FRIDAY JANUARY 3, 2020 JUMADA AL-AWWAL 8, 1441 VOL.13 NO. 4833 QR 2

Fajr: 4:59 am Dhuhr: 11:38 am Asr: 2:37 pm Maghrib: 4:57 pm Isha: 6:27 pm

MAIN BRANCH LULU HYPER SANAYYA ALKHOR Business 8 Sports 11 Doha D-Ring Road Street-17 M & J Building Raid in Japan, arrests in Al Wakrah add to PARTLY CLOUDY MATAR QADEEM MANSOURA ABU HAMOUR BIN OMRAN HIGH : 26°C Near Ahli Bank Al Meera Petrol Station Al Meera Turkey as probe against Al Sadd woes with a LOW : 19°C alzamanexchange www.alzamanexchange.com 44441448 fugitive Ghosn widens resounding 2-1 win

MME destroys over 6.2 tonnes of agriculture MAHASEEL FESTIVAL QSE begins 2020 shipments for TO CONCLUDE TOMORROW violating law on positive note, gains 86 points

Indices of 5 of the 7 sectors close in positive territory SATYENDRA PATHAK DOHA

QATARI stocks began trading in 2020 QNA on a high note as five sector indices made DOHA impressive gains to support the main in- dex extend its incredible rally in the pre- THE Ministry of Municipal- vious two years. ity and Environment (MME), The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) represented by the agricultur- main index went up 86.19 points, or 0.83 al quarantine offices of the Ag- AS the curtain comes down on the fourth edition of Mahaseel Festival on Saturday (January 4), the local crops festival percent, to 10,511.70 points on Thursday, ricultural Affairs Department, continues to receive large number of visitors on a daily basis. The festival, organised by the Cultural Village Foundation the first trading session of 2020. The QSE inspected 5,682 consignments (Katara), in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, has emerged as one of the most important was closed on January 1 on account of Qatari stocks are weighing 88,975 tonnes of forums to promote Qatari products. However, the Mahaseel market will remain open even after the festival until March New Year holiday. expected to maintain imported agricultural con- 31 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. PAGE 16 The day saw five of the seven sector positive performance in signments such as plants and indices close in the positive territory. 2020 as the government has production inputs, across all The telecom sector spearheaded announced a higher spending customs points in the country the gainers with an increase of 1.41 per- in December. cent after its main component Ooredoo budget this year. The quarantine offices de- jumped 1.83 percent. — A fund manager stroyed 19 shipments weigh- The banking and financial services ing 6.23 tonnes for violating Turkey parliament approves sector index, which gained 0.92 percent, the agricultural quarantine was also instrumental in lifting the main While foreign funds accounted for law and being largely infected index higher. The banking sector was 31.1 percent of the total buy, the share of with quarantine and non- military deployment to Libya mainly lifted by Commercial Bank and foreign individual investors in the total quarantine pests. Doha Bank that went up 3.1 percent and buy was 8.46 percent. The agricultural quaran- AFP 4.7 percent respectively. Despite selling pressure from Qatari tine is a first line of defence for ANKARA The transportation sector levelled up shareholders, the day saw 24 stocks out protection from agricultural 0.62 percent on the back of a 1.25 percent of the 46 traded on the day make gains. infections. TURKEY’S parliament passed a bill increase in Nakilat. While 26 stocks declined, share price The preventive procedure on Thursday approving a military “Qatari stocks are expected to main- of rest of the six stocks remained un- aims to protect the country’s deployment to Libya aimed at shor- tain positive performance in 2020 as changed. agricultural wealth from for- ing up the UN-backed government the government has announced a higher Non-Qatari shareholders remained eign-originated pests. PAGE 2 in Tripoli. spending budget this year,” a Doha-based bullish throughout the day as they bought The beleaguered Tripoli gov- fund manager said. more than what they sold during the day. ernment has been under sustained “The country continues to move to- Market capitalisation rose by 0.6 attack since April by military wards growth as underlined by the recent percent to reach QR585.4 billion as com- strongman General Khalifa Haftar. budget announcement. Infrastructure pared to QR581.8 billion at the end of President Recep Tayyip Er- spending will continue to grow as major the previous week. Al Khalij Commer- dogan spoke with his US counter- projects are brought closer to comple- cial Bank was the best performing stock part Donald Trump by phone on tion,” the fund manager said. for the week, with a gain of 3.9 percent. Thursday to discuss the situation in Foreign institutions remained bullish Masraf Al Rayan, Commercial Bank and Libya, his office said. throughout the day as they bought more Qatar Islamic Bank were the primary He is due to receive Russian than what they sold during the day. contributors to the weekly index gain. President Vladimir Putin next The Turkish president’s of ce con rmed last Friday that a request for military support Wednesday to inaugurate a new had been received from the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord. (ANADOLU) gas pipeline, and Libya is expected to be a key topic of discussion. ment, and Vice-President Fuat Ok- we are withdrawing, we are aban- Turkey and Russia have man- tay told state news agency Anadolu doning our offensive,’ then what Woqod opens fuel station in aged to work closely on the Syrian on Wednesday that no date had yet should we go there for?” conflict despite supporting oppos- been set. The bill passed easily through Baaya, widens network to 97 ing sides, and are expected to seek “We are ready. Our armed Turkey’s parliament, by 325 votes (AFP) a similar balancing act with regards forces and our defence ministry are to 184. QATAR Fuel (Woqod) on Thursday to Libya. ready,” he said, adding that parlia- “The Libyan motion is impor- opened a new fuel station in Baaya Australia orders Erdogan’s office confirmed last mentary approval would be valid tant for the protection of the in- district of Al Rayyan Municipality, evacuation of Friday that a request for military for a year. terests of our country and for the increasing its network of stations support had been received from the He described the parliament peace and stability of the region,” across Qatar to 97. With this new fire-ravaged Tripoli-based Government of Na- motion as a “political signal” aimed Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu facility, Woqod has moved a step (PG 7 ) tional Accord (GNA). at deterring Haftar’s army. tweeted after the vote. closer to its objective of opening 114 towns No details have been given on “After it passes, if the other side fuel stations by 2020. PAGE 8 the scale of the potential deploy- changes its attitude and says, ‘OK, More on page 5  HIA makes short-term parking free until Jan 6 Qatar-Australia trade reaches all-time high TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Qatar’s services exports to DOHA DOHA Australia also grew strongly at 28 percent year-on-year to IN order to ensure safety and security of AUSTRALIA’S annual two- QR1.93 billion, the statement passengers, the Hamad International Air- way goods and services trade added. port (HIA) has made short-term parking with Qatar reached a new all- “These numbers are a sign free for ve hours from January 3 to 6. time high of QR5.8 billion, the economic relationship is “Hamad International Airport (HIA) according to the Australian in good shape and that Aus- would like to inform its customers that Bureau of Statistics. tralian companies remain the use of short-term parking will be Two-way trade grew 28 strongly engaged in Qatar,” available free of charge between Janu- percent year-on-year and has Australian Ambassador to ary 3 and 6 from 10pm to 3am, as this increased four-fold over the Qatar HE Jonathan Muir has been identi ed as the busy peak past decade, according to a said. period at arrivals,” the HIA said in a statement issued by the Aus- “The fact that trade was statement. tralian Embassy in Qatar. evenly balanced indicates A lot of people are expected to y back Qatar has consolidated its strong complementarities be- into the country during the weekend as “For passengers’ convenience and limited and customers are requested to place as Australia’s second tween our economies and that schools will reopen next week after the safety during the peak period, access to proceed to the short-term car park for free largest trading partner in the the relationship delivers eco- winter break. the arrival and departure curbsides will be parking during these periods,” it added. Middle East and North Africa Australian Ambassador to Qatar nomic benefit to both coun- (MENA) region. HE Jonathan Muir. tries,” the envoy added. 02 Friday, January 3, 2020

Contact US: Qatar Tribune I EDITORIAL I Phone: 40002222 I ADMINISTRATION & MARKETING I Phone: 40002155, 40002122, Fax: 40002235 P.O. Box: 23493, Doha.

MME destroyed 19 consignments weighing 6.23 tonnes in December e preventive procedure aims to protect the country’s agricultural wealth from foreign-origin pests QNA Law and for being largely in- DOHA fected with quarantine and non-quarantine pests. THE Ministry of Municipal- Agricultural quarantine is ity and Environment (MME), the first line of defence for pro- represented by the quarantine tection of farm products from offices of the Agricultural Af- infections. fairs Department, inspected The preventive procedure a total of 5,682 consignments aims to protect the country’s weighing 88,975 tonnes across agricultural wealth from for- all Customs points in Qatar in eign-originated pests. December, 2019. The procedure requires that The consignments includ- all plants, agricultural products ed various types of imported and other materials shall be plants and farm products. subject to phytosanitary regula- The quarantine offices de- tions and to ensure that other stroyed 19 shipments weigh- agricultural production inputs ing 6.23 tonnes for violating are in conformity with the nec- the Agricultural Quarantine essary specifications. Agricultural quarantine is the rst line of defence to protect farm products from infections. Envoy seeks partnership between IIQS-Qatar hosts CPD to train members on dispute resolution Australian Red Cross and QRCS TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK ‘Dispute Resolution with Ex- ship from Royal Institution of DOHA pert Witness and Expert De- Chartered Surveyors (RICS). termination in Qatar’. Kiran, IIQS-Qatar general THE Indian Institute of Quan- The lecture covered the as- secretary, conducted the event. tity Surveyors-Qatar Chapter pects of expert decisions as per Sudheer Edamana, IIQS- (IIQS-Qatar), which is affiliat- recent Public Works Authority Qatar vice-president, and ed to the Indian Business and (PWA) conditions of contract, Narendra Pathak, IIQS-Qatar Professionals Council (IBPC) expert witness advantages and CPD Committee, felicitated under the aegis of the Em- the possible time duration to Avinash Gaikwad for deliver- bassy of India in Qatar, suc- resolve the disputes. ing the lecture. cessfully conducted its ninth An interactive question IIQS-Qatar conducts As- Continuing Professional De- and answer session followed sessment of Professional Com- velopment (CPD) event. the lecture. petence (APC) Workshops for About 50 members and Following the presentation, candidates to achieve char- guests attended the event. Tejas, membership manager of tered membership from RICS- Avinash Gaikwad, advisor IIQS-Qatar, urged the attend- UK in line with the IIQS vision to IIQS-Qatar and managing ees to participate in the APC of upgrading the global com- director of AG Consultancy Process training by IIQS-Qatar petitiveness among the Indian WLL, delivered a lecture on to achieve corporate member- quantity surveyors. Ambassador of Australia to Qatar HE Jonathan Muir visits Qatar Red Crescent Society headquarters in Doha on Thursday.

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK jects, where the two national helping the victims of emer- tour of the world-class Disas- DOHA societies can work together as gencies,” he said. ter Information Management members of the International The ambassador said, Center (DIMC). A presenta- AMBASSADOR of Australia to Red Cross and Red Crescent “Like Australia, Qatar is a tion was also given on the oc- Qatar HE Jonathan Muir visit- Movement. major provider of humanitar- casion by Subhi Fahid Ejjeh, ed Qatar Red Crescent Society Muir was introduced to ian assistance globally. I was head of Disaster Preparedness (QRCS) on Thursday to build QRCS’ diverse portfolio of pleased to meet Eng Maliki at QRCS, on the vision, activi- humanitarian partnership be- work, mainly relief interven- and his team to gain a fuller ties and capability of the newly tween QRCS and the Austral- tions in disaster-stricken understanding of Qatar Red opened centre. ian Red Cross. countries near Australia, like Crescent’s operations, in- Through high-tech com- He was received by QRCS Papua New Guinea. cluding in Australia’s region, munications with other peers Executive Director Eng Ibra- Eng Maliki welcomed the and discuss possible areas of worldwide, DIMC is well- him Abdullah al Maliki and opportunity to cooperate with collaboration.” equipped to provide real-time Dr Fawzi Oussedik, head of the Australian Red Cross to- During the meeting, the disaster identification, collect International Relations and wards the common humani- Australian Red Cross was up-to-date information and International Humanitarian tarian goals. invited to participate in the coordinate closely with fel- Law (IHL). “We have 22 foreign mis- coming Disaster Management low national societies and The visit aimed to explore sions across Asia and Africa. Camp (DMC). international humanitarian potential humanitarian pro- They play an effective role in Then, the guest took a organisations. Participants at the Indian Institute of Quantity Surveyors-Qatar Chapter’s professional development event.

HUNTING, FALCONRY ENTHUSIASTS FLOCK TO SEALINE AREA TO WITNESS MARMI ACTIVITIES

Hunting and falconry enthusiasts ocked to Sabkhat Marmi in Sealine area on Thursday to witness the fascinating activities of the 11th edition of Qatar International Festival of Falcons and Hunting 2020 (Marmi). The audience followed enthusiasti- cally how the falcons chased their preys in the sky. The audience also enjoyed captivating commentary by poet and member of the organising committee Hamad. The festival will run until February 1 at Sabkhat Marmi in Sealine area. The Marmi festival is one of the important events showcasing Qatari culture. It presents the rich Qatari heritage and showcases aspects of the traditional way of life. (QNA) Friday, January 3, 2020 03 (http://www.islamweb.net) Under the guidance and supervision of Ministry of Awqaf (Religious Endowments) Islam and Islamic Affairs

Hold Firmly to the Rope of Allah

Question: In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the THE CRUCIAL ROLE Ever Merciful, Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh, In my country, a disagreement and split has occurred among the followers of the Salafi methodology. I am extremely confused. Please advise. May Allah reward you abundantly. Answer: All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the OF THE HEART Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, HE Prophet Muhammad, sallal- is His slave and Messenger. laahu ‘alayhi wa sallam (may Al- Despite the small amount of information we have about lah exalt his mention), informed the details of the disagreement and the persons involved, us in a very famous Hadeeth it is a general rule that Islam is a religion of unity, not disu- (narration), commonly quoted nity or disagreement. Moreover, disagreement is the char- withT reference to what is lawful and acteristic of the disbelievers and a sign of disbelief. Allah what is unlawful, about the impor- The Almighty Says (what means): {And do not be of those tant role of the heart. who associate others with Allah. [Or] of those who have He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, divided their religion and become sects.}[Qur’an 30:31-32] said: “What is lawful is clear and what There are many Qur’anic verses and Prophetic is forbidden is clear, and in between Ahadeeth that speak unfavourably of disagreement and them there are some matters that are enjoin Muslims to be committed to the Qur’an and Sunnah. doubtful, which most people do not Therefore, Muslims in your country and elsewhere have know –if they are lawful or forbid- to renounce disagreement and hold on to true faith and den. Thus, whoever avoids what is sincerity. Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {And hold doubtful, safeguards his religion and rmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become honour, but one who engages in what divided.}[Qur’an 3:103] is doubtful, falls in what is forbidden. The People of the Truth were consequently called the The example of this is like the shep- Followers of the Sunnah because they co-operated upon herd who grazes his herd in the vicin- the truth and never fell into disunity. We also advise them ity of an exclusively reserved pasture to effect reconciliation, cooperation and spread sincere ad- but it is always apprehensive that vice among all the Sunnis. They should not give allegiance some of his animals might get into or show disassociation except on the basis of the Qur’an the pasture. Every king has a reserved and the Sunnah. pasture and the reserved pasture of Allah Knows best. Allah is what He has forbidden. Be- ware! There is a piece of flesh in the body, if it is reformed, the whole body becomes good, but if it gets spoilt, the Teaching a Child Starts from whole body gets spoilt as well; indeed it is the heart.” [Al-Bukhaari] Age of Discernment He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said this after explaining that the lawful Question: I have a three-year-old daughter whom I want to matters are clear and that the forbid- teach the true teachings of Islam. Can I bring a Shaykh to den ones are clear, and that between teach her? How could this be done? Is she still too young to them are obscure matters, not known learn? What is the appropriate time to teach her? to many people. However, what pro- Answer: All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the tects a person from the forbidden mat- Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except ters and ensures that he remains in Allah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, lawful ones is knowledge; but beyond is His slave and Messenger. knowledge, it is the state of the heart. said that for Allah to guide a single wa sallam, informed us that the first wealth. He donated in charity and peo- The appropriate time for teaching children is when they If the heart is good, then it makes use person to Islam thanks to you, it is three people who would be cast into ple praised his generosity, but Allah are able to understand what is said to them. There is no of the knowledge and it avoids what is better than anything in this world. Hellfire are those who were involved will Say: “You did it for the praise and certain age for this; rather, it differs according to the child prohibited. If the heart is corrupted, For you to help someone to find faith, in what everybody considers great you were praised. You did it for people abilities. Accordingly, if you notice that your daughter ac- then the knowledge is of no benefit to it it is better than everything that is in acts of righteousness. They are the to appreciate you.” So, that individual cepts knowledge and understands what is said to her, then and it will indulge in what is prohibited. this world. [Al-Bukhaari] scholar who taught knowledge; the will as well be drawn off on his face it is permissible to teach her by yourself or by a teacher. You The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi The heart is the place in which the wealthy person who gave from his and thrown into Hell. [Muslim] should follow the right way in teaching her by giving her what wa sallam, during the last (and only) correctness of deeds is judged. The wealth in charity and the martyr who Also, we would think that the is appropriate for her age. You should not teach her dif cult pilgrimage, informed his Compan- Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi gave his life fighting in the place of the martyr - whom we all as- things that might make her avert from knowledge. Allah ions, may Allah be pleased with them, wa sallam, said: “Deeds path of Allah. sumed had died in the Path of Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Be Rabbaaniyyoon (pious and it was an instruction to the entire are judged according The The Prophet, sal- –in Paradise is guaranteed. But Allah scholars of the Lord)} [Qur’an 3:79] Muslim nation to come, that people to the intention.” value of faith is lallaahu ‘alayhi will Say to him: “You fought so that “The Rabbaani (a pious scholar) is the one who are not favoured based on their race The place of the wa sallam, in an people would say, ‘How brave this teaches people the minor issues of knowledge before the or colour, but rather, based on piety intention is not greater than the value of all authentic Ha- one is! How strong and courageous greater issues.” [Al-Bukhaari] and on how much they are Allah fear- on the lips. It is the things of this world. This is deeth, said that he was!’” People said it; they praised Allah Knows best. ing. After that, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi in the heart. why Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu some people you, so he will be drawn off on his wa sallam, clarified that the place of ‘Umar Ibn ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that for Allah to from among face and thrown into Hell.’ piety is in one’s heart.” Al-Khattaab, guide a single person to Islam thanks these types of All this is telling us that, ultimate- In these statements and other may Allah be people would ly, even the highest of deeds can be of “If Allah guides one single man (to Islam) similar statements, we find stress pleased with to you, it is better than anything in this be among the no avail if the hearts are sick; if the being placed on the heart - that the him, narrated world. For you to help someone to first groups of hearts are corrupt. So, the place of thanks to you, it would be better for you heart is the part of the body, which that the Mes- people thrown the heart should, in our minds, occu- Allah has favoured over all other senger of Al- find faith, it is better than every- into Hell be- py great attention. We have to spend than possessing the red camels (i.e. parts. It is the place of faith and had lah, sallallaahu thing that is in this world. cause the schol- much of our time observing, being the most precious breed of camels).” there been in the body another part ‘alayhi wa sallam, - [Al-Bukhaari] ar, when he taught aware of the state of our heart. that was closer to Allah, piety would said: “The reward of the knowledge that So there is no other faculty in – [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] have been placed there, because faith deeds depends upon the Allah gave him, did not the human body and existence that is the most valuable thing that a hu- intention and every person do so for the sake of Allah. a believer should be more concerned man being possesses. It (faith) is the will get the reward according to what He taught his knowledge so that peo- about. We have to make sure that this determination ultimately of those he has intended…” [Al-Bukhaari] ple would praise him, saying what a faculty is functioning as Allah wishes who have belief in Allah - those who Our deeds - what we do externally great scholar he was and how knowl- it to function. We should be greatly have accepted the message and who - are judged ultimately by the state of edgeable he was. Allah will Say to concerned about it. The Prophet, have chosen Paradise over Hell. It is our hearts. Good deeds are in refer- him: “You received your praise, what sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, often the distinction of those who have be- ence to those that we perceive to be you sought in that world. But there used to supplicate, beginning with: “I “Speaking of a good thing is better than being lief and those who have disbelief. a part and parcel of righteousness. will be nothing for you in the Next.” seek refuge in You, O Allah, from the The value of faith is greater than Allah will inspect the hearts to deter- So he will be drawn off on his face knowledge that does not benefit, and silent about it; and being silent about an evil thing the value of all the things of this mine whether they are truly acts of and thrown into Hell. from a heart which does not fear.” [At- world. This is why Prophet Muham- righteousness. The same thing will happen to the Tirmithi, Abu Daawood, An-Nasaa’i is better than talking about it.” – [Ibn Taymiyyah] mad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi benefactor who was generous with his and Ibn Maajah]

