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Turkey Al Sulaiti, eyes Al Khelaifi $200bn grab pole in exports spots again

Saturday 15 December 2018 | 8 Rabia II 1440 www.thepeninsula.qa Volume 23 | Number 7741 | 2 Riyals

Amir to patronise opening of Doha Forum today THE PENINSULA The 18th edition Çavuşoğlu, Foreign Minister of to discuss the ‘Shaping Policy in DOHA of Doha Forum will Turkey; Mohammad Javad Zarif, an Interconnected World’ and Foreign Minister of Iran; focus on four essential themes: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin serve as a platform Teodor-Viorel Meleşcanu, Security, Peace and Mediation, Hamad Al Thani will patronise to discuss the Foreign Minister of Romania; Economic Development and today the opening of the 2018 ‘Shaping Policy in Berat Albayrak, Minister of Trends and Transitions. Doha Forum, which is held Treasury and Finance of Turkey, This year’s edition, which under the title ‘Shaping Policy an Interconnected and Maria Fernanda Espinosa, includes about 25 plenary and in an Interconnected World’ at World’ and focus on President of The United Nations parallel sessions, will open the the Sheraton Doha Hotel. four essential themes: General Assembly. door to a new phase of cooper- The two-day annual policy Security, Peace and With the successes achieved ation through partnerships with gathering will see participation over 18 years since its launch, prestigious international insti- from high-level speakers and Mediation, Economic Doha Forum is one of the most tutions and leading local attendees. From Qatar, the Development prominent international forums institutions. forum will be attended and and Trends and in the field of modern interna- This year’s edition of the addressed by Their Excellencies Transitions. tional affairs. Ideas on various Forum features leading strategic the Ministers, officials from pressing important regional and partners such as the Munich various bodies, committees, international issues interact to Security Conference and the centers, institutions and other & CEO of Qatar Petroleum H E address them and thus reach International Crisis Group, the partners in Qatar. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, will visions that form the basis for European Council on Foreign Deputy Prime Minister and participate in high-level plenary serious collective action. Relations, in addition to collabo- Minister of Foreign Affairs H E sessions throughout the course It also works on researching rating with content partners such Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdul- of the Forum. ways to implement them which as the Rand Corporation, the rahman Al Thani; Minister of Additional distinguished ensures the broadest possible Global Drylands Alliance, the Finance H E Ali Shareef Al speakers and attendees include: range of mutual benefits Brookings Doha Centre, the Inter- Emadi; Minister of Commerce António Guterres, Secretary- addressing the challenges facing national Centre for the Study of and Industry H E Ali bin Ahmed General of the United Nations; the world today. Violent Extremism, the Valdai Al Kuwari, and Minister of State Hassan Ali Khayre, Prime Min- The 18th edition of Doha International Forum and other for Energy Affairs and President ister of Somalia; Mevlüt Forum will serve as a platform media partners of the forum.

Qatar inaugurates two visa centers in Bangladesh 600 outlets to participate in QNA Visa Centers in Bangladesh is launch was part of the plan to Director of Recruitment National Day Trade Festival DHAKA part of the opening of 20 centers establish visa center overseas Support Services Department at in eight countries (the first was project, which is being imple- Passports Directorate Major The State of Qatar has inaugu- opened in Sri Lanka last October) mented in eight different coun- Abdullah Khalifa Al Mohannadi THE PENINSULA providers, hotels, sport clubs, rated two visa centers in Bang- to speed up and streamline the tries and aims to facilitate all pro- said the opening of two new DOHA health and beauty centers and ladesh, one in Dhaka and the procedures of expatriate cedures for obtaining residence centers in Bangladesh comes as institutes, and entertainment other in Sylhet, as part of the workers and follow them up by in Qatar, in terms of medical part of the completion of the As part of Qatar National Day centers. The front windows of state’s efforts to facilitate and concerned authorities in Qatar. examination, forensic evidence project stages and efforts of celebrations, the Ministry of participating outlets and com- streamline procedures for Director-General of Passports and fingerprints, to make it easier Qatar to protect the rights of Commerce and Industry panies will bear the Festival bringing expatriates to work. Major General Mohammed for an expatriate to work in Qatar expatriates and facilitate their announced launch of the first logo label that was designed The inaugurating of Qatar Ahmed Al Ateeq said that the and start work upon arrival. work procedures. `P2 edition of the National Day specifically for this event, and Trade Festival from today. will be distributed to partici- Organised in cooperation pants free of charge. with the National Tourism This initiative comes within NHRC hails European Council, the festival will see the the framework of the Ministry’s participation of 14 malls and efforts to organize events that Parliament’s over 600 outlets from the retail, reflect pride in National Day condemnation of hospitality, leisure, and edu- celebrations and contribute to cation sectors in addition to cementing the values of loyalty blockade violations clinics, medical centers, beauty and belonging to the country centers and service companies and its wise leadership. QNA among other institutions. The Ministry also sought to DOHA By organizing this large and bolster trade activity across all first-of-its-kind festival to cel- markets by offering retail The National Human Rights ebrate National Day from outlets the opportunity to offer Committee (NHRC) welcomed December 15 to 20, the Ministry outstanding promotions, thus yesterday the European Par- offers retail outlet owners, enabling citizens and residents liament’s decision that con- working professionals and all to benefit from discounts during demns the violations and dis- private sector companies and this period. The festival will criminatory practices of the organizations, the opportunity stimulate trade across local blockading countries against to share with Qatar’s citizens markets, contribute to the coun- Qatari citizens, which also and residents the joy of cele- try’s economy, stimulate internal included calling on the brating National Day through and external tourism and create Egyptian authorities to the launch of large and unprec- an environment conducive to the release Qatari citizens Ola Al edented discounts. growth of the trade sector. Qaradawi and her husband. The private sector com- Companies looking to par- The NHRC also wel- panies and organizations par- ticipate in the Festival can reg- comed the Interpol’s Katara decorated to celebrate National Day ticipating in the festival include ister by visiting the Ministry's decision to remove Qatari all trade and service sectors building and presenting an A road inside Katara decorated to celebrate Qatar National Day. Katara has begun several activities citizen Dr Youssef Al such as shopping malls, restau- official letter and a copy of the to make this year’s National Day a memorable experience. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT / THE PENINSULA Qaradawi from its red notice rants, retail outlets, beauty commercial register and com- (wanted list) after it found salons, hospitality service mercial license. that the allegations made against him were political in nature and violate interna- tional human rights. The European Parliament Relations with Qatar reached new heights: Ecuador Minister approved a draft decision criticizing the continued vio- FAZEENA SALEEM President Lenin Moreno’s present Trade and Investment, Chief of Valencia. “We recognize the “Qatar and Ecuador share an lations of human rights as a THE PENINSULA visit to Doha have cemented the staff of the presidency, Minister Doha Forum as one of the main excellent level of relations. This visit result of the continued bilateral ties, he told The Peninsula of Communications and the First platforms for decision makers, is an wonderful opportunity to blockade imposed on the State The strong relations between in an exclusive interview. Lady Rocio Gonzalez Navas. academics and politicians to get follow up on the agreements which of Qatar, and its resulting dis- Qatar and Ecuador have reached “That is clearly a sign of very President Moreno will meet together and talk about issues were signed between both coun- criminatory measures on the new heights with several recent good and positive interaction H H the Amir and discuss that are relevant to international tries in October related to corpo- parts of the Kingdom of Saudi developments in diplomatic ties, between the head of states,” said bilateral issues and also attend relations. So we really hope that ration in different fields,” he added. Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and Ecuadorian Minister of Foreign Valencia. The Minister is in Doha the Doha Forum today. Also, two on this occasion President The visiting delegation of the United Arab Emirates Affairs Jose Valencia said yes- on a state visit as part of Pres- bilateral agreements on cultural Moreno will be able to share ministers will meet their Qatari against the State of Qatar terday. Amir H H Sheikh Tamim ident Moreno’s delegation. The cooperation and port man- views on very important issues counterparts and discuss on since June 2017, and called for bin Hamad Al Thani’s recent visit delegation includes Ecuadorian agement will be signed following on International relations,” he issues of mutual interests, an end to them. `P3 to Quito and Ecuadorean Minister of Production, Foreign the meeting, according to said. today. `P2 02 HOME SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 Qatar-Ecuador relations reach new heights Ecuador President meets QSWF delegation FROM PAGE 1 enhance that trade opportunity,” he said. Further, Valencia said that ‘Qatar is an interesting Valencia also said that Ecuador is hopeful about market’ to explore and Ecuador will focus more on building a large petroleum refinery with the increasing the trade between both countries. “The best assistance of Qatar. “We know Qatar has the best way to build strong relations between two nations is to technology and facilities for oil and energy oper- connect people. If we have direct passenger flights ations. We hope to operate a new refinery soon. between Qatar and Ecuador, it will be the best way to There is a chance of Qatar investors to participate in it and look at Ecuador as a destination which facilitates investors,” he added. Pres- ident Moreno and some members of his del- egation will be leaving Doha today and others tomorrow. The relations between Qatar and Ecuador have been developing since the opening of the Embassy of Ecuador in Doha in 2012, which was followed by the opening of the Embassy of Qatar in the capital Quito in the same year. The relations were strengthened further after the visit of Father Amir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to Ecuador in January 2013, and the visit of former President of President of the Republic of Ecuador, Lenin Moreno, met at his residence in Doha, with a delegation Ecuador Rafael Correa to Qatar in October of the Qatar Social Work Foundation (QSWF). The Ecuadorean President listened to a presentation 2014. by the Foundation’s CEO Amal Abdullatif Al Mannai, about the services provided by QSWF, its efforts to enable civil society organisations to provide services to the target groups, work on The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility providing services and activities based on support for the principles of the Convention on the of Ecuador, Jose Valencia, talking to The Peninsula. Rights of Persons with Disabilities in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA

Qatar participates in OIC Judicial SHATIU 2018 winners honoured Conference in “The winners of SHATIU-2018 were Istanbul selected from 203 QNA entries submitted from ISTANBUL 31 countries,” Dr Hanan Al Fayadh, the Award’s The State of Qatar partic- Media Consultant, said ipated in the First Judicial Conference of the Consti- on the sidelines of the tutional/Supreme Courts ceremony. of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member/Observer States, SANAULLAH ATAULLAH started yesterday in THE PENINSULA Istanbul. Dr Hanan Al Fayadh Hartmut Fähndrich Sohaib Saeed Isabella Camera Dafflito Chairman of the The winners of fourth edition of Supreme Judiciary Council ‘Sheikh Hamad Award for Trans- and President of the Court lation and International Under- first prize bis for the translation received the prize of the category adding that the Award also of the translators what they bring of Cassation H E Dr standing’ (SHATIU) for 2018 worth of Fahm Al Quran by Al Muhāsibī of Translation and Dictionaries encourages creativity, upholds the to the civilization and modern life. Hassan bin Lahdan Al $2m were named and honoured Under the category of trans- Studies. highest moral and ethical “This award is made us feel that Hassan Al Mohannadi in a ceremony held at The Ritz- lation into Arabic from English, The winners of the prizes standards, and spreads the values the work is valued and there is headed the State of Qatar Carlton, Doha recently. first prize went to Usāmah under the category of of diversity, pluralism and worth continuing,” said Saeed. delegation. Under the category of trans- Muhammad Shafī` Al Sayyid for Achievement Awards in other openness. She said that the prize I received life time The conference is lation into Arabic from German, the translation of The Oxford Languages are Nutahara Noboaki; value of each category is achievement award for trans- attended by representa- first prize went to Ibrahīm Abū Handbook of Islamic Theology Asad Durakovic; Mahmut Karalic; $200,000 of total prizes of the lating and having translated the tives from 48 countries Hashhash for the translation of edited by Sabine Schmidtke. Isabella Camera D’afflito; Tahsīn Award are worth $2m so the contemporary Arabic literature and organizations around Die Philosophie der Aufklärung Kayān Ahmad Hāzim received Razzāq `Azīz; `Adnān Jāmūs and winner of first prize will receive for more than 35 years, said the world, and will discuss by Ernst Cassirer. first prize bis for the translation Fu’ād Al Mir`ī. Mu`āwiah `Abd Al $100,000 and second and third Hartmut Fähndrich, a German ‘The Role of Higher Judi- Hasan Muhammad Saqr of An Introduction to Islamic Law Majīd bagged the Translation prize winners will get $60,000 laureate residing in Switzerland. ciary In Protecting the received second prize for the by Wael B. Hallaq. Encouragement Award. and $40,000 respectively. He said that he get published Rule of Law and Funda- translation of Die rationalen un Īhāb `Abd Al Rahīm `Alī “The winners of SHATIU-2018 The winners lauded the more than 60 novels and col- mental Rights’. soziologischen Grundlagen der bagged third prize for the trans- were selected from 203 entries Award describing it a great initi- lection of stories from Arabic into The conference aims Musik by Max Weber. lation of The Revenge of Geog- submitted from 31 countries,” Dr ative to encourage the work of the German. “The award is a pleasure at forming a judicial forum Faris Yūwākīm bagged second raphy by Robert D Kaplan. Hanan Al Fayadh, the Award’s translation which help people to and honour which means someone to ensure fruitful and con- prize bis for the translation of Under the category of trans- Media Consultant told The know each other worldwide. realize that you achieved some- structive communication Castellio gegen Calvin oder Ein lation from Arabic into English, Peninsula on the sidelines of the “I received third prize in the thing. I am honoured by Arab part between the Supreme Gewissen gegen die Gewalt by first prize went to Nawal Nas- ceremony. category of Arabic into English to provide literary information to Courts of OIC Member/ Stefan Zweig. Third prize went to rallah for the translation of She said that the participants translation for the translation of Europe from Arab,” he added. He Observer States. Samīr Gries for the translation of Treasure Trove of Benefits and hailed from Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, the first volume of The Great Exe- appreciated the initiative of the It will also witness the Leben by David Wagner. Variety at the Table by an anon- Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, gesis, Quran commentary by award which according to him holding of several Alī Misbāh received third prize ymous author. Nancy Roberts got Palestine, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī,” said Sohaib helped encourage foreigners not meetings to discuss bis for the translation of Men- first prize bis for the translation Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Japan, Saeed. only Arabs to translate into Arabic issues such as human schliches Allzumenschliches by of Gaza Weddings by Ibrahim Russia, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia, He said that It is wonderful and from Arabic into other rights and the rule of law Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. Nasrallah. Third prize went to Montenegro, Germany, Swit- opportunity to be recognize for languages. in constitutional judicial Third prize bis went to Nabīl Sohaib Saeed for the translation zerland, Austria, Italy, UK, US, the work. “I tried to convey the “I translated many famous practice, and the pro- Haffār for the translation of Qatna of the first volume of The Great Canada, Australia, South Africa meaning of the important part books from Arabic into Italian”, tection of human rights by Maria Courant. Exegesis by Fakhr Al Dīn Al Rāzī and Tanzania. of Islamic and Arabic culture said Isabella Camera D’afflito who and the rule of law in the Under the category of trans- The prize under the category “The Award aims at honouring into English which I understood bagged the prize under the cat- higher judiciary as well lation from Arabic into German, of achievement to Hartmut Fäh- translators and acknowledges that very much needed I am very egory of Achievement Awards in as the impact of global first prize went to Stefan ndrich; and Mohammed Bin their role in strengthening the honoured to do so,” said Saeed. other Languages. She said that the and local dynamics on Weidner for the translation of Hamad Al Thani Center for bonds of friendship and cooper- Lauding the Award he said award is playing great role in the protection of human Turjumān Al ashwāq by Ibn Muslim Contribution to Civili- ation among people and nations that the way the award was set up encouraging the translators by rights and the rule of `Arabī. Berenike Metzler bagged zation. Saed Rahman Slimanov of the world,” said Al Fayadh is very clearly supporting the role recognising their hard-works. law.

Qatar opens two visa centers in Bangladesh FROM PAGE 1 the expatriate worker to perform their role accu- This will be followed by the opening of the rest rately through an integrated recruitment system of the centers successively in other countries during after employer’s registration on the Ministry of the coming period, he added. He explained that these Interior website and issuing the reference number centers will provide the conducting of medical exam- for the expatriate to complete his procedures inations and the signing of employment contracts through the visa center. The Qatar Visa Centers for expatriates in their countries before coming to are established in cooperation between by the Qatar. He further added that the move reflects Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Administrative Qatar’s keenness to ensure the protection and safety Development, Labor and Social Affairs, the Min- of expatriates under simplified and efficient istry of Public Health and the Ministry of Foreign recruitment procedures. Affairs. Qatar also seeks to expand the services He pointed out that these centers provide provided by these centers in the following stages. services including fingerprinting for the expa- Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Bang- triate worker, registration of vital data, conducting ladesh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Dehaimi, Major medical examinations, and signing of a contract General Abdullah Salim Al Ali, Director of the unified of employment, in order to ensure the facilitation services department at the General Directorate of of these procedures and the preservation and pro- Passports Brigadier Abdullah Ahmad Al Ansari, and AZF photography competition tection of the rights of the expatriate and the Director of Recruitment Support Services Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) has announced photography competition to celebrate Qatar National employer before traveling to Qatar as well as Department at Passports Directorate Major Abdullah avoiding the return of the ineligible cases, and Khalifa Al Mohannadi attended the inauguration of Day 2018. All interested competitors need to do is capture their best photographs of the Qatar National speed up the work immediately upon arrival in the two centers. From the Bangladeshi part, Expa- Day fireworks show that is scheduled to take place on December 17 at 8:30pm at Aspire Park and Qatar, all through the provision of integrated, triate Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister post it on Instagram using the hashtag #AspireQND. AZF has earmarked valuable prizes for the first effective and high quality electronic services. Nurul Islam, a number of senior government offi- 10 winners and the winning photo will be posted on the official Instagram profile of @AspireZone. On the procedures, he explained that Qatar cials and heads of diplomatic missions attended the Visa Centers will enable both the employer and inauguration of the two centers. SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 HOME 03 National Day an occasion for QA to raise flag in 160 countries: Al Baker

QNA reassure the world that belonging, unity, pendent state with bright future. the determination, dignity, and strength the ability to overcome challenges and DOHA and solidarity are the attributes of all cit- He added that the wise vision of the demonstrated by everyone under the adversities. izens and residents on the land of the State founder has borne fruit, as Qatar today leadership of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim Al Baker added that respect, loyalty, CEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker, of Qatar, and that this unique mutual love is a cohesive and stable country that bin Hamad Al Thani have stopped this and dedication shown by the millions said that Qatar National Day is an cements our strength and determination plays a major role in the international unprecedented attack on the sovereignty from various nationalities who call the important occasion for the airline’s pride to live with integrity and pride and stim- fora. That vision has become an inspi- of Qatar. State of Qatar their second homeland in raising the name and flag of the State ulates our quest for a better future. ration for future generations to become He added that Qatar has been are an essential part of the identity of of Qatar in the skies of more than 160 He pointed out that the rich her- tomorrow’s leaders, he said stressing working to strengthen its position as an Qatar, which citizens respect the noble destinations around the world. itage of Qatar and its achievements over that the new generations are the first active partner at the regional and inter- feelings towards their beloved country. “The pride, loyalty, and love of the the past 100 years are reflected in pillar on which achievement, the goals national levels, as well as continue to He said that Qatar Airways, the State of Qatar and everyone living on various aspects of development, of Qatar National Vision 2030 was built. work on the growth of its booming national carrier, is making every effort its land has become a cornerstone of strength, planning for the future and He pointed out that the illegal and economy and maintaining its focus to to transport more people from around Qatar Airways and a cornerstone of the the progressive thinking we are living unfair siege imposed by neighboring achieve its National Vision 2030, the world to the State of Qatar to explore annual celebrations of the national day,” today, as the founder has laid the foun- Gulf states against the State of Qatar in pointing that Qatar’s ability to develop Qatar’s hospitality and unique heritage, he told Qatar News Agency (QNA). dations for the construction of the State June 2017 aimed to harm the state, and various sectors is proof of the stability looking forward to many new achieve- He added that the celebration of the of Qatar on 18 December of 1878 with destabilize the security and economic and strength of the people of Qatar, ments and bringing more visitors from National Day is an opportunity to the aim of creating a united, inde- development that it is witnessing. But which has a history of achievements and around the world to the country. Construction of new building for Sri Lankan school begins

FAZEENA SALEEM The event was held expatriates who were gathered THE PENINSULA at the land allocated at the event. by the government Speakers termed the The much anticipated ground- groundbreaking ceremony as a breaking ceremony to mark the of Qatar for the ‘historical event’ for the Sri beginning of constructing a new construction of Sri Lankan community and stu- building for Stafford Sri Lankan Lankan community dents in Doha. School Doha was held in Doha, school in Thumama They emphasised on the yesterday. importance of new school The event was held at the area. building to meet the growing land allocated by the gov- demand of students. ernment of Qatar for the con- Qatar A S P Liyanage and Stafford Sri Lankan School struction of Sri Lankan com- several others. Doha, a non-profitable com- munity school in Thumama A plaque was unveiled by munity school, was established area. the guests prior to the ground- for the children of Sri Lankan The ceremony was graced breaking ceremony. Roshan expatriates living in Qatar, by Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Sanjaya Balasooriya, Chairman, under the patronage and super- Fakhro, Chief of Protocol, Min- Stafford Sri Lankan School Doha vision of the Embassy of Sri The Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh bin Khalifa Al istry Foreign Affairs, Dr and Sivapragasam Sivam, Prin- Lanka in Doha in 2001. Stafford Nuaimi (second right); with Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Yousif Ibrahim bin Saleh bin Khalifa cipal of the school were also Sri Lankan School Doha is affil- Abdullah Fakhro (fourth right); Minister’s Advisor for the Private Schools Affairs, Tariq Abdulla Al Abdulla Al Nuaimi, undersecretary at present. iated with the embassy. (fourth left); Director of Private Schools Licensing Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher the Ministry of Education and “A school is not merely a Around 1,400 students are Higher Education, Tariq building, its culmination of enrolled at Stafford Sri Lankan Education, Hamad Mohammed Al Ghali (third left); Ambassdor of Sri Lanka to Qatar, A S P Liyanage (third Abdullah Al Abdullah, Minis- several things. I look forward School Doha at present. Most right); Principal of the school, Sivapragasam Sivam (second left), and other officials during the construction ter’s Advisor for Private seeing a fully fledged school of them are from the Sri ceremony of the Stafford Sri Lankan School Doha, yesterday. PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT /THE PENINSULA Schools, Hamad Mohammed soon on this empty land,” said Lankan community but stu- Al Ghali, Director of Private Dr Al Nuaimi addressing hun- dents from other nationalities according to the ambassador.At a rented building and will move school. The new building will Schools Licensing Office, dreds of students, parents, like Bangladeshi and Nigerian present Stafford Sri Lankan to the new place after com- be constructed in 10,000 Ambassador of Sri Lanka to teachers and Sri Lankan etc. are also studying there, School, Doha is functioning in pletion of new buildings for the square meters plot of land.

