Amir, Japan’s PM explore ways to enhance bilateral ties `P2

Wednesday 30 January 2019 | 24 Jumada I 1440 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 23 | Number 7787 | 2 Riyals

Qatar hammer UAE 4-0, reach Asian Cup final

RIZWAN REHMAT books for sterling performances. Fans THE PENINSULA in last night erupted in joy as coach Felix Sanchez’s side scored each Qatar yesterday silenced a hostile crowd of their goals at a packed Mohammed with a crushing win 4-0 over hosts UAE Bin Zayed Stadium where unruly UAE to reach the final of the AFC Asian Cup. fans hurled water bottles and sandals (22), (37), at Qatar players. Hassan Al Haydos (81) and Qatar will meet Japan in the final (90 + 4) were the goal heroes as Qatar on Friday, but the boys in maroon will crushed title favourites UAE in a semi- clearly be boosted by the form of final clash that was marred by poor Almoez who yesterday equalled Iranian crowd disturbances repeatedly. striker ’s record of eights goals Unbeaten Qatar have now smashed in a single edition of the Asian Cup. an astonishing 16 goals in just six Sanchez will also be thrilled to see matches with two of their key players - the form of keeper Al Sheeb who has feared striker Almoez and reliable retained a clean sheet in six successive keeper - going into record Asian Cup matches. Al Dosari has remained steadfast for 540 minutes on the pitch, a new Asian Cup record Amir of Kuwait in what is the region’s biggest national team football tournament. congratulates Qatar Yesterday’s 4-0 win in an absorbing last four encounter at the KUWAIT: Amir of Kuwait H H Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium also Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al helped Qatar reach the final of the Sabah congratulated Amir H H Asian Cup for the first time in the tour- Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani nament’s history, denying UAE bid for after Qatari football team qualified their second title clash. “I congrat- for the Asian Football Cup's final ulate the people of Qatar on this great Qatari midfielder Boualem Khoukhi (centre) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup semi- match held in the United Arab show,” coach Sanchez said after final match against UAE at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, in , yesterday. Al Annabi overcame a hostile crowd Emirates (UAE). The Kuwait Amir victory over the 1996 champions said this achievement was a victory yesterday. atmosphere to register a resounding win and set up a title clash with four-time champions Japan. for the Gulf and Arab football, “I am sure they are happy and cel- commending the spirit shown by ebrating. It was an extremely difficult An attacking game Boualem Khoukhi, Almoez scores a the two competing teams. The game. We did not feel comfortable at helped Qatar trounce Almoez Ali, Hassan record-equalling eighth Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al the beginning but we scored two bril- hosts UAE 4-0 and Al Haydos and goal to join 's Ali Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, and the liants goals in the first half,” he added. WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber “Then we put pressure and added reach their maiden substitute Hamid Daei as most prolific Included with today’s Mubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah also two more goals. That’s how we achieved final in Asia's premier Ismail are the goal scorers in a single edition is a congratulated H H the Amir. success today,” he added. football tournament. heroes for Al Annabi. edition of Asia Cup. `P3, Sport P5, 6, 7 & 8 special supplement 02 HOME WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 Amir, Japan’s PM explore ways to enhance bilateral ties

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended a banquet hosted by with the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, in honour of H H the Amir.

QNA TOKYO Japan attaches the highest level and gratitude to H H the Amir for of confidence in Qatar as a gas Qatar’s efforts to help release the exporting country. Japanese journalist Jumpei Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin The Japanese Prime Minister Yasuda, who was arrested in Hamad Al Thani held a session pointed out that the 50th anni- Syria. of official talks with the Prime versary of the establishment of H H the Amir expressed his Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, at diplomatic relations between the happiness at his second visit to the Prime Minister’s Office in two countries will be marked in Japan, at his meeting with the Tokyo on yesterday evening. 2021. He also said that the State Prime Minister, and at further The Japanese Prime Min- of Qatar will host the 2022 World development of relations ister welcomed H H the Amir and Cup, looking forward to further between the two countries, the accompanying delegation, communication to strengthen stressing the importance of this Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, at the recalling H H the Amir’s last visit bilateral relations. visit in enhancing progress and Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo, yesterday. to Japan four years ago and the The Japanese Prime Minister development to include areas subsequent meetings. He said also expressed sincere thanks other than the existing fields of friends in organising such events. on the importance of dialogue and H H the Amir also met yes- energy and cooperation. The session of official talks political and peaceful solutions to terday morning with Japan’s Regarding the Japanese Pre- focused on aspects of strength- different conflicts and crises. Foreign Minister Taro Kono and mier’s reference to the 2022 ening bilateral relations to The talk session was the accompanying delegation at World Cup Qatar, H H the Amir enhance the comprehensive attended by Their Excellencies H H the Amir’s residence in said that Japan will also host the strategic partnership between members of the official dele- Tokyo. In a very friendly atmosphere, I met today with the Japanese 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the two friendly countries. gation accompanying H H the They reviewed bilateral rela- Prime Minister and jointly announced the launch of a strategic expressing his confidence that it The two sides discussed the Amir. On the Japanese side, it tions and developments on the dialogue to strengthen our model partnership and celebrate will be a successful and perfect latest regional and international was attended by a number of regional and international arenas. our historic 50th anniversary soon. Our discussion was fruitful tournament, and looking forward developments, especially the sit- ministers and senior officials. The meeting was attended by and will put our partnership deeper and more comprehensive. to the cooperation of the con- uation in the region in both Syria H H the Amir was accorded an Their Excellencies members of cerned committees to benefit and Yemen, as well as the Gulf official reception upon arrival at the official delegation accompa- from the experience of Japanese crisis. The two sides also agreed the Prime Minister’s Office. nying H H the Amir. `P4 New agreements to enhance Qatar-Japan cooperation

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, witness the signing of an agreement.

QNA H H the Amir and the Japanese technical cooperation, and achieve TOKYO Prime Minister also witnessed the mutual benefits for both parties. signing of a memorandum of They also witnessed the signing Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin cooperation in the field of culture of an MoU for cooperation in the Hamad Al Thani and Japan’s Prime between the Ministry of Culture field of transport between the Min- Minister Shinzo Abe attended and Sports and the Ministry of istry of Transport and Communi- yesterday the signing ceremony Foreign Affairs of Japan aiming at cations of the State of Qatar and the of a joint declaration and a number enhancing the bilateral relations Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, of memorandums of under- between the two countries and the Transport and Tourism of Japan in standing (MoUs) between the cooperation in the field of culture, order to develop cooperation in the governments of the two countries. and promoting understanding and field of transport. Both sides witnessed the good relations between the H H the Amir and the Japanese signing of the joint declaration on peoples of the two countries, and Prime Minister also witnessed the the establishment of a strategic a memorandum of understanding signing of the first executive dialogue mechanism between the of economic, trade and technical program for the MoU of cooper- governments of the two countries cooperation between the Ministry ation in the field of youth and sports aiming at strengthening the of Commerce and Industry of the between the Ministry of Culture and existing relations and encouraging two countries in order to Sports in Qatar and the Ministry of continuous cooperation between strengthen the bonds of friendship Education, Culture, Sports, Science the two countries in all fields. in the fields of economic, trade and and Technology of Japan. `P4 WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 HOME 03 It’s celebration time all over

Overjoyed supporters of Qatari team took to the streets to celebrate after the national team handed UAE a 4-0 defeat to qualifyto the final of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. PIC: QASSIM RAHMATULLAH, BAHER AMIN & ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA & IBRAHIM RO Pride and joy stirs social media

We are proud of our national team to qualify for the final match for AFC Asian Cup Final 2019. Excellent, you made us proud and made the people of Qatar happy. All the best in the final.

“Excellent! When the wonderful performance and high sports ethics meet.”

SIDI MOHAMED Qatar is beating UAE 2-0 so far.” THE PENINSULA Regarding indecent acts by Emirati fans, Al Harami tweetd: “This The social media users and influencers is neither Arab nor Islamic ethics to praised the Qatari team’s performance “By the coordinated and manly play, Al “I congratulate H H the Amir and the do so.” dear Qatari people for this honorable “Not at home .. without its fans .. but after it thrashed UAE 4-0 in the AFC Asian Annabi qualifies for AFC Asian Cup final wins with determination and will. A lot of local institutions have Cup semifinal tweeting that it was the ‘best and beats the UAE on their land and in victory and the honorable performance congratulated Qatari team for the of the heroes of our national team. Qatar team made us proud. Thank you match, best goals’ despite not being front of their fans and imposed typical brothers from Oman for encouraging victory. Qatar Foundation tweeted: allowed to have Qatari fans. style (of the team) in this match as in all Our H H the Amir was right when said, “Congratulations to our national team ‘Promise of Prosperity and Glory’.” their Qatari team despite the UAE has Huge celebrations after this historical six matches played in this tournament criminalized sympathy with Qatar.” on reaching the Asian Cup 2019 final. win were marked at many places across and won by a clean net.” We are extremely proud of you.” the country including Souq Waqif, “Congratulations to our national Corniche, Katara etc. Along excited col- Al Annabi in the semi-final Asian Cup football team for the well-deserved ourful jubilation on the streets and Hassan Al Saai tweeted: “May God against the UAE,” Dr Hassan Al Derham, subjected to abnormal psychological victory and for qualifying for the first time markets, social media platforms also wit- save Qatar. Together we can make the President, Qatar University tweeted. pressure from their officials and media,” to the AFC Asian Cup 2019 final. Wish our nessed high level of enthusiasm and miracles.” Hafsa tweeted that despite no fans Jaber Al Harami, former Editor-in-Chief team every success in the final game,” expressions of love and loyalty with Qatar. Syed Ali tweeted: “Love for Qatar for supporting to Qatar in the stadium and of Al Sharq tweeted. Qatar Islamic Bank tweeted. “It is a civilised answer to the Saudi thrashing the UAE at their home ground rudeness of the UAE fans, Qatar makes it Social media users also condemned To make people enjoying this victory Arabia and the UAE blockade. It is a with 4-0. It is fabulous win for Qatar. All to the final 4-0. Another Qatari citizen, some UAE fans’ immoral acts of hurling and watch more videos and comments political victory more than sports victory. the best to Qatar for the final.” Wadha tweeted: “I would like to dedicate bottles and shoes at Qatari players after about this match, Ooredoo provided Four goals symbolically represent polite “Congratulations to Qatar and H H the this win to the one and only Amir H H Almoez Ali scored Qatar’s second goal. special offer ‘Get 10 GB free data on Hala answer to four blockading countries; Saudi Amir and people from every citizen and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.” Abdella Al Ishaq tweeted: “This is the recharges of QR 50 and above’, bonus data Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt in the resident and all members of the University “Qatari players were playing confi- only thing that UAE citizens are good at, is valid until midnight on January 30. arena of sports,” a Twitterati said. of Qatar. A wonderful and worthy win for dently against Emirati players who were throwing shoes at Qatar players because Minister of Culture Scenes of jubilation colour Doha Corniche and Sports: It’s a heroic victory as citizens, residents celebrate Qatar’s win QNA DOHA SANAULLAH ATAULLAH of Qatar national football team,” Minister of Culture and Sports H THE PENINSULA Mohamad Ali Al Marri, a Qatari E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali motorist said, while celebrating described the qualifying of the Thousands of jubilant citizens victory at Doha Corniche. Qatari team to the final of the 2019 and expatriates riding their He said that Qatari team AFC Asian Cup for the first time in motor cars flooded Doha deserved the victory because its history as a “heroic victory”, Corniche last night to celebrate they performed well. “Many Arab after it beat the Emirati coun- historic victory of Qatar over the countries specially Kuwait and terpart 4-0 yesterday. UAE in AFC Asian Cup semifinal. Oman supported Qatari team in The Minister of Culture and A large number of vehicles semi-final match,” he added. Sports considered Qatar’s quali- gathered at the Doha Corniche He said that Qatari football fying a natural result of the per- with Qatari flags moments after team has very promising future. formance and firm determination Qatar thrashed the UAE with “We expect better performances of the Qatari team, which honored 4-0. Some motorists with by the team in coming matches. the masses of Qatari football, and parking lights of their cars The team committed to bring the gave a lesson in dedication and switched on kept on beeping 2019 AFC Asian Cup and I am teamwork. horns for hours to celebrate the pretty sure they will do it,” said The Minister congratulated historic moment. Al Marri. the wise leadership of the country Many motorists were accom- Ahmad Mustafa Mohamad and the Qatari people and the res- panied with their families so that Ali, an Egyptian national, said: “I idents of Qatar on the occasion. women and children could also would like to greet Qatari cit- He noted that the Qatari enjoy celebrations. Young boys izens and government over the football has begun to reap the and girls were dancing in cars victory of Qatar.” fruits of the efforts of Aspire on patriotic songs holding He said that Qatari team is Academy for sports excellence and national flag of Qatar. Some getting stronger with every the potentials it offers of the expatriates were carrying flag of passing day. “I watched the national teams. their countries with Qatari flag match with my friends and all The Minister praised the showing that the victory of Qatar players performed very well,” he efforts of the players who exerted is not less than the victory of handled manually to ease the opportunity to make money by Bangladesh said that he had sold added. “We are very happy over extraordinary effort, as well as the their own countries. traffic flow. selling Qatar’s national flag. A 27 Qatar’s national flags within an the achievement of Qatari technical and administrative staff. Traffic police which were Bikers too celebrated the number of motorists who could hour. “I would like to congratulate football team,” said Abdul Majid He wished the Qatari team success already deployed at the road victory by marching on Doha not bring the flag in hurry bought H H the Amir, H H the Father Amir, Mohamad Umar, a Sudani against its Japanese counterpart expecting big crowd of cele- Corniche and other main arteries the flags from vendors. Speaking Qatari people and those sup- national adding that he was con- in the final, noting that the match brating people ensured smooth of Doha city. to The Peninsula, Mohamad porting Qatari team on the fident that Qatar would also win will be difficult but the confidence flow of traffic. Some signals were Vendors got golden Zafrullah, a vendor hailing from occasion of this landslide victory the final against Japan. in the Qatari team is great. 04 HOME WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 Amir, Japan’s PM explore Prime Minister meets Chair of Twelve Plus Group ways to enhance relations

FROM PAGE 2 Concluding his speech, organizing international Abe said he was pleased with sporting events such as the H H the Amir attended a Japan’s victory in their match Tokyo 2020 and the 2022 dinner banquet hosted by the against Iran in the Asian Cup, World Cup Qatar. Prime Minister in honour of hoping that Qatar national In this regard, His H H the Amir and the accom- team will win today’s match Highness congratulated the panying delegation. to meet Japan in the final of Prime Minister and the Jap- At the beginning of the the tournament. anese people on the victory event, the Prime Minister wel- For his part, H H the Amir of the Japanese team and their comed H H the Amir and the thanked the Japanese Prime outstanding performance, Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met yesterday accompanying delegation, Minister for his kind words while also praising the Qatari with the Chair of the Twelve Plus Group, European countries, Canada, Australia and New Zealand stressing that the day’s talks and feelings, adding that the team who showed a very good were fruitful, while calling for talks were constructive and level of performance and are in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Duarte Pacheco, and his accompanying delegation. The meeting deepening the friendly rela- positive. prepared for the future, discussed aspects of joint cooperation between the State of Qatar and the parliamentary group and tions between the two friendly His Highness hoped that adding that it is gratifying that means of supporting and developing them in various fields. The meeting was attended by Speaker peoples in various fields, the two countries would the majority of the players are of the Shura Council H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud. especially in view of the expand areas of cooperation Aspire Academy for Sports presence of politicians, to include, besides energy, Excellence’s graduates, economy and cultural figures areas such as tourism and wishing them success in their from both countries. health for the benefit of both match today and to meet the In his welcoming speech, countries and peoples, appre- Japanese team in the final. New agreements to boost Qatar-Japan ties the Japanese Prime Minister ciating the strategic part- The banquet was attended FROM PAGE 2 also praised the efforts of nership with Japan and by a number of senior offi- field of legal and judicial admin- Environment of Japan. The H H the Amir in supporting describing it as “the first cials, politicians, economists, istration between the Ministry signing ceremony was attended and enhancing relations partner”, looking forward to cultural figures, businessmen The agreement aims at of Justice of Qatar and the Min- by Their Excellencies members between the two countries, strengthening and developing and heads of the boards of intensifying cooperation istry of Justice of Japan, and a of the official delegation accom- wishing him health and hap- such partnership. major Japanese companies between the two countries memorandum of understanding panying H H the Amir. From the piness and wishing relations His Highness also pointed and institutions, as well as a through the actual programmes in the field of waste treatment Japanese side, a number of between the two countries out that the two sides also number of businessmen and for youth development through between the Ministry of Munic- Their Excellencies ministers and further development and agreed to cooperate in the heads of companies from sports, as well as a memo- ipality and Environment of senior officials attended the progress. field of sports and in Qatar. randum of understanding in the Qatar and the Ministry of the ceremony. Chief of Staff greets outgoing Iranian Military Attache Shura Council delegation to The Chief of Staff of the Qatari attend workshop in Kuwait Armed Forces, H E Lieutenant- General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanem, met yesterday with the QNA tomorrow, organised by the Iranian Military Attache to the State DOHA Arab Region Parliamentarians of Qatar, Colonel Habibollah Against Corruption organi- Alizade, on the occasion of ending A Shura Council delegation sation. The workshop aims to his tenure in the country. During the departed yesterday from highlight the goals of sus- meeting, the Chief of Staff thanked Hamad International Airport, tainable development, in com- the military attache for his efforts on its way to the State of Kuwait pliance with the United Nations and wished him success in his future for a regional parliamentary Millennium Development assignments. The meeting was workshop on the goals of Goals. attended by the Head of Interna- sustainable developments and The delegation includes tional Military Cooperation ways to activate the role of Members of Shura Council, Authority, Brigadier-General (Pilot) parliaments in supporting Mohammed bin Mahdi Al Fahad Hamad Al Sulaiti. national efforts. Ahbabi and Dr. Hind bint The workshop, today and Abdulrahman Al Muftah. QC launches 2nd phase of 3rd season of Competitors Programme US, Qatar

