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FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 10 JUMADA I- 1442 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 8482 www.thepeninsula.qa 2 RIYALS Build your own plan! Terms & Conditions Apply ‘Plant Million Tree’ initiative receives support of envoys SANAULLAH ATAULLAH The green initiative, which was THE PENINSULA launched in 2019, has helped plant thousands of trees with the partici- The ‘Plant Million Tree’ initiative of the pation of ministers, ambassadors, Ministry of Municipality and Envi- schools, community leaders, public and ronment (MME) received yet another private companies during different boost as ambassadors of United States, events. Canada, Ethiopia, Mexico and Tanzania The initiative focuses on planting planted saplings of different trees in saplings of trees suited for Qatari Legtaifiya Park, yesterday. climate, such as Sidr, Ghaf, Samar and
The green initiative, which was launched in 2019, has helped plant thousands of trees with the participation of ministers, ambassadors, schools, community leaders, public and private companies during different events.
The envoys of United States, Canada, Ethiopia, Mexico and Tanzania attended Ambassadors and officials pose after planting saplings of different trees in Legtaifiya Park, yesterday. the event at Legtaifiya Park which was organised by the Public Parks many more. Under the initiative, trees Embassy in Doha, H E Greta C Holtz; planted the saplings during the event. Department of the Ministry are being planted at highways, indus- Ambassador of Canada to Qatar H E Plant Million Tree Initiative was trial areas, sewage plants, treatment units Stefanie McCollum; Ambassador of launched by the Ministry, under the State of Municipality and and storage, rainwater harvesting sites, Mexico, H E Graciela Gomez Garcia; of Qatar’s commitment to Paris Environment. cities and municipal strips, public parks, Ambassador of the United Republic of Agreement, as trees have special signif- schools, and residential complexes. Tanzania to Qatar, H E Fatma icance in the environmental system. The The event at Legtaifiya Park was Mohamed Rajab; Ambassador of the Initiative aims at promoting biodiversity, organised by the Public Parks Federal Democratic Republic of taking advantage of treated water for Department of MME with the partici- Ethiopia, H E Samia Zakaria Gutu and irrigation, improving air quality of the pation of a number of embassies. Director of the Public Parks country and increasing the green patch Chargé d’Affaires of the US Department, Muhammad Ali Al Khouri in a bid to reduce gas emissions. `P2 Dignitaries, healthcare officials get COVID-19 vaccine Qatar informs UN Security Council, Secretary-General about FAZEENA SALEEM from this pandemic, I was keen THE PENINSULA to get vaccinated and fulfil my violations of airspace by Bahrain role in protecting my health and The arrival of a vaccine for the community. Qatar has QNA — NEW YORK it a violation of its territorial COVID-19 in Qatar has brought spared no effort to provide the integrity, sovereignty and a fresh hope that return to normal best COVID-19 vaccines to its The State of Qatar informed security which blatantly incon- life is in sight. Top members of population and I’m confident the UN Security Council and sistent with the obligations of healthcare sector, noted person- this campaign will be a success,” the UN Secretary-General the Kingdom of Bahrain under alities and senior officials were H E Al Khayarin said. about violations by four international law, and an among first recipients of the A former diplomat H E Bahraini fighter jets that escalation that raises the vaccine, illustrating that the shots Sherida Saad Jubran Al Kaabi also penetrated Qatari airspace on tension in the region that are safe and effective. received the first dose of the December 9, 2020. Bahrain contributed to Former Minister of Public Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Permanent Representative increasing through its partic- Health, H E Ali Saeed Al Khayarin vaccine and encouraged public of the State of Qatar to the ipation in the unjust blockade got the first shot of the vaccine who are eligible to get vacci- United Nations, H E Ambas- and the unlawful and unjus- against COVID-19 yesterday. He nated. He said, “I encourage all sador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin tified actions against the State was given the vaccine developed citizens and residents to get Saif Al Thani sent a letter to H of Qatar. by Pfizer-BioNTech that is being vaccinated as this can help E Permanent Representative The letter further stated Chair of the National Health Strategic Group on COVID-19, Dr. distributed throughout the protect the person who receives of South Africa to UN Ambas- that it is not the first time that Abdullatif Al Khal, receiving the first shot of COVID-19 vaccine on country. the vaccine, those around him, sador Jerry Matjila, who is the Bahraini military aircraft vio- Wednesday. After receiving the and the wider community from President of the Security lated the State of Qatar’s air- COVID-19 vaccine, in a video the virus. I would like to thank Council for this month, and to space, and that repeating such message posted by the Ministry all healthcare workers for their requires using all the tools we he added. Sheikh Faisal said UN Secretary-General, H E acts indicates a disregard for of Public Health (MoPH) on efforts and dedication and wish have available — this includes that arrival of COVID-19 Antonio Guterres, which international obligations by the social Media, he thanked the everyone safety and health a vaccine. The comprehensive vaccine and its roll-out was included an official notifi- Kingdom of Bahrain that wise leadership and those in during this challenging time.” clinical trial process undertaken important step to returning to cation by the government of cannot be tolerated, calling on charge of health sector for pro- A prominent Qatari citizen on Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine normal daily life as well as pro- the State of Qatar about Bah- Bahrain to refrain from these viding the vaccine to citizens and businessman, Sheikh Faisal has demonstrated that it is safe tecting loved ones. raini military aircraft’s viola- provocative and irresponsible and residents. bin Qassim Al Thani has urged the and 95 percent effective,” said Chair of the National Health tions of Qatar’s airspace over acts, and to adhere to UN “Trusting in God almighty community to take Pfizer- Sheikh Faisal. Strategic Group on COVID-19, its territorial waters. Charter, international law, and in the efforts being made BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine after “I have full confidence in Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal got the The letter expressed the international conventions and by the health sector officials to getting himself vaccinated. this vaccine which is why I am first shot of COVID-19 vaccine State of Qatar’s strong condem- rulings of the International protect our beloved country “Stopping a pandemic taking it as early as possible,” on Wednesday. `P2 nation of this act, considering Court of Justice. `P2 EU and the UK clinch QA, China Southern Airlines launch codeshare THE PENINSULA — DOHA Europe and the Middle East. The Qatar Airways flights between Qatar Airways Chief Com- narrow Brexit accord next stage of the codeshare Beijing and Doha, once the mercial Officer, Thierry Qatar Airways announced agreement will see the Chinese current restrictions for flights Antinori, said: “We are delighted REUTERS — LONDON/BRUSSELS for the United Kingdom or for yesterday the first stage of carrier also place its code on in and out of China are lifted. to begin codeshare cooperation EU member states. codeshare cooperation with with China Southern Airlines, Britain clinched a narrow Brexit Many aspects of Britain’s China Southern Airlines has providing our passengers trade deal with the European future relationship with the EU begun with the Chinese carrier The codeshare flights will enable China seamless connectivity via the Union yesterday, just seven remain to be hammered out, placing its code on Qatar Southern Airlines’ passengers to book Best Airport in the Middle East days before it exits one of the possibly over years. Airways flights between to more than 60 destinations world’s biggest trading blocs in “It was a long and winding Guangzhou and Doha. Flights travel on Qatar Airways’ flights between across Africa, Europe and the its most significant global shift road,” European Commission are already available for sale Guangzhou and Doha and onwards to Middle East. Since Qatar since the loss of empire. President Ursula von der Leyen with the first codeshare flights more than 60 destinations in Africa, Airways Group’s investment in The deal, agreed more than told reporters. “But we have got starting from December 27, Europe and the Middle East. China Southern Airlines in four years after Britain voted a good deal to show for it. It is 2020. 2018, our two airlines have narrowly to leave the bloc, fair, it is a balanced deal, and it This codeshare agreement worked closely to develop means it has averted a chaotic is the right and responsible is the first step in the strength- opportunities to enhance the finale to the tortuous divorce thing to do for both sides.” ening of cooperation between customer experience for our that has shaken the 70-year British Prime Minister Boris both airlines, since Qatar millions of passengers trav- project to forge European unity Johnson tweeted a picture of Airways acquired 5 percent of elling via the Best Airport in from the ruins of World War himself inside Downing Street, China Southern Airlines in the Middle East, Hamad Inter- Two. raising both arms in a thumbs- December 2018. The codeshare national Airport. The It will preserve Britain’s up gesture of triumph. “We have flights will enable China beginning of codeshare flights zero-tariff and zero-quota taken back control of our Southern Airlines’ passengers is the natural first step and we access to the bloc’s single destiny,” he told reporters. to book travel on Qatar Airways’ look forward to further deep- market of 450 million con- “People said it was impossible, flights between Guangzhou and ening our close relationship sumers, but will not prevent but we have taken back control.” Doha and onwards to more with China Southern Airlines economic pain and disruption SEE ALSO PAGES 11&13 than 60 destinations in Africa, in the future.” `P2 02 HOME FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 Qatar participates in GCC transportation ministers meeting
QNA — DOHA Their Excellencies the The State of Qatar participated Ministers discussed GCC in the 22nd Ministerial railroad network project, PRAYER Committee of Transportation TIMINGS in the Gulf Cooperation Council the uniform regulations PRAYERPRAYRRAAAY TIMINGSMINNGG held yesterday via video and controls for granting conference and attended by licenses for driving small FAJR 04.54 am GCC ministers and officials maritime units, updating concerned. both the rules and SUNRISE 06.17 am The Qatari delegation at the DHUHR 11.34 am meeting was headed by Min- instructions for GCC ports, ASR 02.31 pm ister of Transport and Commu- and safety measures for nications, H E Jassim Saif vessels loaded with small Minister of Transport and Communications H E Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti participating in the 22nd MAGHRIB 04.53 pm Ahmed Al Sulaiti. cargos. Ministerial Committee of Transportation in the Gulf Cooperation Council. ISHA 06.23 pm Their Excellencies the Min- isters discussed several topics relating to the impacts of the relation to the uniform interna- resolutions of the Higher Some recommendations coronavirus (COVID-19) pan- and the updating of both the tional road transportation Council with regard to were also related to work demic on transportation and rules and instructions for GCC system among GCC states and enhancing join Gulf action for mechanism for finalising the communication sector, as well ports and the list of safety the general framework for pre- the post-pandemic period, in studies and projects relating to as topics relating to the GCC measures for vessels loaded paring guidelines for traffic addition to expanding the con- a strategy on transportation railroad network project, the with small cargos. safety in the GCC countries. sultation studies on smart trans- and communications that uniform regulations and con- The meeting also reviewed The Ministers submitted portation patterns that GCC would help broaden the eco- trols for the granting of licenses topics of cooperation in land their recommendations nec- countries are deploying, aiming nomic integration between WEATHER for driving small maritime units transportation particularly with essary for executing the for covering all GCC states. GCC states. TODAY MoPH to launch national campaign for oral and dental health on Sunday o o 17 C 24 C THE PENINSULA — DOHA Minimum Maximum Misty at places at first becomes The Ministry of Public Health The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of relatively cold daytime with (MoPH) will launch a national oral care and positive behaviours towards oral and dental scattered clouds and blowing dust. campaign for oral and dental services in the community. As part of the campaign, free ALRUWAIS 16o → 22o W : health on Sunday under the medical consultations will be provided by specialised dentists W ALKHOR : 14o → 24o slogan “ My Smile is My Health”. who will answer questions by the public on the MoPH website. W DUKHAN : 14o → 23o It will be held in collabo- WAKRAH 13o → 23o W : ration with Hamad Medical W MESAIEED : 13o → 23o Corporation and Primary W ABUSAMRA : 10o → 23o Health Care Corporation. children, adolescents and adults public on the Ministry’s The campaign, which will to follow a healthy diet and website. be launched via the official reduce sugar in food and drinks. The campaign is part of the HIGH TIDE communication platforms of During the campaign, edu- outcomes of the National Oral 03:21 – 11:27 the Ministry, aims to raise cational publications on oral and Dental Health Committee, LOW TIDE 07:42 – 20:20 awareness of the importance and dental health will be pub- in which Hamad Medical Cor- of oral care and positive behav- lished on the Ministry’s social poration, Primary Health Care iours towards oral and dental media platforms. The material Corporation, Police Hospital at 2018-2022 and under the ages of 4 and 8 years. services in the community. will also be disseminated by the Ministry of Interior, gov- umbrella of the National Oral The survey was carried out It will also enhance commu- health sector partners of the ernment schools and Qatar and Dental Health Committee, by the Hamad Medical Corpo- nication between dental Ministry. Petroleum participate. and in cooperation with other ration, the Police Hospital of Qatar informs UN services and prevention depart- In addition, free medical It is worth mentioning that health authorities in the the Ministry of Interior and ments in various medical insti- consultations will be provided the Primary Health Care Cor- country, implemented the Qatar Petroleum, in cooper- about violations tutions, in addition to encour- by specialised dentists who will poration, within the framework National Oral and Dental Health ation with the University of of airspace by aging community groups of answer all questions by the of the National Health Strategy Survey for children between the Adelaide, Australia. Bahrain QA, China Southern Airlines FROM PAGE 1 In the letter, the State of launch codeshare Qatar appealed to the United FROM PAGE 1 Nations to take the necessary of fuel-efficient twin-engine measures in accordance with China Southern Airlines aircraft, including the largest the provisions of the Charter SVP Corporate and Interna- fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft, to put an end to Bahraini vio- tional Relations, Wu Guoxiang, has enabled it to continue flying lations in order to maintain said: “We have great expecta- throughout this crisis and per- international and regional tions for the partnership fectly positions it to lead the peace, security and stability. between Qatar Airways and sustainable recovery of inter- Concluding, the letter China Southern Airlines. During national travel. The airline affirmed the State of Qatar’s 2020, our global airline recently took delivery of three commitment to promote industry has faced unprece- new state-of-the-art Airbus good-neighborly relations and dented challenges and we look A350-1000 aircraft, increasing exercise the highest degree of forward to an early recovery. its total A350 fleet to 52 with restraint, stressing that the We believe that bilateral coop- an average age of just 2.6 years. State of Qatar reserves the full eration will be an important Due to COVID-19’s impact right to respond to any viola- element in the process of on travel demand, the airline tions in line with its sovereign industry recovery and greatly has grounded its fleet of Airbus right, and will take the nec- promote air connectivity A380s as it is not environmen- essary measures to defend its among countries and regions.” tally justifiable to operate such Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Doha, Ambassador H E Greta C Holtz, planting a tree in borders, airspace and sea as “Our collaboration with Qatar a large four-engine aircraft in Legtaifiya Park, yesterday. well as its national security, in Airways is just one of these the current market. accordance with international powerful combinations. Qatar Qatar Airways has also laws and UN Charter. Airways is a Five-Star Airline recently launched a new pro- Envoys support ‘Plant Million Tree’ initiative by SKYTRAX, with award- gramme that enables pas- FROM PAGE 1 winning inflight service and sengers to voluntarily offset the MoPH: 157 new individuals, companies and Municipality and Environment innovative products and China carbon emissions associated The initiative is open to all organisations can register in had launched a dedicated Southern is committed to with their journey at the point cases and 140 communities, institutions, gov- the initiative through financial website https://www.mme.gov. developing world-class service of booking. ernmental agencies, private or in-kind support or scientific qa/static/million-tree/ to boost brands that combine ‘affinity The national carrier of recoveries sector, corporate sector, contribution, via e-mail — the the initiative ‘Plant Million and refinement’ to deliver an Qatar continues to rebuild its schools, educational entities, Ministry’s Application on Tree’ where people can con- extraordinary travel experience network, which currently THE PENINSULA — DOHA youth centers, sport clubs, and smartphones — the Initiative tribute to the Initiative with to all passengers.” stands at over 100 destinations all citizens and expatriates. Section at any mall. different seedlings and pay Qatar Airways strategic and plans to increase to 129 by The Ministry of Public Health Interested people including The Ministry of online. investment in a variety the end of March 2021. (MoPH) yesterday announced the registration of 157 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. Among them 38 were trav- Dignitaries, healthcare officials get COVID-19 vaccine ellers returning from abroad. FROM PAGE 1 Another 140 people have Protection and Communicable and been approved by the recovered from the virus, “The start of the COVID-19 Diseases at MoPH, Dr. Hamad European Union’s medicines bringing the total number of vaccination campaign in Qatar Eid Al Romaihi, Head of Vacci- regulator, the European Med- recovered cases in Qatar to is a hugely significant moment nation at MoPH, Dr. Soha Al icines Agency, the United 140,404. for Qatar after what has been a Bayat, Medical Director at Com- States Food and Drug Admin- All new cases have been very challenging year for eve- municable Disease Centre, Dr. istration, and MoPH’s introduced to isolation and are ryone. I have full confidence in Muna Al Maslamani and Qatar’s Department of Pharmacy and receiving necessary healthcare safety and effectiveness of National Health Strategy lead Pharmaceutical Control. With according to their health COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Al for Healthy Ageing and Medical sufficient uptake of the status. Khal encouraging all those Director of Rumailah Hospital vaccine in our community we The Ministry further said high-risk members of com- Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad. can look forward to a gradual that measures to tackle munity who are eligible in first “The vaccine providers and return to normal life.” COVID-19 in Qatar have suc- phase of COVID-19 vaccination regulators have worked hard to Qatar started the roll-out by ceeded in flattening the curve campaign to take the oppor- ensure the safety and effec- vaccinating people of over 70 and limiting the spread of the tunity to protect them and get tiveness of the COVID-19 age and some healthcare staff virus. Also Qatar’s proactive vaccinated. vaccine. The arrival and wide- on Wednesday. In the first and extensive testing of sus- According to the Ministry of spread acceptance and uptake phase of vaccination preference pected cases has enabled us to Public Health several other of the COVID-19 vaccine here Former Minister of Public Health H E Ali Saeed Al Khayarin getting will be given to people over 70 identify a high number of pos- senior healthcare officials too in Qatar will empower us to the first shot of the vaccine against COVID-19 yesterday. years old, adults in chronic care itive cases in the community. have got vaccinated against return to our pre-COVID-19 and home care facilities, The Ministry further said COVID-19 including Director of lifestyles sooner. To ensure this vaccine injection. among the first countries in healthcare personnel most at that Qatar has one of the Public at MoPH, Sheikh Dr. I ask you to take the vaccine Dr Al Romaihi re-empha- the world to provide a safe, risk of infection and people over lowest COVID-19 death rates Mohammed Al Thani, Co-chair- when you are able to and also sised that Pfizer-BioNTech effective and approved 16 years of age with severe in the world. The Ministry person of the National Pan- encourage your vulnerable COVID-19 vaccine is safe and COVID-19 vaccine for its pop- chronic diseases. The first phase asked people to be careful and demic Preparedness Committee family members to do,” said Dr passed all regulatory approvals. ulation. This safe and effective of vaccination will continue protect the most vulnerable. and Director of Health Al Thani said after receiving the “I am proud that Qatar is vaccine has passed all trials until January 31. FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 HOME 03 Qatar, Jordan discuss cooperation in energy New batch of Qatari real estate brokers obtains licence QNA — DOHA real estate system to achieve of applicants to practice real the objectives of Qatar National estate brokerage is increasing. A new batch of licensed Qatari Vision 2030. He added that the Real real estate brokers took the This step comes within the Estate Department is in charge legal oath in front of the Real Ministry of Justice’s efforts to of receiving and sorting appli- Estate Affairs Committee at the reorganise the real estate bro- cations and organising the Ministry of Justice. The batch kerage profession and to work required training courses in consisted of 13 mediators, per the provisions of Law No. coordination with the Training which raises the number of 22 of 2017 to regulate real estate Department at the Legal and licensed brokers since the entry brokerage work to serve the Judicial Studies Center to into force of the new law to national economy. It will also ensure that the applicant meets more than 80. develop working mechanisms all the professional and legal Minister of State for Energy Affairs, H E Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, discussed bilateral cooperation with The new batch comes in the real estate market and requirements. H E Hala Zawati, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. within the framework of the qualify those who work in the This batch of licensed real Discussions during the talks, held virtually, dealt with various aspects of cooperation in the energy implementation procedures of mediation profession from the estate brokers represents the field between Qatar and Jordan, and means to enhance them. the provisions of the law. It owners of offices and Qatari third batch of new real estate pushes the real estate bro- mediators. brokers that are being prepared kerage business towards an On this occasion, the for licensing after the com- organized legal environment Assistant Undersecretary for pletion of the legal arrange- Qatar Embassy delivers aid to El Salvador prepared to keep pace with the Real Estate Registration and ments and requirements. economic and urban renais- Documentation Affairs at the The Real Estate Department QNA — SAN SALVADOR medical supplies provided by pandemic. The last batch of sance witnessed by the country Ministry of Justice and Head of has started organising spe- the “Qatar Fund for Devel- these medical donations and the great expansion in the the Real Estate Affairs Com- cialised courses for brokers The Embassy of the State of opment” to El Salvador to included refrigerators to cool real estate sector in terms of re- mittee, Saeed Abdullah Al applying to practice the Qatar to the Republic of El support it in facing the global medicines for the El Salvador configuring and to organise the Suwaidi, said that the number profession. Salvador handed over the last health emergency and fighting hospital, which is designated to batch of aid, equipment and the coronavirus (COVID-19) receive and care for corona- virus patients. On the occasion, Director of El Salvador Hospital Laura Miranda, expressed her thanks to the State of Qatar for this support, stressing that this donation will improve the health care provided to Salva- dorans, and make the response to this pandemic rapid and effective. For his part, Acting Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Qatar to El Salvador Tariq Othman Al Othman, toured the El Salvador Hospital, accompanied by Laura Acting Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Miranda, to follow up the oper- El Salvador, Tariq Othman Al Othman, during a tour of El Salvador The batch consisted of 13 mediators, which raises the number of licensed brokers since the entry ation of the donated Hospital. into force of the new law to more than 80. refrigerators. 84 referred to QU students to participate in Hult Prize for first time prosecution for THE PENINSULA — DOHA programme, which will take hultprizequ and official website place later this month. www.hultprizeat.com/ not wearing For the first time, Qatar The competition gives students a chance to design and Marah Abou-Sido, the qataruniversity. University students will have an compete with their business idea with a chance to win a Campus Director, stated, “I am Taking part in this compe- face masks opportunity to participate in the million dollars as the final prize. This year’s challenge is delighted to be the first step of tition will allow students to gain Hult Prize. This collaboration “Food for Good,” where the teams have to build feasible Hult Prize at Qatar University new expertise and experience. QNA — DOHA was brought to the university food enterprises to impact the lives of 10 million people by as the campus director. This is Different workshops will be by the Centre for Entrepre- a great opportunity for students offered, and the teams can The designated authorities neurship at Qatar University. 2030. to enrich their experiences in develop their soft skills, meet have referred 84 people to the Hult Prize is a global their university life. new people, and learn how to Public Prosecution for not movement changing the world "Students from different build a successful business in wearing masks in places that challenges young people another step forward to place compete with their business colleges and levels can take part the process. where they are mandatory. to solve the world’s biggest the centre on the international idea with a chance to win a in this competition. I believe this Mariam Mustafa, the Vice The measure is in line with problems. It is also known as entrepreneurship map. We million dollars as the final prize. is a once in a lifetime expe- Campus Director, said, “This has the Cabinet decision, decree the “Student Nobel Prize”. The hope by engaging our students This year’s challenge is “Food rience, and we are waiting for been an amazing experience so law No. 17 of 1990 on infec- Hult Prize Foundation is a UN in such big international events, for Good,” where the teams all the students and their far working with the organi- tious diseases, and the precau- partner. we further nurture their entre- have to build feasible food energy.” sation committee and compet- tionary measures in force in This initiative was started preneurial and creative skills”, enterprises to impact the lives Currently, registration is itors. I have seen my skills the country to contain the in 2009 by Ahmad El Ashkar said Eatidal Al Qatami, the of 10 million people by 2030. open for more competitors from develop and would encourage spread of COVID-19. and takes place in over 121 training manager at the centre. The organising committee is Qatar University. More infor- everyone to take part so they Authorities called on the countries. The competition gives stu- currently working to have a mation on registration can be can see a positive change in public to adhere to the precau- “Our participation is dents a chance to design and successful on-campus found at Instagram account @ themselves.” tionary measures in place. QCRI scientist named 2020 ACM distinguished member THE PENINSULA — DOHA advance computing. As part of her long-term commitment to Principal scientist at Qatar the diverse field, Dr. Ma has Computing Research Institute published over 90 research (QCRI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa papers and currently serves on University (HBKU), Dr. the editorial board of the ACM Xiaosong Ma has been recog- Transactions on Storage. nised as an ACM Distinguished ACM, the Association for Member for outstanding scien- Computing Machinery, is the tific contributions to the world’s largest educational computing field. and scientific computing Dr. Ma is the first woman society, uniting educators, (and sixth overall) to reach this researchers, and professionals prestigious grade while to inspire dialogue, share working in the Arab region. Dr. resources, and address the Ma became the fourth member field’s challenges. The ACM Dr. Xiaosong Ma, Principal of QCRI to receive such recog- Distinguished Member pro- scientist at Qatar Computing nition from ACM. Dr. Mohamed gramme, initiated in 2006, Research Institute, HBKU Mokbel and Dr. Ashraf recognises members with at Over 4 tonnes of banned substance seized at port Aboulnaga were previously rec- least 15 years of professional ognised as ACM Distinguished Dr. Ma was selected by her experience who have made The maritime customs of the General Authority of Customs (GAC) at Hamad Port thwarted the Scientists while Dr. Ahmed peers for a range of accom- significant accomplishments smuggling of 3,586 parcels of a prohibited substance. The banned material was secretly hidden Elmagarmid was named an plishments contributing to or achieved a significant inside a shipment of ready-made clothes. The seized material weighed over four tonnes (4,482 kg). ACM Fellow. technologies that impact on the computing field. Katara, Engineering Innovation Forum organise lecture on change management THE PENINSULA — DOHA is subject to resistance, and for every change there must be a A number of events were The Cultural Village Foundation leader, and the leader must have organised by Katara and - Katara, in cooperation with the a number of skills that enable Engineering Innovation Forum him to prepare a team capable Engineering Innovation organised a lecture on ‘Change of the required change in the Forum, including the Open Management’, by Eng. Ibrahim best way. At the end of the Day for Architectural, Al Sulaiti. lecture, Engineer Abdullah Al Planning and Engineering The lecture dealt with the Baker, as the rapporteur of the Consultations, and a link between management and Engineering Innovation Forum, engineering, and emphasised honoured Engineer Ibrahim Al campaign to donate books. that change must be causal and Sulaiti with a certificate of that it should start from within thanks and appreciation. Architectural, Planning and the organisation and focus on A number of events and Engineering Consultations, and the members of the organisation activities were organised by the campaign to donate books mainly. Katara in cooperation with the used in the field of engineering Engineer Ibrahim Al Sulaiti Engineering Innovation Forum, under the slogan ‘Give the book Eng. Ibrahim Al Sulaiti delivering a lecture on change management at Katara. said that for every change that including the Open Day for a new life’. 04 GULF / MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 Kuwait starts COVID-19 jabs as Gulf rolls out mass vaccinations
