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Thursday 26 December 2019 | 29 Rabia II 1441 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 24 | Number 8117 | 2 Riyals Enjoy unlimited local data and calls with the new Qatarna 5G plans Doha welcomes first Prime Minister meets Ambassador of Azerbaijan US mega cruise ship

SANAULLAH ATAULLAH “The arrival of first American mega cruise ship THE PENINSULA marks the beginning of a new chapter in Qatar’s cruise tourism, and positions Qatar as an attractive The Jewel of the Seas, a mega tourist destination for visitors from around the ship operated by US-based cruise liner Royal Caribbean globe," said H E Akbar Al Baker, the Secretary- International, made its maiden General of Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) call to Doha Port yesterday. The and Group CEO of Qatar Airways. The Jewel of the Radiance Class cruise ship is Seas is scheduled to make a total of five calls to scheduled to make a total of five Doha Port throughout the 2019-20 cruise season. calls to Doha Port throughout the 2019-20 cruise season. To welcome the ship, offi- Royal Caribbean’s fourth Speaking about the tour cials including Secretary- Radiance Class ship and comes management, Craven said that General of Qatar National in at 90,090 gross tonnes with it was good as it was managed Tourism Council (QNTC) and a total capacity of 3,292 visitors. in perfect timing. “We visited The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met Group CEO of Qatar Airways, The ship offers a new level of multiple destinations stopped at H E Akbar Al Baker, among luxury and entertainment with each place about 20 to 30 yesterday with the Ambassador of Republic of Azerbaijan to the State of Qatar, H E Rashad Ismayilov. others, were present. A crest 12 passenger decks, a poolside minutes to get a quick look,” he They reviewed the relations between the two countries and ways of developing them. exchange ceremony took place movie screen, rock-climbing added. between Qatari officials and wall, running track, mini-golf The 2019-20 cruise season the ship’s captain Anders Bjornar course, spa and fitness centre, that kicked off on October 22 Ingebrigtsen, upholding a mar- shopping, restaurants, and live with the launch of Doha Port’s Cabinet praises Amir’s speech itime tradition that celebrates Broadway-style entertainment temporary terminal, is set to be maiden voyages to a new port. shows. the biggest yet for Qatar, that will H E Akbar Al Baker said: The tourists enjoyed visiting bring a total of 248,123 pas- at Kuala Lumpur Summit “The arrival of our first American different places in Qatar sengers aboard 74 ships, mega cruise ship marks the describing Museum of Islamic showing a growth of 121 percent QNA/DOHA Al Thani chaired the Cabinet’s promotion of human rights in the beginning of a new chapter in Art (MIA) and Souq Waqif and 66 percent respectively, regular meeting which was held region and the world. Qatar’s cruise tourism, and posi- amazing tourist destinations. over the previous season. The Cabinet has praised the at the Amiri Diwan. Following the meeting, Min- tions Qatar as an attractive “We did a discovery tour of Among the 74 confirmed concepts and visions included in The Cabinet welcomed the ister of Justice and Acting Minister tourist destination for visitors Qatar. We visited Museum of calls this season, there are 16 the speech of Amir H H Sheikh outcomes of the Fifth Kuala of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Dr. from around the globe. The Islamic Art, an amassing place. We turnaround calls and nine over- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Lumpur Summit which was held Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi extraordinary growth in Qatar’s also visited Souq Waqif where we night stays in Doha Port. This delivered at the Kuala Lumpur in the Malaysian capital on stated that the Cabinet took the cruise sector, as evidenced by saw spices, animals. It is very good will give cruise visitors ample Summit. The Cabinet, in its December 19. The Cabinet necessary procedures to issue a the number of cruise ships and cultural place,” said Kevin Craven, time to explore the destination’s regular meeting held yesterday, expressed the hope that the out- draft law amending some provi- passengers to Doha Port, is the a US national who came in Jewel travel, hospitality and retail said the speech focused on the comes of the Summit would con- sions of Law No. (9) of 1987 on result of close collaboration of the Seas Cruise Ship. promotions during the winter issues and challenges facing the tribute to strengthening the part- combating drugs and dangerous between key stakeholders rep- Craven, who is visitng Qatar season, as well as a host of world in general, and the Islamic nership and cooperation psychotropic substances and reg- resenting Qatar’s tourism and for first time, said the country exciting events to choose from world in particular. between countries to meet the ulating their use and trafficking, aviation industries, immigration, has nice touch and interesting such as the FIFA Club World The Prime Minister and aspirations of peoples for after the Cabinet reviewed the customs and the Ports Authority, culture. He wanted to visit Qatar Cup 2019, the upcoming Shop Interior Minister H E Sheikh security, peace, development, recommendations of the Shura who have all worked together again to to know more about it. Qatar festival in January, Doha Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa good governance and the Council on the draft law. `P4 to create a seamless visitor “Qatar is going to host 2022 FIFA Jewelry & Watches Exhibition experience.” World Cup which will attract a in February and Qatar Interna- The Jewel of the Seas first set lot of people who will get chance tional Food Festival in March. Rare solar eclipse over Ministry of Public sail in the spring of 2004 as to visit the amazing country.” `P2 Health warns against Qatar sky today purchasing medical THE PENINSULA/DOHA products online You can watch the rare solar eclipse today at the Al Thuraya QNA/DOHA Planetarium. Katara has invited public to the planetarium at Building 41 to watch the Annular Solar Eclipse, which is a very The Ministry of Public Health rare phenomenon. warned yesterday residents and The partial eclipse will start at 5:32am and will end at 7:50am citizens of the State of Qatar from with the maximum eclipse expected at 6:35am. purchasing any pharmaceutical It is not advisable to look at the Sun during a solar eclipse products related to fat-burning with naked eyes. Only eclipse glasses that have a certification online or from social media with “ISO 12312-2 international standard” are safe for use, outlets, saying they represent a according to Nasa. Other options are the number 14 welder’s severe threat to health and a glass, or a pinhole projector that allows a user to project the violation of the state’s laws. image of the sun on paper or cardboard. The ministry said that it is The last solar eclipse of this year will be occurring on the working with all state institutions morning of Thursday (today). This phenomenon is very important on tracking those who market as it is rare and occurred over Qatar sky for more than a century these products online and will ago and will happen over Qatar sky only after more than one and take the appropriate legal a half-century. This will be an Annular solar eclipse, where the sun measures against them. The min- The thousands of tourists from the US on the Jewel of the Sea cruise ship being given a traditional will appear as a ring of fire because moon will hide the centre part istry called on citizens and resi- welcome at Doha Port, yesterday. PIC: BAHER AMIN/THE PENINSULA of sun, astronomer at QCH Dr Beshir Marzouk said.`P2 dents to ensure that the products they purchase online are regis- tered and approved by Qatar. The ministry stressed its People term National Address Law ‘very important’ commitment to the health of citizens and residents, and that IRFAN BUKHARI Out of a total 1,854 implementing the National all his transactions with govern- quick delivery of various services it will take all the necessary THE PENINSULA respondents who took part in the Address Law. mental and non-governmental from different service providers measures to prevent the trading survey so far, 1,399 (75%) people The Ministry said in a post bodies are completed based on in the country and it is a par- of banned products. As the Ministry of Interior is set termed it ‘very important’ while shared on November 18 that it those data. adigm shift in the conduct of to soon implement National 290 (16%) said that in their will begin implementing the Such data will include the res- judicial proceedings. Address Law, an overwhelming opinion it is ‘important’. National Address Law (Law No. idence address, mobile and fixed- Recently, in a media report, majority of people–both citizens Only 80 (4%) people in the 24 of 2017) soon as part of the stra- line numbers, email address, work Dr. Abdullah Zayed Al Sahli, Public Health and residents–have supported survey consider the law ‘not tegic development of e-gov- address, permanent address Head of the National Address ‘Screen For Life’ SPONSORS Al Wakra Clinics & Urgent encourages breast and Care Unit of Al-Ahli bowel cancer screening Hospital always provide the move terming it important. important’. The online survey ernment, the completion of the abroad and any other information Section at the Public Security of as a tribute to Qatar highest quality of care National Day MAIN SPONSOR PAGE | 2 PAGE | 4-5 In an online survey, currently was launched on December 2, legislative structure for gov- that may be specified by the rel- the Ministry of Interior, said that SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 underway, on the website of the 2019 and set to continue until ernment electronic transactions, evant authority. the National Address will serve Ministry of Interior; around 91% December 31, 2019. and the transition from descriptive In another post on the many government entities such Included with respondents admitted new law’s Meanwhile, the Ministry of address to the digital address importance of National Address as the Ministry of Municipality importance. People were asked in Interior is running an aggressive system. The National Address is a Law shared on November 21 on and Environment; the Ministry today’s edition is a the poll how they see the impor- awareness campaign, in different set of data specified by every ministry’s social media accounts, of Justice; the Supreme Judiciary tance of National Address Law for languages, about the new law on natural or legal person, whether the Ministry said that the Council and Planning and Sta- special supplement the individuals and institutions. its social media platforms before a citizen or an expatriate, so that National Address facilitates the tistics Authority.`P4 02 HOME THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 Doha welcomes first American mega cruise ship

The GCEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker (third right), receiving a gift from the Captain of Jewel of the Seas Cruise ship, Anders Bjornar Ingebrigtsen, during its maiden call to Doha Port, yesterday. RIGHT: The passengers of the ship cheer upon arrival in Doha. PICS: BAHER AMIN/THE PENINSULA

FROM PAGE 1 offerings in culture, sports, offering and increase the sector’s launched a global destination plays on the word’s definition million visitors. The economic QNTC’s mission is to firmly business and family contribution to Qatar’s economy campaign under the tagline and the destination brand’s impact of the tourism sector in establish Qatar on the global map entertainment. by 2030. In 2017, the Next ‘Qatar, Qurated for you.’ Curating iconic Q to underscore the coun- Qatar is becoming increasingly as a place where cultural authen- QNTC’s work is guided by the Chapter of QNTSS was launched, requires professional or expert try’s focus on delivering tailored visible with 2017 estimates ticity meets modernity, and Qatar National Tourism Sector charting the next five years knowledge to select, organise visitor-centric experiences. showing a total (direct and where people of the world come Strategy (QNTSS), which seeks (2018-2023) of the tourism sec- and present unique experiences. Since launching QNTSS, indirect) contribution to Qatar’s together to experience unique to diversify the country’s tourism tor’s growth. In 2018, QNTC As such, the Qurated campaign Qatar has welcomed over 12 GDP of 6.6 percent. Rare solar eclipse QU students visit Qatar QSRN holds training and over Qatar sky today Equestrian Federation rehabilitation programme FROM PAGE 1 QNA/DOHA The solar eclipse will be seen as annular eclipse QNA and various creative activ- developing their skill of from East-South of Saudi Arabia, South of Qatar, parts A group of students from Qatar University (QU) yesterday DOHA ities, such as drawing on focus and exploring, of United Arab Emirates, Oman, India, and Indonesia, visited the headquarters of the Qatar Equestrian Federation glass and ceramic utensils, refining and developing while it will be seen as a partial eclipse from Southeast to learn about the work environment in the federation. Qatar Society for Rehabil- by drawing shapes and their skills through con- of Africa, parts of Europe, Asia, and Middle east. The visit started with an introductory overview of the itation of Special Needs words on cups and plates tinuous training at the The partial solar eclipse will start over Qatar sky federation, its activities and the services provided by the (QSRN) has organised a with the help of associ- hands of specialists, at 5:32am (Sunrise is at 6:17 am), while the annular federation to the horsemen, which contribute to the training and rehabilitation ation teachers and trainers, teachers and spe- phase will be at 6:35 am and the eclipse will end at advancement of the level of equestrian in Qatar. programme for girls with volunteers. cialists working for the 7:50 am Doha local time. After that, the students were taken on a field tour to the disabilities, with the Talib Afifa, a member association and its centres. Generally, the solar eclipses occur when the moon Federatipn’s facilities including the veterinary clinic; then participation of a large of the Board of Directors Afifa praised the high passes between the Sun and the Earth so that the Sun the stables; the horse swimming pool; and the shoe group of its members. of the QSRN, explained level and creativity of is fully or partially covered. This can only happen department among other facilities. The Qatar Equestrian The programme that the program comes female trainees, their before a new Moon phase; when the Sun and Moon Federation is one of the federations that work to implement included training girls with within the plans, programs artistic production and are in conjunction as seen from the Earth. There are the vision of the Qatar Olympic Committee for continuous minor and moderate intel- and goals of QSRN in the wonderful paintings by four types of solar eclipse: total, partial, annular and awareness of giving young people practical experiences lectual disabilities in field of rehabilitation of writing and drawing on hybrid. that help them in choosing their future career paths. various skills, plastic arts persons with disabilities, the glass. THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 HOME 03 QF unveils Education City Tram AG, Kenyan Minister review anti-graft measures THE PENINSULA It gives users new opportunities a true milestone not only in the DOHA for social interaction, while edu- continuing evolution of Qatar cating them about the impor- Foundation’s built environment, Qatar Foundation (QF) has tance of sustainable transport, but in the advancement of sus- launched the Education City and the health benefits that tainable transport in Qatar. Tram — a pioneering transport result from using alternative “The characteristics, qual- system that brings a new form modes of travel to the car. ities, and purpose of the Edu- of sustainable travel to Qatar, With a total 24 stations, it cation City Tram make it a kind and elevates the nation’s profile enables car-less, park-and-ride of transport network that dem- as a nerve centre of innovation. connections between QF’s onstrates Qatar’s commitment The electrically-powered schools, universities, centers, to harnessing technology for tram system, which uses an and facilities. social and environmental advanced form of battery- Led by QF’s Capital Projects benefit. Innovative, educational, charging (Modular on board Directorate, the Education City and designed to foster social energy storage unit) technology, Tram has been specifically engagement, inclusivity and is open to the public, and carries designed and customized for its accessibility, healthy lifestyles, passengers around QF’s ‘Aca- surroundings. The 19 state-of- and sustainable practices and demic Loop’ — where it’s the-art Avenio trams have an habits, it embodies many of the numerous schools and a couple onboard energy-storing system core elements and values of of universities are located, as that removes the need for Qatar Foundation’s mission, and well as the Green Spine and the overhead power cables, and can our organization’s role as a Education City Stadium. travel from one stop to the next leader and driver in the sphere Supporting Qatar’s over- without a need for charging. of sustainability. arching sustainability goals, the Each air-conditioned tram has “While encouraging even The Attorney-General (AG), H E Ali bin Fetais Al Marri, met with the Minister of Interior of the Republic more people throughout our of Kenya, H E Dr. Fred Matiang’i, yesterday. They reviewed ways of cooperation between the two community to explore Education City and all it has to offer, and sides in the field of fighting corruption. making the environment of QF and the surrounding area cleaner and greener through incentivizing lower car-use, the Ministry of Education announces Education City Tram is designed to empower users to realize how we can all play our part in high school first semester results building a sustainable future through the lifestyle choices we QNA were good. He pointed out that in the tests of the end of the make – including the way we DOHA many students have achieved second semester, especially travel.” Stations at QF’s three full marks in several subjects, since the second semester rep- multi-storey car parks will allow The Ministry of Education and while others have achieved full resents 60 percent of the total the community to park their cars Higher Education announced marks in all subjects and the score, which gives all students on arrival and use the Tram to yesterday the results of the tests total. a greater chance to be compen- get to their final destination. of the first semester of general Al Derham said that the total sated and achieve academic There are interchange tram and specialised secondary school scores for the end of the first excellence. stops / stations that connect to for the academic year 2019-20. semester represent 40 percent He noted that ‘the control’ the Doha Metro, and this vital The Ministry has published of the final grade for secondary of the secondary school worked link will play a key role at the the results on its website: www. school students, as the end-year very hard and made a great The Education City Tram sets a new standard for sustainable FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, car- edu.qov.qa so that the student tests represent 60 percent. effort during the correction and transport technology. rying thousands of football fans can inquire about his result by The director of the student monitoring of grades, with all to matches at the Education City entering the seat number. evaluation department called on transparency and credibility, as Education City Tram makes QF 64 seats, including dedicated Stadium. Once fully opened, the In a press statement, the students, who did not achieve those grades represent the true a more environmentally- seats for people with network’s 11.5km route will Director of Student Evaluation good grades during the tests of level of high school students, friendly, interconnected, and disabilities. provide a seamless rail link Department, Khalifa Saad Al the end of the first semester, to wishing all the students success. accessible environment,as well Ghanim Hassan Al Ibrahim, within and between Education Derham, said that the results of strive during the second Following the announcement of as provides a travel option that Chief Operations Officer, Qatar City’s North and South campuses the end of the first semester of semester, and make an effort to grades, the schools will issue aims to reduce vehicle use and Foundation, said, “The launch of – including via a tunnel under the general secondary certificate achieve success and excellence, initial forms with students’ emissions within and around QF. the Education City Tram marks Al Luqta Street. for the academic year 2019-20 and strive towards excellence grades. 04 HOME THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019

Forum held to discuss Foreign Ministry Secretary-General meets Member of OFFICIAL NEWS Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces Amir sends cable latest training of condolences to Amir of Kuwait developments at MoI DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh QNA For his part, the Head of Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, DOHA assessment and trainees affairs Deputy Amir H H Sheikh at the Police Training Institute, Abdullah bin Hamad Al The Police Training Institute Captain Abdullah Jumaa Al Thani and Prime Minister organised yesterday a forum for Kubaisi, made a presentation on and Interior Minister, H E liaison officers and training offi- the training plan for 2020. The Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser cials in various departments of plan features training projects bin Khalifa Al Thani, sent the Ministry of Interior (MoI), directed to the requirements of yesterday cables of condo- with the aim of discussing and the 2022 World Cup, focusing lences to H H the Amir of presenting the latest training on courses aimed at raising the the State of Kuwait, Sheikh developments in the Ministry. level of security performance, Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber The forum was attended by implementing foundation and Al Sabah, on the death of the Head of the Institute’s Sci- qualifying courses (associated Sheikha Awatef Hamoud entific Board, Colonel Mohamed with promotions), abolishing Al Salman Al Hamoud Al Saad Aman, a number of training at the workplace except Sabah. QNA department heads and members for cases of necessity and in of the training and adminis- accordance with the directives, Qatar strongly trative staff of the institute. and suspending the training The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, met condemns armed The Director of the Police tracks except for the qualifying with the Head of Refugee Affairs Department and Member of the Coalition for Syrian Revolution attack in Burkina Faso Training Institute, Major Ali Saud courses. Al Hanzab, said that the forum, On the other hand, the and Opposition Forces, Amal Sheikho, who is currently visiting Qatar, yesterday. They touched on DOHA: The State of Qatar which is held in light of the prep- General Administration of Civil prospects of cooperation and topics of mutual interest. voiced strong condemna- arations for the start of the 2020 Defense organised an educa- tion and denunciation of the training season, and after a year tional course for workers in the attack which targeted a mil- full of training accomplishments, field of fire protection, under the Cabinet praises Amir’s speech at Kuala Lumpur Summit itary post in Soum province stems from the Institute’s title “Firefighting Principles”. in northern Burkina Faso, kill- FROM PAGE 1 keenness on continuous and A number of administrators United Nations Regional draft cooperation agreement ing scores of civilians, most effective communication with and fire fighting employees par- Center for Combating Cyber- in the fields of standardi- of them women, and injur- all departments and involving ticipated in the course, which The Cabinet approved the crime in Doha. zation, metrology and con- ing others from the security them in discussing ways to was held in City Center Shopping accession to the Convention The Cabinet approved a formity assessment between forces. develop the training process in Mall, in addition to a number of on the Suppression of draft Memorandum of Under- Qatar General Organization In a statement issued yester- the Ministry. private security men, who Unlawful Acts Relating to standing for cooperation in for Standards and Metrology day, the Ministry of Foreign He pointed out that the received a special training International Civil Aviation, the agricultural field between (QS) in the State of Qatar and Affairs reiterated the firm forum reviews the training and focusing on evacuation plans and the Protocol Supple- the Government of the State the Agency on Standardi- position of the State of Qatar qualification list in the light of and how to evacuate the site’s mentary to the Convention for of Qatar and the Government zation, Metrology, Certifi- on rejecting violence and ter- the decisions issued in con- visitors as quickly as possible the Suppression of Unlawful of the Republic of cation, and Trade Inspection rorism, regardless of motives nection with the organisation of without a stampede or injury. Seizure of Aircraft. Nicaragua. (TJKSTN) in the Republic of and reasons. The statement training and qualification in the First Lieutenant Abdulhadi The Cabinet also took the The Cabinet also approved Tajikistan. expressed the condolences institute, and clarifying the fea- Ali Al Marri, of the Preventive necessary procedures to ratify a draft Memorandum of The Cabinet also reviewed of the State of Qatar to the tures and developments of the Information and Education an agreement between the Understanding between Qatar the letter of H E the Minister families of the victims and training plan at the workplace Department of the General Government of the State of Civil Aviation Authority and of Commerce and Industry on to the government and peo- and the system of compulsory Administration of Civil Defence, Qatar and the United Nations the European Organization for the financial statements of ple of Burkina Faso, wishing courses and the regulations for said that the course gives the Office on Drugs and Crime the Safety of Air Navigation Qatar Financial Center the injured a speedy recov- the hiring certified trainers to trainees the principles of fire (UNODC) regarding the estab- (EUROCONTROL). Authority and took the appro- ery. QNA deliver training courses. extinguishing. lishment and financing of the The Cabinet approved a priate decision thereon. President of Senegal receives Qatar’s envoy Qatari-Tunisian Joint Military Committee holds meeting DAKAR: The President of the Republic of Senegal, H E Macky Sall, received the cre- dentials of H E Mohammed bin Kurdi Al Marri as Ambas- sador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Senegal. H E the Ambassa- dor conveyed the greetings of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to H E the President of the Republic of Senegal, wishing him the best of health and happiness and the government and people of Senegal further progress and prosperity. The Qatari-Tunisian Joint Military Committee held its third meeting, yesterday, in the presence of the Chief of Staff H E the Senegalese President of Qatari Armed Forces, H E Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanim, and Inspector General of entrusted H E the Ambassa- the Tunisian Armed Forces, H E Brigadier General Abdelmoneim Belati. They reviewed several issues related to the dor to convey his greetings existing military cooperation between the two sides and ways to enhance and develop joint coordination mechanisms. to H H the Amir, wishing His Highness good health and happiness and the State of People term National Address Law ‘very important’ Qatar constant progress and prosperity. FROM PAGE 1 Dr. Abdullah Zayed Al Sahli, months for registration, and Also, H E the President wished Head of the National Address after that, there will be fines H E the Ambassador success “Soon the law will be Section at the Public Security not exceeding to QR10,000 in his new duties and assured published in the Official of the Ministry of Interior, said for anyone who violates any him of providing all the sup- Gazette and registration will adding that the registration of the provisions of articles (3) port to upgrade the bilateral be done via Metrash 2, the through Metrash 2 will not and (4) of this Act, or know- relations to closer cooperation Ministry of Interior website take more than a minute. ingly informs the competent in various fields. QNA and all service centres He had further said: authority of incorrect data spreading across the country,” “There will be a period of 6 about their national address.” Demand soars for varieties of flowers & ornamental plants at Mahaseel Festival

