MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2019 JUMADA AL-AWWAL 1, 1440 VOL.12 NO. 4507 QR 2

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Business 11 Sports 15 ‘Aviation financing a lucrative Jordan shock defending proposition for Qatar’ champs Australia

Excise tax aims to create healthier society: GTA The ‘sin tax’ a real investment in human capital for building a strong and sustainable economy QNA for a better economic future that is pervision of the Ministry of Finance and events. tainable. Marine and aerial transporta- DOHA strong and sustainable. and will be in charge of implement- It is responsible for tax agree- The statement said tax resourc- tion are also exempted from tax on The GTA will support the goals ing all tax laws and improving tax ments with other countries to en- es are considered the safest, and it condition of reciprocity. THE excise tax on certain health- of the Qatar National Vision 2030 compliance. courage economic cooperation and is one of the most important pillars The corporate income tax on damaging goods such as cigarettes, to ensure the sustained welfare of The law establishing the joint investments. of support for the national econo- foreign companies working in Qa- tobacco products, energy drinks citizens and residents, and provide GTA mandates the au- The GTA will regu- my of any country, especially when tar or on the stakes of foreign part- and carbonated beverages that a mechanism for Qatar to reduce thority to implement late the work of the the tax system deals with the issues ners in joint ventures remains at came into effect on January 1 is a its dependence on a hydrocarbon- all tax laws and set taxation system of justice and proceeds, and is ap- the same level it was, which is 10 real investment in human capital, based economy. up all related by- through financial plied in accordance with the latest percent of the taxable income, the the General Tax Authority (GTA) The statement said the estab- laws, procedures instruments that regulations and international tax statement added. has said. lishment of GTA is considered one and instructions positively influ- standards. The GTA stressed that the in- The excise tax is designed to of the means of achieving greater and be responsible ence the level of The Income Tax Law Number come tax law came as part of tax help build a healthier society by economic stability for the state and for their imple- welfare of citizens 24 of 2018 amends the previous law reform process. discouraging the consumption of maintaining its sustainability, and mentation. and residents alike, on corporate income tax and stipu- The reform process focused on harmful goods, the GTA said in a even increasing it. It is also re- as well as improve lates that the salaries and wages of facilitating procedures according statement. The success of the GTA will have sponsible for review- public services such citizens and residents shall not be to international standards without The excise tax includes a 100 a positive impact on the quality of ing and assessing tax as healthcare, educa- subject to any tax and grants ex- increasing the price or type of tax, percent tax on tobacco products living in the coming decades as it will return forms, collecting tion, roads and infrastruc- emptions for equity shares listed on as well as innovative scientific solu- and energy drinks and a 50 percent lead to reducing dependence on the taxes from subject entities, rep- ture. a recognised stock exchange, profits tions in the areas of information ex- tax on carbonated drinks. hydrocarbon resources of the state. resenting Qatar in relevant interna- The taxation system also lays of banking deposits and companies change and action, in a manner that The statement said the taxa- The GTA has been established tional and regional organisations the foundation for a better eco- working in the agricultural sector allows for the improvement of the tion system also lays the foundation as a separate entity under the su- and at international conferences nomic future that is strong and sus- and fisheries. climate attractive to investment.

MoCI launches new website, Ashghal opens new 1 km-long tunnel offers 49 more e-services THE PublicPbliW WorksW k AuthorityA th it (Ashghal)(A hhl)) hash openedd1kil a 1-kilometretl long unidirectionalidi ti l tunnelt l withith one lanel at Gharrafat Al Rayyan Interchange along Al Luqta Street. The new tunnel, which is a part of Ashghal’s Khalifa Avenue project, provides direct free-flow connectivity from Gharrafat Al Rayyan to Doha. The tunnel will accommodate up to 2,000 vehicles per hour and will help end traffic congestion at Gharrafat Al Rayyan Interchange. PAGE 20 Qatar Airways launches global promo (PG 3 )

Saudi woman held at Bangkok fears death if repatriated (PG 9 ) INISTER of Commerce and Industry HE Ali bin Ahmed al Kuwari on MSunday inaugurated the new website of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI). As many as 49 new e-services were also launched, US sets conditions for taking the total number of e-services provided by the ministry to 133. troop withdrawal The launch of the new website reflects the ministry’s strategic objectives and keenness to achieve more effective communication with investors, from Syria (PG 9) consumers, and members of the public. PAGE 11

‘Comprehensive network to prevent cyberattacks’ WWRC’s diabetes clinic treats nearly 1,700 women every month The Qatar government is working to individuals,” he added. establish a comprehensive network to Assistant head of Information Se- HE expanded diabetes prevent cyberattacks in view of major curity Center Major Osman Salem al Tclinic at Hamad Medi- upcoming events such as the 2022 Hamoud said the centre is undertaking cal Corporation’s (HMC) FIFA World Cup, Director of Public several initiatives to strengthen elec- Women’s Wellness and Security Staff Major General Saad bin tronic security in the country. Research Center (WWRC) Jassim al Khulaifi has said. He said there is an electronic con- cares for between 1,500 In a lecture on cyber awareness, nection to many entities through the and 1,700 pregnant women he said the Ministry of Interior (MoI) central operations room for electronic each month. Dr Mohamed is working to attract various official security. Bashir, endocrine consultant entities so as to secure them from any In 2018, 20 entities were connect- at HMC, said over 18,000 attacks. “Looking at the large number ed to view their transactions and ad- women who have been diag- of hacking attempts in Qatar, other dress the hacking attempts. The work nosed with a thyroid condition, endocrine disorder or diabetes prior to or countries will come to know that these is under way to double the number, he during their pregnancy are treated at the clinic each year. PAGE 2 attempts happen daily, by countries or added. PAGE 2

Ministry spells out Al Dosari Park to get a facelift for World Cup criteria for Sports Day SATYENDRA PATHAK “Under its first major refur- DOHA bishment in 30 years, new build- The Ministry of Culture and ings will come up to house an ex- Sports has urged all entities AL Dosari Zoo and Game Re- hibition centre, an entertainment participating in the Qatar serve, popularly known as Al city, new parking areas and re- Dosari Park, will be undergoing sorts,” he said. Sports Day to commit to the major renovation and expansion The new buildings with a total standards and regulations works beginning this year, the area of 10,000 sqm will also have an issued by the Amiri Decision park’s owner has said. education centre, heritage section, No. 80 of 2011 for the plans In an interview with Qatar veterinary clinic, accommodation Tribune, Mohamed Mater al Dosa- for workers and a dedicated VIP being made for the event. ri, owner and director of Al Dosari area to receive ministers, ambassa- The ministry has urged them Zoo & Game Reserve, said the ren- dors and other dignitaries, he said. to ensure achieving the desired goals, especially those related ovation work is aimed at preparing “We are in talks with the gov- to raising awareness of the importance of playing sports for all the park as one of the major attrac- ernment to allot us more land to tions for fans and tourists during expand the park as number of ages during the Sports Day, which will take place on February the month-long 2022 FIFA World The renovation of Al Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve aims at preparing the park visitors to the park has surged. We 12. The ministry said the events must focus on physical, motor Cup in Qatar. as one of the major attractions during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. need to increase the parking ar- and awareness activities, and focus on awareness activities While it is very popular among eas,” he said. that highlight exercising as a daily healthy behaviour. PAGE 2 expatriate communities in Qatar, needs to be renovated and ex- of visitors from around the world Dosari said, the 30-year-old park panded to keep the large number entertained during the World Cup. Continued on page 2 Ô 02 Monday, January 7, 2019

Contact US: Qatar Tribune I EDITORIAL I Phone: 40002222 I ADMINISTRATION & MARKETING I Phone: 40002155, 40002122, Fax: 40002235 P.O. Box: 23493, Doha.

Focus on sport on Muraikhi meets outgoing Ethiopian envoy Doha Triathlon 2019 Sports Day, ministry to kick off on Feb 8 PREPARATIONS are under- ters of the bay and enjoy the way to hold Doha Triathlon greeneries of the MIA park. urges institutions 2019 on February 8. The event will also include The third edition of Doha a Fun Duathlon for kids, aged QNA In its statement, the min- Triathlon is an opportunity for between seven to 12 years. They DOHA istry also called for avoiding beginners who want to expe- will cycle and run for short dis- constructing temporary sports rience this sport with the in- tances around the park. THE Ministry of Culture and tents for the Sports Day, tak- troduction of the Super Sprint The Doha Triathlon is the Sports has urged all entities ing into account the safety and which includes children 13 to third of five triathlon events participating in the Qatar Na- security requirements and ex- 15 years old, with a 375-me- which count towards the Qatar tional Sports Day to adhere to ploiting sports facilities, parks tre swim, a 10 km cycle and a National Triathlon Series in the the standards and regulations and public places. The enti- 2.5-kilometre run season 2018-19, followed by issued by the Amiri Decision ties must also ensure offering This race will provide an op- Lusail Triathlon and The Pearl No 80 of 2011 while chalk- healthy food, avoiding fast food portunity for beginners to par- Triathlon. Previous events were ing out programmes for the and refrain from distributing ticipate alongside professional held at Katara in November and event in order to achieve the free gifts and food to the public, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad al Muraikhi met with the Ambassador of the and international champions Al Ghariya in December. The desired goals. the statement added. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Qatar HE Metasebia Tadesse Woldegiorgis on the occasion of and amateur as well as local registration is open until Mon- Qatar Sports Day celebra- Emphasising that the par- the end of his tenure in the country. Muraikhi extended thanks to the ambassador for his efforts towards athletes to cycle on the Doha day, February 4 through www. tions, which are held on the ticipating entities must organise promoting bilateral relations while wishing him success in his future duties. (QNA) Corniche, swim in the safe wa- doha-triathlon.com. (QNA) second Tuesday of February sports events rather than public every year, will be held on Feb- performances, the ministry di- ruary 12 this year seeking to rected the entities to provide promote awareness about the their lists of programmes and importance of sports in leading the estimated number of partic- a healthy life. ipants to the Sports Day Com- Qatar working on mechanism to secure The ministry said the events mittee by January 20. must focus on physical, motor This is required so the com- and awareness activities to en- mittee may review and approve big events from cyber attacks: Khulaifi courage people of all age groups it, the statement added. to exercise regularly. The events The participating entities should not include public per- should fill up the application QNA threats and cyber attacks on lective effort with concerned en- not committing to it. Hamoud added that there formances. form and send it to nsdmcs. DOHA State agencies organised by the tities to fight the menace. He added that the Informa- are many other services pro- It also said the events must gov.qa. Information Security Center at Major Mahmoud Salah tion Security Center is taking a vided by the centre, including promote awareness among the In order to continue to QATAR is working to estab- the Ministry of Interior (MoI) Ibrahim from the Electronic Se- number of initiatives aimed at identification of security gaps in participants of the importance achieve goals of Sports Day, lish a comprehensive mecha- on Sunday. curity Unit, a number of officers strengthening the cybersecu- entities working with the minis- of sport and its role in the lives the ministry has also called for nism that ensures foolproof He highlighted the impor- from the ministry and repre- rity in the country in general, try to fill it. of individuals and communi- avoiding long hours of exercise security for major events such tance of the role played by the sentatives from different enti- not just in the Ministry of In- Infrastructure head at In- ties, adding that the proposed on that day, which may cause as the World Cup, said Direc- centre in cooperation with re- ties of the State also attended terior. According to him, 20 formation Security Center sporting events should be suit- physical stress and muscle inju- tor of Public Security Staff lated entities to tackle cyber the seminar. entities in Qatar were intercon- First Lieutenant Eng Abdul able for the ages and health ries in some participants. Major-General HE Saad bin threats to the State. Assistant head of Informa- nected electronically through Aziz Hamid al Marwani and conditions of the participants, The ministry has also called Jassim al Khulaifi. Expressing concern over the tion Security Center Major Os- the central operations room for Head of operations room at in terms of activities and dura- for avoiding holding activities in Khulaifi made the remarks alarming rise in cases of hacking man Salem al Hamoud said that electronic security in 2018 to Information Security Center tion, in order to avoid physical one place to avoid traffic con- at an awareness seminar on the taking place across the world on Qatar knows the significance of monitor transactions and foil Jaber Abdullah al Mannai also stress and injury. gestion. lessons learned from the latest a daily basis, he called for a col- cybersecurity and the danger of hacking attempts. spoke on the occasion. Over 1,500 pregnant women receive care Dreama hones skills of staff dealing with orphans at WWRC’s diabetes clinic every month TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK dren and foster families. DOHA The workshop addressed TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK at high risk of developing obe- the methods of dealing with the DOHA sity and type 2 diabetes later in THE Orphan Care Center orphan child and foster fami- life,” said Dr Bashir. ‘Dreama’ organised a train- lies from a number of pivots, THE expanded diabetes clinic Dr Bashir added that ges- ing workshop for the special- including the most important at Hamad Medical Corpora- tational diabetes can be con- ists and social service and care factors which should be consid- tion’s (HMC) Women’s Well- trolled through healthy eating providers. The course was de- ered when being in touch with ness and Research Center and regular exercise. livered by psychiatrist and so- the children, assisting the spe- (WWRC) provide care to be- He, however, noted that ciologist consultant Dr Nada cialists in being sympathetic to- tween 1,500 and 1,700 preg- diet and exercise are not suffi- al Taibah. wards such children and share nant women each month. cient to control the condition in The workshop held at Qa- their feelings and the impor- Dr Mohamed Bashir, endo- all women as blood sugar levels tar National Convention Cen- tance of listening to the child. crine consultant at HMC, said depend on the individual. tre (QNCC) recently aimed to Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser over 18,000 women diagnosed “The importance of control- promote the efficiency of the al Misnad, executive director of with a thyroid condition, endo- ling diet in pregnancy cannot participants in dealing with the Dreama, said one of the key ob- crine disorder or diabetes prior be over-emphasised, which is orphans and the foster families jectives of Dreama is enhanc- to or during their pregnancy are Over 20 staff comprised of endocrinologists, podiatrists, dietitians, education specialists, physicians, why the role of our dietitians and develop methods to ad- ing the efficiency of the staff treated at the clinic each year. nurses, pharmacists and technicians, all work together to improve diabetes management and prevention and diabetes educators is so dress the needs of the orphans. and social service providers He added that the clinic in pregnant women at the WWRC’s diabetes clinic. vital to the service we offer our It focused on specialised dealing with orphans, adding now serves as the third Nation- patients,” he said. technologies to support or- that she hoped that the work- al Diabetes Center at HMC. patient Department, is dedi- Dr Bashir noted that the He explained that gesta- He added that for most phans, effective communica- shop would enable attendees The National Diabetes cated solely to caring for clinic has seen a significant tional diabetes is first seen in a women with gestational dia- tion with them, in addition to to adopt scientific methods to Center at Hamad General Hos- pregnant women at risk of or increase in the number of pa- pregnant woman who did not betes, the condition goes away building team workto provide psychologically prepare or- pital was opened in 2013 and living with diabetes. tients received each month have diabetes before she was soon after delivery. necessary psychological and phans for their new social sta- receives about 2,000 adult and Over 20 staff comprised of since it first opened in 2014. pregnant. He said when it does not go social support for Dreama chil- tus at an early age. 700 paediatric patients each endocrinologists, podiatrists, Initially located at Women’s He said if not controlled, away, the condition is reclassi- month. dietitians, education special- Hospital, the clinic cared for the condition can place a wom- fied as type 2 diabetes and the The National Diabetes ists, physicians, nurses, phar- around 600 patients each an and her baby at risk of seri- affected woman is advised to Center at Al Wakra Hospital macists and technicians, all month when first operational. ous health complications. commence diabetes treatment opened a year later, in 2014, work together to improve dia- “We are glad to have moved “Diabetes can cause prob- immediately. and receives approximately betes management and preven- to this new space at the WWRC, lems during pregnancy for “Our mission at the WWRC 400 patients each month. Of- tion in pregnant women. which is almost double the size both the woman and her de- National Diabetes Center is to fering a multi-disciplinary “Since we relocated to the of our old clinic. We now have veloping baby. Poor control help women achieve successful approach to patient care, the Women’s Wellness and Re- the capacity to attend to more of diabetes during pregnancy pregnancies by providing them National Diabetes Centers pro- search Center, we have seen an patients as our number of clin- increases the chance of birth with the right education to self- vide patients with improved ac- increase in the number of wom- ics has increased. Our physi- defects and other problems manage their condition. While cess to specialised treatment, en requesting our services. On cians now conduct 10 clinics such as congenital deficits, loss some women with gestational delivering a range of services average, each year, we receive weekly, while our educators of pregnancy, high blood pres- diabetes may need medication, from initial screening through up to 18,000 pregnant women and dietitians hold 20 clinics sure or complications during the role of controlling their to treatment, health education who have been diagnosed with each per week,” he added. delivery, including premature diet, maintaining a healthy and the provision of medication a thyroid condition, endocrine According to him, there birth, fetal death, large babies weight, and managing their and equipment. disorder, and/or diabetes, prior are three main types of diabe- and cesarean section. Addi- blood pressure and blood sugar The WWRC’s Center, lo- to or during, pregnancy,” said tes, type 1, type 2, and gesta- tionally, children who are born levels is extremely important,” cated on Level 1 of its Out- Dr Bashir. tional diabetes. to mothers with diabetes are Dr Bashir said. Participants at a training workshop organised by Dreama recently. ‘Al Dosari Park visitors’ number to more than double’

Continued from page 1 Ô nation of entertainment, herit- Doha,” he said, adding that that blossom in Qatari envi- age and education,” he said. talks are on to increase the fre- ronment,” he said. THE park currently receives Work on the new buildings quency during the World Cup. The park, which already 170,000 visitors a year and the will start soon, he said, adding Dosari revealed that many features picnic areas, animal number is expected to more that all expansion work will new pieces related to Qatari safari park, a zoo, an amuse- than double in the run-up to be completed well before the folklore will be added to its ment park as well as heritage the World Cup, he added. World Cup kicks off. heritage section once the exhi- and maritime museums, is “On Fridays and holidays, Dosari said special ar- bition section is ready. also fast becoming a popular the park receives more than rangements have already been “Currently, we have 100 place for indulging in ancient 3,000 visitors. This number made with Mowasalat to pro- such items, which will be in- games like racing and jogging will increase manifold during vide frequent, reliable bus Mohamed Mater al Dosari. creased for the visitors to in gables and rope, animal the period of the World Cup. service from different parts of know more about Qatar’s past. riding competition and en- The Director of the Center for Strategic Studies, Dr Hamad Moham- So, we have many plans for Doha to the park. it easier for tourists to visit We also have plans to expand durance and imitation of the med al Marri, meets with the General Director of the Arab Center for the World Cup. Our idea is to “The upcoming metro sta- the park. Currently, there is the Qatar environment plant sounds of animals and poetry Research and Policy Studies, Azmi Bishara. (TNN) make the park an ideal combi- tion in Shahaniya will make a Karwa bus every hour from section to include all plants competition. Nation Monday, January 7, 2019 03 QA launches global promo to spur MARRI MEETS US ATTORNEYS tourists to explore new destinations The promotion covers all QA flights booked from January 7 to 16, 2019 TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK The promotion covers all all our passengers to start plan- of more than 160 destinations. DOHA Qatar Airways flights booked ning their next trip with this “We are also committed to from January 7 to 16, 2019, exciting global promotion offer- bringing people from around QATAR Airways has announced for travel between January 7 ing extensive discounts across the world to Doha, not only to its latest global sales promotion and May 25, 2019. Passengers all cabin classes on all flights. experience our five-star gateway designed to inspire passen- who book during the promo- No matter where passengers Hamad International Airport gers to explore new and excit- tion period can enjoy up to 35 choose to travel, when they ex- during transit, but also to make ing destinations in 2019. Qatar percent off on flights and will perience a new destination first- Qatar a holiday destination of Airways’ passengers can en- also receive double Qmiles and hand, they become the author choice for our passengers.” joy exclusive discounts during Qpoints in premium and 50 of their own unique story. With To take advantage of this this special promotion, where percent Qmiles and Qpoints in this new promotion, passengers offer, passengers can visit qa- every journey to a destination economy classes. can easily choose their next tarairways.com/adventure or becomes an unforgettable chap- Qatar Airways Chief Com- adventure and are truly spoilt any Qatar Airways sales of- The Attorney General HE Dr Ali bin Fetais al Marri met with a number of US attorneys, currently visiting ter, an experience that will cre- mercial Officer, Ehab Amin, for choice with Qatar Airways’ fice, or contact their nearest Doha on Sunday. During the meeting, they exchanged views on a number of legal issues of mutual con- ate exciting stories to tell. said: “We are delighted to invite ever-expanding global network travel agent. cern, as well as means to strengthen future cooperation between the two countries. (QNA) MoCI recalls Cadillac CTS 2014 models QRCS builds self-contained

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK coordinate with the dealer to village for Sri Lankan IDPs DOHA follow up on the maintenance and repair works and to com- THE Ministry of Commerce municate with customers to TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK and Industry, in collabora- ensure that the necessary re- DOHA tion with Mannai Trading pairs are carried out. Company W.L.L, dealer of The ministry has urged QATAR Red Crescent Soci- Cadillac vehicles in Qatar, all customers to report any ety (QRCS) has completed a has recalled Cadillac CTS violation to its Consumer project to establish a residen- models of 2014 to 2016 over Protection and Anti-Com- tial village for 800 internally possible defect in the front mercial Fraud Department, displaced people (IDPs) in seats’ heating system. which processes complaints, Sri Lanka. The ministry said the re- inquiries and suggestions Built at a total cost of call comes within its ongoing through Call Centre: 16001, $486,619,which was donated efforts to protect consumers email: [email protected], by a Qatari benefactor who and ensure that car dealers Twitter: @ MOCIQATAR, requested anonymity, the new follow up on vehicle defects Instagram: MOCIQATAR, village is located in Riditen- and repairs. mobile app for Android and na, Valaichchenai Province, The ministry promised to IOS: MEC_Qatar eastern Sri Lanka. It comprises 56 2-BHK housing units, each with a 250-litre water tank. Besides, there is a mosque, a public The new village is located in Riditenna, Valaichchenai Province, eastern Sri Lanka, built at a total cost of $486,619,which was donated by a school, a health unit and two Qatari benefactor. shops in the village. An artesian well was dug and equipped with home villages, after years of community leaders and the the school are fully furnished, lived in makeshift shelters. As a solar-powered pump and a displacement, QRCS said in a project’s manager. and the health unit has all the the conflict came to an end, 10,000-litre tank. press statement. A construction company needed medical equipment. they started returning home, Implemented in coopera- In February 2018, a del- was awarded the contract af- After the end of operation, the just to find totally destroyed tion with Serendib Founda- egation from QRCS held the ter a public tender. To ensure health facility will be handed houses and public utilities. tion for Relief and Develop- ceremony to break ground more transparency, onsite su- over to the government, to en- An integrated repatriation ment, the project provides a for the project. It was at- pervisors were appointed, and sure its sustainability. scheme was adopted by the convenient environment for tended by the Minister of weekly follow-up visits were Sri Lanka suffered an government to reconstruct the the populations that were dis- Rehabilitation and Resettle- made by QRCS personnel and armed conflict that displaced damaged areas, rehabilitate placed due to armed conflict. ment, Mayor of Batticaloa, the partners. thousands of people to neigh- infrastructure and support Now, they can return to their head of the municipality, local The houses, the mosque and bouring provinces, where they livelihoods.

