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minutes with the family Terms & Conditions Apply Amir exchanges New Year Ministry eases Festive welcome to 2021 restrictions on greetings with leaders of New Year’s Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera recreational House as the clock ringed in 2021. friendly countries activities QNA — DOHA H H the Amir AYENI OLUSEGUN Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin wished the leaders THE PENINSULA Hamad Al Thani exchanged good health and cables of greetings yesterday As part of easing COVID-19 with Their Majesties, High- happiness and their restrictions on commercial nesses and Excellencies the peoples further entities, the Ministry of leaders of friendly countries on Commerce and Industry the occasion of the New Year, progress and (MoCI) announced yesterday wishing them good health and prosperity. that the fourth stage of gradual happiness and their peoples lifting of restrictions on recre- further progress and prosperity. ational activities in amusement Deputy Amir H H Sheikh Prime Minister and Minister centres and parks would begin Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid from January 3, 2021, at 50 also exchanged cables of bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al percent capacity. greetings yesterday with Their Thani also exchanged cables of The MoCI also announced Highnesses and Excellencies greetings yesterday with Their in a tweet that the easing of crown princes and vice-pres- Excellencies heads of gov- restrictions would take place idents of friendly countries on ernment of friendly countries in three stages. the occasion of the New Year, on the occasion of the New The first stage, which goes wishing them good health and Year, wishing them health and into effect on January 3, will happiness and their peoples wellness and their peoples lift the restriction on outdoor further progress and further progress and playgrounds, kids' outdoor prosperity. prosperity. games, billiards, and bowling. The second stage on January 11 enables resumption of elec- tronic games and trampolines, while the third stage on Next Shura Council to have full powers: Official January 24 will ease curbs on bouncers, inflatable games, SIDI MOHAMED regions of Qatar. The Council will have powers to summon and ball pits. THE PENINSULA Therefore, the com- ministers and the prime minister, dismiss “Recreational activities mittee is keen to set ministers, and monitor the government’s manager shall adhere to the The upcoming Shura Council We, as a committee that prepares precise criteria that precautionary and preventive will have full legislative and the work for Shura Council enable everyone to financial management and approve the measures outlined by the Min- supervisory authority over the elections, have made sure that the participate.” budget. istry of Public Health and the government. next Shura Council represents all He said that the Ministry of Administrative The goal of electing members committee is consid- The Council will represent all regions of the Development, Labour and of the new Shura Council is to the regions of Qatar. Therefore, the ering the electoral country. Each of the 30 electoral Social Affairs,” the MoCI said enhance effective popular par- committee is keen to set precise constituencies and constituencies will have one member. in an infographic tweeted ticipation in managing the coun- criteria that enable everyone to their distribution. yesterday. try’s affairs and making decisions, participate.” Each electoral con- In order to ensure transparency, According to the Ministry, a senior official at the Ministry of stituency will have representatives of the candidates will be visitors will only be allowed if Interior (MoI) said yesterday. one member. Qatar their health status on the “The elections for Shura has been divided into allowed to witness the entire polling and vote Ehteraz app is green except for Council which will be held in 30 electoral constit- counting process. children under 10 years old. October this year represent a uencies according to Visitors who do not wear qualitative leap in Qatar’s devel- geographical Foreign funding of candidates will be banned, medical masks will be denied opment process. The Council can distribution. and 'vote-buying' will be penalised. entry. Those who are per- summon Ministers, including the The official said mitted in must have their Prime Minister, can dismiss min- that the entire process will be in front of the Candidates will have equal masks on all the time. isters, monitor the government’s polling process will eyes of the candidates and their opportunities in the media by Visitors’ body temperature financial management and be fully transparent. representatives, he added. allocating specific period must be checked at the approve the budget,” said Brig- Al Muraikhi noted “Any community body in whether in public or private entrance, which should not be adier Salim Saqr Al Muraikhi, said in order to Qatar, whether it is civil society media. above 38 degrees Celsius. Brigadier Salim Saqr Al Muraikhi, Director Director of Legal Affairs ensure transparency, organisations, the press or others, He said foreign funding for Social distance of at least two of Legal Affairs Department at the Ministry Department at the Ministry of representatives will will be allowed to express its candidates of the Shura Council metres must also be of Interior. Interior. be assigned to each opinion regarding the evaluation will be banned and there will maintained. In November last year, Amir candidate to ensure process of election," he said, be severe punishment for The Ministry also stressed H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Muraikhi said: “We, as a com- their right to monitor all polling “We want transparent elec- “buying votes”, he said. that entertainment com- Al Thani announced that the mittee that prepares the work process at the stations. tions,” he insisted, and said that The Shura Council elections panies’ owners should elections for Shura Council will for Shura Council elections, The results will be counted the elected member should rep- come as a continuation of the comply with circulars, deci- be held in October this year, 2021. have made sure that the next in front of the candidates, and resent the people who have comprehensive development sions, and directives issued Speaking to Qatar Radio, Al Shura Council represents all the therefore the entire electoral chosen him. process in Qatar. to combat the pandemic, including instructions for the gradual re-opening plan and the timeline announced by Katara opens new the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, as well as circulars and decisions issued by MoCI, the Ministry literary hub — ‘Ibn of Public Health, and the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Rayb’ Cultural Street Social Affairs on the precau- tionary measures to prevent QNA — DOHA attract writers and intellectuals and reduce the spread of the and become a permanent disease. The Cultural Village Foundation meeting place for them. (Katara) opened yesterday the He hoped that its accompa- ‘Ibn Rayb’ Cultural Street which nying activities, which are is located behind Katara’s scheduled to take place after the amphitheater, in cooperation end of the COVID-19 pandemic, FUEL PRICE with the Qatari Publishers and would constitute a destination Distributors Forum. for writers, thinkers and culture Qatar Petroleum has announced Upon inspecting the lovers, befitting them and their the January 2021 fuel prices in pavilions of the publishing great and distinguished cultural Qatar on their website. houses participating in the cul- status. tural initiative, Katara General He added that Katara is Manage Dr. Khaled bin Ibrahim pleased to announce to its A view of ‘Ibn Rayb’ Cultural Street, the latest literary attraction at Katara. QR1.35 Al Sulaiti said ‘Ibn Rayb’ Cul- audience that the Ibn Rayb” PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA Price of super grade tural Street includes pavilions Cultural Street will receive vis- petrol for a litre for libraries and publishing itors until next summer in line creativity, science and various book fair since 1975. Launching this cultural ini- houses. with the precautionary other fields. He said the book fair is an tiative in cooperation with the QR1.30 It is not only a cultural street measures in place to prevent Director of Cultural Affairs important event with which all Qatari Publishers and Distrib- Price of premium grade or a marketplace for selling the coronavirus infection so that and Events at Katara, Khalid segments of society interact, utors Forum would enhance the petrol for a litre books, but rather an oasis of cultural pioneers, book lovers Abdul Rahim Al Sayed, said adding that the opening of the role of books in increasing com- thought and knowledge, a and those looking for new pub- that Qatar’s interest in books 'Ibn Rayb' Cultural Street in munity awareness and make meeting place for cultures and lications can visit its wings and and literature is nothing new, Katara is an extension of this them keep abreast of all that is QR1.30 cross-fertilization of visions, he acquire what they like of the as Qatar is the first Gulf accumulating cultural heritage emerging in various aspects of Price of diesel for a litre. said, expressing hope that it will distinguished titles in literature, country have regularly held a of the Qatari society. knowledge, he said. 02 HOME FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 QF’s WISE launches new initiative

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PRAYER The importance of different TIMINGS segments of society coming PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMINNGG together to solve key global challenges, especially when it FAJR 04.57 am comes to developing innovative ways of doing things, has been SUNRISE 06.20 am underscored in 2020. And Qatar DHUHR 11.37 am Foundation’s global education ASR 02.36 pm think tank WISE has launched a new initiative to further this MAGHRIB 04.57 pm spirit of collaboration to evolve FROM LEFT: Alexandra Agudelo, Minister of Education in Medellín, Colombia, Soon Joo Gog, Chief Research Officer and Chief Skills Office ISHA 06.27 pm education models. at SkillsFuture Singapore, David Atchoarena, Director of the Unesco Institute for Lifelong Learning, and Rosie Clayton, Co-Founder of Learning Ecosystems Living Weaving Lab. Lab (LELL), the latest push by WISE to disrupt linear models of education worldwide, will Learning Ecosystems Living Lab (LELL), the latest push by economic perspective, and how regularly bring together prac- we can design an alignment to titioners, experts, policymakers, WISE to disrupt linear models of education worldwide, will make the supply and demand and innovators to create a regularly bring together practitioners, experts, policymakers, of learning have a socio-eco- global community of practice nomic outcome for citizens. It and thought-leadership that is and innovators to create a global community of practice and involves closing the skills gap WEATHER designing Learning Ecosystems and anticipating what type of TODAY for different regions of the thought-leadership that is designing Learning Ecosystems for learning is needed in what world. spaces,” said Gog. WISE defines Learning Eco- different regions of the world. Other panelists at the event systems as “diverse combina- included Sébastien Turbot ,CEO tions of providers (schools, and Chief Curator at eko6, and businesses, community organ- regional contexts. different organisations, we can need to be limited to just Rosie Clayton, Co-Founder of isations, as well as government Minister of Education in reimagine education and have enhancing learning, but should Weaving Lab. They all discussed 17oC 24oC agencies) creating new learning Medellín, Colombia, Alexandra more sustainable goals beyond also aim to serve other purposes various ways in which coali- Minimum Maximum opportunities and pathways to Agudelo, gave a keynote 2030 or 2050. Educational like employment, welfare, tions can be formed to enhance success. They are usually sup- address at the panel high- development might be slow, but social cohesion, and public learning and education devel- Misty to foggy at places at first ported by an innovative creden- lighting how her city used we need to keep going and health. opment in different parts of the becomes partly cloudy daytime with tialing system or technology formal and non-formal edu- support each other, especially Meanwhile, panelist Soon world to take the burden off a chance of scattered rain. platforms that replace or cation systems to become a in these kinds of difficult times Joo Gog, Chief Research Officer formal education institutes and W ALRUWAIS : 20o → 23o augment the traditional linear “learning city.” brought on by COVID-19.”. and Chief Skills Office at Skills- better prepare for the multidi- W ALKHOR : 17o → 24o system of examinations and “We want to create an eco- While theoretical founda- Future Singapore Agency, high- mensional needs of learning in graduation.” system where the learning of tions of Learning Ecosystems lighted Singapore as an example our fast-changing world. W DUKHAN : 16o → 22o The new initiative was people is embedded in the city, are gaining wide traction, the where Learning Ecosystems are “We need a more holistic WAKRAH 13o → 24o W : launched virtually with LELL’s and everyone can have access LELL initiative aims build a being used to research how vision for education. Of course, W MESAIEED : 13o → 24o first digital panel titled to education, with inclusion community of practice and skills are changing with trans- the school system is key, but it’s W ABUSAMRA : 14o → 22o “Designing Vibrant and Pur- throughout their life from early practical guidelines on how to formation of global and regional not enough,” said Atchoarena. poseful Learning Communities.” childhood onwards,” said create and manage Learning economies, and how new jobs “If you want to promote lifelong The panel brought together Agudelo, adding that the collab- Ecosystems. and educational opportunities learning, you can’t just invest in HIGH TIDE education experts from around orative platforms like WISE’s Director of the Unesco can cater for these new skills. schools. We need to move 06:15 – 16:51 the world to discuss challenges LELL initiative can play an Institute for Lifelong Learning “A Learning Ecosystem is beyond the education system LOW TIDE 13:55 in creating learning ecosystems instrumental role in filling the and a speaker on the LELL about key stakeholders coming and go into private sectors such and discuss their development gaps in education systems. panel, David Atchoarena, said together about why learning is as digital learning and work- using examples from various “Through partnerships with that these ecosystems do not important from a social and place learning.” Dar Al Sharq participates in Ibn MoCI plans to develop three Al Rayb Cultural Street book fair beach resorts

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The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in cooper- ation with Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC), will organise an event to announce investment opportunities to establish three beach resorts in Qatar, in partnership between the public and private “We are showcasing many local and international sectors. The event is scheduled publications and what our printing press Al Waraq has for January 13, 2021, at the Doha Exhibition and been doing. We are expecting feedback from the Convention Center (DECC). people who will come to visit us which will be useful for This initiative comes the future of our business,” said Al Sharq Media within the framework of the State’s efforts to achieve the Management Executive Manager Eizeldin Abdulrahman. Qatar National Vision 2030, aimed at consolidating eco- nomic diversification and sup- porting non-oil sectors, espe- parallel events and activities Al Sulaiti yesterday. cially the tourism sector. being planned to be held once The event is aimed at facil- The tourism sector largely Dar Al Sharq’s stall at the Ibn Al Rayb Cultural Street at Katara. RIGHT: Books displayed on the shelves. PICS: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA the pandemic is over. itating readers’ access to Qatari contributes to strengthening “This is a significant event publishing houses, promoting Qatar’s leading position as one because most people nowadays reading across all segments of of the most prominent desti- RAYNALD C RIVERA printed materials in the coming for the future of our business,” are still looking for educational the society and supporting the nations, regionally, and THE PENINSULA months. said Abdulrahman. books, and avid readers are always efforts of Qatari publishing globally. Speaking to The Peninsula, He underlined the vital role on the lookout for latest books and companies. Cultural lectures According to the Min- The Ibn Al Rayb Cultural Street Al Sharq Media Management Dar Al Sharq plays in the field new writers. Some people have and seminars, book signings istry, the investment oppor- at the Cultural Village Foun- Executive Manager Eizeldin of media being “one of the writers that they follow searching and shows for children are tunities are aimed at dation (Katara), which launched Abdulrahman stressed that Dar leading media groups in the for their latest works, and even us among the activities and events enhancing public-private yesterday with a book fair, Al Sharq’s participation is country and even in the Middle we check the new things other that will be hosted at the book partnerships. provides a golden opportunity important in promoting the East because we are a total publishers have,” he said, adding fair after the pandemic. These opportunities for publishers like Dar Al Sharq company’s publishing and dis- media company with our news- not many events are being held for Ibn Al Rayb Street is include establishing large Group to directly reach out to a tribution sections as well as papers, printing press, and book lovers in Doha to find some- expected to become like Al beach resorts of various sizes wider audience. printing services among others. advertising and as organisers thing new. Mutanabi Street in the Iraqi in Ras Abrouq, Fuwayrit, and Leading Qatari media “We are showcasing many of exhibitions and events.” The event held in cooper- capital Baghdad, which was Bin Ghannam. company Dar Al Sharq is one local and international publi- The unique open air book ation with the Qatar Forum for famous for being the first cul- The Ministry invited of the 15 publishing houses cations and what our printing fair located behind the Katara Publishers and Distributors tural market in Iraq. It is investors wishing to attend taking part in the event press Al Waraq has been doing. Amphitheatre which will run till which is affiliated to the Min- expected to attract and become the announcement of expected to witness many vis- We are expecting feedback summer is being organised fol- istry of Culture and Sports was a permanent meeting place for investment opportunities to itors looking for the latest from the people who will come lowing COVID-19 safety inaugurated by Katara General writers and intellectuals of register until January 7, 2021, books, periodicals and other to visit us which will be useful measures with a number of Manager Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim various nationalities. on its website. Weekly real estate trading Partial diversion on Al Bidda volume reaches QR478m and Khalifa Streets on Corniche QNA — DOHA

THE PENINSULA — DOHA The total value of real estate transactions in the sales contracts registered with the Real Estate Registration Department of the Ministry of Justice The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced that traffic will from December 20 to 24 reached QR478.48m. The be diverted on parts of Al Bidda Street (Majlis Al Taawon) and Khalifa types of real estate traded included plots of land, Street on the Corniche, for 90 days starting today, as part of the Doha houses, residential buildings, and multi-use Central Development and Beautification Project – Package 4. buildings. To carry out the diversion, Ashghal will reduce the number of Most of the trading took place in the munici- lanes on Al Bidda Street (Majlis Al Taawon) from Oryx intersection palities of Al Da’ayen, Al Rayyan, Doha, Al Wakrah, to Lekhwair intersection from four to three lanes, and the part of Umm Salal, Al Shamal, Al Khor and Al Dhakira. Khalifa Street between Corniche Street and Oryx intersection will be The volume of real estate circulation during the closed. Road users can use Al Markhiya Street and the surrounding period from December 13 to 17 reached streets to reach their destinations, as shown in the attached map. QR460.39m. The Public Works Authority will install sufficient road signage to The real estate market sector of Qatar has alert road users of this closure. To ensure all commuters’ safety, com- shown recovery over the past few months as the muters need to abide by the speed limit and follow the road signs to transactions have grown consistently. ensure their safety. FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 HOME / MIDDLE EAST 03 Qatar Airways brings forward launch of flights to Seattle to January 29 THE PENINSULA — DOHA Airways’ US network to 66 weekly flights to 11 destinations Qatar Airways announced Qatar Airways is committed to enhancing its connectivity in the US, connecting onwards yesterday it would bring with the US market. Bringing forward the launch of to hundreds of American cities forward the launch of its four through strategic partnerships weekly flights to Seattle from flights to Seattle, our second new US destination since with Alaska Airlines, American March 15 to January 29, 2021. the onset of the pandemic, epitomises this commitment. Airlines and JetBlue. Seattle The airline will operate a four- With flights to Washington State’s largest city our US joins existing US destinations times weekly service operated network will grow to 11 gateways, surpassing the including Boston, Chicago, by its state-of-the-art Boeing number of destinations we operated in the US pre- Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, 777 featuring 42 seats in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Business Class and 312 seats in COVID-19. We look forward to launching our Seattle Philadelphia, San Francisco and Economy Class. service and connecting with the hub of our future Washington, DC. Passengers travelling to and oneworld partner, Alaska Airlines. In a further demonstration from the US, including Seattle, of its commitment to the US can enjoy the world’s Best H E Akbar Al Baker market, on December 15, Qatar Business Class Seat, with Qatar Airways launched a frequent Airways operating Qsuite on all Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive flyer partnership with Alaska Air- 11 of its US routes. The Qsuite lines and plans to implement seat layout is a 1-2-1 configu- codeshare co-operation with the ration, providing passengers flights to Seattle, our second pandemic, Qatar Airways’ new airline in line with it joining one- with the most spacious, fully new US destination since the service to SEA demonstrates the world in March 2021, comple- private, comfortable and onset of the pandemic, epito- strength and resilience of our menting its existing strong part- socially distanced Business mises this commitment. With region as an important global nership with fellow oneworld Class product in the sky, with flights to Washington State’s travel destination. We are com- member, American Airlines. its unique sliding doors. Pas- largest city our US network will mitted to improving the global Passengers travelling to or sengers can also stay connected grow to 11 gateways, surpassing traveller experience, and will from Seattle can enjoy more 129 destinations including 21 in home to their loved ones, with with family, friends and col- the number of destinations we continue to invest confidently flexible travel options via the Africa, 13 in the Americas, 30 in flights to Chicago and Dallas- leagues with Super Wi-Fi con- operated in the US pre- in projects such as the Interna- most connected and Best Asia-Pacific, 38 in Europe, 12 in Fort Worth maintained during nectivity available on board all COVID-19. We look forward to tional Arrivals Facility and Airport in the Middle East, India and 15 in the Middle East. the entire period. The World’s Seattle flights. launching our Seattle service North Satellite Modernization Hamad International Airport. Many cities will be served with Best Airline continued to grow Qatar Airways Group Chief and connecting with the hub of programs at SEA.” Qatar Airways currently a strong schedule of daily or and innovate since the onset of Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, our future oneworld partner, Seattle is the seventh new operates more than 800 weekly more frequencies. the pandemic with industry- said: “Qatar Airways is com- Alaska Airlines.” destination added by Qatar flights to over 110 destinations Throughout the pandemic, leading flexible booking pol- mitted to enhancing its connec- Port of Seattle Commission Airways since the start of the across the globe. By the end of Qatar Airways never stopped icies, comprehensive health and tivity with the US market. President, Peter Steinbrueck, pandemic. The launch of flights March 2021, Qatar Airways flying to the US in order to take safety measures and a reliable Bringing forward the launch of said: “Despite the worldwide to Seattle will increase Qatar plans to rebuild its network to more than 260,000 Americans network. MoPH reports 122 COVID-19 recoveries, 213 new cases

THE PENINSULA — DOHA everyone to play their role in intensive care, to ensure all controlling the virus by fol- patients receive the medical The Ministry of Public Health lowing precautionary measures care they need and protecting (MoPH) yesterday announced including adherence to physical the elderly and those with the registration of 213 new distancing, avoid close contact chronic diseases. confirmed COVID-19. Among with others, crowded places, The Ministry asked people them 47 were travellers and confined closed spaces to be careful and protect the returning from abroad. where other people congregate, most vulnerable, while Another 122 people have wearing a face mask and COVID-19 restrictions are being recovered from the virus, washing hands regularly. lifted. “Even though restrictions bringing the total number of The Ministry further said that are being lifted, and numbers recovered cases in Qatar to measures to tackle COVID-19 in are declining, this does not 141,422. All new cases have Qatar have succeeded in flat- mean that the COVID-19 pan- been introduced to isolation tening the curve and limiting the demic is finished in Qatar – and are receiving necessary spread of the virus. people continue to be admitted healthcare according to their Also Qatar’s proactive and with moderate to severe health status. The total number extensive testing of suspected COVID-19 symptoms,” said the of positive COVID-19 cases cases has enabled us to identify Ministry. recorded in Qatar is 143,834 a high number of positive cases “Unless we follow all pre- and there are 2,167 active cases in the community. cautionary measures, we may under treatment. The Ministry further said experience a second wave of While the first phase of that Qatar has one of the lowest the virus and see numbers COVID-19 vaccinations has COVID-19 death rates in the increasing – there are already started in Qatar and in the world, as a result of the coun- signs of this happening in other Final sunset of 2020 over Doha sky coming months it will be try’s young population, countries around the world. An attractive view of the last sunset of2020 over the skies of Doha yesterday. available for the public for free. proactive testing to identify Now more than ever, we must PIC: SALIM MATRAMKOT/THE PENINSULA However, the Ministry has cases early and expanding hos- be careful and protect the most stressed it is important for pital capacity, especially vulnerable,” it added.