NHRC hails HMC’s pediatric volunteer wing receives toys European THE PENINSULA that will bring joy to the children support of senior administration Parliament’s DOHA receiving hospital care,” said Dr and Head of Child Life Services, Al Ansari. “I am especially Holly Clark. The aim was to build condemnation of Hamad Medical Corporation’s delighted with the recent batch a framework for a sustainable (HMC) Pediatric Volunteer of teddies we received that program to harness the goodwill siege violations Mentorship Program received display the Qatar National Day of many volunteers in a manner several dozen new knitted colors; these will be well that was safe and appropriate for FROM PAGE 1 teddies, hand-made by local received by the children who will the hospitalised children. volunteers, in time for Qatar’s have to remain in our Pediatric Each volunteer receives National Day celebrations. This Unit during the National Day training in protocols and proce- The European Parliament program, which has been piloted celebrations.” dures relating to infection control, also demanded that the in Hamad General Hospital The knitted teddy bears are fire and environmental safety and Egyptian government release (HGH) over the past year, has made by the ladies groups who child friendly practice. Following Qatari citizen Ola Al seen hundreds of these toys donate their time as well as the completion of the basic training, Qaradawi and her husband, delivered to children receiving materials needed for the hand- new volunteers will participate in who are arrested without care in the Pediatric Unit. crafted toys. All materials hands-on training with an iden- charges. Child Life Service staff are conform to international child tified mentor, who is a member of Based on that, the NHRC experts in child development safety standards and can be staff at HGH. stressed its full support of the who help hospitalized children washed to maintain the strict Candidates who are inter- European Parliament’s cope with stressful experiences. hygiene levels required by many ested in joining the volunteer decision, and renewed its The team encourages pediatric of the children. Each child is program should demonstrate a rejection of the blockading patients and their families to given their own toy, which they keen interest in working with countries’ discriminatory actively participate in their can play with during their hos- medically fragile children and practices that affected Qatari Dr Abdulla Al Ansari, Acting Chief Medical Officer, receives the healthcare experience, and pital stay and take home with their families. They should be citizens, three of which suf- special knitted teddy bears from representatives of local volunteer strives to ensure children are them if they wish. The Doha flexible and willing to work as fered forced disappearance able to meet their developmental groups, Mary Alkadhi, Helga Aksam, and Holly Clark, Head of the Stitches and Tuesday Ladies Club part of a team; complete all the in the Kingdom of Saudi milestones by providing oppor- Child Life Services at HGH. have made over one hundred of necessary safety training; Arabia. tunities for play. these unique toys over the past commit to a minimum of 100 The NHRC called on the HMC’s Acting Chief Medical representatives from the two assistance and support from the year alone. hours of service (two hours per European Parliament to Officer, Dr Abdulla Al Ansari, local volunteer groups involved: different Qatar-based com- The Pediatric Volunteer week); be at least 21 years of age issue a similar decision who received the knitted teddy Doha Stitches and the Tuesday munity groups who have gener- Mentorship Program in its and have a valid Qatar ID. Cur- against Saudi Arabia that bears in his office, wanted to Ladies Club. ously given their time and effort current form was established rently only female applicants are calls for the country to personally thank the “We are grateful for the kind to producing a wonderful toy about a year ago in HGH with the able to join the program. release the three Qatari cit- izens who forcibly disap- peared there, to end all arbi- trary measures against National Command Center hosts HMC blood donation vehicle Qataris, and to hold those responsible for the measure THE PENINSULA National Command Center and thrombocytopenia, and blood accountable. DOHA HMC’s Ambulance Service diseases. It is used in the The committee also con- participated in the event. treatment of anemia and the care firmed that it was in constant The National Command Center Abdulaziz Al Yafei, Assistant of individuals who have been the contact with the United hosted Hamad Medical Corpo- Executive Director of HMC’s victim of major physical trauma, Nations working group on ration’s (HMC) blood donation Ambulance Service, said the or who have been in a fire or road Enforced Disappearance, and vehicle recently in front of its event was a joint effort on the accident. Blood donation is an will follow up with various headquarters in the Al Duhail part of a large number of essential part of caring for both legal bodies to hold the area. The initiative was part of employees. He noted that vol- children and adults who are Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the community partnership untary blood donation is undergoing surgery, including accountable. between HMC and the National important for the overall health organ transplantation, and of The National Human Command Center. The event was of the community. “Blood those requiring surgery as part of HMC blood donation event at National Command Center. Rights Commission expressed held as part of the upcoming donation saves the lives of thou- their treatment for diseases like regret that the issue of the Qatar National Day celebrations sands of patients every year. A cancer. Every day blood donation He added that donating including lowering one’s risk of violations of the blockade and and promoted the importance single blood donation can save saves the lives of patients who are blood does not just benefit recip- heart disease and heart attack its impact were not discussed of voluntary blood donation. the lives of patients with cancer, being treated for a variety of ients. He said there are health through reducing blood in the last GCC summit in Representatives from the hemorrhagic disorders, medical conditions,” said Al Yafei. benefits for donors as well, viscosity. Riyadh. 04 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018

Australia warns Israeli army shoot dead Palestinian in West Bank citizens ahead

AP The Palestinian Health of expected RAMALLAH Ministry said that Mahmoud Nakhla, Jerusalem move Israel arrested dozens of Hamas activists in the West Bank, and a 18, was shot in the AFP Palestinian was killed in clashes abdomen and died SYDNEY with troops, as the Israeli military at medical center in pressed ahead yesterday with a Ramallah, as Israeli Australia yesterday warned crackdown following a pair of citizens to take care while trav- deadly shootings blamed on soldiers clashed with elling in neighbouring Muslim- Hamas. dozens of protesters. majority Indonesia, ahead of an The Palestinian Health Min- expected but contentious move istry said that Mahmoud Nakhla, to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s 18, was shot in the abdomen and opened fire at a West Bank bus capital. died at medical center in Ram- stop, killing two soldiers before Prime Minister Scott Morrison allah, as Israeli soldiers clashed speeding away in a vehicle. Israel is expected to announce — as with dozens of Palestinians responded by setting up check- soon as today — that his gov- throwing rocks. Earlier yesterday, points, closing roads and beefing ernment will follow US President Israeli forces arrested dozens of up security in a broad manhunt Donald Trump’s lead and rec- Hamas activists in the West Bank for the assailant. Earlier in the ognise the contested city as as the army intensified a week, another Palestinian Israel’s capital. crackdown a day after Palestinian gunman carried out a similar Scores of Australians pre- assailants killed two soldiers in drive-by shooting outside a paring to jet off to Bali and other an attack on a bus stop. nearby settlement, wounding tropical island destinations for Health team members carry an injured Palestinian during Israeli intervention on the protest within In a fresh wave of violence, seven people. A Hamas official upcoming summer holidays the “Great March of Return” demonstrations at Al Bureij Refugee Camp in Gaza City, Gaza, yesterday. an Israeli soldier was severely said some 100 members of the should “exercise a high degree of wounded by a Palestinian group, including lawmakers and caution”, the Department of assailant who attacked him with other senior figures, were searching for the suspect. Else- Nidal remained hospitalised protesters were wounded by Foreign Affairs warned. a rock, while Israeli soldiers arrested this week, including 70 where in the West Bank, a group yesterday with severe bruises bullets, one critically. Officials in Canberra said they clashed with Palestinian demon- arrested overnight and of Israelis beat up a Palestinian and a broken eye socket. Police The tensions also spilled over expected the announcement to strators outside Ramallah, the throughout the day yesterday. bus driver, Nidal Sake, near a said they were investigating and into internal Palestinian fighting come today, the Jewish Sabbath, military said. As Israel was burying the sol- West Bank settlement late on trying to find the perpetrators. in the volatile West Bank city of but cautioned that events could Elsewhere in the West Bank, diers killed in Thursday’s shooting, Thursday, Israeli police said. Yesterday afternoon, street Hebron, where some 50 activists yet alter those plans. Jewish settlers beat up a Pales- another soldier was severely Thaer Sake, the bus driver’s clashes erupted between Pales- waving Hamas flags in cele- Both Israel and the Pales- tinian bus driver, the man’s family wounded near a West Bank set- brother, said that a group of tinian demonstrators and Israeli bration of the group’s 31st anni- tinians claim Jerusalem as their said, while Palestinian Authority tlement after a Palestinian struck Jewish teenagers blocked the forces outside Ramallah, with versary confronted Palestinian capital. Critics say declaring Jeru- forces violently broke up a dem- him in the head with a rock, bus with their car and forced protesters slinging rocks and Authority forces and blocked salem the capital of either onstration by supporters of the knocking him unconscious, the themselves on board, striking Israeli soldiers responding with traffic following noon prayers. inflames tensions and prejudges rival Hamas movement. military said. The army said it the driver several times before tear gas and stun grenades to Palestinian police harshly beat the outcome of final status peace Yesterday’s unrest came a day appeared the soldier was also fleeing, according to his break up the crowd. The Pales- Hamas activists with clubs, talks. after a Palestinian gunman stabbed. It said Israeli forces were brother’s account. He said his tinian Healthy Ministry said two injuring five and arresting 15. Trump’s decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv last May prompted tens of thousands of Palestinians to approach the Nigeria accuses heavily-protected Israeli border. Yemen: Envoy pushes for truce monitoring at UN At least 62 Palestinians were Unicef staff of killed by Israeli fire that day. Morrison is expected to stop spying for militants REUTERS Houthi-held Hodeidah and Council in a resolution, dip- resolution to enshrine five short of actually shifting Aus- UNITED NATIONS, withdraw their troops, the first lomats said. requests made by U.N. aid chief tralia’s diplomatic corps to the REUTERS significant breakthrough for Griffiths said retired Dutch Mark Lowcock - one of which Holy City, amid warnings from MAIDUGURI A robust monitoring regime is UN-led peace efforts in five Major General Patrick Cammaert was for a truce around facilities his own officials about the cost urgently needed in Yemen’s port years of conflict. had agreed to lead the moni- needed for aid and commercial and security implications. The Nigerian military city of Hodeidah to oversee “A robust and competent toring component of the imports - and diplomats said But recognising Jerusalem yesterday accused United compliance by the warring monitoring regime is not just agreement, which took effect on that would now be reworked to would help the embattled Aus- Nations Children’s Fund parties with an agreed ceasefire essential, it is also urgently Thursday when the deal was endorse the agreement reached tralian PM — who faces the (Unicef) staff of spying for in the region, United Nations needed and both parties have published. He said Cammaert in Sweden. prospect of an election drubbing militants in northeast Nigeria, Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths told us they would very much could arrive in the region within “We hope to be able to work next year — with Jewish and con- and suspended the agency’s told the Security Council welcome it and indeed depend days. “Being present in the field expeditiously with colleagues to servative Christian voters and win activities there. It said Unicef yesterday. on it,” Griffiths told the soon is an essential part of the bring about a Security Council him friends in the White House. had been training people to The Iranian-aligned Houthis 15-member council, adding that confidence that needs to go with resolution which will give the His supporters argue Israel sabotage troops’ counter- and the Saudi-backed Yemen UN officials were already the implementation of this firmest possible support to what has the right to choose its own insurgency efforts by uncov- government of President planning for such a deployment. agreement,” Griffiths said. has been achieved so far,” British capital and peace talks are dead ering the military’s alleged Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi agreed Such a monitoring mission The council was already dis- UN Ambassador Karen Pierce in the water, so there is no peace human rights abuses. on Thursday to stop fighting for needs the backing of the Security cussing a British-drafted told the council. to prejudge. The northeast has been torn apart by a decade-long insurgency by Boko Haram and its splinter group Islamic State West Africa, in which Erdogan, Trump agree more effective coordination on Syria more than 30,000 people have been killed and many more driven from their AFP Kurdish People’s Protection “Turkey’s legitimate security homes. In its statement, the ANKARA Iraq summons Turkish envoy over air strikes Units (YPG) militia in northern concerns caused by the presence Nigerian military said Unicef Syria. and actions of the terrorist staff “train and deploy spies Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip REUTERS Ankara views the YPG as a organisation PKK/PYD/YPG”, the who support the insurgents Erdogan and his US counterpart ANKARA “terrorist offshoot” of the source said. and their sympathisers”. Donald Trump agreed yesterday Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Earlier on Friday at a speech These were to “more effective coordination” Iraq’s foreign ministry yesterday summoned Turkey’s ambas- which has waged an insurgency in Istanbul, Erdogan said he is “unwholesome practices that between their countries’ opera- sador in Baghdad to protest over what it called repeated airspace against the Turkish state since “determined to bring peace and could further jeopardise the tions in Syria, according to Turkish violations, after Turkish warplanes earlier carried out strikes 1984 and is considered a terror security to areas east of the fight against terrorism and presidential sources, after Ankara against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq. group by Ankara and its Western Euphrates” River in Syria’s north. insurgency”. threatened to launch a new Hours earlier, the Turkish military said on Twitter it had killed allies. But the YPG has spear- Washington’s support of the offensive in the war-torn nation. eight militants from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) headed the United States’ fight Kurdish militia has strained rela- US slaps sanctions on The two leaders spoke by in air strikes targeting the Zap, Hakurk and Haftanin regions of against the Islamic State group tions with Turkey over the past telephone and “agreed to ensure northern Iraq. under the banner of the Kurdish- couple of years. ex-Israeli general, 2 more effective cooperation on led Syrian Democratic Forces American forces are with the others over S Sudan the subject of Syria”, according (SDF) alliance. SDF east of the Euphrates as well to the source. Erdogan on Wednesday warned a new operation within the “next During their phone call, as in the flashpoint city of Manbij, The conversation came after Turkey was planning to launch few days” against the US-backed Erdogan shared with Trump which is west of the river. AFP WASHINGTON

The United States imposed sanctions yesterday on a Tunisia’s ‘Red Vests’ vow to retired Israeli major general for allegedly supplying weapons and ammunition to stage countrywide protests both the government and the opposition in South Sudan. ANATOLIA are demanding stepped-up devel- TUNIS The Treasury Department opment, more job opportunities, also slapped sanctions on a better public education and health former South Sudanese Founders of Tunisia’s “Red Vests” services, and improved living official and a wealthy South campaign said yesterday that they standards. Sudanese businessman for would stage “peaceful demonstra- Campaign organiser Naguib Al their roles in fueling the con- tions” across the country in coming Dereidi said that 53 local coordi- flict. Israel Ziv, a retired days. Campaign founder Riyad Jarad nation offices — and nine regional Israeli major general and said at a recent press conference ones — had been set up countrywide owner of security consulting that the initiative had drawn its over the course of the last week. group Global CST, used an agri- inspiration from France’s “Yellow He held all the country’s political cultural company “as a cover Vest” protesters. parties, including those in oppo- for the sale of approximately “The initiative fundamentally sition, responsible for Tunisia’s $150m worth of weapons to makes economic and social demands; deteriorating economic situation. the government, including it is intended to represent the poor Yasin Al Warghi, another cam- rifles, grenade launchers, and and marginalized,” he said, asserting paign member, said that organizers Members of Tunisia’s Free Destourian Party (Free Constitutional Party) shout slogans and hold shoulder-fired rockets,” the that no political parties or entities had issued a total of 22 demands, up protest signs and portraits of late president Habib Bourguiba as they demonstrate against the Treasury Department said in a stood behind the campaign. including an increase of the coun- statement. Truth and Dignity Commission (TDC), outside its closing conference in the capital Tunis, yesterday. According to Jarad, protesters try’s minimum wage. SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 ASIA 05 SC rejects pleas seeking probe into Rafale deal