THE AMAZING POTENTIAL OF MUSLIM WOMEN

USLIM women have the potential wa sallam,that is often overlooked, for she cator and an orator. In general, she played Her support of the Prophet, sallallaahu may Allah have mercy upon her, renovated to benefit the Ummah (nation) in lived almost 50 years after his death. Dur- a critical role in preserving and transmit- ‘alayhi wa sallam, was evident in many Baghdad and established her own school many diverse ways. The Ummah ing her time with the Prophet, sallallaahu ting both the Qur’an and the Sunnah to the ways, including financial, as she gave a large and endowment there. is suffering immensely in this pre- ‘alayhi wa sallam, she learned and acquired next generations, along with a wealth of portion of her wealth for his mission. The Many women have the financial capa- sent age and both Muslim men knowledge from the two most important other knowledge. She provides a magnifi- prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said bility to advance the Ummah in numer- Mand Muslim women need to rise up to the sources of Allah’s guidance: the Quran and cent example of the achievements and con- regarding Khadeejah, may Allah be pleased ous ways as evident in the examples of our challenge and help to re-establish its glory. the Sunnah of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alay- tributions that a Muslim woman can make with her, “She believed in me when the peo- predecessors. The Ummah is in need of There is much work to be done and there is hi wa sallam. for the benefit of the Ummah. We need to ple rejected me. And she held me to be hon- schools, Mosques, social service centres, no time to waste. A look at some examples After his death, she spent those 50 encourage our young women to become the est when the people said I was a liar. And and so forth. in history will elucidate the significant role years, teaching, narrating, advising and ‘Aa’ishas of today and tomorrow. she supported me with her wealth when the Muslim girls need to be taught the value that women have played, and can continue assisting others. ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be people withheld from me.” [Al-Bukhaari of money from a young age, as well as the to play, for the benefit of the society. pleased with her, is one of four persons As benefactors: and Muslim] importance of donating their wealth for the who transmitted more than 2,000 sayings Islamic Law recognises the full property There are many other examples of wom- sake of Allah. We need to encourage our As scholars: of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sal- and economic rights of women before and en benefactors throughout the history of young women to become the Khadeejahs of Women have the ability to learn and lam. Many Companions of the Prophet, after marriage. They may buy, sell or lease Islam. Faatimah al-Fihriyah (d. 880), may today and tomorrow. excel in various disciplines and to use this sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, benefited their properties at their own discretion and Allah have mercy upon her, inherited a con- Muslim women have played a significant knowledge for the benefit of the Ummah. from her knowledge such that Abu Moosa may use their wealth without interference siderable amount of wealth and she used role in society throughout Islamic history. The Ummah is particularly in need of female Al-Ash’ari said, “When we, Companions of by anyone. this wealth to build a school and a Mosque They have been doctors and social workers, Islamic scholars who can help to guide the the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, For this reason, some Muslim women in Qarawiyiin, Morocco. The Qarawiyiin scholars and educators, benefactors and ad- women and the nation as a whole. Although encountered any difficulty in the matters of become quite wealthy. Throughout his- Mosque and school has been the centre of ministrators. They have helped shape the Islamic studies may be viewed as somewhat any hadeeth, we referred it to ‘Aa’ishah, may tory, women have used their resources for Islamic learning in Morocco for more than Islamic landscape and contributed substan- inferior to other fields of study, it is time to Allaah be pleased with her, and found that the cause of Islam and for the benefit of the 1,000 years and is the oldest university tially to the prominence of Islamic civilisa- return it to a superior position once again. she had definite knowledge about it.” Muslim Ummah. Khadeejah bint Khuway- in Morocco. Maryam bint ash-Shams (d. tion. They have done all of this while main- The finest example of the scholarship of She was one of the earliest jurists of lid, may Allah be pleased with her, was the 1313), Barakah bint Abd-Allah (d. 1372) and taining the Islamic principles of modesty, Muslim women is, of course, ‘Aa’ishah bint Islam and was one of three wives of the finest example of this generosity. She was Al-Udar al Kareemah of Yemen (d. 1360), dignity and honour. Muslim women have an Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with her. Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, who the first wife of the Prophet, sallallaahu may Allah have mercy upon them, also built amazing potential. It is time to fulfil those There is wisdom in the young age at which had memorised the complete Quran. She ‘alayhi wa sallam, and a wealthy business- great schools and Mosques throughout that possibilities and assist in returning Islam to she married the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi was a scholar of law and medicine, an edu- woman. country. Banafshaa’ ar-Rumiyah (d. 1008), its rightful place. 04 Friday, January 3, 2020 Asia Fireghter killed in latest New Delhi factory blaze Sri Lanka orders bus operators to turn down the music

NEW Delhi: A reman battling a blaze at a New Delhi factory was killed on Thursday after the COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s government on Thursday gave bus operators two weeks to turn down the building collapsed, ofcials said, in the third major re in the Indian capital in less than a month. notoriously loud music in their vehicles following complaints from passengers. News Eighteen others, 14 of them reghters, were also injured in the re that broke out at a battery Transport minister Mahinda Amaraweera has given bus operators until January 15 to voluntar- in brief factory in Peeragarhi district just before dawn on Thursday, Delhi Police said in a statement. ily turn down the volume or he would bring in legislation, said ministry spokesman Dharma Wan- More than 150 reghters had been called to battle the blaze, which saw ames of more ninayake said. There are an estimated 20,000 private buses plying Sri Lankan roads, notorious for than 10 metres shoot up into the sky. An explosion later rocked the back of the building which playing loud Sinhala, Tamil and Hindi songs, mainly from low-budget movies. Long-distance buses collapsed into a heap of debris, giving off black toxic smoke and trapping many inside. (AFP) also frequently play high-decibel music videos. (AFP) Pakistan PM seeks Indonesia oods leave nearly civil servants’ support 30 dead, several missing in realisation of 2020 Some 31,000 ee as year of growth to temporary camps across the capital APP/AGENCIES nomic activity in the country, ISLAMABAD he added. He said the bureau- region: Authorities cracy as well as the business DESCRIBING the promulga- community needed protection AFP tion of NAB Amendment Or- from NAB’s pressure. JAKARTA dinance as a “tough decision”, Khan told the gathering aimed at protecting bureau- that the business community INDONESIA’S disaster agency cracy and businessmen from did not fall under NAB for not warned on Thursday of more the unnecessary pressures, holding public offices as the deaths after torrential rains Prime Minister Imran Khan tax cases were related to the pounded the Jakarta region, on Thursday sought the sup- Federal Board of Revenue. triggering floods and land- port of civil servants in the re- He said 2019 was a tough slides that killed at least 29 alization of 2020 as the year of year for the government during and left vast swaths of the growth and development. which they focused on stabiliza- megalopolis underwater. “As we have to lift the tion of economy through vari- Tens of thousands fled to country in the year 2020, I ous macroeconomic measures temporary shelters across the need your support in this re- which led to strengthening of capital region -- home to some spect,” he said while address- rupee, restoration of investors’ 30 million -- with scores of ing a gathering of senior civil confidence and improvement houses damaged in the deadli- servants and bureaucrats here in the stock market – vital for est flooding in years, after tor- at the Prime Minister House. running the wheels of economy. rential rains on New Year’s Eve. The prime minister said Images showed water- that his government never logged homes and cars cov- asked bureaucracy to take any ered in muddy floodwaters, illegal decision rather insulat- while some people took to ed it as against the past. paddling in small rubber life- He said the improvement boats or tyre inner-tubes to get of governance system was in- around. evitable to bring in stability. In Bekasi, on the outskirts Wealth creation would be pos- of the city, receding waters re- sible if the industries were al- vealed swampy streets littered lowed to flourish. with debris and crushed cars Imran Khan said the Na- lying on top of each other -- A man shes outside his housing complex after ooding triggered by heavy rain hit the area in Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday. (AFP) tional Accountability Bureau with waterline marks reaching (NAB) was meant to take ac- as high as buildings’ second suf Latif, spokesman for the bara told reporters earlier that was plucked from certain tion against the public office floors. National Search and Rescue ● At least 26 people died Thursday. death, while a drenched rat holders for misusing the office Prime Minister Imran Khan “I saw the water coming agency. in Jakarta, while three more Around Jakarta, an eight- was filmed taking refuge on a while the business commu- and it just kept getting higher “In some places, the rescue were killed by ash oods year-old boy killed in a land- floating plastic sandal. nity had nothing to do with the Highlighting the impor- and higher,” said Deddy Su- operation was quite challeng- in neighbouring Lebak slide and an 82-year-old On Wednesday, electricity public offices. tance of improved governance priadi, after a local river over- ing and difficult. The water pensioner were among the was switched off in many Ja- He said those, who were system, Imran Khan said he flowed on the first day of 2020. was deep with a strong cur- ● On Wednesday, electricity confirmed victims. karta districts to prevent more criticizing the NAB Amend- expected the bureaucracy to “It swept away 40 or 50 rent. Some alleyways were so was switched off in many Others died from drown- electrocutions, with some ment Ordinance, should first achieve the standards and rep- cars that were parked right narrow that it was hard for Jakarta districts to prevent ing or hypothermia, while one train lines and one airport also understand NAB’s mandate. utation of 1960s. here,” he told AFP. our inflatable boats to pass more electrocutions, with 16-year-old boy was electro- shut. By Thursday, most ser- The prime minister said He described nine million Rescuers used inflatable through,” he added. some train lines and one cuted by a power line. vice had returned to normal. fearing NAB, the bureaucracy Pakistani expatriates as asset boats to evacuate residents Across the city, kids took airport also shut “The floods hit without The disaster marked Ja- was frightened to take deci- for the country and pointed out trapped in their homes, in- the opportunity to swim in the warning,” Munarsih, who goes karta’s worst flooding since sions as the procedures in- that many among them did not cluding children and seniors. floodwaters while some people by one name, said from her wa- 2013 when dozens were killed volved risks and they had been invest in their homeland due to TV images showed the dra- grabbed fishing rods. terlogged neighbourhood in Ja- after the city was inundated by facing unnecessary pressure the impediments of poor gov- matic rescue of a baby saved by “I saw people were fishing regency in the south of Java karta’s western outskirts where monsoon rains. from the Bureau. ernance system and opted for disaster personnel who waded here so I followed them,” said island, according to the local dozens of families fled to safety. Jakarta is regularly hit In order to achieve the tar- other destinations. through chin-deep water to 28-year-old Agung Rosiadi. disaster agency. “The water came very by floods during Indonesia’s get of 50 million houses, he The prime minister said the family’s home and carried “There were lots of fish before Police in Lebak said on fast and it rose quickly. We rainy season, which started in said, the government expected after stabilising economy in the infant away to safety in a but I don’t know why they’re Thursday they were search- couldn’t manage to get our late November. cooperation from the bureau- 2019, the government would small plastic tub. all gone now,” he added. ing for as many as eight people stuff out, including my car,” Authorities said on Thurs- cracy. The present govern- now focus on growth and de- “We’ve been rescuing new- At least 26 people died in who could still be missing. she added. day that some 31,000 people ment’s ambitious housing pro- velopment in 2020, and also borns, mothers who just gave greater Jakarta, while three “We hope the toll won’t Stories about animal res- had been evacuated, but that gramme would boost the 40 beat inflation and unemploy- birth and babies trapped in more were killed by flash keep going up,” Social Affairs cues went viral online, includ- figure did not include residents allied industries, create job op- ment by boosting industrial houses without food,” said Yu- floods in neighbouring Lebak Minister Juliari Peter Batu- ing a dog chained to a fence in Jakarta’s satellite cities. portunities and stimulate eco- and agricultural development.

Afghanistan honours man who walked daughters 12 kilometres to school Taiwan’s military chief killed in chopper crash DPA calling him a “the hero of ed- KABUL ucation” for devoting himself AFP the upcoming Lunar New Year paigning for three days. to his daughters’ education. TAIPEI when the incident happened. Tsai is seeking a second THE Afghan government On Wednesday, Balkhi Flags at all military units term against Kaohsiung city plans to build a school and invited Khan to his office TAIWAN’S military chief was will fly at half-mast for three mayor Han Kuo-yu of the name it after Mia Khan, an and described Khan’s ef- killed in a helicopter crash on days as Shen was the highest- Kuomintang (KMT) party in uneducated man who walked forts as an inspiration for Thursday, the defence minis- ranking military official to die the January 11 elections when his daughters 12 kilometres overcoming obstacles in the try said, just days before the while on official duty, the gov- Taiwan will also elect a new to the nearest schoolhouse to education of girls in Afghan- island goes to polls to elect a ernment said. parliament. support their education. istan, especially those living new president. Lieutenant-general Tsao “Today is a day that we are Khan, a 63-year-old resi- in remote areas. The chief of the gener- Ching-ping, one of five survi- deeply saddened because sev- dent of Sharana in south- Khan said he and his al staff, Shen Yi-ming, was vors, told rescuers on local TV: eral of our most distinguished eastern Paktika province, be- daughters travelled most among eight senior officers -- “I am okay... two others are generals died while on official came known on social media often by foot to the school, including three major-generals injured and only I can walk.” duty,” Tsai said at a briefing for taking his daughters to the though they occasionally -- who died when their Black “There is one more person for the incident. only girl’s school in the area. used a motorbike. He used Hawk helicopter smashed into who’s more seriously wound- Rescuers search for survivors after a military Black Hawk helicopter “I’ve asked the defence The Ministry of Educa- to wait outside the school mountains near Taipei. ed and two or three people in smashed into mountains in Yilan county near Taipei on Thursday. minister to maintain stable tion said in a statement on during their lessons before The 62-year-old general the cabin ... while two more (Inset) Taiwan’s Military Chief Shen Yi-ming. (AFP) military morale at this time to Thursday that the school will walking his children back and his entourage were on a with no signs of life.” ensure steady military and de- be built in Khan’s village, home, he said. routine mission to visit soldiers President Tsai Ing-wen’s all campaign activities for three ing Democratic Progressive fence operations for the safety in northeast Yilan county for office said that she will cancel days after the tragedy. The rul- Party will also suspend cam- and stability of our country.” Once unloved, threatened storks given new hope in Indian zoo

