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Qatar soon to float Sheikh Khalifa tender for managing elected Al Duhail major food security Sports Club project facility President

Wednesday 11 December 2019 | 14 Rabia II 1441 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 24 | Number 8102 | 2 Riyals

Qatar participates in 40th GCC Summit Amir to meet Prime Minister attends Summit Malaysia PM

QNA and heads of delegations of Gulf tomorrow DOHA countries in the closing session of the 40th GCC Supreme Council. QNA/DOHA Commissioned by Amir H H Sheikh The sessions were attended by Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Prime Their Excellencies, members of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Minister and Interior Minister H E the official delegation accompa- Hamad Al Thani will meet Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin nying H E the Prime Minister and tomorrow at the Amiri Khalifa Al Thani headed Qatar’s the Minister of Interior. Diwan with the Prime delegation at the meeting of the Earlier, H E the Prime Minister Minister of Malaysia, H E Dr. 40th Session of the GCC Supreme and Interior Minister arrived in Mahathir Mohamad, who Council, which was held yesterday Riyadh. His Excellency was wel- arrives in the country on an in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi comed upon arrival at the air base official visit. Arabia. airport by Custodian of the Two H H the Amir and H E the H E the Prime Minister, Their Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Malaysian Prime Minister Highnesses, Excellencies, and Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom will discuss bilateral coop- heads of delegations of Gulf coun- of Saudi Arabia; HRH Governor of eration. They will also tries, participated in the opening Riyadh Province, Prince Faisal bin witness the signing of a session of the 40th session of the Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; memorandum of under- GCC Supreme Council, which was H E Minister of State and standing on establishing a held at the Diriyah Palace in member of the Council of Ministers, joint supreme committee Riyadh. Dr. Musaad bin Mohammed Al between Qatar and Malaysia, H E the Prime Minister and Aiban, and H E Secretary-General in addition to discussing Interior Minister also participated of the Gulf Cooperation Council, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with the Prime Minister regional and international with Their Highnesses, Excellencies, Abdullatif Rashid Al Zayani. `P2 and Interior Minister, H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, in Riyadh yesterday. issues of joint interest. Doha Metro Green Line preview service starts; 4 stations opened on Red Line

SACHIN KUMAR became easier as four new stations, network has reached 36. and Education City, as well as the the metro. It acts as an East and tural attractions and lifestyle des- THE PENINSULA including the station at Hamad The Green Line preview opening of the Green line inter- West connection for Doha, and tinations across the city.” International Airport, on Red Line service which runs from Man- changes at Msheireb and Al Bidda. will serve new residential areas The Green Line preview More areas in Doha have come were also opened yesterday. soura in the east to Al Riffa in the Eng. Jassim Al Ansari, Green and tourist destinations, including service hours remain the same as under Doha Metro network as Qatar With all the three lines func- west introduces all 11 stations Line Project Director at Qatar Hamad Medical Corporation, the current Red and Gold Line Railways Company (Qatar Rail) tional, including previously along the line, including The Rail, said: “The launch of the Qatar Foundation, Qatar National preview, from 6am to 11pm, Sat- launched yesterday the preview launched Red Line and Gold White Palace, Hamad Hospital, Green Line preview service is Library and the Mall of Qatar, urday to Thursday and from 2pm service for the Doha Metro Green Line, the total number of stations Al Messila, Al Rayyan Al Qadeem, expected to significantly increase further facilitating the movement to 11pm on Fridays, with trains Line. Going to airport has also opened across Doha Metro Al Shaqab, Qatar National Library the number of customers using of people to more locations, cul- operating every 5 minutes. `P3 Naseem Healthcare receives ESQR International Diamond Award for quality excellence

aseem Healthcare Group received the European Society The award, presented in recognition of Nfor Quality Research (ESQR) the company’s exemplary commitments International Diamond Award 2019 for Excellence in Quality in recog- to the quality health care delivery in the nition of quality of care within Qatar’s thriving healthcare sector. The award, country, makes Naseem Healthcare presented in recognition of the com- pany’s exemplary commitments to group the only healthcare group being the quality health care delivery in the country, makes Naseem Healthcare awarded from the region. group the only healthcare group being awarded from the region. the prestigious Joint Commission services to the nation,” Miandad Mohammed Miandad V P, Man- International (JCI) Accreditation for added. aging Director of Naseem Health Care the best practices in quality and ESQR Quality Award 2019, based Group, along with Dr Munir Ali patient safety and they are the largest in Lausanne (Switzerland), handles Ibrahim, General Manager of Naseem Joint Commission International strategic questions in quality man- Health Care Group, received the accredited multispecialty private agement and promotes quality culture award in a function held at Parkhotel medical Centre in Qatar. and continuous improvement in Schönbrunn hotel, Vienna, Austria in Speaking on the occasion, quality through the annual conven- the presence of delegates from other Mohammed Miandad V P, Managing tions, which serve as a global forum participating companies, public Director, recalled the organization’s to perfect quality management tech- administrations, universities and remarkable growth and has stated niques and provides an excellent net- organizations, business leaders, aca- that Team Naseem is proud to con- working opportunity for all partici- demic experts and quality profes- tribute to Qatar National Vision 2030 pants. The awarded companies and Mohammed Miandad V P, Managing Director of Naseem Health Care Group, sionals from all over the world. articulated by the Amir H H Sheikh organizations, from a wide range of and Dr Munir Ali Ibrahim, General Manager of Naseem Health Care Group, The Naseem Health Care Group Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to private and public sectors, which strive receiving the award in a function held at Parkhotel Schönbrunn hotel, Vienna, operates six branches across Qatar: transform Qatar into an advanced for excellence and have proven their Naseem Medical Centers located at society capable of achieving sus- capabilities through their accomplish- Austria recently. C Ring, Al Rayyan and Al Hilal, tainable development. ments, will renew their commitment Premium Naseem Medical Centre “We, the largest Joint Commission to excellence and get new ideas on The awards winners are chosen on the of fifty-two companies, organizations, located at Mamoura and Al Rabeeh International (JCI) Accredited private quality management. The selection basis of the results of surveys, user public administrations, universities, Dental Centers located at Muntaza medical Centre in Qatar contribute process undergoes rigorous opinion polling and market research hospitals, and NGO’s from 52 coun- and Azizia and a seventh branch is to community by providing high assessment by an expert panel of together with a selection process tries representing different sectors coming up in Al Wakrah soon with quality healthcare services as per the judges drawn from different industry which includes, among other things, from Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa all major specialty departments. National vision. This award will sectors those examines applicants’ an analysis of socially responsible and Australia participated for the ESQR Naseem medical Centre located enhance our responsibility in pro- operations, leadership, strategy, projects implemented and an analysis International Diamond Award for at C Ring road had recently received viding the finest quality of healthcare people, partnerships and processes. of public information sources. A total excellence in quality 2019. 02 HOME WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019

Qatar participates in 40th GCC Summit

FROM PAGE 1 H E the Prime Minister and Interior Minister also attended a luncheon banquet held by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for Their Highnesses, Excel- lencies, and heads of delega- tions of Gulf countries par- ticipating in the 40th GCC Supreme Council. H E the Prime Minister and Interior Minister left Riyadh yesterday and was seen off upon departure at King Salman Air Base Airport by H E Minister of State and member of the The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani at Diriyah Council of Ministers Dr Musaad Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday. RIGHT: Amir of the State of Kuwait, H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah with H E the Prime Minister and Interior Minister. bin Mohammed Al Aiban. Summit underlines necessity of coordination and integration among GCC countries

QNA/RIYADH The statement noted the activating the mechanisms of implement the remaining steps measures undertaken by the GCC strategic partnerships and coop- of the economic integration The 40th session of the GCC countries as a result of the nav- eration that link the GCC system between the member states, Supreme Council concluded igational attacks in the Gulf with brotherly and friendly including the customs union, the yesterday with emphasising the countries and the oil installations countries. common market and the necessity of achieving coordi- in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, The Council praised the financial and monetary inte- nation, integration and interde- explaining that these measures endeavours and sincere efforts gration, in order to achieve the pendence among the GCC coun- confirmed the GCC states exerted by H H the Amir of full Gulf citizenship and eco- tries in all fields to attain unity. keenness on stabilizing oil Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad nomic unity by 2025. The final statement also markets and the recovery of the Al Jaber Al Sabah to bridge the The statement also stressed underlined that the GCC coun- global economy by preserving rift that has marred the relations the importance of promoting tries stand united together in the the interests of producing and between the member states, and strategic partnerships, noting face of the attacks which the consuming countries in cooper- expressed its support for these that the challenges facing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was ation and coordination with the efforts and the importance of region require strengthening Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser subjected to during this year, active forces in the international continuing them within the cooperation and partnership bin Khalifa Al Thani attending the 40th session of the GCC Summit in which embodies the defense community. framework of the united GCC relations, raising levels of eco- policy of the Gulf Cooperation Meanwhile, the statement house. nomic, cultural, security and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday. Council based on the principle underlined that the challenges The Council also praised the political coordination with all of integrated and equal collective facing the region emphasize the success of the 24th Arabian Gulf brotherly and friendly countries the keenness to preserve the cause as the first Arab and Muslim security principle, and the prin- paramount importance of Cup which was hosted by the and effective regional and inter- strength and cohesion of the Gulf issue, and its support for the per- ciples contained in the joint strengthening the mechanisms State of Qatar, and the distinct national systems, completing Cooperation Council and the unity manent sovereignty of the Pales- defense agreement approved in of cooperation between the GCC organisation and efforts exerted free trade negotiations and imple- of the ranks among its members, tinian people over all the occupied 2000. states in all areas, achieving the by the State to make this cham- menting joint action plans in a way and to maintain this region as an Palestinian territories since June The statement underscored maximum stages of integration pionship a success. that is beneficial to the GCC cit- oasis of stability, security, eco- 1967, the establishment of an that the security of the GCC and interdependence between The statement highlighted izens and enhances the interna- nomic prosperity and social independent Palestinian state states is an indivisible unit, indi- the GCC people, upholding the the need to achieve economic tional standing of the Gulf Coop- peace. with East Jerusalem as its capital, cating that any aggression role of the cooperation system unity by accelerating the com- eration Council and its role in The GCC Supreme Council and the return of refugees against a GCC member state is in maintaining security, stability pletion of the necessary legis- regional and international issues. affirmed the Council’s firm posi- according to the Arab Peace an aggression on all members. and prosperity in the region, and lation and decisions to The GCC leaders underlined tions regarding the Palestinian Initiative. WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 HOME 03 Al Mahmoud elected Board Chair of GOPAC THE PENINSULA Against Corruption deserves all the DOHA support it could get from them as it constitutes a unique contribution in The Global Organization of Parliamen- preventing and fighting corruption, tarians Against Corruption chose and in achieving sustainable devel- yesterday Speaker of the Shura opment for future generations in a Council, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin world that is witnessing rapid and Zaid Al Mahmoud, as its board chair radical changes. from 2019 to 2021, in a unanimous H E the Speaker of the Shura vote that took place on the side- Council and Board Chair of Global lines of its 7th conference that took Organization of Parliamentarians place in Doha. Against Corruption thanked Dr Fadli H E Speaker of the Shura Council Zon for his leadership of the organ- expressed his appreciation to his col- ization and his wise management of leagues for choosing him for the post. its work and his efforts in developing His Excellency stressed that the vote its work and role during the last reflected the international commu- period from his broad horizon and nity’s appreciation for the efforts of his deep awareness of the size of the the State of Qatar under the leadership corruption problem and its negative of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad effects. He also thanked the organiza- Al Thani in the field of combating tion’s board for their efforts. corruption. The Speaker of the Shura Council, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, with other officials after being elected as For his part, the former Board His Excellency stressed that he will the Board Chair of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, in Doha yesterday. Chair Zon expressed his confidence work with all parliamentarians on that the organization will play a big implementing the organization’s plans, initiatives and programs that will Excellency expressed his appreciation He emphasized that the Global role in the future under the Qatari in addition to carrying out a number of develop the organization’s work. His for the confidence they placed in him. Organization of Parliamentarians leadership. SC: Security Speaker of Shura Council meets parliamentary officials SHATIU winners to preparations attend Qatar-India QNA/DOHA parties agreed to enhance par- symposium today to secure FIFA liamentary cooperation to Speaker of the Shura Council H E strengthen the bonds of THE PENINSULA/DOHA Club World Cup Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al friendship between the Qatari complete Mahmoud, met yesterday with HE Shura Council and the National The Qatari Forum for Authors Chairman of Global Organization Assembly of the Republic of Mali. under the Ministry of Culture THE PENINSULA/DOHA of Parliamentarians Against On the sidelines of the con- and Sports, in cooperation with Corruption, Dr Fadli Zon, on the ference, H E Speaker of the Shura the Indian community in the The Security Committee of the sidelines of the works of the 7th Council met with H E President of State of Qatar, will hold a Supreme Committee for Global Conference of Parliamen- the Senate of the Federal Republic symposium as part of Qatar Delivery and Legacy (SC) tarians Against Corruption of Somalia Abdi Hashi Abdi. H E National Day at 10 am today at confirmed that all preparations currently held in Doha. the Speaker of the Shura Council Hikma auditorium at the have been completed to secure During the meeting, the rela- also met with H E Vice President Ministry of Culture and Sports. the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar tions of parliamentary cooper- Speaker of the Shura Council, H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al of the House of Representatives The Winners of Sheikh 2019, which will kick off in ation between the Shura Council Mahmoud, with H E Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary of the Republic of Rwanda, Musa Hamad Award for Translation Doha today and continue until and the Global Organization of Union, Martin Chung. Fadel. The two meetings reviewed and International Under- December 21. Parliamentarians Against Cor- the relations of cooperation in the standing (SHATIU) in Security Commander of the ruption and ways of enhancing conference. During the meeting, Assembly of the Republic of Mali parliamentary field between the Malayalam language, V Abdul 2019 FIFA Club World Cup Lt. them were reviewed. H E the the relations of parliamentary Issaka Sidibe, and his accompa- State of Qatar and the Federal Kabeer and Shaikh Muhammad Col. Khalifa Shaheen Al Dosari Shura Council Speaker also met cooperation between the Shura nying delegation, on the sidelines Republic of Somalia and the Karakkunnu will attend the underlined that all unites of the with H E Secretary General of the Council and the Inter-Parlia- of the conference. During the Republic of Rwanda and ways to symposium titled “Cultural Security Committee are fully Inter-Parliamentary Union Martin mentary Union were reviewed. meeting, a memorandum of enhance them, and discussed the Exchange between Qatar and prepared for the championship, Chung, on the occasion of His His Excellency met with H E understanding was signed, most important topics on the India: Diversified literary prox- adding that work is proceeding Excellency’s participation in the President of the National according to which the two agenda of the conference. imity despite long distance”. according to the plan set in terms of security measures, facilitation the movement of traffic, ensuring the flow of the Metformin: MoPH communicates masses and providing all with international bodies security services in accordance with the best levels and inter- QNA/DOHA (EMA) have reported that all the national standards. products traded in the United He noted that the security The Ministry of Public Health States of America and European preparations for the Club World announced that it is in continuous countries do not contain the Cup are going on the same level contact with international regu- impurity substance (NDMA), of interest and coordination latory bodies to follow up on knowing that this substance is between the executive units of developments regarding the present in nature as food and the Security Committee in the safety of pharmaceuticals drinking water, but in a few pro- 24th Arabian Gulf Cup 24, and containing metformin known as portions which makes it safe. even with the same work groups “Glucophage” which is used in the In this context, the Ministry which have been responsible for treatment of diabetes, in order to of Public Health indicated in its securing that championship, verify that it doesn’t contain statement that the majority of especially after the big success (NDMA) which may be carcino- the preparations containing achieved by the security plan. genic when present in the phar- metformin in the State of Qatar He pointed to some condi- maceuticals at high levels. come from European countries tions that have been considered The Ministry said that it had or the US. The Ministry recom- as stipulated by the in the reg- withdrawn samples from all mended that patients who use ulations of the FIFA as the pharmaceuticals containing these medicines continue to use organizer and supervisor of this “metformin” in the public and them as the risk of stopping the world championship, such as private sectors and to carry out use of diabetes treatment greatly conditions for holders of match its analysis in the Ministry’s drug exceeds the potential effects of tickets, persons allowed to control laboratories. It is note- low levels of impurity (NDMA) and enter stadiums and other con- worthy that the US Food and patients should continue to ditions different of those used Drug Administration (FDA) and monitor their health with health during the Gulf Cup. the European Medicines Agency care providers. Doha Metro Green Line preview service starts

FROM PAGE 1 Legtaifiya station on the Red Line will be launched in 2020. The opening of the station at Hamad International Airport enables a seamless ‘Plane to Train’ experience for those arriving in Qatar, offering fast and frequent services from the airport to the major cultural, tourist and business districts of Doha, meaning it’s now easier than ever for visitors to explore everything the city has to offer. It was a new experience for The Hamad International Airport Metro Station. PIC: ABDUL BASIT/ residents living in areas close to THE PENINSULA Green Lines stations. Unlike pre- vious days, thousands of resi- customers are not required to Mowasalat) will also see new dents in these areas decided to tap in and out as long as they routes added. metrolink services go office by taking Doha Metro remain in the paid area. All act as a seamless facilitator for train. journeys, including those customers getting to and from Interchanges are available requiring an interchange will metro stations and their sur- between the Green and Red cost QR2 in our standard and rounding areas. Metro customers Lines at Al Bidda station, and the family class carriages and QR10 can view available metrolink Red, Green and Gold Lines at in gold club carriage. routes by downloading the Doha Msheireb station. When inter- metrolink, Qatar Rail’s Metro mobile app or by visiting changing between stations, feeder bus service (operated by the website. 04 HOME WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 Qatar at the forefront in fight against climate change: MME QNA E the Minister said that within the Qatar, is a reinforcement of sustainable MADRID framework of the State of Qatar’s transportation in the country, in order support to the efforts of the international to achieve integration with the Doha Minister of Municipality and Envi- community to confront climate change, Metro project in the framework of efforts ronment, H E Eng. Abdullah bin Doha hosted in 2012 the 18th session of to reduce emissions from Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, stressed the Conference of the Parties to the transportation. the State of Qatar’s keenness to play its United Nations Framework Convention His Excellency added that in the role as an active partner with the inter- on Climate Change. context of the great interest of the State national community in facing the He added that the State of Qatar is of Qatar in addressing climate change, impacts of climate change, in line with also a founding member of the Global several projects and initiatives that con- the principles of the United Nations Green Growth Institute which helps tribute to the efforts to reduce emissions Convention. developing countries to pursue devel- have been implemented, such as H E the Minister of Municipality and opment strategies based on sustaina- projects to promote clean development Environment highlighted the bility principles. that aligns the factors of economic announcement by Amir H H Sheikh H E the Minister noted that environ- development in the State of Qatar and Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the mental development is one of the main environmental development, adding UN Climate Action Summit in New York four pillars of Qatar National Vision that work is also underway on a number in September that the State of Qatar will 2030, which seeks to support devel- of neutral carbon projects in the country. contribute $100m to support the small opment paths consistent with the In a related context, Qatar recently island developing states and the least requirements of environmental pro- launched the One Million Tree initiative, developed countries to deal with climate tection, noting that Qatar has taken as a social initiative to promote envi- Minister of Municipality and Environment, H E Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki change, natural hazards and environ- many measures to develop practices that ronmental sustainability, adapt to the Al Subaie, addressing the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Madrid. mental challenges, and build the nec- are sensitive to environmental consid- expected effects of climate change, essary capabilities to face the impacts erations and climate change, among reduce emissions and improve air of climate change, which would them projects that promote clean energy the State of Qatar of a project to establish energy sources. Meanwhile, the launch quality, H E the Minister added. enhances the global efforts in this area. use, as well as projects to enhance the a solar energy plant represents an of the electric bus operation project, and H E the Minister underlined that Addressing the 25th session of the efficiency of natural gas and energy use, important step in the way of diversifying the project of using compressed natural facing the impacts of climate change Conference of the Parties to the United waste recycling and increasing green the sources of the State of Qatar’s pro- gas as an alternative fuel in the trans- requires concerted international efforts Nations Framework Convention on spaces. duction of electrical energy and portation sector, especially in public in line with the principles of the United Climate Change in Madrid yesterday, H He pointed out that the launch by increasing dependence on renewable transport applications in the State of Nations Convention. NHRC marks Human Rights Day Teams working round the THE PENINSULA DOHA clock to clear rainwater

Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari, THE PENINSULA Deputy Chairman of the National DOHA Human Rights Committee (NHRC), opened yesterday a new version of the The Ministry of Municipality and Envi- exhibition of Arabic calligraphy on ronment (MME) has said that the highest ‘Human Rights in Islamic Culture’ at rainfall was recorded in Mesaieed City and Hamad International Airport (HIA). its outskirts. The rainfall emergency teams The opening was in the presence at the municipalities rushed to low-lying of Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, areas to remove water-logging at places Secretary-General of the NHRC; Sultan caused by the rainfall yesterday across the Al Jamali, assistant secretary- general country. of the NHRC; a number of represent- Safar Mubarak Al Shafi (pictured), atives from HIA; and a number of Assistant Undersecretary for General Ambassadors to the State, along with Services Affairs at MME and Head of the “The Joint Rainfall cadres in the National Human Rights Joint Rainfall Emergency Committee, said Committee, prominent national and that the early preparations by all the Emergency Committee had Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari, Deputy Chairman of NHRC, and other officials international figures, and a large parties concerned in the country con- discussed during its previous at the opening of Arabic calligraphy exhibition on ‘Human Rights in Islamic audience of travellers through Hamad tributed to the speedy handling of the rain- Culture’ at the Hamad International Airport yesterday. meetings the preparations International Airport. water that the country witnessed since and equipment for the It came on the occasion of the early yesterday. International Human Rights Day, discrimination, and climate change, to zations and cultures. He said that there is full coordination rainy season in light of the which falls on December 10 each year. name a few. In a statement, Mariam bint with the members of the committee, which forecasts of precipitation, The celebration of the human On the occasion of the Interna- Abdullah Al Attiyah, Secretary General includes all the municipalities, General and the plans and rights day this year comes under the tional Human Rights Day, the NHRC of the National Human Rights Com- Cleanliness Department, Public Relations, generic call “Standing Up for Human organised the Arabic calligraphy exhi- mittee, said that “the celebration of the Mechanical Equipment Department, Public programmes for the field rights” which is in an initiative by the bition at HIA, which will last for 20 International Day is an important Works Authority (Ashghal), Ministry of work teams,” said Al Shafi. United Nations to highlight the crucial days, allowing thousands of visitors to occasion to recognise the achieve- Interior, Internal Security Force Lekhwiya, role of youth in the collective and Qatar and passengers crossing through ments made by the State of Qatar in Qatar Armed Forces and Qatar Petroleum. peaceful movements as a source of HIA to see dozens of paintings that the field of protection and promotion “The committee had discussed during flow, and then moving to public facilities inspiration for a better future, and reflect the place of human rights in the of human rights, and to emphasize the its previous meetings the latest prepara- and residential areas affected by the empower youth and youth organiza- Islamic religion. keenness of the National Human Rights tions and equipment for the rainy season rainfall. He said that the rainfall emergency tions to act as a catalyst for the The audience visiting the pavilions Committee to continue to urge the in light of the forecasts of precipitation, teams will continue operation during the achievement of the Sustainable Devel- was briefed about the exhibition State of Qatar to continue the deep and the plans and programmes for the field rains without interruption until water- opment Goals and to create a better which includes creative paintings of reforms it is undertaking to promote work teams. And mechanisms and logging was cleared from across the world by promoting human rights, Arabic calligraphy including Quranic and protect human rights. “ equipment were reviewed, to ensure the country. peace and equality. verses and sayings of prophet Regarding the importance of the rapid withdrawal of water-logging as Over eight million gallons of rainwater The UN’s call to action this year Muhammad (peace be upon him) that call of action set by the United Nations required, as well as dealing with calls were removed in 1,499 tanker loads with was to celebrate the potential of young have a direct relationship with the to celebrate this year’s Human Rights requesting to remove the rainwater,” said the help of 613 people of rainfall emer- people as constructive agents of international conventions on human Day, Al Attiyah said: the generic call to Al Shafi. gency teams. The control rooms of rainfall change, communicate their voices, rights with their translation into the action “Stand Up for Human rights” Head of the Joint Rainfall Emergency emergency at the municipalities received engage a wide range of global audi- languages of the world, especially carries a very important message, Committee pointed out that the rainfall 235 calls from people requesting to clear ences in the promotion and protection English, French and Spanish in the calling on all countries of the world to emergency teams at the municipalities the water-logging from residential areas. of rights, and encourage, galvanize, framework of keenness to introduce pay due attention to the youth, and bet started operation for removing the water- The rainfall emergency teams are working and showcase how youth all over the the principles of the religion of Islam on them to promote a culture of human logging immediately after the rainfall round-the-clock to respond to all calls and world stand up for rights and against through art, and support the efforts rights in all societies, before being focusing on removing rainwater from remove the rainwater from all over the racism, hate speech, bullying, of dialogue between religions, civili- embodied in legislation and laws. highways at first to ensure a smooth traffic municipalities. Elite Paper Recycling to launch Eco Dome RAYNALD C RIVERA forested and deforested environment in THE PENINSULA a compelling way, the dome would effec- tively communicate the significance of In yet another pioneering initiative, Elite preserving the environment through Paper Recycling (EPR), Qatar’s first paper planting more trees and paper recycling, recycling company, yesterday announced said Al Suwaidi. it would launch a state-of-the-art “Eco The main feature of the dome is a Dome” — an edutainment facility aimed three-minute virtual reality 2D video at raising awareness of the crucial impor- experience which simulates contrasting tance of paper recycling. scenarios on what will happen if they Chairman of Elite Paper Recycling, Abdulla Al Suwaidi, and Al Faisal Holding Chairman, Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani (centre), Located in the company’s premises, recycle and if they don’t, he added. with Eco Dome’s sponsors and partners at a press conference held at Al Wadi Hotel yesterday. PIC: BAHER AMIN/THE PENINSULA the dome to be inaugurated on January “After watching the video, the students 27 under the patronage of Sheikh Faisal will then have a tour in the factory to see bin Qassim Al Thani is set to further the recycling process, then they will The ‘Eco Dome is one in the series of announced the partners and sponsors of Al Wadi Hotel By MGallery (Hospitality enhance EPR’s CSR programme particu- engage in some paper recycling activities,” campaigns EPR has launched and forms the project including Ooredoo (Platinum/ Partner), and Realis Design (Industrial larly targeting schools. he explained. a key aspect of its strategy to promote “Go Official Telecom Sponsor), Qatar Post and Design Partner). “The dome is meant to send the With the launch of the Eco Dome, Al Green”, “ Recycling” and “Sustainability” Aamal (Gold Sponsors) and FMM, Talabat, Honorary Partners include embassies message to the new generation on the Suwaidi expects more schools will be vis- initiatives in line with the Qatar National and Al Waad Packaging & Manufacturing of Sweden, Italy, Tanzania, Ecuador, importance of recycling because currently iting the recycling facility. Vision 2030. Company (Silver Sponsors). Argentina, Moldova and Uruguay; we get school visits which enable children “We already have more than 250 “Hopefully, this initiative will expand Other key Sponsors and partners UNESCO and Gas Exporting Countries see the recycling process in our factory schools coming to the factory almost daily. children’s knowledge and raise public include Ministry of Education (Educational Forum. but still the message is not fully conveyed The Eco Dome is for all schools, and stu- awareness so that they will care more for Partner), Ashghal, Qatar Green Building In the last three years, EPR collected to them,” Abdulla Ibrahim Al Suwaidi, dents from all levels are welcome, even the environment and recycle paper,” he Council, Kahramaa-Tarsheed and Friends over 108,000 tonnes of paper waste in Chairman of EPR, said while speaking to those from universities,” he said, adding added. of Environment Center (Strategic Partners) Qatar which had been recycled to kraft local media on the sidelines of a press con- they had partnered with the Ministry of The event held yesterday at Al Wadi and Jaidah Group -Isuzu (Transportation paper, 80 percent of which are exported ference yesterday. Education and Higher Education for the Hotel Doha MGallery launched a Partner), Al Rayyan TV and Marhaba to other countries, thus contributing to Depicting the contrasting images of programme to involve more schools. countdown to Eco Dome’s opening and (Media Partners), Al Meera (Retail Partner), both micro-economy and sustainability. WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 HOME 05 06 HOME WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 HOME 07 Qatar National Day is an occasion to remember glorious deeds of Founder Darb Al Saai ready for action Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.” attention and care paid to science and H E expressed pride in the glorious education in our country, and in the history of the Founder and his efforts adherence to high ethics and values, as and sacrifices. He said: “We learned well as in the energies of Qatari youth SIDI MOHAMED from him how to face challenges and who proved their ability through their THE PENINSULA This year, the activities will be held under the motto overcome difficulties, which was very involvement with big tasks and their ‘Al Maali Kaydah’ that means the path of excellence is relevant in the face of the unjust effective role in the national arena while The Qatar National Day 2019 celebra- blockade imposed on the country. being armed with science, faith, ethics tions are set to start tomorrow evening difficult. The slogan is inspired by a poem of Qatar’s Under the guidance of our leader and and eagerness to achieve excellence at Darb Al Saai, the prime venue of founder Sheikh Jassim describing his son Sheikh Ali the awareness of citizens and solidarity and sacrifice for the homeland.” Qatar National Day celebrations as all bin Jassim (Joaan) and gives a clear picture of a whole between residents and citizens, we were H E Hamad bin Ahmed Al preparations are already complete. able to overcome the effects of the Mohannadi explained that the General The Organising Committee has generation of Qatari youth in the founding period. blockade and became stronger, more Secretariat of the Cabinet, within the invited the public to visit Darb Al Saai cohesive, self-reliant and capable of framework of its specialisation and and enjoy its activities which target building and providing.” under the guidance of Prime Minister all age groups, as part of the Qatar of the National Day of the state on Head of Sports Training Department He also emphasized that under the and Interior Minister H E Sheikh National Day celebrations, and activ- December 18 of each year. at the Police College said that activ- blockade, the country was able to Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al ities will start tomorrow 3pm. Through a separate pavilion at ities at Darb Al Saai will include achieve the highest rates of development Thani, is working to implement Qatar The activities will start after raising Darb Al Saai, the Ministry of Culture several programs intended for and security and safety according to National Vision 2030 in coordination the Qatari flag in the main square in and Sports will participate for the first children from 4 to 12 years such as international organizations. with all state agencies, especially in the the presence of representatives of the time in the activities of Darb Al Saai. infantry field, self-defence, sports bar- H E the Secretary-General of the legislative field. participating entities. The festivities A number of entities from gov- riers, field barriers, lasers and combat QNA/DOHA Cabinet said that the slogan of the He pointed out that the General Sec- will continue until December 20, 2019. ernment and private sector are par- missions. National Day this year, ‘10 years retariat has completed many important This year, the activities will be held ticipating in these activities. Among Among other entities the General Secretary-General of the State Cabinet embraced glory and arts obtained all and necessary legislations, especially under the motto ‘Al Maali Kaydah’ that these entities which announced its Directorate of Traffic through its H E Hamad bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi excellence and manliness’ and the other the legislations on economic affairs and means the path of excellence is dif- participation is the Police College. It pavilion ‘Traffic Village’, which is for (pictured) congratulated Amir H H slogan ‘the path of excellence is dif- investments, which place a solid ground ficult. The slogan is inspired by a poem has announced details of its partici- adults and children to teach them Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, ficult’, embodied the line between our for the development process and create of Qatar’s founder Sheikh Jassim pation in Qatar National Day 2019, at many important traffic rules. It also Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin past and present. a sound legal environment for describing his son Sheikh Ali bin a press conference held at Darb Al Saai includes mini traffic museum that was Khalifa Al Thani, Deputy Amir H H He added: “We can find what the expanding investment and attracting Jassim (Joaan) and gives a clear picture yesterday. developed this year to includes many Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani Founder expressed decades ago in the capital. of a whole generation of Qatari youth Speaking at the event, Major Fahd important about the history of traffic and the loyal citizens and residents of in the founding period. Saeed Al Subaie, Director of the Col- department. Qatar on the occasion of Qatar’s The National Day commemorates lege’s Training Department, said that The Organizing Committee of the National Day. the founding of the State of Qatar by participation in this precious day Qatar National Day 2019 said that H E said, in an exclusive statement the founder Sheikh Jassim bin comes as a fulfilment of the vision of among the most important activities to QNA, that this glorious occasion is a Mohammed bin Thani on December the National Day, and as an expression which reflect a historical aspect of the reminder of the Founder Sheikh Jassim 18, 1878, who laid the foundations of of loyalty, solidarity and unity, and ancestral lives and increase feelings bin Mohammed bin Thani, who estab- the modern state of Qatar, under pride in national identity. of pride and solidarity among the lished the base and laid the values and whom Qatar became a single, coherent He explained that the Police people of Qatar is Ardat Ahl Qatar (The principles upon which Qatar was built. entity and an independent, unified College would take part in the military Folk Sword Dance of the People of These set of values and principles country. parade to be held on December 18, Qatar). enabled the State to make significant The activities come to achieve the 2019. It will also actively participate Also, there is Lemradah activity achievements and offer the world a vision of the National Day, by pro- in the activities that are being held in which aims to revive the Qatari her- bright model of a secure and stable state moting loyalty, solidarity, unity and Darb Al Saai ground from December itage and to introduce the youth about capable of achieving the highest rates of pride in the Qatari national identity, 12 to 20. it to build bridges of communication development and providing the most dig- We recall on this day the feats of the which is embodied by the celebrations Captain Rashid Ali Al Tamimi, between generations. nified ways of life for its people and PIC: BAHER AMIN / THE PENINSULA Founder and remember the successes and residents. The Secretary-General of the achievements of our country and the positive Cabinet added: “We recall on this day role it plays in the region and the world thanks the feats of the Founder and remember Qatar-Pakistan ties to strengthen further: Envoy the successes and achievements of our to the wise leadership of Amir H H Sheikh country and the positive role it plays in Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.” THE PENINSULA/DOHA Government and the people of the have embarked upon a trajectory which are mutually beneficial.” grateful to the leadership and the region and the world thanks to the State of Qatar on the auspicious of even closer diplomatic, political He said that the visa on arrival people of Qatar for hosting around wise leadership of Amir H H Sheikh Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar, occasion of the National Day of and economic ties.” extended from both states is not 170,000 Pakistani diaspora,” the Syed Ahsan Raza Shah, has said Qatar.” Pakistan, he said, has actively only increasing people to people Ambassador of Pakistan noted. that relations between Qatar and Syed Ahsan Raza Shah (pic- sought to enhance trade ties and contact, but is also facilitating Raza Shah said that he was Pakistan will continue to tured) said that bilateral relations more than doubled its exports in business delegations and tourism confident that relations between Qatar and Bangladesh enjoy strengthen. between Pakistan and Qatar are the last 2 years. “The recently held in Qatar. “This ever increasing the two states would continue to In an exclusive message to The marked by mutual respect and 5th session of Pakistan-Qatar Joint interaction will give rise to new strengthen. “I avail this oppor- Peninsula on Qatar National Day, cordiality. “These relations are Ministerial Commission will opportunities for cooperation tunity to congratulate the lead- the Ambassador said: “It gives me based on the foundations of a further enhance economic, trade between our people.” ership of Qatar on its vision and excellent bilateral relations immense pleasure to felicitate shared faith, culture and heritage. and investment relations.” “We are thankful to Qatar for leadership in this regard. We join SANAULLAH ATAULLAH labour and energy sectors, will Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim The visit to Qatar by Prime Min- The Ambassador said that the assistance it has provided in our Qatari brothers in the festiv- THE PENINSULA/DOHA boost up in the days ahead and take bin Hamad Al Thani, Father Amir ister Imran Khan in January and there is also significant interest at difficult times. We also resolve to ities of the National Day. Once our relations to newer heights.” said His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin the Government and the private standby Qatar. again, I extend my profound felic- Ambassador of Bangladesh to H E Ashud Ahmed. Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani to Pakistan in level in Qatar to invest in Pakistan. Pakistani community living in itations and express best wishes Qatar, H E Ashud Ahmed (pictured) The Ambassador said that there and Interior Minister His Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, the June this year have further “In the recent past, both Qatar and Qatar serves as a living bridge of the people of Pakistan that the has congratulated leadership of exists a lot of potential in many strengthened Pakistan have begun to more between Pakistan and Qatar. They State of Qatar may continue on its Qatar, government and people on areas. “Another sector which has bilateral rela- clearly realize that they have have proudly participated in the path of progress and the occasion of Qatar National Day tremendous potential is the phar- tions which shared interests and shared goals development of Qatar. We are prosperity.” which falls on December 18. maceutical sector of Bangladesh. “On the auspicious occasion of Qatar can consider importing med- the National Day of the State of icines from Bangladesh which are Qatar, it’s my great pleasure to cost-effective as well as meeting convey my best wishes to Amir international quality standards.” Belgium a Qatari gas gateway to H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Regarding bilateral trade, he Thani; Father Amir H H Sheikh bin Hamad Al Thani; Prime Min- said that the currently the balance Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; ister and Interior Minister H E of trade is in favour of Qatar and Northwestern Europe: Envoy Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin the trade gap has increased man- Khalifa Al Thani and the Gov- ifold due to Bangladesh’s importing QNA/DOHA ernment of Qatar for their astute of LNG from Qatar under a long- leadership in smoothly running the term agreement. Ambassador of the Kingdom of affairs of the country with concrete To a question regarding Qatari Belgium to Qatar H E Bart De Groof measures for implementing Qatar investments in Bangladesh, the (pictured) affirmed that his country’s National Vision 2030,” said Ambas- Ambassador said “There is huge cooperation with Qatar in the field of sador of Bangladesh to Qatar, scope to invest in different sectors in energy has grown significantly during Ashud Ahmed. Bangladesh like ports development the past year, noting that Belgium is a “On this happy occasion, I infrastructure development, telecom- major gateway for Qatari gas to reach would also like to take this oppor- munication, IT and tourism etc.” northwestern Europe. tunity to convey my greetings and On Qatar’s preparations for In a statement to QNA on the felicitations to the brotherly people organizing 2022 FIFA World Cup, occasion of National Day, the Ambas- of Qatar and wish them continued the Ambassador said that Bang- sador said that Belgium and Qatar are peace, progress and prosperity.” ladesh was happy over the fact that closely working together commercially The Ambassador said that first time an Islamic State was and economically, for example in the Bangladesh and Qatar has been organizing such a mega sport event fields of technology, engineering and the Ambassador added. enjoying excellent bilateral rela- and Bangladesh was ready to in the service industry. Regarding the unjust blockade tions and in the process of opening extend all-out support and coop- H E the Ambassador praised the imposed on Qatar, H E the Ambassador up more areas for further strength- eration to Qatar in this regard. extremely strong relations between said that Qatar has shown a ening cooperation for the mutual To a question, the Ambas- Qatar and Belgium, noting that the remarkable resilience in the face of benefit of the two great people. sador said that the Bangladeshi Royal houses also have excellent rela- sometimes challenging circumstances “It’s my firm belief and hope community in Qatar was also very tions, adding that the visit of Amir over the last couple of years. He added that our bilateral partnership on active in playing a catalytic role H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al that Qatar has always reacted wisely, multiple areas like trade, tourism, in establishing people to people Thani to Belgian King Philippe in 2018 remaining open to all discussion and business and investment, in addition contacts through organising was an example of that. interaction with everybody. to our traditional cooperation in various cultural activities. His Excellency expressed a His Excellency pointed out that the “Different community organ- heartfelt congratulations to Qatar, recent Gulf Cup was a very fine isations organise such events on Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad example, when Qataris welcomed eve- different national and interna- Al Thani, the government and people rybody with open arms and in a Bangladesh and Qatar have been enjoying tional occasions on a regular basis of Qatar on the occasion of National friendly manner. Likewise, he added excellent bilateral relations and in the in close cooperation with various Day, describing it as a day of pride and that Qatar always emphasized the departments of the host gov- celebrations for all Qataris and many need for the rule of law, as well as in process of opening up more areas for further ernment. Bangladesh MHM expats who live and work in Qatar and international relations, and has con- strengthening cooperation for the mutual School and College is also doing share in this special moment. Together sistently worked through the United benefit of the two great people. a great job in this regard.” The they are contributing to the further Nations multilateral system to make Ambassador said, “Long live development of this beautiful country, its voice heard. Qatar-Bangladesh friendship”. 08 VIEWS WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019