Tamuq officials and alumni at a gathering in Doha recently. Qatar Charity organises ‘entertainment day’ Tamuq hosts alumni to discuss student success for children of expatriate communities TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK TEXAS A&M University ‘former students’. DOHA at Qatar (Tamuq) alumni Mariam al Meer, a Class and university leaders re- of 2012 chemical engineering THE Friends Cultural Center cently gathered together to graduate who is now a com- (FCC), Qatar Charity’s (QC) reconnect and discuss vari- mercial advisor at Qatar Shell, community development ous aspects of student and said, “Thank you to Texas centre, recently organised an alumni success. A&M at Qatar for this oppor- ‘entertainment day’ for the Engagement with gradu- tunity to reconnect with the children of the expatriate com- ates—as well as the feedback university and other gradu- munities in Qatar. they provide—is of great im- ates. I really enjoyed connect- As many as 75 stu- portance to the branch cam- ing with former students and dents from 10 schools pus, which takes great pride in university faculty and staff. I across Qatar participated in the achievements of its gradu- am always proud to be a Texas the programme. ates, which Texas A&M calls A&M at Qatar graduate!” (TNN) An array of activities, in- cluding arts display, recital of stories and poems, cultural competitions and cookery sessions were held as part of the entertainment day organ- ised during the mid-academic year vacation. 75 students from 10 schools across Qatar participated in the programme. Habeebu Rahima Kun- nath, direct or of the FCC, their talents with peers. between the members of the FCC was established by dren and students. The centre said the entertainment day Liji Abdulla, the coordina- communities and upgrading QC in 2004 to strengthen the includes a library containing focused on raising cultural tor of the programme, under- the educational levels of the cultural interaction among thousands of books in a num- awareness among children scored the importance of chil- participating children. members of the various Asian ber of languages. aged 4-10 years, developing dren’s participation in such The children expressed communities in Qatar. The The centre holds its ac- their talents, broadening their activities in improving their their happiness at participat- centre has benefited more tivities in social, cultural and experiences and utilising their skills and discovering new ing in the event and said they than 46,500 people over the educational areas, in addition leisure time by holding educa- young talents. looked forward to more such past three years. to providing great attention tional and entertainment pro- She added that such events activities in the future. Parents FCC organises activi- to family-related programmes grammes, which were aimed play a crucial role in strength- too applauded the activities ties for all components of the and supporting workers at creating a social atmos- ening cultural and social ties, FCC organised for children Asian communities in Qatar, through various projects phere for children to share promoting communication during their holidays. including men, women, chil- throughout the year.

FALCONERS CONTINUE TO SLUG IT OUT ON 2ND DAY OF 10TH MARMI FESTIVAL 04 Monday, January 7, 2019 Nation Real treat awaits TV Indonesian restaurant series lovers on OSN opens at Souq Al Wakra TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

OSN, the region’s leading en- tertainment network, will be kicking off the new year with blockbuster entertainment for the whole family. From the highly anticipated new seasons of The Blacklist, Suits, True Detective, Deadly Class, Strike Back, Brooklyn Nine and more, OSN promises to light up viewers’ entertain- ment with irresistible, fresh and exclusive programming this A scene from True Detective. January. OSN’s new year line- up offers more than 35 new and returning series. Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar HE Air Marshal (Ret) Muhammad Basri Sidehabi and Madame Andi Una Sidehabi and other guests attended OSN customers can also the opening of Tofu & Cake Restaurant’s third branches at Souq Al Wakra. watch and catch up on their fa- vourites anytime, anywhere and TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ative of the president of Indo- spicy sambal), among others. on any device with OSN Play. DOHA nesian Community Association According to Chef Ani Su- The list of the top seven in- in Qatar (PERMIQA), as well as tarli, wife of Lili Sutarli, owner clude brand new series and re- TOFU lovers are in for a treat the invitees from Indonesian of Tofu & Cake Restaurant, turning favourites. as Tofu & Cake Restaurant re- community members. the branch is surrounded The brand new series fea- cently opened its third branch- Apart from tofu, the restau- by ample parking space and ture Deadly Class, season 1 es at Souq Al Wakra. rant also features Indonesian mosques for praying, which is from the directors of Aveng- The opening ceremony was culinary such as Nasi Kuning located in the heart of tourist ers: Infinity War. The brand attended by Indonesian Am- (steamed yellow rice), Nasi destination spot near seaside new coming-of-age drama set bassador to Qatar HE Air Mar- Timbel (wrapped steam rice), beach in Al Wakra. against the backdrop of late shal (Ret) Muhammad Basri Pecel Lele (catfish spicy sam- “Our tofu is so special be- 1980s counterculture follows a Sidehabi and Madame Andi bal), Cuanki (dumpling soup), cause that is made out of natu- disillusioned teen recruited into A scene from Luther. Una Sidehabi, accompanied by Karedok (vegetable salad with ral ingredients, has good tex- a storied high school for assas- Talal, company’s sponsor. peanut sauce), Batagor (fried tures, healthy to be consumed sins. The movie will premieres miere on Monday, January 7 at The event was also attended Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar dumpling with peanut sauce), and the most important thing on Monday, January 28 at 9pm 6pm (KSA), exclusively on OSN by Indonesian Embassy’s staff HE Air Marshal (Ret) Muhammad chicken & beef satays, Dendeng is that the prices are affordable (KSA), exclusively on OSN First Series First HD. with their spouses, a represent- Basri Sidehabi. Balado (fried crispy beef with compare to others,” she said. HD Home of HBO. Les Mis- True Detective, season 3 a erables is a brand new six-part seasonal anthology series star- adaptation of Victor Hugo’s ring Academy Award winner French historical novel, starring Mahershala Ali (Moonlight and Dominic West, David Oyelowo, House of Cards) in which police Lily Collins and Olivia Colman. investigations unearth the per- An epic story of love, injustice, sonal and professional secrets redemption and hope, set in of those involved, both within 1815, when France had been and outside the law, will pre- defeated at the battle of Water- miere on Monday, January 14 loo. Premieres Sunday, 13 Janu- at 10pm (KSA), exclusively on ary at 8pm (KSA) on BBC First Les Miserables. OSN First HD Home of HBO. available only on OSN. Brooklyn Nine, season 6 The returning favourites season 3, Brooklyn Nine, sea- will premiere on Sunday, Janu- include The Blacklist, season 6, son 6 and Luther, season 5. ary 20 at 9pm (KSA), exclusive- Suits, season 8, True Detective, Suits, season 8 will pre- ly on OSN Series Comedy HD. BPS holds workshops to hone teachers’ skills TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

BIRLA Public School (BPS) organised a two-day work- shop for teachers and aca- demic leaders at its Abu Hamour campus recently. Member of the Central Board of Secondary Educa- tion (CBSE) Governing Coun- cil and Principal of Ahlcon International School in New Delhi, Ashok Kumar Pandey conducted the workshops. The first workshop was on Participants at a workshop at Birla Public School’s Abu Hamour campus recently. ‘Magical Classrooms’, during which Pandey, through a dig- teachers, teachers do need to create conducive atmosphere should look for a potential heads of departments, aca- AL SHOUMOUKH INT’L ACADEMY CELEBRATES QATAR: Al Shou- ital presentation, highlighted be smart enough to adapt to for ‘magical classrooms’. scientist within every student. demic and year coordinators moukh International Academy celebrates Qatari heritage and culture the qualities of a tech-savvy new technologies. Pandey also conducted a The second day workshop of Birla Public School were recently with the participation of students, parents and staff. As part teacher who uses technology He stressed that an in- seminar for science teachers was on ‘Being a Leader: In- told to lead by example. of the event, students sang patriotic songs and performed traditional to create a student’s inter- quisitive teacher with a con- of grade I to grade XII, stress- spire by Doing’, during which Following the workshops dances as well as a drama.Al Shoumoukh International Academy is a est in the subject. Pandey, stant craving for learning and ing that science teaching the senior leadership team of held in the school audito- modern British school in Rawdat Al Hamama, Qatar, which follows the however, added that though positive approach can connect should focus on the problems the school comprising vice rium, fun activities were UK curriculum. (TNN) smart boards cannot replace with students and can help of the society while teachers principals, headmistresses, also held.

QSCCB awareness seminar discusses independence of the visually impaired QNA DOHA

QATAR Social and Cultural Center for the Blind (QSCCB), affiliated to the Ministry of Culture and Sports, has concluded its spring activities with a seminar on the independence of the blind, which is part of the centre’s quest to spread awareness among its blind and visually impaired members and to help them overcome the obstacles and difficulties faced by them. During the seminar, Professor Hussein Khalil, a member of the centre and director of the Foundation of Friends with Visual Im- pairment, introduced the white cane and its importance for the blind to the attendees and also explained the basis for selecting the ap- propriate stick for each blind. The white cane is a symbol of the inde- pendence of the unsighted and visually im- paired and a means to help the blind to know the variables around them, discover their surroundings and warn them of surprises. It also reminds us to exercise the manners in our dealings with the blind, by providing assistance to them and securing the road and giving them a chance to move around unhindered. During the seminar, the smart stick was introduced to participants. It differs from the conventional stick, being equipped with sensors that measure the distance and there is a vibration alert, which helps their user to know about and overcome obstacles before reaching them. Mohamed Bousharideh and Aythar Mo- hamed were honoured as distinguished mem- bers of 2018 during the event. Monday, January 7, 2019 05 Reports by Santhosh Chandran For events and press releases email Indian Experience [email protected] or call (974) 4000 2222

Excitement runs high in run-up to Kerala forum Qatar-India Year of Culture events pays tributes to ex-MLA blend of the two scripts. The focus of most of the programmes The Vice President of In- lined up for the grand event in upcom- dian Cultural Centre AP Man- ikantan said that Qatar India Simon Britto ing months will be on discovering and Cultural Year will strengthen deep-rooted cultural ties be- celebrating the cultural affinity -be tween both countries and NDIAN socio-cultural organisation, San- open a new platform to know skriti, paid tributes to Simon Britto, a former tween Qatar and India more about each other’s their member of Kerala Legislative Assembly, who culture and tradition from Ipassed away in the Indian state of Kerala, different perspectives. “These recently. He ITH the Qatar Mu- happy to partner with Qatar cultural interactions will bring was 64. seums announcing Museums for the Qatar-India the people together and make In a con- India as the official 2019 Year of Culture ‘ and the relationship between both dolence mes- partner-nation for look forward to organising a the countries even stronger”. sage, San- the 2019 Year of number of cultural events in Some of the key events skriti said Culture,W 2019 promises to be a the course of the year, in a to look forward to in India that Britto milestone year for cultural ac- manner that effectively show- Indian Ambassador The Vice President of Indian include “The Monsoon Wed- had been a tivities in Qatar. cases the deep cultural roots HE P Kumaran Cultural Centre AP Manikantan ding” musical, which is sched- source of in- The upcoming months will and people-to-people links uled to take place in January spiration for witness an array of cultural between India and Qatar over 2019 in New Delhi, and a con- social work- programme--exhibitions, fes- the ages. These events will temporary Art Qatar Exhibi- ers and poli- tivals, competitions and other tion – a landmark exhibition ticians alike events--taking place in Qatar showcasing Qatar’s rapid so- for more as also in India. The focus of The upcoming months will cial and urban transforma- than three most of these programmes witness an array of cultural tion as seen through the eyes decades of will be on discovering and cel- programme--exhibitions, fes- of talented emerging artists his active ebrating cultural similarities, from the country. life. He was as well as promoting cultural tivals, competitions and As for the events taking a good orator and educational exchanges other events--taking place place in Qatar, the residents as well. between the two countries. in Qatar as also in India. and visitors will be able to en- A victim Simon Britto The carefully curated pro- The focus of most of these joy the Year of Culture experi- of violent grammes are specially de- programmes will be on dis- ence at the Doha Internation- campus politics, Britto had been confined to signed to promote mutual covering and celebrating al Book Fair 2019 where India a wheelchair following a spinal injury from a understanding, recognition cultural similarities will be the Guest of Honour. knife wound sustained in 1983 during a clash and appreciation between the Other highlights include an when he was a student leader. He had repre- two friendly nations with his- exhibition by Raqs Media sented the Anglo-Indian community from 2006 torical ties. Qatar-India 2019 Collective, which makes con- to 2011as a nominated member of the Kerala Year of Culture programme cover a wide range of activi- of the preparations, the Em- and varied festivals that are temporary art, edits books Legislative Assembly. will invite people in Qatar and ties including dance perfor- bassy will be working closely held throughout the year, of- and curates exhibitions, and A ‘living martyr’ of student’s leftist move- India to find out their cultural mances, musical presenta- with the Indian community fer a unique way of seeing In- a ‘Festival of India’ event that ment in Kerala, Britto travelled across the similarities, as well as cel- tions, film festivals, painting organisations in Qatar.” dian culture at its best. The will feature a range of visual country. He had also authored two novels and ebrate their differences. and photography exhibitions, The Qatar India 2019 logo Devanagari font, one of the arts and performances such written articles on a number of topics. One of Speaking about the event, food festivals, fashion shows, reflects how festivals are at most popular fonts for writ- as classical dance and music the Britto novels, “Agragami” had won Sakti Indian Ambassador to Qatar calligraphy exhibitions, tex- the heart of people’s lives in ing Hindi, is combined with (both Indian and Western), as and Patyam Gopalan awards. HE P Kumaran said, “We are tiles display and yoga. As part India. In fact, the numerous Arabic to create a harmonious well as cinema and theatre. Indian expat wins ‘lifetime achievement award’ OHA-BASED entrepre- cational and social fields over award while the global presi- neur MP Hassan Kunhi the last four decades. He is dent of United Human Care has been conferred also heading many business International S Selvin Kumar D‘lifetime achievement ventures and serving the com- presented to him the Lincoln award’ by United Human Care munity as the chairman of excellence badge. International in the USA in Anti-Smoking Society. The event was attended by recognition of his outstand- The award was presented prominent Indian community ing entrepreneurial skills and at a glittering ceremony held leader MS Bukhari and Sumit commendable services in vari- at the Crowne Plaza hotel Malhotra. Abdu Samad Samadani releases special edition of “Chandrika Qatar” by handing over a copy to Syrian artist Zeina Abbara at a function in ous fields. Doha over the weekend. The Mediaplus CEO Amanulla Doha, recently. Hasan Kunhi has proved Indian Ambassador to Qa- Vadakkangara conducted the Malayalam newspaper’s his mettle in business, edu- tar P Kumaran presented the proceedings. special issue released NDIAN vernacular news- edition. on the occasion. paper, “Chandrika Qatar”, Indian politician, writer Speaking on the occa- The event was attended published its special an- and orator Abdu Samad sion, Samadani said that the by “Chandrika Qatar” Gov- Inual edition in Malayalam Samadani released the vernacular languages in In- erning Body Chairman and in Doha recently. seventh annual edition by dia have played a vital role member of Kerala Legisla- Indian politician, writer handing over a copy to in promoting and enriching tive Assembly Parakkal Ab- and orator Abdu Samad Sa- Syrian artist Zeina Abbara the pluralistic culture of the dullah, President of Kerala madani released the seventh country. Muslim Cultural Centre SAM annual edition by handing at a function attended by The special issue carries Basheer, Vice President of over a copy to Syrian artist prominent Indian commu- articles on sports, politics, Indian Community Benevo- Zeina Abbara at a function nity leaders. art, literature and photo fea- lent Forum PN Baburajan, attended by prominent In- tures about Qatar’s marine Director of Friends Cultural dian community leaders. by Indian civil rights activist traditions by noted photog- Centre Habeeb Rehman An interview of a Booker and journalist Teesta Setal- rapher Shiraz Sithara. Kizhissery and Resident Prize winning Indian writer vad was the cover story and Noted expatriate painter Editor of Chandrika Qatar Indian Ambassador HE P Kumaran presents the ‘lifetime achievement award’ of United Human Care Inter- and activist Arundhati Roy key attraction of the special Palathil was also honoured Ashraff Thoonery. national USA to MP Hassan Kunhi, at a function in Doha, recently.

Blood donation to save lives

A blood donation camp was organised by Blood Donors Kerala Qatar chapter and Hamad Medical Corporation in association with IBIN Ajayan Projects on Thursday as part of New Year celebrations at Asian Town. About 100 blood donors participated in the event. 06 Monday, January 7, 2019 Pakistan / S Asia / Philippines / SE Asia

Taliban refuse to Pakistan PM hold peace talks 30 killed in Afghan Imran meets UAE crown with US in Riyadh prince, secures gold mine collapse $3 billion aid Taliban say Saudi Arabia wants them to meet Afghan government, which they can’t do now AFP Seven other workers hurt in the incident in the Kohestan district of Badakhshan province ISLAMABAD REUTERS sure in favour of the Western- PESHAWAR backed Afghan government THE red carpet was rolled having a seat at the table. out for Abu Dhabi’s Crown THE Taliban will not attend “We were supposed to Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin planned peace talks with the meet US officials in Riyadh Zayed Al-Nahyan in Islama- United States in Saudi Arabia next week and continue our bad on Sunday, just weeks this month, Taliban officials peace process that remained after his country offered $3 said on Sunday, seeking to incomplete in Abu Dhabi billion to support Pakistan’s fend off Riyadh’s push to in- last month,” a senior Taliban battered economy. clude the Afghan government member based in Afghanistan In a rare gesture, Prime in talks. told Reuters on condition of Minister Imran Khan met al The upcoming negotia- anonymity. Nahyan at the Pakistan Air tions, the fourth in a series “The problem is that lead- Force base and a formation aimed at ending the 17-year ers of Saudi Arabia and the of air force jets marked his United Arab Emirates (UAE) arrival with a flyby. The problem is wanted us to definitely meet The crown prince was that leaders of the Afghan government del- also presented with a guard egation, which we cannot af- of honour by a contingent of Saudi Arabia and the UAE ford to do now, and we have Pakistani armed forces. wanted us to definitely cancelled the meeting in Saudi Arabia,” he said. meet the Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabi- government delegation, hullah Mujahid confirmed the which we cannot afford group has decided to cancel the meeting in Saudi Arabia, but to do now, and we have did not provide information cancelled the meeting about a new meeting venue. The United States embassy in Saudi Arabia in Afghanistan did not imme- Senior Taliban member diately respond to a request for comment. Another senior Taliban war in Afghanistan, are sched- leader said the group had ex- Prime Minister Imran Khan uled between the leaders of plained to Saudi Arabia that it the Taliban and US special was not possible for the Tali- The United Arab Emir- envoy Zalmay Khalilzad to dis- ban to meet the Afghan gov- ates is Pakistan’s largest cuss the withdrawal of foreign ernment at this stage. trading partner in the Mid- forces and a possible ceasefire “Everyone is aware of the dle East and a major invest- in 2019. fact that the Afghan govern- ment source, Pakistan’s Leaders of the hardline Is- ment wanted the US and its (File photo) Villagers had dug a 60-metre (200-feet) deep shaft in a river bed to search for gold. They were inside when the walls fell in. foreign ministry said in a lamic militant group have re- allies not to leave Afghanistan statement ahead of the visit. jected the Kabul government’s and we have paid a heavy price AFP while those of the dead will get More than 1.5 million offer for direct talks, despite to expel all foreign forces from KUNDUZ Families of the wounded will receive 10,000 50,000 afghanis, he said. Pakistanis live in the gulf growing international pres- our country,” he said. afghanis (about $130) in compensation, while Badakhshan is a remote, state and send millions of AT least 30 people were killed those of the dead will get 50,000 afghanis mountainous province in dollars in remittances back when a gold mine collapsed northeast Afghanistan bor- home, it added. in northeastern Afghanistan dering Tajikistan, China and The crown prince last on Sunday, officials said, in trapping dozens of workers,” ers have already started re- Pakistan. visited Pakistan in January the latest tragedy to strike the Raghi said. moving bodies from the site.” The impoverished region 2007. war-torn country. “At least 30 people have Defense ministry helicopters is prone to landslides, par- Al Nahyan, who is also Another seven were injured been killed and seven wound- have been dispatched to de- ticularly in the colder months deputy chief of the UAE’s in the incident in Kohistan dis- ed.” It was not clear why the liver cash to the families of the when heavy snow blankets the armed forces, had a “one- trict of Badakhshan province, shaft collapsed, but the pro- victims and airlift the wound- province. on-one meeting” with Khan, district governor Mohammad vincial governor’s spokesman ed to hospitals, said Hashmat Illegal mining is common followed by delegation-level Rustam Raghi told AFP. Nik Mohammad Nazari told Bahaduri, spokesman for the in resource-rich Afghanistan, talks, the statement said. Villagers had dug a 60-me- AFP the miners were not pro- National Disaster Manage- with the Taliban relying on the “They resolved to take all tre (200-feet) deep shaft in a fessionals. ment Authority. sector for much of its revenue. necessary measures to deal river bed to search for gold. “The villagers have been in- Bahaduri confirmed the But most of the country’s with matters related to trade They were inside when the volved in this business for dec- casualty toll, but warned the minerals remain untapped as enhancement, and decided to walls fell in. ades with no government con- figures could change. the raging conflict and lack of form a Task Force to achieve “The people were using trol over them,” Nazari said. Families of the wounded regulation deter international this objective,” said a joint Taliban members walk as they celebrate ceasefire in Ghanikhel district an excavator to dig a big hole “We have sent a rescue will receive 10,000 afghanis miners from exploiting the statement issued after talks. of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan on June 16, 2018. (REUTERS) in the river when it collapsed, team to the area, but villag- (about $130) in compensation, huge reserves. B’desh PM Hasina appoints 47-member cabinet Philippine storm death toll climbs to 126 The new ministers will AFP poured more than a month’s be sworn in today MANILA worth of rainfall in the Bicol re- gion,” national disaster agency DPA THE death toll from a storm spokesman Edgar Posadas told DHAKA that devastated the Philip- AFP, using the local name for pines shortly after Christmas the storm which had weakened BANGLADESH’S re-elected rose to 126, authorities said into a low pressure area. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday, adding landslides “Our search and retrieval has named the members of caused by torrential rain were operations are ongoing but her new cabinet after securing the top cause. the sticky mud and the unsta- a third consecutive term in last The storm hit central and ble soil are a challenge.” The month’s election, an official eastern Philippine islands on death toll was likely to climb said on Sunday. December 29 and caused mas- further with 26 people still The new ministers will be sive flooding and landslides. missing, Posadas added. sworn in during a ceremony at More than 100 people died in More than 152,000 people the Bangabhaban presidential Bangladeshi left wing activists during a protest against the allegedly fraudulent victory of the ruling Awami the mountainous Bicol region were displaced by the storm palace in the capital Dhaka on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina League in the recent general election, in Dhaka, recently. (AFP) southeast of Manila, regional and 75 were injured, accord- Monday, spokesman Moham- disaster officials said. ing to the national disaster mad Shafiul Alam said. Foreign Minister Abul to replace Abul Maal Abdul the allegations. Mujibur Rahman, founder of While the Bicol region is agency. Thirty-one of the 47 cabi- Hassan Mahmood Ali will be Muhith, who has been running The opposition alliance of independent Bangladesh, was often hit by deadly typhoons, President Rodrigo Duterte net members are new faces in replaced by Abul Kalam Ab- the ministry for nearly 10 years. jailed former prime minister assassinated in 1975. She has many people failed to take nec- visited the storm-hit areas on government, he added. Be- dul Momen, who was Bangla- Hasina’s ruling Awami Khaleda Zia rejected the elec- already served three five-year essary precautions because the Friday and urged officials to sides her role as premier, desh’s permanent representa- League party won 259 seats in tion results, asking the author- tenures as prime minister storm was not strong enough build evacuation centres in- Hasina, 71, will be in charge of tive to the United Nations for the 300-seat parliament in the ities to arrange fresh polls un- of the South Asian country - to be rated as a typhoon under stead of using schools as shel- a few important ministries, in- six years until 2015. December 30 election, which der a neutral administration. 1996-2001, 2009-2014 and the government’s storm alert ters for the displaced. cluding defence, public admin- Former planning minis- was marred by violence and Hasina returned from ex- 2014-2018. She will be sworn system, according to civil de- About 20 typhoons and istration, energy, power and ter AFM Mustafa Kamal was allegations of rigging. ile to Bangladesh in 1981, six in for another five-year term fence officials. storms batter the Philippines mineral resources, Alam said. named as finance minister The government dismissed years after her father, Sheikh on Monday. “In two days alone, Usman each year.