AFP standing 1.5 metres (nearly five or in captivity,” said Assam calls and messy eating habits. leads the project. A second GUWAHATI feet) tall with a 2.5 metre (eight zoo chief Tejas Mariswamy. But the Aaranyak project followed 10 days later. feet) wing-span, is on the red “This success will lead to led a campaign to rehabilitate The Greater Adjutant is THE hatching of two storks list of threatened species kept similar experiment elsewhere the species and its reputation one of the rarest of the 20 spe- on a bamboo platform in a by the International Union for in the world and will help con- in recent years. It assembled cies of stork left in the world. remote Indian zoo has raised Conservation of Nature. serve and protect the birds,” an award-winning brigade It is one of the eight species hopes that one of the world’s With the gradual destruc- added Bibhab Talukdar, head of village women conserva- found in India. It is now only most threatened bird species tion of their forest and wet- of the Aaranyak conservation tionists to protect their nest- found in a few isolated districts can be saved, experts say. land breeding habitat, there group that worked with the ing grounds, and set up the in Assam and Bihar in India, The two Greater Adjutant are believed to be only about zoo to help breeding. breeding platforms with As- and Prek Toal in Cambodia. chicks have gone on display at 1,000 of the storks left in In- The storks, known as sam zoo in 2017. The loss of the tall trees Assam State Zoo weeks after dia and Cambodia. “hargilla” (bone swallower) in “Finally we found success where they usually nest, as This picture taken on January 1, 2020 shows a greater adjutant they hatched in the northeast “We do not have any re- the Assamese language, were on November 26, 2019 when well as poaching and poi- stork and its chick on an arti cial platform in an enclosure at Indian state. port that this endangered bird shunned before because of the first chick hatched,” said soning have become major Assam State Zoo/Botanical Garden in Guwahati, India. (AFP) The Greater Adjutant, has bred (before) in any zoo their smelly droppings, noisy Purnima Devi Barman, who threats to the species. Gulf / Middle East / Africa Friday, January 3, 2020 05 Elite Iraqi troops secure US embassy after attack AFP allies of Iraq. away according to an AFP cor- ried that the dramatic develop- Ali’s determination came BAGHDAD On Thursday, more than respondent. ments outside the US embassy despite the attempted killings of a dozen black armoured ve- Embassy staff could be would either steal their thunder two activists in Nasiriyah over- ELITE Iraqi troops deployed hicles of the US-trained Iraqi seen cleaning up a reception or be mistaken for an extension night, both of whom survived. to secure the US embassy on Counter-Terrorism Service de- area the protesters had broken of their own movement. An activist in Baghdad was Thursday, a day after a pro- ployed on the embassy’s streets into and torched, and cranes “What happened in front not so fortunate: Saadoun al- Iran mob laid siege to it in in the capital’s Green Zone to were used to move rocks and of the United States embassy Luhaybi was shot in the head dramatic scenes that over- reinforce security there. debris they had pelted at the was an attempt to draw peo- in a southwestern neighbour- shadowed months of anti-gov- Pro-Iran slogans still cov- embassy. ple’s eyes away from the popu- hood of the capital overnight, ernment grassroots protests. ered the entire length of the The violence has also trou- lar protests now in their fourth a police source told AFP on The unprecedented attack thick concrete walls breached bled Iraqis who have taken month,” said Ahmed Moham- Thursday. on the American mission in by the mob. But the Hashed to the streets since October mad Ali, a student protester Around a dozen activists Baghdad -- in which intruders flags planted by protesters in massive rallies denounc- in the southern hotspot city of have died in targeted killings threw rocks, laid fires and graf- on the embassy’s outer walls, ing government corruption, Nasiriyah. across Iraq in what demon- fitied walls -- sparked fears of a as well as photographs of a lack of jobs and poor public “We’re still here, protest- strators say is an intimidation Iraqi counter-terrorism forces stand guard in front of the US embassy wider proxy war between Iran the killed fighters put up in services. ing for change and hoping for campaign meant to scare them in the capital Baghdad on Thursday. (AFP) and the US, both of them close mourning, had been cleared Demonstrators have wor- victory,” he told AFP. into halting their movement.

US expects more attacks from SYRIAN GOVT FORCES ATTACK REBELS Iran-backed groups, says Esper

AFP stormed the normally highly- WASHINGTON protected US embassy com- pound in Baghdad, breaching THE Pentagon warned on its outer wall while chanting Thursday that the Iran-backed “Death to America!” Kataeb Hezbollah group that The protestors, many from stormed the US embassy in Kataeb Hezbolla, were angered Baghdad would carry out by weekend air strikes by US more attacks on US facilities forces that killed 25 of their -- and would regret it. supporters, said by Washing- “The provocative behav- ton to be retaliation for rocket ior has been out there for attacks on December 27 that months... So do I think they killed a US civilian contractor. may do something? Yes. And Joint Chiefs Chairman they will likely regret it,” De- General Mark Milley said Iran fense Secretary Mark Esper had been behind a “sustained told reporters. campaign” to provoke the Unit- “We are prepared to exer- ed States since at least October. cise self-defense, and we are “We know that the cam- prepared to deter further bad paign has increased in tempo behavior from these groups, and intensity,” he said. “We all of which are sponsored, di- know that the intent of this rected and resourced by Iran.” last attack was in fact to kill Esper said there were American soldiers, sailors and “some indications out there” the Marine... 31 rockets aren’t that groups may be planning designed as a warning shot. additional attacks, and that the That’s designed to inflict dam- US would respond accordingly. age and kill.” “If we get word of attacks or Esper said the reinforce- some type of indication, we will ments, sent to Kuwait, would Syrian government forces ring at positions of rebel ghters in the countryside of Maaret Al-Numan on Thursday. More than 235,000 people have ed the Idlib region over the take preemptive action as well allow the Pentagon to be pre- past two weeks amid heightened regime and Russian attacks on Syria’s last major opposition bastion, the UN said. The mass displacement between December 12 and 25 has to protect American forces, to pared “for any contingency.” left the violence-plagued Maaret Al-Numan region in southern Idlib “almost empty,” according to the UN humanitarian agency OCHA. (AFP) protect American lives,” he said. “The game has changed and The Pentagon ordered we’re prepared to do what is hundreds of rapid-response necessary to defend our person- troops to the Gulf region nel, and our interests and our Tuesday after Iraqi protesters partners in the region,” he said. Turkey parliament approves

News in brief Libya military deployment Israel’s Netanyahu gives up ministerial forces and our defence minis- posts over corruption charges e bill which aims try are ready,” he said, adding at shoring up the that parliamentary approval JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has UN-backed govt in would be valid for a year. stood down from all his ministerial posts as he grapples with He described the parlia- the fallout from corruption charges against him, his of ce Tripoli, was passed ment motion as a “political con rmed on Thursday. by 325 votes to 184 signal” aimed at deterring Netanyahu will remain prime minister, but will give up four Haftar’s army. “After it passes, other of ces: health, social affairs, agriculture and diaspora. AFP if the other side changes its Jakov Litzman, the former deputy health minister, has already ANKARA attitude and says, ‘OK, we are been appointed as the next minister of health. withdrawing, we are abandon- Successors for the other posts will be announced next TURKEY’S parliament passed ing our offensive,’ then what week, Netanyahu’s of ce said. The attorney general announced a bill on Thursday approving a should we go there for?” late last year that Netanyahu would be charged with bribery, military deployment to Libya The bill passed easily fraud and breach of trust. aimed at shoring up the UN- through Turkey’s parliament, It is the rst time in the history of Israel that an incumbent backed government in Tripoli, by 325 votes to 184. prime minister is facing charges. (DPA) at a time of intensifying interna- “The Libyan motion is im- tional tensions over the conflict. portant for the protection of The beleaguered Tripoli the interests of our country Three dead in suspected terrorist attack government has been under and for the peace and stability on bus in Kenya sustained attack since April by of the region,” Foreign Minis- military strongman General ter Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted NAIROBI: Three people died on Thursday in Kenya following Khalifa Haftar, who is backed after the vote. a suspected terrorist attack on a passenger bus in the East by Turkey’s regional rivals -- (File photo) Turkish Armed Forces conduct a military drill near the Turkish-Iraqi border. A UN report in November African country’s coastal region, an of cial said. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the said several countries were The attack took place around noon (0900 GMT) in the United Arab Emirates. the situation in Libya, his of- has been denied by Moscow. ceived from the Tripoli-based violating the arms embargo on north-eastern county of Lamu, in an area called Nyongoro, Egypt strongly condemned fice said. He is due to receive However, Turkey and Rus- Government of National Ac- Libya in place since the over- county commissioner Irungu Macharia told DPA. The bus was the Turkish vote, saying it Russian President Vladimir sia have managed to work cord (GNA). throw of its long-time dictator headed north from the coastal town of Malindi to the commu- amounted to a “flagrant viola- Putin next Wednesday to in- closely on the Syrian conflict No details have been given Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. nity of Mokowe in Lamu. tion of international law and augurate a new gas pipeline, despite supporting opposing on the scale of the potential Jordan and the UAE regu- The Kenyan coast is popular with tourists, although many Security Council resolutions and Libya is expected to be a sides, and are expected to seek deployment, and Vice-Pres- larly supply Haftar’s forces, it travellers y into top destinations such as Malindi and the on Libya”. key topic of discussion. a similar balancing act with re- ident Fuat Oktay told state said, while Turkey supports island of Lamu rather than access them by road. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly gards to Libya. news agency Anadolu on the GNA. Turkish and Emi- “Some suspected bandits shot at the bus, but the driver Erdogan spoke with his US accused Russia of sending pri- Erdogan’s office confirmed Wednesday that no date had rati drones were spotted in managed to drive off,” Macharia said. “It is suspected to be a counterpart Donald Trump by vate mercenaries to support last Friday that a request for yet been set. Libyan skies during clashes terrorist attack, but we cannot con rm because we don’t know phone on Thursday to discuss Haftar’s forces, though this military support had been re- “We are ready. Our armed over the summer. - it could be anybody, bandits or any other criminal element.” Three people sustained injuries in the attack on the bus, which belonged to the Mombasa Raha company. (DPA)

Algeria frees prominent war veteran Darfur tribal ghting kills 48: Sudan Red Crescent AFP and 241 wounded, including 19 by phone said security forces In January 2016, six peo- broke out when ethnic minority ALGIERS: Algeria released on Thursday well-known independ- KHARTOUM in critical condition who were were patrolling main roads in ple were killed in unrest in rebels took up arms against the ence war veteran Lakhdar Bouregaa, who was detained last flown to Khartoum for treat- the city, confirming that the West Darfur following vio- Arab-dominated government June for allegedly insulting the army, one of his lawyers told AF P. AT least 48 people were killed ment, it said in a statement. fighting had subsided. lence involving Masalit tribes- of now ousted president Omar “His trial, which was due to start this (Thursday) morning, and more than 200 wounded “This morning the situation According to Sudanese men and members of the Arab al-Bashir, which they accused has been postponed and the judge has decided to release in tribal fighting in Sudan’s is calm,” it said, adding that sev- media, the fighting erupted af- Beni Halba tribe. of marginalising the region. him,” Abdelghani Badi said. Bouregaa, 86, was arrested at his strife-torn Darfur, the Red eral homes had been torched. ter a row between two people. Those clashes sparked ral- The conflict left around home in Algiers for “insulting a state body” and “taking part in Crescent said on Thursday. The Khartoum govern- A woman reached by lies in Khartoum, with pro- 300,000 people dead and dis- a scheme to demoralise the army with the aim of harming the The armed clashes broke ment imposed a curfew across phone said she had fled the testers marching to the prime placed 2.5 million others, the nation’s defence”. out on Sunday night in El Ge- West Darfur on Monday and Krinding camp for displaced minister’s office and the jus- United Nation says. His supporters attributed his detention to his criticism of neina, capital of West Darfur has launched an investigation Masalit, a non-Arab ethnic tice ministry carrying signs Bashir, who is behind bars army chief Ahmed Gaid Salah, who became Algeria’s de facto state, and continued until Mon- into the bloodshed, while a group, near El Geneina after calling for an “end to massa- for corruption and awaiting strongman after the fall of longtime president Abdelaziz Boutef- day between Arab and African delegation of senior officials assailants torched tents there. cres in the camps of the dis- trial on other charges, is want- lika last April. Gaid Salah died of a heart attack in December. tribes during which several visited the area. “Our tents were set on fire. placed” and on authorities to ed by the International Crimi- Badi said that Bouregaa, who underwent emergency houses were torched, it said. The government also de- We have no food and only punish the culprits. nal Court on charges of geno- surgery for a hernia during his detention in November, would At least 48 people were ployed troops to El Geneina the clothes on our back and Darfur -- made up of five cide, war crimes and crimes remain free during his trial, postponed until March 12. (AFP) killed and their bodies trans- to restore order. Residents of there are bodies littering the states -- spiralled into conflict against humanity for his role ferred to a morgue in the city El Geneina who spoke to AFP ground,” she told AFP. in 2003. The Darfur fighting in Darfur. 06 Friday, January 3, 2020

ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER 3, 2006 HAMAD BIN SUHAIM AL THANI CHAIRMAN Opinion ADEL ALI BIN ALI MANAGING DIRECTOR DR HASSAN MOHAMMED AL ANSARI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As Polar Ice Melts, Russia And China Probe — At America’s Expense US Military Spending e US being an Arctic nation should confront the threats posed by both Russia and China’s polar Is Out Of Control fascinations due to its natural wealth HE top and bottom of the world no copper, uranium, diamonds and oil, are longer are barren expanses of ice visited safely locked away for now. Ice 2 miles thick Pentagon is wasting hundreds of billions of dollars fuelling endless war abroad, every so often by explorers on snow- makes mining impractical. But China has shoes. They’re untapped El Dorados, always played the long game. Beijing is eye- instead of addressing key issues like climate and education trovesT of hidden energy and mineral re- ing Antarctic mineral and energy wealth for sources coveted by both East and West. the same reason it wants to wedge its way ROBERT WEISSMAN Who’s doing the coveting? For some into the Arctic: The polar caps are melting. TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE time the primary players have been the US In 2015, scientists logged a record high and Russia. But another global power has in Antarctica, 63.5 degrees. That’s a comfy ENTAGON spending is, literally, sidled its way into the game in both the Arc- fall day in Chicago. The rate of ice melt on out of control — and it is making tic and Antarctic: China. the continent has tripled in the last 25 years. America weaker, not stronger. It’s Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s inten- Between 1992 and 2017, Antarctica lost 3 time — past time — for a funda- tions were made clear in 2007 when he trillion tonnes of ice. The effect of climate mental reorientation of the federal dispatched a submersible to the bottom of change is even more drastic in the Arctic, Pgovernment’s spending, with Pentagon the Arctic Ocean to plant a titanium Rus- where the amount of sea ice drops by 10 spending slimmed and the resultant sav- sian flag and claim the Arctic as his own. He percent every 10 years. ings reallocated to address domestic and has also reopened Arctic military bases long China’s a signatory to the Antarctic humanitarian priorities. shuttered by the demise of the Cold War, Treaty, which governs what countries can The almost three-quarters of a billion and beefed up the Kremlin’s fleet of ice- do on the continent. That includes mining. dollars in the annual Pentagon budget breakers. Putin knows that at least a quarter The mining ban is up for review in 2048. As doesn’t reflect any reasonable assessment of the world’s undiscovered oil and natural a party to the treaty, China has the right to of national security threats, common gas is buried underneath the Arctic Ocean. call for that review, and push other nations sense priority setting or any kind of hon- China, however, has been creeping into to shelve the ban. In a few decades, will est reckoning with the costs and benefits the Arctic conversation, even though it the aerial view of Antarctica be an expanse of an additional billion dollars for war- doesn’t have the same say as the eight coun- pockmarked with Chinese quarries? fighting. The result is that we are wasting tries that border the Arctic — the US, Russia, In the Arctic, China’s ambitions are po- hundreds of billions of dollars, fuelling Canada, Denmark (via Greenland), Finland, tentially more worrisome. This summer, the endless war and diverting money from Iceland, Norway and Sweden. International Pentagon released its Arctic Strategy. China’s other vital needs. law gives those nations bona fide claims to civilian research efforts in the Arctic, the re- The Pentagon eats up more of the fed- their mission and leaving us less safe. emergencies or contingencies. the Arctic because of their proximity. That port warned, “could support a strengthened, eral government’s discretionary budget Our country can no longer tolerate We can save more than $40 billion hasn’t dampened China’s Arctic ambitions. future Chinese military presence in the Arc- — $738 billion for the current fiscal year bottomless Pentagon spending and end- a year by ending reliance on expensive Beijing’s overall investment in the Arctic tic Ocean, potentially including deployment — than all other discretionary spending less war. We need to pull back from con- private contractors to do work that more rounds out to about $90 billion. China has of submarines to the region.” combined. Think about that for a mo- affordable government employees should been building icebreaker ships, has estab- America’s most pressing priority should ment: The Pentagon has been gifted more do, and by eliminating wasteful contract- lished polar research outposts in Europe, be to confront and manage global warm- resources than our diplomatic and peace- For far too long, Pentagon spending ing strategies that skyrocket costs in the and invested heavily in mines in Greenland ing. But the reality is the polar landscapes building agencies, more than the Envi- has been immune from the kind of final month of a fiscal year. and Canada and in a liquefied natural gas are changing. Sizing up and minimising the ronmental Protection Agency, more than scrutiny and common-sense analysis There is a long list of super expen- plant in Russia’s northern Siberian region. threats posed by China’s — and Russia’s — our education and housing programmes applied to other forms of government sive weapons, like the F-35, that should China’s polar fascination isn’t limited to polar ambitions is a job the US and its allies and more than we spend on scientific re- spending: Is the money properly be eliminated, cut back, or replaced with the Arctic. On the ice sheets of Antarctica, shouldn’t neglect. By virtue of Alaska, the search … combined. accounted for? Does the spending more cost-effective alternatives. China has set up four research stations and US is an Arctic nation. That makes the Arc- At the same time, the Pentagon is un- Cutting the number of troops in Af- is building a fifth. It has established a per- tic strategic terrain. Both China and Russia, able to pass an audit. For 2020, the Pen- address legitimate national priorities? ghanistan — or pulling them out altogeth- manent airfield on the seventh continent, the Pentagon says, are “pursuing activities tagon received a $20 billion budget boost er — would save tens of billions annually. readied its second icebreaker there, and and capabilities in the Arctic that may pre- despite being unable to explain how it stant and ever-expanding war-fighting For far too long, Pentagon spending dramatically ramped up its Antarctic tour- sent risks to the homeland.” spent the outlandish amount it received and instead invest much more energy has been immune from the kind of scru- ism industry. Anne-Marie Brady, a leading It may seem far-fetched to worry about in 2019. (and resources) in diplomatic measures tiny and common-sense analysis applied Antarctica scholar, views Beijing’s approach what America’s adversaries want to do in The endless sums thrown at the Pen- to reduce international conflict. to other forms of government spending: to the continent and its resources as “first parts of the world covered in ice. But sadly, tagon aren’t commensurate with any We need to focus on the great inter- Is the money properly accounted for? come, first served.” that ice is melting, and as it does, the strategic threat we face. The US spends more on its national challenges that create instability Are private actors profiteering at public Those resources, which include coal, value of those regions will doubtless grow. military than the next seven top-spending but are not amenable to military solu- expense? Does the spending address le- countries combined. tions: poverty, newly emergent diseases, gitimate national priorities? Should we Even worse, bottomless Pentagon wealth inequality and, above all, the cli- spend another dollar on this programme spending is intertwined with the endless mate crisis. And we need to reallocate at the expense of alternatives? Is this pro- wars that have left us and the world less hundreds of billions every year away gramme achieving its objectives? safe. Military and political figures of all from the Pentagon to address problems When you ask those questions about political persuasions agree with this ba- at home that parallel those global chal- Pentagon spending, the answers all point sic assessment. The Afghanistan Papers lenges: ensuring health care for all, ad- in one direction: We are spending too recently published by the Washington dressing economic inequality and trans- much — far too much — on weapons and Post show that — despite public procla- forming our economy to rely on efficiency war, and on price-gouging and profiteer- mations to the contrary — top political and renewable energy in order to avert ing private contractors. And that spend- and military officials have recognised all climate catastrophe. ing is starving us of the monies we need to along that the war in Afghanistan was an There are plenty of opportunities for address key priorities, from education to unwinnable disaster. massive cuts — on the order of $200 bil- climate. It’s time to reallocate hundreds We have spent and continue to spend lion a year or more — in Pentagon spend- of billions of Pentagon spending and put unfathomable sums on endless war. Re- ing without damaging national security: people over the Pentagon. searchers at Brown University put the total We can save $70 billion or more a year at $6.4 trillion, including the cost of caring by eliminating a Pentagon slush fund, (Robert Weissman is president for injured veterans. The wars have killed known as the “Overseas Contingency Op- of Public Citizen. Public Citizen more than 800,000 people directly and erations account,” that is being used for is a member of the People (Tribune News Service) many more indirectly — all while failing in programmes that have no connections to Over Pentagon coalition)