THE PENINSULA Speaking at the beginning of DOHA the ceremony, Ezzedine Al Sada, determined Assistant Monitor of the Al Quran Qatar Charity (QC) has launched Al Kareem Radio, shed light on to combat the second phase of the third the prominent role that Qatar season of its Competitors plays in the charitable and Programme, a radio broadcast humanitarian field worldwide terrorism that Qatar Charity produces in through the launching of initia- partnership with the Al Quran Al tives and the provision of aid in QNA Kareem Radio, in a ceremony to order to protect the affected and WASHINGTON spread the culture of humani- help the needy around the world. tarian work in society. Al Sada also expressed his US Senator Joe Wilson said During the launch ceremony pleasure at the launching of the that the United States and the held at the Al Jazeera Media Cafe, second phase, which will last for State of Qatar are determined QC has honoured the teams of three months, underlining the to strengthen their part- the first phase and the sup- need to encourage the spirit of nership in achieving security, porters of the programme in competition between various combating terrorism and addition to declaring the winner state institutions and highlight violent extremism and elim- team. The ceremony also wit- the importance of instilling the inating them. Participants with the officials of Qatar Charity at an event held under the Competitors Programme. nessed the announcement of values of humanitarian works in During his speech to Con- teams participating in this phase. the hearts of people. gress, Wilson said the US and The team of Public Works Ahmed Saleh Al Ali, Director During the ceremony, the construction of a secondary which the team of General Direc- Qatar have completed their Authority (Ashghal) and the team of Media and Communication at Winer Shield was awarded to the school and health center. torate of Traffic from the Min- second strategic dialogue this of the Ministry of Commerce and Qatar Charity, expressed his team of Ashghal, who has beaten Sheikh Khalid Abu Moza, a istry of Interior and the team of month. The US Department Industry contested in the first pride in the ongoing strategic the team of the Ministry of Com- member of the Ministry of Com- the Ministry of Administrative of State announced the phase of this season, which was partnership with Al Quran Al merce and Industry according merce and Industry’s team, said, Development, Labour and Social achievements made by US launched in late September of Kareem Radio in the implemen- to criteria relating to an inno- “Participation in charitable work Affairs will contest. Secretary of State Mike 2018, to finance their charitable tation of the ‘Competitors’ pro- vative concept, teamwork, social enhances communication Major Jaber Mohammed Pompeo on the matter, he projects in Indonesia and Sudan. gramme, considering all those media engagement, and human- among different groups of Odeiba, a representative of the added. The programme aims at who support it as partners in its itarian project. society.” The ministry team team of General Directorate of Wilson said the strategic practically involving the Qatari achievements and winners in its In a statement, Yasir Mustafa managed to raise the required Traffic, said the participation of dialogue between the US and community with new and inno- competitions. Al Janahi, the reprehensive of amount, with the generous the directorate comes within the Qatar has highlighted the vative ways in charitable work Al Ali also extended his ‘Ashghal’, praised the idea of the support of benefactors in Qatar, framework of social responsi- strength of promoting rela- through competition, and sincere thanks to all those who ‘Competitors’ programme, as it to carry out its charity project in bility for the benefit of vul- tions to deepen cooperation spreading the culture and values contributed to the success of the provides an opportunity to Indonesia. nerable people, noting that the for the benefit of both of these noble works using programme, especially Al Quran engage in humanitarian work, During the ceremony, Qatar team will give a tough compe- countries. media to cover relevant events Al Kareem Radio, as it is a stra- pointing out that Ashghal’s Charity has launched the second tition to its counterpart in this The Senator said the US and competitions held within the tegic partner in the project will be implemented in phase of the third season of the phase to implement its charity welcomed the Qatari gen- community. programme. Darfur, which includes the ‘Competitors’ Programme, in project. erous offer to expand the vital facilities used by the US in Qatar, which allows the expansion of Al Udeid Air Qatar ranks 33 in Corruption Perceptions Index Base. He reaffirmed that the US QNA tries got less than 50 points in the index organization and its announcement is support will continue to DOHA for this year. always the focus of many countries and maintain the unity of the GCC The Transparency International local and international organizations and create a safe and pros- The State of Qatar has ranked 33rd organization said that Qatar’s high worldwide. The CPI draws on 13 perous future in the region. globally in the Corruption Perceptions ranking is strongly linked to the levels surveys based on expert assessments He added that the US allies Index (CPI) for 2018, out of 180 coun- of human development, effective and business opinion, and its outcome in the GCC must work tries. The State scored 62 points, main- public administration, high levels of is based on a number of sub-indicators together to resolve their dif- taining its second place amongst the GDP, health and education. issued by international organizations ferences in order to achieve Arab countries and the Middle East, The CPI is issued annually by the such as the World Bank and the World success and safety in the while more than two thirds of coun- Transparency International Economic Forum. region. WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 HOME 05 Al Muraikhi meets Ambassador of France General Authority of Customs launches Al Nadeeb 2 project

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, met yesterday with Ambassador Minister of Transport and Communications, H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti (centre) with the Chairman of the French Republic to the State of Qatar, Franck Gellet. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral of General Authority of Customs, Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal (right) and Director General of Public relations and means of boosting them as well as enhancing cooperation prospects, in addition to issues Security Staff Major General, Saad bin Jassim Al Khulaifi on the of World Customs Day function held of common concern. The meeting was attended by a number of officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. at Doha Sheraton Hotel yesterday. PIC: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA Meanwhile, the Minister of State also received copies of the credentials of Ambassador of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire to Qatar, Dr Sisi Abdul Karim yesterday. IRFAN BUKHARI the event on Authority’s role in system of work has been unified THE PENINSULA selective taxation, Al Jamal said with the partners in air cargo that the Authority has a key role customs through coordination Marking International Customs in this matter because the Customs with 53 major companies in Day, the General Authority of collect the selective tax and check addition to courier companies Customs yesterday announced the the transactions and goods that whose imports account for 80 MoPH launches new initiative launching Al Nadeeb 2 project. carry the symbols or specifications percent of the volume of imports The International Customs of the goods that were imposed by air cargo in cooperation with Day was marked at Shertaon Hotel with selective taxes in coordi- Qatar Airways and Hamad Inter- under the slogan ‘Smart borders nation with the General Tax national Airport. On the Bachelor to reduce fat, sugar & salt use for seamless Trade, Travel and Authority. of Border Management program, Transport’, which was attended On average time of release of he explained that this program is by Minister of Transport and Com- goods by the General Authority of implemented by the Authority for FAZEENA SALEEM Mutawa (pictured), head of non munications H E Jassim bin Saif Al Customs, the Chairman said that its employees and is for 4 years, in THE PENINSULA Communicable Diseases at the Sulaiti, Chairman of the General it was less than one hour in about collaboration with the Community MoPH. Authority of Customs Ahmed bin 85 percent of the unrestricted College of Qatar and the Institute The Ministry of Public Health “In Qatar the results of the Abdullah Al Jamal, and a large goods. “For the goods restricted to of Customs and Tax Studies at (MoPH) launched a new initiative ‘National Progressive Non-com- number of officials from different the government bodies, the Charles Sturt University in Aus- yesterday, to promote healthy municable Disease Screening and ministries and the General average release time is 3 hours.” tralia, and 40 staff members of the lifestyles and prevent the risk of Risk Factors Survey’ conducted Authority of Customs. As for the new 2018-22 Authority joined it. chronic non-communicable among adults showed prevalence At the event, outstanding offi- customs strategy, Al Jamal noted Earlier in his speech, Al Jamal, diseases in the country. The initi- of hypertension, over weight and cials of the General Authority of that the new strategic plan was said that customs bodies in the ative to reduce the consumption obesity is higher than infectious Customs were honoured with cer- launched in December last year world are celebrating this year the of fat, sugar and salt in the country diseases among men and tificates of appreciation by H E the for which the Authority adopted a International Customs Day under will be implemented in different women,” she added. Minister of Transport and results-based planning approach. the slogan of “Smart borders for phases, part of the Ministry’s Dr Al Mutawa also highlighted Communications. “The strategic plan includes 14 seamless Trade, Travel and ongoing efforts to promote consumption of fat, sugar and salt. the steps taken by Qatar to reduce Announcing the launch of the projects and programs related to Transport”, which emphasizes the healthy lifestyles. Representatives from the World the consumption of fat, salt and Al Nadeeb 2 project, Ahmed bin the development of the internal role of customs as a main focal ‘Fat, Sugar and Salt reduction Health Organisation (WHO) and sugar such as working together Abdullah Al Jamal said that the environment of the Authority and point for communication and Initiative in Qatar’ was launched MoPH address the workshop held with bakeries to limit the salt use second phase of the customs the development of systems and coordination among all gov- in line with the Qatar National for government and private sector by 30% in bread production. clearance single window ‘Al procedures and mechanisms of ernment agencies in ports and Vision 2030 and the National food processing companies. The WHO recommends to Nadeeb 2’ was set to be launched action, including 7 programs borders. Health Strategy 2018-2022 and “The efforts of the Ministry of reduce salt consumption to 5 in 2018 but after evaluating the sit- which the Authority indirectly He pointed out that Al Nadeeb the objectives of the National Plan Public Health are based on WHO grams per day and limit sugar to uation, the Authority re-engi- contributes in coordination with system has proven its ability and of Action for Nutrition and recommendations to reduce sat- a maximum of 35 grams per day neered only the first phase of the ministries and government effectiveness in completing more Physical Activity 2017-2022. urated and hydrogenated fats, for adults and 25 grams for project. He said that there will be agencies of the country.” than 10 million customs declara- A three workshop is being sugar and salt and prevent the mothers and children, reduce the a significant shift in the program During the ceremony, Al Jamal tions since its establishment, which held at the Ministry to review the risk of common chronic non- intake of hydrogenated fats to 1% to enhance the movement of announced the launch of the elec- facilitated the flow of goods to and present situation in Qatar and find communicable diseases such as reduce consumption of saturated foreign trade between Qatar and tronic shipping initiative of from the State, as well as providing ways to develop national policies hypertension, obesity and dia- fat by less than 10% of the total other countries. imported air cargo. accurate statistics and studies for and programmes to reduce the betics,” said Dr Kholood Al intake of calories. Talking to media persons after Al Jamal pointed out that the import and export operations. QNRF, TAMUQ launch Stem Hub

THE PENINSULA DOHA

Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), in collaboration with Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), yesterday launched the STEM Hub, a facility that aims to promote creative applications of engineering and science. The opening ceremony, held at TAMUQ, a QF partner university was attended by H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi, Minister of Edu- cation and Higher Education, Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari, President, Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA); Buthaina Ali Al Nuaimi, President, Pre-University Education, QF, Dr Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President The students from different schools in Qatar display prototypes of their for Research, Development and Inno- engineering design projects to guests at the opening ceremony, vation, QF; and Omar Ali Al Ansari, Sec- retary General, Qatar Research, Devel- opment and Innovation Council; as well security, cyber security, and healthcare. thinkers and innovators who can sustain as members of the research and aca- Featuring cutting-edge technology our economy. demic community in Qatar. and specialised learning modules, the “Along with being an excellent The collaboration is seeing QNRF, laboratory is designed to help students resource for students, the STEM Hub will a member of QF, and TAMUQ combine learn STEM skills in a creative way, and also provide unique professional devel- their resources and insights to advance offers unique professional development opment opportunities for teachers, who the development of initiatives and aca- opportunities for teachers. certainly have a paramount role in the demic enrichment programs that drive It is also a platform for K-12 students success of this initiative. I am confident interest in STEM (science, technology, to build and exchange scientific ideas, that STEM Hub will nurture leaders and engineering, and mathematics) disci- and learn about the funding opportu- scientists that will help Qatar reach its plines among schoolchildren in Qatar. nities offered by QNRF throughout their goals and tackle the pressing issues our The STEM Hub has been developed education, and into the early stages of world is facing.” to instill and develop STEM skills as a their careers. Dr César O. Malavé, Dean, TAMUQ, national priority. As one of the first edu- Dr Abdul Sattar Al Taie, Executive said, “As engineering educators, we feel cation programs of its kind to advance Director, QNRF, said: “The future privileged to help young people under- STEM education for students of all ages success of Qatar lies in the hands of our stand how they can be part of the exciting in Qatar, its aim is to equip the next gen- education system and especially the stu- engineering and science advances that eration of researchers, scientists, and dents emerging with degrees in science, impact the world around us.” At the engineers with the tools to address technology, engineering and math. opening ceremony, students from schools Qatar’s Research Grand Challenges, A strong STEM foundation will in Qatar displayed prototypes of their which include water security, energy create the next generation of critical engineering design projects to guests. 06 HOME WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture launched in Delhi

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Qatar Museums (QM) kick-started this year’s exciting array of events organised as part of the Qatar- India 2019 Year of Culture with a showing for the hugely successful Monsoon Wedding Musical in New Delhi. Representing the official launch of the Year of Culture festivities, the event was attended by H E Mohammed Bin Preparations in progress for the eighth edition of Halal Qatar Khater Al-Khater, Qatar’s ambas- sador to India and QM Acting Festival which opens on Saturday and runs for nine days. Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Al Namla, among other VIPs. The Monsoon Wedding Halal Qatar Festival Musical, popularly viewed as the anthem of modern India, origi- A scene from the ‘Monsoon Wedding Musical’ staged in New Delhi to kick off Qatar-India 2019 Year nally premiered as a film in 2001 of Culture. organises “Little winning a Golden Lion, as well as a Golden Globe Award nomination. a close partnership. Our aspi- will encourage audiences in Qatar Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Shepherd” contest The film was directed by Mira ration is that the Year of Culture and India to explore their cultural Khalifa Al Thani, the Years of Nair and written by Sabrina programme will further similarities, as well as celebrate Culture programme has been THE PENINSULA Through this Dhawan who played key roles in strengthen these ties and spur their differences. building bridges between Qatar DOHA competition, the bringing the musical to life in creativity and curiosity about our Upcoming initiatives include and the world. The focus for most children will have an 2016. The performance was cultures, peoples and traditions. a special exhibition of contem- of the 2019 will be on exploring The eighth edition of Halal opportunity to live organised by QM and sponsored In 2019, the Year of Culture will porary art from Qatar in India, a and celebrating cultural, artistic Qatar Festival, which kicks off by the Official Airline Partner of be a feast of theater, literature, multi-disciplinary Festival of and educational exchanges at the Cultural Village Foun- the conditions of a the Year of Culture programme, music, dance, cinema, and the India and an exhibition by the between the two countries. dation – Katara on Saturday, real shepherd as they Qatar Airways. visual arts, as India and Qatar innovative Raqs Media Collective, The Qatar-India 2019 Year of features new activities catered will learn different “We are proud to be the share cultural experiences,” said both in Qatar. India will also be Culture was also planned in col- especially for children. skills such as how to exclusive supporter of the new Aisha Ghanem Al Attiya, Head of the Guest of Honor at the annual laboration with leading institu- With the main aim of stage musical version of Mira Years of Culture Section at QM. Doha International Book Fair. tions in Qatar and India. These raising awareness on this tra- milk a sheep and how Nair’s Monsoon Wedding. The Events, festivals, workshops Further events include a health include the Embassy of Qatar in ditional profession of to distinguish the Mansoon Wedding Musical is a and presentations have been spe- and education initiative in collab- New Delhi, the Embassy of India ancestors among the youth, best types of wool. beautiful and resonant expression cially designed to promote mutual oration with Qatar Foundation, in Doha, Qatar’s Ministry of the nine-day festival is organ- of India’s vibrant diaspora, a com- understanding, recognition and and more. Culture and Sport, Qatar foun- ising the “Little Shepherd” munity that has long been part of appreciation between the Since its launch with Qatar- dation, The National Tourism competition. It is one of how to distinguish the best Qatar’s diverse makeup and our Republic of India and the State of Japan 2012 under the patronage Council, Doha film institute and several activities targeting types of wool,” Nuaimi two countries have long enjoyed Qatar. The expansive programme of QM Chairperson H E Sheikha many more. children and adults to expose explained. them to the skills of livestock “It will also help them to breeding. find out how a shepherd takes Salman Al Nuaimi, Head of care of his herds of livestock Ooredoo brings new promotion for Dawli calling card customers Halal Qatar Festival, said that and how to feed and breed the competition is one of the them properly,” he added. THE PENINSULA minutes’ calling time to a list of minutes to your favourite country focus for Ooredoo, and we hope important activities in the fes- The previous edition of the DOHA countries valid for seven days, by dialing *120# after activation. our customers enjoy staying in tival and is open for children festival received more than while Dawli QR20 cards provide Speaking about the promotion, touch with friends and family back from 10 to 14 years old. It 2000 students from different Ooredoo announced yesterday an 38 minutes’ calling time valid for Manar Khalifa Al Muraikhi – home for less.” involves a handful of activities schools in Qatar which sup- exciting new promotion for Dawli 30 days. Director PR and Corporate Com- Customers simply need to dial to test their knowledge in live- ported the festival’s main goal international calling card With Dawli QR 10, extra munications at Ooredoo – said; *120# once they have activated stock breeding. of attracting the young customers that gives them extra minutes will be added to the cus- “We know how important staying their card, then specify their “Through this competition, generations. calling minutes to a chosen tomer’s account instantly upon connected with loved ones is to our favourite and they will then get the the children will have an Registration for the “Little favourite country, so they can keep recharge and will be valid for 7 customers, and we’re delighted to extra calling minutes to the country opportunity to live the condi- Shepherd” competition will be in touch with friends and family days. With Dawli QR 20, customers be able to offer this exciting pro- of your choice. Terms and condi- tions of a real shepherd as they done during the festival back home for longer. Standard can convert standard 38 Interna- motion so they can chat for longer. tions apply, and the promotion is will learn different skills such starting this Saturday at the Dawli QR10 cards provide 18 tional minutes to International Providing value for money is a key valid until 5 March 2019. as how to milk a sheep and Southern area of Katara. WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 HOME 07 QPO performs world premiere of ‘Nour, Anna and the Wise Fools’