THE PENINSULA DOHA

The section of flower nurseries partici- pating in the Mahaseel Festival witnessed an increasing crowd attracted by the wide range of locally produced flowers. Visitors expressed their happiness with the varieties of flowers, roses and ornamental plants presented this year, as the festival offers an irreplaceable oppor- tunity for home gardening enthusiasts to acquire seasonal and natural flowers and planting fruit trees and various vegetable seedlings, in addition to the required instructions on how to take care of their cultivation, assortment and watering. Different activities were organised during the days of the festival and a space The section of flower nurseries at Mahaseel Festival. was dedicated for productive families to offer types of traditional local dishes and sweets. day until December 28 and then continue 2020. It will take place at Katara’s The Mahaseel Festival will run every every Friday and Saturday until March 31, southern area from 9am to 9pm. THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 HOME 05 Qatar Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Course gains global popularity

FAZEENA SALEEM The 6th Qatar Musculoskeletal Ultrasound almost any part of the body. Most of THE PENINUSLA Course held recently in early December has seen these conditions happen when the immune system attacks the body’s own The homegrown Qatar Musculoskeletal an increased number of 70 participants who tissues. We don’t know for certain why Ultrasound Course by the Hamad are interested in musculoskeletal ultrasound this happens. Sometimes, it is in an Medical Corporation (HMC) Rheuma- affected person’s genes or is caused by tology Division has gained regional and including rheumatologists, orthopedics, other risk factors such as an environ- international popularity. physiotherapists, radiologists , physicians and mental Factors such as cigarette smoke, The course aims to raise the pollution, or an unhealthy and unbal- standard of education in the region by experts from sport Medicine. The participants anced diet in some condition . Gender bringing together internationally included from regional countries and others and age also plays a role with more renowned ‘Eular’ faculty as well as women than men being affected by rheumatologists and other healthcare including Pakistan, India, Philippines, Nigeria and some rheumatic diseases. professionals, said Dr Izzat A.M. Khanjar, Germany. The most common signs and Senior Consultant, Rheumatology Dr Izzat A.M. Khanjar symptoms of inflammatory rheumatic Division, at HMC. diseases include joint swelling, pain, “Although various musculoskeletal and joints and Bones throughout the However, According to Dr Khanjar, osteoarthritis and spine spondylosis, prolonged early morning stiffness, and ultrasound courses are being held all body. It is used to help in three main all levels are certified by the European metabolic bone diseases like oste- painful and decreased range of motion,” over the world, including in the Middle areas, firstly in diagnose of most of Federation of Societies for Ultrasound oporosis and osteomalacia and vitamine said Dr Khanjar. East, our course is unique as it is specif- Rheumatic diseases include mainly in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) for D deficiency, and vasculitis, and soft Regarding treatment for Rheumatic ically tailored to meet the demands of inflammation and synovitis , tendin- the fifth year . tissue rheumatism like fibromyalgia Disease, he said that all modality of the practicing rheumatologist, with a opathy sprains, strains, tears, trapped Also the first Qatar Cadaveric Mus- being among the most common rheu- treatment are available in HMC special focus on orthopedic subjects and nerves, arthritis and other muscu- culoskeletal Ultrasound-Guided Pro- matic diseases. according to the disease and condition Physiotherapist and pain Management loskeletal conditions and secondly in cedure Course, which Was held at “Rheumatoid diseases can affect to all patients regardless of the cost. as well,” he said speaking to media intervention precise necessary proce- Aspetar Hospital persons. dures and thirdly for monitoring some recently. This The 6th Qatar Musculoskeletal treatment of inflammatory disease like hands-on course Ultrasound Course was held recently in Rheumatoid arthritis and Psoriatic was limited for 30 early December and it has seen an Arthritis . participants to increased number which reached to 70 “Ultrasound in rheumatology is like improved their skill participants who are interested in mus- stethoscope for other physicians. Due comparison with culoskeletal ultrasound including rheu- to this importance we are holding the ultrasound . matologists, orthopedics, physiothera- Qatar Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Rheumatology pists, radiologists , physicians and Course for the past six years. This year Division at HMC experts from sport Medicine. The par- year’s workshop included Ultrasound cares for more than ticipants included from regional coun- for Crystal Arthropathy ( Gouty and 2,000 patients with tries and others including Pakistan, Pseudogout ) Diseases (only for inter- arthritis and other India, Philippines, Nigeria and Germany. mediate-level rheumatologists) , for the different rheumatic Musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging first time,” said Dr Khanjar who is also diseases. however uses sound waves to produce pictures the Qatar Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Rheumatic diseases of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves Course Director. are commonly clas- In the past three years the course sified as different The course aims to raise has been endorsed by European League type inflammatory the standard of education Against Rheumatism (EULAR). This and non-inflam- in the region by bringing intensive three-day course is divided matory, with rheu- together internationally into two levels and the basic Course is matoid arthritis, for those who are beginners in the reactive arthritis, renowned ‘Eular’ faculty practice or have some experience in spondyloar- as well as rheumatologists musculoskeletal ultrasound. Interme- thropathy , crystal and other healthcare diate Level is for those who already did arthropathy and professionals, said Dr at least two basic-level courses and are connective tissue practicing Musculoskeletal ultrasound diseases such as Izzat A.M. Khanjar, Senior regularly. lupus dermatomy- Consultant, Rheumatology EULAR endorsement is provided for ositis , sjogren , Division, at HMC. the basic level for the third year and the degenerative joints intermediate level for the second year. diseases like 06 HOME THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019

Ministry recalls Toyota Forklifts QU faculty receives British Council 8FD40N, 8FD50N, & 8FD70N models Professional Achievement Award from 2014 to 2017 THE PENINSULA/DOHA number of awards related to her are honorably proud of Dr. Alla THE PENINSULA research and leadership. She is El-Awaisi for receiving this very DOHA Qatar University College of an active member of the Global well-deserved award. Pursuing Pharmacy Assistant Dean for confederation for Interprofes- high quality work, having excep- The Ministry of Commerce and Student Affairs and QU Health sional Education & Collaborative tional leadership skills and Industry, in cooperation with Chair of the Interprofessional Practice and leading the IPE always leaving a significant mark Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co, Education Committee, Dr. Alla Middle East emerging network. behind them, is what distin- dealer of Toyota in Qatar, El Awaisi (pictured), has been She is also the chairperson of the guishes our faculty members announces the recall of Toyota awarded the Professional 10th All Together Better Health such as Dr. Alla. This aligns with Forklifts 8FD40N, 8FD50N, and Achievement Award in the conference after successfully Qatar University’s new strategic 8FD70N models from 2014 to National Study UK Alumni leading a bid to host bringing this plan that evolves around excel- 2017, due to a possible crack in Awards. biennial event to the Middle East lence. I would like to congrat- the welding part of the fuel tank This award recognises for the first time in October ulate her again and congratulate and hydraulic oil tank in the alumni who have distinguished 2020! the college as every achievement side frame. themselves through exemplary Vice President for Medical accomplished by a faculty The recall campaign comes leadership in their professional and Health Sciences Dr. Egon Toft member builds a higher step to within the framework of the field. The winner was selected congratulated Dr. Alla saying, the success ladder of our Ministry’s continuous efforts by a judging panel, which con- “We are proud that Dr. Alla El- college.” to protect consumers and sisted of the British Ambassador Awaisi has won the Professional Dr. Alla commented, “I am ensure that car dealers follow Ajay Sharma and British Council Achievement Award of National honored and feel really privileged up on vehicle defects and Qatar’s director Samantha Ayton UK Alumni Awards 2019-2020 to be the winner of this pres- repairs. along with top VIPs from dif- in Qatar. It is an important award, tigious award in Qatar. It means The Ministry said that it ferent organisations. which recognizes an impressive a lot to me having this special will coordinate with the Dr. Alla received her edu- Aberdeen. collaborative practice. She has leader in QU-HEALTH. She has endorsement and recognition for dealer to follow up on the cation in the United Kingdom. In her current role as the led significant IPE initiatives distinguished herself through something I am so passionate maintenance and repair She graduated with a Master in Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, nationally and internationally excellence and leadership in her about and have been working works and will communicate Pharmacy from Strathclyde Uni- she provides guidance, support which gained positive attention professional field. The hard on over the last few years. with customers to ensure that versity, followed by an MSc in and lead initiatives to enhance from all the stakeholders and announcement shows that talent, Great appreciation to the British the necessary repairs are Prescribing Science from the students’ learning experience to been commended locally and hard work combined with a Council for organising such a carried out. Robert Gordon University and the best. Dr. Alla established the internationally. strong passion has brought this great initiative and celebrating The Ministry has urged all then PhD on Interprofessional interprofessional education She led the organization of achievement to Alla and QU the achievements of UK alumni. customers to report any viola- Education (IPE) and Collabo- committee since 2014 and is a the first Middle East Conference Health.” It was truly an amazing and tions to its Consumer Protection rative Practice again from the leader and active researcher in on IPE and Collaborative practice Dean College of Pharmacy unforgettable night that I will and Anti-Commercial Fraud Robert Gordon University in interprofessional education & in Qatar in 2015; and won a Dr. Mohammad Diab said, “We cherish for the rest of my life.” Department. ICBF officially launches life insurance scheme for Indian community members

THE PENINSULA Damaan COO, Hari Krishnan. congratulated the efforts of ICBF DOHA This life insurance scheme for all to bring in such an innovative Indian community members idea to support the community The Indian Community Benev- residing in Qatar is launched in and he appreciated the support olent Forum’s (ICBF) recently association with Damaan Islamic of Damaan Insurance Company announced community insurance Insurance Company-Bheema, for their support to the initiative. scheme for the Indian community who facilitate the cover. He also requested all apex bodies members, aimed at protecting The coverage of insurance to work together to ensure that families of the expats, who are programme is QR100,000; it also the scheme reaches every working in Qatar. The scheme has covers permanent or partial dis- Indians in Qatar for their benefit been inaugurated by the Ambas- ability up to the maximum and conduct campaigns to sador of India to Qatar, P covered amount depends on the promote the scheme. ICBF and Damaan Islamic Insurance Company officials during the contract signing ceremony. Kumaran, during a function at percentage of the disability. ICBF ICC President A P Man- Indian Embassy premises. intends to ensure maximum par- ikantan and IBPC President Azim During the event, an MoU ticipation from Indian com- Abbas were also present during dignitaries present during the General-Secretary, Avinash Nivedita Ketkar and Rajani between ICBF and Damaan munity to join for the insurance the function and voiced their function included ICBF Coordi- Gaikwad; Head of Development, Moorthy; ICBF Development Sub Islamic Insurance Company, programme, where the premium support for the scheme and cam- nating officers, S R H Fahmi and Juttas Paul; ICBF Managing Com- Committee member, Abdulrahoof Beema was signed by ICBF Pres- is as low as QR125 for two years paign and also agreed to work Dr. Sona Soman; ICBF Vice-Pres- mittee members, Subrahmania Kondotty, and leading community ident, P N Baburajan, and term. The ambassador together for the initiative. The ident, Mahesh Gowda; Hebbaglu, Santosh Kumar, members. IIQS-Qatar conducts 10th CPD event

THE PENINSULA your marketable Values’. event. Kiran Kumar (IIQS- DOHA An interactive question and Qatar General Secretary) felic- answer session followed the itated Martin for delivering the Indian Institute of Quantity presentation. The lecture com- lecture. Anshul Gupta (IIQS Surveyors - Qatar Chapter (IIQS- prehensively outlined the Qatar – President) expressed Qatar) (Associated to Indian essential qualities of a profes- vote of thanks for the function. Business and Professionals sionally successful individual. He also provided a brief about Council (IBPC) under the aegis The attendees found the talk the Annual IBPC event attended of Embassy of India in Qatar) highly inspiring, useful and by IIQS-Qatar and displayed successfully conducted its 10th interesting. the felicitation momento SDC organises cultural programme Continuing Professional Devel- One of the key takeaways received by IIQS-Qatar from opment (CPD) event at Concorde from the lecture was the need IBPC. THE PENINSULA Indians came alive at stealing the hearts of the Hotel, recently. for professionals at any level of Anshul Gupta further pro- DOHA ‘Arangettam’ (debut per- audience with their first public Close to 40 members and their career to continue their vided an outline of IIQS-Qatar’s formance) of over 200 students performance at DPS Modern guests attended this event. professional development planned events for the first The Skilled Development Centre who completed their training in Indian School, Al Wakrah under Martin Dzediku – Commercial through various means such as quarter of 2020 and urged the (SDC) has organised Arangettam classical dance and music from the guidance of Gurus Kalaman- Manager of Consolidated Con- reading books and attending nembers to renew their IIQS (debut performance) for classical Skills Development Centre dalam Devi, Kalamandalam tractors Company SAL, CPDs frequently. annual membership for 2020 at dance and music students recently. A total of 210 students Fazeela, Kalamandalam delivered a thought-pro- Venkat Reddy (IIQS-Qatar the earliest and further named ‘SWARALAYA 2019’. showcased their talents in Indian Aryasree, Kalamandalam Simna voking lecture on the topic Treasurer) welcomed the requested non-members to The rich cultural tradition of classical dance and music, and Sreekutty. ‘The Professional Person – attendees and conducted the become members. QRCS & KidZania Doha celebrate Qatar National Day with HMC’s Al Maha kids

THE PENINSULA Abdul-Latif Hamdan, Projects DOHA Expert at QRCS’s Volunteering and Local Development Division, In celebration of Qatar National said, “We are so happy for Day 2019, Qatar Red Crescent amusing 12 kids born with health Society (QRCS), KidZania Doha, issues, as well as 30 parents, and Hamad Medical Corporation doctors, and nurses. It is great to (HMC) organised a visit for put a smile on the face of a child children with special needs from who is unable to play with Al-Maha Center to KidZania peers”. Doha, together with their parents Hamdan praised the perfect and health care providers. cooperation from KidZania The visit was closely coordi- Doha, which reflected their firm nated by QRCS and KidZania belief in corporate social Doha, under their partnership for responsibility (CSR) and dedi- the benefit of new generations. cation to the present and future Knowing that the children with of children. She also stressed the special needs require utmost strategic partnership between Some clicks during the visit of the children with special needs from Al Maha Center to KidZania as part of QND celebrations. care, all the arrangements were QRCS and HMC, which took taken carefully to make it an multiple forms to enhance com- exceptional experience for the munity service and public QRCS School program, which is Education in all public and teachers, and administrative staff case of an earthquake, and the young angels. health. held in collaboration with the private schools in Qatar. It seeks on basic first aid skills for self values of social peace and In a statement, Huda The visit came under the Ministry of Education and Higher to educate school students, and others, safe evacuation in integration. THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 HOME 07 HBKU student delivers talk at UN headquarters

Mohamed Alazemi, a comparative religion programme student and the president of the CIS Student Council, spoke on peacebuilding in the Middle East.