AFP The ruling sparked from the Indian government to NEW DELHI noisy scenes in the choose local partners. Parliament. Congress “We are proud of this India’s top court dismissed yes- MPs demanded agreement that contributes to terday calls for an investigation India’s security and is consoli- into a French military jet deal that a parliament dating our strategic part- that was threatening to damage committee investigate nership,” Le Drian, who was Prime Minister Narendra Modi the deal as BJP country’s defence minister in ahead of elections next year. parliamentarians 2016, told the Times of India. Critics had accused Modi of The BJP yesterday wel- using the 2016 multi-billion sought an apology comed the verdict as “a slap in dollar accord between India and from Congress the face for the politics of lies”. French aircraft manufacturer chief Rahul Gandhi “Truth always triumphs!,” BJP Dassault for Rafale aircraft to president Amit Shah tweeted. favour a key billionaire backer. for “lying and The ruling sparked noisy In an eagerly awaited undermining India’s scenes in the Indian parliament, Newly-appointed Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot (right) and his deputy Sachin Pilot gesture judgement on a slew of petitions with ruling and opposition national security”. as they hold hands during a press conference at the All India Congress Committee offices in New brought by activists and politi- members on their feet and cians, India’s Supreme Court value in joint ventures or pur- shouting at each other. Congress Delhi yesterday. refused to intervene, saying it chases with Indian firms. MPs demanded that a par- had “no doubt in the process”. But the new agreement, for- liament committee investigate “We do not find any sub- mally signed in 2016, raised eye- the deal as BJP parliamentarians Gehlot to pilot Rajasthan again stantial material on record to brows because Dassault chose sought an apology from Con- show that this is a case of com- as its local partner Reliance, a gress chief Rahul Gandhi for IANS Gandhi is said to have convinced Gehlot assured the people of mercial favouritism to any party massive conglomerate owned “lying and undermining India’s NEW DELHI Pilot to become Gehlot’s deputy Rajasthan that the party would by the Indian government,” the by billionaire Anil Ambani. national security”. Prashant as the party is keen to keep the fulfil all its commitments three-judge bench said. Ambani is believed to be close Bhushan, one of the petitioners Ending the intense jockeying for Gujjar community, to which he including waiver of farmers’ Dassault initially won the to Modi and Reliance had no in the case, said he was consid- power in Rajasthan, Congress belongs, on its side ahead of the loans, generating employment for contract to supply 126 jets to previous experience in the avi- ering filing a review petition President Rahul Gandhi Lok Sabha elections. The Gujjars the youth and providing good India in 2012, with 18 to be built ation sector. against the “wrong” ruling. yesterday picked party veteran are a dominant community in governance. “My colleague Sachin in France and the rest in India Former French president New Delhi is world’s largest Ashok Gehlot as the new Chief Rajasthan. This was the third Pilot and others will get together in collaboration with the state- Francois Hollande added fuel to arms importer and has been Minister of the state and Sachin meeting of Gehlot and Pilot in to fulfil the vision and promises owned Hindustan Aeronautics the fire in September with an trying to revamp its ageing fleet Pilot, who had put up a strong two days with Gandhi as their of Rahul Gandhi,” he said. Limited (HAL). interview with a French website of Russian MiG-21s — dubbed claim, as his deputy. respective camps strongly Congratulating Gehlot, Pilot However, during a visit to when he said that Modi had “Flying Coffins” because of their The formal announcement staked their claim for the Chief said the elections to the three France in 2015 Modi scrapped the pushed for Reliance to be on atrocious safety record. of Gandhi’s decision was made Ministerial post. Hindi heartland states of deal, signed under the previous board. The Modi-led right-wing The first Rafale will be at a press conference at the This is the third time the Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and government led by the Congress ruling Bharatiya Janata Party delivered in 2019 and the 36 jets party headquarters by K C 72-year-old Gehlot will assume Madhya Pradesh were a game party, and ordered instead 36 jets (BJP) and French company offi- will form two new squadrons of Venugopal, observer for the leg- the reins of Rajasthan as Chief changer in national politics and — all to be built in France — for cials have throughout denied the Indian Air Force. It currently islature party leader’s election, Minister while the 41-year-old said the results had given hope an estimated $9.4bn. any wrongdoing. has around 32 squadrons of 18 after an over hour-long meeting Pilot, who won his maiden to the people as regards eco- Under Indian defence pro- French Foreign Minister aircraft each, but has said it between Gandhi and the two Assembly election, will be nomic development and curement rules, foreign com- Jean-Yves Le Drian told an needs at least 42 to protect its contenders, Gehlot and Pilot, at making a debut in the state. harmony. He exuded confidence panies winning contracts must Indian newspaper ahead of a northern and western borders his residence. Expressing his gratitude over the party would win the 2019 “offset” or reinvest half the total visit that there was no pressure with Pakistan and China. Informed sources said being chosen as Chief Minister, Lok Sabha elections. Anger in Kerala over Kamal Nath to take oath on BJP-called shutdown Monday

IANS women cadres when they pro- IANS THIRUVANANTHAPURAM tested over the Sabarimala issue BHOPAL in front of the state Secretariat A dawn-to-dusk shutdown on Monday. Senior Congress leader Kamal called by the BJP to protest State Congress President Nath will be sworn-in as Chief against the death of a man said Mulapally Ramachandran Minister of Madhya Pradesh to be a Sabarimala devotee asked the BJP to explain on why on December 17 (Monday) derailed Kerala yesterday, Friday’s shutdown was called after Governor Anandiben sparking widespread anger over when it was clear that Nair Patel handed him a letter of the disruption to normal life. committed suicide as he was appointment for the top post. The 50-year-old Venugo- fed up with life. “It’s most After being chosen as the palan Nair set himself on fire at unfortunate that the BJP is leader of the Congress Legis- a BJP protest venue on Thursday trying make political capital out lature Party, the 72-year-old and succumbed to his injuries in of a suicide. Their emotions on met the Governor yesterday a hospital here. But in his dying Sabarimala issue are hollow and conveyed to her the res- declaration, he made no mention and has no merit,” he said. Army stunt olution of the CLP electing of the Sabarimala temple. The state-run Kerala State him as its leader. An Indian soldier performs a stunt ahead of the “Vijay Diwas”, a ceremony to celebrate the liberation Before being taken to the Road Transport Corp did not The ceremony will be of Bangladesh by the Indian Armed Forces on December 16 in 1971, in Kolkata, yesterday. public crematorium, his body operate its services. Most shops held in the Lal Parade Ground was brought to the Bharatiya and business establishments here at 1.30pm. He told Janata Party protest venue besides all educational institu- reporters that his main focus where party leaders paid their tions in the state were closed would be on the agriculture last respect. But the rationale for but private vehicles plied. sector, which is the backbone calling the shutdown came under Traders in Kozhikode got of any economy, and job- fire from the ruling CPI-M, Con- together and decided that come lessness among the youth. gress, business groups as well as what may they will not close Chinese Foreign Minister to visit India next week “Joblessness in the state the man on the street. down their shops in any among the youth is one of my Chief Minister Pinarayi shutdown in future. “We have IANS in Doklam last year, the two mechanism,” Chinese Foreign biggest challenges,” he said. Vijayan told the media in Delhi decided to take legal steps so BEIJING countries came closer later and Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang that the BJP national leadership that we will get police pro- pledged that bilateral ties would said. The forum is the outcome Chhattisgarh CM should reign in the state unit for tection in future when shut- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang not be affected by a border of Modi-Xi meet at Chinese city organising protests like this. downs are called,” said a trader. Yi will be on a four-day India visit dispute between them. Wuhan in April this year. likely to be “Frequent calls for shut- The shutdown also affected from December 21 to attend the “At the invitation of India’s The two countries stepped downs cause a lot of troubles to the release of superstar Mohan- first people-to-people exchange Foreign Minister Sushma up their engagements after the announced today people... The cause of the death lal’s magnum opus “Odiyan” agreed between Xi Jinping and Swaraj, Chinese State Coun- Wuhan summit. India and has also now come out,” he said. that was slated to open at 412 Prime Minister Narendra Modi at cillor and Foreign Minister China have the world’s 9th IANS The capital district was subjected theatres across the state. Only their icebreaking meet in Wuhan Wang Yi will visit India from longest border which is largely NEW DELHI to one shutdown called by the a few auto-rickshaws operated earlier this year. December 21 to December 24 disputed. The two went to war BJP on Tuesday to protest “police in Kochi, but Kochi Metro After witnessing chill in their and co-chair the first China- in 1962 and have had military The Congress is likely to high-handedness” on their operated normal services. ties over the military stand-off India people to people skirmishes since then. announce the Chief Minister for Chhattisgarh today with the contenders to the post — state party chief Bhupesh Baghel and Ambikarpur MLA No respite as Simian armies continue to cause panic in Taj city T S Singh Deo — meeting party President Rahul Gandhi. IANS and Wildlife Department officials NGO running sloth bear and ele- “Even the SN Medical College snatching and monkey bites “We had a meeting with AGRA but all have raised their hands in phant centres in Agra, have and the Emergency Ward are not have been reported that a sense Gandhi over the issue and a utter helplessness. An official said offered to help with sterilisations safe from monkeys. There is a of fear grips the visitors when decision on who will be the A month after two shocking there was neither the expertise nor and build a secure shelter for the perpetual shortage of vaccines they arrive here,” claimed Taj Chief Minister will be taken deaths and a series of attacks by the funds to deal with the thou- simians, but need funds from the at the district hospital,” another Ganj hotelier Sandeep Arora. on Saturday,” Deo said. monkey armies, this Taj city con- sands of rampaging monkeys. state government which has official said. Tourism industry Civic authorities seem With multiple claimants tinues to remain in panic mode “Also, even if we manage to declined for the moment to leaders have called for prompt helpless in tackling the menace. to the Chief Minister’s post in as government agencies indulge capture some, where do we house support any such programme. measures to insulate the Taj The situation is worse in the all the three states, there have in passing the buck. them or free them? The provisions For the district authorities, the Mahal from simian invasion. holy towns of Mathura, been tussles between the rival Divisional Commissioner Anil of the Wildlife Act leave no room simian menace is right now a “Foreign tourists feel insecure Goverdhan and Vrindavan. camps. There was high drama Kumar and District Magistrate N for any drastic measures against major concern as tourists visiting and restrict their movements “Due to religious beliefs, no one in the case of selecting Kamal G Ravi Kumar have had several the monkeys,” the official said. the historical monuments have fearing attacks from stray wants to harm the monkeys,” Nath and Gehlot as the rounds of meetings with the Forest Officials of the Wildlife SOS, an been attacked by the monkeys. animals. So many cases of bag said a Vrindavan resident. respective Chief Ministers. 06 ASIA SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 Pakistan army asks US to adopt ‘regional approach’ on terrorism INTERNEWS Pakistan renewed or become part of an intra- ISLAMABAD its commitment Afghan dialogue until there is a clear time frame for withdrawal Pakistan Army’s top brass hoped to facilitate the of US-led coalition forces from for “success” of US efforts for reconciliation process Afghanistan. The militants have, Afghan reconciliation process after US President moreover, been continuing with and called for dealing with ter- Donald Trump last attacks. rorism through a regional Terrorism has been a major approach. week wrote a letter concern for the US as it seeks “Forum highlighted impor- to Prime Minister Pakistan’s help in reconciliation. tance of regional approach to Imran Khan, seeking The message from the corps eliminate roots of terrorism and his government’s help commanders’ meeting is that attached hopes for success of instead of pushing Pakistan hard ongoing Afghan reconciliation for Afghan peace. on this count, the US should try process while supporting all Backing reconciliation to take a holistic view of the sit- stakeholders to bring Afghan in Afghanistan has uation by adopting a “regional war to a peaceful logical con- approach to eliminate roots of clusion,” an Inter-Services been Islamabad’s terrorism”. Children attending a class at a government school in Peshawar. Public Relations (ISPR) longstanding position. This assertion implies that the statement on the 216th corps military leadership is asking the commanders’ conference said. of the Afghan conflict and US to press Kabul and New Delhi The corps commanders’ appointed Ambassador Zalmay to stop their activities targeting Public education suffocates under conference, which is a monthly Khalilzad as the point-man for Pakistan. Foreign Minister Shah feature at the GHQ, this time the initiative in September, Mehmmod Qureshi, speaking in specially focused on regional Pakistani authorities, in a major the National Assembly earlier this surging population in Pakistan security and the situation on the gesture, released senior Taliban week, had made a rare call for eastern and western borders, figure Mullah Abdul Ghani India’s cooperation on Afghan- AFP At the Malok Abad primary Authorities have also more than including the Line of Control, Baradar on US request to help istan. “Since India is present in TANJAI CHEENA, PAKISTAN school in the town of Mingora, doubled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s while reviewing the geo-stra- the process. Afghanistan, its cooperation in 700 boys share six classrooms. education budget between 2013 tegic environment. Speaking at a press con- this regard will also be required,” At the Tanjai Cheena school in The students study in the and 2018. But the rise in spending Additionally, the meeting ference at the ISPR office, mil- he had said. northwest Pakistan students courtyard sitting on the ground, is no match for Pakistan’s swelling took stock of the internal itary spokesman Maj Gen Asif The military, the corps com- squeeze into makeshift class- while others are forced to gather demographics, even as the gov- security situation and the Ghafoor had said: “This political manders resolved, would con- rooms where plastic tarps serve on the roof under the baking sun. ernment plans to expand existing ongoing security operations. reconciliation must succeed. We tinue with its actions for “consol- as walls and electricity is sparse, On the girls’ side, the situation is facilities and extend working Pakistan renewed its com- wish that US leaves Afghanistan idating gains of counterterrorism as a surging population over- even more dire with the smallest hours in an attempt to meet mitment to facilitate the recon- as friend of the region, not as a military operations”. They noted stretches the country’s fragile classes hosting up to 135 students demand. ciliation process after US Pres- failure”. He had further said that that improvements in security sit- education system. packed into a space measuring Pakistan now spends 2.2 ident Donald Trump last week Pakistan was taking “every step” uation of the country had paved Two teachers rotate about 20 square metres. percent of its GDP on education, wrote a letter to Prime Minister needed to make the US succeed the way for socio-economic between four classrooms at the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s the country’s Minister of Edu- Imran Khan, seeking his gov- in its efforts for reconciliation. progress and development. school, which lacks even the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party cation Shafqat Mahmood said, ernment’s help for Afghan “We will facilitate it as much as “We shall continue to most basic amenities including has made “quality education for adding that the amount was set peace. Backing reconciliation in we can,” he added. support all state institutions for toilets. With birth control and all” its rallying cry since taking the to double in the coming years. The Afghanistan has been Islama- While Taliban have held peace, stability and progress of family planning virtually helm of the provincial gov- increased funding has failed to bad’s longstanding position. several meetings with US offi- the country in best interest of unheard of in this ultraconserv- ernment in 2013. In the last five put a dent in the province’s illit- When the Trump adminis- cials over the past few months, the people of Pakistan,” Army ative region, the ill-equipped years 2,700 schools have been eracy rates, with only 53 percent tration intensified the efforts for they have been categorically Chief Gen Qamar Jawed Bajwa, public school system has not built or expanded, while 57,000 of children above 10 years of age seeking a negotiated settlement refusing to join talks with Kabul who chaired the meeting, said. kept up with population growth. new teachers have been recruited. able to read and write.

PM inaugurates shelter homes Man held for cheating and blackmailing widows, divorcees online INTERNEWS expertise in computer tech- woman and asked her to meet it deleted, she must pay him American numbers which he in Peshawar KARACHI nology. The held suspect, pre- him and that he wanted to sol- Rs200, 000. To get rid of the would generate using an appli- INTERNEWS tending to be an officer of a emnise nikah with her. blackmailer, the woman sent him cation on the Internet,” said the PESHAWAR The Federal Investigation “fake” security agency, took The complainant met her Rs30,000 through a mobile cybercrime wing official. Agency (FIA) of Pakistan has them to a hotel in Clifton, where where he showed her “fatwas” payment platform on December The suspect had assumed Pakistan Prime Minister claimed to have arrested a he had installed secret cameras and married her without a 8. The suspect also uploaded her that such numbers were not Imran Khan inaugurated suspect who allegedly lured with which he made ‘objec- nikahkhwan. He would tell the videos on Google and WhatsApp. traceable and he would change shelter homes in Peshawar widowed and divorced women tionable’ videos and later started women that he could not make He said that the modus numbers frequently and ask girls yesterday during his one-day through social media on the blackmailing the women. the marriage public because the operandi of the suspect was that to chat over WhatsApp as visit to the city. pretext of marrying them and He extracted Rs600,000 “agency personnel”, where he he introduced himself as an Facebook was not secure. Shelter homes have been later blackmailed them, said from one woman and Rs30,000 was a key officer, would hound official of an “agency” with a “He would then insist these established by the Khyber FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing (CCW) from another after making their him and his wife. fake name, to send bulk mes- women meet him at a “hotel”, Pakhtunkhwa government deputy director Abdul Ghaffar. videos. During investigation, it After the ‘nikah’, the held sages on Facebook messenger where he would record videos under its 100-day plan. He added that the FIA transpired that the held man had suspect made her videos. A few to females stating that he “wants of the women,” said Abdul According to Radio Pakistan, received a complaint from a created a Facebook ID with the days later, the complainant a partner, and that he is willing Ghaffar. “He would then use the 432 people will be accommo- woman on December 3 and after name ‘Wajdan Ali’ and claimed received a call from an unknown to partner with widowed or videos to blackmail the women dated in the shelter homes a proper inquiry arrested the that he was a “well-wisher of the number and the caller told her that divorced women”. and extort large sums from where they will also be pro- suspect, a matriculate resident widows” and could marry them. an ‘objectionable’ video of her was “He would lure women to them.” The FIA was also probing vided food. The prime min- of New Karachi, who had gained He contacted the complainant with him and if she wanted to get chat with him on virtual the role of the hotel. ister will also address the pro- vincial cabinet and MPAs regarding the 100-day plan at Nishtar Hall during his visit. Rajapakse ends In November, the Prime Pakistan and Iran agree on Minister broke ground for the standoff, to step establishment of a PanahGah project for the down-and-out down today boosting border security segments of the society after pictures of a man sleeping AFP INTERNEWS Iranian officials stressed upon with his children on the COLOMBO QUETTA the safe recovery of its border streets of Lahore went viral. guards abducted from the Mir Sri Lanka’s strongman leader In a major development to Jawah area of the Pakistan-Iran Pakistan gets $1bn Mahinda Rajapakse will step boost security in the border border territory. down today from his disputed areas, Pakistan and Iran have Both the delegations agreed second installment position of premier, his son said signed a Memorandum of on establishing Pakistan-Iran of Saudi aid yesterday, signalling an end to Understanding (MoU) on pre- Economic Committees in the seven-week long power- vention of smuggling of oil, Panjgur, Chaghi, Turbat and A file photo shows Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena INTERNEWS struggle that threatened to shut drugs, arms and humans. Gwadar and discussed tax-free (right) listening to former president and currently-appointed ISLAMABAD the government. It came during the 22nd market to boost trade between “To ensure stability of the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse during a ceremony granting three-day Joint Border Session the two countries. Pakistan yesterday received nation, former president... employment to social service workers, in Colombo. of Pakistan and Iran held in the To root out terrorism from the second tranche of $1bn (Rajapakse) has decided to resign Iranian province of Zahedan, the bordering towns, both the from Saudi Arabia after which from the premiership tomorrow humiliating defeat on the floor of a government and heading for where several agreements delegations have unanimously the foreign exchange reserves after an address to the nation,” his the House. Sirisena had also a shutdown raising fears among regarding strengthening security decided to establish a com- stood at $8.26bn. legislator son Namal said. called a snap election nearly two international credit rating in the border areas to prevent mittee for law and order at the Sources in the Ministry of The announcement came years ahead of schedule. That was agencies and holders of Sri illegal movement were inked. Pakistan-Iran border and dis- Finance said Pakistan will shortly after the Supreme Court also cancelled by the courts. Lankan bonds. Balochistan Chief Secretary cussed management affairs of receive the third installment banned Rajapakse, 73, and his Namal Rajapakse said they The country was taken by Dr Akhtar Nazir led the Paki- border security. in mid-January. Last month, purported government from will join a coalition with Sirisena surprise when Sirisena sacked stani delegation while Sistan- Talking to the media after the State Bank of Pakistan exercising the powers of the office who triggered the political crisis Wickremesinghe on October 26, Baluchestan Deputy Governor the third and final day of the had confirmed receiving the they claimed since October. on October 26 by initially almost two years before his five- General for Security Affairs border session, the deputy gov- first $1bn from Saudi Arabia. A day earlier, the Supreme sacking Prime Minister Ranil year term was up and called a Mohammad Hadi Mar’ashi rep- ernor general said, “The During Prime Minister Court opened the way for Wickremesinghe and replacing snap election for January 5. resented the Iranian side. abduction of Iranian border Imran Khan’s visit to the potential impeachment pro- him with former foe Rajapakse. Wickremesinghe refused to Both sides expressed their guards was the hot topic during Kingdom on October 23 it was ceedings against President Two of the country’s highest step down maintaining that his determination to prevent smug- the three-day joint border announced that Saudi Arabia Maithripala Sirisena ruling that courts suspended Rajapakse till sacking was illegal. That issue is gling of drugs, oil, humans and session. We have shared all had agreed to provide a $12bn he broke the law by dissolving he could prove his legitimacy currently being canvassed ensure strict security measures intelligence details gathered package to Pakistan to parliament last month. after he failed two no-confidence before courts. in the border areas used by ter- by Iranian officials that the support its ailing economy. A seven-judge bench unani- motions in the 225-member leg- Political sources said Wick- rorists for crossing. remaining four border guards The package included $3bn mously agreed that Sirisena vio- islature in mid-November. remesinghe was likely to be During the session, Pakistan were shifted to Pakistan and balance of payments support lated the constitution when he The court rulings also meant sworn in on tomorrow morning, recorded its protest against Pakistani officials have and $3bn in deferred pay- dissolved parliament last month that the nation of 21 million in a move that is expected to end border violations by Iran’s Rev- assured of full action for the ments on oil import. to prevent Rajapakse suffering a people was effectively without the power vacuum. olutionary Guards. In response, safe recovery of our guards.” SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 ASIA 07 Manila convicts 66 alleged militants over kidnappings