Why ‘Kindness’ Is A Much Better Buzzword For 2020 Than ‘Empathy’ Actions resulting from emotional intelligence will be even more important in 2020 and into the next decade JOHN BRANDON I didn’t always have a high degree of good start. However, it’s the actions that EQ teaches us about feelings, but kind- TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE empathy. In my corporate career, I was a Without the act of kindness, empathy result from emotional intelligence that will ness is how we act on those feelings. bit cutthroat in my attitude and outlook, is nothing more than a concept and a be even more important in 2020 and into EQ helps us tap into inner motivations, Y colleague at Inc. wrote a book re- the typical “ladder-climbing drone” who nice way to view the world. EQ helps the next decade. but kindness is the end result. cently about emotional intelligence failed to really understand what true lead- us tap into inner motivations, but EQ makes us smarter and wiser on an EQ is a scientific understanding and and empathy. It’s a great read and ership is all about. emotional level, but it’s not enough. pursuit, but kindness is how real change he makes some valid points. The Recently, from about 2016 to this last kindness is the end result In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a happens. Mlast thing I want to do as we say goodbye to fall of 2019, I mentored students at a local political storm brewing in the US this com- The more we understand emotions, the the last decade is to diss a wonderful book, college, teaching some of them how to re- Emotional intelligence and empathy ing year. While EQ and empathy were buz- more we tune into feelings, the better we and I’m not about to do that. search, interview, and write articles. were buzzwords over the last decade, and zwords, I don’t think they helped dictate can act. And those EQ-inspired actions are At the same time, I do want to take is- During that time, I led with empathy I agree the idea of reading the undercur- our actions. Just one peek at social media what’s been missing over the last decade. sue with the word “empathy” and by ex- in the sense that I was always clued into rents of emotions in any business relation- and how it’s become a raging firestorm of Can it actually work? That’s a good tension the idea of emotional intelligence. the motivations and feelings of others. ship (and in life) is incredibly important. constant criticism and you can see how question, especially in a business context. This isn’t a comment about the book but It wasn’t about me, it was about them. It It makes us much smarter emotionally. people nodded in agreement about EQ and My view is that when empathy is linked to about the entire concept of empathy and was my lightning rod. I learned how to Of course, some writers took the next step then forgot all about it. action it becomes unbeatable--and that what it means in terms of business and life. set aside my own aspirations for success. and explained how understanding our That’s why I’d pick the word “kind- customers will respond to that. It will be Over the last 10 years, the concept of Ironically, by reading and understanding emotions is important but also showed ness” as a better buzzword for 2020 and a major differentiator. It’s hard to ignore, understanding not just the feelings of oth- my own emotional intelligence and the EQ us how this analysis phase should lead to beyond. It’s a reminder about the action especially as everyone is nodding in agree- ers but also your own feelings came into of others, the entire mentoring process ran action as well. However, my sense is that component of empathy, and that having ment about empathy and acting like it vogue. It’s a journey I took myself over the much smoother and led to greater success. “understanding feelings” in business be- a viewpoint and a feeling is one thing, but doesn’t exist. last 10 years raising my kids and seeing I don’t plan to ever lead anything again came the beginning, middle, and end of the way that manifests into action is even I’d love to see your view on this topic, how emotional intelligence plays such an without this level of EQ playing a central the topic, regardless of how the purveyors more critical. and how kindness can become a better way important role. Before making any deci- role. It’s a gamechanger. of this ideology intended people to under- Without the act of kindness, empathy to build a business in 2020 (and a better sion or acting on impulse, it’s important to And that’s all good, right? End of the stand it. is nothing more than a concept and a nice way to live your life in general). Those who understand body language, the emotional story? I don’t think it is. There’s a nagging That’s a shame. It’s my view that un- way to view the world. practice empathy and channel emotions resonance of other people, and your own problem. I don’t think understanding EQ derstanding emotional intelligence and EQ makes us smarter, but kindness into well-intentioned actions will win the deep-seated feelings. is enough. how it impacts business and life was a changes the world. next decade.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION AND ANALYSIS PAGES ARE THE AUTHORS’ OWN. QATAR TRIBUNE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY. World Friday, January 3, 2020 07 HK police deny using disproportionate China detains activists in year-end crackdown force in New Year demonstration AFP dents in various sweeps. time to launch a manhunt of barred lawyer Liu Shuqing, BEIJING The latest crackdown was activists,” Wang said. were released after being de- DPA Tam Man-kei, the director peaceful protesters, bringing linked to a December gather- The meeting involved a tained for questioning. HONG KONG of Amnesty International for the legal march to an abrupt OVER a dozen Chinese lawyers ing in the east coast city of Xia- small group of people “peace- Other civil society fig- the region, earlier accused po- end.” and activists were detained or men in Fujian province, where fully discussing politics in a ures, including pro-democ- HONG Kong’s chief of police lice of acting without restraint However, Kwok said the went missing in the final days participants discussed “demo- private space,” she said. racy activist Xu Zhiyong and on Thursday defended police at the New Year’s Day rally, arrests had been necessary. of 2019 in a crackdown on par- cratic transition in China,” Ding Jiaxi, a prominent human rights lawyer Tang action against protesters in which brought 1.3 million peo- “Even before the event began ticipants of a private democ- said Human Rights Watch re- Beijing-based disbarred lawyer Jingling, have gone missing a New Year’s Day mass rally, ple to the streets. at 2.30 pm, the police had racy gathering, rights groups searcher Wang Yaqiu. previously jailed for protesting or are currently unreachable, amid reports they had used “From the start of the made several arrests for pos- said on Thursday. The period around Christ- against official corruption, was CHRD said. disproportionate force to re- march, there was heavy riot session of offensive weapons. The Chinese government mas and New Year is tradi- among the activists known to At least two of the people strain the crowds. police presence monitoring Police accused “masked has severely reduced the tionally when China chooses have been detained across the detained, activists Dai Zhen- “We strongly rebut such and disciplining protesters rioters” of hijacking the pro- space for civil liberties since to sentence prominent dissi- country since December 26, ya and Zhang Zhongshun, are allegations as totally false provocatively,” he said. cession and blocking roads, President Xi Jinping took dents in an effort to minimise according to China Human suspected of “subverting” or and groundless,” Kwok Ka- When a group of people smashing traffic lights, van- power in 2012, rounding up international media atten- Rights Defenders (CHRD). “inciting subversion” of state chuen said at a press confer- vandalised a bank branch, “it dalising shops and banks and rights lawyers, labour activ- tion, “so it is not a surprise At least seven people, in- power, a charge often used to ence. “This is a campaign to dis- could have been resolved easi- launching attacks on police ists and even Marxists stu- that they chose this particular cluding Shandong-based dis- silence dissidents in China. credit the police and jeopardize ly,” Tam said. But instead they officers with petrol bombs and our operational efficiency.” fired tear gas at “crowds of other weapons.

ANNUAL ANIMAL STOCKTAKE AT LONDON ZOO

Japan’s Emperor delivers A zookeeper counts penguins through an first New Year’s address observation window during the annual DPA of Miyagi and Fukushima. stocktake at ZSL London TOKYO “At the beginning of the Zoo in central London year, I wish for the happiness on Thursday. Each year, JAPANESE Emperor of people in our country and zookeepers armed Naruhito, who took the Chry- the world,” the emperor said with clipboards and santhemum throne last year, on Thursday. calculators tally up every delivered his New Year’s The imperial family mem- mammal, bird, reptile, greetings for the first time bers included former emperor sh and invertebrate on Thursday in front of tens Akihito, who relinquished the at the Zoo – home to of thousands of well-wishers throne on April 30 in the na- almost 600 different at the Imperial Palace. tion’s first such abdication in species. Naruhito, who ascended about 200 years, and former Some 91 Humboldt the throne on May 1, Empress empress Michiko. penguins and the zoo’s Masako and other members of Akihito and Michiko made four critically endangered the Imperial family, greeted the their first public appearance Asiatic lions – Heidi, Indi, cheering crowd from a balcony with the current imperial cou- Rubi and Bhanu – were at the palace in the capital. ple since he stepped down on among the rst creatures “I hope this year will be a April 30. to be counted. peaceful and good year with- Naruhito issued his New The stocktake, which out natural disasters,” the em- Year address on Wednesday, began on Thursday, saw peror said. saying “Meeting with many 40 Giant African land The 59-year-old expressed people from home and abroad snails, 18 Bolivian black- sympathy for those hit by last and being given warm bless- capped squirrel monkeys year’s flooding and powerful ty- ings on many occasions, the and 2 Bactrian camels phoons. In late December, the past year has been deeply among those being imperial couple visited areas hit moving for both the em- counted. (AFP/AGENCIES) by the storm in the prefectures press and me.”

News in brief Paris police chase protesters away from Trump far ahead of Democratic Macron party headquarters PARIS: Paris police red tear gas on Thursday to force protesters away from the headquarters of President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party as a strike against his pension reforms continued. rivals in election fundraising Dozens of protesters had to ee thick clouds of tear gas in the narrow streets near the Paris Opera. The head of Macron’s La Republique en Marche party, The US president has Julian Castro, only Stanislas Guerini, condemned what he described on Twitter as announced his Latino in 2020 an “attempted intrusion by radicalised demonstrators” at the race, drops out party’s of ces. campaign raised a A police source con rmed that protesters had tried, without WASHINGTON: Julian Castro, success, to get into the party of ces. Three people had been ar- whopping $10 mn in an Obama-era cabinet mem- rested during an undeclared demonstration nearby, police said. the two days following ber and the only Hispanic can- In a televised New Year’s Eve address, Macron said he ex- didate in the US presidential pected Prime Minister Edouard Philippe to nd a compromise the impeachment vote race, ended his 2020 White on the pension reforms with “the trade unions and employer House bid on Thursday after groups who desire it.” (DPA) AFP failing to boost his agging WASHINGTON poll numbers in a crowded Democratic eld. DONALD Trump’s re-election The 45-year-old former team on Thursday revealed housing secretary and mayor that he sits atop a staggering of San Antonio, Texas rarely campaign war chest, under- rose above two percent sup- lining the scale of the chal- port. His exit leaves 14 can- lenge facing the US president’s didates, most of whom are Democratic rivals at the start white and older, in the battle of an election year. to win the right to challenge In the fourth quarter of Republican President Donald 2019, even as he was mired Trump in November. in a political scandal that re- “It’s with profound grati- Commuters try to get on a bus outside Gare Montparnasse sta- sulted in his impeachment by A fan dressed as Super Trump holds up a sign that reads, ‘Super Trump 2020 Keep America Great!’ at tude to all of our supporters tion on the 29th day of a nationwide multi-sector strike against the House of Representatives, Rose Bowl game in California on Wednesday. (AFP) that I suspend my campaign the government’s pensions overhaul, in Paris, on Thursday. (AFP) Trump raised a staggering $46 for president today,” Castro million. stoppable juggernaut,” Trump cycle.” The president faces the impeachment vote. said on Twitter, adding that It was his best fundraising 2020 campaign manager Brad an upcoming trial in the US The figures are significant- he would “keep ghting for Belgium suspends extradition case for period in a year that brought Parscale said in a statement. Senate, where a Republican ly higher than Trump’s White an America where everyone Catalan MEPs in $143 million for his re-elec- “Democrats and the me- majority is expected to acquit House challengers including counts.” tion efforts, the campaign an- dia have been in a sham im- him. Senator Bernie Sanders, who Castro and Senator BRUSSELS: A Belgian judge on Thursday suspended considera- nounced. peachment frenzy and the Trump retweeted a report has so far raked in the largest Kamala Harris are two of the tion of a Spanish warrant seeking the return of two Catalan “The president’s war chest president’s campaign only got that describes his campaign haul -- $34.5 million in the last biggest names to drop out of separatist leaders to face trial, their lawyer said. and grassroots army make his bigger and stronger with our raising a whopping $10 mil- three months of 2019 -- of any the Democratic race. (AFP) Exiled former Catalan regional president Carles Puigde- re-election campaign an un- best fundraising quarter this lion in the two days following Democrat in the race. mont and his health minister Toni Comin were elected mem- bers of the European Parliament in May last year. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled last month that they enjoy immunity from prosecution unless Spain requests this be removed and their fellow MEPs agree. Australia orders evacuation of fire-ravaged towns before heatwave On Thursday, Puigdemont’s Belgian lawyer Simon Bekaert told AFP the European Arrest Warrant levelled against the men AFP Friday, for the third time in Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). by the Spanish court should now be rejected. (AFP) SYDNEY Australia’s most populated re- That weather will create gion this fire season. conditions officials say will be AUSTRALIA ordered resi- “We don’t take these deci- as bad as -- if not worse than -- Hillary Clinton named chancellor dents and tourists out of sions lightly but we also want Tuesday, the deadliest day in of Belfast university the path of raging bushfires to make sure we’re taking every a months-long bushfire crisis. on Thursday as the country single precaution to be pre- At least 18 people are now LONDON: Former US secretary of state and presidential braced for a weekend heat- pared for what could be a horri- known to have died in one of candidate Hillary Clinton was appointed on Thursday as the wave expected to fan the dead- ble day on Saturday,” she said. Australia’s most devastating new chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast. Clinton will serve ly inferno. It came as the NSW Rural bushfire seasons yet, and there for ve years in the largely ceremonial role, the Northern Irish Catastrophic blazes ripped Fire Service declared two “tour- are growing fears the toll could institution announced. through the country’s south- ist leave zones” stretching al- rise dramatically, with officials “It is a great privilege to become the chancellor of Queen’s east on New Year’s Eve, kill- most 300 kilometres from the in Victoria saying 17 people University, a place I have great fondness for and have grown a ing at least eight people and town of Nowra along the pic- were missing in the state. strong relationship with over the years,” Clinton said in a state- stranding holidaymakers. turesque coast to neighbouring A helicopter drops water on a bush re outside of Batemans Bay in Many tourists and resi- ment. “The university is making waves internationally for its New South Wales (NSW) Victoria state, where people are New South Wales on Thursday. (AFP) dents spent two nights iso- research and impact and I am proud to be an ambassador and Premier Gladys Berejiklian also being urged to flee. lated with no electricity or help grow its reputation for excellence.” Clinton received an declared a seven-day state Residents and visitors in in the Snowy Mountains -- to evacuate before a heatwave telecommunications, before honorary doctorate from Queen’s in October 2018. (AFP) of emergency that allows for two inland areas -- which in- were also told to leave, with brings gusting winds and tem- authorities on Thursday de- forced evacuations beginning clude popular holiday resorts people given less than 24 hours peratures above 40 degrees clared some roads safe to use. Tech show offers big and ashy, up-close and ‘very’ personal PAGE 10

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020

28,736.39 10,511.70 41,626.64 1,526.09 +197.95 PTS +86.19PTS +320.62 PTS GOLD +0.58% Greece, Cyprus, Israel sign key DOW QE SENSEX EastMed pipeline deal PAGE 9 PRICE PERCENTAGE PRICE PERCENTAGE 18.05 BRENT 66.08 +0.12% WTI 60.97 -0.15% SILVER +0.69% Raid in Japan, arrests in Turkey as probe against fugitive Ghosn widens