THE PENINSULA/DOHA Conservation technician Chanaka Perera teaching participants the art of creating beautiful notebooks by hand at the two-day workshop at Qatar National Library. A student at the College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar National Library showcases art of recently addressed the United Nations (UN) Alliance for Civili- bookbinding at specialised workshop zations (UNACO) fellowship alumni, during the event at the THE PENINSULA included an introductory pres- Ram Krishna said, “The UN headquarters in New York. DOHA entation about basic conser- workshop is very interesting and Mohamed Alazemi, a com- vation techniques and materials, offers something new for me to parative religion programme Mohamed Alazemi, President of the CIS Student Council, speaking A two-day workshop, held at such as Japanese paper and learn. The art of bookbinding has student and President of the CIS at the UN Alliance for Civilizations fellowship alumni at the UN Qatar National Library, show- tissues, followed by basic book- always fascinated me and this is Student Council, spoke on headquarters in New York. cased the art of creating beau- binding training. a perfect chance for me to learn peacebuilding in the Middle East. tiful notebooks by hand, On day two, participants its basics from experts here at He was selected as one of the 12 of gender equality, women’s the element of change; you are recently. learned advanced Japanese stab the Library.” UNACO Fellows from the MENA empowerment, peace-building what the world needs because Conservation technician bookbinding and also made their Ahmed Majed, another par- region for 2019, and contributed and justice in Kuwait. it takes courage to be kind.” Chanaka Perera taught partici- own notebooks. Participants ticipant, said, “Bookbinding has to the current year’s theme, ‘The During his talk, he called for UNACO strives to bridge divides pants how to use easy, softcover could take their creations home always been an important part Role of Women in Peacemaking better tolerance and proactive and strengthen cross-cultural techniques to create their own to use as sketchbooks, diaries or of our culture. I am happy to see and Conflict Prevention’. measures, and said, “Whether relations among nations through handmade books. travel journals. that the Library is making efforts Alazemi has carried out you like it or not, humanity’s sur- intercultural and interreligious The first day of the workshop Participating at the event, to revive this tradition.” extensive research in the fields vival depends on you. You are dialogue and peace. Malabar Gold & Diamonds opens new store in Qatar MoCI recalls Ford THE PENINSULA a strong retail network of over 250 F250, F350 pick-up DOHA outlets spread across 10 countries, 14 wholesale units in addition to models of 2017-19 Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one offices, design centers and factories among the largest jewellery retailers spread across India, Middle East, Far THE PENINSULA globally with a strong retail network East & USA. With an annual turnover DOHA of over 250 outlets spread across 10 of $4.51bn, the company currently countries, has revealed its new store ranks one among the largest jew- The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in in Qatar, the new store conveniently ellery retailers globally. cooperation with Almana Motors Company, dealer located at Fereej Al Nasr Street is With 14 cluster manufacturing of Ford in Qatar, has announced the recall of Ford the 14th store of Malabar Gold & units in India and GCC – the F250 and F350 pickups, models from 2017-2019, Diamonds in Qatar. company currently has 12 jewellery due to potential excessive sparks being generated To celebrate the launch, the jew- brands to cater to the discerning in the seat belt pretensioner, which may increase ellery retailer has unveiled fabulous needs of customers. With head- the risk of a fire in case of an accident. inaugural offers. Customers will get quarters in Kerala and branches The recall campaign comes within the framework a guaranteed gold coin with across India, Middle East & Far East, of the Ministry’s continuous efforts to protect con- QR3,000 worth gold jewellery pur- Malabar Group is best known for its sumers and ensure that car dealers follow up on chase, up to 50 gold coins can be activities in the field of gold, dia- vehicle defects and repairs. Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ newly-opened store at Fereej Al Nasr Street won via Scratch N Win Coupons. monds, silver and lifestyle articles. The Ministry said that it will coordinate with the With Diamond Jewellery pur- in Doha. The group also operates MGD – dealer to follow up on the maintenance and repair chase, Customers get a guaranteed Lifestyle Jewellery, a retail concept works and will communicate with customers to cashback, up to 100% of the pur- exchange as well. Above offers are the flagship company of Malabar offering trendy and light weight jew- ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. chase can be won via Scratch N Win exclusively available at their Fereej Group, a leading diversified Indian ellery that represents the inde- The Ministry has urged all customers to report Coupons. Furthermore, customers Al Nasr Street outlet until 04th Jan business conglomerate. Established pendent and the modern woman any violations to its Consumer Protection and Anti- can avail the zero deduction offer 2020 only. in 1993 in the Indian state of Kerala, through its designs and Commercial Fraud Department. on 22K (GCC) gold jewellery Malabar Gold & Diamonds is Malabar Gold & Diamonds today has collections. MME’s marketing programmes help sell over 809 tonnes of local farm vegetables THE PENINSULA/DOHA local vegetables in consumer com- farms to supply their produce to com- plexes over the course of Year. mercial outlets without middlemen. The Ministry of Municipality and Envi- The programmes are run by MME The initiatives aim at proving rea- ronment (MME) said that ‘Qatar Farms in cooperation with the Ministry of sonable prices to local farmers for Programme’ and ‘Premium Qatar Commerce and Industry at major their investments and handwork by Farms Programme’ helped market commercial outlets like Lulu Hyper- offering farm fresh vegetables to the over 809 tonnes of local vegetables markets, Al Meera, Family Food customers at competitive prices. in November. Center, Carrefour among many more. The good yield also encourages Over 557 tonnes of vegetables Both the programmes enable local local farms to increase their products. were sold out under Qatar Farms Pro- gramme, however Premium Qatar Farms Pro- gramme con- tributed in selling 250 tonnes vegetables. The local product mar- keting pro- grammes aim to improve the local marketing method for Qatari vegetables, increase demand for them, and reduce waste from production to a minimum, as well as to increase the income of Qatari farms in order to increase investment in the agricultural sector, and the availability of 08 VIEWS THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 Iraq’s crisis: Deadlock or ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN political opportunity? SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR KAMARAN PALANI MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED AL JAZEERA [email protected] n October 2018, when Adel Abdul DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Mahdi was named prime minister MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI of Iraq, there was widespread [email protected] Ioptimism both domestically and internationally that the new gov- ernment he would lead would be able to move the country forward. A little more than a year later, he had to resign after a violent crackdown on protests by security forces and armed EDITORIAL militias left hundreds dead and thou- sands injured. Since early October, mass demon- strations have been held to demand an Iraqi anti-government protestes celebrate with national flags in the sit-tin at the Qatar’s robust economy end to corruption, better living condi- capital’s Tahrir Square, yesterday. tions, independence from regional and he strength of Qatar’s economy is once again global powers, and the downfall of the power-sharing arrangement among expanding the public sector to provide acknowledged by a global institution. The World entire political system that has been in the country’s three largest ethno-sec- employment for the youth; today two- TBank has noted that Qatar’s economy is projected place in Iraq since the 2003 US tarian groups: Shia Arabs, Sunni Arabs thirds of the Iraqi budget goes towards to grow by 1.5 percent in 2020 and 3.2 percent in 2021. invasion. and Kurds. According to this informal paying salaries of government It shows the proactive steps taken by the government Although the protests have largely agreement, the prime minister’s post is employees. This approach has proven are steering the country in the right direction. been confined to Baghdad and the reserved for a member of the Shia unsustainable and has prevented any Qatar is the only GCC country expected to post fiscal Shia-majority areas in central and community, the parliament speaker real effort being put in diversifying the surpluses for all years of the forecasted (2019, 2020 southern Iraq, the protesters’ demands has to be a Sunni, and the president - a Iraqi economy and boosting the and 2021) period. Country’s surplus is forecast to rise have not been sectarian. And unlike Kurd. private sector. from 1.3 percent of GDP in 2019 to 2.8 percent in 2021. the previous waves of protest move- On the ground, this system has On the security level, Iraq faces The country was also able to record a fiscal surplus in ments in Iraq, the current upheaval constrained attempts for meaningful major challenges because it does not 2018, which was underpinned by expenditure restraint. has been characterised by strong political and administrative reform. As have unified security and military Earlier, The International Monetary Fund adjusted public will, popular agency and belief Nechirvan Barzani, president of the forces. In addition to the Kurdish the GDP growth projections to 2.8 percent for 2020 in the power to change. Importantly, semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of Peshmerga and security forces, which from 2 percent in 2019. The state budget for 2020 was none of the Iraqi parties has been able Iraq (KRI), noted recently, the political operate in a state-within-a-state announced which forecasted a budget surplus of to coopt the demonstrations. blocs representing Iraq’s three main system and themselves are split along QR500m, amidst a continued conservative oil price In components have been more inter- Kurdish party lines, there is a mul- estimate of $55 a barrel. Expenditure in major projects addition, pro- ested in their respective constituencies titude of different forces within the has been budgeted at QR90bn of which infrastructure testers have and party politics, than working for security sector which are not immune projects accounted for the largest share. defined their the good of the country. to politicisation. Qatar was also ranked first in the Arab world and movement as The result is a weak government In addition, since 2003, there has seventh globally out of 128 an ‘’uprising’’ and a weak prime minister who do not been an ever-growing number of countries at the Global The result is a or a ‘’revo- have the full support of political militias and armed groups which have Finance Safety index for weak government lution’’, parties and are therefore unable to wielded significant power within the 2019. and a weak prime which is counter corruption and pursue good country and have been instrumen- The Barzan Gas Project minister who challenging governance. talised by various domestic and World Bank will boost production by 2 political legit- Another weak point of this system foreign powers to pursue their own has noted that billion cubic feet per day to do not have the imacy and is that it has not really allowed for political interests. Qatar’s economy a total of 11 billion cubic feet full support of current state- genuine power-sharing. Political The lack of a unified security force is projected per day, a modest but sig- political parties society rela- power has remained in the hands of or a “command and control” structure nificant addition to Qatar’s and are therefore tions. In par- dominant Shia actors and has left in Iraq’s armed and security forces has to grow by 1.5 total gas production, which allel, they some groups deeply dissatisfied. weakened the country, giving space percent in 2020 reached 176 billion cubic unable to counter have also The protests of 2012-13 in Sunni- for terrorist groups to proliferate and and 3.2 percent in feet per day in 2018. The corruption and labelled the majority areas, which rejected the foreign interference to grow. 2021. Qatar is the $10.3bn project is designed pursue good Iraqi author- perceived sectarian rule of former What is next? to extract gas from Qatar’s ities as “the Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the Today, Iraq finds itself in a major only GCC country massive North Field via governance. regime”, a KRI’s 2017 referendum on inde- crisis with no clear way out. The Iraqi expected to post both onshore and offshore word with pendence were signs that this system people have demonstrated that the fiscal surpluses facilities. clear ramifi- has not been able to create a sense of political elite has lost all popular According to World cations for the people of this region equal partnership. The continuing pro- support and legitimacy. Even religious during 2019, Bank, the new production referring to an authority with no tests in Shia-majority areas demon- leaders and institutions, such as Iraq’s 2020 and 2021 will go toward meeting the popular support or legitimacy. strate this system does not satisfy the most senior Shia Muslim leader, Grand period. Country’s country’s rising power What is happening in Iraq is truly Shia population either. Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, which have surplus is forecast requirements, including for remarkable and cannot be compared On the economic level, the coun- been unable to unify the Shia parties, desalination plants, Hamad with any other moment in its recent try’s continued dependence on its oil are now facing serious criticism. to rise from 1.3 International Airport and history. So what got the country to this resources has prevented sustainable The problem is, while there is a percent of GDP the Hamad Port. moment and what happens next? economic development, which, clear legitimacy vacuum, political in 2019 to 2.8 In addition to gas, the The roots of an uprising together with the high level of cor- actors and militias continue to insist percent in 2021. plant will produce about Chronic and growing dysfunction ruption and public mismanagement, on maintaining their hard power 6,000 barrels per day of in three sectors - government, has led to the failure of the state to through systems of political and sec- plant condensate, 7,500 economy and security - is at the heart provide for the basic needs of the tarian patronage. These same political barrels per day of butane, of the current upheaval in Iraq. population. actors are also supposed to select a 10,500 barrels per day of propane, 22,000 barrels a On the political level, the post- Successive governments have tried new prime minister and vote on day of field condensate, and 34,000 barrels per day of 2003 system in Iraq is centred on a to placate the Iraqi public by reforms. ethane to be used as a feedstock for Qatar’s growing petrochemical industry. The government has also prepared a new $16.4bn Moon administration should act to get situation back on even keel investment program targeting infrastructure and real estate, to be implemented over the next four years. These developments should support economic activity, par- JAPAN NEWS-YOMIURI bilateral relationship. Moon like to solve the issue at an international law. ticularly in the non-oil sector. All these achievements responded by saying that the early date. The Speaker of the reflect Qatar’s rising status at a regional and global n order to put the Japan- two countries “can never be The Japan-South Korea National Assembly of South level South Korean rela- far from each other.” agreement on the settlement Korea has submitted to the tionship right, it is It can be rated highly in of problems concerning assembly a bill to establish a important for the South that both leaders recognized property and claims and on fund designed to avoid I having Japanese companies Korean government to abide the importance of the Japan- economic cooperation stipu- by bilateral accords and take South Korean relationship lates that problems con- pay compensation. The bill is actions to get the situation and agreed to continue their cerning claims between both designed to invite donations QUOTE OF THE DAY back on an even keel. dialogue. sides had been “settled com- from Japanese and South Prime Minister Shinzo With regard to the ruling pletely and finally.” Past Korean companies, indi- It is urgent for the Abe and South Korean Pres- made by the South Korean South Korean administra- viduals and others and to Nigerian authorities ident Moon Jae-in held talks Supreme Court that ordered tions have also taken the provide compensation to to do their utmost in China, where they were Japanese companies to pay standpoint that the right of plaintiffs. visiting. Their talks marked reparations to former requi- former requisitioned workers The group of plaintiffs to prevent further the first summit held since sitioned workers, Abe to make claims is subject to have opposed the bill, saying violence and brutality, bilateral relations deterio- pointed out that this is an the agreement. that it would nullify the and to protect the rated over the issue of a issue that seriously affects It is obvious that the court offenders’ responsibility. civilian population, lawsuit concerning former the fundamentals of the legal ruling that allowed the plain- There still remains a possi- requisitioned workers who basis of relations between tiffs to exercise their right to bility of a company’s seized including aid workers. were mobilized from the Japan and South Korea. He make claims against Jap- property being converted Korean Peninsula. then urged Moon to have anese companies runs into cash by those plaintiffs Antonio Jose Abe told Moon that Japan South Korea present counter to the agreement. who decline to use the fund. Canhandula and South Korea are measures to solve the issue The South Korean gov- Under such circumstances, UN Special Envoy important neighbors for each on its own responsibility. ernment is responsible for the fund would not become a other and that the two coun- Moon responded only by clearing away the current sit- decisive factor in resolving tries must improve the saying that his country would uation, in which it is violating the issue. THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 OPINION 09 “Energy Silk Road” launched; Ball in European court now

n November 30, 2019, connects to Europe-TAP through the Erdogan highlighted that “TANAP important to achieve energy Ipsala, a small and won- route of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, does not only guarantee Turkey’s security. Cooperation models, derful town with a surface and continues onward to involve Bul- energy security, but aims to bolster proven over time between area of 753 square kilom- garia, Greece, Macedonia, Albania, the energy supply security of Azerbaijan and Turkey, have been O European countries as well.” (Anadolu eters and a population of 30,000, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. a decisive factor here. Azerbaijan’s located in Turkey’s northwestern The first phase of TANAP was Agency, Nov. 30). success in realization of these AYAZ MUSEYIBOV Edirne province, hosted a very launched on June 12 last year in the No other project before TANAP projects, achieved by transforming ANATOLIA important historic event for Europe. Turkish city of Eskisehir, laying the was successfully implemented to con- regional contentions into cooper- On this day, the town hosted the foundation of the delivery of the first tribute to Europe’s energy security ation platforms and involving all opening ceremony of the Trans-Ana- gas to Turkey. because of technical, financial and stakeholders, in fact, played an tolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), Just four years ago, when the political factors, although various exemplary role for other countries. the 1,850-kilometer-long gas pipeline world commodity exchanges were projects have been discussed in indi- These diversified giant energy cor- that extends from the northeastern shocked by the volatility of oil prices, vidual platforms and design works ridors are also strategically Turkish province of Ardahan onward TANAP, founded by the leadership of have been carried out. Azerbaijan has important as they connect the East to Europe. With this historic event, the Azerbaijan and Turkey, reached opened new horizons toward an and the West and have important export of Azerbaijani gas to Turkey onward to the European border. As of enhanced energy security of Europe by economic implications. These and Europe became a reality. the present date, the volume of gas offering favorable conditions for these projects will also strengthen legal, TANAP is the key pillar and the transported to Turkey via TANAP has projects. Energy supply to Europe, par- economic, cultural ties and mutual most important part of the 3,500-kil- reached 3.3 billion cubic meters. There ticularly to South and Southeast understanding among the countries ometer-long energy corridor are plans to increase the transportation Europe, in most cases, depends on only involved, introducing new plat- stretching from Azerbaijan to Europe. capacity of TANAP, first, to 16 billion one source. These projects will play an forms for regional cooperation and Once fully launched, the Trans- cubic meters and then to 31 billion cubic indispensable role for the countries of security. As underlined by Pres- Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which will meters (socar.az, Nov. 30, 2019) in the the region offering access to robust ident Aliyev: “This project will connect with TANAP on the Greek coming years. In addition, if the TANAP- energy sources, as well as contributing create bridges between countries border, will lay the foundation for the TAP start shipping gas to Europe, to the economic independence of these and pave the way for even greater As of the present date, first ever direct transport of Azerba- Europe will be able to have access to the countries. mutual understanding.” the volume of gas ijani natural gas from the Caspian long-awaited Caspian gas and have TANAP’s realization has never This cooperation format could transported to Turkey basin to European markets. The new opportunities along with it. been an easy process. Prior to TANAP, also be introduced to address the via TANAP has reached $38-billion-worth TANAP project is a In recent years, the increased Azerbaijan had to go through a long tensions faced in the distribution of logical continuation of the strategic demand for natural gas as a low- journey and a very difficult test. It is the new hydrocarbon resources in 3.3 billion cubic course designed and followed by carbon energy source has streamlined worth emphasizing that the Baku- the eastern Mediterranean in order meters. There are Azerbaijan and Turkey to contribute the diversification of sources and Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, known as the to create new opportunities for plans to increase the to the energy security of the Southern routes along with contributing the “Contract of the Century”, provided European energy security and bring transportation capacity Gas Corridor involving seven implementation of new projects and Azerbaijan with experience in global peace and stability to the region. European countries. development of the gas industry. The project management. Launched in In conclusion, these projects of TANAP, first, to 16 The European Union is repre- weight of these projects is not only 2006, this pipeline has turned and the benefits they bring to the billion cubic meters sented by three out of the seven coun- limited to the benefits they will bring Azerbaijan into one of the best alter- region create new economic for- and then to 31 billion tries in the Southern Gas Corridor. As to the peoples of Turkey, Azerbaijan natives and a platform for cooperation mations that will be in everyone’s the main segment of this corridor, and other neighboring nations, but in the delivery of Caspian (Azerbaijan, favor. Such economic formations cubic meters (socar.az, TANAP will deliver gas from the Shah also make positive contributions to Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and could serve as an incentive to Nov. 30, 2019) in the Deniz-2 gas condensate field in the Europe’s energy security. At the Russia) energy resources to Europe. achieve technological innovations coming years. Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea opening ceremony of the pipeline, The Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas and maximize economic gains in to European consumers. TANAP Turkish President Recep Tayyip pipeline, launched in 2007, was the the countries of the South Cau- next giant project for Azerbaijan and casus, which will provide safer and Turkey to connect European and cheaper energy sources for Asian energy channels. In the interna- European countries. tional forum “One Belt, One Road” held in Beijing, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, referring to implementation goals and Azerbai- jan’s role in the project, said, “Azerbaijan has vast oil and gas reserves. We build multiple pipelines D-RING ROAD to transport our oil and gas to interna- POST BOX: 3488 tional markets and our main target is DOHA - QATAR to diversify economy, to invest in [email protected] human capital and to create sus- tainable opportunities for growth” (president.az, April 26). EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE It is an indisputable fact that the TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 world’s energy map has changed a lot FAX: +974 4455 7758 with these successful projects and new cooperation models have MANAGING EDITOR emerged with new players, such as TEL: 4462 7505 Azerbaijan, acting as initiators and key implementers of new projects. It DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR has once again been seen that strong TEL: 4455 7769 integrated links among producing, The China presentation “Future Energy, Green Silk Road” at Expo Astana. transit and consuming countries are LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7743

BUSINESS NEWS SECTION MARLOWE HOOD he climate summit in Madrid objection of Poland and without a leadership” enabled Brazil and Saudi TEL: 4462 7535 AFP earlier this month did not col- crucial midway marker. Arabia to push agendas destined to lapse -- but by almost any UN Secretary-General Antonio derail the talks. SPORT NEWS SECTION measure it certainly failed. Guterres labelled COP25 “disap- “Chile played a bad hand poorly,” TEL: 4455 7745 T noted another insider. Five years after the fragile UN pointing”. Others were more blunt. process yielded the world’s first uni- “The can-do spirit that birthed the A marginal factor, perhaps, but ONLINE SECTION versal climate treaty, COP25 was Paris Agreement feels like a distant not a negligible one. TEL: 4462 7501 billed as a mopping-up session to memory,” said Helen Mountford of Among the nearly 30,000 dip- [email protected] finish guidelines for carbon markets, Washington-based think tank World lomats, experts, activists and jour- Resources Institute (WRI). nalists accredited to attend the PUBLIC RELATIONS “The world is screaming out for summit were hundreds of high- TEL: 4455 7613 climate action but this summit has octane fossil fuel lobbyists. [email protected] responded with a whisper,” noted They are collectively the elephant Chema Vera, executive director of in the room: everyone knows what ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Five reasons COP25 Oxfam International. causes climate change but it is con- TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 sidered impolitic within the UN So what went wrong? FAX: 4455 7870 At least five factors contributed to climate bubble to point fingers. [email protected] climate talks failed the Madrid meltdown. Even the Paris Agreement turns a To an unsettling degree, the blind eye: nowhere in its articles does CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT outcome of a UN climate summit -- one find the words oil, natural gas, TEL: 4455 7857 where 196 nations must sign off on coal, fossil fuels or even CO2. [email protected] every decision -- depends on the “We need to engage with them,” thus completing the Paris Agreement savvy and skill of the host country, UN Climate executive secretary SUBSCRIPTION & rulebook. which acts as a facilitator. Patricia Espinosa told AFP when DISTRIBUTION Governments faced with a cre- The stars were not aligned for the asked whether it was time to exclude TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 scendo of deadly weather, dire alarms chaotic Copenhagen summit of 2009 such lobbyists from the room. FAX: 44557819 from science and weekly strikes by and the Danish prime minister’s less- “There is no way we will achieve [email protected] millions of young people were also than-deft manoeuvering did not help. this transformation without the expected to signal an enhanced will- By contrast, the 2015 climate treaty energy industry, including oil and ingness to tackle the climate crisis was in no small measure made pos- gas.” threatening to unravel civilisation as sible by France’s diplomatic But the incongruity of their par- we know it. tour-de-force. ticipation in a life-and-death struggle All thoughts and views The result? A deadlock and a This year, Chile’s environment to wean the world from their products expressed in these columns dodge. minister Carolina Schmidt wielded has become harder to ignore. are those of the writers, The 12-day talks extended two the hammer after the conference was “Is there no space free from not of the newspaper. days into overtime but still punted the moved at the last minute to Madrid greenwashing,” asked Mohamed The 12-day talks carbon market conundrum to next due to massive protests on the streets Adow, director of climate think tank year’s COP26 in Glasgow. of Santiago. Power Shift Africa. All correspondence extended two days A non-binding pledge, mean- From Day One, when Schmidt’s “The UN climate negotiations regarding Views and into overtime but while, to revisit deeply inadequate mishandling of a request from the should be the one place that is free Opinion pages should be still punted the national plans for slashing green- African negotiating bloc mushroomed from such fossil fuel interference.” sent to editor-in-chief carbon market house gas emissions was apparently into a diplomatic incident, veteran On November 4, 2020 -- the day too big an ask. observers worried that she was not up after US voters will renew Donald office or mailed to the conundrum to next The European Union was the only to the job. Trump’s mandate or turn him out of [email protected] year’s COP26 in major emitter to step up with an For Greenpeace International office -- the United States is set to for- Glasgow. ambitious mid-century target (“net executive director Jennifer Morgan, mally withdraw from the Paris zero”), and even then it was over the “an irresponsibly weak Chilean Agreement. 10 GULF / MIDDLE EAST THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 Israeli army admits error over deadly Gaza attack