Planning and Statistics Authority: A year of accomplishment in the path towards achieving Qatar National Vision 2030 ESTABLISHED IN 1996

QNA DOHA CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI lanning and Statistics Authority continues to play an important role in following up EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Pthe implementation of Qatar DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI National Vision 2030 and supporting [email protected] efforts related to the strategies ema- nating from it. To achieve their goal, the Authority ACTING MANAGING EDITOR made a number of achievements in MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED 2018-2019 in cooperation with its [email protected] strategic partners. The Authority continues its efforts in defining frameworks, developing DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR mechanism, rationalizing plans and MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI supervising them in order to achieve [email protected] the goals and objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, in addition to preparing studies related to these The President of the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) and Chairman of the plans and providing technical support to the planning process in various gov- Permanent Population Committee H E Dr Saleh bin Mohammed Al Nabit. ernment agencies. The most significant achievement levels that are likely to have some the field of statistics and field research, EDITORIAL is the launch of the Second National impact on the implementation of which ensures the effectiveness and Development Strategy 2018-2022 development projects. accuracy of the census process in all which was prepared by the Agency. In recognition of the growing its research and technological aspects. One of the most vital roles of the national, regional and international The Authority also held a regional Push for corruption-free world Planning and Statistics Authority is imperatives to address human devel- workshop on updating official sta- monitoring the implementation of the opment challenges, the Authority pre- tistics in the State of Qatar in order to atar has been playing a major role in improving strategy; the authority follows the pared and finished the first draft of the support the implementation of the the lives of people, establishing justice and fighting progress made in the implementation fifth Human Development Report Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Qeverything that hinders or weaken the world of development strategies that con- “Human Capital and Development”, and the National Development through innumerable steps. Protecting human rights, tribute toward achieving the goals set which is expected to published in the Strategy 2018-2022, and make a sig- imparting education and providing employment to mil- for Qatar National Vision 2030 while first quarter of 2020. nificant shift in the official statistics lions of people across the world, especially in the poor monitoring the challenges and In line with Qatar’s commitment to system in cooperation with national corners and, above all, combating corruption relent- obstacles facing the implementation the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable and international partners using the lessly have been always a priority for Qatar. The country process. In this context, a number of Development adopted by the World latest innovation techniques in statis- has always striven to improve the quality of life not only quarterly reports for the year 2019 Summit on Sustainable Development tical processes. in Qatar, but in other countries also irrespective of were submitted to the relevant in September 2015, the results and The Authority will continue its region, religion, caste, creed or any other forms of authorities on the progress made in objectives of the National Devel- efforts to implement Qatar National yardstick. the implementation of the Second opment Strategy 2018-2022 have been Vision 2030, develop and monitor The latest example of such efforts is the ceremony National Development Strategy. aligned with the Sustainable Devel- development strategies, update the held in Rwanda’s capital Kigali to honour the winners Recently, the first quarterly report for opment Goals. statistical system in the State of Qatar of the fourth edition of Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al 2019 was issued after the Authority To monitor the progress made in and prepare statistics that meet its Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award. provided technical support and arbi- achieving these goals and objectives, users requirements and provide Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, along tration to the the Planning and Statistics Authority, decision makers with reliable data to with Rwandan President H E Paul Kagame, conferred workshops of in cooperation with the concerned make plans and formulate devel- the awards to nine eminent people who contributed the sectoral authorities, prepared the report of the opment policies. immensely to fight against corruption in their own fields implemen- Sustainable Development Goals in the In the area of population policy of discipline. The presence of President of the Republic tation plans State of Qatar. The report serves as a issues, which is handled by the Per- of Namibia H E Hage in January reference for decision makers and manent Population Committee, the Geingob, Chairperson of the The Authority and February development policy makers to help implementation of population policy is African Union Commission continues its 2019. The them determine the actions required being monitored and the necessary H E Moussa Faki, President efforts in defining Department to achieve progress in the areas of sus- data are collected on relevant of the International Football frameworks, also con- tainable development. indicators. Association (FIFA) H E ducted a In the statistical field, the Authority It should be noted that the popu- Qatar has always Gianni Infantino, UN Deputy developing review and launched in November this year the lation policy is subject to continuous striven to improve Secretary-General H E mechanism, an evaluation General Census of Population, Housing evaluation aimed at identifying change the quality of life Amina Mohammed and John rationalizing plans of the stra- and Establishments 2020, which is brought about by the programs and not only in Qatar, Brandolino of the United and supervising tegic and one of the most important statistical interventions presented by this policy Nations Office on Drugs and executive projects at the Authority. in practice, and uncovering the chal- but in other Crime at the ceremony was them in order to plans of min- The 2020 Census is carried out lenges and obstacles that prevent the countries also a proof of the wider global achieve the goals istries and mainly on the basis of the adminis- effective implementation of these pro- irrespective of appreciation of Qatar’s and objectives government trative records of the various gov- grams and interventions. region, religion, efforts in combating agencies. ernment agencies in the country, Additionally, the Permanent Popu- corruption. of Qatar National At inter- which represent the issuers of the lation Committee, has finalized the caste, creed or Fighting corruption has Vision 2030. national indi- census data. This is considered a qual- first draft of its report, “the status of any other forms become one of the most cators’ level, itative leap in conducting censuses, Qatar’s population”, which aims to of yardstick. essential priorities of any the Authority and it is in line with The International inform the decision-makers about country as it has become the prepares a number of qualitative Development Statistics which urges population reality at all levels, dimen- most lethal act affecting the reports and analytical studies, most countries to use administrative sions and developments. This report humanity in every scenario notably, but not limited to, the State of records in statistical operations and will support national development of life, whether it is health, education, food, or any other Qatar’s performance in international the production of statistical indicators strategies and current and future basic necessities. Every nation has its own rules and indicators, which contributes to the and data. planning policies. regulations aimed at eradicating corruption, which alone analysis of institutional, economic, In the same context, the Planning In line with the importance of cannot curb the phenomenon. What the world needs at social, political, environmental and and Statistics Authority organized the raising community awareness on pop- present is creating awareness about the banes of this knowledge based economy indicators. main training program for researchers ulation issues, the Permanent Popu- scourge through relentless campaign, drilling in the The Authority also prepared the working in the field during the first lation Committee celebrates July 11 of message of creating a new world free of corruption. The Qatar Economic Outlook report which phase of the census project. This every year on World Population Day proponents and the selfish beneficiaries of malprac- presented the short-term outlook for training program aims to prepare to highlight issues of family planning, tices as well should be dealt with seriously and brought Qatar’s economic performance as well researchers before coming to the field combating poverty and improving to justice. as an analysis of the potential and through high-level training with a maternal health and human rights Honouring people who dedicate their life to the risks at the local, regional and global number of specialists and experts in issues. eradication of corruption will send a strong message across and holding such honouring ceremony in a country which is at the forefront of this effort is a fitting honour for and recognition of that country and its people. And that is what Qatar does exactly as it held Brexit’s next battle: The trade deal the first award ceremony at the UN headquarters in Vienna, the second one at the UN headquarters in AFP 2020, and will not take the make a one time only request clarification -- known as Geneva, the third in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur option of asking Brussels for for either one or two years of “scrubbing” and ratification. and the latest in Kigali. ith Prime Min- extra time. Experts widely extra time. Without an Given the tight timeline, ister Boris agree that it will take far extension, “maybe they can Zuleeg says the UK would Johnson ahead longer to achieve a compre- achieve something very basic either have to accept major in the polls, hensive trade deal worthy of that would give the UK very concessions on the key issues, W or accept standard third- Brussels expects Britain to a country destined to be one limited leverage on the tricky exit the EU on January 31 as of the EU’s closest partners. subjects like services, fish- country status to win a deal. QUOTE OF THE DAY he has promised. On Friday, Despite Johnson’s assur- eries or Gibraltar for Spain,” Slashing tariffs will one day after Britain’s ances, trade deals do not just Zuleeg said. probably be achievable, but We do not want the election, EU leaders meeting come off the shelf “oven- As a matter of reference, that would leave no time for in Brussels will discuss their ready”, especially if Britain is other EU trade talks have the UK to negotiate on other Horn of Africa to priorities in trade talks after looking for a vastly different dragged on much longer topics, and Britain would be be a battleground the divorce. relationship. Trade deals: from the launch of talks to pressed to accept EU terms. for superpowers Will Johnson be able to How long? implementation: Canada France and the Nether- reach a quickly compre- A fast deal would be “a deal - 8.5 years, Japan: 6.5 lands are highly doubtful the nor a hideout for hensive deal to preserve very big ask” that would limit years, Singapore: 9 years, deal can meet the one year the merchants of cross-Channel trade --or will the ambition of the deal tre- Vietnam: 7 years so far and deadline and insist that the terror and brokers of he be forced to ask for an mendously, Fabian Zuleeg, Mercosur: 20 years so far Europeans should not be despair and misery. extension to the post-Brexit chief economist at the What does six months rushed by Johnson. If transition period? European Policy Centre, said. get you? Johnson refuses to extend the Fast or slow? Johnson The British government will To sign a deal by the end negotiation period, a no-deal Abiy Ahmed maintains he will strike a have to decide by July 1 if it of 2020, negotiators will have Brexit will loom once again, Ethiopian Prime Minister new trade deal with the EU wants to postpone the to wrap up a provisional deal with Britain in danger of an by the end of a planned tran- December 31 2020 deadline. in about six months, leaving abrupt cut in trade ties with sition period at the end of On that date, it could time for translation, legal Europe, rocking its economy. WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 HOME 09 Former expatriate wins Sheikh Hamad translation award

P K NIAZ Kerala in April. THE PENINSULA Besides Malayalam, Bahasa Indonesia, Portuguese, Somali A former Indian expatriate, who and Uzbek were added this year spent almost two decades in for the awards. The books trans- Qatar, has won the prestigious lated from Arabic to these lan- Sheikh Hamad Award for Trans- guages and vice-versa were con- lation and International Under- sidered for the prizes. standing for his work from Abdullah Manham, Senior Arabic into Malayalam language. Lecturer, Faculty of Languages V Abdul Kabeer, a journalist, and Translation at the Al Jamia writer and translator from the Al Islamia, Kerala, who chaired southern Indian state of Kerala, a session on the Translation and shared the award in the International Understanding Malayalam category, with Shaikh Conference, told The Peninsula: Abdullah Manham Muhammad Karakkunnu, a “This is the first time translations popular Islamic scholar, writer in Malayalam were considered and orator and Dr Shamnad, an honoured,” said Karakkunnu. for the award. IPH, the leader in Arabic professor. Dr Shamnad rendered seven translation of Arabic books in The awards were presented novels and one poetry into Kerala rightly deserved the on Sunday by H E Sheikh Thani Malayalam from Arabic. He is award. So are other winners from bin Hamad Al Thani, at the Ritz- the head of Arabic Department Kerala who have contributed Carlton Hotel. at the University College, immensely in the field of intro- Abdul Kabeer, who worked Trivandrum. ducing the rich culture and FROM LEFT: V Abdul Kabeer, K T Hussain, Dr Shamnad and Shaikh Muhammad Karakkunnu with the awards. in Qatar Police Communication This is the first time knowledge of the Arabs. I appre- Department as a translator from Malayalam, spoken by the largest ciate the organisers for holding 1987 until 2006, was awarded named after the Father Amir IPH, the largest Islamic pub- Shaikh Muhammad Kara- expatriate community in Qatar, this wonderful annual event”. for his comprehensive work in H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa lishers in southern India, was felic- kkunnu, the director of Dialogue has been selected as one of the He added: Glad to have such the field of Arabic-Malayalam lit- Al Thani, the architect of the itated for its role in bringing more Centre, Kerala, has written more languages of the Achievement an opportunity to participate in erature. He has penned over 15 modern Qatar where I lived 19 than 60 Arabic titles into than 80 books in Malayalam of Award for this year after Urdu this international conference on books, half of which were trans- years. Secondly this is an honour Malayalam that included the works which 14 were translated from was chosen in a previous season issues in translation and cross lations from Arabic that included for Malayalam, the language of of Imam Ghazali, Ibnu Thaimia, Arabic. He is also a scholar of of the award among Indian cultural understanding. Forum the works of Dr Yousuf Al a tiny state. Hasanul Banna, Muhammad Al Islam and comparative languages. for Arab and International Qardawi, Ahmad Bahjath, Abdul Kabeer is currently the Ghazali, Sayyid Quthub, religions. For promoting this pres- Understanding (FAIR) should Rached Ghannouchi and others. chief editor of Islamic Publishing Muhammad Quthub, Dr Yousuf Al “ I consider this award as a tigious award, a team of Sheikh also be appreciated for their Speaking to The Peninsula, House (IPH), which also won the Qardawi, Thariq Suwaidan and recognition for the longstanding Hamad Award for Translation earnest efforts in promoting he said: I am deeply honoured to award for publishing an array of Rached Ghannouchi. Assistant relations between Arab countries and International Understanding, translation and patronizing aca- receive this award for two translation works from Arabic Director of the IPH, K T Hussain, and Kerala. Also I feel that the led by Dr Hanan Fayadh and Dr demics and writers across the reasons. Firstly, this award is into Malayalam. received the award. Malayalam language has been Imtenan Smadi had visited world. QU-Health and QCS organise 9th annual meeting of MEACR THE PENINSULA The conference aims to Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Jaber Al DOHA exchange experiences Thani, Chairman of Qatar Cancer and the latest findings Society stressed the importance QU-Health cluster in collaboration of experts in this field of keeping up with international with Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) and spread knowledge experiences and expertise and and the Middle Eastern Association and encourage scientific taking every opportunity to for Cancer Research (MEACR), develop the society’s programs organised recently the 9th annual cooperation between and plans through organization meeting of the Middle Eastern various universities and and participation in all confer- association for cancer research, scientific institutions in ences and events within and titled ‘cancer science from bench the Middle East. outside Qatar. This would help to clinic’ in Ibn Al-Bitar Building enrich its work through the at Qatar University. exchange of ideas and visions QU and QCS officals during the Middle Eastern Association for Cancer Research meeting. The conference was attended exchange experiences and the among specialists. by Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jaber Al latest findings of experts in this field Qatar Cancer Society has based Thani, Chairman of Qatar Cancer and spread knowledge and its work on achieving the vision of College of Medicine said: “It’s to share your ideas and accelerate such a scientific endeavor in the Society and Professor Egon Toft, encourage scientific cooperation the state to invest in human impossible not to feel humbled progress against cancer in the region and we hope to continue Vice-President for Medical and between various universities and resources, as the presence of phys- when addressing any cancer region and beyond”. to build on this mutual interest Health Sciences, in addition to a scientific institutions in the Middle ically and psychologically healthy research community, group of “As our determination to and create ever-evolving syn- large number of cancer scientists, East. The conference attracted the individuals requires concerted inspired and inspiring individuals foster cancer research in the ergies that will serve both cancer researchers, physicians, and all most prominent doctors, efforts to achieve goals that no one who devote their lives to finding region, aligns perfectly with the research and cancer patient care those interested in cancer researchers and academics, with side alone can achieve in isolation solutions for one of the world’s objectives of Qatar University, in the region and beyond”. Dr. research, including graduate stu- the aim of providing a rich program from other parties, he added. most devastating diseases. I’m Qatar cancer society and Qatar’s Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa, founder, dents, and public health practi- of educational sessions and lec- Professor Egon Toft, Vice- proud that we at QU-HEALTH are national health strategy, we see Middle Eastern Association for tioners in Qatar and abroad. tures centred on cancer research President of Medical and Health again able to make this small con- in this collaboration a perfect Cancer Research, professor, The conference aims to and modern methods of treatment. Sciences office and Dean of the tribution towards encouraging you partnership that helps nurture College of Medicine. HBKU’s social QC holds workshops for Future’s Writers Experience ‘Silent Night’ work club holds THE PENINSULA at The Spa at Mandarin inaugural event DOHA Qatar Charity (QC), in collab- Oriental, Doha today THE PENINSULA/DOHA oration with Qatar University (QU) and other partners, THE PENINSULA Wellness Escape. Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) organised many training DOHA Oriental Qi immerses guests Qatra Social Work Club held its inaugural workshops for university and on a personalised journey event recently. The event, led by HBKU’s school students to enhance In our increasingly hectic and inspired by traditional Chinese College of Islamic Studies (CIS), was an their creative and short story urbanised world, silence is a medicine encompassing a holistic opportunity for participants to engage writing skills and capabilities. precious commodity, which is approach to wellness for the body, with Richard Geary, founder of the Deaf The workshops came as why The Spa at Mandarin mind and spirit. The ritual starts Reach Program, which strives to system- part of the ongoing fourth Oriental, Doha is ‘turning down by determining the guest’s atically instill foundational changes in the edition of the “Future’s the volume’ and for the first time Chinese element based on the education framework for deaf children Writers”, a Qatar Charity’s will offer guests a silent retreat on Orient’s ancient philosophy of in Pakistan. program implemented within December 11, 2019. Silent Night is balancing the five elements. The World Innovation Summit for Qatar, allowing competition Qatar Charity’s Future’s Writers workshop in progress. an annual offer available in This is also the perfect time to Education (WISE) 2018 prizewinner among participants to display Mandarin Oriental spa’s experience the Group’s Digital shared his story of how, as an American their hidden talents and worldwide. Wellness initiative. This provides citizen, he made Karachi, Pakistan, his encouraging novice writers to Some 30 male and female students of Qatar On Silent Night, The Spa at guests with access to a range of home as well as his efforts to empower produce literary works. University, who were declared as qualified Mandarin Oriental, Doha will offer wellness advice and activities the country’s deaf community. Some 30 male and female candidates for the second phase of the the normal treatment menu and designed to help them disconnect The multiple projects rolled out by Deaf students of Qatar University, “Future’s Writers” program, attended the starting at 6pm the lights will dim, from technology. A Digital Reach make it a role model for what con- who were declared as qual- and a hush will fall with no talking Wellness Escape is the ideal stitutes real-time, applicable change on the ified candidates for the second training workshops held at the university. and no music within the spa to treatment to fully immerse guests ground, from academic education up to its phase of the “Future’s Writers” instil a sense of peace and allow on grounding both body and mind newest addition of a BA program to voca- program, attended the training expert in the fields of literature qualified participants to write for guests to experience contem- and is designed to provide a tional training for developing employable workshops held at the and creative story writing, complete stories. plation and mindfulness. All com- calming and peaceful respite from skills; high-level accessibility in terms of university. included theoretical and prac- It is worth mentioning that munication will take place in a the outside world and the stress of instruction in Pakistan Sign Language (PSL), Qualified for the second tical aspects, and a discussion through its “Future’s Writers” brief consultation at the beginning repetitive movements. This 1 hour full scholarships which embrace deaf phase of the program, dozens of and exchange of views on program, Qatar Charity aims of the spa journey. 20-minute experience focuses on children in poor communities, and door- male and female students, written works by the partici- to contribute to achieving the Guests are encouraged to the head, eyes, neck, shoulders, to-door transportation including to and including those with special pants, who learned how to Qatar National Vision 2030 by come alone or to bring a loved one hands and feet to restore and ease from remote areas; and so much more. needs, from primary, prepar- develop their stories and came offering an array of activities with whom they would like to strains resulting from the frequent Alina Zaman, President of the Qatra atory, and secondary schools, to know about the elements to create a culture of reading, share an experience of silent con- use of digital devices. Social Work Club, said, “This was our first participated in the workshops of the short story. discover talents, and develop nection. The Spa will feature A To book and experience A stepping stone in striving for our vision held at different schools of Qatar. The workshops were held writing skills of students to Silent Retreat Journey where Silent Retreat Journey, please in promoting in HBKU and a caring com- The workshops, presented to prepare the students for the build an educated generation guests can choose to experience contact us at +974 4008 8888 or munity with self-sufficiency, dignity, by QU’s faculty members, third and last phase of the capable of meeting from our featured signature ther- email modoh-reservations@ harmony, and happiness. academicians, and scholars program, which requires these challenges. apies Oriental Qi or Digital mohg.com. 10 HOME WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 11 Two Algerian former PMs get heavy jail terms for corruption