AFP TOKYO

OFFICIALS on Thursday raid- ed the Tokyo residence of for- mer Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn who fled to Lebanon to avoid a Japanese trial, while Turkey detained several people as part of a widening probe into the security lapse. Ghosn, who faced multiple charges of financial miscon- duct that he denies, won bail in April but with strict conditions Asia kicked off the New Year on the front foot, with most markets rallying out of the blocks on Thursday. -- including a ban on overseas travel. But the disgraced execu- tive, who has French, Brazilian and Lebanese nationalities, managed to slip out of Japan Stock markets on Sunday despite having handed over his three pass- ports to his lawyers. A court in Tokyo had al- lowed Ghosn to keep a second usher in 2020 French passport as he needed one to travel inside Japan, a Former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn (L) and his wife Carole are seen in this le photo source close to the matter told AFP Thursday. Residence raided searched his residence. “He had to keep this pass- Prosecutors, meanwhile, “The media reports saying with big gains port” to prove his short-stay raided his former Tokyo resi- my wife Carole and other fam- status, the source said, adding: dence Thursday as part of an The media reports saying ily members played a role in “There was permission from initial investigation into his my wife Carole and other my departure from Japan are 31, but the pound still slipped The move comes as leaders the court.” escape. family members played a falsehoods. I alone organised Trade optimism, after news that Britain’s man- try to kickstart growth in the Ghosn was allowed this Television footage showed role in my departure from my departure,” he said. ufacturing activity slumped world’s number two economy, French passport so long as it several officers in dark suits Although Ghosn was re- stimulus news in December for the eighth which is running at its weakest was kept in a locked case with entering the property. Japan are falsehoods. I stricted to his lush Beirut month in a row. for almost three decades. the code held by his lawyers, Authorities are expected alone organised my home only by the media’s bring New Year 2019 was a good year on Prices also won support the source said. to analyse security camera departure. glare, not all in Lebanon wel- cheers to Asia the whole for stock markets after Donald Trump said the There is no emigration footage from his residence comed his return. and they seem to be wast- mini China-US trade deal will data showing Ghosn’s depar- and other places they suspect Carlos Ghosn AFP ing little time in attempting be signed off in Washington on ture from Japan but he entered Ghosn travelled to before he Interpol red notice LONDON to push higher again with the January 15, and he will later Lebanon on a French passport, fled, NHK said. is likely to ask Lebanon to ex- Lebanon’s top prosecutor bourses following the lead of travel to Beijing for the next public broadcaster NHK said. Police suspect “several” tradite Ghosn through diplo- has received an Interpol red- GLOBAL stock markets pow- their Asian peers,” said XTB phase of talks. Colourful rumours abound people accompanied him to matic channels, but chances notice for the arrest Ghosn. He ered ahead Thursday as in- analyst David Cheetham. The signing will smooth regarding the exact circum- help him escape “in an unlaw- of his handover appear slim as is expected to be questioned vestors welcomed 2020 with “Expectations that a ‘Phase concerns that the pact could stances of Ghosn’s daring es- ful manner,” it added. Beiruit has no extradition ac- next week by a Lebanese judge a raft of gains after China’s One’ trade deal between the suffer a last-minute collapse, cape. The Japanese government cord with Tokyo. about the financial miscon- central bank announced fresh US and China will be signed which has niggled some trad- One claim in the Lebanese has yet to issue any official The French government duct charges he faces in Japan. stimulus, dealers said. in less than two weeks have ers. media was that the mogul was statement on the case. said on Thursday it would not After questioning, the Asia kicked off the New boosted sentiment but the But some analysts warned sprung from his Tokyo resi- When his defence lawyers extradite Ghosn if he arrived prosecutor will decide if Leba- Year on the front foot, with main driving force appears to that investors shouldn’t expect dence in a musical instrument were arguing for bail, pros- in the country because it does non will allow a Japanese judi- most rallying out of the blocks be the announcement of a fur- the stock market party to go on case -- a story a source in his ecutors claimed he was a flight not extradite its nationals. ciary team to take part in the Thursday on lingering trade ther easing of monetary policy forever. entourage denied. risk with powerful connec- investigations conducted by optimism and the stimulus from China’s central bank.” “There’s plenty of reason He is thought to have tions, but Ghosn himself said ‘I did it alone’ Lebanon. news. However, geopolitical to be more optimistic heading taken a private jet from Kan- he wanted to be tried to prove Carlos Ghosn, meanwhile, Europe also shone as in- worries resurfaced following into 2020 but then, there’s also sai Airport in western Japan his innocence. claimed on Thursday that he France won’t extradite vestors remain upbeat about a warning from North Ko- plenty of reason for caution on December 29, heading for One of his lawyers also organised his dramatic escape Carlos Ghosn if the former the global outlook after Wash- rean leader Kim Jong Un that too,” said Craig Erlam, Senior Istanbul. It is believed Ghosn said at the time that he was from bail in Japan alone. Nissan boss, who fled Japan ington and Beijing eventually moratoriums on nuclear and Market Analyst at Oanda. headed from there to Beirut. such a famous face he had no The exact circumstances of to avoid a trial and who has reached a trade agreement to intercontinental ballistic mis- “Everything is not sud- Turkey’s interior ministry chance of slipping away unde- his escape from a case he said French citizenship, arrived ease tensions between the two. sile tests had ended, with talks denly okay because the US and has opened an investigation tected. was “rigged” were unclear but in the country, junior econo- Wall Street joined the glob- with the US going nowhere. China are about to sign a phase into Ghosn’s apparent transfer Several countries allow media reports described a plot my minister Agnes Pannier- al trend, with all three major Shanghai and Hong Kong one trade deal, or because the between private jets at an Is- peopleto have two passports that had all the trappings of a Runacher said Monday. US indices solidly higher in the led gains after the People’s UK and EU are preparing to tanbul airport on Monday. of the same nationality -- for spy novel. “If Mr Ghosn arrived in late New York morning. Bank of China said it would discuss the future relation- Officials questioned seven example if they are frequent His escape caused deep France, we will not extradite Some Brexit uncertainty lower the amount of cash lend- ship rather than the divorce. people, including four pilots, travellers constantly needing embarrassment in Japan, Mr Ghosn because France has meanwhile been removed ers must keep in reserve, free- It could be another turbulent as part of the probe, news visas, or visit nations in con- where prosecutors launched never extradites its nation- with Britain set to leave the ing up more than $100 billion year with many surprises along agency DHA reported Thurs- flict with each other. an investigation into the se- als,” Pannier-Runacher told European Union on January for loans to small businesses. the way,” he said. day. The Japanese government curity lapse and on Thursday France’s BFM news channel. Woqod opens fuel station in Baaya, widens network to 97

CEO Saad Rashid al Mu- With this new facility, Woqod has moved Highlights hannadi said, “Woqod strives a step closer to its objective of opening to expand its fuel station net- ● The Baaya station offers work in the country to meet 114 fuel stations by 2020 round-the-clock services the rising demand and achieve and includes a Sidra the goal of providing custom- TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK spread over 7,400 square me- convenience store and a ers with access to best-in-class DOHA tres and has four lanes with shop that sells gasoline products and services at their eight dispensers for light ve- and diesel products convenience and comfort.” QATAR Fuel (Woqod) on hicles. Woqod recently hastened the Thursday opened a new fuel The new station offers ● Woqod is currently construction of new petrol station in Baaya district of Al round-the-clock services and constructing 15 new petrol stations to meet the fuel and Rayyan Municipality, increas- includes a Sidra convenience stations, a large number of energy needs of the country. ing its network of stations store and a shop that sells which are expected to “Woqod team would like across Qatar to 97. gasoline and diesel products become operational in the to extend their gratitude to With this new facility, Wo- for light vehicles. all governmental and private qod has moved a step closer Woqod is currently con- rst quarter of the year entities that have contributed to its objective of opening 114 structing 15 new petrol sta- and still contributing to the fuel stations by 2020. tions, a large number of which erational in the first quarter of completion of such projects,” The newly opened Woqod fuel station in Baaya The Baaya station is are expected to become op- the year. Muhannadi said. Economy & Business Friday, January 3, 2019 09 Singapore economy Greece, Cyprus, Israel sign grew just 0.7% in 2019: Government key EastMed pipeline deal AFP economist Irvin Seah said SINGAPORE in a note, referring to the downturn that began in late The EastMed project is expected to make the three countries key links in Europe’s energy supply chain SINGAPORE’S economy, a 2008 and lasted well into closely watched barometer 2009. AFP for the rest of Asia’s export- He added, however, ATHENS driven countries, grew just that “despite the lacklustre 0.7 percent last year as the growth performance, the GREECE, Cyprus and Israel US-China trade war ham- economy is slowly getting on Thursday signed an agree- mered global markets. out of the woods” as there ment for a huge pipeline pro- The city-state has tradi- are “emerging signs of bot- ject to ship gas from the east- tionally been the first among toming in the external envi- ern Mediterranean to Europe Asia’s economies to be af- ronment”. despite Turkey’s hostility to fected during a downturn, “Barring any unforeseen the deal. and the country narrowly negative shocks, growth mo- The move comes amid escaped tipping into reces- mentum is expected to pick tensions with Turkey over its sion in the third quarter. up gradually in the coming activities in the area and a The trade ministry said quarters,” he said. maritime deal with Libya ex- in a statement Thursday that Last year’s growth was panding Ankara’s claims over based on advance estimates, weighed down by manu- a large gas-rich area of the sea. the economy expanded by facturing, a key economic The 2,000-kilometre 0.8 percent year-on-year pillar, which contracted 1.5 (1,200-mile) EastMed pipeline in the fourth quarter to De- percent last year due to out- will be able to carry between cember. put declines in main exports nine and 12 billion cubic me- This puts the overall such as electronics. tres of gas a year from offshore growth for 2019 at just 0.7 Singapore is due to un- reserves held by Israel and Cy- percent, down from 3.2 per- veil its national budget for prus to Greece, and then on to cent expansion in 2018. this year in February, with Italy and other southeastern “This marks the worst observers closely watching European countries. growth performance for for signs of general elections The discovery of hydro- Singapore since the global widely expected to be held carbon reserves in the eastern financial crisis,” DBS Bank within months. Mediterranean has sparked a scramble for the energy riches and a row between Cyprus and Turkey, which occupies the northern part of the Mediter- ranean island. UK manufacturing Greek Prime Minister Kyr- iakos Mitsotakis, Israeli Prime Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (centre), his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiadis Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands in Athens on Thursday. (AFP) shrinks again: Data and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades joined the cere- His government insists the enormous importance to the strategy expert at Haifa Uni- AFP July 2012. mony at which their respective Turkish Republic of Northern state of Israel’s energy future versity, said of the deal: “It’s LONDON “Domestic demand for energy ministers signed the Cyprus -- recognised only by and its development into an important for Israel, it’s im- manufactured goods has been deal in the Greek capital. Ankara -- has the right to ex- energy power and also from portant for the transit coun- BRITAIN’S manufacturing hampered by businesses’ cau- The EastMed project is plore around the entire island. the point of view of stability in tries, Greece and Cyprus, and activity slumped in December tion over investment amid expected to make the three Vice President Fuat Oktay the region,” Netanyahu said of course Europe”. for the eighth month in a row, a number of uncertainties countries key links in Europe’s said Turkey’s pact with Libya Key pipeline in a statement issued as he As the new source of en- hit by Brexit jitters and global -- Brexit, domestic economic energy supply chain. had allowed Ankara to foil a left Israel for Greece Thurs- ergy would not compete with trade tensions, data showed and political, global economic It could also help counter plot to confine the country to The 2,000-kilometre EastMed day. Russian supplies to the EU, on Thursday. -- which has limited expendi- Turkey’s effort to extend its land. pipeline will be able to carry Mitsotakis said the pipe- “there is no reason to see it as The IHS Markit UK Manu- ture on capital goods,” said EY control to the eastern Mediter- “No matter who is in- between nine and 12 billion line was of “geo-strategic im- a big change in the geopoliti- facturing purchasing manag- economist Howard Archer. ranean. volved, no plan in the region cubic metres of gas a year portance” and would contrib- cal dynamic in Europe’s en- ers’ index (PMI) stood at 47.5 “Meanwhile, weakened Turkey already faces Eu- which excludes Turkey has from offshore reserves held by ute to regional peace. ergy market”, he told AFP. last month, the group said in a global growth and an uncer- ropean Union sanctions over any chance of success,” Oktay Israel and Cyprus to Greece, Earlier, Greek Energy The Greek economic daily statement. tain trading environment is ships searching for oil and gas told the Anadolu state news and then on to Italy and other Minister Kostis Hatzidakis Kathimerini said on Wednes- That compared with 48.9 weighing down on foreign de- off Cyprus, whose government agency. southeastern European called it “a project of peace day that Athens and Nicosia in November, holding under mand for UK manufactured in Nicosia is not recognised by Greece responded angrily countries and cooperation” despite had been in a hurry to finalise the 50 mark that indicates goods. Ankara. to the Turkey-Libya deal, “Turkish threats”. EastMed so as “to counter any growth. Anything below 50 “Indeed, the survey report- - Boundary row -Turkish expelling the Libyan ambas- Anastasiades said his aim attempt by the Turkish neigh- shows a contraction. ed that ongoing concerns re- President Recep Tayyip Er- sador and urging the UN to Greece says fails to take into was “cooperation and not ri- bour to stop the project”. December was the weakest lating to the economic, global dogan said in November he condemn it. account the Greek island of valry in the Middle East”. The cost of the installation level since August when the trade and political outlooks envisaged joint energy explo- Part of the agreement sets Crete. Avinoam Idan, a former from the eastern Mediterrane- PMI hit a seven-year low of weighed on manufacturing ac- ration activities with Libya in a maritime boundary between - ‘Peace and cooperation’ Israeli government security an to Italy is estimated at 6.0 47.4 -- which was last seen in tivity in December.” the eastern Mediterranean. the two countries, which -The EastMed alliance “is of official who is now a geo- billion euros ($6.7 billion). Thai retailers kick off 2020 banning single-use plastic bags

AFP mammals like dugongs and green alcohol use and violent crime. she said. BANGKOK turtles and prompting national While Greenpeace’s Pichmol And some shoppers like Viroj soul-searching. Rugrod said the move by the retail- Sinchairokekul were unimpressed THAI retailers kicked off 2020 with ers was a good start, she added it at having to pay for the new bags. a ban on single-use plastic bags, was “not enough to solve the plastic “Instead, I will go to the local joining the battle against throwa- The move, taken on Wednesday crisis.” markets because they still give us way carriers in the Southeast Asian by several major mall operators “We should stop the ‘throw- plastic bags,” the 63-year-old said, nation where citizens go through an and the ubiquitous 7/11 con- away’ culture in Thailand,” she at a Bangkok mall. average of eight every day. venience stores, will see cus- said. The European Commission es- The move, taken on Wednesday tomers instead paying a small The country will continue to timates some 70 percent of plastic by several major mall operators and fee for a reusable bag made of produce plastic packaging and lacks waste clogs the world’s oceans, kill- the ubiquitous 7/11 convenience a cloth-like fabric a proper waste management policy, ing a range of species from turtles, stores, will see customers instead she added, while reusable bags are seals, whales and seabirds to fish paying a small fee for a reusable bag typically made out of a fabric spun and shellfish. made of a cloth-like fabric. A government campaign to elim- from micro-plastic. Malawi banned the production, Thailand is one of the largest inate their use by 2022 has seen tel- “Micro-plastic will then create distribution and import of single- contributors to ocean pollution, evision channels pixelating plastic another problem... it affects the en- use plastics in 2015, and last No- with plastic bags recently turning bags onscreen -- alongside other no- vironment in terms of when it’s in vember Slovakia banned single-use An employee carries a banner informing customers about the ban on free single- up in the stomachs of dead marine gos like nudity, smoking cigarettes, the soil because it has chemicals,” plastics from 2021. use plastic bags at a shopping mall in Bangkok on Thursday. (AFP)