AFP/JERUSALEM Hamas calls for ‘imposing’ The Israeli army said that a strike in Gaza that killed nine members Jerusalem polls on Israel of the same family had been due to a faulty assessment of the risk ANATOLIA/GAZA CITY to civilians. The November 14 air strike Palestinian group Hamas has called on the Palestinian Authority targeted the home of Rasmi Abu and rival Fatah movement to “impose” election in the occupied Malhous, described by Israel as city of Jerusalem without Israel’s approval. a commander in Islamic Jihad, “We don’t accept to take permission from the [Israeli] occu- the militant Palestinian pation to hold election,” Hamas leader Salah Al Bardawil told a movement against which Israel press conference in Gaza City yesterday. had launched a three-day “We must impose the polls and turn Jerusalem into a spot of campaign. political and popular engagement,” he said. He and eight members of his The Hamas leader reiterated his group’s refusal to hold Pales- family were killed by the attack, tinian election without Jerusalem. “We must agree on a national plan including five children. of action with the goal of holding election in Jerusalem,” he said. A statement from the army Hamas and Fatah have remained at odds since the former Damaged vehicle is seen at debris of a building after warplanes belonging to Assad Regime hit said that intelligence collected seized the Gaza Strip from the latter in mid-2007 after several Ma’arat Al Nu’man district of Idlib in Syria. ahead of the attack had indi- days of street fighting. In 2017, the two factions signed a recon- cated that the residence “was ciliation agreement in Cairo in hopes of ending years of animosity designated as an Islamic Jihad and division. Terms of the agreement, however, have never been organisation military implemented amid deep-seated differences between the two Relief group: 216,000 have compound”. movements. The army had “estimated” Earlier, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stressed that that “civilians would not be Israel do not want Palestinian elections in in East Al Quds. fled homes in northwest Syria harmed as a result of an attack” Abbas said that all Palestinian parties have agreed on holding on the site, which was not elections, and that all which remains is to hold elections in Al AP/BEIRUT Syrian army and opposition bombing campaign began late believed to be accessible to Quds. He said that holding the elections in Al Quds is crucial to activists. last month. members of the public. reforming Palestinian democracy. He also said that democracy, More than 200,000 men, The Syrian Response Coor- Videos posted online by An army inquiry later found for its part, is important in the process of liberating Palestine. women and children fled their dination Group, a relief group activists and the opposition’s “that even though military Israel agreed in 1996, 2005, and 2006 to hold Palestinian homes in northwest Syria in active in northwestern Syria, Syrian Civil Defense, also known activity was conducted in the elections in Al Quds after international pressure. buses, trucks and cars in recent said 216,632 people have fled as White Helmets, showed long compound, it was not a closed weeks, amid intense air and their homes, many of them with lines of cars, trucks and buses compound, and in reality ground bombardment by no specific place to go. Many heading north. People carried their civilians were present there,” it non-combatants “by placing its Hamas, responded by firing government forces, a Syrian have been heading toward the valuables, and on most buses, bags said. military assets in the heart of the more than 450 rockets at Israel. relief group said yesterday. Turkish border for safety. and mattresses were loaded. The The army said it would learn civilian population and by delib- During the confrontation, Government forces have The group said people fled group called on other relief agencies from its “mistakes” to reduce erately acting from within Israeli forces attacked dozens of been bombarding southern and from about 250 villages and to help the displaced amid cold “the recurrence of similar densely populated civilian targets in the enclave. eastern Idlib province, the last towns, adding that 252 civilians, weather and heavy rain. In recent irregular events.” areas.” Palestinian officials said 35 rebel stronghold in the war-torn including 79 children have been weeks, tent settlements of displaced It stressed it had made “con- The three-day flareup began Palestinians were killed and country, since late November. A killed as a result of the violence. people were flooded adding to their siderable efforts... to reduce the when Israel killed a senior more than 100 wounded. There ground offensive that began last Before the ground offensive misery. damage to non-combatants”. Islamic Jihad official in Gaza on were no Israeli fatalities. week has displaced more people began last Thursday, the U.N. “We call upon the interna- The military report also November 12. In its Tuesday report, the and government forces have reported that some 60,000 Idlib tional community to pressure the blamed Islamic Jihad for The Islamist group, which is Israeli army said its November captured more than 40 villages residents had already been dis- regime and its allies to stop their exploiting and endangering closely allied with Gaza’s rulers operation had been a success. and hamlets, according to the placed since the government’s military campaign,” it said.

Iran launches rescue after Iran-backed bloc names Basra governor for Iraqi PM post AP & AFP/BAGHDAD rejected by protesters on the stopped short of naming the the headquarters of two pro-Iran already achieved a goal”, military plane streets, withdrew his nomination largest bloc. It said the decision militias in the country’s south. referring to a parliamentary vote crashes An Iranian-backed bloc in Iraq’s for prime minister. should be based on parliament’s The demonstrators have Tuesday to approve an electoral parliament proposed yesterday Pressure from the demon- first session after taking office rallied for almost three months reform law, in line with the REUTERS the governor of oil-rich southern strations led Prime Minister Adil last year. But the court also said to demand the ouster of the demands of the protesters. GENEVA Basra province as the country’s Abdul-Mahdi to announce his it would accept if two or more entire political class that has run Lawmakers will from now next prime minister but the resignation late last month. That lists had merged to become the the oil-rich yet poverty-ridden be elected in first-past-the-post An Iranian MiG-29 fighter jet nomination was promptly was after Iraq’s most powerful largest bloc. country in the aftermath of the contests within electoral dis- crashed in the northwest of the rejected by Iraqi protesters who religious authority, Grand Aya- The same day, President 2003 US-led invasion which tricts, rather than through a country yesterday, prompting want an independent candidate tollah Ali Al Sistani, withdrew Saleh sent the court’s response overthrew dictator Saddam complex system using provincial a rescue operation for the pilot, to take over the government, two support for Abdul-Mahdi’s to parliament, asking the legis- Hussein. party lists and proportional state media quoted Iran’s officials said. government. lature to say which is the largest The mostly youthful activists representation. armed forces as saying. The Fatah bloc, which A deadline to name a new bloc. accuse Iraq’s leaders of enriching Constituencies will also be The military said in a includes leaders associated with prime minister has been missed Menawhile, in the southern themselves, mismanaging the redrawn, though it was unclear statement that rescue teams the paramilitary Popular Mobi- twice over disagreements on city of Diwaniyah, an activist economy and being beholden to how and critics feared the new were sent to the remote moun- lization Units, supported by Iran, which is the largest bloc in the who was wounded last week in powerful neighbour Iran, an boundaries could be biased tainous area but that they faced had proposed Gov. Asaad al- parliament following last year’s a bomb attack died of his wounds influential actor in Iraqi toward major parties and tribal bad weather and snow-covered Eidani for premier. elections. late on Tuesday. Following the politics. groups. terrain, the state broadcaster According to the two offi- There are currently two main news of his death, protesters Passions were inflamed Despite the reform steps, IRIB reported. cials, President Barham Saleh blocs — Sairoon, led by populist attacked some offices of Iran- when popular TV satirist Aws protesters again rallied yesterday Earlier reports by local received a memorandum from Shia cleric Muqtada Al Sadr, and backed political parties in the Fadhil was targeted Tuesday by —including in the city of news agencies said the plane parliament which stated that the Fatah, headed by Hadi Al Amiri. city. unknown assailants, with three Diwaniyah, where they marched had two pilots who were both Iran-backed bloc is allegedly the But the numbers in the blocs Anti-government protesters bullets hitting his car. under a large Iraqi flag to mourn killed. largest in the house and as such have continued to change since again hit the streets yesterday, Fadhil posted footage of the a prominent activist, Thaer Al has the right to nominate the last year’s elections, with an angered by an activist’s death bullet holes on social media and Tayeb. Deputy PM of next premier. The officials spoke unknown number of lawmakers and an attempt on the life of a declared: “They are targeting A suspicious explosion hit on condition of anonymity under leaving some blocs and joining popular TV satirist. those who support the revo- Tayeb’s car on December 15, Oman meets regulations. others. The latest rallies in Baghdad lution, to silence them... But we badly wounding him and fellow Iran, India FMs Earlier yesterday, outgoing Last Saturday, Iraq’s Federal and cities including Basra and are continuing our activist Ali Al Madani, in Tayeb’s higher education minister, Qusay Supreme Court provided Karbala came after a night of revolution.” hometown 200km south of QNA Al Suhail, who had also been guidance in a statement, but unrest that saw protesters torch He added that “we have Baghdad. MUSCAT

Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers of the Turkey expects suspect in Sultanate of Oman, Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, met with 2002 killing to be extradited Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad ANATOLIA/ANKARA murder was never solved. Javad Zarif. In 2015, prosecutors in Tur- During the meeting, they Turkey expects Ukraine to key’s capital Ankara launched reviewed bilateral relations extradite a fugitive wanted for an investigation into FETO’s and ways to support them in allegedly murdering a Turkish involvement in unsolved murders many areas, in addition to dis- scholar who was researching the in 2000-2013, including the cussing various issues of terror group FETO, Turkey’s killings of Behcet Oktay (2009), common concern, and justice minister said yesterday. the head of Ankara police’s exchanged views on the Speaking to reporters in the special operations department, regional and international Turkish capital Ankara, Abdul- judge candidate Didem Yaylali developments. hamit Gul said Turkish officials (2013), and high court judge Also, Oman’s Deputy Prime are working for the extradition Mustafa Yucel Ozbilgin (2006). Minister met with Minister of of the suspect Nuri Gokhan B. FETO and its US-based leader External Affairs of the Republic from Ukraine, where he was Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the of India, S Jaishankar. They arrested last week. defeated coup on July 15, 2016, reviewed the overall relations “Our expectation is the which left 251 people martyred between the two countries and extradition of this person in line and nearly 2,200 injured. ways to enhance cooperation with international agreements.” Ankara also accuses FETO between them in the economic, Waves hit Beirut Corniche Necip Hablemitoglu, known for of being behind a long-running commercial, and investment his research and books on the campaign to overthrow the state A man takes a picture of a giant wave crashing along the waterfront by the Beirut Corniche in the fields, in addition to several Fetullah Terrorist Organization through the infiltration of Turkish Lebanese capital, yesterday. regional and international (FETO), was killed in 2002 in institutions, particularly the mil- issues. front of his house, but the itary, police, and judiciary. THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 AFRICA 11

Seven killed as Tunisia will help militants attack stability efforts Nigeria village AFP KANO, NIGERIA in Libya: Turkey Boko Haram militants have killed seven people on ANATOLIA Erdogan dismissed the Christmas Eve in a raid on a ANKARA eastern Libya-based Christian village near the town Khalifa Haftar — rival of Chibok in northeast Nigeria’s Turkey believes that Tunisia will to the Government Borno state, local militia and contribute to efforts to promote residents said yesterday. stability in its eastern neighbour of National Accord — Dozens of fighters driving Libya, Turkey’s president said saying that it “lacks trucks and motorcycles yesterday. qualifications” and stormed into Kwarangulum late Speaking at a joint press con- that “we should not Tuesday, shooting fleeing res- ference with his Tunisian coun- idents and burning homes after terpart Kais Saied during a sur- let our brothers in looting food supplies. prise visit to the capital Tunis, Libya be persecuted Boko Haram and its IS- Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the by” Haftar’s military affiliated Islamic State West turmoil in Libya is affecting not Africa Province (ISWAP) faction just itself but also neighbouring forces. have recently stepped up Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, (left) is welcomed by Tunisia’s President Kais Saied at the countries like Tunisia. attacks on military and civilian airport in Tunis, Tunisia, yesterday. “I believe Tunisia will make on the possibility of Turkish targets. valuable and constructive con- forces going to Libya if the GNA “They killed seven people tributions to efforts to achieve (Government of National Accord) eastern Libya-based Khalifa social and political issues were separate agreements, one on and abducted a teenage girl in stability in Libya,” Erdogan said. asks, saying that Turkey never Haftar — rival to the Government also discussed, Saied said. military cooperation and the the attack,” local vigilante He also said that during his went anywhere without an of National Accord — saying that “The memorandum of other on maritime boundaries of David Bitrus said. visit, he and Saied discussed invitation. it “lacks qualifications” and that understanding signed between countries in the Eastern “They took away food stuff steps to start a political process “If there is an invitation, we “we should not let our brothers Turkey and Libya determines the Mediterranean. and burnt many houses before after a cease-fire in Libya, and will think about that,” he in Libya be persecuted by” [maritime] boundaries between Since the ouster of late leader leaving,” he said, adding that a how Tunisia might help. explained. Haftar’s military forces. the two countries. This is an issue Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of church was also burnt. About the maritime and mil- Erdogan said Turkey is Saied, for his part, said that between the two countries. It power have emerged in Libya: The militants were believed itary support deals Turkey and taking steps with the UN-recog- he and Erdogan discussed the does not cover Tunisia,” Saied one in eastern Libya, and the to have attacked from Boko Libya’s Government of National nised GNA led by Prime Minister issue of Libya in detail. added. GNA in the capital Tripoli, which Haram’s nearby Sambisa forest Accord (GNA) signed on Fayez Al-Sarraj. Cooperation on health and On November 27, Ankara enjoys UN and international enclave, said Chibok com- November 27, Erdogan touched Erdogan dismissed the agriculture as well as economic, and Tripoli’s GNA signed two recognition. munity leader Ayuba Alamson who confirmed the toll. In April, Boko Haram raided Kwarangulum, 16km from Eritrea leader 35 civilians killed in double Burkina Faso attack Chibok, stealing food and burning the entire village. visits Ethiopia AFP population in Arbinda,” the army Faso has been blamed on mili- Mauritania and Niger, whose Residents had managed to OUAGADOUGOU chief of staff said in a statement. tants linked to both Al Qaeda and impoverished armies have the flee before the arrival of the to bolster ties “This barbaric attack Islamic State groups. support of French forces as well militants following tip-off from Militants in Burkina Faso killed resulted in the deaths of 35 Leaders of the G5 Sahel as the UN in Mali. people who saw the gunmen ANATOLIA/ADDIS ABABA 35 civilians, almost all of them civilian victims, most of them nations held summit talks in In Burkina Faso, more than heading toward the village. women, when they simultane- women,” President Roch Marc Niger earlier this month, calling 700 people have been killed and Chibok is the scene of the Eritrea’s President Isaias ously attacked a town in the Christian Kabore added on for closer cooperation and inter- around 560,000 internally dis- mass kidnap of 276 schoolgirls Afwerki arrived in the Ethi- north and its military base in one Twitter, praising the “bravery national support in the battle placed, according to the United in 2014 by Boko Haram which opian capital Addis Ababa of the deadliest assaults in nearly and commitment” of the defence against the Islamist threat. Nations. sparked global outrage and yesterday on an official visit. five years of militant violence in and security forces. Militant violence has spread Attacks have targeted mostly drew international attention to The two leaders, according the West African country. Communications minister across the vast Sahel region, the north and east of the country, the group’s notoriety. to local broadcaster FANA, will Seven soldiers and 80 mili- and government spokesman especially in Burkina Faso and though the capital Ouagadougou Fifty-seven of the girls discuss ways of further normal- tants also died in the double Remis Dandjinou later said 31 of Niger, having started when has been hit three times. escaped shortly after the ization of bilateral relations. attack on Tuesday in Arbinda in the civilian victims were women, armed militants revolted in Prior to Tuesday’s attack, kidnap. Another 107 have been In 2018, upon a palm Soum province which lasted adding around 20 soldiers and northern Mali in 2012. Burkina security forces said they either rescued or released after branch by Ethiopia’s prime “several hours” and was of a six civilians were wounded. The Sahel region of Africa had killed around a hundred mil- negotiations while 112 remain minister, the relations between “rare intensity”, the army said. The president has declared lies to the south of the Sahara itants in several operations since in captivity. the two countries made a turn- Burkina Faso, bordering Mali 48 hours of national mourning. Desert and stretches across the November. Troops have been stationed around from one of a no-war- and Niger, has seen regular mil- The morning raid was breadth of the African An ambush on a convoy in Chibok since the kidnap but no-peace situation to the itant attacks which have left carried out by dozens of militants continent. transporting employees of a deadly Boko Haram raids con- opening up of a new era of hundreds dead since the start of on motorbikes and lasted several There are 4,500 French Canadian mining company in tinue in the area. cooperation. 2015 when militant violence hours before armed forces troops deployed in the region as November killed 37 people. The violence has spread to Ever since, the two leaders began to spread across the Sahel backed by the air force drove the well as a 13,000-strong UN Attacks have intensified this nearby Niger, Chad and Cam- exchanged numerous visits and region. militants back, the army said. peacekeeping force in Mali to year as the under-equipped, eroon, prompting a regional signed what has been termed “A large group of terrorists No group immediately fight insurgents. poorly trained Burkina Faso military coalition to fight the as the Asmara Declaration -- a simultaneously attacked the mil- claimed responsibility for the The G5 group is made up of army struggles to contain the militant groups. cooperative framework that itary base and the civilian attack, but violence in Burkina Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Islamist militancy. also saw the commencement of air travels, telephone service, as well as the reopening of embassies in Addis Ababa and Algerians bid farewell to Gaid Salah Over 36,000 people dead Eritrea’s capital Asmara. The declaration has also REUTERS in Nigeria violence: UN provided for allowing Ethiopia ALGIERS to use Eritrean ports of Assab AP international humanitarian and Massawa for imports and Thousands of Algerians gathered UNITED NATIONS law,” Dujarric said. exports. yesterday for the funeral “Those responsible for these Although roads had been procession of the country’s Armed groups in northern atrocities must be held opened, they were closed after powerful army chief, who fought Nigeria reportedly executed accountable,” he said. “Interna- a short while due to security for independence from France many civilians and abducted tional human rights law and reasons, according to as a young man and this year many others in a state where international humanitarian law analysts. became the country’s de facto Boko Haram is active, the United must be fully respected, and all Earlier, Ethiopian Foreign leader. Nations said on Tuesday. civilians in Nigeria must be pro- Ministry spokesman Nebiat Lieutenant General Ahmed UN spokesman Stephane tected.” Antonio José Can- Getachew said the two coun- Gaid Salah died suddenly of a Dujarric told reporters the exe- handula, the acting UN human- tries were working to institu- heart attack on Monday aged 79, cutions and abductions hap- itarian chief in Nigeria, said in a tionalise bilateral ties in a wide having determined the secretive pened Monday in northern statement on Monday that range of areas. state’s response to mass protests Borno state on the Damaturu- reports indicated there were Last week, an Ethiopian throughout this year calling for Biu road linking Yobe and Borno attacks on the Monguno-Maid- cultural troupe was in Eritrea a wholesale change of the ruling states. He gave no other details. uguri Road in northern Borno as part of efforts to enhance the elite. Borno state was the birth- state, as well as on the road link relations. “He did the right thing when place of the Boko Haram insur- with Yobe state. Eritrea seceded from he secured the millions who gency a decade ago and it has He said he was “horrified” Ethiopia in 1993. marched in the past 10 months suffered the worst of the Boko by the reports, and was still In 1998-2000, the two demanding change,” said Abdes- Haram attacks. gathering information. Can- neighbouring nations fought a selam Selami, 52, a telecoms Dujarric said over 36,000 handula said aid workers in the bloody war in which an esti- worker. people have been killed since region condemned the incidents mated 70,000 people perished. As the protests reached their the beginning of the conflict, and what he described as “the The normalisation of relations peak in April, Gaed Salah called about half of them civilians. increasing practice” by armed with Eritrea has been one of the for the veteran president, his UN Secretary-General groups of setting up checkpoints factors that earned Ethiopia’s longtime ally Abdelaziz Boute- Antonio Guterres expressed targeting civilians. leader the much coveted Nobel flika, to step down, prompting deep concern at the reports of “It is urgent for the Nigerian People attending the funeral procession of Algeria’s late military Prize, which he received last his resignation soon after. civilian executions and abduc- authorities to do their utmost to chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaid Salah in Algiers, yesterday. month in a ceremony held in Although an interim pres- tions and called for those prevent further violence and the Norwegian capital Oslo, for ident was appointed, Gaid Salah responsible to be brought to brutality and to protect the his efforts to resolve the border was widely seen as holding the They chanted “A civilian merit. The old general died four justice, Dujarric said. civilian population, including aid conflict with neighbouring reins. He did not attempt to state, not a military state” and, days later and Tebboune swiftly The UN chief sent condo- workers, from such grave vio- Eritrea and to forge regional crush the peaceful protests with as the protest wore on, appointed Said Chengriha, head lences to the victims and reit- lations of international laws, cooperation. violence, but many demon- demanded the resignation of of the land forces and at 74 of erated UN solidarity with the especially women and children In his speech in Oslo, Ethi- strators saw him as the main Gaed Salah. the same generation as Gaed people and government of who are among the most vul- opian Prime Minister Abiy obstacle in their path. After Abdelmadjid Tebboune Salah, to replace him. Nigeria, he said. nerable and are caught up in the Ahmed commended Eritrea’s He pushed for an election to was elected president, he Chengriha, like Gaid Salah ”The secretary-general violence,” he said. leader as equal player in replace Bouteflika, a vote the brought Gaid Salah onto the and most of Algeria’s other rulers recalls that attacks by a party to Canhandula reported that bringing about a normalization protesters regarded as a charade stage where he was sworn in since independence, is a veteran an armed conflict that target there has been an upsurge in of relations between the two as the real power would remain before embracing him and pre- of the guerrilla war against civilians, aid workers and violence, over the past six neighbours. with the army. senting him with an order of French rule. civilian infrastructure violate months. 12 ASIA THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019