AFP/ALGIERS Former prime ministers scandal cost the treasury more Many fear the trials are little Ahmed Ouyahia and than 128bn dinars (¤975m), more than a high-level purge in An Algerian court sentenced two Abdelmalek Sellal, who according to the official APS a struggle between still-powerful former prime ministers to long were both close to news agency. regime insiders, rather than a jail terms yesterday in the first the ousted president, Defence lawyers boycotted genuine effort to reform the of a series of high-profile were sentenced to 15 the trial, alleging the proceedings state. The military high corruption trials launched after were “politicised” and impacted command, which has long longtime president Abdelaziz years and 12 years by a climate of “settling scores”. wielded power from behind the Bouteflika resigned in the face respectively. It was The defendants protested scenes, has now been forced to of mass protests in April. the first time since their innocence and spent the take a visible, frontline role in gov- The verdicts came just two Algeria’s independence trial shifting blame among them- ernment — but has rejected the days before Algeria is due to elect from France in 1962 selves. Before the court retired to demands of protesters and civil a president to replace Bouteflika that former prime deliberate, former prime minister society for sweeping reforms. in a vote bitterly opposed by the Sellal broke down in tears and It has paid little attention to country’s nine-month-old protest ministers were put begged for leniency, saying, “I popular calls to replace the con- Algeria’s former prime ministers Ahmed Ouyahia (left) and Abdelmalek movement, which sees it as a on trial. don’t have much time left to live.” stitution that served to legitimise Sellal. regime ploy to cling to power. In closing remarks on Bouteflika’s grip on power. Former prime ministers Sunday, the prosecutor said the Instead, the army has pushed Ahmed Ouyahia and Abdelmalek tried on charges ranging from Abdeslam Bouchouareb, who is And three businessmen who trial sent the message that for a swift election to pick a Sellal, who were both close to the money laundering to abuse of on the run abroad, was sen- own vehicle assembly plants — Algeria had changed this year replacement for Bouteflika, ousted president, were sen- office and granting undue priv- tenced in absentia to 20 years. Ahmed Mazouz, Hassen Arbaoui and that “we are here to apply saying it is the only route to tenced to 15 years and 12 years ileges in the nascent vehicle Two other former industry min- and Mohamed Bairi — were sen- the will of the people”. resolving the political crisis. respectively. assembly industry. isters, Mahdjoub Bedda and tenced to seven years, six years But the high-profile prose- While no opinion polls have It was the first time since The Algerian automotive Youcef Yousfi, were handed and three years respectively. cutions have done little to win been published, observers expect Algeria’s independence from sector got its start in 2014, via 10-year terms. The prosecutor denounced over the protesters, who have high levels of abstention, in France in 1962 that former prime partnerships between foreign Businessman Ali Haddad, a sector dominated by nepotism continued to take to the streets keeping with previous elections ministers were put on trial. The groups and large Algerian cor- founder and CEO of private con- and favouritism, describing busi- since Bouteflika’s resignation, in a political system seen by state prosecutor had sought porations, many of which are struction firm ETRHB and former nessmen who “managed front demanding the total dismantling voters as rigid and unac- 20-year prison sentences for the owned by businessmen linked head of Algeria’s main companies while benefiting from of the military-dominated countable. The five candidates two ex-premiers. to Bouteflika’s entourage. One employers’ organisation, was undue tax, customs and land system that has ruled Algeria in the poll have run low-key In all, 19 defendants were former industry minister, sentenced to seven years. benefits”. The automotive since independence. campaigns.

Israeli lawmakers Turkey could send submit bill to troops to Libya if dissolve House AP/JERUSALEM requested: Erdogan Israeli legislators submitted a bill Tuesday that would AP/ANKARA meeting with university stu- dissolve parliament and dents. “After the signing of the trigger an unprecedented third Turkish President Recep Tayyip security agreement, there is no national elections in less than Erdogan said yesterday that hurdle.” a year. Turkey could deploy troops in During yesterday’s meeting Israel has been mired in Libya, if the UN-supported with students, the Turkish leader political deadlock for months. government in Tripoli were to said the self-styled Libyan With the two largest parties, request such support. National Army leader Gen. Likud and Blue and White, Erdogan’s comment came Khalifa Haftar had no “interna- unable to form a power-sharing weeks after Turkey signed tional identity. “Sarraj is the one agreement ahead of a security and military cooper- who is recognised, and he is the Wednesday deadline, law- ation agreements, as well as a one we considered as our inter- makers from the rival sides maritime border agreement, locutor,” Erdogan said. together tabled the bill. with Libya’s Tripoli-based gov- The maritime border It is expected to go to a vote ernment. That government, led agreement could give Turkey in parliament on Wednesday, by Fayez Sarraj, controls parts access to a contested economic setting the date for the next of the country’s west. zone across the eastern Medi- election on March 2. “If Libya were to make a terranean Sea, fueling tensions No to presidential election “Under the exceptional request, we would send a suffi- in Turkey’s dispute with Greece, circumstances that have cient number of troops,” Cyprus and Egypt over oil and Algerian demonstrators carrying banners during a protest rejecting tomorrow’s presidential election, emerged, and after two Erdogan said during a town hall gas drilling rights in the area. in Algiers yesterday. adjacent election campaigns in which no government was formed, the dissolution of the Explosions hit Iraq’s south; 22nd Knesset is being pro- Angry protesters attack posed,” the bill reads. Neither Prime Minister demonstrations continue Benjamin Netanyahu nor his Lebanese city’s municipality AFP/BAGHDAD main rival Benny Gantz have been able to form a coalition AP/BEIRUT the worsening financial crisis, an treat patients.” Iraq’s south saw further protests and explosions, as demonstrations government after two incon- international rights group also The economic crisis has led against the government and its Iranian sponsor that erupted on clusive elections. Polls have Angry protesters attacked the warned. For years, the Lebanese to unprecedented capital con- October 1 persist unabated, according to security sources. predicted the third vote is municipality headquarters in state has failed to pay its debts trols by lenders. It has also The southern city of Amara was rocked overnight by four near- unlikely to produce dramati- Lebanon’s second largest city, to public and private hospitals, affected imports amid a shortage simultaneous explosions targeting premises of two pro-Iran armed cally different results. Tripoli, yesterday, smashing making it more difficult for them of U.S. dollars that the Lebanese factions, according to police. The legislation is something windows and setting a room on to buy medical supplies and pay banking system heavily relies on. “Three sound grenades targeted two premises and the house of of a formality. The allotted fire, in an outburst of violence salaries. Lebanon imports most of its an Assaib Ahl Al Haq leader and an improvised explosive device period for forming a gov- triggered by the collapse of a “The Lebanese govern- basic needs such as medicine, targeted the house of an Ansar Allah commander,” police said. ernment following September’s house overnight in the area that ment’s failure to pay its bills to fuel, wheat and medical Asaib Ahl Al Haq is one of the most powerful groups in Iraq’s election expires at midnight on killed two siblings. medical facilities seriously products. Hashed Al Shaabi security force, a network of armed groups inte- Wednesday. Without a coalition The attack in the country’s endangers the health of the Sleiman Haroun, the pres- grated into the state, of which Ansar Allah is also a component. deal, elections would have been north came as heavy rainfall population,” said Joe Stork, ident of the Syndicate of Private Medical sources reported three wounded by the blasts. automatically triggered later in blocked roads and strained deputy Middle East director at Hospitals, told The Associated Founded in 2014 to fight IS militants who had seized swathes of March. major infrastructure across Human Rights Watch. Press that the health sector is northern Iraq and neighbouring Syria, the Hashed is made up of Lebanon. The country is already “While politicians horse- passing through “a very serious mostly Shia factions, many of which have been backed by Iran. Israel rounds up roiled by anti-government pro- trade over a new Cabinet, the crisis” because doctors are facing According to security sources, the attacks were committed against tests and a plunging economy. government is not responding a shortage of foreign medication the groups due to their loyalty to Iran, whose influence continues 11 Palestinians in Many Lebanese hospitals to the desperate economic situ- and equipment. to grow in Iraq, in particular via armed groups that it has long trained West Bank raids may soon be unable to provide ation in the country and the In Tripoli, a large military and financed. These attacks come shortly after the recent bloodshed patients with life-saving surgery clock is ticking on the ability of force was sent to the city to deal in several Iraqi cities, the latest seeing 24 people killed, including ANATOLIA/RAMALLAH and urgent medical care amid many doctors and hospitals to with the violence. four police officers, on Friday evening in central Baghdad. Israeli forces have detained 11 Palestinians in overnight raids carried out across the occupied Sudan’s Bashir questioned over 1989 coup West Bank, according to the Israeli army. AFP/KHARTOUM government of prime minister overseeing a transition to civilian In a statement, the Israeli Sadiq Al Mahdi. rule as demanded by the protest military said the individuals had Sudan’s former president Omar The former president was movement. been arrested for “suspected Hassan Al Bashir appeared himself ousted by the army in Bashir is being held in Kober involvement in popular terror yesterday before a prosecutors’ April of this year after months prison in a separate case, for activities,” without elaborating committee over the 1989 coup of nationwide protests against which he has been on trial since about the nature of these that brought him to power, his his iron-fisted rule of three August, on charges of illegally alleged activities. lawyer said. decades. acquiring and using foreign The Israeli army carries out Bashir was “brought to be On November 12, Sudanese funds. A verdict is due in that frequent arrest campaigns investigated in the case of the authorities filed charges against case on Saturday. across the West Bank— alleged 1989 coup,” said his Bashir and some of his aides for Yesterday, Bashir was taken including occupied East Jeru- lawyer, Mohamed al-Hassan, “plotting” the 1989 coup. The from Kober prison to the prose- salem—on the pretext of who did not attend the hearing. prosecution established a special cutor’s office in a convoy under searching for “wanted” Peace talks The lawyer also told committee for the case. strong armed protection. Palestinians. reporters that in his view the If found guilty, he could face After the hearing, which According to Palestinian South Sudan’s opposition leader Riek Machar (left) and Sudan’s hearing was “not a judicial the death penalty or life impris- lasted about an hour, a crowd figures, roughly 5,000 Pales- deputy head of the Transitional Military Council, Mohamed Hamdan matter, it’s a political matter”. onment under Sudanese law. gathered in front of the prose- tinians -- including numerous Daglo attending the third round of Sudanese peace talks in Juba, In 1989, Bashir, a brigadier Sudan is now ruled by a joint cutor’s office, chanting “Kober women and children -- are cur- South Sudan, yesterday. at the time, seized power in a civilian and military sovereign prison, the best place for you!” rently languishing in Israeli coup that toppled the elected council, which is tasked with and “you killed people!” detention facilities. 12 ASIA WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 Protests rage as India’s Lower House passes citizenship bill

