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aaa TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 02 Team Bahrain return to hero’s welcome

Team Bahrain during victory parade TDT | showed off the much-coveted ed Bahraini flag. played by the police band, a tra- eight-team Gulf com- Manama trophy, with legions of adoring Many also joined the convoy ditional band and popular local petition after it beat fans proudly saluting by car en route to the circuit. artist Flipperachi, along with a Saudi Arabia 1-0 in a ahrain them and waving At BIC, among those join - brilliant fireworks display that tense final. Bcame together as the red-and- ing the celebrations were His lit up the night sky over the To reach the title one yesterday as the white serrat- Royal Highness Prince Salman Sakhir desert. match, the Bahrainis Kingdom welcomed bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown The fans in attendance almost scored victories over back the national foot- Prince, Deputy Supreme Com- filled up BIC’s 10,500-capacity football powerhouses ball team who on Sun- mander and First Deputy Prime Main Grandstand, and the team Kuwait and Iraq. The day night were crowned Minister; and His Majesty the interacted with their supporters stunning Bahraini champions of the 24th Ara- King’s Representative for Char- from the track. prowess has been bian Gulf Cup in Doha. ity Works and Youth Affairs, Na- It was a spectacular ceremony richly praised by all Tens of thousands turned tional Security Advisor that was worthy of the occasion. sports specialists and up for the welcome parade, and Supreme Coun- On Sunday, Bahrain won the commentators. Celebrations at BIC which started from Bahrain cil for Youth and International Airport, passed Sports Chairman through Manama and ended at Shaikh Nasser Bahrain International Circuit bin Hamad Al (BIC) in Sakhir, where a stunning Khalifa. ceremony took place. The festivi- The Bahrainis were wel - ties included comed upon touching down in mu- sic the country by officials, led by His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Dep- uty Chairman of the Supreme Council of Youth and Sports and President of the Bahrain Olym- pic Committee. Then, with Shaikh Khalid at the forefront, they boarded an open-top bus that travelled to BIC. During their journey, they TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 02 03 Team Bahrain return to hero’s welcome Hopes high for 40th GCC summit Minister of Foreign Affairs participates in 145th ministerial preparatory meeting for the GCC Supreme Council Summit in Riyadh TDT | Manama Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Min- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. So is ister, Khalid Al Jarallah, told our commitment to the success oreign ministers from all Kuwaiti media. of the march of the Gulf Coop- over the Gulf Cooperation eration Council at the time of FCouncil nations converged Optimism and hope disintegration and anxiety,” he on Riyadh yesterday for a pre- UAE Minister of State for added. paratory meeting of the 40th Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash Gargash expressed the United GCC summit which would dis- said the Emirates looks forward Arab Emirates’ commitment to cuss today the security situa- to the summit “with optimism Gulf cooperation in dealing with tions and their impact on region- and hope”, reported The Arab imperative issues in the region. al security and stability. Weekly. “The UAE’s commitment to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gargash tweeted that his Gulf institutional bloc is rooted Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin country is looking forward to in the depth of its keenness on Mohammed Al Khalifa repre- the Riyadh summit the stability and prosperity of sented Bahrain at the 145th edi- “It is the summit that derives the region,” he tweeted. tion of the ministerial preparato- its importance from the weight Kuwait’s state news agency ry meeting for the 40th Supreme and strategic importance of the KUNA said Amir Sheikh Sabah Summit. region and its venue.” Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah has The meeting, ahead of today’s “We have a firm belief in the departed to Saudi Arabia for the discussions by the heads of the Gulf and Arab role of the sisterly Summit. states, was attended by foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Team Bahrain during victory parade Oman. TDT | Bahrain’s participation in the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa at the 145th edition of the ministerial showed off the much-coveted ed Bahraini flag. played by the police band, a tra- eight-team Gulf com- preparatory meeting for the 40th Supreme Gulf Cooperation Council Summit. Manama summit follows an invitation by trophy, with legions of adoring Many also joined the convoy ditional band and popular local petition after it beat the Custodian of the Two Holy fans proudly saluting by car en route to the circuit. artist Flipperachi, along with a Saudi Arabia 1-0 in a Mosques King Salman bin Ab- Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan draft of the communique to be states in political, defence, secu- ahrain them and waving At BIC, among those join - brilliant fireworks display that tense final. dulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. bin Abdullah Al Saud, as well as issued following the meeting rity, social and economic fields. came together as the red-and- ing the celebrations were His lit up the night sky over the To reach the title B The invitation was delivered to Al Zayani. of the Supreme Council of the GCC Secretary-General has one yesterday as the white serrat- Royal Highness Prince Salman Sakhir desert. match, the Bahrainis HM the King by Secretary-Gen- Discussions at the meeting GCC, today. earlier expressed his confidence Kingdom welcomed bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown The fans in attendance almost scored victories over eral of the GCC, Abdul Latif bin were on draft resolutions and Today’s meeting of the Su - that the summit would result back the national foot- Prince, Deputy Supreme Com- filled up BIC’s 10,500-capacity football powerhouses Rashid Al Zayani, during a meet- recommendations to strengthen preme Council of the GCC, under in constructive decisions that ball team who on Sun- mander and First Deputy Prime Main Grandstand, and the team Kuwait and Iraq. The ing in Manama. the mechanisms of joint Gulf the chairmanship of King Sal- will boost the Gulf countries’ day night were crowned Minister; and His Majesty the interacted with their supporters stunning Bahraini Yesterday, upon arrival in action by ministerial committees man of Saudi Arabia, is expect- unity. champions of the 24th Ara- King’s Representative for Char- from the track. prowess has been Riyadh, Shaikh Khalid was re- to their Majesties, Excellencies ed to see leaders discussing key “There are indications that bian Gulf Cup in Doha. ity Works and Youth Affairs, Na- It was a spectacular ceremony richly praised by all ceived by Minister of Foreign and the leaders of the GCC States. topics to enhance cooperation the chapter of disagreement be- Tens of thousands turned tional Security Advisor that was worthy of the occasion. sports specialists and Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi The meeting also discussed a and integration among member tween brothers will be closed,” GCC ministers arriving for the summit (Courtesy of Al Arabiya) up for the welcome parade, and Supreme Coun- On Sunday, Bahrain won the commentators. Celebrations at BIC which started from Bahrain cil for Youth and International Airport, passed Sports Chairman through Manama and ended at Shaikh Nasser Bahrain International Circuit bin Hamad Al (BIC) in Sakhir, where a stunning Khalifa. Open paddock, autograph ceremony took place. The festivi- The Bahrainis were wel - ties included comed upon touching down in mu- sic session at BIC for race fans the country by officials, led by His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin TDT | Manama Hamad Al Khalifa, First Dep- uty Chairman of the Supreme ace fans attending the FIA Council of Youth and Sports and WEC Bapco 8 Hours of Bah- President of the Bahrain Olym- R rain and the 2019 BIC National pic Committee. Day Festival are set to enjoy Then, with Shaikh Khalid at unparalleled access to the heart the forefront, they boarded an of the FIA World Endurance open-top bus that travelled to Championship (WEC). BIC. During their journey, they BIC is treating all ticket-hold- ers to an Open Paddock expe- rience for both days of the en- durance racing spectacle on December 13 and 14. The Open Paddock experi- ence is unique to the WEC, and it is a fan-friendly initiative en- joyed by all. Aside from getting to watch all the high-octane action from lowing fans an added bonus of The Bapco 8 Hours of Bah- the Main and Batelco Grand- seeing the team’s garages up rain marks the fourth round of stands, racegoers will have the close. the 2019/2020 FIA WEC season. unique chance to see up close During this activity, the fans Aside from the WEC, there and personal what goes on be- will be able to meet the drivers, will also be racing in racing hind-the-scenes in the WEC shake their hands and even take in two highly popular support Paddock. pictures with them, all while series: the MRF Challenge sin- This is where the participat- getting their all-important au- gle-seater championship from ing teams’ buildings are locat- tographs on the various mem- India and the BIC-based Por- ed to accommodate all team orabilia fans will have to get sche Sprint Challenge Middle members while at the circuit. signed. East. The Paddock is also where the Autograph sessions usually Off the race track, the en - teams have the entrances to attract large crowds, so fans are tertainment throughout the their garages, so it will not be a advised to get to the autograph four-day festival will be high- surprise if fans get a chance to session’s location ahead of the lighted by nightly concerts meet the WEC’s star drivers as scheduled time. featuring some of the region’s they stroll around the vicinity. Both the National Day Festi- biggest names in music. They Furthermore, fans will get to val and WEC will be open to the include star singers Balqees, walk by the Race Control Tow- public from December 13. The Mohammed Al Salem, Essa er, scrutineering garages, and National Day celebrations will Al Marzouq and Abdulla Al the state-of-the-art Media and be held over four straight days Rowaished. There will also be Medical Centres, all of which of fun and enjoyment, while the the biggest fireworks display in are crucial to the success of high-octane WEC action will be the Kingdom of Bahrain, world- the race weekend. Meanwhile, held on December 13 and 14. class performing artists from race-goers will be treated to Tickets are BD1 per person around the globe such as The an autograph session with the per day. They can be purchased Black Angels acrobats, Spark! WEC’s stars on December 14. online at BIC’s official website LED Drummers and Stannage It is scheduled to begin at www.bahraingp.com, by call- International Stunt Team, plus 12.10 pm and continue until ing the BIC Hotline on +973- carnival rides for kids, tradi- 12.40 pm. It will be located 17450000 or at the BIC stand at tional music, food stalls and a along BIC’s main Pit Lane, al- City Centre Bahrain. shopping bazaar. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 04 Stabbing: Court considers mental health report TDT | Manama eral times, before fleeing from and heard his statements, before sure his death and later fled the the crime scene. ordering his detention until the scene,” Fakhro added. he First High Criminal The incident leading to the date of the trial.” The suspect denied the accu- Court will today consider case occurred on 12 February In doing so, the prosecution sations levelled against him and Ta mental health review of 2019 in Galali, close to Bahrain inspected the crime scene, heard claimed that it was the victim a Bahraini man who stabbed his International Airport. testimonies of the victim and who attacked and threatened neighbour over a parking spot The victim, according to Pub- eyewitnesses and assigned a him using a knife, following dispute earlier this year. lic prosecution, was stabbed us- coroner to examine the victim which a fistfight broke out. Public prosecution charged ing a kitchen knife, said Chief and the knife used to commit Eyewitness, however, in- him with attempted murder, es- Prosecutor Adnan Fakhro. the crime. formed prosecutors that they caping and leaving the victim in The prosecution was notified Investigators came to the con- saw the suspect stabbing the a puddle of blood. of the crime by Samaheej Police clusion that the accused stabbed victim while the latter was on The psychiatry report says the station. the victim with a premeditated the floor. defendant does not suffer from The timely intervention of the intention to kill. He kept the The witness also informed any organic diseases or auditory police led to shifting the victim knife ready with him and mon- that the suspect fled the scene hallucinations, but has slight quickly to a hospital, where he itored the victim’s movements and left the victim bleeding on mental retardation and is inca- Representative picture recovered. closely. the floor. pable of judging complex or less In a statement, issued a day “He stabbed the victim several On July 9, the court ordered to intense matters. ing treatment for his conditions followups regularly. after the incident, the Chief times, which led him falling on conduct a mental evaluation of Investigations also revealed from a Psychiatry Hospital According to court files, the Prosecutor said: “The prosecu- the ground. The accused then the suspect to determine, if he that the suspect was undergo- since 2011, but he failed to do suspect stabbed the victim sev- tion interrogated the suspect continued to stab him to en- was responsible for his actions. Trio who killed friend Bahraini boy, 13, killed, another over BD1,000 to stand before court today injured in horrific crash

Representative picture

TDT | Manama west of Capital Manama. The victim was rushed to hree men accused of kill- Salmaniya Medical Com- Ting their fellow national plex but succumbed to his over a money dispute last May wounds. will appear before the High Based on his statements that Criminal court today. three men attacked and robbed The trio, Asian nationals, him, authorities launched a were arrested and remanded manhunt. to custody in May. During interrogation, the Public Prosecution accused suspects told interrogators them of killing and robbing that the victim cheated them the victim after luring him to by selling a work permit, aka Bystanders gathering at the accident site The deceased has been identified as Ibrahim Al Mottawa an abandoned place in Al Daih employment visa, for BD1,000, village. promising that it is valid for TDT | Manama The deceased, sourc - measures are taken. cident, had an emotional Investigators found that the two years, while it was only es confirmed Tribune, has The ministry didn’t reveal any breakdown finding the fate of men beat the victim to death for a year. horrific crash killed a been identified as Ibrahim Al further details. his son. using hammers and cement On 14 May 2019, the Pub - A13-year-old boy instantly Mottawa. Eyewitness accounts say, the The body was taken to the blocks, following an argument lic Prosecution accused the in the Northern Governorate Another child was also in- boy suffered a serious injury on morgue in Salmaniya Medical over a financial dispute. three men of premeditat - Sunday night. jured in the accident, confirmed his head and bled profusely on Complex. The General Directorate of ed murder and robbing the The mishap occurred while the Interior Ministry in a state- the scene of the accident. The General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and victim. the boy, among a group of chil- ment. “The paramedics arrived Traffic called upon the public to Forensic Science began an in- The High Criminal Court dren, was parading on their bi- “The boy was on his bicycle soon, but pronounced him dead obey the traffic rules and avoid vestigation after getting noti- will consider today a medical cycles around Diraz to celebrate when a car driven by a Bah- on the spot,” an eyewitness said. hindering the traffic during fied about a severely injured report on the second defend- Bahrain’s victory in the 24th raini, 19, rammed into him,” the The boy’s father, who ar - the celebration of the sporting man found in a farm in Al Daih, ant’s mental health. Gulf Cup. statement said adding that legal rived at the scene of the ac - achievement.

Bahrainisation drive: Govt won’t renew job contracts of 300 expatriates TDT | Manama The proposal by MP Adel stated that 85 per cent of public Al-Asoumi calls for a renew - sector jobs are already occupied round 300 jobs at various able one-year ban on hiring by Bahrainis. Aministries and govern- expatriates to government The government has taken ment entities currently enjoyed jobs. many measures to improve Bah- by expatriates will be hand- He said the move aims at rainisation since the start of the ed over to Bahrainis, officials empowering Bahrainis and in- year. say. creasing the number of Bah - The National Employment Which means, authorities will raini employees in the public Programme included launching not renew the contracts of expa- sector. an awareness campaign to en- triates in such positions lined up Earlier this year, members courage citizens to register in for Bahrainis, once the contract of parliament approved an ur- the National Employment Pro- expires. gent proposal that could result gramme, Amending the unem- According to a Civil Service in complete Bahrainisation of ployment insurance draft law Bureau official, the transition government occupations within (78/2006) to increase compen- will be made soon as Bahranisa- four years. sation fees, increasing fees asso- tion drive intensifies. In his reply to the proposal, ciated with the Parallel Bahrai- Recent statistics say there are The transition will be made soon as Bahranisation drive intensifies. (Representative picture) presented during parliament’s nisation System and the Flexible now 7206 foreign employees in weekly session in March, Par- Work Permit and redesigning the Kingdom, a decrease com- earlier. liamentary proposal made to on hiring foreigners in the public liament and Shura Council Af- Tamkeen’s Training and Wage pared to 7582 employees present The move also follows a par- establish a one-year moratorium sector. fairs Minister Ghanim Buainain Support Programme. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 04 05 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 Stabbing: Court considers mental health report world TDT | Manama eral times, before fleeing from and heard his statements, before sure his death and later fled the the crime scene. ordering his detention until the scene,” Fakhro added. he First High Criminal The incident leading to the date of the trial.” The suspect denied the accu- Court will today consider case occurred on 12 February In doing so, the prosecution sations levelled against him and Ta mental health review of 2019 in Galali, close to Bahrain inspected the crime scene, heard claimed that it was the victim a Bahraini man who stabbed his International Airport. testimonies of the victim and who attacked and threatened neighbour over a parking spot The victim, according to Pub- eyewitnesses and assigned a him using a knife, following dispute earlier this year. lic prosecution, was stabbed us- coroner to examine the victim which a fistfight broke out. Firemen hailed as heroes in Delhi horror blaze Public prosecution charged ing a kitchen knife, said Chief and the knife used to commit Eyewitness, however, in- him with attempted murder, es- Prosecutor Adnan Fakhro. the crime. formed prosecutors that they AFP | New Delhi caping and leaving the victim in The prosecution was notified Investigators came to the con- saw the suspect stabbing the a puddle of blood. of the crime by Samaheej Police clusion that the accused stabbed victim while the latter was on wo fireman who rescued The psychiatry report says the station. the victim with a premeditated the floor. 27 people were hailed as defendant does not suffer from The timely intervention of the intention to kill. He kept the The witness also informed heroes yesterday after any organic diseases or auditory police led to shifting the victim knife ready with him and mon- that the suspect fled the scene T Delhi’s deadliest fire in decades hallucinations, but has slight quickly to a hospital, where he itored the victim’s movements and left the victim bleeding on killed 43, prompting outrage that mental retardation and is inca- Representative picture recovered. closely. the floor. safety regulations were yet again pable of judging complex or less In a statement, issued a day “He stabbed the victim several On July 9, the court ordered to ignored. intense matters. ing treatment for his conditions followups regularly. after the incident, the Chief times, which led him falling on conduct a mental evaluation of The blaze early Sunday ripped Investigations also revealed from a Psychiatry Hospital According to court files, the Prosecutor said: “The prosecu- the ground. The accused then the suspect to determine, if he through a four-storey building that the suspect was undergo- since 2011, but he failed to do suspect stabbed the victim sev- tion interrogated the suspect continued to stab him to en- was responsible for his actions. housing small factory units in the congested lanes of the Old Delhi district while the migrant workers inside were asleep. Fire fighter Rajesh Shukla, Trio who killed friend who carried out 11 people and Bahraini boy, 13, killed, another was injured in a dangerous and difficult operation in the ar- over BD1,000 to stand ea’s narrow lanes, said he was had done their job properly then ers, mostly migrants from else- shocked so many people were many valuable lives could have where in India who save money injured in horrific crash inside. been saved,” he said. by bedding down at their work- before court today “No one in the area informed Police said the owner of the places. us that so many people were building and its manager have Some were paid just 1,000 ru- there in the building, some said been arrested and that the illegal pees ($14) a month. there were three or four people factory units inside had been Locals said the building, trapped inside,” Shulka told the Firefighters battled for hours to put out the blaze in the narrow and congested lanes of Old Delhi operating without fire safety which also made purses and Times of India daily. clearance. jackets, had just one entrance. “I saw at least 30 people in the sooner, then “we could have “We rescued workers by car- the owners of the building to One of the units manufactured Twenty rooms on each floor room (on the third floor) with saved more lives”. rying them on our shoulders. operate with “impunity”. wall mirrors, one was involved in were connected by a single in- most of them sleeping. A few Ashish Malik, who managed Some had to be dragged,” he The lanes were narrow and the stitching of schoolbags and ternal stairway. others were dead... We were told to carry out 16 people from the said. congested with wires and cables another stitched skull caps, the Prime Minister Narendra that the labourers slept in shifts,” blazing building, said firefight- Hardeep Singh Puri, Indian dangling dangerously, he said in Press Trust of India news agency Modi tweeted that the fire, the he said. ers “had to take huge risks” housing and urban development a statement, adding the building reported. deadliest in Delhi since 59 peo- He added that if the fire bri- carrying people down the only minister, hit out at the Delhi flouted safety and fire norms. Such firms often provide ple perished in a burning cinema gade had had more information staircase on a rickety floor. state government for allowing “If all these (city) departments sleeping quarters for poor work- in 1997, was “extremely horrific”.