RAYNALD C RIVERA Tamara Schäfer and Svetlana second of the four family concerts THE PENINSULA Schmitz, known as the theatrical for the festival which kicked off duo ACTory, who played Anna and on Friday with Alyamani’s “Nour, The Qatar Philharmonic Orches- Nour as well as provided staging A Girl of the Desert” which marked tra’s (QPO) world premiere and costumes. The theatrical piece a successful premiere two years performance of “Nour, Anna and traces the story of Nour, who finds ago. the Wise Fools” received warm a new friend named Anna after Two more family concerts are response from an adoring moving from the desert to the big scheduled for the festival including audience mostly children at Katara city. They play hide and seek in Peter and the Wolf on Friday, 5pm Drama Theatre yesterday. the attic of Anna’s house and find and 6.30pm at Katara Drama The new stage play debuted boxes filled with toys, clothes, old Theatre and Qatar Youth at the family concert which served objects and books. Orchestra with Qatar Philhar- as a highlight of the inaugural Presented as stories within a monic Orchestra on Saturday, Children and Family Festival pre- story, the play tells funny and witty 7.30pm at Katara Opera House. sented by the Philharmonic in anecdotes of wise fools from old The concert on Friday will partnership with World Inno- times namely Djuha, Till Eulen- feature shadow theatre by ACTory vation Summit for Education spiegel and Nasreddin Hodja. One and visual artworks created by (WISE) and Qatar Music Academy lives in the West while two live in young students through a (QMA). the East, yet they discover they workshop under the WISE Hap- During the show, Qatar Phil- have many things in common. penings initiative, while the final The world premiere of ‘Nour, Anna and the Wise Fools’ held yesterday at Katara Drama Theatre. harmonic delivered a stunning It was a creatively crafted show on Saturday will witness PIC: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA performance of music composed complete show combining music, Qatar Philharmonic’s joint per- by Richard Strauss and Qatar Phil- acting and shadow play with formance with Qatar Music harmonic’s MAias Alyamani who audience interaction and partici- Academy soloists and Qatar Youth monic’s Giovanni Pasini. are also being organised to reach the significant impact of inte- also conducted the concert. pation which many of the children Orchestra. Both concerts will be In addition to the family con- out to more young audiences. The grating music to education to build The short play featured enjoyed. Yesterday’s show was the conducted by Qatar Philhar- certs, a number of school concerts festival was organised to underline communities and enrich lives.

Läderach Swiss Chocolatier opens WCM-Q offers Qatari students chance store at Hamad International Airport to work with world-class scientists

THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA students are invited to apply for the DOHA DOHA summer internships in the college’s lab- oratories as part of WCM-Q’s outreach Hamad International Airport (HIA) Qatari high school and college students programs and its ambition under the announced the opening of the Swiss with a passion for science are invited to Qatar Foundation umbrella to increase Chocolatier ‘Läderach’ in the terminal, apply for a summer research internship at local, homegrown research capacity in inaugurating a 40 sqm boutique where Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), a Qatar. WCM-Q is part of Cornell Uni- chocolate lovers and connoisseurs leading biomedical research institution. versity an Ivy League school. traveling through HIA can indulge in a Applications are now open for the The training programs offer students variety of high-quality chocolate and WCM-Q Research Internship for National the chance to learn key research skills and confectionary specialities all produced High School Students, which is offered as to work alongside world-class professional by hand. a two-week or four-week program that scientists to tackle major real-life issues of The inauguration of Läderach took earns participants 50 to 100 volunteer high significance. These internships provide place at HIA’s terminal included HIA’s hours. Applications are also open for the Qatari nationals with valuable opportu- VP of Marketing and Corporate Com- WCM-Q Research Internship for National nities to learn new skills and take the first munications, Abdulaziz Al Mass; Lad- College Students, which is offered as a four- step towards successful careers in science erach’s Managing Partner, Mohammed week or eight-week program and teaches and research. The internships also give Yousuf Al Jabir; and Laderach’s General both laboratory skills and research man- Qatari nationals the chance to be a part Manager, Taymour Mershad. The officials at the opening ceremony. agement skills. Both internships are part of Qatar’s ongoing mission to diversify The world-renowned chocolatier, of WCM-Q’s Biomedical Research Training its economy, which has seen the country already operating in two stores in Qatar, Programs for Nationals initiative. establish itself as a key regional scien- is offering traditional chocolate boxes freshness. HIA continues to keep the so many around the world.” WCM-Q launched its biomedical tific and educational hub in recent years. along with promotional discounts and passenger at the heart of its growth HIA fosters a culture of hospitality research program in 2009, focusing on dis- The deadline to apply for both the offers exclusively for HIA passengers. strategy by introducing new experi- across all operations and brings a new eases prevalent in the Arabian Gulf like dia- Research Internship for National High Travelers can choose from a diverse ences and diversifying its retail offerings dimension to travel through unique betes and obesity. School Students and the Research range of delectable offerings including to enhance the airport experience.” shopping, dining and leisure experi- Since then it has gone from strength to Internship for National College Students is 47 flavors of praline chocolates, 25 types Swiss Chocolate Trading General ences across 40,000 square meters of strength, with its researchers publishing Sunday, May 26. of fresh chocolates and 9 kinds of Manager, Taymour Mershad, com- retail, food and beverage, offering more more than 1000 scientific papers in some Applications can be submitted on “Choco Bijoux”. mented: “The Fresher the Better is our than 90 shops to browse and more than of the world’s leading research journals. https://qatar-weill.cornell.edu/research/ HIA’s Vice President Marketing and motto. As a pioneering Swiss chocolate 30 cafes and restaurants, responding Qatari high school and college research-training-programs/overview. Corporate Communications, Abdulaziz brand, we believe in innovation and to the diverse needs of the modern Al Mass, commented: “We are thrilled freshness. This has been our driving traveller. to welcome Läderach to our portfolio force since our inception and we have Läderach – the chocolate family, of retail and F&B offerings at Hamad attached high value to quality. It can be has stood for top-quality, hand-crafted Duhail Roundabout International Airport. visible in our products and that is the Swiss chocolate and confectionery spe- The addition of Läderach brings reason customers prefer us. We are very cialities since 1962. The Swiss choco- closed to traffic another level of sophistication and proud to launch a Läderach boutique latier boasts more than 60 locations diversity to our offerings, allowing pas- at Hamad International Airport, ena- worldwide, including both Frankfurt for two years sengers to experience a world-class bling passengers from all over the world and Zurich Airport, and is known for its standard of chocolate celebrated for its to enjoy our top-quality, hand-crafted fresh chocolates free from any artificial THE PENINSULA skilled craftsmanship, creativity, and chocolates that are already admired by preservatives. DOHA

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced implementing a traffic HMC warns about the risks of extreme diets diversion on Duhail Round- about on Al Shamal Road to facilitate works on THE PENINSULA Many individuals will lose weight Duhail Interchange DOHA from extreme diets, the weight is Upgrade project. typically quickly regained, and often The closure will start on parallel to Al Shamal Road reach Izghawa Street, turn Public are urged avoid extreme diets along with additional weight gain. February 1, and will last for on December 2018 linking right onto Izghawa Inter- and fad weight loss programs “Crash diets shock the system two years, in coordination Izghawa and Al Gharrafa change then continue because unrealistic plans can create and can result in rapid weight loss, with the General Direc- areas. The new road straight to Arab League negative health related issues. but this weight loss is rarely sus- torate of Traffic. extends from Izghawa Street to reach West Bay Around 20 percent of all patients tainable. Most individuals who During this time, road Street to Al Oyoon Street and Qatar University. seen at the Dietetics and Nutrition follow these diets lose weight rapidly users heading towards and provides exit and Motorists travelling Department are referred after they because they drastically reduce their Duhail Interchange from its access to Al Shamal Road from West Bay via Al Khafji have experienced difficulties due to daily calorie intake and often restrict four directions can only to serve as an alternative Street heading towards extreme diets, said Reem Al Saadi certain foods or even entire food turn right, while Al Shamal route to Duhail Round- Doha can take a right turn (pictured), Hamad Medical Corpo- groups. Bridge will remain open, about that will be closed. at Al Arab League Street to ration’s (HMC) Director of Dietetics trying to lose weight, limiting extra Long term these diets are not allowing users to continue During this closure, reach Izghawa Interchange and Nutrition. calories from refined carbohydrates, effective and they often result in the south and north on Al road users traveling from or take a right at Duhail “Making a resolution to start a simple sugars, and added fat is individual quickly regaining the Shamal Road. U-turns West Bay via Al Khafji Street or Duhail Round- weight loss program is a good idea important,” said Al Saadi. weight. Ultimately they can have a before the closed round- Street heading towards Al about to access Al Shamal and a great opportunity to lead a “There is no shortage of weight negative impact on the body and about for users via Al Khafji Gharrafa can take a right Road and use exit 5 to healthier and happier life, but it is loss plans on the market today. Each mind,” said Al Saadi. Street and Al Gharrafa turn at Arab League Street Izghawa Interchange, and important to set realistic goals. program works differently, and Al Saadi said it is helpful for Street will also be available. to Izghawa Interchange or make a U-turn on the main Weight loss can have significant results vary from person to person. people to change their way of During the period of take a right turn on Duhail bridge to Al Shamal Road health benefits for many individuals, She says anyone who has an existing thinking about weight loss, viewing traffic change, Izghawa Street or Duhail Round- towards Doha. but crash diets are not sustainable health condition should seek it as a process and not expecting Interchange at Exit 5 of Al about to access Al Shamal Motorists travelling and can have dangerous mental and medical advice before making instant results. Shamal road will become Road and exit at exit 5 to from Doha heading physical side effects,” she said. drastic changes to their diet or “Weight loss should be viewed the access point for traffic reach Izghawa Interchange, towards Al Gharrafa via Al She notes that the key to sus- exercise routine. in the context of larger healthy life- between the eastern and take a left on the main Shamal Road are to take tainable weight loss is combining “Low carbohydrate diets are style changes. For most people, western areas and Al bridge then another left exit 5 to reach Izghawa healthy foods with keeping physi- popular and can provide good weight gain happens over a period Shamal Road. Road users turn at the next traffic Interchange. At Izghawa cally active. She recommends eating results. However, restrictive diets of time, often as a result of behav- can use Al Kharaitiyat signal towards Izghawa Interchange they should a variety of foods and being are not desirable long term and ioral and lifestyle changes, and Interchange and Al Kheesa Interchange to join the take a left on the main thoughtful about food choices. should only be practiced for a weight loss should be viewed in the Interchange and Umm Slal newly constructed road to bridge and take another left “All macro-nutrients, including limited time, usually not longer than same way. Breaking down weight Mohammed Interchange to access Al Gharrafa and the turn at the next traffic carbohydrates, protein and fat, are six months. Longer term, eating a loss goals into smaller milestones go to and from Al Shamal malls in the area. Road signal on Izghawa Street to important for the body and must be balanced low-calorie diet is the key spread over a longer period of time Road. To ease traffic incon- users heading from Al join the newly constructed consumed, but it is important to be to weight loss and maintenance,” she will help with effective weight loss,” venience, Ashghal recently Gharrafa towards West Bay road to access Al Gharrafa mindful of portion size. For those added. she said. opened a 3.5km road can use the new road to and the malls in the area. 08 HOME WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 09

Palestinian dies Tunisian president of wounds after accuses PM of secret Israel border fire AFP pact for power GAZA CITY A Palestinian died yesterday four days after being hit by an AFP Prime Minister Israeli tear gas canister during TUNIS Youssef Chahed had clashes along the Gaza border, the health ministry in ’s president yesterday gained the backing the strip said. accused the prime minister of of the Ennahdha Samir Al Nabaheen, 47, seeking power through a secret party to stand in the was hit in the face by a tear deal with an Islamist party, the presidential polls, gas canister on Friday during latest sign of tension at the top protests east of al-Bureij in ahead of elections. President Beji Caid central Gaza, the ministry Prime Minister Youssef Essebsi said. said. Chahed had gained the backing Palestinians have for of the Ennahdha party to stand nearly a year gathered at least in the presidential polls, Pres- seek a second term. “My weekly in various spots along ident Beji Caid Essebsi said, ambition is not to stay president the Gaza border for often- A damaged building is seen after Assad regime’s shelling at the de-escalation zone in Maarrat Al quoted by Al Arab newspaper. for life. I am not in favour of a violent protests. Nu’man district of Idlib, Syria, yesterday. “Chahed wants to stay in president for life,” he said. They want to be able to power... Ennahdha has under- Essebsi’s claim of a private return to the homes their stood his ambition... They have pact by Chahed comes as the families fled from in the war pushed him to create a new premier prepares for elections surrounding Israel’s creation 11 dead in regime shelling in Syria’s Idlib party which divides power with a progressive platform — in 1948, as well as an end to between them after the 2019 the Tahia Tounes movement — the Jewish state’s blockade of ANATOLIA within Idlib’s de-escalation displaced Syrians to their elections,” said Essebsi, whose described as being in opposition Gaza. IDLIB, SYRIA zone,” Mustafa Haj Yusuf, head homes. Syria has only just comments were verified by the to Ennahdha. Another Palestinian was of the White Helmets civil- begun to emerge from a devas- presidency. Its political stance is similar killed by Israeli fire east of Eleven civilians were killed and defense agency in Idlib, said. He tating conflict that began in 2011 Chahed was appointed by to that of Essebsi’s secularist Rafah in southern Gaza on dozens of others injured said rescue efforts were still when the Assad regime cracked Essebsi in 2016 but relations Nidaa Tounes, which won the Friday, the ministry said. yesterday when Syrian regime underway in the targeted areas. down on demonstrators with between the pair have strained 2014 elections and formed a Israel accuses the strip’s forces shelled positions in the Last September, Russia and unexpected severity. in recent months, fuelling spec- coalition with Ennahdha that Islamist rulers Hamas of con- northwestern Idlib province. Turkey agreed to set up a de- Thousands of civilians ulation the prime minister will lasted four years. Nidaa Tounes trolling the protests and using “The artillery barrages tar- escalation zone in Idlib -- in have been killed or displaced run in this year’s presidential has since split and its leader, them as cover to carry out geted Maarat Al Numan and the which acts of aggression would in the conflict, mainly by election. Essebsi’s son Hafedh, has been attacks against its soldiers towns of Al Tah and Hosh Al be expressly prohibited -- to regime airstrikes on oppo- For his part, 92-year-old battling to oust the prime min- along the border. Qasabiya, all of which fall allow the return of thousands of sition-held areas. Essebsi indicated he would not ister for months. Former army chief launches Houthis free first prisoner in swap deal campaign to replace Netanyahu AP AFP hopes to see more similar a humanitarian gesture”. . The conflict has TEL AVIV, ISRAEL SANA’A humanitarian gestures from Awaji is the first prisoner to triggered what the UN calls the parties.” be released under a deal the world’s worst humani- Retired Israeli military chief Benny Gantz (pictured), is Yemen’s Houthi rebels The International Com- agreed between the Saudi- tarian crisis, with millions of launching his long-awaited political campaign yesterday, yesterday released the first mittee of the Red Cross, backed government and people at risk of mass seeking to position himself as the first serious challenger to prisoner under an overseeing the prisoner rebels at UN-brokered peace starvation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decade-long rule. agreement with the swap, confirmed the Saudi talks in Sweden last month. The war has killed some Flaunting a tough military pedigree, Gantz’s emergence in the polls as Netan- government brokered last soldier had been transferred The two parties agreed 10,000 people since the yahu’s top rival highlights how security rules supreme in the minds of most Israeli month, the United Nations from Sanaa to Riyadh. to exchange 15,000 Saudi-led coalition inter- voters. Straight out of central casting, the tall, telegenic ex-general with salty hair said. It posted a video of a detainees and have sub- vened in support of the is still untarnished by partisan politics and has been riding a wave of popularity, “The special envoy wel- man in a stretcher being mitted lists of prisoners’ beleaguered government in even while saying little and presenting a vague ideological platform. comes the unconditional carried onto a Red Cross jet. names to UN mediators. March 2015, according to the But the shine could quickly wear off following yesterday’s speech, when he is release... of the sick Saudi The Huthis named the For nearly four years, World Health expected to finally lay out his agenda. Netanyahu’s allies are sure to brand Gantz prisoner,” the office of UN soldier as Musa Al Awaji in Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi Organization. as a “leftist” should he show any signs of moderation. Even before the speech, envoy Martin Griffiths a report on their Al Masirah rebels have been locked in Human rights groups say Netanyahu supporters were taking aim at Gantz, trying to dig up dirt on his family, tweeted. TV. It said the Saudi was a war with a regional pro- the real death toll could be questioning his record and taunting his sparse speaking appearances. “The special envoy freed “without collateral as government alliance led by five times as high.