107 people Woqod opens new petrol station in Lebsayyer referred to Public Prosecution for not THE PENINSULA — DOHA comfort. Woqod team would like to extend their gratitude wearing masks As part of its ongoing expansion to all concerned govern- plans to serve every area in mental and private entities QNA — DOHA Qatar, Qatar Fuel’ (Woqod) that contributed to the com- opened Lebsayyer petrol pletion of this project.” The designated authorities station yesterday, raising its The new Lebsayyer petrol referred 107 people to the network of petrol stations to station is spread over 10,800 Public Prosecution for not 108. sq meters and has four lanes wearing masks in places Woqod Managing with eight dispensers for light where they are mandatory. Director & CEO Saad Rashid vehicles, which will serve the They also referred 25 others Al Muhannadi said: “We are Lebsayyer area and its to the Public Prosecution for pleased to open a new petrol neighbourhood. violating the maximum number station in Lebsayyer. Woqod Lebsayyer petrol station of four people in a vehicle aspires to expand its petrol offers round-the-clock services including the driver, except for station network in the to residents. It includes Sidra cases when they are members country to meet the rising convenience store, manual car of one family. The measure is demand for petroleum wash, oil change and tyre in line with the law No. 17 of products and achieve the repair for light vehicles, and 1990 on infectious diseases, goal of providing customers sale of LPG cylinders, in and the precautionary with access to best-in-class addition to the sale of gasoline measures in force in the products and services at and diesel products for light country to contain the spread their convenience and vehicles. Lebsayyer petrol station of coronavirus (COVID-19). Jordan sentences protesting teachers to prison Palestinian youth shot by Israeli AP — AMMAN in July after threatening to stage Jordan is a close Western ally new protests over a long-running long seen as an island of stability occupation forces in Ramallah A court in Jordan yesterday salary dispute. in a volatile region. It borders sentenced five leaders of the The arrests set off protests in Syria, Iraq, Israel and the Pales- QNA — RAMALLAH, OCCUPIED WEST BANK arrested from the village of Kobar north of national teachers’ syndicate to a the capital, Amman, in which anti- tinian territories. Ramallah. year in prison over recent protests riot police clashed with protesters The Jordanian government A Palestinian youth was wounded yesterday Earlier yesterday, the occupation forces demanding a salary increase, a and beat several people with had agreed to increase teachers’ by Israeli occupation bullets, during clashes arrested nine Palestinians from separate lawyer for the teachers said. clubs, including an Associated salaries by 50% after a month- that broke out in the town of Beitunia west areas in the West Bank. Four young men Bassam Fraihat said the Press reporter. Dozens of pro- long strike in September 2019. of Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. arrested from Bethlehem. The occupation court also ordered that the syn- testers were arrested. But after restrictions related to The occupation forces stormed Beitunia forces also severely beat two Palestinian cit- dicate be dissolved. He said the Amman’s deputy attorney the coronavirus outbreak hit the at dawn, and as a result clashes erupted, izens during their raids on homes in Dheisheh five, who face an array of general suspended the 13 economy, the government post- during which the occupation soldiers fired camp. The two citizens were taken to the hos- charges, including incitement members from service and poned the salary hikes, drawing live bullets and tear gas canisters at the pital for treatment, security sources told Wafa. to hatred and unlawful gath- ordered the closure of the syn- scorn from the teachers. They youths, wounding one of them with a bullet The occupation forces also arrested three Pal- erings, are appealing the verdict dicate and its branches for two accused the government of in the hand, Security sources told the Pales- estinian youths east of Tulkarm, including a and were released on bail. years over criminal and cor- failing to honour the agreement. tinian News Agency Wafa. released prisoner, after raiding and searching The five were among 13 ruption charges. Yesterday’s court The government now says The Israeli occupation forces also their homes and tampering with their con- members of the Teachers Associ- order, if upheld, would dissolve the salary increase will take arrested four boys near Al-aroub College tents, while two other young men were ation council who were arrested the association. effect in January. north of Hebron, while a Palestinian was arrested in Qalqilya . 04 HOME FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 HOME 05

Qatar shows resolve in challenging year QATAR 2020

services through one window for Qatar continued its show of strength investors. and resilience during the second half Prime Minister and Minister of Prime Minister and Minister Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid of last year. Like the first half of bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, on October 8 inaugurated Unified Operations Center bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al of the Ministry of Municipality and Envi- 2020, various government depart- ronment, which is concerned with mon- Thani on December 22 made itoring events, crises and disasters and ments and institutions accomplished responding quickly to them in coordi- a visit to Hamad Port, during nation with all governmental and non- which he inaugurated the several achievements during the July governmental agencies. – December period. Listed below are Hamad International Airport (HIA) initial operation of Hamad and Qatar Duty-Free (QDF) were voted Port’s Container Terminal 2. the major achievements of Qatar in by passengers as “Best Airport Voted for by Millennials” and “Best Airport Retail the second half of the year: Environment” respectively at the Travel Retail Awards 2020 on October 10. On October 14, Qatar Airways Group first-ever hybrid edition of Ajyal Film n July 1, Qatar Museums reo- Art and Culture in Doha from 1960– Chief Excecutive announced that the Festival on November 18 with a glam- pened the Fire Station: Artist 2020” were simultaneously launched. final phase of expansion of Hamad Inter- orous red carpet event at Katara Cul- in Residence and unveiled the QNTC presented the country’s first national Airport (HIA) will begin from tural Village. special exhibition Picasso’s ever virtual fashion show at The Pearl January 2023. The expansion will The Ministry of Sports and Culture OStudios in the Garage Gallery featuring Qatar as part of Qatar Summer Pro- increase the capacity of the airport to announced on November 21 the winners 108 extraordinary artworks by Pablo gramme on August 6. handle over 65 million passengers of the 8th edition of the State Award for Picasso from the unparalleled collection The Qatar General Electricity and annually. Children’s Literature. of the Musée national Picasso in Paris. Water Corporation (Kahramaa) on Katara kicked off, on October 13, the On November 25, Qatar, represented In July Qatar was able to flatten the August 12 launched the first pilot project activities for the sixth edition of the pres- by the Shura Council, and the United COVID19 curve and started to close facil- to store electrical energy using batteries H H Sheikha tigious Katara Prize for Arabic Novel, Nations, represented by the United ities dedicated for COVID-19 patients. in the State of Qatar where the batteries considered one of the richest literary Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism On July 1, Ras Laffan Hospital discharged were connected to a substation related Moza bint Nasser prizes in the world with a total prize of (UNOCT), signed an agreement to the last recovered COVID-19 and to the local Nuaija station on a voltage $635,000 distributed to 21 winners. establish the United Nations Office of resumed normal services. of 11kV, which is controlled by the Lusail University announced on crowned the Strategic Dialogue is a demonstration of In mid October the Ministry of Public Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) Program On July 9, the Ministry of Munici- control center of the electrical distri- August 23, that it accepted the first batch winners of the the flourishing relations between the two Health signed agreement with Moderna Office. pality and Environment represented by bution network. of 833 students in its various disciplines countries, enabled by the mutual com- and Pfizer-BioNTech to procure their The MoTC on November 4 signed Fisheries Resources Department On August 19, the Ministry of Admin- offered for the fall semester 2020. third cycle of the mitment between H H the Amir Sheikh COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is two MoUs with Nasser Bin Khaled & Sons released 20,000 small Hamour fish in istrative Development Social and Labour Minister of Transport and Commu- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and HE approved and released for global use. Holding Co and Q-Auto for providing the Qatari marine waters which was the Affairs (MADSLA) launched the national nications H E Jassim Saif Ahmed Al “Akhlaquna President Donald Trump of the United H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser free electric vehicle chargers. The Award” and the States of America that emphasizes broad crowned the winners of the third cycle signing event was attended by the Min- areas of cooperation as well as the close of the “Akhlaquna Award” and the inau- ister H E Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti. inaugural friendship between the two countries. gural “Akhlaquna Junior Award”, at a On November 8, the Ministry of “Akhlaquna On September 15, Kahramaa special Akhlaquna Day ceremony on Municipality and Environment, repre- announced to receive the Silver Award October 20. sented by the Public Parks Department The different contracts signed among Traditional Dhow Festival opened at of the Italian Republic Luigi Di Maio in Junior Award”, at of the UK Royal Society for Prevention On October 20, the fourth edition of and Al Daayen Municipality, opened two different parties including Mowasalat Katara Esplanade. Doha. of Accidents (ROSPA) in the field of occu- Hamad International became the Qatar Airways announced on a special pational health and safety for the year first airport in the Middle East and Asia December 21 that it won two major Akhlaquna Day 2019. to be awarded a 5-Star Covid-19 Airport awards for ‘Brilliance in Employee Qatar Museums announced, on Sep- Safety Rating by Skytrax on December Engagement in HR’ and the Gold Award ceremony on tember 15, the United States of America 1. for ‘Best Social Media Campaign’ for its as the official partner nation for the 2021 Mowasalat (Karwa) launched 2019 Breast Cancer Awareness campaign October 20. Year of Culture. The Qatar- USA 2021 e-scooters at The Pearl-Qatar. The at the BOC Brilliance Awards. Year of Culture will feature a wide- hi-tech, app-enabled e-scooters became On December 21, Qatar received the ranging program of exhibitions, festivals, available for visitors and residents of The first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. bilateral exchanges, and events to be Pearl-Qatar as a practical means of Prime Minister and Minister of appreciation and ensure Qatar’s public held in both nations. transport from December 6. Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa art is cherished and looked after. On September 18, Deputy Prime Min- The Ministry of Interior (MoI) reo- bin Abdulaziz Al Thani on December 22 Ashghal made a new achievement ister and Minister of State for Defence pened Qatar Visa Centers abroad in made a visit to Hamad Port, during breaking two Guinness World Records Affairs participated in inauguration cer- Nepal, Pakistan, and the Philippines on which he inaugurated the initial oper- titles for the Longest Continuous Cycle emony of Al Zubara Corvette, Msheireb December 8. ation of Hamad Port’s Container Ter- Path and the Longest Piece of Asphalt vessel in Italy. On December 9, Qatar Airways minal 2. Concrete Laid Continuously on Sep- The Music Affairs Center under the received the 2021 Airline Passenger On December 23, Katara opened the tember 5. Ministry of Culture and Sports success- Experience Association’s (APEX) Five fifth Mahaseel Festival featuring 28 On September 9, H H Sheikha Moza fully concluded its first-ever Nagham Star Global Official Airline Rating. Qatari farms displaying many varieties bint Nasser, Chairperson of Education competition on September 25 despite The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra of fresh vegetables, and honey, as well Above All and UN Sustainable Devel- challenges posed by the pandemic. musicians shared the stage for the first as nine stalls of local companies selling opment Goals Advocate, virtually joined On September 16, Aspetar launched time since the pandemic in a soul- meat, poultry and dairy and eight stalls employment platform (Kawader), in Sulaiti witnessed, on August 29, the global leaders on the inaugural UN Inter- the Aspetar Sports Concussion Pro- stirring performance of a diverse rep- selling flowers and ornamental plants. On November 25, which all jobs available in the State of arrival of the first vessel, as planned and national Day to Protect Education from gramme a first of its kind initiative in the ertoire of classical and romantic pieces On December 23, Qatar became Qatar in all sectors — in government scheduled, in Hamad Port’s Container Attack. Gulf region dedicated, sports-related on December 12. among the first countries in the world Qatar, represented bodies and private entities — will be dis- Terminal 2 (CT2) project. The Public Works Authority concussion programme. It is based on On December 15, Hamad Interna- to provide a safe, effective and approved played, with the aim of providing cit- To protect the interests of employers (Ashghal) opened the first phase of the international best practice, customised tional Airport (HIA) announced it has COVID-19 vaccine totally free for its by the Shura Council, izens with the opportunity to obtain jobs and employees in Qatar, the Ministry of Sabah Al-Ahmad Corridor — 13km from for local conditions. been voted as the “Best Airport in the population. The former president of and the United that suit their qualifications. Administrative Development, Labour Umm Lekhba Interchange in the north On October 1, the National Museum Middle East” for the fourth consecutive Qatar University, Dr. Abdullah Al The Supervisory Committee of Beau- and Social Affairs (MADLSA) on August to Bu Hamour Bridge in the south on of Qatar reopened its permanent year by Global Traveler’s GT Tested Kubaisi, was the first person who Nations, represented tification of Roads and Public Places in 30 introduced a non-discriminatory September 12. galleries. Reader Survey Awards. received Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Qatar at the Public Works Authority minimum wage and removed No- On September 13, two aircraft of the On October 4, Qatar Airways Qatar Airways welcomed Air Can- Qatar. by the United Nations (Ashghal) signed a memorandum of Objection Certificate requirement to Qatar Amiri Air Force landed in Beirut announced it will give away 21,000 ada’s inaugural flight from Toronto to Prime Minister and Minister of Office of Counter- understanding (MoU) with the Qatar change jobs for employees. carrying medical equipment provided complimentary tickets to teachers on Doha on December 16, establishing Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Cyclists Center of the Ministry of Culture Qatar General Electricity and Water by the State of Qatar to the Lebanese the occasion of World Teacher’s Day to Hamad International Airport (HIA) as bin Abdulaziz Al Thani participated on Terrorism (UNOCT), and Sports regarding fast cycling track Corporation (Kahramaa) announced on Republic. thank them for their vital work in edu- the only airport in the Middle East to be December 28 in the population census on August 25. August 31, that it achieved a new world The Ministry of Defence on Sep- cating young people worldwide during (Karwa), Chinese companies (Yutong, operated with a scheduled service by a ‘Qatar Census 2020’ by filling in the signed an agreement On August 12, Doha Institute for record for Qatar by entering the tember 13, signed a technical arrange- the challenges brought by the ongoing On September 14, third session of the Qatar-US Higer), Ashghal, Qatar Free Zones North American carrier. online form of the census. to establish the Graduate Studies (DI) School of Public Guinness Book of Records for Largest ments agreement with the Italian Min- COVID-19 pandemic. Authority (QFZA), Supreme Committee Prime Minister and Minister of Administration and Development Eco- Drinking Water Storage Tank. istry of Defence. The Ministry of Administrative Strategic Dialogue was held in the US. The Deputy for Delivery and Legacy (SC) are for Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa United Nations Office nomics (SPADE) Department of Public On September 1, Qatar Museums On September 14, third session of the Development Labour & Social Affairs on Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E electric buses’ purchase, establishment bin Abdulaziz Al Thani on December 20 Policy officially received the accredi- announced the launch of a campaign to Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue was held October 4 issued the Occupational Safety of electric bus production plant, devel- participated in ‘Qatar Beautification and of Counter-Terrorism tation of the Network of Schools of protect and preserve installations across in the US. The Deputy Prime Minister and Health Policy in Qatar in cooper- Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said opment of electric bus stations and Our Kids Planting trees’ campaign at the On December 21, (UNOCT) Program Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration the country, encouraging the wider com- and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E ation with the Ministry of Public Health the holding of the third session of the Qatar-US depots. 5/6 Park. Qatar received the (NASPAA) for the first time in the Gulf, munity to share in the responsibility to Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman in order to preserve the safety and health On November 30, in a significant On December 20, Deputy Prime Min- Office. the second in the Middle East, and the take ownership of #OurPublicArt as part Al Thani said the holding of the third of workers, in accordance with the Strategic Dialogue is a demonstration of the flour- achievement for Qatar, Hamad Medical ister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E first batch of Pfizer- fifth outside the United States. of its continuous efforts to foster artistic session of the Qatar-US national strategy. Corporation (HMC) launched a lung Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Committee for the Regulation of ishing relations between the two countries transplant programme. Al Thani met with HE Minister of Foreign BioNTech vaccine. Ownership and Use of Non-Qatari On December 1, the Katara Affairs and International Cooperation first batch produced by the Aquatic Property on October 7 launched a special Research Centre in Ras Matbakh. section for non-Qatari ownership and Qatar Airways Cargo launched its ‘1 usufruct of real estate, on the website of Katara International Hunting and public parks in Al Sakhama and Wadi Million Kilos’ campaign on July 13 to the Ministry of Justice. Falcons Exhibition (S’hail 2020) opened Lusail at the Municipality. enable charities to use the services of On October 8, the Ministry of Justice its doors with COVID-19 safety precau- The WISH 2020 summit took place Qatar Airways Cargo to transport and the Ministry of Interior launched an tions in place. virtually in a unique and fully immersive humanitarian aid and medical supplies office for Non-Qatari Real Estate Own- Qatar Airways took delivery of three 3D platform from November 15 to 19. all over the world, free of charge. Such ership in the Pearl, in order to provide more Airbus A350-1000 aircraft on On November 16, Qatar Airways Hol- action is unprecedented in its scale. real estate ownership and utilization October 23, reaffirming its position as idays announced ‘Travel Bubble Hol- The Ministry of Education and Higher the largest operator of Airbus A350 air- idays’, between Qatar and the Education on July 14 issued the code of craft with 52 in its fleet. Maldives. professional conduct for the Ministry’s The 2020 WISE Award Winners were Qatar Airways on November 20 employees, in the framework of On September 18, celebrated for their innovative solutions unveiled a specially-branded Boeing 777 enhancing their spirit of career to education challenges in a virtual event aircraft painted in FIFA World Cup Qatar affiliation. Deputy Prime Min- held in the presence of H H Sheikha 2022 livery, to mark two years to go until Doha Metro on July 18 won the CIHTI ister and Minister of Moza bint Nasser on October 29. the tournament kicks off in Qatar on 21 Awards 2020 which rewards out- On November 10, the MoI increased November 2022. standing examples of highways and State for Defence Traffic Investigation Department fleet On November 21, the Communica- transportation infrastructure or services with 30 Ford patrol vehicles in order to tions Regulatory Authority (CRA) pub- from outside the UK and Ireland. Affairs participated develop and strengthen its patrols. lished the spectrum plan for the FIFA On August 2, Qatar Museums in inauguration cer- Qatar Museums announced, on World Cup - Qatar 2022. unveiled four major exhibitions. At the November 16, that 17 Qatar-based artists The Ministry of Transport and Com- Museum of Islamic Art the much antic- emony of Al Zubara were to create murals at 10 designated munications (MoTC) signed QR6bn con- ipated “A Falcon’s Eye: Tribute to Sheikh Corvette, Msheireb locations across Doha as part of its public tract on November 30 for adoption of Saoud Al Thani” opened while at Mathaf art initiative called Jedariart aimed to clean energy mass transit and transfor- Arab Museum of Modern Art “Yto vessel in Italy. activate shared urban areas and add mation to eco-friendly vehicles. Prime Barrada: My Very Educated Mother Just meaning to the city’s walls through care- Minister and Minister of Interior H E Served Us Nougat”, “Huguette Caland: fully curated murals and street art. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Faces and Places” and “Lived Forward: Doha Film Institute opened the Al Thani witnessed the signing. 06 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 Rebel sites hit as Yemen airport toll climbs to 25 BLOOMBERG —ADEN Yesterday, Saudi-led Sana’a, and surrounding areas, coalition warplanes according to the Houthis’ Al- A Saudi-led military coalition Masirah TV. pounded facilities of Houthi launched multiple Prime Minister Maeen rebels accused of a deadly airstrikes on posts Abdulmalik said an initial assault on a Yemen airport, as investigation showed the the official toll from the attack of the Iran-backed airport was attacked by mis- climbed to 25 dead and 110 rebels in Sana’a, and siles, and that intelligence wounded. information showed Iran Health Minister Qasem surrounding areas, helped the Houthis prepare for Buhabeh said the number of according to Houthis’ the assault. dead is likely to increase Al-Masirah TV. “When we talk about the because some of the wounded Houthis, we are talking about are in critical condition. The Iran and its sabotage agenda airport in the southern port Committee for the Red Cross in the region,” Abdulmalik city of Aden was attacked on were also among the dead. said, speaking at the cabinet’s Wednesday as a new cabinet Yemen President Abd first meeting in Aden. flew in from Saudi Arabia. Rabbuh Mansur Hadi blamed The formation of the A deputy minister of public the assault on Yemeni Houthi cabinet had been hailed as a works was killed, and two rebels, who have been fighting cementing of the fragile other vice ministers were the government since 2014. detente between the gov- A damaged van is pictured in front of the airport of the the southern Yemeni city of Aden, yesterday, among the wounded, Yesterday, Saudi-led coalition ernment of the exiled Hadi and a day after explosions rocked the building, killing or injuring dozens of people. according to the government- warplanes launched multiple the separatist Southern Tran- run Saba news agency. Three airstrikes on posts of the Iran- sitional Council, allies in the control Sana’a and other alliance frayed last year after Aden and other southern members of the International backed rebels in the capital, fight to dislodge rebels who chunks of the country. Their separatists seized control of cities, but was mended under a power-sharing deal bro- kered by Saudi Arabia. Hadi’s government, which Yemen govt vows to bring stability after deadly attack had fled to Aden after the fall of Sana’a, had been living in AFP — ADEN was up to tackling the chal- during which members held a arrived in Aden days after Some ministers, including exile in the Saudi capital, lenges facing a country that has moment of silence for those being sworn in by Yemeni Mubarak, blamed the Houthi Riyadh, since the clashes with Yemen’s new power-sharing long been the Arab Peninsula’s who were killed in the attack. President Abedrabbo Mansour insurgents for the attack — but council forces last year. The government vowed yesterday most impoverished nation. Tens of thousands of Hadi in Saudi Arabia, which other government officials country is in the throes of the to bring stability to the “The government is deter- people, mostly civilians, have leads a military coalition remained more circumspect. world’s worst humanitarian war-torn country, a day after mined to fulfil its duty and been killed and millions dis- against Houthi insurgents. “Information and prelim- crisis, fed by the Saudi-led deadly blasts rocked Aden work to restore stability in placed in Yemen’s grinding Saudi Arabia has been inary investigations show that coalition’s five-year attempt airport in an attack targeting Yemen,” he said. “This terrorist five-year war, which has trig- encouraging the unity gov- the Houthi militia was behind to crush the rebellion and cabinet members. attack will not deter it from gered what the United Nations ernment to quell the “war this ugly terrorist attack,” prevent the establishment of Foreign Minister Ahmed that.” calls the world’s worst human- within a civil war” and to Mubarak said, adding that mis- a Shia-ruled state sympathetic bin Mubarak said yesterday The cabinet convened for itarian disaster. bolster the coalition against the siles were launched from to Iran on the Arabian that the new unity government the first time in Aden yesterday, The cabinet ministers had Houthi insurgents. rebel-held areas. peninsula. Israel military says UN condemns Iran’s ‘appalling’ it hit 50 Syria execution of young offenders targets in 2020 AFP — GENEVA were used in the conviction of AFP — JERUSALEM Mr. Rezaiee,” she said, adding The UN voiced outrage at the that there were also “numerous Israel’s military, which rarely execution yesterday of a man other serious concerns about comments on individual in Iran who was only 16 when violations of his fair-trial strikes in Syria blamed on its he committed his alleged crime, rights.” forces, said yesterday it had hit marking the fourth juvenile She noted that Rezaiee’s about 50 targets in the neigh- offender put to death in the execution, the fourth of a bouring country in 2020. country this year. juvenile offender in 2020, had The annual report released The UN human rights office come shortly after a series of by the Israel Defence Forces said that Mohammad Hassan other executions in Iran. did not provide details about Rezaiee was executed early The December 12 execution the targets hit, but Israel is yesterday. of the France-based dissident believed to have launched hun- It did not provide further Ruhollah Zam sparked an dreds of strikes in Syria since details about Rezaiee or the international outcry, with the start of the civil war in 2011. crime he was convicted of, Western governments accusing They have targeted gov- allegedly committed when he Tehran of abducting him ernment troops, allied Iranian was 16. abroad to put him on trial. forces and fighters from the But according to Amnesty And Shamdasani noted that Lebanese group Hezbollah. International, he was arrested at least eight people were exe- North Dakota, is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker over an unidentified US Central Command area The Jewish state has con- in the year 2007 in connection cuted at different prisons across of responsibility on December 30, 2020. sistently vowed to prevent its with the fatal stabbing of a man the country between December arch-enemy Iran gaining a in a brawl and had spent more 19 and 26 alone. foothold in Syria. than 12 years on death row. She warned that uncon- A military spokeswoman Trump aims to fabricate ‘pretext for war’: Iran FM “The execution of child firmed reports suggested that said that figures in the report AFP — TEHRAN recently overflew the region. “Iran doesn’t seek war but offenders is categorically pro- at least eight others were at risk were correct as of December “Instead of fighting (the novel will OPENLY & DIRECTLY hibited under international law of “imminent execution”. 20. Iran’s Foreign Minister coronavirus) in US, @realDon- defend its people, security & and Iran is under the obligation Many people convicted of The latest strike in Syria Mohammad Javad Zarif aldTrump & cohorts waste bil- vital interests,” Zarif said. to abide by this prohibition,” committing crimes as minors blamed on Israel came yesterday accused outgoing US lions to fly B52s & send armadas Trump said last week he UN rights office spokeswoman are awaiting execution in the Wednesday, when missile fire President Donald Trump of to OUR region,” Zarif wrote on would hold “Iran responsible” Ravina Shamdasani said in a country. from the Jewish state hit a mil- aiming to fabricate a “pretext Twitter. “Intelligence from Iraq for any fatal attack on Amer- statement. “The UN has repeatedly itary position near Damascus, for war” as tensions mount indicate plot to FABRICATE icans in Iraq after accusing The UN High Commissioner urged Iran to cease the Syrian news agency SANA between the two countries. pretext for war,” he added. Tehran of being behind a rocket for Human Rights, Michelle appalling practice of executing reported, citing a military His remarks come ahead of Trump ordered a drone strike on the US embassy in Bachelet, “strongly condemns child offenders, but we under- source. SANA said one Syrian the first anniversary of the US strike on January 3 this year to Baghdad on December 20. the killing,” she added. stand that at least 80 child soldier was killed and three killing of top Iranian military kill Soleimani near Baghdad’s Zarif at the time warned the Shamdasani said that the offenders remain on death others wounded. Israel’s mil- commander Qasem Soleimani international airport. US president against any rights office was dismayed that row,” Shamdasani said. itary declined to comment on in a drone strike in Baghdad on Days later, Iran launched a “adventurism” before leaving the execution had taken place Bachelet, she said, “urges the incident. January 3. volley of missiles at Iraqi bases the White House on January 20, despite its efforts to engage Iranian authorities to halt all Overall, Israeli warplanes US aircraft carrier USS housing US and other coalition and said “putting your own cit- with Tehran on the case. executions of child offenders flew 1,400 “operational” Nimitz has been patrolling Gulf troops, with Trump refraining izens at risk abroad won’t divert “There are deeply troubling and immediately review their sorties in 2020, the report said, waters since late November and from any further military attention from catastrophic allegations that forced confes- cases in line with international without elaborating. two American B-52 bombers response. failures at home”. sions extracted through torture human rights law.” CAR President Touadera Peacekeeping mission in Darfur ends, stoking fears AFP — NYALA, SUDAN The mission said the Nations should reconsider its the concerns of the Darfuri pop- heads to election victory Sudanese government “will decision,” Mohamed Abdel- ulation especially IDPs and The United Nations-African take over responsibility for the rahman told AFP on Wednesday other vulnerable groups, but the AFP — BANGUI electoral and judicial bodies Union mission in Darfur has protection of civilians in the at Kalma camp in Nyala, the situation has improved a great could be trusted. ended its 13 years of peace- area.” capital of South Darfur. deal over the past few years,” Central African Republic (CAR) “No candidate has any right keeping in the vast Sudanese Darfur’s bitter conflict has He is among hundreds who Eissa said. “The responsibility President Faustin Archange to go through non-official region yesterday, even as recent largely subsided in recent years staged a sit-in outside the mis- now lies with the transitional Touadera is on track to win last channels to call for the elec- violent clashes leave residents and longtime autocrat Omar al- sion’s headquarters at the camp. government and the Sudanese weekend’s elections, his party tions to be cancelled and to be fearful of new conflict. Bashir — wanted by the Inter- Protesters held up banners people themselves to enhance said yesterday, a day after the held again,” he said, speaking Fighting erupted in Darfur national Criminal Court for gen- reading: “We trust UN pro- peace and security in Darfur.” opposition called for the vote at the headquarters of Touad- in 2003, when ethnic minority ocide and other alleged crimes tection for IDPs (internally dis- A UN political mission — the to be annulled. era’s United Hearts Movement rebels rose up against the Arab- in the western region -- was placed people),” and “we reject United Nations Integrated Tran- “Trends... point to a first- (MCU) party. dominated government in deposed last year. UNAMID’s exit.” sition Assistance Mission in round victory by Professor “Trends provided by our Khartoum, which responded by But the country’s transi- The UN said that the phased Sudan (UNITAMS) — will be Touadera, reflecting the representatives at polling sta- recruiting and arming notorious tional government is fragile, withdrawal of the mission’s installed in Darfur after UNA- renewed legitimacy that the tions at home and abroad” put Arab-dominated militia known and ethnic and tribal clashes approximately 8,000 armed MID’s departure. people have conferred on our the turnout at 51.86 percent of as the Janjaweed. still periodically flare, including and civilian personnel will It will be tasked with candidate,” his campaign the electorate, he added. A total of 300,000 people clashes last week that left at begin in January and be com- assisting Sudan’s transition, director, Simplice Mathieu The elections, staged for the were killed and 2.5 million dis- least 15 people dead and dozens pleted inside six months. peace-building, and aid Sarandji, said. presidency and legislature, are placed, according to the United wounded. Longtime Kalma resident disbursement. A powerful coalition of widely seen as a key stability Nations. Darfuris, many of whom Othman Abulkassem fears the Yesterday, acting foreign opposition groups on test. “The last day for UNAMID remain in teeming camps years troops’ departure signals “big minister Omar Qamareddine Wednesday said the December The landlocked country is is tonight at midnight,” said after they fled their homes, have trouble” for Darfuris, leaving said UNAMID “contributed to 27 vote was badly flawed and one of the poorest in the world UNAMID’s team leader in held protests in recent weeks them at risk of further acheiving peace.” demanded its “cancellation, and among the most volatile, Darfur office Islam Khan. against the mission’s imminent violence. “It’s true that its tenure was pure and simple”. suffering coups and wars since “UNAMID will not have any departure. UNAMID spokesman Ashraf marred by some obstacles but But Sarandji, a former independence from France in protection mandate after “The lives of Darfuri people Eissa sought to allay those fears. it was, overall, good,” the min- prime minister, said the CAR’s 1960. December 31, 2020.” are at stake, and the United “We understand ister told a press conference. FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 ISLAM 07 The peace and beauty of Islam