AP The Regional Trial Court acquitted for lack of MANILA evidence 20 Abu Sayyaf members who have A Philippine court yesterday- languished in jail for a number of years while found 66 alleged members of insisting they were innocent in the brazen the Abu Sayyaf guilty of March 2000 kidnappings of 52 people, mostly kidnapping dozens of students, young students at two schools on Basilan teachers and a priest in the south in 2000, in the largest island. single conviction involving the brutal Muslim militant group. Isnilon Hapilon, helped lead a led to this decision, although it The Regional Trial Court siege of southern Marawi city took more than one and a half branch 261 acquitted for lack of by Islamic State group-aligned decades to happen,” said Ong, evidence 20 other people who militants in May last year which one of several prosecutors who have languished in jail for a left more than 1,000 people handled the case. number of years while insisting dead, mostly militants, including Nearly 100 people were they were innocent in the Hapilon. Hundreds of thousands charged in the Basilan kidnap- brazen March 2000 kidnappings of villagers were displaced. pings. An Associated Press of 52 people, mostly young stu- Troops backed by U.S. and Aus- investigation in 2014 that dents at two schools on Basilan tralian spy planes quelled the included interviews with pros- Accused in Kim Jong murder case produced before court island. siege after five months. ecutors and key witnesses Two kidnapped teachers Today, the Abu Sayyaf has showed dozens of people were Indonesian national Siti Aisyah (centre) and Vietnamese national Doan Thi Huong (top centre) are were beheaded and a priest died degenerated into a few loose detained despite a lack of evi- escorted by Malaysian police after a special court session to rule on witness statements at the Shah while in Abu Sayyaf custody. factions with a few hundred dence against them. Alam High Court, outside Kuala Lumpur, yesterday, for their alleged role in the assassination of Kim The other hostages were ragtag fighters and no central An Abu Sayyaf commander, Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. rescued or freed after local offi- leader in Basilan and outlying Abu Gandhie, who took part in cials negotiated for their release islands. But it remains resilient the planning but was captured a few days after they were kid- and violent, engaging in and later turned state witness, napped en masse from the ransom kidnappings and said at the time that more than schools in the villages of Tuma- extortion that have allowed it 40 militants took part in the hubong and Sinangkapan. to survive without extensive mass kidnappings, including China urges Japan to ensure rights of protesters The Abu Sayyaf - or Bearer backing from foreign extremist more than 10 who were later of the Sword - has been listed groups. killed in clashes with troops. AP but urged Japan to take respon- The two were detained as a terrorist group by the US It Senior State Prosecutor When he testified in court, he BEIJING sibility for its actions during Wednesday after one of them was founded around the early Peter Ong said some innocent identified only 12 of the dozens World War II, when it invaded set a fire inside Yasukuni Shrine 1990s in poor, predominantly suspects were arrested but only of men who were charged as China has urged Japan to ensure much of East Asia, including while the other shot video that Muslim Basilan province. An two were freed by the court a among those who actually took the legal rights of two Hong parts of China. was later posted on Facebook. unwieldy collection of Islamic few years ago after he and other part in the abductions. Kong residents who staged a “We have expressed our The protest came a day preachers and outlaws, it vowed prosecutors took steps to secure Mistakes are a concern in protest this week at a Tokyo concern to the Japanese side. ahead of the annual commem- to wage jihad, or holy war, but their release before the trial the Philippines’ slow and over- shrine honouring Japan’s war China urges Japan to properly oration of the 1937 Nanking lost its key leaders early in ended. burdened law enforcement and dead, the foreign ministry said handle this issue and to ensure Massacre, in which China says combat, sending it on a violent “The persistence and deter- criminal justice system, which yesterday. the legitimate rights and 300,000 civilians and disarmed path of extremism and mination of the court to give has a backlog of thousands of Ministry spokesman Lu interests of the persons soldiers were killed. Some in the criminality. justice to the victims and those cases and is tainted by cor- Kang did not say whether Beijing involved,” Lu told reporters at a Japanese right wing deny any One of its top commanders, who were wrongfully arrested ruption allegations. considered the protest justified, daily briefing. massacre occurred.

Vietnam probes former top cops US, S Korea fail to reach deal on military cost-sharing for aiding spy REUTERS the United States has stationed “We’ve come to agreement Republic of Korea (ROK) dele- such as bombers, nuclear- SEOUL forces since the 1950-53 Korean on almost all elements but could gations, we are unable to spec- powered aircraft carriers and AFP War. not make it final because of dif- ulate on potential outcomes,” the submarines, during joint mil- HANOI The United States and South Senior officials from both ferences on the total scale of the statement said. itary exercises. Korea have failed to agree on sides held three-day talks in deal,” a senior South Korean The United States initially Trump announced a halt to Two former senior police a bigger South Korean share of Seoul from Tuesday to hammer foreign ministry official told pushed South Korea to increase the exercises in June after a officials in Vietnam were the cost of maintaining US out an accord to replace a 2014 reporters on condition of ano- its share of the burden to about summit with North Korean placed under investigation troops, an official said deal due to expire this year, nymity due to the sensitivity of $1.2 billion, The Wall Street leader Kim Jong Un, saying they yesterday for their alleged yesterday, as the US military which requires South Korea to the issue. Journal reported last week, citing were very expensive and paid role in aiding a spy, the latest warned Korean workers they pay about 960bn won ($850m) In a statement, US Forces in unidentified sources. for mostly by his country. development as the might be put on leave if no deal this year. Despite 10 rounds of Korea (USFK) said it was seeking South Korean and American Some small-scale joint exer- communist state’s anti- is reached. negotiations since March, the a “swift conclusion” to the nego- officials have not publicly con- cises have taken place since corruption drive extends to US President Donald Trump two sides struggled to reach tiations “to mitigate a possible firmed a dollar amount. then, while major ones were sus- the powerful security sector. has repeatedly said that South an agreement after the United lapse in contributions” from South Korean officials have pended as part of efforts to The duo were once part Korea should bear more of the States demanded a sharp South Korea. said the United States asked expedite talks aimed at ending of Vietnam’s Ministry of burden for keeping some 28,500 increase, South Korean offi- “Due to the ongoing consult- that South Korea pay for the North Korea’s nuclear Public Security, one of the US troops in South Korea, where cials said. ative talks between U.S. and mobilisation of equipment, programme. state’s most protected insti- tutions which oversees the country’s vast police force, and cybersecurity and intel- ligence units. Villagers flee fighting, hide in But it is now the target of a crackdown that has mostly engulfed the oil and forest in Indonesia’s Papua banking sectors, as analysts say the conservative lead- REUTERS surrender, we will forgive ership aims to stamp out JAKARTA them,” local army commander corruption and sideline Colonel Jonathan Binsar political foes. At least 300 villagers are hiding Sianipar said. An announcement issued in a forest in Indonesia’s Papua The rebels have rejected by the ministry Friday said province yesterday after they calls to surrender and two former MPS deputy min- fled fighting between soldiers demanded a referendum on the isters — Bui Van Thanh and and separatists who killed a future of the resource-rich area Tran Viet Tan — were “put group of workers building a plagued by conflict since it was under investigation and not bridge in the area this month. incorporated into Indonesia allowed to leave their They are cold and hungry after a controversial U.N.- residences”. after 11 days in the forest, Pastor backed referendum in 1969. The order was linked to Benny Giay, the head of Papua’s The OPM has said it viewed Phan Van Anh Vu, an intelli- Gospel Tabernacle Church, told the workers as members of the gence officer whose high- Reuters by telephone. military and casualties in a war profile arrest at a Singapore Protest against US military airbase “They are sheltering right against the government. Jakarta border crossing last on the slope of Trikora Peak,” says they were civilians working An aerial view of land reclamation work on the Henoko coastal district of Nago, Okinawa prefecture, December gave a hint at fis- he said, referring to the 4,750 on the Trans Papua road project sures within Vietnam’s highly for the new site for the US military airbase. Japan resumed work to relocate the controversial US metre (15,580 ft) mountain in to improve connectivity in the secretive Communist party military airbase in Okinawa, prompting protests and strong anger from the local governor. the Nduga area. impoverished province. and state apparatus. Security forces are hunting Pastor Giay urged the gov- members of the military wing ernment to halt construction on of the Free Papua Movement the project which has raised (OPM), which claimed respon- tensions in the province. sibility for killing at least 16 “I ask in general for con- Moon urges restrained language in forced labour row workers and a soldier in the struction work of the national Nduga area this month. road project to be stopped REUTERS the two East Asian countries. Japan denounced the ruling, lawmakers in Seoul on Friday, said The military said in a before the trauma that this SEOUL A row between Seoul and which said a 1965 treaty did not his government would take its time statement it was trying to con- country has created resurfaces Tokyo flared again in late remove the workers’ right to to seek a solution because the issue vince the people to return to again,” he said. The Protestant South Korea’s President Moon October when South Korea’s reparations, as “unthinkable”. was triggered by a judicial ruling their homes and promised pastor said he feared a repeat Jae-in told Japanese lawmakers Supreme Court ruled that Japan’s The strain in relations that must be respected. “I think we security forces would not fire of a 1996 military operation in yesterday “cautious, restrained” Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal between the two U.S. allies could need to use cautious, restrained at them. “We, the Indonesian which civilians, including language is needed when Corp must pay four South affect efforts to rein in North expressions on this issue so as not army, will protect the people. children, were killed when discussing wartime forced labour Koreans 100m won ($87,700) in Korea’s nuclear and missile pro- to incite antagonistic emotions of We are all brothers, children of security forces attacked sepa- to avoid “inciting antagonistic compensation for their forced grammes, analysts say. the peoples of both countries,” God. Even for the Free Papua ratists holding Indonesian and emotions” between the people of labour during World War Two. Moon, who met Japanese Moon said at the meeting. Movement, if they want to foreign hostages. 08 VIEWS SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 Qatari diplomacy’s role in success of UN’s ESTABLISHED IN 1996 objectives and principles highlighted QNA CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI he Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr Ahmed bin Hassan Al EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Hammadi stressed the role of TQatari diplomacy in the success of the DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected] objectives and principles of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security. ACTING MANAGING EDITOR Speaking during the State of MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED Qatar’s celebration of the United [email protected] Nations Day, which was held at the Qatar National Library, His Excel- lency said that during the past few DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR decades, Qatari diplomacy has MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI achieved significant successes that [email protected] promoted the prestigious position of the Qatari foreign policy which seeks peaceful coexistence and establishing security and stability in the world. The State of Qatar has worked hard to consecrate a new pattern of interna- tional relations at the regional and EDITORIAL international levels based on dialogue and the peaceful resolution of dis- putes. Qatar has also proved its worth and ability to make essential and suc- Budget shows economy’s strength cessful roles in international politics for the maintenance of international atar’s economy is stronger than ever, growing at a peace and security, and promoting fastest rate than ever and has withstood all the peace and development in the world. Qpressures despite the unjust siege imposed on the The Secretary-General of the Min- country for over a year-and-a-half. This was evident istry of Foreign Affairs said that the when Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued State of Qatar will soon open the Law No. 23 of (2018) approving the State’s general budget “United Nations House” in Doha, for the year 2019 which projected a surplus of QR4.3bn. which includes representative offices The surplus, which is the first in three years, is a result of a number of higher energy prices in international markets along with of UN organs, in this regard that the State of Qatar is international events related to human increasing non-oil revenues. The budget assumes an average reflecting first among all Arab countries in sup- rights, environment, development, oil price of $55 per barrel compared with $45 a barrel in positively on porting UN humanitarian organiza- trade, national partnerships and com- the 2018 budget. In 2019, new projects with a total cost of their ability tions, and is the most prominent bating corruption, based on its firm QR48bn are expected to be awarded out of a portfolio of to implement among the countries in the world to belief in the need to achieve peace and committed projects worth QR421bn. The award of new Qatari diplomacy activities and provide support to humanitarian and stability regionally and internationally, projects in various sectors is a welcome move. These new has achieved regional and relief organizations. a matter which confirms the leading projects will boost economic growth in the country, especially global pro- He added that Qatar played a international role played by Qatar and in non-oil sectors. significant grams, pivotal role in solving many of the the status it enjoyed internationally in Special focus continues to be on completing projects in successes that adding that thorny international issues and easing recognition of this role that aims to leading sectors including healthcare, education and promoted the this comes tensions in international relations, promote a culture of coexistence, transportation, along with those related to the hosting of prestigious within the most importantly through mediation peace and justice among different World Cup in 2022. The budget focuses on enhancing food framework of to resolve many disputes peacefully, peoples, races and religions, and security projects, and the position of the the State promote dialogue and understanding promote dialogue and good establishment of infrastructure Qatari foreign Qatar to at the international level, support governance. and facilities in free zones, policy which provide the various human rights issues and H E Dr Al Hammadi added that special economic zones, and seeks peaceful necessary provide various forms of humanitarian Qatar is constantly seeking a con- industrial and logistics zones. facilities to support and development assistance, structive and effective policy in the This focus will accelerate the coexistence and host the UN stressing that Qatar is keen to provide field of protecting and promoting Qatar is pace of economic activity in the establishing offices and support and financial contributions human rights, consolidating the prin- committed to state. security and missions and and to have several partnerships with ciples of the rule of law and good gov- exerting every Qatar is committed to stability in the other inter- the UN and international organiza- ernance and defending the values of effort in order exerting every effort in order to national tions to enable them to carry out their freedom and popular participation in achieve Qatar National Vision world. organiza- responsibilities and achieve the objec- all international and regional forums to achieve Qatar 2030, which aims to position tions, and tives for which they were established, through well-established political National Vision the State as a developed provide the necessary requirements to as well as to contribute to the principles and intensive diplomatic 2030, which country capable of achieving enable them to exercise their functions financing of UN peacekeeping activity that reflects the genuine aims to position sustainable development and and activities to the fullest. operations. interest of the State in consolidating allow its people a decent living. Dr Al Hammadi stressed Qatar’s The Secretary-General of the Min- and disseminating the culture and the State as The budget focuses on keenness to provide the necessary istry of Foreign Affairs said that the values of human rights. a developed providing the necessary funds forms of humanitarian support with State of Qatar initiated voluntary con- He highlighted the keenness of the country capable for the development of new full impartiality and without any bias tributions to several UN funds and State of Qatar, through its membership housing areas for nationals. The or discrimination and on the basis of programs aimed at eradicating in the Human Rights Council, to fulfill of achieving plan will cost QR12bn over five purely humanitarian motives away hunger, reducing poverty, promoting its human rights obligations and com- sustainable years. New land areas will be from any political purposes in order to education and responding to end dis- mitments and to assess the positive development. distributed to nationals preserve human dignity, alleviate asters and crises, stressing that Qatar developments and challenges it faces gradually after the completion poverty, respond immediately, will continue to be an active member at the national, regional and interna- of required infrastructure, provide emergency relief to address of the international community to tional levels, while stressing that Qatar according to the approved timetable. disasters and crises, alleviate the suf- establish peace and achieve security will always support the noble efforts of Qatar is growing by the day. New laws are in place to fering of victims and encounter and stability in the world. the UN in various parts of the world diversify the economy and attract foreign investments with extremism and terrorism, while His Excellency underpinned that for a better world of peace and key focus on achieving self-reliance in all sectors. All the seeking to achieve the goals of sus- Qatar hosted a number of UN confer- security. negative impacts of the blockade have disappeared. All tainable development. He pointed out ences, meetings and major these reflect the strength of the economy and the rapid developments the state is witnessing thanks to the vision of the wise leadership that enabled the economy to achieve the desired growth rates and has made the country one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Qatar made great achievements, gains at local, Qatar has also maintained its leading position in the region by refusing to impose an income tax on citizens or residents, nor it will impose VAT in 2019. All these show that international levels: Eritrean Ambassador the country’s economy is even stronger than it was on June 5, 2017. All in all, the budget proves that the present and the QNA in most of the construction and infra- the recent history of Qatar is full of future is bright for Qatar, its citizens and residents. structure projects. Qatar has become a political achievements on the Arab he Ambassador of the State of large workshop that works around the and international levels. Eritrea to Qatar Ali Ibrahim clock to achieve self-sufficiency, he He said that the State of Qatar has Ahmed said that the State of added. earned its position on the international Qatar has been able to make He went on saying that the most map from its wise and sincere greatT achievements at the local and beautiful thing he saw during his stay brotherly mediation, emanating from international levels, attributing this to in Qatar was the people’s solidarity its established principles, in solving Qatar’s will, that increased its determi- with their leadership and their support problems, tensions, differences and QUOTE OF THE DAY nation to work and produce, and to for HH the Amir, adding that the love differences between countries, within establish more projects that emphasize of the Qatari people to their Amir has the framework of wisdom and the strength of the Qatari economy. gone beyond perception, as well as diplomacy. This counts for Qatar and When Mr. Orban In remarks to Qatar News Agency nationalism, citing the spread of the raises its position among other says ... that migrants (QNA) on the occasion of Qatar iconic ‘Tamim Al Majd’ portrait, which countries. National Day, HE the Ambassador said decorated the whole country, consid- On the occasion of Qatar National are responsible for that the Qatari people have proved that ering that as a renewal of allegiance to Day, H E Eritrean Ambassador to Qatar Brexit, it’s fake news. they are trust worthy and competent, in the leader who loved his people. He reiterated his country’s participation in So let’s not put all their respective fields, adding that they pointed out that this has reflected on Qatar’s celebration, extending sincere the responsibility on have realized the slogan of “Qatar the safety and security of Qatar, and greetings and congratulations to the Deserves the Best”, and that they are came in the form of development, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al others. ready to sacrifice and do their best to modernization, steadfastness and a Thani, the Father H H Amir Sheikh realize the vision of their young and determination against the most chal- Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Jean-Claude Juncker ambitious leadership, that is moving lenging situation. Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin European Commission towards the bright future at a rapid and He also stressed that, in its interna- Hamad Al Thani, Prime Minister and President deliberate pace. tional relations, the State of Qatar is a Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah He pointed out that Qataris have leader in the politics of wisdom and bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and the managed to up the pace of completion reason, saying that the old as well as wise government. SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 OPINION 09 GACA develops operational plans to create flexibility in the use of Qatari airspace

