BUSINESS | 14 SPORT | 16

ECB says trade LeBron James protectionism is AP’s will crimp global Male Athlete growth next year of 2018

Friday 28 December 2018 | 21 Rabia II 1440 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 23 | Number 7754 | 2 Riyals

2019

PM reviews work progress at Ruwais Port

SACHIN KUMAR The Minister of THE PENINSULA Transport and Prime Minister and Interior Communications Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin said the second Nasser bin Khallifa Al Thani phase of expansion visited Al Ruwais Port yesterday. of Al Ruwais Port, H E the Prime Minister was briefed on the work progress of which was launched the port and the phases that have yesterday, includes been completed. H E the Prime 156,000sqm of Minister also listened to explana- storage space and is tions on the development plans for the facilities, harbours and a new addition to the berths taking place in Al Thakhira, port which will triple Al Khor and Al Wakrah ports. its capacity. H E the Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of Transport and Communications H E the Minister told The H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, who is Peninsula, after tour of the port. also Chairman of Mwani Qatar, as Ruwais Port is now able to Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khallifa Al Thani and Minister of Transport and Communications H E well as representatives of the senior receive and export about 20,000 Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, with other officials touring different facilities at Al Ruwais Port, yesterday.PIC: SALIM MATARMKOT / THE PENINSULA management of Mwani Qatar. containers per year compared to The Minister of Transport about a 1,000 containers in pre- taking place recently. The Minister said one of the complete by 2020 with all extend to the back of the port and Communications said the vious years. The Minister said that since achievements is that Ruwais Port services needed for fishermen. market and cover main gates for the second phase of expansion of Al He said that the port has the launch of its first phase in Market is playing important role He said that the third entrances and exits, has made the Ruwais Port, which was become a source of pride due to January 2015, the port was able in meeting needs of residents. expansion phase which will be port global rather than only local. launched yesterday, includes the number of vessels, increased to achieve significant steps which The Minister added that the completed in a year and a half Mwani CEO Captain Abdullah 156,000sqm of storage space and trade and imports and exports. have played an important role in new expansion will serve the and aims to deepen the naviga- Al Khanji said that the port was is a new addition to the port and It has become a vital contributor meeting the increasing needs of port for next 10 years as infra- tional channel of Al Ruwais Port able to secure a large range of the will triple its capacity. to the economic development the domestic market. It is playing structure is being developed at which helps in receiving vessels local market needs of foodstuffs, “Al Ruwais Port is no more a and an important player in crucial role in meeting the the traditional fishing port, which with larger cargo. building materials and other domestic port, it has now Qatar’s renaissance due to the requirements of different projects is being expanded to add 300 He said that providing inte- goods since the imposition of the become an international port,” comprehensive development being implemented in Al Shamal. berths and is expected to be grated inspection platforms which unjust siege on Qatar. `P2

Campaign to remove Qatar opens Visa abandoned vehicles from Al Shamal to Center in Pakistan begin tomorrow

THE PENINSULA Major Abdullah Khalifa Al THE PENINSULA DOHA Muhannadi and Labour expert DOHA at the Qatar Ministry of Admin- The government of Qatar istrative Development, Labour Al Shamal Municipality has opened its first Qatar Visa and Social Affairs Muhammed Al announced to launch a joint Center in Pakistan in Islamabad Meer attended the inauguration campaign tomorrow in yesterday, as part of efforts to ceremony. collaboration with General facilitate and streamline proce- On the occasion the Ambas- Cleanliness Department to dures for bringing expatriates sador of the State of Qatar to remove abandoned vehicles, to work in the country. Pakistan, Saqr bin Mubarak Al motorboats and porta- Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Mansouri said, “In the context of cabins at Al Shamal Indus- special assistant to the Prime strengthening the distinguished trial Area. Minister of Pakistan on overseas relations between the two coun- Under the campaign, solid Pakistanis and Human Resources tries, and the keenness of the wastes like woods and steels development, advisor at the State of Qatar to support these will also be cleaned up from office of the Minister of Interior relations, the State of Qatar has the area to protect the envi- of Qatar Major General Abdullah decided to choose Pakistan as ronment and make the area Salim Al Ali, Director of Visa one of the first eight countries to beautiful, said the Ministry of Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Major General Abdullah Salim Al Ali and Major Abdullah Khalifa Al Muhannadi Support Services Department of launch two Qatar Visas Centers Municipality and Environment jointly inaugurating Qatar Visa Center in Islamabad, Pakistan. the Ministry of Interior of Qatar in Islamabad and Karachi. `P2 in a statement. “Al Shamal Municipality began putting stickers on erring vehicles, motorboats and porta-cabins from yes- SC celebrates graduation of World Cup security leaders terday, warning their owners to remove them before the beginning of crackdown on QNA Brigadier Ibrahim Khalil Al standards and are trained training programs of the Security this program, which targets 400 Sunday,” said Hasan Al DOHA Mohannadi, Head of Advisory according to the latest training Committee of the 2022 World officers. It was designed to be Faihani, Acting Director of Al Unit at the Security Committee, systems that meet the require- Cup cadres are of a high standard, multi-stage and will continue Shamal Municipality. He said The Security Committee of the stressed the importance of this ments of the FIFA. efficient and in conformity with until 2022, and includes prac- that inspectors will be visiting Supreme Committee for Delivery program in developing and He said that the State of international standards and tical training to attend interna- garages and industrial firms & Legacy (SC) celebrated refining the skills of officers Qatar always invests in human guided by the universal principles tional sporting events. to book violations. yesterday the graduation of the involved in securing sports facil- capital as a decisive factor in of human rights, including prac- He pointed out that the Al Faihani called on members of the program of ities in preparation for organ- defining the features of societies tical training in attending inter- security committee, in cooper- owners of erring firms to training the security leaders for ising the World Cup 2022. and the future of its members, national sports events, where the ation with its supporting bodies, rectify their situation before the World Cup 2022, bronze level) Brigadier Al Mohannadi said stressing that knowledge in this bronze level program is designed in this area, had made efforts to the beginning of the cam- at the Officers Club of the General that the program aims at quali- era of the most important to match the size of the respon- confirm the leading role of the paign. Acting Director of Al Directorate of Civil Defence. fying a cadre of Qatari officers sources of power as the main sibilities and the needs of leaders State in the systematic organi- Shamal Municipality urged The training course lasted to lead the tasks of securing drive towards the sustainable at various levels in securing the zation and planning of such large people to cooperate with the for 15 weeks and attended by 100 sports facilities for World Cup development of States. World Cup, wishing the graduates events and harnessing their Ministry to maintain hygiene officers who will participate in matches. They were selected Brigadier Ibrahim Khalil Al success in their security tasks. financial and human potential across the country specially the World Cup 2022. according to strict security Mohannadi added that the He noted the importance of effectively, he said. in cities. 02 HOME FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 PM reviews work progress at Ruwais Port

FROM PAGE 1 can receive all kinds goods such This strengthened its status as cars, foodstuffs and others, as a vital regional trade port in pointing out that the second the region. expansion of the port will be He stressed that Mwani positively reflected on the sup- Qatar, in accordance with the pliers and exporters in the strategic plan of the Ministry of country, explaining that all facil- Transport and Communications, ities and berths in the ports of would consolidate its achieve- Al Thakhira, Al Wakrah Ruwais, ments by providing safe and will be completed in 2020. ideal solutions to its customers Development at Al Ruwais to achieve a stable and reliable Port began in 2014. A plan was supply chain to meet the put in place to develop the port growing needs of the local in three stages and to develop market at all times and in all six berths to receive various circumstances. types of vessels and commercial He pointed that the second goods. phase of expansion of the port Al Ruwais Port, the second would greatly help in the flow commercial port, is located at of goods from the ships directly the northern tip of Qatar. The to the storage area. port plays the role of an addi- It will also help in facilitating tional access facility to promote the process loading and storing the regional commercial ship- the goods into an integrated ments and to revive and invig- storage area, in addition to orate the economy of the establishing a sophisticated northern part of Qatar. customs platform that helps Besides the usual handling increase the volume of goods of general cargoes, the port is and handling. now handling the increased On the capacity of Al Ruwais demand of foodstuff and other port, Captain Al Khanji said that commodities. there is no problem in receiving Al Ruwais Port provides a more than one million tons ready solution by acting as every year, adding that the port gateway for fresh commodities Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser from neighbouring countries. bin Khallifa Al Thani visited Al Ruwais Port (left), yesterday. The These also included frozen and chilled commodities arriving in Prime Minister and Interior Minister was accompanied by Minister reefer containers. of Transport and Communications H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, who Al Ruwais Port has wit- is also the Chairman of Mwani Qatar, as well as representatives of nessed recently substantial the senior management of Mwani Qatar. improvements by Mwani Qatar in an effort to rehabilitate and align it with international ports combined total length of 1,414 stage of Al Ruwais Port upgrade standards. metres, to be able to accom- project. The navigation channel at modate commercial vessels. This will facilitate the entry Ruwais Port is dredged to five The navigation channel and of all small and medium ships metres, new docks are built at port docks will be further and cruise ships, in addition to PIC: SALIM MATARMKOT / THE PENINSULA seven metres depth and six expanded and dredged to reach further trade expansion with marine berths constructed at a 10 meters depth during the final neighbouring countries. Qatar opens Visa Centre in Pakistan FROM PAGE 1 simplifying the procedures for date no earlier than fifteen This is in order to facilitate the getting Residence Permit in Qatar, minutes before the scheduled recruitment of skilled labour from which facilitates the expatriate to time. At the reception, the identity Pakistan, as well as to provide the start the employment immedi- of the visa applicant is verified, required services for obtaining ately after entering the country. the list of required documents visas to the State of Qatar for the By opening the Center, we can checked, and a token issued. Once purpose of (visit and residence). ensure best practices and cus- the token is called, visa applicants “It is to be noted that these tomer satisfaction through are required to digitally sign their procedures were carried out in reducing the time for process work contract, enrol biometric the past after the entry of the completion, either related with data and undergo the required expatriate to the State and will be residence permit or visa or medical tests. Upon completion done now by these centres in the recruitment of maids or those of the process at the visa centre, origin country of the expatriate. who are in this status, Major Al visa applicants will be able to This will ensure speedy com- Muhannadi pointed out. track the status of the application pletion of special process for the He also clarified that the online or through their employer issuance of visas and residence opening of the Center in in the State of Qatar. Minister of State H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari (centre) along with Brigadier Dr Mohammed permits in Qatar. However, these Islamabad is a completion of Conveniently located at I-A, Abdallah Al Mohanna Al Marri (left), the Director-General of the Police College, honours Dr Nadia procedures, which are carried out various phases of the project that I&T Center,G-6, Islamabad, the at Qatar Visa Centers, do not started by the government of visa centre is equipped with state- Abdulrahman Al Madahka, Head of Research and Study Department at Katara during a seminar on affect the local procedures of the Qatar for protecting the rights of of-the-art biometric enrolment the occasion of UN Arabic Language Day at Katara Building 15. expatriate country related to expatriate workforce while they & medical test facility. The visa travel abroad.” are in Qatar and easing their work centre is designed in line with The Ambassador also stressed procedures. “We have already international standards ensuring on the decision of the State of opened Qatar Visa Centers in Sri greater transparency, traceability Qatar to increase the number of Lanka and Bangladesh and we and increased security for the visa Katara marks UN Pakistani workers in Qatar are going to open the remaining applicants. The centre operates whereby the State of Qatar will centres soon in other five coun- between 8:30 am to 4:30pm from bring professional and semi-pro- tries. Through the Qatar Visa Monday to Friday. In consider- fessional cadres of Pakistanis Center, those who leave for Qatar ation of facilitating procedures for Arabic Language Day migrant workers to work on the for employment, can complete Pakistani applicants, the second infrastructure projects currently medical test and sign work con- Qatar Visa Center in Pakistan will underway in Qatar in the tract before their departure to be inaugurated on the 29th of THE PENINSULA College, who stressed on the reliable and to establish a search framework of hosting the World Qatar and this step is an evidence December 2018 at Karachi. DOHA importance of Arabic Language engine in Arabic. Cup 2022. He also expressed his of the keenness of the gov- Some of the key medical tests in the Cultural and Literature Moreover, Mostafa Abu thanks and appreciation to the ernment of Qatar for ensuring the to be conducted at the centre The Study and Research fields. Daher, Arabic Proof Reader and Pakistani workforce in the State protection and safety for expa- include blood tests, x-ray, visual Department at the Cultural Sayyed underscored the Lecturer at the Police College, of Qatar and its participation in triates coming to Qatar for work,” assessments, and physical exam- Village Foundation – Katara has support the Qatar government discussed some difficulties the development of the State of Al Muhannadi mentioned. inations. The operations are marked UN Arabic Language provides to preserve and facing scholars and students Qatar, stressing that the State of Work visa applicants backed by a team of highly qual- Day by organising a cultural promote Arabic language by using the Internet in Arabic. Qatar provides a good envi- migrating to Qatar will be ified healthcare professionals seminar at Katara Building 15. screening a video that includes “There is insufficient content ronment for foreign employees. required to sign work contracts, with internal systems and proc- Held in collaboration with many of the initiatives such as in Arabic language on the The United Nations Agency, Inter- enrol their biometrics data, and esses based on the latest medical the Police College under the the World Organization for Ren- Internet which makes it more national Labor Organization (ILO) undergo medical test at the Qatar standards and best practices. theme “Arabic Language in the aissance of Arabic Language and difficult for students to do has recognized the facilities Visa Center. The centre operates Qatar Visa Center maintains digital era, reality and chal- others. research,” said Daher. granted by Qatar to foreign through an integrated electronic robust multi-lingual information lenges,” the seminar was “We at the Police College He explained that insuffi- workers from all over the world, system to complete the enrolment services for the benefit of visa attended by Minister of State oblige our students to learn ciency of content also makes it he added. of biometric data and required applicants across multiple touch H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al proper Arabic language as it is hard for professors to check the Speaking to the media, medical check-ups. points. Information on Kawari and Brigadier Dr one of the major courses at the researches and thesis of stu- Director of Visa Support Services The application process for appointment scheduling, require- Mohammed Abdallah Al College which is the first of its dents and there is a necessity to Department of the Qatari Ministry work visa applicants from ments and steps at the visa centre Mohanna Al Marri, Director kind in Police Colleges,” he said. convert all the traditional of Interior, Major Abdullah Khalifa Pakistan to Qatar requires the can be found in English, Urdu and General of the Police College, in Dr Nadia Abdulrahman Al researches into digital ones on Al Muhannadi said that the applicants to get a visa reference Arabic through its dedicated addition to several other lin- Madahka, Head of Research and the web to put them to good use. opening of Qatar Visa Center in number from the Ministry of website (http://www.qatarvisa- guists, scholars and visitors. Study Department at Katara, Finally, Al Kawari honoured Islamabad comes as a part of the Interior of Qatar, then booking an center.com), call center helpline The seminar kicked off with delivered a lecture on the chal- some of the attendees and pro- plan of the Ministry of Interior of appointment by visiting www. +920 51 843 938 4, email Info. a lecture by Khalifa Al Sayyed, lenges facing Arabic Language fessors for their efforts and con- Qatar for launching Qatar Visa qatarvisacenter.com and visiting [email protected] and Head of Research and Studies on the Internet and discussed tributions in promoting Arabic Center abroad for easing and Qatar Visa Center on appointment walk-in at the reception. Department at the Police ways of promoting it to become language. FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 HOME 03 Prime Minister meets Princess of Thailand Qatar’s efforts to promote status of Arabic praised

QNA The council of Agdal Qatar charity association in pro- RABAT Rabat commune moting and spreading the Arabic language in all parts of the world The council of Agdal Rabat organised a scientific by funding projects to teach commune organised a scientific symposium in honour Arabic to non-native speakers symposium in honour of the of the efforts exerted whether through cooperation efforts exerted by Qatar to by Qatar to promote with ISESCO or Arab and non- promote the status of the Arabic Arab universities interested in language, in conjunction with the status of the teaching Arabic in the US, China, the celebration of the Interna- Arabic language. Japan, Russia, Malaysia and tional Day of the Arabic other countries. Language. The Ambassador thanked The symposium was Dictionary of Arabic which aims the head of the council of Agdal Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met attended by the Ambassador of to build a historical dictionary Rabat commune for organising yesterday with Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, daughter of King of Thailand and the accompanying Qatar to Morocco, Abdullah bin of Arabic language throughout the symposium and for the delegation. During the meeting, they discussed joint cooperation between the two countries and Falah Al Dosari, and the its heritage over the last two honour. ways of supporting and developing them. Moroccan Secretary of State in millennia, contribute to the Moroccan Secretary of State charge of scientific research and development of the Arabic in charge of scientific research higher education, Khalid Al lexicon industry appropriately and higher education lauded the Samadi. for contemporary uses, and importance attached by Qatar In his speech, the Ambas- meet the need for a historical to the Arabic language, pointing sador highlighted the impor- dictionary of the Arabic out that this interest makes us tance attached by Qatar to the language. believe that the Arabic language Arabic language, pointing to the The Ambassador pointed to is still fine despite all the chal- launch of the Doha Historical the great role played by the lenges it faces at all levels.

Al Wakra underpass opened

The Al Wakra tunnel was opened recently for commuters. The tunnel project is part of Al Wakra Road Development which extends from Airport Road intersection to Al Sadafa (also known as Pearl Roundabout) roundabout. The tunnel is 160-metre long with two lanes in both directions and includes a rainwater drainage system on both sides of the tunnel, as well as lighting and beautification works on the walls.The main road of Al Wakra was developed by converting the Abdul Ghani Roundabout to a tunnel linking the Airport Road and Al Wakra Street in a free lane under the intersection and the metro station. PIC: ABDUL BASIT / THE PENINSULA The dignitaries at the event in Rabat.

Police Training Institute concludes 2018 training season

QNA ensure the achievement of the Lieutenants) have completed the visits to the Chairman of the Dis- the Chairman of the Appellate security memos, and the role of DOHA goals. first compulsory course with the ciplinary Board, the Attorney Disciplinary Board and the the first responder in dealing The workshop included lec- aim of qualifying them as leading general’s office, the National Director of human resources with crime scene, participants The Police Training Institute has tures on the position of the head officers and providing them with Command centre and the management, and a number of also received military and sports concluded its 2018 training of the department in the admin- administrative, legal and judicial Criminal Laboratory department. practical scenarios and applica- training, as well as public lec- season with the graduation of six istrative process, the skills of the knowledge through a variety of In the framework of the tions were implemented. tures, visits to security depart- training courses, in the lead- supervisor and the supervisory practical applications to equip qualifying courses for promotion, In a similar context, 27 can- ments, and implementation of ership and supervision, and the balance, the descriptions of the them with the skills necessary to 95 of the first lieutenants grad- didates from (corporal rank) scenarios and practical imperative and field operations head of the department and their upgrade their competencies and uated after receiving the basic completed the qualifying course applications. for officers and non-commis- duties and responsibilities ensure their understanding of the knowledge and skills that enable for promotion to corporal At the same time, the sioned officers — males and towards the higher adminis- philosophy of thinking to solve them to deal with the security deputy, which was designed to Institute held the graduation cer- females — of the Ministry of trative level, how to set goals, problems and meet the chal- positions and manage the exec- equip them with the basic emony of two courses for non- Interior, completing the imple- plan work programmes, identify lenges that hinder performance utive business efficiently and knowledge and skills that would commissioned officers, with a mentation of the annual training needs and organise the oper- and the execution of tasks. effectively to develop per- enable them to communicate group of male officers com- and qualification plan of the ation, work division and distri- Participants in the eight- formance and success in the field effectively with others, and to pleting the anti-riot course, while ministry. bution to subordinates, the terms week course received lectures of security work. familiarise themselves with the dealing with persons with disa- Thirteen officers (captains and conditions of effective on team management and lead- Participants in the course principles of the police opera- bilities’ course was designated and first Lieutenants) completed planning work, the role of the ership, problem solving, creative were given lectures on adminis- tions to carry out the work for females officers. today the skills development effective head of the department decision-making, communi- trative communication, skills in entrusted to them with effi- These courses are part of the workshop designated for heads and the skills of motivating cation skills, persuasion and executive management lead- ciency, competence and rapid training and qualification plan, of departments, which was held employees and the skills of impact skills, administrative law, ership, methods of dealing with response for communications which is prepared and imple- for a week at the officers club directing, controlling and fol- human rights under Qatari law, security situations and crises, and proper handling of the crime mented by the Police Training of the General Directorate of lowing up subordinates, directing practical operational man- planning of police operations, scene to achieve success in the Institute in cooperation with Civil Defense, with the aim of and issuing orders, delegation, agement applications, security, powers and duties of the admin- field of security work. various departments of the Min- familiarising participants with orders and instructions of the security case studies, police istrative control officer, first aid, The four-week course istry of Interior in order to the concepts and scientific foun- workshop also included group behavior protocol, military exer- as well as military exercises and included lectures about effective achieve the ministry’s strategy, dations and the basics to discussions and the management cises included weapons training sport drills. communication skills, general which focuses on preparing and effective supervision, and pro- of communication between and archery, along with fitness The course included a principles of police operations, qualifying human cadres to viding them with methods of participants. training and engagement. number of public lectures on duties and actions prohibited in perform their roles optimally and effective guidance, motivation, Twenty officers at the Police The course also included lec- recent crimes and human rights, the Military Service Act, practical provide a sophisticated and dis- planning and follow-up work to Training Institute (First tures, public meetings and field and included open meetings with skills in preparing and writing tinct security service. LafargeHolcim organises beach clean-up drive

THE PENINSULA Ltd. & Al Jabor Cement Indus- Rules’ were also introduced applies various environ- DOHA tries. With the approval and during the beach clean up mental initiatives within the support of Ministry of Munic- programme by Mohit company’s business With the perfect timing of ipality and Environment Kapoor, Country Chief Exec- activities. cold weather, the ‘third (MME), Sealine Beach in utive Officer of LH Qatar. Tree planting activities in beach clean up activity’ was Mesaieed was selected as the LH Qatar is highly com- all commercial readymix carried out by LafargeHolcim location for this initiative mitted in protecting the envi- sites of LH Qatar are also (LH) Qatar, a private wherein a total of 746kg of ronment and promoting sus- upcoming next year. As a company recently as part of waste was collected. tainable development. In member of LafargeHolcim, its Corporate Social Respon- The main purpose of fact, it participates every the organisation will remain sibility (CSR). beach clean up is to raise year in ‘No Paper Day Cam- consistently active in sup- A total of fifty six volun- people’s awareness in pre- paign’, implements an porting global long-term teers participated in a joint venting pollution and pre- internal reward and recog- ecological balance by being event by two LafargeHolcim serving aquatic resources. nition programme ‘Staff Sus- eco-friendly and imple- The LafargeHolcim volunteers who participated at the cleaning drive pose for a picture. members, Readymix Qatar With this, ‘5 Environment tainability Award,’ and menting ‘green’ initiatives.’ 04 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 Trump’s surprise troop visit sparks criticism in Iraq

AFP There were no face-to-face talks between BAGHDAD Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi due to “differing views on how to President Donald Trump’s lightning Christmas visit with US organise the meeting”. In Iraqi media, rumours troops in Iraq has triggered abounded that Trump had asked Abdel Mahdi questions and criticism in a to meet him at the military base but the country deeply divided over premier declined. Washington’s influence since the 2003 US invasion. The Wednesday visit, for a face-saving story — that Taliban. Trump’s first with US troops in Trump refused to meet the PM But Trump stressed during a conflict zone since he took in Baghdad insisting that the his visit that he had no intention office two years ago, came days meeting take place at the Ain Al of pulling troops out of Iraq, after a shock decision to pull all Asad base — was viewed by which he said could be used as American troops from neigh- many Iraqis as further proof of a future base “if we wanted to bouring Syria. Trump’s contempt for Iraq,” said do something in Syria”. Trump’s trip was veiled in Fanar Haddad, an Iraq expert at “I think the visit will such secrecy there was specu- the National University of Sin- reassure those fearing that US lation that Iraqi authorities had gapore’s Middle East Institute. policy in Iraq will go the way of not been informed, and the US “The excuse made the initial its policy in Syria,” said Haddad. leader did not meet with Iraqi infraction all the worse,” said Trump has made disentan- officials. Haddad. Former prime minister gling the US from its wars a pri- There were no face-to-face Haider Al Abadi said the way in ority since his 2016 election. US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive to speak to members of the US military talks between Trump and Iraqi which Trump visited Iraq was The US “cannot continue to during an unannounced trip to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, yesterday. President Donald Trump arrived in Prime Minister Adel Abdel “not commensurate with diplo- be the policeman of the world”, Mahdi due to “differing views matic norms and relations with he told troops at the Iraqi base. Iraq on his first visit to US troops deployed in a war zone since his election two years ago on how to organise the meeting”, sovereign states”. But Iraq is a special case, Iraqi authorities said in a “Dealing with Iraq and its according to Iraqi political presence in Iraq also aids “Israel’s presence was largely unwelcome a key bloc in the Iraqi parliament. statement. The two leaders sovereignty in this way will analyst Hisham al-Hashemi. desire to block the Tehran-Beirut for years, until Washington Those groups were angered by instead spoke over the phone, harm Iraqi-US relations,” he “Iraq is important because route” and helps offset Iran’s created the international coa- Trump’s visit. the statement added. said. of its strategic location. The strengthening presence in the lition to defeat IS in 2014 and The Iran-backed Harakat al- In Iraqi media, rumours Trump’s visit follows his presence of US forces reassures region, he said. helped erase the jihadists’ Nujaba said the presence of US abounded that Trump had asked surprise decision to withdraw both Jordan and Saudi Arabia, Relations between Iraq and “caliphate”. forces in Iraq was a “violation of Abdel Mahdi to meet him at the all 2,000 American troops in and strikes a balance between the US have seen sizeable shifts But Iran’s growing influence the country’s sovereignty” and it military base but the premier neighbouring Syria and half of the Kurds and Turkey and the since the 2003 US invasion and in the country has worked to was “now the duty of the gov- declined. the 14,000 US soldiers deployed Turkish, Iranian, Iraqi triangle,” the overthrow of longtime ruler diminish pro-US sentiments and ernment to expel American “What was supposed to pass in Afghanistan to fight the he said. The US military Saddam Hussein. The US military pro-Tehran groups now make up forces”.