DEANA NASSAR Islam came to clarify three points: That there is only one God worthy of worship, slam, a religion of peace, is the fastest growing that there is a Day of Judgment, and that religion on earth bearing the same message that we are all equal no matter what colour, was given to Jesus and all gender, or creed we may have. The Holy Ithe other messengers (Peace be upon them). Like all Divine reli- Quran illustrates this in the beautiful gions, Islam came to clarify verse: Say: We believe in Allah God three points: That there is only one God worthy of worship, that Almighty and that which was revealed there is a Day of Judgment, and that we are all equal no matter to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and what colour, gender, or creed Jacob and the tribes and that which was we may have. The Quran illustrates this in given to Moses and Jesus and to the the beautiful verse: Say: We believe in Allah God Almighty Prophets from their Lord; we make no and that which was revealed to distinction between any of them, and to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes and Him (God) we submit. (2:136) that which was given to Moses and Jesus and to the Prophets from their Lord; we make no distinction between any of In reality, there are many We are told by the Prophet’s them, and to Him (God) we instances where Prophet wife Aisha (may Allah be submit. (2:136) Muhammad (PBUH) took advice pleased with her), that after It is on this note that we from females recorded in his slaughtering a goat the Prophet must acknowledge that Islam biography as they were highly asked her how much meat was does not claim to be a new regarded in Islam. Islam left after they had distributed religion brought by Prophet recorded the last sermon given part of it, she responded: Muhammad (peace be upon by the Prophet before his death “Nothing but its shoulder; for him) into the Arab world, but which discussed women’s status we have sent the rest to the poor rather to be a re-expression in in Islam where he advised men and neighbours.” its final form of the true religion to treat women well and be kind She was then assured by of the Almighty God as it was to them describing them as their her husband that: “The whole originally revealed to Adam and partners and committed goat remained except its subsequent Prophets. We have helpers. shoulder” (Tirmidhi, 2470); been taught that Islam cannot that is in terms of reward and be confined to any one people, Islam is Perfect blessings by God. place, or period of time. Within It is here that I stress Islam This among other kind the central principle of Islam its is perfect; Muslims are not. Con- actions is necessary to advocate definition is to surrender to the trary to the belief of the intol- the beauty of Islam, even will of God and this is where the erant few depicting Muslims as without uttering a word or roots of Islam’s universality lie. barbaric backward people is a preaching others to join our faith, Once we come to the reali- misconception which we need we can promote the religion. The sation that God is one and dis- to change. Islam places Prophet (PBUH)teaches us that tinct from His creation, we emphasis on education Islam is easy, simple and beau- become part of a beautiful describing the seeking of tiful, and he advised us to: “Let religion in body and spirit and knowledge as an obligation for people rejoice in being Muslims are then eligible for paradise, both men and women alike. and not run away from it’ and our final abode. Unfortunately Reading history and dis- ‘Cheerfulness towards other today there are misconcep- cussing the framework of both people, even a smile is a charity tions which prevent non- Eastern and Western ideas and to be rewarded by God.” (Tir- Muslims from seeing the where the unity of God, the picture religious fanatics on Now, many years later, I the merging of new thought midhi, 1956) beauty of Islam, and it is our Prophethood of Prophet camels with a sword in one have acknowledged that our with old, we can see that it In short, Islam is beautiful responsibility as Muslims to Muhammad (PBUH) and the hand and a Quran in the other. role as bearers of good will is brought about great advances and easy and the rules are there convey the true picture in an concept of life after death are I remember this was how many significant, and we must change in medicine, mathematics for us to follow, not to oppress effort to spread knowledge, the basic articles of our faith. acquaintance thought my rel- misconceptions regarding physics, astronomy, geography, not to be cruel just simply to even if it’s just through our Everybody and anybody may atives oversees travelled, and I Islam. Remember composure architecture, art, literature, and guide us through our life here actions. approach the Quran directly recall how much I, as a feisty and mutual respect is the key history. on earth in the correct way. If The message which was and translate its dictates into youngster, wanted to show here. Much to the chagrin of my we follow these rules that God revealed to Prophet Muhammad practice with the bonus of them my fist but was reminded Another false impression children, I also have placed gave us as Muslims, we cannot (PBUH) is Islam in its compre- finding peace. by my parents how inadequate dictates that Islam oppresses emphasis on education, after all go wrong. Although we may hensive, complete, beautiful According to a study by that would be, stressing it would women; this could not be as Muslims we are the ambas- stray occasionally, we are and final form. It provides def- researcher David B Larson, be more suitable to take on the further than the truth. While sadors of Islam and it would not human and God gave us inite guidelines for us all to those who enjoy spiritual beliefs adage ‘actions speak louder some Muslim countries may do if we were to lack prayers so that we may praise follow in all walks of life cov- are psychologically and physi- than words’ and share the have laws that oppress women, knowledge. Islam in all its and love and ask mercy of ering the social, economic, cally healthier since they message of Islam with people this should not be seen as beauty advocates simplicity and Him; after all God is all for- political, moral and spiritual behave in accordance with the softly just as the Prophet coming from Islam particularly ease. While enjoying the many giving. As Muslims we should aspects of it. purpose of their creation. The Muhammad (PBUH) was as these countries do not rule blessings of God, the path of remember and remind others Reciting the Quran we are study cites that: “Philosophies advised in the Quran: by any kind of Islamic law, moderation and simplicity must about the Prophet’s teachings. reminded of our purpose of and systems which contradict It is part of the mercy of introducing their own cultural not be forsaken. As one of Indeed, the meanings found life on earth, and our duties human creation always lead to Allah that you deal gently with standpoints on the issue of Islam’s pillars, almsgiving is in the Quran, the Hadith and and obligations towards our- pain and unhappiness”. them if you were severe or gender equality. Remember Islam’s solution to help those in many of the messenger’s stories selves, our family, our com- This is demonstrated in the hardhearted, they would have Islam is simple, culture is dif- need in the most suitable are astounding, touching upon munity, our fellow human verse which I personally find broken away from you. (3:159) ficult. In fact no discrimination manner away from causing any some of the most important beings and our Creator. We are much comfort in; it reads: Only Freedom of religion is in whatsoever is made on the basis sort of humiliation. rights God has over humanity, given basic guidelines about a in the remembrance of Allah fact laid down in the Quran of sex. We are taught that the best and humanity has over each purposeful life and are can the heart find peace. (13:28) itself and it is evident in the Islam in all its beauty rec- of alms is that which the right other. Though Prophet Muham- expected to put these high verse which reads: There is no ognises the responsibilities of hand gives, and the left hand mad’s (PBUH) soul has left this ideals into practice. Some Misconceptions compulsion or coercion in the men and women as equally knows not of. It’s imperative we world, his words are still living In all its beauty we are Unfortunately with all its religion Islam. The right important in themselves as the instill in our children the habit in our hearts and for this we taught that Islam is a simple, beauty, some non-Muslims, direction is distinctly clear from roles of men and women are of giving to those less fortunate should be grateful. rational and practical religion when they think about Islam, error. (2:256) complementary to each other. than ourselves. Archives: onislam.net How to deal with bitter criticism A’ID ABDULLAH AL QARNI of earth, expect to be hurt, insulted, and On the Day of Judgment, all criticised. Here is something that you y being unconcerned over trifles, worldly worries and concerns should contemplate: A person who is a person displays a virtue that will will be incomparable to those of sitting on the ground does not fall, and Bsurely bring happiness to him or people do not kick a dead dog. Therefore, her. Those who have lofty aims are con- that day. What are our main people’s anger towards you can be cerned with the hereafter. A pious pred- concerns in this worldly life? attributed to you surpassing them in right- ecessor advised one of his brothers, They are social status, prestige, eousness, knowledge, manners, or wealth. saying, “Be concerned only with the fol- fame, income, wealth, mansions, In their eyes, you are a transgressor lowing affairs: the day when you will whose wrongs cannot be atoned for, meet Allah and stand before Him and and children. They all become unless you abandon your talents and the hereafter.” nothing when one stands before strip yourself of all praiseworthy qual- Almighty Allah says: On that Day of Almighty Allah on the Day of ities, so that you become stupid, Judgment, you shall be exposed to view Judgment. Bearing this in mind worthless, and to them, innocuous. This — no secret of yours shall remain hidden. result is exactly what they want for you. (Al Haqqah 69:18) will make you indifferent to how So, remain firm and patient when On the Day of Judgment, all worldly people should treat you. facing their insults and criticism. If you worries and concerns will be incompa- are wounded by their words and influ- rable to those of that day. What are our enced by their attitude, you will have main concerns in this worldly life? They helped them realise their very hopes. are social status, prestige, fame, income, produce, and have a positive effect upon Instead, forgive and show them the most wealth, mansions, and children. They all others, disapproval and condemnation beautiful of manners; turn away from become nothing when one stands before will be your lot in this worldly life. them, and let not their schemes distress Almighty Allah on the Day of Judgment. This is made clear in the following you. Their disapproval of you only Bearing this in mind will make you indif- verse: Or do they envy the people for increases your worth and merit. ferent to how people should treat you. what Allah has given them of His grace? Certainly, you will not be able to Those who are ignorant have uttered (An-Nisaa’ 4:54) silence them, but you are able to bury their curses at Almighty Allah, the Creator of Unless you manage to escape from criticisms by turning away from them and all that exists. So, what treatment can people by finding a tunnel under the dismissing what they have to say. Almighty you, as a human being, expect from ground or a ladder leading up to the sky, Allah says: Say, “Perish in your rage; surely people? You will always have to face people will not desist from censuring Allah is Aware of what is hidden in the criticism, which, in its onslaught, is like you and exposing even a minor fault in breasts.” (Aal Imran 3:119) your talents. However, if you desire to Taken with modifications from an interminable war that shows no sign your character. In fact, you will add to their rage by be accepted by all and loved by all, the author’s book "Do Not Be Sad". of an end. As long as you shine, give, As long as you are from the denizens increasing your merits and developing then you desire the unattainable. 08 VIEWS FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 Will 2021 be the year of living Established in 1996

CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI sustainably for Europe?