AGENCIES — KUWAIT CITY/TEHRAN Meanwhile, Iran has found Kuwait, which has a way to buy coronavirus vac- Kuwait began coronavirus officially confirmed more cines despite US sanctions, in vaccinations yesterday, than 148,000 a breakthrough for the country following several other Gulf coronavirus cases fighting the worst outbreak of states in rolling out a mass inoc- the virus in the Middle East. ulation campaign. including 924 deaths, The central bank received “This vaccine is safe and has received the first an agreement from an uniden- been approved by many coun- 150,000 doses of the the tified bank to transfer a ¤200m tries,” said Prime Minister H E vaccine developed by US ($244m) payment for a vaccine, Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al pharmaceutical giant Central Bank Governor Abdol- Sabah, who was the first to naser Hemmati said yesterday receive the jab, state media Pfizer and its German in an Instagram post, without reported. partner BioNTech on giving further details of the Kuwait, which has officially Wednesday. Oman, with payment mechanism or the confirmed more than 148,000 more than 128,000 vaccine supplier. coronavirus cases including 924 recorded cases, 1,491 of With around 1.2 million deaths, received the first people infected and over 150,000 doses of the the them fatal, is to launch its 54,000 dead, Iran’s corona- vaccine developed by US phar- vaccination campaign on virus outbreak is the worst in maceutical giant Pfizer and its Sunday. the region, but officials have German partner BioNTech on previously said their ability to Wednesday. Qatar launched a fight it is hampered by Kuwait Prime Minister H E Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah (centre), Deputy Prime Minister Anas Al vaccination campaign on worst-affected country on the sanctions. Saleh (right) and Health Minister Sheikh Basel Al Sabah leaving a vaccination centre set up in the Wednesday. Arabian Peninsula, with more than Iran has been trying to use Kuwait International Fairground in the capital Kuwait City, following a press conference, yesterday. In Bahrain, which has 360,000 recorded cases including its foreign currency reserves recorded more than 90,000 6,148 deaths, began its campaign held abroad to pay for the cases including 350 deaths, with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine vaccine via the World Health and last for 14 days, pending Ovadia, a fruit stand vendor in infections approached 4,000 on continued vaccinations yes- on December 17. Organization’s COVAX facility, final cabinet approval, a a Tel Aviv market. He declined Wednesday, rising from around terday. It has approved both the Meanwhile, Oman, with but was told by countries statement from Netanyahu’s to give his full name. 1,000 at the end of a month- Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and more than 128,000 recorded including South Korea that the office said. The economy is expected long lockdown imposed in Sep- another developed by Chinese cases, 1,491 of them fatal, is to money risks being seized or They include the closure of to shrink 4.5% in 2020, though tember that followed one that firm Sinopharm. launch its vaccination campaign blocked, Hemmati said earlier shops, limited public transport, the Bank of Israel has said the ran from late March to early Officials in the capital on Sunday. this month. a partial shutdown of schools contraction could reach 5% May. Manama said that nearly The Omani Ministry of The bank that has now and a one-kilometre restriction should the COVID-19 crisis On Wednesday, the Health 40,000 people have already Health announced yesterday agreed to transfer the money is on travel from home, except for prompt more curbs. In Ministry said it had found four received the vaccine. that the total reported cases of not South Korea’s central bank, commuting to workplaces that November, the jobless rate people infected with the new In the United Arab Emirates, Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Hemmati said. remain open, and to purchase stood at 12%. The economy is variant of the coronavirus that Abu Dhabi began vaccinations Sultanate reached 128,290. Israel has decided to impose essential goods. projected to grow as much as has emerged in Britain. on December 14 after approving The total number of deaths a third national lockdown to Such measures will cost 6.5% in 2021 and possibly faster With regard to Israel’s the Sinopharm vaccine, while due to COVID-19 reached 1491, fight surging COVID-19 infec- Israel’s economy about three —if the pandemic is Christian minority, the Health Dubai began its campaign using while the recoveries stood at tions, Prime Minister Benjamin billion shekels ($932.6m) a contained. Ministry said that during the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on 120,441, bringing the recov- Netanyahu said yesterday, as week, the Finance Ministry With a population of nine Christmas, prayers at houses of Wednesday. eries rate to 93.9 percent, the the country pursues a vacci- said. million, Israel has so far worship would be limited to The UAE has confirmed Ministry said in a statement nation campaign. “This closure will erase us. reported more than 385,000 gatherings of 10 people in nearly 200,000 cases, including issued by Oman News Agency The restrictions will come We passed two, now the third cases of COVID-19 and 3,150 closed spaces and 100 people 645 deaths. Saudi Arabia, the (ONA). into effect on Sunday evening will kill us. To hell with it,” said deaths. The number of daily in open areas. Zarif dismisses Trump tweet that Iran was behind embassy attack Israel arrests Palestinian REUTERS & AFP — DUBAI/ “Some friendly health screengrab of a graph that pur- covers the region said that the while he was in Baghdad. The WASHINGTON advice to Iran: If one American ported to show the severity of rocket attack “was almost cer- air strike came after Iranian- suspect in West is killed, I will hold Iran respon- the coronavirus pandemic in tainly conducted by an Iranian- backed militias had fired Iran’s foreign minister sible. Think it over,” Trump said the US. backed rogue militia group.” rockets at US targets in Iraq, in Bank killing yesterday dismissed US Pres- in a Twitter post. The Iraqi military blamed It said in a statement that a scenario echoed by the latest ident Donald Trump’s allega- In another tweet, Zarif said: the rocket strike, which caused while it “caused no US injuries or strikes against the US embassy. AFP — OCCUPIED JERUSALEM tions that Tehran was behind “Last time, the US ruined our minor damage, on an “outlaw casualties, the attack did damage After Soleimani’s killing, the the recent rocket attack on the region over WMD (weapons of group”. Top US national security buildings in the US embassy entire region held its breath in Israel yesterday arrested a US Embassy in Baghdad. mass destruction) fabrications, officials agreed on Wednesday on compound, and was clearly NOT anticipation of an uncontrolled Palestinian man in connection “Putting your own citizens at wasting $7 TRILLION & causing a proposed range of options to intended to avoid casualties.” escalation which ultimately did with the murder of a Jewish risk abroad won’t divert attention 58,976 American casualties” - present to Trump meant to deter “The United States will hold not materialise. settler in the occupied West from catastrophic failures at a reference to the 2003 US-led any attack on US military or dip- Iran accountable for the deaths But tensions are rising again Bank, in a case that raised home,” Foreign Minister invasion of Iraq. lomatic personnel in Iraq, a of any Americans that result as the first anniversary of the tensions in the area. Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted. “Trump will bear full senior administration official from the work of these Iranian- strike nears and the US leader Esther Horgan, a 52-year- Trump said on Wednesday responsibility for any adven- told Reuters, without describing backed rogue militia groups,” — in his final weeks in office— old mother of six and a the rockets that landed in Bagh- turism on his way out,” Zarif the content of the options or say it added. Iran had earlier is sticking to his “maximum French-Israeli dual national, dad’s heavily fortified Green tweeted. Zarif also attached an whether they included military responded by calling on US pressure” approach toward the was found dead on Monday in Zone on Sunday, targeting the image of years-old Trump action. authorities on Monday not to Iranian regime. Washington has a forest near the Tal Menashe US Embassy, were from Iran tweets that claimed ex-pres- Secretary of State Mike provoke “tensions”. recently reduced its diplomatic settlement in the north of the and “we hear chatter of addi- ident Barack Obama would Pompeo had already pointed Trump ordered the drone staff in the Iraqi capital amid Palestinian territory. Relatives tional attacks against Amer- have started a war with Iran to the finger at Tehran, while the attack on January 3, 2020 to kill speculations that it could close said she had gone out jogging icans in Iraq”. win re-election, as well as a US military command that the powerful Iranian general the mission altogether. on Sunday and never returned. A statement from Israel’s domestic security agency, the Shin Bet, said: “a suspect in the Turkey says efficacy rate of China murder of the late Esther Horgan... has been detained,” vaccine at 91.25%, may increase following a coordinated effort involving the Shin Bet, the REUTERS — ANKARA army and police. It described the detained A COVID-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech is 91.25% individual as “a Palestinian effective and the rate is likely to increase based on late-stage trial suspect from the Jenin area,” data, Turkish researchers said yesterday, as the country becomes who is being interrogated by the second trial site to produce results for the Chinese candidate. Shin Bet agents. The researchers, part of the government’s science council, Defence Minister Benny said no major symptoms were detected during CoronaVac’s trials Gantz said Israel had “used in Turkey, apart from one person who had an allergic reaction. every means at the disposal of Turkey had agreed to procure 50 million doses of Sinovac’s the Israeli security forces to CoronaVac by Dec. 11 but the shipment had been delayed. Health swiftly find and take into custody Minister Fahrettin Koca said the vaccines would arrive in Turkey a suspect in the shocking murder on Monday, adding that Turkey would vaccinate some 9 million of Esther Horgan”. Earlier this people in the first group, starting with health workers. week, Israel’s army had rein- Turkey's coronavirus death toll rose by 254 in the last 24 hours, forced its presence in the West Health Ministry data showed yesterday, bringing the total number Bank in response to surging ten- Turkish silver master Sabri Demirci works on his silver and golden protective face masks, designed in of deaths to 19,115. Turkey also recorded 18,102 new cases, including sions partly linked to Horgan’s order to fight the spread of COVID-19, at his shop in Istanbul, yesterday. asymptomatic ones, in the last 24 hours, the data showed. murder.
Ilisu dam in Turkey starts generating Kin of Blackwater victim in Iraq says pardons ‘unfair’ energy at full capacity AP — BAGHDAD State Department, opened fire in the Abbas left a wife and four children attack using sniper fire, machine guns crowded traffic circle killing 14 Iraqis, behind. The eldest was in her second and grenade launchers. Iraqis con- REUTERS — ISTANBUL Faris Fadel had just one word to including a child, and wounding over year of university and the youngest in sidered it a massacre. describe the recent pardoning by the a dozen more. the last of primary school at the time Years after the attack, Fadel is still Energy production at the Ilisu Dam in Trump administration of four private The shooting of civilians by the of his death. He was happy with his bitter. “They were all civilians, they southeast Turkey has reached full capacity, security contractors convicted of contractors prompted an international life, Fadel recalled. weren’t guilty of anything,” he said. Agriculture Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said killing Iraqi civilians — including his outcry, left a reputational black eye “He didn’t have much, but he Fadel lost not only a brother, but yesterday, adding that it is expected to brother — in a public square 13 years on US operations in Iraq and brought didn’t want for anything,” he said. a father figure. Ten years his senior, contribute 2.8bn lira ($366m) a year to the ago: Unfair. into question the government’s use of On that day in September 2007, Abbas had looked after the family fol- economy. The dam was approved by the Fadel’s brother, Osama Abbas, had private contractors in military zones. Abbas was on his way to work but lowing the untimely death of their Turkish government in 1997 to generate been on his way to work that fateful Nicholas Slatten was convicted of decided to cross the road to a money father at a young age. electricity for the region and, after years day. He had just crossed a street into murder, while Paul Slough, Evan transfer service. Fadel recalled it was “He raised me,” he said of Abbas. of setbacks and delays, the first turbine Baghdad’s Nisoor Square to do a Liberty and Dustin Heard were con- a time when the country was still Abbas had started his own engi- was launched in May this year. money transfer— a last minute change victed of manslaughter in 2014 after reeling in the aftermath of bloody sec- neering company and took responsi- The project has faced opposition from in plans that would cost the 41-year a months-long trial in federal court in tarian street wars. “We were starting bility for the entire family. His death some activists because it has uprooted old electrical engineer his life. Washington. Each had pleaded to feel like we could come up for air,” had sent them down a spiral of shock about 80,000 people from 199 villages, At the time, the Blackwater firm innocent. he said. Then, the bullets rained down and insolvency. His widow didn’t while authorities in neighbouring Iraq had been contracted to provide On Tuesday, President Donald on Nisoor Square. speak for days and his mother took to fear it could affect their water supply security for US diplomats in Iraq. It Trump pardoned them. “This decision Defense lawyers for the four con- a wheelchair after suffering cardiac from the Tigris river. The Ilisu Dam’s was four years after the 2003 invasion was wrong, it was unfair,” said Fadel, tractors argued they were returning arrest from the shock. Abbas’ youngest total installed power stands at 1,200 meg- of Iraq that ultimately toppled Saddam now 44 years old. “How can you fire after being ambushed by Iraqi son suffers from severe depression. awatts, making it Turkey’s fourth-largest Hussein. The four men, military vet- release those who have blood on their insurgents. Prosecutors said the “They destroyed our home and our dam in terms of energy production. erans working as contractors for the hands?” convoy had launched an unprovoked family,” he said of the contractors. FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 ISLAM 05
Say: “O my Servants who have Why do we fall into sin? transgressed against their souls! Despair LUZITA BALL not of the Mercy f you have experienced and observed various countries, it will of Allah: for Allah be clear to you that many of the major and minor sins are rife now, forgives all sins: for Icausing a very high crime rate and He is Oft-Forgiving many broken families. Also, to a lesser extent this is starting to happen in some Most Merciful. Muslim communities, in which learning and teaching about Islam is not a high Quran 39: 53 priority in their lives. In addition, it is becoming abundantly clear that extremist organisations claiming to act in the name of Islam and others with fall into sins due to their complacency similar tactics are all flagrantly and and lack of carefulness and fear of God. blatantly disobeying Allah (God) in If we do not have a clear idea of almost every way. They seem to have who God is, and what He is like, how little knowledge or care about Islamic can we know him, love him, or want morality. There is no way that these to become closer to Him by pleasing groups can claim to represent Islam. Him? Many governments also seem to flout Islamic standards of morality and Forgetting our short time justice especially when dealing with Forgetting that we cannot live their own populations, or building forever, and that we might very easily empires. die tomorrow and stand before God to Muslims need to be fully aware that account for how we used our life, there are many people trying to stir up means that people can put off suspicion, blame, anger, despair, rad- repentance, and doing what is right. icalisation and injustice between us, If we do not as a community and by us against others, so that they encourage what is just and good and can morally justify to their public, forbid what is unjust and evil, and do through the media, that these terrible not behave according to the morals of extremists must be stopped by all Islam, then we are not and will not be means. Also, many are trying to the ‘best of peoples’. Race, class, or undermine the faith of Muslims and to even religion- being a Muslim who get them to abandon their beliefs and practises the five pillars and saying ‘La way of life, or to change them to a dif- illahi il-Allah’, are not enough to save ferent religion. Teaching each other in us from punishment. Muslim parents, depth about the beliefs of Islam, and teachers, and the community in general the Major and Minor sins seems to me need to fulfil their duty to try to be the to be a good way to prevent Muslims best of examples of Islam in action, and from succumbing to these pressures, to teach each other and especially and could contribute towards pre- children what Islam is all about, if we venting extremist violence, and further In Islam it is well known from the Holy Quran and the Sunnah that are to see any improvements. bloodshed and destruction of Muslim Huthaifah (may God be pleased countries in particular. beliefs alone cannot save us, and that it is through the grace and mercy with him) reported: ‘The Prophet of God that He forgives us and purifies us enough to enter Paradise. We (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “By Him in Lack of knowledge about sins Whose Hand my life is, you either Nowadays many people in the West will however be mercifully and justly judged, but only upon our own enjoin good and forbid evil, or Allah are finding it hard to believe in ‘sins’, will certainly soon send His pun- good and evil, angels and Satans, Par- intentions, words and deeds in the life that we lived, and we are not ishment to you. Then you will make adise and Hellfire. In the absence of supplication and it will not be any religion in some people’s accountable for the sins of anyone else. accepted’. (Hadith collection of upbringing, decisions are based upon Tirmithi) whether something seems or feels good alone cannot save us, and that it is at least the minor sins. We may also wrong, as we start to experience the Quran, Surah Al Imran (3) Ayat or bad for them, influenced by the through the grace and mercy of God lack understanding of the true benefits negative consequences! 104:‘Be a community that calls for what current commonly held views of what that He forgives us and purifies us to ourselves and others, if we would is good, urges what is right, and forbids is immoral or indecent, or upon their enough to enter Paradise. We will stay away from the sin. Getting distracted or led by our what is wrong: those who do this are parents’ advice as they were bringing however be mercifully and justly emotions the successful ones.’ them up. judged, but only upon our own inten- Not listening to our conscience, Some sins are merely doing a nor- Sometimes we do something wrong tions, words and deeds in the life that but instead other voices mally quite good thing at the wrong The need to repent and reform out of ignorance, despite having good we lived, and we are not accountable Sinning is made possible by not lis- time, or in the wrong place, or to the In any case if we are not careful intention, which may be due to our for the sins of anyone else, except the tening to the voice of our conscience wrong extent, such that we forget more about minor sins, if committed ever parents and others not teaching us children that we are bringing up. or intuition, or God’s commands. Often important duties and responsibilities, more frequently, these can develop about what is right and wrong. This Before the Day of Judgement, Muslims we are denying the truth that we know, which means we have been distracted into bad habits that are quite hard to type of sin is partly our fault that we are told to have faith that God will have and instead prefer to listen to and obey or have got wrong or imbalanced get rid of, such as smoking, eating should have tried to use our God-given forgiven everything that we sincerely something or someone else that is fal- priorities. excessively or backbiting. Step by step faculties including our conscience, and repented from and asked forgiveness lible and limited in knowledge and these bad habits can lead to a major our opportunities, to try to find out the for, or were justly punished for during wisdom, including our own desires. Being labelled as bad sin being committed. right way to live. Parents according to our lives. Many are pushed towards a sin by peer Some people while still young, get However, the extremist, Kha- Islam,will be accountable to God for pressure, by fearing the loss of some- called ‘naughty’ and even worse things warij-like idea that a Muslim sins committed by their children before Lack of certainty that something thing or someone. Sometimes it is just by their parents and others, until these becomes a ‘Disbeliever’ if they sin, is adolescence. is sinful or bad for us that we have strong desires that we are negative descriptions become part of not true- who can be perfect and For a Muslim, at the moment of not in the habit of restraining, possibly their identity, and they feel they have sinless, even if they are a Muslim? Lack of knowledge about actually knowingly going against God’s due to being spoiled by people who not got the ability to change. Some- Nobody should expect this- we accountability commands, we are actually in a state never said ‘no’ to us. Conversely we times they may think that they cannot be angels. Even the sin of wor- Christianity teaches its followers of either not fully believing that we are may act out of a feeling of angry already have such a bad reputation shipping and obeying other than God to love God, love Jesus (Peace Be Upon sinning, or we think that God is not resentment and rebelliousness against that nothing they do can change this. can be forgiven if people repent and Him), obey the Ten Commandments fully aware of what we are doing, or the oppressive and domineering So they just decide they will carry on change before dying. God’s for- from Moses (PBUH), and to love your we have the idea that He will forgive behaviour of someone towards us,in with their wrong behaviour, feeling giveness and mercy are always open neighbour as yourself. However it also us automatically. Often we are not a bid for freedom, or out of an act of even that the alternative good path to us while we are alive, making it tells them that by believing that Jesus believing with certainty that we are arrogance that we know better than is too difficult for them. These people easy for us to repent and reform. (PBUH) died on the cross as payment accountable to God, or that we will our family, Islam or God. have a lack of hope in God and His Quran Az-Zumar (39): Ayat 53: ‘Say, for their sins, then they have already receive any negative consequence for forgiveness. ‘[God says], My servants who have been redeemed and forgiven, and will doing a sin- perhaps doubting that God Considering sins to be Being complacent and deluded that harmed yourselves by your own have eternal life in Paradise, and some has power over, or that He controls insignificant or actually good you are so good and special that you excess, do not despair of God’s mercy. believe that Hellfire does not exist, only everything in our lives. In most cases the wrong action cannot sin, are automatically forgiven, God forgives all sins: He is truly the purgatory. These beliefs do not leave Sometimes we cannot fully under- seems at the time to somehow to be or do not need to follow certain rules Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.’ people with a clear incentive to strictly stand why or how much a minor sin is justified or belittled in our minds, or Conversely, some people think that stick to the morals that Jesus (PBUH) bad for us, and so sometimes this lack even made to seem cool and good. It they are already so good and spiritual, Luzita Ball is an English revert sister lived by. of conviction that Islam is the correct is usually only afterwards that we start innately guided, automatically for- who has studied, researched, written In Islam it is well known from the guidance perhaps can lead us to be to realise or acknowledge that perhaps given, or pure that they don’t need to and spoken about Islam for most of her Holy Quran and the Sunnah that beliefs tempted to be too relaxed and fall into our ideas and those of our friends were worry about certain rules, and so they life, since 1991.