India expels India’s opposition German student over citizenship questions govt’s law protest

ANATOLIA NPR motive NEW DELHI

IANS While the Narendra India has expelled a 24-year-old NEW DELHI Modi government German student on Tuesday after has sought to clarify he had joined protests against a The opposition is leaving no new citizenship law, believed to chance to corner the Central that the NPR has be discriminatory against government over the National no connection with Muslims. Population Register (NPR). NRC, the Congress In photos circulated by Though the Home Ministry raised questions on Indian media, student Jakob has clarified that the NPR origi- Lindenthal was shown holding nated in 2011 during UPA’s rule the government’s a placard equating the Indian and has nothing to do with the intentions by pointing government’s practices with National Register of Citizens out new additions those of Nazi Germany. It read: (NRC), the Congress maintains of the criteria of “1933 to 1945 —we have been that 2011 NPR was entirely dif- there.” Confirming that ferent and the 2020 NPR is information that people Madhya Pradesh state chief minister Kamal Nath (centre) holds an Indian flag as he takes part in a Lindenthal was told to leave the intended to lead on to the con- are required to furnish protest rally against India’s new citizenship law in Bhopal, yesterday. country, an Indian government tentious NRC. for the 2020 NPR. official told media that German A government official, who (Registration of Citizens and issue occupation/activity and educa- NPR! But Modi-Shah 2020 NPR is student — enrolled in the Indian was involved in NPR exercises In NPR 2020, the process is of National Identity Cards) Rules, tional qualification. totally different. Please see 2010 Institute of Technology in the in 2010 and 2015, told IANS that the same. NPR does not decide cit- 2003”. While the Narendra Modi gov- & 2020 NPR forms. 2020 version southern city of Chennai -- had the NPR has nothing to do with izenship,” said the official, who did The demographic details that ernment has sought to clarify that adds: 1) Date Place of Birth of violated student visa NRC. not want to be identified. every usual resident needs to the NPR has no connection with Parents 2) Last Place of Residence conditions. “The National Population Reg- According to the Office of the provide are their name, rela- NRC, the Congress raised ques- 3)Aadhaar ID 4) Driving Licence Students across India have ister aims to collect data on the Registrar General & Census Com- tionship to head of household, tions on the government’s inten- No 5) Voter ID 6) Mobile No.Thus, been protesting against the new basis of head count. The data missioner, the NPR “is a Register father and mother’s names, tions by pointing out new addi- NPR2020NRC.” law granting citizenship to serves the purpose of policy for- of usual residents of the country”, spouse’s name (if married), sex, tions of the criteria of information Even as the protests over CAA Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, mation and research for the gov- which is “prepared at the local date of birth, marital status, place that people are required to furnish and NRC continue, the opposition Jains and Christians -- but not ernment. In both 2010 and 2015, (village/sub-town), sub-district, of birth, nationality (as declared), for the 2020 NPR. is getting ready to open a third Muslims -- who migrated from only details of a person were district, state and national level present address of usual residence, In a tweet, senior Congress front over the NPR, with several Afghanistan, Bangladesh and asked for, and no proof was under provisions of the Citizenship duration of stay at present address, leader Ajay Maken said: “As MOS non-BJP ruled states ordering sus- Pakistan. required. Act 1955 and the Citizenship permanent residential address, Home in 2010,I supervised the pension of work on it. Activists have called the law discriminatory, fearing that it was aimed at disenfranchising Bangladesh: Indian Muslims. However, Prime Protests continue over citizenship law Minister Narendra Modi has BNP fears EVM rejected such claims. AP/ GAUHATI by the All Assam Students’ Union, weeks ago. Massive protests constitution is being threatened. Lindenthal told The Indian tampering in the Gauhati Artists Guild and the erupted across the country, with “The principles of the con- Express, an English language More than a thousand students, Saru Kala Parishad, an artists’ Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and stitution have been shaken by newspaper that he received “oral mayoral polls artists and writers protested in organization. In New Delhi, Assam states the worst hit. Prime this government,” he said. “And directions” from the Foreign India’s capital and northeastern writer and activist Arundhati Roy Minister Narendra Modi has when the soul of the constitution Regional Registration Office IANS Assam state yesterday against a joined protesters and asked defended the law, calling it a is targeted by the government, (FRRO) to leave India. DHAKA new citizenship law introduced people to guard against any humanitarian gesture for ref- then certainly India has changed “I felt the gratefulness of by the Hindu nationalist-led oppression by security forces. ugees in India. under this regime.” many people in the protest for With the major political parties government that excludes “We will have to protect each The law allows Hindus, The protests follow a conten- the solidarity from a foreigner. in Bangladesh gearing up for the Muslims. other. And now, when they (gov- Christians and other religious tious registration process in So, I wanted to give them at least upcoming mayoral polls slated In Gauhati, Assam’s capital, ernment forces) are entering minorities who are in India ille- Assam meant to weed out for- my moral support again after for January 30, the opposition protesters sang patriotic songs people’s homes, especially in gally to become citizens if they eigners living in the country ille- having attended the protest Bangladesh Nationalist Party urging unity, painted on can- Muslim neighborhoods, we must can show they were persecuted gally. Nearly 2 million people, march on the campus of IIT (BNP) has harboured doubt about vases and created a sculpture. patrol those areas and put our because of their religion in about half Hindu and half Madras,” Lindenthal told German the use of Electronic Voting One of the paintings showed bodies on the line,’’ Roy said. Muslim-majority Bangladesh, Muslim, were excluded from a broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Machines (EVM) claiming that the independence leader Mohandas Her book “The God of Small Pakistan and Afghanistan. It does new official list of citizens - “After the Nazi era, many “government will use it as part Gandhi stabbed in the heart, Things” won the Booker Prize in not apply to Muslims. Fahad, a called the National Register of people claimed not to have of a conspiracy.” while others depicted protests 1997. Twenty-three people have student leader who uses only one Citizens - and have been asked known anything about genocides Both the parties — Awami with blood in the streets. been killed nationwide since the name, told protesters in New to prove their citizenship or else or atrocities or stated that they League and Bangladesh Nation- The protest was organized citizenship law was passed two Delhi that the country’s secular be considered foreign. were only passive,” he said. alist Party — will finalise their candidates for the mayoral race on December 28, Dhaka Tribune reported. Colder winter in store The Election Commission (EC) has set January 30 as the date for the election of Dhaka for northern India South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corpo- IANS further,” Mahesh Palawat, Vice ration (DNCC). NEW DELHI president Meteorology And “We know there will be no climate Change, Skymet told fair election also this time when Even as December is turning out IANS. EVMs are used. We will continue to be the coldest in recent years, “Due to a gap of about ten to be against use of EVMs till last the weather agencies say the day in two western distur- day of Dhaka city elections,” said worst is yet to come, warning bances, the NCR has witnessed Khandoker Mosharraf Hossain, that the northern belt of India is a gradual dip in the temperature. BNP Standing Committee expected to experience cold However, with next western dis- member. However, Awami wave conditions over the next turbance expected to arrive by League mayoral candidate 3-4 days. December 31, Delhi might expe- Sayeed Khokon said use of EVMs The weather conditions will rience cold waves in the coming will be as per rules of City Cor- also impact southern India, but days,” Palawat said. poration Law. to a certain extent. “Icy cold winds from Experts at weather fore- Himalayas are responsible for casting agency Skymet explain the cold days in the NCR,” Karnataka braces that the cold wave conditions Palawat added. are yet to set in most of these Earlier on Wednesday, cold for viewing solar northern regions. conditions continued in the “Yes, the number of cold national capital as it witnessed eclipse today days in NCR since 1997 is up in a foggy morning with the Tsunami evacuation drill December, but within 3-4 days mercury at 5.4 degree Celsius, IANS the nights might also get colder three notches below the sea- People with physical disabilities taking part in an earthquake and tsunami evacuation drill in Banda BENGALURU as the cold wave is expected to son’s average, the weather Aceh in Indonesia, yesterday. bring down the temperature office said. Sky gazers, astronomers and space buffs are gearing up to watch the annual solar eclipse in Karnataka today with fingers Modi unveils plan to tackle water shortages in India’s heartland states crossed as a cloudy sky may play spoilsport, an official said REUTERS India’s 1.3 billion people. “Water shortages pumps. Subsidised electricity gives farmers inadequate access to safe water and 600 on Wednesday. NEW DELHI in the country not only affect individuals an incentive to pump out more water, a key million face high to extreme water stress, “Solar eclipse will occur and families; the crisis also has an effect on reason behind fast-depleting water tables according to the National Institute for Trans- over Karnataka for around Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi India’s development,” Modi said. in the vast country. forming India (NITI) Aayog, a think tank three hours from 8.06 a.m. to yesterday launched a 60-billion-rupee “We need to prepare the new India to Supplying clean drinking water to mil- chaired by Modi. 11.11 a.m. but its visibility will ($842 million) plan to tackle water shortages deal with every single aspect of the crisis.” lions of poor people and reviving moribund According to UK-based charity Wat- depend on the weather as in the country’s seven heartland states The plan launched by wwModi would irrigation projects were a key part of Modi’s erAid, about 163 million people in India - cloudy sky may mar its clear where agriculture is a mainstay. help replenish ground water and boost policies for India, where the monsoon roughly 12 percent of the population - do viewing,” Jawaharlal Nehru India, the world’s second-most pop- overall availability in Rajasthan, Karnataka, accounts for nearly 70% of the annual rains not have access to clean water close to Planetarium Director Pramod ulous country, faces the worst long-term Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya needed to water farms and recharge home. Every summer water shortages tend Galgali told IANS. water crisis in its history as demand out- Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat states, aquifers and reservoirs. to be more acute in large cities such as the The planetarium here has strips supply, threatening farm output and which produce staples such as rice, wheat, Nearly half of India’s farmland, capital New Delhi and Chennai. made arrangements for safe overall economic growth in Asia’s third- sugar and oilseeds. without any irrigation cover, depends on Modi also exhorted farmers to increas- viewing of the celestial event largest economy. India is the world’s leading producer annual June-September rains to grow a ingly adopt drip and sprinkler irrigation and when the new moon passes Almost every sector of the $2.6 trillion of an array of farm goods, and nearly 60% number of crops. use water-management techniques as well between earth and sun, causing economy is dependent on water, especially of the irrigation for agriculture comes from Drinking water is also an issue, as about as eschewing water-guzzling crops such as a “ring of fire” at 9.29 am. agriculture, which sustains two-thirds of ground water, mainly through electric water 200,000 Indians die every year due to rice and sugar cane. THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 ASIA 13 Pakistan observes 143rd birthday of country’s founder

ANATOLIA Adoption of the following campaigns and KARACHI Pakistan Resolution counter-campaigns, one after the is considered the other. A smartly turned contingent of most decisive point In 1942, in the midst of World the Pakistani army took guard War II, the Congress launched at the sprawling mausoleum of in Jinnah’s political the “Quit India Movement,” the country’s founder, struggle, when he sensing that the weakening Muhammad Ali Jinnah — came up with a British Empire could no longer commonly known as Quaid-i- clear-cut idea for his hold the sub-continent. In Azam (the greatest leader) — in response, Jinnah launched the the southern port city of Karachi future plans “Divide and Quit Movement,” yesterday to officially kick off sticking to his guns for a separate nationwide ceremonies marking great advocate of Hindu-Muslim Muslim state. his 143rd birthday. unity and refused to join the All- “Pakistan is a matter of life Born on December 25, 1876 India Muslim League, established and death for us,” Jinnah to a wealthy merchant family in by some Muslim leaders to declared. In December 1945, the Karachi, during Pakistan’s 72 protect their community’s Muslim League won all the seats years of independence, Jinnah interests in Hindu-majority reserved for Muslims in the pro- has remained the only leader United India. vincial assemblies, reflecting the over which people can agree on. In 1913, he joined the Muslim rising confidence of Indian One can find Jinnah’s name League but remained associated Muslims in Jinnah’s leadership. and picture everywhere in with the Congress until 1920, In 1946, the British gov- Pakistan — from paper money when he completely disasso- ernment resorted to sending a to the streets, from universities ciated himself from his first high-level parliamentary del- to naval bases. political party. egation, the Cripps Mission, to According to Stanley He was part of the 1916 break the deadlock between the Police officials parade at the mausoleum of the Pakistan’s founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah Wolpert, Jinnah’s biographer, Lucknow Pact, which set quotas Congress and the Muslim during events to mark his birth anniversary in Karachi, yesterday. during his time in London, for the representation of Muslims League over future governance, founder of Pakistan was influ- and Hindus in various provinces. but to no avail. enced by 19th century British lib- However, the pact was never presented his famous 14 points including Pakistan’s national Park in Lahore under Jinnah’s Finally, on June 3, 1947, Lord eralism, based on democratic fully implemented. demanding mandatory represen- poet Allama Mohammad Iqbal leadership, demanding a sep- Mountbatten, the last British nations and progressive In 1928, the British gov- tation of the Muslim minority in and first Prime Minister Liaqat arate Muslim state made up of viceroy of India, announced the politics. ernment asked Indians to legislative assemblies. Ali Khan, Jinnah returned to five majority-Muslim partition of India and Pakistan. In 1906, he joined the Indian propose constitutional changes Jinnah remained in Britain India in 1934 to lead the All-India provinces. On Aug. 14, Pakistan became an National Congress — a party to govern the sub-continent. from 1930 to 1934 practicing as Muslim League amid growing Adoption of the Pakistan independent state. founded in 1885 in the aftermath Motilal Nehru, founder of the a barrister. His biographers dis- Muslim nationalism in the region. Resolution is considered the Jinnah was elected the first of the 1857 revolt against the Nehru political dynasty in India, agree over why he lived for a On March 23, 1940, the most decisive point in Jinnah’s governor general of Pakistan, British Raj to demand more self- came up with the ‘Nehru Report’ such a long period, away from famous Lahore Resolution — political struggle, when he came but lived only a year after the governance for the that demanded the formation of the political struggle in India. later rechristened the Pakistan up with a clear-cut idea for his nation’s independence. He died sub-continent. constituencies based on geog- Following the persistence Resolution — was adopted at a future plans. The next seven on September 11, 1948 in Initially, Jinnah remained a raphy. Jinnah, for his part, of several Muslim leaders, massive gathering at then-Minto years turned out to be turbulent, Karachi. Pakistanis set to Imran Khan’s govt set to unveil mini-budget in 2 months Balochistan govt witness first solar hikes education INTERNEWS Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The minimum tax rate for taken,” said the IMF resident budget by 18% eclipse in 20 years ISLAMABAD They said the plan was to traders will be lowered to 0.5 representative without collect nearly Rs150 billion percent and the dividend tax rate explaining the nature of these INTERNEWS INTERNEWS The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf through additional revenue for foreign bankers will be cut actions. ISLAMABAD KARACHI (PTI) government is set to unveil measures in addition to pock- from 30 percent to 10 percent. Still there is a gap between a mini-budget within two eting windfall gains in the shape International Monetary Fund what can be the actual collection Balochistan government has Pakistanis are in for a treat months to slap additional taxes of sales tax through further (IMF) Resident Representative and the Rs5.238 trillion target. increased its educational today an annular solar eclipse of around Rs150 billion aimed at increase in electricity and gas Teresa Daban Sanchez and FBR Sources said assessments made budget by 18 percent to improve after a gap of 20 years. achieving the downward-revised prices from January. Chairman Shabbar Zaidi hinted by the IMF and the FBR showed the education sector in the On December 26 the annual tax collection target of However, the prevailing at bringing the mini-budget. But the collection below Rs5 trillion province, said Balochistan country will be treated to a Rs5.238 trillion. uncertain political situation its timing and quantum of addi- without additional measures. government spokesperson “ring of fire” solar eclipse to end The under-consideration could influence both the timing tional taxes will depend on the For the first half (July- Liaquat Shahwani. the year and the decade. revenue measures to the tune of and quantum of additional taxes, December tax collection figures. December) of the current fiscal The increasing of educational According to the Pakistan Mete- close to Rs150 billion will be over the sources said. “The Rs5.503 trillion revenue year, the FBR’s reduced target budget was aimed to improve the orological Department, the and above the unprecedented At a time when the gov- projection was ambitious and we was Rs2.367 trillion. However, sector with provision of quality country witnessed the last Rs735 billion worth of taxes that ernment is planning to impose have another review in Feb- as of December 24, the provi- furniture, sports and science annular in 1999 during which the PTI government introduced new taxes on the people, it is also ruary,” said Sanchez while sional collection stood at only equipment and other basic facil- the Sun was fully covered by in the budget in June this year. set to promulgate a presidential responding to a question on the Rs1.872 trillion. ities in public schools of the the Moon. Yet it faces a huge revenue ordinance next week to give con- IMF’s decision to cut the FBR’s In the remaining four province, he added. The expected annular eclipse shortfall, which is going to widen cessions in taxes to traders and tax target to Rs5.238 trillion. working days of this month, the Initially, the government will start at 7.30 am today and by the end of current month. foreign banks that are making She was speaking at an event FBR needs to collect Rs495 had started work to upgrade the Sun will be partly covered by Among the potential areas easy money by investing in gov- organised by the Sustainable billion, which will require Rs123 and provide Water Sanitation 8.30 am. The total eclipse will be that will be targeted are increase ernment securities. Development Policy Institute. billion per day collection - a task and Hygiene (WASH) and toilet observed approximately at 10:08, in sales tax on petroleum The federal cabinet has The IMF finally cut the unreal- that can never be achieved. facilities to 740 shelterless when 90 percent sun will hide products, withdrawal of some approved a summary for the istic revenue collection target of “We can only comment on schools of the province, behind moon. The eclipse would sales tax exemptions by charging promulgation of the presidential Rs5.503 trillion to Rs5.238 the need for additional tax Shahwani said. He said all end just before noon but the day taxes on retail market prices and ordinance, the second trillion, a reduction of Rs265 measures after seeing results available resources were being could remain partially dark till 1 increase in withholding tax rates, amendment to the Income Tax billion. of the first half of the fiscal utilised to improve quality of pm. according to sources in the Ordinance 2019. “Other actions could also be year,” said Zaidi. education. Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz said that the complete solar eclipse would be wit- nessed in southern parts of Taliban abducted 26 peace Pakistan, especially in the coastal areas like Karachi and activists, say Afghan police Gwadar, during which the day would turn into the night for AP some time. claimed responsibility for the KABUL This annular solar eclipse abductions. However, will also be witnessed in Watandost also said that tribal Eastern Europe, north-western The Taliban ambushed a peace elders in the province immedi- Australia, eastern Africa, Pacific convoy in western Afghanistan ately launched an effort to nego- Ocean and Indian Ocean. In all, and abducted 26 activists, tiate with the Taliban to release 2019 witnessed five lunar and members of a peace movement, the abducted activists. He added solar eclipses, of which only one a police spokesman said that phone lines were down in solar and one lunar were seen yesterday. the region, making communi- in Pakistan. The insurgents staged the cation and getting information Unlike the great 2017 solar ambush in the district of Bala from the area difficult. eclipse which was visible across Buluk in Farah province on The Taliban today hold sway the US, this one will leave a little Tuesday. The Taliban forced the or control practically half of ring of Sun when hitting the six-vehicle convoy to a halt, then Afghanistan and are at their point of totality, a type of Festive sale got into the cars and drove them strongest since the 2001 US- eclipse that is called an annular A florist decorates a Christmas tree for sale in Kabul, Afghanistan, yesterday. and the activists to an unknown invasion. They continue to stage eclipse. location, said the provincial near-daily attacks targeting police spokesman Mohibullah Afghan and US forces, as well as Mohib. government officials - even as According to Mohib, a police they hold peace talks with a US Pakistan’s population may double in next 30 years operation is underway to locate envoy tasked with negotiating and free the activists whose an end to the 18-year conflict, INTERNEWS Pakistan, presided by President Plan, discuss national narrative with all relevant stakeholders convoy was going village-to- America’s longest war. ISLAMABAD Arif Alvi on Monday, is a major prepared on the direction of and submit for approval of the village to rally for peace. The latest rallies by the step forward and an important Council of Common Interests’ Federal Task Force. However, Bismillah activists from the People’s Peace Special Assistant to the Prime landmark. (CCI) decision taken in its 40th The decision to create Watandost of the People’s Peace Movement of Afghanistan Minister Dr Zafar Mirza said that The special assistant to the meeting held on November 19, Pakistan Population Fund in the Movement of Afghanistan, to started on Friday, first in at the current rate Pakistan’s prime minister said Pakistan is the 2018 and set up a Pakistan Pop- meeting was taken so the fund which the activists belong, said southern Helmand province, a population would double in the fifth most populous country in the ulation Fund,” he said. could be utilised to meet 50 that 27 of their members were Taliban heartland. next 30 years, compared with an world with a population of 207.8 In this context, CCI directed percent amount of additional abducted by the Taliban in the At a similar series of peace average doubling time of 60 years million and has grown at an inter- Ministry of National Health allocations made by the prov- Farah assault. The different rallies in October, the Taliban for other South Asian countries. censal growth rate of 2.4 percent Services to prepare an action inces for procurement of con- figures could not immediately abducted six activists from the In a statement, he said the first per annum between 1998 to 2017. plan with financial modalities traceptive commodities over be reconciled. movement in eastern Logar meeting of Federal Task Force on “The agenda of the meeting for operationalisation of the rec- and above the budget provision The Taliban, who have been province but released them the ‘Alarming Population Growth’ in was to approve National Action ommendations in consultation for five years. active in Farah, have not same day. 14 ASIA THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 Six missing as Typhoon Phanfone continues to threaten Philippines AFP Police said six people With just two hours’ sleep, MANILA were missing as the family were relieved to find their two dogs safe back home Typhoon Phanfone pummelled the typhoon leapt yesterday, though the floor was the central Philippines on from one small covered in mud and a felled tree Christmas Day, bringing a wet, island to another rested atop a nearby house. miserable and terrifying holiday for the second day Other survivors posted pic- to millions in the mainly Catholic tures and videos on social media nation. — crumpling houses, of crushed homes, buses half- Police said six people were toppling trees and submerged by brown floodwater, missing as the typhoon leapt from blacking out cities roads strewn with tree trunks, one small island to another for and coconut and banana plants the second day — crumpling and towns, including being shredded by ferocious houses, toppling trees and in popular resorts like winds. Residents wading through a flooded highway, caused by heavy rains due to Typhoon Phanfone, in blacking out cities and towns, With sustained gusts of 195 Boracay. Ormoc City, Leyte province in central Philippines, yesterday. including in popular resorts like kilometres an hour —which can Boracay. Balasan, provincial police said. knock down small trees and At the height of the festive More than 16,000 people spent destroy flimsy houses —the The typhoon hit land as mil- some spent the night at evacu- have been different because they season yesterday, tens of thou- the night in improvised shelters typhoon was on track to hit the lions of Filipinos trooped to once- ation centres,” rescue official were not at home,” Cabaron sands were stranded at shuttered in schools, gyms and government island resort of Coron overnight, yearly clan reunions centred on Cecille Bedonia told AFP by added. ports or evacuation centres while buildings as the typhoon first the weather service said. the “noche buena”, a sumptuous phone from Iloilo city. The Philippines is the first the rest of the region’s population made landfall Tuesday, civil Coron’s beaches emptied and midnight meal that is the high- On the north of the island of major landmass facing the Pacific cowered in rain-soaked homes. defence officials said. boat tours were suspended on light of the Catholic nation’s Cebu, residents decamping from cyclone belt. It is hit by about 20 Though weaker, Phanfone “It was frightening. The glass Christmas Day as Western holidays. evacuation centres were greeted storms and typhoons each year was tracking a similar path to windows shattered and we took tourists stayed indoors ahead of More than 25,000 people by the sorry sight of their that kill scores of people and Super Typhoon Haiyan, the coun- cover by the stairs,” Ailyn Metran the onslaught. remained stranded at ports on damaged homes on Christmas wipe out harvests, homes and try’s deadliest cyclone on record said after she and her four-year- “Many of the tourist estab- Christmas Day with ferry services Day, civil defence official Allen infrastructure, keeping millions which left more than 7,300 old child took refuge at the state lishments here are closed, and still shut down, the coast guard Froilan Cabaron said. perennially poor. people dead or missing in 2013. weather service office in some of our guests failed to arrive said. Scores of flights to the “They were safer at the evac- A recent study by the Manila- A father, his three children Tacloban city, where her husband because their flights were can- region also remained cancelled, uation centres. At least they were based Asian Development Bank and two other relatives were worked. celled,” hotel receptionist Nina though the populous capital able to eat the Christmas Eve said the most frequent storms lop missing after their hut was swept The typhoon ripped a metal Edano said. Manila has so far been spared. meal there, even if only tinned one percent off the Philippines’ away early yesterday when window frame off the building “We’re not scared, but the “Obviously, (local residents) fish and instant noodles were economic output, with the heavy rain caused a creek to and dropped it onto a car parked ambience here is generally were unable to celebrate available,” Cabaron said. stronger ones cutting GDP by overflow near the town of outside, she said. gloomy,” she added. Christmas properly because “But... the atmosphere would nearly three percent.