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED THIN LEI WIN [email protected] REUTERS

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Driving less. Opting for trains instead of MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI planes. Cutting down on red meat and [email protected] consuming more locally grown food. Buying less but spending more on sustainable products. If these preferences from multiple surveys with tens of thousands of people EDITORIAL across Europe are anything to go by, 2021 might be the year when consumer behaviour makes a significant shift A year of economic recovery towards eco-friendly living. A person cycles across Millennium Bridge as the sun rises, in London, Britain. The findings suggest now could be the THE outbreak of COVID-19 made 2020 a difficult year time for policy makers and green activists Department of Management who has been is responsible for nearly 15% of planet- to forget. However, for Qatari economy, it was a year to jump-start a lasting transition to tackle conducting research on consumer warming greenhouse gas emissions, she of resilience, because of its impressive performance global warming alongside social and eco- behaviour for decades. “Habits function in said. “It’s one of the areas where Euro- and bounce back. Despite the challenges created by nomic inequalities, researchers told the stable environments. When the envi- peans are quite poorly educated still,” she coronavirus outbreak, the economy staged a strong Thomson Reuters Foundation. ronment becomes disrupted, they change added. “We know much more about the come back last year. “We have a moment of opportunity to more easily,” he said. “The pandemic has environmental impact of using our car or Qatar’s economy has recovered from the impact of lay out a platform, which addresses some been a disruptive event ... so it’s a good sit- flying, and much less about the impact of COVID-19 outbreak with the help of timely support by of the changes that people are now ready uation for behavioural change.” our dietary choices.” the government. The Supreme Committee for Crisis to make,” said British author and Uni- In September, Aarhus led a survey of Europe’s Stories also plans to follow up Management (to combat COVID-19), presided by Amir versity of Oxford historian Timothy Garton 5,000 people in 10 European countries to on a striking finding from the March H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in March Ash, who led the team behind one of the discover the pandemic’s impact on food survey that 71% of Europeans across all age announced a whopping QR75bn stimulus package to opinion polls. shopping and consumption, and found groups support the introduction of a uni- the private sector. Additionally, QR10bn was injected The transformation could cover travel, substantial shifts. versal basic income. “For an idea that has to boost the country’s capital market. work environments and consumption pat- Almost half said they were more con- often been dismissed as wildly unrealistic The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) had put in place an terns, as well as addressing “the discontent scious of healthy eating and about three in and utopian, this is a remarkable figure,” appropriate mechanism directing banks to postpone about inequality, community and identity”, 10 wanted to continue cooking at home, the researchers said. They also found that loan repayments and the private sector’s other obliga- he said in a phone interview. “If we’re according to the survey commissioned by 84% supported an EU proposal for a man- tions to the banks, for a period of six months, which clever, we will seize the chance.” EIT Food, an initiative from the European datory minimum wage. Still, mounting was later on extended until December. His September survey of more than Union. A third said buying locally was now concerns over economic downturn could The private sector of Qatar bounced back from the 13,000 people in 28 European nations more important, while nearly 30% would pose a key challenge to the growing desire shock of COVID-19 outbreak and is now moving ahead found two in three would support a ban on opt for unpackaged products or those with to live sustainably. The EIT Food survey on the path of recovery. The monthly Purchasing Man- short-haul flights if the destination can be biodegradable or recyclable packaging. found consumers across Europe suffered agers’ Index (PMI) figures have shown that the recovery reached in 12 hours by train. More than 80% of both groups said they financial hardship during the COVID-19 in private sector is now strong. Year-to-date PMI data More than half said governments would continue their new behaviour. pandemic, with a third of respondents confirms Qatar’s economic trajectory is more in-line should only support national airlines Global commodities giant Archer losing part or all of their income and 55% with what is observed in China and other East Asian financially if the bailouts have environ- Daniels Midland Co, meanwhile, has iden- finding it difficult to make ends meet every economies with a V-shaped recovery. mental strings attached, such as phasing tified “sustainability” as one of the top five month. The PMI registered 51.5 in October, up fractionally out fuel-inefficient aircraft. global food trends for 2021. That suggests affordability, as much as from 51.4 in September, driven by strong business Nearly half would support pedestrian- Consumers want to make a positive environmental concerns, will be a crucial expectations and realised transactions. ising city centres and more than 50% impact on the environment and many now driver of consumer behaviour. Qatar’s non-energy private sector economy con- would use their car less often, while nearly know more about the links between food In addition, many charities in Britain tinued to expand towards the end of 2020, according two-thirds would be prepared to reduce systems and labour issues, contamination, could be slimming or shutting down just to the November PMI survey data. meat consumption. water quality and deforestation, the when their services are most needed, said The Qatar Stock Exchange (QE) Index has surged Some trends, like sustainable eating, company said in a report based on its own British IT firm DSA Connect, whose survey around 2,375 points or 29 percent since March when it had are not new, but this year’s devastating research. of 1,000 adults found 28% had cut their declined to 8,160 points - the lowest point of the year. The global pandemic - which upended daily Contrary to widespread assumptions, donations since the COVID-19 crisis began. export from Qatar maintained rising trend despite a chal- life in an unprecedented manner - has there is little difference between the gen- This amounted to losses of about £140 lenging year. Qatar’s foreign merchandise trade balance, “strengthened and accelerated” them, said erations in levels of desire for climate million ($189 million) a month for char- which represents the difference between total exports and Klaus Grunert from Denmark’s Aarhus action, according to the Oxford University ities, the data company said. imports, has shown surplus throughout the year. University. And many of the new habits survey, part of a project called Europe’s “The post-COVID economic life, at Qatar’s foreign merchandise trade balance regis- could stick, said Grunert, a professor at the Stories. least in the short to medium term, is going tered a surplus of QR9.1bn in November, showing a rise “That was extremely surprising to us,” to be higher unemployment, more inse- of nearly QR2bn or 28.6 percent compared to October Some trends, like sustainable said Antonia Zimmermann from Europe’s curity (and) levels of public debt in some 2020. Foreign merchandise trade balance expanded by eating, are not new, but this Stories. “It shows the majority of Euro- places up to heights not seen since the end nearly QR600m or 9.5 percent at QR7bn in October com- peans across age groups think more needs of the Second World War,” said Garton pared to the previous month of September 2020. year’s devastating global to be done on climate change, not only the Ash. Such circumstances may push people The monthly foreign merchandise trade balance pandemic - which upended young.” But there was a difference back to worrying about jobs and provide showed a surplus of QR6.3bn in July 2020, registering between a survey in March, before several “fertile ground” for populists, he warned. an increase of nearly QR400m, or 6.6 percent, com- daily life in an unprecedented months of pandemic lockdown, and one in Policy makers and those aiming to pared to June 2020. manner - has “strengthened September, when respondents seemed tackle climate change and inequality need Qatar’s economy is likely to witness strong recovery and accelerated” them, said more open to adapting their lifestyles to to come up with “credible and feasible next year as International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pro- tackle climate change, the researchers programmes” - whether universal basic jected Qatar’s GDP growth of 2.7 percent in 2021. Klaus Grunert from Denmark’s said. income, flexible working or better public Aarhus University. Receiving new information also influ- transport, he said. enced their choices, Zimmermann said. “There’s a very big question (over) For example, only about 40% said they how you sustain the positive momentum would be willing to eat less meat at the we are seeing in some of this polling D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR beginning of the survey - but this jumped through these very difficult times,” he to 68% after learning livestock production added. EMAIL: [email protected]

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 FAX: +974 4455 7758 Preparing for the next big migration challenge

MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 BLOOMBERG President Donald Trump’s ought to reflect on this expe- judges to reduce the asylum response to the migrant chal- rience. It should temper any backlog. And it shouldn’t need DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 Bloomberg News recently lenge was awful, but mayhem messaging that might suggest, saying that every effort must be reported that pandemic- at the border didn’t start with “Our borders are now open.” made to reunite separated LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 induced economic deprivation, him. Biden needs to correct Biden’s vow to suspend all children with their parents. two fierce hurricanes and the mistakes that go further back deportations for 100 days is The temptation to flip a BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 hope that a new administration - including errors by the understandable given the pan- switch and reverse everything might ease security threaten to administration he was a part of. demic, but border detentions the Trump administration did SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 create a new wave of migrants Unlike Trump, President are already increasing. His offi- on migration is under- at America’s southern border. Barack Obama didn’t make cials should look carefully at standable. Many of his actions ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 “There are going to be family separation a deliberate Trump’s agreements with Gua- and all of his rhetoric shamed email: [email protected] caravans, and in the coming instrument of policy, part of a temala, El Salvador and Hon- the nation. But a simple weeks it will increase,” said the “zero tolerance” approach to duras to allow asylum requests U-turn is neither wise nor PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 head of a civil-society organi- scare migrants into staying to be heard there rather than feasible. Biden needs to reject email: [email protected] zation in Guatemala. away. But separations did allowing refugees to continue the cruel ideology of the anti- With the pandemic far from occur - and thanks to a tight through Mexico to the US immigrant right, but eschew ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 beaten, the issue has a pressing reading of certain statutes, border. Reflexively sundering the “open borders” fantasies FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] new public-health dimension, children were jailed. Undocu- those deals would be foolish. of many on the left. He needs making the problem harder mented immigrants flooded At the same time, the US to learn from Obama’s mis- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 than ever. President-elect Joe the border. Deportations ran at needs to bolster its immigration takes as well as Trump’s, and email: [email protected] Biden may have to grapple higher rates than during the courts, by restoring judicial dis- build new partnerships with with all this during his first Trump years. cretion in asylum cases and America’s neighbors to the SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 weeks in office. The new administration adding more lawyers and south. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]

www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar

/ThePeninsulaQatar We overcame the impact of the pandemic and made significant achievements in /Peninsula_Qatar both controlling the coronavirus and /ThePeninsulaNewspaper pushing economic developments. Xi Jinping, Chinese President +974 6698 6188 FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 ASIA 09 Philippine islands self-isolate after virus variant found in Malaysia

REUTERS — MANILA monitor its sea borders with Sulu province will shut Sabah in Malaysia. A province of islands in the its borders to all, The lockdown will be in southern Philippines will seal place from January 4 to January itself off for an initial two weeks including returning 17 but could be extended, Tan from Monday to keep out a new residents, from January said. Residents not currently on COVID-19 variant found in 4 to 17. It lies close to the islands would be denied nearby Malaysia, its governor Malaysia's Sabah state. entry from Monday. The Phil- said. ippines has had more than Sulu, home to more than 472,000 infections overall, 900,000 people, currently has channel yesterday. among the highest caseloads in just two known active cases of A top Malaysian health Southeast Asia, mostly in the the coronavirus, from 242 so far official last week said it had capital Manila. recorded, of which 12 were found a new variant in the Despite strict entry and deaths. country, but had yet to detect quarantine requirements on “This is for securing our the highly infectious variant entry via its international air- shores from the reported that was originally discovered ports, its vast southern sea COVID-19 strain in Sabah, in Britain. borders are notoriously porous, Malaysia considering we are so Sulu has requested the with long established trade and near,” Sulu Governor Abdu- national government provide travel routes between its islands Fog grips northern India Commuters makes their way along a road amid foggy conditions in Amritsar, India, yesterday. sakur Tan told ANC news more vessels and helicopters to and Sabah.

