BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar to take one match at a time, says coach QSE world’s best performer in Sanchez 2018 with about 20% returns published in QATAR since 1978 SATURDAY Vol. XXXIX No. 11047 December 29, 2018 Rabia II 22, 1440 AH GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals In brief Al Enna spurs QATAR | Reaction Qatar condemns Egypt bus attack Qatar has strongly condemned the huge boom in explosion that targeted a tourist bus in Egypt’s Giza Governorate and left a number of people killed and injured. In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Aff airs Qatar desert reiterated the State of Qatar’s firm position rejecting violence and terrorism regardless of motives and reasons. The statement expressed the condolences of the State of tourism Qatar to families of the victims, and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Page 3 By Joey Aguilar stressed, as he expect the demand for Staff Reporter desert adventures to surge further in QATAR | Law and order the lead up to the mega football event 28kg of hashish as many tourists have started visiting The ongoing Souq Waqif Spring Festival has become hugely popular with Qatar residents and visitors. A variety of atar’s enhanced winter camp- Qatar this winter season. drug seized entertainment activities will continue until January 4 at Doha’s iconic location. A group of performers are seen entertaining ing season has started to woo an According to the QNTC, during the The General Directorate of Coasts the crowds yesterday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed Qincreasing number of local and last cruise season, which ended in April and Borders Security thwarted an foreign visitors looking for safari and of this year, the country welcomed 22 attempt to smuggle ‘hashish’ into other desert adventures. cruise ships carrying more than 65,000 the country after the directorate Lauding the eff orts of the Qatar Na- cruise passengers — a 39% increase received information indicating the tional Tourism Council (QNTC) for the from the 2016-17 season. presence of an unknown cruiser launch of Al Enna project last month, The ongoing 2018-19 cruise season, near the northern coast. Security Arabian Adventures Qatar CEO Hassen which kicked off in October and con- forces immediately seized the Kuwaiti, Omani tourists Mohamed A Hijji told Gulf Times that tinues until April 2019, is expected to cruiser and arrested the passengers such initiative provided new and “cu- see nearly double the number of cruise on board. The cruiser contained rated” services, as well as amenities, ships that arrived in the previous sea- 28kg of hashish drug. Two Asian for both campers and operators. son and bring 140,000 visitors to Qa- nationals were arrested and referred gush over Spring Festival “Qatar’s desert is in high demand. tar’s shores. to the relevant authorities for legal The desert off ers an array of unique ex- Hijji noted that citizens from 80 proceedings. — QNA periences during the day and at night countries who are allowed visa-free he Spring Festival activities and Oman. It has proved to be a ma- wonderful time, he pointed out. when countless stars can be seen in the entry or visa on arrival to Qatar may be ARAB WORLD | Tragedy hosted by the Organising Com- jor attraction for visitors from other Yousef al-Haddad, another Omani sky,” he said. “On a full moon day, visi- planning their itineraries ahead to visit Tmittee of the Private Engineer- countries too as a live embodiment tourist, pointed out that the festivi- tors can have a great time in the desert,” the country soon or during the tourna- Israeli troop fi re ing Offi ce at Souq Waqif until January of Gulf traditions and heritage, while ties in Doha blends the traditional he said ment. kills Palestinian 4 continues to attract a massive turn- off ering the best services, great shop- with the modern masterfully. Visitors will fi nd it a fantastic expe- The shift in the timing of the World A Palestinian man was killed out of visitors from diff erent nation- ping outlets and eateries that appeal “While preserving the traditions rience to ride a camel for 5km-10km in Cup in 2022 (in November) is also ex- yesterday by Israeli fire during alities, including Kuwaiti and Omani to all tastes. the festivities provide youngsters a the night when the weather is excel- pected to create a positive impact on protests and clashes near the border tourists. Mohamed Awad, a tourist from great time to enjoy various rides and lent. Qatar’s tourism industry as it allows between the Gaza Strip and Israel, Local Arabic daily Arrayah re- Oman, said he had decided to games,” he said adding that Doha has Hijji expressed optimism that the players and other visitors to experience the health ministry in the coastal ported yesterday that the visitors spend his family holidays in Doha become his family’s preferred desti- Sealine area will see more exciting