Thai court to rule on dissolution of Hong Kong activists keep up protests on Christmas oppn party in Jan REUTERS dressed in black and wearing escape the police. HSBC has HONG KONG face masks, descended on become embroiled in a contro- shopping malls around the versy involving a recent police REUTERS Hong Kong anti-government Chinese-ruled city, shouting crackdown on a fund-raising BANGKOK protesters marched through popular slogans such as “Lib- platform supporting protesters. Christmas-decorated shopping erate Hong Kong! Revolution of HSBC denied any connection Thailand’s Constitutional Court centres yesterday, chanting pro- our times!” between the crackdown and its said yesterday that it would rule democracy slogans and forcing Police arrested several closure of an account linked to on the dissolution of the oppo- one mall to close early, as police people in a shopping mall in the the group, but remains the target sition Future Forward Party on fired tear gas to disperse crowds Sha Tin district after pepper- of protester rage. January 21 following a gathering on nearby streets. spraying them. The mall closed Starbucks has been targeted complaint that its actions were The protests have turned early. Baton-wielding police after the daughter of the founder seditious and that it plans to more confrontational over the fired tear gas on Tuesday at of Maxim’s Caterers, which owns overthrow the constitutional festive season, though earlier in thousands of protesters who bar- the local franchise, publicly con- monarchy. December they had been largely ricaded roads and trashed a Star- demned the protesters. The complaint alleges the peaceful after pro-democracy bucks cafe and an HSBC branch. The protests started more party’s triangle logo resembles candidates overwhelmingly won Police react as protesters throw an umbrella at them in a shopping The city’s leader Carrie Lam than six months ago against a a symbol of the Illuminati, a district council elections. mall in the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Hong Kong. said in a Facebook post yes- now-withdrawn bill which secret society that conspiracy Despite the embarrassing terday that many Hong Kongers would have allowed extraditions theorists believe seeks world results, Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing and tourists were disappointed to mainland China where courts domination. leaders have made no new government still didn’t respond There were no major clashes, that their “Christmas Eve cele- are controlled by the Communist The court gave the Future concessions. to any of our ... demands. We but with impromptu crowds brations have been ruined”. Party. Forward Party 15 days to “Confrontation is expected, continue to come out even if we forming to shout expletives at the “Such illegal acts have not They have since evolved respond to separate allegations it doesn’t matter if it’s don’t have much hope,” said unpopular officers, who have only dampened the festive mood into a broader pro-democracy that it had violated laws gov- Christmas,” said Chan, a Chan, who only gave his been accused of using excessive but also adversely affected local movement, with demonstrators erning political parties and 28-year-old restaurant worker surname. force, police briefly fired tear gas businesses.” angry at what they perceive as accepting loans from its party who was part of a crowd which Riot police patrolled several in Mong Kok, a popular protest The Hospital Authority said increased meddling by Beijing leader. exchanged insults with police neighbourhoods while tourists area. 25 people had been injured over- in the freedoms promised to the The Future Forward Party, outside a shopping centre in the and shoppers, many wearing Police describe their reaction night, including one man who fell former British colony when it which came third in the elec- Mong Kok district. Santa hats or reindeer antlers, to the unrest as restrained. from the second to first floor of returned to Chinese rule in tions, has emerged as the most “I’m disappointed the strolled past. Hundreds of protesters, a shopping mall as he tried to 1997. outspoken voice against the coalition government headed by former military junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha. Japanese ruling party lawmaker Wildfire-ravaged areas of Australia get holiday relief Thailand charges held on bribery suspicion AP PERTH high temperatures are set to two soldiers in REUTERS emphasise this point.” AUSTRALIA return. Sydney is forecast to hit 31 TOKYO Hours later, prosecutors degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit) killing of civilians searched the office of lawmaker Areas of Australia that have been on Sunday, while the city’s Japanese authorities arrested Takaki Shirasuka in Chiba, east ravaged by deadly wildfires expe- western suburbs could reach 41 AFP ruling party lawmaker Tsukasa of the capital, in connection with rienced temporary relief C (106 F). BANGKOK Akimoto (pictured), yesterday the probe into Akimoto, Kyodo yesterday, but oppressive condi- Fire danger ratings remained on suspicion of accepting bribes and public broadcaster NHK tions are expected to return this very high in northwestern New Thailand has charged two from a company interested in said. Prosecutors did not weekend. South Wales, and were between soldiers with murder in the setting up a casino in Japan, respond to a request for About 5 million hectares high and moderate for the rest of shooting of three Muslim men Tokyo prosecutors said. comment. Officials at Shirasuka’s (12.35 million acres) of land have the state. foraging on a mountain in the Hours later prosecutors offices in Tokyo and Chiba could burned nationwide over the past In his annual Christmas south, police said yesterday, a searched the office of a second not immediately be reached. few months, with nine people message, Prime Minister Scott rare push for justice that one lawmaker from the ruling Prosecutors did not name killed and more than 950 homes Morrison paid tribute to the fam- rights group called “unprece- Liberal Democratic Party as part holiday worth the equivalent of the company whose three destroyed. ilies of the two firefighters - dented.” of the same investigation, Kyodo $6,500 from three suspects employees allegedly tried to New South Wales, the coun- Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew The announcement comes news and other Japanese media despite knowing that their influence Akimoto, but public try’s most populous state, has O’Dwyer, 36 - who died last week after the military expressed said, in what appeared to be a company wanted help with a broadcaster NHK and other local received the brunt of the damage, battling blazes southwest of regret last week over the killing widening probe. casino bid, prosecutors said. media identified it as Shenzhen, with around 850 homes razed in Sydney. of the unarmed civilians and The high-profile arrest of a The three suspects were also China-based 500.Com Ltd, an the state. The wildfire crisis forced said it was a case of mistaken member of Prime Minister arrested on suspicion of bribery, online sports lottery service pro- Parts of New South Wales, Morrison to cut short his much- identity in the insurgency- Shinzo Abe’s LDP could harden prosecutors said. No one was vider. Investor relations repre- including Sydney, experienced criticized family vacation in scarred region. public opposition to casinos, available for comment at Akim- sentatives for 500.Com did not cool and damp conditions on Hawaii. He returned to Australia The Buddhist-majority which have been consistently oto’s office, which was raided by respond to two requests for Christmas Day, but more than 70 on Saturday night. state has been locked in a unpopular despite the govern- prosecutors last week. The law- comment. fires continued to burn across the “To Andrew and Geoffrey’s simmering conflict with ment’s push to have them maker has repeatedly denied The phone number and state. parents, we know this is going to Malay-Muslim militants in running by the early 2020s. doing anything illegal. email for its media relations rep- New South Wales has been in be a tough Christmas for you, first Thailand’s south for 15 years A senior vice minister in the “I have absolutely not taken resentative listed on its website a seven-day state of emergency, one without both those two with rebels fighting for more Cabinet Office until October last part in any wrongdoing,” Akimoto did not work. No one was imme- which was to expire on amazing men,” he said. autonomy. year, Akimoto oversaw gov- wrote on his official Twitter diately available for comment Wednesday night. “I want to thank all those who More than 7,000 people ernment policy on casinos. He account earlier yesterday, after at the company’s main number About 2,000 firefighters and serve our nation, serving as vol- have been killed, most of them is suspected of receiving 3m yen media reported he was likely to or customer service 400 firetrucks battled the blazes unteers fighting those fires as we civilians from both faiths. ($27,500) in cash and a family be questioned. “I will continue to departments. in more favorable conditions, but speak,” Morrison added. THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 EUROPE 15 Queen Elizabeth II, close family celebrate Christmas

AP It was a festive event received a hug in return. She said SANDRINGHAM, ENGLAND yesterday as the the flamingo was called Felicity but that Charlotte is free to give Queen Elizabeth II and her close queen was joined it another name. family celebrated Christmas with for the first time by “It made my day,” Clark a morning service at St. Mary Prince George, 6, and added. “I’ve never seen the royal Magdalene Church near her rural family, ever.” After church, the retreat at Sandringham in Princess Charlotte, royals gathered in Sandringham eastern England. 4, the two eldest House for a gala turkey lunch. It was a festive event yes- children of Prince The queen’s traditional pre- terday as the queen was joined William and his wife, recorded Christmas message will for the first time by Prince be broadcast throughout Britain George, 6, and Princess Char- Kate. They left 1-year- and the Commonwealth nations lotte, 4, the two eldest children old Prince Louis at Wednesday afternoon. Excerpts of Prince William and his wife, home. released ahead of time reveal Kate. They left 1-year-old Prince that the queen plans to Louis at home. acknowledge it has been a chal- George and Charlotte walked lenging year. to church hand in hand with their brother Charles at his side. Prince Talking about the need for parents. Prince Charles, their Harry, his wife, Meghan, and reconciliation and forgiveness, grandfather, walked next to their 7-month-old son, Archie, Elizabeth says: “The path, of them. did not attend. They are spending course, is not always smooth, and The queen arrived in a the holiday in Canada with Meg- may at times this year have felt Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles leave the St Mary Magdalene Church after the Royal Bentley with Charles’ wife, han’s mother, Doria Ragland. quite bumpy, but small steps can Family’s Christmas Day service on the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain, yesterday. Camilla. Her elderly husband, The royals were greeted by make a world of difference.” She Prince Philip, stayed at home. He several hundred well-wishers is thought to be referring both to was discharged from a hospital who had gathered outside the Britain’s laborious exit from the included Andrew’s retreat from than join the family for the tra- William are now on separate on Tuesday after treatment for church grounds. After the European Union, which is now public duties following a disas- ditional service reflects his iso- paths. It has been a difficult year an undisclosed ailment. Philip, service, William, Kate and their almost certainly going to happen trous TV interview in which he lated position now that he is no of adjustment for Harry and 98, has retired from public two children mingled with the on Jan. 31 after voters gave the defended his friendship with sex longer carrying out any royal Meghan. They have complained duties. Prince Andrew, who has crowd to exchange Christmas pro-Brexit Conservative Party a offender Jeffrey Epstein and duties. bitterly about constant scrutiny stepped down from royal duties greetings. comfortable majority in Par- failed to show empathy for The family has also endured by the media as they settle into because of his association with Gemma Clark, who was in a liament, and to the royal family’s Epstein’s young female victims. what many close observers think family life with Archie and have a convicted offender, attended wheelchair, gave Charlotte an difficulties. Andrew’s decision to attend is a rift between William and sought to take a break from royal an earlier church service with his inflatable pink flamingo and The problems this year an early church service rather Harry, who has said he and responsibilities.

21 suffer carbon French transport monoxide poisoning at strike enters French Xmas mass

AFP fourth week LILLE, FRANCE AFP one. Twenty-one people were PARIS Talks are scheduled to hospitalised in northern France, resume on January 7. two in a serious condition, after Christmas Day brought no The government says the suffering carbon monoxide respite for travellers in France overhaul is needed to create a poisoning during Christmas as a transport strike entered its fairer pension system. But mass, emergency services said fourth week, ruining the plans of workers baulk at the inclusion yesterday. thousands to share a traditional of a so-called pivot age of 64 Emergency personnel were meal and quality time with loved until which people would have sent to the church in the Oise ones. to work to earn a full pension -- department after several people Many scrambled at the last two years beyond the official complained of headaches minute to make alternative retirement age. during the religious ceremony arrangements as the protest Others, especially railway on Christmas eve. against pension reform saw workers, are angry at plans to do The church was evacuated Paris metro operator RATP employees hold a banner outside French train operator SNCF headquarters thousands of trains cancelled or away with special regimes that to a nearby community hall in Saint-Denis, near Paris, during a demonstration on the 20th day of a nationwide multi-sector delayed — and taxis, ride-sharing make early retirement provisions where 72 people were treated. services and car rental agencies for categories of employees who movement over French government’s plan to overhaul the country’s retirement system. Of those, 19 were brought to unable to make up the shortfall. work unusual hours or do phys- nearby hospitals and two, with Only a fraction of high-speed ically demanding jobs. before Christmas. Info’Com-CGT union presented would be “willing to com- more severe symptoms, to spe- and inter-city trains ran on Paris Opera workers, who But the action is taking a a cheque for 250,000 euros promise” in the negotiations, set cialist centres where one was Christmas Eve, even fewer on the can retire at 42, are among those heavy toll on businesses, espe- ($277,000) to striking workers to last throughout January. placed in a hyperbaric oxygen holiday itself. The main train sta- on strike. On Tuesday, roughly cially retailers, hotels and res- of the RATP Paris rail service, But he insisted there will be chamber. tions in Paris were closed for the 40 dancers in white tutus staged taurants, during what should be from a fund containing public no revisiting the plan to do away Local emergency official morning with suburban connec- an elegant protest in Paris, per- one of the busiest periods of the contributions. with special retirement regimes. Nicolas Mougin said carbon tions slashed and merely two out forming Swan Lake to passersby year. Industry associations have “This is a turning point,” train A poll by the IFOP agency monoxide levels up to 350 parts of 16 metro lines — the only driv- on the steps outside the opera reported turnover declines of 30 driver Raffi Kaya said at a union- published on Sunday showed per million (ppm) were erless ones – providing any house with banners warning: to 60 percent from a year earlier, organised Christmas lunch for public backing for the action measured inside the church. service. “Culture in danger”. and the SNCF said Tuesday it had strikers at Paris’ Gare de Lyon dropping by three percentage The cause of the poisoning Negotiations between the “We wanted to offer a lost ¤400m ($442m) in potential train station. points, though 51 percent of has not been determined but government and unions last moment of grace,” said dancer earnings so far. “It is starting to hurt finan- respondents still expressed investigators were looking into week failed to find common Alexandre Carniato. Unions are The strikers, too, are losing cially. But we have gone too far support or sympathy for the a gas heater. ground, and strikers vowed there hoping for a repeat of 1995 when out, forfeiting their salary for to stop now.” The man leading strike, which is set to also cast a The local mayor has would be no holiday truce unless the government backed down on days not worked — 21 days by the government’s pension reform pall over New Years’ celebrations ordered the church closed. officials scrap plans to merge the pension reform after three weeks yesterday. project, Laurent Pietraszewski, and the first working weeks of current 42 pension schemes into of metro and rail stoppages just On Tuesday, the said on Tuesday the government 2020. Spain probes pool deaths of Tourism’s gifts and woes for Santa and Sami homeland Briton, children AFP Parliament issued guidelines for and suggests instead that tourist ROVANIEMI, FINLAND “ethically responsible” behaviour providers build accommodation AFP from tour operators and visitors relevant to Lapland’s history, MADRID In Finland’s remote Lapland in order to preserve Sami culture. such as the Sami “goahti” -- a region, the Santa Claus Village “If, for example, one person teepee-like wooden tent tradi- Spanish police have launched amusement park is a snowy refrains from wearing Sami dress tionally used by reindeer an investigation into the wonderland of reindeer rides, ice because they do not want to be herders. Christmas Eve drowning of castles, snowmobiles and igloo photographed by tourists, that is Every passing winter brings three members of a British hotels where Christmas holds one person too many,” the pro- record visitors to Lapland family in a swimming pool at a sway 365 days a year. posal warned. including soaring numbers of Costa del Sol resort. At its centre, a wooden, fair- Husky rides, among the most Chinese in recent years, but also A 53-year-old man and his ytale-esque cabin houses Santa’s popular tourist attractions in much-needed revenue. two children aged 16 and nine grotto — since the 1980s, tourism Lapland, have also been singled Lapland’s Regional Council were found dead in the pool chiefs have set out to market the out for criticism by the Sami says that tourism brought in one while they were holidaying in main town, Rovaniemi, as the community, which has herded billion euros ($1.1bn) to the Mijas near Malaga, the local world’s official home of Santa reindeer across the area’s vast region last year. authorities said yesterday. Claus. fells and forests for over 3,000 Official statistics suggest that A Malaga police source said More visitors are now years. Sami representatives visitors from China spend over the three victims were British, coming to experience winter in Tourists ride a sled pulled by a reindeer at the Santa Claus Village claim the dogs, which are not a three times as much on average without giving further details the Arctic than ever before. near Rovaniemi, in Finland, yesterday. native Lapland tradition, distress as holidaymakers from some The alert was sounded at But Lapland is also the the reindeer which freely roam other countries. around lunchtime on Tuesday homeland of the indigenous shamans, where are the Sami northern parts of Sweden, the forests. Authorities in Rovaniemi, on when the three were discovered reindeer-herding Sami people, witches?’” Tiina Sanila-Aikio, Finland, Norway and Russia’s The Sami also object to the the Arctic Circle, face a dilemma: unconscious in the pool. Res- who protest that some in the president of Finland’s Sami Par- Kola Peninsula. growing number of “igloo” hotels how to reap the economic ben- cuers sent to the scene were tourist industry spread offensive liament, said. Sami representatives accuse in the region, which are a non- efits, while preventing irre- unable to resuscitate them. stereotypes about Sami people “It’s only a picture that the some tourism providers of pre- Lapland tradition borrowed from versible damage to one of the The Europa Press agency and seek to profit from their tourism industry has created and tending to be Sami when they are elsewhere in the Arctic. world’s most vulnerable wil- reported that the father and ancient culture. developed,” she says. not, or selling products and The parliament proposal says derness regions. Some 45,000 older boy jumped into the water “Almost every day there are Once known by the now tourist attractions portraying the igloos risk creating a Chinese tourists visited Lapland to try to help the nine-year-old people coming to the Sami area obsolete term “Lapps”, the Sami Sami people as magical and “mongrel” and homogenised in 2018 — four times more than who was struggling to get out asking ‘Where can I see the are spread out across the primitive. Last year, the Sami culture in the region, in 2015. of the pool. 16 EUROPE THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 Russia oppn activist ‘forcibly drafted’, sent to Arctic base AFP The Russian military Navalny said Shaveddinov MOSCOW insisted that Ruslan was not allowed to commu- nicate with the outside world Russian opposition leader Shaveddinov had been or use a phone, unlike other Alexei Navalny said yesterday dodging the draft for servicemen. that one of his allies had been a long time. The military also assigned a forcibly conscripted and sent to man to follow Shaveddinov all serve at a remote Arctic base, the time, he added. in a move his supporters said placards read: “Mandatory mil- “The armed forces them- amounted to kidnapping. itary service is a tool of selves don’t know what the hell Ruslan Shaveddinov, a repression.” “Happy New Year they should do with him,” project manager at Navalny’s 1937,” said another placard, Navalny said. anti-corruption foundation, referring to the peak year of Putin’s spokesman Dmitry went missing on Monday after Stalin-era purges. Peskov told reporters he did not police broke into his Moscow “Ruslan Shaveddinov has know whether Shaveddinov had flat and his phone’s SIM card been kidnapped by the FSB been dodging the draft. was disabled. (security service) and exiled to “If he had and was drafted He resurfaced on Tuesday Novaya Zemlya,” said the sign, in this manner then everything at a secret air defence base on according to photographs was done in strict accordance the remote Novaya Zemlya released by Navalny’s allies. with the law.” archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, Navalny said Shaveddinov But prominent rights cam- Navalny said. has a medical condition that paigner Valentina Melnikova Passengers and participants gather during a welcoming ceremony on a railway platform upon the Separating the Barents and disqualifies him for military said it was unusual for the arrival of the first direct train from Saint Petersburg to Crimea following the opening of the Kerch Kara seas, the Novaya Zemlya service but that he was forcibly authorities to send conscripts islands were used by the Soviet drafted and sent to the Arctic to remote Arctic outposts Strait road and rail bridge in Sevastopol, Crimea, yesterday. Union to conduct nuclear tests. base without basic training. known for harsh weather con- “He has been unlawfully Vyacheslav Gimadi, a ditions and long polar nights. deprived of freedom,” Navalny lawyer for Navalny’s foun- Melnikova, head of the Ukraine opens probe over Russia’s said in a blog post, calling the dation, said Defence Minister Union of the Committees of Sol- 23-year-old a “political Sergei Shoigu and commander- diers Mothers of Russia, accused prisoner”. in-chief Putin were directly officials of violating all possible railway bridge to Crimea The Russian military responsible for what he claimed conscription procedures in AP insisted that Shaveddinov had was an act of “kidnapping”. Shaveddinov’s case. Crimea, which Russia annexed widespread international MOSCOW been dodging the draft for a Navalny’s spokeswoman Authorities have been from Ukraine in 2014. He said 14 censure including the US and long time. Kira Yarmysh, who is Shaved- steadily ramping up pressure on million passengers and about 13 European Union sanctions on Russian men are eligible for dinov’s partner, said Shaved- Navalny and his allies in recent Ukrainian officials opened a million tons of cargo are Russia. Ukraine has blocked conscription between the ages dinov had recently acted as a years. criminal probe yesterday after expected to move across the shipment of supplies via its ter- of 18 and 27 and serve one contact person for opposition The 43-year-old helped a passenger train from Russia bridge next year. ritory to Crimea. year’s military service. lawmakers in Moscow city organise major protests against arrived in Crimea via a new The train arrived in Sevas- The Ukrainian government However, many find ways to parliament. the government this summer Russian-built bridge, arguing topol from St. Petersburg, Rus- has repeatedly said the new avoid this in a flawed system. “Perhaps this is the reason when tens of thousands took to that the train illegally carried sia’s second largest city. bridge was built in violation of Opposition supporters this has happened,” Yarmysh the streets of Moscow to people across the Ukrainian Russia annexed Crimea on international laws. In October called for Shaveddinov’s said. She said Shaveddinov had demand fair elections. border. the grounds that residents of the 2018, prosecutors opened a release, staging protests in managed to call her from A number of people Earlier this week Russian peninsula voted to join up with criminal case against the com- Moscow including outside army Novaya Zemlya using other received jail terms for taking President Vladimir Putin inau- Russia. panies involved in its headquarters, One of the people’s phones. part in those protests. gurated the railway bridge to The annexation elicited construction.