Australia changes Australia battles COVID-19 clusters in Sydney and Melbourne anthem line for BLOOMBERG inner west has risen to nine. transmission through rigorous — while South Australia and protecting and keeping case Neighbouring Victoria state, testing and contact tracing, and Victoria have gone a step numbers low and doing every- Indigenous people Authorities are battling to which had gone 61 days without by shuttering the international further, announcing yesterday thing we can to lock in the gains AFP — SYDNEY contain COVID-19 clusters in recording community trans- border — with all returned their borders will be closed to we made over the course of Australia’s two largest cities, mission of the virus, said eight overseas travellers made to all New South Wales residents 2020.” A line in Australia’s national urging people to avoid large cases had been detected. The isolate for 14 days in quarantine from January 1. Victoria limited household anthem has officially changed New Year’s Eve gatherings to outbreaks in the two states are hotels. Western Australia, which gatherings to 15 people and said in a move the nation’s leader prevent wider outbreaks. likely connected, with someone Before the Sydney outbreak, shut its border to New South mask-wearing at indoor venues said was aimed at better Ten new cases were who’d returned from New most domestic borders had Wales on December 19, will bar would be mandatory from 5 pm. recognising the country’s reported overnight in Sydney, South Wales attending a Thai been reopened in time for the Victorians from entering at While Sydney’s iconic New Indigenous people. with a cluster on the Northern restaurant in Melbourne that’s peak summer holiday season, midnight. “We do apologise for Year’s Eve fireworks display Prime Minister Scott Mor- Beaches growing to 144, New linked to other new infections allowing unrestricted travel in this disruption,” Victoria’s went ahead, crowds have been rison announced the second South Wales state Premier in the city. most of the country for the first Acting Premier Jacinta Allan banned from gathering in the line in the national anthem, Gladys Berejiklian told The outbreaks are a blow to time in months. States and ter- told reporters. “However these city and people have been urged Advance Australia Fair, would reporters yesterday. A second Australia, which had largely ritories have now pulled up the difficult decisions are about to watch the spectacle on TV change from “For we are group of infections in the city’s suppressed community drawbridge to Sydneysiders protecting the community, instead. young and free” to “For we are one and free”. “Australia as a modern Delhi leads India nation may be relatively Indonesia receives 1.8 million more Sinovac doses young, but our country’s story clampdown on is ancient, as are the stories of REUTERS — JAKARTA Gunadi Sadikin, said in a live the many First Nations peoples New Year events telecast. “It will take us more whose stewardship we rightly Indonesia received its second than 12 months to complete this acknowledge and respect,” AFP — NEW DELHI batch of coronavirus vaccines vaccination programme,” Budi Morrison wrote in The Age from Sinovac yesterday, the added. The country is expecting newspaper on New Year’s Eve. New Delhi and other major country’s foreign and health to receive coronavirus vaccines “Changing ‘young and free’ cities across India yesterday ministers said, as the world’s from AstraZeneca and Pfizer to ‘one and free’ takes nothing ordered curfews for New fourth most populous country before the end of the year and away, but I believe it adds Year’s Eve as they stepped up prepares a mass inoculation by the first week of January much.” The move had been efforts to head off a new coro- programme. respectively, having agreed to previously floated to better navirus wave. The government took buy 50 million doses of each recognise Indigenous Aus- In the capital, the curfew delivery of 1.8 million doses of vaccine. It is still awaiting tralian history, which spans would run for two days from the Chinese vaccine, adding to authorisation to start using the back tens of thousands of 11:00 pm until 6:00 am with the 1.2 million it received on Sinovac vaccines. years, but the conservative gatherings limited to five December 6, and aims to vac- In total, Indonesia has leader had not flagged the people even before the cinate its 267 million population secured 329 million vaccine change until announcing it late shutdown, authorities said. for free, starting with frontline doses, including about 125 yesterday night. Normally, tens of thou- health workers. million from Sinovac, 50 million Australia is a country still sands of revellers pack central “Before people return to from Novavax and 54 million reckoning with its colonial Delhi to see in the New Year. work in January, vaccines can from the global vaccine pro- past and inequality facing its But with frantic efforts be distributed to 34 provinces, gramme COVAX. The country First Nations peoples, with being made to track thousands so that we can start a vacci- has recorded over 727,000 Indigenous children twice as Health workers use a truck to disinfect a street against COVID-19 of people who have recently nation programme for health COVID-19 cases and 21,700 likely to die before their fifth pandemic in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, yesterday. returned from Britain because workers,” health minister, Budi deaths. birthday. of the new coronavirus strain, the city of 20 million people joined a growing number of Indian states that have Singapore sees most local imposed draconian restric- tions on New Year gatherings. Mumbai and other major cities COVID-19 cases in three months in Maharashtra state have REUTERS — SINGAPORE in progress,” the health ministry said on ordered a night-time Wednesday. shutdown until January 5. Singapore reported five locally trans- “All the identified close contacts of the Rajasthan and Uttara- mitted COVID-19 cases yesterday, its cases have been isolated and placed on khand, which both generally highest number in nearly three months, quarantine, and will be tested at the start draw large numbers of foreign and was seeking to verify two others and end of their quarantine period so that tourists for end-of-year hol- suspected of being infected by a highly we can detect asymptomatic cases.” idays, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and contagious variant first discovered in Though Singapore has recorded more Karnataka have all ordered Britain. than 58,000 infections and 29 corona- curfews for New Year. The two individuals believed to be virus-related deaths overall, many were India has officially infected with the B117 variant, which has in outbreaks in crowded migrant recorded more than 10 million prompted new travel curbs worldwide, dormitories. coronavirus infections, the had both arrived from Britain this month Its locally transmitted cases have typ- world’s second-highest and had earlier tested negative, the health ically been less than a handful each week, caseload behind the United ministry said on Wednesday. with larger numbers imported and States. But with 150,000 fatal- Those included a commercial airline detected in quarantine. Singapore ities for a population of 1.3 pilot who developed coronavirus reported 25 new imported cases on billion, the death rate is one of Protest against forced cremations symptoms despite a negative test last Thursday. the world’s lowest and the week, and an individual who had tested It last week confirmed its first case of A policeman stands guard as protesters demonstrate against the government number of new infections has positive despite earlier completing two the variant first found in Britain and pre- policy of forced cremations of Muslims who died of the COVID-19, outside a slowed dramatically in recent weeks of quarantine. liminary tests indicated 11 others in quar- cemetery in Colombo, Sri Lanka, yesterday. weeks. “Epidemiological investigations are antine were also infected with it. China holds sway in Nepal as rival communist factions create crisis REUTERS — KATHMANDU at a time when the economy is the communist party to get their meeting. “They want to listen the Trans-Himalayan Multi in decades along sections of its reeling from the coronavirus sides of the story, as well as more than they speak. They Dimensional Connectivity long frontier with China in the A Chinese Communist Party sparked protests. leaders of the main opposition wanted to know the reason Network,” Dinesh Bhattarai, a Himalayas. emissary has held days of talks Within days, Beijing dis- party and other politicians. leading to the split in the party,” Deuba aide present at the “India has its own history of to try to stop Nepal’s ruling patched to Kathmandu Guo Commenting on the delega- Karki said of the Chinese meeting, told Reuters. interference in Nepal but has communist party from tearing Yezhou, a vice-minister in the tion’s visit to Kathmandu, delegation. The network — involving the taken a back seat this time, itself apart. Chinese Communist Party (CCP) China’s foreign ministry “China always wants sta- construction of ports, roads, leaving China more exposed to The crisis erupted on International Liaison spokesman Zhao Lijian said bility in Nepal. Since the CCP has railways, aviation and commu- a growing feeling of resentment December 20 when Prime Min- Department, which manages China hoped “all the various a fraternal relationship with the nications — was agreed during among Nepalis,” said Con- ister K.P. Sharma Oli, decided he relationships with foreign parties in Nepal can put national NCP, they are concerned about a visit by China’s President Xi stantino Xavier, an analyst at the could no longer work with rival political parties of all hues, both interest and the overall situation the present situation. Certainly, Jinping to Nepal in October 2019. Centre for Social and Economic factions within his Nepal Com- in power and opposition. first, and proceed from there, they tried to know whether there And the multi-billion dollar Progress, an independent think munist Party (NCP), which was Oli has recommended an while properly handling internal is any possibility of uniting the investment in infrastructure thank in New Delhi. Feyzi Ismail, formed in 2018 to unite the election be held in two phases differences and working towards party,” Karki said. could be a godsend for Nepal’s a researcher at the School of Ori- Marxist-Leninist and main in April and May, but what political stability and the coun- Guo also held talks with the ailing economy. ental and African Studies in Maoist parties following their happens next could be in the lap try’s development.” opposition Nepali Congress Sandwiched between India London, suspected China could success in elections in late 2017. of the Supreme Court, as his Madhav Kumar Nepal, a Party leader and former Prime and China, Nepal’s tilt into be disappointed if it maintains With two years of his term opponents have challenged the former prime minister and one Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. China’s orbit is a growing backing for Oli in the hope of to run, Oli dissolved parliament dissolution of parliament as of the main critics of Oli within “Irrespective of any change concern for India. restoring political stability. “Pro- and called for fresh elections. unconstitutional. A hearing will the Nepal Communist Party in Nepal, China wants to con- Oli has raised border dis- tests against Oli’s authoritari- Seven ministers quit Oli’s resume in January. (NCP), met Guo, and Ram Karki, tinue its relationship with all putes between Nepal and India anism, his clamping down on government, and anger over the Guo has held separate the NCP’s deputy chief of the political parties and its economic at a time when India is already civil liberties are likely to descent into political infighting meetings with Oli, and rivals in foreign affairs attended their cooperation including dealing with the worst tensions intensify,” said Ismail. 10 ASIA FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 China approves 1st homegrown COVID-19 vaccine China confirms AP — BEIJING first case of UK Sinopharm, which has another shot virus variant China authorised its first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine for general use under development, is one of at AFP — SHANGHAI yesterday, adding another shot that least five Chinese developers that could see wide use in poorer countries are in a global race to create China has confirmed its first as the virus surges back around the vaccines for the disease that has case of a new coronavirus globe. killed more than 1.8 million people. variant that was recently The Sinopharm vaccine had already detected in Britain, health offi- been given to groups such as health care cials said. professionals and essential workers The new strain, which under emergency-use guidelines as part toward assuring the rest of the world experts say potentially of China’s programme to inoculate 50 about the quality of Chinese vaccines. It spreads faster than the million people before the Lunar New would also open the path for the shots original variant, has prompted Year holiday in February. But the go- to be distributed in the global vaccine travel restrictions on the UK ahead should allow it to be supplied consortium, COVAX, and potentially in by more than 50 countries — more broadly at home and moves Beijing countries that don’t have their own reg- including China, where the closer to being able to ship it abroad. It ulatory agencies. coronavirus first emerged late comes one day after British regulators Technically, China granted condi- last year. authorised AstraZeneca’s inexpensive tional approval for the vaccine, meaning The first patient in China and easy-to-handle vaccine. that research is still ongoing, and the with the new variant is a A medical worker takes a swab sample from a child to test for the COVID-19 infection Both shots have been closely company will be required to submit 23-year-old woman from in Shenyang, in China’s northeast Liaoning province, yesterday. watched by developing countries, many follow-up data as well as reports of any Shanghai who arrived from of which have been unable to secure the adverse effects after the vaccine is sold Britain on December 14, the Pfizer and Moderna doses being snapped on the market, Chen Shifei, the deputy AstraZeneca one, could be easier for statements about it. One official said it Chinese Centre for Disease up by rich nations. commissioner of the National Medical countries around the world to handle would be affordable for the Chinese Control said in a research note The greenlight came a day after the Products Administration, told a news since they can be stored at normal fridge public, but another jumped in to clarify published on Wednesday. state-owned company announced that conference. Final proof of its effec- temperatures. that it will be free. President Xi Jinping She was hospitalised on preliminary data from last-stage trials tiveness will depend on publication of Both shots, as well as Russia’s had previously vowed to donate a arrival as she showed mild had shown it to be 79.3% effective. That more data. Sputnik, are expected to be supplied to Chinese-made vaccine as a public good symptoms. announcement did not detail the size of Sinopharm, which has another shot much of the developing world. to the world. Health experts conducted the control group, how many people under development, is one of at least five That means the cost will also be The Sinopharm shot is already under a genetic sequencing of her were vaccinated and at what point the Chinese developers that are in a global important. AstraZeneca is expected to mass production. test samples on December 24 efficacy rate was reached after injection, race to create vaccines for the disease cost about $2.50 a dose, while Russia has In addition to the emergency vacci- “due to travel history from the and experts have cautioned that trial that has killed more than 1.8 million said its doses will be priced at $10 for nations already underway in China, the UK and abnormalities in data needs to be shared. people. While the Pfizer and Moderna the global market. Pfizer’s vaccine costs country plans to start vaccinating high- nucleic acid test results”,” the Officials have said the vaccine shots have been greeted with much about $20, while Moderna’s is $15 to $25, risk population, such as seniors as well China CDC said. standards were developed in “close fanfare in the West, those shots must be based on agreements with the US as people with existing chronic illnesses. The patient was found to cooperation” with the World Health stored at ultra-cold or freezer temper- government. Officials did not say what percentage of have a strain different to those Organisation. Securing WHO’s so-called atures, complicating distribution. Chinese officials declined to name a the population they will vaccinate in found in Shanghai or Wuhan pre-qualification could go some way The Sinopharm vaccine, like the particular price and gave conflicting China. earlier, and further testing confirmed it was the variant known as B.1.1.7 that has been HK media tycoon spreading in the UK since Tokyo registers record 1,337 coronavirus cases October. Jimmy Lai jailed Health authorities have REUTERS — TOKYO Yoshihide Suga has urged NHK said. Japan has been bat- Emperor Naruhito and other carried out contact-tracing, after bail revoked people to celebrate New Year tling a third wave of COVID-19 imperial family members were the CDC statement added. New coronavirus infections in quietly and avoid non-essential infections in recent weeks and due to greet well-wishers. China suspended direct AP — HONG KONG Japan’s capital hit a record high outings. on Monday started barring the In Tokyo, where the gov- flights to and from Britain of 1,337 yesterday, Tokyo’s Japan Airlines and All entry of non-resident foreign ernor has warned of a potential indefinitely on December 24 Hong Kong’s highest court Metropolitan Government said, Nippon Airways cancelled or nationals after detecting var- explosion in COVID-19 cases, because of the new strain. yesterday revoked media and New Year’s Eve celebra- planned to cancel a total of iants of the virus from Britain extra train services will be sus- British Prime Minister tycoon Jimmy Lai’s bail after tions were curtailed as the around 140 flights, public and South Africa. pended from late December 31 Boris Johnson has said the new prosecutors succeeded in country battles a third wave of broadcaster NHK reported, Japanese Economy Minister to January 1. variant “may be up to 70 asking the judges to send him the pandemic. adding that bullet train services Yasutoshi Nishimura said on “I want to emphasis again percent more transmissible back to detention. Nationwide, new cases sur- had been suspended in some Wednesday the government that there is no New Year hol- than the original version of the Lai had been granted bail passed 4,000 for the first time, parts of the northern Yamagata may have to consider declaring idays for the coronavirus. I disease”. on December 23 after three local media said. prefecture. a state of emergency if the urge people to spend quiet hol- But there is no evidence so weeks in custody on charges Scores of flights were also A 70-year-old man died in number the COVID-19 cases idays staying at home with far to suggest that infection of fraud and endangering cancelled as heavy snowfall hit the northern Iwate prefecture grow. Japan’s Imperial families,” Kyodo news agency with the new variant is more national security. His appeal several areas of Japan after he apparently fell into a Household Agency has can- quoted Tokyo Governor Yuriko likely to lead to a severe case hearing is slated for February yesterday. river while trying to shift snow celled an annual New Year’s Koike as telling reporters of COVID-19 or increase the 1. The court said yesterday that Japanese Prime Minister with a shovel loader machine, event set for January 2, at which yesterday. risk of death. it was “reasonably arguable” that the previous judge’s decision was erroneous and that the order of granting bail Pakistan to buy 1.2 million was invalid. Lai is among a string of Sinopharm vaccine doses pro-democracy activists and supporters arrested by Hong REUTERS — ISLAMABAD COVID-19 vaccines, initially to Kong police in recent months cover the most vulnerable 5% as authorities step up their Pakistan will purchase 1.2 of the population, but did not crackdown on dissent in the million COVID-19 vaccine announce which one it would semi-autonomous Chinese doses from China’s Sinopharm, procure, saying it could tap territory. a minister said yesterday, the more than one source. He was charged with fraud first official confirmation of a “If the private sector wants on December 3 for allegedly vaccine purchase by the South to import any other interna- violating the lease terms for Asian country as it battles a tionally-approved vaccine, it office space for the Next second wave of infections. can,” Hussain said yesterday. Digital, the media company he China approved a The country of 220 million founded. He was later charged COVID-19 vaccine developed is in the midst of another spate again on December 12 under by an affiliate of state-backed of infections, with 58 deaths on the sweeping national security pharmaceutical giant Wednesday taking its death toll law imposed by Beijing on sus- Sinopharm on Thursday, its past 10,000. It also reported picion of colluding with first approved shot for general 2,475 new infections, taking the foreign forces and endan- public use. total to 479,715. gering national security. “The Cabinet Committee Pakistan is currently A general view shows the last sunset of the year from Namsan tower in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. Lai entered the Court of has decided to initially pur- running phase III clinical trials Final Appeal without making chase 1.2 million doses of the for CanSino Biologics’ vaccine any comments to supporters vaccine from the Chinese candidate, Ad5-nCoV, led by and media, many of whom South Korea moves coronavirus patients company Sinopharm, which the government-run National swarmed the tycoon as he will be provided free of cost to Institute of Health. made his way into the out of nursing homes as deaths mount frontline workers in the first Hassan Abbas of AJ Pharma, courtroom. His bail conditions quarter of 2021,” Pakistani Min- CanSino’s local representative, included surrendering his REUTERS — SEOUL were people over the age of 80. nursing homes are elderly and ister for Science and Tech- told Reuters on Wednesday travel documents and a ban on Only 40 deaths have been with underlying conditions, nology Chaudhry Fawad that recruitment for the trial meeting with foreign officials, Dozens of elderly South Korean reported among people they are at a high risk of death Hussain said on Twitter. will be completed in 10 days. publishing articles on any coronavirus patients were younger than 60. when infected with COVID-19,” The minister told Reuters “Preliminary results will be media, posting on social media transferred from nursing homes At least 316 residents of Choi Dae-zip, president of the the purchase would be of the shared 4 or 5 days after and giving interviews. to hospitals this week after crit- nursing hospitals or nursing Korean Medical Association, vaccine candidate developed recruitment is completed, and Chinese state-owned icism that government policy homes have died, the Korea told a news conference. by Sinopharm’s Beijing Institute these will include the efficacy newspaper People’s Daily had led to a spike in deaths Disease Control and Prevention “They should be given pri- of Biological Products. of the vaccine,” Abbas said, posted a strongly worded among the vulnerable residents. Agency (KDCA) said yesterday. ority to hospital beds and Sinopharm has another adding that thus far there have commentary on Sunday criti- South Korea’s total tally of When the KDCA reported a receive proper treatment.” candidate, developed by the been no serious side effects. cising the court for granting infections passed 60,000 yes- record 40 deaths in one day on Meanwhile, some 792 people Wuhan Institute of Biological AJ Pharma is one of five bail to Lai, stating that it terday, as 967 additional cases Tuesday, 70% of them were res- had been infected at a Seoul Products, which is also in phase companies that have applied “severely hurt Hong Kong’s were reported. idents of nursing homes or prison since November 27, the III trials. for a license to distribute the rule of law.” At least 486 of South nursing hospitals. “Since most Ministry of Justice said Pakistan earlier this month vaccine in Pakistan once The People’s Daily said Korea’s 900 reported deaths of the hospitalised in the yesterday. approved $150 million to buy approved, he added. that it would not be difficult for Lai to abscond, and called him “notorious and extremely dangerous”. It also warned Report: Harsh winter can bring illness, death to Afghan children that China could take over the case, according to Article 55 of AP — KABUL, AFGHANISTAN of not only hunger and disease, winter conditions,” he said. blankets and winter clothes for upswing in Afghanistan even as the national security law including COVID-19, but also “Their families don’t have the children including coats, socks, Taliban and Afghan government which states that China can More than 300,000 children in death from freezing money to buy winter clothing. shoes, hats. negotiators continue talks, “exercise jurisdiction over a war-ravaged Afghanistan face temperatures. Instead children are forced to “The situation is bleak for trying to hammer out a peace case concerning offence freezing winter conditions that Chris Nyamandi, Afghan- huddle at home to escape the children forced to live in camps deal that could put an end to endangering national can lead to illness and death istan country director for Save bitter cold.” Schools are closed in places like Balkh province. It decades of war. security”. without proper winter clothing the Children, said in a statement until March in the coldest parts is already very cold in this At a camp in the northern Hong Kong’s judiciary on and heating, a humanitarian yesterday that early snow in of Afghanistan, where the tem- northern province with over- part of the capital Kabul, there Tuesday uploaded a 19-page organisation said yesterday. northern Afghanistan has perature can plummet to as low night temperatures as low as are more than 700 families, the judgment on its website, laying The ongoing military con- impacted children particularly as minus 27 degrees Celsius. minus ten. But it will get much majority of them displaced by out the reasons why High flict in Afghanistan has badly. Save the Children has pro- colder before March,” Nya- violence in their hometowns. Court Judge Justice Alex Lee destroyed many homes and “The most vulnerable vided winter kits to more than mandi said. “For thousands of They and other families had granted Lai bail. Lee said forced thousands of children to children are those whose 100,000 families in 12 of children the Afghan winter is a keep warm and cook by burning that he was satisfied that there shelter in camps for the schools have shut because of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. The time of grim survival.” the garbage that surrounds was no flight risk in Lai’s case. homeless. There they are at risk the worsening kits include fuel and a heater, Violence has been on the them. FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 EUROPE 11 In Dover, uncertainty but hope as Brexit nears AFP — DOVER People in Dover say European customs union and single market should bring ben- The White Cliffs of Dover, which they still fear gridlock efits to the town, particularly on a clear day are visible from from January 1, as freight through the port. France less than 50km across “We’ve already got the the Channel, have long been a customs checks and western docks, you get all the symbol of Britain. more paperwork for international boats coming from Now, the nearby town, European travel and other places like Israel, and eve- which can trace its history back rything like that,” he said. to Roman times, and its busy trade are reintroduced “I don’t see any reason why port are on the frontline as for the first time in that should stop. And if anything, Britain embarks on a new future hopefully increase.” Prime Min- outside the European Union. decades. ister Boris Johnson has pledged A last-gasp trade deal to create a prosperous, more glo- between London and Brussels, The jams, caused by fears of bally focused Britain outside the signed only on Christmas Eve, the spread of a new, potentially EU, although how it will play out has averted fears of tariffs and more contagious variant of the in practice is still unclear. quotas that could have severely coronavirus, finally cleared as Dover resident Aaron disrupted trade. rapid testing was introduced. Kinnear said uncertainty could But people in Dover say they But it gave Britain a glimpse cause “a lot of stress” but for the Freight lorries arrive at the Port of Dover on the south coast of England yesterday, the day that still fear gridlock from January of potential problems ahead, moment at least, he shares Britain leaves the EU single market and customs union. The White Cliffs of Dover, which on a clear 1, as customs checks and more including food and medicine Johnson’s optimism. day are visible from France less than 50km across the Channel, have long been a symbol of Britain. paperwork for European travel shortages, if deliveries and and trade are reintroduced for supply chains were disrupted the first time in decades. due to trade barriers. UK reaches deal with Spain to keep open Gibraltar border “I’m a little bit nervous The overall result of Britain’s about it, being a local resident,” landmark 2016 vote on AP — MADRID The key to the deal is that The British Foreign Office been an open border with the Kirk Hughes, an IT worker, said European Union membership The Rock, whose sovereignty is made no immediate comment. bloc through Spain. as Britain prepared to leave the was close: 52 percent were in An 11th-hour breakthrough in disputed by Spain and Britain, González Laya said the A lot was riding on the European single market at 2300 favour of leaving against 48 protracted negotiations will will remain subject to rules in agreement’s technical details, outcome for Gibraltar, which GMT yesterday. percent to stay. keep open Gibraltar’s crucial use in Europe’s Schengen area, such as how Gibraltar’s port and needs access to the EU market “We’ve had the disruption In Dover, though, which has border with Spain following the she said. That area consists of airport will be policed, will be for its tiny economy. The ter- before and my wife works (22 long been a flashpoint for cam- United Kingdom’s full departure about two dozen nations who published in the New Year. A ritory is home to around 34,000 miles away) in Ashford, so paigners against immigration, from the European Union, have agreed to eliminate major hurdle in the negotiations people. getting in and out of Dover at the result was more clear cut: Spanish Foreign Minister general travel checks between was whether EU representa- More than 15,000 people some times is an absolute nearly two-thirds (62 percent) Arancha González Laya them. Britain is not in the tives could be stationed in the live in Spain and work in nightmare.” Hughes predicted voted to leave. announced yesterday. Schengen group. British territory. Gibraltar, making up about 50 “a couple of weeks” of traffic “It’s going to be better,” said Just hours before the United The compromise agreement Spain is to ensure that percent of its labour market. chaos as the new rules kick in, local Maureen Martin, who Kingdom was finally to com- between Spain and the UK will Gibraltar abides by Schengen Gibraltar wasn’t part of the after decades of seamless cross- added that Britain should never plete its break from the now be sent to Brussels, where rules. Brexit trade deal between the Channel trade. have even joined the old 27-nation bloc, Madrid and the European Commission will In the U.K.’s 2016 Brexit ref- EU and the UK, which was Over Christmas, queues of European Economic Com- London clinched “an agreement enter into negotiations with erendum, 96 percent of voters announced on Christmas Eve. lorries backed up for kilometres munity in 1973. “We need to in principle” that means people London to turn it into a treaty, in Gibraltar supported The territory was ceded to on the M20 motorway into govern ourselves and be our in the speck of British territory González Laya said. remaining in the EU. They faced Britain in 1713, but Spain main- Dover, as European nations shut own bosses,” she added. on Spain’s southern tip “can She said she expected the the possibility of entering the tains its claim to sovereignty their borders to traffic from Another retiree, Ernie Monk, breathe a sigh of relief,” treaty to be signed within six New Year with tight new con- over it. That dispute has occa- Britain. agreed. Being out of the González Laya said. months. trols on what for decades has sionally flared. Boris Johnson’s father seeks Northern Ireland unionists fret over place in UK REUTERS — LARNE customs declarations and phy- “I think it’s a disgrace,” Northern Ireland a place apart”, “It never has come because, French tosanitary certifications that are Mervyn Gibson, grand sec- Gibson said. at the heels of the hunt, people As Northern Ireland’s unionists now the focus of unionist angst. retary of the influential Prot- Calls for Irish unity have realise that they are much better citizenship prepare to celebrate 100 years From Friday, many British estant Orange Order organi- increased since the 2016 Brexit off in the United Kingdom than since the state’s creation goods entering the smallest of sation, told Reuters outside his referendum, when Northern they are within the Republic of AFP — PARIS cemented their place in the the United Kingdom’s four Belfast home, where Britain’s Ireland voted 56 percent- Ireland or within a European United Kingdom, post-Brexit nations will require customs Union Flag flies above the 44percent to remain in the EU, superstate.” British Prime Minister Boris trade barriers are triggering checks and paperwork under doorway. though most opinion polls Foster’s Democratic Johnson’s father Stanley their deepest fears: being cut off Britain’s withdrawal deal with “We should be treated suggest the prospect remains Unionist Party says it will lobby confirmed plans yesterday to from Britain and pushed the European Union - which equally whether we live in distant for now. the British government hard to seek French citizenship as the towards a united Ireland. keeps Northern Ireland in the Devon or Cornwall (in England) Under the 1998 Good limit post-Brexit barriers, free movement of Britons in The British-run region UK’s customs territory but also or Antrim or Down (in Northern Friday Agreement, the British fearing a reorientation of parts the EU comes to an end under remains deeply divided along still aligned with the EU’s single Ireland). We’ve been let down government can call a “border of the economy towards the the Brexit pact delivered by his sectarian lines, with Catholic market for goods. and indeed betrayed by the poll” if it appears likely a Irish Republic could undermine son. nationalists aspiring to unifi- Many unionists are fiercely prime minister who promised majority of those voting would Northern Ireland’s place in the Speaking to France’s RTL cation with Ireland while Prot- opposed to a compromise us there would be no border seek to form part of a united union. radio in French, Stanley estant unionists seek to retain championed by British Prime down the Irish Sea.” Ireland. Unionist politicians With border control posts Johnson said: “It’s not a the status quo. Minister Boris Johnson and the The vast majority of the remain dismissive. due to be erected next year, the question of becoming French. Nearly 23 years after a 1998 Irish government that will keep 30,000-member Orange Order “I’m 50 this year and ever overwhelmingly Protestant port If I understand correctly I am peace deal ended three decades trade across the 500-km open - who hold large and sometimes since I was a child I was told the town of Larne could be one of French! My mother was born of confrontation between the land border with EU-member divisive marches each year to united Ireland is coming,” the first places where the psy- in France, her mother was Irish Republican Army, pro- Ireland frictionless by effec- celebrate centuries-old military Northern Ireland First Minister chological impact of Northern completely French as was her British “loyalist” paramilitaries tively placing a customs border victories — are bewildered and Arlene Foster told Reuters on Ireland being treated differently grandfather. and the British military, it is down the Irish Sea. angry that Brexit has “made Wednesday. to the rest of the UK is felt. “For me it’s a question of obtaining what I already have and I am very happy about that,” the 80-year-old added. Merkel to Germans: Keep The father of the politician who ended Britain’s 47-year- old membership of the EU was up virus discipline in 2021 among the first civil servants appointed to Brussels after AP — BERLIN 26. Merkel, who has been chan- Britain joined the EU in 1973. cellor since 2005, said more He worked for the German Chancellor Angela than two years ago that she European Commission and Merkel is telling her country’s wouldn’t seek a fifth term as served as a member of the people that they will need to chancellor and has repeatedly European Parliament. keep up their discipline in insisted that she won’t recon- He initially campaigned fighting the coronavirus sider. Only if the process of against leaving the EU before pandemic well into 2021, even forming the next government changing his mind a year after as vaccinations fuel new hope. is very slow will she still be in Britain voted to leave the In a televised New Year’s office in a year’s time. union in 2016. message, Merkel said that “This is most likely the last “I will always be European, facing the pandemic “was and time that I will speak to you as that’s for sure,” he told RTL. is a political, social and eco- chancellor in a new year “You can’t tell the English: nomic task of the century.” address,” she said in Thursday’s you’re not European. Europe “I know that engaging in message, the text of which was is more than the single market, this historic feat has demanded released by her office ahead of it’s more than the European and continues to demand tre- its broadcast. Union.” mendous confidence and “I don’t think I am exagger- “That said, to have a link Candlelight vigil for COVID-19 victims patience of you,” the chancellor ating when I say that never in like that with the EU is said before starting what’s the last 15 years have all of us important,” he said, apparently Some 886 candles symbolizing the 886 COVID-19 victims in the Canton of Zurich burn during a expected to be her last year in found the old year so difficult referring to an EU passport. candlelight vigil on the Gemuesebruecke bridge, in Zurich, Switzerland. office. “I thank you whole- - and never have we looked heartedly for that.” forward to the new year with Polls have shown high so much hope, despite all our approval ratings for Merkel worries and some Hope, scepticism as Russia launches vaccination drive during the pandemic. skepticism.” The 66-year-old former Germany is entering 2021 AFP — MOSCOW “I waited for my turn and I antibodies faster so that I can Russians want to be vaccinated, physicist has taken a science- in a lockdown that appears came with pleasure, hoping go for a walk,” says Stepanova’s against 69 percent in the United led, safety-first approach to the certain to be extended beyond Vera Stepanova waits nervously that everything will be all 82-year-old husband Georgy. States and 65 percent in public health crisis, though she its current Jan. 10 end date, with at a Moscow clinic for her turn right.” Stepanova was among But not everyone is lining Germany. sometimes struggled to per- new coronavirus cases and to be vaccinated with Russia’s a group of older Russians up for Sputnik V. Other polls in Russia put suade powerful state governors deaths related to COVID-19 Sputnik V jab. receiving the vaccine this week Many Russians are deeply that figure at only 38 percent. to impose restrictions quickly. remaining at worryingly high The 73-year-old spent a as Moscow launched a cam- sceptical of being vaccinated — “It is worrying,” infectious Merkel’s government put levels. The country has sleepless night in anticipation paign to inoculate residents a huge hurdle for the country disease specialist Irina Shes- together massive financial recorded well over 1.6 million and says she has no doubts aged over 60. in a week that also saw officials takova conceded in an rescue programmes at home cases so far, including more about taking the vaccine. For many the vaccination confirm that its death toll from interview with the RIA Novosti and helped secure agreement than 32,000 deaths. “I’m so afraid of this disease. comes as a relief, a chance to the virus is more than three news agency. on a European Union recovery “We as a society must not We have to protect ourselves,” leave their homes or see their times higher than previously “The countries that win will package. forget how many people have the retired school principal grandchildren without fear. reported. be those that vaccinate the But she won’t be on the lost a loved one without being says, her face covered by a sur- “I’m tired of staying at An Ipsos poll this week majority of the population as ballot when Germans elect a able to be close to them in their gical mask. home. I would like to get showed that only 43 percent of quickly as possible,” she said. new parliament on September final hours,” Merkel said. 12 AMERICAS FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 Trump's budget chief hinders Biden transition BLOOMBERG — WASHINGTON Experts on the federal Republican Senate aide who worked on budget policy and President Donald Trump’s budget say Vought’s appropriations for more than budget office is blocking Joe refusal to give Biden’s 25 years. Biden’s transition team from “Not having access to OMB meeting with key staff to help team access to career and preparing their budget will prepare the president-elect’s OMB officials is further delay any actions they first annual spending plan, a want to pursue. There will be a move that could delay major unprecedented and serious delay in the incoming proposals. could hurt Biden’s Biden administration’s ability The director of the Office of efforts to roll out to put forward their budget,” Management and Budget, Russ Hoagland said in an interview. Vought, has argued internally big-picture, forward- The OMB spokeswoman that the agency needs to focus looking ideas on said the information the agency on finishing new regulations the has provided to Biden’s team Trump administration plans to everything from included a briefing on Oper- publish before the president health care to climate ation Warp Speed, the Trump leaves office, according to administration’s effort to accel- people familiar with the matter. change to taxes erate coronavirus vaccine But experts on the federal development. US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump board Air Force One at Palm Beach budget say Vought’s refusal to “OMB’s refusal to cooperate International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, yesterday, as they return to Washington, DC. give Biden’s team access to agency is focused on advancing impairs our ability to identify career OMB officials is unprec- Trump’s policy agenda, she opportunities to maximize the edented and could hurt Biden’s said. relief going out to Americans Trump heads back to Washington efforts to roll out big-picture, Biden complained on during the pandemic, and it forward-looking ideas on eve- Monday that Trump adminis- leaves us in the dark as it relates rything from health care to tration officials at OMB and the to Covid expenditures and other early amid showdown with Congress climate change to taxes at the Pentagon were hampering his gaps,” said Yohannes Abraham, start of his four-year term. transition, but he didn’t detail executive director of the Biden REUTERS — WEST PALM BEACH no reason for the change in plan, struggling Americans in a series The career OMB staff could what they had done. The people transition team. but it coincides with Trump’s of tweets in recent days in provide Biden’s team infor- familiar with Vought’s actions Incoming presidential US President Donald Trump fight with Congress over his veto which he attacked Republican mation such as cost estimates asked not to be identified administrations typically begin headed back to Washington from of a major defence bill and his leaders as “pathetic” and and details on existing because the discussions were their budget planning well his Florida resort yesterday, a day demand for increased COVID-19 accused the party of having a programs. private. before the new president is earlier than planned, as he stimulus checks, as well as a “death wish” if it did not An OMB spokeswoman dis- “Right now we just aren’t inaugurated on Jan. 20, in order continued his fight with Congress spike in tensions with Iran. increase stimulus payments. puted that the agency hasn’t getting all the information that to be able to send the document over a defence bill and stimulus Senate Majority Leader Republicans in Congress been fully cooperative and said we need from the outgoing to Congress relatively soon checks as well as a long-shot bid Mitch McConnell, the top Repub- have largely stuck with Trump in a statement that the Biden administration in key national thereafter. to overturn his November lican in the chamber, dealt a through four turbulent years, team had received all infor- security areas,” Biden said Congress decides how the election defeat. likely death blow on Wednesday but the president is angry that mation it had requested about after a meeting with his government spends money, not Trump, who originally was to Trump’s bid to boost corona- they have not fully backed his ongoing programmes. OMB has national security advisers and the president, but the president’s scheduled to attend a New virus aid to Americans, declining claims of election fraud in the held 45 meetings with Biden transition officials. “It’s nothing budget is an annual statement Year’s Eve party at his Mar-a- to schedule a swift vote on a bill Nov. 3 election won by Dem- officials, the spokeswoman short, in my view, of of his priorities and is a vital Lago resort, boarded Air Force to raise relief checks to $2,000 ocrat Joe Biden. said. irresponsibility.” source of information on the One and took off for Wash- from the $600 included in the Republican Senator Josh But the spokeswoman said No administration from government’s activities. ington just after 11.30am EST. relief package passed by Con- Hawley on Wednesday pledged that directing the agency’s staff either party has ever prevented The annual document is due He did not speak to gress earlier this month. to challenge Biden’s victory and resources to help Biden’s its successor from meeting with to Congress on the first Monday reporters on departure, and has Trump had ramped up when Congress convenes to team draft its budget is not OMB staff, said William in February, but in recent years not done so in weeks. pressure on fellow Republicans officially tally the Electoral OMB’s responsibility. The Hoagland, a former top has often been delayed. The White House has given to back the bigger checks for College votes on January 6.