AFP/NEW DELHI For Muslims, the Modi’s government had tried to opposition, rights groups shepherd the legislation through par- India’s lower house passed controversial liament during its first term in power, legislation early yesterday that will grant and others the bill fits but it failed in the upper house, where citizenship to religious minorities from into Prime Minister Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and neighbouring countries, but not Muslims, Narendra Modi’s Hindu its allies lack a majority. amid raucous scenes in parliament and After sweeping to victory in the protests in the country’s northeast. nationalist agenda to April-May national elections, the BJP is The Citizenship Amendment Bill marginalise India’s 200 now more confident it can push the bill provides that Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, million Muslims. through both chambers. Jains, Parsis, and Christians fleeing per- During a lengthy debate marked by secution in Muslim-majority Afghan- angry exchanges, opposition Congress istan, Bangladesh and Pakistan can be North East Students’ Organization. lawmaker Shashi Tharoor said the bill Samajwadi Party activists shout slogans as they hold placards to protest against granted citizenship. “We have made it clear... that CAB “infringes upon the principle of equality the government’s Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, It comfortably passed the lower (the Citizenship Amendment Bill) will before law” guaranteed to all persons, yesterday. house with 311 votes in favour and 80 not be accepted and we are going to including non-citizens. against just after midnight. intensify our agitation,” he said. “Assam The legislation seeks to amend the Protestors in northeast India set fire and northeastern states had already Citizenship Act of 1955, which prohibits to tyres and cut down trees to block roads taken a huge burden of illegal for- illegal migrants from applying for Indian yesterday in a shutdown across the region eigners,” he said. citizenship. US Commission calls for sanctions hours after lawmakers approved the gov- Once law, it will make it much easier Under Modi, several cities perceived ernment’s new citizenship bill. for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, to have Islamic-sounding names have against India’s home minister The legislation, set to go before the Parsis, and Christians fleeing Afghan- been renamed, while some school text- BLOOMBERG/WASHINGTON upper house today, will fast-track citi- istan, Bangladesh and Pakistan to books have been altered to downplay zenship claims from immigrants from become Indians. Muslims’ contributions to India. A US federal commission has called for sanctions against India’s home minister three neighbouring countries — but not Modi’s government says Muslims In August, his administration and other top leaders if the country passes a controversial bill that will prevent if they are Muslim. from these three countries are rescinded the partial autonomy of Jammu Muslim migrants from neighboring countries from receiving citizenship. For Muslims, the opposition, rights excluded because they can choose to and Kashmir, India’s only Muslim- The Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) needs approval from the upper house groups and others this fits into Prime go to other Muslim countries. Also majority state, and split it into two. On before it become law. It proposes changes to existing citizenship laws to allow Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nation- excluded are other minorities fleeing Monday, 100 scientists and scholars at citizenship for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who ille- alist agenda to marginalise India’s 200 political or religious persecution else- institutions in India and abroad published gally migrated to India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Muslims million Muslims. where, such as Tamils from Sri Lanka, a joint letter expressing their “dismay” at are excluded from these provisions. If passed as expected, the move threatens People in northeast India object for Rohingya from Myanmar and Tibetans the legislation, saying the constitution the secular foundation of the world’s second-most populous nation and its con- different reasons, fearing that large from China. called for members of all faiths to be stitution that treats all religions equally. numbers of Hindu migrants from Bang- “This bill is in line with India’s cen- treated equally. “If the CAB passes in both houses of parliament, the United States gov- ladesh, who they say are intruders, will turies old ethos of assimilation and belief They wrote, Modi’s “proposed bill ernment should consider sanctions against the Home Minister and other prin- swamp their homeland. in humanitarian values,” Modi tweeted. would mark a radical break with this cipal leadership,” The United States Commission on International Religious Yesterday, the region —that is sand- “I say this again and again that this history and would be inconsistent with Freedom said in a press statement. “The CAB enshrines a pathway to citizenship wiched between Bangladesh, China and bill has nothing to do with the Muslims the basic structure of the constitution”. for immigrants that specifically excludes Muslims, setting a legal criterion for Myanmar — was crippled by a general in this country,” Home Minister Amit The letter said such a careful exclusion citizenship based on religion. The CAB is a dangerous turn in the wrong direction.” strike called by dozens of organisations, Shah told parliament. of Muslims would “greatly strain” India’s The US commission’s statement was “neither accurate nor warranted,” India’s with buses off the roads and most Shah has stoked further fears among pluralism. Ministry of External Affairs said. “The Bill provides expedited consideration for schools and shops shut. India’s Muslims with his aim to conduct The government has defended the Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities already in India from certain “The bandh (strike) have drawn a a nationwide National Register of Cit- bill, saying it was only aimed at flushing contiguous countries. It seeks to address their current difficulties and meet their total response in the northeastern izens (NRC) that he says will see all out infiltrators, and that Muslims did not basic human rights,” the ministry’s spokesman Raveesh Kumar said in a statement. states,” said Samujjal Bhattacharyya “infiltrators” identified and “expelled” face persecution in the three neigh- USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan US federal government commission. from the powerful umbrella group the by 2024. bouring countries. Congress to hold nationwide protest over citizenship bill today IANS/NEW DELHI K C Venugopal said, “You are headquarters by involving the dation of our nation”. community”, which the gov- The Bill would now be aware that our party is opposing senior leaders and frontal organ- The CAB that seeks to give ernment rejected, saying it does moved in the Rajya Sabha on Upping the ante against the the CAB which is likely to be taken isations,” he said. Indian nationality to non-Muslim not affect the community Wednesday to cross its final hurdle passage of the contentious Citi- up in Rajya Sabha tomorrow The Congress leader’s letter refugees from Pakistan, Bang- residing in the country. before becoming a law. As treasury zenship Amendment Bill, 2019 (Wednesday). We need to to the party state Presidents ladesh and Afghanistan was The draft legislation was benches called it a historical Bill in the Lok Sabha, the Congress enlighten the public at large on our came after former Congress passed in the Lok Sabha on passed after division of votes while the opposition dubbed the has urged its party leaders and stand and mobilize support in Chief Rahul Gandhi criticised the Monday-Tuesday midnight with 311 in its favour and 80 move to “kill secularism and Con- workers to hold protests across favour of our decision,” Venugopal CAB saying it is an “attack on the though it was vehemently against it following a marathon stitution of India”, “another attempt the country today. said in his letter. Indian Constitution and anyone opposed by major opposition eight hour long debate which of partition” in the country in the In a letter to all the state party “I request you to undertake who supports it is attacking and parties objecting its nature and continued till 12.06 a.m. on name of religion and “violation of chiefs, Congress General Secretary protest against the Bill in state attempting to destroy the foun- describing it “against Muslim Tuesday in the lower House. Article 14 of the Constitution”. Countdown begins for launch Qatar-India photography of spy satellite RISAT-2BR1 exhibition in Delhi IANS/NEW DELHI IANS/CHENNAI (multi-mission Lemur-4 satellites, tech- nology demonstration Tyvak-0129, earth Qatar Museums will present The countdown for the evening launch of imaging 1HOPSAT), Israel (remote sensing ‘Where Cultures Meet: A Photo- India’s latest spy satellite RISAT-2BR1 and Duchifat-3), Italy (search and rescue Tyvak- graphic Encounter Between nine foreign satellites began at 4.40 pm 0092) and Japan (QPS-SAR - a radar imaging Qatar and India at India Habitat yesterday at the Sriharikota rocket port in earth observation satellite). These foreign Centre in the national capital Andhra Pradesh. satellites are being launched under a com- from December 17 to January 12. India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle mercial arrangement with NewSpace India The participating photographers (PSLV) rocket was expected to blast off from the Limited (NSIL). According to the ISRO, the include Hamad Al Shamari and first launch pad at 3.25 pm carrying RISAT-2BR1 satellites will be carried by PSLV-QL variant. Aisha Al Sadah from Qatar, and a radar imaging earth observation satellite The rocket will have four strap-on motors Ajeesh Puthiyadath and Salim weighing about 628 kg, said the Indian Space and the December 11 flight will be the second Abdulla from India. Research Organisation (ISRO). The Indian space trip for this rocket variant. The exhibition juxtaposes satellite will be placed into an orbit of 576 Just over 16 minutes into its flight, the the works of Hamad Al Shamari Candle light vigil km. It will have a life of five years. rocket will sling RISAT-2BR1 and a minute and Aisha Al Sadah, who trav- Piggybacking on the Indian satellite later the first of the nine customer satellites elled to the Himalayan region People hold candles as they attend a vigil to mark the International Human would be nine foreign satellites from the USA will be ejected. of Ladakh with Ajeesh Puthiy- Rights Day in Ahmedabad, India, yesterday. adath and Salim Abdulla, who are based in Doha and have been documenting life in Qatar. Kerala JD-S ready to merge with LJD IANS/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Nanu while addressing the media Telangana Police yesterday said that with the recent submit report to Kerala’s Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) happenings in the country it’s the NHRC on ‘encounter’ and Janata Dal-S have started unof- need of the hour that the erstwhile ficial talks to merge. Loktantrik Janata Janata party colleagues join hands. IANS/HYDERABAD Dal (LJD) headed by media baron and Even though at yesterday’s Rajya Sabha member M P Veerendra meeting there has been no discussion The Telangana Police yesterday Kumar and Janata Dal-S led by senior on the merger, there is a feel that it’s submitted its report to the legislator C K Nanu, are both allies of time that all former colleagues should National Human Rights the CPI-M led Left Democratic Front come together,” said Nanu and we will Commission (NHRC) on the (LDF). be looking forward. killing of all four accused in the It was in 2009 that Kumar after “There has been unofficial talks gang-rape and murder of a being miffed by not getting the on this and soon will take this issue veterinarian on the outskirts of Kozhikode Lok Sabha seat along with a in our party and then the final decision Hyderabad. section of his party leaders split and will be made,a said Kumar’s son and Officers of Cyberabad became part of the JD-U led by Nitish former legislator M V Shreyams Police Commissionerate sub- Kumar and in Kerala joined the Congress Kumar. Incidentally this merger was Students protest mitted all details to the NHRC led United Democratic Front (UDF). Then on the cards ever since Kumar and team, which is probing the Police disperse activists of National Student Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of leaders like Nanu, former State Min- his party in Kerala unhappy with his December 6 ‘encounter’, in Congress Party, from a street during an anti-government demonstration demanding for ister Mathew T Thomas, Minister for leader Nithish Kumar aligning with which the police gunned down Water Resources K Krishnankutty the BJP led NDA, quit from the Upper lower education fees, in New Delhi, yesterday. all the four accused at Chatan- remained with the LDF. House in December 2017. pally near Shadnagar town. WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 ASIA 13

Taliban abduct Pakistan govt, opposition short-list names for CEC 45 people from INTERNEWS The matter of the opposition. The former is the name, the matter was handed have proposed the names of those ISLAMABAD Cabinet Division former secretary over to a parliamentary com- who hail from Punjab. govt staffer’s appointment of the while the latter is former sec- mittee. The matter of the It seems that the PTI, which Talks between the government Election Commission retary for IT. appointment of the Election Com- had been criticising the funeral and opposition parties of Pakistan members from Sindh The former CEC, Sardar mission of Pakistan (ECP) bureaucracy of the country for on appointment of the chief and Balochistan is also Muhammad Raza Khan, retired members from Sindh and Balo- several years, has finally AP election commissioner (CEC) have last week and the post had to be chistan is already pending in the acknowledged credentials of the KABUL entered their next phase as both already pending in the filled by a caretaker election court. government officials who had the sides have agreed to short- court. commission as the Pakistan The three names proposed by proved their mettle during the The Taliban abducted as many list names of two former bureau- Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led federal the government on Thursday tenures of Pakistan Peoples Party as 45 elderly family members crats — Fazal Abbas Mekan and government and opposition could were that of Secretary of Election and PML-N governments. of a late Afghan government Ikhlaq Tarar. and Fazal Abbas Mekan has more not agree on his successor. Commission Babar Yaqoob Fateh This time, none of the sides employee who were attending According to sources, the chances of being selected for the According to the Constitution, Muhammad and two former has proposed the name of any his funeral, officials said development took place during key constitutional position. It will consultations between the prime federal secretaries — Arif Khan retired judge or technocrat. yesterday. backdoor talks between the gov- be the first time in the history of minister, Imran Khan, and the and Fazal Abbas Mekan. Earlier, only judges were The Taliban singled out the ernment and opposition ahead of the country that a retired National Assembly opposition On the other hand, three appointed to the post. However, old men from a funeral pro- a parliamentary committee’s bureaucrat is appointed as the leader, Shehbaz Sharif, are nec- former bureaucrats proposed by after some time, this rule was cession carrying the deceased meeting that is scheduled for CEC. essary for the appointment of the opposition were Nasir Mehmood amended with consensus and it employee’s coffin to a today (Wednesday). Maikan’s name was proposed CEC. Khosa, Jalil Abbas Jillani and was decided that a retired civil graveyard, according to interior They said the two sides are by the government while Tarar’s However, as PM Imran and Akhlaq Ahmed Tarar. Both the servant, or a technocrat could be ministry spokesman Nasrat likely to reach a consensus today name was suggested by the Shehbaz did not agree on any government and the opposition appointed to the post. Rahimi. The young men in the group were not taken, he said. The Taliban have consist- SC says will not influence judge ently warned people not to attend the funerals of anyone working with the Kabul gov- video scandal case proceedings ernment, according to Pay- INTERNEWS apex court was per incuriam ghambarpul Khuram, the head ISLAMABAD (through lack of care) since it of intelligence in Jawzjan was passed without jurisdiction province, where the kidnap- The Supreme Court of Pakistan and therefore merited to be pings took place. yesterday made it clear that its reviewed. Khuram disputed the earlier observations — in which During the proceedings of number of people who were it held that the video clip the review petition yesterday, kidnapped, saying only six concerning former accounta- the court said its observations family members were taken bility court judge Arshad Malik will not influence proceedings and that other local elders were will only benefit Nawaz Sharif in the high court. negotiating with the Taliban for if its genuineness is established Chief Justice Khosa said the their release. — will not influence high court high court was independent in The Taliban did not imme- proceedings. making its decisions, adding that diately comment on the The court made this they had written this before and abduction. statement while hearing the would do so again. The insurgent group con- former prime minister’s review On August 23, the apex trols or holds sway over nearly petition against the observations wrapped up a set of petitions on half of Afghanistan, staging made by the apex court in its a video leak scandal involving near-daily attacks that target August 23 verdict. judge Malik. The top court had Afghan security forces and gov- A three-member bench of held that the video clip of Malik ernment officials but also kill the Supreme Court, comprising would only benefit Sharif if it scores of civilians. Chief Justice Asif Khosa, Justice was properly produced before A suicide car bomb attack Tariq Masood and Justice the Islamabad High Court in a on Monday killed at lest five Mansoor Shah, wrapped up the pending appeal against his Metro test-run in Lahore Afghan soldiers and wounded review petition filed by senior conviction. four others in the southern A newly-built Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) takes a test-run in Lahore, the capital of Pakistan’s counsel Khawaja Haris on behalf The video clip had never Helmand province, ministry of Punjab province, yesterday. The metro line has 26 stations over a 27.1 kilometre-long track which is of Sharif. The review petition been duly proved in accordance defence spokesman Fawad pleaded that the verdict of the with the law, the order had said. expected to accommodate around 0.25 million passengers daily. Aman said. He said the attacker was shot and killed before reaching Citizens move his intended target - a check- Musharraf properties confiscated in Benazir case point for an Afghan national court over use army compound - at which INTERNEWS DHA Karachi and one in confiscated Musharraf’s eight Super Market Islamabad; and point the vehicle exploded. of CCTVs RAWALPINDI Islamabad. The court confiscated properties in Pakistan. These HSBC London. The Taliban immediately all four plots of Musharraf in include a house in Karachi worth There is an estimated claimed responsibility for the INTERNEWS / LAHORE Judge of an Anti-Terrorism Court Benazir Bhutto murder case. Rs5m, a plot at Khayaban-e- amount of $20m in foreign banks attack. (ATC) in Rawalpindi, Shaukat The court has already con- Faisal Phase 8 worth 1.5m, a plot and Rs1.25m in national banks. US peace envoy Zalmay Citizens and lawyers in Pakistan Kamal Dar, has ordered to fiscated moveable and in DHA Karachi worth Rs1.5m, a As Musharraf had been Khalilzad on Saturday held the have approached the Lahore confiscate other four plots of immoveable properties of plot in DHA Phase II Islamabad declared a proclaimed offender, first official talks with Afghan- High Court to protect the former military dictator Pervez former military dictator in BB worth Rs750m, a plot in Lahore the ATC then initiated a process istan’s Taliban since President privacy of individuals and to Musharraf in Benazir Bhutto murder case. worth Rs6m, a farmhouse in for attachment of his moveable Donald Trump declared a near- ensure that security cameras murder case. The court has also But FIA had told the court Islamabad worth Rs6m. and immoveable properties. certain peace deal with the are used responsibly in public ordered to ‘enter into register’ that Musharraf owned some He also has bank accounts at The trial of Benazir murder insurgents dead in places. the file of BB murder case in this other properties in the country Askari Bank, Rawalpindi; NBP, suspects had commenced in September. A joint petition filed by regard. which were not confiscated. On Rawalpindi; Habib Metropolitan January 2008. However, the The talks will initially focus Salman Sufi, an activist and The Federal Investigation this, the court had directed to Bank, Rawalpindi Cantt; Bank government in 2009 ordered a on getting a Taliban promise to gender reform specialist, with Agency (FIA) Inspector present full details of other prop- Alfalah, Blue Area Islamabad; fresh probe into the assassi- reduce violence, with a per- the AGHS Legal Aid Cell and the Muhammad Azmat presented erties of Musharraf for Askari Bank GHQ Branch nation. Subsequently, a JIT of the manent cease-fire being the Digital Rights Foundation, has full details of Musharraf’s confiscation. Rawalpindi; NBP, Super Market FIA implicated the ex-military eventual goal, said a US raised privacy concerns. property having three plots in The court had already Islamabad; Union National Bank, ruler Musharraf. statement. Myanmar’s Suu Kyi told to ‘stop the genocide’ in UN court US blacklists head of