O mankind! We What Islam says about the differently abled created you from SHAHUL HAMEED a single pair of a special needs” (i.e. disabled as a mercy for all. (Al Anbiyaa’ able-bodied persons to support effective methodology should persons who need special care 21:107) the less fortunate. be adopted in order to achieve male and a female, od has given His com- and attention). But all the In addition to the com- The Prophet (PBUH) has the best results as visualised by plete and perfect norms and guidelines nec- mandments in the Quran, we emphatically said: the Quran and the Sunnah. and made you into Gguidance for humankind essary for the counseling and have the directives of the “None of you is a true Muslims also believe that nations and tribes, in the form of the glorious rehabilitation of those in need Prophet too. For instance, the believer until you wish for your being disabled is a test from Quran. Naturally, the Islamic have been clearly outlined in Prophet (PBUH) is reported to brother what you wish for Allah in this life, and therefore that ye may know worldview as well as phi- the Quran and the Sunnah. have said: yourself.” (Bukhari and can be a blessing in disguise. losophy of life are derived from For instance, read the “Whoever meets the needs Muslim). Every disabled person should each other. (Quran the pages of the Quran itself. verses of the Quran: of his brother, Allah will meet He has also said: “Charity be patient and live up to this 49:3) And Prophet Muhammad O mankind! We created you his needs.” (Bukhari and is prescribed for every person challenge. (Peace Be Upon Him) has prac- from a single pair of a male and Muslim). every day the sun rises.” Allah promised those who tically demonstrated how a female, and made you into He also said: “Show mercy (Ahmad) observe patience a great cared for. All their needs should Muslims can translate the prin- nations and tribes, that ye may to those on earth, and God will “If one removes a hardship reward in the Hereafter: be fulfilled and they should not ciples of that guidance into know each other (not that ye show mercy to you.” (Tirmithi of a Muslim in this life, Allah Only the patient will be be isolated as they are an every day life. may despise each other). (Al and Abu Dawud) will relieve a hardship from paid back their reward in full integral part of the society. As for deriving ‘a phi- Hujurat 49:3) Evidently, the foregoing him on the Day of Judgment.” without measure... (Zumar Both individuals and com- losophy’ of counseling and And cooperate with one bears out Islam’s emphasis on (Bukhari and Muslim) 39:10) munities must try their best to rehabilitation of the special another towards righteousness universal human rights, besides The philosophy is there; It has been proved that help them with whatever needs people, we need to go and piety and do not cooperate laying down its basic phi- and the resources for helping people with disabilities have means they have. Schools are first to the same basic sources towards sinfulness and losophy of help and support for and supporting the needy been gifted with other talents to be established for those of Islam, namely the Quran and aggression. (Al Ma’idah 5:2) all those who suffer, including should be provided by the and capabilities. They excel people to qualify them to be the Sunnah of the Prophet Whoever saved a life, it the victims of war, poverty or Muslims themselves, by way of over others with such gifts. It active members in their (PBUH). shall be as if he had saved the natural calamities; as well as zakah and other charity. is as if Allah is compensating respected communities. Job In the terminology of Islam, life of all mankind. (Al the handicapped or disabled And, in the light of our them for their disability. opportunities that fit their we may not see any term cor- Ma’idah 5:32) people. This support is made modern scientific and psycho- People with special needs health conditions should be responding to the modern Also, Allah directly possible as Islam makes it logical discoveries and the- should be given due respect provided. expression, “people with addressed the Prophet (PBUH) obligatory for the wealthy and ories, a very advanced and and attention. They should be Archives: onislam.net 06 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 Turkish parliament extends law for troop deployment to Libya
AP — ISTANBUL foreign powers and numerous local militias. Ankara’s support Turkey’s parliament extended The bill renewed a for the Tripoli-based Government for 18 months a law that allows one-year mandate that of National Accord has turned the the deployment of Turkish came into force in tide of war in Libya. troops to Libya. January following a Turkish military assistance— The bill renewed a one-year including advisors, equipment mandate that came into force in security and military and intelligence — helped block January following a security and agreement with the a year-long military attempt to military agreement with the UN- UN-backed capture Tripoli by forces loyal backed administration in Tripoli, administration in to Khalifa Haftar, a Libyan com- in western Libya. Tripoli, in western Libya. mander who rules the eastern The Turkish decision comes half of the country. in the wake of a UN-brokered Throughout his march on the cease-fire in Libya that was capital, which collapsed in June, declared in October. The cease- Libya descended into chaos Haftar had the backing of the fire deal envisioned the departure following the 2011 uprising that United Arab Emirates, Egypt, of foreign forces and mercenaries ousted and killed longtime dic- France and Russia. within three months. tator Muammar Gaddafi. Turkey also signed a mar- Opposition parties voted The oil-rich North African itime agreement with the Tripoli against the extension but the nation is now split between the government last year, giving it combined votes of Turkey’s Tripoli government and its rival access to a contested economic Members of the Libyan armed forces take part in a parade to mark the country’s 69th anniversary ruling party and its nationalist administration in the east. Both zone across the eastern Medi- of independence, at the Martyrs Square of the GNA-held Libyan capital Tripoli, yesterday. allies allowed the bill to pass. sides are backed by regional and terranean Sea. 20 migrants dead off Ethiopia troops kill 42 armed men Tunisia after boat accused of deadly attack on village
sinks, more missing REUTERS — ADDIS ABABA battling a rebellious force in the areas, but had no details. They separate northern Tigray said they treated people with AP — TUNIS Tunisian authorities say Ethiopia’s military killed 42 region, with a mass deployment gunshot and knife wounds. they have intercepted several armed men accused of of troops that has raised fears It was not immediately About 20 African migrants migrant smuggling boats attacking a village in the of a security vacuum in other clear who was responsible for were found dead yesterday recently but that the number of western Benishangul-Gumuz areas. Wednesday’s attack or who was after their smuggling boat sank attempts has been growing, region, state-affiliated Fana TV “The massacre of civilians targeted. Tunisia: Former in the Mediterranean Sea while notably between the Sfax reported yesterday, as the in Benishangul-Gumuz region The region is home to trying to reach Europe, region and the Italian island of government sent in more is very tragic,” Abiy said on several ethnic groups. In recent presidential Tunisian authorities said. Five Lampedusa. troops to contain ethnic Twitter. “The government, to years, people from the neigh- survivors were rescued and the More than 1,100 migrants tensions. solve the root causes of the bouring Amhara region have candidate jailed Tunisian navy is searching for have died or disappeared in the Government forces seized problem, has deployed a nec- started moving into the area, up to 20 others still believed Mediterranean this year, bows and arrows and other essary force.” prompting some ethnic in financial case missing. according to estimates from the weapons from the armed men, Wednesday’s dawn raid on Gumuz to complain that fertile Tunisian coast guard boats International Organization for Fana said in its report that cited the village of Bekoji in Bulen land is being taken away, AP — TUNIS and local fishermen found and Migration. unnamed regional officials. It county killed more than 100 experts say. retrieved the bodies in the Migrant smuggling boats did not say when the clash took people, the state-run Ethiopian Some Amhara leaders have Former Tunisian presidential waters off the coastal city of frequently leave from the place or which group was Human Rights Commission said publicly that some of the candidate and media mogul Sfax in central Tunisia, Defense coast of Tunisia and neigh- involved. said. land — especially in the area Nabil Karoui (pictured), has Ministry spokesman Mohamed bouring Libya carrying people Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Thousands of people fled where the violence occurred - been arrested on charges of Ben Zekri said. from across Africa, including said yesterday he was sending the village and slept in the historically belongs to them, money laundering and tax According to survivors, the a growing number of Tuni- forces to Benishangul-Gumuz, forest or in schools, Ethiopian which the Gumuz dispute. evasion, a Tunis court migrant smuggling boat was sians fleeing prolonged eco- which borders Sudan, the day Red Cross volunteer Mesfin The human rights com- spokesman said yesterday. carrying about 40 or 50 people nomic difficulties in their after unidentified attackers Mesele said by phone. mission said survivors it spoke Karoui spent most of last heading toward Italy, Ben Zekri country. torched homes and killed more “There are mothers who to believed most of the victims year’s presidential campaign said. Tunisians have made up the than 100 people in a village there. lost their husbands and children were from the Shinasha group. in jail for the same charges, The boat was overloaded vast majority of migrants Ethiopia has been grappling who lost their parents,” he said. Reuters interviewed one sur- which he called politically and in poor condition, and arriving in Italy this year, with outbreaks of deadly vio- “We have nothing to feed them. vivor who was Shinasha and driven. He was released just faced strong winds yesterday despite efforts by Rome to lence since Abiy was appointed They walked 25km.” one who was Amhara. before the election, but the morning that may have con- negotiate with Tunis to put a in 2018 and accelerated Mesele said he went with State-run Ethiopian News investigation continued. A tributed to the sinking, said stop to the crossings. Of the political reforms that loosened soldiers to collect bodies late Agency reported that five senior judge in charge of financial National Guard spokesman Ali 34,001 migrants who had the state’s iron grip on regional on Wednesday and found 93 officials, including a state min- cases ordered him jailed again Ayari. It was carrying migrants arrived in Italy so far this year, rivalries. corpses on one road into the ister of the federal government, yesterday, said a Tunis court from sub-Saharan Africa, he 12,847 were Tunisian, or 38%. Elections due next year village. “There are still bodies have been arrested in con- spokesman Mohsen Dali. said. Bangladeshis were the next have further inflamed rivalries to be collected,” he said. nection with security issues in Dali said Karoui can Tunisian navy units were biggest group, followed by over land, power and resources. Two medics in the area said Benishangul-Gumuz. It did not appeal his arrest. Karoui’s searching for any more those from Ivory Coast, Algeria, The latest violence comes they had heard reports of fresh go into further detail on spe- brother Ghazi is also facing survivors. Pakistan and Egypt. as Ethiopia’s military has been clashes in two other nearby cific accusations or charges. charges but was not arrested because he enjoys immunity as a parliament deputy, the spokesman said. A member of Seven soldiers, 11 militants killed in Niger ahead of vote Karoui’s support committee, AFP — NIAMEY lawyer Nazih Souii, said he Niger is eyeing Sunday’s was “surprised and shocked” Seven troops and 11 suspected two-round ballot as a historic by the arrest, and alleged that militants have died in clashes moment, setting the country on the judge acted under “political in a troubled western region of course for its first peaceful pressure.” Niger ahead of elections this handover between elected The case against Karoui weekend, the defence ministry leaders since independence was opened after a complaint said yesterday. from France 60 years ago. four years ago by an anti-cor- An army patrol in the President Mahamadou Iss- ruption group. Karoui, a pop- Taroun area in the Tillaberi oufou, who was elected in 2011 ulist media mogul, founded region was ambushed early after the country’s last coup in Nessma TV and heads the Qalb Monday morning by “heavily 2010, is voluntarily stepping Tunis party, the second-largest armed terrorists” travelling down after two terms. party in parliament. aboard motorbikes and other A landlocked state located Karoui was runner-up in vehicles, it said in a statement. in the heart of the Sahel, Niger last year’s presidential The country, the poorest in is being hammered in the election, won by Kais Saied, a the world by the benchmark southwest by militants from conservative professor who of the UN’s Human Devel- neighbouring Mali and in the has vowed to root out cor- opment Index, is to stage pres- southeast by jihadists from ruption that has contributed idential and legislative elections Nigeria, the cradle of the to Tunisia’s economic on Sunday. The statement said decade-old insurgency struggles.Both candidates rode seven troops died and two launched by Boko Haram. to the presidential runoff on the others and a civilian were Four thousand people in disenchantment of Tunisians, injured, while 11 attackers were Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger particularly young people and killed, seven of them after the died last year from violence and the poor, who felt the governing army launched a “spontaneous ethnic bloodshed stirred by class hasn’t fulfilled the riposte”. Islamists, according to the UN. promises of Tunisia’s 2011 rev- “Motorbikes and weapons A police officer stands guard at a market near the Diffa airport in South-East Niger, near the Nigerian On December 12, 34 vil- olution, which unleashed were seized. Followup opera- border, yesterday. Under the constant threat of Boko Haram and its dissidents, Diffa, the large city in lagers were massacred in the revolts around the Arab world. tions are under way in the area,” southeastern Niger on the border with Nigeria, lives under siege with frightened and economically southeastern region of Diffa on Other prominent figures it said. Tillaberi is located in the strapped inhabitants. the eve of municipal and have also been targeted so-called tri-border area, a mil- regional elections that had been recently in corruption itant-plagued zone where the and Burkina Faso converge. been banned there since incursions by highly mobile mil- repeatedly delayed because of investigations. porous borders of Niger, Mali Travel by motorbike has January in a bid to prevent itant riding on two wheels. poor security. Another new coronavirus variant found in Nigeria, says official
AP — NAIROBI return of international travel The identification of the research paper. the paper says. The news comes believe this mutation will not restrictions and other measures apparent new variant was Unlike the variant seen in as infections surge again in have an effect” on the Another new variant of the coro- during a major holiday season. based on two or three genetic the UK, “we haven’t observed parts of the African continent. deployment of COVID-19 vac- navirus appears to have emerged “It’s a separate lineage from sequences, Nkengasong said, such rapid rise of the lineage in The new virus variant in cines to the continent, he said in Nigeria, Africa’s top public the UK and South Africa,” the but that and South Africa’s alert Nigeria and do not have evi- South Africa is now the predom- of the South Africa variant. health official said yesterday, but head of the Africa Centers for last week were enough to dence to indicate that the P681H inant one there, Nkengasong South Africa’s health min- he added that further investi- Disease Control and Prevention, prompt an emergency meeting variant is contributing to said, as confirmed infections in ister has announced an gation was needed. John Nkengasong, told of the Africa CDC this week. increased transmission of the the country approach 1 million. “alarming rate of spread” in the The discovery could add to reporters. He said the Nigeria The variant in Nigeria, Africa’s virus in Nigeria. However, the While the variant transmits country, with more than 14,000 new alarm in the pandemic CDC and the African Center of most populous country, was found relative difference in scale of quickly and viral loads are new confirmed cases and more after similar variants were Excellence for Genomics of in two patient samples collected genomic surveillance in Nigeria higher, it is not yet clear than 400 deaths reported announced in Britain and South Infectious Diseases would on Aug.ust3 and on October 9 in vs. the UK may imply a reduced whether it leads to a more Wednesday. It was the largest Africa, leading to the swift analyse more samples. Osun state, according to a working power to detect such changes,” severe disease, he said. “We single-day increase in cases. FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 ASIA 07
Indonesia issues Japan's Abe avoids charges UK travel ban over cherry blossom parties over virus variant REUTERS — JAKARTA AP — TOKYO report fees and payments for the receptions from 2016 to The former prime minister Indonesia has banned trav- Former Prime Minister Shinzo 2019. is set to speak in a ellers from Britain and Abe apologised yesterday after Abe has denied wrongdoing parliamentary session tightened the rules for those prosecutors declined to indict and said yesterday that he had arriving from Europe and him for illegal payments his no knowledge about the illegal today to correct previous Australia to try to limit the office made involving dinner payments until the report about remarks he made about spread of a new coronavirus receptions for his supporters the investigation surfaced last the cherry blossom variant, according to a circular during Japan’s popular cherry month. viewing party expenses. issued by the country’s blossom season. “Even though the COVID-19 task force this week. When Abe resigned in Sep- accounting was done without Foreigners arriving from tember, he cited ill health but my knowledge, I am keenly Britain, where a coronavirus critics have suggested the aware of my moral responsi- Abe’s government, said he takes variant is spreading rapidly, scandal might have been a bility,” Abe told a packed news seriously that the explanation would not be allowed reason. His successor, Yoshihide conference. “I would like to Abe repeatedly provided turned entrance, the circular said. Suga, scrapped the annual deeply and sincerely apologise out to be untrue. Suga also apol- Travellers from Europe Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe holds a news conference cherry blossom viewing party to the people.” ogised that he gave a false and Australia must bring a in Tokyo, yesterday. the day he took office, but his Abe, who remains a law- explanation to parliament based negative swab test result, be government has seen its public maker in Japan’s ruling party, on information he got from Abe retested upon arrival and, even support plunge due to delayed is set to speak in a parlia- and his office. Prosecutors investigated aide, Hiroyuki Haikawa, 61, if that test is negative, quar- coronavirus measures and a mentary session today to The scandal started after whether Abe, his aide and two failed to report that 11.6 million antine for five days. spate of scandals involving correct previous remarks he opposition lawmakers raised executives from his political yen ($111,600 ) in admission fees Doni Monardo, the head of Abe’s former ministers. made about the cherry blossom question about a 2018 dinner support group had subsidised were collected from party the task force, told a radio The Tokyo District Public viewing party expenses. Oppo- party for which Abe’s guests the party fees in violation of guests and a 18.7 million talkshow on Thursday the new Prosecutors Office cited lack of sition lawmakers say Abe gave paid a 5,000 yen ($48) fee. They campaign and election funds ($180,000) payment was made rules for Europe and Australia evidence in deciding not to false statements at least 118 have said that was low for a laws. Japanese law prohibits to the hotel. Abe said Haikawa followed an indication the press charges against Abe. But times. party at an upscale Tokyo hotel politicians from giving gifts to took the charges seriously and virus variant was spreading it formally indicted a longtime Suga, who was the chief and alleged Abe’s office covered constituents. has resigned as his aide. He there. aide who allegedly failed to Cabinet secretary in the difference. The indictment alleged the hasn’t spoken publicly. The circular is effective until Jan. 8. Indonesia has the worst coronavirus outbreak in India: Opposition party demands repeal of farm laws Southeast Asia, with a total of 692,838 cases and 20,589 REUTERS — NEW DELHI procurement procedures and Farmers union leaders deaths so far. open up the market. have accused the government India’s main opposition party Tens of thousands of of trying to weaken and dis- pressed the government farmers have camped out on credit them by describing Fukushima yesterday to call a special national highways for weeks protesting farmers as parliamentary session to demanding the government “anti-nationals”. nuclear debris withdraw new agricultural withdraw the laws that they “You are dealing with laws that farmers say will fear will eventually dismantle protesting farmers in a removal delayed leave them at the mercy of big regulated markets and stop manner as if they are not corporations. the government buying wheat aggrieved citizens but due to pandemic Rahul Gandhi, a senior and rice at guaranteed prices. political rivals,” Samyukta leader from the opposition Six rounds of talks Kisan Morcha, or United AFP — TOKYO Congress party, handed the between government officials Farmers’ Front, a coalition of president a copy of a petition and farmer union leaders farmers unions, said in a The removal of nuclear debris that he said had attracted 20 have failed to resolve the letter addressed to the farm from Japan’s crippled Fuku- million signatures online. deadlock. Prime Minister ministry on Thursday. shima power plant will be “The prime minister wants to Narendra Modi last week “Farmers would be com- delayed by about a year, help two, three business Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi (centre) addresses the media offered to “very humbly” hold pelled to intensify their agi- because the pandemic has set people” by introducing the after meeting President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi, yesterday. further discussions. tation further for their