Donations pour in to rebuild Fauci sees US gaining control over pandemic by autumn REUTERS — LOS ANGELES case was documented in particular mutation does make reported in South Africa, Wednesday he was confident burned Missouri Colorado. the virus better at transmitting according to the US Centers for that early glitches in distri- The leading US infectious Newsom said the corona- from one person to another,” Disease Control and Prevention bution of the vaccine will be mosque disease specialist, Dr. Anthony virus variant B.1.1.7 had been he said. However, individuals (CDC). overcome. Fauci, said on Wednesday he confirmed earlier in the day in infected with earlier forms of Still, the emergence of a “As we get into January, the AP — NOEL foresees America achieving a Southern California patient. SARS-CoV-2 “don’t seem to get more highly transmissible feeling is that we’re going to enough collective COVID-19 He did not provide further re-infected by this,” meaning variant could make a swift gain momentum to be able to Donations have topped immunity through vaccinations details. But the California that any immunity already rollout of immunizations all the catch up,” he told Newsom, $40,000 to help rebuild a to regain “some semblance of Department of Public Health acquired “is protective against more critical. saying he expected immuniza- Missouri mosque destroyed by normality” by autumn 2021, said in statement later that the this particular strain,” Fauci President-elect Joe Biden tions to become widely fire this week. despite early setbacks in the person, a San Diego County added. warned on Tuesday it could available to the general public The Islamic Society of Joplin vaccine rollout. patient, has no known travel He also stressed that the so- take years to inoculate most on demand, by April. launched a social media fund- Fauci made his remarks history, suggesting the variant called UK variant is believed to Americans given an initial Assuming that the broad vac- raiser on Tuesday, a day after a during an online discussion is spreading within the be no more severe in the illness vaccine distribution rate that cination campaign progresses as fire in Noel, Missouri, destroyed of the pandemic with Cali- community. it causes, and that newly has lagged behind the promises it should through May, June and the African Grocery Store and fornia Governor Gavin Fauci said he was “not sur- approved COVID-19 vaccines of the Trump administration. He July, “By the time we get to the the mosque next door, the Joplin Newsom, who announced at prised,” adding that additional will prove just as effective called on Congress to approve early fall, we will have enough Globe reported. Both the store the outset that a more infec- cases of the variant would likely against it as against earlier greater funding for the good herd immunity to be able and the mosque were gathering tious coronavirus variant surface around the country and known forms of the virus. endeavor. to really get back to some strong places for refugees. originally found in Britain has that the mutating nature of such The same is believed to be Fauci, director of the semblance of normality - schools, The state fire marshal is been detected in his state, a viruses is normal. true for a second new variant, National Institute of Allergy and theaters, sports events, restau- investigating the cause of the day after the first known US “It appears that this also more infectious and first Infectious Diseases, said on rants,” Fauci said. fire. The fund-raiser is a com- bined effort of the Islamic Police probe Society of Joplin, the Muslim Bolivia signs its first major community in Noel and the deliberate Bentonville Islamic Center in vaccine deal for Sputnik V Arkansas. The fund-raising spoiling of 500 goal is $100,000. REUTERS — MOSCOW/LA PAZ doses, but the Russia fund later The mosque and the store, clarified that it had committed vaccine doses which sold a range of products Russia’s sovereign fund, Russia 2.6 million doses, or 5.2 million from Africa and the Middle East, Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), injections of the two-shot AP — GRAFTON were gathering spots in Noel. The agreed to supply Bolivia with vaccine. town of 1,800 in the far enough of its two-dose Sputnik A fund spokesman con- Police and federal authorities southwest corner of Missouri has V coronavirus vaccine to firmed the promised supply are investigating after an a large immigrant population vaccinate 2.6 million people, would treat 2.6 million people. employee at a Wisconsin including Pacific Islanders, RDIF said on Wednesday, Arce said Russia would health system admitted to Sudanese, Somalis and refugees marking the South American send 6,000 doses, for 3,000 deliberately spoiling 500 from Myanmar. Most were nation’s first major vaccine deal. “treatments”, in January to vac- doses of coronavirus vaccine. drawn to Noel by jobs at a Tyson RDIF said the agreement cinate its most vulnerable pop- Aurora Medical Center first Foods chicken processing plant. would make it possible for more ulations, 1.7 million doses by reported that the doses has Dr. Navid Zaidi, a board than 20 percent of Bolivia’s the end of March and the rest been spoiled on Saturday, member of the Islamic Society population to access the vaccine “between April and May”. saying they had been acciden- of Joplin, said it was “a great and supply would be facilitated The Bolivia deal is latest sign tally left out unrefrigerated loss.” “We’d like to get them by the Russian fund’s interna- the Russian vaccine is making overnight by an employee at back on their feet and get the tional partners in India, China, inroads in Latin American nations Aurora Medical Center in mosque going again as soon South Korea and other coun- eager for more immunization Grafton. The health system as we can,” Zaidi said. “We will tries. Bolivia’s population is 11.35 capacity, including neighbouring said Wednesday that the doses stand together during this dif- million and 20 percent would Argentina and Venezuela. of vaccine now appear to have ficult time for them.” The Times Square ball ready for New Year bash be 2.27 million people. Unlike most other been deliberately spoiled. incident hits close to home for Bolivian President Luis COVID-19 vaccines,\Sputnik V Police in Grafton, about the Islamic Society of Joplin, The Times Square ball is being tested out for the media ahead Arce said in a signing ceremony relies on two doses delivered 20 miles north of Milwaukee, whose own mosque burned to of the New Year’s celebration in Times Square in the Manhattan that the contract had guar- using different inactive viruses, said in a statement that the the ground in 2012. borough of New York City. anteed his country 5.2 million known as vectors. department, FBI and Food and Drug Administration are “actively” investigating the case. Police said they were Ontario official called back from St Barts pandemic vacation notified of the alleged tam- pering Wednesday night. AP — TORONTO protect our most vulnerable,” account had suggested he was International Airport in Toronto weeks ahead.” Police said Thursday morning Rod Phillips said about in snowbound Ontario. yesterday and spoke to waiting He said it will be up to the that no other information In a video posted on Twitter on Ontarians staying home and Now that word of his where- reporters before starting a man- premier on whether he continues would be immediately Christmas Eve, the finance avoiding nonessential travel abouts has broken in public, he’s datory 14-day quarantine. in Cabinet. “I hope people appre- released, and declined to say minister of Canada’s most because of the pandemic over been summoned back home by “It was a dumb, dumb ciate that I disappointed no one if any arrests have been populous province was shown the Christmas holidays. Premier Doug Ford, who mistake,” Phillips said. “Later more than myself,” Phillips said. made. sitting by a fireplace in a But Phillips himself had promised a “very tough conver- on today I’ll be speaking to Ford claimed Phillips “never In a statement late sweater with a gingerbread been enjoying a Caribbean sation” with Phillips. Oppositions Premier Ford. I know that told anyone” he was leaving, but Wednesday, Aurora said the house and a little Christmas vacation since December 13 on parties and the health officials people are understandably said he learned Phillips was out employee involved “acknowl- tree, chilling out. the French island of St. Barts, a are calling for Phillips to be fired angry about the situation. I do of the country when he called edged that they intentionally “I want to thank every one popular spot for the rich and from Cabinet. hope to be able to regain their “shortly after he arrived” in the removed the vaccine from of you for what we are doing to famous, even as his Twitter Phillips arrived at Pearson confidence in the days and Caribbean. refrigeration.” Business 13 FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 Oil set for 20 percent drop in 2020 as lockdowns weigh New virus strains might complicate the outlook and lead to harsher lockdowns that will cripple the crude demand outlook for the first quarter. Edward Moya Business | 14 Chief Market Strategist at OANDA QSE 10,435.96 -98.69 (-0.94%) FTSE 100 6,460.52 -95.30 (1.45%) DOW 30,386.17 -23.39 (0.077%) BRENT $48.30 (+0.18)