Representative picture US confirms Washington visit TDT | Manama west of Capital Manama. Thai massage could get UNESCO status The victim was rushed to by Russian foreign minister hree men accused of kill- Salmaniya Medical Com- Ting their fellow national plex but succumbed to his Originating in India, over a money dispute last May wounds. • will appear before the High Based on his statements that doctors and monks were Criminal court today. three men attacked and robbed said to have brought The trio, Asian nationals, him, authorities launched a these methods 2,500 were arrested and remanded manhunt. to custody in May. During interrogation, the years ago to Thailand Public Prosecution accused suspects told interrogators them of killing and robbing that the victim cheated them This week it may be the victim after luring him to by selling a work permit, aka Bystanders gathering at the accident site The deceased has been identified as Ibrahim Al Mottawa added• to UNESCO’s list an abandoned place in Al Daih employment visa, for BD1,000, TDT | Manama village. promising that it is valid for The deceased, sourc - measures are taken. cident, had an emotional AFP | Bangkok Investigators found that the two years, while it was only es confirmed Tribune, has The ministry didn’t reveal any breakdown finding the fate of men beat the victim to death for a year. horrific crash killed a been identified as Ibrahim Al further details. his son. using hammers and cement On 14 May 2019, the Pub - A13-year-old boy instantly Mottawa. Eyewitness accounts say, the The body was taken to the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei t Bangkok’s Reclining Bud- blocks, following an argument lic Prosecution accused the in the Northern Governorate Another child was also in- boy suffered a serious injury on morgue in Salmaniya Medical Lavrov (R) -- seen in Sochi in May 2019 Adha temple Krairath Chan- over a financial dispute. three men of premeditat - Sunday night. jured in the accident, confirmed his head and bled profusely on Complex. trasri says he is a proud custodi- The General Directorate of ed murder and robbing the The mishap occurred while the Interior Ministry in a state- the scene of the accident. The General Directorate of Washington Washington and Moscow. an of a 2,000-year-old skill - the Criminal Investigation and victim. the boy, among a group of chil- ment. “The paramedics arrived Traffic called upon the public to Pompeo and Lavrov met in body-folding, sharp-elbowed Forensic Science began an in- The High Criminal Court dren, was parading on their bi- “The boy was on his bicycle soon, but pronounced him dead obey the traffic rules and avoid S Secretary of State Mike September on the sidelines of techniques of Thai massage, vestigation after getting noti- will consider today a medical cycles around Diraz to celebrate when a car driven by a Bah- on the spot,” an eyewitness said. hindering the traffic during UPompeo will welcome his the UN General Assembly in which this week could be added fied about a severely injured report on the second defend- Bahrain’s victory in the 24th raini, 19, rammed into him,” the The boy’s father, who ar - the celebration of the sporting At Wat Pho’s complex, trainees run through a catalogue of moves targeting the body’s acupuncture points with thumbs, Russian counterpart Sergei New York. to UNESCO’s prestigious herit- elbows, knees and feet man found in a farm in Al Daih, ant’s mental health. Gulf Cup. statement said adding that legal rived at the scene of the ac - achievement. Lavrov today -- the Russian’s But Lavrov has not been on age list. first visit to Washington since an official visit to the US cap- From upscale Bangkok spas year. The son of a masseuse, and later within families. end spa can charge around $100 a controversial 2017 meeting ital since his encounter with and Phuket beach fronts to he takes great pride in his role Under Thailand’s King Rama an hour inside Thailand, two with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office in modest street-side shophous- sharing the ancient discipline III in the nineteenth century, or three times more in Lon - Trump, the State Department May 2017, which was followed es, “nuad Thai” -- or Thai mas- at a temple whose certification scholars engraved their knowl- don, New York or Hong Kong Bahrainisation drive: Govt won’t renew job contracts of 300 expatriates announced. by allegations that the US lead- sage -- is ubiquitous across the is a proud banner for any mas- edge of the field onto the stones where the Thai massage brand The brief statement about er divulged classified intelli- kingdom, where an hour of the sage shop. of Wat Pho. is booming. TDT | Manama The proposal by MP Adel stated that 85 per cent of public the meeting, to be held at the gence in the meeting. back-straightening discipline “I’m a continuation of our col- But the practice really took off But the training is “demand- Al-Asoumi calls for a renew - sector jobs are already occupied State Department, said Pom- Photographs of the meeting can cost as little as $5. lective knowledge,” the 40-year- in 1962 thanks to the formation ing”, says Chilean Sari, a pro- round 300 jobs at various able one-year ban on hiring by Bahrainis. peo and Lavrov would “discuss showed Lavrov, Trump and This week it may be added old said. of the school, which has since fessional masseuse who trav- Aministries and govern- expatriates to government The government has taken a broad range of regional and subsequently sacked Russian to UNESCO’s list of “Intangible At Wat Pho’s complex, train- trained more than 200,000 mas- elled to Bangkok to learn the ment entities currently enjoyed jobs. many measures to improve Bah- bilateral issues.” envoy to Washington Sergei Cultural Heritage” when the ees run through a catalogue of sage therapists who practice in discipline. by expatriates will be hand- He said the move aims at rainisation since the start of the On Friday, a Russian foreign Kislyak sharing a laugh. body meets in the Colombian moves targeting the body’s ac- 145 countries. “The technique is very pre- ed over to Bahrainis, officials empowering Bahrainis and in- year. ministry spokeswoman said US intelligence concluded capital of Bogota (December upuncture points with thumbs, cise, there are so many things say. creasing the number of Bah - The National Employment the meeting was being “pre- that Moscow interfered in 9-14). elbows, knees and feet also in- Turning the tables to be aware of,” the 34-year-old Which means, authorities will raini employees in the public Programme included launching pared” for Tuesday. the 2016 presidential election Krairath, who teach- corporating deep stretches Massage employs tens of said, as she made rotations with not renew the contracts of expa- sector. an awareness campaign to en- The situations in war- with an eye to swinging it in es at the Reclining and contortions. thousands of Thais. her palm on a fellow student’s triates in such positions lined up Earlier this year, members courage citizens to register in wracked Syria and Ukraine are Trump’s favor, but US spe- Buddha School Originating in In- The school’s director Preeda skull. for Bahrainis, once the contract of parliament approved an ur- the National Employment Pro- likely to top the agenda. The cial counsel Robert Mueller inside the dia, doctors and Tangtrongchitr says they usual- The teachings focus on di - expires. gent proposal that could result gramme, Amending the unem- Washington meeting will come found there was not enough famed Wat monks were ly see an uptick of interest from recting blood circulation around According to a Civil Service in complete Bahrainisation of ployment insurance draft law on the heels of talks between evidence to prove that Trump’s Pho tem- said to have Thais when the economy is problem areas to solve muscle Bureau official, the transition government occupations within (78/2006) to increase compen- Russian President Vladimir campaign conspired with the ple, helps brought these bad. aches -- sometimes drawing will be made soon as Bahranisa- four years. sation fees, increasing fees asso- Putin and Ukraine’s Volody- Russian government in those thousands methods 2,500 “For many people who are winces from clients unaccus- tion drive intensifies. In his reply to the proposal, ciated with the Parallel Bahrai- myr Zelensky over the conflict efforts. of Thai years ago to disabled or in debt, this job is an tomed to the force applied. Recent statistics say there are The transition will be made soon as Bahranisation drive intensifies. (Representative picture) presented during parliament’s nisation System and the Flexible in Ukraine’s east in Paris on The report did not conclude and foreign Thailand, pass- opportunity because it requires Studies have shown it can now 7206 foreign employees in weekly session in March, Par- Work Permit and redesigning Monday. that Trump had committed a students ing its secrets no material -- only their hands help relieve back pain, head- the Kingdom, a decrease com- earlier. liamentary proposal made to on hiring foreigners in the public liament and Shura Council Af- Tamkeen’s Training and Wage Iran and North Korea are crime, but it also did not fully who flock to from master to and knowledge,” he says. aches, insomnia and even anx- pared to 7582 employees present The move also follows a par- establish a one-year moratorium sector. fairs Minister Ghanim Buainain Support Programme. also of mutual concern in exonerate him. the centre each disciple in temples Today a therapist at a top- iety. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 06

Daughter claims Assad’s uncle on trial in Australian ex-PM urged silence on France on graft charges alleged rape

AFP | Paris denies the charges. Formerly Syria’s vice-pres- he uncle of Syrian Pres- ident, Assad left Syria in 1984 ident Bashar al-Assad is after mounting a failed coup Tset to go on trial in Paris against his brother Hafez, Monday on charges of building Bashar’s father, who led Syria up a property empire in France from 1971 to 2000. using funds from Syrian state After he arrived in Europe, coffers. Rifaat al-Assad’s lavish lifestyle, Rifaat al-Assad, dubbed the four wives, and 16 children soon “Butcher of Hama” for alleg- raised eyebrows. edly commanding troops that His reported French fortune put down an uprising in central includes two Paris townhouses, Syria in 1982, has been under in- one measuring 3,000 square me- vestigation in France since 2014. tres (32,000 square feet), as well This year, an investigating as a stud farm, a chateau and magistrate ordered he stand 7,300 square metres of office The daughter of former Australian prime minister Bob Hawke, pictured at a trial for organised money laun- Rifaat al-Assad, uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, goes on trial in Paris space in Lyon. Labor Party campaign launch in 2010, claims he urged her to remain silent dering in building a 90-mil - for organised money laundering He and his family built up a about an alleged rape lion-euro ($99.5-million) prop- huge portfolio of 507 properties Sydney erty portfolio in France. will miss the trial “for medical tween 1984 and 2016, including in Spain, valued at around 695 But the dock will be emp - reasons”, his lawyers told AFP. aggravated tax fraud and mis- million euros, Spanish legal doc- ty: the 82-year-old accused The trial, scheduled to last appropriation of Syrian funds. uments show. All his properties he daughter of former -- younger brother of Syrian until December 18, concerns Assad, who splits his time in that country were seized by TAustralian prime min- ex-president Hafez al-Assad -- crimes allegedly committed be- between France and Britain, the authorities in 2017. ister Bob Hawke said he ordered her to keep quiet about her alleged rape by one of his political allies for fear it would damage his ca- No reprieve as Samoa measles death toll hits 70 reer, Australian media has reported. Apia | Samoa However, the vaccine takes Rosslyn Dillon alleged Rosslyn Dillon, Bob Hawke’s youngest 10-14 days to take effect, mean- she was raped three times child, in 2015. devastating measles out- ing it is too early to say whether by a late Labor member of Abreak continued to spread the outbreak has peaked. parliament in the 1980s, The New Daily reported Saturday. in Samoa, data released yester- The total number of cases was In a court affidavit, Dillon said her father -- one of Austral- day showed, as the death toll 4,693, with 229 people currently ia’s most popular prime ministers -- told her not to go to the from the epidemic climbed to in hospital, including 16 critical- police to avoid controversy ahead of his challenge for the party 70, mostly young children. ly ill children. leadership in 1982. Official figures showed there Infants are the most vulner- The allegations were reportedly made as part of her Aus$4 were 112 new cases in the 24 able to measles, which typically million ($2.73 million) claim to Hawke’s estate, which she is hours to Monday morning, de- causes a rash and fever but can disputing after receiving $750,000 in his will. spite a massive immunisation also lead to brain damage and Hawke was unsuccessful in his 1982 attempt to become Labor drive last week that saw the en- death. leader. He took over the following year and was quickly elected tire Pacific nation shut down for Among the 70 dead, 61 are prime minister, a position he held until 1991. children aged four or under. He died in May aged 89. Health authorities have According to The New Daily, there are several inconsistencies blamed anti-vaxxers spreading in Dillon’s claims, including the timing of certain documented conspiracy theories for the low historical events. immunisation rate that left Sa- Dillon’s sister, Sue Pieters-Hawke, said the family had been moa’s children so vulnerable to aware of the allegations at the time and Hawke found them a measles outbreak. distressing. An immunisation drive has boosted coverage rates from just 30 Outbreaks elsewhere in the “She did tell people at the time. I believe there was a sup- percent to around 90 percent Pacific, including Tonga, Fiji portive response but it didn’t involve using the legal system,” and American Samoa, have she told The New Daily. bile vaccination teams had ulation was immunised, up from been easier to contain because Dillon reportedly said she was “still haunted by the sexual two days. succeeded in ensuring 90 per- around 30 percent when the of higher immunisation rates, assaults” and may have found closure if she had been able to The government said the mo- cent of the 200,000-strong pop- epidemic began in mid-October. with no deaths reported. go to the police. ‘Sesame Street’ puppeteer Caroll Spinney, aka Big Bird, dies at 85

restaurant waiter and a ranting all permission to be cranky once he joined “Sesame Street.” Spinney’s death came New York cab driver. in a while.” Spinney’s life was the subject • In 1973, a year after then US of the 2014 documentary “I Am as the show marked president Richard Nixon made ‘Infectious love and joy’ Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney its 50th birthday his dramatic trip to China, Spin- Poignantly, Spinney’s death Story.” ney flew to Beijing for a per - came as the show marked its Big Bird, the instantly recog- AFP | Washington formance dressed as Big Bird 50th birthday, and as it is lauded nizable giant yellow bird with -- he said he only paid half-price with one of America’s top cultur- the huge beak, is more than eight for the plane ticket because the al awards -- the Kennedy Center feet (2.5 meters) tall. uppeteer Caroll Spinney, character “was only six years Honors -- at a gala Sunday in Spinney, who was 5 feet 10, Pwho brought Big Bird and old.” Washington. had to use his hands and wires to Oscar the Grouch to life on the When Henson died in 1990, Spinney himself won multiple manipulate the towering puppet, iconic children’s television show Big Bird sang Kermit’s sweetly Daytime Emmys for his work, as guided by a TV monitor in the “Sesame Street” for half a cen- melancholy tune “It’s Not Easy well as a Lifetime Achievement costume. tury, died on Sunday at the age Being Green” at a memorial ser- Award. He also earned a Gram- In 2000, he was named a Liv- of 85. vice. my Award, for best children’s ing Legend by the US Library of Spinney died at home in Con- “Caroll was an artistic geni- recording. Congress, and he has a star on necticut after living for some us whose kind and loving view At the time of his retirement, the Hollywood Walk of Fame. time with the movement dis- of the world helped shape and he was quoted as saying that his Henson’s family said in a state- order dystonia, which causes define Sesame Street from its Big Bird alter ego had “opened ment that Spinney managed to uncontrollable muscle contrac- Caroll Spinney -- seen here at the 2017 Sesame Workshop Dinner in New York earliest days in 1969 through my mind and nurtured my soul.” “perfectly convey the humor and tions, according to a statement with several other “Sesame Street” characters -- portrayed Big Bird and Oscar five decades,” Sesame Workshop He hand-picked his succes- heart in our father’s creations. from Sesame Workshop, the the Grouch for nearly 50 years said in a statement. sors in the two major roles -- Big Bird was childlike, with - nonprofit organization that pro- “His enormous talent and after mentoring them for more out being childish. And Oscar duces the show. children. and including pals Bert and Er- outsized heart were perfectly than two decades. the Grouch reflected universal The actor retired from the Those characters -- one a tow- nie, the lovable Cookie Monster suited to playing the larger-than- A shy child, Spinney embraced feelings we all share, no matter show last year, having hand- ering yellow bird, the other a and the goofy Kermit the Frog. life yellow bird who brought puppetry and reportedly owned our age.” “That he could do this picked successors to play both grumpy, green monster in a trash Spinney once told The New joy to generations of children 70 puppets by the age of 12. He work so brilliantly, responsibly Big Bird and Oscar -- two very can -- existed in what many con- York Times he had modeled Os- and countless fans of all ages met Henson at a puppeteers fes- and with such infectious love different characters he helped sidered a magical world created car the Grouch on a cross be - around the world, and his lova- tival in 1962 and bumped into and joy is his gift to us all,” the create, delighting millions of by puppet master Jim Henson tween a “magnificently rude” bly cantankerous grouch gave us him again in 1969; months later, statement said. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 07

