TWITTER SPORTS @newsofbahrain OP-ED 8 Ayatollahs should be most afraid of Iran’s own citizens INSTAGRAM Muharraq battle /nobmedia 26 past Ahli LINKEDIN THURSDAY newsofbahrain DECEMBER 2019 Muharraq overcame a late 210 FILS WHATSAPP challenge from Al Ahli in 38444692 ISSUE NO. 8337 a hard-earned 86-82 vic- tory last night in the Top FACEBOOK /nobmedia Six Division of the Zain Bahrain Basketball League, MAIL [email protected] being played at Zain Arena in Um Al Hassam. WEBSITE newsofbahrain.com P16

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Two terrorists killed Riyadh

audi security forces shot Sand killed two fugitive wanted terrorists yester- day during a raid on their hideout in the eastern city of Dammam.The shoot- out took place as police prepared to storm a house in the upmarket residen- tial neighbourhood of Al Anoud, where the two men had been hiding. Innovation medals School assemblies cancelled Sources in the security Under the patronage of HM the King’s over ‘eclipse concerns’ services said the terrorists Representative for Charity Work and had begun shooting, and Youth Affairs, National Security Adviser timings due to the eclipse. were killed when security and Royal Guard Commander, Major- The eclipse will However, this will not be forces returned fire. General HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad • applicable to public schools. Earlier, security forces Al Khalifa, and in the presence of the be begin at 6:25 am The Ministry of Education had cordoned off the area Royal Guard’s Special Force Commander, and will continue confirmed that schools will to protect local residents, Lieutenant-Colonel HH Shaikh Khalid till 7:49 am. function as usual. It stat- and had called on the two bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the distribution ed that the scheduled ex- ceremony for the first edition of the men to surrender. TDT | Manama aminations will take place Afterwards, security and “Nasser bin Hamad Military Innovation without change. criminal investigation agen- Award” was held yesterday at the Crown The eclipse will be begin cies began investigations Prince’s Centre for Medical Training orning assem- at 6:25 am and will continue at the scene of the shoot- and Research at the Bahrain Defence blies have been till 7:49 am. The peak of the out. The Saudi Presidency Force (BDF). On the occasion, HH cancelled at all eclipse in Bahrain will be at Shaikh Nasser stressed the importance M of State Security said that schools as the Kingdom will 6:36 am. of stimulating intellectual creativity it would issue a statement today witness deepest solar According to NASA, the of the BDF’s affiliates, honing their with a full account of the eclipse in 100 years. following materials should skills and highlighting their talent in incident “after gathering all order to be able to better serve the Though the Education never be used to view a so- necessary data.” BDF through research and projects, Ministry did not state the lar eclipse: sunglasses of as well as enable them to compete at reason, it is understood any kind, colour film, med- the international level. “Nasser bin that the step comes as a ical X-ray film, smoked Russian activist Hamad Military Innovation Award” aims precaution. glass and floppy disks. to stimulate creativity and promote People have been warned The sun’s UV radiation ‘kidnapped’ the culture of innovation among the not to look at the sun with can burn the retinas in the Moscow BDF affiliates, as well as provide a naked eyes during the eyes leading to permanent competitive environment for coming up eclipse as it may lead to damage or even blindness. ussian opposition lead- with innovations that would contribute severe damage including This can occur even if Rer Alexei Navalny has to improving the performance of the permanent blindness. your eyes are exposed to condemned the forcible military establishment in the Kingdom. Some private schools direct sunlight for just a conscription of one of his See Page 3 have announced a change in few seconds. allies to serve at a military base in the Arctic. Ruslan Shaveddinov was seized at his home in Mos- cow on Monday and flown 2,000km (1,240 miles) to the remote Novaya Zemlya archipelago. Mr Navalny accused the authorities of kidnapping ‘May peace prevail’ the activist who, he said, was exempt from military service. Pope’s Christmas message appeals for peace in global flashpoints the many children suffering from tims have backfired. The prince The pope and war and conflicts in the Middle gave up his public duties last • East and in various countries of month. the Archbishop of the world,” Francis said in his In her traditional Christmas Canterbury sent traditional Christmas message at Day message later Wednesday, DON’T MISS IT wishes of “peace and the Vatican, singling out the crises Queen Elizabeth was to describe prosperity” to South in Venezuela and Lebanon as well 2019 as “quite bumpy” after a year as armed conflicts ravaging many of crises in the royal family. Sudan as negotiations African countries. A bank robber brought some faltered between the Earlier Wednesday, the pope offbeat Christmas joy to stunned Kingdom government and rebels. and the Archbishop of Canter- passers-by in Colorado, police 02 celebrates bury Justin Welby sent wishes of confirmed Wednesday. Christmas Paris’s Notre Dame “peace and prosperity” to South The white-bearded man robbed • Sudan as negotiations faltered the bank in Colorado Springs on Cathedral, ravaged by between the African country’s Monday, then threw the stolen ‘Culture of fire in April, was unable government and rebels. cash in the air for people to grab, innovation’ to hold its traditional The spiritual leaders of more US media reported. key to sustain Christmas Eve Mass than 1.3 billion Christians said Pope Francis speaks during his annual audience to give Christmas greetings to In the biblical town of Bethle- 03 they were praying “for a renewed members of the Roman Curia at the Vatican. hem on Tuesday, a few hundred growth across for the first time in commitment to the path of rec- worshippers gathered in the fields more than 200 years. onciliation and fraternity” in the Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II church on the site of Jesus’s birth world’s newest nation. arrived for the annual Christ- for midnight mass, attended by Pal- Anti-FMD Vatican City Typhoon Phanfone meanwhile mas Day service in Sandringham estinian president Mahmud Abbas. vaccination drive brought a wet, miserable and ter- May Christ bring his without her ailing husband Prince Hundreds more gathered out- 04 hristmas celebrations rifying holiday season to the cen- light to the many Philip, 98, who was released from side, watching on screens in the ‘a big success’ kicked off around the tral Philippines, stranding tens of children suffering from hospital after a four-night stay for crisp air. At midnight bells rang Cworld yesterday with thousands of people. war and conflicts in an unspecified illness. out throughout the town, before 210 fils (includes VAT) Pope Francis appealing for peace In France, Christmas was also a But she was accompanied Archbishop Pierbattista Pizz- in many of the world’s hotspots gloomy affair as a crippling trans- the Middle East and in by Prince Andrew, her scan - aballa, the most senior Roman while festivities were muted for port strike against pension reform various countries of the dal-plagued second son, whose Catholic official in the Middle Filipinos battered by a typhoon, was set to enter its fourth week, world. disastrous attempts to distance East, led hymns and said prayers. as well as in strike-bound France. ruining the plans of many to gath- POPE FRANCIS himself from American convicted “At Christmas, all the world “May Christ bring his light to er with family and friends. paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s vic- looks to us, to Bethlehem,” he said. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019 02

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday received a written message from Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte dealing with bilateral relations binding the two countries. This came as HM the King received at Al Safriya Palace, Special Envoy of the Philippines President Robert Eric, accompanied by Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Ministry Sarah Lou Arriola, who delivered the written message. The envoy conveyed to HM the King greetings from President Duterte, who wished the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people further progress and prosperity. HM the King extended greetings to the Philippines president, wishing his friendly people further progress and prosperity. HM the King welcomed the Philippines envoy and undersecretary, hailing bilateral relations and steadily-growing joint co-operation in all fields, in light of the mutual keenness on developing ties and achieving common aspiration. Kingdom celebrates Christmas The right to religious freedom is guaranteed by law and is enshrined in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Constitution Manama freedom that we enjoy in this country, as we perform all our hristians from several celebrations in absolute free- communities in Bahrain Christmas here has a dom.” Ccelebrated Christmas beautiful and distinctive “On this glorious occasion, yesterday in a joyous spirit and sentiment because we there was a remarkable partic- amid expressions of gratitude feel that we celebrate ipation by our Muslim brethren for the tolerance they enjoy in in the Mass. This is what distin- the Kingdom. amid our families and guishes Bahrain and its people,” Hundreds of Christians gath- our people. she said. ered at the various churches in FR SABA HIDOSSIAN Most Christian families ar- Bahrain where they prayed for rived in Bahrain late in the 19th peace and serenity across the peace prevail across the world.” century and were followed in the world while malls set up giant Jennifer, a Lebanese expatri- 1940s by more Arab Christian, Christmas trees with hundreds ate who has been living for years mostly from Syria, Lebanon, of light balls, in different col- in Bahrain said that she never Egypt, Palestine and Jordan, ours, spiralled around them. felt out of place in the Kingdom. who came to work as teachers, “The celebration of Christmas “I have been here for a very doctors and businessmen. in Bahrain is not different from long time. I feel that it is my first According to the Christian the celebrations that take place country, a country that respects community, Bahraini Christians in Christian countries,” Father me and respects my religious constitute around 1 per cent of Saba Hidossian, from the Greek rituals with great pleasure,” she the total population, but the Orthodox Church, said. said. number of Christians from other “We celebrate here with “On the occasion of the glo- nationalities, living and working love, affection and peace, and Special prayers were held across churches marking Christmas. rious feasts, the family meets in Bahrain, is over 100,000. everyone participates with us. for the ten years. ma, said the church celebrated dom. Therefore, here you see in with friends and loved ones, The first Christian church was Christmas here has a beautiful “I never felt any form of al- Christmas in Manama and in the heart of the Church various and Santa Claus distributes toys built in 1905 by American mis- and distinctive sentiment be- ienation, so I pray to God, on several areas in the Kingdom. groups of Bahrainis, Christians and gifts to the children so that sionaries soon after their arrival. cause we feel that we celebrate the occasion of Christmas, to “In this beautiful country, we and different communities; in- their hearts can rejoice. In the Under the reforms launched amid our families and our peo- preserve this country, its rulers have learned that there is no deed, this is a beautiful and won- evening, we go to the church for by His Majesty King Hamad bin ple and we do not feel that we and its kind people.” difference between religions and derful country,” he said. Mass and prayers.” Isa Al Khalifa, the right to reli- are strangers,” he told the local Father Fayad Charbel, from our celebration of Christmas al- “Therefore, on this glorious Another Lebanese, Leema gious freedom is guaranteed by media. the Sacred Heart Church, a Ro- ways witnesses the participation day, we pray to God to protect Haddad, said that she was grate- law and is enshrined in the King- The priest has been in Bahrain man Catholic parish in Mana- of all denominations in the King- this beloved country and that ful to God “for the blessing of dom of Bahrain’s Constitution.

Southern Governor Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa received at his weekly Majlis yesterday dignitaries, citizens, senior officials, Interior Ministry officers and media persons. He stressed development in the southern governorate thanks to the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the support of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. The Southern Governor affirmed keenness on direct communication with citizens to achieve their aspirations and reach out to their needs. He lauded co-operation between the Southern Governorate and the Interior Ministry’s security directorates to promote security throughout the governorate. He pointed out the ongoing projects in the Southern Governorate to optimise services for citizens. He also reviewed with the audience the governorate’s main security and development achievements in 2019.

Gulf Air yesterday welcomed members of the Bahraini National Football Team to celebrate their victory in the title of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup at its headquarters. The ceremony was attended by members of the boards of Gulf Air and Bahrain Football Association and the national carrier’s staff, headed by Zayed Al Zayani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gulf Air and Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, and Kamal Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications. The event was also attended by Shaikh Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Second Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports. The celebration included Bahraini folk dance and traditional Bahraini food; where the National Carrier honoured the National Team players and presented them with gifts. Gulf Air’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AbdulHameed Al Alawi delivered a speech at the ceremony, in which he expressed his appreciation and gratitude for this great sporting achievement that was dedicated to the leadership and the people of the Kingdom. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019 03

HH Shaikh Nasser congratulated• the winners of the award for military innovation.

He also paid tribute to all• officials in the BDF’s General Command, led by Commander-in- Chief, for their constant support for the Award.

Manama HH Shaikh Nasser presents a BDF official with distinction medal. HH Shaikh Nasser, HH Shaikh Khalid being received upon arrival.

nder the patronage of HM the King’s Represent- Uative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs, National Se- curity Adviser and Royal Guard ‘Culture of innovation’ key to Commander, Major-General HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and in the presence of the Royal Guard’s Special Force Commander, Lieutenant-Colo- nel HH Shaikh Khalid bin Ham- sustain growth across fields ad Al Khalifa, the distribution ceremony of the first edition of the “Nasser bin Hamad Military HH Shaikh Nasser launched the prestigious award to motivate all Innovation Award” was held yesterday at the Crown Prince’s BDF affiliates and promote the culture of innovation Centre for Medical Training and Research at the Bahrain Defence participants in it from various to continue exerting efforts, novations that would contribute Force. BDF branches and units, in addi- and to carry on their creative to improving the performance Deputy Royal Guard Com - tion to retired servicemen. approach to be able to provide of the military establishment in mander and Chairman of the He pointed out that the Award innovative solutions to various the Kingdom. award’s organising committee, has brought to light the creative difficulties and challenges, wish- Eligible participants, includ- Major-General Hamad Khalifa ideas of officers and service - ing everyone success in the com- ing BDF’s military and civil affil- Al Nuaimi, delivered a statement men on ways to enhance per- ing years. iates, in addition to retired ser- in which he hailed HH Shaikh formance, noting that identify- “Nasser bin Hamad Military vicemen, were required by the Nasser’s patronage of the first ing talented competencies and Innovation Award” aims to organising committee to come edition of the “Nasser bin Ham- investing in them would reflect stimulate creativity and pro - up with innovative idea, in Ara- ad Military Innovation Award”. positively on the BDF and the mote the culture of innovation bic or English, that could be ap- He asserted that HH Shaikh homeland. among the BDF affiliates, as well plied, turned into a product, or Nasser had launched the pres- HH Shaikh Nasser urged the as provide a competitive envi- contribute to developing tech- tigious award to motivate all BDF HH Shaikh Nasser speaks to members of the media. winners and other participants ronment for coming up with in- nical or scientific performance. affiliates, and promote the cul- ture of innovation among them ufacturing of the armoured in the medical, technical and vehicle (Faisal), led by First administrative fields in order Sergeant Mohammed Abdul- to serve the military field in the Bahrain, under the la Al Dossari, won the Mili- operational and training aspects. leadership of HM the tary Innovation Award in the He added that HH Shaikh King, has harnessed military field category. Nasser’s initiative to launch the First Sergeant Isa Abdulla award had appealed to all BDF all its potentials and Janahi won the Military In- affiliates, who, he said, valued provided a fertile novation Award in the tech- highly HH Shaikh Nasser’s vision environment to nical military field on design- and keenness to pave the way for motivate Bahrainis ing missile launch pads to creative personnel to showcase with distinguished pave the way for simulating their talent. achievements their work and examination He said that the high-profile to enhance their on the ground. jury of the award held periodic HH Shaikh Nasser also pre- meetings over nearly a year to performance in various sented the winners with me- study and discuss all the partic- fields. dallions of distinction. ipants’ projects thoroughly, and HH SHAIKH NASSER On the occasion, HH Shai- selected three winners among kh Nasser stressed the im- 102 contestants, in three cat- Command, led by Command- portance of stimulating in- egories, namely (a) scientific er-in-Chief, for their constant tellectual creativity of the innovation, (b) military field support for the Award. BDF’s affiliates, honing their Specialities: innovation and (c) technical in- After a short film on the in- skills and highlighting their novation. novations of the participants talent in order to be able to Kidney Transplant Kidney Stones He extended sincere apprecia- in the award, HH Shaikh Nas- better serve the BDF through tion and gratitude to HH Shaikh ser honoured the laureates of research and projects, as well Infection of Genitourinary System (Endoscopic & Laser Surgery) Nasser for his trust in the organ- the “Nasser bin Hamad Mili - as enable them to compete at Voiding dysfunction & Urinary Incontinence Tumors of Kidney, Bladder, ising committee, as well as for tary Innovation Award” 2019, as the international level. his initiatives aimed at serving follows: Dr Fatima Abdulrahim HH Shaikh Nasser affirmed Family Planning (Vasectomy & Prostate and Testis the BDF and the Kingdom, under Fakhro won the Military Innova- that Bahrain, under the lead- the leadership of His Majesty tion Award in the scientific field ership of HM the King, has Reversal of Vasectomy) Male Infertility and Erectile Dysfunction King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, on the treatment of multi-cavity harnessed all its potentials Urodynamic Studies Prostate Enlargement (Medical & Surgical) the Supreme Commander. encephalopathy, using Anti il-6 and provided a fertile envi- He also paid tribute to all Receptor Antibody. ronment to motivate Bah- officials in the BDF’s General The work team of the man- rainis with distinguished achievements to enhance their performance in various fields, stressing that the BDF A kind gesture boasts a large number com- TDT | Manama petencies who are capable of creative thinking within an atmosphere of fair com- is Highness petition. Shaikh Nasser He also expressed deep DR. SHAKER K. AL MUTAWA DR. HAMAD ALHELLOW has fulfilled the pride in the BDF’s distin- German Board of Urology MBBS, CAB, Uro-Oncology, Fellowship in Renal Transplantation(U.K) H Senior Consultant Urologist Consultant Urologist wish of Bahraini child guished competencies’ ideas Abdul Rahman Mutlaq and achievements which, he after he met him on the said, meet the requirements FOR APPOINTMENTS 1736 2233 3612 9777 sidelines of the award of the plans to improve the ceremony. performance of the King- Abdul, a different- dom’s armed forces. ly-abled child, had ear- HH Shaikh Nasser con - lier expressed his wish on an the kind gesture. gratulated the winners of his Instagram page to meet HH They hailed HH Shaikh Nas- award for military innova- Shaikh Nasser. ser’s contribution towards the tion, and expressed delight The parents of Abdul development of youth and at the great interaction with thanked HH Shaikh Nasser for sports sectors in the Kingdom. it, as reflected in the great number of male and female THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019 04