Two Malian UN condemns deadly soldiers killed, 10 Palestinian govt submits resignation to Abbas attacks on Palestinians AFP istration is formed. the international community. Palestinian RAMALLAH injured in attack “The government of Prime Minister politics has essentially been paralysed ANATOLIA/ Rami Hamdallah submitted on Tuesday since 2007, when Islamist group Hamas The Palestinian government submitted its its resignation to President Mahmoud seized control of the Gaza Strip from United Nations’ human rights monitor AFP resignation yesterday, a statement said, Abbas,” official news agency Wafa said Abbas’s forces in a near civil war, a year yesterday condemned deadly attacks on BAMAKO a move seen as a bid by president following a cabinet meeting. after winning parliamentary elections. Palestinians in the West Bank city of Mahmoud Abbas to strengthen his position The government “will continue to Since then Abbas’s governments have Ramallah. Two Malian soldiers were as a decade-old political split deepens. serve our people wherever they are and maintained limited self-rule in the “We are deeply concerned about the killed and 10 wounded Analysts view replacing Prime Min- shoulder all its responsibilities until a new occupied West Bank, while Hamas has protracted and extremely violent attack yesterday in a suspected ister Rami Hamdallah after five years as government is formed,” it added. led a rival government in the strip. on Palestinians in the West Bank village,” jihadist attack in the country’s part of Abbas’s efforts to further isolate It was unclear how the change of gov- Israel and Hamas, which is considered Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN troubled north, the defence his political rivals Hamas, who run the ernment could impact on policy. Secu- a terrorist organisation by the United High Commissioner for Human Rights ministry said. Gaza Strip. Hamdallah’s government larist Abbas remains the primary decision States, the European Union and others, (OHCHR), said in a press briefing note on A post in Tarkint, near the will remain in place while a new admin- maker and interlocutor with have since fought three wars in Gaza. Monday. city of Gao “was the object of a sophisticated attack”, a statement said. A 14,000- strong UN military and police mission has been deployed in Zimbabwe lawyers march to demand justice for jailed protesters Mali since 2013 to help counter jihadist activity. In his last quarterly REUTERS release on bail of activist pastor report on Mali, UN chief HARARE Evan Mawarire, who was Antonio Guterres said more detained at a maximum security than half of the attacks by Hundreds of Zimbabwean prison in Harare on subversion armed groups targeted Malian lawyers marched yesterday to charges after he tweeted his security forces, especially in demand justice for people support for the strike. the central Mopti region and detained in jail and others facing Mawarire, who came to Timbuktu and Gao in the fast-track trials after violent prominence as a critic of former north. Mali, one of the world’s protests this month led to mass leader Robert Mugabe, faces up poorest countries, has arrests and a brutal security to 20 years in jail if convicted. struggled to return to stability crackdown. He will be released on since extremists linked to Al- The southern African nation Wednesday, his lawyer said. Qaeda took control of the has been on edge since the Pressure group Zimbabwe north in 2012, prompting crackdown, during which resi- Lawyers for Human rights French military dents and other witnesses say (ZLHR) says the arrests and intervention. police and soldiers conducted detentions, most for public order The jihadists were routed night-time raids on many homes offences, have exceeded the legal from key desert towns such and forcibly removed and beat system’s capacity. Lawyers have as Timbuktu and Gao, but alleged protesters. been unable to extend represen- large stretches of the land- The main teachers’ union tation to detainees including locked Sahel state remain out announced yesterday that its children, they say. of government control. members would go on strike Close to 50 people have A peace deal between the from next week, raising the been acquitted on public vio- government and armed prospect of more unrest. lence charges while an equal groups was signed in 2015, Police say more than 1,000 The members of the Law Society of Zimbabwe taking part in a “March for Justice” towards the number have been convicted and but its implementation has people have been arrested since Constitutional Court in Harare, yesterday. sentenced to as many as seven been slow and attacks have Jan. 14, when a three-day stay- years, ZLHR said, adding those continued in the centre and at-home strike called after Pres- raised fuel prices led to street charged have been denied bail lawyers say. Zimbabwe’s High found guilty did not have north. ident Emmerson Mnangagwa violence and looting. Those in a violation of their rights, Court yesterday ordered the lawyers. 10 VIEWS WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 Had enough of Brexit? How ESTABLISHED IN 1996 about 10 more years of it? CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR THERESE RAPHAEL MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED BLOOMBERG [email protected] hen moments of political drama capture the DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR national attention, one at MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI least expects some clarity Wto result. Alas, that would be setting [email protected] the bar too high for Tuesday’s Brexit votes in the UK parliament. The decisions are, of course, important. Britain is conducting a painful negotiation with itself over what kind of Brexit it wants, and that EDITORIAL means eliminating certain options. Much of the battle in parliament is A pro-Brexit activist remonstrates with an anti-Brexit activist as both sides demonstrate about avoiding leaving the European outside of the Houses of Parliament in London, yesterday. Union without a negotiated set- Technological advancement tlement. A no-deal outcome - which path parliament takes, according to Brexit, life wouldn’t return to its pre- even proponents struggle awkwardly trade specialists and analysts. 2016 settled norm. There would be oredoo did it again and made the country proud to defend - would maximize the eco- “It has the look of a many-years attempts to appease leavers, perhaps once again. It takes immense hardwork and ded- nomic pain, and be the height of irre- long exercise, however you look with promises of a new political set- Oication to be the first in the world to launch a live, sponsibility for any government. forward from here,” says Tony tlement with Brussels (something that commercially available 5G network and conduct the first Beyond ruling out no-deal (some- Travers, a professor of government at has already started). There would be a international 5G call in the region. thing the government has avoided the London School of Economics. “We fierce battle to whip up new forms of Ooredoo’s call took place between Ooredoo Group doing publicly), Speaker John Bercow’s are in the rolling foothills of an euroskepticism too, with unpre- CEO Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al Thani and Ooredoo Kuwait decision of which amendments to enormous mountain.” dictable consequences. CEO Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al select for a vote on Tuesday, and how A no-deal scenario would bring We have an idea of what the eco- Thani. the House decides, will provide clues the most uncertainty, leaving the Irish nomic costs are from the uncertainty Speaking about the landmark call, Sheikh Saud bin as to whether an extension to the two- border question unresolved, no generated by the Brexit vote. How a Nasser Al Thani said: “Being at the forefront of techno- year Article 50 timetable is inevitable, trading relationship in place and a country of Britain’s size deals with a logical development, to ensure our customers and Qatari or whether Theresa May will return to great many sore feelings. Since Ireland prolonged period of multi-faceted, citizens and residents will be the first to enjoy the Brussels to demand further conces- itself will hold a veto over any future multi-front negotiations, however, is incredible capabilities of 5G, is of paramount importance sions. It might also provide some indi- EU trade agreement with the UK, impossible to predict. How will 10 or to us and we are delighted to announce the success of cation as to whether the hard-leave Britain can’t simply pretend the more years of up-and-down, publicly this call, marking yet another crucial step along the way and remain sides of the Tory party can question of how to maintain an open scrutinized negotiations affect domestic to widespread, life-changing 5G adoption.” live with each border between the two countries is spending decisions and taxation, The magnitude of this achievement is clear when one other. Dublin’s problem. May’s negotiated impact elections, reshape the civil understands that there are no smart devices commer- But when deal at least sets out a transition services, determine investment deci- cially available in the world to support this great fete. those options period during which the work on a sions and impact consumer choices Ooredoo is able to use 5G through the apps that are are whittled future trade relationship can begin. and voter preferences? We don’t know. developed by itself. The tele- down to a And yet exactly what shape that takes Brexiters blithely claim the impact communications giant is May’s negotiated single choice will be a matter of bitter internal will be benign - but that is pure waiting for manufacturers to deal at least sets - which is debate and long, iterative negotiations. guesswork. Their logic is also tortured: start producing 5G capable out a transition unlikely to If Brexit gets delayed, or May’s deal If free trade is so desirable that Britain mobile devices to make the period during happen until morphs into a softer customs-union needs to get out of the customs union, technology available to the much closer type arrangement, or a Norway-style leaving the closest possible free-trade The magnitude of common man. Once these which the work to March 29 - one that leaves Britain in the single deal with your largest trading partner this achievement devices are produced, on a future trade the hard part market but with no say in EU laws, in favor of greater friction and is clear when Ooredoo will be again the relationship can won’t even extensive negotiations will be required uncertain future relationships has to one understands first-in-the-world to make begin. And yet have begun. to work out the details of the new rela- be acknowledged as a backward step. them available for immediate That is the tionship and their interpretation - all And yet, the era of perpetual nego- that there are use, as the networks are well exactly what part of Brexit in a fractious domestic political envi- tiation doesn’t portend economic no smart devices ahead with readiness. Tech- shape that takes that is so ronment. Likewise, a second refer- doom either. Britain has a robust, commercially nology experts say that will be a matter easily for- endum or a general election might diverse, (modestly) growing economy available in the devices capable of dealing gotten in sate the public’s wish for a say, but the with low unemployment; and for all with 5G technology will be of bitter internal these decision must then be implemented - the talk of constitutional crisis, its ven- world to support available by the third quarter debate and moments of again, via more negotiations. erated democratic institutions appear this great fete. of this year and Qatar will be long, iterative high drama: Even then, notes Sam Lowe, senior able to handle the knocks. There is no Ooredoo is able among the first countries that negotiations. the British research fellow and trade policy danger of cardiac arrest if an orderly provide the 5G services. government expert at the Center for European Brexit can be engineered. to use 5G through The new lifestyle changing is entering an Reform, it wouldn’t be over. Another Radical uncertainty - when no his- the apps that are technology 5G is the fifth-gen- era where the only certainty is a semi- government may want to tweak what torical data or statistics are useful for developed by eration cellular wireless permanent state of negotiations. its predecessor agreed. He cites the mapping the outcome - seems axio- itself. broadband that will even- We continually hear (and some of experience of Switzerland, which has matic with Brexit. Maybe it’s more apt tually replace the 4G LTE con- us have repeated the mantra) that been locked in acrimonious negotia- to describe the best-case scenario as nection. With 5G, users will Brexit is a process not an event. But tions with the EU for years. “One of the one of prolonged “insecure stability,” a see exponentially faster download and upload speeds. that’s not quite right. Processes are main things we should take from the term Pacific Investment Management Latency, or the time it takes devices to communicate with orderly and have an endpoint. There Swiss is that it will never end,” he says. Company’s global economic adviser each other wireless networks, will also drastically is, as yet, no order to Brexit and no “When one negotiation finishes a new Joachim Fels and former Pimco exec- decrease. endpoint. A sense of chronic imper- one begins.” utive and now Fed Vice Chairman Ooredoo said that it is not just launching 5G in Doha, manence is virtually certain whatever Even if there was a vote to reverse Richard Clarida circulated in 2016. but also working to update 1,200 of its network stations. Ooredoo is so fast that it is aiming to update 100 network stations within the next three months. Beyond its speed, this milestone is a great step for Internet of Things, and will pave the way for a host of smart technologies like smart cars, VR, AR and drones to Mexico stands with migrants be part of the everyday lives. It would also have a hugely positive impact on many sectors like health and edu- THE WASHINGTON POST and foster economic growth. Our gov- health care, education and other social cation, and on the entertainment industry, such as sporting ernments must properly implement programs. events, such as 2022 Football World Cup, which will be exico is adopting a new several complex policies to meet this But our new migratory blueprint is built on the 5G technology. So the future is here with migratory framework in ambitious set of goals. The technical at odds in some respects with the Ooredoo. line with the solidarity that expertise and financial support of the announcement by US authorities that has always characterized United States represent a significant some migrants looking for asylum Mour foreign policy. This new advantage toward the success of those who entered through our shared framework relies on a comprehensive policies, and should be commended. border could be returned to Mexico to vision to understand migration and all Our administration’s new wait for their proceedings. its repercussions from their root migratory plan is a far-reaching shift In accordance to our new QUOTE OF THE DAY causes. We believe trying to halt the from that of our predecessors. Mexico migratory policy, one that puts human flow of migrants without addressing is the first country to adjust its rights at its core, Mexico will tempo- The Taliban have the factors that force people to flee migratory policy as recommended by rarily welcome some migrants seeking committed, to our their countries is insufficient. the new United Nations Global asylum in the United States. But in the satisfaction, to do what As President Andrés Manuel López Compact for Migration. In accordance interest of protecting vulnerable Obrador stated in a letter to President with this international agreement migrants, unaccompanied children is necessary that would Donald Trump, a plan to boost devel- adopted by more than 160 countries, and those in poor health conditions prevent Afghanistan opment in Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico’s position will no longer be one will not be accepted into our territory from ever becoming Honduras that creates employment of migration deterrence and blockage. from the United States. With this, a platform for and, as a consequence, lowers crime Mexico’s National Migration Institute Mexico reaffirms its adherence to the rates, represents a better and more has provided visiting registrations for paramount principle of non- international terrorist effective alternative than merely humanitarian reasons to migrants that refoulement. As stated by international groups or individuals. focusing in stemming the outflow of otherwise would have entered the law, no government should return an immigrants. country irregularly. In light of our asylum seeker to territories where his Zalmay Khalilzad The ongoing initiative between regional responsibilities and com- or her life would be threatened on US Special envoy for peace Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and mitment to human rights, migrants account of race, religion, nationality or Mexico is designed to raise investment, will be able to work and, as a conse- membership of a particular social in Afghanistan enhance governance, reduce violence quence, will benefit from access to group. WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 OPINION 11 Venezuela’s slow coup continues o other day is more dency, but he clearly hasn’t. years stoking anti-Russia panic, In fact, the so-called “Lima emblematic for Venezuelans What sets this attempt at regime MSNBC’s standard script offers little Group” that helped fast-track than January 23. It was on change apart from previous ones is the guidance to confused liberals seeking regional recognition for Guaido this day that Venezuelans immediate reaction from many in the to triangulate a political position - was established scarcely 18 months roseN up and overthrew the dictator international community. The United Trump is for the coup but Russia is ago as a spearhead of Latin Amer- Marcos Perez Jimenez in 1958. Thus, it States offered its pre-emptive support against it - what to do? ica’s right-wing, and with the was no surprise when the Venezuelan in the form of a video endorsement Small signs of hope have emerged explicit objective of antagonising GEORGE CICCARIELLO-MAHER opposition chose January 23 to launch from US Vice President Mike Pence, from the new Democratic cohort, Venezuela. Through soft coups in AL JAZEERA their most recent offensive, with the and a handful of Latin American coun- however. California representative Ro Paraguay and Brazil, along with relatively unknown opposition tries quickly followed suit, with several Khanna rejected US support for elections in Argentina, Chile, benchwarmer Juan Guaido declaring European nations threatening to do the Guaido and called for an end to sanc- Colombia and elsewhere, the leftist himself president. The opposition’s same if new elections are not immedi- tions, while Minnesota representative Pink Tide has been pulled apart desired message was clear: Nicolas ately called. Ilhan Omar tweeted that; “A US- and delivered into the hands of Maduro is a dictator and “the people” How can world leaders support a backed coup in Venezuela is not a international capital. have had enough. But metaphors only coup in the name of democracy? The solution to the dire issues they face. Here too, the roll-call is stretch so far. Maduro is no dictator, ease with which parts of the interna- Trump’s efforts to install a far right revealing. Colombian President Ivan and the opposition - much less Guaido tional community have recognised opposition will only incite violence Duque Marquez is the handpicked himself - do not speak for “the people”. Guaido reflects not principled support and further destabilize the region.” successor of Alvaro Uribe, the god- In fact, until last week, fewer than for democracy, but a global reconfigu- Meanwhile, progressive firebrand father of the Latin American far 20 percent of Venezuelans even knew ration of power. This includes not only Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez has disap- right, accused of having ties to drug who Guaido was, and he only came to the rise of a multi-polar world - exem- pointingly settled for retweeting trafficking and death squads (many How can world head the opposition-controlled plified by Russian and Chinese support Khanna, while Bernie Sanders buried of those today emigrating from the leaders support a National Assembly by accident. To for Venezuelan sovereignty - but also a the lede in a hand-wringing thread Venezuelan crisis had previously coup in the name of quell chronic infighting, Venezuela’s rightward swing across Latin America that spent more time denouncing fled decades of political violence in democracy? The ease fragmented opposition agreed to rotate alongside the warring colonial conceits Maduro than opposing US Colombia). leadership, and despite claiming only of the US and Europe. intervention. Peruvian President Martin Viz- with which parts 14 seats of 167, it was the turn of his US President Donald Trump’s Europe, characteristically, is posi- carra wasn’t even elected himself, of the international party, Popular Will. support for regime change is unsur- tioning itself as the global lesser-evil, and instead came to power when community have For his part, Maduro was just inau- prising - his thin commitment to isola- imperialism with a smile. While not his predecessor was forced to resign recognised Guaido gurated for his second term, after tionism notwithstanding. But his endorsing the coup outright, several amid corruption scandals winning an election that the main decision to name Elliott Abrams, countries have threatened to do so if Standing at the head of these reflects not principled opposition coalition chose to boycott. whose bloody fingerprints are all over Maduro doesn’t call elections within self-appointed guardians of Vene- support for democracy, Today they cry fraud, but this is an Nicaragua’s Contras and other Central eight days. Blackmailing a recently- zuelan “democracy” is Jair Bol- but a global opposition that has been boycotting American war criminals, as special elected president into new elections is sonaro - a racist misogynist who reconfiguration of elections, orchestrating coups, and envoy to Venezuela was even more arrogant enough - but it’s positively openly praises the Brazilian military unleashing bloody violence in the extreme than many expected. galling once we consider who is issuing dictatorship (1964-1985). The power. This includes streets of Venezuela for nearly two With friends like these, who needs the ultimatum. The UK’s conservative hypocrisy is so thick you can cut it not only the rise of a decades. elections at all? On Venezuela, Demo- Prime Minister Theresa May, for with a knife. And in some ways, the multi-polar world - We should be clear: Guaido’s self- cratic Party leaders are often hard to example, is presiding over an clearest proof of the Lima Group’s declaration is yet another attempted distinguish from their Republican unpopular government that can political motivations is the defection exemplified by Russian coup. It doesn’t take a legal scholar to counterparts, and today is no scarcely survive a no-confidence vote by Mexico, where Andres Manuel and Chinese support know that it has no constitutional exception. Eyes trained on Florida’s - and who can forget her party’s Lopez Obrador was inaugurated in for Venezuelan basis. The opposition appeals to Article 2020 electoral college votes, most, like former leader Margaret Thatcher’s December. Bucking the rightward sovereignty. 233 of the constitution to claim that Nancy Pelosi, have staked out openly overt support for Chilean dictator shift in the region, Lopez Obrador Maduro has “abandoned” the presi- pro-coup positions. And after two Augusto Pinochet? has also rejected this newly hege- Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister monic Washington Consensus, Pedro Sanchez only came to power instead, offering to mediate a through another vote of no confidence solution to the Venezuelan crisis. in a country that has still scarcely grappled with its own fascist legacy, the heirs of which - the right-wing Popular Party - played a key role in the 2002 coup against Chavez. France’s besieged President Emmanuel Macron, whose approval ratings are lower than Maduro’s, would D-RING ROAD be well-advised to get his own house POST BOX: 3488 in order. Macron embraces protests as DOHA - QATAR long as they don’t occur on French soil, [email protected] and seems to have forgotten the thou- sands arrested and injured and the eight deaths caused by repression of EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE the Yellow Vest protests. TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 And then there’s Latin America, FAX: +974 4455 7758 where the new wave of right-wing governments quickly embraced MANAGING EDITOR Guaido, not because they support TEL: 4462 7505 democracy, but because overthrowing Chavismo would be the crowning DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Riot police clash with opposition demonstrators during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro achievement of their efforts to grad- TEL: 4455 7769 on the anniversary of the 1958 uprising that overthrew the military dictatorship, in Caracas. ually reclaim power in the region. LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7743