Russian forces enter former New Zealand Volcano erupts without warning Islamic State stronghold in Syria At least five dead, two dozen tourists stranded Reuters | Moscow

on one of the tourist boats,” a ussian forces have en- Death toll will company spokesman said. Rtered Raqqa, the former • Guillaume Calmelet, the de facto capital of the Islam- likely rise co-director of Skydive Tauran- ic State caliphate, in one of ga, saw the eruption from above the starkest examples yet of Resuce ops too as he took a customer on a tan- how Moscow has filled the dangerious• to attempt dem skydive from a plane 12,000 vacuum created by Presi- feet above the Bay of Plenty. dent Donald Trump’s deci- Around 50 people “As soon as the parachute sion to pull US forces from • opened there was this huge northern Syria. were belived to be cloud that was really different Russian troops were on the island to whatever we’ve seen before,” shown in footage on the he said. “I could see it coming defence ministry’s Zvezda out in freefall, so probably about TV channel shaking hands 30 seconds for the whole cloud with Syrian children and to form, if that. It was pretty unloading humanitarian quick.” aid bundles with the slogan The country’s National Emer- “Russia is with you” from gency Management Agency de- the back of trucks. scribed the eruption as “mod- Raqqa was captured two erate”, although the plume of years ago by US troops and ash was clearly visible from the their Kurdish-led Syrian mainland and from satellites allies in the biggest victo- flying overhead. ry of Washington’s cam - “We have seen a paign against Islamic State AFP | Wellington steady decline in in Syria. But since Trump A photo courtesy of Michael Schade shows the volcano on New Zealand’s White activity since the abruptly ordered a pull-out Island spewing steam and ash moments after it erupted eruption. There in October, Moscow has ive people were killed, 18 remains signifi- swiftly advanced into ter- were injured and several the island, five of whom have deputy commissioner John cant uncertainty ritory where US troops had Fmore were left stranded since died. The rest are being Tims. as to future chang- operated. after an island volcano popular treated for injuries, including As night fell, he said volcanic es but currently, with tourists erupted unexpect- severe burns. activity made a rescue attempt there are no signs edly in New Zealand yesterday. Nothing is yet known about a too dangerous. of escalation.” Police said some 50 people group -- now estimated to num- “The island is unstable, there’s White Island Saudi eliminates were visiting White Island when ber in the double digits -- who a danger of further eruptions, -- - also known it exploded suddenly in the ear- are still trapped on the island. it is physically unsafe for us to as Whakaari -- is gender-segregated ly afternoon -- hurling ash and “We’re unsure of the exact return to the island” This combination of handout images from a webcam about 50 kilo - entrances for rock high into the air. numbers on there and we’re “I’ve got to consider the safety belonging to the Institute of Geological and Nuclear metres (30 miles) Two dozen people made it off unsure of their wellbeing,” said of our people and emergency Sciences shows the volcano on New Zealand’s White offshore in the eateries services staff.” Island spewing steam and ash picturesque Bay The eruption occurred at industry body the New Zealand of Plenty and is popular with 2:11pm (0111 GMT), thrusting Cruise Association said. adventurous tourists willing to a thick plume of white ash 3.6 The ship’s operator Royal Car- don hard hats and gas masks. kilometres (12,000 feet) into the ibbean -- who had billed the It is New Zealand’s most ac- sky. trip to White Island as “an un- tive volcano cone and about 70 Seconds before, live camera forgettable guided tour of New percent of it is underwater, ac- feeds showed a group of more Zealand’s most active volcano” cording to government-backed than a half dozen people walk- -- said “a number of our guests agency GeoNet. ing on the crater floor. Then the were touring the island” but did Around 10,000 people visit images went black. not confirm that number. the volcano every year. It has Riyadh A “considerable number” of The ship has a capacity of erupted frequently over the last those caught up in the disaster around 4,000 people and set half-century, most recently in estaurants and cafes are believed to be Australian, ac- sail from Sydney last week on a 2016. Rin Saudi Arabia are no cording to officials in Canberra. 12 day voyage. In August of that year the New longer required to have gen- As many as 30 people are also Zealand Defence Force airlifted der-segregated entrances, believed to be cruise passengers Scene of terror a 2.4-tonne shipping container officials said, in a further on a day trip from the vessel Tourist Michael Schade, made onto the island to serve as an easing of social restrictions A file picture of New Zealand’s most active volcano, Whakarri (White Island), in Ovation of the Seas, Kevin O’Sul- it off the island just in time and emergency shelter in case of an in the kingdom. the Bay of Plenty livan, chief executive officer of was able to capture footage of eruption. Eateries have long re - the devastation. “Sudden, unheralded erup- quired one entrance for His videos showed groups of tions from volcanoes such as single men and another for startled tourists clustered by the White Island can be expected women and families. shoreline, waiting to be evacuat- at any time,” said University of The ministry of munic- ed as the ground around them Auckland volcanologist Shane ipalities and rural affairs smouldered, the sky filled with Cronin. said on Twitter Sunday it white debris. An ash-caked heli- “The hazards expected from was eliminating several re- copter lies damaged nearby. such events are the violent ejec- quirements for restaurants, As his ship hurtled away, the tion of hot blocks and ash, and including the need for “an caldera became virtually invis- formation of ‘hurricane-like’ entrance for bachelors and ible, shrouded by a thick bank currents of wet ash and coarse a separate entrance for fam- of ash. particles that radiate from the ilies”. Volcanic Air said they had explosion vent.” It was unclear whether landed a helicopter on the island “These can be deadly in terms a restriction on seating in- shortly before the eruption car- of causing impact trauma, burns side restaurants will also be rying four visitors and one pilot. and respiratory problems. The removed. All were now accounted for. eruptions are short-lived, but Restaurants are currently “It had landed on the island. once one occurs, there are high segregated into a “family” What happened after that we chances for further, general- section for those accompa- A photo courtesy of Michael Schade shows people being rescued after the White Island volcano erupted - in the background don’t know, but we know that all ly smaller ones as the system nied by women and a “sin- is the wreck of a helicoper five made it back to Whakatane re-equilibrates.” gles” area for men. French basketball player fined in China for not looking at flag Beijing Tongxi Monkey King, had his China’s government has spect it,” one person wrote on gesture,” one person wrote. French former NBA player head down before Friday’s game. stepped up the promotion of pat- the popular Weibo social media “He has his head down. So Ahas been reprimanded and Yabusele was given a “seri- riotism under President Xi Jin- platform. what? In what era does the CBA fined $1,400 by sports officials ous warning” and a 10,000-yuan ping, with legislation approved “This player must be expelled live? It’s 50 years behind.” in China for not looking at the fine for not looking at the flag as in 2017 to punish anyone who immediately and his club must Yabusele is not the first for- Chinese flag during the national required, the CBA said in a state- disrespects the national anthem be disqualified from the cham- eign athlete to break patriotic anthem before a game. ment on Saturday. with up to three years in prison. pionship,” another said. rules in China. Players with the Chinese Bas- Yabusele, who played forward Opinions on Yabusele’s pun- But many found the sanction Last year, Shandong Luneng’s ketball Association (CBA) are for the Boston Celtics for two ishment were divided on Chi- to be harsh. Brazilian midfielder Diego Tar- supposed to stare at the national seasons before joining the CBA nese social media. “It’s nonsense. First, he’s not delli was handed a one-game ban symbol during the “March of images showed Guerschon Ya- team this year, has not com - “He’s happy to take money Chinese. Moreover, he stood up for rubbing his face during the the Volunteers”, but television busele, who plays for Nanjing mented on the incident. from China, but he doesn’t re- and didn’t make any insulting anthem before a game NO SNOWFLAKE IN AN AVALANCHE TODAY 1520 1684 1901 1964 QUOTE EVER FEELS RESPONSIBLE. DAY IN OF THE STANISLAW JERZY LEC Martin Luther publicly Isaac Newton’s derivation of Kepler’s laws from his First Nobel Peace Prizes award- Nobel Peace Prize DAY HISTORY burns papal edict de- theory of gravity, contained in the paper De motu ed to Red Cross founder Jean presented to Dr manding he recant corporum in gyrum, is read to the Royal Society by Henri Dunant and peace activist Martin Luther King TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 Edmond Halley Frederic Passy Jr. in Oslo

Disillusionment at NATO despite policy shifts TOP Ensuring rights for all n today’s splintered world, it would be TWEETS4 easy to think that there is nothing upon NATO is adjusting its strategy to new threats, especially after the demise of the Soviet Union Iwhich all nations can agree and all cul- tures can embrace as an integral part of their communities. But International Human reciprocate with even harsher words: 01 Rights Day, celebrated on December 10, re- “Look, Mr. Macron. I am addressing minds us that it wasn’t so long ago that the U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBERT DESTRO THE BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, you from Turkey, but I will tell you world came together to do exactly that. On AND LABOUR (DRL) US DEPARTMENT OF STATE again at NATO. First, have your own December 10, 1948, the United Nations unan- brain death checked.” imously adopted the Universal Declaration Despite this exchange of narratives of Human Rights (UDHR), a set of rights to YASAR YAKIS — the likes of which are rarely used at which all individuals are entitled. Rights such choice and freedom thanks to an ever-pres- rights, from a group of indigenous women the level of heads of state — NATO did e will get Brex- as being free from torture and cruel, inhu- ent surveillance system trapping them in an forced into sexual slavery in Guatemala brave he NATO summit held in London not break its tradition of reflecting only Wit done and get man, or degrading treatment or punishment. open-air prison. enough to tell their stories in court to Malala NATO has a last week was dominated by a the positive aspects of its performance Parliament working Rights like the freedom of religion or belief. In Iran, the regime’s unelected Supreme Yousafzai, who survived being shot at the age Tphrase that French President in the summit’s final declaration. on your priorities: the The freedoms of expression, association, and Leader prioritizes encouraging regional cha- of 15 by Taliban gunmen in Pakistan simply tradition of Emmanuel Macron used in an inter- NATO has a tradition of reaffirming NHS, the cost of living, peaceful assembly. The right to form and join os over improving the lives of the Iranian for attending school, and went on to become view with The Economist on Nov. 7. the allies’ commitment enshrined in 20,000 more police of- trade unions. Under the UDHR, every human people. Truck drivers and schoolteachers a resolute and inspiring voice for equality reaffirming the While talking about various short - Article 5 of its charter. This article ficers, more cash for our being in the world can claim these rights as whose only crime was asking to receive their despite her injury and ongoing threats. allies’ commitment comings of the organization, he said: provides that an armed attack against schools. Let’s get it done their own birthright, no matter their citizen- paychecks have been harassed and, by some The UDHR’s diverse group of drafters found “What we are currently experiencing any NATO member shall be considered and move on. Vote Con- ship or allegiance. reports, arrested and tortured. The regime’s a common purpose in the universal rights they enshrined in Article is the brain death of NATO. The United an attack against them all and that servative on Thursday. The UDHR was born of the tragedy of the long history of severe discrimination against outlined. They understood that the nations of States appears to be turning its back on they will take such action as they deem @BorisJohnson Second World War, which showed that gov- women continues unabated, with women the world had a duty to one another: to stand 5 of its charter. This us,” notably by pulling its troops out necessary. This is a polite way of saying ernments that had no regard for the rights of sentenced to as many as 23 years in prison for up for human dignity and protect the human of northeastern Syria without notice. that they will move only if their own their citizens similarly had no reservations not wearing a hijab in public. rights to which every person is entitled. It article provides In an effort to cushion the US re- national security is at risk. This under- 02 about immersing the world into a terrible con- The Russian human rights organization is not only governments that have this duty. that an armed action, he continued by inviting the standing of Article 5 was confirmed in flict for their own twisted aims. The founders Memorial now lists 315 political prisoners Governments are, after all, composed of in- European members of the alliance to 1964 in a letter by then-US President of the United Nations knew that peace could in Russia, up from 195 last year, and reports dividuals. Every person has a role to play in attack against any do more for their own defense. All Lyndon B. Johnson to Turkey, when he only be achieved when human rights were that 200 of them are imprisoned for exercis- protecting and standing up for human rights. the same, US President Donald Trump said that the NATO countries might not respected, and set out to create a common ing their freedom of religion or belief. The How can we do this? We can all educate our- NATO member described Macron’s remarks as a “very, come to help Ankara if it was attacked framework that all nations could embrace – government increasingly restricts freedom selves about human rights, learning about the shall be considered very nasty statement.” Referring to by the Soviet Union. Therefore, Tur- a set of universal rights that recognized the of expression and Internet freedom, and civil rights guaranteed under the UDHR and about France being invaded during both key is under no illusions that France akistan embassy of- primacy of individual human dignity. society and the independent press face con- current human rights challenges around the an attack against world wars, he added: “Nobody needs would agree to send its young men Pficials say a PIA air- Sadly, anyone reading the news today can stant harassment, character smears, threats world. We can all stand against abuse and join NATO more than France.” to defend Turkey under Article 5 if craft, which was strand- see that the human rights and fundamental and violence. In the Republic of Chechnya, the call for accountability, drawing attention them all and that German Chancellor Angela Merkel it was attacked by another country ed at Kabul airport fr 3 freedoms set forth in the UDHR are not re- torture, enforced disappearances, and mass to states that abuse human rights and urging reacted to Macron’s statement with today. hours, landed safely at spected by all nations. Some of today’s worst extrajudicial killings reportedly take place them to uphold their commitments to respect they will take such more moderate words, saying that Having said this, NATO is adjusting its Islamabad. Issue was re- abusers of human rights were original adop- with total impunity. human rights. We can urge our governments action as they deem such sweeping judgments were not strategy to new threats, especially after solved after 3 hours of ters of the UDHR who committed themselves Since the adoption of the UDHR in 1948, to speak up when abuses take place elsewhere necessary. “Even if we have problems the demise of the Soviet Union. A lec- US President Donald Trump with other world leaders during NATO meeting hectic efforts, a diplomat to defending those rights. there have been extraordinary accomplish- in the world. We can demand that nations necessary. This is a and need to pull together,” she con- turer in the NATO Defense College used says. The aircraft took off The Chinese government has forced more ments of human freedom that make the back- uphold the tenets of the UDHR. tinued, “NATO remains vital to our to tell us that NATO was established in Baltic states and Poland. with little progress so far. report and submit it to the alliance’s from Kabul with all 162 than one million Uighurs and members of oth- sliding of these nations even more striking. I can assure you that the United States and polite way of saying security.” 1949 “to keep the US in (Europe), the To keep Germany down has no rele- Meanwhile, Cyberattacks and hybrid ministerial council. This preparation passengers on board. er Muslim minority groups into internment For example, the anti-apartheid struggle in its people remain committed to human rights. that they will move Macron’s reference to NATO’s “brain Soviet Union out and Germany down.” vance to today’s reality. On the contra- tactics have become a new reality in covers both the China factor and other @taahir_khan camps in the Xinjiang region of China since South Africa in the 1970s, as well as the peace We are on the frontlines, advocating for every death” provoked other reactions too. This initial intention is now far from ry, Germany was invited to join NATO warfare. Last week’s final declaration developments, such as Daesh and all its April 2017. The allegations of forced labour, and reconciliation stages in the 1980s and person around the globe to enjoy their rights only if their own Among several weaknesses of the or- reality. six years after the establishment of mentioned this subject as an important implications. torture, and other inhumane conditions in the 1990s. Poland’s Solidarity movement, where in the same way that Americans are so proud ganization, he has also mentioned Tur- The Soviet Union no longer exists, the alliance. Its admission prompted policy target. Like other international organiza- 03 camps belie the Chinese government’s false labourers demanded the government respect that we are able to do every day. national security is key, saying: “Turkey now fights against though a reduced threat continues to the Soviet Union to establish the War- The emergence of China as a ma - tions, NATO constantly updates its pol- claims that the purpose of the camps is edu- their right to live and work without fear of After all, these freedoms are the shared those who fought with us (meaning the be perceived from the Russian Feder- saw Pact, which became NATO’s main jor actor on the international arena icies according to new requirements, cation. Even those living outside the camps repression and retaliation. The countless in- birthright of all persons, as declared by the at risk Kurdish fighters of the People’s Protec- ation. Russia’s annexation of Crimea target. is a new phenomenon. It does not yet but the priorities of each of its 29 mem- are robbed of any semblance of individual dividual stories of people standing up for their community of nations on December 10, 1948. tion Units, which Turkey considers a and its pressure on Eastern Ukraine The US rightly expects all other NATO pose a direct military threat to NATO ber states are far from being identical. terrorist organization). And sometimes are perceived in NATO countries as countries to increase their military countries, but the alliance has to as- This causes disillusionment for certain they work with (Daesh) proxies.” Such signs of Russia’s expansionist policy. spending to 2 percent of their gross do- sess all implications of this important members, who believe that their na- a direct negative reference provoked The nations where this threat is felt in mestic product. This issue is one of the phenomenon. The summit tasked the tional priorities are not being properly nly two options for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to a more concrete manner are the three permanent items on the NATO agenda, NATO secretary general to prepare a addressed. Turkey is one of them. Onext Prime Minister, either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn. Either High expectations No Deal, no action on cli- mate change, no stand- ments have taken place indicating that the backs the Houthi rebels. The GCC have called ing up to Trump, no hope tension between the Quartet and Qatar seems Iran on several occasions to play a construc- with Johnson. Or block- to be easing. Two main important develop- tive role but that did not bear fruit except Drama and a new deal at OPEC+ meeting in Vienna ing No Deal, no NHS sell- ments witnessed were: leap service. The summit once again is likely off, a Green New Deal First, the unannounced visit of Qatari For- to invite Iran to participate in solving the a demand increase of 1.2 million bpd one hand there was the pressure of further cuts of 500,000 bpd. continuously asked to share the whole to last till the end of March and will be and a much brighter fu- eign Minister, Sheik Mohammed bin Ab- Yemeni issue. for that year, which is roughly half the incremental new cuts. On the other, The organization found a way of burden of cuts while others were let reviewed in Vienna on March 5 and 6. ture with Corbyn. YENUS S dulrahman Al Thani to Saudi Arabia last On the economic front, apart from the co- supply increase. there was non-compliance of the ex- dealing with Russian objections by off the hook too lightly. This makes Getting the quota numbers to stack @HackneyAbbott month, considered as a major diplomatic operation among the GCC countries, most of Iraqi Oil Minister Thamer Ghadh- isting agreement by several countries, carving condensates out from the particular sense in light of the Aramco up requires some mathematics, as oday, December 10, 2019, the 40th breakthrough that signals the most serious them seem to have progressed in diversifying ban set the cat among the pigeons namely Iraq, Nigeria and Russia. Iran, deal. This must have felt like an early IPO. Investors would not appreciate always. The carve-out of condensates 04 GCC summit is taking place in Riyadh, efforts to end the rift between Qatar and their economies and the emphasis is likely to with his comment. While that state- Venezuela and Libya remained ex- Christmas present to Novak because continuous loss of volume if other was a surprise. It does not just work Saudi Arabia. The annual summit has Saudi Arabia. (The Wall Street Journal report focus on developing the tourism sector. Bah- CORNELIA MEYER T ment and a more positive outlook on empt from cuts. Russia produces more than 800,000 producers never follow suit. in favor of Russia. (Kazakhstan, Oman dozens of agenda to deal with ranging from of Nov.28, 2019). Second, the participation rain and United Emirates have been on the the US-China trade talks sent prices Thursday proved to be a tough day. bpd of condensates. A big chunk of Discussions apparently became and others produce condensate too.) the integration and cooperation in economic of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and business of developing tourism and benefited here was high drama at the soaring by more than 5 percent, it also OPEC+’s Joint Ministerial Monitoring new production is also condensates. tense. By 10 p.m. that evening a press Markets reacted positively. They and political facets to strengthening the joint Bahrain at the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup Soccer from the non-oil revenues generated. With OPEC meeting in Vienna this set market expectations. Anything Committee (JMMC), which is tasked The real problem was how to dis- conference, which had been sched- liked the headline numbers and military defense to maintaining the security tournament that took place in Doha provid- the ongoing political reforms taking place in Tweek. Events were ratcheted less than 400,000 incremental barrels with monitoring OPEC+ compliance tribute the cuts among the OPEC uled for 6 p.m., was canceled. Inter- seemed not too bothered about the and stability to holding the strategic partner- ed a good platform for improving relations Saudi Arabia, the country has opened its gates up a week before when the Iraqi oil would most probably have sent the and is chaired by Russia’s Novak and countries and how to bring the lag- estingly, markets barely reacted. They relatively short duration of the deal ships to preserving the achievements so far between the Quartet and Qatar. to foreign tourists and giant entertainment orth Korea has minister announced that OPEC+ (the price of oil into a tailspin. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Ab - gards into compliance. Saudi Arabia were down only 1.1 percent in early or the implications of the condensate achieved. An outstanding agenda anticipated at the companies. again insulted Don- OPEC nations and their 10 allies led To make matters worse, Russian dulaziz bin Salman, recommended apparently felt that it could not be Asian trading. This could be explained carve-out going forward. Oil went up N During previous summits, the above topics discussion during the summit is the wors- The summit is expected to pass resolutions ald Trump, calling him a by Russia) were considering an extra Energy Minister Alexander Novak by the fact that there had been a recent by 1.6 percent, reaching 64.4 for Brent and other points of interest have been tabled ening political situation in Yemen. Despite that foster this sector and to engage their “thoughtless and sneaky production cut of 400,000 barrels per said that he was not yet convinced precedent. The same happened in last late on Friday. There was drama lead- and some of them were successfully dealt with several attempts to end the fighting among respective residents to be part of the tourism old man” after he tweet- day (bpd). Before that, many expected that he favored extending the cuts, December’s meeting and the situation ing up to the conference for sure, but particularly those related to the economic the warring factions through political set- business by allowing free movement among ed that Kim Jong Un a rollover 1.2 million bpd that had been let alone increasing them. This ech- was then resolved at the next day’s in the end OPEC+ managed to convince sector. tlements, the country remains engulfed in a the GCC states. Last week, Saudi Arabia and wouldn’t want to aban- taken out last June by OPEC. oed the sentiments of the country’s OPEC+ meeting. markets that they were doing the right Last year the summit took place at the continuous war of attrition. The summit is United Arab Emirates have approved a joint don a special relationship Some analysts were concerned finance minister a few weeks earlier. This year’s playbook was similar. On thing. time of serious political turmoil the GCC has expected to pass a decision for more political visa system for their respective residents between them and affect whether a mere rollover would take Indeed, Russian producers have in- Friday, ministers confirmed that they At the same time, Aramco shares ever witnessed. The conflict between Qatar involvement of the stakeholders through di- to visit both countries. This is a brilliant the U.S. presidential elec- sufficient barrels out of the market vested in new capacity and are eager would increase the cuts by 500,000 were priced at SR32 ($8.53) on Thurs- and the Quarter (Saudi Arabia, United Arab alogue and negotiations. The Yemeni people idea of developing the tourism industry. tion by resuming hostile in the light of an impending wall of to release new barrels onto the market. bpd — 372,000 bpd of the incremental day. This is the upper end of the range, Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt) has reached its have suffered more than enough and become Other GCC countries are expected to follow acts. non-OPEC crude that is expected to hit Igor Sechin, the influential chairman cut will be shouldered by OPEC and giving the company a market cap of boiling point. To the chagrin of the partici- victims of death, displacement, diseases, suit. @AP the markets in the first half of 2020. of Russian oil giant Rosneft, is particu- the remainder by the non-OPEC allies. 1.7 trillion dollars, which turns it into pating heads of states, the Emir of Qatar did famine and starvation. All these malaises This year’s conference is projected to be a As of November, the International larly vociferous about the demands of Saudi Arabia’s effective production not just the most profitable company not attend the summit. He delegated the State can be solved only through discussions and summit of reconciliation, narrowing the ex- Energy Agency (IEA) expected 2.3 industry. He is also close to Russian would stand at 9.74 million bpd. Iraq but also the largest one by market cap. Disclaimer: (Views expressed Minister for Foreign Affairs. The incident sad- negotiations, which the summit is predicted isting differences and focusing on economic, million incremental barrels per day President Vladimir Putin. and Nigeria agreed to take out an ad- The IPO will raise 25.6 billion dollars, by columnists are personal and dened peace-loving people across the region to give its strongest support. political, military and security cooperation from the US, Brazil Norway, Guyana This means that the powers that ditional 50,000 bpd and 20,000 bpd exceeding the previous largest IPO of need not necessarily reflect our and beyond. Discussing the Yemen conflict cannot be and partnerships for the sake of regional and others. The agency only foresaw be at OPEC had their hands full. On OPEC headquarters is seen in Vienna, Austria respectively. The arrangement is going Alibaba in 2014 by $600 million. editorial stances) This year a series of diplomatic rapproche- materialized without mentioning Iran, which prosperity and security.