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AFP SAN FRANCISCO

HE screens will be bigger and bolder, the cars will be smart- er and some of the technology will be up-close and personal -- even intimate. TThe 2020 Consumer Electron- ics Show opening in Las Vegas will be crammed with the latest in con- nected devices, from light bulbs to underwear, along with the newest technology for automobiles, health and wellness, smart homes, retail- ing and more. One of the world’s biggest trade shows, the gathering features 4,500 exhibitors, an estimated 175,000 at- tendees, and 1,000 speakers in ex- hibit areas equivalent to more than 50 football fields. The CES runs from January 7 to 10. Small startups and large tech firms from dozens of countries will be angling for a slice of the trillion- dollar-plus global consumer elec- tronics marketplace. The show, organized by the Con- sumer Technology Association, will see a large presence from tech gi- ants such as Google and Amazon, vying for leadership in providing the “brains” or digital assistants for many smart products. With improvements in artificial intelligence (AI), digital voice as- sistants are becoming smarter and more like humans, opening up new possibilities, said Simon Forrest of Futuresource Consulting. “We can see devices that can now sound happy if your favorite football team has won and... dejected if your mother is at the door,” Forrest said. While the long-sought goal of “emotional intelligence” in com- puting is still far from reality, he said, advances are allowing more computing power to be packed into An Alpha Mini robot that uses arti cial intelligence dances at the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES 2019 in Las Vegas. (File photo) (AFP) smaller spaces including smart eye- glasses, in-ear “hearables” and other smartphones and other adaptations. Others will use 5G technol- These will include smart screen vanced earbuds, translators and AI- devices. “Imagine an iPad device you ogy and artificial intelligence to help command centers, smart mirrors, boosted hearing aids. “We can imagine the voice as- can fold and carry around with you cars detect pedestrians, bicycles and and kitchen gadgets and appliances. Ear-worn devices are among the sistant in the ear which can do a lot -- I think we will see a lot more of other vehicles. Avi Greengart of the consultancy fastest-growing wearables, captur- more than it does today,” Forrest those,” Moorhead said. California’s Xperi is unveiling an Techsponential expects more smart ing 47 percent of the segment in the said. “Maybe the restaurant across - Reality check for self-driving in-cabin system using iris identifi- home devices like security-focused second quarter of 2019, according to the street can read you their menu, -Fully self-driving vehicles may not January 7 -10 cation, facial recognition and other video doorbells, but says the inte- market intelligence firm IDC. or you can get turn-by-turn direc- be ready to go mainstream, but that One of the world’s biggest trade biometrics to unlock vehicles and grated smart home is not yet here. The textile computing firm My- tions in your car.” is not stopping innovation. shows, the gathering features detect driver fatigue. “It isn’t exactly clear people ant will be showing smart clothing “There’s a deepening under- 4,500 exhibitors, an estimated Amazon is revving up its auto want to live in the Jetsons’ home,” -- starting with connected under- Big and small screens standing that the companies have 175,000 attendees, and 1,000 efforts with a booth showcasing he said, referring to the cartoon se- wear -- with sensors that monitor a Manufacturers including South a big hill to climb” before deploying speakers in exhibit areas equivalent its cloud-computing AWS division ries about a futuristic family. wearer’s heart and breathing rates, Korea’s LG are expected to unveil fully autonomous cars, said Gartner to more than 50 football elds. The aimed at “intelligent, personalized temperature, movement, posture new televisions with the latest ultra- analyst Michael Ramsey. products and services.” Wearable everywhere and sleep. high definition standard known as Accenture analyst Juergen Reers CES runs from January 7 to 10 And a new Fisker Ocean electric Wearables are reaching more of “It is time for technology to 8K, even if little or no content is now said CES is increasingly important car is set to be unveiled, in one of the the human body in the quest for im- morph around people as opposed available in the format. for the transport sector because latest challenges to segment leader proved health and connectivity. to the other way around,” Myant Analyst Patrick Moorhead of “most of the innovation is happen- China-based Futurus Technol- Tesla. German-based Bosch will be founder Tony Chahine said. Moor Insights & Strategy said he ing in software and services” rather ogy says it will launch what it claims showcasing smart glasses designed Other CES exhibitors will be expects to see “higher-resolution, than in vehicles themselves. is the first “mixed reality interactive Smarter homes to help motorists with heads-up showing robots for health and secu- lower-price 8K televisions,” extend- Reers said the industry is chang- windshield” to give motorists real- In the smart-home space, more navigation assistance, with other rity, artificial intelligence for food, ing a trend. ing because “consumers are looking time information about a vehicle’s devices will connect to digital assis- smart eyewear to be revealed. airborne devices including a “flying Innovation around the small at mobility as a service, rather than status, performance and surround- tants like Amazon Alexa and Google “Hearables” represent another gondola,” and technology aimed at screen may lead to more folding simply buying a vehicle.” ings. Assistant, or their rivals. emerging category including ad- improving the retail experience. ‘Techlash’ puts top digital firms under pressure from all sides DPA paign in 2016, when Facebook breach, which had occurred tion may be playing a part. BERLIN and Twitter in particular were years earlier and looked al- An investigation by the English actor and come- not only used by clever cam- most harmless compared Justice Department into FOR the longest time, US dian Sacha Baron Cohen, paign strategists, but also to with several other slip-ups by whether major digital tech- technology giants like Google known in part for his an unprecedented degree by Facebook, was a sign of the nology companies engage in and Facebook could count on movie ‘Borat,’ recently propaganda teams from Rus- times. anti-competitive practices loose regulations and gener- made waves by calling sia. Nor was the public image However, the mood of the comes amid claims by Trump ally favourable reactions, at Facebook and other of social media helped when US populace is darkening. that they suppress conserva- least from politicians in their social media ‘the greatest Zuckerberg described the no- According to a recent survey tive views. domestic market. They tend- tion that fake news on Face- by the Pew Research Center, At the same time, Face- ed to be seen as dynamic, flag- propaganda machine in book may have influenced the a Washington-based “fact book has been criticized for ship companies that secured history’ election outcome as a “pretty tank,” the share of Americans its decision not to automati- America’s place in the world crazy idea,” an assessment he who see technology compa- cally take down provably false of tomorrow. titrust investigation by the US later walked back. nies as having a positive im- content from politicians - and Those times are gone. Justice Department. Then Facebook was pil- pact on the United States has thereby stay out of the politi- In 2019, “techlash” struck Senator Elizabeth War- loried in 2018 for the scandal tumbled to 50 percent from cal fray. the large Silicon Valley plat- ren, a Democratic Party The US Federal Trade Commission slapped Facebook with a record involving the British political 71 percent four years ago. That said, business con- form technology companies candidate in the 2020 presi- $5 billion ne for privacy breaches in July. data firm Cambridge Ana- What’s more, negative tinues to go splendidly for the with full force, reshaping dential election, advocates lytica, hired by US President views of the companies’ im- technology giants. Facebook their relationship with US breaking up big tech compa- plans to build a 25,000-em- known in part for his movie Donald Trump’s 2016 elec- pact on the country have easily digested the FTC fine in authorities. When Facebook nies to promote more compe- ployee second headquarters “Borat,” recently made waves tion campaign. In 2014, the nearly doubled during this just a quarter. And Google, hit chief executive Mark Zucker- tition. in the Queens borough of by calling Facebook and other firm gained access to private period, from 17 to 33 percent. with antitrust fines from the berg is called before commit- The US Federal Trade New York City, opposition social media “the greatest information on tens of mil- US politicians have left no European Union now total- tees of the US Congress these Commission (FTC) slapped from residents, activists and propaganda machine in his- lions of American Facebook doubt that the country’s big ling more than 8 billion euros days, he’s often met with open Facebook with a record $5 bil- local politicians was so fierce tory.” users, which was used to tar- technology companies face (about 9 billion US dollars), hostility. lion fine for privacy breaches that it abandoned the project. How have things come to get voters with personalized tighter regulations. But with a ploughs ahead unfazed. The Google, Facebook and in July. English actor and come- this? A turning point was the political advertisements. presidential election less than companies’ users also keep Amazon are subjects of an an- When Amazon announced dian Sacha Baron Cohen, US presidential election cam- The uproar over the data a year away, political calcula- growing in numbers. Dabaab storms to victory Dukhan Cup victory PAGE 13

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020 Al Wakrah add to Al Sadd woes with a resounding 2-1 win Bounedjah misses penalty for Wolves

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

THE promoted Al Wakrah team lived to their promise of producing a big fight as they shocked reigning cham- pions Al Sadd 2-1 in Round 12 clash of QNB Stars League 2019-20 at the Al Wakrah Stadium on Thursday. While Mohamed Benyet- tou pumped in the opening goals with a powerful right foot strike from top of the box, being unmarked in the 8th minute, Omar Ali scored in the 38th minute. Scoreline Al Wakrah 2 (Mohamed Benyettou 8’, Omar Ali 38’) bt Al Sadd 1 (Hassan al Haydos 85’)

For Al Wakrah, Hassan al Haydos reduced the margin for Al Sadd in the 85th minute. It was a major setback for Al Sadd in their bid to re- tain the league shield as they crashed to their fourth defeat Al Wakrah’s Mohamed Benyettou (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal against Al Sadd at the Al Wakrah Stadium on Thursday. in the opening match of the tournament’s second leg and in hand, deferred (from Weeks begins on January 23. session and created chances livewire, but much credit Pedro, Akram Afif all either All that Al Sadd could do stood on 18 points. 5 and 7) due to their engage- What should worry Al galore. However, Al Wakrah should go to goalkeeper Has- missed the mark or were was scoring a late goal. Wakrah strengthened their ments in the 2019 AFC Cham- Sadd is the fact that they are played a smart game. The Blue san Idriss who weathered a thwarted by Idriss. Benyettou Adding to the Wolves’ position with three points pions League. already 11 points behind lead- Wave almost downed the shut- flurry of attacks by Al Sadd, scored off a free-kick taken by woes, Bounedjah sent a penalty moving to a total of 15 points They will play Al Arabi on ers Al Duhail, who are on 29 ter by the end of first half when more in the second half. Abdulrahman Ahmed, where- straight to Idriss in the 20th from 12 matches to be at the January 6, and Al Khor on from 11 matches. they were two goals up and re- Nam Tae-Hee, Baghdad as Omar’s goal came as a result minute. The kick was awarded 7th spot in the standings. January 21 before the QNB Al Sadd dominated the sorted to counter-attacks. Bounedjah, Boualem Khouk- of a corner kick and the ball for a foul on Bounedjah by Al Al Sadd have two matches Stars League’s Week 13 action game with 62 per cent pos- Benyettou was their hi, Hamed Ismail, Al Haydos, was deflected in by Bounedjah. Wakrah captain Bruno Uvini. Arabi blank Ahli 3-0 to move into top four TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK QSL Standings (Top 5) DOHA Club MP W D L GF GA GD Pts AL Arabi blanked Al Ahli 3-0 1. Al Duhail 11 9 2 0 24 10 14 29 in Week 12 of the 2019-20 2. Al Rayyan 11 7 4 0 24 9 15 25 QNB Stars League at the Al 3. Al Gharafa 11 6 2 3 21 16 5 20 Ahli Stadium on Thursday. Pierre-Michelle Lasogga 4. Al Arabi 11 5 3 3 22 13 9 18 (15th minute), Mohammed 5. Al Sadd 10 6 0 4 27 19 8 18 Salah El Neel (45th minute) and Morteza Pouraliganji (73rd and Nabil El Zhar missed op- minute) scored the goals as The portunities. Dream Team moved on to 18 Al Ahli displayed more points with their fifth victory. alacrity in the second half and It was Al Ahli’s seventh loss came close to scoring a few in this season’s tournament and times even as Morteza swelled they remained on 13 points. Al Arabi’s tally with a headed goal off a corner kick from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is adamant that Pierre Emerick Au- Scoreline Marc Martinez. bameyang (in the pic above) will remain at the club despite rumours he is unwilling to sign a new contract. Al Arabi 3 (Pierre-Michel All our next games finals: Lasogga 15’, Mohammed Al Khor coach Meanwhile, Al Khor coach Salah al Neel 45’, Omar Najhi spoke to the Aubameyang is going Morteza Pouraliganji 73’) media ahead of their match against Al Sailiya on Saturday. bt Al Ahli 0 “We are considering all up- nowhere, says Arteta coming matches as finals as we AFP United on Wednesday -- told have no choice, but to collect LONDON French station RMC he is “100 Al Ahli had recently re- full points. We will face a dif- per cent here” without adding placed Spanish coach Ruben ficult team that has improved ARSENAL star striker Pierre- if he would extend his stay. de la Barrera with Nebojsa a lot since the beginning of the Emerick Aubameyang will be Arteta, though, was ada- Jovovic and the change at the season,” he said. staying with the club despite mant at his press conference helm did not seem to be work- “Al Sailiya have stability in speculation he wanted a move on Thursday that the former ing out for the Brigadiers as their ranks with a good coach said Gunners manager Mikel Borussia Dortmund striker they had suffered a similar- in Sami Trabelsi. But like all Arteta on Thursday. was integral to his plans. margin defeat at the hands teams, they have weaknesses. The 30-year-old France- “I don’t even think about of Al Duhail in the previous We have seen it through the born Gabonese international, the possibility with Auba round, in the Montenegrin’s video and we are working to reports suggest, is reluctant (leaving),” said Arteta. debut in Qatar. prepare our team tactically. to commit himself any longer “I want him here.” It may be noted that Al We are looking forward to than the 18 months remaining Arteta, whose first few Arabi had beaten Al Ahli 3-1 bring back prestige to the Al on his contract due to Arsenal games in charge has seen an in the first leg. It was mostly Khor Stadium, where many struggling to qualify for the improvement in Arsenal than Al Arabi, for whom Icelandic Al Arabi’s German player Pierre-Michelle Lasogga (left) celebrates scoring the rst goal with Icelandic Aron visiting teams have had nega- Champions League. the disjointed team under his midfielder Aron Gunnarsson Gunnarsson during their match against Al Ahli at the Al Ahli Stadium on Thursday. tive results,” he added. Arsenal are nine points compatriot and predecessor returned from a long injury Friday’s matches: Al Shaha- adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea Unai Emery, reiterated how layoff, in the first half and they First, he set up Lassoga with goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodriguez. to apply the finishing touch nia vs Al Gharafa (16:10, Al after Wednesday’s matches. much he wanted fiery Swiss were duly 2-0 up at half-time. a pass from the right and the Marafy was at it again, this just before the teams took the Arabi Stadium); Umm Salal vs Aubameyang -- who cap- midfielder Granit Xhaka to Abdullah Marafy stood tall latter found the target with a time brilliantly crossing the breather. Al Rayyan (18:20, Al Gharafa tained Arsenal in their impres- stay despite his falling out with by giving assists for both goals. chipped shot over the head of ball from the left for El Neel For Al Ahli, Abel Mathias Stadium) sive 2-0 win over Manchester the fans. 12 Friday, January 3, 2020 Sports Djokovic, Nadal lead calls for ATP Cup, Davis Cup to merge

AFP BRISBANE

SUPERSTARS Novak Djoko- vic and Rafael Nadal said on Thursday there was little point in having two men’s team ten- Members of Germany’s team Boris Becker (left) and Alexander Zverev nis competitions so close to- during the press conference ahead of the ATP Cup tennis tournament gether and suggested the new in Brisbane on Thursday. (AFP) ATP Cup should merge with the Davis Cup. The ATP Cup is about to Zverev says no kick off its inaugural edition, replacing a number of previ- ous Australian Open warm-up tournaments. concerns over It comes six weeks af- ter the revamped Davis Cup, which also has countries play- curtailed off-season ing each other in a round-rob- in format, was held in Madrid. AFP While Zverev is confident Canadian Denis Shapoval- BRISBANE about his on-court stamina, he ov suggested Thursday that admitted he could have played the two events -- one run by GERMANY’S Alexander Zverev better last year and wants to the men’s tour, the Associa- said he felt in top shape for put that right this season. tion of Tennis Professionals, 2020 Thursday despite only “For me I need to get my and the other by the Interna- starting to hit balls a week ago tennis back a little bit and kind tional Tennis Federation – after an off-season curtailed by of have a fresh start as well,” should combine. a lucrative exhibition tour. he said. “It’s a really similar event The 22-year-old only won “Obviously, the last year and it’s literally back-to-back one title last year, in Geneva, I finished number seven in from the other one, so it’s a Members of Serbia’s team (L to R) Nenad Zimonjic, Novak Djokovic and Dusan Lajovic during a press conference ahead of the ATP Cup tennis not quite taking the step up the world. I had good tourna- little bit of a weird sensation tournament in Brisbane, Australia, on Thursday. (AFP) that many had predicted as he ments, but it was still not the coming from what felt like the slipped from fourth to seventh year that I wanted to have and world championships coming Tennis tournaments, players to raise money for bushfire victims in the men’s tennis rankings. I hope I can kind of improve to play another world champi- But Zverev remains a big this year.” onship,” Shapovalov said. BERLIN: The ATP Cup starting on Friday has joined players and other tournaments pledging donations in support of individuals and drawcard and he finished 2019 Zverev is playing the in- “So for me I don’t see why communities affected by bush res in Australia. The ATP Cup, played until January 12 in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney, said on Thursday playing a five-stop exhibition augural ATP Cup under the they, the ATP and ITF can’t it would donate 100 Australian dollars (70 mUS dollars) for each ace delivered at the tournament. The 24-team tournament expects to tour of South America and captaincy of German great Bo- combine, can’t join, can’t come see more than 1,500 aces over the 10 days of play, which would raise at least 150,000 Australian dollars. China with Roger Federer. ris Becker and he is confident to some agreement and make “Communities across the whole country have been devastated by the bush re crisis and at this time of the year, with our events in full Although the tour meant they will do well, despite being just one, really unique and spe- swing, tennis has a unique opportunity to support the relief and recovery efforts,” tournament director Tom Larner said. “Most of the players a shorter off-season than nor- in a tough group with the Nick cial tournament for everyone.” are already keen to score aces and win a quick point, and having the chance to raise money for the bush re appeal will give them that extra mal, Zverev insisted it made Kyrgios-led Australia. When asked about the Cana- bit of motivation.” Australian players including Nick Kyrgios, Alex de Minaur and John Millmann have also announced donations for every ace little difference. Under the tournament for- dian’s comments, Djokovic, who they serve. The Australian Open Grand Slam which starts January 20 in Melbourne also aims to raise money for bush re victims in vari- “I mean, still I think I had mat, 24 nations are split into heads the ATP players’ council, ous initiatives throughout its two weeks, according to tournament director Craig Tiley. Fires have raged across south-eastern Australia since a good off-season. It was a lit- six round-robin groups across agreed. “We need to have one October. More than 5 million hectares across the country have been scorched and more than 1,400 homes destroyed. The national death tle bit different. It was shorter Brisbane, Perth and Sydney Super World Cup event, what- toll has risen to at least 17 people, according to the Australian Associated Press, with dozens still missing. (DPA) this year, for sure,” he said at with only eight teams qualify- ever you want to call it,” he said. the ATP Cup team event in ing for the knockout phase. “That’s not going to hap- Brisbane. “We have a good team. We pen next year as well. But if the ‘Two competitions is championship, he replied: ATP Cup to prepare for his at- South Africa’s Kevin Anderson “I only started playing ten- have top doubles players in the two sides, the ITF, the Davis too much’ “I think that tennis deserves tempt to win an eighth Aus- on Saturday, while Nadal is set nis a week ago, pretty much, so world. We have myself, Jan- Cup, and the ATP get together Djokovic’s concerns were something like this.” tralian Open crown. to face Georgia’s Nikoloz Basi- I don’t have a lot of tennis prac- Lennard (Struff), Mats (Mo- very quickly, it can happen shared by world number one France’s Nicolas Mahut also “The Australian Open lashvili on the same day. tice yet, which I will build up. raing), who are great singles possibly for 2022. Nadal, who also questioned said having two men’s team courts, Melbourne Park was “For me, that is a tough “But I feel good. I feel pret- players,” he said. “I hope it will happen be- the timing of the events. competitions was “too much”. always very suitable to my start to the season,” said Na- ty fit again. My physical (con- “So we want to give our- cause it’s kind of hard to get “Yeah, is confusing to have “Obviously, we don’t need game, and I can’t wait to go dal. “The great things, the only dition) was never really my selves the best chance to win top players to commit to play two World Cups of tennis in two competitions the same back there,” he said. way to build important things problem. It was in the begin- and I think Boris can play a big both events, the Davis Cup one month. For me personally way. Two team competitions “Obviously, that’s prob- is with daily work. ning of my career, but in the part in that. and the ATP Cup. that’s not the ideal situation is too much,” he said. ably my most successful court “So we (Spain) need to take last one, two years it’s never “He can play a big part in “And it’s six weeks apart, so for our sport, but that’s how it Djokovic does not nor- in my career, in my life, so I care about our first tie against been a problem. what he will say on the bench, they’re not really helping each works today,” he said in Perth. mally play in Australia before love playing there.” Georgia, and that’s the only “I know I can last matches, the energy that he has. I mean, other in terms of marketing, in Asked if the two should the year’s first Grand Slam in Djokovic’s first match in thing that is in our mind, just I know I can play longer than he is one of the most iconic terms of the value of the event.” be combined into one world Melbourne, but he will use the the ATP Cup will be against try to be ready for this one.” most guys.” sportsmen in German history.”