Israel vows to block Palestinian UK, France reject Israel’s new housing units in West Bank bid to become AGENCIES to reconsider recently issued NGO, said the Israeli authorities without its approval) across the Some 500,000 Israelis live LONDON approvals for more than 2,000 had approved construction of 2,191 occupied West Bank and East in the West Bank and East Jeru- full UN member settler homes in the occupied new settlement units in East Jeru- Jerusalem. salem, areas captured by Israel The Israeli government’s West Bank, saying they would salem’s Givat Zeev settlement. International law regards in the 1967 Middle East War that AFP announcement to “advance over violate international law. “We strongly urge Israel to cease both the West Bank and East are also home to more than 2.6 UNITED NATIONS 2,800 housing units” in West Bank Israel’s Higher Planning such actions,” Burt added. Jerusalem as “occupied terri- million Palestinians. settlements is “unacceptable and Committee approved 2,191 new “Since the beginning of 2018, tories” and considers all Jewish Settlements are one of the Israel has vowed to work with disappointing,” a senior British housing units in Israeli settle- the government has approved settlement-building activity thorniest issues in efforts to the United States to block a minister said yesterday. ments on December 25 and 26, construction of thousands of new there as illegal. restart Israeli-Palestinian peace bid by the Palestinians for full “Such actions are illegal though no building permits have Jewish-only settlement units,” said The settlements undermined talks, frozen since 2014. membership in the United under international law and call been issued yet. the statement from Peace Now. the conditions for a two-state Most countries consider all Nations, a move that would into question Israel’s com- “France condemns this According to Palestinian solution, “the only way to ensure settlements that Israel has built confer international recog- mitment to any future peace decision, which expands set- figures, roughly 640,000 Jewish a just and lasting peace between in captured territory to be illegal. nition of Palestinian agreement with the Pales- tlement activity in the West settlers now live on 196 settle- Israelis and Palestinians, and Israel disputes this and says their statehood. tinians,” Minister for the Middle Bank,” the French foreign office ments (built with the Israeli gov- heightens tensions” it said, future should be determined in Palestinian Authority East Alistair Burt said. said in a statement. ernment’s approval) and more calling on the Israeli authorities peace talks with the Foreign Minister Riyad Al France also called on Israel Peace Now, a Tel Aviv-based than 200 settler outposts (built to reconsider the decisions. Palestinians. Maliki said that he will submit a request next month to the Security Council for full UN membership, according to the official Rajoelina wins Madagascar vote DR Congo gives European Union Wafa Palestinian news agency. AFP “We are preparing to stop ANTANANARIVO 48 hours to withdraw envoy the initiative,” said Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon in Former Madagascan president Andry Rajoelina has beaten his AFP obstruction of the electoral repressed, leading to scores of a statement. “The Palestinians rival and predecessor Marc Ravalomanana in an election beset by KINSHASA process and the related human deaths. She Okitundu made the pay terrorists and encourage allegations of fraud from both sides, the electoral commission said rights violations.” announcement from the foreign violence yet seek to become yesterday. Rajoelina has returned to power after he won 55.66 DR Congo yesterday told the EU The 14 include Emmanuel ministry, where he earlier called a member state of the United percent against 44.34 percent for Ravalomanana, it said. to recall its envoy in retaliation Ramazani Shadary, former in western diplomats, including Nations.” The results, announced under high security, may be contested for sanctions against 14 officials, interior minister chosen by Kabila EU head of mission Bart Ouvry, a Danon accused Pales- after Ravalomanana claimed fraud. including President Joseph to be the candidate for his suc- Belgian national. tinian leaders of engaging in Rajoelina called for unity and a peaceful transfer of power as Kabila’s champion in elections cession in elections on Sunday. He said the DRC had “destructive policies that have he thanked those who voted for him and those who did not. three days away. Kabila took office in 2001 at the “patiently” sought to persuade encouraged recent terror “I already came first in the first round, and the people of Mada- “The government of the age of just 29 after succeeding his the EU to either drop or suspend attacks” and said he was gascar have confirmed my victory in this second round,” said Democratic Republic of Congo assassinated father, Laurent- the sanctions “until the elections gearing up to block the initi- Rajoelina after the proclamation of the complete results. urges the European Council to Desire Kabila. He was due to step in the DRC had been held.” But ative “in cooperation with the “What matters is that the people of Madagascar were able to proceed without fail in recalling down at the end of 2016 after this had failed, leading to “unilat- United States delegation.” express themselves freely,” he added. “My message is simple, the its head of mission within 48 reaching his constitution-limited erally-taken measures” by Any move by the Pales- people of Madagascar no longer need a crisis, they need a wise, hours,” Foreign Minister two terms in office. But he stayed Brussels, he said. “This measure tinians to seek full UN mem- unifying leader”. Leonard She Okitundu said. on, invoking a caretaker clause in (by the DRC) on one side punishes bership will face a veto from Rajoelina, 44, sat in the front row among the 200 guests in the On December 10, European the constitution that enables a the reprehensible behaviour (of the United States at the room where the electoral commission announced the results. Union foreign ministers president to stay in office until a the EU) and on the other comes Security Council, diplomats A seat next to him, apparently reserved for Ravalomanana, extended a travel ban and asset successor is elected. Protests under the framework of reci- said. was empty, according to a journalist. freeze on 14 figures over “the broke out that were bloodily procity,” he said.

Tunisian police, protesters clash UAE reopens Damascus again over unemployment embassy after 7 years AFP AP arrested overnight, in addition DAMASCUS TUNIS to the 18 arrests announced on Wednesday. Protests started after The United Arab Emirates reopened Protesters clashed with police Zorgui posted a video online its embassy in Damascus yesterday, for a third consecutive night in before his self-immolation the latest sign of efforts to bring the Tunisia after a journalist set describing his desperation and Syrian government back into the Arab himself on fire and died this calling for revolt. He expressed fold. week to denounce the frustration at the country’s high The UAE broke ties with Syria in Feb- economic problems engulfing unemployment and the unfulfilled ruary 2012, as the repression of the North African nation. promises of Tunisia’s 2011 Arab nationwide protests demanding regime National Guard spokesman Spring revolution. change was escalating into a devastating Housameddine Jebabli said A similar self-immolation, war. Nearly seven years later, the Emirati Thursday that protests took by a street vendor lamenting flag was raised again during a ceremony place in six different towns unemployment, corruption and attended by diplomats and journalists. including Kasserine, in west repression, led to nationwide An acting charge d’affaires has central Tunisia, where jour- protests fueled by social media already started working, an Emirati nalist Abderrazak Zorgui set that brought down Tunisia’s statement said, stressing that the UAE A Russian soldier passes out food aid to Syrian civilians as they cross from rebel-held areas himself ablaze this week. long-time authoritarian pres- was “keen to put relations back on their in Idlib province into regime-held territories, through the Abu Duhur crossing, yesterday. Foutreen people were ident in 2011. normal track”. FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 ISLAM 05 Forgiveness and its benefits It has also been revealed in the Quran that forgiveness is a superior moral trait: “But if someone is steadfast and forgives, that is the most resolute course to follow.” (Quran, 42:43)

ne of the moral traits rec- ommended in the Quran is forgiveness: Hold to for- giveness, command what is right, and turn away from Othe ignorant.” (Quran, 7: 199) In another verse Allah commands: “… They should rather pardon and overlook. Would you not love Allah to forgive you? Allah is Ever- Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran, 24:22) Those who do not abide by the moral values of the Quran find it very difficult to forgive others. Because, they are easily angered by any error committed. However, Allah their conversations. The subjects of the in religious people. Dr Herbert Benson, heart disease and stroke. According to Maryland, found that quick-tempered has advised the faithful that forgiveness experiments stated that they suffered who conducted the research, linked this Associate Professor Edward Suarez of men are at risk of heart attack even if is more proper: “The repayment of a bad less after forgiving people who had to the way religions encourage “for- the Duke University Medical Centre in there is no family history of heart action is one equivalent to it. But if wronged them. The research showed giveness”, and went on to say: There’s North Carolina, the protein interleukin disease. All the available research shows someone pardons and puts things right, that people who learned to forgive feel a physiology of forgiveness… When you 6 (or IL-6) is much higher in men who that anger is a state of mind that seri- his reward is with Allah…” (Quran, 42:40) much better, not only emotionally but do not forgive, it will chew you up. are angry and depressed. High blood ously damages human health. “…. But if you pardon and exonerate also physically. According to an article titled, “Anger levels of IL-6 lead to atherosclerosis, the Forgiveness, on the other hand, even and forgive, Allah is Ever- Forgiving, For example, it was established that is Hostile To Your Heart,” published in build-up of fatty deposits in the lining if it comes hard to people, is pleasing, Most Merciful.” (Quran, 64: 14) after the experiment psychological and the Harvard Gazette, anger is extremely of the walls of arteries. an aspect of superior morals, that elim- It has also been revealed in the physical symptoms such as stress- harmful to the heart. Ichiro Kawachi, an According to Suarez, as well as inates all the harmful effects of anger, Quran that forgiveness is a superior related backache, insomnia and stom- assistant professor of medicine, and his factors such as smoking, high blood and helps the individual to enjoy a moral trait: “But if someone is steadfast achaches were significantly reduced in team scientifically demonstrated this pressure, obesity and high cholesterol, healthy life, both psychologically and and forgives, that is the most resolute these individuals. with various tests and measurements. heart disease is also linked to psycho- physically. Forgiveness, of course, is one course to follow.” (Quran, 42:43) In his book Forgive for Good, Dr Fre- As a result of their research, they estab- logical states such as depression, anger of a form of behaviour by which a For that reason, believers are for- deric Luskin describes forgiveness as a lished that grumpy old men had three and hostility. person can stay healthy, and a positive giving, compassionate and tolerant proven recipe for health and happiness. times the risk of heart disease than their Another article, titled “Anger Raises virtue everyone should live by. However, people who, as revealed in the Quran, The book describes how forgiveness more tempered peers. Risk of Heart Attack,” published in The the true aim of forgiveness-as in all else- “control their rage and pardon other promotes such positive states of mind “The tripling of risk,” Kawachi says, Times, stated that a short temper might must be to please Allah. The fact that the people.” (Quran, 3:134) as hope, patience and self-confidence “involves high levels of anger, explosive be a short cut to a heart attack, and that features of this sort of morality, and that Believers’ notion of forgiveness is by reducing anger, suffering, depression anger that includes smashing things and young men who reacted to stress by the benefits of which have been scien- very different to that of those who do and stress. According to Dr Luskin, har- wanting to hurt someone in a fight.” becoming angry were three times more tifically identified, have been revealed not live by the morals of the Quran. Even boured anger causes observable physical Researchers believe that release of stress likely to develop premature heart in many verses of the Quran, is just one though many people may say they have effects in the individual. He goes on to hormones, increased oxygen demand by disease, and were five times more likely of the many sources of wisdom it forgiven someone who has offended say that: The thing about long-term or the heart’s muscle cells, and added stick- to have an early heart attack. Scientists contains. them, it nevertheless takes a long time unresolved anger, is we’ve seen it resets iness of blood platelets, which leads to at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, www.miraclesofthequran.com to free themselves of the hatred and the internal thermostat. clots explain how anger in their hearts. Their behaviour When you get used to a low level of anger increases the tends to betray that anger. anger all the time, you don’t recognise chance of a heart On the other hand, the forgiveness what’s normal. It creates a kind of attack. of believers is sincere. Because believers adrenaline rush that people get used to. Furthermore, know that human beings are tried in this It burns out the body and makes it dif- at times of anger, world, and learn by their mistakes, they ficult to think clearly-making the situ- the pulse rises are tolerant and compassionate. ation worse. above its normal Moreover, believers are also capable In addition, Dr Luskin says, when level, and leads to of forgiveness even when they are in the body releases certain enzymes increased blood the right, and the other in the wrong. during anger and stress, cholesterol and pressure in the When forgiving, they make no dis- blood pressure levels go up-not a good arteries, and thus tinction between large errors and small long-term disposition to maintain the to a greater risk of ones. Someone may cause severe losses body in. heart attack. to them by mistake. An article called Forgiveness, pub- According to However, believers know that eve- lished in the September- October 1996 researchers, anger rything takes place under the command edition of Healing Currents Magazine, and hostility can of Allah, and according to a specific stated that anger towards an individual also trigger the destiny, and therefore, they surrender or an event led to negative emotions in production of pro- themselves to these developments, people, and harmed their emotional teins linked to never acquiescing to anger. balance and even their physical health. inflammation in According to recent research, The article also states that people realise the blood. The American scientists established that after a while that the anger is a nuisance journal Psychoso- those capable of forgiveness are to them, and wish to repair the damage matic Medicine healthier in both mind and body. Dr Fre- to the relationship. So, they take steps suggested that the deric Luskin, who holds a Ph.D. in Coun- to forgive. It is also stated that, despite emotion triggers selling and Health Psychology from all they endure, people do not want to the production of Stanford University, and his team, waste the precious moments of their life inflammatory studied 259 people living in the city of in anger and anxiety, and prefer to proteins, which San Francisco. The scientists invited the forgive themselves and others. may in turn be subjects to attend six one-and-a-half- In another study involving 1,500 causing the hard- hour sessions, and aimed to instruct the people depression, stress and mental ening of the subjects in forgiveness during illness were observed to be less frequent arteries, causing

Dealing with bad temper

Powerful is not he who knocks the ing one another. One of them was red in other down, indeed powerful is he who the face, and the veins on his neck were “controls himself in a fit of anger.” standing out. “God does not judge according to your bod- The Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘I know a word ies and appearances but He scans your hearts which, if he were to say it, what he feels and looks into your deeds.” would go away. If he said “I seek refuge with Allaah from the Shaytaan,” what he feels “O Allah, You are most Forgiving One, You (i.e., his anger) would go away.’” love to forgive, so forgive me.” (Bukhaari, Al Fath, 6/337) (Narrated by Al Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah) The Prophet (PBUH) said: “If a man gets Sulayman Ibn Sard said: “I was sitting with angry and says, ‘I seek refuge with Allaah,’ the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah his anger will go away.” be upon him), and two men were slander- (Saheeh Al Jaami’ Al Sagheer, No. 695)

License#: 6609,6608,6604,6599 6609,6608,6604,6599 :#License , 6576 ,6598,6595,6594,6587,6585,6578 6576 ,6598,6595,6594,6587,6585,6578 , 06 ASIA FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018

Claims of rigging Lok Sabha passes triple talaq bill amid oppn protest as 82% cast votes

IANS The bill, which provides for up to three years’ contains safeguards brought in by a civil wrong and a social issue. in Tripura civic NEW DELHI imprisonment for invoking instant divorce by the government which makes it AIMIM member Asaduddin clear that only the affected woman Owaisi said while the Supreme by-elections The Lok Sabha yesterday passed uttering talaq thrice in a single sitting, was or her blood relative can file a Court is decriminalising adultery a controversial bill that crimi- passed with 245 in favour and 11 against amid complaint with police against the and same sex relationships, the IANS nalises the practice of triple talaq walkout by the Congress and the BJP ally husband instead of anyone government was intent on crim- AGARTALA among Muslims, amid walkout AIADMK. lodging a complaint as provided inalising triple talaq because “you by the Congress and the BJP ally in the previous version of the bill. want to send Muslims to jail”. Over 82 percent of around AIADMK as opposition parties The improved legislation He said the Bharatiya Janata 85,000 voters yesterday cast attacked the government saying consideration. prism of politics but from that of also provides for easier bail con- Party (BJP) government was not their votes for the by-polls to the measure was aimed at The Samajwadi Party and the humanity. It is aimed at giving ditions and makes the offence bothered about social problems the eight municipal councils political gains in view of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) justice, respect,” he said. compoundable by a magistrate faced by Hindu women. and Agartala Municipal coming general elections. also joined the walk out. The Muslim Women (Pro- after hearing the wife. Referring to the BJP stand on Corporations (AMC) in The bill, which provides for Strongly defending the bill tection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, The bill will now go to the the Sabarimala verdict, he said Tripura, officials said. up to three years’ imprisonment after a four-hour discussion that 2018 replaces an ordinance issued Rajya Sabha where the gov- while the ruling party opposed Though the officials of the for invoking instant divorce by broke the impasse in the House in September after the government ernment may still find it difficult it saying it is a matter of faith, the State Elections Commission uttering talaq thrice in a single over the Rafale deal and other failed to get the bill passed in the to push it through. same principle is not applicable claimed the polling was sitting, was passed with 245 in issues, Law Minister Ravi Rajya Sabha earlier this year. Opposition members, espe- to a matter of faith for Muslims. peaceful and incident-free, favour and 11 against in a division Shankar Prasad said the bill A similar bill was passed by cially the women MPs belonging Before leading a walkout of his opposition Congress and the after rejection of all opposition should not be looked at from the the Lok Sabha in December last to the Congress, NCP and other party ahead of the voting, leader Communist Party of India- amendments, after the gov- prism of politics but was meant year but could not clear the parties, said that the government of the Congress group Mallikarjun Marxist (CPI-M) alleged that the ernment turned down demands to ensure gender justice and will Rajya Sabha where the oppo- had brought the bill with political Kharge said most of the parties elections were “completely for referring the bill to a joint have a deterrent effect. sition managed to stall it. motives and there was no need have demanded that the bill be sent rigged by ruling BJP leaders, select committee for detailed “Do not look at it from the The present bill to criminalise divorce which is to a joint select committee. workers and their goons as they captured most polling booths”. The CPI-M in protest against the “farcical elections” withdrew its candidates from 40 injured as Kolkata 35 seats in six civic bodies while the Congress demanded a re-poll to 50 percent of the total Metro rake catches fire of 67 seats for which by-elec- tions were held yesterday. The State Elections Com- IANS Metro, city police and personnel mission last month declared KOLKATA of West Bengal fire service and by-elections to the 158 seats the disaster management team in 14 municipal bodies At least 40 people were injured rushed to the spot and carried including the AMC. However, after an air-conditioned rake of out immediate evacuation of the candidates of rulling Bharatiya a metro train in Kolkata caught stranded passengers. The metro Janata Party (BJP) were elected fire yeserday evening disrupting authorities have ordered a high- unopposed in 91 seats. metro services partially for four level probe. CPI-M state secretary hours. However, no casualties “Forty (passengers) were Gautam Das told the media were reported, West Bengal brought to the hospital for that their candidates could ministers and police said. treatment. Five of them were not submit nominations for Panic gripped the passengers admitted in the SSKH Hospital,” most seats. as thick smoke was seen coming state public works minister “Even though where out of the second compartment Aroop Biswas said. But an official some candidates submitted of a Dumdum-bound metro rake of the hospital said seven people their candidature, BJP and between Maidan and Rabindra have been admitted. their hoodlums attacked Sadan metro station around 5pm Biswas said chief minister them, their houses and prop- yesterday. Mamata Banerjee, now on tour Commuters and onlookers gather outside an exit of Maidan Metro station after a fire broke out inside erties while the police and the “We saw a fire on the track at Gangasagar in South 24 Par- a carriage along the Line 1 of the Kolkata Metro in Kolkata, yesterday. State Elections Commission outside the rake. The com- ganas district, was monitoring remained as onlookers,” he partment was filled with smoke. the situation. successfully put out and urged happy that a major accident started at 5.20pm and completed told the media yesterday. The train was moving in that “One passenger has a people not to panic. could be averted,” Kolkata by 5.50pm. “In allmost all places, most condition. It was like the film fracture in his leg. Some others “We disconnected the power Matro CPRO Indrani Banerjee However, many commuters of the polling agents including Burning Train (a 1980 Bollywood are under oxygen support,” said supply on the track and the train said. who were evacuated from the women, were forced out from action thriller in which the Super city mayor Firhad Hakim. and stopped the train inside the The official said the metro train, complained that they were polling booths to turn the bal- Express catches fire on its inau- A Kolkata police officer said tunnel as soon as we heard railway was running a truncated stranded for more than half-an- loting a total farce. Not only the gural run and continues to move all the passengers and staff have about the smoke. The fire on the metro service between Noapara hour after the fire broke out workers and their goons, BJP at full speed),” said a been evacuated from the rake. outside was put out. Some glass and Central and New Garia to while some alleged no leaders including its MLA Dilip passenger. The metro authority con- window panes had to be broken Tollygunge. announcement was made by the Das attacked the Left party Senior officials of Kolkata firmed the fire has been to rescue the passengers. We are She said the evacuation was motorman of the train. workers and agents,” Das said.