QNA meteorological information bank, in addition to the regulations for the to avoid condemnation by the which includes all the available mete- training of pilots, the procedures to be international community as a result eneral Authority of Civil Avi- orological and climate publications followed for issuing the aviation of violations of the international ation (GACA) has developed and periodically publishes infor- license by GACA. In addition, a laws of civil aviation and its vio- an operational plan aimed at mation, data or information on the number of modifications have also lation of the right of air traffic. creating flexibility in the use State of Qatar and the surrounding been made to airworthiness regula- The excellence of Qatar tech- ofG Qatari airspace and opening new countries, as well as the moderni- tions to ensure a more efficient air- nical file resulted in ICAO’s decision air traffic corridors that accommodate zation of meteorological applications craft maintenance system. to open seven air routes over inter- the current and future increase in air for smartphones, the development of In the coming months, GACA will national waters in the Arabian Gulf, traffic to meet the country’s steady an automated answering system to issue new regulations on air traffic the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of growth in air transport and to create a provide the weather bulletin in a management in the State and services Oman, in front of aircraft registered safe and efficient air traffic in order to number of languages, in addition to related to the aviation sector, as well in Qatar. The decision has con- avoid any risks arising from the the voice messaging system. as regulations on the use of drones tributed to reducing distances and increase in air traffic in the country. Also, GACA has completed and airports. Also, GACA is conducting the flight time as well as ensure the GACA has also continued to advanced stages in updating the the necessary coordination with the flow of air traffic and achieve implement its strategy in the area of national seismic information network, military authorities to provide search security and safety. expanding the air transport rights for where seismic monitoring stations and rescue services and prepare for In a similar move, Qatar has the national carrier Qatar Airways. It have been developed and linked with the planned inspection by the Inter- prepared a comprehensive tech- has also developed a plan to expand other global systems to benefit and national Civil Aviation Organization nical file supported by the legal the policy of signing open skies agree- share seismic monitoring information. (ICAO). In addition to obligating all arguments required by ICAO to ments, and to make every effort to In addition to the signing of memo- foreign airlines operating in Qatar to demand the opening of air routes secure the Third Party Code Share in randums of understanding and agree- provide the airline security program, over the siege countries and the as many bilateral agreements as pos- ments in the field of meteorology with which is concerned with the implementation of the transit agreement, rights guaranteed by GACA has continued sible. In this regard, it succeeded in Pakistan, Es’hailSat and the Kuwait description of measures and proce- concluding and amending certain air Institute for Scientific Research. dures in operation in Doha. GACA’s the Chicago Convention. to implement its transport agreements on the basis of The Authority has sought to mod- acceptance of this program remains In addition, the permanent strategy in the area open skies policies between the Qatari ernize all its electronic systems. It has subject to the company’s compliance office of the State of Qatar was of expanding the air and other countries, that resulted in recently moved to the second phase of with the national civil aviation inaugurated at the ICAO in Mon- the signing of 165 agreements so far. the early warning project, a national security program. treal, Canada on 30 April this year. transport rights for With regard to the travel and project aimed at protecting indi- According to the authority, the The office is a great addition to the the national carrier shipping offices, GACA has updated the viduals and property in the State of State of Qatar, from 6 to 16 February civil aviation industry in Qatar, in Qatar Airways. It has internal instructions to facilitate Qatar. During this phase, the meteor- last year, was subjected to a field addition to its role in enhancing also developed a plan licensing and re-licensing operations, ological stations will be installed on security audit by ICAO, as part of the cooperation and exchange of expe- in order to implement the State’s some highways, which are more Universal Security Audit Program. The riences with various countries rep- to expand the policy direction to stimulate the economic prone to sudden natural phenomena audit was carried out by a specialized resented by resident delegates at of signing open skies sectors. The number of offices licensed such as wind, dust, and thunder- security team. The audit included reg- the headquarters of the organi- agreements, and to by GACA has so far reached (211) travel storms. The information coming from ulations, systems, programs and doc- zation in Montreal. The permanent make every effort to offices and (71) air cargo offices. these stations will help alert all users uments in place in the field of civil office of the State of Qatar in ICAO GACA is currently studying the of these highways to take care and aviation security, regulatory proce- will include a cadre of experts in secure the Third Party amendments to the law of travel and caution during these natural dures for the work of the national civil the field of civil aviation and will Code Share in as many air cargo offices in line with the devel- phenomena. aviation security committee, its docu- conduct regular training courses bilateral agreements opment of these two fields, reflecting Moreover, GACA has also signed a mentation and operating system. It for Qatari cadres working in this as possible. In this the authority of the State to tighten memorandum of cooperation with the also covered the procedures and field in Qatar. control over travel and air freight Single European Sky ATM Research security standards of Hamad Interna- regard, it succeeded activities and to monitor the activities (SESAR). The Authority has begun to tional Airport and the extent to which in concluding and of the companies and offices that modernize aviation safety technical this is consistent with Standards of amending certain air carry out these activities. regulations in cooperation with all Annex 17 to the Chicago Convention transport agreements Furthermore, GACA is monitoring aviation stakeholders in the country. on International Civil Aviation. the airlines operating in the State of The move comes in line with GACA’s Qatar has achieved 99.10 percent on the basis of open Qatar and providing the necessary keenness to provide an efficient and of the implementation of the criteria skies policies between facilities to motivate new companies flexible flight system, as well as to of Standards of Annex 17 on civil avi- D-RING ROAD the Qatari and other to operate and the existing companies meet future challenges and achieve ation security, which is the most POST BOX: 3488 important criterion in the field of countries, that resulted to increase their operation to activate further growth and development in DOHA - QATAR air traffic, as the number of airlines the aviation industry in Qatar. security auditing. Qatar has also [email protected] in the signing of 165 operating to Doha reached 26 airlines The Authority has developed new achieved 96.76 percent for the imple- agreements so far. by the end of October. regulations to be implemented by the mentation of vital elements related to GACA has also established a airlines on how to operate the aircraft, aviation security. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE Meanwhile, GACA was able to TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 overcome the difficulties and effects FAX: +974 4455 7758 of the siege imposed on Qatar by finding alternatives to continue the MANAGING EDITOR TEL: operations of Qatar Airways without 4462 7505 interruption and continuing opera- tions from and to Hamad Interna- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR TEL: tional Airport. 4455 7769 The Qatar technical file was also able to receive international support LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: from members of ICAO, which at its 4455 7743 extraordinary meeting on July 31, 2017, called upon all Member States of BUSINESS NEWS SECTION TEL: ICAO to comply with the provisions of 4462 7535 the 1944 Chicago Convention and its SPORT NEWS SECTION Annexes. The Qatar technical file was TEL: 4455 7745 based on the international civil avi- ation law and the Chicago convention ONLINE SECTION principles for ensuring the safety, effi- TEL: 4462 7501 ciency and sustainability of interna- [email protected] tional air transport and free air navi- gation, prompting the siege countries PUBLIC RELATIONS to reverse their position by closing air TEL: 4455 7613 corridors above international waters [email protected] prior to the extraordinary session of the ICAO Executive Council in order ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 FAX: 4455 7870 [email protected]

Hamad Al Thani and the people of many investment opportunities in his CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT Qatar on the occasion of the National country which have made remarkable TEL: 4455 7857 Ambassador of Serbia: Wise Day, stressing that the celebration of progress in improving the business [email protected] this important day strengthens the environment, especially as it enjoys leadership and people’s will are unity of the Qatari people and their many natural resources, geographical SUBSCRIPTION & determination and keep them on the location and highly qualified cadres. DISTRIBUTION foundations of Qatar’s successes path of progress and stability in their The Republic of Serbia and the TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 country. State of Qatar share the principles of a FAX: 44557819 In an exclusive statement to Qatar peaceful foreign policy that respects [email protected] News Agency (QNA), the Serbian the rules of international law, Ambassador said that the level of including the territorial integrity and QNA relations between Qatar and his sovereignty of all states, he said, country is developing significantly adding that violating these rules will All thoughts and views and rapidly, pointing out that the cause more crises and instability in expressed in these columns he Ambassador of the regular and continuous dialogue the world. Republic of Serbia to the State between Doha and Belgrade is a The Ambassador Jasminko are those of the writers, of Qatar Jasminko Pozderac strong political pillar to support eco- Pozderac said that the citizens of not of the newspaper. lauded the great successes nomic and investment relations. Serbia who work in Qatar represent a Tachieved by the State of Qatar in all He stressed that the economic, bridge of communication and cooper- All correspondence political, economic, educational and trade and technical cooperation ation between the two countries, social fields and the great steps it has agreements and the protection and looking forward to establishing a regarding Views and taken to strengthen its economy and encouragement of mutual invest- platform for dialogue between busi- Opinion pages should be improve the welfare of its citizens to ments between the two countries pro- nessmen in Doha and Belgrade and send to editor-in-chief achieve its National Vision 2030. vided a legal framework to enhance enhancing cooperation between their office or mailed to the The Ambassador congratulated cooperation between them. chambers of commerce to increase the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin He also affirmed that there are investments and trade volume. [email protected] 10 EUROPE SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 May, Juncker clash over ‘nebulous’ comment

REUTERS as nebulous was the “general BRUSSELS level of debate” in Britain on Brexit, not her own pitch to British Prime Minister Theresa Theresa May said that leaders. May remonstrated with Jean- Juncker joked that they had Claude Juncker, President of they (Jean-Claude kissed and made up. European Commission, at a Juncker) had a “robust The chairman of the summit, Brussels summit yesterday, and discussion” — “the sort Donald Tusk, referred to the the EU chief executive had to of discussion you’re often stormy debates in the placate her after publicly calling House of Commons and the Con- Britain’s Brexit demands able to have when servative party’s failed no-con- “nebulous”. you have developed a fidence vote in May on Speaking several hours later, working relationship”. Wednesday, saying: at the end of the two-day “We have treated PM May British Prime Minister Theresa May holding a press conference after the EU Leaders’ Summit, in meeting, Juncker went out of his with much greater empathy and Brussels, yesterday. way to say he had meant no dis- point to Juncker before a new respect than some British respect to May, whom he called session in the morning. members of parliament, for “courageous”. What they said was not sure.” “We sympathise with Mrs audible, but official video of their May had on Thursday UK travellers to pay $7.9 to visit EU post-Brexit May,” he told a news conference. exchange as other leaders took evening appealed to the other 27 “I have the highest respect for the their seats showed May agitated national EU leaders for some REUTERS provided that the sides agree end of 2020 though could be British PM.” while Juncker held her by the legally binding amendments to BRUSSELS on a Brexit deal before the UK extended. The previous evening, he had arm, shook his head and raised the Brexit deal that she agreed leaves, as is now due on March The fee would be waived told a news conference that his palm in an apparent effort to with them just last month but British travellers will have to 29, 2019. for travellers under 18 and British calls for EU help on Brexit calm her down before the Dutch seems unable to get through the pay 7 euros ($7.91) for a three The new EU system, or those over 70 years old. were “nebulous” and “vague”. prime minister arrived to UK parliament. year pre-travel authorisation ETIAS, would be similar to the It would also cover coun- Diplomats said other leaders interrupt them. But the EU stuck by its refusal to visit the European Union ESTA scheme used by the tries associated with the EU’s made similar complaints directly May told journalists yes- to do anything that might water after Brexit, provided London United States, and would apply zone of control-free travel, to the beleaguered British leader terday that they had a “robust down the so-called “backstop”, seals a divorce agreement with to countries outside the bloc mening Britons would also during the talks. discussion” —“the sort of dis- designed to avoid extensive the bloc. whose citizens can travel to have to pay to travel to Under huge pressure at home cussion you’re able to have when border checks between Ireland The EU is readying a new Europe visa-free. Norway, Iceland, Switzerland as British media yesterday you have developed a working and Northern Ireland. The electronic visa waiver system ETIAS would start applying and Lichtenstein since they are described her largely unsuc- relationship”. leaders issued a statement by 2021 to beef up security. The to the UK after its status-quo part of this so-called Schengen cessful plea for help from EU The European Commission stressing they hoped it would not bloc’s executive proposed to transition after Brexit runs its zone even though outside of leaders as a humiliation, May president had assured her, she be used, or only for a very short exempt Britain from visas course, which is now due at the the EU. appeared anxious to make a said, that what he was describing time. EU leaders call for urgent action against fake news

REUTERS year’s EU election against disin- that sow division. Russia has illegal content. large-scale, and systematic dis- endorsed by governments, will BRUSSELS formation. repeatedly denied any such “Swift and decisive action at information, including as part of hand more money and power to The bloc’s 28 heads of state action. both European and national hybrid warfare, is an acute and regulators in Brussels to monitor European Union leaders called backed a plan to help stop what The plan calls for an early level” is needed to ensure fair strategic challenge for our dem- and flag Russian disinformation. for urgent action to combat fake the United States, Nato and the warning system to alert gov- elections to the European Par- ocratic systems,” the statement It increases funds for the foreign news on the Internet at a summit EU say are Russian attempts to ernments and tech giants such liament in May 2019, the EU said. “It requires an urgent service EEAS for this to 5 million yesterday, saying more needed undermine Western democracies as Facebook and Google to do summit’s conclusions said. response.” euros ($5.7m) from 1.9 million in to be done to safeguard next with disinformation campaigns more to remove misleading or “The spread of deliberate, The EU executive’s plan, 2018. SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 EUROPE / AMERICAS 11 Strasbourg market gunman shot dead

AFP IS militant group Christmas market has been tar- STRASBOURG claimed the geted in Europe. Strasbourg gunman In 2016, a terrorist attacked The gunman who killed three as one of its soldiers, a Christmas market in Berlin people at a Christmas market in and went on the run through the Strasbourg was shot dead by saying he “carried Netherlands and France before French police as the IS militant out the operation in being shot and killed three days group claimed him as one of its response to calls for later in northern Italy. “soldiers”. citizens of coalition Chekatt was believed to More than 700 French have been wounded after security forces had been countries” fighting the exchanging fire with soldiers hunting for 29-year-old Cherif militant group. during the attack, but managed Chekatt since the bloodshed on to escape and had not been seen Tuesday night — the latest in a since fleeing the attack on string of terror attacks to rock attack in the city of Strasbourg... Tuesday. French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner (second right) during the reopening of the Christmas France. is one of the soldiers of the IS Police in several other coun- market, in Strasbourg, eastern France, yesterday. Interior Minister Christophe group and carried out the oper- tries had joined the hunt for the Castaner said three police tried ation in response to calls to career criminal with at least 27 to question Chekatt after target nationals of the coalition” convictions in four European spotting him “wandering” against IS, the Amaq agency states. Market reopens under heavy security through the streets in the said in a message posted on Officers who had already Neudorf area of the north- Twitter. detained Chekatt’s parents and REUTERS Interior Minister Christophe back to a life that I would eastern French city where he Chekatt, who lived in a two brothers on Wednesday STRASBOURG Castaner. describe as normal,” Ries told grew up, but he opened fire. rundown apartment block a took a fifth person into custody “We were getting worried. reporters after the news that “They immediately returned short drive from the city centre, for questioning on Thursday. Strasbourg reopened its tradi- Some of the guys have taken out Chekatt had been killed. “With fire and neutralised the was flagged by French security French President Emmanuel tional Christmas market under loans to be here, and we’ve the death of this terrorist ... cit- assailant,” Castaner said. forces in 2015 as a possible Macron expressed “the solidarity heavy security yesterday, the already lost two days.” izens, like me, are relieved.” People gathered at the Islamic extremist. of the whole country” towards morning after French police shot Strasbourg Mayor Roland France ramped up its police cordon where Chekatt France has been hit by a the victims. dead a gunman suspected of Ries described the attack as security threat to its highest level was shot and applauded, some wave of attacks from people “It is not only France that killing three people in the heart indisputably an act of terrorism, after Chekatt struck late on shouting “bravo!”, a source said. claiming allegiance to Al Qaeda has been hit... but a great of the historic city. expressed relief that Chekatt had Tuesday. The propaganda wing of the or the IS militants since 2015, European city as well,” he “It’s reopening just in time,” been killed and said everyone in Prime Minister Edouard IS militant group claimed which have claimed the lives of added, referring to the seat of said stall-holder Bernard Kuntz, Strasbourg, on eastern France’s Philippe promised an extra 1,800 responsibility for Tuesday’s nearly 250 people, according to the European parliament in the preparing his scarves and stoles Rhine river border with troops would be put on patrols attack. an AFP toll. eastern French city that lies on imported from India ahead of the Germany, felt the same. with a special focus on Christmas The perpetrator of “the It is also not the first time a the border with Germany. expected arrival of French “I think it will help to get markets.

US plane Trump’s son-in-law returns after human heart likely to become left on board chief of staff: Media

AFP AFP searching in vain for a new CHICAGO WASHINGTON chief of staff after announcing that John Kelly, a retired A Southwest Airlines flight Donald Trump’s son-in-law general he had reportedly fallen headed from Seattle to Dallas and senior adviser Jared out with, was to leave by the was turned back mid-flight Kushner is on the shortlist of end of the year. after it was discovered that a potential candidates for the Nick Ayres, the chief of staff human heart had been left on president’s next chief of staff, to Vice-President Mike Pence, board, officials said. US media said. had been touted as favourite to The plane had was over Kushner, an influential get the job, but announced he eastern Idaho — around White House adviser and was taking himself out of the 950km into the journey — husband of Trump’s daughter running. when staff discovered the Ivanka, met with the Republican Mark Meadows, a North “life critical cargo shipment,” leader to discuss the job, Carolina Republican who heads meant for delivery back in a according to the Huffington Post. the hard-right Freedom Caucus Seattle hospital after being “I am not aware that he is in the House of Representatives, The members of parliament vote on the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force into the army transported from California. under consideration but, as I showed more interest — but during a session, in Pristina, yesterday. “Once we realised the think all of us here would rec- also ultimately withdrew his error we immediately worked ognise, he would be great in any candidacy. to return to Seattle,” airline role that the president chooses The news is sure to set off spokesman Dan Landson Kosovo Parliament approves new army to put him in,” White House warnings of nepotism, however, said. spokeswoman Sarah Sanders especially considering that The airline didn’t provide AP respond to the move with an “I reiterate my call on both said of the news, which was Kushner had no prior expe- the name of the company that PRISTINA armed intervention in the Pristina and Belgrade to remain also reported by CBS. rience in government before shipped the organ, or confirm former province, with Prime calm and refrain from any state- The president has been Trump’s election. any further details. Kosovo’s parliament yesterday Minister Ana Brnabic saying it ments or actions which may But the Seattle Times overwhelmingly approved the was “one of the options on the lead to escalation,” Nato Sec- reported that the flight’s formation of an army, angering table.” retary-General Jens Stoltenberg captain told horrified pas- Serbia which talked up the Yesterday, Nikola Selakovic, said. sengers the cargo was a possibility of an armed inter- an adviser to the Serbian pres- He said the alliance remains human heart. vention in response. Nato’s chief ident, said the county could send committed “to a safe and secure The error is thought to called Kosovo’s move “ill-timed” in Serbian armed forces or environment in Kosovo and to have squandered four hours and urged dialogue to maintain declare Kosovo an occupied stability in the wider Western — three hours in the air — and peace in the war-scarred region. territory. Balkans,” adding that they will experts say a human heart The 120-seat parliament In northern Kosovo, Serb “re-examine the level of Nato’s can typically be stored for voted with all present 107 law- leader Goran Rakic said the new engagement with the Kosovo between four and six hours makers in favour of passing army was “unacceptable” and Security Force.” for a transplant. three draft laws to expand an “showed clearly that Pristina Seeking to reassure Serbia Andrew Gottschalk, a existing 4,000 Kosovo Security does not want peace.” Rakic and the international com- doctor with no connection to Force and turn it into a regular urged Serbs in Kosovo to show munity, Kosovo’s Prime Minister the incident, described fellow lightly armed army. Ethnic-Serb “restraint and not respond to Ramush Haradinaj said the new passengers’ shock as those community lawmakers boy- provocations.” army “will never be used against with Internet connections dis- cotted the vote. Any Serbian armed inter- them (Serbs).” He added: “Ser- covered the small window of Serbia insists that the new vention in Kosovo would mean bia’s army will now have a viability for heart transplant. army violates a UN resolution a direct confrontation with partner — Kosovo’s army — in White House communications director Bill Shine (left), White He told the Times the that ended Kosovo’s 1998-1999 thousands of Nato-led peace- the partnership for peace House Chief of Staff John Kelly (centre), and Senior Advisor Jared incident was a “horrific story bloody war of independence. It keepers, including US soldiers, process and it won’t be a long of gross negligence.” has warned bluntly that it may stationed in Kosovo since 1999. time when we serve together.” Kushner in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. Spanish govt announces $8.2bn defence spending plan

AFP launch three military pro- Yesterday, the defence min- Minister Margarita Robles Eurofighters, which are made by much of Nato’s budget. MADRID grammes with an investment of istry added a further 2.1 billion referred to an incident in a European consortium. In January 2018, when the $8.2bn,” the ministry said in a euros would go to developing Lebanon in 2007 when several According to Nato, Spain is conservatives were in power, Spain’s Socialist government statement detailing a plan that and building 348 VCR 8x8 Spanish soldiers died, partly estimated to have used 0.93% of Spain had announced it intended yesterday gave the green light for runs until 2032. armoured vehicles. because one vehicle “lacked the its GDP for military spending in to increase by 73% its military an $8.2bn renewal of military Already on Thursday, the These will replace ageing necessary armour-plating.” 2018. But like other members of spending over seven years. At the equipment which it portrayed as government announced its state- vehicles which have been The third programme aims to the military alliance, it has time, the Socialist opposition had “social spending” that will create owned group Navantia would blamed for endangering modernise Eurofighter fighter promised to devote at least 2% criticised this rise, coming as it did thousands of jobs. build five frigates for the navy soldiers. planes used by Spanish airforce. of its GDP to defence by 2024 as with severe austerity measures “The defence ministry will for 4.3 billion euros. In a radio interview, Defence Madrid has ordered 73 the US complains it takes on too following years of economic crisis. 12 AMERICAS / CLASSIFIEDS SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 Trump ordered hush payments: Cohen

BLOOMBERG WASHINGTON

Michael D Cohen, Donald Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, re-asserted yesterday that it was Trump who directed him to make hush-money payments to two women claiming affairs with the then-candidate and that it was done to avoid any negative fallout for the 2016 campaign. In an interview yesterday — Cohen’s first since he was sen- tenced on Wednesday to three years in prison for a host of crimes including those pay- Michael Cohen (left) and US President Donald Trump ments — Cohen rebuffed Trump’s assertions that both he Michael Cohen said Trump knew what he told his had acted on his own and Trump that President Trump lawyer to do was wrong. had relied on him as a lawyer to knew what he told Cohen said the decision to say if something was illegal. coordinate with AMI, which “Nothing at the Trump his lawyer to do was publishes the National Enquirer, Organization was ever done wrong. came just after a tape emerged unless it was run through Mr. of Trump speaking with “Access Trump,” Cohen said. “He Hollywood” TV host Billy Bush directed me.” CEO of AMI and long-time about groping women and other Cohen’s appearance capped Trump supporter, Cohen and crude, aggressive comments. a whirlwind week during which another person — since iden- “You have to remember at federal prosecutors placed tified as Trump — in which they what point in time that this Trump squarely in the middle discussed “assisting the cam- matter came about — two weeks of a scheme to influence the paign in identifying such stories or so before the election, post 2016 election through “secret so they could be purchased and the Billy Bush comments,” and illegal” payments meant to their publication avoided.” Cohen said. “So yes, he was very silence women with potentially President Trump said on concerned about how this would damaging information on Thursday in his first comments affect the election.” Trump. on the news that if there was The emergence of Trump’s Also on Wednesday, prose- anything illegal, it was on Cohen. participation is just the latest in a cutors announced that tabloid “I never directed Michael Cohen series of legal and political head- publisher American Media Inc to break the law,” Trump said. aches that have gripped the White had been cooperating with their “He was a lawyer, and he is sup- House, as the Justice Department investigation. The filing included posed to know the law.” has been investigating Trump’s details of an August 2015 But in his television conduct before and after he won meeting involving David Pecker, interview yesterday, Cohen said the 2016 election.