Taiwan’s China-sceptic ruling party Malaysian king abdicates in historic first opts for moderate new leader AFP AFP “His majesty tells the peo- mad V’s move but there had TAIPEI KUALA LUMPUR ple of Malaysia to continue to been a question mark over be united to maintain unity, the king’s reign since he went TAIWAN’S ruling party elect- MALAYSIA’S king abdicated tolerance, and work togeth- on leave for medical treat- ed a new chairman on Sun- on Sunday in a historic first er,” said a statement from ment in November. day, choosing a moderate to for the country that ended the Comptroller of the Royal Reports in British and replace the post vacated by weeks of speculation about his Household, Wan Ahmad Russian media then surfaced President Tsai Ing-wen after a future after he took medical Dahlan Abdul Aziz. saying that he had married recent electoral mauling, in a leave and reportedly married Malaysia’s Islamic rul- the former Miss Moscow in vote closely watched by China a Russian ex-beauty queen. ers will now meet to decide the Russian capital in a lavish and the United States. Cho Jung-tai Sultan Muhammad V’s on the next king. Malaysia is ceremony. Tsai and her Democratic decision marks the first time a constitutional monarchy, Royal officials in Malaysia Progressive Party (DPP) won a chairmanship but stayed on a king has stepped aside dur- with a unique arrangement have so far not commented 2016 landslide poll, sweeping as president, staying above the ing his five-year term in the where the throne changes on the rumoured marriage, away a government that had fray in the vote to replace her. Muslim-majority country. hands every five years be- or given any details about the built much closer ties to China On Sunday evening the The national palace tween rulers of the nine Ma- state of the king’s health. over the previous decade. DPP announced it had chosen confirmed the resignation laysian states headed by cen- Speculation intensified But in November, Tsai’s Cho Jung-tai, a moderate con- with immediate effect of the turies-old Islamic royalty. about the king’s future after DPP suffered a string of de- sensus candidate backed by 49-year-old, who had been on The system has been in his medical leave officially feats in local elections, fuelled major party figures. the throne for two years and place since independence finished at the end of Decem- by a backlash over her domes- He comfortably defeated a was known for his fondness from Britain in 1957. ber, and the country’s Islamic tic reforms and deteriorating bid from an openly pro-inde- (File photo) Sultan Muhammad V during the opening ceremony of for four-wheel driving and Royal officials gave no royals reportedly held a spe- economic ties with China, Tai- pendence rival who had called the parliament in Kuala Lumpur recently. (AFP) other extreme sports. reason for Sultan Muham- cial meeting last week. wan’s largest market. for Tsai not to stand again in Tsai resigned the party next year’s presidential election. India / World Monday, January 7, 2019 07

News China passes law to have its own version of Islam in brief IANS plan to Sinicize Islam at a tal disease” that “needs to be ing, modern countries are BEIJING meeting on Saturday with cured.” China has come under secular and diverse in a glo- Rs11 crore illegal representatives from China’s heavy international criticism balized world. But the revival assets seized in CHINA has passed a law that eight Islamic associations,” for reportedly detaining over and spread of religion have K’ataka tax raids seeks to “Sinicize” Islam with- said a report in the Global 1 million Muslim Uighurs in somewhat impacted secular in five years and might do that Times. indoctrination camps in Xin- society. Fundamentalism has BENGALURU, Jan 6 (IANS) with other four religions in the “During the meeting, par- jiang. caused more religious violence Searches by Income-Tax country, according to the state ticipants agreed to guide Islam In the past, Beijing has and religious nationalism is sleuths on Karnataka’s four media. to be compatible with social- adopted heavy-handed meas- threatening countries’ legiti- super stars and three ace Under the all-powerful ism and implement measures ures with the authorities con- mate governments and lead- producers across the city Chinese President Xi Jinping, to Sinicize the religion. This is fiscating copies of the Quran, ing to social instability.” from January 3-5 resulted in China has heavily cracked China’s important act to ex- issuing diktats to Muslims “Governing religion is a seizure of undisclosed as- down on religion, especially plore ways of governing reli- not to grow beards, and not common challenge faced by all sets valued at Rs11 crore, Islam practised by most Uig- gion in modern countries,” the choose names for their wards modern countries. The main including Rs2.85 crore in hurs in the country’s Xinjiang report said. There are over 20 million Muslims in China. which sound “too Islamic.” purpose of China’s five-year cash and 25.3 kg gold jew- province who Beijing suspects There are over 20 million Defending the “Siniciza- plan to sinicize Islam is to seek ellery, said the department of having separatist and ex- Muslims in the country. Is- China. The other four are Tao- The top officials in the Chi- tion” of Islam move, the Glob- governance that tallies with on Sunday. tremist tendencies. lam is one of the five officially ism, Buddhism, Catholicism, nese government have often al Times in an opinionated Chinese practice, and it is not Incriminating evidence “China passed a five-year recognised religions in atheist and Protestantism. likened the religion to “men- report, said: “Generally speak- only limited to Islam.” found during the searches resulted in the defaulters admitting to Rs109 crore unaccounted income. (IANS) Chandrababu daydreaming Cong suspends ex-minister Sarve of becoming PM, says Modi Satyanarayana Akhilesh accuses BJP IANS HYDERABAD: The Congress VIJAYAWADA/NEW DELHI on Sunday suspended for- mer central minister Sarve PRIME Minister Narendra Satyanarayana from the Modi on Sunday said that party for making objection- of using CBI to serve Andhra Pradesh Chief Min- able remarks against the ister N. Chandrababu Naidu top party leaders during a is daydreaming of becoming meeting. Prime Minister and alleged The Disciplinary that he backstabbed TDP Committee of Telangana founder and his father-in-law Pradesh Congress Commit- NT Rama Rao twice. tee (TPCC) took the action political purposes For the second time in less against Sarve after he than a week, Modi launched a attacked All India Congress direct attack on Telugu Desam Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Committee secretary and The investigating agency searches 14 locations in the mining scam Party (TDP) President. in-charge of party affairs in During a video-conference Front, but today his son-in- Telangana RC Khuntia and with workers of Bharatiya Ja- law bowed his head before party’s state unit president nata Party from five Lok Sabha Congress to save his power. Uttam Kumar Reddy. (IANS) constituencies, he said Naidu NTR was a true icon of Telugu backstabbed NTR for a second pride. NTR never forgot Con- Taiwan’s ruling time by joining hands with the gress for hurting Telugu pride party opts for Congress. He said Naidu was and for betrayal of Telugu in- moderate leader daydreaming of becoming PM terests. Today those in power though he had failed as the in Andhra Pradesh are so des- TAIPEI: Taiwan’s ruling chief minister. perate to cling to their power party elected a new chair- “It was NTR who led ‘Con- that they betrayed Telugu in- man on Sunday, choosing gress-mukt’ Bharat movement terests and stabbed NTR in the a moderate to replace the with anti-Congress National back for second a time.” post vacated by President Tsai Ing-wen after a recent electoral mauling, in a vote closely watched by China and the United States. PM Modi ‘incompetent’ man TSAI and her Democratic Progressive Party won a who listens to nobody: Rahul 2016 landslide poll, sweep- ing away a government that IANS Earlier, in a Facebook post, had built much closer ties NEW DELHI the Congress President also took to China over the previous on Modi on the BJP-ruled Guja- decade. (AFP) CALLING Prime Minister Nar- rat government’s treatment of endra Modi “an incompetent its farmers after several of them Iran, Russia plan man who listens to nobody”, were injured when police resort- joint naval drills Congress President Rahul Gan- ed to lathi-charge as they were in Caspian Sea dhi on Saturday said he de- protesting against limestone stroyed the “India growth story” mining by a cement company in TEHRAN: Iran and Russia through demonetisation and Bhavnagar district of Gujarat. are planning to hold naval Goods and Services Tax, which Gandhi said the Bharatiya exercises in the Caspian he referred to as the “Gabbar Janata Party’s “anti-farmer face” Sea, the commander of the Singh Tax”. was now exposed as farmers Iranian navy said on Sunday. “Congress built the India were in trouble in the BJP-ruled “Tactical, rescue and anti- growth story. Modi has used Gujarat. “Modiji complains piracy war games between demonetisation and the Gabbar about the farm-loan waivers giv- Iranian and Russian naval Singh Tax to completely destroy en by the Congress government, forces are being planned it. He’s an incompetent man saying the farmers are the vote- and will be implemented who listens to nobody,” Gandhi bank of the Congress. But look in the near future,” Iranian said in a tweet in which he also at the state of farmers in Gujarat news agency Mehr quoted shared a link to a media report -- how farmers are in trouble in Navy Commander Rear which described the two moves the BJP-ruled state,” he wrote in Admiral Hossein Khanzadi as “failures”. Facebook. as saying, Xinhua reported. (IANS) Tense wait for presidential poll 10 Sabarimala (File photo) Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav with Congress President Rahul Gandhi. results in volatile DR Congo HINDUSTANTIMES.COM who was chief minister when “BJP has shown its true AFP tle over half of ballots had been pilgrims killed LUCKNOW the scam allegedly took place, colours... that it will go to any KINSHASA counted since the December 30 told media persons on the side- extent in the next polls, using polls. in TN accident SAMAJWADI Party President lines of an event at the party If CBI asks questions, we anything - be it money or CBI. A week after crucial elections to “We ask the nation to re- Akhilesh Yadav, who is un- headquarters here. will reply; but the BJP will BJP must understand that CBI replace long-term president Jo- main patient for the time it HINDUSTANTIMES.COM der the scanner in the Uttar Akhilesh Yadav and anoth- get a reply from people..... does not vote, it is people who seph Kabila, the DR Congo was will take to consolidate all CHENNAI Pradesh mining scam, today er senior party leader are likely So far as the neutrality of vote,” he added. on tenterhooks Sunday with no our data,” he said on Sunday, said he is not afraid to face the to be summoned by the Central the CBI is concerned, guess With the CBI, which had date for the announcement of claiming that “diplomats... are AT least 10 Ayappa devotees CBI but accused the ruling BJP Bureau of Investigation (CBI) taken over the case in 2016 on delayed results and just over half doing their utmost to threaten from Telangana were killed in a of using the probe agency for which conducted searches on you all have to analyse that the directions of the Allahabad of ballots counted. us,” without elaborating. road accident in Tamil Nadu’s its own political purposes. Saturday at 14 locations in con- Samajwadi Party President High Court, making public its On Saturday, just hours Twenty-one candidates ran Pudukottai on Sunday as they “Once again, I will get a nection with the scam where it Akhilesh Yadav FIR on Saturday when the Sa- before the scheduled an- in the election to succeed Kabi- were returning from Kerala’s Sa- chance to meet the CBI. Once is alleged that the public serv- majwadi Party and Mayawati’s nouncement of the provisional la, who has ruled the vast con- barimala temple. a similar thing had happened ants allowed illegal mining Bahujan Samaj Party indicated outcome, electoral officials flict-ridden country for almost The accident took place during the Congress regime. during 2012-16 and illegally ing behind”. “It (the BJP) had they were close to ironing their announced a delay until next 18 years. Among the front- around 3.40pm when the pil- If CBI asks questions, we will renewed licences despite a ban spent Rs 5,000 crore in last seat-sharing agreement for the week, without specifying a runners were Kabila’s hand- grims’ van collided with a reply; but the BJP will get a by National Green Tribunal, of- polls. Don’t know from where 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he said date. Amid fears of tamper- picked successor Emmanuel container truck on the Karai- reply from people..... So far as ficials said, according to PTI. all, and from whom all it took that the two parties will ally ing and rising calls from world Ramazani Shadary and two kudi–Pudukottai road near the neutrality of the CBI is con- The SP chief warned the money. This time BJP also has and contest polls together. powers for voters’ wishes to be opposition candidates: veteran Thirumayam when the devotees cerned, guess you all have to BJP that it will have to face CBI so it will use CBI,” he al- “Whatever CBI has to do, respected, commission presi- heavyweight Felix Tshisekedi were returning home after com- analyse that,” Akhilesh Yadav, “the same culture that it is leav- leged. let it,” he said. dent Corneille Nangaa said lit- and newcomer Martin Fayulu. pleting their rituals at Sabarima- la and Rameswaram temples, police said. “A total of 15 devotees were travelled in the tempo traveller NDA may fall 15 seats short of majority in 2019 polls, says survey van. After visiting Sabarimala, they went to Rameswaram and were on their way back to Telan- IANS JVM(P), AMMK of Tamil The earlier nationwide The survey said that Con- gana. However, when they were NEW DELHI The survey was done after Cong way behind Nadu and independent MPs. survey conducted by India TV- gress may win 85 seats (almost on the Karaikkudi -Pudukottai the results of assembly polls in NDA includes the ruling CNX in November, before the double that it won in 2014), road, a speeding container lorry, THE BJP-led National Demo- five states including Rajasthan, O The NDA may get 257 BJP, Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, assembly polls, had given NDA DMK 21, Lalu Prasad’s RJD 10, coming from the opposite direc- cratic Alliance at the Centre Madhya Pradesh and Chhat- seats and the Congress-led JD(U), Mizo National Front, a clear majority with 281 seats, NCP 9, JMM 4, JD(S) 4, RLD tion, hit their vehicle,” said an may fall nearly 15 seats short tisgarh where Congress has UPA (minus SP and BSP) Apna Dal, Sikkim Demo- UPA 124, and ‘Others’ 138. 2, RLSP 1, RSP 1, IUML 2, TDP officer of the Thirumayam police of the magic mark of 272 in formed governments. may get 146 seats, far off cratic Front, LJP of Ramvilas Since then there has been a re- 4, JK National Conference 2, station. While seven devotees the 543-seat Lok Sabha, if elec- The survey said on Satur- the magic mark Paswan, NPP of Meghalaya, duction of 24 seats in NDA and and Kerala Congress (M) 1. died on spot, three succumbed tions are held now, says the In- day that key to government INRC of Puducherry, PMK and an addition of 22 seats in UPA, Among ‘others’, Mamata while they were taken to Pudu- dia TV-CNX opinion poll. formation could lie in the O The survey says that key NDPP of Nagaland. says the survey. Banerjee-led Trinamool Con- kottai government medical col- According to the survey, hands of ‘others’ who may get to government formation An India TV release said The survey says that NDA gress could get 26 seats, Sa- lege hospital. “Since the speed- conducted between December 140 seats in a House of 543. could be in the hands of that UPA includes the main could get 37.15 percent votes, majwadi Party 20, Mayawa- ing container lorry came in a 15-25 at the fag end of last year ‘Others’ include Samajwa- ‘others’ who may get 140 opposition Congress, Rash- UPA 29.92 percent and `oth- ti’s BSP 15, YSR Congress 19, wrong direction, it caused the in all 543 parliamentary con- di Party, BSP, AIADMK, Tri- seats in a House of 543 triya Janata Dal, DMK, TDP, ers’ 32.93 percent. Telangana Rashtra Samithi accident. Its driver escaped from stituencies, the NDA may get namool Congress, Telangana Sharad Pawar’s NCP, Deve- Within the NDA, BJP may 16, Biju Janata Dal 13, AIAD- the spot. We have registered a 257 seats and the Congress-led Rashtra Samithi, Biju Janata gowda’s JD(S), Ajit Singh’s win 223 seats, Shiv Sena 8, MK 10, AMMK 4, Left Front case and launched the search UPA (minus SP and BSP) may Dal, YSR Congress Party, Left RLD, National Conference, JD(U) 11, Akali Dal 5, LJP 3, 8, Aam Aadmi Party 2, AI- operation to nab the driver,” said get 146 seats, far off the magic Front, PDP of Mehbooba Muf- AIMIM of Asaduddin Owaisi, RSP, JMM, IUML, Kerala Con- PMK 1, NDPP 1, AINRC 1, NPP UDF 2, PDP 1, JVM (P) 1 and the police officer. mark. ti, AIUDF of Badruddin Ajmal, INLD, Aam Aadmi Party, gress (Mani) and RLSP. 1, SDF 1, Apna Dal 1, and MNF 1. AIMIM 1. 08 Monday, January 7, 2019

ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER 3, 2006 PRINTED AT ALI BIN ALI PRINTING PRESS Opinion HAMAD BIN SUHAIM AL THANI CHAIRMAN ADEL ALI BIN ALI MANAGING DIRECTOR DR HASSAN MOHAMMED AL ANSARI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Congress Mustn’t Let Social Media Divide America Humanitarian Aid And Social media feeds on emotional manipulation as N Korea’s Denuclearisation their algorithms are set to encourage bias. Trolls and bots proliferate in such setting. Societies are bring torn asunder as social media has become US President would do well to promote confidence-building measures a main source of information such as working on humanitarian works inside North Korea along with continued use of hard power to push denuclearisation Y now, we know that social media is we should lament it as Americans. Take an more likely to bring out the worst in honest look at the quality of information us than the best in us. Or, more ac- and the quality of the national discourse KATHARINE HS MOON | REUTERS – it is unclear whether the Trump White curately, it is likely to bring out the and the answer seems clear that we should House would have the negotiators or the Bworst of us, while the silent many not continue down this path. EW Year’s traditions differ across clarity of diplomatic vision to coordinate just groan and become more dispirited at We know that social media has become the Pacific. Americans break out constructive strategies. the state of things. the preferred platform autocracies use to bottles of champagne and wake up Another confidence-building move The question that we need to ask our- control their populaces and undermine de- with headaches and fuzzy memo- would be for the United States to facilitate selves this year, though, is whether social mocracy. It’s not just Russia. It’s happening Nries. Koreans try to maintain so- the resumption of humanitarian aid fund- media is changing us as a society and hurt- all over the world. And we know that even briety in order to bow to family elders on ing and activities inside North Korea while ing us as a people. The evidence appears after the social media giant Facebook be- January 1 and receive blessings for the preserving some of the hard-core sanc- increasingly plain that it is. Our worry is came aware that it was being used in such peace, prosperity, and health of their en- tions, especially around dual use technolo- that, as Americans, we are increasingly un- a manner, it was slow to react, even as its tire clan. Such cultural differences, as su- gies and equipment that could be diverted willing to consider ideas that are contrary to machine-learning algorithms continued to perficial as they might seem, might offer a for military use. Since 2018, many aid our own biases and beliefs, that we are that serve people not the best information, but lesson in foreign policy. workers have been blocked by US meas- much more eager to tune them out or shout rather the information most likely to keep On New Year’s Day, North Korean ures from travelling to North Korea to pro- them down or that we just don’t encounter them on Facebook, clicking one more time, leader Kim Jung-un addressed a very vide help like medical and food assistance. them at all in our streams of information. watching one more ad. large political “family,” telling members Unilateral American sanctions against any These days, people who disagree aren’t Twitter, meanwhile, is a land of bots and that 2019 was “full of hope” and that all financial or commercial organisations that just our neighbours with different points of trolls that even the most carefully curated Koreans “should make greater strides in engage in transactions with the DPRK have view. They are our political enemies, called feed will struggle to keep out and where a our efforts to boost inter-Korean rela- led to what humanitarian organisations say out as such over and over not only in the 280-character limit promises not reason and tions, achieve peace and prosperity and are inaccurately restrictive interpretations gutter stream of cable “news” and internet depth, but rather appeals to shallow emo- reunify the country.” South Korean citi- of some UN sanctions and forced groups comments, but also more frequently in so- tion. We know the social media giants are not zens, for the first time able to watch his like Save the Children and The Global Fund cial media posts. going to change. Their revenue model is too annual address on television simultane- Washington might be able to break to suspend their work there. On an editorial board that uses as its tied to keeping us online, collecting our per- ously with their northern kin, received a the current dispute with Pyongyang US Special Representative for North guideposts that people and human liberty sonal data and preferences and then selling similarly optimistic message from their Korea Steve Biegun began exploring such matter, this sense of separation rings stark- them to all comers — often without consent. own president, Moon Jae-in, who prom- over sequencing the steps to denu- a measure last September when he said he ly because it comes from both directions. Congress needs to address social media ised in his national greeting: “I will make clearisation by offering to remove the planned to meet humanitarian represent- On any given day, we are called a shill for companies’ position as the major publishers sure the peace will be irreversible.” THAAD antimissile batteries which the atives early in 2019 to discuss delivering the left or the right. That sort of feedback of our age. It also needs to address how in- The coming year indeed promises con- US placed in South Korea in 2016 “appropriate assistance.” With about 40 doesn’t bother us much. Newspaper editori- ternet companies use and sell personal data. tinued warming of relations between the percent of the North’s 25 million people al boards are used to taking knocks because Our sense of politics is that if change is to two Koreas and efforts to pave their own undernourished, including 20 percent of we often present a broad range of opinions come, it has to bubble up from the people. paths toward peaceful cooperation while and called on Washington to “suspend” children under 5 stunted by malnutrition, and arguments. What’s concerning, though, The politicians in Washington will spend US President Donald Trump tries to de- the positioning of “strategic assets from the urgency is obvious. is the increasing sense that many Ameri- their time watching the polls or being pulled nuclearise Pyongyang on his own terms. the outside.” These two newly publicised The United States can also choose to cans don’t or won’t hear other perspectives. aside by lobbyists for the internet giants. However, the 2-1 lineup bodes ill for the demands, uttered publicly by Kim for the replenish the anaemic flow of funds to hu- Some of us are becoming like children It will be up to us as Americans to ask Washington-Seoul alliance – currently first time, are non-negotiables from the manitarian war chests. International hu- who will eat only what we like at every meal. hard questions about who we are and how under pressure over the expiry of the cost- perspective of the US-ROK alliance. manitarian funding plans for North Korea Try to sneak in a vegetable and a tantrum we want to relate to one another. In 2019, sharing deal for the US troops stationed on It might be that Pyongyang is loading fell dramatically, from $103.9 million in ensues. The reactions are childish because we have to be willing to treat one another the peninsula and concerns over a grow- on demands in preparation for giving up 2012 to $26.4 million in 2018 in response they don’t answer argument with argument online as neighbours and fellow citizens. ing gap in North Korea policy – unless the some nuclear assets and information. On to sanctions. People who are hungry or or reason with reason. They are emotional, We have to be willing to hear one another Trump administration puts other items on the other hand, it could mean that Kim sick have no capacity to improve their not logical, in their responses to things with out and to respond not from our gut but the negotiating table. The White House has no intention of giving up the nuclear personal or national plight. Offering which they disagree. So many people online from our minds –– and then support lead- also needs to work with Seoul on reconcili- programme but is trying to weaken the packages of food and medicine as “gifts are often so assured of the self-evident right- ers who emulate such behaviour. ation and confidence-building measures in US-South Korean military alliance. from the people of the United States” and eousness of their perspectives that they don’t We also need to be willing to hold so- tandem with denuclearisation efforts. Washington might be able to break having Americans on the ground in North bother to support them with arguments or cial media accountable for the material it Moon and Kim played the leading roles the current dispute with Pyongyang over Korean clinics, classrooms, and farms can counterarguments. They just go right to the spreads, for how it treats our personal data in last year’s diplomatic drama and will con- sequencing the steps to denuclearisation have lasting impacts for both North Kore- ad hominem attacks and the dehumanising. as a commodity and for the division it so of- tinue to direct attention-grabbing action, – accounting for weapons, test sites, and ans and US policy. Although sceptics fear Social media doesn’t just exacerbate this ten sows among us. That can mean speak- such as their three summits from April to verification versus sanctions relief and a that goods and funds might end up in the problem, it also feeds on it. Algorithms are ing up about it, or reducing the frequency Sept; demilitarisation measures along the ‘peace regime’ – by offering to remove the hands of the military or other government set to ensure a steady diet of confirmation we use it or saying goodbye to certain sites DMZ; military-to-military communication; THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Aerial officials, experts with experience in North bias and emotional manipulation with every altogether in hopes that more ethical com- establishment of a joint diplomatic liaison Defence) antimissile batteries which the Korea find such worries to be minimal. click of the mouse. panies will replace them. office in Kaesong, North Korea; breaking United States placed in South Korea in Distrust among leaders is natural if In December, the Pew Research Center The old saying “we are what we eat” ap- ground to connect railway and road net- 2016 in spite of opposition from North Ko- their only shared experience is war. South reported that social media have surpassed plies here. We are what we consume. And works; and preparing for another historical rea, China, and even its own allies in Seoul. Korea is trying to build a foundational newspapers as a source of news for Ameri- with social media, that consumption is too marker, Kim’s 2019 visit to Seoul, which American troops and armaments, to- footing past the grief and hatred of the cans. It’s easy to lament this as a newspaper, often unhealthy. Let’s stop this year and do Kim himself promised in his December 30, gether with the highly competent South 1950-53 Korean War, which still has found but the more important question is whether something about it. 2018 personal letter to Moon. Korean military, are the bedrock of de- no formal end. Americans and North Kore- In contrast, there has been no sub- terrence against any type of military ad- ans lack basic knowledge and understand- stantive progress on denuclearisation be- venturism, conventional and nuclear, by ing of one another. Before substantive tween Washington and Pyongyang since Pyongyang. Putting THAAD on the nego- denuclearisation can progress, the United the Trump-Kim Singapore summit last tiating table would be a bold gesture by the States needs to adopt measures toward July. Although Trump declared afterwards United States toward constructive engage- reconciliation with both Pyongyang and that North Korea was no longer a nuclear ment, which much of the world – includ- the North Korean people. Small steps may threat, the DPRK continued to produce ing South and North Korea – are seeking. pave a more certain path toward peace fissile material and tested a new “ultra- Even if all three parties want to con- than unrealistic, giant leaps of faith. modern tactical weapon” in November. In tinue diplomatic engagement and solve his New Year’s speech, Kim called for an the nuclear standoff – still a big “if” even (Katharine HS Moon is a politi- end to US-ROK joint military exercises, though Kim uttered “complete denuclear- cal science professor at Wellesley some of which Trump agreed to suspend isation” as a national intention for the College and a non-resident senior (Tribune News Service) to facilitate the inter-Korean summit, first time during his January 1 broadcast fellow at the Brookings Institution.) The Truth About War And Peace In Cambodia Some readings of the country’s history can be deceiving and generally tends to be a more contested affair than is often appreciated