Hon. Chairman Najeb Yacob Alhamer | Editor-in-Chief Mahmood AI Mahmood | Chairman & Managing Director P Unnikrishnan | Advertisement: Update Media W.L.L | Tel: 38444692, Email: [email protected] | Newsroom: Tel: 38444680, Email: [email protected] Subscription & circulation: Tel: 36458394 | Email:[email protected] | Website: www.newsofbahrain.com | Printed and published by Al Ayam Publishing NO SNOWFLAKE IN AN AVALANCHE TODAY 1520 1684 1901 1964 QUOTE EVER FEELS RESPONSIBLE. DAY IN OF THE STANISLAW JERZY LEC Martin Luther publicly Isaac Newton’s derivation of Kepler’s laws from his First Nobel Peace Prizes award- Nobel Peace Prize DAY HISTORY burns papal edict de- theory of gravity, contained in the paper De motu ed to Red Cross founder Jean presented to Dr manding he recant corporum in gyrum, is read to the Royal Society by Henri Dunant and peace activist Martin Luther King TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 Edmond Halley Frederic Passy Jr. in Oslo

Disillusionment at NATO despite policy shifts TOP Ensuring rights for all n today’s splintered world, it would be TWEETS4 easy to think that there is nothing upon NATO is adjusting its strategy to new threats, especially after the demise of the Soviet Union Iwhich all nations can agree and all cul- tures can embrace as an integral part of their communities. But International Human reciprocate with even harsher words: 01 Rights Day, celebrated on December 10, re- “Look, Mr. Macron. I am addressing minds us that it wasn’t so long ago that the U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBERT DESTRO THE BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, you from Turkey, but I will tell you world came together to do exactly that. On AND LABOUR (DRL) US DEPARTMENT OF STATE again at NATO. First, have your own December 10, 1948, the United Nations unan- brain death checked.” imously adopted the Universal Declaration Despite this exchange of narratives of Human Rights (UDHR), a set of rights to YASAR YAKIS — the likes of which are rarely used at which all individuals are entitled. Rights such choice and freedom thanks to an ever-pres- rights, from a group of indigenous women the level of heads of state — NATO did e will get Brex- as being free from torture and cruel, inhu- ent surveillance system trapping them in an forced into sexual slavery in Guatemala brave he NATO summit held in London not break its tradition of reflecting only Wit done and get man, or degrading treatment or punishment. open-air prison. enough to tell their stories in court to Malala NATO has a last week was dominated by a the positive aspects of its performance Parliament working Rights like the freedom of religion or belief. In Iran, the regime’s unelected Supreme Yousafzai, who survived being shot at the age Tphrase that French President in the summit’s final declaration. on your priorities: the The freedoms of expression, association, and Leader prioritizes encouraging regional cha- of 15 by Taliban gunmen in Pakistan simply tradition of Emmanuel Macron used in an inter- NATO has a tradition of reaffirming NHS, the cost of living, peaceful assembly. The right to form and join os over improving the lives of the Iranian for attending school, and went on to become view with The Economist on Nov. 7. the allies’ commitment enshrined in 20,000 more police of- trade unions. Under the UDHR, every human people. Truck drivers and schoolteachers a resolute and inspiring voice for equality reaffirming the While talking about various short - Article 5 of its charter. This article ficers, more cash for our being in the world can claim these rights as whose only crime was asking to receive their despite her injury and ongoing threats. allies’ commitment comings of the organization, he said: provides that an armed attack against schools. Let’s get it done their own birthright, no matter their citizen- paychecks have been harassed and, by some The UDHR’s diverse group of drafters found “What we are currently experiencing any NATO member shall be considered and move on. Vote Con- ship or allegiance. reports, arrested and tortured. The regime’s a common purpose in the universal rights they enshrined in Article is the brain death of NATO. The United an attack against them all and that servative on Thursday. The UDHR was born of the tragedy of the long history of severe discrimination against outlined. They understood that the nations of States appears to be turning its back on they will take such action as they deem @BorisJohnson Second World War, which showed that gov- women continues unabated, with women the world had a duty to one another: to stand 5 of its charter. This us,” notably by pulling its troops out necessary. This is a polite way of saying ernments that had no regard for the rights of sentenced to as many as 23 years in prison for up for human dignity and protect the human of northeastern Syria without notice. that they will move only if their own their citizens similarly had no reservations not wearing a hijab in public. rights to which every person is entitled. It article provides In an effort to cushion the US re- national security is at risk. This under- 02 about immersing the world into a terrible con- The Russian human rights organization is not only governments that have this duty. that an armed action, he continued by inviting the standing of Article 5 was confirmed in flict for their own twisted aims. The founders Memorial now lists 315 political prisoners Governments are, after all, composed of in- European members of the alliance to 1964 in a letter by then-US President of the United Nations knew that peace could in Russia, up from 195 last year, and reports dividuals. Every person has a role to play in attack against any do more for their own defense. All Lyndon B. Johnson to Turkey, when he only be achieved when human rights were that 200 of them are imprisoned for exercis- protecting and standing up for human rights. the same, US President Donald Trump said that the NATO countries might not respected, and set out to create a common ing their freedom of religion or belief. The How can we do this? We can all educate our- NATO member described Macron’s remarks as a “very, come to help Ankara if it was attacked framework that all nations could embrace – government increasingly restricts freedom selves about human rights, learning about the shall be considered very nasty statement.” Referring to by the Soviet Union. Therefore, Tur- a set of universal rights that recognized the of expression and Internet freedom, and civil rights guaranteed under the UDHR and about France being invaded during both key is under no illusions that France akistan embassy of- primacy of individual human dignity. society and the independent press face con- current human rights challenges around the an attack against world wars, he added: “Nobody needs would agree to send its young men Pficials say a PIA air- Sadly, anyone reading the news today can stant harassment, character smears, threats world. We can all stand against abuse and join NATO more than France.” to defend Turkey under Article 5 if craft, which was strand- see that the human rights and fundamental and violence. In the Republic of Chechnya, the call for accountability, drawing attention them all and that German Chancellor Angela Merkel it was attacked by another country ed at Kabul airport fr 3 freedoms set forth in the UDHR are not re- torture, enforced disappearances, and mass to states that abuse human rights and urging reacted to Macron’s statement with today. hours, landed safely at spected by all nations. Some of today’s worst extrajudicial killings reportedly take place them to uphold their commitments to respect they will take such more moderate words, saying that Having said this, NATO is adjusting its Islamabad. Issue was re- abusers of human rights were original adop- with total impunity. human rights. We can urge our governments action as they deem such sweeping judgments were not strategy to new threats, especially after solved after 3 hours of ters of the UDHR who committed themselves Since the adoption of the UDHR in 1948, to speak up when abuses take place elsewhere necessary. “Even if we have problems the demise of the Soviet Union. A lec- US President Donald Trump with other world leaders during NATO meeting hectic efforts, a diplomat to defending those rights. there have been extraordinary accomplish- in the world. We can demand that nations necessary. This is a and need to pull together,” she con- turer in the NATO Defense College used says. The aircraft took off The Chinese government has forced more ments of human freedom that make the back- uphold the tenets of the UDHR. tinued, “NATO remains vital to our to tell us that NATO was established in Baltic states and Poland. with little progress so far. report and submit it to the alliance’s from Kabul with all 162 than one million Uighurs and members of oth- sliding of these nations even more striking. I can assure you that the United States and polite way of saying security.” 1949 “to keep the US in (Europe), the To keep Germany down has no rele- Meanwhile, Cyberattacks and hybrid ministerial council. This preparation passengers on board. er Muslim minority groups into internment For example, the anti-apartheid struggle in its people remain committed to human rights. that they will move Macron’s reference to NATO’s “brain Soviet Union out and Germany down.” vance to today’s reality. On the contra- tactics have become a new reality in covers both the China factor and other @taahir_khan camps in the Xinjiang region of China since South Africa in the 1970s, as well as the peace We are on the frontlines, advocating for every death” provoked other reactions too. This initial intention is now far from ry, Germany was invited to join NATO warfare. Last week’s final declaration developments, such as Daesh and all its April 2017. The allegations of forced labour, and reconciliation stages in the 1980s and person around the globe to enjoy their rights only if their own Among several weaknesses of the or- reality. six years after the establishment of mentioned this subject as an important implications. torture, and other inhumane conditions in the 1990s. Poland’s Solidarity movement, where in the same way that Americans are so proud ganization, he has also mentioned Tur- The Soviet Union no longer exists, the alliance. Its admission prompted policy target. Like other international organiza- 03 camps belie the Chinese government’s false labourers demanded the government respect that we are able to do every day. national security is key, saying: “Turkey now fights against though a reduced threat continues to the Soviet Union to establish the War- The emergence of China as a ma - tions, NATO constantly updates its pol- claims that the purpose of the camps is edu- their right to live and work without fear of After all, these freedoms are the shared those who fought with us (meaning the be perceived from the Russian Feder- saw Pact, which became NATO’s main jor actor on the international arena icies according to new requirements, cation. Even those living outside the camps repression and retaliation. The countless in- birthright of all persons, as declared by the at risk Kurdish fighters of the People’s Protec- ation. Russia’s annexation of Crimea target. is a new phenomenon. It does not yet but the priorities of each of its 29 mem- are robbed of any semblance of individual dividual stories of people standing up for their community of nations on December 10, 1948. tion Units, which Turkey considers a and its pressure on Eastern Ukraine The US rightly expects all other NATO pose a direct military threat to NATO ber states are far from being identical. terrorist organization). And sometimes are perceived in NATO countries as countries to increase their military countries, but the alliance has to as- This causes disillusionment for certain they work with (Daesh) proxies.” Such signs of Russia’s expansionist policy. spending to 2 percent of their gross do- sess all implications of this important members, who believe that their na- a direct negative reference provoked The nations where this threat is felt in mestic product. This issue is one of the phenomenon. The summit tasked the tional priorities are not being properly nly two options for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to a more concrete manner are the three permanent items on the NATO agenda, NATO secretary general to prepare a addressed. Turkey is one of them. Onext Prime Minister, either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn. Either High expectations No Deal, no action on cli- mate change, no stand- ments have taken place indicating that the backs the Houthi rebels. The GCC have called ing up to Trump, no hope tension between the Quartet and Qatar seems Iran on several occasions to play a construc- with Johnson. Or block- to be easing. Two main important develop- tive role but that did not bear fruit except Drama and a new deal at OPEC+ meeting in Vienna ing No Deal, no NHS sell- ments witnessed were: leap service. The summit once again is likely off, a Green New Deal First, the unannounced visit of Qatari For- to invite Iran to participate in solving the a demand increase of 1.2 million bpd one hand there was the pressure of further cuts of 500,000 bpd. continuously asked to share the whole to last till the end of March and will be and a much brighter fu- eign Minister, Sheik Mohammed bin Ab - Yemeni issue. for that year, which is roughly half the incremental new cuts. On the other, The organization found a way of burden of cuts while others were let reviewed in Vienna on March 5 and 6. ture with Corbyn. YENUS S dulrahman Al Thani to Saudi Arabia last On the economic front, apart from the co- supply increase. there was non-compliance of the ex- dealing with Russian objections by off the hook too lightly. This makes Getting the quota numbers to stack @HackneyAbbott month, considered as a major diplomatic operation among the GCC countries, most of Iraqi Oil Minister Thamer Ghadh- isting agreement by several countries, carving condensates out from the particular sense in light of the Aramco up requires some mathematics, as oday, December 10, 2019, the 40th breakthrough that signals the most serious them seem to have progressed in diversifying ban set the cat among the pigeons namely Iraq, Nigeria and Russia. Iran, deal. This must have felt like an early IPO. Investors would not appreciate always. The carve-out of condensates 04 GCC summit is taking place in Riyadh, efforts to end the rift between Qatar and their economies and the emphasis is likely to with his comment. While that state- Venezuela and Libya remained ex- Christmas present to Novak because continuous loss of volume if other was a surprise. It does not just work Saudi Arabia. The annual summit has Saudi Arabia. (The Wall Street Journal report focus on developing the tourism sector. Bah- CORNELIA MEYER T ment and a more positive outlook on empt from cuts. Russia produces more than 800,000 producers never follow suit. in favor of Russia. (Kazakhstan, Oman dozens of agenda to deal with ranging from of Nov.28, 2019). Second, the participation rain and United Emirates have been on the the US-China trade talks sent prices Thursday proved to be a tough day. bpd of condensates. A big chunk of Discussions apparently became and others produce condensate too.) the integration and cooperation in economic of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and business of developing tourism and benefited here was high drama at the soaring by more than 5 percent, it also OPEC+’s Joint Ministerial Monitoring new production is also condensates. tense. By 10 p.m. that evening a press Markets reacted positively. They and political facets to strengthening the joint Bahrain at the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup Soccer from the non-oil revenues generated. With OPEC meeting in Vienna this set market expectations. Anything Committee (JMMC), which is tasked The real problem was how to dis- conference, which had been sched- liked the headline numbers and military defense to maintaining the security tournament that took place in Doha provid- the ongoing political reforms taking place in Tweek. Events were ratcheted less than 400,000 incremental barrels with monitoring OPEC+ compliance tribute the cuts among the OPEC uled for 6 p.m., was canceled. Inter- seemed not too bothered about the and stability to holding the strategic partner- ed a good platform for improving relations Saudi Arabia, the country has opened its gates up a week before when the Iraqi oil would most probably have sent the and is chaired by Russia’s Novak and countries and how to bring the lag- estingly, markets barely reacted. They relatively short duration of the deal ships to preserving the achievements so far between the Quartet and Qatar. to foreign tourists and giant entertainment orth Korea has minister announced that OPEC+ (the price of oil into a tailspin. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Ab - gards into compliance. Saudi Arabia were down only 1.1 percent in early or the implications of the condensate achieved. An outstanding agenda anticipated at the companies. again insulted Don- OPEC nations and their 10 allies led To make matters worse, Russian dulaziz bin Salman, recommended apparently felt that it could not be Asian trading. This could be explained carve-out going forward. Oil went up N During previous summits, the above topics discussion during the summit is the wors- The summit is expected to pass resolutions ald Trump, calling him a by Russia) were considering an extra Energy Minister Alexander Novak by the fact that there had been a recent by 1.6 percent, reaching 64.4 for Brent and other points of interest have been tabled ening political situation in Yemen. Despite that foster this sector and to engage their “thoughtless and sneaky production cut of 400,000 barrels per said that he was not yet convinced precedent. The same happened in last late on Friday. There was drama lead- and some of them were successfully dealt with several attempts to end the fighting among respective residents to be part of the tourism old man” after he tweet- day (bpd). Before that, many expected that he favored extending the cuts, December’s meeting and the situation ing up to the conference for sure, but particularly those related to the economic the warring factions through political set- business by allowing free movement among ed that Kim Jong Un a rollover 1.2 million bpd that had been let alone increasing them. This ech- was then resolved at the next day’s in the end OPEC+ managed to convince sector. tlements, the country remains engulfed in a the GCC states. Last week, Saudi Arabia and wouldn’t want to aban- taken out last June by OPEC. oed the sentiments of the country’s OPEC+ meeting. markets that they were doing the right Last year the summit took place at the continuous war of attrition. The summit is United Arab Emirates have approved a joint don a special relationship Some analysts were concerned finance minister a few weeks earlier. This year’s playbook was similar. On thing. time of serious political turmoil the GCC has expected to pass a decision for more political visa system for their respective residents between them and affect whether a mere rollover would take Indeed, Russian producers have in- Friday, ministers confirmed that they At the same time, Aramco shares ever witnessed. The conflict between Qatar involvement of the stakeholders through di- to visit both countries. This is a brilliant the U.S. presidential elec- sufficient barrels out of the market vested in new capacity and are eager would increase the cuts by 500,000 were priced at SR32 ($8.53) on Thurs- and the Quarter (Saudi Arabia, United Arab alogue and negotiations. The Yemeni people idea of developing the tourism industry. tion by resuming hostile in the light of an impending wall of to release new barrels onto the market. bpd — 372,000 bpd of the incremental day. This is the upper end of the range, Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt) has reached its have suffered more than enough and become Other GCC countries are expected to follow acts. non-OPEC crude that is expected to hit Igor Sechin, the influential chairman cut will be shouldered by OPEC and giving the company a market cap of boiling point. To the chagrin of the partici- victims of death, displacement, diseases, suit. @AP the markets in the first half of 2020. of Russian oil giant Rosneft, is particu- the remainder by the non-OPEC allies. 1.7 trillion dollars, which turns it into pating heads of states, the Emir of Qatar did famine and starvation. All these malaises This year’s conference is projected to be a As of November, the International larly vociferous about the demands of Saudi Arabia’s effective production not just the most profitable company not attend the summit. He delegated the State can be solved only through discussions and summit of reconciliation, narrowing the ex- Energy Agency (IEA) expected 2.3 industry. He is also close to Russian would stand at 9.74 million bpd. Iraq but also the largest one by market cap. Disclaimer: (Views expressed Minister for Foreign Affairs. The incident sad- negotiations, which the summit is predicted isting differences and focusing on economic, million incremental barrels per day President Vladimir Putin. and Nigeria agreed to take out an ad- The IPO will raise 25.6 billion dollars, by columnists are personal and dened peace-loving people across the region to give its strongest support. political, military and security cooperation from the US, Brazil Norway, Guyana This means that the powers that ditional 50,000 bpd and 20,000 bpd exceeding the previous largest IPO of need not necessarily reflect our and beyond. Discussing the Yemen conflict cannot be and partnerships for the sake of regional and others. The agency only foresaw be at OPEC had their hands full. On OPEC headquarters is seen in Vienna, Austria respectively. The arrangement is going Alibaba in 2014 by $600 million. editorial stances) This year a series of diplomatic rapproche- materialized without mentioning Iran, which prosperity and security.