sur- back development of farm laws, said Gandhi, the The government again vival if the government con- specialised equipment, the great-grandson of India’s Jawaharlal Nehru. The gov- passed in September are invited protesting farmers to tinued to treat them in this plant’s operator said founding prime minister ernment says the reforms meant to overhaul antiquated further talks yesterday. manner,” the letter said. yesterday. The Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) had been scheduled to start removing India records South Korea secures vaccines for 16 million people melted fuel from deep inside 24,712 new one of the mangled reactors REUTERS — SEOUL Disease Control and Pre- next year, a decade after the virus cases vention Agency (KDCA), told a nation’s worst ever nuclear South Korea has signed deals briefing. crisis was triggered by a REUTERS — MUMBAI with Pfizer Inc and Johnson & The government had allo- tsunami. Johnson’s Janssen to import cated an additional 1.3 trillion The process is considered India recorded 24,712 new coronavirus vaccines to cover won ($1.2bn) to next year’s the most difficult of the coronavirus infections, taking up to 16 million people, as it budget for vaccines. massive decommissioning its total to 10.12 million, data grapples with the third wave of The KDCA reported 985 programme, which is expected from the health ministry the pandemic, the prime new coronavirus cases as of to take three to four decades showed yesterday. minister said yesterday. Wednesday midnight, bringing to complete. COVID-19 infections are The government has faced the nation’s tally to 53,533, with TEPCO had planned to decreasing in India, with growing public pressure over 756 deaths. develop a robot arm in Britain 23,788 new infections reported their COVID-19 vaccine pro- South Korea has ramped up that would have arrived in on average each day, curement plans as the country testing to more than 55,000 Japan next year to start work according to a Reuters tally. reported its second-highest people a day, compared with — but chief decommissioning The country, which has daily tally of cases on roughly 16,000 a day in Sep- officer Akira Ono told a news recorded the second-highest Wednesday. tember, to track down cases conference that a recent spike A woman walks past a park closed to prevent spread of the number of infections in the Pfizer’s two-dose vaccine, from unknown origin and in COVID-19 infections in the coronavirus infection in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. world after the United States, developed with German partner asymptomatic cases. UK had delayed this. saw a peak of close to 98,000 BioNTech, will be enough to Authorities have shut down “It will now be difficult to cases on a single day in Sep- cover 10 million people and its people to 6 million and will be AstraZeneca Plc, which will be all ski resorts and winter tourist transfer the system in January tember. A total of 146,756 shipment is expected in the ready for inoculation from the shipped as early as January next spots and banned gatherings of as scheduled,” Ono said, people have died of the coro- third quarter of 2021. second quarter. year, and is in final talks with more than four in a bid to stop adding he hoped the delay navirus so far, with 312 of “We are mobilising the The Pfizer and Janssen deals Moderna Inc to sign a deal in the spread during the Christmas would be limited to a year. those deaths occurring in the entire national capabilities to are part of a government plan January to secure 20 million and New Year holidays. The removal process is last 24 hours, the ministry said. bring in the shipments within to buy enough doses from four doses. Asia’s fourth largest expected to take several years the second quarter,” Prime Min- drugmakers and the global Health authorities will start economy won international for the number two unit, which ister Chung Sye-kyun told a tel- COVAX initiative, backed by the a public vaccination pro- plaudits earlier this year when is estimated to contain some Sri Lanka locks evised briefing. “The negoti- World Health Organization, that gramme as early as February it quickly tamped down out- 237 tonnes of debris, Kyodo ation is underway.” will allow immunisation of at next year, which will be com- breaks with aggressive, high- News said. down 3 towns as Chung said the doses from least 85% of South Korea’s pop- pleted around November, tech contact tracing, but offi- Altogether, three melted- Janssen — J&J’s pharmaceuticals ulation of 52 million. before the start of the flu cials acknowledged over-con- down units are estimated to spread persists division — were added from the The government had season, Yang Dong-gyo, a fidence that left them straining house around 880 tonnes of initial amount for 4 million already signed a deal with senior official at the Korea to contain a third wave. debris. AP — COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
Sri Lankan authorities yesterday imposed lockdown Indian firm to make vaccine on three towns on the outskirts of the capital to contain the spread of COVID-19 during the for supply to Unicef in deal festive season. REUTERS — BENGALURU it could currently produce 220 million Kosgama, Awissawella and doses, but is ramping up its facilities Ruwanwella, about 60 km east Aurobindo Pharma Ltd said yesterday to reach a capacity of nearly 480 of Colombo, were locked it would make and sell US-based million by June 2021. Its licensing deal down from noon yesterday. COVAXX’s COVID-19 vaccine comes as COVID-19 infections in India Lockdowns have been candidate for supply in India and to continue to rise after crossing 10 applied in dozens of towns and the United Nations Children’s Fund million last week. villages since a resurgence of (Unicef) under a licensing deal. It’s the second worst-hit nation by the coronavirus in the Indian The Indian drugmaker also has the pandemic after the United States. Ocean island nation in non-exclusive rights to sell the shot — Reuters reported on Tuesday that the October. Schools and key which is currently undergoing an country is likely to approve Oxford/ public offices have been early-stage trial — in certain other AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine for closed, public gatherings emerging markets, the Hyderabad- emergency use by next week. India, banned and restrictions based company said in an exchange the world’s biggest vaccine producing imposed on public transport. filing. COVAXX, a unit of privately- country, is also considering emergency The two clusters that owned United Biomedical Inc, plans use auhorisation applications for vac- emerged in October - one cen- to pursue mid- and late-stage trials cines made by Pfizer and local tered on a garment factory and for the vaccine candidate from early company Bharat Biotech. other on a fish market - 2021 in Asia, Latin America and the Last month, COVAXX said it had account for most of Sri Lanka’s United States. received purchase commitments outbreak. The confirmed cases The companies said the shot uses totaling $2.8bn to deliver more than from the two clusters have Tight security normal refrigeration as opposed to the 140 million doses of its potential grown to 34,959 yesterday. Sri freezing temperatures required for COVID-19 vaccine to developing coun- Police and soldiers stand guard outside a church in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, yesterday. Lanka’s total since March is some vaccines, seen as beneficial for tries, including Brazil, Peru and about 38,600. developing countries. Aurobindo said Ecuador. 08 VIEWS FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020
Established in 1996
CHAIRMAN DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]
ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]
DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED OSMAN ALI [email protected]
A healthcare worker in personal protective equipment (PPE) takes a swab from a man for a rapid antigen test at a drive-through testing EDITORIAL site, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in Athens, Greece. Qatar’s vaccination campaign The silver lining of 2020 QATAR started vaccinating its population against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Wednesday, GPT-3 technology allows for the had announced for the year. becoming one of only a handful of countries to have creation of remarkably human- Toyota and other companies have rolled out the vaccine against the pandemic. like writing of great depth and announced major progress on bat- Dr. Abdullah Al Kubaisi, a 79-year-old retired Qatari complexity. It is a major step teries for electric vehicles, and the academic, was the first to receive the vaccine developed toward the creation of automated related products are expected to by Pfizer-BioNTech in Qatar. Mohammed Frazat, an entities that can react in very debut in 2021. 88-year-old Syrian was the second person in Qatar and human ways. DeepMind, mean- All this will prove a boon for first expatriate who receive the jab. TYLER COWEN while, has used computational the environment, as will progress The government has announced that the vaccination BLOOMBERG techniques to make major in solar power, which in many set- will be free for all citizens and residents. It has also said advances in protein folding. This is tings is as cheap as any relevant that everybody will be able to get the vaccine in 2021. For obvious reasons, 2020 will not a breakthrough in biology that alternative. China is opening a new This will be the country’s largest ever vaccination go down as a good year. At the may lead to the easier discovery of and promising fusion reactor. campaign. same time, it has brought more new pharmaceuticals. Despite the absence of a coherent Hundreds of citizens and residents have received scientific progress than any year in One general precondition US national energy policy, the the first dose of the vaccine over the past two days. recent memory - and these behind many of these advances is notion of a mostly green energy People over 70 years of age, healthcare personnel most advances will last long after the decentralized access to future no longer appears utopian. at risk of COVID-19 infection and people with chronic COVID-19 as a major threat is gone. enormous computing power, typi- In previous eras, advances in diseases will get the vaccine during the first phase of Two of the most obvious and cally through cloud computing. energy and transportation typi- vaccination which lasts until January 31. tangible signs of progress are the China seems to be progressing cally have brought further techno- The vaccination is taking place at seven health Two of the most mRNA vaccines now being dis- with a photon method for logical advances, by enabling centres across the country and the Ministry of Public tributed across America and quantum computing, a devel- humans to conquer and reshape Health (MoPH) is directly contacting those eligible for obvious and around the world. These vaccines opment that is hard to verify but their physical environments in the vaccination in the first phase. tangible signs appear to have very high levels of could prove to be of great new and unexpected ways. We MoPH has worked hard since the early stages of of progress efficacy and safety, and they can importance. can hope that general trend will vaccine development at the start of the pandemic to be produced more quickly than Computational biology, in par- continue. ensure Qatar was among the first countries in the world are the mRNA more conventional vaccines. They ticular, is booming. The Moderna Finally, while not quite to get a safe, effective and approved COVID-19 vaccine. vaccines now are the main reason to have a rela- vaccine mRNA was designed in meeting the definition of a scien- The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Qatar is using has met tively optimistic outlook for 2021. two days, and without access to tific advance, the rise of remote all safety and efficacy standards and has been approved being distributed The mRNA technology also may Covid-19 itself, a remarkable work is a real breakthrough. Many for emergency use by regulators in the US, European across America have broader potential, for achievement that would not have more Zoom meetings will be held, Union, the UK, Canada, as well as the Ministry of Public instance by helping to mend been possible only a short while and many business trips will never Health’s Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical and around the damaged hearts. ago. This likely heralds the arrival return. Many may see this as a Control. The vaccine consists of two shots, given three world. These Other advances in the bio- of many other future break- mixed blessing, but it will improve weeks apart. Though the vaccine is not compulsory, sciences may prove no less throughs from computational productivity significantly. It will be health officials have encouraged everyone to take the vaccines appear stunning. A very promising biology. easier to hire foreign workers, shot. to have very vaccine candidate against malaria, Internet access itself will be easier for tech or finance workers Officials said people will be required to continue high levels of perhaps the greatest killer in spreading. Starlink, for example, to move to Miami, and easier to taking precautions until about 70 percent of the popu- human history, is in the final stages has a plausible plan to supply sat- live in New Jersey and commute lation is vaccinated against COVID-19. efficacy and of testing. Advances in vaccine ellite-based internet connections into Manhattan only once a week. In addition to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Qatar safety, and they technology have created the real to the entire world. The most productive employees has also signed an agreement to get the COVID-19 possibility of a universal flu It also has been a good year for will be able to work from home vaccine developed by US biotech firm Moderna, which can be produced vaccine, and work is proceeding progress in transportation. more easily. Without a doubt, it has already been approved by the US authorities for more quickly on that front. New CRISPR tech- Driverless vehicles appeared has been a tragic year. Alongside emergency use. niques appear on the verge of van- to be stalled, but Walmart will be the sadness and failure, however, The vaccination campaign comes after preventive than more quishing sickle-cell anemia, and using them on some truck deliv- there has been quite a bit of and precautionary measured put in place by Qatar suc- conventional other CRISPR methods have eries in 2021. Boom, a startup that progress. That’s something worth cessfully contained the pandemic. Qatar’s effective allowed scientists to create a new is pushing to develop feasible and keeping in mind, even if we can’t response has seen a steady fall in the new virus cases vaccines. smartphone-based diagnostic test affordable supersonic flight, now quite bring ourselves to celebrate, in recent months. There are only 1,958 currently active that would detect viruses and offer has a valuation of over $1 billion, as we look back on 2020. COVID-19 cases in the country with over 140,000 diagnoses within half an hour. with prototypes expected next recovered cases. Qatar has also maintained one of the It has been a good year for year. SpaceX achieved virtually The author is a Bloomberg opinion world’s lowest mortality rates from COVID-19. artificial intelligence as well. every launch and rocket goal it columnist. COVID-19 and risk of intergenerational malnutrition D-RING ROAD, POST BOX: 3488, DOHA - QATAR LAWRENCE HADDAD AND Why is this? Because of the and health system experts who nutrition as well, with 2.1 EMAIL: [email protected] SASKIA OSENDARP pandemic’s impact on share a deep concern about the million additional maternal AL JAZEERA nutrition. potentially devastating impacts anemia cases, and 2.1 million EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE: TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 The pandemic is really three of the crisis on nutrition, has children born to mothers with a FAX: +974 4455 7758 The calendar is about to turn crises in one. First, the eco- been actively researching the low body-mass index, putting the page over to a new year nomic crisis has led to job loss, scale and reach of COVID- these children at a disadvantage MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4462 7505 and that new year brings hope income loss and a reduction in related nutrition challenges. from the very start. These addi- for a world currently gripped the global gross domestic What we found is not encour- tional cases of anemia during DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: TEL: 4455 7769 by a pandemic that has product (GDP). Second, a food aging. The consortium is pro- pregnancy would result in wreaked havoc for months. system crisis has disrupted food jecting that the COVID-19 crisis $79m in lost productivity LOCAL NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7743 COVID-19 has made 2020 the supplies and limited the availa- could result in a nutrition crisis between 2020 and 2022, year we wish we could forget bility of food in markets, espe- for low- and middle-income further exacerbating the eco- BUSINESS NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4462 7535 but never will. With the roll-out cially nutritious foods, while the countries in the next three nomic crisis and the subsequent of vaccines, the end of the price of food has also increased. years and beyond. impact on access to nutritious SPORT NEWS SECTION: TEL: 4455 7745 pandemic and its related global Third, the health crisis and the Recent findings from the foods, health services and more. disruptions seem to be in sight. related lockdowns have led to consortium published as a pre- If we do not act now, we ONLINE SECTION: TEL: 4462 7501 But not everyone will be able to reduced access to health and print in Nature Foods project run the risk of reversing years of email: [email protected] breathe a sigh of relief. nutrition services and limited that by 2022 this nutrition crisis progress and letting inequalities While COVID-19 infections health resources have been could result in an additional 9.3 increase. We would lose a whole PUBLIC RELATIONS: TEL: 4455 7613 may have had the worst impact diverted to front-line pre- million wasted and 2.6 million generation, as the damage of email: [email protected] on the elderly and those with vention and treatment of stunted children. Wasting or undernutrition cannot be pre-existing health conditions, COVID-19. These crises have acute malnutrition is still one of undone. So, what can we do? We ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 the disruptions it caused and been particularly pronounced the biggest killers among can stand together and invest in FAX: 4455 7870, email: [email protected] continue to cause have been in countries in the Global South. children in low- and middle- what works – in what gives us most severe on the world’s vul- How is this triple threat income countries. The increase the best return on our investment CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT: TEL: 4455 7857 nerable, especially mothers, affecting nutrition? The in the number of wasted and in what will be a catalyst for email: [email protected] pregnant women and children Standing Together for Nutrition children could result in an addi- all our other investments: health, in low- and middle-income consortium, a group of tional 168,000 child deaths. The education, productivity. We must SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION: TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 countries. nutrition, economics, and food pandemic will affect maternal invest in nutrition. FAX: 44557819, email: [email protected]
www.thepeninsula.qa Quote of the day /PeninsulaQatar
/ThePeninsulaQatar It was a long and winding road. But we have got a good deal to show for it. It is /Peninsula_Qatar fair, it is a balanced deal, and it is the right /ThePeninsulaNewspaper and responsible thing to do for both sides. Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President +974 6698 6188 FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 ASIA 09 Pakistan court orders release of accused in Daniel Pearl murder
AP— KARACHI The court order said the saying it would endanger the public. provincial government’s The Supreme Court will resume its A provincial court in Pakistan hearing on January 5. yesterday ordered the release of a detention orders were Siddiqi, the Pearl family lawyer, British-born Pakistani man charged in illegal and that neither the said he expects the appeal to be the 2002 murder of American jour- decided by the Supreme Court by the nalist Daniel Pearl. provincial nor the federal end of January. The Sindh High Court’s release government had cause Sheikh was convicted of helping order overturns government detention to keep Sheikh or three lure Pearl to a meeting in the southern orders that Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Pakistani port city of Karachi, in which the key suspect in Pearl’s slaying, others, also charged in he was kidnapped. should remain in custody. Sheikh was Pearl’s murder, behind Pearl had been investigating the acquitted earlier this year of murdering link between Pakistani militants and Pearl, but has been held while Pearl’s bars. Richard C Reid, dubbed the “Shoe family appeals the acquittal. Bomber” after trying to blow up a flight “The detention order is struck from Paris to Miami with explosives down,” said Faisal Siddiqi, the family’s illegal and that neither the provincial hidden in his shoes. lawyer. He said Sheikh would be freed nor the federal government had cause A gruesome video of Pearl’s until the appeal is completed, but to keep Sheikh or three others, also beheading was sent to the US con- would return to prison if the family is charged in Pearl’s murder, behind bars. sulate. The 38-year-old Wall Street successful in overturning the acquittal. Sheikh was sentenced to death and Journal reporter from Encino, Cali- However, Siddiqi said the Sindh the others to life in prison for their role fornia was abducted January 23, 2002. provincial government is appealing the in the plot. But in April, the Sindh High In Sheikh’s original trial, emails order to release Sheikh. Court acquitted them, a move that between Sheikh and Pearl presented Sheikh’s lawyer Mehmood A stunned the US government, Pearl’s in court showed Sheikh gained Pearl’s Sheikh, with whom he is not related, family and journalism advocacy confidence sharing their experiences People walk as the high court ordered the release of Omar Saeed Sheikh on the called for his client’s immediate groups. as both waited for the birth of their first murder case of American journalist Daniel Pearl, outside the Sindh High Court release. The acquittal is now being appealed child. Pearl’s wife Marianne Pearl gave in Karachi, yesterday. The court order, a copy of which separately by both the Pakistani gov- birth to a son, Adam, in May 2002. was obtained by AP, said the provincial ernment and Pearl’s family. The gov- Evidence entered into court death, giving the American journalist to introduce him to a cleric with mil- government’s detention orders were ernment has opposed Sheikh’s release, accused Sheikh of luring Pearl to his a false sense of security as he promised itant links.