BUSINESS NEWS SECTION he nation will, on January 30, finally, there was the direct attack by cultures and religions and a huge TEL: 4462 7535 observe Mahatma Gandhis Subhas Chandra Bose. population, divergent issues exist in death anniversary. This is also Yet, Gandhi never gave up the every walk of life. It is all the more SPORT NEWS SECTION the year that we are cele- path of dialogue and always explained necessary that the political leadership TEL: 4455 7745 Tbrating Gandhi’s 150th birth anni- in great detail the reasons for taking a should diffuse these issues and inspire versary. We should remember that particular path and his actions. He and unite us to fight poverty, blind ONLINE SECTION the greatest apostle of peace lost his gave a spiritual tone to the freedom faith and general ignorance rather TEL: 4462 7501 ANIL K RAJVANSHI life in trying to bring different groups struggle and generally kept the dia- than each other. [email protected] IANS together. logue with different factions at a high It has been shown the world over that human beings react very posi- moral level. Gandhi gave Indians PUBLIC RELATIONS tively to the call for a higher purpose confidence in themselves; that they TEL: 4455 7613 in life and with proper dialogue, they were equal to the British and showed [email protected] that we can defeat the greatest power are capable of making sincere and of the world through peaceful means. honest decisions. This is how Gandhi We need to return to ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT The economic situation during the inspired the freedom movement. TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 freedom struggle was really grim. Yet What is, therefore, needed at this FAX: 4455 7870 Gandhian art of dialogue Gandhi’s higher calling brought the juncture is that a good political lead- [email protected] people together and gave them a ership provides a balm to the frayed sense of doing something wonderful nerves by showing the path where CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT with their lives and achieving the every section of the society can take TEL: 4455 7857 impossible. Thus, the richest industri- part in nation building. [email protected] alists like Tata, Birla, Bajaj, etc. took However, when the whole All his life, Gandhi tried to bring very active part in the freedom purpose of present political parties is SUBSCRIPTION & people of different communities struggle. to win the next election and remain in DISTRIBUTION together because he believed in Today the situation is different. power rather than taking the nation TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 inclusive growth and development; We are economically well-off and on the path of general development FAX: 44557819 something that was possible only increased exposure through mass and well-being of its population, then [email protected] when everybody worked for the media and internet has resulted in it is difficult for them to provide lead- The economic common good. raising the aspirations of our popu- ership and the Gandhian balm. Why have we lost this art of dia- lation manifold. So, like the Gandhian way, what situation during the logue and the ability of taking all the With problems of not achieving we need is that each of us becomes All thoughts and views freedom struggle people together? Gandhi’s example the aspirations of the huge popu- the agent of change. We can do it by expressed in these columns holds the mirror to present lation, there are daily struggles in working to our best capability and in was really grim. are those of the writers, Yet Gandhi’s higher leadership. their lives which bring in frustrations. doing our work honestly. This single During the freedom struggle, there When conditions are created by thing can throw up good leaders and not of the newspaper. calling brought the was a diversity of opinions and paths political parties to instigate them and help in creating a great and pros- people together and on how to get independence. There appeal to their baser instincts, as perous country. All correspondence gave them a sense were militant elements led by Bal happens daily, it provides a spark to All of us are part of this great Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, make any situation explosive. The country. We are born and raised in regarding Views and of doing something and Lala Lajpat Rai; then there were general strife that we see and read India and may have different points of Opinion pages should be wonderful with their the divisions created by the British about daily is the result of these view or religions or ways of life but all send to editor-in-chief lives and achieving between Hindus, Muslims, scheduled frustrations. of us want to live in a holistic, emo- office or mailed to the the impossible. class and others; together with this In a pluralistic society like India, tionally satisfying and economically were fringe elements of the RSS and with 26 different languages, many viable India. [email protected] 12 ASIA WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 Ayodhya: Govt seeks land near demolished mosque

ANATOLIA/IANS “After 16 years of stupor, why has the NEW DELHI government suddenly woken up, that too with just two months remaining for the Lok Sabha The Indian government has approached the country’s elections?” asked Congress spokesperson Supreme Court seeking Abhishek Manu Singhvi responding to the permission to allow the transfer Centre moving the apex court. of part of a “surplus” land near the disputed Babri Masjid site to its original owners, local media Rahmani, head of the New dispute was finally adjudicated, reported. Delhi-based Muslim Political status quo shall be maintained The move by the ruling Council, told Anadolu Agency. on all land including the undis- Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has Seeking to remind the puted land. come as the country is going to Centre of the Supreme Courts “The SC directive is very general elections in the next few 2003 directive about clear, but what is questionable months amid rising demands by “observance of status quo”, the is the government’s move to right-wing Hindu voters to build Congress yesterday questioned seek modification of that order a temple at the disputed site. the Modi government’s move ahead of the elections,” he The Supreme Court of India asking for the top courts nod for added. Gujarat’s former chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela (left) is being welcomed by Nationalist Congress on Sunday had further delayed giving a part of the 67 acres of In December 1992, Hindus Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar (centre) for joining the party as NCP senior leader Prafulbhai Patel hearing of the case after Justice undisputed land to Ram Janma- belonged to BJP and its allies looks on in Ahmedabad, yesterday. S A Bobde, one of the five judges, bhoomi Nyas and other original gathered at the site and was not available on the hearing owners. destroyed the 16th-century date.Local daily Indian Express “After 16 years of stupor, mosque named after Mughal reported the Ram Janmabhoomi why has the government sud- Emperor Babur. The destruction Vaghela joins NCP, to be Nyas, a Hindu trust, has sought denly woken up, that too with sparked nationwide riots that the return of land. just two months remaining for left around 2,000 people dead. The move has been met with the Lok Sabha elections?” asked The dispute between Hindus given national role strong criticism by Muslim Congress spokesperson and Muslims has resulted in leaders in India. Abhishek Manu Singhvi thousands of deaths over the IANS He will be instrumental in better engineered a defection of party “This is an attempt by BJP to responding to the Centre moving years. AHMEDABAD coordination for joining anti-BJP MLAs in an attempt to defeat show to their cadres that we are the apex court. Muslims demand a new parties,” said Pawar. veteran leader Ahmed Patel in doing something for them (to Questioning the govern- mosque at the site, while Hindus Former Gujarat chief minister Vaghela said “Today the the Rajya Sabha elections. build the temple). The BJP is ment’s intention, Singhvi cited claim that this was where their and rebel Congress leader Shan- country is living in a constant An active RSS member, doing this because of the the court’s March 2003 directive deity Ram was born, demanding kersinh Vaghela formally joined fear. The constitutional insti- Vaghela had joined Jana Sangh upcoming elections,” Tasleem which stated that until the title instead a temple at the site. the Nationalist Congress Party tutions such as the Parliament, in 1969 which later became the (NCP) yesterday in the presence Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, RBI, Janata Party and then trans- of NCP’s national president ECI, CBI, CVC, CAG are being formed into the Bharatiya Janata Sharad Pawar. gagged. I felt that it is not good Party BJP. Leaders to attend Rahul rally in Patna Welcoming Vaghela, Sharad to remain inactive in such Vaghela severed his ties with Pawar said, “For two months we times. the BJP in 1996 and formed the IANS/PATNA were in talks and finally Vaghela “Today the people are angry Rashtriya Janata Party (RJP) and as decided to join our party. We with the present government, formed the government in Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s rally on February 3 here will want his experience and his and I see a UPA-III type of anti- Gujarat and served as the 12th be attended by leaders of ‘mahagatbandhan’ (Grand Alliance) and strong public support in forming BJP government at the Centre. Gujarat Chief Minister for some Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states. Bihar Congress President a non-BJP government at the The present government is time with Congress support. Madan Mohan Jha said here that leaders of the RJD, HAM and RLSP Centre.” corrupt. The person claiming to He served as the state Con- will attend the rally. He said the CPI, CPI-M and CPI-ML had also “I have requested him to not have a 56-inch chest tells so gress president in 2002 and been invited to the rally. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the Bihar only lead our party in Gujarat many lies. To save democracy I leader of Opposition in the state opposition leader, former Chief Minister and Hindustani Awam but also bear the responsibility have decided to join the NCP.” assembly till 2017. Vaghela was Morcha President Jitan Ram Manjhi and RLSP chief and former of the national general secretary Vaghela was expelled from the Union Textiles Minister Ex-union minister Union Minister Upendar Kushwaha will attend the rally. of NCP, which he has accepted. the Congress in 2017 after he during the UPA-I government. George Fernandes dead at 88 BJP and CPI-M dividing people: Rahul IANS NEW DELHI IANS India’s time by telling one lie entire country. We will make up “Four Supreme Court judges Kerala was hit by the worst ever KOCHI after another. He said two crore for the lapses of the Modi gov- went to the media to say they are floods and the promises of Former Defence Minister jobs would be created every year ernment by providing for low unable to work. The CBI chief rebuilding Kerala by the CPI-M George Fernandes, long- In what’s seen as the launch of but what happened was that 15 cost high quality education, was reinstated by the apex court government here has not time socialist and a trade the Congress-led UDF’s election of his close business friends got improving livelihood by creating but within hours Modi trans- reached anywhere. Like the BJP unionist, who fought the campaign in Kerala to the Lok a maximum income guarantee a minimum income guarantee ferred him out. We assure the cadres, this Left government has Congress all his life died Sabha polls, Congress President when thousands of youths got scheme that will be credited people that we will restructure done only things that have ben- yesterday after prolonged Rahul Gandhi yesterday nothing,” said Gandhi. directly to the bank account of the GST which will remove all efited its cadres. illness. He was 88. slammed both the BJP and the He told the gathering that the every poor person beside the flaws,” said Gandhi. “Both these parties created Fernandes, who was suf- CPI-M for dividing the people. first thing a Congress-led gov- improving the health and edu- Lashing out at the CPI-M an orgy of violence. No jobs have fering from Alzheimer’s Gandhi said this to over ernment would do after the Lok cation sectors,” added Gandhi. government in Kerala, he said been created for the youths here. disease, has been out of the 50,000 activists, including Sabha polls would be to pass the He said that Modi had both the BJP and the CPI-M were Just like Modi, they ignored the public eye and has been 25,000 women, from booth Women’s Reservation Bill. destroyed not just several insti- one and the same and only their farmers. Here also the same bed-ridden for more than committees of his party. “Like we wrote off farm tutions but also even the judi- people have benefitted from thing has happened and as a eight years, family sources “Prime Minister Narendra loans in the three states that we ciary and had come up with a government schemes. result Kerala has gone back,” said. Modi has wasted five years of just won, we will do it for the fundamentally flawed GST. “It’s been months since said Gandhi. He had a cold and cough and was taken to the Max Hospital in Saket by his wife, Liela Fernandes, earlier in the Refugees in West Bengal get day, when doctors said that the veteran leader was already dead. land titles amid citizenship row His son, who lives in New York, is expected back in a REUTERS Nor does it have a domestic law to day or two, after which the KOLKATA protect the more than 200,000 ref- funeral will take place, the ugees it currently hosts, including sources said. Authorities in India’s West Bengal state Tibetans, Sri Lankans, Afghans, Bang- Fernandes had served as have given land titles to about 30,000 ladeshis and Rohingyas from Myanmar. Railways Minister in the V P refugees who have lived in settlement But in recent years, the gov- Singh government from 1989 colonies for years, and promised that ernment has been granting limited to 1990. In 1994, he formed thousands more will also get property rights to some refugee groups. the Samata Party, which later rights, as a row over their citizenship Last year, the western state of allied with the Bharatiya intensifies. Maharashtra granted land ownership Janata Party. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rights to refugees who had fled what He was appointed con- handed the title deeds on Monday, and is now some 70 years ago, venor of the National Demo- said those living in more than 200 set- when the countries were partitioned cratic Alliance (NDA) and Foggy morning ride tlements will also get land rights, even at independence. served as the Defence Min- though their settlements are on private Indigenous Chakma and Hajong A boatman rows his boat during a cold foggy morning on Narmada River in Jabalpur ister in the Atal Bihari Vaj- or federal government land. refugees who left Bangladesh more in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, yesterday. The Narmada river, also known as payee government for two “We will try to buy the land from than five decades ago have limited cit- terms, between 1998 and the Rewa, is the fifth longest river in the Indian subcontinent. the owners, and we will ask the central izenship in India, but not land rights, 2004. government to regularise the colonies while Tibetan refugees get welfare ben- on plots owned by central agencies,” efits, but no property rights. Banerjee said at a public meeting late Refugee rights are in focus with on Monday. the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019, Why only bureaucrats as information commissioners: SC There are an estimated 150,000 which proposes to give citizenship to families in the eastern state’s refugee Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Chris- IANS/NEW DELHI people from diverse fields should be the Centre and in states. colonies. Most are from Bangladesh, tians and Parsis from Afghanistan, appointed to such posts. “You don’t find any person from according to officials. Pakistan and Bangladesh, who came The Supreme Court yesterday frowned “Out of these 14 names apart from other category under the Right to Infor- Banerjee’s move is part of a wider to India before Dec. 31, 2014. at the way appointments to the infor- bureaucrats, is there any one from other mation Act?” Justice Sikri asked. push to give more rights to certain “Land ownership is an issue for mation commissions, both at the Centre fields?” asked Justice A K Sikri, who Taking a dig at making the refugee groups in the country. refugees, so having a title will make and in states, were being made only along with Justice S Abdul Nazeer, appointment of information commis- India is not a signatory to the 1951 them feel more secure,” said Achin from the serving or retired bureaucrats, reserved orders on a PIL seeking trans- sioners an all-bureaucrat affair, Justice Refugee Convention, which spells out Chakraborty, director of the Institute overlooking the mandate of the Right to parent and a criteria-based appointment Sikri said of the 14 names, one is a retired refugee rights and state responsibil- of Development Studies in the West Information Act which says eminent of information commissioners, both at judge while the rest are bureaucrats. ities to protect them. Bengal capital Kolkata. WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 ASIA 13 Pakistan upholds acquittal of woman in blasphemy case

Asia Bibi’s lawyer, Saiful Mulook, who returned to Islamabad after fleeing the country amid death threats, called the decision a victory for Pakistan’s constitution and rule of law.