15 people hurt in Notre Dame rector: Fragile cathedral might not be saved Siberia emergency AP The 12th-century cathedral related health risks. landing PARIS was under renovation at the Notre Dame’s symbolism time of the accidental April fire, reaches far and wide. Church AP The rector of Notre Dame which destroyed its roof and officials estimated 2 million MOSCOW Cathedral has said the Paris collapsed its spire. people from around the world landmark is still so fragile that With no more roof to keep visited the cathedral during the Russian officials say 15 people there’s a “50% chance” the the massive stone structure holiday season. are injured after a passenger structure might not be saved, stable, the cathedral’s surviving Tourists can photograph it helicopter made a rough emer- because scaffolding installed vaults are crucial to keeping it from nearby embankments, but gency landing in Siberia before this year’s fire is threat- standing, but they are they can no longer hear its yesterday morning. ening the vaults of the Gothic vulnerable. organs or get a close view of its The Mi-8 helicopter with 21 monument. Some 50,000 tubes of scaf- stone carvings and masterpiece passengers and three crew Monsignor Patrick Chauvet folding crisscrossed the back of rose windows. The vast fore- members got caught in a snow- said restoration work isn’t likely the edifice at the time of the fire, court is barricaded, barren of its storm soon after taking off in to begin until 2021 — and and some were damaged. Christmas tree. the village of Baykit, officials described his “heartache” that Removing them without causing Parishioners shared sorrow from the local branch of Rus- Notre Dame couldn’t hold further problems is one of the about the fire, but also a feeling sia’s Emergency Ministry said. Christmas services this year, for toughest parts of the cleanup of solidarity. The helicopter toppled over the first time since the French effort. “I remember my mother told upon landing. The injured have Revolution. “We need to remove com- me that she was watching TV, received medical help and two A general view of the Notre Dame Cathedral, as works continue to “Today it is not out of pletely the scaffolding in order and that there was a fire at Notre remain in a hospital, health care stabilise the cathedral’s structure nine months after a fire caused danger,” he said on Christmas to make the building safe, so in Dame. I told her ‘it’s not pos- officials said. Eve. “It will be out of danger 2021 we will probably start the significant damage, in Paris, France on Monday. sible,’ and I took my bike, and Police are investigating the when we take out the remaining restoration of the cathedral,” when I arrived I was crying,” accident. The Mi-8, code- scaffolding.” “Today we can say Chauvet said. that to make it safe enough for have questioned whether that said Jean-Luc Bodam, a Parisian named Hip by NATO, is a that there is maybe a 50% “Once the scaffolding is people to re-enter the cathedral, time frame is realistic. engineer who used to cross medium twin-turbine heli- chance that it will be saved. removed we need to assess the but that the full restoration will Another reason it’s still too town to attend services at the copter designed in the Soviet There is also 50% chance of state of the cathedral, the take longer. dangerous to host religious cathedral. Union and widely used in scaffolding falling onto the three quantity of stones to be removed President Emmanuel services inside Notre Dame: The “We are French, we are Russia as a transport aircraft. vaults, so as you can see the and replaced.” Macron has said he wants it fire released tons of toxic lead going to try to rebuild Notre Rough landings and other inci- building is still very fragile,” he Chauvet estimated it would rebuilt by 2024, when Paris dust, and authorities are Dame as it was before, because dents involving Mi-8 heli- said. take another three years after hosts the Olympics, but experts working to clean it up and assess it is a symbol,” he said. copters have become common. UK’s Queen hails climate movement

AFP the American’s achievement protecting our environment and LONDON represented a giant leap for our climate.” The environmental women as well as men. campaign movement was stirred Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II used “As those historic pictures to life by Thunberg’s first “school her Christmas Day message were beamed back to Earth, mil- strike for climate” in 2018. yesterday to pay tribute to young lions of us sat transfixed to our Her subsequent backing for environmental campaigners television screens as we watched the British-based Extinction who were inspired to global Neil Armstrong taking a small Rebellion group helped turn action by Swedish teen Greta step for man and a giant leap for London into the focal point of Thunberg. mankind — and, indeed, for rolling protests that shut down The Queen called 2019 “quite womankind,” she said. traffic in major cities around the bumpy” and urged Britons to “It’s a reminder for us all that world. Britain became the first “overcome long-held differences giant leaps often start with small major economy this year to set and deep-seated divisions”. steps.” The queen recalled how the legally-binding target of The 93-year-old took a young people of her generation reducing carbon emissions to a sweeping look back at history in persevered through their net level of zero by 2050. a pre-recorded television struggles. She was still a teenager The queen’s husband Prince appearance from Buckingham when Britain underwent Nazi Philip was able to check out a Palace that included clips of Neil bombardments during “The London hospital after a four- Armstrong and his Apollo 11 crew Blitz” of 1940 and 1941. night stay for an unspecified bouncing on the Moon. “The challenges many condition in time to join the She referenced the two his- people face today may be dif- family for Christmas Eve. toric lines Armstrong uttered ferent to those once faced by my “The path, of course, is not Flight crew practise emergency landing techniques upon becoming the first human generation,” she said. always smooth, and may at times to step onto the Moon’s surface “But I have been struck by this year have felt quite bumpy, Flight staffers practise emergency landing techniques at the Russian “Aeroflot” company training in 1969. how new generations have but small steps can make a world complex at Sheremetevo Airport outside Moscow, yesterday. But she slightly revised his brought a similar sense of of difference,” the queen said in words to stress that purpose to issues such as her address. THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 AMERICAS 17

Flights delayed at Bloomberg’s campaign used prison labor: Report Chicago airports AFP Bloomberg said his Trump in next year’s presidential due to thick fog WASHINGTON campaign only learned election. Bloomberg has a net worth AP Billionaire US presidential about this situation of more than $54bn, according CHICAGO hopeful Michael Bloomberg used when the reporter on to Forbes. prison labor to make calls for his the story called them. He is using that personal Dense fog caused flight delays campaign, investigative website fortune to spend heavily on and some cancellations at The Intercept reported on online and TV ad campaigns, and Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway Tuesday. “But as soon as we dis- his campaign is skipping crucial international airports early on Bloomberg called the report covered which vendor’s subcon- states long toiled in by less well- Christmas Eve — one of the “fundamentally accurate” and tractor had done this, we imme- off rivals. busiest travel days of the said his campaign had already diately ended our relationship The Intercept said it asked holiday season. ended its relationship with the with the company and the people Stephen McQuaid, a director of The Federal Aviation company involved. who hired them,” he said in a business development at Administration briefly The Intercept reported that statement. ProCom, whether the company grounded flights at both air- the former New York mayor’s “We do not support this had done work for Bloomberg. ports until about 8am on campaign contracted, through a practice and we are making sure “To my knowledge we are Tuesday and eased those third-party vendor, the ProCom our vendors more properly vet not, and nor have I ever heard restrictions as the fog cleared. Democratic presidential hopeful Michael Bloomberg speaking during call center company based in their subcontractors moving that we were making any dials The National Weather a campaign event in Detroit, Michigan, on December 21, 2019. New Jersey. forward.” Months after front- for the Bloomberg campaign or Service said “dense, freezing ProCom runs call centers in runners Joe Biden and Bernie on behalf of them through fog” developed overnight New Jersey as well as Oklahoma, Oklahoma prisons, a minimum- to the report. Sanders, someone else, nor have I heard throughout the city and its sur- where two of its call centers security women’s facility, Bloomberg said his campaign Bloomberg announced in that we (are) currently making rounding suburbs, leading to operate from state prisons, The inmates were contracted to only learned about this situation late November his candidacy for them, but I am not in a position travel difficulties in the air and Intercept said. make calls on behalf of the when the reporter on the story the Democratic Party nomi- to know every campaign that is on the ground. The weather In at least one of those Bloomberg campaign, according called them. nation to challenge Donald going,” he was quoted as saying. service reported visibility at Chicago’s airports was less than a quarter of a mile (400 meters) in some spots. Anti-Trump “These are just about the worst conditions you can have for flying,” weather service Republican group runs meteorologist Kevin Donofrio said. “When visibility gets down pro-impeachment ads to a quarter-mile, that’s when it gets really dangerous for ANATOLIA former New York City Mayor planes to land.” ANKARA Rudy Giuliani, White House Chief By midmorning, nearly 50 of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Secretary flights had been canceled at A neoconservative, non-profit of State Mike Pompeo, and O’Hare, and more than 70 Republican group that staunchly former National Security Advisor flights canceled at Midway, split opposes US President Donald John Bolton to testify, forcibly if evenly between arrivals and Trump is waging a war on the necessary, before the Senate at departures, according to the sitting Republican leader by the expense of Trump. Chicago Department of Avi- running a variety of pro- Kristol’s unpopular anti- ation. Flight delays were about impeachment ads and commer- Trump activism from the very half an hour at O’Hare and less cials. beginning of his GOP nomination at Midway. Led by political analyst Bill in 2016 elections cost him the The weather service Kristol — son of Irving Kristol, shutdown of his conservative advised drivers to slow down, who was known to be one of the political magazine The Weekly turn on low beams and increase founders of neoconservatism — Standard in December 2018 after following distance while the Republicans for the Rule of Law diminishing support. freezing fog hangs over urge a number of key White Trump hailed the demise of expressways. Supporters wave as US President Donald Trump’s motorcade drives past near Mar-a-Lago in West Palm House officials to testify in the the publication, writing on Beach, Florida. The first family is spending the holiday at the president’s private club in Palm Beach. looming Senate impeachment Twitter at the time: “The pathetic trial. and dishonest Weekly Standard, Police: 3 dead in The group runs billboard ads run by failed prognosticator Bill also criticized Trump’s planned Kristol ardently supported claimed Iraq had weapons of and television commercials in Kristol (who, like many others, withdrawal of US troops from the pro-war, pro-sanctions mass destruction, which was murder-suicide; four different states, targeting never had a clue), is flat broke Syria and Afghanistan, a move agenda of the former US admin- later admitted to be false. constituents of four anti-Trump and out of business. Too bad. very popular in the Republican istrations, including Bush admin- Number of Iraq War casualties 4 children safe senators — Mitt Romney (Utah), May it rest in peace!” base but greatly criticized by istration’s decision to go to war range from 151,000 violent deaths Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Opposing Trump’s domestic what Trump aides call the “war- with Iraq following the 9/11 as of June 2006 per the Iraq AP/LAKELAND, FLORIDA Murkowski (Alaska), and Lamar Make America Great Again mongering military-industry attack in New York, allegedly Family Health Survey to over 1 Alexander (Tenn.). (MAGA) agenda and foreign complex” that want “endless perpetrated by Saudi nationals. million, according to the 2007 Three adults were killed in an In the ads, they demand policy goals, Kristol wars.” US officials at the time Opinion Research Business survey. apparent murder-suicide on Christmas Eve while four young children were inside the home, 6.3-magnitude authorities in Florida said. Bolsonaro says ‘fine’ now but lost memory after fall The children were safely quake strikes removed from the home after AFP presidency. “At that moment I said in a statement. Bolsonaro said he had been the shooting Tuesday night, off British SAO PAULO lost memory,” he said of the A cranial CT scan detected examined for skin cancer. Lakeland Police Captain Ed fall. no anomalies, the statement said. “My health is fine,” he told Cain told reporters. Columbia coast Brazilian President Jair “The following day, this “I slipped and fell on my Band TV, but added “there are The three dead adults all Bolsonaro temporarily lost his morning, I managed to get back back. It was a nasty enough blow some consequences” of the suffered gunshot wounds. AP memory after hitting his head in a lot of things and now I am fine,” but I’m going to take care of stabbing. “One adapts to this new Investigators did not immedi- PORT HARDY, CANADA a fall at his official residence, he Bolsonaro said in a telephone myself,” Bolsonaro said in the reality. The knife wound together ately identify them or say said in an interview on Tuesday. interview with Band television. interview. with age is a dangerous mixture,” whether any of them were A magnitude 6.3 earthquake The 64-year-old slipped on “I didn’t know, for example, His health has been a subject he said. related to the children. All four struck a spot off the coast of Monday night in a bathroom at what I did yesterday.” Bolsonaro of concern ever since he became On Tuesday, Bolsonaro has of the children are believed to British Columbia on Tuesday, the Alvorada Palace, the latest spent the night at the Armed president on January 1. used his first Christmas pardon be younger than 10 years old, the US Geological Survey said. health scare for the Brazilian Forces Hospital in Brasilia under He has undergone four sur- to excuse members of the police Cain said. At 8:36pm, the earthquake leader who was wounded in a observation and was released on geries to treat the stab wound to and military convicted of unin- “It’s a very tragic situation on hit a spot 182 kilometers (113 knife attack in September 2018 Tuesday “with the recommen- his abdomen, most recently in tentional crimes during lethal Christmas Eve that’s going to miles) west of Port Hardy, a while campaigning for the dation that he rest,” his office September. Earlier this month, operations. impact a lot of families,” Cain said. town of about 4,100 people, the agency said. It had a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles.) A Utility finishes removing toxic tsunami is not expected, the National Tsunami Center in Alaska said. coal ash from SC power plant On Monday, a series of five AP the Eastover site, arsenic levels earthquakes with magnitudes COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA in groundwater in the area have ranging from 4.8 to 6.0 were dropped by at least 90%, the recorded in British Columbia. A utility company in South Southern Environmental Law The Seattle Times reported Carolina finished removing all Center said in a statement. four of the five quakes were the coal ash from the site of a “With this milestone, the recorded as striking primarily nearly 50-year-old power plant Wateree River and the Con- on Vancouver Island and at on the Wateree River. garee National Park are safer the northern end of Victoria The work to remove the than they have been in decades, Island in Port Alice and Port toxic ash byproduct of making and the continuing flow of coal Hardy, according to the gov- power from burning coal was ash pollution into the Wateree ernment’s Earthquakes finished at the Wateree Station River has ended,” the center’s Canada website. east of Columbia more than a senior lawyer Frank Holleman According to the website, year ahead of schedule, said. The Southern Environ- the quakes recorded Monday Dominion Energy announced mental Law Center spent much around Vancouver Island earlier this month. of this decade in court getting were: a magnitude 5.1 at 8:44 The coal ash was being held utilities across South Carolina am; a magnitude 5.6 at 11:13 in pits without a protective and other Southern states to am; a magnitude 5.8 at 11:49 plastic liner, which allowed promise to remove coal ash am; a magnitude 6.0 at 12:56 arsenic and other toxic mate- from unprotected pits. pm; and a magnitude 4.8 at rials to seep into The Wateree site had 7 3:38pm. groundwater. billion pounds (3.2 billion kilo- In addition, a 4.3 mag- California students bring gifts for migrants The project started as part grams) of coal ash. All together, nitude earthquake was of a court settlement in 2012 the environmental group said A group of law students from California delivers food and Christmas gifts to migrants as they wait recorded at 9:32pm Monday with South Carolina Electric & it has obtained court orders to for humanitarian visas from US migration authorities outside El Chaparral port of entry, in Tijuana, at the Village of Queen Char- Gas, which was bought by remove 500 billion pounds (227 lotte on Moresby Island, Baja California state, Mexico, on the border with the US, on Tuesday. Dominion at the start of the billion kilograms) of coal ash northwest of Victoria. year. Since the work started at from sites across the South. 18 AMERICAS THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 Mexico again accuses Bolivia of harassing diplomatic staff REUTERS The Mexican Foreign needed clearing up, he said. MEXICO CITY Bolivia’s presidential sec- Ministry said Bolivian retary, Erick Foronda, said Mexico’s foreign ministry on police were tracking security personnel were placed Tuesday again accused Bolivian diplomatic vehicles around the Mexican embassy to security and intelligence officials and trying to prevent protect the site because it is of harassing its diplomatic staff housing Morales allies, state in La Paz, despite remarks by the the ambassador from news outlet Bolivian Information Mexican president earlier in the moving freely. Agency (ABI) reported. day that obtrusive surveillance He added the increase of was easing. officers did not affect the free Mexico on Monday accused in line with usual practices of sur- movement of embassy officials. Bolivia of intimidating its dip- veillance and protection of dip- Bolivia’s foreign minister, Karen lomats in La Paz after a chill in lomatic buildings... and can only Longaric, said on Monday that relations since Mexican President be explained in the light of the Bolivian authorities would Men look at houses burning during a forest fire at the Rocuant hill in Valparaiso, Chile, on Tuesday. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador internal political situation,” the respect diplomatic privilege and last month gave political asylum ministry said in a statement. not enter Mexico’s embassy. to former Bolivian president Evo Mexico complained of Bolivia has moved to the Chile deploys helicopters as 150 homes gutted Morales, a fellow leftist. “excessive” surveillance by about right since Morales resigned in Bolivia’s government 150 Bolivian intelligence and November after a presidential AP evacuated and there were no emergency manager for responded by saying Mexico had security service personnel on election that the Organization of SANTIAGO, CHILE reports of casualties. Valparaíso. hijacked a regional summit, and Monday. American States said was rigged Some 150 homes were The fire was doused in urban had dragged its feet in recog- Lopez Obrador has declined in his favour. Helicopters yesterday dropped destroyed, according to a pre- areas but remains “active” in the nising its new, conservative to comment on what had moti- Bolivia is currently governed water on the outskirts of the liminary count announced by woods, said Ricardo Toro, head premier. vated Bolivia to act as his gov- by interim President Jeanine Chilean port city of Valparaiso Interior Minister Gonzalo Blumel of Chile’s national emergency On Tuesday, the Mexican ernment alleged. Earlier on Añez, a former conservative to extinguish a fire that said. He said authorities believe office. Many homes in the low- Foreign Ministry said Bolivian Tuesday, he had said that things senator and opponent of destroyed about 150 homes. arson caused the blaze and income neighbourhoods where police were registering the move- were improving. Morales. Dozens of people living in urged people to report any sus- the fire occurred don’t have ments of people coming and “I have news that this situ- Lopez Obrador said Mexico the city’s Rocuant and San Roque picious activity. running water and get their going from diplomatic facilities, ation of extreme surveillance on was eager to know if new elec- hills sifted through the ruins of “We’re not certain, but eve- supply from tankers a couple of as well as tracking diplomatic our embassy in Bolivia has eased tions would be held in Bolivia their homes after the fire, fanned rything indicates that yesterday’s times a week. vehicles and trying to prevent the considerably,” he told his regular and whether all “political forces” by strong winds, swept through fire was intentional, and began Wildfires have affected parts ambassador from moving freely. news conference on Tuesday. would be able to take part in their neighbourhoods on in an area quite close to the of Valparaiso several times in the “These actions are obviously not Even so, “many things” still them. Tuesday. Residents had been homes,” said Ezio Passadore, last month. Morales claims US orchestrated ‘coup’ to tap Bolivia’s lithium AFP electric cars. Morales resigned the victim of a coup d’etat. lithium,” he said. “We as a state infrastructure to exploit them no way a failure. But the coup BUENOS AIRES as president on November 10 “It was a national and inter- had begun industrialising profitably. d’etat was prepared in advance.” after almost three weeks of pro- national coup d’etat,” Morales lithium... As a small country of As for his unconstitutional Morales has been barred by Former Bolivian president Evo tests against his controversial re- said in an interview in Buenos 10 million inhabitants, we were candidacy in the last election — right-wing interim President Morales said on Tuesday that he election to an unconstitutional Aires, where he has been living soon going to set the price of Bolivian presidents are limited Jeanine Anez from standing in was forced from office by a fourth term in a poll widely in exile after claiming asylum. lithium. to two successive terms but re-scheduled elections due to United States-backed coup d’etat denounced as rigged. “Industrialised countries “They know we have the Morales was going for a fourth take place early next year, but aimed at gaining access to the His resignation came after don’t want competition.” Morales greatest lithium reserves in the — the socialist leader was for which no date has yet been South American country’s vast then-chief of the armed forces said Washington had not “for- world of 16,000 square unapologetic. set. lithium resources. General Williams Kaliman pub- given” his country for choosing kilometres.” “We won in the first round,” Having originally accepted Demand for lithium is licly stated the former trade to seek lithium extraction part- Bolivia does have the largest he said, despite the audit by the asylum in Mexico when he first expected to grow globally as it is union leader should step down. nerships with Russia and China confirmed lithium resources in Organization of American States left Bolivia claiming his life was one of the key components in But since then, Morales — rather than the US. the world, but they are widely (OAS) that found clear evidence in danger, Morales has based batteries used in high-tech Bolivia’s first indigenous pres- “That’s why I’m absolutely thought to be of poor quality, and of vote rigging. himself in neighbouring equipment such as laptops and ident — has claimed to have been convinced it’s a coup against the country lacks the “So our participation was in Argentina since December 10. THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019 HOME 19 DoubleTree by Hilton Doha– Al Sadd opens doors to travellers