LUKE HUNT instead of 1991 when the Paris Peace Ac- ship between the pair turned acrimoni- That historical take doesn’t always sit Pol Pot’s death eight months before his TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE cords were signed. Statues were erected, ous, resulting in a major showdown in well with the well-meaning supporters of chief lieutenants formally surrendered books published, and elaborate ceremo- mid-1997 – described by some as a coup, the Paris Peace Accords, who insist the in Hun Sen’s compound. And unsurpris- OR decades, the official line from nies were planned to commemorate a date others as simply another battle in a long war ended with its signing. The military ingly, those are remembered differently the United Nations and the bevy of in 1998 that some overlook in Cambodia’s running conflict. realities are often ignored, along with the by different actors, and their meaning has international foreign ministers and often troubled history, marking a peace According to CPP Honourary Chair- fact that they were born out of a peace deal evolved with time. diplomats who brokered the 1991 that finally arrived seven years after it was man Heng Samrin, in his recently released that failed to disarm the Khmer Rouge. But among these, it is striking that the FParis Peace Accords was that their declared in Paris. book Cambodia Reborn, Ranariddh was Instead, face-saving declarations that Khmer Rouge capitulation before Prime historical document ended the conflict To be sure, the 1991 Paris Peace Ac- preparing to cut a deal with the Khmer the events that followed their signing Minister Hun Sen on December 29, 1998, that had afflicted Cambodia since the cords achieved much. They paved the way Rouge hoping to combine military forces were simply illegal and a violation of the was a date less emphasised among inter- Khmer Rouge launched hostilities in 1968. in for peacekeepers with the UN Transi- in an effort to outgun Hun Sen, triggering accords were common. That is neither national observers in particular, in part The problem for some journalists, aca- tional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) in viscous response. Old scores were settled, reasonable or fair, and insulting for the because it was overshadowed by the his- demics, and those living on the ground in 1992, enabled democratic elections a year hundreds were killed and Ranariddh was soldiers who fought and died while deal- torical significance attached to the Paris Cambodia is that that line never tallied later, and injected much needed billions routed. ing the final blow that ended the maniacal Peace Accords. with the realities of what actually hap- into a failed economy. His father King Norodom Sihanouk Khmer Rouge. Of course, remembering that date pened. While the Paris Peace Accords But the problem for supporters of the then pardoned him and offered Khmer Many at that time feared final sur- comes with its own series of questions, were certainly significant for Cambodia, Paris Peace Accords was that UNTAC Rouge cadre amnesties in return for their render would simply prove, like the Paris including the nature of Cambodia’s trou- the country’s transition from tragic war to failed to disarm the genocidal Khmer defection as government troops pushed Peace Accords, to be another false dawn. bled peace and Hun Sen’s governance of troubled peace actually took several more Rouge and – as unfathomable as it sounds into the northwest and surrounded what For years, speculation persisted that the the country. But given that it did mark the years to forge. More generally, memory of – negotiations were underway for their was left of Pol Pot’s strongholds along the Khmer Rouge were still armed and ready, start of two decades of a sometimes trou- war and peace in Cambodia tends to be inclusion in the future political landscape. Thai border. but those suspicions were finally laid to bled peace, and given this country’s tragic a more contested affair than is often ap- There was no peace and a low-intensity Surviving Khmer Rouge leaders Nuon rest by the genocide trial. history at war, surely it is worth some at- preciated, with certain aspects and dates civil war continued after Prince Norodom Chea and Kheu Samphan, recently con- Cambodia has a long tradition of tention. And if part of understanding his- commemorated by some more than others Ranariddh of Funcinpec won the 1993 victed of genocide, surrendered on Christ- commemorating military anniversaries, tory rests in comprehending how various in line with their interests. ballot and became First Prime Minister mas Day, 1998, the final shots were fired including Pol Pot’s victory over Lon Nol groups of people interpret the past – no A case in point was last week, as evi- and entered a power sharing arrangement on December 28, and the Khmer Rouge forces in 1975, the Vietnamese invasion matter how selectively – we ought to look denced by the marking 20 years of peace with Second Prime Minister Hun Sen of formally surrendered a day later when that ended his slaughter, end of Vietnam- at the dates that are given significance in in Cambodia with days of celebration the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Hun Sen met with both leaders at his com- ese occupation ten years later, the sign- the countries themselves in addition to starting December 29 dating back to 1998, Both sides armed-up and the relation- pound outside of Phnom Penh. ing of the Paris Peace Accords, and even those by outside actors.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. Gulf / Middle East Monday, January 7, 2019 09 Next round of Yemen Protesters teargassed as Bashir talks could be in Amman, say rebels supporters plan counter-rally AFP SANAA Some groups ready to march on presidential palace calling for Sudan President Bashir to step down A second round of negotia- tions between Yemen’s gov- AFP ernment and Huthi rebels KHARTOUM could be hosted “soon” in Jor- danian capital Amman, a rebel RIOT police fired tear gas leader said Sunday after meet- Sunday at protesters in Su- ing the UN envoy. dan’s capital planning to Talks on Yemen’s failed march on the presidential pal- economy “could take place ace, witnesses said, as backers soon in Amman or by video of President Omar al-Bashir conference, which I discussed announced their own rally for with the UN envoy”, Moham- UN Special Envoy for Yemen next week. med Ali al-Huthi, head of the Martin Griffiths (centre) meets Deadly anti-government rebel Higher Revolutionary Yemeni child patients in Sana’a. protests have rocked Suda- Committee, said in Sanaa. nese cities including Khar- One month after hard- Griffiths, scheduled to see toum since December 19, won peace talks on the Yemen Yemeni government officials when unrest first broke out conflict, the United Nations in Saudi capital Riyadh after over a government decision to faces an uphill battle as it meeting the rebels, hopes to raise the price of bread. pushes to ensure the warring bring the warring sides to- Authorities say at least 19 parties make good on a shaky gether later this month to fol- people including two security truce deal. low up on progress made at personnel have been killed in UN envoy Martin Grif- December’s talks. clashes during the demonstra- fiths, who brokered the break- UN spokesman Farhan tions so far, but rights group through last month in Sweden, Haq on Thursday confirmed Amnesty International has returned to Yemen Saturday the cessation of hostilities put the death toll at 37. with a plan to expedite meas- continued to hold in Hodeida, On Sunday, crowds of pro- ures agreed between the gov- despite mutual accusations of testers gathered in areas of ernment and Huthi rebels. violations by the rebels and downtown Khartoum after a Key among them is the Saudi-backed government. group organising anti-govern- redeployment of rival forces The UN Security Council is ment rallies called for a march from Hodeida, the Red Sea expected to hear a report from on the palace. port city crucial for aid and Griffiths next week, although But riot police were quick food imports. no date has been set. to move in and disperse the protesters with tear gas, wit- nesses said. “Police are not even allow- ing 10 people to gather,” a wit- Iran MPs to investigate ness said. Video footage post- ed on social media networks Sudanese protesters chant slogans during an anti-government demonstration in the capital Khartoum, on Sunday. (AFP) protester torture claims showed protesters fleeing down streets and alleyways in As protesters attempted Separate rally demonstration since anti- cal market in Atbara was shut TEHRAN: Iran’s parliament will investigate claims by a labour the downtown area trying to the march, Sudan’s Labour government protests erupted down as protesters took to the protest leader that he was tortured in prison following strikes escape the noxious gas. Minister Bahar Idris an- A separate protest was held last month. Anti-government streets. at a sugar factory, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported The Sudanese Profession- nounced that a pro-govern- in the northern town of rallies on Sunday also broke Sudanese authorities have on Sunday. Alireza Rahimi, a member of parliament’s presiding als’ Association, a group of ment rally would be held Atbara, where the current out in the city of Madani launched a crackdown on op- board, said his request for an investigation had been accepted doctors, teachers and engi- Wednesday at Khartoum’s unrest first erupted on southeast of the capital, wit- position leaders, activists and by speaker Ali Larijani, according to ISNA. neers, had called Saturday for Green Yard, a large open December 19. Witnesses said nesses said, with demonstra- journalists to prevent the It followed claims by Esmail Bakhshi, written on his Insta- the march after organising ground in the capital. the local market in Atbara was tors chanting for “peace, jus- spread of protests that initial- gram account and reported by the reformist Etemad newspaper, similar rallies in recent weeks. The rally would express tice, freedom”. ly broke out outside of Khar- that he was tortured during 25 days in detention in southwest- “We will march on the “the choice of the Sudanese shut down as protesters took A separate protest was toum. The country has been ern Khuzestan province late last year. palace on Sunday calling people and address the pre- to the streets held in the northern town of facing a mounting economic Bakhshi was one of the organisers of weeks-long protests for President Bashir to step sent crisis”, Idris, a former Atbara, where the current un- crisis over the past year led by at the Haft Tapeh sugar factory in Shush over unpaid wages and down,” the association said in rebel from war-torn Darfur, ference. Wednesday’s rally rest first erupted on Decem- an acute shortage of foreign alleged criminal activity by new private owners. (AFP) a statement. told reporters at a press con- would be the first pro-regime ber 19. Witnesses said the lo- currency.

Syria opposition Israel confirms Jewish arrests over urges Arab states deadly attack on Palestinian woman US envoy signals further delay in Trump M-E peace plan not to mend ties JERUSALEM: Israeli authorities confirmed Sunday that they have been AFP UN envoy said later it was ex- Sunday by the US embassy. holding Jewish minors suspected of a fatal stone-throwing attack on JERUSALEM pected in early 2019. “We want to release it in with al Assad a Palestinian woman. The arrests had led to mounting speculation Israel has since called elec- a way that gives it the best in the Israeli media, but authorities had refused to comment, citing a US President Donald Trump’s tions for April 9 and such a chance of getting a good re- AFP gag order on details of the case while the investigation continued. long-awaited plan for Israeli- plan is seen by many analysts ception.” He said that Israeli RIYADH There was also a protest of several hundred people on Satur- Palestinian peace is expect- as too controversial to present elections “are a factor, but day night outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence ed “within the next several ahead of polls. not the only factor,” adding SYRIA’S opposition chief on over the detention of the Jewish minors. Israel’s Shin Bet domestic months,” the US ambassador “I would say within the that the plan is “pretty much Sunday urged Arab leaders security agency said in a statement that a number of suspects had to Israel has said, signalling a next several months,” ambas- completed” aside from some not to rebuild relations with been arrested on December 30, more than two months after Aisha further delay in its release. sador David Friedman told “wordsmithing and smooth- President Bashar al-Assad’s Rabi was killed on October 12. Trump said in Septem- journalists travelling with ing.” “The challenge to a government, voicing frustra- “The suspects were arrested for serious terrorist offences, includ- ber that the plan for what he US National Security Adviser peace plan is making the case tion amid apparent efforts to ing murder,” the Shin Bet statement said. It added that the stoning has called the “ultimate deal” John Bolton after they arrived for a much more sober as- bring the Damascus regime took place near the Jewish settlement of Rechalim, close to Rabi’s would be released within two in Israel on Saturday, accord- sessment of the realities in back into the Arab fold. village of Bidiya in the Israeli-occupied northern West Bank. (AFP) David Friedman. to four months, while Israel’s ing to a transcript released this region,” he said. After years of frosty ties, the United Arab Emirates last month reopened its em- bassy in the Syrian capital, Turkey strikes targets and fellow Gulf state Bah- Trump aide sets out ‘conditions’ for Syria pullout in Iraq, 7 fighters dead rain has followed suit. “We are surprised that ISTANBUL: Turkey has conduct- our brothers are reaching AFP on December 19 that the US curred heavy losses. ed further airstrikes in north- out and building relations JERUSALEM would immediately withdraw Erdogan, Putin set to meet A US withdrawal could ern Iraq, during which seven with this regime,” opposi- its troops from Syria led to leave them exposed to an at- terrorists were “neutralized,” tion leader Nasr al-Hariri US President Donald Trump’s concerns among allies, and he ahead of US Syria pullout tack by neighbouring Turkey the Defence Ministry in Ankara told reporters in Riyadh, national security adviser said has since spoken of “slowly” ISTANBU: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Rus- and its Syrian proxies. said on Sunday. where he lives in exile. Sunday that conditions such sending troops home “over a sian counterpart Vladimir Putin - two key players involved in the The Kurds have invited The term “terrorist” is “We hope that our broth- as guarantees on the safety period of time”. conflict in Syria - are due to hold another meeting to discuss the Damascus to send troops usually used by Turkey to refer ers, the leaders of Arab na- of Kurdish allies must be met “There are objectives that departure of US troops from the war-torn country. into some of the territory it to members of the Kurdistan tions, will not abandon the before American troops are we want to accomplish that The meeting is expected to take place this month, Turkey’s controls, to act as a bulwark Workers’ Party (PKK), a mili- Syrian people,” he added, withdrawn from Syria, NBC condition the withdrawal,” state news agency Anadolu reported on Sunday. Both presidents against pro-Turkish forces. tant group that is banned in urging them to reconsider News said. said Bolton, who travels to had agreed that a second meeting on the topic should take place Bolton also said Sunday all the country and considered a their decisions. Almost eight John Bolton told journal- Turkey after Israel, according soon, Putin’s spokesman said. Erdogan and Putin last met on the 2,000 US forces may not be terrorist organization by the years into Syria’s devastat- ists travelling with him on a to NBC. sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires on December 1. (DPA) withdrawn. European Union. ing war, opponents of As- trip to Israel that the United “Timetables or the timing He said the withdrawal The individuals who were sad’s regime are watching States wanted a guarantee of the withdrawal occurs as a that’s done, then you talk from the Islamic State group. would take place in northern killed in the strikes, which took in dismay as his government from Turkey that Kurds in result of the fulfilment of the about a timetable.” Kurdish- Despite backing from the Syria, while some forces could place on Saturday, had been looks set to secure a come- Syria would be protected, the conditions and the establish- led forces control a large US-led coalition and success remain to the south at the al- planning an attack on Turkish back at home and abroad. US news outlet said. ment of the circumstances swathe of Syria’s north and in pushing back IS, Kurdish- Tanf garrison as part of efforts army bases, the ministry said Trump’s announcement that we want to see. And once northeast, some of it seized led forces have at times in- to counter Iran’s presence. on its website. (DPA) Saudi to notify women of divorce by text message Saudi woman held at Bangkok airport AFP The measure approved by the wheel for the first time in RIYADH decades as the kingdom over- says fears execution if repatriated the justice ministry turned the world’s only ban on SAUDI courts will notify appears aimed at curbing female motorists. The king- AFP Rahaf was stopped from women by text message when seemingly rampant cases dom has also allowed women BANGKOK entering Thailand when she they get divorced, in a new of men secretly ending to enter sports stadiums, pre- flew in from Kuwait on Sun- regulation that took effect on marriages without inform- viously a male-only arena, and A Saudi woman held at Bang- day, Thailand’s immigration Sunday, officials said. is pushing for greater partici- kok airport said she would be chief Surachate Hakparn said. The measure approved by ing their wives. pation of women in the work- killed if she was repatriated “She had no further docu- the justice ministry appears force as it seeks to diversify its by Thai immigration officials, ments such as return ticket or aimed at curbing seemingly ments related to the ter- oil-dependent economy. who confirmed the 18-year- money,” he said, adding that rampant cases of men secretly mination of their marriage But in tandem with the old was denied entry to the Rahaf was currently in an air- ending marriages without in- contracts through the min- reforms, the kingdom has country Sunday. port hotel. forming their wives. istry’s website.” seen a wave of arrests of Rahaf Mohammed M “She ran away from her “Women... will be notified The move comes as women activists in recent Alqunun said she was stopped Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director of Human Rights Watch. family to avoid marriage and of any changes to their marital Crown Prince Mohammed months as it steps up a crack- by Saudi and Kuwaiti officials she is concerned she may be status via text message,” the bin Salman, the de facto down on dissent. when she arrived in Suvarn- traveling “without his per- hair,” she said, adding that she in trouble returning to Saudi justice ministry said in a state- ruler spearheads a liberalisa- The country also faces crit- abhumi airport and her travel mission”. Rahaf said she was is certain she will be impris- Arabia. We sent officials to ment carried by state-run Al- tion drive in the conservative icism over its male guardian- document was forcibly taken trying to flee her family, who oned if she is sent back. take care of her now,” he said. Ekhbariya news channel and kingdom, which has some of ship system, which allows men from her, a claim backed by subjected her to physical and “I’m sure 100 percent Human Rights Watch Asia other local media. the world’s toughest restric- to exercise arbitrary authority Human Rights Watch. psychological abuse. they will kill me as soon as deputy director Phil Robert- “Women in the kingdom tions on women. In June last to make decisions on behalf of “They took my passport,” “My family is strict and I get out of the Saudi jail,” son slammed the Thai author- will be able to view docu- year, women celebrated taking their female relatives. she said , adding that her male locked me in a room for six she said, adding that she was ities and urged the UN refugee guardian had reported her for months just for cutting my “scared” and “losing hope”. agency to help the teenager. 10 Monday, January 7, 2019 Europe / Americas