the diff erent off erings at Sealine, Hijji enclave said. Karam Fayyad, 26, was are fascinated by the fantastic win- mainly due to the shared culture nation to spend the holidays and every desert and water activities for residents said. killed east of the Gaza City of Khan ter weather as well as captivating and tradition and the excellent re- time he visited the country there were and visitors in the future. “There is really a demand and eve- Yunis, ministry spokesman Ashraf al- entertainment activities for all age lations between the two brotherly new things to enjoy. Al Enna is a tourism development rybody is looking forward to Qatar,” he Qudra said. Eight other Palestinians groups, especially the folk per- countries. A Kuwaiti tourist said that young project that aims to enhance the winter pointed out. were wounded by live fire during formances by troupes from across He stressed that the atmosphere people love the festivities to a great camping experience in Qatar, protect According to the QNTC, the Al Enna clashes with Israeli soldiers along the world and the various rides and and the overall organisation of the extent and felt at home in Doha. “The the environment, and ensure public project also provides investment op- the border, Qudra added. Page 3 games preferred by children. festivities are superb even according events at Souq Waqif are excellent and safety. portunities for entrepreneurs; for Souq Waqif, with its traditional to the best international standards. Doha has great potential for attract- It is spearheaded by the QNTC with establishing a wildlife nursery to re- AMERICA | People ambience and design, is particularly Qatar is a family-friendly desti- ing tourists from around the world,” the support of the Ministry of Munici- introduce plants and animals that were appealing for visitors from Kuwait nation that attracts people to have a he added. pality and Environment, the Ministry aff ected by the previous camping sea- Angelina Jolie hints of Interior, the Public Works Authority sons; encourages camp owners to plant at move into politics (Ashghal), Qatar Olympic Committee, trees in exchange for special incentives; Angelina Jolie yesterday hinted Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federa- enforces consumer protection meas- she could one day enter politics, tion, Batabit, Mawater, Katara Hospi- ures and supervise commercial trans- as she urged global leaders to do tality, and QSports actions and services; and preserves more to help refugees and women .“It (Al Enna) is a sort of a prepa- the environment by using solar energy, in conflict. Asked whether she was Sudan protesters teargassed ration for the 2022 FIFA World Cup recycling, rationing food consumption moving towards a political career, in Qatar and they (QNTC and stake- and limiting the use of plastic, among the Hollywood star, an envoy for holders) are doing a great job,” Hijji others. Page 16 the UN refugee agency who has Reuters Around 30 SUVs belonging to the raided a meeting of opposition leaders also campaigned on sexual violence Khartoum security forces had surrounded the in Khartoum. against women, said she would “go square outside the building before The nine people they had detained where I’m needed”. Page 5 noon prayers. included Siddiq Youssef, a senior leader udanese security forces yester- Sudan has been rocked by more of Sudan’s Communist Party, as well as LATIN AMERICA | Disaster day fi red teargas and stun gre- than a week of anti-government pro- leaders from the pan-Arab Ba’ath and Snades at 300-400 worshippers tests sparked by rising prices, short- Nasserist parties, the statement said. Mexico fi re kills as they left a mosque near the capital, ages of basic commodities and a cash Fourteen leaders of one of Sudan’s seven children a Reuters witness said, after a call for crisis. two main opposition groupings were A fire at a shack in an impoverished widespread anti-government pro- At least 19 people have died during detained last Saturday and then re- Mexico City neighbourhood tests by opposition groups. the protests, including two military leased hours later. yesterday killed seven children, Activists had urged protesters to personnel, according to offi cial fi g- Sudan has been gripped by a deep authorities said. It was not known gather in large numbers following Fri- ures. economic crisis that began in 2011 what caused the pre-dawn blaze day’s prayers. Amnesty International said on after the southern half of the country at the sheet metal-and-cardboard Civil society groups said authori- Tuesday at least 37 had died. voted to secede, taking with it three- shack in the densely populated ties arrested nine opposition fi gures The head of the media offi ce at the quarters of the country’s oil output, neighbourhood of Iztapalapa, on the on Thursday evening ahead of the National Intelligence and Security and has been aggravated by years of sprawling capital’s east side.