength of the Greek- the Government, the Ministries of Qatari relations and the obvious efforts Foreign Affairs, Interior, Economy, exerted by the two sides to further con- Finance and Defence, a number of solidate and develop these relations. ambassadors and heads of diplomatic Several cultural events were held missions accredited to the French by the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Republic and Unesco, in addition to the National Human Rights Committee, the senior officers of the French army, Aspire Zone, the Supreme Committee police and gendarmerie. for Delivery & Legacy. the Ministry of A number of intellectuals, aca- the Interior, Souq Waqif Management, Astronauts land from The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, demics, university professors, Katara, Qatar Airways, and Ooredoo. Rashid bin Mohsen Fetais, held a reception on the occasion of Qatar National Day. ISS stint marred by researchers, journalists, athletes, French, The three-day event featured the Arab and foreign artists, as well as Qatari Operetta “Story of a Country” under air leak, rocket failure students and military personnel who the supervision of Qatar’s Ministry of Council for Human Rights Fafa Ben Dominican Republic and a number of attend military studies and studies at Culture and Sports . The Ministry of Zerrouki Sidi Lakhdar, representatives political, party, community, media, French universities, institutes and Culture and Sports also participated of the Ministry of National Defense and artistic and cultural figures. AFP schools, also attended the event. in various activities, such as handi- a number of deputies of the National In Mbaban, the Acting Chargé MOSCOW The ceremony included screening crafts such as Qlaf, Sadou, Saqar, and People’s Assembly and the Council of d’Affaires of the Embassy of the State of of a documentary film about the stages Bashoot, as well as popular coffee. Nation and a number of ambassadors Qatar to the Kingdom of Eswatini held Three astronauts landed back on Earth of the Renaissance in Qatar and the A tent with the features and tradi- and heads of diplomatic missions a reception on the occasion of Qatar yesterday after a troubled stint on the ISS achievements made in all fields, tions of the State of Qatar was erected accredited to Algeria. National Day. The ceremony was marred by an air leak and the failure of a besides a number of cultural and her- in the square of Sindagma, opposite the In his speech, the Ambassador attended by a number of officials of the rocket set to bring new crew members. itage events that reflected the history Greek Parliament, to host the public. referred to the siege imposed on the Kingdom’s government and a number A Soyuz spacecraft ferrying Alexander and heritage of the State of Qatar. Souq Waqif management also con- State of Qatar and praised Algeria’s of Ambassadors accredited to Eswatini. Gerst of the European Space Agency, In Caracas, the Ambassador of the tributed by sending craftsmen of tradi- position on the Gulf crisis and the out- In Valletta, the Acting Charge NASA’s Serena Aunon-Chancellor and State of Qatar to the Bolivarian tional arts , such as tawash, kallaf, standing level of cooperation between d’affaires of the State of Qatar to the Sergey Prokopyev of Roscosmos landed Republic of Venezuela, Rashid bin gypsum maker, and painters who have the State of Qatar and Algeria. Republic of Malta, Abdullah bin Khalid safely in Kazakhstan, Russia’s space Mohsen Fetais, held a reception on the exhibited their production to the public. In Tbilisi, Qatar’s Ambassador to Al-Durham, held a reception on the agency said. “There’s been a landing... The occasion of the National Day of the The Supreme Committee for Georgia, Mubarak bin Nasser Al occasion of QND. The ceremony was crew of the manned Soyuz MS-09 has State. The ceremony was attended by Delivery & Legacy (SC) showcased Khalifa, held a reception on Qatar attended by the President of the returned safely to Earth after 197 days,” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge models of stadiums that will host the National Day. The ceremony was Republic of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Roscosmos said on Twitter. Arreaza, Deputy Foreign Minister for 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as well as attended by Georgian officials, Preca; H E Minister of Finance Edward The spacecraft landed slightly ahead Middle East Affairs , a number of Ven- presenting gifts to visitors. The members of the Georgian Parliament, Scicluna , a number of government of schedule at 0802 Moscow time (0502 ezuelan Foreign Ministry officials and National Human Rights Committee a number of ambassadors and dip- officials, political and military leaders, GMT), Roscosmos said on its website. “The a number of ambassadors and heads also held arts exhibition on human lomats accredited to Georgia, busi- heads of Arab and foreign diplomatic crew feels well after returning to Earth,” of diplomatic missions accredited to rights in Islam, in which it presented nessmen, journalists, academics and missions accredited to the Republic of the space agency said. Venezuela. examples of the Arabic calligraphy, prominent Georgian figures. Malta and community figures. Live footage on the websites of Nasa In Athens, the Ambassador of the which published articles adapted from In Santo Domingo, the Acting Chargé At the ceremony, the President of and Roscosmos did not show the landing State of Qatar to Greece Abdulaziz Ali the Islamic heritage, about human d’affaires of the Embassy of the State of the Republic of Malta congratulated of the astronauts’ capsule due to thick fog Al-Naama held a reception on the rights and respect for his dignity. Qatar in the Dominican Republic Yagoub Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad over the snow-covered Kazakh steppe. occasion of the National Day of the In Algiers, the Ambassador of the bin Yusuf Al Mulla held a reception on Al Thani, and the Qatari government Rescuers pulled the crew members out State. The ceremony was attended by State of Qatar to the People’s Demo- the occasion of QND. and people on this occasion and of the capsule, with Prokopyev and Minister of Justice, Transparency and cratic Republic of Algeria Hassan bin The ceremony was attended by the praised the distinguished bilateral rela- Aunon-Chancellor appearing pale and Human Rights of Greece Michailis Ibrahim Al Malki held a reception on Minister of Industry and Trade repre- tions between the two countries. Her weak due to the effects of long weight- Kalogirou, Deputy Minister of the occasion of Qatar National Day. senting the Dominican Government, Excellency stressed the importance of lessness, while Gerst beamed broadly and Economy and Development, Deputy The ceremony was attended by Min- Raphael Milo, Director of Relations cultural diplomacy and the need to gave an interview to German television. Minister of Foreign Affairs and a large ister of Finance of Algeria Abder- with Africa and the Middle East work on further support, and stressed When the astronauts blasted off in number of directors of departments rahmane Raouya, Minister of Housing, Raphael M. representing the Minister the role of tourism in promoting com- June, they were one of the least experi- of the Greek Foreign Ministry as well Urbanization and City Abdel Waheed of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Dip- munication between individuals and enced crews ever to join the ISS. as representatives of the Greek Air Tammar, Chairperson of the National lomatic Delegations accredited to the the establishment of cultural exchange.