NEWS White House signals compromise to end govt shutdown IN BRIEF REUTERS stead of a concrete wall, came wall. Mick Mulvaney, the acting like protections for immigrants House aide in an acting capacity. WASHINGTON even as a top official warned White House chief of staff, said brought to the United States as Large chunks of the federal Ex-US president that the shutdown, now in its in an interview on NBC’s “Meet children, otherwise known as government were shut down Carter’s Pentagon SHOWING signs of compro- third week, could “drag on a lot the Press” program that agree- Dreamers, or changes to other on Dec. 22 after lawmakers and chief dies at 91 mise, the White House signaled longer.” ing to a steel separation would spending provisions. the president hit an impasse on Sunday that talks to reopen Trump, speaking to report- allow Democrats to stick to their Mulvaney said negotiations over Trump’s demands to build WASHINGTON: Harold the federal government could ers outside the White House on refusal to fund a wall. between his staff and congres- a wall. About 800,000 govern- Brown, who served as US produce a deal in which Presi- Sunday, repeated his threat that “That should help us move sional Democrats were bogged ment workers are either fur- secretary of defence during dent Donald Trump moves away if he is unhappy with negotiations in the right direction,” said Mul- down in technical requests after loughed or working without pay. Jimmy Carter’s presidency from his demand that a pro- in a few days, he could declare a vaney, who is also the head of the two sides met on Saturday Trump is demanding that from 1977 to 1981, has posed barrier along the southern national emergency and use the the Office of Management and morning. any funding to keep the federal died aged 91, the US De- border be a concrete wall. military to construct a wall, cir- Budget. Democrats have sig- US President Donald Trump. “I think this is going to drag government operational also in- partment of Defense said The possible concession, cumventing Congress. He also naled they could accept a deal on a lot longer. I think that’s clude $5.6 billion to begin build- Saturday. “It is with deep which comes days after Trump said he was willing to accept a that precluded a concrete wall barrier. But they would likely by intention,” said Mulvaney, ing a $23 billion a wall along the sadness that I extend my had floated a barrier of steel in- steel barrier instead of a concrete but provided funding for a steel demand other concessions, who is serving as the top White US border with Mexico. condolences on the passing OF former Secretary of Defense Harold Brown,” acting Secretary of Defence Patrick Shanahan said in a Trump in no statement. “He shaped our nation’s military for more hurry to pick than two decades,”,” Shana- ‘Yellow vest’ protesters han added. (DPA) up cabinet Polish authorities replacements probe fire that killed five girls storm French ministry REUTERS WASHINGTON WARSAW: Polish authori- ties were still searching for US President Donald Trump answers on Saturday about Demonstrators clash with police in several cities and smash cars parked in courtyard of a ministry in Paris said on Sunday he was in no the cause of a fire during hurry to find permanent re- an escape room game that placements for one-quarter of killed five teenage girls a day his Cabinet currently serving earlier. The group was cel- in an acting capacity because it ebrating a birthday when the gives him “more flexibility.” fire broke out in the lobby of “I am in no hurry,” Trump the facility, state prosecu- told reporters as he departed tors told PAP news agency. for Camp David, the US presi- A company employee could dential retreat, for meetings on not open the door, trapping the partial government shut- the girls in the room, where down. About one-fourth of the they were supposed to solve US government has been shut- a number of puzzles in order tered for more than two weeks to get out of the locked room and about 800,000 govern- as part of the game. (DPA) ment workers have been either furloughed or working without pay. Orthodox patriarch “I like acting. It gives me more flexibility. Do you under- hands over decree stand that? I like acting. So we have a few that are acting. We on independent have a great, great Cabinet,” Ukraine church Trump said. He did not elabo- rate on why they give him more AFP flexibility. ISTANBUL There are 24 Cabinet-level positions and six are currently THE Istanbul-based Orthodox filled by individuals who are patriarch on Sunday handed serving in an acting capacity over a formal decree confirm- after the departure of members ing the creation of an inde- confirmed by the U.S. Senate. pendent Ukrainian church to Protesters wearing French revolutionary Phrygian caps take part in a protest march in Paris on Sunday. (EPA-EFE) Other than the White its leader, Metropolitan Yepi- House chief of staff and the faniy. AFP smashed down the large wood- main, where they set light to cars were torched and shop win- vice president, Cabinet-level of- The decree was signed at a PARIS en door to the ministry com- The interior ministry put the a car and several motorbikes dows broken. ficials require confirmation by landmark ceremony on Satur- pound, denounced the break-in number of protesters who and set up burning barricades, Further south in Toulouse, the Senate. Federal law allows day, putting the formal stamp “YELLOW vest” protesters re- as an “unacceptable attack on took to the streets on prompting police to fire tear gas 22 people were detained fol- presidents to temporarily fill va- on a break with the Russian turned in force to the streets of the Republic”. Saturday at 50,000, com- to try and disperse them. lowing clashes that erupted af- cancies by appointing acting de- Orthodox church which has in- France this weekend, clashing “Some yellow vest protest- Police said 35 people were ter 2,000 people turned out to partment heads who are already furiated Moscow. with police in several cities and ers and other people dressed in pared with 32,000 on arrested. demonstrate. employees there. The document was handed smashing their way into a gov- black ... got hold of a construc- December 29 Demonstrators took to the And in the central-eastern Trump said last month he over by Patriarch Bartholomew ernment ministry in Paris with tion vehicle which was in the streets of several other cities city of Lyon, several thousands was in no hurry to name a new during an Epiphany service at the help of a forklift truck. street nearby and smashed open across France, with up to 2,000 took to the streets, blocking ac- defense secretary after Jim Mat- St George’s Cathedral in Is- The interior ministry put the entrance gate to the minis- its guardians, its representatives people in Rouen northwest of cess to the A7 motorway and tis quit over policy differences, tanbul, an AFP correspondent the number of protesters who try,” he told AFP. and its symbols”. Paris, where some set up burn- causing traffic jams for those and he has praised the acting said, completing the Ecumeni- took to the streets on Satur- They briefly entered the Griveaux had on Friday criti- ing barricades. One protester returning from Christmas holi- secretary, Patrick Shanahan. cal Patriarchate of Constan- day at 50,000, compared with courtyard where they smashed cised the yellow vest movement, was injured and at least two oth- days in the mountains. David Bernhardt is acting tinople’s recognition of the 32,000 on December 29 when up two cars, broke some win- describing those still involved as ers were arrested, police said. - Brigitte Bardot backs pro- secretary of the Interior Depart- newly-independent Ukrainian the movement appeared to be dows then escaped, he added, “agitators” who were seeking “to Some 4,600 protesters hit testers -The yellow vest move- ment while Matthew Whitaker church. Ukraine’s President weakening after holding a se- saying police were trying to overthrow the government”. the streets of the southwestern ment began in rural France over is acting attorney general. An- Petro Poroshenko, who at- ries of weekly Saturday protests identify them from security Police said some 3,500 city of Bordeaux, with some plans to increase fuel taxes. drew Wheeler is acting head of tended Saturday’s signing cer- since mid-November. footage. demonstrators turned up on the hurling stones at police who an- But it later ballooned into a the Environmental Protection emony, was also present for Government spokesman President Emmanuel Ma- Champs-Elysees on Saturday swered with tear gas and water wider revolt against Macron’s Agency while Mick Mulvaney is the mass. Known as a Tomos Benjamin Griveaux, who was cron did not specifically refer morning. cannon. pro-market policies and govern- the acting White House chief of decree, the document grants evacuated from his ministry in to the incident, but tweeted his Some then made their way Five police were hurt and 11 ing style, with 282,000 people staff. Jonathan Cohen is acting autonomy to the Ukrainian Or- central Paris when a handful of condemnation of the “extreme south of the river to the wealthy people arrested, local authori- joining the first Saturday rally ambassador to the United Na- thodox church which until now protesters in high-visibility vests violence” against “the Republic, area around Boulevard St Ger- ties said, adding that several on November 17. tions. has been overseen by Moscow for more than 330 years. The decree opens the way for Ukraine’s Orthodox Church to be recognised by other branches of orthodoxy and PM May urges lawmakers to back Brexit deal ahead of vote other churches. The Constantinople Patri- DPA democracy. May said a vote against the There is still no apparent archate, based in modern-day LONDON She described the ongoing majority for her deal, which is Scramble to secure EU passports Istanbul and considered the stalemate as a “profound chal- deal with the European criticized by hardliners who be- first among equals in the Or- BRITISH Prime Minister There- lenge.” The embattled prime Union would risk economic lieve it will leave Britain indefi- LONDON: The number of British citizens who are taking on the thodox world, first agreed to sa May has once again appealed minister told the BBC that the hardship and endanger nitely tied to EU customs rules, citizenship of another EU member state has risen substantially recognise the independence to members of parliament to get parliamentary vote that follows democracy while there is a growing move- ahead of Britain’s planned departure from the bloc in March, of the Ukrainian Orthodox behind her unpopular Brexit the debate could take place ment calling for a second ref- according to a survey conducted by dpa. Church in October. deal, as the House of Commons around January 14-15. erendum that could see Brexit Germany, Ireland, Spain and Portugal have seen a marked Then in December a histor- prepares to reopen its debate on Previously, the rough time- fore we get to a week on Tues- scrapped altogether. increase in applications for passports from Britons in the past ic council of Orthodox bishops the withdrawal agreement. frame had been given as the day [January 15] because that’s In the absence of any agreed three years. in Kiev created the independ- Writing in the Mail on Sun- third week in January. going to be a very key decision- plan, Britain would crash out of Many Brits are anxious about their future and their ability to ent body and chose 39-year- day newspaper, May said a vote British Trade Secretary making point.” May postponed the European Union on March work or travel in mainland Europe as the outcome of Britain’s old Metropolitan Yepifaniy as against the deal with the Eu- Liam Fox told the Press Asso- the original vote - set for De- 29 without an agreement in negotiations with the EU on the terms of its departure and the its head, whose secular name is ropean Union would risk eco- ciation earlier that lawmakers cember 11 - due to a lack of sup- place, bringing the prospect of economic impact of Brexit remains uncertain. (DPA) Sergiy Dumenko. nomic hardship and endanger “better make up their minds be- port. chaos across various sectors.

Renewable energy catches Thousands of skiers snowed in at Austrian resorts up with coal in Germany DPA VIENNA 3 dead in Greece cold snap DPA giewende, or energy transi- ATHENS: Three people have died in Greece as stormy weather BERLIN tion, has been seen by dpa. THOUSANDS of winter tour- and freezing temperatures gripped most of the country, officials The share of renewable ists were unable to leave ma- said Sunday. The bodies of two elderly men were found Sunday, RENEWABLE energy sources energy consumed across the jor ski resorts in the Austrian two days after their car was swept away by flood waters near supplied as much electric- country rose to 38.2 percent mountains at the weekend as Athens, the fire department said. ity to German businesses and in the same period, the think avalanches threatened to crash A day earlier, rescue crews had found a 66-year-old woman households in 2018 as lignite tank said. down on access roads, local au- dead inside the same car in the rural area of Keratea. and black coal, according to Germany exported elec- thorities said. Greece is battling a prolonged cold snap that has seen an energy policy report due to tricity again last year, yielding More than half a metre of temperatures fall to below -18 Celsius (-0.4 Fahrenheit) in some be released on Monday. a consumption figure that was snow has fallen on the northern areas and covered parts of the country in snow. The rescue ser- Wind, sun and other higher than of production. side of the Alps since Saturday vices have received dozens of calls-outs to help people trapped sources of renewable energy An increase in the amount morning. The avalanche haz- in their cars or homes by heavy snowfall. (AFP) represented 35.2 percent of of renewable energy, particu- ard was rated as “high” across total power production in larly of solar power, fostered most of the Austrian Alps - the A boy plays with a dog in the central Italian Abruzzo region of Rovere, Germany in 2018 - the same the development, as did a second-highest level on the five- off-piste with a friend, who noon, when experts managed to following a snowfall on Friday. amount as coal, the Agora En- marked decline in energy pro- level scale. One German skier managed to dig him out of the set off an avalanche with a con- ergiewende think tank said in duction from black coal. The died when he was hit by an ava- snow but was not able to save trolled explosion, Mayor Alois fic until Monday. However, The winter weather also the report. decrease of lignite or brown lanche in the western province his life. Hasenauer told dpa. emergency services organized a caused disruptions in various A copy of the report, which coal power was only “mar- of Vorarlberg on Sunday, local In Saalbach-Hinterglemm, In the resort of Obertauern, single convoy for holidaymak- parts of the country as snow- details the progress made ginal,” according to the think police told dpa. some 12,000 tourists were authorities said roads would ers wanting to leave on Sunday laden trees toppled onto roads, last year in Germany’s Ener- tank’s experts. The young man had skied snowed in until Sunday after- remain closed for general traf- afternoon. rail tracks and power lines. Airbus chases aircraft lessors as order race tightens PAGE 14 www.facebook.com/QatarTribune

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MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2019

DOW23,433.16 QE 10,352.22 SENSEX 35,695.10 GOLD 1,285.80 US oil drillers cut rigs for first week +746.94 PTS +1.87 PTS +181.39 PTS -0.70% in three: Baker Hughes PAGE 14 PRICE PERCENTAGE PRICE PERCENTAGE 15.79 BRENT 57.06 +1.98% WTI 47.96 +1.85% SILVER -0.07% US Congress to see MoCI launches new website, fresh bid to regulate Big Tech this year offering 49 more e-services AFP WASHINGTON

This takes the total number of e-services offered by the ministry on www.moci.gov.qa to 133 THE newly installed US Con- gress is expected to see a TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK fresh effort to develop new DOHA regulations for big technology firms, with a focus on tougher MINISTER of Commerce and enforcement of privacy and Industry HE Ali bin Ahmed al data protection. Why? Kuwari on Sunday inaugurat- The wave of data scandals ed the new website of the min- that have hit Facebook and O The wave of data istry, which features 49 new other online platforms has scandals that have hit e-services. This takes the total prompted growing calls for Facebook and other online number of e-services offered action by lawmakers looking platforms has prompted by the ministry to 133. to curb abuses of how private growing calls for action by The new website, www. information is used and give lawmakers looking to curb moci.gov.qa, also offers a wide consumers more clarity. abuses of how private range of services and a plat- Significantly, most tech form for the public to better companies are pledging to information is used and understand the various initia- willingly accept new regula- give consumers more tives and functions of the min- tions to set a uniform stand- clarity istry. ard in the United States fol- The launch of the new lowing a sweeping set of rules website reflects the ministry’s that went into effect in the sonal data they hold, online strategic objectives and keen- European Union in 2018, al- companies should be re- ness to achieve more effective though few have offered de- quired to do the same.” communication with inves- tails. Another proposal un- tors, consumers, and mem- Federal regulations could veiled in December by the bers of the public, the ministry pre-empt the enforcement of Center for Democracy & said in a statement issued on legislation enacted in Califor- Technology, a digital rights Sunday. nia, which was modeled after group in Washington, in con- The new e-Services on the the EU’s General Data Pro- sultation with industry and website are designed to save tection Regulation. activist groups, covers con- time and effort of the users, it “Whether big tech and lit- sumer rights to access and added. tle tech like it or not, 2019 will correct data held by online The website is character- be a year of regulation,” said firms, data portability, and ised by attractive colours and Doug Clinton of the invest- limits on third-party access clear images. Easier to use, ment firm Loup Ventures, in to data. the new website enables quick Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Ali bin Ahmed al Kuwari inaugurates the new website of the ministry, in Doha on Sunday. a recent blog post. Significantly, it limits the access to services provided The analyst said he ex- kinds of data that companies by the ministry, supports fast port them in completing their (discounts, liquidation or of- e-Services. pects the US to consider “the can collect to what is needed browsing and is in line with various transactions. The website is characterised fers); licensing to manage and The new website allows most important points” of for their services. the modern designs used by The new version of the by attractive colours and operate new bakeries; regis- visitors to view the latest news GDPR including consent, ac- “Many apps collect your international websites. The website features 133 e-Servic- tration of commercial agents; of the Ministry through an cess, portability and erasure location information even if changes to the website are in es covering all the different clear images. Easier to use, reports of meetings of gen- integrated media center, and of personal information. it has nothing to do with the line with the ministry’s vision sectors of the ministry, includ- the new website enables eral assemblies and boards the most important initiatives Senator Brian Schatz and service they are providing,” of shifting towards digitalised ing commercial registration quick access to services of directors; patent applica- and projects of the Ministry, 14 other Democrats have en- said Michelle Richardson, systems to interact more with renewal service, licensing, and supports fast browsing tion; registration of trade or as well as product recalls and dorsed a bill aimed at requir- head of data and privacy for members of public and sup- modification and revocation industrial marks, and other trade and industrial statistics. ing online firms to safeguard the organization. personal information and “We want to fundamen- stop the misuse of data. tally change how companies “People have a basic ex- collect and use data.” pectation that the personal Since the revelations over Iran’s cbank US-China trade talks slated for today information they provide to the hijacking of personal data websites and apps is well- of tens of millions of Face- proposes protected and won’t be used book users by the political REUTERS ing wounds and disrupting pressure Beijing to change its against them,” Schatz said in consultancy Cambridge Ana- slashing four WASHINGTON the flow of hundreds of bil- practices on issues ranging a statement last month. lytica, tech firms have come lions of dollars, while both from industrial subsidies to “Just as doctors and law- under heightened scrutiny US and Chinese officials are of the countries had suffered hacking. China retaliated with yers are expected to protect from lawmakers and privacy ‘0’s from rial set to begin trade negotia- terrible, alongside the global tariffs of its own. and responsibly use the per- activists. tions on Monday in the hope economy. Trump said the U.S. tariffs DPA of reaching a deal during a 90- The US auto market had had hurt China. TEHRAN day truce between President experienced a steep decline “I think China wants to get Donald Trump and his coun- in sales and multiple US auto it resolved. Their economy’s IRAN’S central bank has pro- terpart Xi Jinping. manufacturers decided to halt not doing well,” Trump told posed axing four zeros from While the mid-level talks production amid tariff hike reporters at the White House the rial, its national currency, probably won’t produce a ma- including General Motor and before boarding the Marine in an effort to combat high in- jor breakthrough, the stakes Tesla had to slash their elec- US President Donald Trump One presidential helicopter. “I flation. are high as both sides face a tric car’s price several times. think that gives them a great “We have to this effect sub- resumption of tariffs in March Apart from the auto industry, toward a deal. incentive to negotiate.” mitted a proposal, and we hope if they don’t strike a deal. the tech sectors had also suf- US officials are meeting Beijing on Friday cut bank that this important step will be More senior-level discussions fered terrible wound, as the with their counterparts in reserve requirements amid implemented very soon,” cen- are expected later this month, safe haven stocks like FAANG Beijing this week for the first slowing growth at home and tral bank governor Abdolnaser with the South China Morn- stocks posted their first loss face-to-face talks since Trump pressure from the U.S. tariffs. Hemmati said on Sunday, ac- ing Post reporting that Trump over a three-year timeframe and China’s President Xi Jin- Asked what he expected to cording to news agency ISNA. may hold talks with Chinese last year. ping in December agreed to come out of this week’s talks The measures are neces- Vice President Wang Qishan US President Donald a 90-day truce in a trade war in Beijing, Trump sounded a sary to implement bank re- at the World Economic Forum Trump said on Sunday that that has roiled international positive note. forms in Iran, Hemmati said. in Davos, Switzerland. trade talks with China were markets. “The China talks are going Iran currently faces a se- The two nations had been going very well and that weak- Trump imposed import very well,” he said. “I really vere currency crisis as a result locked in a tariff war for much ness in the Chinese economy tariffs on hundreds of billions believe they want to make a Most tech companies are pledging to willingly accept new regulations of economic sanctions im- of the 2018, inflicting agonis- gave Beijing a reason to work of dollars of Chinese goods to deal.” to set a uniform standard in the United States. posed by the United States. In-

The removal of four zeros from rial could have a psy- chological effect in the coun- try. Many residents currently ‘Aviation financing a lucrative proposition for Qatar’ pay more than 1 mn rial for TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK a trip to the grocery store with QFCA to deliver such a from this programme and be DOHA path-breaking seminar. Avia- able to apply that knowledge tion financing will open up im- into their respective work- flation has risen drastically in THE Qatar Finance and Busi- mense opportunities for new places.” the country. ness Academy (QFBA) in age finance professionals of QFC CEO Yousef al Jaida The crisis is poised to collaboration with the Qatar Qatar and would certainly of- said, “Qatar Financial and deepen in the coming months Financial Centre (QFC) Au- fer them a competitive edge,” Business Academy possesses as the sanctions hit oil exports, thority, is organising a four- said QFBA CEO Dr Khalid al greater knowledge and exper- which constitute Iran’s main day seminar on aviation fi- Horr. tise when it comes to honing source of income. nancing. “QFCA has been an undis- skills of new age professionals. The removal of four zeros The seminar aims to cap- puted leader in assisting com- Aviation financing in Qatar is from the rial could have a psy- ture newer horizons of growth panies to expand their base in growing as a sunrise indus- chological effect in the coun- and empower financial sectors Qatar and this new addition try and hosting this seminar try. Many residents currently of Qatar. will once again position it as the provided the much-needed pay more than 1 million rial Aviation financing is turn- The seminar on aviation financing is being organised by the Qatar Finance and Business Academy preferred partner to bank on. nuances into the upcoming (23.80 dollars) for a simple ing out to be a lucrative busi- (QFBA) in collaboration with the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority. “Our capable team has industry to prepare the young trip to the grocery store. ness proposition for Qatar. At carefully designed this pro- entrepreneurs towards cap- The central bank wanted present, there is no hub for tom designed programme will tools etc and strives to pre- practical insights in the form gramme after scrutinising the turing newer horizons. It was to slash at least one zero from aviation financing in the re- provide attendees with the nu- pare new age leaders to drive of real-life case studies. Each prevailing market conditions indeed a treasure trove of in- the currency back in Decem- gion and QFCA aims to gain ances of aviation financing. It change. module will be followed by a and what one should look formation and in the future ber 2017 and bring back the the first-mover advantage, the covers topics such as export The entire programme is Q&A session to help clear par- for in the aviation financing as well, we would certainly toman, a former superunit of academy said in a statement credits, capital markets, tax designed in such a way that ticipants’ doubts. space. We are certain that the collaborate with QFBA to em- official currency that was in on Sunday. The four-day cus- leases and common financing attendees will be able to gain We are proud to associate attendees will greatly benefit power about next generation.” circulation until 1925. 12 Monday, January 7, 2019 Economy & Business

BOOSTING PRIVACY FOUNDATIONS Asian LNG prices slide in well-supplied, quiet market REUTERS LONDON