AFP Myanmar military THE HAGUE for alleged abuses Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu REUTERS Kyi faced calls for Myanmar to “stop WASHINGTON the genocide” of Rohingya Muslims as she personally led her country’s The United States yesterday blacklisted four defence at the UN’s top court Myanmar military leaders, including the yesterday. commander-in-chief, in the toughest action Myanmar’s civilian leader sat taken yet by Washington for alleged human through graphic accounts of mass rights abuses against the Rohingya and other murder and rape as the west African minorities. state of The Gambia set out its case at The sanctions targeted the commander- the International Court of Justice in in-chief of the Burmese military, Min Aung The Hague. Hlaing. Thousands of people back home The US Treasury Department said in a in Yangon rallied in support of statement yesterday that Burmese military 74-year-old Suu Kyi, whose silence forces had committed “serious human rights about the plight of the Rohingya has abuse” against ethnic minority groups in tarnished her international reputation Myanmar and that Min Aung Hlaing’s forces Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi stands before UN’s International Court of Justice in the Peace Palace as a rights icon. were responsible for the 2017 military of The Hague, yesterday. RIGHT: Protesters take part in a demonstration in support to the Rohingya in The Hague. Around 740,000 Rohingya fled to crackdown. neighbouring Bangladesh after a “During this time, members of ethnic bloody crackdown by the Myanmar court, set up in 1946 to rule on dis- what crime? Only that they were born Her decision to personally lead minority groups were killed or injured by military in 2017 that UN investigators putes between UN member states, to different.” Tambadou later told the southeast Asian nation’s case at gunshot, often while fleeing, or by soldiers have already described as genocide. take emergency measures to stop reporters it would be “extremely dis- the court has proved popular at using large-bladed weapons; others were “Tell Myanmar to stop these further violence. appointing” if Suu Kyi repeated her home, where the Rohingya are widely burned to death in their own houses,” the senseless killings, to stop these acts of “Another genocide is unfolding previous denials of wrongdoing by regarded as illegal immigrants statement said. barbarity that continue to shock our right before our eyes yet we do Myanmar when she addresses the despite having lived in Myanmar for Washington’s sanctions also targeted Min collective conscience, to stop this gen- nothing to stop it,” added Tambadou, court today. decades. Aung Hlaing’s deputy, Soe Win, and two brig- ocide of its own people,” Gambian a former prosecutor at the tribunal Suu Kyi, who 28 years ago today In Myanmar, flag-waving sup- adier generals, Than Oo and Aung Aung, Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou into the Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, porters joined rallies in support of Suu freezing any US assets they have and prohib- told the judges. “Every day of inaction means is expected to argue that Myanmar Kyi in several cities across the country iting Americans from doing business with them. Muslim-majority Gambia accuses more people are being killed, more was conducting legitimate operations yesterday, with some 2,000 people The four generals, who were previously Myanmar of breaching the 1948 gen- women are being raped and more against Rohingya militants and that marching through Yangon and tens barred from entering the United States in July, ocide convention and has asked the children are being burned alive. For the ICJ has no jurisdiction in the case. of thousands more in Mandalay. are not known to have assets in the US. 14 ASIA WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 Spitting volcano keeps search parties off NZ island, six dead REUTERS Prime Minister hazards agency GeoNet raised WHAKATANE, NEW ZEALAND Jacinda Ardern said the alert level for the volcano in November because of an Fearing the volcano could erupt reconnaissance flights increase in volcanic activity. The again, search parties were unable showed no signs of volcano’s last fatal eruption was to set foot on New Zealand’s life on the ash covered in 1914, when it killed 12 sulphur White Island for eight people still island miners. missing yesterday, as police Yet, daily tours bring more raised the death toll to six from than 10,000 visitors to the pri- the eruption a day earlier. Twenty-four came from Aus- vately owned island every year, Police doubted whether any tralia, nine from the United marketed as “the world’s most more survivors would be found. States, five from New Zealand, accessible active marine They said latest victim died in four from Germany, two each volcano”. “I have to say that I’m hospital, having been among from China and the Britain and very surprised to hear there were more than 30 people injured in one from Malaysia. visitors there today, because sci- the eruption on the uninhabited “I would strongly suggest entists seem to have been well island, a popular sightseeing that there is no one that has sur- aware that White Island was excursion for tourists. Prime vived on the island,” police entering a phase of heightened Minister Jacinda Ardern said Deputy Commissioner John Tims activity,” said Drexel University reconnaissance flights showed said of the eight people still volcanologist Loÿc Smoke billows from the White Island volcano in Whakatane, New Zealand, yesterday. no signs of life on the ash covered missing. Most of the injured had Vanderkluysen. island, as eyewitnesses detailed suffered greater than 71% body “I’ve been to White Island the horrific burns suffered by surface burns, said Peter Watson, before, but I don’t think I would to the eruption,” Ardern said at pilots made an incredibly brave emit “steam and mud jetting”. those caught up in Monday’s the government’s chief medical have been comfortable being a morning news conference in decision under extremely dan- The Buttle family have eruption. officer, warning that some might there today.” A crater rim camera Whakatane, a town on the main- gerous circumstances,” Ardern owned the island for over 80 “The scale of this tragedy is not survive. owned and operated by GeoNet land’s east coast, about 50km said. years, and a spokesman said they devastating,” Ardern said in par- Burns units across the South showed one group of people from White Island. Since then, rescuers have were devastated by the tragic liament. “To those who have lost Pacific nation of 4.5 million are walking away from the rim Later, in parliament, she paid been unable to access the island, event. “We wish to thank eve- or are missing family and friends, full to capacity, he added. inside the crater just a minute tribute to the pilots of four heli- which is covered in grey ash. GNS ryone involved in the rescue we share in your grief and Police said an investigation before the explosion. copters that landed on White Science, New Zealand’s geo- effort, including the first sorrow and we are devastated.” into the deaths on White Island “It’s now clear that there Island in the aftermath of the science agency, warned there responders, medical personnel Police said 47 people were on had been launched but clarified were two groups on the island — eruption. was a 50/50 chance of another and the locals who helped White Island at the time of the it was not a criminal investi- those who were able to be evac- “In their immediate efforts eruption in the coming 24 hours, evacuate people from the island,” eruption. gation. New Zealand’s geological uated and those who were close to get people off the island, those as the volcano vent continued to Peter Buttle said. Two detained Philippines to end martial law in Mindanao Counting starts Canadians in Bougainville REUTERS where threats have been limited treated in MANILA to mainly Muslim areas. independence Though the government has ‘civilised way’, Philippines will lift martial law cited success in dismantling the referendum on the southern region of extremist networks, it is now says China Mindanao at the end of this faced with a sinister new threat AP / CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA month, citing an improving from suicide bombings, which AFP/BEIJING security climate and a reduced were previously unheard of in Ballot counting started in the threat of extremism two years the southern Philippines. South Pacific region of China defended yesterday its after one of Asia’s biggest Islamic There have been at least five Bougainville yesterday in a year-long detention of two State-inspired attacks. attempted or successful suicide referendum on whether the Canadians after Ottawa accused Martial law was imposed in bombings since July last year in islanders want to become the Beijing of “arbitrarily” arresting May 2017 in response to a sur- the Sulu archipelago, killing world’s newest nation by the men in what was widely prise attack on the city of Marawi more than 40 people. gaining independence from seen as retaliation for the arrest by local and foreign fighters loyal They include a twin bombing Papua New Guinea. of a Huawei executive. to Islamic State. The rebels held of a Jolo church and a van bomb Bougainville Referendum Former diplomat Michael the city for five months, fending detonated at a checkpoint on Commission Chairman Bertie Kovrig and businessman Michael off daily air strikes and ground Basilan. Others targeted military Ahern launched the counting Activists hold placards calling for the end of Martial Law in Mindanao Spavor have been languishing in assaults before their leaders outposts. of more than 181,000 ballots region during a rally in Manila, Philippines, yesterday. China’s opaque legal system since were reported killed. The country’s Muslim cast since polls opened more they were apprehended on President Rodrigo Duterte minority in January overwhelm- than two weeks ago. Counting December 10, 2018, just nine days heeded the advice of a leading spokesman Salvador Panelo said nipped in the bud,” Panelo told ingly voted in favour of creating is expected to take a few days after the arrest of Huawei chief defence official that was unan- yesterday. a regular briefing. a new autonomous region within before the result is announced. financial officer Meng Wanzhou. imously behind ending martial “The people of Mindanao are The move is expected to be the Philippines called Bang- Around 85% of the total Canadian Foreign Minister rule, and is confident that order assured that any incipient major welcomed across Mindanao, a samoro, which will elect its own people on the referendum roll Francois-Philippe Champagne can be maintained without it, his threat in the region would be region of 22 million people, legislature and government. have cast their vote. said Kovrig and Spavor have not had access to lawyers and have been denied contact with their families since they were “arbi- Hong Kong leader rules out trarily detained”. “These two Canadians are concessions to protesters and will remain our absolute pri- ority. We will continue to work AFP amnesty for those arrested — tirelessly to secure their imme- HONG KONG more than 6,000 people since diate release and to stand up for June, 40 percent of them stu- them as a government and as Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam dents — would violate the spirit Canadians,” Champagne said in has ruled out further conces- of the rule of law. a statement on Monday. sions to the city’s pro- “How can we completely The Chinese embassy in democracy movement ahead of ignore the rule of law just to Ottawa said it had lodged an her weekend visit to Beijing, fulfil the demands... So we have official protest with Canada and despite a landslide election no way to make the response, expressed “strong dissatisfaction” defeat for the government and but we are still willing to over Champagne’s “irresponsible a peaceful mass march. examine the social problems statement”. An end to violence is some- reflected by this incident in hope Spavor and Kovrig, who thing the city’s leadership has of relieving residents’ were formally detained in May, insisted must be a precursor to grievance,” she added. have endured hours of interro- meaningful dialogue — but in Lam said would give a “full gation, according to people her weekly press conference account” of what has happened familiar with the matter. yesterday, Lam refused to accept in the city when she goes to Messages and photos from protesters’ demands further to Beijing on Saturday for her family are read out loud to the the extradition bill’s regular duty visit, which typi- two Canadians by embassy offi- withdrawal. cally involves a meeting with cials, before they are handed to Sydney choked by haze from bush fires “If a particular demand President Xi Jinping. Chinese authorities — who may requires us to deviate from the In late November, the city’s The Sydney Harbour Bridge is enveloped in haze caused by nearby bush fires as a woman takes or may not give them to the two law... I could not agree to accept pro-democracy camp won a photos on the foreshore of the Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia, yesterday. Toxic haze blanketed men, the sources said. those demands simply for the landslide victory in local elec- A former Canadian ambas- Sydney yesterday triggering a chorus of smoke alarms to ring across the city, as Australians braced purpose of reaching people’s tions, which critics described as sador said Kovrig is held in a cell for “severe” weather conditions expected to fuel deadly bush blazes. aspirations.” Lam argued that an a referendum for the movement. with 20 inmates while Spavor is with 18 other people. “Their conditions are good. China’s judicial department S Korea’s Moon to visit China for trilateral summit with Japan strictly enforces the law and handles the case in a civilised REUTERS day before the planned trilateral Moon is also expected to hold including what it called a “very between North Korea and the way,” Chinese foreign ministry SEOUL meeting in the southwestern city separate talks with Abe and also significant” test at its missile United States, and we’re very spokeswoman Hua Chunying of Chengdu with Chinese Chinese President Xi Jinping launch site on Sunday. cautious to forejudge anything said at a regular press briefing South Korean President Moon Premier Li Keqiang and Japanese during that trip. Moon would seek to consult and predict the future,” an yesterday. Jae-in will visit China next week Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, his The meeting comes amid a Xi on the recent developments official at Moon’s office told Kovrig and Spavor are sus- for a trilateral summit with Japan spokeswoman Ko Min-jung told war of words that has rekindled as South Korea sees China as reporters. pected of gathering state secrets. amid rising tension over stalled a briefing. in recent days between North instrumental in reviving the The three countries had The investigation has been trans- denuclearisation talks between The leaders would review Korea and the United States nuclear talks due to its status as agreed to hold a summit every ferred to a prosecution body, Hua North Korea and the United the recent situation on the ahead of a year-end deadline set a longtime ally of North Korea, year to foster regional cooper- said. Meng is on bail, living in her States, Moon’s office said peninsula and discuss ways to by Pyongyang for Washington officials in Seoul said. ation starting in 2008. But that Vancouver mansion while yesterday. boost three-way cooperation to to soften its stance in negotia- “We’re watching very care- initiative has often been dogged waiting for an extradition hearing Moon is scheduled to arrive achieve denuclearisation and tions. North Korea has also con- fully various related circum- by bilateral feuds, including one in January. in China on December 23, one permanent peace, Ko said. ducted a series of weapons tests, stances that are happening between China and Japan. WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 EUROPE 15

Spanish King UK’s Labour party begins govt tries to stage late talks with party election comeback leaders AFP AFP Opinion polls MADRID LONDON show Johnson’s Spain’s King began talks with UK’s opposition Labour party Conservative party political party leaders yesterday sought yesterday to exploit the enjoying a 10-point on forming a new government ruling Conservatives’ weakness lead in an election as acting Prime Minister Pedro on health care and divert he has called the Sanchez lacked crucial support attention from its own mixed from Catalan separatists. message on Brexit two days ‘most important in a After he wraps up the round before Britons head to the polls. generation’. of talks on Wednesday, King But its hopes of staging a Felipe V is expected to call on comeback before Thursday’s the candidate with the best general election were hobbled secure a majority that would let chance of winning a vote of by a leaked recording in which him pull Britain out of the confidence in parliament to Labour’s own health spokesman European Union by the end of form a new government. called his party’s prospects next month. In all likelihood that will be “dire”. Yet pollsters were almost Sanchez. Britain’s Prime Minister and Conservative party leader Boris Johnson drives a Union flag-themed JCB, “It’s abysmal out there,” unanimously wrong about the His Socialists won the most with the words “Get Brexit Done” inside the digger bucket, through a fake wall emblazoned with the Jonathan Ashworth said in a outcome of Britain’s last election seats but were weakened in a recording published by a right- in 2017 after a last-minute surge word “GRIDLOCK”, during a general election campaign event in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, yesterday. repeat November 10 general wing website and later tweeted by Corbyn — a 70-year-old leftist election that saw the far-right by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. who is most at home cam- Labour claimed yesterday Labour accused Johnson of non-committal position on Brexit party Vox surge to third, and he “They can’t stand (Labor paigning on the stump. that nearly 4,700 deaths between abandoning the principle of free and frustrations over the Con- has struggled since then to leader Jeremy) Corbyn and they A ruling party memo pub- October 2018 and November treatment for all by opening up servatives’ handling of the NHS. secure a working majority in think Labour’s blocked Brexit.” lished by the pro-Conservative 2019 could be attributed to the NHS to pharmaceutical giants Johnson has campaigned on 350-seat lower house of Ashworth told the BBC the tape Daily Telegraph newspaper “patient safety incidents” caused in a new trade deal with US Pres- his government’s determination parliament. was real but he was speaking in warned that just 40,000 votes by NHS staffing constraints. ident Donald Trump. Both to “get Brexit done” and honour Two days after the election, jest. in 12 constituencies could see “I do not blame the nurses. I Johnson and Trump deny the the result of the 2016 referendum the Socialists who won 120 Opinion polls show Johnson’s Corbyn become Britain’s next do not blame the doctors. I do claims. on European Union seats, three fewer than in polls Conservative party enjoying a leader. not blame the health service,” Surveys show the NHS being membership. in April, signed an agreement 10-point lead in an election he Corbyn himself believes he Corbyn told a group of cheering almost as important to voters as Analysts suggested Labour’s with the hard-left party has called the “most important could reach those voters by supporters in central England. Brexit itself. ability to keep the focus on Podemos, which won 35 seats, in a generation”. Johnson’s focusing on the state-funded “I blame the government that They also point to a general health and other social issues to form a coalition government minority government hopes to National Health Service (NHS). has underfunded our NHS.” mistrust of Corbyn’s could be vital for the result. in what would be the first such power-sharing deal in Spain’s modern history. Environment But to achieve an absolute Macron wants to move ‘quickly’ on Brexit after British vote majority of 176 seats required protesters glue AFP to win a confidence vote, PARIS Elysee presidential palace. alone conducting negotiations, Britain, particularly regarding Sanchez still needs the support themselves to “We must be able to move rigour in defending our interests trade. Also on the agenda is the of several smaller parties French President Emmanuel forward quickly” after Thurs- without yielding to pressure and EU’s budget, with Michel urging including Catalan separatists UK PM’s bus Macron said yesterday he hoped day’s election, he said. while respecting, with Britain, leaders not to dig in their heels, ERC, which won 13 seats in last things could “move forward Twenty-seven European the conditions of fair compe- but instead “move forward to month’s polls. REUTERS quickly” on Brexit after Britain’s Union leaders — all minus Boris tition,” said Macron. bring different points of view After holding talks yes- UTTOXETER, ENGLAND general elections, the results of Johnson — will meet in Brussels Britain has until January 31 closer together.” “We need more terday in Barcelona, the which are expected during a tomorrow and Friday to discuss to leave the EU, after having political debates,” in the Socialists and the ERC said in a Three environmental European summit this week. Britain’s pending departure from obtained three postponements. European Council, “without joint statement that they had campaigners glued themselves Macron, who has expressed the union, the subject of years of Michel underlined the taboos”, said Macron. made “advances” although the to Prime Minister Boris John- impatience over repeated post- fraught negotiations between importance of building “a close The future budget must rec- Catalan party stressed that an son’s campaign bus yesterday ponements of the deadline for London and Brussels. relationship with Britain” after oncile the financial loss from agreement to back Sanchez was after he held an election event Britain’s departure from the “In any event, it will be very Brexit, calling it “an extremely Britain stopping its contributions not imminent. “We don’t think at a factory in central England, European Union, made the important to stick with the important partner for the with new priorities such as climate the investiture (of Pedro two days before voters go to the remarks as he hosted the new method followed until now, that European Union”. change, security, and defence con- Sanchez) could take place polls. president of the European is to say unity of the 27, (EU This week’s talks will focus cerns, on top of existing commit- before Christmas,” ERC spokes- Extinction Rebellion UK — Council, Charles Michel, at the Brexit negotiator) Michel Barnier on the EU’s post-Brexit ties with ments such as agriculture. woman Marta Vilalta siad. which disrupted public transport in London in October — said eight protesters, five dressed as bees, blocked the French workers take pension Conservative bus to call for faster progress in reducing fight back to the street greenhouse gas emissions. “We’re here because every REUTERS acknowledged the crowds were degree of warming matters, PARIS smaller. Nevertheless, the unions every minute matters, but by showed no sign of backing down not acting today we’re acceler- Strikes against pension reforms in a battle of political will in the ating the most pressing crisis of shut schools and caused transport run-up to Christmas that could our time,” said one of the pro- chaos around France yesterday, make or break Macron’s testers, Becky McGee. but the number of people taking presidency. Conservative politicians to the streets appeared to have “Given the depth of dis- were “more likely to vote dropped off from last week in a content, there is a need to get against climate action”, she positive sign for President more people on the streets,” added. Emmanuel Macron. Philippe Martinez, head of the Public workers have been on hard-left CGT, told reporters strike for six days, with trains the before leading a protest march in Parliament in hardest hit. Unions had called for Paris. mass protests on Tuesday, the day Behind Martinez, protesters Finland okays before Macron’s government is to chanted “Macron we’re coming unveil details of its plan to sim- to get you” and waved banners Sanna Marin as plify a complicated pension reading “strike or die of hunger”. system that offers some of the Macron is determined to sim- new Premier worlds most generous benefits. plify a system of more than 40 Organisers had wanted to separate pension plans. The REUTERSS/HELSINKI match the 800,000 who partici- unions say Macron wants to strip People stand amid tear-gas smoke during a demonstration in Lyon, France, yesterday, as part of the pated in a first day of protest last workers of hard-earned benefits sixth day of massive strike action over government’s plans to overhaul the pension system. Finland’s parliament approved Thursday, but union leaders and threatens their quality of life. the nomination yesterday of 34-year-old Social Democrat Sanna Marin as the world’s youngest serving prime Give us hope, give us membership talks: North Macedonia to EU minister. Out of the parliament’s 200 AFP to start the formal membership “I think these messages are long-running dispute with bid at this stage. Dimitrov members, 99 voted in favour BRUSSELS procedure, but in October France positive, I think they’re needed... Greece which had stymied its refused to criticise France, saying and 70 against her nomination. used its veto at a heated Brussels but I think at this stage for us for efforts at international Paris had opened a “legitimate Thirty deputies were absent. The EU must deliver soon on its summit, much to the annoyance me as a foreign minister it’s very integration. debate” about the accession “Within four years we won’t promise to open membership of many other member states. difficult to go back to the people France argues that the mem- process and North Macedonia complete Finland but it can talks with North Macedonia, the The new EU executive which and talk about hope after hitting bership process as it stands is was happy to submit to extra become better... I want to build country’s foreign minister has took office on December 1 has the wall three times — in June flawed and should be reformed scrutiny, including the principle a society in which every child said, warning that messages of been positive about North Mac- 2018, June 2019 and October before any new countries are of “reversibility”. can become anything and in hope were ringing hollow after edonia and Albania, with Oliver 2019,” he said. allowed to embark upon it, This is the idea that a country which every human being can three rejections. Varhelyi, the new EU “I think we’re at a stage though critics say the French can be moved further away from live and grow old with dignity,” Nikola Dimitrov insisted the enlargement commissioner, said where... we need to have a government is more worried membership if it backslides on Marin wrote on Twitter. country would not fall into “the Monday he was confident the decision in order to give our about domestic public opinion reforms — under the current Finland’s government trap of victimhood” despite the bloc would “move ahead and people hope that Europe is which is concerned about the system a country can be frozen resigned last week after the 28-member bloc last month correct the mistake”, opening actually serious about our idea of further enlarging the EU. but not moved backwards. Centre Party said it had lost postponing for a third time a accession negotiations early in European perspective.” Eastern and central And he insisted that despite confidence in Social Democrat decision on starting the long 2020. Alongside the usual improve- European countries have been the disappointment of October, Prime Minister Antti Rinne over accession process for Skopje. But in an interview in ments to the rule of law and particularly frustrated with the Skopje would learn from the his handling of a postal strike. The EU’s main institutions Brussels after meeting EU foreign action against corruption, North French approach — though 2008 NATO summit, where it President is expected to say North Macedonia has met all ministers on Monday, Dimitrov Macedonia also changed the France is joined by the Nether- was rejected for membership nominate Marin’s five-party the reform conditions asked of warned that warm words were name of its country from Mace- lands and several others in and “we decided to go and enter coalition cabinet. it so far and should be allowed not enough. donia in order to solve a opposing Albania’s membership a dead end street”. 16 EUROPE WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 Ethiopia PM receives Nobel Peace Prize AFP OSLO Handke receives Nobel Literature Prize amid protests and criticism Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed collected the Nobel Peace REUTERS/STOCKHOLM choice of Handke has been Prize in Oslo yesterday, widely criticised because the appealing for unity as ethnic Demonstrators braved freezing Austrian novelist and play- violence flares in his country and temperatures yesterday to wright spoke at the funeral of reconciliation efforts with neigh- protest against the awarding of Milosevic in 2006 after the bouring former foe Eritrea have the 2019 Nobel Prize for Liter- Serbian leader died in detention stalled. ature to Austrian writer Peter in The Hague while facing trial Abiy, 43, won the Nobel for Handke because of his support for war crimes. his efforts to resolve the long- for the late Serbian leader As dignitaries arrived in lim- running conflict with Eritrea. Slobodan Milosevic. ousines, about a dozen protesters Announced back in October, the Handke and the Nobel lau- waved placards with slogans prize also honoured his medi- reates in chemistry, medicine, such as “No Nobel for Fake ation efforts in eastern Africa and physics and economics received News”, a reference to comments the democratic reforms he has their prizes from the Swedish by Handke questioning the mas- undertaken in his country, long King in a lavish ceremony at sacre of more than 8,000 ruled by authoritarian leaders. Stockholm Concert Hall yes- Bosnian Muslim men and boys Ethiopia’s Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Abiy Ahmed Ali (right) receiving the Nobel Ethiopia saw spectacular terday evening. The Nobel in Srebrenica in 1995. Peace Prize from Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee during a ceremony progress in the months after he Peace Prize was awarded sep- The ambassadors of at the city hall, in Oslo, yesterday. took power in April 2018, but the arately earlier in Oslo to Ethio- Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo winds have since shifted: in pia’s prime minister. and Turkey said they would been wiped out in an Eritrean There is no ‘Us and head of the Norwegian Nobel addition to the stalled peace The Swedish Academy’s boycott the ceremony. artillery attack but he had survived Them’. There is only Committee, Berit Reiss- process with Eritrea, his reforms after briefly leaving a foxhole to Andersen. “It is the hope of the aimed at opening up Ethiopia destiny of love, forgiveness and praise the role of his Eritrean get better antenna reception. ‘Us’, for ‘We’ are all Norwegian Nobel Committee have paradoxically given rise to reconciliation.” “partner and comrade-in-peace” “War is the epitome of hell bound by a shared that your previous achievements, a flare-up of ethnic tensions. On July 9, 2018, following a — the only leader Eritrea has for all involved,” he said. destiny of love, coupled with added encour- Faced with these challenges, historic meeting in Eritrea’s known since it gained inde- During the lightning-fast forgiveness and agement of the Peace Prize, will Africa’s youngest leader called capital Asmara, Abiy and Eri- pendence in 1993 — in his Nobel rapprochement that followed the spur the parties to further imple- for unity as he picked up his trean President Isaias Afwerki Prize. peace deal with Asmara, reconciliation: Prime mentation of the peace treaties”> award at Oslo’s flower-bedecked formally ended a 20-year-old “We understood our nations embassies reopened, flights Minister Abiy Ahmed Abiy has vowed to hold the City Hall, in a formal ceremony stalemate between their coun- are not enemies. Instead, we resumed and meetings were held first “free, fair and democratic” attended by the Norwegian royal tries in the wake of the 1998- were victims of the common across the region. two nations is once again closed, elections since 2005 in May, and family and dignitaries. 2000 border conflict. enemy called poverty,” he said. But the “Abiymania” hype and the question of border demar- experts fear the Ethiopian leader “There is no ‘Us and Them’,” That was just three months A former soldier himself, Abiy has faded and he is now facing cations remains unresolved. may have to shift his attention he said. “There is only ‘Us’, for after Abiy took office. also testified to the ravages of war, major challenges. “At present, this work seems away from the peace process to ‘We’ are all bound by a shared Yesterday, Abiy was quick to recalling how his entire unit had The land border between the to be at a standstill,” said the focus on the vote. Progress but no breakthrough for Putin, Zelenskiy at summit Russia jails 11 for St Petersburg AFP conflict between pro-Moscow admitted that despite the necessary ceasefire support progress on ending the conflict. PARIS separatists and Ukrainian forces impressive symbolism of his first measures, before the end of the “The process is moving in the metro bombing in the east of Ukraine. meeting with Putin and the first year 2019”. right direction,” said Putin, Russian leader Vladimir Putin Four-way talks at the Elysee such four-way summit in three It added that three additional adding that “Russia would do all REUTERS and Ukranian counterpart Volo- Palace were followed by the first years, he had wanted more. disengagement areas should be that it can so that this conflict MOSCOW dymyr Zelenskiy on Monday held ever bilateral meeting between “Many questions were agreed in east Ukraine, “with the comes to an end”. their first face-to-face talks at a Putin and Zelenskiy. tackled and my counterparts aim of disengaging forces and The Kremlin has sent signals A Russian court jailed 11 people summit in Paris which agreed A joint statement by all four have said it is a very good result equipment by the end of March that it is ready to work with Zel- yesterday for plotting a suicide some measures to de-escalate parties said they agreed to for a first meeting. But I will be 2020”. enskiy, whom Putin has bombing on the St. Petersburg the Ukraine conflict but clinched implement a full ceasefire and honest -- it is very little, I wanted Zelenskiy said a new described as “likeable” and metro that killed 15 people and no major breakthrough on proceed with a new withdrawal to resolve a larger number of exchange of prisoners would “sincere”. injured scores during a visit by ending the five-year war. of forces from conflict zones by problems,” he said after the talks take place between Ukraine and But there was no sign of President Vladimir Putin to his Host French President March 2020. in Paris. pro-Moscow separatists by the warmth between the two men home city in 2017. Emmanuel Macron, joined by Putin hailed the outcome as The joint statement said the end of this year. at the midnight press conference, One man, a Russian German Chancellor Angela an “important step” towards a sides committed “to a full and But in a sign that more with the pair sitting at opposite national from Kyrgyzstan, was Merkel, hailed the progress after de-escalation in the east of comprehensive implementation advances were needed, Macron ends of the table and with given a life sentence after being some eight hours of talks at the Ukraine. of the ceasefire, strengthened by said a new summit would be held Macron and Merkel between found guilty of organising the Elysee Palace on ending the But Zelenskiy candidly the implementation of all in four months to take stock of them. attack. The other nine men and one woman, mostly citizens of central Asian ex-Soviet states, received sentences of between Bosnia moves migrants 19 and 28 years. All 11 had denied the allegations against from freezing forest camp them. Before detonating himself, REUTERS Nermina Cemalovic, the the suicide bomber also planted VUCJAK Bihac region’s health and labour a second bomb in the metro minister, said no incidents which he planned to detonate Bosnian authorities, bowing to occurred and that the Vucjak remotely, but which malfunc- international pressure, begun camp will be completely dis- tioned and did not go off, the moving migrants yesterday from mantled yesterday. Investigative Committee, which a freezing makeshift camp in a “We expect that all migrants handles major crimes, said. forest to more appropriate from Vucjak will be moved shelter. today and the camp finally Around 600 migrants have closed, but activities are still Finland to teach been battling to survive the going on,” Bihac police harsh Bosnian winter in the spokesman Ale Siljdedic said. 1% of Europeans Vucjak camp, a former landfill However, some people who area near the northwestern made long journeys from Asia basic skills on AI Bosnian town of Bihac and just and the Middle East to reach the REUTERS/TALLINN 8km from the Croatian border. European Union have said they The camp, a cluster of tents do not want to be rehoused Finland, which holds the that lack running water, heating further away from the Croatian rotating EU presidency until the or proper toilets, was set up border. end of the year, said it aims to close to the border in June. A photographer saw a few Policemen standing in front of the Faculty Hospital in Ostrava, eastern Czech Republic, yesterday. teach 1% of all Europeans basic Aid agencies have long dozen migrants leaving the skills in artificial intelligence urged authorities to close the camp on their own in the early through a free online course it camp, which lacks running hours of yesterday. Seven dead in Czech hospital shooting will now translate into all water and electricity. The forest Bosnia is struggling to deal official EU languages. is strewn with landmines left with an upsurge in migrant REUTERS of the capital Prague and near Hamacek said. The EU is pushing for wide over from the wars of the 1990s. numbers since Croatia, Hungary OSTRAVA the border with Poland. The shooter was identified deployment of artificial intelli- Following a visit last week and Slovenia closed their Prime Minister Andrej Babis as Ctirad Vitasek, a construction gence across the bloc, to help by a senior European human borders against undocumented A 42-year-old gunman killed six told reporters it was an “indi- technician at the AZ-INTER- European companies catch up rights envoy who urged author- immigration. The migrants hope people yesterday at a hospital vidual act”. GRIPS company based in Opava. with rivals in Asia and the US. ities to close the camp immedi- to get to wealthy western Europe waiting room in the eastern “He came home and Zygula said that Vitasek had “Our investment has three ately , Bosnia decided to move and find work. Czech city of Ostrava before announced he had shot people, been on medical leave for the goals: we want to equip EU cit- the migrants from Vucjak to More than 50,000 migrants fleeing and fatally shooting and that he is going to shoot past month and a half. He also izens with digital skills for the facilities near Sarajevo. have entered Bosnia since 2018 himself in the head, police said. himself,” Babis told a televised told Czech Radio that Vitasek future, we wish to increase prac- According to local reports, and many make it to Western It was the worst shooting in news conference. He said the was convinced he was seriously tical understanding of what arti- several hundred migrants have Europe. the Czech Republic, where gun attacker’s mother was cooper- ill and that no one wanted to ficial intelligence is, and by doing set out in recent days in last-ditch There are still about 8,000 crime is relatively rare, since a ating with police. cure him. so, we want to give a boost to the attempts to enter Croatia and in Bosnia, most in the Bihac area, man shot eight people dead and The shooter fled the hospital Hospital director Jiri digital leadership of Europe,” said continue westward into the EU. and they are hoping to get into then killed himself at a res- after the attack, prompting a Havrlant told reporters five Finnish Minister of Employment Under heavy police pro- the EU. taurant in Uhersky Brod in 2015. manhunt involving hundreds of people died in the attack and one Timo Harakka. “As our Presi- tection, seven buses took Many sleep in the streets and It was unclear what moti- officers. He later shot himself in died in surgery. Another two dency ends, we want to offer migrants and refugees to their abandoned houses in the cities vated the shooting, which hap- the head at his car with a police were seriously injured but no something concrete. It’s about new location. Access to the camp of Sarajevo and Tuzla, helped by pened in the early morning at the helicopter flying overhead. medics were hurt, he said. one of the most pressing chal- was restricted for media and volunteers, because Bosnia’s outpatient clinic of the Uni- He died about half an hour Victims had been shot at close lenges facing Europe and Finland allowed only to Red Cross temporary migrant camps are versity Hospital in Ostrava, a city later after failed efforts to resus- range, he said. They were all today: how to develop our digital officials. so cramped. of 290,000 people 350km east citate him, Interior Minister Jan adults: five men and one woman. literacy”. WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 AMERICAS 17 Democrats unveil Trump impeachment charges