Health centres overcrowded as winter brings seasonal illnesses Anti-FMD vaccination TDT | Manama he Kingdom’s health centres became crowd- In spite of this huge Ted in the past few weeks rush, doctors and as weather changes brought nurses have been many seasonal illnesses. Sources said people infected supportive and drive ‘a big success’ with seasonal diseases and al- caring. I am very lergies have been making long thankful to them and queues at health centres across hope they will keep up As many as 30,000 animals immunised against FMD, smallpox the Kingdom. the efforts. Amidst this rising number of MR MOHAMMED patients, doctors, nurses and paramedic staff are doing their best to ensure treatment to all, health centres, the Health the sources added. Ministry said that more doc- “In spite of this huge rush, tors will be sent in accord - doctors and nurses have been ance with the number of pa- supportive and caring. I am tients. very thankful to them and “Budaiya Coastal Clinic has hope they will keep up the ef- experienced a rush of patients forts,” said Mohammed Arif, due to seasonal illnesses. More a patient who visited Budaiya doctors will be posted there to Health Centre. attend to patients,” the minis- Confirming the rush at all try said.

iGA launches its services via SADAD TDT | Manama

n line with its commitment to provide a range of digi- Ital platforms and payment channels to the public, and Nearly 10,000 animals were vaccinated against small pox. streamline government trans- 37 actions, the Information and per cent is the growth in ePayment services farmers, in support and devel- der animal diseases) through eGovernment Authority (iGA) | Manama every year. TDT opment of the animal production the application of programmes. has launched a host of new Pradeep Puravankara sector. Immunisation depends on the ePayment services in co-op- He pointed out that the vac- The campaign targets epidemiological analysis of the eration with the private sector, he Undersecretary for cines used are manufactured all animal farms in map of animal diseases in the the latest being self-payment Animal Resources at the in world-renowned companies all governorates of Kingdom. kiosks in partnership with ment issued by iGA said. TMinistry of Works, Mu- whose quality has been tested the Kingdom, starting He explained that these pro- leading payment channel, SA- iGA’s eGovernment services nicipal Affairs and Urban Plan- to achieve the highest levels of from the Northern grammes aim to eliminate en- DAD. via its channels, including the ning, Dr Khaled Ahmed Hassan, efficiency and to reach high lev- Governorate with a demic and incoming epidemic One of the first services ones offered through SADAD, revealed that as many as 30,000 els of immunity to repel any viral high animal density, to diseases and protect livestock, launched through this chan- adhere to the highest quality animals were immunised against epidemic. in addition to protecting society nel is the payment of the traffic and safety standards, guaran- Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) On the other hand, the live- other governorates. from common diseases of animal contravention service, offered teeing data privacy, and en- and smallpox, during the three stock agency revealed that it is DR KHALED origin. in co-ordination with the Gen- suring more streamlined and months from September to No- determined to conduct contin- He stated that the Animal eral Directorate of Traffic. convenient transactions. vember 2019. uous campaigns to control foot- The livestock agency said that Resources Agency has adopted Work is currently ongoing ePayment services are ex- He explained that 10,000 an- and-mouth disease for 95 per the strategy of fighting animal programmes to control foot- to launch more eGovernment periencing user growth rates imals were vaccinated against cent of the total cows, sheep and diseases depends on the preven- and-mouth disease and sheep services via the new add - averaging at approximately 37 smallpox including 9,900 sheep goats present in the governo- tion of vaccination and epide- pox and goat disease with vacci- ed payment channel SADAD, per cent per year. and 412 goats within the three rates of the Kingdom. miological investigation to pre- nation, which are implemented in line with the objective to This is in keeping with months. With regard to foot and He pointed out that the cam- vent the spread of any epidemic periodically. strengthen partnerships be- which the iGA’s strategy to of- mouth disease, he stated that a paign targets all animal farms among animals. The programme to control tween the private and public fer traditional offline services total of 20,000 animals were vac- in all governorates of the King- He pointed out that the vacci- foot-and-mouth disease with sectors. via digital channels. iGA plans cinated, including 11,000 sheep, dom, starting from the Northern nation operations are the most immunisation is implemented This also supports the gov- to introduce further services 5,500 goats, and 3,700 cows. Governorate with a high animal effective way to protect herds of every four months, while the ernment’s digital transforma- through the SADAD network He stated that the livestock density, to other governorates cows, sheep and goats from in- programme to combat sheep pox tion, and its transition from that includes more than 850 agency provides free immuni- with an aim to cover all animal fection with communicable and and goat disease is implemented being an operator to becoming kiosks located across the King- sation services to all livestock farms across the Kingdom. incoming diseases (cross-bor- annually. a regulator of services, a state- dom, the statement added.

UAE, Saudi Arabia sign Inspection drive scientific co-operation agreement Riyadh of trainers and experts in all he Zayed Higher Or- relevant areas for people of ganisation for People of determination and enhancing TDetermination (ZHO) cooperation on authorship and the King Salman Centre and translation in the field of for Disability Research (KSCDR) disability in general, Emirates signed a joint scientific and re- News Agency (WAM) report- search cooperation agreement ed. in the fields of development of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Zayed disability research. Al Nahyan, Chairman of ZHO The five-year agreement highlighted the strong ties be- covers cooperation between tween UAE and Saudi Arabia. the two parties on research ZHO’s Secretary-General, and development in the field Abdullah Al Humaidan wel- of disability; creating targeted comed the cooperation and research projects between the partnership agreement with two parties; sharing and ex- the KSCDR, which was founded changing scientific materials, by King Salman bin Abdulaziz publications, information, and Al Saud in 1991, and headquar- local, regional, and interna- tered in Riyadh, as the first re- tional studies, and translated search centre specialising in The Ministry of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning team led by Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa carried out inspection visits to many areas in studies; building a database people of determination. Salmabad. The team ordered to remove concrete wastes and debris from different areas, highlighting zero tolerance towards violations. 05 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019 world Putin accuses Poland of colluding with Hitler the-art weapons and is no longer Tensions are playing a game of catch-up with • the West, Putin said. running high between Essentially they “This is a unique situation in Moscow and Warsaw colluded with Hitler. our modern history: they are This is clear from playing catch-up with us,” he AFP | Moscow documents, archival added. documents He once again lashed out at the European Parliament over a VLADIMIR PUTIN resident Vladimir Putin resolution it passed in Septem- upped the ante in a war ber urging Russia to come to Pof words with Europe, ac- terms with its Stalinist totalitar- cusing Poland of colluding with ian past, saying it had lacked the Hitler and of anti-Semitism. same scrutiny as Nazi crimes. Tensions are running high The Russian leader called this between Moscow and War - “complete nonsense,” saying it saw, with NATO and EU mem- attempts to erase the memory was wrong to equate Hitler’s ber Poland fearing what it has of Soviet victory in countries Germany with the Soviet Union. described as Russian military in Moscow’s former sphere of At the weekend, Poland ex- adventurism and imperialist ten- influence. pressed “concern and disbelief” dencies. “It is people like those who over recent statements by Pu- Speaking to military top brass negotiated with Hitler -- it is tin and top Russian officials on and using bad language at one people like that who today are World War II. point, Putin said that Poland was tearing down monuments to Warsaw criticised Moscow for in cahoots with Hitler during the liberating warriors, the Red “renewing Stalinist propaganda” World War II. Army soldiers who freed Europe and “wasting” reconciliation ef- “Essentially they colluded Russian President Vladimir Putin resorted to bad language in an emotional end-of-year speech at the defence ministry and the European people from forts to improve ties. with Hitler. This is clear from the Nazis,” Putin fumed. Last week, Putin blamed the documents, archival docu - tin said a war-time Polish ambas- “A bastard, an anti-Semitic many. “Little has changed and we Western powers and Poland for ments,” Putin said in an emo - sador allegedly promised to put p**, you cannot put it any oth- “He expressed full solidarity should take this into account World War II, pointing to var- tional end-of-year speech at the up a statue of Hitler in Warsaw er way,” Putin said, referring to with Hitler in his anti-Semitic when we build our armed forces, ious treaties signed with Nazi defence ministry. for his pledges to send Jews to what he said were the diaries of views,” the Russian leader said. among other things.” Germany before the conflict be- Resorting to bad language, Pu- Africa. the Polish ambassador in Ger- He slammed what he called Russia is developing state-of- gan in 1939.

Typhoon misery for Philippines Seven killed in Nigeria attack on Christmas eve on Christmas Day Kano | Nigeria

oko Haram jihadists have Bkilled seven people on Christmas Eve in a raid on a Christian village near the town of Chibok in northeast Nigeria’s Borno state, lo - cal militia and residents said yesterday. Dozens of fighters driving trucks and motorcycles stormed into Kwarangulum late Tues- day, shooting fleeing residents and burning homes after looting food supplies. Boko Haram and its IS-affili- Residents rested in an evacuation centre as typhoon Phanfone made landfall ated Islamic State West Africa in Borongan in central Philippines Province (ISWAP) faction have Manila es and trees and blacked out recently stepped up attacks on cities in the Philippines’ most military and civilian targets. storm-prone region, but no “They killed seven people and yphoon Phanfone pum- deaths were reported. abducted a teenage girl in the Soldiers stationed in Nigeria’s restive northeast have been fighting Boko Haram’s decade-long campaign of violence Tmelled the central Phil- Though weaker, Phanfone attack,” local vigilante David ippines on Christmas Day, was tracking a similar path as Bitrus said. Kwarangulum, 16 kilometres sparked global outrage and tinue in the area. bringing a wet and miserable Super Typhoon Haiyan -- the “They took away food stuff (10 miles) from Chibok, steal- drew international attention to The decade-long conflict holiday season to millions in country’s deadliest cyclone on and burnt many houses before ing food and burning the entire the group’s notoriety. has killed 36,000 people and the mainly Catholic nation. record which left more than leaving,” he said, adding that a village. Fifty-seven of the girls es - displaced around two million Thousands were stranded at 7,300 people dead or missing church was also burnt. Residents had managed to flee caped shortly after the kidnap. from their homes in the north- shuttered ports or evacuation in 2013. The jihadists were believed before the arrival of the jihadists Another 107 have been either east, according to the United centres at the height of the More than 10,000 people to have attacked from Boko following tip-off from people rescued or released after ne- Nations. festive season on Wednesday, spent the night in schools, Haram’s nearby Sambisa forest who saw the gunmen heading gotiations while 112 remain in The violence has spread to and residents cowered in rain- gyms and government build- enclave, said Chibok communi- toward the village. captivity. nearby Niger, Chad and Cam- soaked homes as Phanfone ings hastily converted into ty leader Ayuba Alamson who Chibok is the scene of the Troops have been stationed eroon, prompting a regional leapt from one small island evacuation centres as the ty- confirmed the toll. mass kidnap of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok since the kidnap but military coalition to fight the to another for the second day. phoon made landfall Tuesday, In April, Boko Haram raided in 2014 by Boko Haram which deadly Boko Haram raids con- jihadist groups. The typhoon toppled hous- civil defence officials said. ‘Merry Christmas’ bank robber throws cash at passers-by

Christmas, but threw the stolen Monday. confirmed. The robber shouted cash in the air and wished pas- “He started throwing mon- Officers also told local media • sers-by a merry Christmas, US ey out of the bag and then said, that there was no indication that ‘Merry Christmas’ media reported. ‘Merry Christmas!” witness Oliver was armed at the time of and threw the stolen Colorado police confirmed Dion Pascale told local station his arrest. cash in the air in a statement an “older white KKTV 11 News. Passers-by reportedly at- male” robbed the Academy A man, identified by police tempted to return some of the Washington Bank in Colorado Springs after as 65-year-old David Wayne stolen money to the bank, wit- threatening workers with an Oliver, was arrested in a near- nesses told local media, but an unidentified weapon and leav- by Starbucks after the event officer told the Denver Post that white-bearded man robbed ing with an unknown amount and without incident, Col - thousands of dollars remain Aa bank two days before US bank notes of money around midday orado police department missing. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019 06

Single Chinese woman sues over egg freezing Britain’s Queen hails climate movement on Christmas Day

The monarch’s annual• message followed a chaotic year in which Britain feuded over its split from the European Union