Guatemalan girl dies in US custody: Report

AFP WASHINGTON

A seven-year-old Guatemalan girl died in American custody after being detained by US border police in New Mexico, The Washington Post reported. The girl who illegally crossed the border from Mexico along with her father and dozens of others died last US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US Secretary of Defence week of “dehydration and Jim Mattis, holding a meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister shock,” the newspaper Chrystia Freeland and Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan reported, citing US Customs (not in picture) at the State Department, in Washington, DC, and Border Protection (CBP). yesterday. She had “reportedly had not eaten or consumed water for several days,” the CBP told US, Canada meet amid the Post, who said she began having seizures more than eight hours after being standoff with China detained. Emergency responders had measured her body tem- AFP involvement around the Middle perature at 105.7 degrees (41 WASHINGTON East and has vowed to press all centigrade). She died after countries, friend or rival, to join. being flown to hospital. The United States and Canada Canada complied with the met yesterday for high-level request from its giant neighbor talks amid a showdown with to arrest Meng, who was Woman from China, which has voiced fury changing planes in Vancouver, over the arrest of an executive despite worries of in Vancouver on a US request. repercussions. slum crowned The meeting comes as The fears turned out to be Canada looks like collateral well-founded as China has Miss Venezuela damage in the US-China rift, detained two Canadians on sus- with Beijing detaining two picion of “harm to national AFP Canadians yet still moving security” — a phrase often used CARACAS forward with the United States by Beijing when alleging on easing trade tensions. espionage. The title of Miss Venezuela US Secretary of State Mike The Canadians were went to a woman from the Pompeo opened the previously Michael Spavor, a China-based country’s largest slum after a scheduled dialogue in Wash- consultant who arranges visits ceremony that traded glitz for ington with Canadian Foreign for foreigners including NBA frugality reflecting an acute Minister Chrystia Freeland star Dennis Rodman to North economic free fall. alongside US Defense Secretary Korea, and Michael Kovrig, a The new beauty queen in Jim Mattis and his Canadian Mandarin-speaking former a country is Isabella Rodriguez, counterpart Harjit Sajjan. Canadian diplomat who works 25, from a Caracas shantytown China has demanded the for the International Crisis called Petare —home to well release of Meng Wanzhou, the Group, a think tank that looks over half a million people. chief financial officer of tel- for peaceful solutions to global “From Petare to the ecoms behemoth Huawei conflicts. world, dreams can in fact whom Washington wants Freeland has said that come true,” Rodriguez, who extradited for allegedly vio- Canada is working to ascertain works as a model, said during lating US sanctions on Iran. the two citizens’ whereabouts the question and answer Pompeo is seeking to and is raising their cases with session of the contest. Girls in squeeze Iran’s economy over Chinese authorities. Meng is out her crime-ridden slum want the Islamic republic’s on bail of $7.5m. to emulate her, she added. SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 CLASSIFIEDS 13

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SFOUBMT BUSINESS Saturday 15 December 2018 PAGE | 15 PAGE | 15 China to halt Reserve Bank additional of India to tariffs on discuss more on US-made cars governance

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Turkey eyes Growth in $200bn in Eurozone falls exports ANATOLIA ISTANBUL to 4-year low Turkish exporters’ prize goal is to make $200bn AFP about the global economic and in exports within a few PARIS political climate, with trade wars years, the head of a large and Brexit adding to increased business association said Global trade war fears and political tensions within the euro yesterday. disruptions caused by anti- area,” he added. Over the last five government protests in France The data point to a weak years Turkish exporters pushed business growth in the economic expansion of 0.3 boosted their exports eurozone to a four-year low in percent in the final quarter of from $150bn to $170bn, December, an influential survey the year for the eurozone, he Ismail Gulle, chairman of showed yesterdayy, raising said. the Turkish Exporters’ concerns the region’s economy But December’s data alone Assembly (TIM), told the might stall. show GDP growth is slowing to second Istanbul The slide in IHS Markit’s a 0.1 percent rate, and forward- Economy Summit. composite eurozone PMI, to 51.3 looking information such as Mexico’s new Finance Minister “Turkey’s GDP rose points from 52.7 points in orders and sentiment show Economist Carlos Urzua is sworn in as Mexico’s new Finance Minister at the Congress in Mexico from $231bn to $852bn November, came just a day demand growth is stalling, he City, Mexico. and exports climbed after the European Central added. from $36bn to $170bn Bank pulled its extraordinary The flash reading of Ger- over the last 16 years support that has stoked growth many’s composite PMI dipped thanks to reforms,” he in the single currency area for by a tenth of a percentage point added. He underlined the past three years. to 52.2. that Turkey needs to While the reading above 50 Michael Hewson, chief create new strategies for points indicates business is still market analyst at CMC Markets sustainable growth and expanding, IHS Markit said new UK, said the survey results Fed to slow 2019 rate hikes employment. business inflows almost stalled, showed the risks of a recession Ozturk Oran, the job creation slipped to a two- in the eurozone have risen, and BLOOMBERG plunged more than 9 percent. chairman of state-run year low and business optimism “have put into sharp contrast the WASHINGTON “There’s still some upside participation bank Vakif deteriorated. ECB’s decision to stop its asset potential, but there is a whole Katilim, said Turkish “An undercurrent of purchase program at the end of Federal Reserve officials will laundry list of factors” that will lenders play an slowing economic growth was this month”. pull the trigger on another either slow the economy or important role in struc- exacerbated by protests in The ECB announced interest-rate increase next week threaten to slow it, said Scott tural reforms in the France and on-going weak Thursday it would halt its pur- before slowing the pace of hikes Brown, chief economist at country. demand for autos,” said the chases of eurozone bonds later in 2019 as risks to the US Raymond James in St. The Turkish banking financial data firm. this month, as expected. economy mount, according to a Petersburg, Florida. system’s structure is The survey for France The scheme -- also known new Bloomberg survey of econ- He included the waning strong, with no risk of showed business there had as “quantitative easing” (QE) -- omists. impact of stimulative US fiscal collapse, he added. flipped into reverse, as the has seen the ECB buy 2.6 trillion They expect the Fed will policies, the trade dispute with post-meeting statement. About Turkish Parliament index plunged to 49.3 in euros ($3.0 trillion) of gov- raise rates by a quarter per- China, a potentially chaotic exit two-thirds said the Fed will stick Speaker Binali Yildirim December from 54.2 in ernment and corporate debt centage point at its December for the UK from the European with language stating “near- noted Turkey’s place November. since 2015 to ward off the threat 18-19 meeting while dialing Union, and the possibility the term risks to the economic among the world’s top The country has been swept of catastrophic deflation -- a back the number of moves next Fed might tighten too much. outlook appear roughly bal- 20 economies. by opposition to fuel taxes that crippling downward spiral of year to two, in March and Sep- Investors see a 77 percent anced.” Nine percent anticipate “We have the ability have snowballed into broad prices and activity. tember, from the three hikes chance the Fed will move next the Fed will characterize risks and political willpower protests against President “If ECB President Mario economists saw in September. week and are betting on less as tilted to the downside. to overcome problems, Emmanuel Macron’s pro- Draghi is correct as he said yes- Median responses in the than one full quarter-point “From a communications we have a population of business agenda and his style terday, that QE has been the December 7-11 poll also antic- increase in 2019, according to standpoint, the Fed does not 81 million, one-third of of governing. only driver of recovery in ipate one additional hike in mid- pricing in interest rate futures. want to appear overly dovish,” them young, and this is “While some of the certain parts of the euro area, 2020 when the rate would peak More than half the econo- said Gregory Daco (pictured), our greatest power,” he slowdown reflected disruptions surely you have to question the in this tightening cycle at a mists said risks, with respect to chief US economist at Oxford stressed. to business and travel arising wisdom behind the decision to target range of 3 percent to 3.25 growth and inflation, were now Economics in New York. “The Yildirim also said from the ‘yellow vest’ protests not only reduce but to end it,” percent. tilted to the downside. pivot we saw over the last 10 Turkish businesspeople in France, the weaker picture added Hewson. The somewhat more dovish In September just 16 percent days was enough,” he said, can invest around the also reflects growing evidence On Thursday, the ECB expectations fit with a more of respondents had that view. referring to speeches from both world. The one-day that the underlying rate of eco- trimmed its forecasts for cautious tone projected in recent Upside risks had dominated Powell and Fed Vice Chairman summit hosted experts, nomic growth has slowed eurozone growth, but the central weeks by Fed policy makers, responses to this question in Richard Clarida. politicians, and aca- across the euro area as a bank still sees a modest including Chairman Jerome each survey of this quarterly Nor did the economists sur- demics to discuss several whole,” said IHS Markit’s Chief expansion of 1.7 percent in each Powell, and with the anxiety series since December 2017. veyed expect policy makers to topics under the theme Business Economist Chris of the coming two years. exhibited in financial markets. Despite the shift, economists alter their forecasts for growth, of the emergence of Williamson. Eurozone growth withered to Since the end of September, the didn’t expect Fed officials to unemployment or inflation in global crises. “Companies are worried 0.2 percent in the third quarter. S&P 500 Index of US stocks has make as strong a turn in their the next three years. Oil slips on China economic data and output cuts support

REUTERS at $52.28. “The energy complex the United States. Chinese oil Opec cuts start kicking in, the quarter, but market observers LONDON is on the back foot this morning refinery throughput in November market is oversupplied in the may need to wait for the cuts to as a batch of soft Chinese eco- fell from October, suggesting an short term,” said Tony Nunan, percolate to inventory data,” Oil prices slipped yesterday after nomic data triggers a flurry of easing in oil demand, though oil risk manager at Mitsubishi Barclays analyst Michael Cohen China reported slower economic pre-weekend profit-taking,” runs were 2.9 percent above Corp. “If China is slowing down, (pictured) said in a note. growth, pointing to lower fuel PVM Oil analyst Stephen year-ago levels. that’s definitely a concern.” The The IEA kept its 2019 forecast demand in the world’s biggest Brennock said. Concerned by mounting International Energy Agency said for global oil demand growth at oil importer, although market “This pullback provides a oversupply, the Organization of on Thursday it expected a deficit 1.4 million bpd, unchanged from sentiment was supported by timely reminder that current the Petroleum Exporting Coun- in oil supply by the second its projection last month, and supply cuts agreed last week by levels of upside potential are tries and other oil producers quarter of next year, provided said it expected growth of 1.3 major crude producers. meek at best.” China, the world’s including Russia agreed last OPEC members and other key million bpd this year. Brent crude was down 30 No.2 economy, yesterday week to reduce output by 1.2 producers stuck closely to last “Our market balance looks cents at $61.15 per barrel by 1430 reported some of its slowest million barrels per day (bpd), or week’s deal to cut output. 0.5 million bpd tighter next year GMT, on course for a decline this growth in retail sales and indus- more than 1 percent of global “The Opec cuts will have a on reduced Opec supply, such week of around 0.7 percent. US trial output in years, highlighting demand. substantial impact on 1Q19 bal- that the surplus is just 0.2 million light crude was 30 cents lower the risks of its trade dispute with “For the time being until the ances compared with this bpd,” Cohen said. SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 BUSINESS 15

US industrial MarketWatch China to halt additional output surges in November tariffs on US-made cars QSE FTSE100 DOW BRENT AFP 10,456.14 6,845.17 24,211.51 $51.26 REUTERS 30 percent decline in volume WASHINGTON BEIJING in the first ten months of the +22.58 PTS −32.33 PTS −385.87 PTS -0.21 2018, but the tariff cut would A cold snap last month drove 0.22% 0.47% 1.57% Dow & Brent before going to press China will suspend additional bring imports back to previous a surge in gas and electricity tariffs on US-made vehicles and levels. use, which pushed total US auto parts for three months The latest announcement on industrial output up by double starting January 1, 2019, the the planned tariff suspension the expected amount, country’s finance ministry said followed China’s first major pur- according to government data Reserve Bank of yesterday, following a truce in chase of US soybeans since US released yesterday. a trade war between the world’s President Donald Trump and his But manufacturing output two largest economies. Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping’s was flat in the month com- India to discuss The Ministry of Finance, in landmark talks on trade in pared to October, even as a statement on its website, also Argentina on December 1. mining jumped on a big said it hopes China and the The tariff suspension and increase in oil and gas more on governance United States can speed up soybean purchase are early extraction, according to the negotiations to remove all addi- signs that the bitter trade war Federal Reserve’s monthly REUTERS tional tariffs on each other’s between China and the United data. MUMBAI goods. States may be starting to thaw. The industrial production “This is a good signal that In Argentina, Trump and Xi index rose 0.6 percent on a The board of the Reserve Bank China and the United States are relatively small. China exported agreed to a truce that delayed 3.3 percent jump in utilities of India (RBI) said yesterday it on track to solve the trade war,” 53,300 vehicles to the U.S. the planned January 1 US output and a 1.7 percent gain had deliberated on the central said Wang Cun, director of the market last year and imported increase of tariffs on $200 in mining, which includes oil bank’s governance framework China Automobile Dealers Asso- 280,208 US manufactured billion worth of Chinese goods drilling, the report showed. and decided the matter requires ciation’s import committee. “Car vehicles, according to data from while they negotiate a trade However, the slight “further examination”. makers might be ordering a the China Automotive Tech- deal. increase originally reported The governance issue was large number of imported cars nology and Research Center A Trump official said on for October was revised to a key part of the board meet- now.” (CATARC), a government-affil- Tuesday that China had agreed show a 0.2 percent decline ing’s agenda as the government Shortly after the Chinese iated think-tank. to cut tariffs on US-built cars and September was revised wanted to have a greater say finance ministry’s announcement, In contrast, in the first 11 and auto parts to 15 percent down a tenth -- likely in the bank’s regulatory deci- reviewing the sub-committees Tesla Inc said it had cut prices on months of this year, China pro- from 40 percent. reflecting the impact of back- sions through its board of the board which make reg- its Model S and Model X vehicles duced 25.3 million cars, down China’s tariff cut was com- to-back hurricanes. nominees. ulatory decisions, in a bid to in China. 2.6 percent from the same municated during a phone call Taken together, that put The meeting, which curb the RBI’s unilateral Joe Hinrichs (pictured), period last year, industry figures between Vice Premier Liu He, the November rise closer to wrapped up in less than four decision-making powers. president of Ford Motor Co’s showed. US Trade Representative Robert the 0.3 percent expected by hours yesterday, compared Currently, the RBI decides Americas unit, also welcomed Wang said car makers in Lighthizer and US Treasury Sec- economists. with the previous two meetings the regulatory and operational China’s announcement, noting China that imported cars from retary Steven Mnuchin, the Total output is 3.9 percent that lasted nine hours, indi- issues of banks and the board that the US automaker exported the United States had seen a official said. higher than November 2017, cated a likely smoother ride is informed later. nearly 50,000 US-built vehicles the report said, while installed ahead for the central bank and Das, who took charge on to the country in 2017. capacity in use rose to 78.5 the government under new RBI Wednesday, sought more time “As a leading exporter of This is a good signal that percent last month. Governor Shaktikanta Das from the board to go through vehicles from the US, we are China and the United The Fed said “unsea- (pictured). actual data before deciding on very encouraged by China’s States are on track to sonably cold weather sup- “The board deliberated on the need for more steps on announcement today,” Hinrichs Wang Cun, solve the trade war. ported demand for heating” the governance framework of government demands, said. “We applaud both govern- Director, China in November and October, the Reserve Bank and it was including further liquidity for ments for working together con- Car makers might be boosting natural gas distri- decided that the matter weak shadow banks, easy structively to reduce trade bar- Automobile ordering a large number bution. Meanwhile, mining required further examination,” lending rules and a greater riers and open markets.” Dealers Association of imported cars now. activity is now more than 13 the RBI said in a statement. share in the RBI’s excess Auto exports between the percent higher than it was a The governance agenda reserves, a source at the two countries are however year earlier. included re-constituting or meeting said.

BREAK TIME

CROSSWORD MALL ROYAL PLAZA VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER

Johnny ( 2D/Tamil) 2:15pm Elliot The Littlest Reindeer (2D/Animation) 2:30pm; Joseph (2D/Malayalam) 2:15pm Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2D/Arabic) 4:15 & 7:00pm; Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2D/Arabic) 2:00, 4:45 Aquaman (2D/Action) 4:30, 6:30, 9:30 & 11:30pm & 7:00pm; The Man Who Invented Christmas (2D/Malayalam) 2:30pm Christmas Break-In (2D/Comedy) 4:15pm; Aquaman (2D/Action) 4:30, 6:30, 9:30 & 11:30pm 9:15pm Aquaman (2D/Action) 4:45, 6:00, 8:45 & 11:15pm Fahrenheit 11/9 (2D/Documentary) Joseph (2D/Malayalam) 11:30pm Second Act (2D/Comedy) 7:15pm; The Bombing (2D/Action) 9;15pm; Three Words To Forever (2D/ Tagalog) 9:15pm; ASIAN TOWN Oru Kupra Sidha Payyan (2D/Malayalam) 11:00pm; Joseph (2D/Malayalam) 12:15, 1:00, 3:00, 5:45, 6:30, 8:30, 11:15, Pinky Memsaab: A Dubai Story (2D) 11:15pm; 12:00, 2:00am & 2:45am; Oru Kupra Sidha Payyan (2D/Malayalam) 12:30, 1:00, 3:15, 6:00, 6:30, 8:45, 11:00pm, 12:00am, 1:30am & 2:45am. LANDMARK Johnny (2D/ Tamil) 3:45 & 9:15pm 2.0 (2D/Tamil) 3:45 & 9:15pm Oru Kuprasidha Payyan (2D/Malayalam) 2:15pm; Elliot The Littlest Reindeer (2D/Animation) 2:15pm; FLIK Mirqab Mall Johnny (2D/ Tamil) 2:30 & 11:30pm 4:00, 7:00, 8:45 & 11:15pm Aquaman (2D/Action) 2.0 (3D) 8:15, 11:25pm 5:00 & Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2D/Arabic) Aquaman (2D/Action) 12:30, 3:20, 8:35, 11:30pm 7:15pm Creed II (2D/Drama) 10:10 9:30pm Malevolent (2D/Horror) Elliot The Littlest Reindeer (2D/Animation) 10:35am & 5:00pm; Christmas Break-In (2D/Comedy) 4:15pm; Mortal Engines 1:35, 10:40, 7:05, 11:05, 5:25pm 6:30pm Pinky Memsaab: A Dubai Story (2D) Oru Kupra Sidha Payyan (2D/Malayalam) 6:00pm, Three Words To Forever (2D/ Tagalog) 9:30pm Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2 (2D/Ani- Joseph (2D/Malayalam) 11:15pm mation) 4:20, 1:45 & 3:05pm Second Act 12:25, 8:00pm & 0:20am Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2D/Arabic) 11:30am, ROXY 2:00, 6:10, 2:15, 9:00, 8:30pm Three Words To Forever (2D/ Tagalog) 5:30 & 8:30pm 10:30am, 11:00am, 1:30, 2:00, 4:30, 5:00, Aquaman (2D/Action) Windows 11:00am, 12:30 & 9:45pm 5:30, 8:00, 11:00, 10:30, 11:30pm Note: Programme is subject to change without prior notice. Joseph (2D/Malayalam) 1:30, 7:30, 10:30pm Oru Kupra Sidha Payyan (2D/Malayalam) 4:30 & 8:30pm Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2D/Arabic) 1:30, 3:30, 6:00 & 8:30pm