5th Longines Hathab Equestrian Tour from today Van der Dussen keeps place, Bavuma out

AFP producing players of all col- CAPE TOWN ours but right now we need to win Test matches.” RASSIE van der Dussen will Bavuma has been a regular remain in the South Africa in the Test side since his hun- side for the second Test start- dred at Newlands in 2016 but ing Friday with England at has been unable to reach three Newlands after his impressive figures again. He went through debut display in his team’s a slump in 2019, scoring only opening win, keeping Temba 258 runs in seven Tests at an Bavuma out despite his return average of 19.84. to fitness from a hip injury. “If you’re not in the Test Bavuma will not have the team right now it’s about chance to repeat his Newlands weight of runs,” said Du Ples- heroics against England from sis. “Unfortunately Temba four years ago, when his thrill- was injured before the series ing century made him the first but it was a chatting point be- black African to make a hun- fore the series about the com- dred for South Africa. Rassie van der Dussen hit 51 on his Test match debut. petition for places.” The decision to overlook Van der Dussen, who Bavuma for a white player Faf Du Plessis. game, Du Plessis insisted the was making his Test debut, may cause some controversy “Temba is on board with decison to keep Bavuma out shared a crucial second-in- in view of an official target the process that we are part of was a purely cricketing one. nings partnership of 91 runs The 5th Longines Hathab Equestrian Tour 2019-2020 will take place at the Al Shaqab equestrian outdoor of having two black Africans to try to get guys to score big “We don’t see colour. Op- with Anrich Nortje in the first arena on Friday and Saturday. The mandatory veterinary checks were conducted on all participating horses in the national team. Kagiso runs. Temba will be released portunity is very important. Test in Centurion. on Thursday. On Friday, the Small Tour will kick off at 3pm with Table A, One round against the clock with Rabada is now the only black to play some four-day (do- Temba will be the first guy The vacancy in the bat- jump-off event. This will be followed by the Medium Tour individual and team events (Accumulator with representative. mestic) cricket and it is a great to acknowledge that he got a ting order caused by Aiden Joker) at 5.30pm. Events for the Future Riders’ class will be held on Saturday morning from 9am. “Temba passed his fitness opportunity for him to score really good opportunity,” he Markram’s broken finger will be The Open Class (Table A, Two phases), and Big Tour (Table A, One round against the clock) will be held from test. But we think it is the right some runs.” said. filled by new cap Pieter Malan, a 3pm, and 5.30pm respectively. The national equestrian series Hathab consists of a totla twelve rounds with thing to do to give Rassie an Asked what message he “There will be things in specialist opening batsman and the best 7 results being taken into account in judging overall champions in various categories. (TNN) extended run,” said captain had for black followers of the place to make sure we keep a like-for-like replacement. Legendary former France rugby captain Michel Celaya dies aged 89

AFP sons in the French team, 50 mates and his opponents.” lead the French to an historic coach in the France XV, he BORDEAUX caps, 12 times captain, first Celaya, who played second series victory. won five Five Nations in nine Frenchman to win the Five row or in the back row, spent “Michel Celaya, a great campaigns and dedicated his THE former France rugby Nations five times, two ‘small’ his entire club career at his na- name in French rugby and life to rugby. captain Michel Celaya died at slams (with a match drawn tive Biarritz. the Basque country has left “All my condolences to his home in Biarritz on Thursday against perfidious Albion),” He played a role in France’s us,” tweeted French Rugby family and friends.” at the age of 89, his family has his son Michael wrote on Fa- first Five Nations title in 1954 Federation president Bernard After retiring as a player, announced. cebook referring to two draws although it was shared with Laporte. Celaya moved into coach- Celaya played for France against England which denied England and Wales. “A totemic player and ing, taking charge of Biarritz between 1953 and 1961, cap- the French a Grand Slam in In 1958, he was made cap- and working with the French taining them to their first-ever 1960 (3-3) and 1961 (5-5). tain for France’s first ever tour A le picture of former France teams of Jean Prat and Fer- outright win in the Five Na- “He won in every great stadi- to South Africa but suffered captain Michel Celaya (centre), nand Cazenave between 1967 tions and was later a member um in Great Britain and Ireland, a knee injury in the build-up seen here being tackled during and 1973. of the French coaching staff. took part in legendary tours and and missed both Tests, giv- the 9-5 defeat to England in He also worked in South “My father spent nine sea- earned the respect of his team- ing Lucien Mias the honour of 1957. (AFP) Africa and Australia. Sports Friday, January 3, 2020 13

Winning connections of Dabaab pose for a group picture after the victory in the Dukhan Cup at the QREC Racecourse in New Al Rayyan on Thursday. (Right) Rider Ronan Thomas pilots Dabaab to the victory against AJS Jamra on Thursday. Dabaab storms to Dukhan Cup win and Sealine combined to edge old bay gelding Izzthatright (Class 4). Supermatism got the 20th Race Meeting Results Rider omas grabs a superb double Aneeq (Ivan Rossi) by neck 20th victory in 34 races. third spot. to bag the Purebred Arabian Spencer earlier led five- The four-year-old bay geld- Dukhan Cup Day Racing: THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 4) 1,700m Handicap 1,900m. Murikh, year-old bay horse Shakour to ing Thierry had a splendid last LOCAL THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE 1,200m Prize Money: QR55,000 (1st 31,350 2nd 12,100 3rd for Umm Qarn, trainer de Mieulle Prize Money: QR45,000 (1st 25,650 2nd 9,900 3rd 6,050) with Tomas Lukasek astride, a victory in the Thoroughbred season, winning four races out 4,950) 1.Thierry (Alexander Reznikov), 2. Indian Horseman TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK to fourth by Soufiane Saadi and was third by over five length. Novice Plate 1,900m (Class of six races in a row. But the 1.Dalal Al Brooq (Meteb Ali al Marri -5kg), 2. Al Rayyan (Jamie Spencer), 3. Suprematism (Anas al Seyabi) DOHA AJS Al Maha rounded out the The Umm Qarn’s six-year- 6). He defeated Almakfee QREC Racecourse was not suit- Park (JP Guillambert), 3. Al Hadah (Alexander Reznikov) Won by 0.25, 0.75. Time 1:49.88 top five. old grey horse has secured four (Reznikov) by one and a quar- ing him well and it took him Won by 5.25, 0.75. Time 1:15.08 Owner: Al Jeryan Stud. Trainer: Hadi al Ramzani Owner: Rashid al Marri. Trainer: Ali al Marri DABAAB, runner-up to Khali- Dabaab had lost the last wins in six races, including two ter lengths and Braemar (Anas five races to land the first win- PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP 1900m fa bin Sheail al Kuwari-owned year’s race to Samjida by a little in three this season. al Seyabi) was third by one and ner today. THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE (Class 6) 1,200m Prize Money: QR60,000 (1st 34,200 2nd 13,200 3rd Samjida last year, turned out less than three lengths and this Injaaz Stud, trainer Jas- three quarters of a length. The Dalal Al Brooq, owned by Prize Money: QR45,000 (1st 25,650 2nd 9,900 3rd 6,600) to be a runaway winner in the season, she was picking both sim Ghazali and rider Jamie season’s first win in three races Rashid al Marri and trained by 4,950) 1.Sealine (Ronan Thomas), 2.Aneeq (Ivan Rossi), 3. 1.Zarandi (Carlos Henrique), 2. Shellbrook (Soufiane Murihk (Tomas Lukasek) Dukhan Cup, the feature event pace and places. Third in the Spencer also savoured two took Shakour to two wins in 17 Ali al Marri, dished out a good Saadi), 3. Rex Place (Alexander Reznikov) Won by neck, 5.25. Time 2:14.84 of the 20th Race Meeting on first and second in the last race, winners in the eight-race card. career starts. burst on the home stretch and Won by 2.5, 0.5. Time 1:12.51 Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle the dirt tracks on Thursday. the Alban de Mieulle trainee Izzthatright beat Khalifa bin Trainer Hadi al Ramza- won the Local Thoroughbred Owner: Saeed al Qadi. Trainer: Hamad al Jehani At the Qatar Racing & looked in good touch as she Sheail al Kuwari’s Receding ni and rider Reznikov also Maiden Plate 1,200m dash THOROUGHBREDS (Class 2) 1,000m PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE (Rated 70 & Prize Money: QR75,000 (1st 42,750 2nd 16,500 3rd Equestrian Club Racecourse in travelled at a furious speed and Waves by nearly two lengths to grabbed a brace each when by over five lengths against Al Below) 1,700m 8,250 4th 4,500 5th 3,000) New Al Rayyan, the Umm Qa- claimed the top honours with emerge the winner in the Thor- Hathlool beat Satam by a head Rayyan Park. Ridden by Meteb Prize Money: QR45,000 (1st 25,650 2nd 9,900 3rd 1.Izzthatright (Jamie Spencer), 2. Receding Waves (JP tar’s six-year-old grey mare put eight and a quarter lengths. oughbred 1,000m (Class 2). to win the Purebred Arabian ali al Marri, the five-year-old 4,950) Guillambert), 3. Cristofano Allori (Ronan Thomas), 1.Hathlool (Alexander Reznikov), 2. Satam (Tomas 4.Shobrom (Ivan Rossi), 5. Munira Eyes (Eduardo up a stunning display of pace Dabaab has been impres- Interestingly, Receding Waves, Maiden Plate 1,700m (rated mare Dalal Al Brooq posted Lukasek), 3.Djamil (Ronan Thomas) Pedroza) under rider Ronan Thomas and sive in her 10 races in Qatar ridden by JP Guillambert, is 70 & below). Djamil was a dis- first win in nine races. Won by head, 7.75. Time 2:02.73 Won by 1.75, 1.75, 0.25, 1.25. Time 0:58.75 claimed the 1,700m race for and only once finished out of trained by Ghazali’s son Mo- tant third. For owner Khalifa al Carlos Henrique steered Owner: Khalifa al Attiyah. Trainer: Hadi al Ramzani Owner: Injaaz Stud. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali four years and older fillies and top three – sixth in the Qatar hammed Jassim. Attiyah, the five-year-old bay four-year-old bay colt Zarandi mares more than eight lengths International Cup (Gr1 PA) in Cristofano Allori was third horse secured second victory of to a two-and-a-half-length win THOROUGHBRED NOVICE PLATE (Class 6) 1,900m DUKHAN CUP 1,700m Prize Money: QR45,000 (1st 25,650 2nd 9,900 3rd Prize Money: QR100,000 (1st 57,000 2nd 22,000 ahead of AJS Jamra, ridden by February this year. This was an by one and a quarter lengths. the season. against Shellbrook in the Thor- 3rd 11,000 4th 6,000 5th 4,000) 4,950) Alexander Reznikov. overall fifth winner in 14 races Shobrom took the fourth spot Al Jeryan Stud-owned oughbred Maiden Plate 1,200m 1.Dabaab (Ronan Thomas), 2.AJS Jamra (Alexander 1.Shakour (Jamie Spencer), 2.Almakfee (Alexander Third place went to Naima, and second under Thomas. and Munira Eyes was fifth with Thierry was ridden to a thrill- (Class 6). Rex Place was third Reznikov), 3. Naima (Ivan Rossi), 4.Texas (Soufiane Reznikov), 3. Braemar (Anas al Seyabi) Saadi), 5.AJS Al Maha (Anas al Seyabi) who was coming off two back- She also helped her win- one and a quarter lengths. The ing victory by Reznikov against by a half body. This was the Won by 1.25, 1.75. Time 2:04.84 Won by 8.25, 2.25, 3.5, 2.5. Time 1:59.27 to-back to wins, by more than ning connections to complete second win in three races in the Indian Horseman in the Thor- fourth run for the winner in Owner: Injaaz Stud. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle three lengths. Texas was ridden a fine double. Earlier, Thomas season fetched the eight-year- oughbred Handicap 1,700m Qatar in the debut season. Contestants have a shakedown ahead of 2020 rally James collects triple-double Attiyah sets sights on Dakar No. 4 as Lakers hold off Suns ASO/AFP JEDDAH quarter but you learn lessons James posted his eighth Glowing tributes when you win.” triple double of the season and NASSER bin Saleh al Attiyah The Lakers and other NBA Davis scored 26 points and wins the Dakar every four paid to NBA host teams on Wednesday held grabbed 11 rebounds as the years. a moment of silence to pay Lakers won their third consec- There is no getting away Commissioner tribute to former league com- utive contest. from it: his name appeared missioner David Stern, who Kyle Kuzma added 19 on the roll of honour in David Stern died on Wednesday following points and Avery Bradley fin- 2011, again in 2015, before a a brain hemorrhage. ished with 18 for Los Angeles. third time in 2019. However, AFP James said Stern leaves a Devin Booker finished with mathematical probability is LOS ANGELES superb legacy behind. 32 points and Kelly Oubre had rather random on the Dakar “We lost a great vision- 26 for the hapless Suns, who and the Qatari driver es- LEBRON James had a triple ary,” said James in the Lakers’ lost their ninth game in their pecially appears capable of -double with 31 points, 13 re- last 11. The Suns have won just breaking the rule that would bounds and 12 assists as the 13 games all year and are 14 not see him earn a fourth title Los Angeles Lakers built up a Results games back of the first place before 2023. big first-half lead then held on NBA on Wednesday: Lakers. The excellent performance to beat the struggling Phoenix level he displayed last January Suns 117-107 on Wednesday. LA Lakers 117, Phoenix 107 Knicks triumph with his French co-pilot Mat- The Lakers, who own the New York 117, Portland 93 Elsewhere, Julius Randle thieu Baumel continued all NBA’s second best record be- scored 22 points and Mitchell throughout the season, even hind Milwaukee, had to hold Milwaukee 106, Minnesota 104 Robinson made franchise his- if they did miss out on a sixth Qatar’s Nasser bin Saleh al Attiyah and his co-driver Matthieu Baumel after winning the 2019 Dakar Rally. on in the second half after lead- Washington 101, Orlando 122 tory by shooting a perfect 11- consecutive triumph on the ing at one stage by 36 points. of-11 from the field as the New Rallye du Maroc. perienced drivers. As such, the top places. billion futuristic megacity un- With their reserves strug- York Knicks won their third On familiar terrain where Stéphane Peterhansel with his This is also the goal for der construction, to the herit- gling to maintain the big lead locker room after the game. straight by routing the Port- he will be competing as a next- 13 titles will be a formidable Saudi Arabia’s standard bear- age site of Al Ula and the sand James and Anthony Davis had “His vision was to make this land Trail Blazers 117-93. door neighbour, Attiyah’s sta- pretender to the crown. Even er Yazeed al Rajhi, who, after dunes of the vast Empty Quar- to return to the game and guide game global. I don’t know how The Knicks win spoiled the tus as favourite is all the more competing with Paulo Fiuza, his seventh place in 2019, can ter desert. the offense after the Suns got many people believed in that return to New York of former credible given that the Toyota a last-minute replacement for lay a very legitimate claim “The idea is to praise the within seven points. with him or thought it could be Knick Carmelo Anthony who Hilux that he will be driving his wife Andréa in the co-pi- to a better performance on a beauty of the landscapes, the “We have to do a better job done. scored a season high 26 points. has reached full racing matu- lot’s seat, “Mr Dakar” will still terrain which he knows like infrastructures... and to make of holding big leads,” said Lak- “This game is now watched Robinson finished with 22 rity. This is also naturally the be one of Attiyah’s most seri- the back of his hand, the sole a postcard of Saudi Arabia,” ers coach Frank Vogel. “We in 200 or 250 countries all points while tying the Knicks’ case for his teammate Giniel ous rivals for overall victory. driver among the favourites to said Gomez. had a dominant performance over the world. Look at the col- record for the most field-goal de Villiers, who pipped him to He will not be the only card do so. Quentin de Pimodan, an in the first half. I was proud of lective group of players we got, without a miss. Bernard King the post in Morocco and could that the Mini X-Raid squad Sports diplomacy expert on the Sunni king- how we came out. Giannis (Antetokounmpo), (January 1984) and Johnny demonstrate his former trade- can play, because Carlos Sainz “There is a very offensive dom at the Research Institute “We didn’t play well Dirk (Nowitzki), Manu (Gino- Newman (January 1988) were mark efficiency on a Saudi will also be driving one of the policy to host major sporting for European and American enough in the third and fourth bili) and now Luka (Doncic).” also 11-of-11 from the field. Arabian route where regular- German team’s tried and test- events... to spread a different Studies, said the rally “will ity looks likely to be key, and ed buggies and he will not be image of Saudi Arabia,” Car- serve Saudi Arabia the same this is precisely the South Afri- participating simply to make ole Gomez, a researcher at the way Tour de France serves can’s hallmark. up the numbers. Institute of International and France”. Driving the same pick- The collective strength Strategic Relations, told AFP. “It will showcase the land- up, Formula 1 star Fernando of the X-Raid team will also The kingdom is using scapes and the heritage -- the Alonso will only be able to call be boosted by Polish driver “sports diplomacy” as part of long shots and wide angles -- upon very limited rally-raid Jakub Prygonski, who finished Crown Prince Mohammed bin as the kingdom opens up to in- experience, but his vision, just short of the podium last Salman’s Vision 2030 reform ternational tourists,” he said. driving skills and capacity to year (fourth), and Argentine- programme to diversify its Dakar Rally organisers adapt put him in the position an Orly Terranova, who gave economy, Gomez added. have praised Saudi Arabia’s of a very promising newcom- note to his rivals of his return Saudi officials expect “willingness to open up” amid er, particularly seeing as he to form by winning the Baja events such as the Dakar Rally unprecedented social reforms will have the five-time winner World Cup. will help boost tourism, one after years of conservatism. of the Dakar on a bike Marc Joan “Nani” Roma, an- of the centrepieces of Vision Gomez said the response Coma alongside him as his co- other expert on the dunes, has 2030. to the rally could help deter- pilot. this year taken a new direction Saudi Arabia began offer- mine the impact of its sports Designed to reward the by choosing the German con- ing tourist visas for the first push. teams who display the most structor Borgward. The Span- time last September. “It will be interesting to see endurance, navigational skill iard, who was runner-up to The Dakar Rally, to be how the event plays out, how and composure, the route Attiyah in 2019, is counting on broadcast in 190 countries, it is experienced, what the re- of the Dakar 2020 will no the progression of his vehicle will pass through a host of percussions are and what hap- Lon Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James is fouled by a Phoenix Suns player during their NBA match in Los doubt appeal to the most ex- to muscle in on the battle for sites -- from NEOM, a $500 pens afterwards,” said Gomez. Angeles on Wednesday. 14 Friday, January 3, 2020 FEATURES What Oscar nominations do these 6 best picture contenders need in order to win? GLENN WHIPP would likely mean that Bong Joon Ho’s ac- castmate. Brad Pitt’s swaggering minimal- about writing that acceptance speech. You bit cult has any pull, Taika Waititi for the TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE claimed film won’t be the first foreign-lan- ist turn, which could easily be considered won’t need it. remaining two spots. guage movie to win best picture. as a co-lead, has found favour with critics Mendes’ immersive war movie 1917 You don’t need to look far to find a best SCAR voting begins the day af- groups, though DiCaprio did features superb acting. But picture winner whose director didn’t earn ter New Year’s, meaning academy THE IRISHMAN pick up noms from the SAG good as he is, George MacKay a nomination. Snubbed filmmaker Peter members should be busy powering Optimal Oscar nominations morn- Awards voters and the Holly- isn’t going to bump out De Farrelly bounded up to the stage just 10 through movies and preparing their ing: 11 nods (picture, director, lead actor, wood Foreign Press Assn. Hollywood Niro or DiCaprio or any of the months ago to collect the Oscar for Green hangover remedies so they can be twice in supporting actor, adapted screen- Once Upon a Time could Awards other actors from movies that Book. But approval from the directors goodO to go on Jan. 2. play, cinematography, costume design, film still prevail without DiCaprio arrived much earlier in the branch would allow Marriage Story back- We’re pretty sure about the movies that editing, production design, visual effects) along for the ride. But to have season. That leaves screenplay ers to trumpet it as a cinematic achieve- will be nominated for best picture. But Nomination it needs: Robert De both its A-list leads nominated as the make-or-break category, ment and not just a feat of writing and act - which film will go on to take the top prize at Niro for lead actor. would help reestablish the cre- and it’s on the bubble there as its ing. In a competitive year, it’s an essential the Oscars? Judging from the early slates De Niro failed to snag a nod at the dentials of a movie that premiered in the streamlined storytelling might be a little nomination. of winners and nominees for other Golden Globes and SAG Awards, summer, i.e., a lifetime ago in terms of shy on the word count awards, you could make a case for six leading to speculation that voters are awards season chronology. JOJO RABBIT movies. Each one needs things to break latching onto Al Pacino’s showy turn MARRIAGE STORY Optimal Oscar nominations a certain way on Oscar nomination as the belligerent Jimmy Hoffa and 1917 Optimal Oscar nominations morning: Six (picture, director, support- morning to bolster their chances in Joe Pesci’s subtle work playing mob Optimal Oscar nominations morning: Eight (picture, director, lead ac- ing actress, adapted screenplay, production what remains a fairly fluid race. boss Russell Bufalino at his ex- morning: 10 (picture, director, adapted tress, lead actor, supporting actress, origi- design, costume design) Here are the six leading con- pense. screenplay, cinematography, film editing, nal screenplay, film editing, score) Nomination it needs: Waititi for tenders, along with the nomina- Lead actor is the season’s production design, score, sound editing, Nomination it needs: Noah Baum- director. tions they hope to earn and the most competitive category. De sound mixing, visual effects) bach for director. Like Green Book, Jojo Rabbit won the nominations they need to earn Niro, playing a passive charac- Nomination it needs: Sam Mendes Baumbach should land a nomination People’s Choice prize at Toronto, catapult- when the motion picture acad- ter doing others’ bidding in The and Krysty Wilson-Cairns for original for his original screenplay, but the di- ing Waititi’s sentimental satire into the emy reveals its choices Jan. 13. Irishman, will have to elbow his screenplay. rector field will prove more challenging. best picture race. The movie has divided way through competition that A movie can win the best picture Oscar Martin Scorsese The Irishman, Quentin critics and audiences, scoring a middling PARASITE includes Leonardo DiCaprio, without earning any acting nominations. Tarantino (Once Upon a Time in Holly- 58 on review aggregator Metacritic and Optimal Oscar nominations Adam Driver, Joaquin Phoenix, (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the wood) and Bong are locks, leaving Baum- grossing just over $20 million at the box morning: Eight nods (picture, di- Christian Bale and Antonio Ban- King was the last one to do it.) A movie can bach and his partner, Greta Gerwig (Lit- office in a release that saw it play at nearly rector, supporting actor, original deras. Voters who watch The Irish- win without a screenplay nod. (Remember tle Women), competing against Mendes, 1,000 locations. screenplay, cinematography, film man in a single sitting will appre- when Titanic was king of the world?) But Pedro Almodóvar (Pain and Glory), Lulu But those who love Jojo are all in editing, production design, interna- ciate the cumulative power of De if it’s shut out in both areas, you can forget Wang (The Farewell) and, if the Jojo Rab- (“a warm hug of a movie!”) tional film) Niro’s performance Nomination it needs: Song Kang Ho for supporting actor. ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD Parasite earned a SAG Awards Optimal Oscar nomina- ensemble nomination, and Song has tions morning: Nine nods PARASITE THE IRISHMAN taken a couple of critics prizes, in- (picture, director, lead actor, cluding an honour from the Los Ange- supporting actor, original screen- les Film Critics Assn. If Song can land play, cinematography, costume a supporting nod, it would indicate design, film editing, production support from the acting branch voters, design) the academy’s largest bloc, and Nomination it needs: also boost the movie’s profile Leonardo DiCaprio for lead in a prominent category. actor. A solid overall nomi- DiCaprio faces the nations count would help same problem as De Niro too, meaning that Parasite — too many noteworthy could use recognition for performances and just its cinematography, pro- five slots to contain them. duction design and editing. And, like De N Niro,iro, he has NNomsoms in all three often found himself would be ideal; two overshadowed by a would be welcomed. A shutout