AFP | London Unmarried women in China are also largely barred from accessing assisted reproductive technologies including in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment or ritain’s Queen Elizabeth sperm banks II used her Christmas Day message yesterday to pay AFP | Beijing ‘Immense pressure’ B tribute to young environmental Xu said many of her peers campaigners who were inspired single woman in China has were postponing marriage to global action by Swedish teen Agone to court challenging and seeking options abroad to Greta Thunberg. rules that forbid unmarried freeze their eggs. The monarch’s annual mes- women from freezing their “Many women in their 30s sage followed a chaotic year in eggs in the first case of its kind are under immense pressure which Britain feuded over its in the country. to get married and have a split from the European Union Teresa Xu said she was child. But many don’t want to and her scandal-plagued son prompted to take legal action do so because they are afraid Prince Andrew withdrew from after a top hospital in Beijing their careers will stagnate or public life. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II attended the royal family’s traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in declined to freeze her eggs last (they will) face discrimina- She called 2019 “quite Sandringham on December 25 year, and instead told her to tion in the workplace,” she bumpy” and urged Britons to “get married, and have a child said. “overcome long-held differenc- “The challenges many people The queen’s husband Prince soon”. “It costs about 100,000 es and deep-seated divisions”. face today may be different to Philip was able to check out a “There is a huge demand yuan ($14,000) in Thailand The 93-year-old took a sweep- those once faced by my genera- London hospital after a four- among young women in China and about 200,000 in the US, ing look back at history in a tion,” she said. night stay for an unspecified -- whether married or single compared to just 20,000 yuan pre-recorded television appear- As those historic “But I have been struck by condition in time to join the -- to freeze their eggs as they if done in China.” ance from Buckingham Palace pictures were how new generations have family for Christmas Eve. delay the decision to have a The marriage rate in China that included clips of Neil Arm- beamed back to brought a similar sense of pur- But the 98-year-old has giv- child,” Xu said. has been in decline over the strong and his Apollo 11 crew Earth, millions of us pose to issues such as protect- en up his royal duties and did “But clinics refuse single last five years, and the coun- bouncing on the Moon. ing our environment and our not accompany the queen for women, because of unfair try is grappling with one of She referenced the two his- sat transfixed to our climate.” Christmas Day services at their laws.” the lowest fertility rates in the toric lines Armstrong uttered television screens The environmental campaign Sandringham estate in central Chinese regulations forbid world. upon becoming the first human as we watched Neil movement was stirred to life by England. unmarried women from freez- Monday’s closed-door hear- to step onto the Moon’s surface Armstrong taking Thunberg’s first “school strike Andrew also withdrew from ing their eggs unless they have ing lasted for about an hour, in 1969. a small step for for climate” in 2018. the limelight after his bid to a health reason, such as cancer. according to a statement on But she slightly revised his man and a giant Her subsequent backing for clear his name of allegations A Beijing court on Mon - the official social media ac- words to stress that the Ameri- leap for mankind the British-based Extinction that he had sex with one of the day agreed to hear Xu’s case count of Beijing Chaoyang can’s achievement represented Rebellion group helped turn victims of US paedophile Jeffrey against the hospital, nearly six People’s Court. a giant leap for women as well -- and, indeed, for London into the focal point of Epstein backfired in a BBC inter- months after it was filed. Xu said the next hearing will as men. womankind. It’s rolling protests that shut down view last month. The 31-year old, who works be in January, although a date “As those historic pictures a reminder for us traffic in major cities around He arrived with his broth - as a freelance editor, said she hasn’t been announced. were beamed back to Earth, all that giant leaps the world. er Prince Charles for a pri - had also written to a member “I am still hopeful about this millions of us sat transfixed to often start with Britain became the first major vate church service attended of China’s parliament, hoping case,” she said. “Even if I lose I our television screens as we small steps economy this year to set the le- Wednesday morning by the that the issue of reproductive feel the process is more impor- watched Neil Armstrong taking gally-binding target of reducing queen. restrictions faced by unmar- tant than the result.” a small step for man and a giant carbon emissions to a net level But Andrew missed a more ried women could be raised Xu said she hasn’t de - leap for mankind -- and, indeed, BRITAIN’S QUEEN ELIZABETH II of zero by 2050. formal afternoon service that when the legislature meets in cided to have a child or get for womankind,” she said. was followed by members of the March. married. “It’s a reminder for us all that Family troubles family mingling with the crowd. Unmarried women in China “I don’t want to have a child giant leaps often start with small The royal family’s troubles “The path, of course, is not are also largely barred from ac- for the time being, but I will steps.” included public squabbles always smooth, and may at cessing assisted reproductive think about it in the future,” The queen recalled how between Prince William and times this year have felt quite technologies including in-vitro she said. young people of her generation when Britain underwent Nazi Prince Harry -- the two children bumpy, but small steps can make fertilisation (IVF) treatment or “I just hope that I leave my- persevered through their strug- bombardments during “The of the late Princess Diana -- and a world of difference,” the queen sperm banks. self the right to choose.” gles. She was still a teenager Blitz” of 1940 and 1941. battles with the tabloid press. said in her address. Merrily on high: US astronauts help track Santa’s delivery route Washington

or decades, the Canadian and FAmerican defence agency NORAD has provided updates on Santa Claus’s international gift delivery route, but this year, KNOW WHAT for the first time, US astronauts lent a hand. “We have obtained visual con- firmation that Santa is currently NORAD has been tracking traveling south over India,” An- Santa since 1955 when a drew Morgan said at 1700 GMT girl dialed a misprinted via a video link as he floated at zero gravity in the International phone number from a Space Station. department store ad- The North American Aero- vertisement in the local space Defence Command (NO- newspaper, believing she RAD) said that the ISS was trav- US astronaut Andrew Morgan spotted Santa en route, laden with gifts NORAD has been tracking Santa since 1955 -- the NORAD Tracks Santa Operation was calling Santa. eling at 17,000 miles (27,000 Center at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado kilometres) an hour, 250 miles Santa and his reindeer were ap- misprinted phone number from above Earth -- providing “a great proaching Punta Arenas, Chile at a department store advertise- Each year since, NORAD emails from children. vantage point to spot Santa on 0048 GMT Wednesday and had ment in the local newspaper, has reported Santa’s location US first lady Melania Trump The US Department of Agri- his annual journey around the already delivered more than 4.3 believing she was calling Santa. to millions across the globe, joined the effort, listening to culture said that “Mr S. Nicho- world.” billion gifts. They had taken off The number rang into the Air with noradsanta.org this year several children from across the las Claus” and his reindeer had “NORAD appreciates the sup- from the North Pole at 0930 GMT Defence Command Operation live-tracking his present-filled United States tick off items on been granted a special move - port of Colonel Morgan and the Tuesday. Center, where an officer was sleigh pulled by nine reindeer. their Christmas lists. She re- ment permit to enter the coun- ISS team,” it added. NORAD has been tracking San- quick to realize the mistake and Today, 1,500 volunteers help minded them to put out milk and try and were “fit for landing on The agency reported that ta since 1955 when a girl dialed a assured her he was Santa. the military answer calls and cookies for Santa. rooftops.” THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019 07 35 civilians killed in double Burkina Faso attack Communications minister and Mali in 2012. government spokesman Remis The Sahel region of Africa lies Dandjinou later said 31 of the to the south of the Sahara Desert civilian victims were women, and stretches across the breadth adding around twenty soldiers of the African continent. were injured. The G5 group is made up of The president has declared Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mau- 48-hours of national mourning. ritania and Niger, whose impov- The morning raid was carried erished armies have the support out dozens of jihadists on mo- of French forces as well as the torbikes and lasted several hours UN in Mali. Seven soldiers and 80 before armed forces backed by In Burkina Faso, more than • the air force drove the militants 700 people have been killed and jihadists were also killed back, the army said. around 560,000 internally dis- in the double attack No group immediately placed, according to the United claimed responsibility for the Nations. Ouagadougou attack, but jihadist violence in Attacks have targeted mostly Burkina Faso has been blamed the north and east of the country, on militants linked to both though the capital Ouagadougou militant attack in northern Al Qaeda and Islamic State has been hit three times. ABurkina Faso on Tuesday groups. Prior to Tuesday’s attack, Bur- killed 35 civilians, almost all of kina security forces said they them women, the president said, 560,000 internally displaced had killed around a hundred one of the deadliest assaults in Leaders of the G5 Sahel na- jihadists in several operations nearly five years of jihadist vio- tions held summit talks in Niger since November. lence in the West African coun- earlier this month, calling for An ambush on a convoy trans- try. Burkina Faso’s underequipped army has struggled to contain the Islamist attacks which have intensified this year closer cooperation and inter- porting employees of a Canadian Seven soldiers and 80 jihadists national support in the battle mining company in November were also killed in the double hadist attacks which have left simultaneously attacked the victims, most of them women,” against the Islamist threat. killed 37 people. attack on a military base and hundreds dead since the start military base and the civilian President Roch Marc Christian Militant violence has spread Attacks have intensified this Arbinda town in Soum province, of 2015 when militant violence population in Arbinda,” the army Kabore added on Twitter, prais- across the vast Sahel region, es- year as the under-equipped, the army said. began to spread across the Sahel chief of staff said in a statement. ing the “bravery and commit- pecially in Burkina Faso and Ni- poorly trained Burkina Faso Burkina Faso, bordering Mali region. “This barbaric attack result- ment” of the defence and secu- ger, having started when armed army struggles to contain the and Niger, has seen regular ji- “A large group of terrorists ed in the deaths of 35 civilian rity forces. Islamists revolted in northern Islamist militancy. Cost of UK royals back in spotlight after Queen’s year to forget London

fter a torrid 2019 in which Athe queen’s son Prince An- drew was implicated in an un- derage sex abuse scandal, many in Britain are again asking if the monarchy has gotten too big -- and rich -- for its own good. The family’s year to forget may encourage Prince Charles, set to eventually take over from his mother Queen Elizabeth II, 93, in his purported belief that the centuries-old institution needs reform, according to royal ex- perts. “He wants to slim it down to a hard core of senior family members who work full-time,” said author Penny Junor, who has written several books on the royals including “The Firm” -- The queen receives a “sovereign grant” to pay for the family for their roles as the nickname sometimes given figureheads, as well as the salaries of employees and maintaining places like to the family. Buckingham Palace “Andrew shooting himself in the foot has certainly made that time”. stems from the revenues of half an easier task,” she said. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has called the year “bumpy” and may Britons are again questioning the cost of the monarchy “It’s the attack point for re- a billion pounds in assets grown The 59-year-old prince, publicans,” he said. by the Duchy of Lancaster estate dubbed the queen’s “favourite saw him subsequently promise tabloid gossip fodder. sor plc,” as The Daily Telegraph Dymond noted Britain’s royals since the Middle Ages. son” by the UK press, has been to “step back from public du- The family’s tribulations led wrote. have been adept at periodically The portfolio of lands, prop- dogged by allegations that he ties”. The Guardian to proclaim the “Bloated royal families are fine reinventing the brand, acting as erties and assets held in trust had sex with one of American It was a grim year as well firm had “lost its grip”, with roy- when you run a quarter of the a kind of “ministry of good feel- generated almost £20 million convicted paedophile Jeffrey for Prince Harry and his wife al observers predicting change world... not so good when you ings” for the nation to justify its last year, which the queen partly Epstein’s victims. Meghan Markle, the former US will inevitably result. are in charge of a diminished, expenses. shares across the family. Andrew, who strenuously actress. austere Britain, grappling with “And that’s the problem with Buckingham Palace does not denies the accusations, gave a The celebrity couple sued sev- ‘Ministry of good feelings’ recession in the early 21st centu- what you have at the moment, disclose how exactly these funds calamitous BBC interview last eral British newspapers over The size and cost of Britain’s ry,” the newspaper added. which is you’re certainly not are distributed to family mem- month in which he unsuccess- intrusions into their private royal family has long been con- Jonny Dymond, who covers getting your money’s worth,” bers like Andrew. fully tried to distance himself lives, while his relationship with tentious, with the latest con - the royal family for the BBC, said he said. The British press reports that from the late US financier. brother Prince William has re- troversies renewing calls for a how much to finance the family “You’re not getting that when he has received an annual royal The furious media backlash portedly soured -- creating more “rationalised structure of Wind- “has been a big deal for a long you have Prince Andrew ac - allowance of £250,000 which cused of what he’s accused of, his mother would give him each you’re not getting that when year, in addition to a yearly mili- Harry and Meghan are busy su- tary pension of around £25,000. ing the newspapers.” The Duke of York, known for his “jet set” lifestyle, lives free of ‘Cost to the taxpayer’ charge, as does his ex-wife Sarah The queen receives an allow- Ferguson, in a royal residence. ance -- a so-called “sovereign He reportedly sold a property grant” -- from the government in Sunninghill, southwest Lon- each year, which reached £82 don, which the queen had donat- million ($106 million, 96 mil- ed to him, for around £15 million lion euros) for the financial year in 2007, and owns a luxurious 2018-2019. chalet in Switzerland. That is intended to pay for “One of the common com - the family members’ functional plaints about the monarchy is roles as figureheads, as well as the cost to the taxpayer,” said the salaries of employees and Junor. maintaining places like Buck- “There is a perception that ingham Palace. many members of the family Britain’s Prince Charles (C), Prince of Wales is reportedly keen on reforming the Britain’s Prince Andrew, Duke of York, has been implicated in a underage sex The monarch also benefits are free-loaders who don’t do Monarchy scandal, which he has denied from a “privy purse” which much work.” BAD TIMES HAVE A QUOTE SCIENTIFIC VALUE. THESE ARE OF THE OCCASIONS A GOOD LEARNER DAY WOULD NOT MISS. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019 RALPH WALDO EMERSON A decade of war in Syria and its dangerous impact on humanity The conflict has destroyed all the myths we have cultivated about ourselves – how empathetic we are and how seriously we take our responsibility as an international community to protect civilians