ASIAN spot prices for liquefied natural gas (LNG) fell this week although few cargoes were heard to swap hands in a well- supplied market with some traders still on their New Year’s break. Spot prices for February de- livery to Asia were assessed at $8.75 per million British ther- mal units (mmBtu) compared to $9.10 last week, industry sources said, citing low liquid- ity as the reason for the fall. Trading activity started to rise towards the end of the week and was mainly focused on late January and February cargoes, with nothing yet heard for March volumes, traders said. Tumbling shipping char- ter rates, however, were expect- ed to boost liquidity next week, they said. Demand stayed low, with two buy tenders issued. Pakistan sought five car- gos for delivery over March to April, with offers due by Jan. 30, according to documents. It In attempt to strengthen user privacy protection, Huawei creates synergy between hardware and software. is only its second LNG tender since June. Mexico’s CFE sought five cargoes to be delivered to its Manzanillo terminal between February and April in a tender Huawei sheds light on latest due by Monday, traders said. CFE also purchased a cargo in a tender for mid-January deliv- ery. China’s Unipec will load a privacy protection measures cargo from Australia in Febru- ary, having arranged a spot ves- sel for that shipment. more than 200 experts and On the supply side, a num- The firm applies Privacy by Design throughout product development, engineers working on secu- ber of cargoes in Southeast Asia rity research and development, and the Middle East have been design, verification, sales, services, and procurement activities and has worked with the 2012 offered. labs to set up cyber security Kuwait Foreign Petroleum TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK user’s trust, Huawei’s privacy The latter also supports research centers in China, Ger- Exploration Co (KUFPEC) will DOHA protection measures extend basic platform functions like many, Finland, Canada, and close on Monday a tender for from the product’s design secure start-up, hardware ci- Singapore. mid-February loading from the AS smartphones evolve at throughout the entire devel- pher engine, hardware random They have established over Wheatstone plant in Australia. lightning speed becoming the opment process and complies number generator, and hard- 10 partnerships around the Exxon closed a tender for a spot main bridge between the phys- with GAPP principles – the ware unique key (HUK). world, including with secu- vessel to load February volumes ical and digital world, an in- most stringent privacy technol- As for the operational soft- rity manufacturers, consulting from Australia’s Gorgon plant. creasing amount of users’ per- ogy framework in the world – ware used by the company, the firms, industry alliances, and Malaysia’s Petronas sold at sonal data is located in them. and all requirements set forth EMUI system fully complies industry organisations. least two January cargoes from From personal documents in the EU’s General Data Pro- with Google’s security frame- The company has also man- the Bintulu plant, with prices at to business-related emails or tection Regulation (GDPR). work, building on native An- aged to validate its robust secu- around $8.50-$8.70/mmBtu credit card information, pri- The company applies Pri- droid capabilities to further rity system which has won the free-on-board (FOB). A spot vacy is emerging as a crucially vacy by Design throughout enhance the security of the trust of worldwide customers FOB cargo is being marketed important factor to go hand in product development, design, system, data, and applications. over the last 30 years. from Qatar’s Ras Lafan plant hand with innovation. verification, sales, services, and In line with Google’s security Major global carriers, For- for mid-January loading. Taking a closer look at the procurement activities. patch upgrade policy, patches tune Global 500 companies, Gunvor will lift a spot cargo security infrastructure put In attempt to strengthen are promptly released to repair and hundreds of millions of from Oman’s Qalhat plant this in place, Huawei sheds light user privacy protection, Hua- any vulnerabilities and keep de- agement, and access control by Over the past several years, individuals. Their cyber secu- month, having chartered the on the latest privacy-related wei creates synergy between vices safe. service and by role. the Consumer BG has continu- rity practices have also won the Gaslog Singapore for the load- standards and strategies set by hardware and software. In Data security of mobile ser- Huawei adopts data pro- ously innovated and invested trust of their partners across the ing. Gunvor has also chartered the tech giant and allow users hardware, fintech-level security vices is also being maximized tection technologies including in cyber security and privacy global value chain thanks to an the Flex Rainbow, which it will to grasp their digital protection is delivered through with the by providing secure and reli- end-to-end data encryption, protection, and plans to invest advanced R&D system and sup- likely use to load a US cargo, scope better. leading mobile security plat- able unified access through unified key management, an- at least $50 million in the re- ply chain dedicated to privacy sources said. Conscious of the fact that form solution, Hi Security Ex- Huawei ID accounts, dual au- onymisation technology, and search and innovation of secu- protection and the availability LNG delivery volumes into confidentiality protection is the ecutive Environment (HiSEE), thentication, OAuth authenti- secure deletion to protect user rity technology by 2018. of open ARM chip architecture Northeast Asia accelerated in only way to earn and maintain which is offered on Kirin chips. cation, unified certificate man- data. The Consumer BG has and Google’s Android system. December, exceeding 20 mil- lion tonnes and setting a new record, Refinitiv Eikon data showed. Deliveries into China, Ja- Kuwait reiterates request to Dubai to release $496 mn frozen funds pan, South Korea and Taiwan are set to be robust in January with 7.4 million tonnes, or 114 REUTERS on Sunday. The funds are at lic prosecutor, in collabora- ter seen by Reuters. Port Fund and distribute the mentioned A spokeswoman for the cargoes, already scheduled to DUBAI the heart of a money-launder- tion with Kuwaiti prosecutors, said in a statement on Sunday amount.” Dubai government said last arrive, according to the data. ing probe which is straining started probing the lawfulness that Kuwait’s Attorney Gen- Kuwaiti prosecutors have month that judicial authorities Lower shipping rates are KUWAIT reiterated its request relations between the two Gulf of their transfer to Dubai from eral reiterated, in a letter dat- charged two Port Fund direc- in the United Arab Emirates aiding flows into the region, to Dubai to release $496 mil- allies. the Philippines. ed December 30, his request tors with embezzling funds that were awaiting a final judgment industry sources said, although lion in frozen funds held for The $496 million have Kuwait’s Attorney Gen- to his counterpart in Dubai the Kuwait Port Authority and from Kuwaiti courts on the the flow of Atlantic cargoes over a year and belonging to been frozen at Dubai’s state- eral asked his counterpart in “to remove the hold [on the the Public Institution for Social funds to transfer them back to to the Far East is unlikely Port Fund, part of a Kuwaiti owned Noor Bank since late Dubai to help release the funds funds].. and enable the account Security had invested in Port Kuwait “based on international to resume soon, with closed private equity, Port Fund said 2017, when the emirate’s pub- in October, according to a let- holder company to transfer Fund. The executives deny this. standard laws and procedures”. arbitrage. Is Artificial Intelligence a matter of survival for modern banks?

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK In fact, the banking sector ics that can identify patterns Chatbots are being hailed as virtual personal assistants are vesting in robust frameworks DOHA has been at the forefront of and irregularities, in an effort the next big thing because heralding a new era of per- to strengthen and encourage AI globally and has imple- to create much needed step they are not just reducing sonalization in the banking greater investments in AI, ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) mented a number of innova- improvements in areas such operating costs for banks, industry, are customers ready Booze Allen said. is transforming the bank- tive solutions in recent times anti-money laundering and but speeding up service and for AI? And are banks effec- Central banks in the ing sector by creating more centered on customer experi- fraud management. changing the conversation tively combining the strengths region have launched regula- personalised customer experi- ence, the report noted. Globally, there has been with customers. of their human workforce with tory sandboxes over recent ences, enhancing decision- JP Morgan Chase & Co double-digit growth in in- According to research con- machine intelligence and AI? years, which are helping making, bolstering security has implemented a pro- vestments in AI and in the ducted by Juniper Research, Investing in AI will cer- banks pilot new financial and compliance, and improv- gramme called COIN (Con- region too, large banks have chatbots will help save global tainly set winning banks apart technology and applications ing operational efficiency, ac- tract Intelligence) that is started to set up their own AI banks more than $8 billion from the rest, but banks must in a safe environment. cording to a report from Booz powered by machine learning divisions or departments to per year by 2022, as chatbot have a pragmatic approach to These are further support- Allen Hamilton. and analyses legal docu- leverage new technology. AI enquiries save around four AI for it to be successful in the ing banks and other financial Booz Allen said accord- ments. and machine learning is help- minutes compared to tradi- long-term. They must look at institutions in the region that ing to independent reports, The programme has ing banks leverage volumes of tional call centres. reskilling their workforce so are looking to leverage AI, AI will save the banking already helped the bank unstructured data to profile Well-designed chatbots that employees have the right enabling them to experiment industry an estimated $1 substantially decrease the customers, analyse behaviour Shaping the future of provide an instant response to skillsets and are ready to col- with and refine products, ser- trillion and by 2030 tradi- number of mistakes in rela- patterns and automate an banking: Chatbots customer queries, recall cus- laborate with existing AI. This vices, platforms and business tional financial institutions tion to loan-servicing. What increasing numbers of tasks, tomer preferences and are able will speed up the shift from a models before launch. will be able to enjoy a 22 would typically take hours to the report said. Digital banking is the first to learn and predict customer more ‘factory line’ approach AI is clearly the future percent reduction in operat- review, can now be completed However, it is not just step to building a robust AI behaviour. to a more fluid approach and technology of the present, ing expenses due to AI across in a matter of a few seconds. about investing in technol- framework, and the main They are also available enhance creativity and inno- and the banking system has front, middle and back-end Similarly, US Bank has in- ogy. The key success factor entry points to-date have been round the clock and are able to vation. been one of its earliest adop- operations, enabling greater vested in Innovation Group to for a bank is how effectively chatbots or virtual personal improvise to provide the cor- AI solutions can be lever- ters. However, we are still focus on high value-added develop machine learning and it is able to implement AI. assistants that answer custom- rect solution to a problem. aged to augment human in- only at the tip of the iceberg, activities. AI practices to augment its This means using the right er queries, and provide a low In addition to that, as some teraction in banking and other and tremendous progress The banking industry in human workforce. combination of tools and cost way for banks to improve chatbots use advanced machine sectors, but not fully replace it. remains to be made for banks the region is starting to invest AI is almost a natural pro- algorithms to enhance the their services. learning and Natural Language Over the next 10 years, AI in the MENA region to build in AI as a means to testing gression for banks; digital and customer experience. But, Internationally, HSBC Processing (NLP) capabilities, will transform the experience the appropriate skills, adopt new technologies and under- mobile banking is paving the equally, it means having a Holdings, Standard Char- banks are able to mine huge for the customer through even the right tools, establish gov- standing the opportunities way for more sophisticated strong internal framework of tered, and Hang Seng Bank amounts of data and provide more customised offerings ernance, and reform cultures that AI can offer, in a drive technologies revolving around governance embedded into are some of the leading banks highly targeted and personal- and holistic services. We will to reorient themselves to towards greater customer machine learning, deep learn- the bank’s own DNA to drive that announced the launch of ized experiences for customers. also see governments and use data and AI as primary engagement and efficiencies. ing, data mining and analyt- the AI vision. chatbots to serve customers. So while chatbots and institutions in the region in- engines, the report said. www.guide.com.qa  Monday January 7, 2019

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W: www.greenintl.net / www.greenintlupdaexamtraining.com Al Muntazah, Ibn Seena Street, Papa John’s Building Mezz. Floor, Office No. 3, Doha, Qatar 14 Monday, January 7, 2019 Economy & Business European growth finishes 2018 Fund managers bet on with a whimper, EM stocks for 2019 rally PMIs suggest

REUTERS PMIs for the two largest euro India, Thailand, Peru, and Brazil to outperform the China-dominated emerging market benchmark index LONDON zone economies, Germany and France, also declined in EUROPE’S top economies December, coming below all ended 2018 weaker than forecasts in a Reuters poll. they started it, with business And the Italy PMI sug- surveys pointing to slower gested its services industry growth and concerns about was barely growing after its both the US-China trade war economy contracted in the as well as Britain’s imminent third quarter. departure from the Europe- An already-deteriorating an Union. outlook for the euro zone Key purchasing manag- economy dimmed further, ers’ indexes from across the too. The composite future euro zone suggest momen- output PMI also fell to a tum was still slipping away more than four-year low. in December, when the Eu- That suggests the euro ropean Central Bank took zone economy, which grew a long-awaited decision to just 0.2 percent in the third shutter its 2.6 trillion euro quarter of 2018, its weak- asset purchase program. est pace in four years, may In Britain, where activ- slow even further in coming ity was a bit more resilient months. three months before it is due “The data are consistent to leave the EU, business ex- with euro zone GDP rising pectations for the year ahead by just under 0.3 percent in wilted. the fourth quarter, but with With turmoil in financial quarterly growth momen- markets, and serious signs tum slowing to 0.15 percent that manufacturing activity in December,” said Chris in the US as well as China Williamson, chief business slowed sharply at the end economist at IHS Markit. of 2018, the data on Friday In Britain, business was the latest to suggest the conditions were not much global economy is struggling. better. The IHS Markit/ “If you’re looking at ex- CIPS UK Services PMI rose ports in terms of GDP, actu- slightly more than the me- ally the euro zone is the most dian forecast by economists A pedestrian walks past a display showing stock index in Tokyo recently. (EPA) exposed to the external econ- polled by Reuters, to 51.2 in omy. Even the fact that there December from 50.4 in No- REUTERS in 2019. They cite a combina- highs last January, according largest financial holding com- is some slowdown, it remains vember. NEW YORK tion of compelling valuations to data from Ned Davis Re- pany. Shares of Credicorp are quite muted in the US But in But that was one of the and a likely decline in the val- search. up 8.8 percent over the last 12 China, the slowdown seems weakest since the Brexit AFTER emerging market ue of the dollar that will help While emerging markets months, while shares of San- to be more severe,” said Pe- referendum in 2016 and, stocks led global equity mar- accelerate economic growth. started the year with another lam are down 3.9 percent over ter Vanden Houte, chief euro crucially, firms were increas- kets lower in a brutal 2018, As China continues to roughly 1.7 percent loss over the same time. zone economist at ING. ingly anxious about the year some US-based fund manag- bear the brunt of US Presi- Expecting big the first two trading sessions, Perez-Coutts has been “This is having a big im- ahead. November and De- ers are betting that the asset dent Donald Trump’s focus on fund managers say they are in- underweight China since the pact on European exports, cember marked the weak- class may have the largest re- trade tariffs, fund managers rebound creasing their bets on stocks in start of last year, though she something that will unfor- est two months for morale bound in the new year. are expecting that shares in Fund managers say they are countries that are among the is starting to wade back in by tunately continue for some among services firms since It may not look likely at countries like India, Thailand, increasing their bets on most beaten-down, expect- buying shares in gaming and months to come, given the March 2009, around the low the moment, given that an Peru, and Brazil will outper- stocks in countries that are ing they will have the largest e-commerce companies that fact that we don’t expect point of Britain’s last reces- economic downturn in China form the China-dominated among the most beaten-down, rebound if and when a global have plunged. there will be a very rapid up- sion. Services account for prompted iPhone-maker Ap- emerging market benchmark expecting they will have the bull market in equities re- “Though China’s overall turn in US and China.” about 80 percent of British ple to lower its quarterly reve- index. sumes. economy may not be growing The Final Euro Zone economic output. nue forecast on Wednesday for “We want to lean into the largest rebound if and when a “I’m actually a lot more as strongly as it did in the past, Composite Purchasing “Brexit was once again the first time in a decade. Its fear in the markets,” said Se- global bull market in equities positive than this time last there are still areas of strong Managers’ Index (PMI) for by far the most commonly shares slumped nearly 10 per- bastien Page, head of asset al- resumes year because there are tre- growth,” she said. December, a good guide to cited cause of concern about cent after Chief Executive Tim location at T Rowe Price. He mendous opportunities to add Joe Gubler, a quantitative overall private sector growth, the year ahead,” said IHS Cook blamed the US-China expects emerging markets will to high-quality names in in- portfolio manager at Cause- slipped to 51.1, the lowest in Markit’s Williamson. trade war and “economic de- outperform in the year ahead ready four months into the surance and some banks,” said way Capital Management, more than four years, from “The current low level celeration,” prompting broad as the Federal Reserve curtails deep declines that rocked the Patricia Perez-Coutts, portfo- says emerging markets remain 52.7 in November. That was of the PMI would normally selloffs around the world the its pace of interest rate hikes US equities market in Decem- lio manager of the Westwood a compelling opportunity with also down from a flash read- be sufficiently weak to have following day. and the dollar subsides. ber. The average bear market Emerging Markets fund. a forward price-to-earnings ing of 51.3. triggered a cut in interest Yet fund managers from “When you have a recovery in emerging markets has last- She has been increasing ratio of approximately 10 even The euro zone services rates or other stimulus from Westwood Holdings Group, in risk assets, those that have ed 220 days and posted a de- her stakes in South Africa, after the recent declines in the PMI also fell to a four-year the Bank of England in order GMO, T Rowe Price and been undervalued can snap cline of 32.4 percent, or about Thailand and Peru, she said, US market have pushed the low of 51.2 from 53.4, hurt by to revive demand and avoid Causeway Capital Manage- back the most,” he said. 7 percentage points more than with the largest positions in forward price-to-earnings ra- slower new business growth. further downward pressure ment are among those who are Emerging markets have the roughly 25 percent drop in companies such as South Af- tio of the S&P 500 to slightly Services and Composite on future prices.” betting that emerging market been in a bear market since the MSCI Emerging Market rican life insurance company below 15 for the first time in stocks will post outsized gains September, placing them al- Index since it hit near-record Sanlam and Credicorp, Peru’s about 5 years. US oil drillers cut rigs for first week in three: Baker Hughes years in 2019 after drillers US crude futures were trad- spot WTI prices would average United States this week, ac- Drillers cut 8 oil rigs in the week to Jan 4, added 138 oil rigs in 2018 and ing around $48 a barrel on Fri- $54.19 a barrel in 2019. cording to Baker Hughes. Most 222 in 2017. They cut 11 rigs in day, putting the front-month US financial services firm rigs produce both oil and gas. bringing the total count down to 877 2016. US shale producers have on track to gain 5 percent this Cowen & Co this week said Analysts at Simmons & Co, slammed the brakes on 2019’s week on proposed trade talks the exploration and produc- energy specialists at US invest- REUTERS Hughes energy services firm drilling with crude prices off between the United States and tion (E&P) companies it tracks ment bank Piper Jaffray, this NEW YORK said in its closely followed re- 40 percent and mounting fears China eased some fears about a have provided mixed guidance week forecast the average com- port on Friday. of oversupply, paring budgets global economic slowdown. for 2019 after indicating they bined oil and gas rig count will US energy firms cut oil rigs for The US rig count, an early that in some cases were set only Looking ahead, crude fu- would spend about $88.9 bil- fall to 1,001 in 2019 before ris- the first time in three weeks as indicator of future output, is weeks earlier. tures were trading around lion in 2018, a 23 percent in- ing to 1,094 in 2020 - a signifi- producers started to reduce still much higher than a year US crude oil output hit an $50 a barrel for the balance crease over the $72.2 billion cant decline from mid-Decem- their 2019 drilling plans with ago when 742 rigs were active all-time high of more than 11.5 of 2019 and $52 for calendar they spent in 2017. ber when they forecast 1,092 the collapse in crude prices at after energy companies boost- million barrels per day in Oc- set monthly record highs for 2020. Spot crude prices at the Cowen said the firms it for 2019 and 1,227 for 2020. the end of last year. ed spending in 2018 to capture tober, according to monthly five straight months since June. US West Texas Intermediate tracks were so far only expect- In 2018, the combined rig Drillers cut eight oil rigs in higher prices that year. government data released this The United States has become benchmark averaged $65.23 in ing to add 11 oil and gas rigs this count averaged 1,032, the most the week to January 4, bring- Some analysts, however, week. US oil production broke the world’s leading crude pro- 2018. year. since 2014 when 1,862 rigs ing the total count down to 877, were forecasting the first de- its 1970 record of 10 million ducer, surpassing Russia and The US Energy Informa- There were 1,075 oil and were active, according to Baker General Electric Co’s Baker cline in the rig count in three bpd in November 2017, and has Saudi Arabia. tion Administration projected natural gas rigs active in the Hughes.

BATTLE FOR TOP SLOT Airbus chases aircraft lessors as order race tightens REUTERS bus was unlikely to meet the 800- A provisional order was an- PARIS jet goal (782 excluding the Cana- nounced at the Farnborough Air- dian A220), but others said Airbus show last July but the name of the AIRBUS has been chasing deals could still spring a surprise after buyer was never officially disclosed with leasing companies in re- workers delivered jets late on Dec and the order is not yet on Airbus’s cent weeks to try to narrow a gap 31 that had not been expected to books. in orders against rival Boeing, make the cut. 800-jet goal People familiar with the deal while experts debate whether the Bloomberg News reported on Industry sources have said linked it at the time to ICBC Leas- planemaker met its delivery target Thursday that Airbus had delivered Airbus was unlikely to meet ing, one of China’s fastest-growing after shares took a beating. more than 790 and fewer than 800 the 800-jet goal (782 leasing companies. The outcome of the recent leas- aircraft in 2018. excluding the Canadian A similar deal for 100 planes ing talks could affect a tighter-than- Shares in Airbus rebounded 3 A220), but others said Airbus from Chinese-owned lessor Avo- expected race for orders in 2018, percent on Friday after falling as lon, which had been kept under though Airbus is relying on a recent much as 7.9 percent on Thursday could still spring a surprise wraps in similar conditions as the burst of orders for a newly acquired due to doubts over deliveries and after workers delivered jets industry waited to see how trade Canadian jet programme and lags what dealers described as a possi- late on December 31 that had tensions between China and the Boeing on a like-for-like basis. ble trading error. not been expected to make United States would play out, was The last-minute order flurry Airb us is due to announce final the cut confirmed in December. complicates a jigsaw of data await- figures on January 11, but with- Both Airbus and Boeing typical- ed by investors as uncertainty lin- out the fanfare of an annual news ly turn to leasing companies to stay gers over whether Airbus met its conference that for years featured SMBC Aviation and Airbus de- afloat when economic concerns de- crucial aircraft delivery target for outspoken former sales chief John File photo of an Airbus A220-300 aircraft near Toulouse, France. (REUTERS) clined comment. ter airlines, but the financiers who 2018 — a reliable guide to profits Leahy as the company reins in Airbus was also said to be scout- now control about half the world and a barometer of supply chain communication before its full re- Irish leasing company SMBC Avia- close to signing an order to expand ing for business in China, where it fleet pick their moment carefully tensions. sults, due on February 14. tion was in talks with Airbus in the its narrow-body fleet by several has a deal pending with lessor ICBC in order to capture the steepest dis- Industry sources have said Air- On the race for new orders, closing stretch of 2018 and looked dozen jets, industry sources said. for 80 jets. counts. Attiyah aims to win maiden Dakar Rally for Toyota PAGE 17 MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2019

Kei Nishikori ends 3-year title drought with ASIAN CUP 2019 PAGE 18 win over Medvedev in Brisbane THE PHILIPPINES VS S KOREA Sanchez to keep Al Annabi away from politics at the Asian Cup

AFP and I am convinced that dur- DOHA FOCUS & ISOLATION ing the competition they will be able to maintain their focus QATAR coach Felix Sanchez This (political situation) on the sport and to isolate our- has vowed to “isolate” his play- is something we’ve selves from the rest of it all.” ers from politics at the Asian discussed with the The team arrived in UAE Cup, which is taking place players. They are very on Saturday, having to fly via in the United Arab Emirates Kuwait in the first sign this is during a diplomatic crisis conscious and I am no ordinary trip – a ban on di- between the countries. convinced that during rect flights has been imposed The tournament repre- the competition they against Qatar by the UAE, sents the first visit by the Qa- will be able to maintain Saudi and Bahrain. tari national side to the UAE their focus on the sport The Vice President of both since the beginning of the un- and to isolate ourselves the Qatar Football Associa- justified blockade imposed by from the rest of it all. tion and the Asian Football the neighbouring countries. Confederation and chairman Two of these four nations, Qatar coach Felix Sanchez of Organising Committee who have enforced the boy- of Asian Cup Saoud al Mo- cott, also have teams in the hannadi was earlier alleg- tournament – Saudi Arabia Dark horse? Yes, says Abdulkarim Hassan edly barred from entering and Bahrain. the UAE on his first attempt, With the dispute now into ON the pitch, Qatar have shown a distinct improvement since though officials in Abu Dhabi its nineteenth month, the Spaniard Sanchez took charge in 2017. Initially seen as a stop- disputed this. Asian Cup is the most high- gap appointment, the 43-year-old has transformed the team. He eventually entered the profile sporting competition He has placed emphasis on young, largely Qatari-born players, Emirates on Friday. But Qa- so far between teams from who have progressed through the Aspire Academy, the Doha tar-based journalists were not these nations. training centre which seeks to hothouse local talent. allowed into the UAE to cover And nothing is like- These include forward Akram Afif, the first Qatari to play in the tournament, after alleged- ly to be more highly- Spain’s La Liga, and defender Abdulkarim Hassan, just voted the ly being kept waiting at Dubai charged than the meeting AFC 2018 player of the year. airport for 13 hours before re- between Saudi Arabia and In November, Qatar achieved its most notable international turning to Doha. Qatar in a Group E match in victory, beating Switzerland 1-0 in Lugano. The average age of Qatari domestic sides who Abu Dhabi on January 17. Qatar’s starting line-up in Switzerland was 24 years and 195 have played in the UAE or As if the on-pitch weight days, and 13 of the 25 players who travelled to Europe were Saudi in the AFC Champions of expectation surrounding Aspire graduates. Sanchez has worked with the Qatari players at League have previously spo- Qatar’s young team ahead of every level from the academy through the Under-19s, Under-20s, ken of delays at airport immi- hosting the 2022 World Cup Under-23s and now the full team. It is the beginning of a mas- gration and comments about was not enough, now they sive year for Sanchez and Qatar, who will also play in the Copa Qatar, or encountered rival have to navigate a delicate America later in 2019. captains refusing to shake off-field situation. In an Asian Cup group also consisting of Lebanon and North hands before the match. Sanchez though has Korea, a resurgent Al Annabi (the Maroons) will be confident of However, goalkeeper vowed to concentrate solely reaching the knockouts. It is the tenth time they have qualified Saad al Sheeb said the players on football. for the Asian Cup but have never progressed further than the would remain unaffected. “This (political situation) quarter-finals. This time though they have a lot to prove. “In the end this is foot- is something we’ve discussed “I certainly nominate Qatar to be the dark horse ball,” he said. Qatar players on arrival at the airport in Dubai for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. with the players,” he told AFP. of the tournament,” said Hassan. See also page 16 Ô “We just control ourselves “They are very conscious and play football.” Jordan shock defending champs Australia 10-man Palestine hold Syria to goalless draw DPA ABU DHABI