Hon. Chairman Najeb Yacob Alhamer | Editor-in-Chief Mahmood AI Mahmood | Chairman & Managing Director P Unnikrishnan | Advertisement: Update Media W.L.L | Tel: 38444692, Email: [email protected] | Newsroom: Tel: 38444680, Email: [email protected] Subscription & circulation: Tel: 36458394 | Email:[email protected] | Website: www.newsofbahrain.com | Printed and published by Al Ayam Publishing 10 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 business ICICI opens ‘Service Centre’ in Juffair Bank shares lift TDT | Manama increased convenience to the Bank’s customers in the country CICI Bank yesterday inau- in general and around Juffair, in Saudi index gurated a ‘Service Centre’ particular.” Iat Mannai Plaza, near Oasis The centre works from 8:00 posal for a third-quarter cash Mall, Juffair. am to 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm to Nine of eleven dividend of 1 riyal per share. Alok Kumar Sinha, Indian 4:30 pm from Sunday to Thurs- • Meanwhile, Saudi Aramco is Ambassador to Bahrain, inau- day as well as on the first, Saudi banks gain listing its shares on Wednes- gurated the ‘Service Centre’, third and fifth Saturdays of the day on the Saudi exchange af- which is also the second phys- month. Sipchem surges on ter completing the largest IPO ical touchpoint of the Bank in Products on offer include share• buyback proposal on record. the country. savings and current account, Aramco priced its IPO at 32 The first being the existing fixed deposits and global 23 of thirty stocks riyals ($8.53) per share, the retail branch at Manama money transfer, life insurance • top of its indicative range, the Centre. products and general insurance in Egypt decline company said in a statement The centre provides services products. last week, raising $25.6 billion for all products offered by the Further, it caters to non-res- Dubai, the and beating Alibaba Group Manama branch, except cash ident Indian (NRI) customers index• fell 0.4pc Holding Ltd’s record $25 bil- deposit and withdrawal. ICICI with a bouquet of products and lion listing in 2014. Bank offers retail, private bank- services including opening NRI Egypt’s blue-chip However, the Qatari index ing and corporate banking ser- accounts & fixed deposits, loan • lost 1pc, snapping four straight vices in Bahrain. Alok Kumar Sinha (extreme right), Indian Ambassador to Bahrain inaugurates against NRI deposits, a home index decreased 0.4pc days of gains, as declining Amit Bansal – Country Head the ICICI Bank ‘Service Centre’ at Mannai Plaza, near Oasis Mall, Juffair loan for properties in India, stocks on the index outnum- (Bahrain), ICICI Bank said: transactions in select mutual Reuters bered the gainers. “The inauguration of the ‘Ser- milestone in the Bank’s journey the Bank to widen its reach in funds as well opening of a share The Gulf’s largest lender vice Centre’ is an important in the country. It would help the country and would offer trading. ost Gulf stock markets Qatar National Bank retreat- Mwere in the red yesterday ed 2.4pc, whereas Industries with Qatar leading losses as Qatar was down 1.9pc. oil prices fell, while gains in In Dubai, the index fell 0.4pc banking shares supported the with Emaar Properties shed- EU hits Indonesian biodiesel with import duties Saudi index. ding 1.5pc and logistic firm Oil prices dropped yester- Aramex down 2.5pc. ened to impose its own tariffs on day after data showed Chinese The Abu Dhabi index was The EU biodiesel EU dairy products amid fraught exports declined for a fourth also down 0.4pc as telecoms • relations with the bloc. straight month, sending jit- firm Etisalat closed 0.9pc market is worth an The EU said in March that ters through a market already down, while Abu Dhabi Com- estimated 9 billion euros Indonesian palm plantations concerned about damage to mercial Bank ended down ($10 billion) a year were contributing to deforest- global demand by the trade 1.1pc. ation and said palm oil should war between Washington and Egypt’s blue-chip index de- Reuters | Brussels no longer be used in renewable Beijing. creased 0.4pc with 23 of its 30 fuels. In Saudi Arabia, the bench- stocks declining. EFG Hermes It has also imposed anti-sub- mark index rose a further 0.3 slid 3.4pc and Eastern Compa- he European Union con- sidy duties on Argentine bio- per cent, a day after it saw its ny eased 1.3pc. Tfirmed tariffs on Indonesian diesel producers, although they biggest gain in a year. Exchange data on Monday biodiesel imports yesterday to have tariff-free access for about On Sunday, the index showed foreign investors as counter what it sees as unfair 1.2 million tonnes as long as they climbed 2.4pc as the kingdom net sellers of Egyptian stocks. subsidies, the latest blow to sell no lower than a set mini- spearheaded a deal on Fri - Bahrain was closed for a producers after the bloc ruled mum price. day where OPEC and its allies public holiday. that palm oil should be phased Repesentative picture (Courtesy of the Briefing) The EU began looking into agreed to extend production out of renewable transport biodiesel from both major pro- cuts by 500,000 barrels per day Closing Bell fuels. imports from Indonesia worth ers into losses, it added. ducers in 2012 and imposed an- to support oil prices. SAUDI p 0.3pc to 8,120 pts In the conclusion to a case about 400 million euros, the Master Parulian Tumanggor, ti-dumping duties on compa- National Commercial Bank that has lasted seven years, the European Commission said. chairman of Indonesia’s biofu- nies in 2013. However, the firms gained 2.2pc and Samba Fi- ABU DHABI q 0.4pc to 5,023 pts duties, which normally remain Indonesian producers sold at el producers association, told subsequently won challenges at nancial Group increased 2.3pc. DUBAI q 0.4pc to 2,684 pts in place for five years, have been unfairly low prices, the Com- Reuters his group would ask the European Court of Justice Elsewhere, Sahara Inter- QATAR q 1pc to 10,277 pts set at between 8% and 18%, the mission, which coordinates the government to file a legal and the WTO. national Petrochemical (Sip- same level as the provisional trade policy for the EU, said, challenge at the World Trade This prompted the EU to re- chem) jumped 4.2pc after it’s EGYPT q 0.4pc to 13,443 pts rates proposed by the EU in Au- adding that its investigation Organization (WTO). move duties on most biodiesel board proposed to purchase up OMAN q 0.1pc to 4,021 pts gust. found they benefit from grants, The EU and China are Indo- imports from the two countries, to 10pc of ordinary shares and KUWAIT p 0.6pc to 6,747 pts The EU biodiesel market is tax benefits and access to raw nesia’s biggest markets for its but the Commission also started hold them as treasury shares. worth an estimated 9 billion materials below market prices. biodiesel exports and the Indo- an investigation into possible Qassim Cement climbed euros ($10 billion) a year, with This was driving EU produc- nesian government has threat- unfair subsidies. 4.1pc following its board pro-