Afghan women’s Cambodia adds human trafficking lessons to schools rights activist
REUTERS — PHNOM PENH trafficking in school and among forced to marry in China — a deputy head of the Cambodian Particular attention should shot dead youths,” Ros Soveacha told the trend that has doubled during government’s counter-traf- be paid to border provinces, School students in Cambodia Thomson Reuters Foundation. the coronavirus pandemic, ficking agency said. where children are increasingly AP — KABUL will learn about the dangers Sex trafficking will be a spe- according to campaigners. “Education is part of pre- targeted by “brokers” for labour and laws around human traf- cific focus of the new lessons, The pandemic has also vention,” said Chou Bun Eng, exploitation and forced mar- An Afghan women’s rights ficking from an updated which will also cover drug given rise to a new wave of traf- whose office developed the riage, said Chan Saron, a activist was shot and killed by syllabus starting in 2021, offi- offences and other crimes, he ficking to Thailand, where more lessons with the education min- program manager at anti-traf- unknown gunmen in northern cials said. said. than one million Cambodians istry and will train teachers to ficking charity Chab Dai. Kapisa province, an Interior The Southeast Asian country More than 260,000 of Cam- work illegally, including thou- deliver them. “Children need to know Ministry official said yesterday. — which faces US sanctions if bodia’s 16 million people are sands trapped by debt bondage “If people still hesitate ... to specifics: What are the tricks of Tariq Arian, a spokesman it does not improve its record trapped in modern slavery, in the fishing, farming and man- protect vulnerable people, then the brokers? What is forced for the Interior Ministry, said on human trafficking by next according to the Global Slavery ufacturing sectors. there is no way to stop the marriage? What is the reality of Freshta Kohistani was assas- year — will add lessons for Index by the Australia-based The new lessons will help damage.” the situation in China, Thailand sinated by unknown gunmen primary and high school stu- Walk Free Foundation, many students understand the dif- Campaigners praised the or Vietnam?” he said. in the Kohistan district of dents, a spokesman for the edu- of them children. ferent forms of human traf- initiative but said it would only “There are always new Kapisa. Kohistani’s brother cation ministry said. Thousands more are ficking, the roles of schools and be effective if lessons delved strains of trafficking, but if we was wounded in the attack, he “Hopefully, students learn thought to be trafficked inter- communities in prevention, and into the mechanics of can teach children these things, said. about the ways to stop human nationally, including women the relevant laws and rights, the trafficking. they will be much safer.” Kohistani, a former pro- vincial council member, organised protests and raised awareness on social media Thailand confident virus about violence against women in Afghanistan. The attack was the latest outbreak is controllable amid relentless violence in Afghanistan even as Taliban AP — BANGKOK possible cases by identifying and Afghan government nego- vendors’ major customers, and tiators hold talks in Qatar, Thailand’s government is about 10,000 people at risk trying to hammer out a peace confident it can contain a major have been tested. Cases traced deal that could put an end to coronavirus resurgence to the Samut Sakhon market decades of war. without a national lockdown, have been found in 27 prov- No one immediately instead relying on provincial inces, the government said. claimed responsibility for yes- controls as the outbreak mainly Health authorities yes- terday’s attack, but the IS mil- among migrant seafood terday confirmed 67 new cases, itant group has claimed workers continued to spread. bringing the nation’s total to responsibility for multiple “I can assure that the 5,829 including 60 deaths. New attacks in Kabul in recent government will do its best,” cases among migrant workers months, including on educa- Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- were not reported on tional institutions that killed ocha said in a live televised Wednesday and yesterday, 50 people, most of them address after a meeting of the with the explanation that they students. government’s COVID-19 coor- were being rechecked. Violence in Afghanistan dinating centre. “The Public The government’s strategy has spiked even during Taliban Health Ministry confirms to me to contain the outbreak is to and Afghan government peace that it is controllable if impose restrictions by negotiations, which began in everyone gives cooperation.” province. September. The talks, after Thailand generally has Samut Sakhon is designated some recent procedural been seen as successful in com- a “highly controlled” area, progress, have been sus- bating the coronavirus due where there are field hospitals Treats for rhinos pended until early January and partly to its well-regarded to isolate patients, non- Rhinos are given boxes of Christmas treats during the 10th annual Christmas cracker event at Orana there is speculation the public health infrastructure and essential businesses are closed, Wildlife Park on the outskirts of Christchurch, in New Zealand, yesterday. resumption could be further people’s adherence to mask- people are supposed to work delayed. wearing and other protocols. from home and New Year’s cel- But cases have jumped sig- ebrations are banned. The nificantly since an outbreak province is a centre for was detected last week among industry, and some factories Singapore confirms first case of new virus variant migrants from Myanmar will be allowed to continue working at a seafood market in operating. REUTERS — SINGAPORE isolated upon arrival, and their from Europe recently. tested negative at the end of Samut Sakorn, a province near Bangkok falls into the close contacts had been quar- The strain was found among their quarantine period. Bangkok. Millions of low-wage second most serious category Singapore has confirmed its antined earlier. 31 cases from Europe, who The health ministry said it jobs in Thailand are filled by of “controlled.” Public estab- first case of the new corona- “There is currently no evi- arrived in Singapore between had been able to ring-fence the workers from less affluent lishments will have limited virus variant found in the dence that the B117 strain is cir- November 17 and December 17 case so that there was no neighbouring countries. hours but can remain open. United Kingdom, the city-state culating in the community,” and were confirmed to have further transmission. Confirm- Since Sunday, more than There will be no public New said, while 11 others who were Singapore’s health ministry said COVID-19 this month. atory results were pending for 1,000 migrant workers have Year’s celebrations, and private already in quarantine had late on Wednesday, referring The patient with the new the other 11 cases. tested positive for the virus, celebrations should be limited returned preliminarily positive to the new, potentially more variant came to Singapore from Singapore has blocked vis- along with Thais working or in size. Most of the country, results for the new strain. infectious UK strain. the UK on December 6, had been itors with recent travel history living near the seafood market, those provinces with fewer All the cases, which were Singapore has been con- quarantined on arrival and to the UK to prevent the new which supplies much of the than 10 cases of COVID-19, fall imported from Europe, had ducting viral genomic tested positive on December 8. strain from spreading in the city- country. into two categories of been placed in 14-day quar- sequencing for confirmed All her close contacts had been state that has reported almost Contact tracers tracked surveillance. antine at dedicated facilities or COVID-19 cases who arrived placed on quarantine, and had zero new local infections daily. Facebook bans Australian celebrity chef over misinformation
AFP — SYDNEY Facebook said yesterday The former chef’s page on munity transmission. criticism that the platform is ditched Evans and his books that it would not “allow anyone Instagram — a Facebook- Evans said on Instagram debasing public debate, were pulled from the shelves Facebook has banned to share misinformation about owned platform — with yesterday that he was glad to Facebook has also announced after he posted a “black sun” Australian celebrity chef and COVID-19 that could lead to 278,000 followers is still active, be “one of the catalysts for a a ban on accounts linked to the Nazi symbol on social media. conspiracy theorist Pete Evans imminent physical harm” or however, and includes posts conversation” about freedom QAnon conspiracy group. The Australian chef denies for repeatedly spreading misin- falsehoods about coronavirus that encourage Sydney resi- of speech and described the Evans was previously trafficking in lies, and formation about the COVID-19. vaccines. dents to defy public health offi- science around the pandemic known for promoting pseudo- denounces what he calls “fear- With more than a million “We have clear policies cials and refuse to get tested for as “BS”. scientific dieting ideas — often based propaganda.” social media followers, Evans against this type of content and the virus. Facebook has previously linked to his own commercial “The pandemic is a hoax. It had been an influential pro- we’ve removed Chef Pete Evans’ Australia’s largest city is banned some high profile enterprises — such as the pal- is as simple as that” he told AFP moter of conspiracy theories Facebook Page for repeated currently battling to contain a accounts that peddled misin- aeolithic diet, earning him the earlier this year, without about the pandemic and violations of these policies,” the cluster of more 100 cases that formation and hate speech. nickname “Paleo” Pete. offering any credible vaccines. company said in a statement. ended months of low com- Under fierce scrutiny and Several companies recently evidence. 10 EUROPE FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 Truckers, travellers leave UK after virus gridlock
AP — DOVER, ENGLAND Some 1,000 trucks hospitals or care homes. have departed the UK The majority of new positive Truckers and travellers stuck in cases confirmed in the city were a days-long gridlock at the via the Eurotunnel believed to be the coronavirus English port of Dover started to France, the Road variant, the statistics office said. heading to France after the Haulage Association For England as a whole, it esti- country partially reopened its mated that about half of all new borders with Britain following said, but more cases could be the new variant. international concern over a than 5,000 drivers Officials say the new variant rapidly spreading new corona- remained stranded is dangerous because it is more virus variant. transmissible, though they However, thousands of at the Dover ferry stress there is no evidence it stranded truck drivers still crossing. makes people more ill. awaited their turns to cross the Christmas gatherings and English Channel, held up by the festive shopping were cancelled slow delivery of coronavirus clubs and restaurants and call for millions at the last minute Freight trucks remain queued up on the M20 motorway, southbound, leading to the Port of Dover at tests. Trucks inched slowly off holiday travel plans to curb in a bid to control the spread of Mersham in south east England yesterday. Rail and sea links between UK and France are to remain open forward to the ferries and trains a new, much more contagious the virus and ensure hospitals, over Christmas to clear the backlog of thousands of trucks stranded by a new strain of coronavirus. that link Britain with France, as version of the virus. many of which are nearing authorities checked that drivers Infection rates continue to capacity, are not overwhelmed. the UK via the Eurotunnel to added. Shapps said British and food at this time of year, espe- could show the negative virus soar, particularly in London and In Dover, two dozen French France, the Road Haulage Asso- French authorities have agreed cially fresh fruit and vegetables. tests now required to cross. surrounding areas. The capital firefighters and British military ciation said, but more than 5,000 to keep the border between the The announcement of the Officials warned the backlog now has the highest rate of were working with health offi- drivers remained stranded at the countries open throughout coronavirus variant came as could take days to clear, and people testing positive in the cials to test thousands of Dover ferry crossing. Christmas to help truck drivers Europe has been walloped by many truckers will likely spend country, according to the latest truckers, who must return a “Due to the logistical issues and travellers get home. soaring new virus infections Christmas waiting in their cabs. figures. The Office for National negative COVID-19 test to make that have prevented freight France’s temporary and deaths. Europe as a whole Dozens of countries swiftly Statistics estimated that 2.1 the crossing. getting to the port, we have shutdown of the border raised has recorded over 500,000 halted travel from the UK last percent of the people in London Transport Secretary Grant unfortunately only been able to the most concerns because virus-related deaths, weekend after British Prime had COVID-19 in mid-December, Shapps said on Twitter that of the transport 144 trucks out of France is a major conduit for according to a tally by Johns Minister Boris Johnson said compared to around 1.18 percent, 2,367 virus tests administered at Dover,” shipping company DFDS trade and travel between Britain Hopkins University that London and other areas of or one in 85 people, for the wider the port as of Thursday afternoon, said. The company is scrambling and the continent. The UK relies experts agree is probably an southern England had to close population in England. The just three turned out positive. to arrange Christmas Day sailings heavily on cross-Channel com- undercount due to missed all non-essential stores, shutter figures do not include people in Some 1,000 trucks have departed to help clear the backlog, it mercial links to the continent for cases and other factors. Half of Russians sceptical Germany records first case of virus Navalny was poisoned variant from UK
REUTERS — MOSCOW him. Navalny on Monday AFP — BERLIN released a recording of him Half of Russians believe that speaking by phone to a man he Germany yesterday recorded Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny described as a state security its first case of the mutant was either not poisoned, as he agent who told him, among other coronavirus variant sweeping and Western governments things, that the poison had been Britain, after a woman who contend, or that his poisoning placed in his underpants. flew in from London tested was stage-managed by The FSB has called that positive for the strain. Western intelligence services. recording a fake designed to “It is the first known case A poll, released by the discredit it, however, and has in Germany,” the health min- Levada-Center, shows how said that foreign intelligence istry of Baden-Wuerttemberg hard it remains for Navalny to services helped Navalny make state said in a statement. shape public opinion in Russia it while the Kremlin has The woman had arrived in even as his case attracts wide mocked Navalny and tried to Frankfurt airport on December media attention in the West and call his sanity into question. 20 from London Heathrow. his own slickly-produced The poll by Levada showed She was driven home by her videos of what happened to only 15 percent of Russians relatives into quarantine after him this summer rack up mil- believed what happened to testing positive for COVID-19 lions of views online. Navalny was an attempt by the on arrival at the airport. Navalny, one of President authorities to rid themselves of A day later, she began Vladimir Putin’s most out- a political opponent. showing mild symptoms and Skiers wear protective face masks on a chairlift amid the spread of the coronavirus disease, in spoken critics, was airlifted to By contrast, 30 percent a second test also turned up Semmering, Austria, yesterday. Germany for medical treatment thought that the incident was positive. A sample of her swab in August after collapsing on a stage-managed and that there test was sent to a specialised plane in Russia. Germany has was no poisoning, and 19 percent laboratory for further analysis. said he was poisoned with a said they believed it was a prov- “Today the virus variant Soviet-style Novichok nerve ocation orchestrated by Western B.1.1.7 was detected there,” Ski resorts in Austria reopen agent in an attempt to murder intelligence services. The same added the regional ministry. AFP — VIENNA Steibl, head of tourism for the lifts won’t be economically him, an assertion many poll, which canvassed 1,617 Germany on Tuesday extended Ischgl resort, said in a recent viable, and some, like Ischgl, Western nations accept. Russians aged 18 or older, a ban on arrivals from the Austria allowed its more than interview. Ishcgl gained are opting to open only a small A joint media investigation showed that 7 percent thought United Kingdom until January 400 ski stations to open yes- infamy as the resort where section of their network of last week named agents from it was revenge by someone he 6 after the new strain, which terday, just two days before the thousands of international cable cars and lifts. Russia’s FSB security service it had targeted in one of his anti- British authorities say is more country enters its third skiers got infected in one of After the pandemic cut the said were behind the plot to kill corruption investigations. infectious, appeared there. nationwide virus lockdown. Europe’s first, large-scale out- last ski season short — which At the beginning of this breaks in March. led to a drop of a million ski month the government Like most other ski resorts tourists in the western province announced it was allowing ski in Austria, Ischgl draws tens of of Tyrol alone — resorts Macron free of COVID-19 symptoms stations to open on December thousands of people each year. invested millions of euros in 24, and has stuck by the The skiing industry accounts for disinfection devices for cable AFP — PARIS charge “of the main issues of holiday period could see a new decision even after a third close to three percent of Aus- cars, masks for skiers and even current affairs of our country” spike in infections, after the lockdown was announced last tria’s total GDP and is politi- apps that help the skiers spread French President Emmanuel during his self-isolation, and country’s total Covid death toll week. As an outdoor sport, the cially well-connected. out and avoid crowds. Macron is free of COVID-19 would continue to do so in the rose to nearly 62,000 this week. government says skiing can be For example, the head of Ischgl alone says it spent symptoms, his office said yes- coming hours and days, it said. Authorities said late on practised safely if sufficient the association of cable car €700,000 ($853,000) on terday, a week after he tested Macron, who had tested Wednesday that nearly 15,000 precautions are taken. operators also sits as a member COVID-19 safety measures, positive for the coronavirus. positive for the virus last new cases had been reported However, hotels, clubs and of parliament for the governing now boasting its own COVID The President, who was in Thursday showing symptoms in the previous 24 hours, and restaurants remain closed, centre-right People’s Party testing stations and a lab, and self-isolation at an official res- of fatigue, coughing and muscle 278 new deaths. A vaccination effectively limiting the slopes (OeVP) of Chancellor Sebastian monitoring waste water for idence near Paris from where aches, promised daily updates campaign is to start on Sunday, to locals, while the lockdown Kurz. In the western province traces of the virus. he ran meetings remotely, no on his health. with health workers and older will also force the country’s of Tyrol, skiing is one of the Neighbouring Switzerland longer needs to remain in quar- His office reported “signs of people among the first to get shops and much of its service main economic drivers, with six has allowed some ski resorts to antine, the Elysee Palace added. improvement” for the first time jabs, the government said. industry to close until million skiers flocking there open, but the industry there has Macron “shows no on Wednesday, having in pre- The EU gave the green light mid-January. each year, roughly eight for been hard hit by quarantine symptoms a this stage”, the vious statements described the for the Pfizer-BioNTech coro- “This is a first step, and we every local. orders slapped on British vis- statement said, and “the iso- 43-year old president’s con- navirus vaccine on Monday, hope that we can fully open Without tourists, many itors, who normally make up a lation of the President can dition as “stable”. paving the way for the first soon — as soon as the infection resorts have said that grooming large part of its clientele, as well therefore end after seven days”. The French authorities are inoculations to start across 27 rates allow for it,” Andreas the slopes and operating the as a flight ban from the UK. Macron had remained in concerned that the Christmas countries soon after Christmas. Russia registers record number of daily virus infections
AFP — MOSCOW nearly 165,000 year-on-year between Although stringent restrictions March and October, suggesting virus have been imposed in some major Russia yesterday registered record deaths could be much higher. cities, authorities in many regions numbers for daily infections and Officials on Wednesday also reg- have limited measures to requiring deaths from the coronavirus, as the istered a record number of new infec- mask-wearing in public spaces and country avoids reimposing a tions in the capital Moscow, the epi- reducing mass gatherings. nationwide lockdown. centre of Russia’s outbreak. Many Russians however flout Health officials reported 29,935 The records came after officials social distancing and mask-wearing new infections, bringing the country’s said that Russia does not need to rules and in recent weeks the out- caseload to 2,963,688 — the fourth- reintroduce a nationwide lockdown break has overwhelmed underfunded highest in the world. They also regis- like the one at the start of the pan- hospitals in the regions. tered 635 deaths, increasing total demic in the spring. Instead of a lockdown Russia has fatalities to 53,096 since the beginning During his annual end-of-year pinned its hopes on its homemade of the pandemic. press conference last week, President vaccine, Sputnik V — named after the Russia’s death rate is much lower Vladimir Putin rejected the idea of Soviet-era satellite. than that of other badly hit countries, imposing the kind of lockdown many The capital has launched a mass raising concerns that authorities could European countries have introduced vaccination drive starting with those be downplaying the scale of the out- going into the Christmas holidays. “If in high risk groups, including teachers, break. Data published by the coun- we follow the rules and demands of health and transport workers. A woman wearing a face mask to protect against the coronavirus disease walks past try’s statistics service earlier this health regulators, then we do not need But Russians have so far been an art installation in Moscow yesterday. month indicated excess deaths of any lockdowns,” Putin said. slow in getting the jab. FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 EUROPE / AMERICAS 11 After EU, what’s next for ‘Global Britain’ AFP — LONDON European leaders hail A brave new world or a dan- gerous leap into the unknown? After nearly 50 years of inte- post-Brexit accord gration with Europe, Britain starts an uncertain new chapter AFP — BRUSSELS on January 1. Political leaders in Europe yesterday hailed the belated sealing What changes on January 1? of a UK-EU post-Brexit deal that aims to lay the groundwork for Britain formally quit the long-term future cooperation. European Union in January this BRITAIN: Prime Minister Boris Johnson lauded what he termed year but has continued to “a good deal for the whole of Europe,” which offers “a new sta- observe all its rules during a bility and a new certainty” to relations. Former prime ministers transition period. David Cameron and Theresa May, who both resigned over Brexit, That half-way house ends dubbed the deal “very welcome”. May said it “provides confi- at 2300 GMT on December 31. dence to business and helps keep trade flowing”. So from 2021, it will stand on EUROPEAN UNION: “It was worth fighting for this deal. We its own, for better or worse. now have a fair & balanced agreement with the UK. It will protect A new trade deal, agreed our EU interests, ensure fair competition & provide predictability yesterday, will smooth the path for our fishing communities,” said European Commission chief by lifting the prospect of tariffs Ursula von der Leyen. and quotas for cross-Channel Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier warned “this agreement goods, from cars to lamb. will require efforts”, and notably pledged support to EU fishermen Without a deal, imports and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a news conference in Downing Street on the outcome of and women after fishing proved the toughest of issues to resolve. exports would have faced the Brexit negotiations, in London, Britain, yesterday. IRELAND: Prime Minister Micheal Martin said the deal “rep- serious disruption with the resents a good compromise and a balanced outcome” which will abrupt return of barriers that risk of chaos after January 1. it is time for the makers, the election was to “get Brexit avoid a hard border on the border with Northern Ireland, stressing have not existed for decades. doers and the innovators to help done” and focus both money “the UK will always be