AP ISLAMABAD

Pakistan’s top court yesterday upheld its acquittal of a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy, paving the way for Asia Bibi to leave the country in a blow to radicals who had demanded her execution. Following the landmark Saiful Mulook (centre), the lawyer of Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi, speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court building after the court rejected the review appeal decision, Bibi will finally be able against Asia Bibi, in Islamabad, yesterday. RIGHT: Activists of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan protest against the Supreme Court decision, in Hyderabad, Pakistan. to join her daughters, who earlier fled to Canada where they have been given asylum. daughters, the friend said, Much of the evidence pre- eve of yesterday’s hearing, the gear around the building and decision could “have a deterrent Bibi’s lawyer, Saiful Mulook, speaking on condition of ano- sented against Bibi was suspi- party urged followers to gather rolls of concertina wire ready to effect, but knowing the political who returned to Islamabad after nymity because he fears reprisals cious, and some of it appeared in the capital, Islamabad. Local be strung out along main roads. mileage to be gained from false fleeing the country amid death from extremists. to be fabricated, he said, adding news reports said police had Police stopped and searched cars charges of blasphemy I doubt it,” threats, called the decision a “I am really grateful to eve- that the cleric who lodged the arrested hundreds of party on the road outside the court she said. victory for Pakistan’s consti- rybody. Now after nine years it initial charge of blasphemy gave activists on Monday in Lahore, while officers and plainclothes Bibi, who always insisted tution and rule of law. is confirmed that I am free and I contradictory statements that Islamabad and nearby security agents were deployed that she was innocent, has said The three-judge Supreme will be going to hug my were unchallenged in the trial. Rawalpindi in apparent attempt inside the building. she will leave the country as soon Court panel had “insisted on daughters,” he quoted Bibi as Following Bibi’s initial to stave off mass protests. Joseph Francis, a Christian as her legal battles are over. very strict proofs of blas- saying. acquittal, radical religious parties Mohammad Shafiq Amini, activist who attended yester- Following protests after phemy” and found none, Pakistan’s Chief Justice Asif took to the streets in mass pro- the acting chief of Tehreek-e- day’s hearing, said the decision Bibi’s acquittal, the authorities Mulook said, expressing hope Saeed Khan Khosa led the panel tests, calling for the killing of the Labbaik, sent a video message was good news for Pakistan’s arrested radical clerics Khadim that Bibi’s acquittal will deter that dismissed the petition asking judges behind the ruling and for to followers rejecting the court’s minority Christian community. Hussain Rizvi and Mohammad false blasphemy allegations in the court to review its October the overthrow of Prime Minister latest decision as “cruel and “I am happy because the judges Afzal Qadri, both leaders of the the future. 31 acquittal of Bibi and to send Imran Khan’s government. They unjust.” spoke out strongly against Tehreek-e-Labbaik Party, and From her secret location, Bibi her back to prison and eventual also filed the last-minute appeal He asked the party’s sup- giving false evidence,” Francis several of their followers for watched the decision reported execution. He said in court that for a review of the acquittal. The porters to fill the jails across said. destroying public property live on local television, according Bibi’s accusers were guilty of protests were spearheaded by Pakistan by getting arrested for Human rights activist Tahira during rallies against Bibi and to a friend who spoke to her as perjury and if the case had not the radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik protesting. Abdullah said religion and pol- for inciting their followers to it was being announced. Bibi’s been so sensitive, they should party. Security at the court was high itics have become a “horrible violence. The clerics and the first thoughts were for her have been jailed for life. In a video message on the yesterday, with riot police in full jumble” in Pakistan. Yesterday’s others remain in custody.

Afghans wary 10 dead as militants storm Nearly 5,000 garment workers over talks with police station in Pakistan sacked over strikes Taliban as US in Bangladesh ANATOLIA said adding: “Most of the hand cites progress grenades fell in the area where the cadets were giving test.” AFP At least 10 people, including six There was no immediate AP police officers, were killed and word of claiming responsibility KABUL another 15 injured in a gun- for the brazen attack, however Nearly 5,000 low-paid Bang- and-bomb attack on a police Baloch separatists and the ladeshi garment workers Afghans are wary of peace talks compound in southwestern Taliban have long been tar- stitching clothes for global with Taliban militants, even as Balochistan province yesterday, geting the security forces in the brands have been sacked by the country’s president officials and local media region. factory bosses for joining expressed hope that U.S.-led Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani speaks during a live TV reported. On January 1, terrorists strikes over wages this month negotiations could successfully broadcast at the Presidential Palace in Kabul. The attack on the com- stormed a para-military force that turned violent, police said. end the long-running civil war. pound which houses several compound in Loralai, killing Thousands of labourers US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad which they view as a US puppet. That Taliban ruled Afghan- police offices in Loralai district, four troops. Four terrorists had walked out of factory floors said Monday there had been Faridoon Khwazoon, a istan under a harsh form of located some 154km from pro- been killed in exchange of fire across the country in days- “agreements in principle” toward deputy spokesman to Chief Islamic law from 1996 until the vincial capital Quetta, occurred with security forces while one long protests that disrupted a framework for peace with the Executive Abdullah Abdullah, U.S.-led invasion following the when scores of cadets were blew himself up. the $30bn industry -- and Taliban. The Islamic militant said Khalilzad is briefing the Sept. 11 attacks. Women were giving a test, local broadcaster Last November, a similar saw police fire rubber bullets group now controls almost half government on all the develop- largely confined to their homes Dunya News reported. attack on the Chinese Consulate and tear gas at of Afghanistan and carries out ments in the talks. and religious minorities were Abdul Majeed Dashti, a city in Karachi killed seven people, demonstrators. attacks on an almost daily basis, “Right now peace talks are persecuted. Afghan analyst police chief, told Anadolu including three militants of sep- One worker was killed mainly targeting security forces going on with full intensity,” said Shadi Khan Saif says rural Agency six police officers and aratist group Balochistan Lib- and more than 50 injured in and government officials. Khwazoon. “We are getting Afghans, many of whom have four attackers were killed in eration Army. The large Balo- clashes in Ashulia, a key Nawid, a 21-year old student, closer to the peace talks and we been living under Taliban rule four-hour long battle; whereas chistan province has been industrial town outside said that after so many years of hope to witness direct peace for years, “simply want peace.” 15 others, mostly cops were plagued by violence for over six Dhaka where clothes are violence, “peace will be mean- talks between armed Taliban In urban areas, by contrast, injured in the attack — the decades with separatists sewn for retail giants H&M, ingless.” Nawid lost his brother and the government.” “Afghans are more concerned second in less than a month in claiming it was forcibly incor- Walmart and many others. and was himself wounded in a President Ashraf Ghani, in a about the preservation of their the district. “The clearance porated into Pakistan at the end Police say thousands of deadly Taliban suicide attack in televised address Monday, rights and their liberties.” operation is over. All four ter- of British rule in 1947. factory workers accused of the capital, Kabul, earlier this sought to reassure Afghans that In Kabul, there are many rorists have been killed in the The province is also a key looting and vandalism during month. Four people were killed no deals would be made without who want peace but remain operation”, he said. route of China’s billion-dollar the protests have been fired, and 113 others were wounded in Kabul’s awareness and full par- skeptical of the peace process’ The assailants, he added, Belt and Road Initiative project but unions have accused the the attack, according to security ticipation. “Our commitment is framework. Sardar Mohammad, first fired and then hurled hand which aims to connect China’s industry of intimidation and officials. to provide peace and to prevent a shopkeeper, said a “peace grenades on different locations strategically important north- a crackdown. Khalilzad has held several any possible disaster,” Ghani agreement between America inside the compound. western Xinxiang province to rounds of negotiations with the said. “There are values that are and the Taliban cannot be ben- “They also stormed the Balochistan’s Gawadar port Pakistan imposes Taliban in recent months. The not disputable, such as national eficial” so long as Afghanistan’s office of the deputy inspector through a network of roads, Taliban refuse to meet directly unity, national sovereignty and people are not represented in general of police, who luckily railways and pipelines to moratorium on new with the Afghan government, territorial integrity.” talks. was not present there,” Dashti transport cargo, oil and gas. oil marketing firms INTERNEWS ISLAMABAD Myanmar parliament approves step towards charter change Pakistan has imposed a mora- torium on the establishment of new oil marketing companies AP took power in 2016 after more parliamentary procedures for ahead of the next general constitutional clauses it sought (OMCs) until it increases the NAYPYITAW, MYANMAR than five decades of military or changing the constitution. Brig. election in 2020. most to change. One article minimum investment military-backed rule. Gen. Maung Maung, one of the Constitutional amendment clearly aimed at Suu Kyi, the requirement for future investors. Myanmar’s parliament voted The 2008 constitution gives military representatives in par- was one of the campaign leader of the country’s pro- The Ministry of Energy yesterday to create a committee the military control of national liament, said the objection was promises made by her party in democracy movement and long- Petroleum Division “has to propose amendments to the security ministries and 25 not against proposing changes, 2015, along with rule by law and time nemesis of the military, imposed a moratorium on country’s military-enacted percent of legislative seats, but rather against setting up a ending armed conflict with barred her from holding the applications for establishment constitution, which grants the enough to prevent any constitu- committee to do so. ethnic minority groups. The president’s office because she of new OMCs by local investors armed forces the power to block tional changes, which require the With the high bar set for party circulated public petitions had a foreign husband, the late with effect from Jan 9, 2019, any change. support of more than 75 percent changing the constitution and no calling for amending the consti- British scholar Michael Aris. Once till the new criteria are The proposal to form the of lawmakers. sign that the military wants to tution that received millions of in power, her party created the approved by the Economic committee was presented by a The committee proposal give up its considerable power, signatures. office of state counsellor especially Coordination Committee (ECC) member of the ruling National required a simple majority to it was unclear if the move by Suu Once in power, the National for Suu Kyi, granting it executive of the Cabinet,” announced the League for Democracy party of pass. Military lawmakers boy- Kyi’s ruling party was only sym- League for Democracy made an powers and making her effectively Oil and Gas Regulatory leader Aung San Suu Kyi, which cotted the vote, saying it violated bolic, signaling its intentions end run around one of the the head of government. Authority (Ogra). 14 ASIA WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019

South Korean Duterte: Church official to bombing was visit Japan ANATOLIA ANKARA suicide attack A top South Korean official is slated to visit Japan this week amid military tensions AFP Duterte told reporters between Seoul and Tokyo in MANILA a woman who remains the Sea of Japan, media reports said yesterday. A male suicide bomber and his at large left a device Kim Tae-jin, Director wife carried out a Catholic that exploded during General of the North cathedral attack that killed 21 mass at the cathedral American Affairs Bureau at people in the country’s restive in the remote Muslim- Seoul’s Foreign Ministry, will south, Philippine President visit Japan “to tour UN- Rodrigo Duterte said yesterday. majority island of Jolo flagged military bases in Duterte told reporters a on Sunday, and her Japan”, Yonhap reported. Kim woman who remains at large husband later blew may also meet his Japanese left a device that exploded himself up outside. counterpart. during mass at the cathedral “There’s a possibility of a French climber Alain Robert, also known as “The French Spiderman”, is escorted by Filipino cops in the remote Muslim-majority trilateral session [in Japan after climbing and getting down the 47-storey GT International Tower in Makati City, Metro Manila, island of Jolo on Sunday, and suicide bombers detonated during the visit] joined by a her husband later blew himself explosive belts, according to in the Philippines yesterday. representative from the US up outside. the SITE Intelligence Group Forces Japan,” the news The president’s account which monitors militant agency added. differed from earlier state- activities. ‘French Spiderman’ held in Manila The latest development ments by security officials. Duterte said the Jolo attack comes after US envoy to Seoul He said military intelli- was carried out by the Abu AFP climb. Police were less enthusi- Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera Harry Harris on Monday held gence told him yesterday the Sayyaf, a kidnap-for-ransom MANILA astic about the stunt and took House, the Petronas Twin closed-door deliberations second bomb was strapped on group that has also been him into custody as soon as he Towers in Kuala Lumpur and with South Korean Defence to the body of the male suspect blamed for the Philippines’ French urban freeclimber Alain reached the ground after the the Burj Khalifa in Dubai — Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo who detonated it as survivors deadliest attacks and some of Robert was arrested yesterday, roughly two-hour climb up and where he used suction devices and Foreign Minister Kang of the first explosion ran for whose factions have declared police said, after he scaled one down the building. and a safety rope as it has no Kyung-wha in Seoul. their lives. “They (investi- support for the Islamic State. of Manila’s tallest towers in his He is being held on a charge hand or footholds. South Korea and Japan gators) could not find any part Security officials said latest high-risk ascent. of public disturbance but will However, in June he was are engaged in a verbal spat of the body because it earlier yesterday that a group The 56-year old adventurer post bail today , his lawyer foiled when he attempted to after they accused each other exploded, because that was affiliated with the Abu Sayyaf dubbed the “French spiderman” Howard Calleja said. ascend a Seoul skyscraper, of military violations in the terrorism and that was a carried out the cathedral attack climbed the 47-storey GT Tower Robert has scaled more than getting more than halfway up Sea of Japan last December. suicide,” the president said. with two explosive devices, without safety equipment, 100 structures without ropes or the 123-storey Lotte World A rift emerged between If Duterte’s account is con- one left behind by a woman leaving watchers on the ground other safety equipment, setting Tower before security forced the arch rivals when Seoul firmed it would be among the inside the church and the other staring in amazement. a record for “most buildings him to abort. accused a Tokyo military jet few suspected cases of suicide hidden on a motorcycle “This is my path, this is my climbed unassisted” according Robert said he first intended of a radar lock-on incident. bombings in the Philippines. outside.Duterte said the way of living. It is as important to Guinness World Records. to scale the GT Tower on Sat- Early this month, a Japanese The Islamic State group has woman wore a necklace “with to me as eating, sleeping. I need His successes include many urday but changed his mind military plane is reported to claimed responsibility for the a large cross” pendant, like a that. It keeps me alive,” he told of the world’s tallest skyscrapers when he saw building security have flown close to a South cathedral blast, saying two Catholic worshipper. reporters after completing the and iconic buildings, such as the men armed with guns. Korean warship with no prior notice. Malaysian PM North Korea wants peace, relations with US calls Israel

REUTERS to the United Nations in Geneva, Donald Trump had brought declared that we would neither of taking more definite and ‘criminal’ state GENEVA Han Tae Song, also told the UN- about a dramatic turn in rela- make and test nuclear weapons epoch-making steps,” he said. sponsored Conference on Dis- tions that had been “the most any longer nor use and prolif- Han said that he had no ANATOLIA North Korea said yesterday that armament that Pyongyang hostile on earth” and contributed erate them and we have taken information on a possible KUALA LUMPUR relations with the United States would continue working to to ensuring peace and security various practical measures. upcoming second summit will develop “wonderfully at a establish a “permanent and on the divided peninsula, Han “If the US responds to our between Kim and Trump. Malaysian Prime Minister fast pace” if Washington durable peace mechanism on the said. He referred to the two efforts with trustworthy South Korea’s foreign min- Mahathir Mohamad criticised responds to its efforts on denu- Korean peninsula”. leaders’ joint statement issued measures and corresponding ister said at Davos last week that Israel for being a “criminal” clearisation with trustworthy The summit last June after their meeting in Singapore practical actions, bilateral rela- North Korea must make concrete state. measures and practical actions. between North Korean leader and Kim’s New Year’s Address, tions will develop wonderfully pledges toward curbing its “Israel is a criminal state North Korea’s ambassador Kim Jong Un and US President adding: “Accordingly we at a fast pace through the process nuclear weapons programme. and deserves to be con- demned,” Mahathir wrote on his personal blog post, citing Malaysia’s solidarity with the Palestinian people. China condemns US over The statement came days after the International Para- lympic Committee (IPC) Venezuela sanctions stopped Malaysia from hosting this year’s world ANATOLIA John Bolton said at the White championship after it did not BEIJING House. Historical experiences issue visas to athletes from showed that foreign inter- Israel. China yesterday condemned ference “only makes situations Malaysia was awarded the US after Washington black- more complicated,” Geng the right to host the 2019 listed Venezuela’s state-owned warned. “The relevant coun- World Para Swimming oil and natural gas company. tries’ sanctions on Venezuela,” Championships two years China opposes unilateral Geng said, “will lead to the ago. Malaysia, a Muslim sanctions, Geng Shuang, deterioration of conditions of majority country in southeast Foreign Ministry spokesman, people’s lives” in the South Asia and a strong supporter told a regular news conference American country. of the Palestinian cause — in the capital Beijing. These countries “should does not have diplomatic On Monday, the US bear responsibility for the relations with Israel. “A Gen- announced restriction on Ven- serious consequences for this,” ocidal State”, Mahathir said: ezuela’s PDVSA as it continues he added. China and Venezuela “We maintain we have a right to ramp up economic and dip- are important partners on to bar Israelis from our lomatic pressure on Venezuelan economy and trade, he said. country. When the world con- President Nicolas Maduro. The US’ economic salvo demns us for this we have a The sanctions on the oil and comes after opposition-led right to say that the world is natural gas company PDVSA National Assembly leader Juan Festive dance being hypocritical.” Mahathir are expected to block $7bn in Guaido self-declared himself said that Israel was created A folk artist performs during an event celebrating the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, at the assets and result in $11bn of lost interim president last week from a “slice of Palestinian Qingzhou ancient town in Weifang, Shandong province, China, yesterday. export revenue over the next under articles 333 and 350 of land”, with no referendum or year, National Security Advisor the Venezuelan Constitution. a plebiscite being held. Australian Prime Minister warns of recession risk after vote