BIPEX extends to one more day Aramco IPO proceeds rise to $29.4 billion: TV TDT | Manama Reuters | Riyadh called over-allotment option. Aramco’s main IPO he 12th Edition of the Bah- he proceeds from Saudi Ar- raised $25.6 billion on Train International Proper- Tamco’s record initial pub- Thursday. ty Exhibition will remain open lic offering have risen to $29.4 “The final number of shares today also following a one-day billion after the oil company sold is 3.450 billion shares, extension. exercised an option to sell 15 per and the final value of the Join the Bahrain Interna- cent more stock, an executive at deal is $29.4 billion,” Khatib tional Exhibition Center today one of the banks leading the deal said. from 10:00 am - 9:00 pm. told Al Arabiya news channel on Aramco is listing its shares More than 45 leading real These include Diyar Al Mu- Monday. Representative picture on Wednesday on the Saudi estate firms are showcasing harraq, Bin Faqeeh, Dilmunia, Wassim Al Khatib, head of in- ment arm of Saudi Arabia’s big- Bank, said the state-controlled exchange after completing the luxurious developments were Naseej, One Bahrain Bay, and vestment banking at the invest- gest bank, National Commercial oil giant had exercised the so- largest IPO on record. showcased at the exhibition. more. Oman’s economy contracted 1.9pc in H1 of 2019: central bank Reuters | Riyadh The Gulf state’s finances have es sector”, the central bank sector grew 2.1pc in the same pe- Despite its access to financial The central bank told Reu - man’s economy contracted been hurt by a slump in oil prices said. riod, with nominal gross domes- markets — it sold a $3 billion ters in September it expected Oby 1.9 per cent in nominal in recent years, but the econom- It said the non-hydrocarbon tic product (GDP) from crude bond in July — Oman’s fiscal real gross domestic product terms in the first half of the year ic decline this year emanated sector of the economy contract- oil and natural gas increasing position remains weak and its growth of 1.1pc this year, down as the non-oil sector shrank, the “from the non-petroleum in- ed 3.4pc in nominal terms in by 1.5pc and 5.6pc, respectively, debt is rated “junk” by rating from an estimated 2.2pc last central bank said yesterday. dustrial activities and servic- January-June. The hydrocarbon it said. agencies. year. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 10 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 11 business Brexit? New referendum? What’s at stake in vote AFP | London Johnson’s predecessor, The- resa May, struck a deal to gov- ritain votes on Thursday ern with the help of Northern in a crucial general elec- Ireland’s Democratic Un - Btion that will determine ionist Party (DUP) when she whether the country leaves the missed out on a majority in ICICI opens ‘Service Centre’ in Juffair Bank shares lift European Union next month 2017. or sets out a path to potentially Johnson could try this again TDT | Manama reverse Brexit. but the DUP is opposed to his increased convenience to the Here’s an outline of what EU divorce deal, which puts at Bank’s customers in the country could happen: risk his plan for a smooth Brexit CICI Bank yesterday inau- in general and around Juffair, in Saudi index next month. gurated a ‘Service Centre’ particular.” Johnson wins Labour has said it would try Iat Mannai Plaza, near Oasis The centre works from 8:00 posal for a third-quarter cash Prime Minister Boris John- to govern alone but the Scottish Mall, Juffair. am to 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm to Nine of eleven dividend of 1 riyal per share. son called the election after National Party (SNP) has indicat- Alok Kumar Sinha, Indian 4:30 pm from Sunday to Thurs- Saudi• banks gain Meanwhile, Saudi Aramco is disputes within his own Con- ed it could be willing to prop up Ambassador to Bahrain, inau- day as well as on the first, listing its shares on Wednes- servative party and with his a Corbyn-led government. gurated the ‘Service Centre’, third and fifth Saturdays of the day on the Saudi exchange af- Northern Irish allies over Brex- The price would be a new ref- which is also the second phys- month. Sipchem surges on ter completing the largest IPO it left him unable to command erendum on Scottish independ- ical touchpoint of the Bank in Products on offer include share• buyback proposal on record. a majority in the House of ence, after Scotland voted to stay the country. savings and current account, Aramco priced its IPO at 32 Commons. part of the United Kingdom by The first being the existing fixed deposits and global riyals ($8.53) per share, the Opinion polls indicate the 55 percent in 2014. retail branch at Manama money transfer, life insurance 23 of thirty stocks top of its indicative range, the in• Egypt decline Tories will win enough MPs to Centre. products and general insurance company said in a statement get his divorce deal with the EU Second Brexit vote The centre provides services products. last week, raising $25.6 billion through parliament in time for Labour has promised to re- for all products offered by the Further, it caters to non-res- Dubai, the and beating Alibaba Group Britain to leave on the next Brex- negotiate Johnson’s Brexit deal Manama branch, except cash ident Indian (NRI) customers index• fell 0.4pc Holding Ltd’s record $25 bil- it deadline, January 31. and put it to a referendum with- deposit and withdrawal. ICICI with a bouquet of products and lion listing in 2014. This would help calm years in six months of taking office. Bank offers retail, private bank- services including opening NRI Egypt’s blue-chip However, the Qatari index of turmoil sparked by the 2016 Corbyn says he will stay neu- ing and corporate banking ser- accounts & fixed deposits, loan • lost 1pc, snapping four straight Brexit referendum but is not the tral but other members of his vices in Bahrain. Alok Kumar Sinha (extreme right), Indian Ambassador to Bahrain inaugurates against NRI deposits, a home index decreased 0.4pc days of gains, as declining the ICICI Bank ‘Service Centre’ at Mannai Plaza, near Oasis Mall, Juffair end of the story. top team have said they would Amit Bansal – Country Head loan for properties in India, stocks on the index outnum- Nothing will immediately campaign to stay in the EU. (Bahrain), ICICI Bank said: transactions in select mutual Reuters bered the gainers. change thanks to a transition The SNP opposes Brexit, as do “The inauguration of the ‘Ser- milestone in the Bank’s journey the Bank to widen its reach in funds as well opening of a share The Gulf’s largest lender period intended to ease the the smaller Liberal Democrats vice Centre’ is an important in the country. It would help the country and would offer trading. ost Gulf stock markets Qatar National Bank retreat- shift to a new economic and and the tiny Welsh nationalist Mwere in the red yesterday ed 2.4pc, whereas Industries security partnership with the Plaid Cymru. with Qatar leading losses as Qatar was down 1.9pc. EU. Polls currently show Britons oil prices fell, while gains in In Dubai, the index fell 0.4pc Britain will have until De - remain divided over Brexit al- banking shares supported the with Emaar Properties shed- cember 31, 2020, to strike a new though the balance has shifted EU hits Indonesian biodiesel with import duties Saudi index. ding 1.5pc and logistic firm agreement to replace decades lieve there is not enough time, Hung parliament win outright, but it could secure leader Jeremy Corbyn would slightly in favour of staying in Oil prices dropped yester- Aramex down 2.5pc. of integration with its closest saying London will have to ex- The main opposition Labour enough seats to deprive the Con- then likely race to try to show the EU compared to 2016, when ened to impose its own tariffs on day after data showed Chinese The Abu Dhabi index was trading partners. tend the transition period, but party is so far behind in opin- servatives of a majority. they can govern with the help of “Leave” won 52 percent of the The EU biodiesel EU dairy products amid fraught exports declined for a fourth also down 0.4pc as telecoms Most independent experts be- Johnson denies this. ion polls that few believe it can Both Johnson and Labour other smaller parties. vote. • relations with the bloc. straight month, sending jit- firm Etisalat closed 0.9pc market is worth an The EU said in March that ters through a market already down, while Abu Dhabi Com- estimated 9 billion euros Indonesian palm plantations concerned about damage to mercial Bank ended down ($10 billion) a year were contributing to deforest- global demand by the trade 1.1pc. ation and said palm oil should war between Washington and Egypt’s blue-chip index de- Mexico rejects US trade deal no longer be used in renewable Beijing. creased 0.4pc with 23 of its 30 All eyes on Lagarde’s debut this week Reuters | Brussels proposals on steel, aluminum fuels. In Saudi Arabia, the bench- stocks declining. EFG Hermes Frankfurt am Main It has also imposed anti-sub- mark index rose a further 0.3 slid 3.4pc and Eastern Compa- meeting of the European Cen- the market-changing impact of below the ECB’s target of “close he European Union con- sidy duties on Argentine bio- per cent, a day after it saw its ny eased 1.3pc. hristine Lagarde delivers tral Bank’s governing council in even a single ambiguous word. to, but below” two percent, fuel- Tfirmed tariffs on Indonesian diesel producers, although they biggest gain in a year. Exchange data on Monday her first monetary policy Frankfurt. “So bear with me, show a little ling debate about whether the biodiesel imports yesterday to have tariff-free access for about On Sunday, the index showed foreign investors as announcements as ECB But the former International bit of patience, don’t over-in- inflation goal is still appropriate. counter what it sees as unfair 1.2 million tonnes as long as they climbed 2.4pc as the kingdom net sellers of Egyptian stocks. C president on Thursday, with Monetary Fund chief can ex- terpret.” While Lagarde has signalled subsidies, the latest blow to sell no lower than a set mini- spearheaded a deal on Fri - Bahrain was closed for a observers set to scrutinise every pect a grilling at the post-meet- she will stick close to Draghi’s producers after the bloc ruled mum price. day where OPEC and its allies public holiday. word for hints of the bank’s fu- ing press conference about her Tensions easy-money policies, concerns that palm oil should be phased Repesentative picture (Courtesy of the Briefing) The EU began looking into agreed to extend production ture direction at a time planned review of the In his final act as ECB chief, are mounting about the nega- out of renewable transport biodiesel from both major pro- cuts by 500,000 barrels per day Closing Bell of stuttering euro- ECB’s objectives and Draghi in September unveiled tive impact of subzero rates on fuels. imports from Indonesia worth ers into losses, it added. ducers in 2012 and imposed an- to support oil prices. SAUDI p 0.3pc to 8,120 pts zone growth. way of working. fresh stimulus to bolster the banks and savers. In the conclusion to a case about 400 million euros, the Master Parulian Tumanggor, ti-dumping duties on compa- National Commercial Bank Lagarde is The timing and 19-nation euro area, which has The ECB recently slashed the ABU DHABI q 0.4pc to 5,023 pts that has lasted seven years, the European Commission said. chairman of Indonesia’s biofu- nies in 2013. However, the firms gained 2.2pc and Samba Fi- widely predict- scope of the “stra- been weighed down by US-Chi- deposit rate from -0.4 percent to duties, which normally remain Indonesian producers sold at el producers association, told subsequently won challenges at nancial Group increased 2.3pc. DUBAI q 0.4pc to 2,684 pts ed to leave her tegic review” are na trade tensions, Brexit uncer- -0.5, meaning banks have to pay in place for five years, have been unfairly low prices, the Com- Reuters his group would ask the European Court of Justice Elsewhere, Sahara Inter- QATAR q 1pc to 10,277 pts predecessor still unclear, but the tainty and a weakening manu- more to park their excess cash set at between 8% and 18%, the mission, which coordinates the government to file a legal and the WTO. national Petrochemical (Sip- Mario Draghi’s outcome could lead facturing sector. at the ECB. same level as the provisional trade policy for the EU, said, challenge at the World Trade This prompted the EU to re- chem) jumped 4.2pc after it’s EGYPT q 0.4pc to 13,443 pts ultra-loose to a major shake-up As well as offering a new Lenders have long com - rates proposed by the EU in Au- adding that its investigation Organization (WTO). move duties on most biodiesel board proposed to purchase up OMAN q 0.1pc to 4,021 pts Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard has said it will not accept a US monetary poli- amid calls for the ECB round of cheap credit to lenders, plained that the fees, on top of proposal that 70 percent of steel for automobile production come from the gust. found they benefit from grants, The EU and China are Indo- imports from the two countries, to 10pc of ordinary shares and cy unchanged af- to rethink its inflation Draghi slashed a key interest the ECB’s other stimulus efforts, KUWAIT p 0.6pc to 6,747 pts North American region The EU biodiesel market is tax benefits and access to raw nesia’s biggest markets for its but the Commission also started hold them as treasury shares. ter chairing her target and take more cli- rate deeper into negative terri- are squeezing their already tight worth an estimated 9 billion materials below market prices. biodiesel exports and the Indo- an investigation into possible Qassim Cement climbed Mexico will also not accept maiden mate action. tory and kept others at historic profit margins in a low-rate en- euros ($10 billion) a year, with This was driving EU produc- nesian government has threat- unfair subsidies. 4.1pc following its board pro- Mexico City “any term” for aluminum pro- “This meeting will lows. vironment. visions, Ebrard said, because be more about Ms He also restarted a controver- Many eurozone banks are al- exico’s foreign minister they do not have the resources Lagarde setting sial bond-buying programme to ready passing the charges on Msaid Sunday the country to produce aluminum. out her stall as the tune of 20 billion euros ($22 to their wealthiest customers, BIPEX extends to one more day would not accept a US proposal Mexico is one of the ECB president billion) a month, in the hopes but some German lenders have for steel and aluminum pro- world’s largest automobile than it will be of encouraging spending and started charging even small re- Aramco IPO proceeds rise to $29.4 billion: TV TDT | Manama duction under the new trade exporters due to multiple for policy de- investment. tail clients for their savings -- a Reuters | Riyadh called over-allotment option. deal, saying it would leave brands -- including Gen - cisions”, said But several of the ECB’s 25 deeply unpopular move in a na- Aramco’s main IPO he 12th Edition of the Bah- Mexico at a disadvantage. eral Motors, Nissan, Fi- Nomura bank governing council members tion of savers. he proceeds from Saudi Ar- raised $25.6 billion on Train International Proper- During a meeting with at-Chrysler and Volkswagen economist Chi- opposed the asset purchases, Tamco’s record initial pub- Thursday. ty Exhibition will remain open senators to discuss details of -- building facilities in the ara Zangarelli. leading to an unprecedented Going green lic offering have risen to $29.4 “The final number of shares today also following a one-day negotiations for the United country. Lagarde -- a public spat led by criticism from Faced with a slew of chal - billion after the oil company sold is 3.450 billion shares, extension. States-Mexico-Canada trea- Ebrard’s comments come lawyer and Germany’s Bundesbank central lenges, Lagarde is expected to exercised an option to sell 15 per and the final value of the Join the Bahrain Interna- ty (USMCA), Foreign Minis- just a few days after after Mex- not an bank chief Jens Weidmann. echo Draghi’s frequent call for cent more stock, an executive at deal is $29.4 billion,” Khatib tional Exhibition Center today ter Marcelo Ebrard said the ican President Andres Manuel economist One of Lagarde’s first moves eurozone governments to sup- one of the banks leading the deal said. from 10:00 am - 9:00 pm. US proposed that 70 percent Lopez Obrador said he would by training upon arriving in Frankfurt was port the economy through fiscal told Al Arabiya news channel on Aramco is listing its shares More than 45 leading real These include Diyar Al Mu- of steel for automobile pro - not accept a US proposal for -- has her- to take the council on a retreat policy. Representative picture Monday. on Wednesday on the Saudi estate firms are showcasing harraq, Bin Faqeeh, Dilmunia, duction come from the North supervisors to oversee the self pleaded to heal the rift -- and ECB watch- Unlike her predecessor how- Wassim Al Khatib, head of in- ment arm of Saudi Arabia’s big- Bank, said the state-controlled exchange after completing the luxurious developments were Naseej, One Bahrain Bay, and American region. implementation of Mexico’s for patience, ers will be keen for an update. ever, Lagarde has been outspo- vestment banking at the invest- gest bank, National Commercial oil giant had exercised the so- largest IPO on record. showcased at the exhibition. more. The proposal would put labour reforms under the US- saying she has ken about the bank’s possible Mexico “at a very great disad- MCA. been on a steep Tool kit role in tackling climate change, vantage,” said Ebrard, because Mexico is the only country “learning curve” since The ECB will also unveil its which she has described as cars produced in Mexico also so far to ratify the new deal, taking up the job last latest growth and inflation pro- “high priority”. use components made in Bra- negotiated at US President month. jections on Thursday, which for That could range from build- Oman’s economy contracted 1.9pc in H1 of 2019: central bank zil, Japan and Germany. Donald Trump’s behest to re- “I am trying to the first time will run through ing climate risks into the ECB’s Ebrard said the Mexican place the 25-year-old North learn German, but to 2022. economic models to greener Reuters | Riyadh delegation will ask at the next American Free Trade Agree- I am also trying to Eurozone growth is slated to investments. The Gulf state’s finances have es sector”, the central bank sector grew 2.1pc in the same pe- Despite its access to financial The central bank told Reu - meeting of treaty representa- ment (NAFTA), which he con- learn central bank reach just 1.1 percent this year. The first female president of man’s economy contracted been hurt by a slump in oil prices said. riod, with nominal gross domes- markets — it sold a $3 billion ters in September it expected tives that the provision come siders “a disaster” for the Unit- language,” the one- Price growth too remains the ECB has also said she wants Oby 1.9 per cent in nominal in recent years, but the econom- It said the non-hydrocarbon tic product (GDP) from crude bond in July — Oman’s fiscal real gross domestic product into effect “more than five ed States. time French finance stubbornly low despite years of to push for more gender equal- terms in the first half of the year ic decline this year emanated sector of the economy contract- oil and natural gas increasing position remains weak and its growth of 1.1pc this year, down years” after the start of the Canada has said it will rat- minister told MEPs heavy ECB stimulus. ity in top-level roles and bring as the non-oil sector shrank, the “from the non-petroleum in- ed 3.4pc in nominal terms in by 1.5pc and 5.6pc, respectively, debt is rated “junk” by rating from an estimated 2.2pc last trade pact, rather than imme- ify the deal in tandem with last week, ac- Eurozone inflation stood at the bank closer to the public by central bank said yesterday. dustrial activities and servic- January-June. The hydrocarbon it said. agencies. year. diately. the US. knowledging one percent in November -- well ditching some of the jargon. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 12 Goldman increases 2020 oil price view

• Brent spot price Bofa sees $70 oil by Q2 forecast revised to $63 Reuters per barrel for 2020 trong compliance by Raised WTI spot SOPEC and its allies with price• outlook to a deal to curb oil produc - tion and positive economic $58.5 per barrel developments, including a US-China trade deal, could Reuters push Brent to $70 a barrel before the second quarter oldman Sachs raised its oil of 2020, BofA Merrill Lynch Gprice forecasts for 2020, said. citing tighter-than-expected “Iraq remains a key focal inventories after the Organisa- point for OPEC+ critics,” the tion of the Petroleum Exporting bank said in a note dated Countries (OPEC) and its allies Dec. 6, saying Iraq’s output averaged more than 200,000 barrels agreed to deepen oil output cuts per day (bpd) over previous quotas in 2019 and the latest deal through the first quarter of next would cut their quota by another 50,000 bpd. year. “Based on historical precedent, we remain skeptical that coun- “We are increasing our fore- tries like Iraq will deliver on their cuts,” it said. cast for backwardation in 2020 although our long-term mar- Workers walk past storage tanks at Tullow Oil’s Ngamia 8 drilling site in Lokichar, Turkana County, Kenya global oil market, 0.3 million ginal cost forecast remains un- bpd tighter than our previous changed,” Goldman analysts risen sharply last week after haviour to managing short-term forecast.” wrote in a note dated Dec. 6. OPEC and its allies agreed to physical surpluses and deficits We are increasing Goldman lowered its demand The bank revised its Brent deepen output cuts. rather than trying to correct our forecast for growth forecast by 50,000 bpd, spot price forecast to $63 per Oil producers led by Saudi perceived long-term imbalanc- backwardation in citing prospects for a modest re- barrel for 2020, up from a previ- Arabia and Russia, agreed on es through open-ended com- 2020 although our covery in global growth, driven ous estimate of $60, while it also Thursday to cut output by an mitments,” the Wall Street bank long-term marginal by higher consumer spending increased West Texas Interme- $64.19 extra 500,000 barrels per day said. The bank revised its sup- but a still-challenged manufac- diate (WTI) spot price outlook to was the price of Brent (bpd) in the first quarter of 2020 ply-demand forecast, reflecting cost forecast remains turing sector. The bank now pro- $58.5 per barrel from $55.5. futures by 0632 GMT but stopped short of pledging lower OPEC+ production path in unchanged jects its demand growth forecast Brent futures LCOc1 were action beyond March. the first half of 2020. GOLDMAN ANALYSTS at 0.9 million bpd and 1.2 million down 0.3 per cent at $64.19 per The decision, “crystallises an “These revisions lead us to bpd for 2019 and 2020, respec- barrel, as of 0632 GMT, having important shift in OPEC+ be- forecast a broadly balanced 2020 tively.

Trump impeachment drive enters crucial week in divided Congress Washington ings are part of a “hoax” by the with Trump as the af- idence is the president has “No Due Process, Do Nothing fair has unfolded, ordered everybody in the ex- he impeachment pro - Democrats.” saying there is no ecutive branch not to coop - ceedings against Presi- And his spokeswoman Steph- clear and direct erate with Congress in the Tdent Donald Trump in a anie Grisham accused Demo- evidence that he impeachment inquiry, some- sharply divided US Congress en- crats of “weaponizing impeach- wrongly pressured thing unprecedented in Amer- ter a new phase yesterday when ment,” telling Fox News: “That’s Ukraine for per- ican history, and a contempt of the House Judiciary Committee a shame -- and it’s dividing this sonal political gain. Congress by itself,” Nadler said. convenes a hearing expected to country.” “They have no case for Republican Senator Lind- result in specific charges against impeachment,” House sey Graham, a close Trump the Republican leader. Hearing the evidence Republican Whip Steve ally, predicted an eventual Democrats accuse Trump of Nadler will convene his com- Scalise said on Twitter. impeachment trial would abusing his power by allegedly mittee at 9:00 am Monday (1400 “It’s all politics.” end quickly, as removal from linking military aid for Ukraine GMT), to hear evidence from The majority Demo- office would require a two- and a White House meeting both Democratic and Repub- crats are of course ex- thirds vote. with Pres- ident Volod- lican lawyers from the intelli- pected to carry the vote “When 51 of us say we’ve ymyr Zelensky gence and judiciary committees. -- making Trump only heard enough, the trial is go- to a request The White House -- while the third president in ing to end. The president’s that complaining that Trump has American history to be going to be not been afforded due process impeached, after An- acquitted,” -- has said that it will not seek drew Johnson and Bill he told Fox to defend the president before Clinton. Richard Nix- News. the panel. on resigned before his Nadler would not speculate impeachment came up on what might be included in for a vote. eventual articles of impeach- Trump said Sunday ment, though speculation has that Democrats were centered on abuse of power and trying to “change the obstruction of justice. rules” of impeach- But he described the central ment -- an apparent allegation as being that Trump but unexplained “sought foreign interference in reference to a 52- our elections several times, both page report on for 2016 and 2020, and that he the history and sought to cover it up” thus pos- legal underpin- The chairman of the US House Judiciary Committee, Democrat Jerry Nadler, ing “a real and present danger nings of the pro- has called the impeachment case against President Donald Trump “rock solid” to the integrity of the election” cess released by Kiev investigate a potential New York, did not rule out the coming next November. Democrats. 2020 rival, Democrat Joe Bid- possibility of a vote on impeach- Nadler would not say whether Republicans en, and his son Hunter. ment in the Democratic-run the evidence that Russia med- have demanded The real estate mogul pres- House of Representatives by the dled in the 2016 election, favor- that Hunter Biden, ident has ridiculed the inquiry end of the week. ing Trump, would be included in as well as Schiff and as a “hoax” but Democrats be- “My goal is to do it as expedi- the formal charges. the whistleblower at lieve they have, in the words of tiously, but as fairly as possible,” Intelligence Committee chair- the origin of the in- Judiciary Committee chairman he said. man Adam Schiff, who is man- quiry, all testify, but Jerry Nadler, a “rock-solid case” That would put the proceed- aging the broader inquiry, told Nadler has reject- showing that Trump put his per- ings -- which began in late Sep- CBS on Sunday that there was ed those requests, sonal political interests above tember with the opening of the “overwhelming evidence that saying the three those of the country. House investigation -- on a fast the president sought to coerce are “irrelevant” at “I think the case we have, if track to a trial in early 2020 be- Ukraine into interfering in our this point. presented to a jury, would be fore the Republican-controlled election” and, more seriously, He rejected Re- a guilty verdict in about three Senate, where Trump is expect- “deeply sought to obstruct the publicans’ argument that direct evidence im- Nancy Pelosi minutes flat,” Nadler, an attor- ed to prevail. investigation into that wrong- Speaker of the ney by training, told CNN on The president has repeatedly doing.” plicating Trump in any Sunday. blasted the House inquiry as a wrongdoing was lacking. US House of Republican support Representatives The congressman, a long-time partisan attack -- he tweeted “The reason we don’t foe of Trump who hails from Sunday that the Judiciary hear- Most Republicans have stuck have more direct ev - 13 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019