KAREEN SHAHEEN violated with a defiance that once defied belief, until it became par he last few days have been for the course. It is a stark contrast apocalyptic in Syria. Tens of to the message the world emerged Tthousands of civilians flee- with from the genocides in the ing en masse to the border before a former Yugoslavia and Rwanda – a government advance. The prospect mantra of “never again” uttered in of mass slaughter yet again. A ban the halls of international tribunals. on humanitarian aid crossing the Instead, over time, cycles of border from Turkey to the three atrocity followed by outrage and million civilians trapped inside a impotence chipped away at the killbox in the north-west, one of tenets we had decided constituted the few remaining pockets outside civilised conduct in warfare and government control, under bom- affairs of state. Bit by bit, our hu- bardment from machine guns and manity was chipped away. fighter jets. The city of Maarat Al These violations are numerous Numan destroyed and abandoned. but they are worth elucidating be- Collective, global silence and in- cause they show how far we have action. fallen. Chemical weapons were It is heartbreaking but entirely repeatedly used against civilians in character for a decade in which in a largely successful effort to ter- every international norm of con- rorise them into submission, with duct and warfare has been system- no meaningful retribution. Starva- atically destroyed. tion sieges were used repeatedly as Ten years ago, Syrian President a weapon of war by Mr Al Assad Bashar Al Assad was full of confi- and his allies in the campaign to dence, declaring in a Wall Street reclaim rebel-held territory. Journal interview that the upris- Sarkozys in France. He met them with renewed bru- ISIS took advantage of ISIS took advantage of the power Systematic bombing of civilians ings that had swept other Arab Their charisma shone through tality, a refusal to engage in serious the power vacuum and vacuum and profound injustices with inaccurate weapons like bar- countries could not happen in Syr- as they spoke at ease to western dialogue that endures to this day of the war to establish a so-called rel bombs, whose use constitutes ia because the government was in reporters about democratic aspira- and an amnesty that included re- profound injustices of the state spanning parts of Syria and de facto war crimes, large-scale tune with its citizens. tions and dined with the masses in leasing convicted terrorists in an war to establish a so-called Iraq, a project laced with atrocities arbitrary detention and forced dis- This apparent hold over citizens popular Aleppan and Damascene effort to militarise the opposition state spanning parts of of such grave barbarism as system- appearance of tens of thousands of was of course maintained with eateries. and present a choice to the interna- Syria and Iraq, a project atic enslavement and mass rape of civilians, the targeting of hospi- an iron fist and an extensive and It was all a mirage. The decades tional community – the president laced with atrocities of the Yazidi minority, the exile of tals and the use of humanitarian pervasive network of informants, of Baath party decrepitude, brutal- or an extremist onslaught. such grave barbarism as Christians from their homeland aid and UN assistance as political security and intelligence agencies ity and economic mismanagement The rest is bloody, atrocious his- systematic enslavement and the murder and execution of tools have continued to make life and prisons, a stranglehold on the had stunted the country. Every- tory. The UN eventually stopped thousands of civilians in manifold unbearable for civilians. economy that allowed epic levels one had a story about a close rel- counting the dead, then standing and mass rape of the Yazidi horrific ways. The next few years are hard of corruption and tight control ative forcibly disappeared in early at 400,000, in 2016. The numbers minority. All the while, Syria was being to predict in Syria, precisely be- over every aspect of public life and morning Mukhabarat raids carried have almost certainly exceeded systematically destroyed. The cause the conflict destroyed all civil society. out by intelligence agencies. Ine- half a million. regime and its allies undertook the myths we have cultivated Nevertheless, Mr Al Assad’s quality worsened as agricultural Half the country’s population scorched-earth tactics of besieging about ourselves – how empa - Syria was enjoying the fruits of a communities fell into ruin and mi- was displaced, most inside Syr- opposition areas; barrel-bombing thetic we are, how seriously we broader opening with the West and grated to the cities. ia, many forced to abandon their them and advancing methodically take our responsibility as an in- its Arab and Turkish neighbours. The spark for the war was the homes several times in the course tectonic changes and realignments, rendered those areas uninhab- ternational community to pro- Damascus had succeeded in cre- detention in 2011 of teenagers who of the nine-year war. The millions both abroad and regionally, as itable. tect civilians, our collective belief ating an opportunity to mend ties scrawled an anti-Assad slogan on who fled abroad profoundly al- Moscow took up the mantle aban- Syria needs at least $200 billion in justice being served and in a with the US out of a problem it their school wall. Their arrest tered their neighbouring countries’ doned by a retreating Washington in reconstruction costs, possibly shared destiny. created – cracking down on ter- and the government’s insults in character and politics, and those and intervened in the war to save double that, aid that is blocked Syria destroyed all of that in the ror cells it had allowed across the response sparked a cycle of govern- who braved the seas to European Mr Al Assad from what at the time by western countries due to the course of crushing the dreams and border into Iraq to fight American ment violence, followed by civilian shores, fleeing for the sake of their seemed inevitable defeat. Turkey, absence of political reforms. rights of an entire people to live in troops. With increasing trade ties, protest that quickly spread around lives and their children’s, were incensed by American reliance on But perhaps Syria’s enduring dignity, peace and prosperity. diplomatic outreach and efforts the country. used as a scaremongering tactic Kurdish militias with aspirations legacy lies in how it has systemat- Even as the wrangling over the to isolate Iran, Syria’s first couple, It did not have to be this way. by populist leaders across the globe for statehood, essentially aban- ically dismantled the international ashes continues, the legacy of the Bashar and Asmaa Al Assad, holi- Few initially demanded the out- to propel a resurgence of the far doned its alliance with Nato in rules-based order. Over a decade last decade will endure. Syria has dayed with Turkey’s president Re- right overthrow of the regime, hop- right in European and American favour of close co-operation with of warfare and destruction, every carved the epitaph of the collective cep Tayyip Erdogan and attended ing instead to coax Mr Al Assad politics. Russia, further undermining the international norm that was once conscience of the international Bastille Day celebrations with the into instituting reforms. This profound shift ushered in post-Second World War order. thought of as sacrosanct has been community.

CIVILIAN’S TRIBUNE Australia should give better treatment to Afghan refugees

ore than 70 million people around the flee violence and destruction in their homeland, The fact Afghans would consider taking their world have been either internally dis- so much so that by the 1980s, nearly one-third of chances amid the volatility and insecurity of Pa- Mplaced or forced to seek refuge in another all Afghans had become refugees in neighbouring kistan or under the authoritarian regime of Iran country, a number higher than at any point in time Pakistan and Iran. rather than risk staying put speaks volumes about since the Second World War. After Syrians fleeing a From the terror of life under the Taliban to the their circumstances in their homeland, with a relentless war, Afghans make up the second largest 2001 war and the ensuing violence, Afghanistan lack of opportunities, economic security, safety refugee population, with 2.6 million registered refu- has witnessed the forced displacement of a large or a reprieve from years of hardship. As revealed gees worldwide and another two million internally number of the population, which continues to in media, thousands of Afghans - mostly young displaced people. Yet their woes are often forgotten this day. The crisis has earned Afghanistan the men and children - are currently being deported as a never-ending stream of headlines featuring dubious moniker of being least peaceful country from Iran. In just one week this month, more conflict and tragedy stretching back 40 years has led in the world, according to the Institute for Peace than 5,000 of Iran’s two million undocumented to the international community becoming inured to and Economics. Afghans were deported, with nearly two in five the suffering of Afghanistan’s people. Despite this bleak reality, many Afghans seeking of them unaccompanied minors forced back to a From the end of the 1970s and the Soviet invasion refuge are now being forcibly returned to their while others are subjected to inhumane treatment war-ravaged nation. of Afghanistan, millions of Afghans have had to war-torn homeland from Iran, Pakistan and Europe in Australia’s remote island-based detention camps. Rahim Khan

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 BAD TIMES HAVE A QUOTE SCIENTIFIC VALUE. THESE ARE TODAY 1871 1898 1919 1941 OF THE OCCASIONS A GOOD LEARNER DAY IN Gilbert and Sullivan collaborate for the Marie and Pierre Curie Babe Ruth of the Boston Red Sox is U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt DAY WOULD NOT MISS. HISTORY first time, on their lost opera, Thespis. It announce the isolation of sold to the New York Yankees by owner signs a bill establishing the RALPH WALDO EMERSON does modestly well, but the two would radium. Harry Frazee, allegedly establishing the fourth Thursday in November as THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019 not collaborate again for four years. Curse of the Bambino superstition. Thanksgiving Day in the United States. A decade of war in Syria and its TOP Ayatollahs should be most 4 dangerous impact on humanity TWEETS afraid of Iran’s own citizens The conflict has destroyed all the myths we have cultivated about ourselves – how empathetic we are and 01 how seriously we take our responsibility as an international community to protect civilians