Modi to kick off 2019 polls Court sends IS suspects to 12-day police custody campaign on IANS Appearing for NIA, the the court has also allowed the court. However, one of the several sections of the Indian NEW DELHI counsel told the judge that the agency to put handcuffs of all 10 family members was denied the Penal Code, the Explosive Sub- Jan 6 in Kerala agency wants the custody of the accused during the police facility as he was not having his stances Act and the Unlawful A Delhi court yesterday sent 10 10 arrested people for 15 days as custody as they are involved in identity proof. Activities (Prevention) Act. IANS persons, arrested for being a part they need to be taken to several “serious terrorist activities”. Earlier, NIA had carried out A country-made rocket THIRUVANANTHAPURAM of a module of the Islamic State outstation locations. The NIA had arrested them on searches at 17 places — six in East launcher, 12 pistols, 112 alarm (IS), to police custody for 12 days, Opposing NIA’s demand, Wednesday, including the group Delhi’s Jafarabad area, six in clocks, 100 mobile phones, 135 SIM Prime Minister Narendra officials said. Vacation Judge counsel for the arrsted people M leader, as they were allegedly Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha, two cards, many laptops and various Modi will arrive in Pathan- Ajay Pandey allowed their police S Khan said that the “agency has planning terror attacks targeting each in Lucknow and Hapur and electronic gadgets, besides 150 amthitta in Kerala on January custody till January 8. said everything in the press con- some political personalities and one place in Meerut. rounds of ammunition were also 6 to kick off the campaign for The members of the IS module, ference yesterday and every- security establishments as well as Six others, who are sus- recovered during the searches. the upcoming Lok Sabha “Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam”, were thing is there in the media”. crowded places in Delhi and the pected to be members of the The agency arrested Mufti elections, a senior BJP leader presented in the court amid tight The judge then pronounced national capital region. group, have been detained and Mohammad Suhail, the group said yesterday. security. The National Investigation 12-days police custody of the 10 The judge also allowed the they are being questioned. leader, Saeed, 28, Raees Ahmed, Speaking to the media Agency (NIA) demanded their people. Later an NIA investigator family members of six of the The agency had registered Saqib Iftekar, 26 and Mohammad here, Kerala BJP President P custody for 15 days. requesting anonymity said that accused to meet them in the a case on December 20 under Irshad from Amroha. S Sreedharan Pillai said Modi will arrive in Pathanamthitta from Andhra Pradesh. “This is his visit as part of the election campaign, and he Bangladesh election campaign flies to Pathanamthitta from Guntur,” said Pillai. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has just one legis- ends as rivals trade barbs lator in the 140-member Kerala Assembly. The party is hopeful of putting up a good AFP other cities bringing the traffic- injured in attacks by ruling party show in the upcoming Lok DHAKA choked streets to a standstill followers. Amid international Sabha elections. ahead of the official close of concern over events, UN Sec- The best performance Bangladesh’s deadly election campaigning early on Friday. retary General Antonio Guterres they have put up in the state campaign entered a final full day The BNP, whose leader is in appealed for calm. was in the 2014 Lok Sabha yesterday with followers of jail, said it had been prevented Guterres “calls on all stake- polls when they finished Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from holding its closing rally in holders to ensure an envi- second in the Thiruvanan- parading in the streets while her Dhaka. Thousands of its sup- ronment free of violence, intim- thapuram seat. Kerala has 20 opponents insisted the vote porters were allowed to march idation and coercion before, Lok Sabha seats. would not be free and fair. through the northern city of during and after the elections, so Modi’s arrival in Pathan- Both sides launched new Sylhet however. as to enable a peaceful, credible amthitta — the district where salvoes in their war of words At least six people — four and inclusive poll,” said a the Sabarimala temple is ahead of Sunday’s polling. from the BNP and two from the spokesman. located, is seen as a deft Hasina accused the oppo- Awami League — have been - ‘Blind’ opposition - Bang- political move. sition of organising bomb attacks killed since the campaign started ladeshis “must feel safe and con- The temple town has wit- while the Bangladesh Nationalist on November 8. fident in exercising their right to nessed protests by Hindu Party said “the state” was aiding The BNP and its Islamist ally vote. Civil society and electoral groups since the September an assault on the opposition. Jamaat-e-Islami say more than observers should be fully sup- 28 Supreme Court verdict that Thousands of flag-waving 11,500 of their followers have ported to play their role in the Supporters of Bangladesh Awami League take part in a rally ahead allowed women of all ages to supporters of the ruling Awami been arrested and thousand of process,” the UN leader added of December 30 general election in Dhaka, yesterday. enter the temple. League marched in Dhaka and activists, including candidates, through his spokesman. FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 ASIA 07 Former President Zardari faces travel ban over graft

AFP Asif Ali Zardari speeches. They lack even basic ISLAMABAD dismissed allegations intelligence,” he said of Khan’s government in unusually fiery Pakistan announced yesterday against him, branding comments. it would ban former president the government an Khan, who came to power Asif Ali Zardari from travelling instrument of the in July, has vowed to squash abroad following allegations of powerful military and rampant corruption and recover money laundering, as the nation billions siphoned from the marked 11 years since his wife, calling Prime Minister country as his government prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Imran Khan the army’s scrambles to shore up Pakistan’s was assassinated. “blue-eyed boy” at deteriorating finances and fast- Information Minister Fawad a rally marking his depleting foreign exchange Chaudhry told reporters in reserves. Islamabad that Zardari and his wife’s death. Zardari’s travel ban comes sister Faryal Talpur were among days after former prime min- 172 people involved in cases of ister Nawaz Sharif was sen- money laundering and use of (JIT) had found evidence of how tenced to seven years in prison Smog envelops Lahore fake bank accounts. Zardari allegedly laundered for corruption on Monday, the “All the 172 names... will be money through fake bank latest in a long string of court A man rides a bicycle loaded with sundries on a smoggy morning in Lahore, Pakistan, yesterday. added to the ECL (Exit Control accounts and companies. cases against him. List),” he said. “I hope Zardari will now Pakistan’s Supreme Court Zardari, co-chairman of the take the JIT seriously,” he said disqualified Sharif from politics opposition Pakistan People’s yesterday, adding that his gov- for life over graft allegations in Party and who was president ernment would not spare 2017, ousting him from power. from 2008 until 2013, has long anyone involved in plundering His Pakistan Muslim League- Taliban urge US to exit Afghanistan been the subject of corruption national wealth. Nawaz was defeated by Khan in allegations, and is widely known But Zardari dismissed the the July polls. AFP “humiliation” and could “learn a Mujahid said in a statement in in Pakistan as “Mr Ten Percent”. allegations, branding the gov- A Pakistani court established KABUL great deal” from the experience English, Dari and Pashto. The announcement coin- ernment an instrument of the a commission in September to of their Cold War foe. Mujahid said any future cided with the 11th death anni- powerful military and calling investigate the scourge of cor- The Taliban warned the United The Soviets pulled out of relations between the Taliban versary of his spouse and two- Prime Minister Imran Khan the ruption, finding that at least States yesterday it would face the Afghanistan in 1989, ending a and the United States should be time former prime minister army’s “blue-eyed boy” at a rally $400m had passed through same fate as the Soviet Union in decade-long occupation and pre- based on “sound diplomatic and Benazir Bhutto, who was killed marking his wife’s death in the “thousands of false accounts”, the 1980s if it did not leave cipitating a bloody civil war and economic principles” rather in a gun and suicide bomb attack Bhutto family’s ancestral town using the names of impover- Afghanistan, as Washington the emergence of the Taliban. than conflict. The Taliban have during an election rally in the of Larkana, in southern Sindh ished people. considers slashing troop numbers. “Take heed from the Soviet not formally responded to the garrison town of Rawalpindi on province. The commission said some In a taunting message sent on defeat in Afghanistan and abandon news that Trump had decided December 27, 2007. “They know nothing but 600 companies and individuals the 39th anniversary of the Soviet thoughts of testing the mettle of to withdraw roughly half of the Earlier this week Chaudhry how to appear on TV channels “are associated with the invasion of the war-torn country, the already proven Afghans,” 14,000 US troops in said a joint investigation team and make absurd comments and scandal”. the Taliban said US forces faced Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Afghanistan.

Thai authorities Indonesia hikes danger level for tsunami volcano recover bodies

AFP — up from a previous two kilo- “There is a danger of more The new flows posed no Hotel in hard-hit Carita. “I’ve of South Korean CARITA, INDONESIA metres — and warned shell- eruptions,” said national disaster immediate danger to nearby already left.” Sukma, a security shocked residents to stay away agency spokesman Sutopo towns as the volcano sits in the guard at the shattered Mutiara golf tourists Indonesia yesterday raised the from the coast, after more than Purwo Nugroho. middle of the Sunda Strait Carita Cottages, added: “Just danger alert level for an 400 were killed by Saturday “People (near the volcano) between Java and Sumatra please pray for us and that eve- AP erupting volcano that sparked night’s wave. could be hit by hot rocks, pyro- islands. rything will be okay.” A section BANGKOK a killer tsunami at the Plumes of ash burst into the clastic flows and thick ash.” But the status change of the crater — which emerged weekend, after earlier warning sky as pyroclastic flows — hot Authorities raised the crater’s sparked new fears with many at the site of the Krakatoa Authorities in northern that fresh activity at the crater gas and other volcanic material status to high alert, the second- residents already scared and volcano, whose massive 1883 Thailand recovered yesterday threatened to trigger another — flowed down the crater, highest warning on the country’s refusing to return to their com- eruption killed at least 36,000 the second of two South deadly wave. threatening anyone too close to four-point danger scale, while munities over fears of another people — collapsed after an Korean tourists who died Authorities also widened a the volcano and raising the risk aviation officials ordered flights tsunami. eruption and slid into the ocean, after the golf cart they were no-go zone around rumbling of rough seas for boats in the to be redirected away from the “This worries me,” said Ugi triggering Saturday night’s killer riding fell into a river on Anak Krakatoa to five kilometres vicinity. area. Sugiarti, a cook at the Augusta wave. Tuesday. Phitsanulok province Governor Pipat Ekpapan announced that the body of Jun Yong Sung, 68, was found Canadian to face drug yesterday morning after that of Jaseoong Ha, 76, was dis- covered the night before. charges in China court He said the pair fell into the Nan river as they were AFP did not immediately comment preparing to cross when BEIJING, on the matter. another cart hit theirs from Ties between Beijing and behind, dumping them and A Canadian is to appear before Ottawa have been strained the cart into the water. They a court in northeastern China after China detained two Cana- were at a resort with a golf yesterday for drugs charges, a dians — former Canadian dip- course that has a river government-run news portal lomat Michael Kovrig and running through it, which has said, amid frosty relations China-based businessman to be crossed on a small, between Beijing and Ottawa. Michael Spavor — whom they simple rope and pulley- The Liaoning People’s High accuse of engaging in activities operated ferry. Court identified the man as that “endanger China’s One of the victim’s wives, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg. security”. Ok Su Kim, was also hurt in In a brief statement pub- Kovrig is a senior advisor the accident and recovering lished on Wednesday, the court at the International Crisis in a local hospital. said he is appealing a drug Group think tank, while A search taking 50 hours smuggling case at 2pm (0600 Spavor facilitates trips to retrieved the bodies around GMT) on Saturday but gave no North Korea, including visits 2.5km and 10km from where further details. by former basketball star the accident occurred. A government news portal, Dennis Rodman. runsky.com, said Schellenberg Though no link has been Back into the wild is Canadian and had smuggled officially made, the arrests an “enormous amount” of seem to be in retaliation to Chinese court jails People gather behind panda “Xiao Hetao”, or Little Walnut, as it leaves its cage into the wild, amid drugs. Canada’s December 1 arrest of former vice-minister snow at Longxi-Hongkou National Nature Reserve in Dujiangyan, Sichuan province in China, yesterday. China still has the death Meng Wanzhou, a top exec- penalty for drug trafficking. utive at Chinese telecommu- of State Security for Canada’s foreign ministry nications giant Huawei. life in prison

REUTERS BEIJING

Separatist behind Pakistan attack dies in Afghanistan A Chinese court yesterday sentenced Ma Jian, the former AP were “martyred” in a blast, attacked a house on Tuesday in a was different from ours. I knew separatists, including those vice minister of state security, QUETTA according to Jeeyand Baloch, a wealthy subdivision of the city. He they were not from Afghanistan behind a deadly attack on the to life in prison. spokesman for the group. He did said the blast, which was a block and I worried about who they Chinese Consulate in Karachi last Ma was convicted of A separatist leader blamed for not provide further details. Paki- away, blew out the windows of his were,” said Younosi. Police month. crimes including bribe-taking masterminding last month’s stani security officials, speaking home and several others in the arranged for them to relocate, Afghanistan in turn accuses and insider trading, the attack on a Chinese Consulate in on condition of anonymity, said neighbourhood. but Younosi said they moved Pakistan of sheltering the Dalian Intermediate People’s Pakistan has been killed in a Baloch was killed on Tuesday in He said he knew one of the only one block away. Taliban and other Islamic Court said in a statement on bombing in Afghanistan, Paki- the southern Afghan city of people killed, who hailed from No one immediately claimed extremists. its website. stani officials and the separatist Kandahar. Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, the attack. Several militant and Three gunmen attacked the Ma was put under inves- group said yesterday. Mohammad Yousof Younosi, and had alerted authorities to separatist groups operate in consulate in Karachi, triggering tigation for corruption in 2015 Aslam Baloch, one of the a provincial council member from their presence several weeks Baluchistan. a shootout that left the assailants, and expelled from the Com- leaders of the Baluch Liberation Kandahar, said six people were ago. Pakistan has accused two police officers and two munist Party the following Army, and five of his associates killed when a suicide bomber “Their language and clothing Afghanistan of sheltering Baluch civilians dead. year. 08 VIEWS FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 Trump’s Iraq visit alone won’t ESTABLISHED IN 1996 undo damage he did last week CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

MEGHAN L O’SULLIVAN ACTING MANAGING EDITOR BLOOMBERG MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected] he move of President Donald Trump to visit Baghdad on Wednesday is a small, good one, DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Tamid a week of calamitous deci- MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI sions. The press will understandably high- [email protected] light the time that Trump spends with US troops. Yet a key objective of the trip will have been to shore up the new Iraqi gov- ernment’s confidence in the US, as Iraqi officials must be high on the list of those shocked by the president’s recent decisions to rapidly withdraw US forces from Syria US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet members of the US and Afghanistan. Perhaps the president has EDITORIAL military during an unannounced trip to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. realised that his administration has some hard work to do if there is any hope of keeping his latest determinations from dra- agreed on the wisdom of making Iran so to go through the motions of dialogue. If Qatar’s overall growth matically strengthening Iran. central to US foreign policy in the Middle Trump is willing to jeopardise US interests The Middle East is a complicated place, East, at least the above tradeoffs could be to change the news cycle, perhaps a country s curtains fall for 2018, it is time to take stock of where generations of American presidents debated around policy views and threat with diplomats as clever and far-sighted as what happened through the year. In an analysis and policymakers have struggled to prior- assessments. Serious professionals could those in Iran can manipulate the president Apublished by Bloomberg about the financial well- itise competing interests, balance delicate disagree. This is no longer the case. Trump, to agree to arrangements that actually serve being of countries in the region, the reputed agency said relationships and manage inevitable trade- in his recent announcement to draw down Iran’s long-term interests in the region? Iran that Qatar has beat its neighbours in 2018’s asset offs. Yet Trump’s actions and words — at troops from Syria and Afghanistan, is taking would have nothing to lose in exploring this scorecards. least until last week — made it clear that his steps that work against all of his professed possibility and could gain short-term sanc- It goes on to say that even though Qatar is the one that highest priority was on containing and pun- goals with Iran — for no apparent gain tions relief from the process. has been wronged upon due to the illegal blockade, its ishing Iran in an effort to get Tehran to the elsewhere. The tragedy of Trump’s withdrawal assets have fared better this year than other Gulf nations. negotiating table to reach a new, sweeping First, an American withdrawal from announcements goes far beyond US Doha has offset the impact of the blockade on its economy. agreement on both its nuclear program and Syria will remove a curb on nefarious strategy with Iran, to affect the security of Anticipating a changing world view on oil and energy its other destabilising behavior in the region. Iranian activity in the region and open up America’s allies and partners in Europe and dependence, Qatar had already put in place policies and Other priorities in US Middle East policy new opportunities for Iran to embed itself in the Middle East, the lives of millions on the efforts to diversify its economy. One of the five sectors have suffered to some extent as a result of various countries there. The US presence in ground, and American standing globally. identified by the leadership for economic diversification this near-myopic focus on Iran. The desire Syria, although small, has helped curb the What can be done to mitigate this disaster? is tourism. to have Saudi Arabia as a strong partner in activities of Iran and its ally Hezbollah. It It seems likely that the broad contours This year had been a stellar year for the sector as foun- containing Iran has been an important part has also helped frustrate Iran’s ability to of the US withdrawal are not negotiable; dation was laid for achieving great success in years ahead of shaping establish a land bridge connecting Iran to departing Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis as new paths were carved to take Doha into the list of top Trump’s cal- the Mediterranean and, as a result, has and Brett McGurk, the special presidential destinations in the world. These efforts are already culus toward limited Iranian regional interventions. With envoy for the global coalition to defeat ISIS, showing results as Doha was ranked among the Top 100 Riyadh — the US vacating Syria, Iran will now be well would have not resigned had they thought City Destinations worldwide. which has positioned to compete for territory cur- the withdrawal could be reversed. A fresh approach was The US must clarify involved a rently held by US partners, and Hezbollah However, in the implementation there is introduced and to take this its relationship near pass on will be able to make a stronger stand near always a significant opportunity to shave forward a new National with Baghdad and behaviors Israel. the edges off a misguided strategy. Tourism Council was estab- underscore its that would Second, the withdrawal will make For instance, those responsible for lished. Soon the first global normally be achieving the administration’s declared goal drawing down troops in Afghanistan and This year had promotion campaign ‘Qatar. willingness to leave seen as unac- of a tougher, more comprehensive Syria could seek to define withdrawals as been a stellar year Qurated for you.’ was unveiled a US troop presence ceptable, agreement with Tehran all but unimagi- boots on the ground, as opposed to all mil- for the sector as to introduce Qatar and its there longer; while such the nable. Getting Tehran to meet a fraction of itary support. This might enable the US to foundation was offerings to global travellers. it will be hard to murder of Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s “12 continue to play the absolutely vital role of The campaign showcased journalist demands” — including a full withdrawal of air power to those we support in both Syria laid for achieving something for everyone as the convince Baghdad Jamal Iranian forces from Syria — was always and Afghanistan — and could help keep the great success in country offers a vast variety that Trump will Khashoggi going to be tough. But American diplomats forces of other countries such as the UK and years ahead as options from sea to desert to not wake up one and its will be particularly challenged to produce France involved. new paths were malls to forts. conduct in Iranian concessions in a situation where the In addition, the timeline for troop with- Another interesting devel- day and decide to the war on United States has even less leverage due to drawal could be broken into phases and carved to take opment in 2018 is that Qatar withdraw from Iraq. Yemen (until the withdrawal of its troops. extended, and potentially could involve Doha into the list has emerged as a sought after Congress American influence in the region will some conditions-based benchmarks. of top destinations wedding destination. This year recently stepped in). Moreover, the focus on also be weakened, and Iran’s enhanced, by Crucially, in the run-up to any with- saw a huge Indian wedding in Iran has put the new government in the probable outcome in Afghanistan. In drawal, the US should seek to secure agree- in the world. Doha and the smooth organ- Baghdad in unnecessary and challenging any negotiation with the Taliban, America’s ments from countries like Turkey to stay isation of the same has situations, at a time when Washington greatest leverage is its troop presence, given engaged in the fight against the remnants of spurred a lot of interest among should be making every investment in its the Taliban’s intense focus on getting the US ISIS, so they do not shift priorities entirely. couples who want to travel to success. The Trump administration has only troops to leave. Finally, the US must clarify its rela- a place offering modern luxury with magnificent hotels grudgingly granted two 45-day waivers to However, now, the president has begun tionship with Baghdad and underscore its and exceptional hospitality services. There are six more Iraq for its continued importation of Iranian to meet the Taliban’s main demand before willingness to leave a US troop presence weddings confirmed for 2019. natural gas (opposed to the 180 days others any real talks get underway. A return to civil there longer; while it will be hard to con- All this is made possible due to better co-ordination received). The Iraqi government has placed war is, sadly, not out of the question. While vince Baghdad that Trump will not wake up between the hospitality sector, the Ministry of the Interior, valuable time and political capital into Iran would not welcome such chaos, it will one day and decide to withdraw from Iraq, Qatar Airways and the General Authority of Customs. facing the choice between being subject to cheer the departure of US troops from its every effort should be made to embed the This ease of access for visitors has made UNWTO rank US sanctions or losing the energy source eastern flank, having long complained American presence there as the last Qatar as the most open country in the Middle East and that powers nearly a third of Iraq’s about the “encirclement” it has felt since foothold in a region where ISIS’s defeat is the 8th most open country in the world. electricity. 9/11. still far from certain and stabilisation Qatar has already made a name as a global desti- Nevertheless, while one might not have Iran, nevertheless, has plenty of reasons remains a long-term goal. nation for sports as Doha has hosted many prestigious events in the past and many more international events are planned for next 3-4 years culminating in the football World Cup in 2022. With a nice mix of visitors, it is just a matter of time, North Korea dominated international news in Qatar will be able to grow exponentially into a great global destination for quality tourism. 2018, but will tensions keep easing?