Sterling shines in tumultuous 2020 Gold heads for best Sterling jumped to year in a decade $1.3686 in early morning deals to attain the BLOOMBERG highest level since April Gold is set for biggest annual 2018, boosted also after advance in a decade after a tumul- Britain became the first tuous year, with gains this month aided by dollar’s decline to the nation to approve lowest level since April 2018. AstraZeneca’s cheap Bullion hit a record in August COVID-19 vaccine. as investors feared an unprece- dented wave of stimulus by central banks and governments AFP — LONDON would lead to currency debasement and inflation. The British pound zoomed Holdings in bullion-backed yesterday to a 2.5-year dollar exchange-traded funds set an peak before Britain’s long- all-time high in October. Reserve has signaled that its awaited exit from the European While prices ebbed as the ultra-easy monetary conditions single market, with a trade deal roll-out of vaccines injected will last throughout 2021. Efforts in the bag on the final trading day Pedestrians walk along a bridge over the River Thames with skyscrapers in London yesterday on the optimism into financial markets, to pass further fiscal stimulus of a coronavirus-ravaged 2020. day that the Brexit transition period ends and Britain leaves the EU single market. the dollar’s continued weakness through the Senate have hit Sterling jumped to $1.3686 in has helped support gold into the another roadblock. early morning deals to attain the That dispelled long-running now for the UK as it faces another Razaqzada. year-end. Looking ahead, there’s “Gold’s main drivers — highest level since April 2018, fears of a chaotic no-deal devastating (virus) surge and London’s benchmark FTSE little consensus from Wall weaker US dollar and low real boosted also after Britain became departure that could have most of the country moves into 100 index finished 1.5 percent Street’s biggest names on bul- interest rates — are likely to the first nation to approve Astra- sparked a double-dip downturn, tier four. “The UK has suffered lower in holiday-shortened lion’s direction. Morgan Stanley provide support” even as vaccines Zeneca’s cheap COVID-19 after Britain tanked into a more than most this year and the trading as the strong pound sees gold and other precious are distributed around the world, vaccine. Britain’s departure from recession earlier this year on next couple of months is unlikely weighed on multinationals metals coming under pressure said Vasu Menon, executive the European Union takes full coronavirus fallout. to be any better. It’s a long road earning in dollars. as financial markets normalise director, investment strategy, at effect at 11.00pm (2300 GMT), just “A Brexit deal may have to recovery and the Brexit deal In the eurozone meanwhile, and longer maturity bond yields Singapore-based Oversea- hours after much of the country come extremely late in the day will certainly help.” the Paris CAC 40 stocks index rise. Meanwhile, HSBC Holdings Chinese Banking Corp. With the was moved into the top tier-four but there will be a massive sense Investors were embracing closed down 0.9 percent. Plc sees gold climbing higher on lower-for-longer Fed, “it is too coronavirus restrictions. of relief that the UK won’t be bat- this week’s positive news on vac- Frankfurt’s DAX 30 shut for continued uncertainty. early to throw in the towel on The nation left the bloc on tling no-deal on top of everything cines, which stoked hopes of a the year on Wednesday with a Much of gold’s performance gold,” he said in an email. January 31 but has been in a else in the coming months — and return to normality. daily drop of 0.3 percent. next year will depend on Gold added 0.1% to trade at standstill transition while it that relief can be seen in the “Investors are continuing to Bitcoin stood within sight of whether the eventual return to $1,897.06 an ounce at 2.32pm. sought a free-trade agreement pound,” OANDA analyst Craig ignore short term risks and are $30,000 after hit another record normality is outweighed by in London. That’s up 6.8 percent — which was finally clinched on Erlam told AFP. looking ahead to more normal high overnight on wave of enthu- ongoing stimulative policies. Led this month, and 25% higher over Christmas Eve and was approved “It’s ending the year on a times ahead with vaccines,” said siasm for the world’s most by Chair Jerome Powell 2020, poised for the biggest full- by lawmakers on Wednesday. high... It’s all about the recovery ThinkMarkets analyst Fawad popular cyber currency. (pictured), the US Federal year advance since 2010. US jobless claims fall for Germany rings in 2021 with CO2 tax Apple gains after JPMorgan sees AFP — FRANKFURT of industry” and was pegged too second straight week The government expects low to really change signs of ‘robust’ Germany is aiming for a green behaviours. REUTERS — NEW YORK start to 2021 by shutting down a to raise €56.2bn from The Green Budget Germany iPhone demand coal-fired power plant and companies buying the (FOeS) think tank said that to The number of Americans filing slapping a CO2 price on new carbon certificates or avoid companies moving pro- BLOOMBERG first-time claims for unem- transport, but critics say the duction abroad to dodge the ployment benefits unexpectedly efforts aren’t enough to combat “pollution rights” over the carbon pricing, the government Apple Inc. rose premarket fell for a second straight week climate change. next four years. would have done better to incen- yesterday, suggesting it will last week but remain elevated The measures are the result tivise climate-friendly invest- end a year that’s already seen more than nine months into the of hard-fought compromises ments instead. robust gains on a continued health and economic crisis trig- thrashed out by Chancellor losses. Under the same legis- The ADAC motoring associ- positive note, as analysts high- gered by the coronavirus Angela Merkel’s right-left coa- lation, several power plants ation has calculated that petrol light strong demand for the pandemic, signaling a long lition government, and are key fuelled by black or hard coal are and diesel will now cost seven iPhone. recovery for the US job market. to Germany’s transition away going offline from January, and eight cents more per litre JPMorgan, citing its "avail- Initial claims for state unem- from polluting fossil fuels taking a combined capacity of 4.7 respectively. To ease the pain, the ability tracker,” said aggregate ployment benefits slid to a sea- to most individuals and exten- towards renewable energy. gigawatts off the market. government will lower the so- lead times for the iPhone 12 sonally adjusted 787,000 for the sions of unemployment benefits From January 1, 2021 the But the flagship initiatives called EEG surcharge Germans Pro were "quite robust and week ended Dec. 26, from and eviction moratoriums. government will charge €25 have drawn criticism. pay to fund the shift towards above 20 days, implying con- 806,000 in the prior week, the President Donald Trump, ($30) per tonne of carbon dioxide The €25 carbon price will not green energy. The lost income tinued robust demand” fol- Labor Department said on however, railed against the deal emissions released by the “make the necessary contri- will be offset by the revenues lowing the holiday period. Thursday. Economists polled by negotiated by his own Treasury transport and heating sectors. bution” to helping Germany meet generated from the C02 pricing. Lead times across the iPhone Reuters had forecast 833,000 secretary, demanding higher pay- The pricetag was raised from its commitments under the 2015 Despite a green reputation 12 series overall had "mod- applications in the latest week. ments to individuals, and did not the government’s initially pro- Paris climate pact, said Chris- abroad, Germany remains erated significantly,” added As of Dec. 19, the number of sign it into law until Sunday after posed €10 per tonne -- a number tiane Averbeck, director of the heavily reliant on dirty coal, analyst Samik Chatterjee, who people continuing to draw ben- extensive badgering by senior law- widely slammed as too low by environmental group Climate partly because of Merkel’s rates Apple overweight with a efits under regular state unem- makers in his Republican Party. It Germany’s Green party, environ- Alliance Germany. decision to abandon nuclear $150 price target. ployment insurance programs was unclear whether that lapse mentalists and scientists. The Germany aims to cut its energy after the 2011 Fukushima Optimism over iPhone declined to 5.219 million, the had a material effect on last week’s price will increase to €55 by greenhouse gas emissions by 55 disaster. demand has contributed to lowest since April, from 5.322 data or what impact it might have 2025, and will be decided at percent from 1990 levels by In the third quarter of recent gains in Apple shares, million the week before. The on the level of claims in the current auction from 2026. 2030, and derive 65 percent of 2020, just over half of the which touched an intraday report also showed that as of week and into the new year. Germans will feel the dif- its electricity from renewables electricity produced in record high earlier this week. mid-December, more than 19.5 “We think that holiday noise ference at the pump with diesel by then. Europe’s top economy came The stock has added more than million people were receiving and uncertainty about exten- and petrol set to become more Averbeck said the carbon tax from non-renewables, with 20% since the start of some form of jobless aid, sions of benefits may have held expensive, while heating however allowed for too many coal alone accounting for 26 November alone, outpacing including from emergency down claims last week, and the buildings will also cost more. exceptions for “entire branches percent. gains in the Nasdaq-100 Index measures recently extended by risk is for a rise in claims in the The government expects to of tech megacaps. The rally the latest coronavirus aid bill. weeks ahead now that emer- raise €56.2bn from companies brings Apple’s advance for the Though initial jobless claims gency programs have been buying the new carbon certifi- year to about 82 percent have dropped from a record extended and an additional $300 cates or “pollution rights” over through Wednesday’s close, 6.867 million in March, they have in weekly benefits is being pro- the next four years. and puts it on track for a second held persistently above their vided,” Nancy Vanden Houten Also on Friday, the straight annual gain of more 665,000 peak hit during the (pictured), lead US economist at 300-megawatt Niederaussem D than 80 percent. The stock rose 2007-09 Great Recession. Oxford Economics, said in a note. unit power plant near Cologne, 0.5 percent to $134.40 in pre- The latest report’s end date The weekly unemployment running on lignite (brown coal), market trading in New York, - Dec. 26 - was when as many claims report is seen as the most becomes the first to close down while S&P 500 futures dipped as 14 million people were set to timely data on the economy’s as part of Germany’s phaseout less than 0.1 percent. lose jobless benefits provided by health. The elevated level of of coal by 2038. Also yesterday, Wedbush a $3 trillion pandemic relief bill claims aligns with other recent Energy giant RWE, which has analyst Daniel Ives wrote that enacted in the spring. That was weak economic reports, operated the plant since it was he was seeing signs of bullish a cliff that lawmakers had raced including a decline in consumer built in 1968, said decommis- momentum for the iPhone. to avoid by passing a nearly confidence to a four-month low sioning the facility — as required Wedbush carries an out- $900 billion supplemental in December and drops in both by Germany’s 2020 coal exit law perform rating and $160 target, package in the days before fes- consumer spending and income — was “a difficult step” that Containers are seen at the harbor in Bremerhaven, northern which matches the highest on tival, including $600 payments last month. would lead to some 300 job Germany, yesterday. the Street. 14 BUSINESS FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021

European stocks Goldman leads in M&A advising in 2020 close lower on BLOOMBERG M&A at the firm. the heat of the pandemic. Many New Year’s eve “There was a bit of pent-up Goldman gained market other boutique firms, which also It was a year the entire world demand coming out of the pan- share both through don’t keep loans on their AFP — LONDON changed, but one thing held demic,” he said in an interview. balance sheets, slipped behind steady in an elite corner of Wall “We feel quite strongly about mega-deals using its in rankings, though some were European bourses fell yesterday Street: Goldman Sachs Group the activity levels heading into worldwide presence, buoyed by a boom of advice with Britain set to leave the Inc. ended up on top. 2021.” and with work in the needed for restructurings and European single market on the Goldman was the world’s Goldman gained market bankruptcies not captured by back of an agreed trade deal on top adviser on mergers and share both through mega- middle market that the global M&A rankings. the final day of a tumultuous acquisitions for the fourth deals using its worldwide helped boost the firm’s And while major corpora- 2020. consecutive year in 2020, and presence, and with work in the tions including Altice Europe London’s benchmark FTSE was the only bank with more middle market that helped transaction count. NV, S&P Global Inc. and Astra- 100 index sank almost 1.5 than 30% of market share, boost the firm’s transaction Zeneca Plc have announced percent to finish the year at according to data compiled by count, Feldgoise said. Of the mega-deals in the latter half of 6,460.52 points in a half-day Bloomberg. The bounce-back more than 400 deals the bank ahead of Morgan Stanley and the year, the jump in transac- session, with sentiment also in dealmaking since Sep- advised on, about a third JPMorgan Chase & Co. in total of debt and equity, boosting tions for small firms was a huge dented by the strong pound and tember has been the best on involved firms of a relatively volume, while the average deal total investment-bank revenue contributor to fees. Often, those tightening coronavirus record, said Stephan Feldgoise smaller size. it worked on tended to be for the full 12 months. deals also aren’t captured by the restrictions. (pictured), Global co-head of That helped put the firm slightly smaller than at Morgan Ralph Schlosstein, co-chief rankings, with transactions Britain’s benchmark index Stanley, which ranked No. 2. executive of Evercore Inc., terms undisclosed. has lost more than 14 percent It was a turnaround from recalled going into empty Despite fears of globali- over the course of 2020, where dealmakers stood in offices after sending staff home zation declining in the wake of slammed by deadly coronavirus March, when M&A nearly in March, then counting how political conflicts worldwide fallout and Brexit turmoil. ground to a halt amid corona- many days his firm would still and the spread of Covid-19, That represented the FTSE’s virus lockdowns.What helped have cash even if his clients cross-border dealmaking was worst slump since the notorious Goldman helped rivals too. Jack couldn’t pay him. Now, a key focus for bankers. global financial crisis in 2008. MacDonald, global co-head of Evercore is on track to have one “I would expect that there “With the UK exiting the EU, investment banking at Bank of of its best years ever. It ranks will be more cross-border M&A stifled by a blanket of (virus) America Corp., also cited a No. 9, behind Lazard Ltd., an over the next 12 to 18 months,” restrictions, stocks are under- surge in middle-market deal- investment bank that was able said Bank of America’s Mac- standably risk averse as we making — which accounted for to gain market share from 2019. Donald. “When we talk to our head into the New Year,” said about 25 percent of the com- Schlosstein, whose firm teams in Europe and Asia, we IG analyst Joshua Mahony. pany’s transactions globally — doesn’t lend to corporations, use the global teams to win “However, while short- and strength in work abroad. said the ability for banking these global mandates. In tech, term uncertainty will bring vol- A logo of the Goldman Sachs & Co. displayed at the company’s booth The jump in mergers late in giants to provide financing was for example, in Asia, everyone atility, the promise of a Spring 2020, meanwhile, capped a key, given that global corpora- wants to hear from the Silicon renewal is likely to bring plenty on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, US. year of record global issuance tions rushed to raise funds in Valley bankers.” of upside in 2021.” Oil set for 20% drop in US homebuyers Virus-hit British Airways secures £2bn loan face worst AFP — LONDON UK Export finance (UKEF)," the to take advantage of a partial 2020 as lockdowns weigh affordability aviation giant said in a recovery in demand for air Brtish Airways, facing slumping statement. "British Airways travel in 2021 as COVID-19 vac- REUTERS — SINGAPORE squeeze demand due to coronavirus, has expects to drawdown the cines are distributed secured a £2.0bn ($2.7bn, facility in January 2021 subject worldwide," IAG said. Global crude oil markets have BLOOMBERG €2.2bn) loan, parent group IAG to agreement of final terms with The European travel giant lost about a fifth of their value said yesterday as it also unveiled the lenders and UKEF." noted it had "strong liquidity" in 2020 as strict coronavirus Record-low mortgage rates a Brexit-propelled overhaul. BA, UK Export finance is a state- with cash and undrawn facil- lockdowns paralysed much of were supposed to make it which is slashing thousands of backed agency which guar- ities of €8.0bn in total, the global economy, but prices easier for homebuyers. jobs as it battles to survive fallout antees finance for British com- excluding the new loan. have rebounded strongly from Instead, they’ve helped push from the deadly COVID-19 panies in order to help them IAG, whose portfolio also their lows as governments affordability to a 12-year low. pandemic, also currently faces win valuable exports. includes Ireland's Aer Lingus rolled out stimulus. Buyers in the fourth industrial action in a pay dispute The loan, which includes and Spain's Iberia, added sep- Yesterday, the last trading quarter needed to spend with cargo workers at London's restrictions on dividend pay- arately that it has conducted an day of 2020, Brent was down almost 30 percent of the Heathrow airport. ments by the airline to IAG, is overhaul to ensure compliance 55 cents, or 1 percent, at $51.08 average wage to afford a "International Airlines aimed at helping BA tap into an with EU laws following Britain's a barrel as of 1315 GMT, while typical house, the biggest share Group (IAG) announces that anticipated vaccine-driven final exit from the bloc. Edward Moya, Chief Market US West Texas Intermediate for any three-month period British Airways has received recovery in global aviation next "International Consolidated Strategist at OANDA lost 44 cents, or 0.9 percent, to since 2008, according to pre- commitments for a five-year year. "The proceeds from the Airlines Group (IAG) has imple- $47.96 a barrel. liminary figures from Attom term-loan Export Development UKEF facility will be used to mented plans to ensure that its EU Brent and WTI have more were set to end 2020 on a Data Solutions. Guarantee Facility of £2.0bn enhance liquidity and provide licensed airlines continue to comply than doubled from decade strong note, with recovering Low borrowing costs, now underwritten by a syndicate of British Airways with the oper- with EU ownership and control lows seen in April, recovering demand and widespread below 3 percent for a 30-year banks, partially guaranteed by ational and strategic flexibility rules following Brexit," it said. from a year in which WTI stimulus packages buoying loan, have spurred a buying prices fell into negative ter- prices. frenzy, driving up prices across ritory for the first time, Rollouts of vaccines to the country as shoppers sending shockwaves across combat the virus and trillions compete for a shrinking supply the market. of dollars’ worth of fiscal of listings. A monthly Reuters poll on support are expected to boost During the pandemic, yesterday showed oil prices are investment and spending in prices have increased faster not expected to make much 2021. than earnings, leaping by progress in 2021. In the short term, concerns double digits in 79 percent of “New virus strains might over coronavirus lockdowns the 499 counties included in complicate the outlook and are likely to cap gains. the report. More than half of lead to harsher lockdowns that A new variant of the virus those counties are now less will cripple the crude demand in Britain has led to the reim- affordable than their historic outlook for the first quarter,” position of restrictions on averages, Attom said in a said Edward Moya, Chief movements, hitting near- report yesterday. Market Strategist at OANDA. term oil demand and Mortgage rates ended Asian shares edged up on weighing on prices, while 2020 near the lowest on yesterday and were set to end hospitalisations and infec- record, with the average for a a tumultuous 2020 at record tions have surged in parts of 30-year loan at 2.67 percent, highs. Europe and Africa. Freddie Mac said yesterday. The dollar was ending the The next major oil price "The future remains year in a downward spiral, driver will be a Jan. 4 meeting wholly uncertain and with investors putting more of the Organization of the affordability could swing money into riskier assets and Petroleum Exporting Coun- back into positive territory,” as the United States printed tries and allies including said Todd Teta, chief more money to fund its Russia, a group known as product officer at Attom. Manufacturing in progress swelling budget and trade OPEC+, which will debate "But, for now, things are Employees wearing face masks work at a factory of the component maker SMC during a government deficits. boosting output from going in the wrong direction organised tour of its facility following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Beijing. Global commodity markets February. for buyers.” COVID-19 supercharged 2020’s tech winners. What about 2021? BLOOMBERG here’s a case-by-case year as one of the main options Sony and Nvidia may be best posi- review:Cloud-Computing Soft- for in-home entertainment. For- tioned for success next year on the Some of 2020’s biggest tech- wareThe pandemic had a tunately, the timing and product back of their latest offerings: nology winners big impact on enterprise tech- cadence of industry’s key Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Nvidia’s - including Zoom Video nology budgets. In recent releases this year couldn’t have GeForce RTX 30 Series cards. Ever Communications Inc., Shopify years, companies have steadily been better. Take Nintendo Co.’s since these products were Inc. and Nvidia Corp. - have shifted their information tech- virtual-life simulation game launched, the demand has been delighted shareholders with nology spending away from in- “Animal Crossing: New overwhelming. gains ranging from 100% to house equipment to the more Horizons,” which was released Whenever hardware becomes 400%. And they have a common flexible cloud-computing in the spring and provided a available for sale, they both thread: Besides being top model, using external vendors much-needed outlet for instantly sell out in seconds. The performers, these companies are such as Amazon.com Inc.’s escapism just as lockdowns were product pipeline looks just as all market leaders that benefited Amazon Web Services and enforced across the US In the strong, with Sony slated to release from trends that were super- Microsoft Corp.’s Azure. This summer, Nvidia’s latest lineup an eagerly anticipated lineup of charged by the pandemic. year’s shelter-in-place A logo for the Zoom Video Communications Inc. application is seen of graphics cards were released, exclusive software titles Whether it was the shift to orders hastened the trend on a laptop screen. giving PC enthusiasts vastly and Nvidia set to launch new remote work, the move to cloud- as companies raced to enable improved performance for their cards at lower price points. computing software, the rise of virtualized offices and remote- games. Then in the fall, Sony E-commerceOnline sales video-gaming or the surge working environments for their resulting in a further push to Inc., the leading player in cloud- Corp. and Microsoft Corp. have soared as consumers in e-commerce sales, these employees. Zoom, too, was a big accelerate the transition. And it’s services user authentication and launched their next-gener- increasingly preferred shopping companies were there at the beneficiary as the com- nowhere near over. According a stock-market darling this year. ation gaming consoles, marking at home on their phones and right place at the right time to pany’s video-conferencing tool to a recent survey conducted by Demand for its software, which the first hardware upgrades in computers over going to profit. became the industry standard, Cowen Research, nearly half of provides office workers the seven years. a physical store and risking With the year drawing to a because of its ease of use and corporate technology buyers ability to sign on once to access Going into 2021, the industry’s infection. Even traditional close, the critical question is quality of service. said they were in the “early dozens of different cloud appli- prospects remain bright. Gamers retailers such as Target Corp. which of these trends will stick Once the process of shifting stages” of their cations, should remain robust for have developed new social con- and Best Buy Co. were able to or falter over the next to the cloud begins, there is no upgrading toward cloud com- a long time. nections online that should lead post stunning triple-digit sales 12 months. The answer will also turning back. Executives get puting, pointing to a growth Video-gamingWith much of to greater engagement going growth for their online busi- determine which technology used to cloud software’s flexi- runway that will be measured the public spending more time forward. It’s also notable many of nesses, helped by popular names are best positioned to be bility, savings and ability to gen- in years, not months. This bodes inside with their fam- the industry’s product cycles are offerings such as same-day victors in 2021. To figure it out, erate faster business insights, well for a company such as Okta ilies, gaming has thrived this just getting started. Specifically, delivery and curbside pickup. Sport FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 15 Murray Injured Wagner to miss Australia prepared pulls out to risk Warner in of Delray 2nd Test against Pakistan AP - WELLINGTON Sydney even if not Beach Fast bowler Neil Wagner played almost all of New Zealand’s first fully fit: McDonald Open over cricket Test against Pakistan REUTERS - MELBOURNE with two broken toes but will not play the second Test and is David Warner may play the third Test against India even if he virus fears facing a six-week recovery. is short of full fitness as Australia look to the veteran opener AFP - LONDON Wagner was struck by to strengthen the top order, assistant coach Andrew McDonald Pakistan paceman Shaheen said yesterday. Andy Murray has pulled out Afridi while batting on the Warner was ruled out of the first two Tests in Adelaide of what was due to be his second day of the first Test at and Melbourne after tearing an adductor muscle, but has been first tournament of the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, included in the 18-man squad for the match at the Sydney season in Florida next week sustaining two fractures to toes Cricket Ground starting on Jan. 7. because of coronavirus on his right foot. With opener Joe Burns dropped after a woeful Melbourne concerns. In spite of the injury, Test, Australia will have a new opening partnership as they The former world Wagner bowled 21 overs in look to rebound from an eight-wicket defeat and take a 2-1 number one accepted a Pakistan’s first innings and 28 Pakistan’s batsman Fawad Alam (left) talks to New Zealand’s lead in the series. McDonald said having Warner pad up if not wild card into the Delray in the second, leaving the field paceman Neil Wagner during the fifth day of the first cricket Test completely fit would be a “clear option” and a matter for the Beach Open and had been for painkilling injections before match between New Zealand and Pakistan at the Bay Oval in Mount player and head coach Justin Langer. due to play his first match returning to bowl again. “He may not be 100%. Who is coming off an injury? You Maunganui on Wednesday. next Friday but has decided In the second innings he never know until you get out there,” McDonald told reporters the trip is too risky. bowled a marathon spell of 11 test despite his injury. of pain,” Williamson said. “We yesterday. “Look, if he’s 90-95% fit and the conversation is “After much deliber- overs, securing two vital “I can’t explain Neil were trying to use him when that he’s fit enough to be able to go out there and perform his ation with my team I’ve wickets as New Zealand com- Wagner,” Rizwan said. “Eleven the injection was taking effect. duties for the team, then I’m sure that’ll be a conversation the decided not to travel to play pleted a win by 101 runs on overs in a row on an injured toe, It was kind of unique for all of coach has with the player. in Delray Beach,” said Wednesday. he’s a different guy. His aggres- us, but in particular Neil.” “Most times Justin is pretty open with the players in terms Murray. “Given the increase Yesterday, Wagner was sions were beautiful. He’s a big For Wagner, a fear of of giving them accountability around that.” in Covid rates and the ruled out of the second Test at bowler.” needles was greater than the Uncapped opener Will Pucovski was also included in the transatlantic flights Christchurch beginning on New Zealand captain Kane pain of his injury. squad and McDonald understood that to mean the youngster involved, I want to min- Sunday and likely will have to Williamson, who was Man of His determination was to had cleared concussion protocols. imise the risks ahead of the rest for six week before is injury the Match in the first test, get back out onto the field as Pucovski, who has a history of concussion problems, was Australian Open. I’m really is full mended. praised Wagner’s courage and much as possible. ruled out of the opening Tests after being struck on the helmet thankful for the under- Pakistan captain dedication. “Test matches don’t come with a bouncer in a tour match. McDonald said he would be standing of the tournament Mohammad Rizwan was full of “People talk about the size easy,” he said. “Playing for your with the squad when they return to training in Melbourne and I look forward to admiration for Wagner’s effort of his heart but to have a couple country is never anything you from Jan. 2. playing there soon.” of continuing to bowl in the first of broken toes … he was in a lot can take for granted.” “It will just be a matter now of what training and how The 33-year-old has quickly he can ramp up to make himself available for selection,” been given a wild card for he said. Matthew Wade was promoted to open with Burns in the Australian Open and the first two Tests and made solid starts in three of his four will travel Down Under in Williamson overtakes Smith, innings without cracking a half-century. mid-January before a McDonald praised Wade’s performance as a makeshift period of quarantine prior opener but said he felt his best position was in the middle to the start of the first Grand order. Slam of 2021 on February Kohli to be top Test batsman 8. Australia has strict pro- REUTERS - NEW DELHI Kohli, who topscored for India’s Yadav to miss last two tocols regarding entry to India in their eight-wicket the country and travelling New Zealand captain Kane thrashing by Australia in the Tests with calf injury: Reports to the United States first, Williamson (pictured right) series opener in Adelaide, has where coronavirus cases enters the New Year as the top- returned home for the birth of REUTERS - NEW DELHI remain high, could poten- ranked Test batsman after leap- his first child. India’s stand-in tially jeopardise his plans. frogging Australia’s Steve Smith skipper, Ajinkya Rahane, India quick Umesh Yadav will miss the last two Tests against Murray, a three-time and India skipper Virat Kohli in jumped to number six after his Australia with a calf injury, the ESPNcricinfo website reported Grand Slam champion, has the latest official rankings stellar hundred in the second yesterday. slipped to 122nd in the issued yesterday. test inspired the tourists to a Yadav bowled only 3.3 overs in Australia’s second innings world after an injury- Williamson, who returned series-levelling victory in in the second Test before limping off as India went on to level ravaged three years. from paternity leave this Melbourne. the series 1-1 with an eight-wicket victory in Melbourne. British number one Dan month, hit a match-winning Australia’s Pat Cummins An India team spokesman could not immediately provide Evans has also pulled out century in the opening Test remains the top-ranked Test an update on Yadav’s injury but ESPNcricinfo said the 33-year- of Delray Beach and the against Pakistan to help New bowler, while compatriot old would miss the matches in Sydney and Brisbane. pair will continue to Zealand win by 101 runs at Mitchell Starc jumped two Yadav’s absence would further deplete India’s pace attack, prepare in London ahead Mount Maunganui on places to enter the top five. leaving Jasprit Bumrah as the lone frontline quick in their of the new season. Wednesday. India spinner Ravichandran squad. Veteran seamer Ishant Sharma missed the tour with a Smith is in the middle of a Ashwin (seventh) and quick side strain while Mohammed Shami has been sidelined after rare slump in form and dropped Jasprit Bumrah (ninth) fracturing his forearm while batting in the opening test in Slovakian behind Kohli after registering improved their top 10 positions Adelaide. four single-digit scores at the after their impressive per- Shami’s replacement Mohammed Siraj impressed in his player halfway stage of the ongoing formance in the Melbourne debut in Melbourne where he picked five wickets. Baskova four-Test series against India. Test. banned NBA to require for fixing NHL’s oldest player Chara signs tracing sensors, says report AP LONDON one-year deal with the Capitals AP - NEW YORK Slovakian tennis player AFP - WASHINGTON Dagmara Baskova was In this file photo taken Chara, who had four The NBA is planning to beef up banned for 12 years on February 25, 2020, seasons each with the New York its ability to track the contacts yesterday for match-fixing Slovakian defenseman Zdeno Zdeno Chara of the Boston Islanders and Ottawa Senators of players and some team staff offenses, the Tennis Chara, the National Hockey Bruins looks on during the before joining the Bruins, has members as the league Integrity Unit said. League’s oldest player at 43, first period of the game scored 205 goals with 451 continues to fight its battle Baskova admitted to signed a one-year free agent against the Calgary Flames assists in 1,553 career NHL with the coronavirus. charges of five incidents of deal yesterday with the Wash- in Boston, Massachusetts. games. ESPN reported yesterday match fixing in 2017, the ington Capitals after 14 seasons The Bruins will play the that the NBA is expected to Slovakian defenseman TIU said. She was also fined with the Boston Bruins. Capitals eight times this season, require players and others in Chara, the NHL’s oldest $40,000 with all but $1,000 Chara, who was the longest the first of them January 30 at the Tier 1 and Tier 2 groups to player at 43, signed a one- suspended and payable tenured NHL captain by having Washington with Chara making wear the Kinexon SafeZone year free agent deal with within 90 days. Baskova the role for Boston since 2006, his return to Boston on March contact sensor devices while the Washington Capitals had a career-high WTA will begin his 23rd NHL cam- 3, although spectators are not they are taking part in all team after 14 seasons with the ranking of 1,117 in singles paign when the league’s expected to be allowed at activities, except for games, Boston Bruins. and 777 in doubles. She has shortened season opens in games due to the Covid-19 beginning January 7. since retired from the sport, January. pandemic. It is hoped that use of the the TIU said. “Recently, the Boston Bruins “As I begin this next chapter, sensors would help to clarify Meanwhile Hsieh have informed me that they I want the people of Boston to which team members would Su-Wei and Barbora plan to move forward with their who turns 44 in March, signed 2011 and won the Norris Trophy know how proud I was to be a need to be quarantined should Strycova head the women's many younger and talented for $795,000 after scoring five as the top NHL defenseman in Bruin and how grateful I am for someone in their organization doubles entry list for the players and I respect their goals and setting up nine more 2008-09. all of the support over the test positive for COVID-19. 2021 Australian Open. decision,” Chara posted on in 68 games last season. “We are extremely pleased,” years,” Chara wrote. It activates when the The top-ranked pair, Instagram. The massive 6-foot-9 Capitals general manager Brian “’Thank you’ does not seem wearer comes within six feet who finished runners-up in “Unfortunately, my time as (2.06m) and 250-pound (113kg) MacLellan said. “We feel his adequate to express my sincere of another wearer but does not the 2020 final, will be the proud captain of the Bruins blueliner -- the tallest player in experience and leadership will gratitude. I will always be a track the location of either hopeful of going one better has come to an end.” NHL history -- helped the strengthen our blueline and our Bruin. I will always love party via GPS. Events when the at the Melbourne event Five-time All-Star Chara, Bruins win the Stanley Cup in team.” Boston.” sensor would be worn include which runs from February travel on team buses and 8-21. planes as well as practice. Reigning champions They wouldn’t be required to and 2020 Roland Garros Amir Cup draw to be held on Jan 4, announces QFA wear the sensors while at the winners Timea Babos and team hotel on the road. ESPN, Kristina Mladenovic return THE PENINSULA - DOHA action. The draw for the Round 16 matches Shahaniya along with the first three-ranked citing a league memo, said the to defend their crown along will be conducted after the participating teams of the second division (2020-2019 sensors will record “the dis- with a host of exciting com- The Amir Cup draw will be held on January teams have been classified into two season) Al Kharaitiyat, Al Markhiya and Al tance and duration of in- binations. Also set to take 4, 2021, the Qatar Football Association brackets, QFA said. Shamal. person interactions.” part are Aryna Sabalenka (QFA) has confirmed. Group A that will include the first eight Muaither team, which qualified from and Elise Mertens, the 2019 The draw ceremony – to be attended teams in the final standings of the QNB the preliminary match that was held NBA Results US Open champions who by QFA officials, team representatives and League competitions for the 2019-2020 between the fourth and fifth place holders BOSTON 126 Memphis 107 won the 2020 WTA title in the media – will be held at Ritz-Carlton. season which are: Duhail, Al Rayyan, Al in the Second Division, will also be part of BROOKLYN 145 Atlanta 141 Ostrava, alongside Laura The 49th Amir Cup draw will be based Sadd, Al Gharafa, Al Sailiya, Al Wakra, Al the draw. MIAMI 119 Milwaukee 108 Siegemund and Vera Zvon- on the ranking of the teams and their posi- Arabi and Qatar SC. QFA has confirmed that the first match Charlotte 118 DALLAS 99 areva, the 2020 US Open tions in the QNB Stars League for the last Group B will include teams ranked from will be played on January 25. Lakers 121 San Antonio 107 winners. season 2019-2020 in which 16 clubs from ninth to 12th place in the QNB Stars League The Amir Cup is the most popular CLIPPERS 128 Portland 105 the first and second divisions were seen in namely Al Ahli, Umm Salal, Al Khor and Al football tournament in the country. Sport FRIDAYFRID 1 JANUARY 2021 BruinsBru star Zdeno Chara leaves for Capitals The BostonB Bruins have informed me that they plan to move forwardforwa with their many younger and talented players, and I respectrespe their decision, Unfortunately, my time as the proud ccaptainapta of the Bruins has come to an end. I'm proud that we wwereere able to return the Stanley Cup to Boston. ZdenoZd Chara BostoBtBoston Bruins captain Sport | 15 NBA: Charlotte 118 Dallas 99 LA Lakers 125 San Antonio 107 Boston 126 Memphis 107 Brooklyn 145 Atlanta 141