AP credentials in a speech in which of them by having them endure at consecutive quarters of eco- predicted yesterday Australia’s economy through its policy of CANBERRA he promised to detail in April the cruel lessons of a weaker nomic contraction - since July 1, economy will be affected by reducing Australia’s greenhouse Australia’s first surplus annual economy that would occur under 1991. slower global growth in the next gas emissions by 45 percent Australia’s Prime Minister budget in a decade. the Labor Party,” he added. Updated Treasury two years. below 2005 levels by 2030. The yesterday raised the prospect of “Only half of those of voting Opposition leader Bill Department forecasts released The forecaster also said Aus- government’s target is a the nation suffering its first age at this election will have ever Shorten accused Morrison of last month showed Australia’s tralia’s growth would be weighed reduction of 26-to-28 percent in economic recession in 28 years experienced a recession during fearmongering. economy is expected to expand down by tightening credit, wide- the same timeframe. if the opposition wins general their working lives,” Morrison “They’ve run out of anything by 2.75 percent in the current spread drought and falling rates The government also elections due by late May. said. to say about themselves, all they fiscal year ending June 30 and of housing construction. opposes Labor plans to reduce Prime Minister Scott Mor- “I don’t want them to learn can do is talk about us,” Shorten by 3 percent the following year. The government argues the tax deductions for landlords as rison outlined his conservative how important a strong economy told reporters. Australia had not Deloitte Access Economics, center-left Labor Party oppo- property prices moderate in Aus- government’s economic is to each and every single one experienced recession — defined an economic forecaster, sition was a threat to the tralia’s largest cities. WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 EUROPE 15 May seeks MPs’ mandate to reopen Brexit deal

AFP May promised that Northern Ireland from the take to move beyond the con- with the Republic of Ireland. Sabine Weyand, deputy to EU LONDON if this (plan) passed, divorce agreement. fusion, division and uncertainty The amendment backed by Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, she would seek a May promised that if this that now hangs over us.” the prime minister calls for the said: “There’s no negotiation British Prime Minister Theresa “significant and passed, she would seek a “sig- The rejection of May’s plan backstop to be replaced with between the EU and the UK. That May urged MPs yesterday to give nificant and legally binding significantly raised the risk that “alternative arrangements to negotiation is finished. “It does her a mandate to renegotiate her legally binding change change to the withdrawal Britain leaves the EU on March avoid a hard border”. feel like Groundhog Day.” Brexit deal with the European to the withdrawal agreement” with the EU before 29 with no new arrangements in Should she succeed, May has She said Britain risked Union, despite Brussels insisting agreement” with the Britain leaves the bloc as planned place, leading to significant eco- promised any revised deal would crashing out of the EU without a it will not budge just two months EU before Britain on March 29. nomic disruption on both sides be put to a vote by MPs as soon deal “by accident” because before withdrawal day. Speaking after a phone call of the Channel. as possible. London cannot decide what it She asked the House of leaves the bloc as with European Commission MPs were set to vote with If there is no deal by Feb- wants. Commons for its support in planned on March 29. President Jean-Claude Juncker, amendments put forward ruary 13, she has promised to A source in French President seeking to re-open the she acknowledged the oppo- including ruling out a “no deal” give MPs a chance to vote on Emmanuel Macron’s office said: agreement she struck with EU message about what we do sition in Brussels to reopening Brexit, delaying exit day and what happens next on February “The withdrawal agreement and leaders only last month, but want,” May told MPs ahead of a the deal and said it “will not be returning to the negotiating table. 14. the backstop are not renego- which was overwhelmingly series of votes on what next steps easy”. Brexit hardliners from May’s May accepted there was tiable.” And Ireland’s Europe rejected by MPs on January 15. they want her to take. “We have the chance to show Conservative party oppose the “limited appetite among our minister Helen McEntee called “The world knows what this She is supporting a proposal the European Union what it will backstop, which could see Britain European partners” to changing for “realism” from London as house does not want. Today we that seeks to remove a contro- take to get a deal through this indefinitely tied to EU trade rules the Brexit deal, which took “there can be no change to the need to send an emphatic versial “backstop” clause on House of Commons. What it will in order to keep open the border almost two years to negotiate. backstop”.

Italy faces lawsuit over migrants AFP Germany take responsibility for that the 47 migrants can dis- BERLIN the migrants. embark if they agree to leave for Sea Watch 3 is sailing under Germany or the Netherlands. German aid group Sea Watch the Dutch flag and currently “Disembarking of migrants? said yesterday it has filed a case sheltering from bad weather off Only if they head for the Neth- at the European Human Rights Sicily. erlands, whose flag the Sea Court against Italy for refusing Neugebauer stressed that Watch boat is flying, or to to allow its ship carrying 47 laws governing international Germany, the country of the rescued migrants to dock. waters are clear that ships in NGO,” he said on Twitter. The German NGO’s distress “must be brought to the “In Italy we have already spokesman Ruben Neugebauer nearest safe harbour”. received, and spent, too much.” said the group had taken the Migrants rescued by ships The Netherlands on Monday drastic step on Friday because have frequently been left in rebuffed Italy’s call to take in the of Rome’s hardline attitude limbo since Italy’s anti-immi- 47 migrants, arguing that Dutch- against the mainly sub-Saharan gration government began flagged ship had acted “on its migrants that its ship Sea Watch turning them away last summer. own initiative”. 3 pulled out of the Mediter- In a similar case earlier this “It was up to the captain of ranean on January 19. month, the EU struck a deal to Sea Watch 3 to find a nearby Italy’s Interior Minster share out between eight port to disembark the 47 Matteo Salvini is “taking the European countries nearly 50 migrants he had on board,” said people on board as political hos- migrants stranded aboard two the Dutch government. tages”, said Neugebauer. ships, one of which was Sea Some 113,482 migrants “They are trying to push it Watch 3. crossed the Mediterranean to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko addressing his supporters in Kiev, yesterday. to the Netherlands,” he added, Salvini, who has warned that reach Europe last year, referring to Salvini’s insistence he was considering legal action according to the UN refugee Poroshenko launches re-election bid that the Netherlands or against Sea Watch’s crew, said agency. AFP Addressing roughly 1,000 is showing signs of recovery KIEV people at a meeting where he after a recession. was expected to announce his Polls put him behind former 1983 Paris airport Ukrainian President Petro Poro- candidacy, Poroshenko prime minister Yulia shenko yesterday launched an stressed the need for peace Tymoshenko, who rose to inter- uphill battle for re-election, five with Russia. national prominence in 2004 attack bomber dead years on from a bloody uprising Poroshenko was elected to during the anti-corruption that brought him to power on a the presidency in 2014 after his Orange Revolution demonstra- AP Secret Army for the Liberation promise to tackle corruption. pro-Russian predecessor Viktor tions and announced she is YEREVAN of Armenia. He confessed to “This feeling of deep respon- Yanukovych was ousted fol- running last week. paying a passenger to check a sibility towards my country... lowing a wave of popular In third place is Volodymyr A former member of an bomb-carrying bag for him prompted me to decide to run protests. Zelensky, a comedian who once Armenian militant group who onto a Turkish Airlines flight, again for the office of President The 53-year-old chocolate played the role of president in a carried out a fatal 1983 claiming he had too much of Ukraine,” he told a forum in tycoon promised to pivot the ex- Ukrainian TV series but has no bombing attack on Orly Airport luggage himself. Kiev ahead of March 31 polls. Soviet country of nearly 45 political experience. in Paris has died. The bomb exploded at the Poroshenko asked voters for million people towards the West No candidate has an unas- Armenian news report yes- check-in counter, killing eight a mandate to “guarantee the and has sought to push through sailable lead, with Tymoshenko, terday said Varuzhan Karape- people. Five held over process of European and ambitious reforms. Poroshenko and Zelensky tian’s death was believed to be Karapetian was sentenced Atlantic integration, to guar- But critics said corruption is polling on roughly 16, 14 and 9 from a heart attack. to life imprisonment in France, link to French antee our independence, to still rampant and Poroshenko percent respectively. Karapetian, a Syrian of but was released in 2001 on renew the territorial integrity of has done little to rein in fellow Kiev’s relationship with Armenian descent, headed the condition of his being deported market attacker Ukraine.” oligarchs, although the economy Moscow remains in dire straits. French branch of the Armenian to Armenia. AFP PARIS

French police have arrested Nato approves accession five people for allegedly helping supply a revolver protocol for Macedonia used in a mass shooting at a Christmas market in the city BLOOMBERG name change and pave the way of Strasbourg, sources close SKOPJE for a process that will increase to the investigation said. the alliance’s numbers to 30. The five — four men, aged Nato approved the accession “The date for the signing of 32, 34, 65 and 78, and a protocol for soon-to-be the Accession Protocol will be woman, aged 57 — are all from renamed North Macedonia, determined in the coming days,’ the same family and were weeks after the former a Nato official said by email. picked up in eastern France. Yugoslav republic and Greece ‘Following the signing of the They are believed to have settled a decades-long dispute Accession Protocol, Skopje can supplied a 19th-century 8mm that hindered its membership. take part in Nato activities as pistol used by Cherif Chekatt At the centre of a tug-of-war an invitee.’ (pictured), a small-time for influence between Russia North Macedonia’s partici- criminal who shot dead five and the West, the Balkan state pation in Nato is yet another people and wounded 11 cleared its biggest hurdle to blow to Russia, which has during the December 11 attack joining the military alliance last struggled to cling to its former on the open-air Christmas month by agreeing to change its sphere of influence in the market. name from ‘the Republic of Mac- Balkans, the site of Europe’s In mid-December, another edonia.’ Greece, which had bloodiest conflicts since the end man, aged 37, was also arrested Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, officially open blocked its neighbor’s entry of World War II. Once the pro- and charged in connection Scotland’s first design museum, “V&A Dundee”, yesterday. because it said the name should tocol is signed, it must be ratified with supply of the weapon. apply only to one of its northern by Nato member parliaments. Chekatt, 29, who was on provinces that was once home The land-locked country of a special watchlist as a sus- to Alexander the Great, 2 million is following its British Royals officially open Dundee Museum pected radical IS militant, is approved a measure last week regional peers Montenegro, believed to have obtained the to drop its objections. Albania and Croatia, which REUTERS The couple, known as the the first offshoot of the Victoria pistol a few days before the That allowed North Atlantic have already proclaimed their DUNDEE Earl and Countess of Strathearn and Albert Museum outside attack. He was shot dead by Treaty Organization (Nato) Sec- pro-western allegiances by north of the English border, London. police after a two-day retary General Jens Stoltenberg joining the military club. It will Britain’s Prince William and his drew a large crowd outside the The museum houses manhunt in the city on the to circulate the accession pro- have to increase its military wife Kate officially opened the building’s angled structure. treasures such as a salvaged German border. tocol for the Republic of North spending to fulfil a demand led Victoria & Albert Dundee Kate, the Duchess of Cam- tearoom designed by Charles The IS group claimed Macedonia to the ambassadors by the US, which has urged all yesterday, an eye-catching bridge, said she was “capti- Rennie Mackintosh and a tiara Chekatt was one of their of the alliance in Brussels. members to commit at least 2 design museum which looks like vated by the breath-taking of rose-cut diamonds with a pair “fighters”, but this was dis- Greece has agreed to be the first percent of their gross domestic the bow of a ship on the mouth architecture, and the sheer of wings which tremble slightly missed by French Interior to sign, which will activate the product to military outlays. of the River Tay in Scotland. range of design on display” at when worn. Ministry. 16 AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 Trump ally pleads not guilty in Mueller case

REUTERS Roger Stone’s lawyer, and the Democratic National WASHINGTON Robert Buschel said he Committee. Mueller last year charged 12 President Donald Trump’s pleaded not guilty to Russians accused in the hacking longtime political ally Roger the charges of making as part of his investigation of Stone yesterday pleaded not false statements to Russia’s role in the 2016 election, guilty to seven criminal counts Congress, obstruction whether Trump’s campaign con- after becoming the latest spired with Moscow and whether member of Trump’s inner circle of an official the president has unlawfully charged in Special Counsel proceeding and sought to obstruct the Robert Mueller’s Russia investi- witness tampering. investigation. gation. The charges against Stone Stone, arrested on Friday in support for the 66-year-old marked the first time Mueller’s an early-morning raid on his veteran Republican operative. team has publicly tied the Trump home in Florida, sat in the US The indictment said Stone campaign to WikiLeaks, and federal court in Washington in a told members of Trump’s 2016 raise questions about what blue suit and tie. His lawyer presidential campaign that he Trump may have known prior to Roger Stone, a longtime adviser to President Donald Trump, arrives at the Prettyman United States Robert Buschel said Stone had advance knowledge of plans the public release of the stolen Courthouse, in Washington, DC, yesterday. pleaded not guilty to the charges by the WikiLeaks website to e-mails. of making false statements to release damaging e-mails about The charging documents said political operative since the days power.” chairman and deputy campaign Congress, obstruction of an Trump’s Democratic opponent, a senior campaign official “was of the Watergate scandal that Trump has called the inves- chairman, former national official proceeding and witness Hillary Clinton, that US intelli- directed to contact Stone about forced his former boss President tigation a witch hunt and denied security adviser and his former tampering. gence agencies have concluded any additional releases and what Richard Nixon to resign in 1974, any collusion. Russia has denied personal lawyer. Stone smiled as he passed were stolen by Russia. other damaging information” was released on a $250,000 US intelligence community’s It remains unclear whether through a gauntlet of reporters The indictment did not WikiLeaks had about Clinton’s bond after his arrest. finding that Moscow interfered any further charges have been upon arrival at the courthouse. indicate whether Stone knew campaign but do not disclose the He has declared his inno- in the US political arena. filed. Acting US Attorney General A small group of protesters that Russians had stolen the identity of the person who gave cence. In comments to journalists Thirty-four people have been Matthew Whitaker yesterday waved Russian flags and a e-mails by hacking into com- the order. on Monday in Florida ahead of swept up in the Mueller investi- said Mueller’s investigation was placard that said “traitor” while puters used by Clinton’s senior Stone, a self-proclaimed his arraignment, Stone accused gation. Those charged include close to wrapping up and that a other people showed their campaign adviser John Podesta “trickster” and Republican Mueller of “a raw abuse of Trump’s former campaign report was expected soon.