JAPAN NEWS-YOMIURI After the summit meeting, been conducting until 2017 is other areas, including science both sides issued a joint “big progress.” However, a and technology. Some QUOTE OF THE DAY lthough tensions on statement in which Kim detailed pathway toward the observers have pointed out the the Korean Peninsula promised he would work denuclearization of North possibility this could develop have eased, there is no toward “complete denucleari- Korea has not yet been pre- into a long-term “new cold This is the theft of telling if this will lead zation of the Korean sented. The situation does not war.” Japan will need to strate- national assets, of public A gically deal with this situation. to a reduction in North Korea’s Peninsula” and Trump com- warrant any optimism. funds, of money that nuclear and missile threats or mitted to providing “security While tensions with North November’s US midterm belong to all Mexicans. to the crafting of a peace guarantees” to the North Korea eased, antagonism elections, which were the first Criminal gangs have for regime. It seems these con- Korean regime. between the United States and major public judgment of the years used fuel theft as cerns were reflected in the Also in the top 10 stories China became more acute. The Trump administration, resulted results. were the inter-Korean summit Trump administration slapped in the ruling Republican Party a way of supplementing In the list of this year’s top meeting between Kim and tariffs on a range of China- retaining control of the Senate their income, hurting 10 international news stories South Korean President Moon made goods, and Beijing and the opposition Democratic Mexico’s refineries and selected by Yomiuri Shimbun Jae In (fourth) and the first-ever responded by imposing retali- Party seizing a majority in the bleeding money from readers, the first-ever US- combined team featuring atory tariffs. Yomiuri readers House of Representatives. This state coffers. North Korea summit meeting, Olympic athletes from both ranked the intensifying US- election, which ranked ninth held between US President South and North Korea for the China trade friction eighth on on the 2018 list, created a new, Donald Trump and North Pyeongchang Winter Games the list of international news divided Congress in which the Andres Manuel Lopez Korean leader Kim Jong Un, (seventh). Trump insists the stories. two chambers are controlled Obrador chairman of the Workers’ Party fact that Pyongyang has sus- The struggle for supremacy by different parties. This likely Mexico’s President of Korea, in Singapore in June, pended the nuclear tests and between these two major will make steering his adminis- was ranked second. ballistic missile launches it had powers spread from trade to tration even harder for Trump. FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 OPINION 09 No Climate Change without a generational interval

o Climate Change without a carbon sequestration technologies. General Ban Ki-moon’s Advisory and road-tolls could be one of the generational interval Aiming for carbon neutrality by Group on Climate Change and Energy. solutions. The newly elected Pres- ambitiously set 2021, the tiny Central His younger sister, Christiana Of course, the easiest way to get ident of Costa Rica, one of American state is signalling it wants to Figueres, chaired the UN Framework to carbon neutrality is to introduce N Convention on Climate Change, the the world’s youngest heads of state, beat bigger, more developed and the carbon quotas by limiting the 38-year-old former journalist Carlos wealthier countries to environmental UN block that convened the 2015 Paris fossil fuels consumption. SINTA STEPANI Alvarado, has vowed to fully decar- glory. The UK and much of Scandi- climate agreement – a most important However, it has to be reconciled bonise the country’s economy and navia targets the 2050 as the year of instrument after FCCC’s Kyoto with the current technological pos- makes it the first carbon-neutral zero net emissions. Germany hoped Protocol. sibilities to switch to electric solu- nation in the world by 2021, on the for the 95% reduction by a year of As curiously as foresightedly, Costa tions. The batteries, its life time, 200th anniversary of its 2020, but is most probably to miss it. Rica holds no armed force (standing recharging mode and speed, dis- independence. Costa Rica’s climate change started army) for a ¾ of century — ever since persion and availability of sockets “Decarbonisation is the great task with its leaders change 1948. Moreover, by 1994 the country as well as the weight and price of of our generation and Costa Rica must “Our crisis cannot be environ- amended its constitution to embody a batteries are some of the challenges be one of the first countries in the mental… Deep and structural, this right to a healthy environment for its for years if not decades to come, world to accomplish it, if not the first,” must be a crisis of our cognitivity. citizens as one of the fundamental not only to Costa Rica but even for Alvarado said in his inauguration Thus, the latest Climate Change (CC) human rights. the world’s technological speech of 2018. Report is only seemingly on Climate. Complementing the unique consti- champions. ”We have the titanic and beautiful It is actually a behavioristic study tutional right, Costa Rica has On the other hand, as the coun- task of abolishing the use of fossil fuels on (the developmental dead end of) impressive practical results in try’s economy grows, demands for in our economy to make way for the our other ‘CC’ – competition and con- greening its economy. the old-fashioned ICE (inner-com- use of clean and renewable energies.” frontation, instead of cooperation and In 2018 only, the country went bustion engine) cars is rising. In Costa Rica’s climate Many commentators interpreted consensus.” – warns prof. Anis H. 300 days using only renewable 2017, on every newborn baby two change started with this as a decision to ban fossil fuels. Bajrektarevic, and concludes: “Cog- energy. As of December 2018, 98,15% new cars were registered (in con- Not quite true. nitive mind can do it all.” of electricity is produced from water, trast to some 120 new electric cars). its leaders change Costa Rica does not have a legis- Well, Costa Rica has it on its grasp: wind, geothermal energy, biomass and For over 60% of population diesel “Our crisis cannot lation in place to restricting the use of Home to less than 5 million people, it the sun (thermal and photovoltaic). fuelled bases, cars and locomotives be environmental… fossil fuels, nor does its constituency has long played above its weight on Back in 2015, it managed to generate are daily choice of commuting. Deep and structural, plan to. However, it stepped up its the climate change policy formulation, 100 % of its electricity from renewable The country already ranks ambition in reducing its share to the norm setting and instrument formula- energy sources for 299 days; in 2016, it second in per capita emissions in this must be a crisis negative, climate change –related tions as well as on implementation ran for 271 days and in 2017 for 300 Central America, which makes of our cognitivity. global ecological footprint. policies and practical actions. days on everything but fossil fuels. further electrification both a logical Thus, the latest Its Minister of Environment and Nation has produced echelons of According to the Costa Rican choice and urgent necessity. Energy, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez leaders in all generational cohorts Institute of Electricity, the country Elsewhere in the world, govern- Climate Change plans to alter the country’s PEM who have promoted vigorous and pro- generates most of its electricity, ments are also struggling with how (CC) Report is (Primary Energy Mix) by gradually gressive environmental policies at around 99 per cent, with a variety of to balance financial means and the only seemingly on decarbonising it, but also by planting home and on the international stage. methods including hydropower (78 tasks; driving habits and curbing Climate. forests, employing better land man- Former President José María percent), wind (10 per cent), geo- the emissions, consumeristic social agement, and by the forthcoming Figueres served the UN Secretary thermal energy (10 per cent), biomass styles with a future imperatives, but (1 per cent) and solar (1 per cent). it seems Costa Rica is going braver However, there is still a lot to do. and further than most. Therefore, Almost 70 per cent of the country’s its greening of politics, energy, (non-electricity) energy consumption economy and international conduct still comes for the PEM composed of is worth to closely monitor and fossil fuels. Transportation heavily learn from. leans on petrol while gas is still widely used for cooking and smaller vehicles. The writer is international relations Greening politics and economy, specialists based in São Paulo, rethinking transport Brazil. In order to meet the targets (domestic and these emanating from the Paris Agreement) on carbon neu- trality by 2021, Costa Rica – on its national and subnational level – is now focusing on transportation. Modern passengers and freight trans- D-RING ROAD portation is one of the largest polluters POST BOX: 3488 all over the world. At the same time it DOHA - QATAR is one of the sectors most tedious to [email protected] decarbonize. In Costa Rica itself, transportation accounts for some 2/3 of carbon/green-house gas emissions. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE Using incentives and subsidies for TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 cleaner vehicles, particularly electric FAX: +974 4455 7758 mode of public and personal transpor- tation, the state and city authorities MANAGING EDITOR aim to greening and decarbonising. TEL: 4462 7505 Wind turbines run by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute are seen along a ridge line in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Skilful recalibration of petrol taxing DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR TEL: 4455 7769

LOCAL NEWS SECTION BLOOMBERG rates of firearm suicide. (Gun mor- professionals should be tailored TEL: 4455 7743 tality rates in general follow a pattern: demographically, including by sex and ew data from the Centers for They’re higher in states with lax gun age. Some gun dealers have begun to BUSINESS NEWS SECTION Disease Control and Pre- laws.) educate customers on the association TEL: 4462 7535 vention highlights the Researchers at Johns Hopkins Uni- between firearms and suicide. growing problem of firearm versity estimated that after Con- Laws also play a crucial role. It N SPORT NEWS SECTION suicides in the US. Since 2008, the rate necticut passed a law requiring indi- helps when states require permits to TEL: 4455 7745 of gun suicides has risen 22 percent viduals to obtain a permit or license to purchase firearms, impose waiting and is driving the increase in gun- purchase a handgun (along with a periods before gun purchases are ONLINE SECTION background check), the state saw a 15 completed, and adopt red flag laws to TEL: 4462 7501 percent drop in firearm suicides. On empower family members or law [email protected] the other hand, in Missouri, the 2007 enforcement to petition courts to tem- repeal of its purchase permit law was porarily restrict gun possession by PUBLIC RELATIONS associated with a 16 percent increase those who pose a risk to themselves or TEL: 4455 7613 in firearm suicide rates. others. Safe storage laws can keep A worrying rise in [email protected] The firearm suicide rate in the US loaded guns beyond the reach of is eight times higher than in other children and teens. Most young people ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT affluent countries. To reduce that who shoot themselves do so with a gun suicides TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 deadly disparity, public officials need family member’s gun. FAX: 4455 7870 to adopt known strategies for harm Suicides are not the only manifes- [email protected] reduction — especially among older, tation of the US’s uniquely high rates rural white men; military veterans; of gun violence. But the CDC report CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT related deaths. (Suicides make up and other populations with high rates confirms that they’re a growing TEL: 4455 7857 almost two-thirds of all gun-related of gun ownership and suicide. Inter- menace. Smart policies can help blunt [email protected] deaths.) Among children and teens in ventions by social workers or medical that trend, and reverse it. particular, the gun-suicide rate is up SUBSCRIPTION & more than 76 percent. DISTRIBUTION Although only a small percentage TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 of suicide attempts are made with a FAX: 44557819 firearm, more than half of all suicide [email protected] deaths are carried out with one. The primary victims are older white men. Many people assume that nothing can be done to curtail such suicides. All thoughts and views It’s not surprising That is false. While there may be expressed in these columns then that access warning signs before a suicide are those of the writers, to a firearm triples attempt, the attempts themselves are often spontaneous, not planned. not of the newspaper. the risk of death by Almost half of survivors say they spent less than 10 minutes deliberating. suicide — not only for All correspondence those who personally It’s not surprising then that access to a firearm triples the risk of death by regarding Views and own a gun, but also suicide — not only for those who per- Opinion pages should be for those who live in sonally own a gun, but also for those send to editor-in-chief who live in a household with a gun. a household with a office or mailed to the gun. Likewise, gun ownership rates in states are strongly correlated with [email protected] 10 EUROPE FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 Russian weapon 27 times faster than speed of sound

AP The Avangard Ivanov, who now serves as MOSCOW Putin’s adviser, said the hypersonic glide Avangard could be fitted to the Russia’s new strategic weapon vehicle flies 27 Soviet-made UR-100UTTKh has rendered any missile times faster than intercontinental ballistic missile, defenses useless at a small which is code-named SS-19 Sti- fraction of their cost, officials the speed of sound, letto by Nato. said yesterday. making it impossible He noted that Russia has a The Avangard hypersonic stockpile of several dozen such glide vehicle flies 27 times faster to intercept, Deputy missiles, which are in a factory- than the speed of sound, making Prime Minister Yuri mint condition and not filled it impossible to intercept, Borisov told Russian with fuel, allowing them to serve Deputy Prime Minister Yuri for a long time to come. Ivanov Borisov told Russian state state television. added that they could be put in television. existing silos, sharply reducing The new weapon “essen- the costs of Avangard’s tially makes missile defenses The test comes amid bitter deployment. London’s homeless useless,” he said. tensions in Russia-U.S. rela- “The Avangard has cost Having previously worked in his family’s minicab business, Abdul, aged 40, from London, sits in an Borisov spoke a day after tions, which have been hundreds of times less than underpass near Waterloo Station, yesterday, after spending the past two weeks sleeping rough Russian President Vladimir strained over the Ukrainian what the U.S. has spent on its near the South bank centre in central London. Nearly 600 homeless people in England and Wales Putin oversaw what he crisis, the war in Syria and the missile defense,” Ivanov said. died last year — a 24 percent rise over the past five years. described as the conclusive suc- allegations of Moscow’s med- He noted that Russia began cessful test of the Avangard and dling in the 2016 US. presi- to develop the Avangard after hailed it as a reliable guarantee dential election. the 2002 U.S. withdrew from of Russia’s security for decades Sergei Ivanov, a former the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile to come. Russian defense minister, said Treaty and started to develop In Wednesday’s test, the in televised comments that the defenses against ballistic weapon was launched from the Avangard constantly changes its missiles. UK Minister: Illegal Channel crossings concerning Dombarovskiy missile base in course and altitude as it flies Moscow feared that the US the southern Ural Mountains. through the atmosphere. missile shield could erode its AFP “The number of incidents alerted police. “We realised they The Kremlin said it successfully He emphasized that unlike nuclear deterrent, and Putin LONDON over recent days is deeply con- were safe and sound, and the hit a practice target on the Kura previous nuclear warheads announced in 2004 that Russia cerning,” said Nokes. “Some of this police took over,” he said. shooting range on Kamchatka, fitted to intercontinental bal- was working on a new hyper- Britain’s Immigration Minister is clearly facilitated by organised Britain’s interior ministry 6,000km away. listic missiles that follow a pre- sonic weapon. Caroline Nokes said yesterday crime groups while other attempts said each migrant had been given The Defense Ministry dictable trajectory allowing it Ivanov recalled that when that a spike in migrants crossing appear to be opportunistic.” Nine medical assessments. “All of the released footage from the test to calculate the spot where Russian officials warned their the Channel by boat was “deeply Iranians, including three children, adults have been transferred to launch, in which a ballistic they can be intercepted, the U.S. counterparts about the new concerning”, after dozens of were the first to be found early immigration officials for missile could be seen blasting Avangard chaotically zigzags weapon program at the time, people were rescued overnight. yesterday on a beach near the interview and the three minors from a silo in a cloud of smoke, on its path to its target, making American officials were openly British border officials found Kent port town of Folkstone, after have been transferred to the but it hasn’t released any images it impossible to predict the skeptical about Russia’s ability 23 Iranians in three locations in sailing from northern France in a care of social services,” it added. of the vehicle itself. weapon’s location. to carry out its plan. Kent on England’s southeast 13-foot inflatable boat. The ministry said two more Putin said the Avangard will A smiling Ivanov likened the “We aren’t involved in coast early yesterday, hours Matt Crittenden, of the Lit- boats were discovered at around enter service with the Russian weapon’s flight through the saber-rattling, we simply after French maritime author- tlestone-on-Sea lifeboat station, 8:30am (0830 GMT), both near Strategic Missile Forces next atmosphere to a pebble skipping ensured our security for decades ities intercepted 11 migrants in said its search and rescue heli- the port of Dover, carrying 14 year. off the surface of water. to come,” he said. a small boat near Sangatte. copter had spotted them and Iranian males.

Three British tourists die in Spanish Supreme Court refers Catalan trial to tribunal Iceland crash AFP include one from the far-left, deputies in the Catalan regional courts. Catalan separatist leaders Nine of those defendants MADRID pro-independence CUP party parliament that was dissolved declared independence based on are being held in pre-trial AP and five others who were a part by the Spanish government in the results of the referendum, detention. Public prosecutors REYKJAVIK, ICELAND The Spanish Supreme Court of a bureau charged with organ- October 2017 after the assembly prompting Spain’s central gov- are seeking prison terms of up referred yesterday the trial of six ising the assembly’s work. declared independence. ernment to suspend the region’s to 25 years in the case of former An SUV carrying seven Catalan leaders charged with Putting the six on trial in They have been charged autonomy. Catalan vice president Oriol members of a British family involvement in last year’s failed Madrid would “superfluously with disobedience for putting Twelve other Catalan Junqueras. plunged off a high bridge independence bid back to a court amplify” a case that is already bills deemed unconstitutional to leaders charged with the more The Supreme Court held a yesterday in Iceland, killing in Barcelona. expected to be long and complex, a vote in the parliament. serious crimes of rebellion and/ preliminary heading in mid- three people and critically The court ruled that the six the court said in its ruling. The bills included one which or misuse of public funds related December to settle procedural injuring the others, author- former lawmakers in Catalonia’s It responded to an appeal by called an October 1, 2017 inde- to last year’s separatist push are issues ahead of the sensitive trial, ities said. Icelandic police said regional parliament should be the six defendant’s lawyers. pendence referendum despite it be judged by the Supreme Court which is expected to get one child was among the tried by a local tribunal. They The defendants were having been banned by Spanish however. underway in early 2019. dead and two were among the injured. The accident occurred about 9.30am yesterday when the vehicle slammed Russian anti-doping through a railing on the one- lane bridge at Skeidarar- sandur, a vast sand plain in chief appeals to Putin southern Iceland. The car landed on a rocky river bank. as lab deadline looms Police say it remains unclear what caused the REUTERS badly damage Russian sport. British driver to lose control MOSCOW “Stripping RUSADA, the of the vehicle but tempera- core of Russia’s anti-doping tures were around freezing at The head of Russia’s anti- system, of its (WADA) com- the time. The accident doping agency (RUSADA) urged pliance status... will lead to the occurred hours before this President Vladimir Putin self-isolation of Russian sport,” North Atlantic island saw yesterday to ensure that federal Ganus said. “We are on the sunrise, which hit the capital, investigators handed laboratory edge of an abyss and I ask you Reykjavik, at 11:23 a.m. data to the World Anti-Doping to protect the present and Thursday. On the shores of the Baltic Agency to prevent Russia once future of clean sport, and future Tour guide Adolf again being ostracised in global generations of athletes.” Erlingsson was among the Strollers walk along the Baltic Sea beach in Graal-Mueritz, northeastern Germany, yesterday. sports. Russia was barred from first on the scene. RUSADA is on the verge of this year’s Pyeongchang Winter “It was horrible,” he said. suspension after WADA was last Olympics after WADA found “The car seemed to have hit week denied the promised evidence of an extensive cover- the ground many meters from access to data from Moscow’s up of state-sponsored doping where it stopped. We Swiss court overturns anti-doping laboratory. A at the 2014 Winter Games, held struggled getting everyone London police chief warns conviction of WADA-commissioned inde- in the Russian resort of Sochi. out.” pendent report had found that Russia remains excluded Police only identified the of Brexit costs, safety threats Srebrenica denier the lab was involved in a huge from international athletics, victims as British; their names state-sponsored doping although certain Russian ath- and ages have not been AP scheme, a scandal that even- letes certified as clean have released. The four who sur- AP BERLIN tually resulted in Russia’s been allowed to compete in vived were flown by heli- LONDON exclusion from sporting events intenational athletics - as well copter to a hospital in A Swiss federal court has including the 2018 Olympics. as the Olympics - under a Reykjavik. London’s police chief has suggested that Brexit will be costly and overturned the racial discrim- RUSADA was conditionally neutral flag. “The current situ- The accident took place could have a damaging effect on public safety. ination conviction of a man re-accredited by WADA in Sep- ation cannot last,” Ganus said. on Road No. 1, which runs for Cressida Dick told the BBC yesterday that leaving the European who published an article tember despite opposition from “It requires an immediate 1,337km as it connects coastal Union would be more challenging if there’s no deal in place between denying the massacre of athletes and sports authorities resolution.” towns and villages on this Britain and the bloc. thousands of Bosnian Muslim around the world, but will lose Kremlin spokesman volcanic island of 350,000 She said that UK police will have to work out access to vital men and boys in Srebrenica its status again unless Russia’s Dmitry Peskov did not imme- people. databases and need new procedures so people can still be quickly in 1995. Investigating Committee, which diately respond to a request for Iceland has seen a arrested and extradited despite Brexit. Dick said that would be The plaintiff, who wasn’t is holding the data for its own comment. RUSADA was gigantic tourist boom in the “very difficult to do in short-term” if Britain has no transition deal. identified, labeled the official probe, hands it over by the end stripped of its accreditation in last several years but its infra- Dick hopes Britain will have systems like the ones in place version of events in Sre- of the year. 2015 after a WADA-commis- structure has not always kept now to facilitate fighting crime. brenica a lie in the 2012 In a video address to Putin, sioned report found evidence up. Roads are usually narrow, Prime Minister Theresa May has agreed upon a Brexit deal article and asserted that there RUSADA director Yuri Ganus of large-scale state-sponsored with many one-lane bridges. with EU leaders but many British lawmakers don’t like it. was a massacre, but of Serbs. said a new suspension could doping in Russian athletics. FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 AMERICAS 11 US sees no deal on shutdown

AP The shutdown started on Saturday when of the White House’s Council of WASHINGTON funding lapsed for nine Cabinet-level Economic Advisers, said the shutdown does not change the Chances look slim for ending the departments and dozens of agencies. Roughly administration’s expectation for partial government shutdown any 420,000 workers were deemed essential strong growth heading into 2019. time soon. and are working unpaid, while an additional He told reporters a shutdown of a Lawmakers are away from 380,000 have been furloughed. few weeks is not going to have any Washington for the holidays and “significant effect on the outlook.” have been told they will get 24 Among those affected by the hours’ notice before having to shutdown —the third of 2018 — return for a vote. And although the wall, saying the shutdown affects Meadows of North Carolina, a are the departments of Homeland Senate was slated to come into their supporters. He asserted Trump ally who has been involved Security, Transportation, Interior, session yesterday, few senators without evidence: “Do the Dems in the talks, said the President “is Agriculture, State and Justice. were around for it. realize that most of the people not very firm in his resolve that we Those being furloughed include After a weekend and two getting paid are Democrats?” Vir- need to secure our border.” He told 52,000 workers at the Internal holiday days for federal ginia Democratic Senator Mark CNN, “If they believe that this Revenue Service and nearly eve- employees, Wednesday was the Warner called Trump’s comments President is going to yield on this ryone at NASA. About 8 in 10 first regularly scheduled workday “outrageous.” In his tweet, he particular issue, they’re mis- employees of the National Park affected by the closure of a variety added: “Federal employees don’t reading him.” Service are staying home, and of federal services. go to work wearing red or blue The impasse over government many parks have closed. Trump vowed to hold the line jerseys. They’re public servants. funding began last week, when the The shutdown didn’t stop on his budget demand, telling And the President is treating them Senate approved a bipartisan deal people from visiting the White reporters during his visit to Iraq like poker chips at one of his failed keeping government open into Sands National Monument in on Wednesday that he’ll do casinos.” February. That bill provided $1.3bn southern New Mexico, where hun- “whatever it takes” to get money The shutdown started on Sat- for border security projects but not dreds of unauthorised visitors for border security. He declined urday when funding lapsed for money for the wall. At Trump’s have in recent days climbed over Empty offices are seen in a Federal Building during a government to say how much he would accept nine Cabinet-level departments urging, the House approved that a fence to enter the monument, shutdown in Washington, DC, yesterday. Congress members trickled in a deal to end the shutdown. and dozens of agencies. Roughly package and inserted the $5.7bn according to The Alamogordo back into Washington but there was little hope of ending the “You have to have a wall, you have 420,000 workers were deemed he had requested. But Senate Daily News. State highway government shutdown sparked by a row with President Donald to have protection,” he said. essential and are working unpaid, Republicans lacked the votes they workers were sent to the area on Trump over his demand for US-Mexico border wall construction. Back from the 29-hour trip to while an additional 380,000 have needed to force the measure Monday to erect “no parking” signs A lapse in funding to parts of the government meanwhile entered visit US troops, Trump said in a been furloughed. through their chamber. That jump- along US 70 outside the mon- a sixth day. tweet “we desperately need” a While the White House was started negotiations between Con- ument. Trump has claimed federal wall on the US-Mexico border, talking to congressional Demo- gress and the White House, but the workers are behind him in the stories of the financial hardship Professional and Technical Engi- funding for which has been a crats — and staff talks continued deadline came and went without shutdown fight, saying many told they expect to face because of the neers, said the union has not heard flashpoint between the White on Capitol Hill — negotiations a deal. The shutdown has been him, “stay out until you get the shutdown. One union representing from a single member who sup- House and Congress ever since dragged on Wednesday, dimming playing out against the backdrop funding for the wall.’” He didn’t say federal workers slammed Trump’s ports Trump’s position. Trump took office. He called on hopes for a swift breakthrough. of turmoil in the stock market. who told him that. Many workers claim. Paul Shearon, president of “Most view this as an act of Democrats in Congress to fund his Republican Rep. Mark Kevin Hassett, the chairman have gone to social media with the International Federation of ineptitude,” he said.