AQUAMAN

Aquaman is a American superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, distributed by Warner Bros. 16 HOME SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT Saturday 15 December 2018 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Trophies matter, Lasith Malinga insists Manchester back as Sri Lanka’s United manager ODI and T20 Mourinho skipper Wimbledon set for Al Qadi shines on Daydreamer EC major expansion AFP as Power Steel win team event LONDON Wimbledon’s expansion plans have taken a huge step forward after the CHINTHANA WASALA neighbouring golf club in London THE PENINSULA voted to sell its land. The All England Lawn Tennis Popular rider Saeed Nasser Club (AELTC) made an offer, reported Al Qadi and his bay gelding to be £65m ($82m), to buy Wim- Daydreamer EC captured the bledon Park Golf Club’s land in a top honours on the opening move that would see its estate day of the fourth round of roughly triple in size. Hathab Series yesterday. On Thursday, the All England club At the Qatar Equestrian announced a vote had gone in its Federation’s (QEF) Outdoor favour, and that the transfer, pending Arena, the promising court approval, would go through on 25-year-old added one more December 21. award to his collection when A statement said it was “an Podium winners of the team event pose for a photograph he completed the one round important and exciting step” for the with officials.PICTURES: LOTFI GARSI jump-off in 30.48 secs club and the future of astride his favourite horse. Wimbledon. The victory made him Small Tour winner Tamader Said Al Marri “The decision of the Wimbledon richer by QR5,000. guides Lucky Lady during the fourth round Park Golf Club members to vote in Fiji, with another tal- of the Hathab Series. favour of the acquisition offer is a ented Qatari rider Khalid hugely significant moment for the Mohammed Al Emadi in the AELTC and the Championships,” said saddle, was the second All England club chairman Philip fastest and won QR4,000 in Brook. prize money. Fiji completed “We have achieved what we set the same task in 32.13. out to do many months ago in having Jaber Rashid Al Amri, Saeed Nasser Al Qadi arriving at certainty in our planning for the who guided Canavaro De the presentation ceremony astride future.” Muze (ET) to complete the Daydreamer EC after winning the Medium Top of the wish list will be moving round in 32.94 secs, booked Tour event yesterday. the Wimbledon qualifiers from their the remaining spot on the current Roehampton home to the main podium and won a prize Wimbledon site, in keeping with the TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP cheque worth QR3,000. Viking D and Khalid HATHAB EQUESTRIAN TOUR: YESTERDAY'S RESULTS other three Grand Slam events. 1: Power Steel The team event, which Hamad Al Attiya finished Comp. (1) Small Tour, Accumulator with Joker, Art. 269.5, 100/115 (QR10,000) Fiji, Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi, 79.01, 32.13 was run consequently, was the task in 45.65 to win Rank/Horse Rider Points Time Prize Money won by Team Power Steel QR2,000 while Khalifa Dubaii, Abdulrahman Adel Nassar, 87.21 1: Lucky Lady Tamader Said Al Marri 65 44.28 QR2,500 Ambre De Beaufour, Mohammad Hazim Abara, (4) 80.60 Tokyo, Singapore while Al Salam International Abdulla Al Khaldi rode 2: Viking D Khalid Hamad Al Attiya 65 45.65 QR2,000 were placed second. Team Al Dusty in a routine which 2: Al Salam International battle London to Shaqab won the third place. lasted 47.19 secs. 3: Dusty Khalifa Abdulla Al Khaldi 65 47.19 QR1,500 Vivaldi K, Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi, 83.13, 35.49 Earlier, in the Small Tour, Al Khaldi walked away Alegro 84, Mohammed Al Ghazali, 83.68 young rider Tamader Said Al with a prize cheque of Comp. (2) Medium Tour, Table A, One round with jump-off (Teams & Ind.), Art. Fantastique, Khalifa Abdulla Al Khaldi, 84.76 host ATP Finals 3: Al Shaqab Marri excelled on Lucky Lady QR1,500 as all three podium 238.2.2, 120/130 (Teams QR20,000 & Ind. QR20,000) to win the top prize of his winners collected 65 points Numero Uno - T, Mohammed Sultan Al Suwaidi, 76.73, (4) AFP 1: Daydreamer EC Saeed Nasser Al Qadi 30.48 QR5,000 category, QR2,500. each. 32.51 LONDON Al Marri’s 10-year-old The 12-round series is 2: Fiji Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi 32.13 QR4,000 Daydreamer EC, Saeed Nasser Al Qadi, 82.75 bay mare completed the organised by the QEF and Al 3: Canavaro De Muze (ET) Jaber Rashid Al Amri 32.94 QR3,000 Concordiva Vh Wilgenhof, Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi, (4) 80.41 Tokyo and Singapore are battling round in 44.28. Shaqab. London to host the ATP Finals from 2021 to 2025, the governing body of men’s tennis announced yesterday. The shortlist for the end-of- season showpiece also includes the Al Sulaiti, Al Khelaifi grab pole spots again northern English city of Manchester and Italy’s Turin, while the London THE PENINSULA hopefully tomorrow I can take a good deal, which runs until 2020, could be DOHA start because the front riders have A extended. better start than me. I always follow them The announcement of the candi- The defending Qatar Superstock 600 behind and this time I will try to keep the dates follows an extensive bid appli- champion and current leader in the best acceleration I can until the end,” cation process that began in August, standings, Qatar’s Saeed Al Sulaiti, Jassim said. in which more than 40 cities grabbed the pole position of the round 2 In the Qatar Touring Car Champi- worldwide expressed an interest in at Losail International Circuit yesterday. onship, the double winner of last round, hosting the event. Al Sulaiti was on top at the Free Abdulla Al Khelaifi got the pole position The final phase will see the ATP Practice 1 & 2 and managed to do the again during yesterday’s qualifying visit the cities, with a decision on the fastest lap at the Superpole, 2:04.024 and session with a lap time of 2:23.037 successful candidate to be made not will start tomorrow in first place at the Al Khelaifi was very satisfied with the before March 2019. grid in front of Abdulla Al Qubaisi. results of the day as he did the best qual- The ATP Finals were first held in After securing his second pole of the ifying time of the championship. Tokyo in 1970 and have been staged season, Al Sulaiti said: “Today, from Free “I am very happy with today timings, in some of the major cities around Practice 1, I felt really good with the bike it is the best qualifying I ever had, best the world, including New York, and I was able to do a good lap time in qualifying of the category. I think The defending Qatar Superstock 600 champion, Qatar’s Saeed Al Sulaiti Sydney, and Shanghai. the first lap and also in the Free Practice tomorrow I can go even faster. The com- (left) is closely followed by Abdulla Al Qubaisi during yesterday’s qualifying Its longest stay in a single venue 2. I feel good with the bike for the race petition is getting stronger in each round round at the Losail International Circuit. was across 13 consecutive editions at and ready for tomorrow as the pain in so I have to be faster as Al Asisri managed Madison Square Garden from 1977 to the toe due to last weekend crash to put more horse power in his car and I 1989 but it has been held at London’s decreased and I feel much better.” have to build a bigger gap if I want to stay O2 arena since 2009 -- drawing more Abdulla Al Qubaisi took the second away from him,” Al Khelaifi said. than 250,000 fans annually. position in the grid, clocking 2:04.736 Newcomer, Ahmed Al Asiri will start The season-ending event features seconds, his fastest personal lap time. second in the grid as he managed to clock only the world’s best eight qualified Mishal Al Naimi and Nasser Al Malki a qualifying time of 2:25.373. singles players and doubles teams fol- will start in third and fourth places Ibrahim Al Abdulghani, had some lowing a year-long race to qualify. respectively from the grid today. problems with his car in the opening Federer and Djokovic were split “The bike, compared to last round, is round and didn’t manage to get a good at last month’s tournament, won for better now. I think my bike is ready for result but this weekend, he finished in the first time by Germany’s Alexander the race, it is not good for perfect lap time, third position in the qualifying session Zverev, over whether it should but I think is ready for racing and to win with a time of 2:25.830. remain in London. tomorrow,” Al Naimi said. Today, QSTK Race 1 starts at 11.30am Federer, who has won the event In the QSTK Trophy, the fastest rider and Race 2 at 2.30pm. For QTCC, the first a record six times, twice in London, was, Qatar’s Jassim Al Thani who clocked race is scheduled at 1.00pm and the said the British capital was the perfect a time of 2:08.122. Kuwaiti riders second race stars at 4.00pm. fit. Mohamed Al Zaidan and Ali Abdulhussain Qatar Superstock 600 and Qatar But world number one Djokovic, finished second and third in their Touring Car Championship are organised who has won the event five times -- category. by Losail Circuit Sports Club and Qatar Qatar’s Abdulla Al Khelaifi drives during the qualifying round of the Qatar Touring four times in London -- said he was “In this round I am again the fastest Motor and Motorcycle Federation with Car Championship yesterday. in favour of moving the tournament rider in the QSTK Trophy category and Pirelli Qatar as sponsor. around to promote the sport. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 Liverpool face United test New rules to make golf faster, fairer as City seek win at home and simpler

AFP REUTERS two-stroke penalty and hit from LONDON NEW JERSEY an equidistant point from where Trophies matter, insists Mourinho they estimate their ball to be lost Jose Mourinho faces a quandary as he prepares The New Year will usher in dozens or out-of-bounds. Manchester United for a trip to Premier League REUTERS of new rules in the biggest revamp In effect they can play their leaders Liverpool while Manchester City will be LONDON of golf regulations in decades, fourth shot from the fairway keen to show that last week’s Chelsea defeat was even if at the recreational level it after an errant tee shot, instead just a blip. Liverpool may be top of the Premier League is more a case of catching up to of their third from the tee. United have an impressive recent record but Manchester United manager Jose what many casual players have Another rule that should against Liverpool, unbeaten in eight league Mourinho said that it is trophies in the been doing for years anyway. help recreational golfers is the games, but away fans will travel with a sense of cabinet that count ahead of the sides’ We know that we are Formulated by the US Golf option of accepting a two-stroke trepidation to Anfield. showdown at Anfield tomorrow. going to play against the Association and the Royal & penalty for relief from a bunker. Unai Emery takes his Arsenal side, unbeaten Klopp’s side remain the only unbeaten leaders, against a team Ancient Club of St. Andrews, with At all levels of the game, in 21 matches in all competitions, to face strug- team in the league this season, but the input from professional bodies players will now be able to repair gling Southampton while Chelsea also travel to German has yet to clinch an honour in his on a high, but we have including the PGA Tour, the rules spike marks on greens and while the south coast to take on Brighton. three years on Merseyside. our qualities, we have our should among other things speed there has been suggestions that Manchester City host seventh-placed Everton United languish 16 points behind their potential. We are going to up the game. might slow down play, Rintoul while Tottenham, fresh from reaching the Cham- rivals in sixth place, but Mourinho led the arrive with the players we “It’s the most significant rules disagreed. pions League knockout phase, face Burnley at Old Trafford outfit to Europa League and change in the modern era, cer- “Players are already Wembley. League Cup victories in his first season in have available and going tainly the biggest this generation repairing ball marks,” Rintoul Here is a look at some of the main talking Manchester in 2017. to have a team capable of of professional players are going said. “It’s not going to take any points ahead of the weekend fixtures in the “I think trophies matter, it matters, going there and fight for to see,” said PGA Tour rules official longer to press down one or two Premier League. especially when you have the potential to the victory: Mourinho Steve Rintoul, who was on the spike marks on their line. Can Mourinho end Liverpool’s fight for trophies and especially when you committee that wrote the rules. “If everyone’s allowed to unbeaten run? clearly say the objective is to win the “This was a complete overhaul repair the damage they’ve Jose Mourinho came under fire last year for trophy,” the Portuguese told a news con- to make the rules easier to under- caused, greens will be much failing to attack Liverpool’s then leaky defence, ference on Friday. League on Wednesday. Marcos Rojo was stand, eliminate silly penalties and better throughout the whole settling for a 0-0 draw that cost his side “I think Juergen forced off at halftime, joining the likes of be more player friendly.” day.” momentum after a fine start to the season. told already they Victor Lindelof and Alexis Sanchez on the Some rules have been There will also be no penalty Normally a draw at Anfield would be a good want to win the sidelines. revamped for recreational golfers for accidentally moving a ball on result but defeat on Sunday could leave United Premier League, is Defenders Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling, but will stay the same at the elite the green, while another change 11 points off the top four if other results go against their objective,” he Matteo Darmian and attacker Anthony level. One important example is would allow players to putt with them. United scored four goals last week against added. Martial were all due to be assessed in the procedure for a ball hit out-of- the flagstick in the hole and Fulham but their attacking play has rarely been United travel to training on Friday having missed the trip to bounds or lost. American Ryder Cup player fluid this season and they are coming up against their rivals with a Spain. Yet the manager has said that Marcus Under the current ‘stroke-and- Bryson DeChambeau said a defence that has conceded a single goal at home depleted squad Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young distance’ rule, a one-stroke penalty recently that he might try it, but in the Premier League this season. after their injury are all set to start at Anfield. is incurred and the player must Rintoul thought that experiment Jesus firing blanks list grew in their 2-1 United’s last two trips to Anfield have return to the same spot to hit would be short-lived. Gabriel Jesus is in a slump. He has not found defeat by Valencia resulted in goalless draws after Mourinho another ball, meaning a tee shot Players can currently replace the net in the Premier League since August in the Cham- adopted an ultra cautious approach, yet that results in a lost ball forces a club damaged during the despite chances to stake his claim in the absence pions the Portuguese said his side are capable of them to return to the tee for their normal course of play, even if it of Sergio Aguero through injury. fighting for victory despite their injuries. third shot. has borne the brunt of their City boss Pep Guardiola has come to the “We know that we are going to play In reality, many recreational frustration. defence of the misfiring forward, saying he just against the leaders, against a team on players instead drop a ball in the The new rule will no longer needs to relax but he will be scratching his head a high, but we have our qualities, we vicinity of where it was lost and allow players to replace the club about how to get the best out of the Brazilian. have our potential,” he said. play on. during a round, which could Arsenal’s defensive crisis “Even with the problems we have In 2019, courses have the cause issues as newer thin-faced Arsenal are without a clutch of centre-backs and the doubts in terms of team option of implementing a rule that drivers are developed, which for their trip to second-bottom club South- choice, of tactics, approach, phi- will allow players to take a tended to crack more often. ampton, seeking fresh direction under new losophy, we have doubts about eve- manager Ralph Hasenhuttl. Sokratis Papastath- rything. We are going to arrive with opoulos and Shkodran Mustafi are suspended the players we have available and going SIGNIFICANT RULE CHANGES FOR 2019 after picking up bookings in last week’s 1-0 win to have a team capable of going there against Huddersfield while Konstantinos Mav- and fight for the victory.” REUTERS ropanos and Rob Holding are injured. Liverpool are looking to pick up a NEW JERSEY Pochettino’s rising stock sixth successive victory in the league. Mauricio Pochettino enhanced his bur- However, Klopp has yet to get the Ten significant golf rule changes for 2019, with the US Golf Associa- geoning reputation with an impressive 1-1 draw better of Mourinho’s United having tion’s reason for implementing the changes: at Barcelona this week as his side reached the not beaten them since the Portu- Champions League knockouts. guese took charge in 2016, Old rule - Five-minute limit searching for lost ball. The downside of the success is that the Spurs drawing three and losing once. New rule - Three-minute limit searching for lost ball. boss is being linked once again to clubs higher The fixture is never short of up football’s food chain, specifically Real Madrid drama and Mourinho usually Old - Two-stroke penalty for grounding club, moving loose imped- and Manchester United. enjoys the big occasion as an iment or testing the condition in a water hazard (now penalty areas). underdog, as he showed in last New - No penalty for any of these actions in penalty areas. EPL FIXTURES month’s impressive 2-1 victory (1500 GMT unless stated) over Juventus in Turin. Old - Ball must be dropped from shoulder height when taking relief. TODAY New - Drop ball from knee height. Manchester City vs Everton (1230), Crystal Palace vs Leicester, Huddersfield vs Newcastle, Tottenham Old - One-stroke penalty for accidentally moving your ball while vs Burnley, Watford vs Cardiff, Wolverhampton vs Manchester United manager searching for it, for example by treading on it or kicking it. Bournemouth, Fulham vs West Ham (1730) Jose Mourinho reacts during New - No penalty. Just replace ball in original position, including in TOMORROW their Premier League match a bad lie if that’s where it was estimated to have been before being Brighton vs Chelsea (1330), Southampton vs Arsenal against Fulham at the Old moved. (1330), Liverpool vs Manchester United (1600) Trafford in this December 8 file photo. Old - Two-stroke penalty for removing loose impediments, such as stones and leaves, in bunker, as long as your ball does not move. New - No penalty.

Old - One-stroke penalty for hitting your ball more than once during AC Milan given until 2021 to Maradona’s unique a stroke. Napoli shirt sold for New - No penalty. Just count the one stroke and play on. Old - One-stroke penalty for accidentally moving your ball on the break even or face UEFA ban green. REUTERS Milan’s squad would in As a result, they were able €12,000 at auction New - No penalty. Just replace your ball in original spot. ZURICH any case be restricted to to enter the second-tier 21 players in European Europa League where they AFP Old - Flagstick must be removed when putting from on the green AC Milan have been given competition for the next were eliminated in the group NAPLES, ITALY New - Putting permitted with flagstick in. until June 2021 to comply two seasons, assuming they stage. Milan were barred in with UEFA’s break even qualified, and that it would June after UEFA ruled that it A unique red Napoli shirt worn by Old - Electronic distance-measuring devices prohibited, unless local Financial Fair Play rule or withhold €12m ($13.5m) not complied with the Diego Maradona with a number nine rule adopted to allow use. face a one-season ban from of their revenue from this breakeven rules, adding the on the back was sold for €12,000 New - Such devices allowed, unless local rule adopted to prohibit European matches, European season’s Europa League: UEFA club had failed to provide suf- ($13,600) at an auction in Turin on use. soccer’s governing body said ficient evidence of its financial Thursday. Old - Free relief when ball embeds in areas cut to fairway height or yesterday. stability. US hedge fund Elliott The Italian club usually wear sky less, unless local rule adopted to all relief anywhere expect Under UEFA regulations, Milan’s squad would in any Management subsequently blue and the Argentina star was best- water hazards (now penalty areas) and sand. any club spending more than case be restricted to 21 took control of the indebted known for wearing the number 10 New - Free relief anywhere except in penalty areas and the revenue it generates faces players in European compe- club from Chinese busi- jersey -- one was sold for €6,500 at sand, unless local rule adopted to limit relief only to possible sanctions, including, tition for the next two nessman Li Yonghong and the same event. areas cut to fairway height or less. in certain circumstances, a seasons, assuming they qual- promised to inject €50m to Maradona played in the top ban from competitions run by ified, and that it would help stabilise its finances. during an Italian Serie A fixture away UEFA. withhold €12m ($13.5m) of CAS overturned the ban in to Pisa in 1990-1991 after he had UEFA said that Milan their revenue from this sea- July, saying the club’s finances given his usual number to team-mate would be banned from taking son’s Europa League. had improved after the own- Gianfranco Zola. part “in the next UEFA club The seven-times ership change. Two-hundred-and-twenty-two competition for which it European champions were Milan were once regarded other sporting memorabilia, would otherwise qualify in originally banned from as one of Europe’s great clubs including football jerseys worn by the two seasons 2022/23 and European football this season but their fortunes have taken Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and 2023/24” if the club was not by UEFA for failing to comply a dip, along with Serie A itself, Zinedine Zidane, an Eddy Merckx break-even compliant by with the rules but won an in the last decade, and they cycling vest and a Richie McCaw All June 30, 2021. appeal at the Court of Arbi- have not won the Italian Blacks rugby shirt, were bought in UEFA also said that tration for Sport. league since 2011. northern Italy. SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 19 Bangladesh thrash Australia, India share honours Windies to win series