a close friend and partner”. There are fears that certain What is Global Britain? us write our most exciting and attention on parts of the NORTHERN IRELAND: “This is the start of a new era in foodstuffs and medicines could Brexiteers argue the EU chapter yet,” International country that have failed to the relationship between the UK and the EU and in Northern run short. Britain got a glimpse has held Britain back through Trade Secretary Liz Truss benefit from London’s finance- Ireland we will want to maximise the opportunities the new of what that might look like onerous regulation and it can declared in October, touting UK driven growth. arrangements provide for our local economy,” said First Min- when France shut its borders to now embark on a bucca- exports of everything from That “levelling up” agenda ister Arlene Foster. freight in response to the dis- neering new mission to clotted cream to robots. to bring new investment such SCOTLAND: “Before the spin starts, it’s worth remembering covery of a new variant of the support free trade around the Truss has already signed a as high-speed rail to northern that Brexit is happening against Scotland’s will. And there is no coronavirus. world, according to a February post-Brexit trade deal with Japan England has been side-tracked deal that will ever make up for what Brexit takes away from us. But even with a deal, the speech by Prime Minister Boris and Canada, Singapore and Swit- by the pandemic. It’s time to chart our own future as an independent, European future won’t be seamless. UK Johnson. zerland, among others. It is also Some Brexiteers want a nation,” said First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. exporters will still need to file A month after Johnson’s eyeing a deal with India, and radical overhaul of Britain’s FRANCE: “Europe’s unity and firmness paid off,” tweeted reams of new customs speech, Britain was forced into negotiating others with the economic model, to turn the President Macron, adding “the agreement with the United Kingdom paperwork to prove their goods national lockdown by the coro- United States, Australia and New country into “Singapore on is essential to protect our citizens, our fishermen, our producers” have authorisation to enter the navirus pandemic. If the world Zealand. Further deals in the Thames” — a lightly regulated, and concluding that “Europe is progressing, and can look to the EU’s single market. ever gets back to normality, the pipeline will cover 80 percent of lightly taxed rival to supposedly future, united, sovereign and strong”. Britain has urged business idea is that Britain will not overseas trade by 2022, sclerotic Europe. Yet the gov- GERMANY: German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was to be ready either way, but shrink inwards after Brexit but according to the government. ernment stresses that any free- “confident” the deal represents a “good outcome” that Germany industry players say the gov- will look outwards, as far afield trade deals won’t sacrifice its would be able to support. ernment has failed to deliver as a free-trade pact with Pacific What about at home? “red lines”: The state-run SPAIN: Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted “the principle vital IT systems and support Rim countries. Johnson’s pitch to voters in National Health Service, food of an agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom is staff in time, heightening the “Now Global Britain is back, last December’s general standards and UK farming. welcome”, while adding that Madrid and London must continue talking on the status of Gibraltar. NETHERLANDS: “Excellent news that an agreement on a new EU-UK partnership has been reached after tough negotia- EU gives up 25% of fish quota in UK waters tions,” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte tweeted, complimenting Michel Barnier and European Commission chief Ursula von der AFP — BRUSSELS negotiations Britain was of the hardest to resolve in the against the UK fishing sector. Leyen for “their tireless efforts”. pushing for an 80 or 60 percent ten month post-Brexit trade “But ultimately if necessary ITALY: “Good news: deal between the EU and the UK has been European Union fishing fleets cut in the EU’s share, phased in negotiation, and at times also, via an escalation ladder, agreed,” tweeted Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. “Interests will have to give up a quarter over only three years. threatened to derail the deal. on the entire agreement.” and rights of European businesses and citizens guaranteed. The of their current catch in British Boats from the continent “After 5.5 years it will be British negotiators had resisted UK will be a central partner and ally for the EU and Italy.” waters over the next five and will also be allowed to work in renegotiated,” a European dip- this provision. AUSTRIA: “I welcome that an agreement could be reached a half years, officials said British inshore waters less than lomat said, acknowledging con- Chief EU negotiator Michel by the negotiators on the EU’s future relationship with the UK. yesterday. 12 nautical miles from shore cerns that Britain could shut out Barnier vowed Brussels would We will now carefully examine the agreement,” tweeted Chan- Under the post-Brexit trade during the transition. But it will EU boats. But he warned: “If that stand by Europe’s fishing fleets cellor Sebastian Kurz. deal agreed with the UK, after still be a bitter pill to swallow does not produce sufficient after Britain leaves the union on ROMANIA: “Romania welcomes the agreed partnership on this transitional period access for many fishing communities results, the treaty gives the EU the December 31. “This agreement future relations. This agreement will protect the interests of com- to its rich fishing grounds would in northwestern Europe, which opportunity to take action.” This will require efforts. I know the panies & citizens — Romania’s key objectives during these nego- be negotiated on an annual have worked what are now UK would mean initially that, if the European Union will support its tiations,” tweeted President Klaus Iohannis. basis. This represents a com- waters for centuries. EU is not satisfied with the new fishermen and women. It will DENMARK: “Draft agreement is the best Christmas gift EU27 promise. Earlier in the The issue of fishing was one quota it could impose measures accompany them.” & UK can give each other,” tweeted Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod. Virus strain to cause more deaths in Britain: Study AFP — PARIS lead to a large increase in inci- British Prime Minister Boris dence, with COVID-19 hospi- Johnson said on Saturday that A mutated coronavirus strain talisations and deaths projected the new viral strain “may be up spreading in Britain is on average to reach higher levels in 2021 to 70 percent more transmis- 56 percent more contagious than than were observed in 2020, sible than the original version the original version, scientists even if regional tiered restric- of the disease”. have warned in a study, urging tions implemented before 19 The discovery of the new a fast vaccine rollout to help December are maintained,” strain set off alarm bells prevent more deaths. they said. worldwide just as more coun- The new variant, which The authors warned that a tries began vaccination cam- emerged in southeast England national lockdown imposed in paigns to halt a pandemic that in November and is spreading England in November was has claimed more than 1.7 fast, is likely to boost hospital- unlikely to prevent an increase million lives since it emerged a Medical personnel are seen after receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine jab, at the General isations and deaths from Covid of infections “unless primary year ago in China. Hospital in Mexico City, yesterday. next year, according to the schools, secondary schools, and Many countries quickly study published on Wednesday universities are also closed”. imposed bans on travel from by the Centre for Mathematical Any easing of control Britain, but EU governments Modelling of Infectious Diseases measures, meanwhile, would have since begun to relax the Mexico, Chile lead first vaccine at the London School of Hygiene likely prompt “a large resur- restrictions. and Tropical Medicine. gence of the virus”. This meant The co-founder of Researchers, focusing on that “it may be necessary to BioNTech — one of the firms rollouts in Latin America the English south east, east and greatly accelerate vaccine roll- behind the vaccine that is being London, said it was still out to have an appreciable rolled out worldwide this week AFP — MEXICO CITY deaths — the world’s fourth Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, fol- uncertain whether the mutated impact in suppressing the — has said its drug is “highly highest toll after the United lowed closely by Chile as well strain was more or less deadly resulting disease burden”. likely” to work against the Frontline medical workers in States, Brazil and India. as Costa Rica, which was also than its predecessor. In announcing more mutated strain detected in Mexico and Chile were among Brazil, which has reported due to begin an immunization “Nevertheless, the increase stringent lockdown measures Britain and otherwise can be the first to be vaccinated against nearly 190,000 deaths, is still program. “It may be the in transmissibility is likely to over the Christmas holiday, adapted in six weeks. the coronavirus yesterday as negotiating the purchase of 350 beginning of the end of this several countries in hard-hit million doses of coronavirus pandemic,” Costa Rican Pres- Latin America launched mass vaccines for 2021. ident Carlos Alvarado said. immunization programs. Immunization has been a Mexico City and sur- Argentina approves Russian vaccine “It’s the best gift I could highly politicized issue and far- rounding areas last week receive in 2020,” 59-year-old right President Jair Bolsonaro announced a new suspension AFP — BUENOS AIRES “The authorization of the Sputnik V vaccine Mexican nurse Maria Irene has repeatedly said he will not of all non-essential activities, in Argentina without added clinical trials in the Ramirez said as she received take a vaccine. warning that hospitals were in Argentina’s health ministry said that it has given country constitutes an important acknowl- the injection at a hospital in the In Chile, 46-year-old danger of being overwhelmed Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine “emer- edgement of Russia’s rules and regulations and capital on Christmas Eve. nursing assistant Zulema by a spike in the number of gency” authorization, making the country the the quality of its clinical tests,” said Kirill Dmitriev, “It makes me safer and Riquelme was the first person cases. The government has first in Latin America to do so. the Director of the Russian direct investment fund gives me more courage to con- shown receiving the jab, hours promised to make vaccinations The authorization for the Gam-CovidVac that helped finance the vaccine’s development. tinue in the war against an after the first 10,000 doses of available free of charge across vaccine, nicknamed Sputnik V after the Soviet- On Tuesday, an Aerolineas Argentinas flight invisible enemy. We’re afraid the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine the country. The foreign min- era satellite, was given “in conformity with the left for Moscow to collect the first 300,000 doses but we must continue.” arrived by plane. “I’m very istry said that 1.4 million doses recommendations” of Argentina’s drug admin- of the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Nikolai Mexico’s televised rollout excited and nervous — many of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine istration agency, Health Minister Gines Gonzalez Gamaleya Epidemiology and Microbiology Center. came a day after the first 3,000 emotions,” she said after being would arrive by January 31, out Garcia said. The vaccine has come under fire from The authorization came hot on the heels of approval doses produced by US pharma- inoculated in the presence of of the 34.4 million that the US critics in Russia and abroad because it was regis- of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine as the government ceutical giant Pfizer and its President Sebastian Pinera in company has agreed to deliver. tered before the start of large-scale clinical trials. continues to negotiate with Pfizer over supplies. German partner BioNTech the capital. “You’re everyone’s Chile has reserved 30 Its developers claim it is more than 90 percent Argentina has recorded over 1.5 million coro- arrived by courier plane from hope,” Pinera told her. million doses of three vaccines effective but detractors have described it as a navirus cases and more than 42,000 deaths Belgium. Mexico has registered Mexico was the first country — enough to immunize 15 tool to bolster Russia’s geopolitical influence. amongst its 44 million population. more than 120,000 COVID-19 in Latin America to receive the million people by mid-2021. 12 AMERICAS FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 Virus aid: US lawmakers block Trump's changes
REUTERS — WASHINGTON The standoff threatens desperately needed assistance for millions of Americans and US lawmakers yesterday blocked attempts to alter a $2.3 trillion raises the prospect of a partial government coronavirus aid and government shutdown at a time when officials are trying to spending package, rejecting distribute vaccines in a country where nearly President Donald Trump’s demand for extensive changes 320,000 people have died from COVID-19. and leaving benefits for millions of Americans at risk. Democrats in the House of 5,500-page bill took months to include coronavirus aid, Representatives sought to negotiate and the White House however. Many Democrats say increase direct payments to had said earlier that Trump the $892bn coronavirus aid Americans included in the bill would sign it into law. With the package is not big enough to from $600 to $2,000 per status quo unchanged, it was address the pandemic, and they person as part of a coronavirus unclear whether Trump would have welcomed Trump’s call for economic relief initiative, acting sign the package into law or larger stimulus checks. on one of Trump’s requests. hold out for further action. “How ironic it would be to Trump’s fellow Republicans, If Trump does not sign the shut down the federal gov- who oppose the higher amount, package into law, unem- ernment at a time of pandemic A treasure trove of books Books written by US President-Elect Joe Biden, US Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris and former blocked that effort. ployment benefits for about 14 crisis, the very time when gov- President Barack Obama are displayed in a book store window in Georgetown, in Washington, DC, Republicans sought to million Americans will lapse ernment services are needed on Wednesday. change the amount of foreign starting on Saturday and the US the most,” House Democratic aid included in the package, government would be forced Leader Steny Hoyer said at a seeking to address another one into a partial shutdown news conference. of Trump’s complaints. Demo- beginning on Tuesday. House Speaker Nancy crats blocked that request. New stimulus cheques, Pelosi said the chamber would Trump vetoes defence funding bill The flurry of activity on the which could go out as soon as hold a vote on the stimulus- House floor did nothing to next week, would be delayed, check increase on Monday. The AFP — WASHINGTON National Defence Authorization and our military’s history, and break a standoff that threatens as would payments to cash- House will also on Monday try Act for not responding to his contradicts efforts by my desperately needed assistance strapped states that are admin- to override Trump’s veto of an US President Donald Trump demand to end liability protec- administration to put America for millions of Americans and istering the vaccine rollout. unrelated defence-policy bill. vetoed a broad defence funding tions for social media com- first in our national security and raises the prospect of a partial A moratorium on tenant Republicans opposed larger bill sent to him by Congress on panies, known as Section 230 foreign policy actions,” Trump government shutdown at a time evictions would expire on direct payments during nego- Wednesday, complaining that — an issue with no relationship said in a statement. Without the when officials are trying to dis- December 31, instead of being tiations as they sought to limit it helps Russia and China and to the US Defence Department. changes to Section 230, Trump tribute vaccines in a country extended for another month. the size of the package. objecting to provisions to He also objected to a pro- said, the NDAA “is a ‘gift’ to where nearly 320,000 people The standoff comes as US Increased payments could add rename military bases. vision in the NDAA to rename China and Russia.” have died from COVID-19. economy is slowing in the face hundreds of billions of dollars The bipartisan bill was military bases bearing the The Democratic House Embittered by his loss to of the raging pandemic. to the overall price tag. passed by high enough margins names of generals from the Speaker Nancy Pelosi Democrat Joe Biden, Trump in Congress could keep oper- House Republican Leader in both chambers of Congress secessionist, slavery-supporting slammed Trump’s veto as “an a surprise move on Tuesday ations running by passing a Kevin McCarthy said yes- for lawmakers to — in theory South in the 19th century US act of recklessness that harms pressed Congress to dramati- fourth stopgap funding bill terday that Democrats should — override the President’s civil war. And he objected to a our troops, endangers our cally alter the coronavirus and before midnight on Monday. be willing to address foreign rejection. The veto of the provision which could impede security & undermines the will government-spending package, To successfully do that, law- aid and other elements of the $740bn measure to fund the his decision to sharply cut US of Congress.” Both the House which passed by wide, bipar- makers would need Trump’s bill that he has derided as military for fiscal 2021 came a troop levels in Germany, and the Senate set aside time tisan margins on Monday. cooperation at a time when he wasteful spending. “House day after the US leader threw a Afghanistan and elsewhere. next week to vote to override Trump was playing golf in is consumed by his bid to Democrats appear to be suf- separate virus relief bill and The NDAA “fails to include the veto — which would be the Florida yesterday. The White remain in office beyond fering from selective hearing,” overall funding for the gov- critical national security first such rebuff from Con- House did not respond to a January 20. he wrote in a letter to other ernment into question. measures, includes provisions gress in Trump’s nearly four request for comment. The The stopgap bill would not House Republicans. Trump criticized the annual that fail to respect our veterans years in office.
Police killing of unarmed Black US President pardons more allies and Kushner’s father AFP — WASHINGTON The trio were among 26 Democratic congressman “Everyone saw this raw sewage family, his personal lawyer man ignites fresh people pardoned and three who Adam Schiff, who heads the dump of pardons and commuta- Rudy Giuliani, and potentially outrage in US US President Donald Trump had all or part of their sentences House intelligence committee, tions for @realDonaldTrump himself, to protect from issued new pardons for allies commuted by Trump on said in a tweet that “during the apparatchiks and loyalists coming... potential litigation after he steps AFP — WASHINGTON including the father of his son- Wednesday. They come only a Mueller investigation, Trump’s Yet the spectacle is still appalling.” down on January 20. in-law Jared Kushner and two day after Trump pardoned lawyer floated a pardon to Man- Republican Senator Ben Sasse, Trump is also being pressed The killing of an unarmed confidants caught up in the another 15 people and commuted afort. Manafort withdrew his who has publicly spoken out to pardon three people involved African-American man by probe into Russian meddling in sentences for five, including cooperation with prosecutors, against Trump, said simply, “This in leaks of national security infor- police in the US city of the 2016 election that brought corrupt Republican congressmen lied, was convicted and then is rotten to the core.” mation — WikiLeaks founder Columbus, Ohio sparked a him to power. and security guards convicted of Trump praised him for not Trump also stunned prose- Julian Assange, former National fresh wave of outrage this The pardons added to a long killing 14 civilians in a 2007 ‘ratting.’ Trump’s pardon now cutors in Florida on Tuesday Security Agency contractor week against racial injustice list he has granted in his waning Baghdad massacre. completes the corrupt scheme”. when he commuted the prison Edward Snowden, and another and police brutality in the days in office and sparked fresh Trump’s pardon of Manafort, Manafort himself took to sentence of Philip Esformes, a ex-NSA employee Reality Winner. country. outrage. Among those pardoned who was at the heart of the inves- Twitter, saying, “You truly did health care tycoon sentenced Others known to have Andre Maurice Hill, 47, was were Charles Kushner, who tigation by special prosecutor ‘Make America Great Again.’ in 2019 to 20 years in prison for requested pardons include in the garage of a house on pleaded guilty to charges Robert Mueller into allegations God Bless you & your family. I bilking the federal Medicare former US soldier Robert Bale Monday night when he was including tax evasion and of Russian interference in the wish you a Merry Christmas & program of $44m, the largest- and Joseph Maldonado- shot several times by a police witness tampering in 2004, as election four years ago, triggered many good wishes for the ever Medicare fraud case. Passage, the star of the hit officer who had been called to well as former campaign fury that Trump was trying to coming years.” Trump is believed to be Netflix documentary “Tiger the scene for a minor incident. manager Paul Manafort and erase the probe he has always David Axelrod, a political com- weighing other pardons King”, convicted of trying to Bodycam footage shows longtime adviser Roger Stone. described as a “witch hunt”. mentator, said of the move, including members of his hire a man to murder a rival. Hill walking towards the policeman holding a cell phone in his left hand, while his other hand cannot be seen. ‘Balloon boy’ parents Seconds later, the officer fired and Hill collapsed. The footage has no sound and it is pardoned over hoax not clear why the officer, Adam Coy, fired. Hill was not REUTERS — DENVER a wheat field, with no one carrying a weapon. found aboard. Coy and his colleague The husband and wife who Falcon, the youngest of the waited several minutes before pleaded guilty to criminal couple’s three children, ulti- approaching the victim, who charges for staging the 2009 mately turned up in the attic of was still alive, but died later. “balloon boy” hoax, creating a the family’s garage. Investi- According to local media global media sensation with a gators said the mother later reports, Coy had previously false report that their son had admitted the stunt was aimed received complaints of floated away in a makeshift at gaining the family their own excessive force. A wake will be dirigible, were pardoned by reality TV show. held in memory of Hill, the Colorado’s governor. The Heenes’ account second African-American In granting executive unraveled after an appearance killed by police in Columbus clemency to Richard Mayumi on CNN’s “Larry King Live” in less than three weeks. Heene, essentially a forgiveness program, in which Falcon was Casey Goodson Jr, 23, was of their crimes, Governor Jared asked why he stayed in hiding shot several times on Polis said the couple, now 59 so long. Looking first to his Medical Assistant Juna Cela (left) checks people in before they can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at December 4 while returning and 56, had paid their debt to parents, the boy answered: “You the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center in Boston, Massachusetts, yesterday. home. His family say he was society for a “spectacle” that said that we did this for a show.” holding a sandwich in his hand wasted law enforcement time Richard Heene pleaded which law enforcement and resources. guilty to one count of mistook for a gun. Over 1 million get first vaccine dose in US The couple drew worldwide attempting to influence a public The killings come after a attention when they reported servant, a felony, and was sen- summer in which the US was AFP — WASHINGTON had logged the first million shots Warp Speed, said the objective on October 15, 2009, that their tenced to 30 days in jail. His rocked by historic protests with his agency since the biggest of injecting 20 million people 6-year-old son, Falcon, had spouse pleaded guilty to a mis- against racial injustice and More than a million Americans immunization drive in US history this month was “unlikely to be been carried aloft by a demeanor offence of filing a police brutality, sparked by the have received the first dose of kicked off on December 14. met”, adding that a delay was homemade helium balloon that false report and was ordered May killing of African their COVID-19 vaccines, a “While we celebrate this historic beginning to emerge between had become untethered from to perform 20 hours of super- American man George Floyd. milestone in the biggest immu- milestone, we also acknowledge doses being distributed to sites the family’s backyard in Fort vised community service. “Once again officers see a nization drive in US history that the challenging path ahead,” said and the shots reaching arms. Collins, Colorado. The husband’s lawyer, David Black man and conclude that came even as officials admitted Redfield. Even so, he remained con- News footage showed the Lane, said that the family, who he’s criminal and dangerous,” the pace of rollout was slipping “There is currently a limited fident of being able to inoculate silver balloon, resembling a now live in Florida, were “very said lawyer Ben Crump. behind schedule. supply of COVID-19 vaccine in 100 million people in the first flying saucer, soaring over grateful” to Polis, but he took a He denounced a “tragic The news comes as the the US, but supply will increase quarter of 2021, and another 100 northeastern Colorado for 90 swipe at prosecutors in the case. succession of officer-involved winter surge in cases rages in the weeks and months to million by the second quarter. minutes, trailed by National Lane said prosecutors told shootings.” Columbus Mayor across the country, where the come.” Some 3 million doses of If the rollout of COVID-19 Guard helicopters as author- Richard Heene that unless he Andrew Ginther said he was virus has claimed more than the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine vaccines proceeds smoothly, it ities scrambled to reroute avi- pleaded guilty to a felony, they “outraged” by Hill’s death. 320,000 lives and is on course were shipped last week, and the might be possible to achieve ation traffic around Denver would move to deport Mayumi, He “known to the residents to be the third leading cause of official goal for this week was widespread population International Airport. who was a Japanese citizen. The of the home where his car was death in the year. 2 million more Pfizer doses, and immunity in the United States Millions were riveted to live “balloon boy” case was among parked on the street,” he said, Centers for Disease Control 6 million from Moderna. by next summer, top infectious coverage on television and the 18 pardons and four sentence describing him as a “guest... and Prevention (CDC) Director Moncef Slaoui, chief advisor disease official, Dr. Anthony Internet, watching as the commutations granted by Polis, not an intruder”. Robert Redfield said jurisdictions of the government’s Operation Fauci, has said. balloon craft finally landed in a first-term Democrat. Business 13 FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 South Africa tour operators despair at flight ban by Britain over virus variant We realized a massive pent-up demand was unfolding for January. But this travel ban is a major setback now. Michael Tollman Business | 14 Group CEO of Cullinan Holdings Ltd QSE 10,538.16 +34.00 (+0.32%) FTSE 100 6,502.11 +6.36 (0.098%) DOW 30,185.86 +56.03 (0.19%) BRENT $47.76 (-0.36)