Obamas top the US to take strong Trumps as most measures in face admired person BLOOMBERG of migrant surge WASHINGTON Michelle Obama, who’s touring the US to promote her AFP series of extraordinary protective autobiography, was named EL PASO measures,” she said in a the most admired woman by statement after the “deeply con- Americans in a Gallup poll The United States will take cerning and heartbreaking” released yesterday. It’s the “extraordinary” protective death of the child. first time in 17 years that measures to deal with a surge of Nielsen has asked experts former First Lady Hillary immigrant children in custody, from the Centers for Disease Clinton didn’t top the list. Homeland Security Secretary Control and Prevention to inves- Gallup’s annual poll, con- Kirstjen Nielsen has said after a tigate “the uptick in sick children ducted December 3-12 among second Guatemalan child died crossing our borders” and to 1,025 US adults, asks in custody. identify what further steps respondents what man or Nielsen plans to travel later border hospitals should take in woman, living today in any this week to the Mexico border preparation, her statement said. part of the world, they admire Migrants from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America trying to reach the region to witness medical Nielsen added that she has most. United States, walk next to the border fence as they prepare to cross it illegally, in Tijuana, Mexico. screenings and conditions at asked the US Coast Guard Former President Barack Border Patrol stations, she said medical corps to assess and Obama is the most admired in a statement, as Congress and “make appropriate recommen- McAleenan warned that the care for children in our facil- western Guatemala’s Hue- man for the 11th year in a row, President Donald Trump remain dations” about Border Patrol agency was unable to cope with ities,” he told CBS News. huetenango department, near besting current President deadlocked over his demands for medical programs, and has the thousands of arrivals, as most Eight-year-old Felipe the Mexican border. Donald Trump, who’s second. billions of dollars to fund a wall sought additional medical pro- facilities were built decades ago Gomez, who collapsed after He was among almost That’s a rare position for an along the border. fessionals from the Department for men arriving alone. running a fever, had travelled 25,000 migrant children in US incumbent president — just “In response to the unprec- of Defense. “We need help from Con- with his father Agustin Gomez custody, according to McAleenan 13 times out of 72 polls has the edented surge of children into US Customs and Border Pro- gress. We need to budget for from the indigenous Chuj Maya — the greatest number ever current president not won. our custody, I have directed a tection Commissioner Kevin medical care and mental health community of Nenton, in recorded. Others on the top 10 list are former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, businessmen Bill Gates and Elon Musk, independent Sixty years on, Miami’s Cubans have brought Caribbean flair Bernie Sanders and Democrat Joe Biden, Vice President Mike Pence, Pope Francis and AFP as default language. recorded the booming Cuban the Dalai Lama. MIAMI According to the US census, influence in Miami in the form of Among women, Oprah 67 percent of Miami’s population hits such as Gloria Estefan’s Winfrey came second, while Underpinning Miami, Florida, is was Hispanic in 2017 — with more “Conga” and the film “Scarface” Clinton fell to third. First Lady sixty years of Castroism in Cuba: than half of those Cuban-Amer- with Al Pacino. Melania Trump rose to fourth The island’s diaspora has trans- icans. The community holds major Years later, once Cuban- place. formed the city into a towering clout. Business leader Jorge Mas’s American relations had tempo- skyline, where smells of fried support, for example, has proved rarily thawed in 2014, Sopo visited US searches for cruise “croquetas” and sounds of Spanish key to a divisive stadium project Havana — and found he was more ship crew member fill the air. Roughly 370km apart, from soccer star David Beckham American than he thought. “The Havana and Miami were already having even a chance of success. more I interact with young who went overboard closely connected by trade and “Cubans turned parts of sub- Cubans, the more I realise that cul- tourism at the turn of the 20th tropical Miami into a city with turally, we have differences,” the REUTERS century. But 1959 and the triumph tropical flair, a Caribbean-like communications strategist said. PUERTO RICO of Fidel Castro’s revolution saw ciudad alegre,” wrote historian For example, his wife — born an end to that — and the Cuban Anthony Maingot in his 2015 book and raised in Cuba — doesn’t think The US Coast Guard said it was diaspora was born. “Miami: a Cultural History.” anything of a guest showing up searching for a British crew The first Cuban exiles to leave However, despite that flair it’s still unannounced. But Sopo? He could member who went overboard the island in the 1960s are now Cuban Johnny Lopez de la Cruz points to himself in a picture featured distinctly American. never get used to that. from a Royal Caribbean Cruises around 80 years old. in the Brigade 2506 Museum in Little Havana, Miami. “The city’s welcome Latinis- Second and third generation Ltd cruise ship in the Atlantic They once dreamed of liber- zation is counterbalanced by the Cubans, he jokes, are “Americans Ocean. ating their country — but now live Cuba at that time wanted to return anti-Castro sentiment coursing forces of an America which has who like to eat rice and beans.” As Arron Hough, 20, went between frustration and nostalgia, to bring democracy and freedom through their veins. To them, always encouraged renovation a result, they’re more likely to overboard 430km off the having spent decades conspiring to the Cuban people again,” said detente between Washington and and change,” Maurice Ferre, six- favour openness and even vote northwest of Puerto Rico on over dominoes on the porches of Lopez. But their greatest enemy Havana equals surrendering — a time Miami mayor, wrote in the Democrat. But anti-Castroism like Tuesday, a spokesman for the their pastel-coloured homes. “We was John F. Kennedy, the former view simmering among most of book’s prologue. that of Johnny Lopez “must be Coast Guard 7th District said. were losing everything our family US president who “betrayed” them Miami’s Cuban community. Caught in the middle of the understood an respected,” Sopo At the time the Coast Guard had worked for for years. We by withdrawing CIA support mid- As the years went by, the cultural crossover are the com- said. “They didn’t confiscate land became aware of the incident, couldn’t accept it,” said 78-year- operation, in an attempt to keep diaspora grew and southern munity’s children and grand- from me. They did not shoot my the Harmony of the Seas ship old Johnny Lopez de la Cruz, a America’s involvement under Florida was irrevocably altered: children. Giancarlo Sopo, 35, is the brother, my father... I can’t judge was travelling from its home member of the 2506 Brigade, a wraps. “Almost all of us were cap- Cuban sandwiches became a per- son of a 2506 Brigade veteran. He the people who did suffer,” he port of Fort Lauderdale, group of CIA-sponsored Cuban tured,” said Lopez. manent fixture, coffee was known was born at the “peak” of the mass explained. “I think we all want the Florida, to its first stop of St. exiles who tried to invade in 1961. Prison, torture and exile fol- as “colada” or “cafecito,” and exodus of Cubans in the 1980s. best for Cuba, a country where Maarten island on its seven- “Those of us who had left lowed. Cubans like Lopez have English was relegated from its spot At the time, popular culture people can prosper.” day Caribbean itinerary. 12 AMERICAS / CLASSIFIEDS FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018

Scandal involving Bolsonaro’s SERVICES son clouds inauguration RENT A CAR NATIONAL - ALAMO RENT A CAR Cars - 4WDs - Pickups - Buses - Chauffeur Drive REUTERS Call: 5547 8150, 5040 0624 Web: www.national-qatar.com RIO DE JANEIRO E-mail: [email protected] REGENCY FLEETS (A Regency Group Co.) A lingering scandal involving Special Corporate leasing and Rental rates. Price includes Comprehensive Brazilian President-elect Jair Insurance, Maintenance, Replacement Vehicle etc. Driven by Values. E-mail: Bolsonaro’s son has soured his info@regencyfleets.com Tel: 44433822/44554046/44554048 Fax: 44554047 inauguration next week and Airport Branch (24hrs): Tel.: 70482655 tarnished the reputation of a far- right maverick who surged to RECRUITMENT SERVICES victory on a vow to end years of political horsetrading. Bolsonaro, who spent nearly 30 years in Congress, takes office on January 1 after a strong elec- toral win that gave him a mandate to hobble violent drug gangs, cut through red tape to kick-start In a file picture, Flavio Bolsonaro, son of Brazil’s President-elect Brazil’s economy and go after the Jair Bolsonaro, is seen behind him at the transition government country’s corrupt political class. But a festering scandal building in Brasilia. involving the former driver of his son, Rio de Janeiro state law- himself in an interview with a has said the payment to his wife maker and Senator-elect Flavio Bolsonaro-friendly TV network. was Queiroz repaying a personal Bolsonaro, has clouded his big The scandal arose after Bra- loan. He added that if he made a day. Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio Bol- zil’s Council for Financial Activ- mistake by not declaring the sonaro and the former driver, ities Control (COAF) identified money from Queiroz, he would REAL ESTATE Fabricio Queiroz, have denied any 1.2m reais ($305,033) that in rectify it with tax authorities. wrongdoing. 2016-17 flowed through the bank Flavio Bolsonaro, who has ADAM REAL ESTATE COMPANY But some critics have begun account of Queiroz, who for years now been called by investigators Al Kuwari Blgd., 8th Floor, Al Sadd, Near Sebstain Rest. questioning the president-elect’s was on Flavio Bolsonaro’s payroll to explain the money after his Tel: 44366932 Fax: 44366931 graft-busting credentials, and as a driver and advisor. Some former driver’s no-show last GSM: 55500789 / 55803731 asking whether the Bolsonaro payments were made to the pres- week, has said that Queiroz gave APOLLO REAL ESTATE political clan really represents a ident-elect’s wife, Michelle him a “plausible” explanation, and Salwa Road. GSM: 55864352/55506803/ 55872145 new type of politics in a country Bolsonaro. that the accusations were Tel: 44689522 www.apollopropertiesonline.com weary from years of corruption After citing a health crisis as intended to destabilise the Bol- E-mail: [email protected] probes. his reason for failing to attend two sonaro family. AL MUFTAH SERVICES “Ever since this case came to previous appointments with pros- In the interview, Queiroz said Tel: 44634444/44010700 Mob: 55542067/55823100 light, there has been a spectacle ecutors to explain the provenance the money to Michelle Bolsonaro E Mail: [email protected] of evasions and unconvincing of the money, Queiroz said in the had been explained by her Website: www.rentacardoha.com explanations on the part of the SBT network interview on husband, and was to repay a loan. Bolsonaros... (about) an episode Wednesday that money in his He denied he had been dodging SCAFFOLDING with relevant implications for account was due to a side- investigators, and said he had national politics,” Brazil’s biggest business of buying and selling failed to turn up to appointments APOLLO ENTERPRISES SCAFFOLDING DIVISION newspaper Folha de S.Paulo said cars. with prosecutors because of a Contract/Hire/Sale - Salwa Road. Tel: 44693334 in an editorial yesterday, the day “I’m a businessman,” he said. malignant cancer that requires Fax: 44416274 GSM: 55521089/55560246/55536285 after Queiroz sought to explain “I make money.” Jair Bolsonaro immediate surgical removal. www.apollo-qatar.net - E-mail: [email protected] QATAR AL ATTIYAH INTERNATIONAL GROUP (QAIG) Scaffolding Division. Tel: 44503224/25 Fax: 44503227 Mob: 33397858 - E-mail: [email protected]

SEWAGE & WASTE REMOVAL

ARMSTRONG 1000-4000 Gallon Tankers - Daily/Monthly/Yearly Contracts. Mobile: 660 41 449 (Neil) E-mail: [email protected] www.iescoqatar.com. TRADING & CONTRACTING

People stand on the street after an earthquake was felt across Venezuela, in Caracas, yesterday

USED CONTAINERS 5.5 quake rattles Venezuela (Sales & Rentals) ARMSTRONG before dawn; people flee New & Used Containers - Sales/Rental (Certified & Uncertified) Mobile: 557 80 396 (Steve) E-mail: [email protected] www.iescoqatar.com. AP depth of 10km and was felt across strong as those that hit elsewhere CARACAS seven states, along with a 5.0 in South America like neigh- WAREHOUSE FOR RENT magnitude aftershock a few bouring Colombia, Chile and Peru. A strong earthquake jolted Vene- minutes later. Daniel Salazar said she ran zuelans from their sleep Interior Minister Nestor nervously from bed in search of WOKEER INDUSTRIAL AREA yesterday, forcing residents in the Reverol said there were no major her 76-year-old mother and Available Sizes: 358/415/510/830/1340 Sqm. capital to evacuate buildings in damages or casualties. Photos on found her standing next to their Mobile: 660 02 704 (Steve) their pajamas before sunrise. social media showed large cracks Christmas tree, which was E-mail: [email protected] There were no immediate reports to some buildings and fallen walls swaying back and forth. of casualties. and debris from historic facades “My entire body is shaking, The 5.5 magnitude quake in San Diego, a suburb of Vene- I’m not sure if from the cold or the struck just before 5am (1000 zuela’s third-largest city, Valencia. scare we experienced,” said GMT) and was centred near the While earthquakes are Salazar, who was standing outside town of San Diego, 165km west common in Venezuela, they tend her high-rise Caracas apartment of Caracas, the capital. It had a to be less frequent and not as before dawn. Slums on the rise in Chile REUTERS percent had access to potable water. SANTIAGO Chile and other comparatively wealthy Latin American nations are absorbing a wave of mass The number of slums in Chile, one of Latin Amer- migration from destitute nations in the region such WATER TANK CLEANING ica’s most prosperous and stable economies, has as Haiti and Venezuela, increasing demands on nearly doubled since 2011, the government said, social services. AL MUTWASSIT CLEANING & PEST CONTROL as an influx of migrants increasingly face a lack of Immigration into Chile has increased more than Kharaba st, Behind white Mosque. low-income housing and rising rents. sixfold in around 25 years, from 114,500 in the 1992 Fax: 443679 99 Chile’s Housing Ministry said it had identified census to 746,465 last year. GSM. 55875920/55860432 822 slums in Chile that largely lack access to basic Chile has the highest GDP per capita in South services like water, sewage disposal and electricity, America, low levels of corruption and the lowest CAPITAL CLEANING COMPANY an increase of 78 percent from 2011. murder rate, according to figures from the World Cleaning Water Tanks & Pest Control. The slums comprise a total of 46,423 homes, Bank and InSight Crime, a foundation that analyses GSM: 55565328/ 33189899 Tel: 44582257 the ministry said in a statement, of which only 10 organised crime. E-mail: [email protected] FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 CLASSIFIEDS 13

SERVICES

EVENT RENTALS/ ABLUTION MANPOWER SERVICES ACCOUNTING SOFTWARES CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE TOILETS ARTECH ARMSTRONG Sage Accounting, Peachtree, QuickBooks, Dynacom, "CMVUJPO

&WFOU
5PJMFUT
3FOUBM
1PSUBDBCJOT
$IFNJDBM
%BD&BTZ
5BMMZ
104
#BS
$PEF
'JYFE
"TTFUT
4PGUXBSFÚT 5PJMFUT

0UIFS
&RVJQNFOU
3FOUBM
.PCJMF
660 41 449 /FJM Tel: +974 44375654 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.iescoqatar.com. ADVERTISING OVERSEAS NEWSPAPER FASHION DESIGNING GEM ADVERTISING & PUBLICATIONS (Overseas Newspaper Advertisements) 5FM
44442001 - GSM: 55783303

ATTESTATION

FURNITURE

APOLLO FURNITURE 4BMXB
3PBE
5FM
44689522 (3 Lines) XXXBQPMMPGVSOJUVSFPOMJOFDPN

GENERATORS SERVICING MASSAGE

ARMSTRONG KOTTAKKAL AYURVEDIC MASSAGE CENTRE 3FQBJST4QBSF
1BSUT

3FOUBMT
1PXFS
GSPN
,7"
UP
,7"
4BMFT "ZVSWFEJD
.BTTBHF
1IJMJQQJOF

5IBJ
.BTTBHF
4FSWJDFT
4QBSF
1BSUT

3FOUBMT
"OOVBM
$POUSBDUT
.PCJMF
555 54 274 (Kumar) /FBS
#BESJZB
4JHOBM
#JO
.FINPPE
E-mail: [email protected] www.armstrongmachinery.com 5FM 44360061 GSM: 33453697 INVEST IN QATAR KERALA AYURVEDIC MASSAGE CENTER - FOR LADIES. "ZVSWFEJD
.BTTBHFT

1BJO
NBOBHFNFOU 5IBJ

1IJMJQQJOF
.BTTBHF
"M
/BTTFS
4U
5FM
44147741, QUEENS LAND SERVICES .PC
50007714
XXXLFSBMBNBTTBHFRBUBSDPN Business Set-up and Sponsorship. %FCU
$PMMFDUJPO
3FBM
&TUBUF
4FSWJDFT
AUTHENTIC THAI MASSAGE CENTERS .PC
77776917 &NBJM
[email protected] '#
3PZBM
5IBJ
.FO
4QB
/FX
4BMBUB

.FO
0OMZ 
'#
1BUPOH
.BTTBHF
BOE
4QB
"M
/BTS

.FO
0OMZ  IMMIGRATION SERVICES '#
3PZBM
5IBJ
-BEZ
4QB
"M
8BBC

-BEJFT
0OMZ 

PEST CONTROL *(73(50$1(175(6,'(1&<2) &$1$'$$8675$/,$ ,1720217+6

CAPITAL CLEANING COMPANY W.L.L. AL HAYIKI TRANSLATION & SERVICES EST. $PNQMFUF
(FOFSBM
$MFBOJOH
4FSWJDFT
GPS
0ME
BOE
/FX
7JMMBT "VUIPSJ[FE

-FBEJOH
4JODF

*OEJBO
"UUFTUBUJPO
4PûUFM
$PNQMFY
5FM
44582257 .PCJMF
33189899/ 55565328 .FSDVSF
)PUFM
(SPVOE
'MPPS
0GûDF
/P
.PC
 E-mail: [email protected] 5FM

&NBJM
IBZJLJV!HNBJMDPN
8FC
XXXIBZJLJDPN 'dWZDEEdZ^/EzK& G1<;9>6?B6B55 ASIA TRANSLATION & SERVICES CENTRE EKZh^dZ>/͗^ŬŝůůĞĚ CALIBRATION SERVICES ǁŽƌŬĞƌƐΘƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂůƐǁŝƚŚ 3?E>C5<<9>7 -FBEJOH
-FHBM
5SBOTMBUPST

%PDVNFOU
-FHBMJ[BUJPO
4JODF

*OEJBO
$FSUJûDBUF
ƌĞƋƵŝƐŝƚĞƐŬŝůůƐĂƌĞŝŶŚŝŐŚĚĞŵĂŶĚ͘ 21$//6(9(1'$<6 "UUFTUBUJPO
)FBE
0GûDF


"M
)JMBM
#SBODI


4BMXB
WZK&^^/KE>^ ,1&/8',1*)5,'$< 6$785'$< 3PBE
#SBODI

.PCJMF
$POUBDUT
4VûZBO

:PPOVT

 /E,/',DE͗ $030 ůůŶŐŝŶĞĞƌƐ͕/d͕,ĞĂůƚŚĐĂƌĞ͕EƵƌƐĞƐ͕ $7::,&64$7$52)),&( PARTY ITEMS & ALWASEEM TRANSLATION & SERVICES CENTER &ŝŶĂŶĐĞΘĐĐŽƵŶƚƐ͕ĂŶŬŝŶŐ͕^ĂůĞƐ BALLOON DECORATION ΘDĂƌŬĞƚŝŶŐ͕,ZΘĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƚŝŽŶ͕ &DOORU:KDWV$SS "VUIPSJ[FE
5SBOTMBUPST

$PNQBOZ
'PSNBUJPO
BOE
130
4FSWJDFT /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ͕dĞĂĐŚĞƌƐ͕WƌŽĨĞƐƐŽƌƐΘ  0QQ,BSXB
#VT
4UBU
%PIB
"M4BFFE
#VJMOE
'MPPS
>ĞĐƚƵƌĞƌƐ͕dĞĐŚŶŝĐŝĂŶƐ͕dƌĂĚĞƐ PARTY KINGDOM - WĞƌƐŽŶƐΘŵĂŶLJŵŽƌĞ͘͘͘ ^dhz/EE͕ .