PANIPAT (PG-15)(HINDI/WAR/DRAMA/HISTORICAL) CODE 8 (PG-15)(ACTION/THRILLER/DRAMA/SCI-FICTION) 21 BRIDGES (PG-15)(CRIME/ACTION/THRILLER) TERMINATOR: DARK FATE (PG-15)(ACTION OASIS JUFFAIR :10.30 AM + 1.45 + 5.00 + 8.15 + 11.30 PM OASIS JUFFAIR: 12.15 + 4.45 + 9.15 PM OASIS JUFFAIR : 12.45 + 6.00 + 11.15 PM CITY CENTRE: 12.15 + 6.00 + 11.45 PM CITY CENTRE:10.30 AM + 1.45 + 5.00 + 8.15 + 11.30 PM + (12.30 MN THURS/ CITY CENTRE:1.45 + 6.45 + 11.45 PM CITY CENTRE: 12.30 + 2.45 + 5.00 + 7.15 + 9.30 + 11.45 PM + (12.45 MN SEEF (II): 3.00 + 8.45 PM FRI) THURS/FRI) SEEF (II):11.15 AM + 4.15 + 9.15 PM LINDA HAMILTON, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, MACKENZIE DAVIS SEEF (I):10.45 AM + 2.00 + 5.15 + 8.30 + 11.45 PM WADI AL SAIL:7.30 + 9.45 + 12.00 MN CITY CENTRE (VIP I) :12.00 + 2.15 + 4.30 + 6.45 + 9.00 + 11.15 PM WADI AL SAIL:10.30 AM + 1.30 + 4.45 + 8.00 + 11.15 PM SEEF (II): 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 PM STEPHEN AMELL, ROBBIE AMELL, KARI MATCHETT THE ADDAMS FAMILY (PG)(ANIMATION/COMEDY) ARJUN KAPOOR, SANJAY DUTT, KRITI SANON CHADWICK BOSEMAN, SIENNA MILLER, STEPHAN JAMES CITY CENTRE: 10.30 AM + 12.30 + 2.30 + 4.30 PM A SCORE TO SETTLE (15+)(ACTION/DRAMA) OSCAR ISAAC, CHARLIZE THERON, CHLOË GRACE MORETZ SEEF (II): 6.15 + 8.30 + 10.45 PM + (1.00 AM THURS/FRI) WADI AL SAIL:2.30 + 7.00 + 11.30 PM GEMINI MAN (PG-15)(ACTION/THRILLER/DRAMA) NICOLAS CAGE, NOAH LE GROS, KAROLINA WYDRA CITY CENTRE: 6.30 + 9.00 + 11.30 PM DANIEL ISN’T REAL (15+)(THRILLER/HORROR/DRAMA) WILL SMITH, MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD, CLIVE OWEN OASIS JUFFAIR : 11.30 AM + 4.15 + 9.00 PM KHAYAL MAATA (PG)(COMEDY/DRAMA) SEEF (II):11.30 AM + 1.30 + 3.30 + 5.30 + 7.30 + 9.30 + 11.30 PM WADI AL SAIL:2.15 + 7.00 + 11.45 PM CITY CENTRE: 10.45 AM + 3.45 + 8.45 PM AHMAD HELMY, MINNA SHALABI, HASSAN HOSNEY PATRICK SCHWARZENEGGER, MILES ROBBINS, SASHA LANE UNBREAKABLE (PG-15)(FILIPINO/DRAMA) ANGEL HAS FALLEN (PG-15)(ACTION/THRILLER/DRAMA) SEEF (I) : 11.30 AM + 2.00 + 4.30 + 7.00 + 9.30 + 12.00 MN CITY CENTRE :1.15 + 6.15 + 11.15 PM GERARD BUTLER, MORGAN FREEMAN, JADA PINKETT SMITH ANGELICA PANGANIBAN, BEA ALONZO, RICHARD GUTIERREZ OMAR WA BISAT ELRIH (UP AND AWAY) (G) HELEN (PG-13)(MALAYALAM) SEEF (II): (ARABIC DUBBED): 11.15 AM + 1.00 + 2.45 + 4.30 PM LE MANS ‘66 (PG-13)(DRAMA/SPORT/BIOGRAPHY OASIS JUFFAIR : 11.00 AM + 4.00 + 9.00 PM OASIS JUFFAIR (VIP): 12.45 + 6.00 + 11.15 PM ANNA BEN, LAL, AJU VARGHESE, NOBLE THOMAS OASIS JUFFAIR: 3.00 + 8.15 PM CITY CENTRE:3.00 + 8.45 PM KETYOLANU ENTE MALAKHA (PG-15)(MALAYALAM) CITY CENTRE (IMAX 2D) :1.00 + 6.15 + 11.30 PM OASIS JUFFAIR : 11.45 AM + 2.30 + 5.15 + 8.00 + 10.45 PM SEEF (II):12.00 + 5.45 + 11.30 PM SEEF (I): 12.15 + 3.00 + 5.45 + 8.30 + 11.15 PM AL HAMRA:9.00 + (12.00 MN THURS/FRI) MATT DAMON, CHRISTIAN BALE, JON BERNTHAL ARCTIC DOGS (PG)(ANIMATION/ADVENTURE/COMEDY) ASIF ALI, VEENA NANDAKUMAR OASIS JUFFAIR (KIDS CINEMA):10.45 AM + 3.15 + 7.45 PM KNIVES OUT (PG-15)(CRIME/COMEDY/THRILLER) CITY CENTRE: 10.30 AM + 12.30 + 2.30 + 4.30 + 6.30 + 8.30 + 10.30 PM CITY CENTRE: 12.30 + 3.15 + 6.00 + 8.45 + 11.30 PM PUZHIKKADAKAN (PG-13)(MALAYALAM) SEEF (II): 11.45 AM + 1.45 + 3.45 + 5.45 + 7.45 PM OASIS JUFFAIR :1.30 + 6.30 + 11.30 PM DANIEL CRAIG, CHRIS EVANS, ANA DE ARMAS WADI AL SAIL10.30 AM + 12.45 + 3.00 + 5.15 PM SEEF (I): 10.30 AM + 1.00 + 3.30 + 6.00 + 8.30 + 11.00 PM JEREMY RENNER, HEIDI KLUM, JAMES FRANCO MALEFICENT 2: MISTRESS OF EVIL (PG)(ADVENTURE AL HAMRA: 3.00 + 6.00 PM MAALA PARVATHI, CHEMBAN VINOD JOSE, JAYASURYA HIGH STRUNG: FREE DANCE (PG-13)(DANCE/ROMANTIC/ CITY CENTRE: 11.00 AM + 1.30 + 4.00 + 6.30 + 9.00 + 11.30 PM SEEF (II): 12.00 + 2.30 + 5.00 + 7.30 + 10.00 PM OASIS JUFFAIR: 2.30 + 7.00 + 11.30 PM IRANDAM ULAGAPORIN KADAISI GUNDU ()(TAMIL) ANGELINA JOLIE, TERESA MAHONEY, MICHELLE PFEIFFER CITY CENTRE:12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 PM From Thursday 5th at 3.30 pm onward SEEF (II): 10.30 AM + 12.45 + 3.00 + 5.15 + 7.30 + 9.45 + 12.00 MN SEEF (I): 6.30 PM WADI AL SAIL:12.15 + 4.45 + 9.15 PM JOKER (15+)(THRILLER/CRIME/DRAMA) CITY CENTRE: 10.30 AM + 1.00 + 3.45 + 6.30 + 9.15 + 12.00 MN DINESH RAVI, ANANDI THOMAS DOHERTY, HARRY JARVIS, JULIET DOHERTY JOAQUIN PHOENIX, ZAZIE BEETZ, ROBERT DE NIRO DHANUSU RAASI NEYARGALAE ()(TAMIL) PATI PATNI AUR WOH (PG-15)(HINDI/COMEDY/ROMANTIC) MIRACLE IN CELL NO . 7 (PG-15)(TURKISH/DRAMA) From Thursday 5th at 3.30 pm onward OASIS JUFFAIR : 10.30 AM + 1.00 + 3.30 + 6.00 + 8.30 + 11.00 PM SEEF (I): 1.30 + 9.00 PM CITY CENTRE:12.15 + 3.00 + 5.45 + 8.30 + 11.15 PM CITY CENTRE: 12.15 + 3.00 + 5.45 + 8.30 + 11.15 PM SEEF (I) : 12.30 + 3.15 + 6.00 + 8.45 + 11.30 PM FROZEN II (PG)(ANIMATION/ADVENTURE/COMEDY) SEEF (II): 5.30 + 8.15 + 11.00 PM DINESH RAVI, ANANDI WADI AL SAIL:11.30 AM + 4.15 + 9.00 PM SEEF (II):(12.30 MN THURS/FRI) OASIS JUFFAIR (KIDS CINEMA):1.00 + 5.30 + 10.00 PM JADA (PG-13)(TAMIL) WADI AL SAIL:3.00 + 8.30 PM OASIS JUFFAIR (VIP):10.30 AM + 3.45 + 9.00 PM ARAS BULUT İYNEMLİ, NİSA SOFİYA AKSONGUR, İLKER AKSUM From Friday 6th KARTIK AARYAN, BHUMI PEDNEKAR, ANANYA PANDAY OASIS JUFFAIR : 11.45 AM + 2.00 + 4.15 + 6.30 + 8.45 + 11.00 PM CITY CENTRE: 11.45 AM + 2.00 + 4.15 + 6.30 + 8.45 + 11.00 PM CHARLIE’S ANGELS (PG-15)(ACTION/ADVENTURE/COMEDY) SEEF (I): 4.00 + 11.30 PM AL HAMRA: 12.00 NOON. DARK WATERS (PG-15)(DRAMA/BIOGRAPHY) CITY CENTRE (ATMOS): 10.30 AM + 12.45 + 3.00 + 5.15 + 7.30 + 9.45 + 12.00 CITY CENTRE:11.00 AM + 1.30 + 4.00 + 6.30 + 9.00 + 11.30 PM MN KATHIR, ROSHINI PRAKASH, SREEDHAR A.P, YOGI BABU, KISHORE OASIS JUFFAIR : 1.30 + 6.15 + 11.00 PM CITY CENTRE (IMAX 2D) :10.45 AM + 4.00 + 9.15 PM SEEF (II): 9.45 + 12.00 MN CITY CENTRE:11.00 AM + 4.00 + 9.00 PM CITY CENTRE (VIP II) :11.15 AM + 1.30 + 3.45 + 6.00 + 8.15 + 10.30 PM KRISTEN STEWART, NAOMI SCOTT, ELLA BALINSKA KAMALA (PG-15)(MALAYALAM) SEEF (II): 1.30 + 6.30 + 11.30 PM SEEF (II):10.45 AM + 11.45 AM + 1.00 + 2.00 + 3.15 + 4.15 + 6.30 + 8.45 + WADI AL SAIL:12.15 + 5.45 + 11.15 PM 11.00 PM PLAYING WITH FIRE (PG)(ADVENTURE/COMEDY/FAMILY) SEEF (I): 11.00 AM WADI AL SAIL: 12.00 + 2.15 + 4.30 + 6.45 + 9.00 + 11.15 PM KIM MOLINA, CAI CORTEZ, CHAD KINIS CITY CENTRE:11.15 AM + 1.30 + 3.45 + 6.00 + 8.15 + 10.30 PM RUHANI SHARMA, AJU VARGHESE, ANOOP MENON KRISTEN BELL, IDINA MENZEL, JOSH GAD JOHN CENA, KEEGAN-MICHAEL KEY, JOHN LEGUIZAMO

MOVIE REVIEW Arctic Dogs: turns your brain into mush Unremarkable kids’ cartoon offers self-esteem and environmental messaging

snow-packed surface to unleash Young audiences masses of ancient gas to melt the • Arctic and become the world’s will get OK animation supreme ruler. To stop this and straightforward sinister scheme, Swifty enlists moralizing, while their DON’T MISS IT the help of his friends: PB (Alec parents enjoy a brief nap Baldwin), a neurotic polar bear, Lemmy (James Franco), a scat- terbrained albatross, Jade Fox Jeremy Renner The animation is lazily (Heidi Klum), a brainy engineer, moves• from failed app assembled and looks Leopold (Omar Sy) and Bertha to failed kid’s movie shockingly cheap for (also voiced by Heidi Klum), two in this half-hearted something hitting the conspiracy theorist otters and big screen in 2019 Magda (Anjelica Huston), his CG kid’s flick curmudgeonly boss. On review aggregator web- rctic Dogs (also known site Rotten Tomatoes, the film as Arctic Justice or Po- holds an approval rating of Alar Squad in the UK) 14% based on 14 reviews, with is a 2019 computer-animated an average rating of 3.02/10. comedy film co-written and di- it, he commandeers one of the Metacritic assigned the film a rected by Aaron Woodley and sleds and delivers a mysterious weighted average score of 28 out co-directed by Dimos Vrysellas. package to a secret location. of 100, based on four critics, in- The film stars the voices of Jer- Once there, he stumbles on a dicating “generally unfavourable emy Renner, Heidi Klum, James hidden fortress overseen by the reviews”. Franco, John Cleese, Omar Sy, nefarious Otto Von Walrus (John Audiences polled by CinemaS- Michael Madsen, Laurie Hold- A scene from the movie Cleese). core gave the film an average en, Anjelica Huston, and Alec The blubbery evil genius grade of “B–” on an A+ to F scale, Baldwin. United States. It was panned $50 million. vice, but he has much bigger commands an army of oddly while those at PostTrak gave The film was released on No- by critics, and was a box of - Swifty the Arctic Fox (Jeremy dreams. He yearns to become a polite puffin henchmen. Swifty it an overall positive score of vember 1, 2019 by Entertain- fice bomb, grossing $6 million Renner) works in the mailroom Top Dog, the Arctic’s star husky discovers Otto Von Walrus’ vil- 64% and a 41% “definite recom- ment Studios in Canada and the against a production budget of of the Arctic Blast Delivery Ser- couriers. To prove he can do lainous plan to drill beneath the mend”. 14 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 celebs

Kylie Jenner all jazzed up for Gal Gadot in her daughter’s second birthday element in ‘Wonder ANI | Los Angeles her daughter’s second. dubbed it ‘Stormi World’. “Starting to plan Stormi’s 2nd Earlier on Saturday, the Kylie lobal fashion icon Kylie bday .. it’s gonna be insane i can’t American media person- Jenner Woman 1984’ teaser! GJenner is all jazzed up for wait,” tweeted Jenner on Sat- ality shared several ador- daughter Stormi’s second birth- urday. able videos of her daugh- ANI | Los Angeles day bash as she has started plan- Earlier this year, the proud ter Stormi snowboarding. ning for the party. mommy left no stone unturned in The proud mama hile fans across the globe are Jenner’s daughter will turn planning a lavish birthday party gushed over her kid as eagerly waiting to see Gal Gad- two next year in February. The for her toddler on her first birth- “Yay! Good girl!” Stormi Wot in her superhero role, the 22-year-old model took to Twit- day as she transformed the party was then seen waving makers of ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ dropped ter to share her excitement about hall in an amusement park and off to the distance. the first teaser of the movie on Saturday (local time). “The first teaser is out! Stay tuned for the full trailer tomorrow!! Here we go...!!!#WW84 @WonderWomanFilm,” Gadot tweeted ‘Benson,’ ‘Star Trek’ actor René alongside the teaser. In the twenty-four-second video, the Israeli actress who gained fame for her Auberjonois has died at 79 portrayal of Wonder Woman beginning with ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Jus- AP | Los Angeles For film fans of the 1970s, he was Fa- tice’ donned in her red-golden suit, while ther John Mulcahy, the military chap- delivering some serious action. ené Auberjonois, a pro - lain who played straight man to the The short video also has a voice-over Rlific actor best known for doctors’ antics in “M.A.S.H.” It was his of the lead character saying, “Nothing his roles on television shows first significant film role and the first good is born from lies” and “greatness “Benson” and “Star Trek: of several for director Robert Altman. is not what you think.” Deep Space Nine” and his For sitcom watchers of the 1980s, he Earlier in June, the poster of the film part in 1970 film “M.A.S.H.” was Clayton Runnymede Endicott III, was unveiled by the makers. playing Father Mulcahy, has the hopelessly highbrow chief of staff The poster featured Gadot as the died. He was 79. RenÇ Auberjonois at a governor’s mansion on “Benson,” fierce Amazon warrior Diana Prince, The actor died Sunday at his the ABC series whose title character was decked up in a golden body armour home in Los Angeles of metastat- eral golden ages, from the dynamic a butler played by Robert Guillaume. standing against a neon-hued back- ic lung cancer, his son Rèmy-Luc theater of the 1960s to the cinema re- And for sci-fi fans of the 1990s and drop. Auberjonois told The Associated naissance of the 1970s to the prime pe- convention-goers ever since, he was ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ is sched- Press. riod of network television in the 1980s Odo, the shape-shifting Changeling and uled to hit the theatres on June 5, René Auberjonois worked con- and 1990s — and each generation knew head of space-station security on “Star 2020. Gal Gadot stantly as a character actor in sev- him for something different. Trek: Deep Space Nine.”