Oil holds above EU and Britain seal post-Brexit trade deal $50 a barrel on AFP — BRUSSELS negotiator Michel Barnier, who US stocks draw, Von der Leyen thanked led almost ten months of intense Britain and the European Union talks with Britain’s David Frost. Brexit deal struck a post-Brexit trade deal the British negotiators After the 2016 referendum, yesterday that they hope will and said that although in which British voters chose to REUTERS — TOKYO/LONDON cushion the economic blow of the UK would become a leave the union, Brexiteers the UK’s imminent departure “third country” it would boasted that they could win the Oil prices edged down yes- from the bloc after months of “easiest trade deal in history”. terday but were holding well tortuous negotiations. be a trusted partner. The argument was that, after above $50 per barrel in light “The deal is done,” British conducting business according holiday trade as a drop in US Prime Minister Boris Johnson to EU standards and regulations stockpiles spurred demand tweeted, declaring that the UK for so long, the economies would hopes, while hints of an would remain Europe’s ally and journal it will go into effect on be a good fit for each other. imminent Brexit deal under- “number one market”. January 1 when Britain has left But European capitals were pinned investors’ risk appetite. “We have finally found an the bloc’s single market. concerned that if such a large Brent crude futures were agreement,” the president of the The European Parliament rival on their doorstep were to down 30 cents, or 0.6 percent , European Commission Ursula will then have a chance to retro- deregulate its industry their firms to $50.90 a barrel at 1100 GMT, von der Leyen said. spectively approve the deal at would face unfair competition. while US West Texas Interme- “It was a long and winding some point in 2021, speaker Brussels insisted the only diate (WTI) crude was down 34 road, but we have a good deal at A file photo of Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson (left) David Sassoli said. way to keep the land border cents, or 0.7 percent , to $47.70. the end of it,” she said. “The meeting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Assuming the process goes between Ireland and the UK Both contracts gained more single market will be fair and in London, Britain. as planned, the negotiating open was to keep Northern than 2 percent on Wednesday. remain so.” Britain formally left teams will have agreed the Ireland, a British province, within “Lower US inventories of the EU in January after a deeply although the UK would become years ahead,” he said on Twitter. mammoth deal in record time. its customs union. crude and fuels as well as signs divisive referendum in 2016, the a “third country” it would be a German Chancellor Angela And the 11th hour accord And members balked at of a potential Brexit deal which first country to split from the trusted partner. Merkel said she was “confident” heads off the threat that Britain giving up access to Britain’s rich led to weaker US dollar were political and economic project “This agreement is in the that the deal was a “good could crash out of the club after fishing waters, which support good news,” said Hiroyuki that was born as the continent United Kingdom’s interest, it will outcome” as it now goes over to 47 years of shared history with fleets in France, Belgium, Kikukawa, general manager of rebuilt in the aftermath of World set solid foundations for a new EU member states to agree. no follow-on rules. Denmark, Ireland and the research at Nissan Securities. War II. start with a long term friend,” she Following the announcement With Britain outside the EU Netherlands. “But lingering worries over a But London remains tied to said. of the political accord, von der single market and customs area, It was the question of fish new variant of the novel coro- the EU’s rules during a transition “And it means that we can Leyen’s Commission will send cross-Channel traders will still that emerged as the last stum- navirus capped gains,” he said, period that runs until midnight finally put Brexit behind us and the text to the European face a battery of new regulations bling block as late as this week, adding oil markets were quiet on December 31, when the UK Europe is continuing to move capitals. and delays. when member states -- led by with investors in holiday mode. will leave the bloc’s single forward,” she said. They are expected to take Economists expect both France -- rejected a UK offer. US crude inventories fell by market and customs union. Irish premier Micheal Martin two or three days to analyse the economies, already weakened London pushed to reduce EU 562,000 barrels in the week to The final 2,000-page -- whose EU member state agreement and decide whether by the coronavirus epidemic, to fishing fleets’ share of the esti- December 18 to 499.5 million agreement was held up by last- would have been hard hit by a to approve its provisional take a hit as supply chains are mated €650m annual haul by barrels, the Energy Information minute wrangling over fishing no-deal -- said the accord was implementation. disrupted and costs mount. more than a third, with changes Administration (EIA) said on as both sides haggled over the “very welcome”. The UK parliament will also But the threat of a return to phased in over three years. Wednesday. access EU fishermen will get to “While we will miss the UK have to interrupt its end of year tariffs will have been removed, The EU, in particular coun- Petrol stocks fell by a sur- Britain’s waters after the end of from the European Union, the holidays to vote on the deal and relations between the tries with northern fishing fleets prise 1.1 million barrels to 237.8 the year. fact that a deal is now in place before the December 31 cut-off. former partners will rest on a like France, Denmark and the million barrels, the EIA said, Von der Leyen thanked the means we can focus on how we Once it is signed off and the text surer footing. It is also a success Netherlands -- was insisting on while distillate stockpiles fell by British negotiators and said that manage good relationship in the published in the EU’s official for von der Leyen and her chief 25 percent over at least six years. a more-than-expected 2.3 million barrels to 148.9 million barrels. Oil prices also drew support from news that Britain and the European regulators approve European Union were on the cusp of striking a narrow trade deal, swerving away from a sales of first artificial heart chaotic finale to the Brexit split. “Risk appetite among BLOOMBERG shares have advanced 66 Lagardere put a few labs and investors improved also percent this year, giving the engineers from his Matra missile because of a rebound in global Shares in Carmat SA posted their company a market value of company at Carpentier’s dis- equities, which underlined that biggest gain in more than seven about €407m ($496m). posal and the project expanded fears over a new variant of the years after the company got Carmat this week obtained over the years, including through coronavirus have receded a approval to sell the first-ever a CE mark for the device, the mergers that led to Matra little,” said Satoru Yoshida, a total artificial heart in Europe, meaning the company can now becoming part of what is now commodity analyst with the culmination of a 27-year sell it in the European Union as Airbus SE. The planemaker is Rakuten Securities. effort that began with a pitch a bridge to a heart transplant for Carmat’s biggest shareholder, At least four drugmakers from a French cardiac surgeon patients suffering from irre- with a 13 percent stake, while A Carmat employee shows an auto-regulating, bioprosthetic expect their COVID-19 vaccines to an aerospace company. versible end-stage heart failure. Carpentier owns about 5.3 artificial heart. will be effective against the new The stock climbed 34 Surgeon and heart-valve percent . fast-spreading variant of the percent to €32.05 at 11:29 am in inventor Alain Carpentier pro- It took 10 years for Carmat Executive Officer Stephane Piat and medical centers now to offer virus that is raging in Britain, Paris after rising as much as 50 posed development of an arti- to obtain the CE mark, and “it’s said yesterday in an interview our therapy and we’ll have to and are performing tests that percent , its steepest intraday ficial heart to French industri- a record, given the complexity with BFM Business television. look for patients. The production should provide confirmation in gain since May 2013. Carmat alist Jean-Luc Lagardere in 1993. of such a device,” Carmat Chief “We’ll have to work with doctors phase will be a delicate one.” a few weeks. Chief characters who played central role in Brexit trade talks AFP — LONDON Industry. minister has been commended two-year stint ended when he president entered the Brexit fray the past advocated a “United He replaced ex-premier across Europe for his handling resigned over her Brexit strategy. in the final furlong, replacing States of Europe”. Five people have played a central Theresa May’s top EU adviser of the tricky and high-profile task Johnson, 56, secured a high- Jean-Claude Juncker as head of - Michael Gove - role in the months of tortuous Olly Robbins, who drew repeated and keeping the other 27 profile but easily won Conserv- the bloc’s powerful executive Cabinet Office minister Gove, trade talks with the European criticism from ardent Brexiteers members united. ative Party leadership contest in arm last December. 53, is charged with preparing Union since Britain left the bloc for being too sympathetic to the An ex-EU commissioner July 2019 to win the country’s top Von der Leyen, 62, was Ger- Britain for life outside the EU and in January, which ended in a deal bloc. well-versed in the mysteries of job. He then defied expectations many’s defence minister for six interacting with bloc officials yesterday. A hint of Frost’s negotiating the bloc’s law, he unsuccessfully by sealing new divorce terms difficult years under Chancellor over divorce issues. - David Frost - tactics could be gleaned from a sought the role of European with Brussels six months later, Angela Merkel, but has had a A Brexit architect known for Frost, 55, was appointed as 2015 op-ed he penned about Commission president in 2014. and scored a thumping majority lesser role in trade talks than her his political acumen and conge- Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Britain’s pre-Brexit referendum With his best days seemingly in a December general election predecessor Jean-Claude Juncker niality, his career in government so-called EU “sherpa” shortly attempts to reform the EU. behind him, Brexit instead has on a simple pledge to “get Brexit in the fraught and drawn-out has also been filled by intrigue after the British leader took office In it he argued the UK could provided a rebirth of sorts for the done”. divorce process. and political back-stabbing. in July 2019, and became chief either make radical aspirations avowed European, who has But talks on UK-EU future Brussels-born, fluent in Gove, a former journalist, trade negotiator after helping to gradually seem normal or appeared to relish the challenge trade relations proved gruelling French and English, and with a helped mastermind the official finalise last year’s divorce deal. instead pursue more limited pro- of wrangling with Britain and -- and at odds of his claim to degree from the London School “Leave” campaign and initially A career diplomat with the posals to win the backing of keeping the bloc together. have an “oven-ready deal” -- of Economics, she has still inter- supported Johnson’s unsuc- Foreign Office, his resume fea- Germany and France. - Boris Johnson - with the coronavirus pandemic vened at key moments when cessful 2016 bid to be prime min- tures stints in Brussels in the - Michel Barnier - Britain’s prime minister was further complicating matters. talks repeatedly stalled, holding ister, before changing his mind 1990s and as ambassador to The EU’s chief Brexit nego- a figurehead in the official Leave Johnson nonetheless opted video calls with Johnson in a bid and briefly running himself. Denmark from 2006 to 2008. tiator has been ever-present in campaign in 2016, urging Britain against extending the 11-month to break the deadlock. He has said his lifelong oppo- More recently, Frost spent the Brexit process, heading to “take back control” from transition period, doggedly A medical doctor and sition to the EU began when nearly three years as chief exec- Brussels’ team both in the first Brussels. vowing Britain would embark on mother-of-seven known for her complying with the bloc’s pol- utive of the Scotch Whisky Asso- phase of divorce talks and trade In the aftermath of the shock its post-Brexit future with or extensive network of contacts in icies forced the closure of his ciation and briefly became chief negotiations. result, the former London mayor without a deal in January. Europe and across the Atlantic, adoptive father’s fish processing executive of the London The 69-year-old veteran was appointed foreign secretary - Ursula von der Leyen - she is a strong proponent of business in Scotland -- though Chamber of Commerce and politician and former French by then-premier May, but his The European Commission closer EU integration and has in his dad said it was not the reason. 14 BUSINESS FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 Rebound continues in China as exports boom BLOOMBERG commodity prices, so the recent rise in commodity prices, such as copper, China’s economic recovery continued China was already pulling coal and iron ore, should have raised in December, underpinned by booming further ahead of other major it significantly,” Bloomberg economist global demand for exports, rising com- economies in November, with David Qu said. “But the final PPI, in my modity prices and a rallying stock domestic demand growing, view, is unlikely to be so strong, as pro- market. foreign investment rising and ducers’ gate prices may lag.” That’s the outlook from the latest China’s relative success at con- aggregate index combining eight early record export demand taining the pandemic and optimism indicators tracked by Bloomberg, which propelling growth even as other about global economic growth next was unchanged from last month. major nations struggle amid year as vaccines are rolled out are China was already pulling further soaring virus cases. fueling gains across industrial com- ahead of other major economies in modities from iron ore to oil. Iron ore November, with domestic demand prices are climbing and copper rose growing, foreign investment rising and above $8,000 a ton last week for the record export demand propelling rising to a record-high 58.1, according first time in more than seven years due growth even as other major nations to Standard Chartered Plc, which to tight supplies and strong demand. struggle amid soaring virus cases. With surveys more than 500 small and Those prices are rising despite the Communist Party signaling there medium-sized companies in China increased production in China, with won’t be a sudden withdrawal of mon- each month. new records for output of coal and alu- etary and fiscal assistance, there’s An increase in the indexes for new minum in November. That’s partly growing confidence for a healthy export orders and production show being driven by stimulus boosting expansion in 2021. “strong external demand and improved spending on housing and infra- The export boom has been one of production capacity amid a Covid structure: In the first 11 months of the the strong drivers for China’s rebound, resurgence elsewhere,” according to year, investment in property was up with goods shipments hitting a record the report from Lan Shen and Shuang 6.8 percent from the same period a $268bn in November. That strength Ding at Standard Chartered. year ago, while home sales were up A file photo of containers at the Lianyungang Port in Lianyungang City, east looks set to continue this month, with However, expectations for next more than 20 percent in November, China’s Jiangsu Province. Korean exports rising 1.2 percent in year eased, possibly due a pullback in according to Bloomberg calculations. the first 20 days of the month and an holiday demand and the upcoming That housing spending and the overall activity reading by aggregating demandCopper prices - Spot price for index tracking the cost of shipping a Lunar New Year in February, they recovery of infrastructure investment a three-month weighted average of the refined copper in Shanghai market container of goods reaching an all-time wrote. The main index for small com- is shown in the dramatic slump in monthly changes of eight indicators, (yuan/metric ton)South Korean exports high last week. panies slipped to 52.7 in December stocks of steel rebar used in con- which are based on business surveys - South Korean exports in the first 20 There’s so much demand for con- from 52.9 a month earlier. Numbers struction. At the end of last week there or market prices. days of each month (year-on-year tainers to ship products from China to above 50 indicate improvement. were 3.5 million metric tons of the steel Major onshore stocks - CSI 300 change)Factory inflation tracker - the US that some companies are There might also be an reinforcing rods in stockpiles around index of A-share stocks listed in Bloomberg Economics created tracker sending empty boxes back to Asia. improvement this month in the fac- China, less than one-quarter of the Shanghai or Shenzhen (through market for Chinese producer prices (year-on- Shipments to the US’s busiest seaport tory-price deflation that has plagued peak in March. close on 25th of the month)Total floor year change)Small and medium-sized in Los Angeles are expected to remain Chinese firms this year, with Bloomb- Chinese stock markets have also area of home sales in China’s four business confidence - Survey of com- robust until at least early March. erg’s tracker for factory prices continued to rise, with the benchmark Tier-1 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, panies conducted by Standard Char- Smaller, export-oriented firms improving to -0.3 percent in mainland stock index closing above Guangzhou and Shenzhen)Inventory tered PlcPassenger car sales - Monthly have outperformed their peers on the December, the highest level since 5,000 points on a number of days from of steel rebar, used for reinforcing in result calculated from the weekly back of that demand, with an index February. late November and into December. construction (in 10,000 metric tons). average sales data released by the tracking their current performance “The PPI tracker is based on market Bloomberg Economics generates the Falling inventory is a sign of rising China Passenger Car Association. SolarWinds updates flagship software, Orion South Africa tour operators REUTERS - NEW YORK has its software targeted by a despair at flight ban by second and unrelated group of SolarWinds Corp said yes- hackers as well, Microsoft said terday it had released an in a blog post today. Britain over virus variant update to fix the vulnerabilities The first set of hackers - in its flagship network man- who are blamed for an REUTERS - JOHANNESBURG agement software, Orion, fol- expansive digital dragnet that lowing the discovery of a compromised the Departments A British ban on flights from second set of hackers that tar- of Treasury, Commerce, South Africa over a new variant geted the company’s products. Homeland Security, and of the coronavirus in the SolarWinds, which is Energy - are believed to be country has punctured hopes of already dealing with the fallout operating on Russia’s behalf, SolarWinds Corp logo is seen outside its headquarters building a rebound in the South African of a massive hacking campaign US officials and lawmakers in Austin, Texas, USA. tourism industry in the new that used the US tech company have said. Russia has denied year, according to frustrated as a springboard to penetrate any responsibility for the hack. set of hackers, or the degree to successfully broken in any- travel operators. federal government networks, The identity of the second which they may have where, remains unclear. UK officials ordered flights and arrivals from South Africa to be halted on Wednesday after the potentially more infectious British finance sector’s ‘EU passport’ set to expire variant was found to have reached Britain, which itself is AFP — PARIS Paris Europlace, which pro- members cannot do without to European financial com- battling to contain another fast- motes the French capital as a them. panies,” noted Marc Perrone, a spreading variant. On January 1, the European place to do business, estimates Once that period has corporate lawyer with the Tourism is a crucial sector authorities say the new variant finance sector will lose a major more than 3,500 direct jobs expired however, EU author- Freshfields firm. for South Africa, accounting for of the virus, identified last week, player as Britain begins to chart have been created there since ities have suggested that com- But “European authorities nearly 9 percent of its economic is likely behind a surge in its own course, regardless of the Brexit referendum in pensation for goods and have always insisted that ‘Brexit output. Britain is the biggest COVID-19 infections in the yesterday's last-minute deal in mid-2016. services in euros will have to means Brexit’. source of tourism to the country, country. The rate of COVID-19 Brexit talks. Companies that remain take place within the union. The European position is and the decision to halt flights infections will soon surpass the The key economic activity based in Britain must prove that Further down the road, a uncertain therefore, and we do could dent a much-needed peak hit in the first wave earlier was never a part of the drawn- EU subsidiaries employ suffi- key question is whether British not know to what extent they recovery, operators said. in the year, they warn. out negotiations between cient staff and have the means financial institutions will still will grant equivalences,” “We realized a massive Elaine Zhou and Claudia Brussels and London. to do business, to ensure they benefit from so-called equiva- Perrone told AFP. pent-up demand was unfolding Pilz, 27-year-old friends who British financial institutions are not simply “letter boxes” set lence decisions. London might want to ease for January. But this travel ban live in London and are in Cape will no longer benefit from a up to flout EU regulations. These exist in many regulations to maintain its is a major setback now,” said Town on holiday, said they were “European passport” that has A key question here is the European directives on attraction as a global financial Michael Tollman (pictured), worried about how they were allowed them to pitch their meaning of the word “suffi- financial services, and rec- hub, in which case the EU Group CEO of Cullinan Holdings going to get home following the services across the entire cient”, so EU authorities reserve ognise that other countries’ reg- would be less likely to consider Ltd. suspension of flights. 27-nation bloc without supple- the right to harden criteria at a ulations are equivalent to EU the British system equivalent to The ban stigmatises South “It’s worrying because mental agreements. later point -- creating uncer- rules, opening access to the its own. Africa and hits the industry there’s no communication about Many have therefore had to tainty for financial interests that European market. And European companies hard, said Tshifhiwa Tshiv- when it will open or when it will either move their headquarters are working hard to create a They would allow many operating in Britain could find hengwa, CEO of Tourism change,” said Pilz, an to the EU or set up a subsidiary viable organisational model. companies based in Britain to themselves at a disadvantage Business Council of South accountant. there. In September, the EU conserve some access without since they might have to con- Africa. The council is meeting “It just says your flight has Bank of America moved authorised London clearing- having to relocate activities to tinue respecting stricter EU the tourism minister on Monday been cancelled, book again, so some activities to Paris, while houses to continue operating the continent. rules while British rivals did not, to ask the government to raise you are just literally pressing the new fintech group Bankable on the continent for 18 months, London “has granted a a French financial sector source the issue diplomatically. random days and it’s like ‘no chose to relocate to Brussels. acknowledging the fact that EU certain number of equivalences noted. South African health flight, no flight, no flight’.” Festive season rally on Wall Street threatened by virus resurgence, Georgia runoffs