5


&NBJM

JOGPBMXBTFFN h^dZ>/͕Et>E͕ /FBS
+BJEBI
'MZPWFS
/BTSBMMBI
$FOUSF
USBOTMBUJPO!HNBJM$PN
8FC

XXXBMXBTFFNUSBOTMBUJPODPN Kh^/E^^ͬ/Es^dΘ'd'ZE h^͕^/E'WKZΘ 5FM
44353501/ 44366431 ZͬWZDEEdZ^/Ezͬ ^t/dZ>E͗'ĞƚĂĚŵŝƐƐŝŽŶƐ E-mail: [email protected] A/C MAINTENANCE & /d/E^,/WŝŶh^͕ĂŶĂĚĂ͕h<͕ ŝŶƚŽƉĐŽůůĞŐĞƐĂŶĚƵŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚŝĞƐ SERVICES ƵƐƚƌĂůŝĂ͕EĞǁĞĂůĂŶĚ͕ƵƌŽƉĞĂŶĚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƌĞdžƚĞŶƐŝǀĞƚŝĞͲƵƉƐŝŶ ĂƌŝďďĞĂŶ/ƐůĂŶĚƐ ŐůŽďĂůĐŽƵŶƚƌŝĞƐ͘ PORTA CABINS ARMSTRONG 5($&+,1*&$1$'$,6($6,(512::,7+5(/$;('58/(6 (Sales & Rentals) v*22'1(:6&DQDGDWRZHOFRPHKLJKHVW 8JOEPX4QMJU1BDLBHF$FOUSBM
6OJUT
4BMFT
4FSWJDFT
4QBSF
1BSUT8JOEPX HYHU1HZ,PPLJUDQWVE\v/RZ([SUHVV(QWU\SRLQWV ARMSTRONG 4QMJU

$FOUSBM
"$
"OOVBM
$POUSBDUT
.PCJMF
555 54 274 (Kumar) v0D[LPL]HFKDQFHVRIJHWWLQJ3HUPDQHQW5HVLGHQF\E\DSSO\LQJXQGHU E-mail:
[email protected] www.armstrongmachinery.com YDULRXV3URYLQFLDO1RPLQHH3URJUDPVv%HVWSROLFLHVDQGIDFLOLWLHVIRU 1PSUB
$BCJOT1SF'BCSJDBUFE
#VJMEJOHT5PJMFUT4FDVSJUZ
$BCJOT LPPLJUDQWVRQEHFRPLQJ3HUPDQHQW5HVLGHQWV 'JSF
3BUFE/PO
'JSF
3BUFE
.PCJMF: 557 80 396 4UFWF E-mail: [email protected] www.iescoqatar.com. BUSINESS SET-UP ::,&6,WV6WDII$VVRFLDWHVDUH0HPEHUVRI&$3,&,&&&3+'&&, &,,),&&,,&%&&0$$3,(&,$&&0$5$ 63$1,6+75$'(&+$0%(5 &RQGLWLRQV$SSO\ PORTABLE & CHEMICAL TOILETS LEADER MIDDLE EAST W.L.L. :25/':,'(,1)250$7,21&2168/7$1&<6(59,&(6 (Sales & Rentals) 'PS
GBTU

SFMJBCMF
#64*/&44
4&561
-0$"-
410/4034
5SBEF
:25/'j6/$5*(675(6(77/(0(17*5283 ARMSTRONG -JDFODFT
+PJOU
7FOUVSFT
1VCMJD
3FMBUJPOT
7JTBT

3FBM
&TUBUF
4FSWJDFT WK)ORRU,%4%DQN%XLOGLQJ$GMDFHQWWR+6%&%DQN%XLOGLQJ 5FM
+974 55745147 &NBJM
CJ[RBUBS!ZBIPPDPN
2SSRVLWH1HZ4XDOLW\$OPHHUD$LUSRUW5RDG8PPXJKOLQD$UHD 'JWF
1FBMT64"
4BMFT3FOUBM
4FSWJDF$MFBOJOH
4FXBHF
3FNPWBM 'RKD4DWDU3K %BJMZ.POUIMZ:FBSMZ
.PCJMF: 557 80 396 4UFWF E-mail: [email protected] www.iescoqatar.com. BUS FOR RENT (PDLOTDWDU#ZZLFVJURXSFRP_:HEVLWHZZZZZLFVJURXSFRP BEAM CONSTRUCTION (PCS) UNIVERSAL SUPPLIES JEWELLERY 4BMFT3FOUBM
$MFBOJOH

4FSWJDF
4FXBHF
3FNPWBM
%BJMZ8FFLMZ
5BUB
-BCPVS
#VTTFT
'PS
3FOU
4FBUFS
8JUI
PS
8JUIPVU
.POUIMZ
:FBSMZ
5FM
44901760 .PC
55100506 (Mr. Mario) 'VFM
'PS
-POH
BOE
4IPSUUFSN
JODMVEJOH
.BJOUFOBODF
E-mail:
QDT!CFBNJHDPN

XFC
XXXbeam-ig.com .PCJMF: 66266133 COMPUTER & IT CANARA JEWELLERY "M
.BOTPVSB
#JO
%JSIBN
4USFFU
RACKING & SHELVING SYSTEM COMPUTER TRAINING CENTRE 5FM
44422071, 44357283
&NBJM
DBOBSBKFXFMMFSZ!ZBIPPDPN DBOBSBKFXMMFSZ!HNBJMDPN

XXXDPN RACKPLUS STORAGE FAMILY COMPUTER CENTRE 1BMMFU
3BDLJOH
#PMUMFTT
4IFMWJOH
.PCJMF
4IFMWJOH
0GûDF
4IFMWJOH
.VMUJUJFS
"M
3BZZBO
$PNQMFY
3BZZBO
3PBE LABOUR CAMP FOR RENT 4IFMWJOH
.F[BOJOF

'PSLMJGU
3FOUBM
.PCJMF: 336 99 846 4IFSJG 5FM
44435361/44370779 - 'BY
44449130 E-mail:
[email protected] www.rackplusstorage.com. WOKEER INDUSTRIAL AREA CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE 'SPN



-BCPST RENT A CAR .PCJMF
660 02 704 4UFWF E-mail: [email protected] AL MUFTAH RENT A CAR .BJO
0GûDF
%Ú
3JOH
3E
5

#SBODIFT
"JSQPSU

"M
,IPS

&
.BJM
MAID SERVICES SFTFSWBUJPOT!SFOUBDBSEPIBDPN

8FCTJUF
XXXSFOUBDBSEPIBDPN AL DAR CAR RENTAL 
)PVST
#JO
0NSBO
"INFE
#JO
"MJ
4U
10
#PY

5FM
44877789

'BY
44866637 BMEBSDBSSFOUBM!IPUNBJMDPN

EUROCAR RENT A CAR CO LLC )FBE
0GûDF
BU
$3JOH
3PBE
5FM
44660677 Airport: 40108888 .PCJMF

66967787/ 55849587 &NBJM
NLUH!FVSPQDBSDPNRB

AL MUTWASSIT CLEANING & PEST CONTROL OASIS RENT A CAR $PNQMFUF
(FOFSBM
$MFBOJOH
'PS
3FTJEFOUJBM

$PNNFSDJBM
4VQQMZ
:06
3&/5
.03&
5)"/
"
$"3
8*5)
0"4*4 PG
$MFBOJOH
4UBGG
PO
$POUSBDU
#BTJT
1FTU
$POUSPM
4FSWJDFT 0GûDF
"MMFO 6641 7354 5FM
4413 0011 - 0BTJT$BSTDPN
44367555 .PC
30029977/55875920 E-mail: [email protected] 3FOUBM!0BTJT$BST$PN


(SFBU
EFBMT
PO
MPOH
UFSN
SFOUBMT BUSINESS Friday 28 December 2018 PAGE | 15 PAGE | 15 France’s Vinci Foxconn will in $3.7bn swoop assemble top-end on UK’s Gatwick Apple iPhones in airport India in 2019

MPHC’s incentive Woqod signs new jet fuel shares distribution SPA with QP

THE PENINSULA on December 31: QP DOHA

THE PENINSULA Qatar Fuel (Woqod) announced DOHA yesterday to have signed a new jet fuel sale and purchase Qatar Petroleum (QP) The distribution agreement (SPA) with Qatar announced yesterday that it Petroleum (QP). has set December 31, 2018 as of the free shares Saad Rashid Al Muhannadi, the distribution date of comes as part of Chief Executive Officer of Mesaieed Petrochemical Qatar Petroleum’s Woqod, said that the agreement Holding Company (MPHC) efforts to strengthen includes incorporating the con- free incentive shares to Armenia boosting economic & defence ties with Moscow tracting terms and conditions investors. This comes in the foundations of including the product pricing implementation of Qatar investment and the Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) listens to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during their mechanism for all stakeholders. Petroleum’s announcement long-term savings meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia yesterday. Pashinyan, a former journalist turned politician He pointed out that this mech- at the time of the MPHC IPO earlier had announced that Russia will remain firm allies, for Armenia to buy more Russian weapons anism has been determined fol- in December 2013. culture for Qatari and for them to forge closer political and trade ties. lowing a specialised study con- The free shares will be citizens. . ducted by QP. Upon the results awarded at the end of trading of the study and pursuant to the day in Qatar Stock Exchange powers given to QP to the to qualified investors who Qatari citizens. In doing so, determine the prices of meet the distribution condi- it has committed to giving petroleum products, QP, the tions, and will constitute 50 every Qatari individual Oil slips back towards 18-month lows state-owned oil giant underline percent of the allotted shares investor one free share for of the pricing mechanism for at the time of the Initial every allotted share condi- LONDON recovering to around $53.45 by “Fear of a bear market jet A-1 fuel specifying the Public Offering and tional to keeping at least 50 REUTERS 1205 GMT. US light crude oil remains in place,” said Johannes appropriate margins for the according to the IPO percent of the allotted shares slipped $1.30 to $44.92 and was Gross at Vienna-based consul- various stakeholders. prospectus. until the date of free shares Oil prices fell yesterday after last 80 cents lower at $45.42. tancy JBC Energy. He added that, Woqod, on The second set of free distribution. rebounding 8 percent in the pre- Oil prices reached multi- Three months ago it looked its part, will sign appropriate incentive shares will be dis- The free incentive shares vious session, as worries over a year highs in early October but as if the global oil market would contracts with the different tributed investors on 31 are ordinary shares that have glut in crude supply and con- are now approaching their be under-supplied through the stakeholders for regularising December 2023. equal rights with capital cerns over a faltering global lowest levels for 18 months. northern hemisphere winter as and managing the operations The distribution of the shares. economy pressured prices even Both crude oil benchmarks US sanctions removed large for the sale and purchase of jet free shares comes as part of They will be allotted from as a stock market rally offered have lost more than a third of volumes of Iranian crude. fuel product through jet fuel Qatar Petroleum’s efforts to Qatar Petroleum’s share, and support. their value since the beginning But other oil exporters have facilities located at Hamad strengthen the foundations will not entail any change in Brent crude oil dropped of October and are heading for more than compensated for any International Airport. Those of investment and the long- the company’s capital $1.67 a barrel, or 3.1 percent, to losses of more than 20 percent shortfall, filling global inven- contracts will be effective as of term savings culture for structure. a low of $52.80 before in 2018. tories and depressing prices. January 1, 2019.

QSE’s main index closes at 10,287.70 points Jobless claims fall to 216,000, showing tight US labour market THE PENINSULA to QR593.97bn at the end of pre- with 70.6 percent of the total compared to Wednesday’s closing. DOHA vious week, reports QNA. number of transactions. Banking The volume of shares traded BLOOMBERG workers and are reluctant to fire Industries sector led traded and Financial Services sector increased to 11,820,686 yesterday WASHINGTON staff, one reason why applica- Qatar Stock Exchange’s (QSE) value last week with 57.12 percent accounted for 11.08 percent. Real from 9,258,240 on Wednesday tions for unemployment benefits benchmark index lost 124.81 of the total traded value. Banking Estate sector accounted for 6.96 and the value of shares increased US filings for unemployment are still near historically low points, or 1.20 percent, last week and Financial Services sector percent and Transportation sector to QR220.32m from QR140.28m benefits decreased for the third levels. The trend for jobless when the bourse closed yesterday accounted for 19.77 percent. Real accounted for 3.62 percent. on Wednesday. time in four weeks, hovering claims is in line with other data at 10,287.70 points. Estate sector accounted for 10.39 From the 46 listed companies From the 48 companies listed near an almost five- decade low showing strong demand for Trading value during last percent and Consumer Goods and 16 ended last week higher, while on QSE, shares of 44 saw trading that reflects a robust job market. workers. That’s helping to week decreased by 51.05 percent Services sector accounted 5.8 30 fell. yesterday. From these, 32 com- Jobless claims fell by 1,000 support consumer spending, the to reach QR926.99m compared percent. Qatar Aluminum led traded panies gained, 11 closed lower and to 216,000 in the week ended biggest part of the economy, at a to QR1.89bn in the previous week. Industries sector led traded value during last week accounting shares of one company remained Dec. 22, matching the median time the trade war with China is Trading volume decreased by volume last week with 66.3 for 46.71 percent of the total unchanged. estimate in a Bloomberg survey clouding the outlook for 43.34 percent to reach 54.44 percent of the total traded volume. traded value. QNB accounted for Indices of six sector ended in of economists and following a businesses. million shares, as against 96.08 Banking and Financial Services 5.97 percent and United Devel- green zone and one sectors ended revised reading of 217,000 for ‘Get More Continuing’ claims, million shares, while the number sector accounted for 13.00 opment Company accounted 5.56 in red zone today. QSE Total the prior week, Labor which are reported with a one- of transactions fell by 50.94 percent. Real Estate sector percent. Return Index increased 0.63 Department figures showed week lag, dropped by 4,000 to percent, to reach 32,603 transac- accounted for 11.85 percent and Qatar Stock Exchange Gains percent to 18,125.78 points and Thursday. The four- week 1.7 million in the week ended tions as compared to 66,457 Telecoms sector accounted 2.51 64.72 Points QSE Al Rayan Islamic Index added average, a less-volatile measure, December 15. The unem- transactions. percent. When compared on daily 0.68 percent to 3,882.26 points. fell to a six-week low. ployment rate among people eli- Market cap fell by 1.02 percent Industries sector led traded basis, the QSE index gained 64.72 QSE All Share Index gained 0.82 Key Insights Employers con- gible for benefits held at 1.2 to reach QR587.91bn as compared number of transactions last week points, or 0.63 percent, yesterday percent to 3,068.96 points. tinue to hold on to existing percent for a third straight week. ECB says trade protectionism will crimp global growth next year

BLOOMBERG bulletin published on Thursday. comes amid volatility on global 48 employers’ groups surveyed Policy makers will still keep a FRANKFURT Global trade growth has stock markets and as US Pres- said Europe’s largest economy significant monetary stimulus weakened and uncertainties ident Donald Trump continues is in better shape than a year in place to boost inflation and The European Central Bank about future trade relations to threaten an increase in tariffs earlier and 21 said conditions ward off “increased downside expects the global economy to have increased, the central on some $200bn in annual are worse. A weaker pace of risk to expansion.” slow next year as rising protec- bank added. imports from China. The ECB global expansion is hurting “For high debt countries in tionism curbs trade growth. “Looking ahead, global isn’t alone in expecting leaner Germany’s export-oriented particular, further consoli- While economic activity economic activity is expected days for the global economy. manufacturers, the survey dation efforts are essential to has remained resilient around to decelerate in 2019 and German companies have also suggested. set the public debt ratio firmly the world, it has also become remain steady thereafter. grown more pessimistic about ECB President Mario on a downward path, as their more uneven and signs of mod- Global inflationary pressures the outlook, an annual survey Draghi (pictured) this month high debt levels render them erating momentum are are expected to rise slowly as by the Cologne-based IW decided it will stop adding to vulnerable to any future increasingly evident, according spare capacity diminishes.” Institute showed on its $3 trillion)bond-buying pro- downturns or renewed to the ECB’s latest economic The cautious assessment Wednesday. Only seven of the gramme starting next year. financial market instability.” FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 BUSINESS 15 France’s Vinci in $3.7bn MarketWatch swoop on UK’s Gatwick airport QSE FTSE100 DOW BRENT 10,287.70 6,583.00 22,618.57 $45.47 REUTERS including EasyJet and British Retirement System 6.4 percent, PARIS Airways. National Pension Service of +64.72 PTS -102.99 PTS -259.88 PTS -0.75 It handles over 46 million Korea 6 percent and Australia’s 0.63% 1.54% 1.14% Dow & Brent before going to press France’s Vinci is taking passengers per year, more than Future Fund Board of Guardians advantage of a Brexit hit to UK a quarter of the 170 million pas- 8.6 percent. asset prices to buy a majority senger journeys the London air- The deal follows Vinci’s pur- stake in Britain’s second-busiest ports system - led by Heathrow chase this year of the airport Foxconn will assemble airport, London’s Gatwick, for - handled in 2017. management portfolio of Air- £2.9bn ($3.7bn), the construction Vinci says Gatwick is the ports Worldwide, which allowed top-end Apple iPhones company said yesterday. most efficient airport in the it to enter the United States and network handled over 180 The deal to buy a 50.01 world and operates the busiest expand in Europe. million passengers. percent stake gives Vinci, which single runway, which in 2017 Notebaert said the deal To counter signs of weakness in India in 2019 already runs 45 airports in 12 achieved a record 950 flights in would “not in the least” affect in its construction business, the countries, access to the world’s one day. Vinci’s interest in Paris airports company has been expanding REUTERS largest metropolitan aviation Gatwick plans to serve operator ADP, which the gov- into faster growing and more MUMBAI market and is part of the com- growing demand by optimising ernment plans to privatise. profitable concessions such as pany’s drive to expand its most its existing runway and boosting “For ADP, all depends on the airports and motorways. Apple Inc will begin assembling promising businesses. use of its standby one. terms the government will set in In 2017, Vinci Airports’ its top-end iPhones in India Vinci Airports President Vinci is buying Gatwick coming months. We have the managed activities revenue was through the local unit of Nicolas Notebaert signalled shares from existing financial and operational €3.2bn, with consolidated Foxconn as early as 2019, the uncertainty over Britain’s shareholders. capacity,” he said. revenue at €1.4bn. first time the Taiwanese con- departure from the European Investment group Global Vinci operates airports in Between 2014 and 2017, tract manufacturer will have Union next March had cut the Infrastructure Partners will countries including France, Por- Vinci Airports’ revenue grew 196 made the product in the price of buying into Gatwick, and halve its stake to 21 percent, tugal, Britain, Sweden, Serbia, percent, driving the concessions country, according to a source forecast any hit to UK economic while Abu Dhabi Investment Cambodia, Japan, United States, business up 19.3 percent. Vinci familiar with the matter. growth after Brexit was likely to Authority will own 7.9 percent, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Construction’s revenue fell 9.5 Importantly, Foxconn will be offset by a rise in tourism due California Public Employees’ Chile and Brazil. In 2017, its percent over the same period. be assembling the most as many as 25,000 jobs, he to a weaker pound. expensive models, such as added. “Just a few months ago we devices in the flagship iPhone Another source also said would not even have dreamed X family, the source said, poten- Foxconn planned to assemble of being able to acquire an tially taking Apple’s business in iPhones in India, in a move that unlimited licence in the London India to a new level. could help both it and Apple to airports system for less than 20 The work will take place at limit the impact of a trade war times core earnings,” he said on Foxconn’s plant in Sriperum- between the United States and a conference call, referring to the budur town in the southern China. price of the deal. state of Tamil Nadu, said the The Hindu newspaper first The acquisition is expected source, who is not authorised reported on December 24 that to close by June 2019. to speak to the media and so the Foxconn plant would begin It comes just days after declined to be named. manufacturing various models drone sightings caused 36 hours Foxconn, which already of the iPhone. Reuters is first to of chaos for more than 100,000 makes phones for Xiaomi Corp report the size of the investment travellers at Gatwick. CEO in India, will invest 25 billion and the kind of phones to be Stewart Wingate (pictured), Indian rupees ($356m) to assembled. who will remain in his role, said expand the plant, including Apple spokeswoman Trudy the airport was working to avoid investment in iPhone pro- Muller declined to comment. a repeat of the disruption. duction, Tamil Nadu’s Indus- Foxconn said it did not Thirty miles (48 km) south tries Minister M C Sampath comment on matters related to of London, Gatwick serves 228 (pictured) told Reuters. current or potential customers, destinations in 74 countries and The investment may create or any of their products. is a major base for airlines A file picture showing an aerial view of the UK’s Gatwick airport. BREAK TIME

CROSSWORD MALL ROYAL PLAZA VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER

Simmba (2D/Hindi) 2:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm; Pretham 2 (2D/Malayalam) 2:30pm; Thomas And Friends: Big Thomas And Friends: Big Wolrd! Big Adventure! The Movie Wolrd! Big Adventure! The Movie (2D/Animation) 2:30 & (2D/Animation) 2:00 & 3:30pm; Pretham 2 (2D/Malayalam) 4:00pm; Simmba (2D/Hindi) 5:30 & 11:00pm; 2:30 & 11:30pm; Aquaman (2D/Action) 5:00pm; Mary Poppins Returns (2D/Comedy) 5:00 & 8:30pm; Vox Lux Zero (2D/Hindi) 5:00pm; Mary Poppins Returns (2D/ (2D/Drama) 7:15pm; Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles Comedy) 5:00 & 7:15pm Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles (2D/Tagalog) 9:15pm; Cold Skin (2D/Horror) 11:30pm (2D/Tagalog) 7:30pm; Speed Kills (2D/Malayalam) 9:30pm; Bumblebee (2D/Animation) 11:30pm; ASIAN TOWN

LANDMARK Pretham 2 (2D/Malayalam) 12:00, 1:00, 2:30, 3:30, 5:00, 6:00, 7:30, 8:30, 10:30, 11:00, 11:15pm, 12:30am, 1:30am & 2:15am; Thomas And Friends: Big Wolrd! Big Adventure! The Movie Simmba (2D/Hindi) 12:00, 3:00, 9:00pm, 12:00am & 3:00am (2D/Animation) 2:15 & 3:45pm; The Fixies: Top Secret (2D/ Zero (2D/Hindi) 6:00pm; Animation) 2:30pm; Zero (2D/Hindi) 2:30 & 10:45pm; Maari 2 (2D/Tamil) 12:30pm Mary Poppins Returns (2D/Comedy) 4:00, 6:15 & 8:30pm; Kanaa (2D/ Tamil) 3:15pm; Aquaman (2D/Action) 5:30pm; Simmba (2D/Hindi) 8:00 & Joseph (2D/Malayalam) 5:45 & 8: 30pm 11:00pm; Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles (2D/Tagalog) 5:15 & 7:30pm; Between Worlds (2D/Action) 9:45pm; FLIK Mirqab Mall Pretham 2 (2D/Malayalam) 11:30pm Aquaman (2D/Action) 11:25am, 9:10, 11:30pm Aquaman (3D/Action) 2:35, 4:50, 7:45 & 10:40pm ROXY Between Worlds (2D/Action) 11:00am, 1:30, 7:00, 10;25pm Bumblebee (2D/Animation) 1:25, 4:00pm & 0:15am Aquaman (2D/Action) 10:30am, 4:00, 4:30, 11:00, 12:00midnight Bumblebee (3D/Animation) 11:55, 5:30, 8:10 & 10:50pm & 12;30am; Mary Poppins Returns (2D/Comedy) 10:30am, 3:30, 11:30, Bumblebee (2D/Animation) 1:30, 2:00, 7:00, 7:30 & 10:00pm; 2:10, 6:35, 7:15, 7:50 & 8:55pm; Preetham 2 (2D/Malayalam) Maari 2 (2D/Tamil) 10:30am, 4:45 & 11:00pm 8:35 & 11:35pm; Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck It Ralph Preetham 2 (2D/Malayalam) 8:30 & 11:15pm 2 (2D/Animation) 12:40, 2:20 & 4:40pm Ralph Breaks The Internet: (2D/Animation) 1:00 & 6:00pm Simbha (2D/Hindi) 22:45, 5:30 & 8:45pm Simbha (2D/Hindi) 10:30am, 1:30, 4:50, 8:00 & 11:20pm Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2D/Action) 11:55am, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2D/Action) 10:30am & 1:05, 6:05, 3:25pm; Thomas And Friends: Big Wolrd! Big 3:30pm; Zero (2D/Hindi) 1:30 & 7:45pm Adventure! The Movie (2D/Animation) 10:55am; Vox Lux (2D/Drama) 11:15am, 3:00, 8:30pm, 12:00midnight; AL KHOR Zero (2D/Hindi) 2:15pm & 12:00midnight. Note: Programme is subject to change without prior notice. Simbha (2D/Hindi) 11:30am, 5:15 & 11:00pm Pretham 2 (2D/Malayalam) 10:30am, 1:00, 3:30, 6:00, 8:30 & 11:00pm; Mary Poppins Returns (2D/Comedy) 11:00am, 2:30 & 8:15pm; Thomas And Friends: Big Wolrd! Big Adventure! The Movie (2D/Animation) 1:45, 3:45 & 5:45pm; Zero (2D/Hindi) 7:45 & 11:00pm

MARY POPPINS RETURNS

Decades after her original visit, the magical nanny returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael’s children through a difficult time in their lives. SPORT Friday 28 December 2018 PAGE | 17 PAGE | 18 Ronaldo rescues Kohli, Pujara point for 10-man heroics Juventus at put India in Atalanta command World No. 7 Goffin arrives in Doha Bounedjah seals win for Algeria in Qatar friendly

QNA DOHA

Qatar suffered a minor setback in their preparation for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 after falling to a 1-0 defeat to Algeria at the Khalifa International Stadium yesterday. Drawn in Group E in the continental showpiece, Qatar had enjoyed an undefeated streak since their win over Swit- zerland in November which was put to a halt by a Baghdad Bounedjah goal in the 57th minute. Felix Sanchez’s side will have one more friendly with Islamic Republic of Iran on New Year’s Eve before heading to the UAE to open their campaign against World Number 7, David Goffin of Belgium upon his arrival at Lebanon at the Hazza Bin Zayed the Hamad International Airport in Doha, yesterday, ahead of Stadium on January 9. the 27th edition of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. The ATP 250 They will play DPR Korea tournament, a popular fixture on the tour, is set to kick off at the and Saudi Arabia on January 13 Algerian striker Baghdad Bounedjah (centre) vies for the ball against Qatar’s Abdulkarim Hassan Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on December 31. and 17 respectively. during their friendly match played at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday.