KAREEN SHAHEEN violated with a defiance that once defied belief, until it became par oday, on Quaid-i- he last few days have been for the course. It is a stark contrast TAzam’s birthday, we apocalyptic in Syria. Tens of to the message the world emerged as a nation must resolve Tthousands of civilians flee- with from the genocides in the to build Pakistan in ac- ing en masse to the border before a former Yugoslavia and Rwanda – a cordance with his vision government advance. The prospect mantra of “never again” uttered in of an Islamic welfare With even of mass slaughter yet again. A ban the halls of international tribunals. state based on compas- on humanitarian aid crossing the Instead, over time, cycles of sion & human dignity; the middle border from Turkey to the three atrocity followed by outrage and justice & rule of law; & a million civilians trapped inside a impotence chipped away at the plural inclusivist society. classes killbox in the north-west, one of tenets we had decided constituted @ImranKhanPTI the few remaining pockets outside civilised conduct in warfare and reduced to government control, under bom- affairs of state. Bit by bit, our hu- grinding bardment from machine guns and manity was chipped away. 02 fighter jets. The city of Maarat Al These violations are numerous poverty, Numan destroyed and abandoned. but they are worth elucidating be- Collective, global silence and in- cause they show how far we have ordinary action. fallen. Chemical weapons were It is heartbreaking but entirely repeatedly used against civilians Iranians see in character for a decade in which in a largely successful effort to ter- every international norm of con- rorise them into submission, with rump on tv on themselves duct and warfare has been system- no meaningful retribution. Starva- TChristmas morning, atically destroyed. tion sieges were used repeatedly as speaking of Moscow as the Ten years ago, Syrian President a weapon of war by Mr Al Assad Mitch: “He has the right Bashar Al Assad was full of confi- and his allies in the campaign to to do whatever he wants; walking dence, declaring in a Wall Street reclaim rebel-held territory. he’s the head of the Sen- dead Journal interview that the upris- Sarkozys in France. He met them with renewed bru- ISIS took advantage of ISIS took advantage of the power Systematic bombing of civilians ate.” It’s the same frame Protests in Iran should be an eyeopener to the Iranian government. ings that had swept other Arab Their charisma shone through tality, a refusal to engage in serious the power vacuum and vacuum and profound injustices with inaccurate weapons like bar- of mind that’s reflected countries could not happen in Syr- as they spoke at ease to western dialogue that endures to this day profound injustices of the of the war to establish a so-called rel bombs, whose use constitutes in Trump’s BS about his ia because the government was in reporters about democratic aspira- and an amnesty that included re- state spanning parts of Syria and de facto war crimes, large-scale own rights as POTUS: “ I Saudi Arabia and other nearby out the Shiite south. Tribes “are cence to key US demands on the war to establish a so-called Even in Iraq and Lebanon, tune with its citizens. tions and dined with the masses in leasing convicted terrorists in an Iraq, a project laced with atrocities arbitrary detention and forced dis- can do whatever I want. I states. A veteran Western dip- Tehran’s attempts at blaming Iran and its proxies for nuclear issue, and rebranding This apparent hold over citizens popular Aleppan and Damascene effort to militarise the opposition state spanning parts of of such grave barbarism as system- appearance of tens of thousands of have Article II.” Well, no. lomat warned me that Tehran this. It’s very dangerous, and Hezbollah as a purely political was of course maintained with eateries. and present a choice to the interna- Syria and Iraq, a project atic enslavement and mass rape of civilians, the targeting of hospi- @tribelaw imminently intends to lash out violent crackdowns risk uncharted territory for Tehran,” entity. While we shouldn’t take an iron fist and an extensive and It was all a mirage. The decades tional community – the president laced with atrocities of the Yazidi minority, the exile of tals and the use of humanitarian again at Gulf targets in an at- triggering a social and warned one expert. such offers at face value, this pervasive network of informants, of Baath party decrepitude, brutal- or an extremist onslaught. such grave barbarism as Christians from their homeland aid and UN assistance as political tempt to wrong-foot its enemies tribal backlash that would Protests took a further nas- demonstrates the regime’s ex- security and intelligence agencies ity and economic mismanagement The rest is bloody, atrocious his- systematic enslavement and the murder and execution of tools have continued to make life 03 BARIA ALAMUDDIN and neutralise the perfect storm make these nations hostile ty turn last week, when thou- treme discomfort. and prisons, a stranglehold on the had stunted the country. Every- tory. The UN eventually stopped and mass rape of the Yazidi thousands of civilians in manifold unbearable for civilians. of pressures it is currently expe- environments for all forms sands of Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi During Palestinian uprisings, economy that allowed epic levels one had a story about a close rel- counting the dead, then standing horrific ways. The next few years are hard fter protesters gained riencing. America and Europe’s of foreign meddling in paramilitary thugs descended Israel’s military gruesomely of corruption and tight control ative forcibly disappeared in early at 400,000, in 2016. The numbers minority. All the while, Syria was being to predict in Syria, precisely be- control of the Iranian deafening failure to respond to on Baghdad’s Tahrir Square to refers to crackdowns against over every aspect of public life and morning Mukhabarat raids carried have almost certainly exceeded systematically destroyed. The cause the conflict destroyed all perpetuity; particularly if AArab-majority city of repeated military provocations Iran tries to exploit these intimidate demonstrators, with militants as “mowing the grass” civil society. out by intelligence agencies. Ine- half a million. regime and its allies undertook the myths we have cultivated Mahshahr, Islamic Revolution- this year makes such a course of numerous stabbings reported. — believing that such killing Nevertheless, Mr Al Assad’s quality worsened as agricultural Half the country’s population scorched-earth tactics of besieging about ourselves – how empa - ary Guard Corps ( IRGC) per- action highly likely. nations as front-line states In the ensuing days, paramil- sprees are necessary every few Syria was enjoying the fruits of a communities fell into ruin and mi- was displaced, most inside Syr- opposition areas; barrel-bombing thetic we are, how seriously we sonnel were dispatched to gun Intelligence sources report in its megalomaniacal war itaries opened fire directly on months to keep things under broader opening with the West and grated to the cities. ia, many forced to abandon their them and advancing methodically take our responsibility as an in- 87 new Federal Judges down protesters. Terrified cit- that Iran recently exported against the civilised world. protesters, killing dozens. There control. Tehran, likewise, may its Arab and Turkish neighbours. The spark for the war was the homes several times in the course tectonic changes and realignments, rendered those areas uninhab- ternational community to pro- 1have been confirmed izens fled to a nearby marsh, short-range ballistic missiles was also an attack on the home believe it has restored order, Damascus had succeeded in cre- detention in 2011 of teenagers who of the nine-year war. The millions both abroad and regionally, as itable. tect civilians, our collective belief under the Trump Admin- where they were encircled and to paramilitary bases in Iraq of cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr, who but it too is only “mowing the ating an opportunity to mend ties scrawled an anti-Assad slogan on who fled abroad profoundly al- Moscow took up the mantle aban- Syria needs at least $200 billion in justice being served and in a istration, including two systematically massacred with (deployment in southern Iraq withdrew his faction from the grass.” With even the middle with the US out of a problem it their school wall. Their arrest tered their neighbouring countries’ doned by a retreating Washington in reconstruction costs, possibly shared destiny. great new United States machine guns. Mahshahr’s puts numerous Saudi cities di- them. government in support of the classes reduced to grinding created – cracking down on ter- and the government’s insults in character and politics, and those and intervened in the war to save double that, aid that is blocked Syria destroyed all of that in the Supreme Court Justices. death toll was estimated at 130. rectly within their 600-mile This was also a message for protests. The US subsequently poverty, ordinary Iranians see ror cells it had allowed across the response sparked a cycle of govern- who braved the seas to European Mr Al Assad from what at the time by western countries due to the course of crushing the dreams and We are shattering every “What have you done that the range). Meanwhile, a shipment Iraq and Lebanon — a blue - sanctioned several notorious themselves as the walking dead; border into Iraq to fight American ment violence, followed by civilian shores, fleeing for the sake of their seemed inevitable defeat. Turkey, absence of political reforms. rights of an entire people to live in record! Read all about undignified shah did not do?” of sophisticated Iranian missile print for how dissent should be Hashd leaders blamed for or- lacking food, jobs and meaning- troops. With increasing trade ties, protest that quickly spread around lives and their children’s, were incensed by American reliance on But perhaps Syria’s enduring dignity, peace and prosperity. this in “The Long Game,” the city’s MP, Mohammed Gol- components was impounded confronted. Quds Force com- dering the killings. ful life prospects. diplomatic outreach and efforts the country. used as a scaremongering tactic Kurdish militias with aspirations legacy lies in how it has systemat- Even as the wrangling over the a great new book by @ mordai, bellowed against the en route to Yemen. IRGC ad- mander Qassem Soleimani and In Lebanon, I have been Even in Iraq and Lebanon, to isolate Iran, Syria’s first couple, It did not have to be this way. by populist leaders across the globe for statehood, essentially aban- ically dismantled the international ashes continues, the legacy of the senatemajldr Mitch Mc- regime during a televised Par- viser Allahnoor Noorollahi de- Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei struck by how complacently Tehran’s attempts at violent Bashar and Asmaa Al Assad, holi- Few initially demanded the out- to propel a resurgence of the far doned its alliance with Nato in rules-based order. Over a decade last decade will endure. Syria has Connell. Amazing story! liament broadcast, before be- clared: “Unfortunately, some were the architects of the Da- disconnected senior officials crackdowns risk triggering a dayed with Turkey’s president Re- right overthrow of the regime, hop- right in European and American favour of close co-operation with of warfare and destruction, every carved the epitaph of the collective @realDonaldTrump ing physically attacked by other Gulf countries have become a mascus regime’s war against are from the massive outbreak social and tribal backlash that cep Tayyip Erdogan and attended ing instead to coax Mr Al Assad politics. Russia, further undermining the international norm that was once conscience of the international deputies. military camp for our enemy. I its own citizens. And, if they of public anger. Some of the would make these nations hos- Bastille Day celebrations with the into instituting reforms. This profound shift ushered in post-Second World War order. thought of as sacrosanct has been community. US officials estimate that must say this, 21 of their bases were willing to exterminate deluded souls I talked to belit- tile environments for all forms 04 more than a thousand citizens constitute targets for our mis- hundreds of thousands of inno- tled the protesters, predicting of foreign meddling in perpetu- were killed during the recent siles. NATO itself announced cent people, perhaps they think that everything would soon be ity; particularly if Iran tries to CIVILIAN’S TRIBUNE protests in Iran, with count - that Iran’s 110 missile bases and there are no levels of civil unrest business as usual, with Gebran exploit these nations as front- less thousands more injured launching sites are capable of that can’t be crushed. Yet, even Bassil as president. Attempts line states in its megalomani- and detained. The authorities launching 20,000 missiles per in Syria today, there are rum- by unpopular figures like Bassil acal war against the civilised prepared with ruthless efficien- day.” The fact that Iran is boast- blings that desperate citizens (denounced by protesters as world. Australia should give better treatment to Afghan refugees cy for the huge outburst of an- ing about exploiting front-line may again turn out in defiance thieves and parasites) to exploit Yet the greatest hope for the ger that erupted across almost Arab states to launch thousands of their genocidal regime. The the unrest for personal promo- liberation of Arab citizens from he risk of dying from every province, triggered by an of missiles “per day” against its hyper-inflated currency has left tion can only make matters 100 Iranian domination may para- ore than 70 million people around the flee violence and destruction in their homeland, The fact Afghans would consider taking their Ta heart attack was overnight 200 percent rise in enemies illustrates how Tehran starving Syrians unable to afford times worse. Three high-profile doxically be through the uncon- world have been either internally dis- so much so that by the 1980s, nearly one-third of chances amid the volatility and insecurity of Pa- 40% lower among those gasoline prices and a decrepit envisages further militarising bread — what are they supposed suicides in recent days by poor querable spirit of the Iranian Mplaced or forced to seek refuge in another all Afghans had become refugees in neighbouring kistan or under the authoritarian regime of Iran eating chili peppers at economy that has shrunk by 80 these nations. to eat? Each other? and indebted individuals have people themselves, as they face country, a number higher than at any point in time Pakistan and Iran. rather than risk staying put speaks volumes about least four times per week, percent. IRGC personnel and Through their brutal domes- Mass killings by Iranian prox- fueled a debate about why this down the corruption, brutality since the Second World War. After Syrians fleeing a From the terror of life under the Taliban to the their circumstances in their homeland, with a and deaths from stroke Basij paramilitaries were de- tic crackdown, the ayatollahs ies have exacerbated public an- nation is in such a sorry state. and terrorism of the ayatollahs. relentless war, Afghans make up the second largest 2001 war and the ensuing violence, Afghanistan lack of opportunities, economic security, safety were more than halved, ployed countrywide with shoot- wanted to send a message that ger in Iraq. This rage has been According to my trusted The Islamic Republic’s greatest refugee population, with 2.6 million registered refu- has witnessed the forced displacement of a large or a reprieve from years of hardship. As revealed researchers found to-kill orders, enjoying virtual all opposition would be con - manifested in attacks against sources who attended a recent existential threat is thus not gees worldwide and another two million internally number of the population, which continues to in media, thousands of Afghans - mostly young @CNN impunity thanks to the com - fronted with murderous force: Iranian consulates and para- security conference in Qatar America or Israel, but its own displaced people. Yet their woes are often forgotten this day. The crisis has earned Afghanistan the men and children - are currently being deported prehensive internet shutdown. Unemployed, impoverished military offices, as well as the (with senior Iranian, Turkish, countrymen. as a never-ending stream of headlines featuring dubious moniker of being least peaceful country from Iran. In just one week this month, more Yet, even as Tehran was mas- protesters must be crushed and burning of images of Khamenei Russian and Israeli representa- conflict and tragedy stretching back 40 years has led in the world, according to the Institute for Peace than 5,000 of Iran’s two million undocumented (Baria Alamuddin is an award-win- Disclaimer: (Views expressed sacring its own citizens, the humiliated. Grieving families and Soleimani. Experts warn tion), regime-connected Iranian ning journalist and broadcaster in to the international community becoming inured to and Economics. Afghans were deported, with nearly two in five by columnists are personal and regime was simultaneously ex- were informed that, to retrieve that Tehran has inadvertent- academics floated proposals for the Middle East and the UK. She is ed- the suffering of Afghanistan’s people. Despite this bleak reality, many Afghans seeking of them unaccompanied minors forced back to a need not necessarily reflect our ploiting the chaos of unrest else- the mangled bodies of their ly triggered a “blood feud” by a five-year freeze on ballistic itor of the Media Services Syndicate From the end of the 1970s and the Soviet invasion refuge are now being forcibly returned to their while others are subjected to inhumane treatment war-ravaged nation. editorial stances) where in the region to export loved ones, they must first pay killing large numbers of Iraqis missile development, disasso- and has interviewed numerous heads of Afghanistan, millions of Afghans have had to war-torn homeland from Iran, Pakistan and Europe in Australia’s remote island-based detention camps. Rahim Khan thousands of rockets to menace for the bullets that murdered from prominent tribes through- ciation from Yemen, acquies- of state.)

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 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019 business Enhancing Bahrain, Egyptian trade ties BCCI Chairman receives newly-appointed Egyptian ambassador and mulls bolstering business ties

law and keep potential inves- Nass commended tors informed of major projects • and investment opportunities the updated investment in Egypt. law of Egypt From his side, Shaban com- mended the fast-paced develop- Yasser Shaban ment in Bahrain and the efforts commended• the fast- of the Bahrain Chamber in em- powering the private sector and paced development supporting its expansion. in Bahrain He called Bahraini investors and business owners to partner Nass congratulated with their Egyptian counter- the• ambassador on parts and invest in the major national and service projects his appointment in Egypt. Shaban also highlighted TDT | Manama promising investment oppor- tunities in the health, agri - he Chairman of the Bah- culture, tourism, and mining rain Chamber of Com- sectors. Tmerce and Industry Also present at the meeting (BCCI) Sameer Nass yesterday were Executive Bureau member called on the Egyptian business The BCCI Chairman with the newly appointed ambassador of Egypt to Bahrain Yasser Shaban at Bait Al Tijjar yesterday. Basim Al Saie, Chief Executive community to make invest - Officer Shaker Al Shater and ments in Bahrain’s business investment destination and a Yasser Shaban at Bait Al Tijjar ate with the embassy in all en- hailed the strenuous efforts that Deputy Chief Executive Officer sector. gateway to markets of the re - yesterday. deavours aimed to bolster trade resulted in reviving the economy Dr Abdulla Al Sada. Nass highlighted the advanced gion. Nass expressed his pride in and investment between both and enhancing its attractiveness. Nass congratulated the am- infrastructure, investor-friendly The BCCI Chairman was re- the historic relationship be - brotherly countries. He stressed the importance of bassador on his appointment laws, and strategic location of ceiving the newly appointed tween Bahrain and Egypt and Nass commended the updat- holding events to raise aware- and wished him success in his Bahrain making it a favourable ambassador of Egypt to Bahrain expressed readiness to cooper- ed investment law of Egypt and ness about the new investment diplomatic duties.

S&P assigns GFH ‘B’ Aramco CEO says Saudi-Kuwaiti accord paves Long-Term Issuer way for resumption of oil production Reuters | Dubai “With the signing of this Rating, stable outlook new accord, both parties have audi Aramco said yesterday reached consensus that now is Sa new agreement between the right time to resume pro- The report looked Saudi Arabia and Kuwait paves duction in this zone,” Aramco’s • the way for the resumption of President and CEO Amin Nasser at the Group’s four oil production in the Neutral was quoted as saying in a state- distinct business (partitioned) Zone shared by ment by Aramco. segments the two countries. AGOC, a subsidiary of the giant Saudi Minister of Energy Saudi state oil firm, operates TDT | Manama Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Khafji oil field alongside Ku- and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister wait’s Gulf Oil Company. Sheikh Ahmad Nasser al-Mo- “Both sides will work to en- FH Financial Group (GFH) hammad al-Sabah signed on sure production resumption Gyesterday announced that Tuesday an agreement and a at the earliest opportunity,” he S&P Global Ratings has ini- memorandum of understanding added. tiated coverage and assigned Hisham Alrayes, CEO of GFH, in Kuwait, state news agency Oil output in the Neutral it with a ‘B’ long-term issu - KUNA said. Amin H. Nasser, President and CEO of Aramco, attends the official ceremony Zone, which dates back to er credit rating with a stable proving ability to generate The two OPEC members halt- marking the debut of Saudi Aramco’s initial public offering (IPO) on the Riyadh’s 1920s treaties establishing re- outlook. cash flows. ed production at the jointly op- stock market, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, gional borders, is divided equal- The rating comes in line The report further noted erated Khafji and Wafra fields, 500,000 barrels of oil a day the world’s oil supply, in 2014 ly between Saudi Arabia and with the GFH’s success in re- that the new Treasury function which together produce some (bpd) or up to 0.5 per cent of and 2015, respectively. Kuwait. shaping its business model in and some progress in KHCB order to become a fully diver- activities would likely con- sified financial group. tribute to increasing income The report looked at the and would support the Group’s Group’s four distinct busi - headline margins. Looking at Trump says he and Xi will sign China trade deal ness segments that include: risk, the report underscored Investment Banking, where the Group’s risk position as Reuters | Palm Beach the agency made note of GFH’s moderate and highlighted the ability to achieve a stable pipe- geographic diversification of S President Donald Trump line of deals as well as its focus its real estate portfolio. Usaid on Tuesday he and Chi- We will ultimately, yes, on undertaking income-gener- Commenting, Hisham Al- nese President Xi Jinping will when we get together. ating transactions; Commer- rayes, CEO of GFH, said, “We’re have a signing ceremony to sign And we’ll be having cial Banking, via its subsidiary pleased with the continued the first phase of the U.S.-China a quicker signing Khaleeji Commercial Bank recognition from our ratings trade deal agreed to this month. because we want to (KHCB); Real Estate Devel- agencies and the market of the “We will be having a signing opment, where the Group is steady progress and ongoing ceremony, yes,” Trump told get it done. The deal looking to transform and exit development of our business. reporters. “We will ultimately, is done, it’s just being legacy assets, and Treasury and Our focus on diversification, yes, when we get together. And translated right now Proprietary Investments, a re- income generation and exits we’ll be having a quicker signing US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (file) cently established and growing from legacy assets has been because we want to get it done. DONALD TRUMP business line that manages the demonstrated and is now un- The deal is done, it’s just being Group’s liquidity and gener- derstood by the market. We translated right now.” uary. trade teams are in close commu- ates income. will continue to execute on our United States Trade Repre- Speaking in Beijing on nication about detailed arrange- specific components of the deal The Group’s financial po- strategy with the aim of even sentative Robert Lighthizer said Wednesday, Chinese Foreign ments for the deal’s signing and that were released by U.S. offi- sition was also reviewed with further enhancing our results on Dec. 13 that representatives Ministry spokesman Geng other follow-up work,” Geng cials. A spokesman for China’s the report considering GFH’s and delivering greater value to from both countries would sign Shuang said both countries told a daily news briefing. Commerce Ministry said last capital and earnings as ade- our shareholder and investors the Phase 1 trade deal agree - were in close contact. He did not elaborate. week the details would be made quate and mentioned its im- in the coming year.” ment in the first week of Jan- “Both sides’ economic and Beijing has not yet confirmed public after the official signing. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019 11 Asian Paints Berger launches new Royale Smart Clean emulsion paint TDT | Manama