JOJO RABBIT MARRIAGE STORY 1917

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD

“Syltholm is completely unique. 5,700-year-old chewing gum wad yields a complete Almost everything is sealed in mud, which means that the preservation of organic remains is absolutely genome and secrets of a Stone Age girl’s life phenomenal,” said Theis Jensen, a University of Copenhagen Globe THERESA BRAINE have no human remains.” Lola, as the researchers named Scandinavian hunter- Institute post-doctoral student TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE The “gum” is made of birch her — after the island of Lolland, gatherers used it fre- who both worked on the study for pitch, and was chewed by a female, where the wad was found — lived quently to craft their his Ph.D. and also participated in N ancient wad of chewing gum the analysis showed. The research- around 3,700 B.C., according to Na- tools. In addition, it may the excavations at Syltholm. “It is has yielded a complete human ers were able to deduce enough to tional Geographic, and was lactose- have been used as a “pre- the biggest Stone Age site in Den- Agenome, enough information for get a glimpse of the girl’s intolerant. historic toothbrush,” The mark, and the archaeological finds researchers to reconstruct the visage life. Genetically, she Birch pitch is a Guardian noted, because suggest that the people who occu- of a girl who lived 5,700 years ago in bore closer resem- black-brown sub- such tar has been found pied the site were heavily exploit- what’s now Denmark. blance to mainland stance made by heat- to contain juvenile tooth ing wild resources well into the It marks the first time a full Europe’s hunter-gath- Discovery ing birch bark that was marks, and is known for Neolithic, which is the period when genome has been extracted from erers than to her con- used as an adhesive its antiseptic properties. farming and domesticated animals anything other than bone, the re- temporary inhabitants starting in the Middle Indeed, the microbi- were first introduced into southern searchers said. of central Scandinavia, Pleistocene Era, which ome extracted from the Scandinavia.” “It is amazing to have gotten a the researchers said stretches back to between pitch showed that the Photograph of the Syltholm “gum” and Such information is invaluable complete ancient human genome in the study, published 760,000 and 126,000 years girl may have contended with the its nd location at the site of Syltholm in terms of learning about human- from anything other than bone,” Tuesday in the journal Nature ago, according to USA Today. Small Epstein-Barr virus, known as the on the island of Lolland, Denmark. ity’s past in order to shed light on University of Copenhagen associate Communications. lumps bearing tooth marks have chief cause of mononucleosis, the our present. professor Hannes Schroeder, who In addition she was shown to been found before and indicate that researchers said. She also may have lived, or where, or when she died, “Each genome contributes to this led the research, said in a statement have dark skin and hair, and blue birch pitch was masticated, but DNA suffered from periodontal disease, as National Geographic noted. bigger story,” Harvard University Tuesday. “What is more, we also eyes. They were also able to deter- has only been present in fragments, well as the main cause of pneumo- The excavation, at a site called molecular archaeologist Christina retrieved DNA from oral microbes mine that a recent meal probably such as with an 8,000-year-old piece nia, Streptococcus pneumoniae, The Syltholm in southern Denmark, Warinner told NPR. “And as we get and several important human consisted of duck and hazelnuts. of it found a year ago, according to Guardian reported. The presence of is being overseen by the Museum more and more information, we’re pathogens, which makes this a very The gum also contained more Science Magazine. these microbes did not definitively Lolland-Falster during the con- able to reconstruct so much more valuable source of ancient DNA, es- than 40 types of microbes, The The pitch was made into glue mean she was ill, however. struction of a tunnel to connect about the human past than we ever pecially for time periods where we Guardian reported. by the chewing, Science noted, and Also unknowable is how long she Denmark and Germany. could before.” Friday, January 3, 2020 15 KIDS CORNER Bound & Gagged By Dana Summers

Half Full By Maria Scrivan Do you have a poem, short story, painting or a kid’s birthday that you want to share? If YES, we would like to hear from you. And don’t forget to mention your name, your school and class and include a passport size photograph of yours, along with your contact number. Email to us at [email protected]

THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis Unscramble these Jumbles, one letter to each square, to form four ordinary words. Level: 1 2 3 4 HUGLC @PlayJumble

DEYNE

ORTHAT

LWWOIL Get the free JUST JUMBLE Get app • Follow us on Twitter

Now arrange the circled letters

©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC to form the surprise answer, as

All Rights Reserved. suggested by the above cartoon.

Complete the grid so each row, column and - 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk By Winston Emmons (Answers Monday) ©2019 Tribune Content Agency, LLC Jumbles: BOGUS LEAKY TURNIP DEBATE

Level: 1 2 3 4 Yesterday’s

53 Addams cousin 17 Ends prematurely Answer: They examined the wall in the new gold mine ACROSS WHOLE-HOG WENT — they

1 Dip with a kick 54 Actress Helgenberger 22 Trysting place? and discovered it was — “LODE”-BEARING

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By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek Jeff and Hoyt L. David By THAT SCRAMBLED WORD GAME WORD SCRAMBLED THAT 16 Friday, January 3, 2020 The Last Word Art exhibition at Katara depicts anguish of Palestinian children School bag is a recurrent image used to highlight the intensity of su ering

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA

GENERAL Manager of the Cultural Village Foundation The festival features 34 pavilions representing companies specialising in food production as well as farms and nurseries. ‘Katara’ Dr Khaled bin Ibra- him al Sulaiti inaugurated an exhibition of the works of Palestinian artist Namir Qas- Mahaseel emerges as a sem in Building 18. The exhi- bition highlights the plight of Palestinians, especially key platform to promote children. The opening ceremony was attended by Palestin- ian Ambassador to Qatar HE Qatar’s national products Munir Abdullah Ghannam, a number of representatives of diplomatic missions and me- e festival to dia, and art enthusiasts. Speaking on the occa- end tomorrow sion, Sulaiti said art is the TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK most effective medium to DOHA advocate peace and raise hu- manitarian issues. He said AS curtain comes down on the every exhibition presented fourth edition of Mahaseel Fes- by Katara carries a noble tival on Saturday (January 4), humanitarian message, add- the local crops festival contin- ing: “Our effort always is to ues to receive a large turnout of organise rich exhibitions in visitors on a daily basis. terms of their artistic level The festival, organised by and contents.” the Cultural Village Founda- Sulaiti added that Katara tion ‘Katara’, in cooperation has hosted exhibitions of with the Ministry of Munici- several Palestinian artists be- dren, due to the ongoing as the conceptual style, an art because of the checkpoints pality and Environment, has longing to different schools conflict.” that does not depend on aes- and barriers imposed by the emerged as one of the most farms specialising in the pro- same time. and genres of art in the past. The exhibition includes thetics, but rather on inform- occupation forces.” important forums to promote duction of vegetables, eggs, The festival has also wit- He added further, “This a number of paintings shed- ing the recipient of a specific She said that she chose Qatari products. honey and dates, 4 companies nessed visits of many institu- time we are happy to host ding light on the challenges idea or content. the bag because it is related, The Mahaseel market will specialising in dairy, poultry tions including, the Centre for distinguished Palestinian faced by the Palestinians. Nameer Qassem said, especially to school students, remain open after the festival and sheep meat and 6 engaged Elderly Empowerment & Care artist Namir Qassem, who All her works displayed “The bag is a way to transfer who are the most targeted. until March 31 on Thursdays, production of flowers and or- (Ehsan) and Doha Interna- presents through her paint- at the exhibition have bag as our needs with comfort. But, The exhibition will con- Fridays and Saturdays. namental plants are partici- tional Center for People with ings the problems faced by a common element in them, in case of us Palestinians, it’s tinue until January 14, from This edition of Mahseel pating in the festival evoking Special Needs. Palestinians, especially chil- as she follows what is known a heavy burden on its owner 10am to 10pm. also saw opening of an office tremendous response from Meanwhile, the visitors for the Farmers’ Forum in the visitors. have praised the festival for Building 47. This office is the The 11 carts selling seasonal offering fresh and high quality first of its kind in Qatar and flowers, roses and ornamental wide ranging food and agricul- is aimed at bringing owners plants are a major attraction at tural products at competitive of farms together to exchange the festival. prices. They said that the festi- experiences and expertise, as The festival also has a val has emerged as one of the well as hold workshops and dedicated corner for produc- most prominent annual festi- seminars to enrich local farm- tive Qatari families, which vals, which plays an important ing in Qatar. displays a wide variety of agri- role in the promotion of na- Besides, the festival fea- cultural products, household tional products. tures 34 pavilions, represent- food, traditional cuisine and The owners of the farms ing many national companies Qatari sweets. participating in the festival specialising in food produc- The products displayed at also praised the Katara ini- tion, as well as several local the festival are qualitatively tiative supports both farmers farms and nurseries. In all, 24 rich and affordable at the and shoppers.

Bangladesh MHM School distributes books to students for free

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK should work hard to realise the DOHA dream of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur THE Bangladesh MHM School Rahman. & College, under the directive of Khurshid appreciated the Bangladeshi government, held initiative of the Bangladesh gov- the Free Book Distribution Cer- ernment to distribute books to emony-2020 on its premises on the students on the first day of Wednesday. the year and expressed his grati- The Ambassador of Bangla- tude to Prime Minister Sheikh desh to Qatar and Chairman of Hasina. the institution HE Ashud Ahmed The principal thanked the inaugurated the function. Direc- guests for joining the function, tor of the school Lt Cdr Anwar seeking further cooperation in Khurshid, Principal Md Jashim future. Uddin, Bangladesh Embassy of- Meanwhile, the students were ficials, school faculties, students happy to receive the books from and parents attended the event. the chief guest. The programme Speaking on the occasion, was conducted by Vice-Principal Ashud Ahmed said that students Zulfiker Azad.