Hathab Tour: Cherif braces for LeBron James is AP’s Male Qatari challenge in Round 5 Athlete of 2018 CHINTHANA WASALA THE PENINSULA AP Overall leader Cyrine Cherif will LOS ANGELES be up for a feisty challenge from a host of Qatari stars in the Big For the third time, LeBron James has been selected Tour category when the fifth as The Associated Press Male Athlete-of-the-Year - round of the hugely popular after 2018 saw him continue to excel on the court, Hathab Equestrian Tour kicks off open the “I Promise” school for at-risk children in at the Qatar Equestrian Federa- his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and further use his tion’s (QEF) Arena today. voice as an activist who bristled at being told to “shut The French rider who has up and dribble.” secured two podium spots in the James received 78 points in balloting by US editors previous rounds, leads her class and news directors announced yesterday, while Boston with a total of 100 points. Red Sox star Mookie Betts was second with 46. Alex However, she is facing a lot of Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals was third, Kansas competition from two Qatari City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was fourth riders, Faleh Suwayed Al Ajami and Triple Crown winner Justify was fifth. (94) and Nasser Al Ghazali (89) On the court, James remained dominant. He who are vying for the top spot. averaged 28.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 8.4 assists in Qatari riders Awad Alqahtani 2018 between his time with the Cavaliers and Lakers, (77), Hamad Towaim Al Marri playing in 102 games through yesterday. (71), Mubarak Yousef Al Rumaihi James becomes the third man to win the award at (71) and Saeed Nasser Al Qadi Riders walk along with horses at a vet least three times, joining Lance Armstrong (a four- (70) are also giving their best to check ahead of the fifth round of the time winner from 2002 through 2005), Tiger Woods make it to the top. Hathab Equestrian Tour at the Qatar (1997, 1999, 2000 and 2006) and Michael Jordan (1991, Al Shaqab leads the team Equestrian Federation Arena. 1992 and 1993). with 109 points, followed by Al Armstrong won the Tour de France in each of his Salam International with 107 years as the AP recipient, - though he was later stripped points and Power Steel in third Marri with 60 points. Ghanim Today, the Small Tour of the titles in a doping scandal. Woods won at least place with 96 points. Nasser Al Qadi is in the second (100/115cm) will kick off the one major and was the PGA’s Player of the Year in all Mohammed Sultan Al position with 48 points, fol- round 5 at 3.00pm, followed by four of his AP-winning years. Suwaidi leads the points tally in lowed by Khalifa Hamad Al the Medium Tour class Jordan’s three awards coincided with his first three the Medium Tour (107), followed Jaber with 45.5 in the third spot. (120/130cm) which is scheduled NBA championshipschampionshipps in Chicago.CChicago. AndAnd James’James’ firstfirst two by Mohammed Said Haidan with According to the Head of to begin at 5.30pm. timestimes ggettingetting the award 99 points and Jaber Rashid Al Public Relations at QEF, Tomorrow, the Future Riders werewere in 2013 andand Amri with 94 points. Mohammed Al Anzi, the organ- event for 70/85cm category will 22016,016, yearsyears where The Small Tour is domi- ising committee has lined up begin at 9.00am, followed by the hhisis finfingerprintsgerprints nated by the 15-year-old Qatari many surprises for the fans at Future Riders 85/100cm class at mussedmussed up thethe Larry prodigy Khalifa Abdullah Al the QEF Arena today and 10.30am. O’BrienO’Brien TrophyTrophy in a Khaldi who has accumulated tomorrow. In the evening session titletitle celebration.celebration. 107 points, 18 points ahead of Omar bin Khalid Al Mannai, tomorrow, the Open Class his closest rival, Mohammed Commercial Manager of Al (115/125cm) will kick off at Nasser Al Qadi who has 89 Shahab and Deputy Chairman 3.00pm and finally the Big Tour points. Tamader Said Al Marri, of the Hathab Series Organising (130/145cm) which starts at despite competing in three out Committee, said that the cham- 5.30pm, will conclude the fifth of the four stages this season, pionship has achieved a round of the popular has collected 80 points and is remarkable success and a championship. expected be among the top remarkable increase in the The popular show jumping riders at a packed QEF Arena number of participants. and dressage series is organised today. Meanwhile, Event Director, by the Qatar Equestrian Feder- In Dressage Level 1, Jessica Ali Al Rumaihi, stressed that the ation (QEF) and Al Shaqab with Waldon has taken the lead with establishment of the champi- the aim of improving the 57 points, followed by Amna onship comes in line with the standard of horse riding among Ahmed Al Saffar (55) and Al Ali directives of H E Sheikh Joaan Qatari youth while spreading the Mohammed Al Marri (52) who bin Hamad Al Thani, President awareness of horsemanship as occupy the second and third of the Qatar Olympic Committee part of Qatar’s history and Overall points leader in Cyrine Cherif spots in the points table. (QOC), to provide greater oppor- tradition. will up for a feisty challenge from a host The second dressage level tunities for the Qatari riders and The Hathab Tour offers a of Qatari stars in the Big Tour category. LeBron James is led by Mohammed Salem Al support the future stars. staggering QR1m in prize money. FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 17 Inter to play behind closed doors

REUTERS Inter Milan coach Luciano MILAN Spalletti added that it was the sort of behaviour which was Inter Milan were ordered to play holding back Italian football. their next two home games “If 65,000 people come and behind closed doors yesterday watch the match at Christmas, after their supporters racially they want to see something else,” insulted Napoli defender Kalidou he said. Koulibaly during Wednesday’s “We need a change of men- Serie A match at San Siro. tality (if) our objective is to bring Koulibaly was also handed a our football back to the top in two-match ban by Serie A’s dis- Europe.” Match officials in Italy ciplinary tribunal after he was are expected to report racist inci- sent off in the 81st minute for dents to public security officials sarcastically applauding the who have the power to stop referee for booking him. games. Napoli said on their club The guidelines were intro- website that the Senegalese duced in 2013 after the AC Milan player was subject to “racist team walked off the field during chants” during the match, a friendly match in protest at without giving further details, racist insults aimed at several of while their coach Carlo Ancelotti their players. said some fans made animal Last year, there was an noises throughout the entire outcry after Ghanaian player game. Sulley Muntari was booked and In addition to the next two sent off after complaining about home matches against Bene- racist abuse while playing for vento, in the Italian Cup, and Pescara at Cagliari. Sassuolo in Serie A being staged Muntari, who said that he behind closed doors, the section was booked for asking the of the San Siro stadium occupied referee to stop the match, walked by Inter’s “ultra” fans has also off the pitch in protest and was been ordered to be kept closed then given a second yellow card for a third game in the league for leaving the field without against Bologna. permission. Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld in action against Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi during the Champions League match at the Wembley Stadium, The mayor of Milan, Cristiano Ronaldo, currently London, Britain in this November 28, 2018 file picture. Giuseppe Sala, apologised to the most celebrated player in Koulibaly over the insults, Serie A, was among those quick describing them as “a disgrace” conceding a stoppage-time goal, decision, although Ancelotti said The FARE network, which mon- Ancelotti said Napoli asked to offer supportive messages to on his Facebook page. leaving them nine points behind the player was already upset and itors discrimination in European an Italian federation (FIGC) del- Koulibaly on social media. “It was a shameful act against Serie A leaders Juventus. Like on edge over his treatment. football, said it was a familiar egate three times during the Juventus’s Portuguese striker a respected athlete, who proudly Koulibaly, their forward Lorenzo “I’m disappointed by the tale. match for the game to be sus- posted a picture of himself bears the colour of his skin, and Insigne was also given a two- defeat and above all to have left “Once again in Italian pended but, instead, public playing against Koulibaly with a also, to a lesser degree, against match ban after his sending off my brothers,” said Koulibaly on football. Player is racially abused, announcements were read out message in Italian: “Education the many people who go to the in stoppage time. Twitter. referee fails to act, player is asking fans to stop. and respect are needed in the stadium to support their team Koulibaly was booked for “But I am proud of the colour angry and gets sent off. The same The coach said Napoli would world and in football. No to and be with their friends.” fouling Matteo Politano and then of my skin. Proud to be French, cycle again and again,” it walk off the pitch if there was a racism and to any offence and Napoli lost 1-0 after dismissed for his reaction to the Senegalese, Neapolitan: a man.” tweeted. similar incident in the future. discrimination.” Liverpool still have plenty Ronaldo rescues point for Juventus to prove, insists Van Dijk AFP Djimsiti completely miskicked MILAN Alex Sandro’s deflected cross AFP Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring their second contributed towards it and we into his own net. LONDON goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers during the English should all be proud of the fact Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured But Zapata put a spanner in Premier League match in this December 21, 2018 file picture. we’re trying to keep clean sheets, below) came off the bench to the Juve works with a fantastic Virgil van Dijk admits it is an not only the defence. score a late equaliser as 10-man individual goal midway through exciting time to be a Liverpool “When things are going well Juventus salvaged a 2-2 draw the first half, spinning centre- player, but warned the Premier people will probably say that I at Atalanta on Wednesday to back Leonardo Bonucci with League leaders have won am the one that changed things, move nine points clear of ease before drilling a left-footed nothing yet. but it is not like that. Napoli at the top of Serie A. strike into the far corner. A year on since becoming the “But if things are not going Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli Douglas Costa fired wide world’s most expensive defender well, I am the guy that will get missed the chance to cut the just after the half-hour mark as in a £75m move from South- the blame because of my transfer gap to the reigning champions the visitors looked to restore ampton, the Dutchman has more fee. But that’s the life we live as after Inter Milan substitute their advantage, but the Turin than justified his enormous footballers.” Lautaro Martinez hit a giants were reduced to 10 men transfer fee by helping to Van Dijk has also been stoppage-time winner in an eight minutes after half-time transform Liverpool’s defensive named captain of the Nether- ugly 1-0 victory at the San Siro when Rodrigo Bentancur was record. lands as his reputation around marred by racist chants towards shown a second yellow card for Jurgen Klopp’s men have the world has soared over the Senegalese defender Kalidou a poor tackle on Timothy conceded just seven goals and past year, but he believes at 27 Koulibaly. Castagne. are yet to be beaten in 19 he still has room for Juventus coach Massi- Colombian striker Zapata Premier League games -- a run improvement. miliano Allegri decided to wasted little time in making that has enabled them to streak “I have improved in every rest Ronaldo as the former Bentancur pay, bundling in six points clear at the top of the aspect of my game I think, but Real Madrid man did not from almost on the goalline to table. there is still plenty to improve. start a league game for the put Atalanta ahead and score “It feels like it is an exciting “I still have some time to do first time since moving to his ninth league goal of the time at Liverpool - and hope- that I think. I need to keep Italy, but the 33-year-old season. fully it will prove to be that as improving, doing what we’re was needed to level in the Allegri sent on Ronaldo with well,” Van Dijk told the club’s doing and hopefully achieve 78th minute after Duvan 25 minutes remaining, and less website. good things.” Zapata’s double had put the than 60 seconds after Robin “What’s important is we In contrast to their unbeaten hosts in front following Berat Gosens wasted a golden oppor- need to keep going; we cannot run in the Premier League, Liv- Djimsiti’s own goal. tunity to seal victory for Ata- be satisfied with what we have erpool survived three defeats in Ronaldo’s efforts keep lanta, the Portuguese star right now because we have their Champions League group Juventus unbeaten in Serie A, pounced to nod home from nothing at the moment. We need retain their crown as European the man who has helped turn to progress to the last 16 where ahead of the final game before close range. to keep going, stay humble and champions with a 3-1 win in Klopp’s side into title they will meet German giants the winter break against Samp- In Milan, Martinez turned work hard.” Kiev. contenders. Bayern Munich. doria on Saturday. in a bouncing cross in the 91st91st Van Dijk’s arrival helped The signing of Brazilian “Our defensive record this And Van Dijk believes the “It’s“It’s a shamshamee becausebecause wewe minuteminute as InInterter closcloseded spark a run to last season’s number one Alisson Becker to season has been spoken about pain of losing to Real in May will still wanted to win,win, but the to withinwithin fifiveve Champions League final, but two replace the German has further a lot and I’m definitely proud of spurn Liverpool on to win a sixth team ddidid wewell,”ll,” saisaidd points ofof NapoNapoli,li, huge errors from goalkeeper bolstered Liverpool’s defence, it,” he added. European Cup in the coming Allegri.Allegri. whowho finifinishedshed Loris Karius helped Real Madrid but Van Dijk is still credited as “The entire team has seasons. EverythingE veryth ing withwith nine menmen appearedappeared to bbee going afterafter KalidouKalidou to plan for Juve whenwhen KoulibalyKoulibaly andand they gragrabbedbbed tthehe lleadead Lorenzo InsigneInsigne inin onlonlyy the second werewere botbothh sentsent Australia to face Oman in Asian Cup warm-up minuteminute wwhenhen off late on. AtalantaAtalanta REUTERS At the end of his first stint as eliminated at the group phase. defend their Asian title at the centre-centre- MELBOURNE Australia coach, Arnold was “It will also be nice to see January 5-February 1 tour- backback replaced by Dutchman Verbeek Pim again. We shared many nament in the United Arab Defending champions Australia after the side bowed out of the great memories with the Soc- Emirates, opening their Group have scheduled a friendly 2007 Asian Cup at the quarter- ceroos and he has done a fan- B campaign against Jordan against fellow finalists Oman in final stage. tastic job with Oman. before matches against Palestine Dubai on December 30, as coach Arnold then served as an “We are expecting a tough and Syria. Graham Arnold will get to pit his assistant to Verbeek when the match but also a game played in Oman, meanwhile, have wits against former boss Pim Dutchman helped Australia a great spirit as both nations been drawn in Group F alongside Verbeek in the Socceroos’ final qualify for the 2010 World Cup prepare for the tournament Japan, Uzbekistan and Asian Cup warm-up. in South Africa, where they were proper.” Australia will bid to Turkmenistan. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 Boult wrecks Sri Lanka Kohli, Pujara heroics with six-wicket spell AFP overhauling New Zealand’s first CHRISTCHURCH innings 178. put India in command But nine overs and 16 runs Chief destroyer Trent Boult felt later their last six wickets were AFP India’s Cheteshwar Pujara (right) plays a shot during day two of the third Test match against he was “in the groove” as his gone, all taken by Boult, who MELBOURNE Australia at the MCG in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. sublime six-wicket spell, backed finished with a career best six by half-centuries from Tom for 30. A 170-run stand between Latham and Jeet Raval gave New Only Angelo Mathews was century-maker Cheteshwar Zealand a vice-like grip on the able to keep Boult out and he Pujara and captain Virat Kohli second Test against Sri Lanka in was unbeaten on 33 at the close put India in a dominant position Christchurch yesterday. of the innings. in the third Test yesterday as At the close of the second Boult triggered the collapse Australia’s openers survived half day, New Zealand were 231 for when he had Roshen Silva a dozen nervy overs before the two, holding a commanding caught by Tim Southee at third close. 305-run lead in their second slip for 21. Dogged Pujara stroked 106 innings with eight wickets in A diving Southee produced and Kohli 82 before they both fell hand. a spectacular one-handed catch soon after lunch on what until Sri Lanka’s hopes of taking in Boult’s next over to remove then had been a lifeless Mel- the series-deciding Test were Niroshan Dickwella for four. bourne pitch. severely dented in a 15-ball Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Rohit Sharma was not out 63 masterclass of swing bowling Lakmal, Chameera and Lahiru after notching his 10th Test half- from Boult when he took six Kumara all misread Boult and century when Kohli called a halt wickets for four runs to give went quickly leg before wicket to the innings late in the day at New Zealand a 74-run first without scoring to end the 443 for seven as India go in innings advantage. innings. search of a crucial 2-1 lead in the With the Sri Lanka innings Perera and Lakmal fell in four-Test series. in tatters, New Zealand took consecutive deliveries with Cha- That gave the tourists’ attack 74-run first-innings lead, which meera blocking the next ball to six overs before stumps to target Latham and Raval extended to avoid a hat-trick before he was Australian openers Marcus Harris 195 with a century opening removed with the second ball and Aaron Finch, who battled stand. he faced. through to be eight without loss. Kane Williamson and “I think we have enough runs Latham added a further 68 for SCOREBOARD on the board. Already today you the second wicket until Wil- NEW ZEALAND, first innings 178 can see the pitch has started dete- A stoic Pujara had been pitch started to show signs of SCOREBOARD liamson played a lazy shot to SRI LANKA, first innings (overnight 88-4) riorating and there’s variable unflappable in his 319-ball variable bounce which could INDIA, first innings Lahiru Kumara and was caught D. Karunaratne c Williamson b Southee ...... 7 bounce on it. I don’t think it’s easy innings until Pat Cummins sent spell trouble for the home M. Agarwal c Paine b Cummins ...... 76 at first slip for 48. D. Gunathilaka c Raval b Southee ...... 8 to bat on now,” said Pujara. down a rocket that stayed low, batsmen. H. Vihari c Finch b Cummins ...... 8 At the close of the second D. Chandimal c Watling b Southee ...... 6 Pujara and Kohli had con- breached his defence and clat- Lyon had another chance C. Pujara b Cummins ...... 106 day, Latham was on 74 with K. Mendis c Watling b de Grandhomme ...... 15 tinued to build their intimidating tered into the stumps. spilled when Cummins fumbled V. Kohli c Finch b Starc ...... 82 Ross Taylor on 25. A. Mathews not out ...... 33 partnership after coming together Pujara, who has scored more an easy catch from Rishabh Pant A. Rahane lbw b Lyon ...... 34 Latham received a life on 32 R. Silva c Southee b Boult ...... 21 R. Sharma not out ...... 63 N. Dickwella c Southee b Boult ...... 4 when openers Hanuma Vihari runs and faced more balls than near the boundary. Pant finally when he top-edged Suranga D. Perera lbw Boult ...... 0 and Mayank Agarwal fell on day any other batsman in the series, fell for 39 and when Ravindra R. Pant c Khawaja b Starc ...... 39 Lakmal to fine leg where the ball R. Jadeja c Paine b Hazlewood ...... 4 S. Lakmal lbw Boult ...... 0 one. added 38 to his overnight 68 in Jadeja went soon after, Kohli Extras (lb14, b15, nb1, w1) ...... 31 slipped through the fingers of a D. Chameera lbw Boult ...... 0 They batted through to lunch another tremendous knock by a made the declaration. Total (7 wickets dec, 169.4 overs) .....443 diving Dushmantha L. Kumara lbw Boult ...... 0 with scarcely an alarming man who has now scored 17 Test The flat track in Melbourne Did not bat: Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Chameera. Extras: (b 5, lb 5, nb 0) ...... 10 moment. But when Kohli started tons and two in this series. follows much livelier pitches in Jasprit Bumrah Patel, who worked with Total: (all out; 41 overs) ...... 104 to take on the short ball soon It was an arduous day for Adelaide and Perth which pro- Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Vihari), 2-123 (Agarwal), Latham to produce the first Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Karunaratne), 2-20 (Chan- after being seen by the physio for Australia’s bowlers in hot condi- duced results in the four-Test 3-293 (Kohli), 4-299 (Pujara), 5-361 (Rahane), wicketless session in the Test dimal), 3-21 (Gunathilaka), 4-51 (Mendis), 5-94 6-437 (Pant), 7-443 (Jadeja) (Silva), 6-100 (Dickwella), 7-100 (Perera), 8-100 a back complaint in the afternoon tions with Cummins’ 3-72 series which is on a knife-edge when they batted from lunch to (Lakmal), 9-104 (Chameera), 10-104 (Kumara) session, he was undone by pace proving the pick. at 1-1. Bowling: Starc 28-7-87-2, Hazlewood 31.4-10- tea, was out in the second over 86-1, Cummins 34-10-72-3, Lyon 48-7-110-1, Bowling: Boult 15-8-30-6, Southee 15-5-35-3, de spearhead Mitchell Starc. Sharma, back after missing Last year’s Boxing Day Test Marsh 26-4-51-0, Finch 2-0-8-0 after the resumption for 74. Grandhomme 6-0-19-1, Wagner 5-0-10-0. The Indian run-machine had the second Test with an injury, saw a dull Ashes draw with Sri Lanka had resumed at 88 NEW ZEALAND, second innings hit a four and was attempting was in good touch, but had a England that prompted the match AUSTRALIA, first innings for four harbouring thoughts of J. Raval c Mendis b Perera ...... 74 another boundary next ball when massive let-off on 15 when he referee to grade the pitch “poor” M. Harris not out ...... 5 T. Latham not out ...... 74 he uppercut to third man for swept a Nathan Lyon delivery to and there was hope for more A. Finch not out ...... 3 K. Williamson c Mendis b Kumara ...... 48 Finch to take an easy catch. square leg where substitute juice in it this time round. Extras ...... 0 R. Taylor not out ...... 25 It deprived Kohli of a 26th fielder Peter Siddle made a com- Cricket Australia chief exec- Total (0 wickets, six overs) ...... 8 Extras: (b 3, lb 1, wd 3, nb 3) ...... 10 To bat: Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Travis Total: (for 2 wickets, 79 overs) ...... 231 Test century and the chance to plete mess of a simple catch. utive Kevin Roberts said the pitch Fall: 1-121 (Raval), 2-189 (Williamson) surpass boyhood hero Sachin Australia’s leading spinner would only be fully judged after Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc Bowling: Lakmal 16-5-38-0, Kumara 19-4-60- Tendulkar by making a seventh finally got a reward in his next the Test finishes, but conceded Bowling: Sharma 2-1-2-0, Bumrah 3-1-6-0, 1 (1w), Chameera 15-5-53-0 (2w, 2nb), Perera hundred in Australia. They over, trapping vice-captain “a sense of urgency in the regen- Jadeja 1-1-0-0 20-2-57-1 (1nb), Gunathilaka 9-2-19-0 remain tied on six each. Ajinkya Rahane lbw for 34 as the eration of this wicket square”. Olivier’s 11-wicket haul puts South Africa back in contest REUTERS South Africa’s Duanne Olivier SCOREBOARD PRETORIA (left) celebrates after bowling out PAKISTAN, first innings 181 Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq during their SOUTH AFRICA, first innings (overnight 127-5) Seamer Duanne Olivier first Test at the SuperSport Park in A. Markram lbw b Hasan Ali ...... 12 completed an 11-wicket match Centurion, South Africa, yesterday. D. Elgar c Azhar Ali b S Afridi ...... 22 haul as South Africa roared back H. Amla c Babar Azam b M Amir ...... 8 into contention in the first test by T. de Bruyn c Sarfraz Ahmed b M Amir ...... 29 bowling Pakistan out for 190 in F. du Plessis c Babar Azam b S Afridi ...... 0 their second innings at the close T. Bavuma c Sarfraz Ahmed b S Afridi ...... 53 of day two at Centurion Park D. Steyn c Sarfraz Ahmed b M Amir ...... 23 yesterday. Q. de Kock c Fakhar Zaman b M Amir ...... 45 Olivier finished with 5-59 to K. Maharaj lbw b Hasan Ali ...... 4 New Zealand’s Trent go with his first innings figures of K. Rabada c Asad Shafiq b S Afridi ...... 19 Boult bowls during 6-37 as Pakistan set South Africa D Olivier not out ...... 0 day two of the second a target of 149. Thirty wickets Extras (lb3, nb3, w2) ...... 8 Test cricket match have fallen on the opening two Total (60 overs) 223 against Sri Lanka at days of a game that has moved Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Markram), 2-43 (Amla), Hagley Park Oval in forward at a rapid pace. 3-43 (Elgar), 4-43 (Du Plessis), 5-112 (De Bruyn), Christchurch yesterday. The home side will begin their 6-146 (Steyn), 7-170 (Bavuma), 8-189 (Maharaj), chase on the third morning, but 9-220 (Rabada) with rain forecast for both days Bowling: Mohammad Amir 20-6-62-4 (3nb), three and four. Hasan Ali 18-4-70-2 (1w), Shaheen Afridi 18-1- A side has chased down more looked rock solid at the crease for Seamers Mohammad Amir 64-4, Yasir Shah 4-0-24-0 Smith’s BPL ban lifted than 149 to win a test in Pretoria his 57 before he chopped an (4-62) and Shaheen Afridi (4-64) PAKISTAN, second innings on only three previous occasions, Olivier delivery on to his stumps, were particularly impressive in AFP replacement for Pakistani Imam-ul-Haq b Olivier ...... 57 which includes South Africa while number three Shan Masood getting the ball to move off the DHAKA cricketer Shoaib Malik. Fakhar Zaman c Rabada b Olivier ...... 12 scoring 199 to beat Pakistan by crafted a fine 65 but holed out to pitch, with seven of their eight The Bangladesh Cricket Shan Masood c Maharaj b Steyn ...... 65 seven wickets in 2007, the last of Keshav Maharaj in the deep off scalps caught behind the wicket. Bangladeshi cricket officials Board (BCB) had initially blocked Azhar Ali c Rabada b Olivier ...... 0 those instances. Dale Steyn (2-34). They will hold the key again Asad Shafiq c De Kock b Steyn ...... 6 yesterday lifted a ban on former his participation after other fran- Olivier, in the side only No other Pakistan batsman for the tourists in trying to restrict Babar Azam b Rabada ...... 6 Australian captain Steve Smith chises raised objections about because stalwart seamer Vernon made more than 12 in the innings, South Africa’s chase with the pitch Sarfraz Ahmed c Du Plessis b Rabada ...... 0 playing in the forthcoming Smith, who was not in the initial Philander was injured, showed and they were easily picked off as offering little assistance to the Mohammad Amir b Rabada ...... 12 Twenty20 Bangladesh Premier players’ draft list for the great pace and accuracy to help they hung on the back foot, too spinners. Yasir Shah c De Kock b Olivier ...... 0 League, an official said. tournament. bowl Pakistan out in 56 overs of wary of the pace and bounce in Bavuma top-scored for the Hasan Ali not out ...... 11 The ruling means Smith, cur- Australia’s ex-vice captain their second innings. the wicket. home side with a fluent 53 but his Shaheen Afridi c Markram b Olivier ...... 4 rently serving a one-year ban David Warner will also play in The tourists had been on top That included a second duck stay was ended when Afridi Extras (b6, lb10, w1) ...... 17 from international cricket over the BPL -- which concludes on when they went to tea on 100 for of the match for captain Sarfraz induced an edge to Ahmed. Total (56 overs) ...... 190 a ball-tampering scandal, is free February 8, 2019 -- having one with a lead of 58. They then Ahmed, who was caught at slip Quinton de Kock (45) looked Fall of wickets: 1-44 (Zaman), 2-101 (Imam), to play for Comilla Victorians in signed for the Sylhet Sixers as one lost their final nine wickets for the by Faf du Plessis off excellent pace for quick runs at the death of the 3-103 (Azhar), 4-134 (Shafiq), 5-142 (Azam), the next edition of the BPL of their two pre-draft signings. addition of only 90 runs as the bowler Kagiso Rabada (3-47). innings and pushed the lead to 42, 6-142 (Sarfraz), 7-158 (Amir), 8-159 (Yasir), starting on January 5. Smith and Warner were South African seamers found South Africa had earlier but was deceived by a slower ball 9-185 (Masood) He has signed for the side handed year-long international movement on a wicket that is also labored to 223 in their first innings from Amir and caught at cover by Bowling: Steyn 15-4-34-2, Rabada 15-4-47-3, and is expected to join up with bans for their roles in a ball-tam- showing variable bounce. after starting the second day on Fakhar Zaman to be the last man Olivier 15-3-59-5 (1w), Maharaj 11-2-34-0 teammates in mid-January for pering scandal that rocked Aus- Opener Imam-ul-Haq had 127 for five. out. the second phase of the BPL as a tralian cricket in March. FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018 HOME 19 A year of march to progress for Qatar