AFP on first day at new Test venue SYLHET, BANGLADESH Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar slammed half-centuries AP SCOREBOARD as Bangladesh cruised to an eight-wicket win over the PERTH Indian West Indies in the third and final one-day international paceman AUSTRALIA, First innings to take the three-match series 2-1 on Friday. Australia and India shared the Ishant M. Harris c Rahane b Vihari ...... 70 Tamim hit an unbeaten 81 in the northeastern city of honours yesterday on the first day Sharma A. Finch lbw Bumrah ...... 50 Sylhet while Soumya added 80 off 81 balls to guide Bang- of the second cricket Test at Perth (second, U. Khawaja c Pant b Yadav ...... 5 ladesh to 202-2 in 38.3 overs after Mehidy Hasan’s career Stadium, the newest venue in Test right) S. Marsh c Rahane b Vihari ...... 45 best 4-29 helped the home side restrict the West Indies cricket. celebrates P. Handscomb c Kohli b Sharma ...... 7 to 198-8 in 50 overs. The green-top pitch made it a with team- T. Head c Shami b Sharma ...... 58 Shai Hope fought a lone battle for the tourists, scoring T. Paine not out ...... 16 back-and-forth contest between mates his second successive hundred of the series but it was in P. Cummins not out ...... 11 bat and ball after the home side after the vain as no other batsman provided support. dismissal of Extras (b4, lb3, nb1, w7) ...... 15 lost its way following a 112-run Total (for six wickets; 90 overs) ...... 277 Fresh from an unbeaten 146 off 144 balls in the pre- Australian opening stand between Marcus Fall of wickets: 1-112 (Finch), 2-130 (Khawaja), vious match, Hope struck another unconquered knock of Harris (70) and Aaron Finch (50). batsman 3-134 (Harris), 4-148 (Handscomb), 5-232 (Marsh), 108 off 131 to prop up the visitors, taking his tally in the Skipper Tim Paine, 16 not out, Peter 6-251 (Head) series to 297 runs. and Pat Cummins, 11 not out, lifted Handscomb Bowling: Sharma 16-7-35-2 (nb1), Bumrah 22-8- Bangladesh made a steady response, with Tamim and Australia to 277-6 at stumps in 90 in Perth, 41-1, Yadav 18-2-68-1 (1w), Shami 19-3-63-0 (1w), Liton Das hitting 45 runs for the opening wicket before overs after coming together at yesterday. Vihari 14-1-53-2, Vijay 1-0-10-0 Liton offered a catch to Rovman Powell at mid-on off 251-6. Keemo Paul. Four wickets fells in the Soumya and Tamim denied the West Indies any afternoon, and only a 84-run stand batsman having replaced an Harris’ innings ended when he We bowled with a lot of discipline, momentum, putting 131 runs in their second wicket stand, between Shaun Marsh (45) and injured Rohit Sharma, took 2-53 edged Vihari and Ajinkya Rahane and we’re happy with the way we which all but sealed the contest and the series. Travis Head (58) saved Australia with his off-spin. took the catch as it bounced off managed to restrict them.” Soumya was the aggressor-in-chief, smashing five from another batting collapse after Head, who scored 72 runs in Pant’s shoulder. Harris hit 10 fours Finch said the new pitch was sixes and as many fours before Paul sent his leg-stump it had won the toss and decided to Australia’s first innings in its in his 141-ball innings, playing only challenging as Australia negotiated cartwheeling. bat. 31-run first-Test loss in Adelaide his second Test since his debut in variable bounce throughout the Tamim, who happily anchored the innings, sealed the India, forced to play four fast earlier this week, once again the series opener in Adelaide. day. game with successive fours off Powell, his eighth and ninth bowlers after offpsinner Ravi- batted with a new-found confi- Vihari had Marsh caught in the “It will be an absolute grind for boundary of the innings. chandran Ashwin was not able to dence before throwing his wicket slip by Rahane to break the Aus- both sides as the game progresses,” Mushfiqur Rahim was unbeaten on 16 at the other end. play due to a pre-match injury, away. Head slashed at a Sharma tralian resistance, as Marsh and Finch said. “They controlled the Earlier, skipper Mashrafe Mortaza and spinner Shakib overcame 39 Celsius (102 Fahr- delivery and Mohammed Shami Head steered the side to a big total. game really well with good Al Hasan claimed two wickets each after man-of-the- enheit) heat to check Australia at third man took an easy catch. Earlier, skipper Virat Kohli bowling and field placing.” match Mehidy rattled the West Indies’ top-order. progress with regular wickets. The Australian slide started took a brilliant catch to remove The No. 1-ranked India has “It was a good match -- Hope played an excellent Swing bowler Ishant Sharma when Finch was trapped lbw by the dangerous Peter Handscomb never won a Test series in innings,” Mashrafe said after the match. took 2-35 before leaving the field swing bowler Jasprit Bumrah fol- for seven. Kohli, who had just Australia. Earlier, Hope defied the spirited Bangladesh attack, with a suspected side strain after lowing his second half century in moved to second slip, flung to his After 48 years and 44 Tests, hitting Shakib over the long off to bring up his fourth ODI just two overs with the second new four Test appearances. right and grabbed the ball as it flew Test cricket shifted from the WACA century after the ninth wicket had fallen for 177 runs. ball. Usman Khawaja (5) top-edged past him. ground to the nearby Perth The opener, who was named player of the series, also In the absence of Ashwin, a cut to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant “It was a screamer of a catch,” Stadium, making it Australia’s 10th hit 10 fours in his fine innings. Hanuma Vihari, in the side as a off swing bowler Umesh Yadav. said Vihari. “It was a crucial catch. Test cricket venue. Bangladesh won the first match by five wickets on Sunday before the West Indies levelled the series with four-wicket win in the second match two days later. The West Indies will wrap up their tour with three Twenty20 internationals, with the opening match scheduled at the same venue on Monday. SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES 1 (w1), Mahmudullah 3-0-14-0(w3) C. Hemraj c Mithun b Mehidy ...... 9 S. Hope not out ...... 108 BANGLADESH D. Bravo b Mehidy ...... 10 Tamim Iqbal not out ...... 81 M. Samuels b Saifuddin ...... 19 Liton Das c Powell b Paul ...... 23 S. Hetmyer lbw b Mehidy ...... 0 Soumya Sarkar b Paul ...... 80 R. Powell c Mushfiqur b Mehidy ...... 1 Mushfiqur Rahim not out ...... 16 R. Chase c Soumya b Shakib ...... 8 Extras (w1, nb 1) ...... 2 F. Allen c Mithun b Shakib ...... 6 Total (two wickets; 38.3 overs) ... 202 K. Paul b Mashrafe ...... 12 Did not bat: Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad K. Roach lbw b Mashrafe ...... 3 Mithun, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad D. Bishoo not out ...... 6 Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Morta- Extras (lb 1, lb 4, w6, p5) ...... 16 za, Mustafizur Rahman Total (9 wkts; 50 overs) ...... 198 Fall of Wickets: 1-45 (Liton), 2-176 (Sou- Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Hemraj), 2-57 (Bra- mya) vo), 3-96 (Samuels), 4-97 (Hetmyer), 5-99 Bowling: Roach 3-0-16-0, Chase 8-0-32- (Powell), 6-133 (Chase) 7-143 (Allen), 0, Paul 7-0-38-2, Samuels 4-0-25-0 (w1), 8-171 (Paul), 9-177 (Roach) Bishoo 9-0-48-0 (nb1), Allen 4-0-22-0, Bowling: Mustafizur 10-1-33-0 (w2), Powell 3.3-0-21-0 A general view of the Perth Stadium, the newest venue in Test cricket, during day one of the second Test cricket match between Australia Mehidy 10-1-29-4, Shakib 9-0-40-2, Result: Bangladesh won by eight wickets and India yesterday. Mashrafe 9-1-34-2, Saifuddin 9-0-38- Series result: Bangladesh won the series 2-1

Malinga back as ‘Vulnerable’ New Zealand to face ODI, T20 skipper Sri Lanka challenge in home Test

AFP SRI LANKA SQUAD AP New Zealand more vulnerable than we would COLOMBO Lasith Malinga (Captain), Niroshan WELLINGTON cricketers normally be.” Stead took charge Dickwella (V.Captain), Angelo Mathews, celebrate after of the New Zealand team for the Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Janith Sri Lanka yesterday brought back Coach Gary Stead says New beating Pakistan first time against Pakistan and Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Asela Lasith Malinga after a long hiatus Zealand will go into the first of in the first Test in seems to have overseen a Gunaratne, Kusal Mendis,Dhananjaya de as captain of its limited-over two cricket Tests against Sri Abu Dhabi, in this seamless coaching transition Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, squads to lead the national team Lanka today in the unusual November 19 file after the resignation of his pred- Lakshan Sandakan, Seekkuge Prasanna, against New Zealand. position of being at a disad- photo. Coach Gary ecessor, Mike Hesson. Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Sri Lanka Cricket said the vantage in home conditions. Stead yesterday In contrast, Sri Lanka seems Nuwan Pradeep and Lahiru Kumara. 35-year-old right-arm fast bowler New Zealand last month beat said that New in upheaval after their 3-0 series was named skipper of a 17-man Pakistan 2-1 in a three-Test Zealand will go loss to England at home, the squad for three one-day interna- series in the United Arab into the first of replacement of its national tionals and one T20 starting January 3. Emirates and Stead said the two Tests against selectors and the resignation of Malinga led Sri Lanka to the T20 World Cup in 2014. But since team’s two months playing on Sri Lanka in the its batting coach. Stead said as a captaining Sri Lanka against the UAE in February 2016, he has not led flat pitches in the UAE had left it unusual position new coach he found Sri Lanka the national team. unprepared for the green and of being at a an unknown quantity but likely He had lost his captaincy as well as his place in the team after bouncy pitches it expects to disadvantage in to be competitive. recurringrecurring iinjuriesnjuries whichw forced encounter at home. “Most teams in world cricket home conditions. himhim to sit oout many First Test venue the Basin can upset others and it’s not like tournaments.tournaments. Reserve especially has provided there is a massive gulf between However,However, he ccaptained an well-grassed pitches in recent them all and we certainly won’t be ODIODI match againstagain India in seasons, though they haven’t Tests against Sri Lanka and said. “Some guys are still strug- taking Sri Lanka lightly,” he said. AugustAugust lastlast year. always lived up to their promise haven’t lost at home to an Asian gling with jet lag and we are New Zealand has named its The latest sqsquadu for the for seam bowlers. New Zealand team since 2010. going from the extreme condi- strongest lineup for the match, shortershorter fformsorms ofo the game made 520-9 on its way to an The series win in the UAE, tions of low, slow, turning including seamers Trent Boult, waswas ratiratifiedfie by Pres- innings victory against the West New Zealand’s first over wickets to probably a hard, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner ident Maithripala Indies at the Wellington stadium Pakistan away from home in 40 fast, bouncy Basin Reserve and naming spinner Ajaz Patel SirisenaSiris in the in December last year and years, will have given it confi- wicket, so they are all things to play his first home Test. absencea of a replied with 539 to Bangladesh’s dence for the coming matches that are little red flags that we Kane Williamson enters the sports min- 595-8 in March, 2017. against Sri Lanka. But Stead need to be aware of. series needing only one Test win ister, the But conditions friendly to believes his team is still “vul- “So the key word for us in to overtake Brendon McCullum cricket seam and swing bowlers have nerable” in the first home Test our preparation is let’s “adapt’ and Geoff Howarth as New Zea- board said. helped New Zealand craft a good of the summer. and be really clear on our game land’s most successful Test home record against teams from “I do feel this is a vul- plans because these guys have captain. Williamson has accumu- LasithLasit Malinga Sri Lanka and the sub-continent; nerable time in that we have done it before and they can do lated 11 wins in 2-1/2 years since they have won their last five been back only a week,” Stead it again - but we are a little bit taking over from McCullum. 20 MORNING BREAK SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 2018

PRAYER TIMINGS FAJR 04. 50 AM New AI model helps detect diabetic retinopathy SHOROOK 06. 11 AM IANS them have diabetic retinopathy — a underserved communities that don’t illegal fishing in Indonesia, forecasting ZUHR 11. 29 AM MAGHRIB 04. 48 PM SAN FRANCISCO complication that can cause permanent have enough eye specialists could be floods in India, and conserving native ASR 02. 26 PM ISHA 06. 18 PM blindness. life-changing for many,” Walker bird species in New Zealand, the blog Google has developed an Artificial “Using the new assistive tech- added. post read. Intelligence (AI) model that can detect nology, doctors and staff can screen Google began work on the model Besides healthcare, the tech giant WEATHER TODAY diabetic retinopathy with a level of more patients in less time, sparing in collaboration with eye specialists in also wants to support more Asia Pacific accuracy on par with human retinal people from blindness through a more India and the US a few years back. They organisations in using AI to help society specialists, the technology giant said. timely diagnosis,” Walker said. developed an AI system to help doctors by engaging with governments, non- Google is working on “rolling out While the blindness can be pre- analyse images of the back of the eye profit organisations, universities and this diabetic retinopathy initiative in vented, diabetic retinopathy often goes for signs of diabetic retinopathy. businesses. clinics in India with Verily” — an undetected because people do not “The results were promising,” For this purpose, it recently Alphabet-owned company which always get screenings. Walker noted, while adding “we should launched the “Google AI Impact works on life sciences research and “In major part, this is due to limited work to make the benefits of AI Challenge”. development, Kent Walker, SVP of access to eye care specialists and staff available to everyone”. “Selected organisations who apply Global Affairs at Google, wrote in a blog capable of screening for the disease. Google has for several years to the challenge will receive support post. This is a problem that AI can help us applied AI research and engineering from Google’s AI experts and Google. More than 400 million people in solve,” Walker said. to projects in Asia Pacific with positive org grant funding from a $25m pool,” the world have diabetes. A third of “Deploying this technology in societal impact, including stopping Walker said. Shakira faces tax evasion charges

AP MADRID

o o Spanish prosecutors have 21 C 25 C charged pop music star (pictured) Minimum Maximum Shakira with tax evasion, alleging she failed to Moderate temperature daytime with scat- pay more than $16.3m tered clouds and chance of light rain at between 2012 and 2014. The places, relatively cold by night. Colombian singer denied the

HIGH TIDE 10:00 – 20:15 LOW TIDE 01:15 – 18:30 charges. Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department The charges published yesterday alleged that Shakira listed the Bahamas as her official residence for tax pur- poses during those years but was in fact living in Spain with her partner, Spanish soccer player Gerard Pique. to pay a bond of 19.4 million Tax rates are much lower euros — the amount they said in the Bahamas than in Spain. she owes in tax, plus 33 Shakira said in a statement percent, in accordance with An exhibition of costumes, designed by Academy Award and BAFTA winner Sandy Powell for yesterday through her repre- the Spanish law. Otherwise, the movie ‘The Favourite’, opened to the public at Kensington Palace in London. sentatives that she was not a they recommend a court legal resident in Spain during freeze of her assets to that the years in question and amount. Dresses from ‘The Favourite’ on display in UK owed nothing to the Spanish Shakira was named in the tax authorities, who are using “Paradise Papers” leaks that REUTERS arrival of maid Abigail, played by fellow her “as a scapegoat” to frighten detailed the offshore tax LONDON Academy Award winner Emma Stone, who other taxpayers into coming arrangements of numerous also begins to vie for the queen’s attention. clean. high-profile individuals, A selection of costumes worn by the cast of “Kensington Palace is the place where Prosecutors in Barcelona including musical celebrities period film “The Favourite” went on display these women lived, loved and Queen Anne said Shakira’s travel abroad like Madonna and U2’s Bono. at London’s Kensington Palace yesterday, in died here in 1714,” Historic Royal Palaces Col- was for short periods because The documents were the same rooms where the royal characters lections Curator Matthew Storey said. of professional commitments, obtained by German daily the movie is based on once walked. “The costumes by three-time Academy while most of the year she Sueddeutsche Zeitung and Olivia Colman, soon to be seen in hit Netflix Award winner Sandy Powell took inspiration stayed in Spain. They want her investigated by Spanish news drama “The Crown”, plays Britain’s 18th- from the styles and silhouettes of the fashions to pay tax in Spain on her website El Confidencial. century Queen Anne in the costume piece with of Queen Anne’s day but used modern fabrics worldwide income. Spain’s tax authorities plenty of laugh-out loud moments, a role for and techniques and to bring alive these Shakira officially moved referred their probe to the which she has won critical acclaim as well as women’s stories.” to Spain for tax purposes in Barcelona prosecutor’s office award accolades. On display are elaborate corset dresses the 2015, after having two children a year ago. The British actress portrays her as a frail, actresses wear in the movie and their male by Pique. Sports celebrities have insecure and childish queen, easily swayed by co-stars’ intricately-detailed outfits, looks for A magistrate will assess also been in trouble with her friend Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, which costume designer Sandy Powell used a whether there is enough evi- Spanish tax authorities, played by Oscar winner Rachel Weisz. variety of materials such as brocade, denim dence to put Shakira on trial. including soccer stars Lionel That relationship is soon tested with the and African prints. Prosecutors want Shakira Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Classical piano soothes Tourism rocket ship reaches space AP look at the data we’ll see what that pathway MOJAVE is,” he said. At the start of the test flight, a special jet old elephants in Thailand Virgin Galactic’s tourism spaceship climbed carrying the Virgin Space Ship Unity flew to more than 50 miles high above California’s an altitude near 13,100 meres before releasing REUTERS “Maybe some of these blind their heads and move about in Mojave Desert on Thursday, reaching for the the craft. The spaceship ignited its rocket KANCHANABURI elephants get a little bit of comfort front of the piano as the notes first time what the company considers the engine and it quickly hurtled upward and out from hearing pieces of soothing flowed. boundary of space. of sight of viewers on the ground. The Lam Duan, a 65-year-old, blind classical music occasionally,” says The owner of the sanctuary, The rocket ship hit an altitude of 82km spaceship reached Mach 2.9, nearly three Thai elephant is enjoying her Barton, who studied at London’s Samart Prasithpol, 44, said the before beginning its gliding descent, said times the speed of sound. lunch, listening to Silent Night Royal Academy of Arts. music seemed to provide the ele- mission official Enrico Palermo. It landed on The two test pilots — Mark “Forger” Stucky being played on a piano. Lam Duan approached Barton phants with some special a runway minutes later. and former Nasa astronaut Rick “CJ” Sturckow For eight years, pachyderms as he began to play and she comfort. “We made it to space!” Palermo said. — will be awarded commercial astronaut like Lam Duan — old, overworked appeared to calm down and focus “We work here to rehabilitate Thursday’s supersonic flight takes Virgin wings, said Federal Aviation Administration and sometimes disabled — have on the music. the elephants physically,” Smart Galactic closer to turning the long-delayed official Bailey Edwards. been rehabilitated with music at At another music session, said. “The use of music has been dream of commercial space tourism into “It was a great flight and I can’t wait to do Elephants World, a retirement several elephants seemed to move useful in rehabilitating their soul.” reality. The company aims to take paying it again,” said Sturckow, who flew on the space sanctuary for the animals in the customers on the six-passenger rocket, shuttle four times. western Thai province of which is about the size of an executive jet. Virgin Galactic’s development of its Kanchanaburi. Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson spaceship took far longer than expected and Almost 80 percent of about has said he wants to be one of the first on endured a setback when the first experimental 3,000 elephants at tourist venues board. craft broke apart during a 2014 test flight, in Thailand, Cambodia, India, Laos, Branson greeted the two pilots after the killing the co-pilot. Nepal and Sri Lanka, endure poor test, declaring “Space is Virgin territory!” “People have literally put their lives on living conditions and diets and are Virgin Galactic considers 80km the the line to get us here,” Branson said. “This overworked, according to the boundary of space because that is the distance day is much for them as it is for all of us.” animal welfare group World used by the US Air Force and other US More than 600 people have committed Animal Protection. agencies. That’s different from a long-held up to $250,000 for rides that include several The animals at Elephants view that the boundary is at 100km. Virgin minutes of weightlessness and a view of the World get good food and treatment Galactic CEO George Whitesides noted that Earth far below. The spaceship will also be for their physical ailments, but the recent research favors the lower altitude. used for research: NASA had science exper- music is an extra, special treat they Whitesides said a review of the flight’s data iment on the test flight. appear to love. will last into the new year, and there will be The endeavor began in 2004 when Several times a week, British more test flights, some with company Branson announced the founding of Virgin classical pianist Paul Barton, 57, employees as passengers. He wouldn’t Galactic in the heady days after the flights of sets up a piano against a backdrop British volunteer Paul Barton unloads his piano before he plays for sick, estimate when commercial passenger trips SpaceShipOne, the first privately financed of forested slopes and plays for his abused, retired and rescued elephants in sanctuary along Thailand- might begin. manned spacecraft that made three flights four-legged friends. Myanmar border in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. “This is a huge step forward and once we into space.