US govt seen as IS still has ‘thousands’ of fighters: Intel chief most corrupt AFP month announced he was name for the group. Forces are now in the final stages the once mighty terror outfit in seven years WASHINGTON ordering a full withdrawal of the “The group will exploit any of an assault launched more than responsible for the 9/11 attacks, 2,000 US troops from Syria. reduction in CT pressure to four months ago against the mil- the report said that while the BLOOMBERG The IS militant group maintains Senior US officials have since strengthen its clandestine itants’ last bastion: a four- group’s leaders were encour- WASHINGTON a force of thousands of fighters given contradictory statements presence and accelerate square-kilometre pocket of ter- aging attacks against the West who pose a potent threat in the about US intentions, but the Pen- rebuilding key capabilities, such ritory in eastern Syria. including the US, most of its affil- The US plunged in an annual Middle East as its leaders tagon said it had begun the with- as media production and Coats’ report said IS was iates’ “attacks to date have been global corruption index as a continue to encourage attacks drawal, although how long it external operations. focusing on exploiting sectarian small scale and limited to their surge in support for populist on the West, a top US intelligence would take remained uncertain. “ISIS very likely will continue tensions in Iraq and Syria, adding regional areas.” leaders and the erosion of official warned yesterday. “ISIS still commands thou- to pursue external attacks from it “probably realizes that con- It added Al Qaeda’s affiliates democracy hobbled efforts to Director of National Intelli- sands of fighters in Iraq and Iraq and Syria against regional trolling new territory is not sus- in East and North Africa, the tackle graft around the world. gence Dan Coats added that the Syria, and it maintains eight and Western adversaries, tainable in the near term.” Sahel, and Yemen “remain the The US under President militants, who once held vast branches, more than a dozen including the United States.” “We assess that ISIS will seek largest and most capable ter- Donald Trump dropped six swaths of territory in Syria and networks, and thousands of dis- IS proclaimed a “caliphate” to exploit grievances, societal rorist groups in their regions. places to 22nd globally in the Iraq but are now reduced to a persed supporters around the in 2014 which at its peak reached instability, and stretched security “All have maintained a high 2018 corruption-perception shrinking enclave, would exploit world, despite significant lead- the size of Britain. forces to regain territory in Iraq pace of operations during the past index published by the Berlin- any reduction in counter-terror ership and territorial losses,” But with support from a and Syria in the long term,” he year, despite setbacks in Yemen, based Transparency Interna- pressure to stage a comeback. Coats said in a new report to US-led military coalition, the added. and some have expanded their tional. Denmark came in first, President Donald Trump last Congress, using an alternate Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic On the subject of Al Qaeda, areas of influence.” trading places with New Zealand, which was deemed least corrupt in 2017. The rise of nationalist Five arrested leaders has led to deterio- Bolton’s notes raise questions on military plans rating transparency when it comes to public finances, over Brazil REUTERS ton’s annotation. including via the disman- WASHINGTON Colombia’s Foreign Minister Carlos tlement of checks and bal- dam disaster Holmes Trujillo, in a statement late on ances on power, according to REUTERS White House national security adviser John Monday, said: “We are not aware of the sig- the graft watchdog. It said RIO DE JANEIRO Bolton (pictured) raised questions about the nificance or the reason” for Bolton’s notes. examples include Turkey and United States’ intentions in Venezuela after Colombia has coordinated its policy on Hungary, which in the last Three employees of Brazilian he appeared at a briefing with a notepad Venezuela with the rest of the Lima Group seven years have seen their miner Vale SA and two containing the words “5,000 troops to of South and Central American nations and corruption ratings plummet contractors were arrested Colombia,” which neighbours Venezuela. would keep doing so, he added. in line with worsening score- yesterday, prosecutors said, It was not immediately clear what Bol- Bolton held the notepad at a news cards on democracy. as a criminal investigation ton’s notes meant and whether President briefing with reporters to unveil sweeping “Our research makes a began after a devastating dam Donald Trump’s administration was seri- sanctions on Venezuelan state-owned oil clear link between having a rupture expected to leave a ously considering sending US troops to firm PDVSA, Washington’s latest step to healthy democracy and suc- death toll of more than 300 Colombia. pressure Caracas’ socialist President Nicolas cessfully fighting public- people. It was also not clear if disclosure of the Maduro to leave office. sector corruption,” said Delia Vale said it was cooper- notes was intentional, and there was no indi- Sending US military troops to Colombia Ferreira Rubio, the chair of ating with investigators in the cation that such a military option would be would escalate tensions with Venezuela, Transparency International. case, which has enraged Bra- used any time soon. even as its opposition leader Juan Guaido “Corruption is much more zilians and raised fresh ques- Asked about a photograph depicting the has said a peaceful transition of power is likely to flourish where dem- tions about the company’s notes, a White House spokesman said: “As possible. ocratic foundations are weak commitment to safety after a the President has said, all options are on the personnel in Colombia remained unchanged Guaido, who proclaimed himself interim and, as we have seen in many similar dam burst just over table.” as part of a pre-existing partnership. president of Venezuela last week with US countries, where undemo- three years ago at a nearby Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob A US official, who asked not to be named, backing, said yesterday that he was the coun- cratic and populist politicians mine it jointly owned. Manning said the number of US military said they “have seen nothing to support” Bol- try’s only legitimate leader. can use it to their advantage.” Two of those arrested were Vale’s senior managers at the Corrego do Feijao mine, where a tailings dam broke on Friday, hammering the nearby Venezuela’s Attorney General seeks town of Brumadinho with a flood of mining waste — according to a court order. The Guaido probe, accounts freeze job of the third Vale employee was not immediately clear. Two other engineers, who REUTERS usurper. Maduro, sworn in As a lawmaker, who also worked on behalf of Vale and CARACAS earlier this month for a second heads the National Assembly, are accused of attesting to the term after disputed elections last Guaido has immunity from safety of the dam, were Venezuela’s chief prosecutor year, accuses Guaido of staging criminal investigation that can arrested in Sao Paulo. said yestedray he had asked the a US-directed coup against him. be removed only by a high court. Minas Gerais state inves- Supreme Court to open a prelim- Attorney General Tarek Saab Minutes after the tigators issued a total of five inary investigation into self- said he had asked the court “to announcement, Guaido said he arrest warrants and seven proclaimed interim president open a preliminary investigation did not underestimate a threat search warrants on suspicion Juan Guaido, as well to freeze the into Mr Juan Guaido as a result of imprisonment but did not of murder, falsification of opposition leader’s accounts and of diverse violent occurrences believe it was “anything new.” documents and environ- impose a travel ban on him. provoked in this country since “We are here, we will keep mental crimes, a judge’s The United States, along with January 22,” the day before acting and working to confront Venezuelan Prosecutor, Tarek William Saab, addressing the reporters decision showed. several countries around the Guaido named himself the humanitarian crisis,” he told at the Supreme Court of Justice in Caracas, yesterday. The collapse of the dam world, have recognised Guaido president. a news conference. has caused 65 confirmed as Venezuela’s legitimate head He also accused Guaido of Hundreds of thousands of police crackdown. At least 40 week, including 26 shot by pro- deaths so far, according to of state and denounced leftist helping foreign countries to people protested on January 23 people are believed to have been government forces, the United firefighters’ count on Monday. President Nicolas Maduro as a interfere in internal matters. against Maduro, triggering a killed in political violence last Nations said yesterday. WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 CLASSIFIEDS 17 AL ASMAKH LISTINGS CALL CENTER: 4448 5111 / 4041 0757 We also offer our RICS regulated International valuation service VALUATIONS & RESEARCH [email protected]

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Z  18 HOME WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 QEERI launches solar energy pilot project for farms

THE PENINSULA DOHA

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), has launched a pilot project to provide advanced techno- logical solutions for the supply of greener and more sustainable solutions to A view of the talk on “The Amazing Story of Qatar’s Tsunamis commercial farms in Qatar. and Floods,” held at QNL recently. As part of the initiative, QEERI has partnered with a farm that is located to the south-west of Doha. The QNL event explores QEERI’s project aims to harness solar energy to supply farms in Qatar with electrical energy. project aims to build an inte- grated solar photovoltaic (PV) system to supply the required 120 solar panels, which will Dr Marc Vermeersch, exec- will change how farmers across history of tsunamis electrical energy to the farm for produce 30 kilowatts of elec- utive director of QEERI, said, the country use electricity on irrigation, lighting and cooling. tricity, while ensuring that energy “Qatar has an abundant supply their farms. Using solar panels, The first phase of the requirements are met in an effi- of solar energy and, as a we are able ensure the supply and floods in Qatar program saw the installation of cient and sustainable manner. research institute with a of sufficient energy to meet our national mandate, QEERI is needs, and minimise the impact focused on enabling the nation on the environment. THE PENINSULA The event was part of the to harness its sustainable We look forward to DOHA Library’s Science Book Forum, energy resources for various assisting QEERI in developing chaired by Dr Essam Heggy, purposes, including industry, optimum energy solutions for Floods and tsunamis are among which is intended to encourage agriculture and households. agriculture in Qatar.” the most destructive natural youth and the general public to With this pilot project, we QEERI is committed to pro- disasters and can severely develop a lasting interest in hope to make a positive impact viding tangible solutions to impact the ecosystem, coast- reading science books. on this farm by building an Qatar’s energy, water and envi- lines and landforms. Although Dr Heggy said, “Qatar has energy system powered by the ronmental challenges. Qatar is predominantly an arid unique coastal dynamics. It has sun.” Its scientists will continue desert environment, several constantly changed its land- Salem Fahad Alahababi, the to build on the partnership to small tsunamis and floods have forms over the last few owner of the farm, said, “We test the technologies for use on shaped its coastal and in-land thousand years, turning Qatar are fortunate to have been desert farms, which will in turn The first phase of QEERI’s project saw the installation of 120 solar landscapes in the past, from a landlocked area to a selected by QEERI for the pilot support Qatar’s food security panels, producing 30 kilowatts of electricity. according to Dr Oula Amrouni, Peninsula. The eastern Arabian phase of their project, which goals. Research Scientist in Marine Peninsula has been subject to Geology at the National Institute important coastal changes, with of Marine Sciences and Tech- water emersion covering huge nologies at the University of areas and causing important ISL students Carthage in Tunisia. population migration. These changes continue to This, in turn, has affected affect the country’s ecosystem social behaviors from thou- win prestigious to this day, he said. sands of years to present, Dr Amrouni was a guest including the development of awards at WSC speaker at a Qatar National tribal communities, and tested Library event, entitled, “The inhabitants’ survival skills as THE PENINSULA Amazing Story of Qatar’s Tsu- they struggled to adapt to such DOHA namis and Floods,” which a harsh and rapidly changing brought together more than 250 environment.” Students from The Interna- science enthusiasts recently to A diverse group of audience tional School of London (ISL) explore how extreme weather including students, teachers Qatar were on top of the phenomena have shaped and members of the com- world recently, when they Qatar’s geographical evolution munity, engaged in a lively dis- swept up multiple awards at and cultural identity. cussion with the guest speaker, the prestigious World Scholars Dr Amrouni shared insights and Dr Heggy, who moderated Cup (WSC) Tournament of about the basis and similarities the event. Champions, held at Yale of coastal changes in arid areas “I did not know much about University in the United such as Qatar and Tunisia. tsunamis and floods in Qatar States. “The coast of Qatar is before this event. It is important Since its inception in 2007, shaped by both geological and for youth who want to build The World Scholar’s Cup has The students from The International School of London pose for a group photo. marine processes, and is par- careers in science to learn become one of the most recog- ticularly affected by natural about these topics,” said nized, joyful, and fastest- hazards such as tsunamis and Abdullah Mohamed Mansour, growing extracurricular activ- The WSC enables students to make connections The WSC enables students extreme waves and storm a 16-year old student from one ities in the world. to the curriculum; in particular, linking the to make connections to the cur- surges,” she revealed. “In fact, of the local schools. As the premier interna- experiences from each event to some of the riculum; in particular, linking the geological setting of the “The Library is a very tional team tournament, the learner profile traits with the help of the the experiences from each Arabian Gulf has a rich history important place in this country WSC draws thousands of stu- event to some of the learner of earthquakes that have gen- and everybody should visit to dents from over 40 countries. coaches. profile traits with the help of erated tsunami waves. learn new topics and meet new Although it may look at first the coaches. It is important for everyone people.” glance like an academic com- ISL Qatar students took who lives in these areas to “I was here to learn a new petition, it is more aptly backgrounds work together to suggesting that the things we part in the Global Finals held understand the history of topic that is different from cin- described as a celebration of explore new subjects and know, remember, and interact in Kuala Lumpur last summer, coastal changes, and how to ematography, which is what I learning—an inclusive practice new skills. within the world are intricately where they earned a place in better manage the do daily,” said Fadi Kolta, enrichment experience in The theme for the WSC this and meaningfully the Tournament of Champions ecosystem.” another participant at the event. which students of all year is ‘An Entangled World’, interconnected. at Yale University.

QU-CHS organises orientation on the required common year at QU Health BPS Principal will give

THE PENINSULA possible career paths and tips for exam on radio DOHA employment opportunities for CHS graduates. THE PENINSULA Qatar University’s (QU) College of The meeting was attended by DOHA Health Sciences (CHS) host an Hala Mussa Director of Academic orientation session organised by Counselling at CHS. The CHS is Radio Olive 106.3 FM and the Office of Student Affairs on the comprised of four academic Radio Suno 91.7 FM will be requirements of the common year departments: The Department of organising a special talk for for undergraduate general health Biomedical Sciences, the parents and students on students. The common year is a Department of Nutrition, the ‘Exams are Easy’. requirement for QU students Department of Public Health as This event will be held at applying for the colleges under well as the Department of Birla Public School (BPS) QU Health, Medicine, Pharmacy Physical Therapy and Rehabili- auditorium on February 2 at and Health Sciences. tation. It offers internationally cal- 4pm. Principal of the School, The orientation gives students ibrated academic programs at the A P Sharma will talk to a vital overview of the require- undergraduate and graduate parents regarding ‘Exam ments of the common year, which level. stress’ and he will give them is divided into two semesters. The CHS works hard to tips to make their ward A P Sharma, Principal of Birla Assistant Dean for Student Affairs increase the number of Qatari cit- ready and comfortable Public School Nada Al Qubaisi, clarified that stu- izens working in the health sector during exams. He will also dents who pass the requirements in Qatar as stipulated by Qatar give tips for students of the first semester —which National Vision 2030 and the QU regarding strategy to prepare research to analyse the per- tackles general chemistry, exper- The students attending orientation on the required common year strategy. CHS has designed its Sci- for exam and ‘art of writing formance variation of students imental general chemistry, biosta- ences Education and Human exams’. in board exams. at QU Health. tistics, medical education, human Health Activity (SEHHA) program, Sharma is the subject He has written many structure and function I as well as which targets Qatari students in expert and has conducted articles in newspapers on the a core course— can successfully availability of seats in the chosen Students were also briefed by secondary schools, with the aim more than 120 such sessions same. become entitled to declare their program. The common year was representatives from the depart- of encouraging them to join aca- in India and abroad. This workshop will help majors. introduced to support interdisci- ments of human nutrition, public demic health programs. His tips are very useful as parents and students enable Acceptance into the different plinary teaching among the col- health, biomedical sciences and More importantly, the number he worked closely with CBSE to fight out the stress. programs of the College of Health leges of QU health. It will also physical therapy and rehabili- of Qatari citizens working in on examination reforms, Parents and students of any Sciences is based on the academic facilitate major transfer if tation on the requirements for the Qatar’s health sector has marking schemes and cur- school can register them- performance in the first semester required, in between the three undergraduate programs offered increased significantly in the last riculum designing. selves on Olive radio site for of the common year as well as the colleges. by their departments and on two years. He had been part of a the same. WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019 HOME 19 20 MORNING BREAK WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2019

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 04. 59 AM Berlin filmfest unveils starry line-up SHOROOK 06. 18 AM

ZUHR 11. 47 AM MAGHRIB 05. 18 PM AFP BERLIN ASR 02. 54 PM ISHA 06. 48 PM

New movies starring Diane Kruger, WEATHER TODAY Martin Freeman and Catherine Deneuve and features directed by Hollywood actors Jonah Hill and Casey Affleck will take the spotlight at next month’s Berlin film festival. The 11-day Berlinale, now in its 69th year, figures along with Cannes and Venice among Europe’s A-list fes- tivals. It will present some 400 movies from around the world before wrapping up on February 17. This year’s edition will be the last led by Dieter Kosslick, who is handing over the reins after 18 years. “The audio-visual world is in major, major turmoil and we’ll have to see where the journey takes us,” Kosslick, 70, told reporters, referring to competition from streaming giants such as Netflix. “But I think in future, film festivals 69th Berlinale Festival Director Dieter Kosslick during a press conference on the 69th Berlin International Film Festival, will be more important than ever which will run from February 07 to 17, in Berlin, Germany yesterday. because you will see movies that you can’t see anywhere else (on a big screen). I think they (streaming and winner Sebastian Lelio of Chile (“A Hill’s directorial debut “Mid90s” his hometown Hamburg. festivals) will co-exist.” Fantastic Woman”), British actress/ will also screen in the Panorama China will be represented in com- o o Seventeen films will vie for the director/producer Trudie Styler, sidebar section alongside “Skin”, petition with two features, “One 17 C 25 C Berlinale’s Golden and Silver Bear Museum of Modern Art curator starring Jamie Bell, about the US neo- Second” by Zhang Yimou and “So Long, prizes, including a record seven by Rajendra Roy, German actress Sandra Nazi scene and “The Souvenir” fea- My Son” by festival favourite Wang Minimum Maximum female directors such as Polish veteran Hueller (“Toni Erdmann”) and US critic turing Tilda Swinton and her real-life Xiaoshuai. Agnieszka Holland and Denmark’s Justin Chang. Kruger and Freeman are daughter Honor Swinton Byrne. After winning the Golden Lion top Mild daytime with scattered clouds and slight dust at times, cold by night. Lone Scherfig (“An Education”). expected on Berlin’s red carpet for the Deneuve leads the cast of “Farewell prize at the Venice film festival in Sep- Scherfig will open the festival on premiere of Israeli spy thriller “The to the Night” directed by Andre Techine tember with “Roma”, Netflix will enter

HIGH TIDE 02:15 – 10:51 LOW TIDE 07:59 –19:22 February 7 with the bittersweet drama Operative” by Yuval Adler. and screening out of competition. the fray in Berlin for the first time with Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department “The Kindness of Strangers” set in New Outside the main showcase, Affleck Turkish-German director Fatih “Elisa and Marcela” by Spain’s Isabel York and starring Zoe Kazan, Andreas will premiere “Light of My Life”, a dys- Akin, who won a Golden Globe last Coixet. Riseborough and Bill Nighy. topian drama starring Elisabeth Moss year for his terrorism drama “In the Last year’s Golden Bear winner French star Juliette Binoche will (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) and set in a Fade” starring Kruger, will premiere was the sex docudrama “Touch Me lead a jury including fellow Oscar society without women. “The Golden Glove” about a killer in Not” by Romania’s Adina Pintilie. Australian researchers test shark-bite resistant wetsuit

AFP Researchers at Flinders University to identify — aims to reduce cuts and ability to reduce such blood loss along SYDNEY in Adelaide have received government punctures from a shark attack, thus with rapid emergency responses will funding to test a new neoprene — a lessening blood loss for victims. hopefully decrease fatalities and An Australian university is testing new synthetic rubber commonly used in “We are cognisant that it will not injuries due to shark bites.” Despite materials designed to lessen the impact wetsuits — against the force of a bite prevent all injuries as it will not tens of millions of trips to the beach of shark bites, researchers said from several species, including the prevent fractures or crushing injuries,” taken in Australia every year, shark yesterday, in a project aimed at great white shark. associate professor Charlie Huveneers attacks are extremely rare, but each reducing fatalities and easing the The new material — provided by said. “However, most shark-bite fatal- incident sets off public debate about nerves of swimmers. manufacturers the university declined ities are due to blood loss, and the beach safety.