REUTERS - NEW YORK Just further ahead are a pair a Democrat, won the state’s 16 uncomfortably high,” he added, of US Senate races on Jan. 5 that Electoral College votes by a though he maintained a 2021 Worries over a resurgent coro- could tip control of the chamber razor-thin margin en route to year-end price target for the S&P navirus pandemic and upcoming to Democrats, potentially defeating Republican President 500 of 4,225, roughly 14 percent US Senate runoffs in Georgia are opening the way for lawmakers Donald Trump. above the current price of the clouding the outlook for what to move ahead on some of Pres- Should Democratic candi- index. has historically been a seasonally ident-elect Joe Biden’s proposals dates Raphael Warnock and Jon This year’s rally in the S&P strong period for equities. that investors have viewed as Ossoff prevail in the runoff, the 500 has pushed its forward price Stocks have tended to market-unfriendly, including US Senate will be split 50-50 to earnings valuation to 23.1, near perform well in the last five raising taxes and rolling back between Democrats and Repub- its highest level in history on the trading days of December, and Trump-era deregulation. licans, leaving Vice-President- back of extensive government the first two of January, a phe- “The market is on autopilot elect Kamala Harris as the tie- stimulus programs and unprec- nomenon known as the Santa right now as we head toward the breaking vote. edented monetary support from Claus rally which has lifted year-end, but in the near-term Overall, the broad stock the Federal Reserve. equities in 55 out of 74 years A file photo of the Wall Street sign at the New York Stock Exchange we are vulnerable as we get market has been focused on the Those backstops have left the since 1945, according to CFRA (NYSE) is seen in New York City. closer to Georgia election stimulus deal passed by Congress market priced for perfection, Research. This year, the period runoffs,” said Sam Stovall, chief on Monday and the rollout of giving it little more room to run starts on December 24. according to CFRA Research. hitting record highs on December investment strategist at CFRA coronavirus vaccines rather than without another catalyst, said The average Santa Claus rally But despite the S&P’s rally in 17 as some investors lock in Research. “If it looks like we will increasing political risk, said Randy Frederick, vice president has boosted the S&P 500 by 1.3 the quarter and its year-to-date gains. get two Democrats... could be Craig Johnson, technical market of trading and derivatives with percent since 1969, according to gain of around 14 percent , a US consumer confidence enough to cause investors to strategist at Piper Sandler. the Schwab Center for Financial the Stock Trader’s Almanac. Santa Claus rally this year is far dropped for a second straight rethink how bullish they want to “We believe these catalysts Research. Overall, a year with a Santa Claus from a given, investors said. month in December, data be.” More than 1.1 million Geor- have largely been discounted “We’re a bit overdone for a rally is followed by an annual 9.7 Concerns over a new variant showed on Tuesday, reflecting a gians have already cast their into the market’s record-high pullback in the short term and percent average gain in the S&P of the coronavirus and weak coronavirus wave that has ballots for the January 5 contests, rally,” he said. “The risk of uncer- investors are looking ahead to a 500 the following year, com- economic readings have weighed spurred renewed business a level of participation that is on tainty over how quickly they couple of races that could mean pared with a 9 percent average on stocks in recent days, with the restrictions despite a vaccine pace to rival the November pres- translate into meaningful eco- a significant change in personal gain in the S&P 500 in all years, S&P 500 down 0.7 percent since rollout. idential contest in which Biden, nomic improvement remains and corporate tax rates,” he said. Sport FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2020 15 Feast of goals in ladies football at QOC Beach Games THE PENINSULA — DOHA barely touching the ball, for a ladies beach volleyball event’s The ladies football event long period in the game. group stages, attention has now at the QOC Beach Games The ladies football event of the Action resumes in the football shifted to the men’s compe- produced thrilling action. QOC Beach Games kicked off event, howbeit in the men’s tition with two matches at the Aspire Park with two event, with Al Raheeb taking scheduled. matches played in Group C. on Al Jasra while Team Doha The first match will be the In the first match, the Sea- clashes with Al Shahaniyah on Group B encounter between shore Ladies trounced the Group B. Lusail and Al Jazeera at 5:00 Qatar team 2-1 while the 22 In Group A, Al Ennabi will pm while the second match, Youth Initiative were simply be up against Al Wukair while slated for 6:00 pm, will be Al in a world of their own as they the last match of the day will Adaam versus Zekreet in Group took their Team A7 opponents be between Al Ettihad and A. to the cleaners, scoring an Madinat Khalifa. Over 500 male and female unbelievable 13 goals with no Meanwhile, Al Maha and Al athletes are participating in the reply from the opposing side, Amal secured their quarter- first edition of the QOC Beach in the second match of the finals tickets of the ladies Games, a legacy for all day. beach volleyball event after members of the Qatari society Such was the gulf in the posting straight-set wins from the 2019 ANOC World class between the two sides against Qatar Academy and Al Beach Games, which will be that play was pegged to the A7 Mahaba respectively. held over two weeks until half of the pitch, with the team With the conclusion of the January 2, 2021. Tatum stars as Celtics Australia look to pile misery edge Bucks; on Kohli-less India in 2nd Test Heat fall in AFP — MELBOURNE Umesh Yadav. Langer said opener Australia head into the Boxing Day clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Kohli and Shami’s absence Coach Justin Langer said the on a high after crushing the visitors by eight wickets inside three days in the would not change how Aus- AFP — LOS ANGELES mark of a great team was to opening Test at Adelaide. The dramatic victory was built on the back of tralia approached the game, keep winning as he threw devastating spells from pace spearheads Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, but added: “When you take Boston Forward Jayson Tatum down a challenge to Australia the best players out of any banked in a game-winning yesterday against a depleted who skittled India in the second innings for their lowest Test score of 36. cricket team, then of course three pointer over Giannis India desperate to restore it weakens them, that is just Antetokounmpo with 1.5 pride in the second Test this reality, and it gives us an seconds left to give the Celtics week. “We need to start well on birth of his first child. Either advantage.” an 122-121 NBA season- Australia head into the Boxing Day morning and the experienced KL Rahul or Kohli pointed to his team opening victory over the Boxing Day clash at the Mel- then be consistent because the uncapped Shubman Gill being too timid with the bat Milwaukee Bucks on bourne Cricket Ground on a India, we know, will fight are tipped to take his place against Cummins, Hazlewood Wednesday. high after crushing the vis- back, as we saw in the first at number four, while and Mitchell Starc in their Antetokounmpo, the two- itors by eight wickets inside two days of the Test match in Ajinkya Rahane assumes the second innings collapse last time defending NBA Most Val- three days in the opening Adelaide.” captaincy. week, and also rued a slew uable Player, had a chance to Test at Adelaide. With star opener David Although India haven’t of dropped catches. tie it from the free-throw line The dramatic victory was Warner again ruled out with officially confirmed it, star But he expressed confi- with four-tenths of a second built on the back of devas- a groin injury, Langer said paceman Mohammed Shami dence the team would left, but the Greek superstar tating spells from pace spear- Australia would stick with the is also expected to be absent bounce back in Melbourne missed his second free throw heads Josh Hazlewood and same XI, barring last-minute after reportedly fracturing his where 30,000 fans will be after being fouled at the rim Pat Cummins, who skittled issues. wrist after being hit by a allowed each day, around and the Celtics came away India in the second innings That means the under- Cummins thunderbolt in one third capacity under with the win on their home for their lowest Test score of pressure Joe Burns retains his Adelaide. coronavirus restrictions. floor. 36. spot as opener after a handy It means they will be His sentiments were sup- The nail-biter in Boston Langer said it was an 51 not out in Adelaide, with without two of their first- ported by former Test captain was one of a dozen games on incredible effort, and he Matthew Wade again moving choice bowlers, with Ishant and chief national selector the second night of the wants to see it repeated. up the order to accompany Sharma still injured. Kris Srikkanth. 2020-21 season. “I’ve said that to become him, while allrounder The setback opens the “The mindset I think was It was supposed to be 13, a great team we have got to Cameron Green earns his door for either Navdeep too defensive. They have to but Houston’s home opener Australia’s Pat Cummins sends down get better at winning after we second cap. Saini, Mohammed Siraj or T regroup. They have to have against the Oklahoma City a delivery during a training session win. Really good teams keep India have far more Natarajan, none of whom a bit more positive intent. The Thunder was postponed as ahead of the second Test against winning and winning ... it’s selection dilemmas, with have played at Test level, to best way is just to go for it,” Covid-19 concerns -- including India in Melbourne, yesterday. an area that we have captain Virat Kohli missing step in as the third seamer he told the Melbourne Age James Harden’s violation of addressed,” he said. the final three Tests for the alongside Jasprit Bumrah and yesterday. anti-virus protocols that cost the superstar a $50,000 fine -- left the Rockets with less than the required eight players SA seek red ball revenge available to stage the game. Indian board approves Harden was ineligible after the league found he two new IPL franchises attended a party on Monday in first Test against SL in violation of protocols pro- REUTERS — NEW DELHI Governing Council - how and hibiting players from attending REUTERS — PRETORIA so we can have a structured squad along with batsman when to add the teams.” indoor gatherings of more than team. Keegan Petersen. Neither The Indian Premier League Local media has reported 15 people. South Africa return to the Test “That’s what I would hope player entered the tour bubble (IPL) is set to become a in the past that Indian con- The Rockets also had arena for the first time in 11 for from this season, for the when the players gathered on 10-team affair from 2022 after glomerates Adani Group and three players return positive months tomorrow hoping to new guys to come in and start Saturday, after two positive the Indian cricket board RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, or inconclusive coronavirus arrest a dismal slide in the scoring runs and putting up COVID-19 results were detected yesterday approved a proposal which owned the now- tests, and four other players five-day game and with their hands.” last week. to add two more franchises to defunct Pune franchise for were isolated due to contact revenge on their minds as they They start the first Test Hendricks’ absence means the world’s richest Twenty20 two IPL seasons, have shown tracing. host Sri Lanka in the first of a without key fast bowler Kagiso Glenton Stuurman is almost competition. interest in buying new teams. One day after the Lakers two-Test series at Centurion Rabada, who has a groin certain to make his test debut The eight-team league, The board also discussed launched their title defense Park. problem,problem, but wiwillll be at the age of 2929,, wiwithth hhis ability with an estimated brand the possible inclusion of with a loss to the LA Clippers, They have lostost eight of their buoyedbuoyed by the toto move the ball botbothh ways off value of $6.8bn, drew record cricket in the 2028 Los the Miami Heat -- who fell to last nine Tests, a run that bebegangan fact both the ppitchitch and hhisis eexcellent television and digital view- Angeles Olympics, something the Lakers in the champi- in February 201919 with a shock matchesmatches wiwillll recent domestic form putting ership this year despite being the game’s governing Inter- onship series -- fell 113-107 to 2-0 home defeatat byby Sri LankaLanka bebe plaplayedyed himh aheadahead ofof rivals.rivals. staged in the United Arab national Cricket Council (ICC) the Orlando Magic. who became thee firfirstst AAsiansian ssideide on fafast,st, TheThe rretirementetirement oof Vernon Emirates following the is very keen on, but did not Evan Fournier scored 25 to win a series inn the country.country. bouncybouncy Philander suggestssuggests Wiaan COVID-19 surge in India. specify its stance. points for Orlando, who trailed They havee slipped to HighveldHighveld MuldeMulderr oorr DwDwaineaine PretoriusP “We have received an in- “That still needs to be dis- by two points with less than number six in thee worldworld,, behind pitches.pitches. are llikelyikely to pplaylay iinn an all- principle approval to add two cussed. We need some more five minutes remaining. fifth-placed Sri Lanka,Lanka, and have Left-L e f t- rounderrounder role.role. more teams after talking to clarity on this issue (from It was close in Denver, a host of questionsons to answer, armarm seamerseamer SriSri LankaLank have all the stakeholders,” Board ICC),” Dhumal said. where Sacramento’s Buddy not least aroundd a brittle totopp six BeuranBeuran HHen-en- not playedplay any of Control for Cricket in India Another vexed issue that came Hield produced a put-back and the balancee ooff tthehe side.side. ddricksricks hass Tests since a (BCCI) treasurer Arun Singh up at the meeting was securing basket at the buzzer to give the “We’ve got a young team,” bbeeneen with-with- victoriousvictor tour Dhumal said after the AGM tax exemptions, as demanded Kings a 124-122 overtime captain Quintonn de KockKock (pic-(pic- drawnn to ZimbabweZi in Ahmedabad. by the ICC from host nations, victory over the Nuggets. tured) said this week.week. from thattha ended “Now the issue will be for the 2021 Twenty20 World Russell Westbrook looked “We need ourur yyoungerounger gguysuys the in late discussed in the IPL Cup and World Cup in 2023. just the same in new sur- to come throughh and learn fast January.Ja roundings, notching the first triple-double of the fledgling season with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 15 assists for his Qatar Stars League holds Technical Meeting ahead of QSL's second leg new team the Washington Wizards, who nevertheless fell 113-107 to the Philadelphia 76ers. NBA RESULTS Phoenix 106, Dallas 102 Boston 122, Milwaukee 121 Toronto 99, New Orleans 113 Portland 100, Utah 120 Denver 122, Sacramento 124 Chicago 104, Atlanta 124 Memphis 119, San Antonio 131 Minnesota 111, Detroit 101 Officials display team jerseys following a Qatar Stars League Technical Meeting with representatives of QNB Stars League clubs at its headquarters in Al Bidda Tower Cleveland 121, Charlotte 114 yesterday. The meeting was held to discuss arrangements and preparations ahead of the start of second leg of the league. The meeting was attended by Ahmed Salman Indiana 121, New York 107 Al Adsani, Director of Competitions Department at the QSL, and a representative of Referees’ Committee of the Qatar Football Association. The following points were Orlando 113, Miami 107 discussed: continuation of the precautionary measures and approved protocol on match days, and everyone must follow all procedures; determining jersey colours
Philadelphia 113, Washington and kits (home and away) for each team during their games; organisational matters and Match Day procedures, latest developments and observations and importance 107 of attending the stadium on specified dates of matches. Sport FRIDAYFR 25 DECEMBER 2020 AustraliaA look to pile misery on India I'veI'v said that to become a great team we have got to get better at winning after we win. Really good teams keep winning andan winning ... it's an area that we have addressed. We need to start well on Boxing Day morning and then be consistent bebecause India, we know, will fight back. JustinJ Langer AAustralia coach Sport | 15 FOOTBALL: TURKISH SUPER LIG Kayserispor 1 - 2 Konyaspor; Sivasspor 3 - 1 Gençlerbirligi; Ankaragücü 0-1 Besiktas
QOC honours Doha 2030 Bid Committee
THE PENINSULA — DOHA
The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) yesterday held a cele- bration in honour of organisations and individuals who played a role in Doha 2030’s winning bid to host the Asian Games. The ceremony was held under the patronage of H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Doha 2030 Bid Committee. Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Municipality and Environment and Managing Director and CEO of Qatar Rail, Sheikh Saud bin Ali H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani honours Al Thani, First Vice President of members of Doha 2030 Bid Committee. the Qatar Olympic Committee, His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, Pres- dignitaries felicitated by Sheikh of Asia the Doha bid document in confidence that was placed in you ident of the Football Association, Joaan on the occasion. order for Qatar to host the Asian to take on this national mission.” Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary At the beginning of the cer- Games for the second time after Sheikh Joaan added: “We have General of the Supreme Com- emony, Sheikh Joaan praised hosting the “Games of your life” in a lot to accomplish in the coming mittee, Saad bin Ahmed Al those who worked hard to make 2006,” Sheikh Joaan said. days and years in order to fulfill President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Mohannadi, Chairman The Public the bid a success, saying he was “And we meet tonight in cel- our promises with our deep H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani Works Authority Ashghal, sports proud of each one of them. ebration of this achievement appreciation for everyone who speaks during the ceremony yesterday. leaders, heads of federations and “More than two months ago we where you proved your compe- stayed up and continued to work the media were among the submitted to the Olympic Council tence and lived up to the creatively and sincerely." Handball: Qatar and Tunisia to clash in four-nation tournament opener
THE PENINSULA — DOHA today will begin at 6pm. Al FIXTURES teams will be divided into eight Annabi will next face Argentina Today groups of four teams, with top Asian champions Qatar will tomorrow at 6pm after Spain 6pm: Qatar vs Tunisia three teams from each group take on Tunisia in the opening open their campaign against Tomorrow will be qualifying for the main match of the Friendly Qatar Tunisia at 4pm. 4pm: Spain vs Tunisia round. Valero Rivera Lopez- International Tournament, The third day of the event 6pm: Qatar vs Argentina coached Al Anabi qualified for which will get underway today will see Argentina taking on December 28 the tournament after winning at Duhail Sports Hall. Spain before squaring off with 6pm: Argentina vs Spain the Asian Men’s Championship European champions Spain Tunisia on the final day, with December 29 2020 - their fourth consecutive and South American winners Qatar wrapping up the event in 4pm: Tunisia vs Argentina continental title after their tri- Argentina are the other two anticipated match against 6pm: Qatar vs Spain umphs in the 2014, 2016, and teams taking part in the five- Spain. 2018 editions. day event of continental giants, Qatar are preparing hard for Based on team’s recent per- being staged as part of prepa- the World Championship that matches including games formance, the management is rations for the next month’s will take place from January 13 against top clubs of Qatar. hoping for good results from the World Handball Championships to 31. The team underwent Denmark, who defeated side in the four-nation event Tunisian players arrive in Doha to take in Egypt. several training camps in the Norway in the 2019 final, will that will boost Al Anabi’s morale part in Friendly Qatar International Qatar’s match against last few months besides fea- defend their world crown in ahead of the World Tournament which begins today. African runners-up Tunisia turing in a number of friendly Egypt. The 32 participating Championships. Federer, Serena Coach Xavi praises Al Sadd's resolve among entries for THE PENINSULA — DOHA everyone on the team was up to the Al Sadd's responsibility.” Baghdad Australian Open Coach Xavi Hernandez (pictured) has “It was a deserved win for us. We Bounedjah praised Al Sadd after they pulled off are 7 points ahead of the closest team (centre) in AFP — MELBOURNE a hard-fought 1-0 win over Al Rayyan at the top of the table and we must action during in their traditional Qatar Clasico clash continue to give our best in the Qatar Clasico. Roger Federer and Serena Williams were on Wednesday. coming matches.” among the entries announced yesterday Striker Baghdad Bounedjah “We are in our best moment. We for the coronavirus-disrupted Australian scored deep into the second half to are training well and showing great Open, with tournament director Craig Tiley hand Al Sadd victory that put them 7 levels in the matches. I want to thank vowing a “happy Slam” after months of points clear on top of the table. the Al Sadd fans for their support for painstaking planning. Xavi was impressed with his the team during the recent games,” All the world’s top players have signed team’s resolve in the big game just Xavi added. on, led by world number ones Novak four days after winning the high- Al Rayyan stood sixth with 13 Djokovic and Ashleigh Barty. intensity clash with Al Arabi in the points despite their third defeat. There was a question mark over Swiss Amir Cup final. In other games, Al Gharafa great Federer, who warned this month he “It was a difficult gamegame.. We were regained the second position with a was in a “race against time” to be fit after better than Al Rayyan, especially in 1-01-0 victory overover Al WaWakrah.krah. The two rounds of knee surgery. the secondd half. We wasted many CheetahsCheetahs hhaveave 2211 But he has begun training in Dubai and opportunitiesies and we pointspoints followingfollowing their was among those entered to play at Mel- could have scoredscored seventhsev e n t h bourne Park as he targets a seventh title. more goalsls to vvictory,ictory, US superstar Williams, who like Federer increase tthehe while AAl l AlAl AhliAhl slipped to third place as place to 11th with seven points after turns 40 next year, is also committed as she result,” saidaid WakrahWakra h they stoostoodd on 19 points after their 1-4 their fifth loss. Al Arabi did well in once again attempts to pull level with Mar- Xavi. remained in eighth loss to QQatara SC, who completed five defeating Al Kharaitiyat 3-1 and The garet Court as a 24-time Grand Slam He added:ded: positionposition with 10 victoriesvictories iin a row and sixth overall. Dream Team improved their ranking champion. “I am happyappy pointspoints desdespitepite their The Kings,King however, slipped from from 11th to ninth with nine points fol- “There are so many great storylines for with the per-per- sixthsixth defeat.defeat. fourth to fifth position as they tied lowing their second victory. Al AO 2021,” said Tiley. "Serena is gunning for formance ofof all withwith reigning champions Al Kharaitiyat remained at the bottom with her eighth title while Novak, who often the players. It is not DuhailDuh on 18 points and goal dif- six points after suffering their eight seems invincible at Melbourne Park, is going easy to winn the Cup ferencefere (+8). defeat. for a record ninth title." and then returneturn to give a AlA Duhail, who defeated Al In the other fixture, Al Sailiya and The opening Grand Slam of the year, strong performance.ormance. The Khor 6-1 for their sixth win, Umm Salal played out a 1-1 draw. Al which will be played in front of at least 50 players whoho started scoredscored 221 goals and conceded 13 as Sailiya remained in seventh place percent of normal crowds, has been pushed the gamee pper-er- againstagainst QatarQ SC’s 17 goals for and with 12 points, while Umm Salal fell back three weeks until February 8. formed wellell and nine agaiagainst. Al Khor slipped one from ninth to 10th with nine points.