REUTERS President Trump Pelosi and other Democratic said in a statement. inquiry in late September after did nothing improper in his call WASHINGTON tweeted that: To leaders involved in the After the articles of a whistleblower complaint about with Zelenskiy and say there is impeach a president impeachment probe. impeachment were announced, a July 25 telephone call in which no direct evidence he withheld Democrats in the US House of when the country “Our elections are a corner- Trump tweeted “WITCH HUNT!” Trump sought help from aid or a White House meeting in Representatives announced stone of democracy. ... The Earlier, he attacked the Ukrainian President Volodymyr exchange for a favour. formal charges against President has such a strong integrity of our next election is impeachment effort, tweeting Zelenskiy to investigate former Senate Majority Leader Mitch Donald Trump yesterday that economy “and most at risk from a president who has that to impeach a president when vice-president Joe Biden, a McConnell complained that the accuse him of abusing power by importantly, who has already sought foreign inter- the country has such a strong leading contender in the Demo- impeachment process had pressuring Ukraine to probe a done NOTHING wrong, ference in the 2016 and 2020 economy “and most importantly, cratic race to challenge Trump delayed work on other matters. political rival and obstructing elections,” Nadler said. who has done NOTHING wrong, in next November’s election. “Obstruction and stalemate Congress’ investigation into the is sheer Political Trump has denied wrong- is sheer Political Madness!” The abuse of power charge have brought us to the 11th hour. scandal. Madness! doing and calls the inquiry a He is the fourth US president accuses Trump of using nearly I hope ... that both chambers will The move, which followed hoax. to face impeachment. $400m in US security aid and a be able to set aside Democrats’ weeks of investigation and The White House, which has Democratic President Bill possible White House meeting impeachment parade long hearings, sets the stage for a vote House Judiciary Committee refused to participate in the Clinton was impeached in 1998 with his Ukrainian counterpart enough to get the people’s on the charges, or articles of Chairman Jerrold Nadler told hearings in the House because it over a sexual relationship he had to solicit Ukraine to publicly business finally finished,” he said impeachment, in the full Demo- reporters that Democrats had to says the process is unfair, with a White House intern, but announce the investigations of on the Senate floor. cratic-controlled House. That take action because Trump had accused Democrats of engaging he was acquitted in the Senate. Biden and a debunked theory Democrats sought to counter could happen next week. endangered the US Constitution, in a “baseless and partisan” Republican President Richard that Ukraine, not Russia, inter- the argument that impeachment The House is almost certain undermined the integrity of the attempt to undo the results of the Nixon resigned in 1974 before he fered in the 2016 US election. was being done at the expense to vote to impeach the Repub- 2020 election and jeopardized 2016 election. was impeached over his The obstruction charge of passing major legislation. lican president. A trial would national security. “House Democrats have long involvement in the Watergate accuses the president of defying The House Judiciary panel then be held in the Republican- “No one, not even the pres- wanted to overturn the votes of scandal. Democratic President and impeding the House’s efforts will meet later this week to con- controlled Senate, likely in ident, is above the law,” Nadler 63 million Americans. They have Andrew Johnson was impeached to investigate the scandal, adding sider the articles of impeachment January. No Republican in either said at a news conference to determined that they must in 1868 but not convicted in the that Trump would remain a and make a recommendation on the House or Senate has come announce the formal impeach President Trump Senate. threat to the US Constitution if whether to send the formal out in favour of Trump’s removal impeachment charges. He was because they cannot legitimately Democrats have moved he remained in office. charges to the full House for a from office. joined by House Speaker Nancy defeat him at the ballot box,” it rapidly since launching their Republicans argue Trump vote, Nadler said. No link found between cyberattack and Navy base attack, says FBI AP connection between the cyber- with some crippling services for TALLAHASSEE attack and the shooting. “Our long periods of times. preliminary investigation con- In May, a cyberattack The FBI said it has found no signs tinues,” the FBI statement said hobbled Baltimore’s computer of any link between a cyber- without elaboration. network and cost the city more attack on computer systems of Earlier Monday, Pensacola than $18m to repair. City officials a Florida Panhandle city and last Mayor Grover Robinson asked refused to pay demands for week’s attack at the naval air for patience in a community still $76,000 in bitcoin. station there in which a flight grieving over the shooting at the During the summer, two student killed three sailors and Navy installation, a central part Florida cities — Riviera Beach wounded eight others. of the local economy and public and Lake City — paid hackers Officials in the city of Pen- life. more than $1m combined after sacola became aware of the “We are a little bit hampered being targeted. cyberattack early Saturday, through this,” the mayor said. Pensacola’s spokeswoman hours after Friday’s shooting at City officials became aware could not immediately discuss the Pensacola Naval Air Station. of the cyberattack at about 1:30 how officials became aware of Much of the city’s computer a.m. Saturday, said city spokes- the cyberattack, nor would she system remained offline Monday woman, Kaycee Lagarde. “As a discuss if a ransom had been morning, and federal authorities precaution we have reported the requested. were alerted to the cyberattack incident to the federal The city’s computer net- as a precaution. government”. works were disconnected from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (left) and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (right) holding The FBI tweeted in a brief Ransomware cyberattacks the Internet to prevent cyber- talks with their delegations at the State Department in Washington, DC, yesterday. statement that its initial investi- on government systems have intruders from causing further gation has not identified any been on the rise in recent years, damage. Pompeo warns against election interference AP/WASHINGTON House, Lavrov repeated Russian alleged interference in domestic denials of interference in the processes of the United States is Brazilian President calls Secretary of State Mike Pompeo 2016 presidential election. He baseless,” he said. “No one has said that any foreign inter- said the conclusion by the US given us this proof because it Greta Thunberg a ‘brat’ ference in American elections is intelligence community that simply does not exist.” “unacceptable” and warned Russia intervened in favor of “We don’t think there is any AP/RIO DE JANEIRO died because they were Russia and others that the Trump Trump was “baseless.” mistake about what transpired,” defending the Amazon,” Bol- administration will protect the “I was clear it is unac- Pompeo said of the conclusion Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro sonaro told a group of jour- integrity of the vote. ceptable, and I made our expec- that Russia meddled in the 2016 called young Swedish environ- nalists. “It’s impressive that the In wide-ranging talks with tations of Russia clear,” Pompeo election. mental activist Greta Thunberg press is giving space to a brat his Russian counterpart Sergey said of election interference. Lavrov’s visit to Washington, a “brat” after she expressed like that,” he added, using the Lavrov that also included dis- “The Trump administration will his first since May 2017, was concern about the slayings of Portuguese word word putes over arms control agree- always work to protect the overshadowed by the intro- indigenous Brazilians in the ”pirralha.” ments, Ukraine, Syria and Ven- integrity of our elections. duction of Ukraine-related Amazon. Following Bolsonaro’s com- Man who inspired ezuela, Pompeo said at a joint Period.” impeachment articles by the Bolsonaro questioned the ments, Thunberg changed the news conference at the State Lavrov derided the “wave of House and Trump’s complaints coverage news media have bio on her Twitter profile to say viral ‘ice bucket Department that the adminis- suspicions that has overcome about an internal Justice given Thunberg, 16, who on “Pirralha,” challenge’ dies tration would counter inter- Washington” related to election Department watchdog’s finding Sunday tweeted a link to a story Thunberg became a symbol ference in elections past and interference, renewing demands that the FBI was justified in about the murder of two indig- for youth demanding radical AFP/NEW YORK future. that evidence of such activity be opening an investigation into ties enous people in Brazil’s change to confront climate Before meeting with Pres- given to Moscow. “All specu- between Trump’s 2016 presi- Maranhao state. change when she sparked global A former US college baseball ident Donald Trump at the White lation about our dential campaign and Russia. “Greta said that the Indians school strikes. player who helped inspire the global phenomenon known as the “ice bucket challenge” to Mexico’s former security chief tackle a deadly neurodegener- ‘Solving climate crisis requires leadership’ ative disease has died at the age charged in drug conspiracy of 34, his family said yesterday. AFP/MADRID Pete Frates’ (pictured) struggle with ALS, also known AP cartel, Joaquin “El Chapo” The world does not need a as Lou Gehrig’s disease, was NEW YORK Guzman, “while he controlled miracle to tame global warming, one of the inspirations behind Mexico’s federal police force and just leadership, American pres- the ice bucket challenge which A man who served as secretary was responsible for ensuring idential hopeful Michael took social media by storm in of public security in Mexico from public safety in Mexico.” Bloomberg told UN climate talks 2014. 2006 to 2012 has been indicted “Today’s arrest demon- in Madrid yesterday, calling for Millions took up the chal- in New York City on drug strates our resolve to bring to an end to government handouts lenge which involved dousing charges alleging he accepted justice those who help cartels to oil, gas and coal companies. themselves with a bucket of ice millions of dollars in bribes to inflict devastating harm on the The billionaire and former cold water and posting the video let the Sinaloa cartel operate United States and Mexico, mayor of New York took a online, before making a donation with impunity in Mexico. regardless of the positions they detour from his bid to capture to medical research and daring Genaro Garcia Luna, 51, a held while committing their the Democratic Party nomi- others to do the same. resident of Florida, was charged crimes,” he said. nation and earn the right to run The campaign has in Brooklyn federal court with Garcia Luna received mil- against President Donald Trump, reportedly raised more than three counts of cocaine traf- lions of dollars in bribes from who has aggressively promoted $200m to fund research into ficking conspiracy and a false 2001 to 2012 while he occupied fossil fuels and dismissed climate ALS, whose sufferers’ bodies statements charge, authorities high-ranking law enforcement change as a hoax. Child environmental activist from India, Licypriya Kangujam (left) slowly shut down as their said in a release. positions in the Mexican gov- “Beating climate change and Democratic presidential hopeful Michael Bloomberg do high nervous systems degenerate. Garcia Luna was arrested on ernment, authorities said. won’t require a miracle, it won’t fives at the ‘IFEMA — Feria de Madrid’ exhibition centre, yesterday. “Pete passed away sur- Monday by federal agents in They said the bribes paid to require limitless resources, it will other special treatment,” he said, Bloomberg arrived at the rounded by his loving family, Dallas. Prosecutors in Brooklyn Garcia Luna cleared the way for require leadership and common taking aim at long-standing pol- 196-nation talks, set to close on peacefully at age 34, after a said they will seek his removal to the Sinaloa cartel to safely ship sense,” Bloomberg told a round- icies as well as new ones put in Friday, with A-list actor Harrison heroic battle with ALS,” his New York. The arrest and charges multi-ton quantities of cocaine table on climate finance. place by Trump. Ford and outgoing Bank of family said in a statement. were announced yesterday. and other drugs into the United “The next president of the The money saved could be England Governor Mark Carney. “Remarkably, Pete never com- US Attorney Richard P States while getting sensitive law United States should end all sub- invested in clean energy “to “Businesses understand plained about his illness. Donoghue said Garcia Luna took enforcement information about sidies to fossil fuel companies create a lot of jobs”, he added. what’s at stake and they are not Instead, he saw it as an oppor- millions of dollars in bribes from investigations and information and fossil fuel extraction, and “If we take these steps, I’m really waiting for better leadership in tunity to give hope to other the former leader of the Sinaloa about rival drug cartels. that includes tax breaks and optimistic we can succeed.” Washington,” Bloomberg said. patients and their families”. 18 AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019