AUSTRALIA were stunned 1-0 by Jordan in Al Ain on Sunday as the reigning Asian Cup champions made the worst possible start to their title defence. Defender Anas Bani Ya- seen headed the only goal mid- way through the first half to give Jordan the perfect open- ing to Group B. They top the table as Syria drew 0-0 with Prince Ali bin al Hussein (centre), the President of Jordan Football 10-man Palestine in Sharjah. Association, greets his players after they won their 2019 AFC Asian Australia improved after a Cup Group B match against Australia at Al Ain on Sunday. (EPA-EFE) poor first half but Awer Mabil hitting the post late on was as so we’ll go and have a look nied by the offside flag and close as they came to an equal- where it went wrong and we’ll the impressive Shafi, saving iser. They next face Palestine fix it quickly. from Jackson Irvine and Chris on Friday, a day after Jordan “It’s a wake up call, if Ikonomidis deep into added meet Syria. Jordan players celebrate after they shocked defending champions Australia in Al Ain, UAE, on Sunday. (EPA-EFE) you’re going to lose a game in time ensured Jordan a historic Elsewhere, India ended a the tournament it’s better to victory – just their fifth ever at 55-year wait for their third win settled into their game plan of the bar en route to the net with Musa al Taamari. Mooy, they lacked inspiration lose one in the group, and we’ll the Asian Cup. at the competition in spectacular sitting deep and breaking af- keeper Mat Ryan helpless. Four years ago Australia and other than a penalty shout bounce back.” The other group game fashion by thrashing Thailand ter Australia came unstuck in Ryan kept his side in the had also fallen behind in their for handball, failed to threaten Mabil manufactured half a brought a first Asian Cup 4-1 to top Group A. They next their compact defensive lines. tie moments later by touch- opening Asian Cup game to before half-time. yard of space at the edge of the point for Palestine in their meet hosts UAE on Thursday But it was a short corner, ing Baha Abdel-Rahman’s Kuwait but stormed back to “We’ll go home and look box with 11 minutes remaining second tournament appear- while Thailand meet Bahrain. whipped in by Mousa Sulei- free kick onto the bar after win 4-1 and went on to lift the at the footage,” coach Graham and rattled the post, though ance despite having Moham- Jordan, ranked 68 plac- man, which broke the dead- defender Trent Sainsbury, trophy. But on this occasion, Arnold told broadcaster Fox keeper Amer Shafi appeared med Saleh dismissed for a es below their opponents at lock in the 26th minute as who endured a torrid half, badly missing the creativity Sports. “We had a number of to have it covered. second yellow card with 20 109th in the world, quickly Bani Yaseen’s header kissed was booked for hauling down of injured midfielder Aaron good chances but not enough, Jamie Maclaren was de- minutes remaining. Chhetri surpasses Messi as India thump Thailand 4-1

AFP schoolboys rescued from a (85) tops the Indian among Thai captain Teerasil Dan- minute before substitute Lal- in charge of Malawi, Sudan ABU DHABI flooded jungle cave last year active players. gda restoring parity by bravely pekhlua Jeje completed the and Rwanda, has clashed with after being trapped for more “I’m just happy for the heading home a Theerathon rout to leave India as unlikely senior players and sparked SUNIL CHHETRI (in pic left) than two weeks, the War boys – you could see on the Bunmathan free kick. group leaders. dismay in India by stripping overtook Lionel Messi in inter- Elephants had little answer faces how jubilant they were But Chhetri came to the “Did I expect to win 4-1? Chhetri of the captaincy. national goals as cricket-mad to India’s brimming energy in after the game,” said 34-year- rescue by drilling home his No, but we’re not getting car- “There’s no controversy India stunned Thailand 4-1 at Abu Dhabi. old Chhetri. second of the game moments ried away,” insisted India about rotating captains!” he the Asian Cup football tourna- Chhetri moved past Argen- “The India fans were into the second half following coach Stephen Constantine. snapped when quizzed by In- ment on Sunday, the veteran tine Messi’s 65 international amazing so we hope we can go a lung-bursting run down the “It’s just another game. dian media. striker scoring twice in their goals when he opened the on and give them something right from Udanta Singh. There will be no issue with keep- “I’ve done it for four years. Group A opener to surpass the scoring from the penalty spot more to cheer about.” Things got worse for Thai- ing the boys’ feet on the ground, Chhetri gives everything every Barcelona superstar. after 27 minutes in a surprise The Blue Tigers were in land when Anirudh Thapa don’t worry about that.” game he plays whether he’s Watched by the 12 Thai rout. Only Cristiano Ronaldo front for just seven minutes, chipped in a third in the 68th The Englishman, formerly captain or not.” 16 Monday, January 7, 2019 Sports

Asian Cup 2019 Debutants Philippines face mighty S Korea Sven-Goran Eriksson eyes shock win against Bento’s South Korea

AFC.COM that we try to play our way as DUBAI well. “Korea Republic is a big THE Philippines are one of team, yes that’s for sure, but three AFC Asian Cup debu- the Philippines is a big team tants and will begin their as well from a big country. Group C campaign against Ko- You will see tomorrow, that rea Republic, but head coach we have a lot of good football Sven-Goran Eriksson is aiming players. I’m sure that they are to spring a surprise on the two- going out tomorrow, the start- time champions at the Al Mak- ing-11, they are coming out to toum Stadium on Monday. give Korea Republic a fight. “Of course we don’t have “On paper, they are the the easiest of opponents in strongest team in our group this tournament, we’re meet- and one of the strongest in the ing one of the favourites to win tournament, we know that, the Asian Cup but there are al- but that’s on paper, we will see ways, now and then, surprises how that is in reality.” in football,” expressed Eriks- Group C includes a Mar- son. “So why not even tomor- cello Lippi-led China PR and row?” Kyrgyz Republic, who will also Speaking at the pre-match be making their debut in the press conference in Dubai, Continental showpiece. Eriksson wasn’t shy to show While many have picked Manchester City’s English midfielder Phil Foden (left) celebrates with Riyad Mahrez (centre) and Raheem Sterling after scoring a goal during their English FA Cup third round match his excitement in leading the Korea Republic as the tourna- at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Sunday. (AFP) Azkals to their opening match ment favourites, head coach of the Continental showpiece, Paulo Bento has his feet declaring: “We are, of course, planted firmly on the ground, excited as most teams are be- emphasising his respect for cause you’re about to play the teams competing in the UAE City hit Rotherham 7-0, first game in such a big tour- 2019 and acknowledging that nament. it would be to their detriment “We have a team that has to underestimate their oppo- never been on this stage be- nents. fore, so that is very good for “We are going to respect the whole country, the squad all the teams that we are going Oldham blow for Fulham and everybody.” to play, and tomorrow we will Although the Philippines have this behaviour since the face the daunting task of play- beginning of the game, and we Barnet are the only non-league side in the 4th round after a 1-0 win to Championship club Sheffield United ing Korea Republic, who will had this behaviour since the be making their 14th appear- beginning of our preparations, AFP Fourth-tier Newport ance, Eriksson isn’t entirely which is the most important,” LONDON Results County are at home to Premier concerned about his oppo- said Bento, who replaced Shin Millwall 2 - 1 Hull City League Leicester in Sunday’s nents. Tae-yong at the helm last Au- PREMIER League champions Preston 1 - 3 Doncaster 1630 GMT kick-off. “When you meet such a gust. Manchester City began their Fulham 1 - 2 Oldham On Saturday, FA Cup hold- good team, of course you’d “A big mistake would be FA Cup campaign with a 7-0 ers Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 win have to look at how are they that if we think the game is go- thrashing of Rotherham on Man City 7 - 0 Rotherham over Nottingham Forest in what playing, what they are good at, ing to be easy. That is the worst Sunday but Fulham, battling to Woking 0 - 2 Watford seems certain to have been Cesc what do you think they will do mistake we can make. I believe avoid relegation from English QPR 2 - 1 Leeds United Fabregas’s final match for the against us,” he said. we are not going to make that football’s top-flight, were beat- Sheffield United 0 - 1 Blues. It was the same result as I think we have studied (mistake). I believe in my play- en 2-1 by fourth-tier Oldham. Barnet Manchester United beat Read- them enough, we think we ers in the way that they are go- Barnet ensured there would ing to make it five wins out of know what they will be try- ing to play. be a non-league presence in the Newport County 2 - 1 five under caretaker boss Ole ing to do tomorrow but at the “Our focus in this moment, fourth round with a 1-0 win Leicester City Gunnar Solskjaer. same time if you concentrate is the game that we are going away to second-tier Champion- Arsenal, the record 13-times everything on how Korea Re- to play tomorrow. After that, ship club Sheffield United. FA Cup winners, won 3-0 at public play, we will lose our we will think about the second, Manchester City manager Hornets debut at non-league Blackpool, West Ham beat Bir- identity. It is very important and after that, the third.” Pep Guardiola may have made Oldham interim manager Pete Wild celebrates with his players after Woking. mingham 2-0 and Everton de- eight changes from the team their FA Cup Third Round match at Craven Cottage in London on But hopes of Woking, 110 feated Lincoln 2-1. that beat Premier League lead- Sunday. (REUTERS) places adrift of the Hornets, Saturday also saw Cham- ers Liverpool on Thursday but enjoying a shock win suffered pionship club Bristol City beat still fielded a strong side for Sane added further goals. stuff,” said Oldham boss Pete a setback when Will Hughes top-flight basement club Hud- the visit of Championship side “We are going to try and Wild. “The character in the curled in a 13th-minute shot dersfield 1-0. Rotherham, with Raheem Ster- do well in every competition dressing room is phenom- from the edge of the area. Elsewhere, in an all-Pre- ling, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel we play in,” Guardiola told the enal.” Elsewhere, Barnet beat Watford made it 2-0 16 mier League clash, Brighton Jesus all starting as playmaker BBC. Turning to Foden, he Championship high-flyers minutes from time when Troy won 3-1 away to south coast ri- Kevin De Bruyne returned from added: “He missed some sim- Sheffield United thanks to Deeney scored from close range. vals Bournemouth. injury. ple passes and he needs to be Shaquile Coulthirst’s 21st- “It was a good perfor- Second division Derby, Sterling made it 1-0 in the solid but he is young. When he minute penalty. “It’s unbeliev- mance,” Gracia told BT Sport. managed by ex-England mid- 12th minute and City then attacks the central defenders he able -- that’s the only word I “I was sure it was the best op- fielder Frank Lampard, came scored twice in the closing stag- is incredible.” - ‘Phenomenal’ have at the minute,” said Bar- tion for us (to change the side) from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 es of the first half. Oldham -Denis Odoi put Ful- net captain Callum Reynolds because we knew it would be with Premier League strugglers Phil Foden, the England ham ahead in the 52nd minute after the north London club’s a demanding game.” Millwall Southampton. Under-21 international, got on at Craven Cottage but Sam Stur- triumph. came from a goal down to beat Newcastle were also held to the end of a cross from Ilkay ridge drew Oldham level with a “I mean they (Sheffield Championship rivals Hull 2-1, a draw, 1-1 against second-tier Gundogan in the 43rd minute penalty before Callum Lang’s United) are third in the Cham- substitute Shane Ferguson Blackburn. to score his first home goal for header two minutes from time pionship and we beat them at scoring twice inside the closing Premier League lead- City before Rotherham defend- sealed a comeback win. their ground.” Watford manag- eight minutes. ers Liverpool will complete a er Semi Ajayi turned the ball Daniel Iversen compound- er Javi Gracia changed his en- QPR defeated Champion- third round that started with into his own net. ed Fulham’s misery by saving tire starting side from the team ship leaders Leeds by the same Tottenham’s 7-0 thrashing of Jesus made it 4-0 early in an Aleksandar Mitrovic penalty that drew 3-3 at Bournemouth, scoreline, Jake Bidwell grab- Tranmere on Friday when they the second half before Mahrez, just moments earlier. with Venezuela forward Adal- bing a 75th-minute winner for travel to top-flight rivals Wolves Philippines coach Sven-Goran Eriksson at a press conference in Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy “It is Roy of the Rovers berto Penaranda making his the west London club. on Monday. Dubail on Sunday.

Bayern hand Ribery ‘heavy Al Duhail fire Tunisian World Nakheel, Galfer complete fine’ for angry Tweetstorm Cup coach Nabil Maaloul Worker’s Cup semis line-up AFP Salihamidzic. BERLIN On Thursday, Ribery IKOLI VICTOR TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Fixtures posted a video on social media DOHA DOHA Nakheel Landscapes vs Galfar BAYERN Munich on Sunday showing him in a Dubai steak said it will impose “a heavy house owned by celebrity Turk- QATAR league champions Al NAKHEEL Landscapes, Galfar Al Misnad fine” on Franck Ribery over an ish restauranteur Salt Bae and Duhail have terminated the Al Misnad, Larsen & Toubro Taleb Group vs Larsen & obscenity-laced outburst on rubbing his hands before tuck- contract of Tunisia’s 2018 and Taleb Group all booked Toubro social media, after the French ing into a huge chop coated in World Cup head coach Na- their berths in the semi-finals striker became embroiled in gold. bil Maaloul after just seven of 2019 Workers’ Cup, follow- kheel capitalised on the numeri- controversy for eating a gold- That ostentatious luxury, months in the job, the club ing their quar-terfinal victories cal advantage and added two coated steak. and the reported cost of the announced on its website on on Matchday 5 at the Al Sadd more goals for a 4-0 win. The punishment comes meal, drew ferocious criticism Saturday. Sports Club pitches last Friday. Galfar Al Misnad ensured after Ribery lashed out at crit- before Ribery -- who earns an The statement from the The seventh edition of they would take their place ics in a string of angry posts on estimated eight million euros a six-time QNB Stars League Workers’ Cup, the annual foot- alongside Nakheel in the semi- Twitter and Instagram on Sat- year with the German champi- champions reads: “Al Duhail ball tournament organised by finals after dispatching Medgulf urday. It is the latest scandal to ons -- hit back. club management has reached the Qatar Stars League and Construction 3-0. engulf the 35-year-old, who is “Let’s start with the envi- an agreement with coach Na- sponsored by Supreme Com- It was a tale of two distinct deeply unpopular in his native ous, the angry, surely born bil Maaloul to end his contract mittee for Delivery & Legacy for halves in the third quarterfinal, France but revered by German because of a broken condom,” with the club with mutual con- those involved in the construc- which pitted G4S against free- fans. read the first of the posts on sent and the club management Tunisian and former Al Duhail coach Nabil Maaloul tion sector in Qatar, had started scoring Taleb Group. “I had a long talk with Ribery’s Twitter account. will contract with a new coach on 7 December. Taleb grew into the game Franck and I let him know that “F*ck your mothers, your to take over the responsibility ons League quarter-finals.” in Austria. He led the team to a The final is scheduled for 25 quickly and dominated, but G4S we would impose a heavy fine grandmothers and your whole of the first team in the upcom- “The club management second-place finish in the league January. In the quarter-finals, managed to restrict them to a on him and he accepted it,” the family tree,” he wrote, hav- ing days.” thanks coach Nabil Maaloul for that is currently on break. reigning champions Nakheel one-goal advantage in the first club’s sporting director Hasan ing taken care to sanitise the “Coach Nabil Maaloul was taking the responsibility of the His biggest disappointment took some time to get into their half. Things changed dramati- Salihamidzic told journalists French word “n*quez”. coach of the first team before team in the last period, and they was his inability to take Al Du- groove, but eventually broke cally after half-time as Taleb in Qatar, where the club is on a Salihamidzic made clear the beginning of this season af- wish him success in his upcom- hail to the semi-finals of the down Spartan Ready Mix’s re- stepped on the gas and struck training camp. that Ribery did not pay the bill ter coach Djamel Belmadi left. ing coaching journey.” AFC Champions after they lost sistance, taking a two-goal lead five times more to register a 6-0 “He used words that we, FC himself because he had been in- He succeeded in leading the The 56-year-old who led 3-2 on aggregate to Persepolis into half-time. victory. Bayern, cannot accept and that vited to the restaurant. team in the league champion- Tunisia to qualify for the 2018 of Iran. He also surrendered In the second half, Spartan In what was the most ex- Franck does not have the right “Franck has been slandered ship in which the team is now World Cup in Russia took top spot and lost 3-1 to arch ri- were reduced to 10 men follow- citing game of the day, L&T to use, as a role-model and and insulted,” said Salihamid- in second place, and guided the charge of the Red Knights in vals Al Sadd to end the club’s ing Jabaru Shaibu’s dismissal mounted a thrilling comeback player of FC Bayern,” added zic. team to reach the AFC Champi- July during their training camp unbeaten run in the season. for a second yellow card. Na- to see off Shapporji Pallonji 3-1. Sports Monday, January 7, 2019 17 After victory, Du Plessis says he’s a fan of Tests, lively pitches