Hamilton knighted in year-end royal honours

AP — LONDON been “totally misunderstood” and that Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates the racing champion was among the his win with fans after the British Lewis Hamilton is now a “Sir” as well 5,000 highest taxpayers in the UK. Grand Prix at Silverstone, Britain, as a seven-time Formula One Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says in this July 16, 2017, file photo. champion. Hamilton received a Britain should feel proud to have a knighthood Wednesday as part of "ambassador of the calibre of Lewis Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year’s Hamilton" after the F1 world champion honours list, which also recognized was awarded a knighthood in the New British performers, politicians, public Year Honours list. servants and people outside the lime- Austrian Wolff, 48, has overseen light who worked to defeat the coro- Hamilton's success at Mercedes fol- navirus and its devastating impacts. lowing the Briton's move from McLaren Hamilton, who secured his seventh in 2013. Hamilton has won six of his F1 title last month to equal Michael seven titles with the sport's all-con- Schumacher’s record, has said his quering team. recent success was partly inspired by Wolff hailed the 35-year-old British the Black Lives Matter movement. driver for his sporting success and his The 35-year-old race car driver efforts to battle discrimination. took the knee on the grid and wore "The news that he is to receive a anti-racism slogans during the season. knighthood shows that he is now Hamilton told the BBC last week receiving the recognition he has earned that “it was a different drive than what during a career of unparalleled success I’ve had in me in the past, to get to the in motorsport," said Wolff. end of those races first so that I could "The UK can be very proud to have utilize that platform” against racism. a champion and ambassador of the Supporters have suggested Ham- calibre of Sir Lewis Hamilton." ilton would have been knighted sooner Hamilton took a knee before all his is outside of Formula One. But Lewis team that won England the 1966 World There is growing criticism of the if not for his tax status. Hamilton’s races to protest against racial injustice has said this affects every black person Cup receives an honour. honours’ evocation of the British knighthood was awarded in the and Mercedes changed their livery and he stood up at a time when it could The queen’s honours are awarded Empire, the legacy of which has been “overseas” section of the honours list from silver to black to highlight the have destabilised his career and desta- twice a year, in late December and in debated anew amid campaigns against because he lives in low-tax Monaco. issue of discrimination. bilised his concentration on the June, when the monarch’s birthday is racism and colonialism around the His tax affairs made news in 2017 Britain's Damon Hill, world championship." observed. world. The education spokeswoman when the Paradise Papers leak champion in 1996, told Sky News: In other honours, veteran foot- The awards acknowledge hun- for the opposition Labour Party, Kate showed he avoided paying more than "Lewis has stood up for issues that are ballers Jimmy Greaves and Ron dreds of people for services to com- Green, who has an OBE, recently $4m in taxes on a private jet registered close to his heart and affect Flowers were made Members of the munity or British national life. Recip- called the titles of the honours in the Isle of Man, a tax haven. everyone. Order of the British Empire, or MBEs, ients are selected by committees of “offensive and divisive.” Motorsport UK Chairman David "In our sport it is very rare for a after a long-running campaign to civil servants from nominations made The British government said there Richards said Hamilton’s tax status had driver to get involved in anything that ensure every surviving member of the by the government and the public. are no plans to change the titles.

Results at Al Rayyan Race Park Jockey Marco Casamento guides Lekhraib past the AL SHAQAB CUP finish line to win Distance: 1700 the Al Shaqab Cup, Total Prize Money: QR 100,000 the day's feature Prize Money (QR): 1st 57,000 2nd 22,000 3rd 11,000 race, at Al Rayyan Race Time: 01:59.76 Race Park last night. Winner, trainer, jockey Casamento rode the Lekhraib, Mohammed Gassim Ghazali, Marco Casamento Mohammed Ghazali- Hazm Al Sulaimi, Gassim Ghazali, Soufiane Saadi trained 6-year-old Lama, Abdulaziz Hamad Al Marri , A Khalid Al-Mosallam horse to a convincing 5¼-length win in the LOCAL THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP 1700m run for Local Distance: 1200 Purebred Arabians, Total Prize Money: QR 60,000 clinching the top prize Prize Money (QR): 1st 34,200 2nd 13,200 3rd 6,600 of QR 57,000. Lekhraib Race Time: 01:12.96 Winner, trainer, jockey clocked a time of 1:59.76 in the six-entry Al Faisaliya, I Saeed Ibrahim Al Malki, Ronan Thomas contest held under Sarmad Bu Thaila, Mohamed Elahmed, Killian Leonard lights. Dhergham Bu Thaila, Mohamed Elahmed, Michael Forest THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 4) Distance: 1200 Total Prize Money: QR 55,000 Prize Money (QR): 1st 31,350 2nd 12,100 3rd 6,050 Race Time: 01:11.26 Lekhraib shows winning form as Winner, trainer, jockey Zarandi, Hamad Ahmed Al Malki Al-Jehani, Soufiane Saadi Return To Senders, Gassim Ghazali, Marco Casamento Casamento lifts Al Shaqab Cup title The Singer, Abdulaziz Ali A Al-Kathiri, Carlos Henrique THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 5) THE PENINSULA — DOHA Al Malki-trained 4-year-old filly to a Also yesterday, Abdulaziz Saleh Al Distance: 1900 2-length win a time of 1:12.96. Thomas won Jaber’s Southernmachoman (Mucho Macho Total Prize Money: QR 50,000 Injaaz Stud’s Lekhraib yesterday powered the top prize of QR 34,200. Man x Deep South) won the Thoroughbred Race Time: 02:04.20 to Al Shaqab Cup glory with jockey Marco Killian Leonard, astride Sarmad Bu Handicap (0-75). Winner, trainer, jockey Casamento in the saddle at the Al Rayyan Thaila (trained by Mohamed Khaled Ali Khalid Al Mosallam rode the Hadi Alizoom, Deborah Amanda Clare Mountain, Ivan Rossi Race Park. Elahmed) finished in second place whereas Al Ramzani-trained 4-year-old colt to a Casamento rode the Mohammed Ghaz- the third spot was grabbed by stabelmate short head win in the 6f run. THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 5) ali-trained 6-year-old horse to a convincing Dhergham Bu Thaila, who had Michael Khalifa Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Qawaafi Distance: 1200 5¼-length win in the 1700m run for Local Forest in the saddle. (Mukhadram x Fashion Rocks) won the Total Prize Money: QR 50,000 Purebred Arabians, clinching the top prize Leonard won QR 13,200 while Forest Local Thoroughbred Maiden Plate with Race Time: 01:12.82 of QR 57,000. picked up QR 6,600. Michael Forest in the saddle. Winner, trainer, jockey Lekhraib (AF AlBahar x Grace T) clocked In the day’s sixth race, Saeed Nasser Al Forest rode the Mohammed Riyaz- Southernmachoman, H N Al Ramzani , A K Al-Mosallam a time of 1:59.76 in the six-entry contest Qadi’s Zarandi (Scat Daddy x Zaralanta) trained 3-year-old filly to a 2½-length win held under lights. completed a double winning in the Thor- in the 1700m run. LOCAL THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE Soufiane Saadi, astride Hazm Al Sulaimi, oughbred Handicap (0-95) with Saadi who Salsabiel, owned by Khalifa Bin Sheail Distance: 1700 finished in second spot. Lama, who had Ali rode the Hamad Al Jehani-trained 4-year- Al Kuwari won the Purebred Arabian Total Prize Money: QR 45,000 Khalid Al Mosallam in the saddle, clinched old colt to a ¼-length win in the 6 furlong Maiden Plate with jockey Casamento. Race Time: 01:54.86 the third place. run. Saadi won QR 31,30. Return To Senders The Mohammed Ghazali-trained Winner, trainer, jockey Saadi won QR 22,000 while Al Mosal- (Casamento) and The Singer (Carlos Hen- 3-year-old filly to a 3½-lenght win in the Qawaafi, Mohammed Riyaz Ibrahim Kasim, Michael Forest lam’s efforts were worth QR 11,000 in what rique) completed the top three. 6f run for unrated 3-6-year-olds. was the feature race at Al Rayyan Race Also yesterday, Ali Hassan Ali Alabdul- In the day’s opening race at Al Rayyan PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE Park. malik’s Alizoom (Invincible Spirit x Lady Race Park, Injaaz Stud’s Mister General Distance: 1200 Earlier yesterday, Al Sakab Stud’s Springbank) won the Thoroughbred (General x Last Guest) won the Purebred Total Prize Money: QR 45,000 homebred Al Faisaliya (Coach House x Shie- Handicap (0-85). Jockey Ivan Rossi rode Arabian Maiden Plate as Khalid Al Balushi Race Time: 01:21.02 laligh) won the Local Thoroughbred the Debbie Mountain-trained 7-year-old rode the Mohammed Riyaz-trained 4-year- Winner, trainer, jockey Handicap (70-90). gelding to a short head win in the 1900m old colt to a convincing 5¾-length win in Salsabiel, Mohammed Gassim Ghazali , M Casamento Jockey Ronan Thomas rode the Ibrahim run. the 1700m run.