APRIL 6: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Commander of United States Central Command Joseph Votel held an expanded meeting at MacDill Air Force Base. The meeting was attended by members of the official delegation accompanying H H the Amir and a number of Qatari military leaders of the military attache of the State of Qatar’s embassy in Washington.

REWIND APRIL 12: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani delivered a speech at the reception held by US-Qatar Business Council. H H the Amir said there are more than 650 US companies operating in Qatar and the volume of trade cooperation between the State of Qatar and the United States reached $125bn, and that the plan aims to double these figures in the near future. H H APRIL, MAY AND JUNE the Amir pointed out that Qatar is the fastest growing economy in the Middle East region. The year 2018 was a year of APRIL 13: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad accomplishing many achievements for Al Thani met with the CEO of The Chernin Group, Qatar at domestic and international Peter Chernin, at the residence of H H the Amir in APRIL 16 levels. Qatar completed many mega Washington. They reviewed bilateral cooperation projects in the country and achieved and the means to enhance them. The meeting Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of QF, Thani addressed the opening session of the distinctive global position through was attended by a number of their excellencies attended the inauguration along with other Emergency Summit of the Organization of Islamic members of the official delegation accompanying dignitaries. Cooperation (OIC) on Palestine. H H the Amir said mature diplomacy. H H the Amir. Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad that without a just solution to the cause of Al Thani also met with Co-Executive Chairman of MAY 3: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Palestine and redressing its people, this 70 year The projects related to 2022 FIFA The Carlyle Group and the Chairman of the Thani patronised the opening of the new old bloodshed cannot be stopped. He said the World Cup are being completed in Kennedy Center, David Mark Rubenstein, at the buildings in the Amiri Guard camp in Lehsaynia situation in the occupied Palestinian territories residence of H H the Amir in Washington. area. needs sincere positions and political will to take stipulated time frame while numerous meaningful steps to eliminate the occupation. new initiatives in various sectors from APRIL 16: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad MAY 15: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al “This is a prelude to any just solution.” trade to tourism were launched in 2018. Al Thani patronised the inauguration ceremony Thani directed that aid be sent to those affected These are the major happenings and of the Qatar National Library, at the Qatar by the flood caused by a dam collapse in Nakuru, MAY 29: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al developments occurring in April, May Foundation for Education, Science and west of the Republic of Kenya. Thani issued an Amiri gesture pardoning a Community Development (QF). Father Amir H H number of prisoners, on the occasion of the Holy and June, 2018. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and H H MAY 18: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Month of Ramadan.

Ruwais coastal area under a 17-day long APRIL 1: Under food campaign. security programme, a new animal production research MAY 19: Qatar Electricity and Water Company centre was opened at Al (QEWC) completed the water production phases Shehaniya Municipality to 2018 of Umm Al Houl Power Plant, which currently increase the production of pumps 136 million gallons of water a day. livestock in the country by researching best species of APRIL MAY 23: The Cyber Security Center at the cows, sheep, goats and Ministry of Interior (MoI) established electronic camels to meet self- link with 18 government institutions aimed at sufficiency goals of the country in meat and dairy products. protecting them against cyber attacks. The center targets to link 100 government and semi- APRIL 1: As part of completing the E-Ring Road and Najma government entities by the end of 2019. Street Development Project, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) opened the pedestrian bridge on the E-Ring Road, MAY 27: Providing utmost services to help located between Al Thumama Intersection and the grow local production manifold, the Ministry of Intersection of Al Matar Street with E-Ring Road. Municipality and Environment launched hotline to protect palm trees from harmful insects and APRIL 1: The production phase of Umm Ghuwailina Green pests like red Fodder Project was inaugurated which was launched by the palm weevil. State with the participation of the private sector as part of the government’s quest for self-sufficiency of green fodder. JUNE 4: Qatar General APRIL 1: Opening ceremony of the 7th Conference of the JUNE 28 Electricity and International Association of Police Academies and Colleges Water (INTERPA) at Sheraton Doha with the participation of 300 Corporation 2018 participants from 42 countries. with Iraq between Hamad Port and Umm Qasr Port in Iraq (Kahramaa) opened a new with the first ship set to arrive in the Iraqi port on May 1. power substation “Al JUNE APRIL 4: Qatar Airways announced that it has entered into Jahhaniya 3” at a cost of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Moscow’s APRIL 25: More than 300 brands of abayas took part in the QR90m to supply electricity Vnukovo International Airport, Russia’s third-largest airport, to 13th edition of Heya Arabian Fashion Exhibition which ran for to Al Rayyan Stadium, a venue of hosting 2022 FIFA world potentially acquire up to 25 percent of the airport’s total five days at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center Cup. shares. featuring fashion-centric events showcasing the latest in Arabian and modest fashion, as well as inspiring discussions JUNE 10: Kahramaa opened third power substation at a APRIL 8: The General Directorate of Traffic launched on women’s empowerment in fashion and the arts. cost of about QR100m to supply electricity to Gold Line of vehicle registration (Istimara) renewal via Metrash2. The new Doha Metro of Qatar Rail at Al Waab. service enables vehicle owners to complete vehicle MAY 1: The winner of the registration renewal electronically and get the card delivered inaugural Akhlaquna Award JUNE 12:To ensure that thousands of passengers travelling at the given address or collect them from Traffic Service was hounred during the through Hamad International Airport (HIA) do not miss the Centres as per their convenience. Qatar Foundation’s excitement of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Supreme Convocation ceremony. The Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), HIA and Qatar APRIL 10: Qatar Airways and Boeing signed a letter of award is designed to Airways announced the launch of a football Fan Zone at the intent to purchase five 777 Freighters, valued at $1.7bn at list recognise and celebrate 2018 airport. prices. young people who display exemplary moral character MAY JUNE 14: The fifth edition of Qatar Summer Festival, the APRIL 14: The Public Works Authority, (Ashghal), opened toward the good of country’s longest festival which ran for two and a half Bani Hajer Interchange, built with Qatari made materials, that humanity. months, kicked off with special Eid Al Fitr celebrations. will provide free flow traffic between Doha, Dukhan, Bani Featuring family-friendly activities, entertainment, hospitality Hajer and Al Rayyan. MAY 12: The Ministry of Municipality and Environment has and shopping offers; this edition of the festival was made launched the second package of environmental standards for even more exciting with more events coinciding with FIFA APRIL 16: Qatar National Library (QNL) was officially infrastructure projects prepared jointly with the State’s World Cup Russia 2018. inaugurated and it became the first new national library to development partners. open anywhere in the world in this millennium. JUNE 15: Ministry of Municipality and Environment has MAY 12: The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) announced intensified efforts to curb disposal of plastic waste at random APRIL 17: Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the completion of the third phase of Rawdat Rashed Road places which takes years to decompose causing represented by the Public Parks Department, launched a Development Project, which aimed to provide a safe, highly- environmental pollution. nationwide initiative at Al Khor Park to turn food waste and developed road to link Salwa Road with Dukhan Highway. The tree leaves in to organic fertiliser with the help of a road is now fully open to traffic. JUNE 23: The Institute of Criminal Studies; Cybercrime sophisticated recycling machine. Prosecution; Money Laundering and Economic Crimes MAY 14: Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) announced plans to Prosecution; and State Security and Counter-terrorism APRIL 17: The first pedestrian bridge at Al Matar Street was develop new domestic and international tourism products in Prosecution, at the headquarters of Qatar Public Prosecution inagurated, in line with the nation’s efforts to enhance the Sealine and Khor Al Adaid areas which are top tourist inaugurated in the presence of Deputy Amir H H Sheikh safety and security of pedestrians, taking into consideration destinations in Qatar. Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani. the rights of all users of the road including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and people with disabilities. MAY 15: Ashghal announced the completion of the Doha JUNE 25: The Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Corniche Development project implemented along a distance represented by the Building Permits Complex, announced the APRIL 19: Qatar Airways became the first airline in the of 9km from Dafna area to Ras Abu Abboud Bridge. start of the implementation of new procedures to issue Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) to provide gate- licenses to build commercial warehouses in the country to-gate internet connectivity on-board. MAY 16: Ministry of Municipality and Environment within three working days. represented by Al Shamal Municipality opened a latest model APRIL 22: Qatar Airways added 11 new planes to its fleet of labour accommodation as per the requirements of Qatar JUNE 28: The first phase of water pumping of the strategic this year as it prepares to launch 16 new destinations in 2018 Labour Law in Al Shamal Industrial Area. mega reservoirs project and pumping stations was and 2019. inaugurated in the Umm Salal area. The launch of the first MAY 17: Ministry of Municipality and Environmentrestored a phase of the water pumping is part of the state’s plans to APRIL 23: Qatar announced to open new shipping route mangrove of Avicennia trees locally known as Quram, at Al raise strategic water reserves. 20 MORNING BREAK FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 2018

PRAYER TIMINGS Rome zoo opens Instagram FAJR 04. 56 AM new area for backpedals SHOROOK 06. 18 AM African penguins ZUHR 11. 35 AM MAGHRIB 04. 54 PM on horizontal AP ASR 02. 33 PM ISHA 06. 24 PM ROME scrolling after

WEATHER TODAY A new area for penguins opened user outrage at Rome’s Bioparco zoo yesterday. The 18 African penguins arrived BLOOMBERG in the Italian capital from zoos in NEW YORK Turin, northern Italy, and Bristol, England. The transfer was part of Facebook Inc.’s Instagram the European Endangered redesigned its platform for Species Programme, which aims horizontal scrolling -- and to preserve a population of the plan almost immedi- healthy endangered animals in ately went sideways. captivity. The popular social Half of the penguins are media app’s unannounced female, half are male, and they refresh, which Instagram are all between 2 and 4 years old. has since labeled as a bug, African penguins are an endan- took users by surprise yes- gered species, according to the terday. Instead of African penguins stroll through their enclosure on the opening day of a new area reserved International Union for Conser- scrolling through posts vation of Nature. for them at Bioparco zoo in Rome, yesterday. vertically, some people were forced to swipe and tap left and right through their feeds, similar to how the app’s “stories” feature Pluto explorer ushering in new works. Users went berserk on social media, with #instagramupdate trending on Twitter. o o year at more distant world Instagram quickly reverted 18 C 25 C back to the original top-to- AP beyond Neptune. Ultima Thule is in the of Johns Hopkins. It could even be two bottom scrolling feature Minimum Maximum CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA Twilight Zone’s heart. bodies connected by a neck. If twins, even before everyone had Misty at places at first becomes moder- each could be 15km to 20km in diameter. seen the update. ate temperature daytime with scattered The spacecraft team that brought us close- ULTIMA THULE ‘That was supposed to clouds, cold by night. ups of Pluto will ring in the new year by This Kuiper Belt object was dis- MAPPING MISSON be a very small test that

HIGH TIDE 09:15 – 22:00 LOW TIDE 01:30 –17:00 exploring an even more distant and myste- covered by the Hubble Space Telescope Scientists will map Ultima Thule went broad by accident,’ Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department rious world. NASA’s New Horizons space- in 2014. Officially known as 2014 MU69, every possible way. They anticipate Adam Mosseri, the head of craft will zip past the scrawny, icy object it got the nickname Ultima Thule in an impact craters, possibly also pits and Instagram, tweeted nicknamed Ultima Thule (TOO-lee) soon online vote. In classic and medieval liter- sinkholes, but its surface also could alongside a grimacing after the stroke of midnight. ature, Thule was the most distant, north- prove to be smooth. As for color, Ultima emoji. ‘Should be fixed now.’ One billion miles beyond Pluto and ernmost place beyond the known world. Thule should be darker than coal, burned Earlier this year, a an astounding 4 billion miles from Earth When New Horizons first glimpsed the by eons of cosmic rays, with a reddish redesign of Snap Inc’s (1.6 billion km and 6.4 billion km), Ultima rocky iceball in August it was just a dot. hue. Nothing is certain, though, including Snapchat was met with Thule will be the farthest world ever Good close-up pictures should be available its orbit, so big that it takes almost 300 similar outrage and the explored by humankind. That’s what the day after the flyby. of our Earth years to circle the sun. Sci- company has struggled makes this deep-freeze target so enticing; entists say they know just enough about since. The change sepa- it’s a preserved relic dating all the way ARE WE THERE YET? the orbit to intercept it. rated chats and postings of back to our solar system’s origin 4.5 billion New Horizons will make its closest friends from the rest of the years ago. No spacecraft has visited any- approach in the wee hours of Jan. 1 - COMPARING FLYBYS app -- the content from thing so primitive. “What could be more 12:33 a.m. EST. The spacecraft will zoom New Horizons will get considerably media organizations that exciting than that?” said project scientist within 2,200 miles (3,500 kilometers) closer to Ultima Thule than it did to is paired with advertising Hal Weaver of Johns Hopkins University, of Ultima Thule, its seven science instru- Pluto: 2,220 miles versus 7,770 miles sold by Snap. The platform part of the New Horizons team. Lead sci- ments going full blast. The coast should (3,500 kilometers vs. 12,500 kilometers). has since seen a decline in entist Alan Stern of Southwest Research be clear: Scientists have yet to find any At the same time, Ultima Thule is 100 the number of daily users, Institute in Boulder, Colorado, expects rings or moons around it that could batter times smaller than Pluto and therefore a key metric for social the New Year’s encounter to be riskier the spacecraft. New Horizons hurtles harder to track, making everything media companies. and more difficult than the rendezvous through space at 31,500 mph (50,700 kph), more challenging. It took 4 ½ hours, Facebook is relying with Pluto: The spacecraft is older, the and even something as minuscule as a each way, for flight controllers at Johns increasingly on growth at target is smaller, the flyby is closer and grain of rice could demolish it. “There’s Hopkins’ Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, Instagram, which now has the distance from us is greater. some danger and some suspense,” Stern Maryland, to get a message to or from about 1 billion users, as its said at a fall meeting of astronomers. It New Horizons at Pluto. Compare that flagship social media NEW HORIZONS will take about 10 hours to get confir- with more than six hours at Ultima network has almost Nasa launched the spacecraft in 2006; mation that the spacecraft completed - Thule. reached saturation point. it’s about the size of a baby grand piano. and survived - the encounter. Future revenue growth at It flew past Pluto in 2015, providing the WHAT’S NEXT the company depends on first close-up views of the dwarf planet. POSSIBLY TWINS It will take almost two years for New Facebook’s ability to shift With the wildly successful flyby behind Scientists speculate Ultima Thule Horizons to beam back all its data on marketer’s interest to new them, mission planners won an extension could be two objects closely orbiting one Ultima Thule. A flyby of an even more ads in messaging services from NASA and set their sights on a des- another. If a solo act, it’s likely 32km long distant world could be in the offing in the and marketing spots in tination deep inside the Kuiper Belt. As at most. Envision a baked potato. 2020s, if Nasa approves another mission “stories,” especially on distant as it is, Pluto is barely in the Kuiper “Cucumber, whatever. Pick your favorite extension and the spacecraft remains Instagram. Belt, the so-called Twilight Zone stretching vegetable,” said astronomer Carey Lisse healthy. American adventurer completes solo trek across Antarctica

AFP journey. He arrived at the finish point WASHINGTON on the Ross Ice Shelf on the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday after covering a An American adventurer has become total of 921 miles. the first person to complete a solo trek Rudd is about a day or two behind. across Antarctica without assistance of O’Brady said he made the decision any kind. over breakfast to finish his journey in Colin O’Brady, 33, took 54 days to one continuous push — which he dubbed complete the nearly 1,600km crossing an “Antarctica Ultramarathon.” of the frozen continent from coast to “As I was boiling water for my coast. In an Instagram post, he explained morning oatmeal, a seemingly impos- his journey ended upon crossing the sible question popped into my head,” edge of the Ross Ice Shelf: the point O’Brady wrote on Instagram. “I wonder, where Antarctica’s land mass ends. It would (it) be possible to do one straight lies at the head of Ross Sea, a deep bay continuous push all the way to the end? of the Southern Ocean. “By the time I was lacing up my “I accomplished my goal: to boots the impossible plan had become become the first person in history to a solidified goal,” he said. “I’m going to traverse the continent of Antarctica push on and try to finish all 80 miles to coast to coast solo, unsupported and the end in one go.” unaided,” O’Brady wrote in an The New York Times described Instagram post after covering the final O’Brady’s effort as among the “most 77.5 miles in 32 hours. remarkable feats in polar history,” “While the last 32 hours were some ranking alongside the 1911 “Race to the of the most challenging hours of my life, South Pole” between Norway’s Roald they have quite honestly been some of Amundsen and England’s Robert Falcon the best moments I have ever experi- Scott. enced,” he wrote. “To complete the final 77.54 miles Adventurer Colin O’Brady posing for a photo at the Geographic South Pole sign in Antarctica. Colin, 33, took 54 days to “I was locked in a deep flow state in one shot -- essentially tacking an ultra the entire time, equally focused on the complete the nearly 1,600km crossing of the frozen continent from coast to coast. He arrived at the finish point on the marathon onto the 53rd day of an end goal, while allowing my mind to Ross Ice Shelf on the Pacific Ocean on December 26. already unprecedented journey -- set recount the profound lessons of this an even higher bar for anyone who tries journey. I’m delirious writing this as I O’Brady and an Englishman, army In 1996-97, a Norwegian polar Rudd set off on cross-country skis to surpass it,” the Times wrote. haven’t slept yet.” His voyage was Captain Louis Rudd, 49, set off individ- explorer, Borge Ousland, made the first dragging sleds called pulks which In 2016, an English army officer, tracked by GPS, and live updates of the ually on November 3 from Union Glacier solo crossing of Antarctica but he was weighed nearly 400 pounds (180 kg). Lieutenant Colonel Henry Worsley, died trip were provided daily on his website in a bid to be the first to complete a solo, wind-aided by kites on his voyage. O’Brady reached the South Pole on while trying to complete an unassisted colinobrady.com. unassisted crossing of Antarctica. - Finishing ‘in one go’ - O’Brady and December 12, the 40th day of his solo crossing of Antarctica.