ahrain’s premier paint Manufacturer Asian BPaints Berger launched their latest offering ‘Royale Smart Clean’ Emulsion paint in Bahrain. ‘Royale Smart Clean’ is a premium interior emulsion with a smooth silk finish. It has been designed specifically for easy stain removal and keeps interior walls looking beautiful every day. It is recommended for areas that are most prone to stains such as Kids rooms, living room, dining rooms, kitchens & corridors. Who needs Superheroes when you have 24x7 Supermoms! Love you Supermom –Taking the core In picture, Joseph Eapen, Regional Manager Asian Paints berger Gcc; Amit Bose, General Manager, Asian Paints Berger, principles of Innovation, Inspi- Bahrain; RAJARSHI Banarjee regional marketing head, Asian Paints Berger; Jaishankar Nair, Sales and Marketing Head, ration and Partnership another Asian Paints Berger Bahrain; JOSEPH DIVAKAR, Finance Manager, Asian Paints berger, Bahrain; AKHILAN, technology step further, Asian Paints Berger Manager Asian Paints Berger, Dubai; TARUN Dutta technology manager Asian Paints Berger, Bahrain has launched a product that is specially designed to give moms a longer duration and reducing with just a swipe. Smart Clean a helping hand. Asian Paints the number of repaints. has over 1650 shades to choose When budding Picassos de- Most people are house-proud, from and is available in three cide to use the walls of the house Berger has but the responsibility to main- packs of 1 Litre, 3.6 litres and 18 as their canvas, or simply – by tain that often falls on the wom- litres. The vast and rich reper- design or intention – leave their introduced an of the house who may be toire of shades is sure to tempt handprints and other hand - ‘Royale working or balancing multitude customers to cover the entire iwork on the walls, it can be chores. One of the common is- house. very trying for a mom who is Smart Clean’ sues across most homes is to “As one of the largest coating already juggling a million other keep the walls clean, especial- companies in the world, we are things. Now, Asian Paints Berg- in Bahrain, ly if there are children or pets. constantly studying the market er allows moms to stand back Scrawling on the walls, dirt and and identifying what products and admire the handiwork be- a premium footmarks, ink stains and food will strike a chord with the con- fore wiping it clean – in just a stains are the typical culprits. sumers,” states Amit Bose, Gen- swipe! interior Royale Smart Clean has been eral Manager of Asian Paints The Only Child-friendly, conceived as a tribute to the Berger Bahrain. “Smart Clean Pet-Friendly, Stain-friendly Wa- emulsion with multi-tasking Super Mom as is one such product that has a ter-Beading Smart paint- Royale well as the children, so as not to beautiful finish which can be Smart Clean is created with Lu- a smooth silk hinder their creativity. maintained with minimum ef- mino Tech that imparts walls For those who find it too good fort. It is a tribute to super moms with the brightest colours, total finish designed to be true, there will be Demo who work round the clock to opacity and a smooth silk finish. kits available in all Asian Paints provide the best to their family,” On coming in contact with wa- especially for Décor Lounges for customers to he added. ter, the paint does not allow wa- easy stain try out. Each kit will have two Over the years, the compa - In pictures, the inauguration ter to penetrate or spot; instead sample boards painted with ny has consistently innovated est-growing company in the GCC started its operations in Bahrain the water ‘beads’ on the sur - removal for Royale Smart Clean and a mini its product and service offer- with its hi-tech manufacturing in 1981, has been at the forefront face. The environment-friendly selection of crayons, pencils, ink ings by introducing defini - facilities in Bahrain, Oman & of the coatings industry in Bah- paint also has the exceptional beautiful and ketchup that can be used to tive products such as Royale, UAE. Asian Paints Berger is a part rain. With its established pres- ability to ‘stretch’ so that hair- scribble and mess up the board. Weather coat, Royale Play, of the Asian Paints Group which ence in retail markets, strong line fractures remain covered. looking walls The kit also includes a sponge TUFF & Select and has gained operates in 16 countries across B2B products and solutions But, most importantly, Smart and common household clean- good mind share amongst all its Asia, Middle East, Africa and the portfolio, the company has been Clean is highly washable keep- day after day ing agent that will testify how stakeholders. South Pacific Islands. at the forefront of the coatings ing the painted walls pristine for easy it is to wipe the entire mess Asian Paints Berger is the fast- Berger Paints Bahrain, which industry in Bahrain. Russia plans to use rainy Uber co-founder Kalanick leaves board day fund to buy Sberbank from central bank to focus on industrial kitchens Reuters Reuters | Moscow currently working on a startup that aims to build large indus- ussia’s Sberbank plans to ravis Kalanick, the pugna- trial kitchens and lease space Rcontinue its partnership Tcious co-founder of Uber, to restaurants. The “ghost with Yandex even though it has severed his last ties with the kitchens” would prepare meals has transferred its ‘golden ride-services company, resign- for food delivery without the share’ in the country’s lead- ing from the board and selling costs of wait staff and real ing internet company to an- all his shares as he turns his estate of locations that serve other entity, Sberbank’s Chief focus to a new venture creating diners. Executive German Gref told “ghost kitchens” for food deliv- The company, known as Reuters. ery services. “CloudKitchens,” to date has To assuage Kremlin fears Kalanick, who helped found collected $400 million in in- about potential foreign in - Uber in 2009 and once exert- vestor funding by Saudi Ara- fluence, Yandex this month ed nearly complete control, bia’s Public Investment Fund, approved changes to its cor- stepped down as chief execu- Former Uber Technologies Inc. CEO and co-founder Travis Kalanick according to Crunchbase. Kal- porate structure to establish tive in June 2017 under pressure anick himself invested “several a “public interest foundation” from investors after a string of The spokeswoman declined Dara Khosrowshahi said in a hundred million” in the busi- which would receive Sber- setbacks. to disclose what Kalanick would statement, crediting Kalanick’s ness, his spokeswoman said, bank’s golden share and a Chief Executive of Sberbank German He will depart Uber’s board of do with the proceeds. “vision and tenacity.” declining to provide the full number of other rights. Gref directors by the end of the year, Kalanick’s bellicose style But his brashness was also amount. Sberbank, Russia’s top the company said on Tuesday. turned Uber into the world’s blamed for a string of scandals Uber stock has dropped more bank, has also agreed to buy A spokeswoman on Tuesday largest ride-services company, and complaints over his leader- than 30% since the loss-making a stake in internet company Reuters, adding there could said Kalanick has sold his entire revolutionized the taxi industry ship, resulting in a shareholder company went public in May as Mail.ru, as Gref continues to be some changes in a number stake of roughly $3 billion worth and challenged transportation revolt to push him out. investors grow skeptical over transform the lender into a of joint projects between the of shares in Uber, adding that regulations worldwide. Kalanick said in a statement the ride-hailing company’s busi- banking-to-online services two companies. Sberbank’s key the final regulatory form will be “Very few entrepreneurs have that now Uber was a public ness model and its ability to turn company. joint ventures with Yandex are filed on Thursday after Christ- built something as profound company, he wanted to focus a profit. Uber shares on Tues- “Partnership (with Yan- Yandex.Market and Yandex. mas. Axios earlier reported the as Travis Kalanick did with on his current business and day closed largely unchanged dex) will remain,” Gref told Money. sale of final shares. Uber,” Uber Chief Executive philanthropic pursuits. He is at $30.44. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019 12 Unmerry Xmas as French strike enters 4th week mas. union-organised Christmas Talks are scheduled But the action is taking a heavy lunch for strikers at Paris’ Gare • toll on businesses, especially re- de Lyon train station. to resume on January 7 tailers, hotels and restaurants, “It is starting to hurt finan- during what should be one of cially. But we have gone too far Paris Opera workers, the busiest periods of the year. to stop now.” • The man leading the govern- who can retire at 42, are ‘A turning point’ among those on strike. ment’s pension reform project, Industry associations have re- Laurent Pietraszewski, said ported turnover declines of 30 to Tuesday the government would • Industry associations 60 per cent from a year earlier, be “willing to compromise” have reported and the SNCF said Tuesday it had in the negotiations, set to last turnover declines of lost 400 million euros ($442 mil- throughout January. 30 to 60 per cent lion) in potential earnings so far. But he insisted there will be The strikers, too, are losing no revisiting the plan to do away out, forfeiting their salary for with special retirement regimes. AFP | Paris days not worked -- 21 days by A poll by the IFOP agency pub- Wednesday. lished Sunday showed public hristmas Day brought On Tuesday, the Info’Com-CGT backing for the action dropping no respite for travellers union presented a cheque for by three percentage points, Cin France as a transport 250,000 euros ($277,000) to though 51 percent of respond- strike entered its fourth week, striking workers of the RATP ents still expressed support or ruining the plans of thousands Paris rail service, from a fund sympathy for the strike, which to share a traditional meal and containing public contributions. is set to also cast a pall over New quality time with loved ones. “This is a turning point,” train Years’ celebrations and the first Many scrambled at the last driver Raffi Kaya told AFP at a working weeks of 2020. minute to make alternative “We wanted to offer a moment of grace,” said dancerAlexandre Carniato, a spokesman for the strikers arrangements as the protest against pension reform saw thousands of trains cancelled or ernment and unions last week have to work to earn a full pen- On Tuesday, roughly 40 danc- delayed -- and taxis, ride-sharing failed to find common ground, sion -- two years beyond the of- ers in white tutus staged an ele- services and car rental agencies and strikers vowed there would ficial retirement age. gant protest in Paris, performing unable to make up the shortfall. be no holiday truce unless offi- Swan Lake to passersby on the Only a fraction of high-speed cials scrap plans to merge the ‘A moment of grace’ steps outside the opera house and inter-city trains ran on current 42 pension schemes into Others, especially railway with banners warning: “Culture Christmas Eve, even fewer on one. workers, are angry at plans to in danger”. the holiday itself. The main train Talks are scheduled to resume do away with special regimes “We wanted to offer a moment stations in Paris were closed for on January 7. that make early retirement pro- of grace,” said dancer Alexandre the morning with suburban con- The government says the visions for categories of employ- Carniato. nections slashed and merely two overhaul is needed to create a ees who work unusual hours or Unions are hoping for a repeat out of 16 metro lines -- the only fairer pension system. do physically demanding jobs. of 1995 when the government driverless ones -- providing any But workers baulk at the in- Paris Opera workers, who can backed down on pension reform service. clusion of a so-called pivot age retire at 42, are among those on after three weeks of metro and Negotiations between the gov- of 64 until which people would strike. rail stoppages just before Christ- Unions are protesting the government’s plan to reform France’s pension system Changing times put I.Coast’s rubber industry under pressure

The stakes are high• in a country that produces 60 per cent of Africa’s rubber and holds seventh place worldwide

Abidjan

decade after rubber was Aheavily promoted as a gold- mine for Ivory Coast’s cocoa-de- pendent economy, planters are under pressure to address crit- icism that they are damaging the environment and weaken- ing the country’s ability to feed itself. “Well-managed rubber pro- duction is an asset,” said Eu - gene Kremien, the president of the Association of Professionals of Natural Rubber (APROMAC), whose detractors argue that Ivory Coast’s rubber plantations are being accused of damaging the environment A trainee learns how to bleed a hevea plantations exhaust the soil and cas- tree to harvest latex rubber endanger food security and for- and worsening food security sa- ests. v a , The association is seeking ‘Lured by quick gains’ port produce. Since rubber trees yams, 10 percent of their land to mar- to show that the rubber in - are productive 10 months of the maize ket garden produce and breed dustry can meet mounting de- At the end of 2010, when year, compared with one or two and the likes of chickens and rabbits mands for sustainability, both world rubber prices were high, annual harvests for other crops, rice, as a valuable source of support for the environment and its conditions were ripe for a boom. many peasant farmers turned which are Tens of income. producers. The Ivorian government in- away from their traditional cul- part of the diet thousands of Kremien dismissed percep- The stakes are high in a coun- vested 40 million euros ($44.3 tures in a rush for “white gold”. of Ivorian people, people work in Ivory tions that rubber growing de- try that produces 60 per cent million) to promote production, “The planters let themselves has dropped in favour of Coast’s rubber industry pletes the soil and said his in- of Africa’s rubber and holds leading to the creation of 110,000 be lured by quick gains, aban- speculative crops, particularly dustry -- “unlike cocoa growing” seventh place worldwide. An- hectares (about 270,000 acres) doning the growing of food cocoa and rubber,” Koffi sad. -- was not to blame for the coun- nual Ivorian production is of new plantations. crops,” said Jean-Baptiste Koffi, But global market prices for forcing a West African giant to try’s deforestation. Ivory Coast 624,000 tonnes and some fore- The state provided training president of the Federal Union rubber and cocoa have slumped import products such as rice has lost almost all of its wild casts hold that it may reach one in the different skills of the rub- of Ivory Coast Consumers, active during the past five years. even though it is famed for its forests in half a century. million. ber business and helped open since 2012. While some analysts expect rich soil. Indeed, according to Kremien, Some 160,000 producers earn tracks in rural areas to trans - “The production of bananas, cocoa prices to rise again, the “The agronomic constraints the canopy provided by rubber their living from rubber planta- forecasts for rubber are dim and of hevea cultivation (trees must trees helps to retain precious tions and employ tens of thou- The stakes are high in a country discourage economic reliance on be planted far apart) have led moisture from rainfall, which sands of workers who “tap” the the industry. planters to marginalise food would otherwise evaporate in hevea trees by cutting grooves that produces 60 percent of production,” said Arthur Alloco open fields. into the bark to make the latex ‘We are reforesting’ of the forestry campaign group “By growing hevea we are re- — natural rubber — bleed out Africa’s rubber and holds seventh Numerous NGOs accuse the Soundele Konan Foundation. foresting. Where others destroy, into cups. rubber industry of endangering APRAC is urging rubber plant- we are rebuilding,” he contend- place worldwide. food security in Ivory Coast and ers to devote between five and ed. 13 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