AFP more,” he said. were bowled out for 294, leav- rion.” who suffered a badly bruised CAPE TOWN “The speed of play has ing South Africa an easy target. Apart from being down on right thigh while fielding, gone up tremendously. Test “They had an opportu- pace, Sarfraz said the Pakistan made only four before he was FAF du Plessis said on Sunday cricket has evolved and it is nity to get 150 (ahead) on the bowlers delivered too many caught off his glove by Sar- that Test matches were crick- great for the fans. They are get- board but we did really well loose balls to provide scoring fraz while attempting to pull et’s most exciting format after ting fours, sixes, lots of wick- after tea, making sure we did opportunities for the South a bouncer from Mohammad his side clinched their series ets and pace bowlers bowling. not let the opposition get back African batsmen. Abbas. against Pakistan with a nine- Test cricket for me the last few in the game,” he said. Sarfraz acknowledged that Hashim Amla was forced wicket win on the fourth day years has been the most excit- a single warm-up game had to retire hurt on two after be- at Newlands on Sunday. ing format of all.” Poor bowling not been enough to prepare ing hit on the right upper arm The South African captain Du Plessis said the pitch at Pakistan captain Sarfraz Pakistan for South African by a ball from Mohammad disagreed with Pakistan coach Newlands had been challenging Ahmed said the loss of five conditions but he took heart Amir which lifted sharply off a Mickey Arthur’s criticism of on the first two days but there wickets on the first morn- from the second innings in good length. the pitches for the first two were rewards for batsmen. ing after his side were sent in which Shan Masood, Asad Tests, both won by South Af- “If Pakistan batted well had put Pakistan in a position Shafiq and Babar Azam scored SCOREBOARD rica in less than four days. yesterday (Saturday), today from which it was difficult to impressive half-centuries. South Africa needed just and tomorrow would have recover. “That is how you play Test PAKISTAN (1ST INNINGS): 177 48 minutes and 9.5 overs to been good batting wickets. It A first innings total of 177 cricket,” he said. “We are get- SOUTH AFRICA (1ST INNINGS): 431 PAKISTAN (2ND INNINGS): 294 score the 41 runs needed on flattened out and the ball got was not enough to put pres- ting better day by day. Hope- SOUTH AFRICA (2ND INNINGS): Sunday to score a second suc- soft. It was tough on day two sure on the South African bats- fully we will do well in Johan- D. Elgar not out 24 cessive win - and a seventh but we scored close to 400 men, a situation made worse nesburg. We have nothing to T. de Bruyn c Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Abbas 4 successive home series victory. runs,” he said. by what Sarfraz described as a lose.” H. Amla retired hurt 2 F. du Plessis not out 3 Du Plessis said lively sur- The South African captain poor bowling performance. South Africa lost a wicket Extras (b4, nb1, w5) 10 faces and an attacking mind- felt Pakistan had missed a “Our bowling was not up and added another injury con- Total (1 wkt, 9.5 overs) 43 set, encouraged by Twenty20 chance to put pressure on the to the mark,” said Sarfraz. cern before Dean Elgar struck Fall of wicket: 1-4 (De Bruyn) cricket, had helped make Test hosts by failing to capitalise on “Our bowling average speed part-time bowler Azhar Ali for Bowling: Mohammad Amir 5-2-17-0 (1nb, 1w), Mohammad Abbas 4-0-14-1, Azhar Ali 0.5-0-8-0. cricket exciting. a sparkling third wicket stand was 130 (kilometres an hour), two boundaries to finish the Result: South Africa won by nine wickets “There are not a lot of Test between Shan Masood and South Africa’s Dean Elgar celebrates with Faf du Plessis after win- South Africa were bowling at match. Series: South Africa lead the three-match series 2-0 matches that are going five Asad Shafiq on Saturday. The ning the second cricket Test match against Pakistan in Cape Town on 145. Our bowling was far bet- Theunis de Bruyn, opening Toss: South Africa days around the world any tourists reached 159 for two but Sunday. (REUTERS) ter (in the first Test) in Centu- in place of Aiden Markram, Ruthless India force Oz to follow ATTIYAH AIMS TO WIN on at home first time in 30 years SCOREBOARD med Shami without adding to Career’s second his overnight 25. INDIA (1ST INNINGS): ...... 622-7 DECL The recalled Peter Hand- 5-wicket haul for AUSTRALIA (1ST INNINGS, OVERNIGHT 236-6): scomb began with purpose, LANDMARK FIRST M. Harris b Jadeja ...... 79 confidently stroking two Kuldeep Yadav U. Khawaja c Pujara b K. Yadav ...... 27 M. Labuschagne c Rahane b Shami ...... 38 boundaries to move to 37 be- AFP S. Marsh c Rahane b Jadeja ...... 8 fore swiping at a Jasprit Bum- SYDNEY T. Head c & b K. Yadav ...... 20 rah delivery and dragging it P. Handscomb b Bumrah ...... 37 onto his stumps. DAKAR FOR TOYOTA T. Paine b Yadav ...... 5 A ruthless India took a stran- P. Cummins b Shami ...... 25 That brought Nathan Lyon glehold on the final Test in M. Starc not out ...... 29 to the crease but he only lasted Sydney on Sunday as they N. Lyon lbw Yadav ...... 0 five balls, out lbw to a full toss J. Hazlewood b Yadav ...... 21 forced Australia to follow on Extras (b4, lb2, w5) ...... 11 from Kuldeep Yadav. at home for the first time in 30 Total (10 wickets, 104.5 overs) ...... 300 Hanuma Vihari dropped years, leaving the hosts facing Fall of wickets: 1-72 (Khawaja), 2-128 (Harris), a sitter when Josh Hazlewood a full day’s batting to cling on 3-144 (S.Marsh), 4-152 (Labuschagne), 5-192 was on nought, and it proved (Head), 6-198 (Paine), 7-236 (Cummins), 8-257 for a draw. (Handscomb), 9-258 (Lyon), 10-300 (Hazlewood) costly with the tailender put- Play started almost four Bowling: Shami 19-2-58-2, Bumrah 21-5-62-1, ting on 42 with Mitchell Starc hours late due to rain, with the Jadeja 32-11-73-2, Yadav 31.5-6-99-5, Vihari 1-0- for the last wicket before he fell home team resuming on 236 2-0. to Yadav, who was the pick of for six after lunch in reply to AUSTRALIA (2ND INNINGS): the bowlers with 5-99 - his sec- India’s thumping first innings M. Harris not out ...... 2 ond career five-wicket haul. 622 for seven declared. U. Khawaja not out ...... 4 India lead the four-Test se- But needing a win to level Extras ...... 0 ries 2-1 and only need a draw Total (0 wickets, 4 overs) ...... 6 the four-match series, Aus- To bat: Marnus Labuschagne, Shaun Marsh, Travis to clinch a first-ever series win tralia crumbled to 300 all out, Head, Peter Handscomb, Tim Paine, Josh Hazlewood, Down Under, with Kohli’s men compounding the misery after Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc on the cusp of doing some- some soft dismissals by the top Bowling: Shami 2-1-4-0, Bumrah 2-1-2-0. thing no Indian team has man- order on Saturday as they stare Toss: India aged since they began touring down the barrel of defeat. Australia in 1947-48. Indian skipper Virat Kohli doned for the day. Bowling coach Bharat sent them straight back into India’s spinners had picked Arun said India’s key moti- bat - the first time Australia up five of the six wickets on vation throughout the series have been asked to follow on Saturday, but under overcast was simply to get in front and at home since Mike Gatting’s skies when play finally began stay there. “The onus of this England did the same in 1988, on day four Kohli took the new particular group is putting the also in Sydney. ball straight away and threw it team in front. Irrespective of Qatar’s Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah, the two-time champion, is determined to win the first Dakar Rally title for his Toyota Hilux team. Marcus Harris, not out to his quicks. what situation we are in, we two, and Usman Khawaja, un- It immediately paid divi- say we are going out there to TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK of focus. “This Dakar will be withdrawn from cross-country ota that first place they have beaten on four, survived four dends with Pat Cummins, who put our best foot forward and DOHA different - only in one country rallying, Hall is convinced his not yet achieved,” said 2009 overs before tea was taken scored a gutsy 63 in the Mel- play our best cricket,” he said. with 70 percent of the route team must seize its chance. champion de Villiers. early for bad light. They didn’t bourne Test, lasting just three “At the end of the day, the TWICE champion Nasser bin in sand dunes. It will be really “Last year our goal was also to “We have the same pres- come back with play aban- balls, clean bowled by Moham- effort is what counts.” Saleh al Attiyah feels that his hard. We need to respect all win, but this year we have to sure as last year with Peugeot, much improved Toyota Hilux the drivers. do it,” Hall was quoted by Au- I think we may have a slightly car may help in his mission to “Last year, Peugeot had tosport as saying. greater chance of winning now win the maiden Dakar Rally four cars and everybody was “We have a good car, good that there is no official team, for the Japanese manufac- helping the leader. This year, drivers, the same team from but it will be a tough race. The turers. all Peugeot riders are with last year. It is a positive conti- team that makes fewest mis- The torturous 5,000-km Mini. The race is shorter, we nuity. We had two chances to takes will win.” Dakar Rally begins on Monday need to be really focused and win [in 2018], but we finished According to Hall, the with the Lima to Pisco stage. don’t have not lose any time second and third. This year we team made only minor chang- The Qatari driver, runner-up with the navigation.” must achieve it.” es to the Hilux that contested to Spaniard Carlos Sainz last His Toyota Gazoo racing Attiyah and de Villiers will the 2018 event. year, is hoping to conquer the South Africa Team Manager again be partnered by third “The base is the same,” he Middle East-like landscapes of Glyn Hall also feels that his driver Bernhard ten Brinke, said. “We changed the cool- Peru as most of the rally is be- drivers must capitalise on the who likewise was a frontrun- ing system because we had ing contested in sand dunes. opportunity to claim a mile- ner last year and claimed a too much cooling last year. We Attiyah said on the rally stone first Dakar win for the stage win. worked a lot on the suspension website, “This time we have a Japanese giants in 2019. Toyota will face opposition and the shock absorbers, we really good car. Last year, we Toyota Hilux cars fin- from the X-raid Mini team made the car more comfort- finished in second place, de- ished best of the rest behind - which signed three drivers able for the drivers, because spite having a few problems. the dominant Peugeots in the from Peugeot’s works line-up their seat was too high. We improved a lot since the previous two editions of the and will also field five of its “We have an air restrictor last Dakar and my aim is to Dakar, with Gazoo drivers regular 4x4s - as well as the [that’s] 1mm narrower than win this rally for Toyota.” Attiyah and Giniel de Villiers PH Sport-entered privateer in 2018, which implies five But he insists the rally, making up the podium behind Peugeot of Sebastien Loeb. percent less power, but we though it is shorter and differ- winner Sainz last year. “We hope we can do a very changed the characteristics of India’s Kuldeep Yadav holds the ball up after taking five wickets for the innings on day four of the fourth ent, would still demand a lot Now that Peugeot has good job, we need to give Toy- the engine slightly.” cricket Test match against Australia at the SCG in Sydney on Sunday. (AAP)

Banned Warner, Shapoorji Pallonji claim Smith make QCA T20 Division C title BPL debut AFP TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK with 37. Salman followed him DHAKA DOHA Deepak excelled with both with 30, Hareesh hit 21 and bat and ball as he ena- Shibi got 14. BANNED Australian cricket- SHAPOORJI Pallonji hum- bled Shapoorji Pallonji to Gul Khan Jadoun, the ers David Warner and Steve bled Gulf Warehousing Com- skittle GWC out in 20 Head of Domestic Cricket at Smith made a low-scoring de- pany (GWC) by 30 runs to overs while they were QCA, was the chief guest at the but in the Bangladesh Premier emerge the Division C cham- chasing a stiff 155-run final match and gave away the League on Sunday, amassing pions in the QCA Twenty20 prizes. just 30 runs between them. Cricket Tournament at the target The duo, who are serv- Asian Town Cricket Stadium, Brief scores ing international bans for ball Industrial Area. seven in 20 overs. Qasim and Division C final tampering, faced off in the Deepak excelled with Tarib batted aggressively to Shapoorji Pallonji beat Gulf BPL opener in Dhaka, with both bat and ball as he ena- collect 46 and 41. Deepak con- Warehousing Company by 30 runs Smith’s Comilla Victorians bled Shapoorji Pallonji to tributed 25, while Prathban Shapoorji Pallonji: 154 for seven in 20 edging Warner’s Sylhet Sixers skittle GWC out in 20 overs added 17. overs (Tarib 41, Qasim 46, Deepak 25, by four wickets. while they were chasing a Hareesh was the pick of Mustafa 17, Prathban 17; Haris 1 wkt, Sujit 1 Warner hit off-spinner stiff 155-run target. His five- GWC bowlers, grabbing two wkt, Hareesh 2 wkts) Mahedi Hasan for three four’s wicket haul derailed the ri- scalps. Haris and Sujit shared GWC: 123 all out in 20 overs (Getan 37 in one over at the Sher-e- vals, who could manage only two. runs, Salman 30 runs, Shibi 14 runs, Hareesh Bangla National Stadium be- QCA T20 Division C Tournament winners Shapoorji Pallonji and runners-up GWC players with QCA’s Do- 123. Besides Deepak, Lijju also 21; Lijju 3 wkts, Deepak 5 wkts) fore a mix-up saw him run out mestic Cricket Head Gul Khan Jadoun and other officials at the Asia Town Cricket Stadium after the prize Batting first, Shapoorji bowled well and snared three Man of the Match: Deepak of Shapoorji for 14 off 13 balls. distribution. Pallonji rattled up 154 for wickets. Getan top-scored Pallonji Smith made 16 off 17 balls. 18 Monday, January 7, 2019 Sports Nishikori ends title drought with victory over Medvedev in Brisbane Former world number one Karolina Pliskova stages comeback against unseeded Ukrainian Tsurenko to win women’s title Sweet revenge It’s been like seven or eight times that I’ve been in this tournament. Congrats to Daniil (for) having a great final today. I actually lost to him last year in the final in Japan so it’s lovely to have revenge today. Kei Nishikori

DPA SYDNEY

KEI Nishikori put an end to a three-year title drought on Sunday, overcoming Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in the final of the Brisbane Interna- tional. It was sweet revenge for Nishikori, who was defeat- ed by the 22-year-old Russian on his home turf in the final of the Japan Open in Tokyo last year. After the world number nine took the first set com- fortably, a clearly frustrated Medvedev fought back in the second, denying the 29-year- old Japanese a series of break points. Nishikori double-faulted twice in the first game of the third set but held and then appeared to regain his nerve Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova kisses the winning trophy after and take charge of the court. Japan’s Kei Nishikori lifts the trophy after winning the men’s singles final match against Daniil Medvedev at the Brisbane International tennis defeating Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine in the women’s singles final in Despite a late break-back tournament on Sunday. (AFP) Brisbane on Sunday. (AFP) from Medvedev to go 5-2, the Japanese broke straight having a great final today,” he Medvedev paid tribute to unseeded Ukrainian Lesia ko appeared to lose all con- semi-finalist last year. the semi-final, congratulated back to claim the set and the added. Nishikori, saying they had Tsurenko 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. fidence in her game, just At the awards ceremo- Pliskova, telling her: “It was match. “I actually lost (to) him played an “amazing match.” The Ukrainian was serv- as the world number eight ny, Pliskova said Tsurenko an amazing final. You raised “I’m really happy that fi- last year in the final in Ja- “I’m really not happy that I ing for the match at 5-4 in the was regaining hers. Pliskova “played a great tournament.” your level so much and I’m nally I won this title,” Nishi- pan so [it’s] lovely to have re- didn’t get the title so I’m going second set when the 26-year- broke early and dominated, “She was very close today. I’m a fan of your tennis.” By co- kori said at the awards cere- venge today.” to come back!” he continued. old Czech broke back and breaking once again to win sure she’s going to play many incidence the pair have been mony. “It’s been like seven or The Japanese had lost Earlier on Sunday, Karoli- proceeded to level the sets, the set 6-2. more finals,” she added. drawn to play against each eight times (that I’ve been) in in the last nine finals he had na Pliskova fought back from winning 14 out of the last 15 It was her second Bris- World number 27 Tsuren- other again in the first round this tournament.” reached, with his last title in the brink of defeat to reclaim points. bane title, having previously ko, who had beaten US Open of the Sydney International “Congrats to Daniil (for) Memphis in 2016. the women’s title, beating In the third set, Tsuren- won in 2017. She was also a champion Naomi Osaka in which started Sunday. Goerges beats teen Andreescu Woodland leads McIlroy by three to retain Auckland crown at Tournament of Champions AFP a heavy heart after learning his AFP LOS ANGELES grandmother had died on Fri- AUCKLAND day night. GARY Woodland eagled the “I want to send a little shout JULIA Goerges drew on her 15th hole in a five-under par 68 out to my family back home,” he experience to retain the WTA on Saturday that kept him three said. “We lost my grandma last Auckland Classic title Sunday strokes in front of Rory McIlroy night. That put things in per- as she came from a set down atop the US PGA Tour Tour- spective real quick. to end the stunning run of Ca- nament of Champions leader- “It was a tough night last nadian teen sensation Bianca board. night -- today was a good day.” Andreescu. Woodland led McIlroy and Woodland said he didn’t re- There were tears from the two other players going into alize McIlroy had pulled into a 30-year-old German in an Saturday’s third round on the tie for the lead on the back nine. emotional celebration who Plantation Course at Kapalua, “I was just trying to stay took the match 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 Hawaii. within myself,” he said. “Trying with the final point coming Northern Ireland star McIl- to stay aggressive.” when an Andreescu forehand roy, a four-time major cham- He’ll do the same on Sun- went into the net. pion, had pulled level after his day, when he’ll be seeking a “This win means a lot to fifth birdie of the day at the 14th Gary Woodland lines up a putt fourth US PGA Tour title. Not me because not everything was -- coupled with Woodland’s on the 15th green during the known as a strong front-runner, working well in the beginning,” lone bogey of the day at 12. third round of the Sentry Tourna- Woodland said there’s no rea- said the 30-year-old Goerges But Woodland regained ment of Champions in Hawaii on son he can’t turn that around on who needed all her experience control at the par-five 15th, Saturday. (AFP) Sunday. and patience to recover from where he rolled in a 64-foot “The whole deal is I’m play- being down 4-5 in the second Julia Goerges defeats Bianca Andreescu to win the women’s singles final at the ASB Classic tennis tourna- eagle putt to stretch his lead to He gained ground with ing really well,” he said. set after losing the first. ment in Auckland on Sunday. (AFP) two, and he birdied the par-five three birdies in a row at the McIlroy said the key for him “I used my experience to- 18th to finish with a 17-under fourth, fifth and sixth and on Sunday would be to stay pa- day and really went for it in the three top 50 players on her way was really hard for me to stay was not finished, and the mo- par total of 202. picked up another stroke at the tient. important moments. My coach to her first WTA final includ- in the moment. I was ‘oh my mentum began to shift when “I played great,” said Wood- ninth. He got up and down for “I’ve just got to go about came at 5-4 and helped me find ing former world number ones god I’m one game away from she broke the Canadian at the land, “I would have liked to see birdie from the left rough at the my business, hit fairways and some solutions,” she said. Caroline Wozniacki and Venus winning this tournament’,” An- start of the second set. a couple of putts go in early. It 14th, but wouldn’t find another hit greens again,” he said. I just The ice-cool Andreescu Williams. dreescu said. Although she dropped her was nice to see that long one go birdie the rest of the way in his have to go out and try to play a had stunned the tennis world Her form continued into the “But Julia dominated from own serve at 4-4, Goerges gath- in on the par five there on the second straight 68 for 205. good round of golf.” during the week having arrived final when she raced through that point.” ered herself to break Andreescu back, nice to finish with a birdie “Could have been a couple McIlroy was one stroke in in Auckland ranked 152nd and the first set and recovered from Andreescu broke every again at 5-5 and held serve to here on 18.” better,” McIlroy said. “But good front of Australian Marc Leish- needing to play in the qualify- an early service break in the serve by Goerges in the first set, take the set. McIlroy, opening his year save at two, a good save at 16, so man, who also carded a 68. ing tournament to make the second to lead 5-4 when her at one stage leading 4-0 before She broke three more times at Kapalua for the first time, it could have been a little worse American’s Xander Schauf- main draw. concentration wavered. dropping her own serve twice. in the decider to claim her 15th couldn’t take advantage of the as well.” fele (78) and Bryson DeCham- The 18-year-old then beat “A 5-4 in the second set it But the wily Goerges, 30, WTA title. two par-fives on the back nine. Woodland was playing with beau (70) were tied on 207. ‘Heartbreaking’: Tennis stars lament potential end of Hopman Cup

AFP Federer and Serena face off for said she was unaware of specu- cutt and named after Austral- winner said. PERTH, AUSTRALIA the first time in a historic mixed lation on the Hopman’s fate, ian tennis great Harry Hop- “The players have always doubles clash -- came down to but that she was upset by the man, the Hopman Cup has enjoyed this event, so let’s hope THE likely demise of the Hop- a single match point shared by prospect of it vanishing. been used as preparation for it continues in some shape and man Cup after three decades of both sides in the final. “Obviously it would be the Australian Open by three form,” said Federer, adding that the unique mixed teams tennis However, the event is wide- heartbreaking,” she said. decades of players and has he believed a mixed teams event tournament has been greeted ly tipped to be scrapped to make German world number two held a unique place in the ten- was good for tennis. “Where with sadness by players at this way for the new ATP World Kerber, who has reached suc- nis world as the only top level and how and what, honestly I year’s edition, with Serena Team Cup, which will start next cessive finals in the past two mixed teams event. don’t know,” he added. Williams calling the prospect year. While Tennis Australia Hopman Cups, was saddened Swiss legend Roger Feder- Frenchwoman Alize Cornet, “heartbreaking”. has a contract with the West by the news. er, with five appearances in who played four times at the Swiss duo Roger Federer Australian State Government “I really love the tourna- Perth including one partnered Hopman and won the title with and Belinda Bencic beat Ger- to run the ITF-sanctioned tour- ment,” she said. “We all will with his future wife Miroslava Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2014, mans Alexander Zverev and nament until 2022, the new be sad that it is the last time at Vavrinec back in 2002, said it was mortified by the prospect Angelique Kerber in Saturday’s ATP event would make it very Hopman Cup. would be “a pity” if the event of the event disappearing. final in front of a sell-out crowd hard for the Hopman Cup to at- “Playing here as a team with did not continue. “That would be the worst in Perth, but it is expected to be tract top men’s players. your partner, playing the mixed “We had an unbelievable thing ever,” she said. the last instalment of the event. American superstar Ser- which is exciting, I will miss it.” event here for so many years “Losing the Hopman Cup A dramatic finish to what ena, who was playing in Perth Launched in 1989 by for- -- the Hopman Cup has been after losing Davis Cup and eve- Neale Fraser presents the Hopman Cup to Roger Federer and Belinda was arguably the best Hop- for the fifth time in her career mer Australian players Paul very successful from a player’s rything that is happening with Bencic of Switzerland after their win in the mixed doubles match man Cup ever -- which also saw and has won the title twice, McNamee and Charlie Fan- viewpoint,” the three-time the ITF, I think it’s a big shame.” against Germany in Perth on Saturday. (EPA-EFE) Monday, January 7, 2019 19 20 Monday, January 7, 2019 The Last Word Awqaf honours participants of Holy Qur’an workshop QNA DOHA

RELIGIOUS Calls and Guid- ance Department of the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs has concluded the 5th Spring Session for students of pro- ficiency and performance workshops in the preserva- tion and revision of the Holy Qur’an. Director of Religious Calls and Guidance De- partment, Malullah Jaber, and developing plans to General Supervisor of mosphere for the partici- the means of assistance competitions. riod and their impact on the stressed that the adminis- enable them to participate the session, Ajiyan Jaber al pants to choose the place to prepare them to be am- He praised the students’ motivation of the partici- tration spares no effort in in major competitions and Ahbabi, stressed the keen- and the proficient teachers, bassadors of their country regularity and the accom- pants. At the end of the ses- encouraging outstanding represent Qatar in interna- ness of the administration with constant and continu- through their participation panying activities that were sion, the participating stu- and distinguished talent tional forums. to provide a suitable at- ous follow-up and provide in the international Qur’an held during the course pe- dents were honoured.

QNL to hold talk on historical manuscripts Czech band regales audience at Qatar Digital Library with folk music and dances TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK 1.5 million pages of history relating to the Gulf DOHA and the wider region are freely available online VISITORS to the Cultural Village Foundation – Katara were treated TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK to a marvellous folkloric show from DOHA the Czech Republic on Friday and Saturday as part of the ongoing AN in-depth discussion on the Cultural Diversity Festival being historical manuscripts which held at Katara Amphitheatre. are freely available on Qatar The festival with participation Digital Library will take place at by 18 countries aims to link cul- Qatar National Library (QNL) tures and nations while strength- on January 8. ening bonds between them Entitled ‘A Digital Journey through intercultural dialogues to the Past: Inside the Qatar and exposure. Digital Library’, the talk will be The Czech band Danag per- jointly conducted by Dr James ing the lecture,” said Dr Onley. formed traditional folk music and Onley, director of historical “Working in partnership dance from the Czech Republic research and partnerships at with Qatar Foundation and which impressed the audience. QNL, and Richard Davies, head QNL for the last seven years, the Meanwhile, the Iranian folk- of the British Library - Qatar British Library has been thrilled loric band Ile Ehsas from Kohge- Foundation Partnership at the with the success of Qatar Digi- louyeh and Bourahmad provinces British Library. tal Library. We are delighted of the country will perform at the Academics, researchers, to be able to make the British Katara Amphitheatre next week- students and the wider commu- Library’s unique collections re- end (January 11 and 12). nity will hear about the future of lating to Gulf history and Arab the Digital Library and the third science freely available for any- phase of the partnership, which one in the world to use for both will see the digitisation of a fur- research and enjoyment. This ther 900,000 pages of historical lecture will give a behind-the- records. scenes insight into the work of “As the world’s largest our partnership and the impact open access digital repository that the Qatar Digital Library for Middle Eastern history, the has had,” said Richard Davies. Qatar Digital Library records The Digital Library is the are routinely cited in histori- outcome of a partnership be- cal studies of the Gulf region tween Qatar Foundation, QNL and have become an important and the British Library, which source of information for schol- currently offers access to over ars across the world. Research- 1.5 million pages of history re- ers have already started using lating to the Gulf and the wider the Digital Library to produce region. It has been visited by exciting new research about Qa- more than 1.2 million users and tar and the wider region, exam- has generated more than 10 ples of which will be shared dur- million page views. 1 km-long tunnel opens at Gharrfat Al Rayyan Interchange

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

THE Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ opened a one kilome- tre long unidirectional tunnel with one lane at Gharrafat Al Rayyan Interchange along Al Luqta Street. The new tunnel, which forms part of Ashghal’s Dukhan Highway East project, facilitates direct free-flow con- nectivity from Gharrafat Al Rayyan to Doha. According to the project engineer Abdulla Qasim, the tunnel will accommodate up to 2,000 vehicles per hour and ease traffic congestion at Ghar- rafat Al Rayyan Interchange for commuters travelling from Gharrafat Al Rayyan to Doha. ity recently opened a three-kil- completing the last layer of as- ing efficient connectivity to Qa- East project which is scheduled Works Authority opened im- replaced the previous rounda- Qasim said that the road users ometre stretch of the main car- phalt. tar Foundation, Sidra Medical to be completed in Q3 of 2020. portant sections of Khalifa Ave- bout accommodates approxi- en route to Doha from Gharra- riageway with four lanes in each In addition to the main car- and Research Centre and Qatar Upon completion, the project nue Project, where it opened a 3 mately 1,500 vehicles per hour fat Al Rayyan can expect travel direction along Al Luqta Street riageway, approximately three National Convention Centre. will deliver approximately 11.6 kilometre road as well as signif- and provides free-flow traffic time reduction of up to 30 per- running from west of Tilted In- kilometres of parallel service To date, Ashghal has com- km of dual carriageway with icant sections of the three-level movements and is a key ac- cent. tersection until after Gharrfat roads with two lanes in each di- pleted 75 percent of construc- four lanes in each direction. Bani Hajer interchange. The cess to Dukhan Road, Al Luqta The Public Works Author- Al Rayyan Interchange after rection, were delivered provid- tion works on Dukhan Highway During 2018, the Public complex interchange which Street and Al Rayyan Road.