THE PENINSULA DOHA

DoubleTree by Hilton Doha – Al Sadd opened its doors to trav- ellers yesterday – a bright sand- coloured 139 guestroom stone building with inviting floor to ceiling windows and a contem- porary design. Guests can expect an oasis of calm the moment they check-in to DoubleTree by Hilton’s latest property, with a colour palette of the palest creams and muted greys which come to life with vibrant green and orange accents – taking cues from the ever-changing deserts that surround modern The exterior view of DoubleTree by Hilton Doha - Al Sadd Doha. Al Sadd is one of the oldest and most diverse neighbourhoods in DoubleTree by Hilton is known “I’m delighted to spearhead an Hilton Doha – Al Sadd. Doha, boasting various shopping for its delicious, warm chocolate important hotel opening in this “The team and I look forward malls and eateries. Doha is a chips that are baked fresh daily ever-growing bustling city. Dou- to pleasing guests with our vibrant city full of diversity and has and presented to each guest as bleTree by Hilton Doha – Al Sadd boundless energy, smiles, deep progressed from humble begin- they check-in. To offset any cal- is a modern hotel in the heart of understanding of the city and its nings to one of the wealthiest ories, hotel guests can use the old Doha making it the ideal cosmopolitan occupants. We pride countries in the world. The hotel outdoor swimming pool and gym- location for business and leisure ourselves on caring about the little provides excellent access to nasium for a workout or group travellers,” said Daniel van Wyk, things that make a big explore the city and is in close class. general manager, DoubleTree by difference.” proximity to Souq Waqif – Doha’s DoubleTree by Hilton Doha – traditional market. Al Sadd is part of Hilton Honors, DoubleTree by Hilton Doha – the award-winning guest-loyalty Al Sadd is home to an impressive program for Hilton’s 17 distinct collection of restaurants– high- hotel brands. Members who book lights include Indo-Chin Res- directly have access to instant ben- taurant, an open-kitchen that spe- efits, including a flexible payment cialises in a wide variety of Asian slider that allows members to cuisine including Indian, Thai, choose nearly any combination of Chinese and Philipino. The res- points and money to book a stay, taurant is fun, friendly and an exclusive member discount, informal, as well as featuring a free standard Wi-Fi and the Hilton private dining area which is ideal Honors mobile app. for business meetings or Book direct at Hilton.com, celebrations. through the Hilton Honors app or OPEN restaurant is an all-day- through other official Hilton dining experience that transports channels for more perks and a guests through the Mediterranean price match guarantee. Dou- and Middle East with some of the bleTree by Hilton Doha – Al Sadd most exciting cuisines from each is located at Mohammed Bin Al region. King One Bedroom Suite Living area Qasim Street, Doha.

CROSSWORD MALL ROYAL PLAZA

Prati Roju Pandaage (2D/Telugu) 2:00pm; Prati Roju Pandaage (2D/Telugu) 2:00pm; Hero (2D/Tamil) 3:15 & 11:30pm; Hero (2D/Tamil) 2:15pm; Dabangg 3 2:30, 5:15 & 8:15pm; Dabangg 3 (2D/Hindi) 6:15 & 11:15pm; Frozen II (2D/Animation) 4:30pm; Spies In Disguise (2D/Amination) 8:30pm; El Folous A.K.A The Money 8:45 & 11:00pm; Prati Roju Pandaage (2D/Telugu) 2:30pm; El Folous Legend Of The Christmas Witch (2D/Comedy) 5:30pm; A.K.A The Money 9:00 & 11:15pm; Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2D/Action) 6:15pm; Frozen II (2D/Animation) 2:30 & 4:15pm; Kettyolanu Ente Maalakha (2D/Malayalam) 6:45pm; Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2D/Action) 6:00pm; Jumanji: The Next Level (2D/Action) 5:00 & Jumanji: The Next Level (2D/Action) 7:15pm; 7:15pm; Driving License (2D/Malayalam) 9:30pm Spies In Disguise (2D/Amination) 9:15pm; Driving License (2D/Malayalam) 11:15pm; I See You (Horror) 11:15pm LANDMARK

Hero (2D/Tamil) 2:00pm Prati Roju Pandaage (2D/Telugu) 2:15pm FLIK Mirqab Mall Frozen II (2D/Animation) 2:30 & 4:45pm Bonnie Bear: Blast Into The Past (2D/Amination) Dabangg 3 (2D/Hindi) 5:40, 7:25, 8:50, 10:35pm & 12:00 midnight 4:15pm Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2D/ Frozen II (2D/Animation) 10:30am, 12:40 & 2:50pm Action) 6:30pm; Jumanji: The Next Level (2D/Action) Go Fish (2D/Animation) 10:35pm 6:00pm; Spies In Disguise (2D/Amination) 8:30pm; Dabangg 3 (2D/Hindi) 5:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm; Jumanji: The Next Level (3D/Action) 10:10, 12:40, 3:10, 5:00pm El Folous A.K.A The Money (2D/Arabic) 9:00 & Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2D/Action) 10:30, 11:00am, 11:00pm; Driving License (2D/Malayalam) 11:15pm 11:50, 12:10, 1:20, 1:50, 2:40, 3:00, 4:40, 5:30, 5:50, 7:00, 7:30, 8:20, AL KHOR 8:40, 9:30, 9:50, 10:50, 11:10, 11:30pm Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (3D/Action) 10:00am, 11:30am, Dabangg 3 (2D/Hindi) 10:30am, 1:45, 5:00, 8:15 & 11:30pm 12:50, 2:20, 3:40, 5:10, 6:30, 8:00, 9:20, 10:50pm & 0:10am, Hero (2D/Tamil) 11:45am, 5:45 & 11:45pm Jumanji: The Next Level (2D/Action) 11:45am, ASIAN TOWN 11:30pm; Thambi (2D/Tamil) 3:00 & 9:00pm; Star Wars: The Ruler (2D/Telugu) 12:30pm Rise Of Skywalker (2D/Action) 2:30pm; Thambi (2D/Tamil) 3:30pm Mamangam (2D/Malayalam) 5:30pm Dabangg 3 (2D/Hindi) 8:30pm Good Newz 3 (2D/Hindi) 6:15pm ROXY Hero (2D/Tamil) 9:00pm Driving Licence (2D/Malayalam) 12:30, 3:00, 5:30, 8:00, 10:30, Bonnie Bears: Blast Into The Past 10:30 & 3:45pm; 11;30pm & 2:15am Dabangg 3 (2D/Hindi) 10:30, 1:00, 2:50, 4:00, 4:50, Kettyolanu Ente Maalakha (2D/Malayalam) 8:45pm 7:00, 8:00, 10:00, 11:10pm My Santa (2D/Malayalam) 12:30, 3;15, 8:45 & 11:30pm Frozen II (3D/Animation) 12:30, 2:45, 5:00 & 5:45pm Valiya Perunnal (2D/Malayalam) 3:00, 9:00, 12:00am & 2:45am Hero (2D/Tamil) 12:30, 6:40 & 10:10pm Jumanji: The Next Level (3D/Action) 11:00, 12:30, 1:20, 2:40, 3:30, 4:20, 5:10, 7:40, 8:00 & 9:00pm Ruler (2D/Telugu) 10:30pm Stand Up (2D/Malayalam) 10:30am, 12:30, 1:20, 4:00, 6:00, 7;00, 8:10, 10:00 & 11:30am Thambi (2D/Tamil) 3:40, 7:30, 10:00 & 10;30pm

DRIVING LICENSE Driving License is a Malayalam thriller-drama movie, directed by Jean Paul. ... Kuruvila (Suraj Venjara- moodu), the vehicle inspector is a diehard fan of superstar Hareendran (Prithviraj). 20 MORNING BREAK THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER 2019

PRAYER TIMINGS Theme songwriter of FAJR 04. 55 AM SHOROOK 06. 17 AM ‘Friends’ dies aged 72

ZUHR 11. 34 AM MAGHRIB 04. 53 PM AFP WASHINGTON ASR 02.32 PM ISHA 06. 23 PM

Allee Willis, who wrote the theme song for the hit tele- WEATHER TODAY vision show “Friends,” died on Tuesday of a “cardiac event,” The New York Times reported, citing her publicist. She was 72. “Rest In Boogie Wonderland Nov 10, 1947-December 24, 2019,” Prudence Fenton wrote on her Instagram account in a post with a photo of Willis, referring to the 1979 hit she co-wrote for Earth, Wind and Fire. Willis’ Instagram account also included a screenshot of an article about her death along with the caption: “We are extremely shocked and devastated to share this news.” Willis, who penned “I’ll Be There For You” — the theme for the long-running show “Friends” — as well as several hits by Earth, Wind and Fire, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018. She won a Grammy in 1985 for her work on the sound- track for “Beverly Hills Cop,” and was nominated for another two decades later for “The Color Purple,” according to the Recording Academy’s website. Willis did not know how to play music, but learned to become a songwriter by listening to rhythms coming Fun in snow through the walls of Motown studios in Detroit, the city Children slide down an ice-covered slope in Omsk, Russia, yesterday. in which she grew up, according to the Times.

o o Eight new hotels, resorts to open in Qatar next year 18 C 24 C SACHIN KUMAR to reach 2.88 million. draw footfall. Due to the expected housing market has been one Minimum Maximum THE PENINSULA Assuming all projects are “2019 has been an instru- increase in visitors and dipping of increasing supply, high delivered on time, Qatar will mental year for real estate of room rates, occupancy is antic- demand and falling rents-par- Mist at some places at first becomes mod- Qatar’s hospitality sector will comprise of 34,000 hotel keys Qatar as a result of introduction ipated to increase across all ticularly on the premium end erate temperature daytime with some offer more choices for and hotel apartments, 308,000 of foreign investment-friendly hotel categories. of the market. Majority addition clouds and relatively cold by night. customers in 2020 as eight new residential units and an office laws such as a legalisation of As of September 2019, of apartment supply was seen

hotels and properties are supply of 5.8 sqm GLA (Gross foreign ownership for various Qatar had 26,778 hotel rooms in The Pearl, Lusail and Mush-

HIGH TIDE 04:58 – 15:42 LOW TIDE 12:32 – 23:13 expected to open next year. Leasable Area). The firms noted asset classes in 10 locations and and hotel apartments within eireb. In addition, residential Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department The hotels across the in its report that several new granting automatically 128 establishments. A total of compounds were added in country are expected to do malls are also set to open next renewable residence permit for 1.49 million international guests peripheral areas of Al Rayyan Device to identify brisk business as occupancy is year. Upcoming malls in Qatar a period of 5 years for expa- (compared to 1.32 million last (Abu Sidra, Abu Hamour, Al anticipated to increase across during 2020 include J Mall in triate owners and beneficiaries year) stayed an average of 3.47 Wajba and Baaya), Al Wakrah all hotel categories. Al Markhiya, La Plage 04 Mall of real estate,” Pawel Banach, nights per stay and spent an (Al Wukair) Umm Salal and Al viruses developed Zulal Wellness Resort, Pan- in The Pearl and Doha Mall in General Manager, ValuStrat Average Daily Rate of QR369. Khor. IANS/NEW YORK orama Residences & Suites, Al Mamoura. told The Peninsula. The first nine months saw As per ValuStrat research, Plaza Rayhaan, Pullman Hotel, Retail performance in “By November real estate occupancy rates averaging at occupancy in The Pearl Researchers have developed a device to Samrya Quartier Hotel & Apart- terms of occupancy is projected transactions reached 3,518 with 64 percent which is 5 percent increased in result of declining quickly capture and identify various ments, The Plaza Doha, The to improve due to temporary a total value of QR21.2bn. In higher than last year, rents as well as various incen- strains of virus. Vyra and Aleph Residences, are increase in demand as World addition to improvement in the According to the report, 70 tives being offered. New office “We have developed a fast and inex- expected to open next year, Cup 2022 nears, especially for legal framework, falling percent of the upcoming resi- stock was added in Lusail, pensive handheld device that can capture according to consulting firm shopping centres which are mortgage rates and capital dential supply in 2020 is pro- Mushiereb Downtown, Al Sadd, viruses based on size,” said study ValuStrat. introducing anchor tenants values made buying property jected to launch in prime loca- Old Al Ghanim, Old Salata, researcher Mauricio Terrones from Penn By the end of 2020, the from entertainment and spe- for non-Qatari households tions such as Al Dafna, Lusail Fereej Bin Mahmoud and State University. population of Qatar is projected ciality Food and Beverage to easier than before,” he added. and The Pearl. The 2019 Fereej Bin Omran. Bank robber in US throws cash in air, shouting ‘Merry Christmas’

REUTERS “threatened the use of a Oliver walked to the Starbucks, DENVER, US weapon” and left the bank with sat down and appeared to be an undisclosed amount of cash. waiting for police to arrest him, A man with a white beard was A police spokesperson could KKTV reported. being held on $10,000 bond for not immediately be reached for The Denver Post quoted allegedly robbing a Colorado comment, but Colorado Springs police as saying “thousands of bank and throwing the stolen television station KKTV dollars” remained unaccounted cash into the air while shouting, reported that eyewitness Dion for, adding there was no indi- “Merry Christmas” to passersby, Pascale recounted Oliver cation Oliver used a weapon in police and local media reported stepped outside the bank and the heist. on Tuesday. tossed the money “all over the Oliver, pictured in police David Wayne Oliver, 65, place.” mug shots with gray-and-white was arrested at a nearby Star- “He started throwing money hair and a full white beard, is bucks coffee shop after he held out of the bag” before yelling, being held at the El Paso County SALE up the Academy Bank in “Merry Christmas,” the TV jail and is set to make his first Colorado Springs on Monday station quoted Pascale as court appearance today SALE afternoon, according to a police saying. Pascale said bystanders (Thursday), jail records showed. report. retrieved some of the money It was not clear from the records Police said the suspect had and returned it to the bank as if he has an attorney.  +c US police officer investigates own From 20% to 50% background, finds three brothers 20% 50%

AP she got in touch with the suburb, is in western DeKalb GB=[G?=a_ BROOKHAVEN, US Georgia Adoption Reunion County, less than 7 miles (11 kil- VALID FROMM 25Tth DEC.DEC. 2019 TO 15th JAN.JAN. 2020*2020 Registry. ometers) from the county seat. A police officer in Georgia, US, Bruce Koshkin said that Burke said she had no ties investigated her own back- when the registry first contacted to Brookhaven before moving ground and found three him, he thought it was a scam. to that city, where Danny brothers who grew up in the city Burke texted him weeks later, Koshkin still lives. where she moved for her and he pulled his car over in Danny Koshkin said their current job. What’s more, shock. He texted Danny mother had never told them WSB-TV reports, two of them Koshkin. they had a half-sister, “even in were career public service, like After meeting Bruce, Danny her last days.” their sister. and Jeffrey Koshkin, Burke Bruce and Danny Koshkin Major Linda Burke, com- learned that their mother had said that, like them, Jeffrey mander of criminal investiga- married the Koshkins’ father the Koshkin was shocked at the tions for the Brookhaven Police same year she gave Burke up news but has embraced their Department, knew she’d been for adoption. sister. adopted at birth in 1961. The first time he saw Burke, “I can’t think of a better She also knew that her Danny Koshkin said, “It was like Christmas gift than my sister,” mother was 19 and unmarried, I was looking at Mom again.” Bruce Koshkin said. and had moved from California He has been with DeKalb “She asked me what I to Georgia to give birth to her. County fire rescue for 18 years. wanted for Christmas. I said I “Growing up, I always won- Bruce Koshkin has worked already got it,” Danny Koshkin dered where I belonged, who I for DeKalb police, Dekalb fire said. Burke said, “I think it’s a Centre Showroom Mall Showroom Barwa Showroom Al Rayyan Showroom Pearl Showroom Tawar Showroom belonged to. Now I know,” rescue and the DeKalb Medical God thing. I mean, I was going The Centre Complex Mall Shopping Complex Barwa Village (Wakra) Madinat Centrale Tawar Mall Burke said. Examiner’s office for a total of through a very rough time in my Tel. : 44370756 Tel. : 44553243 Tel. : 44151808 Tel. : 44661075 Tel. : 44938427 Tel. : 44171520 While recovering from 24 years. life and, don’t make me cry, I’m surgery that damaged her voice, Brookhaven, an Atlanta just very happy.” 2019/ 7468 /