AL FELOUS (THE MONEY) (PG-15) THE COURIER (15+ )(ACTION/THRILLER) MALEFICENT 2: MISTRESS OF EVIL (PG) OASIS JUFFAIR : 11.15 AM + 1.45 + 4.15 + 6.45 + 9.15 + 11.45 PM CITY CENTRE: 11.00 AM + 1.15 + 3.30 + 5.45 + 8.00 + 10.15 PM CITY CENTRE: 12.00 + 5.30 + 11.00 PM OASIS JUFFAIR (VIP): 12.00 + 5.30 + 11.00 PM SEEF (II): 10.30 AM + 12.45 + 3.00 + 5.15 + 7.30 + 9.45 PM + 12.00 MN ANGELINA JOLIE, TERESA MAHONEY, MICHELLE PFEIFFER CITY CENTRE: 10.30 AM + 11.30 AM + 1.00 + 2.00 + 3.30 + 4.30 + 6.00 + 7.00 + 8.30 + 9.30 + 11.00 PM + 12.00 MN + (12.30 MN + 1.00 AM THURS/FRI) OLGA KURYLENKO, GARY OLDMAN, AMIT SHAH CITY CENTRE (VIP I) : 11.00 AM + 1.30 + 4.00 + 6.30 + 9.00 + 11.30 PM THAMBI (PG-13)(TAMIL) SEEF (I): 11.00 AM + 12.00 + 1.30 + 2.30 + 4.00 + 5.00 + 6.30 + 7.30 + 9.00 + TRAUMA CENTRE (PG-15)(THRILLER) OASIS JUFFAIR : 12.00 + 5.30 + 11.00 PM 10.00 +11.30 PM + (12.30 MN THURS/FRI) CITY CENTRE: 10.30 AM + 3.00 + 7.30 + 12.00 MN SEEF (I): 2.00 + 11.15 PM SEEF (II): (1.00 AM THURS/FRI) SEEF (II): 10.30 AM + 12.30 + 2.45 + 5.00 + 7.15 + 9.30 + 11.45 PM AL HAMRA: 6.00 PM WADI AL SAIL: 10.30 AM + 11.00 AM + 1.00 + 1.30 + 3.30 + 4.00 + 6.00 + 6.30 + 8.30 + 9.00 +11.00 + 11.30 PM BRUCE WILLIS, NICKY WHELAN, STEVE GUTTENBERG KARTHI, JYOTHIKA, SATHYARAJ TAMER HOSNY, ZEINA, KHALID EL-SAWI IP MAN 4 (PG-15)(ACTION/DRAMA/BIOGRAPHY) HERO (PG-15)(TAMIL) CITY CENTRE: 12.45 + 5.15 + 9.45 PM SEEF (I): 8.00 PM SEEF (II): 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 PM SIVAKARTHIKEYAN, ARJUN, ABHAY DEOL, KALYANI PRIYADARSHAN DONNIE YEN, SCOTT ADKINS, KWOK-KWAN CHAN KETYOLANU ENTE MALAKHA (PG-15)(MALAYALAM) MIRACLE IN CELL NO.7 (PG-15)(FILIPINO/DRAMA) OASIS JUFFAIR : 2.45 + 8.15 PM OASIS JUFFAIR:3.15 + 9.00 PM ASIF ALI, VEENA NANDAKUMAR SEEF (II): 11.00 AM + 1.30 + 4.00 + 6.30 + 9.00 + 11.30 PM AGA MUHLACH, JOEL TORRE, JC SANTOS PRATI ROJU PANDAAGE (PG) (TELUGU) SEEF (I): 11.00 AM + 5.00 PM JUMANJI THE NEXT LEVEL (PG-15) RAASHI KHANNA, SATHYARAJ, SAI DHARAM TEJ OASIS JUFFAIR: 2.45 + 8.30 PM CITY CENTRE: 10.30 AM + 1.00 + 3.45 + 6.30 + 9.15 + 12.00 MN + (12.30 MN THURS/FRI) DRIVING LICENCE (PG-15) CITY CENTRE (IMAX 2D) :11.30 AM + 5.15 + 11.00 PM OASIS JUFFAIR: 12.15 + 3.00 + 5.45 + 8.30 + 11.15 PM CITY CENTRE (VIP II) : 12.30 + 3.15 + 6.00 + 8.45 + 11.30 PM SEEF (I): 10.30 AM + 1.00 + 3.45 + 6.30 + 9.15 + 12.00 MN SEEF (II): 12.30 + 3.15 + 6.00 + 8.45 + 11.30 PM AL HAMRA: 3.00 + 6.00 + 9.00 PM WADI AL SAIL: 12.45 + 3.30 + 6.15 + 9.00 + 11.45 PM PRITHVIRAJ SUKUMARAN, SURAJ VENJARANMOODU DWAYNE JOHNSON, JACK BLACK, KEVIN HART MY SANTA (PG-13)(MALAYALAM) STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER (PG-13 OASIS JUFFAIR: 11.00 AM + 2.00 + 5.00 + 8.00 + 11.00 PM OASIS JUFFAIR: 11.45 AM + 5.30 + 11.15 PM SEEF (I): 2.00 + 8.15 PM OASIS JUFFAIR (VIP): 2.30 + 8.00 PM AL HAMRA: 6.00 PM CITY CENTRE: 11.30 AM + 2.30 + 5.30 + 8.30 + 11.30 PM DILEEP, SIDDIQUE, SUNNY WAYNE CITY CENTRE (IMAX 2D) : 2.15 + 8.00 PM SEEF (II) : 12.45 + 6.00 + 11.15 PM VALIYAPERUNNAL (MALAYALAM) DAISY RIDLEY, MARK HAMILL, ADAM DRIVER OASIS JUFFAIR: 12.00 + 5.45 + 11.30 PM SEEF (I): 10.45 AM + 5.00 + 11.15 PM (AL HAMRA: 11.45 AM + (12.00 MN THRUS/FRI د (FROZEN 2 (PG)(ANIMATION/ADVENTURE/COMEDY CITY CENTRE: 11.00 AM + 1.15 + 3.30 + 5.45 + 8.00 + 10.15 PM SHANE NIGAM, HIMIKA BOSE, JOJU GEORGE SEEF (II):10.30 AM + 3.45 + 9.00 PM SPIES IN DISGUISE (PG) KRISTEN BELL, IDINA MENZEL, JOSH GAD OASIS JUFFAIR (KIDS CINEMA): 1.00 + 3.15 + 5.30 + 7.45 PM ددد OASIS JUFFAIR (KIDS CINEMA): (3D) 10.45 AM + 10.00 PM 21 BRIDGES (PG-15)(CRIME/ACTION/THRILLER) 21 CITY CENTRE: 11.30 AM + 1.45 + 4.00 + 6.15 + 8.30 + 10.45 PM CITY CENTRE: 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 PM CITY CENTRE:DUBBED IN ARABIC: 12.00 + 2.15 + 4.30 + 6.45 + 9.00 + 11.15 PM CHADWICK BOSEMAN, SIENNA MILLER, STEPHAN JAMES CITY CENTRE (3D): 11.00 AM + 1.15 + 3.30 + 5.45 + 8.00 + 10.15 PM د (SEEF (II): 11.30 AM + 1.45 + 4.00 + 6.15 + 8.30 + 10.45 PM KNIVES OUT (PG-15)(CRIME/COMEDY/THRILLER SEEF (II):DUBBED IN ARABIC: 12.30 + 2.45 + 5.00 + 7.15 + 9.30 + 11.45 PM CITY CENTRE: 3.15 + 8.45 PM WADI AL SAIL: 11.15 AM + 1.30 + 3.45 + 6.00 + 8.15 + 10.30 PM DANIEL CRAIG, CHRIS EVANS, ANA DE ARMAS WILL SMITH, TOM HOLLAND, KAREN GILLAN دددددد (JOKER (15+)(THRILLER/CRIME/DRAMA CITY CENTRE: 12.30 + 6.00 + 11.30 PM د (GOOD NEWWZ (15+)(HINDI/COMEDY/DRAMA) DABANGG 3 (PG-15)(HINDI/ACTION/COMEDY From Friday 27th OASIS JUFFAIR : 11.00 AM + 2.00 + 5.00 + 8.00 + 11.00 PM JOAQUIN PHOENIX, ZAZIE BEETZ, ROBERT DE NIRO OASIS JUFFAIR : 11.30 AM + 2.30 + 5.30 + 8.30 + 11.30 PM CITY CENTRE: 10.30 AM + 1.30 + 4.45 + 8.00 + 11.15 PM CITY CENTRE: 11.30 AM + 2.30 + 5.30 + 8.30 + 11.30 PM SEEF (II): 10.30 AM + 1.45 + 5.00 + 8.15 + 11.30 PM LE MANS ‘66 (PG-13)(DRAMA/SPORT/BIOGRAPHY) SEEF (I): 11.30 AM + 2.30 + 5.30 + 8.30 + 11.30 PM WADI AL SAIL: 11.30 AM + 2.30 + 5.30 + 8.30 + 11.30 PM CITY CENTRE: 2.30 + 8.00 PM WADI AL SAIL: 11.00 AM + 2.00 + 5.00 + 8.00 + 11.00 PM MATT DAMON, CHRISTIAN BALE, JON BERNTHAL AKSHAY KUMAR, KAREENA KAPOOR, DILJIT DOSANJH SALMAN KHAN, SONAKSHI SINHA, WARINA HUSSAIN

MOVIE REVIEW Spies in Disguise: smug agent meets gadget geek Will Smith and Tom Holland are an action odd couple in this animated comedy

and underwhelming artwork. Will Smith plays a The blocky, angular animation • is uninspired; it feels more like spy who transforms something designed for a video into a pigeon in this game than a big screen offering. sweetly silly satire DON’T MISS IT Perhaps the desire is to create a sense of familiarity for those who attend the film. Co-direc- ll animated films are not tors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane created equal. Some as- A pacifistic love letter are making their feature debuts Apire for greatness, seek- swaddled in a discon- after serving in the art and ani- ing to bring wonders to the certing number of facts mation departments on a bunch screen that live-action can’t about pigeons, the of other Blue Sky projects. fully capture. Others exist for animated feature flies Perhaps the best way to de- purely commercial means – scribe the storyline of Spies in cynical brand-management put high when leaning into Disguise would be “tiresome.” together not to touch the imag- dumb jokes and silly The script is comprised of a ination but to raid the wallet. action string of tired clichés knitted to- Spies in Disguise, a limp James A scene from the movie gether without rhyme or reason. Bond knockoff, belongs in the “unbird” Lance while avoiding When it’s not trying to be clever latter category. It’s a big-screen Tom Holland taking the role of veritable MCU reunion.) (Reba McEntire), can’t protect being captured by Marcy. by making fun of James Bond cartoon and, although it may his Q-like sidekick, Walter Beck- The movie opens by making him so he has no choice but to The behind-the-scenes team (is there any lower-hanging work for its target audience – ett. Also along for the ride in it clear that Lance is the cool- “become invisible.” To do this, responsible for Spies in Disguise fruit?), it’s working hard on the video game-consuming pre-teen smaller parts are Rashida Jones est thing out there – after his he enlists the aid of boy-genius doesn’t have an A-list pedigree. mismatched buddy angle. The boys – other viewers may find as Marcy Kappel, the Internal latest successful mission, even and noted pacifist Walter. How- This is the product (accent on filmmakers seem unconcerned the production to be lacking in Affairs Agent who suspects his co-workers are in awe of his ever, Walter’s idea of making that word) assembled by Blue about appealing to anyone who anything beyond a little visual Lance of nefarious doings; Ben star power. Bad news, howev- Lance invisible is to turn him Sky Studios, the people respon- isn’t a 9-year old boy. Aside from razzle-dazzle. Mendelsohn as Killian, the bad er. His newest nemesis, Killian, into a talking pigeon. For the rest sible for the Ice Age movies the occasional throw-away line, Spies in Disguise doesn’t guy; and Karen Gillan and DJ has stolen his identity, causing of the movie, the Walter/feath- (which started mediocre and there’s little here to interest lack for star power with Will Khaled as Marcy’s sidekicks, Marcy and her underlings to ered-Lance team pursues two went downhill from there). It adults; the story is in desperate Smith providing the voice of the Eyes and Ears. (With Holland, believe that Lance has switched quests: retrieve a stolen Arma- evidences the same degree of need of something shaken or 007-inspired Lance Sterling and Gillan, and Mendelsohn, it’s a sides. Even his boss, Joy Jenkins geddon weapon from Killian and emphasis on recognizable voices stirred. 14 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019

Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus

Los Angeles

scar-winning actor Leon- ardo DiCaprio’s mother OIrmelin loves his current girlfriend Camila Morrone and wants her son to propose to her soon. “Irmelin adores Camila and has seen her as daughter-in-law material pretty much from day one, and she’s worried Leo could drive her away if he doesn’’t stop being so flaky and non-committal,” a source told radaronline. com. Acclaimed actor Al Pacino’s stepdaughter Cami-

Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth

reach divorce settlement la met Leonardo’s mom back in August. by attorneys. Their earnings However, although his mother is keen to see her son settle Los Angeles were kept separate while they down, Leonardo is said to have no plans to take the relationship were married and that was with Camila forward in the near future. inger-actress Miley helpful. They are both very “He’s been pushing this to one side and insists they’’re fine as Cyrus and actor Liam much ready to move on and they are. But his mom has seen this before a zillion times and SHemsworth have report- untangle whatever affairs they’’re worried he’s slowly pulling away,” the source said. edly worked out the details were left to figure out. They Irmelin is concerned that Leonardo might spoil the good regarding their divorce. are happy to close this chap- relationship he has with Camila, after he was reportedly “It’s a relief for both of them ter of their lives,” added the seen flirting with model Kendall Jenner at a Miami party that they can move on legally source. earlier this month. from one another and fully put “The Hunger Games” ac- Leo attended the party without Camila. this behind them,” a source tor filed for divorce in August However, despite reports of Leonardo flirting with told eonline.com. 2019 after less than a year of Kenall, he has remained thick with Camila “It was not a complicated marriage. Hemsworth cited lately. The couple was seen spending a divorce because of their pre- “irreconcilable differences” as weekend together in Aspen, Col- nup and it was all handled the reason for the split. orado.

Adele looks glamorous in festive Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt create ‘real Katherine Heigl photos after weight loss bond’ after years of split celebrates London appeared to be having fun as Los Angeles 12-year wedding she perfected the cheeky poses anniversary with inger Adele looked unrec- at the private festive bash and uch-talked about exes Jen- ognisable and oozed glam- teased the results of her recent nifer Aniston and Brad Pitt Josh Kelley Sour as she showed off her weight-loss success. Mhave created a “real bond” recent weight loss transforma- Adele styled her golden hair over time as for them, it seems things tion in new Christmas photo- into tight, bouncy curls and wore are going better after years of the graphs. her tresses in an exaggerated split. The 31-year-old joined side-parting, while she opt- According to a source to Us Week- Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt The Grinch and Santa ed for a full, glamorous ly, “They’ve always cared about each Claus to pose for fes- make-up look. other, and they think fondly of their Brad and Aniston are on much tive-themed pho- She shared the pho- time together, for Jen, seeing Brad better terms these days as the ‘Once tos at her annual tos with her millions is like seeing a dear old friend again. Upon a Time in Hollywood’ star Christmas party, of Instagram follow- They have a real bond.” attended her 50th birthday bash reports mirror. ers alongside the The source further revealed the in February and another holiday co.uk. caption: “We both road wasn’t easy for the ‘Friends’ star party on December 14. Josh Kelley The “Someone tried to ruin Christ- as, before their split in 2005, Aniston Recently, another source like you” hit- mas but then both thought of Pitt as her “soulmate” for told the outlet that they Los Angeles maker wore our hearts grew! the five years in marriage. both are “friends and a satin Thank you for But soon after their split, in 2014, connect occasional- dress with coming to my the’ Mr. & Mrs Smith’ costars Brad ly.” It further added puff-ball party and mak- Pitt and Angelina Jolie went pub- that “there is no O sleeves ing us feel like lic with their romance. The couple chance that a po- n their and a kids Grinch. share 5 children namely, 18-year-old tential run-in be- 12th sub- Merry Maddox, 16-year-old Pax, 14-year-old tween Brad and wed- tly-de- Christmas Zahara, 13-year-old Shiloh and twins Jen at the 2020 ding signed and Happy Knox and, 11-year-old twins Vivienne. Golden Globe anniversa- split. Holidays The duo separated in 2016 and be- Awards and Screen ry, actor Kath- She everyone.” came legally single earlier this year. Actors Guild (SAG) erine Heigl has Meanwhile, Aniston split from ac- Awards will be thanked her hus- tor Justin Theroux in late 2017 after tense or uncom- band, musician two years of marriage. fortable. Josh Kelly for his CLASSIFIEDS love and loyalty. The couple tied the knot on December 23, Michael Jackson’s jacket 2007 and share three is a Christmas gift children -- daughters Na- leigh, 11, Adalaide, 7, and son Los Angeles Joshua, three. “This man...this day...this marriage...I tar couple Kim am damn grateful. That he found me. Kardashian and That I found him. That we have some- SKanye West gifted how miraculously bettered each other. their 6-year-old daugh- Happy 12th anniversary love of my life. ter North West a custom “And thank you. For never wavering black velvet jacket that in your love, your loyalty. For being an belonged to late sing - endlessly blissful safe place to land. er Michael Jackson for For raising a joy up in me that bursts Christmas. The jacket was sold for a winning forth in uninhibited raucous peals Kim posted on her Instagram Story bid of $65,625 in New York in Oc- of laughter. Do I love you! Am still a video of the jacket on Christmas tober. Jackson wore it in 1997, madly in love with you. Am forever Eve, reports eonline.com. once to his friend Elizabeth Tay- blessed by your love for me. No - “North is a really big Michael Jack- lor’s 65th birthday celebration body... @joshbkelley,” Heigl wrote son fan and we knew she would love and also to the screening of his on Instagram on Tuesday. this,” Kim said. “We won this at an movie “Ghost” at the 50th The “Grey’s Anatomy” alum also auction for Northie for Christmas.” Cannes Film Festival. shared a few pictures with Kelly. 15 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019 sports