Emma Rebel Wilson admits she’s Stone Emma Stone, Fiance Dave McCary hold hands at SNL ‘never been drunk’ afterparty Fox | Los Angeles down with Cosmopolitan to dish on “Cats” and the backlash ebel Wilson has opened up the initial trailer received after ANI | Los Angeles sweater and pants, reported Rabout her drinking habits. viewers were shocked to see I cultivate this People magazine. The “Pitch Perfect” star vis- the human-like cats featured ‘party girl’ image, merican actor Emma Earlier in the weekend, the ited “The Late Late Show with in the film. like, on Instagram AStone and her fi - couple also enjoyed a night out James Corden” to dish on her “I loved the ance American comedi- with a group of pals, which upcoming film “Cats,” when reaction,” and stuff, but an-writer Dave McCary included comedian and actor, she revealed that she’s never she admit- it’s not true. It’s held hands at their first Amy Schumer. actually been drunk in her life. ted. “I think just, like, me with public appearance since McCary and Stone an - “Fun fact,” said the 39-year- it was a bit bottles. It’s an announcing their engage- nounced their engagement on old actress. “I’ve never been polarizing internal joke with ment earlier this week. social media on Wednesday drunk in my whole entire and myself The couple was spotted night. life.” at the Saturday Night Lives’ They have been dating each After silence from the REBEL WILSON afterparty in New York City other for over two years now. audience, she added: early on Sunday (local time). The couple met when Stone “That’s not a joke.” Clad in a chic dark coat, the hosted NBC’s long-running Country crooner actress’ unique pearl engage- comedy variety show at the Kacey Musgraves, ment ring was clearly visible. end of 2016, and the two col- who was also visit- Meanwhile, McCary was laborated on a taped sketch di- ing the show, said, seen sporting a casual look, rected by McCary titled ‘Wells “Wait, no,” while got in that trailer was with denim coat over a dark for Boys. Corden’s jaw just some small samples dropped. of it, but it’s going to be “I cultivate such a big movie.” this ‘party Wilson herself J-Lo, fiance girl’ image, wasn’t shocked by the snapped stealing a like, on Ins- final product at all, tagram and however. kiss in Manhattan stuff, but “To me, it looked it’s not like how I thought ANI | Los Angeles true,” it would look,” she Wilson said. “What’s so ove birds Jennifer admit- brilliant about the LLopez and Alex Rod- ted. movie is the danc- riguez were snapped steal- “ I t ’ s ing, it’s got some ing a kiss while leaving the just, like, of the world’s best Rockefeller Center in the me with bottles. It’s an dancers, from ballet Rebel Wilson heart of Manhattan. internal joke with myself.” dancers to hip hop danc- In the picture reported According to E! News, people ers... Oh, and tap dancers! It’s by People magazine, the Wilson learned in school will be incredible. I can’t wait for peo- American actress and sing- that alcohol killed brain super cu- ple to see those big numbers on er, 50, looked dope wearing cells, so she never tried it be- rious to the big screen.” a black floral jacket on top fore she was 25. In Australia, see the “Cats,” also starring Cord- of a blue dress paired with the actress’s home country, the finished en, Taylor Swift, Jason Derulo dark blue high-knee snake- legal drinking age is 18. product. and more, is slated to arrive in skin boots. Wilson also recently sat What you theaters Dec. 20. 15 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 sports

Hayder Hassan excited for Kyrgyzstan and ‘good scrap’ with Carl Booth Porsche Sprint Challenge ME kicks off new season The event will support FIA WEC Bapco 8 Hours of Bahrain at BIC

TDT | Manama

he Porsche Sprint Chal- lenge Middle East is all Tset to kick start its 11th season this coming weekend in support of the FIA WEC Bapco TDT | Manama guy in Carl Booth. I love his 8 Hours of Bahrain at Bahrain style, he’s like myself, always International Circuit (BIC) in elterweight Hayder goes forward. He’s a warrior Sakhir. WHassan is one of sev - and brings the fight like my- The meeting is set to feature eral new signings for BRAVE self. I can’t wait to scrap it out three races, to be held Friday Combat Federation and will be with him and I’m hoping for a and Saturday (Editor’s note: De- putting a three-fight winning good scrap against Carl. Don’t cember 13 and 14), with a highly streak on the line in the main miss it guys!”, said Hayder. competitive grid lining up at event spot, something which is A dangerous stand-up with “The Home of Motorsport in the rare for a debutant. He’s aware a wrestling background, Hay- Middle East”. of the importance of his bout der Hassan has six KO/TKO The Porsche Sprint Challenge against Carl Booth in the main victories and will hope to add Middle East is the region’s most event of BRAVE CF 32, which one more to his resume on De- professional and most success- will take place on December cember 14th. A win over a for- ful one-make GT series. It is Action from Porsche Sprint Challenge at BIC (file photo) 14th, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, mer title contender in Booth powered by motorsport experts in partnership with WEF Glob- could potentially move Has- Lechner Racing, headed by al, and hopes to “scrap it out” san further ahead on the line Austrian racing legend Walter Abu Dhabi. tions for the first round with a The Porsche Sprint Chal - with “The Bomber”. to challenge reigning world Lechner. The final two rounds will be two-day pre-season test at BIC, lenge Middle East is one of After his last sparring ses- champion Jarrah Al-Selawe. Featuring a new name but back at the series’ home track held Sunday and Monday. two support series during WEC sion at the world-renowned BRAVE CF 32 takes place at the same identity, the challenge at BIC, with round four taking The series’ “Wall of Champi- weekend. The other is the In- American Top Team, Hassan the Sport Palace Kozhomkul, gives participating drivers an place on February 21 and 22 ons” is a mix of talents coming dia-based single-seater champi- spoke of his excitement at where the first co-promotion equal chance to compete, as and then the season-finale be- from all across the globe. They onship the MRF Challenge. flying out to Kyrgyzstan and between BRAVE Combat Fed- they race in identically con - ing held on March 21 and 22 in include last season’s winner Al The FIA WEC Bapco 8 Hours being a part of the first event eration and WEF Global takes structed Porsche GT3 Cup cars support of the Formula 1 Gulf Faisal Al Zubair of Oman and of Bahrain will be taking place co-promoted between the fast- place. In total, eight nations type 991.2. Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2020. previous victors Ryan Cullen alongside the BIC National Day est-growing MMA organization will be represented, with fight- The upcoming campaign fea- The drivers this season once from Ireland, Jeffrey Schmidt Festival, which will be running in the world and the biggest ers from Brazil, USA, England, tures five rounds in all, to be again hail from as many as a from Switzerland, Zaid Ash- for four days straight from Fri- Kyrgyzstani promotion. Russia, Mexico, Sweden, and held in Bahrain and the UAE. dozen different nations across kanani from Kuwait, Clemens day to Monday. The Bapco 8 “I’m so excited to fight in Uzbekistan taking on Kyr- The second round is set for four continents, including Asia, Schmid from Austria, Shaikh Hours of Bahrain will mark front of my brothers and sis- gyzstan’s finest in a fight card January 24 and 25 at Dubai Europe, America and Africa, Salman bin Rashid Al Khalifa the fourth of eight rounds in ters in Kyrgyzstan and I can’t which promises to take the Autodrome, followed by round making for a truly international from Bahrain, and the first-ever the 2019/2020 FIA World wait to make my BRAVE CF de- local MMA scene to the next three on January 31 and Feb - line-up. champion Prince Abdulaziz Al Endurance Championship but. I’m fighting a very tough level. ruary 1 at Yas Marina Circuit in They began their prepara- Faisal from Saudi Arabia. (WEC).

Shaikh Khalid: Bahrain make history with title Bahrain Club powers to Teams gold TDT | Manama ball team. It’s a direct outcome Asian Football Championship of the unlimited support sports last August marked the King- H Shaikh Khalid bin Ham- receiving from HM King Hamad dom’s new dawn in this sport Gotencio wins Had Al Khalifa, First Dep- bin Isa Al Khalifa, which has and this was followed by lifting • uty Chairman of the Supreme contributed to accomplishing the Arabian Gulf Cup.” all events Council for Youth and Sports many achievements at regional, Moreover, HH Shaikh Khalid and President of Bahrain Olym- continental and international hailed the performances show- TDT | Manama pic Committee hailed the per- levels. Such accomplishments cased by the Bahrainis through- formance of Bahrain’s National have contributed to cementing out the tournament, underlin- ahrain Club had twice the Football team for their triumph Bahrain’s leading position in ing that the Kingdom’s players Breason to celebrate follow- in the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup sports,” HH Shaikh Khalid said. made a historic achievement ing the latest evening of com- after defeating Saudi Arabia 1-0 He further added, “What has by winning the tournament for petition in the Bahrain Bowl- in the final game, held in Doha. been achieved is the fruit of my the first time. He congratulat- ing Association League at Sitra “We are extremely proud of brother HH Shaikh Nasser’s vi- ed Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Mall. this historic victory which was sion to uplift the football sports Khalifa, President of Bahrain Emerson Gotencio, Fawaz achieved by our national foot- in Bahrain. Winning the West Football Association on the win. Abdulla, Ahmed Othman, Mo- hammed Moreed and Abdulla Gotencio, right, with Bahain Club teammates, from left, Abdulkarim, Othman, Abdulkarim joined forces to Abdulla and Moreed capture the Teams Event gold BTA conducts mixed doubles tournament medal; while Gotencio added erage, while Othman rounded on the podium. The rest of the the All Events gold medal fol- out Bahrain Club’s scorers with standings from fourth through TDT | Manama lowing their impressive display. counts of 1,059 and 176.5. eighth, respectively, featured The victorious quintet post- Finishing as the silver-med- Um Al Hassam, Isa Town, Al ahrain Tennis Academy ed a team total of 6,429 pins allists were East Riffa’s squad Hala, Riffa and Deaf Club. B(BTA) held the thirteenth over six games for an average of featuring Ahmed Al Awadhi, Following the completion of edition of their Social Mixed 214.3 pins per game. Their over- Yousif Al Awadhi, Ahmed the Teams Event, Gotencio ce- Doubles Tennis Tournament all high game was 1,200 in the Fared, Ahmed Algaoud and mented his place on the top of at the Dilmun Club, Saar. The fourth, which was also when Ahmed Abduljabbar. They had the All Events standings with one-day event, which specif- Gotencio scored a perfect 300 a team total of 6,340 for a 211.3 a total of 5,555 pins for a 231.5 ically targets new and recrea- – the only one of the contest. average. Their high game was average. That score was the sum tional players, was played with Gotencio was Bahrain Club’s 1,130 in game number six. of his totals from the Singles a slightly slower ball to give Mixed Doubles participants after the matches top individual performer. He Taking the bronze were Ma- (1,312), Doubles (1,366), Tri- players more time to react. had a personal total of 1,456 nama Club, featuring Ahmed os (1,421) and Teams (1,456) In the preliminary rounds, Mohammed Gaith and Marian- ban and Kerri Smallwood-Dar- pins for an average of 242.7. Rahimi, Emad Jahromi, Ali Al- Events. teams competed in short na Muursepp defeated Arsalan wish to claim the gold medals Abdulkarim registered their mas, Jan Villanueva and Ahmed Manama’s Alkhaja won the matches against all other teams. Iqbal and Lyn Barrie 7-6, 7-5 to and the “BTA Torch” perpetual second-best score of 1,338 for Alkhaja. They had a 6,155 total silver medal with a 5,368 to - At the end of the group stage claim the bronze medals. trophy with a 7-6, 7-1 victory, a 223.0 average, while Abdulla and a 205.2 average with a high tal and 223.7 average, whereas the top four teams progressed Then, in the final between the leaving Samir and Kerri to take had a 1,331 total and a 221.8 av- game of 1,086. Gotencio’s teammate Abdulka- to the semi-finals. top two teams, Jon and Julie home the silver medals. erage. Moreed chipped in with A total of eight five-mem - rim secured the bronze medal In the play-off for third-place, Goodall overcame Samir Chi- a 1,245 score and a 207.5 av - ber teams competed for a place with counts of 5,327 and 222.0. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 16

Dortmund star Witsel Bahrain to focus has surgery after domestic accident AFP | Berlin Witsel will miss Dortmund’s on qualifiers orussia Dortmund mid- final Champions League group Bfielder Axel Witsel will game at home to Sparta Prague miss the rest of the year after on Tuesday. After historic Gulf Cup needing surgery for a facial in- They must better Inter Mi- jury sustained in an accident at lan’s result against Barcelo- triumph, Nationals home, his club said yesterday. na at the San Siro in order to “We couldn’t talk to him yes- reach the last 16. terday (Sunday) because he The Belgium international must shift focus to joint- was in intensive care in hospi- will also be sidelined for tal,” said Dortmund coach the next three league qualifiers Lucien Favre, while a club games. Dortmund spokesman said Witsel are third in the fell at home but gave no table, five points TDT | Manama further details. behind Bundesliga “He won’t be able to leaders Borussia Mo- ahrain head play for the rest of the enchengladbach. coach Helio The players were incredible, year, but he is al - Witsel BSousa says they were fantastic. Don’t forget ready at home,” played in Sat- that the nation - we are working with semi- added Favre. urday’s 5-0 al team must now professional players that are with “It’s a shame thrashing shift their focus to great compromise with what we for him and us, of Fortuna their joint-qualify- are proposing every time he’s an important Duesseldorf ing campaign for player. Hopeful- and has fea- the Fifa World Cup HELIO SOUSA ly he is back as tured in all 2022 and the AFC soon as possi- five Cham- Asian Cup 2023 keep going forward, but in March we have ble.” pions League following their another challenge – a big challenge to get The group games historic victory in the three points from our next game in the 30-year-old this campaign. the 24th Arabian qualifiers and to keep going our way to try Axel Witsel Gulf Cup. and arrive to what we have in front of us.” Sousa and his squad Bahrain have three games remaining in were given a hero’s wel- Group C of the joint World Cup and Asian come yesterday as they returned Cup qualifiers. They resume their campaign Klopp says he never from Doha where they won the on March 26 at home against Cambodia. prestigious regional competition They then play Iran in Tehran on June 4, doubted Keita’s quality for the first time. before closing out this stage against Hong The Portuguese tactician said Kong at home on June 9. AFP | London July 2018 and before Saturday that he was delighted with their Iraq are atop the group with 11 had played just 14 minutes of success and the way his players points. They have a two-point iver- Premier League football this responded to the challenge in the lead over Bahrain. Iran are Lpool season. tournament, but they must now look third with six points boss Jurgen But the 24-year-old, whose forward to achieving other goals. and have a game in Naby Klopp says he has Anfield career has been dis- “The players were incredible, they hand, while Hong Keita never doubt- rupted by injuries, gave a re- were fantastic,” Sousa said of their Kong were fourth on ed the quality minder of his ability with a showing in the Gulf Cup. “Don’t for- five points and Cambodia fifth with one. of midfielder goal and an assist on his first get we are working with semi-pro- In this phase of the joint-qualifiers, there Naby Keita de- top-flight start of the cam - fessional players that are with great are eight groups in all, with five nations in spite the Guinea paign in Saturday’s 3-0 win at compromise with what we are pro- each group. Teams play home and away international’s Bournemouth. posing every time. matches. At the end, the eight group win- limited impact Klopp, who has reassured “They are trying to give the max- ners and the four best runners-up advance since his arriv- Keita about his lack of first- imum from their quality and their to the third round of World Cup qualifying, al at Anfield last team opportunities, ad - capacity, and every time they try to and also book their berths in the Asian Cup. year. mits the relentless form of do it better. The next best 24 teams will compete in a Keita has been his league leaders and a se - “In this way we can conquer the separate competition for the remaining 12 confined to a bit- ries of tight matches have things we already conquered in the slots in the Asian Cup. part role since his made it difficult to give him last five months, but there is still much “This is a unique moment for us,” Sou- £52.75 million minutes. more to conquer. sa said. “The players are gaining fantastic ($69 million) “Naby had injuries, the “The Gulf Cup was good and fantas- mentality. We will be there fighting to win move from team is in really good shape, tic. It is great moment to grow up, to in every game.” RB Leip- so then do you change?,” said zig in Klopp.

Guardiola admits Man City standards have slipped Maguire says top four in sight for improving Man Utd Guardiola is not gameplan. • AFP | Manchester Solskjaer’s side could have ready to give up on his added to goals from Marcus side’s title defence arry Maguire has the top Rashford and Anthony Martial Hfour in his crosshairs in a fine first half that laid the AFP | Manchester after Manchester United’s foundation for the 2-1 victory, thrilling derby triumph at which moved them to within Manchester City lifted them five points of fourth-placed ep Guardiola says Man - to fifth in the Premier League Chelsea. Pchester City may no longer table. “I think you need to look be able to match the standards A week that started with after your own results, don’t of the best teams after a pain- manager Ole Gunnar Solsk- look elsewhere, keep winning ful defeat against Manchester jaer under pressure after a games,” said Maguire, the United left them 14 points be- below-par performance in a world’s most expensive de- hind Premier League leaders home draw against promoted fender. Liverpool. Aston Villa ended with a sec- “We’ve won back-to-back Guardiola’s City have been ond memorable victory in a games against Spurs and City. the Premier League’s out - Pep Guardiola passes on instructions to Kevin De Bruyne in Saturday’s derby defeat matter of days. We’ve got another big game standing side over the past two Fresh from deservedly next week now (at home to years, clocking up 100 points have to accept that,” said the to improve, to accept the reality League Cup quarter-finals and seeing off Jose Mourin- Everton). in 2017/18 and retaining the City boss. now and improve.” have a kind draw for the start ho’s Tottenham 2-1 on “The top four is in sight title last term during their tre- “That is the level we face Guardiola, however, is not of their FA Cup defence next Wednesday, United won but we just keep looking ble-winning campaign. against Liverpool, United, Bar- ready to give up on his side’s month. by the same scoreline after our own re - Guardiola hopes City, who celona, Madrid, Juventus. They title defence and there is also “The reality is we are 14 at the Etihad sults, keep try- have now lost four of their 16 are the teams we have to face plenty more to play for in the points behind for the mistakes Stadium on ing to get league games this season, will and the reality is maybe we are remainder of the campaign. we have done, for the quality of Saturday the three be able to learn from their set- not able now to compete with City have already qualified our opponents and especially, thanks to points backs. them. for the last 16 of the Champions as well, the things we cannot a breath- and “United have the quality to “We have to improve and ac- League ahead of Wednesday’s control,” said Guardiola. “That tak- keep defend and the quality to attack cept it and move forward. May- final group game against Dina- is the reality but we have to ing start improv- on the counter-attack and you be we need to live that as a club mo Zagreb, are through to the continue. and impressive ing.” Harry Maguire