Dominican Republic Fernández inaugurated to require visas for Venezuelan citizens

AP as Argentina President SANTO DOMINGO

AP Outgoing Interior had high hopes for an improved The Dominican Republic will BUENOS AIRES Minister Rogelio quality of life. require visas for Venezuelans, Frigerio praised “I see a lot of people unem- who have moved to the country Alberto Fernández assumed the Alberto Fernández’s ployed, a lot of hunger, and that by the thousands amid an presidency of Argentina is very frustrating,” said Claudia economic and humanitarian yesterday, returning the country conciliatory attitude Pouso, a 57-year-old retiree. I crisis, officials said. to the ranks of left-leaning toward his political want everything to be turned The measure goes into nations at a moment of right- opponents, and his around, more jobs for people. My effect on December 16. Until wing resurgence in the Western openness toward daughter works in the hospital then, Venezuelans will be able Hemisphere. and there is nothing there. ... Eve- to travel to the Dominican Taking the vice presidency dialogue. rything needs to change.” Republic using only tourist was Cristina Fernández, 66, a Outgoing Interior Minister cards that can be purchased in polarising figure who served as seen as a sign of Argentina’s Rogelio Frigerio praised Alberto airports. president from 2007 to 2015 and maturing democracy. Fernández’s conciliatory attitude A Venezuelan residents whose presence has raised ques- The new president said on toward his political opponents, group estimates 30,000 citizens tions about the extent of her Twitter that he would dedicate and his openness toward of that country are living in the influence in the new himself to “putting my dear dialogue. Dominican Republic, virtually administration. Argentina back on its feet.” “We have to give the next all illegally after overstaying Alberto Fernández, a Alberto Fernández served as government the benefit of the their tourist permits. 60-year-old lawyer from the head of Cristina Fernández’s doubt, he needs help and we will Thousands of other Vene- country’s centre-left Peronist Cabinet for the beginning of her help,” Frigerio said. zuelans travel to the Dominican movement, faces the grave and time in power and many wonder The incoming president has Republic to purchase basic goods Argentina’s new President Alberto Fernández (left) with Vice- immediate challenge of trying to if the new vice president will already announced plans to fight or use it as a stopping-off point President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner after receiving the pull Argentina from economic wield outsized power in the new poverty with the distribution of as they emigrate to other crisis: The country has a 35% government. She and Alberto subsidized basic foods, and he Presidential Sash from outgoing president Mauricio Macri during his countries. poverty rate and is struggling to Fernández have denied that. has outlined measures to lower inauguration ceremony at the Congress, in Buenos Aires, yesterday. make debt payments on time. However, close allies of food prices and fight malnu- The economy is expected to Cristina Fernández have already trition in poor families. expected to move Argentina away Brazilian leader Luiz Inácio Lula Toll from Mexico shrink 3% by the end of 2019, been named to key government He has also announced plans from close cooperation with the da Silva and Mexico’s populist with inflation at 55%. positions and her son is head of to raise retirees’ pensions and US. and other conservative gov- president, Andrés Manuel López ammonia spill rises Outgoing leader Mauricio the governing party in the lower increase benefits for public ernments that are trying to unseat Obrador. Meanwhile, tensions AP/MEXICO CITY Macri became the first non-Per- house of the legislature. employees and welfare Venezuela’s embattled socialist have been rising between Fern- onist president to complete his Peronists cheered as the pair recipients. president, Nicolás Maduro. ández and far-right President The death toll from an ammonia term in 74 years, a landmark were inaugurated, saying they Alberto Fernández is Fernández is close to former Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil. spill last week in western Mexico has risen to nine, with some children among the dead, officials said. Chile military plane disappears with 38 aboard: Air Force Israel Patron, police chief in the state of Michoacan, did AFP the others were passengers, GMT) from an airbase in the transferred to inspect the base’s emergency positioning system, not specify the ages of the four SANTIAGO Chile’s air force said. southern city of Punta Arenas floating fuel supply pipeline and but it did not appear to be females and five males killed The plane is believed to have and contact was lost at 6:13pm. undertake anticorrosive working during the early in the accident, but noted some A Chilean military plane with 38 crashed and “all national and The air force said conditions treatment of the facility. morning search, said Eduardo were minors. people aboard has gone missing international air and maritime for flying were good and that it The air force also said that of Mosqueira, Commander of the About 50 other people were after it took off from the coun- means available in the area are was in contact with the families the passengers on board, 15 were Fourth Air Brigade. injured when a 7,925-gallon try’s south for a base in continuing the search (for sur- of those on board, many of from its ranks, three were from President Sebastian Pinera, (30,000 litre) tank trailer broke Antarctica and is presumed to vivors) in the sector where com- whom were traveling to carry the army, there were two people whose country is witnessing its loose from the truck pulling it have crashed, authorities have munications were lost with the out logistical support tasks at the from a private construction worst civil unrest in decades, and crashed off a highway on said. aircraft,” it added in a statement. country’s largest Antarctic base company, and a Chile university tweeted he would fly to Punta Friday. The ruptured tank sent Seventeen of those on board The four-engine aircraft took Eduardo Frei. official. Arenas with Interior Minister a cloud of ammonia gas floating the C-130 aircraft were crew and off on Monday at 4:55pm (19:55 Personnel were also being The plane did have an Gonzalo Blumel. over the road. WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019 HOME 19 QU signs MoU with Qatar Petroleum Development THE PENINSULA (IAESTE A.s.b.l), which is an inter- DOHA national organization of 89 coun- tries. Each member should An agreement was signed between provide training opportunities to Qatar University College of Engi- the students where such oppor- neering (QU-CENG) and Qatar tunities are exchanged during the Petroleum Development Co Ltd annual conference of IAESTE. with the aim to sponsor training Training includes the preparation for students - The International of a detailed training program for Association for the Exchange of each student and covering the cost Students for Technical Experience of accommodation in addition to QU-CENG Dean Dr. Khalid Kamal Naji and QPD General Manager Yosuke (IAESTE). the monthly salary of the trainee.” Watanabe during the MoU signing ceremony. The agreement was signed “QU-CENG is pleased to between QU-CENG Dean Dr. partner with QPD in fostering Khalid Kamal Naji, and QPD CENG educational and awareness become future leaders.” He added. encourage the social responsibility General Manager Yosuke programs. This agreement comes Commenting on the initiatives and programs that pos- Watanabe, in the presence of rep- in line with QU’s commitment to agreement, QPD General Manager itively reflected on the social resentatives of both parties. provide community with outreach said, “Qatar Petroleum Devel- levels inside the Qatari society. Commenting on the activities that aim to enhance and opment Co LTD, strongly believes This year, QPD glad to support agreement, Dr. Khalid Kamal Naji enrich students’ experience in the that corporate social responsibility CSR program at Qatar University, said, “Qatar University repre- engineering field and provide them is a key pillar of human devel- which is the primary institution sented by the college of Engi- with the skills and abilities that opment. Therefore, constant of higher education and research neering as a member of the help them join the workforce and efforts are made to support and in this country.” WCM-Q announces best high school research team

THE PENINSULA how UVC light could sterilise would have left this competition High School Medical Conference. DOHA germs in air conditioning units, with all these advantages.” Each team then gave a presen- were announced as the winners. The competition initially tation before the audience and a Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar They will soon be heading off to involved 21 teams from schools team of expert judges from (WCM-Q) has announced the an all-expenses paid trip to New across Qatar who were tasked WCM-Q, before Ali Bin Jassim winner of its search to find the York to experience the state-of- with investigating a research School were announced as the country’s best high school student the-art laboratories at Weill theme connected to the United winners. The other three finalists research team. Cornell Medicine. Ahmed Musaed Nations’ Sustainable Development were two teams from Bright The High School Research Al Obadi is one of the members of Goals of ensuring healthy lives; Future International School, and Competition was launched by the winning team and said the ensuring access to water and san- a team from The Lebanese School. WCM-Q’s Office of Student Out- competition had been a great itation; making cities inclusive and The conference also featured reach and Educational Devel- learning experience. safe; and ensuring sustainable four professional development opment to encourage teenagers He said, “I’ve learned a lot by consumption and production. workshops for teachers and stu- to explore the fields of medicine speaking to doctors and professors Each team was assigned a dents on the latest teaching tech- and science and consider them as who gave me lots of advice about WCM-Q mentor and had to use niques, college readiness as well future career options. how our experiment could be professional, scientific methods as admissions requirements. At a ceremony during improved. It’s helped me to give to investigate their subject. The 21 The culmination of the com- WCM-Q’s High School Medical better presentations, I’ve made teams were reduced to 15 fol- petition came at the end of Conference on Saturday, the team new friends and it’s taught me to lowing a judging session earlier WCM-Q’s annual open house from Ali Bin Jassim Bin Mohamed have confidence in myself and in the year, and the 15 were event, Medicine Unlimited hosting Al Thani School, who investigated whether we had won or lost I reduced to the final four at the more than 550 participants.

CROSSWORD MALL ROYAL PLAZA

Panipat (2D/Hindi) 2:00pm Helen (2D/Malayalam) 5:00pm Kettyolanu Ente Maalakha (2D/Malayalam) 2:00 & 9:00pm Pati Patni Aur Woh (2D/Hindi) 3:00pm Jumanji: The Next Level (2D/Action) 8:15, 9:15, 10:30 & 11:30pm Jimmy Ee Veedinte Aiswaryam (2D/Malayalam) Frozen II (2D/Animation) 4:30 & 6:30pm; 11:30pm Jada (2D/Tamil) 2:30pm; Frozen II (2D/Animation) 2:00, 3:45, 5:30 & 7:15pm Pati Patni Aur Woh (2D/Hindi) 4:45pm Kettyolanu Ente Maalakha (2D/Malayalam) 5:30 & Jimmy Ee Veedinte Aiswaryam (2D/Malayalam) 7:00 & 10:30pm 9:00pm; Arctic Dog (2D/Animation) 3:00pm Unbreakable (2D/Tagalog) 7:00pm Unbreakable (2D/Tagalog) 5:00pm Jumanji: The Next Level (2D/Action) 8:00, 9:15, Code 8 (2D/Sci-Fi) 7:15pm 10:30 & 11:30pm LANDMARK FLIK Mirqab Mall

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

HELEN

Helen is a Malayalam-language survival thriller film directed by Mathukutty Xavier (in his directorial debut), and produced by Vineeth Sreenivasan. 20 MORNING BREAK WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2019

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 04. 47 AM Qatar Airways scoops two top global HR SHOROOK 06. 09 AM

ZUHR 11. 27 AM MAGHRIB 04. 47 PM accolades at BOC Business Brilliance Awards ASR 02.25 PM ISHA 06. 17 PM THE PENINSULA The airline raised DOHA awareness of autism

WEATHER TODAY Qatar Airways won two 2019 spectrum disorder BOC Brilliance Awards for among its 50,000 ‘Brilliance in Social Awareness employees and Campaign’ and ‘Internal Communications Team of the set itself the goal Year’ at an official awards of leading good ceremony in London on practice in the December 5. Middle East and The multiple award- winning airline’s Internal the wider aviation Communications team industry. received the ‘Internal Commu- nications Team of the Year Gold Award’ for its achieve- a huge role in creating an ments in promoting greater atmosphere of pride and own- employee engagement across ership within our airline, and Qatar Airways representatives at the 2019 BOC Brilliance Awards ceremony in London. a large and diverse employee we are delighted that this has base. This included raising been recognised at an inter- awareness about environ- national level through the BOC much deserved success of the employee engagement cam- awareness among its 50,000 mental sustainability, mental Brilliance Awards. Internal Communications paign to raise awareness of the employees and set itself the health and wellness, donating “We look forward to con- Team of Qatar Airways, show- autism spectrum disorder goal of leading good practice blood and promoting sports tinuing to lead in this area and casing true examples of out- (ASD). in the Middle East and the and healthy lifestyles across take Qatar Airways to even standing achievement. We are As a business that cares wider aviation industry. Over the airline as a means of greater heights on the global thrilled to see how far this about its customers, Qatar the last three years, Qatar bringing people together. stage in the year ahead.” budding team has come. Their Airways identified the par- Airways has worked hard both Qatar Airways Group Chief Head of International Bril- work deserves to be cele- ticular needs of passengers to explain ASD to its team and o o Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, liance Awards, Maka brated, as it contains lessons with ASD. The experience of to reach out to children with 21 C 25 C said: “Qatar Airways prides Quparadze, said: “We believe for all of us who are curious using airports and flying ASD to help them develop Minimum Maximum itself on providing a world- that those who enter the BOC enough, and ambitious enough presents particular challenges social skills in a day to day class service to passengers Brilliance Awards, and of to look for them.” for people with the disorder. environment. Partly cloudy to cloudy with a chance of across the world, but it is the course those who ultimately The airline’s Internal Com- These challenges can be The judges were impressed scattered rain may be thundery at places dedication and commitment win the award, are role models munications Team also reduced if airline staff rec- with the quality of the pro- and blowing dust at times. of our staff each and every day of excellence that inspire all of received the special honour of ognise it and are sensitive to gramme which included prac-

which makes this possible. us to be the best that we can. ‘Judges Choice Award: Bril- the needs of affected tical training and the active

HIGH TIDE 04:41 – 14:42 LOW TIDE 11:27 – 22:27 “Effective and inspiring “This year it has been a liance in Social Awareness customers. involvement of committed Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department internal communication plays great pleasure to witness the Campaign’ for its month-long The airline raised volunteers. Ooredoo’s bestselling Shahry and Qatarna packs are now 5G-enabled

THE PENINSULA greater flexibility and better packs, whether their device sup- network at speeds of up to benefits. Speaking of the new a look at what we offer and see DOHA value than ever before. ports 3G, 4G or 5G. 20Mbps without further charge. postpaid packs, Manar Khalifa where we could give our cus- First and foremost, all new Shahry 5G and Qatarna 5G New Qatarna 5G plans will Al Muraikhi, Director PR and tomers even more than before. Ooredoo, the first telecommu- Shahry and Qatarna packs will plan subscribers will never run be loaded with 100 international Corporate Communications at “We’re delighted to launch nications operator in the world be 5G-enabled, meaning as long out of data, with the new plans minutes, so all subscribers can Ooredoo, said: “While our our new Shahry and Qatarna to launch 5G, announced as customers have a 5G-enabled offering endless access to the call their family and friends postpaid packs have always rep- packs, which will significantly yesterday a complete revamp of device, they will be able to access Internet. Once a customer con- across the globe. resented excellent value for enhance our customers’ expe- its bestselling postpaid Shahry Ooredoo’s 5G network. All cus- sumes their full allowance for the Both new Shahry 5G and money with considerable flexi- rience, giving them more options, and Qatarna packs and add-ons, tomers can access the benefits month, they will still be able to Qatarna 5G plans will come with bility, the arrival of 5G was the more value and more giving customers more options, of new Shahry and Qatarna continue connecting to any entertainment and lifestyle perfect opportunity for us to take benefits.”

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY INVITES ALL MAIN SUPPLIERS AND REGISTERED DEALERS TARGETED BY DECREE LAW NO. 24 OF 2019 ON THE STRATEGIC STOCK OF FOOD AND CONSUMER GOODS TO ADJUST THEIR STATUS

In line with Article No. (2) of Decree Law No. (24) of 2019, It is prohibited to deal in strategic goods except for those who are listed as major suppliers or registered merchants. The registration terms and conditions for the two lists stipulated in the previous paragraph, and an exemption from registration shall be issued by the Minister upon the proposal of the competent department. By virtue of a decision by the Minister, any major supplier or dealer may be exempt from registration in the main suppliers list or the list of registered merchants in accordance with the standards and conditions set by the competent department

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry urges all major suppliers and registered merchants to quickly adjust their situation according to the provisions of law number (24) of 2019 on the strategic stock of food and consumer goods, by contacting the Supply and Strategic Stock Department on the third floor of Tower B to register in the list major suppliers or registered merchants and to enroll in the electronic system for the strategic stock of food and consumer products before the adjustment period expires on: 17/4/2020

Those targeted by Decree Law No. (24) of 2019 regarding the strategic stock of food and consumer products

MAJOR SUPPLIERS REGISTERED MERCHANTS (Suppliers and wholesalers) (Retailers) Each natural or legal person who is Every natural or legal person involved in responsible for providing registered trading food commodities or adopting it merchants with strategic commodities as a profession

Those who fail to adjust their situation during the aforementioned period may be subject to the outlined penalties as stipulated in the aforementioned law aer the expiry of the period.