Tornado A edge Karnataka Strikers Rolling Drag Nights set to

TDT | Manama

ornado A defeated Karna- Ttaka Strikers by 115 runs in light up the strip at BIC CBA Division D T-20 League. Karnataka Strikers won the toss and elected to bowl first. TDT | Manama Tornado’s Sooraj scored a quick 72 runs in 54 balls that ahrain International Cir- helped them to score 166 runs cuit (BIC), “The Home of in 20 overs. Shafeek took two BMotorsport in the Middle wickets for Strikers. In second East”, brings the Christmas fes- innings, Tornado bowlers ham- tivities to the drag strip today mered Strikers batting line up. Imran - ACL with the Kanoo Motors Rolling Sharath took five wickets in his Drag Nights. four over spell for just 20 runs, Similar to BIC’s Ebrahim K and Vinu took three wickets. Kanoo Drag and Drift Nights, Strikers lost all the wickets for Rolling Drag gives a chance just 51 runs and lost the match for participants to power their to Tornado A by 115 runs. very own cars or motorbikes Tornado A 166/4 in 20 overs down the circuit’s quarter-mile (Sooraj 72, Shafeek 2/25) beat strip, which is a member of Karnataka Strikers 51/10 (Anil the US-based National Hot 13, Sharath 5/20, Vinu 3/20) Rod Association Worldwide by 115 runs Network. Falcon CC 114/4 in 18.2 overs The major difference in Roll- (Arjun 30, Jagan 28, Arun 3/25) ing Drag is that those who take beat Matrix CC 113/9 (Danush- part do not start from a stand- ke 41, Prashob 3/23, Suhail still, but from a rolling speed 3/23) by 6 wickets of 80kph. Jinnah CC 158/9 (Anwar 25, Rolling Drag is therefore A car in action at BIC Deepak 3/31) beat Lantern Li- Jayanth - Pheonix CC ons JB 145/10 (Samer 44) by the perfect activity to invite a There is an additional fee of 13 runs 3/27) beat Bassali Tigers 76/10 friend or more and then chal- BD5 for a service car and BD7 Pheonix CC 144/2 in 19.1 (Waleed 24, Rashid 2/11, Amir lenge them for a series of head- for an accompanying passen- overs (Jayanth 52, Athul 28, 2/13) by 76 runs to-head battles to see who can ger. Spectators can watch all Rafeek 2/16) beat Super Kings NDC Bahrain 138/7 in 20 outgun the other. the action for a nominal entry 143/7 (Suraj 34, Praveen 29, overs (Ditto 28, Shaji 26, Ku- Today’s Kanoo Motors Roll- fee of BD2. Tickets are sold Prakash 2/7) by 8 wickets mara 2/17) beat Alpha Fire ing Drag Nights is scheduled at car parks no. four and no. Nelopher Events ACL 115/8 Bahrain 117/8 (Nirmal 42, to take place between 7pm and two. in 19.2 overs (Saeed 42, Irfan Ajeesh 2/13) by 21 runs midnight. Registration will be Just as in every BIC activity, 2/15) beat Kooheji Contractors Cebarco 101/3 in 18.4 overs held at BIC’s car park no. two, safety standards of the highest 111/10 (Faisal 27, Imran 5/17) (Vijay 39, Millan 21) beat Sal- and it will be open from 5pm level are followed at all times by 2 wickets mania Eagles 100/10 (Sibin 34, until 9pm. during the evening’s events Infonas CC 152/9 in 20 overs Mendis 28, Lakshman 4/28) by The cost to participate is BD20 for both drivers and spectators (Musaib 44, Syed 29, Kashif 7 wickets Cars on track at BIC for each driver or rider. alike.

Van der Dussen to Australia mull five specialist bowlers for Boxing Day Test make Test debut, AFP | Melbourne Queensland seamer Michael If they go down this route on confirms du Plessis Neser likely makes his debut. Thursday, Neser is set to line ustralia could play five spe- “We’ll find out tomorrow. The up alongside Mitchell Starc, Acialist bowlers against New wicket is a bit unknown... but Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, TDT | Manama Zealand during the second Test, we’ve got a plan in place for both with James Pattinson replacing captain Tim Paine said Wednes- scenarios (with five bowlers or the injured Josh Hazlewood. outh Africa skipper Faf day, with the decision being left without),” Paine told reporters Travis Head is expected to be Sdu Plessis on Tuesday until the last moment. on Wednesday. the fall guy, with wicketkeeper confirmed that right-hand- The Melbourne Cricket “We’ve probably got two dif- Paine moving up the batting or- ed batsman Rassie van der Ground track has been lifeless ferent teams (in mind), to be der to six. Dussen will make his Test during the past two Boxing Day honest, so we’ll make the final “Our batting team has been debut in their opening Test Tests, making it hard to take 20 call tomorrow.” scoring a lot of runs so if we of the four-match series wickets, although a Sheffield Australia traditionally play were to go one more bowler, against England, starting Shield match there this month only four frontline bowlers -- we would be comfortable they here at the SuperSport Park was abandoned due to a dan - three quicks and spinner. could do the job,” said Paine. today. gerous pitch. With this in mind, According to Cricket Austral- “The bowlers we would be The Proteas skipper said Paine said a decision would only ia, they have only fielded five bringing in can all bat so while that Van der Dussen will be made after a late inspection. once before in the past decade -- we’re taking a batter out, we’re bat at No. 5 behind Zubayr But one scenario could be a at the 2013 Sydney Test against probably lengthening our line- Hamza at three and himself Australian captain Tim Paine during nets five-pronged attack, in which Sri Lanka. up.” at four. Addressing mediaper- sons on the eve of the first Test, du Plessis also hinted that all-rounder New Zealand make two changes for Test against Australia Dwaine Pretorius could make his debut, batting at AFP | Melbourne But he has worked his way It’s important he goes out and No 7. back to fitness, desperate to play plays his natural game,” Wil- While the 30-year-old ew Zealand made two in the Black Caps first Boxing liamson told reporters of Van der Dussen has played Nchanges Wednesday for the Day Test at the Melbourne Blundell. 18 ODIs and nine T20Is for Boxing Day Test against Austral- Cricket Ground since 1987, with “He’s been a very good player South Africa, Pretorius has ia with fast bowler Trent Boult a crowd of more 75,000 expect- for a long time and he’s a mature featured in 22 ODIs and six back from injury and Tom Blun- ed on day one. head … it’s a really exciting op- T20Is. dell replacing Jeet Ravel at the Williamson also confirmed portunity for him.” Du Plessis said the only top of the order. Blundell, usually a middle-order New Zealand have had 10 days uncertainty in his team is The dangerous Boult missed batsman, would open alongside to recover from their Perth day- with regard to the compo- the first Test in Perth, where his Tom Latham in place of the out- night Test thrashing, which saw sition of the bowling attack team crashed by 296 runs, with of-form Ravel. their batsmen skittled for 166 and a call will be taken in a rib injury that also kept him “He’s a positive player and a and 171. the morning of the contest out of their final clash against smart cricketer so it’s just try- Williamson said they had after his side has a look at England. ing to adapt to the conditions. New Zealand’s Ross Taylor during nets learned from their mistakes. the wicket. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019 16 Muharraq battle past Ahli Muharraq won their second game in BBA Top Six Division TDT | Manama

uharraq overcame a late challenge from Al MAhli in a hard-earned 86-82 victory last night in the Top Six Division of the Zain Bahrain Basketball League, be- ing played at Zain Arena in Um Al Hassam. The victors shrugged off a slow start and powered past their opponents with a strong third quarter before doing just enough to stave off an end-game rally from Ahli. The win was the second in a row for Muharraq in this stage of the league while Ahli were dealt their first loss in two games. In attendance in last night’s HH Shaikh Isa watches the action alongside Kanoo contest was His Highness Shai- kh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Ahli were the early aggres- lead of up to 14 points in the Al Khalifa along with Bahrain sors, taking a 26-16 lead at the last canto. Ahli tried valiantly Basketball Association (BBA) end of the first quarter. But Mu- to narrow the deficit in the end president Talal Kanoo and other harraq roared back in the second and steal the win, and they came high-ranking BBA officials. quarter, when it was their turn to as close as three points with just Muharraq’s American pro- outscore their rivals by 10, to tie seconds to play, but it was too fessional Kevin Murphy, a for- the proceedings heading into the little too late. mer NBA player with the Utah half-time break. League action continues on Jazz, poured in 34 points to help Five straight points from Mur- Saturday with two games in the spearhead his team in the win. Ahli’s Qurban appears to be fouled as he goes for a basket against Muharraq’s Buallay phy gave them a 39-37 lead but Silver Division as Sitra take on He also had 10 rebounds and six Ahli’s young guard Jassim Abul Isa Town followed by Samaheej assists but also committed seven three-pointers between them Pittman, an ex-player in the NBA Hesham Sarhan had 19 and nine was able to score with a floater facing Nuwaidrat. Then, on Sun- turnovers. with Malabes connecting on with the Miami Heat, Mem - rebounds, Maytham Jameel add- right before the buzzer. day, two fixtures in the Top Six Bader Abdulla Malabes four. Mohammed Buallay con- phis Grizzlies, and the Atlanta ed 17 and skipper Mohammed Muharraq continued their im- will be held, as Hala face off with and Ahmed Hassan Aldurazi tributed 10 markers in the result. Hawks, paced them in the loss Qurban finished with 10 points, pressive play in the third quarter Ahli in the first game followed by each scored 16, firing in seven For Ahli, US import Dexter with 30 points and 15 rebounds. nine rebounds and six assists. when they built a double-digit Al Najma taking on Muharraq. Bahrain to host girls’ football tournament Kingdom all set to host WAFF U18 Girls’ football from Sunday

TDT | Manama will move on to the knockout be played each day. horns with Palestine and Leba- semi-finals. On day one, the UAE and Iraq non play Iraq. The final four will he stage is set for the sec- Group A features Jordan, the face off at 2.30pm, followed by be held on January 4, and then ond West Asian Football UAE, Lebanon and Iraq while Lebanon and Jordan battling at the match for fifth place will be TFederation (WAFF) U18 Group B features Palestine, 5.30pm. Bahrain then play their held the following evening. The Girls’ Championship, taking Kuwait and hosts Bahrain. The first match against Kuwait start- gold and bronze medal games place in Bahrain from Sunday draw for the group stages was ing at 8.30pm. will then take place on January until January 6 of next year. held last month in Amman. The next play date will be on 6. Bahrain have been training Seven teams are taking part in Matches are scheduled to take December 31, with Palestine and hard for the competition. They the competition, including de- place at the Khalifa Sports City Kuwait facing off in the open- recently played a friendly match fending champions Jordan, the Stadium in Isa Town, replacing ing game, followed by Jordan against their counterparts from UAE, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, the originally set match venue battling Iraq and then the UAE Hong Kong, which finished in Kuwait and hosts Bahrain. The at Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed taking on Lebanon. a deadlock, and they had also teams will be divided into two bin Isa Al Khalifa Stadium at On January 2, which is the played a couple of tune-up groups for the preliminary stage, Muharraq Club. final day of the group stage, the games against Nepal, both of at the end of which the top two Three games are scheduled to UAE take on Jordan, Bahrain lock which they lost. Action from Bahrain’s friendly match with Hong Kong

Stokes trains ahead of test, Manchester United further behind in but three players sit out

development than expected - Solskjaer Pretoria | Reuters Africa for their care of Ged.” Christmas morning practice Reuters | London more than two league games in en Stokes returned to prac- went ahead, however, with- a row this season but Solskjaer Btice with England yester- out Jack Leach, Ollie Pope anchester United have said that they needed time to day after the condition of his and Chris Woakes, who are Mnot progressed as much reach their best form. critically ill father improved, battling the flu bug that has as what manager Ole Gunnar “This season will be used to but three others missed out as hampered the tourists since Solskjaer had hoped for as they find a team for next season, but illness continue to plague the their arrival in South Africa 11 near the halfway stage of the hopefully we can speed this pro- tourists, 24 hours ahead of the days ago. Premier League season, but the cess up by getting more results,” first test against South Africa at But an ECB spokesman said Norwegian said his team would the 46-year-old added. Centurion. none of the trio had been become more consistent with “We want to be a team that Stokes spent Tuesday at the ruled out of the first test of experience. can go and dominate and break bedside of father Ged, who was the four-match series with Solskjaer, who took charge of teams down. It has taken Liv- hospitalised the day before due South Africa, which starts United in December last year, erpool a few years to get to that to a “serious illness”. in Centurion near Pretoria has guided the team to eighth in state and we need to keep on “He remains in inten - today. the standings after 18 games and building because that’s what we sive care, but has respond - But it will certainly delay their tally of 25 points is four want to get to. ed positively to treatment England’s team selection for fewer than what they had col- “I expect us to be more con- and is now in a stable condi- the opening test. lected at this stage last season. sistent, definitely more experi- tion,” the England and Wales The flu bug hit England par- The 2-0 loss to bottom-placed Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a match (file photo) enced and learning from these Cricket Board (ECB) said in a ticularly hard soon after their Watford on Sunday was their setbacks.” statement. arrival with pacemen Jofra fifth of the campaign, with the earlier this month. the British media. “We knew United take on ninth-placed “The Stokes family wishes Archer and Stuart Broad miss- team failing to build on wins “At the moment we’re a little this season was going to be a Newcastle United in the league to thank everyone for their ing the two warm-up games over Tottenham Hotspur and bit further behind than what I season of some ups and downs.” today before visiting Burnley on support and in particular the and now racing to be fit to play champions Manchester City was hoping for,” Solskjaer told United have failed to win Saturday. medical practitioners in South today.